Disclaimer: Don't own Yu-Gi-Oh GX
AN: This took me a little bit since I had a tough time deciding how to construct this chapter. At the end of it, I decided to add both Zane and Crowler's duels in this chapter so we waste less time with stuff you already know.
I also had to decide what I wanted to do as filler as I don't want to do some of the duels from canon. I have some ideas now, so that's good.
I have a question for you guys at the bottom.
And lastly, this spin off is gonna be dark. And by dark, I mean in tone and setting. You'll guys like it, as Jaden is a badass in it and everyone loves that, am I right?
Enjoy
Chapter 25-
On a dark lake, as a crescent moon hung in the air, a long boat drifted across dark waters covered in fog. A flock of bats beat their leathery wings as they flew over the boat. In the long vessel, a large and heavy coffin lay.
The coffin's lid creaked open and a woman with crimson-red lips sat up, taking in the night air. She looked at her bats, and then looked ahead, a wicked smile crossing her face as a dark laugh escaped her lips.
...
Jaden bolted upright, waking up from that nightmare he just had. As soon as he sat up, he winced and clutched his chest.
"Jaden!" Syrus practically jumped out of his seat next to Jaden's bed as his friend woke up, "Are you alright?!"
The Slifer opened his eyes and panted, still holding his chest, "Weird dream, man... I think I saw a girl..."
"A girl?" Syrus blinked.
"You must be feeling a lot better to be dreaming about girls."
Both Slifers turned to see Miss Fontaine walk into view from behind a curtain, a smile on her face.
"How is Nightsh-" Jaden stopped himself, "Alexis' brother?" he asked her.
Miss Fontaine sighed and looked to her right where Alexis was sitting at Atticus' bedside, solemn look on her face.
"I'm afraid they haven't woken up yet, but the good news is they're in stable condition," she reported, "Poor guy.. I don't know what happened to him, but whatever it was, it did a big number on his body and mental state."
Syrus turned back to Jaden, suddenly really nervous. Jaden was confused to say the least.
"Ummm, Jay... turn around..."
Deciding to humor him, Jaden turned over to where the other beds were in the infirmary. Once his head finished the one-eighty turn, his eyes widened to the sight Syrus was talking about.
Jason, without his bandages, was lying on the other bed with Asami by his side.
"What happened!?" He grimaced when he made another move, falling back down to the bed.
'Quit it before you're stuck here.' Yubel cracked.
Syrus looked over Jaden to Jason. "The other Shadow Rider attacked Jason." He explained. "He won," he quickly added when he saw Jaden start to lose his breath.
"Oh thank God!" Jaden laughed, finding it easier to breathe now. He caught sight of something that looked vaguely like Jason's half armlet that he won back at the Gravekeeper temple. "Where'd he get that?"
Asami now turned around to look at Jaden. "The Shadow Rider had the other half of the armlet. Jason got it when he won." She explained.
Jaden nodded slowly, proud his brother had taken out the second Shadow Rider.
...
On a body of dark water, the long boat from Jaden's dream drifted silently. The woman from the coffin looked ahead, and then raised her arm to the night sky, her bracelets clinking together.
"Go, my minions!" she hissed, "Find me my prey so we can succeed where Nightshroud and Rose have failed!" The woman held a thorny red rose to her breasts and smiled as she watched her winged vassals fly off into the night sky.
...
Among the classes and dorms, a lot of rumors were going around lately...
"Hey, you hear about the vampire?"
"...a vampire?"
"Dude, I saw her with my own two eyes! Or at least...my roommate did. She's got these gigantic fangs!"
"Wait, you're saying it's a she?"
"I'm so not kidding, a girl vampire!"
"She better stay away from my boyfriend."
It became so popular, even Sheppard caught wind of it; and because of that, he gathered some of the Key Keepers to his office to discuss it.
As soon as he heard it, Chazz backed away, looking pretty freaked out, "Vampire?!"
Sheppard nodded, "I'm afraid the rumors aren't rumors after all,"
"Wow..." Chazz muttered, still in slight shock.
"Puh-lease!" Crowler scoffed, "It's just a practical joke!"
"A joke?" Bastion asked skeptically, "It wasn't a joke that put Jaden and Jason in the hospital after their duels."
Zane nodded slowly, "Do you think that this vampire woman is a Shadow Rider?" he asked his Headmaster.
"Perhaps..." Sheppard looked to his cohorts, "So, we must keep an eye out for anything strange."
Chazz, Bastion and Zane nodded while Banner and Crowler looked at each other, rather nervous about the situation.
...
"Hmph... let's see this vampire girl try to get the drop on the Chazz,"
Chazz sat in his Slifer Dorm room, his old Obelisk Blazer hanging on a hook nearby in plastic and his deck out before him. He was looking through his deck, checking to see if he should take anything out or add anything in case the vampire chick came after him. He was so busy looking at his cards, he didn't even notice a small bat hanging in the rafters above him, eyes glowing red.
...
Bastion sat at his desk, looking through all of his decks. He had made them equal in power, but wasn't sure which one could serve a better purpose against this possible Shadow Rider. He too, was too busy to notice a vampire bat watching him.
...
Zane sat in his dorm room, fanning out his deck. As he did, another bat watched him from his open balcony window.
...
"A vampire? What's next, the Boogeyman?"
Crowler huffed and sat down at his desk inside his large office, his deck in front of him. He rolled his eyes, "Who on earth would believe such nonsense?"
He didn't notice a bat peeking over a window slit nearby.
...
"Stay away! I know you're out there!"
Banner sat in front of a makeshift shrine, dressed in a priest's outfit, complete with headband and robe. Lit candles surrounded him as he waved a large stick with sutras tied to it around, strands of garlic hung from the ceiling.
"I have a huge horror movie collection, I know all you weak spots, I'm ready for you!"
As he went about chanting protection spells for himself, a fifth bat watched on, sweatdropping, not sure what to make sure of this one. With the flapping of it's wings, it left the room without being noticed.
...
Alexis rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock. She had been at Atticus' side for a long time now. For a change, and to stretch her legs, she rose from her stool and walked over to Syrus.
"Hey, how's Jaden doing?" she asked quietly, looking at the sleeping Slifer.
Syrus lowered his head, "He hasn't said anything since last night," he said sadly.
Alexis frowned slightly, "Oh..."
"How's your brother, Alexis?" Syrus asked, looking over his shoulder at her.
Alexis shook her head, "Pretty much the same. But he'll get better, I know it! He's a fighter, you know?"
Syrus nodded, "Yeah, I know,"
Alexis looked at Asami next. "How's the little warrior over there?" She asked.
Asami smiled, stroking strands of Jason's hair delicately. "Tired, but he'll be okay..." she kissed his temple.
"I just hope Jaden and he get better soon. After all, it sounds like the next Shadow Rider is here," Alexis said.
What the three of them didn't notice was that a bat had been staring at them, hearing the whole thing.
...
In a large bathroom, lying leisurely in a big bathtub, the 'vampire' woman watched as a bat fluttered into the room. She turned her head slightly, smiling at her pet, and held out her hand, urging it to come to her.
She giggled as the bat landed on her finger, "My precious, what have you brought me today?" she purred.
The bat's eyes started to glow a bright red and its owner's eyes began to glow the same color.
Images of the Key-Keepers came to her mind's eye, making her smile wide.
"Hmm... so this is our opposition?" she mused, "Who shall it be?"
She watched as the faces of the Key-Keepers come and go until she caught sight of one, one with dark blue hair and a firm, serious face.
"You...you will be my first," She whispered in delight.
...
That night, as the rest of the Academy went to be with uneasy feelings, the Key-Keepers returned to Sheppard's office to report what they had done since that morning.
"Good news, Chancellor," Chazz said with a smug smirk on his face, "I searched the whole campus and there's no-,"
"VAMPIRE!"
Everyone turned around as Chumley ran into the room, his face very pale.
Chumley stopped before crashing into Sheppard's desk. He panted, trying to catch his breath, "I saw her! She's at the lake!"
The Key Keepers all gasped.
...
The key-keepers, minus Alexis, Asami, and the Yukis, along with Chumley as their guide, walked through the woods for a short while, coming to the lake's edge. A crescent moon hung in the air and a light fog covered the area. A figure stood just a few feet away.
"Is this the spot?" Zane asked Chumley.
"Yeah, look..."
A roll of carpet came out of the middle of the lake, unrolling to the ground.
"I think she's expecting us," Bastion said.
Crowler grunted, "At least it's the red-carpet treatment," he commented, looking at the carpet roll just as it became totally flat.
"Blood red, too," Zane added, "It's fitting for a vampire, don't you think?"
"So, what now?" Bastion asked as Crowler slowly walked behind the students, trying to hide himself...
"Now we face her," Zane reasoned.
Chazz nodded, "Yeah, but who is gonna be...?"
As if on cue, Banner and Crowler backed into each other, scaring the crap out of themselves. Crowler yelped and jumped out of the line, ahead of the others.
Chumley crossed his arms, watching his teacher, "Oh wow, you are so brave, Doctor Crowler!"
"We'll be right behind you," Bastion said supportively.
Banner poked his head out, "Yes, by a good ten feet!"
Crowler spun around, "Hey, I have an idea... let's draw straws to see who goes first!" He offered, then frowned, tapping his chin, "But wait, we don't have any straws. I know, I'll go get them, just don't follow me!"
"Sorry Crowler," Chazz shook his head, "But like it or not, you're up first,"
Tears rolled down Crowler's pale face. It was obvious that he didn't want to be there.
Bastion looked around to see one head short, "Hey, where Chumley go?"
...
"Syrus!" Chumley burst into the infirmary, startling Alexis, Asami, and Syrus, "Crowler's gonna duel the vampire lady!"
Syrus rose from his seat, "That's good! He'll beat her easy, right?" he asked hopefully.
"Wrong Sy," Alexis got to her feet as well, "Crowler may talk a big game, but he plays a terrible one!"
Jaden looked at his friends, a look of concern plastered on his face.
...
Crowler stood in front of the others, facing the long path of red carpet that lay above the lake's surface, humming to keep his composure as best he could.
"Yo, Crowler, what's the hold up?"
The head of Obelisk glared at Chazz, "If you're in such a hurry, why don't you go first?!" he hissed just before a strong wind came out of nowhere.
They all turned back to the lake to see the fog lifting and a boat floating not too far away. A tall, beautiful woman stood on the boat, her blood red dress clinging to her like a second skin. With her long green hair, glistening in the moonlight...
"Gentlemen," she greeted. Her voice was thick with a strange accent, "Why don't I just come to you?"
She stepped off her boat and started to walk elegantly down the red carpet, sending small ripples across the water with each step of her black heels. As soon as she reached the lake edge, she took one look at Crowler and her face took a look of disgust.
"Who might you be?"
Crowley gulped, "I'm your challenger," he replied shakily, really not wanting to have the honor of that title.
'Hm, I don't think so...' the vampire woman thought, glancing off to the side at Zane, 'I crave another...'
"You are not worthy," she sighed, turning back to Crowler.
The head of Obelisk nearly lost his footing at the insult, "I beg your pardon?! I have a PhD in Dueling! That's nine years of duel school, you know!"
"Fine...if you are so eager to lose your Key, you may duel me," the woman bowed her head as a group of bats appeared out of nowhere behind her, "Camula, vampire mistress of the Shadow Riders!" Her eyes began to glow a bright red at the end of her introduction.
"So she's the vampire..." Banner smiled slightly, "I need to get new horror movies,"
Crowler rolled his eyes, "Rubber bats and plastic teeth. You don't scare me!"
"Well perhaps this will. If you lose, not only do I get your Spirit Key, I get your soul..." Camula held up a small doll which looked like a voodoo doll, "Actually, this little doll does,"
"You want to take his soul and the Key?!" Bastion repeated, as if he misunderstood her.
Chazz scowled, "Forget it!"
Crowler, however, smiled while the others looked panicky, "Is that all? Don't want something for your 'mummy' or even perhaps your pet werewolf for something to chew on?" he asked mockingly.
Camula smiled widely and evilly, "Be careful what you wish for, because it may just come true, Key-Keeper! Let's duel!" she hissed as Crowler made his way to another part of the beach, away from the others.
Both Crowler's duel vest and Camula's duel disk whirred to life. Camula's had a custom made disk that at first glance was like a giant bracelet. As it cut on, it grew out bat wings in the shape of Duel Monster Zones.
The two duelists drew their opening hands.
Crowler: 4000
Camula: 4000
"So, Key-Keeper, you say you don't believe in werewolves?" Camula drew and looked at her card, "Well, perhaps this will convince you. Rise, Zombie Werewolf!"
At her command, a large furry lycanthrope appeared on the field in torn pants and eyes glowing bright red, it's yellow teeth catching the moonlight. (ATK: 1200/DEF: 1200)
"I'll end my turn with a facedown," Camula finished, slipping a card into her strange duel disk.
Crowler smirked, "Please, what do you take me for, some kind of amateur? That facedown is obviously a Trap and that fleabag is clearly the bait. Even so, I'll bite," he raised his hand as his card popped out of the deck area into his hand.
"You've bitten off more than you can chew, my dear. First, I play a Spell known as Ancient Gear Castle!" he paused as a large castle made of stone and metal chains rose up behind him, "It gives all of my Ancient Gear creatures an extra 300 attack points. Secondly," he held up a card, "I'll play the Ancient Gear Soldier in attack mode."
The Gear Soldier appeared on the field. (ATK: 1300/DEF: 1300)
He smiled as a large, metallic monster similar to his Ancient Gear Golem appeared, only this one was smaller and carried a machine gun on one arm.
"As I said, with the Castle out, all my Gear monsters gain 300 attack points!" (ATK: 1300-1600)
"Now Camula, I think it's time to give that slobbering, mangy mutt his shots!" Crowler pointed to the Zombie Werewolf, "Ancient Gear Soldier, attack with Rapid Fire Flurry!"
The Zombie Werewolf howled in pain as the Gear Soldier opened fire on him, ripping his furry body with shrapnel before exploding into a giant cloud of smoke.
Crowler: 4000
Camula: 3600
Camula didn't look worried, in fact she was very calm, despite her monster being blasted to smithereens.
Zane grinned at his teacher's success, "I guess Crowler's more of a cat person,"
Banner shook his head, "No... afraid not. He doesn't like Pharaoh, so I don't think he likes cats,"
"That was fun!" Crowler practically squealed, "I should get out of the classroom more often!"
"On the contrary, you should study up...," Camula told him, the calm look on her face, "Then, you would know that my werewolf is coming back!"
She was right. With another howl, her Zombie Werewolf appeared back on her field, this time stronger than ever. (ATK: 1200-1700)
Crowler stared at the beast, "But how?!"
"Ah, the living. I forget the ignorance of the beating heart," Camula smiled, "When Zombie Werewolf is attacked, I get to summon another from my deck, one with 500 more attack points!"
Chazz groaned, "And he teaches us?"
Crowler heard that comment and tried to keep his cool. He nodded to them, "Don't worry, everything is under control...," he turned to his opponent, slipping a card into his disk, "I'll place one card facedown and I believe it's your turn,"
"Why thank you," Camula nodded as she drew her next card, "I summon Vampire Bat (800/800) in attack mode!"
Next to the lycanthrope, a group of large black bats appeared, all of their eyes glowing red as they screeched.
"Now, with my winged friend on the field, every Zombie monster I have gains 200 attack points!" (ATK: 800-1000) (ATK: 1700-1900)
Crowler scoffed, "Don't the three of you look cute?" he taunted, "Now if you had bags, you could go trick or treating!"
"The only treat will be your demise!" Camula laughed, "Zombie Werewolf, go sic that Gear Soldier! Midnight Pounce!"
With a howl, her wolfen friend leapt and sank it's teeth into the metal hide of the Ancient Gear Soldier. The metal man exploded, sending the werewolf back to Camula's side of the field.
Crowler: 3700
Camula: 3600
Well, looks like your mutt still has some bite in him after all," Crowler chuckled, "No matter, I still have more Life Points,"
"Perhaps, although not for much longer! Vampire Bat, attack with Swarming Scourge!" Camula ordered.
The flock of bats screeched and soon, every one of them surrounded Crowler, biting and gnawing at his body, their fangs drawing blood with each bite.
'I can actually feel their little teeth! This isn't some dueling hologram, this is real! But that means...that this is a real Shadow Game!' Crowler thought as he fell to his knees, clutching his head as the bats swarmed around him.
Crowler: 2700
Camula: 3600
...
Those that stayed in the infirmary were watching the duel on Syrus' PDA. Jason, minus his bandage, was the only one not watching, having a tough time staying awake right now due to the pain he felt.
"Aw man, Crowler's taking a beating!" Syrus moaned.
"No, he can't!" Alexis shook her head, eyes never leaving the screen, "If he loses, he'll lose his key and his soul!"
"What can we do?" Asami asked.
...
Camula laughed wickedly as her winged friends came back to her.
"For rubber bats, they pack quite a wallop don't they?" she asked, a large smile on her face.
Crowler looked up at her, gritting his teeth as blood seeped through the numerous small holes on his body.
"Look, darling, you don't have to take this punishment," Camula shook her head, looking sympathetic, "Step down and I'll duel the one in white,"
Chazz looked at Zane, "Hear that? Sounds like you her type," he cracked.
"More like blood type," Banner added.
"So how about it, darling?" Camula turned back to Crowler, "Give me your student and I'll let you go free!" she offered.
"As tempting as your offer is...," Crowler staggered to his feet, not looking very pleased, "I don't think so! I won't let you lay a finger on my students! Do you understand?! I am the leading professor at the most famous Duel Academy in the world and if you want to get to my pupils, you'll have to get through yours truly!"
Chazz frowned at his former dorm head, "But, you can barely stand, Crowler!" he protested.
"Don't worry about me...," Crowler turned to them, smiling, "I still...have a deck in my hand, and a few...tricks up my sleeve. Like...this one!" he turned back to Camula, pushing a button on his duel disk, "I play my facedown known as Damage Condenser! It lets me summon a monster with attack points equal or less to the damage you just inflicted on me! In other words, the more pain you deal, the more hurt you feel!" Crowler placed a card onto his disk, "Rise, Ancient Gear Soldier!"
Crowler chuckled as his metal creation came to his side, (ATK: 1300-1600/DEF: 1300) "But he won't be around for long. I now summon the Ancient Gear Soldier to summon my own four-legged friend. The Ancient Gear Beast!"
A large metal hound made of old gears and armor plating appeared, eyes glowing with the energy that fueled him. (ATK: 2000-2300/DEF: 2000)
"And you're about to see that he's well-trained!" Crowler barked at the vampire, "Ancient Gear Beast, show that Zombie Werewolf who's top dog!"
"Don't do it!" Chazz yelled, "If you win, she'll bring back the werewolf again! Hello!"
Crowler turned to him, "Appreciate the advice, Chazz, but you're forgetting his special ability. Ancient Gear Beast negates the effect of any destroyed monster...," he said, wagging his finger.
Bastion smiled, surprised, "What a clever calculation!"
Banner nodded, "Yes, good thinking!" he agreed.
"Now, attack Zombie Werewolf!"
The metal hound pounced onto the lycanthrope, making it yelp in pain as it bit into it's side. With a low howl, the werewolf was destroyed.
Crowler: 2700
Camula: 3200
Crowler laughed triumphantly, "If you'd like some help in dueling strategy, feel free to drop by my class!"
"Maybe Crowler's lesson plans really do work," Chazz thought aloud.
"Be quiet," Bastion whispered, smiling a bit, "He'd only give us more homework,"
"Nice move," Camula smiled as she drew her next card, "Pity you won't have many more," she said as the end tray of her duel disk opened up, "I play the a Field card known as Infernalvania!"
Crowler stepped back, "You can't! You'll destroy everything with that!".
"Exactly. By discarding one Zombie-type monster from my hand, I can send every monster that's on the field straight to the Graveyard!" Camula explained.
Chazz grinned, "True, but don't forget. By using Infernalvania, you're not gonna be able to Normal Summon your monsters anymore!"
"So what? Who says I need anymore monsters?" she cast a smug look at Crowler, "Isn't that right?"
Crowler glared at her, "Don't give me any of that!" he hissed, "I know all about that bat of yours!"
"But do your students?" Camula shot back, "Do they know my Vampire Bat can be made invincible simply by discarding another from my deck, or did you skip that chapter?" she held up a card, "But first, I'll sacrifice one of my Zombie monsters for Infernalvania!"
A man in a dark suit with blue hair appeared, but disappeared shortly after as the Infernalvania building behind Camula began to glow. Crowler's Gear Beast and Camula's bat were both blown away.
"Now, by discarding another from my deck, I can keep this Vampire Bat on the field," Camula fanned out her deck, then sent a card into her Graveyard slot. Her bat returned in all it's batty glory.
"Now, attack the good professor!" she hissed at her bat.
Once again, Crowler was completely covered by the horde of bats.
"No! Not again!" he howled, "I can't take much more of this!"
"He needs our help!" Zane said evenly.
No! Stay back!" The Obelisk Headmaster continued to protect himself. "This is my duel...and my duel alone!" Crowler looked at them, looking very worn out, "You must protect...your...keys..." he moaned before falling flat on his face.
Crowler: 1700
Camula: 3200
Everyone watched in horror as their comrade fell, unable to duel.
"Crowler!" Zane called out to his professor, "We can't just stay here and do nothing!"
Camula smiled and turned to Zane, "Yes, I completely agree with you darling. Come and save your professor, seeing as he can't save himself,"
"WRONG!" a new voice yelled out.
Every other Keeper turned around to see Syrus, Chumley and two familiar faces coming up to them, one riding on Chumley's back and the other leaning on Syrus.
"Jaden?!" Bastion and Zane said together, surprised to see him there.
"Jason?" Chazz asked confused.
Jaden hopped off of Chumley's shoulders and leaned on Syrus' other shoulder, "Doctor Crowler can win this duel!"
'I know that voice...' Crowler slowly opened an eye, looking at the group, "It's Slacker..."
"I know because I've dueled him, believe me, he can throwdown and he can beat you!" Jaden turned to the fallen duelist. Jason gave a strained nod.
"Get up, Doctor Crowler and get your game on!"
Crowler, hearing Jaden's voice, somehow found the strength to get back onto his feet. He stumbled around before getting into a good position.
"I'm not giving up!" he spat at the vampire.
"Oh?" Camula raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Are you still here?"
"You had better believe it! I'm here to stay, too, missy!" Crowler snapped, "You see, as much as I hate to admit it...JADEN IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! I CAN BEAT YOU, I CAN THROWDOWN, AND I CAN GET MY GAME ON!" He then gagged, "Oh, great, now I feel like I've got to wash out my mouth or something,"
Jaden smirked, "C'mon... it's not that bad, teach,"
"Yes, but you know what is? His Life Points," Bastion observed.
Zane nodded, "To win, Crowler would have to mount quite a comeback."
Crowler raised his hand to his dueling vest as a card popped out, "Now, let's duel!" he looked at his card and slapped it onto his disk, "I summon Ancient Gear Golem in attack mode!"
Everyone watched as his favorite Machine creature appeared, towering over Camula and her bat. (ATK: 3000/DEF: 3000)
"Check it! Crowler's best monster!" Chazz grinned.
Syrus frowned at the sight, "But where's the sacrifice?"
Zane pointed to the building behind Crowler, "It's on the field! The Ancient Gear Castle. When it's on the field, and you summon a monster withAncient' in it's name, you can sacrifice the Gear Castle and it counts as how many sacrifice as to how many monsters you've summoned so far," he explained.
The castle disappeared, and that left the Golem without a boost of points, but Crowler didn't seem to care.
"Now, Ancient Gear Golem, attack Vampire Bat with Mechanized Melee!" he ordered, pointing to the flying rat.
Camula winced in pain as the Golem threw it's metal fist through her bat, blasting it into pieces.
Crowler: 1700
Camula: 1200
"Did you forget? My Vampire Bat can't be destroyed, but thanks to my Infernalvania, your Golem can!" she hissed.
Crowler smirked, "I'm afraid you're mistaken, my dear,"
"Huh?"
"What's he gonna do?" Chazz asked.
"Oh.. nothing..." Crowler's smile widened, "Except destroy every Spell card on the field!" he held up a card, "Suffer the wrath of Heavy Storm!"
A very strong wind picked up, blowing away the facedown Camula had, including the Infernalvania Spell card. Soon, nothing but the two monsters remained on the field.
"Hmph, you must be a bore for your students...so predictable," Camula sighed in a disappointed tone.
"Please, you don't know what you're talking about," Crowler said dismissively.
"Oh..don't I?!" Camula asked as her jaw stretched farther down than any other jaw possibly could. Large fangs on both top and bottom sets of teeth, a thick tongue sitting between her jaws, and fat muscles appearing on her flesh from her elongated jaw. She waved her arm to her card, "I play Zombie Bed!"
Crowler glared at her, "You can't! I just destroyed that card!" he protested.
"Which is exactly what I wanted you to do!" she hissed.
"But why?!"
Zane grit his teeth, "Of course, it's obvious! In order to be activated, Zombie Bed must be destroyed!"
"Very good, my darling. Now thanks to it's effect, I get to bring back Zombie Werewolf in attack mode! Not only that, he gains the 200 point boost from my Vampire Bat!" (ATK: 1200-1400)
"Thanks to your card, you're completely defenseless!"
Chazz stared, wide-eyed, "She knows Crowler's moves before he even makes it!"
The vampiress chuckled as her jaw shrank back to normal size, "It's so easy to know people's moves and decks when you have a hundred flying bats...," she took another card from her hand as a bat landed on her shoulder, "I play Book of Life. This resurrects my Vampire Lord. However, you cannot give live without taking it away, so I'll be taking your Ancient Gear Beast from your Graveyard so you can't use him again!"
The blue skinned vampire appeared on the field. (ATK: 2000-2200/DEF: 1500)
"Now, I'm removing Vampire Lord from play to summon Vampire Genesis!" Camula screamed as her gentleman vampire left the field and in his place, a huge, purple beast with strange wing-like appendages on it's back appeared, eyes glowing red. (ATK: 3000/DEF: 2100)
"Since Vampire Bat is still on the field, my Genesis' power gains 200 extra attack points!" (ATK: 3000-3200)
Crowler looked at the monster, and nodded. He turned to the others, "My students! No matter what happens to me, always remember this...it's true, I may have been hard on you at times, but only because I believe in you. Therefore, if I fall here, there's still hope. I know that you all will rise!" he told them, voice breaking.
"Don't talk like that!" Zane snapped at him.
Jaden looked on at the man who tried so hard to throw him out of school, "This isn't good..."
Jason strangely felt almost indifferent.
"Have you finished your final lesson yet?" Camula asked impatiently, "Crowler...?"
The Head of Obelisk Blue snapped his head to the annoying vampiress, "Excuse me, but that's Doctor to you!" he shouted.
Camula laughed heartily, believe it or not, "Very well. I'll put that on your tombstone as soon as I'm finished! Vampire Genesis, destroy his Golem!"
A purple mist emanated from the Genesis beast and surrounded itself around Crowler's monster. The mist tore the Golem apart, dealing damage to Crowler and his Life Points.
Crowler: 1500
Camula: 1200
"Is that all?!" Crowler barked at her, stumbling around, "I thought you Shadow Riders were supposed to be tough!"
"You want more?" Camula snickered, "Very well! Zombie Werewolf, attack him directly!"
Crowler screamed in pain as the Werewolf raked it's razor-sharp claws along his chest, leaving four tear marks in his coat.
Crowler: 100
Camula: 1200
"Had enough? Hear, try this as well! Vampire Bat, attack now!"
For the third and final time, the swarm of vampire bats surround Crowler, biting and tearing at his body, drawing blood each time.
"Doctor Crowler!" Jaden yelled, not wanting it to end like this.
Again, Jason just stared with his one eye.
"Jaden...," Crowler slowly turned his head to the Slifer and gazed at him through the bat cloud, "Jason... Avenge me...my boys..."
With that, and with no strength left in his body, Crowler fell to the ground, defeated.
Crowler: 0
Camula: 1200 (Winner)
"His key is mine..." Camula said with a triumphant tone.
Chazz glared at her, "No way..." he growled.
"We can't stop her. Crowler lost the duel!" Jaden reminded his comrade of the rules to the Keys and Spirit Gates.
Camula walked over, bent down and took the key from around Crowler's neck. She looked at it briefly before it disappeared into dozens of lit orbs, "One down... eight more to go," she giggled, pulling out the rag doll from behind her, "Now, children...for my second prize,"
Everyone watched as the both the doll she held in her hand and Crowler's body began to glow with an unholy purple aura. The doll began to take an ugly shape and soon, it looked like a horrifying version of a chibi Crowler.
Camula shook her head, then dropped it, "Dolls are pretty...this is decidedly not. It's garbage now!"
"That does it!" Jaden growled at the disrespect. He was about to step forward, but a duel disk got in his way. He looked at the owner, "Zane...?"
The Kaiser of Duel Academy stared long and hard at Camula. "She's mine, Jaden,"
Camula smiled as a large dark castle appeared in the fog behind her, "I'm afraid I must say farewell to you all for now, my children."
"We'll find you!" Bastion swore to her.
"And duel!" Chazz threw in.
Again, the Vampiress smiled, "Children...that is exactly what I'm hoping for," she cackled before she vanished into thin air, her cold laughter echoing into the night sky.
...
The next day, thick rainclouds covered the sky over Duel Academy, which sort of fit the mood around the campus after what had happened last night. However, the moods among the group were just a tad different then others.
"First, I play a Trap, then I play a Spell, then I'll attack!" Jaden winced at the pain in his body and laid back down on his infirmary bed, "At least, after I get better I will... Camula's gonna get it sooner or later. I mean, taking that Spirit Key is one thing, but taking Crowler's soul, too?! Sure he might've been a little uptight, but no one deserves that."
Jason, who was laying in bed with his back turned to everyone, scoffed mentally. He could think of a lot of people who deserved that.
"Easy, Jay...," Syrus told him from his bedside, "You should rest!"
Banner nodded as he held Pharaoh, "Syrus is right. We need to be at our best, because if we aren't, it will be our souls that will be sealed in those dolls and our bodies will be... catatonic!"
Pharaoh mewled irritably and leapt out from his master's arms, then scurried underneath Jaden's bed. The Head of Slifer dorm sighed and followed his cat underneath the mattress, "No, Pharaoh! Just because the word has 'cat' in it, doesn't really apply to you! Though, I don't think 'nine lives' makes a difference with vampires,".
"The worst part is, since Camula beat Crowler and took his key, she only needs eight more to open up the Spirit Gates and steal the Sacred Beasts cards," Bastion reminded them.
'And I need those cards for me,' Jaden added mentally. He either missed or ignored the way Yubel stared hard at him. He was sure she already knew why he wanted the cards. He had controlled them once for destruction. He now wanted to reverse that and do some good with their power.
Alexis nodded and turned to her comatose brother, "If that happens, it won't be our souls that will be taken, but it will be everyone in the world!"
"And that's not a day I want to look forward to." Asami said with a frown.
"THAT DOES IT!" Jaden punched the air with both arms, "CAMULA'S MINE!"
"Yeah, right!" Chazz got to his feet and pulled the bed sheet over Jaden's face, "You can't even win a fight against a sheet!" he jerked a thumb to himself, "This job is for the Chazz,"
Jaden grunted as he feebly tried to fend off the attacking bed sheets, "Hold on... almost there..." Jaden pulled the sheet back over his head, freeing himself, "There, I won!"
"No you didn't, it's two outta three!" Chazz snapped, pulling the sheet back behind Jaden's head and pushing him down.
"C'mon, Jaden, you can do it!" Syrus cheered his friend on in the epic struggle against the sheet.
Chazz looked to Jason, who shook his head in response to a silent question. They've gotten better at silently communicating with one another after Chazz was accepted by the Yukis.
Chazz turned to the others, "Look, since Jaden isn't up to snuff, and Jason is too tired, one of us has to face Camula,"
"And by 'one of us' you mean you?" Bastion looked at him, "I'm sorry Chazz, but I'm not entirely convinced that you're the man for the job. I should go,"
"You?" Chazz asked in disbelief.
"Uh... almost got it..." Jaden kept struggling with his sheet captor, "Man, what this sheet made out of? What thread count is this?"
"Shut up," Chazz snapped, glancing back at his fellow Slifer.
"Ok sure..." Jaden's body stopped fighting it, "I need a rest anyway,"
Jason shook his swollen head at his brother. His desire to put the bandages on weren't present. He figured he stop hiding how he looked since all the people he cared about saw how he looked like. He looked to the two halves of his armlet resting on the counter, feeling a strong pull to put them on.
"And what we need is to work together!" Alexis stood up from her chair, "The Spirit Gate Keys and saving Doctor Crowler is all that matters!"
Everyone else nodded, but Jaden sighed in defeat while Jason debated reaching out to his ancient artifact.
"Fine... I'll sit out. At least until I get better..." he groaned.
"You keep fighting to get out of bed, and you never will." Alexis joked.
"Funny, Lex..." Jaden gave a airless laugh.
Seeing something out of the corner of his eye, Syrus turned to see Zane leave the infirmary. Quickly, Syrus shot out of his seat and walked out of the room, following his brother.
"Zane?" he called out after him in the hallway, "Where you going, big bro? Didn't we just decide to work together?" he asked, "What gives?"
His elder brother looked at him, smiled slightly, then started to walk down the hallway again, "If protecting those keys and saving Crowler's soul is all that matters, then you know where I'm going, Syrus,"
Syrus stood there alone in the hallway, watching his older brother walk away. He wasn't the only one watching, however. Another of Camula's bats was hanging just outside the window.
...
In her castle, Camula lay in her bathtub, enjoying the soothing bubbles. She opened her eyes as an image of Zane crossed her mind's eye yet again.
"The one I crave is coming," she smiled before blowing a bubble out of her hand, "And I'm ready..."
...
Chazz sat on his bed, looking through his deck again as his annoying Duel Spirit floated nearby.
"Hey, long time, Boss!" Ojama Yellow greeted, moving in front of Chazz's face, "How're things?"
Chazz growled, grabbed the Duel Spirit and chucked him into a nearby flat-screen TV, "They were fine, until you showed up," he muttered.
"Aw, now it's great?" Ojama Yellow phased through the TV, smiling, "Thanks, Boss, you really know how to make me feel good," he flew back over to his partner, "So what are you doing, arranging your deck? Can I help?"
Once again, Chazz batted the annoying spirit away from him. Ojama Yellow flew across the room and landed on the Crowler doll that lay on the desk nearby.
"Ow! Hey, fragile here!"
Ojama Yellow turned around, hearing a familiar voice. He wasn't sure about it, so he poked the Crowler doll, just to check
"What are you doing?! Stop!" the doll screeched, but began to laugh as Ojama Yellow began to tickle it, "N-no! Please, stop!"
"Boss!" Ojama Yellow turned back to Chazz, "This doll's alive!"
Chazz looked at him, then at the doll, "What?"
"It's alive!" his spirit partner repeated, "I swear!"
The Slifer walked over and picked up the doll, "Doesn't look alive to me..."
"Hey! Ease up on the grip, will you?!" the Crowler-doll snapped, "You're wrinkling my coat!"
"Oh yeah..." Chazz slowly shook his head, "That's Doctor Crowler alright,"
A loud flapping sound made both Chazz and Ojama Yellow look to the side, at the window. Chazz darted over and pulled back the heavy curtain away to see a large group of bats hovering outside, each one staring at him with their glowing red eyes.
Chazz grit his teeth and darted out of his dorm room, "It's started again!"
...
Banner looked out from his office, and frowned worriedly at the bats, "She's back..."
...
Bastion caught sight of the bats and stormed out of the Ra Yellow dorms, duel disk on his arm and key around his neck.
...
"Run!" Jaden ordered, climbing onto Chumley's back.
"Aw..." Chumley whined, "Running?"
"Actually, piggybacking," Syrus offered.
Alexis put her hands on her hips, staring at her friends, "Whatever it is, we better do it, because I get the feeling that vampire is getting ready to bite again,"
"And we won't let anyone else be taken." Asami added, Jason's arm slung over her shoulder for support.
...
Everyone met up at the lakeside, looking up at the castle on the water's surface.
"Everyone ready?" Zane asked quietly, the first one to be there.
"I am," Jaden nodded.
"The Chazz is always ready,"
"Ready and willing," Bastion said with a curt nod.
"As ready as I'll every be," Banner murmured, twiddling his fingers nervously.
"I'm good." Asami said with a smile.
Jason nodded.
"I'm here, ain't I?" Alexis asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Chazz rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Are we gonna go or what?!"
...
"Aw man, now we gotta do stairs?!" Chumley whined as they started a flight of steps. They had entered the castle a short while before and were now walking through the torch-lit corridors, Zane taking the lead of the group. "Can't I just drag Jaden around? It'd be a lot easier on my back,"
"Quiet..." Zane said evenly as they walked, "We're close,"
After a short while of walking, the group went into a huge room, one that resembled a ballroom. A huge chandelier hung from the ceiling and on two ends of the room, a balcony jetted outward, as if to overshadow the floor by just a bit.
"Ah, right on time!"
Zane stepped forward, eyes scanning the room, "CAMULA!"
"Looking for me, darling?"
Zane, as well as everyone else, looked up at the balcony to see Camula walking into view, a calm look on her face.
"You bet we are!" Jaden yelled, wincing a bit, "We want Doctor Crowler back!"
"That's right," Chazz stepped up beside Zane, "So hand him over!"
"Or else!" Bastion threatened, joining the two of them.
Camula giggled and shook her head dismissively, "I have no interest in little schoolboys..."
"She must mean you," Bastion said, looking at Chazz.
"No, she means you!" Chazz shot back.
"Cut it out, both of you!" Asami yelled, smacking the back of both their heads in quick fashion.
Camula shook her head and her eyes lingered over, stopping just a second on Jason's swollen and bullet wounded face before going to Zane, who was staring her down, "Are you ready, darling?"
Zane nodded, "Let's duel..."
Syrus gulped, looking from both the Vampire to his older sibling, "Good luck, bro," he whispered fearfully.
"He should be fine, remember how he badly beat Jaden?"" Asami told the younger Truesdale.
"Yeah... hey!" He yelled, getting small laughs out of everyone.
Lightning crashed and lit the entire room as Zane made his way up to the empty balcony, the one opposite of Camula, his duel disk at the ready.
"Let us review. If you win, you get Crowler's soul back, and I'll be on my way," Camula stated, "and I'll be on my way. But if I win, I get your soul, your Spirit Gate Key, and I get to continue me quest to unlock and awaken the Sacred Beasts," she continued as her custom duel disk whirred to life, the wing-like tray folding out.
"Duel!" they cried as they drew their hands.
Zane: 4000
Camula: 4000
"I like to lead," Camula drew her card, only to place it sideways on her disk, "I play Vampire Lady in defense mode, and I lay one card facedown...that's all for me," she said as a very pale woman in a purple dress appeared on the field, kneeling. (ATK: 1550/DEF: 1550)
"Really? Shame...," Zane muttered as he drew his card, "Because it won't be enough to protect you from what I have planned," he held up the card he just drew.
Camula raised an eyebrow, "Playing Power-Bond?"
Zane nodded, "This allows me to fuse Machine-Type monsters and I have the perfect ones in mind. My three Cyber Dragons!" he paused as his powerful and loyal mechanical serpents appeared before him, "Now unite, and form the almighty Cyber End Dragon!"
From the three Cyber Dragons, his mech-hydra was born, it's three heads shining as the lightning filled the room. (ATK: 4000/DEF: 2800)
"Zane just brought out his most powerful monster on his very first turn!" Alexis gasped.
'Wow...that's not like Zane. He usually feels out an opponent before playing Power-Bond.' Syrus looked from the Cyber Dragon and to his brother, 'It's like just using it instead of playing it. I hope he knows what he's doing...'
"My, I like your aggressiveness, but Power-Bond has it's risks," Camula reminded him, "Are you certain that you can handle all of the consequences?"
"She's right," Chumley shifted Jaden's weight, "At the end of the turn, Zane takes damage equal to Cyber End Dragon's original attack points, and that adds up to 4000 big ones, but that may be a risk he's willing to take, because now Power-Bond double Cyber End Dragon's attack points!"
Cyber End Dragon roared in power. (ATK: 4000-8000)
"8000 points?!" Camula hissed.
"I don't think I have to worry about consequences after this turn," Zane spat at her, "Now, Cyber End Dragon, attack Vampire Lady! Super Strident Blaze!"
The mech-hydra roared and it's three heads fired three separate beams of great power, and as they flew towards the Vampire Lady, they combined to create a huge stream of energy.
"Forget about my facedown?!" Camula shouted over the noise as her card was revealed, "I play the Trap, Red Ghost Moon! Now, darling, by discarding one Zombie-Type monster from my hand to the Graveyard, your monsters attack points are added straight to my Life Points and our little battle ends right here and now!"
Zane grit his teeth as Camula began to show off a golden aura, thanks to the Trap and his own monsters attack.
The vampiress laughed, "That's 8000, plus the 4000 I already had, coming to a total of 12,000 Life Points!"
"Wrong!" Zane held up another card, "I play the Spell card De-Fusion, disassembling my Cyber End Dragon and leaving you..."
"Absolutely nothing!" Bastion smiled, "Red Ghost Moon's target is gone, so it's effect is canceled!"
"My points!" Camula watched as the aura around her disappeared before her Life Points could be increased.
Syrus smiled as the Cyber End Dragon disappeared and the three Cyber Dragons came back, "You know what else? Since Power-Bond is gone..."
"He won't have to pay in points for using it!" Chumley whooped.
Jaden nodded, "Now that's playing a card!"
"I'll end with one facedown," Zane finished, slipping a card underneath one of his Cyber Dragons.
Camula chuckled, "Oh, my darling. I can see now why you're ranked the top duelist at Duel Academy,"
"Actually, you haven't seen anything yet," the Kaiser said quietly.
"Well, I hope not. Zane dear, precious, we haven't even begun to duel, just yet!" Camula smiled wickedly, "I'm going to have so much fun with you,"
Syrus gulped, "I don't think I'm gonna like her kind of fun..."
"Well said..." Asami agreed.
"Now then, shall we?" Camula drew her next card, "First, I'll sacrifice Vampire Lady to summon Vampire Lord!"
The undead woman in violet disappeared and in her place, a handsome man in a dark violet suit and cape appeared, his skin white as a sheet. (ATK: 2000/DEF: 1500)
"Now, I'll sacrifice him to summon Vampire Genesis!"
The handsome vampire prince bowed before vanishing and was replaced by the horrid, winged behemoth Vampire that took down Crowler and his monsters the night before. (ATK: 3000/DEF: 2100)
"Darling Zane, I promised you some fun, didn't I?" Camula tilted her head slightly, "Looks like we'll have it after all. Are you excited?"
Zane's only reply was the firm stare and silent treatment.
Camula scowled, "You're such a bore...Vampire Genesis, attack!"
Zane looked up at the Vampire as it began to glow a dark purple, "As much fun as this is, I'm afraid I'm going to have to interrupt it with my facedown card. The Trap called Attack Reflector Unit!"
"A Trap?!"
"One that's evolutionary," Zane said as one of his Cyber Dragon's began to be covered by panels and panels of mirror glass, "Attack Reflector Unit evolves my Cyber Dragon into the Cyber Barrier Dragon!"
The Cyber Barrier Dragon looked much like it's counterpart, except it had a large cuff-like apparatus around it's neck and the tip of it's tail looked like a sharp-ended probe from a science fiction movie. (ATK: 800/DEF: 2800)
"Also, when the Cyber Barrier Dragon is in attack mode, once per turn, it's special power allows me to negate the attack of one of your monsters! So, your Vampire Genesis' attack can go right back to where it started!"
Vampire Genesis' dark mist shot from it's master and flew towards Barrier Dragon, only to be stopped by a green light that emanated from the Machine monster. The mist bounced off and returned to the other side of the field, leaving Zane safe... for now.
"How dare you!" Camula screeched.
Jaden looked down at his friend, "Your bro's got game, Syrus! No wonder he beat me...although it was close,"
"Yeah..." Syrus nodded.
"It's my turn," Zane drew his card, "Now, I play the Spell card Pot of Greed! This lets me draw two more cards from my deck," Zane drew the new cards and turned one of them over, "Next, I'll activate the Spell card Photon Generator Unit! By sacrificing my remaining two Cyber Dragons, I can summon the Cyber Laser Dragon!"
His two Cyber Dragons vanished and a new Dragon appeared. It had a longer, sleeker, and more silver body than the others, but it had that round-tipped tail sort of like the Barrier Dragon. (ATK: 2400/DEF: 1800)
"With Laser Dragon out, once every turn, I can destroy one monster that has equal or more attack points than it's own!"
"I bet you talk to all the girls like that," Camula mused.
"No, just the ones I really don't like!" Zane spat, "Now, Laser Dragon! Let loose with Blue Lightning Lash!"
His Laser Dragon curled it's tail up and aimed the tip at Genesis. A beam of bright blue energy shot out of the Dragon's tail and struck Genesis directly in the chest, destroying it easily.
"Now, attack her directly!" Zane ordered, "Blue Lightning Blast!"
Another beam of blue energy, this time from the Dragon's mouth, soared through the air. Camula screamed as the energy beam hit her dead on, knocking off a good chunk of her Life Points.
Zane: 4000
Camula: 1600
"Oh, and don't think I've forgotten about Cyber Barrier Dragon. Attack, with Sonic Shriek!"
Cyber Barrier Dragon opened it's mouth and an ear-piercing scream rippled through the night air, a group of bright green rings blasted outward, hitting Camula so hard, she flew back into the wall behind her.
Zane: 4000
Camula: 800
"Awesome! That's exactly how I woulda done it!" Chumley smiled widely.
"Sure, Chum," Jaden patted him on the back, "In your dreams!" Everyone laughed.
"Now you guys see why my brother's never lost!" Syrus said proudly, looking at his sibling, "But mom says I got all the looks,"
"Uh..." was all that everyone else could say to that.
Zane slipped another card into an empty slot, "I'll end my turn with a facedown," he said quietly.
Camula rose to her feet. She slowly made her way back to her place on the balcony, head low, "Darling... you do realize you're forcing me to show my ugly side?" she asked as she lifted her head up, showing her elongated jaw, long sharp fangs, and thick red tongue.
For the first time in almost five years, Jason saw something uglier than his face. Now he didn't feel so bad about it.
Camula kept her face even as she drew her card. She looked at it, then back at Zane, "It's only going to get uglier. I play the Spell card Phantom Gate!" she declared as a stone door and archway rose up from the floor behind her.
Zane looked at the door, confused, "Phantom Gate?"
"Wow..." Jaden looked over Chumley's head, "I've never heard of it. You guys know what it does?"
Bastion shook his head, "No, I'm afraid I don't,"
"Not me..." Chazz threw in.
Jason shrugged.
Banner frowned slightly, "I think we're about to find out,"
"Behold!" Camula laughed as the golden choker around her neck began to glow, just as the gate opened up all the way, letting in a bright light, "First, this Spell card destroys every monster on your field!"
Zane covered his eyes as the light shined so brightly, both his Dragons were blasted into smithereens.
"But that's not all," Camula continued as she somehow split into two separate copies of herself, "This card has twin functions. You see, this card allows me to summon any monster that either of us has used during this entire duel,"
"What?" Zane blinked, not sure if he heard right.
"Even though you've de-fused Cyber End Dragon after only one turn, you did use him during this duel!"
Zane scoffed, "Please. There's no card that's powerful enough to let you make a move like that. There must be some kind of catch!"
"Yes. You see, after I play Phantom Gate, and should I lose this duel, I must offer up a soul to the Sacred Beasts as tribute!"
Bastion raised an eyebrow, "Is that all?"
"Good!" Chazz growled. "It's what she gets for taking Crowler's!"
"Beg your pardon?" Camula looked down at the audience, "I said a soul, not my soul! You see, in the Shadows, it's all the same to the Demons...," her eyes moved towards the smallest member of the group, "Syrus...,"
Syrus' eyes widened, "Huh?!"
"Yes," Camula smiled, "The Beasts will find your soul to be a tasty treat I'm sure!"
'No! Zane snapped his head to his brother, "Syrus! Run!" he screamed.
"I don't think so!"
Before Syrus could make an attempt to run away, the duplicate of Camula flew down and snatched the little Slifer up and away from his friends, holding him close to her as she returned to the balcony.
"Sy!" Zane cried.
Syrus lowered his head, weakened by the magic of the Phantom Gate and the duplicate Camula, "Sorry, Zane...,"
"Now...," Camula raised her hand to the sky and light began to shine forth from the Gate once again, "I summon the almighty Cyber End Dragon!"
Syrus cried out as a yellowish aura surrounded him, then poured outward as the three-headed metallic Dragon returned, only this time, to Camula's side of the field.
"Syrus..." Zane grit his teeth as his brother slumped in the Vampiress' arms, drained of energy.
"That bitch!" Asami growled.
"How dare she!" Alexis added.
'I swear I'll kill her...' Jason coldly said, showing signs of repressed anger.
"Whatever will you do, darling?" Camula taunted, "I have your most powerful monster, and you're little brother..." she looked at the aura before it disappeared, "Actually, I'd think they're one and the same, now. After all, even if you should win back the Cyber End Dragon, you'd be losing little Syrus' soul as well," she giggled as her twin pet Syrus' hair, "So, as I said...whatever will you do?"
'The facedown card on my field is Call of the Haunted Zane looked at the card, paused in mid-draw, If I activate it to resurrect Cyber Barrier Dragon, I can stop that Cyber End Dragon and win the duel! Camula will be defeated and we'll be that much close to keeping the world safe from those Sacred Beasts cards, and in exchange, we just lose one soul...my brother's...' Zane looked back at the other side of the field, lowering his head. 'The choice is clear.'
"So what will it be? Save the world, or save your brother's soul? Even though it means losing yours?" Camula asked, hand on her hip.
Syrus groaned and lifted his head, looking straight as his brother, "Zane... go ahead. Do it and win the duel...,"
"What?" Zane stared at his brother shocked at those words.
"No..." Jaden gasped.
Jason focused his one eye on the Truesdales, shocked at what Syrus said.
"My soul is a small price to pay to beat Camula. After all, if she wins, she gets your Spirit Key and you know what that means. The Shadow Riders will be that much close to releasing those Demons. Besides, Zane, if one of us has to go down, it might as well be me. I may have gotten the looks, but you have gotten everything else. The skills, the smarts, everything! Anyway, Big Bro, at least this way, I can be remembered besides being your little brother. This way, Zane, I'll be the one who gets to be the hero, the one who saves the day...,"
Zane remained quiet and noticed a tear fall from his brother's sad eyes.
"After all, we both know that I wouldn't have been able to do it by dueling. It's just like you said...I never belonged here!"
"I did say that before... and I've never been more wrong about anything in my life, Syrus. You've proven me wrong. You do belong here,"
Syrus lifted his head, "Huh?"
"I love you, Syrus. Never forget that. I was hardly there for you growing up, and I'll repent by doing this."
Zane smiled. "I'll miss you, Little Brother... farewell," Zane lowered his duel disk and looked at Camula, "I stand down!" he declared loudly.
Syrus' eyes widened, "Zane, what are you doing?!"
"So be it! Cyber End Dragon, destroy him!" Camula ordered, pointing towards the Obelisk.
Syrus and the others could only watch in horror as the three-headed Dragon blasted it's own master with it's powerful blast.
"No!" Syrus struggled to get free, "Take me instead!" he pleaded.
Zane: 0
Camula: 800 (Winner)
Lightning flashed once again as Zane's Spirit Key fell from his neck onto the floor, glowing before vanishing from sight.
Camula's Phantom Gate and her double disappeared, freeing Syrus from their hold on him.
"Big Brother!"
Zane fell to his knees and his eyes grew dull and dark as Camula pulled out another ragdoll. Zane's body glowed with the same light that took Crowler the previous night, soon it disappeared. Camula looked down at the doll to see that it had taken on Zane's features and even a little blazer and blue hair.
"Darling, you're mine at last. A bit smaller and a tad less talkative, but a darling trophy nonetheless..." She said as she caressed the doll.
Everyone watched as Camula disappeared in a swirling cloud of dust and smoke, laughing as she departed.
...
After a hasty retreat, everyone managed to find some rest on the banks around the lake. Syrus stared at the castle in sadness.
"Just like that...he's gone..." he whimpered, tears welling up.
Everyone looked at him, all of the saddened by the loss of the school's Kaiser. The strongest of the group had sacrificed himself for the sake of his little brother, who he loved so much.
Jaden and Jason both were taken hard by this, knowing that they would've done the same thing in Zane's position. They both had their fists tightened in anger.
While Jaden just growled, Jason's one eye had taken on a menacingly blood red color for a few seconds as he declared a promise in his head.
'I'm gonna avenge Zane... I'm gonna kill Camula...'
End of Chapter 25 of Supreme King Jaden
Jason has some issues going around. Anyone notice him getting angrier and more threateningly throughout the chapter? This is not OOC. It has something to do with the trip to the Gravekeeper temple and his new armlet. I can't spoil what it means, but it'll come back from time to time.
Jaden still wants those Sacred Beasts cards. I have a cool chapter just two away that focuses on that quest of his and the repercussions of his goal.
And that question I had? Would you guys like to see, in the near future, a short story depicting Jaden and Jason's trek through the woods that they keep mentioning? The one where Jason lost his shoe? Let me know!
Jason vs. Camula is next, so be excited for that.
Next Time: Chapter 26