Two Months Later


"How were your final exams?" Zane asked, stopping his car in the parking lot of the Domino City central station. Snow was falling down from the clouds, blanketing the city with thick sheets of white. Bright yellow light strings were wrapped around every tree for miles.

"I passed them all," Kara cheered. "Now all I've gotta do is buy my cap and gown."

"Congratulations," Zane said, sipping on a salted caramel hot chocolate. "So can I look forward to you helping out in the lab? Or do you have other ventures?"

"Other ventures? After the way you kicked ass last time? No way. You pay me better than my old man for these projects and I'm having way too much fun with this new design you gave me. Wanna see the progress?"

"Put it up," Zane said. His dashboard showed him the projection of his newest creation. One he hoped would be up and running soon. Aldric was still on the run, and he has the Heart of Helios. With this, Aldric would have no choice but to stay in the shadows. He nodded, seeing the model spin in front of him.

"He's perfect," Zane said. He sipped his caramel again.

Kara shivered. "He's awesome but, uh, don't you think three heads are a little too much, Zane? That thing is really scary. And wicked powerful. His power levels rival that of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon."

"Not good enough," said Zane. "Give him a little more oomph." His watch beeped. "I better go. It's almost time for Alexis to leave."

"All right, Frankenstein. Any word from Jaden and Della?"

"They're still looking for Aldric," said Zane. "You really think Della is a..."

"Don't worry about what I think. I believe I have a lot more research to do before I can confirm my suspicions. The moment I saw that girl, I knew she wasn't normal, Zane. You be careful."

"Mmm," said Zane. "I'll see you when you get back from break."

"Of course. See you then. Over."

"Fuck off," he chuckled, hanging the line. He got out of the car and hurried into the station to find Alexis, who was waiting for him so she could say goodbye.

"So you're heading north?" Zane asked.

"To Elleria," Alexis replied. "I'm going to stay with Princess Evelyn and attend a magical prep school called Madame Chocolarde's School for Gifted Girls."

"Gifted?" Zane asked. "As in magic? But you don't know..."

Alexis snapped her fingers and created flames. She smiled.

"Oh. When?"

"I learned the basics after school let out. I wanted to surprise you. But...Aldric got to me."

Zane wrinkled his nose as Alexis snapped the flames away. "Such a shame you didn't learn about it sooner," he said. "That would have helped you out the night Aldric's boys kidnapped you."

Alexis shrugged. "That's all in the past, Zane. I'm going to be haunted by this experience, but I sure as hell am not going to be weakened by it. Besides, it's a good prep school to go to before Duelist Academy. I'll definitely learn a thing or two about magic there. Dual majoring in Duel Monsters and the Arcane Arts ought to be fun. And with High King Yuri joining us, I think that's going to be a real treat."

Zane chuckled. "Good luck to you Alexis. See you in a year."

"Yeah. I'll write to you whenever I get the chance. Oh, mom wanted you to have this."

She reached into the pocket of her coat, then handed him a ring with the escutcheon of the Queen engraved on an aquamarine on the top. She put it on for him and smiled when it was a perfect fit.

"Yup. My mom has officially declared you Thane of Maplecourt, it's a very luxurious estate in our lands. Feel free to move in any time you want."

"Huh. I don't know what to say, Lex. But...thanks."

"Of course, I told her you're going to have your hands full here." She winked. "She knows your secret. She swears on her honor as a White Rose that she won't tell anyone."

"I'll keep the city secure until Yuri comes home," said Zane.

"Yeah, well, don't think you guys are going to have all the fun. Once I develop my skills, I'll be out there helping you out. That's a promise. Oh, I heard rumors of a girl who can summon True Dragons out west. If she ever makes it here, you need to ask her for aid. Goddesses know you're going to need that kind of power on your side."

"Until she gets here, I've got things covered," Zane said happily.

The last call for the train was announced. Zane watched as his friend joined the long line of people boarding to get on. She found a window seat and waved at him. Zane waved back and watched her disappear into the horizon.


Aldric


He smashed his fist on the table. His underground manor, once full of loyal Aeons, was now empty, with only his top officers surviving the assault. After his defeat, no one wanted to side with him. He got cocky and paid for it dearly. Even with the Heart of Helios in his control, he failed.

"WE WERE SO CLOSE!" he shouted, throwing the table out the window, smashing it to pieces. "This stone! I thought I was supposed to be invincible! What happened? Why doesn't it work!"

"Maybe because you don't have the full stone, fool!"

Aldric turned to look at the intruder. Someone was stepping out of the shadows. A figure, clad in a black hooded coat with plates of armor on the chest and shoulders walked into the light coming from the lamps outside. He removed the hood and revealed himself to be a man with long, whitish-pink hair and eyes as brown as decay.

"You," Aldric said, backing away. He tripped on a chair and fell, landing hard on his butt. "B-Bakura!"

"So right," Bakura answered, taking a seat on one of the chairs. "Let's talk about your future."


End of Part 1