Judge Man rose from his throne with a thunderous snarl as chaos unfolded. His regal robes hardened and morphed into a rigid, yet shining, armor. Gleaming beneath the court's flickering lights, he lifted and outstretched his hand, summoning a massive, battle-scarred club that exuded an aura of power.

The raging court and soldiers fell silent as they gazed upon its magnificence, staring wide-eyed at the horrible spectacle unfolding before them. With a mighty cry, Flame Wingman swooped down with blistering speed, his lone wing leaving a trail of flames in his wake as he rushed toward Judge Man.

"Jaden, wait! Call off your attack!" Bastion bellowed, but it was too late.

Flame Wingman raised his arm to strike, and Judge Man's club moved to counter. With a single swing of the colossal weapon, Judge Man roared with incredible strength. The resounding impact reverberated through the stone walls of the court, silencing the very air itself as Jaden gasped.

Flame Wingman was knocked off-course, his trajectory abruptly redirected. He spiraled uncontrollably, slamming into the high, strangely-carved ceiling walls.

A brilliant flash of light erupted as the collision overcame the HERO's defenses, shattering him and leaving nothing but a dark scorch mark on the wall.

The court stood in stunned silence, their wide eyes shifting between Judge Man and Jaden. The weight of what had transpired hung heavy in the air, a chilling reminder of their situation.

"Assassins! They would kill our King!" Queen's Knight suddenly shouted. She rushed toward them, her silver blade gleaming with murderous intent as she lunged.

Syrus squeaked, collapsing to his knees as the woman slashed at his body, only for Jaden to block the brunt of the blow with his Duel Disk-equipped arm. A flash of light followed the noisy clang, and as it faded away, Jaden opened his eyes to find several more HEROes before him.

Queen's Knight leaped back with a scowl as she eyed the colorful group. Sparkman, Clayman, Bubbleman, and Wildheart all stood ready to battle, their weapons and hands raised to defend the students against all attacks.

"Ugh, I can't believe this," Chazz griped. "First his Wingman, now this?!"

"We can discuss the absurdity later!" Bastion cried. "For now, let's grab the Duel Disks! We'll have to fight our way out!"

Alexis nodded, lunging forward the second she saw a small opening. A fatal mistake, for a Celtic Guardian slashed toward her as she moved.

"Eek!" she screamed, raising her arms to protect herself as she fled, but she needn't have bothered, for Clayman's sturdy body took the brunt of the blow!

"Ugh!" Celtic Guardian grunted. "This skin…! It's harder than steel!"

"Move," Clayman's rough voice echoed. "I. Shall. Hold the Line!"

"You heard him, guys! Grab our gear!" Jaden cried, swinging his hand out.

"Don't tell me what to do, slacker!" Chazz replied, but he rushed to the Duel Disks with the others.

Judge Man glowered as they moved, his patience thinning as his court descended into madness. He had brought these prisoners here so they could plead their case, and this was their response?

Ridiculous.

Such foolishness.

Did they not know who he was?!

Judge Man, the Clubber of Kings!

Er, wait.

The King of Clubs!

And no crook escaped his gaze!

TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: LEARNING TO DUEL
LESSON FORTY-THREE
VS JUDGE MAN

"What's the hold-up?! Move those legs!" Bastion shouted as they raced through the castle.

"Cut me a break! I'm not used to runnin' so much!" Chazz snapped with a glare.

"I'm trying to make sure we don't get cut!" Bastion pressed, glaring back at him. "But if you'd like to slow down and get executed, please, Chazz, be my guest."

"Urk!"

Even now, the sounds of the angry soldiers followed behind them, accompanied by the roar of battle as Jaden's HEROes fought in their defense. Bastion knew they wouldn't last long, at least not with those Defense Points. Why couldn't Jaden have summoned something stronger like Bladedge or Absolute Zero?

Bastion sighed.

'What's done is done,' he told himself. 'Just stay safe.'

A light appeared at the end of the hallway.

"There!" Alexis shouted. "A gate!"

Surging forward, Bastion and the others broke through the wooden doors, revealing the sprawling courtyard of the castle before them.

"W-We're free!" Torrey shouted.

They flooded into the open space, slamming the gates shut behind them with a gasp. Only then did a few of them double over, panting as they caught their breath.

"Kuri! Kuri!"

"Guys, look out!"

Jaden's shout nearly came a second too late. The group just managed to scatter from their position as a figure crashed down where they'd once stood.

Jaden hacked, expelling the ensuing smoke and concrete from his lungs, then narrowed his eyes, frowning into the cloud that had followed the figure's arrival. As it cleared, a familiar club and royal cape fell into view.

"Judge Man!" Syrus wailed.

"Looks like we weren't so free after all," Bastion said.

Jaden frowned as he gazed upon the menacing king of this fantasy kingdom. Judge Man's expression had darkened, his features pulling into a sinister scowl.

"MONGRELS!" he roared, his voice booming throughout his courtyard. The sound of armor followed his words, and before Jaden knew it—

"We're surrounded!" Chazz complained.

Jaden grimaced, realizing the same. The King's army had them cornered. Hundreds of Celtic Guardians and Poker Knights blocked their path out of the field.

"Damn it! We're all gonna die!" Mukouda cried into his hands.

"Oh, shaddap! We're not gonna die!" Chazz barked. "Not with these babies!"

He raised his Duel Disk, quickly slapping one of his best cards upon them.

…But nothing happened.

"What?!" Chazz snapped. "Hey! Come on! What gives?!"

He tried it again.

"Dragon Catapult Cannon, I summon you!" he roared.

But again, nothing.

Bastion and Syrus were quickly met with the same fate.

"W-Why isn't it working?!" Torrey asked. "It worked for Jaden before!"

'Maybe it's because…' Alexis frowned. "Maybe… their cards aren't Duel Spirits!"

Bastion was quick to agree.

"Then it seems our actions earlier were for naught," he mused. "I had hoped that any Duel Monster would appear, but it seems that won't be the case…"

"Yeah, no kidding," she agreed. "Your Valkyrion would've been a really big help."

"You mentioned your Cyber Prima before. Will she not come to our aid?" he replied.

Alexis nodded, quickly raising her Duel Disk to summon her out, but as she placed the card on the disk, a glow emerged… and then nothing.

King's Knight laughed.

"The fools don't even know the rules of their cards!" he said. "They seek to resummon their exhausted reserves! Do thou sinners show no remorse?!"

"Exhausted…?" Alexis inquired, "Wait… Is it because they've already been summoned…?"

"Your ignorance lends credence to your earlier words," Judge Man sneered. "Not that I believe them. In our world, you Sorcerers capture cards within those blank cards, forcing us to work for you as your slaves until our energy is spent!"

"What?!"

"Far too many of my servants and allies have fallen to your devious tricks, and now, you dare to invade my kingdom? Your lives shall be forfeit here!" he roared.

His club came down, slamming into the ground before them with a shattering crash. It shook the courtyard, leaving a crater in its wake as the students stepped back.

Jaden frowned.

"Hang on! We already told you we aren't invaders!"

"Silence, fiend! If thou aren't invaders, then why didst thou attack mine king?!" Queen's Knight asked.

Jaden chuckled wryly and scratched his cheek. "It was a… misunderstanding? But seriously, we're not the bad guys! We're just tryin' to find our way home!"

"As if we'd believe thine words after thou's wretched display of treachery!" she snapped. She raised her weapon toward Jaden's face. "Thou shall pay for that insult in blood!"

"Whoa! Hang on!" Jaden cried, backpedaling quickly into the others. "There's no need to shed any blood over this! We can hash it out with words. Or a Duel!"

Hushed whispers rang throughout the soldiers at the term, and Jaden blinked in surprise. Judge Man's eyes darkened further in response.

"You wish to face me in a Duel…?" he growled.

"Uh…"

"Jaden," Bastion warned.

"Yeah! I'll take you on, Judge Man! If I win, you let us go free! But if you win, well… we… stay here?"

Judge Man straightened his back and boomed, "If you lose, then you die!"

"Eep!"

"Damn it, slacker!"

"Hey, come on! Do you have any better ideas?!" he asked.

Chazz's eye twitched. "Well, no! But there's no way you can beat 'em! Obviously, the strongest of us should Duel, and your loud mouth lost to me, remember?!"

"That Duel was over a month ago, Chazz! I bet I'd win if we dueled now!"

"As if! There's no way you'd win!"

"Wanna bet? Get your game on, Princeton!"

"ENOUGH!"

Judge Man's shout tore through them once more, striking fear into their hearts.

"You shall duel!" he shouted, pointing directly into Jaden's face. "For the insult of summoning a beast to strike me, your life shall be the one forfeit!"

"Heh, I don't know about that last part, but if you wanna duel, then I'm game!" Jaden said.

He stepped forward, activating his Duel Disk and sliding his deck inside.

"Jaden, be careful!" Bastion said. "This Duel will tear at your life!"

"Oh, relax, Bastion," Jaden said. "It's just a Duel! We'll be fine!"

'We might,' Bastion thought. 'But this Duel will test more than your talent and strategy, Jaden.'

He recalled how Konami and Jasmine had looked before Jinzo and bit back a scowl.

"Jaden, be careful," Alexis said, feeling hopeless as she watched. Bastion's earlier words came back to haunt her.

'This is my fault…'

As if sensing her thoughts, Jaden smiled and hit her with an eager thumbs-up.

"Don't worry, Alexis. I'll win this thing and get us all back home! Promise!"

"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep," Judge Man told him, lifting his club. "Because when my army tears you apart, the only home you'll have is your grave!"

Jaden braced himself, his gaze steadying on the imposing Judge Man. The warrior king raised his club, and suddenly, the King's army began to shimmer. A surge of light and energy engulfed the courtyard and those within it, and slowly, some of Judge Man's soldiers broke down into streams of light.

The streams swirled toward Judge Man, coalescing into several glistening cards, their fronts facing the students so they could see the faces of the soldiers they had been confronting mere moments ago.

"They... They've become cards!" Bastion exclaimed, disbelief tinging his voice.

Chazz scowled, "What kind of a trick is this?!"

Judge Man, unimpressed by their reactions, raised his club. The cards responded, lining up neatly into a deck. A magical gust of wind whirred around him, and the deck and club shifted, merging to create a Duel-Ready Duel Disk.

"Though you sorcerers may acquire soul cards through theft," Judge Man's voice echoed across the courtyard, "Mine have given themselves willingly for the sake of this Duel. My men's loyalty is absolute!"

"My cards aren't so shabby either, Judge Man! So, Get Your Game On!"

"LET'S DUEL!"

"I'll go first," Judge Man said, drawing a card from his deck, "by summoning the first of my loyal soldiers! Celtic Guardian, appear!"

A blinding light filled the courtyard as the elven warrior appeared, brandishing its blade toward Jaden and co. as he rose to defend his proud liege-lord.

Celtic Guardian - LV4 - EARTH - Warrior - (1400/1200)

"Turn end."

"What? That's it? You got a lot to learn, old-timer," Jaden said. "Here, why don't I show you how we Duelists throw down on a place we call Earth?! It's my turn. I draw!"

'Sweet!' he thought, eyeing his hand. 'I know just how to win this one!'

And how could he not with two Polymerizations, two HEROes, and a Mirage of Nightmare?!

"Alright," he decided. "What better way to kick things off than with Polymerization?!"

"Alright!" Syrus cheered. "Now, he'll be able to Fusion Summon a monster!"

"Hmph, we know what the card does, scrub!" Chazz sneered, rolling his eyes. "But which Fusion is he going to go into, huh?"

"Knowing Jaden… there's one on my mind," said Alexis.

"I fuse the Avian and Burstinatrix in my hand to Fusion Summon… Flame Wingman!"

A flaming pillar erupted from his Duel Disk as he sent the three cards to the Graveyard, fusing them to create the symbol of his deck and his favorite monster!

"Hrragh!" Wingman roared as his green-skinned body burst from the inferno, twirling toward the field before spreading outward to reveal its wing.

Flame Wingman - LV6 - WIND - Warrior/Fusion - (2100/1200)

"A fine choice," Bastion murmured. "Wingman's effect will help end this quickly."

"Alright, Wingman, light 'em up! Attack 'em with Skydive Scorcher!"

The warrior didn't need to be told twice. As if itching for a rematch, he lunged forward, dragon-arm poised to burn Celtic Guardian to ash!

The elven warrior screamed as the ensuing inferno consumed him whole, setting him ablaze as Judge Man watched on with a stern glare of his own.

JADEN - 4000 LP
JUDGE MAN - 3300 LP

"You'll pay for that."

"Oh, yeah?" Jaden asked. "Well, not before you pay first!"

"What?"

"You see, my pal Flame Wingman here has a superpower! When he destroys a monster, he makes you take damage equal to that monster's Attack Points! I hope you're ready for some payback, pal, 'cause my Wingman's ready to give it!"

Without any further explanation, the green hero swung down toward Judge Man, releasing a second blaze of fire from its draconian-infused arm. Judge Man growled in pain and swung his cape to defend himself from the fire, but despite its protection, he could still feel his Life Points depleting digit by digit.

JADEN - 4000 LP
JUDGE MAN - 1900 LP

"That's the way, slacker!" Chazz cheered on. "Show that overgrown chump what's what!"

"Nnnn…" Judge Man turned to glare at Chazz.

"I-I mean… carry on, my King," he bowed.

The rest of the group turned to stare at Chazz dryly.

"What?! You wanna get hit by that club?!" he snapped.

"If Jaden keeps playing like this, we won't have to," Alexis retorted. 'Come on, Jaden… Win this thing! Win, so we can go home!'

"Are you done?" Judge Man asked.

"Huh? Yeah, I guess," Jaden replied.

"Excellent. Then it's my move," his scowl deepened. "I draw!"

After adding a card to his hand, Judge Man's lips curled into a smile.

"Uh oh…" Syrus said, noticing the change. "That's not good. Judge Man never smiles!"

"You showed me how you earthlings duel, and now, you'll see how I do," he said. "And I'll start by activating the Spell card Joker's Straight!"

"Joker's Straight?" Jaden asked.

"It's a card that does a multitude of things," Bastion said. "And given some the monsters we saw serving him… this won't be good."

"First," Judge Man said, "I'll discard my Giant Soldier of Stone. This will allow me to Special Summon my Queen's Knight from the Deck!"

A gentle glow filled the courtyard as the female soldier arrived, glaring at Jaden as if he were the scum of the earth as she readied her blade.

Queen's Knight - LV4 - LIGHT - Warrior - (1500/1600)

"Next, I can add this, my King's Knight, to my hand," he said. "But I'm afraid he won't be there long, because of Joker's Straight's second effect! After its first effect resolves, I'm allowed to Normal Summon a monster! Come forth, King's Knight!"

The crown-wearing soldier materialized, rising to stand beside Queen's Knight with a dark scowl of his own.

King's Knight - LV4 - LIGHT - Warrior - (1600/1400)

"Now, King's Knight's effect activates! If he summoned while I control a Queen's Knight, I can Special Summon Jack's Knight from the Deck!"

A third pillar split the courtyard as the final Poker Knight appeared, filling the space with his sapphire glow as he rose to stand by his comrades.

Jack's Knight - LV5 - LIGHT - Warrior - (1900/1000)

"Oh, yeah! Now, that's what I'm talkin' about!" Jaden grinned, pumping his fist. "But none of those monsters are strong enough to take on my Wingman by themselves, you know?"

Judge Man grimaced. "Don't worry, for that is about to change."

"Huh?"

He reached into his hand for another card.

"I, too, have Polymerization!"

"What?!"

The group behind Jaden cowered in fear.

"No way! He runs that, too?!"

"What's a Kaiba card doin' with Yugi's tribute fodder?!"

"It's over! We're all gonna die!"

Judge Man scowled. "I fuse my three Poker Knights into one new being! A being who will denounce your lies and cut a path toward the truth!" he played the card. "Fusion Summon! Arrive, Arcana Knight Joker!"

The three proud knights disappeared in a blaze of light, merging into one.

Silver steel.

Golden hilt.

Flowing purple hair.

The three came together, creating the ultimate soldier in a blinding flash! As the light disappeared, the towering warrior emerged from its epicenter, raising his glowing blade in preparation to cut through Judge Man's new foes.

Arcana Knight Joker - LV9 - LIGHT - Warrior - (3800/2500)

"W-Whoa…" Jaden whispered. "Oh, man! You've gotta be kiddin'! That card looks sweet!" he scratched his cheek. "But I can't say it's lookin' good for me."

"Correct," Judge Man said, "and if you haven't noticed, it's about to get worse! because since Joker's Straight gave me an additional Normal Summon, I'll play this! Come forth, Celtic Guardian!"

"Whoa… You have more than one?!" Jaden breathed.

The fact became clear as a second elven warrior emerged to stand where the first one had prior.

Celtic Guardian - LV4 - EARTH - Warrior - (1400/1200)

Jaden gulped.

"Go, Arcana Knight Joker!" Judge Man yelled. "Cut through this prisoner's Wingman!"

"Yes, my King!" Arcana Knight growled, lunging across the field.

With a single slash, he cleaved through the heart and soul of Jaden's ace monster, forcing Wingman to scream as his body exploded in a violent display.

"Urrgh…!" Jaden grimaced, wincing as he shielded himself from the blast.

JADEN - 1700 LP
JUDGE MAN - 1900 LP

Bastion's hand clenched.

"Now, Celtic Guardian… attack him directly!" Judge Man roared.

"As you command!" the warrior cried, and his blade fell down onto Jaden.

SWISH!

"A-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!" Jaden cried as the cut seared across his chest, spraying blood across the courtyard as he staggered onto one knee.

Alexis gasped, her hands immediately flying to her mouth in horror.

"J-Jaden!" Syrus cried.

"EEEK! We're all gonna die!" Torrey screamed.

Jaden's vision blurred, the world around him going in and out of focus. The shock of the pain radiated through his body, and he could feel the blood on his chest. He coughed in shock, collapsing onto all fours as his vision swam.

"Jaden! Jaden!" Syrus cried. "Are you alright?!"

No.

No, he wasn't.

JUDGE MAN - 1900 LP
JADEN - 300 LP

But… he was still alive.

"Slacker! What the hell are you doing?! Fight! Stand up and fight!"

"Jaden! I'm so sorry…! This… it's all my fault!"

He could hear his friends speaking.

'Right. My friends… They're probably… worried about me,' he thought.

This wasn't a game.

Caught up in the Duel, he'd almost forgotten that fact. Or maybe, he'd never acknowledged it properly… that fact that they were all in danger.

He coughed again, digging his nails deep into the ground underneath him. He couldn't lose here. Syrus, Bastion, Alexis, and even Chazz! They were counting on him. Counting on him to win this and get them back home!

Gritting his teeth, Jaden groaned and forced himself to one knee. His breath was shaky, and his chest heaved as his blood continued to spill.

"Haa…. Haaa…!"

'This is my fault,' thought Alexis. 'I caused this. Because of my pride. And now, Jaden's…!'

She couldn't watch.

"Not so fun, is it, boy?" Judge Man asked with a sneer. "This is the cost we Spirits pay every day under your 'orders.' Rise and fight. Rise and defend. Murder. Kill. Be killed! No more! Today, you and your friends are the ones who will die!"

"N-Nah…t…! Not if I have anything… to say about it…!" he winced.

Judge Man laughed.

"You? You already have one foot in the grave!" he said.

Jaden coughed again, spewing blood into his hand as he hacked and wheezed.

'Darn it…!' he thought. 'No way I'm going down like this! I've gotta fight back!'

He eyed his cards, but for once, found nothing. Not even his Winged Kuriboh! No way…! Was he gonna lose? No way! Not at a time like this!

His vision blurred as Judge Man set a card.

"It's your move, boy," the King said. "Play your last pathetic card so I can end both you and your friends."

'End us?! He's not kidding!' Jaden thought. 'He's gonna kill me! And if I lose, he won't stop there! He'll go after everyone else! I've gotta… I've gotta win! But I don't know if I can! Arcana Knight Joker's way too strong, even Skyscraper won't help!'

He glanced at his hand again, once full of such possibility… Now reduced to nothing but fodder, leading him to his demise.

'Mirage of Nightmare… Polymerization… Dark Catapulter… Useless! I need something that will turn this around… and I NEED to draw it now!"

His eyes flickered.

"You won't beat me… and you won't hurt my friends!" he said. "I'm gonna win…. I'm gonna win, you hear me? NO MATTER WHAT!"

His eyes burned. Golden light blazed into existence, filling his gaze with a power not seen in over a thosuand years! Judge Man's eyes widened as he gazed upon him.

"What?!" he whispered. "What are you?!"

"Me?" he snarled. "I'm the Duelist from Earth who has Duels for fun! But because of you… Because of you…!"

A dark aura crackled around him.

"J-Jaden?" Syrus asked. "Hey, guys… you seeing this?!"

One by one, the cards in Jaden's hand were consumed by darkness, their art and descriptions changing to reveal new, frightening forms.

The bright swirl of Polymerization faded to reveal his servants, while Dark Catapulter shifted, transforming into a more… infernal shape.

Dark Fusion.

Infernal Prodigy.

He didn't recognize these names. And yet, he knew they would aid him. Just as the last card in his new hand would.

"It's my Turn. I Draw!" he roared as he drew a new card. His eyes narrowed as he laid eyes upon it, then shifted toward his last card.

"I activate Nightmare Pain!" he yelled.

His friends' eyes widened in shock.

"Nightmare Pain?" Bastion inquired.

"Is that a new card?" wondered Chazz.

"It's a Continuous Spell that lets me destroy a DARK monster in my hand or field," Jaden said. "And the card I'll choose to destroy… is the one I just drew! Spirit of Yubel!"

"Wait, what?!" Syrus gasped. "Hang on, I've never seen that card before!"

"Neither have I," Bastion mused.

"Who cares? If it means he can win, then use it!" screamed Chazz.

As he slid the card into his Graveyard slot, Jaden's eyes burned brighter. "At that moment, Spirit of Yubel's own superpower activates! If it's destroyed, I can Special Summon a certain monster to my field! And not just from my own hand, Deck, or Grave… but other dimensions as well!"

His eyes widened as he lifted his hand to the sky.

"It's been a long time, old friend… but it's time you and I were together again! Return to me… YUBEL!"

The heavens split.

A swirling vortex of purple tore the clouds open, revealing the vast cosmos beyond as a single card fell from its grasp.

"Jaden…" it cried, its voice calling out to him and him alone. "Jaden. Jaden… Jaden. Jaden! JADEN!"

The card landed, and its colossal impact ripped the courtyard asunder, filling the field with dirt and debris as the card landed on Jaden's Duel Disk. Those in attendance felt a chill as they gazed into the darkness. Even Judge Man, with all his might and power, took a step back.

"The power to tear a rift into dimensions is not one a human would hold!" he said. "I ask again, who are you?!"

A terrible weight fell upon him.

"The real question is who are you?" an otherworldly voice whispered, echoing from the darkness currently obscuring Jaden from view.

"Jaden…? Is that you?" Syrus whimpered behind it.

"No, Syrus." Jaden replied, his voice uncharacteristically stern. "It's… her. It's always been her. Welcome back, Yubel!"

The dust parted, revealing the dark form of Jaden's new(?) card, a mish-mash of opposites, black wings, and glowing heterochromatic eyes. With a cruel smile, she stretched out her hands, displaying her razor-sharp claws. The third eye on her forehead opened, piercing Judge Man with fear.

Yubel - LV10 - DARK - Fiend - (0/0)

"Yubel…?" Alexis wondered.

"Hmhmhmhm… Hahaha… Hahahahaha!" Judge Man laughed. "All this drama for 0 Attack Points?"

"Don't look down on her, Judge Man!" Jaden snarled. "My Yubel may not have Attack, but you'll soon find she won't need it!"

"Is it time, my love?" his monster hissed.

"Yes, Yubel. Attack!" he roared.

His hand lashed out, gesturing toward Judge Man's Arcana Knight Joker. The purple-haired soldier readied his blade.

"With pleasure," Yubel whispered.

"Suicide?" Judge Man asked. "If you want to die, so be it!"

"I won't die. But you will, because of Nightmare Pain's effect!" Jaden roared. "While it's in play, you take all Battle Damage from fights with Yubel! And since you pointed out she has no Attack Points… Well, as one of my friends likes to say…" his eyes narrowed. "You. Go. Bye. Bye."

"Hey!" Chazz snapped.

"Go, Yubel! Rend those bastards to pieces!" he roared. "Attack Arcana Knight Joker and finish them off with… Nightmare Pain!"

Yubel smiled and reached out her hand toward Arcana Knight Joker, her third eye pulsing as something suddenly tore through the space in-between them. Before the warrior could raise their sword, the body seized in fright, his eyes widening frantically as his hand rose to clasp his chest.

As if on cue, Judge Man also grunted and grabbed his chest. Staggering backward to steady himself on his club as he let out a shaky breath.

"I… What is this…? I… I can't…!" Judge Man's eyes widened. "My heart…! I… can't…!"

"Die," Yubel said.

She crushed her hand, and both Arcana Knight Joker and Judge Man shouted, their bodies vanishing in a bloody shower as an explosion consumed them both. The army around them shouted and reached for their weapons to aid the deceased, but it was too late, and with a blinding flash…

Yubel blew them all away.

-GX-

"Alexis… Alexis, wake up!" Bastion's voice filled her head.

"Nnn…Wha…?" she groaned, blearily blinking her eyes.

"Thank goodness," he said, collapsing onto his rear as she sat up. "I was starting to think you would never wake up."

"Bastion…? What happened…?" she asked.

"You don't remember?"

Her eyes widened as the memories flashed through her head. Every scream. Every explosion. The Fight. The Trial. The Duel!

She screamed.

"Jaden!" she gasped. "Is he alright?! What about everyone else?!"

"Peace, Ms. Rhodes," a familiar but excruciatingly welcome voice said behind her. She spun on her heel, coming face to face with a frowning Professor Banner. It was only then that she realized she was back on the floor of the ruins.

"Professor Banner, I—"

"Let us save the discussions for later. For now, we should return to the school before anything else can happen. After all…" he glanced down the hall toward several crying students. "I think we achieved goal here."

"We made it!"

"We're still alive!" Torrey cried.

She pursed her lips. "You guys…!" she really wanted to yell at them. To scream at them for dragging the into this mess, but she had no right.

She was just as responsible for everything that had happened inside that… thing. And because of her, Jaden and everyone else had almost…!

"Jaden!" she breathed. "Where is he?! He was hurt! Is he alright? Professor!"

Professor Banner frowned as he glanced to another hallway. "I'm afraid not," he said.

"What…?" she asked. "But that's not…"

"He made it out alongside us," Bastion said. "But… for whatever reason… Jaden… he won't wake."

Alexis felt her heart drop, and as she laid eyes upon the Slifer, she knew more than anything else…

That this?

This was her fault.

Arc End

Hello, after a long time, it seems. How's everyone been?

I thought really long and hard (about 5 minutes) about whether or not to let Jaden blatantly screw the rules here, but I figured, this is Yu-Gi-Oh! If the actual canon protagonist can't break the rules through power-up shenanigans, then who can? So yeah, screw it. Early Yubel. Early Supreme King (powers) and DARRRRRKNESSS! What's the point if you can't have fun, right? And so, here we are. Thanks to my buddies over on Discord for helping me with the Duel. Deciding what kind of deck JUDGE MAN would use (while still being formidable) was... a challenge. Almost as big as a challenge Konami had winning his Thousand-Eyes Restrict! For those interested in seeing such a scene (along with "less scummy Konami"), be sure to check out my AO3 profile, where this story is currently being crossposted (albeit with small changes ((Pictures are pretty)). Anyway, that's all for now, here's hoping Jaden's coma won't last long. Heh Heh Heh... Heh... Heh... Oh, who am I kidding? He'll be fine.

Right?

The rising sun cast a golden glow over Academy Island, illuminating the waking world as Bastion left the Ra Dorm. It was a sight he'd seen many times since first becoming an Academy student, and it was one he hoped he'd continue to see as he jogged his way toward greatness.

Yes. Jogged.

Ever since he was young, Bastion knew the merits of fitness. It was why every morning, just before dawn, he'd wake up and go for a run. This daily routine was sacred to him, a way to prepare for his studies. To breathe and let go of his lingering thoughts while fueling his need to be more.

A Strong Body.

A Strong Mind.

Such was the path he had chosen.

The only path suitable for one such as him: a Duelist who sought the King's throne.

Duel Academy was merely the first step in reaching the end of that path, but Bastion knew that one day, surely, he would stand among the greatest Duelists.

As he continued his exercise and made his way through the island's slumbering forest, the area around him stirred with lives that were starting their own strange routines. He could hear several birds chirping above, rousing their brethren from sleep. Some of them had even taken to the ground, seeking out prey for their kin. In contrast, the tiny crickets and insects made for their burrows, gathering food for themselves while fleeing the mighty beaks up above.

This was nature. Wild, chaotic, yet maintaining a perfect balance. The same balance that Bastion continuously sought to find in himself.

The repetitive motion of running; the rhythmic breaths he took as he jogged, were nothing more than his own attempt to balance his "Scales of Life." His strong body led to a strong mind. His strong mind, a strong body. Anything and everything bolstered his strength.

Including the sweat on his forehead.

Following the path, Bastion took a turn that led him toward the school's cliffside, a place where he often went to find solace, and sometimes, find a great view. The endless ocean often reminded him of how vast the world truly was, but this day was different… because on this day, the ocean view was rife with chaos.

A thunderous boom roared from the seas, followed by a massive explosion! The enormous splash rained down upon Bastion, prompting him to jolt from the cold!

"What?!" he gasped, squinting out into the distance from where the blast came.

There, on the horizon, he saw it: two ships approaching the island!

One was a massive liner adorned with skulls and a tattered black flag. The other couldn't be called more than a dingy, upon which a young man was rowing.

Bastion's eyes widened as he took in the scene.

'Pirates?! At Duel Academy?!' he thought.

But that was impossible! Surely security would have seen them and acted by now?!

'Evidently not,' he thought, frowning as his eyes fell on the small rowboat. It looked like the young man was headed to port.

Bastion wasn't sure he would make it.

"Come on, Cleaver!" the young man rowing the boat yelled at the large vessel. "You can't try and kill someone 'cause of a Duel! Just take the loss and move on!"

BOOM!

A second explosion quickly followed the first.

"It's Cutter! Captain Cutter!" roared the man. "And I'll be damned before I let some snot-nosed brat get the better of me!"

BOOM!

The rowboat lurched forward as a cannonball landed just a few feet away from its hull. The resulting splash sent the vessel forward, pushing it closer to shore!

"Damn!"

"Ha!" the boy laughed. "This is the day you nearly sunk Konami Kodo! But me? I'll remember it as the day I met you, the world's Sorest Loser!"

BOOM!

"Damn it, men! Just where are you aiming?! We gotta get back my rare card!" Cutter cried.

He swung off the helm, descending below to man the battle stations himself.

"Uh oh," the boy gulped, grabbing his bag. "It's a good thing I took swimming classes! Abandon ship!"

BOOM!

Konami made it off the boat just in time.

Bastion's eyes widened as the cannonball ripped through the hull of the miniature vessel, tearing the pitiful rowboat to shreds with a single, ear-piercing boom! A shower of splinters crashed on the cliffs, smashing against its wet rocks. Bastion watched on, stunned by the sight and, despite his best instincts, worried.

From his place on the cliffs, he had just been able to make out what the two had been saying, but despite some Duelists claiming otherwise, one's life wasn't worth a rare card. His feet moved, carrying him to the edge of the cliff before he could notice. There was no sign of the young man anywhere.

'But… he said he could swim!' Bastion thought.

He waited a moment, daring to hope that the boy would appear any second.

The moment passed.

As did another.

'Damn it!'

He jumped off the cliff.

To read more, check out Vol. 1 on AO3!