Echoes of Eternity

by Enigma2187

Meet Kazuyuki Sora, a somewhat skilled duelist attending Duel Academy. Unlike his peers, Sora doesn't dream of the Pro Leagues; he wishes for a stable job and a comfortable life. But as personal conflicts intensify and ideals are put to the test, a greater threat looms, blurring the boundaries of Light and Dark. Will Sora's unconventional approach be a strength or a liability? (OC)

11. Shifting Tides

AN: I recommend reading the author's note regarding what happens in the chapter regarding Fujimoto and news of future releases.

---

It's been a few days since my hazing.

I was now taking advantage of having brunch with luxurious foods ripe for the taking.

The aromas of tantalizing dishes filled the grand dining hall of Obelisk Blue, and I couldn't help but pause for a moment to take it all in.

Coming from Ra Yellow, where the menus weren't as extravagant, it was hard not to appreciate the array of gourmet offerings laid out before me.

Although Professor Sartyr's famous curry was sorely missed, the sheer variety of the Obelisk spread more than made up for it.

I thought back to my Ra Yellow days.

The uniform was more casual, a comfortable fit, without the long tailcoat that the Obelisk Blues had.

I fidgeted with my new coat.

The shade of blue was undeniably attractive, but the length?

It took some getting used to.

It's not quite as practical as the shorter versions donned by my peers in Slifer Red and Ra Yellow.

Loading my plate, a part of me wished my old friends could indulge in this feast with me.

How Syrus would rave about these desserts or how Bastion would go on about the perfect steak seasoning.

A soft ping drew my attention to the PDA I had tucked into my coat pocket.

I pulled it out and saw an incoming message flash on the screen.

It's from Syrus.

I wonder what's up.

"Hey, Sora! There's a monkey going bananas, pun intended, in Obelisk Blue territory! And not just any monkey - this one's got a duel disk! It's causing chaos! There's an Obelisk Blue girl chasing it! We're heading up the forest near Obelisk Blue!"

I dropped my fork, my brunch momentarily forgotten.

What the heck?

A monkey with a duel disk?

Now, that wasn't something you saw every day.

Without wasting another second, I dashed out of the dining hall, leaving behind the untouched gourmet spread.

The sun was high in the sky, casting bright rays across the Obelisk grounds as I started my hunt for the wayward primate.

From a distance, I could hear the commotion and hurried in that direction.

As I approached, I spotted the telltale signs of chaos: students gathered in small clusters, some looking amused while others were clearly annoyed.

And right in the middle of it all was the monkey, duel disk and all, making dramatic leaps and evading the Obelisk Blue girl who was desperately trying to catch it.

Wait... is that Fujimoto?

Why is she chasing a monkey?

Taking a deep breath, I braced myself.

It's time to step in and bring some order to this primate pandemonium.

I glimpsed the monkey and the Obelisk Blue girl, making a beeline for the entrance of the forest.

My pace quickened.

The forest wasn't exactly the safest place, especially with a wild monkey causing the ruckus.

Skidding around a corner, I spotted Jaden, Syrus, Bastion, and, to my surprise, Alexis.

The last two were unexpected.

I'd understand Jaden and Syrus being part of this shenanigan, but Alexis and Bastion?

Were they just curious like me, or did they have a deeper connection to this monkey mayhem?

We all dashed into the forest, the cacophony of shouts and the monkey's excited chirping leading us forward.

The monkey, clad in a high-tech helmet and wielding a functional duel disk, was darting through the forest, Fujimoto on its heels.

My steps faltered for a moment, disbelief clouding my vision.

A dueling monkey?

Was this a prank or a weird dream?

Soon, we broke into a clearing, and my eyes widened at the scene in front of me.

It wasn't just the sight of the monkey, who seemed to be having the time of its life, nor the Obelisk Blue girl, who appeared increasingly frustrated, but rather the group on the periphery.

And there were men armed with what looked like tranquilizers.

I felt a pang of unease.

Were they here to sedate the monkey?

What would happen to it then?

I didn't want any harm coming to the creature, even if it was causing a bit of chaos.

Cautiously, I approached Jaden and the group.

"What's the deal with the tranquilizer squad?" I whispered, nodding subtly toward the armed group.

"Kaz? What are you doing here?" Jaden asked, shocked by my sudden appearance.

I pointed at Syrus behind me with my thumb.

"Syrus sent me a text message saying there was some monkey business. So I came to investigate. So, any idea?"

He gave me a shrug, as he, too, had no idea.

Guess I'll just ask the woman herself.

"Fujimoto! What's going on?" I called, hoping she would provide answers.

She glanced back, her face a portrait of determination.

"You? Ugh, that monkey has my pendant. It has sentimental value, so I need to get it back, no matter what."

Still processing the strange sight, I stood my ground.

But what caught my attention next was perhaps even more perplexing.

The rest of the group, including Jaden, didn't seem particularly taken aback by the dueling monkey.

Their urgency was understandable, but the absurdity of the situation didn't appear to faze them.

Were dueling primates a regular occurrence around here that I wasn't privy to?

The monkey, sensing its pursuers closing in, halted on a branch, its duel disk shining brightly.

Its little eyes darted around mischievously, clearly relishing the spectacle it had stirred up.

Fujimoto's voice cut through my bemusement, "Hey, umm... Yuki. I was hoping you'd duel him."

Jaden raised a brow.

"Uh... He doesn't look like he's hurting anyone." He answered. "You could try asking him to give it back..."

I could tell Fujimoto tried to repress a groan with Jaden's strange reluctance to duel the primate.

"I already did that! And besides, I don't have my disk with me, and you're the one who's supposed to duel him anyway!"

Like me, Jaden was starting to get lost in the silver-haired girl's words.

"I am?"

Before the two could exchange any more words, one of the men holding the tranquilizer gun took aim.

"Got a shot, sir!" He loudly announced as he cocked the bolt of his gun.

The monkey, now realizing that he was in their firing zone, stepped back and neared the cliff.

At the cliff was a lone branch, to which the monkey stood, dangling the pendant over the edge.

"No! Don't do that!" Fujimoto desperately cried, showing a hint of emotion I hadn't seen before. "Please...!"

The sound of a boot scraping against the ground made everyone turn.

Emerging from the underbrush was an older, grey-bearded man with sharp glasses and an authoritative aura surrounding him.

The patches on his coat and the digital tablet in his hand hinted at his scientific background.

"Hold your fire!" he ordered, his voice stern.

The man with the tranquilizer gun immediately lowered his weapon, though his fingers still twitched, ready to take another shot if ordered.

"But sir, the subject—"

"That's enough," the grey-bearded man interrupted. "We can't afford to lose Wheeler, especially not now."

Jaden and I exchanged confused glances.

Who was this man?

And why did he seem so interested in a dueling monkey?

The scientist turned his gaze to Fujimoto.

"I apologize for the inconvenience. Wheeler is one of our research subjects. It seems he's become more... resourceful than we anticipated."

Bastion stepped forward, a look of irritation and immense disgust on his face.

"Research subject? You're experimenting on a monkey? How incorrigible! You have crossed the ethical bounds with this project!"

The scientist adjusted his glasses.

"This experiment may be unethical, but it serves to further our understanding of how similar or rather dissimilar a chimpanzee's mind works! To see if dueling can be taught to our cousins! And to further the neurology field! Think of the lives saved when we have a better grasp of how our simian minds work!"

Jaden stepped in, clearly not happy with the explanation.

"Hey, I don't care about the mumbo jumbo you guys talk about, but if Wheeler is willing to bargain for his freedom, then you guys have really gone too far! You should give him his freedom!"

The scientists exchanged glances with each other, clearly not taking us seriously.

"It's more complicated than that. We aren't going to give up a project such as this that easily. It was difficult to secure funding for this line of research!" An egghead exclaimed. "The helmet and harness he's wearing are designed to test and enhance his cognitive skills using duel simulations, which have been finely tuned over the course of months. But using the pendant as a bargaining chip... we must admit that wasn't part of the expected behavior."

Fujimoto's fingers twitched, clearly eager to reclaim her pendant.

"Can't just guys like... lure him away from that branch with a banana?"

One of the assistants nearby shook his head.

"Wheeler's smart. Which is why he is our prime test subject. He's making his stand there. From our observations, he'll likely only change his stance if you accept his duel challenge."

Jaden chuckled.

"A monkey that wants a duel to settle things? That's new."

The scientist smirked.

"It's fascinating what technology can achieve, isn't it? However, if Wheeler feels threatened, he may drop the pendant over the edge."

Fujimoto clenched her fists, anxiety evident in her eyes.

"So, what do you think we should do?"

The scientist pondered for a moment.

"A duel, as Wheeler wants. But remember, the AI in that helmet makes him a formidable opponent. He learns and adapts quickly."

The idea of challenging a monkey to a duel seemed ludicrous, but here we were, considering it as a viable option.

Everyone turned their eyes to Jaden, the most skilled duelist among us.

But there was a great deal of hesitation within him.

After a brief soul-searching, Jaden sighed, deciding to relent to Fujimoto's wishes.

"Haah... I guess it can't be helped. Alright, Wheeler, let's duel."

The monkey chattered excitedly, his posture straightening as if he recognized the challenge.

I found myself sidling up to Fujimoto, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Why Jaden? Why did you want him to duel the monkey?"

She gave a look of complete disbelief.

"Are you kidding? You really don't remember this filler episode?"

I frowned, more questions swirling in my mind.

"Filler episode?"

She shot me a sharp look, warning evident.

"Forget it. The pendant is what's important right now. Besides, it was him, Misawa, or Asuka."

Asuka?

Does she mean Alexis?

Watching the duel unfold, Fujimoto's cryptic words and the inexplicable dueling monkey weighed on my mind.

There was clearly a bigger picture, pieces of a puzzle I wasn't seeing.

But for now, getting that pendant back was the focus.

"Alright... Wheeler, let's do this nice and clean." Jaden muttered, the awkwardness now getting to him.

He was never one to back down from a duel, but a dueling monkey?

And feeling sympathy for said monkey?

That was uncharted territory even for him.

As Jaden's duel disk lit up, I felt the edges of a particular card I had used in my duel against Bastion.

Thinking quickly, I flicked it over to Jaden.

"Jay! Use this. It will help." I urged as he caught the card.

He blinked at the card.

"This is from your duel with Bastion, right? Aw, sweet!"

He looked up, meeting my eyes with a hint of gratitude.

Before I could nod in affirmation, Fujimoto's voice sliced through edged with mild irritation.

"He shouldn't be using that card, mob character. You're messing with things again."

Mob character?

That again?

I met her gaze, unflinching, deciding to fight fire with fire.

"It's just to end this quicker. We don't have time for a prolonged duel," I stated, hoping she'd understand my urgency. "Besides, I got a feeling that you and I aren't supposed to be here, right? With the "timeline' stuff you speak of?"

Fujimoto's cheeks reddened with anger when she realized that I may have been right.

"Whatever. Jaden... is supposed to duel Wheeler. That's all that matters."

Wheeler, completely oblivious to our exchange, swiftly initiated his play.

"Drawing card... analyzing..."

After a few moments of studying his card and his hand, Wheeler resumed his movements.

"Summoning Voltic Kong (1800/1000) in attack mode."

A red gorilla with electricity coursing through its veins appeared out of the card.

It pounded its chest and howled as it felt the energy course through him.

"Equipping spell card: Beast Fangs. Equipping Voltic Kong with Raregold Armor." The helmet beeped as Wheeler played the cards onto his disk.

The gorilla bared its teeth at us and showed the effects of Beast Fangs, growing more nightmarish and vicious.

Voltic Kong (1800 - 2100 /1000)

And like my duel with Alexis, Raregold Armor forced the opponent to attack the monster equipped with it.

As well as shielding it from potential destruction spells.

"Raregold Armor? Why would Wheeler use something like that?" Fujimoto asked while keeping her eyes on the duel.

"Maybe it's because he wants to make sure his monster doesn't get destroyed by a Hammer Shot or a Fissure." Alexis sarcastically replied.

Hmm, that's odd.

I thought she would know what that card would be, given how she beat Alexis easily.

"Since when did Raregold Armor do that? I thought it made monsters immune to battle destruction." She retorted, causing Alexis to turn to her with an annoyed frown.

It was clear the tension between the two was starting to build up quickly.

"Ever since the card was released." The blond-haired girl responded before turning back to the duel at hand.

This caused Fujimoto's eyes to widen, but she quickly caught her composure, now deciding to step away from her.

Hey, wait...

She's also confused about the effect!

I also thought that it only provided battle destruction immunity!

"End turn," announced Wheeler's high-tech helmet in its neutral tone.

A smattering of unimpressed murmurs ran through the crowd.

Wheeler's strategy was rudimentary at best, reminiscent of an earlier duel I had during the notorious hazing ritual against an overly confident Obelisk Blue senior.

His moves had been similar to Wheeler's - straightforward and, in a sense, predictable.

Jaden seemed to catch on, too.

"Okay...! Wheeler, not a bad start. Kind of reminds me of some other duels," he commented, a playful edge to his voice. "But it's my turn now."

As Jaden and Wheeler's duel started to kick off, the gathering crowd became a mix of disbelief and sheer entertainment.

Between turns, I saw Bastion and Alexis not far off, watching the duel with keen eyes.

Walking over, I gave Bastion a nod.

"Hey, what brings you here?"

He looked slightly startled but then adjusted his coat, smiling.

"I was running an errand for Professor Sartyr when I heard this commotion. Came to check it out and," he gestured towards Wheeler, "next thing I see is a monkey swiping that silver-haired girl's pendant."

"Any idea where Wheeler came from? He's obviously from this island."

Bastion shook his head, "No clue. But it seems no matter how this place by being a paradise, for Wheeler, it very well may not be without his freedom."

Alexis, who had been listening, chimed in with a hint of annoyance, "Speaking of her, I wanted to ask Pads why she lock-picked your room of all places to barge in."

I blinked at her nickname for Fujimoto, making the connection.

"Pads?"

Rolling her eyes, Alexis replied, "Look at her. You can guess why." She paused, narrowing her eyes slightly. "But more importantly, I want a rematch. My deck's gotten a lot stronger since my last duel against her."

I didn't know how to feel about the grudge Alexis was now starting to hold against Fujimoto.

"Right... But for now, let's see how Jaden fares against... a dueling monkey. Not a sentence I thought I'd ever say."

Both of them chuckled, and we turned our attention back to the duel.

Jaden, with that typical confident grin of his, drew a card from his deck.

"Okay! I activate Polymerization! With this, I fuse Elemental Hero Sparkman and King of The Swamp to create..."

A vortex of blue and red swirled behind him as the holographic projections of Elemental Hero Sparkman and King of the Swamp emerged.

"A shining hero! Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman (2500/2100)!"

They spiraled into the vortex, merging into a new entity, Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman.

It rose with a brilliant flash, wings spread wide, and flames emanating from its body.

Ah, so that's the card Jaden used after I was knocked unconscious.

Yep, no wonder the Shadows couldn't stand a chance once this card hit the field.

Fujimoto's eyes widened, genuine surprise evident on her face.

"He used... that card? Now? That... That doesn't make sense!"

I turned to her, puzzled.

"What's the problem with him playing that card? It's perfect for setting up a one-turn kill."

She simply returned my question with a glare, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Was there something about Jaden's choice of Fusion that she knew, something that I didn't?

Jaden, in his ever-present energetic tone, continued, "Thanks to Sparkman being in the graveyard, Shining Flare Wingman gets a boost!"

The fusion monster's attack points leaped from 2500 to 2800, flames dancing more ferociously around it.

Without missing a beat, Jaden commanded, "Shining Flare Wingman, attack Voltic Kong!"

But just before the attack landed, Jaden revealed another card.

"And I'll also activate this – Battle Fusion!"

A surge of energy enveloped Shining Flare Wingman, amplifying its power even further.

I recognized that card, as I had handed it to Jaden earlier.

"That's it! The card I gave him," I whispered to myself.

This play would allow Shining Flare Wingman to gain an attack equal to its opponent's monster, which means a massive boost of 2100.

Now standing at an astounding 4900 attack points, the attack crashed into Voltic Kong, reducing Wheeler's life points to 1200.

"Shining Flare Wingman's effect activates! If he destroys a monster, he can deal damage equal to his attack!"

(Jaden 4000/ Wheeler 0)

(Jaden wins.)

As the smoke cleared, Wheeler's life points stood at zero.

The chittering and excited energy the monkey had exhibited earlier was replaced by a sullen, defeated look.

He looked down at his duel disk, the realization sinking in that his hopes for freedom had been dashed in just one turn.

The atmosphere among us became somber.

As much as we enjoyed the thrill of a duel, no one felt like celebrating.

Even Jaden, usually so exuberant after a win, wore a contemplative expression.

Wheeler slowly retracted his duel disk and unclamped his hand with Fujimoto's pendant.

With a resigned bow, he handed it back to her.

Fujimoto took it, cradling it in her hands, and cherished the small pendant.

The weight of the situation was evident.

A creature, albeit a monkey, yearning for freedom had just pinned all its hopes on a duel.

And lost.

"It's done. Retrieve Wheeler and return him to the lab." The head scientist's voice was cold, emotionless.

He turned around, not even sparing the broken monkey a second glance.

Seeing something like this brewed something within me, a fierce indignation that I couldn't ignore.

"Wait a second!" I found myself standing before I even realized it, my voice firm. "What you're doing is an affront to science! Do any of you even remember what it means to be human anymore?"

The head scientist raised an eyebrow, as did several of the others.

"So please, let him go," I begged.

The men holding the tranquilizers shifted nervously, unsure of how to react to the sudden confrontation.

I could see the surprise in their eyes but also the contempt.

They saw me as a mere student meddling in affairs far beyond my grasp.

The grey-bearded man shook his head with a triumphant grin, amused by my request.

"Humph. Even if Wheeler had won the duel, do you really think we'd let him go in exchange for a paltry pendant? Foolish boy, his worth is far more significant than some jewelry."

He had said what we all dreaded to say out loud.

It was a very harsh truth, and that this situation had no one winning except them.

"It's not just some 'jewelry,' you old bastard!" Fujimoto suddenly shouted, infuriated by the man's detached perspective.

Her usually cold and composed demeanor had cracked over the scientist's cruel words.

"This pendant... means a lot to me, and I can never replace it! Not even with all the money in the world!" She retorted, her violet eyes shimmering with rage.

Despite Fujimoto's fierce words, it did nothing to the aged scientist's visage.

Argh...!

There has to be something I can do!

These Kaibacorp bullies really think they can get away with this?!

Wait... that's it!

All of a sudden, I had something up my sleeve.

I whipped out my PDA, snapping a quick photo of the head scientist and his team, all of whom were still in shock.

It's funny how they are all wearing Kaibacorp attire, too.

Makes this a lot easier.

They began to murmur, realizing what I was up to.

"What do you think Kaibacorp's reputation will look like when these photos hit the media? A defenseless monkey, weaponized and broken for the sake of 'science,'" I remarked sarcastically.

Without missing a beat, I focused on Wheeler, capturing the sorrow in his eyes, begging to be set free, but the advanced tech had shackled him, each piece proudly displaying the Kaibacorp logo.

It was a heart-wrenching image.

The head researcher's face paled once he understood the ramifications of my actions.

"Now, hold on a minute," he started, attempting to keep his voice calm. "You have to understand, this is all for the sake of a breakthrough! A-A new field in science! The progress we could make—"

Bastion interrupted, "Progress at what cost? We're meant to uplift, to understand, to improve. This," he gestured to Wheeler, "This isn't science. This is cruelty."

Several of the other scientists murmured in agreement; the tension in the air was thick.

I could feel the weight of the situation, but the power balance had shifted.

The researchers now found themselves cornered by a group of passionate duelists and students who wouldn't stand for their inhuman practices.

Bastion's voice echoed with a deep conviction, "I've spent countless hours immersed in formulas, algorithms, equations... all for the sake of refining my deck. My family's name is known for the scientific advancements we've made across various fields. But not once have we ever thought of compromising our ethics, our humanity, for the sake of progress."

He took a deep breath, his eyes darting to the head scientist.

"You may achieve breakthroughs by discarding what makes us human. Yet by adhering to ethical standards by believing in the common good, you can gain an entirely different, invaluable perspective in research. One that doesn't involve tormenting innocent beings."

There was a hushed silence for a moment before another researcher stepped forward, his white coat slightly disheveled and glasses reflecting the sunlight filtering through the trees.

"He's right," he said, voice quivering but with a determined undertone. "Every day, I questioned our approach. Every experiment, every test... I saw the pain we inflicted on Wheeler, asking myself if the results were truly worth it. It felt like we were torturing him, not for progress, but for the sheer sake of it."

His words seemed to strike a chord among the gathered group.

Murmurs of agreement arose from some of the researchers.

Their faces, which once held an air of cold detachment, now displayed guilt and shame.

However, some still clung to the notion that their actions were justified, that the ends justified the means, their expressions stubborn and determined.

The head scientist's face waved his hand as if to deflect the words Bastion and the scientist shared.

"Enough of this sentimental nonsense! All of you have seemingly forgotten the many important advancements in science that cost blood, sweat, and tears! Not with this... human kindness!" he spat. "This project will be buried, and any evidence of it erased. We'll start anew, and Wheeler will again be our primary subject."

His cold eyes darted towards the tranquilizer-wielding men.

"Shoot the monkey."

There was a moment of hesitation.

The men exchanged uneasy glances, their fingers hovering over their triggers, but there was an evident reluctance in their stance.

The weight of the situation, the collective voices of dissent, had reached them.

"What in the blazes are you dawdling around for?! I said, SHOOT HIM!" The head scientist's voice boomed, echoing in the clearing.

But the men, perhaps for the first time, chose to listen to their conscience over orders.

"We can't, sir..." one of them finally murmured, lowering his tranquilizer gun. "We refuse."

The atmosphere was thick with tension, the line between ethical science and inhuman cruelty drawn clearly in the sand.

The head scientist, now isolated in his beliefs, looked around, realizing he was standing alone in a battle he could no longer win.

The head scientist's face was a deep shade of red, his anger now starting to envelop him.

He hurled his computer pad onto the ground, its screen cracking upon impact.

"You will all regret this!" he yelled, his voice laced with malice. "You are all hindering the progression of science! Mark my words; your naivety will be your end!"

Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and stormed off, leaving a trail of disgruntled murmurs in his wake.

One of the younger researchers cautiously approached the discarded pad, bending down to pick it up.

His fingers danced over the screen, deactivating several commands.

He then looked towards Wheeler with a compassionate gaze and motioned for the group to come over.

Bastion, always curious about technology, was the first to approach.

"Let me help," he offered, extending a hand towards the harness, its metallic glint seeming out of place on the innocent creature.

I, too, joined in, my hands working deftly to undo the complicated latches.

Wheeler, though initially apprehensive, seemed to understand the gesture and remained unusually still as we removed his helmet.

He watched intently, his round eyes darting between the people aiding him.

As the last strap was unfastened and the duel disk was removed, a wave of realization washed over the monkey.

He was free.

In a burst of jubilation, Wheeler began to chatter excitedly, hopping from foot to foot.

His movements were so quick, so energetic, that it was difficult to believe this was the same monkey that moments ago looked so defeated.

With a final ecstatic jump, he dashed towards the dense trees, the promise of freedom beckoning him.

But just as he was about to disappear into the thick foliage, Wheeler stopped.

He turned around, his small face looking at each of the individuals who had played a role in his liberation.

It was a brief moment, a silent exchange of gratitude.

And then, with one last joyful holler, he darted into the forest.

With that, the scientists began to file out of the clearing, a mix of guilt and determination evident in their strides.

The guards followed suit, their earlier bravado replaced by uncertainty.

It was clear that the weight of their actions was pressing on their minds.

The group, left behind in the clearing, exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing among them.

"Should we just let them go?" Bastion murmured as he stroked his chin thought.

Jaden shrugged, "They freed Wheeler and seem to have had a change of heart. Maybe we should give them a chance."

Syrus nodded, "I'm with Jaden. I think they know what they did was wrong. We should let them try to make things right. Now, if I were them, I could blackmail the executives at Kaibacorp with this info..."

We all eyed Syrus's odd suggestion, to which he raised a brow.

"What? That's if I was a morally bankrupt scientist."

With a consensus reached, the group turned their attention to other matters at hand.

Fujimoto stepped forward, her usually steely demeanor softened, "Yuki, thank you," she said, her voice holding genuine gratitude.

Jaden, ever the humble hero, waved her thanks away, "Honestly, the duel was a breeze. You know why?"

Oh, crap.

I waved my hands to get his attention and motioned my hand near my throat in an effort to get him to stop.

But all those signals seemed to fly over the oaf's head as he brazenly slung his arm around my shoulder.

"It's thanks to this guy's card, heh! I was lucky enough to draw it in my starting hand!"

For the love of...

Alright, whatever.

I let out an audible sigh, cursing my luck.

He had hoped to stay out of Fujimoto's radar, but Jaden's honesty and humbleness put me right into the spotlight.

Fujimoto's icy violet eyes bore into mine.

She murmured a brief thanks for the pendant but leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper, "Meet me by the lighthouse later. We need to talk."

As Fujimoto walked away, I could feel the weight of her words lingering in the air.

I was relieved, though, that the anticipated explosion of anger from her didn't occur.

Alexis, never one to miss subtle interactions, approached me with narrowed eyes.

"What was that all about?" she questioned, her tone tinged with suspicion.

Aw, crap!

"Oh, you know, just some duel deck tips. Fujimoto wanted some advice." I replied with a nervous chuckle.

Alexis raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying the weak excuse.

"Sure," she responded sarcastically. "Help her out, why don't you..."

But, sensing this was neither the time nor place, she let the matter slide.

"Well, I better go catch up with 'Pads.' I owe her a rematch," she said with a contemplative frown.

Waving goodbye to the group, she hurried in the direction Fujimoto had left.

Bastion and Syrus exchanged amused glances.

It was evident to them that something was brewing beneath the surface between me and Alexis.

"Pads? Who's Pads?" Jaden questioned. "Oh yeah, who's up to get some grub? Hey, Sora? Mind spotting us, huh, huh?"

The two simply shook their heads.

"Never change Jaden. Never change..." Syrus dismissed with an amused smile.

...

"No, seriously. Who's Pads?"

---

Feeling the soft pages of my journal beneath my fingers, I scribbled down my thoughts.

The past few weeks at Duel Academy had been a whirlwind, but tonight was tranquil.

My chat with Ms. Hibiki still lingered in my mind.

I shared with her my experiences, the challenges, and the fleeting moments of joy.

The thought of heading back home for Winter vacation brought a certain warmth, contrasting with the approaching cold season.

They said they had some surprising news for me, so I could only wonder what it was...

I paused my writing to glance at the remaining pages.

Almost out.

A sigh escaped my lips.

"Need to get a new one soon," I murmured.

As much as this journal had been my companion, chronicling my time here, the prospect of starting a fresh one was a little exciting.

Flipping through the filled pages, my mind wandered back to the entrance exams.

I shuddered, remembering that haunting dream of the Entity.

But now, it felt distant, as if it were fading into oblivion.

The relief that the dream hadn't reoccurred since then was absolutely relieving.

Maybe it was a sign that things were taking a turn for the better.

Setting my journal aside, I glanced out the window.

The sun, which had illuminated my room with its amber hues, was now saying its final goodbye.

The sky, painted in hues of oranges and purples, reminded me of my pending appointment.

"Right... the rendezvous with Fujimoto," I muttered, pushing myself off the bed.

Deciding against bringing my duel disk felt instinctual.

The thing is, this wasn't about dueling; it was something else.

Not fully knowing what to expect, I took a deep breath and reached for the door handle.

But as the door swung open, a familiar face caught me off guard.

"Alexis?" My voice pitched in surprise.

She looked equally startled, her big brown eyes wide as they met mine.

It seemed she had been waiting for a while, perhaps pondering whether to knock or not.

Her usual confident demeanor was replaced by one of hesitancy.

"Uh, what are you doing here?" I managed, trying to sound casual.

Matching my tone, albeit with a flustered undertone, she retorted, "I could ask you the same thing."

Raising an eyebrow, I replied, "I'm exiting my room?"

She cleared her throat and tried to think of something on the spot.

"Umm... uhh... right! Heheh..." She muttered as a faint blush tinted her cheeks. "I just... uh, wanted to talk! Yep, I just wanted to talk! And... It's really important like it will make the whole night important!"

I couldn't help but be a little weirded out by her odd behavior.

This wasn't the best timing, but the way she looked at me - there was something she needed to say, and I had a feeling it was important.

Maybe it was about our past.

About the playground, the candy, the shared moments that we'd recently unearthed.

"Look," I began, "I have an important meeting, but how about afterward? Say, in an hour?"

The second I mentioned going out, I could see the wheels turning in Alexis' eyes. She connected the dots way faster than I would've liked.

"Let me guess," she began, her voice dripping with suspicion, "You're meeting Fujimoto, aren't you?"

Taken aback, I could only nod.

"Are you... You know," she leaned in, eyes narrowing, "going to 'hook up' with her or something?"

I could only arch an eyebrow at what she was suggesting.

"A what? No, I seriously have no clue why she wants to talk to me," I replied defensively.

Alexis folded her arms, eyebrow raised.

"You sure about that? You're not in it for her looks, right? Don't tell me that your purity is a lie."

"I am sure! I told you, I don't have a porn stash or anything." I said, trying to sound convincing. "Nothing's going to happen, alright?"

She seemed to mull it over before eventually nodding. "Just... be careful, okay? Especially about Pads, you never know what she thinking," she warned.

As she turned to walk away, she shot me a sly smile.

"See you soon."

I furrowed my brows in confusion as I watched her retreating figure.

This is too weird.

Why didn't she press further?

Alexis was not one to let things go so easily, especially when it came to Fujimoto.

But maybe... maybe she trusted me enough to let it slide?

I couldn't help but hope that was the case.

Trying to shake off my unease, I headed in the direction of the lighthouse.

Yet, as I walked, a feeling of being watched persisted.

At first, I brushed it off, attributing it to my nerves about the impending meeting.

But every few minutes, my senses would tingle, warning me of something.

A presence; familiar, yet not comforting.

It was as if my subconscious was desperately trying to get my attention, like a flashing red light in the periphery of my vision.

But with every step, the anticipation of meeting Fujimoto overwhelmed my ability to heed these internal alarms.

Maybe if I had stopped and looked around, I might have spotted a familiar figure trailing me from a distance.

But I continued on, oblivious to someone's watchful eyes.

Every rustle of the trees, every whisper of the wind, every shadow that danced in the moonlight – they all felt like a conspiracy of the universe, urging me to turn around.

But the weight of the impending conversation kept me moving forward, even as my instincts screamed at me to stop.

Alas, I had finally made it to the lighthouse and saw the silver-haired girl once again.

She still had the cool, stoic composure from before, as if there was nothing that could tip her balance.

Fujimoto's eyes were locked onto the sunset as the ocean began to envelop the sun into the endless abyss.

She heard my footsteps, and her violet eyes gravitated towards me.

"You're here, good."

Fujimoto looked even more ethereal, with the remnants of the sun's golden glow framing her.

Despite the beauty of the scene, there was something unsettling about her stance, her demeanor, and the far-off look in her eyes.

"I didn't expect today's events to take such a twist," she began, her voice almost a whisper, lost in the sound of the crashing waves below. "It felt like one of those filler episodes in an anime, the ones where you think nothing important will happen, but then the story catches you off guard. It's supposed to be some cliche episode where Jaden saves a damsel in distress, who I think was Jasmine. The writers probably forgot about the whole reason why they were outside in the first place... so they keyed in the part where the gang then finds out Chazz is on his family yacht through Amnael."

She chuckled softly, more to herself than to me.

"Still, if Wheeler had lost my pendant, I don't know what I would've done. Thankfully, Jaden stopped him."

There was a hint of fondness when she mentioned Jaden, but it quickly dissipated as she turned to face me.

The difference in our heights was evident.

I had to look down to meet her gaze, but even from this angle, her presence felt overbearing, as if she was the taller one.

"Why are you trying to change the plot, Sora? Or whatever your real name is?" she questioned, her voice taking on a more stern tone. "Why mess with what's already been established in GX?"

Her words took me aback.

"What... What are you talking about?" I stammered, genuinely confused. "What's GX?"

Her patience seemed to wane.

"Drop the act, will you?" she demanded.

Closing the distance between us, she leaned in, forcing me to step back instinctively.

Her violet eyes, now darker in the dimming light, bore into mine.

"I know who you are, or rather, who you were. You're not originally from this world, just like me. You're a reincarnated person. You didn't even exist in the original storyline of this anime, so it makes sense that you were reincarnated!"

My thoughts scrambled, trying to make sense of her words.

Is she suggesting we both once lived in a world where Duel Academy, Jaden, and everything else were just part of a fictional story?

And that now we've somehow been placed within this story?

My heart raced.

This couldn't be real.

What was she talking about?

My thought process was the only thing that managed to keep me sane from whatever she was saying.

At the same time, I was furious that my fate, destiny, or future was apparently not mine.

"You're... you're out of your mind," I finally managed to say, voice trembling. "You really think this is some reincarnation crap?! What is wrong with you?!"

Alone in the dimming light of the lighthouse, surrounded by the roar of the crashing waves, the tension between Fujimoto and me was immense.

I refused to believe her wild claim about this world being part of an anime.

"If this is some anime, then what about my past?" I retorted, the disbelief evident in my voice. "I remember everything with the Hibiki's, the days and nights studying, every dream I've had. Every struggle I had when I grew up alone!"

I gritted my teeth and took a step forward, causing her to take a step back.

"And what do you mean by the 'real world'? This IS my world," I emphasized, frustration creeping into my tone. "It's ridiculous for you to even suggest that I'm some reincarnated person from this 'world' you talk about. This world is the only world I know!"

The shock on Fujimoto's face was evident.

She'd clearly not expected my vehement denial, and for a moment, she looked lost.

Trying to regain her composure, she began listing off details she thought only a reincarnated person would know.

"Wait...! Hear me out; these are topics that I only would know! Like... Jaden has a link with someone called Yubel since he is the chosen one and stuff. I mean, haven't you noticed how crazy stuff happens when he is around?! Or that Alexis has feelings for Jaden, but she never confessed because, well... she was a coward. And Titan... Titan comes back as a shadow rider!"

I raised an eyebrow at what she was saying.

Who's Yubel?

The revelation about Alexis caught me off guard, too, as, from the looks of it, the two were only friends.

Not to mention, Jaden's the type of guy not to be into relationships at the moment.

I think...

But what truly alarmed me was her knowledge of Titan and the Shadow duel.

The very mention of it caused my heart to race, the memory of the pain it brought me still fresh.

"How do you know about the Shadow duel?" My voice had a warning tone to it now. "That's confidential information, a top secret that a few trusted people and only a few faculty know about. Tread carefully..."

Trying to keep herself together, she replied, "In the anime, there was an episode where they focused on the Abandoned Dorms. Alexis was kidnapped by Titan and used as bait for Jaden. They have their duel and stuff, but they also get sucked into the shadow realm and continue the duel there. Titan was consumed by the shadows after the conclusion of the Shadow duel. He reappears later when the Shadow riders come into the scene."

The fact she referred to such a traumatic event as part of an 'anime plot' riled me.

So my friends' fates are part of an anime?

That's unfair!

"You're wrong," I shot back. "Alexis wasn't the only one who got kidnapped. Mindy was with Alexis at the time, and they both got caught by the mercenary. And Titan wasn't swallowed by the shadows. He made a bargain, offered his life to some... Entity. The shadows didn't take him; something else did."

Her eyes widened in shock.

"W-What?! Who would do such a thing?" she whispered, clearly unnerved by the new information. "If the shadows got to him, then he's as good as being part of the darkness! If something saved him, then..."

"I don't know," I responded, my voice heavy with the weight of memories. "But whoever or whatever it is, it's not something to be trifled with cause it really pissed the shadows off. They gathered in clumps and took Titan's disk and deck. Jaden and I barely survived that duel. Those shadows really wanted us dead. Or maybe it wanted me dead."

For a long moment, we stood in silence, each lost in our thoughts, the revelation about our respective knowledge of events deepening the mystery between us.

---

From the shelter of the thick foliage, Alexis kept her eyes fixed on Sora, the late evening breeze rustling her hair.

She'd been tailing him for a while now, and with every step, she cursed herself for her almost comedic attempts at being stealthy.

She was just thankful that Sora, deep in his thoughts, hadn't noticed her yet.

When Sora finally met with Fujimoto at the lighthouse, Alexis slid behind a nearby tree, using its trunk as a cover.

She had to strain her ears, trying to pick up fragments of their conversation over the sound of crashing waves.

"Always looking out for others, aren't you, Sora?" she muttered to herself, eyes narrowing at Fujimoto.

Despite the skepticism and hatred she held for the girl, a small part of her wondered if she might be jumping to conclusions.

Yet, every instinct told her that Fujimoto could be a potential threat.

The more she listened, the more surreal the conversation between the two seemed.

The idea of their world being a mere fabrication, a storyline in an 'anime', was hard to fathom.

It sounded too absurd, too fictional, and Alexis found herself internally shaking her head.

Her life, her memories, everything felt too real to be some scripted tale.

A pang of surprise coursed through her when Fujimoto mentioned her supposed feelings for Jaden.

Alexis instinctively touched her chest, feeling her heart race.

Jaden was well... Jaden.

The goofy, ever-optimistic duelist who always found a way to get into trouble.

To her, he was the embodiment of a younger brother, someone she watched over.

As such, her heart settled, at ease with the decision.

After all, the idea of harboring romantic feelings for him was foreign to her.

He may be heroic and duel unpredictably like another guy he knows, but it wasn't enough to show attraction.

Could Fujimoto really know something she didn't?

The bizarre exchange continued with Obelisk Blue trying to hear them better.

However, any prior contemplations were thrown into the wind when Titan and the Shadow Duel were mentioned.

Her heart seemed to stop for a moment.

The name Titan brought back a rush of dark memories, casting a cold shadow over her thoughts.

That imposing figure that came out from the shadows and kidnapped her still gave her nightmares.

The idea that he might return, more powerful and malicious, was nothing short of terrifying.

And Fujimoto knew.

She knew details that weren't public knowledge, secrets that were carefully guarded.

Who was she?

How did she know all of this?

As Alexis continued to eavesdrop, a new feeling took root – one of dread mixed with caution.

She realized that her world and everyone she cared about in it might be in far more danger than she'd initially thought.

Nor did she realize that she was generating noise from her constant movement.

---

The sudden rustling caught my attention.

My heart raced as I turned my gaze to the source of the noise.

I have had enough of the whirlwind revelations from Fujimoto, and this seemed like a perfect distraction.

I took a step forward, the weight of my uncertainties driving me to investigate the noise.

But before I could make it far, a hand gripped my arm.

I looked down to see Fujimoto, her normally stoic face replaced with concern.

"It could be dangerous," she whispered.

I met her eyes and tried to muster a reassuring smile.

"Just stay here; I'll check it out."

However, instead of staying put, she latched onto my sleeve as I moved forward, her eyes darting around.

I could feel the tremors of her nerves through the fabric.

It was... endearing.

For all her mysterious and unyielding demeanor, it was moments like these that reminded me that she was, at her core, a young girl.

Or at least I think she is.

As much as I wanted to keep her away from whatever might be lurking, I couldn't help but be amused by her actions.

The image of a flustered Fujimoto was oddly heartwarming.

We approached the bushes together, and with a nod to signal we were ready, I cleared the vegetation.

To our collective surprise, there was Alexis, face flushed and looking more than a little embarrassed at being discovered.

"Alexis?" I uttered in surprise.

My mind was racing as I tried to understand why she would be here, hiding behind bushes.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, genuinely curious but also relieved that the 'danger' turned out to be a friend.

She gave us a rigid wave.

"Uh... um... Hey! I was just in the area! You know, taking a night stroll. This is all just a big coincidence. I had no idea you guys were here!" She greeted. "You guys are having a really... interesting conversation! I'll let you two at it!"

As Alexis tried to brush it off, I couldn't help but smirk.

Yeah, it's clear as day that she is here for a reason, likely to spy on our conversation.

But jeez, her attempts to play innocent are laughably unconvincing.

To my side, I could hear Fujimoto murmuring to herself, sounding defeated.

It wasn't hard to catch snippets of her distress.

"I've ruined everything," she muttered as she looked off into the distance with unfocused eyes. "All that effort to keep the story unchanged and I... I'm the one who breaks it. Now, some mob character knows about the plot of season 1, and the main character knows about it too. It's ironic, isn't it? Someone who thinks they are saving a world only to end up destroying it... How do I go on now?!"

I glanced at her, eyebrows raised.

Her self-deprecating lamentations were a stark contrast to her normally composed demeanor.

It was almost funny and, at the same time, concerning.

I took a step towards her, placing my hands gently on her shoulders, trying to center her attention back to the present moment.

"Hikari Fujimoto," I began, "this isn't the end for you or for any of us. Think about it: With the information you have, we can be prepared. We can create countermeasures and plans for whatever threats come our way. And the cause of that, I think we are all grateful for the valuable information."

I watched as her eyes widened, slowly processing my words.

Her normally pale cheeks began to flush, making me smile.

It was rare to see such a display of emotion from her, and the genuine look of surprise and appreciation on her face was, well, adorable.

I had to resist the urge to chuckle.

She really is cute when she's caught off-guard.

Clearing her throat, Alexis's voice broke our shared moment, her tone almost demanding.

"Hey, dweeb. Why don't you take your hands off of Fujimoto, please?"

Startled, I pulled away, lifting my hands in the air as if caught red-handed.

"Sorry," I apologized, scratching the back of my neck.

The dynamics between Alexis, Fujimoto, and me seemed to be becoming more and more complex.

While the circumstances right now were serious, this little scene really helped ease some tension between us.

Alexis, while looking a bit stern, held a hint of a smile.

It was clear that she was both amused and concerned by the unfolding situation.

Fujimoto, on the other hand, seemed to be recovering from her initial panic, reassured by my words.

I just hoped she realized that, even if her revelations had changed things, it didn't mean they couldn't adapt and thrive.

"If you really are from another world where our lives are an anime... then I... I need to know more," Alexis began, looking determinedly at Fujimoto.

Her gaze bore into Fujimoto, a mixture of desperation and resolve evident in her azure eyes.

"Tell me about these Shadow riders. If they're a threat, we need to be prepared."

Fujimoto hesitated, glancing between Alexis and me; her inner turmoil was tearing her apart.

"I can't just... reveal everything. It's not that simple."

I understood her concern, especially given how she believed this world was a rendition of some anime plot.

It must be nerve-wracking for her, thinking that every word she says might potentially alter a grander narrative.

Still, Alexis had a point.

If there was pertinent information that could help us, shouldn't we use it and plan ahead?

At the same time, who knows how much future can change with some insight?

"Why not?" Alexis pressed, her tone sharper. "Isn't our safety more important than... whatever timeline you're trying to preserve?"

Fujimoto fidgeted, the weight of both our stares intensifying the pressure.

"That's not it...! It's not just about the timeline," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "It's also about preserving your own experiences, your reactions, and decisions. Look, I don't want you to be influenced by a future that might not even happen now. Alexis, you're supposed to develop into a formidable duelist. If I tell you stuff about the future, it can stunt your growth."

I could see the genuine concern in her eyes, the worry of playing God in a world she both belonged to and yet, in some surreal way, didn't.

It was strange trying to wrap my head around the idea that, for her, our reality was nothing more than a TV show.

Alexis took a deep breath, her voice softer now.

"Listen, I get it. I can't even begin to think about the weight of what you're saying. But if there's some crazy danger out there, I can't just sit by and let it happen! We need to be ready, even if it means making slight adjustments to this 'plot' you're talking about."

I nodded, siding with Alexis.

"Fujimoto, this world, these people... They're real to us. It's not just a story. I mean, you've seen how people react and how much things can change, right? And while I respect the enormity of what you're facing, we have to think about the here and now. The safety of our friends, our school... ourselves."

For a moment, Fujimoto looked torn, but the determination in our eyes seemed to sway her.

She sighed, running a hand through her silver hair.

"Alright..." she conceded. "But I'll only give you a general idea, not every detail. And... I need you to promise me this."

We waited, hanging on her every word.

"No matter what I tell you," she continued, "you must not let it dictate your every move. You need to live your lives based on the present, not a potential future. And you can't tell anyone about this. Can you promise me that?"

I glanced at Alexis, who gave a reluctant nod.

"We promise," I affirmed.

She took a deep breath, her voice steady but filled with caution.

"Alright... The Shadow Riders are a group of duelists. Each of them possesses a special artifact, and they aim to gather all the artifacts for a purpose. The duels they engage in are not regular duels. They're Shadow duels, just like the one with Titan."

Alexis gulped, her face paling slightly.

I squeezed her hand, offering silent support.

The mention of Titan was still a sore spot for both of us, but especially for her.

The memories of that duel were raw and frightening for me, but waking to see someone wounded after something like that was bound to leave a mark.

And right now, I am trying my best not to give in to my fears.

Fujimoto continued, "They're dangerous, not just because of their skills but also because of the dark forces they harness. But remember, just like any other duelist, they have their weaknesses. It can be their deck, personalities, or the they have connections with you guys."

I pondered over her words, processing the gravity of the situation.

These shadow riders...

They sound extremely dangerous.

Am I willing to risk my life and fight these guys off?

"Thank you, Fujimoto. I know that wasn't easy for you."

She offered a faint smile.

"It's a strange feeling, trying to balance my knowledge of this world with the reality of living in it. But I am taking a huge risk in trusting you two. Just... please, be careful."

As the three of us stood there, the weight of our conversation hung heavily in the air.

The sea breeze rustled the trees, creating a soft, whispering melody.

The world felt both vast and intimate in that moment, full of endless possibilities and countless unknowns.

In the muted glow of the sunset, Alexis hesitated as if she were searching for the right words to convey the weight of what she felt.

"Fujimoto, there's one more thing I need to know. My brother, Atticus... Do you know where he is?"

I watched as Fujimoto's face morphed into an expression of internal conflict.

I could sense the gravity of Alexis's question and hint of desperation.

For her, it was more than just a quest for knowledge; it was a deep-rooted desperation to find her family.

Fujimoto's reluctance was getting to her.

She bowed her head, looking down at her feet as she battled with her conscience.

"Alexis," she started softly, her voice filled with empathy, "some things are meant to be discovered on their own. Giving you that knowledge may..."

She didn't need to finish.

Alexis's eyes filled with tears, the weight of her emotions pushing them to the brink.

"So you do know..." she choked out, her voice breaking. "Please, I need to know. It's the main reason why I came to Duel Academy. Mom, Dad, me... we are always worried about him! I just need to know if he's okay!"

I watched Fujimoto wrestle with her feelings, torn between her commitment to preserving the integrity of the story and her compassion for Alexis.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, she whispered, "He's most likely alive, Alexis. And he's fighting. But... I don't remember where he is or how you'll find him. I'm sorry."

Atticus... may be alive, huh?

But is he fighting?

And he's been fighting for some time now too.

The relief that flooded Alexis's face was indescribable.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, but they were no longer of despair.

Gratitude radiated from her, and in a flurry of emotion, she lunged forward, wrapping Fujimoto in a tight embrace.

"Thank you..." she murmured into Fujimoto's ear, her voice shaky but filled with sincerity.

Fujimoto's eyes widened in surprise, clearly not used to such displays of affection.

Her face turned a shade of pink, and she began to splutter and gasp.

"Can't... breathe..." she managed to whisper.

With a smirk, I gently pried Alexis away from Fujimoto, ensuring that the latter could breathe again.

"Easy there, Alexis," I teased. "We don't want to crush our newfound ally."

Alexis blushed, sheepishly rubbing her arm.

"Sorry, I got a little carried away."

"It's fine," Fujimoto said, adjusting her clothing and regaining her composure. "All I can say is that life is unpredictable. Just because he could be alive now doesn't mean things can't change."

Alexis nodded, determination lighting up her features.

"I'll find him, with or without the complete story. But thank you, Fujimoto, for giving me hope. I just wish Zane could know about this... It could really help him feel better."

The atmosphere was charged with a mixture of relief and uncertainty.

The lingering hues of the setting sun bathed us in a soft glow, the silence only punctuated by the distant hum of the sea.

Alexis was preoccupied with her newfound hope, and Fujimoto was carefully tucking away her emotions, building her walls back up after that heartfelt revelation.

As for me, my intuition was piqued, tingling with the suspicion that Fujimoto wasn't telling us the full story about Atticus.

It wasn't that I doubted her, but something felt off, like a missing puzzle piece.

I couldn't put my finger on it, but I was certain that she knew more than she was letting on.

I didn't know how I knew, but it was a feeling deep in my gut, something that I had learned not to ignore.

I caught Fujimoto's gaze, her violet eyes filled with a depth that hinted at the weight of knowledge she carried.

Was she really doing this to protect the timeline?

Or was there another reason, something more personal, that made her withhold the truth?

I realized that I knew little about her past, about the world she came from.

If she was indeed a reincarnated being from another reality, the pain of leaving behind a life and diving into another must've been immense.

How many secrets was she shouldering?

How many burdens did she bear alone?

I needed to approach this with sensitivity.

Pushing her to reveal everything wouldn't help; it might only drive her further into her shell.

So I decided to take a softer approach, showing her that I was there, ready to listen whenever she was ready to share.

Approaching her, I whispered, "Fujimoto, I understand that you might have reasons to keep certain things to yourself. But remember, you don't have to bear everything alone. Whenever you're ready, we're here."

She looked up, a vulnerable hint in her eyes before she blinked it away.

"I appreciate that, Sora," she murmured, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "But some things... they're just not easy to talk about."

I nodded, understanding her sentiment.

"I had a feeling that it's... painful to leave a life behind. I don't want to pretend to know what happened or how you got here. I do know that leaving your loved ones was painful. Hou can talk to me whenever you're ready," I repeated. "Talking about could help you feel better."

Her violet eyes widened for a moment from my offer before she gave me a cute smile.

"I'll keep your offer in mind. In the meantime... I'll have to think up ways to stop the Shadow Riders when they come after winter break."

I raised a brow.

"Like what?"

She pursed her lips in thought.

"Like how one of them likes to use blackmail to get wins, or another is a walking red flag of evil... Doing this without drawing suspicion sounds difficult..."

As the day darkened into night, I was left with my thoughts, pondering the complexities of our situation.

I still had many questions at the end of the day, but I figured it was best to keep it under wraps for now.

With the weight of our previous conversation slowly dissipating, the three of us were making our way back to the dorms.

The path was lit only by the faint glow of the moonlight, painting our surroundings in a silvery hue.

My mind was still filled with the revelations and uncertainties of the evening.

Every so often, I would sneak a glance at Fujimoto, trying to discern what was running through her mind, worried about her state of being.

Suddenly, Alexis's voice cut through the thickening night.

"Hey... what were you two whispering about back there?" she asked, her tone tinged with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Perverted stuff?"

Although her tone was accusatory, there was an obvious inflection that showed a weight had lifted from her shoulders.

Huh, goes to show how much hearing that her brother is alive had affected her.

Caught off guard, I opened my mouth to reply but found myself stumbling over the words.

Just when I thought I'd have to attempt a shaky excuse, Fujimoto jumped in with an answer that I hadn't expected.

"Oh, we were just discussing your rather... creative hiding spot in the bushes," Fujimoto remarked playfully, a teasing glint in her eye. "I was curious why someone like you would bother to eavesdrop in a private conversation."

Alexis's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, clearly caught off guard by Fujimoto's forwardness.

"I... I just thought," she stammered, searching for the right words. "After the monkey business, I felt that maybe you were up to something. So, I just wanted to make sure Sora was safe."

I blinked in surprise.

I'd had no idea Alexis was so concerned about me.

But before I could process this further, Fujimoto, sensing an opportunity for mischief, suddenly draped her arm around mine and pulled herself closer, pressing her body against my arm in an exaggerated manner.

I felt my face heat up instantly, my heart thumping loudly in my chest.

Whoa... whoa...!

I can feel her chest!

Alexis has to be wrong; these don't feel padded!

Alexis's eyes widened, her surprise evident.

She looked between Fujimoto and me, her mouth agape.

The atmosphere became thick with tension, and for a moment, I felt caught between two powerful forces.

I tried to pull away, but Fujimoto held on even tighter, her teasing smirk growing wider.

"Oh, Alexis..." she cooed mockingly. "Were you perhaps... jealous?"

I could almost see the steam rising from Alexis's ears.

"N-No! Of course not! I just..." she began, but her voice trailed off, unable to form a coherent response.

I couldn't understand where she was going with this.

"Just... what?" I pressed.

With a sly grin, she leered at the flustered girl.

"I can tell, you know? I didn't think you would be this perverted... but then again, we are teenagers." She teased before looking at me with violet eyes.

I can tell she was also struggling not to be embarrassed over what she was doing.

Her cheeks were filled with color on what she was doing, so I tugged away to let her know she could release me.

But for some reason, she was staring into my eyes as if searching for a lost memory.

"Err... Fujimoto?" I called, flustering her.

She released my arm and looked at the ground.

"S-Sorry! I took things too far for a joke..."

I gave her a small pat on the back and a smile, hoping she saw that her joke was... educational.

Instead, her violet eyes looked into mine with wonder.

Not before long, she smirked and returned her attention to the other Obelisk Blue.

"Hey, Sora... I can tell you what she actually thought of. I think Alexis thought we were going-"

"A-Alright! Alright!" The blond Blue shouted to stop Fujimoto's teasing. "I thought that you were going to meet up, and you know... yeah."

...

Right...

Whatever that means.

"Ehehe! Never thought you were the jealous type. I was just playing around."

Alexis huffed, still trying to regain her composure.

"Friends don't tease each other like that, and I told you, I am not jealous!" she grumbled.

I let out a soft chuckle, realizing that in all the intensity of the night, a moment of light-heartedness was exactly what we needed.

"Friends, huh? I thought for sure that you hated me because of my attitude." Fujimoto wistfully replied.

Alexis pursed her lips and struggled to look her in the eyes.

"I mean, I kinda did. Especially since you were-"

"A bitch." She concluded

"Right! I mean, uhh..."

The blond Blue flushed, embarrassed that she had thought of her that way.

"Look, Fujimoto... I think I know why you acted like that. You didn't want to mess with the future, right? That's why you switched seats during the entrance exams, refused my invitation to a party, and not duel me with any respect... You did everything you could to make sure that I wouldn't be your friend, right?"

The silver-haired girl gave her a curt nod feeling guilty for her prior actions.

"But you didn't think that I would do something like now, did you?"

Fujimoto, instead of feeling flustered, tightened her gaze at Alexis.

"Yeah... I didn't expect you to stalk Sora to our meeting."

Alexis returned the same look.

"And I didn't expect you to be some girl from another world."

The gaze the two shared felt as if they were creating sparks between them.

The atmosphere was growing darker and heavier the longer they glared at each other.

Uh... should I intervene?

But before anything can explode, the two shared a handshake.

"It's nice to meet you, Alexis Rhodes."

"Likewise, Hikari Fujimoto."

They also had smiles that weren't tainted by any malice but perhaps out of respect for one another.

That's a relief...

"So... we're all friends here?" I asked, hoping to make sure what happened was genuine.

The two exchanged glances and smiled, a wordless declaration that they probably were.

As we continued our walk back to the dorms, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected turn the evening had taken.

---

In the shadows of Duel Academy's older structures, two figures conversed, their voices low and urgent.

Takashi, the Ra Yellow senior who had once been respect or more accurately feared , was now enlisting the aid of an unlikely accomplice: Takadera, also known by his anglicized name, Torrey.

The latter's anxiety was intense, contrasting sharply with Takashi's unyielding determination.

"Listen up, Takadera," Takashi hissed, his voice dripping with venom, "I need you to speed things up. Summon Jinzo before the Winter Vacation starts. This is our best chance to get back at that son of a bitch Sora, Bastion, and that Slifer trash."

Takadera shifted uncomfortably, his gaze avoiding Takashi's piercing eyes.

"But it's too soon, Takashi," he stammered, "The ritual to summon Jinzo requires precise preparation. I need more time."

"Time is a luxury we don't have," Takashi retorted, grabbing Takadera's collar and pulling him closer. "Make it happen tomorrow, or you'll need another pair of glasses."

Gasping, Takadera nodded weakly.

"Alright, alright! Tomorrow it is. Just... no more threats, please!"

Takashi released him with a sneer.

"Hmph. As long as you hold up your end of the deal, you got nothing to be afraid of."

After ensuring Takadera was on board with his scheme, Takashi departed, leaving the distraught student to his devices.

The weight of the impending ritual hung heavily on Takadera's shoulders.

He had hoped his involvement would be minimal, that he could deliver what was asked of him and distance himself from the vindictive senior.

Yet now, the spirit summoning of Jinzo, a powerful monster that could change the course of any duel, lay squarely in his hands.

Unknown to them, a shadow observed their clandestine meeting from a distance.

Their words had been inaudible, but the observer was smart enough to know something sinister was brewing.

They retreated into the night, determined to share this new development with trusted allies.

Meanwhile, Sora, Alexis, and Fujimoto, still reeling from their recent revelations, made their way back to the dorms, unaware of the impending danger that awaited them.

---

I groggily pushed myself out of bed, stretching my limbs as I did so.

For some reason, today was a cloudy morning, despite forecasts stating it would be a sunny one.

Stifling a yawn, I went through the usual motions of my morning routine.

The familiar taste of toothpaste, followed by the splash of cool water against my face, helped to fully awaken my senses.

Ready to tackle another day at Duel Academy, I opened the small fridge in my room to grab some milk.

I noticed, however, that the backup unit light was on.

Weird.

Looks like the fridge might be malfunctioning, so I'll have to take look at it when I'm done eating.

Shaking off the thought, I poured myself a bowl of cereal and headed over to my sofa, eager to catch a morning show or news on my flat screen before heading out.

But when I pressed the remote's power button, the screen remained dark.

Figuring the remote's batteries had died, I set the bowl on the coffee table and got up to turn on the TV manually.

But still, nothing.

A frown creased my brow.

I glanced around and quickly realized the room's lights weren't on either.

An uneasy feeling settled in.

It wasn't just the TV.

My entire room was devoid of electricity.

I headed to the window, pulling back the curtains to look out.

The scene was ordinary: students heading towards their classes, a few early birds engaging in morning duels, and birds chirping in the distant trees.

Everything looks normal from afar, so why was there no power in my room?

Is this a prank?

Opening my room door, I decided to ask my next-door neighbor.

Knocking lightly, I called out, "Hey, anyone there? Is your power out, too?"

No response.

It struck me as odd, especially since I thought I heard my neighbor's alarm going off just moments ago before dying not soon after.

A chill ran down my spine, accompanied by a gnawing worry.

Something isn't right.

Closing the door behind me, I decided to head down to the main floor to check if others were experiencing the same issue.

On my way, I couldn't help but remember the conversation with Fujimoto the previous day.

Was this power outage related to the impending danger she had alluded to?

Or was it just a simple technical glitch?

Either way, I needed to find out.

Pulling out my PDA, I quickly scanned for messages or announcements.

There it was, a message from the school. Skimming through it, I felt a slight relief, but it was short-lived.

The power outage was island-wide?

And they're sending students home a day earlier?

The situation was definitely worse than I had imagined.

I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to calm my racing heart.

That uneasy feeling I had earlier?

It was growing stronger.

I remembered all the ominous signs and incidents leading up to this moment.

Fujimoto's mysterious knowledge, Alexis's concern for her brother, and now this.

Grabbing my duel disk from the shelf, I secured it onto my arm.

I felt its reassuring weight.

The silver and blue device gleamed, reflecting the soft light filtering into the room.

Even if it's just a hunch, I wanted to be prepared for whatever came my way.

After all, dueling was an essential part of our life on this island.

Slipping my deck into the disk, I made my way out of the room.

The hallways seemed eerily quiet.

Most of the students had probably left their rooms by now, gathering in common areas or heading to the docks for an unexpected departure.

As I ventured further, I realized I wasn't alone.

Conversations reached my ears — whispers of rumors, speculations, and a rising sense of unease.

Some students seemed to think it was just a technical glitch, while others believed there was something more sinister at play.

As I continued walking, I saw various Obelisk Blues, Ra Yellows, and Slifer Reds theorizing about what had happened.

Not wanting to intrude, I decided to move on.

I need to find Fujimoto.

If anyone had any idea on what is happening, it was her.

Our encounter at the lighthouse had shown me that she held knowledge that was way beyond ordinary, and I hoped she might have some idea of what was going on.

Passing through the central courtyard, I noticed a small crowd gathered around the main bulletin board.

Flyers were pinned, probably with more information on the current situation.

But I wasn't interested in the official statements.

I needed answers, and I had a feeling that those wouldn't be found on any announcement board.

Eventually, I spotted Fujimoto.

She was standing near the main building, watching a group of students from afar.

I quickly approached, trying to catch snippets of their conversation.

"...It's not just the electricity," I heard one of them say. "There has to be something else going on here. My PDA isn't working properly after I plugged it in."

Hearing that made my heart skip a beat.

I was right, wasn't I?

This more than just an outage.

My intuition told me that this was just the tip of the iceberg, and I was about to uncover what lay beneath.

Approaching the solitary figure of Fujimoto, I noticed how different she appeared compared to our last encounter.

There was a weight in her posture, a seriousness that replaced her earlier flustered demeanor.

Her silver hair, usually shimmering with a certain vibrancy, now looked somewhat dim in the light.

The whole campus had taken on a gloomy atmosphere with the unexpected power outage.

"Fujimoto?" I started, careful with my approach, "Is something wrong?"

She turned to face me, her eyes filled with concern.

"It's worse than I thought, Sora," she said, her voice low. "Someone has summoned a spirit from the spirit world. And not just any spirit... it's Jinzo."

I immediately knew where she was headed with this.

The eerie silence, the widespread outage, it all made sense now.

"Jinzo," I muttered, remembering the stories I'd heard about that menacing card and its haunting reputation. "I heard how his spirit is notorious for manipulating electricity and popping into this world a couple of times before."

Fujimoto nodded.

"In the anime, Jaden faced Jinzo in a Shadow duel. But this... this happened much earlier than expected. Why...?"

My insides twisted with unease.

Shadow duels, with their dark aura and dangerous stakes, were the stuff of nightmares.

I had firsthand experience with them, and it wasn't something I wanted to remember.

The last time I had a shadow duel, I was out for the count.

Trying to steady my racing heart, I asked, "Do you know where this spirit might be?"

She shook her head slowly.

"That's the problem. I don't. In the anime, Jinzo was in the derelict power grid near Slifer Red dorms. But, who knows where he is now... I wish I had a clearer picture, but all I know is that it's here, somewhere on this island."

Her answer didn't offer much comfort, but it was better than being completely in the dark.

"What do we do now?" I questioned, searching her eyes for any hint of a plan.

"I've asked Alexis to stay with me. It's not safe for her to go alone right now. But, Sora," she paused, glancing around as if expecting someone or something to jump out at us, "you should be careful too. If Jinzo is here, and someone has malicious intentions, they might target those who stand in their way."

Her warning sent shivers down my spine.

The gravity of the situation was sinking in, and I felt a heavy responsibility on my shoulders.

With the school in chaos and an unknown enemy lurking, it was up to us to find answers and confront this looming threat.

The urgency of the situation was clear.

Fujimoto's warning was to be heeded, but there was something deep inside me, a relentless drive to do right by my friends and the school, that made me want to act.

Before I could decide my next move, Alexis and Jaden walked up, their faces painted with worry.

"Any idea when the power's coming back?" Alexis asked, her gaze darting between Fujimoto and me.

Jaden, however, had a different air about him, a certain intensity that spoke of internal turmoil.

He looked around, sensing the environment, and said, "Something's not right. This isn't just any outage."

I nodded in agreement, though not ready to spill everything to Alexis just yet.

"Yeah, you're right." I agreed before sharing a glance with the silver-haired girl. "I got a feeling that whatever is happening has to be near a power grid..."

Jaden seemed to be on the same wavelength as me.

Perhaps it was because of our shared experience in dueling, or maybe it was because of the unique bond he shared with his Duel Monsters.

"I remember Professor Banner talking about an old power grid... Maybe we should check there." Jaden announced, determination clear in his voice. "There's a good chance that something bad is happening... so I'm going to find out what's causing this,"

Ever the guy to go head first into a situation...

"Hey, I'm with you," I chimed in, ignoring Fujimoto's disapproving look. "You might need backup."

She had her reasons, and I respected them, but I couldn't just stand on the sidelines while a potential threat lurked around.

Jaden turned to Fujimoto and tried to reassure her, "Kaz will be fine. He's got some good company."

With a subtle wink, he motioned towards a spot beside him.

Alexis and I traded glances at whoever he was winking toward before deciding it was one of Jaden's weird quirks.

I guess it's that Winged Kuriboh thing he's been talking to lately.

With a reluctant nod from Fujimoto, Jaden and I set off on our investigation.

As we walked through the darkened paths and silent trees, our steps were the only sound echoing in the distance.

"Do you think it's really a spirit causing all this?" I finally asked, breaking the silence between us.

Jaden's face was grave.

"There's a good chance, Kaz. There's an energy, a presence that's hard to ignore."

I kept my thoughts about Jinzo to myself, not wanting to lead the conversation in that direction just yet.

I trusted Jaden's instincts and hoped that, together, we would get to the bottom of this.

And so, Jaden and I trekked further along the forested paths, the tall trees made a canopy overhead, their leaves filtering the sunlight in dapples on the ground.

The power lines, running parallel to our route, hummed with an almost eerie resonance.

The feeling in the air grew increasingly tense, and the weight of what was to come pressed on us.

Suddenly, Jaden paused, glancing upwards and nodding at some unseen presence above him.

It was probably that Winged Kuriboh he kept referring to.

I couldn't see whatever it was he seemed to be communicating with, but there was a soft shimmer in the air around him.

I shook my head, thinking I was just seeing things.

"Come on, we need to move faster," Jaden whispered, signaling me to speed up.

He looked determined, with a fierce glint in his eyes.

It was clear he was getting a vibe that I wasn't privy to.

I followed his lead, quickening my pace as we jogged ahead.

With every step, a strange sensation bubbled within me.

It felt like a dormant energy, one that had been quietly resting, was now beginning to stir.

A warm pulse, a heartbeat of power, grew steadily in intensity.

What is this?

Am I starting to resonate with the spiritual energies around us?

It's probably Jaden's Winged Kuriboh's presence that's making me feel like this...

I couldn't see it, but the constant chatter Jaden had about it made me consider its existence, even if just for a fleeting moment.

The forest began to thin out, revealing more of the power lines stretching out to the horizon.

Their straight lines contrasted sharply with the organic, curved forms of the forest, hinting at the unnatural force that was tampering with them.

The hum became louder and more persistent, vibrating in my bones.

Soon, the peculiar sensation inside me grew too strong to ignore.

There was also an undeniable presence of some immense power nearby.

My senses sharpened, and I felt an inexplicable connection with the surroundings.

I felt my mind starting to drift as if it was being a conduit for something else entirely.

This feeling...

I feel cold, but it doesn't feel bad at all.

It feels... comforting.

Jaden's sudden grip on my arm snapped me out of my trance.

"We're close," he whispered, his voice filled with caution and resolve.

Gathering my wits, I nodded, prepared to face whatever lay ahead with Jaden.

But deep down, a small voice nagged at me, suggesting that perhaps there was more to the world and myself than I had ever imagined.

The derelict power grid stood tall and silent against the backdrop of the dense forest, an eerie reminder of technology's clash with nature.

The metal structures loomed overhead, seemingly dormant, but the oppressive weight in the air was thick.

As we approached, I tried to shake off the unsettling feeling growing within me.

The sensation I had felt earlier grew more pronounced, almost like a thrum of energy vibrating in my very core.

I looked to Jaden, searching his face for any sign of similar discomfort.

But if he felt anything, he didn't show it.

"Something's not right," Jaden muttered, looking around.

His focus was sharp, scanning the area, trying to pick up any sign of disturbance or presence.

I tried to steady my breathing, pushing aside my initial disbelief.

"Hey, Jaden..." I began hesitantly, "I know this is going to sound crazy, but I feel... something. A sort of energy building up."

Jaden looked at me seriously.

"Trust your instincts, Sora. They've never steered you wrong before. It's what gotten you into Obelisk Blue, right?"

I nodded, appreciative of Jaden's words.

"Right."

As we ventured deeper into the power grid, the stillness of the area was interrupted by a sudden electric surge.

Arcs of blue energy danced between the metal structures, illuminating the area with an ethereal glow.

Both of us stopped dead in our tracks, staring at the phenomenon unfolding before our eyes.

"Is that...?" I began, but my words trailed off as I tried to make sense of what was happening.

Before Jaden could answer, a chilling voice echoed through the stillness, sending shivers down my spine.

"Who dares disturb my sanctuary?"

We both turned, trying to locate the source of the voice.

From the depths of the shadows, a figure began to emerge.

Its silhouette was distorted, the lines and features constantly shifting and shimmering as if made of pure energy.

Jaden's eyes widened in recognition.

"You're... Jinzo!" he exclaimed.

The spirit's laughter resonated with a distorted sound that seemed to come from all directions.

"Ah, the famed Jaden Yuki. The spirit world has heard of your reawakening, my liege..."

Liege...?

"What are you doing here?" Jaden demanded, ignoring his odd comment, his duel disk already in position, ready for a confrontation.

Jinzo's form solidified further, revealing the recognizable cybernetic form of the infamous Duel Monster.

"Reclaiming what was owed to me," it responded cryptically. "My body."

As the tension between Jaden and Jinzo escalated, I felt a nudge at the back of my mind, urging me to prepare.

Jinzo, the machine-type monster with a sinister visage, hovered menacingly above the derelict power grid.

The green and yellow lighting crackling around him gave his metallic frame an eerie glow as he slowly descended on us.

His red visor fixed on Jaden and me, a grin playing on his lips.

"Well, well, it looks like you have found an ally! Hmm, odd. I can't sense his energy..." Jinzo drawled, his voice dripping with malice. "Matters not! I just had the pleasure of entertaining a rather... ambitious duelist. Pity he was so ill-prepared."

Jaden's eyes narrowed.

"What did you do to him, Jinzo?" he demanded, his voice firm despite the dangerous situation.

With a nonchalant wave of his hand, Jinzo summoned a swirling, translucent form.

It was Takashi, his figure looking defeated and drained, his eyes devoid of life, trapped in some ethereal form.

"This poor soul thought he could control my immense power. Such folly!" Jinzo chuckled, the sound echoing ominously. "He wanted revenge against you two for his humiliation. But instead, like a fool, he found himself outmatched, and now, his energy is mine."

My heart raced.

The weight of the situation bore down on me, the realization that our previous actions had dire consequences.

The sight of Takashi, a once cocky duelist now reduced to a mere shade, was chilling.

To think that dumbass summoned a spirit that can commit such terrors, all because he wanted revenge...

Damn it!

Jinzo's power was beyond anything I'd ever encountered.

Jaden clenched his fists. "Let him go, Jinzo," he ordered, trying to maintain composure.

Jinzo merely laughed, the sound echoing eerily in the vast open space.

"Why should I? He's quite... refreshing. But fear not, young duelists, I'm in a good mood. I'll save your friend for later." He paused, savoring our alarmed expressions. "There are others who called upon me, and they will be next."

Cold dread settled in my stomach.

Jinzo wasn't just a powerful dueling spirit; he was malicious and seemed to take pleasure in the pain and despair of others.

The tension in the air grew as Jaden stood resolute, his unwavering gaze fixed on Jinzo.

"I don't think so! Duel me, Jinzo! I won't let you continue terrorizing the island!"

Jinzo chuckled, his laughter chilling to the bone.

"Duel you?" he said, looking Jaden up and down. "Why would I? I have no quarrel with my lord."

Before either Jaden or I could react, Jinzo conjured a ball of crackling lightning energy, which enveloped Jaden, holding him captive.

It seemed to form a protective bubble around him, cutting him off from the outside world.

Jaden looked around, seemingly unharmed but clearly trapped.

"Hey! Let me out!" He shouted as he tried to push against the bubble.

My heart raced, fear threatening to overtake me as Jinzo's attention turned my way.

"You, however," Jinzo said, his cold eyes focusing on me, "interest me. You emit no duel energy. Such a weakling... Why are you even here?"

I took a step back, then another, my eyes darting around, searching for an escape.

As Jinzo continued to advance, his metallic frame beginning to fill my vision, panic began to set in.

"I... I just wanted to help," I stammered, my voice shaking.

Jinzo chuckled darkly, his amusement evident.

"Help? With what, I wonder?" he mused, circling me like a shark. "Perhaps I should toy with you first. See what makes you so... different."

At that moment, I was terrified.

Some spirit with a mean streak was going to torture me for fun.

Like any other person, they would run.

But something inside of me continued to bubble as the sadistic spirit loomed closer.

I felt a myriad of emotions coursing through me, all blending into 3 distinct aspects and manifestations.

Vengeance.

Will.

Harmony.

And just as Jinzo was about to reach out to me, a sudden cold enveloped the area.

A brilliant ice barrier formed around me, its crystalline walls reflecting the startled look on Jinzo's face.

"What?!" Jinzo exclaimed, taken aback by the sudden intervention.

I was equally surprised, looking around within the barrier, trying to make sense of what just happened.

How did I...?

The cold, while sharp, was oddly comforting, and I felt a strange sense of protection.

Is this the feeling from before?

Jinzo, however, was not amused.

He attempted to break through the barrier with his energy, but the ice held strong, resisting his every effort.

Frustration painted his features, but I could also see a hint of genuine curiosity.

"Who did this?" he demanded, looking around suspiciously.

I didn't have the answer.

All I knew was that someone or something had intervened, offering me protection at the very moment I needed it most.

As I looked around, trying to find the source, my thoughts drifted to Fujimoto and her knowledge of the future.

Did she have something to do with this?

Or was it something else entirely?

The barrier exploded, sending the spirit flying, its frame demolishing a generator from its momentum.

The sudden impact and release of energy had sent me sprawling onto the ground, slightly dazed.

I tried to gather my senses quickly, my ears ringing with a cacophony of sounds.

The most prominent was a voice, or rather, three voices echoing in eerie unison.

The icy mist thickened, swirling around us in an almost hypnotic dance.

I struggled to see through the intense light and energy, my vision blurred by a thick, icy mist that seemed to have sprung up from nowhere.

At the epicenter of this sudden maelstrom stood a creature of pure energy and power.

It was impossible to make out its exact form, but a raging aura surrounded it, its presence unmistakably intense and overpowering.

Then, echoing through the forest, three distinct voices spoke in unison, their harmonious tone sending chills down my spine.

"You should not meddle in the affairs of mortals so brazenly, bewitched engineer."

Jinzo, now weakened, his previous arrogance diminished, stared intently at the source of the voice.

"Who are you to challenge me?" he demanded, crackling energy still surrounding him, though far less intense.

From nowhere, a pale beam struck Jaden's cage, freeing him from his imprisonment.

Jinzo's form wavered, the confident and malicious demeanor he had earlier displayed now replaced with genuine terror.

"What... what are you?" he stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

The entity's aura pulsed in response to Jinzo's question.

The three voices resonated once more, filled with an ancient wisdom that seemed beyond comprehension.

"We are the protectors of balance, the guardians of fate. A force that has always existed, even when not perceived. Many have tried to harness our power but failed. The Gishki tribe, our acolytes, our brothers... All had failed."

The sheer magnitude of the entity's power was drastically overbearing, and it was clear that even Jinzo, a creature of immense power himself, felt dwarfed and threatened.

He couldn't help but cower when he was able to recognize the swirling maelstrom of energy somehow.

"WHAT?! You should have no claim on this era! This isn't your battle!" He shouted once he recognized what aura truly was.

The aura's response was simple yet deeply profound.

"We are timeless. We have always been and will always be. You, however, have overstepped your bounds."

The metallic monster attempted to gather his strength, but it was clear that his reserves were dwindling.

With a final, desperate cry, Jinzo unleashed a surge of electricity, attempting to overpower the mysterious force before him.

"Go to the dark world!"

But it was futile.

The entity's aura absorbed and repelled the attack with ease, sending a backlash of energy toward Jinzo.

"No... No!"

The beam hit Jinzo with such force that his form began to dissipate, the electric energy surrounding him starting to weaken and fizzle out.

He let out an agonizing scream as his physical manifestation began to break apart, turning him back into the incorporeal spirit he once was.

His essence seemed to be sucked away, leaving behind just a faint wisp of what he once was.

I watched, awe-struck and still trying to comprehend the surreal turn of events.

It was a true testament to the unpredictable nature of the spirit world and the duel monsters that inhabited it.

Once the deed was done, the unknown presence began to fade, but not before it looked directly into my eyes.

The icy mist began to dissipate, revealing the entity's aura fading as well.

There was something deeply profound in that gaze, something that seemed to hint at a greater destiny.

A silent acknowledgment, and then it was gone.

It was clear that whatever this force was, it had chosen to intervene just in the nick of time, saving both Jaden and me from Jinzo's wrath.

The air grew still as the realization dawned upon us - we had just witnessed a battle between forces beyond our understanding.

The intense energy swirling around started to abate, giving me a momentary relief.

But as my vision cleared, the weight of the situation pressed against my chest.

Jaden, who had been trapped mere moments ago, was filled with a mixture of relief and astonishment.

He beamed at me, his wide eyes glistening with excitement.

"Dude! That spirit of yours... It's something else! Man, that was so cool!"

Spirit?

That was my spirit?

But his cheerfulness didn't resonate with me.

Every fiber of my body ached, and a dizziness clouded my mind.

My legs felt like they were about to give out any second.

"Jaden..." I mumbled, my voice shaking, "I think... whatever saved us... It used a lot of my energy. Ugh..."

He rushed to my side, helping me stay upright.

"Easy there, buddy. Just lean on me," he said, concern evident in his voice.

Before we could gather ourselves, the sound of hurried footsteps reached us.

Fujimoto and Alexis appeared, their faces marked with worry and surprise.

They must've seen everything as they approached.

Their expressions changed to relief upon seeing us, but they remained alert, eyes darting around as if expecting another threat.

Their worry wasn't misplaced.

The charged atmosphere became even more noticeable.

Jinzo, though severely weakened, was not done.

His form began to glitch, flickering in and out of existence.

It was as if the duel energy he thrived on was waning, but he wasn't going to fade away quietly.

He emitted a distorted, menacing laugh, sending chills down my spine.

"You think you have won? Don't think a weakling like you has won! I will take your spirit and devour it! No one will leave...! You will duel me!"

With the last of his energy, Jinzo summoned a field of electricity encasing us in the power grid.

Despite my fatigue, determination welled up inside me.

He had threatened to hurt my friends and disrupted the peace of this island.

This island was my benefactor, and I was not going to let a deranged spirit roam free.

I wouldn't let him go unchecked.

With shaking hands, I activated my duel disk, its lights weakly flickering to life.

"If... if it's a duel you want... Then it's a duel you'll get!" I shouted with each word threatening to fill my world with the black tendrils of unconsciousness. "Bring it!"

"Sora! No!" Fujimoto exclaimed, stepping forward. "You're in no condition to duel him! Look at yourself!"

But before she could say more, Jaden interjected, positioning himself between me and Jinzo, "She's right, man. I'll take him on, Kaz. You've done enough."

My senses were starting to return to me despite the fatigue weighing me down.

But I knew I was in no condition to duel, especially in a Shadow duel.

I could hear the growing hum of energy being pulled from the nearby generators, and it didn't take long to spot Jinzo, his form crackling with the accumulated energy.

"You dare hide behind those stronger than you, weakling?! You dare use my liege as a shield?! Your crimes will be paid in blood!"

The look in his visored eyes was pure, malevolent intent diluted with complete fury.

Despite being weakened from the fight from before, Jinzo powered up; his anger serving as a second wind.

Suddenly, a torrent of electricity erupted from Jinzo, a blinding beam aiming straight at us.

But before panic could fully grip me, Jaden shouted, "Winged Kuriboh! Now!"

For a split second, my world was filled with a blinding light.

I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my vision, and there it was.

Floating in front of us was a spirit I'd only ever heard Jaden mention in passing: Winged Kuriboh, with his master pushing against the beam.

The small, winged creature had placed itself between us and the onslaught of electricity, a barrier emanating from its wings.

I stood there, eyes wide in amazement, witnessing something few ever had.

But even as I marveled, I could see Winged Kuriboh straining against the might of Jinzo's attack.

The barrier it had conjured wavered, and I could hear Jaden's shouts, urging his spirit on.

"This isn't good! Jinzo's too strong! Take Kaz and get him somewhere safe!" Jaden ordered as he focused his will onto the barrier. "I'll hold him off!"

In that moment, a wave of determination washed over me.

I couldn't stand there idly and let this creature, this friend of Jaden's, shoulder all the burden.

At that very moment, it all clicked in my head.

The lesson, the memory, and the will that I had lost when I dueled against the shadows.

What Jaden is doing... is being a hero.

"They remind me that even in the face of adversity, there's always a hero within us, ready to stand up and fight."

Koyo... I remember now.

There is a hero inside of me.

"They don't falter. They stand tall against the odds. They protect others. They embody bravery and resilience. And isn't that what we should all strive for?"

Jaden is doing his best to protect us, and all I'm doing is staying down?!

No!

I am also a hero too!

"I... I can't hold on for much longer...! Go! Get out of here!" The Hero duelist demanded as he tried to push against the powerful wave of energy. "Run!"

I felt the two reaching for me, so I stood up and bolted straight towards Jaden.

"Kaz?! What are you doing?! Run!" He shouted as he saw me placing my hands against the barrier.

"And leave you?" I asked as I felt the familiar power surge within me. "I don't think so! I'm with you, man! Cause I'm a hero too!"

Without even thinking, I called upon every last reserve of my strength, channeling it into the barrier.

"This again?! You pest!" Jinzo roared as he noticed the energy emanating from me.

The energy that coursed through me felt chillingly familiar.

The barrier began to crystallize, reinforcing with layers of ice, rendering Jinzo's electrical assault ineffective as it split into multiple beams away from the barrier.

The intensity of the attack and my countermeasure lasted only a few moments, but to me, it felt like an eternity.

As the barrage ceased and the dust settled, my legs buckled beneath me.

The world around me started to blur, and sounds became muffled, but I could hear Jinzo's voice dripping with disdain.

"Unbelievable! My liege protecting such a weakling?! No matter. I'll deal with the interlopers first and regain my physical form once more!"

Everything began to darken, and I felt myself teetering on the brink of unconsciousness.

"That's enough, Jinzo! Stop hurting my friends!" Jaden retorted as he began to take a stance. "Duel me!"

But through my hazy vision, I could still see Alexis, her resolve undeterred, ready to face the menace that was Jinzo.

Before he could ready himself, a determined voice rang out, "Jaden. I'll face him."

We all turned to see Alexis; her face hardened with resolve.

The look in her eyes was something I had never seen before, a mix of anger and determination.

She stepped forward, pointing at Jinzo, "You hurt my friend, go on a rampage and think you can away with it?! I will never forgive you for hurting Sora!"

Fujimoto seemed torn, her gaze flitting between Alexis and Jaden.

"Wait! Jaden, you might be the best option against Jinzo, given your experience..."

But Alexis wouldn't be swayed.

"I have my reasons, Fujimoto. And I understand yours. But Sora means a lot to me, and I won't let Jinzo get away with this. It's only fair to return the favor."

Seeing the intensity in Alexis's eyes, I realized something.

It wasn't just about me.

It was about proving to herself that she could protect those she cared about.

This was her way of returning the favor of when I protected her...

I felt a mixture of gratitude and concern, hoping she knew what she was up against.

Jaden nodded slowly, giving Alexis an affirming look, "Alright, but we're here if you need us."

The Obelisk Blue turned to me and back at Jaden, her brown eyes mellowing at my exhausted form.

"Don't push yourself, okay?" She muttered before turning to the Slifer Red. "Can you handle this, Jaden?"

He nodded and brought me up.

With Fujimoto's support, we took a safe distance away from the duel.

As Alexis stepped forward, duel disk at the ready, Jinzo's flickering form steadied slightly.

The face-off was imminent.

The fate of the island and its inhabitants hung in the balance.

The energy around us crackled with anticipation as the final showdown began.

"Duel!" She shouted as the field began to materialize.

(Alexis 4000 / Jinzo 4000)

As the hazy fringes of my awareness began to sharpen, I found myself immersed in the ongoing duel.

There was tension in the air, with Jinzo's eery, floating cards creating an ambiance of anticipation.

had seen duelists in action before, but nothing quite like this.

The cards, simply floating in the air in front of him, played themselves almost like they were alive, an unsettling sight.

Jinzo's voice echoed as he commanded, "I activate Foolish Burial, sending a comrade of mine to the graveyard! Which happens to be me!"

With a smirk, he sent a copy of himself, Jinzo, to the depths of his deck's graveyard.

"Next, I summon Reflect Bounder (1700/1000) in attack mode!" The creature, a strange mirror-bodied entity, shimmered onto the field. "I set one card and end my turn..."

That's Reflect Bounder is going to be annoying to deal with.

I hope she has something to answer it.

Before Alexis could make her move, Jinzo's eerie laughter filled the space.

"You think you're prepared, fool? Behold!" He activated Call of the Haunted, and the spectral chains of the trap wrapped around the Jinzo he had just sent to the graveyard, reviving him. "I summon myself in attack mode!"

He stepped into the duel and cracked his freakishly long neck.

Jinzo (2400/1500)

"Now then, let's continue with the duel!"

Damn!

He dumped himself into the graveyard so he could come out immediately!

Alexis's gaze never wavered, her icy stare piercing the wicked spirit visor.

Drawing her card, she declared, "My turn. I activate Polymerization!"

A dance of light and shadow ensued as Etoile Cyber and Blade Skater merged.

The fusion was a spectacle I had seen before, a feeling of nostalgia washing over me as Cyber Blader, a figure from past duels, emerged in all her splendor.

"Come forth, Cyber Blader (2100/800)!" The warrior emerged, twin blades gleaming, embodying Alexis's determination.

She stood confidently, her twin blades gleaming under the artificial lights.

Jinzo sneered, "Hah! Is that all?! A paltry fusion monster?!"

But Alexis was unshaken and kept her cool.

"I wouldn't say that. With two monsters on your field, Cyber Blader's attack doubles to 4200. Cyber Blader, attack Jinzo, Digital Nova Blitz!"

The air crackled as the mighty warrior descended upon Jinzo with a mighty kick, causing Jinzo to shatter.

The damage was evident as Jinzo was forced back to his original form.

Jinzo's life points dropped, his incorporeal form flickering momentarily.

(Alexis 4000 / Jinzo 2200)

"Well done! You might have taken a chunk of my life points, but this isn't over, not just yet..."

Alexis, her confidence unwavering, examined her hand and revealed a monster card to Jinzo.

"I'm not done yet! I'm summoning Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands in defense mode!" She declared, "Manju's effect lets me add a Ritual Spell card from my deck to my hand."

She drew the Machine Angel Ritual card, holding it up so the radiant light reflected off its holographic surface.

"So I'll be adding this card into my hand!"

Fujimoto's voice held a tinge of wonderment as she murmured, "Machine Angel Ritual? Is it possible... are there other Tag Force cards that have transitioned to this world?"

She paused, seemingly lost in thought, before adding with a hint of anticipation, "Could Machine Angel Absolute Ritual be among one of them?! I remember the ARC-V anime showing that she had that card, too..."

Jaden, looking slightly confused by Fujimoto's behavior, shot me a questioning glance.

I could only respond with a shrug.

There's a good chance he wants to ask about what Tag Force is or what the ARC-V anime is.

And I'm not the right person to ask about that...

"It's best not to question it, man." I simply said, to which Jaden nodded and turned his attention back to the duel.

For all the events of the day, Fujimoto's familiarity with something so specific was baffling.

Jinzo, his form flickering ever so slightly, tilted his head, amusement evident.

"Interesting choice, girlie. But I wonder, can you truly harness the power you're about to unleash?"

Alexis's gaze was unyielding, her resolve stronger than ever.

"You'll see soon enough, Jinzo. I have no intention of losing to the likes of you."

She set a card face-down, strategically building her defense for whatever comes ahead.

As the duel raged on, I could feel a resurgence of energy coursing through me.

The exhaustion that once threatened to pull me under was now receding.

The adrenaline of the duel, Alexis's resolve, and the high stakes were rejuvenating me.

I tried to shake off the remnants of my fatigue and murmured words of encouragement for Alexis.

But as I got better, Jinzo's incorporeal form began to flicker.

"W-What in the world?! I should be getting stronger the longer we duel! Not weaker!" He stammered as he watched his unstable body distort and fizzle.

Didn't he just lose some life points?

"Well, I did take some of your life points away, didn't I?" Alexis replied, pointing out what we were all thinking. "And isn't this a Shadow Game?"

Jinzo balled his fists and, what I assumed, glared at the Obelisk Blue.

"Fool! It may be a Shadow Game, and I may have lost life points, but this shouldn't be happening! It feels as if my energy is being siphoned by something!" He explained as he examined his hand. "No matter! I draw my next card!"

He set a monster face down, accompanying it with two mysterious cards in his spell and trap zone.

Eyes gleaming, Jinzo ordered, "Reflect Bounder, take care of her pathetic defense monster!"

As Reflect Bounder moved in, Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands attempted to defend against the beam attack.

It shattered on impact, but fortunately, she didn't lose any life points.

Alexis gritted her teeth, determined, "Ugh...! Every move you make, Jinzo, I'll be ready for it."

The duel's intensity only grew as Jinzo's laughter echoed around, his tone dripping with condescension.

"Yes, yes! Your feeble attempts to thwart me are amusing, little one! I shall end my turn!"

As Alexis drew her card, a momentary shadow of uncertainty passed over her face.

My gut twisted with unease.

We couldn't afford any missteps, not with someone as formidable as Jinzo.

Jinzo's mechanical laughter echoed across the field.

"Before you make your move, allow me to make mine," he taunted, activating his trap card, Needle Wall.

The card unveiled a gigantic, rotating wall lined with giant spikes, and a wheel was placed near Jinzo with numbers 1 through 6.

As it loomed ominously above the field, I realized the gravity of the situation.

If that wall landed on Cyber Blader, she'd be destroyed.

"There's a 1 in 5 chance of your precious monsters being destroyed! This is fun, no?"

Taking a deep breath, Alexis tried to maintain her composure.

"I won't let that stop me," she declared defiantly. "I'll set one monster facedown."

And that she did, its silhouette offering no clues about its identity.

"Cyber Blader!" Alexis cried, commanding her warrior to lash out. "Attack the facedown monster!"

With a swift motion, Cyber Blader's kick cut through the air, connecting with Jinzo's facedown monster.

Jinzo - Returner was revealed, a younger visage of the spirit attempted to block, but quickly dispersed into pixels from the force of the blow.

But Jinzo grinned, or at least it looked like he did, and he was not even phased.

"Ah, little one, you should know you've triggered my Jinzo - Returner's effect. I can bring back myself from the graveyard! But my power is negated and I will be destroyed during your next end phase, but I have something to deal with that..."

In a flash of electric light, Jinzo appeared once again on the field, imposing and ready for battle.

"I... am inevitable! Hahaha!"

Alexis gritted her teeth at the spirit's taunts.

Damn it, Jinzo always has a way to bring himself back from the graveyard.

But the weird thing is... why is he playing traps?

It's a little counterintuitive to play traps with a monster that negates it.

I wonder what he is planning...

Mockingly, he asked, "Is that all, little one?"

With a brief, frustrated nod, Alexis replied, "Yeah, it is."

Jinzo's laughter reverberated, taking on a sinister tone.

"You may have given me a run for my money, but I'm about to end this little game. I'll take my time with you, girlie. After all, you've made this duel rather... entertaining."

The air grew colder with tension as we braced ourselves for Jinzo's next move.

"I draw my next card! Now, Needle Wall, activate!"

As the Needle Wall's wheel spun, my heartbeat pounded loudly in my ears.

Everyone watched with bated breath as the wheel turned, each number it passed raising our anxiety.

We wanted it to land on 1, 2, or 5 - Alexis's monsters didn't occupy those.

The wheel landed at 6, which wasn't ideal.

"Oh! Interesting, it looks like Needle Wall will have to be activated again!"

As it spun again, we once more held our breaths as it turned, hoping it wouldn't land on 3 or 4.

The wheel slowed, and to our collective relief, it stopped on 5, which was empty.

Jinzo seemed hardly perturbed by the twist of fate.

"It matters not," he hissed, flipping a card from his field.

As he slapped it onto the field, the card's hologram materialized - a large, royal emblem.

"I activate Royal Decree!" he declared.

An energy field enveloped the arena, and I felt a sudden drop in power.

All trap cards were now useless, and the Needle Wall stopped in place; its motion halted.

Call of the Haunted, which was still in the field, waned in luminosity from being negated by Royal Decree.

Jinzo wasn't done as he motioned his card onto the field.

"Now, I shall tribute my Reflect Bounder and summon Catapult Turtle (1000/2000)!"

The green shelled contraption spawned from the card, making quick adjustments for optimal catapulting before landing on the field.

I frowned; I recognized that card.

That son of a bitch...!

He's gonna burn Alexis for the damage!

He didn't wait long to make his intentions clear.

"I could draw out your suffering," he mused, glancing at his hand as if contemplating another card. "But I wish to relish in your pain right now. For example... now!"

With a wicked smirk, he activated the effect of the Catapult Turtle.

The creature loaded itself onto its own catapult arm, by detaching catapult from itself and loading it onto the catapult.

It then launched itself directly at Alexis.

She barely had a moment to brace herself.

As the turtle's hologram collided with her, she was pushed back, the damage manifesting in the Shadow Game.

(Alexis 3500 / Jinzo 2200)

Her face twisted in pain, and I felt a surge of anger bubble up inside me.

She had lost 500 life points, and every point in this game felt like a knife.

But Jinzo's sadistic game was only beginning.

"My turn isn't over, little one! Watch closely; it is seldom that I get to cut loose finally!"

With a flourish, he revealed his next move.

"Now, witness my true power!" he boomed, tributing himself.

The ground trembled beneath us, and from a whirl of darkness, a more sinister, powerful version of Jinzo arose - Jinzo - Lord.

Its crimson eyes glowed menacingly; its mechanical form was even more intimidating than the original.

Jinzo - Lord (2600/1600)

Jinzo's maniacal laughter echoed around us, amplifying the oppressive atmosphere.

He seemed to be feeding off the newfound power coursing through him.

I clenched my fists, trying to muster any ounce of strength I had left.

We were cornered, and Jinzo was just getting started.

With some final adjustments, Jinzo - Lord came to life, a deep unease settled within me.

"Now, I shall activate my effect! Prepare yourself!"

The monster's strap-like tendrils snaked outwards, targeting each face-up trap on Jinzo's field.

One by one, they crackled and erupted in showers of sparks - Royal Decree, Needle Wall, and Call of the Haunted.

Each explosion was punctuated by a sharp cry from Alexis as the energy lashed out, draining her life points by 300 for every trap card destroyed.

(Alexis 3200 / Jinzo 2200)

(Alexis 2900 / Jinzo 2200)

(Alexis 2600 / Jinzo 2200)

Watching Alexis, her usually strong and composed figure, buckle under the combined strain was gut-wrenching.

"How does it feel, little one?" Jinzo mocked, his voice echoing in the arena. "To be chipped away, bit by bit?"

Alexis gritted her teeth, her expression a blend of pain and defiance.

"You think this will be enough to stop me? Think again."

I could feel the sweat forming on my brow, my heart racing in sync with hers.

The total damage from the traps was a noticeable 900 points.

Her life points were depleting rapidly, and it was evident on her face.

Jinzo tilted his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"I admire your spirit. But I wonder how long it'll last..."

Without wasting a moment, Jinzo-Lord lunged forward to attack Alexis's Cyber Blader.

The energy clash was immense; the arena lit up in a blue and red flare.

Yet, Cyber Blader stood her ground, taking the impact without being destroyed due to her unique ability.

Nevertheless, Alexis felt the full brunt of the battle damage.

Alexis gasped, clutching her side.

But she quickly straightened, shooting Jinzo a defiant glare as she felt another 500 life points being shaved off.

(Alexis 2100 / Jinzo 2200)

From my position, I could see her knees tremble as she tried to maintain her balance.

She was down to 2100 life points, and the physical toll was evident.

Her face was pale, her breathing labored.

The weight of the Shadow Games was beginning to take its toll on her.

The memories of my own shadow duel came flooding back, the sensations all too familiar.

This isn't looking good...!

The way the damage doesn't just deplete your points but your very energy, your willpower.

In my duel, I took a massive hit all at once, and that had its own kind of horror.

But watching Alexis, I realized that these consistent, small hits were like a slow torture.

They whittled away at your resolve, your strength, your spirit.

What the Shadows did to me was basically mercy compared to this!

I gritted my teeth, feeling helpless and wondering what I could do.

"You're a parasite," she spat. "Feeding off the pain... off of suffering. But every parasite meets its end..."

Jinzo's laughter deepened, almost maniacal now.

"Big words for someone losing ground so quickly. Your Cyber Blader won't save you for long."

From my perspective, everything seemed to slow.

Each move, each breath Alexis took was amplified, her pain echoing in my ears.

It was maddening to watch her suffer like this.

"I... draw...! Ngh!"

Every card she drew, every slight movement caused her visible agony.

"I flip... Skelengel to... draw another card!"

Even as she revealed Skelengel, her hand shook with the strain.

I remembered the torturous Shadow duel I had against the Shadows, how every attack felt like a direct blow, how the weight of each decision bore down on you.

But seeing Alexis, a strong duelist, brought down to her knees was unbearable.

My heart raced, and a voice in my head screamed at me to do something.

Argh, screw this!

"Sora... Don't!" I heard Fujimoto warn as I stood up.

Ignoring the shouts from her, I darted toward Alexis, my shoes tapping against the ground, the noise echoing in the vast, haunting space.

Jinzo's taunts and laughter, like a twisted soundtrack, played in the background.

"Oh! How quaint! The weakling is offering his feeble support to someone in need! How utterly delightful!"

Reaching Alexis, I grabbed her arm and pulled her up, feeling her tremble beneath my hand as she got to her feet.

Her eyes, heavy with pain, looked into mine.

"Sora? What are you...?" Her voice, barely a whisper, trailed off.

"You need help," I stated, my voice firmer than I felt.

She shook her head weakly, sweat glistening on her forehead.

"Get out of here. You'll get hurt." The stubborn girl muttered as she stared down the malevolent spirit.

But there was no way I was leaving her.

She had come this far, and I wouldn't abandon her now.

Despite this, she shook me off, only for her knees to buckle under her weight.

I caught her just before she could collapse, holding her in place with my arms.

"Alexis, look at me," I urged, waiting for her to meet my gaze. "You've been strong for so long. Let me help, even if it's just this once."

For a moment, there was silence.

All I could hear was our breathing and the distant hum of Jinzo's mechanisms.

Alexis's eyes, brown and full of determination, locked onto mine.

There was a battle there, a struggle between pride and the acceptance of help.

Finally, her head dipped ever so slightly, a small nod.

"Okay," she whispered. "But just this once."

Smiling, I tightened my grip on her, helping to steady her on her feet.

Together, we turned to face Jinzo, his cold, visored eyes watching our every move.

"I can only wonder what that vermin can offer you, girlie."

The contempt in his gaze was tangible.

Yet, in that moment, with Alexis by my side, I felt a surge of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, we could turn the tide.

I whispered words of encouragement to her.

"We're in this together, Alexis. We'll get through this, one step at a time."

My arms tightened around Alexis, feeling the full weight of her exhaustion pressing against me.

Her close proximity was noticeable, and for a fleeting second, I noticed a tinge of pink on her cheeks.

But the moment was interrupted by the situation at hand.

Our shared focus was on the battle and the glaring menace of Jinzo before us.

Her hand was shaking, but as I scanned her cards, the answer seemed clear.

The glinting image of Cyber Angel Benten stared back at me, its power just waiting to be unleashed.

The unmistakable form of Machine Angel Ritual was nestled among her other cards.

It was a play that could potentially change the tide of the duel.

"You want to bring out Cyber Angel Benten?" I asked, already knowing her answer.

The tone of her voice, though tired, was resolute.

"That was the plan," she managed to say, her breathing still heavy.

Carefully, I played the Machine Angel Ritual from her hand.

"We're going to activate Machine Angel Ritual!" I declared, placing the card onto the disk.

Hmm, I'm not too familiar with ritual monsters, but this is pretty obvious on what it does.

Still, doesn't hurt to be safe.

"I'm assuming this lets you summon a Cyber Angel ritual monster, right?" I asked, to which she just nodded.

I proceeded to send Cyber Blader to the graveyard, its silhouette fading into the shadows as a new radiant figure emerged.

The field brightened as Cyber Angel Benten took form, a beautiful, long, black-haired kunoichi equipped with a fan-nunchuck-like weapon, bathing us in its ethereal light.

The monster's presence was a beacon of hope and a testament to our collective will.

Jinzo's robotic laughter pierced the atmosphere, "Look at the weaklings, combining their strengths only to summon a creature weaker than my Jinzo - Lord." He tilted his head, his visored eyes narrowing. "A futile effort."

But what Jinzo failed to realize was that dueling was more than just power.

It was about strategy, willpower, and trust.

Alexis and I shared a knowing glance, both understanding that we had an ace up our sleeve.

"You think so?" Alexis mumbled her voice barely above a whisper yet oozing confidence.

Her fingers curled around another card in her hand, our secret weapon.

I smirked, holding her closer.

"Jinzo, it's not the size of the monster in the fight. It's the size of the fight in the monster. You're about to witness that."

Jinzo's gaze remained fixed on us, his overconfidence apparent.

But little did he know, the tide of this duel was about to shift dramatically.

With the power of Cyber Angel Benten and our unyielding spirit, Alexis and I were more than ready to confront the menacing machine.

My fingers moved with a surety that surprised even myself as I played the Ritual Weapon card, the silver aura of the card fusing seamlessly with Cyber Angel Benten.

"We equip Ritual Weapon to Cyber Angel Benten!"

Her form glowed brighter, her power increasing dramatically.

She held a crossbow in her other hand, an instrument of justice that would help us pierce through Jinzo's mechanical arrogance.

"The card Ritual Weapon..." I started to say, trying to remember what else it did besides the attack boost. "It boosts the attack of Benten by 1500 and, uh... inflicts piercing damage?"

"Wow, someone's been studying," Alexis muttered sarcastically.

I glanced at her, my lips pulling into a half-smile.

"Well, the clue was pretty much in the name. Also," I added with a slight shrug, "Curiosity made me look it up once."

The hint of a giggle escaped Alexis's lips, the soft sound contrasting starkly with the tense atmosphere.

It felt good to bring a momentary smile to her face amid this intense duel.

Jinzo's mechanical form seemed to glitch momentarily, a sign of the unease he felt.

"Don't get too excited, little ones. Even if your glorified angel manages to defeat Jinzo - Lord, this duel is far from over," he snarled, the menace dripping from every word. "Once your turn is over, I'm going make you fools suffer... slowly!"

My grip tightened around the edge of the duel disk.

He was right; Jinzo - Lord wasn't one to be taken down easily.

The weight of realization bore down on me.

Every move we made had to be precisely calculated, leaving no room for error.

I felt a pang of doubt.

Jinzo's confidence was unnerving.

But just as my resolve began to waver, Alexis's hand found mine, squeezing reassuringly.

"Trust me, Sora," she whispered, her gaze never leaving Jinzo. "Benten isn't just about raw power. Her effect will help us level the playing field."

And at that moment, with the ethereal glow of Cyber Angel Benten behind us and Alexis's hand in mine, I felt a resurgence of hope.

With a nod, I looked at the ritual monster.

"Cyber Angel Benten! Attack Jinzo-Lord!"

Feeling the weight of anticipation, I watched as Benten charged forward, her weapons catching the dim light of the battlefield.

With a swift motion, she obliterated Jinzo - Lord, reducing him to mere particles of data.

(Alexis 2100 / Jinzo 1500)

But instead of an explosion of light or a sound of triumph, there was an eerie silence, broken only by the flicker of Jinzo's incorporeal form reappearing.

Alexis, though visibly fatigued, had a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.

I looked over at her, my brows furrowed, awaiting an explanation for what had just transpired.

"It's... like Jaden's Elemental Hero Flaming Wingman," she said, her voice raspy from exhaustion.

I blinked in surprise, racking my brain for a moment as I recalled the duels I spectated with Jaden.

"Does Benten inflict damage equal to the destroyed monster's attack?"

She shook her head slowly, catching her breath.

"Close, but Benten deals damage based on the destroyed monster's defense."

So that means...

A slow smile spread across my face as realization dawned.

Jinzo-Lord, though having a powerful attack, had a good amount of defense, making it susceptible to Benten's effect.

Jinzo's incorporeal form started to glitch and distort.

(Alexis 2100 / Jinzo 0)

(Alexis Wins.)

He let out an agonized scream, his voice echoing in the now-quiet battlefield.

"What?! What... no! How? How could this happen to me?!" he yelled out, his voice filled with disbelief and anguish. "No...! No! NO! Aaaaah!"

His flickering intensified until there was only a pulsating glow where he once hovered.

And then, with one last burst of energy, he vanished.

The sky, once overcast and heavy with dark energy, cleared up, revealing a beautiful blue expanse.

Birds began to chirp, and a gentle breeze caressed our faces.

I let out a deep breath, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.

The threat of Jinzo was gone, and the world was free from his dark influence, at least for now.

The skies have cleared, the gray clouds were no where to be seen.

Turning to Alexis, I could see her strength waning.

The duel had taken a significant toll on her, both mentally and physically.

Supporting her by her shoulders, I whispered words of gratitude.

"We did it," she murmured, her eyelids drooping.

"Yeah," I replied, my voice thick with emotion, "we really did."

The serene atmosphere, with the soft chirping of the birds and the gentle rustling of the leaves, seemed to slow time itself.

I looked over at Alexis, who seemed lost in thought for a moment.

But suddenly, her head snapped up, her eyes bright and alert, as if she was a completely different person than the exhausted duelist from moments ago.

"I don't get it," she said, stretching her arms out and rolling her shoulders as if to affirm her newfound energy further. "I feel... fine?"

Raising an eyebrow, I asked, "Is it because you won the Shadow duel?"

She shook her head, her long, dark blond hair swaying with the motion.

"I really have no clue. I thought Shadow Duels drain your health and stuff."

I frowned, recalling my own experience after a Shadow duel.

It had taken me days of rest to recover from the mental and physical toll.

The eerie pain, the lingering feeling of unease—those were not something you simply shook off in a matter of minutes.

"That's weird," I murmured, trying to make sense of the situation.

How did she even recover?

Did Jinzo's essence undo the Shadow Duel's costs?

Suddenly, a sharp elbow jabbed into my ribs, pulling me from my thoughts.

Alexis shot me a pointed look, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

"Can you, um, let go of me, dweeb? I'm sweaty and... well, you're kind of close."

Realizing I was still holding onto her, I quickly pulled away, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Sorry about that," I said sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck.

She straightened her outfit, her posture regaining its usual confidence.

"It's fine," she replied, albeit a bit flustered. "But, you know, personal space."

I chuckled, understanding her point.

"Of course. Thanks for understanding."

She smiled softly.

"And thank you for helping me out during the duel. I don't know if I could've made it without you."

I smiled back, warmth spreading through me.

"It was nothing. If I didn't help, then who knows what would have happened, right?"

The sound of clapping echoed through the now quiet field.

I turned to see Jaden, his ever-present grin plastered across his face, approaching us.

"That was some duel!" he exclaimed, giving us both an enthusiastic thumbs up. "Summoning a ritual monster that strong, using an equip spell, and finishing it off with style?! Man! I've got to duel you some time, Alexis!"

Alexis and I exchanged glances before shooting a united glare at Jaden.

Of course, he'd take the opportunity to challenge someone to a duel.

Unfazed by our glares, Jaden just laughed.

"What? I'm not saying we gotta duel now, come on! I'm just saying it'd be a great match!"

Before Alexis could retort, Fujimoto intervened, stepping in between Jaden and us.

She took a deep breath, clearly relieved that the Shadow duel ordeal was over.

"I have to admit, that was an impressive duel," she admitted, eyeing Alexis appreciatively. "I was genuinely worried you'd faint, but thanks to Sora's quick thinking, you managed to pull through."

I could sense the gratitude in her voice, but when she turned to me, her eyes narrowed, and her brows furrowed.

"However," she started, her tone much chillier, "was it really necessary to get so... close?"

I blinked, confused by the sudden change in her demeanor.

"W-Wha-?"

Before I could respond, she pointed an accusing finger at me with obvious playful connotations.

"Pervert~."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes in mock exasperation.

Alexis scoffed at this, her earlier exhaustion forgotten.

"Yeah, tell me about it, Fujimoto. A pure boy like him wouldn't pass up a chance like that, right?" she said with a smirk.

Ugh, I don't understand girls...

Fujimoto smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"There's a fine line between being chivalrous and... well, you know."

I shook my head with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah..."

Jaden, sensing the atmosphere, chuckled awkwardly.

"Uh... Maybe I should've waited to ask for a duel, huh?"

Alexis just laughed, the mood lightening instantly.

"Maybe, Jaden. But for now, I need a break. And a shower. Shadow duels are no joke."

I nodded in agreement.

"Tell me about it."

As the dust settled from the duel and the skies began to darken, Jaden, rubbing his stomach, remarked, "All that excitement made me hungry! Anyone else?"

Fujimoto smirked.

"A duel like that? I'd say we deserve a good meal."

I pondered for a moment before offering, "How about I treat everyone to lunch? It's the least I can do after all the support today."

Alexis's eyes lit up at the idea.

"That sounds great! Especially after this exhausting duel, this would be a nice way to celebrate. After a shower..."

Jaden punched the air enthusiastically.

"That's what I'm talking about! I vote for Obelisk Blue's cafeteria! I heard their primo food is out of this world!"

The mention of food had Fujimoto's interest piqued.

"Well, if Sora's treating, who am I to say no?"

I laughed, grateful for the camaraderie after such a tense situation.

"The Obelisk Blue Cafeteria it is."

The group began making their way back to the dorms, eager to check on the state of things.

While the day had been filled with unexpected challenges and high-intensity duels, the promise of a good meal and the impending start of the Winter Vacation lifted everyone's spirits.

I felt my sleeve being tugged by someone, which turned out Alexis.

"Again, thanks for helping, Sora," Alexis said softly, her arm brushing against mine as we walked side by side.

I smiled at her, the moment's warmth filling me with a sense of contentment.

"Of course."

And with that, we made our way to the cafeteria, the lights of the academy glowing ahead.

The promise of good food, laughter, and the company of friends was all we needed to end the day on a high note.

---

The old man peered intently at the screens, the dim room only illuminated by the flickering lights of the monitors.

Each screen displayed various moments from the duel, but his focus remained on the peculiar instances involving the young and newly minted Obelisk Blue.

The old man's hand reached out, fingers gnarled with age, to rewind the footage yet again.

"The Slifer Red was a predictable factor... His headstrong nature would culminate in him seeking duels." he muttered to himself, his eyes never leaving the screen. "But this... Sora... He's still just as intriguing."

He paused the video right when the ice barrier appeared, shielding Sora from Jinzo's powerful attack.

It was pristine, clear, and formed in an instant.

"Where did this originate from? How did he conjure such a barrier?" he pondered aloud, lost in thought.

Throughout his long life, the old man had encountered duelists of many kinds, each with their own quirks and strategies.

Yet, he had never seen a young duelist such as him manifesting power out of thin air.

Sure, they had been exceptions, such as the King of Games himself or the CEO of Kaibacorp, but to see someone a decade younger than them performing such a feat is impressive.

What was more intriguing was his ability to conjure such a field without emitting any duel energy.

The old man remembered some faint whispers, stories that spoke of a child who possessed inexplicable, nearly supernatural powers.

Initially, he had brushed them aside as mere tales, perhaps slightly embellished.

But the evidence before him was undeniable.

It was now very possible that the child and the duelist he sees now are one and the same.

The video continued, showing Jinzo getting assaulted by a mysterious force, an aura.

The spirit's harrowing screams filled the room, amplifying the eerie atmosphere.

This power, this raw energy, was unfamiliar to the old man.

It was like witnessing a force of nature.

"It seems as if he can manipulate the very elements," the old man murmured, his voice low and filled with wonder. "With no energy..."

Thoughts raced through his mind, contemplating the potential this young duelist held.

The old man realized that if he could harness or perhaps control this power, it would be invaluable.

He recalled the day he monitored Sora's duel against Bastion for the Obelisk Blue rank.

Sora's performance and duel energy had intrigued him then, prompting him to monitor the boy discreetly.

And now, after witnessing the duel with Jinzo, his interest had turned into a quiet obsession.

He replayed the footage once more, this time focusing on the segment where Slifer Red had created a barrier against the spirit's attack, which he had skipped over.

"Interesting...! Most interesting. So, there are more like him?"

He continued to watch as and noticed the barrier protecting the group was beginning to fail, causing him to lean in.

As if gaining a second wind, the boy stood up and helped fortify the barrier with the same ice powers from before.

With the reinforcement, the spirit's attack was completely nullified.

"Hmm, it's difficult to say if the Slifer Red has the same power as the boy... That barrier of his seems to be weaker than the boy's ice barrier. Perhaps... they have different strengths."

The old man was alone in his chamber, isolated in his thoughts and plans.

He knew he had to dig deeper into Sora's background to decipher the origins of these unique abilities.

The boy was special, and the old man would stop at nothing to unveil the mysteries he held.

The entryway opened silently, admitting a lean figure draped in a pristine white lab coat.

The soft whirring of machines and the gentle hum of monitors were the only audible sounds in the dim room, save for the ever-present murmur of the dueling footage playing in the background.

"My apologies for the interruption," the head scientist began, taking tentative steps toward the old man.

He glanced briefly at the screens before focusing his gaze on the elder.

"Sir, I am pleased to report that the power has been restored to full output. Our insider had provided a valuable window to back up our databases."

Without sparing glance, he rested his eyes.

"Yes, I suppose Banner and his acquaintance were of immense help." He added. "To think that Banner was able to blackmail him... He did save that man's daughter after all with his alchemy."

A moment of understanding passed between the two as the scientist's eyes widened, seeing the boy in the footage.

"That's him..." the scientist whispered, almost in disbelief. "He was one of the primary catalysts for the malfunction in the Wheeler project."

The old man raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"How fascinating," he mused. "To think that a single student could be so disruptive to our plans."

His tone was even, betraying none of his internal musings.

"Is there anything else you wish to share?"

The scientist hesitated for a split second, the weight of the room pressing upon him.

He finally shook his head, "No sir, only that most of the students have now left for their winter vacation. Only a small handful have stayed over."

"I see..." The old man responded.

As the scientist took his leave, the old man gave a curt nod, his voice softening just slightly, "Thank you for the update."

The door slid shut, and once again, the old man was ensconced in the dim glow of the monitors.

He leaned back, hands steepled in front of him, lost in contemplation.

A slow, thoughtful smile crept across his face as he realized the full potential of the situation.

It was clear that Sora wasn't just any student.

If he can combat such a deadly spirit like Jinzo, then he holds power, a power that he both covets and respects.

But more than that, the boy posed a challenge.

And the old man thrived on challenges.

This particular challenge required careful planning, especially if he wished to bring out boy's... darker side.

With Sora off the island for winter vacation, it provided the perfect window of opportunity for him to set the wheels in motion.

He needed to be ready, to have everything in place, for when the young duelist returned.

There would be no mistakes this time.

He was always two steps ahead, and this time would be no different.

He reached for a communicator on his desk, pressing a button that would connect him to his inner circle.

"Gather the council," he commanded. "It's time we began preparations. The next phase is about to commence."

The button glowed for a moment before dimming.

"At once, Master Kagemaru."

The stage was set, and the game was about to take a dramatic turn.

---

AN: And that's a wrap. This chapter was longer than usual as I wished start the next arc of the story with the next chapter.

Now, Fujimoto's inclusion into the story is meant to serve as a character who rough around the edges at first, and meant to be annoying and unlikable. But she will get more character development to make her more likeable. I am aware that some will not like her, but it's only a setup for more unexpected plot points to come. She will have much more significance in the later chapters than just being an oracle of the future.

The next arc will change the canon story further, especially with what had happened in this chapter.

Additionally, the next chapter's release date is up in the air, given how work has been unpredictable so far. That's partially why I made this longer than usual chapter.

Now, to reviews.

To Xenolucifer, I have to admit, it is ironic that Sora countered by using a similar set up. But then again, using pseudo-random cards leaves little for different opportunities and plays. Thanks for the review!

To Wintersoldier, thanks for pointing that out! I forgot about that caveat, so I fixed it, somewhat. Also, thanks for enjoying the story so far.

That's all for reviews. See you guys in the next one.