It was the day after Michael and Jaden's duel, and Crowler was walking into the forest by the academy.
Crowler: I can't believe Jaden is going to be our rep in the school duel. And I thought I'd never see the day a Slifer would be the rep. Well, he earned the honor fair and square. Well, it's time to do the monthly check-in on our special guest.
He walked into the academy chicken coup and dug up a hatch in the sandbox before descending the ladder. When he reached the bottom, he put on one of the protective suits in the room before walking to a large sphere. He swiped a key card and walked inside.
?: Sup Dr. Crowler. Say, do you think maybe I could duel somebody today?
Crowler: I suppose that could be arranged, Belowski. And I have just the opponent in mind.
Later on, Jaden was sitting at a desk in one of the classrooms trying to decide what cards he should in the School Duel, and his friends had quite a few ideas of their own.
Bastion: My Water Dragon would be a fine addition to your deck for the School Duel.
Alexis: That Water Dragon's a total washout. You need something strong, like my Etoile Cyber.
Chumley: Or my Des Koala.
Syrus: You can use my Power Bond if you need.
Jaden: What I need is some time to think!
Bastion: There's no need to be rude Jaden, we're only trying to help. After all, you've been selected as the academy's representative at the School Duel. This is a huge opportunity.
Alexis: And if you don't win, it'll be a huge disappointment.
Jaden: Come on! Like there's not enough pressure on me already?! I know the school is counting on me, but all I can duel is my best.
Bastion: You're right. Dueling isn't about trophies; it's about being the best you can.
Alexis: Right.
Bastion: And the best needs the power of my Water Dragon card.
Syrus: Or Power Bond.
Alexis: Or Etoile Cyber.
Chumley: Des Koala all the way.
Jaden: Alright, that's it! No more! If I'm ever gonna fix my deck, I need to be alone!
He grabbed his things and ran out of the room as fast as he could.
Bastion: Good call, let's lose these guys.
Syrus: Yeah, totally.
Chumley: Why are we always running?
Jaden ran down the hallway and came across Michael.
Michael: What's your rush?
Jaden: Help me get away from everybody.
Michael: Okay, take the stairs up to the roof.
Jaden: Thanks Michael. It's funny, no one's ever this helpful when I'm doing my laundry.
Jaden took off up the stairs, and as soon as he was out of sight, everyone came running up to Michael.
Alexis: Michael, did Jaden come running by here?
Michael: Yeah, he went off in that direction.
Alexis: Thanks.
They all went running off down the hall and Michael just chuckled to himself once they were gone.
Michael: I wonder why Jaden wanted to get away from them so badly.
He started walking up the stairs to ask Jaden about it. Jaden had made it to the roof and stopped to catch his breath.
Belowski: Sup.
Jaden looked over and saw a short Obelisk student laying on his back staring up into the sky.
Jaden: No offense, but I was kinda hoping to find some peace and quiet up here. What are you doing up here?
Belowski: I'm up here to duel you Jaden.
Jaden: Who are you and how do you know my name?
Belowski: I'm just a dude with a deck. Call me Belowski. I was kinda board, so Dr. C said I could duel you.
Suddenly, Winged Kuriboh came out of Jaden's deck and started flittering around.
Belowski: Cool, a Winged Kuriboh. I hear they like being scratched behind the wings.
Jaden: Wait, you can see him?
Belowski: And hear him, although my Kuriboh speak is a little rusty.
Jaden: You have gotta be kidding me.
Belowski: Well, I don't get to use it everyday. Anyway, let's duel.
Jaden: You know, I think a duel is just the thing to take my mind of the School Duel. I accept.
Syrus: Jaden!
Jaden turned around and saw everyone walking up the stairs towards him.
Jaden: Hey guys, you're just in time.
Syrus: Time for what Jaden? And who's that Obelisk over there?
Jaden: He's gonna be my opponent.
Bastion: A duel?
Crowler: I hope I'm right about Jaden. At least if I'm wrong, he should be fine in time for the School Duel. I hope.
Jaden: Get your game on!
Jaden: 4000 LP
Belowski: 4000 LP
Belowski: First I'm gonna summon Mokey Mokey in defense modey modey.
Level 1/Light/Fairy
ATK 300/DEF 100
Bastion: Goodness me, that's not a monster, it's a marshmallow.
Alexis: He's so cute. Like a great big fluffy pillow.
Syrus: Makes me want to take a nap.
Chumley: Now that you mention it, me too. *yawn*
Michael: What's up with them?
Belowski: Alright, I guess I'll just toss down a couple and chill.
Jaden: My turn then. And what a turn it'll be. First I'm summoning Elemental Hero Sparkman in attack mode!
Level 4/Light/Warrior
ATK 1600/DEF 1400
Jaden: Next, I'll play the spell Polymerization and fuse Avian and Burstinatrix to summon Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!
Level 6/Wind/Warrior
ATK 2100/DEF 1200
Jaden: Well bud, you still want to duel me now?
Belowski: Totally man, those monsters look righteous.
Jaden: Righteous? That's not the reaction I was hoping for.
Winged Kuriboh chirped something to Jaden.
Jaden: Good point pal. Maybe an attack'll knock some sense into him. Sparkman, attack Mokey Mokey!
Belowski: Your attack will not stand, man. I've got a trap card. It's called Human-Wave Tactics. Wrap your mind around this: at the end of each turn, I can summon the same number of level 2 or lower normal monsters from my deck as were destroyed in battle that turn. It's all about balance man, the Yin and the Yang, you know what I'm saying?
Jaden: Not really. But I do know that that trap won't help you avoid this attack. And with Mokey Mokey out of the way, you're wide open. Flame Wingman, attack him directly!
Flame Wingman jumped into the air before cloaking himself in flames and diving towards Belowski, kicking him in the chest.
Belowski: 1900 LP
Jaden: And now I'll call it a turn, Belowski.
Belowski: That was very unchill dude. But now I can summon Happy Lover thanks to Human-Wave Tactics.
Level 2/Light/Fairy
ATK 800/DEF 500
Belowski: And since Happy Lover likes to share the love, I'll bring out his buddy Mokey Mokey in attack modey modey.
Bastion: He has such a calming presence.
Alexis: Mokey Mokey makes everything so chill.
Syrus: I feel fuzzy and warm.
Chumley: *yawn*
Belowski: That's just the beginning man. Next, I play the spell Mokey Mokey Smackdown, then I think I'll attack your Sparkman with my Happy Lover.
Jaden: What for?! Sparkman's got way higher voltage than your Lover.
Michael: Wait, didn't he say he played Mokey Mokey Smackdown? Jaden, look out!
Jaden: Why?
Happy Lover launched an attack at Sparkman, who knocked it back, destroying the fairy.
Belowski: 1100 LP
Mokey Mokey became enraged, turning red and matching the image on Belowski's Smackdown card.
Alexis: Oh wow, look at Mokey Mokey go.
Bastion: I could just watch him for days.
Alexis: Yeah, he's the best!
Jaden: Man, being that mad can't be good for your health.
Michael: And it won't be good for your life points either.
Jaden: Why is that?
Michael: Due to Belowski's Smackdown spell card, when one of his fairy monsters is destroyed in battle, the attack points of all his Mokey Mokey on the field become 3000 for one turn.
Jaden: Say what?!
Bastion: Brilliant move.
Alexis: That Mokey Mokey is something else.
Syrus: Still warm and fuzzy.
Mokey Mokey: 300-3000 ATK
Syrus and Alexis: You go Mokey Mokey.
Bastion: Yes, and we're going right there with you.
Jaden: Oh, come on. Just who are you rooting for?
Bastion: You have to ask? Mokey Mokey!
Belowski: Now where was I? Oh yeah, I was about to have Mokey Mokey attack your Flame Wingman.
Jaden: Oh boy.
Belowski: Don't worry, the Mokey Mokey Wave is full of good vibrations. Well, maybe not for your Wingman.
Mokey Mokey sent a barrage of energy waves through the air, ripping through Flame Wingman.
Jaden: 3100 LP
Syrus, Bastion, and Alexis: Mokey Mokey. Mokey Mokey!
Jaden: What is with all of you?! Why is Michael the only one acting normal?
Belowski: They're feelin' the moke.
Jaden: What's that?
Belowski: The moke is all about harmony. And there's more where that came from. I'm playing the spell Mystik Wok, and just like a sizzlin' plate of Kung Pao Tofu, it restores my energy. But in order to maintain balance, I only gain life points equal to the attack or defense points of the monster I sacrifice, so I'll sacrifice Mokey Mokey.
Belowski: 4100 LP
Belowski: Since Happy Lover was destroyed this turn, Human-Wave Tactics restores balance in my universe. I just gotta choose which balance, and I'm thinking Haniwa is just my type of Zen.
Level 2/Earth/Rock
ATK & DEF 500
Jaden: What next?
Bastion: Hey Jaden.
Jaden: Yeah?
Bastion: You gotta chill out man.
Jaden: Huh?
Alexis: You're surrounded by this negative energy dude. You can't bring that to a duel.
Jaden: What?!
Syrus: Sing our mantra, man.
Jaden: Mantra?!
Syrus, Alexis, and Bastion: Mokey Mokey.
Jaden: Gah!
Michael: Jaden, get a grip!
Jaden: Tell that to them! What did you do to my friends?
Belowski: Freed their minds, man.
Michael: Jaden, did Belowski show any signs of having connections to duel spirits?
Jaden: How'd you know?
Crowler: Right on the mark as usual, Michael.
Crowler stepped out from behind one of the pillars wearing the suit from earlier.
Jaden: Crowler? What's the meaning of this?
Crowler: Jaden, you've met Belowski.
Jaden: Yeah, I've met him, but now I want to know what he's done to everyone else.
Crowler: To answer that, we have to go back. Many years ago, Belowski was left on the academy's doorstep as a baby, and he quickly became a master duelist, rising through the ranks of the academy as a mere child. But then, strange things began to happen.
Jaden: What, like the way he talks? Big whoop.
Crowler: No Jaden. I mean how Mokey Mokey comes alive when Belowski duels with him.
Jaden: Comes alive?
Crowler: Yes, powers and all. Powers that lull everyone around him into a lazy daze.
Jaden: So that's why everyone is out of it.
Belowski: It's cool man. They're not in any kind of danger or something like that. Mokey Mokey just makes 'em feel nice and cozy.
Crowler: Indeed. In fact, he once sent the entire school into a similar daze. Which is why for everyone's sake, we had to move Belowski. We constructed a thick titanium enclosure deep underground.
Jaden: You mean a prison.
Crowler: Not at all. Belowski agreed to it. And in fact, the enclosure is quite nice. Like an island paradise.
Jaden: Yeah, and like an island, he was stranded there.
Crowler: Not so. Every month, I go down to check on Belowski and duel him. Except lately, I've become too simple of an opponent for him. Which is why I suggested he duel you.
Jaden: Why me?
Crowler: Because Jaden, as I had hoped, your intense passion for dueling protects you from Belowski's powers. Although, I am unsure why Michael is unaffected.
Michael held up his right hand, revealing a silver ring like the ones he gave to Alexis and Syrus.
Michael: This ring I wear protects me from influences by duel spirits. I had given one to each of them, but it seems they're not wearing them.
Jaden: Well, I guess if everyone is happy. Let's get back to our duel Belowski.
Belowski: Far out man. Hey, it's your turn, dude.
Jaden: Ok then, I draw. And I summon Elemental Hero Wildheart in attack mode.
Level 4/Earth/Warrior
ATK 1500/DEF 1600
Jaden: Now attack Haniwa!
Wildheart slashed the monster with his sword, cleaving it in two.
Jaden: Now Sparkman, light up his world!
Belowski: 2500 LP
Jaden: I'll throw down a face-down and call it a turn.
Belowski: Dude, you're a real party pooper, you know that? Good thing I've got Human-Wave Tactics so I can summon another Happy Lover. I draw. I play Pot of Greed, which'll let me draw 2 more cards. Far out, I got Dark Factory of Mass Production. It may sound totalitarian, but it lets me add 2 normal monsters from my graveyard to my hand, and I'll pick my two Mokey Mokeys. Next I'll play Polymerization and fuse my three Mokey Mokeys together to bring out my little friend Mokey Mokey King.
The three monsters joined together to form a giant version of Mokey Mokey.
Jaden: You call this little?!
Level 6/Light/Fairy
ATK 300/DEF 100
Belowski: Now Mokey Mokey King, attack Wildheart.
Jaden: Wildheart, counterattack with Wild Slash!
Belowski: 1300 LP
Belowski: That was so totally awesome man. But the circle of life must go on. From one comes many, and thanks to the King's special ability, all the Mokey Mokeys in my grave get to come back.
Jaden: That's just great.
Belowski: And now I'll play this way-cool trap card. It's called Gift of the Mystical Elf, of course it's not wrapped. But it is totally full of good karma. I get 300 life points for every monster on the field.
Belowski: 3100 LP
Belowski: Now Happy Lover, attack Wildheart.
Belowski: 2600 LP
Belowski: Lucky for me my Smackdown card is still in effect, which means all my Mokey Mokeys have 3000 attack points until the end of this turn.
Michael: This is not sweet.
Belowski: Mokey Mokey 1, attack Wildheart. Mokey Mokey dos, you're on the Sparkman.
Jaden: Not so fast Belowski, I play the trap Hero Barrier, which will cancel your attack on Sparkman!
Belowski: That's cool dude. I still have Mokey Mokey 3 to attack him with.
Jaden: 200 LP
Michael: That was close. If Jaden hadn't had that trap card, he would've lost the duel.
Belowski: Thanks to Human-Wave Tactics, I'll summon another Happy Lover from my deck in defense mode. It's your move dude. Hey, you're not lookin' too hot. Wanna take a burrito break or something?
Jaden: Maybe later. Right now, I play Elemental Hero Bubbleman in attack mode.
Level 4/Water/Warrior
ATK 800/DEF 1200
Belowski: Oh man, I gotta say, I'm impressed. How do you keep dueling after all we put you through?
Jaden: 'Cause I don't give up. Especially in a duel this much fun. I'm gonna keep fighting to the end. Especially with Bubbleman's effect about to kick in. You see when he's the only card on my field when he's summoned, I can draw 2 more cards from my deck. Sweet, I play the spell Hero Heart. It'll let Bubbleman attack twice this turn, just as long as I cut his points in half this turn.
Bubbleman: 800-400 ATK
Jaden: Now let's get to it. Bubbleman, attack Mokey Mokey with Bubble Blast!
Belowski: So not cool.
Belowski: 2500 LP
Belowski: You did it now. Now my Smackdown card makes the attack points of my two remaining Mokey Mokeys become 3000.
Mokey Mokeys: 300-3000 ATK
Jaden: Sounds like my kind of fight. Bubbleman, attack his Mokey Mokey!
Belowski: Like I don't get it man. Why would you attack when your Bubbleman has way less attack points than my Mokey Mokeys?
Jaden: Because I have this, the Bubble Illusion spell card. Since Bubbleman is on my field, I can play a trap card from my hand, like the trap Mirror Gate, which causes both our monsters to trade sides before continuing the attack.
Belowski: This is a bummer man.
Belowski: 0 LP
Jaden: That's game. And what a game. I actually thought you had me a few times.
Belowski: But I don't get it. Why didn't you trance out?
Jaden: Why would I? When I sleep, I dream of dueling.
Belowski: Oh, I think I get it. You love dueling so much, the more Mokey Mokey tried to zonk you out, the more revved up you got.
Jaden: Yep.
Belowski: Good to know *yawn* for next time. For now, I need a nice long nap.
Crowler: Thank you for dueling Belowski, Jaden.
Jaden: Thanks, although next time, you could've just asked me.
Crowler: In that case, how would you like to duel against Belowski every month? I'm sure he would enjoy it.
Jaden: Are you kidding? That sounds awesome!
Michael: By the way Jaden, why were you trying to get away from everybody earlier?
Jaden: I was trying to get some alone time so I could arrange my deck in peace.
Michael: I see. Well, I guess it's a good thing they followed you up here. By the looks of them, I'd say they'll be asleep for a while.
Jaden: Yeah. Maybe now I'll finally be able to arrange my deck for the School Duel.