"Damn it!"

Candace Misawa frowned as she passed Hayden McGregor's room. Hearing the normally calm (and sometimes overly-sexually charged) duelist curse was something that Candace was not used to. In the week that she had spent at the academy, she had always seen Hayden having fun and letting everything roll of his back. Something had to be wrong to get him charged up.

"Come on you piece of shit!" Hayden shouted, the sound of banging echoing from his open door and drifting to where Candace stood. Her curiosity got the best of her, and she walked to the Scotsman's dorm, peaking in to find him banging a video game control against his desk. "I just bought you a month ago, how can you be already broken?" He charged.

"Hayden?" Candace asked.

"Candace?" He said, looking up from his controller bashing.

"Are you quite alright?"

Hayden grimaced in embracement. "Somewhat…just frustrated, that is all." He said. "My controller is broken."

"I can see that." Candace said. "I imagine I would be broken too if you beat me against your desk."

Hayden blinked in confusion before laughing nervously. "Nay, lassie. It was broken before I began bangin' it."

Candace frowned. "What's the matter with it?"

"The blasted thing's A button sticks too much. You press it, and the thing won't let go till about a second later."

"And that is a problem because…?"

Hayden gave her a look that told her that, in McGregorland, such a statement was pure stupidity. "In most of my games, the A button is the select button. That means when I want to pick an attack, use an item, or even open a menu, I have to press the A button to do it."

"And I'm guessing that when it sticks, that ruins things for you?"

"Pretty much, lassie." Hayden said with a grumble. "I press it to open the attack menu, and I end up selecting the weakest attack my character has. I get killed every time, because I can't pull off any other moves." He tossed the control onto his chair and flopped into his chair. "I have another control, it works well enough, but that other control is so much cooler…"

"Why?"

"It has an auto-trigger built in. Got it custom-made. I flip the switch, and the controller makes the game think I am pressing a certain button once 10 times a second." At Candace's blank look, he decided to explain a bit more. "For certain attacks, you need to perform an action rapidly. Press a button quicker results in more damage. By having the auto-trigger, I can get maximum damage. And maximum damage means I can win battles quicker."

At that, the young woman chuckled. "You like cheating at those games, huh? Make things quicker?"

"Make things more fun." Hayden said with a smirk. "Some call cheat codes and controller modifications the easy way out. I call it playing smarter…on a different level then everyone else."

Candace nodded. "Taking advantage when you can. They wouldn't have the codes if they weren't there for you to us."

"Exactly." He paused for a moment, looking her over. "I don't have to go quick though…in some things I can go nice and slow…last for hours on one…monster…at a time."

Candace shook her head. "Doesn't say much about your skill if it takes you so long to…disable a monster." She walked over to his bed, running a finger along the sheets. "The trick is for you to live long enough to make the monster go down rather quick, isn't it?"

"And here I thoughts monsters didn't like to go down." Hayden said.

"Urban myth…they love too…as long as you go down just as much as they do." The British duelist picked up the controller, looking over it carefully. "You got a pocketknife?"

Hayden raised an eyebrow, not knowing what she wanted it for. "Want to play with my toys?" He said with a leer. He walked over to his desk and grabbed his knife "Be careful, it's rather big."

"I've seen bigger." Candace said simply, stabbing the knife into the controller and twisting it.

"HEY!" he shouted, rushing over to her. "What are you doing to that! It cost me a lot of money!"

"I thought you said that it was useless now. Make up your mind, Hayden." Using the knife, she twisted the controller's cover apart, moving to Hayden's desk and turning on the desk lamp. "I think I can repair this. From what you described, it should be rather simple." Hayden watched her as she began to fiddle with some wires. "I'm going to go grab my tools."

Hayden grabbed her arm as she passed. "Wait a minute her lass…what makes you think you can fix this?"

"You know how I was able to pay for my duel monster cards? I got a job. But my father, he didn't want me to work, felt it wasn't right for a 'lady of my breeding' to be slaving away. I couldn't work normal jobs, he would have found out…he did find out about them a few times. So, I told my father that I was going to dance practice, when I was really going to a pawn shop I had found on the rough side of town and working the counter."

"Didn't people that went there think it odd that a cultured lass like you was working in a place like that?"

She smiled softly, allowing her whole domineer to change. Her stilled and rigid body became like jell-o, her body became lax, her mouth twisted into a half smile/half sneer. She slouched, her head no longer held aloft. She lost all signs of elegance and grace and higher-class upbringing.

"The bloke that ran that shop also taught me 'ow to talk like a bloody cockney." Candace said, her voice taking the accent of an uneducated girl from the slums of London. "He also taught me about machines and electronics, showed me 'ow to repair them all." She grinned. "Rebuilt my first duel disk there, right in 'is shop, when I was supposed to be workin'."

Hayden could only stare as Candace headed to her room to grab her tools and begin work on the controller.

&&&

"Well done Jaden!" Prof. Banner said, clapping the young slifer on the back with his free hand, his other cradling Pharaoh. "And you too Syrus. You both did very well in that duel. I am proud of you both."

"Thanks Professor Banner." Syrus said, a relieved smile on his face.

"Yea, thanks Professor Banner." Jaden grumbled, still made he had to do the paper about the duel. "Maybe I should have just thrown it." He mumbled to himself, flopping down on the ground.

Chumley shook his head. "Man, that entire duel was totally 'licious. For a while, I wasn't even sure if you guys were going to be able to pull it off. But then you went in with your UFOriod Fighter and boom!" He punched his fist into his open palm. "They where totally gonzo!"

"Yes Chumley…couldn't put it better my self…even if I wanted to." Prof. Banner said, the last part under his breath.

Syrus nodded. "To tell you the truth Chumley, there were times I wasn't for sure that we were going to be able to win either."

"Not me." Jaden exclaimed, bouncing back from his earlier glum. "I knew all the time that we could do it!"

"I'm sure you could." Prof. Banner said, trying to humor the boy. "I never had a doubt about either of you. You both are excellent duelists, for different reasons…and when you work together, I doubt any tag team could face you and not have the same results as the Paradox brothers."

Prof. Banner was about continue when an aid ran to him, a slip of paper in his hand. "Professor Banner, this note was delivered to you while the duel was in progress." He handed it off and hurried back to his duties.

The slifer dorm leader opened the slip of paper, curious as to what could be on it. Though his body remained the same, in his mind he was trembling in shock, horror, and fear. He reread the section at least 4 more times, praying to God that he had simply understood it wrong, that his mind was playing tricks on him. But no, the writing was clear:

'Professor Lyman Banner,

I know who you are. Or, should I say, what. You will meet with me at the abandoned dorm in 30 minutes. If you do not, everyone on this island will learn the meaning of the word 'homunculus'.'

Making an excuse, he quickly headed out of the arena, clutching a frustrated Pharaoh to his chest.

"What is up with him?" Professor Milo asked.

Professor Stilton shrugged. "Don't rightly know. The professor seems to have had somethin' spook him." Both continued to watch Banner as he hurried on his way, neither understanding what had just happened, but both having their curiosity peaked by the slifer leader's vanishing act.

Alexander Milo looked down at his watch, tapping it. "This duel was shorter then I expected."

"It done seemed longer to me." Stilton said.

"You expected Jaden and Syrus to win sooner?" Prof. Milo said.

"The opposite, if I can say so. I never expected those boys to be able to hold off the brothers."

"Little faith in Jaden Yuki and Syrus Trusdale, I see." He sighed. "I'll admit they are a tad…slow, in the educational sector, and I have seen some signs of stage fright in Syrus. But both of them have amazing instincts, especially Jaden. Truly, one of the best I have seen."

Stilton nodded. "They are good…but not as good as the Paradox brothers. They got lucky."

Milo shook his head. "If you say so."

"I do...there are few duelists here that are worthy to actually bein' at the Academy. Zane Trusdale, Alexis Rhodes, Arliss Lockehart…"

"Lockehart is a egotistical, arrogant fool that needs to be dropped down a few pegs." Milo snapped.

"Not much faith in him?" Stilton taunted. "I hate to cut this short, but I must be goin'."

Milo nodded. "Me too…have a good day, Prof. Stilton."

"You too."

Both men hurried off in opposite directions, neither one realizing that the other professor had made a u turn after leaving the arena and were now chasing after Prof. Banner, one through a remote tracker he had planted on him; the other because he had a job to do to insure the meeting between his brother and the slifer professor went down just as he wanted it too.

&&&

"NO!" Hayden shouted, throwing his controller down. "How did you do that? How? You had more damage!"

Candace grinned as she sent Samus Aran rocketing at Link once more. "It's all in how you touch the buttons. You should know that by now, Hayden. Nothing makes a girl happier then button pushing."

Hayden grumbled. "Why I ever bought this game…stupid straight up one on one fighter platform. Are you sure you wouldn't rather play Paper Mario?"

"Ladies choice…besides…" She stuck out her tongue, leaning to the right. "…yes!" Samus delivered another attack, finishing Link off and winning the match. "This is two player."

&&&

Prof. Banner looked about the clearing that was just outside the front gate of the abandoned dorm, a frown marring his face. Looking around, he wondering, not for the first time, how he had ended up in all this mess. Him, a simple teacher and explorer, now not even human, involved with a conspiracy to take down the academy and the world, and most of all, meeting shady people near his hide out.

Stroking Pharaoh's fur, Banner, decided that he was tired of waiting and made his way towards the dorm, intent on at least waiting in there. He didn't make it far, though. Because the instant he took a step, the door to the dorm opened, and Arliss Lockehart stepped out, Nessa Lockehart attached to his arm. Both had evil little grins on their faces, and Nessa even waved hello.

"No, 'Hello Arliss'?" Arliss said with a smirk. "At least say hello to the lady." Prof. Banner remained still, and the southern duelist clicked his tongue. "And I thought Europeans were civilized."

"You can't believe the rumors, Arliss. If we all did that, then I would believe that you loved to wear white seersucker suits, drink lemonade and comment about how good it is to own land while you eat some hushpuppies." She couldn't help but grin at his sneer. "I think you'd look cute in a seersucker. Infact, I have been looking for a Christmas present for you…"

"Do that, and you are getting Cheese hats." He countered.

"You wouldn't dare!" She cried out in horror.

"And I'll make you wear it and take pictures." He teased, kissing her forehead. "Remember, I'm evil." He turned to Prof. Banner, who was slightly embarrassed to be stuck in such a scene. "Speaking of evil, let us lay our cards on the table, shall we? I know you are, infact, a homunculus."

"We also know…" Nessa said, stepping away from Arliss and moving towards Banner. "That you are trained in the ways of the shadows. Don't give me that look." She scolded, turning to the left and beginning to circle him. "I see what is in your dark heart, I know what you fear, Banner. You fear that people will learn the truth, that they will learn of your false life…of your hand in the dark magic that swirls about this island. Yes…you fear that."

Arliss grinned as he watched her. "Nessa may appear to be a ballistic women in a constant rage, but she infact has a very cunning mind. She see things now that you never could."

Professor Banner stood tall, staring Arliss down. "I do not know how you came to suck silly ideas, but I am in no mood for these games. I am leaving." He took a few steps, then whirled around, pointing an accusing finger at Arliss. "And do not think that anyone will believe your lies."

"I'd stop." Nessa advised.

"Why?" Banner asked. "Because you have something to offer me? Some tidbit to make me want to stay."

"Yes." Nessa said. "And Pharaoh just discovered it."

"Pharaoh?" Looking down, Banner saw his cat batting at the air in front of his chest. He froze as he realized what Pharaoh was batting at was the red dot on his shirt that moved from his heart to his forehead, then back.

Arliss nodded. "Yes…it's a snipe's sight. IF you take one more step, I will give the word…"

"You can't kill me." Banner said.

Nessa nodded and waved her hand, the red dot moving to dance along Pharaoh's fur. "But he can…and I know you fear for the kitty's life."

Banner gulped, slowly turning back to face Arliss. "What do you want?"

"I want information, information you have. But before we begin, I think I should lay my hand down as well." He turned to his lover. "Nessa, drop your shields." Both of them closed their eyes, and Banner watched the world around them begin to darken, shaking slightly before turning into a shadowy version of the one he had just left. Here, he was revealed in his true form: The white haired, veiny, artificial human. He stood taller, his body draped in the dark clothing, the mark of Amnael upon his head. He gripped the shadow tome as he looked upon the three figures that were now surrounded him, towering above him.

They were gigantic. The tallest was Arliss, who looked down upon him, his dark, soulless eyes holding an intelligence and a evil that made the Professor shiver. The mark of the millennium items was upon his brow, only it was black, as if burnt into his flesh. Around his neck was his Shadow Star, the item burning with dark magic. Next to him stood Nessa, who came to Arliss' shoulder. Her hair whipped around her, her choker gleaming in the flickering light. She too had the dead black eyes as her lover, and he took a step back, only to turn and face the final being, who remained cloaked in the shadows. His face wasn't visible, but Banner could tell that this being, who was just shy of Arliss' height, was not like the other two. For he had large, batlike wings, a serpent tail coming from his back and horns upon his head. The figure grinned, the shine of his teeth cutting through the darkness to reveal that his incisors were fangs. This final giant held a sword, it's blade made of dark flames.

"That is enough, Arlen." Arliss commanded, his voice booming. The figure nodded and stepped back into the shadows. "My brother does not like people seeing his face…he has issues with secrets."

"Tell me about it." Nessa said, her own voice deeper. "Won't even let me meet him in person." She snarled at the form of Arlen, her own fangs bared.

"What are you?" Banner whispered.

Arliss gave him a cat-like grin. "We are the next stage of evolution. We are the next step of man and shadow union."

"You have…" Banner shook his head. "You are one with your Kas. You are becoming one and the same."

Arliss nodded at him. "I always knew you were a smart one, Banner. As you saw, my brother has fully joined with his KA. And soon, so will my Nessa and I. As will all our hunters."

"Y-your hunters?" Banner sputtered. 'Just what is going on here…I only know of one group of shadow duelists, and I am a member of them! How could Arliss form a new group…and why are they so different?'

Nessa shook her head. "You are getting ahead of yourself Arliss." She nipped at his ear. "You must go as we have planned."

Arliss' lower lip stuck out. "Must we? I'd rather ad lib, send Banner on his way and have giant shadow realm sex."

Nessa clicked her tongue. "And I don't?" She said with a grin. "Ooo…look at that lip…gonna get it." She playfully began to lean against Arliss, tugging on his lip like a puppy, only to hear a snarl come from behind Banner. "Oh, come on, be a good sport Arlen!"

Arlen snarled again, his eyes snapping open to reveal their icy blue glow. Arliss waved his brother off. "very well, let us get down to business." He turned to Banner. "Allow me to introduce us: Behind you is Mr. Arlen Lockehart, my brother and guardian of my hunters." Arlen remained hidden, his eyes the only ones visible. "This charmin' woman is the soon to be Mrs. Nessa Lockehart, queen of the hunters." Nessa gave him a polite curtsy. "And I am Arliss Lockehart, King of the Rare Hunters."

"king?" Banner asked. "Of the rare hunters…but the rare hunters are gone!"

"You should know that nothing is gone. It merely changes. That's what alchemy teaches, no?" Nessa said with a smirk. "That you give up one thing to make another? Well, that is what Arliss has done: Taken the first rare hunters and made the second from them."

Arliss nodded. "A total rebuild, as it is." He leaned down towards Banner. "You see, I have plans for several students here, and I don't like it when I learn that someone else is coming into my territory…" He spat the last part out in a rage. "…and muckin' things up for me." He came even closer, the action very menacing considering his face was the size of Banner's whole body. "So, I want to know all about the shadow riders and what their purpose is. I know they, like my hunters, have shadow items, and that they are coming to this island in a few months for a certain reason. What I am curious about is…what do they want?"

Banner took a moment to compose himself before staring Arliss down. "Why should I talk to you?"

"Because I think we can help each other, Professor Banner." Arliss pulled back and took the homunculus in. "Yes…I believe that we can be beneficial to each other, working together."

"You still haven't explained why I would ever betray the shadow riders." Banner said in annoyance.

Nessa nuzzled Arliss' neck. "May I?"

"Do your think, baby."

Nessa walked towards Banner, snatching him up by the back of his shirt and bringing him to her face. Pharaoh had leapt from his master's arms and watched in interest what happened. "If you were so loyal to them, then why do you fear them so? But it's not a fear of betraying them, but a fear of them discovering that you are going against them…you are a spy."

Arliss couldn't help but chuckle at Banner's shocked expression. "My Nessa, she can read your fears like a chef reads a cookbook." He placed his chin on Nessa's shoulder. "We have the same goals here, Professor. Neither of us wants the world to end. You, because of what you believe. Me, I like the world too much. And we both now that Jaden is gonna play a big part in this adventure, and want to protect him. I think we would be best to work together, don't you?"

"You want to protect Jaden?" Banner asked, surprised. "Why?"

Arliss' smile faded. "My reasons…are my own. Just as yours are your own. All that matters is protecting him from the Shadow Riders. Once they are gone, we'll handle what happens to Jaden Yuki." He whispered in Nessa's ear, and she gently set Banner down, Pharaoh scrambling back into Banner's arms. The world around them shimmered once more, the three giants stepping back into the shadows before Banner was assaulted by light.

"What…" Banner blinked, finding himself once more in the clearing, Arliss standing before him, hand outstretched.

"Do we have a deal Professor?" Arliss asked, his lip twisted up into a half smile, half sneer.

Banner looked down at Arliss' hand. "Information for information?"

Arliss nodded. "And we both use the dorm behind me as our bases of operation. You can have your pick of rooms, other then the wing I've taken for me and Nessa. You stay out of my hair, and I won't go pressing around your areas." He leaned in closer. "And neither of us tell a soul about this. Only the 4 of us present can ever know about this deal, you hear me?"

"I hear you." Banner said, taking Arliss' hand. "And we have a deal."

"Then let us retire to the dinnin' room. I have some lunch waitin' for us, and while we eat, we can both be goin' over our mutual plans for keepin' the shadow riders away from Jaden."

Banner nodded, the two joining Nessa as the headed into the mansion. Arlen slinked off to return to his dorm, never noticing the other figure that was hiding in the bushes, watching everything in shock.

&&&

"We got this in, Doc."

Doc K took the sheet from Tristan, his brow creasing as he read it over. "Have we confirmed this?"

"Yes, it's confirmed."

Walking over to his desk, he pressed a button on his desk, signaling for every agent on the floor below them to stop whatever they were doing and listen to what the head of the division had to say to them.

"Ladies and Gentlemen: 1 hour ago, Professor Lyman Banner revealed that he was a member of the secret organization known as the Shadow Riders. As you all know, we have been investigating them, in fear that they would be after something of great power that could endanger us all.

"There has been a new development: Banner is joining forces with a shadow mage that is resurrecting the Rare Hunters. Our task is clear: I want to know everything about Arliss Lockehart."

Next Time on GX: Hunters:

Bastion is the cousin of Candace, who works at a pawn shop that is visited by a rare hunter. The rare hunters' queen is Nessa, who is in love with Arliss, who is feuding with Prof. Milo, who's favorite actor is

Episode 22: Kevin Bacon

A look into the past shows how the characters chain up to one another, and reveal startling connections for some of them.