Chapter 11: The object of everyone's desires.

Not an hour passed and the group were already getting themselves into all sorts of troubles and adventures, especially Chazz as he got under every skin amongst the locals as he tried to weasel and haggle with anyone to lower their prices whether it would be taxi drivers or street vendor.

" hey buddy, save some energy for the actual adventure will you?"

Chazz ignored Jaden's advice until finally the group settled at a local hotel within Rome as Henry Rhodes the second checked in with both his daughter and Jaden.

" you two, come with me…."

Chazz at that instead of protesting immediately turned on the TV as the two followed the grown up in charge.

" so? What's our next move?"

Henry Rhodes the second replied.

" you remember your duel spirit friend Yubel?, we're here in Italy looking for a specific set of cards."

Jaden nodded.

" and what kind of cards are we talking about?"

At that the old man met the group outside his hotel suite as he stated.

" the kind of cards that could giver her a physical body."

Jaden and Alexis asked in unison.

" wait a minute, summoning duel spirits is messy and dangerous, aren't we asking for trouble summoning Yubel?"

The old man nodded.

" usually but we've contacted Shepard, asking him to reach out with some help with the matter."

Jaden at that asked.

" and let me guess, we're going to meet up with the help Shepard managed to provide?"

Henry Rhodes senior chuckled as he said.

" you're as sharp as ever, good….."

With that said and done the group made their way towards one of the most famous museums in all of Rome, the Palazzo Massimo al Terme with now being briefed on the events that are about to unfold, including a code phrase that should tell them which distinguish the people they were about to meet. As they reached the museum Jaden couldn't but wonder out loud to himself.

" if the fate of the world or Atticus's wasn't at stake I would've found it cool meeting people in secret like this."

At that a stranger's voice clearly said with mirth.

" so you're the one who's trying to save the world?, I expected someone smarter."

Jaden was confronted with an older teen with a weird colored hairdo , thin rimmed glasses and dressed to impress none the less as he replied.

" yeah?, well I expected they'd send someone taller."

Smirking the older teen introduced himself.

" Gecko, Adrian Gecko…. and if I'm not mistaken you must be Jaden Yuki right?"

Jaden simply answered.

" right."

Waiting for the others to arrive Jaden asked bluntly.

" I had the idea we'll meet more than just one guy today, no offense."

Adrian smirked.

" none taken, there are two more about to arrive, one doing one last sweep of the area for security reasons and another we'll meet along the way."

Jaden concluded the conversation.

" I'll take your word on that."

With that said and done Alexis approached the two boys as she said the following.

" making new friends already?"

Adrian wasted no time.

" actually we have a mutual friend."

After going through the whole routine of the secret code word bit the group regrouped just outside the museum for a little chat to catch up about everything that happened over the last few days, speaking of days Chazz was spending his in the hotel room in front of the TV with the AC cranked on low as the Ojama brothers began floating and shivering near him.

' say boss…. Can you turn off the AC for a little bit?'

Not missing a bit Chazz responded with.

" why don't you bozos check who's stalking us instead?"

At that Ojama Green, a cyclops clad in a polka dotted speedos replied enthusiastically with the third brother Ojama Black, the fat and most dimwitted of the three asked.

' say…. how can you tell if someone's following us?'

Chazz deadpanned.

" you're duel spirits, you don't get cold if you have an actual body."

At that an all too familiar yet distorted voice came from the shadows as Nightshroud walked into the room from the shadows.

' give credit for the weaklings for being able to feel us to begin with'

As he said that two individuals clad in masks similar to his materialized from the shadows as well with Chazz slowly making his way to his duel disc.

' no need to resort to violence.'

Chazz replied sarcastically.

" forgive me if I don't take you at your word."

Nightshroud grinned.

' then maybe I haven't used the right words just yet.'

Having some idea of what's going on Chazz decided to humor the possessed Atticus Rhodes as Nightshroud got straight to the point.

' you're strong but you waste your strength on Jaden and his band of fools, join me where your gifts may be appreciated more.

' welcome to the land of the living.'

Chazz at that kept his actual thoughts to himself.

' if I catch them off guard maybe I could help the guys unnoticed…'

Seeing that Chazz was considering something made Nightshroud smile as he thought to himself.

' he was easier to manipulate than expected.'

After a while Chazz asked in his annoying and smug tone, the tone he developed before he ever met or knew Jaden Yuki.

" and what stops me from kicking your butt and do what I'm feeling like doing regardless?"

Nightshroud smirked.

' I was hoping you'd refuse, it would give my associates here a good practice run before taking out Yuki from the picture.'

Chazz laughed in Nightshroud's face as he pointed out.

" you failed as a shadow rider fighting Jaden, what makes you think that your cronies can take out me, let alone survive dueling me?"

Ticked off Nightshroud asked sarcastically.

' well if you're such a smart guy what do you think should happen?'

Uncaring Chazz simply stated the following.

" simple, have me join willingly, that should crush him enough for your boys to take him out."

Annoyance turned into surprise as Nightshroud stated.

' you're quite sadistic.'

Chazz didn't waste time on pointless back and forth.

"so what will it be?!, do we have a deal or not?"

Nightshroud simply replied with.

' I can't lie and say you're not an intriguing individual but recently I wound up with a setback relating to my recruits so I wonder what uses will I have for you besides dueling?'

Choosing to remain silent for a few moments Chazz eyed Nightshroud's cronies as he stated in a matter of fact tone.

" I don't know about the guy with the grass green hair but at least I know I won't have to resort to cheating unlike the disgraced teacher in training Mr. Ryuga."

Ryuga flinched at the mention of his own name and failure as Nightshroud smirked.

' welcome to the winning team.'

With that Nightshroud gave Chazz a masked card stating.

' whenever you're ready wear this and we'll come to collect you'

Nightshroud along with his cronies disappeared into the shadows as Ojama yellow began to materialize.

' good ridance, those guys are nothing but bad news huh boss?'

Chazz, unlike most of his interactions with the stooges giving him a splitting headache responded rather softly.

" you heard it all right?"

Ojama yellow responded with a simple.

' loud and clear boss.'

Chazz at that nodded telling him one last thing before he put the mask on.

" stay behind and keep the rest of the gang informed, I'll send more info along the line so pay attention."

Rightfully a little nervous and anxious Ojama yellow protested saying.

' wait a minute, I can't do that….. I'm too stupid to remember what I had for breakfast….'

Chazz sighed in annoyance as he chose to say the following.

" which is why you're perfect for this job, Nightshroud won't suspect you on the account of you being stupid, now stay."

With that said and done Chazz used the card that he was given as the shadows around him swallowed him whole while Ojama yellow went over for the TV remote as he tried to grab it and do a little channel surfing before reminding himself.

' oh right…. No actual physical body…'

Within Nightshroud's hideaway the unrecognized male figure approached his boss cautiously as he asked.

' do you think this Princeton can be trusted?'

Nightshroud smirked.

' he believes himself to be special but give it a bit of time and the mask will take him over with ease, now anything else?'

The figure simply replied with.

'Ryuga hasn't pulled his weight recently'

Nightsroud responded nonchalantly.

' that is of no concern, once he ceases to be useful we'll sacrifice whatever's left of him for our own glory.'

Nightshroud and the mysterious male figure moved on ahead to their destination just as Jaden and the gang returned to the hotel to get Chazz and move on forward as well.

" Chazz…. buddy are you here?!"

As Jaden entered the room he spotted immediately Ojama yellow taking a nap on the couch.

" say little guy, where's the boss?"

Just as Ojama yellow was about to begin talking Adrian chimed in by saying.

" before you do anything else let me run something."

Adrian at that produced a strange device from his right pant's pocket as he asked for Jaden's and Alexis's cellphones as said older teen scanned the devices. After the scan finished Adrian returned said cellphones as Jaden ventured a guess.

" so you're a super spy or something?"

Adrian pleasantly smiled.

" well yeah but not the kind you see in movies."

Before anything else could be saida new voice chimed in courtesy of a new face in the group contacted by Shepard himself. The voice belonged to one Axel Brody, a teen roughly a year older than Jaden and Alexis, said teen was African descent with a steely piercing gaze that complimented a well trained physique that gave everyone around him the impression he was a merc, to which to some degrees he is.

" you're wasting time."

Unbothered by the bluntness of the statement Jaden began talking with Ojama yellow again as the little guy did his best to recall what happened earlier as the hero duelist was left perplexed.

" what were you thinking Chazz….."

Adrian asked the following.

" mind telling us what happened to the guys who don't speak with spirits?"

Jaden scratched his neck in embarrassment as he said.

" seems that our friend Chazz Princeton sees himself as a double agent"

Adrian sighed as he asked further.

" please tell me that this spirit knows where he went."

Jaden replied with.

" unfortunately Ojama doesn't know but I'm open to suggestions."

Ojama yellow floated right next to Jaden as he said.

' if it helps at all the boss said to stay close to you, said something about keeping touch with me.'

Jaden asked.

" anything else?"

Ojama yellow replied.

' no….. at least I don't think so…'

With that Adrian summed up the conversation by saying.

"well since that happened me and Brody are going to help the Rhodes with their research while you and Alexis keep an eye out for both Chazz and Atticus, anyone has any objections?"

No one said anything as they exited the room, now heading towards where Henry Rhodes the second and senior could be found as Axel brought in the rear giving Jaden the perfect opportunity to say.

" you don't talk too much do you?"

Axel replied flatly.

" actions speak louder than words."

Jaden pleasantly smiled.

" well don't be afraid to speak your mind whenever you feel like it, you're not just a soldier to us."

Axel gave an affirmative nod.

" I'll take it under advisement."

At that Jaden smirked as he thought to himself.

' this is going to be one heck of an adventure…'

Adrian at that was adrift in his own thoughts.

' let's hope this case wouldn't get more complicated than it already is.'

As the group met up with the adults in charge they immediately split up into two teams as Yubel popped into Jaden's head for a brief moment.

' do not worry I am already tracking Nightshroud's movements, when I will know something so will you.'

Jaden replied quietly.

" thanks."

With that said and done Adrian arranged a ride for Jaden, Alexis and Axel with his personal assistant and childhood friend, a stoic yet lovely young woman named Echo as he accompanied the Rhodes men saying.

" Jaden, guide where Echo needs to go, hopefully in the same destination that we're currently going for."

Jaden asked the following.

" if not then what?, keep Nightshroud busy enough for you to find the Helmet in question?"

Adrian only responded with.

" bullseye."

As the groups got in the cars and out of Rome Jaden received an update from Yubel as he said.

" 'scuse me miss but we need to head to Sicily"

Echo only responded with.

" is the information reliable?"

Jaden responded with confidence.

" absolutely."

With that the group learned that arriving from Rome to Sicily would take 10 hours roughly by car so it was decided between them that each member would get about three hours of rest each with Alexis taking the first nap.

" so, what's your relationship to her?"

Jaden answered quietly making sure not to wake up Alexis.

" never figured you for the gossiping type."

Axel kept a stone cold expression on his face.

" I only am if it either means disaster or success in the mission."

Eventually it was time for him to stand and guard everyone as they slept for the last portion of the trip As Jaden noted the following.

" Yubel, where are we beginning first?"

Yubel replied with.

' I'll show you the way'

As soon as they reached Sicily with more than half of the city under Nightshroud's control which made them act as the welcoming committee.

" guys, if you're listening brace yourselves….."

With shots fired both Axel and Alexis woke up as the former prepared a dueling disk that transformed into a type of shotgun that shot duel monsters cards as projectiles.

" that is seriously cool…"

Smirking Axel replied.

" keep your focus and maybe I'll duel you with it one of these days."

Jaden, ever the competitive type, responded with

"consider it done."

Alexis joined in the conversation asking.

" how many people did Nightshroud brainwashed and to what degree did he brainwash them?"

Axel's only reply was.

" we'll have to find that out the hard way."

As soon as that was said and done the car stopped as the group got out as the welcoming committee didn't hesitate to strike first. The attack came to quickly for Jaden, and the group for that matter, too quickly for their taste yet still the hero duelist noticed one thing just as quickly, what the attackers were wearing around their eyes.

" Axel!, aim for their masks, if you destroy those then the people should get back to normal."

Axel asked as he repelled a few enemies off of him while Alexis used her duel disc to provide some extra backup.

" how sure are you about this?!"

Alexis replied for Jaden.

" absolutely sure, we had a run-in with their leader a while back…."

Jaden at hearing that began running towards the crowd as he activated his duel disc as well.

"Axel, Alexis cover me I'm making a break for it."

Axel immediately asked.

" you're going after the ringleader aren't you?"

As Jaden summoned a few of his Elemental Heroes buddies as he simply gave a thumbs up while the duo provided him backup along with Echo who proved adept for a personal assistant.

" what makes you think Jaden isn't wasting his time?, we know very little on this enemy…"

Alexis replied to Axel's question as follows.

" true we don't know much about Nightshroud but we do know a bit about the one he's possessing."

Axel then asked the following question, never letting his guard down.

" is your brother a glory hog by any means?"

Alexis chose to end the conversation by saying.

" glory hound doesn't begin to describe my brother."

Up on ahead Jaden managed heading north as he took down a few more attackers without exerting too much energy.

" guys we need a better plan than what we have right now."

Burstinatrix was the first to speak up.

' we need to find a place to lay low and regroup before anything else'

With that Jaden scanned the surroundings as he found what appears to be a very logical choice.

" there's a church to our right…."

As he led his heroes inside he noticed that the ones on his duel disc became more than sophisticated holograms as he noted.

" I'm guessing someone powerful is probably near by."

Burstinatrix agreed with him as another favorite of his Avion stayed back to guard the front doors as Jaden noted.

" let me guess, it's either that or locking ourselves with the enemies inside right?"

Avion nodded saying.

' right.'

At that Jaden had an idea as he summoned Elemental Hero Clayman in defense mode.

" thought it would be best to double our defense."

At that Burstinatrix smirked at Jaden as said teen asked confused.

" what?!"

Burstinatrix began teasing him a little as she simply replied.

' nothing…'

Avion intervened in the conversation.

' now's not the time, not that Jaden is an actual fool as much as he pretends to be one.'

Jaden at that replied sarcastically.

" oh by all means tell me how you really feel….."

Before anything else could happen an audible sneering laughter echoed from within the church as one of Nightshroud's mysterious henchmen appeared before Jaden, one with prominent green hair. As said hero duelist asked.

" are you laughing at us or with us?"

The figure shot back.

" does it matter?"

Jaden at that tried to get some more info on the guy as the mysterious figure threw every question back at him and then some before snickering again which pissed off the hero user.

" do you find it funny that this town is crawling with basically zombies out to get my friends?"

At that the figure began full on laughing as he answered.

" honestly I find the concept of friends stupid but tell you what…"

With that Jaden listened intently as the mysterious figure continued.

" since you're amusing me I'll give you a challenge, try and save as many innocent people if you can at all within an hour, to make it easier for you our little army will offer no resistance to you or your so called friends"

Jaden smirked as he asked.

" why do you think I'll need a handicap?"

The figure scoffed saying.

" according to the knowledge my host provides Slifer reds are completely hopeless."

With that the commotion outside stopped as the figure noted.

" your challenge has already begun and you're wasting time."

Reluctantly Jaden turned tail and ran back with the intention of saving as many lives as he possibly could, however he did say the following.

" if I save at least 100 people within the hour you're going to take me directly to Nightshroud."

The figure nodded as Jaden cleared out of the church before he vanished into the shadows himself thinking to himself.

' how stupid and naïve of you.'

With that said and done Burstinatrix flew next to Jaden as she asked him.

'you do realize that this boy made a fool out of you right?'

Jaden answered somewhat cheerfully, well as cheerfully as the situation allowed it.

" for sure but at least we'll get to save some folks from being puppets for Nightshroud to control right?"

Burstinatrix couldn't argue with that point of view as she said.

'lead the way.'

Speaking of taking charge Axel made sure that both Alexis and Echo's positions were covered as he unload most of his deck at the enemy before said adversary stopped in its tracks.

" what just happened?"

Axel replied to Echo's question.

" no idea but stay on your guard."

Jaden at that approached from the same route he took off as he attacked the masks on the people's faces as he said.

" ran into one of Nightshroud's friends, gave me a challenge to save as many people as I can in exchange for a one to one meeting with the boss."

Axel nodded as he made sure with Jaden.

" not to ruin your parade but you do realize that he probably pranked you right?"

Jaden responded in kind.

" absolutely but I couldn't just do nothing about these guys."

Axel empathized.

" I feel the same way."

With that said and done both Axel and Alexis helped free as many locals as they could from Nightshroud's control while the mysterious figure watched the efforts with amusement as said ringleader appeared next to him.

' you play too much with your prey, that's a nasty habit.'

The figure gave a morose smile in return.

' it's the only source of entertainment within this miserable existence, besides I did what you asked of me.'

Before Nightshroud could respond the mysterious figure remembered something.

'speaking of obedience, what are we going to do with our new recruit?'

Nightshroud replied with.

' we're going to wait for his mask to dispel any notion of him betraying us and then we'll use him for great effect.'

As the bad guys of the story were biding their time our heroes in the meantime managed to save the population under Nightshroud's control as they returned back to the church as jaden asked Yubel to help locate the masked figure's presence while Echo employed a more scientific approach while Axel stood guard and Alexis phoned her dad.

' hey how's the search going kiddo?'

Alexis replied honestly.

" we were expected so finding Atticus isn't going as smoothly as it should."

Henry Rhodes the second sighed.

' it never does, more importantly though, are any of you safe?'

Alexis simply confirmed.

" yep."

With that Henry Rhodes the second let out a sigh of relief as he ended the conversation just as Echo and Jaden rounded up everyone claiming that they found where Nightshroud maybe hiding next. As the group drove to their next destination on the map the group led by the Rhodes men were currently scouring for clues with Adrian within Sassi Di Matera.

" so any ideas on how to narrow down the search for this proverbial needle in a haystack?"

Henry Rhodes the second simply replied.

" try and find anything written or bears any writings you've never came across before."

Adrian at that nodded as he thought to himself.

' that seems simple enough….. though I'm fluent in several languages….'

the group did indeed continue searching the entire city block by block as Henry Rhodes the second managed to get some father and son quality time.

" dad?, do you really trust that Adrian character?"

Henry Rhodes senior simply replied with.

" I know where you're going with this junior but we simply can't afford to think like this right now."

The group after an hour or so as they finished scanning the ancient city without so much as a lead as Adrian became suspicious.

' could it be?!…. No!, couldn't be that simple and obvious?'

Catching the fact that Adrian was thinking Henry Rhodes the second came in with some perspective.

" the fact that an answer seems too obvious can't be taken for granted."

Adrian replied as follows.

" thanks, now lets hope the rest of this journey would be so obvious"

As Adrian was done saying that an idea popped in his head as he returned to the main roads with the Rhodes duo right behind him. Since searching from up top didn't yield much results the group in question searched for an entrance underground until they found an entrance to an ancient sewage system with Adrian declaring unenthusiastically.

" well then age before beauty."

Smirking Henry Rhodes senior gave a strong pat on Adrian's back saying.

" how considerate of you, now on you go."

Adrian cleared his throat as he said quietly.

" not exactly how it went in my mind."

As senior and Adrian went on ahead with the latter providing extra muscle just in case of extra obstacles Henry Rhodes the second updated their latest progress to Jaden and Alexis as their group were already tracking down Nightshroud or at least they were until they spotted a strange teen marveling at some local ruins, he was tall, clearing 6 ft. with ease, wearing classic cowboy getup, sporting bandages over the right side of his face and the strangest part, carrying on his back what seems to be a very much alive crocodile.

" hey there need a hand?"

The teen noticed Jaden as he answered.

" thanks mate but I got two already."

Getting the joke right away Jaden had a good feeling about the guy as he attempted the same conversation starter with Adrian, after answering in the exact same manner said teen asked the following.

" so you're this Jaden bloke Shepard's been raving about?"

Jaden smiled.

" that's right and you would be?"

The teen introduced himself and his companion.

" James Crocodile Cook and the lovely Sheila having me back is Shirley but everyone calls me Jim."

taking a closer look at Shirley Jaden didn't flinch as he immediately gained the crocodile's trust as Jim was left pleasantly surprised. as the rest of the group made their acquaintance with the unusual older teen and caught up on what happened over the last twenty four hours.

" so let me get this straight, you spent most of the day trying to clear Shirley through customs and the rest of the day studying the Italian scenery?"

Jim replied Alexis as follows.

" pretty much, though I did manage to keep track of some weird energy readings within the surrounding area."

Jaden wasted no time asking.

" define weird."

Smirking Jim obliged.

" the kind of weird that would spook animals like me old girl Shirley."

Jaden nodded as he stated.

" okay show me exactly where those energy spikes are the strongest, we've got a very close friend to save and we could use anything and everything we can get."

With that the group paid close attention to Jim as he showed them his findings with Alexis noticing a pattern that made her hairs at the back of her neck stand.

" Jay… I know where Nightshroud's heading next."

Jaden only replied with.

" there's no time to lose then, Jim can I count on you to have my back?"

Jim smiled pleasantly.

" if Shirley trusts you then you can bet that I'll help you mate."

With that said and done the group got into the car as Echo asked.

" okay where to now?"

Alexis in response to Echo's question pointed out towards where her father, grandfather and Adrian where.

In the meantime, underneath Matera.

Evading several deadly death traps the group eventually found themselves in a secret hidden room with what appeared like the helmet in question as Adrian asked.

" is it just me or does it seem too good to be true?"

Henry Rhodes the second agreed as he scoured the room for booby traps, ancient texts or any other indicators to suggest otherwise but there were none, just the object in question sitting there undisturbed in the middle of the room as the older man approached cautiously as he quietly said.

" so far so good…."

Feeling slightly bolder Henry Rhodes the second reached out to lift the helmet from its pedestal only for it to rapidly crumble into dust, unphased by what happened the older man in question removed his hands from where they rested only to witness the dust reconstructing back to the item in question.

" well that's a clever trick, you think this means only the rightful owner can pick it up safely?"

Henry Rhodes the second replied Adrian's question.

" I'm certain of it."

Henry Rhodes senior didn't smile at all at the revelation, in fact his face contorted into a deep frown as he spoke up.

" prepare yourself Adrian, I've got a feeling we're about to find ourselves in the middle of a fight."

Adrian at that was ten steps ahead as his duel disc was already strapped to his arm with his deck inserted.

" you don't have to tell me twice."

To everyone's surprise nothing happened, no sudden surprise by the villains after the artifact in question, no sudden collapse of the structure around them, not even a clue of someone other than them activating any of the previous deathtraps the group encountered from before.

" should we take this as a good sign or what?"

Adrian in turn got the following response from Both Rhodes men in unison.

" honestly we're not really sure."

As the group stood down dropping their guards slightly as Henry Rhodes senior asked his son after a while.

" did you leave any clues or instruction for Jaden on how to cross the traps on the way here?"

Henry Rhodes the second replied with in a deadpan manner.

" no, letting them know without leaving clues for our enemies to find was impossible."

Henry Rhodes senior concluded the conversation as follows.

" good, though I'd lie if I said that I didn't wish there was some way to warn them."

Adrian assured both men by stating.

" knowing my good friend Echo, she'd keep them safe even from themselves."

As Jaden's group arrived to the city in question Jaden spoke to Burstinatrix and Avion as he gave them a job to do.

" guys I need you to scout ahead, let us know if are there any traps we should be worried about."

The heroes in question nodded in affirmation as they disappeared while Jaden closed his eyes for a few moments as he talked with Yubel.

" you've been awfully quiet for a while now."

Yubel nodded as she replied.

' I have a suspicion that Nightshroud knows I am tracking him down so he sends his underlings instead.'

Jaden understood as he dismissed Yubel for a while as he returned back to the group. Finally arriving to the entrance to the underground ruins Jaden took the lead with the rest behind him saying.

" Axel, Jim bring up the rear, knowing those kinds of places we should expect surprises from all fronts."

Next time: Significance.