Disclaimer: The following is a fan-made fiction. Yu-Gi-Oh! the anime, manga and trading card game are all owned by Konami and the late Kazuki Takahashi. Please support the official release.

Prologue: A Legend's Advice To The Next Generation.

(Date: August 28th, 2012)

It was a pleasant late-summer afternoon in Domino City. The sky was partly cloudy and the temperature was an even 82 degrees Fahrenheit, the perfect kind of weather for someone to take a leisurely stroll through the city park. Which a lot of people of all ages were in fact doing.

However one young man 15 years of age with a wild mane of aquamarine hair, short stature, grey eyes and small round reading glasses was not taking his time to enjoy this lovely day. He was instead running through the park like his life depended on it. Dodging his way around small crowds of people while frantically shouting things like "Excuse me! Pardon me! Sorry sir!" as he went.

This young man in a rush is named Syrus Truesdale. He was about 4'9ft tall and garbed in a standard dark blue school uniform, with a dark purple backpack and white/blue sneakers. And in case you might be wondering why he was running as fast as his short legs could carry him, it was because he was almost late for an exam. But this wasn't just any regular school exam, oh no no no. This is an exam that will literally change his life for the better if he passes, or for the worst if he fails.

The Duel Academy Entrance Exams.

These were a series of tests that Duelists around his age would undertake to see if they were worthy of being accepted as a new student of Duel Academy, one of if not the best schools to learn how to master the world famous game known as Duel Monsters. It was the card game that everyone knew and loved, a card game where if you played well enough you could live like a king.

'Aw man!' Syrus cried internally, breathing heavily as he continued his mad rush to the stadium where the exams were taking place. 'I can't believe I got lost on my way to the exams! I just hope this shortcut through the park will help me make up for lost time!'

The short young man continued to run like the devil was on his heels, until he turned a sharp corner and saw a man with his back turned to him standing right in front of his path. "Look out sir!" he called out, trying to stop himself from running into the stranger.

*BAM*

But he was not successful, his collision with the stranger knocking him flat on his back. While the stranger in question was still standing, if a bit startled from the sudden incident.

"Ow..!" Syrus groaned, rubbing his now sore head as he quickly picked himself off the ground. "I'm so sorry sir!" he bowed to the stranger he ran into, only to then noticed that his Duel Disk had also been knocked out of his backpack and his Deck of Duel Monster cards was now scattered all over the place. "Aw man!" he cried out, dropping on all fours to frantically pick up all of his cards.

The stranger didn't seemed all that bothered by the boy running into him. Right now he was actually more focused on the cards now scattered along the pavement. He spared a glance at the anxious young man and said curiously "You're a Duelist, aren't you?"

Syrus paused his work for a moment and answered timidly "Yeah, I am. Or at least I want to be a Duelist. But to be honest I'm not all that good at dueling."

"What makes you say that?" the stranger inquired further, picking up one of Syrus's cards off the ground to examine it.

"Well..I lose much more often then I win for one thing." Syrus explained, his tone full self-doubt as he finished picking up the rest of his fallen cards. "And any time I do manage to win is because of luck rather than any real skill on my part. To be honest, I don't really think I have what it takes to get accepted into the school I'm applying for."

"Duel Academy right?" the stranger guessed "I hear that's the school that every young Duelist wants to get into."

Syrus nodded as he now started to put his Deck back together. "Yep. That's the one."

"If you don't mind my asking, if you don't think you have what it takes to get into Duel Academy then why bother applying?"

Syrus paused again, that was the question wasn't it? One that's he's been asking himself for a long while. And every time he asked himself that question, he came to the same answer.

"Because I want to learn how to be a better Duelist." he said, a hint of determination in his soft tone as he finished assembling his Deck. "I don't want to be weak anymore. But most of all...there's someone who I really admire that goes to Duel Academy. He's the top student there, the best Duelist I know...And I want to be more like him."

The stranger had a small, almost nostalgic smile on his face at the boy's answer. "I see." he said, the card in his hand glowed with a faint golden light for a split second before he handed it to it's owner. "You missed this one by the way."

Syrus took the last card he needed to complete his Deck with a grateful smile. "Thank you."

The stranger then offered a hand to help pull Syrus back to his feet, which he took.

"Again I'm really sorry for running into you..mister.." The young Duelst lost his ability to speak once he got a good look at who he was speaking to. His eyes widening so much with shock and awe they were likely to pop out of his head.

And who could blame him? Because he was talking to no stranger. Everyone in the world knew who this man is. He was the undisputed greatest Duelist in the world. The King Of Games himself!

Yugi Muto!

"If you ask me, I believe you have more potential than you realize. The only thing that's holding you back is yourself." said the legendary Duelist, his voice full of kind wisdom. "Always remember this. True strength comes from never giving up. Trust in yourself. Trust in your cards. But most importantly, trust in the people who believe in you. Do that, and nothing can defeat you."

Yugi gave the awestruck young man an encouraging pat on the back before continuing on his way.

"Good luck."

Syrus just stood there still as a statue for several seconds. His mind almost unable to process what just happened. But once his brain fully registered the fact that he just got a pep-talk from Yugi-Freaking-Muto, he did the only thing that seemed appropriate.

"THANK YOU!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, bowing to his idol in reverence. "I PROMISE I'LL MAKE YOU PROUD!"

Yugi stopped just long enough to give his fan a thumbs-up and a warm smile before heading off to parts unknown.

Syrus kept bowing for a few more seconds before standing straight again, his face beaming with pure elation as he watched Yugi disappear into the park. He then looked at the card Yugi handed back to him and saw that it was one of his Cycroids. 'Aw man. I should've asked him to autograph this card.' he thought, somewhat kicking himself at the missed opportunity.

*Chime Chime*

"Huh?" Syrus blinked in surprise at the sound of bike bell chiming. He looked around, but didn't see anyone riding a bike anywhere. "What the..? Where did that come-"

*Chime Chime*

There it was again. But what was even stranger is that bell chime somehow sounded to him like someone was telling to hurry or he'd be late for the exam.

"Wait a minute." Syrus checked his watch, and he panicked when he read the time. "AW MAN! I'M LATE!"

Wasting no more time he set Cycroid back into his Deck and ran for the Exam Hall even faster than he did before. Not just because he was running late, but because he felt a small determined fire burning in his heart. A fire that was awakened and being fanned by Yugi's words of wisdom that still echoed in his mind. And reminded him of his dream.

To one day become a Duelist on par with the current top student in Duel Academy. His older brother.

Zane Truesdale.

'I will get into Duel Academy. No matter what.' Syrus vowed internally, pushing himself with all his might so he can arrive on time to take the test that will decide his future.

(Cue Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Theme Music)

Duel Academy quickly came into view. And Syrus stood alongside his two best friends Jaden and Bastion by the edge of the cliff-side overlooking the ocean. Each young men had a smile on his face. Syrus's grin was wide and hopeful. Jaden was beaming with excitement. And Bastion had a smirk that was calm and confident.

Chilling out with the crew in the schoolyard.

Syrus, Jaden, Bastion, Alexis, Jazz and Mindy all sat together on a grass field, just hanging out and having fun.

Finding trouble, never working too hard.

Crowler stood tall and proud with his Duel Vest armed and ready. And Syrus activated Power Bond in order to Fusion Summon Steam Gyroid.

Back at class, they never taught us this.

A quick cut to a classroom full of students before showing Syrus getting knocked back from a direct attack from Chazz's Chthonian Soldier.

Somethings you gotta learn, hit or miss.

Syrus picked himself off the ground, glaring determinedly at his rival who just smirked back at him arrogantly.

Tough times. Hard climbs.

Zane stared down his little brother with his signature stoic gaze, 5 cards in his Hand and his Cyber End Dragon hovering right behind him ominously. Meanwhile Syrus had an anxious expression on his face as he only had 1 card left in his Hand. And only Cycroid stood between him and Zane's ace monster.

We'll take em on together!

But then Cycroid gave it's Duelist an encouraging bell chime and thumbs-up. And all of Syrus's friends cheered him on from the sidelines.

Right now, LET'S GO!

With his fighting spirit rekindled, Syrus now faced his undefeated big brother with a confident smile and vigorously drew a card from his Deck.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX! Generation next!

Jaden plays Polymerization with an excited grin to fuse Elemental HEROES Avian and Burstinatrix to create Elemental HERO Flame Wingman. Bastion stands with calm smile and his arms crossed as his ace monsters Lava Golem and Water Dragon stood on either side of him, both ready to battle.

Game on! Get your game on!

Jazz and Mindy stood back to back, each of them with a full Hand of monsters from their Decks. Jazz looked to the camera with a warm smile as she revealed her handful of Lightsworn monsters. While at the same Mindy also smiled and revealed her Hand to the camera, only her smile was sinister and her Hand was full of Darklord monsters.

Come on, you better play your cards right!

Chazz smirked as he summoned Armed Dragon LV7, but his smirked turned into a annoyed snarl as the Ojama Brothers also danced merrily around his head. Alexis smiled radiantly as she summoned Cyber Tutu and Cyber Blader, both lovely warriors preformed elegant twirls as they prepared for battle.

Game on! Get your game on!

Syrus, Jaden, Bastion, Alexis, Jazz and Mindy threw their fists together in group fist bump, each of them had a competitive smirk on their face as they declared in unison "May the best Duelist win!"

You'll make the grade and win this fight!

A 12 second montage of monsters showing off what they are capable of plays out as a sick guitar solo plays in the background. Those monsters being Cyber End Dragon, Infernalqueen Archfiend, Ancient Gear Golem, Amazoness Tiger, Vampire Genesis, Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon, Gravekeeper's Assailant and Super Vehicroid - Stealth Union.

You'll make the grade somehow!

Syrus stood back up after taking another heavy hit. His Life Points might've been low, but his fighting spirit was at maximum.

YEAH! Yu-Gi-Oh! GX!

Jazz had a beaming grin as she summoned her ace monster, Judgement Dragon. Mindy's smile belonged on a horror movie villain as she summoned her own ace monster, Athena.

Game on! Get your game on!

Bastion took one of his six Decks from his Deck Vest and armed it to his Duel Disk with an excited grin. Jaden enthusiastically commanded his Elemental HERO Bladedge to make a direct attack and finish the duel.

Come on, you better play your card right!

Syrus looked at the camera with a wide smile and threw a challenging fist forward as Duel Academy's main building stood tall and proud behind him.

Come on, and get your game on!

(End Yu-Gi-Oh! GX! Theme Music)

Author's Note: Here's how Syrus's Deck is currently built.

Monsters: Ambulanceroid, Armoroid, Cycroid x2, Decoyroid, Drillroid, Expressroid, Gyroid, Jetroid, Kiteroid, Mixeroid, Patroid, Rescueroid, Shuttleroid, Stealthroid, Steamroid, Submarineroid, Truckroid, UFOroid.

Spells: Card Destruction, De-Fusion, Hand Destruction, Graceful Charity, Emergency Provisions, Limiter Removal, Mystical Space Typhoon, Polymerization, Pot Of Avarice, Pot Of Greed, Power Bond, Rush Recklessly, Shield Crush, Training Wheels x2.

Traps: Call Of The Haunted, Cyber Repairer, Cyber Summon Blaster, Magic Cylinder, Mirror Force, No Entry!, Ring Of Life, Supercharge, Trap Hole, Wonder Garage.

Extra Deck: Steam Gyroid, Pair Cycroid, Ambulance Rescueroid, Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill.