A/N: Well, ladies and gentlemen, you have officially lived to see the day. Believe it or not – and I'm sure many of you don't want to – this is the last chapter of Intertwined Fates. One could consider it along the lines of a season finale: it leaves question marks and it's inconveniently cut-off (due in part to the realization that continuing to add chapters to a story that boasts 45 already isn't necessarily attractive to new readers, should they want to get in on it).

And in keeping with the season finale analogy, just because Fates is ending doesn't mean that I'm stopping the entire storyline. No, no, this story's too good for that, and I'd never do that to you or myself. There will be a sequel, to come out quite soon. So you'll see plenty more plot development, new characters, new storylines... and new duels! Yup, I've got the whole thing already set up and just about ready to go. So hang on to your hats! Thanks to all who took the time to read (and review)! And many, many kudos to Ankhutenshi, who's been an inspiration and a huge help all the way through!

Lumen: I'm given to understand there's quite a bit of shock value in Monica's duel with Cameron; I'm glad you enjoyed it. Meantime, you may not get to see all of that happen in this chapter, but it's a good bet you'll see plenty of the action you're looking for in the upcoming sequel. Keep an eye out!

Voakands: I had to try pretty hard to get the result I wanted for that duel. I had the decks constructed and played them against each other at least three times (recording each and every move made) before finally getting the desired effect. So it's good to know you appreciated it.

Mira: The entire story's probably going to feel slightly cut off, but there isn't really a better place to end it in the near future. And Cam's got his own problems at the moment, so he doesn't really feel the need to add to other people's problems outside of the dueling arena... straightforward and honest, very un-Bones-like.

Eusine: Yeah, who'd have thought? 200 reviews! I guess this story's getting popular. Too bad it has to end on that, though! And when it's this close to the 50th chapter, too. Still, you'll have the upcoming sequel to read (and hopefully review). In the meantime, take a look at the parting chapter and let me know what you think!

--

Last Week of August

--

Kyle was deep in the throes of studying for the upcoming History exam. He'd always tried to study every day, even if his parents had never known it. Even back then, he knew it would have done him no good to do badly in a class and have to take it over again – and meanwhile have to hear about it from his parents.

Of course, that last was hardly a concern now, but it was more an attempt to make himself proud of his own accomplishments. Besides, his teachers had recently expressed their concern over how his grades had been steadily sinking. He hadn't even felt inspired to do his schoolwork lately, even after Monica's return and unexpected gift.

He still hadn't told her Sanga was no longer his.

He didn't want to bear trying to say it out loud. To do that, he'd have to admit to failing in being that crucial part of Zack's plan to keep it away from the one person he didn't believe deserved it.

Kyle sighed. When it came down to it, he was doing all this studying in order to avoid the outer world altogether. He didn't really want to have the time to think about anything else at the moment, because recent events had become so mind-boggling as to make him slightly queasy, just taking in the sheer scope.

Madison. Shadi. Jade. Monica. Sanga. Suijin. Gate Guardian.

Way too much to think about.

Nevertheless, as he finished his History studies for the evening, his gaze flickered to the card that he'd yet to remove from the protective coverings Monica had given it to him in. Gate Guardian. Level 11. Dark Attribute, Warrior-Type, Effect Monster. "This card can only be Special Summoned by offering "Sanga of the Thunder", "Kazejin", and "Suijin" on your side of the Field as a Tribute." (3750/3400)

Doesn't do me much good, of course. I don't have Sanga or Kazejin.

Is the fact that it is a gift from Monica not enough for you, Kyle? I believe you should enjoy it for what it is... not for what it can and cannot do for you. You cannot simple "use" such a gift. You must admire and appreciate it.

I suppose you're right. Kyle rocked his head to one side as he inspected the card. Look at that – each of the Labyrinth Brothers is a part of Gate Guardian: Suijin as the legs, Kazejin as the midsection, Sanga as the torso. Each pretty appropriate, if you think about it long enough.

Perhaps you should not dwell on it and move on to something else.

Probably right. Kyle shifted his gaze away from the card and to his Health book instead. He flipped open to Chapter 13 and read a few lines of text.

That was not quite what I meant.

Oh?

The dance is tonight, Kyle.

Mm. Kyle continued to read.

Will you not go, despite Monica's request that you do so?

I don't want to. My last time at a dance wasn't a pleasant experience.

You are not now the person you were then.

I know. But I still don't want to go.

It sounded as if Monica would be present. Would that not ease your anxiety?

Doubtful. I think I'm just going to study and then take a nap.

And what of eating?

Mmm... I'll call out for pizza.

--

Two Hours Later

--

There was a knock at the door. Kyle mumbled something, got up from his couch, and went to answer. Someone would have had to come while I'm sleeping...

When he swung the door open wide, he almost had an inclination to shut it again... not out of rudeness, but rather, out of embarrassment.

"Oh!" Monica laughed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you..."

Kyle suddenly felt quite exposed; he was wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants and the pendant-sized Millennium Shield. He shook his head. "No, you didn't wake me, but I sure feel stupid now. You coming in?"

She took the hint and stepped through the door, which Kyle then quickly closed. He went over to his dresser and grabbed a random T-shirt out of the middle drawer.

"I guess you really weren't planning on coming to the dance," she said behind him.

He pulled the T-shirt over his head. "Not much reason for me to. No date, no money, no social life."

"You've got Chubs."

Kyle scoffed. "No, thanks, our relationship is purely platonic at this point."

Monica giggled. Kyle also smiled as he turned around–

He blinked. He hadn't really noticed Monica's outfit in his state of undress, but now that he was at least decently attired, he looked at her.

Monica was wearing a strapless black dress that flowed down to her ankles and hugged her shapely form in all the right places. Her dark hair was tied back into a single, thick braid that extended down to the middle of her back. She smiled and cocked her head at him. "What?"

"Uh... uhm..." Kyle shook his head. "Wow. You look beautiful."

You only noticed this now, Kyle?

Her grin became a shy one, and her ears turned slightly pink. "Thank you. But getting back to the subject at hand... why not come to the dance? You'd have a good time."

He scoffed and sat down at his computer desk. "So sure of that."

"Of course! I'd be there." She grinned. "And don't tell me you don't know how to dance. I know better. It's in the way you walk; there's a sort of graceful bounce to it that only one who knows how to dance would have. Besides, everyone knows the two-step."

Kyle blinked. "Don't you have a date? What about that Clint guy that was ogling you?"

She wrinkled her nose. "You seriously think I'd go with some buck-toothed pervert like him? You've got to be out of your mind."

A small smile flitted across his features as he spared a glance at his computer, which had a search engine constantly on the lookout for other available Labyrinth Brothers – still nothing, of course.

Monica caught the smile. "I know that look, Kyle. You're thinking something evil. About time; I was wondering when the old Kyle McCraine we all knew and knew to hate would come back." She rocked her head to the other side. "So spill it."

He shrugged, choosing not to let the teasing barb affect him. "Once was a time you'd have gone with any idiot just to tick your mom off."

"Except yourself, of course," she responded nonchalantly.

"Which just goes to show how much you've changed. Otherwise you wouldn't even be asking me, would you?"

This time, Monica blushed hotly. "You think I'm asking you to be my date?"

"The tone in your voice suggests otherwise, so I'll drop the issue," Kyle responded calmly. "I just want to know why you want me to come."

She sighed; the red in her face lessened. "Would it kill you, for once in your life, to come to a social function? You say I've changed. On the outside, you look like you have, too." She crossed her arms. "But what good is looking the part if you can't play it?"

"Look, last time I went to something like that, I got mocked and jeered at. Forgive me, but I'm not feeling particularly inclined to go through that again."

"You got mocked and jeered at because you were an ass," she stated flatly, "and, quite frankly, had it coming, the way you treated some of those kids."

"You think I mocked and jeered at you for any reason other than that same one?" Kyle scoffed. "You weren't exactly an ideal model for posterity."

"No, I wasn't, thank you for pointing that out," she huffed. "And, as you've noticed, I've changed. Otherwise I wouldn't have stayed around here this long. Wouldn't even be asking you to come. Now it's your turn to follow through. So, please... will you come to the dance?"

He released a heavy sigh. "Sheesh... if any girl out there knows how to guilt-trip me, it's you. Lemme get dressed."

She giggled and clapped her hands like a child receiving a cookie for doing something good.

--

Within ten minutes, Kyle had taken a shower and gotten on appropriate attire for the occasion: a black dress shirt with burgundy tie, a dark sport coat, and black pants and shoes to match. Monica made the remark that she thought he looked rather handsome in the outfit, which only served to make him roll his eyes.

Kyle's ride to the dance was his motorcycle, as usual. Monica had sniffed at his offer to take her there, instead opting for her car. "No offense, Kyle, but I'd prefer to survive if I have an accident."

He'd shrugged. "Okay, meet you there, then."

As expected, the parking lot in front of the auditorium was full, as were the streets for perhaps a half-block radius. Kyle and Monica found decent parking spots despite that, and ended up at the door together.

Julian Hart, a classmate of theirs, was waiting there, collecting admission fees. He smiled up at them. "Hey, guys. How's going?"

"Pretty well," Monica answered. She turned to Kyle. "Go on and give him his well-deserved cash."

Kyle rolled his eyes as he handed over the admission fees for both of them. "Yes, master."

"Good boy. You're definitely getting a milk bone tonight," she grinned.

Julian laughed. "I thought you didn't have a date, Monica."

"Kyle's not my date, he's just decent company," she responded.

"If you say so," Julian shrugged, shuffling the money into his cash box. "You two make sure to have a good time in there. Most other people are."

"We'll see what we can do," she said. "C'mon Kyle, let's go enjoy ourselves."

The auditorium was more than large enough to contain all the people that had gathered here. Kyle felt uneasy about being in the midst of all these people, but Monica quietly assured him that nobody would make a big deal of it. "They're too busy having a good time with themselves. So just suck it in and enjoy yourself. If nothing else, let's go get something to drink."

He was willing to do that, at least. They sauntered over to the drinks table and noted (with some bemusement) that among the punch and soda, someone had put a few beer bottles. Kyle picked up a soda while Monica ladled some punch into a cup.

She offered him a wry grin. "You know that sooner or later, you're going to have to get out there and dance."

"I know no such thing," he grunted, sipping at his soda.

"Yeah, right. That's why I brought you here. I'm not gonna let you just traipse off without getting on the floor. You're gonna go through the entire experience, and you're gonna enjoy yourself."

"Sure, I will. Soon as those horns retract and a halo rises up over your head."

"Ouch, that huuurt," she whined. "Hurry up and finish your soda. Feels like they're gonna do a couple of slow-dancing numbers soon and I want to make sure I have my fun."

"Then go find some guy to dance with and have your fun," he answered. "Don't rush me just 'cause you want to have a good time."

She put her drink on the table and planted her hands on her hips. "I want to have a good time, yeah. But think about it, Kyle. Is there any girl here you'd be more comfortable with than me?"

"Why are you so concerned with me having a good time? I didn't even want to be here."

"I know. And I plan to prove that you can enjoy yourself at occasions like this if you at least try to."

He sighed. "Okay, okay." He chugged his soda.

She grinned. "That's more like it. Just don't belch on the floor or I'll leave you there to dance by yourself."

He snorted as he finished off his drink. "Any recycling bin nearby?"

"Yeah, right over there," she said, pointing.

"Ah. Thanks." Kyle tossed his can into the bin and then rejoined Monica at the drink table.

"They're about to start a slow song. Let's get out there," she said. She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the dance floor.

--

Half an hour had passed, and Kyle couldn't help but continue to feel self-conscious on the floor. At least no one had shone the spotlight on him and Monica; that would have been the height of embarrassment.

He mumbled something about it – albeit a more polite version – to her. She just smiled. "C'mon, Kyle. You know you'd make every guy here jealous."

He felt slightly better upon hearing this; a smile couldn't help but creep across his face as they stepped gracefully across the floor.

It felt right, what they were doing. And it felt almost natural, to boot.
As if they belonged like this.

Perhaps it was meant to happen.

What?

Your attendance of this event. Your dancing with Monica. Imagine how different it would be were you still your old self... had you not the Millennium Shield.

Kyle felt himself getting ready to argue with Theoris over the issues of fate, when suddenly the corner of his eye spotted a familiar face.

He cursed under his breath.

She was sitting more or less with her back to the corner, which gave her a view of the rest of the room. It might have been coincidental, but given her history, it wasn't likely. Instead, the position looked rather... predatory.

She's got great timing. Just when I was about to start enjoying myself.

Do not lie to me, Kyle, you are enjoying yourself. She can – and will – wait. You are here at Monica's request, and she is enjoying your company. Do not trouble yourself before you need to.

Kyle inclined his head slightly, his way of subtly nodding to Theoris, and continued to dance with Monica until the music faded. It was only at that point that Kyle realized her head was lying on his chest, her arms looped about his waist, the rocking motion of her stance almost automatic... it was as if she'd fallen asleep on him.

He smiled slightly at her. "Hey, down there, the song's finished."

She sighed. Kyle entertained the thought that it was of disappointment. "It is, at that." She pulled her head up, looked up at him, smiled, and released her hold on him. "I'm thirsty. I'll be back before too long."

"Okay. Stay away from the booze," Kyle advised. She gave him a wry look in response as she made her way to the punch table.

He glanced back at the table where she was situated.

As he watched, she smiled, rose, and made her way across the floor towards him. She was wearing a mid-length, dark red dress, and she had her hair down. "Well... good evening."

"Evening." He eyed her warily. "Fancy seeing you here. Somehow I was under the impression you weren't much for dressy occasions."

"Not true," she countered. "I meld, I blend. I fit in everywhere. This is no exception. I don't suppose you'd care to dance?" She smirked.

He pursed his lips. "In this case, I'd have to ask after your definition of the word. Shall I assume you're not necessarily referring to the floor?"

"I can be referring to whatever you want," she responded, being purposely vague. "You looked quite comfortable out here–" She gestured to the dancing couples around them. "–only a few moments earlier. In that big a hurry to leave?"

He crossed his arms. "You may be able to blend in just fine, but I'm not usually one to attend social functions. My friend wanted me to make an exception, though, so I did. Doesn't mean this place doesn't make me want to have a mental breakdown just to excuse myself from it."

"Liar," she said candidly. "The fact that you're here proves that you at least are willing to put up with some... discomfort... for your 'friend'." She glanced back at the punch table. "Who, might I point out, also looked quite comfortable. Very comfortable indeed," she added.

"Think what you want," he responded flatly, "and lust after my cards all you want, but my personal relationships are none of your business."

Jade pouted up at him. "Don't be like that, Kyle."

It was at that moment that Monica found her way back to Kyle's side, carrying two plastic cups. "Hey, Kyle, they're about to start – oh..."

Her eyes had shifted from Kyle and landed on Jade.

She looked between the two for several moments, and instantly, Kyle wanted to at least try to explain what was going on... maybe the scowl on his face – which had been aimed at Jade – might give her the benefit of the doubt...

But no. Instead, she was looking at Jade's pouting expression.

"Um," she said, smiling awkwardly. "I guess you found someone to dance with after all, huh?"

Kyle stuttered unintelligibly, unable to get even the first letter of her name out.

"It's okay, Kyle. I'll just go wring some poor guy's neck. Y'know, to piss Mom off."

She turned and made her way through the throng. Kyle couldn't track her.

Jade watched Monica move off through the crowd, and when the other girl had disappeared, she turned to look up at Kyle. "You know, I do believe that your date might have gotten the wrong impression about us," she said, feigning thoughtfulness. Almost as an afterthought, she added, "Oops."

Kyle growled and shoved an accusatory finger in Jade's face. "You... you are a damned inconvenience, that's what you are."

Unperturbed, she smiled at him sweetly. "No name-calling, now. We both know that's not how you think of me. Besides, now that you're not shackled to her side for the rest of the night, you can leave if you want. You should be thanking me."

He glared. "I would thank you if you would get the hell out of my hair. You've done enough to me already." He shoved his way past her and made for the nearest exit.

She let him get out of the hall and into the lobby. "Kyle," she called after him, "you know you have something I want. Why are you running away?"

He twisted around. "You took Sanga from me, that's why. I won't let you take anything else. And if that means running away, fine."

"No, you lost Sanga to me. Don't make me out to be a thief in this, Kyle. I took nothing from you," she corrected him angrily. "You put up your Brother the same as I put up mine. And after one loss you're going to go slinking back to your tiny local tournaments and risk-free friendly duels, is that it?"

"It took a lot for me to get that card, Jade," he responded. "And if you're as observant as you claim to be, you know that already. What if the tables were turned, and I had won Kazejin from you? What would you have done?"

"But you didn't, so there's no point in thinking 'what ifs'," she responded. "You can't duel if you're only sure you're guaranteed a win. You can't expect me to stop, not when I'm this close, Kyle."

"You're only halfway there, and there are other sets. What makes me so special that you find fit to hunt me down?"

"Does a lioness go for the strongest antelope, or the one foolish enough to wander away from the herd?"

At this, Kyle glanced around the mostly empty lobby; the vast majority of the attendees were back in the auditorium. He scoffed. "Nice. So now I'm just a convenient idiot who accidentally happened on something of value?"

"I challenge you to a duel, Kyle," Jade said quietly. "So now it's formal. You can still run away... but I guarantee that word will get around."

Kyle felt his blood run cold upon those words, and he suddenly found himself quite unable to come up with any sort of response. A lump developed in his throat, and he turned away from her.

He stepped through the nearest exit. He stopped after a few paces into the chilly night breeze.

Looked back through the doorway, back at Jade... saw her green eyes flashing.

Beckoned to her.

She followed him out the door at his gesture, lifting an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"What are your stakes?" he asked.

"One of my Labyrinth Brothers," she said, emphasizing the 'my' on purpose, "to your Suijin and Guardian."

"How do you figure I have Gate Guardian?"

She scowled. "Please don't insult my intelligence; I'm not that daft. Since you can't get it on the field, you've been using it as tribute fodder for your assorted ritual monsters. Now, as I was saying, one of my Brothers versus Suijin and Guardian."

"You drive a hard bargain."

She smiled sweetly at him again. "You're welcome to turn it down," she said.

"One card against two? Why not both Brothers?"

"Because if I win Suijin, then Guardian is useless to you," Jade answered. "If all the Brothers are in my deck, what possible use could you have for their combined form card?"

"Chosen One. Reasoning," Kyle answered, in reference to magic cards capable of summoning monsters without the need for tribute.

Jade frowned. "Those are dirty tricks. You asked what my stakes were and I told you. Now you're just wasting my time. Do you accept my challenge, or are you going to run?"

She crossed her arms, waiting for Kyle's answer.

-------

Thus ends Intertwined Fates.

But not the story.

To be continued in Imperiled Future...