Chapter 3: Dedicated Darkness

It was a quiet day at duel Academy, Jaden Yuki and Hassleberry was fast asleep, Hassleberry was dreaming of Black Tyrano hunting down some Volcanic rats, it was about to eat it's prey till it got a chill down it's spine allowing the Volcanic rats to escape, in anger it came out of the sleep bubble and hit Hassleberry with it's tail trying to wake him up. Black Tyrano was actually angry at the one thing that disturbed it, which was Jaden snoring loudly muttering in his sleep "Next King of Games, I'm the next King of…" But suddenly there was a bang as Syrus charged into the room with a megaphone yelling to them "WAKE UP!!!" The two awoke in terror falling out of there beds face first, Jaden got up rubbing his sore red face as he asked "Syrus what's the big deal bro, I was having a real good dream." Behind Syrus was Chazz who was tapping his left foot impatiently in a rhythm he told them both "Hey Slackers! Don't you know you missed breakfast, now you're even missing the tournament?" Jaden and Hassleberry screamed it echoed throughout the Academy as Jaden cried out "I can't believe we missed breakfast!"

Throughout the Academy there are duels going on all tournament duels, first sighting was a duel with Michael Port and a Ra Yellow duellist, who is losing with only 700 Life points remaining, Michael has only 1200 life points left. Drawing a Card Michael begins his turn "My draw!" he looks closely at his opponent who seems very sneaky he's used cards such as Spell of Pain, Ring of Destruction and Magic Cylinders right now he has no monsters on the field but two face down cards. Michael has Legendary Ocean on his field along with Abyss Soldier he goes into thought I have to play my cards right against this guy, he's already using my own monsters against me. Wait the card I just drew... He smiled confusing his opponent as he asked "What are you smiling about?" Michael answered "I activate the spell card Water Sprout, when Umi is on the field I can destroy all cards on the field!" At that moment the water erupted like a volcano, it destroyed everything even Legendary Ocean itself, Michael was glad he had one last card in his hand "Now I summon Mother Grizzly!" A blue fuzzy bear appeared on Michael's side of the field roaring at the Ra yellow duellist, it scared him now that he's wide open. Michael told his opponent with enjoyment "You played well mate, but unfortunately you need to practise harder! Now attack with bear claw!" The bear ran towards its opponent with it's razor sharp claws ready, it slashed the Ra Duellist on the face giving him slash marks as he fell on the floor in disappointment, as his life points went to zero. "Aw I can't believe I lost, I came so far as well." Chancellor Sheppard was in his office seeing how many duels was won so far, at the moment Aster Phoenix was in second place Zane Truesdale was in third and Alex Alpha was in first place beating 15 duellists and still rising he sighed "Why hasn't Jaden been duelling yet?" He looked at the window, unable to see a black spirit watching him.

In another duel, Keira Mage was up against a Slifer Red who only had 2000 life points left, she giggled as she had Dark Magician Girl on her side of the field. "You're way too slow for my moves, Dark Magician Girl attack him directly!" The Dark Magician Girl smiled as she fired a pink beam from her rod, taking her opponent down. She jumped up and down with joy, as her opponent just kept looking at her most likely attracted to her, he was even drooling as she celebrated calling out "I'm so wonderful at duelling!!" But then she fell to the ground as someone shouted out "HEY YOU!!" It was Alexis unhappy that Keira was using her looks to win her duels against the other gender, she walked towards her with her duel disk ready. "You're a disgrace to all female duellists out there, either knock it off or I'll do it for you!" Keira recovered as she got to her feet, confident about how she's doing in the duels, she didn't even feel threatened by Alexis as she replied with cockiness "Oh and I suppose, you're going to do it with that deck? Please, I'm a professional duellist with more experience than anyone in the world. I hope to be as great as Yugi, then maybe someday…" But Alexis interrupted her so that she couldn't day dream any further "I'm top one duellist in the female dorm, if I where you I would take you're day dreaming to primary duelling school." Outraged she yelled back at her for the insult, but Alexis didn't phase at all "I HAVE YOU KNOW!! I WAS TOP IN MY DORM!!" "I'm done with you, no point talking to a child." Alexis replied she walked off as Keira pulled tongues at her behind her back.

In the forest, it's dark around there five Obelisk duellists are up against Alex Alpha all of the Obelisk duellists have warrior type monsters on the field. Command Knight, Gear fried the Iron Knight, Gear Fried the Sword Master, Great Shogun Shien and finally Combo Master. But all where afraid of the monster Alex had on his side of the field, a large metallic monster that's been tributed for a much bigger monster with a Gatling gun attached to the arm, it's shadow covered all five of them. Alex grinned as he still had 4000 Life points, then it went down to 3000 "I'm sorry but your time is up, now my monster attack them with Plasma Mayhem!" The Gatling gun rotated firing plasma at the monsters destroying them his opponents only had 2000 life points each, all of them went down to zero as they fell to the ground unconscious. "It's all too easy." Alex said to himself smiling over the fact he's won, the monster disappears and Alex goes further into the forest.

Jaden started running, he's dressed all ready for a duel he knows he has to catch up he's missed an hour of duelling, and Hassleberry has gone his own way to find someone to duel. While Syrus follows Jaden around, he shouts out to him "Jaden!! Can you please let me keep up?" Eventually Jaden stops to catch his breath, Syrus goes over to him catching his breath back as well he then asks Jaden "It can't be so bad knowing that you've lost an hour of duelling." "It is bad Sy." Jaden replied as he continued "I mean I bet even you have duelled a few duellists and won." Syrus smiles as he answers Jaden's question, he scratches his head blushing over the fact how many he's been up against "About ten Duellists today." Feeling happy for Syrus he smiles at him giving him an thumbs up "Great Job, Sy I take it you've had a smashing time with your duels and all!" but Syrus only sighs looking at the floor in despair "Yeah but I only beat four of them, I'm never going to get anywhere if people think of me when they hear tournament." But Jaden wanted to keep him positive so in order to cheer him up he gave him positive reinforcement. "Syrus you're a awesome duellist, I'm sure you can get far in this tournament you just need to put your all into it." Syrus smiled raising his head as he replied back "Thanks Jay, let's get going maybe we can find people to duel." They rushed off, not noticing Aster in the background looking at them he was more getting impatient at waiting for it to get late, but he wasn't used to duelling at day he would do it at night.

It turned to night, in Chazz's room everyone met up to see how they did in the duels by using Chazz's computer, however it's proving hard as the Ojama brothers are standing on the keyboards. "Hey Chazz, you should get out more and have fun stretch those arms why don't you?" the Green Ojama brother asked Chazz, but he wasn't answering as he thought to himself First I become Jaden's personal alarm clock, now everyone is in my room! What did I do to deserve this? Hassleberry, Jaden and Syrus where right behind Chazz both being impatient hoping that they have got a good place. Alexis and her brother Atticus where only standing there along with Blair, all where thinking the same thing Those three need patience they thought. Bastion just entered the room along with Jim, although Axel, Adrian and Jessie where invited as well, none had appeared or had said that they where arriving for not, it's not like they could duel at night it is forbidden except for the exception of Aster Phoenix and the lucky few. "I see those three are acting like a mob, never the logical way to approach things with them." Bastion said as he saw the three still messing, there was a slight impression that Chazz was getting annoyed Jim sighed "Can't we hurry all this up, I gotta get ready for the mornin' tomorrow. What gives?" finally Chazz had enough as he yelled at Jaden saying "Hey Jaden! Can't you go and find your brain?" "Well, no I can't find it I lost it when I took that test." Jaden replied giggling to his sarcasm but it only made Chazz fall from his seat.

He recovered getting back on his seat pointing to the corner "Hey Jaden, I believe there's some rice there." "Really?" Jaden zoomed to the corner along with Hassleberry, they where still hungry it seems having dinner wasn't enough for them. Quickly Chazz got on the site ignoring the Ojama brother's, he opened the results file smiling "Oh yeah! The Chazz has made it to 7th place!" unfortunately no one listened to Chazz all they did was look for there own personal results. "11th Place that's low of me, I have to work harder." Alexis said disappointed that she hasn't got as far as she hoped, but she wasn't the only one when Syrus saw he was in 20th his eyes sunk low "Look at me, almost at the bottom." Jaden pushed Chazz aside to see his results, after finding no food however he couldn't find his name on the top 50 "Hey where's me?" He said in confusion, nearly all his friends where on the top 50 all except himself and Hassleberry, he started to panic jumping up and down "Don't tell me, I've been taken out!" Chazz pushed him back after scrolling with his mouse to another link "Let me see." He pressed the back button and opened another link, he scrolled down from the top 51 to 100 he kept going down till he found Jaden, and he laughed right at him. "Ha right at 80th Place, even Hassleberry got to 60th Jaden you are seriously dropping low." "No way, you've got to be kidding me!" Jaden replied as he was shocked with disbelief at first he thought Chazz was lying but when he looked for himself, Chazz was being serious he dropped to the floor he began to moan but no one paid attention, everyone was either looking at the results or talking to someone else.

In the outskirts of the forest Jessie is following Alex Alpha, he's keeping his distance he doesn't trust Alex for the reason that he seems so sinisterly. Jessie nearly falls over blowing his cover until he hung for his life, trying not to make a noise Alex stops when a small rock falls to the floor. He thinks someone is following him till he sees a monkey swinging across a tree "Bah, I've got no time for paranoia." Alex told himself he kept moving he went inside a cave and Jessie followed keeping to the shadows Ruby Carbuncle appeared in front of him, Jessie smiles as he whispered to him "Be quiet and don't make any noise." He heard further talking from an unknown man "Are you saying that the Spirits of the cards isn't a factor?" Jessie moved on with ruby on top of his shoulder they both where on top of Alex who was talking to a cloaked man. "I'm not saying the cards aren't a factor." Alex told him as he brushed dust away off his sleeve he took out a shiny object from his pocket Jessie wasn't at a good angle to see it. "Your purpose in this tournament does have it's advantages, you all maybe a low rank but that's what gives you your cover, after all who wants to go for small prey?" the cloaked man picked up a rock smashing it attempting to intimidate Alex, but he only yawned in boredom. "So can we retrieve our decks or not? You said that we would gain ultimate power!" the cloaked man demanded but in a calm tone Alex replied "Patience you all shall get them in time, which is in a few days." They began to move on in a narrow passage, Jessie decided not to follow them "I knew there was something strange about that guy, come on ruby lets move." Jessie began to run off however once he did Alex and the man came out chuckling "So predictable…" Alex told the cloaked man but however the man seemed worried about Jessie overhearing "Should we pursue him?" "No point." Alex replied doing a sinister grin as he continued "He's already in a trap."

Jessie was running he was going to the Slifer Dorm in his own pace as he thought I've got to warn everyone about what's going on. But then there was a cackle in a witchy voice a purple spirit flew right past Jessie making him stop, "What in the world?" Jessie wondered as the spirit continued to laugh flying all around him, it made ruby shiver in fear till it disappeared. Out from the shadows came a voice "Are you going somewhere?" Jessie looked ahead there was Vincent with an aura of purple around his body, he smiled at Jessie as his hair blew in the wind. "Vincent, are you doing some type of Ghost Forest or something? Because you should really wait till Halloween." But Vincent paid the comment no mind he just got his duel disk ready, it was custom black and sliver stripes on the monster slots and a hand covering the deck, Vincent chuckled "Tell me, have you seen death, cruelty or savage attacks?" "What are you on about?" Jessie asked but Vincent laughed as he replied "You need a mentor, so if I where you I would make your turn." Jessie didn't understand what was going on but Vincent began by drawing five cards. "It's a duel you want huh? Fine Bring it on!" Jessie drew his five cards after activating his duel disk, they both stared at each other as they both said "Duel!"

In Aster's personal ship, he's lying on his bed trying to figure out what is driving Alex to an obsession of these monsters. I recon Jaden is probably lagging behind, but still I've been through all kind of things. But even I don't know what on Earth goes on in Alex's head. There was a knock at the door Aster got up from his bed, as he said "Come in." Alex entered immediately taking a seat without saying a word "Aren't you going to say anything?" Aster asked but Alex didn't reply until Aster started to wonder why "What have you done?" he asks. Alex smiles replying "It has begun Aster, the game has begun so don't expect to be an exception."

Back to the duel Jessie placed his hand on his deck "My draw." He draws a card smiling that he seems to have a good hand. "You know, I don't think you understand what you're up against." "Don't talk, just duel!" Vincent told him, so Jessie began taking a card from his hand and playing it on the monster slot "I start off with my Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger." A Tiger with black stripes appears on the field it roars (Atk/ 1600 Def/ 1000) "Why I believe it's time to feed." The Tiger said to Vincent but he said nothing back, Jessie got angry "Hey you're being rude." But again Vincent didn't say anything back, knowing that it was hopeless to even engage in convocation with Vincent, Jessie continues his turn. "Fine, be that way I place 1 card face down and that about does it."

"Finally! The big mouth shuts up, a shame it isn't permanent but it's nothing I can't handle." Vincent says when he draws his card he smiles "First I summon Brron, Mad King of Dark world!" A demented crazed fiend appears on Vincent's side it laughs in pure insanity, freaking Jessie out (Atk/ 1800 Def/ 400). "That's a little strange to be a monster, who let him out of the psycho ward?" Jessie asked but Vincent wasn't listening he was continuing with his turn. "Next I activate Mystical Space Typhoon, this card can destroy a spell or trap card on the field, so say goodbye to your foolish face down card." A typhoon of wind blew Jessie's card his Jacket was blown in the aftermath, his face down Last Resort was destroyed. Facing his hand at Jessie's monster Vincent then said "Now bring darkness to his monster, tear it apart with Insanity Slash!" Brron laughed like a insane mental patient it spun around getting closer to Topaz Tiger, it slashed it as it roared in pain being destroyed, Jessie growled as his life points went down to 3800. "Hey is that the best you have? I thought you where going to teach me a lesion?" Jessie asked but Vincent laughed discarding a monster from his hand. "You Fool! I've activated my monster's effect, once Brron does battle damage I can discard a card from my hand at will." "How is that bad?" Jessie asked but soon he noticed there was a gold glow, coming from Vincent's graveyard. A gold axe came from the sky along with a monster holding it wearing gold armor, it arrived on Vincent's side of the field (Atk/ 2300 Def/ 1400).

"Hold up! How did that monster get there?" Jessie asked, Vincent gave a quick response "It's name is Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World, it has a effect stating when it's discarded from my hand I can special summon it from my grave, although that means I miss out on the other effect because to activate it, you would have to discard it." "Hold on Goldy locks, you activated my tiger's effect once you destroy it I get a Topaz gem in my spell and trap zone." A Topaz gem stood right beside Jessie after he said that sentence but Vincent didn't seem to care. "Foolish boy, Goldd attack him directly!" The Gold armoured monster charged towards Jessie slashing him across the chest, Jessie screams in real pain as he falls to his knees going down to 1500 life points. He rose his head looking at Vincent in confusion his voice was low "Why… Are you doing this?" "I told you." He replied "You need to feel pain, a lot of it. You stand no chance against me, I've practically won!" Vincent chuckled and then laughed in pure Evil while Jessie struggles to stand, he falls to his knees yet again trying hard not to scream in pain.

To Be continued

Today's "Card of the Episode" is…

Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World
Level 5
Dark
Fiend/ Effect
If this card is discarded from the hand by a card effect, Special Summon this card to your side of the field. If this card is discarded from the hand by your opponent's card effect, you can select up to 2 cards on your opponent's side of the field and destroy them.
Atk/ 2300 Def/ 1400