Far away from the shores of Duel Academy on the outskirts of Domino City was a vast prison for the worst criminals in Japan. For most prisoners, their routine was the same. Be summoned from your cells, eat and then back to their cells until later. For two prisoners today, that routine was about to change. Guards came to their cells and opened them.
"Alright you two, on your feet, hands out," The lead guard ordered. The two men raised their wrists and cuffs were swiftly put on them. Matching shackles were placed on their ankles and a connecting chain limited their movement. Now bound securely, they were led out to the yard's basketball court. Once there, they were unshackled as four pylons emerged from the corners of the court. Inside each was a holographic generator that slowly thrummed to life. One of the guards came up to them with a metal briefcase. He clicked it open and inside were two decks and two Battle City style duel disks. The men strapped them on their arms and shuffled their decks carefully.
"Twenty-two years… It's sure been a long time," One of the prisoners remarked wistfully.
"Indeed. Just three more years left," The other stated calmly.
"Even if it's for just a little while, let's not fight. Let's enjoy this duel as long as possible," The first said.
"Agreed," The second smiled. Before the conversation could go on further, lights coalesced in the center of the field and took the form of Dr. Crowler.
"Greetings gentlemen. Thank you for agreeing to this duel," Dr. Crowler greeted calmly.
"Of course. We were happy to assist you with your plan. So we are to double duel two of your students?" The first prisoner asked.
"Yes and losing for them means they'll be expelled from school," Dr. Crowler explained, "I trust you two are up to the challenge?"
"Of course, but we haven't dueled in a long time. What makes you so sure we'll put up a good fight?" The second prisoner inquired.
"Because I've taken some… liberties with your decks. You'll find that your decks are even more dangerous now than when you were arrested," Dr. Crowler cackled, "You may want to familiarize yourself with the new cards we've added before we start the duel." This news surprised both prisoners as they looked at their cards.
"So, you want us to study our decks, re-learn this game, and beat two of your students?" The first prisoner clarified.
"In a word, yes," Dr. Crowler said. Both men grinned in anticipation.
"It would be our deepest pleasure. I trust we get to keep the cards you've added?" The second prisoner asked. Dr. Crowler nodded.
"Yes and I even called in a favor with the warden. If you achieve victory, the decks can go back to your cells and you can use the duel field whenever you have yard time," Dr. Crowler added. The eagerness of the two prisoners increased with this news. They hadn't gotten much in the way of yard time as of late.
"I trust these conditions are to your satisfaction?" Dr. Crowler asked, the slightest hint of a smile forming on his face, "The duel is two hours from now. Familiarize yourselves with the decks and the master tag team rules. And I've also seen fit to add one more surprise. Check the briefcase's underlining." With that, the hologram of Dr. Crowler faded away. Curiously, the two men checked the case again and grinned as they found a secret compartment. What was inside made them grin broadly. With the connection cut, Crowler was alone on the arena floor.
"I'm a genius, a simple genius! I lure Jaden deep inside the abandoned dorm, then Dr. Stratton arranges this tag duel as punishment. When they lose, they'll get expelled," Crowler laughed as the students began to stream in, Only I'm going to make sure of it. Between the new cards and my little surprise, those two are sure to be expelled. Those hours passed swiftly as the two prisoners prepared for their first duel in years. Meanwhile at the Slifer dorm, things were quiet as Atsuko stepped out of her dorm room with a textbook in her hand.
"I can't believe I forgot my homework. That's what I get for helping Jaden-kun late last night," Atsuko told herself as she put her book in her bag. The task complete, she was walking by Jaden's door when a loud snore got her attention.
That came from Jaden-kun's room. Don't tell me he slept in on the day of his big duel! Atsuko thought fearfully. Bewildered, she peeked back in and saw the top bunk in the room show signs of life. She switched on the light and stepped up to the side of the bunk bed. She pulled aside the covers and saw Chumley snoring away in his pajamas.
"I don't believe this. Oi! Chumley-kun! Wake up!" Atsuko demanded angrily, shaking the tubby duelist, "You're going to miss Jaden and Syrus's judgment duel. Come on!" He yawned quietly and began to roll towards Atsuko. With no blankets to keep him in the bed, the female Slifer cried out in surprise as her friend rolled out of bed and landed flat on top of her.
"Chumley-kun… Wake up…" Atsuko groaned, "Can't… breathe…" Chumley yawned and his eyes blinked open wearily.
"Aw… Morning Atsuko. Five more minutes please…" Chumley asked dreamily before laying his head back down between her developing breasts. Atsuko's face went red with anger and frustration as the boy was lulled back into sleep, unaware of where he was.
Mataku… If brains were sharp as swords, he'd be blunt as a club. Atsuko sighed with exasperation as she worked to wake up her friend, I hope Lynn-hime's faring better with Jaden-kun and Syrus-kun. Near the arena entrance on campus, Jaden and Syrus were meeting with Lynn and Alexis going over final strategies before the match.
"OK, you two know the plan, right?" Lynn asked.
"Sure do. This'll be easy. Just another day and another duel. With all these new cards, we're going to be unstoppable, right Syrus?" Jaden asked cheerfully as he slipped his deck into his holster. His cheer was not shared by his chum.
"How can you be so calm about this? If we lose this duel, we'll both be expelled from the academy," Syrus reminded him worryingly.
"Sy, you can't be so negative. You and Jay have trained like crazy," Lynn pointed out.
"Yeah if you call being beaten by you, Alexis and Atsuko repeatedly training," Syrus reminded her gloomily, "In all of our practice duels, we never beat you once." Both girls were embarrassed at the comment.
"Well… Yeah but some of them were close," Alexis said hopefully, "Syrus, you need to get out of your head and believe in yourself. Don't get discouraged before you've even started."
"Yeah how are you going to defeat Dr. Stratton's duelists if you keep losing to yourself?" Lynn asked sagely.
"Yeah, maybe you're right," Syrus said slowly, seeing the sense of his friend's words.
"No, we are right," Lynn corrected as the sounds of applause filled the hallway, "Now go out there and give it your all. No regrets."
"Relax girls. We'll be back before you know it," Jaden grinned, "Come on Sy." The decision made and their path set, Jaden and Syrus walked away from their friends and to the arena floor. Alexis and Lynn turned away and slipped up through a side stairwell into the bleachers. They found two good seats towards the top row.
"…This isn't going to go well, is it?" Lynn asked.
"We've done all we can. There's nothing more we can do now. We have to let them take it from here," Alexis replied calmly, and hope Syrus finds his confidence in time to help Jaden. As the two girls watched their friends go out onto the floor, a heavy feeling of guilt weighed on both of them. It wasn't something they were looking forward to but the day had finally arrived. Their friends' futures at Duel Academy was on the line. The day of the punishment duel had finally arrived.
Chapter Ten: Tag Team Trial
Dr. Stratton was walking out of his office towards the arena as he was approached by Chazz.
"Hey Dr. Stratton, wait up," Chazz said.
"I've got a punishment duel to attend Mr. Princeton. Make it fast," Dr. Stratton said back, not slowing his pace in the least.
"I just wanted to ask that you put me in the elimination duel against Jaden," Chazz proposed, "I'm sure I can beat him this time."
"Oh really? Between your losses to Atsuko on the first day of school and the humiliating match you had with Jaden during the promotion exams, I don't believe you to be up to the challenge," Dr. Stratton rationalized.
"Come on Doc, I've worked like crazy to get a chance to try again," Chazz said, "I can make it worth your while." Dr. Stratton stopped and looked back at Chazz.
"I know you come from money Mr. Princeton, but that doesn't entitle you to get whatever the hell you want from me," Dr. Stratton said sarcastically.
"I'm serious Doc. Just let me have a shot," Chazz begged as they reached the arena doors.
"Mr. Princeton, this conversation is over. You're not dueling and no price you pay will make that happen so give it a rest," Dr. Stratton growled hatefully as he moved off. Chazz grimaced in anger as he followed the doctor into the stands. Taking a spot higher up but in sight of the doctor, Chazz sat down and kicked the back of the seat in front of him in frustration.
"I should be the one taking those two slackers out," Chazz fumed quietly, "Who does Dr. Stratton think he is?"
"Uh, our teacher?" One of the Obelisks replied. Chazz glanced at him angrily, shutting him up right then and there. As he did, he saw Atsuko and Chumley running in, the latter sweating profusely. Seeing them together, he grinned.
"I thought running was supposed to be healthy," Chumley sighed as he took a seat.
"You wouldn't have made it at all if I hadn't heard you snoring in your room," Atsuko chastised angrily as she sat next to him, "Come on! Our friends, your roommates, are down there dueling for their future here at the academy. The least you can do is wake up and show your support." Chumley frowned, ashamed at his lack of action.
"Hey chunky, here to see your roommates get evicted from school?" Chazz taunted. The two Slifers looked down at him.
"No. I'm here to watch them win," Chumley protested.
"With a duelist as pathetic as Syrus on Jaden's team? I wouldn't bet on it," Chazz grinned, "I hear those two got beat over and over during all their practice duels. Why they bother to humiliate themselves here is beyond me."
"Oh yeah? Well don't forget Chazz that practice makes perfect," Atsuko smiled back confidently.
"We'll see about that," Chazz said. On the opposite side of the arena, Alexis and Lynn were waiting tersely for the match begin when Bastion came up to them.
"Hello girls. Mind if I sit with you?" Bastion asked.
"Not at all," Lynn agreed.
"This duel… It's a tad harsh I say," Bastion scoffed as he sat down.
"No joke," Alexis replied as he took a seat next to her, "And because I got them into this mess, they have to get themselves out on their own."
"Hey, it's not all your fault. I went along with you," Lynn protested quietly.
"Looks like it's almost time," Valkyria said, appearing at Lynn's side. Lynn nodded. She turned to her right and saw Zane standing alone, his arms crossed and a disapproving look on his face as he stared down at the field.
Talk about being cold. Lynn frowned, "You'd think Zane would show at least a little emotion seeing as how it's his brother's future that's on the line."
"Unless it's a strong opponent or a challenge, cold and stoic is as much as we're going to get out of him," Alexis sighed as Dr. Stratton stepped out onto the arena floor.
"Alright, settle down everyone. Thank you. Now without further ado, we will begin today's judgment duel. Allow me to introduce our guest tag team duo!" Dr. Stratton announced, signaling the start of the test. To the surprise of everyone in the room, four pylons emerged from different corners of the arena. Hologram generators inside them glowed with a rainbow of colors as two figures materialized on the opposite end of the field. The figures were two men. The first one was bald and chubby and wearing a white mask that concealed the right side of his face. The second was tall with a green mohawk and mask obscuring the left side of his face. They wore orange prison jumpsuits and each had a Battle City style duel disk.
"Greetings duelists. I am Lumis," The short one greeted.
"And I am Umbra," The tall one added.
"We heard you two are in trouble and were in need of punishing," Lumis continued.
"So we were called in to make sure you end up evicted," Umbra said.
"Lumis and Umbra… I've never heard of these guys," Jaden said.
"Me neither," Syrus added, his hope rising, "Maybe this duel won't be so bad after all."
"Who are these guys?" Lynn wondered, "They look like prisoners."
"They are," A voice replied. The three teens looked up and saw Lucia sitting on the railing. A tablet was cradled in her hands as she typed away from it.
"Ah Lucia… By chance do you have any information about Jaden and Syrus's opponents? I must confess I'm not familiar with them," Bastion asked modestly, looking down at his PDA.
"Oh yes I do. They're Lumis and Umbra, former rare hunters. They're currently serving year twenty two of a twenty-five-year sentence for multiple accounts of kidnapping, assault, and theft out of Domino Penitentiary. Before their arrest, they were renowned tag dueling partners. Their last duel was against Yugi and Kaiba during the events of Battle City over twenty years ago," Lucia read from her tablet, "I'm sending it to you now Bastion."
"How kind of you," Bastion said gratefully, opening the file to view for himself.
"OK, that explains who they are but how did Dr. Stratton get two convicts to agree to a duel?" Alexis wondered.
"My father went to college with the warden," Lucia replied, as she put her tablet aside, "Besides, it's not like they've got anything better to do what with them being in jail and all."
"If they've been in jail since Battle City, Jaden and Syrus' odds of victory may just have gone up," Lynn remarked, "Duel Monster cards aren't a right in prison."
"I wouldn't bet on it. I ran a simulation pitting those four against one another. Jaden and Syrus' decks only have a compatibility rating of 30 percent while Lumis and Umbra have a compatibility rating of 92 percent," Lucia said, "Even if they have old cards, they still have a good chance of beating Jaden and Syrus."
"What did you use for the basis of your analysis Lucia?" Bastion asked.
"Their old Battle City profile coupled with changes in cards that match their dueling decks and strategies," Lucia replied calmly, "Taking those factors in place, I place the odds of a victory by the two Slifers at 30 to 1."
"Really? My math placed their odds at 50 in 1," Bastion replied, getting glares from the two blonds.
"Hey! Whose side are you on?" Alexis asked angrily. Chancellor Sheppard however didn't like the odds either.
"Dr. Stratton, isn't this a bit much?" Sheppard asked.
"No not at all," Dr. Stratton disagreed, "There's actually three advantages to doing this like this. First, it's quite fitting for two convicts to duel two rulebreakers. Second, Kaiba Corp. has asked us to test out the new duel broadcast system that was installed over the summer. Lastly, a duel like this saves us some heavy travel expenses."
"Those are true," The chancellor said, "But still… Jaden, I'll leave it up to you, son. Still up for it? I'm sure I can find somebody else if you'd like." Jaden looked at the chancellor, then to the two prisoners, then back to the chancellor again.
"Ah, one of these guys couldn't even beat male-patterned baldness. There's no way they're gonna be able to beat us," Jaden replied, a big grin forming on the chancellor's face. Dr. Stratton's look went flat as Crowler's face dropped, unable to grasp what he had said.
"Oh, how wonderfully clever," Dr. Crowler said sarcastically as he entered the center of the field again. Dr. Stratton took a seat as Jaden and Syrus moved to their side of the field and took positions.
"Duelists! Prepare to battle!" Crowler commanded.
"Breathe Sy, we can do this!" Jaden said, trying to get his friend ready. Syrus grinned as he mentally prepared himself.
"The rules for this tag team duel are actually very simple. We will play according to the master rules of the world pro league. The first player will not draw a card. There is no sharing of strategy and no sharing of any card that is not in play, but you may use any card that's on your partner's field. Monsters can be summoned in face-up defense mode. Lastly, players with no monsters are free to be attacked even if their partner has a monster. Understood?" Crowler asked. The four duelists nodded.
"Then duel!" Crowler commanded as he jumped off the platform.
"Alright, get your games on!" Jaden commanded as all the duelists drew five cards.
Lumis and Umbra's LP: 8000
Jaden and Syrus's LP: 8000
"Very well. I shall start things by placing one card facedown and ending my turn," Lumis said, a single card materializing in front of him.
Huh? Just one card? Just what is this guy up to? Lynn wondered.
"Alright. If we're going to be dark and mysterious, I can be that way too. I'll set a monster in defense mode and I'll throw down a facedown while I'm at it," Jaden said as two cards materialized on his field.
"It's my turn now. I summon Shining Abyss in attack mode and then I'll place a card facedown and end my turn," Umbra said as the most unusual monster appeared on his field. Possessing a blue body with a sphere serving at its legs, it had gold ornamentation all over its body and golden wings (ATK: 1600).
"OK, I'll throw out Gyroid in defense mode and end my turn," Syrus announced as his cartoon helicopter appeared on the field (DEF: 1000).
"Ha! Is that all you two can muster? A couple of puny defense monsters?" Lumis taunted as he drew a card, "I think you need a makeover. I activate the equip spell Mask of the Accursed and I think your Gyroid will be a perfect fit for it." A mask with spikes laced about its surface attached to the copter's face. The moment it did, the copter landed on the floor motionlessly.
"Huh? What's wrong with my monster?" Syrus asked.
"That mask saps your monster's strength. It can no longer attack and when your standby phase arrives, you'll lose 500 life points per turn!" Lumis explained laughingly, as a masked purple spirit appeared on his field (ATK: 1500), "And while I'm at it, I'll summon my Grand Tiki Elder in attack mode and have it rid the field of your partner's monster." The spirit raised its hand and generated a purple mist that quickly surrounded Jaden's facedown monster, exposing it as a skeleton monster with a red robe and purple boots (DEF: 700). The monster groaned as the mist eroded it away.
"Thanks for that. You just destroyed my Phantom Magician! When he's destroyed, I can special summon a hero monster from my deck with 1000 attack points or less. I'll choose Elemental Hero Woodsman and summon him in defense mode!" Jaden grinned as the mist faded away, exposing a muscular green man wearing a brown loincloth. His right arm and leg appeared to made out of wood (DEF: 2000).
"And the fun doesn't stop there! I also activate Hero Signal!" Jaden continued as trap card revealed itself and shone a spotlight over the field, "When a monster on my field is destroyed in battle, I can special summon a level four or lower Elemental Hero from my deck to the field. I'll choose my Elemental Hero Avian!" The spotlight quickly vanished and Jaden's winged hero appeared (ATK: 1000).
"Getting two monsters for one attack… Wait! That's my move," Alexis realized.
"Yeah, I know. Jaden liked the idea so I helped him find the cards he needed to set that combo up in his deck," Lynn explained, "These master rules make it so certain cards like Pot of Greed can't be used. To help out, I helped those two find other ways to get the cards they needed."
"Looks like the work paid off," Alexis smiled at the two new monsters, "Those two will be very helpful when Jaden's turn comes around."
"Grr… I'll place a card facedown and end my turn," Lumis growled as a second facedown card appeared on his field, "You may have gotten two monsters out of my move, but they won't change the outcome of this duel."
"Oh, you're wrong there. It's my turn now and I'll activate Woodsman's special ability. When he's face up on my field during my standby phase, I can add a Polymerization card from my deck to my hand," Jaden explained. His wooden hero raised his hands above his head and a glowing green sphere of light appeared between them. The sphere flew into Jaden's outstretched hand and formed into his most useful spell card.
"Now that I've got it, it's time for some fusion action! I'll fuse the Avian on the field with the Burstinatrix in my hand to form the Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!" Jaden continued as the female hero appeared and flew into a vortex alongside Avian. The vortex swiftly vanished and from it emerged Jaden's headlining monster (ATK: 2100).
"Now Flame Wingman, incinerate their Shining Abyss! Infernal rage!" Jaden commanded. His hero raised his right arm and flame built up within it.
"Not so fast! I activate my trap card," Umbra countered.
"Uh oh!" Jaden flinched as the trap revealed itself.
"My continuous trap card Astral Barrier turns your attack into a direct attack on me," Umbra explained. The fusion monster launched its flame blast and two Slifers watched in bewilderment as the attack curved away and struck Umbra head-on. The masked duelist merely laughed haughtily as the damage set in.
Lumis and Umbra's LP: 8000-5900
"Huh? Why would you do that?" Syrus wondered aloud.
"An excellent question. Taking the direct attack allows me to activate my trap card, Shock Draw!" Lumis replied as his own facedown card flipped up, "For every 1000 points of damage we took, we can draw one card. Your Wingman inflicted 2100 points of damage, so I draw two cards."
"Reducing your team's life points for a few extra cards. That was a risky move," Alexis remarked as Lumis drew his cards.
"Not if the cards were worth it," Bastion added as Jaden's turn came to an end.
"It's my turn now and I summon Melchid the Four-Faced Beast in attack mode!" Umbra said as a monster composed of four floating masks clumped together on his field (ATK: 1500), "Next I'll outfit my Shining Abyss with the Axe of Despair equip spell card! This evil axe raises the attack of the equipped monster by 1000 points." A wicked looking axe materialized on the fairy monster's back, emitting a crimson aura. The aura empowered the monster, making it increase in size.
Shining Abyss ATK: 1600-2600
"Now Shining Abyss! Show Flame Wingman the fate of all heroes! Destroy him!" Umbra ordered. Empowered by the axe's dark aura, it launched a beam of light that consumed Jaden's fusion monster.
Jaden and Syrus's LP: 8000-7500
"Since neither or your remaining monsters can be defeated by Melchid, I'll end by placing one card facedown," Umbra concluded as a single card materialized behind his monsters.
"Alright! It's my turn now!" Syrus said as he drew a card.
"Not so fast kid. You forget that Mask of the Accursed is equipped to your Gyroid. Because of that, you'll take 500 points of damage," Lumis reminded him. Syrus withered slightly as the damage set in.
Jaden and Syrus's LP: 7500-7000
That won't matter in a moment. Syrus thought as he looked at the card he drew, I can use this card to help Jaden if his fusion monsters get beaten again. "I activate the continuous spell card Branch! Now if you destroy our fusion monsters, we can special summon back one of the fusion materials used to summon them," Syrus explained aloud. To his amazement, neither duelist seemed worried in the slightest. They burst out laughing instead.
"Huh? What's so funny?" Syrus asked.
"Baka! How could he forget after all the practice we did?" Atsuko groaned quietly.
"What'd Sy do wrong?" Chumley asked.
"Syrus-kun forgot to use Woodsman's ability," Atsuko frowned, facepalming, "Since he was on the field, he could've used it to score a free Polymerization card during his standby phase."
"Oh man! I forgot to use Woodsman's ability. Can I get a do-over?" Syrus asked politely.
"Sorry. Life doesn't give do-overs and neither do we!" Lumis grinned.
"This isn't some practice duel boy. You should've thought ahead before making such a foolish mistake," Umbra taunted. Syrus looked down at his hand at disappointment but as he did, his hope quickly returned.
"Wait! I just realized! I don't need a Polymerization card from my deck. I've already got one," Syrus said as he held it up before putting it in his duel disk, "I'll use it to fuse my Gyroid on the field and the Steamroid in my hand to fusion summon Steam Gyroid!"
"Yes! If this works, Syrus can get rid of that Mask of the Accursed and get a strong monster too," Alexis said hopefully as Syrus's train monster appeared alongside a swirling vortex.
"I don't think so! I activate my trap card, Dark Bribe! It lets me negate your Polymerization," Umbra countered as his trap opened up. The trap card fired a beam of red light that consumed the vortex and made Steamroid bounce back into Syrus's hand.
"Oh man," Syrus sighed unhappily, "There goes my combo."
"Oh, don't feel too disappointed boy. My trap does have a cost to pay. You get to draw a free card from your deck," Umbra pointed out as his card faded, "Maybe you'll get another Polymerization to screw up with." The two adults laughed as Syrus's sense of worth continued to decline. He drew a card and his sadness turned to frustration and anger.
"Well I may not be able to fuse monsters but I can still summon Steamroid in attack mode!" Syrus countered angrily as his cartoon train appeared on the field again (ATK: 1800), "Now Steamroid! It's time to go locomotive! Run down his Grand Tiki Elder!"
"Uh Sy? You sure that's a good idea?" Jaden asked as his partner's monster revved up its engine.
"Sure it is. When Steamroid attacks, he gains 500 attack points for the turn!" Syrus countered, "That'll increase the damage he does."
Steamroid ATK: 1800-2300
"That won't matter in a moment. You've fallen into my trap. I activate Tailor of the Fickle!" Lumis cackled as his spell card flipped open.
"Tailor of the Fickle?" Lynn wondered.
"It's an old card. Old as the days of Battle City but still very dangerous today," Lucia remarked.
"This spell card allows me to take any equip spell on the field and equip it to a different monster," Lumis explained as he looked to his partner, "May I borrow your axe, Umbra?"
"But of course. Your elder is more than welcome to it," Umbra agreed. Their decision complete, the axe left Shining Abyss's possession and the Grand Tiki Elder swiftly grabbed it. The axe's corrupting aura filled the elder as its strength transferred to him.
Shining Abyss ATK: 2600-1600
Grand Tiki Elder ATK: 1500-2500
"Now my elder is more powerful than your toy train!" Lumis laughed as his monster drew back his new weapon. Steamroid bravely rushed towards him anyway but the elder brought the axe blade down and the onlookers watched in horror as the train was cleaved cleanly in two before exploding.
Jaden and Syrus's LP: 7000-6800
"What a loser. I didn't think he'd been dumb enough to trigger such an obvious trap," Chazz laughed.
"Urusai Chazz!" Atsuko hissed angrily as Syrus's turn came to an end.
"It's OK buddy. It's just one bad move," Jaden said, "We've still got plenty of time to turn this around."
"I don't know about that Jay. This is so embarrassing," Syrus sighed sadly as Lumis drew a card to begin his turn.
"Aw, don't feel too bad boy. If you're so embarrassed, you can hide your face behind my newest mask!" Lumis offered as he slotted in a spell card.
"Newest mask?" Syrus asked.
"That's right. I play Mask of Dispel! This mask will cover your Branch spell card and negate its effect. Additionally, just like Mask of the Accursed, you'll lose 500 life points when your turn begins," Lumis explained. A purple mask materialized over Syrus's spell, turning the image on it black.
"Now that your spell has been rendered useless, it's time to take out your monster," Lumis said as he looked to his partner, "Umbra, may I borrow a monster from you?"
"Of course. What is mine is yours," Umbra agreed.
"Then I'll release Umbra's Melchid and my Grand Tiki Elder to special summon one of my strongest monsters! Fear my beast, the Masked Beast Des Guardius!" Lumis grinned as both monsters vanished in twin swirling lights. From them came a muscular monster with three blue masks for faces. Its bones stuck out from its flesh and its thick claws made it look quite fierce (ATK: 3300).
"Now Masked Beast Des Guardius, destroy the Flame Wingman! Crimson claw!" Lumis ordered. His monster roared in rage as it lunged at Jaden's monster. It slashed repeatedly, dicing Jaden's monster into multiple pieces before it exploded.
Jaden and Syrus's LP: 6800-5600
"My turn is over but with Des Guardius out, you two are in a lot of trouble," Lumis gloated.
"We'll see about that," Jaden challenged as he drew a card, "It's my turn now and since Woodsman is up on my field during my standby phase, I get to add Polymerization from my deck to my hand again." Once again, his wooden hero summoned another card and materialized it in Jaden's hand. Sparkman then materialized on Jaden's field as a vortex appeared between his two heroes.
"Now I'll fuse my Woodsman on the field and the Sparkman in my hand to fusion summon another Elemental Hero, Elemental Hero Gaia!" Jaden declared as his two monsters went inside the vortex. From it emerged a towering black monster in thick armor with red jewels. Its body was metallic and its two arms had metal cannons mounted on them (ATK: 2200).
"Now for Gaia's superpower! When fusion summoned successfully, he cuts your monster's attack points in half!" Jaden explained as the red jewels flared to life. Red beams fired from them and struck Des Guardius, draining its energy.
Masked Beast Des Guardius ATK: 3300-1650
"And just to make sure they don't go to waste, Gaia will gain them for this turn!" Jaden grinned broadly as the energy flooded his monster.
E-Hero Gaia ATK: 2200-3850
"Lishus! Those two are in trouble now," Chumley grinned. Atsuko however didn't share Chumley's jolly mood. From her perch, she could see the two Rare Hunters were pretty blasé about the whole thing.
Strange. Their monster is about to be destroyed but Lumis and Umbra don't seem worried at all. Atsuko thought, could it have an ability to use against Jaden-kun?
I can't let these guys keep picking on Syrus. My pal's been bullied enough already. Jaden thought, "Now hero Gaia! De-claw his Des Guardius!" Jaden commanded, "Gatling barrage!" Gaia raised its cannons and they began to spin around its arms. Multiple gunshots rang out as Gaia fired a hail of bullets that tore through Des Guardius before destroying it in a plume of smoke.
Lumis and Umbra's LP: 5900-3700
"So much for Lumis and Umbra's monster. Jaden destroyed it pretty easily," Alexis grinned, looking over at her friends. To her curiosity, Bastion wasn't smiling at all.
"A little too easily," Bastion remarked grimly as the smoke vanished. Lying on the ground were three masks.
"Masks? What are they doing there?" Lynn wondered.
"I get the feeling we're about to find out," Lucia said.
"You may have defeated Des Guardius but by doing so, you've activated its special ability," Lumis said, pointing to the three masks on the ground, "When Des Guardius is beaten, he leaves behind three masks that combine together to form the Mask of Remnants."
"Mask of Remnants?" Syrus echoed worryingly as three masks fused to form a grotesque red mask.
"Yes, and it looks to be your hero's size!" Lumis said as the mask attached to the monster's face. The moment it touched its face, the mask's eyes glowed red and Gaia immediately leapt over to Lumis's side of the field.
"My hero Gaia! What gives?" Jaden demanded.
"I guess I forgot to mention one thing about that mask. Any monster wearing it turns on its master," Lumis grinned, "In other words, he's not your hero anymore. Now he's mine."
"I'll end my turn with two facedowns," Jaden concluded sadly as two cards appeared on his field, "And now with my turn ending, Gaia's attack points return to normal."
E-Hero Gaia ATK: 3850-2200
"It's my turn now and I'll begin with the spell card Magic Planter. This spell card lets me send a continuous trap card from my field to the graveyard," Umbra began, looking at his Astral Barrier before it shattered into pieces, "Now that my barrier has outlived its usefulness, I use planter's effect to draw two cards." The two Slifers watched tersely as their opponent drew his cards. Upon gazing at them, Umbra immediately grinned sinisterly.
"I don't like the look on that guy's face," Lynn frowned.
"Now I'll summon Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands in attack mode," Umbra continued as a grotesque humanoid monster appeared on his field, its body made completely of hands (ATK: 1400), "Then I'll activate its special ability. It lets me move a ritual monster or spell card from my deck to my hand."
"Big deal. Even if you get one, you can't use it unless you have the partner card to go with it," Syrus pointed out.
"But I already do and I plan to use it right now!" Umbra grinned as he slotted in the card he drew, "I activate my ritual spell Curse of the Masked Beast."
"Curse of the Masked Beast?" Jaden and Syrus echoed. A black pot decorated with ruins emerged on Umbra's field alongside two sacrificial altars. His two monsters jumped upon them and were immediately consumed with red flames.
"It allows me to summon an extremely powerful monster but first I must sacrifice eight levels worth of monsters. I'll sacrifice my Shining Abyss and Manju to ritual summon my most powerful monster. Behold the power of the Masked Beast!" Umbra announced as the pot exploded and from it came the most grotesque chimera-like monster the duo had seen to date. Walking on four red legs, its lower torso was made of green flesh with a long whip-like tail in the back. Its upper orange torso was composed of a humanoid body with two muscular arms clutching a red staff, its head concealed by a green mask with black eyes (ATK: 3200).
"But who to attack? I could attack you Jaden but your facedown cards concern me. Then there's Syrus. Your Gyroid is still wearing Lumis's Mask of the Accursed," Umbra said, studying the field carefully, "And since that reduces your life points by 500 each turn, it'd be pointless to remove it from the field now." Almost unnoticed, Umbra's masked eye looked over at his partner. Unbeknowst to the duelists, Lumis and Umbra's masks contained concealed microphones and earpieces, allowing them to communicate discreetly.
"Not to worry Umbra. Attack the shrimp. Since it can't be destroyed in battle once per turn, you can attack it and still leave my mask in play," Lumis whispered into his mic, "But you haven't the means of inflicting piercing damage."
"Yes, I do," Umbra whispered back as he reached into his hand, "Before I enter my battle phase, I'll augment my beast with the Fairy Meteor Crush equip spell card!" Crimson energy wrapped around Umbra's monster as it roared fiercely.
"This is bad. That spell lets the equipped monster inflict piercing damage," Bastion grimaced.
"Alright Masked Beast! Use Fairy Meteor's Crush's magic and attack Syrus's Gyroid!" Umbra ordered, "Primal energy barrage!" Syrus's eyes widened in fear as the ritual monster leveled its staff at him. Crimson energy gathered at its tip before being launched as a fearsome beam of light. The light struck Gyroid and went on to strike Syrus. The smaller Slifer cried out in pain as the energy blew him clear off his feet and made him land in a heap. Smoke hissed off Gyroid's body as it used its ability to survive the battle but Syrus wasn't so fortunate.
Jaden and Syrus's LP: 5600-3400
"Sy! You OK pal?" Jaden asked worryingly.
"I'm OK," Syrus sighed as he wearily got back to his feet, for how long I don't know.
"Glad to hear it because they're not getting away with that. I've got a trap ready!" Jaden said angrily as his trap card flipped open, "Since you inflicted damage, I can use Damage Gate to call a monster back from the graveyard. Its attack points have to be lower than the damage we took but with all that damage, I'm pretty much able to call out any card I lost so far." A misty doorway appeared between the two Slifers and from it came Jaden's headlining monster (ATK: 2100).
"The card I choose will be my old pal Elemental Hero Flame Wingman," Jaden announced.
"Call your hero as many times as you wish. He's no match for my Masked Beast," Umbra insisted, "None of your monsters are. You might as well accept your defeat now." Syrus gazed at the cards in his hand and frowned with discomfort.
"This just isn't going our way Jaden. What do you think? If we surrender now, we'll have some more time to pack our bags," Syrus asked quietly, "There's no reason to even draw."
"Syrus, listen to me: One draw is all it takes to turn the tides of an entire duel," Jaden explained, "You remember the last time you had one draw right?" Syrus nodded.
"Ya hear what I'm saying Syrus? There's no such thing as a last draw because with the right card, you can always get another draw!" Jaden grinned.
"But…" Syrus said.
"No buts about it! Make your move pal! We know you can do this!" Jaden encouraged, glancing behind him. Syrus's gaze followed him and he could see their friends in the stands.
"You can do it Syrus. Believe in yourself," Lynn urged.
"You can't keep feeling sorry for yourself! You have to stand up and fight!" Alexis added.
"OK, I'll try," Syrus resolved as he looked down at his deck, Jay's right and so are my friends. I can't keep sitting around feeling sorry for myself. This Masked Beast will take us out unless we can get rid of it. Then there's those two mask cards. They'll keep draining my life points while they're active. Reluctantly, he drew a card and was surprised by what he got.
Wait a second! This card can help us deal with both of them. Syrus realized as he reached into his hand.
"Don't be so hasty boy. Two of your cards are wearing two of our masks. Thanks to them, you'll lose 1000 life points during your standby phase," Lumis warned as the two spell cards glowed and sapped the Slifers' life points even further.
Jaden and Syrus's LP: 3400-2400
"I know that but soon that's going to change. I summon Drilloid in attack mode," Syrus said, throwing down his drill monster (ATK: 1600).
"Another of your pathetic cartoon creations? For a moment, I might've thought it'd actually pose a threat," Umbra scoffed. To everyone's surprise, it was Syrus's turn to smile.
"Not yet he isn't! I activate the spell card Limiter Removal!" Syrus continued. Lumis and Umbra recoiled in fear.
"This spell doubles the attack points of all machine cards on the field," Syrus explained as his monsters began to spark wildly with energy.
Drilloid ATK: 1600-3200
Gyroid ATK: 1000-2000
"What? Now your Drilloid is as powerful as my Masked Beast!" Umbra gasped.
"Now Drilloid, attack The Masked Beast!" Syrus ordered as his monster's drill revved up, "Drill drive!"
"Do something Umbra before he takes out your monster!" Lumis urged hastily as Syrus's monster charged ahead.
"I can't!" Umbra replied. The two Rare Hunters watched in horror as Syrus's monster buried its drill into the ritual monster's chest before exploding violently, consuming both monsters.
"And my move doesn't stop there. During the end phase, my remaining machine monster is destroyed… And so is one of your masks!" Syrus pointed out as Gyroid self-destructed.
"What? No!" Lumis grimaced as the monster's mask clattered to the ground and vanished in a wave of pixels. The students cheered wildly as the two Rare Hunters frowned in anger. All around them, everybody was commenting on their moves.
"No! This duel is supposed to be punishment, and now they're being treated like heroes!" Dr. Crowler moaned, tears flowing down his face, "I won't accept this!"
"Sounds like Syrus has found his courage at last," Dr. Stratton remarked, looking over to Professor Banner, "What do you think Lyman?"
"Oh I agree. A move like that takes a lot of guts, but I do worry for him though. In his eagerness to get back in the game, Syrus has left himself open," Professor Banner pointed out.
"That may be prove to be a problem in a moment," Dr. Stratton agreed.
"Did you see that? Tell me you saw that!" Bastion asked.
"Bastion! I'm sitting next to you, watching my two friends in the toughest duel of their lives. What do you think I'm looking at?" Alexis replied sarcastically, before smiling, "But you know what amazes me? Syrus finally got his act together and because of it, he was able to overcome the Masked Beast."
"Yeah, now if Jaden and Sy can keep that up, they can still win this duel," Lynn nodded.
"I wouldn't say that Lynn. Syrus totally left himself open. If Lumis summons another monster this turn, he can use it and Gaia to attack him directly. That'll end the match for sure," Lucia cautioned as the foursome turned their gaze back to the field.
"Then let's hope he doesn't get one," Lynn said as Lumis drew a card. Upon seeing it, he grinned broadly.
"Now it's my turn and I too will summon Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands," Lumis said as the handy monster appeared on his field (ATK: 1400), "Next I'll use his special ability to add a ritual spell to my hand… Not that it will matter because in a moment you'll be finished."
"Hold on Lumis. Why spoil the fun and end it now? We have the upper hand. Why not draw this out and go for a complete victory? Surely you can destroy Jaden's monster and still have enough strength to win the match?" Umbra proposed into his mic.
"A tempting proposition," Lumis agreed quietly.
"Why not? It's not like the little one's put up much of a fight in the first place. Go ahead and summon it Lumis – Your ultimate monster!" Umbra insisted. Lumis nodded, a broad grin forming on his face.
"With your Elemental Hero and my Manju in play, I could finish you right now but I think I'll rid myself of both of them," Lumis said as he inserted a spell card.
"Huh? Rid yourself of both of them? What are you talking about?" Jaden asked.
"I'll show you. I active my ritual spell card, Ritual of Destruction! With this, I can ritual summon one of the most destructive monsters in the game!" Lumis said as a hexagram materialized underneath his two monsters. A swirling vortex of darkness emerged in the center of it, drawing in both Lumis's monsters. A beam of darkness then consumed the hexagram and exposed a werewolf-like monster with ornamental chains wrapped around its body. A white mask of bone covered its face and red spines along its forearms, thighs and claws gleamed with fresh blood.
"I sacrifice Gaia and Manju to ritual summon Garlandolf, King of Destruction!" Lumis announced proudly (ATK: 2500), "With this, you two are finished."
"Garlandolf, King of Destruction?!" Alexis and Lynn echoed.
"Oh dear," Bastion winced.
"That's a really powerful card," Lucia stated nervously as the monster roared loudly.
"And now I'll activate his special ability. Garlandolf's effect destroys all monsters with defense points equal to or less than his attack points," Lumis explained as the chains his monster was wrapped in began to glow, "When your hero is gone, it'll be all over for you two!"
"Before it's too late I activate my trap card, Elemental Recharge! With this card, I gain 1000 life points for each Elemental Hero I have," Jaden countered as his life points jumped up.
Jaden and Syrus's LP: 2400-3400
"No! Curse that rotten slacker and his trap!" Dr. Crowler moaned. With his points restored, Jaden watched as chains of darkness leapt from Garlandolf's body and whipped his monster repeatedly before he was destroyed.
"You may have saved yourself from losing but Garlandolf has another ability. He gains 100 attack points for each monster he destroys with his ability," Lumis explained.
Garlandolf, King of Destruction ATK: 2500-2600
"Now Garlandolf, attack these fools directly," Lumis ordered. His monster roared in fury as its chains glowed with power once again. The energy flowed into his claws and he pounced on the two Slifers. Both cried out the monster slashed them both hard.
Jaden and Syrus's LP: 3400-800
"I'll end with one card facedown," Lumis concluded as he depleted his hand, "Garlandolf is one of my most powerful monsters and with your field empty, you're all but finished." Both Jaden and Syrus pulled themselves to their feet, the former not ready to give up.
"One powerful ritual monster in play and with nearly five times the life points… This is a simple calculation. They'll be finished," Bastion noted.
"Nice Bastion. Way to trash our friends," Alexis glowered.
"Yeah, keep giving their opponents props and I'll give you a taste of my fist," Lynn threatened, raising her first towards him in anger.
"Relax Lynn. This isn't over and judging by Jaden's eyes, I'd say he's ready to make a big move," Lucia noticed. Jaden was looking at the two robed men, a look of sheer determination of which Lynn had never seen before in the Slifer boy.
"Getting frustrated boy? Starting to realize that you've no hope of winning?" Lumis taunted. Jaden drew a card and his determination turned to confidence.
"Oh, I've got hope alright. I've got it right here! I activate the spell card Fifth Hope. This spell card shuffles five hero cards back into my deck. Then I can draw two cards," Jaden explained as five cards returned to his deck. He drew two cards and immediately grinned at what he got.
"Now I summon Elemental Hero Clayman in attack mode," Jaden continued as his blocky hero emerged on the field (ATK: 800), "Then I'll activate Mask Change!"
"What? Mask Change?" Lumis and Umbra gasped.
"Well since you guys are all about masks, I thought it's only fair that I get play with them too. Anyway, back to my spell. This card lets me exchange my hero on the field for one from my extra deck who's the same attribute!" Jaden explained as Clayman put on a glowing white mask, "So I'll exchange Clayman for a new monster." The mask glowed with energy as Clayman's body began to change. His block body slimmed down to a much more reserved musculature as white armor with blue frills wrapped around his body. A pair of spikes jutted out of the sides of his head as a silver javelin materialized in his right hand. A blue cape flapped majestically behind him as he raised his javelin in challenge to Jaden's opponents.
"Meet my Masked Hero Dian (ATK: 2800)!" Jaden announced, as his monster's spear began to glow, "And here comes his attack! Shining javelin!" Dian leapt into the air, aiming to plunge his spear into the two duelists when a might gust of wind blew him back to Jaden's side.
"What happened? Why didn't your attack work?" Syrus wondered.
"It's all thanks to a little trap card called Negate Attack!" Lumis laughed as his facedown card flipped up, "My trap cancels your attack and ends your battle phase on the spot. You really think I'd let you get an attack off so easily." Jaden grimaced at his words.
"Your tenacity is impressive Jaden," Umbra complimented, "I'll give you that… But tenacity alone will not give you the victory you need."
"Well I'm not giving up. I'll end my turn by throwing down a facedown," Jaden concluded as a single card materialized on his field.
"Then it's my turn again and I activate Fulfillment of the Contract. This equip spell special summons The Masked Beast from my graveyard and equips to it. Welcome back my Masked Beast," Umbra grinned as his masked monster returned (ATK: 3200).
Lumis and Umbra's LP: 3700-2900
"This isn't good. If Umbra attacks Syrus now, he'll lose the rest of his life points," Lynn said frightfully.
"And if he destroys Jaden's hero, their life points will be low enough that Mask of Dispel will wipe them out on Syrus's turn," Lucia frowned.
"Either way, this duel is over," Bastion sighed with resignation.
"This can't be the end," Alexis frowned, her gaze going to Jaden's facedown card.
"Now we have a dilemma. Do I take you out now or let you lose on your next turn?" Umbra wondered, "Decisions… Decisions…"
"Um if my say counts for anything, how about not attacking us this turn?" Syrus proposed nervously.
"Oh that's not going to happen but out of consideration, I'll attack your friend this turn," Umbra agreed, looking gleefully at Jaden.
"Thanks a lot, Sy," Jaden grimaced. Syrus grinned nervously.
"Now my Masked Beast, move in for the attack! Destroy Dian and set them up to lose!" Umbra ordered as the creature launched another crimson beam.
"I don't think so! You're not the only duelist with a Negate Attack card," Jaden countered his trap flipped up and a wall of wind protected his monster, "Just like yours, my trap card blocks your attack and ends the battle phase."
"My turn is over but between Garlandolf and my Masked Beast, you are all but finished. With our next turn, we'll wipe you out," Umbra promised. Syrus frowned as he looked down at his deck.
"Then we just have to make sure you don't have a next turn," Jaden countered, before turning to his partner, "This is it. It's up to you Syrus. This is our last shot. You can do it." Syrus's frown deepened with this information. The onlookers watched with anticipation as Syrus drew his card.
"With the way things are going, it is up to Syrus now. Jaden's hand is empty and all he has left is his Masked Hero," Bastion remarked grimly as Syrus looked at the card he drew.
Power Bond… Syrus thought. In his mind, he saw him standing with his brother. Zane had his back to him, his head lowered.
"Hey Zane, what's the difference between using a card and playing it?" Syrus asked, "Aren't they the same thing?"
"That's something that can never be taught, only learned. It takes a moment of pure clarity, when you're dueling on a whole new level. A higher level, all the angles, all the moves. You won't think, just act," Zane replied.
"OK, no more thinking. Time for action," Syrus said as he reached into his hand.
"Don't be so hasty. My Mask of Dispel is still in effect so you lose 500 life points," Lumis warned.
Jaden and Syrus's LP: 800-300
"Fine. This duel's over anyway!" Syrus replied bravely, "I'm going to use the spell card Power Bond. It lets me summon a machine-type fusion monster. I just need some help to do it. Jaden, mind if I borrow your monster?"
"Hey, what's mine is yours Sy," Jaden replied confidently.
"Now I fuse together UFOroid from my hand and Dian to create UFOroid Fighter!" Syrus announced as cartoon-like UFO appeared on his field (ATK: 1200). A vortex appeared and swallowed both monsters.
"What? UFOroid Fighter?" Lumis and Umbra wondered.
"Yeah and its attack points are the sum of the individual monsters' attack points," Syrus continued as Dian reappeared mounted on UFOroid, which now had gained a set of handlebars and lost the cartoon look (ATK: 4000).
"Now Power Bond's effect kicks in! The fusion monster I summoned has its original attack points doubled!" Syrus explained as the aura surrounding Dian intensified.
UFOroid Fighter ATK: 4000-8000
"8000 attack points?! That's more than either of our monsters!" Umbra gasped.
"Idiot! We're going to lose!" Lumis screamed angrily.
"Alright Sy! Go ahead and end it!" Jaden urged.
"UFOroid Fighter attack! Blazing javelin!" Syrus ordered. Energized by Power Bond, Dian's javelin glowed with electricity. The UFO carried Dian towards the Masked Beast. When he got in range, Dian took a great swing and cleaved the monster into multiple pieces before it exploded. The explosion knocked the Rare Hunters off their feet as Dian returned to Syrus's side.
Lumis and Umbra's LP: 2900-0
"Way to go!" Chumley cheered.
"Yosha! They sure showed those two!" Atsuko grinned, pumping her fist. A grunt of anger followed by bending metal drew the two Slifers' attention. Looking down, they saw Chazz had just kicked the seat in front of him again. The force was enough that the cushion on the back came clear off.
"Dumb slacker! They just got lucky!" Chazz fumed angrily.
"What'd you think of that Chazz-baka? Told you they'd win!" Atsuko taunted. Angrily, the Obelisk student turned and his frown grew deeper and angrier. His anger was shared by one other as well.
"Oh come on! Doesn't this slacker ever lose?" Dr. Crowler sighed in defeat.
"Obviously it was because or your splendid teaching," Professor Banner praised as he petted Pharaoh, "Oh wait a second. They're in my dorm."
"Grr… I know that but how could they beat those two Rare Hunters after all the rare cards I gave them?" Dr. Crowler moaned angrily.
"Rare cards? What are you talking about Vellian?" Dr. Stratton asked suspiciously. Dr. Crowler winced as he got out of his seat.
"Um nothing… I've got some tests to grade," Dr. Crowler replied dismissively before walking out. Behind his back, Dr. Stratton and Professor Banner shared a smile. On the arena floor, Syrus looked up at Zane. The older brother was smiling a little before he walked away.
Zane, I'd like to think that I impressed you… That I proved I have a right to be here and become a good duelist. I know I have a lot to learn but I'm glad I took this first step. I get to stay with my friends at Duel Academy. Syrus reflected. Up in the stands, his friends were just as impressed.
"Well well, they're impressing more and more every day," Bastion smiled.
"I'm just glad Jaden gets to stay here at the academy," Alexis sighed in relief.
"You mean Jaden and Syrus?" Bastion corrected.
"Well yeah, Syrus too. What I meant was… Moving on," Alexis cutting off her sentence. Lynn smirked.
"I see our blond, brown-eyed friend is developing a crush for a certain Slifer," Valkyria grinned.
"Got that right," Lynn replied as Jaden and Syrus bumped fists, I'm glad they're staying. After all, it wouldn't be the same around here without them.
"Nice job you two," Chancellor Sheppard praised as he walked up to them, "Per the arrangement of this match, you two shall be permitted to remain at Duel Academy."
"Thanks Chancellor Sheppard," Jaden said, before looking back to the two Rare Hunters, "Oh by the way guys. Thanks for the sweet duel. If you ever like a rematch when you get out of jail, just give me a call you hear?" Lumis and Umbra looked surprised at the Slifer's comment.
"Perhaps we will. Until next time," Lumis agreed.
"We shall meet again," Umbra promised before the generators cut off and the holograms vanished.
"Glad that's over. I'm ready to get back to class," Syrus said.
"Glad you mentioned that," Dr. Stratton cut in, "Since you two enjoyed yourself so much, I expect a paper from the both of you about his experience."
"A paper? Seriously?" Jaden groaned.
"Yes. I think ten pages a piece will suffice," Dr. Stratton elaborated, "You will write about this adventure from breaking into the dorm right up to this duel with Lumis and Umbra. You should have plenty of content to work with."
"Ten pages?! I've never had to write a paper that big before. That's torture right there!" Jaden complained.
"Yeah why do we have to write a paper now? We won the right to stay at Duel Academy," Syrus protested.
"This time you did but we can't have you two, or anyone else, thinking you can avoid punishment by dueling. I want those papers by Friday," Dr. Stratton insisted, looking up where Lynn and Alexis were sitting, "Perhaps your friends can help you?" The two Slifers sighed in defeat.
"Poor Jaden. I think we better help him out," Lynn grinned.
"Yeah I agree," Alexis consented as she looked down at the brown-haired Slifer, it's the least we can do after I got them into this mess.