Yeah, just a little bit more before we get to the Shadow Riders arc! To be honest, that name is WAY better than the...Seven Stars of Darkness? I dunno, I forgot what their actual name was in the Japanese version, But Shadow Riders sound way cooler!
Disclaimer: Mage of Hope doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh series, only the OCs!
Climbing down the wooden ladder from up top his bed with the urge to go to the bathroom, Syrus groaned as he slowly made his way towards what he thought was the bathroom. Instead of the indoor bathroom he and his roommates shared, he unlocked the door towards outside; feeling the fresh breeze from the night sky.
Grudgingly sleepwalking, Syrus managed to avoid falling off the stairs and instead staggered around a bit until he opened a door quietly. Rubbing his eyes, Syrus regained a bit of his consciousness back and realized that he wasn't in the bathroom.
"Oh...this isn't the bathroom," he mumbled, letting out a quiet yawn. Before he could close the door, he saw his dorm teacher, Professor Banner with his back turned, communicating with someone using the computer. Well, it seemed that way in Syrus' point of view.
"I believe it's time we try using a...test," spoke the person conversing with Banner. The voice was clearly male, though a little rasp, but more on a serious tone.
"I know, but it's too risky!" said Banner, sounding worried. "They could all be buried alive!"
"Buried...?" wondered Syrus quietly as he listened in more of the conversation.
"If they're not prepared, so it shall be that they will perish in the tombs. But her potential will be tested..."
Breath unsteady, Syrus backed away with fear written all over his face at what he just overheard. 'Tombs? Perished...? Just what could he mean?' thought Syrus before decided now would be the best time to sneak away as soon as possible.
The next morning...
It was just another ordinary day in Duel Academy, where students are being taught dueling through regular, everyday classes such as Math, Science, and so on. It was during this time that Jaden and her friends were attending class, more specifically, Banner's alchemy class.
Many considered Banner's lessons to be...quite boring and only pretended to pay attention. Those who actually paid attention only did so for good grades and such. Unsurprisingly, Jaden, Chumley, and Syrus were among the ones bored; with Jaden having painted fake eyes over her closed ones to hide the fact that she was naping.
"So, as you can see, we can learn a lot about dueling from alchemy!" continued Banner on with his lecture as he poured a liquid onto a different colored liquid in a test tube. "Alchemy in the Middle Ages was used to make gold by mixing chemicals like this-!"
BOOM! The instance the two liquids collided with each other, an explosion occured. Luckily, it was small and harmless but instantly drained Banner of his strength as he fainted afterwards.
The moment right afterwards, the bell rang and students began to gather their things to leave. Jaden, having woken up from the bell, yawned and stretched her arms. "Awesome! Time for lunch!"
Rattled by the explosion, Syrus turned to Jaden with a shocked expression. "H-how were you able to sleep through that?!"
"Huh?"
"P-please wait, everyone!" called Banner, collecting himself after brushing the ash off him."I want you to take this handout with you!"
"Noooo! Please tell me it isn't homework!" complained Jaden. If it was, then she was in huge trouble since she slept through the whole lecture!
"Nope! Even better! I've planned a field trip this Saturday, and it's located around the excavated ruins on his islands!" explained Banner cheerfully. "Plus, there's a picnic planned, so those interested, please come up right away-"
"I'M IN!" Jaden was the first in line as she snatched a handout with a gleeful expression. Field trip and picnic were the key words to convince her to join Banner's activity!
Suspicious of Banner and wanting to protect Jaden, Syrus stood up with a determined look and turned to Chumley. "Chumley! Let's sign up too!"
"Huh? Why? He said those that are interested can come. Well, I'm not intere-"
"Chumley, if you come, I will give you all the grilled cheese sandwiches I have for the rest of this school year."
"Deal!"
Also intrigued, Alexis went up to grab the handout. Maybe the ruins could help locate her brother!
The next morning...
"I'm so glad everyone's here and-only four? Where are everyone else?" questioned Banner, having gathered his four students; Alexis, Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley around the back of the Academy.
"Well, they're probably back in their dorms, still sleeping..." told Syrus before letting out a yawn.
"Yeah, I would be doing the same if Banner didn't threaten us with detention," said Chumley. "But, I guess I'm a bit interested in the ruins. They say the ruins are close to the volcano, so it's always off-limits."
"Yeah! And if they're close to a dangerous place, then it's gotta have lots of fun stuff to look at!" agreed Jaden.
"It's rumored that those ruins have some shady business, like maybe having dealt with the Shadow Games before," theorized Alexis.
"Oh! So, maybe they have something to do with your brother?"
Alexis shrugged, but hoped that was the case. "Maybe. We'll just have to see."
"Everyone, please take out your PDAs. I already sent an Email with a link for the navigation of the ruins we're going to," instructed Banner. "Rumor has it that these ancient ruins hold the graves of ancient people long ago."
"Eh?!" Recalling Banner's conversation that late night before, Syrus turned to Jaden, nudging her in the arm. "Psst! Jaden! I gotta talk to you for a second!"
"Hmm?" Before Jaden could ask what was wrong, Syrus pulled her aside so that Banner wouldn't eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Jaden, about two nights ago, I heard Professor Banner saying stuff about being buried in graves and perishing in tombs!" hissed Syrus, his arm trembling as he clutched onto her arm, fearfully glancing back at Banner while he checked out his PDA.
"Huh? You sure it wasn't some dream or something? Maybe it was just your imagination," replied Jaden, shrugging off the thought.
"W-well, I was sorta half-asleep, but..."
"Then, there's nothing to worry about! It's just a field trip, after all." Comforting her best friend, she ruffled him on the head with a cheeky smile.
"Well, time to move forward, everyone!" cheered Banner, taking the lead since he's the older adult and leader of the group.
Syrus was the last to follow, though he couldn't stop the awful gut feeling from inside. 'I've got a bad feeling about this...'
Several hours later...
Who knew a 10-mile hike to the ruins would be not only difficult, but far as well? Apparently, nobody did until they had to experience that for themselves, which wasn't...pleasant. They had to climb through some small cliffs and terrains, brush past bushes and trees in the forest, crawl onto logs that acted as bridges above rushing rivers, and all sorts of dangerous obstacles.
"We've arrived!" announced Banner energetically while everyone else followed, exhausted. "Inside are what are said to be amazing, like ancient duel arenas and graves!"
"Why's Professor Banner so worked up about ruins?" wondered Syrus as he and Chumley sat down together.
"Yeah, everyone's all worn out," agreed Chumley.
"Before we go and explore the ruins, how about we eat lunch?" suggested Jaden, placing her backpack on the dusty ground.
"Sure, I don't see why not," agreed Banner, putting his heavy backpack down and fishing through his stuff to grab his boxed lunch. "I can't wait to eat my pizza lunch!~ Specially made by Dorothy!~ The best cook on campus!~"
"Eeh?! You got a pizza lunch?! And from Miss Dorothy?! Share some with us!" begged Jaden, not wanting to eat just lousy riceballs.
"No way! I have to eat more because I'm an adult! Besides, I...don't have enough!" excused Banner, being overly protective of his backpack.
"Tch..." Defeated, Jaden sat back down with her friends.
Humming to himself, Banner could almost taste the pizza lunch he got...until he fished out Pharaoh, who just so happened to have food crumbs scattered all over his face.
"Pharaoh?! NOOOOOO! MY LUNCCCCCHHHH!" Well, there was always option #2 as Banner got on his knees and pleaded to his beloved students, "Would you pretty please share your lunch with your beloved teacher? Please?"
"Well, we were going to, but then you wouldn't share your lunch with us, so no! You don't get any!" pouted Jaden as she and her friends held their lunches close to their chests. Ha, payback towards Banner.
"But I'm hungry! What am I supposed to eat?!"
While all of this was happening, Pharaoh pounced out of the backpack and crawled away before discovering a strange artifact hidden beneath some dirt and sand. Curious, he used his paws to dig it up with ease before the artifact was instantly triggered, revealing a green glowing light from the gem in the middle of it.
Beams of green light shot up from the cracks on the ground around the ruins, causing everyone to stand up in caution and glance up at the sky. To their amazement, the sun split into three and a vortex of colors merged together.
While everyone stared in astonishment, Winged Kuriboh poked Jaden frantically. "Huh? You're saying to run away?" wondered Jaden, seeing no harm from a light show.
"Everyone, run!" cried out Banner, already taking off with the others following him once they realized that something went abnormal with the strange lights show. "Run to the inside of the ruins!"
Everyone did as the teacher commanded except for Jaden who stopped to stare at the sky. It wasn't until they all cramped inside the ruins that the group realized that Jaden was still outside.
"Jaden! What are you doing? Come in here!" called out Syrus and Alexis, concerned.
"I'll be fine! You guys stay here!" ordered Jaden, taking off before the others could protest.
"Jaden, no!"
"Come back here!"
"Stop! Don't go!"
"Jaaaaddddeeeennn!"
As Jaden got farther away from her group, their voices grew distant until she could no longer hear them. She had to find out what was up with the strange phenomenon, but before she could, a bright light blinded her, sending her world black.
"Nhh..."
Groaning, Jaden started to wake up and picked herself off the ground. Her first sight happened to be a step pyramid instead of the crumbled ruins. In fact, even though the scenery was familiar, not a single part of the ruins was seen. The entire area looked like Ancient Egypt or something of the sort.
"Whoa, what's that?" she wondered.
"Kuri kuri!" ("It's a pyramid!") chirped Winged Kuriboh.
"Yeah..." Turning around, she saw the familiar arch-shaped gate, but before, it had been crumbled and torn down. Now, it was as good as new. "Man...What happened while I was asleep.
Remembering that he was still angry with her, Winged Kuriboh flew up angrily and pinched on her cheek before pulling with his sharp, small claws.
"Owowowowow! What are you doing, Winged Kuriboh?!" cringed Jaden, frailing her arms comically as small tears formed.
"Kuri kuri! Kuri kuri kuri kuri kuri! Kuri kuri kuri!" ("I can't believe you! Why would you run into danger like that?! This is your punishment!")
"Owie! You didn't have to pinch me that hard!" The pain caused Jaden to realize something; Duel Spirits can't touch humans. "Wait...Winged Kuriboh, you pinched me?"
"?" Curious, Winged Kuriboh gently clawed at her cheek, letting out a cry when he felt softness in the human girl's skin.
Jaden grabbed ahold of her Duel Spirit, feeling the fuzzy, warm fur in her fingers. "Whoa! Winged Kuriboh, I can feel you! This is so cool and soft! SO CUTE!~" She brought him closer to her before ruffling around his fur, allowing Winged Kuriboh to nuzzle and purr affectionately.
"You!"
Looking around, both Winged Kuriboh and Jaden spotted a dark-robed woman carrying a backpack, specifically Chumley's. Continuing, the woman said, "This is sacred ground! You must leave here at once before-*gasp*"
Without warning, the woman grabbed Jaden by the wrist and pushed her against the wall, leaning towards her and glancing behind her head to see if anyone else was around. Winged Kuriboh was forced to follow them for Jaden's safety.
"H-hey! Lady, you're getting way too clo-!"
"Shhh! Be silent!"
"..."
A group of dark-robed soldiers armed with spears barely noticed them as they marched up some stairs. The woman waited a few moments until she was absolutely sure they were gone before pulling back, sighing in relief.
"So, what's going on?" wondered Jaden, her head filled with questions. "And why do you have my friend's backpack?"
"To begin, let me start at the beginning," the woman started calmly. "This is the sacred royal family's gravesite, so those uninvited will be buried alive in tombs. I suspect that your friends may have already been caught and taken to tom-"
"No!" yelled Jaden, refusing to believe that. "Please, take me to them! I have to go rescue them!"
Noting the fierceness and undenying determination behind the female duelist's eyes, the woman nodded and handed Chumley's backpack back to Jaden. "Very well. But, be warned; for if you are caught, you will also be buried alive."
Following after the woman, Jaden took a good look at the entire place, noticeably the three suns and the tall pyramid. 'Just what's going on...And where are we?' she thought, keeping Winged Kuriboh close to her for protection.
Arriving in a strange site with a small hallway and open windows, the woman led Jaden to such a place before teling her, "You will remain here."
"Wait, what about my friends? I want to go with you!" protested Jaden.
"No, the gravesite is huge and tooo dangerous for the likes of you. If you just wander around, it won't take long for the guards to find and capture you. Understand?"
"...Fine." Although Jaden didn't like it, the woman's logic was sound and she could be trustsworthy. After all, if the woman wished, she could have just left Jaden to be caught by the soldiers but she didn't.
Winged Kuriboh curled himself up into a small ball and flew over to Jaden, rubbing against her. Jaden smiled and sat down, leaning against a wall before deciding to pet and play around with her touchable Duel Spirit for a little while until the woman came back with her friends.
Even though it's been a short while, Jaden couldn't help but feel impatient, growing constantly worried for her captured friends. "Man, I can't take it anymore! I just want to know if everyone else is alright and-"
"AAAAHHH!"
"SOMEONE, HELP US!"
"EEEEKKK!"
"Huh? That noise is coming from close by!" said Jaden glancing left to right aimlessly before looking up at the high windows. Maybe, if she took a good look out there, she might see what's up.
Knowing what she desired, Winged Kuriboh flapped his wings and grabbed the back of Jaden's jacket collar, using all the strength he could muster to lift her up and fly. Jaden yelped, surprised by Winged Kuriboh's actions, but at the same time, loving it.
'AWESOME!' she thought, stars sparkling in her eyes before the cries for help passed onto her ears once more. She looked out the window and down below, spotting the rest of her friends tangled in bandages and trapped in separate coffins with the lids ajar.
Before she could do anything about the situation, she felt something sharp poking her rear end, causing her to yelp. "Ow! Ow! Quick doing that, whoever you are!"
"Get down," ordered a tough-sounding man.
"And move towards the sharp object?! You've got to be kidding!"
"NOW."
Okay, the tone sounded as if things were going to get worse if she didn't obey. Besides, the poking ceased afterwards, but before Jaden could do anything, Winged Kuriboh dropped Jaden, causing her to fall on her butt before the Duel Spirit collapsed. Apparently, even though to most humans, she could be considered light-weighted, Winged Kuriboh couldn't muster the strength to hold her in mid-air for too long.
"Why'd you have to go poking my-"
Before Jaden could finish, she found herself cornered with so many spears directed at her, providing no escape in any direction whatosever. She grinned awkwardly, though sweat ran down the back of her neck as her life was being threatened. Well, with many weapons near her throat, who could blame her?
"O-Oh yeah! Where are my manners? I'm Jaden Yuki!" said Jaden, attempting to make friendly conversation. "A-And I'm here to save my friends!" 'Not sure if I should tell them that, but keep on with the flow!' "A-and you are?"
"I am the Gravekeeper's Chief," replied the man in the black turban and white robes; the only man not wielding a spear. "And you have traversed upon the sacred tomb in which I protect.
"Uh..." 'CRAP, CRAP, CRAP! He's the guy that lady was talking about?! Think, Jaden! Think! Don't beg, and demand like a cool guy, like...like...Seto Kaiba! Yeah! Just say, 'Screw the rules, release my friends!'
Instead, Jaden ended up saying the complete opposite.
"I don't care what you do to me, but please release my friends and me possibly and we'll leave and never come back to disturb you and I hate pointy spears at my throat and please don't hurt me!"
Yup, real mature.
"I'm afraid that's impossible," said Gravekeeper's Chief, not fazed by her momentarily ranting.
"But...why not?"
"Because, fool, you have trend upon my domain. And you, along with your friends, will be punsihed and executed as graverobbers. Your punishment will be buried alive in stone coffins. "
"Wait! Hear me out!" cried out Jaden, trying to find a way out of this situation. "We're not graverobbers or anything!"
"Even if that's true, that is the tribe's laws."
"That's not fair! None of us even knew that law! Hell, we didn't even mean to come into this place!"
Sensing some sort of offense, the soldiers pushed the end of their spears even further, much closer to Jaden's throat than before. Just some slight movement, and a tiny hole in her throat would form. Actually, multiple tiny holes since the spears were aimed at her throat even more.
"Let me tell you something interesting," spoke Gravekeeper's Chief. "There was once a man who escaped this execution in the past. How, you wonder? He passed my challenge. Therefore, I will offer you a chance to live. Will you accept my challenge or not?"
"Well, what's the challenge?" asked Jaden, sweating bullets.
Gravekeeper's Chief smirked when he held up a deck, causing Jaden to realize what he wanted. At the same time, the soldiers pulled away their spears and stood by, still armed.
"A duel? Now you're speaking my language! You're on! But only if you pardon all of my friends along with me! Deal?"
That didn't seem like a problem to Gravekeeper's Chief, as he was confident on his own victory. "So be it. But that's only if you win."
"Oh, I'll win, alright!" promised Jaden before bending down and unzipping Chumley's back in search for something. "I'm sure that Chumley had his duel disk around her somewhere...got it!"
"If you lose, you will be buried alive, and I will see it personally that your living livers along with your other insides are extracted, making you a mummy," warned Gravekeeper's Chief, finding too much pleasure into Jaden's loss.
"EEEEHHHHH?!" shrieked Jaden, freaking out and panicking. "That's too gross! If I'm dead, who'll rescue my friends?!"
"Fear not, for they too, will suffer the same fate...Ahahahahahaha!"
Upon reaching the duel site, which was on top of the pyramid with a large pit below where Jaden's imprisoned friends were, Gravekeeper's Chief and Jaden took their places, facing off with each other. Jaden's duel disk activated normally while a differently designed duel disk materialized in Gravekeeper's Chief' arm.
"Get your game on!" shouted Jaden.
-DUEL -
Gravekeeper's Chief - 4000 LP
VS
Jaden - 4000 LP
"'Get my game on?' What is this you speak of?" questioned Gravekeeper's Chief, drawing his card.
"Sheesh! Haven't you heard of figure of speech?" wondered Jaden. "You know, like slang?"
"It's like slang? How dare you! Speak to me honorably or face the consequences!" he snapped before beginning his turn. "I'll place one Monster facedown, thus ending my turn!"
"And starting mine!" remarked Jaden, drawing her card.
"Kuri!" ("Jaden!") Winged Kuriboh, having recovered from before, flew up to Jaden's shoulder.
"Oh! Winged Kuriboh! You're alright!" said Jaden. That was one problem off her shoulders. "Watch this! I summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman! And with his effect, if I have no other cards on the field, I get to draw two more cards!"
As Jaden drew her two cards, Bubbleman stood firm on the field with his arms crossed.
Bubbleman - (WATER/Warrior) - LV4 - (800/1200)
Winged Kuriboh glanced at her drawn cards, cheering happily once he saw the two Elemental Heroes, Avian and Burstinatrix, placed in Jaden's hands. With those two on the field, all Jaden had to do was draw Polymerization on her next turn and it's a sure win with her ace Monster!
"Now, I equip Bubble Blaster to Bubbleman, increasing his Attack Points by 800!"
Bubbleman - (WATER/Warrior) - LV4 - (1600/1200)
"Now attack, Bubbleman!"
Getting on one knee, Bubbleman closed one eye to increase his accuracy of aiming before firing a blast of water at the Set Monster before it flipped over, revealing to be Gravekeeper's Guard.
Gravekeeper's Guard - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV4 - (1000/1900)
Gravekeeper's Chief - 4000 LP
Jaden - 3700 LP
"No way! That Monster has higher Defense Points?" gasped Chumley. "Uncool!"
"Hey, just be glad that Jaden lost very few Life Points," spoke Alexis, defending Jaden. "If she had attacked without Bubble Blaster equipped, then she would have lost way more Points."
"True, true..."
"I activate Gravekeeper's Guard's effect!" told Gravekeeper's Chief. "His Flip effects allows me to target 1 Monster you control and return it to your hand! And of course, I will choose Bubbleman!"
Gravekeeper's Guard stabbed his weapon in the air; a red wave emitting from the tip of his weapon as it transversed towards Bubbleman, affecting him painfully before he turned and glowed into a small light which was sent back into Jaden's hand.
"Now you're completely void of any Monsters. Next turn, I will unleash a direct attack on you," promised Gravekeeper's Chief, smirking.
"...I set a card facedown and end my turn!" said Jaden, not willing to give up. After all, this was only the beginning, and she wasn't out of strategies yet!
"It is my turn!" started Gravekeeper's Chief once again. "I summon Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier in Attack Mode!"
Resembling one of the black-robed soldiers pointing spears from before, this Monster was no different than the rest.
Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV4 - (1500/1000)
"You are wide open, Jaden Yuki! Attack directly, Gravekeeper's Guard!"
Obeying the chief's commands, Gravekeeper's Guard leaped towards Jaden and slashed at her shoulder, wounding it not too deeply, but enough for it to bleed. Jaden yelled out in pain, grasping one hand onto her bleeding shoulder.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 4000 LP
Jaden - 2700 LP
"Urk...! This isn't any hologram! T-The pain's real!" grunted Jaden as Winged Kuriboh hovered over her, concerned.
The moment Jaden lost Life Points, part of the coffins' lids closed just a little. "No, no! It's closing!" shouted Banner as everyone else panicked just like him.
"And now, Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier! Wage your attack!" commanded Gravekeeper's Chief. "Plunging Spear Strike!"
Jabbing his spear forward, Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier aimed to strike Jaden's stomach when she twisted her body to dodge the attack, receiving only a minor cut on her left side before the Monster retreated. Even if it was only a small wound, it hurted nevertheless.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 4000 LP
Jaden - 1200 LP
"I end my turn now!"
"I-If this keeps going, then my body'll get torn apart before the duel's done!" muttered Jaden, keeping hold of herself as she tried to stand tall and strong.
Once again, the lids on the coffins slightly closed, nearly halfway from shutting for good. The captives inside were frightened and hanging in there, cheering on Jaden not to give up.
"Jaden! Don't give up!" pleaded Syrus, trembling.
"Hurry! If the lid closes, we won't be able to breath and we'll die from suffocation!" cried Chumley.
"I don't think that's helping!" scolded Alexis, also scared just like the two of them.
"It's my turn now!" said Jaden. "Good! I activate Polymerization, fusing both Burstinatrix and Avian to create Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!"
Raising Polymerization into the air, the card transformed into a vortex of various colors. Burstinatrix and Avian appeared on the field before disappearing into the vortex and fusing together to create Jaden's ace Monster and most overprotective Monster.
Elemental Hero Flame Wingman - (WIND/Warrior/Fusion) - LV6 - (2100/1200)
"Alright! Time to battle! Flame Wingman, attack the Spear Soldier now!"
Flying mid-air, Flame Wingman's demonic arm shot out a swarm of flames which incinerated Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier in seconds due to the massive amoutn of heat and flames.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 3400 LP
Jaden - 1200 LP
"Don't think I'm done yet! Thanks to Flame Wingman's effect, you take damage equal to the Attack Points of Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier's Attack Points!"
A tornado of flames was fired upon Gravekeeper's Chief like a huge fire tidal wave, decreasing his Life Points immensely.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 1900 LP
Jaden - 1200 LP
"Now, I'll summon Wroughtweiler in Defense Mode and end my turn!"
Wroughtweiler - (EARTH/Machine) - LV3 - (800/1200)
"A-Amazing..." mumbled Chumley.
"That's Jaden for ya! Good job, Jay!" called Syrus.
"It's fortunate that Flame Wingman came to turn the tides around," spoke Alexis. "But Jaden has to be careful. If she makes a couple more mistakes, we're through."
"I draw!" said Gravekeeper's Chief, not liking how the favors were turning to Jaden's side. But perhaps this new strategy should do. "I switch my Gravekeeper's Guard to Defense Mode! And then I'll Set a Monster in Defense Mode before ending my turn!"
"My turn!" said Jaden, glancing at her drawn card. "Dunno what sort of Set Monster you've got, but no matter what it is, it's no match for Flame Wingman! Attack, Flame Wingman! Inferno Rage!"
After Gravekeeper's Guard was easily taken care of, Gravekeeper's Chief was quickly engulfed by the large flames produced by the demonic arm Flame Wingman had, having taken the painful effect of the Fusion Monster.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 900 LP
Jaden - 1200 LP
"Oh, yeah!" cheered Jaden. "With that done, I'll end my turn!"
Silently, Gravekeeper's Chief drew his card. "I activate Pot of Greed! Now I shall draw two cards from my deck. I shall summon Gravekeeper's Assailant in Attack Mode!"
A female assassin whose face was masked by a black veil held her jagged-looking dagger close to her for protection.
Gravekeeper's Assailant - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV4 - (1500/1500)
"And she will be joined by Gravekeeper's Curse after I Flip Summon him!"
A dark-robed man appearing like a magician or doctor from ancient times carried a strange cane with him.
Gravekeeper's Curse - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV3 - (800/800)
"Whenever this Monster is summoned in any possible way, he inflicts 500 Points of damage to you!"
Bringing his cane closer, Gravekeeper's Curse' eyes closed as his body lit with a yellow aura. A strange hissing sound filled Jaden's ears and pierce through her brain cells, causing her to cry out in pain from the painful curse the Monster laid down on her.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 900 LP
Jaden - 700 LP
While Jaden was suffering a major headache, the lids on her friends' coffins were more than halfway closed by now. Even so, from their position, they could witness the duel with only one eye, but if Jaden kept losing Life Points, or worse, all of hers, then they won't be able to breath anymore.
Shaking her head to rid herself of the numbness, Jaden shouted, "That all you got?! You've got to do better than that!"
"Very well, then! Perhaps this card will suffice!" said Gravekeeper's Chief, accepting her challenge by revealing a Field Spell card in his hand. "I cast Necrovalley!"
After the Field Spell grew active, the entire playing field crumbled and regrew into a brand new background full of mountains and cliffs with the two duelists standing on tall pillars. Like the name suggests, it resembled a dark setting for a valley.
"W-what is this?!" wondered Jaden.
"As long as the Field Spell is in play, all of the Attack and Defense Points of all face-up Gravekeeper's Monsters increase by 500 Points!" explained Gravekeeper's Chief.
Gravekeeper's Curse - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV3 - (1300/1300)
Gravekeeper's Assailant - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV4 - (2000/2000)
"Now, Gravekeeper's Assailant! I order you to attack Flame Wingman!"
"Are you nuts?! Can't you see that Flame Wingman is more stronger? She's only going to get destroyed!" shouted Jaden before her eyes widen in realization. "Unless...Unless she's got-!"
"A special ability? Yes, she does, actually," revealed Gravekeeper's Chief. "And whenever she declares an Attack, so long as Necrovalley's in play, it allows her to change the Battle Position of any Monster!"
Gravekeeper's Assailant' eyes glowed white and her aura emitted purple, forcing her to use her ability onto Flame Wingman, who switched to Defense Mode unwillingly. Even while he was in Defense Mode, he struggled to break free of her curse, wanting to protect Jaden, but not defensively.
"Not bad, old man! Looks like things are about to get interesting!" praised Jaden, smirking.
"Hmph! I'm not that old, so don't you dare call me that again!" said Gravekeeper's Chief, annoyed. "Attack Flame Wingman!"
Being stealthy, Gravekeeper's Assailant snuck behind Flame Wingman; her dagger having grown longer and sharper. With one swift slash, she defeated the defensive Flame Wingman before retreating to her owner's side.
"Next, with Gravekeeper's Curse, I attack Wroughtweiler!"
Focusing his magic onto the Elemental Heroes' dog, Wroughtweiler's functions started heating up before he exploded into multiple pieces of junk.
"When Wroughtweiler is sent to the Graveyard, I can add one Elemental Hero and Polymerization back to my hand!" told Jaden.
"Unfortunately for you, when Necrovalley is in play, all effects of Spells, Traps, and Monster Effects involving the Graveyard are completely negated!" Gravekeeper's Chief revealed. "Cards in the Graveyard cannot be removed from play, either! It's useless, just as you have proven in your attempts to rescue your friends! Don't you see? Both you and your cards are futile here!"
"No...I refuse to believe it! I know Jaden can find a way!" mumbled Alexis, astonished by the quick change of events.
"Oh no, it's no use! We're done for!" gasped Banner.
"That's not true, Professor Banner! Jay's still winning!" defended Syrus. "I mean, Jaden's Life Points may be lower, but at least she still has a chance of winning!"
"Forget the Life Points! Look at the field! Jaden has no Monsters out! And the Gravekeeper's Chief has two!"
Taken aback by how quickly her field was emptied, Jaden thought, 'I can't believe it's come to this...If I lose, then...everyone...Everyone will...!'
While everyone else below were wiggling around in their bounds, trying to break free while cheering for Jaden, Banner seemed to be the only one keeping a cool head as he remained silent with a faint smirk.
'Yes...That's right...Show me everything you've got in this Shadow Game, Jaden Yuki!' thought Banner sinisterly.
What he failed to notice until now was that he could barely see through his nearly closed lid.
"Gah! I forgot! I can't see much because of this lid!"
"Let's finish this!" shouted Jaden, drawing her card before hearing Winged Kuriboh's cheers. Looking at the card she drew, she didn't need to second guess that the card she drew was her cutest Monster yet.
Winged Kuriboh swirled around the air, flapping his wings and chirping happily that he was definitely going to be useful this turn.
Jaden giggled. "I should have known! You've always got my back, don't ya?" Inhaling fresh air through her nostrils as if regaining a new sense of direction towards the duel, Jaden assured, "Don't worry about a single thing! Giving up was never my intention from the beginning! I summon Winged Kuriboh in Defense Mode!"
The Duel Spirit, Winged Kuriboh, who had been flying around Jaden not a moment ago, vanished in sparkling dust before reappearing on the field.
Winged Kuriboh - (LIGHT/Fairy) - LV1 - (300/200)
Glancing down where her friends were trapped in, Jaden called out to them, "Just hold on a bit longer, everyone! Mark my words, I will win! I end my turn! Your move!"
"How fitting. It seems you do not know your place. The blind lead the blind and the weak protect the weak!" taunted Gravekeeper's Chief. "I will admit, Winged Kuriboh is a troublesome Monster with an ability that reduces Battle Damage to 0 the turn he's destroyed, but in my world, rodents like that are for pounding! Not protection!"
"Grr...!" growled Jaden, still keeping her composure despite her friend being insulted. "He's no rodent! He's one of my very close friends!" 'And you're about to see why!'
"Well, with friends like you, he needs no enemies! It is my turn! Draw!" said Gravekeeper's Chief, drawing his card at the start of his turn. He smirked, reassuring his victory just in case of a certain situation he might encounter later. "Go, Gravekeeper's Assailant! I attack Winged Kuriboh!"
"I don't think so!" yelled Jaden. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Transcendent Wings! By discarding two cards from my hand, Winged Kuriboh evolves way up to Level 10!'
Upon doing so, Winged Kuriboh's aura shined brighter than the three suns as his transformation progressed. Small, angel-like wings began sprouting from his furry back while a armored, golden helmet began to form on top of his head.
Gravekeeper's Chief wasn't even impressed by a single bit. "I knew it. I knew that you had laid down a trap to try and catch me off guard. That's why I was prepared for this! From my hand, I activate the effect of Gravekeeper's Watcher!"
"W-what the?!" exclaimed Jaden as a black-robed ministrel carrying a tome flew over and grabbed ahold of Winged Kuriboh's marvelous wings as if tearing them apart. In reality, Gravekeeper's Watcher was draining Winged Kuriboh's power.
"Let me explain Gravekeeper's Watcher's effect," said Gravekeeper's Chief, sending Gravekeeper's Watcher's card to the Graveyard. "By sending him to the Graveyard, I'm allowed to negate your Transcendent Wings effect if it allows you to discard. Luckily for me, it does!
Winged Kuriboh's LV10 transformation was undone, reverting Winged Kuriboh to his simple, cute LV1 form as if nothing happened. Even if Winged Kuriboh wasn't as strong as his LV10 form, he still provided as a means of defense for Jaden.
"And now, I'll wage an attack! Now, Gravekeeper's Assailant! Swift Stealth Strike!"
Swift before anyone could blink, Gravekeeper's Assailant performed her duty with ease; Winged Kuriboh's shrill cry being proof of her success.
"Thanks, Winged Kuriboh," said Jaden, sad to see her cute Monster destroyed. "You took one for the team and that's more than enough."
Syrus shuddered. "Oh no! Now that Winged Kuriboh's gone, Jaden is left defenceless!"
"But it's a good thing Winged Kuriboh has that special ability of his," commented Chumley. "It's that Jaden doesn't take any damage the turn he's destroyed."
"That's true, for this turn. But next turn is going to be a challenge even for Jaden," said Alexis.
"Now then, I've countered your move, I've destroyed your rodent, and there's not much else to do but place a facedown card and end my turn!" insulted Gravekeeper's Chief.
"Hey, that's enough!" snapped Jaden. "Winged Kuriboh's no rodent! I won't let you get away calling my cute friend a rodent!"
Gravekeeper's Chief merely laughed at her futile resistance. "Oh? You won't let me get away with that? Well then, would you perfer rodent or rat?"
"THAT'S IT! My draw!" Having enough of Gravekeeper Chief's mouth and wanting to shut him, Jaden glanced at her drawn card. "First off, I'm activating Pot of Greed! Thanks to its effect, I draw two more cards! Now I summon Dark Catapulter in Defense Mode!"
A Machine-Type Monster that looked somewhat animalistic appeared with defensive methods.
Dark Catapulter - (EARTH/Machine) - LV4 - (1000/1500)
"But I'm not done yet! I play Mirage of Nightmare! And now, I'm gonna throw down three facedowns and end my turn!" 'Okay, if all goes well, then my plan should work! Next turn, with Dark Catapulter's effect, I'll destroy Necrovalley and end this!'
"Very well, my draw!" said Gravekeeper's Chief.
"And my chance to activate Mirage of Nightmare! Mirage of Nightmare's effect activates!" interrupted Jaden. "During your Standby Phase, I draw cards until there's four in my hand! ...Sweet! I've got it!"
"It seems from your words and facial expression that you've drawn some considerably good cards," commented Gravekeeper's Chief. "Well, don't be so sure. You don't know what is good because you don't know what you're up against!"
"Hmm? What is he planning...?"
"I now sacrifice Gravekeeper's Curse...to summon MYSELF!"
"What?! Summon yourself?!"
After Gravekeeper's Curse disappeared in a golden vortex of sparkles, Gravekeeper's Chief also vanished in the same manner, but he reappeared in place of Gravekeeper's Curse in the dueling field.
Gravekeeper's Chief - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV5 - (1900/1200)
"Thanks to Necrovalley's effect, I gain 500 extra Attack Points!" reminded Gravekeeper's Chief, feeling more stronger than before.
Gravekeeper's Chief - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV5 - (2400/1700)
"And as long as I'm on the field, my Graveyard is unaffected by Necrovalley, meaning I can use Traps, Spells, and Monster effects however I wish! That's not all! I also get to Special Summon 1 Gravekeeper Monster from my Graveyard!"
"No way! That can't be!" As the information progressed through Jaden's head, she realized one conclusion was made: Her opponent had way too much of an advantage right now and that her current situation was turning worse.
"I Special Summon Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier!"
Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV4 - (1500/1000)
Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV4 - (2000/1500)
"And now, I'll play the Trap, Rite of Spirit, from my field! This Special Summons another Gravekeeper! And I choose Gravekeeper's Curse!"
Gravekeeper's Curse - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV3 - (800/800)
Gravekeeper's Curse - (DARK/Spellcaster) - LV3 - (1300/1300)
"When this Monster is summoned in any possible way, 500 Points of Damage are dealt to you!"
Jaden screamed as a pillar of raw power rained down on her, inflicting a vast amount of pain to her body.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 900 LP
Jaden - 200 LP
"Behold! The power of the Shadow Game!" bellowed Gravekeeper's Chief, throwing his arms up as if praise for the Shadow Game.
Collapsing to her knees, Jaden stared aimlessly at her cards, as if they weren't there as her mind progressed in shock. Her breath hitched in fear as she tried to control it. "S-Shadow Game...? I-Is that what this is...?"
"Yes, and the game's almost over! For you, your Life Points, and your friends! As your Life Points decrease, the lids of the coffins in which your friends are trapped in will also close up, little by little."
Just as Gravekeeper's Chief said, the lids slightly shut; nearly close to closure for eternity.
"Bad...This is getting really bad...!" muttered Jaden before snapping back to reality. "Still, if I make it past this turn unscathed, I'll win!"
"Oh?" Impressed by her willpower and resistance, Gravekeeper's Chief commented, "Even as you stand in the path of defeat, you have a strong and sturdy heart that remains unfazed and untempted by the darkness in this duel."
Gravekeeper's Assailant remained silent, but in her heart, she hoped that the boy she met earlier wouldn't succumb to the darkness.
"You're right about that...! For everyone's sake, I can't-No, WON'T lose!" promised Jaden, standing up with determination, straightening her back as she faced this new challenge before her. "After all, it's my dream to become the next King of Games! Yugi Muto's faced countless of Shadow Games, and if he won them all, then so can I! Bring it on, old man! I won't lose, no matter how much you throw at me!"
"Silence! I shall silent that insolent mouth of yours!" yelled Gravekeeper's Chief. "Battle! I attack with Gravekeeper's Assailant! Using her effect, I change Dark Catapulter's Defense Position to Attack Mode! Face it, after this attack, it's one more Direct Attack and it's over!"
Gravekeeper's Assailant rushed forward, and once she was in front of Dark Catapulter, she hesitated, slowing her movements slightly. But that was just enough for Jaden to make a comeback.
"I don't think so! I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Emergency Provisions!" shouted Jaden. "Now, by sending two Spell or Trap cards from my field to the Graveyard, I gain 1000 Life Points for each card! I'll get rid of two of my cards and regain 2000 Life Points!"
Having said that, all of her wounds from the previous assaults closed up and stiched themselves, as if they were never there.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 900 LP
Jaden - 2200 LP
"Curse you! Gravekeeper's Assailant, do as I say and finish Dark Catapulter! NOW!" ordered Gravekeeper's Chief firmly.
Finding this as her cue as well as a breath of relief, Gravekeeper's Assailant no longer hesitated and slashed through Dark Catapulter before returning back.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 900 LP
Jaden - 1200 LP
Jaden sighed, relieved that she survived that encounter when her relief turned to shock. Witnessing Gravekeeper's Assailant being slapped by Gravekeeper's Chief right after she retreated to her owner's side, she heard their slight conversation.
"You should have attacked faster!" scolded Gravekeeper's Chief.
"...Yes, Chief." All Gravekeeper's Assailant could do was bow her head before backing away.
Jaden quickly grew angry; first insults to Duel Spirits and now disrespect for his loyal subordinates? "Hey, it's not her fault you messed up! It's your own! I hate guys who don't care for the feelings of others!"
"Do not forget that I still have an attack. I will put an end to your life with my own hands!" said Gravekeeper's Chief, gathering magic in the form of an orb in his open palm. With a cry, he unleashed the orb in a large red beam.
"Oh no you won't! Go, Trap card! Draining Shield!" shouted Jaden as a green barrier shielded her. "This Trap negates one attack from you and recovers my Life Points by the amount of Attack Points you have!"
A fresh breeze kicked in, relinquishing Jaden's lungs and keeping her breathing steady as she felt relaxed.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 900 LP
Jaden - 3600 LP
"So, you blocked one attack!" grunted Gravekeeper's Chief, annoyed by Jaden's performance. "Go, Spear Soldier! Attack him directly!"
Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier thrusted his spear forward once closer to Jaden. Jaden jumped and tried to block by shielding her face with both arms, but coughed out blood when the spear stabbed her side, deeper than last time.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 900 LP
Jaden - 1600 LP
"And now, Gravekeeper's Curse! Attack him now!"
Smirking darkly, Gravekeeper's Curse sent a spell towards Jaden; a painful one that caused Jaden to grip both sides of her head as she experienced an awful, throbbing headache that seemed endless and unbearable.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 900 LP
Jaden - 300 LP
After Jaden's large amount of Life Point decreased session, the lids on the coffins nearly were closed to completion, making it so the inhabitants saw nothing but darkness.
Collapsing once again, Jaden took the time to catch her breath and ease herself; her body shaking abnormally and painfully. The noises she was making indicated she was sobbing out of fear for her life.
"Have you realized the true terror of a Shadow Game?" questioned Gravekeeper's Chief, satisfied with Jaden's despair. "Come now, fight back! This is barely fun anymore!"
Jaden sat up, and when it seemed she was crying, she was really laughing the whole time. "Really? 'Cause I'm having a blast!"
"Your friends' lives hang by a thread, and you...you are laughing?" Shaking his head, Gravekeeper's Chief sighed. "I do not know how humans like you are capable of dealing with such a predicament like this, but you no longer have a chance of winning!"
"Oh, yeah? But, I did make it past this turn!" countered Jaden, standing up and patting the dust off the back of her pants. "If I get a good draw next turn, I'll definitely win!"
"In that case, let me crush that hope of yours! I activate the Spell Card, Royal Tribute! It's a Spell that activates so long as I have Necrovalley on my field! Now we discard all Monsters in our hands to the Graveyard!"
"Huh?!" If that was the case, then Jaden couldn't defend herself with any Monsters if she can't summon them!
"For now, whatever Monsters you were planning to win with are gone!" laughed Gravekeeper's Chief smugly.
'And the only card I have left is The Warrior Returning Alive, which I can't use because of Necrovalley! I'll have to risk drawing!' thought Jaden, turning to the only hope she has left; drawing. "My turn! Draw!"
Looking at the final card she drew, she realized it was Bladedge, one of her most powerful Monsters. It was good since the card could lead to her victory!
"Oh? By the looks of things, I'll wager a guess and say you drew a high-leveled Monster," guessed Gravekeeper's Chief. "Shame that you do not have anymore Monsters to sacrifice and summon it!"
'Ugh...Why does he have to be right?' thought Jaden; her eye twitching in annoyance. 'Like he said, if I want to summon Bladedge, I'm gonna have to sacrifice two Monsters to bring him out! But...Yeah! That's it! I think I found a flaw in Necrovalley!'
"Yeah...Yeah!" exclaimed Jaden excitedly. "Necrovalley's effect is all I need!"
"Please, don't make me laugh! If you were planning on Special Summoning a Monster from the Graveyard, forget it! Necrovalley's effect negates all effects aimed at the Graveyard!" reminded Gravekeeper's Chief.
"Yeah, you're right. Necrovalley is a Field Spell that negates Spells, Traps, and Monster effects aimed at the Graveyard, but it's not like it can even negate the effects of Monsters in the Graveyard! And you did just sent one Monster who's effect activates anytime as long as he's in the Graveyard!" Jaden smirked; her turn to be smug. "Thanks for that, by the way!"
Gravekeeper's Chief didn't have a single clue what she was referring to...until he realized she meant the effect of Royal Tribute, which as long as Necrovalley was active, both of them discarded all Monsters in their hands. He did so so she wouldn't have any line of defense next turn and pull a fast one on him, but it seems that it was a very grave mistake to activate the card.
It was too late to back up now.
"When you send my Monsters to the Graveyard, you also sent a certain Elemental Hero to there as well! A certain Elemental Hero known as Necroshade!" said Jaden as Necroshadow loomed over Jaden from behind as if protecting her. "And he allows me to Special Summon any Elemental Hero from my hand only once per duel! And the Elemental Hero I choose is Bladedge!"
The golden armored hero emerged on the field as fast as he could to end this duel once and for all.
Elemental Hero Bladedge - (EARTH/Warrior) - LV7 - (2600/1800)
"No!" cried out Gravekeeper's Chief, as he realized that not even he, who had the strongest Attack Points so far, could take down Bladedge. Even he could tell who Jaden's intended target was, and unlikely, it wasn't him.
"Bladedge, take down Gravekeeper's Curse!" yelled Jaden. "Finish this!"
Quickly as possible, Bladedge zoomed in on Gravekeeper's Curse and sliced through him, causing the Gravekeeper to explode. With the mass amount of Life Points loss, Jaden's win was assured.
Gravekeeper's Chief - 0 LP
Jaden - 300 LP
Winner: Jaden
"That's game!" laughed Jaden, giving out her hand signature before Necrovalley collapsed. In mere seconds, she found herself on top of the pyramid setting, right before Necrovalley took over the field and filled it with gloomy despair.
"CHIEF!"
Gravekeeper's Assailant, Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier, Gravekeeper's Guard, and Gravekeeper's Curse hurried to their Chief's side, protecting him as Gravekeeper's Assailant helped Gravekeeper's Chief stand up.
"Hey! Is he okay?" called out Jaden, running around the other side of the top of the pyramid to get to Gravekeeper's Chief. On her way, she was confronted and blocked by the weapons belonging to Gravekeeper's Guard, Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier, and Gravekeeper's Curse.
"Stop! He lives!" ordered Gravekeeper's Chief. "Young boy, you were an magnificent opponent!"
"Thanks! But I'm a girl," corrected Jaden, shocking her previous opponent. "And anyways, that was one tight duel back there! Interesting too! Let's duel again, sometime!"
"What? You mean to say you...enjoyed the Shadow Games?"
Jaden nodded. "Heh, totally! I mean, I could have done without the whole 'friends in the coffin' thing, but it was fun! I mean, I dueled against actually Duel Spirits! It was great! Though, it did hurt a bit too much...But all the Duel Spirits did great! Like the spear guy, the big, tough guy, and the weird guy with the cane and the haircut!" Turning to Gravekeeper's Assailant, she grinned. "Of course, you were awesome, too!"
"Only one other person has ever passed this challenge. That is, until now," informed Gravekeeper's Chief. "For having overcome your trials, I bequeath to you this mystic medallion." Taking half of a medallion with a red gem out around his neck, he handed it over to Jaden.
"Really? Awesome!" Jaden ran up to him and was handed over the pendant. "Huh? But...isn't this just half of it?"
"Yes. The remaining half is held by the other person who passed the same challenge you did," said Gravekeeper's Chief. "Hopefully, when the time comes for you to battle in another Shadow Game, this medallion will serve you well."
"Okay! Thanks for the cool reward!" Jaden placed the pendant around her neck, staring at it with happiness.
Facing the prisoners that were still located below the pyramid, Gravekeeper's Chief extended a hand out, and with his approval and power, the lids on the coffins were removed and the bandages binding the prisoners were ripped apart, setting them free.
"I-it's so bright!"
"Jaden did it! She actually did it!"
"We're free!"
"Ah...I love light! Light is my friend!"
After getting everyone out of that predicament and leading them to outside of the pyramid, Jaden reuinted with her friends and teacher along with Gravekeeper's Chief and Gravekeeper's Assailant.
"Jaden, I knew you could do it!" cheered Syrus.
"I would expect no less than one of my fellow students! I knew you would pass the test, Jaden!" praised Banner, stroking Pharaoh.
"Huh? What do you mean by that, Professor? I mean, this was a challenge," reminded Jaden, confused. Even the other students turned to Banner in confusion.
"Y-yes, well...Test, challenge, it's all the same!" said Banner, quickly defending himself. "I just mean that in a duel where one gets hurt physically, Jaden might be supreme champion! Ahahaha!"
The others were a little suspicious, but decided to drop it. They were all pretty tired and just wanted to get some rest back in their dorms once they leave the Duel Spirit World.
"Well now, it is time for you and your friends to return to your own world," said Gravekeeper's Chief.
"Yeah, but how do we do that?" wondered Jaden.
Glancing up at the three suns, Gravekeeper's Chief explained, "Go to the gate of the tomb just in time for the three lights to combine into one, so that the veil of radiance appears before you!"
"O-Okay...?"
With no time wasted, a platoon full of Gravekeeper's Guards and Spear Soldiers surrounded the group, including Gravekeeper's Chief and Gravekeeper's Assailant. However, instead of bowing before their Chief, they were aiming their weapons at the humans.
"What is the meaning of this?!" demanded Gravekeeper's Chief.
"Those who have raided the sacred grounds must face judgement!" one of the Gravekeeper's Spear Soldiers shouted.
"What the?!" Jaden was taken aback as Gravekeeper's Chief moved in to protect her.
"Stop! She has paid her misdeeds! She has passed the challenge! Her freedom has been earned! I order you to obey me at once!"
However, it seemed that the platoon weren't listening to Gravekeeper Chief's demands, as they wanted nothing more but to punish the intruders themselves. Their first intended target was the person who defeated their Chief; Jaden.
"Jaden!" cried out Alexis as the Duel Spirits charged and thrusted/slashed their weapons forward.
Suddenly, Gravekeeper's Assailant blocked every strike swiftly and skillfully, though it did cost her a small price; her black veil being unveiled.
"Oh! It's you!" gasped Jaden, realizing that Gravekeeper's Assailant was the same woman who helped her out before.
"Yes. I am Gravekeeper's Assailant," said Gravekeeper's Assailant. "I'm sorry that I had to trick you, but I couldn't disobey the orders of my Chief. If you return to your world, please give a message to the owner of the other half of the Shadow Charm Pendant. Tell him 'Yasmin is still in the other world, but I haven't forgotten him. And that one day, we will meet again.'"
Jaden gasped. "Could it be...like one of Alexis' romance novels? Forbidden love?"
"...Jaden, I doubt now is the time for that," sighed Alexis.
As the soldiers grew closer, not wanting to hurt their fellow Gravekeeper tribe member, Yasmin warned, "Stand back! She has won the challenge and we must honor our word! Or have you forgotten your pride as sacred Gravekeepers? If you want to get to her and her human friends, you'll have to get through me! But I'm warning you, I will not show mercy even if we are comrades!"
Left with no choice, especially with the Chief near the humans, the soldiers parted, moving out of the way to provide an open path for all.
Lowering her daggers, Yasmin told Jaden and her friends, "Now, while you still have the chance!"
"Yeah, but where should we go?"
Smiling, Yasmine lightly teased, "Well, I think a certain Duel Spirit should tell you!"
"Kuri! Kuri kuri kuri!" ("Jaden! I'll guide you!") Winged Kuriboh popped out of his card and flew forward, motioning Jaden and her bewildered friends to follow. Taking this chance to flee, Jaden and the others passed the soldiers and followed Winged Kuriboh.
As they ran, Jaden looked at the three suns and saw they were slowly merging. "The three suns! They're merging together! Hurry!"
However, Chumley tripped and scraped his knee, causing everyone to stop running. "Gah! My knee!" Looking up, Chumley noticed that the three suns were combined as one and that an aurora-like colors filled the sky. "Hurry and get out of here! Just leave without me!"
"No! You'd think we're the type of people to do that? We're not going to leave without you!" shouted Jaden, shaking him by the shoulders.
"But you have to-!"
A light shined slightly from Chumley's backpack before Des Koala, one of Chumley's favorite Monsters, appeared. While everyone stood in amazement, Syrus rubbed his eyes, wondering if this was all an illusion or real.
Des Koala carried Chumley on his back before making a break for the gate as the others hurried as well. Just as they passed through the gate, beams of green light from before shot upwards and surrounded the group, blacking them out afterwards as the lights teleported them back to their world.
In the real world...
"...uri! Kuri! Kuri! KURI!"
"H-huh?" Waking up at the sounds of her Duel Spirits' cries, Jaden rubbed her eyes and saw Winged Kuriboh tugging and biting Syrus on the head. Looking around, she saw Syrus, who was fast asleep, with his head on her lap. Considering that Winged Kuriboh is merely a Duel Spirit, he wasn't physically injured at all.
Come to think of it, her other friends were laying on the ground, unconscious. That's when she realized they were back in the old ruins; in their world.
'I wonder if it was all just a dream?' thought Jaden before she noticed the glimmering shine from her pendant. "So, it wasn't a dream! Oh well! But...It sorta seems like the Shadow Games will be back."
Looking at her friends again, Jaden grinned evilly as she took a black marker out of Chumley's backpack. "Well, given the situation, there's no way I'd pass up an opportunity like this...Hehehe...Revenge!"
She bent down and looked at her first target: Chumley. Her grin widened as she began drawing all over his face. On his cheeks, she drew circles with a dot in each. She had no idea why people found that funny but she now reverted to other drawings such as zigzag signs, heart signs, and a moustache.
'That's for calling me flat all those times!' she thought before turning to Banner. 'You're next, Professor Banner! This is for all the times you've given me extra homework every time I beat up the Obelisk Blues! It's not my fault they get on my face all the time! Man, I wish Chazz was here! Boy, would I REALLY want to draw on his face!'
After watching Jaden deal with Banner and Alexis, though on Alexis' part, Jaden was mercilful and only drew a heart, Winged Kuriboh turned to Syrus sinisterly. Others may look at him as cute, especially when he was fiddling with his tiny claws like a villain normally would, but this was a different case.
'Yes...YES! I will have my revenge! I will get my revenge on Syrus for laying his head on Jaden's lap!' thought Winged Kuriboh, being protective of Jaden. Huh, maybe Flame Wingman was rubbing off him.
Winged Kuriboh flew over to Jaden just as she was finishing and pecked her on the cheek, showering affection all over her. Jaden squealed and hugged Winged Kuriboh, happy for his cuteness and adoration.
"Awww!~ So cute!~" she squealed.
"Kuri, kuri kuri kuri kuri? KURI?" ("Jaden, can I use the marker? PLEASE?") With shimmering tears in his huge puppy dog eyes and a whimper, not even Jaden could say no to Winged Kuriboh's face.
"Of course you can, cutie!~"
"KURI!" ("Yay!") Once he turned towards Syrus with the black marker in hand, Winged Kuriboh chuckled; his chuckles actually low purrs, as he slowly approached the blue-haired, glasses boy.
Later...
"Ow...my head..."
"What happened?"
"Oh, you guys are awake!"
"Jaden? Was that all a...dream?"
"Nope, it was real!"
"Ahahaha! Professor Banner! Your face!"
"What?! Let me get my mirror! Oh no! My face! My beautiful face!"
"Ahahaha!"
"Ahahahahaha! Syrus! Yours is worse! AHAHAHAHA!"
"What the-?! *GASP* NOOOOOO! Now I won't get any cute girls!"
"What?"
"Nothing! Though, I do like your heart shaped cheeks, Alexis!"
"Thanks. And I think I know who did this...Jaden!"
"What? Why me?"
"You were the first one awake, plus you don't have anything in your face!"
"..."
"..."
"...YOU'LL NEVER GET ME ALIVE!"
Just another typical day for Duel Academy.
WHEW! Finished! Although, it may take a long while for me to update this since I have to study and get ready for school next month. I don't get how some schools start early during the freakin' summer! Well, none of my business anyways.
READ AND REVIEW!