Michael and Alexis were walking back to the arena, and Michael was thinking about his upcoming duel with Jaden.
Michael: Jaden. He's an unpredictable duelist to say the least. I should be worried about this duel, but worry isn't what I'm feeling. It's anticipation.
Alexis: You worried?
Michael: You kidding? This may be the best duel I've had in a long time. I'm looking forward to it.
Alexis: So what deck do you plan on using?
Michael: Why spoil the surprise?
They arrived and Michael walked into the ring.
Michael: You ready Jaden?
Jaden: You'd better believe it.
Sheppard: Jaden, are you sure you want to duel Michael right after you finished your duel with Bastion? We could give you a break.
Jaden: It's cool with me.
Sheppard: Well if you're sure, you may begin when ready.
Jaden: I've been looking forward to this duel, Michael.
Michael: So have I, Jaden.
Both: Let's duel!
Michael: 4000 LP
Jaden: 4000 LP
Michael: I'll go first, and I summon Mystic Tomato in defense mode.
Level 4/Dark/Plant
ATK 1400/DEF 1100
Jaden: You're not using your Dark World deck?
Michael: I thought I'd mix things up a bit. Besides, I promised a few friends I'd use this deck.
Jaden: Well, I get the feeling this deck is just as tough as your Dark World monsters.
Michael: Guess you'll find out. I end my turn.
Jaden: Ok then, I draw. And I summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman in attack mode and activate his special ability, letting me draw 2 cards. Next, I equip Bubbleman with the Bubble Rod spell card, raising his attack power by 800 points.
Bubbleman: 800-1600 ATK
Jaden: Now Bubbleman, attack Mystic Tomato!
Bubbleman launched a stream of water from the cannon on his right arm at Mystic Tomato, destroying it.
Michael: I activate Mystic Tomato's special ability. You see Jaden, when Mystic Tomato is destroyed in battle, its effect lets me summon a dark attribute monster from my deck in attack mode, as long as that monster has 1500 or fewer attack points, so rise up, Doomdog Octhros!
Level 3/Dark/Fiend
ATK & DEF 800
Jaden: You kiddin' me? Pharaoh looks tougher than that pooch. I'll place a card face-down and end my turn.
Michael: I draw. I play Pot of Greed, so I draw 2 more cards. And now I sacrifice my Octhros in order to summon an old friend: the mighty Summoned Skull!
Jaden: Say what?!
Level 6/Dark/Fiend
ATK 2500/DEF 1200
Bastion: Unbelievable! The Summoned Skull is one of the strongest fiend type monsters there is! It has power comparable to the Dark Magician, but since it's a level 6 monster, it only requires a single sacrifice.
Syrus: Things aren't looking good for Jaden.
Summoned Skull: Thanks for letting us in on this duel, Michael.
Michael: No problem. I realized I don't really use you guys as much anymore. I activate the effect of Doomdog Octhros. Since he was sent from my field to the graveyard, I can add a level 8 fiend type monster from my deck to my hand, and the monster I choose is Belial – Marquis of Darkness. Now Summoned Skull, attack Bubbleman with Magical Lightning!
Jaden: 3100 LP
Michael: Electrifying, isn't it?
Jaden: Yeah, but I think you'll get a real jolt out of this. Since Bubbleman was destroyed while Bubble Rod was equipped to him, I draw a card. Next, I play Hero Signal, which will let me summon Avian from my deck in defense mode.
Level 3/Wind/Warrior
ATK & DEF 1000
Michael: In that case, I play the Quick Summon spell card. This card allows me to immediately normal summon a monster, so I summon Giant Germ in attack mode.
Level 2/Dark/Fiend
ATK 1000/DEF 100
Bastion: Since its attack points are the same as Avian's defense, if it attacks, Avian won't be destroyed.
Michael: Which is why I'm activating the Rush Recklessly spell card. This will raise the attack points of one monster on the field by 700 points until the end of this turn, and I choose my Giant Germ.
Giant Germ: 1000-1700 ATK
Michael: Now, attack Avian! Infection Burst!
His monster fired a stream of black liquid at Avian, causing him to explode.
Jaden: Guess I should've had him vaccinated.
Michael: I place 2 cards face-down and end my turn.
Jaden: I draw. And I play the spell O – Oversoul, which will let me bring back Avian from my graveyard. And now I equip Avian with the Great Sword spell card, which will let me treat him as two tributes for a warrior monster, which means I can sacrifice him to summon Bladedge in attack mode!
Level 7/Earth/Fiend
ATK 2600/DEF 1800
Michael: Not bad, you outmuscled Summoned Skull in a single turn.
Jaden: Thanks. It's time to battle!
Michael: Not so fast Jaden, I play the trap Call of the Earthbound. This trap lets me choose one of your monsters, and the monster I choose has to attack this turn. Seeing as you only have one monster, I choose Bladedge.
Syrus: Why would Michael play a card like that?
Bastion: He must have something planned. Sadly, Jaden has no choice but to walk into whatever trap Michael has set for him.
Jaden: Bladedge, attack Summoned Skull!
Michael: Nice try Jaden, but I play the trap Relieve Monster!
Bladedge tried to strike Summoned Skull, but he disappeared before the attack hit.
Jaden: Where'd he go?
Michael: Back to my hand. You see Jaden, Relieve Monster is a trap that activates when you attack one of my monsters, and since you did, that monster returns to my hand and I can summon a level 4 monster from my hand to take its place, so come out, Newdoria!
Level 4/Dark/Fiend
ATK 1200/DEF 800
Michael: Let me offer some advice Jaden. Choose your next attack wisely.
Jaden: What's that mean?
Bastion: I see what Michael is saying.
Syrus: What is it Bastion?
Bastion: Both of Michael's monsters have abilities that activate when they're destroyed in battle, and I'm afraid neither of those abilities are pleasant.
Chumley: Care to elaborate?
Bastion: Due to Giant Germ's special ability, if Jaden destroys it, he'll take 500 points of damage, and then Michael will be able to summon up to two more Giant Germs from his deck.
Syrus: So then he should just attack Newdoria.
Lily: That's not a good idea either.
She walked up and sat next to the three of them.
Chumley: Don't sneak up on us like that!
Syrus: And what did you mean when you said that wouldn't be a good idea either?
Lily: Because due to Newdoria's special ability, it can destroy any monster on the field when it's destroyed in battle.
Syrus: So he should just not attack, right?
Bastion: I'm afraid that isn't an option Syrus. Since Michael played Call of the Earthbound, Jaden has to attack.
Jaden: If I attack Giant Germ, I lose a few life points, but Michael gets to summon two more monsters. But if I attack Newdoria, I'll lose my only monster. Since I have to attack, Bladedge, attack Giant Germ!
Michael: 2400 LP
Michael: Good shot Jaden, but since Giant Germ was destroyed in battle, you lose 500 life points, and I get to summon two more to take its place.
Jaden: 2600 LP
Jaden: I'll place one card face-down and end my turn.
Michael: My turn, I draw. And I sacrifice my two Giant Germs to summon Belial – Marquis of Darkness in attack mode.
Level 8/Dark/Fiend
ATK 2800/DEF 2400
Michael: As long as Belial is on my field, you can't target any of my monsters for attacks or card effects except him. Now, attack Bladedge!
Jaden: I play the trap Hero Barrier, which means your attack is negated!
Michael: I could attack Bladedge with Newdoria, letting me destroy Jaden's monster, but that would leave me with only a thousand life points. Too much of a risk. I set a card face-down and end my turn.
Jaden: My move, I draw. I play the spell H – Heated Heart, which will raise Bladedge's attack points by 500 this turn.
Bladedge: 2600-3100 ATK
Jaden: I'm not fallin' for another one of your traps, Michael. I play the spell R – Righteous Justice. Since Bladedge is on the field, I can destroy your face-down.
Michael: Sorry, Jaden, looks like you fell for one of my traps after all. You just destroyed the trap Dummy Marker.
Jaden: Okay, so what?
Michael: The so what is that since you destroyed it, I can draw a card, plus another one since you destroyed it with a spell card.
Jaden: Guess you got me on that one. Well, I'll still take down your monster. Bladedge, attack Belial with Power Edge Assault!
Michael: 2100 LP
Syrus: Way to go Jaden!
Michael: I'm actually impressed Jaden. Not so many duelists can bounce back at a moment's notice like that.
Jaden: Thanks. I'll place a card face-down and end my turn.
Michael: My move, I draw. I place one card face-down and end my turn.
Jaden: Then it's my turn, and I draw. I play the spell card E – Emergency Call, which will let me add one Elemental Hero monster from my deck to my hand, and I choose Elemental Hero Sparkman. Next I'll activate Polymerization and fuse Clayman and Sparkman to summon Elemental Hero Thunder Giant!
Level 6/Light/Warrior
ATK 2400/DEF 1500
Jaden: Now Thunder Giant's effect activates, letting me destroy your Newdoria!
Syrus: Sweet! If it's destroyed by an effect, its effect won't activate!
Michael: I play the trap Altar for Tribute! By sacrificing Newdoria, I gain life points equal to his original attack points.
Michael: 3300 LP
Jaden: But now you're wide open. Thunder Giant, attack directly with Voltic Thunder!
Michael: I don't think so, Jaden. I activate the effect of Battle Fader in my hand! Since you declared a direct attack, I can summon this card from my hand and end the battle phase.
Level 1/Dark/Fiend
ATK & DEF 0
Jaden: Rats. I end my turn.
Michael: My move. I'll start by sacrificing Battle Fader to play Summoned Skull again. And now I'll banish the three Giant Germs in my graveyard to summon Dark Necrofear in attack mode!
Level 8/Dark/Fiend
ATK 2200/DEF 2800
Michael: And now that she's out, I equip her with the Black Pendant spell card, giving her 500 more attack points.
Necrofear: 2200-2700 ATK
Jaden: Not good.
Michael: Now Dark Necrofear, attack Bladedge!
Jaden: 2500 LP
Michael: Now Summoned Skull, attack Thunder Giant with Magical Lightning!
Jaden: 2400 LP
Syrus: Jaden!
Chumley: So not licious.
Michael: I end my turn.
Sheppard: Michael sure has Jaden against the ropes.
Banner: Yes. But if there's one thing I've learned about Jaden, it's to never count him out when it comes to a duel.
Jaden: My move Michael. And I play Pot of Greed. Next, I summon Wroughtweiler in defense mode.
Level 3/Earth/Machine
ATK 800/DEF 1200
Jaden: I'll place one card face-down and end my turn.
Michael: Alright then, my turn. Now Summoned Skull, attack Wroughtweiler!
Summoned Skull fired a bolt of lightning at Wroughtweiler, destroying it.
Jaden: You just triggered Wroughtweiler's special ability. When he's sent to the graveyard, his effect lets me add an Elemental Hero and a Polymerization from my graveyard to my hand, so I add Avian and Polymerization to my hand.
Michael: Shame you won't get to play them. Dark Necrofear, attack Jaden directly!
Jaden: Not so fast Michael, I play The Flute of Summoning Kuriboh! This will let me summon Winged Kuriboh from my deck in defense mode.
Level 1/Light/Fairy
ATK 300/DEF 200
Michael: In that case, Dark Necrofear, attack Winged Kuriboh!
Dark Necrofear fired a black beam from her pendant, striking Winged Kuriboh dead-on.
Jaden: Thanks for the save pal.
Michael: I honestly thought I had you there.
Jaden: For a minute, so did I.
Zane: I've never seen any duelists so evenly matched.
Lily: You can do it Michael! Keep up the pressure!
Alexis: Come on, you can do it Jaden.
Michael: I place one card face-down and end my turn Jaden. Show me what you've got.
Jaden: You want it, you'll get it. I draw! And I play the spell Spell Books from the Pot, which means we both draw 3 cards.
Michael: If you insist.
They both drew their cards and looked over their hands.
Jaden: I play the spell Hero Flash! By banishing Heated Heart, Emergency Call, Righteous Justice, and Oversoul from my graveyard, I can summon an Elemental Hero normal monster from my deck, and I choose Burstinatrix!
Level 3/Fire/Warrior
ATK 1200/DEF 800
Jaden: Next, I activate the spell card Polymerization and fuse Burstinatrix and Avian to summon Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!
Level 6/Wind/Warrior
ATK 2100/DEF 1200
Michael: We both know he's not strong enough to beat my monsters.
Jaden: He will be when I play this: the field spell Skyscraper!
Michael: I should've guessed as much.
Jaden: Now Flame Wingman, attack Dark Necrofear!
Michael: 2900 LP
Jaden: And due to the Wingman's superpower, you take damage equal to your destroyed monster's attack points.
Michael: Not so fast! I play the Damage Diet trap card, and with it, the damage from Flame Wingman's effect is halved. Additionally, since Black Pendant went to the graveyard, you take 500 points of damage.
Michael: 1800 LP
Jaden: 1900 LP
Jaden: I place one card face-down and end my turn.
Suddenly, a ghostly image of Dark Necrofear appeared on the field before enveloping Flame Wingman. When it faded away, he jumped over to Michael's side of the field.
Jaden: What happened?!
Michael: Due to Dark Necrofear's special ability, when she's destroyed as a monster, she turns herself into an equip card on one of your monsters during the end phase, giving me control of that monster.
Bastion: He wanted his Dark Necrofear destroyed!
Michael: I draw. And I activate the ritual spell Contract with the Abyss. With it, I sacrifice Flame Wingman in order to bring out Archfiend's Awakening.
Level 6/Dark/Fiend
ATK 2500/DEF 1200
Michael: Now, attack directly with Awakened Lightning!
Bastion: If this attack connects, Jaden will lose!
Alexis: Jaden!
Jaden: I play the trap Negate Attack! This will stop your attack and end the battle phase!
Chumley: He's safe.
Michael: For now. But just to be safe, I play the spell card Twister. By giving up 500 life points, Skyscraper is destroyed.
Michael: 1300 LP
Michael: The last card in my hand is Stop Defense. If he plays a monster in defense mode, I can use this to force it into attack mode. It's your move Jaden.
Bastion: If Jaden can't turn it around this turn, he'll lose.
Jaden: My move, I draw! And I play the spell Card of Reversal. With it, I can draw one card for every face-up card on your field, so I draw 2 cards. Next I play the Spy Hero spell card, so by sending two cards in my deck to the graveyard, I can add a card from your graveyard to my hand, and I choose Pot of Greed, which I'll now play.
Syrus: Please let him draw good cards.
Jaden drew his cards and looked at them before smiling.
Jaden: Well Michael, looks like this duel is mine.
Michael: What?
Jaden: I summon Elemental Hero Wildheart in attack mode!
Level 4/Earth/Warrior
ATK 1500/DEF 1600
Michael: I'm guessing that's not all.
Jaden: You'd better believe it. I play the spell Miracle Fusion! This card lets me summon an Elemental Hero fusion monster by banishing the monsters I need to fuse from my field or my graveyard.
Michael: What?!
Jaden: I banish Wildheart from my field and Bladedge from my graveyard. Come forth, Elemental Hero Wildedge!
Level 8/Earth/Warrior
ATK 2600/DEF 2300
Michael: Not bad, but with just 2600 attack points, even if he beats my monsters, I'll only take 100 points of damage.
Jaden: I guess we'll see. Wildedge, attack Archfiend's Awakening!
His monster brandished his sword and slashed Michael's, but didn't even leave a scratch on him.
Michael: 1300 LP
Michael: Sorry Jaden, but Archfiend's Awakening can't be destroyed in battle with monsters that aren't ritual monsters.
Jaden: I know that, which is why it's a good thing I have this: the Revenge Attack spell card! Since your monster wasn't destroyed by my attack, Wildedge gains 1000 attack points and can attack your monster again.
Wildedge: 2600-3600 ATK
Jaden: Now go and attack Archfiend's Awakening again!
Michael: 200 LP
Michael: Nice try Jaden, but I'm still standing.
Jaden: Not for long. Due to Wildedge's effect, he can attack all your monsters.
Michael: What?!
Syrus: Wait, so if he attacks Summoned Skull-
Alexis: That means Jaden wins!
Jaden: Well Michael, it's been a blast, but it's time to end this duel. Wildedge, attack Summoned Skull!
Wildedge struck Summoned Skull, destroying him and knocking Michael onto his back.
Michael: 0 LP
Winner: Jaden
Syrus: Way to go Jaden!
Lily: Michael!
She ran down to the ring and up to Michael, who was still lying on his back.
Lily: Michael, are you okay?
?: Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Syrus: Who's laughing?
Bastion: Look at the duel field.
Syrus looked down at the arena and saw that it was Michael who was laughing.
Chumley: He's happy he lost?
Michael: Well I'll be Jaden. You actually beat me. I figured you had a good chance, but I wasn't sure you'd actually win.
Jaden: Hey, you certainly didn't make it easy. That was an awesome duel.
Michael: I have to agree with you there. That was the best duel I've had in a long time. I know you'll make Duel Academy proud in the School Duel.
Jaden: Thanks. And I look forward to the next time we get to duel.
Michael: Same here Jaden.
Jaden: Man, after this, I can't wait for the School Duel!