Today was the day of a big event.
Today was exam day, but not just any exam day. It was to test to see of students were skilled enough to get into Duel Academy. Duel Academy was created by Seto Kaiba in order to train the most elite duelist in Japan. The Central Academy is located on an Island with a dock for boats, a volcano, beach and a lake, cliffs and waterfalls. It has the Main Academy Building where the students go to learn how to Duel, with a gym building located beyond the beach.
The exam consist of 2 parts, a written test and a skills test.
Based one's results, they will be placed in 1 of 3 dorms. Obelisk Blue for the most elite, Ra Yellow is for the more average, and finally Slifer Red for the more ... low level dualist.
/
A boy dressed in a purple jacket, green t-shirt and jeans stood in front of the large community center that he always would come to in order to practice his dueling skills. He had become pretty good in the couple years since he started, but now he only had one goal in mind.
To be the best.
"The time has come." A female voice said "Are you ready?"
"If I wasn't ready, I wont be here." The boy replied.
The voice laughed. "How very true."
He entered the main room of the center and saw many stands set up around the four dueling fields. Bleachers lined the sides and the balconies had some older students checking out the duels to see what the new students would be like.
"Are you here for the entrance exam?" A voice said. Spike turned and saw an attractive woman with pink hair done up like cotton candy and wore a Obelisk Blue that showed off her curves pictures of candy sowed into it.
"Yes I am. I'm not too late am I?" The boy said as he pulled down his hoodie lower to keep his face hidden.
"Nope, you're right on time! We were actually about to close off admissions in a few minutes. So congrats on making it!" the lady said as she brought out a party popper and shot it in the boy's face. "Just find a seat and wait for your number to be called."
"Right," He said as he then walked away.
"Huh? He doesn't have to be so grumpy," She said as she reached into her poufy hair and pulled out a lollipop, to which she started to lick.
/
"Man! This is boring!" A girl with rainbow hair exclaimed as sat behind a desk with her feet on top of it.
"Don't be such a sourpuss, Rainbow dash," Another girl with long blonde hair had a cowboy hat said with a southern accent.
"We got work to do!"
"Come on, Applejack!" Rainbow Dash. "I know we volunteer for this, but I thought we be beating down some duelist! Not this boring desk work!"
"Oh quit complaining," Applejack said as she re stacked up the papers.
"Hey Applejack?" A with beige coat, pigment blue mane with a rose pink streak, and cerulean eyes asked. She was holding another girl with mint skin, brilliant cyan mane with a white streak, and sunglow eyes.
"Bon Bon, Lyra," Rainbow Dash said smiling at them.
"What up girls?" Applejack asked as she saw Lyra was holding her stomach in pain.
"Well Lyra got into my candy sash again and ate a bit too much," Bon Bon explain while Lyra just grunt in pain. "I'm gonna take her to nurse Red Heart, you think you can take her place as examiner?"
"Finally!" Rainbow Dash cheer as she got up and was about to take off. She was in such a hurry to leave, didn't notice Applejack grabbing her by her collar making her run in place.
"Now hold your horses, RD," Applejack said "She asked me. Besides, knowing you, you'll just go flatten the sugar. Ah'll handle it."
/
"Attack with White lightning!" A girl in her teens yelled.
She wore a sky blue jacket with matching shorts and a dark blue belt. Her hair was dark blue with white highlights. Her Blue Eyes white dragon unleashes a stream of destruction upon her opponent.
"GAHH!" the examiner yelled as he felt to power of the blast hit him. Sending all the way to the back wall with his back hitting the wall hard.
LP 0 vs 4000
The girl sighed and simply said, "Too easy."
/
A group of 5 older girls were gathered. They all wore their school uniforms which consisted of a white top with blue trimming, a blue miniskirt, and royal blue boots. They were watching the duels with interest, especially Ember's.
"Looks like Miss Ember will definitely be joining us in Obelisk Blue," A girl with elegantly curled purple hair said. "Though I do hope she let he do something about that hair of her's. Seems rather wild for a lady of nobility."
"Come one, Rarity," A girl with girl with purple hair with a light pink streak in it said, leaning on the rail. "You can aske her when she gets to the Academy."
"Best not encourge her too much," A girl with red and gold hair said. "Remember when we first got to the Academy?"
"I wasn't that bad Sunset!" Rarity said trying to defend herself.
"You snuck into several girl's room to change their hair," Sunset said flatly.
"Gahh!" Rarity exclaimed as if taking physical damage.
"Her battle style also seems rather aggressive," A girl with pink gently while feeding a bird on her shoulder.
"Yes," Sunset smiled at her shy friend, "but thats something you'd expect from Ember Kaiba, daughter of Seto Kaiba."
"Hey girls!" A voice called out to them.
"Pinkie, Ranbow Dash!" Twilight Smiled at her friends. "Is admissions done?"
"Yep!" Pinkie said as she hopped over to them.
"Mmm?" Rarity noticed Rainbow Dash looked upset. "Whatever is a matter, Rainbow?"
"She's just mad cuz Aj is getting to duel and she isn't" Pinkie answered.
"Oh be quiet, Pinkie," Rainbow sulked.
"Sounds like someone needs huggies!" Pinkie yelled as she leap at Rainbow and hugged her tight while Rainbow was trying to get out of the tight embrace to breathe.
Examinee 107, please make your way to duel field G. Examinee 107, please make your way to duel field G.
"Hey look," Sunset said pointing. "Looks like Applejack is able to duel someone."
/
"Howdy there," Applejack greeted the examinee while getting ready her dual disk "Mah name is Applejack and ah'll be testing ya."
Showing off her duel disk. it was reminiscent of the Academia Disk in the past version years ago. The difference is the colored borders covering the left and right sides, with the Graveyard slot aligned at the front border, while the Spell/Trap Zone is on the side facing the Duelist.
"Fine by me," The examinee said showing her his duel disk.
"Fancy duel disk ya'll got there," Applejack said. The rule state that any one who brings their own duel disk was allowed to use and keep it when they go the the Academy.
"Custom made," The boy said. "Made by me, for me."
It had round touch screen with a blackbody. Both the Spell & Trap Zone and the Graveyard are located in the back of the red rectangular section of the Disk, with the Spell/Trap on the upper one and the Graveyard on the lower one.
"Duel!" Applejack and the hooded boy yelled as they began with both blades. Applejack having a Orange and red resembling long apple while the examine had black one looking like a black wing.
(A/N Applejack is using a You show duel disk while spike is using a rebellion duel disk. As for the blades, I took inspiration from Zexal. This way all the duel disk can be blades can be more custom and fit each character)
LP 4000 (AJ) vs 4000 (boy)
"I'll start! I summon Elemental hero, Avian in atk mode!" The boy said as he began the duel by bring out a monster wearing a green suit and fathered wings. "Next I'll play 2 card face down and end my turn."
Atk - 1000 Def - 1000
/
"Oh an Elemental Hero deck!" Fluttershy smiled as she looked upon the boy's starting monster, but something seemed strange. His Avian had a darker colors then the original.
"Boy! Doesn't that bring back memories," Rainbow said remembering a small boy who would play together with them while using that very archetype.
"Yeah. How's he been since we all left for Dual Academy. He most be so lonely without us," Rarity smiled too as she remembered how whenever she needed help with something, he would always rush to her side with a smile.
"Come on girls. It's only been a year," Twilight smiled at her friends remembering how sad he was when they all left for Dual Academy.
"Has there been any news about him yet?" Pinkie asked as she remembered how they would keep in contact, but then suddenly all the letters stopped.
"No," Twilight shook her head. "Whenever I called, all they told me was that he was coming home late and acting strange."
/
"Now its mah turn! Ah play Superheavy Samurai Flutist!" Applejack said as she began. She brought out a machine monster playing a flute. "Next Ah'll use his special ability to release him so Ah can special summon new Superheavy Samurai! Big Benkai!"
Applejacks Flutist disappeared into dust, but in his place now stood big robot holding a fork spear weapon before it sat down in defense mode.
Atk - 1000 Def - 3500
/
"Shes not using the standerd exam decks," Sunset said looking down at one of her friend's duel.
"She probably wants to show eveyone here that if they wanna join our school, they better bring it!" Rainbow told her.
"Still doesn't seem all that fair to use her own deck against an examinee," Twilight crossed her arms.
"No worries, Darling," Rarity said as she patted Twilight's shoulder. "I'm sure she'll hold back enough to properly exam him."
/
"Big Benkai has a special ability that lets me attack while he's in defense mode." Benkai brought up his fork and swung it at Avian. "Not only that, but he can use his Def points as Atk points!"
"Activate trap! Negate Attack" The boy yelled as he revealed a trap card to save his monster from being destroyed. A large vortex appeared in front of Avian and protected him from Benkai's attack.
"Not bad," Applejack nodded. "Ah half expected you to use 'Hero Barrier'"
"Please!" The boy shrugged. "Why would I use that card when Negate Attack is much more useful."
"True enough," Applejack shrugged. "Ah end my turn."
"My turn," the boy said as he drew. "I'll bring out Elemental hero, Sparkman!
/
Fluttershy noticed once again the colors on the elemental hero looked darker then it was supposed to. What was going on?
Rarity looked down at her shy friend and asked, "What's wrong, Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy shook her head and replied, "Oh. Its nothing."
/
"Next I'll equip Sparkman with Spark blaster! Benkai may have a high Def, but with Spark Blaster. I'll change him to Atk." A handgun with wires connected to Sparkman appeared as he then pointed it at Bekai.
"Ah don't think so!" Applejack said as she pulled Flutist from her graveyard. "Ah use Flutist Special ability. By removing him from play while in the grave, I can nagate any card or effects that target Superheavy Samurai and destroy it!"
The blaster in Sparkman's hand gave a yellow glow before it was destroyed. The boy took a card from his hand and placed it down. "I'll switch Avian into Def and set 1 card. End turn.
"Mah turn and Ah think ah'll equip Superheavy Samurai Soulpiercer to Benkai" A crossbow like weapon appeared on Benkai's left forearm. He then pointed his new weapon at Avian. "With this, I can deal piecing damage! Benkai attack his Avian!"
"I active my trap! Attack Guidance Armor! With this card, I can change the attack target to a different monster and I choose Sparkman!"
Benkai shot his arrow flying straight at Avian. On the boy's side a demonic looking armor with a face like look appeared. It disappeared for a moment before reappearing onto Sparkman. The arrow then changed directions and pieced though Sparkman.
LP 4000 vs 2100
The boy braced himself for the shockwave of his Sparkman being destroyed. As the shockwave washed over him, his hood was blown off. He stood up to reveal he had green spiked hair and green eyes. Applejack as well at the rest of the girls were shocked as they all knew who this boy was.
"Spike!?" They all yelled surprised.
/
"Hey who is that and how do to Elements know him?" Someone the the crowed asked.
"That's Spike Sparkle! The younger brother of Twilight Sparkle!" Another replied.
"No way! The younger brother of the Princess of Games and leader of the Elements!" A girl exclaimed.
"Way! I heard he won the reginal tournament earlier this year!"
"Just what you expect from her younger brother!"
"I know right. Having a big sister as famous like that must be nice."
"All of his skills likely came from her."
"I bet Applejack is gonna go easy on him now."
"Yea he might not be as skilled as his sister anyway."
/
As Spike heard everyone talk about him, he couldn't help, but clinch his fist.
"I activate my second trap! Hero Signal! Since you destroyed my monster, I can now special summon a new one. Come, Elemental hero, Burstinatrix!"
Atk - 1200 Def - 800
/
"Spike! Yo-ho! Its me!" Pinkie yelled from the rails waving her arms crazy. "It's Pinkie Pie! Remember! Remember me!?"
"Hey Spike!" Rainbow Dash called out to him as well. "Why didn't you tell us you were gonna be here!"
"Spikey, it's so good to see you again," Rarity waved trying to get the young boy to look at her.
"You all know him?" Sunset asked.
"Well yeah!" Rainbow smiled. "We're the ones who taught him how to play!"
"Its also good to see him still using the Elemental Hero deck we made for him." Twilight smiled at the memory of how her and Spike would stay up way pass their bedtime to working on his deck.
"You made that deck?" Sunset asked. "Doesn't that seem a bit unfair if he's using a deck made by you?"
"It just showed how awesome we are!" Rainbow smiled smugly.
"But doesn't his deck seem a bit different?" Fluttershy asked as all the girls looked at her.
"Whatever do you mean?" Rarity asked. "Maybe he just made some changes to his deck."
"Well its just that his cards ... they seem so much different then I remember." Fluttershy answered as she could help but feel a bit uneasy about spike's deck.
/
"Well Ah'll be. Ah should have known that was you under that there hood." Applejack smiled at Spike only for him to not respond to her. "Spike?"
"It's my turn!" Spike yelled angrily ignoring them as drew from his deck. Once he looked at it, he smiled sinisterly. He turned to card over to to AppleJack before he played it. "It's time I end this! I play Dark fusion!"
/
"Dark fusion?" Rd said as they all looked at Spike's card with shock.
Rarity turned to Sunset and Twilight. "Have you ever heard of such a card?"
"No I haven't" Sunset shook her head.
"Nor I. And I've read the Duel Academy's entire list of cards many time." Twilight looked troubled. "Where could he have gotten such a card."
/
"I dark fuse my Avian and Burstinatrix!" Both of Spike hero cards with sucked into a black spiral as a large blue flame erupted from it. "To rid the world of evil, you must become a greater evil. Burn all who stand before you with cerulean flames! Dark fusion summon! Evil hero! Inferno Wing!"
Standing before was woman with dark skin in a red dress with a long train. she had what seemed to be spike on her shoulders and mid section, large claws over her arms, as well as large black wings. Finally she had a blue visor covering her eyes.
atk - 2100 def - 1200
/
"Evil hero?" Twilight said as Spike had once again used a card that she never heard of. What had happen to her younger brother in the time they had been apart?
"Oh she looks scary," Fluttershy said. Inferno Wing looked up at Fluttershy and gave her a sadistic smile. Making Fluttershy jump and hide behind Rainbow Dash scared.
/
"While you monster does look mighty strong there, Spike. She doesn't have enough atk power to beat my Benkai,"
Spike smirked. "I reveal my facedown! The spell, Blind Spot Strike! Since you have a defense monster and I have an attack, Inferno Wing gains atk equal to yours's def!"
"Say what!?" Applejack yelled as she watched as Inferno Wing started to glow green.
atk - 2100+3500=5600
"Inferno Blast!" Inferno Wing summoned a ball of blue flames in her between her hands before shooting a torrent of flames at Benkai. Benkai screamed in pain before he was destroyed. Applejack braced herself as the shockwave of the attack reached her.
LP 1900 vs 2100
"What in sam hill?" Applejack looked down at her dual disk. "Why did mah life points go down? Benkai was in def mode. Unless..."
"Unless Inferno Wing can deal piecing damage, But thats not all!" Spike nodded before his gave a dark smile that made her take a slight step back. "Like her Elemental hero counter part Flame wingman, She can deal damage to you when she destroys a monster. But she can deal damage for atk or def."
"Atk OR Def?" Applejack repeated to make sure she heard right.
/
"If It was Flame Wingman, she would would only only lose 1000 from benkai's low Atk points," Sunset noted.
"But if Inferno Wing can deal damage from either Atk or Def," Raity added.
"And Benkai has a high Def of 3500," Rd lowing her head sadly.
"So that means..." Fluttershy said peaking from behind RD
"She lose this one," Twilight finished sadly.
/
"Hell Backfire!" Spike yelled as Inferno Wing summoned fires at Applejack's feet. The blue fires then shot up and engulfed her in while Applejack screamed.
LP 0 vs 1900
"Bang!" Spike said as he pointed his finger like a gun and mimicked it being fired.
He then turned and walked away. The crowd around him was silent as they just witnessed one of the top duelist at Duel Academy lost to an examinee. The girls tried to called out to him, but once he looked up them, his glared deeply at them. This caused the girls to flitch at his gaze before he turned back and left. They tried to call out to him again to try and understand what could have turned to once gentle boy into this being of hate.
"Well Spike," Ember said as she watched the whole exchange from the stands. "Looked like you've finally made your debut. I can't wait to see you at the Academy"
/ Kaiba Corp Headquarters/
There staring on the window in his office stood the man who owned it all. The man who went from being an orphan to being the richest and most powerful man on the planet. His name...
"Mr. Kaiba?" A vioce from an intercom on his deck called out to him
"What is it?" Seto Kaiba said not bothering to turn around.
"I have forwarded the list of those who will be attending Dual Academy this year to your computer. As expected your daughter scored the highest and will be placed in Obelisk Blue."
"Good," Kaiba nodded feeling proud of her.
"It's just that..." she tried to add hesitantly
"Spit it out!" Kaiba yelled as he turns to her, having no patience for it
"The other one you had your eye on. While he did do equally as good as miss Ember and would have been place in Obelisk Blue with her. He made a request to be put in the lowest group, Sliffer Red."
"What did you say!?" Kaiba yelled at her even louder. "This better not be some joke or your can start finding yourself a new job!" Kaiba walked over to his computer and started looked though the list until he come upon the one he was looking for.
"N n no sir! When asked the reason why all he said was he wanted to 'earn his way to the top'. "
Kaiba finally found file involving a boy with green hair. After he reviewed the file, he gave a half smile, "Very well. Approve his placement into Slifer red.
"Yes, Mr. Kaiba," With that she hung up
"Earn your way to the top?" Kaiba looked away with his eyes closed. "The road to be the best is a hard one and you chose the hardest path. Well then, show me your resove to go through it ... Spike."