Zane leaned against the wall, watching as Alexis and Samantha went over the cover story the group had worked out for her. It was very important that they made the back story for her as believable as possible, if they had any hope of beating the Rare Hunters. Zane knew that if Arliss smelled a rat, his vengeance would be fast and quick, leaving Samantha in mortal danger and the rest of the academy to face the King of the Rare Hunters' wrath.

'Now that is something we can do without.' Zane thought to himself. He held no illusion that if Arliss and his hunters felt threatened, they would turn to murder and mayhem in order to escape.

"So, we'll be ready to set the stage tomorrow?" Samantha asked. She was ready to get this plan underway. The sooner she was finished with her task, the sooner she and Alex could be back together. The cold shoulder he had been giving her the last two days was not something she wanted to deal with much longer. She just wanted to be done with this whole thing and get back to the love of her life. Maybe leave the academy behind and go to some tropic resort and spend their days dancing on the sand.

Alexis nodded. "Yea…I think we have everything figured out. All that matters now is if you're a good actress."

Samantha smiled brightly. "Oh, I can be quite the actress when I want to be."

"Good." Chancellor Shepard said. "Then we will be ready to begin our plan tomorrow at noon. Everyone remembers their parts, correct?"

Zane and Syrus nodded. Jaden had been left out of this plan, but only because it was felt by all of them that the duel against the North Academy was also atop concern. Having their chosen candidate doing other things would not work out well, so Jaden was left out to dry.

"Now, you will remember what I told you about the Rare Hunters, right Samantha?" Bastion said.

Zane resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Bastion had taken it upon himself to provide 'intel' on all of the Rare Hunters, so Samantha would be better able to blend in with them and react accordingly. Of course, Bastion's idea of intel differed greatly from Zane's or (as Zane would imagine) anyone elses.

Sure, it was good to know that Arliss ran a Ninja deck that focused on quick attacks and taking advantage of defense. Or that Nessa ran, from his calculations, a Nightmare deck that was similar to Arliss' style but with more field presence and sneaky entrapping card. And the information about Cassandra's Mech/Virus deck was all to good use. But it was his information about their personal lives that had Zane a little ticked at the British Duelist.

First, Bastion had allowed his own views to taint his information. He had called Arliss merely a poser, all huff and no puff. He had dismissed Arliss' intelligence, and told Samantha that she could easily beat him in a game of wits. Nessa was, according to Bastion, "an immature brat, bred only to display wanton sex and use her body as her only distraction." Of course, Zane knew better, remembering the night Alexis had confided in him what she had seen in her duel with Nessa. Alexis had been suffering nightmares periodically, and Zane felt that Nessa had some involvement in this development.

And then there was his own cousin.

"She will be easy to manipulate. She is emotional, always thinking with her heart. She will close herself off and be anti-social, so use this as your weapon. I am afraid she isn't that bright, and can easily be led when you need to. And you will need to, because she will get herself in too much trouble otherwise."

'Yes, lead her Bastion. Because we saw how well you led her into the open arms of Arliss and Nessa Lockehart.' Zane shook his head. 'And people wonder why I support Jaden Yuki? Jaden would never believe such things.'

"Well, if there is nothing else…" Chancellor Shepard said, clapping his hands together. "I suppose you children should get back to your classes."

Zane nodded, lost in thought over the events of the last few days. Alexander Milo had not shown his face since their confrontation in the hall, for which Zane was grateful. The less he had to deal with the annoying teacher…

&&&

"You're doing better." Alexander said as he powered down his duel disk. "A lot better, infact."

Dhmitri gasped for air, clutching his chest in pain. "Funny…don't feel that way."

Alexander Milo chuckled softly, extending his hand to the young duelist. "Just as there is pain in birth, so must there be pain in rebirth."

"Then give me the damn C Section." Dhmitri muttered.

"You're mad that you lost." It wasn't a question, or even a statement. It was just words given to emotion.

"How did you figure?" Dhmitri asked.

"Psychic." Alex retorted. "You can't expect to beat me right away, Dhmitri. Can't expect to beat me for a long time. No offense, but I am out of your league. Out of most people's league."

"Then why bother?" Dhmitri asked. "Why duel you a thousand times only to loss?"

"Because when you someone else, you're mind will be so in tuned with trying to beat my strategies that your opponent will feel like nothing."

Dhmitri seemed to light up at this comment, a smile gracing his features. "You really think so?"

"I know so." Alexander said. "I was like you when I started this game: Trying to find the right deck, getting frustrated that my ideas and my body weren't working together. Then, I stumbled into something…something that gave me a purpose." Alex paused, looking at his young apprentice. "Dhmitri…can you keep a secret?"

&&&

"Kagemaru will be inside. I'd suggest you hurry, he rather hates being left to wait." Taniya said, crossing her muscular arms across her bosom and giving then a coldstare. Arliss returning the glare in kind, though he wore a slight smirk.

"Trust me Xena, I ain't in the mood to postpone this little meetin' either." Arliss said. "So move your heavy toned ass out of my way."

"Arliss…" Hayden hissed, making sure to stay far away. "Ixna on the nsultingia iantga omanwa."

Cassandra wrinkled her noses. "Wot ta bloody 'ell did 'e say?"

"Not quite sure of that myself, darlin'"

Nessa rolled her eyes. "Yea, you two should talk about butchering the English Language." Nessa stepped forward, hardly even glancing at Taniya. "Let's get going, the 'boss' wants to see us, and I personally want to get back home. 2 days on a boat is no fun at all." Nessa gracefully stepped off the boat, followed quickly by Hayden. Arliss gave Taniya one last sneer before stepping off himself, making his way towards the industrial complex that dominated the island.

"I could be stuck in my dorm, doing homework. But noooo! The girlfriend wanted brunch!" Hayden muttered. "Idiot."

Cassandra flashed him a smile. "Cheer up…lots of cool machines to look at!" Her bracers began to glow black. "Oooo…I want to begin tearing stuff apart."

"I am afraid there will be no tearing up today." A deep voice said from the shadows of the doorway. "That is, unless you wish for yourself to be torn apart by those that lurk in the shadows."

Arliss peered into the darkness, his face passive. "Come out, shadow duelist. I know a real threat, and you are not it."

The Shadow Rider Titan stepped from the darkness, his red glowing eyes flickering slightly as he stared down at Arliss and the rest of the hunters. "You will learn in time to watch your tongue."

Arliss smirked as Nessa reached over and grabbed the bigman by the throat, lifting him up and into a wall. "And you will learn to watch yours when you address my fiancée, pretender." She let him drop and stalked off.

"Your parents are going to get us killed." Hayden whispered, leaning towards Cassandra. "Maybe you should tell them not to insult Big, Dark and Stupid."

"I am not your Cassandra…Nor am I Big, Dark, or Stupid."

"EEEEEEEEEEE!" Hayden screamed, leaping away from Titan an into Cassandra's arms.

"Did ya just go 'eeeee!'?" Cassandra asked.

Hayden frowned. "Are ya daft, Cassie? Of course I didn't."

"Said the man that is currently 'n me arms." Hayden looked down and blushed. "Uh…ya can get down anytime."

"Oh." Hayden said.

"Yea…" Cassandra said. "Hayden…"

"Yes?"

"When people say that, ya normally get down." Hayden gave her a weak smile and hoped out of her arms, joining her in hurrying after Cassandra's parents. "It's so comforting to have a brave boyfriend."

Hayden merely rolled his eyes as the two reach Nessa and Arliss, the leaders of the Rare Hunters staring up at a large glass tube, machinery surrounding the object. Several different forms of life support devices were connected to the tube, hooked to displays that read off the vitals of the shriveled up person inside. Fluids were constantly being pumped in and out of the glass tube, along with other…non-solids…only to disappear into more machines. A pair of mechanical arms moved about, fiddling with the computers and other gizmos that had Cassandra salivating.

"Hello there Arliss Lockehart." A strangely mechanic yet sinisterly playful voice called out. "Amnael has told me much about you."

"Told me a bit about yourself." Arliss said, his voice slipping into the stereotypical southern drawl he tended to adopt when he wanted people to think him dumber then he actually was. "But where are my manners? Swear, momma Lockehart would have he whipped quicker then a jack rabbit if I didn't get to introducin' my kin." He turned and held out a hand to Nessa. "First is my darlin' wife-to-be, Nessa Fox…soon to be Lockehart, o'course."

"Hello there." Nessa said, Hayden surprised to hear the usually sultry voice of Nessa take on a more airy tone. "It is nice to finally meet you."

"This here is the apple of my eye, my darlin' daughter Cassandra."

Cassandra smiled and did a curtsey. "It be a pleasure to meet ya, gov'nor." She said, her own accident heavy."

"And who is the fourth member of your group, Mr. Lockehart. Amnael mentioned only 3."

Arliss frowned ever so slightly. "That be Hayden."

"I'm just the boyfriend, not part of the Rare Hunters proper…er…laddie." Cassandra and Nessa merely looked amused at Hayden's weak attempt at copying them, while Arliss stared daggers at him.

"Yes…"Arliss said, turning back to Kagemaru's medical tube. "So tell me, what have ya called me for? More then a friendly chat, I wager."

"Quite." Kagemaru said. "I am planning a bit of a venture at the academy in the next few weeks, sending my Shadow Riders to seek out a few artifacts for me. I have reason to believe that they will be held by students."

"So ya wants me to kill the students. Ok then, can do." Arliss said with a shrug. "Nessa, set off the bombs please."

"Not quite." Kagemaru said, Nessa pouting as she put a small remote detonator back in her pocket. "The fact of the matter is that I wish nothing from of you."

"Nothing?" Nessa asked ,eyebrow raised. "If that is the case, then why the hell are we hear…" She paused, a slow smile playing across her face. "Ooooo! Is this a trap? One where you get us all in a room and the have your men kill us? Hate to break it too you, but we don't die easily…well, Hayden will."

"Eep." Hayden managed to say, looking around the room.

"She's jokin'." Cassandra said. "Well…not really 'bout ta part where ya die. But I'll protect ya."

"Thanks Cassie." Hayden muttered darkly. "remind me to thank you for dragging me into Wonderland."

"Ok Alice."

Arliss stared up at Kagemaru. "So, you want nothin' from us, is that it? Got to say, I am a bit surprised by that request. Sense there be a bit more then ya be tellin' me, huh? More to the story then?"

The slightly mechanical voice of Kagemaru chuckled slightly, though the noise brought little comfort to any of those in the room. "You are correct, Mr. Lockehart. You see, I wish only for your guarantee that you will not interfere with my Shadow Riders and their business. I have learned that you and your Hunters have set your sites on the academy, and I wish not to have us butting heads. Simply put, I will stay out of your way, you stay out of mine."

"That simple?" Arliss asked.

"Yes."

"Well then tall dark and shriveled, I think we can make ourselves a deal. I'd shake your hand, but I rather would like to keep this here jacket clean."

Kagemaru didn't respond to the comment, instead he merely continued on as if Arliss had not said a word. "Now then, as long as you continue to share information with us, and stay out of our way, I see no reason for our two groups to come into conflict during our stay on the island."

"Well, if that is all then, I think we'll all be a'headin' back to the academy. Got lessons to listen to and homework that needs a'doin'."

"Of course! Be on your way then." Kagemaru said. "I look forward to talking to you again, Mr. Lockehart."

Arliss gave a quick nod, turning sharply and marching out of the room, the rest of his family (and Hayden) following after him. The King of the Rare Hunters strode confidently to the boat waiting for them, not even bothering to wait for Taniya to board as he made his way to the driver's chair. While the Shadow Rider waved her hands to try and get him to stop, Nessa, Cassandra and an out of breath Hayden jumped into the ship, Arliss gunning the engine and speeding off.

"I will find our way back just fine!" He called out. "Thank Kagemaru for the boat!"

"So…" Hayden gasped, trying to get his heart out of his throat. "Do your family trips always send with stealing large leisure crafts?"

"Not always." Nessa replied. "Sometimes we blow things up or kill people."

"Sometimes both." Arliss added.

"Do you think we can trust'em, da?" Cassandra asked.

"No chance in hell Cassandra." Arliss said. "We need to keep an eye on Kagemaru. I think there is more then what he is letting on."

&&&

Kagemaru remained silent as the Shadow Riders told him of Arliss' little escape. After telling them not to worry, the leader of the group turned one of cameras that helped him see about the room to a large piece of machinery. Behind a pane of glass, gears and motors turned about, running the device.

Except, the device did nothing.

A light clicked on, the gears and motors disappears, revealing a small sitting room that laid hidden within the 'machine'. Behind the one way glass, two figures slowly stood up, making their way to the hidden door in the side of the 'machine' and exiting, making their way towards Kagemaru.

"So those are the Rare Hunters, Signor Kagemaru?"

"Yes." Kagemaru said. "Tell me, what do you think of them?"

"Smarter then they let on, Signor, and much more deadlier. Hey should be watched closely if you do not want them to interfere, as it were." Marco Giovanni said, moving towards Kagemaru's tank, taking out his hankie and dabbing the side of his mouth with it. "But what do you think? You are, after all, the one that is doing business with these cacciatori, no?"

"Yes…but they will be little trouble as long as they are watched. And should they interfere…well, that is why I have asked you here, Mr. Giovanni."

Marco nodded. "I assumed as much. One does not hire a duel assassin merely for chatting."

"Sì. Enough of this chit chat, no?" The woman that had accompanied said, falling down into a chair, holding the back of her hand against her head. She had long black hair that hung down to her waist, deep dark eyes that seemed to pierce into your soul, a perfect heart shaped face and a lean graceful body. She wor along black dress of the finest material, and upon her wrists were several diamond bracelets, along with a similar duel disk to the one that Marco currently wore. "I simply can not stand another minute of tedious conversation." She turned her eyes to Marco, pleading with him. "Please amante, let us just go shopping? This dress is so last year, I cannot be seen in it anymore. It is unfitting for me."

"Patience Vera." Marco said. "We must have work if you are to shop, and Kagemaru is willing to hire us."

"Fine then Marco, you continue to chat with your new amico, Marco, let me just waste away in these rags."

Marco knelt down next to her, cradling her hand. "Please Vera, it will be already. I will only be a few minutes, then I will fly us to Paris so that you may shop to your heart's content."

"Do you promise, Marco?"

"I swear Vera."

Vera smiled at that, her whole attitude changing in an instant. "Then begin the bargaining, Marco, so we may leave this ugly place. I have had my eye on new shoes for quite some time, and only the French it seem can make a good set of heels." She waved her hand at him dismissively.

Marco couldn't help but chuckle. "It is good to know that the French do have a use after all, if only to provide covering from your toes."

"Mr. Giovanni." Kagemaru said, interrupting the two Italians and their discussion of footwear. "Who is this young woman that you have brought here today? I have no knowledge of her."

"Then you must know me as well as you believe, Signor." Marco replied, flicking his hankie out as he talking. "This is my associate, Vera Amarillo. She is also a duel assassin, and the two of us always work together when it comes to a job. I am afraid that if you wish to hire me, you will be hiring Vera as well. A, how you say….package deal?"

"Yes…yes this will be fine. My request will work just as well with two as it would have with one."

"And what sort of work will you have for us, Signor Kagemaru? There must be a reason you would seek out duel assassins, and it is not for merely obtaining items for you. You already have proven you have enough forces to do so upon your own."

"This is right." Kagemaru said. "The Shadow Riders will be able to handle the task of find the artifacts. You have a much different task."

"What are these artifacts?" Vera asked, lounging in her chair. "I wish to know all we are getting into, no?"

Kagemaru chuckled. "They are little concern to you. Merely keys that will unlock 3 very precious treasures that have been hidden away. They are worth little themselves, and will be easy enough to obtain."

"And yet you require us?"

Kagemaru let out a sound that seemed to be a sigh. "The Shadow Riders…they are good duelist, but I can not trust them. What is to stop them from stealing all the keys for themselves and stealing my treasure. You must understand, you must keep an eye on your enemies, but also on those that support you from behind. Daggers are always coming from the back."

"Wise advice, especially since they only do what you ask for power, nothing more." Marco said. "You can never trust loyalty until you buy it. Am I to assume that you wish for Vera and I to…keep an eye on things, as it were?"

"Yes." Kagemaru said. "I want to hire you two to be my eyes and ears. You will be my liaisons with the Riders, acting as commanders on the field and coordinating their attacks on those that have taken my keys. You will also report back to meon what is happening on the island, including any suspicious behavior from the Rare Hunters or the Shadow Riders."

Marco nodded. "That is all well and good, and within our abilities, Signor Kageamru. But, as I said, you must pay for loyalty. So, tell me Signor Kagemaru, what will you be giving us for this little venture."

One of the metal arms moved forward, retrieving a briefcase and placing it before the two assassins. "For your work, you will be paid a sum of $10,000 in untraceable American currency."

"Each." Vera said, upon her feet and counting the money."

"Each?" Kagemaru asked.

Vera nodded, suddenly all business. "You will be receiving both of us in this deal, so you must pay us both $10,000 dollars for our services. It is a good standard fee, and you can afford to do so, no?"

Kagemaru was silent for a moment, thinking over Vera's words, before he finally spoke up. "It is acceptable. $10,000 dollars each."

"And $5,000 for every key you obtain."

"What?"

Vera shrugged. "You want the keys, you need us to get the keys. I also assume you do not wish for us to speak to others about the keys. You must buy our silence, and with each key our silence will cost more."

Kagemaru was livid. "You dare try and extort me? Do you have any idea who I am?"

Marco pulled out his guns and aimed them right at Kagemaru's tube. "You are the fool that dares to insult my Vera. If you wish to live for another second longer, you will comply with her demands."

"Fool, you think I would enclose myself in glass that was not bullet-proof?" He metal claws began to snap at Marco. "You're partner has become greedy, and so you must pay the price."

Marco nodded. "I knew you would be smart enough to protect yourself…but are the machines that keep you alive protected?" He slowly shifted his aim from the tube that kept Kagemaru suspended to the life support systems that kept him alive. "How many shots do you believe I can get off before you stop me? 5? 6? And how many minutes can you survive without one of these devices, Signor? Care to wage? Or shall you just pay me know, so we do not need to find out."

Kagemaru remained silent for a moment, Marco never wavering from his position. Finally, the old man relented. "It is agreed. $20,000, plus 5,000 more for each key, but that must be split among you."

"Deal." Marco said, moving to Vera and picking up the suitcase. "I will provide you with the way to transfer the rest of the payment to my Swiss Bank Account. I will be awaiting on my aereo for the transaction. When I receive the payment, send your Shadow Riders to me. We will make for landfall a day later."

"Addio" Vera said with a wave, latching onto Marco's arm and allowing him to lead her out of the Shadow Rider's headquarters. The last thing Kagemaru heard was Vera mutter in Italian, "Il bastardo insensato, li minaccia? Il Marco Grande Giovanni? Morirà per quello."

&&&

"I understand." James Stilton said, talking into his cellphone. "But you must realize the threat Alexander Milo posses to us." He paused for a moment. "But if they allow Samantha to join…yes, yes I will wait until you give the order." James shut his phone and went back to work. He could wait now…he could wait for the right moment. Then, and only then…

….would he kill Alexander Milo.

Next Time on G/X: Hunters: Arliss and the Rare Hunters (And…er…Hayden…) arrive back to the Academy to find things going to hell. After Samantha and Alexis get in heated fight, the Greek Duelist runs to Arliss begging for help. But can the King trust her? Meanwhile, Alexander and Dhmitri continue to train, but do they realize the threat James posses? And when Nightshroud and Marco clash, the two will have at it: Nightshroud bringing the power of darkness, while Marco reveals his agent of power.

Riders of the Storm, Part 2