Chapter 23: Sacrifice part 03.
To say that Jaden Yuki's first summer vacation after enrolling to Duel Academy was an adventure like no other would be the mother of all understatements and though initially it didn't involve the school in question directly, still the final setting for this adventure will end with the island. Like the island surrounded by water so did a sea of shadow "agents" threatened to envelope our heroes from every direction as they in turn summoned their best monsters while holding their ground.
" does anyone have any other plans except for playing defense?"
Jaden asked Chazz the following.
" don't tell me you're out of breath already."
Chazz shot back.
" worse… i'm running out of monsters."
Ojama Yellow in the most inopportune time popped out for a visit saying.
' don't worry boss, you still have me….'
Clearly not amused Chazz shot back.
" I meant actual useful monsters…."
With that said and done Alexis and Syrus started focusing on using spell and trap cards to give Jaden and Chazz some room to breathe as a slew of cybernetic monsters arrived at the scene to provide some much needed backup.
" who….."
Before Jaden could finish the question chancellor Shepard joined the group providing assistance in whichever way they could.
" thanks…"
Shepard interrupted.
" say thanks to me by surviving Jaden."
Shepard in turn showed the group a few shortcuts, hidden paths and narrow passage ways as they were used to avoid the bulk of the attackers while also those pathways became the perfect way to decrease the enemy forces by creating a bottle neck effect.
" Avion…. Burstinatrix… time to do your thing….."
Chazz legitimately curious asked.
" what thing slacker?, you don't make any sense…."
As Jaden's favorite monsters took their aim eventually they unleashed their attacks on the passage way's supports, collapsing them as the group made their escape.
" I've gotta hand it to you… that's a clever idea…"
Jaden responded in kind.
" thanks but it's too early for a party."
Chazz knew what Jaden meant by that as a group of "agents" awaited them outside the passage way. Chazz in turn summoned Light and darkness dragon, making minced meat out of his enemies.
" any news from the rest Alexis?"
Alexis replied with.
" seems like Sheppard really came through as he told them about the tunnels same as us."
Jaden smirked.
" great, let's set up a meeting point."
With the meeting place beeing setup the group made their way towards it as Syrus spoke up.
" tell me there's actually a plan besides running around underneath the island."
Jaden smiled at him.
" sure there is, get some rest, find where Nightshroud's hiding and take him out for good, good enough?"
Syrus nodded.
" for now anyway."
With that said and done the group avoided the main roads between the main campus, the dorms and the infirmary. As the group trekked through the woods Syrus couldn't help but ask.
" at the risk of sounding stupid, where are we going?"
Chazz at that chose to answer the question.
" an educated guess? I'd say Nightshroud is going after the sacred beasts again."
Luckily Syrus managed to put two and two together pretty quickly as the walk began to get exceedingly longer due to " agents" popping up from random shadows as the smaller teen thought to himself.
' this isn't good…. We're getting nowhere at this rate…'
In a move that shocked all of them Syrus found his courage as he began running towards the main road as Chazz realized what he did as he ran after him.
" I'll make sure he won't do something you'd do , now get going."
Jaden sighed in quiet frustration due to the fact that he wasn't crazy on what has gone down.
"well we heard him right?"
Jaden and Alexis started off running towards the resting place of the sacred beasts while Chazz caught up to Syrus.
" no offense but what are you doing here?"
Chazz replied bluntly.
" making sure that Zane won't come after me if his little brother playing hero does end up in one big disaster."
Syrus replied sarcastically.
" you're faith in me is reassuring."
Chazz smirked.
" knowing you?, you're relived to have backup."
Syrus at that got a little miffed saying.
" I improved since the beginning of the year!"
Chazz ended the conversation as a group of " agents" were heading their way as he chose to end the conversation on.
" you said you improved?, here's a line of a target."
Syrus in turn rolled his eyes before deploying his duel disc and his trusted due monster ready on a moment's notice to be summoned. Chazz did the same as he took it one step further.
"Light and Darkness dragon… come find me!….."
Back to Jaden and Alexis the duo made their way further into the island to the sacred beast's resting place when "Echo" confronted them both.
" leave her to me Jay."
Jaden was about to ask if she was sure as Alexis teased to hide the fact that she was flushed a bit.
" do you really care about me that much?"
Jaden could only respond with honestly.
" it would make me extremely sad."
Clearing her throat Alexis replied.
" well this is bigger than the both of us so get going."
Jaden nodded in surprise, which made him cute in her eyes, as he said.
"kick her butt quick."
With that Jaden rushed to the resting place in question as he noticed that " Adrian" wasn't there, in fact no one was there.
" did I make a wrong turn or something or was I wrong altogether?"
Not one to dwell on questions for too long Jaden checked on the sacred beasts cards just the same. At that moment Malicious Edge materialized in spirit form as he asked.
' what do you intend to do with these cards?'
Jaden answered truthfully.
" I can't bluff Nightshroud again by threatening to tear them up and I can't risk playing them, so I'll keep them close by for now."
With that jaden pocketed the cards as at the very same moment an attack came out of nowhere as a shadow " agent" tried to take down the hero duelist as Malicious Edge said.
' if you want dirty tricks let me show you mine.'
Jaden at this point and time activated his duel disc and made short work of his would be attacker. As Malicious Edge was about to disappear Jaden stopped him.
" mind sticking around for a bit?, I have something that I could use your help with."
Malicious Edge nodded while Jaden took off running, this time towards the Rhoades jet with the Evil Hero in tow as he contacted Atticus.
" hey, how's things on your end?"
Atticus replied surprisingly nonchalantly.
' other than a few minor bruises nothing that exciting to write home about.'
Jaden relaxed a bit as he continued the conversation.
" good because I'll need a favor from your old man, tell him to meet me next to the jet."
Atticus in turn ended the conversation with.
' got you.'
With that said and done Jaden asked Malicious Edge to cut down some of the trees just to make it extra difficult for the "agents" to track him down as he in turn asked.
" do you mind if I have a little fun with them too?"
Jaden replied apologetically.
" sorry but I need all my heroes at the ready this time okay?"
Malicious Edge didn't say anything as Jaden assured him.
" I'll make it up to you I promise."
Malicious Edge at that relented as he followed Jaden's orders until they reached the family jet. To Jaden's dismay no one but him was there until he heard an all too familiar voice.
" Jaden, what are you doing here?"
Jaden replied as follows.
" nothing much, what about you Adrian?"
Adrian responded with a cool and collected tone.
" just stretching myself a bit, being a prisoner will do that to you."
Jaden at that was weary at what was happening here, not entirely believing the answer as he played it off with.
" now that your back and all I'll need you to help me secure this place okay?"
Adrian adopted a care free tone and demeanor.
" anything for the one who saved me."
At this moment Jaden's back was turned towards Adrian as he checked if the jet suffered any damage within the last few hours, who knows what those "agents" could do or hide while commenting.
" actually you were saved by one of my friends."
Adrian smiled gracefully and sinisterly while approaching Jaden.
" thank Alexis for…"
Before he could finish Jaden smirked.
" funny….. I never mentioned her by name Nightshroud…"
With that Nightshroud tried to attack Jaden anyway but was held back by an unforeseen attack.
" sorry we're late Jay….."
Jaden shrugged and smirked.
" actually….. you're just on…"
Just as jaden was about to utter the last part of the phrase Nightshrouud used one of Adrain's monsters to attack all of them as the hero duelist acted quickly summoning Clayman in defense mode. As the Elemental hero was defending them Jaden urged Atticus and Henry Rhoades the second to get the jet moving however Nightshroud breached through the defense Clayman offered as he used his powers to entrap Jaden.
" so you want a rematch?"
Nightshroud scoffed.
'not quite… this time it will be a fight to the death.'
Without so much as a warning Nightshroud, using Adrian's body pounced on Jaden as the two began an all out brawl. At first Jaden kept with thw villain's pace as Nightshroud pointed out.
' aren't you full of surprises…..'
Jaden kept quiet as the two continued their fight while the hero duelist stealthily prepared the card that helped him the last time as "Adrian" eventually got the upper hand. After a few good beatings Nightshroud felt unsatisfied.
' try and put up a fight at least…..'
Just as Nightshroud was about to deal a decisive blow an old friend of Jaden's decided to reappear.
'not you….. not now…'
With that Yubel materialized in spirit form as she declared.
' now is your chance….'
As the darkness disappeared Yubel held Nightshroud at bay as Jaden rushed him , activating the card he stashed away while declaring.
" not only you will not take over my friends… your spirit will be…."
Before Jaden could finish the declaration Nightshroud got momentarily control back as they continued to struggle until Jaden managed to finish.
" your spirit will be held by me forever…"
Nightshroud laughed as he said.
' I broke out of your prison once already…'
Jaden responded firmly.
" don't count on it…."
With that Yubel helped Jaden escape from Nightshroud for a little while as the hero duelist addressed her.
" Yubel, do me a favor and make sure Adrian returns to my world in sound mind and body."
Yubel asked in worry.
' and what about you?'
Jaden reassured her.
" I have a plan in mind already"
Yubel at this point chose to trust Jaden, as she disappeared however Nightshroud began to taunt.
' now that your guardian is gone you're alone and vulnerable.'
Jaden at hearing that smirked.
" you forgot one key detail….."
Nightshroud replied confidently.
' and what's that?'
Jaden replied as follows.
" my house… my rules…."
With that Jaden sent Nightshroud away as heteleported himself into another location altogether, speaking of locations, back on Academy island Adrian began waking up as Atticus and Henry Rhoades the second helped him up .
" Jaden… you are one interesting individual….."
Atticus added.
" that's the understatement of the year."
At this Henry Rhoades the second interrupted the conversation by pointing out that those weird shadow "agents" are closing in on them as Atticus asked nonchalantly.
" are you ready to give them some well deserved payback?"
Adrian smirked.
" usually I don't indulge in this kind of stuff, but for these guys?, I'll make an exception."
As Adrian was prepping himself for another life and death duel Jaden transported Nightshroud to a replica of the castle he fought in when he first participated in those personal challenges, to be more specific, a dungeon like area while he was several stories above prepping for the final showdown.
" let's see I have my Elemental heroes, the Evil ones, a few really good spells and traps, exactly four copies of Emergency provisions and the last card I designed."
At that Yubel appeared again as Jaden reacted with.
" it's been a little while, thanks for your help as always."
Yubel politely answered.
' no thanks are necessary I am here at your service.'
Jaden nodded.
" good because I need your help one last time."
Jaden at tha detailed the plan to Yubel in great detail as she in turn responded with.
' let us end this once and for all.'
With that said and done Yubel once again disappeared as she reappeared in front of Nightshroud.
' you again!'
Before he could say anything else Yubel taunted him to follow her before she disappeared again with a familiar face replacing her, Clayman.
' remember me?… I remember you!'
With that said and done Nightshroud engaged Clayman in a fight, a duel if you wiil, between the two as Nightshroud came out of them as he was led floor by floor as Jaden's life points went down drastically before it went up by a little until Nightshroud and Jaden were facing each other again.
' surrender….. you have nowhere to run anymore….'
Jaden smirked.
" who said I was running, now shut up and duel."
Jaden: 4000 - Nightshroud: 4000.
As the two began dueling back and forth Jaden began playing defensively as he sent hero after hero to the graveyard while strategically increasing his life points as Nightshroud began losing his patience.
' your power one way or the other will be mine!'
Jaden taunted.
" go for it if you can."
With that the duel continued as Jaden continued sending monsters to the graveyard as Nightshroud wondered what was his opponent doing as Jaden surprised him by playing.
" from my hand I play the cards Unity of the Elements."
As the card appeared on the field it depicted an array of both Evil heroes and Elemental heroes standing against a villain characterized by shadows as Jaden explained.
" it's very simple, for every hero you sent to my graveyard you'll be now struck with 500 points for everyone and if there's a difference between our life points, you'll be struck by that difference."
Jaden: 7000 - Nightshroud: 4000.
Nightshroud began laughing.
' no matter how much you'll defeat me I'll always return as long as someone harbors a dark fought.'
Jaden smirked in return as he said.
" not for long."
Nightshroud at that began to inwardly worry when he saw one of the cards that defeated him last time.
Noticing that detail, Jaden confirmed his worst fear.
" Nightshroud is no longer a creature of darkness!"
With that Nightshroud felt almost abruptly that his connection with the darkness is being severed while in the meantime Jaden's grave yard began to glow as his Elemental heroes turned into energy beams, attacking him in full force, to add insult to injury the Evil heroes began pinning him down as Jaden charged at him.
" you want my power so badly?, eat it till you choke…."
With that said and done Jaden poured every last ounce of energy he had in him almost feinting as Nightshroud exploded with the overload of power, almost threatening to take the hero duelist's life as well if not for Yubel protecting him and using whatever bit of power left in her to return him home.
Duel Academy's infirmary, one hour later.
As the group managed to defeat the last of the shadow "agents" they bore witness to the fact that Jaden returned with him in a deep sleep with Yubel hovering over him in her spirit form. Chazz as per his request was left alone.
" tell me straight, is he going to wake up?"
Yubel responded in kind.
' not unless his powers miraculously recharge.'
Chazz sighed as he thought about something before asking further.
" is there any kind of option to transfer him my power?"
Yubel replied.
' there may but you may lose the ability to connect with your duel spirits.'
Chazz at that didn't flinch.
"knowing him?, he'll do the same for me"
Yubel nodded.
' I will give you enough time to say your goodbyes.'
Chazz nodded back as Yubel disappeared giving him as much time as he needed before he called her back.
' that was quick.'
Chazz retorted with.
" I didn't have much to say to them, besides they'll still be a part of my deck."
With that said and done Yubel instructed Chazz on what to do as he followed her instructions to the latter as both of them began reviving Jaden, a full two days later the hero duelist began to stir as he woke up in the infirmary with Alexis coming in to visit him.
" how long was I out?….."
Alexis replied with a small laugh.
" a couple of days."
Jaden responded as follows.
" that tracks….. say what time is it anyway?"
Alexis continued the conversation with.
" 08:30."
Jaden nodded while his stomach began to growl.
" just in time for breakfast."
As Ms. Fontaine arrived to serve breakfast for her patient Jaden devoured an entire month supply of pancakes with syrup as he eventually asked.
" what about everyone else?"
Alexis answered truthfully.
" waiting for you to finish, though that could take a whole day."
Jaden corrected jokingly.
" half a day actually."
Alexis playfully rolled her eyes before she left Jaden to enjoy his breakfast. About 30 minutes later Jaden exited and met with Alexis as she stated.
" you know you didn't have to finish this quickly, I would've given you half the day if you needed."
Touched by her generosity Jaden replied with.
" that's okay really… besides my legs were getting numb from being stuck in bed for this long."
Alexis nodded in understanding.
" what are you going to do now?"
Jaden stated in a manner of fact tone.
" quickly check on everyone, seal the sacred beasts away and head on back home so I could resume this summer vacation."
Alexis at that lightly teased.
" don't forget you still have homework to catch up with too."
At That Jaden groaned in a comical manner.
" how could I ever forget!"
At this statement both teens began laughing as they continued onwards checking on everyone as Jaden noticed the following.
" has anyone seen Chazz?"
Amongst the group Syrus spoke up.
" he's been in his room all day."
Jaden thanked Syrus as he began heading to the Slifer's dorm, making it to Chazz's room playfully knocking and entering the room in question.
" hey neighbor."
Chazz responded with no clear interest in his voice.
" slacker."
Jaden noticed Chazz's demeanor.
" you're thinking about redecorating here or what?"
Chazz didn't respond at all which led Jaden to state.
" it's much more serious than that isn't it?"
Chazz at this point blurted the following out.
" I can't see them anymore, as in spirits I mean…."
Jaden was take aback from this at first before asking.
" would you like me to help you find a way to see and talk to them again?"
Chazz, regaining his composure replied with.
" I don't need you to, I'll manage on my own,,,,,,,,,,,,, thanks."
Jaden nodded.
" any time buddy"
With that said and done Jaden continued with his rounds until Chancellor Shepard contacted him. Getting to Shepard's office Jaden couldn't help but ask.
" am I in trouble or something?"
Shepard in a jovial tone greeted him.
" on the contrary Jaden my boy, I'm rewarding you."
Relaxed a bit Jaden responded with.
" not to say I don't like the idea but it's unnecessary."
Shepard gave him a smile stating.
" I had a feeling you'd say that, still what could I do to thank you?"
Jaden thought about it.
" I would really like to keep searching for clues in the abandoned dorms, Atticus made a point about only him returning."
Shepard took a moment to consider it before replying.
" you know I can't allow students to wander around the abandoned dorms on their own."
Before Jaden could reply Shepard asked him to wait outside for just a few moments. Knowing what he was doing Jaden obliged as he stepped outside while Shepard made a few phone calls before asking him back in.
" so I'm guessing it's okay for me to snoop around the old dorm as long as I'm not alone?"
Shepard smirked at Jaden's comment.
" exactly."
Before anything else could be said Doctor Crowler entered Shepard's office as he locked eyes with the slacker.
" I should've known you'd be involved in this somehow."
Shepard cleared his throat.
" so? Are you willing to chaperone Jaden Yuki whenever he deems it necessary to visit the abandoned dorm?"
Crowler at that sighed in annoyance.
" are you sure there isn't anyone more qualified to shadow this nuisance sir?"
Ignoring the blunt insult Jaden pointed out.
" who could be more qualified than a doctor?"
Crowler at that muttered under his breath.
" Brilliant….. now he remembers to get my title right…"
Shepard in turn beamed.
" excellent, now that we've got this matter settled I must be getting back to work.
Crowler at that took the opportunity to shoo Jaden in an animated fashion. After that amusing conversation Jaden made a few final phone calls as he thought to himself.
' I hope this academy takes collect calls.'
On the other side of the line Gordo Yuki picked up.
' hello.'
Jaden in turn replied.
" hey old man, I was hoping to talk with both you and mom."
Gordo at that replied.
' well you're in luck that mom is busy with work.'
At that Jaden let out a nervous laugh as Gordo asked.
' so I take it you'd be home soon.'
Jaden responded with.
" yep, soon."
With that Gordo managed to make one last dig in before ending the conversation as Jaden went to find the Rhoades in hopes of securing a ride back home. With everyone making their final goodbyes the Rhoades and Jaden's group boarded the jet back home with the hero duelist finding his seat, hoping to catch a nap as Alexis plopped a few text books in his lap.
" there's no escape is there?"
Alexis smirked as she answered.
" nope."
At that Jaden sighed.
" that's what I was afraid of…."
With that said and done Jaden reluctantly focused on the textbooks and his studies. Arriving back into Domino city felt strange to Jaden for some reason, while everyone else resumed with their lives as normal he couldn't shake the feeling that the evil that was Nightshroud will attempt to return even after the hero duelist went into great lengths to trap said villain for good.
" let me give you a piece of advice, enjoy the calms between the storms because they'll hit you no matter how much you'll try to avoid it."
Jaden responded to Henry Rhoades the second as follows.
" wow that's hopeful."
Alexis's dad smirked.
" did you expect to hear something like, you're young and you've got your life ahead of you?"
Jaden joked in return.
" now that you say it, yeah it does sound better."
With that both of them shared a moment of genuine laughter as the group left the jet before they went their separate ways.
" are you sure you don't want a ride home?"
Jaden replied with.
" yeah… besides, walking is healthy right?"
Walking his way home Jaden made it back in about three hours as he entered the doorway to be greeted by his mom.
" took the scenic route?"
Jaden replied honestly.
" something like that."
Lauren continued the conversation.
" and the Rhoades boy?"
Jaden continued his line of honesty.
" did he return safe to his family?, yes….. is he going to be okay?, that's up to him."
Messing a bit with his hair Lauren continued asking.
" and what about Alexis?"
Jaden at that didn't get flustered or embarrassed to Lauren's pleasant surprise as he simply stated.
" if she needs me I'll be around."
At this point Lauren shifted the conversation to Jaden's globe trotting adventure as he tried his best to be honest with her without making her worry too much.
" well what can I say?, there were some rough times and some close calls but as you can see I returned in one piece."
Lauren deduced correctly.
" and you don't want to talk about it right?"
Jaden stated as honestly as he was.
" I don't really want to scare you or make you worry too much if I don't have to."
Lauren gave him a rare pleasant and loving smile.
" you're my son, being worried and scared is a part of the experience….. thanks for being a loving and considerate boy…"
Jaden replied jokingly.
" well I try…."
As the two shared a quiet and pleasant moment together Jaden's phone went off signaling he had an unread message as he tried not to jump out of his skin from the alarm.
" who's it from?"
As Jaden checked he gave a sad sigh.
" it's Alexis, she needs me."
Lauren at that returned the gesture.
" you should go to her.
With that Jaden began leaving the house as Lauren offered to drive him there. On their drive towards the Rhoades's home Lauren noticed that Jaden was acting a bit nervous as she ripped the band aid so to speak.
" are you planning on confessing to Alexis?"
Jaden answered honestly though he was caught a bit off guard.
"mom I'm not trying to plan on it, I think it should happen on it's own."
Lauren nodded along in understanding as she gestured her son to continue.
" I just have a gut feeling it's bad news is all…."
Lauren at this reassured him by saying.
" bad news happens whether we want them to or not, now I know deep inside that you'll do what needs to be done when the time is right, now take a few deep breaths and relax."
Doing just that Jaden eventually closed the conversation with.
" thanks mom I needed that."
As they got closer to the Rhoades's home Lauren pulled up to the driveway as she asked.
" you got this or do you need backup?"
Smirking, Jaden replied with.
" I've got this."
With that Jaden exited the car as Lauren drove off with him now approaching the front door. Before he could do anything else he was greeted by a morose Alexis.
" is everything okay… you're not hurt are you?"
Alexis took a moment before responding.
" I'll….. I'll be fine…. won't you come in?"
Jaden obliged as he entered the house noting it was a lot more quieter than usual and definitely less cheerful as Alexis asked if he wanted something.
" I'm fine thanks….. though I am worried about you, please tell me what happened."
Alexis tensed up immediately as though she was trying to stop something from taking over her, Jaden at this point acted on instinct as he gave her a comforting hug as she returned it, allowing herself to cry.
" it's uncle Elliot… he's….."
Jaden made her feel at ease as he guessed.
" he's no longer with us?"
Alexis replied through muffled crying.
" yes…"
With that Jaden kept hugging Alexis, letting her know he was there for her as a despondent Atticus walked by to get something from the fridge.
" sorry for your loss buddy."
Atticus perked up a bit as he replied.
" thanks, will you be around for the funeral?"
Jaden replied with conviction.
" I'll be around for as long as you need."
Atticus gave an appreciative nod before he returned to his room, Jaden, still comforting Alexis eventually asked.
" do you need to call anybody else?"
Alexis at that gave him a small smile saying.
" thanks for everything."
To be concluded next chapter: Back to normal!?
Author's note: I noticed while writing that I misspelled the Rhoades family name, so I'll be editing and updating that when I'm finishing writing the story, on that note thanks for the favorites and follows, until next time.