Lily: Michael, you need to take a break.
She had been sitting on Michael's bed while he had spent the last several hours gazing into his computer screen, and she was growing increasingly worried.
Michael: I can't rest yet. Not when I'm so close.
Lily: Michael, you've been saying that for the past week.
Michael: I know what I've been saying, but I really think I'm onto something this time.
Lily: What is it?
Michael: I can say for certain that Maxwell is behind this.
Lily: How so?
Michael: For one, he has exclusive access to the funding records.
Lily: Shouldn't the Chancellor oversee that?
Michael: Normally yes, but it seems that Maxwell earned degrees in finances and accounting, which led to Sheppard delegating the task to him.
Lily: So, all we need to do is come forward with it and he's busted right?
Michael: I wish it were that simple. Look at this.
Lily: What am I looking at?
Michael: The records of the funds for the dorms. And this is the records from my parents on how much money they donated to the academy.
Lily: The school records say that the Obelisk and Ra dorms both get 1000 dollars a month, but the Slifer dorm only gets 100? It's no wonder the red dorm is a disaster.
Michael: Yeah, except the records from my parents' donation says that each dorm is supposed to get 1000 each month.
Lily: Okay then, so all we have to do is bring it forward.
Michael: Except for one thing: I've got to find out where Maxwell is keeping the money. That's where I've hit a dead-end.
Lily: What do you mean?
Michael: Maxwell is nowhere near stupid enough to put 900 dollars into a standard bank account every month, it's too suspicious. He must be using an off-shore account, but without having any idea where to start looking, I'm essentially looking for a needle in a barn-sized haystack.
Lily: Why don't you search his computer?
Michael: There's no way he'd keep something like that on his academy computer. It's too likely it would get discovered.
Lily: Wait, I think I might know where it is.
Michael: How?
Lily: It all happened the other day.
Flashback
Lily was running through the academy hallway to meet up with Alexis when she turned a corner and ran straight into Maxwell, knocking them both to the floor.
Lily: Sorry Professor. Let me help you pick up your things.
She reached for a laptop that had slid out of his bag and on to the floor, but Maxwell quickly snatched it up.
Maxwell: I'll have to ask you not to touch this. It has some very important information on it.
End of Flashback
Michael: Lily, you just might be on to something. But know the question remains: how do I get my hands on his laptop?
Meanwhile, a shipment of cards had just arrived at the docks and Dorothy was overseeing the unloading.
Dorothy: Keep it moving fellas. Booster packs go there, and starter decks go over there.
She thought she heard something coming from the water, but when she turned to look, there was nothing there.
Dorothy: I guess it was nothing. Let's go! This isn't break time!
Little did she know she had heard something. A man in a diving suit came up on the shore and shed his gear.
Gerard: There it is, the scoop of a lifetime: Duel Academy. Now let's see what kind of dirt I can dig up on the story that'll make me my fortune.
In the Academy conference room, the staff were having a conversation about the upcoming match between Central and North Academy.
Maxwell: Chancellor Sheppard, if I may, the School Duel is the biggest match of the year, so shouldn't we play it safe and have Zane represent us like last year?
Sheppard: While that may be true, North Academy is using a first-year student as their representative.
Maxwell: Why would they do that?
Sheppard: Who knows? But in the spirit of competition, I think we should use a first-year student as well. You do understand, don't you Zane?
Zane: That's fine by me Chancellor.
Sheppard: Well then, the only question is who this first-year will be.
Zane: I think it should be Jaden Yuki.
Banner: Jaden is certainly the best student in Slifer Red.
Sartyr: What about Bastion Misawa from my dorm? He did get a perfect score on his entrance exam.
Sheppard: You bring up a good point Sartyr.
Fontaine: So did Michael Shadows from the Obelisk Dorm. Not to mention he beat you in a single turn in his entrance exam, Maxwell.
Maxwell: Thanks so much for reminding me.
Sheppard: How about we settle things with a duel off? Since Michael is in the top dorm, Jaden and Bastion will duel each other tomorrow, and the winner will face Michael for the chance to represent us. Sound good?
Banner: Sounds fair to me.
Sartyr: I agree.
Fontaine: I suppose that's fair.
Sheppard: Alright then. Banner, please inform our candidates, and we'll have the duels tomorrow.
Banner: Of course, Chancellor.
Meanwhile, Gerard had snuck into the locker room and donned a Slifer Red uniform. Later in Banner's class, he had just finished telling Jaden, Bastion, and Michael about the duel off.
Jaden: For real?
Banner: That's right Jaden. Tomorrow, you and Bastion will duel each other, and the victor will face Michael for the chance to represent Duel Academy in the School Duel against North Academy. I look forward to an exciting match.
Syrus: Alright Jaden. You might actually be in the School Duel.
Chumley: No Slifer has ever competed in the School Duel. You'd make Duel Academy history.
Jaden: Well Bastion, I guess may the best man win huh?
Bastion: Best deck, and I assure you Jaden, that deck will be mine. I've been formulating a new set of cards to beat you and your monsters since my duel with Chazz.
Jaden: So it's finished?
Bastion: Not yet, but it will be come time for us to duel, I can promise you that.
Michael: Well, no matter which one of you wins, I look forward to my duel.
Jaden: Same here Michael.
Bastion: Don't forget you have to go through me first Jaden.
Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley went out into the hall and stumbled across Gerard, who was trying to talk to a Ra student.
Gerard: Yo. How are things?
Ra Yellow: Beat it, Slifer sludge.
Gerard: Man, why can't I get anyone to talk to me?
Syrus: I don't remember seeing that guy around. He must be new.
Jaden: Hey, what's up?
Gerard turned around to face him.
Jaden: You're old. Really old. How can you be a Slifer?
Gerard: I uh…
Jaden: Hey, it's cool. I mean, so it took you a while to get in, don't be ashamed. Let me show you around old timer.
They led Gerard back to the Slifer dorm, where he was less than impressed with the food they offered.
Jaden: Delicious. You'd better hurry up and finish, or you won't be able to get seconds.
Gerard: Uh, seconds?
Jaden: Or thirds.
Syrus: And sometimes fourths. They were gonna install a garbage disposal, but Jaden took care of that problem.
Gerard: I see.
After they finished eating, Gerard followed them back to their room, where Jaden began going over his deck for his duel with Bastion tomorrow.
Syrus: Your deck is looking good Jaden. But still, I wonder what kind of deck Bastion will use.
Chumley: Don't know. But it sounds like he put some major time and thought into it.
Syrus: Of course, even if he beats Bastion, he still has to duel Michael, and beating him is easier said than done. Aren't you nervous Jay?
Jaden: No way, I'm excited. There we go, all finished.
Syrus: Excited?!
Jaden: Sure. My cards and I are ready.
Syrus: You never worry.
Chumley: Yeah.
Gerard: And I'll never get my story by hanging out with these twerps.
He looked down at the floor and saw one of Jaden's cards. A card that he remembered.
Gerard: Grr, Skyscraper. The card that ruined dueling for me. I was an up-and-coming pro duelist, until my career was shattered in an instant by Seto Kaiba.
Jaden: You cool old-timer?
Gerard: Stop calling me that. My name is Gerard. *gasp* I told them my real name!
Jaden: Cool, Gerard it is. Hey, my Skyscraper card. You like it too?
Gerard: No way. You'd have to like dueling first.
Syrus: But if you don't like dueling, then why would you go to Duel Academy?
Gerard: Oh well, I just mean I don't like it because I'm not very good at it.
Chumley: Same here. I used to be a pretty rotten duelist, but thanks to these guys, I'm getting a whole lot better.
Syrus: That's it Gerard. Maybe if you watch Jaden's duel tomorrow, you'll start to like dueling more like Chumley.
Gerard: Sure, we'll see. Please, I'm done with dueling. These kids should mind their own business. Wait, seeing how they like to pry, maybe they can help me with my story. So you guys, I heard this rumor about a bunch of kids going missing. Do you know anything about that?
Jaden: Do you mean the abandoned dorm?
Gerard: Abandoned dorm?
Jaden: Yeah. See, we kind of wandered inside it one time. Very strange place.
That night, Gerard snuck out and went to investigate the abandoned dorm. He arrived and saw Alexis standing in front of the gate.
Alexis: Be at peace brother, wherever you are.
She heard the sound of rustling leaves behind her and saw Gerard walking up.
Gerard: Hi there.
Alexis: Hiya. Do I know you?
Gerard: Eh, yeah, I've seen you around. Look, I've heard some students went missing here. You wouldn't happen to know anything about any of them, would you?
Alexis: What's it to you, ponytail?
Gerard: Just curious is all.
Alexis: Yeah, well you can stay curious.
Gerard: Huh?
Alexis: Those missing students aren't for your amusement, so you outta just mid your own business, got it?
She turned around and stormed off back to the Obelisk dorm.
Gerard: Okay, don't know what her problem is, but I do know this: I'm not giving up. I'm gonna get this story.
He pulled out a camera and began taking pictures of the abandoned dorm. In Michael's dorm, he was talking to Lily about his plan.
Lily: So you think we should go for his computer tomorrow?
Michael: Right. Everyone will be so distracted by Jaden and Bastion's duel, it's the perfect chance to get his computer.
Lily: Okay, so what's the plan?
Michael: Take this earpiece and keep a close watch on Maxwell. While you do that, I'll sneak into his office and hack his computer in order to find the money.
Across campus, Bastion was thinking about how best to counter Jaden's deck.
Bastion: Countless equations. A myriad of theorems, yet still I haven't quite solved the problem that is Jaden's deck. I could build my deck to counter each of his monsters' fusion materials, but that would leave far too much to chance. There simply must be a way to stop those fusion monsters. Wait, that's it! Jaden Yuki, the code of your cards has just been cracked.
The next day, Jaden was preparing for his duel with Bastion. In his own way at least.
Jaden: Alright guys, get your eat on! This stuff is so good, the hard part is remembering to chew before you swallow.
Syrus: That explains why we're missing so many forks. Look, just don't stuff yourself.
Jaden: What's your problem Syrus?
Chumley: Yeah, you're being kind of a downer.
Syrus: Maybe so, but if Jaden is going to beat Bastion and Michael, he's going to have to be a lean, mean, dueling machine. After all, Bastion has been preparing for this duel for weeks. How long did you prepare, an hour?
Jaden: More or less.
Chumley: Especially considering the time we took for that food run.
Syrus: By the way, has anyone seen Gerard?
Jaden: Nope. But since he's gone, his lunch is mine.
It was almost time for the duel, and Michael and Lily were putting their plan in motion.
Michael: Lily, can you hear me?
Lily: Loud and clear. The earpiece is working perfectly.
Michael: Good. Do you have eyes on Maxwell?
Lily: Yeah, he just walked into the arena.
Michael: Good, keep following him. I'm heading to his office now.
Lily: Okay, I'll let you know if he leaves.
Michael: Alright. Wish I could be there to watch your duel Jaden, but I might not get another chance like this.
Back at the arena, Crowler was about to start the duel.
Crowler: From the Ra Dorm, Bastion Misawa. And his opponent from Slifer Red, Jaden Yuki. Which of these duelists will earn the right to face the top Obelisk duelist Michael Shadows for the chance to represent Duel Academy? It's time to find out.
Jaden: Good luck Bastion.
Bastion: I appreciate the sentiment, but with the deck I've prepared, I don't need luck.
Jaden: I guess we'll see about that.
Syrus: Go Jaden!
Zane: It'll be instincts versus intelligence here.
Alexis: I guess. Who cares?
Zane: Are you alright Alexis? That's not like you at all.
Alexis: Sorry. I was just thinking about this guy who rubbed me the wrong way last night.
Zane: What'd he do?
Alexis: He was poking around the abandoned dorm like it was some big joke.
Zane: I see. I know how you must feel about that Alexis.
Alexis: It's alright. For now, I just wanna focus on this duel and forget about that guy.
Meanwhile, Gerard was headed to the library to find out more about the missing students.
Gerard: Alright, while everyone focuses on this duel, I'll be able to find more dirt on those kids.
Suddenly he thought about his experience with Jaden the day before.
Gerard: Hopefully I'll be able to get Jaden and this duel of his out of my head.
He entered the library and began trying to hack into one of the school's computers. Meanwhile, Michael had slipped into Maxwell's office and was trying to get access to the man's computer.
Michael: Your time is almost up Maxwell.
Jaden: Get your game on Bastion.
Jaden & Bastion: Let's duel!
Jaden: 4000 LP
Bastion: 4000 LP
Bastion: I'll go first, and I summon Carboneddon in defense mode.
Level 2/Earth/Dinosaur
ATK 800/DEF 600
Bastion: That's all for now.
Jaden: A brand new deck and that's all you can bust out? Hey, whatever works for ya. I play Burstinatrix in attack mode.
Level 3/Fire/Warrior
ATK 1200/DEF 800
Bastion: Just one turn and Jaden already has half of what he needs to create his favorite monster, the Flame Wingman. Off to a good start, are we?
Jaden: Sure am. And I got news for ya, it only gets better. Burstinatrix, attack Carboneddon!
Burstinatrix wrapped her fist in flames and struck Bastion's monster, destroying it.
Jaden: Next, I'll throw down a face-down and call it a turn.
Bastion: You don't waste any time Jaden. I respect that. Perfect, this is the card that will win me the duel. But first, I summon Oxygeddon in attack mode!
Level 4/Wind/Dinosaur
ATK 1800/DEF 800
Bastion: Now attack Burstinatrix!
Jaden: Not so fast Bastion. I play the trap Hero Barrier, so since I contral an Elemental Hero, I can negate your attack.
Bastion: Well played, of course I expect no less. Still, once I activate this card, it won't matter how well you play. I place one card face-down and end my turn.
Jaden: Alright then, I draw. And I summon 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, which will let me switch your Oxygeddon to defense mode. Now Burstinatrix, attack Oxygeddon with Magma Comet!
Bastion: Looks like someone has forgotten their chemistry. Mixing fire and oxygen can create quite a volatile reaction.
Jaden: What do you mean?
Bastion: When Oxygeddon is destroyed by a fire attribute monster, its effect deals us both 800 points of damage.
Jaden: 3200 LP
Bastion: 3200 LP
Jaden: Sweet move. Your monster's ability cost us both some points, but I'd do it again, and do you know why? Because that attack left you wide open. Sparkman, attack Bastion directly!
Bastion: 1600 LP
Sheppard: Zane was right about that boy. He's quite the duelist.
Banner: We teach those Slifers well. When they don't skip class that is.
Jaden: Sorry to say it Bastion, but I guess it's back to the drawing board if you want to beat my deck.
Bastion: I already have beaten it Jaden, it's just a matter of showing my work. And a matter of getting Jaden to use the card that will allow me to enact my master plan. Now then, let's continue. Shall we?
Jaden: It's your move Bastion.
Bastion: Alright then, I draw. I summon Hydrogeddon in attack mode.
Level 4/Water/Dinosaur
ATK 1600/DEF 1000
Bastion: Now, attack Burstinatrix with Hydro Gust.
Jaden: 2800 LP
Bastion: Next, I activate Hydrogeddon's special ability. Since he destroyed a monster in battle, I can summon another one directly from my deck. With that done, I'll end my battle phase and activate the Living Fossil equip spell, which will allow me to revive my Oxygeddon by lowering its attack points by 1000 and negating its special abilities.
Syrus: This doesn't look good.
Chumley: Especially that look on Bastion's face.
Bastion: Here's where things get good. I activate the Bonding – H2O spell card, and as I'm sure you remember from my duel with Chazz, I'll send my two Hydrogeddons and my Oxygeddon to the graveyard in order to summon my Water Dragon!
Level 8/Water/Sea Serpent
ATK 2800/DEF 2600
Jaden: That's not good.
Bastion: Fortunately for you, I can't attack anymore this turn, so I'll let you have a go.
Sheppard: That's one impressive monster.
Banner: And one impressive move. This will be tough.
Jaden: Alright, I draw. Sweet. Alright, you've got one of your best monsters out, so allow me to return the favor. Now, I may not know as much chemistry as you do, but that doesn't mean I can't mix it up. I activate the spell card Polymerization to fuse my Sparkman with the Bubbleman and Avian in my hand to summon Elemental Hero Tempest!
Bastion: I don't think so Jaden! I activate the trap Cursed Seal of the Forbidden Spell, so by discarding a spell card from my hand, your Polymerization is negated. In addition, you can no longer use Polymerization for the remainder of this duel.
Jaden: Say what?!
Syrus: But without Polymerization, how can Jaden summon his fusion monsters? I mean that's how he wins all his duels.
Bastion: Which means that without them, my victory is all but assured.
Hey everyone. So yeah, it's been a while. Honestly, I don't have anything to say about it, but I am going to try start uploading more frequently. I hope you all are staying safe right now.