Sad but Truesdale

Chazz came up the stairs and headed towards Jaden's room. He had a video camera in his hand.

"I suggest you brace yourself." Tyson said. "Ever since Hassleberry arrived, he and Syrus have been bickering non stop."

Sure enough, when he entered Jaden's room Syrus and Tyranno were arguing.

"Ever heard of a shower, Sarge." Syrus said.

"This coming from someone that talks in their sleep, and what's up with the night light? FYI, I showered last week."

"Then stand under the water next time."

"Guys if we're going to be roommates then we should chill out and and work together." Jaden said. "Now I think we should settle this with a group hug."

"I'm not a hugger."

"Because your stench scares everyone away."

"There you have it folks, dweebs in their natural habitat."

"Forget how to knock? And what's the camera for?"

"Thank goodness the Slifer Dorm got an upgrade." Tyson said. "Oh by the way, Chazz is working on a short film."

"I'm pitching my life as a reality show. It's got a great premise: one talented young duelist forced to live in a dorm full of slackers. Talk about a ratings grabber. It's gonna make me a big star."

"With a big head." Syrus said.

"You may be on to something here Chazz, but I think your show needs a plot twist." Jaden added.

"What could be more interesting than watching me?" Chazz asked.

"Am I interrupting something?"

On cue Alexis and Kaoru arrived with the former holding a suitcase.

"I think we found our plot twist." Syrus said.

"What are you doing here?" Tyson asked.

"Alexis wants to stay in Slifer Red, I'm just here to visit." Kaoru said.

"I left my dorm for good. You guys have room for one more." Alexis said.

"I wish we could. But there aren't any empty rooms at our dorm." Jaden replied.

"And that's after Aunt Kathy had the Slifer dorm reformatted to resemble the Ra dorms with some of the style from the Obelisk Blue dorms and improved the food as well." Kaoru said.

"Tyson, didn't you say you and the Shiba's were working on something to help the Red Dorm?" Syrus asked.

"Yeah that could help." Tyson said. "The thing is, you'll have to talk to Chazz considering Kaoru, Davis and I visit that part of the Slifer Dorm to talk about the news."

"What's wrong with the Blue dorm anyway?" Jaden asked.

"The Blue Dorm itself is not the issue." Kaoru said. "It's the people who got it using money and connections. Not to mention Crowler."

"That reminds me." Ryan added, entering the room. "Show them what's in the suitcase."

Alexis did just that and showed the group what was in the suitcase.

"This was Crowler's idea. He wanted me to wear this and sing while I duel."

"Can I be honest with you?" Tyson asked. "Singing is not your strong point Alexis, you should stick to dueling."

"You're right." Alexis agreed with him.

"I don't know. I think Arisa could pull off this fluffy dress and so could I if it was a different color." Kaoru said. "Considering she dressed up as Dark Magician Girl last year."

"You think?" Alexis asked her.

"Perhaps but we have bigger problems." Kaoru said. "Since Crowler's filling in for Sheppard while he's away he's even more dangerous. Davis has his hands more than full keeping him in check."

"Yeah." Jaden agreed.

Bastion and Davis entered the room.

"Hey guys." Davis called out.

"We've been looking for you." Bastion said.

"For me? What for?" Syrus asked.

"A duel." Bastion spoke.

"A duel for me?" Syrus gulped. "Who am I dueling?"

"A girl in Obelisk Blue." Bastion said. "Her name is Missy. Davis can tell you more about her."

"Yep, Missy and I are in the same year and I've faced her before." Davis said. "She's really good and she uses insect monsters. She even forced me to summon my Reactor Dragon so don't take her lightly. If you win Syrus, you get promoted to Ra Yellow."

"Congrats." Chazz said. "You're Crowler's next publicity stunt."

"This will be your big break. You're gonna win and prove to everyone you're a great duelist. You're gonna show everyone the brave Syrus."

"And you'll finally emerge as your own person, not as Zane's little brother." Tyson said.

"Just one question. When you find the brave Syrus, tell him the wimpy one is looking for him."

He then ran out of the door, crying.

"Get back here!" Tyson demanded.

Hassleberry ran after him.

"Jaden, are you sure Tyson and Hassleberry can help get Syrus ready?" Kaoru asked him.

He followed the short young boy back to his room. He was wrapped up under the cover.

"Come on soldier, up and at em. You can't hide in there forever."

"Of course not. Just for a few days, a week tops. Don't worry I've got everything I need in here: bottled water, a canned ham, Mr. Fuzzy Bear."

"I'm not even gonna ask. Let's go." He pulled on the sheet and Syrus fell to the floor.

"Listen up, fear is your mortal enemy and it needs to be destroyed. Now get up and fight that fear."

"But I'm afraid to." Syrus said.

"Then you've already lost the war before it's even started." Hassleberry said. "Is that what you want? No you want to win, not just against this Missy girl but against your own fear. Now what scares you the most."

That evening, Syrus stood at the coast thinking about what Hassleberry told him.

*'We've got to locate the source of this fear so we can launch a sneak attack.'* Syrus recalled what Hassleberry said.

The next day, everyone entered the arena. Davis was stopped by Syrus, who had a envelope in his hand.

"Davis, can you hold onto this?"

"No problem, but take this." Davis said, handing Syrus a card. It was Insect Barrier. "Perhaps this can help against Missy."

Syrus then made it into the arena and onto the stage.

"Face it, all the odds are against that little runt." Bonaparte said.

"Size isn't everything. You of all people should know that." Crowler replied.

Davis then sat down next to everyone else.

"So you're Zane's brother? Don't take this too personally hon, but you're not what I expected. I mean, just look at him. I guess the hottie gene skipped you." Missy said.

"That was uncalled for." Jaden commented.

"No fear, son." Hassleberry said.

"I'm sorry, but what's the deal with her hair?" Alexis asked.

"Not the time Alexis." Kaoru said. "But you've got a point."

"Look kid, I'm a girl who gets what she wants and once I win, Zane is gonna be mine. Cause this duel happens to be my ticket to the Pro League."

"Who told you that?" Syrus asked.

"Crowler. You win and you advance to Ra Yellow, I win and I get to go pro." Missy said.

"Here we go again." Davis said. "I've seen this attitude in some of the stronger Obelisk Blues."

"Alright fine, what are we waiting for?"

"Game on!"

Missy: 4000

Syrus: 4000

"Ladies first and I summon Prickle Fairy in defense mode."

Prickle Fairy: 300/2000

"Syrus is in a rough spot." Kaoru said.

"This is different from when I dueled Missy." Davis added.

"While this card is on the field, you aren't able to attack my insect monsters and any monster that attacks my fairy is changed to defense mode."

"I wouldn't count on it." Davis said.

"My move. I activate Shield Crush to destroy your Prickle Fairy and then Insect Barrier, none of your insect monsters can attack me. Next I summon Steamroid in attack mode."

"Awesome." Tyson said.

Steamroid: 1800/1800

"Now full steam ahead."

A huge steam cloud was blown in Missy's face.

Missy: 2200

"She just learned her lesson." Jaden said.

"Don't duel in heels." Alexis said.

Everyone erupted in applause.

"People are actually cheering for me. I finally have fans. You hear that? The crowd loves me. I end my turn."

"Oh great, fame's gone to his head." Jaden sighed.

"Big deal. That'll change after my turn. I play Pinch Hopper in attack mode."

Pinch Hopper: 1000/1200

"Bugs don't scare me, especially after living in the Red Dorm last year."

"Then you'll probably be fine with this move. I play Multiplication of Ants, which sacrifices my Pinch Hopper to summon two Army Ant Tokens."

Army Ant Tokens: 500/1200

"Those tokens only have 500 attack points. Why did you do that?"

"Oh scales I know how this is gonna go." Tyson said. He had faced a insect duelist before. "She's planning on summoning Insect Queen or Insect Princess."

"Relax, she's unable to attack due to Insect Barrier." Kaoru reminded him.

"To use Pinch Hopper's effect and summon Insect Princess."

Insect Princess: 1900/1200

*'You can do this Sy, just stay calm.'*

"Here's the deal. My Princess gains 500 attack points for every insect monster she destroys in battle and all insect monsters you control are switched into attack mode."

"Too bad my deck only has machine monsters."

"That's about to change. I activate the Insect Garden field spell. While this card is in play, all level 4 or lower insects on my field move to your side of the field."

"That's not good." Syrus gulped.

"Still not scared of bugs kid? Just wait until I activate this. The equip spell Insect Pheromone."

"That could pose a problem." Kaoru said.

"Forgetting something? I still have Insect Barrier active so your Princess is unable to attack."

"Very well I end my turn." Missy said, annoyed.

"I draw and summon Submarineroid in attack mode."

Submarineroid: 800/1800

"That thing's not strong enough to deal with Insect Princess."

"Submarineroid can attack you directly."

Missy: 1400

"He's doing well, but he needs to draw Power Bond." Jaden said.

"He can't." Davis remarked.

He held out a envelope.

"Power Bond's in here. Syrus gave it to me before the duel."

"I have to win, do you hear me? It's the only way to meet Zane. I draw and I summon Magical Longicorn in attack mode."

Magical Longicorn: 600/1600

"And thanks to Insect Garden, it comes to your side of the field."

"Well the good news is that Magical Longicorn can't negate Insect Barrier since it's already active." Kaoru said.

"Yeah." Jaden agreed.

"All Missy can do is end her turn since she can't attack." Davis noted.

"But it's only a matter of time before Missy finds a way to destroy it and now Syrus can't play any of his spell cards." Tyson pointed out.

"Knowing Syrus, he'll likely end the duel shortly." Ryan added.

"Let's hope you're right." Davis responded.

"My move and I play Vehicroid Connection Zone." Syrus said.

"Nice try, but Magical Longicorn negates the activation of all it's owners spell cards."

"Not this one. Vehicroid Connection Zone's activation can't be negated. So you aren't able to stop me from fusing Steamroid, Submarineroid and Drillroid into Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill."

Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill: 3000/2000

"3000 attack points?" Missy gasped.

"Not bad but Syrus will need more attack points if he has any chance to win this duel." Davis said.

"I use the No Entry trap to switch all your monsters to defense position."

"Jumbo Drill attack." Syrus ordered.

"My Princess is in defense mode, I'll take no battle damage." Missy noted.

"When Jumbo Drill attacks a defense position monster, it deals damage equal to the difference between it's attack and your monster's defense."

Jumbo Drill tunneled underground and appeared underneath Insect Princess, destroying her with it's drill.

Missy: 0

"Good job Syrus." Jaden cheered.

"Way to go Syrus." Kaoru said.

*'Enjoy the Yellow Dorm.'* Ryan thought.

"Hey Ryan, what's it like in the Blue Dorm?" Tyson asked.

"It's actually really nice." He replied.

"Nicely done." Davis smiled.

"Way to go Syrus." Tyson said.

That night, the Reds were eating dinner in their upgraded dorm when Syrus entered and walked up to Hassleberry, who was sitting in his former seat.

"What's the deal, you're in my seat."

"But you moved to the yellow barracks."

"You can't get rid of me that easily. Besides, I'll always be a Slifer at heart. And I expect my seat to be empty next time."