Chapter 22

Standing on the beach at Duel academy, the midnight haired boy watched as the waves crashed into the rocks of the island, it had been two day's since the terrifying duel upon the Duel Academy volcano. Two days since Night shrouds identity had been revealed as Joshua Donovan, Claudia's biological older brother, The one who had been missing from Cern for over 18 months, the very brother Zane had promised to track down.

His mind wandered back to that very night

Flashback

Zane knelt down next to the teenager, his hand gently rubbing her back looking at the mans face, he could see a slight resemblance between the two Donovan siblings, even though he thought Claire looked more like Claudia. His heart broke as she cried for her brother, he winced as he saw her injuries coming up, he knew they both needed medical attention especially Joshua.

Standing up he looked over to Chazz, "Call Professor Crowler, we need medics immediately." Chazz didn't hesitate to make the call, he looked over to Myka and Pete, they both held emotions of sadness and pain and he didn't like it, the warehouse agents knew that Claudia had been so close to her brother.

He knew they had been investigating his disappearance but not once had they found any trace, and now here he was, duelling as a shadow rider trying to send his sisters soul to the shadow realm. That made him angry, he didn't know the man but the thought of an older sibling try to Destroy kill their younger one was something that didn't sit well with him. He would hope that when Joshua came too, that he could ask him some questions.

Soon Professor Crowler and Banner appeared, along with two medical choppers…. Claudia had tried to refuse to let her brother go, but once Zane had convinced her she would see him down at the medical ward, she reluctantly let go and was lifted into the chopper by a stretcher.

Once at the infirmary, Vanessa had been the one to assist the situation, Since Claudia's bad mission, she had decided to stay for a little while longer to keep an eye on the young agent to make sure she wasn't over doing it, so when Claudia and Joshua was rushed into the medical room, shock was clearly placed on her face and immediately began to work on both siblings.

End of Flashback~

Looking up to the sky, the sounds of a chopper was heard, he saw Claudia's old man sitting in the side worry struck across his face, the same worry himself had when he watched Claudia's duel, at the side of him was H.G Wells and Mrs Fredrick, so he assumed Steve was back at the Warehouse keeping an eye on things.

Once the chopper had landed, the two agents and caretaker got out letting their shoes crush the sands underneath their feet, "Agent Trusdale, I'm sorry we asked you to meet us here, instead of being up inside the infirmary with Agent Donovan" Zane's eye's hardened to the woman, yes there would be nothing more than him sitting beside his girlfriend in a hospital bed, as she held a saddened look watching the heart monitors of Joshua.

"It's no problem at all Mrs Fredrick, at this current moment in time Vanessa has bed bound Claudia until her wounds heal, Professor crowler isn't happy about that but he understands she took a very big risk to save two students here, Pete and Myka are currently watching over her." Artie walked up to the young man, "Thank you for contacting us straight away, when Claudia's soul was hit the second time, we feared the worse…"

Zane nodded, he could still hear her heart wrenching screams in his mind, the image of her clutching her chest, "I asked Vanessa to check her heart over, there as a slight bit of strain but so long as she gets plenty of rest, Claudia will make a full recovery. Come, The infirmary is this way.." he began to asend the stairs but a female hand grasped his.

"How are you holding up darling?" his head turned to H.G Wells, she could clearly see anger and pain in his eyes, "it wasn't easy watching the one person I love risk her life, she was already in bad condition, and now I can't even get her to talk to me. So…how I'm holding up? Pretty damn good lady." He ragged his arm back and began making his way up the stairs, he knew he could feel Mrs Fredrick eyes on his back but at that moment he didn't care.

WH WH WH WH WH

Inside the infirmary room, Pete was sat inbetween Claudia and Joshua, both siblings had been hospital bound for different reasons, Joshua was currently in a light coma which had sent Claudia over the edge in finding out. She had tried to sit beside his bed but the other agents shook their heads, they wanted her to get better before even thinking about getting out of that hospital bed.

"Hey Pete?" the older agent looked to see Claudia sat up looking down at her sheets, "What's up Claud?" he could tell she was trying so hard not to cry, "Do…you think Zane hates me?" immediately, Pete turned his full body and attention to the teenager sat in front of him, "What makes you say that sweetheart?"

Placing a strand of red hair behind her ear, she bit her lip, "I've not spoken to him since the duel… I haven't been able to… I've been constantly worrying about my brother that…. " Pete stopped the young girl right there. That boy cares about you so much, I doubt he could ever hate you. He understands your worries and concerns about Joshua and if he doesn't, well I'll make sure he understands that no one messes with you." Claudia looked up to him slightly and smiled, "Thanks Pete, i… was so scared when duelling Joshua when he was Night Shroud…. When I felt the pain… it felt so real… something inside me was tearing away and I … couldn't breathe for a moment." He gently took her hand "Listen, I know you was scared but you was so brave to finish that Duel I was scared because I'd never heard you be in so much pain…. Not even when you faced your fears in Fargo's video game."

Claudia shivered at that, "Thanks for reminding me dude, one fear I've been trying to keep in the back of my mind, in any case…I" he shook his head he noticed Zane walk in.

"Listen to me Claudia, you may not know it but you are so special to everyone, you are so strong and tough, that I suppose when you acted how you did few days ago after finding out it was Joshua was so understandable, I've only ever seen you cry twice, Leena's death and Steve's death, you are so brave….. and so so strong when I lost my father I felt the same way as you are right now, I ignored the people I loved because I was trying to cope on my own but just remember there are people around you, we all love you ok?"

Claudia nodded and leaned over giving Pete a hug, "thanks bro, you sure Zane don't hate me?" Pete smiled and nodded slightly, Claudia turned around to see the teenager right there, his eye's much softer than they was outside, "Is that what you was worried about love?"

He walked over and knelt down next to the bed, she took in a deep breath and nodded, "Yeah i.." she was cut off by Zane's lips being placed on hers, until someone coughed, he pulled away and traced a finger on her cheek, "Don't ever scare me like that again, and I'm proud of you, that new Cyber Dragon deck really rocks"

She couldn't help but smile, "thanks but it's still missing…." She looked passed him and saw the three other agents, "what are you lot doing here?"

Mrs Fredrick stood forward, "We came because of you Claudia, as a result of your duel against … Nightshroud we now know the risks of them Sacred keys."

Claudia's left hand gently touched the key around her neck, and looked into Mrs Fredricks eye's, "The downside effect of these keys, if you lose the duel you lose your soul correct?" the African woman nodded, as Artie then stepped forward, "Which is why, you and the other 6 are to give the keys to the warehouse, this artefact is way too dangerous Claudia."

The teenager in the bed looked to her father, completely shocked, "So after my near soul ripping experience, you want us to give up guarding the three sacred cards? I have a feeling this is what the Cyber Dragons wanted me to do…. And I also have a feeling that's not going to make Joshua wake up.." she looked over to her brothers bed, Artie gave a sad look to his little girl "if you continue this Claudia….your life will be at risk…. The warehouse is alre-"

Claudia's head shot up, "The warehouse? This is what this is about? Joshua is in a coma and all you can think of is the Warehouse Artie? I'm sorry ok! but this is something that needs to be played out! I don't know how I know but-"

Mrs Fredrick just smiled to the future caretaker, "you just know you have to protect these sacred artefacts, that's a true caretaker right there, This is not about the warehouse Claudia, this is about your health and also your friends health we still don't know on what will happen once people lose their souls and the keys are neutralized… "

Zane stood up holding his girlfriends hand, "I'm with Claudia on this one, the Cyber Dragons will protect us, just like the Warehouse protects Claudia even if I lose my soul I know Claudia is the one to stop these Shadow riders."

Helena had been quite most of the time, but looking at the young couple, she knew they would make a strong team as they already held a strong connection to each other. "Mrs Fredrick I think we should let this play out, Zane maybe right about this I will go back to the Warehouse files and see if I can find out any more on the Sacred keys, I have a feeling these two are the ones to beat this up coming evil."

Claudia smiled to Helena, as the African woman nodded, "I believe so too, as I've always told Claudia, you must follow your instincts Pete and Myka will stay here with you keep us updated on what is coming, Artie…."

The older agent shook his head slightly, "I just wanted you to be safe Claudia…. Please…be safe." Claudia nodded "But of course old man, your girlfriend is currently making me stay in this bed until I can walk again. So I'm not going anywhere for at least a week, Permission to have my Tesla on campus?"

Artie leaned forward kissing the teenagers forehead, "Permission Denied, stick to your stun grenades, and what other gadget that brilliant mind comes up with ok? I'll do all I can back at the warehouse for you," she gave a nod, and watched as the three agents left the room.

That was when Zane turned around to Claudia, he reached into his deck and pulled out a card, "I have a feeling you will need this more than me love, take it, and remember when you use it…. My soul and heart will always be with you." "Zane I can't take-" but he placed the card into her hand, she looked down and went wide, it was the only card missing from her deck.

"Power bond?" he nodded sitting down next to her bed, "Yes, this symbolises our bond not only through our love for each other, but through our love for Cyber dragons, this card now belongs to you" she just grabbed his trench coat and forced a kiss on him, before breaking away, "don't talk like that, you talk like your about to leave and never come back."

He smiled softly stroking her face, "I'll always come back to you… I promise."

WH WH WH WH WH

Outside the room Mrs Fredrick smiled, She had heard their conversation "And the balance has been restored for now Mr Trusdale… keep Agent Donovan close… as she is the light to your darkness…"

And with that Mrs Fredrick left Duel Academy, with unknown knowledge of Zane's future, but darkness was still there in the depths of the school, a woman standing on the hill watching the Duel Academy, "I'm coming for you…. The strongest male… oh how my fangs wish to be sunken into your neck, I've already taken one of your friends…" she twirled a key on her index finger, looking down at the chestnut haired boy, his eye's closed and the dirty blonde haired girl knelt down, tears rolling down her face.

"Your key and soul is mine….Zane Trusdale…"

WH WH WH WH WH

Fluffy Chapter…cliff hanger ending…. Oh my god…. What's going on?

Where is this going?

Will Claudia keep Zane ….. well Sane?

Will Zane win against this new enemy?

CureDream90 and ArticDragonSlayer! Over and out!