Duel and Unusual Punishment

Early in the morning the sun wasn't even up, but someone was: Zane Trusedale, the highest-ranking student at Duel Academy.

He was standing alone near the lighthouse, just staring at the sea.

"Zane?" A female voice calls out. Looking over he sees Alexis walking over. "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing just felt like being alone." He said as Alexis stood next to him.

"You know, with your little brother here I thought you'd be less alone, not more." Alexis said.

"Well that's because he doesn't belong here." Zane stated bluntly.

"You really should have more confidence in your brother." He looks off to the side and sees the Shiba siblings walking over.

It was early in the morning when a truck filled with soldiers pulled up to the Slifer Red dorm. As they marched up the stairs Prof. Banner came out of his room.

"Who's playing war at this time of day?" Looking up he gasps in shock. "Oh no it's the Disciplinary Action Squad! They only show up when a student is in serious trouble and they're heading right for Jaden's room!"

In Jaden's room he, Syrus and Chumley were sound asleep because it was a free day when they heard a forceful knock.

"Open up! Open this door or we'll break it down!" A female voice said waking Jaden up.

"Oh really, you and what army?" Jaden asks.

"The Disciplinary Action Squad Army!"

Jaden opens the door to see the people in dark uniforms outside his door.

"You must be Jaden Yuki and that must be Syrus." She said looking over to his roommate.

"Uh yeah, mind telling us why you're here?" Jaden asks.

"You two are under campus arrest!" She said surprising them.

"Arrest? What we do?" Jaden asks.

"That will be made perfectly clear at the interrogation." She informed them.

Soon the two Slifers found them selves in a large, circular room with multiple large screens, on them was Dr. Crowler, Chancellor Sheppard, the head of the Disciplinary committee, and multiple staff members.

"Suspension?!"

"That's what I suggest. You two have trespassed into the Abandoned Dorm, we have received an anonymous letter from a faculty member which confirms it. You must be punished to make an example for all students." The Disciplinary head said.

"Pardon the interruption." Ryan called out. "But what's the point of punishing them? After all, it's not considering trespassing when someone given consent to explore the abandoned dorm told these two to follow them."

"Where's the proof you got consent?" The Disciplinary head asked him, unconvinced.

"I believe Chancellor Sheppard can give you that answer."

The disciplinary head looked at Chancellor Sheppard.

"Is this true, sir?"

"Yes." Chancellor Sheppard sighed. "But still, the abandoned dorm is off limits and you can't go there without permission."

"I suggest we arrange something a little more sporting." Dr. Crowler advised.

"What do you mean by sporting?" Jaden asked.

"Well Jaden...how about you and Syrus compete in a tag duel. Win and you're cleared, lose and you both are expelled." Dr. Crowler said.

"A tag duel? That sounds sweet." Jaden smiles at the idea.

"But Jaden if we lose we're expelled." Syrus said not as on board as Jaden.

"As for you Ryan Fudo, since you had the Chancellor's permission to enter the Abandoned Dorm you won't have to worry about being expelled. But you will have to duel as well."

"So be it." He replied.

"Chancellor, what do you say? I believe they have accepted the conditions." Crowler said.

"Very well I'll arrange some opponents immediately." Sheppard nodded.

"Oh now Chancellor don't worry yourself about this, allow me to find some opponents for these boys." Crowler said.

"Very well Ryan will go first and then Jaden and Syrus." Chancellor Sheppard said confirming everything.

Later that day Chumley went to the Chancellor's office after hearing about what happened to the three.

"You wanted to see me Chumley?"

"Yes. Look I-I was at the Abandoned Dorm too! I should be the one to duel with Jaden!" Chumley said.

"And I should be helping Ryan." Chumley turned to see Alexis walking in and he was just as surprised as Chancellor Sheppard.

"They were at the dorm helping me." Alexis explains.

"That's bogus Alexis it was totally my fault. I was the one who lead them to the Abandoned Dorm because I wanted to check out…the Abandoned Cafeteria."

"Fat chance, Chumley. Please let me be his partner."

"Enough." They were prevented from saying anything else. "I'll be fine dueling alone especially considering I won't be expelled."

"And Syrus will be Jaden's partner. I'm sure they'll do just fine."

Chumley and Alexis looked at each other knowing full well it wasn't going to be easy for Syrus as it would be for Jaden.

Back at the Slifer Dorm the second Chumley went in Syrus rushed over to him.

"Did he say yes? Please tell me he said yes! If I'm Jaden's partner I'll get us expelled." Syrus said.

"I tried Syrus. I even lied and said that I was the one who led you guys to the dorm." Chumley said as he pushed him away.

"Well you did lead us to its cafeteria." Jaden said, sitting at a desk and looking at his deck.

"How can you be so calm about this Jaden? Aren't you scared I'm gonna get us kicked out?" Syrus asks.

"Nah. I wouldn't have any other partner." Jaden shook his head.

"Are you nuts?" Syrus asks.

"Look Syrus we're gonna go out there, duel our best and win. Know why?" Jaden asks.

"Not really." Syrus said.

"Because you and I are gonna work out our skills right now. Now go get your deck, cause we're gonna duel." Jaden declares.

At the Obelisk dorm Ryan was going over his deck when some Obelisks walked up to him.

"Hey, how much does it suck to be you?" One asks.

"Pardon." Ryan responded with a raised eyebrow.

"You haven't even been an Obelisk for a week and you're about to lose the jacket and your spot in the academy." The other said.

"You wish." He rolled his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Keep telling yourself that. You'll be pulling a disappearing act really fast." They said walking away laughing.

"Whatever dude." He brushed the statement off.

Arriving at the Slifer dorm he saw Chumley looking over the edge of the cliff.

"Chumley. What are you doing?" Ryan asked.

"Jaden and Syrus are about to duel." Chumley said pointing below them.

"In preparation for their tag duel. That's a good idea." He commented.

"Okay guys remember, this is just practice for your tag duel so go easy!" Chumley called out.

Looking down Jaden had a big smile on his face while Syrus was the exact opposite.

"Jaden doesn't understand the meaning of take it easy."

"That's probably a good thing." Turning around both boys saw Alexis walking towards them.

"What do you mean?" Chumley asks.

"It means I know Dr. Crowler and he isn't gonna get a bunch of pushovers. Both Syrus and Jaden need to be at their best, because if they're not they'll be expelled." Alexis said.

"Even though I'm not going to be expelled, so do I."

"Alright Syrus get your game on buddy and let's have some fun!" Jaden said.

"Yeah fun. Might as well have some fun before we fail and get kicked out of here." Syrus sighs.

"Uh what was that?"

"Oh uh nothing!"

"Then, let's duel!"

"Yeah…let's duel." Syrus sighs again.

Jaden: 4000

Syrus: 4000

Jaden drew a card. "Here I come Syrus." Jaden looks at his hand and grins. "I summon Elemental Hero Avian in Attack Mode!" Jaden said as his winged warrior appeared.

Elemental Hero Avian: 1000/1000

"And I'll place one card facedown. Your go."

Syrus drew his card. "Let's see…" Syrus looks at his hand and smiles. *'Ooh my Patroid has enough power to take down Avian.'* He thought.

"Hey Syrus, what's that smile for, you just get something good?" Jaden asks.

"Uh yeah I think so. I summon Patroid in Attack Mode!" Syrus said as a police car that looked like an old cartoon appeared. It had big eyes, a police hat on its roof and wheels sticking out like arms and legs.

Patroid: 1200/1200

"Attack with Siren Smasher!" Patroid rushed towards Avian with its sirens going off.

"Not so fast! I play a trap, Negate Attack!" Jaden said as his facedown rose up cancelling out Patroid's attack.

"Aw man I should have known your face down was a trap." Syrus groaned.

"Duh Syrus walked right into that one." Chumley said when he heard purring. Looking down he saw Pharaoh at his feet.

"This isn't a good start. There's no way they'll last in the tag duel if Syrus plays like this." Alexis said.

"Why didn't he use Patroid's effect. Once per main phase, he can see what one of Jaden's face down cards is and avoid falling into a trap."

Down below Syrus was making designs in the dirt with his back to Jaden.

"Wow dirt is just the greatest thing." Syrus said.

"Come on Syrus you just made one mistake." Jaden said.

"Yeah my mistake was coming to this school." Syrus said standing up.

"No Sy, you just forgot to use Patroid's ability. He lets you look at an opponent's facedown card once per turn. You could've seen my trap and played something to stop it." Jaden said.

"Yeah I know I'm no good! I don't belong here." Syrus said.

"Whoa hold on I didn't mean that!" Jaden said.

Syrus lowered his head. "I know that Jaden it's just that…"

"You're right I shouldn't butt in. We're opponents right now and from now on we should act like it." Jaden said drawing a card. "I summon Elemental Hero Sparkman in attack mode!" Appearing on the field next to Avian was the electrifying hero.

Elemental Hero Sparkman: 1600/1400

"Now attack Patroid!" Sparkman threw a spear of lightning hitting Patroid causing an explosion.

Jaden: 4000

Syrus: 3600

"Now Avian, attack with Windstorm Strike!" Avian dives towards Syrus knocking him off his feet.

Jaden: 4000

Syrus: 2600

"Finally, I'll place a card face down and end my turn." Jaden said.

"Can I crack up now? I just got nailed on both our turns, I can't win." Syrus said sitting up.

"Of course, you can Syrus. You just have to believe in yourself." Alexis said.

"Giving up so easily. You should be trying harder than this." Ryan commented.

"They're right Syrus!" Chumley said getting his attention. "I mean duh, that's the first thing they teach you in Freshman Dueling class, I should know I had to take it twice!" Chumley said.

"How can you fail the easiest class the Academy has to offer?" He questioned.

Syrus let the words sink in. "He's right. Not only am I dueling for myself, I'm dueling for Jaden too. And the best thing I can do is take him down!" Syrus said pulling himself out of the dirt.

"There you go."

"You just gotta believe in yourself!" Chumley said.

"Pretty good words of encouragement Chumley." Alexis said.

"Yeah, I got lots of books on self-motivation. For some reason my dad keeps getting them for me." Chumley said.

"I wonder why."

"Well at least Syrus is back in the duel and not playing in the dirt." Alexis said.

"Alright here goes nothing." Syrus drew a card and looks at his hand. 'Alright I don't have a monster that can beat Jaden. Looks like I'll have to go with a different strategy.' "I play Pot of Greed which lets me draw 2 cards!" Syrus looks at his cards and one was Polymerization and the other card made him gasp. 'Power Bond!'

'Judging from Syrus' face he must have drawn a sweet card.' Jaden thought.

"Power Bond is like Polymerization only better. If I summon a Machine-Type Fusion monster its attack points are doubled. Oh well I'm not good enough to play a card this strong at least according to my brother." Syrus whispers to himself.

Flashback:

"I'll never forget that day. It was back in grade school and I was dueling this really mean bully. It was my big chance to stand up to him and show him that I couldn't be pushed around."

Syrus: 1600

Bully: 1900

A younger Syrus was facing a big sized bully. The bully had Gearfried the Iron Knight and a facedown while Syrus had Steamroid and Gyroid.

"Alright you're going down." Syrus drew a card and smiles to see it was Power Bond. 'Awesome Power Bond, the card my brother gave me. I'll win for sure now.'

"Quit stalling you little pip-squeak! You're gonna lose so let's get this over with." The bully said.

"That's what you think! This duel is mine!" Syrus said.

"Yeah right. The only thing that's gonna be yours is a serious butt-kicking!" The bully said.

"I'm not scared of all your threats. Do you hear me? I'm not afraid of you anymore! You know why? Cause I'm gonna take you down!"

"STOP!" A voice shouted.

Syrus stopped in the middle of his moment and fell to the ground. "Who said that?"

Looking over he saw a taller boy in a blue uniform and dark blue hair. This was a younger version of his brother. "Zane?!"

Zane walks over and holds out a card. "This duel never happened, got it? Just take this card and go."

The bully looked at the card and laughs. "Nice card you got yourself a deal."

"What are you doing Zane? I was about to win with the card you gave me!" Syrus said standing up.

"No, you weren't Syrus and if I had known you were gonna misplay it I'd have never given it to you in the first place." Zane said.

"Misplay? What are you talking about? I wasn't gonna misplay it." Syrus said.

"Yes, you were. This was the face down your opponent had on the field." Zane shows Syrus the card and it was the popular Spellbinding Circle.

"Spellbinding Circle?" Syrus gasps.

"That's right. A very powerful trap card. Once it's played the monster it's trapped in cannot attack or change its battle position. You would have summoned a fusion monster with Power Bond, but this trap would have stopped you making you take Power Bond's after effect at the end of the turn. You weren't thinking Syrus you didn't take into account the facedown or Power Bond's after effect. Sure, you may know how to use Power Bond, but there's more to dueling than just that." Zane said making Syrus drop to his knees.

Flashback End:

"Just holding this card again is giving me chills." Syrus muttered. "And what did he mean that just using it isn't enough?"

"You alright over there Sy?" Jaden asks.

Snapping out of his trance Syrus put Power Bond in his hand. "I'm fine. I play Polymerization! Now I'll fuse Gyroid and Steamroid to create the Steam Gyroid!"

A swirling vortex appeared and a cartoon helicopter and train appeared before they were sucked in creating a monster with Steamroid's body and Gyroid's fan blades.

Steam Gyroid: 2200/ 1800

"Alright Steam Gyroid, its time to go loco-motive! Attack with Train Twister!" Steam Gyroid spun his blades creating a twister that flew towards Avian and rams into him.

Jaden: 2800

Syrus: 2600

"Had enough Jaden?" Syrus taunts.

Jaden bursts into laughter and smiles. "Have I had enough? No way, Sy. You know the old saying No Pain, No Gain and with what I have planned, you're gonna get a lot." He drew his card.

"I play Polymerization! Sparkman and Clayman, unite as one!" He said as storm clouds formed in the air, thunder rolling and lighting streaking across the skies. From it a huge figure descended from the sky.

Thunder Giant: 2400/ 1500

"Here he is, the Elemental Hero Thunder Giant!"

Seeing the monster startles Pharaoh out of Chumley's grip.

"C'mon it's just another monster." Chumley said.

"It's effect proves otherwise. Once per turn, Jaden can discard a card to destroy a monster who's attack is lower than Elemental Hero Thunder Giant's." Alexis explained.

"Guess practice is getting out early for Syrus." Chumley said.

"That sucks for him." Ryan muttered.

"Alright Thunder Giant take out Steam Gyroid!" Jaden orders as Thunder Giant zaps Steam Gyroid destroying it.

"Aw man I'm defenseless." Syrus groans.

"Yes you are! I summon Elemental Hero Burstinatrix in attack mode!" Jaden said calling out the female hero.

Burstinatrix: 1200/ 800

"Now attack!" Both heroes charge in with their attacks and knock Syrus to the ground.

Jaden: 2800

Syrus: 0000

"That's game!" Jaden said giving his two-finger salute. "Great duel Syrus."

"I dunno I didn't put up much of a fight." Syrus said.

"What are you talking about? Sure, I was able to pull through in the end, but you pulled off some pretty good moves yourself. Although, I am wondering what that card you didn't play was." Jaden looks at Syrus' hand and gasps. "Power Bond? Why didn't you play it? You could've doubled Steam Gyroid's attack. On second thought for my sake I'm glad you didn't."

"You don't understand." Syrus stood up and took his cards back. "My brother says I'm not good enough to play that card and it's obvious he's right. It's also obvious that you won't be able to win with me as your tag partner." Syrus said before running away.

"Hey Syrus wait!" Jaden calls out.

"Syrus!" Chumley runs after him.

Making their way down Alexis and Ryan walk over to Jaden.

"I guess practice doesn't make perfect at least not with Syrus." Alexis said.

"I don't get it. Syrus is a cool guy, but he doesn't see what I see. He has a problem believing in himself and he has this awesome spell but he doesn't use it because his brother says he can't use it." Jaden said.

"I don't consider him to be a very good brother after something like that."

Alexis gasps as her eyes widen.

"Do you know something?"

"Yeah…that brother of his goes to this school and you've probably heard of him." Alexis said.

"Who?" Jaden asked.

"Hello? Third-Year Obelisk and the best duelist on campus. Zane, and he's as good as his reputation, maybe even better." Alexis said.

"Well, he doesn't sound very good to his little brother. I wonder what happened to them?" Jaden asks.

"Jaden don't pry." Alexis warns.

"Oh I'm not gonna pry, I'm gonna duel." Jadne said.

"Jaden you're not listening! No one duels Zane!" Alexis said.

"They do when their tag partner is not up to snuff because of him. I'm gonna duel him to see how I stack up." Jaden said.

"Don't bother trying to convince him to stop."

Alexis shook her head and smiles. "Then go get him."

"Get ready Zane! I'm coming for you!" Jaden declares before running off.

"Let's hope he doesn't get in over his head."

"I hope so too, in the meantime what about you?" Alexis asks.

"I'm going to prepare for my upcoming duel."

"Then we better get started." Alexis said surprising him.

"We? You know I'm not going to be expelled right?"

"That may be true, but you still need all the help you can get."