Pairings:

Main:

Jesse x Jaden

Side Pairings:

Yami x Yugi

Bakura x Ryou

Seto x Joey

Tristan x Duke

Marik x Malik

Some characters will be OOC and this story is set somewhat in an AU.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or Yugioh GX, those rights belong to Kazuki Takahashi!

Just another day at Duel Academy finds the GX gang lounging in Chazz's personal, customized room in the Slifer Red dorms. With the exception of Jaden, everyone is there just sitting around, looking worried or bored. The room is filled with silence, which is broken by the thing that is uncomfortable to talk about, the one thing that is on everyone's minds just waiting to be said.

"WHERE is that Slifer Slacker!?" Chazz yells out in frustration, pulling at his jet black hair.

"I have no idea. Ever since we returned from the other dimension, Jaden has been acting strange. He goes off by himself now and he barely shows up to class, and when he does he usually just sleeps or stares at the wall with a blank expression clouding his face. He never wants to come out of his room much anymore. It's like he's a completely different person from the Jaden we know. This Jaden does not see dueling as fun anymore, but a serious matter." Syrus says with a sad frown on his face, his small glasses perched on his nose and his blue hair a mess, worried for his best friend, the one he looks up too, the one who never gives up no matter what the circumstances.

I'm really worried about Jay, he seems so weak right now compared to the strong person he was before the whole other dimension happened. I can see that it is tearing him apart, no matter how hard he tries to make himself look cold and uncaring.

"Syrus is right, this morning I saw him while I was on my way to breakfast and I asked him if he wanted to come and join me, but he said he had was not hungry. I knew he was lying because the Jaden I know would have already broken out into a sprint just at the mention of breakfast so he could get there as fast as he could and pile his plate high with food!" Alexis responds with a frown, her golden blonde hair flopping on her left shoulder as she sits in Chazz's desk chair.

Jaden, what is it that haunts you so much? No matter what bad things have happened, you always manage to put a smile on your face and still be cheery so the rest of us can take our minds off our troubles and concerns.

Everyone stares at Alexis in shock. They all know that Jaden is in some sort of pain or depression, but they never thought that it would change him so much that he would become like an alien to them. If he turned down food, then they know something is seriously wrong with this picture. Thoughts are buzzing in all of their minds, all about Jaden.

Oh my, I never thought the day would come when Jaden would start acting mature. I always thought that he could stand to be better if he was not so childish, but now I see that very same childishness is what fuels him to strive to be the best duelist, and maybe the next King of Games. Dueling does not always have to be so serious and coming from me, the logical guy, there must be something wrong there. Bastion thinks, a calculating frown on his face.

Damn, now look what that Slifer slacker has gone and done! making everyone depressed and worried. Though I loathe to admit it, I actually am feeling a touch of sympathy and concern for that slacker. Chazz thinks, a scowl and a bit of concern on his face.

Sarge, no matter what, I promise you as one of your best friends, I will help you. I know that everyone else will agree with me in saying we want the old Jaden back, and I intend to get him back! Hassleberry roars in his head, a confident look on his face.

Dude, Jay man is totally throwing everyone off course! I, Atticus, pledge that I will get everything back to normal because this dreary mood has dampened even my usual outgoing, bright and sunny disposition. I can also see that it is hurting my sister greatly, and I want to put a smile back on her face and have you back with us. Atticus preaches, a grin slowly creeping on his face.

Jaden...what is it that hurts you so? What can we, your friends, do to help you? You must give us something to work with Jaden, or else there's no way we can help you... Alexis thinks with a sad look in her eyes.

Jay, you've been there for me through everything. You're the one who helped me stand up to Zane, and you're the one who has helped me feel confident during my duels. You have made me a better duelist and have helped me in any way you can, so now it's my turn to help you! Syrus nods, determination written all over his face.

Jaden...I told you that you were the one who would take over as the king of Duel Academy when I left, but I never thought that you would actually become as serious as me when it came to dueling. I will do anything to ensure that you snap out of this faze and are back to your old self, because yes, believe it or not, I do have a heart, and I know what you're going through. I went through nearly the same thing when the darkness overtook me. Zane thinks, his usual serious look on his face.

Jaden...Jaden what happened? You're not the cheery person you used to be and I miss that. No matter what though, I will always look up to you and will help you in any way that I can! Blair thinks, a determined look stuck on her face and she smiles a bit.

Jay, as my father would say "life is always a battlefield, and you must cope with your feelings!" Well right now you are on the frontline in the battle that is life! You can't let things get to you or they can and will destroy you, forgive and forget, life is much easier that way. Axel thinks, a look of remembrance, concern and worry on his face. Jaden is like a little brother to me, and after all he has done for me I cannot let him down!

Crickey mate, I don't know what to say. You seem different from that happy-go-lucky person I first met, the one who was not afraid to feed Shirley for fear of losing his hand. That's probably why I found you so interesting, and wanted to get to know you better. But now, you seem so dull and lifeless. What can I do mate to get you back to your old self!? Jim yells in his mind, sharing a look with Axel. He's like a little brother to me as well as Axel, and I will do anything I can to put a smile back on his face and protect him!

Jaden...it hurts seeing you so broken. You're my best friend, and I actually care for you more than friends care for each other. Since that day I met you on the school's rooftop, I knew my life had changed. You are just like me, able to see duel monster spirits, close to your monsters and passionate about dueling. Now, you just seem to have lost it. You don't find fun in dueling as you once had, and you're so serious, showing little emotion and blowing us off because you fear that you'll only put us in danger once more. Can't you see Jay that we are all here for you, that we'll stick by you through everything, no matter what? I love you...and I only wish to be the one to take your pain away, but it does not seem likely... Jesse muses in his mind, sighing, his head drooping down so he is forced to look at the floor between his legs.

Unbeknownst to the GX gang, three figures had entered the room while they mulled over their thoughts about Jaden. The first one is tall and lanky, with bright, long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and a purple band. He has purple lipstick on his lips, some visible wrinkles on his face and a scythe-looking duel disk on his right arm. The second one is short and stocky with chubby cheeks, big lips and dark brown hair styled like it belongs in the 1800's. The last one is in between. Not too short, but not too tall either with a stocky body like the last but much bigger. He has a bald head with the only hair found on his chin in a dark brown beard, and small eyes. These three could only be , Professor of the Obelisk Blue dorm at Duel Academy, Bonaparte, who had decided to stay with his son Marcel at Duel Academy for another year, Vice-Chancellor of Duel Academy, Crowler and the Chancellor of Duel Academy, Sheppard.

Looking around, Sheppard surveys the gang gathered around, all silent and lost in their thoughts. Nothing has been the same since they got back from the other dimension, especially Jaden. I just hope my news and our 'guests' will be able to help Jaden and the others snap out of their faze. Sheppard thinks as he coughs to get their attention. All their heads whip up so fast it is a surprise that they did not get whiplash.

"Oh , Bonaparte, Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor, what is it that we can do for you? Is the world in danger again?" Alexis questions with a look of panic on her face. We simply cannot afford to have another plot to plunge the world into chaos right now, not with Jaden like he is, and we only just recently got back from our last adventure!

Sheppard takes in the panicked look on Alexis' face and understands exactly what she must be thinking.

"No Alexis, no more trouble has popped up for now, so I assume you will be able to take a break, god knows you kids deserve it! I came here to tell you something else. You see, like you, I have noticed that Jaden has not been acting the same as he used to, so I have personally invited some 'special guests' to Duel Academy in hopes that maybe they can snap Jaden out of this faze he's going through." Sheppard answers, noting the confused and curious looks on their faces. If they cannot snap him out of it, I fear no one can.

Everyone is silent for a moment, all wanting to ask who these mysterious 'special guests' could possibly be, but no one finds the voice to speak the question on all their minds. After a few minutes, someone finally breaks the silence.

"Just who are these 'special guests' that you speak of?" Chazz questions and everyone leans forward with eager faces, wanting to know who these 'special guests' are that will be visiting Duel Academy.

Sheppard's face breaks out into a grin "Yugi Mouto, Seto Kaiba, Joey Wheeler, Mokuba Kaiba, Serenity Wheeler, Marik Ishtar, Odion Ishtar, Ishizu Ishtar, Ryou Bakura, Tea Gardner, Tristin Taylor, Duke Devlin, Solomon Mouto, Arthur Hawkins, Mai Valentine, and Rebecca Hawkins." Sheppard replies, and their faces turn to shock.

I edited this chapter, in case anyone noticed. I will also be going back and editing all the other chapters.