(To all of you who have been sticking with me and my story so far, First off, I want to thank you. Writing stories like this isn't actually as easy as it seems. A lot of time and effort goes into making these types of stories, such as trying to find interesting archetypes and deck matchups to use for the duels. But that aside, these next few chapters are going to be a little different. I'm sure most of you have noticed by now that Janice hasn't really done much besides be held hostage or just give commentary, but that is because this was her true purpose. I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil anything, but I sincerely hope you enjoy these next few chapters and the rest after that as well)

"Janice Fang, report to the Division Chief's office immediately. I repeat, Special Agent Janice Fang, report to the Division Chief's office immediately." I look up as I hear my name broadcast over the intercom. "Well well, like Teacher, like student." I hear someone snicker as they pass by. I let out a deep sigh, and gather my things. "I hadn't even finished my lunch yet." I say with a pout. Once I have everything together, I begin my walk towards the Chief's office, attempting to stay out of sight the entire time. It's been about 2 months since Jason left the force, after aiding the escape of the same prisoner he had just brought in for questioning. After he was declared a traitor and shot to number 1 on the most wanted list, I was reassigned to a new trainer, and from there I went on to earn the rank of Agent. No one has seen or heard from him since, not even me or Ryoko. And since I was his rookie, things haven't been easy for me since he left. Everyone else thinks that I might be spying for him or something, so they tend to keep their distance. But in some cases there are others who are more cruel, and simply call me a traitor too. I shake my head to clear my thoughts, and hurry down the hall, hoping to catch the next elevator. "Hold that door please!" I shout desperately.

I see a hand grab the door from the inside, holding it open. "Thank you." I say out of breath as I slide into the elevator. "Don't mention it kid." I look up to see the owner of the voice is Miss Ryoko. "Oh, Miss Ryoko it's you. Sorry, I didn't recognize your voice at first." I say embarrassed. "It's fine Janice, don't worry about it. So, how've you been holding up?" she asks me, watching the numbers on the elevator light up as we make our way down. "Fine I guess. I just wish I knew why he did it. None of it makes any sense. We'd finally brought her in, and then the next thing I know, he's broken her out of the detainment center and both of them have escaped. At the very least, I thought he would've said something to me about it, but he never even sent me so much as a text." Ryo nods her head in understanding. "I know what you mean. I worked with Jason for 3 years, and I thought we were pretty close. Which is why it came as an even bigger surprise for me to learn that he had betrayed us. Still, I'm sure he had his reasons, whatever they might be. If there's one thing I know for sure about him, it's that he has a good conscience. He wouldn't be doing this without a good reason, I'm sure of it…" She leaves the sentence unfinished, staring off into space for a moment before regaining her composure. "But anyway, enough about that. I'm guessing you're heading to meet with the Chief as well right? She called me down there a little while ago and I'm heading down there to check in with her now." I look at her in confusion. "Wait, why is she calling you as well? Do you think it might have something to do with Jason?" I ask worriedly. "The thought crossed my mind. We'll just have to see when we get there." A moment later, the elevator dings as the door opens, and we make our way to the Chief's office.

"You're both late. Especially you Ryoko. You're both on thin ice as it is. Make me wait this long again, and I'll assume you went off to join your traitorous friend." The Chief says as we walk in. "I came as soon as I heard the announcement." I say with a pout. "What is it Chief, another assignment?" Ryo asks impatiently. "As a matter of fact yes." She reaches behind her desk and pushes a button, a small map of the dimensional layout appears in front of us on a holographic display, with a bright red flashing dot quickly catching my attention. "We've received an anonymous tip that your old 'friend' Jason will be in town for some business tonight in the Synchro Dimension. I'm assigning the both of you to take care of this. Consider it a way of proving your selves to us, proving that you aren't in league with this traitor anymore. Your orders are to bring Jason Storm in, alive or dead, I don't care which. Either way, he'll be made an example of what happens when you betray the oath you swear to uphold. Do I make myself clear on all of this?" I quickly stand at attention and salute her. "Yes mam!" The chief smiles. "Good, now get going. I have other business to attend to."

"So how reliable is this tip do you think?" I ask Ryoko through the radio from my position atop the nearby rooftop. "Try and keep radio silence if at all possible Janice, and to answer your question, I don't trust it one bit. But orders are orders. It's our job to bring him in, regardless of our past with him." I switch my radio off for a moment and let out a long sigh. "Why did you have to leave Jason? What in the world could have made you up and leave everything and everyone you know, for some criminal?" I say out loud. "Trust me kid, I didn't mean to hurt you or anyone else." I whirl around to see my old mentor, standing in front of me as if nothing had happened, and for a moment, it almost seems like nothing had. "Jason? Is that really you?" I say, unsure of whether or not I'm dreaming or this is an illusion of some kind. "In the flesh kiddo, how've you been? Has everyone else been treating you alright? Actually no wait, stupid question. It's me we're talking about, they probably hate your guts because of me. And Ryo's probably getting some of the backlash too." He looks down in what seems to be shame. "I'm sorry you had to go through all of that because of me Jan. It was never my intention to put you or Ryo through any of this. There were things I needed to take care of. Sins I needed to atone for." I look at him with tears in my eyes. Tears of anger, and hate. Tears of sadness, and longing for the days of old. Tears of joy at being able to see him again and knowing he was still in one piece. But mostly I felt the sting of betrayal again. He wasn't here apologizing for what he'd done, he was apologizing for us getting caught up in what he did, something he had no control over. "Answer one question for me Jason. Why? Why did you do it? It doesn't make any sense. None of it does." I say trying my hardest to keep my voice from cracking up, and to hold back the tears. He looks back up at me, a far away look in his eyes, then they quickly focus back in on me. "How much dueling have you done lately? Any new opponents you've found challenging?" he says, ignoring my question. "Answer me damn it! You owe me that much at least after all the pain you've caused me!" I shout in frustration and anger. He winces in surprise from the volume of my shout. "I'll tell you what Jan, why don't we have a duel? Technically, you're supposed to have a graduation duel once you complete your training to become an official agent, but because of me, that never really happened for you did it? So let's have your graduation duel here and now, and if you win, I'll answer every question you have. But if I win, I walk away from this encounter, and you never tell anyone, not even Ryo, that you saw me. Sound fair?" I glare at him, the anger seeping out of me. All he ever cares about is dueling. "Alright fine then, I know that's the only way to get my message through that thick skull of yours, so bring it on! I'm not nearly as weak as I was back then!" I say, activating my duel disk. He gives a small smile, and pulls out his duel disk, activating it. "Duel System Link Operational. Format setting: Master Rules 4, Link format." The duel disks automated voice drones out. "Let's duel!"

"I'm going to take the first turn, so I hope you don't mind Jason! I draw! From my hand, I activate the field spell Trickstar Light Stage! When this card is activated, I am allowed to search a Trickstar monster from my deck and add it to my hand! Next I normal summon Trickstar Candina! (Atk: 1800, Def: 400) Her effect now activates! When she is normal summoned, I can search 1 Trickstar card from my deck and add it to my hand! Next, I activate the effect of Trickstar Lycoris from my hand! By returning a faceup Trickstar on my field to my hand, I can special summon her! So I'll put her in defense mode! (Atk: 1600, Def: 1200) I set two cards and end my turn there!"

Jason puts his hand over his deck, closing his eyes. "My turn, I draw!" he says, opening his eyes to reveal a new blazing fire in his eyes. "Not so fast!" I say, cutting him off. "Trickstar Lycoris's effect now activates! Whenever you draw a card, you take 200 points of damage! And now Trickstar Light Stage's effect activates! Anytime you take effect damage from a Trickstar monster's effect or battle, you take an additional 200 points of damage!" (Jason LP: 7600) " Hmph, not bad kid, you have gotten better. From my hand I normal summon Shiranui Spiritmaster! (Atk: 1500, Def: 0) His effect now activates! When he is normal summoned, I can special summon 1 level 4 or lower Shiranui monster from my hand or graveyard to my side of the field! I special summon from my hand, Shiranui Smith! (Atk: 1000, Def: 0) Next, I build the overlay network using my 2 level 4 monsters! I Xyz summon, Number 39: Utopia! But I won't stop there, it is time for you to evolve Utopia! Chaos Xyz Evolution! Appear Chaos Number 39: Utopia Ray! Now it is time for your final evolution Utopia! I rebuild the overlay network using my Utopia Ray as the material! Shining Xyz Evolution! Appear now, Shining Number 39: Utopia the Lightning! (Atk: 2500, Def: 2000) Now Utopia, it is time to attack! Destroy her Lycoris!" Utopia draws it's swords, each blade crackling with electricity, growing brighter and louder by the second. "Utopia the Lightning's effect now activates! When he attacks, you cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage step! Go Utopia, Lightning Blade of Thunder!" Utopia charges in, swinging it's swords over it's head, bringing them down upon Lycoris, who throws her hands up to try and protect herself, but they simply cut through her. "With that, I set 1 card and end my turn. Let's see what else you've got Jan."

"It's my turn now, I draw! From my hand, I once again normal summon Trickstar Candina! (Atk: 1800, Def: 400) Her effect activates again, allowing me to search a Trickstar card from my deck, and add it to my hand! I now activate the effect of the Lycoris I just added to my hand! I can return 1 face up Trickstar monster from my side of the field to the hand and Special summon Lycoris in their place! So come on out in defense mode Lycoris! (Atk: 1600, Def: 1200) Next I activate the spell card Dark Room of Nightmare! Now each time you take effect damage, you take an additional 300 points of damage! With that, I end my turn!"

"My turn, I draw!" "Trickstar Lycoris's effect once again activates, inflicting 200 points of damage, plus the 200 points from Light stage! Then Dark Room of Nightmare activates, inflicting an extra 300 for each of them! So that totals up to 1000 points of damage!" (Jason's LP: 6600) "From my hand, I activate the field spell, Zombie World! This causes all Monsters on the field to become Zombie type, and you can only tribute summon Zombie type monster's from your hand! Next, I normal summon from my hand Gozuki! (Atk: 1700, Def: 800) I now activate his effect, sending 1 zombie type monster from my deck to the graveyard! I send Shiranui Spectralsword from my deck to the grave! Now Gozuki, attack her Lycoris!" "Not so fast, I activate my trap card, Negate Attack! This card negates your monster's attack and ends the battle phase!" "Then I'll end my turn by placing 1 card face down. Your move Janice."

"My turn, Draw! I summon from my hand Trickstar Lilybell! (Atk: 800, Def: 2000) When Lilybell attacks, she can attack you directly! No go Lilybell, demonstrate what I just said!" Not so fast, I activate my trap card Shiranui Style Samsara! I banish 1 zombie type monster I control, and this turn, I take no damage! I banish Gozuki!" "Grrr, fine then! I end my turn!"

"My turn, I draw!" "Lycoris's effect! You take 200 points of damage from her, 200 from Light Stage, and 600 from Dark Room of Nightmare!" "I don't think so! I activate Shiranui Style Samsara's effect once more! Since Utopia The Lightning is treated as a Zombie type monster, I can banish him and take no damage this turn!" "What?! It works on effect damage as well?!" "Indeed it does! Now from my Graveyard, I activate the effect of my Shiranui Spectralsword! I tune him together with my level 4 Shiranui Spiritmaster and banish them from my graveyard in order to synchro summon from beyond the grave! Appear before us, oh ancient ancestor of the all powerful samurai, and lead us into the future of dueling with your knowledge and wisdom of the blade, SYNCHRO SUMMON! SHIRANUI SAMURAISAGA! (Atk: 2500, Def: 0) Now from the banished zone, I activate Shiranui Spiritmaster's effect! When he is banished, I can target 1 face up card on the field and destroy it! I choose your Trickstar Lycoris! Now to battle! Shiranui Samuraisaga, attack her Lilybell! Shiranui Style Soul Slash!" I cry out as pain floods my body, and I watch as Lilybell bursts into flames upon contact with Samuraisaga's sword. (Janice LP: 6300) With that, I end my turn. It's true, you have improved Janice. But you are still not yet ready to be able to beat me. Your feelings still hold you back. Let go of the past, and look forward towards the future. Look forward to the bright and happy times that are ahead, just like you used to."

"Shut up and duel you son of a bitch." I say, my anger finally breaking through the seal I tried to keep it behind. "If it weren't for you, none of this would have happened! I'm going to beat you, and when I do, You'll tell me everything I want to know! Then I'll decide whether or not if I should hold onto the past or not!"

To be continued….