Author's note: sorry for the late update, lost my sense of timing for a bit.
Chapter 20: One's worst enemy.
' did you ever had a moment when you've asked yourself, how did I get here?, as for me it began as summer school turning into a race against evil for the fate of the world….. nothing too unusual…..'
Unusual couldn't even begin to describe what Jaden was about to do with the Sacred beasts cards in his possession, threatening to rip them to shreds unless Nightshroud back downs from trying to take over the earth as Chazz asked with a deadpan delivery.
" what do you think you're doing slacker?"
Jaden answered innocently.
" doing whatever I can to save my friends."
Chazz continued the conversation as thus.
" and what makes you think this villain is going to take orders from you?"
Jaden's only reply was.
" because I have something that he needs right now."
Nightshroud had to admit that the human caught him in an uncomfortable situation as he got to the point.
' you've got me listening, what do you want from me?'
Jaden gave the following answer.
"return Atticus and the missing students to their families, leave the sacred beasts where they are and never show your face anywhere ever again."
Nightshroud at that smirked as though he accepted the terms only for him to suddenly release Atticus's body only for him to try and possess Jaden himself as Yubel suddenly appeared between them protecting the reincarnated form of her master.
' I beg to differ, you will not lay a hand on him.'
with this said and done Nightshroud was left with his actual form. Looking like the grim reaper with a goat's skull for a head he managed to creep both Jaden and Chazz as he said.
' you should've been more specific, the body I released has one key ingredient missing his soul, and only I can find it….'
Just at this moment Nightshroud warned both Jaden and Chazz.
' both of you, sleep with one eye open….'
As he disappeared Jaden in turn returned the Sacred beasts into their resting place as he shifted his focus, trying to lift Atticus's body.
" Chazz, mind giving me a hand with him?"
Chazz at that just politely started clapping as Jaden laughed.
" okay I deserved it…."
Chazz at this point and time helped Jaden carry Atticus's body to the infirmary as the hero duelist wondered.
" how do you think Alexis would react to what happened?"
Chazz replied bluntly.
" beats me…. Now do you mind and get a good grip on him?"
With that said and done the duo returned to the infirmary as they explained everything to the group as the eldest Rhoades thanked his efforts. As Jaden continued talking with the group Alexis slipped away as she began muttering to herself.
" Yubel if you're here I need your help."
Alexis felt like she wasn't along as she kept going.
" I need your help finding Nightshroud and challenging him to a one to one duel… please."
With that Yubel was facing with a tough choice to make about the request she overheard from the girl named Alexis Rhoades, should she try and stop her or fulfill her request just as she does with Jaden Yuki.
' what would you have done in my place my liege?'
Speaking of rulers, kind of, Jaden noticed right away that Alexis was acting weird as he got close to her saying.
" if we want to bring back Atticus we'll do it together, besides I already have a plan in motion."
Alexis nodded her head saying.
" and I'm going to be a part of it, no ifs and buts about it."
With that the rest of the group chimed in saying that they'll help however they could as they amended Jaden's plan as Chazz pointed out the following.
" not to knock your winds out of your….."
Jaden interrupted comically.
" then don't."
Chazz cleared his throat as he continued talking.
"…. in order for Nightshroud to let his guard down we'll have to convince him we're winning you know…"
Jaden urged Chazz to continue.
" and?!…"
Chazz countered aggressively.
" I don't know about you but I can't throw a fight, not even on purpose."
Jaden acknowledged Chazz by stating.
" thanks for telling us but we'll won't be throwing anything."
With that Jaden found himself a cozy corner for him to fall asleep with as Chazz for once stated.
" that's not a bad idea."
With that said and done Jim and Axel were the first to volunteer to patrol the grounds in the hope of luring the attention of the agents in question. With that taken care of the duelists amongst the group began to make regular patrols however those patrols yielded minimal results as night time fell slowly on academy island. Witnessing the hurt around him Jaden began talking to himself.
" I can't hold my punches… so why did I before?…"
Yubel appeared next to him in spirit form.
' like the king before you, you have integrity.'
Jaden allowed himself a smile on his face when he pointed out the next point.
" maybe a little crazy too…"
By the time it became midnight it was Alexis's and Jaden's turn to do a patrol on the grounds Zane recovered enough to walk about.
" it's good having you back buddy, are you carrying your deck?"
Zane nodded silently before saying.
" of course."
Jaden responded in kind by saying.
" carry a duel disc."
As Zane obliged to Jaden's request, he and Alexis already headed out on patrol with Yubel somewhere close by, noticing that the night was especially quiet the hero duelist made a request.
" Yubel?, can you make sure that the night stay quiet while we walk around?"
Yubel nodded in acknowledgement before disappearing. An hour rolled by as Yubel returned.
' Nightshroud is about to arrive.'
Jaden in turn notified Alexis as she already slotted her deck in her duel disc as Jaden whistled in amazement thinking.
' I'm falling for her alright…..'
Yubel chimed into the conversation.
' I sense that he is not alone.'
Jaden asked instinctively.
" what are we talking about?, a few of his weird soldiers of his?"
Yubel was about to answer when a squad of shadow " agents" emerged within the darkness with Nightshroud not far behind.
' what a pesky little pest Yubel can be, ruining my surprise.'
Shortly after a humanoid figure materialized next to Nightshroud as the monster grabbed the figure by the throat with the outline of the face being that of Atticus with the rest of the body being a weird translucent color.
' care to guess what this is?'
Jaden replied with.
" let me guess, you've had your fill of Atticus and you're leaving us with the leftovers."
Nightshroud nodded as Jaden asked immediately.
" what's the catch?"
Nightshroud asked with fake innocents in his voice.
' whatever do you mea….'
Jaden interrupted him mid sentence saying.
" you know what I mean, there's always a deal to be made."
Nightshroud in turn continued the conversation dispassionately.
' one measly soul for the price of two really strong ones?'
Alexis at that began to worry internally as she asked Jaden quietly.
" does the conversation goes as you expected it to go?"
Jaden, understanding as to why she began worrying, whispered back.
" it is, don't worry about it."
Jaden at this point continued the debate with Nightshroud saying.
" so what do you say? Mine and my partner's soul for Atticus's?"
Before Nightshroud could even give an answer Jaden has cut him off yet again.
" you know what, let's make it even more interesting, let's duel for it."
Intrigued Nightshroud asked.
' what are the stakes in this duel?'
Jaden at that spoke in a manner of fact tone.
" if you win, you'll get the supreme king of gentle darkness as your personal slave along with the Sacred beasts and if I win I'll make you promise never to try and take over the world again and of course the rest of the abandoned dorm, Atticus among them."
Nightshroud felt benevolent at this moment.
' since you're amusing at the very least I shall return Atticus back to you as we speak'
With that the figure of "Atticus" that stood alongside Nightshroud disappeared as the real Henry Rhoades the third has violently woken up saying.
" where's Jaden and Alexis?!"
Ms. Fontaine witnessing that tried to calm him down.
" those two are out on patrol, they'll…."
At this Atticus snapped.
"no!…. They're being played and trapped….."
Atticus at this point tried to leave the infirmary and go out there to help, however his body was unresponsive as all he could do was mutter.
" Jaden….. let's hope you're not being fooled…."
a few agonizing moments have passed as Atticus couldn't stand it anymore as he himself tried to stand up and rush to his sister's and Jaden's aid. Having no luck finding a footing Atticus kept trying and failing as Zane walked over.
" you're trying to save them aren't you?"
Atticus simply responded with.
" yeah….. so don't stop me…"
having seen him fall a few times already Zane sighed.
" I'm not stopping you, in fact I'm carrying you there before you'll find yourself bound to a wheelchair."
To that Atticus replied as follows.
" now of all times you started developing a sense of humor."
Zane at that just smirked.
" what can I say?, I've been keeping bad company."
With that said and done the two strapped themselves with their decks and duel discs as Zane addressed an insomniac Syrus.
" keep the infirmary safe until the others wake up for their shift."
Syrus nodded saying.
" understood and stay safe you two."
As the duo were searching for Jaden and Alexis Atticus couldn't help but wonder the following.
" aren't you going to say anything?"
Zane Truesdale replied with his what you might say as trademark bluntness.
" I will but for right now we need to shut up and let our dueling do the talking for us."
Atticus acknowledged as he kept quiet while the duo kept walking until eventually Zane stopped as he remarked.
" do you see any of those weird creatures near by?"
Atticus, knowing what he meant by, pointed out at where he saw a big concentration of " agents" in the direction of north by north west. As the duo in question got closer and closer eventually they began fighting some of the "agents" guarding Nightshroud as he was dueling Jaden and Alexis as Atticus shouted.
" don't let him get too close to you….. he'll pull a fast one on you…"
Jaden thanked him as he gave a tired smile saying.
"don't worry we got this…."
Nightshroud pointed out the following.
' I've destroyed most of your monsters so far, you have no traps at hand and you're magic cards are practically useless, why would you even be optimistic?'
Jaden, strangely smirked as he gave the following answer.
" because I've trapped you in a better trap."
With that said and done Jaden rushed at Nightshroud with Yubel materializing next to him as Atticus clumsily ran towards Nightshroud, distracting him long enough for Jaden to send all of them to his chosen destination as Alexis and Zane in turn decided to keep the " agents" from interfering with their friends plan.
" so you pulled a con on Nightshroud?"
Alexis replied while summoning monsters and attacking multiple " agents".
" that's about the gist of it."
Speaking of plans, as Jaden and Atticus found themselves near the temple in the Bermuda Triangle where their adventure began the latter couldn't help but grabbing the former by the collar.
" what the hell were you thinking?, have you gone crazy?"
Jaden didn't respond at first before he rightfully pointed out.
" says the guy making a deal with a demon, and for what?… just because he felt bad for returning to his family?!"
At that Atticus almost punched Jaden, however he was too weak to actually do that, however he did set the record straight.
" you know what really ate me inside?, I may have physically returned but I wasn't the same Atticus. So mom, dad and especially Alexis needed the old Atticus back… I did this with them in mind… so hate me if you want but I didn't drag Alexis into shadow duel like you did!."
Jaden adopted a neutral expression as he concluded the conversation with this.
" do you remember Titan?, Alexis fought him to get back the old you ."
For once Atticus was at a lost for words as Jaden helped him up as they both went searching for Yubel and Nightshroud. After concluding that the two might be inside the temple the both of them went in as Atticus kept quiet and withdrawn as Jaden eventually broke the silence.
" a penny for your thoughts?"
Atticus a little hesitant to speak only replied with.
" I… think we both know…. What's going through my mind."
Jaden ventured a guess.
" you're wondering three things, one , do they hate me?, two, are they going to forgive me? And three, how do I begin to make up for what I've done?"
Atticus just nodded as he said.
"I screwed up, I messed my life over and I've hurt my family….."
Jaden at that surprised Atticus by saying.
" focus on the duel ahead or we won't return at all."
Meanwhile back on academy island Alexis and Zane were keeping the "agents" at bay while the cyber dragons duelist noticed that the girl in question looked a bit lost.
" out with it while those guys aren't attacking."
Alexis in turn spoke bluntly.
" just wondering what's going on through my brother's mind right now."
Zane at this replied.
" he's wracked with guild about what he let happen while Nightshroud was in charge."
Alexis sighed.
" that's what I was afraid of."
With this said and done Zane couldn't help but admit.
" honestly, what are you going to do once this ordeal is over and done with?"
Alexis adopted a thinking expression before responding to Zane's question.
" honestly?, no idea but I do know that we won't abandon him or let him needlessly suffer."
As the night faded on academy island the " agents" slowly but surely retreated while back in the lost temple the shadows grew in intensity as Jaden and Atticus tried to remember how they got past the obstacles the first time while the former asked.
" say am I crazy or are the obstacles we're facing now are actually new? Cause I don't remember them at all."
Atticus at that replied in earnestly.
" I'm guessing that the traps here change through magic so not everyone could invade this temple on a whim."
At that Jaden couldn't help but laugh.
" like we needed the extra challenge….."
Sharing a much needed smile Atticus retorted.
" where's that sense of fun you're famous for?!"
Jaden smirked.
" don't know, let me go back and check…."
With renewed energy the two figured out the obstacles and traps all over again as eventually Atticus began to speak with a little bit of his usual pep again.
" you said you had a plan to get rid of Nightshroud for good?"
Jaden's answer was as follows.
" sure do."
Atticus at that continued the conversation by stating.
" please let me know what I can do, I want to make sure the plan actually works."
Jaden at this point said the following.
" well I can use Nightshroud being distracted and annoyed, think you can handle that?"
Atticus at that smirked for a brief moment before realizing what Jaden as he comically protested.
" hey…"
With that said and done the duo continued to avoid the traps while searching for Nightshroud and Yubel.
" not to jinx us or anything but are you sure about what you're doing or where are those two to begin with?"
Jaden replied immediately.
" 50- 50 and I'm looking for the blackest shadows."
Figuring he won't get a better answer than that Atticus closed the conversation as follows.
" looks like i'm following your lead on this one."
As the two made their way towards the resting chamber of the helmet of shadows Nightshroud was currently busy interrogating Yubel about Jaden's intentions or at least tried to.
' he must've told you something…..'
Yubel, calm and collected replied.
' is that fear I detect in your voice?'
Nightshroud deadpanned.
'annoyance.'
Nightshroud at that summoned back a good portion of the "agents" he deployed as he addressed them.
' protect your master at any cost and make sure Jaden and Atticus won't reach us just yet.'
With that the " agents" vanished into the ground just as the ones that remained behind on academy island vanished as well.
" I'm usually fine with my opponents retreating but….."
Zane nodded.
" say no more, we need to figure out where they went."
Alexis added to that.
" more importantly we need to get our families and go after Jaden as soon as possible."
Zane surmised at that.
" so you have an idea about where."
Alexis nodded in response before saying.
" yeah and it's absolutely no cake walk."
Back with Jaden and Atticus, the two continued exploring the lower levels of the temple as Jaden spoke up.
" good news and bad news."
Atticus responded as follows.
" let me guess, good news we're going in the right direction, bad news?, we've got company?"
With that said and done a swarm of "agents" surrounded them all itching for a fight as Jaden smirked while addressing Atticus.
" let's show them what makes us the top duelists in Duel Academy."
Atticus smirked as well.
" works for me."
With that said and done their duel discs activated as the "agents" began swarming and attacking them in droves.
" one last piece of advice….."
Atticus responded with.
" I'm all ears Jay…."
Jaden at that gave him the last piece of advice for now.
" on second thought…. Maybe we should save on the chatter and get straight to dueling."
At that Atticus snorted as he said the following.
" if you got heavy hitters use them we'll need to take them out in groups… and no that wasn't a fat joke…"
Jaden answered casually.
" of course it isn't."
With that said and done the duo began dueling like their lives were depending on it, scratch that, it did depend on it. Following Atticus's advice Jaden brought out the heavy hitters fighting the droves of "agents" as a thought ran through his head, catching it his dueling partner asked.
" what's cooking in that big brain of yours?…"
Jaden replied as follows.
" maybe that's a stupid idea but why don't we use the traps around us to cut these guys to size?"
Atticus approved while saying.
" I like the way you think."
The two in question continued fighting while springing the traps around the temple until Jaden could feel Yubel's presence near him. Letting it guide him Jaden took the lead as the duo stumbled on Nightshroud trying to get information out of Yubel.
' well….. if it isn't the boy who wanted to be a hero and the lonely boy crying for his friends'
Atticus strangely laughed as both Nightshroud and even Jaden gave him a wondering look before the former threw the insult back at the demon's face.
" I remember you desperately needing to feed on that lonely boy."
Jaden laughed.
" you have to admit he got you good there."
Nightshroud responded with a chilling tone.
' I don't have to admit anything.'
Jaden blatantly ignored Nightshroud as Jaden addressed Yubel.
" so? What have you been up to?"
Yubel answered plainly.
' keeping the parasite distracted.'
Before Nightshroud could say anything or react Yubel used her powers to transport herself, Jaden and Atticus out of harms way leaving the representation of darkness alone with his thoughts.
'let them run and hide…. I'll find them…..'
As the Trio exited into an unexplored part of the temple Jaden couldn't hide his excitement and curiosity.
" this is new…. Don't tell me… Haou built this section of the temple just for you?"
Yubel's only answer was.
' perceptive.'
Atticus at this point continued the conversation.
" meaning Nightshroud won't find us this easily."
Yubel corrected.
' he may find it if we are not cautious, it has been quite some time I stepped foot in these parts.'
Atticus sighed.
" of course it couldn't be that easy."
Jaden replied while trying to cheer him up.
" like they say, nothing truly is unless it's worth it."
Atticus playfully rolled his eyes.
" quit it with the flex my sister isn't here."
Having a bit of a breather after an intense battle the duo tried to relax with Atticus needing it the most, however, at this particular moment Yubel closed the distance between them with the former being for once weirded out.
" may I help you with anything?"
Yubel deadpanned.
'you need to be cleansed, be still.'
Atticus asked confused.
"cleansed…."
With that the process has begun as it took a few good hours until Atticus was cleared as apparently it was already night time.
" get some rest, while I'll make the first rounds."
With that said and done Jaden began pacing through the room taking notice of every detail that could go wrong, however at some point exhaustion took a hold of Jaden as well as Yubel used a portion of her power to become tangible.
" go to sleep, that is not a request."
Jaden nodded.
" if there's a slight peeps, let me know."
As Jaden fell asleep close to Atticus Yubel stood guard while the Rhoades group flew towards the destination Jaden said they'll be going with Alexis having a bit of a hard time relaxing.
" something's on your mind?"
Alexis replied to Henry Rhoades senior.
" just can't help but feel that we won't make it in time."
The old man comforted her by saying.
" Jaden has proven time and time again that he's more than capable in holding his own."
Alexis sighed.
" I know but I can't help but feel that something could go wrong at any moment."
Henry Rhoades senior knew that Alexis didn't worry without good reason so he helped her relax all the way through the flight. In the meantime Yubel guarded the secret chamber the best she could, making some of the "agents" disappear without causing suspicion or even waking up the sleeping duo, however, it was just a matter of time before their position was compromised.
" Jaden, wake up."
Jaden in turn mumbled while still half asleep.
" … are we under attack….. or something?"
Yubel didn't sugar coat her answer.
" no but it is only a matter of time."
Jaden at that slowly got up as he made sure Atticus was well rested to keep on fighting.
"…. got any coffee on you?….."
Jaden joked.
" i'm afraid we're fresh out of coffee."
As Atticus managed to get a grip on himself he eventually asked Jaden.
" how do we proceed with your plan?"
Jaden replied with.
" draw Nightshroud outside of the temple where he'll be at his weakest."
At that Atticus asked.
"and how we will do that?"
Jaden smirked.
" figured I'll be as obnoxious as possible."
Atticus puffed out his chest adding.
" then let me give you a few quick lessons."
Jaden at that answered innocently, well seemingly anyway.
" you were the first and only choice."
Catching what Jaden did Atticus couldn't help but give a wry smile as he taught him a few tricks on how to really annoy people to no end. After just a few minutes of practice Atticus had to admit that Jaden was a natural as a sudden realization sent shivers down his spine which the hero duelist caught.
" don't worry, I won't tell Alexis that you taught me any of these."
sighing a sigh of relief Atticus was hit by a sarcastic joke.
" I mean I won't have to tell her… she'll pick up on it right away."
As the worry returned to Atticus's face Jaden in turn couldn't help but crack up as the duo took their advantage to hang out a bit before Nightshroud would rear his ugly mug.
" hey, can I ask you one question?"
Atticus took a deep breath as he replied.
" you wanted to know why I trusted Nightshroud after he took me over a year ago?"
Jaden gave a nod urging Atticus to continue.
" what do you see when you look at me?"
Jaden responded honestly.
" I see the cool guy I know as Atticus Rhoades, what should I see?"
Atticus took another deep breath as his demeanor changed as a sullen expression slowly etched on his face.
" well I see a guy who's skating by on good looks who's talents might match up with someone like Joey Wheeler…."
Jaden interrupted politely but decisively.
" you want to tell me that you felt guilty for returning while the others didn't?, haven't we already talked about this?"
Atticus at that corrected.
" I did feel that way, maybe I'm still feeling like that but that's not why…. It's because of you…"
At that Atticus gestured Jaden to hold with the response as he made himself clear.
" I entered the shadow realm as a lost student until I returned as Nightshroud but after beating me I watched you fight shadow rider after writer and I wanted to be just like you…. I wanted to save and rescue the guys who got stuck with me."
Jaden nodded.
" and that Nightshroud jerk made a fool of you and twisted your actions."
Atticus responded with a simple.
" yep."
With that Jaden stretched his arms as he concluded the conversation with this.
" my mom always loves to remind me that we can't do over the choices we already made but we can make decisions for the hear and now."
Atticus gave a genuine smile, a smile still plagued with worries though.
" you're offering me a second shot at being a hero?…. But I've hurt so many already, how could they ever forgive me?"
Jaden sighed.
" I'm not going to lie to you, maybe they will, maybe they won't but at least they'll know that Atticus Rhoades is serious about being better in the future."
Atticus admitted after hearing this.
" you know what?…. You're smart for a first year….. too smart…."
Jaden at that returned the gesture by saying.
" and now you know why I play up the dumb act."
Atticus corrected it.
" you've overplayed it to the point that people actually think you're dumb."
Jaden at that sheepishly admitted.
" I think I might be too good of an actor."
At this point Yubel materialized in a physical form with her own costumed duel disc as she added to the conversation.
" if you are as good as an actor then this will be the opportunity to prove it."
Undisturbed Jaden asked.
" more of these "agents" or is it Nightshroud?"
Yubel deadpanned.
" both."
As the three prepared for a fight Atticus was sure it was still mid day, however before he could raise the question he noticed that the skies were becoming gray, as though there was a storm brewing.
" Yubel, make sure that whatever happens to me or Atticus you'd keep Alexis and the rest of the group safe and away from me at all cost."
Yubel acknowledged as the " agents" surfaced with Nightshroud in toe.
' so what was the big plan?, trying to annoy me so you'll score an easier win?'
Jaden nonchalantly replied.
" wow… you're not as dumb as you look."
Nightshroud continued the conversation in turn.
' spare yourself, I've invaded and read Atticus's mind thoroughly so everything he could think of I can too.'
Jaden pushed on.
" great… can you shut up now please?"
At that Nightshroud obliged as he sent his " agents" after the trio as a fierce battle commenced between the heroes and Nightshroud's legions. As the fight raged on between the factions and just about it would've been curtains for our heroes Yubel used a significant portion of her powers to transport the duo somewhere far off from their current location.
' was that smart of you Yubel?'
Yubel answered plainly.
" I will admit that Jaden, and even Atticus influenced my course of actions."
With that Yubel has sent the two towards an unspecified locale just to make it extra tough on Nightshroud .
' I admit, you're just as annoying as the two brats.'
Yubel let him have it as she summoned a few monsters and herself to defend the two from the evil facing them
' surrender while I'm mercif…..
Nightshroud at that did the following, making Yubel miffed.
' we're here to fight, not talk.'
With that said and done a few duels already took place and resolved in Atticus's and Jaden's favor which further enraged Nightshroud's armies as Yubel summoned herself to the field. In the mean time with Atticus and Jaden, the two ended up in a familiar place, well to one of them anyway.
" hey Jay… what is this place anyway?"
Jaden responded with.
" a place where I discovered a great power."
Atticus replied the following.
" and a great place to imprison an even darker power right?"
Jaden nodded.
" that's the idea….."
Next time: Sacrfice part 01