King of the Copycats

Jaden made his way through a crowd of people in front of the card shop.

"Hey, what's going on? Is it eggwich day?" Jaden asked as he noticed Bastion and Ryan nearby.

"Not exactly." Ryan replied.

"Just a little lunchtime tussle." Bastion added.

"A duel?" Jaden was surprised and then looked to the left to see a Ra Yellow.

"Who's that guy?" He asked the two.

"That..." Ryan pointed to the Ra Yellow. "...is Dmitri."

"And who's the other?" Jaden turned to the other side of the store and saw... "Syrus."

"Hey Jaden." He waved back to his roommate.

"What's going on?" Jaden asked, emerging from the crowd.

"A high stakes duel." Syrus explained before pointing to an assortment on the wall above them. "Check it out."

Jaden looked up at the wall to see all the posters had the picture of the greatest duelist of all. Yugi Muto, the King of Games himself.

"Yugi's deck is going on tour and it's first stop is Duel Academy." Syrus told him. "Isn't that the coolest?"

"Yeah it is. The best duelist in the world." Jaden stared at the posters.

"So if I win I get..." Syrus stops when he saw Jaden was in his own world.

"Hello? Hey Jaden."

"That deck is a piece of history...everything it's experienced."

"Yeah it's been with him since Duelist Kingdom." Syrus said. "Of course, it doesn't have the Egyptian Gods. But it does have all the classics."

"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go get tickets." Jaden said.

"You might like to know there's only one ticket left."

"That's why Syrus is dueling." Dorothy called out from behind the counter. "Whoever wins gets the ticket. Can you imagine a better prize."

"Yeah one with two tickets." Jaden eyed Syrus.

"Why were you planning on bringing someone?" Syrus asks. "I already have a ticket."

Jaden stared at him and smiled after figuring out what was going on. "You're dueling so I can go."

"Of course." Syrus walked back to his original place on the field. "I'm gonna win, too."

"You're the best Syrus!" Jaden exclaimed.

"Very well young scholar." Dimitri said sounding like Dr. Crowler. "And I play Heavy Storm destroying all spell and trap cards on the field!"

"Wait that sounds familiar." Jaden said.

"It should. Crowler used this strategy during your entrance exam." Davis reminded him.

His sisters were working on a couple decks.

"Now I sacrifice my two Wicked Tokens in order to play the Legendary Ancient Gear Golem!" Dimitri said as the giant golem appeared.

Ancient Gear Golem: 3000/3000

"Deja vu much." Jaden said.

"I know all of Crowler's cards in his deck because I have some Ancient Gears as well and studied up on machine archetypes." Davis said. "I've been mentoring Syrus since your tag duel and he's going to win this."

He had three different decks based around machines. His first was a bunch of random machines and support from Machine King. His second and the one he uses on a regular basis is Gadgets. His third and final deck is one reserved only for those who deserve to face it, Machinas.

"Now attack Jetroid with Mechanized Melee!"

"Not so fast! When Jetroid's attacked I can activate his special ability that allows me to play a trap from my hand, like this Magic Cylinder!" Syrus said playing a trap. "Now this card sends your attack right back at you!"

"Time out!" Dimitri gasps.

Syrus: 3700

Dmitri: 0

"Yeah!" Syrus raised his arm in victory. "That's how ya duel!"

"Sweet move!" Jaden ran over to his friend, "You sent that Golem to the junkyard!"

Syrus rubbed the back of his head. "It was easy, really. I've already seen you beat Doctor Crowler and since Dimitri copied his deck, I knew exactly what to do..."

"Yeah! Oh that reminds me!" Syrus walked over to the counter where Dorothy handed him the stub. He held up the ticket and walked back Jaden, "Here's your ticket, Jay..."

"Sy, you are the best!" Jaden praised, accepting the ticket.

"Alright everyone, show's over..." Dorothy told the crowd, rising from her stool, "Time to get back to class..."

As the crowd dispersed, Dimitri could hear what some of them thought about the duel.

"Another *stunning* performance by Dimitri!"

"As a Ra Yellow, he should have creamed that Slifer loser!"

"I guess copying a great duelist and being a great duelist are two different things..."

"What a joke!"

"Really! It's a wonder he's still here."

Soon only Ryan, Bastion and the Shiba siblings were left.

"Well, I think that's the worst of it..." Bastion said.

"Sure, until the next time I lose!" Dimitri snapped as his voice went to normal now as he rose from the floor, "Well I've had it!"

Later that night, Dimitri sat alone in his dorm room at his desk, countless books and notebooks littering his desk. He thought back to his duels and how many times he lost and banged his fists.

"I don't get it! It doesn't make sense!" He growled, throwing his notes and texts off of his desk, "I watch, I study...and I *still* lose!"

Papers filled with deck outlines, equations, and formulas that would make Bastion find a comrade in Dimitri fluttered to the floor while the Ra seethed with anger.

"Crowler's deck...it was as useless as all the rest of them!" He grits his teeth, "Kaiba's or Zane's...it doesn't matter *who* I copy, I always lose! What is there left to do? After all, if *copying* the greatest duelists in the world won't help me win...what can?"

As soon as he said that, he felt something brush against his knuckle. He looked down and noticed a small flyer lying in the middle of the desk. Looking at it, Dimitri smiled and picked it up, "Of course, it's so obvious! *Becoming* the greatest duelist..."

"...then *I* said, 'No, you don't, Dimitri, 'cause I'm putting your Mechanized Melee in reverse'...well, like that, only cooler,"

Chumley nodded as Syrus finished his tale about how he won against the Ra earlier that day. Both of them turned and saw Jaden wasn't listening to a word they were saying. He was staring at his Winged Kuriboh card.

"Thinking..."

Jaden lifted his head from his desk, "I can't get Yugi's deck outta my mind..." He replied.

Chumley turned his head slightly to him, "Why?"

"Why?" Jaden turned in his seat, a grin on his face, "Why do you like grilled cheese?" He asked, rising from the chair, "Look, I can't wait another second to check out those legendary cards. Who's up for going to the exhibit with me right now?"

Chumley sat up on his bunk, "You mean while they're setting up?" he nodded, "Good idea, that way we can avoid the rush."

Syrus frowned, "So wait, I went through all that trouble dueling to get you that ticket and you're not even gonna *use* it?"

"Syrus..." Jaden ruffled his hair, "We'll go and take a sneak peek tonight, and tomorrow, we'll be the first ones in line!"

In the exhibit hall, two security officers had just finished up their rounds and checked in with Dr. Crowler.

"Alright, Mr Crowler-"

"That's *Doctor* Crowler!"

"Doctor Crowler..." The officer handed the Head of Obelisk a small chain, "Here's the key to the exhibit hall..."

"Thanks for letting us off early." The second one gave a small salute, "We'll catch you here bright and early tomorrow for the big opening!"

"Have a good one Mister...uh Doctor...uh..."

"Good night, sir."

Crowler waved at them as they walked away, "Yes, yes, good night!" he called, trying to hold back his giddy laughter. He looked at the key, "Quite a good night, indeed," he turned and started down the hallway, looking at the numerous posters of Yugi on the wall, "After all, how many can say that they were in the presence of greatness? Of the world's most famous dueling deck?"

He opened the door and walked inside. In the middle of the room was a display case with a mini-pedestal inside of it. As he walked closer to it, he noticed something was very wrong. The glass case had a jagged hole on one side, the broken glass crunching as he walked over it. The deck of Yugi Moto, the King of Games...was gone!

"It's...not there!?"

Meanwhile, the two guards were making their way down the hall, unaware of what had happened.

"You know, I didn't know he was a doctor?"

"Yeah, well I didn't even know he was a *dude*..."

While these two chatted away, the three eager Slifers turned the corner and quietly ran the opposite way down the hallway, towards the exhibit hall.

As they neared it, the Slifers saw another person making their way towards them.

"Bastion?" Syrus blinked, "What are you doing here?"

"What else." Bastion pointed to the hall. "Getting a glance at the deck."

"Guess great minds do think alike." Jaden grinned.

Then they all heard a scream.

On cue, Kaoru and Davis showed up minutes later.

"What's going on?" Kaoru asked.

"Did you hear that?" Jaden asks.

"Let's go help her." Bastion said as they ran inside to see the destroyed cases and Dr. Crowler near them.

"The display case." Jaden gasps.
"He stole Yugi's deck."
"Why'd you do it Dr. Crowler?" Syrus asks.

"No wait." Crowler said.

"Let's go get Chancellor Sheppard." Jaden turned to Bastion.

They all turned to run away when Crowler tackles them to the ground.

"Hey what gives?" Jaden asks.

"I know it looks bad but I didn't steal the decks!" Crowler said.

"Then who did?" Bastion glares.

"You were by the display case." Syrus said.

"Then search me! Please!" Crowler begs.

Jaden stared at Crowler while getting to his feet.

"It might have something to do with the fact that I don't want to search him...but I'm convinced he didn't steal the deck."

"Yes you're not as dim as you think." Crowler said.

"That and the fact that Crowler had the key to the case so why would he even need to smash the case." Davis said.

"Of course I'd expect nothing less than logical reasoning from you Davis." Crowler told Davis.

"Then that means the thief is still out there."

"We better move fast then." Jaden said.

"Yes we, and we I mean you." Crowler said as they ran off.

At the rocks by the harbor a figure was looking at Yugi's deck.

"It's done. With the greatest deck, I'll be the greatest duelist." He said to himself.

"Hey! Somebody stole Yugi's deck know anything?" Syrus asks as the figure turned around to reveal Dmitri who mimicked his outfit and hair to resemble Yugi.

"Stole? What do you mean? This is my deck if you don't believe me I'll prove it to you." Dimitri said mimicking Yugi's voice as he tossed a Duel Disk to Syrus.

At the nearby bridge, Jaden, Bastion and Chumley met up.

"Anything?" Jaden asks.

"Dorm's clear." Bastion said.

"Nothing in the classrooms." Chumley panted.

They heard a scream.

"That was Syrus!" Chumley gasps.

They ran to the docks and found Syrus laying on the ground.

"Syrus are you okay?" Jaden asked.

"He has it." Syrus slowly got up. "Yugi's dueling deck."

Growling Jaden stepped forward.

"Okay, you've had your fun, but it's time to return what you've stolen Dimitri!" He shouted.

"Dmitri." He scoffed. "You're mistaken, I'm Yugi. Dmitri's just some kid who would study other people's decks and copy them. You see with these cards I'm not copying the King of Games. I am the King of Games! And if you want this deck back you'll have to prove I'm not."

"I never back down from a challenge." Jaden said.

"Then let's go!" Syrus tossed him a Duel Disk. He strapped it on, inserted his deck and activated it. "Get your game on!"

"It's time to Duel!"

Jaden: 4000 Dmitri: 4000

"Here I come. I play Elemental Hero Burstinatrix in defense mode." The red clad female hero knelt down before Jaden.

Elemental Hero Burstinatrix: 1200/800

Kaoru and Davis showed up minutes later.

"What's going on?" Kaoru asked.

"And why are Dmitri and Jaden dueling?" Davis asked.

"Jaden's dueling Dmitri to get Yugi's deck back. Dmitri broke the glass case containing the deck and stole it." Syrus explained.

"Seriously?" Kaoru asked. "I should've tutored him when I was still in Ra Yellow but my siblings and I were busy tutoring the Slifer Reds."

"Even so I'd say this could be a problem." Davis said.

"Syrus, you just dueled this guy. Any advice on how to beat him?" Chumley asked.
"No. I tried everything I knew and nothing worked."

"So you're saying that Jaden doesn't have a chance?"

"I'm saying against Yugi's deck, that's a possibility."

"It's more than that." Bastion said. "You see, Dimitri's a copycat duelist. So to defeat him, you must exploit the weaknesses of the person he's copying. Like Syrus did when he copied Crowler. The problem is now he's copying Yugi, a duelist who's weaknesses are not so well known. If he has any at all. There's no set formula to beat the king of games, so there's no set formula to beat Dimitri now."

"In other words, Jaden would need to be extremely lucky." Davis added.

"And he'll need a Miracle." Kaoru said. "This isn't like the time Toramaki faced you when you used Crowler's deck by accident. The only reason you won was because you added some of your Gadgets into the deck. Either way Jaden's really gonna have to dig deep."

"So you like fusing monsters do ya? Well you'll love this. Elemental Heroes Sparkman and Clayman combine to create, Elemental Hero Thunder Giant." The two named Heroes swirled about each other and merged into the giant armored man.

Elemental Hero Thunder Giant: 2400/1500

"And now I'm gonna use his special ability. It let's me destroy a monster who's original attack points are less than his." The giant shot a blast of electricity from the palm of his hand which destroyed Chimera.

"Nice ability. Now let me show you mine. "When Chimera's destroyed, I can summon back Berfomet from the graveyard." The four armed monster reappeared, kneeling down.

Berfomet: 1400/1800

"Yeah, but it won't be there for long. Thunder Giant attack. Voltic Thunder." He shot another blast of electricity which made Dimitri's defense explode. 'That ability saved his life-points from taking a big hit. That deck's living up to the heights.'

"For my turn I play one card face-down. And play Monster Reincarnation. So by discarding one card, I get a monster back from my graveyard. Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts." The named monster appeared on the field as Dimitri placed it on his disk."

Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts: 1500/1200

"And now, I activate the magic card, Swords of Revealing Light." Jaden and his monster were surrounded on all sides by swords of light.

"Hey, what's happening?" Jaden asked.

"Not your attacks." Dimitri said. "For three turns your monster are useless."

"Three turns! I've gotta break out of this before then. Go Dark Catapulter." The animal like machine knelt beside Jaden's Thunder Giant.

"Lishus!" Chumley exclaimed. "Jaden will be able to destroy Dimitri's spell with Catapulter's effect."

"Yes, but not until next turn." The dueling Ra butt in. "And Catapulter won't be around that long. Because I have a trap. Dark Renewal. It activates when you summon a monster. Now I can sacrifice one of your monsters and one of mine, to bring back a spellcaster from my graveyard."

"Why, you only have Gazelle and Berfomet."

"Remember when I played Monster Reincarnation?"

"Oh, right. Guess I forgot."

"Now I'll bring back that spellcaster. Gazelle, Catapulter, make some room. For the one, the only." The two named monsters turned into streams of light which flowed into the red and gold coffin. "My friend, Dark Magician!" The coffin opened up, from which emerged Yugi's most famous monster.

Dark Magician: 2500/2100

"I am star struck." Jaden said. "The Dark Magician is like the headliner of Yugi's entire deck."

"Think he'll give an autograph?" Syrus wondered.

"I wish I brought my camera." Chumley added.

*'Well played.'* Bastion thought. *'I doubt Yugi could have done it better. Dimitri's copying him perfectly and that's not good f*or Jaden.'

"Well then, I'll switch Thunder Giant into defense mode and end my turn." Jaden's hero knelt down."I play the spell Thousand Knives." A multitude of knives with white glowing blades appeared in the air on Dimitri's field. "And with Dark Magician on the field, this can destroy anyone of your monsters." The purple clad magician pointed his staff forward, commanding the knives to hit Jaden's monster.

"Jaden's Thunder Giant just got cut down to size." Syrus moaned.

"Size zero cause he's gone." Chumley pointed out.

"Still star struck? Well, let's see how you like getting struck, by your star. Dark Magician, Dark Magic Attack." The Magic hurled a ball of magic energy from the tip of his staff at Jaden.

Jaden: 1500

"Give up." Dimitri called out.

"Never!"

"That's the spirit. Never give up. Always believe in the heart of the cards. That's what I say."

"Right you are." 'Here goes something.' "Wroughtweiler in defense mode." Jaden's mechanical dog sat down.

Wroughtweiler: 800/1200

"There may be no known formula for defeating Yugi's deck, but it looks like Jaden's still designing one," Bastion said. "And if he's planning what I think he is, then it might work."

"Don't forget, with my spell in play, you can't attack. But I can. Dark Magician, Dark Magic Attack." The magician launched another ball of magical energy which vaporized Wroughweiler.

"You just activated his special ability. When he's destroyed in battle, I get back a hero and Polymerization."

"Way to play. You really show promise."

"I didn't think it was possible, but this guy's weirding me out even more."

"I summon back Burstinatrix." The female hero crouched down on Jaden's field again.

Elemental Hero Burstinatrix: 1200/800

"Then I'll throw down four face-downs and call it a turn."

*'I've only got one monster in my deck with more attack points than the Dark Magician, Elemental Hero Bladege. Lucky for me, summoning him out now should be easy.'*

The swords light around Jaden faded away as Dimitri drew his card. "My spell may be gone, but that hardly matters right now. Dark Magician, attack Burstinatrix."

"Not so fast Dimitri. I play A Hero Emerges. It activates as soon as you declare an attack. Now you have to randomly pick a card from my hand, and it it's a monster, I can play it."

"So let's just get right to it, shall we? Come on out, Bladedge." Jaden's golden armored hero appeared on his field.

Elemental Hero Bladedge: 2600/1800

"Alright!" Syrus exclaimed. "Now Jay's got a monster that can beat Dark Magician."

"And every other monster in Yugi's deck." Bastion added. "After all, with no Egyptian God cards, the Dark Magician is the strongest card Dimitri has."

Dimitri laughed. "Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear your friends. They're quite wrong. You see, while it is true the Dark Magician is the strongest monster card in my deck, but as a duelist, you must know that it's rarely about the card, it's what you do with it. And what I'm going to do is play this, Dedication Through Light and Darkness." The image of a card with a monster quite similar to the Magician of Black Chaos appeared on Dimitri's field. Black energy surrounded it and extended towards the Dark Magician, engulfing him as Dimitri spoke. "It takes Dark Magician and turns him into something even more powerful. The legendary, Dark Magician of Chaos."

"Chaos?" Syrus asked.

"That doesn't sound good." Kaoru muttered.

"It's not." Bastion agreed. "It's one of the strongest cards you'll ever see."

"This is where Arisa would be a lot of help right now." Kaoru said. "She knows a lot about Spellcasters."

"That's right." Dimitri said. "And I'm about to unleash it on you, Jaden. Chaos Magician, rise!" The spellcaster shown on the spell card emerged on to the field.

Dark Magician of Chaos: 2800/2600

"Now just by successfully summoning him, I can take back a spell card from the graveyard. And in case you haven't done the math, Bladedge doesn't have the most attack points anymore. Chaos Magician does."

"Not lishus!"

"Now attack. Scepter Strike." The newest Magician fired off a powerful sphere of magical energy that slammed into Bladedge, thus defeating him.

Jaden: 1500-1300

"Just face it. This deck and I fit perfectly. Always has, always will."

"Not if I can help it!" Jaden said. *'Of course, to be honest I don't know if I can. Against the King of Games getting your game on may not be enough.'*

"Jaden's in deep trouble." Syrus commented.

"Unfortunately Syrus, that's the understatement of the year. Look what he's up against. The Dark Magician of Chaos, full life points, the King of Games' deck. The trouble isn't deep, it's subterranean."

*'Okay, not only does this guy have Yugi's deck, but he thinks he's Yugi. And the only way to set him straight is by beating him.'* Jaden thought to himself. "Well, always did want to see how I stacked up against my idol. Guess this is as close as I'll get. My turn." Jaden's eyes widened as he saw that he drew his spirit monster. "Winged Kuriboh?"

"*Coo!*"

"Are you sure? This could get rough, and we are going against your old master's deck."

"*Coo!*"

"Alright, I summon Winged Kuriboh in defense mode." Jaden's spirit monster appeared besides Burstinatrix.

Winged Kuriboh: 300/200

"Winged Kuriboh? Good to see you. Of course, there's nothing quite like the original." A mirror version of Jaden's monster without wings appeared on Dimitri's field. (300)

"Two Kuribohs?" Syrus wondered.

"But first thing's first. Dark Magician of Chaos, attack Burstinatrix."

"I've got a trap, Super Junior Confrontation. I know what you're thinking, sounds kinda weak. But that's just the point. This calls off your magician's attack." The incoming spellcaster stopped in his tracks and returned to his side of the field. "Then it forces both of our weakest monsters to do battle. Weakest in points that is. So it'll be your Kuriboh against mine."

"A hairball battle royale." Chumley commented.

The original one flew towards Jaden's field and tackled his winged counterpart. "You got off easy, but next turn you won't. I end with a face-down," Dimitri said as his monster returned to him.

'Winged Kuriboh took one for the team there,' Bastion thought to himself. 'Losing Burstinatrix would have put Jaden in a tight spot.'

'Well, Jaden may be behind a little, but he's still in this duel.' Jeremy's spirit monster appeared on his shoulder as he watched. 'Hey buddy. Think Jaden can turn this one around?'

"*With the support from you, and everyone else he will. And if he believes he can.*"

'Well, that's no problem for him then.'

"My turn." Jaden announced. "And I play Pot of Greed to draw two cards. And they're two sweet ones. Hope you like playing with bubbles, cause I'm summoning Elemental Hero Bubbleman." Jaden's water hero stood up next to Burstinatrix, his cape fluttering behind him. (800) "And I'll play a field spell, one you might need a hard hat for. Skyscraper."

"What the?" Dimitri exclaimed as tall buildings rose around both duelists. "What's the meaning of these buildings?"

"Meaning? To kick your butt Dimitri." Syrus said.

"That's right. Cause here and Elemental Hero gains a thousand attack points if it's weaker than the monster it fighting. And I'll play this too, Bubble Blaster." A large bazooka like weapon with a water reservoir appeared on the water hero's shoulder. "And this thing packs some pop, 800 points worth. Plus, if Bubbleman ever get's attacked, Bubble Blaster takes the hit for him. Now to give him those extra attack points…" (800-1600) "and now, to use em." Bubbleman fired a large bubble from his weapon at the weakest monster in the field.

"Let's go Bubbleman, clean the Kuriboh's clock," Syrus cheered.

"But which Kuriboh?" Dimitri said. "I play the magic card, Multiply!" The furry monster split into four pieces, which became replicas of the original monster. (200) x4

"Now there's four of them!" Syrus exclaimed.

"Correct. By sacrificing one Kuriboh, I can summon Kuriboh Tokens on all open spaces on all open spaces in my monster card zone. Of course, your blast is still in play..." One of the tokens was hit by the incoming bubble and exploded in a shower of pixels. "But its significance has been deflated."

"Fine. I end my turn."

"And I'll begin mine, by playing Card of Sanctity. It forces both of us to draw until we each hold six cards." Jaden drew the full six and Dimitri five. "Excellent, I drew the monster Watapon. When he's drawn with the effect of a spell, trap or monster, I can summon it to the field." A little white puffball with blue eyes and antennas appeared amidst the Kuriboh tokens." (200) "But he won't be there for long, because now I sacrifice him, and bring out, Dark Magician Girl." The blond female magician dressed in her blue and pink outfit took her place on the field.

Dark Magician Girl: 2000/1700

"Wow. She's even cuter in person." Jaden remarked.

"She has both beauty and brawn. For every Dark Magician in the graveyard, she gains 300 attack points. And on the subject of Dark Magicians, don't forget about this one. Dark Magician of Chaos, attack." The powerful magician fired off and blast of magic energy which Bubbleman blocked with his weapon. "Now he started, she'll finish. Dark Magician Girl, Dark Burning attack." The magical woman twirled her staff about and shot a sphere of pink magic at Jaden's hero. Though he was empowered by Skyscraper, he was destroyed regardless.

Jaden: 800

"The Heart of the Cards are indeed powerful, aren't they Jaden?"

"Alright, so you got in a few good shots. Now it's my turn. And with the cards in my hand, I'll be able to return the favor and then some. I reveal Polymerization, fusing Avian and Burstinatrix to summon the Elemental Hero Flame Wingman." The red and green heroes disappeared and came back as Jaden's favorite monster.

Elemental Hero Flame Wingman: 2100/1200

"But that's not all. I play The Warrior Returning Alive. It let's me bring back a past warrior monster, like Sparkman." Jaden retrieved the hero from his grave and placed it on his disk.

Elemental Hero Sparkman: 1600/1400

"And don't forget about Skyscraper, Flame Wingman get's an extra thousand attack points in battle."

"Wait! 3100 attack points!" Dimitri said in realization. "That's-"

"Yep, just enough to take out your magician, either one. But since I have a soft spot for the girl, we'll start with him. Skydive Scorcher." The powerful fusion monster leapt into the air, was covered in flames, and dove down at the Chaos Magician, slamming into him and destroying him.

Dimitri: 3700

"And there's also his effect. Now you take damage equal to the attack points of the monster you just lost."

Dimitri: 900

"Take that!" Chumley cheered. "Yugi, Dimitri, whatever your name is."

"Way to play Jay! Nice work!"

"Crazy." Jaden said. "I'm beating Yugi's deck."

*'Simply remarkable.'* Bastion thought to himself. *'Dimitri is dueling just like the King of Game would, yet Jaden is staying competitive, winning even. Sure, he was a bit overwhelmed at first, but now he's really turned things around. Maybe his deck will go on tour right besides Yugi's, assuming he can win it back that is.'*

"Sparkman attack. Sparkstorm." The electric hero brought his hands overhead and thrust them forward, shooting a spiral of power that fried one of the tokens. "Next I'll throw down two face-downs and use the spell Emergency Provisions. By sacrificing one of those face-downs, I get back a thousand life-points."

Jaden: 1800

"Sweet, don't you think?" 'But not as sweet as what's about to happen. I mean, one more attack and I'll have beaten the King of Games' deck.'

"Jaden, he's all yours. You've got him." Syrus cheered.

"You have nothing!" Dimitri bellowed. "My deck is prepared for anything. First, I switch Dark Magician Girl to defense mode." The female magician kneeled down.

"Then I'll activate Spider Web." A white string came from the spell and reached for Jaden's graveyard. "It allows me to take one of the cards you sent to your graveyard last turn and place it directly into my hand. And soon, it will go directly into my life-points." The string deposited the chosen card in Dimitri's hand. "Because I chose Emergency Provisions. Next I'll place two cards face-down, then I'll activate Monster Reincarnation. And next I'll play Emergency Provisions, sacrificing my three cards to regain 3000 life-points."

Dimitri: 3900

"Finally, thanks to Monster Reincarnation, I'll take back the Kuriboh I lost. Did you follow all of that?"

"Not a word of it." Syrus spoke up.

"Well I did." Jaden said. "Those were some sweet moves, but they won't save you from the Flame Wingman. Skydive Scorcher." The green and red hero dive bombed the kneeling girl. "And don't forget his ability, you get hit for damage equal to the attack point of the Dark Magician Girl." The Flame Wingman landed in front of Dimitri and blaster him with fire from his dragon arm.

Dimitri: 1600

"Good thing I padded my points last turn."

"Yeah? Well good thing I have a couple of attacks left. I play De-Fusion. Now Flame Wingman splits."

"Jaden's impressing more and more every turn!" Bastion said amazed. "What skillful play. Now he can attack with both monsters separately."

"Avian attack, Talon Hair." The winged monster flew at one of the tokens and raked it with his taloned foot. "Now, Burstinatrix, Flare Storm." The female hero formed a fireball in her hands and threw it at the remaining Kuriboh.

"That's how you duel!" Syrus said.

"Lishus! One more attack and he'll nail Dimitri's life-points."

"And with Sparkman out, that attack will be right now." Bastion pointed out.

"You go get im Jaden."

"Go Sparkman, attack."

Dimitri smiled as the attack came closer. "You're forgetting about someone. Kuriboh." An image of the furry monster appeared in front of Dimitri to take the hit.

"What the?"

"By discarding Kuriboh, I don't take any damage from Sparkman's little firework display. Good thing Monster Reincarnation let me bring him back."

"Oh, yeah. My bad."

"Thank you Kuriboh. That move takes me back to our Battle City duel against Seto Kaiba."

"Battle City? This guy's gone even crazier." Syrus commented.

"That much is obvious." Ryan said.

"No joke." Davis said.

"Sy just smile and nod, smile and nod." Chumley spoke.

"I got no comment." Kaoru finished.

"Now let's continue, for Kuriboh. His fall won't be in vain. Perfect." He said as he drew. "The Heart of the Cards has served me again. I removed one dark monster and light monster from my graveyard."

"Wait a sec." Jaden spoke up. "Why are you doing this?"

"I've never seen this. Is it a summoning?" Syrus asked

"Nah, no way." Chumley said.

"You're sadly mistaken." Kaoru glared darkly. "Ever heard of Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End?"

Syrus and Chumley nod. Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End was well known in the world of Duel Monsters.

"Most people don't know that it has a warrior counterpart. Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning."

"And that's the card our younger brother Tyson received for his birthday." Davis added. "The Envoys make Arisa's Chaos Sorcerer look like a small fry."

And then the sound of a book being shut was heard.

"It's effects are equally problematic." Ryan told them. "It can either attack twice after destroying a monster in battle or simply banish one regardless of position."

"Bastion." Kaoru said. "Care to explain why most people don't know about Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning."

"Gladly Kaoru." Bastion said before he began to explain about the Envoys. "As you know the Envoys are two monsters that can be summoned like this. Two rare cards of such power. Duelists have scoured the world over to obtain them for their collection. The first is Chaos Emperor Dragon Envoy of the End. A card so powerful, it has been banned from official duel monster tournaments. Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning has comparable powers as Ryan said, but has never been forbidden due to it's scarcity. In fact, some say not a single copy still exists."

"Why are you here?" Syrus asked the Obelisk.

"I had a feeling something would happen to the deck, so I decided to look for it."

"Is that so?" Dimitri said. "Well they're wrong, because I have one right here. Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning." They all watched, stunned at the warrior that emerged from the vortex created by Kuriboh and Watapon's disappearance. He had dark blue armor outlined in gold with a ruby on the helm and chest plate, a triangular shield with the same make as his armor and wicked curved sword.

Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning: 3000/2500

"So Yugi really did have that card. I always thought it was just a rumor." Jaden mentioned.

"I'm afraid not. This card's been a part of my deck for a long time. But I only take him out for… special occasions. Like now, Luster Blade attack." The mighty warrior stabbed the air, projecting a flurry of smaller ones that cut down Avian.

Jaden: 800

"Ouch, that hurt." Jaden said.

"It's about to hurt a lot worse." Ryan warned him. "Remember when Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning destroys a monster in battle, it can attack a second time."

"No way!" Jaden exclaimed.

"Aw man. Now I'm beginning to see why monsters like this are outlawed." Syrus quaked in fear as he spoke.

"And now, Black Luster Soldier, end this!" The named monster dashed towards Burstinatrix with his sword at the ready.

"He's through. Jaden's life points can't take another hit." Bastion pointed out.

"It's not over yet! I play the trap Hero Spirit." A spirit form of Avian emerged in front of Burstinatrix to block the incoming warriors weapon.

"What's this?"

"It's not the end of the duel. Cause if a hero is destroyed and I play Hero Spirit, I can turn all the following damage to zero."

"Fine then, I'll just finish you off next turn. The Heart of the Cards will see to that."

*'He may be right.*' Jaden thought. *'Yugi's deck is just so powerful. I thought I could win, but now I don't know.'* Winged Kuriboh then made a appearance.

"*Coo!*"

"Wadda you mean? That's Yugi's deck!" He then gasped in realization. *'Of course, that Yugi's deck! The Heart of the Cards comes from believing in your own cards, not someone's you stole. And I believe in my deck. So if the Heart of the Cards is on anyone's side, it's on mine.'* "Sorry Dimitri, but I believe."

"What?"

"I activate Silent Doom. This spell card allows me to summon a monster from my graveyard in defense mode. So come on back Avian." The green hero appeared again, in a kneeling position.

Elemental Hero Avian: 1000/1000

"Next I play Double Spell. And by discarding a spell card from my hand, I can use one spell card from your graveyard. If you need more info, just look under the official rulebook under the heading, 'Ouch! I lose'."

"Sounds like Jaden has a plan." Bastion noted.

"So I'll discard this and help myself to your Polymerization. Now I'll fuse Avian and Burstinatrix, to create my deck's headliner one more time. The Elemental Hero Flame Wingman." The green and red heroes merged and the Flame Wingman appeared on the tip of the tallest Skyscraper.

Elemental Hero Flame Wingman: 2100/1200

"And with Skyscraper still out, he gains an extra 1000 points in battle. Now, attack Black Luster Soldier with, Skydive Scorcher." The Wingman dove down and slammed his flame covered arm into the opposing warrior.

Dmitri: 1500

"He's gone, my Luster Soldier's gone!" Dimitri exclaimed.

"Don't sweat it. He was never yours to begin with. Besides, if you wanna worry about something, worry about Wingman's superpower. It makes you lose life-points equal to Luster Soldier's attack points." Jaden's monster shot a blast of fire from its dragon arm that depleted all of Dimitri's life points.

Dmitri: 0

"That's game!"

"I've been beaten…" Dimitri said as he fell to his knees.

"Even with… Yugi's legendary cards." He said in his normal voice. "What's wrong with me? Why can't I ever win?"

"The answer to that should be obvious." They all turned to face the direction the voice had come and saw Zane, accompanied by Alexis and Arisa. "Hey, you're Zane."

"Why're you guys here?" Jaden inquired.

"Why else? We came to see the deck. But it was missing." Alexis explained.

"Kind of you." Bastion remarked.

"Wait, then, you saw it all? Me and Dimitri? The whole thing?"

"Not just us. Your match attracted quite a crowd." They then looked to where Zane was pointing and saw all the people higher up who had been watching all along.

"Umm, hey! Glad you all could make it!" Jaden waved at them as they clapped.

"What now?" Dimitri asked.

"Well kid, the punishment for stealing has always been straight up expulsions. But, since I think pretty much everyone enjoyed seeing Yugi's deck in a duel rather than a display case, I doubt anyone will turn you in."

"What difference will it make? I lost."

"We disagree." Kaoru and Davis said at the same time.

"You didn't lose." Jaden said. "That person you were pretending to be did."

"Yugi?"

"No. You can never be Yugi."

"Then, who was I?"

"Well, you were you, but you weren't. See, when you copy someone it's not like you're that person. You're you copying that person. You know? Yeah, that makes sense, right?"

"What Jaden's trying to say is this. Dmitri you'll never win or lose unless you put yourself out there using your own deck and your own strategies." Arisa said. "No amount of studying will allow you to use somebody else's deck the way they can. Ask Davis. He accidentally used Doctor Crowler's deck but the duel was tough for him because he was more used to his own Gadget deck and Crowler's deck didn't have a lot of Gadgets."

Davis nodded in confirmation as everyone remembered the duel in question.

The next morning saw the exhibit hall filled with students looking at the posters of Yugi and his deck in the display case. Jaden was smiling as he and Chumley were hanging out together. "Would you look at that? Everything's back to normal."

Chumley nodded. "Well, as normal as things get around this place."

"Hey, no problem. Always a pleasure to help a friend in need."

"So what's that you've got there Jaden?" Chumley said, noticing the rolled up poster he held.

"This? Just an autographed poster of the King of Games. Pretty sweet huh?"

"Hey guys!"

"What's up Sy?"

"It's Dimitri. He's at it again."

After running out the main building and through the woods, they came across Dimitri. Only catch, was that he was wearing a Slifer Red jacket, had the haircut as Jaden, as well as the same shirt and pants. "Dimitri? What're you doing?"

"Dimitri? Who's this Dimitri? My name is Jaden and I'm a Slifer Red. Now we're gonna duel! So turn you're game on."

The three slapped their foreheads with the palm of their hands. "It's get your game on. Say it right!"