We moved into the new dorm just a week ago. I was chosen and won the school duel again, it seemed that my opponent was having some type of pressure break-down. Our old Obelisk Dorm was going to be used for examination purposes. Now I admit, the new dorm was almost twice as big. I was glad to have my own room. Sometimes Atticus had the habit of blasting the music onto high.

We were going to have mid-term exams at the old Obelisk Dorm. I already took mine, I'm just waiting for my results. Atticus still has to take his in just a few days. At first he was fine, perfectly normal for him, but things started to get strange.

I heard a knock on my door and I walked over to answer it. It was Atticus. I tried not to flinch when I saw his features. His eyes were shadowed and were no longer bright, they were cold. Without waiting for my greeting he said in an un-Atticus-like tone, "We need to duel, Truesdale."

This time I did flinch at his usage of my last name. "What's wrong?" I asked, this question was honest. Why the heck does he want me to duel him.. Now?

"We just need too!" He pushed me aside and entered my room. He took a seat by my table and pulled out his deck. I could tell he meant it. Without arguing I took a seat on the opposite side and took out my own deck. It was in basic form. No duel disks. I wondered why.

I had no idea how much this duel had changed my life.

I stared at Atticus's Red Eyes Black Dragon that just destroyed my Cyber Dragon. "Where did you get these cards, Atticus?" To my knowledge, Atticus never even owned these cards. I hadn't seen anyone at the academy use them, no one. Atticus grinned. "You told me when I have no choice, build a new deck from scratch, Zane." The tone of his voice wanted to make me shiver. There was something seriously wrong.

"But you ditched every single card in your old deck." I pointed out as I drew.

"Those cards weren't satisfying enough," he clenched his fist at the word.

I never knew how those words would haunt me. They echoed in my mind through out the duel, it ended when I beat him again.

"Atticus, you can't win this way-" I started. Atticus said nothing. He didn't react when I reached over and held his deck.

The moment I touched them, I felt something.

I felt a desire to fling the cards out the window, not wanting to see them ever again.

I felt like I wanted to keep the cards for my own… even if I had to hurt Atticus for them. Yes, that would be the easier choice.

Wait! What the hell am I thinking? This can't be, these cards… they… like have a mind of their own.

"Atticus! You can't keep these, they're messing with your head." Before I could do anything, he snatched the deck from my hand.

"Shut up!" he snarled. "You're a sad excuse-" He didn't finish his sentence, he struck my deck and my cards scattered everywhere. He walked out of mine and slammed his door.

That was the last time I ever saw him that year.

He left me amidst my cards. What happened to my friend. Why was he acting so strange, how did he get those cards, why was I so uneasy with them? I had so many questions, and I needed answers.

The next day I didn't see Atticus at all, then I remembered he had his exams today. But still, it wasn't supposed to take that long. But I was going to have some talk with my friend, he isn't going to be avoiding me. That night I waited outside my own room, waiting for him to return. He didn't. I tried to go into his own room, surprisingly it was unlocked. The room was drafty as I noticed the window was wide open. On his desk was a sheet of paper.

Dear Zane,

I'm sorry about last night, I just lost my temper. I don't know how it happened. Don't-

The letter was unfinished.

The next day I did the same, no sign of him then I noticed how a number of other people were missing. I was starting to worry, I even saw the Counselor because of this, he didn't know anything but promised to investigate.

It was 4 o' clock in the morning when I heard some commotion. I gazed out my window and in the faint light I saw some type of crowd.. At the old Obelisk Dorm. The place that Atticus was supposed to be, the day he was missing. I quickly changed and ran in the direction of the crowd.

While I was running I realized what happened. It couldn't be.

"My friend's in there!" I shouted. Two officers were holding me back.

"Atticus!" No answer

"ATTICUS!" No answer.

Sheppard walked over to me and told me to calm down, he didn't need to. When I realized my friend was gone I stopped fighting. Trying my best to be my own personality, "What happened, Sheppard?" I already knew the answer, I just needed someone to confirm it.

"The students who were to take their exams here… Disappeared. No one has seen them ever since, I'm sorry Mr. Truesdale. We're trying our best to investigate. We can't let this get to public eyes."

- - -

Weeks passed, special duels and events were cancelled. The Rhodes had visited Duel Academy for their missing son. I tried to apologize to them, telling them I couldn't do anything. I saw the adults' despair and I felt the sadness in Atticus's sister's eyes.

They shortly left the island. After that the Counselor called me to his office.

"You called?"

"Zane, we have some grave news,"

No duh, all we get is grave news. "Yes?"

"Officials are threatening to close down Duel Academy." When I said nothing, Sheppard continued.

"If we do get shut down, Seto Kaiba will lose a lot of money and this can harm the dueling world and overall economy."

"What do you want me to do, Counselor?" I asked.

"I need you to participate in a duel. If you win the Academy will remain open and the government will think up a cover story for this incident."

I nodded and accepted the challenge.

(I'm getting sick of writing out duels Sorry Dx)

The graduation duel was cancelled as well. The last semester ended and there was still no signs of the missing students.

- - - - -

Summer passed and my last year at Duel Academy had come.

I watched Atticus's sister, Alexis duel. She really did have her brother's skill, maybe even more. When her entrance duel ended she joined me on the balcony to watch the other examinees.

"You haven't seen Atti, have you?" She asked me. I shook my head. "There's no sign of him. I'm sorry, Alexis." She shrugged.

"Well I'm looking for him, and I know I'm going to find him." She turned to face me.

"Then know this, Alexis. He's my best friend and your brother. Don't give up hope."

Now an examinee named Jaden Yuki was up dueling against Doctor Crowler.

"You know," Alexis told me. "I feel sorry for that guy, Crowler's being a little tough on him, don't you think."

"You're too soft, Alexis. Sometimes you have to learn that you and others have to face challenges, take them on and make it through like I have. That is a rule of dueling."

Watching Jaden's duel hurt me. His outgoing personality and determination reminded me so much of Atticus.

- - - - - - -

I heard that Jaden Yuki was put into Slifer Red because of his written test scores. That was bull'. Maybe Crowler was behind all of this, upset that he lost to the kid.

Alexis filled in part of the empty space that Atticus had left. Occasionally I saw Alexis leave a red rose at the old Obelisk Dorm now known as the Abandoned Dorm in memory of her brother.

She didn't know I was watching and I never stopped her even when it was strictly forbidden to even get near the Abandoned dorm, for I knew exactly how she felt.

Where are you Atticus?

-X-

The end! Wow this ended much sooner than I expected it but I'm finished! Now I hoped you enjoyed this. Review!

PS. If you're wondering why Atticus didn't use duel disks, deep inside he really didn't want to hurt his friend, especially not to drag him into a shadow game and holograms can just bring someone a step closer to doing that.