PB: 7000 LP
J&M: 4550 LP
Bastion: It's two monsters to none. I'm afraid the situation is dire.
Alexis: Come on Bastion, have a little faith in them.
Lily: Yeah. Besides, Michael has studied about these guys, so I'm sure he knows a way to beat them.
Bastion: Let's just hope they can pull it off before their life points run out.
Chumley: Please oh please, let them win. I'll even give up grilled cheeses for a week, I'll just fry 'em instead.
Meanwhile, Chazz was having the time of his life watching the Paradox Brothers knock around Jaden and Michael.
Chazz: Those two are finally getting the beatdown they deserve. I can't wait for them to lose this duel and look like total fools, especially Michael. This is what you get for making me look like a laughingstock in front of our entire dorm.
Crowler was watching the duel with mixed reactions. On the one hand, he was happy to see Jaden being made a fool out of. But on the reverse side, he couldn't help but feel bad. He kept thinking about what Michael said at the interrogation.
Crowler: Michael was right. Even if I hate Jaden, it was wrong of me to try and hire someone to get rid of him. I put innocent students in danger because of my own pride. I don't deserve to be the Vice Chancellor, and I'm starting to believe I never did.
Maxwell: Yes. Even though Titan failed to get rid of them, I can still get them out of here, even if only for a while. That should give me some breathing room to figure out what to do about Michael. Hahahahaha!
Sheppard: Enjoying the boys' punishment a little too much are we, Maxwell?
Maxwell: No, you misunderstand Chancellor Sheppard. I'm just happy because the duel's nearly done. After all, the poor boys look oh so weary, and I'm thrilled their suffering is nearly through.
Sheppard: It doesn't look like their suffering so much to me. In fact, it looks like Jaden is just getting his second wind.
Maxwell turned to look at Jaden and the look he saw on Jaden's face was one he didn't like: Determination.
Para: Well well, the Slifer Red forges ahead.
Dox: When a smart duelist would have fled.
Jaden: Oh man, I'm starting to wish the academy had made us Slifers orange. Then we wouldn't have had to put up with so many of these awful rhymes.
Michael: Jaden, I wish you hadn't said that.
Jaden: Why?
Michael: Because now they're going to be trying twice as hard to beat us.
Jaden: Well, then I guess it's time we start trying harder too. And I'll start by summoning Elemental Hero Sparkman in attack mode.
Level 4/Light/Warrior
ATK 1600/DEF 1400
Jaden: Next, I equip him with the spell card Spark Blaster. This blaster has 3 shots, and each one changes the battle mode of whatever monster is struck, and I'll use it on your Defense Wall.
Para: Oh no!
Jaden: Now Sparkman, attack!
PB: 5400 LP
Jaden: Next, I'll use Spark Blaster on Gate Guardian, so you're taking a knee big guy. Finally, I use Spark Blaster on the Sparkman himself. With him chillin' in defense mode, I place a card face-down and end my turn.
Dox: Fine then, my draw. I'll just place one card face-down, no more, no less. Brother, you do the rest.
Para: Excellent decision, I think it's for the best.
Michael: My move. I play the spell card Dark World Dealings, so we all draw 1 card from our decks before discarding one card. And now the effect of Ceruli activates, summoning him to your side of the field in defense mode.
Lily: Wait, he did this during his duel with Chazz at the welcome dinner.
Alexis: And if he's packing the same card as then, the Paradox Brothers are in trouble.
Michael: Now that he's been revived, Ceruli's special ability activates. You see, when Ceruli is summoned by the effect of a Dark World card, the player opposing him has to discard a card. Since I'm his opponent, that means I discard one card, and I choose my Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World. And due to his special ability, I can summon him back and then destroy all of your monsters.
Reign-Beaux revived and fired a rainbow-colored blast at Gate Guardian and Ceruli, destroying them both.
Para: Gate Guardian is cooked!
Dox: I can hardly look.
Michael: Then you might wanna close your eyes for this one. Reign-Beaux, attack directly!
PB: 2900 LP
Jaden: Nice going Michael! The bigger they brawl, the harder they fall.
The whole arena erupted in applause for them.
Maxwell: No! This is supposed to be a punishment, and this crowd is treating them like heroes.
Sheppard: Well, technically they are after that incident in the abandoned dorm.
Michael: I end my turn. Alright, we're in the home stretch.
Jaden: Yeah, just a bit more and this duel is ours.
Para: Mind if we join in on all the praise you two?
Dox: Because, for destroying that monster we should really,
Para & Dox: Thank you.
Michael: What?
Para: They say what doesn't destroy you makes you stronger, and it's true. After all, we haven't been destroyed, and we're about to become more powerful than ever. I activate the spell Dark Element. This card can only be played by giving up half our life points while Gate Guardian is in the graveyard. And now we can summon Dark Guardian!
PB: 1450
Dark Guardian
Level 12/Dark/Warrior
ATK&DEF 3800
Jaden: Um, you ever seen this guy before?
Michael: Definitely not.
Para: Now Dark Guardian, attack Reign-Beaux with Axe Slash Bash.
Jaden: Don't think so. I play the trap card Hero Barrier! Since I control an Elemental Hero monster, I can negate your attack.
Michael: Thanks for that.
Jaden: No problem, just looking out for my partner.
Para: An impressive trap card.
Dox: I never thought they would be so hard.
Para: I know. We bombard and bombard. Oh well, at least our precious Dark Guardian,
Dox: Has kept up his guard.
Para: Quite right brother. He won't be blasted to shards.
Dox: He'll finish them off.
Both: And this duel will be ours.
Michael: Things just got more difficult.
Jaden: Maybe. But you know what they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going, so let's get to it. I draw. And thanks to Pot of Greed, I get to draw 2 more. Next, I play Polymerization, and fuse the Elemental Heroes Sparkman, Avian, and Bubbleman in order to summon Elemental Hero Tempest!
Level 8/Wind/Warrior
ATK&DEF 2800
Bastion: Fine monster, but it's still weaker than that Dark Guardian.
Alexis: Just who's side are you on Bastion? I hope you know what you're doing Jaden.
Jaden: Next, I play the field spell Skyscraper. With it, if an Elemental Hero battles a stronger monster, than the hero gains an extra 1000 attack points for that battle. I end my turn there.
Dox: Then it is my turn, and I play the trap card One on One Fight. This card forces our strongest monsters to battle, so your Tempest has to battle Dark Guardian!
Jaden: I activate Tempest's special ability. By sending one of our cards on the field to the graveyard, Tempest won't be destroyed. Mind if I borrow a card Michael?
Michael: Go right ahead.
Jaden: I sacrifice Reign-Beaux to keep Tempest in play.
Dox: Due to Dark Guardian's special ability, he cannot be destroyed in battle, which means this fight is a draw. I end my turn.
Michael: Here goes. Qll the pieces are in place, I just have to draw the right card. Come on guys, let's make a miracle happen. Here goes. I draw!
He looked at the card he drew and couldn't help but smile.
Michael: Here it is.
Jaden: Then drive it home.
Michael: With pleasure, but first, I play the De-Fusion spell card, which lets me split Tempest back into the three monsters that were used to make him.
Bastion: What? Why would Michael get rid of Tempest?
Lily: Alexis, do you think he's going to play?
Alexis: I can't imagine what else he'd be doing right now. But in front of everybody?
Bastion: Forgive me, but what are you both talking about?
Insert Battle of God
Michael: I now sacrifice Sparkman, Bubbleman, and Avian. Come forth, the Wicked Dreadroot!
The whole arena shook and a monster that looked like a sinister version of Obelisk the Tormentor appeared behind Michael.
Bastion: It can't be! A Wicked God card?!
Chazz: It can't be! The Wicked Gods are monsters that rival the Egyptian God Cards in power. How on earth does Michael have one?!
Jaden: Wow, I can't believe I get to see a Wicked God card with my own eyes, let alone be in a duel with one.
Level 10/Divine/Divine-Beast
ATK&DEF 4000
Michael: Due to Dreadroot's special ability, the attack and defense of all non-Divine-Beast monsters are cut in half. Go, Shadow Oppression!
Tendrils of shadow streamed off of Dreadroot before snaking over to Dark Guardian. When they touched it, the monster stepped back in fear of the Wicked God, cowering before it.
Dark Guardian: 3800-1900 ATK
Jaden: And even though Dark Guardian can't be destroyed in battle, you still take the damage.
Michael: Now Dreadroot, attack Dark Guardian with Wicked Shadow Impact!
Dreadroot wrapped its fist in shadows before driving it into Dark Guardian, flattening the monster and knocking the Paradox Brothers on their backs.
PB: 0 LP
Winners: Jaden and Michael
Chumley: Way to go!
Bastion: I can't believe it. How does Michael have a Wicked God card?
Lily: I guess Michael is just full of surprises.
Alexis: That's for sure. I'm just glad Jaden gets to stay here.
Bastion: Jaden and Michael, you mean.
Alexis: Well Michael too of course. I just said Jaden because I uh. Moving on.
Lily: You can't fool me Alexis. You like Jaden. And I'm gonna help get you two together.
Chazz: I'm outta here.
Maxwell: It can't be! Michael has a Wicked God card?! Surely that's against campus rules!
Sheppard: They won this duel fair and square Maxwell. Boys, you're in the clear.
Michael: Thanks Dreadroot. I couldn't have won without you.
Sheppard: Michael, I would like to have a word with you about that Wicked God card though.
Michael: Yes sir?
Sheppard: I'm not going to ask you how you got it, or for you to hand it over. All I ask is that you refrain from using it to gain an advantage in the academy.
Michael: Of course Chancellor. I promise I won't use it to gain an unfair advantage over other students.
Sheppard: Good. Now if you excuse me, I have matters to attend to.
Lily: Michael!
She ran up and tackled him in a hug, nearly crushing his ribs.
Michael: Lily, oxygen.
Lily: Sorry.
Bastion: Well played, both of you.
Jaden: Thanks.
Bastion: Michael, I've got to ask, where did you get a Wicked God card?
Michael: That's a long story. Why don't you walk with me, there's something I want to talk to you about anyway.
Once they were alone, Michael began to tell Bastion about his reason for being here and about his theory.
Bastion: So you think Dr. Maxwell is stealing funds from the Slifer dorm?
Michael: Yes. Which is why I want your help. Bastion, you're the smartest person I can ask for help. Will you help me uncover the truth?
Bastion: Alright, I'll help you.
Michael: Thanks. It's time for whoever is behind this to face justice.
Something I think I should clear up before someone says something: the reason I said Dreadroot and Eraser were Divine Beasts in the story is because that's what they originally were. The Wicked Gods are from the Yugioh R manga, and they actually belonged to Yako Tenma, the adopted son of Pegasus, who used them in a revenge plan against Yugi, who he believed was responsible for Pegasus' death. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the story.