Judgement Duels, Part 2

Jaden, Syrus, Alexis and Bastion were looking at Takeru in shock at what he just said.
"Let me get this straight Arkana is your dad?" Jaden asks.
"Yeah I just said that." Takeru raised an eyebrow.
"Well that explains how you got all those rare magicians." Alexis said.
"I can't believe one of the horrible Rare Hunters is your dad." Syrus said.
"Uh I'm standing right here." Arkana said raising an eyebrow.
"Sorry, I guess we weren't prepared for something like this." Bastion said.
"Yeah we thought you were trying to hurt him." Jaden said.
"Well to be fair I was called here to duel my son who was facing expulsion if he lost." Arkana glares at Takeru.
"Again, I said I was sorry dad." Takeru groans.
"Uh Mr. Arkana?" Alexis asks.
"Actually, my real name is Nensho, Akira Nensho." Arkana said.
"Right, uh anyway what happened to you after Battle City? Everyone thought you just vanished." Alexis asks.
Arkana sighs. "For awhile I did. I was so ashamed by my actions that I didn't do anything for a long time. I put my dueling days behind me and opened a little magic school where I could teach future magicians the tricks I had mastered. Since everyone knew Arkana I went by Akira when I opened the school. At first business was going well, I had a lot of students signing up and they were able to showcase their abilities to everyone and even a local paper called my Magic School a Spellbinding Success. I felt my life was finally going in the right direction and then…I ran into her."
"Who?" Jaden asks
"My mom." Takeru smiles.
"My sweet Catharine." Arkana smiles. "She had seen an ad for my magic school and for some reason had walked right in as I was helping students. When I saw her I was shocked. The woman I had almost sold my soul for had found me. I went up to her and apologized saying I didn't deserve her forgiveness for being there for me when I lost everything, and I told her I hoped she could find happiness. And do you want to know what she said to me?"
All of them lean in with anticipation. "I was happiest when I was making magic with you." Arkana said causing Alexis to put a hand over her heart touched. "We went on a few dates afterwards and when our relationship was mended, I proposed to her and she said yes. And when we had Takeru I thanked my lucky stars and Yugi Muto for saving me that day for my amazing life."
"Wow, that's an amazing story." Syrus said.
"So, did Crowler know he was your dad when he asked him to duel you?" Jaden asks.
"Nope, a good magician always knows how to keep secrets." Takeru smirks.
"That's my boy." Arkana said ruffling his hair. "But I mean it. No more getting into trouble. If I get another call saying you're getting expelled you'll be hearing from your mother. Do I make myself clear?" He glares.
"Yes sir." Takeru nods.
"Attention students, the tag duel will begin in 10 minutes." The announcer said on the PA.
"Well Sy guess we better get going." Jaden said.
"I'll be rooting for you guys." Takeru smiles.
"Hey, you won your duel so we'll win ours." Jaden said confident as he and Syrus made their way back to the arena.
"I better got get us our seats." Bastion said leaving Takeru and Alexis alone with his father.
"So young lady you must be Alexis. Takeru's told me about you." Arkana said causing Takeru to turn red.
"Oh really? I hope they're all good." Alexis smirks.
"Takeru says you've been helping him with his studies and you're an amazing duelist. Thank you for that." Arkana said.
"Well sir the reason Takeru got into this mess was because I was in trouble and he saved me." Alexis admits.
"I see." Arkana smirks looking at his son. "Well I better get going. Catharine's running the Magic School all by herself. Love you son." Arkana said as Takeru hugged him.
"Love you too dad." He smiles as Arkana turns around and walks away. 'Like father like son. It appears my son has found quite the lovely assistant.'
"For an Ex Rare Hunter, he's a nice guy." Alexis smiles.
"Yeah my dad's the best." Takeru smiles.
"Hey Takeru, I'm really glad you get to stay a student here." Alexis said.
"Me too, I promised I'd help you with your search for your brother and I promise you I won't stop until we find him." Takeru said.
Touched by his statement Alexis leans in and kisses Takeru on the cheek causing him to blush.
"Alexis I…I." Takeru stutters when Alexis puts a finger to his lips.
"That's my way of showing how glad I am to have you here." She blushes pulling him into a hug. Takeru smiles and hugs her back.
"So, ready to go see Jaden and Syrus duel?" Takeru asks.
"As long you sit next to me." Alexis said as they walked back to their seats.
----"Will the next participants for the tag-duel step forward?" Crowler announced.
"Alright Syrus, Takeru won his duel and now it's our turn." Jaden said ready for this.
"Uhh right." Syrus said not as enthusiastic as Jaden when Chumley ran in.
"Hey look, Chumley made it." Jaden smiles.
"Just barely." Syrus noted.
"And I thought running…was supposed to be healthy." Chumley pants.
"And now without further ado, allow me to introduce our special guest Duelists!" Crowler said as two men did a series of backflips onto the stage surprising everyone. They were both bald and wearing Chinese outfits one was green and the other was orange. "The Paradox Brothers!"
"Salutations you fools." Para said.
"Hope you're ready to duel." Dox said.
"Uh I've never heard of these guys." Jaden said oblivious.
"Me neither maybe this tag-duel won't be so bad." Syrus said.
"Perhaps I mean they haven't dueled in such a long time and their last opponents were Joey Wheeler and the King of Games himself." Crowler smirks.
"No way, they dueled Yugi Muto?" Syrus gasps.
"I've read about them, they're some of the best Tag duelers in the world." Alexis said.
"Yikes and I thought me dueling my dad was a challenge." Takeru cringes.
"Statistically their odds of winning were like yours." Bastion said.
"Well I won my match and—wait what do you mean? Did you think I was going to lose?" Takeru glares.
"Hey Chumley, looks like you're gonna have a lot more room in your dorm room. Your friends are toast." Chazz smirks.
"Not lishous." Chumley said worried while Zane remained calm.
Down the hall near Crowler Arkana had chosen to stay and watch the next duel and was eyeing it very closely.
"Enough with the pleasantries." Para said.
"And now on with the duel." Dox said.
"We didn't come to talk." Para said.
"We came…"
"To destroy you." The brothers said at the same time.
"Duelists prepare to battle." Crowler said as they activated their duel disks. "The rules are simple each duel with begin with 8000 life points rather than 4000 separately. Also, there is no sharing of strategy, advice or any card that isn't already in play. However, you can use your partner's cards. Understood?"
"Yes." They all said.
"All right then duel." Crowler said leaping off stage.
Jaden/Syrus: 8000
Paradox Brothers: 8000
"Get your games on!" Jaden said drawing his cards and looking to Syrus who was first.
"Here goes." Syrus drew. "I summon Gyroid in attack mode!" Syrus said summoning the cartoon Helicopter.
Gyroid: 1000/1000
"You must be joking. I'm surprised that thing even has an attack mode!" Para said drawing. "This on the other hand. Jurai Gumo!" On his field a giant spider appears.
Jurai Gumo: 2200/ 100
"What an overgrown bug?" Jaden draws. "That's nothing my deck can't squash. Elemental Hero Burstinatrix in defense mode!" On Jaden's field the female hero took a knee.
Elemental Hero Burstinatrix: 1200/800
"The defense is a strong offense." Dox said drawing. "Kaiser Sea Horse, attack mode!" On his field an ocean themed warrior appeared.
Kaiser Seas Horse: 1700/1650
'Alright, if I know dueling like I think I know dueling they're gonna try to attack next.' Syrus thought.
"I choose to activate a spell card." Dox said proving Syrus wrong. "Tribute Doll. To activate it I must sacrifice one monster on our side of the field, good thing my brother is so generous with his." Dox grins as Para nods. "Farewell Jirai Gumo. Now I can summon a level 7 monster this turn, and I choose Kazejin!" The spider was replaced by a green monster that was only a pair of arms and had the Japanese Kanji for wind on it.
Kazejin: 2400/2200
"He sacrificed his brother's monster to summon a better one for the team, now that's tag dueling." Bastion said.
"Would you mind not sounding so impressed Bastion?" Alexias asks annoyed.
"This isn't good, that's a real powerful Spellcaster monster, one of three." Takeru said worried.
"Do you actually think you know anything of this game?" Para asks.
"You're losers, you're jokes, in other words you're lame." Dox mocks.
"And if they think this is starting to get grueling."
"Wait until I give them a true grueling. I play Dark Designator. This powerful spell allows me to call out the name of any monster and if my brother has the card in his deck it is added immediately to his hand." Dox said as he pretended to think. "Now let me see… Sanga of the Thunder." He said.
"What do you know, it is right here, ready to tear them asunder." Para laughed as he drew a card.
'Great another level 7 Monster' Jaden thought.
"The duel's just started." Para said.
"And yet it is almost done." Dox said.
"For your demise has already begun." Both brothers said scaring Syrus a little.
"Don't worry Sy. They're just saying that because it's an easy rhyme." Jaden said. 'Now I just hope we don't make for an easy match. Alright monster roll call. I have my Burstinatrix and Sy's got his little…helicopter thing. It's good, but not good considering what we're dealing with. Especially a level 7 monster I've never seen before.' Jaden thought.
"What do you think Jaden? If we quit now, we'll have extra time to pack all our stuff." Syrus said scared.
"The only thing we're packing is some serious dueling punch! I'm telling you we'll beat these guys Syrus." Jaden said confident.
"You know what, you're right." Syrus nods. 'We are packing some serious dueling punch. Not only am I gonna show the Paradox brothers, but I'm gonna show my brother as well.' Syrus thought as he drew a card. "All aboard. I summon Steamroid in attack mode!" Syrus said summoning the cartoon looking train to the field.
Steamroid: 1800/1800
"And also, I play the spell Polymerization! Check it out, I fuse Steamroid and Gyroid to create the ultimate engine that could: Steam Gyroid!" Syrus said as his fusion monster appeared.
Steam Gyroid: 2200/1600
"Now that's locomotion! You see, you made a mistake, by sacrificing Jurai Gumo you left your brother's field wide open!"
"Uh Sy." Jaden said trying to tell him something, but Syrus was too pumped to hear.
"Steam Gyroid attack Para!" Syrus said as his monster rushed towards Para.
"An attack?" Para said surprised.
"Got that right!" Syrus said as Alexis, Bastion and Takeru gasped, Chazz and Crowler chuckled while Zane just scowled.
"If you please brother." Para smirks as Dox nods.
"Kazejin, defend with Squall barricade!" Dox said as Kazejin created a cyclone that blew Steam Gyroid back with ease. "Our monster's special ability, do you like?"
"It brings your damage to 0 without even a fight." Para said.
"So, I goofed?" Syrus asks feeling like a complete idiot.
"Do these two honestly think they can beat Para and Dox? They stink worse than sweaty socks." Crowler laughed. "Now they have me doing it."
"Forget it Sy, no biggie." Jaden said trying to cheer him up.
"Yeah right." Syrus sighed.
"I'm serious, just keep on going." Jaden assured him.
"Right. I place a facedown and end my turn." Syrus said.
"Finally, a smart move." Para draws. "I play Monster Reborn and bring back the dreadful Jurai Gumo." Para said as the giant spider appeared back on the field. "I'll also play another spell card, Tribute Doll!"
"Not again." Syrus said knowing what was about to happen.
"Yes again and again I will use it to sacrifice Jurai Gumo in order to summon another Level 7 monster, Suijin!" On the field a blue monster with the kanji for water appeared.
Suijin: 2500/2400
"And I'm not done yet. Mind if I borrow a monster brother?" Para asks.
"Please, that's why he's there." Dox nods.
"I sacrifice Kaiser Sea Horse." Para said as a dark energy surrounded Kaiser Sea Horse.
"In case you didn't know, when summoning a light attriute monster he counts as two sacrifices instead of one which means I am now able to play Sanga of the Thunder!" Dox said as the final piece appeared.
Sanga: 2600/2200
"Now I place those odds at 500 to 1." Bastion said.
"What are the odds of you being quiet?" Alexis asks.
"This is not good. It's coming." Takeru cringes.
"Three monsters on our side, what could be better?" Para asks.
"I know brother, when they come together." Dox said.
"Prepare yourselves! I sacrifice Suijin, Kazejin and Sanga of the Thunder in order to summon the ultimate monster: Gate Guardian!" Para said as a huge burst of light engulfs the field showing the three monsters had merged together into one.
Gate Guardian: 3750/3400
"Gate Guardian?" Syrus gasps.
"He's ginormous." Jaden gasps.
"Just wait until you see his attack. Go Gate Guardian attack Steam Gyroid Tidal Surge attack!" Gate Guardian releases an attack of electricity and water destroys Sy's monster.
Jaden/Syrus: 6450
Paradox Brothers: 8000
"This isn't a duel, it's target practice for the Paradox brothers and Sy's the bullseye." Bastion said.
"He's just made a few bad moves. I'm sure he can come back…at least I hope he does. Jaden's good but he's not good enough to win this by himself." Alexis said.
"Come on Syrus, Jaden needs you to get it together." Takeru said.
"I know it hurts…"
"But it's about to get worse."
"If it gets as bad as their rhyming then we're in trouble." Syrus said.
Nearby Crowler was chuckling gleefully at this. 'Those two are dueling perfectly. They know just what to do and are doing it. After all, in a tag duel once you eliminate the weakest link in a chain the rest will crumble and poor little Syrus is like the weakest link on a plate of sausages.' Crowler thought.
Looking at him Arkana narrowed his eyes. 'Something is up with that Professor, he's hiding something.' He thought.
'I hope Jaden has something special in that deck of his or we're toast.' Syrus thought.
"Well, the bigger they are the harder they fall, so let's take this thing down." Jaden said.
"I can't wait to see you try so I will end my turn with a facedown." Para said.
"Alright here goes." Jaden draws to see he got Polymerization. "Sweet. Alright you're getting called up first big guy. First, I'm gonna summon the Elemental Hero Clayman!" Jaden said as the bulky hero appeared.
E-Hero Clayman: 800/2000
"Next I'll play Polymerization and fuse Clayman with Burtsinatrix to create the Elemental Hero Rampart Blaster! She's bad!" Jaden said as the two heroes fused to create a female hero with heavy armor, a shield in her left arm and her right arm was a missile launching. Jaden placed her in defense mode.
Rampart Blaster: 2000/2500
"Yeah she's bad, but not as bad as Gate Guardian. She only has 2500 defense points. Gate Guardian has 3750. Blaster will be blasted." Syrus said.
"No sweat that's what her special ability is for. When she's in defense mode Rampart Blaster can attack an opponent directly." Jaden grins.
"Our life points!" Both brothers gasp.
"Now, go Rampart Blaster! Rampart Barrage!" Rampart fired two missiles which fly towards the brothers and explode. "Sure it's only half the points you would normally lose, but hey it's a special effect what are you gonna do?" Jaden said.
Jaden/Syrus: 6450
Paradox Brothers: 7000
"A lucky move." Dox growled.
"Alright, we're back in this." Syrus smiles.
"We were never out of it." Jaden smiles.
'Yeah Jaden's right, we can with this.' Syrus thought.
"It's my turn." Dox said as he drew a card. "I activate Fairy Meteor Crush and I'm equipping it to Gate Guardian! Now when Gate Guardian attacks a monster in defense mode the difference comes out of your life points."
"Not so fast! You forget I have a facedown! Go Mystical Space Typhoon!" Syrus said revealing his magic card. "It destroys any spell or trap card on the field and I choose your Fairy Meteor Crush!" From the spell a powerful Typhoon was released.
"Right into my trap! I activate Judgement of Anubis!" Para said flipping his facedown. "Foolish boy, this lets me stop your spell by discarding one card from my hand. Your Typhoon has been downgraded to a gentle breeze." Para said as Syrus's spell disappeared. "But that's not all, it also destroys one of your monsters." The trap targeted Rampart Blaster destroying her.
"And then you take damage equal to its attack points." Dox said as their life points dropped.
Jaden/Syrus: 4450
Paradox Brothers: 7000
"I know it feels like you back is to the wall, but in fact the wall is right in front of you. I play this in defense mode and end my turn." Dox said as a large wall monster appeared.
Defense Wall: 0000/2100
"It is called Defense Wall and as long as it is on the field in defense mode all the monsters you have can only attack him." Dox said.
"The Gate Guardian on offense and the wall on defense. Almost flawless." Bastion said in awe.
"We get it already." Alexis said irritated.
"Bastion I know you're impressed, but you're cheering for the wrong side." Takeru said just as annoyed.
"It's your turn, what are you waiting for?" Dox asks looking at Syrus.
"To be honest a miracle." Syrus drew and frowned. "I summon Cycroid in defense mode." Syrus said as a cartoon bike appeared.
Cycroid: 800/ 1000
Syrus then noticed Jaden looking at him. 'Uh oh Jaden's looking at me, I know it was a weak monster, but it's all I can do.' Syrus thought.
"You summon a bike, well it's about to get a flat." Para drew a card. "Gate Guardian Tidal Surge attack!" Gate Guardian unleashed his attack destroying Cycroid with ease. "And don't forget thanks to Fairy Meteor Crush the difference between our attack and your monster's defense are dealt to you as damage!" Gate Guardian blasted Syrus again making him cry out in pain.
Jaden/Syrus: 1700
Paradox Brothers: 7000
"Your life points are falling…"
"Your game play is appalling…"
"There is nothing to do except give up and start bawling!" Both brothers said.
"Well it's two monsters to none. It's a simple calculation, they'll be knackered." Bastion said.
"Nice Bastion, now you're putting them down in words I don't even understand." Alexis said getting tired of this.
"Either say something helpful or zip it. Please." Takeru said.
"I'm sure Jaden has a strategy." Alexis said.
"Oh I'm sure he does it's Syrus I'm worried about. He's fallen for every trap the Paradox brothers have played. He's been horrible." Bastion said.
"Bastion." Takeru said.
"Yes?" He asks.
"Shut up." Takeru said.
'Please let them win. I'll give up grilled cheeses for a week. I'll just fry them instead.' Chumley thought begging for his friends to win.
Meanwhile Chazz was enjoying every second of this. 'Finally, those Slifer Slackers are getting exactly what they deserve! I can't wait to see them lose and get expelled, especially Jaden.' Chazz thought.
"Chazz, you okay?" Torimaki asks but Chazz ignores him.
'That slime. Thinking he could become the next King of Games. That's my destiny!' Chazz looks to see Takeru sitting next to Alexis. 'Then I'll go after Magician Boy, he doesn't deserve to be an Obelisk. Just because he won his duel, he thinks he can be near Alexis? I'll send him packing myself if I have to.' Chazz thought.
"I'm a genius, a sheer genius! I lure Jaden to the abandoned dorm, then I arrange this tag duel as punishment and then I hire the best tag duelists in the world to ensure he and Syrus get expelled." Crowler laughs unaware that Arkana heard the whole thing.
'So, he's the one who set all this up to those boys and to my own son.' Arkana thought tightening his fist. 'I think it's time I gave this teacher a real scare.'
"Crowler, enjoying the boys' punishment a little too much aren't we?" Shepard asks startling him.
"Oh my no, you misinterpret. I'm just laughing because the duel is almost over. I don't want to prolong their suffering, they look so weary." Crowler said.
"They don't look weary to me. In fact, I think Jaden just got his second wind." Shepard said as Jaden lifts his head up to reveal a confident grin.
"Well, well the Slider Red forges ahead when a smart duelist…" Para started.
"Would have fled." Dox finishes.
"I kinda wish they made us Slifer Orange, that way we wouldn't have to put up with all their awful rhyming." Jaden chuckles as the brothers felt insulted. Appearing on Jaden's shoulder Winged Kuriboh cooes in agreement. "Yeah I don't think they got it either."
"Forget about our rhyming…"
"Just concentrate on your card playing…"
"For the partner you have…"
"To win, you have a long way." They both said causing Syrus to feel hurt by that.
"Don't listen to them Sy." Jaden said.
"But Jaden, they're right." Syrus said.
"No, they're not and I know so because you're gonna be the one to take down that thing." Jaden said pointing at Gate Guardian. "So let's go! I summon Elemental Hero Sparkman in attack mode!" From a flash of lighting Sparkman appeared.
Elemental Hero Sparkman: 1600/1400
"And next I'll equip him with Spark Blaster. With each blast I can change the battle position of any monster on the field. Gate Guardian take a knee!" Jaden said as a gun appeared in Sparkman's hands and he fired a shot from it forcing Gate Guardian into defense mode.
"Now that's an odd move. Unless Jaden has a plan, I feel he's wasted his move." Bastion said.
"I would've used one on that Defense Wall." Takeru said.
"You must be a fool, when Gate Guardian's on defense he never tires. Your situation is dire." Para said.
"And though I hate to feed the fire, our Defense Wall you have yet to retire." Dox said.
"Great thanks, I'm just gonna play a facedown and end my turn." Jaden said.
Dox drew a card. "I play one card facedown. No more, no less, now brother you do the rest."
"Excellent decision I think it's for the best for next turn I'll win us this contest." Para said.
"Oh man, Jaden you heard them. Next turn they'll take us down, I don't see a point in even drawing. Maybe I should just give up, maybe they'll let you have a rematch." Syrus frowns.
"Syrus listen to me. One draw is all it takes to turn this duel around. You remember the last time you had one draw, right?" Jaden asks as Syrus remembers.
Flashback:
During one of their practice duels Jaden had Syrus backed into a corner.
"No way you're getting out of this one Sy." Jaden said.
"Yeah you're right I give. But let's see what I would've drawn." Syrus turned over the top card of his deck and smiles. "Whoa this changes everything." He smiles.
"Yeah well it doesn't change the fact that you already gave up right?" Jaden asks nervously.
Flashback End:
"You hear what I'm saying Sy? There's no such thing as a last draw because with the right card you can always get another draw." Jaden said.
"But I…"
"No buts, if you want to stay at this school it's all up to you." Jaden said.
'But the only way we won't lose is if I beat that Gate Guardian." Syrus thought when he remembered something.
Flashback:
Syrus was dueling Chumley when Jaden spotted a good card in his hand.
"Whoa, that's a really sweet card. With the right combo we can take down anything. Can you let me have it?" Jaden asks.
"No way!" Syrus said.
"Oh come on!" Jaden said.
"You always do this!" Syrus said as Jaden begged.
Flashback End:
'That's it. That one card is the only chance we have, but if I don't draw, we're done for, Jaden and me, all our hopes and dreams, everything we've been through it would be for nothing. So, let me draw it!' Syrus thought as he drew his card and smiles. "Jaden!" Syrus calls out.
"Did you draw it?" Jaden asks as Syrus nods. "Then show him the drill!"
"I summon Drillroid in attack mode!" Syrus said as a purple cartoonish machine burst out of the ground.
Drillroid: 1600/1600
"And when Drillroid attacks a monster in defense mode it's automatically destroyed!" Syrus said surprising the Paradox brothers. "So open wide!" Syrus said as Drillroid rushed towards Gate Guardian.
"Defense Wall!" Dox yells as his wall took the attack instead and was destroyed.
Jaden/Syrus: 1200
"Those two must've forgotten that Defense Wall automatically blocks any attack." Chazz smirks.
"Come on Syrus, you gotta have one more move left." Takeru said.
"A nice try." Para said.
"But not nice enough." Dox said.
"Gate Guardian still stands."
"Despite your best stuff."
"But that wasn't his best. Right Sy?" Jaden smirks.
"That's right. Now that your Defense Wall is rubble your Guardian is wide open. I play Shield Crush! And like the name states it destroys any monster in defense mode!" Syrus said as a green beam shoots out and destroys Gate Guardian.
"Gate Guardian's cooked!" Para said.
"I can hardly look!" Dox said.
"Nice going Sy, the bigger they brawl the harder they fall." Jaden smiles as the crowd cheers for them.
"Fired Cheese here I come." Chumley smiles while Zane just grunted.
"No! This is supposed to be a punishment, but this crowd is treating them like heroes. Chancellor Shepard please tell me you're seeing this." Crowler said.
"Yes Crowler this duel is showing everyone teamwork and duel fortitude. Good job." Shepard said.
"Did you see that? Tell me you both saw that." Bastion said shocked.
"Of course, we saw it Bastion, it was a great move." Takeru said.
"But you know what amazes me more than taking down that Gate Guardian? The teamwork they used to do it. That's what it's going to take for them to win this." Alexis said.
'Yes, so let's hope they can win this." Bastion said.
"I know they will." Takeru said.
"I place one card facedown and end my turn. Thanks for the pep talk." Syrus said.
"Thank you for the sweet move." Jaden said.
"Mind if we join in on the praise you two?" Para asks.
"Because from destroying that monster we should really…"
"Thank you." They both said surprising Syrus.
"They say what doesn't destroy you makes you stronger, well we believe that's true. After all we aren't destroyed, and we are about to become more powerful than ever! Dark Element! This spell card can activate when Gate Guardian is in the graveyard. By paying half our life points we can summon a monster that can't be beat in battle. Dark Guardian!"
Jaden/Syrus: 1200
Paradox Brothers: 3500
On the field a dark armored warrior wielding an axe on top of a giant spider appeared.
Dark Guardian: 3800/3450
"Invincible in battle and has those attack points?" Bastion gasps.
"This is bad." Syrus gulps.
"Now Guardian attack Drillroid with Axe Slash Bash!" Para said as Dark Guardian swung his axe.
"That's it! If this connects Jaden and Syrus will lose!" Bastion said as Alexis grabs Takeru's hand in fear.
"Farewell." Para smirks.
"Not yet! I activate the trap card Hero Barrier! Sorry fellas but this lets me stop one attack as long as I have a hero out on the field and as you can see, I still have Sparkman!" Jaden said as a blue barrier appeared blocking the attack.
Both Takeru and Alexis sigh in relief when they notice they were still holding hands. Blushing they both let go and turn back towards the match.
"An impressive trap card." Para said.
"I never thought they would be so hard." Dox said.
"I know, we bombard and bombard. Oh well at least our precious Dark Guardian…" Para started.
"Has kept up his guard." Dox finishes.
"Quite right brother, he will not be blasted to shards." Para said.
"He'll finish them off next turn…"
"And this duel will be ours!" They both said.
'Oh man just when I step up my game, they step up theirs ever more.' Syrus thought.
"Here it comes, the moment I've been waiting for. The moment these two slackers get expelled." Crowler grins.
"Chin up Sy, this match isn't over yet." Jaden said.
"But Jaden…"
"But nothing pal, stand up. Jaden said as Syrus struggled to stand. 'Because you're about to get a good view of what I'm about to pull.' Jaden thought.
"Looks like the boy still wants to proceed." Para said.
"Really? I thought for sure mercy he would plead." Dox said.
"No, he would need smarts to know when to concede." Para smirks.
"Can it you two it's my turn and I activate the spell card Pot of Greed which lets me draw two cards and next I'll play Fusion Gate! With this I don't need Polymerization, I can summon all the fusion monsters I want! And I'm gonna fuse Avian, Bubbleman and Sparkman, all to create the Elemental Hero Tempest!" Jaden said as a monster with blue armor, green hair, a visor, a silver cannon on his right arm and green metallic wings.
Elemental Hero Tempest: 2800/2800
"Fine creature, but it's no match for the Dark Guardian." Bastion said.
"Bastion whose side are you on?" Alexis asks.
"How doubtful were you when I dueled?" Takeru asks.
"I hope Jaden knows what he's doing." Alexis sighed.
"Impressive move, but it is useless boy." Para said.
"Have you forgotten about Dark Guardian? He's still deployed and since he cannot be destroyed…" Dox started.
"Their beast is Null and Void." Para finished.
"Void this! Skyscraper!" Jaden said activating a new field spell and releasing multiple buildings. "Ever hear you should never play in a construction zone? Well it's true because now my Tempest gains an additional 1000 attack points since he's weaker than your monster!" Jaden said.
Tempest: 3800/2800
"Now Tempest attack with Powerhouse Plummet!" Jaden said as Tempest dove towards Dark Guardian.
"Didn't I warn you? In battle he can't be beat. Your Elemental Hero Tempest is wasted so just accept…"
"Your defeat."
"Sy, can you spare a card?" Jaden asks.
"Sure." Syrus nods.
"I use Tempest's special ability!" Jaden said as Syrus's facedown disappeared. "Sorry you guys, but as long as I banish one of our cards to the graveyard, Tempest isn't destroyed." Jaden grins as both monsters remained on the field.
"Good job wasting your attack slacker." Chazz smirks.
"I don't get it, was he hoping for a tie?" Alexis asks.
"I'm not sure." Takeru said.
"Good move. Now let's see if Syrus knows what to do next." Zane said.
"Jaden." Syrus said concerned.
"Hey it's cool. Trust me Sy it'll all work out if you draw the right card next turn." Jaden said.
"If he has a next turn!" Dox draws. "I activate the trap One on One Fight! It forces our strongest monsters to do battle!" Dox said as Dark Guardian attacks Tempest.
"But why? It'll be a tie." Syrus said.
"I have my reasons." Dox smirks.
"And their sneaky reasons. To keep Tempest on the field Jaden has to keep sacrificing cards." Alexis said.
"But all he's got left is Skyscraper." Takeru said.
"While I hate to do it, I have no choice. I gotta lose Skyscraper." Jaden said as the field spell disappears.
"So you saved your monster, but not your life points!" Dox said as the shockwave hit Jaden and Syrus.
Jaden/Syrus: 200
Paradox Brothers: 3500
"That's all for me." Dox said ending his turn.
"And next turn I will finish it, just wait and see." Para said.
"This duel will be ours I guarantee." Dox said.
"Alright Sy, remember what I told you, it all depends on if you play the right card." Jaden said as Syrus nods.
'Play a card…that's it! That's what he meant between using a card and playing a card. But do I know the difference?' Syrus thought.
Syrus looks up to see Zane was still watching him and remembers a moment when he walked up to his brother in the past.
"Hey Zane, what's the difference between knowing how to use a card and knowing how to play a card?" Syrus asks.
"That's something that can never be taught. It takes a moment of clarity. When you're dueling on a whole new level, all the angles, all the moves. You won't think…just act." Zane said.
Syrus snapped out of his thoughts and looked back to the field. 'Alright no more thinking, time to act.' Syrus thought as he drew. "Here we go! I sacrifice Drillroid to summon UFOroid in attack mode!" Drillroid was sent to the graveyard and a small cartoon UFO appeared.
UFOroid: 1200/1200
"And next I activate the spell Power Bond! It's a fusion card to create a machine type monster and I know just the monsters to fuse. Jaden do you mind?" Syrus asks.
"What's mine is yours." Jaden grins.
"I fuse UFOroid with Jaden's Tempest in order to create UFOroid Fighter!" Syrus said as the two monsters merged to reveal Tempest standing on a UFO shaped platform. "And it gets better, his attack points are the sum total of both monster's attack points."
UFOroid Fighter: 4000/4000
"It matters not so cease your useless prattle." Para said.
"You know Dark Guardian can't be destroyed in battle." Dox said.
"Yeah that's true, but it doesn't really matter because Power Bond can double my Roid Fighter's attack points."
UFOroid Fighter: 8000/4000
"To make 8000?!" Both brothers gasp.
"Sure, your guardian will survive, but your life points won't. Go UFOroid Fighter! Cosmic Flux Blast!" Tempest aims his cannon and fires a powerful blue blast which blew through Dark Guardian and nails the Paradox brothers.
Jaden/Syrus: 200
Pardox Brothers: 0000
"They won!" Chumley cheered.
"Yes!" Takeru and Alexis hugged before letting go and looking away blushing.
"They won. I must say I'm getting more impressed every day." Bastion smiles.
Chazz growled in anger as he stormed out of the room with his Torimaki following him.
"No, it can't be they both won their duels against legendary duelists. How could they have won?" Crowler asks in shock.
"Obviously it's because of your splendid teaching, oh wait two of them are in my dorm." Banner said as Pharaoh licks Crowler's face.
"That furball just licked me! Does he have rabies? Call the pound!" Crowler panics as he storms out.
"We did it Sy." Jaden smiles as Takeru walked up to them.
"Congratulations you three, you have proven that you deserve to be at this school." Sheppard said causing everyone to cheer.
"Oh yeah." Jaden turns to the Paradox brothers. "That was a sweet duel I hope we can have a rematch someday."
"Well said Jaden, I'm sure it'll be even better written." Sheppard said surprising him. "I'd like a 5-page paper from all of you on what you learned dueling today."
"Talk about a bummer." Jaden slumps.
"How about 10 pages then." Shepard said walking.
"Takeru, you gotta help me write this." Jaden begs.
"Hey I got my own paper to write you're on your own." Takeru said.
"Aw come on! How can I write 10 pages by myself?!" Jaden whines.
Syrus looks up to his brother. 'I'd like to think I impressed you Zane, I know that I still have a ways to go before I'm at your level but at least I know I can do it here.' Syrus thought.
A faint smile forms on Zane's face as he walks away.
----Down the hall Crowler was storming through it with an angry expression on his face.
"Great now how am I going to get rid of that slacker and his friends?" Crowler growls when suddenly the lights in the hallway go out. "What is this?"
"Payback." A sinister voice echoed.
"Who who's there?" Crowler asks getting afraid when Arkana's red Dark Magician emerges from the shadows. "Dark Magician?!"
"I have been waiting for you Dr. Crowler. You are not worthy of your title and as punishment I should send your soul to the Shadow Realm!" Dark Magician said readying his staff.
"My soul! But I'm innocent." Crowler panics when Dark Magicians' staff glowed and Crowler heard his voice.
"I lure Jaden and his friends to the abandoned dorm, then I arrange this tag duel as punishment and then I hire the best tag duelists in the world to ensure he and Syrus get expelled."
"No, no please." Crowler begged. "I'll do anything, but please don't hurt!"
"Your begging is painful to my ears, so I will let you off with a warning. Try anything like this again and I'll be back." Dark Magician said before disappearing and the lights turn back on.
Crowler looks around to see everything was fine before quickly running away screaming. Appearing out of another hallway Arkana walks out with his duel disk activated and a tape recorder in his other hand.
"After all these years I still got it." Arkana smirks putting the tape recorder away. "I'll hold onto this just in case. Enjoy your time here at school Takeru. Make the most of it." Arkana smiles looking down the hall to see his son's smiling face one last time. Taking off his mask he turns around and walks away.