A/N Hello readers! MERRY CHRISTMAS...and any other holiday that you may celebrate. This is the longest chapter that i've written yet! *PaRTY*!YaY! Anyway, This chapter takes place a month later so if your confused don't worry, YOU SUPPOSED to be. You'll uderstand some of it then the rest will be revealed later! Enough unnescessary babbling though and on with the story!!!!!!
1 month later
Sunrise
~Jaden's POV~
"No!" I yelled as another one of my monsters was destroyed. I watched as flames consumed the field and my friends along with them. I felt tears threatening to spill out of the rims of my eyes, as I redirected my attention back to the laughter that came from the other side of the field.
"Having fun yet? What's with the long face? You always had so much fun dueling, why should now be an exception?" The figure taunted.
"Having fun? I'm loosing my friends and failing to protect them, how could that be fun!?" I was replied with nothing but laughter.
"Like you've ever really been able to protect anyone. You can't even protect yourself and now you'll pay the price. I pity those so called friends of yours… to love someone as selfish as you and to get nothing in return, such a tragedy. Well, enough stalling. You can't prevent the inevitable this time Jay. You're going to loose…Just like you've already lost everything else." I watched as the figure raised its hand signaling the final attack. The attack soared towards me to deliver the final blow just as the figure's hood fell, and they spoke.
"Like how you lost me."
"Jaden!"
I shot straight up and grimaced while gripping my sides in pain. I felt someone push me back down onto the bed in the infirmary. I looked up to see that it was Zane. Next to him were a worried Syrus and Jesse.
"Another nightmare?" Jesse asked.
I nodded. Another one. All of them started when I woke up in this same bed to find that Ally had left. I clenched my fist, whether in anger or anguish I'm not certain. I glanced down at my torso and the bandages that wrapped it. My latest battle wounds from our war against Shadow. If you were going by who had more medallions, we were winning, but if you counted by how many were still standing, we were loosing. The medallion around my neck was proving to be the hardest task that any of us had ever faced, and so were the consequences.
"Like how you lost me."
I shuddered as the words echoed through my core. I'd lost her and it was my entire fault. I looked out the window and glanced at the new sunrise. You'd think that sunrises would bring a new day with new hopes, but that was one thing we were in thin supply of. I glanced back at my friends and tried to ignore all the filled hospital beds.
"We need a plan." It was Syrus who spoke this time. None of us ever thought that he could mature more than he had in the other dimension, but we were wrong. Ever since Ally left and it had left us out of spirit, Sy had jumped up and taken the lead.
"You're right Sy. Duel Academy is becoming a war zone. Innocent duelists are being dragged into this mess and hurt in the process, at the expense of some ludicrous shadow magician. He must be stopped." Zane said to his little brother. In this crisis, we were all glad to have the old Zane back.
"There are so many of them." I said shaking my head. "If we're going to stand any chance against them were going to need to fight fire with fire, but it's impossible. None of us have the ability to fight Shadow with the same powers as him. It's an unfair match. As for his followers attacking innocent people…we'll need more people to fight. We need to create our own army. It won't be long until this spreads off the island and even more people are put in immediate danger. We need to ask the students of Duel Academy if they want to help. We should gladly take the help of those who want to, and then those who do not want to stay and fight need to be taken to safety off the island." I stated and received nods from the others.
"So it looks like sleeping beauty finally woke up." We all turned towards the door. I smiled slightly. Zane walked over and wrapped an arm around her then came back to sit in the chairs near the window.
"I've already talked to the students and there is a list of names forming of who wants to join our fight against Shadow. There's more than you'd think. Everyone wants to take their shot at him. He's affected everyone in someway and I think everyone only has one thing on their mind, vengeance." She said as she looked to the floor.
"Thanks for all your help Sakura." I said to her with a slight smile that she returned. Zane's girlfriend, Sakura, had been a huge help with everything. We were all grateful for all her help with fighting against Shadow.
"I think I should get a thank you too you know." Syrus glared at the guy standing in the door with a cup of coffee in his hand. He ignored Syrus, and walked past him towards my bed, where he sat at the end of it. He turned and smiled at Sy giving me the perfect opportunity to swipe his coffee.
"Thank You." I said with a smirk. He returned it all the same then turned to address everyone.
"We're almost done with figuring out who's staying and who's going. The boats will be ready to leave tonight, which Shadow probably already knows. We'll need to be extra careful getting everyone out. He hasn't done a full scale attack yet, but if he is waiting for the perfect opportunity, this will be it." I nodded my head in understanding.
"Do you know why he'd attack random students Ulrich?" He shook his head back and forth.
"I've been wondering the same. In all the time that I had to "serve" him, I never heard of this as part of his plan. It's almost like he's waiting for something. Trying to provoke someone maybe." We all considered his reasoning.
"The only question is what or who is he trying to get to." Sakura finished.
Sunset
"You know, you shouldn't be out here."
I turned to see an approaching Sakura.
"Yeah, I know. I'm not just going to sit back and watch the rest of you fight. I'm going to be there this time. I'm going to protect them this time." I said more so to myself, while turning my gaze to the ground. I kept it there even when I felt Sakura's comforting hand upon my shoulder.
"You need to stop this. Beating yourself over the loss of her isn't going to bring her back. There was no way you would've been able to save her. She knew the stakes of the duel when she started playing, and she knew she would loose by playing that card."
"I just don't understand why though!?" I shouted turning towards her. Her eyes showed anger that matched if not defeated mine.
~SMACK~
"Do you honestly believe that!? You know why she did it Jay? She did it, because she loved you. If she hadn't redirected that attack you would have been obliterated! You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and instead start using the gift she gave you. She gave you your life Jaden! She wanted you to live, and she would never forgive you if you gave up now!" Her words stopped, but I heard her ragged breathing. I tried to ignore what she had said. It had to have been my fault. It wasn't hers so it had to be mine. I put my hands to my head and shook it back and forth trying desperately to clear my thoughts.
"You're being selfish."
…"I pity those so called friends of yours… to love someone as selfish as you and to get nothing in return, such a tragedy."
I shook at the words that shouted from my nightmare.
"Stop thinking about yourself, and feeling sorry for yourself. She did what she did to save you. She loved you. She wanted you to fight. She would be ashamed to see you admit defeat. This is all about her… I guess you didn't love her." She finished and started to turn away. Without me even realizing what I was doing, I grabbed both of her wrists and forced her to look at me.
"Never say that to me! Alexis meant everything to me and you know it. I loved her more than anything in the world!" I fell silent. I had never admitted it, but now it was clear.
"I loved her."
It was barley audible, but it was true. I loved Alexis. I looked up to see Sakura's smirk.
"Then prove it. You know what you have to do." She said as she freed herself from my death grip and walked back towards the academy. I turned and looked at the boat dock where students were already arriving. I activated my duel disk.
"I promise Lex. I won't give up. I know what I have to do." I swore and then headed towards the loading docks.
~Unknown POV~ (No it is not Ally.)
"I know what I have to do too." I said with a bittersweet smile as I watched the boy run towards the boats. Night was quickly approaching.
'Soon…very soon.'
"Two enemies clash as fates tear apart. Only when both are defeated with tranquility descend," My gaze fell upon the boy once more. "Even is matched the forces against, only one can be defeated by the other, then be defeated by ones own brother. The day will be saved by light as dark is banished to an eternal night. Only then will tranquility descend and bring the ancient chaos to an end."
A slight chuckle escaped my lips as I leapt from the tree to the earth below. This was bound to be interesting.
~Jesse's POV~
The docks
I watched Jaden run down towards the docks. Almost all the students who were leaving were already getting aboard the ships and our own army prepared for any chance of attack.
"Almost everyone on the boats?" Jaden asked as he stopped in front of me.
"Almost." I replied. There were only a few minutes until the sun's light would vanish. In other words, there were only a few minutes until Shadow would arrive, along with a battle. I caught a glimpse of something in the trees. It was moving quickly, and was a hooded figure. Then, the sun set.
"Jesse, we've got trouble." I looked ahead to where Jaden spoke of. Right in front of us was an army made of Shadow and his followers. We were out powered, and out numbered. I glanced back to the trees to find the mysterious figure gone.
"Alright everyone! This is it. It's time to defend our friends and our home." I glanced at Jaden and gave a nod of approval.
"Let's get our game on!" Jaden said as our own little army activated their duel disks earning a laugh from our enemy.
"Poor pathetic mortals… you're so bound by your lack of power it's….sad. Only able to duel with holograms and fight with your worthless little decks. I on the other hand can fight with much more. Maybe you'd like a demonstration." He laughed evilly as he raised his hand. A field of shadow creatures emerged from the ground. The mangled looking silhouettes rose then fled forward by command of their master. Some students screamed, and some fled. I had enough time to glance around and see Jaden, Zane, Ulrich, Sakura, and Syrus standing ready for the assault. I looked to the front of the battle field with terror. 'We're dead.'
"You sure about that Jesse?" I saw the same cloaked figure from the woods appear right in front of my eyes. It's hands were raised and with them came it's own army, appearing just in time to counter the attack. All of the creatures canceled out one another leaving a cleared battle field. The cloaked figure lowered it's hands. We heard an exhale of relief come from Ulrich.
"Could you have cut that any closer? It's about time you showed up anyway. I mean reall-" He has cut off when a muzzle of shadows clamped his mouth shut.
"Then, next time I'll just stay in the dark." It replied sassily. Ulrich laughed as the muzzle dispersed. The figure gave a slight nod before redirecting it's attention back to the enemy at hand. They both stepped forward.
"You wanted my attention didn't you?" The figure snarled at shadow with uncountable levels of venom. He frowned.
"I see you're not happy to see me, then again I can't blame you. After all, I am going to have to tear your souls apart, I probably wouldn't be too joyful either. Now, how about you be a good girl and just surrender." He suggested. The figure in front of us let out an actual laugh.
"As if. It's time for you to pay for all that you've done. Your acts of dismay are about to come to an end Shadow, and I can't wait to take you down." We all looked at the unnamed figure in shock as it's voice came out as two. To greater shock was when an identical figure materialized next to the first. Shadow smiled in anticipation.
"I see you've taught you're little apprentice well, Ami. Let's hope she can with stand the battle. This might not be as boring as I thought." Shadow teased.
"The only hope you should even be considering is that I'll only banish you to the shadow realm after all of this." The first figure replied as she dropped her hood. I looked at her and felt my eyes widen in shock. There was no doubting it, it was Ally.
~Ami's POV~
The look of shock on everyone's faces has to say the least hysterical. I new Ally wouldn't even turn to meet their eyes. I felt the laughter within me flee at the thought of how cold my counterpart had grown. It was what she felt was best, though I didn't agree. She ran on loneliness and pain alone, but could it really be enough? I gave them a quick wave as I dropped my hood. I didn't look like Ally anymore. We had both agreed that we wanted to look different and individual so I cut my hair short and dyed it blonde, while Ally's grew long. To everyone we had only been gone a month, but to us we had been gone four. I looked to see Ally's eyes blazing with hatred as she stared at the man before us, but that hatred wasn't for him alone. Ally hated herself more than anything. She hated herself, within her body laid the sleeping soul of my sister. The cause of all the pain and trouble she had been through. She created a deadly covering of shadow magic over her hands and then looked to me.
"If I loose control, do what you have to." She said quietly only for my ears to hear. I gave a firm nod. To my surprise she turned to her friends.
"Stay right here, don't get involved, and more importantly stay out of our way."
That was not so much a surprise. She swiftly turned to face the battle front.
"Time for you to breathe your last breath." She shot forward and disappeared as I ran head on at Shadow. I attacked him with a burst of energy which he easily dodged. He returned the favor with the same out come. I jumped out of the way of a giant black hand as Ally appeared in front of Shadow, landing a powerful kick to his chest. He skidded back a few feet, then quickly recovered.
Ally was fast, but so was Shadow. We continued to pound him with combos, which were slowly wearing him down, but it wasn't quick enough. Even though we wouldn't show it, especially Ally, we were starting to slow down. I noticed a shadow creature emerging from the forest about to attack Ally with a small energy-knife. I jumped in front of it falling into Shadow's trap. A bunch of vines covered in dark energy wrapped around my torso then the rest of my body, imprisoning my movement. Shadow had succeeded in separating me from Ally and now she was on her own. I knew that I didn't have enough energy to escape, so I eagerly watched to see what fate would unfold.
Shadow created a sword out of shadows, as did, Ally. They both clashed against each other again and again. They were equally matched in power. They rid themselves of the useless weapons then began fighting hand-to-hand. It was brutal to watch. Ally had gotten hit by a punch and we could all hear the bones snap underneath the blow. It had to be excruciatingly painful though her face did not betray her. Her face remained with the intensity of hatred that had been plastered there when the fight began, but then I noticed. Though it was small and barley visible, there was a desire for destruction beginning to grow in her hate filled eyes. I had to do something quickly, but there was nothing that I could do. All I could do is pray. Pray that that desire for destruction stayed beneath the surface.
~Ally's POV~
I didn't have to look at Ami's concern filled eyes to realize that I was loosing control and that there was nothing she could do about it. To make matters worse, he saw it too. The person that he loved so much was trying to break through to him through my body. It was like a very messed up twisted love story, but there would be no happy ending. I couldn't let her be released. I would sooner die then let that happen. A bittersweet smile crossed my lips as I thought about the high possibility of that happening. It needed to happen. The person inside me needed to be destroyed and I would have gladly accepted death if it would have brought this to an end.
"Come. Bring her out and let her destructive spirit free, vessel." Shadow commanded. I felt my body tense as I tried to force back the craving for pain and destruction that flowed through my veins. I was concentrating on it so hard that I hadn't noticed Shadow grab my shoulders. I couldn't stop him and before I could move I felt his lips press onto mine. The desire grew and it took all of my power to sustain control. I managed to pry my lips from his then screamed. I grasped my head. It felt as If it was splitting in half, and the agonizing pain shook through my body, forcing it to the ground. She would not be free! Not by my doing. I wrapped my hand around my throat and put as much pressure into squashing my oxygen supply as I could. He took a step back. I assume he realized my intentions, and let Ami free. She ran to my side and grabbed my wrist.
"Alyssa! You have to let go! You are in control not her. She can only have your body if you will it. You're in control." She managed to remove my hand from my now bruised neck, and then place her hand in mine. "You're in control." She stated once more. I felt the feeling slowly begin to fade. I concentrated and gathered all my sanity.
"Ami…give me your strength." She turned her face away from mine, but didn't argue. I felt an overwhelming amount of strength rush through my body.
I quickly appeared in front of Shadow and picked him up by his throat and threw him into the nearest tree. It didn't take long to land a bone crushing kick to his chest. His body flew through the tree and into another. This time I stopped in front of him and grasp his chin with such strength that I felt his bones snap and fracture under my touch.
"You've outstayed your 'welcome'. We'll finish this another time." If it was possible I tightened my grasp. "And keep your traitorous mouth off of mine." I spat as he disappeared into the shadows.
I emerged from the forest completely aware of the scene which would unfold. There were the people I abandoned. I had abandoned them to keep them safe, but had ultimately failed to protect them. The next few moments to come would be some of the most hated moments of my life, and I didn't have to be able to read minds to know that. I was met up with by Ami, who allowed me to lean against her for support. I gradually met the eyes of the people before me. The thoughts I heard and the words that their eyes read varied greatly, but none tore as deep as the ones that came from him. I heard the whispered thought in his head as though he knew I was listening.
'Please, don't leave me again.'
Well there ya go guys! I hope you enjoyed. Please review and give me your thoughts and other comments- though it would be preffered if they are not spiteful! Thank You for reading and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!