YGO Duel Academy
Chapter 3
A New Year! Tag Duel With the Elite!

All the students were disbarking the ship and was following the Obelisk Blue and Ra Yellows. Everyone was already chatting and excited for what was waiting for each and every duelist. They were walking on a cleared path in between what seemed to be a large forest. Sure, there were animals, but it wasn't as many as people would expect. Just in their sights was the Legendary Academy, the very place where they would be dueling for the next year. The massive building was a circular steel building along with three towers of red, yellow, and blue. Still following the older students, they entered past the front walls and entered the complex. The Slifers were all in awe at the huge building, some were just excited to enter past the walls. Each and every duelist knew though that this structure was home to the greatest and hardest duels.

Walking along with the group was a small group of five Obelisk Blues who weren't in the mix of the Slifers, Ra's, and other Obelisks. The one that was ahead of this small group was a woman who was holding a black umbrella. She had a small Obelisk Blue coat, but it was barely noticable among her purple gothic-like dress and her long magenta hair. Her eyes were closed as she was catching the eyes of the others, mostly the males. Tigara looked to the popular student and looked away in detest. "Tch, I forgot she was here. I thought this was going to be a good year." The Obelisk muttered to herself. Mikee was walking alongside her as he heard her, looking at the group. "Who's that?" He asked.

"Don't bother wondering about her. That's Danielle Winterson. She's out of your league." The Obelisk Blue teased a bit as Mikee shook his head. "No, nonono, I mean who is she? I didn't see her last year in the tournament." He mentioned as the huge group made it into the building. The girl they were talking about unfolded her umbrella and simply gave it to one of the boys behind her for him to hold.

"The only reason you didn't see her was because she didn't participate. Danielle thought she was too good of a duelist to win." Neo came into the conversation, pointing it out.

"Is she that good or just one of those arrogant types?" Mikee asked again, not getting a good vibe from her and the small group behind her.

"Both. I've only seen her duel once back then, and she's...something else for sure. Just stay clear of her. Who knows what deck she'll run." Tig warned. She was looking at the others too: another girl who was in Ra Yellow and three male Obelisk Blues. She was the type to have high class duelists following her, but a Ra Yellow? Her thoughts were interuptted when they arrived at a pair of doors. The Slifers ahead of them opened them as they poured into a large room with seats lining to face a duel field. This was the main room where the classes that joined all the students occured.

They knew that the main building was where the huge tournaments would occur as well as meetings and announcements. This was also where you would find some of the teachers and the card shop if you wanted to purchase more cards. Right now, all the students were going to random seats that lined to face the duel field where five adults stood. One of the adults stood in front of the other four, which were all wearing a coat version of the student's uniform. There was one red, a yellow, and two Blues. The one in front of them was wearing a white coat with no specific uniform. He did however, have a golden duel disk on his arm. It wasn't activated, but it was there nonetheless. He was a man who seemed to be in his 40s with spiked blonde hair and brown eyes. Underneath the white coat was a yellow shirt and black pants. "Everybody, take a seat anywhere you want. It won't matter soon as I'll explain everything." The man told everyone.

As everyone quieted down, the man cleared his throat and began to speak.

"Everybody, first of all, welcome to the Duel Academy! For the Slifers, allow me to introduce myself. I am Isaac Conner, the Chancellor of this Duel Academy. I overlook all activities and teachers here as well as the disciplinary actions. I am also the school headmaster for this year. This is the year where things for the game are changing. As all of you are aware, including the students returning, this school isn't just for simply teaching you how to duel. Instead, we're here to teach you the strategies of professional duelists. Graduating from here also allows duelists such as yourselves to compete in pro circuits and be recognized above the others. First off, allow me to introduce you to your teachers this year." Isaac announced to the students as the teacher in red stood up to the podium. This man was wearing the Slifer Red jacket over him, but had a black suit under it. He looked like serious business as he wore a steel Duel Gazer beneath a black cap. "My name is Byron, I'm the head of the Slifer Red dorm. If you have any questions, you'll find me there. My class is basic deck building strategies." Byron greeted the many students in front of him.

They all nodded and appualded as the next person walked up. This was the Ra Yellow Head as she was a young female. She had short sky-blue hair and green eyes as her uniform was a long yellow coat over what seemed to be a white dress. "My name is Summer, welcome to Duel Academy. My study course focuses on the strategies of today where you'll work through certain situations and predictaments. Even though I'm new, I hope to have a great year with everyone!" She introduced with a small bow. Everybody clapped for her as the next teacher came up, which was the Obelisk Blue male. He had spiked jet black hair and blue eyes as well as an orange visor that covered his eyes. "My name is Alden. My class is going over the different archtypes, their strengths and their weakpoints." He introduced as some of the Obelisk Blues and Ra Yellows clapped for him. He was a vetrean teacher at this Academy for a while now and has taught them several things. The woman was walking up as she was also an older teacher. She wore a black coat over her uniform and a long black skirt. She had long black hair past her shoulders and natural red eyes. "I'm the second teacher for the Obelisk Blues, Yumi. I am proud to welcome everyone to a great year at the Academy. My class deals with the history of the cards and the unique backstories they have." She introduced as more students appluaded for her.

Isaac walked back up to the podium as he noticed some of the students were getting a bit bored. A smile came across his face as he looked to the four teachers. He made a small nod to them as they cleared the field. "Now, if everybody wouldn't mind, I believe it's time for a duel, a new kind of match for everyone. The screen above will decide the three duelists for this match." The head of the school stated as the screen behind him had three squares that shuffled through all the students.

Everyone looked at the board as they were excited to see who was chosen. People were saying that they were hoping it was them and some were afraid of who'd be the unlucky one. The screen made a confirmation sound as all three pictures were selected at once. It was two other Slifer Reds and a certain Obelisk Blue, Neo. One of the Reds was a young looking female with brown hair and brown eyes. She had the red uniform on, but had a pink skirt and black leggings that matched with her long pink socks. She seemed really happy though as the other Red seemed a little different from the others. He had dark grey hair, green eyes, and somewhat pale skin. On his head above his short hair was a teal blue hat. Underneath the standard Slifer red coat as a dark grey long-sleeved shirt and dark gret pants along with red sneakers. According to the screens, they were known as Sadet and Marth.

The screen then arranged their pictures to form two pairs as a blazing Versus symbol appeared in between the groups. Neo saw that he was teamed up with the Slifer Red girl for this duel. "Looks like you're my Tag Partner! Let's have some fun with this duel!" Sadet told him, going up to him and smiling, offering to shake his hand.

"Likewise, Sadet." Neo kindly said as he looked to Marth. "You too, let's make this a great duel!"

"Right!" Marth said as Isaac smiled, bonds already forming as their duel disks activated. "Duel Disk, set! D-Gazer, set!" All four of them declared as their Gazers were centered on the duel. Every other student and teachers had their devices tuned in on their duel.

The Tag Duel between Isaac and Marth Versus Neo and Sadet will now begin. Each player will share Life Points between the two teams of 8000 LP and both players share a field.

Isaac and Marth: 8,000 LP
Neo and Sadet: 8,000 LP

"I will go first." Isaac said as he looked at his beginning hand. "I activate the Spell Card, Reinforcement of the Army. With this, I can pull a Level 4 or lower Warrior type from my deck to my hand. The monster I choose is Constellar Pollux." He revealed as he pulled the card into his hand as the deck shuffled. Neo looked a bit surprised as the head of the school was running the Constellar archtype. He didn't recall seeing him duel before though. "My next move, I'll summon Constellar Kaust in ATK Mode." The head of the school told them as a horse-man with a bow came forth, ready to fight. Constellar Kaust is a Level 4 LIGHT Beast-Warrior monster with 1800 ATK and 700 DEF. "I set one card and then end my turn. It's your turn, Neo." Isaac told him.

"Very well, it's my turn!" Neo declared and drew his card. He looked at his hand and picked out his card. "I activate my own Reinforcement of the Army! With this, I pull Silent Swordsman Level 3 from my deck to my hand." Neo declared as he took a monster from his deck. Marth looked somewhat concerned as Neo picked a card in his hand. "I now summon Cyber Valley!" Neo called forth a robotic snake-like dragon. Cyber Valley is a Level 1 LIGHT Machine monster with 0 ATK and 0 DEF. I then place two face-downs and end my turn." Neo ended. He couldn't attack. None of the monsters in his hand were strong enough to take on a 1800 ATK monster.

"What?! Why did you summon a monster with no Attack points?! You're going to get us attacked!" Sadet asked. Neo looked at her and she seemed pretty serious. "You'll see. You get ready, you need to be prepared for their incoming monsters.

"My turn then, let's do this!" Marth declared and drew his card. His hand was...decent, but he had a decent hand at least. The first thing I'm doing is calling out my Summoner Monk!" The Slifer Red called forth a familiar old wizard as it was switched to Defense mode due to its effect. "He's not coming out here alone. By ditching a Spell card, I can Special Summon a Level 4 monster from my deck. The one joining him is Elemental HERO Shadow Mist!" Marth called forth a blue haired warrior in Attack Mode. Elemental HERO Shadow Mist is a Level 4 DARK Warrior monster with 1000 ATK and 1500 DEF. She held a card in her hand and threw it to Marth. "When she's Special Summoned, I can add a "Change" Quick-Play Spell card from my Deck to my hand, which will be Mask Change. Now, I know I need to get rid of your monster. Shadow Mist, attack his Cyber Valley!" The Slifer Red declared as Shadow Mist rushed at Neo's machine with quick speed. Unfortuantly, a barrier stopped the attack as the warrior jumped back. "Cyber Valley activates its effect. When it's the target of an attack, it can not only negate the attack if I banish it and end your Battle Phase, but I can draw a card as well!" Neo told him and drew his card. A small smile came across his face at the card he drew.

"Well then, I'll finish my turn with two face-downs and that's the end of my turn." Marth ended.

"Now, it's my turn!" Sadet said in a sing-song voice and drew her card. She looked at her starting hand and smiled as she slammed a card into her duel disk. "Since I control no monsters, I'm able to activate this: 1st Movement Solo!" She explained as a book appeared in front of her. She held onto a steel baton as the duelist was moving it back and forth with a rhythm. "1st Movement Solo lets me Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Melodious monster from my hand or Deck. Come from my Deck, Serenade!" Sadet called forth a Fairy monster wearing a bright yellow and red dress. This monster was singing as it floated down in Defense Mode.Serenade the Melodious Diva is a Level 4 LIGHT Fairy monster with 400 ATK and 1900 DEF.

The students looked surprised as well as excited for this duel as Mikee and Tig were both paying close attention. The Slifer Reds this year were coming in hot with powerful archtypes and the Melodious was one of the latest archtypes of Duel monsters. Seeing this Red use them was probably their best bet to find out if they could beat it.

"Impressive, but will it be enough?" Isaac asked.

"I still haven't used my Normal Summon! See, Serenade has a unique ability where if I were to Tribute Summon a monster, she counts as two Tributes! I'll use this ability to Tribute Summon Mozarta the Melodious Maestra!" Sadet called as Serenade split as two creatures. A veil of light covered both as a huge fairy woman floated down with a lovely singing voice, only it was inaudible to make out.Mozarta the Melodious Maesta is a Level 8 LIGHT FAIRY monster with 2600 ATK and 2000 DEF.

Isaac looked surprised as the only one nervous with the huge fairies was Marth who took a step back. He looked tempted to flip one of his cards, but he knew it wasn't time yet.

"I activate Mozarta's ability! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a LIGHT Fairy monster from my hand! And who better to join my beautiful Mozarta than Shopina the Melodious Maestra!" She called forth as another Diva entered the field, this one having a glowing paino board in front of her and in a blue dress. Shopina the Melodious Maestra is a Level 7 LIGHT Fairy monster with 2300 ATK and 1700 DEF.

She's summoning out a ton of monsters and yet there's a ton of backrow against her. Neo thought and looked at their opponents. Isaac stood calmly, but Marth seemed like he was ready to flip up his cards. "Sadet, be careful, there's a lot of backrow!" Neo warned.

"Don't worry, I got this! Shopina, I activate your effect! What she does is that I can bring a LIGHT Fairy in my Graveyard to my hand. I bring back the Serenade I used earlier to my hand! And now, let's start attacking!" She announced as she spun around once and pointed at Marth's Shadow Mist. "Mozarta, attack his Shadow Mist!" She declared as the red Fairy began floating towards it.

"That's where I'm gonna stop you. I activate Dimensional Prison." Isaac activated his only face-down.

"No way, I got this one! I activate Wiretap! What this does is if you activate a Trap card, I can negate it and send it back into your deck!" Neo activated as he flipped up his own card, but as soon as his card was flipped, it cracked in electricity as Marth flipped up one of his own cards. They looked and saw that it was his own Wiretap. It negated Neo's Wiretap and sent the card back into his deck. Both Neo and Sadet looked as Dimensional Prison banished Sadet's monster instantly, protecting Marth's Shadow Mist.

"I'm not done yet! Shopina, attack Dark Mist and finish what Mozarta started!" Sadet declared as Shopina fired off musical notes at the Hero.

"That's where I'm stopping you. I activate the Quick-Play, Mask Change! This card selects a HERO monster from my field and sends it to the Graveyard. In return, I can Special Summon a Masked HERO with the same element. I send Shadow Mist to the Graveyard. Deep from the shadows, a hero as black as the night shall bring order to this battlefield and punish the wicked! Come forth! Masked Hero Dark Law!" Marth called forth a new Warrior as it was a bigger version. It had more armor and a panther-like mask. Masked HERO Dark Law is a Level 6 DARK Warrior Fusion monster with 2400 ATK and 1800 DEF. It stopped Sadet's attack flat as Shopina stopped. "Thanks to Shadow Mist being sent to the Graveyard, her effect activates! I can search my deck for a HERO monster. I add Elemental HERO Wildheart to my hand." Marth explained as he received his called out card. His Dark Law seemed to emit a powerful energy as Sadet looked over to Isaac's sole monster, Kaust. "Fine, then we'll cause some damage by attacking Kaust instead!" Sadet called out as her monster fired off the music notes once again. This time, the attack wasn't interrupted as Isaac's monster was destroyed. Isaac & Marth: 7500 LP Sadet set two cards and ended her turn.

"So, we got Constellar E-Heroes against a Silent Swordsman and Melodious Divas. This will be an interesting duel. Let's see how Neo deals with this." Mikee said to himself, watching the duel. Tig was sitting next to him as she was watching out of entertainment, not for intensive purposes. She knew how Neo dueled and she herself knew how the Constellars played. Even if Sadet got rid of it, the archtype itself was a Rank 4 spam deck. It wasn't going to be the last they see of it either. It's also a problem if Marth had XYZ monsters since most if not all his monsters were Level 4.

"So, you two know the Obelisk Blue down there?" A familiar voice asked as a row above the two duelists was Luna. She was sitting with some other Slifer Reds, but they were in another conversation. Mikee nodded and looked at the duel as Isaac began his turn. "Yeah, I know him. He's Neo, one hell of a duelist. He's probably among the best like Tig here and a semi-finalist during last year's tournament." Mikee told the Red, sounding proud.

"Tournament?" Luna asked, sounding a bit confused, yet intrigued.

"Basically, every year, the different Duel Academies gather around to see who has the stronger duelists. In order to weed out the bette duelists though, those schools host their own tourneys and select the ones who seem to be the strongest, then pit those against the strongest of the Academies." Tig started explaining for her.

"It sounds tough for sure. Weren't you the one who went to that? I think it was broadcasted on TV." Luna asked. The Obelisk Blue nodded.

"Yeah, I was last year's Champion of this Academy, but I was beaten in the main tournament by a Six Samurai player. It wasn't a pretty time, but this year, things will be different. Maybe Danielle up there would pull her own weight." She commented, looking up to where she was sitting. The mentioned Obelisk Blue seemed bored from the duel and wasn't paying attention to it.

"I summon Constellar Pollux in Attack Mode." Isaac summoned his monster as an armored Warrior came to the field next to Summoner Monk, brandishing what seemed to be a long weapon. Constellar Pollux is a Level 4 LIGHT Warrior monster with 1700 ATK and 600 DEF. "During the turn that Pollux is Normal Summoned, I am able to Normal Summon an additional Constellar monster to my field. Allow me to Normal Summon Constellar Algiedi in Attack position!" Isaac called forth another monster. This one was armored too with a blue cape and another weapon. Constellar Algiedi is a Level 4 LIGHT Spellcaster monster with 1600 ATK and 1400 DEF.

"Adding onto the effects, when Algiedi is Normal Summoned, I'm able to Special Summon a Level 4 Constellar monster from my hand. Come join your troops, Constellar Sombre!" Isaac declared as the entire field was full of monsters. This Constellar monster had blue wings and a ram-like helmet. Constellar Sombre is a Level 4 LIGHT Fairy monster with 1550 ATK and 1600 DEF.

The students gasped as the entire field was now full of monsters against Sadet's Shopina and their face-downs. Isaac raised his hand up as Pollux and Algiedi joined their weapons together. "I overlay my Constellar Pollux and Algiedi to construct the Overlay Network! XYZ Summon! Warriors of the stars, come forth and cast your judgement upon the weak and impure! Come forth, Constellar Omega!" The head of the school called forth a giant, armored horse-man galloped onto the field with two Overlay Units surrounding it. Constellar Omega is a Rank 4 LIGHT Beast-Warrior XYZ monster with 2400 ATK and 500 DEF. Neo and Sadet both stood back as the attacks were going to begin.

"I'll attack first with Constellar Omega, attack Shopina!" Isaac declared as the horse-man created a bow of light energy and aimed an arrow at Sadet's monster.

"Not so fast, I activate Fiendish Chain!" Sadet immediately flipped one of her face-down cards. From the card, black chains lashed out and went straight for his monster. "I target your monster with this Trap! As long as this remains on the field, your monster's effect is negated and you cannot attack!" Sadet declared. Isaac grinned and pointed at his monster. "It won't stop this! I chain Omega's effect! By sending an Overlay Unit to the Graveyard, all Constellar monsters I control are not affected by Spells or Traps this turn!" He explained as an Overlay Unit went into Omega's arrow. It fired as it scattered the chains onto the floor and struck Shopina. Instead of heading to the Graveyard though, it was banished from play. "Shopina! No!" She cried out as her Life Points decreased. Neo and Sadet: 7900 LP.

"As long as Dark Law remains on the field, any card you send to the Graveyard is banished instead." Marth explained as Isaac pointed at them. "Sombre, Dark Law, attack them directly!" Sombre fired off a light beam while Dark Law rushed in quickly and attacked, knocking both of them to the ground. Neo and Sadet: 3950 LP. The crowd gasped as Neo and Sadet got back up, still raring to go.

"Before I end my turn, allow me to make sure Fiendish Chain never hits my monster. Omega, I use you and your unit to construct the Overlay Network once again! XYZ Change!" Isaac declared as Omega stood before an opening portal. It became energy and leaped into it as the portal exploded in white energy. A new creature was forming from the bright light, spreading wings full of stars and rearing its head. "The ultimate machine, constructed from the star warriors, come rid the evil from this world! Constellar Ptolemy M7!" Isaac called forth his signature monster as it roared on the field. Constellar Ptolemy M7 is a Rank 6 LIGHT Machine XYZ monster with 2700 ATK and 2000 DEF.

"And there it is. All Constellar decks come with that thing rearing its head." Tig said, as if she knew that thing was coming out.

"Yeah, the only problem is that Slifer Red girl should have saved that Fiendish Chain for that thing, or at least hit the Dark Law." Mikee commented.

"She was probably panicking, you know. It's not every day you duel with Constellars." Luna added, looking as Isaac pointed at Sombre. "Lastly, I activate Sombre's effect. By banishing Kaust from my Graveyard, I'm able to add Pollux to my hand. I end my turn from there." He added as the card came from the Graveyard to his hand instantly. They looked over to Neo. If he wasn't able to pull this around and get rid of the monsters, things were going to end up nasty.

"I draw!" Neo declared and drew his card. He looked as it was a monster he could have used if it wasn't for Marth's Dark Law. But with the cards in his hand and the card he drew from Cyber Valley, he could change the duel around. It was just up to Sadet to change things around. They were very low on Life Points. If this does not go well, it's game over. "I'll start things off by setting a monster face-down and another face-down to my Spell and Trap field. I can't do much from here." Neo said as it was the beginning of Marth's turn.

"I draw!" Marth declared and drew his card. Looking at the four monsters on the field, he took a card from his hand and put it on his disk. "I summon Elemental HERO Bubbleman in Attack Mode!" Marth called forth as another Elemental Hero rose from the field, striking a pose. Elemental HERO Bubbleman is a Level 4 WATER Warrior monster with 800 ATK and 1200 DEF. Neo and Sadet looked surprised as Marth activated another card.

"I activate Mask Change once again! This time, I'm sending Elemental HERO Bubbleman to the Graveyard to bring a WATER Masked HERO to the field! With this, I call forth Masked HERO Acid!" The Slifer Red called forth another Hero. This one was armored in blue as he was armed with a pistol. Masked HERO Acid is a Level 8 WATER Warrior monster with 2600 ATK and 2100 DEF. "I activate Acid's effect! When he's Special Summoned, I can destroy all Spells and Traps you control!" He explained as Acid pointed his gun and began destroying the traps they put out.

"Tch, I don't think so! My last resort, Spiritual Art - Hijiri, activate!" Neo called out as his Trap Card flipped. They looked surprised as his face-down monster went into the card. "By tributing a LIGHT monster from my field, I can select any banished monster and Special Summon it to my field. Of course, if you have any Traps in your hand, you can negate this effect, but I doubt you do." Neo asked as Isaac and Marth both shook their heads. The card shone as Sadet's Mozarta came out in Defense Mode. The cards were destroyed as Mozarta suffered from it. "If I destroy any Spells or Traps, all monsters you control lose 300 ATK." Mozarta: 2300 ATK.

Neo knew this duel was over. Even if Marth didn't use Ptolemy's ability, the attacks would decimate them regardless. He smiled though, it was a good refresher on how a Tag Duel was supposed to go.

"Oh no, darn it!" Sadet exclaimed as Marth pointed at Mozarta. "I'll begin the attacks. First, Dark Law attacks Mozarta!" He ordered as his dark-clad heroine rushed in and banished her monster yet again. Ptolemy, Acid, and Sombre were left on the field as there was nothing left to protect them. "Ptolemy, Acid, attack them and end this duel!" Marth ordered as the attacks came and knocked both Sadet and Neo back and onto the ground.

Neo and Sadet: 0 LP. Marth and Isaac win the Duel.

The Duel Buzzer sounded as the monsters faded away. They took off their Gazers as Neo and Sadet got back up. The audience of students all started to clap for the both of them as they were cheering. "Great duel you guys!" "Way to go, nice try dueling the head of the school!" Numerous cheers were shouted as Isaac nodded.

"This is the emphasis of dueling. No matter what, the outcome should always be a positive one. In a victory, you've proved your strength. In defeat, you learn of your weaknesses and strive to improve. This is the basis of a Duel. The headmasters of your dorms will brief you on your rooms and other school activities. Now, I have one last announcement before I send you to your dorms." Isaac began to say his speech as the four teachers behind him left for their dorms. Neo went to sit next to Mikee and Tig as he gave the duelist a thumbs-up.

"You may have heard this and seen the tournaments over the television of the four Academies holding a competition to decide which duelist is the best. Last year, we only selected one Duelist from the entire school to participate. This year, our competition is going to be different. The new event states that the strongest in each class will have a chance to participate in this against others of their class level. For example, a Slifer Red would duel other Reds from the other schools in the tournament. That way, more duelists will have a shot and the meet-up will have more participants. This also means only one Slifer Red, Ra Yellow, and Obelisk Blue will be together at the main event. We will be announcing when the tournament will begin, but for now, focus on your studies and always sharpen your dueling skills. Everyone, have a great year at Duel Academy!"