It was a dark and dank place. Smell of death clung to the air. It was no sanctuary to outsiders nor was it actually a living "hell." A silhouette of a person laid back in a chair or throne was the only thing visible. Well besides the fact that there was someone kneeling before him.

"You were so foolish," The larger figure said, his voice was strong, despite the deadening look of the place. The addressed person bowed his head even lower.

"I'm sorry, Master. I was just playing with her to see how these Guardians duel, I wasn't aiming to take her card and key. They weren't even activated yet. They're useless to us if they aren't, I'm pretty sure of my sources."

There was a short pause as if the Master had just received some unexpected information. "Activation… So it was a lie eh? I guess it was right of Arial to perish. Fool, she delivered the wrong information…"

The bowing form lifted his head. "It's true, Master. The only way these things can be activated is when someone of great dueling power faces against them. Well I think that's the only source. There might be other ways. There's a problem. Well it may not be a problem but when a card is activated mid-duel, it releases its top point of power, giving us little chance of winning."

The Master chuckled. "That won't be a problem."

There was another pause before the other asked. "Is this plan going well so far, Master?"

"Too soon to really say but don't worry, Anguish I have another part of this plan, one none of them can avoid."

Anguish knew better not to ask unnecessary questions. "That's good to hear."

"And you, I have a job for you. It shouldn't be too difficult. I want you to take Zane Truesdale's brother hostage. Play him well, Anguish. Glass is strong but when there's a sudden crack, the whole think comes falling down."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Aster had long recovered from the duel, he was laxing on his gray couch before hearing a buzz from his butler.

"What is it?" Aster asked, a little pissed after being deprived of his sleep.

"Sir Jaden Yuki and Syrus Truesdale would like to see you."

Oh great, it's them. "Okay, send them up."

He stood before walking up to his room's entrance, expecting them. A few minutes of absolute silence, the elevator's doors slid open.

Aster opened his mouth to say something, instead he was greeted by a heavy blow to the face.

Syrus covered his face as Jaden angrily brandished his vein-throbbing fist.

Both shouted at the top of their lungs, "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!"

Before Syrus knew it they were both yelling at each other.

"YOU CAN'T JUST WALK INTO MY PLACE AND DECIDE TO PUNCH ME IN THE-"

"YOU CANT JUST GO DUEL SOME PERSON WHO'S AFTER YOUR LIFE AND MAKE US ALL WORRIED AS-"

"THAT DOESN'T MATTER MY POINT IS-"

"WELL I'LL TELL YOU WHAT DOESN'T MATTER THAT YOU CAN JUST SCARE US HALF TO DEATH JUST BECAUSE WE'RE-"

The two didn't notice as Syrus stepped back slowly and down the elevator.

"What is it?" The butler asked. Syrus didn't answer since their screaming could even be heard from the first floor. "I see Master Phoenix and Mr. Yuki need to sort out their problems, I guess you can go outside if you wish, it's nice weather."

Syrus thanked him before exiting.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It was the end of the line, they ran out of insults, accusations, and excuses. Both were out of breath. The argument was followed by a very awkward silence.

"Sorry." Jaden said.

Aster nodded. "Yeah… Sorry."

More awkward silence.

"So… Where's Syrus?" Aster asked, looking towards the elevator.

"I think we scared him off, let's go check on-"

His words were cut off by a scream. Jaden panicked. "That sounds like Sy'!"

He ran down the stairs and Aster, exasperated followed. "Sounds like a girl."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

His scream turned into muffled gasps for air. Syrus' eyes closed, before he lost conscience he heard Jaden's shouts. Then he heard and saw nothing at all.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

They both saw a cloaked figure funning away from the front. "Hey you!" Aster shouted, quickening is pace despite his aching limbs. Jaden did the same as well, Soon the faced a convenient fork in the road. "We'll split up," Jaden said. Aster nodded and they did.

Jaden was cursing in his thoughts This is so great, Syrus goes missing, we're chasing some guy we don't even know. Zane will probably murder me. And worst of all we don't even know what we're running into!

His thinking was interrupted as a person stepped in front of him. Jaden's eyes widened as he saw the duel disk on his arm.

"Um, dude, this isn't a really good time." Jaden said putting on a fake grin. He stepped back before tripping over some object. He looked, it was a duel disk. "How did that get there?" He pushed himself up, looking at the guy. He had wavy, dark red hair and bright green eyes.

"It doesn't matter if this is a good time or not, you act horribly." He said. "I'm here for your Data Card and Key." He explained simply at the confused look on Jaden's face.

Well no use denying it.

"Okay well time to duel I guess, but before we start I'd like your name."

"Leo, pleasure to duel and defeat you!" He grinned.

"Duel!" The both shouted, drawing their hands.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Damn, where is he!? I wonder if Jaden caught him." He stopped for a bit to catch his breath before running again.

He now faced a busy street. Aster cursed and ran left, dodging people and hoped that no one will notice him. There was no sign of Syrus or his kidnapper. Aster whirled around, looking everywhere again, still no sign. He pulled out his cell phone and flipped it open vigorously. "I have to warn the others."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"I'm glad you guys could come, you know, to talk about everything." Alexis said, addressing Chazz and Zane. Atticus sat beside his sister. Zane nodded and Chazz said, "It's no problem, Alexis! I'm always here for you!"

Alexis wanted to roll her eyes but resisted. She started, "Aster has already been attacked and it's great that he won and all, but what about the rest of us, it's not that I doubt you all or anything. Syrus and Jaden went to visit him and frankly, I'm worried. All we can do is defend ourselves, we have no traces on who these people are and why they want Kaiba's information so badly."

She paused to see if anyone had his or her input. Suddenly, a high ringing could be heard. They all flinched. Zane apologized before taking his phone out and automatically looked on the tiny screen, a familiar number could be seen, blinking. Aster? How did he get my number and why would he be calling now?

He answered, "Hello?" The rest were staring intent at him.

A few seconds past and Zane's pupils shrunk in horror but he quickly recovered. His hand was gripping the phone tightly.

"Okay, got it." His voice was calm yet so cold. Alexis flinched, it reminded her of Hell Kaiser. He hung up and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"What, is it, Zane?" Atticus asked. Zane's eyes were shadowed by his bangs. The light reflecting off of them gave them an eerie effect.

"They have Syrus."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Noble Dragon, attack his E-hero Sparkman!" Jaden braced himself as red flames engulfed him and destroyed his monster. Jaden felt sharp burns on his skin but the pain quickly disappeared.

Jaden- 3600

Leo- 4000

"Is this a shadow game?" Jaden asked, drawing a card and inserting it into his hand.

Leo shook his head. "Naw, it's more of a Corruption Game. I guess you're new to this all, huh? The monsters and cards are all real but the pain is different. It's inflicted physically. The wounds are real as well but they heal instantly depending on your energy. So later, either someone dies since they can't heal fast enough or the duel ends when someone's lifepoints reach zero. It's actually fun and exciting." He grinned, maliciously.

Jaden nodded. "That is different and I never heard of them before but I guess they change duels a hell lot. I summon Neo-Spacien Air Hummingbird! For every card in your hand, I gain 500 lifepoints. And you have three cards! 1500 points for me."

Jaden- 5100

Leo- 4000

Leo grimaced as Jaden's monster retreated after picking at his cards. "I place two facedowns and end my turn."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

What the hell is wrong with you Zane? You should've seen this coming! Why didn't you take precautions, and look. Now your own little brother is at the mercy of your greatest enemies right now. You idiot. Zane rested his head against the cold glass. The others still sat there, a nervous silence hung in the air.

Alexis looked pleadingly at Atticus. For twice, they didn't know what to do. Finally, Chazz sat up. "You know what? I'm leaving and I am going to kick their sorry little asses." He expected Zane to at least open his eyes.

He didn't stir at all. A vein throbbed in Chazz's temple. When five seconds passed, Chazz was about to yell something when Zane said, "I thought you were leaving." He didn't snap, he didn't even yell.

His words were calm but that barely hid their coldness.

"Zane…" Alexis said. "We can't just sit here, we have to get your brother back."

He resisted the urge to snap at her but nodded. He said, "Okay… we're stopping by the Phoenix manor."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"That moron, we were supposed to meet here!" Aster looked around, a little pissed because of the past events.

"Possibility A: He's still looking for Syrus, Possibility B: Oh shit." He said aloud then resided to his thoughts. Or he might've been challenged to those screwed up duels. Should I find him? I might put myself in danger, oh what the hell!

With that he took off down the street, careful for any suspicious movement. And of course, not too far away, he could see the duel he was looking for. Aster quickened his pace. He stopped and he could clearly see Jaden was in no good shape. Damn! I should've warned him! Thin scratches could be seen on his arms and legs. A few drops of blood were visible to him on the ground.

According to that, Jaden must've been in this duel for some time.

"You idiot!" Aster called out. "Why'd you get yourself in this mess!?"

Jaden was panting as he turned his gaze to Aster. "'Cause he might have Syrus!"

"And if he doesn't! You're risking your life!"

Jaden ignored him and started his turn.

-Few turns later-

"I activate Divine Heraldry! This lets me sacrifice my Noble Priest and Knight for Dark Incinerating Dragon (2600/2400) I have to remove at least one card from my hand for an attack but unfortunately for you, his attacks aren't limited once per turn!"

Aster and Jaden grimaced. This was not going to be good.

"I remove two cards from my hand to attack your Flame Wingman and E-hero Neos!" The dark-green scaled dragon roared and formed a fireball between its jaws and sent it flying towards Jaden.

An almost deafening explosion could be heard, drowning out Jaden's scream of pain.

Jaden- 2400
Leo- 4000

"Activate your Data Guardian, moron!" Aster shouted, a desperate look on his face. Smoke trailed from Jaden's skin as the red blotches remained. Leo ended his turn, a dark smirk on his face.

Jaden shakily drew a card. I want to Aster, but I don't know how!

He suddenly realized what was in his hand. It was blank. The name slowly faded into view across the top. Jaden could almost feel the energy returning to him.

He was used to hearing spirits' voices. And when one spoke to him again, he didn't flinch or question it at all. Jeeze, man. You've been through a lot. About time you drew me. Can't bear to get my holder killed. Now listen carefully, if you want to live I'd summon your little Kuriboh dude, evolve him and sacrifice him to summon me. With that I'll ensure victory.

Jaden nodded and grinned with anticipation. Got that, make sure you make a dramatic appearance, okay?

Yeah, sure.

"Okay I summon my buddy, Winged Kuriboh! I also use this nice spell card I like to call 'Level' up. This turns my Winged Kuriboh to Level 10!"

Even with its effect, it wont afflict enough damage to end this duel! And I don't think Jaden can handle anymore burning. Aster thought.

It was apparent that Leo thought the same thing.

"I'm not done summoning things!" Jaden declared, a little annoyed at their lack of emotion. They let out a cry of surprise.

"I sacrifice, yup that's right! I sacrifice my Winged Kuriboh level 10 to summon this bad boy! Data Guardian Teralade!"

Aster lifted his arms to brace against the strong wing that picked up. He smiled About time, wouldn't be a good thing if you lost.

Leo predictably stepped back, a look of terror on his face. Teralade spread his glowing red wings, veins of glowing lava decorated his armor. He brandished a scarlet blade. He felt burning energy radiating from it.

"So what!" Leo roared. "Your guardian is still weaker than mine!"

"When Teralade is summoned, it destroys all monsters on the field. And the owner of each card gets dealt with points of damage equal to the monster's attack for each." Jaden's monster jumped out and slashed Leo's dragon with a burst of flame. It screeched as its body was consumed and disintegrated in the raging fire.

"Now that's his only ability, now Data Guardian Teralade can attack you directly! Go!" A brilliant burst of flame and energy consumed the battlefield. Aster almost cheered.

Jaden- 2400

Leo- 0000

When the smoke and holograms cleared, All they could see was a glowing silhouette of Jaden's former opponent. It quickly turned in to specks of light and faded. A coin fell to the ground, a small cling broke the waiting silence. Jaden walked over and picked up the coin. It felt hot, as if I were just sitting on an open flame.

A Rampart-positioned lion on it's surfaced erased itself to be replaced by the same marking found on the screen of Jaden's Data key.

Aster's smile faded as he realized reality.

Jaden clenched the coin in his shaking fist. "Dammit."

-X-

Sorry for the late update again! I've just been bothered by school (which is now over for me yay!) and other crap like that.

3rd Data Guardian- Teralade

Level 10

Warrior/Fire

This card can only be summoned when one monster leveled 10 or higher is offered as tribute. This card cannot be destroyed in battle. On the first turn this card is summoned, destroy all monsters on the field. Owners of the destroyed monsters receive damage equal to the sum of their respective monster's attack points.