A few years ago...
A brunette haired boy sat on some steps. He then took a deck out of his pocket and looked at it.
As he sat on the steps, a fighter jet passed overhead. It left a contrail behind.
He failed to notice a red-haired girl sit down next to him.
"You could use some company." She smiled at him.
"Uh...who are you." Jaden blinked.
"My name's Akiza Inzinski." The girl introduced herself.
"So what are you doing here?" Jaden asked Akiza.
Akiza thought it would be a good idea to share her problem with Jaden.
"I ran away from home because my dad called me a monster."
"My parents were rarely home due to work, so I mainly played with neighborhood children." Jaden revealed.
"My dad was like that too." Akiza replied.
The two continue to talk for a while.
Time skip...
Jaden and Akiza had grown up together. They played in the snow during winter, watched cartoons together and Jaden was even present during her birthday.
A few weeks after her birthday, a boy and girl with blue hair and another boy with tan skin and blond hair came over to them.
Their names were George Gore, Reginald Kastle and Rio Kastle.
"I'm Jaden Yuki and this is Akiza Inzinski." Jaden introduced them.
The five then duel and party as they lose track of time.
Present day...
Jaden was running late to the Duel Academy entrance exams.
Akiza, George, Rio and Shark were waiting for him at the Kaiba Dome.
"What's taking him so long?" Akiza asked the other three.
"What a idiot." Shark muttered.
"Be nice." Rio and George reprimanded him.
Akiza took her phone out and tried to call Jaden.
Jaden was running as fast as he could to get to the Kaiba Dome.
"I don't have a whole lot of time before the exams end." Jaden said to himself.
He bumped into someone with spiky hair who's face was obscured.
"You're a duelist aren't you?" The figure asked.
"How can you tell?" Jaden questioned.
"Call it a hunch." The man opened a box on his belt.
The man handed him a card.
"Thanks, I'll make you proud." The man gave Jaden a thumbs up.
Jaden then looked at his new card.
He then ran to the Kaiba Dome.
At this point Syrus, Bastion, Rio, Shark and George were finishing their duels.
Black Rose Dragon, Ice Beast Zerofyne, Submersible Carrier Aero Shark and Gouki the Great Ogre were on the field as Akiza, Rio, Shark and George ended their duels.
Their monsters had attacked before their duels ended.
After the duels ended, Jaden entered the Kaiba Dome.
"Hey guys!" He called out to Akiza, George, Rio and Shark.
"You're late." Akiza reprimanded him.
"Sorry." Jaden apologized.
He then prepared to face a potential opponent.
'Be prepared for any situation.' A voice told him.
Jaden nodded to the voice.
On the other side of the Kaiba Dome...
The people that oversaw the exams conversed among themselves.
Dr. Crowler, a man wearing a blue blazer, got ready to leave.
He was stopped by a man in a suit.
"We just got word of a late arrival."
"Did you just say that someone was late?" Crowler demanded.
"Forgive me, Mr. Crowler."
"Did you just address me as Mr.?" Crowler calmly asked, even though he was irritated.
"Sorry, Mrs."
"I have a PH.D and deserve to be called Doctor!" Crowler yelled.
The phone in his pocket was ringing.
"Who is this?" Crowler took the phone out and answered it.
"It's me." The voice on the other end said.
"Ah, Chancellor Sheppard."
"Just calling to make sure things are going well."
"We don't need a repeat of last time."
Crowler sweat dropped.
"You cut a third of our student applicants for calling you by the wrong title." Sheppard pointed out. "Make sure everyone gets a chance to duel."
'Windbag.' Crowler thought after hanging up. 'There are enough people without talent at the academy.'
Crowler proceeded to stand up.
"Are you going to use a test deck?" One of the proctors asked.
"I'll handle it personally." Crowler replied.
Jaden joined Akiza, George, Rio and Shark as they stood on the bleachers on the other side of the Kaiba Dome.
A blue-haired boy with a pair of glasses on his face approached them.
Syrus was followed by Akiza, George, Rio and Shark.
Syrus became nervous after seeing them, especially Akiza and Rio.
"What's got you so nervous?" Akiza asked.
"I'd like to know that as well." Rio added.
"I get something called test anxiety." Syrus explained.
"Ridiculous." Shark scoffed.
"Don't say stuff like that." Rio scolded him.
"We all get nervous at some point." George remarked, crossing his arms.
"There's nothing to be worried about." Akiza flashed him a smile.
"She's right." Jaden agreed.
Bastion then walked up the bleachers and sat down.
"So you're in. I will be too as soon as I duel."
"If I'm second best, who's first?" Bastion asked.
"That would be yours truly." Jaden pointed to himself.
"Yeah, right." Shark doubted his claim.
George slapped the back of his head.
"You should probably head down to duel." Akiza suggested.
"What dorm do you think you'll be placed in after the entrance exams?" Akiza asked her childhood friend.
"Not sure. What about you?" Jaden replied.
The tow talk about their plans at the academy for a few minutes. Jaden then walked down to the duel field.
Akiza turned her head and watched him head to the duel field.
Akiza, George, Rio and Shark watched him walk onto the field.
"Good luck." Akiza whispered.
"What's your name?" Crowler asked.
"Jaden Yuki." Jaden replied.
"Well Jaden Yuki. I'm Doctor Vellian Crowler, Department Chair of Techniques here at Duel Academy." Crowler introduced himself.
"Really, you don't look like it." Jaden confessed.
The other applicants were surprised with his candor.
"I have to agree with him." George admitted out loud.
The other three stare at him briefly before looking down at Crowler.
"Let's see if he has what it takes to beat Jaden." Shark commented.
"Let's duel!"
Crowler: 4000
Jaden: 4000
"Here goes." Jaden said as he drew his first card. "I summon Elemental Hero Avian in defense mode." (1000/1000)
"Get your game on." Jaden said excitedly.
"Don't tell me what to do." Crowler drew a card. 'Since I'm using my own deck, he'll be defeated in no time.' He grinned as he saw the cards in his hand. "I think I'll start out nice and easy, by playing the spell card Confiscation!"
"Okay, so what's it do?" Jaden asked.
"What it does is allow me to pay 1000 life points to take a look at your hand and toss one of your cards to the graveyard." As his explanation finished, holographic images of Jaden's cards appeared. They were Monster Reborn, The Warrior Returning Alive, Hero Signal, and Polymerization.
"Okay, so what's it do?" Jaden asked.
"What it does is allow me to pay 1000 life points to take a look at your hand and toss one of your cards to the graveyard." As his explanation finished, holographic images of Jaden's cards appeared. They were Monster Reborn, The Warrior Returning Alive, Hero Signal, and Polymerization.
Crowler: 3000
Jaden: 4000
"Ah yes, I remember some of these when I was a naïve rookie. Now which one shall I banish?" He looked at each card carefully and made his decision. "I know, Monster Reborn to the graveyard!" Jaden's Monster Reborn card was sent there. "Next I'll set two cards face down;" Two face-down cards appeared in front of Crowler and he then took one more card and showed it to Jaden. "And last, but not least, I play Heavy Storm! This spell card destroys every other spell and trap card that's out on the field."
A heavy wind picked up and Jaden's face-down Draining Shield was destroyed along with Crowler's two face-down cards. Jaden even noticed this. "Whoopsie, did you forget that you had two cards on the field as well?" Jaden said teasingly.
"Now, now, young scholar, you mustn't speak out-of-turn." Crowler countered as he waggled his finger. After that dark clouds began to form around his side of the field.
"Hey, what's happening?"
"Nothing's happening." Crowler said dismissively before adding, "Not yet anyway!" Just as he did, two yellow worm-like creatures appeared on his side of the field. "But that's about to change."
The audience was awestruck by these two monsters but Syrus was confused, again. "Could someone tell me what's happening?"
"Those two trap cards that Dr. Crowler had out on the field were called Statue of the Wicked." Bastion explained as he observed the duel with Syrus. "It's a special trap card that creates a vicious monster token when it's destroyed by a card effect. That's why he played Heavy Storm."
Akiza, George and Rio were shocked.
'Something's up.' Shark thought.
A standard test deck wouldn't have cards like Confiscation and Heavy Storm.
"Crowler must be using his own deck in this duel." Torimaki, the boy with glasses and one of the boys with Chazz, said.
"Then this duel is over." Raizou, the other boy, said. "No one can beat the deck of an expert like Dr. Crowler."
Chazz grinned at this. "I think I'm going to enjoy Crowler wipe the floor with that kid. I just wish they treated all the other second-rate duelists that apply at this academy the same way."
"Don't be so arrogant." A voice told Chazz.
A boy with short light brown and blonde hair came over to them.
"It'll lead to you being humiliated." The boy told Chazz and his cronies.
"What do you know." Chazz snapped.
"What a elitist snob." Alexis said.
"You're too soft Alexis." Zane replied.
"Are you ready for your next lesson?" Crowler called out to Jaden from his side of the field.
"You bet!" Jaden replied with an excited laugh. "I can't remember the last time learning was this much fun!"
Crowler simply regarded it negatively. "Yes, well I am quite the teacher, thank you." His monsters then started to glow and started writhing in flames. "And now I sacrifice my two Wicked Tokens to summon Ancient Gear Golem!" In the place of Crowler's worm-like creatures stood a giant robotic monster that one could clearly see the working gears of it. Once again audience members were in awe of the sight of the monster, more so than its stats. (3000/3000)
"That's it, that's his legendary card!" Alexis gasped.
"Now it looks like we're about to find out what makes it so legendary." Zane said as he observed the duel.
"That's one tough monster!" Akiza hollered.
"Why would he bring that out?" Rio asked.
"That's what I want to know too." George added.
"Have you guys seriously not figured it out yet?" Shark asked them.
"Crowler's using his own deck, not a test deck." Shark informed the other three.
"What a jerk." Akiza glared at Crowler.
Rio wasn't happy either.
"He's doing this on purpose." George noted.
Shark remained silent.
"Now, now, I hope you're not too scared of my legendary Ancient Gear Golem." Crowler said sarcastically towards Jaden.
Jaden, however, looked as though he was having the time of his life! "No way, I've always wanted to take one on."
This shocked many people again, including Syrus. "Either Jaden's really brave or he's nuts!"
"He's staring down that legendary rare monster like he doesn't have a care in the world." Zane said incredulously. "I guess youth and inexperience have its benefits after all."
"Give it a rest, Zane." Alexis said. "At least the kid's showing some backbone."
"There won't be much to show after this."
Dr. Crowler cackled as he ordered, "Golem attack, Mechanized Melee!" His Ancient Gear Golem's red mono-eye glowed slightly before pulling back its fist and sucker-punched Jaden's Avian to pieces.
"Oh man, Jaden's defense monster didn't stand a chance!" Syrus complained as he watched the duel. "Its attack points were way to low." His shoulders then slumped. "This doesn't look good."
"And it's about to look a whole lot worse." Bastion said as he remembered what he knows about Ancient Gear Golem. "When Ancient Gear Golem attacks a monster in defense mode, the difference between its attack points and the defending monster's defense points are dealt to the opponent as damage."
"But that would mean that Jaden's life points are gonna take a hit!" Syrus cried as he realized what was going to happen. Just as Syrus mentioned that, a transparent version of Ancient Gear Golem's fist slammed through Jaden's body.
Jaden: 2000
Crowler: 3000
Crowler noticed that Jaden's body was shaking and laughed. "Now don't feel bad." He taunted, "This is the top dueling school in the country, some people simply aren't…" Crowler's voice trailed off as he then started hearing the familiar sound of Jaden's laughter.
"Now I really wanna come to this school now!" He exclaimed excitedly. "You really know your stuff teach!"
This actually took Crower by surprise before he began to scowl angrily at Jaden. 'Doesn't he take a hint? He will not be permitted to pass this exam!' He cursed mentally, 'And he will certainly not make a mockery of my deck!'
'Just look at him tremble.' Jaden mused as he reached to draw a card from his deck. 'He must really be impressed by me!' But just as he was about to draw his card, he heard a faint cooing sound. He paused for a second before drawing the card and taking a look at it. He then remembered that it was the card a guy he bumped into gave to him. He also recalled that he said that it belonged to him. 'You know, something tells me I'm starting to believe that too.' Then, whether if it was his imagination or not, he noticed that the card actually winked at him! His initial shock wore off and he then made his decision. I guess that's a sign that I should play ya.'
"Okay, I summon Winged Kuriboh in defense mode!" When he declared that, a small furry creature with for green paws and a pair of angelic wings appeared above its card image (300/200). Some of the girls in the audience noted how cute the creature looked. "Next, I play one card face-down. Not bad, huh, teach?" He finished as a face-down card appeared behind the fur ball.
Akiza, George, Rio and Shark watched the duel intently.
"Winged Kuriboh." Akiza stated.
"When did he get that?" George asked everyone else.
"No idea." Rio remarked.
"We're about to find out what it does." Shark finished.
Jaden then placed something in his spell and trap zone.
"I use Reload." He placed his hand back into his deck and shuffled it, then redrew.
Akiza, George, Rio and Shark were confused with his move.
His new hand was Elemental Hero Sparkman, De-Fusion and two unknown cards.
'This could work.' Jaden thought.
"I'm going to end my turn." He announced.
"Didn't get what you wanted. Too bad it's my turn." Crowler mocked him.
He placed a card in his hand.
"Okay Ancient Gear Golem, attack that Kuriboh with Mechanized Melee!"
Once again, the giant walking gear monster reared back a fist and threw a punch at the tiny creature and shattered the hologram to pieces. Jaden mentally said, 'Sorry Winged Kuriboh.'
But Dr. Crowler noticed that Jaden's life points hadn't dropped. "Check your gear, your life points haven't changed."
Jaden simply shrugged. "My gear's fine." He replied. "On the turn that Winged Kuriboh is destroyed, I take zero damage!"
The info actually took Crowler by surprise. He knew what the original Kuriboh could do, but he never expected that his attack would be thwarted by a Kuriboh with wings. Some of the audience members were stunned that Crowler didn't know that.
"Well how about that." Alexis said as she watched. "A technique the good doctor didn't know."
"No one can expect to know every technique, Alexis." Zane argued with a scolding tone. "Especially one as obscure as that."
"Yeah, well that kid sure knew it." Alexis countered with a slight laugh.
"How did he not know that." Akiza sighed.
"Got me." Rio shook her head.
George merely sweat dropped.
"This guy is supposed to be a professor. He's more like a dumb snob." Shark rolled his eyes.
Jaden then drew Pot of Greed.
"Let's see what it gives me." He drew two new cards.
"I discard De-Fusion to activate Pendulum Call."
"Pendulum Call!" Everyone besides Jaden's friends had shocked expressions.
He put Timegazer and Stargazer on his duel disk.
"I place Timegazer and Stargazer in the Pendulum Zone."
"I use them to create the Pendulum Scale!" Jaden extended a arm.
There were two pillars of light with Timegazer and Stargazer in them. They had scale numbers of 8 and 1.
"I pendulum summon Elemental Hero Sparkman, Performapal Coin Dragon and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon." All three monsters raced out of a portal.
They were a armored warrior and two dragons. (1600/1400) (1700/1000) (2500/2000)
The armored warrior had spikes on it's back, one of the dragons was fierce with a red and green eye, light tanned wings embedded with red and green orbs now stood ready for battle.
Crowler wasn't exactly thrilled with the new monsters.
Akiza's eyes were fixed on Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon.
"You may know what Pendulum Summoning is, but it won't change the outcome of this duel." Crowler told Jaden.
He was still confident he could beat Jaden.
"Let's change that with Dragon Nails." A set of metal nails covered Odd-Eyes' claws.
He then gestured to Performapal Coin Dragon.
"I'll target Odd-Eyes with Performapal Coin Dragon. It will gain 500 attack points and cannot be destroyed by card effects."
Crowler had a worried expression on his face.
"Oh yeah. When Odd-Eyes destroys a monster by battle, the damage is doubled."
"IT DOES WHAT?!" Crowler looked like he was going to have a mental breakdown.
"Attack Ancient Gear Golem with Spiral Flame Burst." A spiraling flame raced towards Ancient Gear Golem and created a hole in it.
"Wait time out!" Crowler held his hands up.
Crowler: 1600
"Since you're wide open, Sparkman finish him off with Static Shock Wave."
Crowler screamed like a little girl after he was shocked.
Crowler: 0
"There's no way this late arrival managed to beat me." Crowler was in denial of his defeat.
Up in the stands, Chazz was having the same thought. "It must be dumb luck." He said through his clenched teeth. "No way Crowler would lose to some flunky!"
Alexis was also smiling at Jaden's victory. "This kid's definitely got a future here, wow." She then noticed that Zane huffed and walked away.
Akiza, George and Rio smiled at their friend while Shark just stared at him.
"He's got a lot of potential." Sawatari whispered.
Syrus was cheering for Jaden himself, "Yay! Jaden won!"
'Nice.' Bastion mused as he watched Jaden do a victory dance. 'I could use some competition.'
After his victory dance, Jaden took out the Winged Kuriboh card he got earlier. "We made it." He said. "And from here on in, we're gonna be partners."
Again, Jaden could've sworn he heard Winged Kuriboh coo and wink at him.
Akiza, George, Rio and Shark come over to him.
Akiza jumped on Jaden and hugged him.
"Good job." She whispered to a blushing Jaden.
"I'm happy you won." Rio told him.
George bumped fists with Jaden.
Finally, Shark smirked.
"Where did you get Winged Kuriboh?" Akiza questioned him.
"You probably won't believe me." Jaden replied.
Winged Kuriboh then emerged from his card.
Akiza, George, Rio and Shark look at Winged Kuriboh.
"Looks like we have a new friend." Akiza stated with a smile.