chapter 16: Duel with your duality.

As Alexis and Jaden returned to the tent the hero duelist was using said girl noticed that he was quite a bit nervous while he desperately tried to hide it.

" come on, let it all out and talk to me."

Jaden sighed.

" I think we both know what I'm stressing out over."

Alexis nodded as she replied with.

" he's your toughest opponent so far…. But you went toe to toe against Zane multiple times and survived so there's no reason it shouldn't happen now."

Jaden breathed a bit more easily.

" thanks."

With that the three hours came and went quickly with Jaden arriving at the same time as Hao to the underground ruins to see that Chazz was waiting on the sidelines.

' any reason you are here?'

Chazz just answered nonchalantly.

" keeping you two safe while you're duking it out, besides….. I never miss a good fight."

A bit annoyed Hao replied with.

' this is not a spectacle, if you want to guard us then head for the exit.'

With that Chazz left begrudgingly muttering to himself as Jaden pointed out.

" you could've been nicer to him."

Hao responded coldly.

' nice does not guarantee victories on the battlefield.'

At that Jaden did a few loosening up exercises saying.

" speaking of fights, how about we get over with this one quick?"

Hao allowed himself a smirk.

' are you that eager to be destroyed?'

Jaden at that let out a laugh .

" not a chance."

With that both duelists made sure their decks were inserted into their duel disks as they shouted in unison.

" duel! '

Jaden: 4000 – Hao: 4000

As Hao decided that he would go first Jaden took the opportunity to roast him.

" age before beauty no doubt."

Hao did not respond as he drew his card while Summoning Elemental Hero Bubbleman alone on the field in defense mode.

' I trust you know what happens next.'

Jaden nodded as Hao drew two more cards.

Having a look at those cards Hao had already made a game plan with him summoning Avion and Burstinatrix only for them to disappear while he used Dark Fusion to bring about Inferno Wing in attack mode.

Evil Hero Inferno Wing ( 2100/ 1200).

Hao at this point did not let Jaden have room to breathe.

' Inferno Wing, direct attack.'

Jaden replied quickly before playing a quick play card.

" not so fast your majesty, I play negate attack…."

Hao responded indifferently.

' well played, alas do not boast until you've drawn first blood.'

Jaden thanked Hao for the tip as his opponent placed three cards face down before ending his turn.

" my turn and draw…."

Jaden looked at his hand for the moment as he noticed as he had Bubbleman, Avion, polymerization, pot of Greed and Emergency provisions as he muttered to himself.

" okay this could work….."

With that he declared his move confidently.

" hope you don't mind me stealing your move, I summon Bubbleman in attack mode which lets me draw two cards if he's standing alone…."

Jaden at that drew two more cards before continuing his play.

" next up I'm playing Pot of Greed to draw another couple of cards."

Doing just that he noticed that from the cards he drew Burstinatrix was among them as well as Ring of destruction and Yubel.

" next I fuse Avion and Burstinatrix to summon Flamed Wingman in attack mode."

As the ace of Jaden's deck appeared Jaden continued his turn placing two face downs before using the third, Fusion Weapon equipping it to Flame Wingman as he ended the turn.

Elemental Hero Flame Wingman ( 2100/1200 )

Elemental Hero Flame Wingman ( 2100 -→ 3600 /1200 )

Hao wordlessly continued with his turn drawing and equipping a Fusion Weapon as well to Infernal wing before deciding to end the turn.

" figured it wouldn't be that easy to defeat you."

Hao only replied with .

' naturally.'

Jaden continued on with his turn as he summoned Yubel to the field in attack mode.

Yubel ( 0/0)

" Hao this is Yubel, Yubel this is Hao or have you already met."

Yubel sighed as she stated.

' he doesn't find humor such as this amusing.'

Jaden at that asked jokingly.

" tough crowd huh?"

With tha he ended the turn with sacrificing Bubbleman to keep Yubel on the field while Hao figured out Jaden's strategy.

' I have to commend you, let us see how you execute said strategy.'

At that Jaden comically whined.

" and here I thought it would be a nice surprise."

Hao's only reply was.

' no such luck.'

With that said and done Jaden did not sacrifice a monster to keep Yubel as she was destroyed only to unleash her next evolution, Yubel terror incarnate.

Yubel Terror Incarnate ( 0/0 )

Seeing the monster taking center stage Chazz couldn't help but comment.

" well she's certainly living up to her name… yeesh."

with that comment being made jaden made one of his own

" before my monster's effect kicks in I'm play Ring of destruction and equipping it to your Bubbleman."

With that the ring attached as the monster soon exploded with both of them ending up losing life points.

Jaden: 4000 → 3200 – Hao: 4000 → 3200

' bravo, now let us see who will be victorious.'

At that Jaden grinned as he asked.

" is it me or are you actually having fun?"

Hao returned the favor.

' I do not remember telling you I did not know how.'

At that Chazz chimed into the banter.

" can we speed it along?. This is sure to get annoying if it drags."

Both Hao and Jaden ignored the teen in question as Chazz could only mutter to himself.

" sure pay no attention to me, not like anyone does anyway….."

Out of nowhere the Ojama Trio materialized in the flesh saying in unison.

" we do boss."

Chazz replied sarcastically before trying to swat them away.

" gee….. thanks…"

Over the next three turns both duelist tried to get one over the other with Hao seemingly trying to get rid of Yubel incarnate with him actually trying to stall for time as his trump card was feeding on the duel energy. It was currently Hao's turn to draw as Jaden had two more facedowns since last time with Bladeedge in attack mode was present on the field next to the current version of Yubel.

' brace yourself Jaden.'

As Hao drew his next card he declared.

' I activate The Warrior returning alive and summon back Burstinatrix, only she will not stay for long as I play another Dark Fusion from my hand along with Clayman in order to summon Evil Hero Infernal Sniper in defense mode.

Evil Hero Infernal Sniper ( 2000/ 2500 )

' with this I lay another card face down and end.'

seeing the monster in front of him Jaden got a little weary.

" does that monster has the special ability that I'm thinking about?"

Hao only nodded a yes as the monster took a shot at Jaden that passed his defenses.

Jaden: 32002200 – Hao: 3200

" ouch….. that stings…"

By now it was Jaden's turn again as he drew his next card only for it to be the pulsing Super Polymerization as it finally clicked to him.

" so that's how it's going to be?, who's going to be faster at playing our secret weapon."

Hao confirmed.

' indeed, now make your next move before your rival throws another fit.'

Chazz did not appreciate that as he stated.

" well forgive me for being anxious about being jumped in a place that can very well be one massive tomb!"

Jaden at that asked with worry.

" are you okay there buddy?!, need some fresh air?"

Chazz sighed in annoyance.

" just…. Concentrate on wrapping up this duel."

Jaden in turn drew his next card activating Fusion gate.

" for my next trick I'm banishing Clayman and Sparkman to summon Thunder Giant in attack mode."

Elemental Hero Thunder Giant ( 2400/1500 )

With Jaden sacrificing a lower level monster to make sure the current Yubel stays Hao spoke up.

' will you allow me a question?'

Jaden nodded.

" go ahead."

Hao wasted no time getting to the point.

' I have gifted you the power of the Evil Heroes, why have you not used them thus far!?'

Jaden answered simply.

" because it was my choice and you should respect that choice just like Yubel chose to sacrifice her humanity for you….. speaking of choices, Thunder Giant can destroy monsters with original attack point lower than his and I choose Infernal Sniper."

With that Infernal Sniper has bit the dust as Jaden continued.

" and now Thunder Giant attack his Infernal Wing."

With that the attack was sent towards the opposing monster however said strike was blocked as Hao wordlessly activated one of his face downs hero Barrier.

" shoot….. misssed it by that much…."

Chazz, now unable to take his eyes off the duel just vaguely sensed Yubel's presence stating.

" has anyone ever told you you've got a face for radio?"

Yubel smirked a bit replying.

" you're just like my master, brave to the point of being stupid."

Chazz shrugged while retorting.

" I've been called worse, speaking of knowing those two I expect Hao to play Sky Scraper by now."

Yubel corrected.

" he would have however it would've benefited Jaden as well since they are using similar decks.."

With that said and the both of them kept a close eye on Jaden and Hao since the former removed Yubel terror incarnate to summon Yubel The ultimate nightmare in attack mode.

Yubel The ultimate nightmare ( 0/0 ).

Not being able to speak Chazz mustered all of his courage after seeing what was Yubel in dragon form forming on the playing field.

" I take it back…"

before anything else could be said and done Hao simply asked Chazz and Yubel with clear anger in his tone.

' have the two of you stopped with your talk!?'

Jaden at that took offence to that.

" hey!, keep my friends out of it!"

Hao at that got quiet as he finally responded to Jaden after a few moments of silence.

' silence yourself you whelp!, choices, what choices did Yubel have!?, her choices were obeying my father's decrees or disobey the king's orderd and forever taint yourself as a traitor….. some choices.'

Noticing Super Polymerization has finished feeding on energy Hao wasted no time playing it.

' behold your doom I fuse my Infernal wing and Your Yubel to summon….. Malicious Bane in attack mode….'

Evil Hero Malicious Bane ( 3000/3000 )

As the monster appeared it addressed its master.

' finally, you've come back to your senses….'

Hao snapped at the monster.

' keep quiet and be ready to attack.'

Jaden gulped.

" that doesn't sound too good…"

Hao shot back.

' it will be even worse since I am equipping Malicious Bane with fusion weapon.'

Evil Hero Malicious Bane ( 3000 → 4500/3000 )

At the end of the move Hao declared his attack.

' Malicious Bane annihilate Thunder Giant.'

Jaden at this point had one chance to survive.

At the last possible second Jaden activated Emergency Provisions as he discarded a spell card giving him enough life points to stay in the game.

Jaden: 2200100 → 1100.

' commendable young one but for how long can you evade my attacks?'

Jaden challenged with an overconfident tone.

" why don't you try me old man?"

Hao scoffed.

' I will end my turn here, it is your move, make it count'

Jaden nodded as he drew a card, a trap card he recently picked up called Change of Hero – Reflector Ray, but he wouldn't react to it just yet hoping that his darker half wouldn't notice something's up so instead he decided to bluff.

" I place one card face down and end my turn."

Hao at this point suspected something as he tried to figure out what Jaden had in mind as he played the next moves safely as Jaden thought to himself.

' that ain't going to work unless…..'

A few turns have passed and Jaden finally had all the cards in place for his next move as he had by now Elemental Hero Avion on his field along side Wildman while Yubel the ultimate nightmare stayed in attack mode and Flame Wingman ready to strike.

" I fuse Avion and Wildman using Dark Fusion to summon Elemental Hero Wild Cyclone in attack mode."

Elemental Hero Wild Cyclone ( 1900/2300 ).

A bit surprise Hao asked.

' why the sudden change of heart?'

Jaden replied simply.

" nothing changed, I honestly don't like it but you've backed me into a corner."

Hao sighed as he said.

' you have faired better than I care to admit but this battle is now over.'

With that Hao declared an attack on Jaden as the hero duelist smirked.

"I reveal my first face down Draining Shield and more importantly I play Change of Hero – Reflector Ray which deals you damage of 300 times the level of the attacking monster."

Jaden: 1100 → 5600.

Hao :3200 → 800.

Angry Hao kept quiet as he tried to figure out how he could turn this duel back around as Jaden laid one last facedown from his hand as he gave the turn back to the king. Summoning Yubel in attack mode to his field he got rid of malicious Bane to keep her around as the turn went over to the hero duelist.

" since I'm feeling confident I'm getting rid of Wild Cyclone to keep Yubel the ultimate Nightmare in place while Flame Wingman attacks Yubel directly."

Caught off guard Hao couldn't make sense of Jaden's play until he saw the facedown that made it all clear, Dobble Passe, smirking he admitted.

' a brilliant move.'

with that Both Yubel And Flame Wingman seemingly went after each other only to dodge the confrontation and instead went after Hao and Jaden directly.

Jaden: 5600.

Hao : 800 → 0.

With the duel over Hao collapsed on the ground face down as Chazz walked over to Jaden as he stated.

" that 's one hell of a duel."

Hao coughed a bit as he added.

' and that was one hell of a bluff…'

Jaden walked towards Hao calmly as he tried to help his darker half up.

" I could say the same to you."

At that Hao wheezed.

' so you knew…..'

Jaden continued the conversation as followed.

" that you weren't playing for keeps?, sure, I also knew that it was yet another attempt to make me surpass my current dueling skills."

Hao at that only looked at him weakly asking him silently ' how did you know?' as Jaden pointed out.

" remember Banner?"

Hao smirked.

' so you do pay attention, now pay attention to this….. the weapon I bestowed upon you could only reach its full potential by feasting on strong souls… such as yours and your friends…..'

With that Jaden finished that line of thought.

" so you're sacrificing yourself to provide the power it needs."

Hao only nodded as he rapidly began to fade.

" what will happen if I need you?"

Hao smiled weakly.

' as you will say, I'll be around.'

With that said and done Hao disappeared and got absorbed into the card Super Polymerization with Yubel losing her physical body as well with Chazz pointing out.

" not to state the all too obvious but we should head back outside before this dump becomes our tomb."

With that Jaden agreed as both him and Chazz began walking outside.

" should we be talking about what happened here?"

Jaden replied sincerely.

" about what part Chazz?"

Chazz returned the favor while both of them were making it towards the exit.

" the fact that you played your opponent into his own defeat, doesn't sound too heroic to me."

Jaden nodded as he noted.

" I was basically fighting myself, I had to do something I wouldn't normally do in order for me to not only win but to save my friends as well."

Chazz continued the conversation.

" speaking of saving friends, what's our next move?"

Jaden at that couldn't give an answer to as they returned back to camp as Alexis noted.

" three went down and two returned, does that mean….."

Jaden confirmed.

" yeah, exactly."

With that Syrus spoke up.

" so how are we getting to Nightshroud?"

Jaden at that got an idea, concentrating he managed to contact Yubel in spirit form.

' before you ask, yes I could transport you but it will take every ounce of energy.'

At that an all too familiar voice spoke up, spooking everyone around said voice.

' allow me to grant you safe passage then.'

It was the mysterious teen with the green hair with the mask on as Jaden simply stated.

" why shouldn't we believe this is one big trap?"

The figure responded bluntly.

' you can not, however Nightshroud needs to defeat you in person, so will you accept my help?'

Jaden weighted his options before he gave the mysterious figure an actual answer.

" it's not like I have too many choices."

With that the mysterious figure acknowledged as he began to disappear into the shadows but not before stating the following.

' I will send for you and your little friends once everything is ready.'

With that said and done Jaden addressed the group as he said the following.

" since we don't know how much time we've got we need to come up with some sort of plan."

Chazz remarked the following.

" that's rich coming from you."

After receiving a few pointed stares from everyone Chazz chose to remain silent as Adrian spoke up next.

" question, what do we actually know about this Nightshroud character, maybe if we know how he thinks or acts then maybe we'll get an advantage over him?"

Jaden took a moment to think before pointing out.

" Hao kept referring to him as a parasite, so I'm pretty sure he won't be able to help himself from getting drawn into incredible sources of power."

Henry Rhodes senior and the second at that had a thought run through their heads as they both asked.

" do you think he'll try to go after the sacred beasts?"

Jaden at that though for a few seconds before asking for one thing in particular.

" say? Where exactly did you leave the helmet?"

The old man answered without hesitation.

" within our private jet, why?"

Jaden replied as such.

" I have a hunch to check and we need to verify it before our mysterious friend returns to pick us up."

with that said and done the group immediately packed up as they began retracing their steps back to the airport where the helmet laid safe and sound. Speaking of safe said Mysterious figure reappeared back in Nightshroud's lair where he was currently feeding of the dark emotions his minions were feeding him as the second in command so to say reported everything he managed to observe while delivering his master's invitation.

' so he accepted?, as I figured he would and are you sure the supreme king won't interfere?'

The mysterious figure reiterated.

' as I said before, highly unlikely.'

Nightshroud acknowledged.

' leave me, I still need to finish feeding.'

With that the mysterious figure left Nightshroud to be alone with his thoughts and speaking of leaving, as Jaden and the group managed to get back to the private jet in record time said hero duelist began wearing the helmet of shadows checking if it still had power as the item itself was now little more than a fancy ornament.

" Adrian?"

Said older teen replied.

" something I can help you with?"

Jaden at that simply nodded as he asked outright.

" could you set up a meeting with Pegasus again?, I have a plan of action that I'll need his help with."

Adrian nodded in understanding saying.

" I'll get right on it."

As soon as Adrian got through to the president of Industrial Illusions the private jet in question took off to their next destination as Jaden could only think the following.

' I sure hope this plan will work….'

Unbeknownst to him the mysterious figure kept watch on him but for some reason did not report his findings to Nightshroud. Mid flight towards their next destination Jaden noticed that Alexis spent a significant amount of time on the phone while he tried closing his eyes on and off. As Alexis was done with the phone Jaden decided to tease her a bit to pass the time.

" funny never picked you for the gossiping type."

Seeing right through him Alexis shot back while pinching his nose.

" if you must know Mr. Nosy I was talking with my mom, I was worried sick about her and vice versa."

Jaden yelped in comical pain as he cried uncle a few times before Alexis let him go, well sort of as she chucked the phone his way.

" call your mother."

Sighing Jaden replied with, well began to.

" thanks but no….."

Giving him an effective evil eye Jaden decided to shut his mouth and call home as he waited for an answer, luckily for him his dad replied.

" hey there Gordo, is mom around by any chance?"

His old man replied that Lauren was busy at work as Jaden responded with.

"well tell her that I called to check in and that I'm doing great."

With that Gordo teased as he asked if Alexis made him make the call as Jaden sheepishly laughed.

" kinda…."

After a few moments Jaden handed the phone back to Alexis saying.

" thanks and my folks are sending their regards."

Alexis smirked.

"tell them I said thanks and send some of my own."

Before anything else could happen Alexis tossed a textbook towards Jaden.

" just in case you get bored again."

Jaden gave a pleasant smile in return saying.

" thanks I needed a full proof way to fall asleep."

Alexis locked eyes with him stating.

" I'm keeping my eyes on you wise guy."

With that Jaden took a look at the textbook as he noticed it was literature as he asked.

" so it's English today I see… and what's my homework for today?"

Smirking Alexis instructed as follows.

" think about a love story you know, describe what's it about and why you relate to it, no less than three pages."

Jaden's response was as follows.

" cruel and unusual of you…. And just so you know my idea of romance is spending a quiet time on academy island fishing."

Alexis said the following while being nonchalant.

" I'm sure you'll surprise me, now get to it."

Jaden replied sincerely.

" not for the better this time around…"

With that Jaden sat down as he began thinking of a story that included romance or one that he thought that was romantic in general for a few moments as he asked.

" are there like any guidelines?"

Alexis smirking and stifling a laugh said.

" any story as long as it's a classic… and no movies Jay…"

Jaden flicked his thumb with his index finger in irritation declaring.

"nuts…."

At that Alexis couldn't stop but giggle as Jaden tried desperately to think of a romance story that hasn't been made into a movie yet, a process that took a better part of an hour as Yubel materialized in spirit form as said hero duelist mouthed ' thank goodness' as Alexis looked at him curiously.

" oh sorry…... Yubel probably wants something from me."

Alexis acknowledged as she stressed.

" I'll leave the two of you alone for now but don't think you're off the hook with the assignment…. And Yubel?!, if you hear this no helping him on this one."

Yubel gave a bemused smile saying.

' that girl is truly something special.'

Jaden agreed and at the same time asked.

" she sure is….. so what can I do for you Yubel?"

Yubel got down straight to business.

' you are being closely watched.'

Jaden asked quietly without making any sudden moves.

" let me guess, our mutual friend with the green hair?"

Yubel silently nodded with Jaden requesting the following.

" could you maybe keep a close eye on him in return?"

Yubel nodded.

' I already took the liberty of doing so.'

Jaden acknowledged as he went to find Adrian, seeing the older teen with the phone in hand and an indifferent borderlining on annoyed the hero duelist asked.

" did they put you on hold?"

Adrian nodded.

" yes and before you ask, it is worse than hell."

Desperately trying not to crack up Jaden relayed what Yubel told him as Adrian thanked him as he would take it to consideration as the hero duelist got back to his own assignment, his own private hell for the moment. Pulling himself by his boot straps he finally managed to think of a story he liked that could be considered romantic, The count of Monte Cristo, taking a look at what he began to do Alexis pointed out.

" are you doing it on the book or the movie version?"

Frustrated Jaden was about to comically pull his hair out as he said.

" yeah I know but I remember the movie better, besides it's not a book I have free access to so please cut me some slack just this once?"

Alexis pondered for a few moments before deciding on the following.

" if you can tell me why it's a romantic story for you and why the story itself is a romance I'll let you continue writing about it."

Jaden at that stopped to think for a moment before answering.

" it's about a lonely guy with nothing to lose trying to find justice for being framed for a crime he didn't do, now this guy feels he has no regard for what's going to happen to him until he comes across a girl he fell in love with years ago….. and meeting up with her again saves him from his worst enemy, himself."

Smiling warmly Alexis asked the following.

" and why you like it so much?"

Jaden at that returned the gesture with a warm smile of his own.

" I was always the odd one out, focusing on a single goal but then along the way I met a beautiful girl who constantly remind me why I love living so much."

At that Alexis blurted out without realizing it.

" and how do you feel about her?"

Jaden at that felt a little bit self conscious as he managed to hide it with a genuine smile.

" well… I'm happy she's a part of my life… wait a sec here, was that too corny….?"

As both of them started laughing Alexis replied as follows.

" that's actually pitch perfect."

Right about now Adrian managed to get through to Pegasus as he set up yet another meeting between him and Jaden Yuki as the older teen hung up the phone as he made his way towards the cockpit.

" I'm guessing we've got good news?"

Adrian replied with.

" we've got a meeting with Pegasus."

Jaden asked expectantly.

" so where are we heading now?"

Adrian said with a bit of pride in his voice.

" Duelists Kingdom, where else?!"

With that said and done excitement filled the jet as the aircraft changed its course towards his new destination all in the meanwhile Yubel in her spirit form reached hers as she kept a close watch on the mysterious figure.

' you may as well make yourself present I've been aware of your presence for a while now.'

Not a bit surprised Yubel presented herself as she asked.

' and yet you have not informed Nightshroud of me being here.'

The Mysterious figure in turn simply retorted.

' my loyalties do not lie solely with Nightshroud.'

Observing him closer Yubel noticed something strange about the figure as she asked bluntly.

' it seems you have kept much from Nightshroud, who are you really?'

The mysterious figure gave a wry smile saying.

' it hardly matters for now but if you wish you may call me Honest.'

Yubel didn't beat around the bush.

' if you are what you say you are what are your intentions?'

Honest at that became stoic as the smile faded from his face.

' I'm searching for my master, he was one of the kids who went missing at the abandoned dorms.'

Accepting of that answer Yubel asked.

' do you believe Nightshroud or Atticus would help you find your master?'

Honest replied.

' for the moment yes.'

Yubel at that took a moment to think about what she learned before asking.

' and if Nightshroud attempts to betray both Atticus and yourself?'

Honest replied without hesitation.

' I don't intend for Nightshroud to take it that far.'

Yubel acknowledged his answer as she made him a vow.

' please permit me and Jaden to aid you in your quest.'

Honest responded as such.

' you may try though I doubt you'll help with much.'

As Yubel disappeared from view Honest returned to his observations of Jaden's progress as the following thought came to his head.

' though I hold no high opinion of you, please prove me wrong Jaden Yuki….'

With that said and done the private jet made its way towards Duelist Kingdom's airspace with the hopes that Jaden's plans would save both his friends and the world from Nightshroud's schemes.

Next time: Trust.