Morning at the Osiris Red dorm. "Aww, man, I still haven't drawn Polymerization..." Judai, playing a Duel Monsters pocket video game, puts Clayman in defense mode. Shou, grinning triumphantly, summons Drillroid and attacks Clayman with it. Attacking directly with Patroid and Gyroid, Shou proceeds to win the game. Judai comments that this simulation of the final exam is so strong, and Shou counters that his aniki's just too weak.

Judai notices that Hayato's still in bed, in the top bunk, and wonders if he's okay. Shou reminds him that Hayato was working on his deck all night, straight through until dawn. Judai says that the pressure on Hayato must be even greater than it is for them, since he's already been held back once. Shou chides Judai for saying that, as it could hurt Hayato's feelings, and Judai apologizes... but Hayato, lying in his bed, is still awake. He's heard it all, even if he doesn't let on. 'It's true,' he thinks. 'This is my last chance...'

In one of the ampitheatre-like Academia classrooms, a teacher in a Ra Yellow coat is painting at an easel. At their desks, the students are all painting with watercolors and chatting among themselves. Shou holds up his painting -- a simplistic cartoon of a Black Magician Girl, and asks Judai what he thinks. "Shou. You don't understand. A card has to be strong and cool!" He adds a few splashes of red to his painting -- a rather cartoonish, vaguely villain-ish looking character in armor and sunglasses. He shows it off to Shou, who clearly doesn't care much for it. They then turn to see what Hayato's painting.

In contrast to the cartoonish efforts of the other two, Hayato has created a beautiful, well-rendered landscape, with a long red monolith under a blue sky, and scrubby grass in the foreground.

"That's amazing!" Shou exclaims.

"Yeah, that's a really pretty pickling stone!" Judai adds.

Shou and Hayato, after a moment to process the sheer absurdity of that statement, are shocked. "What the heck are you talking about?" Shou asks indignantly. "That's Ayers Rock in Australia!"

Judai seems unfamiliar with the idea, and Hayato explains. "They call it the navel of the earth. The aborigines consider it a sacred stone. It's a very special place for me." The other students all around him lean in now, very impressed.

"Ah, Signor Maeda, Signor Maeda." Chronos has appeared on the screen at the front of the classroom. "Please report to the principal's office immediately." Everyone is a bit surprised, and Hayato exits with a worried expression. Judai and Shou wonder if it's something about finals...

But when Hayato arrives at Sameshima's office and asks the same question, Sameshima seems surprised by the very idea. He laughs. "Maeda-kun. I called you here today to talk about your victory." He hands a card to Hayato, whose eyes widen in surprise. He looks at the card -- a Magic card, with a beautiful painting of a sunrise over the hills and scrublands of Ayers Rock. Sameshima continues. "The card you designed for the Industrial Illusions contest won."

Hayato's stunned. "Really?"

A screen in the corner zings on. "It's the truth, Hayato-boy!" Yes, it's Pegasus, in all his flamboyant style. He praises Hayato's card design, and then adds, "And, if you can get approval from Duel Academia, I'd like to offer you a job as a card designer!"

The screen turns off, leaving Hayato speechless. Sameshima says he's inclined to give the approval, but Chronos objects. "I cannot offer approval for a dropout boy!" Sameshima concedes that Chronos might have a point. "However, if he can defeat me me in tomorrow's practical exam, I can accept it." But he warns Hayato of the consequences if he loses, which could include being held back a year again. Sameshima tries to be encouraging, but Hayato's clearly scared stiff. He leaves the office, and Shou and Judai are waiting outside, full of praise for his card winning, and good hopes for his duel tomorrow. They are willing to support him if Hayato really needs help.

Hayato	Is the topic about the final examination?
Samechima Principle	Ha ha ha~ Maeda-Kun, I've called you today to talk about your future. Here you are!
Hayato	This card is...
Samechima Principle	The card that you designed won the Industrial Illusion corporation sponsorship contest.
Hayato	Really?
Pegasus	That's true, Hayato Boy! Good Imagination! Your work is so splendid, so good! Thus, it is applied to become an official duel monster card...AND...if Duel Academia approves, I would like to offer you a chance to become an official duel card designer in my corporation.
Samechima Principle	Looking through your talent, I agree to the approval of Industrial Illusion.
Hayato	Thank you very much.
Chronos	Samechima Principle, please hold on for seconds!
Samechima Principle	What's an issue, Professor Chronos?
Chronos	Singor Maeda still remains in offical course. I can't approve the drop-out boy at all.
Samechima Principle	Although I understand your point...
Chronos	If he can defeat me in the tomorrow practical exam, I may accept him.
Hayato	Practical Exam?
Chronos	However, the result of the losing is to be held back again.
Samechima Principle	Maeda-Kun, this practical exam may be tough, but please try your best~

Night at the Osiris Red dorm. Manjoume's belongings are still piled under a huge tarp out front. Inside, Judai wakes up from a deep sleep, and realizes that while Shou is still asleep on the middle bunk, Hayato's top bunk is empty. He soon finds Hayato out sitting by the cliff behind the dorm, watching the waves below. "You really ought to get some sleep," Judai says, sitting down beside him. "You've got an important test tomorrow."

"Yeah... But there's no way I can beat Chronos-sensei."

"What are you talking about?" Judai says with a grin. "You never know until you try."

"I know it's useless. I was only able to come back this year because Dad helped me out..."

"That's all right, though. You really like dueling, right?"

"I do, but..."

"Then it doesn't matter if you win or lose. With the card that you made... I want to see a duel that nobody but you could do. And have fun with all your might."

Hayato smiles, and thanks Judai for reminding him of the important things he'd forgotten. A shooting star falls...

The next day, Shou and Judai, along with Asuka, Misawa, and Manjoume, have gathered in one of the school's duel stadiums. Judai cheers happily to Hayato, making Shou look at him a bit funny. "Aren't you worried about Hayato-kun, aniki?"

"Oh, come on," Judai grins. "He's gonna show us an interesting duel..."

"That's a very Judai-style cheer," Asuka says, smiling. Manjoume adds that a final exam doesn't seem to have much weight for Judai.

"Signor Maeda!" Chronos addresses Hayato across the field. "This final examination will now begin!" Hayato is flustered in response, which seems to annoy Chronos, but they begin, with Chronos giving Hayato first turn.

Antique Gear Monster Card

Duel! Hayato draws. He plays one monster in face-down defense mode, and ends his turn. Chronos draws, then plays [Magnet Circle Lv 2. - Magic: Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower Machine-Type Monster from your hand to the Field]. He special summons an Antique Gear from his hand, and then uses its special ability to summon another from his hand [Antique Gear - 2/100/800: While Antique Gear is face-up on your side of the Field, you can Special Summon any number of Antique Gear cards in your hand to the Field in face-up Attack Mode]. The Antique Gears, looking like complicated cogwheel mechanisms with robot arms, appear for a moment, then disappear as Chronos sacrifices them both to summon Antique Gear Golem in attack mode [Antique Gear Golum - 8/3000/3000: When this card is successfully summoned, special summon another card with the same name from your hand]. He attacks the face-down card with Ultimate Pound, and a ghostly image of Antique Gear Golem's fist flies at the card.

The card flips over, and Des Koala pops up. By the Golem's special effect, Hayato is reduced to 2800 (4000+1800-3000). But Des Koala has caught the fist, and Hayato orders it to use its special effect. It slashes its claws twice at the fist before both are destroyed [Des Koala - 3/1100/1800: Flip- Inflict 400 points of direct damage to your opponent's LP for each card in your opponent's hand]. Hayato explains that when Des Koala is flip summoned, it does 400 damage to the opponent for each card in his hand. Chronos has two cards, and thus two small shocks of lightning hit him, reducing him to 3200 (4000-400*2).

"I knew it," Shou murmurs. "Chronos-sensei is just too strong..."

Eucalyptus Mole Monster Card

"No, Hayato's not gonna lose," Judai says. "This time, he didn't forget the flip effect!" He briefly recounts the time Hayato summoned Des Koala in attack mode against his father, and that this first card says a lot [episode 9]. Hayato's turn. He draws, then summons Eucalyptus Mole in defense mode, then plays one card face down [Eucalyptus Mole ~ Yukari Mole - 4/?/1300: When this Monster is destroyed as a result of battle, Special Summon 1 Monster with Koala in its name from your deck].

Chronos's turn. He draws, and looks at his hand. (His new card is another Antique Gear Golem, while his hand contains Antique Gear Soldier and Emes the Infinity.) He attacks Eucalyptus Mole with Ultimate Pound, reducing Hayato to 1100 life (2800+1300-3000). But Hayato activates Eucalyptus Mole's special ability: when it is sent to the graveyard because of battle, he can special summon one monster with Koala in its name from his deck. And he chooses -- Big Koala [Big Koala - 7/2700/2000]. Chronos seems amused by this play, and summons Antique Gear Soldier in defense mode, then ends his turn.

Hayato draws, and then plays Wild Nature's Release on Big Koala, increasing its attack strength by its defense strength, to a total of 4700 (2700/atk + 2000/def) [Wild Nature's Release ~ Yasei Kaihou - Magic: Increase the attack strength of face-up 1 Animal or Animal Warrior Sub-Type Monster on the Field by its defense strength. Destroy that Monster during the End Phase]. "Go, Big Koala! Attack the Antique Gear Golem! Special attack: Eucalyptus Bomber!" Big Koala slams into the Golem, destroying it and knocking Chronos down to 1500 life (3200+3000-4700). Chronos grins. 'That was a little more like it,' he thinks.

Beast Soul Swap Trap Card

Hayato, looking confident, activates his trap card, Beast Soul Swap [Beast Soul Swap ~ Cattle Mutilation - Trap: Return 1 face-up Animal Sub-Type Monster on your Field to your hand, and Special Summon 1 Animal Sub-Type Monster from your hand with a Level equal to the returned Monster]. This lets him return one Beast monster to its owner's hand, and he chooses, of course, Big Koala. Next, he may special summon one Beast monster of the same level. And he chooses -- Big Koala.

Shou is very confused. Why'd he do that, reducing the powered-up Big Koala to a normal one? Jun smirks -- Shou doesn't even know something like that? Misawa and Asuka explain the effects of Wild Burst -- namely, that the monster targeted by it is destroyed at the end of the turn. By returning Big Koala ot his hand, Hayato avoids risking that. Shou is impressed, and Judai amusedly tells him to study more. Shou thinks he's got no room to talk about that. Judai chuckles, and adds that by special summoning the monster during the Battle Phase, he's given it another chance to attack.

Big Koala attacks Antique Gear Soldier with another Eucalyptus Bomber, belly-flopping on top of the machine and destroying it. Chronos smiles, impressed with Hayato's level of play. Hayato sets one card face down and ends his turn.

Antique Gear Factory Magic Card

'Signor Maeda... it looks like this year hasn't been in vain after all,' Chronos thinks. He draws, and plays Pot of Greed to draw two more cards. Next, he plays Antique Gear Factory [Antique Gear Factory - Magic: Select 1 monster in your hand that inclues Antique Gear in its card name (show the monster to your opponent). Remove from play cards in your Graveyard that include Antique Gear in their card name(s) whose total Levels are equal to double the selected card's. You don't have to Tribute when you Normal Summon the selected card this turn]. A giant assemblage of metal and cables rises from the ground, with a conveyor belt in front, a clamp-like set of doors, and a green cylinder on top marked with yellow stars of all sizes.

Chronos explains that when he plays Antique Gear Factory, he can summon one monster with Antique Gear in its name from his hand. He selects Antique Gear Golem. Judai, Shou, and Asuka are all surprised that he's summoning it without tributes. They're even more surprised that Sameshima has sat down next to them when they weren't looking. Sameshima muses, "That would take monsters totaling twice its level -- in this case, sixteen..."

Chronos begins removing monsters in his graveyard from the game. We see a blasted wasteland, and an Antique Gear, the Antique Gear Soldier, and his first Antique Gear Golem vanish in glowing energy. The Factory starts up, with two hoppers alternately dumping loads of scrap parts onto the conveyor belt, which takes them in to the heart of the factory. As each load goes in, one of the stars on the cylinder lights up. Finally, sixteen stars are glowing...

The Factory releases its seals, venting clouds of steam, and the clamped-closed main chamber rumbles open to reveal Antique Gear Golem. Judai is very impressed, causing Shou to ask just whose side he's on.

"Signor Maeda. Your growth is apparent. But there is no way you can defeat me in this duel." Antique Gear Golem destroys Big Koala, reducing Hayato to 800 life (1100+2700-3000). Hayato activates his trap -- Beast Trail [Beast Trail ~ Kemono Michi - Trap: When a Monster is destroyed as a result of battle, search your deck for 1 Animal Sub-Type Monster and place it in your hand]. Tall grass appears around him as he searches his deck for a Beast card -- and Des Kangaroo bounds down a trail out of the underbrush.

Antique Gear Drill Magic Card

Chronos, not terribly impressed, plays Antique Gear Drill, discarding one card to search his deck for a magic card that he sets face-down [Antique Gear Drill - Magic: You can only activate this card by discarding 1 card from your hand while a monster that includes Antique Gear in its card name is face-up on your side of the field. Select 1 Spell Card from your Deck and Set it on your side of the field. You cannot use that Spell Card this turn]. Hayato's friends, watching, are crestfallen. Chronos looks to have the duel tied up. But Judai's eager, enthusiastic. He calls out for Hayato to give it his all, and Sameshima and the others take up the cheer. And Hayato remembers.

Misawa opening his coat to show his six decks. Summoning Magnet Warrior Sigma Minus. Playing 100,000 Gauss. An explosion opposite his two Hydrogedon and one Oxygedon.

Manjoume, raising the three Ojama cards high into the air. Summoning Ojama King for the first time.

Hayato smiles.

Shou, eager and energetic, ordering Patroid to attack. Shou looking shocked, then dismayed, as he floats in the hot springs near Hayato and realizes Judai's stolen his towel.

Asuka, sending Cyber Blader to attack Titan's Demon Matador. Motegi, summoning Moke Moke.

Hayato smiles with more confidence.

Judai, making a dramatic declaration. Flame Wingman destroying Kagurazaka's Chaos Soldier -- Envoy of the Beginning. Judai surprised as Featherman helps Rei's Maiden in Love to her feet. Misawa extending his hand to Judai, and Judai high-fiving it. Judai, determined, as Kaibaman summons his third Blue Eyes White Dragon. Judai's 'Gotcha' pose.

"This last year... everyone's taught me so much. That no matter what kind of duel you're in... it should always be fun!" As long as he can have an entertaining duel like this one, he's happy no matter what may come! His friends, impressed, rise to their feet one by one -- even Manjoume.

"You can't reach your limits on your own," Hayato says, winning a respectful smile from Chronos. Hayato draws -- and looks in surprise on his own card, Ayers Rock Sunrise. And he remembers...

One year ago, during summer vacation, after his dismal performance at Duel Academia, his father allowed him to go on a backpacking trip in Australia. He had the idea he would throw his deck off of the top of the navel of the world, Ayers Rock, but as he gets up there and looks over the edge, stars shining above, he realizes he can't do it. The wind blows his hat off, and he squints to follow it. The sun is rising ahead of him, lighting up the landscape -- a perfect match for what he would later paint for his card -- beautifully. 'That's when I understood. I love to duel. No matter what form it takes, I'll always want to duel!' Though Hayato hasn't been speaking aloud, Chronos sees something in his bearing, and looks impressed...

Ayer's Rock Sunrise Magic Card

Hayato plays Ayers Rock Sunrise, and Ayers Rock itself rises behind him in hologram form [Ayer's Rock Sunrise - Magic: Special Summon 1 Animal Sub-Type Monster from your Cemetery. Decrease the attack strength of a Monster on your opponent's Field by 200 for each Animal, Animal Warrior, and Bird Sub-Type in your Cemetery]. The rising sun shines from behind it, and the spirit of Des Koala, happily munching on eucalyptus leaves, appears beside him. "It's the same sun as that morning," Hayato says. "Showing me I can't abandon this dream. I don't know where this path may lead, but I'm following it." Des Koala nods cheerfully.

Hayato explains Ayers Rock Sunrise's effects with newfound vigor. First, he can special summon one Beast monster from his deck. He chooses Big Koala, which leaps up and poses in front of Ayers Rock. Next, for each Beast, Plant, and Winged-Beast type monster remaining in his graveyard, he can reduce the attack strength of one of his opponent's monsters by 200. Des Koala and Eucalyptus Mole streak out from the deck and cling to Antique Gear Golem for a moment before vanishing, reducing the Golem's strength to 2600 (3000-200*2).

And Hayato's not done yet. He plays Polymerization to fuse Big Koala with the Des Kangaroo in his hand -- and Master of Oz emerges, standing in a boxer's stance atop Ayers Rock [Master of OZ - 9/4200/3700]. Hayato looks at it fondly, calling it the independence he's achieved this year.

"Splendid. Simply amazing, Signor Maeda." Chronos continues, thinking to himself, 'One year ago, you were a dropout boy. But you persevered with such spirit. You have creativity to spare. If it were possible, I would love to succumb to your attack. I want to lose to you. But...'

Hayato orders Master of Oz to attack, and it charges at Antique Gear Golem, readying a punch. Chronos thinks to himself that in an examination, he can't do less than duel his best. And so he activates his face down card -- Limiter Removal, which doubles the attack strength of all Machine monsters on his field [Limiter Removal ~ Limiter Kaijyo - Instant Magic: Double the attack strength of all of your face-up Machine Sub-Type Monsters on the Field. Destroy all Monsters affected by this effect at the end of the turn]. Antique Gear Golem's internal gears begin to spin at top speed, and its power goes to 5200 (2600*2).

The two monsters clash. Sameshima rises to his feet. Hayato's life drops to zero (800+4200-5600) as tears stream down his face. Antique Gear Golem has delivered a left hook to Master of Oz's face, while the Master's koala arms were too short to deliver a right hook likewise. Master of Oz shatters, and Antique Gear Golem fades as the duel ends.

Judai applauds. And then the rest of the spectators join in, to Hayato's surprise. "That was a really neat duel, Hayato! 'Gotcha!'" Shou, Misawa, and even Manjoume, somewhat reservedly, all agree it was wonderful. Hayato wipes his tears with his sleeve as Chronos approaches him.

"Signor Maeda. The results of your final exam are a loss for you. However. Beyond the duel, you were splendid. Truly amazing. As the party responsible for your Duel Academia practical exam, I hereby recommend you for a position at Industrial Illusions." Hayato is overwhelmed by this, but tentatively shakes hands with Chronos. "Signor Maeda. You are my pride."

Shou looks sad. "But this means we'll be parting ways with Hayato-kun..."

"Hayato's got a new path to walk," Judai says. "We can't mess that up. We just have to cheer for him as much as we can." And he looks to Sameshima, next to him, only to realize the principal is weeping openly. Everyone, even Chronos, shares a laugh at that...

A plane streaks across the Duel Academia sky. Judai, Shou, Asuka, Misawa, and Asuka stand on the cliff shore, watching it go. "Give it your all, Hayato," Judai says softly.

On the plane, Hayato, dressed nicely in a button-down shirt and formal jacket, looks out the window, taking a last look at Duel Academia. "Shou... Judai... Everybody... I'll..." He wipes tears from his eyes. "I'll give it my all!" And the spirit of Des Koala, sitting behind him, nods happily, still munching on eucalyptus leaves.

to be continued...

[Ayer's Rock - Mount Uluru] - Hayato's Card Design

Ayer's Rock is a well-known large red rock situlated on the middle of Australia, around the Northern Territory, which is one of the Australia's seven states.

Ayer's Rock is called Uluru by the Australian Aborigines to whom the site belongs, and is still an area in which Aboriginals live. Mount Uluru captures the colours, if not the 2km by 3km width and 350m height of the rock. Furthermore, It's the second-largest single piece of stone in the world, and due to infusions of various minerals, it dramatically changes color as the time of day and year changes. Sunrise and sunset are said to be especially beautiful, with the rock reflecting red light such that the whole formation glows.

>>http://www.crystalinks.com/ayersrock.html
>>http://www.synaptic.bc.ca/gallery/uluru.htm
>>http://www.rednova.com/images/images-of-the-day?image_id=7102
>>http://conniechai.tripod.com/plumpudding/id6.html

[ Hayato's deck list]
New cards played | Eucalyptus Mole (M), Beast Soul Swap (T), Beast Trail (T), Ayer's Rock Sunrise (S)

[ Chronos' deck list]
New cards played | Antique Gear (M), Antique Gear Factory (S), Antique Gear Drill (S)

M=monster, S=Spell, T=Trap