Ruler of the Gentle Darkness (Chapter Four)
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh GX.
Nightshroud smirked seeing Jaden's fury; the fury of the Supreme King at less than half of his true power was intimidating, but not that much. "My turn" Nightshroud said drawing a card. "I summon Darkness Eye" he said as an eyeball appeared on the field (0/1000). "Now I play the field spell card Darkness." It just seemed to get even darker if possible. "Darkness allows me to set the trap cards Zero and Infinity from my hand as well as Darkness 1, Darkness 2, and Darkness 3 from my deck in any random order." All five trap cards appeared on the field "Darkness forbids me from looking at my set trap cards, but at the end of each turn Zero and Infinity are activated Darkness randomly rearranges all set trap cards."
Jaden said nothing and just drew his card. "Jaden" Yubel spoke hesitantly feeling his rage.
'Not now Yubel' he said coldly and firmly. Yubel closed her eyes and went back to Jaden's subconscious. "I summon Elemental HERO Ice Edge" he said and a small hero with a childish face and ice spikes all over its body appeared on the field (800/900). "Now I activate the effect of Ice Edge. I discard one card from my hand and in return Ice Edge can attack you directly; go."
Ice Edge charged at Nightshroud, but Nightshroud countered. "I activate Zero, which also activates Infinity" he said. Both Zero and Infinity revealed themselves. "And when Zero and Infinity are activated all the set cards between them are activated." One card was between them and it revealed itself "Darkness 1! The effect of Darkness 1 is that one monster on your field is destroyed."
Ice Edge was immediately destroyed by the effects of Darkness 1. "I activate the spell card Relationship" Jaden countered playing the card. "When an Elemental HERO is destroyed I can summon another one from my hand or deck as long as it has the same attack. So I summon Elemental HERO Bubbleman in defense mode." Bubbleman appeared "And thanks to Bubbleman's effect, when he's summoned alone I get to draw two cards." Jaden drew his two cards "I place two cards facedown and end my turn."
"Thanks to Darkness all of my cards are reset and rearranged" Nightshroud said as the cards rearranged themselves in the set position. Then Nightshroud drew a card "I activate the ability of Darkness Eye, an ability that lets me summon Darkness Destroyer without sacrificing." On the field a massive beast appeared on the field (2300/2100). "Now I activate the effect of Zero and Infinity. You know what this means." It couldn't get any worse as the cards between Zero and Infinity were all of them. "Darkness 2 activates giving Darkness Destroyer 1000 attack points until the end phase (2300+1000=3300/2100). The second ability is that Darkness Destroyer gains another 1000 points for each Darkness monster on the field." There were two of them so Darkness Destroyer gained 2000 more attack points (3200+2000=5300/2100).
"Darkness Destroyer attack" Nightshroud commanded. Darkness Destroyer charged at Jaden ready to end the duel in one fell swoop "When Darkness Destroyer attacks a monster in defense mode the difference in points is dealt to you as damage. Farewell Supreme King."
"Trap card activated" Jaden said activating his trap. "Go Negate Attack; now your attack is not only halted, but ended completely."
Nightshroud merely chuckled "You are only delaying the inevitable, but you can't delay forever. The girl won't last much longer." Jaden looked over to Alexis to see her panting in pain with her eyes closed and sweat pouring from her body. "Darkness resets my trap cards and my turn ends" Nightshroud said as his trap cards reset themselves.
Jaden drew a card, not speaking because he wanted to get it done "I plat Pot of Greed." Jaden drew his two cards "I now activate the special ability of Elemental HERO Captain Gold. By discarding Captain Gold to the graveyard I can add one Skyscraper card to my hand." Discarding the card Jaden plucked Skyscraper from his deck.
Nightshroud was now angry "You wouldn't…"
"Watch me" Jaden glared. "I now activate Skyscraper." Slamming the card into the slot Jaden watched as Darkness vanished and skyscrapers appeared. "Darkness is now gone and without it you can't control your trap cards anymore."
"You brat" Nightshroud glared.
"And since your turn ended Darkness Destroyer's attack points go back to their original 2300" Jaden said. "And now it's time for me to make my move; I activate my facedown card Emblem of the Cyber." The card revealed itself and it was a card that showed a picture of advanced cybernetic gear. "This card allows me to take one monster with word 'Cyber' in its name and add it to my hand from my deck. So I'm bringing Cyber Raider from my deck to my hand."
"But I'm not done yet" Jaden continued ruthlessly. "I now summon to the field Elemental HERO Neos Alius." On the field appeared a child version of the original Elemental HERO Neos (1900/1300). "While on the field Elemental HERO Neos Alius is treated as if it were the original Neos, which will allow me to do this. I activate Polymerization to fuse together Neos Alius and Cyber Raider in order to summon out my Cyber Neos."
The two monsters fused together and out of it came a mechanized Neos wearing mechanized armor with a mechanized body, all of it a dark lime green in color while also wielding cybernetic fists (2900/2500).
Nightshroud grunted "That monster may be powerful, but it won't be enough to stop me."
"Well let's find out" Jaden said coldly. "I activate the spell card Immunity." The spell card showed a monster standing tall with a shield of energy surrounding it. "The monster equipped with Immunity is immune to the effects of spell and trap cards for one turn and in exchange I can't attack with the monster this card was equipped with next turn, but that doesn't matter especially after I activate the spell card Cosmic Burst-Waves." This spell card depicted cosmic waves in space all gathering into a single powerful ball and exploding outwards. "With this card I just give up 1000 life points and in exchange Cyber Neos can attack all monsters on the field."
Nightshroud: 4000
Jaden: 3000
"No" Nightshroud shouted.
"Yes" Jaden hissed. "Cyber Neos attack with Cosmo Stridence." Cyber Neos slammed its fists together in midair and many large waves of energy launched from its fists and sliced completely through Darkness Eye and Darkness Destroyer completely destroying them making Nightshroud scream in frustration.
Jaden: 3000
Nightshroud: 500
"And with that I'll end my turn" Jaden said. Looking over to Alexis Jaden thought 'Just hold on a little longer, it's almost over.'
Nightshroud glared at Jaden growling angrily "You little brat; how dare you do this to me. I have waited far too long to get this opportunity and I will not be stopped."
"You will be" Jaden said still glaring. "I'll make sure of it."
"Not after this" Nightshroud smirked. "I draw and I activate monster reborn to bring back Darkness Destroyer, but Darkness Destroyer will not remain here for long."
"And why is that" Jaden demanded.
"Because I now sacrifice Darkness Destroyer and the Darkness Bramble in my hand in order to summon Darkness Neosphere" Nightshroud summoned his most powerful monster. It was hideous to say the least with long pink colored hair, a mutilated body filled with darkness and eyeballs with a blank face (4000/4000).
Jaden widened his eyes "Neosphere… I remember." Jaden remembered a much more youthful looking Neosphere from the Supreme King's memories and how he was Nightshroud's… best… friend.
Jaden's eyes exploded in absolute fury as his dark aura flared so brightly the ground shook "You twisted your own friend to your bidding."
Nightshroud smirked at Jaden's anger "Sacrifices must be made for the greater good. After all you know all about that don't you." Jaden didn't think he could get any angrier, but being forced to remember what he did in the Alternate Dimension because of his obsession pushed his anger overboard. Nightshroud was delighted "Darkness Neosphere attack his Cyber Neos."
Darkness Neosphere turned around revealing an eye in the back of its head, which launched a massive beam of darkness that enveloped Cyber Neos.
Jaden: 1900
Nightshroud: 500
Nightshroud chuckled "And thanks to Darkness Neosphere's special ability, if it at the end of my turn my life points are less than 4000 then they automatically go back to 4000."
Nightshroud: 4000
Jaden: 1900
"You have lost Supreme King; no card in your deck can stand up to the power of Darkness Neosphere" Nightshroud boasted.
Jaden said nothing except draw a card "Elemental HERO Clayman, defense mode" was all he said summoning the earth style HERO.
Nightshroud laughed as he drew a card "That's it; how pathetic. I may have lost Darkness, but with Darkness Neosphere I can still use the trap cards. I activate Zero and Infinity." Both trap cards revealed themselves with Darkness 3 in the middle. "Darkness 3; you now take 1000 points of damage." Jaden was struck by the attack, but didn't even flinch.
Nightshroud: 4000
Jaden: 900
"Now I equip Darkness Neosphere with Darkness Force" Nightshroud said showing a card that had dark light waves swirling across it. "With this card every monster Darkness Neosphere destroys you take damage equal to that monster's attack points. Darkness Neosphere attack."
Darkness Neosphere completely blew away Clayman in a mighty explosion.
Nightshroud: 4000
Jaden: 100
"You have only 100 life points left; it is almost over Supreme King" Nightshroud boasted. "Soon you will join your beloved queen in the afterlife for all of eternity.
Jaden looked at his hand; he only had one card left, Neo Space, and it wouldn't help him at all right now. He needed the right card or it would all be over; his friends, the world… Alexis. All would be lost from him.
'Please, let it be one that will let me win… PLEASE' he thought drawing the card. Looking at the card Jaden slowly got a smirk on his face.
Nightshroud saw the look "What are you smirking about" he glared.
"This" Jaden responded. "First I play Neo Space." The skyscrapers vanished and the bright colored world of Neo Space replaced it. "Next I'm going to summon an old friend of yours." Nightshroud's eyes narrowed "I summon Trueman."
Nightshroud's eyes widened as his once faithful spy and servant appeared on the field on Jaden's side (1900/1000). "Trueman, what are you doing?" Trueman was silent "Trueman, answer me."
"He can't" Jaden smirked. "When you sent Trueman after me the first time and I defeated him I used my powers to seal him into a card. Now he is mine to use as I see fit." Seeing Nightshroud's fury made Jaden smirk maliciously "Now I'm going to activate Trueman's special ability; an ability that allows me to take a single card from either my opponent's deck or my own. Luckily for you I chose my own; in exchange Trueman can't attack this turn."
Jaden searched through his deck before pulling out a card and reshuffling his deck. "The card I've chosen is Card of Sanctity" Jaden said showing the card. "Now both of us draw until we have six cards." Jaden drew a full six cards while Nightshroud only drew two. When Jaden saw his hand he smirked "I'm afraid it is now the end for you Nightshroud."
"Never; you will never stop me" Nightshroud screamed.
"Yes I will and your downfall starts with this card" Jaden screamed in return. "I activate Fusion Recovery. With it I get Polymerization and Cyber Raider back. Now I'm going to use Polymerization to fuse Elemental HERO Neos and Dark Entity." Both Neos and a Dark Entity, a figure shrouded in a dark cloak and dark armor with only his lower face visible (1800/1500), jumped into the air and fused together. "Together they create Neos Entity." On the field appeared a Neos monster shrouded in a dark cloak and dark armor with a pointy hood and only Neos' lower face visible (2100/500).
"That's it; that's your ace in the whole, pathetic" Nightshroud responded.
"Oh no; I'm not done yet" Jaden quipped back. "Next I activate the spell card Heavy Storm."
"NO" Nightshroud screamed as all of his facedown cards were destroyed. "Curse you Jaden Yuki, you and your heroes."
"It's what we do" Jaden said maliciously. "But I'm not done yet. Next I place once card facedown; Neos Entity attack Darkness Neosphere."
"You are a fool; Neosphere destroy him" Nightshroud shouted. Both monsters jumped at each other and attacked and Neos Entity was destroyed. "YES, I WIN."
"Wrong" Jaden shouted in return. "I don't take any damage in battles involving Neos Entity; however when Neos Entity is destroyed it allows me to call upon an even more powerful Neos Monster." Reaching into his deck Jaden pulled out a new card "Say hello to the one and only Mirage Neos."
The new monster that appeared on the field was indeed a new Neos monster, but this one had massive silver armor and a large silver broadsword with a matching silver cape going down its back. (2800/2300).
"Now Mirage Neos, attack Darkness Neosphere and end this duel" Jaden shouted.
"You fool; like the last one it's too weak" Nightshroud shouted as both monsters jumped at one another.
"No Nightshroud; it is you who is the fool" Jaden rebuffed. "During the battle Mirage Neos' special ability activates; he gains attack strength equal the monster he's attacking so in other words he's stronger than Neosphere."
Mirage Knight's attack increased exponentially (2800+4000=6800/2300). "It still doesn't matter because when this attack is over that monster will vanish leaving you defenseless."
Jaden smirked "Normally yes, but did you forget the card I placed facedown." By the look on Nightshroud's face he had forgotten. "Well now I reveal it; the trap card Neos Spiral Force. With this I can take a monster on my field and double its attack points."
Mirage Neos got even stronger (6800+6800=13,600/2300). "No" Nightshroud shouted as the attack connected and Darkness Neosphere was obliterated in a mighty explosion of power. "NOOOOO" Nightshroud screamed as he felt the power he stole be ripped from him.
Jaden: 100
Nightshroud: 0
The due over Jaden confronted the last bit of Nightshroud "You may have won today, but I will always exist" Nightshroud coughed. "As long as humans have darkness in their hearts then I will always exist."
"That may be true, but you will not rise again" Jaden said pulling out a blank card making Nightshroud go wide eyed. "Because the Supreme King and his descendants will always be there to keep you in check." Nightshroud screamed as his soul was placed inside the card Jaden held.
The darkness around the world vanished revealing light and slowly everyone was coming back. Jaden didn't care though and ran over to Alexis; feeling his power quadruple in strength and potency Jaden attempted to heal Alexis.
"Supreme King" a voice said making him gasp and turn around only to stare wide eyed. It was the Queen he saw in the vision. Her appearance to Alexis was indeed uncanny; they could pass for twins. She was smiling at Jaden "The conflict of the darkness is over and it is at peace thanks to you. I thank you; now my spirit can finally be at peace with my king."
She flew into Alexis' body and Alexis briefly glowed with dark energy before it disappeared. Alexis then began to cough "Alexis, Alexis" Jaden said alarmed.
Her bright hazel eyes opened as she stared at Jaden "Jaden" she whispered.
Tears came to Jaden's eyes "Thank you, thank you" Jaden cried happily as he hugged Alexis tightly in his arms. He was never letting go of her ever.
TIMESKIP
Everyone had returned and the darkness was now forever gone; Nightshroud was defeated. Thanks to the queen of the Supreme King's past life Alexis was saved and was in no danger, but Ms. Fontaine, the school nurse, wanted her to rest there for the night.
Jaden refused to leave her side no matter how much Alexis insisted he was fine. "Really Jaden; I'm okay. You can get some rest; your probably need it" she said.
"I'm fine; you are what I care about right now" Jaden said softly holding her hand. "I almost lost you today."
Alexis never thought she would see Jaden so broken up "Jaden, I'm sorry." Jaden looked at her surprised "I'm sorry I'm always making you worry; I must be such a burden to you. I –" she was cut off when Jaden's lips placed themselves on hers. Alexis widened her eyes before relaxing into the kiss as Jaden pulled her into his arms.
Pulling back Jaden's head was tipped slightly "My life belongs to you Alexis. I will use it for you; let's stay together… until the end."
Her eyes watered "And I'll… I'll protect you as well… forever."
"Alexis" Jaden murmured softly looking up his brown eyes boring into her hazel eyes. "Tonight… I want to be with you." Her eyes widened even more as she blushed before smiling happily and nodding. That night Jaden snuck Alexis out of the infirmary and back to the Slifer Dorms. There is where Jaden cooked them both a magnificent meal. It surprised Alexis with how well Jaden could cook and she enjoyed it. Jaden really went all out; especially with the romantic dimmed lights and candle lights on a fold-out table.
When they finished the wonderful dinner Alexis stood up after finished her drink and turned the lights all the way off leaving only the moonlight to illuminate the room. Jaden watched her and went slightly wide eyed as Alexis took off her top and let her skirt pool at her feet leaving her in only a matching pair of blue lacy undergarments.
Jaden felt like he was staring upon a Goddess; Alexis blushed under his gaze "What are you waiting for; don't just stare" she said shyly. Jaden smiled at her and stood up before taking off his jacket and shirt. Taking her into his arms he kissed her passionately and she responded in kind happily.
For the next few hours the two of them became one and now together they lied in bed sweaty, but content. The two of them fell asleep in each other's arms.
Hours later when the sun was just peaking over the ocean did Jaden awaken from the best sleep he had in his life. Remembering last night he looked over to see Alexis still sound asleep in his arms. Getting out of bed without waking her Jaden put his pants on and looked out at the rising sun. Like before Nightshroud showed up; it was peaceful and relaxing.
Hearing a noise from behind him Jaden turned to see Alexis waking up "Hey" he said softly "Sleep well."
"Better than I have in my entire life" she responded with a dreamy smile. She sat up keeping the sheets hugged tightly to her naked body "Jaden; after the graduation ceremony could we perhaps take a break before heading out."
"A break" he inquired. "Why?"
"I'm… I'm scared" she admitted quietly. "I'm scared that if we head out right away something bad will happen again like it did before. Or maybe I'm just paranoid; I'm really tired of all the danger."
Jaden smiled "I know what you mean; I'm tired of the danger as well. There are times where I wish I could just forget about it." Looking back out at the rising sun Jaden got a sudden idea "There's a tiny spot of land just outside of Domino City, maybe five minutes away, near a lake with a pristine beach. It's been for sale for many years, but no one's wanted to buy it. I've saved enough money; we could buy it and build our own house there and then…"
"And then what" she asked.
"Then" he paused for a minute before turning to her with the most passion filled gaze she had ever seen "Let's get married."
Alexis' eyes widened to near impossible proportions before the most radiant smile Jaden had ever seen came to her face. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes began to water until she finally choked out "Yes." Jaden smiled and crawled into bed with her again and continued their events from last night. Thank God it was Sunday.
One week later and that was it; it was their graduation day. The underclassman were so kind to prepare everything for them. Blair was the representative of the First Years in charge of setting everything up, Hassleberry was the representative of the Second Years and in charge of giving the speeches and Alexis, being the representative of the graduates was in charge of coming up with a farewell speech to their year.
Crowler was surprisingly choked up about having to say goodbye to the third year students. He even surprised Jaden, and everyone else, when he had admitted to Jaden that he would miss him. His actual words were "You'll be remembered as one of my worst students… and also one of my favorites." Jaden felt really touched that Crowler admitted that in the end he did believe in Jaden.
Crowler couldn't even deliver the news on who did best on the exams and had to be escorted out by three professors. The one who did the best would get an exact copy of Yugi Muto's deck. Surprisingly three people scored the best; Alexis, Syrus and Chazz.
All three of them declined the opportunity to take the deck as they believed in their own decks. Then came the best part; the farewell speech from Alexis. She gave a beautiful speech that had a few people in tears; it was a nice farewell speech that had a lot of people hugging each other goodbyes.
When she finished the speech Chancellor Shepherd was about to start handing out the diploma's when "Excuse me" Jaden called getting all attention. "Yeah, excuse me."
"Yes Jaden" Chancellor Shepherd said amused.
"I'd like to say something real quick and I'd like the whole school to witness it" Jaden said with a grin on his face.
Chancellor Shepherd raised an eyebrow before chuckling "Very well; this'll be the last Jaden Yuki antic the academy will ever see." The students laughed, even Jaden as he ran up there and took the microphone from Chancellor Shepherd.
Clearing his throat Jaden faced the school "Well, it's been a rough ride everyone. Those who are graduating; we've all faced some crazy stuff in the last three years. Hopefully as we graduate we can avoid that crazy stuff, am I right?" He got a few cheers and agreements "But before we graduate and move onto our separate paths… I want to do something special for a certain someone."
Jaden took a breath, turning to Alexis, and put the microphone on the stand so he had both hands free. Everyone could still hear him as Jaden began to speak "Throughout our years at the Academy the one who stood by me through it all, besides my bro Syrus, was you Alexis. When I first met you Alexis you weren't like the other girls; you didn't obsess over boys or how good you looked. You focused on becoming the best duelist you could be. You also dreamed big; a future to where you would become a teacher. You are an amazing woman Alexis and I'm really happy I got to know you."
A few more people got tears in their eyes from Jaden's heartfelt speech, but Jaden wasn't done yet. "Even though you already gave me an answer; I wanted to do this right. So for the last week I put in a little extra time working with Dorothy in the Card Shack so I could do this; I'm about to ask you a very important question."
Breathing in again Jaden got down on one knee and some people immediately began to cheer knowing what was about to come. Alexis covered her mouth in shock with her eyes beginning to water. Reaching into the back of his pockets Jaden pulled out a small black box "You are the most amazing girl I've ever met and since we've been together I just can't picture my life without you. Alexis Rhodes, will you marry me?" Opening the box he revealed a shining silver ring with a small diamond on it.
The cheers came again with people shouting "Say yes, Say yes, Say yes."
The tears fell down her face like a waterfall from pure happiness and for the life of her Alexis could not stop them. "Yes" she finally responded. Jaden just barely stood back up when she tackled him and kissed him. The entire room erupted in cheers so loud no one could hear themselves think.
Among them all the loudest claps were from Syrus, Jesse and Atticus. Syrus was so happy for his best friend; he was happy that Jaden finally found someone. Jesse cheered for reasons like Syrus happy that Jaden found that special someone. Atticus was literally crying he was so happy that his baby sister finally got her man. He always knew it would be Jaden; he just didn't know when it would happen. He couldn't wait to tell his parents; they'd flip.
Jaden and Alexis weren't paying attention to any of them; just each other. Holding each other as they gazed into each other's eyes; everything was perfect now. Their brand new life would now begin.
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