Hey gang! Not much is new in my personal life, so I'll move along.
I do have a bit of an announcement to make first off. Unfortunately, me and ardee have fallen behind on production of this story. See, we kind of took a bit of an extended break, and well, that wasn't so good since I've been posting 2 chapters a week, lol. Anyways, we still have chapters, but this story isn't complete yet, so until further notice, I have no choice but to post only once a week. This is temporary, and hopefully within a few weeks or so, it will end, but for the time being, I can only post 1 chapter a week to ensure that this story continuously updates. I hope everyone understands, and I truly apologize.
Last time, the group found out that Syrus and Yubel have taken Arya to another dimension, but they are going to open a portal for the group. Thoughts of those that have been taken weigh heavily on the groups minds, as eight of them (Yugi, Illidan, Marie, Seto, Jaden, Zane, Alexis, and Chazz) have decided to enter this new dimension and rescue Arya, Syrus, and Jesse. Will the group of eight find their friends, or will they bite off more than they can chew?
Ok, moving along, reviews!
Vyser Dragoon: To Dark World? Eh, never know, lol. I know, quit being mysterious. It's just a habit, lol. True, how will they duel. I guess with Duel Disks, hehe. But good question, why are you talking like that? Anyways, thanks for the review!
pinklover100: Welcome to the reviews, and yes, Minutes to Midnight was named after Linkin Park. ardee kind of came up with the name actually, lol. At any rate, thanks for the review!
Wow, that was quick. I'm surprised the reviews didn't take so long. (/Shrugs\) At any rate, thanks to those that did review.
I'm done for today, so later.
Chapter 23
Opening his backpack, Illidan set it down onto his bed and began searching for what all he'd need to take with him. He was no longer wearing his school uniform, but instead a pair of blue jeans, a red t-shirt for an undershirt, and a black unbuttoned button up shirt with short sleeves with a red dragon on the back.
Grabbing a few pairs of jeans, he set them out and threw five shirts on top of it, along with five pairs of boxers and socks. Finding his hair and tooth brush, he threw them down, along with some shampoo and soap. Glancing around the room, he discovered his compass on a rope and picked it up. Moving to his dresser, he opened it and found a large bowie knife in the top drawer. Determining it was sharp enough, he threw it and the compass down onto the bed with the other materials.
Pulling the pocket knife out of his pocket that he always carried, he checked how sharp it was and determined it was satisfactory. Replacing it in his pocket, he found his sharpening stone and placed it with the remainder of his stuff. Moving to the closet, he found a blanket and threw it onto the bed.
Deciding he had packed enough thus far, he began placing his things into the backpack. On the bottom, he placed his clothes, then his personal care items. On top of it, he sat the sharpening stone and the blanket.
Closing his backpack, Illidan secured the knife on his left side and placed the rope holding the compass around his neck. Determining he had everything he needed thus far, he picked the bag up and walked downstairs to the kitchen. Looking in the pantry, he found several cups of ramen and stuffed them into his pack, along with a few apples, oranges, and bananas. Grabbing ten bottles of water, he threw them in too and zipped his pack up.
Setting the backpack down near the door, Illidan walked into the room that was his office and found his deck and Duel Disk sitting on his desk. Picking his deck up, he searched it for a moment and finally determined it was ready. Placing it into his deck holder on his hip, he shut the case and grabbed his Duel Disk up and strapped it onto his arm. Glancing around the room once more, he determined everything was with him that he needed from it and returned to the living room.
Hearing Marie coming down the stairs, Illidan glanced up to see she was wearing a pair of blue jeans herself, with a purple t-shirt. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail that trailed down to her lower back.
Arriving at the bottom of the stairs, she set her backpack down beside of Illidan's and walked into her office. Returning a few moments later, she arrived with her Duel Disk on her arm and her deck in it's holder on her hip.
"Ready to go?" she questioned.
Nodding, Illidan replied calmly "Yes, I have everything. I put all the food, water, and supplies in already."
"Good. I put my food and water in earlier, and threw in my supplies also." Marie remarked.
Staring at Marie, Illidan softly smiled. Walking over to her, he took her into his arms and embraced her, pulling her close to his body. Resting his forehead against hers, he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly.
"I only pray we all make it back and find Arya, along with the others we wish to find." Illidan mumbled.
Sadly smiling, Marie weakly replied "I miss her so much Illidan…"
"I know, but we'll find her. Remember, I promised we'll find her, and I never break a promise, right?" Illidan tenderly asked.
Softly smiling, Marie pulled back and nodded. Sighing, she embraced him fully and breathed in his scent. Settling a bit, she moved away and said "I suppose we should go soon."
"Yeah, very soon we'll need to leave. The portal is supposed to open up at the old ruins where Jaden said he visited the Gravekeeper's Chief at."
Nodding, Marie softly walked up the stairs, saying "I'll return in a moment."
"Ok."
Standing alone, Illidan closed his eyes and mumbled in his mind "Whoever did this will pay, I promise. Taking our daughter, and harming my wife like this, they will pay dearly for it all."
Feeling a familiar presence appear beside of him, Illidan opened his eyes to find the transparent mage beside of him. "Master Illidan." the mage quietly greeted.
"Yes?" Illidan asked in a touch of a cold voice.
Sighing slightly, the mage whispered "Master, don't let it consume you."
"Let what consume me?" Illidan asked in response with a cocked eyebrow.
Again sighing, the mage solemnly said "This rage that is building within you over what has happened. I know you're angry, and have every right to be, but remember what your old teacher taught you. If you fight with all that rage and fury, you'll lose control of yourself, and possibly lose your chances at saving your daughter. I don't wish for that to happen."
Sadly smiling and taking a deep breath, Illidan quietly said "You're right… I'm letting this thing consume me. I haven't been this angry since I lost Marie in our clash with Darcia and Dartz. It's like I can't push it out of my mind, it's all I think about."
"I know Master Illidan, you wish to find your daughter and avenge her for what happened to her, but allowing hate to grow in your heart will only breed more hate, thus causing a never ending cycle. I don't wish to lose you to something like that. None of us do." the mage calmly said.
Heavily sighing, Illidan nodded. "I will try and not let this consume me. I won't allow it to take me that far over the edge."
"Good, because we would hate to see you do that Master. But we would follow you still, no matter where your path lies." the mage remarked.
"Thank you."
Hearing some rustling upstairs, Illidan glanced up to see Marie returning. The transparent mage vanished, leaving only Illidan behind.
Arriving at Illidan's side, Marie sadly smiled and glanced around the house. "I guess I'm ready. I just hope we make it back here." she said with a touch of sadness in her voice.
"Believe in our abilities my love and we'll make it back." Illidan replied with a small smile.
Nodding, Marie picked up her pack. Illidan did the same and the two flicked the lights off. Opening the door, both walked out with Illidan locking the door on his way out. Walking away from their home hand in hand, neither could help but wonder if they would make it back, but each pushed such thoughts away quickly.
In their minds, each focused on the task at hand, hoping to be reunited with their daughter once more.
--
Watching Yugi continue to pack his things, Tea couldn't help but want to cry, but she held it in. Years ago, when Yugi had set out on his way to stop the Shadow Powers of the world from spreading, she had bawled daily for a few months, till finally she decided she had to continue on with life. She had Yoshi to take care of, but that didn't make things any easier for her back then.
Suddenly stopping what he was doing, Yugi fully stood up. He felt himself ready to cry also, but knew he couldn't, not in front of Tea. "I have to be strong for her..." he chided himself.
Turning around, he walked over to his wife, who was in the door frame of their bedroom. Without a second thought, he embraced her, enjoying the feeling of her skin against his own, along with the lingering scent of her perfume.
"Tea, I swear, I will come back. No matter what it takes, I will return to you and Yoshi, even if I have to walk through Hell itself to return." he vowed softly to her.
Unable to hold the tears back any longer, Tea let them slide down her cheeks. Pulling back to look into his violet eyes, that were shimmering, she saw nothing but sincerity and love in them. "I know… I will wait for you, no matter how long you are gone." she quietly vowed in return.
Sadly smiling, he kissed her gently at first, then deepened the kiss and the intensity of the kiss. Finally coming up for air, both rested their heads against one another, each panting lightly. Taking his left hand, he gently cupped her right cheek and softly rubbed it.
"I will forever love you Tea. Know that my love is for only you and Yoshi." he tenderly said.
Leaning more into his touch, Tea murmured "I know. Our love is only for you too Yugi. Just return home to us."
Nodding lightly, Yugi turned around and went back to packing. Finishing up a moment later, he picked up his backpack and walked back over to his slightly shaking wife. Planting a kiss on her lips, he deepened it slightly and then pulled back.
"I swear, I will be back. Have faith in me, my love."
Sadly smiling with tears sliding down her cheeks, she nodded and said "I will await your return, for however long it takes."
Sighing heavily, he kissed her on the cheek and walked out of their bedroom, leaving Tea by herself, who went to their bed and threw herself onto it, allowing the tears that she was still holding back flow out.
Hearing the sound of his wife's sobbing nearly broke Yugi's heart, making him want to reconsider what he was doing, but knowing he had work to do, he steeled his resolve. Making it downstairs, he took a ragged breath and set his backpack by the door. Moving into Yoshi's playroom, he saw his daughter sitting coloring.
Glancing up, Yoshi saw her father and put her crayons down. She stood up and went running to her father, who kneeled down and embraced the young girl. "Daddy!" she happily said.
Embracing his daughter tightly, Yugi tried to find the words he needed to say to his daughter. Since he had returned, Tea had said that Yoshi had transformed from a shy little girl to a very outgoing one. He had never realized that being gone would have so much of an impact on his daughter, but he never expected that him being around would have as equally a large an impact.
Sucking in a deep breath, Yugi closed his eyes and felt himself fighting back his own tears. Noting something seemed wrong with her father, Yoshi pulled back and asked "Father, what's wrong?"
"Yoshi… Daddy has to go away for a while." he weakly said. "Uncle Illidan and Aunt Marie need his help."
Realizing Yugi was leaving, Yoshi's eyes welled up with tears, breaking Yugi's own heart. "How long will you be gone Daddy?" she quietly asked.
"I'm not sure…" he softly said, feeling the pain in his heart of telling this to his daughter.
Yoshi remained quiet for a moment before she hugged him once more and let tears flow out her eyes and onto his blue clothing. "I'll miss you Daddy…" she sobbed out.
Holding his own tears in, Yugi rubbed the back of his daughter and replied "I'll miss you too Yoshi."
Pulling her back, he looked her in the eye and added "I'll make you a promise though, ok?"
"A promise?" Yoshi sniffled out.
Nodding, Yugi sadly smiled and said "I promise I'll return home to you and Mommy soon, ok?"
Weakly nodding back in reply, Yoshi embraced her father tightly once more. Hugging just a fiercely back, Yugi finally released his hold on Yoshi and kissed the top of her head. Ruffling her hair, he smiled weakly at her and said "I love you Yoshi, and I'll be home soon."
Yoshi could only sniffle and nod back. She whispered "I love you too Daddy."
Unable to stay with his daughter any longer, Yugi left the playroom and picked up his backpack by the door. Opening the door, he glanced back at his home. The urge to run to his daughter and wife was almost overwhelming, but he fought against it, knowing he had a duty. Taking one last breath, he walked out the door and gently closed it behind him. Upon being alone outside, he felt hot tears run down his cheeks. Wiping them away, he began his trek towards the ancient ruins where he was to meet the others.
--
Packing the last of his clothing and supplies, Jaden heavily sighed. Glancing over at a picture that he had sitting on his desk, he walked over and picked it up.
In the frame was a picture of himself, Syrus, and Chumley in their first year. The picture was taken of the three of them laughing at Professor Banner covered in dark smoke. He had failed at another of his alchemy experiments at the dorm, earning the entire group a laugh. The picture had been taken by Alexis, who had been with the group of three that day.
Setting the picture down, he glanced at another that was nearby that had just been taken a week ago. It was of him and Jesse hanging out, laughing at one another over their fun duels.
Placing the photo in his backpack, Jaden glanced outside and closed his eyes. "I promise Jesse, no matter what it takes, I will find you! It's my fault that you paid for my mistakes, so no matter what, I will make this right."
A memory of his past came into his mind of the duel a few days ago. When he had seen Yubel, his past had rushed back to him, surprising him that she was back on Earth and now seemingly after him.
"Yubel... It's my fault I sent you into space. I sent you only to become stronger and bond with Neos. I had hoped that his sense of justice would fill you too, and make you stop hurting my friends. I know you always meant well, but you hurt too many of my past friends, and I had to do something."
Feeling tears welling up in his closed eyes, a memory of the day he saw his cards blasted off into space appeared. "I remember watching the two rockets take off. I was hopeful that you'd be safe, along with Neos, and that both of you would return eventually to me so we could all be friends again. Instead, you were sent off on your own, where you suffered alone while Neos got the gift of justice and had the Neo-Spacians. I'm so sorry for that Yubel, but this hatred you harbor now, I don't understand."
Hearing a knock on his door, Jaden quickly opened his eyes, allowing tears to escape at long last. Wiping them away with his sleeve, he walked over to his door and opened it, finding Alexis and Chazz standing at it with solemn looks on their faces.
"You ready yet, Slacker?" Chazz asked with his usual irritable tone.
Slightly chuckling at the name Chazz had always mocked him with, Jaden nodded and grabbed his backpack. He swung it over both shoulders and picked up his Duel Disk.
Smiling at both, he said "I'm all ready now."
The three nodded and Jaden closed his dorm room door, locking it behind him. Together, the trio headed off towards the ruins where they were to meet the rest of the group.
--
Arriving at the ruins, Illidan saw that Zane and Seto were already at the sight. Noting the two were wearing older attires, with Zane sporting his black trench coat and Seto his white trench coat, Illidan merely shrugged. Seeing that the portal was not yet open, he frowned and pondered where it was.
He didn't get much time to ask though, for soon enough, Yugi showed up. Not long after him, Jaden, Alexis, and Chazz showed up together.
Checking his watch, Illidan saw that the time was drawing near. It was already 11:58 P.M., and the time the portal was to open was at midnight.
"Illidan, are you sure you want to go through with this?" Seto questioned aloud.
Throwing a small glare at his friend, Illidan coldly said "You have no need to ask me that question. Of course I'm going. I will find our daughter, no matter what."
"I'm just making sure. Once we go over to wherever this place is, there is no telling what could happen." Seto remarked calmly.
"It doesn't matter." Marie spoke up. "Our daughter could be in Hell for all I care, but we're going to bring her back, no matter what we have to do."
Nodding in agreement with his wife, Illidan added "We understand if none of you wish to go. The choice is your own."
"You don't have to ask me twice. I'm going, and we're going to find Jesse too!" Jaden piped up.
"And I won't let Jaden go alone. We'll all help find both Arya and Jesse, no matter what happens." Alexis added in.
"I can't let that Slacker and Alexis go by themselves. Someone has to chaperone them." Chazz muttered with a smirk.
Calmly, Zane said "You know why I'm going. If Syrus is in this world, I will find him, not to mention help return your daughter."
Smiling at Illidan and Marie, Yugi calmly said "You don't have to ask me to go. Arya is my goddaughter, and I would do anything for her."
"Like you have to ask me." Seto grunted. "This whole mess was started because I dragged you all in. I won't allow whoever this person or persons are to continue harming this school and the people I care about."
Nodding to the group, Illidan smiled and warmly said "Thank you all."
A beeping sound from several watches suddenly alerted the group that the time was finally midnight. With little warning, a blue flash of light appeared ten feet away from the group. The flash died down and revealed an ellipse like shimmering portal. The shimmering was weak though, and was flickering lightly.
Looking at the portal, Illidan suddenly realized what the flickering was. "The portal, it's weak! It could collapse in on itself if we tried to enter."
"So, how do we strengthen it?" Yugi asked with concern.
Thinking for a moment, Illidan realized something. "Wait, I bet our Duel Energy would strengthen it enough!" he exclaimed while slamming his right fist into his left open hand.
"It's worth a shot. After all, this whole area is full of Shadow Magic, meaning our monsters would be real and have power." Seto commented.
Nodding, Illidan declared "Let's do this then!"
All eight placed their decks into their Duel Disks, causing them to come to life. Drawing a card each, the eight slapped a card to their Duel Disks.
"Dark Magician of Chaos, come forth!"
"Tyrant Dragon, come on out!"
"Dark Magician, I summon you!"
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon, arise!"
"Elemental Hero Flame Wingman, let's do it!"
"Cyber Blader, let's lend a hand!"
"VWXYZ-Dragon Cannon Catapult, get in there!"
"Cyber End Dragon, help them!"
Materializing before the eight were eight new monsters. The first was a mage with blue skin and shoulder length black hair wearing tight black leather armor with a mage's hat. Beside of blue skinned mage, a large orange-brown dragon with massive wings and a hood of skin surrounding it's head appeared. To the other side of the blue skinned mage, a male mage wearing purple robes and armor with cream colored skin, blue hair, and a stern look appeared. Next to the new mage, a white metallic looking dragon with massive wings roared into existence. Off to the side of the large orange and brown dragon, another creature, this one looking like a green and black skinned warrior with a white wing on it's left shoulder and a red dragon arm materialized. Beside of the warrior, a female warrior with female warrior with long calf length blue hair, wearing a skin tight pink, dark purple, and light purple suit appeared. Behind the group, a large combination creature made up of five machines that formed a large robot with two huge cannon barrels protruding from it's chest materialized. Beside of the large robot, a three headed gleaming silver machine, snake like dragon with three heads and massive wings appeared.
"Chaos Scepter Blast!"
"Tyrant Flame!"
"Dark Magic Attack!"
"White Lightning!"
"Infernal Rage!"
"Blade Strike!"
"Lightning Cannon!"
"Super Strident Blaze!"
With the eight commands filling the air, each of the monsters targeted the portal. Going first, the blue skinned mage fired a stream of black energy, followed next by the orange-brown dragon with a stream of flames. The purple armored mage fired a stream of green energy next, followed by the white metallic dragon with a blast of white energy. The green and black warrior soon fired a torrent of flames, while the female warrior began spinning, firing blades from her feet. The large robot aimed both cannon barrels and released two light blue streams of energy, while the large three headed machine dragon released a blast of white energy from each head, which merged to form a single one.
Together, the eight blasts of energy struck the portal, making it glow back to life. The flickering ended and it glowed brighter than before. After a minute, it finally took a brilliant blue color, signifying it had stabilized.
Finishing their blasts, the monsters stopped. All glanced back at their smiling masters and nodded before vanishing.
"Let's get through this thing before it destabilizes again!" Illidan called out.
The group all nodded and began moving towards the portal. Reaching out, Illidan took hold of Marie's hand, while Jaden did the same with Alexis. Leaping in, the eight vanished, leaving the shimmering portal behind. The portal began to slowly shrink away, but suddenly appearing before it was a warrior in full body light green armor with a dark green cape. Holding his hand out, the warrior shot a stream of wind at the portal, keeping it from destabilizing.
Sneering at this, Darren stepped out. "I don't know what the hell those eight are doing, but I'm not one to be left behind. I want that power that Kevin had, and I'll take it for my own." he commented with an evil grin.
Walking towards the portal, he glanced back at the green warrior and said "Raiza, return."
The green warrior nodded and vanished once more. Rushing forward, Darren leapt into the shimmering portal, vanishing from the world. The portal soon began to flicker and nearly collapsed when without warning, five streams of energy struck the portal, forcing it to stabilize once more.
Softly walking towards the portal, Kevin smirked. "I made it, just in time. Soon Master, I shall return to you." he quietly mumbled.
Glancing back at the five headed dragon that was firing five streams of energy at the portal, he said "Return to me now Five God Dragon."
The five headed dragon instantly vanished and Kevin walked into the portal, vanishing like the others had. Soon enough, the portal began flickering again before finally collapsing, vanishing once more from the Earth.
--
Sensing ten new entries into Dark World, Yubel smirked evilly. "They came after all, and they brought a few friends." she smugly commented.
"What do you expect? Illidan no doubt brought some backup. Without any doubt, the slave girl came, and I would only speculate that part of the others were from the Shadow Court, if not those meddling brats." Syrus commented.
Glancing at Syrus, the demoness sneered and replied "I sense one of them is my servant, Kevin. I see the boy is still mine. I sense one other though with no Shadow Powers, which makes me wonder who blundered into this world."
"Who cares. So long as they give off Duel Energy, it could be anyone." Syrus nonchalantly remarked.
Nodding, the demoness replied "I suppose so. I suspect they will give our former master plenty of trouble."
Evilly grinning, Syrus said "I hope so. The more that our former master fights, the more than likely we will come out on top."
Turning away from Yubel, he added "I'm off. I wish to find one of them. I can already sense him. He will be a good addition to what I have in stored for this world."
Lightly chuckling, Yubel calmly said "Very well, good luck. Perhaps our paths will cross again soon. For me, I must find Jaden. He is mine, and I will have him."
"Whatever." Syrus commented while walking away.
--
Laying on the ground, Jaden slightly moaned while cracking his eyes open. Glancing around, he saw Alexis near his own body, who was holding onto his hand for dear life.
Slightly smiling at her unconscious form, he released his grip and slowly stood up. Glancing up at the sky, he immediately saw that it was overcast, with thick dark clouds covering it up. The ground was made up of dark sand. Looking off in the distance, he saw some dark rocks, but for the most part, the area was barren.
"What a strange place…" Jaden murmured softly.
Seeing a set of jagged like rocks, he frowned. "Why does that look familiar?" he asked himself aloud.
"Because, that is my home." a dark voice said within Jaden's mind.
Eyes widening, Jaden glanced around and saw no one by Alexis still with him. Suddenly, he felt himself being pulled deep into his mind. Looking around, he saw a dark figure in the corner of his mind.
"Who… who are you?" he halfheartedly asked.
A dark chuckle was heard from the figure, who revealed himself slowly. The figure wore dark black and gold medieval knight like armor with six tendril-like spikes, with two jutting out of the back of the armor and four off the armor's shoulders. On the back of the figure was a red cape that had a tall collar that surrounded the figure's head. The helmet had a shield on it that was down, hiding the face of the figure.
Reaching up, the figure pushed the visor up, revealing his face, making Jaden gasp in complete and utter shock. "You… you're me!" Jaden exclaimed in shock.
Darkly chuckling, the figure stared at Jaden with cold, dark golden eyes and replied "Not quite. Unlike you, I'm not a weakling."
Bristling with anger, Jaden fired back "I'm not weak!"
"Really? I'm surprised you think that, after losing your friend like that." the Jaden look-a-like said.
Realizing the double ganger was speaking of Jesse, Jaden clenched his fists tightly. With a light growl, Jaden harshly asked "What do you want!?"
"Control, obviously." the figure replied. "You see, this world is where I belong. It is my world, and by returning here, I am stronger."
"Hold on, how did you get inside of me!?" Jaden furiously asked.
Chuckling darkly, the look-a-like replied "You are a curious one. I suppose I could explain it to you. You are my reincarnation. I was originally born here, in this world known as Dark World. I have been a part of you my whole life, feeding off the darkness of your soul. Until recently, I had barely any strength, but last year, when you entered the Shadows, I gained power. True, it was not enough power to take over your body, but enough nonetheless. And then there was three days ago, when you lost your friend. You now seethe with darkness in your heart, feeding me even more strength."
Evilly grinning, the figure added "Now with us returning to Dark World, my power has increased to the point that I'm strong enough to take over. Here, in this world, I am the king, thus I will rule it with an iron fist, starting with your body!"
Unexpectedly, metal bars suddenly rose up from the ground in Jaden's mind, surrounding Jaden's mental image. He rushed forward, trying to get out, only to find the bars were solid and unbending. A top appeared on the cage, entrapping him completely.
Laughing manically, the look-a-like said "Fool, you are now the prisoner of your own mind. Like I have for so many years, you will watch while I do what is necessary to take over this world."
"No, stop this! Let me out!" Jaden snarled while beating on the bars.
Darkly chuckling, the figure said "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything, staring with that wench you brought with you."
Realizing the figure spoke of Alexis, Jaden felt his anger increase greatly. With renewed reason, he struggled against the bars, screaming "LEAVE ALEXIS OUT OF THIS!"
"Fool, you are weak to love a woman like that. I will rid you of this petty attachment you have to her." the figure darkly said.
Smirking evilly, the figure turned around to leave Jaden's mind, but stopped a few feet away from the cage. "Remember this one thing Jaden before I leave. My name is Supreme King Haou, and I will conquer and rule this world."
With that said, he vanished from Jaden's mind, leaving the young man screaming out "GET BACK HERE HAOU AND LET ME OUT!"
--
Slowly, Alexis's eyes fluttered open. The scent of sand filled her senses, making her frown. Glancing around, she noticed that she was laying on sand and that there was very little light. Slowly standing up, she glanced around and saw she was standing in a wasteland. Realizing Jaden wasn't laying next to her, she frantically looked around for him, but saw him not far away. He was looking off in the distance while a light breeze ruffled his clothing.
Softly smiling, she began walking towards him when she suddenly saw his body pulsate strangely. "Jaden?" she asked worriedly.
Getting no response, she walked closer, only to watch more pulsations coming off of his body. She was nearly to him when he suddenly turned around to glare at her with cold, dark demonic looking golden eyes.
"Jaden…" she gasped in shock. "What happened to you!?"
"Hello wench." Jaden coldly said with a deeper voice than normal.
Shaking her head and taking a step back, Alexis replied "What happened to your voice? That's not your voice, and why did you call me that!?"
"You are an irritating wench." Jaden coolly remarked. "I think it's time you vanished. But first, I must make an adjustment."
"Jaden…" Alexis began, but watched in surprise when suddenly Jaden's body glowed with a black aura.
The black glow shrouded his body completely for a few moments, hiding him from her view. A moment later, the glow dissipated, revealing a figure wearing black and gold armor, a red cape, and a helmet on their head with the visor down.
Reaching up, the figure opened the visor, revealing Jaden's face with the cold demonic golden eyes. "Much better." Jaden's dark, deep voice said.
Shaking her head rapidly, Alexis cried out "What did you did Jaden!? What has happened to you!?"
"You really are hopeless wench." Jaden darkly commented. "Can't you see, I am no longer the Jaden you knew! He is long gone. Only I, the Supreme King of this world, Haou, remains!"
Sneering, he added darkly "And you my dear, shall be my first victim."
Extending his left arm, a round surface flipped up and began rotating with several teeth on it. The rotating object looked like a buzz saw till finally it came to rest to create a Duel Disk with a deck already in it. Seeing the Duel Disk, Alexis took a step backwards hesitantly, with fear showing in her eyes.
"Are you afraid to duel me, wench?" Jaden cruelly asked. "Too struck with fear to even try to save the one you supposedly love?"
Bristling up with anger and determination, Alexis stepped back forward with a firm foot hold and powered up her own Duel Disk, saying "I won't abandon Jaden! I'll defeat you and save him!"
"Then come wench, and become my first victim!" Jaden declared while darkness encircled the two and Jaden's dark laughter filled the air.