Recap:
"So this is the power of a shadow duel," Zane said.
"Yup," I answered, looking at Jaden's unconscious body.
Zane followed my gaze, "If this is what happens after you win a duel, I'd hate to see what happens if you lose," said Zane.
"Trust me, you don't want to," I muttered so no one could hear me.
We stared out over the horizon, just as the sun was breaking over the top, all scared of what was to come…
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--No one's P.O.V.--
Jaden was sleeping on a bed in the hospital wing, Sadie's head resting on the side of his bed. Jaden slowly opened his eyes, and noticed Sadie asleep. Jaden's lips turned into a small smirk. He took a deep breath, and then, "SADIE! THERE'S A SPIDER ON YOU!"
"AH! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!" Sadie screamed as Jaden laughed his head off. Sadie noticed Jaden's laughing and frowned. "Not funny, Jay."
Jaden kept laughing, "Yes it was. Plus, it's payback from when you scared me."
Sadie finally noticed that Jaden was awake. "Jaden! You're awake!" she cried as she embraced her brother. "You scared me so much, Jaden," she whispered.
"I know," Jaden whispered back. "I'm sorry."
"Hey, at least you won," Sadie smiled.
"Yeah," Jaden sighed.
--Switching to Sadie's P.O.V.--
Something suddenly caught my eye, "Hey, where did you get that medallion, Jaden?"
Jaden looked down on his chest and noticed what I had mentioned. "Oh yeah. I almost forgot about that. You know how I told you I had been in a shadow duel before?" I nodded my head for him to continue. "Well, to tell you the truth, I've been in two others. The one before Nightshroud, or Atticus really, was against the Grave Keeper. That was when you were unconscious, we went on a field trip to these ruins, and then we got trapped in this other world, and I had to duel the Grave Keeper to save Syrus, Professor Banner, Alexis, and Chumley. I won the duel--"
"Of course," I interrupted with a smile.
"Of course," he smiled back. "So, when I won, he gave me this medallion, but it's only half of it, Atticus has the other half.
"So, what about the other duel?" I asked. "The one before the Grave Keeper. When did that one happen?"
"That one was against the guy you dueled," Jaden whispered as my eyes widened. "I dueled him not knowing who he was, because he had kidnapped Alexis so I would have to duel him. I didn't figure out it was him until later in the duel. Once I found out who he was, I made a deal with him. If I lost, he could have my soul, but if he lost, he'd have to let you go."
"So that's why I came back," I muttered.
"I was pretty scared that he hadn't held up his end of the deal, you didn't exactly show up right away," Jaden said.
"Well, excuse me for being a few minutes late," I said sarcastically, folding my arms.
Jaden suddenly yawned, "I guess I'm still a little tired, so if you don't mind, I think I'm gonna go back to sleep, Sadie."
"Okay, I'll leave then," I answered, hugging Jaden one last time before I left the room.
(F.F. to dorm room)
I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, thinking of everything that had happened lately, and not so recently. Why? Why does everything happen to me? To Jaden? To both of us? I thought that once I left the Shadow Realm, everything would go back to normal. Man, was I wrong. I know I've heard of the Shadow Riders before, but I just can't place it, and it's ticking me off. That's another thing, I wonder if those vampire rumors that are going around campus are somehow connected to this. Could the vampire be the next Shadow Rider? I was snapped out of my thoughts by a knock at the door.
"Sadie?" Alexis called.
"Yeah, I'm in here," I answered walking over and opening the door.
"Chancellor Sheppard wants to see us," she said.
"Alright," I sighed.
Okay, my bad feeling vibe is back. Does this have to do with that "vampire"? Or the next Shadow Rider? Or both? I thought as we walked into Sheppard's office.
"Children, I'm afraid that the second Shadow Rider has appeared on the island," he started. There's the bad feeling I was getting. I should make a living at this, or at least play some poker or blackjack, I sighed to myself.
"Wait, so the rumors of that vampire are true?" I asked.
"I'm afraid so, I want you all to be on your guard," he replied. We nodded and everyone walked out of the office.
I went to my room and changed into some workout clothes. Whenever something is on my mind, I workout. I jogged for a few miles, and then I found a nice clearing in the woods. I chose that as my training space. This will do nicely, I thought. I chose a tree and started throwing some punches at it, every once in a while I would kick.
"You want someone to spar against?" someone asked suddenly.
I stopped kicking the tree, "Zane? Um, sure. Why not? But don't go easy on me just because I'm a girl."
Zane and I spared for a good hour, until finally we both collapsed on the ground, exhausted.
"You're good," Zane complimented.
"You too," I answered.
"Where'd you learn moves like that?" he asked.
I hesitated, "Um, I'm self-taught." Yeah, that's a good excuse.
He didn't seem fully convinced because of my hesitation, but he was satisfied, "Well, you're good all the same."
"Thanks," I smiled.
"We should head back, it's getting late," Zane said, standing up.
"Yeah, you're right," I said, following suit. We walked back to the Obelisk dorms, parting when he had to go to the boys' dorms, and I had to go to the girls'.
I got to my room and started to change back into my uniform. Go me! I didn't blush once! And, damn was he hot, I thought. Aw hell, who am I kidding? He's the most popular guy on campus, why would he go for someone like me?
There was a knock on the door just as I finished changing, "Sadie, it's Alexis. Chancellor Sheppard wants to see us again."
"Alright, I'll be out in a second."
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"Any signs of our vampire yet?" Chancellor Sheppard asked.
"Not yet, but we'll be ready when she finally decides to show up," I said confidently.
"Vampire!" someone yelled. Chumley came running into Sheppard's office. "It's the vampire! She's down by the lake!" he said.
"Let's go." Zane said.
At the lake, it was foggy, dark and strangely cold. A blood-red carpet stretched out into the lake. A dark castle could be seen at the end of the carpet.
"She's calling us," Crowler said.
"Then we have no choice but to go out there and kick some vampire butt," I said.
"Who will go?" Bastion asked.
No one moved. Dr. Crowler started to move backward, away from the lake, but he tripped and stumbled forward.
"That's very brave of you, Dr. Crowler," said Zane.
Crowler looked back at us, his eyes wide. "What? I tripped," he said.
"Well go, you volunteered," I said, motioning to the red carpet.
Crowler turned back to the carpet and just stood there.
"Ladies, Gentlemen. Instead of you coming to me, I'll come to you," said a voice.
We all looked across the red carpet to see the vampire walking toward us. She stopped and glared at Crowler.
"And who are you?" she asked.
Crowler straightened up. "I'm your challenger," he said firmly.
The vampire looked at him with a bored expression, and then smirked at Zane. "My opponent will be you, Zane."
"Hear that, Zane?" Chazz said. "Sounds like you're her type."
"Or her blood type," Bastion added.
"What? But, I challenged you!" Crowler shrieked.
She turned back to Crowler and frowned, "But you will be no challenge for me. But, fine, I will duel you."
"You can do it, Dr. Crowler!" I cheered.
"My name is Camula. I'm sure that by now, you know the rules of our little game. If you lose, I get your spirit key. If I lose, I go back to the Shadows where I came. Oh, and another thing, if you lose, I get your soul," she said as she pulled out a little doll.
I shivered when she said Crowler would lose his soul if he lost. Zane put an arm around my shoulders. "Anything wrong?" he asked.
"N-no," I answered in a shaky voice. "I'm just cold, that's all."
He frowned at me, and again I got the feeling that he wasn't buying my stories. But, again, he didn't push the subject, but gave me his jacket.
"Thanks," I muttered.
"No problem," he answered.
"Now, let this duel begin!" Camula cried.
(in the duel)
Crowler was losing, and badly. He had just been hit with an attack when he fell to the ground.
"Get up, Dr. Crowler!" someone cried out.
"I know that voice, it's slacker!" Crowler muttered.
"Jaden! What are you doing! You should still be resting!" I scolded.
[I'm sorry, mother.
[Eh, it's okay. As long as you're feeling better.
[So, what did I miss?
[Crowler's taking on Camula, the second Shadow Rider. As you can see, he's not doing so well.
[He'll win. Jaden said with a determined look on his face. "Come on, Dr. Crowler, get your game on!"
(end of duel)
Crowler lost, and he fell to the ground. "Jaden...avenge me, m'boy…" he said before he passed out. His body suddenly disappeared, and in his place lay a doll version of Crowler. His spirit key fell to the ground and disappeared as well.
"Crowler!" Jaden yelled.
"Not the prize I was hoping for, but it will do," Camula said as she walked over and picked up the doll containing Crowler's soul. "Until we meet again, my darlings." She let out a menacing laugh, and then disappeared.
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(the next day, at the hospital with Jaden)
"We gotta do something to get Dr. Crowler back," Jaden said.
"Yeah, but what?" Alexis asked.
"Isn't it obvious? We have to win," I said. "But you have to be willing to put your soul on the line."
"Gotta win? If that's all, I can take her on!" Jaden smiled.
"No way! You couldn't win a fight with a bed sheet," Chazz said. He took the sheet from Jaden's bed and pulled over Jaden's head.
"No way! I'm fine!" Jaden said as he sat and pulled the covers off his head.
"Shut up! You're injured, so keep quiet!" Chazz sighed in frustration as he pulled the covers back over Jaden's head and pushed him back on the bed.
"Will you two stop it? All that matters is that we get Dr. Crowler back. Shadow Duel or not...I will win!" Bastion said.
"Hey, I was gonna say that!" Jaden said in a muffled voice, the covers still over his head.
"Shut up already!" said Chazz.
"Okay," Jaden said in a small voice.
Boys, I sighed to myself.
(Later that night, in your room)
Why is life so hard sometimes? I sighed to myself. I just wish that this nightmare would end. Why does it have to be my soul that's intertwined with the Shadow Realm? Why do I have to be the one the Shadows need to survive? "Why the hell was I given this damn curse?!" I cried.
I looked out the window and saw a large swarm of bats flying over the lake. "She's back," I muttered.
I ran down to the lakeside, where I found everyone else standing.
[Took you long enough. I can't run, but I still beat you down here.
[Eh, sorry for making you wait again. I thought back sarcastically.
[It's alright. he thought back, not catching the sarcasm.
We all walked along the red carpet, Zane in the lead. We reached the dark castle and headed inside. "We're almost there," he said as we entered an old, run-down room. There were two balconies above us, making the room look like a creepy duel arena.
"Doesn't this seem like a lovely place to live," I said sarcastically.
"Why, thank you, darling," Camula said, appearing on one of the ledges. "Let us begin our duel!"
Zane stepped up to the other ledge.
"Duel!" they cried.
(in the duel)
"I play the spell card, Illusion Gate!" Camula cried.
Illusion Gate? I thought with a look of terror on my face.
Jaden noticed [Sadie? What's wrong?
[That card. It allows--
"This card allows me to destroy all monsters on the field." Camula explained, even as she said it, all of the monsters on the field were destroyed. "It also lets me summon any monster that was used in the duel. And I choose Cyber End Dragon!" The Cyber End Dragon suddenly appeared on Camula's side of the field.
"Impossible! No card is that powerful. There must be some kind of catch," Zane said.
"Of course. In exchange, the Gate needs a soul," Camula said.
"That's pretty risky, putting your own soul up like that," stated Jaden.
"Excuse me? I never said my soul, I said a soul," Camula smirked. "And I choose you, Syrus!" said Camula. Suddenly another Camula appeared and floated down to get Syrus.
"Sy, run!" said Zane.
Syrus wasn't fast enough to move, but I was. I ran and pushed Syrus out of the way, but the twin Camula grabbed me instead.
"Sadie! Let her go!" Jaden cried out in fury.
"You'd like her back, wouldn't you, Jaden," Camula smirked at Jaden's reaction. Jaden glared at the vampire. "Well, it's not the soul I was aiming for, but it will work out all the same," she said as I was carried up to the ledge. "So now, if you destroy Cyber End Dragon you destroy Sadie as well."
"Please, Zane!" Jaden yelled out. "She's my--"
"Jaden!" I screamed. "I'll be fine. You can attack me, Zane, I don't care."
"But, Sadie--" Jaden started.
"No! I don't want to go back, but I won't let the world be destroyed because of my own fears!" I cried as tears streamed down my face. [That's what I want, Jaden. I am prepared to go back if no one else has to.
"I stand down," Zane said suddenly.
"What?!" everyone yelled out.
"Zane, no!" I yelled.
"So be it, Cyber End Dragon! Attack Zane and end this duel!" Camula yelled.
"No!" I screamed as Zane fell and his body, like Crowler's, disappeared.
Camula held out another doll, and suddenly it turned into Zane, "Finally, I get my prize." She gave another evil laugh, and then she disappeared, the rest of us were transported outside.
Syrus was on his knees crying for his brother, and I felt like doing the same. A single tear slid down my cheek. Jaden made his way over to me, and pulled me into a hug.
"Jaden, I was prepared to go back," I cried into his chest. "But now Zane is gone, all because of me."
"Sadie, you didn't do anything wrong," Jaden comforted. "Zane did what any of us would have done. We would never sacrifice our friends to save our own life. If you and Zane had switched positions, what would you have done?"
I continued to cry, "The same, I guess, but I still feel responsible."
"It's gonna be alright, Sadie, I promise you," Jaden said. "I promise that I will beat Camula, and win back Zane, and Crowler." Jaden pulled away from me, "You hear me, Camula! I'm coming for you! You had better be ready to get your game on!"
(the next day)
"No way! You're not going to be the one to duel her!" Chazz said to me.
"Why not?! I could beat her!" I replied.
"Because I'm gonna be the one to duel her," Chazz replied with folded arms.
"No way! This is my fight!" I said.
"You two don't have to worry anyway. I'll be going!" said Bastion.
"Not a chance!" Chazz and I said in unison.
"I'm glad we're in agreement, I'll be the one to fight this vampire," I said as I started walking to the red carpet.
"Oh no ya don't," Chazz said as he pulled me back.
Suddenly the sound of a speedboat could be heard. Alexis pulled up at the shore of the lake.
"None of you will have to go. We've got our winner right here," she said.
Jaden then stepped out of the boat, looking a lot better. [I promised you that I would get Zane and Crowler back, and I'm gonna keep my promise.
I smiled [Oh alright.
Jaden took the lead to the castle and the rest of us followed.
Inside the castle we saw Camula waiting for us in the same spot. "Have you come to give me another spirit key?" she asked smirking.
"No, I came to get my friends' souls back," said Jaden. He climbed up to the platform opposite Camula.
"Duel!" said Camula.
"Alright Miss. Vampira, you better get your game on!" said Jaden.
(in the duel)
"I play the spell card, Illusion Gate!" Camula cried. Another Camula suddenly appeared. "As you know, Jaden, I need a soul to sacrifice to play this card, and I choose Sadie!" she yelled as the twin Camula came down towards me.
"Sadie!" Jaden shouted. Suddenly, the two halves of his medallion merged into one. Wait, when did he get the other half? I thought. The same gold glow that was coming from the medallion grew around me as well, and when the twin Camula came for me, she couldn't get near me.
"What the hell's going on?" I muttered.
Jaden smirked, "The power of my shadow charm negates the power of yours, so if you're gonna sacrifice a soul, it's gonna have to be yours!" Jaden looked down at the medallion, "Thanks, Atticus."
(end of duel)
Camula fell to her knees in defeat. "No!" she yelled.
Suddenly, Illusion Gate appeared behind her. Camula turned around to look at it. A large claw came out of the door and grabbed Camula by the throat and pulled her soul out. The claw went back into the gate, Camula's soul screaming in its grip as the door closed. Camula's body turned to dust and her shadow charm, along with Crowler and Zane's doll, fell to the ground.
The two dolls turned back to their normal form, Crowler and Zane returned to normal.
The castle then started to shake. Alexis, Bastion, Syrus and Chumley went up to the platform and quickly got the unconscious Dr. Crowler and Zane. Everyone ran out of the castle just in time.
Once everyone was outside, the castle crumbled and fell into the lake. The dark clouds disappeared from the sky and the sun shone brightly down on us like it was just a normal day.
"It was like living in a nightmare," Jaden said as he looked up at the blue sky.
"And the rest of our life wasn't?" I muttered so only he could hear me.
"Yeah, I guess your right," he muttered back.
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