Can't Hide

Chapter 1: One Year Later

Alexis Rhodes sat in class, her left hand cradling her head and her right hand twirling a number two pencil. Professor Crowler's droning voice seemed to melt away with the ticking of the clock. Stifling a yawn, Alexis returned her gaze to her opened, but blank, notebook. The class was suppose to be taking notes on Crowler's lecture on, quote: 'defense mechanisms for you idle students whom are ever ill-fated enough to come across a God card.' Alexis had almost snorted in response to that – of all the things to be learning. What were the chances of one them running into a God card?

Letting her eyes wonder around the room, Alexis noticed Syrus taking notes diligently, while next to him, Jaden struggled to keep his eyes open. At least the bushy haired guy was trying . . . today, anyway. Bastion, too, was paying close attention to what Crowler had to say, but Alexis could tell from his eyes that he would have rather been anywhere but there at the moment. In those few seconds, Alexis herself would have fallen asleep had it not been for the brute slamming of their classroom door. The balding principal of Duel Academia walked in. Professor Crowler's purple-stained lips immediately turned into a scowl. He was obviously displeased with the disruption, be it his boss or not. A few harsh words were whispered, and look of contempt exchanged. The class starting talking to one another, wondering what was going on. Jaden, who fell a mere inch away from slumber, was now wide awake, and pestering Syrus to clue him in on what was happening.

Alexis narrowed her eyes at the pair of administrators. She had a weird, sinking feeling. Something just didn't feel right. Her instincts were confirmed when both Principal Sheppard and Crowler turned there heads and locked eyes with hers. Crowler stretched out his arm and waved her to come down. The entire class was too consumed in their own conversing to notice Alexis walking down the stairs.

"Go with the principal, Miss Rhodes," Crowler stated, the smallest waver escaping in his tone.

Alexis nodded, still confused.

"I shall send the rest of them in fifteen minutes," Crowler told the principal, who nodded his head in affirmation.

Now Alexis was even more puzzled. What did he mean by 'the rest of them'?

Together, she and Principal Sheppard left the classroom and walked to the principal's office. It was clear Alexis was not going to get any answers until they had privacy. Once inside the office, the principal ushered her to take a seat while he went to take his behind his desk.

"Miss Rhodes, I think it is unnecessary to say that you are wondering why I have called you out of class?" the principal asked, folding his hands atop his canopy desk.

"Yes, sir," Alexis replied.

He sighed and leaned back in his seat.

"I think it would also be needless to say that you remember the Shadow Riders?" he questioned again.

Alexis's heart skipped a beat. She nodded in response to the principal's question.

"It has been well over a year since we've encountered any more of these . . . incidents," he continued, "and things have been peaceful in Duel Academia since you and your friends put a stop to them."

Alexis gulped and waited for him to continue.

"I thought it was the end, Miss Rhodes," the Sheppard said, pausing a bit to study Alexis's expression, "but I was wrong."

Wringing her hands, Alexis breathed in slowly.

"S-sir?" she said tentatively.

"You and I and anyone smart enough should know that good things do not last forever."

The blonde haired Obelisk student paled. He couldn't mean . . . he couldn't . . . it wasn't possible . . .

"I have been informed of an uprising; a group of rogue duelists who are apparently following in steps of the Shadow Riders – even going as far as to call themselves the Shadow Riders. Only, this time, they are much more relentless, resorting to the capture of other duelists. They are not just after power; they are after revenge. They possess just as much, if not more, power and dark magic than the original Shadow Riders."

She was frozen, not knowing what to make of what Principal Sheppard had just notified her.

"We have reasons to believe the Shadow Riders are after you, Miss Rhodes," the principal declared carefully and clearly.

That snapped Alexis out of her reverie.

"W-what? I don't-I . . . but, why would they want me?" came Alexis's shocked response.

"You're a strong duelist, Alexis. Better than you're brother. Ranked as number one in the girls division. Granted, you're not the best, but you're one of the best . . ." Sheppard trailed off.

Alexis scrunched her eyebrows in uncertainty.

"What are you trying to say?"

The bald haired man in front of her rubbed his chin thoughtfully, choosing his words cautiously as to not offend the golden girl of dueling.

"First and foremost, you were part of the group that defeated the original Shadow Riders; and as I mentioned before, they want revenge. Second, this group of rebels, they've been capturing female duelists: young, beautiful, and at the top of their game. And last, but definitely not least, you are acquainted with some very powerful people, Miss Rhodes. Jaden Yuki, Zane Truesdale, Chazz Princeton . . . the Shadow Riders might use you to get to your friends."

"Use me?"

"Kidnap you and hold you for ransom if you want to be more specific. But you would be lucky if that's all they do."

Alexis remained in shock. She was normally a strong girl, but for some reason, that aggressive spirit had left her. Suddenly, listening to Dr. Crowler's useless lectures seemed very appealing.

Principal Sheppard persisted.

"Their strategy: it's very predictable, very cliché, and just might very well work."

He paused, and took a deep breath.

"I want you inside this school at all times. Have friends walking with you every step you take. You are not to be alone. Nor are you for any reason allowed to go out at night, accompanied or otherwise. There will be a guard outside your dorm door and your dorm window."

Alexis nodded her head in understanding.

"If you'd like, we can arrange to have your roommate move out and your brother move in with you."

"No, that's all right," she said, shaking her head.

"Please, I insist."

"No, it's okay."

"Then let me rephrase that, your brother insists," said Sheppard.

Bright brown eyes blinked in surprise.

"My brother knows?" Alexis questioned, slightly dazed.

The principal nodded.

"He found out from Mr. Truesdale."

Alexis gaped.

"Zane knows?"

Honestly, was she the last to know?

"Actually, Miss Rhodes, I need to inform and warn everyone who was connected to the downfall of the Shadow Riders about your predicament." the principal said, answering her question. "The smart thing do was to tell Zane Truesdale first. After all, having graduated, he is the farthest away. If you must know, I told him yesterday. He's taking a break from his tour and will be returning to stay and help with our situation in any way that he can. He's been back since early this morning. It is only natural that Mr. Truesdale would enlighten your brother on the matter."

'Oh,' thought Alexis.

"You're going to tell everyone about this?" asked the queen of the Obelisk dorms.

"Everyone that needs to know, yes. Your friends are probably on their way now. You don't have to stay if you don't want to. I will be telling them the same things I told you."

Alexis shook her head. She needed to be here.

"I'll stay," she said.

And they waited for the rest of the gang to show up.

(A/N)

This story will be taking place a year after the whole Shadow Riders event. Anything that happens after that – like Ed Phoenix and the whole white society thing won't be happening. At least, not yet. I won't be writing that into this story. It's almost like an alternate reality. There'll be some small Japanese parts inserted into this story, which means I'm not sticking completely with the dub. Don't worry, it won't be anything big. Soooo, how was it? R&R if you like it!