Michael was sitting at his desk and was waiting for it to finish decrypting the data. It finished its work and Michael started to look through it.
Michael: Time to see what we can find out about the missing students. An abandoned dorm in the middle of the woods? Seems like a good place to start looking.
He downloaded a map to his pda and set off to find it. When he arrived, he saw Alexis and Lily standing outside the dorm and saw Alexis set a rose in front of the dorm.
Michael: Alexis and Lily? What are they doing here?
He accidently stepped on a twig and alerted them to his presence.
Alexis: I know you're there, so come out.
He decided it would be better to do as she said and stepped out.
Lily: Michael? What are you doing here?
Michael: I heard about the abandoned dorm and decided to check it out.
Alexis: You shouldn't be here.
Michael: You miss him, don't you? Atticus, I mean.
Alexis: So you know about that?
Michael: Yes.
Alexis: Michael, I want to know something. Why are you at Duel Academy? You're a better duelist than most of the staff, so why come here?
Michael: Well, I suppose this was bound to come up sooner or later. I'll tell you, but this has to stay between the three of us, promise?
Alexis and Lily nodded in agreement.
Michael: I'm here on behalf of my parents and the parents of the missing students, including yours. As you know, my family runs numerous businesses and corporations, including a private investigation company.
Alexis: And so they sent their own son to investigate?
Michael: Duel Academy's superintendent has kept blocking investigations, so my parents thought it would be better to send someone who could gather information discreetly. I'm also here because word got to my parents that the Slifer dorm was in terrible condition in spite of the money they provide the school.
Lily: Why do you think that is?
Michael: I think one of the staff members is stealing funds from the school. I'm not sure who, but when I find out, they're going to be in a lot of trouble.
Alexis: Well, considering your family, I believe you. And I promise to keep your secret.
Lily: Same.
Michael: Thank you. And I promise I'm going to do everything I can to find your brother and the other missing students.
Alexis: Thank you. I'll help you any way I can.
Michael: But then why are you here Lily?
Lily: Alexis and I are cousins, and I wanted to be here for emotional support. That and I miss Atticus as well.
Michael: I see. It's getting late. I think we should all head back. Alexis and Lily agreed, and they all returned to the dorm. Little did they know that someone they all knew had been listening in on them.
Maxwell: Rats, that little punk is on to me. If I don't get rid of him soon, everyone will find out I've been stealing from the school, and I'll be ruined.
Meanwhile in the Slifer dorm, Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley were telling scary stories based on the level of the monsters they drew. The higher the level, the scarier the story. It was currently Syrus' turn.
Syrus: And underneath the full moon, I see a path to a cavern that seems abandoned.
Jaden: Then what?
Syrus: At the back of the cavern, I see a mysterious lake. I go in to look closely, and under just the right angle of light, I see a rare and powerful card close to the water's edge. I go to reach for it, but just when it's almost in my grasp, an arm shoots out of the water, grabs a hold of me, and drags me into the lake! Not the water, anything but the water!
Jaden: Oh, water's not so scary.
Syrus: Dirty swamp water? Oh you're right, only a chump would be scared of that story.
Unknown to him, Chumley was cowering in the corner.
Jaden: Still, good story. Mid-level scares for a mid-level card, but I hope I get a high level.
He looked at the card and saw he drew a level 1 monster.
Syrus: You lucked out. You hardly have to scare us at all with that card.
Jaden: Well, I think I have a story that'll do the trick. It's more of a memory really. Back when I was a little kid, I used to hear strange noises, but only very late at night. I always thought I was just dreaming, but then I'd realize I was awake. They sounded like voices, but none that I recognized. I'd go to check it out, but every time I did, there'd be nothing there. Nothing, except my cards.
Syrus: And?
Jaden: And that's the end of the story.
Syrus & Chumley: That's it?
Jaden: But you wanna hear something weird? Lately, I've started hearing them again.
Banner: Mind if I join in on the fright fest?
Syrus: You just did.
Jaden: We're kinda on the edge of our seats here.
Syrus: At least we were.
Chumley meanwhile had returned to the corner.
Syrus: But since you're here now, why don't you draw a card? The higher the level, the scarier the story.
Banner: Well that certainly sounds easy enough. Let's see here.
He picked up a card and flipped it over, revealing a Five-Headed Dragon.
Jaden: That's a level 12 monster.
Syrus: I think I'm gonna go to bed now.
Banner: What's wrong? Don't you want to hear about the abandoned dorm at the end of the island?
Jaden: An abandoned dorm?
Banner: Yes. No one talks about it, but there was once a special dorm set at the edge of the forest. It was shut down after several students mysteriously went missing.
Syrus: Where'd they all go?
Banner: Well that's the mystery of it. The rumor was that it had something to do with shadow games.
Chumley: Thanks, you can stop now.
Banner: You see kids, shadow games are duels played with powerful mystical items.
Jaden: The Millennium Items, right? I've heard about this, but it's not true.
Banner: Yes, that is what most people say. But I find that most stories, well they have to come from somewhere. Well, I'll see you all in class tomorrow.
Jaden: Later.
Syrus: You know, I did see this creepy building in the forest the other day.
Jaden: Sweet. Then you can lead the way for us tomorrow night.
Chumley: Wait, what do you mean "us"?
Jaden: It'll be fun. I'll even invite Michael to tag along with us.
Little did they know that Crowler was standing outside the room and had overheard their conversation.
Crowler: This is just the opportunity I've been waiting for.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Maxwell's number.
Maxwell: What do you want Crowler?
Crowler: Maxwell, I believe I've found a way to get rid of the thorns in our side.
Maxwell: I'm listening.
A few minutes later in Domino City, a man in a trench coat and an iron mask was dueling someone in a back alley.
?: Okay, you won, just take what you want and leave me alone!
Titan: What I want is your soul.
He held up a strange pendant which emitted a bright flash and the one who lost the duel collapsed. Suddenly, his phone went off.
Titan: Speak. Duel Academy tomorrow night? I'll be there.
The next night, Crowler and Maxwell met with Titan at the docks.
Crowler: So you're the shadow duelist?
Titan: My opponents call me many things, most of which are hard to understand because of their screams of fear. But enough small talk, what's the job?
Maxwell: We want you to find these two, and scare them off the island for good.
He pulled out pictures of Jaden and Michael and showed them to Titan.
Crowler: Up to the challenge?
Titan: Of course, I never turn my back on a challenge. But I'll do more than just scare them, I'll send them to the Shadow Realm.
Crowler: Well alright, if you insist.
Maxwell: Good, once he gets rid of Michael, I'll be able to keep taking the funds from the Slifer dorm for myself. It's such a shame to have to get rid of such a talented duelist.
Meanwhile in the forest, Michael was leading Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley to the abandoned dorm.
Michael: I'm telling you guys, this is a bad idea.
Jaden: If it's such a bad idea, then why come with us?
Michael: I was going to try and talk you out of it, but seeing as that isn't going to happen, I might as well tag along to keep you out of trouble.
Syrus: So how do you know the way to the abandoned dorm?
Michael: I found it by accident when I was taking a walk.
They arrived and the rose Alexis had left the previous night was still there.
Syrus: It's the abandoned dorm.
Chumley: And it's probably full of ghosts.
Jaden: Relax you guys, there's no one else here.
They heard a twig snap, causing Syrus and Chumley to jump.
Michael: Calm down guys, it's just Alexis and Lily.
Lily: What are you guys doing here?
Michael: They got the idea in their heads to check out the abandoned dorm, and since I couldn't talk them out of it, I decided I should go with them to keep them out of trouble.
Alexis: Well, you guys should leave. Don't you know that people have a way of disappearing around here?
Jaden: Oh, come on, that's just a rumor.
Alexis: No, it's not. Believe me, I know. Why else would the academy make this place completely forbidden? If they catch you here, you'll be expelled.
Jaden: Okay, then why are the both of you here?
Alexis: We have our reasons, that's why!
Michael: Alexis, it's okay, he doesn't know.
Jaden: Don't know about what?
Michael turned to Lily and Alexis who nodded to let him know he could tell them.
Alexis: One of the students who went missing was Alexis' brother, who is also Lily's cousin.
Jaden: That explains the rose.
Syrus: If Alexis' brother really disappeared here, then that means the rumors are true. I say we should go back Jaden.
Jaden: I say we go in. See you in a few Syrus. Don't disappear on us," Jaden joked, prompting him to join the rest of them.
Lily: I hope they know what they're doing.
Alexis: So do I.
They turned to leave, but before they could, they were confronted by Titan. Meanwhile, the four boys were looking around. Michael said as he shined his flashlight on the carvings on the wall.
Michael: It looks like this dorm was created to study the Millennium Items.
Jaden: Who's that?
Michael turned around and followed the beam of Jaden's flashlight to a framed picture. He looked at the picture in question, and although the person was quite older than when he had last seen him, Michael recognized him instantly.
Michael: That's Alexis' brother Atticus.
He walked over to the picture before carefully putting it in his bag. Suddenly, two female voices could be heard screaming out.
Michael: That was Alexis and Lily!
He ran off in the direction their voices came from.
Jaden: Wait up!
When they caught up with Michael, he was kneeling down and holding 2 cards in his hand.
Michael: It's Etoile Cyber and Queen's Knight.
He looked up and saw a tunnel in front of him.
Michael: Come on!
Jaden: Alexis!
Michael: Lily! Please let her be okay. I'll never forgive myself if something happens to her because I wasn't there.
The arrived in a strange chamber and saw Alexis and Lily tied up in two coffins at the other end of the room.
Michael: Lily!
Titan: They can't hear you, they're locked away, in the Shadow Realm.
Michael: What have you done to them?!
Syrus: Oh boy, Michael does not look happy right now.
Titan: Face me in a duel.
Michael: Release them or so help me I'll pulverize you!
Titan: The only way I will free them is if you defeat me in a shadow game.
Michael: Wait, shadow game? You're Titan.
Jaden: You know who he is?
Michael: He's a shadow duelist for hire.
Jaden: I don't care who he is, he's not gonna hurt our friends.
He put on a duel disk and stepped towards Titan, but Michael put his arm out in front of him.
Michael: No Jaden.
Jaden: What? Why not?
Michael: This duel is mine, and I don't want anyone in my way.
Jaden: Michael, are you sure you wanna go through with this?
Michael: Positive, now stay out of this Jaden. I won't say it again.
Titan: My my, someone sure is confident.
Michael pulled off his backpack and pulled out a small box.
Jaden: What's that for?
Michael didn't answer and simply pulled a key from a chain around his neck before opening the box to reveal a deck inside.
Syrus: A deck?
Ceruli: Michael, you're really going to use those cards?
Michael: Absolutely. I'll make him rue the day he decided to hurt my friends.
Both: "Let's duel!"
Michael: 4000 LP
Titan: 4000 LP
Titan: I'll go first, and I summon Infernalqueen Archfiend.
Level 4/Fire/Fiend
ATK 900/DEF 1500
Jaden: An Archfiend deck?
Titan: Yes, and as long as this monster is in play, all Archfiend monsters gain 1000 attack points.
Infernalqueen: 900-1900 ATK
Michael: If you think that's supposed to scare me, think again.
Titan: Maybe this will change your tune. I activate the Pandemonium field spell. With it, I don't have to pay life points for my Archfiend monsters, and if one of them is destroyed by an effect, I can add an Archfiend with a lower level from my deck to my hand. And with this, your friends' fates are all but sealed.
Just then, giant skeletal hands rose up out of the floor and closed Lily's and Alexis' coffins before pulling them underground.
Michael: If you've hurt them, so help me I'll-
Titan: You'll do nothing but lose. But feel free to try and defeat me. I end my turn.
Michael: We'll see. I summon the monster Film Magician in attack mode.
Level 1/LIGHT/Spellcaster
ATK&DEF 0
Michael: I place 1 card face-down and end my turn.
Titan: You summoned a monster with no attack points in attack mode? What a fool. I draw. It's obvious you're trying to lure me into attacking. I play the Mystical Space Typhoon spell card. With it, I can destroy one spell or trap card on the field.
Michael: I was hoping you'd do that. You just triggered the effect of the card you destroyed. That trap card was Kozaky's Self Destruct Button, and since you destroyed it, you take 1000 points of damage.
Titan: 3000 LP
Parts of Titan's body faded away.
Titan: Fine, then I summon my Terrorking Archfiend in attack mode.
Level 4/Dark/Fiend
ATK 2000/DEF 1500
Titan: And due to the effect of the Infernalqueen, Terrorking gains an additional 1000 attack points.
Terrorking: 2000-3000 ATK
Jaden: 3000 attack points?!
Titan: That's right, and now I'm going to put them to work. Attack Film Magician!
Michael: You fool. Did you honestly think I would leave such a weak monster in attack mode unless it had some sort of special ability?
Titan: What?
Film Magician: 0-3000 ATK
Titan: Its attack points became 3000?!
Michael: When Film Magician is attacked, its attack and defense points become the same as the monster that attacked it, for that battle only.
Titan: Then they'll both be destroyed.
Michael: Or not. Film Magician can't be destroyed in battle.
Syrus: So it can't be destroyed, but any monster that attacks it will be!
Film Magician struck Titan's monster, destroying it.
Titan: I activate the effect of Desrook Archfiend in my hand. When Terrorking is destroyed, I can discard this monster to revive him.
Chumley: Oh man, just when he got rid of it, it came back again.
Michael: Then I'll just have to get rid of it again. He thinks he can fool me? He's nothing but a charlatan, pretending to have control over the shadows. Well I'll show him the true power of darkness. It's my move. I set a monster face-down and end my turn.
Chumley: What is Michael doing? If he doesn't make a better move than that, we may never get our friends back.
Syrus: Just a single face-down monster? How is Michael supposed to win with that?
Jaden: I don't know. Michael doesn't seem worried. It's almost like he's waiting for something.
Titan: If that's the best you can do, then you might as well surrender the duel here and now.
Michael: Oh you'll see the best I can do. And when I unleash it, you won't be laughing.
Syrus: Guys, I'm scared.
Jaden: Of the dorm, Titan, Michael, or all of the above?
Syrus: All of the above.
Chumley: Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen Michael so mad.
Me: Well, I can tell you all for certain Titan is in for it. Also for you readers at home, the first person to guess what kind of card Michael is going to use against Titan gets a shoutout in the next chapter. As always, I hope you enjoy the story and let me know what you think and give me any suggestions that you think would improve my writing.