Chapter 26: Out of thin air
"Triss"
"Triiiiiiss" Marik chuckled as he crawled into the bed
"Mmmm" Triss moaned
"Wake up" Marik whispered
"5 more minutes" Triss mumbled
"Fine… but I've gotta go" Marik laughed quietly
Triss sighed and sat up slowly as she looked around
"What…" Triss mumbled
"You fell asleep" Marik smiled
"Oh… sorry" Triss huffed
"No, it's fine… you've been through a lot… I didn't want to leave you, so I stayed to make sure you wouldn't have nightmares" Marik explained as he stood to his feet
"Oh… you stayed with me? All night?" Triss asked, a faint smile on her face
"Yeah… I wasn't going to let Amnael come and take you… so I sat at the desk all night" Marik nodded towards the desk in the corner
"Oh… I mean, you could've slept next to me" Triss shrugged
"Uh… nah, I'm good" Marik laughed and shook his head as he moved toward the door
"Marik?" Triss called, causing him to turn to her
"Yeah?" Marik asked seriously
"Thanks… for everything" Triss said, putting a huge smile on Marik's face
"No problem… I'll be by later once I've showered… you and I are spending the day together" Marik winked before he closed the door
"Huh…" Triss smiled weakly
With Marik:
"Ah… morning, brother" Ishizu smirked as Marik entered his room
"Morning, sister," Marik said as he raised an eyebrow and grinned
"So… where were you last night?" Ishizu giggled
"A Shadow Rider came and… well… Chazz lost" Marik sighed
"Oh no! Is he…" Ishizu trailed off
"I'm not sure… that's what I aim to find out today" Marik shrugged
"Odion and I will help" Ishizu bowed
"Thank you… hey, can you make me some breakfast while I shower? I'm wiped out… didn't get any sleep" Marik sighed
"Yeah, of course… where were you?" Ishizu asked
"Uh… I stayed with Ms. Merigold… she was distraught" Marik said as a smile came across Ishizu's face
"She's 15" Marik deadpanned
"And cute, too! And she seems to really like you" Ishizu giggled
"First of all, I took an oath. Second of all, we both know I'm not lying with a 15-year-old if I'm going to lie with anyone. Third of all, she's… more like a daughter figure to me" Marik sighed
"Oh… I didn't know you had grown so attached to any here other than Jaden" Ishizu said surprisedly
"Jaden… Ms. Rhodes… oh God" Marik smacked his forehead
"What?" Ishizu asked
"I uh… said some unfortunate things to Ms. Rhodes… last night… in a fit of anger" Marik groaned and shook his head
"Unfortunate things?" Ishizu grinned
"I dare say you'd likely disown me had I said them to you" Marik chuckled
"Right… you should go fix that when you're done here" Ishizu giggled
"Indeed… actually…" Marik narrowed his eyes as he looked out the window, clearly thinking about something
"Brother?" Ishizu asked after a few seconds of silence
"The boy… from yesterday" Marik turned to her
"Omar?" Ishizu asked as she bit into a donut
"No, the other one. Rockefeller" Marik said
"What about him?" Ishizu shrugged
"Tell me what you think… I have some suspicions, but a second opinion would be nice before I share them" Marik said as he motioned that he was going to get his water running
Ishizu followed him as she talked
"Seems like a nice enough boy… obviously only interested in one thing, though. I think he's more trouble than he's worth, but you must admit… for a young girl, someone that looks like that is quite irresistible" Ishizu giggled
"Falling for a 15-year-old, Ishizu? And here I thought you were better than that" Marik laughed as Ishizu smacked the back of his head
"Please, I have much higher standards… besides… there's someone else that I have my eye on" Ishizu grinned as she left, knowing she couldn't just leave Marik with those words
"Whoa! What!?" Marik laughed as he chased after her
"Hmm?" Ishizu asked with a smirk
"What'd you just say?" Marik chuckled
"I didn't say anything… are you feeling alright?" Ishizu giggled as she touched his forehead
"Hilarious… we're going to revisit this conversation" Marik shook his head
"So, the boy… what about him?" Ishizu asked
"I don't know… I just… have a bad feeling about him" Marik sighed
"Because he's vying for the attention of the girl that Jaden seeks?" Ishizu smirked
"No… if you had met Jaden before, you'd know he outmatches this boy in all categories except facial features… I'm not worried about that. What I AM worried about is while Jaden is still, for some God forsaken reason, in a coma… what Ms. Rhodes will do" Marik said with a troubled look
"Meaning?" Ishizu asked curiously
"Meaning… she's very emotionally unstable right now. There's a lot going on… and she's getting attention from a very persuasive and attractive boy… and the one person that she knows she can lean on is not awake to help her… and I didn't make things easier last night when I accused her of… well" Marik trailed off
"Of lying with him, I presume?" Ishizu sighed
"Yeah… something like that" Marik said, feeling remorseful
"I wouldn't be surprised if you forced her into Blake with your fit of anger… she had no one else to turn to" Ishizu frowned
"Right… and he's certainly the type to take advantage of situations. But this isn't my greatest concern… I can't really place it… it's just a feeling I have… I feel like he's bad news" Marik frowned as he turned to go to the shower
"Maybe he's a Shadow Rider?" Ishizu asked
"It's possible… but why would he try to blend in? Doesn't make sense if his goal is to duel all of us for our keys" Marik shrugged
"I can look into him if you'd like" Ishizu offered
"Actually, I have something I need from you" Marik sighed
"I'm listening" Ishizu crossed her arms
"Kat has disappeared… just… vanished… into thin air. You're going to assist Kaiba in looking for her" Marik said
"Hmm… alright… yeah, I can do that" Ishizu nodded
"I need you to inform me of anything you find… it's likely that whatever happened to Kat also happened to Chazz… so if they're not dead, I need to know" Marik said seriously
"Right… I'm all over it… I'll let you know as soon as I find anything" Ishizu smiled
With Alexis:
*Knock knock*
"I heard I would find you here" Blake smiled weakly as he came into the infirmary
"I'm… not ready to talk yet," Alexis said nervously as she gripped Jaden's hand harder
"Then don't… will you just listen to what I have to say?" Blake sighed as he sat across from her
Alexis slowly nodded her head as she looked at Jaden
"I know it's pretty weak, but… I'm sorry, for what it's worth. I took advantage of a shit situation and messed everything up… and I'm really really really really sorry" Blake chuckled
"I… I'm just… really taken by you, y'know? You're so… different… from other girls. Kind and… not attention seeking… and you've really caught my eye" Blake smiled weakly at Alexis as he continued
"And I wasn't using my head last night… and… I just let my emotions take control… so I'm sorry for forcing myself on you like that… can we just… start over?" Blake sighed
Alexis giggled as she watched Blake fumble over his words awkwardly
"Sure… we can start over" Alexis smiled
"Great… awesome!" Blake exclaimed, causing them both to laugh
"So… who's he?" Blake nodded toward Jaden
"He's… well… how do I explain this?" Alexis mumbled
"My brother was missing for almost 2 years… not sure if you knew that or not" Alexis added
"No… I wasn't aware… I'm sorry about that" Blake frowned
"It's ok… he's back now… thanks to Jaden here" Alexis nodded to Jaden
"What happened to him?" Blake asked
"Uh… let's just say… my brother was running with a tough crowd… and they didn't take kindly to Jaden bringing my brother back" Alexis said nervously
"Oh… gotcha… well… that's pretty heroic of him" Blake chuckled
"Yeah… so I come here occasionally to see how he's doing… he's been in a coma for a while now… sometimes I wonder if he'll ever wake up" Alexis sighed as she crossed her legs
"I'm sure he will… then you and your brother will have their friend back" Blake smiled
"My brother?" Alexis asked
"Yeah… you said Jaden saved your brother from a tough crowd… they must've been close friends, right?" Blake reasoned
"Oh… yeah… right" Alexis trailed off
"I mean… I couldn't think of any other reason he'd go so far to pull him out of a situation like that unless they were pretty tight" Blake laughed
"Yeah… makes sense" Alexis smiled
"So… see you later today or something?" Blake smiled as he stood up
"Sure… I'll catch up with you" Alexis nodded happily
"Coo,l" Blake chuckled as he turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, his head turned back to linger on Jaden as he looked troubled and bit his lip before leaving
Later:
*Knock knock*
"It's open" Triss' voice came from the other side
"Morning" Marik smiled
"Hi" Triss sighed as she plopped onto her bed
"How you feeling?" Marik asked
"Really?" Triss deadpanned
"Stupid question, I know" Marik chuckled quietly
"I feel like shit… I cried myself to sleep after watching my boyfriend get blown to bits… I can barely think of anything else… I just replay it in my mind… over and over again" Triss closed her eyes as a tear rolled down her face
"Then we've gotta get your mind off it" Marik smiled
"How?" Triss asked
"Gotta stay busy! I've got stuff to do today… I'd like you to accompany me if you want" Marik offered
"I don't know…" Triss sighed
"Triss… I know it hurts… but if you dwell on it you will fall into depression… you HAVE to stay busy to keep your mind off it. Hang out with me… and when tonight comes" Marik smirked
"When tonight comes?" Triss asked
"We'll meet Amnael head on" Marik nodded
Triss stared at Marik for a long time, her face expressionless
"Give me 15 minutes," Triss said as she got up
"Should I leave?" Marik asked
"NO!" Triss said a bit too quickly and loudly
"Uh… no… stay, please" Triss laughed nervously
"Alright" Marik nodded
"I'll… I'll be back" Triss sighed as she got up and opened the bathroom door
"I'll wait here" Marik smiled as he laid on her bed
"Oh, how chivalrous of you. Here I thought you wanted to watch me shower" Triss giggled and rolled her eyes
"You fill my head with horrible thoughts, Merigold" Marik laughed and shook his head
"Are they so horrible?" Triss laughed as she grabbed a towel from the closet
"You don't want the answer to that" Marik chuckled
"Perv" Triss giggled as she threw a hair clip at him
"You're the one at fault here!" Marik laughed
"True" Triss grinned as she closed the bathroom door
Elsewhere:
*Knock knock*
"Who is it?" An irritable voice boomed
"Ishizu" she grinned
Rapid footsteps came to the door and lurched it open
"Hello, Kaiba" Ishizu smiled as she walked past him
"What're you doing here?" Seto asked
"Marik assigned me to help you look for Kat today" Ishizu bowed
"I don't need Marik's help" Seto growled as he sat back down at his desk
"No, perhaps not. Maybe you don't need mine either… but you're getting it either way" Ishizu giggled
"No point in trying to dissuade you… you're more stubborn than he is" Seto sighed
"Great! Then take me to where she disappeared" Ishizu said
A few minutes later:
"Ready! Where to?" Triss smiled as she emerged from the bathroom
"Well… first I need to see Ms. Rhodes" Marik sighed
"And apologize?" Triss asked, almost like a warning
"Yeah" Marik nodded
"Good… you were pretty mean to her" Triss frowned
"She's running around with a fool" Marik grumbled as he got up
"Who, Blake? Please… I doubt he can compare to Jaden. You know how many nights we stayed up and all she talked about was Jaden?" Triss giggled
"Really?" Marik asked surprisedly
"Yeah… she's totally enthralled with him. Though, I get what you mean about Blake… that look in her eyes yesterday…" Triss trailed off as she opened the door
"Look in her eyes?" Marik asked as he exited the room, Triss close behind him
"Yeah… she's hurting… and really needs someone" Triss nodded
"Like Blake" Marik huffed
"Like Blake… or Jaden, if he would wake his ass up… but see, I think that's the problem… let's try her room first" Triss added as she knocked on Alexis' door
"What do you mean 'that's the problem?'" Marik asked
"She probably wouldn't even glance at Blake if Jaden was awake… he's just here at a really opportune time… guess we should try the infirmary" Triss pointed to the doors at the end of the hall, leading to the main building
"So… you think if Jaden wakes up… she'd ditch Blake" Marik nodded
"Yeah… probably… but if he doesn't… well… we both know where that's going" Triss giggled
"And what about you? What do you think of Blake?" Marik asked as he pushed the door open and held it for her
"Thanks… um… I don't know… he's obviously super cute… good dating material" Triss shrugged
"So, if Chazz and you never hooked up" Marik began
"Then I would be into Blake" Triss finished
"Right… see, I worry about how Jaden will react when he wakes up… IF he wakes up" Marik sighed
"Catfight?" Triss giggled
"More like ape fight" Marik chuckled
"I don't know… Jaden's a pretty reasonable guy… he'd let Alexis go, I think… but she can't let go of him" Triss shrugged
"Don't think so?" Marik asked
"No… but I think that if she gets with Blake, she won't dump him" Triss sighed
"So… she'd want both" Marik chuckled
"Yeah, probably… but we both know how that would go" Triss laughed
"I did warn her about that" Marik shrugged
"She's honestly the best person I've ever met… her emotions are just really strung out right now… she's stretched in every direction and doesn't know what she wants… pretty vulnerable at the moment" Triss said as she pointed to the door to the infirmary
"Right, which Blake will take advantage of" Marik nodded
"Right. So, either Jaden wakes up soon and we avoid a huge mess, or he wakes up later and we have a huge mess… or he never wakes up and it crushes Alexis forever" Triss sighed as she opened the infirmary door
"Hey" Triss smiled and waved at Alexis
Alexis gasped at the sight of Marik as he and Triss entered the room
"Uh… hi" Alexis whispered as she looked back to Jaden
"How's he doing?" Triss asked
"Well… he's the same… actually, not the same" Alexis giggled quietly as she lifted up his shirt
"Oh" Triss laughed as she poked Jaden's abs
"Damn… he working out in his dreams or something?" Triss laughed
"Wait… THAT'S IT!" Marik gasped as he rushed over to the other side of Jaden
"What's it?" Triss asked
"Jaden's working out in his dreams?" Alexis asked
"No… well, maybe, I don't know… but… hear me out. The doctors haven't been able to diagnose his condition, other than it's some kind of coma, right? What if that's exactly what this is… something unknown to them! He's under a fucking spell!" Marik exclaimed
"Whose spell? Nightshroud was defeated" Triss shrugged
Marik slowly looked up to Alexis and they shared a knowing look
"Um…" Marik sighed
"Don't" Alexis warned
"Don't what?" Triss asked
Alexis glared at Marik as he looked between Jaden, Alexis, and Triss rapidly
"There's something you should know, Triss" Marik bit his lip
"Ok…" Triss squinted her eyes
"Whatever… not like you're going to listen to me anyway" Alexis sighed as she crossed her legs
"Triss… Jaden's…"
With Zane:
"Give me an update… what do we know?" Zane asked
"Myself, Camula, Titan, the Butcher, and Don Zaloog have been defeated, leaving 7 Shadow Riders remaining. Kat Kaiba, Vellian Crowler, and Chazz Princeton have each lost their keys, leaving 9 Key Keepers. Amnael is active on the island, and there's a possibility that either or both the Enchantress and Casanova are active as well. Eredin's not here yes, as I would have sensed him, and Jack King will likely be last. There's no floating Egyptian ship, so Abidos hasn't been awakened yet, and Tania makes a lot of noise wherever she is, so we know she's not here" Nightshroud said
"Right… so obviously the main threat is Amnael at the moment… and I need to keep my eyes open for Casanova and the Enchantress… I just realized I haven't caught up with my friends in over a week" Zane frowned
"You should see what developments have occurred… and you really should consider the possibility of Rose being the Enchantress" Nightshroud sighed
"I'm not saying she's not… I just think it's unlikely" Zane replied
"Crazy people don't know they're crazy… people that are being used usually don't know they're being used" NIghtshroud reasoned
"How is she using me?" Zane chuckled
"She's not… yet… but it's only a matter of time" Nightshroud warned
"You're annoying" Zane grumbled
With Ishizu:
"Here… that yellow flag shows where her duel disk was" Seto pointed to a flag next to the concrete
"Interesting… and it was said her cards were missing?" Ishizu asked as she kneeled down next to the flag
"Yes… whoever did this must've wanted the Blue Eyes" Seto sighed
"Hmm…" Ishizu hummed as she examined the site
"I doubt you found anything that I didn't" Seto grumbled
"That remains to be seen… Ann Gal Scam'Hanach!" Ishizu chanted
With Marik:
"Wait… you lost me" Triss sighed
"It's a lot to take in at once" Marik chuckled
"How do I know this is true? And why are you telling me this?" Triss asked
"I know it's true because I've seen him in action first hand, as has Alexis… and I'm telling you this because we both trust you not to share this secret with anyone until Jaden is ready" Marik frowned
"It's his secret, yet you deem it's your place to share it" Triss shrugged
"I am his tutor… I'll do as I please" Marik grumbled
"Fine… so Jaden's under a spell put on him by a dark… ancient… king… or whatever. How do we break him out?" Triss asked
"Well… it's going to take a while… we're gonna be busy" Marik chuckled
"Fine… but I've got plans tonight" Triss sighed
"Plans? What plans?" Alexis asked
"I'm taking down Amnael… whatever it takes" Triss growled
"Alright… well… good luck… text me if his condition changes" Alexis sighed as she got up
"Where are you going?" Marik asked
"None of your damn business, Marik!" Alexis snapped
"Fine… we'll talk later" Marik dismissed her with a wave of his hand
"What makes you think I even want to talk to you?" Alexis snarled
"Frankly, I don't give a damn what you want! It seems you can't even figure that out for yourself… so we will talk later and that is final" Marik glared at her
"You're not my dad!" Alexis yelled
"Alexis, please!" Triss exclaimed
"No, I'm not your dad! Were I, I'd discipline you for acting so foolishly!" Marik growled
"And what am I doing that's so foolish? Hanging out with someone that doesn't scream at me!?" Alexis defended
"Here we go again…" Triss mumbled
"Please, that lecherous boy you run around with doesn't give two shits about you! I bet if you spilled how you felt right now to him he'd simply try to take advantage of the situation" Marik snapped back
Alexis stood uncomfortably as she pondered Marik's words
"Unless… he already has" Marik whispered angrily as he slapped the hospital bed
"Lexi?" Triss asked as she moved to her side
"What?" Alexis growled
"Did he? Take advantage of you?" Triss asked worriedly
"No! I told him I was down last night… and he stayed with me in the cafeteria for over an hour!" Alexis exclaimed
"Look me in the eye and tell me he didn't try to kiss you or cop a feel" Marik snarled
Alexis turned to the door and walked quickly
"Don't walk away from me!" Marik yelled
"Fuck you!" Alexis roared as she slammed the door shut
"Whoa…" Triss whispered
"God damn it" Marik sighed as he plopped down in the chair
"I haven't seen her like this… ever" Triss mumbled
"It's like you said… she's emotionally unstable right now" Marik grumbled
"Well… you were supposed to apologize to her… not yell at her" Triss reasoned
"Yeah… that went well" Marik chuckled
"You'll have another chance to talk to her later, I'm sure… for now… how do we help Jaden?" Triss asked as she moved to Jaden's opposite side
"With a spell of our own" Marik grinned
With Ishizu:
"What are you doing!?" Seto gasped
"Take my hand" Ishizu ordered as winds swirled around her
"Uhh…"
"Just trust me and take my hand!" Ishizu urged
Seto sighed and did as she told as winds ripped around them and he closed his eyes
When they opened their eyes, they were in the same spot but it was night time out
"Ishizu…" Seto mumbled
"We're in the past… this is a vision" Ishizu answered his unasked question
"Should I even ask how this is possible?" Seto sighed
"Nope… just go with it," Ishizu giggled
"Can… we interact with others here?" Seto asked
"No… and they can't see us… but we can see them… like her, for instance," Ishizu smiled as she pointed to a jogging Kat
"Kat!" Seto gasped
"I like it, I like it" Kat mumbled
"She's singing the song" Ishizu giggled as she pointed to her earbuds
"She'd kill us for watching her" Seto chuckled
"Well… here's our problem" Ishizu pointed to a man in a white mask
"Who is he?" Seto asked as Kat conversed with him
"Amnael… judging by their conversation" Ishizu chuckled
Ishizu and Seto Kaiba watched the duel closely, analyzing every move and every word they spoke
"No…" Kat whispered as lightning struck the arena, destroying Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon and Five-Headed Dragon, resulting in a massive explosion
"Interesting… Marik described a similar lightning explosion when Chazz was taken last night" Ishizu mumbled
"Chazz is down too?" Seto asked
"Yeah… figured you'd have heard by now" Ishizu shrugged
"Though… they will fall to my alchemy deck… they don't deserve this one… they're not strong enough" Amnael mumbled as he took the cards from Kat's duel disk and ran off
"Alchemy deck? Know anyone with one?" Ishizu asked
"Yeah… Lyman Banner" Seto growled
"The teacher? So Marik was right… there IS a traitor in our midst" Ishizu said as the vision disappeared, and it became daylight again
"But that doesn't make sense… Lyman Banner had a key, and the only way for the Sacred Beasts to be unleashed is for all the keys to be activated… and the keys can only be activated by a Key Keeper losing a duel" Seto shook his head
"It's possible he gave his key to someone else" Ishizu shrugged
"He took… my baby girl" Seto whispered as a tear flowed down the left side of his cheek
"Hey…" Ishizu mumbled as she grabbed his arm
"I'm gonna find her… ok?" Ishizu smiled
"Find her?" Seto asked, trying not to cry
"Let's see another vision" Ishizu whispered as she grabbed Seto's hand
With Marik:
"So… here it is!" Marik exclaimed as he stopped flipping through the book and landed on a page
"Spell-Binding Circle?" Triss asked as she leaned over the book
"Whatever is holding Jaden… should be something like this… something that's preventing him from leaving his current state" Marik reasoned
"A card is holding Jaden hostage?" Triss asked condescendingly
"I didn't say that… I said the spell should work similarly to this" Marik grinned
"Ok… so how do we break it?" Triss asked
"With my sister" Marik smirked
With Ishizu:
"Where are we?" Seto asked as he looked around. The sky was pitch black but there were bright lights everywhere
"Those look like stars… and THAT looks like Earth" Ishizu pointed below them
"What the hell is this!?" Seto gasped as he started flailing around
"Calm down!" Ishizu giggled as she grabbed his arm
"None of this is real! It's just a vision… if this was real, we'd already be dead" Ishizu laughed
"Kat!" Seto gasped as he pointed to a small, blue bubble holding her sleeping body inside
"Huh… interesting" Ishizu squinted her eyes
"Interesting!? It's not interesting! Get her out of there!" Seto demanded
"I can't! This is complex…" Ishizu mumbled as she walked around
"Walking in space… makes total sense" Seto mumbled
"I told you… this isn't real… we're actually on Earth and we're walking on the sidewalk… hopefully, no one sees us and thinks we're crazy" Ishizu giggled as she examined the bubble that Kat was in
"What is this thing?" Seto asked as he put his hand on the bubble
"Some kind of force field… keeping her same from the lifelessness of space… I guess she was teleported here by Amnael's Shadow Charm when he won" Ishizu reasoned
"Then… where's Chazz?" Seto asked
Ishizu smiled and snapped her finger as the moon quickly rotated around the Earth
"Whoa…" Seto whispered as he watched the moon and Earth move
"Fast forwarding our vision… until…" Ishizu snapped again, stopping the fast forward as another bubble popped up, this time Chazz in it
"As I thought… they're not dead… they're waiting to be rescued" Ishizu smiled
"So how do we do that?" Seto asked
"Simple… someone needs to beat Amnael" Ishizu said as she grabbed Seto's hand again and the vision disappeared
"I'll beat him, then… tonight" Seto declared
"Hey… you can let go of my hand now" Ishizu smirked
"Oh… right" Seto said as he turned a slight shade of pink
"It's ok" Ishizu giggled
"What else can you do? Can you track him down? Can you teleport us to him?" Seto asked quickly
"The vision spell is quite simple, really… but teleportation? That is beyond my capabilities, I'm afraid" Ishizu frowned
"I never knew…" Seto shrugged
"That I could do stuff like this? Seto, my family has guarded the Pharaoh's Tomb for generations… you don't think Grave Robbers have come?" Ishizu grinned
"I guess I just thought you fended them off with conventional weapons" Seto shrugged
"No" Ishizu laughed
*Beep Beep*
Seto quickly grabbed the PDA from his pocket
"Your brother needs you in the infirmary… apparently it's an emergency" Seto said worriedly
"No time to waste then" Ishizu smiled
With Alexis:
"Alexis?" Zane smiled
"Whoa… you look different" Alexis noted
Zane was wearing all black and had on dark sunglasses. His duel disk was a black metallic
"New look I'm trying out" Zane shrugged
"I see that" Alexis smiled
"So… where you off to?" Zane chuckled
"I was… gonna go grab some food… with a fffffffriend? A friend" Alexis giggled
"A friend?" Zane grinned
"Hey" Blake smiled as he walked up to Alexis
"Hi… Blake, this is Zane… Zane, this is Blake" Alexis said
Zane stared at Blake through his sunglasses for a moment before saying anything
"I don't believe I've seen you around before" Zane said, a quizzical sound in his voice
"Yeah… I'm a new transfer student here" Blake chuckled awkwardly as Zane stared at him
"Hmm… well welcome to Duel Academy… I see you're in Obelisk Blue" Zane motioned towards Blake's jacket
"Yeah! I'm a pretty good duelist… or so I'm told" Blake chuckled
"The girl next to you could beat you without a starting hand" Zane laughed as Alexis blushed
"I don't know about all THAT" Alexis giggled
"Everyone calls her the Queen of Obelisk Blue for a reason" Zane shrugged
"The 'Queen of Obelisk Blue?' Wow… quite the title, I guess" Blake laughed
"Want to talk about titles? Everyone calls Zane 'Kaiser' because he's the best. He was the school representative for 2 years and mopped the floor with his opponents. Before this year, I would've told you he was easily the top duelist in the school" Alexis smiled
"You're not the best anymore?" Blake asked
"Not sure… my protégé, Bastion Misawa, is really quite the star. Then there's of course Alexis here… and Jaden Yuki" Zane smiled
"Jaden? The kid in the hospital?" Blake asked
"The one and only" Zane replied
"We should catch up, Zane… it's been a while" Alexis laughed
"I'd like that" Zane smiled as he hugged her quickly and left
"You should keep an eye on that one" Nightshroud said in Zane's head
"You think he's trouble?" Zane asked
"I'm not sure… but rather safe than sorry" Nightshroud sighed
"I'll look into him" Zane nodded
With Marik:
"Brother! What's the emergency!?" Ishizu asked as she came barreling into the room
"A spell is holding Jaden… we need to break it" Marik declared
"I… don't know that we can" Ishizu said worriedly
"We can, and we will" Marik nodded
"I see you brought Triss along" Ishizu smiled
Just then, Triss and Marik's spirit keys lit up and started vibrating
"Huh…" Triss mumbled as she grabbed it
"Triss…" Marik looked to her
"He's mine… you two fix Jaden" Triss growled as she marched out of the room
"That one's determined" Ishizu noted
"She wants revenge" Marik sighed
"You're worried she'll lose" Ishizu frowned
"How could I not be? The other two…" Marik trailed off
"Are not dead… Amnael simply needs to be defeated" Ishizu said
Marik simply stared at the smirking Ishizu
"I've been busy" Ishizu shrugged
"Well, prepare to stay that way" Marik nodded to Jaden
With Zane:
"Prism, what's the time?" Zane asked as he entered his room
"5:49 PM" Prism replied
"Prism… I need you to pull up everything you have on one… Blake Rockefeller" Zane sighed as he sat at his computer desk
"Pulling all files on Blake Rockefeller, please standby" Prism replied
"Blake Rockefeller. Age: 15. Sex: Male. Obelisk Blue since yesterday" Prism's voice came over the speaker
"Send everything to my computer, Prism. I'll take a look at it directly" Zane popped his neck as he poured himself some whiskey
"Of course" Prism said as images popped up on Zane's screen
"Let's see… where were you before you came here?" Zane mumbled as he clicked around
"That's… not right" Zane furled his eyebrows
"No history? He said he was a transfer student, yet he didn't transfer from anywhere? Mildly suspicious" Nightshroud chuckled
"Agreed… any other affiliations? Family? Nope… doesn't even say where he lives or where he went to school… it's as if…" Zane trailed off
"As if he didn't exist before coming here" Nightshroud completed his thought
With Triss:
"Ooooook… what's going on?" Bastion asked as he, Atticus, Zane, Triss, Yugi, Seto, and Syrus showed up
"I'm taking down Amnael is what's happening" Triss grumbled as she pushed past them
"No… that will be me" Seto declared as he stepped forward
"He killed my boyfriend!" Triss exclaimed, causing everyone but her and Seto to gasp
"Chazz is dead?" Yugi asked
"No… Chazz and Kat are fine" Seto corrected
"How… how do you know that?" Triss asked
"Because Ishizu did a spell or… something. Anyway, they're alive… and we'll get them back once Amnael is defeated, and I'm twice the duelist you are" Seto said
"Maybe you are, maybe you aren't! But I'm going to take my shot first, and if I fail, then you can take him down since you're so good!" Triss yelled irritably
"LITTLE GIRL! I WON'T SAY IT AGAIN, GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Seto roared as their friends watched uncomfortably
"Well… this is going even better than I hoped for!" A voice cackled as a man in a white mask came into view
"Amnael" Seto growled
"Mad about your daughter? It's ok, Seto… you'll be joining her soon… you can be in agony together!" Amnael chuckled
"You talk a big game for someone that hides behind a mask" Seto smirked
"Hmph… very well" Amnael chuckled as he grabbed his mask with his left hand and slowly removed it, getting gasps from everyone but Seto
"Banner!?" Bastion exclaimed
Lyman Banner's face was cracking like a clay pot. It looked as if his cheeks would fall off his face at any second
"Yes, child" Banner smiled
"What's wrong with your face!?" Syrus squealed
"Ah… that's a long story… for another time. For now, all I will tell is that I am dying… and I will be granted immortality if I unleash the Sacred Beasts" Banner smirked
"You… you could've said something! Asked for help! We all would've tried to find a cure or… something! You didn't have to betray us!" Triss yelled
"Please! I've spent the past 30 years looking for a cure! There is none! My body has been affected by magic, not a disease!" Banner exclaimed
"Then let me put you to rest" Seto growled as he activated his duel disk and stepped forward
"No… not you… not yet. The girl is first… I'd hate to leave poor Mr. Princeton all alone without his muse" Banner chuckled
"Don't you dare say his name!" Triss snarled as she stepped forward and activated her duel disk
"Feisty as ever… but it won't help you. You will lose this night, just as your pathetic boyfriend lost last night… and soon, the rest of your friends too" Amnael shrugged
"Shut up and let's duel! I go first!" Triss exclaimed
With Marik:
"This… will require a great deal of power, Brother" Ishizu warned
"So what? It's worth it… he HAS to wake up" Marik sighed as he looked at Jaden
"Alright… take my hands… the preparation is done" Ishizu said worriedly
"You alright?" Marik asked as he grabbed her hands
"Yeah… just worried is all… this Supreme King could fight back" Ishizu said with a troubled look
"Meh… he's a bitch" Marik winked at her
In Jaden's mind:
"Whoa!" Jaden exclaimed as the room started rocking back and forth and the walls shook
"What's going on!?" Jaden asked quickly
"Your friends are trying to break you out" Haou laughed
"What?" Jaden asked
"I told you that I'm the one keeping you here… apparently they got sick of waiting for you wake up and figured out that you're under my spell… so they're trying to break that spell" Haou shrugged
"So why don't you just let me out?" Jaden sighed
"You never agreed to my final requirement" Haou smirked
"I'm not letting her go" Jaden said seriously
"Why not? She no longer needs you, Jaden! Why can't you see that!? You were convenient! You let yourself be used!" Haou exclaimed
"She's not using me!" Jaden yelled
"Mark my words, Jaden… she'll find someone else" Haou warned
"How will I ever know if I don't get out of here?" Jaden sighed
"Hmm… yes, perhaps I should let you… this way you can see for yourself how wrong you are" Haou sighed and shook his head
With Alexis:
"I'll have a coke, thanks" Alexis smiled as the waiter left the table
"So… are you alright? You sounded pretty upset on the message you left me" Blake chuckled
"Yeah… just had an argument with a friend… second one in two days, actually" Alexis sighed
"Want to talk about it?" Blake asked
"I don't know… I guess" Alexis shrugged
"He's just… someone I really look up to, y'know? And it feels shitty to disappoint him… but he can't just control all my decisions, either" Alexis sighed as she put her head in her hands
"Kinda like an overprotective dad?" Blake laughed
"Yeah… a bit. He's… well, I don't know, really. A tutor… a friend… I guess kinda a father figure too" Alexis grumbled
"So, you don't want to let him down… I get that. My old man's the same way. He's got all these crazy expectations for me, and I don't want to let him down, but… I want to live my own life" Blake shrugged
"Hard being a Rockefeller?" Alexis giggled
"Sometimes" Blake chuckled
With Triss:
Triss' Turn:
4000 LP
"Draw!"
Hand Size: 6 / Deck Size: 34 / Graveyard Size: 0
"I play the field spell, Crookback Bog!"
Crookback Bog – Field Spell
All level 4 or lower monsters must wait one turn before attacking. 'Crones' are not affected by this
"Next I summon Vesemir in attack mode!"
Vesemir – Monster – Light/Witcher
Atk: 1500 / Def: 1300
If 'Eskel' and 'Lambert' are also face-up on the field at the same time, add 'Geralt of Rivia' to your hand
"Next, I play the spell card Witcher's Medallion!"
Witcher's Medallion – Spell
Draw 3 cards if you have one face-up 'Witcher' monster on your field
"I place two cards face down and end my turn" Triss said determinedly
Amnael's Turn:
4000 LP
"Draw!"
Hand Size: 6 / Deck Size: 34 / Graveyard Size: 0
"You're burning with passion, Triss… you want revenge! Revenge against me for what I did to Chazz! That's good… it'll make it so much better when you lose" Amnael laughed
"I play the spell card Chaos Distill!"
Chaos Distill – Continuous Spell
Any of your cards sent to the Graveyard are removed from play instead.
I play the spell card Bronze Scale!"
Bronze Scale – Spell
Activate only while you control a face-up "Chaos Distill". Special Summon 1 "Alchemy Beast - Ouroboros the Bronze" from your hand or Deck.
Alchemy Beast - Ouroboros the Bronze – Monster – Light/Rock
Atk: 500 / Def: 500
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except with "Bronze Scale". This card can attack your opponent directly.
"Next up I play Steel Lamp!"
Steel Lamp – Spell
Activate only while you control a face-up "Chaos Distill". Special Summon 1 "Alchemy Beast - Salamandra the Steel" from your hand or Deck.
Alchemy Beast – Salamandra the Steel – Monster – Fire/Rock
Atk: 500 / Def: 500
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except with "Steel Lamp". This card can attack your opponent directly.
"Now, since these were special summons, I can still normal summon… so I sacrifice them both to summon Light and Darkness Dragon!"
Light and Darkness Dragon – Monster – Light/Dragon
Atk: 2800 / Def: 2400
Cannot be Special Summoned. While face-up on the field, this card is also DARK-Attribute. Once per Chain, during either player's turn, when a Spell Card, Trap Card, or monster effect is activated: This card loses exactly 500 ATK and DEF and that activation is negated. When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard: Target 1 monster in your Graveyard (if possible); destroy all cards you control, also Special Summon that monster (if any).
"Chazz…" Triss gasped as Light and Darkness Dragon rose on Amnael's field
"Seems his dragon has had a change of heart" Amnael laughed
"Not for long" Triss growled
"We'll see! Light and Darkness Dragon! Destroy Vesemir!"
Triss LP: 4000 – 1300 = 2700
Triss screamed as Light and Darkness Dragon's dual-beam burned her shoulder
"Triss! Are you ok!?" Atticus exclaimed
"Yeah… I'm fine" Triss said as she moved to her feet
"Jesus… is this what I did to Jaden?" Atticus asked aloud
"From what I heard… this looks like child play compared to your Shadow Duel with Jaden" Bastion frowned
"I guess I'll end with that" Amnael chuckled
Triss' Turn:
2700 LP
"Draw!"
Hand Size: 5 / Deck Size: 30 / Graveyard Size: 2
"I activate my face down card, Urgent Summons!"
Urgent Summons – Spell
If your opponent has at least one monster on their field, then pay half your life points; If you do, summon 'Geralt of Rivia' from your hand
Triss LP: 2700 – 1350 = 1350
Geralt of Rivia – Monster – Light/Witcher
Atk: 2500 / Def: 2000
"Now I equip him with Cat School Armor!" Triss exclaimed
"I activate Light and Darkness Dragon's ability, negating your spell's effect!" Amnael declared
Light and Darkness Dragon Atk: 2800 – 500 = 2300
"Fine. Geralt, destroy Light and Darkness Dragon!" Triss commanded
Geralt rolled forward and quickly slashed Light and Darkness Dragon's head off, destroying it
Amnael LP: 4000 – 200 = 3800
"Light and Darkness Dragon has a special ability when it is destroyed, but since I don't have anything on my field and nothing in my graveyard… I guess it doesn't matter, does it? Much like your resistance" Amnael cackled
"We'll see! I end my turn!" Triss exclaimed
Amnael's Turn:
3800 LP
"Draw!"
Hand Size: 3 / Deck Size: 31 / Graveyard Size: 0
"I play the spell card Tin Spell Circle!"
Tin Spell Circle – Spell
Activate only while you control a face-up "Chaos Distill". Special Summon 1 "Alchemy Beast - Aretos the Tin" from your hand or Deck.
Alchemy Beast - Aretos the Tin – Monster – Wind/Rock
Atk: 500 / Def: 500
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except with "Tin Spell Circle". This card can attack your opponent directly.
"Next I play the spell card Pot of Greed!" Amnael exclaimed as he drew two more cards
"Excellent… you're in for a treat, Triss" Amnael laughed
"I play the spell card Lead Compass!"
Lead Compass – Spell
Activate only while you control a face-up "Chaos Distill". Special Summon 1 "Alchemy Beast – Leon the Lead" from your hand or Deck.
Alchemy Beast – Leon the Lead – Monster – Earth/Rock
Atk: 500 / Def: 500
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except with "Lead Compass". This card can attack your opponent directly.
"Now I sacrifice both… to summon Blue Eyes White Dragon in attack mode!"
Blue Eyes White Dragon – Monster – Light/Dragon
Atk: 3000 / Def: 2500
Seto glared at Amnael with daggers as Blue Eyes appeared in front of him
"In case any of you doubted whether I took down Kat" Amnael chuckled
"Don't worry Seto… I'll get her back" Triss declared
"Big words for a girl that's about to lose her Ace monster! White Lightning!"
"I activate my face down, Swallow!"
Swallow – Potion
'Geralt of Rivia' cannot be destroyed by battle the turn this card is played. All battle damage received this turn is cut in half
Triss LP: 1350 – 250 = 1100
"I also activate my second face down, Riposte!"
Riposte – Trap
If 'Geralt of Rivia' is targeted for an attack, add 2 cards from your deck to your hand
"Thank you, Pegasus" Triss whispered as she fumbled through her deck and picked out two cards before shuffling it
"Hmph… no matter… I will just destroy you next turn" Amnael shrugged
Triss' Turn:
1100 LP
"Draw!"
Hand Size: 6 / Deck Size: 31 / Graveyard Size: 4
"Y'know Amnael… I've never gotten to do this to anyone before" Triss smirked
"Come now, I'm sure you've trash talked while losing before" Amnael chuckled
"I play the spell card Griffin School Armor!"
Griffin School Armor – Spell
Equip to a 'Witcher' monster and choose 1 'Sign' card from your deck to equip to that monster as well. If equipped to 'Geralt of Rivia', he may be equipped with all 5 sign cards
"This lets me equip all of my sign cards to Geralt of Rivia… which spells trouble for you, asshat!" Triss exclaimed as she slammed her entire hand into the spell/trap zones on her Duel Disk
Aard – Sign
The monster equipped with this sign can force an enemy monster into defense mode once per turn. Can only be equipped to 'Geralt of Rivia' or through 'Griffin School Armor'.
Yrden – Sign
The monster equipped with this sign can avoid one spell or trap effect once per turn. Can only be equipped to 'Geralt of Rivia' or through 'Griffin School Armor'.
Axii – Sign
The monster equipped with this sign can mind control one monster with less than 1500 attack power until your next draw phase. This effect can only be used once. Can only be equipped to 'Geralt of Rivia' or through 'Griffin School Armor'.
Igni – Sign
The monster equipped with this sign deals 1000 points of damage to the enemy's life points every time it destroys a monster, Can only be equipped to 'Geralt of Rivia' or through 'Griffin School Armor'.
Quen – Sign
The monster equipped with this sign cannot be destroyed by battle. Can only be equipped to 'Geralt of Rivia' or through 'Griffin School Armor'.
Red, purple, yellow, green, and light blue colors swirled around Geralt in a fast-moving vortex as he drew one of the two swords on his back. The runes on it were lit up with the same colors
"Geralt… take him to school" Triss grinned
Geralt flipped around and shot a massive knockback force from his hand with Aard, causing Blue Eyes White Dragon to kneel down in defense mode. He then dashed forward and slashed through Blue Eyes, who had shot White Lightning at him, which he managed to walk through unharmed with the protective shield from Quen. After destroying Blue Eyes White Dragon, he shot a flamethrower from his hand using Igni, dealing damage to Amnael.
Amnael LP: 3800 – 1000 = 2800
Amnael howled in pain as his skin burned from Geralt's Igni fire stream
"I hope it burns! I hope you feel horrible pain for what you did to Chazz!" Triss screamed
"Good… let your rage consume you" Amnael cackled as he gasped for air
"Hmph… your turn" Triss said with a smug look
Amnael's Turn:
2800 LP
"Draw!"
Hand Size: 2 / Deck Size: 28 / Graveyard Size: 0
"I play the spell card White Process – Albedo!"
White Process – Albedo – Spell
Activate only if you control a face-up "Chaos Distill". Special Summon 1 "Golden Homunculus" from your hand or Deck.
Golden Homunculus – Monster – Light/Warrior
Atk: ? / Def: ?
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This cannot be Special Summoned except with "White Process - Albedo". The ATK and DEF of this card are the number of your removed from play cards x 300.
Golden Homunculus Atk: 0 + 3300 (from 11 banished cards) = 3300
"I might not be able to destroy Geralt of Rivia… but I can still deal damage to you through him! Golden Homunculus, attack!"
Triss LP: 1100 – 800 = 300
Tears ran down Triss' face as she screamed in pain
"Triss…" Atticus whispered
"It all comes down to what she draws here" Bastion commented
"I end my turn with that… and soon, I will be your end as well" Amnael smirked and bowed
Triss' Turn:
300 LP
"Not… yet!" Triss exclaimed
Hand Size: 1 / Deck Size: 30 / Graveyard Size: 4
All the spectators stood in anticipation to see what Triss drew
"I told you, baby… I'd save you" Triss said through rapid breaths
"I play the spell card Witcher's Alchemy!"
Witcher's Alchemy – Spell
Pay half of your life points; If you do, choose one potion from your deck or hand, then take it to superior level
"Wait… I thought the only potion in your deck was Swallow" Amnael said nervously
"That's the thing, Amnael… you failed to calculate for me… you probably thought I would easy to take down… but you severely underestimated me and my deck" Triss grinned as she panted, her knees about to buckle under her
"I choose Thunderbolt!" Triss exclaimed as she thrust the card into the air
Thunderbolt – Potion
Double the attack of 'Geralt of Rivia'
"And now… it enhances!" Triss smirked
Enhanced Thunderbolt – Potion
Quadruple the attack of 'Geralt of Rivia'
"And finally… superior level!"
Superior Thunderbolt – Potion
Octuple the attack of 'Geralt of Rivia'
"Now… I can multiply his attack times 8!" Triss laughed
"Holy shit… 8!?" Bastion gasped
Geralt of Rivia Atk: 2500 x 8 = 20,000
Geralt drank the potion and his muscles swelled as his eyes became more focused
"This… is not possible! You were supposed to be nothing but a bump in the road!" Amnael gasped
"Sorry to disappoint you… but I really need my friends back" Triss said as she fell to her knees
"Geralt… destroy him" Triss gasped for air
Geralt roared with a battle cry as he rushed forward and slashed the Golden Homunculus in half with ease before ramming his blade through Amnael and pulling it out. Blood came out of Amnael's mouth as he dropped to his knees
"No…" Amnael managed as he watched Geralt swing his blade expertly before he cut Amnael's head completely off with one stroke
"HOLY SHIT!" Atticus yelled
"Jesus!" Bastion exclaimed as Syrus covered his eyes and Seto stared dumbfoundedly
Amnael LP: 2800 – 16700 = 0
Winner: Triss
"Not… even… close" Triss whispered before collapsing from exhaustion
Two bright beams shot up into the sky for a few seconds before disappearing
"Oof… fuck me" Kat growled as she sat up straight and looked around
"Oh hey! I'm on Earth again! Yay!" Kat giggled as she stood up
Seto quickly ran to her and picked her up in his arms, twirling her around as he hugged her as tight as he could
"Dad! Choking! Me!" Kat exclaimed, her face turning red
"Right" Seto cleared his throat as he sat her down
"Yeah… other boys are supposed to choke me… not you" Kat laughed
"WHAT!?" Seto roared
"Nothing, nothing…" Kat mumbled as she walked towards her friends
"Shit, Triss!" Kat exclaimed as she ran to Triss
"She's fine… she's just exhausted… could probably use some medical attention, too" Atticus groaned as he picked Triss up and carried her bridal style
"Wait… where's Chazz? He was up there with me too" Kat frowned
"Probably where he lost at… I'll go retrieve him" Yugi chuckled as he took off running, Syrus close behind him
*Beep Beep*
Everyone quickly pulled their PDA's out to check the message
"Oh my God!" Kat gasped
"I'LL BE FIRST!" Atticus yelled as he ripped the door open and sprinted off
"FUCK YOU I'LL BE FIRST!" Kat laughed
With Alexis:
*Beep Beep*
"Anyway, as I was saying-"
*Beep Beep*
Alexis sighed and glared at her PDA
"Don't you do it, you little shit" Alexis whispered to her PDA, causing Blake to laugh
*Beep Beep*
"That's it" Alexis laughed as she turned the PDA off
"What if it's important?" Blake asked as the waiter brought them the bill for their dinner
"It's not more important than what I'm doing right now" Alexis sighed
"Hanging out with me?" Blake grinned as he paid the bill
"Yeah… exactly" Alexis smiled
With Marik:
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Where's he at!?" Kat's voice could be heard from way down the hall
"Here they come" Ishizu giggled as she moved to the opposite end of the room
"Yeah… better get out of the way" Marik laughed
"WHERE'S HE AT!?" Kat roared as she came barreling into the room. She stopped as soon as she entered
"Hey, Kat" Jaden smiled and waved
"YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" Kat laughed as she ran and jumped on his bed
"What!?" Jaden laughed
"You had us so worried!" Kat giggled as she started tickling him
"Stop! Stop!" Jaden begged
"Kat! Get off him!" Seto chuckled
"He deserves way worse!" Kat laughed
"He just woke up… give him a minute, Kat" Marik chuckled
"How'd you get him awake?" Bastion asked as he and the others came through the door
"Uh… classified" Marik grinned as he looked to his sister
"Yep, classified" Ishizu giggled and nodded
"How long have I been out for?" Jaden asked as he stood up and looked to his friends
Elsewhere:
"Thanks for walking me back" Alexis smiled
"No problem… I really enjoyed my time with you tonight" Blake grinned
"Yeah… so did I… thanks for letting me vent" Alexis giggled
"Hey, no problem! I'm always here if you want to talk" Blake beamed
Alexis stared into Blake's eyes as her emotions ran wild. She didn't know how to feel or think. The concepts of right and wrong had slipped away from her as she grabbed Blake's head in her hands. Nothing made sense anymore as she planted her lips on his. All she knew was she needed someone to hold her and tell her everything was going to be alright. That she'd get out of her slump and come out better for it. That Jaden would wake up and fix her. It was the thought of Jaden that made Alexis back away from the kiss
"Oh my God… what am I doing?" Alexis said as she shook her head
"Are… you ok?" Blake chuckled
"No… I'm… really sorry… I shouldn't have kissed you" Alexis put a hand on her forehead to shield her eyes and another on her hip
"I mean… I'm ok with it" Blake giggled
"God… I'm so sorry! I just… I really have to go" Alexis sighed as she turned around started walking
"Hey, wait! I didn't mean to mess this up again" Blake frowned
"You… you didn't mess anything up, Blake" Alexis smiled as she turned around the corner
"I'm just trying to make you someone you're not," Alexis said under her breath
With Blake:
Blake sighed and shook his head as he opened his door
"Weird… thought I left the light on" Blake whispered as he flipped the light switch
"Evening" Zane smirked from a seat in the far corner, causing Blake to jump
"Dude! You scared the fuck out of me! Jesus… what're you doing in my room?" Blake chuckled nervously as he took off his jacket
"Wanted to talk," Zane said ominously
"What about?" Blake asked, glancing at Zane
"Let's talk about you… for example… where were you before you came here?" Zane asked as he played with a butterfly knife
"I don't see why that matters," Blake said as he watched the knife in Zane's hand intently
"See, it matters to me… you have no record before you came here… it's as if" Zane stood up
"You appeared out of thin air," Zane said as he slowly walked toward Blake, still playing with the knife
"I haven't been here long… maybe they just haven't sent my records over yet" Blake said as sweat began forming on his forehead and neck
"A likely explanation" Zane nodded as he inched ever closer to Blake
"Or… you could be hiding something" Zane smirked as he stepped behind Blake
"What do I have to hide?" Blake asked, his voice shaky as Zane paced circles around him slowly
"I dunno… you tell me" Zane chuckled
"I think you should leave," Blake said, trying to muster his courage
"Oh? I thought we were friends… I thought we were just having a friendly chat" Zane fake pouted
"Friendly chats don't start by you sneaking into my room, usually," Blake said irritably, his temper on the rise
"I didn't sneak… I waltzed right through the front door and decided to wait for you… y'know, cus I'm patient like that" Zane grinned
"Well, that's nice, but I'd like for you to leave now" Blake pointed to the door adamantly
"Alright, alright… some other time, then?" Zane smiled as he extended his hand
Blake pondered for a moment before clasping Zane's hand with his own and shaking
Zane's smile never faded as he applied more pressure to Blake's hand slowly
"Dude… you're hurting me! Ow! Let go of me!" Blake gasped as his hand squirmed to try to get away from Zane's death grip
Zane growled as, in one swift motion, he grabbed Blake by the throat with his other hand and slammed him into the nearest wall, lifting him off his feet, causing Blake to choke
"Look… I don't know who you are… or where you came from… but I think it would be best if you stay away from Alexis Rhodes from now on… and her friends, too" Zane growled in a voice no longer belonging to him. It was dark and cold, full of anger, hatred, and loneliness
"O… k!" Blake said as his face was turning red from lack of air
"You might have fooled her… and the others, too… but I'm onto you… Casanova!" Zane hissed as he dropped Blake to the ground and quickly left the room
Zane smirked triumphantly as he walked down the hall, once again playing with his butterfly knife. A black fire was raging in his eyes as he covered them with his sunglasses
"Why not just kill him?" Nightshroud asked
"The lion's capabilities are beyond that of the Antelope, wouldn't you agree?" Zane grinned
"Of course" Nightshroud replied
"So, it's hardly a challenge for the lion to kill the Antelope" Zane chuckled
"So, you're going to let him go?" Nightshroud said in disbelief
"Of course not! It's all about the chase! Let him run… let him hide… in the end, it won't matter… I want him to live in constant fear… always looking over his shoulder… and one day… I'll find him… and he'll die screaming" Zane laughed quietly as he flipped the butterfly knife in his hand
"And if he's not Casanova?" Nightshroud asked, his voice dripping with satisfaction
"He is… I'm sure of it" Zane nodded
"How are you so sure when even I am not?" Nightshroud cackled
"You didn't notice the gold ring on his left hand?" Zane smirked
End of Chapter 26
Boom! Another Shadow Rider down! Go Triss!
So, I had decided a while back how Amnael would go. In my story, he's just a cunt… he doesn't have some redemption plan for Jaden or whatever. I also knew that I didn't want Jaden to be the one to take him down… so I decided to give Triss some spotlight here! Don't piss off the redhead, clearly. I had said a few chapters ago how I didn't really like how Triss had turned out thus far, but now… after the few fluff scenes with Chazz and her taking down Amnael, I think she's in a pretty good spot now. I've worried the entire story so far whether she was actually a likable character for you guys and whether or not you guys wanted Chazz to be with her, but now I'm feeling pretty confident about Triss.
So, let's jump into Alexis
…
Not like that.
Alexis making the hard decisions this chapter! She finally got her shit together and decided what she wanted, so now maybe she'll stop having her mental break down. Her and Marik will have to make up, too… we'll get around to that, don't worry! I kinda focused on her a lot here, and this chapter was, overall, more 'character-defining' for her. Like, she could've easily kept going with Blake, but she figured out that deep down, she belonged with Jaden. Jaden wasn't here, so she was trying to substitute in Blake so she would have someone to lean on, but no one can really compare. I know a lot of you were worried about Alexis' decisions about Blake recently… so I think this chapter should help you guys figure out where we're taking it from here.
So, speaking of Blake. Dude's having a rough go of it, isn't he? First, he fucks shit up with Alexis, then she throws herself on him only to push him away afterward, and then he gets pinned against the wall by Zane! Rough couple of days :P But is he a Shadow Rider? If he is, what was he trying to accomplish here? And if he's not a Shadow Rider, what does that mean for Zane? Furthermore, what will he do going forward?
Zane's really just losing his mind at this point. He's falling further into paranoia and darkness with each day, which I'm really trying to emphasize in these chapters. How long can he stay functioning for? When will he go over the edge? What will happen when he goes over the edge? Is Nightshroud actually being helpful, or is he just trying to appear as helpful? And if Rose is a Shadow Rider like Nightshroud thinks, then how does that affect both Nightshroud and Zane?
JADEN IS AWAKE! YAY! FINALLY! I was actually going to leave him down for a little while longer… but man, I'm too attached to his character lol. I feel like I did Nightshroud justice here, he managed to take Jaden out of the picture for quite a while. Now that he IS awake, we've gotta catch him up to speed and have him share what he learned from Haou with Marik. Also, we will obviously have some Jaden/Alexis time… wonder how that will go? Huehuehue
Real quick, I realize Omar isn't in here this chapter. Since he's new, he has to kinda 'work his way in' to the group. He's not an extrovert like Blake is, so he might not be in every chapter until he's cemented in as a friend to the group.
So… trustshipping, anyone? Kaiba and Ishizu? Let me know if y'all want to see that! Figured I'd give some teaser moments here, see if anyone wanted me to continue on that. Also, while we're on the topic of Kaiba, I just had to throw in that choking line with Kat… thought it was hilarious, and she's definitely the type to say some shit like that
I actually wanted to add a lot more to this chapter, but I realized it would be pretty clunky… and this chapter already feels a little clunky to me as it is. So, I decided to just continue the events of this chapter, like the meeting, in the next chapter. This means that a lot of the characters that I didn't get a chance to touch on, like Syrus, Yugi, Bastion, and whatnot, will get some time in the next chapter. I guess the next chapter is almost like a "Chapter 26 part 2" but… meh. We'll just call it Chapter 27. Also, we obviously get the Jaden/Alexis reunion next chapter so you can be sure that the fluff will be plentiful!