Well, well, well! Here we are again folks. No, I'm not dead. We've moved house, and we've had no internet for a while, so sorry about the delay. On the plus side, I'm a good way into the next chapter already, so the next update should be pretty soon, and because Bastian needs a little love, he can do the disclaimer.

'Disclaimer - Kjel doesn't own Yugioh GX, any of the characters, barring Caleb, nor does he have the time or inclination to deal with anyone who wants to sue.'

Quite.

'Be at peace, wherever you are...' She walked away, leaving a single rose in her place.

'...and when he reached down for the card, a hand SHOT OUT and grabbed him!' Jesse and Chumley both jumped out of their skin at his shout, but quickly recovered.

'Then what?' Syrus looked blank.

'What d'you mean?' Jesse sighed.

'Y'all know what I mean. What happened next?'

'Erm, that was kinda it...' Jesse looked disappointed.

'Ah well. My turn-'

'Hello kids. What are you doing?' This time, all three of them jumped out of their skins.

'P-Professor Banner? Don't sneak up on us like that!'

'We were telling ghost stories. Y'all welcome to join us.'

'I would be happy to. My, this takes me back. Ah, Mythic Dragon.' Their jaws dropped.

'A level twelve monster? Oh man, can I take a rain check?'

'Never mind that! Jesse, where did you get that card?'

'These here things? Dorothy at the card shop lent them me. She said it was her deck.'

'She has this in her deck? Remind me never to duel her...'

'Yeah, enough people beat me as it is...'

'Ahem. Shall I begin?' They looked at him.

'Y'all go right ahead professor.' Banner smiled, and Pharaoh yawned.

'Very well. On the far side of this island, there is an abandoned dorm. It used to be where the top students held private practice sessions. However, a few years ago, several students mysteriously disappeared, never to be seen again. Some suspect that they were involved in shadow games. Well, goodnight boys. Don't stay up to late. Come now Pharaoh.' The others stared ar him in disbelief.

'That was... different.'

'Y'all got that right Chumley. Y'all wanna go check it out?'

'What!? Jesse, why would you even say such a thing? I don't wanna disappear!'

'No one's disappearing, y'all hear me? We're just gonna head over to that there dorm, take a quick peek, and vamoose. No harm done.' Syrus looked doubtful.

'I'm not so sure-'

'Y'all worry too much lil' buddy. Tomorrow then.'

'What? Don't we even have a say in this Jesse?'

'Sure y'all do. Y'all don't have to come with me.'

'That not what I meant...' Chumley grumbled.

'Now there was a juicy bit of information! Now, how to put it to use...? Ah, I know just the fellow.' Crowler opened his phone. 'Hello? Is that Titan?'

'Yubel, did you feel that?' Yubel looked thoughtful.

'Yes, Jaden. Something stirs in the shadows.' She glanced at him. 'But... it's not your problem?'

'Got it in one.'

'I wonder where Alexis is... It's not like her to be so late...' wondered Jasmine, glancing out of the window.

'She's been wandering off a lot lately, hasn't she Jas?' Jasmine sighed.

'Yeah... I hope she's okay...'

'Woah, now that was weird feeling...' Caleb sat down at his piano, as the muse took him.

I sense there's something in the wind...

That feels like tragedy's at hand...

'Why do I feel like something weird's happening? Man, it's like the imaginary friends all over again...'

'Hmm... something's not right... I can't seem to concentrate on my formulae... Maybe I just need sleep...'

Zane tossed slightly in his sleep. He dreams had been invaded by memories, but when he awoke, he couldn't for the life of him remember what they had been about.

'Chumley, I have a bad feeling about this.'

'You always have a bad feeling, but... I kinda have one too.'

'Jesse isn't gonna drop this, is he?'

'Nope.'

'And we're gonna have to go too, to make sure he's okay?'

'More than likely.' Syrus sighed.

'Why can't I have a normal life?'

'Trust me, I've tried it. It's not that great.'

'Says you...' From the shadows, the light from the opening door caused something to glint in the darkness.

Night passed, and morning came without incident, though some still had misgivings.

'Morning Jaden!' Caleb, as always, was filled with boundless energy and happiness. As always, Jaden was less than pleased. 'You know, it's weird, but I've had a really bad feeling since last night. I just can't seem to shake it.' Jaden scoffed. The last thing he needed was to have to listen to Caleb's half-baked theories. The fact that he himself had felt something was besides the point.

'Let's just go. We have Crowler first, and I can't be bothered with hearing him rant today.'

'Gosh, you're grumpy today. I think-'

'Stop right there. I don't want to know. Especially if it involves friends, or coffee.'

'Is tea acceptable?'

'I hate you sometimes.' Caleb looked blank.

'What did I do...?' He wondered, jogging to catch up to Jaden.

Crowler glanced at his class as he taught. His prized Obelisk Blues, the Ra Yellows... and the other ones. Speaking of which... Jesse was asleep in his class. Again.

'Sleep all you want though. After all, this will be your last class! Ha ha ha!' He received some confused stares.

'Uh, Doctor Crowler? What's so funny?'

'Erm... Um... Nothing! Get on with your work Taiyou!' The obelisk-blue looked down quickly. 'That was close... I must stop doing that, or Chancellor Shepard will think I'm going crazy. I mean, me, crazy? Who does he think he is? To think that I, Vellian Crowler, could succumb to common madness? Never! Oh, damn, I did it again...' He glanced around. 'Get back to work!'

In Alchemy, Professor Banner was likewise distracted.

'Professor? Erm, Professor?' His head snapped up.

'What? Oh, Syrus. What seems to be the problem?'

'It's Pharaoh sir. He keeps trying to jump on our table.'

'Oh, I'm sorry. Pharaoh, please, come here right now.' Pharoah left Syrus, seeming to glare at him as he left. 'Please, continue with your work.'

'Did you see the look that cat gave me? He's after me I tell you.'

'Lil' Buddy, y'all worry too much.' Jaden snarled a little under his breath. It was an insult that these people even went to the same school as him.

'Hi Jaden!' And he was just annoying.

'What do you want?' Caleb smiled.

'Was it just me, or was Professor banner acting really weird today? Do you think it's got something to do with that weird feeling I had? Maybe he had it too!'

'And I was almost ready to take that seriously. Get over yourself, just because you have a strange feeling, doesn't mean something's going to happen.' Jaden stalked off.

'What did I do wrong...?' Caleb would never had guessed that the real reason was that Jaden had thought the same thing.

Jaden was still sulking with Caleb at dinner, so Caleb went and found Zane. He couldn't hide in time. 'Hi Zane! Do you mind if I sit with you? Jaden's being grumpy. At this rate, I'll have to force feed him coffee.' He gave his innocent little grin, before glancing around. 'By the way, have you seen Chazz around? I didn't see him in class today...' This, Zane did have an answer for. 'Last thing I heard he was sulking about losing in front of the whole school. That and lack of sleep. Said something about him keep waking up.'

'Aha! I knew it!' Caleb had jumped on the table, and shouted at the top of his voice. There were a few funny looks. Zane, seeeing where this was going, took the opportunity to leave, post haste. 'Sorry about that, got a little carried away... Zane?' He sighed. 'Might as well head back to my room then...' As he was walking back, he saw movement in the trees.

'Is that... Alexis? But the girl's dorm's the other way...' He glanced around quickly, the dashed off after her.

'Jesse, we came, can we go now?'

'Syrus is right. We could get in real trouble if we're found here. And this place is even creepier close up...'

'Y'all aren't wussing out on me, are ya?'

'What are you all doing here?' Syrus and Chumley jumped straight up, and hid behind Jesse.

'Oh, hey Alexis. I guess we could ask you the same question. We heard some crazy rumours about this here place.'

'About students disappearing? They're true. One of them... was my brother...'

'Y'all haven't seen him in two years?'

'No... But I just know he's still out there... Somewhere... I can feel it...' She sighed. 'You're going in, aren't you.' Syrus started to protest, but Jesse nodded. 'Well, be careful. I don't want to lose anyone else.'

'Y'all be careful too.' Alexis smiled, but only briefly. She watched the three go inside, before turning and placing a rose in front of one of the statues.

'Woah! Check out these hieroglyphs!' Chumley sighed.

'I'm surprised you even know what they are Jesse.' He rubbed the back of his neck.

'Hey, I'm not that bad...' Syrus covered his mouth with his hand, trying to stifle a laugh. 'What're y'all laughing out now!' He was cut off by a scream. Chumley looked around.

'That sounded like-'

'Alexis!'

'Alexis! Gosh darn it, I knew nothing good could come from this...' Caleb sped up, vaulting over quite a small log. 'Best go find them...'

'Alexis!' The three entered a large ante-chamber, buried deep beneath the dorm. 'Alexis! Who are you, and what've y'all done with Alexis?'

'My name is Titan. And your friend is safe... for now. See for yourselves.' The man stepped aside, to reveal Alexis, asleep in a coffin.

'She doesn't look very safe to me!' Shouted Chumley.

'Her body is safe, but her soul resides in the shadow realm. But don't worry, you'll be able to keep her company soon enough.' Jesse clenched his fist.

'Y'all let her go, you hear me!'

'On one condition.'

'Gee, I never would've guessed.'

'Defeat me in a duel. Win, and I release her. Lose, and I take your soul.' Syrus backed away.

'A r-real shadow game? Jesse, I don't think this is such a good idea...'

'Bring it! I'll be you and get Alexis back, y'all hear me!'

'Jesse! Can't you hear me?'

'Don't y'all worry. Shadow games aren't real. I'll beat this creep in no time.' Jesse grinned, but Syrus still wasn't convinced.

'Then let's duel.'

'Y'all bring it on!'

Caleb ran in a moment later. 'Darn it! Am I too late?'

'Caleb? Jesse was just about to duel the guy who kidnapped Alexis. He say's if Jesse loses, he'll take his soul!'

'A shadow game...? Don't you need a millenium item for that?' Titan laughed, mildly evilly.

'You mean like this?' He held up a golden pyramid, an eye in it's centre glowing. 'Now, taste the power of my Millennium Pendant!' Caleb's forehead creased slightly, but he didn't say anything.

'Keep your wits about you Jesse! Who knows what tricks he's got up those sleeves!'

'I'll begin. I begin by summoning InfernalQueen Archfiend in attack mode. Now, her effect allows me to increase the attack of one of my archfiend monsters by 1000 points, and I choose my InfernalQueen.' Caleb chewed a nail slightly.

'Sure, you have a powerful monster, but don't you have to pay lifepoints every turn to keep it in play?'

'Usually, yes. But I activate the field spell, Pandemonium, negating that cost. I end my turn.' Jesse smiled.

'That all y'all got? It'll take more than that to bring this boy down! I summon Crystal Beast – Emerald Turtle in Defence mode! Now I'll add these two here cards as face-downs, and we can mosey on over to your turn.'

'So, you choose to hide behind your turtle? No matter. It shan't last long against my archfiends.' Caleb looked worried.

'He's right. InfernalQueen's buff isn't set. He can change the target each turn, so he only needs a monster with more than 1000 attack to crush Emerald Turtle.'

'Wow, Caleb. You sure know a lot about his cards.' He smiled.

'Obelisk Blue, remember? I'm not one of the top in the class for nothing.'

'Y-you are? No offence, but I'd never have guessed...'

'None taken. I don't duel that often, so you wouldn't know.' Titan cleared his throat.

'Are you quite finished over there?'

'Sorry! Y'all just don't mind us!'

'Sheesh, how can you be so cheerful Jesse? Your's and Alexis' souls are on the line!'

'Chumley, y'all know I don't believe one little word of that.'

'Ahem! I summon terrorking Archfiend, in attack mode!' Now, I reduce my InfernalQueen's attack, to increase my TerrorKing's attack to 3000!'

'I hope Jesse has some good facedowns...'

'M-me too Caleb... Else we'll all be next...' The attack hit, and emerald Turtle exploded in a shower of pixels, before appearing as a gem in Jesse's spell and trap zone.

'What? I destroyed it!' Caleb laughed.

'Well Jesse, looks like this is gonna be a recurring theme of your battles. Or just when Alexis is around?'

'Caleb, h-how do you know about that?' Caleb's face assumed the 'oh, bugger' position.

'I, er, was out for a walk, and I saw a duel, so I stayed to watch. Don't worry, I haven't said anything to anyone.' Syrus gave a little sigh of relief.

'That's good to hear...'

'Anyway, when y'all destroy one of my crystal beasts it stays om my here filed as a spell card. Y'all can't get rid of them that easily.'

'No matter. InfernalQueen, attack him directly!' Jesse winced as his lifepoints fell by 900. 'I end my turn.'

'That all? I summon Topaz Tiger in attack mode! Next, I activate golden rule, allowing me to summon two crystal beasts from my deck as spell cards, in order to special summon another one from my hand! So head on out Amber Mammoth and Ruby Carbuncle! Now, I can special summon this here Amethyst Cat from my hand. But I'm not done yet y'all hear? Ruby Carbuncle's effect let's me summon as many crystal beasts that are in my spell card zones as monsters again! So Ruby, Amber Mammoth and Emerald Turtle are right back out here!' Jesse grinned. 'Amber Mammoth, attack that there InfernalQueen!' Titan winced this time, as he lost 600 life points, and his Terrorking's attack fell to 2000. 'Now, by halving my Amethyst Cat's attack points, she can attack y'all directly!' Titan's lifepoints fell by a further 700. 'And now, Topaz Tiger's gonna have to take one for the team. I attack your TerrorKing Archfiend!'Titan laughed.

'Even without my InfernalQueen, my TerrorKing is still more powerful!'

'Normally, but my Tiger gains 400 attack when he attack's one of your there monsters. So they have the same attack!'

'I activate my TerrorKing's effect. I roll a dice, and if it stops on 2 or 5, then your monster is destroyed!' Everyone held their breath, until the number stopped on a three.

'Looks like y'all lucked out there! Topaz Tiger, finish his TerrorKing!' TerrorKing caught the attack, and both monsters exploded, Topaz Tiger forming into a yellow gem.

'No matter. I discard Desrook archfiend from my hand, to revive TerrorKing Archfiend.'

'Gah. I'll activate Emerald Turtle's effect, and swap Amethyst Cat to defence mode. Your move.'

'So be it. I sacrifice my TerrorKing archfiend to summon my Skull Archfiend of Lightning!'

'Not good. Skull Archfiend has 2500 attack points. Unless that face-down's what I hope it is, Jesse could be in real trouble here.'

'Y-you mean...?'

'Yeah, Syrus. He might lose.'

'But, Jesse never loses...'

'First time for everything Syrus, first time for everything. I really hope this isn't it though.'

'Now, Skull Archfiend, destroy his Amber Mammoth!' Jesse gasped as he lost 1100 life points, and everyonegasped as parts of his body started to disappear.

'What the...!? But, there's no way this could be a real shadow game... It isn't even called the Millenium Pendant...'

'Do you believe me now, fools? Soon, your souls will be mine!'

'Actually, I don't think you can take the souls of the people who are just watching. I'm pretty sure you can only take your opponent's soul-'

'Silence, fool! I end my turn.'

'Well then, I activate Crystal Beacon, letting me summon a crystal beast from my deck, and I choose Sapphire Pegasus! Next, My amethyst cat's gonna attack y'all directly!' Titan's life points fell to 2000. 'I'll use my emerald Turtle's effect to swap Amethyst Cat to defence mode, and I'll call this here turn done.' Titan scoffed.

'Is that it? You clearly don't care much for your soul. I draw!' Titan smiled as he looked at the card, before setting it on his field. 'I set a card. Now, I attack your Pegasus with Skull Archfiend of Lightning!'

'Not so fast y'all hear? I activate a trap, gem fortress! Now, any monster you have with less than 1000 times the number of crystal beasts I have out can't attack this turn!'

'Looks like he jumped the shark there...'

'Yeah, Caleb... I just hope he can keep this up...'

'You're all forgetting my Archfiend's effect. Like TerrorKing Archfiend, Skull Archfiend can roll a dice to negate an effect that targets him. Only Skull Archfiend requires a 1, 3 or 6 to counter!' The floating numbers appeared again, stopping this time on 1. 'You were saying? Skull Archfiend, finish his monster!' Sapphire Pegasus exploded, and Jesse fell to his knees as his lifepoints fell by another 700.

'Jesse! Are you okay?'

'Totally not 'licous...'

'Ugh... Hard to even stand up...' Jesse wobbled slightly as he tried to stand, before falling again, unable to see through the sudden blanket of darkness around him. 'Syrus? Chumley? Caleb?' He called out weakly, but no answer was forthcoming, the darkness total. 'Does this mean I lost? But, I'm sure I still had some life points left... Huh?' He was cut off by a small red glow from his deck. 'Ruby? Y'all trying to tell me something? Sheesh, moving like that,y'all more likely to hypnotise me than help-' All of a sudden, both Titan's powers, and the world around him became clear. 'Thanks ruby. Now, to win this here duel!'

'Chumley, Caleb, he's getting up!'

'Jesse! You okay?

'Never better! This fraud's been using smoke and mirrors to scare us the whole time, haven't y'all?'

'W-what? I have no idea what you're talking about! And how did you escape the power of my millennium pendant- What!?' He was cut off as a card pierced his item.

'I didn't think millennium items were paper maché. Y'all've just been using hypnosis to make us think that this here duel was a shadow game.'

'But I've been saying that all along...'

'Don't worry Caleb. No one ever pays any attention to us either.'

'Welcome to the world of the sidekick. It's totally not 'licous...'

'Now, are we gonna finish this here duel?'

'Of course. Not!' Titan smashed his item to the ground, causing the millennium symbol to appear across the floor of the arena. Shadow began to swirl around them, forming a solid bubble surrounded by crackling dark lightning.

'Jesse! We just got him back, and now he's gone again!'

'A shadow bubble... I read about these in duel history class. Pegasus created one in the duellist kingdom finals against Yugi... The area inside basically becomes part of the shadow realm...'

'Wow Caleb. You sure know a lot... Not like me...'

'I'm just impressed you can stay awake in that class. It's so boring...'

'Coffee. Try lots of coffee. I'm not allowed coffee myself. Maria says I don't need the caffeine.

'Maria?'

'My girlfriend.'

'You have a girlfriend!? Lucky...'

'Well, we might as well get comfy. There's not much we can do now but wait...'

'Woah, what is this place? How'd y'all do this? I gotta admit, I'm impressed!'

'This wasn't me! I've no more idea than you!' They both stopped as a faint sound appeared in the distance. They both turned to locate the source, and as it grew louder, hordes of small black creatures appeared around them, closing in on the two duellists. Jesse's deck glowed again, and Ruby carbuncle popped out.

'Ruby? Y'all looking mighty solid all of a sudden.' She squeaked, waving her tail to drive off the creatures. Titan didn't fare as well, as the creatures climbed up him and into his mouth.

'Now that's just gross...'

'Now, we shall finish this duel in the shadow realm.' Titan's eyes had taken on a red glow, and the creatures had retreated, forming an arena for them.

'The shadow realm? Y'all gone completely whack now or what? Y'all didn't have me convinced before and y'all sure as don't now.'

'It's your move.'

'Sheesh, fine. I play two face-downs, and change all my monsters to defence mode. Your move.'

'Very well. I summon Desrook archfiend, in attack mode. Now, I attack your Amethyst cat with desrook archfiend.' Jesse winced as Amethyst cat went to the graveyard, his spell and trap card zones full.

'Y'all gonna pay for that!'

'Now, I attack your emerald turtle with skull Archfiend of Lightning.'

'Not so fast! I activate prism wall, changing the target to my Saphirre Pegasus, and we both take damage equal to the new target's attack.'

'Can you really afford to waste so many lifepoints?'

'No, but I don't have too. I also activate this here trap, rainbow life! Now, by discarding one card, until the end of the turn, any damage is added to my life points, instead of being taken away. How dy'all like that?'

'No matter. You still lose your monster. I end my turn.'

'Come on deck, don't y'all let me down now... Yes! I swap my emerald turtle to attack mode, and play m-force, raising my turtle's attack by 500 points! And you're desrook sure doesn't have any protection! Emerald Turtle, finish this!' The two creatures collided, and Titan collapsed to the ground.

'Noooooo! Please, help me!' Tian screamed s he was consumed by the litle creatue, ough Jee payedhim little heed.

'I gotta hand it to y'all, y'all outdid yourself here. Ruby? There's a way out right over there?'

'Jesse, you did it!' Syrus tackle-hugged him as he popped out of the rapidly-shrinking cloud

'Geez, Sy, there's no need to crush me. I told y'all, just smoke and mirrors.'

'That looked pretty real to me, Jesse...'

'Chumley, Sy, y'all worry too much.' Caleb was over by Alexis.

'Alexis, are you okay?'

'...Caleb? And Syrus and Jesse? What happened?'

'You don't remember?'

'Jesse, Syrus and Chumley went into the abandonded dorm, but I don't really remember anything after that...'

'Well, let's get out of here first. The abandoned dorm isn't really the best place to talk.'

'The abandoned dorm!? What're we doing in here?'

'Talk later.' Caleb smiled. 'Jesse played a great duel though.' Jesse rubbed the back of his neck.

'Aww, shucks. Y'all embarrassing me!'

'He's right Jesse, you were great!'

'Yeah, that was some totally 'liscous dueling!'

'Guys. Leaving. Now.'

'Wow, Caleb. Since when are y'all so bossy?'

'Since we entered an off-limits area. Do you want to be caught here?'

'Point taken. Let's vamoose!'

'So, Alexis, why were you here?'

'Oh, that's right. You weren't there before. But I could ask you the same question.'

'Oh, I was following you. I saw you head out this way, and I was curious.' She was slightly taken aback by his honesty.

'Well, my brother disappeared here a few years ago... But I know he's still out there...'

'And we'll help y'all find him!'

'Jesse?'

'Don't worry. I'll keep an eye out too. The friend of my friend is my friend, after all.'

'Um, Caleb? I don't think that's how it goes...'

'Syrus, do not question me about friendship related issues. I know what I'm talking about.'

'S-sorry...'

'Hey! There's no need for y'all to be mean to my lil' buddy here!' Caleb looked blank.

'I was being mean?' Everyone sighed.

'Anyway, y'all can count on us!'

'Thank you, everyone...'

'Shall we get back then? It's getting pretty late..'

'You're right. See you all tomorrow then.'

'Night Alexis, guys.'

'Y'all be careful heading back, y'hear?'

'Will do Jesse.' He waved as he disappeared into the trees, the Slifers heading the other way. Alexis stole one last glance back at the last known location of her brother, before heading back to her dorm as well.

'Now then, let's see how things played out. I can't wait to see the look of terror on that slacker's face!' Crowler paused. 'But if the duel's over, wont I have missed it...? Oh... I hope Titan took photos...' He walked through the empty corridors, humming idly to himself.

'Hmm... Should I give the lecture on continuous traps tomorrow, or save that for Thursday and talk about quick-play spells- Hello? What's this?' He reached down, and scooped up a solitary card, left in the dirt. 'Pandemonium? But this is his card... Does this mean he lost!? That's the last time I work with shadow duellists... I suppose it's back to the drawing board. Unless...' Dr Crowler threw back his head and laughed, a gleeful cackle that made him glad in hindsight that no one was around to hear it.

Well, there we go. Quite the long chapter, wasn't it? Well, it was a double episode. And of course, a little more of Crowler's crazy to brighten your day. See you next update ^_^