Chazz was climbing up the steps of the Slifer dorm heading towards Jaden's room with a camera in his hand.

Chazz: This is the true story of three losers picked to live in the same room and have their dorky lives taped. The Chazz presents "The Lame Life".

He opened to the door to Jaden's room and saw Syrus and Hassleberry in yet another argument.

Syrus: I've got one word for you serge: shower. Try using one, it actually gets you clean.

Hassleberry: Oh yeah, well you talk in your sleep, and what's with the night light? And for your information, I showered last week.

Syrus: Well next time stand under the water.

Jaden: Come on, you guys gotta chill out. If we're gonna be roommates, you two need to learn to get along. Now, I think we can settle this with a group hug.

Hassleberry: I don't do hugs.

Syrus: Because your stench scares everyone away.

Chazz: There you have it folks, the dweeb in its natural habitat.

Jaden: Forget how to knock? And what's with the camera Fellini?

Chazz: I'm pitching my life as a reality show. It's got a great premise: one talented young duelist forced to live in a dorm full of slackers. Talk about a ratings grabber. It's gonna make me a big star.

Syrus: With a big head.

Jaden: You may be on to something here Chazz, but I think your show needs a plot twist.

Chazz: What could be more interesting than watching me?

Alexis: Am I interrupting something?

Everyone turned around and saw Alexis standing in the doorway with a suitcase in her hands.

Syrus: I think we found our plot twist guys.

Hassleberry: Jaden was right, your show just got a whole lot better.

Jaden: Is something wrong Lex? What's with the bag?

Alexis: I left my dorm for good. You guys have room for one more?

Jaden: I wish we did Lex, but there's no empty rooms at the Slifer dorm.

Drake: Actually, that's not entirely true.

Syrus: Professor Drake?

Drake: Follow me.

They followed him to Chazz's newly finished room.

Jaden: Wait, she's staying with Chazz?

Drake: Sort of.

He opened the door and revealed a space the size of a small house.

Drake: As part of Chazz's punishment for building this add-on without permission, he's required to share it with excess students. Just one question Ms. Rhodes, what's wrong with your dorm? I can get in contact with a contractor if your room needs repairs.

Alexis: My room is fine, it's the people at my dorm that are the problem.

Jaden: What do you mean?

Alexis: Check this out.

She reached into her bag and pulled out a red frilly dress.

Hassleberry: Um, nice uniform ma'am.

Alexis: Oh please, this thing was all Crowler's idea. He actually wanted me to wear this thing and sing when I duel.

Syrus: Are you serious?

Alexis: No joke. He had some crazy idea about turning me into some dueling popstar. Can you picture me wearing this?

Jaden: You're right. I mean who'd want to see you wear that ridiculous thing?

Alexis: Uh, thanks.

Chazz: That's not what she meant genius.

Jaden: Huh?

Chazz: Don't you get it? It's not about the dress, it's about Chancellor Crowler.

Alexis: I get that Crowler wants to make the school look better, but he's taking things too far if you ask me.

Just then, Bastion came in the door.

Bastion: There you are Syrus, I've been looking all over for you.

Syrus: For me? What for?

Bastion: A duel.

Syrus: Come again?

Bastion: Crowler has arranged for you to duel an Obelisk blue student named Missy, and I hear she duels with a deck full of insect monsters.

Alexis: Missy? Okay that girl totally creeps me out, but I've seen her duel and she's really good.

Chazz: Well congrats, you're Crowler's next publicity stunt.

Jaden: Wait Sy, this duel could be your big break. You're gonna win and prove to everyone you're a great duelist. You're gonna show everyone the brave Syrus.

Syrus: Jaden, just one question, when you find the brave Syrus, will you let him know the wimpy one is looking for him?

He then ran out the door in a panic, Hassleberry chasing after him. He followed Syrus back to their room, where he proceeded to bury himself under the cover.

Hassleberry: Come on soldier, up and at 'em. You can't hide in there forever.

Syrus: Of course not. Just for a few days, a week tops. Don't worry, I've got everything I need in here: bottled water, a canned ham, Mr. Fuzzy Bear.

Hassleberry: I am not even gonna ask. Come on.

He grabbed the sheet and ripped it away from Syrus, causing him to drop to the floor.

Hassleberry: Listen up, fear is your mortal enemy, and fear needs to be destroyed. Now get up and fight that fear.

Syrus: But I'm afraid to.

Hassleberry: Then you've already lost the war. Is that what you want? Or do you wanna win? Not just against this Missy girl, but against your own fear. Now what scares you the most Truesdale?

That night, Syrus was on the coast thinking about his talk with Hassleberry when he pulled out his Power Bond card that Zane gave him.

Syrus: If I didn't have this card in my deck, I'd be nothing. In fact, Power bond is my ticket to the pro league so that I can be like Zane someday. But what if I'm not good enough? Wait, that's my biggest fear, that everyone else will move on and leave me behind. I won't get left behind. I'm gonna fight my fear! But it'll have to be tomorrow.

The next day, everyone was filing into the arena to watch the big duel when Chazz was stopped by Syrus, who had an envelope in his hand.

Syrus: Chazz, will you give this to Jaden?

Chazz: What, did you decide to write your will?

Syrus: Just give it to him, but don't open it.

Syrus gave him the envelope, and as soon as his back was turned, Chazz opened it and found a familiar card inside.

Chazz: Power Bond?

Syrus: I said not to open it!

Syrus made it into the arena and got up on the stage.

Bonaparte: Face it, all the odds are against that little runt.

Crowler: Size isn't everything. You of all people should now that.

Chazz made it in and sat by everyone else.

Jaden: Where were you?

Chazz: Nowhere.

Missy: So you're Zane's brother? Don't take this too personally hun, but you're not what I expected. I mean just look at him. I guess the hottie gene skipped you.

Jaden: That's not cool.

Hassleberry: No fear son.

Alexis: I'm sorry, but what's the deal with her hair?

Jaden: Who cares about that?

Missy: Look kid, I'm a girl who gets what she wants, and once I win, Zane is gonna be mine, 'cause this duel happens to be my ticket to the pro league.

Syrus: Who told you that?

Missy: Crowler. You win and you advance to Ra, and if I win, I get to go pro.

Syrus: Alright fine, then what are we waiting for?

Both: Game on!

Missy: 4000 LP

Syrus: 4000 LP

Missy: Ladies first, and I summon Prickle Fairy in defense mode.

Level 4/Earth/Plant

ATK 300/DEF 2000

Hassleberry: What a start. This puts Truesdale in a tight spot.

Missy: While this card is in play, you can't attack any of my insect monsters, and any monster of yours that attacks my fairy is changed to defense mode.

Alexis: Does she really think her outfit looks good? Or did she get dressed in the dark?

Jaden: Alexis, focus please.

Alexis: Sorry.

Syrus: My move. I play the spell Shield Crush, which means your monster is destroyed. And now I summon Steamroid in attack mode!

Level 4/Earth/Machine

ATK & DEF 1800

Syrus: Now, full steam ahead!

His monster rushed forward and blew a big cloud of steam in Missy's face.

Missy: 2200 LP

Jaden: Awesome! She just learned her lesson.

Alexis: Don't duel in heels.

The whole crowd erupted in applause for Syrus.

Syrus: People are actually cheering for me. I finally have fans. You hear that? The crowd loves me. I end my turn.

Jaden: Oh great, fame's gone to his head.

Missy: Big deal. That'll change once I go. I play Pinch Hopper in attack mode.

Level 4/Earth/Insect

ATK 1000/DEF 1200

Syrus: Bugs don't scare me, especially after living in the old Slifer dorm last year.

Missy: Then I guess you'll be fine with this move. I play the spell Multiplication of Ants, which sacrifices my Pinch Hopper to summon two Army Ant Tokens.

Level 4/Earth/Insect

ATK 500/DEF 1200

Syrus: Those ants only have 500 points each. What were you thinking?

Missy: Obviously I was thinking of using Pinch Hopper's effect. Since it was sent to my graveyard, I can summon an insect monster from my hand, so I summon Insect Princess in attack mode.

Level 6/Wind/Insect

ATK 1900/DEF 1200

Syrus: You can do this Sy, just stay calm.

Missy: Here's the deal: my Princess gets 500 attack points for every insect monster she destroys in battle, and all insect monsters you control are forced into attack mode.

Syrus: Unfortunately for you, my deck only has machine monsters.

Missy: That's about to change. I play the Insect Garden field spell. While this card is in play, all level 4 or lower insects on my field move to your side.

Syrus: Not good.

Missy: Still not scared of bugs kid? Just wait till I play this: the equip spell Insect Pheromone. Now attack his ant!

Her monster blew a gust of pheromones from her wings at Syrus' ant token, destroying the monster.

Syrus: 2600 LP

Missy: And don't forget her majesty's special effect. She gets stronger with every bug she stomps.

Princess: 1900-2400 ATK

Missy: And now the effect of my Pheromone equip card forces your other token to battle my Princess.

Syrus: 700 LP

Princess: 2400-2900 ATK

Syrus: Please tell me you're done. Pretty please?

Hassleberry: Truesdale, you'll never defeat your enemy until you defeat your own fear!

Syrus: Hassleberry's right. Whenever things get tough, I start to doubt myself, well not anymore.

Missy: You're not good enough dork, so just give up.

Syrus: No dice Missy. I draw! First I switch my Steamroid to defense mode and summon Submarineroid in attack mode!

Level 4/Water/Machine

ATK 800/DEF 1800

Missy: Now you're just desperate. There's no way that thing can take on my Insect Princess.

Syrus: He doesn't have to. Submarineroid's special ability lets him sneak past your monster to attack you directly. Go, Deep Depth Impact!

His monster launched a torpedo that burrowed underground before exploding at Missy's feet.

Missy: 1400 LP

Syrus: And now due to Submarineroid's special ability, it shifts into defense mode. Next, I place one card face-down and end my turn.

Jaden: He's doing well, but he needs to draw his Power Bond.

Chazz: It's not in his deck.

He pulled out the envelope Syrus gave him and handed it to Jaden.

Jaden: Power Bond? How could you?!

Hassleberry: You'd better have an explanation.

Lily: Yeah, he's a jerk.

Chazz: I didn't take it! Syrus gave it to me to give to you.

Jaden: He did? But why?

Missy: I have to win, hear me? It's the only way to meet Zane. I draw! And I summon Magical Longicorn in attack mode.

Level 4/Earth/Insect

ATK 600/DEF 1600

Missy: And because of my Insect Garden, he switches to your side, meaning he's a prime target for my Insect Princess. Attack with Pheromone Gust!

Syrus: I don't think so. I play the trap No Entry! This trap not only switches all your monsters to defense mode, but it also forces you to discard one card.

Missy: Fine.

Hassleberry: Good hustle soldier.

Jaden: Check it out, it's a whole new Sy. Way to go bro!

Missy: Lucky break, but you don't win duels with luck, but on the other hand, I guess luck is all you've got.

Syrus: What's that mean?

Missy: You can practice all you want, but you'll never be as good as Zane.

Syrus: Take that back!

Jaden: Woah.

Syrus: My whole life I've been chasing after others. My brother, my friends, I was always running behind them. Well, no more. From now on I'm going to get stronger and walk with them!

Lily: You go Syrus.

Syrus: My move! And I play the spell Vehicroid Connection Zone!

Missy: Nice try, but Magical Longicorn negates the activations of all of its owner's spell cards.

Syrus: That won't work. Connection Zone's effect can't be negated, meaning you can't stop me from fusing Steamroid, Submarineroid, and Drillroid to summon Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill!

Level 8/Earth/Machine

ATK 3000/DEF 2000

Missy: 3000 attack points?

Syrus: Jumbo Drill, attack Insect Princess.

Missy: But since my Princess is in defense mode, I'll take no damage.

Syrus: Wrong, because when Jumbo Drill attacks a monster in defense mode, it deals damage to you equal to the difference between his attack and your monster's defense.

Jumbo Drill burrowed into the ground before resurfacing directly underneath Insect Princess, destroying her with its drill.

Missy: 0 LP

Winner: Syrus

Hassleberry: Soldier, I knew you had it in you.

That night, the Slifers were eating dinner when Syrus entered the meal hall and walked up to Hassleberry, who was sitting in his former seat.

Syrus: What's the deal, you're in my seat.

Hassleberry: But you moved to the yellow barracks.

Syrus: You can't get rid of me that easy. Besides, I'll always be a Slifer at heart. And I expect my seat to be empty next time.

Hassleberry: Since when are you so tough?

Syrus: Since I took your advice serge. Nyeh.

Hassleberry: Let's take it outside.

Chazz: Zip it. I'm losing my appetite over here.

Jaden: So I guess that means you don't want this.

He leaned over and grabbed some of the shrimp off Chazz's plate.

Chazz: Drop that shrimp!

Syrus: Who are you calling a shrimp?!

Hassleberry: One battle at a time soldier!

Chazz: I want out of here!