Syrus ran into the infirmary and saw everyone grouped around Jaden.
Syrus: Everyone is saying Jaden can't duel anymore. Please tell me it's just a rumor.
Chazz: When they said you hit puberty, that was a rumor, but this one's true. According to Jaden, he can't see any of his cards. He claims they're all blank.
Chazz handed Syrus Jaden's deck, but when he looked through it, all of Jaden's cards seemed fine.
Syrus: They look normal to me.
Fontaine: The cards aren't the problem. Something must've happened to Jaden during his last duel.
Syrus: Are you messing with us Jaden?
Jaden: Fraid not Sy.
?: Then I guess I showed up at a good time.
Everyone turned to the door and saw a familiar face standing there.
Everyone: Michael?
Michael: Hey everyone. Nice to see you, but I wish it were under better circumstances.
Alexis: What are you doing here?
Lily: I called him.
Fontaine: I already checked Jaden out, so I doubt there's much you'll find that I didn't.
Michael: While I may not be a doctor, I fear our problem lies outside the scope of traditional medicine.
He reached into his bag and pulled out a pair of glasses with black-tinted lenses.
Syrus: What are those for?
Michael: The lenses are made from a special kind of glass that lets you see spiritual influences.
Hassleberry: Magic glasses? Now I've seen everything.
Michael put on the glasses, and once he did, he could see a white aura surrounding Jaden.
Michael: I was afraid of this.
Alexis: What is it?
Michael: Jaden's been infected by some kind of spiritual energy, and I'm afraid I know the source.
Chazz: You don't mean-
Michael: The Light of Destruction.
Hassleberry: Light of Destruction? What's that?
Michael: It's an ancient form of sentient energy. And part of it is residing in Jaden. He must've been exposed to it after he lost to Aster. Fortunately, it doesn't have a complete hold on Jaden, however the hold it does have is enough to block Jaden off from his duel spirits.
Bastion: So that's why he can't see his cards.
Michael: Afraid so. And until we find a way to expel it, Jaden won't be able to duel. Fortunately, I think I know a way to cure Jaden.
He rummaged through his bag and pulled out the same book he showed Jaden, Alexis, Lily, and Syrus last year.
Michael: The book talks about beings who can help Jaden, but getting him to them will be difficult.
Syrus: What beings?
Michael: The book calls them "Neo-Spacians". They dwell in their own universe called Neo Space.
Alexis: Okay, so how do we get him there?
Michael: That's the tricky part. But I think I have a way.
He led them down to the docks and stopped at a waiting boat.
Michael: Alright Jaden, the boat's autopilot will take you where you need to go. Once you arrive, wait there, no matter what. If everything goes right, you should be transported to Neo Space.
Hassleberry: What are we waiting for? Let's go.
Michael: Sorry guys, but this is a journey only Jaden can take. The rest of us will stay here and hold down the fort until Jaden returns.
Alexis: Jaden, be careful.
Jaden: I will. I promise to be back as soon as I can.
They hugged each other before Jaden got in the boat and left.
Syrus: So now what?
Michael: Now we prepare ourselves for the battle to come. The Light of Destruction is making its move, and we need to be ready. You all need to do everything you can to prepare yourselves. Take these.
He extended his hand and held out five silver rings.
Lily: What are these?
Michael: These rings will provide you with protection against the Light of Destruction. Never take them off. If you duel anyone affiliated with the Light and lose, you could be turned to their side like what almost happened to Jaden. Sorry Hassleberry, but I'll have to have a ring made for you, but it'll take time.
Hassleberry: 10-4.
Bastion: Thanks Michael. But what about you?
Michael: I'm going to see if I can find out how Aster is tied to the Light of Destruction. Watch each other's backs and be careful of who you duel.
Alexis: Right.
Michael got in his family's helicopter to leave while everyone met up in Chazz's room to talk things over.
Bastion: Of course, with Jaden gone, Bonaparte will most likely try to tear the dorm down.
Syrus: That's a good point Bastion.
Chazz: We may be one man down, but we're six men strong. Well, four men and two ladies. But the point is we gotta fight.
Drake: Five men Mr. Princeton.
Syrus: Professor Drake? What are you doing here?
Drake: As the Slifer Headmaster, I won't let Bonaparte tear the dorm down.
Lily: Alright, then we stand united.
Alexis: Yeah.
Bastion: Uh, does anyone else hear singing?
They listened closer and did in fact hear someone singing. They went outside and saw Atticus playing a guitar on a boat under the bridge.
Atticus: Hey sissy.
Alexis: Atticus?
Hassleberry: Who's he callin' a sissy?
Alexis: Me. He's my brother.
Hassleberry: Oh. My bad.
They met him down by the water so they could ask him what he was doing there.
Atticus: You know, Crowler's plan?
Alexis: You can't be serious.
Crowler: Oh, but he is.
They turned their attention to the side and saw Crowler getting out of the water wearing a wetsuit with Atticus' boat strapped to his back.
Crowler: Nice day for snorkeling. So Alexis, have you come to your senses yet?
Alexis: My senses? I'm not the one in a diving suit with a boat tied to my back.
Atticus: Sis, can't you just give his idea a chance? Please?
Syrus: What idea?
Alexis: I already told you guys. Crowler wants Atticus and I to be a pop-singing duo.
Crowler: What's so bad about that? The school gets free publicity, and you get a free dress. It's a win-win.
Chazz: Sounds good to me.
Alexis: A little help here.
Bastion: Yeah Chazz. You know she can't carry a tune.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Alexis slapped him across the face, knocking him to the ground.
Hassleberry: You gotta learn how to withhold information soldier.
Bastion: I was only trying to help. Girls, so complex.
Atticus: Okay, why don't we settle this in a duel?
Alexis: Okay. You win and I'll sing, but if I win, you drop it.
Atticus: It's a deal.
Soon after, the whole school was gathered in the arena to watch the two of them duel.
Syrus: It's too bad Jaden's not here. He never misses a duel.
Hassleberry: I know soldier. But you heard what Michael said, Jaden has his own mission right now, so we have to defend the home front.
Crowler: Ladies and gents, it's show time!
Bonaparte: Crowler, of all your ridiculous plans, this one takes the pastry. What's next, Duel Academy on Broadway?
Crowler: Well as you kids like to say, time to raise the roof off this joint. So give it up for our first star, Atticus Rhodes!
Atticus dropped from the ceiling on a wire harness, earning applause from the whole crowd.
Hassleberry: I gotta say, that fella knows how to make an entrance.
Atticus: I dedicate this duel to the ladies in the house. Now who loves ya girls?
Bastion: He's like a one-man boy band.
Syrus: Sounds lonely.
Bastion: I doubt it.
Crowler: Now for his opponent and sister, Alexis Rhodes! If Duel Academy was a goose, she's be the golden egg.
Chazz: L to the E to the X to the I! Lexi rules and that's no lie!
Hassleberry: Tryin' to steal a man's woman when he's on his tour of duty. That's just shameful.
Lily: There's no way Alexis would fall for him though.
Atticus: Before you know it sis, we'll have a platinum album, be in every teen magazine, and have our own reality show.
Alexis: Slow down hot shot, you have to win first.
Atticus: About our band name, I was thinking "Bro-bro and Sissy", what do ya think?
Alexis: I think I definitely don't want to lose now.
Hassleberry: If that's their band name, then which one is he?
Bastion: That's a good question.
Alexis & Atticus: Game on.
Atticus: 4000 LP
Alexis: 4000 LP
Atticus: Alright Sissy, Bro-bro first. I play Panther Warrior in attack mode.
Level 4/Earth/Beast-Warrior
ATK 2000/DEF 1600
Atticus: Next up I play the continuous spell Spotlight. This card boosts the attack points of one of my monsters by 300 points.
Panther: 2000-2300 ATK
Atticus: Next I'll place one face-down and hand the mic to you.
Alexis: I'm sensing a theme here, and to be honest it's buggin' me. I'm changing the scenery with my Ritual Sanctuary field spell. Once each turn, I can send a spell from my hand to the graveyard to add a ritual spell from my deck to my hand, and that's just what I'm doing right now. I toss one spell card to add Machine Angel Ritual to my hand.
Bastion: She's about to summon a Cyber Angel monster.
Alexis: I hope you have a backup career in mind, because this popstar thing is over. I play Machine Angel Ritual to sacrifice Cyber Prima in order to summon Cyber Angel Idaten!
Level 6/Light/Fairy
ATK 1600/DEF 2000
Atticus: That whole big production just for her? Talk about a letdown sis. That card's only got 1600 attack points.
Alexis: Yeah, but she's got a pretty good special ability. When she's summoned, I can add a spell from my graveyard to my hand, like the Ritual Weapon I discarded to activate the effect of my Sanctuary. And now I'll play Ritual Weapon to boost the attack and defense of Idaten by 1500 points each.
Idaten: 1600-3100 ATK/2000-3500 DEF
Atticus: You're kidding me. Her strength almost doubled.
Alexis: Now attack Panther Warrior!
Atticus: Not so fast, I play the Cursed Ring trap card! When you attack, I can equip it onto your attacking monster, and as long as she's wearing the ring, she can't destroy monsters in battle.
Alexis: She may not be able to destroy your monster, but you'll still take damage.
Idaten rushed forward and punched Atticus in the jaw.
Atticus: 3200 LP
Jasmine: That's not fair.
Mindy: He's too cute to lose.
Atticus: Relax girls, that was just a dress rehearsal.
Alexis: I end my turn.
Atticus: Alright, show time. And I play the spell Stray Lambs, which will summon two Lamb Tokens to my field in defense mode.
Level 1/Earth/Beast
ATK & DEF 0
Syrus: But they have no points.
Hassleberry: They're not for attacking. Panther Warrior's a monster that can only attack when ya sacrifice one of your other monsters.
Atticus: If Panther Warrior wants to shine in the spotlight, he's got to cut down a few friends. It's the reality of show business Lexi. You wanna get ahead, you gotta step on a few friends first.
Alexis: Enough with the show biz analogies.
Atticus: Get used to it, cause pretty soon we're gonna be livin' it sis. And now I play the equip spell Path to Destiny. This card can only be equipped to a Beast-Warrior monster, and the equipped monster can attack directly. I sacrifice one Lamb Token so my Panther Warrior can attack.
Panther Warrior raised his sword and swung it at Alexis, but she used her duel disk to keep it from striking her.
Alexis: 1700 LP
Chazz: Leave Sissy alone!
Hassleberry: He may be strange, but the boy sure has some strong tactics.
Bastion: Correct. In fact now that Zane is gone, he's arguably our top student.
Syrus: He is? My brother was replaced by some two-bit lounge lizard? Give me a break.
Lily: Don't sell Atticus short. He may act ridiculous, but he's a great duelist.
Atticus: I place one card face-down. Take it away sis.
Alexis: Don't mid if I do. I play Pot of Greed, so I draw 2 more cards. Next I summon Cyber Petite Angel in attack mode.
Level 2/Light/Fairy
ATK 300/DEF 200
Alexis: When this card is summoned, I can add Machine Angel Ritual from my deck to my hand. And now I'll activate it and sacrifice my Petite Angel and Idaten to summon Cyber Angel Dakini!
Level 8/Light/Fairy
ATK 2700/DEF 2400
Alexis: And due to her special ability, you have to destroy one of your own monsters when she's summoned, so pick one.
Atticus: I destroy my lamb token.
Syrus: I'm confused. Why didn't he destroy his Panther Warrior? If he did Alexis would've only been able to attack his token, and since it was in defense mode, he wouldn't have taken any damage.
Bastion: Wrong Syrus. Due to Dakini's other special ability, when she attacks a monster in defense mode, she deals piercing damage, which means Atticus would've taken far more damage had he destroyed Panther Warrior.
Alexis: Now Dakini, destroy his Panther Warrior!
Her monster raised her swords and slashed Panther Warrior right across the chest, destroying him.
Atticus: 2800 LP
Atticus: Sorry sis, you just triggered my Miracle Moment trap card. Since Panther Warrior was destroyed in battle while equipped with Path to Destiny, I can play this trap and summon Bronze Warrior from my deck.
Level 4/Earth/Warrior
ATK 500/DEF 1800
Syrus: It only has 500 attack points?
Hassleberry: Don't underestimate this guy soldier.
Chazz: My poor Lexi.
Syrus: You're both pathetic and delusional, Chazz.
Atticus: Since Panther Warrior is gone, the target of Spotlight shifts to Bronze Warrior.
Warrior: 500-800 ATK
Alexis: I end my turn.
Atticus: Dress rehearsal's over Sissy, but don't worry because you've got the best seat in the house. First, due to Bronze Warrior's special ability, I can add a Beast-Warrior type monster to my hand, so I choose my Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei, who I'm gonna summon to the field.
Level 4/Earth/Beast-Warrior
ATK 2300/DEF 0
Atticus: And due to Bronze Warrior's other effect, as long as he's in attack mode, all Beast-Warriors on my field gain 400 attack points.
Lei Lei: 2300-2700 ATK
Bastion: My word. Its attack is equal to Dakini's now.
Atticus: And now I play the Ultimate Stage Costume field spell, giving my Bronze Warrior an extra 3000 attack and defense points.
Warrior: 800-3800 ATK/1800-4800 DEF
Alexis: No way!
Atticus: Now I'll have Lei Lei attack your Cyber Angel!
His monster got down on all fours before running towards Dakini, tackling her and causing them both to be destroyed.
Hassleberry: A double ko!
Atticus: Encore time. My glitzed-out warrior attacks you directly.
Chazz: I can't watch.
Lily: Really, because I can't get enough.
Chazz: Say what?
Chazz opened his eyes and saw Bronze Warrior struggling to even bend over wearing the costume.
Hassleberry: What gives?
Syrus: Guess his outfit is too big.
Atticus: I forgot, when Bronze Warrior attacks, the power boost he gets from the field spell is cancelled for the battle.
Warrior: 3800-800 ATK
Bronze Warrior slipped out of the costume and slapped Alexis on the top of the head before putting it back on.
Alexis: 900 LP
Hassleberry: Guess you were right about the uniform soldier. Of course, I wouldn't want to battle dressed like that either.
Bastion: Of course, since the battle is over, the attack point boost it gains from it returns.
Warrior: 800-3800 ATK
Atticus: Well, I guess it's your turn. Hehehehehe.
Alexis: Laugh it up bro, because I'm about to have the last laugh. I play the equip spell Fulfillment of the Contract. By giving up 800 life points, I can summon a ritual monster from my graveyard and equip it with this card, and I choose my Idaten.
Alexis: 100 LP
Alexis: And due to Idaten's special ability, I can return Ritual Sanctuary from my graveyard to my hand, and now I activate it, meaning your Ultimate Stage Costume is destroyed.
Warrior: 3800-800 ATK
Alexis: And now I'll use my field spell's effect to toss out a spell card to add Machine Angel Ritual to my hand, and then I'll play it to sacrifice Idaten in order to summon Cyber Angel Benten in attack mode.
Level 6/Light/Fairy
ATK 1800/DEF 1500
Alexis: Now attack Bronze Warrior!
Atticus: 1800 LP
Alexis: And now Benten's special ability activates, so you take damage equal to your destroyed monster's defense points.
Atticus: 0 LP
Winner: Alexis
Atticus: How could you throw our career away? We would've been huge.
Syrus: She did it!
Chazz: You're way better as a solo artist anyway!
Crowler: There goes our record deal.
Atticus: That was a great duel sissy.
Alexis: Thanks, but stop calling me that.
Atticus: Fair enough. Anyway, I did all of this because I thought it was best for you. After all, you're my little sis, and I just want people to love ya.
Chazz: And that's exactly where I come in guys. Ghak!
He didn't have a chance to keep going as Lily grabbed him by the collar and dragged him away from them.
Lily: Way to ruin the moment.
Hassleberry: I'll say this for Michael and Jaden, they sure picked some strong women.
Syrus: Ain't that the truth.
Alexis: Anyway, I know you're just looking out for me Atticus, but I belong here with my friends.
Atticus: Speaking of friends, you're one short. Where's Jaden?
Alexis: About that Atticus, the time has come. What we've been waiting for.
Atticus: The thing Michael told you about last year?
Alexis: Yeah, and it almost got to Jaden. Michael sent him somewhere he can get help, but we don't know when he'll be back.
Atticus: Count me in. Jaden helped save me last year, so I won't let him down now.
Alexis: Thanks.