A/N: Well, here we are at Chapter 2. This fic won't be too long, though. At least I hope it won't turn into a hundred chapters! (jk. It'll be short.) I know it's kinda dark, but thanks for reading, anyway. And, just out of curiosity, about pairings, how many of you think that it's:

Jaden and Alexis

Chazz and Alexis

Jaden and Chazz

Just let me know. Or, if you have a different pairing, involving Atticus, let me know. Hope you enjoy: )

Chapter 2:

Chazz felt dizzy. For the past for days, he'd felt weaker and weaker. At least, he thought it was days. It didn't matter. All he knew was he wanted to go home. Contrary to what he always told everyone, he actually hated to be alone like this. He wished someone would come and talk to him. So far, he'd seen nobody and nothing. Nothing except for blackness and fog.

"This sucks." He complained, "Isn't anyone worried about me? Isn't anyone trying to find me? Can anyone hear me?!"

His voice echoed in the darkness. There was no response

"God, I know I haven't been religious or anything, but if you're there, then can you send me an angel? I wanna go home. I know I haven't exactly earned it, but will you please get me outta here? I hate this!"

Shivering, he held his knees closer to his chest. He didn't want to admit it, but he was scared. The longer this dragged out, the more panicked he became. He had the strange feeling that he'd been there before, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Where ever he was, it didn't seem like he was leaving anytime soon.

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Alexis wiped her eyes as she sat in the uncomfortable chairs at the cemetery. Attending the youngest Princeton's funeral was the least she could do after the injustice she'd done to him. Guiltily, she thought back to how harshly she had treated him when he had proclaimed his love for her. What if he thought she'd run him over on purpose? What if he thought she hated him? She certainly had to find some way to get him back now.

Jaden had told her everything the very night he had found out; however, they had been unsuccessful in getting to the Shadow Realm. Nothing was working. Even though Atticus had done his best, he could find no way to send them there. They had dueled hundreds of times; however, Jaden kept winning and whenever Alexis had lost, the shadows had not been potent enough to capture her soul. Atticus had lost his touch.

Alexis looked over at Mrs. Princeton. She felt so horrible watching Chazz's mother sob like that. What was even worse was that Mrs. Princeton knew that Alexis had done this to her son. She had told Alexis it was all right; however, everyone knew it wasn't. Alexis silently swore that if Chazz ever came back, she would be nicer to him. And kiss him, even. He sure deserved it after what he'd been put through.

Atticus reached out and took his sister's hand, squeezing it reassuringly, even as he himself was less than assured. Jaden, as well, took Alexis' other hand. She would've brushed them away, claiming she did not deserve the comfort had she not believed they needed it just as much. They could only watch helplessly as the casket was lowered into the ground.

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"I want to go home." Chazz whined to himself. "Somebody, save me!"

"Boss?" came a faint voice from beyond the shadows.

"Ojama Yellow? Is that really you?" Chazz asked in disbelief. Normally, he would've told the Duel Spirit to take a hike; however, at that moment he was overjoyed to see it.

"Boss, we've been looking for you forever!" Ojama Yellow shouted, coming through the fog.

Chazz cried. He had never cried in front of the Ojamas before; however, he figured he'd make an exception here. He was so relieved to see something familiar.

"Get me outta here!"

Ojama Yellow smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, Boss, I can't."

"Why?"

"Because you're dead."

"WHAT?!!!!!"

"Alexis accidentally killed you."

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT?!!!!!!! I mean, I knew she didn't like like me, but I didn't know she HATED me!"

"I said it was an accident!"

"Ok, Ok, I getcha. Ok, game's over. Where am I really?"

"I'm not kidding, Boss. You're in the Shadow Realm, and we only have a few days left to save you and bring you back to your body. You're dead."

Chazz would've fainted if he could've. "D-dead? I'm dead? Alexis…"

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Jaden and Alexis dueled Atticus for the millionth time after they returned to Duel Academy. Still, their attempts were all in vain. They failed once again.

"Ok, we're just wasting our time," Alexis sighed, "We have to find a REAL Shadow Rider."

"But, we got rid--" began Jaden.

"We should go to Pegasus then. Maybe he can help us." Atticus suggested.

"Why would he listen to a ridiculous story like this?"

"Remember, Alexis," Atticus reminded her, "Pegasus created the game. Besides, he's messed with the Shadow Realm before. Plus, he has encountered supernatural events with the game. He knows what he's talking about."

"Ok." Alexis agreed. "When do we leave?"

"There's no time to waste. We have to go now." Atticus told them.

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Pegasus examined the three teenagers sitting on the other side of the desk, contemplating.

"You mean to tell me that you want to go to the Shadow Realm to save your friend, all because a Duel Spirit said so?"

"But, don't Duel Spirits know what they're talking about when it comes to things like this?" Jaden argued.

"Well, in most cases, yes; however, the Ojamas are notorious for being, er, rather, um, ignorant. They're loyal to their master, but they're obnoxious and impulsive. They don't always know what they're talking about, you know." Pegasus explained.

"We have no choice," Alexis told him, standing up, tears in her eyes, "What are we supposed to do? Look the other way? What if they're right? It's worth a try."

Pegasus sighed. "But, you're messing with a completely mysterious force. You don't mess with death and the Shadow Realm like that. I'm sorry, but I can't help you. He's dead."

"We're willing to do anything to get him back," Jaden said resolutely, scowling, "He's our friend, and we won't abandon him. If we have a chance to get him back, we're gonna take it, no matter what."

"Jaden-boy, it's not possible. Once you cross the threshold of death, well…"

"But, what about those times others were sent to the Shadow Realm, huh? We saved them then."

"Jaden-boy, that's because they were sent due to the effects of a duel and the Millennium Items. Besides, who knows what could happen. It could kill you, too."

"We don't care!" Alexis shouted, slamming her hands on the desk, causing all parties to jump, "We want out friend back! We love him, and he deserves a second chance so he can know that."

"We won't abandon him," Jaden said quietly, "We're his friends. It's our duty to help him out when he gets in trouble. He needs us."

Pegasus sighed tiredly. "Very well."

"So, what'll we do?" Atticus asked.

"Well, I suppose since this is an emergency…"

Pegasus reached into a drawer, then pulled out a box. The three teens looked in curious awe at it.

"Of course," he explained, "the original items had to be returned to Atem's tomb. However, I have created replicas for historical purposes. Of course, they are not nearly as powerful as the original, but they will serve their purpose, I assure you. Just please be careful and return them when you're finished. After all, your duels have not worked simply because you've only been using a Shadow deck and nothing else. I wish you the best of luck. Now, do I have your word that you won't abuse them?"

They promised that he did.

"Good. Now, if you don't bring them back, then I'll have to send Yugi after you," he joked. "Bye-bye, now. See you later, Jaden-boy."

They exited his office with the box.

"Do you think this will work?" Alexis asked nervously.

"It has to." Jaden said.

"Are you sure about this?" Atticus asked, pulling an item out.

Alexis looked over at Jaden, biting her lip. Exchanging a glance, they turned back to Atticus and nodded.

"Good," Atticus said, "now, let's do this. And Jaden?"

"Hmm?"

"This isn't for fun, so take it seriously, and lose. On purpose."

Jaden nodded. "It's not like I didn't try the other times. My dueling instincts just kicked in and well…"

Alexis and Atticus groaned. This was going to be harder than they thought.

They dueled for a long time; Jaden and Alexis against Atticus. Finally, Jaden allowed himself to slip up, causing him and Alexis to lose. Atticus cringed as he activated the item.

"Good luck!" he told them as the golden light blinded their vision. "And please come back."

"We will, and we promise Chazz will be with us." Jaden yelled.

Alexis swallowed hard and seized Jaden's hand. He squeezed her hand reassuringly as the light intensified then gave way to darkness. They had reached the Shadow Realm.

A/N: Well, that's it for today. Sorry to leave you hanging, but it might be next week or longer before I can write more of this story. Please review: )