Wel, it took longer than I hoped but here's chapter 6. yay, angst. And, on that note, Syrus?
Disclaimer: Kjel doesn't own us or Yu-gi-oh Gx... And I'm glad, because I have to duel enough as it is...

Alexis met Zane at the lighthouse, just as she did every evening.

'You wanted to talk to me about something?' Zane scowled a little.

'It's about my brother, Syrus. I really don't think he belongs here at the academy. He's a poor duelist, and he's no confidence.'

'Y'know, you don't exactly help him there.'

'He needs to learn to look out for himself.'

'Don't you think you're being a bit harsh Zane? I mean, to me it looks like all you're doing is driving him away.'

'What do you mean?'

'Face it Zane, he hasn't spoken to you once since he came here. As far as I know, he hasn't even told anyone he has a brother...' She trailed off a little, her eyes moist.

'Painful thought?'

'Yes. But you're avoiding the question. I know what it's like to lose a brother. You don't want to do that to yourself.' She sighed. 'At least think about it. Before it's too late.'

Jesse, Syrus and Chumley were awoken the next morning by a loud bang on the door. Jesse dragged himself out of bed in time for the third knock.

'Yeah? What dy'all want? It's really early y'know.' The woman before him did not look impressed.

'Jesse Anderson, Syrus Truesdale? You two need to come with us.' With barely a moment to get dressed, the two of them were more or less dragged to the main academy building, leaving a bewildered Chumley in the dorm room. He caught sight of professor Banner.

'Professor? Who were those guys?' Professor Banner frowned slightly.

'The disciplinary action squad, Chumley. They only come when a student is in serious trouble. I can't help but wonder what they could have possibly done...'

'Totally not 'licous...'

'Quite so Chumley. Still, I'm sure we'll receive word soon.'

'I hope so. I can't stand waiting around like this. Got anything to eat?'

'Jessse, Syrus, I need you to both know that these are very serious charges. Entry into the abandoned dorm is strictly prohibited, and can result in expulsion.' The two of the gulped.

'Now then Chancellor, let's not be so hasty. Why not give the poor boys a sporting chance?'

'Crowler defending us?' Jesse whispered under his breath, 'That never happens. He must be up to something...'

'Yeah... Let's be careful Jesse.'

'Why don't we arrange a tag duel? If they win, they go free, if the lose, they get expelled.'

'Very well, Doctor Crowler. Can I trust you to arrange an opponent?' Jesse and Syrus glanced at each other.

'Just leave it to me chancellor! In fact, I already have someone in mind!'

'What? Jesse, that's crazy! This is Crowler, he'll find the strongest duellist he can. To be honest, I'm a bit suspicious about how he knew you were even there, but I can't prove anything.'

'Aww, y'all just being paranoid Caleb. We'll breeze through, right Sy?'

'S-sure...' Syrus trembled slightly, then started wailing. 'I'm sorry Jesse!'

'Sorry? What y'all sorry for?'

'I'm a rubbish duellist! We'll lose for sure, and then you'll get expelled, and it'll be all my fault!'

'Y'all do great, I know it! Why don't we have a practice duel after class today?'

'Do we have too?' Syrus had stopped cryng, but the tremble was still clear in his voice.

'Yep! And don't you guys worry about a thing. This'll be a snap.'

'Well... Okay. Still, I'll talk to Crowler later. We were there too, so we might be able to do something to even the odds... You in Alexis?'

'Sure, Caleb, I'll go.'

'Me too. I can't leave you guys hanging.'

'Aww, shucks. Thanks guys, but I'm tellin ya, we'll be fine!'

'I'm afraid I can't help you. The terms have already been decided.'

'But Doctor Crowler, that's not fair. We were there too, and we have just as much right to be in this duel as those two.'

'Nevertheless Caleb, the terms have been decided. I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do.'

'Gee, you sound crushed.'

'Now, miss Alexis, there's no need for such sarcasm. I assure you, I have no desire to see two students expelled, but they did break Academy rules.'

'Yet we go free?'

'Caleb, please. I can't change the terms of the duel.' Caleb chewed his lip for a moment.

'Alexis, can I have a quick word?' She nodded, and they crouched in the corner.

'I have an idea to help them out a little. Here's what I'm thinking...' They had a brief whispered conversation, before standing up and rejoining Dr Crowler.

'Yes? Have you finsihed your little strategy meeting?'

'Yep. And I think I have a compromise. Jesse and Syrus will duel whoever you pick as planned, but there'll be another match before that.'

'Oh, there will, will there?'

'Yep, me and Alexis can duel the opponents first. Just a friendly exhibition match, of course.'

'And give Jesse and Syrus an advantage?' Caleb chewed his nail again.

'Not at all. Any duelists you book will surely research their opponents in advance. And besides, the website says you have to book them for the whole day, so you can get your money's worth' Crowler scowled.

'Looking at other people's business is rude! However... I suppose you are correct...'

'See? Everybody wins. And If Chancellor Sheppard asks why me, just tell him I wan't to give my deck an exhibition.' Crowler sighed.

'Fine, if it makes you feel better. Is there anything else while you're here?' There was a certain annoyance on else.

'Nope. That should be everything.' Crowler gave the cheerfully oblivious student a venomous glare.

'Very well. I expect you to both put on a good show.'

'Wow, Caleb. I never knew you were such a good bargainer.' He smiled, his innocent little smile.

'Aww shucks. I'm just observant, that's all.'

'That was a totally 'licous idea. At least now the guys can find out what they're up against.'

'Aww, don't mention it. And besides, the reason I gave him was kind of true.'

'What d'you mean?'

'I do kind of want to give my deck a big debut... Y'know, put on a show.' Alexis sighed, with just a trace of long-suffering.

'By the way, Caleb?'

'Yeah, Alexis?'

'Do you always chew your lip when you're thinking?' He looked blank, then laughed.

'I guess. I have a couple of bad habits like that. I used to be a lot worse, but now I only do it when I'm distracted.' He looked at her. 'I guess we should go catch up on the guys. And hey, maybe we better practice a bit ourselves. I mean, if we're teamed up, it'd be good to know each other's decks.'

'Didn't you want yours to be a surprise?' Caleb laughed.

'Good point. You don't mind?'

'We can improvise. After all, the result doesn't matter for us.'

'True, but winning might give Syrus a bit more confidence.'

'Yeah... well let's hurry. We don't want to miss the duel.'

Jesse and Syrus were just setting up at the cliff when the others arrived.

'Hey y'all! Any news?'

'Well, you two are still duelling as normal, but me and Alexis are going to duel your opponents first. Just a friendly, but it means you can see how they play. And besides, you've got the power of friendship on your side! You'll win for sure!' Alexis face palmed, but Jesse clearly wasn't tired yet of the the friendship speeches, and called back cheerfully.

'Hey, thanks! It'll be a big help. Y'all just in time for our duel.'

'Jesse, can I take a rain check?'

'No can do lil' buddy. Now, lets throw down!'

[Jesse:4000/Syrus:4000]

Both looked at their opening hands, and Jesse began play. 'I'll start! I draw, and summon Crystal Beast, Cobalt Eagle in attack mode. Then, I'll play golden rule, letting me summon Amber Mammoth and Topaz Tiger as gems from my deck, and special summon Emerald Turtle from my hand in attack mode. And I'll throw this here card facedown, and call it a turn.' Syrus, ummed an ahed for a bit, then finally made his move.

'I'll summon Patroid in attack mode... I guess... And, I'll, uh, attack your Emerald Turtle with it!'

'Not so fast Sy! I activate Gem fortress, meaning you can't attack this turn.' Syrus slumped to the floor.

'I screwed up... again... Zane was right, I'm not cut out for this... I should just head home right now, and no-one would even notice...'

'Sy? What's wrong lil' buddy? It's just one lil' mistake, and y'all couldn't have done much about it this turn anyway. Y'all just need a lil' confidence.' Syrus looked up briefly, but his head sank straight back down. 'C'mon Sy, let's finish this here duel. Y'all only gonna get better if y'all practice.'

'But Jesse! I wont get any better anyway!'

'And that's the attitude y'all need to get rid of!' Caleb and Alexis looked at each other.

'Wow, I hadn't realised his confidence issues were that bad...'

'I know... Wonder if I should talk to Zane about it...'

'No offence, Caleb, but maybe I should handle that...' Caleb rubbed the back of his neck.

'Guess so. You have known him longer Alexis.' Jesse drew his next card.

'My move! I'll start with this here face down, and I attack your Patroid with Cobalt Eagle!' Patroid was crushed by Cobalt eagle's talons, decreasing Syrus' life points by 200.

[Jesse:4000/Syrus:3800]

'Then, I'll follow up with Emerald Turtle!' Syrus's life points took a further hit.

[Jesse:4000/Syrus:3200]

'And finally, I'll use Emerald Turtle's effect to swap him to defence mode. Your turn lil' buddy.'

Syrus drew, and managed to pull off a move without to much worrying. 'I activate pot of greed, letting me draw two cards!' Then he fell apart. Sitting in his hand was powerbond, the card Zane had given him, and told him he wasn't good enough to use. 'Powerbond? There's no way I can use that... Not after... I mean, I might win if I play it but... No, it's too risky! I'm not good enough to play that card properly... I'll use polymerisation instead...' Syrus grabbed a card from his hand. 'I use polymerisation to fuse gyroid and steamroid, creating Steam Gyroid!' Now, I attack your Cobalt eagle!' Steam gyroid tore through cobalt eagle, it retreating as a gemstone.

[Jesse:3200/Syrus:3200]

'I'm... Not actually losing! I can't believe it! I 'll end my turn.'

'Y'all doing great lil' buddy! Now, I'll throw down! First, I summon Sapphire Pegasus in attack mode! Next I swap emerald turtle to attack mode, and play E-force, letting me summon one crystal beast in my spell card zones as a monster, and I choose Topaz Tiger! And I'll play Crystal Beacon, letting me summon a crystal beast from my deck, so say hello Amethyst Cat!' Jesse smiled at him. 'Sorry lil' buddy, but I'm gonna have to win this one.' Syrus looked blank.

'But my monster is more powerful...'

'Only until I play M-Force, raising Sapphire's attack by 500 points!'

'But that means-'

'Yep! Sapphire, attack his steam Gyroid!' Syrus lost his monster, along with 100 life points, and let out a small cry. 'Now, Topaz, Amethyst and Emerald, Follow up!' Syrus took another three hits, his lifepoints falling to 0.

[Jesse:3200/Syrus:0]

Syrus slumped to the ground, his cards falling from his hand. Jesse walked over, and reached down to help him up.

'Y'all played a good game there lil' buddy- Powerbond? Y'all could've won if you'd played that there card! Why the heck didn't ya?'

'I'm not good enought to play powerbond...'

'Now who the heck told y'all a stupid thing like that there?' Jesse actually looked angry, which was quite a unique experience.

'...Zane...'

'Zane? What the heck gives him the right to be treating y'all like that? I've a good mind to-'

'He's my brother...' Jesse faltered, stopped, gaped briefly, then started up on a new line of thought.

'What kind of person tells his own brother a thing a darn right stupid as that? What gives him the right to be so high and mighty, huh?' Alexis, Caleb and Chumley had joined them at the base of the cliff by this point.

'Jesse, you being angry is so not 'liscous.'

'Chumley's right Jesse. And besides, I think I should fill you in on who Zane is...'

'Oh?'

'Zane Truesdale? Top duellist at the academy? Never lost a duel?' Jesse's reaction was instantaneous.

'Now I've got twice as much reason to duel him!' Caleb and Alexis facepalmed.

'Jesse? I think you're missing the point here...' Caleb brightened a little.

'Actually Alexis, Maybe Jesse and Zane would be quite the interesting match-up... And it could boost Syrus' confidence... I don't suppose...' Alexis sighed.

'Hasn't everything we've done today been to boost his confidence?'

'I am here you know!' Caleb assumed the sad eyes position, ignoring Syrus' objection, and Alexis caved in with another sigh.

'Fine, I'll see what I can do then.'Jesse and Caleb exchanged a quick high five. 'I can't promise anything though.' Caleb grinned.

'I'm sure I can help talk him into it... Or get Jaden to.' Alexis gave Caleb a puzzled look.

'How could you get Jaden to do anything? He can't stand you.' Caleb grinned again.

'Bribe him with a lack of me.' He saw their stunned expressions. 'What? I'm fully aware of the fact, even if I've no idea why he doesn't like me.'

'Wow Caleb, you really are devious today. I can't decide whether this is liscous or not!' They were interrupted by Mindy and Jasmine running towards them.

'Hey, Alexis! Miss Fontaine wants to see you about something!' called Jasmine.

'Yeah, something about a tag duel!' shouted Mindy, close behind.

'Sorry guys, gotta go.'

'That's okay. See you Alexis.'

'Actually, she said to send you as well if we saw you. She wouldn't mind speaking to you too.' Caleb looked slightly confused, but shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck.

'Alright then. Guess I'll see the rest of you later instead then.' He gave a cheery wave as he sat off after Alexis. Jasmine left too, but Mindy sidled over to Chumley.

'Is yuor friend okay?' She whispered, motioning towards Syrus, still on the ground.

'Majorly not liscous confidence knock...' Mindy looked blank.

'Is there anything can do to help?'

'Woah, an Obelisk offering to help a Slifer? Not something you see every day.'

'Hey, Alexis and Caleb are Obelisks, aren't they?' Chumley conceded the point.

'Yeah, but they both feel responsible for what happened. Me too, I guess, so it makes sense they'd help.' Mindy looked slightly annoyed.

'If you think Alexis' is just helping to make herself feel better, you've got a lot to learn.' Mindy marched off after the others, in what could only be called a huff.

'Totally not lisocus... I really don't get girls...'

Chumley, Jesse and Syrus walked most of the way back to the Slifer dorm in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Chumley contemplated Mindy's parting comment, Jesse stratergies he could use in the tag duel, and Syrus... Well, he just tried to push the duel as far from his mind as possible.

'Lil' Buddy?' Though of course it wouldn't last.

'Jesse... Do we have to talk about it?' He looked blank.

'What? I was only gonna ask y'all if you wanted to have a practice tag duel tomorrow.' Syrus, stopped, but he had to admit it was a good idea.

'I guess... But against who?'

'Maybe Caleb and Lex? After all, they're duelling too.' Chumley took that moment to chip in.

'I doubt it. Caleb says he wants to keep his deck secret until the match.'

'Even from Lex?'

'Yeah. She's cool with it though.' Jesse thought for a moment.

'Well, y'all just know someone'll turn up. Last one to the dorm has to give me their fried shrimp on Thursday!'

'But Jesse! What if it's you?' Jesse laughed, already running.

'Well, it won't be. See y'all there!'

'Wait for us Jesse! This so isn't liscous!' The bushes rustled a few moments after they left an Dr Crowler peered out.

'How can that boy be so cheerful? He should be worried and miserable! How am I supposed to enjoy wiping the grin off his face if it's still there?' Crowler jumped out of the bush. 'Nobody gets in the way of Vellian Crowler! Nobody!' He started to laugh madly, causing a few birds to vacate the tree above him. Professor Banner was sipping tea.

'Did you hear something Pharaoh?' Pharaoh miowed. 'It must have just been my imagination. Ah well. Now, care for some tuna?' Pharaoh miaowed happily, and Professor Banner closed the window, cutn of the laughter.