Atlas twirled his fork in his spaghetti while Dalton and Oscar argued over whether dragon types or reptile types were better. They both snapped their heads towards Atlas and at the same time asked, "Which one do you think is better?!"

"Do you really want to know which one I think is better," Atlas asked as he slurped up a spaghetti noodle. They both nodded their heads vigorously. "Well the obvious answer is…warrior type."

Both of their mouths dropped to the floor. "That wasn't even a choice," Oscar chided in. "Both of you are just jealous of my deck. It's okay though, not everyone can have skills like this."

"Hardly," Atlas added in. "I haven't seen your name on any magazines lately…or at all for that matter."

"Both of you are dead wrong. Everyone knows that dragon types are the best. What's the most famous monster…Blue-Eyes White DRAGON, not Blue-Eyes White Knight, or Blue-Eyes White…Turtle," Dalton all but shouted. "This can only be settled one way. And I'm pretty sure you both know what that is?"

"A Battle Royale! A duel between us three to determine which type is really the best," Oscar said with fire in his eyes.

"Nah," Atlas side while pushing a meatball into his mouth. "I'm kind of tired of dueling. I've been challenged three times today and it's only noon. You two can go ahead and knock each other out."

"What's wrong Atlas," Dalton said in a way as if he was talking to a baby. "Are ya chicken? Duel Academy's no place for chickens."

"I do recall beating you in our last duel," Atlas said matter-of-factly. Immediately Dalton shut up. "Besides don't you guys want to go watch a movie or something besides dueling twenty-four seven. I get that we are duelists, but come on. Doctors don't go dissecting things all the time," Atlas said while pretending a meatball on his plate was a frog as he sliced his knife through it.

"Umm…no," both Dalton and Oscar replied in unison.

"You guys have been saying sentences at the same time so much recently that if I didn't know better than I'd say you were twins," Atlas teased as he picked up his glass of water. Dalton and Oscar looked at each other in disgust as if imagining life as twins.

"Did someone say twins," came a voice belonging to someone standing directly behind Atlas.

Atlas turned around to see the origin of the voice. It belonged to a girl wearing a Ra Yellow top with a white skirt. Her black hair was pinned in a bun to her head and she wore a sly smile on her face.

"Umm…I did, why?" Atlas looked at the girl then looked around to see if maybe the girl had a twin near her, but she didn't. The only person near her was a boy in a Ra Yellow blazer and black pants with blond hair.

It was the boys turn to speak up. "Well she only asks, because ever since we've known each other everyone calls us the twins. Maybe it's because they think we act the same, or…"he paused as he scratched his head as his "twin" did the same. "You know I don't really see it."

"Wait, what?" The girl now perturbed responded. "You don't see it. You must be blind. We've always been known as the inseparable pair: Eve Bourne and Byron Wilde ," she said to the blond Ra as she poked him aggressively in his chest.

'I don't really see it either,' Atlas thought but didn't speak it for fear that the girl might turn on him.

"Now that I think about it," the boy who Atlas decided was named Byron, said as he tilted his head back and placed his hands in his pockets, "I would say that we are actually...opposites."

It was clear that he had struck a nerve in Eve because Atlas could basically see the fire in her eyes. "You think that we're opposites," she shrieked. "That's it; you know how it goes when we disagree. I, Eve Bourne, now challenge you, Byron Wilde, to a duel."

Byron rolled his eyes as he spoke a single word: "Fine."

Somehow Atlas, Dalton, and Oscar had ended up getting pulled into watching the duel at the Ra Yellow duel field. Eve had insisted that they watch her mop the floor with her "twin".

"You know…if you win this duel, you don't have to be my twin anymore," she announced wistfully, "but when I win this duel you will wear the title of "Twin" proudly for as long as we know each other…which better be forever."

Byron only shrugged in response as he took out his duel disk. "Don't think I'm going to go easy on you to spare your feelings. Even if I wanted to stay your twin, I can never not try to win. So, sister, prepare to lose."

Duel

(Byron: 4000)

(Eve: 4000)

"And I'll take the first move since this was a challenge at me," Byron said as he skillfully drew six cards in one swipe. "Now by sending my Zeradias, Herald of Heaven (2100/800) from my hand to the graveyard, I can add the Sanctuary in the Sky to my hand."

An angel with green wings holding a spear ascended to the clouds as Byron added a card from his deck to his hand. "Now, I'll activate it." A side slot opened from Byron's duel disk as he inserted the field spell. "Go, Sanctuary in the Sky."

A large white temple on a floating boulder appeared as the ground was transformed into clouds. "Now I'll summon Shining Angel (1400/800) in attack position." A man with blonde hair and four large wings extending from his back appeared on the field in front of Byron. "And with that I'll set one card and call it a turn."

A card materialized in Byron's back row as Eve quickly snatched a card from the top of her deck then brought her attention to another card in her hand. "I summon Foxtail Drainer (1700/1300)."

A fox with four tails materialized on Eve's side of the field then transformed into a beautiful woman with extremely long nails. She did a twirl revealing she still had the tails from her previous form.

"And although you won't take any damage from this, I can't deny my fox a kill. Foxtail Drainer, destroy Shining Angel!" The fox-woman launched across the field in one stride and brought her long nails straight through the angel's midsection. The unfortunate fairy-type struggled for a bit before finally succumbing to its grievous wound.

"Now that Shining Angel was destroyed in battle I can Special Summon Nova Summoner (1400/800) from my deck to the field," Byron said without hesitation as he pulled his deck free and brought the card he was looking for to the field.

As Byron shuffled his deck and placed it back into its holder a circle made of orange crystals with a pair of small feathery wings appeared on Byron's field.

"Hmm," Eve said as she rubbed her chin. "I guess I'll end my turn there."

"As your turn ends, I'll activate Solemn Wishes, so now whenever I draw a card I gain five-hundred life points." Byron didn't hesitate in quickly snatching a card from his deck (Byron: 4500). "I now activate the spell card Kamikaze and I choose Nova Summoner as the target of its effect, now if the monster I choose is destroyed by battle, the monster that destroyed it shares the same fate. Now, Nova Summoner crash into Foxtail Drainer!"

The weird-looking fairy zoomed over to Eve's monster, but was quickly destroyed with a quick swipe of Foxtail Drainer's claws. Nova Summoner exploded in a blaze of fire consuming Foxtail Drainer with it.

"Now I'm sure you know what comes next. Since Nova Summoner was destroyed in battle while I control the Sanctuary in the Sky, I can now summon my favorite card. Rise, Airknight Parshath (1900/1400)!"

A centaur-like angel materialized on Byron's side of the field and reared up on its hind legs showing it was ready to battle.

"And since it still is my battle phase," Byron went on, "I'll have Parshath attack you directly. Go Templar's Strike!"

The half stallion, half man creature charged across the field with its blade pointed right in front of him. It brought its blade straight through Eve (Eve: 2100).

"Now Airknight Parshath's ability allows me to draw one card," Byron said as he lifted one card from his deck and added into his hand (Byron: 5000).

"I'll set one card. And end my turn. If you want to remain my twin…I suggest you actually try," Byron said matter-of-factly.

"I'm only getting started," Eve said as she drew a card with a devious smile. "Now I'll summon Foxtail Thief (500/400) in attack mode."

A small girl wearing all black clothes with three small fox tails appeared in front of Eve. "Now that I control a Foxtail monster, I can special summon this little gem. Foxtail Shadow (1000/500)."

Out of Foxtail Thief's shadow jumped out a pitch-black fox with red markings along its coat and three elongated tails. "Now I'll activate my Foxtail Shadow's ability, by decreasing her attack to zero, I can increase another Foxtail monster I control's attack by one thousand."

Foxtail Shadow jumped back into Foxtail Thief's shadow causing dark electricity to flow through Eve's monster (Foxtail Shadow: 1000-0/500) (Foxtail Thief: 500-1500/400).

"Now onto the battle phase. Foxtail Thief will attack…directly," Eve said slyly as she pointed her left hand at Byron's face. Her small Foxtail jumped over Airknight Parshath then pulled out a small kunai and thrust it into Byron (Byron: 3500).

"And as you already know, when Foxtail Thief deals you battle damage you banish the top card of your deck," Eve added as Byron began to pocket the top card of his deck. Byron looked down at the card he was pocketing, 'Hmm, Cestus of Delga…that would've come in handy.'

"Now I'll leave you with one face-down and end my turn," Eve said as a sneaky grin spread across her face.

Byron drew a card causing his life points to increase to the original starting amount (Byron: 4000). "By you removing the top card of my deck last turn, you let me reach this card faster," Byron said as Airknight Parshath ascended into the sky and started to glow radiantly.

"Overflowing benevolence is the key to strength! Ascend, proctor of life, Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin (2300/2000)." Atlas, Dalton, and Oscar covered their eyes as Airknight Parshath started to glow even brighter as he transformed. His centaur lower body dissolved into particles of light as he started to gain properties, more machine-like. When the bright light dissipated the final result could only be described as a cross between Airknight Parshath and Nova Summoner.

"And twin, as you know, Neo-Parshath's strength increases by the difference of life points when my life points are higher and the Sanctuary in the Sky is face-up on the field (Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin: 4200/3900).

"This is the end of our siblinghood, Neo-Parshath strike down Foxtail Thief. Virtuous Blade!" Neo-Parshath brought his blade up pointing straight up and it elongated and started to glow vibrantly. By the time the blade had finished growing it was the length of the entire duel field causing the onlookers to look up in awe. Without warning the blade was brought down with incredible speed, bisecting Foxtail Thief and stirring up a large amount of dust.

"I guess you really didn't want to stay my twin after all," Byron said with a cold tone.

"I think you might want to check your life points again, twin," came Eve's voice from her obscured body in the dust cloud.

"Fine, but I don't see for what reason though." Byron looked down at his life point counter and couldn't fight back the surprise as he saw his life points had taken a huge dive (Byron: 300). "What…what did you do," Byron said not hiding the shock in his voice."

"I don't think I've ever played this card against you…but you should still recognize it from my other duels," Eve replied angrily. As the dust cleared, a translucent woman in a white dress with two fox tails was floating above Eve. "This girl here is Foxtail Mirage (800/200), and when I would take damage involving a Foxtail monster of mine, I can discard her to reverse the damage on you instead."

"…Fine, I'll just play one card face-down and end my turn," Byron replied as he slid a card into his duel disk noting that since his life points had lowered so dramatically Neo-Parshath's attack and defense were now back to their original amount (Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin: 2300/200).

"Now…to begin the last turn of the duel," Eve stated as she quickly drew a card from her deck.

"Let's not be so rash," Byron interrupted, "yes my Neo-Parshath may have been weakened, but he still is the strongest monster on the field at the moment."

"Exactly," Eve continued, "at the moment. But before I get to that, I'll activate Pot of Greed." A large grinning pot appeared on Eve's side of the field momentarily before exploding as she swiftly drew two cards.

"Now I'll summon Foxtail Caller (1200/900) to the field." A lithe fox with three skinny tails appeared next to Eve before letting out a long, drawn out yelp. "And when Foxtail Caller is summoned, I can add two more Foxtail Caller's from my deck to my hand." Eve quickly found the cards she was looking for before continuing.

"Now, Byron, can you humor me for the sake of our audience?" Eve questioned innocently, with which Byron responded with a roll of his eyes. "What do you consider the least used monster card-type?"

Byron let out a sigh before answering. "Ritual type monsters."

"Exactly," Eve replied excitedly. "And which monster card-type does my deck specialize in using."

This time Oscar answered from the crowd. "Oh oh, I know! Ritual type monsters!"

"Dead on," Eve said happily. "Now let me give you all a view of some of my Ritual type monsters. I activate the spell card, Demon Fox Ritual by sacrificing the one Foxtail Caller on the field and the two in my hand."

Two more Foxtail Callers appeared on Eve's side of the field, before promptly exploding into a pillar of deep purple flames with a pair of piercing eyes glaring at Byron's side of the field.

"Sacrificial lambs and child pawns burn to ashes as the queen of tricks makes her appearance! Join in the slaughter, Foxtail Bewitcher (2400/1600)."

The pillar of flames started to form a distinct shape as they dissipated. A woman wearing a night blue kimono with nine elegant tails sticking out the end appeared on Eve's side of the field. The woman bowed before donning the same signature smirk of Eve.

Atlas shuddered as he viewed the monster, 'Why do I get a bad feeling from this monster…and this girl in general?'

"Now before we get to Bewitcher's effect, I'll have Foxtail Shadow use her ability to increase Bewitcher's attack by decreasing her own (Foxtail Shadow: 1000-0/500) (Foxtail Bewitcher: 2400-3400/1600). Now onto the main event, Foxtail Bewitcher's ability! I can now switch the attack of my Foxtail Shadow and your Neo-Parshath; buffs, debuffs, and all. Go, Bewitching Flames!"

Foxtail Bewitcher started to chant a spell in a demonic language causing runes to appear that were made of the same dark flames that brought the powerful ritual monster to the field. The runes then started to rapidly circle Foxtail Shadow and Neo-Parshath, causing their attacks to swap (Foxtail Shadow: 0-2300/500) (Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin: 2300-0/2000).

"The only downside is now my Foxtail Shadow can't attack…but no matter, Foxtail Bewitcher, attack Neo-Parshath with Egregious Hex!" Foxtail Bewitcher leveled her well-manicured hand towards Byron's lone monster before letting out a lethal amount of dark flames Neo-Parshath's way.

"As powerful as your combo is, you're forgetting that I won't take damage from a battle involving a fairy-type as long as the Sanctuary in the Sky remains on the field, allowing me to make a comeback next turn," Byron said matter-of-factly.

"I already told you, twin, there will not be a next turn," Eve replied as her face-down card flipped face-up.

"Mystical Space Typhoon destroys one card of my choosing, and I obviously choose the Sanctuary in the Sky."

As the dark flames approached closer to Neo-Parshath the temple and clouds were ripped apart bringing back the Ra Yellow dorm scenery. The flames quickly engulfed Neo-Parshath's body bringing an end to him and the rest of Byron's life points.

(Byron: 0)

(Eve: 2100)

End Duel

Eve bounded across the field to Byron and called out to him, "You'll always be my twin." She then lowered her voice so only he could hear, "And I expect you do what's right for me no matter the cost," she added with a hint of regret in her voice.


Cards of the Duel:

Eve Bourne:

Foxtail Bewitcher - Lv 9, Dark, Beast, 2400/1600

Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. You can Ritual Summon this card with any "Fox" Ritual Spell Card. This card This card cannot be removed from the field by your opponent's card effects. Once per turn you can select 1 "Foxtail" monster you control except this card and 1 monster your opponent controls. Switch their ATK or DEF until the End Phase. The monster you selected that you control cannot attack this turn.

Byron Wilde:

Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin - Lv 7, Light, Fairy, 2300/2000

You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by Tributing 1 "Airknight Parshath" you control. If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing Battle Damage to your opponent. When this card inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent: Draw 1 card. While "The Sanctuary in the Sky" is on the field and your Life Points are higher than your opponent's, this card gains ATK and DEF equal to the difference in Life Points.

There appears to be no such thing as a weak duelist at Duel Academy. How will Atlas fair when faced against a powerful opponent. Catch the next chapter, Second Best.