Jaden and Bastion were in the middle of a duel, and Bastion had his Water Dragon on the field while Jaden had his Flame Wingman and Sparkman out. "My move. I play Polymerization to fuse Sparkman and Flame Wingman to summon Shining Flare Wingman!" Jaden shouted.
Level 8/Light/Warrior
ATK 2500/DEF 2100
Jaden then ordered Flare Wingman to attack Water Dragon, winning him the duel. "That's game Bastion," Jaden said as the two shook hands, and Bastion agreed, saying Jaden would be the best in the school if he attended class. Jaden said he didn't see the point, and Bastion asked him if he planned on going pro after he left Duel Academy, Jaden confirming that was his plan.
"The problem is that I've already beaten pretty much everyone here. What I really need is a challenge. Then I'll be ready to duel with the pros like Zane and Michael," Jaden said. Syrus then came running into the arena, telling Jaden and Bastion that the opponent for Zane's next pro league match had been decided, and it was Aster Phoenix.
That night, the whole gang was in Chazz's room to watch the news about the big match, and they had even invited Professor Drake to join them. "Thanks for inviting me, kids. I needed a break from work," Drake said as he ran his hand down Pharaoh's back, having taken up the job of looking after the feline.
Alexis asked the others who they thought would win, and Chazz said Zane would win, as Aster wasn't even able to beat Jaden. "Yeah, but when I dueled Aster, he wasn't using his real deck. He just slapped together a bunch of random cards before we dueled, and he almost beat me," Jaden pointed out.
Syrus asked Jaden if he was worried, and Jaden said he was confident in Zane. "Need I remind you that Aster has yet to reveal the power of his true deck? For all we can fathom, Zane is about to embark on the greatest challenge of his career," Bastion pointed out.
In the Chancellor's office, Bonaparte was on the phone with Aster's manager trying to convince the man to get Aster to come to Duel Academy. "Listen to me s'il vous plait, we can't wait until next year, we need Aster toute suite, our future depends on it. We'll pay anything you want for him," Bonaparte offered. Crowler said Bonaparte was being too hasty, and Bonaparte told him to be quiet as he had already tried and failed at improving the school before apologizing to the man on the phone, telling him he was talking to his secretary.
Crowler said Bonaparte was dreaming if he thought he would ever be the man's secretary, and Bonaparte snapped, "Will you clam up? The whole school is going down the toilette, and you're responsible for this mess! Thankfully I'm here to clean it up, so take your ponytail-wearing cheap suit buying derrière out of here!"
Meanwhile, Zane had just finished a meeting with one of his sponsors and the man was walking to his limo. "I hope you're ready for tomorrow. As our newest spokesman, we expect a victory. Do I make myself clear?" the man asked, and Zane said he didn't plan on losing.
His sponsor offered him a ride, but Zane declined, saying he'd rather walk since it was a nice night. His sponsor stepped into his limo and told Zane to be careful as there had been strange reports lately, handing Zane a newspaper whose main story was about some kind of figure that had been dubbed "The Demon" attacking duelists.
Zane said he'd be careful and began walking to his hotel room, but his mind wandered to his upcoming match with Aster. "What kind of deck will he face me with?" Zane pondered, but he was pulled from his thoughts when he heard someone scream from a nearby alley.
Zane ran into the alley just in time to see a man collapse as another figure, very similar to the picture of the demon in the newspaper, left, saying "You can't hide from destiny." Zane went to the person who was attacked, asking them if they were alright, but the person just said the thing that attacked them wasn't human before passing out.
Just then, two police officers ran up to the pair and checked the victim for injuries, one of them recognizing the man as a card thief who had been on the loose. One of the officers asked Zane if he was alright, Zane assuring them he was unharmed before the other asked what could've attacked the thief, Zane noting "A demon."
In an unknown location, Aster was meeting with his manager, who was doing another tarot reading. "I trust your evening was fruitful?" his manager asked, Aster saying that was accurate. "I wish you would spend less time on your juvenile games and more time preparing for your duels. You're on the heels of the greatest challenge of your life," his manager informed, and Aster told him to calm down, as he would definitely win.
His manager confirmed that the cards predicted a victory, but that Zane was merely a stepping stone on the path to Aster's true destiny. Aster asked if he would tell him what his "true destiny" was, and his manager said that while it wasn't the correct time, he would learn soon enough and that until then, Aster needed to have complete trust in him.
"What about Jaden? I threw that match for you, and do you have any idea how embarrassing that was? I've got my career to think about ya know. It's bad enough you made me enroll in that lame school, but insisting I lose to that Jaden kid?" Aster asked, and his manager told him it was the only way to test him, as Jaden had more ability than Aster knew.
"Often the greatest power can be found in the most unlikely of places. Now, after you defeat Zane, you will return to Duel Academy where you will challenge Jaden Yuki to another duel," his manager said, and when Aster asked if he would be allowed to win this time, his manager assured him he would.
The next night, the whole academy had gathered to watch Zane's duel in one of the classrooms. Alexis said she couldn't believe Crowler sprung for cable, and Lily remarked that he wouldn't miss the chance to see his star pupil take on the top-ranked pro.
In the arena, the announcers Jean Collins and Arthur Mannings were welcoming everyone to the duel. "I tell you what Jean, this capacity crowd is split right down the middle. It's the Zaniacs versus the Aster Phoenatics," Arthur commented, and Jean said the big question for tonight was what's in Aster's deck.
Two hydraulic platforms rose up, carrying Zane and Aster, who shuffled their decks before placing them into their duel disks. "I've heard a lot about you Aster. Thirty professional duels and not a single defeat? That's not too shabby for a little kid," Zane said, and Aster responded, "You're too kind. Thanks, gramps."
Aster: 4000 LP
Zane: 4000 LP
"Alright, beauty before age, and I'll start by summoning Elemental Hero Avian in defense mode!" Aster declared.
Level 3/Wind/Warrior
ATK 1000/DEF 1000
"No way. A deck of Elemental Heroes?" Zane asked, and Aster asked Zane if he liked the surprise. "Come on bro, that's not cool. Show some originality," Jaden commented before Aster placed two face-downs and ended his turn. "Alright, my move. And I summon Cyber Dragon in attack mode," Zane declared as he summoned his signature monster.
Level 5/Light/Machine
ATK 2100/DEF 1600
"When the only monsters on the field are on your side, I can special summon this card from my hand. And before I start my battle phase, I play the Trap Booster spell card. By discarding one card, I can play a trap card directly from my hand this turn. Now Cyber Dragon, attack Avian with Strident Blast!" Zane shouted before Cyber Dragon reared its head back and fired a beam of blue energy at Avian.
"I play the trap Draining Shield, so not only is your attack canceled, but I gain life points equal to your monster's attack points," Aster informed, but Zane just smirked. "Not so fast Aster. Since I used Trap Booster, I can play a trap from my hand, like my Trap Jammer, meaning your Draining Shield is negated, junior," Zane said, but Aster smiled and revealed his second face-down, his own copy of Trap Jammer.
"Come on Zaney, don't you realize a card like that is a dime a dozen? Thanks to my Trap Jammer, yours is canceled out, which means my Draining Shield is activating after all," Aster said as an energy barrier appeared in front of him, blocking Cyber Dragon's attack.
Aster: 6100 LP
Bastion noted they seemed to be even in skill, and Jaden wondered what else Aster had in store for Zane. "Let me tell you, Jean, I haven't seen two pros go at it like this since Kaiba and Yugi," Arthur commented before Zane ended his turn. "It's my move, and I play Pot of Greed, which I'm sure you know lets me draw a couple more cards. And now I'll kick it Polymerization style and fuse Elemental Heroes Avian and Burstinatrix, so give a big Kaiba Dome welcome to Elemental Hero Phoenix Enforcer!" Aster shouted.
Level 6/Fire/Warrior
ATK 2100/DEF 1200
"Elemental who? But Aster fused Avian and Burstinatrix, so where's Flame Wingman?" Syrus asked, and Chazz said for someone to set him straight, Bastion explaining that when you fuse Elemental Heroes, sometimes you can make different monsters out of the same fusion materials.
"Oh, so when Jaden fuses Burstinatrix and Avian, he can choose to summon Flame Wingman or Phoenix Enforcer," Syrus realized, and Jaden was surprised to learn this. Chazz commented that Jaden was dumber than he thought, which was a low bar to begin with, but Jaden countered that he was smart enough to have beaten Chazz every time they dueled.
"Pretty rad outfit, don't you think Zaney? Now Phoenix Enforcer, attack Cyber Dragon with Phoenix Flame!" Aster shouted, and Hasslsberry asked why Aster would attack when it would destroy both their monsters, but Bastion said that wasn't the case. Phoenix Enforcer raised its arm and raked its claws against Cyber Dragon, destroying it, but when the smoke cleared, Phoenix Enforcer was unharmed.
"Guess I forgot to mention Phoenix Enforcer's special ability. He can't be destroyed in battle. I'll set one card face-down and end my turn," Aster concluded, and Zane started his turn, activating his Pot of Greed, and he smiled when he saw he drew a certain spell card.
"Here it is. I activate the spell card Power Bond! This card lets me use monsters in my hand or field as fusion material to summon a machine-type fusion monster, so I fuse the two Cyber Dragons in my hand to summon Cyber Twin Dragon in attack mode!" he shouted.
Level 8/Light/Machine
ATK 2800/DEF 2100
Zane then explained that due to Power Bond's effect, a monster summoned with it has its original attack points doubled.
Twin Dragon: 2800-5600 ATK
"And now Cyber Twin Dragon, attack Phoenix Enforcer with Dual Strident Blast!" Zane ordered as his monster fired a beam of energy from one of its mouths, striking Phoenix Enforcer dead-on.
Aster: 2600 LP
Zane then told Aster that due to Twin Dragon's effect, it's allowed to attack twice each battle phase, Chazz noting that if the attack went through, Zane would win. Cyber Twin Dragon unleashed a beam of energy from its other mouth at Phoenix Enforcer, kicking up a dust cloud that obscured him and Aster from everyone's sight. "Good night Irene, this duel is over," Jean commented, but when the dust cleared, Aster was still standing.
Aster: 100 LP
"How did you survive? I should've won," Zane asked, but Aster just smirked and pointed to the card he placed face-down on his last turn. "Fraid not. I played the Elemental Recharge trap card, giving me 1000 life points for every Elemental Hero on my field, giving me just enough to survive your attack. And due to your Power Bond's effect, you take damage equal to your Twin Dragon's original attack points, for a total of 2800 points of damage," Aster pointed out.
Zane: 1200 LP
"My move! And I summon Elemental Hero Sparkman in attack mode!"
Level 4/Light/Warrior
ATK 1600/DEF 1400
"Now I play the equip spell Spark Blaster onto my Sparkman. But before I use it, I play the Guard Penalty spell card on your dragon. Every time he changes to defense mode this turn, I draw a card. With that done, I'll use my Spark Blaster to change it to defense mode, and while he's napping, I'll draw a card," Aster said as Cyber Twin Dragon lowered its heads.
"Am I going too fast for you Zane? Why don't I use Spark Blaster to switch your dragon back into attack mode?" Aster asked as Sparkman fired another blast at Twin Dragon, causing it to rise up. "Now then, how 'bout an instant replay? Back to bed little dragon," Aster mocked as the whole crowd began laughing at Zane. "Hear that? Sounds like the crowd's on to you. They know you're a joke," Aster derided, Zane shouting at him to shut up.
Syrus said he'd never seen his brother get angry like this, and when Chazz said he couldn't lose to some kid, Bastion said Aster was far more than just "some kid". In just a few turns, he'd made a laughingstock of Duel Academy's top graduate. "Since I've used Spark Blaster three times, it's destroyed, but not before I draw another card. Now I play Polymerization to fuse Phoenix Enforcer and Sparkman to summon Elemental Hero Shining Phoenix Enforcer!" Aster shouted.
Level 8/Fire/Warrior
ATK 2500/DEF 2100
"The fun doesn't stop there Zaney. My Phoenix Enforcer gains 300 attack points for every Elemental Hero in my graveyard, and I currently have four," Aster said as his monster's attack points shot up.
Enforcer: 2500-3700 ATK
"Now show him how you got your name with Shining Enforcement!" Aster ordered as Phoenix Enforcer surrounded himself in a bright light before he crashed right through Zane's monster. Aster then placed a card face-down and ended his turn. "What a move by Aster Phoenix," Jean said, and Arthur agreed, saying that if Zane couldn't pull a miracle, he was about to suffer his first professional loss.
"Sorry Aster, but the joke's on you, and it's time for the punch line. I draw! And I play the spell Cybernetic Fusion Support! By paying half my life points, I can banish fusion materials from my hand, field, or graveyard to summon a machine fusion monster this turn, which is great for me because I can now play Polymerization to fuse the three Cyber Dragons in my graveyard to summon Cyber End Dragon!" Zane shouted as he summoned his strongest monster.
Zane: 600 LP
Cyber End Dragon
Level 10/Light/Machine
ATK 4000/DEF 2800
"Listen to that crowd. Their laughter has turned to cheers of admiration," Jean noted, Arthur agreeing, as it looked like Aster was about to lose. "It's been a blast kid, but all good things must come to an end. Cyber End Dragon, attack with Super Strident Blaze! Nice knowin' ya," Zane said as Cyber End began charging energy in its three mouths.
"I gotta say, you talk a wicked game. Guess the only thing for me to do is spring my trap card. I play Destruction of Destiny! This card sends the top three cards of my deck to the graveyard, but I take 1000 points of damage for every spell or trap sent to my graveyard with this effect," Aster explained.
Bastion noted that if Aster managed to send three more heroes to his graveyard, Zane would lose, but Alexis pointed out that if Aster sent a single spell or trap to his graveyard, he would lose on the spot. "Alright, first card! Elemental Hero Bubbleman," Aster said as he showed the monster before placing it into his graveyard.
Enforcer: 3700-4000 ATK
Aster then flipped over the next card in his deck, revealing his Elemental Hero Bladedge.
Enforcer: 4000-4300 ATK
Syrus pleaded for Aster to get a spell or trap, and Aster looked at his last card, smirking and revealing Elemental Hero Clayman.
Enforcer: 4300-4600 ATK
"Looks like your little dragon picked the wrong fight. Phoenix Enforcer, counterattack with Shining Enforcement!" Aster ordered as Phoenix Enforcer intercepted Cyber End Dragon's attack and pierced right through it, causing it to explode.
Zane: 0 LP
Winner: Aster
"Unbelievable! Ladies and gentlemen, Zane has lost!" Arthur shouted. Zane asked how he could have lost, and Aster responded "It's simple, you can't hide from destiny." Zane remembered those words from last night and realized Aster was the demon, but Aster didn't respond to the accusation and just walked off the field. Syrus was in disbelief that his brother had been defeated, Bastion claiming that Aster couldn't be beaten, but Jaden said they would see about that.