Duelist of Dawn: I am feeling great baby! My one-on-one duel with Panik and Claudio took off and kept itself in the sky! I'm definitely doing this again for the big events like the school duel! But now with that aside, it's time now for the original tag-team duel! And I will be chaining some obvious stuff that should have happened, near the second part. I'm also doing the whole duel together like with the Shadow Duelist Episode. Once I get to the Shadow Riders, that's when it'll start being real two or three-parters as far as a single duel goes. And now, the Disclaimer...
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh GX or any of the franchise. I own the character Claudio Osbourne and the character, Melody Hikarii is owned by YugiNAtem117.
Now let's get on with part two!
Last time on Duel Academy Stories, the day of the Disciplinary Duels had finally come. First up, Claudio Osbourne faced a duelist who's been thought dead since Duelist Kingdom: Panik the Player Killer! Surprising, huh? Our Jukebox Hero Duelist was scared at first, but manages to hang in there long to pull out a winning combo, courtesy of his ace monster: Jukebox Hero Coheed Cambria! Now with the Player Killer down and out, can Syrus and Jaden pull of a victory against the visiting tag team? Let see...
Chapter 11: Judgment Duels Part 2: Tag Team Trial
"Will the participants of the disciplinary tag-duel step forward?" Crowler announced.
"Alright, Syrus!" Jaden said to his partner. "If Claudio can win a duel with the same stakes by himself, it should be a piece of cake winning this thing together!"
"Yeah, if say so..." Syrus replied, not feeling as enthusiastic as his friend.
Up in the stands, Alexis and Bastion were overlooking the conversation
"Syrus really has to get it together." Bastion said. "Jaden can't beat two duelists by himself at the same time."
"I know; I thought that duel Claudio won would improve his confidence." Alexis added. "Hmm?" She notices Claudio and Melody walk up to their row and sat down next to her. "Congrats on staying at the Academy!"
"Yes, impressive dueling, old chap." Bastion said.
"Thank you, guys!" Claudio said. "The only way I'm leaving this place is by graduating!"
"You know it!" Melody added. "Now let's see if Jaden and Syrus can pull it out like you did."
Back down at the arena, Jaden noticed another friendly face coming into the arena. "Hey look, Chumley made it here!"
"Just barely." Syrus added as they both waved at the koala duelist.
"And I thought running... was supposed to be healthy..." Chumley said, trying to catch his breath.
"And now, without further ado, allow me to introduce our special guest Duelists..." Crowler announced. Two men flipped onto the stage. They were both bald in Chinese robes, one wearing orange and the other green. They had strange markings on their heads. Alexis, Claudio, Melody, Bastion, Chazz, Chumley, and Chancellor Shepherd watched astonished as they flipped over Jaden and Syrus and landed on the other side.
"Who are they?" Jaden and Syrus asked.
"The Paradox Brothers!"
"Salutations, you fools." The one in orange greeted.
"Hope you're ready to duel?" The one in green asked.
"Uh, I never heard of these guys." Jaden said, amused by the greeting.
"Me neither," Syrus said. "Maybe this tag-duel won't be so bad."
"Perhaps, since they haven't duel in ages," Crowler introduced. "They have only lost one tag duel and the one to be them was Joey Wheeler and the Duel King himself."
"No way," Syrus gasped. "They fought Yugi Moto?" The Paradox Brothers grinned at Syrus's reaction.
"I've heard that these guys are the best tag Duelists in the world," Alexis said. "This is hardly fair."
"I think that was Crowler's point." Bastion said. "Statistically speaking, I put Jaden's odds at winning at one in fifty."
"Hey, I was placed in overwhelming odds," Claudio commented. "And look how I turned out."
"And Bastion, what did I tell you about placing bets against your friends?" Melody asked.
"I never placed a bet on Claudio." Bastion replied.
"You did what?" Claudio asked.
"Hey Chumley," Chazz called out to the big Slifer. "Looks like there's going to be a whole lot more room in your dorm. Your friends are toast."
"Not licious," Chumley groaned.
Zane was as stoic as ever as he looked at the opponents.
"Crowler, first Panik, now the Paradox Brothers?" Sheppard called from the sidelines. "I know this is a little much..."
"Not at all, remember?" Crowler protested. "Jaden and Syrus broke big time rules so they should duel big time opponents! And as you saw clearly, Panik was defeated, so there's a chance the brothers could be defeated."
"Wow, Dr. Crowler!" Jaden said, slapping the Obelisk Blue headmaster on his back. "I didn't know you had so much faith in me and Syrus!"
Crowler sweatdropped. 'Oh, me and my big mouth!'
"And besides you're the one paying the three men their travel costs!" Sheppard said, making Crowler drop to the ground.
"These guys can't even beat male pattern baldness, there's no way they'll beat us." Jaden said, jokingly.
"How clever," Crowler moaned as he got back up. Out loud on the microphone, "Duelists, prepare to battle!" Everyone activated their Duel Disks. "The rules of this duel are quite simple. Each team will have 8000 points, rather than having four thousand to each player separately. Also there is no sharing of strategy, no sharing of advice, and no sharing of cards that aren't already in play. You can, however, use cards on your partner's field. Understand?"
"Yeah!" The duelists replied.
"All right, then, duel!" Crowler said, leaping off the stage.
Jaden/Syrus: 8000
Paradox Brothers: 8000
"Get your games on!" Jaden said as everyone drew their initial hand. He looked at Syrus who nodded.
"Here I come," Syrus announced as he drew a card. "First I'm going to summon… Gyroid in attack mode." A blue helicopter with eyes appeared. (1000/1000)
"You must be joking," Para said. "I'm surprised that thing even has an attack mode. This, on the other hand…" He drew his sixth card. "Jirai Gumo, attack mode!" A giant brown spider appeared opposite the helicopter. (2200/100)
"An overgrown bug?" Jaden asked as he drew his sixth card. "That's nothing that my deck can't squash. "I summon Elemental Hero Burstinatrix, defense mode!" The female Hero of fire took a defensive stance in front of Jaden.
"The best defense is a good offense." Dox said starting his turn. "I summon Kaiser Seahorse, attack mode!" A blue and seemingly armored creature carrying a spear and shield appeared. (1700/1650)
'Okay, if I know dueling like I think I know dueling, these guys are going to attack next.' Syrus thought, seeing as everyone played a monster.
"I choose to play a spell card from my hand..." Dox announced startling Syrus. "Tribute Doll! To activate it, I must sacrifice one monster on the field. Good thing my brother is so generous with his." The brothers shared a look. "Farewell, Jirai Gumo." Black vines gripped the spider and destroyed it. "Now I can summon a level 7 monster this turn and I choose Kazejin!" The spider was replaced by a green machine that was only a pair of arms and a face with a Japanese kanji on it. It appeared in a blast of wind. (2400/2200)
"He sacrificed his brother's monster to summon a better one for the team, now that's tag dueling." Bastion said.
"Would you mind not sounding so impressed, Bastion?" Alexis asked, sounding annoyed.
"Melody, you know what that is?" Claudio asked.
The Ra Yellow girl nodded. "A powerful spellcaster monster that's one of the three that makes a more powerful one."
"Whoa," Claudio said. "Let's hope the boys can destroy it before the other two come out."
On the arena, Para and Dox started their rhyming taunts again...
"Do you actually think you know anything of this game?"
"You're losers, you're jokes, in other words, you're lame."
"And if they think this is starting to get grueling."
"Wait until I give them a true schooling." Dox finished. "I play Dark Designator. This powerful spell allows me to call out the name of any monster I can think of. And if it's in my brother's deck, it is added immediately to his hand." He then put on a fake thinking look. "Now let me see… Sanga of the Thunder!" He pointed to Para.
Para laughed and drew the card. "What do you know, it is right here, ready to tear them asunder."
'You've got to be kidding me!' Jaden thought. 'Another level 7 monster?'
"The duel is just starting..." Para announced.
"Yet it is almost done..." Dox said.
They each pointed to the kids. "For your demise has already begun!"
Syrus gasped.
"Don't worry, Sy, they're just saying that because it makes for an easy rhyme." Jaden assured him. 'Now I just hope we don't make for an easy match. But to make sure, let's do a monster roll call.' He looked at his and Syrus's field. 'I got my Burstinatrix chilling in defense mode and Sy's got… well… his little helicopter thing.' And then he looked over to brothers' field. 'Not bad, but not good considering we're staring down some heavy competition including some level 7 green thing I've never seen before.'
"What do you think, Jaden?" Syrus said, feeling scared. "If we quit now, we'll get some extra time to pack all our stuff."
"The only thing we're packing is some serious dueling punch!" Jaden said, trying to encourage his friend. "I'm telling you, we'll beat these guys, Sy."
"You know what, Jay, you're right." Syrus smiled and then thought, 'We ARE packing some serious dueling punch!' He cast a side glance at Zane in the stands. 'Not only will I show the Paradox Brothers, but I'm going to show my brother as well. I want to remain at this Academy and that's what I'm going to do!' He then put on his game face."All aboard!" Syrus announced as he drew a card. "I summon Steamroid in attack mode." Syrus summoned a cartoonish, locomotive next to the helicopter. (1800/1800)
"And I also play this: Polymerization!" Syrus's two monsters are pulled into a vortex. "Check it out, I take Steamroid and Gyroid and fuse them together to create the ultimate engine that could: Steam Gyroid!" The two monsters formed to create the fusion monster that he played against Jaden in their practice duel. (2200/1600). "Now that's locomotion!" He cheered. "You see, you made a mistake with all that teamwork: by sacrificing Jirai Gumo, you left your brother wide open!"
"Uh… Sy."
But Syrus was too pumped up to hear Jaden, "And I'm coming in. Steam Gyroid, attack Para!"
"An attack?" Para asked surprised.
"Got that right!" Steam Gyroid rushed towards the orange-clad brother.
Alexis, Bastion, Melody and Claudio gasped. Chazz and Crowler chuckled. Zane just scowled.
"Brother, if you would please..." Para said.
Dox nodded. "It would be my pleasure indeed, brother." He then motioned to his monster. "Kazejin, defend with Squall Barricade!" The green monster stepped in front of Para and blew a cyclone that blocked Steam Gyroid and forced it back. "Our monster's special ability, do you like?"
"It reduces your monster's damage to 0 without even a fight!" Para explained.
Syrus looked stunned stupid. "So I goofed?"
"Do these two actually think they have a chance of beating Para and Dox? They stink worse than dirty socks…" Crowler muttered happily. "Hah, now they even have me doing it."
"Forget it, Sy, no biggie." Jaden assured.
"Yeah, right," Syrus said glumly.
"Hey, I'm serious, pal, just keep going."
"All right," Syrus said. "I place one card face-down and end my turn."
"At last a smart move..." Para said drawing a card. "I play Monster Reborn and bring back the frightful Jirai Gumo!" The spider returned to the field. (2200/100) "And I play a spell card, Tribute Doll!"
"Not again!"
"Yes again, and again I choose to sacrifice Jirai to summon a level 7 monster: Suijin!" The spider was sacrificed again for a new, blue monster that looked like a pair of legs with a mouth in the midsection. (2500/2400) "But I'm not done yet, mind if I borrow a monster, Brother?"
"Please, that's why he's there." Dox graciously offered.
"I sacrifice Kaiser Seahorse!" The monster was covered with dark fire.
"In case you did not know, when summoning a light attribute monster, Kaiser Seahorse's sacrifice counts as two instead of one which is why I can now summon Sanga of the Thunder!" The new monster was a dull bronze color and was only an armored top and a pair of arms. (2600/2200)
"Now I place those odds at 500 to 1." Bastion said.
"What are the odds of you shutting up?" Alexis asked.
"Guys, calm down..." Claudio said, trying to keep the peace.
"Oh great, here it comes..." Melody muttered.
"Three monsters on our side, what could be better?" Para asked.
"I know, Brother, when they come together." Dox replied.
"Prepare yourselves!" Para rejoiced. "I sacrifice Suijin, Kazejin, and Sanga of the Thunder so I can now summon the ultimate monster: Gate Guardian!" In a huge burst of light, a compilation of the three monsters appeared. Sanga formed the head and arms, Kazejin was the torso, and Suijin was the legs. (3750/3400)
"Gate Guardian!?" Syrus cried.
"He's gi-normous!" Jaden added.
"Wait until you see his attack. Go, attack Steam Gyroid! Tidal Surge attack!" The bottom part gathered the water and the top gathered the lightning. The middle combined both elements and fired it with the wind element, straight at Steam Gyroid. The attack was so powerful that not only did it destroy Syrus's monster, but it hit him as well.
Jaden/Syrus: 6750
Paradox Brothers: 8000
"Oh man, was that the monster you were talking about, Mel?" Claudio asked.
"Yeah, you can see why they're tough to beat." Melody replied.
"This isn't a duel its target practice for the Paradox Brothers." Bastion said. "And Sy's the bull's eye."
"He's just made a few bad moves is all," Alexis said. "I'm sure he can come back… at least I hope he does. Jaden's good but he's not good enough to win this thing by himself."
'Is Crowler so dead set on getting Jaden kicked out, that he had to make Syrus and I suffer as well?' Claudio thought.
"I know it hurts…"
"But it's about to get worse."
"If it gets as bad as this rhyming then we're in serious trouble," Syrus commented.
Peeking up from the edge, Crowler chuckled. 'These two are dueling perfectly!' He thought. 'They know just what to do and are doing it. After all, in a Tag Duel, once you eliminate the weakest link, the whole chain comes crumbling apart.' Crowler gave a devious look to Syrus. 'And they certainly found just that, little Syrus. Poor little Syrus, he would be the weakest link on a plate of sausages.'
'I hope Jaden has something special in that deck of his,' Syrus thought worriedly. 'Or this match is over and so are our lives at the Academy!'
"Well, the bigger they are the harder they fall, so let's take this thing down!" Jaden said. Syrus let out a doubtful groan.
"I'd like to see you try..." Para challenged as he laid a card face-down.
"Then it's time to go to work!" Jaden said drawing a card. It was Polymerization. "Sweet." He looked through his hand. "You're about to get called out, Big Guy. First I'm going to call out the Elemental Hero Clayman!" The rock hard warrior appeared next to Burstinatrix. (800/2000) "And next I'm going to play Polymerization!" Clayman and Burstinatrix leapt into the vortex. "I fuse Burstinatrix and Clayman together to form… the Elemental Hero Rampart Blaster!" The new fusion giant looked feminine and wore a red helmet, carried a red shield in her left arm and her right arm was a missile launcher. (2000/2500) Jaden summoned her in defense mode. "She's bad!"
"Yeah, she's bad, but not as bad as that Gate Guardian." Syrus said, comparing the stats of the two monsters. "She has only 2500 defense points. That Gate Guardian's attack points are 3750. Blaster will be blasted!"
"No sweat, that's what her special ability is for, Sy." Jaden explained. "You see when she's in defense mode, Rampart Blaster can attack an opponent directly."
"Our life points!" The brothers cried out.
"Now go, Rampart Blaster, blast them with Rampart Barrage!" Rampart Blaster fired two missiles from her gun launcher hand which struck each of the Brothers. "Sure it's only half the points you would normally lose, but hey it's a special effect, what are you gonna do?"
Jaden/Syrus: 6450
Paradox Brothers: 7000
"A lucky move," Dox growled.
"All right, we're back in this game!" Syrus cheered.
"Sy, we were never out of it." Jaden told him.
'Yeah, Jaden's right, we can win this.' Syrus thought happily.
"It's my draw!" Dox announced as he drew. "I activate the equip spell card Fairy Meteor Crush! And I'm equipping it to the Gate Guardian. Now when the Guardian attacks a monster in defense mode, the difference between his attack points and your monster's defense points, are dealt to you as damage!"
"Not so fast," Syrus called out. "You forget, I have a face-down card." With a wave of his hand, the Slifer activated it. "Go, Mystical Space Typhoon! It destroys one spell or trap card on the field and I'm using it on the one you just played, Fairy Meteor Crush!" The tornado rushed towards the Gate Guardian.
"Right into my trap!" Para announced as his facedown card flipped up. "I activate Judgment of Anubis! Foolish boy, this lets me stop your spell simply by discarding one card. Your typhoon has just been downgraded to a cool summer breeze." Mystical Space Typhoon slowly dissolved into nothing. "But wait, that's not all it does. Anubis also destroys one of your creatures." Rampart Blaster exploded as the trap card shined on her and the winds of the explosion hit the Slifers as they held their ground.
"And then its attack points are dealt back to you, pretty cool special feature!" Dox finished.
Jaden/Syrus: 4450
Paradox Brothers: 7000
"I know it seems like your back is to the wall, but in fact the wall is right in front of you, I play this and end my turn." Dox summoned a gray brick wall with pipes for arms appeared and protected itself. (0/2100) "It's called Defense Wall, and as long as it's on the field in defense mode all the monsters you have got to attack him!"
"The Gate Guardian on offense and that wall on defense." Bastion commented. "Almost flawless."
"I get it," Alexis said irritated. "Now are you going to be quiet or am I going to have to move?"
"Honestly!" Melody added.
"Einstein, I know this is impressive and all." Claudio admitted. "But you're cheering for the wrong side!"
"It's your move," Dox told Syrus, "What are you waiting for?"
"To be honest, a miracle," Syrus murmured. He drew a card and frowned on it. "I… summon Cycroid in… uh… defense mode." An orange, one-eyed bicycle appeared and defended itself with its handlebars. (800/1000) Syrus then noticed Jaden staring at him. 'Uh-oh, Jaden's looking at me, I know it was a weak monster but it was all I could do.'
"You summon a bike, well it's about to get a flat," Para said drawing a card. "Gate Guardian, Tidal Surge Attack!" Water and electricity combined with the wind and lashed out again. The bike braced itself but it was destroyed. "And don't forget the effect of Fairy Meteor Crush, the difference between my attack points and your defense points you take as damage." The Gate Guardian charged up the elements again and blasted Syrus, making him cry out.
Jaden/Syrus: 1700
Paradox Brothers: 7000
Chumley, Bastion, Alexis, Melody and Claudio all gasped.
"Your life points are falling…"
"Your game play is appalling…"
"There is nothing to do except give up and start bawling!" Everyone looked at Jaden who had his face hidden from sight, not budging an inch.
"What's wrong with Jaden?" Alexis asked. "I hope he's not giving up."
"After everything that's gone on, it wouldn't surprise me." Bastion muttered.
"He wouldn't!" Melody said astonished.
"He won't..." Everyone turned to Claudio. "He's just trying to think things through..."
"But look at the field," Bastion protested. "It's two monsters to none. It's a simple calculation to figure... they'll be knackered."
"Nice, Bastion," Alexis said, irritated. "Now you're putting them down using words I don't even understand."
"What does 'knackered' mean?" Claudio asked. Melody whispered the meaning in his ear. He blushed at the knowledge. "Bastion that's nasty!" Melody covered her mouth to hide her laughing.
"Huh?" Bastion asked.
"Never mind that," Alexis stopped that conversation and returned to the duel. "Let's keep our focus on the duel; I'm sure Jaden has a strategy."
"Oh I'm sure he does," Bastion agreed. "It's Syrus I'm concerned about. He's walked into every trap, spell, and attack card the Paradox Brothers played. He's been horrible."
"On second thought, I liked it better when I couldn't understand you." Alexis said.
"Me too." Claudio added.
"Oh, sorry." Bastion said, shutting up.
Chumley was silently begging them to win. 'Please let them win! I'd give up grilled cheeses for a week! I'll fry them instead!'
'Finally, those Slifer Slackers are getting the beat down they deserve!' Chazz thought. 'I can't wait until they lose and get expelled from the Academy, especially that loser Jaden!'
"Uh, Chazz?" Torimaki asked, seeing him seething. "You alright?" The Obelisk just ignored him and continued his thoughts.
'That slime! Thinking he can become the next King of Games. That's my destiny! Those Slackers aren't even rich enough to afford a destiny.' He cast a side glance at Claudio who was sitting in between Melody and Alexis. 'And once they're gone, I'll take care of that Ra reject Claudio. He beats one of my boys, lucks out in his elimination duel and now he thinks he deserve to be next to Alexis! I'll send him packing my own way!'
"I'm a genius, a sheer genius!" Crowler said, chuckling. "First I trap Jaden in the Abandoned Dorm, then I arrange this tag duel as punishment, and then I hire the best tag Duelists to ensure he and Sryus lose and get expelled!" Crowler burst into laughter.
"So, Crowler, enjoying the boys' punishment a little too much, aren't we?" Crowler jumped, he forgot Chancellor Sheppard was sitting right behind him.
"Oh my no, you misinterpret," Crowler said, nervously. "I'm just laughing because I'm happy the duel's nearly done. I wouldn't want to prolong our students' suffering, they look all so weary."
"They don't look weary to me," Sheppard said. "In fact, Jaden looks like he's getting his second wind." Crowler looked at Jaden, the boy had raised his head with a determined look on his face.
The Paradox Brothers noticed it too...
"Well, well, the Slifer Red forges ahead," Para commented.
"When a smarter Duelist would have fled instead," Dox finished.
The hero duelist scratched his head. "Oh man, I'm starting to wish the Academy made us Slifer Orange then we wouldn't have to put up with so many of these awful rhymes!" Jaden cracked. The Paradox Brothers actually looked insulted by that comment. Winged Kuriboh's spirit appeared on Jaden's shoulder and cooed. "Yeah, I don't think they got it either."
"Forget about our rhyming…"
"Just concentrate on your card playing."
"For the partner you have…"
"To win, you have a long way."
Syrus looked hurtful at his friend. "Don't you listen to them, Sy," Jaden said.
"But Jaden, they're right." The little duelist replied.
"No they're not, and I know so…" Jaden said as he pointed at the Gate Guardian. "Because you're the one who's going to take that thing down. So let's go!" He drew a card. "First I'm going to summon Elemental Hero Sparkman in attack mode!" Sparkman appeared in a flash of lightning. (1600/1400) "And next I'll equip him with this, Spark Blaster!" A sliver gun appeared in the monster's right hand. "With each blast, I get to switch the battle position of one of your monsters. Gate Guardian, take a knee!" Sparkman fired the blaster. Blue energy showered over Gate Guardian forced the behemoth to drop to one knee and cross its arms.
"Well that was certainly an odd choice," Bastion commented. "Unless Jaden has something planned, he's wasted his move."
"Unless he uses those other two blasts he has left..." Melody said.
"You must be a fool, when Gate Guardian's on defense, he never tires. Your situation is just as dire."
"And though I hate to feed the fire, our Defense Wall you have yet to retire."
"Which is why, my second blast is going to him!" The brothers gasped as the blast hit the wall, causing it to stand straight up! "Now Sparkman, attack it with Static Shockwave!" Sparkman used his free hand to fire lightning bolts at the Defense Wall, making it crash into Dox.
Jaden/Syrus: 1700
Paradox Brothers: 5400
"And now, I'm just going to throw a face-down and end my turn." Jaden said as a facedown card appeared at his feet.
"You'll pay dearly for that, my draw!" Dox growled as he drew his card. "I'll just play this face-down, no more, no less. Brother, you do the rest."
"Excellent decision, I think it's for the best. For next turn I'm sure to win us this contest." Para declared.
Syrus groaned. "Jaden, you heard them, next turn they'll take us down. There's no point in me even drawing. I should just give up, at least then they'll let you have a rematch."
"Syrus, listen to me..." Jaden said. "One draw, that's all it takes to turn this duel around. You remember the last time you had one draw, right?"
(Flashback)
During one of their practice duels, Syrus was backed into a corner and had nothing to get out of it.
"You're not getting out of this one, Sy." Jaden said.
"Yeah, you're right, I give, let's have a rematch. But first, let's see what I would've drawn first." Syrus turned over the top card in his deck. "Whoa, this would've changed everything!"
"Yeah, well, it doesn't change the fact that you already gave up the match, right?" Jaden asked nervously.
(End Flashback)
"You hear what I'm saying, Sy?" Jaden asked. "There's no such thing as a last draw because with the right card you can always get another draw."
"But…"
"No buts, you want to stay at this Academy, right?" Jaden interrupted. "Then make your move, pal, it's all up to you."
'That's what I'm afraid of...' Syrus thought. 'My last draw could help us stay in this or send us packing.' He stared at the defending Gate Guardian and then suddenly struck up an idea as he remembered a duel he had finished with Chumley...
(Flashback)
Jaden looked at Syrus's hand a spotted a good card.
"Whoa, that's a pretty sweet card." Jaden commented. "With the right combo, we can take down anything. So will you let me have it?"
"No!" Syrus yelled.
"Oh come on!"
"No, you always do this…"
(End Flashback)
'That's it, that one card is our only chance we have. But if I don't draw it, we're done for, Jaden and me, all our hopes and dreams, everything we've been through, it would be for nothing. I do want to stay at this Academy, so let me draw it!' Syrus drew a card. He turned to Jaden and smiled, "Jaden!"
"Sy, did you draw it?" Syrus nodded. "Then show him what you're made of!"
"Right!" Syrus inserted a spell card, "I activate the spell card Shield Crush! And just like the name suggests, it crushes any monster trying to hide in defense mode, like… the Gate Guardian!" The card let out a blinding flash of light which destroyed Gate Guardian.
"Gate Guardian's cooked!" Para cried.
"I can hardly look," Dox said.
"Now show 'em the drill!" Jaden cheered.
"Now I summon Drilloid in attack mode!" As Syrus placed the card on the tray, a purple, cartoonish machine burrowed out of the ground. (1600/1600) "Attack Para directly with Drill Force!" The machine rushed the field and struck Para in the gut.
Jaden/Syrus: 1700
Paradox Brothers: 3800
"Nice going, Sy," Jaden congratulated. "The bigger they brawl, the harder they fall!" The two smiled at each other.
The crowd burst into cheers.
"All right, fried cheese here I come," Chumley cried.
Zane just grunted.
"No, this is supposed to be punishment! And the crowd's treating them like heroes! How can they be doing this?" Crowler asked.
"Simple," Sheppard replied startling Crowler again. "They're students at Duel Academy, and we accept nothing but their best."
"Did you see that? Did you? Tell me you three saw that!" Bastion said, shocked at what just developed/
"Bastion, we're right next to you, of course we saw it." Melody said.
"And we saw Syrus taking the drill to those bald heads of the brothers." Claudio added.
"But you know what amazes me more than even them taking down that Gate Guardian?" Alexis asked. "The teamwork they used to do it. "That's what it's going to take to win this."
"Yes, so let's hope they can keep it up." Bastion said.
"I play one card face-down and end my turn," Syrus said. He turned to Jaden. "Thanks for the pep talk."
"Hey, thank you for the sweet move," Jaden returned.
"Mind if we join in on the praise, you two?" Para asked.
"Because for destroying Gate Guardian we should really… thank you."
Syrus looked confused.
"They say what does not kill you only makes you stronger," Para said drawing a card. "And it's true, after all, we're not beaten yet and we're about to become more powerful than ever! I play the spell Dark Element! This spell card can only be played when Gate Guardian is in the graveyard. We pay half our life points…"
Jaden/Syrus: 1700
Paradox Brothers: 1900
"We can summon a monster that can't be destroyed in battle."
"Dark Guardian!" The Paradox Brothers called out. Black smoke took shape and formed an armored, burly man carrying an axe and riding some sort of a mechanical spider. (3800/3450)
"Invincible in battle and has nearly 4000 attack points?" Bastion asked.
Syrus was thinking along the same lines. "This is bad!"
"Guardian, attack Drillroid with Axe Slash Bash!" Dark Guardian swung its axe producing energy waves.
"That's it!" Bastion cried. "If this connects, Jaden and Syrus will lose!"
"Jaden!"
"Syrus!"
Chazz was the only one chuckling. As was Crowler.
"Farewell..." Para said.
"Not yet!" Jaden cried. "I play my face-down, Hero Barrier! Sorry, fellas, but this lets me stop one of your attacks so long as there's an Elemental Hero out. And as you can see, Sparkman's standing strong!" The attack bounced off a shield producing wind that kicked up everything in the vicinity, and almost nailed Drilloid.
"Whew!" Melody and Alexis said.
"Nice save, hero boy..." Claudio muttered.
"An impressive trap card."
"I'd never thought they would be so hard."
"I know, we bombard and bombard. Oh well, at least our precious Dark Guardian…"
"…Has kept up his guard."
"Quite right, brother, he will not be blasted to shards."
"He'll finish them off next turn…"
"And this duel will be ours!"
Syrus sunk to his knees. 'Just when I step up my game, they step up theirs even more.'
"Here it comes," Crowler said giddy. "The moment I've been waiting for: the moment these two slackers get expelled!"
"Chin up, Sy," Jaden comforted his friend. "This match isn't over yet."
"But Jay…"
"But nothing, pal, stand up." Jaden told him. 'Because you're going to want a good view for what I'm about to pull.'
Syrus struggled to stand.
"Looks like the boy still wants to proceed."
"Really, I thought for surely mercy he would please."
"No, he would need smarts to want to concede."
"Can it, you two," Jaden said. "It's my turn!" Jaden drew. "I play the spell Pot of Greed, this lets me draw two cards and next I play Fusion Gate!" Jaden slid a spell card into the field spell drawer. "With this, I don't need Polymerization, I can bring out all the fusion monsters I want. And I think I'll fuse Elemental Hero Avian, Bubbleman…" He motioned to his Sparkman. "And why don't we throw Sparkman into the mix as well." Sparkman turned into yellow light and joined the green light that was Avian and the blue light that was Bubbleman. "All to create… wait for it…" There was a burst of light. "And there he is, the Elemental Hero Tempest!" The new monster was wearing blue armor and had wild green hair, a glass visor over his eyes, and green wings with white metallic feathers. And his right arm, a sliver cannon. (2800/2800)
"Fine creature," Bastion commented. "But it's still too weak to defeat their Guardian."
"Bastion, just whose side are you on?" Melody and Claudio shouted.
"I hope Jaden knows what he's doing." Alexis sighed.
"An impressive move, but it is useless, boy."
"Have you forgotten about Dark Guardian? He's still deployed. And since in battle he can't be destroyed…"
"Their beast is null and void."
"Void this," Jaden said. "Skyscraper!" City Buildings started to appear around them. "Ever hear you should never play in a construction zone? Well it's true, because now my Elemental Hero gains an extra 1000 attack points because he's weaker than Dark Guardian!" (3800/2800)
"What the…"
"Now, Hero Tempest, attack Dark Guardian with Tornado Blast!" Tempest dove towards Dark Guardian and fired its cannon at point blank range.
"Didn't I warn you? In battle he cannot be beat. Your Tempest has been wasted so just accept…"
"Your defeat," Dox finished for his brother.
"Sy, can you spare a card?" Jaden asked.
"Sure!"
"I use Tempest's special ability!" Syrus's facedown card disappeared. "Sorry, you guys, but as long as I banish one of our cards to the graveyard, Tempest isn't destroyed!" As the wind storm died down, both monsters remained.
"Nice work wasting your attack there, slacker," Chazz said snidely.
"I don't get it, was he hoping for a tie?" Alexis asked. The Ra Yellows just shrugged.
"Clever," Zane said. The first thing he said since the duel began. "Just so long as Syrus knows what to do next."
"Jaden…"
"Hey, it's cool." Jaden said to his partner. "Syrus, everything will work out if you play the right card come your turn."
"If he has a turn," Dox said drawing a card. "I play the trap card One-on-One Fight! Though I'm sure you'd rather run and hide, this forces both our strongest monsters to do battle. So I hope your Tempest is up for a rematch."
"But why, it'll be a tie again," Syrus protested. "So what's the point in attacking?"
"I have my reasons."
"Sneaky," Alexis commented. "In order for Tempest to keep matching Dark Guardian, Jaden's going to have to keep sacrificing cards."
"And whatever edge they give him," Bastion added.
"But except for Tempest, Jaden has Skyscraper out," Melody pointed out.
"Which means..."
"Well, I don't want to do it," Jaden said, voicing Claudio's thought. "But I have no other choice. I guess I got to get rid of Skyscraper!" The buildings lowered and the audience appeared again. Tempest struggled in the battle with the guardian as he lost his boost. (2800/2800)
"So you saved your monster," Dox said as shockwaves ripped through Tempest and into the Duelists. "But not your life points."
Jaden/Syrus: 700
Paradox Brothers: 1900
"That's all for me."
"But I give you my guarantee."
"Next turn the duel will be ours."
"Just wait and see."
"All right, Sy, it's all up to you. If you really want to stay at this Academy, then concentrate and your deck will pull through," Jaden said. "And get ready to play the right card!"
Syrus nodded and looked at his deck, 'Play...that's what my brother was saying. About the difference between using a card, and playing a card...but do I know the difference?' He looked up at the stands and saw that Zane was still watching him.
Then, it was like everything disappeared around him and he was face to face with Zane, wearing a blue middle school uniform while Zane still wore his Obelisk Blazer. Zane had his back to him while Syrus' head was lowered.
"Hey Zane, what's the difference between using a card and playing it?" Syrus asked, looking up at his older brother, "Aren't they the same thing?"
Zane turned his head slightly to him and replied with, "That is 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..."
Syrus snapped back to reailty and saw that he was back on the platform, still dueling. He placed his hand on his deck, ready to draw 'Ok...no more thinking. It's time for me to act!'
"Here we go!" He drew the top card out and looked at it, "Yes! First, I sacrifice Drilloid to summon UFOroid in Attack Mode!" As Syrus placed his Drilloid cinto the Graveyard, a small saucer appeared floating around him, with the same cartoonish look as his other monsters. (1200/1200) "Also, I activate the Spell Card, Power-Bond!"
"What's that!?" The brothers asked.
"A fusion card to create a machine-type monster!" Syrus explained "And I know just what two monsters to fuse..." He looked to Jaden. "Jaden, do you mind?"
"Hey, what's mine is yours." He replied.
"Then I choose to fuse UFOroid and Tempest to form UFOroid Fighter!" The space saucer transformed into a hovering platform which Tempest was shown riding. "And it gets better, its attack points are the sum total of each individual monster's attack points." (4000/4000)
"It matters not," Para said. "So cease your useless bantle!"
"You know Dark Guardian cannot be destroyed in battle."
"I know, but that doesn't matter! Because Power Bond has an effect that lets me double its attack points!" The fusion monster glowed with a blue aura feeling the power. (8000/4000)
"8000 points!!?" The brothers cried out.
"Sure, Dark Guardian won't be destroyed, but the same can't be said for your life points." Syrus smirked. "Now, Roid Fighter, attack with Cosmic Flux Blast!" Tempest fired its cannon creating a blue beam of energy that blew through Dark Guardian and struck the brothers.
Jaden/Syrus: 700, Winners
Paradox Brothers: 0
"Yeah!" Melody and Claudio cheered and hugged each other, but noticed a bit later and turned away from each other blushing.
"They won," Bastion said with a smile. "Well, well, I must say I'm getting more impressed every day."
"I'm just glad Jaden gets to stay at the Academy," Alexis said, cheerfully.
"Don't you mean Jaden and Syrus?" Claudio asked, shaking off the blush.
"Of course, I'm glad they're both staying," Alexis stammered. "I only said Jaden's name because… er… uh… well… come on, let's go congratulate them." And she left out the seats with Melody and Claudio.
Chazz kicked the back of the seat in front of him so hard that it bent. He then got up and stormed off with his boys following him.
"No, it can't be," Crowler said falling to the ground. "They won, they beat the legendary tag Duelists! How could they have won?"
"Obviously it was because of your splendid teaching!" Banner said kneeling down with Pharaoh. "Oh wait, they're in my dorm." Pharaoh licked Crowler's face.
Crowler then started freaking out, "That fur ball just licked me! Does he have rabies!? Let me see his papers! CALL THE POUND!"
"We did it, Sy, we won," Jaden said.
"Yeah, we… we…" Syrus sniffled, trying to hold back his tears. "We did it, we really won."
"Congratulations, boys!" Claudio said as he, Melody and Alexis came up to them. "You did it."
"Yes, you all did great," Shepherd agreed. "You two and Claudio have proven that you have the skill and most importantly, the desire to stay at this Academy."
Everyone cheered.
"Oh yeah," Jaden said like he remembered something. He pointed with two fingers at the fallen Paradox Brothers. "Dueling you two was a real honor, and if you ever want a rematch…" He winked at them. "Just holler."
"Well said, Jaden," Shepherd said. "I'm sure it'll be even better written."
"Huh?"
"I'd like a five page report from all of you on what you learned by dueling."
"What a bummer," Jaden said slumping his shoulders.
"Okay, then, how about ten pages, and single spaced." And he turned and walked away.
"TEN WHOLE PAGES?!" Jaden cried. "I never even read that much, and single spaced? This will take forever!"
"Well I already know what I've learned," Claudio said.
"What's that?" Melody asked.
"That no fake boogeyman can take me down!" He cheered, making the girls laugh.
"Is he always this funny?" Alexis asked Melody.
"He tries..." Melody replied
Syrus turned to look at Zane. 'I'd like to think that I impressed you, Zane, that I proved that I have the desire as well as the skill to become a great Duelist like you. But I know that I still have a lot to learn. But at least now I can do it here at the Academy.'
A shadow of a smile crossed Zane's face as he left.
Jaden was still ranting about the report Chancellor Sheppard assigned him until Claudio said, "Cheer up, hero boy at least we get to stay at the academy!"
The audience was giving the duelists a standing ovation.
Having seen all this, Jaden lost his grumpy mood and gave them a two finger salute. "That's game!"
And that's the end of that! As you saw, I changed a bit of the duel because it was so obvious that someone could do that!
Next time, Bastion gets a chance to go to Obelisk Blue! But can he beat his opponent?
Rate & Review! Later!
