Being an Observer Part 2
Another day and another class began for the day. In the same classroom. Both Syrus and Hassleberry were sighing at the fact that Jaden once again did not come to class. While Jaden would just sleep his way through class, the fact Jaden didn't come at all is what really bothered them. Hassleberry and Syrus were soon both sighig harder. Trying to compete who misses Jaden the most. A bit later, Syrus finally decided he had enough.
"Hey! What's a freshman like you doing inside this classroom, Hassleberry?" Syrus questioned. "This classroom is for us second years! Go take your class in your own classroom, Sarge!"
Hassleberry stood up from his seat, glaring at Syrus. "Guess I will, private. Since the Sarge is gone, there's no point being here without the commander in cheif. I'm heading back." Hassleberry walked up the stairs and bumped into Bastion.
"Oh, sorry about that." Bastion apologized.
"No need, that's on me, soldier." Hassleberry replied as he left the classroom.
"Hey, Red Hat isn't here either." Alexis pointed out.
"I think he stayed behind with Jaden. I know he doesn't like coming to class, but this is ridiculous." Bastion added.
"I hope they don't do anything rash." Alexis hoped. Meanwhile Syrus began crying in tears that Jaden wasn't here by their side.
Meanwhile near the Cliffside.
Jaden was sitting down in silence as he stared out into the deep blue sea. Still sulking that he was unable to see his cards and unable to communicate with his duel spirit friend. The fact he's was still unable to do anything about it made him even more depressed. He then looked into the sky and he could have sworn he saw Winged Kuriboh.
"Winged Kuriboh..." He raised his arm to cover his eyes from the sun's rays. "Just whiteness... It's bright..." He took out his deck and looked through his cards, still blank. This didn't help his mood in the slightest.
Red Hat was sitting next to him in silence. He couldn't stand that Jaden was being so depressed. He wished he could help him out, but he knew this isn't something he just fix on a whim. The only thing he could do was maybe lighten him up. But it didn't seem like it was doing him much good. Still, that doesn't mean he isn't going to try.
"Jaden... I wish I can help you out, but I don't even know what is wrong with you..."
"Thanks for looking out for me..." Jaden replied with a solemn look.
"Not sure what is causing this, but I'll be there for you..."
"With the way I am now, I can't duel, no matter how much I want to. Honestly, I just don't know what to do." Jaden said solemnly.
"I'm sure you'll bounce back soon enough, Jaden." He assured him.
Jaden stood up and began to walk away from him. Red Hat decided not to push any further. Jaden needed more time for himself. However, something in his gut told him, Jaden was going to take very drastic measures. Knowing there's nothing he could do about it.
"If I kow about drastic measures, then I should come prepared." He muttered as he ran off to another direction.
Meanwhile
Sartorius was currently on a plane, where his destination was Duel Academy. He remained sat down in his usual manner and turned one of his cards. As he took a good look at it. 'The wheel of fate is right side up. An unforseen change... There were certainly unexpected results... Jaden Yuki... He was to become fodder for Aster's growth, and by losing to a deck that had aquired a piece of my powers... his soul was to become my white servant. As a vanguard who would use the white light to rule the Duel Academy at my will...'
'However, that did not come to pass. It would seem that some heavy damage has been inflicted to his mind, but... at the moment, he himself is in control of his soul.' He narrowed his eyes a little, even though he still had a smile on his face. 'Spirits... He is a duelist who is able to establish an emotional bond with duel spirits... Such is what appears in my adivination. So, spirits really are involved here, are they?'
He then turned over another card. It had a picture of a masked man dressed as a clown in a tree. 'The fool. The Pilgrim. The wonderer. Before long, Jaden Yuki will leave that island... In which case... I will seek another.' He turned over another card and it was a picture of a man hanging upside down from a tree, and the card called the Hanged Man represernted the person he was looking for.
When he turned over another card, his eyes narrowed and scowled. 'The devil is upside down, yet I can't figure out who he is. Why does he always appear? Is he toying with me? I'll find you someday.' He then got contacted by the piot that informed him that they would be landing at Duel Academy soon. This caused Sartorius to chuckle a little.
A little while later. Crowler and Bonaparte who have heard the news about a plain coming towards the island. The hurried towards the docks since it would land in the water.
"I did not know of this! Aster Phoenix's manager will be taking an urgant flight to our Academy? My eyes and ears being tricked, are they not?!" Crowler was gasping for air as he saw the plane going in for landing.
Bonaparte was gaspiing more then crowler was as he tried tokeep up. "No! No! We will easily profit from this! We must somehow get into Aster Phoenix's horaire!"
They soon arrived at the docks and saw how the plane landed. As they arrived in front of it. A man came out from it in a white suit. "Mr. Sartroius, it's a great honor to have you here."
Bonaparte smiled. "My, had you contacted is ahead of time, we would have had the whole island here to welcome you."
Sartorius looked at them with a smile as a small bridge came out from the bridge and onto the docks. "No, it was to avoid attention."
Crowler looked at him with a smile. "Even so, I am surprised that a young man like youself works as manager for the great Aster Phoenix."
Sartoris jumped down on the docks. "Well, I have been friends with Aster since childhood, and that just lead me to work as his manager."
Crowler nodded with a smile. "Oh, by the way, is your reason for coming to the Duel Academy today about the great Aster Phoenix?"
"Naturellement." Bonaparte added.
Sartorius continued to smile. "No, things with Aster are just as I told you on the phone before. His schedule is booked for three years, and he will only be able to come to class when migrating for a match, at best."
"Well then, why did you come to this island personally, Mr. Sartorius?" Crowler questioned.
Bonaparte looked at Sartorius with a smirk. "I understand! Monsieur Sartorius, you are trying to decovvrir a new star that will succeed Aster yourself? Am I wrong?"
Sartorius looked at him. "Well, I suppose we can say that."
Crowler looked really excited now. Since this was a chance to show off how good Duel Academy was. "Then, I shawl fetch a list of our academy's proud and excellent students right away!"
Sartorus looked at them. "No, I want to ascertain that with my own eyes. I ask that you leave me be. I will travel around this island on my own." He then walked past them while Crowler and Bonaparte desperately tried to convince him to listen to what they had to say.
Meanwhile at the Academy Building
Red Hat was roaming around the hallways until he reached the card shop. Something was telling him, that Jaden might do something drastic. While he wouldn't buy any card packs at the moment. He wanted to buy as many sandwiches as possible. He noticed during the time Jaden was depressed. He didn't even come to the cafeteria to eat. He found that very odd, since Jaden wouldn't dare miss a meal. Unlike himself, where he would miss a meal when he was anxious, annoyed, or angry.
He approached Sadie, who was tending the sandwich cart for the day. "Hay, I'm here to buy many sandwiches today."
Sadie gave him a questionable look. "You do realize you can only buy 10 sandwiches a day right? This is done to prevent hoarding. What could you possibly want with that many sandwiches?"
"Do I need a reason to buy the maximun of 10 sandwiches?" He asked back.
"Guess not." She simply said. "That would be 5000 DP thank you."
Red Hat got out his PDA and handed it to Sadie as to regeister the payment of the sandwiches. Once she was done with the registry and handed back his PDA. He took out a serveral sandwiches from the sandwich cart, still wrapped in the foil. He had no idea what he was getting, but he hoped they were good sandwiches. He placed the sandwiches in a bag he obtain nearby the shop.
He then went to the counter where the card packs were. While he wasn't going to get any packs. He was still curious if anything new has arrived. "Dorthy, any new cards or packs for the time being?"
Dorthy turned around as she was placing products arounds. "Sorry, no new cards or packs today. All packs are just reprints of previous sets. Unless there's something you want, you aren't going to find anything new, yet."
"Oh I see." he said, rather disappointed that there was nothing new at the shop for the time being. "Well, I'll see you later."
"Don't be a stranger. It's been a while since you last been here." Dorthy called out.
"Maybe I will. I'll see you around." He waved at her as he exited the store.
He would run back to the dorm and help Jaden out at as much as he could. At the moment, he didn't care how irrational he and Jaden were acting. If Jaden needed something, he'll try to help him in anyway he could. Something told him, Jaden would need a big enough lunch after a couple days of refusing to eat. He doesn't know what Jaden would do or is planning, but no matter the case. He'd be there for him.
Later that Evening
At the Red Dorm, a loud scream could be heard through out the dorm. Everyone recognized the voice and turned towards the doors to the cafeteria as they flew open. Syrus came in gasping and horrified. "Guys, Jaden is gone! Red Hat isn't in his room either!"
"What do you mean they're gone?!" Bastion asked.
"I can't find Jaden anywhere! He's taken luggage from our room, too!"
"You serious, private?" Hassleberry questioned.
"I'm serious. Red Hat isn't even in his room and hasn't returned either!" Syrus added.
Chazz closed his eyes, irriated by what he heard. 'That idiot must have followed Jaden around. Just what are those slackers doing?'
the gang had split up and began looking for Jaden and Red Hat. Syrus and Chazz only cared about finding Jaden, as neither of them cared enough to search for him. Alexis looked around the area near the lake. Sryus looked around the main bulding. Hassleberry looked through the area around the Slifer dorm. Bastion looked around the cliffside and different parts of the forest. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to find either of them.
Later that Night
In the far right side of the harbor. Jaden managed to get a boat from docks and was able to launch it into the water. Jaden had a bag full of his stuff and sandwiches that Red Hat gave him on the boat. Red Hat, who remained on land felt genuine concern. Jaden was about to head out to the sea alone. Even if he found land, where would he even make it? The Academy was in the middle of the ocean. Where would he go? The food he gave him and the drinking water they took wouldn't be enough to substain Jaden for long.
"You sure you want to do this, Jaden? There's no turning back if you leave like this." He pointed out, feeling increasingly anxious about this desicion. Didn't help that Jaden told him to keep everything a secret.
"There's nothing that I can do right now..." Jaden said with a solemn look. "Thanks for helping me out, buddy."
"You even stole a boat from the docks. Talk about bold." Red Hat chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm not above stealing things like this. I did come from a somewhat rough place."
"Where did you live anyway?" Jaden asked.
"I rather not talk about." He replied.
"I'll see you again, bud." Jaden said as he started the engine to the boat and began driving the boat out over the ocean. He had no idea where he was going to go, but all he wanted was to leave the Academy. If he couldn't duel, then why was here?
Red Hat waved at Jaden and continued until he was no longer in visible sight anymore. 'Jaden... Please be safe. I don't want anything bad happening to you...' He thought as he walked back to the dorm.
Once he reached the dorm. He didn't go back to his room, rather he went to the back of the dorm and sat down. He didn't want to sleep. Knowing full well Jaden was alone out there, with no one to help him. He didn't admit it, but he felt helpless. His best friend is gone and there was nothing he could do about. He encouraged him and didn't even try to talk him out of it. If anything, he was also guilty for Jaden's disappearence. He slammed his fist on the ground in frustation.
'I should have stopped him. Yet, I just let him go through with it!?' He thought, feeling irriated with himself.
After a while, he bagn to sulk behind the dorm. He refused to head back to his room. He couldn't care less that he had handle the cold air of the night. He wanted to be alone for a while. While he couldn't stay here for long, since he didn't want to be found by the others. Why did it feel like something was wrong? He couldn't place his finger on it, but maybe there was something he had to check out.
He decided to take a walk through the forest in the middle of the night. Despite the night being barely lit by the moon. He pressed on and continued to walk around aimlessly. When he got to a special empty area of the forest. He noticed a few vines and trunks of the tree stood out. What happened here? Something like this was not normal.
He then heard a tree branch snap in the distance. He quickly hid behind a tree and took a small peak at the surroundings. He saw that it was just Chazz. Although, something about him was different. He took a better look and noticed he was wearing a modified veriosn of the Obelisk Blue boys uniform. However, it was pure white?
'Just what is he doing? Some kind of wacky fashion?' He thought.
"I've seen the light. Now, it's only a matter of time before the Academy is dyed in white." Chazz muttered to himself.
'What are you talking about? Has your brain been fried?' He thought, narrowing his eyes. Eventually, he then heard a plan's engines. He turned around and slowly saw a plane take off. 'Why was a plane here? Let alone in the middle of the ocean?' He observed. He turned back and saw that Chazz disappeared.
'Why do I feel like something is wrong, and smehow Chazz is involved?' He thought as he returned to his dorm.
The Next Day
Syrus, Hassleberry, Alexis and Bastion walked towards the Slifer cafeteria. After searching for a long while, they were unable to find Jaden. Red Hat, they were unable to find him anywhere. They even asked around to see if they saw him. Other then some vague hints that he was there. He couldn't be found. It didn't make any sense for them. Why would Red Hat purposely hide from them? Why wouldn't he come back? He didn't even come back to his room last night. That was the stranges thing about him, since he normally wouldn't dare not sleep in his room.
Syrus had a sad look on his face. "We couldn't find Jaden anywhere."
"The Sarge is one thing. I even took a look at Red Hat's room. He's not there either." Hassleberry explained.
"That is the strangest part." Bastion spoke up. "Red Hat is almost always found in his room. I wonder what's gotten into him?"
"I know he was in a bad mood a couple days ago, but this is getting out of hand." Alexis acknowledged.
Syrus then opened the doors to the cafeteria and then all of them saw Chazz standing in there. Syrus looked at him somewhat worried and irritated. "There you are, Chazz! I thought that you ended up leaving or something, too, Chazz!"
But then the group got quiet as all of them looked at Chazz shocked. He wore a jacket that was identical to his old Obelisk jacket except this one was completely white. Bastion looked at Chazz with a confused look. "Chazz, what's going o? That uniform..."
Chazz looked at them with a smirk. "I have finally seen the truth! Master Sartorius is the ruler of the world. Duel Academy will soon be dyed in white by the Society of Light!" The others looked at Chazz concerened as he laughed. What happened to him last night?
Unbeknownst to group, Red Hat stood behind one of the cafeteria doors, quietly peeking through saw everything. At first he had no idea what to make of this. Chazz has gone mad somehow. The others had no idea what he was up to. He made sure to stay as far away from them as possible. Quietyly observing what was going on until Jaden somehow returned. He didn't want to do this, but he had no choice at the moment. If they found out he allowed Jaden to to leave the Academy, he would never hear the end of it. He quickly ran back inside the forest and kept observing to make sure no one knew where he was or what he was up to.
Meanwhile in Sartorius Room
Sartorius was sitting in his usual seat at his usual table. We was shuffling his cards in order to preict fate nce more. One of the cards he picked up was the Hanged Man, which now Chazz was on the picture instead.
"Though he is one who controls spirits, I was able to make his soul mine. However, why couldn't Jaden Yuki's?" Then, as he placed it back on the table, one of the of the tarot cards fell down and landed upside down.
He looked down and gasped as he saw that it was the card that represented the wheel of fate. Only this time, it was upsidedown, meaning it was in reverse. "The reversed Wheel of Fate? A decline of destiny..."
He would have none of this, so he continues to shuffle the cards he had on the table. He picked up one cards and gasped once more. "The Devil is right side up? How can this be? This is only right side up when The Devil is panning something and is now on the move." He tried to have another vision, only to be blocked out again. "Just who are you?! Why can't I find you!"
Sartorius calmed himself down. He had no reason to concern himself with such trivial manners. He shuffled his tarot cards once more, trying to find an answer. "Jaden Yuki... That one has me worried... Are my powers no match for him?"
However, as he shuffled his cards. One of them fell out and onto the floor. He looked down and narrowed his eyes. 'Could this be right side up? Or Upside down?' He took the card and looked a it. 'The card is diagonal... Rebirth is upside down, destruction if right side up... At this point, I can not tell which is for certain...' He thought. "Even if my powers are not to be match for him, no one is able to escape from their destiny. This is most troubling."
He sat back down on his seat. Everything was supposed to be going as destiny fortold, yet it wasn't. He couldn't understand why that was. He'll have to look into it later. Sartorius hoped this obstacle would be eliminated soon.
Later that Late Night
Red Hat has been walking through the forest until he saw the Ra Yellow dorm, which was about to turn in for the night. While he would return to his room during the night. He would leave very early in the morning before sun rise. Ever since Jaden left, he refused to go to class and stayed at the forest. Making sure to avoid as many students as possible.
'I should give a some sort of message. To at least let them know I'm okay, should I?' He thought about it for some time. The only other person he could trust was Bastion. 'But would he tell the others I'm still here? Would he tell the others I've purposely gone missing?' Considering how Bastion was. He would place two and two together, he and Jaden disappeared the same night.
'Maybe I can give him a clue that I haven't fully disappeared. Just hiding...' He thought as he slowly made his way to the Ra dorm.
He entered the dorm and slowly closed the door. He slowly walked through the hallway. Making sure he didn't cause a squeek by the floor boards. Last thing he needed was the entire dorm to be on high alert. He made his way to Bastion's room. He was glad he knew were Bastion's room was, thanks to an earlier encounter a couple days ago.
He slowly entered the room, making sure he didn't make any noise. Once he fully entered the room. He noticed Bastion was completely asleep. Red Hat took out a card and placed it on Bastion's desk, along side a note. When he noticed that Bastion didn't wake up, he slowly exited his room and quietly closed his door.
He quickly made his way out of the dorm and ran back to his dorm, at least until it's the peak of dawn. What he didn't know, a couple of Ra Yellows spoted him leaving the dorm. They wondered why he came to the dorm late at night? Where was he going? He's been missing for a couple days. Just what was he even doing? They decided not to dwell on it for now as they didn't have answers themselves. They hoped to question him... if they could find him.
The Next Day
It had now gone a day since Jaden had disappeared, and Red Hat had disappeared along with him. The gang continued looking for Jaden and Red Hat. With Syrus, caring more about finding Jaden. Syrus and Hassleberry looked around the Slifer dorm again to see if he was somewhere around there. Hassleberry even checked Red Hat's room to see if he was there. Only to find he wasn't there again.
"Jaden! Hey Jaden!" Syrus called out.
"Hey Sarge, your best friend is looking for you!" Hassleberry called out, looking through the cafeteria.
Syrus looked underneath the staircase before he then looked behind the dorm. "Tell him that's me Jaden! Tell him about all the things we have gone through together and the bond it has forged between us."
"Yeah, come out Sarge and tell the shrimp that I'm your number one man!" Hassleberry called out.
Alexis closed her eyes and sighed again as she saw them meet up and lean towards each other with sparks going between them as they gritted their teeth. 'Here we go again.'
Hassleberry looked at Syrus. "I'm Jaden's best friend, you got that twerp?"
Syrus narrowed his eyes. "Oh yeah, well who else has known him the longest huh? If you know how to count, you would know that it's me, with a whole year! While you are just a dumb freshman!"
"Why you little..." Hassleberry leaned closer to Syrus and it looked like they were about to fight with their fists to decide who was Jaden's best friend.
Alexis walked up to them with narrowed eyes and her arms crossed. "Knock it off, you two!"
"Well, he started it..." Syrus said, pointing fingers at Hassleberry.
"You're the one in my way, private!" retorted Hassleberry.
Alexis sighed at their ridiculousness. "Just to remind you, Jaden's gone missing! Not only him, but Red Hat is gone too."
Syrus then lifted on a wooden box that was turned upside down, while Hassleberry lifted up a large rock. Alexis sighed while trying to keep calm. "Can you get a bit more serious and diligently look for them?"
What they didn't know, Red Hat was hiding behind one of the many trees in the forest. Quietly observing the scene that took place and overhearing their conversation. He had to mentally laugh at their overall stupidity... Syrus and Hassleberry anyway.
'You two are pathetic. Syrus, you are a leech and a coward. You don't treat Jaden as a friend, rather as your personal shield. Hasslebery, you have yet to prove anything. If anything, I'm Jaden's real friend... Even if I did enable him to leave the Academy, instead of taling him out of it.' He then heard footsteps coming in fast. He ducked down and noticed Bastion was running to the Red dorm. He sighed in relief, knowing he wasn't spotted.
"Alexis, I have some news I think may help." Bastion called out as he ran up to Alexis.
Alexis slightly perked up at the sound of that. "Really now? Did you find out the whereabouts on Jaden or Red Hat?"
"Technically, yes and no." Bastion pulled out a card and a note from his back pocket. "I found this in my room just this morning. I know I didn't left this last night. So someone came into my room."
Alexis took the card in question and looked at it. It was a ritual card called Contract with the Abyss. The note read as followed: 'If you're wondering where I am. I've gone to find someone in need of my help. I can not return to you until I know he's alright. Do not fret, I'm observing things from the shadows. If time comes, I'll step in and help out, even if I don't find him. ~ signed Someone you know.'
"I have a feeling that note was left behind by Red Hat. Jaden wouldn't leave a note like that, let alone a card by my desk." Bastion noted.
Alexis closed her eyes and sighed. "I think it's him. But I don't understand. He would just leave the dorm unprotected just to find Jaden. We're all searching for him, but why is going the extra mile and not even returning?"
"I wish I knew myself. I don't know what he's up to, but we can only hope he finds Jaden soon enough."
Then all of them heard a laughter. They looked up and saw Chazz standing on the roof of the Slifer dorm in his new white jacket with a smirk on his face. "It's all going as he predicted! Listen to me, you foolish commoners. The morning of revolution will soon come. The whole world will be engulfed in white light, and it will enter a new, whitely-shining age! Itll be in our name, that of the Society of Light!"
Hassleberry then turned towards him. "Hey nutcase, do you have any idea where the Sarge or Red Hat went?"
Chazz looked at him with a smirk. "I don't. However, it has been decided. Jaden will only be engulfed by the fog of his indecision and he will sink to the bottom of a deep darkness. I couldn't care less about what happens to that devil in the red hat."
They all watched as Chazz laughed on the roof. They then looked shocked when Chazz lost his balance and fell off the roof and soon heard him scream. "I'm about to fall, I'm about to fall, please help me!" They understood he must have been able to grab a hold of the roof before he fell down.
Syrus sighed and glanced at the others. "Now then, lets help Mr. Crazy and then continue looking for Jaden."
Red Hat observed the scene and had to lightly chuckle. 'Serves you right, you psycho. Calling me a devil? That's a name I never thought I'd be called ever. Not like I care anyway.' He turned his back and slowly walked back into the deep forest.
Later that Night
Jaden was lying in the boat he had taken from the academy and slumped forward to the side of the boat. After eating some of the sandwiches he was given on a dime a couple nights ago. He was now feeling hunger after staying in the boat for so long. He also somehow gotten lost after traveling through the sea.
"I'm so hungry..." He muttered as he stared out into the sea. "I wonder why I'm at a place like this..." He muttered. Wondering why he was even here when he was unable to duel. Ever since he was unable to see his cards, he was uterly lost at what he was doing.
"The cards in my deck all turned pure white, and I can't even hear Winged Kuriboh's voice at all now..." He looked up at the stars, hoping for an answer. "I wonder what I should do from now on..."
Jaden then noticed something fly over the sky. "A shooting star! Well, even if I make a wish, I don't know what I should wish for..." Jaden then looked confused as it looked as the star stopped. His eyes widened in shock as he saw how it was getting closer and closaer towards him. "What in the?" He jumped up and got over to the he tried tocontrol the boat. He was unable to drive it out of panic and road in circles.
As the falling star came closer to him. He leaned down as it past right over his head. Howeverm then it passed over him, he could feel some kind of power radiating from it. He looked behind himself as it hit the water behind him and a blinding light appeared and he covered his eyes. Then, everything turned white for him as the light different colors enveloped him.
Meanwhile back at Duel Academy. Red Hat was walking around the forest until he found an empty clearing which was near the waterfall. He had to wonder how he ended up here? He felt like he'd been wondering around the forest for what seemed like forever. While he was unsure if Jaden was even still on the island, since he left on a boat. Was it cope at this point? Or was it sulking? He didn't have an answer to either of them.
"I should take a break right now. It's been too long." He sat down near the edge of the river. As he took a look at his reflection. He began wondering, what would other say if they found out he allowed Jaden leave and he was involved. Would he go back to his lone wolf days? While he didn't care back in his days. Now, he wasn't so sure.
"Not only do I want to find Jaden again. I want to figure out, what is going on around here?" He muttered. He then felt an ominous pressence nearby. He turned around quickly and notice a dark mist at a certain spot nearby. He took a stance and prepared himself.
"Show yourself! If you're a spirit, then actually fight me!" He taunted. His eyes widened as the mist grew in size and rapidly came towards him. He tried to block the mist, only to completely engulf him. He tried to fight it off, only to black out and fell to the ground with the mist still surrounding him until it disappeared. Leaving him completely unconscious.
Red Hat slowly stired and opened his eys. His sight was blurry as he slowly stood up. As he rubbed his eye lids. He wondered what had attack him back there? That kind of shadow didn't come from no where. He hoped nothing bad happened to him after he blacked out. As he regained his sight, his eyes widen at the scenery. He was no longer in the forest, rather he was in a dark area. Despite the moon and the stars shining in the night sky. The entire area was a wasteland of nothingness, besides the occasional mountain and hills.
"What is this place?" He muttered as he slowly looked around. He took a few steps forward, hoping there wasn't any traps laying around.
"You're in the Dark World." Red Hat turned around and saw his partner Aussa standing nearby with a worried look.
"The Dark World? What do you mean? Am I in the spirit realm again?" He asked her impaitently.
"I didn't bring you here." Aussa replied. "Someone else brought you here to this realm. The Dark World is home to many malicious fiends that would tear you apart."
"Then, how do I get out of here?" He asked. "If this place is really dangerous, then we have to leave and hide."
"I won't do you much good, but I can find you a decent enough hiding place." As Aussa and Red Hat were about to leave the area. The dark mist from earlier appears in front of their feet.
'You'll do no such thing...' A deep voice sad. The dark mist from earlier slowly materializes, revealing to be the dark ruler himself, Ha Des.
"You!" glared Red Hat. "So, you're the one to bring me to this hell hole!"
"I'd watch with how you adress me, human." The Dark Ruler sneered.
"Don't antagonize him... unless you have a death wish." Aussa stated.
"I'd take the Earth Charmer's advice if I were you, human." Ha Des taunted. "Do you wish to die?"
Red Hat took a step back out of frustration. Did he even have a choice? He was staring down the Dark Ruler himself. One mistake can cost him his life. He knew in some tales, any deal with a dark lord was always bad news. In this case, it was accept what ever devilish offering he had, or perish in the most unspectacular way.
"I rather live, thank you very much." He spat.
"Spiteful child you are... No matter." The Dark Ruler walked around him, inpecting him closely. "You wonder why I brought you here?"
"You wish to make me you puppet for your own wicked endeavors?" He responded more as a statement then a question.
The Dark Ruler laughed at his face. "While that would be amsuing, I don't use humans as mindless puppets. They aren't even worth using as toys for the other fiends."
"Then why did you bring me here personally? I doubt its for a conversation." Red Hat replied with a scowl.
"Look over there!" The Dark Ruler pointed up to a specific location in the sky.
Red Hat looked to where the Dark Ruler was pointing to. He noticed tht one of the stars has shine brighter then any other star in the sky. Or so he thought it was a star. He question, what the Dark Ruler even wanted, let alone why he was showing him this. Does this mean anything significant? He hoped it wasn't such a big deal. He would soon be proven wrong though...
"What does this mean though?" He asked with uncertainy.
"The Light of Destruction has begun it's move. It's only a matter of time before you're place is next." The Dark Ruler explained.
"Light of Destruction? What do you mean? Just what are you talking about?" He asked, now completely lost.
"The source of all conflicts in the opposition between the light and the darkness. Our universe is the battlefield, if you will, for both the light and the darkness. The light is the true evil in this world, not darkness." The Dark Ruler explained further.
"What makes you say that?"
"The unicerse is on the verge of ruin due to the Light of Destruction. Someone with your caliber is more then enough to destroy the light. A user of Choas and darkness."
Red Hat raised an eye brow. "So I'm just a tool for some noble cause? This sounds very unlikely."
The Ha Des chuckles. "You'd be correct. This isn't a noble cause. You'd be the one to destroy the light and spread the darkness' influence."
"I'm not a puppet, and I will not be a tool used by anyone!" Red Hat spat.
"That's a choice I'm no longer ging to give you." Ha Des turned around and took a hold of Red Hat's neck and lifted him up.
Red Hat struggled to set himself free from his grip. He tried to punching his arm and kicking his abdomen, but to no avail. The Dark Ruler's eyes glowed red and released a dark aura around him.
"No, enough of this!" Aussa yelled as she started a chant. She unleased a large brown energy ball from her staff and launches it at the Dark Ruler.
Ha Des noticed this and chuckled as he destroyed the orb with a blast of black lightning from his free hand. "You're powers are useless against me, Earth Charmer." The Dark Ruler tighten his grip on Red Hat's neck as he started to choke. Once a mark appeared on his left arm, which was covered by his Slifer Red jacket, via is power. He let go of his grip and tossed Red Hat to the side.
Red Hat began coughing and gasping for air as he held his neck. His vision was blury for a while, until he regained his sight. "What... did... you... do..." He wheezed, still recovering from the after shocks.
"Look at your left arm, mortal." Ha Des ordered.
Red Hat took a look at his left arm. At first, he didn't see anything, until he pulled up his sleeve slightly. He saw a black mark that resembled a goul, with the occasional mist. He glared at the mark he was given. What does this marking even mean? "Don't tell me... this isn't what it mean..."
"That mark is curse implanted to you by my power." Ha Des explained. "So long as you have that mark. You'll be marked as a devil, you'll spread darkness to counter the light, your anger will amplify the darkness within."
"Why... you..." Red Hat stood and stumbled slightly. "I'm will not be your puppet... I'm not some rabid dog."
"You have no choice, mortal. Your will is strong, but how long can you last? Your anger only makes the curse grow stronger. Within time, you'll become a savage destroyer. When you finally break, you'll become easy to control, by any being with a stong enough influence. You'll break in due time." Ha Des taunted.
Red Hat gritted his teeth, only for the curse to slightly grow in strength. He clutched his arm and attempted to calm himself down. He wondered, was this the end of him? No, he wasn't going to fall like this. Even if cursed, he'll fight back, like he always will.
"Keep struggling. From the looks of it, you won't last much longer. You are filled with anger and hatred." Ha Des taunted further.
"Red Hat, please calm down. You're only making the curse stronger." Aussa pleaded.
Red Hat dropped to his knees and gripped his head as took deep breaths in an attempt to calm down. "Anything you can do about it, Aussa?"
Aussa shook her head. "I don't have the power to break a curse. Let alone one from a high being like the Dark Ruler Ha Des."
"Just great..." He muttered.
Soon a strong light shined and crashed nearby their position, creating a crator. Red Hat stood up and took a stance, with Aussa joining him by his side. The Dark Ruler chuckled at the sight their foolish stance.
"Our first enemy of the light has appeared." Ha Des observed.
As the smoke cleared from the crator, a white amored angel showed itself as it walked towards them. "Still up to your old tricks, Dark Ruler. These lands aren't even yours."
"I rule the underworld, and a small portion of the dark world. You have no power here." Ha Des mocked. Soon he unleashed a dark mist around the three and created a dark barrrier, preventing them from leaving.
The angel scofted at this whole ordeal. "Traping me and letting your puppet fight me?" The angel materializes a duel disk. "Fine, I'll crush this insignificant human, then your next. The light shawl destroy the darkness."
"I may not know what you intend to do, but I'll fight back no matter who it is." Red Hat takes a stance with Aussa by his side.
"Spiteful human. You fight back against the light, and you fight darkness? You are a menace to everyone!" The Angel unsheaths a sword from behind him. "Once I defeat you, I'll kill you personally."
"I won't die to the likes of you! You think this is my first time I would stare death? You'd be wrong!" Via a dark mist, a duel disk and deck materializes onto Red Hat's left wrist. "Huh? What the?"
"You'll fight him with that deck of darkness. Show the light the true terror of darkness." Ha Des stated.
Red Hat glared at the dark ruler, but calmed down to prevent the curse from growing. "Let's hope you aren't up to something..." He activated his duel disk.
"I'll destroy the darkness. As an agent of light, I'll shawl destroy you!" The Angel, who now admited to be an Agent for the Light of Destruction, readied his duel disk. "Ty name is Angel 07! All darkness in the universe will be destroyed!"
Red Hat: 8000 LP
Angel 07: 8000 LP
"My turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 6
Red Hat's eyes widened as he saw what this deck was. 'What are these?' He took a good look at the cards and began reading them as fast as he could. 'Dark Worlds? It says discard by effect to activate their respective effects...' He tried to come up with some combo with the hand he had. There was an obscure ruling he's heard about recently. The discard by effect is different from discard by cost to activate an effect. While he really didn't care about it back then. Now, he had to be careful with such card effects that require discarding.
"Looks like this deck is new to you, huh?" Aussa asked.
"Doesn't mean I can't adapt. I set a mnster facedown and end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 5
"That is all? Then I'll destroy you. I draw!" The agent of light draws.
Hand 6
"I play the spell card Graceful Charity. I draw 3 cards, then I discard two." The agent draws his cards and discards Airknight Parshath and Majestic Mech - Senku. "I play the spell, Monster Reborn to bring back Airknight Parshath! (Atk: 1900 Def: 1400)" A centaur like creature with a white lower half. He was wearing a blue and gold armor that was decorated with white feathers, ad had a green shield on one arm, and a sword on the other.
"Parshath." Red Hat chuckled at a recent memory. "Remember where I used to play him a lot. Not just for piercing, back when that was a novelty, but cause of draw power. Now a days, I don't even touch it, not even for discard fodder."
"You dare mock the power of the light? Then, I should obliterate you here now! I play the spell card Advance Ritual Art! With this, I can ritual summon any ritual monster, so long as I send normal monsters from my deck who's total level equal to the monster I summon. I send two copies of Dunames Dark Witch to the graveyard to ritual summon, Shinato, King of a Higher Plane! (Atk: 3300 Def: 3000)" White smoke emerged n the field. As the smoke cleared, came a blue-skinned man with golen wings.
Red Hat lightly growled at this. "Trying to do as much damage as possible?"
"Don't act so confident, human." The agent sneered. "I summon Dimensional Alchemist in attck mode! (Atk: 1300 Def: 200)" An silver armored alchemist appeared onto the field. It wore a blue cape, with shoulder pads that resembled wings, yellow gloves that extended to it's arms, while conjuring a purple orb, and wore a silver mask. "I'll use it's effect! Onece per turn, I can banish the top card of my deck to have it gain 500 attack until the end phase!" He drew a card, only to be banished by the alchemist. It's purple orb grew bigger once it absorbed a card. (Atk: 1300 - 1800 Def: 200)"
"Oh geez, this is going to be painful." Red Hat commented.
"Suffer, human scum! Battle, Airknight Parshath attack his facedown monster!" The centar chargedforward and attack the facedon monster with it's sword. Revealing to be Sangan. Once it finished off the monster, he then slashed Red Hat with his sword. (Atk: 1000 Def: 600)
Red Hat: 8000 - 6700 LP
"Sangan effect activates Since he was sent to the field to the graveyard, I get to add a monster with 1500 or less attack points from my deck to my hand." Red Hat took a look through his 'new' deck and tried to figure out which one would help him out. 'Okay.. no pressure.' As he looked at many of the cards, he finally decided on Ceruli, Guru of Dark World.
"Airknight Parshath effect allows me to draw a card after you took damage." The agent draws his card before continuing. "Shinato attack hm directly!" Shinato created an energy ring that surrounded Red Hat. The enrgy rings zapped Red Hat, causing him to stumble.
Red Hat: 6700 - 3400 LP
"Now, Dimensional Alchemist attack him directly!" The Dimsensional Alchemist launches his purple orb at Red Hat, causing an explosion as it made contact with him, knowing him back on the floor.
Red Hat: 3400 - 1600 LP
"I set one card facedown and end my turn." The light agent ends it's turn. Dimensional Alechimst attack points returned to normal. (Atk: 1800 - 1300 Def: 200)
Hand 2
Red Hat layed on the ground, coughing at all the damage he took. This was a shadow duel the Dark Ruler has set up on purpose. All the damage he felt was real. This was a battle he could not lose. He didn't want to even think about what would happen if he'd lose right here. He slowly got up, still panting from the barrage he took.
"Lay their like the insignificant insect you are! I'll put you out of your missery!" The light agent sneered.
Red Hat glared at the agent of light and gritted his teeth in anger. "Don't think I'm going down without a fight!" He then felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist... "Huh... Aussa?"
"Don't get so angry! I know you're in pain, but don't do it at the expense of the curse growing!" She cried out. "You can't afford to get too angry. That curse will slowly consume you the longer you remain angry. Calm down, you can't afford to at this way"
Red Hat stood there, completely shocked. His duel spirit partner cared about him that much? Enough so, that she would risk herslef trying to protect him and give him advice? If not from the curse, but from his own actions he would cause? He never really thought anyone would care for his actions, even if it would backfire on him eventually. Perhaps this was a time to stop acting like an angry lone wolf all the time. besides, many things happen to the others because he accidentally drags them into it.
"If that's what you want... I'll try..." He responded softly, albeit begrudgingly.
"You realize you're fighting to the death. Like all humans, you're pathetic. Only the strong can survive in battle. The weak are nothing more then tools. If you wish to die, then I'll end you myself, instead of from this pathetic excuse of an agent of light." Ha Des threaten.
"Tch, I'm not weak. I'll prove it right here! Aussa, I'll show them what we're really made of!" Red Hat declared.
Aussa nodded with a stern look as she let go of him. "Just don't do anything to rash, okay?"
"I don't make promises I can't deliver! Boku no turn!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 7
'Okay, if this works, then I may have a comeback.' He thought as he looked at his options. "I play the spell card Dark World Lightning! I target a set card on the field and destroy it! So your facedown is destroyed!" A purple lightning bolt from the sky struck the facedown card, which happened to be Mirror Force.
"Since your protection is gone, now the other effect kicks in. After it sucessfully destroying a facedown card, I have to discard one card." Red Hat discard his card. "The card I discard was the monster known as Broww, Huntsman of Dark World. When he's discarded by a card effect, I get to draw one card." He drew his card and smiled. "Now I activate another spell card known as Dark World Dealings! We both get to draw one card, then we have to discard one card!"
"Hardly sounds useful." The agent of light drew his card and discarded Athena.
"Oh it's very useful... Least to me!" Red Hat drew his card and smirks as he discard a paticular monster. "The card I just discarded was a monster called Ceruli, Guru of Dark World! If it's discarded by a card effect, it get's special summoned to your side of the field in defense position!" Ceruli emerges via a dark mist to the light agents field. (Atk: 100 Def: 300)
"You dare give me this creature!" The agent of light sneered.
"That's the point! His other effect now triggers. When he's special summoned by the effect of a Dark World card, then the opponent must discard one card. Since it's on your field, I'm the one who has to discard." Red Hat smirks as he discards a paticular card. "The card I discard was a monster known as Rein-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World! Ifhe was discarded by an opponent's card effect, I can special summon him from the grave. Appear Rein-Beaux! (Atk: 2500 Def: 1800)" A large muscular fien with grey wings and grey armor around it's torsor and lower legs appears. "Now for his effect, if he was special summoned this way, he can destroy all monsters or all spell and traps you control. In this case, all your monsters!" Rein-Beux conjured energy from the orbs on his chest and fired a powerful beam at the light agent's monsters, causing an explosion and destroying them.
"Why you little... You set this up, didn't you!" The light agent sneered as he covered his face from the explosion. "My Dimensional Alchemist has another effect! When it's destroyed from the field and sent to the graveyard, I can add a banished monster back to my hand. The card I banished with his effect is a monster known as Hecatrice!" The light agent explained as he added back his card.
"Who said I'm done? I summon Familiar Possessed - Aussa in attck mode! (Atk: 1850 Def: 1500)" Aussa walked over to the field as she was called into battle.
"Didn't think you'll summon me so soon." Aussa noted.
"Was feeling generous today." He remarked. "Battle, Rein-Beux attack that agent directly!" The large fiend launches multiple black beams from his staff and hits the Agent with an explosion.
Angel 07: 8000 - 5500 LP
"Not done yet! Aussa, show him what you can do!" He commanded.
Aussa nodded with a smirk. "Don't mind if I do!" Aussa does a chant and creates a brown energy orb from her staff ad launches it a the light agent.
Angel 07: 5500 - 3650 LP
"Lastly, I'll set two cards facedown and end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 1
"Tch, you're just a nuisance! It's my turn I draw!" The agent of light draws.
Hand 4
"I'll discard Hecatrice to add the continuous spell card known as Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen!" The light agent discards hs monster and add his spell card. "I'll activate it right away. Now it's effect allows me to special summon a fairy type monster once per turn. I special summon the monster known as Majestic Mech - Goryu! (Atk: 2800 Def: 1800)" A giant mech like fairy appeared on the field. It's body was in the shape of a halo with yellow energy in the center, it had mechanical angel wings, had a wolf-like head at the top, the lower part of its body was a long tail of yellow energy covered in silver armor.
Red Hat smirked at him. "I see what you're trying to do. You're trying to beat over me with that and weaken me further. Too bad you won't see it's power. Go trap, Bottomless Trap Hole! Your monster is banished!" A large hole open up from below the giant mech and fell down to the void as the hole closed up.
"You won't get away with this! I play the equip spell card Premature Burial! By paying 800 LP I can bring back a monster from my graveyard! I bring back my Shinato, King of a Higher Plane!"
Angel 07: 3650 - 2850 LP
"I don't think so! I discard the monster from my hand known as D.D. Crow! When discarded, I can banish a card from either player's graveyard during either player's turn! Guess which card I'm banishing!" Red Hat forcfully send his card to the grave, then a dimensional hole appeared in the sky, where the crow emerged from. It flew towards the light agent's graveyard and took Shinato card from his grave with it's talons and returned to the dimensional hole and disappeared. The equip card fizzled out and was sent to the graveyard.
"You mock me, mortal! Then I'll destroy you! I play the spell card Dark Hole! All monsters on your field are destroyed!" A black hole appeared above them and swallowed Aussa and Rein-Beux.
Red Hat covered his face when his monsters were destroyed. "Aussa, no!" He cried out, now suddenly feeling guilty for letting her be destroyed.
"I'm out of plays, so I end my turn." The light agent ends his turn.
Hand 0
"Alright, time to strike back! I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 1
"Okay, enough of this. Time to ends his duel! Go continuous trap, Call of the Haunted! I bring back a monster from my graveyard! Return to me, Familiar Possessed - Aussa! (Atk: 1850 Def: 1500)" Aussa twirls her staff and strikes a pose as she returns to the field.
"Didn't know you like me that much." teased Aussa with a smirk.
"Not now, please." He dead panned before continued. "Last, I play the equip spell Megamorph! I equip this to Aussa. Since my LP is lower then yours, her attack points are doubled! (Atk: 1850 - 3700 Def: 1500)" Aussa had a orange glow around her and grew stronger as her staff radiated more power.
"No! I can't lose to a devil like you! Much less that filthy partner that joined you and your devilish ways!" Angel 07 screamed.
"Who are you calling filthy?!" Aussa shot back, offended. "Red Hat, say the word and I'll finish him!"
"You got it! Aussa, finish him off!" Aussa nodded at his command. She twirls her staff and launched a powerful brown laser from her staff and lands a direct hit at the angent of light.
Angel 07: 2850 - 0 LP
Angel 07 drops to a knee as the dark barrier around the group begins to fades away. Ha Des chuckles at the result and approaches the group.
"We'll done, human. You proven your worth by taking down an Agent of Light." The Dark Ruler approaches Angel07 and grabs him by his neck with one arm. "Out of my sight, you worm."
The agent of light clutches the arm, attempting to break free. "The darkness... will fall! You will fail!" A powerful aura soon left the agent and disappears.
"Don't waste my time. You and your agents are powerless here!" The Dark Ruler shocks Angel 07 with powerful black lightning, before disintegrating him into particles of light. "Useless Agents." He took a look into space and noticed a white explosion in a paticular location. "Looks like beings of Neo Space have awakened."
Red Hat also looked up and tried to comprehend what he was talking about. "Neo Space? What are you talking about?"
"Your friend has awakened the power of the Neo Spacians." Ha Des had to scoff. "Gentle Darkness, ridiculous. The darkness takes no mercy to anyone."
Red Hat approached him with Aussa following behind him, clutching his left arm. "I may not know what you're doing, but I won't let you do what you want to anymore."
"You got no choice, human. Unless you know how to break my curse of darkness, you're tied to me now." Ha Des reminded him, not even turning to face him. "Your mission is to fill others with darkness and destroy those possessed by the light."
"I still don't understand what you're talking about?" He questioned.
"You'll learned in do time." He extended his arm and aimed at Red Hat. "Now, out of my sight!" He conjured a red beam and launched it at Red Hat, knocking him back as he fell unconscious. Aussa kneel down and checked up on him. Once she saw he was breathing, she sighed in relief.
"You didn't have to do that!" Aussa glared at the Dark Ruler.
"Try anything, I'll destroy you. You don't come close to matching me in power, Earth Charmer." Ha Des mocked.
"I don't have the power, and I never will." She sighed as she checked up on her partner. "Doesn't meen we have to put up with your rule."
"You're in my territory. If you both were in the underworld where I rule, I would gladly kill the both of you. Be grateful I showed even a small amount of mercy."
"Tch, checky bastard..." She muttered beneath her breath. "I'll take him back to where he was." Soon both Aussa and Red Hat disappeared from the so called Dark World.
Ha Des continued to stare into the stars. "Do you have what it takes to destroy the light, Hero? If you are incapable, my devil pawn will destroy it for you. Even the power of Neo Space won't save you from him." He chuckled before laughing meniacally and disappeared back to the underworld.
It was early in the morning as the sun was beginning to rise in the horizon. Red Hat groaned as he was regaining consciousness again and sat up. He saw that he was still near the waterfall area of the forest. He was more shocked that he didn't fall into the waterfall last night. He then stood up and grasped his head.
"That dang Dark Ruler..." He lifted his left sleeve and noticed the curse mark was still there. He also noticed he had a second deck box with him, which he clearly didn't bring with him last night. He took the deck out and looked through the cards it had... It was the same deck he used when he fought the angent of light. Dark World archetype with some additions he would normally use, while others he wouldn't even play. Aussa was also in this deck. He just assumed she'll always be in every deck he made.
'Everything has been such a drastic change for you.' Aussa appeared next to him glancing at the surrounding area. 'Trouble will be coming in the near future. No matter what, I'll be by your side.'
"That's reassuring, my friend." He then remembered something the dark ruler has said. "Hold on, The Dark Ruler mention my friend has awakend something... did he mean Jaden?"
Aussa shook her head. 'Don't tell me you haven't figured it out yet. Your fiend was fighting another agent of light. Only he had the power of Neo Space.' She then placed her hand on his shoulder. 'Remember when he was unable to duel because he was unable to see his cards or communicate with spirits? Thanks to Neo Space, he's slowly regaining those ailities.'
"Is he now? That means, Jaden is okay then?!" He asked, wondering if Jaden is coming back... if he wasn't here already.
'You're friend is on the island. It was a faint feeling, but he's back.' Aussa replied.
"Then there's no time to waste. We have to find him now!"
'Calm down there. You're pretty beaten up back there. You need to rest up for a littl while. We'll begin searching soon. Besides...' Aussa tiddled her fingers as she looked away. 'Maybe you can find my other friends in the meanwhile...'
Red Hat raised an eye brow as he sat down. "You said your friends were Wynn, Hiita, and Eria right? Wynn we have, it's just she sometimes comes up. The other two... I have no idea."
'You'll find them in due time, if you wish. Granted there's two more friends but I don't intend for you to find them. Those two have their own business to deal will.' She explained.
Red Hat nodded. "If that's what you wish, then I won't ask you to tell me aout them." He looked at the sky as he layed back down. 'Jaden, where ever you are... I'll find you and take you back to our dorm.'
As he layed there, staring at the sky. It was a matter of time until he would soon fall asleep in the forest. His duel spirit friend couldn't help but giggle as he fell asleep so quickly. She stayed there and watched over him, in case anything else would happen. Despite having new problems to deal with, she knew tey would eventually have their problems solved. No matter how long it actually took.
A/N: Many parts of this chapter was actually inspired by other media including some other ideas. While I'll try to flesh out some of the idea i placed. I'm also cutting down the filler that's happening, since I dislike the fact Jaden remains lost in the forest for 4 episodes. Even though he shouldn't be lost in the first place. It's all just for contrive misadventures with other characters, which goes nowhere. The search for spirits was inspired by others. Anyway, see you all next time.