"Come on Trusdale, hurry it up!"

Syrus groaned, lungs aching as he jogged up the beach. Tyranno Hassleberry was standing nearby, whistle around his neck, meaty arms crossed as he issued commands to his friend.

"Can't we…just take a break?" Syrus whined.

"Do you want to be a shrimp for the rest of your life, boy?" Hassleberry asked. "Son, if someone would have done this for you sooner, maybe you wouldn't be scared of everything!"

"I'm not scared!" Syrus protested. "I just don't like bugs…or monsters…or loud noises…or the dark…or pennies."

"Pennies? You are just a big ol' sack of pathetic, aren't you Trusdale?" He clapped his hands. "Get movin', Syrus…get them legs pumpin'!"

Syrus groaned. "Come on…we've been doing this for hours…"

"And we'll keep doing it if you don't hush up and get moving! Come on, soldier, 2 more laps!" Syrus let out another groan, but did as he was told. If he didn't, Tyranno would keep him up all night, telling him why Jurassic Park was a million times better then Star Wars and Lord of the Rings put together. "Move move move!"

After Syrus was out of sight, Tyranno moved to his sports bag, pulling out a bottle of water. 'Hot day like this, even for winter, and yea need a drink. Just like back home, nice brown Christmas and what have you…'

"Hello Tyranno."

The duelist whipped around to find two figures in black watching him, leaning against the wooden beach station just 10 yards away. The man grinned, twirling a sword, while the female played with a whip.

"Prof. Milo?" Hassleberry asked. "Or should I call you Arlen Lockehart?"

"You can call me Sally, for all I care." Arlen said, his normal mid western accent fading to his natural southern accent. "Me and the little lady here want to talk."

"If that is alright, of course." The Greek duelist asked politely.

"I'm afraid I'm busy at the moment…"

Arlen pouted. "Shoot. Now what will we do?"

"We could kidnap him and force him to talk to our King?" Mayday offered.

"Knew I married you for a reason." He approached Tyranno. "Alright, Alan Grant, you're comin' with us."

Tyranno grinned. "You think I'm like Alan Grant? Cool!"

Mayday glared at her husband. "Don't compliment him, you idiot!"

"How was I suppose to know it was a compliment?"

"He is a dino duelist!" Mayday shouted in frustration, mad their intimidation games had been ruined by Arlen's mouth. "That's like me calling you Starscream, knowing full well you are a fan of the Transformers."

"You're a fan of that stupid cartoon?" Tyranno gaped.

Arlen glared at him. "I say we just kill him." He cracked his knuckles.

"Arlen…"

"He insulted Screamer!"

"Time's up, enough talk, Tyranno Hassleberry!" Tyranno shouted, rushing Arlen. "AAAAAAAAA!"

Arlen and Mayday shared a look as Tyranno ran down the beach.

"AAAAA!"

Arlen looked down at his watch.

"AAA!"

Mayday blow her bangs from her eyes.

"A…"

Arlen caught the fist with his left hand, and before Hassleberry could react, he swung with his right, driving him across the beach. The Guardian leapt forward, landing next to the young duelist.

"Starscream like a mother &#…what! What!" He screamed in the unconscious man's face.

"Yes yes, you so bad…" Mayday muttered. "Come on, let's get him out of here."

&&&

Tyranno groaned as he came to, his jaw aching from the punch Arlen had delivered. 'That boy sure can hit.' He thought in agony.

He rose up, looking at his surroundings. No longer on the beach, Tyranno saw that he was now inside a dueling area. The floor was covered in holo projectors, the kind that amped up the Duel disk's images to make them more realistic. The walls were covered in metal plates that also helped the system, mainly by letting info from the satellites get to the disks easier.

What he didn't know was that Cassandra had installed TV cameras, and he was currently being watched by all those in the mansion.

&&&

"Remind me again why we can't be down there?" Arlen asked as he rearranged his transformer action figures.

Mayday's voice floated in from the bathroom. "First off, because you are likely to kill Tyranno for insulting your little dolls."

"Action figures!"

"Whatever. Second, because Arliss said we can't be down there, not with what he's planning."

Arlen rolled his eyes. "Yea yea yea…"

"And third…" Arlen's eyes went wide as Mayday shimmied into the room, wearing only bath bubbles and a smile. "…we still have our post-hunt ritual to complete."

The Guardian gulped, before tugging off his cowboy boots. "And lord knows I would hate to break tradition."

&&&

"This sucks." Souta pouted, crossing his arms across his chest. "Why do we have to stay in here?"

"Because Arliss wants you to." Dhmitri said, glaring at the teens. "So don't even think about moving."

Lexie nodded, stroking her long-nose revolver. "I tend to get shoot-y when I am hot and cranky."

"Which is petty much always?" Missy asked.

"Yea, pretty…HEY!" Lexie shouted.

"Hit the deck!" Tyrone shouted, diving away from the crazy pregnant lady.

The Ra Yellow and Slifer Red students hid, while Dhmitri snatched the gun from his aunt's hands. "no…no."

"You are no fun." She muttered.

&&&

"Hello Mr. Hassleberry."

Tyranno turned to finally see Arliss, standing on the other side of the arena, duel disk strapped to his arm. The Rare Hunter grinned, holding his arms out as he walked forward.

"I hope you like my dueling field."

The dino duelist frowned. "Son, why have you taken me? Am I some sort of prison of war?"

"Somewhat. The White Society has their eyes on you, Mr. Hassleberry…and I am afraid I can not allow you to fall into their grasp."

"Why's that?"

"Jaden." Arliss said. "You mean something to him…and Jaden…"

"…yea?"

"Is mine to corrupt." Arliss snarled, eyes flashing. "I own his fate, and I am the one to decide when he finally joins the Rare Hunters. Till then, he is off limits. Which means if the White Society wants to turn you into their own personal assassin to use against him, then I have to prevent that." Arliss' duel disk activated. "But first…a test of your skill. It's time to duel, Mr. Hassleberry. You win, you go free. Lose…and I decide your fate."

Hassleberry nodded. "Alright, if the only way to escape is to engage in some wargames, I'm ready to try that out, private." He drew his hand. "First, its time to select the place we will be holding our war. I will send Killersaurus to the graveyard, which will allow me to bring a Jurassic World field spell from my deck to my hand, which I'll play on the field!"

The hardwood trembled under their feet, as the mansion faded from view, replaced by a great ancient valley. Monstrous trees rose from the dirt, moss and other greens swarming underfoot as the buzz of long dead insects filled their ears. Growls and far off roars echoed about them.

"Next, I will call up my Sabersaurus for active duty!" the forest trembled as the enraged red trike stormed forth, the steel weapons that grew from its body tearing the foliage into ribbons. It stopped next to Tyranno, pawing the ground. "And with Jurassic World on the field, my dino gains 300 attack points, increasing its attack to 2200!"

Arliss nodded, drawing his card. "I summon my Strike Ninja to the field." His body flashed as his KA was summoned to the field. "And I will then set one card on the field, ending my turn."

Tyranno held up his next card. "First, I will use Pot of Greed, to bring in more supplies for more dino army. Next, I'll now add to my ranks my Dark Galli card. Aten-tion!" With a screech, a tall, ostrich-like dinosaur rushed onto the field. Its skin was a dull yellow with green speckles all along it, mouth filled with sharp teeth and cunning yellow eyes. The monster bobbed its head, staying out of the way of the Sabersaurus. (Galli-1200/1000)

Arliss nodded, eyes glowing black. 'You ready Nessa?'

&&&

In their room, Nessa's body radiated with energy as she held out her hands, calling out to the shadow magic that dwelled beneath her. Arliss and her had thrown this spell together, and she was drawing all her attention of keeping it stable.

The real reason Arliss had not allowed the others into the arena was that he and Nessa didn't know what this spell would do. If it worked, it would power up Tyranno, putting him under their control and allow Arliss to use him like a puppet in the duel against the White Society. Of course, if Tyranno won, Arliss would use the puppet spell to convince Tyranno to join the hunters as a new member, and then take the battle the Association of Light.

Any mistake, and anyone in the arena could be affected. Luckily, Nessa being the caster, she could easily break the spell if it locked on Arliss, as well as draw Arliss free with her mental connection.

'I'm ready.' Nessa said.

'Begin the spell. It will take a while to activate, so I want it already going, alright lovely?'

'Got it.' Nessa said, raising her hands and beginning to chant.

&&&

"Now then, it is time for the first wave to take on your forces. Sabersaurus, head out!" The trike roared, stomping its feet and rushing Arliss' Strike Ninja. The black clothed assassin merely watched on as the beast raced at him, readying to the strike. At the last moment, it caught the Sabersaurus by the horn and halted its strike.

"Negate Attack." Arliss said, activating his trap. "that will end your battle phase."

Arliss drew his next card. "I'll set this here one card facedown on the field. Next, I'll have my Strike Ninja attack your Dark Galli, Assassin's Slash."

The Strike Ninja nodded, rushing forward, daggers flashing as he ripped into the Galli, the Dino letting out a pain-filled cry as it shattered. (Tyranno-3700)

Hassleberry merely grinned. "I should thank you for that. You see, when you destroy my Galli, it sends out a cry that brings other dinos forth, looking for a quick meal. Normally, this monster…" he pulled out his deck, selecting a card, "…would just go to my hand. But in the Jurassic World, if its defense is less then 1000, I can automatically summon it to the field! Come here, Dark Raptor!"

From the darkness of the jungle, a fleet footed dino rushed forward. 6 feet tall, with blue skin and black stripes running down its back, a massive claw on each foot, and a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, this was a deadly dino. (Raptor-1100/500)

"Next, I'll activate my Dark Raptor's effect." The Raptor raised its head, letting out a barking call. Yellow eyes peered from the forest all around. "When this monster is summoned, I can add Dark Raptors to my hand…unless Jurassic World is on the field. Then, I get add these Raptors to my growing army." With twin roars, two more Dark Raptors rushed onto the field, snapping at the Strike Ninja.

"I activate my Ninjitsu Art of Stealth." Arliss said with a smirk, his Strike Ninja's image becoming distorted. "With this card, your chances of actually hitting my Ninja are cut in half." He shrugged. "Lets see if your army can get to him."

&&&

Cassandra and Hayden each sat at a computer, fingers flying as they worked. On Cassandra's screen, blueprints for her security system, planned out perfectly so that she could know exactly how to set it up. She was going for a simple install with a complex warning system. It was designed that, if you know about it, one could easily deal with the system. Otherwise, it was almost impossible to escape.

Hayden, meanwhile, was hacking into the school's power grid, to see if he could find exactly where to hook into the power source. He knew his girl's machines would suck a ton of energy, and thus he needed to make sure beyond a doubt he could supply it and hide it.

"What going on in the duel?" Hayden asked.

Cassandra looked over at the TV. "Tyranno just summoned 3 Raptors, but da is using his Art of Stealth card to protect 'imself."

Hayden nodded. "Let me know if something interesting happens."

&&&

"Before we do that…I think it is only fair that I get some order in my ranks." Tyranno held up a card. "I activate the equip spell Alpha Female." The spell flashed, and suddenly one of the raptors increased in size, till it was 12 feet tall. It snarled at the other two raptors, who backed away in fright. "This card makes one of my raptors the pack leader, increasing its attack by 800 for every other dino like it on the field. Of course, the pack can't attack now, only the Alpha…but it still will be enough to take you out." Hassleberry said. "Sabersaurus, charge!"

The dino roared, rushing forward, bladed horns thrashing back and forth. At the last moment, the Strike Ninja leapt away, safe from danger.

"That's one…"

The mega-sized Dark Raptor roared, storming onto the field. The Strike Ninja leapt away, but it was too slow, and suddenly found itself in the Raptor's jaws. The beast snapped down, crushing Arliss' Ninja to bits. (Arliss-2800)

"And I believe that is two." Hassleberry said.

Arliss drew his next card, thinking over his options. Finally, after a few moments, he set two cards face down, and one monster in defense, ending his turn.

'My forces have him on the run…time to finish him off.' Hassleberry held his hand out. "Sabersaurus, attack his downface monster!" Roaring, the beast charged forward.

Arliss smirked.

"Gotcha." He said, flipping his trap. "First, you flip my monster face up: The Armed Ninja." The Blue Ninja raised his weapon, performing a series of hand signals that shattered the Alpha Female spell, reducing the Dark Raptor to its original form. "Next, I activate the trap Ninjitsu Art of Spirit. This card allows me to call upon the spirit of your destroyed cards, and send them as a blast directed right at you!"

Hassleberry watched in amazement as Arliss called up the Alpha Female Spell card, spinning it in his hands before firing it at him with a flick of his wrist. The card turned into a shuriken, cutting into the dino duelist's chest. (Tyranno-3200)

"I activate another trap: Ninjitsu Art of Duplication. This card allows my Armed Ninja to call forth all copies from my deck, graveyard and hand to the field." Arliss summoned a second Armed Ninja to the field in defense. "Now, my Ninjistu Art of Stealth Activates…" The Armed Ninja dodged the attack. "Well done. Now…will your raptors try?"

"Dark Raptors, attack!"

The Raptors swarmed the field, and sure enough, Arliss' ninjas dodged each of their attacks, forcing Hassleberry to end his turn.

&&&

Nessa grinned as she pushed the magic up, preparing for the final blast. 'We did it…we did it…'

&&&

-Location unknown-

"Hmmm…" The figure said, watching as Nessa and Arliss worked to finish their spell. "Interesting. You try and change another with your magic. The gods have allowed you hunters free reign for too long, if you move to interfere so with the mortals." The figure paused, pulling out a golden dagger. "But…perhaps with alteration…this spell will serve my purpose."

He began to chant, his eyes glowing silver, an 8 point star appearing on his forehead. After a moment, he slashed his weapon, and sent a wave of magic to strike Nessa's spell.

"Now…comes the hard part."

&&&

None of them saw it coming.

Nessa had been channeling the power, words away from sending the blast at Tyranno, when the entire spell seemed to flux, shivering. She had grunted, struggled to stop it, gain control, to simply end it…

…she failed.

The spell exploded.

Nessa screamed as the energy slammed into her, body trembling as fell to the ground. Her cries turned to a horrific roar as she bucked, dark energy blasting through her form. Her mouth wide, teeth now razor sharp, nails elongating, her skull visible lie in the old cartoons as the energy blasted through her system.

And still it continued on.

&&&

Cassandra sensed it only a moment before it struck. The mystic defenses that laid around her room (just like all the rooms) shattered to bits, letting Nessa's altered spell enter and rocket towards her and her lover.

"Cassie!" Hayden shouted, diving towards her. He reached out, fingers grazing her shoulder, before the magic hit them both, both crying out in pain. Hayden was lifted into the air, mouth twisted in a silent scream, while Cassandra was slammed into wall.

Hayden's eyes snapped open, color darkening until they were a shining black, just like Nessa and Arliss' when they performed a spell. Cassandra's hands shivered, trying to grasp the wall and push away.

And still it continued on.

&&&

"Oh shit." Lexie muttered as she felt the power surge towards them. She turned her back to the wall, Dhmitri and Missy wrapping their arms around her as the spell reached their room. Lexie clutched her stomach, crying out in fear for her baby as the power surge rushed them.

At the last moment, Lexie's stomach glowed. Whether it realized what it was doing, or a matter of survival instinct, the dark daughter of Jaden Yuki, lord of the Shadow Knights, used her power to send out a powerful force field, protecting all those in the room from harm.

And still it continued on.

&&&

Arlen ran his hands along Mayday's thigh, his wife's lips on his neck. They were too lost in passion to realize what was happening until it was too late. The Guardians both arched, eyes opening wide as the magic struck them together, mingling their power together. Mayday screamed, for it seemed as if her very soul was being twisted and reformed. She clung to her husband, nails digging into his back as the two dark beings became one.

In that moment, Mayday saw all that Arlen did: memories of a past life, of battles long forgotten, of power hidden for ages. She watched Arlen dressed in armor, riding on the back of a green dragon, heroically protecting kingdoms. She saw his fall, his joining with his dragon stead by the magic of the titan-gods Solaris and Anarkayis to become their horsemen of war, the celestial swordsman Neo.

Both watched as a final alliance of gods and mystics joined together to stand against the titan-gods, their generals, and their horsemen. Each fell, till only the Horsemen of Death and War remained with siblings. Mayday cried out as she watched as, in cruel irony, as the goddess of the winds, Aera, the mother of the harpies, was sent against Neo, striking him down.

And still it continued on.

&&&

"My draw." Arliss said, drawing his next card.

Arliss and Tyranno both went ramrod still as the magic hit them. For Tyranno, it felt as if his leg were on fire, his eyes going into lizard like slits, and for a moment, the image of a great brown t-rex appeared over his body, roaring in agony.

Arliss grabbed his head, thrashing about as he felt the Strike Ninja try to aid him. It felt like his soul was being cleaved in half, pulled apart…

Then, it was over.

Arliss panted as the magic dissipated, leaving him feeling…different. He felt weak, changed…yet more powerful and whole.

He glanced at Tyranno. "Let's continue." Glancing at his hand, ignoring the Dino duelist's protests, he noticed the new monster he'd drawn. He frowned, looking at the strange ninja. He remembered buying this newest warrior over the summer, figuring that it might help him in a battle. But he had never felt such a connection to the card like he did at the moment: A throbbing sensation, deep in his arm, running up his nervous and into his very brain.

'Its time.' The ghostly image of the Strike Ninja told him. 'I can not fight this battle alone.'

Arliss nodded to himself, as he felt the energies pool in the pit of his stomach. It was time to summon a new ninja…apparently, his newest spirit partner.

"I'll summon Goe Goe, The Gallant Ninja to the field."

The card flashed, and Arliss trembled as the ninja pulled himself free from the Rare Hunter's body. His face was free of masks, hair spiked up. He wore a red uniform with gold trim, and flashed a cocky grin as he spun his robber's staff.

"Goe Goe, attack one of the Dark Raptors with your Baton of Ill Gains. Show them how the ninjas battle!"

The warrior nodded, leaping in the air. The Raptors snarled at him, but the ninja reached into his pocket and threw several gold coins, blinding them long enough to allow him the chance to bash a Raptor's brains in. He wasn't finished though, rushing to collect his coins before they struck the ground…then tapping Tyranno's hand, causing him to drop two of his cards.

"You dirty cheat!" Hassleberry shouted. "Do you have no honor on the battle field? You have to resort to guerrilla warfare?"

Arliss shrugged. "What part of, "I'm the King of the evil Rare Hunters" do you not understand, boy?" He nodded to Goe Goe. "Nicely done with your effect." Looking back at Hassleberry, he gave him a smirk. "And thanks to my Ninjitsu Art of Spirit…" He held out his hand, summoning the three cards sent to the graveyard and flinging them at the Ra Yellow Duelist. Tyranno cried out as he was hit, his LP falling even faster. (Tyranno-1600)

"But I ain't done!" Arliss shouted. "As I enter my main phase two, I will now merge with my Ninja Thief and become the Ninja Hunter!" Arliss threw his head back, eyes glowing as he and his new Ka joined together. Energy swirled around him, and in an instant, Arliss was in his merged form. Only this time, because he had chosen Goe Goe, his appearance was different. This time, Arliss was dressed in a red duster, black shirt and jeans with gold trim underneath. His hair was spiked up, and in his hands he wielded the robber's staff, his Shadow Star on the top.

"I will now activate my special effect, removing the Ninja Hunter from the game for this turn." Holding up his staff, he fired the shadow star, and watched as the Ninja Hunter pulled away from his form, ascending into the sky. "Your move."

Tyranno glared at, drawing his next card. "You may have me down, but I'm not out yet! Even if I can't win, I won't surrender, even for a second! Dark Raptors, attack the Armed Ninjas!"

The dinos roared, rushing forward, jaws snapping as they tried to snatch onto the elusive prey. The Ninjas tried to dodge, but failed, and soon were shattered to bits. The Sabersaurus rushed forward, gorging Arliss with his bladed horns and sending him back. (Arliss-600)

Arliss bowed his head at Hassleberry. "You and I are different duelists, Hassleberry. But you have earned my respect…and for that I will grant you a defeat worthy of a soldier like yourself." He glowed, and in a flash, was back as the Ninja Hunter. Aiming his staff at the dino duelist, he charged it up with dark energy. "Well done."

He fired, and Tyranno cried out as he was hit, the blast knocking him out cold.

Arliss raised his eyes skyward, his mind racing. 'Nessa, Mayday, Arlen, Cassandra, Lexie…get everyone together. I knocked Tyranno out…and I want to know what the hell just happened!"

&&&

Next Time on GX Hunters: The hand of another has changed everything. The hunters have all been affected, and now must deal with the aftermath. Arliss encounters a feral Nessa and must use his new ninja's powers to bring her down. Arlen struggles to deal with his past, while Mayday deals with her guilt. A new spirit seeks out Cassandra, while Hayden's life changes forever.

They don't have long to deal, though. For the Society of Light is on the move, and soon, the Hunters will leave the mansion to take the fight to Domino.

Episode 68: Fallout