Chapter One

Our story takes place in Duelist Kingdom, a place in an alternate dimension where both humans and Duel Monsters can co-exist as one. A place filled with mystery, treasures, and forbidden secrets.

Darkness occupied the halls of a large castle, as only screams could be heard. Inside the castle, was a large room, where a ritual was being held in what appeared to be a library. Ten cloaked figures were surrounding a small, boy with tanned skin, shoulder length navy blue hair, and the most beautiful, yet piercing teal eyes. The boy appeared to be nearly naked with a loin cloth as stood in the center, while being overseen by a tall, muscular man. A man known as King Victor, 98th ruler of the Duelist Kingdom.

"I-It hurts…" muttered the boy, as he felt electrical shocks enter his slender body.

"You must continue, for the sake of my son." Spoke the king. "For all of the kingdom."

Prayers were being heard from the cloaked figures, creating a red aura that surrounding the boy. As the chanting continued, the boy continued to experience the electrical shock directed into his body. The pain was more than anything he ever endured; his screams were louder and his movements were more ecstatic. The chanting become louder and the king held a script before he began to read it word by word.

"Dragon's Soul...please accept this young host...who will be dedicating his body and soul for all eternity. He will be blessed with your immortal ability, almighty power for his young and holy body. Make this boy...the essence of power...Dragon's Soul.." commanded the king.

What appears to be a large lightning bolt crashed its way into the boy, which actually led to his death. His lifeless, body was now laying on the ground and the red aura disappeared. The king instructed his followers to stop chanting with a simple motion from his hand. He glared at the now lifeless, corpse wondering if his "experiment" worked.

Suddenly the lifeless body was surrounded by the same red aura from the ritual. The body was now changing...it was growing taller, stronger, more...demonic looking. The king's eyes widened as he grew more and more amazed by this...the once beautiful, young boy..was now being transformed into a demon with pink skin, multicolored eyes and hair, with large wings.

The king approached the transformed boy, still amazed by the result of this known, forbidden ritual. A ritual he could now declare successful.

"Yubel, your new task is to protect my son...as long as he shall live.." spoke the king.

Yubel kneeled in the presence of the king, remembering etiquette as a servant of the king. A smile graced "her" lips of the brand new body Yubel was reborn in.

"Yes, your majesty. I live to protect..the young prince."

All unaware of a frightened young brunette boy hiding behind the door, tragically witnessing the entire event.

After the night of the ritual, a young prince sadly overlooked his kingdom from the balcony. He was known as Prince Jaden, the heir to the kingdom and the one who would guide it someday. A young boy with his skin lightly tanned, his eyes were a chocolate color, and his fluffy brown hair had a tip of auburn on the top. He wore royal garbs accompanied by a long, red cape that showed his high status. He was known for being an energetic, joyful spirit, however he was deeply saddened and quite concerned for his friend Yubel after witnessing last night's ritual.

"You wanted to see me..your majesty?" asked a soothing, feminine voice.

Jaden turned around, seeing his best friend now in a whole different body. The once human boy was now a female duel monster wearing black skin tight meant a lot to the prince;

the two would eat, play, and even bathe together. They were practically family.

"You know this doesn't change anything, Yubel. You can always call me Jaden. I'm your friend." replied the prince, giving a slight smile. "So...why did you do it?"

"This was to protect you, your- I mean Jaden." Yubel answered. "You know I made a promise to protect you from anything...ever since your fair mother adopted me in my human form..ever since..I met you."

"..My father didn't put you up to this, right?"

Yubel shook her head. "I wanted to, Jaden." she said with a smile. "I love you, we're best friends and ever since the terrorist attack on your mother that day, I wanted to make extra precautions to keep you safe. What more could I do than to give myself an "improvement"?"

"Still..you didn't have to go through that for me…" said Jaden.

"You don't like my appearance, is that it?!" she hissed, still feeling insecure about her new look.

Jaden's eyes widened. "No no, I think you look great!" he defended, making the demon blush. The prince gave a smile. "In fact..you look really cool as a monster! You're always going to be my best friend, Yubel, no matter what you look like."

His words touched the demon in a warm, soothing way. "Jaden…" She whispered.

"Besides, we can still duel right?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

Yubel giggled at his innocence. "Same old Jaden...of course we can still duel! I still have my arms, don't I?"

Jaden grinned. "Great! Wanna duel now?" he asked like a hyperactive kid.

"I'm afraid we can't right now." Yubel disagreed. "Your father will be calling for breakfast soon and you know how he feels when you're late."

Jaden shrugged. "Me and the old man never really talk unless it's for royal business, you know this." he replied. The prince released a loud, irritated sign. "Fine..later, alright?"

Yubel smiled. "That's the spirit!" getting a smile from the prince. Suddenly Jaden's expression turned serious as he stared out into the sunrise, sparking Yubel's curiosity.

"Yubel, I want you to promise me something."

"A-Anything, Jaden."

"I want you to promise me..to never lie to me..never keep any secrets from me." said Jaden. "I want us to promise each other this…"

Yubel hesitated, but then gave an affirmed nod. She wanted to do anything for the young boy. She felt as if she was born solely to serve the prince. "Of course...but what made you bring this whole thing up?"

"Well…someday, when I become king...I want to do things differently than what my father is doing. Terrorist attacks and crimes have increased...war has been a big subject through my father, this all lead to my mother's demise. I want to create a world with no lies...no secrets...no death..in fact..we could rejoin the dead...I could see my mother again..we could all see our dead loved ones." he answered, wiping away any tears he formed. "The world is too harsh...we could make this dream into reality...I'll find a way..I'll play god himself if I have to."

"You have such wide ideas for such a small child." Yubel commented, giving a chuckle. While noble, it was quite unrealistic, but Yubel didn't have a heart to tell him so. However judging by the prince's expression and tone of voice...he really was serious. His mother's assassination still troubled him. Memories of a chandelier being purposely dropped onto the queen, killing her, devastated Jaden..to make things worst, the prince witnessed the whole thing.

"But..if it means so much to you...I'll do whatever I can.." she added.

Jaden turned wide eyed. "Y-You...you mean it?" he asked. Yubel nodded, causing the boy to tightly hug the demon. Yubel blushed deeply, returning the embrace possessively. She felt honored to be the prince's closest friend, yet..it didn't feel enough for her. She wanted more...a lot more. Jaden was still a child and romance didn't interest him, but who's to say it couldn't change.

"I feel like I'm breaking our promise by keeping my feelings a secret…" Yubel thought. "Oh well...who's to say..I'll never tell him someday?" she added mentally, giving a sly smirk as she continued to hug the young boy until the prince was then called for breakfast.

To be continued….