A/N: Ok, so here's the first chapter of my sequel to Dreams of the Dark World. I'm still not entirely sure what direction I want to take it in, so for now I'm gonna focus on specific moments in Season 4 and make up my mind during that. Please note that I do take creative liberty with the plot; the end result will be the same, but some of the specifics of the plotline may differ. Now that the disclaimer's out of the way, please R&R. I enjoy your input.
Past the Dark World
Chapter 1: Voyage to Domino
"Chancellor, I'm borrowing a boat!"
Jaden flashed back as he rushed towards the Academy's boathouse. I have to get to Domino; with Axel not responding, it's up to me to stop Trueman before he hits Duel Academy. His mind briefly flashed to his girlfriend Alexis, before shaking his head, thinking I wish I could take her; then I could keep an eye on her. But if I did that, I'd lead her straight into the heart of danger. I have to keep her safe, and that means keeping her at Duel Academy for now. At last the boathouse came in sight, and Jaden rushed towards the door, only to spot the very girl he'd been thinking of blocking his passage. "Alexis, I, um…what are you doing here?" Jaden asked nonchalantly; the last thing he wanted to do was worry her with his welfare.
Alexis narrowed her eyes and glared at him. "You're leaving again, aren't you Jay?"
Jaden sighed; Alexis always could read him like a book. He learned that during his nightmares about the Dark World, and when Alexis supported him while he was at his most vulnerable. "Something's happened in Domino…and Axel won't respond; I need to see what's going on; what Trueman's up to."
Alexis took a single step forward, so that they were face-to-face and their noses were almost touching. They were close enough that they could look into each other's eyes, and Jaden was very fearful right now. Looking into her eyes when they were soft and loving made him feel comforted, like nothing could hurt him. When they were hard and showed Alexis's irritation and borderline anger, Jaden was very afraid of his girlfriend, and rightly so. "I'm coming with you" Alexis declared.
Jaden hesitated, his eyes fearful. He knew that Alexis was determined to get her way no matter what, and part of him yearned for her company. But the part that was fearful for her safety overpowered the part of him that wanted her by his side. "No Alexis, I have to go alone this time. I have to…"
"Have to what, Jaden? I understand that this is about Trueman, and stopping Nightshroud, but you don't have to go it alone. Why are you so stubborn about facing this alone? What do you have to…"
"I HAVE TO PROTECT YOU!" Alexis took a step back in shock; not even during his nightmares did Jaden raise his voice so loudly, nor did he ever sound so frantic. "THE LAST TIME I TOOK YOU WITH ME ON A BIG ADVENTURE, YOU GOT SENT TO THE STARS. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, YOU ALMOST DIED, ALEXIS." His eyes flashed to the Supreme King's eyes, making Alexis gasp. Since fusing with Yubel, Jaden only showed the Supreme King's eyes under two conditions; when he was in mortal danger, and when he was under inhuman levels of emotional stress. "I know you said it wasn't my fault, but whether directly or indirectly, my actions nearly killed you, AND I CAN'T BEAR TO LOSE YOU LIKE THAT AGAIN, ALEXIS!"
It was then that Jaden's tears started falling down his cheeks like a waterfall, sobbing in a way that reminded Alexis of the night that he had his nightmares, the night before they confessed their love for each other. Alexis's eyes softened and her face formed an expression of guilt; the last thing she wanted was to bring forth Jaden's tears. "Jaden…" she stepped forward once more and embraced him, hugging him as tightly as she could. "Jaden, I had no idea, no idea that you felt so guilty about that." For a few moments, she said nothing, holding her beloved and stroking the back of his neck in a calming gesture. She knew Jaden was calming down when she saw his eyes fade back to normal. "I get that you just want to keep me safe, and I appreciate that. But Jaden, you have to understand, that I chose to accompany you into the Dark World. And just like when I stayed with you during your nightmare, I accompanied you because I wanted to, without any obligation."
"I…I understand that. But Lex, I didn't have to be so careless; at the very least, it was indirectly my fault that you guys were hurt like that." Jaden argued, his voice muffled by his face leaning into Alexis's breast. "After you and everyone else disappeared, all I could think about was that I had become a monster, and that it would just be better for everyone if I disappeared too!"
Although Alexis's expression didn't change, she was internally shaken by Jaden's confession. She knew from talking to Syrus that Jaden was an emotional wreck until facing Yubel, but part of her didn't want to believe it, until she saw Jaden display that behavior with her own eyes. "Jaden, I've known you for nearly 3 years now, and I know for a fact that you are not a monster. You stopped Kagemaru from resurrecting the Sacred Beasts, you stopped Sartorius from destroying the world, and you stopped Nightshroud's assassin Trueman not once, not twice, but three times in a row. Have you made your fair share of mistakes, yes, but everyone does." She leaned over to kiss Jaden's cheek. "You could never be a monster in my eyes; I love you, anata."
Jaden smiled at the use of their new pet name for each other; no matter how sad and angry he felt, hearing Alexis say that always cheered him up. "I…I love you too, Alexis." At last, he stopped crying, and lifted his head off her breast. Alexis smiled, wiping the tears from his face with her thumb. "But…I still need to go alone" he resolved.
"But…But Jaden…"
"And I need a favor from you Lex" Jaden interrupted. "Can you just do me one favor?"
"What is it?" Alexis inquired.
"In case this turns out to be a wild goose chase, I need you to be Duel Academy's last line of defense against Trueman." He squeezed her hand and continued "You're the best duelist I know, and if anyone can defeat Trueman and protect our school, it's you Lex."
"Jaden…" Alexis nodded, and replied "Yes." She hugged him tight one last time, and murmured "Just come home safe."
Jaden nodded, and hugged back before letting go. He then went to the boathouse, dragged the boat to the water, jumped in, and sped off to Domino, leaving Alexis to watch him disappear again.
