Duel Academy Guardians

by Quillion9000

(Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz included) Duel Academy was built by Seto Kaiba to foster the next generations of duelists. While he does and doesn't know certain things surrounding his creation, the initial knowledge of three dangerous cards, as well as what happened prior, give him the general idea it'd be best to have people there to keep an eye on things.

37. Duel Royale

Sheppard's Office: Morning…

Jaden, Kai, Bastion, Alexis, and Greg were sent emails to report to Sheppard's office Sunday morning. Within said room they found said man, the four dorm heads, and Zane awaiting them.

"Before we begin, I would like to apologize for any inconvenience." Sheppard started.

"What exactly is going on?" Bastion inquired, figuring this couldn't have something to do with the Sacred Beast given Alexis and Greg weren't part of that.

"As you five should be aware, the School Duel is fast approaching." Sheppard replied. "With Foster, the Chancellor of North Academy, putting forth freshmen as their representatives, Zane has convinced us we should answer in kind.

Among our freshmen class, it was decided you are the best we have offer. From among you, we will have our single and tag representatives who shall represent Duel Academy. We have decided on a five-way battle royal to determine those reps."

"A battle royal!" Jaden grinned as this year has brought him so many dueling opportunities. "Count me in!"

While it was practically impossible for the other four to showcase Jaden levels of excitement, they were were clearly on board with this idea as well.

"The battle royal shall be held this Saturday." Sheppard declared. "Whichever of you best one of the other duelists first will be our singles representative while the one bested first will be barred from being selected as the tag rep's teammate.

Once we have our singles rep, the remaining three duelists will finish out the royal to determine which of them will be our tag representative. That person can then choose any other student in the academy, bar the one who first loses this battle royal, as their partner."

"Given this year hasn't gone as I expected, I wouldn't have imagined being given such a chance." Greg had assumed he'd be an Obelisk by now rather than a Ra. "If someone thinks I can do this, I'll have to give it my best shot."

"You will all be excused from classes to prepare." Sheppard continued. "Please, prepare your decks and good luck."

All five exited the Chancellor's Office, high in spirit.

"Despite managing to best Zane, I'm not about to let that get to my head." Kai thought.

As Kai currently figured, Bastion and Jaden were the most likely people who could beat him one on one. Now, he'd be facing both simultaneously. Beyond them, Alexis wasn't too far behind while Greg knew more about his deck than almost anyone on the island.

"Not to mention my record and the fact I beat Zane likely paints a clear target on me." Kai reasoned. "Jaden's unlikely to target me, but I wouldn't put it past Bastion, Greg, and Alexis to reason I'm the person they should target."

Kai knew his deck was solid on the defense usually, but that wouldn't serve him in the coming situation. He'd need to make some adjustments to ensure he could keep a hand of cards, had adequate protection, and could dole out the damage. His thoughts weren't unfounded.

Bastion, Greg, and Alexis recognized the duelist to beat first would be Kai. Naturally, Jaden wasn't thinking along the same lines. He was thinking of perhaps a few cards that could help him, but it was more in a general sense rather than specific to any one opponent.

Card Shop

Kai approached the card shop, only to find Dimitri exiting with a bottle of orange juice in hand. "Hey Kai, you coming to the card shop as well for a little breakfast?"

"I might grab something while I'm here, but I'm actually going to spend a little of my accumulated duel points on a few cards." Kai informed. "This Saturday, I'm going to be in a battle royale with some of the strongest in our year."

"A battle royale?" Dimitri asked.

"The School Duel is approaching, and it seems this year's North Academy reps will be freshmen." Kai explained. "As such, Zane decided to step back and convinced the chancellor to let us have a go. It'll be a battle royal between me, Jaden, Bastion, Alexis, and Greg."

"Hm, sounds about right looking back on what this year has entailed." Dimitri reasoned. "Though, no offense to Greg, I'd have picked Topher over him. Still, he'd have been my sixth choice at the end of the day. Would you like some help?"

"I'd certainly appreciate it." Kai smiled. "Thanks."

Slifer Red Dorm

"Whoa you're going duel to be chosen as a representative?" Syrus asked, shocked.

"No Slifer has ever had either honor before." Chumley agreed, just as shocked.

"If that's the case, it sounds like you'd make history." Raynos noted, having joined the three of them in their room upon Jaden's return.

"It's going to be a great duel." Jaden grinned as he was already working on his deck. "Not only do I get to duel Alexis, Greg, and Kai again, but this'll also be my first duel with Bastion to boot." He grinned. "Saturday can't get here fast enough."

Ra Yellow Dorm

Greg and Bastion were eating together, in silence, as they thought over the fact they had been chosen to potentially represent Duel Academy. Greg had come to terms with the fact he had to be better and fine tune his gladiator beasts considering the sheer number of cards he'd be up against.

"Congratulations on being selected." Bastion finally stated. "Though, I will not go easy."

Greg nodded. "May the best duelist win."

Bastion offers a handshake of sportsmanship, which the Gladiator beast user accepted.

Outside the Obelisk Blue Female Dorm

"Whoa, way to level up!" Mindy exclaimed happily to her friend. "The potential to be one of Duel Academy's representatives is a big deal!"

"It won't be a simple matter to secure either position." Alexis pointed out. "Especially given who my opponents are."

"Yeah, you're against some skilled duelists." Jasmine noted. "Jaden and Bastion are two people you want to be cautious around while Kai has just grown exponentially."

Despite what she and Kai were, Jasmine was more than capable of stating facts over feelings in this instance. The fact of the matter was that Kai could potentially be the duelist every other potential rep should be weary of.

"I wouldn't go knocking Greg from the equation." Sadie voiced, joining the three of them. "At this point, one could see him as the underdog in all this. Someone like Joey Wheeler shows why you never want to undervalue them as an opponent."

"Good point Sadie." Alexis nodded as they walked into the building. "I can't afford to make a mistake, such as overlooking any of my opponents."

Topher had spotted the four of them entering the female dorm before making his way past the building. "Can't say I'm a tad envious of her being chosen, but that's just how it happens. Hm, I should find Kai. After all, wouldn't do for him to look bad as my rival.

Arena: Saturday, Morning…

The days of preparation passed by in a blur until the day of the event was upon Academy Island. The five potential representatives were already in the arena while the rest of the island turned out to observe.

"Everyone, please have a seat!" Chancellor Sheppard announced.

"Oh man, this is going to be one tough duel." Syrus voiced. "Jaden has a chance, right Chumley?"

"It'll be tough." Chumley shook his head. "Jaden has lost to Kai before, and he's not faced Bastion to boot."

"While I've heard he's beaten Alexis and Greg before, it's not wise to underestimate anyone." Raynos added.

"Here we are, engaging in a five way free for all to decide who will be the representatives of Duel Academy!" Chancellor Sheppard explained with a smile. "Two Obelisk, two Ra, and one Slifer. Everyone give the chosen duelists a round of applause!"

Everyone cheered at that before the chancellor proceeded. "Okay you five, let's run down the rules. The first duelist to defeat another will earn their place as Duel Academy's singles represent while the first duelist to lose will be ineligible as the tag representative partner.

Once those two are out, the remaining three will finish out the duel to determine the tag representative. As for the duel itself, all five of you will have 4000 Life Points, and your own field. None of you can attack on the first turn and are against each other. Understand?"

"Of course, chancellor." Bastion nodded.

The others nodded in sync.

"To decide the turn order, you all will pick one monster from the five I have selected." Sheppard declared. "We'll work from descending level, so the one who gets the Level 5 monster will go first before we go down from there."

With that, Shepperd showed five monsters from levels 1 through 5 before shuffling them. He then spread them out upside down, so they could take one. Jaden took the fourth, Kai the second, Alexis the fifth, Bastion the second, and Greg took the third.

They all then looked at the cards. Jaden has Aitsu a Level 5 monster, Alexis has Bio-Mage a Level 3 monster, Greg has Candle of Fate a Level 2 monster, Kai has Divine Dragon Ragnarok a Level 4 monster, and Bastion got Change Slime a Level q monster.

"So, the turn order will be Jaden, Kai, Alexis, Greg, and Bastion." Sheppard noted. "Are you all ready?"

They all nodded before activating their duel disks.

"Then let the Battle Royale begin!"

"Let's Duel!"

Jaden: 4000

Kai: 4000

Alexis: 4000

Greg: 4000

Bastion: 4000

Turn 1: Jaden

"Alright, time to kick things off!" Jaden drew. "Nice! I'll start by activating Double Summon, allowing me to normal summon twice this turn. I'll follow that up with two set monsters before then throwing down a face down. You're up, Kai."

(Jaden's Hand: 2/2 set monsters & 1 set card)

"That's a strange turn for Jaden." Topher noted. "He's never used Double Summon before."

"Perhaps he added it to get out Clayman and Woodsman." Syrus guessed.

"Generally, the first person in a battle royal has the largest window for less defensive plays.
Sadie remarked. "Not to mention, Jaden doesn't typically play defensively."

Turn 2: Kai

"Here goes!" Kai drew. "I'll now activate Hand Destruction, forcing every one of us to discard two cards before drawing two new cards."

Everyone did just that.

"One of the cards I sent was Mirror Mage of the Ice Barrier." Bastion declared. "When this card is sent to the grave, I can add any Ice Barrier card I wish from my banished zone or deck to my hand." A card popped out of his deck, and he fetched it.

(Bastion's Hand: 6)

"If that's all on the effects for now, the fact stands one of my opponents currently controls a monster while I control none." Kai declared. "So, I can special summon Heroic Challenger – Assault Halberd(LV 4/1800/300)." A purple armored warrior, wielding a halberd, appeared.

"I'll then set two cards of my own before activating Monster Recovery. This quick-play spell returns all monsters on my side of the field to the deck, along with whatever is in my hand. Then, I get to draw 5 new cards. I'll then set 3 more cards and end my turn there."

(Kai's Hand: 2/5 set cards)

"Despite the fact he let other people potentially set up their graves, I'd still say that was an exceptional turn." Sadie noted.

"Could you really expect anything less from him?" Jasmine stated happily.

"Even with Kai's potential cards in grave and those set cards, is it really wise not to play a monster?" Syrus asked. "He did special summon Assault Halberd before, so he still had his normal summon."

"Delmar was the second to go, which means in theory the only guy who can attack him is Jaden." Topher informed. "In that sense, I'd say the setup is good."

Turn 3: Alexis

"My move." Alexis drew. "I summon D.D. Warrior Lady(LV 4/1500/1600)." A blond-haired woman in silver armor appeared. "I'll then set one card of my own and call my turn there."

(Alexis' Hand 4/D.D. Warrior Lady & 1 set card)

"A bit more simplistic than the prior two turns, but D.D. Warrior Lady is a relatively smart card given its ability to banish the monster which interacts with it." Sadie noted.

"Not to mention everyone was still forced to discard two cards due to Kai's prior move." Chumley noted. "I wouldn't put it past all of them to have tossed something they can use later."

Turn 4: Greg

"Alright, time to get started." Greg drew. "I'll activate Graceful Charity to draw 3 cards before then discarding 2." He did just that. "While I can't attack anyone, I'll still be entering the Battle Phase to activate Gladiator Beast United.

Thanks to Kai's Hand Destruction and my Graceful Charity, I've secured four Gladiator Beasts within my grave. United lets me conduct a Contact Fusion from among the Gladiator Beast in my hand, grave, or on my field." He held his arm up.

"I reshuffle Gladiator Beasts Agustus, Vespasius, and Spartacus into my deck. Appear, solid wall of a beast. Fusion summon Gladiator Beast Nerokius(LV 8/2800/1900)." A large, bipedal bat appeared. "I'll then set one monster and one back row to end my turn."

(Greg's Hand: 3/Gladiator Beast Nerokius, 1 set monster, 1 set card)

"Just like that, what Kai did prior allowed Greg to set up better than he may have otherwise." Raynos noted.

"That is the risk one runs with cards like Hand Destruction." Topher voiced.

Turn 5: Bastion

"My move now." Bastion drew. "I'll utilize the graveyard effect of the second card I sent due to Kai's Hand Destruction. This card wasn't sent to the grave this turn, so this Main Phase I'm permitted to activate Wind Over the Ice Barrier.

By banishing this card, I can add any 1 banished or in my grave ice barrier to my hand." His only other card in his grave popped out before he added it to his hand. "Now, everything is in place. I summon Mirror Mage of the Ice Barrier(LV 2/1000/400)."

A black haired figure in blue and gold winter attire appeared. "As I now control at least one Ice Barrier monster, two separate monsters of mine can be special summoned from my hand. Prior of the Ice Barrier(LV 2/1000/400) and Speaker for the Ice Barrier(LV 4/1000/1800)."

A man in blue robes wielding an arcane staff appeared alongside a young girl with snow white hair. "Through Mirror Mage's effect, I tribute the effect monster Speaker to generate up to three Ice Barrier Tokens(LV 1/0/0)." Three golden snowflakes appeared.

"Oh man, Bastion's just filled his field!" Syrus exclaimed.

"That's not even the worst of it." Raynos remarked. "That Mirror Mage of his is a tuner monster."

"Three level 1 tokens, 1 level 2 effect monster, and 1 level 2 tuner." Chumley counted. "That means he can now go into a level 7 Synchro monster!"

"Don't think that's what he's aiming for." Topher remarked. "My guess is, he's far from done with his first turn."

"For every token I generated through this effect, Mirror Mage of the Ice Barrier(LV 5/1000/400 effect) gains one extra level." Bastion continued. "Now, Mirror Mage will tune up my three Ice Barrier Tokens and Prior to Synchro for 10."

The other four duelists awaited what would come. "Ancient dragon of the ice, heed my call. Descend, Lancea, Ancestral Dragon of the Ice Mountain(LV 10/3300/2700)." A colossal red dragon with ice white scales appeared.

"As Mirror Mage was once again sent to the grave, I can add any 1 Ice Barrier card I wish from my banished zone or deck to my hand." He fetched his banish spell. "I'll then finish out my turn with two set cards of my own. Back to you, Jaden."

(Bastion's Hand: 4/Lancea, Ancestral Dragon of the Ice Mountain & 2 set card)

"Oh, things are going to really start going now!" Dimitri exclaimed, excited.

"Yep, there's no longer a restriction on attacking." Jasmine nodded. "Now, it's all about how well each duelist has set up."

Turn 6: Jaden

Alright, it's my turn once again!" Jaden drew and grinned. "I think it's time we all kick things up to the next level! I flip summon my first monster, Morphing Jar(LV 2/700/600). Now, every duelists must discard their entire hand before then drawing a new one of five cards."

(Jaden's Hand: 5/1 Morphing Jar, 1 set monster & 1 set card)

(Kai's Hand: 5/5 set cards)

(Alexis' Hand 5/D.D. Warrior Lady & 1 set card)

(Greg's Hand: 5/Gladiator Beast Nerokius, 1 set monster, 1 set card)

(Bastion's Hand: 4/Lancea, Ancestral Dragon of the Ice Mountain & 2 set card)

That took Kai's earlier move with Hand Destruction and cranked it up several leagues. Clearly, the Slifer had taken the liberty of changing his deck a bit for this, and it'd only be proven by what his second set monster was.

"Now, I flip Cyber Jar(LV 3/900/900)." Jaden declared, revealing a cybernetic jar containing a creature. "Thanks to this card, every monster on the field is destroyed. Then, we draw and reveal our next five cards before special summoning any level four or lower monsters among them."

Every monster on the field shattered at once.

(Jaden's Hand: 5/1 set card)

(Kai's Hand: 5/5 set cards)

(Alexis' Hand 5/1 set card)

(Greg's Hand: 5/1 set card)

(Bastion's Hand: 5/2 set card)

"As Lancea was Synchro summoned before being sent to the grave via my opponent's card, I'm allowed to special summon any Ice Barrier Synchro monster I wish from my extra deck. That monster shall be treated as though it was Synchro summoned. Ice dragon of absolute zero, descend!

Synchro summon Trishula, Zero Dragon of the Ice Barrier(LV 11/2700/2000)." A large, dark blue dragon with snow white scales, three heads, and red lines running throughout it appeared. "Through being Synchro summoned, this card permits me to banish any three cards my opponent controls. Kai, banish those three middle back row cards you have."

"While that makes sense, I like my cards as they are." Kai countered. "That's while I'll activate one of my face downs, the quick-play Forbidden Chalice. It lets me target one monster and boost their ATK by 400 while negating their effects until the end of the turn. I choose Trishula."

Trishula, Zero Dragon of the Ice Barrier(LV 11/3100/2000 effect)

(Kai's Hand: 5/4 set cards)

"If you two are done, I'll activate my face down Urgent Ritual Art." Alexis declared. "As I control no Ritual monsters, I can banish any 1 Ritual spell from my grave to have this card's effect becomes that card's Ritual summon effect."

(Alexis' Hand 5)

"I'll chain to that one of my face downs, Parry." Greg declared, putting one of the cards from his hand back into his deck. "By shuffling one Gladiator Beast from my hand back into the deck, I can negate that trap and destroy it."

(Greg's Hand: 4)

"Er, you got me there." Alexis voiced

"If that's all the effects anyone has, Cyber Jar still has yet to fulfill its remaining purpose." Jaden declared. "Let's see what our next five cards are, and what monsters we'll be able to summon from them."

Jaden excavated: Elememntal HERO Burstinatrix(LV 3/1200/800), Elemental HERO Bubbleman(LV 4/800/1200), Miracle Fusion, King of the Swamp(LV 3/500/1100), Elemental HERO Clayman

(Jaden's Hand: 6/1 set card)

Jaden's Field:

Elememntal HERO Burstinatrix(LV 3/1200/800)

Elemental HERO Bubbleman(LV 4/800/1200)

King of the Swamp(LV 3/500/1100)

Elemental HERO Clayman(LV 4/800/2000)

Kai excavated: Heroic Challenger Extra Sword(LV 4/1000/1000), War Rock Meteoragon, Double or Nothing!, War Rock Fortia(LV 4/1700/1700), Metaverse

(Kai's Hand: 8/4 set cards)

Kai's Field:

Heroic Challenger Extra Sword(LV 4/1000/1000)

War Rock Fortia(LV 4/1700/1700)

Alexis excavated: Cyber Angel Dakini, D.D Assailant(LV 4/1700/1600), Archlord Kyrsta, Preparation of Rites, Cyber Tutubon

(Alexis' Hand 9)

Alexis' Field:

D.D Assailant(LV 4/1700/1600)

Greg excavated: Gladiator Beast Hoplomus(LV 4/700/2100), Gladiator Beast Attorix(LV 4/800/2000), Gladiator Beast Secutor(LV 4/400/300),Gladiator Beast's Comeback, and Gladiator Beast's Return

(Greg's Hand: 6)

Greg's Field:

Gladiator Beast Hoplomus(LV 4/700/2100) face down defense

Gladiator Beast Attorix(LV 4/800/2000) face down defense

Gladiator Beast Secutor(LV 4/400/300) face down defense

Bastion excavated: General Grunard of the Ice Barrier, Strategist of the Ice Barrier(LV 4/1600/1600), Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier(LV 4/1500/1000, Zuijin of the Ice Barrier(LV 2/500/300), Medallion of the Ice Barrier

(Bastion's Hand: 7/2 set card)

Bastion's Field:

Trishula, Zero Dragon of the Ice Barrier(LV 11/3100/2000 effect)

Strategist of the Ice Barrier(LV 4/1600/1600)

Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier(LV 4/1500/1000

Zuijin of the Ice Barrier(LV 2/500/300)

"While I do see what you were trying to do Jaden, I'm afraid I'll be piggy backing off this combo of yours to execute a major one of my own." Bastion declared. "On my last summon of Zuijin, I activated my face down Torrential Tribute to wipe the field!"

For the second time, though on a grander scale given the sheer number of monsters, every monster on the field was destroyed.

(Jaden's Hand: 6/1 set card)

(Kai's Hand: 8/4 set cards)

(Alexis' Hand 9)

(Greg's Hand: 6)

(Bastion's Hand: 7/1 set card)

"Er, we can barely keep a monster at this rate." Greg thought.

"Everyone's just as tough as I thought." Alexis thought.

"I've lost more cards than I thought I would." Kai thought.

"I've never seen this much hand expansion and monster destruction in one turn." Chumley noted.

"Why would Bastion use Torrential Tribute now though?" Mindy asked, confused. "He's the last person in rotation, and it's still Jaden's turn."

"Bastion never makes a play without good reason." Sadie smiled confidently. "He knows exactly what he's doing."

Jaden just laughed. "Man, you toppled that play of mine like it was nothing!"

"It doesn't stop there." Bastion declared. "I now activate my second face down, Torrential Reborn. As at least 1 face up Water monster I control was destroyed, I can now special summon monsters destroyed on my field from that effect. For each monster returned to the field by this effect, my opponents take 500 life points of damage."

Everyone was stunned to hear that.

"Four of your monsters were sent to the grave by Torrential Tribute, which means…" Greg began.

"…We're all about to take 2000 life points worth of damage." Alexis finished.

(Bastion's Hand: 7)

Bastion's Field:

Trishula, Zero Dragon of the Ice Barrier(LV 11/2700/2000)

Strategist of the Ice Barrier(LV 4/1600/1600)

Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier(LV 4/1500/1000

Zuijin of the Ice Barrier(LV 2/500/300)

A massive tsunami of water accompanied the four monsters as they rose back up on Bastion's field before spreading out to wash over the other four duelists.

Jaden: 2000

Kai: 2000

Alexis: 2000

Greg: 2000

"Figures you of all people would pull off something like this Bastion." Kai smiled. "That said, I figured at least one of you would fill your field relatively well. That's why I included Enma's Judgement. Now, all monsters you special summoned are destroyed."

All of Bastion's resurrected monsters suddenly shattered.

(Bastion's Hand: 7)

(Kai's Hand: 8/3 set cards)

"A bit of a strange card considering that would then have allowed you to banish five zombie monsters to summon a level 7 or higher zombie from your deck or hand." Bastion noted.

"It was the best card I could find for it, in the time we had to prepare." Kai responded. "I also considered activating it to wipe the field as you did, but the fact your move did damage everyone but yourself made it the one to go with."

"Despite all that, it's still my turn." Jaden declared happily. "Even though you've all played a lot of cards, I still have plenty to play in my hand, coupled with the fact I haven't even normal summoned. I think I'll use that to set a monster.

Now, I'll be stepping things up in a new way. It all starts with my one set card, which was Polymerization. I now use it to combine the water attributed Elemental HERO Ocean with Elemental HERO Avian. I call forth the ice HERO.

Fusion summon Elemental HERO Absolute Zero(LV 8/2500/2000)." A warrior wearing white armor appeared. "Next, I'll activate Miracle Fusion. By banishing materials from my field or grave, I can Fusion summon any Elemental HERO I wish.

Thanks to all that discarding, I can banish Elemental HERO Sparkman and Bladedge from my grave. Fusion summon Elemental HERO Plasma Vice(LV 8/2600/2300)." A blue spandexed warrior with golden armor appeared.

(Jaden's Hand: 1/Plasma Vice, 1 set monster, 1 set card)

"Two fusions at once Jaden?" Alexis asked.

"Everyone's been giving their all so far, might as well do the same." Jaden declared. "Now, I'll have Absolute Zero attempt to bring me victory by attacking Greg."

Greg grunted at that since he didn't exactly have anything to defend himself.

"Sorry Jay, but I'm not letting you have the singles rep like that." Kai declared. "I activate another of my face downs, Karma Cut. By discarding 1 card from my hand, I can target any 1 face-up monster you control and banish it along with all cards that share its name in your grave."

(Kai's Hand: 7/2 set cards)

"Heh, I had to try." Jaden grinned. "Would you be alright with me attacking Bastion?"

"I won't step in there, unless you attempt to raise your monster ATK high enough to reduce all his life points." Kai voiced.

"Alright, Plasma Vice launch a direct attack on Bastion!" Jaden declared.

Plasman Vice fired off lightning at the Ra.

"I activate the graveyard effect of Judge of the Ice Barrier." Bastion declared. "By banishing this card from my grave, I can change one attack position monster on the field to defense position."

"I chain another face down, Solem Strike." Kai interrupted. "At the cost of 1500 life points, this trap can negate the summon or activation of a monster and destroy it."

Kai: 500

(Kai's Hand: 7/1 set card)

Bastion gave a small smile as the lightning from Plasma Vice washed over him unimpeded.

Bastion: 1400

"With that, I think I'll set this last card in my hand and call my turn there." Jaden declared. "Your move, Kai."

(Jaden's Hand: 0/Plasma Vice, 1 set monster, 2 set card)

"That was just an insane turn…" Syrus released a breath he'd been holding.

"No kidding." Chumley nodded. "Talk about a lichious duel."

Turn 7: Kai

"I draw!" Kai looked at what he got before exchanging it for another card in hand. "First, I activate my last face down, Double Hooking. By discarding 1 card, I can then target any two monsters from my grave and special summon them." He discarded the card he drew.

(Kai's Hand: 7)

"Return Heroic Challenger Extra Sword(LV 4/1000/1000) and War Rock Fortia(LV 4/1700/1700)." Kai continued. "Now, I tribute both to summon War Rock Meteoragon(LV 7/2600/2600)." A white-haired warrior in red and gold armor and with two blades appeared.

(Kai's Hand: 6)

"Now, I enter the Battle Phase." Kai declared. "At the start of said phase, I can activate Anti-Magic Arrows. For the rest of this turn, no duelist can activate Spell/Trap Cards, or their effects. Now, I'll finish this by attacking Bastion directly."

(Kai's Hand: 5)

Meteoragon rushed forward and slashed his blade, which phased through Bastion.

Bastion: 0

Kai: 500-1st winner

"With that, Kai Delmar has secured his place as Duel Academy's singles representative in the upcoming School Duel while Bastion Misawa will be prohibited from being selected as the tag team representative's partner." Sheppard announced, causing the student body to cheer.

"Both students named must now leave the main arena area." Mokuba declared, as Kai and Bastion's duel disks deactivated. "We will then proceed with Jaden, Alexis, and Greg, who shall duel to the last life point to determine our final rep."

Jaden: 2000

Alexis: 2000

Greg: 2000

(Jaden's Hand: 1/Plasma Vice, 1 set monster, 1 set card)

(Alexis' Hand 9)

(Greg's Hand: 6)

Kai and Bastion walked off together.

"Leave it to Delmar." Topher crossed his arms with a small smile.

"It's no wonder he was able to actually beat Zane." Jasmine smiled, proud of his accomplishment.

"I had confidence in my bud to take this." Dimitri declared confidently.

Hallway

"Bastion, I just wanted to say I hope there aren't any hard feelings." Kai voiced. "You were the one to cost me every life point out there, so it only felt right launching that attack on you."

"I assumed that was your thought process." Bastion nodded with a smile. "Rest assured, I do not hold your victory against you in the slightest. If anything, the fact I was taken out by seemingly the most prepared duelist out there is quite the compliment in my book."

"Alright then." Kai smiled back at him. "Let's get up to those stands and see which of them becomes the tag team rep."

Arena

"The duel will resume, following the turn order as established just with the exclusion of Kai & Bastion." Mokuba informed. "Given Jaden went last, before Kai, it is now Alexis' turn."

Turn 8: Alexis

"I might be out of the running for the singles rep, but I won't let that get me down." Alexis drew. "I activate Preparation of Rites to add any 1 level 7 or lower ritual monster from my deck to the hand. Then, I can add any 1 Ritual spell from my grave to the hand."

(Alexis' Hand: 10)

"I've been through a lot of cards since this duel started and ended up with this hand which I intend to put to use now!" Alexis declared. "First, I activate Machine Angel Ritual. I can tribute Archlord Kyrstsa(LV 8) as the full requirement.

"Ritual Summon Cyber Angel Dakini(LV 8/2700/2400)." A four-armed blue woman in orange armor appeared. "As this monster was Ritual summoned, I can force my opponent to send 1 monster of their choice to the grave. Jaden, you're the only one with monsters."

(Alexis' Hand: 7)

"If it's my choice, I'll be sending my face down monster to the grave." Jaden declared.

"In that case, I'll attack your Plasma Vice with Dakini." Alexis declared. "With that attack, I'll activate the quick-play Concentrating Current. In exchange for only the monster I target being able to attack, that monster will gain ATK equal to its DEF. I only have the one monster."

Cyber Angel Dakini(LV 8/5100/2400 effect)

"I chain my first face down, Elemental Recharge." Jaden countered. "Now, I gain 1000 life points for every Elemental HERO I currently control."

Jaden: 3000 was sprinkled with green particles before Dakini then slashed her weapons through Plasma Vice, destroying him. The resounding backlash of the attack rolled on over Jaden: 500. Suddenly, two bright lights appeared above Alexis & Greg.

"What's going on?" Greg asked.

"I activated my last face down, Change of Hero - Reflector Ray." Jaden declared. "As an Elemental HERO fusion I control was destroyed by battle, I can now inflict damage to my opponents equal to its level multiplied by 300."

"Plasma Vice is a level 8 monster!" Alexis exclaimed.

Greg was stunned. "That means we both take 2400 life points worth of damage!"

Both duelists widened their eyes as light fired down and washed over the two of them.

Jaden: 500-2nd winner

Alexis: 0

Greg: 0

Bastion and Kai had arrived within the stands, just in time to catch the last turn.

"Dang, that's one nasty combo." Kai noted.

"Indeed." Bastion nodded.

"With that last turn, we have determined Duel Academy's tag team rep." Sheppard announced. "Jaden Yuki shall, in the coming days, pick his partner. Soon, Kai Delmar, Jaden Yuki, and that third duelist will represent us in the School Duel against North Academy!"

The crowd broke out into cheers for both their currently known reps. The two's group, whether they dueled today for a spot or not, were particularly exuberant. The reps were now cemented. They merely had to prepare, with Jaden having to decide just who he'd partner with.

---

The Duelist of Dawn: Thank you. Lucien just presented such a good opportunity.

Vital Info: Archfiend's are Titain's thing, but there are still other fiend decks that could work for Lucien. The fact he is in a way quoting those two should show just how well those words have sunk in. As for how the selection would go, you were right in how it was decided. Though, how people ended up finishing in this royale is another story. By how its laid out: Kai 1st, Jaden 2nd, Alexis & Greg 3rd, and Bastion 5th.