Ash Ketchum Attends Duel Academy

A Lying Legend

In a hallway constructed out of stone, torches were lit without anyone touching them. At the end of the hall, figures in clay, painted masks and robes stood around a large sarcophagus as two others grabbed hold of the lid and pulled it away.

A figure in a beautiful golden death mask, staffs crossed over it's arms slowly rose up in the sarcophagus. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd of robed people as they knelt down at the presence of the figure.

"Why has my slumber been disrupted?" The figure demanded, looking at the congregation.

"To fulfill your duty to the shadows." An ominous voice boomed from above as a large orb of light shined brightly. A symbol on the figure's mask glowed brightly seconds later. It stood up to full height and thrust it's staff outward.

"Ready my vessel!"

-----

Another day, another class at Duel Academy. While Banner usually taught Alchemy and Fusion, on occasion he also taught history. He had artist renderings of the most famous duelists of all time taped to the blackboard while his students paid close attention.

He pointed to one that showed a young man with crazy, lightning bolt like hair.

"You all know Yugi Muto." He then pointed to a picture of a young man with short hair and a smug expression on his face. "And Seto Kaiba as dueling legends, far and away, the very best in their generation."

"Best looking too." A random girl cooed.

"They're dreamboats." Another girl sighed happily.

"I like Mai Valentine." A guy threw in.

"But, you do realize, class, that there were other great duelists, well before their time." Banner added as he gathered his notes into a blue folder.

"How is that, Prof?" Jaden asked, propping his head on his hand. "I mean, Duel Monsters hasn't been around that long."

"If you would stop sleeping in class, you'd know that they used stone tablets to duel in Ancient Egypt." Ash stared at him.

Banner nodded.

"That's right and one of the best from those days was a pharaoh named Abidos the Third." He held up a rough sketch of a young man in robes and a headdress with a mask. "Abidos was undefeated."

Jaden lifted his head. "Undefeated? That's sweet! He must've been something else. Of course, it's a good thing he's not around today, because that undefeated record would go adios!"

Chazz smirked at the Slifer below him. "Sure, it would, Slacker. You could probably even take down Yugi and Kaiba, too."

"Really?" Jaden turned in his seat, a smile on his face. "Well, thanks, Chazz. I had no idea you believed in me!"

Chazz's eye twitched as he slowly reached for Jaden's throat.

"It's sarcasm. Hear that?" He hissed.

"Sure." Jaden turned around and put his hands behind his head. "But, if you wanted to change your name Chazz, you can do a lot better than sarcasm."

"You know what I mean!" Chazz snapped, grabbing Jaden and putting him in a headlock.

Syrus watched the two of them, smiling nervously. "C'mon guys, you're gonna get us in trouble."

"Chazz, let him go right now." Ash ordered.

"You wanna see trouble?!" Chazz pulled hard on Jaden's ears. "Fine, how about that?"