"Master Jaden." Syrus said, raising an eyebrow. "You're back earlier then we expected." He paused. "And you look rather different. Why are you running about the academy dressed like this? What if Princeton and his thugs were to see you…you do not even have a duel disk!"

"I…uh…"

"mind explainin' what is goin' on?" Arliss interrupted. "Like, for one, why you are calling him Master Jaden."

Syrus began to laugh, and Jaden for the first time in life truly experienced a chill running down his spine. If it weren't for the hair and some facial features, the Slifer Duelist would be hard pressed to recognize his best friend in the tall dark stranger that now stood before them.

"You stand next to greatest and you dare say such foolish things?" Syrus' smile turned into a sneer. "I should kill you for your stupidity. But, you amuse me, boy, so I will explain."

"Boy?" Arliss snarled, fingers itching to kill this dark version of Syrus.

Syrus didn't notice the anger in Arliss' voice. "You stand next to Master Jaden Yuki, Lord and Master of the Duel Academy. This is his domain, and all that live here know his name and tremble. He came to this island and delivered it from mediocrity, rising it far beyond what any may have dreamed. The master of the shadow realm, commander of the Shadow Knights, he is the most deadly being to ever walk the earth."

"Shadow Knights?" Jaden asked.

Syrus frowned. "Yes. The greatest assembly of duelists the world has ever seen. Each with their own unique deck and powers, our very name is enough to cause even the bravest of hearts to tremble in fear." The dark duelist gave Jaden a curious look. "I find in curious that you do not know this."

"OF course he knows it, you ignorant toady." Arliss stated, stepping towards Jaden. Much to the Slifer's shock, Arliss lowered himself to one knee, bowing. "What you have spoken of to me is true. I will do as you command, Master Jaden."

Jaden blinked, looking down at Arliss. The Rare Hunter glared at Jaden, and the Silfer duelist quickly nodded his head. "Very well."

"What is going on?" Syrus snapped, annoyed he was being left out of loop.

Arliss turned towards Syrus, his attitude aloof. "Oh, are you still here? I assumed that once you had played your part, you'd be leavin'."

"Why you…"

"Are all your Knights this foolish, Master Jaden? If so, my first order of business will be to bring in some better stock."

Syrus' eyes flashed black as he took a step forward. "I don't know who you think you are…"

"I am Arliss Lockehart. I am a shadow mage…a powerful one, infact. Master Jaden came to me and offered me much wealth in exchange for my assistance."

The Shadow Knight glared at the southern duelist. "We were not told of such things." He looked suspiciously at Jaden. "You told us Master Jaden that you were in search of new cards in Europe."

"You're questioning him?" Arliss asked with a snort. "No wonder you've asked me to be your new second in command…these fools have run rampant for far to long if they dare talk back to you."

"SECOND-IN-COMMAND?!?" Syrus screamed, his aura bursting to life. "I am his second in command!"

Arliss glared at Jaden, motioning with his head and mouthing "Scold him." The Slifer gulped, then did his best to steel his features. "Syrus! That is enough!" The Shadow Knight's eyes grew wide as Jaden took a step forward. "You will not question my…decisions. I have spoken…so there!" Jaden grinned.

Arliss rolled his eyes.

Syrus nodded after a moment, head bowed. "I am sorry, Master Jaden…the situation…"

"Don't mind yourself with the situation, boy." Arliss said. "Now, why don't you lead us to your headquarters so we can begin discussin' the changes I am gonna help ya'll make."

The Shadow Knight nodded, giving Arliss one final glare before turning on his heel and marching off, Jaden and Arliss following after him.

"What the heck are we doing?" Jaden hissed to Arliss.

"Obviously, we are in a world where you are in charge. A world where somehow, you and Syrus have shadow realm powers similar to mine. Though, apparently this Syrus doesn't know much about his, or he would have sensed that you had only a fraction of the powers this world's you should have, or that I have more then him."

"So…if Syrus is all dark and evil, why are we following him home?" Jaden questioned. "And why did you say you're my second in command?"

Arliss frowned, not believing he had to explain all this to the Slifer. "Think about it, boy. We are stuck here at the moment. Until we can figure out how to get ourselves home, we need to have a place to stay. And what better place then the other you's house. Syrus said it himself: This world's Jaden is gone. We can use his resources, find the spell I need to get us back. Me being second in command means I can keep a lot of heat off you so we can do our business in peace.." Arliss frowned. "But you need to begin actin' like a dark lord. No more being scared…they ain't gonna hurt you unless they realize you aren't Dark Jaden. I can fight off Syrus here, but if he gets enough friends, we are both dead. So don't screw his up for me boy, and begin actin' like you are in charge, you hear?"

Jaden gulped, but nodded. "Do…do you think this world's me is the one that killed those Obelisk duelists?"

"More likely it was Dark Syrus…but you gave the order, I'm sure." Arliss grabbed Jaden's arm, making him pause. "You want to protect those duelists? What better way then making sure these Shadow Knights don't hurt another person?"

That was enough to get Jaden motivated, the Slifer putting on his resolve face and hurrying to catch back up with Dark Syrus.

&&&

'Just play along.'

Those words echoed through Mayday's head as she entered the clearing, Dhmitri joining her. Nessa and the rest of the hunters were back at the mansion, listening in. Arlen had commanded them to stay put, citing that they couldn't blow his cover.

Finding the Queen of Obelisk Blue pacing around in short shorts and a sports bra was the last thing she had expected to find.

"Alexander?" She asked.

Alexis looked up. "Samantha?"

The Greek duelist put on her best smile. "Yea…all unbrainwashed and all. So…what happened?"

Arlen frowned. "I was using a spell to try and drain Arliss of his powers when Jaden showed up and interrupted me. It caused a vortex to open up and suck both him and Arliss away."

'Think she'll really buy that?'

'She's that stupid, May.' Arlen replied back in his head.

"What do we need to do?" Alexis asked. "How do we get Jaden back?"

Mayday could feel Nessa revving up to mind whammy Alexis for not including Arliss. She focused on calming her Queen, to keep her from acting too rashly.

Arlen turned to Dhmitri. "You bring what I asked?"

"Rams blood, some frog legs and as cliché as it is, an eye of a newt."

"Perfect." Arlen said, quickly moving to where the vortex had formed. He dug a small bowl shaped hole in the ground and began mixing the ingredients. "With this, I should be able to leap through different dimensions, hopefully picking up their trail." He quickly pricked his finger with a knife he had hidden in his shirtsleeve, letting his blood mix. This would allow him to track Arliss at least, then he'd worry about Jaden. "If I haven't returned in one week, I want you to place one hair…" He pulled a hair from his head. "…into the bowl here. The liquid will not be changed while the spell is in affect. This will call me back, and we can start again."

"Be careful Alex." Mayday said. She watched as he dipped his hand in the liquid and ran it along his sword discretely.

"I will…one week."

"One week." Mayday and Dhmitri echoed, Alexis looking on. Arlen Lockehart nodded…and summoned the vortex, leaping into it.

&&&

(In another world…)

"I know we said you could hang out in front of the stores…but would you at least keep it down?" The clerk shouted.

The two drug dealers frowned, the blonde beginning to talk rapid fire. "Come on man, we and Silent Bob are just trying to make ourselves a profit…and we are making these lame ass stores cool. Suave mother &#$ like us don't fall out of the sky!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAA!"

All three of them turned just as Arlen appeared, smashing into the pavement.

"…big titted women don't fall out of the sky!"

&&&

"Don't gawk." Arliss warned, giving Jaden's side a good elbowing.

"But…look at it."

"Yes, it is big and red, I get it. You seen one, you've seen them all."

"But…it's so big!"

"Well stop drooling over it and lets keep goin'!"

Jaden nodded, but he still couldn't help but stare at the Slifer Red dorm. The building he knew so well was gone, in it's place a fortress. 3 stories tall, the building was made f red stone, it's windows thick and bullet proof. A moot surrounded it, the water from the river diverted to feed it. The cliff on which it sat now had twin water falls making it even harder to scale up from the ocean. Jaden and Arliss could feel eyes watching their every movement, and hoped that within the gates of this massive fortress there was the tools they would need to return home once more.

"Impressive." Arliss said aloud. "A bit smaller then I expected…but impressive."

Syrus frowned. "This is but one of our fortresses, Lockehart. We use this as a home base, but as our numbers grow, we will begin filling the satellite fortresses. Our hope is to have this entire island remade into a complete stronghold for the Knights in 2 years time."

Arliss nodded. "A modest goal. With the proper spells, one could have already made this place their own." He smirked. "But I forget, that is why Master Jaden has asked me to come…to improve upon your mistakes."

Dark Syrus was fuming, and about ready to kill the usurper to his position. But he knew it would do him no good…he needed to keep his calm and humor his master.

'Because the day will come when I have gathered enough power, Jaden. And then, thinks will be different. I will be the master…and you will be the lackey begging for crumbs. My days as your slave are coming to an end.'

'Fool.' Arliss thought. 'He doesn't even know how to shield his thoughts…he should have died months ago…this world's Jaden must be just as foolish as him. This will be easier then I thought.'

"Arliss." Jaden said. "Come along…we…uh…must meet with the rest of the Knights."

Arliss nodded, letting the scolding go past him. Good enough that Jaden was playing along.

The three of them entered the fortress, the gate slamming shut behind them. Like some medieval castle, the walls surrounded them, the light flickering off their features as they journeyed deeper into the home of the Knights. Locked doors stood silently on their right and left as they moved down the hall, their footsteps echoing forlornly. Jaden bit his lip, wishing he was better dressed for the occasion. He didn't look that 'evil' as it was normally…and now he was stuck wearing shorts and a t-shirt. He reached down, touching his deck box. He wished Winged Kuriboh was with him, but feared that Syrus…this version of Syrus…would be able to sense the duel spirit.

Arliss was so not impressed by the fortress. It was overdone, cliché…boring. And without magic, a shadow mage like himself could slaughter all inside in 3 minutes. A simple poison gas spell, and they would be gone.

Of course, he couldn't risk that…he didn't know how things worked here.

"Through here." Syrus said, lowering his sunglasses. He held the door for Jaden, only to let it slip as Arliss passed. The Rare Hunter caught it right before it bashed his head. "So sorry, Lockehart."

Arliss held up his hand, summoning dark flames that engulfed his fingers. "Try me…I will burn your eyes out, bitch." He grinned, then moved into the room, standing next to Jaden as he took in the common room.

The room was decorated like the rest of the fortress: Cold, impersonal, and boring as all get out. A few black leather chairs, a table, red rug and a fireplace filled the space. Arliss was surprised there were no suits of armor, with the way these people decorated.

"Master Jaden. You have returned." A voice called out from one of the chairs. Jaden and Arliss both turned and watched as another duelist stepped towards them. His hair was cut short and greasy. He had a neatly trimmed beard, which he kept tugging with his fingers. Over his left eye, he wore an eyepatch. His arms were muscular, and on his right bicep he sported a tattoo that proudly proclaimed his name in cursive font:

Bastion Misawa.

"So Star Trek was right…" Arliss whispered under his breath.

"That…that I have." Jaden said, trying to keep himself from stammering. It was freaky staring at this bastion, who looked like some strange soldier of fortune. "And…I have brought a new duelist…"

"Yes." Syrus muttered. "A new second-in-command."

"Is that so?" Bastion said smugly. "What can you do?" He questioned Arliss. "Strategist? Strong man? Assassin?"

"Mage." Arliss said, allowing his eyes to glow black as his aura flared up. "I'm here to bring some true power to you."

"Is that so?" Bastion asked, intrigued. "What sort of spells can you do?"

Arliss smirked. "You are familiar with Kas?"

"Of course." Syrus stated.

"I can summon an army of them…with the proper spell book."

"An army?" Bastion asked. "How large?"

"Depends on the spell and supplies. I imagine with all of us workin' together…" He smiled, his grin more like that of a wolf. "…we could take out North America in a day."

"A day?" Jaden questioned, surprised that Arliss might have such power.

"Give or take a few hours." Arliss replied.

"Good!" Another voice cried out. "Maybe we could get some decent grub then! I'm sick of this rice shit."

The 4 young men turned towards the other door, watching as an incredibly obese teen entered the room, propelled by a rascal scooter. His massive bulk was barely covered by the tight fitting clothing he wore, and it was a struggle for him to pass through the archway without becoming stuck. His face was so chubby that it made his words become muffled, and hid his eyes. The obese duelist looked over at Arliss, his fat lips turning up in a sneer. "Who is this skinny asshole?"

"Arliss Lockehart. And who would you be…Shamu?"

'Shamu' glared at him. "I'm Chummly Huffington! You'd best remember it."

"Chummly…ah yes, your that fat ass that got stuck in the McDonalds last week, right?"

"It was a Burger King!"

Arliss raised an eyebrow and leaned in towards Jaden. "And here I was just guessin'!"

"Jeez Chummly…" Jaden blurted out. "You got fat!"

Chummly frowned. "I only gained 30 pounds since you left."

"In what, each ass cheek?" Arliss quipped. He held up his hand. "Bastion, high five." The British duelist chuckled and high-fived him.

"Chummly, even Master Jaden has seen that you're becoming a tub of useless lard. There is no room in the Shadow Knights for someone that doesn't pull their weight."

"A steamroller couldn't pull his weight." Arliss snickered. Bastion burst into laughter, and Jaden tried his best not to smile.

"You're lucky I don't smack your ass." Chummly warned.

"Would be the first piece of ass you've gotten all year."

"I turn down girls left and right!"

"Your only girls are your left and right."

"Burn." Bastion laughed hysterically. "God, where did you find this guy, Master Jaden?"

"He found me plowing your mother, Bastion. I like charity work." Arliss said, sitting down and kicking up his feet. When Bastion began to laugh again, Arliss smiled. 'Oh yea…too easy.'

"Enough…" Syrus said. "Master Jaden…we are not here t make fun of Chummly, are we?"

"No…of course not." Jaden said. He moved towards a chair, deciding to stick close to Arliss. If things got hairy, he would rather have his unlikely ally right by to protect him. "Tell me…what has happened since I last talk to you Sy?"

Syrus nodded, moving to join the group. "Princeton and his band of thieves continue to try and stand up to us. We were forced to take…drastic action in order to eliminate the direct threat."

"The Obelisk Dorm…" Jaden said, trying to keep the pain out of his voice.

"Yes…I know you had hoped to make it a new fortress…but when we discovered they had left part of the structure unguarded, we thought it wise to take them out in one swoop."

"A wise move." Arliss said. "Very wise…right Master Jaden?"

"uh…yea, very wise." Jaden licked his lips, shifting uneasily. "What else?"

Bastion took over. "We are still looking for Dr. Crowler…he and the Shadow Riders managed to escape the blast, as we are sure Princeton did as well. Our enemies have united…which has left us to fortify ourselves and wait for the hammer to drop." He looked over at Arliss. "perhaps your mage will be able to help with that."

Arliss nodded. "I need a spell book…"

"We have one." Syrus said. "Our most powerful spell book…the Diary of Marik." Arliss' eyes lit up. "You have heard of it?"

"Yes…" Arliss said, everything beginning to add up. "Yes I have."

"What is going on in here?" A voice called out, once more the men turning towards the door. "What is….Master Jay!"

Before Jaden could react, a squealing, grinning woman ran to him, grabbing his face in a hard, hard kiss. Jaden's eyes went wide as the woman forced his mouth open, jamming her tongue practically down his throat. When she finally pulled away he gasped for breath, the woman however frowning.

"Is something wrong…normally you kiss me harder."

"Master Jaden has had a rough day, Lex." Syrus said, yanking her away from Jaden. "You would be wise to control…"

Syrus' words were cut off when he found Arliss holding him by the throat, lifting him off the ground. The King of the Rare Hunters glared at him in anger.

"Touch her again and I will kill you myself." He snarled. He threw Syrus into a wall, grinning as he watched the body bounce. "First new rule…women are off limits."

Jaden only barely noticed Arliss' command, still staring at Dark Alexis. Lex, as Syrus called her, resembled Alexis with some major changes. First, her hair was much longer. Second, her lips were fuller and eyes more sultry.

Third, her breasts were at least 3 sizes larger, almost to porn star size. And they were on full display. She wore a modified black and red slifer jacket, the neck plunging so low and wide that Jaden could almost see her nipples. Her long legs were shown of by her micro mini skirt, and her ass would make any rapper sit up and beg.

"Master Jaden are you…" Arliss froze as he turned, staring at Alexis in as much shock as Jaden. But his eyes did not lock in on her breasts, or legs, or face. No, both of them were looking at her tummy, exposed by the jacket.

Her 7-months pregnant belly.

"…go Evil Jaden." Arliss whispered.