A Reason To Win - Ultra Remix
A/N: This chapter has various differences from both Tag Force 1 and the anime. This time Crowler having to duel Titan. I just find it more fitting Crowler stands up and faces Titan to repay for his past actions. I think I stated this before, the decks are a buffed from the anime and uses a mixure of cards from various Tag Force deck recipies. Which ones if up to you guys to figure out. Anyway some things are different and you'll see why. Hope this meets up to standards.
Friday
Time 10pm
It was a dark night, with storm clouds above Duel Academy. Thunder boomed, and the sky rumbled. Because it was late, many people were asleep. However, one person was still awake: Alexis Rhodes. The blonde Obelisk girl was sitting on a chair in the infirmary, watching over her brother who was still bedridden. 'There are only two more Shadow Riders left... I'm sure that this battle will soon end, as well.' As she thought about that, she was feeling sad. 'And yet... Brother, when will you call my name again?'
Flashback
A younger Alexis, dressed in a school uniform, was sitting under a tree and looked over some cards.
"Alexis... Alexis..."
As she heard the voice calling out to her, she looked up and saw her brother coming around the tree. Just like her, Atticus was wearing a school uniform.
"Atty!" Alexis said, happy to see him.
"Let me see." Atticus said, sitting next to her. He took some cards from her and looked at them. "Cards aren't all about being strong."
"Well, I don't want to lose..." Alexis looked away sheepishly. A leaf leaf fell from the tree and landed on top of her head.
Which Atticus noticed and plucked it. "That's just like you. Still, you should put in more of your favorite cards and make a fun deck."
"Right, brother!" She smiled again.
Flashback Ends
Alexis was thinking deeply about the past, until someone entered the room.
"It's getting late, don't you think Alexis?" Alexis turned around and noticed Dr. Crowler entered the room.
"Sorry about that Dr. Crowler, but I'm just worried about Atticus is all." Alexis turned back to face Atticus. "It would be so much more, if my brother were here with me. His body and his mind. Like it used to be..."
"I understand. I hope he's doing alright." Crolwer said as he stood next to Alexis. "After all that's been happening, you think he'd be better by now."
Alexis nodded. "I don't get it. It's been months, and so far he's been like this for a long while now."
"Don't you want to get your older brother Atticus's memories back?"
"What did you say?" She asked as she noticed a wisp of dark flames hovering in mid-air.
Crolwer took a step back and held back from yelling.
"If you want to get them back, you will come with me. As for you..." Alexis and Crowler stared at the wisp that expanded until it became a portal leading to the docks where the lightthouse was. As they did, their eyes became blank. Afterwards, a tall, familiar figure, wearing a black trench coat, a circular hat, and a mask appered right behind Alexis and Crowler, and wrapped both his arms around them.
Atticus suddenly woke up and saw the intruder take Alexis and Crowler away before the portal closed itself and vanished. "No... it can't be..."
Time 11pm
Meanwhile, Jaden, Syrus and Chumley were sleeping peacefully. However...
'Kuri Kuri.' Jaden slowly woke up as he heard Winged Kuriboh hooting next to him.
"What is it, partner?" He muttered tiredly. That didn't sto there as he suddenly heard someone insistently knock the door, which of course woke Syrus and Chumley up.
Chumley got down from his bunk bed as he approached the door. When he opened the door... to find a pale ghoulish face staring at him. Chumley screamed in fright.
"Huh? Hey, what's going on?" Syrus asked, as he recognized the ghoulish face... who apparently was Chazz, who was dressed in his black uniform. Since Syrus couldn't see duel spirits, he never saw the five Ojamas hovering over Chazz's shoulders.
"These guys are awfully fussy tonight." He said grumpily.
"What is it?" Jaden asked curiously. The Slifer trio soon got dressed and left their dorm to see what was going on.
Time 11:30pm
During that time, over at Red Hat's room, Red Hat was sleeping in his room, but still conflicted with his thoughts. After spending days in detention and being stuck in his room. He refused to leave his room after coming back to from detention and dinner. Ever since Blair left to return to her home, Red Hat often stayed in his room where he only occasionally left to talk with the Slifer trio. Red Hat knew he shouldn't be acting this way. After all, he brought it upon himself. Red Hat would occasionally stare at the Aussa the Earth Charmer card, while layig on his bed. To see if he can get any answers to his conflicted thoughts.
'I'm such an idiot. Am I really this irractional, that I would do all of this?' He scolded himself.
'You may want to stop moping around.' Red Hat heard the voice and got up from his bed and looked around. It was just like before. Was he going mad? Had he really lost it?
'Have I gone mad that I'm hearing voices?' He thought as he kept on looking around. As he looked, he then notice what he didn't think he'd see. The spirit of Aussa the Earth Charmer.
'You're so stubbrn you know that right?' Aussa reminded him.
Red Hat ignored her remark and rubbed his eyes, thinking he was so sleepy. "Am I seeing things or is that really you? Aussa the Earth Charmer."
Aussa shook her head as she adjusted her glasses. 'Maybe if you stopped moping around, you would understand why I'm communicating with you.' She scold him.
"Wait, I can't see duel spirits like Jaden or Chazz, yet I can see you. Why though, I don't understand." Red Hat asked.
'You don't have the power to see spirits. You have to be born with such power. Learning or gaining the power is not easy to obtain.' Aussa explained to him. 'It's not just your mind that's conflicted. It's also your heart.'
Red Hat sighed, knowing she would say that. "What does this have to do with me being able to see spirits. Let alone seeing you."
'Most humans can not see spirits. Often we have to appear to the user and over time, they'll be able to see spirits or just their partner. And that's ignoring the fact I have to use a bit of energy to appear to you.' Aussa explained. 'Whether or not you want to see duel spirits beyond me is up to you.' Aussa adjusted her glasses and gave him a stern look. 'That's not what I'm here for.'
"What are you here for?" Red Hat asked cofused.
'Don't act like you don't know. A Shadow Rider has appeared and has kiddnapped two people you know. I sensed shadow magic at the harbor nearby. Go there immediately.' ordered Aussa.
Red Hat mentally scowled for being told what to do, but he knew she was right. He can't keep acting this way. He had to move on and stop the next shadow rider. "Alright then, I'll get going." Red Hat soon began to get dress properly as he left his room.
'I'll come with you. Don't expect me to be around you. I'm only stayig around you for guidence.' said Aussa as she disappears from his sight.
'Sometimes I wonder, what am I doing with my life.' He thought as he kept on running.
Earlier in the night, Zane was standing near the lighthouse. He noticed something was off. Usually Alexis would come by at this hour after being with her brother for a while. She hasn't arrived just yet. Could something popped up?
'Something's not right here.' He thought. He walked away from the lighthouse as he was going to get to the bottom of this. As he was halfway away from the harbor, he noticed a dark shadow surrounding the lighthouse. 'A Shadow Rider is here. I have to stop him.' Zane return to the lighthouse only to be blocked by a wall of shadow magic. He noticed the figure, he tied Alexis to the lighthouse tightly while Crowler was just lying there. "Alexis! Crowler!"
The Shadow Rider took notice of him. "You will not interfere!" The Shadow Rider used a form of Shadow magic to push back Zane. Zane was pushed back, but held his ground.
Crowler finally woke up from his trance and looked around at the new place he found himself in. He was at the docks near the lighthouse. He then noticed the man in question standing near the lighthouse after he finished tying up Alexis at the light house.
"It's you!" Crowler called out. "Titan, so you became a shadow rider and keeping one of my best students hostage?! I won't allow that!"
"This is your fault." Titan replied. "Not only did you hire me and not pay me. It was your fault I'm like this! Big mistake!"
"Listen Titan, if you want my money I'll pay you handsomely. Just let Alexis go immediately and drop this shadow game scharade." Crowler demanded.
"Wrong!" Titan sneered. "I no longer want your money. I'll be dueling you for your spirit key. The girl is nothing more then bait. You'll be paying me with your soul!"
"If it's a duel you want!" Crowler said, with a determined look on his face. "Then it's a duel you'll get! I'll make you pay for taking my students as hostages! I win, you hand over Alexis. Not only that you'll scram and never come back."
"Ha, this will be a real shadow duel." Titan replied. "If I win, I get your spirit key and you'll become my puppet, to take the down the other key keepers! I'm now an authentic Shadow Rider. Let us begin!" He declared and activated his custom made duel disk.
"You'll think twice before crossing with me Titan." Crowler readies his duel vest. "I'll make you regret ever facing me!"
DUEL
Crowler: 8000 LP
Titan: 8000 LP
"Ready yourself for the shadows! My turn, I draw!" Titan draws.
Hand 6
"I summon Infernalqueen Archfiend in attack mode! (Atk: 900 Def: 1500)" A fiend with blue hair, beige claws, wings and horns appeared on the field, screeching. It was decked in a purple robe and its torso was covered in red and beige armor.
"An archfiend monster eh? I'm well aware on how Archfiends work. You need to pay life points during your standby phases. If you have field spell Pandemoniun, then you don't pay life points for Archfiends. Not only that, they can protect themselves from targeting, but it's on a roll of a dice." Crowler clarified.
"Just because you know about my deck doesn't mean you'll win. I set one card facedown and end my turn." Titan ends his turn.
Hand 4
"Very well, it's my turn. I draw!" Crowler draws.
Hand 6
"Before you begin, I activate Infernalqueen Archfiend effect! During either standby phases I can boost the attack of an Archfiend monster attack points by 1000. In this case itself! (Atk: 900 - 1900 Def: 1500)" The Archfiend power was boosted.
"As if that will help you. I play the continous spell Ancient Gear Castle. It gives all my Ancient Gear monsters 300 more attack points." A large castle made of stone and metal chains rose up behind him. "Next I summon Ancient Gear Soldier in attack mode. (Atk: 1300 - 1600 Def: 1300)" The mechanical humanoid machine emerged. "Now I play the equip spell United We Stand! With this it gives my Ancient Gear Soldier 800 more attack points per monster on my field including himself. (Atk: 1600 - 2400 Def: 1300)" The mechanical soldier power rose. "Battle, Ancient Gear Soldier attack his Infernal Queen Archfiend! Rapid Fire Flurry! Ancient Gear Soldier effect, all spells and traps are disabled until the end of the damage step." The soldier opened fire, shooting the archfiend that roared in pain as it was destroyed.
Titan: 8000 - 7500 LP
Titan remained calm and merly smirk at Crowler. "Is that all you got?"
"You won't be so smug once I polverize you. I set one card facedown and end my turn." Crowler ends his turn.
Hand 2
"Go continuous trap Call of the Haunted! With this I can bring back Infernalqueen Archfiend! (Atk: 900 Def: 1500)" The Archfiend monster returned to the field.
"Go ahead and do so, you'll be paying life points during your standby phase." Crowler pointed out.
"There they are!" Syrus said as he and the others arrived onto the scene, Atticus being supported by Jaden and Chazz.
"They're dueling." Chumley pointed out, as Crowler and Titan squared off.
"Crowler is dueling Titan?" Jaden asked.
"I was here for a while, wondering where Alexis was." Zane turn to them. "As I was about to leave that Shadow Rider Titan appeared keeping Alexis hostage and began to duel Crowler. I tried to help out, but I was blocked by a shadow barrier." Zane explained.
"Wait Alexis is held hostage?" Jaden turned to where the Lighthouse was. Behind Titan showed Alexis tied up at the lighthouse out cold. "Hey! Let her go Titan!"
Titan turned to Jaden before turning his attention to Crowler again. "We have an audience. To watch you fail! And when you do, you'll help me destroy Jaden!"
"If you think you'll lay a hand on my students, you're sadly mistaken!" Crowler said.
"How did you figure out we were here?" Zane turned to Jaden.
"Well you see..."
Jaden, Syrus, Chumley and Chazz ran to the main building. They all followed their duel spirits, despite Syrus and Chumley being unable to see spirits.
As they all walk inside a paticular room...
"Atticus!"
They find Atticus to be laying on the floor, like fell off the bed.
"What happeed here? And What happened to Alexis?" Jaden asked.
"It was... him..." Atticus replied weakly. "T-Titan."
"Titan?" Jaden said, a puzzled ook on his face. "You mean that Titan?"
"Pull yourself together Atticus." Chazz urged him.
"The lighthouse... T-They were taken... to the lighthouse." Atticus weakly said.
"They?" Jaden wondered. "Chazz help me out with Atticus we have to help him out and head to the lighthouse."
"Whatever slacker." Chazz replied as he helped Jaden hold Atticus and keep him steady. They are walked off to head to the lighthouse.
"That's why you brought Atticus here with you guys." Zane looked at them and noticed someone was missing. "Where's Red Hat? He didn't come with you?"
"About that..." Jaden rubbed the back of his head sheeplessly. "We kinda of forgot and didn't wake him up."
"Leave him, he clearly doesnt care about the situation." Chazz scoffed.
"You'll soon subcome to the shadows. It's my turn, I draw!" Titan draws.
Hand 5
"I pay 500 LP because of Infernalqueen Archfiend effect, and I can boost it's attack by 1000. (Atk: 900 - 1900 Def: 1500)" The archfiend gained power.
Titan: 7500 - 7000 LP
"Since I control an Archfiend monster I can normal summon Terrorking Archfiend! (Atk: 2000 Def: 1500)" A muscular red and beige fiend with wings appeared beside the first. "I play the equip spell Falling Down! By targeting your monster I can take control of it!" A fiend emerge from a shadow of darkness and took Ancient Gear Soldier to Titan's side of the field.
"Not good, Crowler is wide open!" Jaden said.
"Crowler will take a lot of damage." Syrus pointed out.
"HAHAHAHA. Battle, Terrorking Archfiend attack him directly! Locus Storm Barrage!" The Archfiend's chest opeed up into a vortex and a swarm of locusts flew out of it, heading straight to Crowler.
Crowler was covering his face as the swarm of locus attacked him. 'I can feel the swarm of locus! This isn't some dueling hologram, this is real! And that can only mean one thing... This is really is a Shadow Duel too!' He then fell to his knees.
Crowler: 8000 - 6000 LP
"HAHAHA, you want more! Infernalqueen Archfiend attack him directly!" The second archfiend charged in slashed Crowler with it claws. He winced in pain as a result.
Crowler: 6000 - 4100 LP
"Crowler is taking a beating!" Syrus remarked.
"He can't lose to him!" Chazz said.
"Is this all you got?" Crowler said and stuggled to stand up again.
"Then I'll put you out of your missery! Ancient Gear Soldier attack your former master directly!" The soldier opened fire, shooting Crowler as he was knocked off his feet clutching his chest in pain.
Crowler: 4100 - 1700 LP
Crowler got back onto his feet. He stubled around beforegetting a good position. "I'm may be down, but I'm not out! Go trap Damage Condenser! Since I took damage, by discarding one card I special summon a monster from my deck with equal or less attack from the damage I took. I bring out this machine Come out Jinzo! (Atk: 2400 Def: 1500)" The cybernetic machine monster appeared.
"Crowler brought out Jinzo. That should put him at a better advantage." Jaden said.
"You think an anti trap monster will stop me. I don't think so. I end my turn." Titan ends his turn. Infernalqueen Archfiend attack returns to normal. (Atk: 1900 - 900 Def: 1500)
Hand 3
As the duel was taking place, Red Hat was been runing to reach the docks. As he crossed the bridge that lead him to the docks, he noticed a duel was taking place at the lighthouse. Red Hat noticed the one who was actually dueling.
'Dr. Crowler is dueling? Looks like he finally decided to step in and duel.' He thought.
'Are you that petty you're willing to let him suffer?' Aussa appeared as she scolded him.
"I can't stand Crowler, especially after all that he's been pulling just cause of his petty grudge that he lost to Jaden. Still I shouldn't be petty this is serious. I can't just let this happen, even if I don't personally like him that much." Red Hat replied.
'Sometimes, in life others deserve a second chance.' Aussa soon disappeared. 'A lone wolf always dies first. No matter what skills you learned, no one survives alone. Everyone needs somebody to help and guide them.'
Red Hat stood in place as Aussa told him that. 'A lone wolf... Am I really acting like that?' Red Hat thought about this a bit more, before he continued to run to the lighthouse.
"Where have you been? The duel has been going on for a while and now you show up." Chazz said as Red Hat arrived.
"Yeah, if Corlwer loses then that's one step closer to unlocking the Sacred Beasts." Syrus added.
Zane remained silent as he observed Red Hat. 'Your lack of respect and uncontroled arrogance is why you will never grow as a duelist.'
"Give me a break, how was I supposed to know it would be here." Red Hat lied, he knew very well the duel was here, thanks to Aussa telling him.
"So here's here." Crowler muttered. "Now, let's duel. My turn I draw!" Crowler draws.
Hand 2
"The equip spell Falling Down second effect, during your stanby phases I must take 800 LP as damage. Not only that, Infernalqueen Archfiend effect allows it to boost the attack again, this time to Terrorking Archfiend. (Atk: 2000 - 3000 Def: 1500)" Titan explained as he took damage and Terrorking got stronger.
Titan: 7000 - 6200 LP
"Very well, I play Pot of Greed so I draw 2 cards." Crowler draws his cards. "I play the spell Graceful Charity. I draw 3 cards, then I discard 2." Crowler draws his cards as he discards Emes the Infinity and Wave Motion Cannon. "Now I play the quick play spell Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your falling down spell card!" Powerful winds destroyed the spell. Ancient Gear Solder return to Crowler's field. (Atk: 2400 - 3200 Def: 1300)
"Awesome, now Crowler has his Gear Soldier back!" Jaden cheered.
"And thanks to United We Stand, if Crowler summons another monster, then Ancient Gear Soldier will have 4000 attack ponits. Titan will need a very powerful monster or a removal card to stop Crowler." Zane explains.
"Now I play spell Monster Reborn! With this I summon back the monster I just discarded. Come back Emes the Infinity! (Atk: 2500 Def: 2000) (Atk: 3200 - 4000 Def: 1300)" A large mecahnical being with a round dome behind him emmerged on the fiend. "With him on the field, Ancient Gear Soldier gains another 800 attack points. Battle, Emes the Infinity attack his Infernalqueen Archifend." The monster created an electic shock to frm it sword and launched it at the Archfiend.
Titan: 6200 - 4800 LP
"Emes the Infinity effect, when it destroys a monster in battle, it gains 700 attack points. (Atk: 2500 - 3200 Def: 2000) Ancient Gear Soldier attack his Terrorking Archfiend. Rapid Fire Flurry!" The soldier opened fire, shooting the archfiend that roared in pain as it was destroyed.
Titan: 4800 - 3800 LP
"Now Jinzo attack Titan directly with Cyber Energy Shock!" The cyborg launched a blast of electric energy at Titan. Titan cover his face with his arms as he took and felt the blast.
TItan: 3800 - 1400 LP
"That was fun!" Crowler exclaimed. "I should get out of class more often! So tell me, what was all that about sending me to the Shadows, Titan."
"Ha Ha, do you think this is the extent of the Shadows!" Titan laughed as thick vains appeared over his face, his body, while dark energy came out from him. "I'm more powerful then you'll ever know!"
"Please you don't know what you're talking about." scoffed Crowler. "I set one card facedown and end my turn." Crowler ends his turn.
Hand 0
"It's my turn, I draw!" Titan draws.
Hand 4
"I play my Pot of Greed. So I draw 2 cards." Titan draws and begins laughing. "Time to drown in darkness! I play the Ritual Spell, Advance Ritual Art! With this I can Ritual summon any Ritual monster in my hand by sending the appropriate normal monsters from my deck to the grave that equals it's level!" Titan explains as dark mist is released from the card.
"Sending normal monsters from the deck to the grave to cheat out a ritual monster. That is actually impressive, graveyard set up depending on what you're playing. So many posibilities." Red Hat said, amazed at what he was now imagine possibilites with said card.
"Hey, just who side are you on?" Syrus complained.
Red Hat expression turned into a scowl. "What? Can't I complement good cards even if my enemy uses them?"
"I send the level 6 Summon Skull from my deck to ritual summon Archfiend Matador! (Atk: 0 Def: 0)" A blob of red slime appeared on the field, taking on a humanoid form with dark armor, claws and red leathery wing flaps under its arms.
"A monster with 0 attack and defense points?" Crowler noted. "I know what you're trying to pull. You want me to attack that thing to pull off it's effect. Sad to say it's not going to work."
"Ha ha, that's not a choice you'll be given. Not anymore, I play the field spell Dark Arena!" Soon the entire field was completely covered in a thick veil of darkness and shadows.
"The field! I can't see!" Crowler whined, looking from side to side. He looked to face his opponent, but frowned that his side of the field was completely hidden. 'Just what tricks are you up to this time?'
"I play the spell card Fissure. This destroys your weakest monster. That being your Jinzo!" A hole opens up and Jinzo was dragged down to the abyss as it was destroyed. (Atk: 4000 - 3200 Def: 1300) "I set one card facedown and end my turn." Titan ends his turn.
Hand 0
Meanwhile, everyone watching the duel couldn't see through the dark dome, but could hear what was going on.
"What's happening in there?" Syrus whinned.
'The darknest is strong here.' Red Hat thought.
"Jaden you dueled him, didn't you?" Chazz spoke up, turning to Jaden. "Can he use techniques like these too?"
As Jaden replied, his medallion began to glow. "The Titan I battled just seemed like he was a phoney magician. But now, he's the real deal."
Back inside the shaow dome, Crowler was having trouble seeing anything around him because of the total darkness. There was a thick, murky darkness that surrounded Titan and his monster. 'If you think this cheap trick will stop me. You're completely wrong.'
It was then he heard Titan's laughter through the darkness. "The darkness is fitting for a shadow duel, don't you think?"
"Please, you tricks won't work on me. It's my turn, I draw!" Crowler draws.
Hand 1
"I swtich Ancient Gear Soldier and Emes the Infinity to defense mode." As Crowler switched his monsters battle posititons, Titan now laughed.
"Do you think I'll give you a choice? No I won't, go continuous Trap Final Attack Orders! Now all monsters are forced to attack mode. Dark Arena effect, all monsters on both players field must declare an attack if able. We get to choose our the target for them. As for Archfiend Matador, he can't attack at all." Titan explained as Crowlers monsters were forced back into attack mode.
"Argh, fine I'll attack your Archfiend Matador!" Crowlers monsters attacked his Archfiend Matador. Emus and Ancient Gear Soldier lauched blast at the fiend. Only nothing happened to it. And then, the fiend fired a beam of energy from the horn on it's forehead, destroying both monsters.
"Ha ha, Didn't I tell you, I'm not giving you a choice?" Titan asked tauntingly. "Archfiend Matador can't be destroyed in battle. I take no battle damage from battles involving this card. Any monster that battles it is destroyed."
"I set a facedown and end my turn." Crowler ends his turn.
Hand 0
"It's my turn. I draw!" Titan draws.
Hand 1
"I play Monster Reborn to brink back your Jinzo! (Atk: 2400 Def: 1500)" Jinzo appeared on Titan's side of the field. "He negates my trap, but he'll also negate yours. So no funny business this time. You lose."
Realizing his end was near, Crowler turned to the audience behind him. Even though he couldn't see them, he knew they were there listening. "My students, you must promise me... Even if you defeated in the a shadow duel, the darkness can not surpass the light. Please promise me that you will believe so, and that you will never yeild your hearts."
"Crowler... It can't be." Jaden muttered in disbelief.
"Are you done?" Titan asked impatientently. "I'll finish you off now! Drown in darkness! Jinzo finish this lousy professor off! Cyber Energy Shock!" Jinzo shot a blast of energy at Crowler. Crowler screamed in pain as his LP dropped to zero.
"Dr. Crowler!" Jaden called out.
' Was I wrong? He does care.' Red Hat thought.
"Use your dueling of light. Avenge me my students." With those words said, Crowler fell to the ground in defeat. As the shadows disappear.
Crowler: 1700 - 0 LP
"His key is mine..." Titan said with a triumphant tone. Titan walked over bent down and took Crowler's spirit key from around his neck. It disappeared in a flash of light as he held it up. "Another one down, 3 more to go."
Crowler soon gets up with his eyes completely blank and followed Titan. "Want to lose to me? Come to the Abandoned Dorm, Jaden Yuki." Titan releases Alexis from the ropes and wrapped both his arms around her. A portal opened up which showed the location of the Abandoned dorm. The portal soon closed as the others tried to get close to them.
"This isn't over!" Jaden yelled.
"Jaden, we need to head to the abandoned dorm now. To save Crowler and Alexis." Red Hat urged him.
"Lets go Red Hat, we need to stop Titan."
"Now suddenly you care." Chazz muttered.
"You and Chumley help carry Atticus." Red Hat replied as he and Jaden ran pass them. Chazz reluctantly helped Chumley out to carry Atticus, while everyone followed Red Hat and Jaden to the Abandon Dorm.
Saturday
Time 2am
Alexis finally woke up from her trance and looked around at the new place she's in. It was the stone chamber found underneath the Abandoned Dorm. The same place where she was held captive by the shadow duelist who came after Jaden months ago. She then noticed the man in question at the opposite end of the chamber. What she also noticed, Crowler was with the man.
"Crowler? What did you do to him?!" Alexis demanded, with a determined look on her face.
"I dueled him when you were knocked out cold." Titan answered. "He lost ever so miserably and became my puppet. I took his spirit key and used you as bait. Perfect, just like before."
"You won't get away with this. I'll have to stop the both of you to save Crowler and restore my brother's memory." Alexis said. Titan kicked a duel disk, making it skid all the way to Alexis' side of the chamber.
"There they are!" Syrus said as he and the others arrived onto the scene, Atticus being supported by Chazz and Chumley. Jaden and Red Hat jumped down to the chamber and ran up to Alexis.
"Alexis, you're okay!" Jaden called out to her. "You're going down Titan!"
"I'll help out. I'm showing no mercy." As Red Hat was about to ready his duel disk. Alexis stopped him.
"No Red Hat, let me and Jaden handle this." Alexis protested as she put her duel disk on. "This duel isn't just for myself and the fate of the world, but for my brother."
Red Hat took a step back, but understood and walked off until he was far enough away from the chamber. "Alright then, both of you take down Titan and rescue Crowler."
Alexis glanced off to the side, straight to her brother. 'Alright Atticus. This one's for you.' She thought as she inserted her deck into her duel disk and activated it. 'I'm gonna win you your memory back here and now.' She then focused on her opponents with determination in her eyes after taking a glance at Jaden, her partner.
DUEL
Alexis & Jaden: 8000 LP
Titan & Crowler: 8000 LP
"Ready yourself for the shadows! It's my turn, I draw!" Titan draws.
Hand 6
"I summon Shadowknight Archfiend in attack mode. (Atk: 2000 Def: 1600)" An archfiend with beige armor appears on the field, weilding a red sword and had claws glowing red. "I set one card facedown, and end my turn." Titan ends his turn.
Hand 4
"It's my turn, I draw!" Alexis draws.
Hand 6
"I summon Cyber Tutu in attack mode. (Atk: 1000 Def: 1000)" The petite, pink-haired ballerina and made a spin.
"I thought we were dueling, not playing dollies." Titan taunted.
"Yeah? Well this so called dollie can attack you directly so long as you control a monster with higher attack then her." Alexis noticed that Titan wasn't bothered. 'Something's not right.' Alexis thought, feeling that Titan is hiding , it dawned on her. 'His facedown!' At that, she activated a card. "I play the quick play spell Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your facedown!" Powerful winds destroyed Titan's facedown.
"Grr, why you!"
"Battle, Cyber Tutu attack him directly! Pounding Pirouette!" The petite dancer dashed forward and spun herself before landing a hard kick on Titan's jaw.
Titan & Crowler: 8000 - 7000 LP
"I play one card facedown and end my turn." Alexis ends her turn.
Hand 4
"First blood goes to you, way to go Alexis!" Jaden cheered.
"Don't celebrate too early slackers. It's my turn, I draw!" Crowler draws.
Hand 6
"I summon Ancient Gear Soldier in attack mode! (Atk: 1300 Def: 1300)" The mechanical humanoid appears. "Battle, Ancient Gear Soldier attack Cyber Tutu! Rapid Fire Flurry! His effect, you can't active spells or traps until the endof the damage step." The soldier opened fire, shooting the Cyber Girl and destroying her.
Alexis & Jaden: 8000 - 7700 LP
"Now Shadowknight Archfind attack Alexis directly!" As the Archfiend charged in to attack her, Alexis was ready.
"I don't think so go trap! Widespread Ruin! This card destroys your monster with the highest attack points. It doesn't target, so no gambling from Shadowknights efffect to negate it." A mine appeared in from of the archfiend and detonated it front of it, causing an explosion.
"Clever, I play the continuous spell Wave Motion Cannon! At anytime, Tian and I can send this card to the gaveyard to inflict 1000 burn damage to you for each of our standby phases after this card was activated. I set one card facedown and end my turn." Crowler ends his turn as a big green cannon appeared on the field, while charging up a blast.
Hand 3
"Here I go. It's my turn, I draw!" Jaden draws.
Hand 6
"I play Polymerization! I fuse Elemental HERO Avian and Elemental HERO Burstinatrix to fusion summon, Elemental HERO Flame Wingman! (Atk: 2100 Def: 1200)" Flame Wingman appeared on the field. "Now I play the spell card R Righteous Justice! Since I control an Elemental HERO I can destroy a spell and trap card. So that facedown is destroyed." Crowler's facedown was destroyed.
"Is that all you got, you Slifer Slacker." Crowler taunted.
"You want it, you got it! Battle, Flame Wingman attack Ancient Gear Soldier! Infernal Rage!" Flame Wingman fired a stream of flames that engulfed the humanoid machine.
Titan & Crowler: 7000 - 6200 LP
"Now don't forget about my Wingman's effect, you take damage equal to your destroyed monster's attack points!" Flame Wingman got close to Crowler and engulfed him in flames. Crowler screamed as he was blasted by the flames.
Titan & Crowler: 6200 - 4900 LP
"Next I play the continuous spell Mirage of Nightmare. Next I throw down a facedown and call it a turn." Jaden ends his turn.
Hand 0
"That trick again. How quaint." Titan commented.
"Hey if it works, why change it." Jaden replied.
"My thoughts exactly." Red Hat added.
"I'll put an end to this. It's my turn, I draw!" Titan draws.
Hand 5
"Mirage of Nightmare effect, I draw until I'm holding 4 cards." Jaden draws his cards as Mirage activated.
"Let me guess. You're last card is Emergency Provisions." Titan guessed.
"Hey, you catch on quick. Go quickplay Emergency Provisions. By sending spells or traps to the grave I gain 1000 LP. So I send Mirage to the graveyard. Now I don't have to discard anything." Jaden sends Mirage of Nightmare to the grave as his LP increases.
Alexis & Jaden: 7700 - 8700 LP
"I'll stop you here and now. I play the Poto f Greed. So I draw 2 cards." Titan draws his cards and began to chuckle. "I play the ritual spell Advance Ritual Art!" Titan reveals his spell as dark aura was emited from the card.
"It had to be that one." Jaden groaned.
"Now I send the level 6 Summon Skull from my deck to my graveyard to ritual summon Archfiend Matador! (Atk: 0 Def: 0)" Said Archfiend covered in darkness appears on the field.
"A monster with 0 attack and defense points?" Alexis noted. Something tells me there is more to him then meets the eye."
"Alexis, don't attack that thing." warned Jaden. "If you attack it your monster will be destroyed, it can't be destroyed in battle, and Titan takes no damage from battles involving it."
"Ha ha, so you do pay attention after all." mocked Titan. "Then you must also know I play this card. I activate the field spell Dark Arena!" A few seconds later, the entire field was completely covered in a thick veil of darkness and shadows.
"Oh great, that card again." groaned Jaden.
"Not this again." grunted Red Hat as he tried to observe Jaden and Alexis.
"The field! I can't see!" Alexis cried, looking from side to side. She looked to face her opponents, but frowned that his side was completely hidden. 'I can't see... my enemies.'
"I set one card facedown and end my turn." Titan ends his turn.
Hand 2
Meanwhile, everyone watching the duel couldn't see through the dark dome.
"Again with the darkness." said Zane.
"I can't see anything in there." Syrus whined.
Atticus narrowed his eyes, worried about his dear younger sister.
Back inside the shadowy dome, Alexis had trouble seeing anything outside because of the total darkness. Jaden's medallion glowed, and created a bit a light to see through the darkness, but around each other and not the entire field. The far end was filled with a thick, murky darkness that surrounded Titan and Crowler, along with their monsters. 'What's going on? Can I not double-check my enemies monsters within Dark Arena?'
It was then they heard Titan's laughter through the darkness. "With this field spell, all attack position monsters must attack if able. And you don't get to choose the monsters target, I get to choose. This will also apply to me during my battle phase, where you get to choose the attack target for me. Through the darkness, I can see your face, trembling in fear."
"Trembling in darkness is an animal's instinct!" Alexis replied. "But, humans have a reason to surpass their instincts! It's the power to think of the hope that lies beyond the darkness!"
'Just what kind of logic is that? Least the first parts.' thought Red Hat, fighting the urge to face palm.
"It's my turn, I draw!" Alexis draws.
Hand 5
"I summon Cyber Gymnast in attack mode! (Atk: 800 Def: 1800)" The white masked and dark clad gymnast appeared on the field.
"Go counter trap! Forced Back! This negates your monsters summoning and returns to the hand." Titan announced as powerful blast of shockwaves repels Cyber Gymnast and returns to Alexis' hand.
"Grr, I set one card facedown and switch Flame Wingman to defense mode. I end my turn." Alexis ends her turn. 'So much for destroying that Archfiend Matador. Now we have to wait long enough so it or Wave Motion Cannon doesn't destroy us.'
Hand 4
"You slakers should study more. It's my turn, I draw!" Crowler draws.
Hand 4
"I play the spell Graceful Charity! I draw 3 cards then I discard 2." Crowler draws his cards and discards Ancient Gear Engineer and The Trojan Horse. "Now I play Pot of Greed. I draw 2 more cards." Crowler draws his cards. "I play the spell card Monster Reborn to bring back The Trojan Horse! (Atk: 1600 Def: 1200)" The wooden horse appears on the field. "I tribute it to summon Ancient Gear Golem! (Atk: 3000 Def: 3000)" His giant, mechanical ace monster rose on the field.
"Not good." muttered Jaden.
"Not good indeed." replied Crowler. "Battle, Ancient Gear Golem get your revenge on that Elemental HERO. Mechanized Melee!" Gear Golem pulled its arm and threw a transparent fist at Flame Wingman, blasting it to pieces.
Alexis & Jaden: 8700 - 6900 LP
"Argh, Flame Wingman!" gasped Jaden in disbelief.
"Serves you right! I set one card facedown and end my turn." Crowler ends his turn.
Hand 2
"Argh, it's my turn, I draw!" Jaden draws.
Hand 5
"Alright time for this spell, compliments of Red Hat. I play the spell Heavy Strom! With this all spells and traps are destroyed! So good bye Dark Arena and Wave Motion Cannon!" As intense winds appeared on the field and blowing away the darkness. Crowler merly scoffed at Jaden.
"Go counter trap! Magic Jammer! By discarding one card, your spell card is negated and destroyed! So much for that slacker's gift." Crowler discards his card, then a pentegram symbol appeared under the heavy storm spell and was soon negated and destroyed.
"Man, you two aren't messing around this time. I better get my game on. I play the spell Graceful Charity! I draw 3 cards then I discard 2." Jaden draws his cards and discards Elemental HERO Bladedge and Elemental HERO Necroshade. "Now I set a monster and set two cards facedown. That ends my turn." Jaden ends his turn. 'If this goes the way I think it does, then Alexis should finsish him off next round.'
Hand 1
"Do your worst Titan." Jaden provoked.
Titan chuckled in response. "Jaden... if you actually wanted my worst, you wouldn't be so eager for it."
"Enough games, Titan!"
"After the duel I had with you, I was dragged into the world of darkness."
Flashback
Aftwe his defeat to Jaden, blobs and blobs swarmed around Titan as he sank deeper into the dark abyss. "Help me! Please!" He cried out and reached out his arm, hoping for a way to get free. "I beg you! I want power! To that end, I offer you my soul!"
"Is there no mistaking your words just now?" A mysterious voice asked from above. "If you swear to defeat those protecting the three Sacred Beasts without question, I will give you one more chance."
"I swear! I swear!" Titan accepted. "If you'll give me power..."
"Yes, take this Shadow charm." The voice replied, showing the silhouette of a figure. A masked with the millennium symbol fell down and landed on Titan's waiting hand.
Flashback End
Titan laughed as thick veins appeared over his face and his bod, while dark energy came out of himand spread to his monsters. "I'm more powerful then ever! I'll torment all of you here."
"Such a sad person." Alexis commented. "That shadow charm's power, isn't your true power. Dueling is about making a deck with your own reason and exhausting the limits of your knowlage!"
Red Hat heared this and rolled his eyes. 'That's a bit flawed though. You have to surpass yur limits and create a deck that beat many decks, while changing it up so you don't become predictable. No deck stays the best forever.' He thought.
"That brother of yours is the same, isn't he?" Titan scoffed. "Isn't it because he desired the same power I did, as well, that he also became a Shadow Rider?"
"My brother is not like you!" Alexis snapped.
"Alexis, don't listen him." said Jaden. "He's just trying to mess with you. You know that's not true. Atticus wouldn't do such a thing."
"Believe what you want. I speak the truth." Titan chuckled at them. "It's my turn, I draw!" Titan draws.
Hand 3
"Go Ancient Gear Golem attack his facedown monster! Mechanize Melee!" Gear Golem pulled its arm and threw a transparent fist at the faceown monster revealing to be Cyber Jar. (Atk: 900 Def: 900)
Alexis & Jaden: 6900 - 4800 LP
"Cyber Jar's effect, all monsters on the field are destroyed!" Cyber Jar self destructed and destroyed all monsters on the field. "Next up we pick up five cards and if any are level 4 or below monsters, we can summon them."
"You're only delying your demise. Very well, first draw is Monster Reborn. Second draw is Terrorking Archfiend! I summon him in attack mode. (Atk: 2000 Def: 1500) Thrid draw is Archfiend Soldier! I summon him in attack mode! (Atk: 1900 Def: 1500) Forth draw is Shadowknight Archfiend! I summon him in attack mode! (Atk: 2000 Def: 1500) Fifth and final draw is Premature Burial! I have three monsters on my field." said Titan as the archfiends appeared on his field.
"Alright my turn this time. First draw is Elemental HERO Sparkman! I summon him in attack mode! (Atk: 1600 Def: 1400) Second draw is Miracle Fusion. Third draw is Elemental HERO Wildheart! I summon him in attack mode! (Atk: 1500 Def: 1600) Forth draw is Mystical Space Tyhoon. Fifth and final draw is Elemental HERO Burstinatrix! I'll summon her in attack mode! (Atk: 1200 Def: 800)" said Jaden as all of his heros appear on the field.
"It's still my battle phase." Titan reminded. "Terrorking Archfiend attack! Locus Storm Barrage!" As the archfiend attacks, Jaden chose the target to be Elemental HERO Sparkman. Only Jaden was ready.
"Go trap card, Mirror Force! This destroys all of your monsters in attack mode!" A holy barrier appeared and destroyed all of Titan's monsters.
"I use Desrook Archfiend's effect from my hand. By discarding to the grave after an archfiend is destroyed, I can bring back and Archfiend that was destroyed. I bring back Terrorking Archfiend! (Atk: 2000 Def: 1500)" Terrorking Archfien reappears on the field. "Let's try this again, attack Locus Storm Barrage!" Terrorking attacks once again, this time Jaden chooses Elemental HERO Burstinatrix to attack and was destroyed.
Alexis & Jaden: 4800 - 4000 LP
"Now I activate Wave Motion Canons effect. Since three standby phases have passed, that means by sending it to the graveyard you both take 3000 burn damage!" The cannon charges up a massive blast and launches a powerful blast of wave-like energy and strikes Alexis and Jaden. Both scream in pain after getting hit by the blast.
Alexis & Jaden: 4000 - 1000 LP
After the blast, Alexis groaned and fell to her knees. Jaden well to one knee cltuching his chest in pain after the blast. Red Hat tried to get close, but was blocked by a shadow barrier.
Titan chuckled. "The end is near. I play Monster Reborn to bring back Archfiend Matador in attack mode. (Atk: 0 Def: 0)" Said Archfiend returns to the field as it roared at Jaden. "Now I summon another Archfiend Soldier in attack mode. (Atk: 1900 Def: 1500) I set one card facedown and end my turn."
Hand 1
"Hahahaha! Get up, if you can. Or are you too scared to continue fighting." Titan taunted.
'Is this guy having fun tormenting us.' Alexis thought. 'I want to defeat Titan and get my brother's lost memories back so I can hear his kind words again! I've been battling with all those feelings alone, but... I sorry my brother, Jaden... I'm sorry.' Feeling despair, she couldn't help but collapse on the ground.
"That's right, stay down." Titan said. "There's no point in fighting. You can't win. Soon both you and Jaden Yuki will be absorbed into the shadows."
"Alexis! Get up please!" Jaden called out.
"Let me through this dang barrier!" Red Hat kept pounding through until the barrier shocked him pushing him back.
From outside the dark dome, Atticus got free from Chazz and Chumley. Zane tried to keep him away from the shadow dome, but Atticus refused. "Alexis..." Atticus muttered before calling her name "Alexis!" Atticus voice managed to reach her ears. "Come back! Make sure you come back! Don't give up!"
"Bro..." Alexis muttered.
"Alexis..."
"Can't stop. I wont let you and Jaden down." With her newfound strength and determination, she pulled herself up, much to Titan's disbelief.
"What's this!?"
"Yeah, now you're back in the game Alexis!" Jaden cheered.
'I thought we'd have to rescue you.' Red Hat thought. 'Least you can now stop him.'
"It's my turn, I draw!" Alexis draws.
Hand 5
"I play the spell Pot of Greed! So I draw 2 cards." Alexis draws her cards. "I play the spell Polymerization to fuse Etoile Cyber and Blade Skater to fusion summon Cyber Blader! (Atk: 2100 Def: 800)" Cyber Blader appears on the field. "Cyber Blader isn't a monster who loses light by a Shadow Duel! A true prima illuminates a stage with her own light and continues to dance!"
Red Hat scratch the back of his head to even comprehend what Alexis just said. 'Sounds like you subconsciously have many thoughts you're too afraid to tell. Wounder why...'
"Hmph." Titan smirked at her words. "I have three Archfiends on the field. What can one Prima do on her own? Let alone a bunch of weaker monsters."
Alexis smirked back. "When there are three monsters on your field, Cyber Blader's third effect activates. It negates all spells traps and monster effects on your field. And so Dark Arena's effect is negated!" Cyber Blader began to glow with a bright light, causing the Dark Arena to disappear.
"What!?" Titan exclaimed in horror. "My Dark Arena! It's..."
The light emanating from Cyber Blader then burst through the dome of shadows. "Alright you did it Alexis!" Jaden cheered. Atticus couldn't help but smile, realizing what this meant.
'A very circumstancial effect. The opponent has to be in this situation to have a board. You messed up big time Titan, and time to pay the price.' thought Red Hat, running up to Jaden.
"Now I play my facedown Call of the Haunted to bring back on of Jaden's monsters. So appear Elemental HERO Bladedge! (Atk: 2600 Def: 1800)" Jaden's Elemental HERO Bladedge appears on the field. "Now I normal summon Command Knight in attack mode! (Atk: 1200 - 1600 Def: 1900)" The female knight appears on the field. "Her effect gives all warrior monsters a 400 attack boost! More then enought to wipe out your monsters and your life points! (Atk: 2600 - 3000 Def: 1800) (Atk: 1600 - 2000 Def: 1400) (Atk: 1500 - 1900 Def: 1600) (Atk: 2100 - 2500 Def: 800)"
"This can't be!"
"Battle! Go Elemental HERO Bladedge attack his Archfiend Matador! Slice and Dice attack!" Alexis commanded. 'Okay, that was a bit embarrassing.' She thought. Bladedge slice through Archfiend Matador destroying it.
Titan & Crowler: 4900 - 1900 LP
"Now Cyber Blader's attack doubles now that you have two monsters on your field! (Atk: 2500 - 4600 Def: 800) Now Cyber Blader attack his monster!" Cyber Blader skated on air towards Terrorking Archfiend Titan selected as an attack.
"Go trap card! Mirror Force! This will destroy all your monsters! So much for that comeback!"
"Not so fast Titan!" Jaden interrupted. "Go counter trap! Solemn Judgment! By paying half our life points, your trap is negated and destroyed!" An old man with two praying woman standing behind him appeared. The old man launched a holy ray of light, negating the Mirror Force trap and negating it.
Alexis & Jaden: 1000 - 500 LP
"No this can't be!" said Titan in disbelief.
"Continue Cyber Blader, attack with Skate Blade Slash!" Cyber Blader soon approached Terrorking and destroyed it with an impressive slashing kick, then moved on to knock Titan on his back with the same manner.
Titan & Crowler: 1900 - 0 LP
When Titan looked up, he found himself surrounded by a mass of the same slimy blobs that took him away the last time. "No, nooo!" He cried out as they swarmed over him. "I can't go back to the shadows! Help me please!" He was then completely engulfed by the slimy mass and dragged down. Moments later, there was nothing left of him... except his shadow charm mask. Crowler was laying on the ground unconscious. Red Hat and Jaden helped him up as they left the Abandoned dorm, explaining to Crowler what happened along the way.
Time 4am
Now that all was set and done, everyone came out of the Abandoned Dorm, with the sky starting to get the faintest bit of morning light. All the others watched as the two Rhodes exchanged heart-filled looks.
"Brother, Atticus."
"Alexis."
The two siblings then hugged each other. Red Hat gave a warm smile as he saw that. One of the very rare smiles he gave.
"Atticus, welcome home..." Alexis said softly.
"Sorry I worried you." Atticus replied with the same softness.
"But Atticus..." Alexis replied as they pulled away from each other. "Why were you in the realm of darkness?"
"It's not as if I actually wanted to enter it. We were taking a special class at this dorm. And, one day..."
Flashback
Atticus found himself being kept in place by those slimy blobs. "Called down to the duel ring in the basement, I was taken into the realm of darkness in the middle of a test duel... in the same way Titan just vanished before our eyes."
Flashback End
"That was a world much like a nightmare... There, I kept going through duel training like nothing those in this world could imagine."
"Who sent you into a world like that, brother?" Alexis asked.
Atticus shook his head. "Even now, I don't know that. However, the one who called me and cunducted the test duel that day... was Preofessor Banner."
Everyone including Red Hat gasped and stared in shock at what Atticus revealed.
"Professor Banner did?" Jaden asked. 'He couldn't be! He can't be!'
'Was Banner in on this?' Red Hat thought as he clenched his fist. 'Why? why would Banner such a good Professor I respect do such a thing? Why?' Red Hat was no conflicted. He had no idea what to believe now.
A/N: That's it for this chapter. This time Alexis and Jaden got some Tag Duel action. Reason this was done is to not make contradictions. It was also done this way to show Alexis and Jaden can work together unlike much much later on, but we'll get to that eventually. Tag Force 1 duel against Titan takes place at the lighthouse in case all were wondering. The entire joke of Red Hat being able to see only Aussa is a hold over idea from the manag which contradicts some lore. So spirits can just show themselves to said user? Instead of being born with said power to see spirits. That's the main reason why I make the joke Red Hat can see Aussa and no other spirits. Depending on how that's revived, I'll be doing more gags like that later down the line. Next up is Duel Monsters spirit day. Tag Force version with mix of anime. This should be fun for different reasons. Until next time.