Chapter 21 : Sacrifice part 01.
As the duo prepped for Nightshroud's eventual capture said villain didn't waste any time as he let his minions continue the fight against Yubel as he seemingly made himself scarce, vanishing through the shadows. Traveling throughout said shadows he payed close attention to everything around him until he sensed the Rhoades familiy aura, more precisely Alexis Rhoades's aura as an idea hatched in his head.
In the meantime with the Rhoades group on the plane.
Jaden's close friends wwere having a discussion about the fact that they might going to battle ill prepared and ill equiped as Chazz, the most vocal one asked bluntly.
" why didn't we convince Jim or Axel to join us?"
Alexis replied as such.
" and risk those weirdos overrun our school?"
Chazz begrugingly admitted that it was a good point as he asked.
" say what happened to Adrian Gecko?, he's the only one who didn't return to us…"
Nightshroud at that made his entrance making everyone alert as they readied their duel discs.
' he's in my posession, along with the pretty blonde.'
Alexis raised her eyebrows at what honestly was an underwhelming yet still groutesque figure of darkness.
" and what makes you think that I'll be a damsel in distress?"
Nightshroud answered nonchalantly.
' oh I don't knoww, the fact that if any of you engage me in a duel right here and now will send this jet head first into a dark watery grave, oh, and the fact that if you refuse you'll never be able to save Adrian from me.'
Alexis sighed.
" very well, return Adrian first….."
Nightshroud replied in mock hurt.
' do I seem that untrustwworthy to you?'
If he had any sense of ego about him the icy stares the group gave him would've actually hurt his sense of pride as he relented.
' very well…..'
As Nightshroud was about to use his powers Alexis interrupted.
" make sure we see Adrian's safe return."
Nightshroud gave an annoyed hum saying.
' you're too smart for your own good.'
As Nightshroud showed proof of his word Alexis reluctantly joined him as they both traveled through the shadows towards Yubel's last known location, however unbeknownst to Alexis the villain returned Adrian's soulback into the shadows.
" the slacker's going to have a fit."
Zane added to the conversation.
" not if we all turn the table on that demon."
Chazz reacted sarcastically.
" oh is that all…. What didn't you say so….."
zane calmly responded.
" not now."
Knowing not to annoy Zane Truesdale Chazz stopped before he had a briliant idea. Sending Light and Darkness dragon ahead of tem to keep track of Nightshroud at all times.
" wait just a moment….."
With that Chazz princeton sent both his dragon and the Ojama Brothers as " backup" as he thought to himself.
' am I a genius or what?'
Speaking of genius, the three Ojama brothers stuck to Light and Darkness dragon and Nightshroud in turn like cheap colonge on an even cheaper suit until Yellow convinced Green and Black to follow him as they began searching for Yubel, speaking of which said monster in question has finished the rounds of duels the "agents" started fully expecting the ordeal to restart any moment now as the three brithers materialized in front of her.
' thank….. goddess….. I mean goodness… do we have a scoop for you…..'
Yubel replied as follows.
"if Chazz sent you, this must be of importance."
Yubel gestured the Ojama brothers to speak and deliver the message the Orincetin biy entrusted with as eventually the nuisances managed to blurt out that Nightshroud as taken Alexis Rhoades with him.
" tell your boss that I will not disappoint jaden or any of his friends."
At that particular moment another batch of " agents" as Yubel exclaimed.
" remain behind me at all times."
Speaking of behind, Light and Darkness dragon didn't let up on Nightshroud as Alexis smirked.
" trouble in paradise?"
Nighshroud replied with a monotone voice.
' you haven't begun to see what trouble I can make you do '.
With that said and done the duo of Jaden and Atticus were busy preparing the trap and going step by step to make sure no accidents happen as the latter felt a strange sensation in his back.
" did you feel a cold breeze just now?"
Jaden replied as follows.
" nope but I am worried that he isn't here yet."
With that said and done someone did eventually arrive, Yubel, bruised and tired but not enough to keep Jaden out of the loop. After a while jaden felt anger rise within him as he apruptly asked.
" he what!?"
Atticus at that asked cautiously.
" he pulled a dirty trick didn't he?"
Still a bit out of it Jaden responded with.
" the dirtiest trick of them all, he took Alexis hostage."
With anger clearly in his voice Atticus demanded to know.
" where is he now?!"
Yubel answered pointedly.
" being chased around by Light and Darkness dragon."
Atticus at that smirked saying.
" remind me to give Chazz a big pat on the back."
With that said and done Atticus activated his duel disk as he followed the summoning conditions for his ace monster Red Eyes Darkness Dragon as he mounted the beast.
" you're going after him right?"
Atticus nodded.
" don't followw me or try and stop me, I have to protect her."
Jaden shrugged.
" I was going to say be careful and give him a butt kicking from me."
Surprised by the response Atticus reassured Jaden.
" don't worry about the trap, I'll make sure not to screw it up."
Jaden thanked him as he stated.
" Alexis is more important so keep yourself…."
But Before he could finish Atticus has already taken off as Jaden finished.
"…. in check…."
Jaden didn't blame Atticus for blowing off the handle, to be honest it took everything he had not to do so himself but what he could do is make sure that the older Rhoades wouldn't be unmatched or overwhelmed.
" Yubel…."
Yubel nodded saying.
" say no more, I had the same thought in mind."
With that Yubel vanished and reappeared back on the Rhoades plane, seemingly frightening Chazz.
" I'm very sorry if my sudden arrival frightened you."
Trying to save face and keep the conversation going Chazz responded with.
" I wasn't scared, just surprised….. anyhow, how can we help?"
Yubel briefly explained the situation as she asked Zane and Chazz to accompany her and provide cover for Atticus as the latter asked.
." how do we get to where Atticus is,,,,,,,,, don't tell me…"
Yubel reassured him saying.
" we are teleporting, not flying."
Releaved a little Chazz, alongside Zane allowed Yubel to teleport them to where Nightshroud was currently hiding. Arriving at their destination Chazz noticed thet Yubel was struggling.
" you can't maintain this form for much long am I right?"
Yubel replied.
" how observant of you."
Chazz didn't hesitate to offer some of his life force to her as she declined his offer stating that the two of them should conserve their energy for the trials ahead while Zane got straight to the point.
" where are we exactly?"
Chazz admitted.
" that's an excellent question but we should focus on saving Atticus and Alexis."
Zane seconded that motion by saying.
" agreed, now let's move forward."
With that said and done Yubel led them through a labyrinth of an even stranger substance until they arrived at a straight path which Alexis was chained to the wall.
" is it just me or does this looks too easy?"
Zane confirmed Chazz's suspicions.
" we were the first to arrive and so far we have not encountered a single enemy so far….."
Chazz at that asked the million dollar question.
" so what do we do?"
An all too familiar voiced answered.
" we both work together to escape"
At this point Chazz responded with a deadpanned .
" so what? We draw the fire so you could sneak in?"
Atticus responded with.
" nothing that crazy."
However at the end the group did just that since there was no guarantee that they could handle Nightshroud on their own.
" don't worry sis, big bro is here…."
At that the mother of all surprises happened.
' he should have been there from the start'
Atticus at that instinctively retreated.
" where is she Nightshroud?"
Nightshroud tried to play coy but Atticus had no patience to it as he grabbed the villain, or more precisely the form of his sister by the throat.
" tell me where she is while you can still talk."
Smirking Nightshroud replied.
' if I knew you were capable to that kind of violence I would've had more fun with you earlier…..'
Atticus's only response was to tighten his grip.
" don't make me repeat myself."
Relenting Nightshroud gestured to Atticus he would talk as the latter dropped him to the ground.
' ouch…..'
Atticus's glarehonestly impressed him as he cleared his throat before humoring the enraged boy.
' she's safe for now… get me Jaden over here and I'll take you to her.'
Atticus at that didn't say a word as he felt like he was being played again as Zane whispered quietly towards Chazz.
" while Nightshroud's distracted, go and search for where Alexis is being held."
Chazz nodded.
" got it, but buy me some time."
Zane nodded as he approached Nightshroud.
' oh dear, I think I broke….'
With that he was yoinked hard from the ground ashe was being held by the helm of the shirt.
' easy…. easy… hasn't anyone taught you it ain't nice to rough up a lady?'
Zane smirked.
" two things, one, you aren't a lady and two, I have no qualms with being rougher."
With that Zane was prepared to throw Nightshroud to the floor as the demonic villain stopped him by stating.
' while this isn't my real body I'm actually using her body as a vessel, it would be a shame if I had to return it bruised and battered.'
as the attempted interrogation continued Chazz silently ordered Light and Darkness dragon to sweep the area and signal him if he notices something worth noticing. A couple of minutes passed as something clicked with him.
" you've been a part of Atticus the longest right?"
Nightshroud answered sarcastically.
" of course young Sherlock."
Chazz ignored the comment as he instructed Zane to check " Alexis's" pockets stating.
" Atticus, for better or worse is a showman through and through, meaning you can't help yourself. Once the loud mouth was taken over.
Too late, while the group looked for a driver someone lost their lives. Chazzby this point however found the real Alexis, stuck in card form with in Nightshroud's pockets as he told Zane.
" pin him down and hold him steady."
Zane replied.
" I have a better idea."
Zane was about to knock Nightshroud out as the demon spoke.
' if you want her safe and sound you'd want me conscious.'
Zane grunted in annoyance as he kept Nightshroud still while Chazz found Alexis stuck in card form much like when he was after the Shadow riders saga.
' aren't you going to ask to release her?'
Chazz countered.
" why bother?, you trapped her in a duel card so it's obvious."
Nightshroud smirked in return.
' are you sure you're brave enough to risk it?'
Reaching into Nightshroud's pockets, for lack of better terms Chazz fished out the card Alexis was being kept at as he noticed it didn't look like any other duel monster cards he's ever seen before as he asked in suspicion.
" this is a card that no one else but you could use and it can only activate on a special occasion…. or am I wrong?"
Nightshroud replied with a smug tone in his voice.
'nope, you've hit the nail on the head.'
Observing what happened Yubel quickly disappeared, returning to Jaden's side.
" it's even worse than we thought…"
With that Yubel informed him about everything that happened as Jaden was left with a tough situation, however it didn't take him too long to come up with a solution of all people as he asked Yubel.
" is there anyway for me to split the power of the gentle darkness?"
Yubel's only answer was.
" unfortunately , not a solution you could spend a life time on."
As Yubel gave her answer Jaden had an idea going inside his head.
" Yubel, bring back Atticus here if you please."
Yubel obliged as she waited for Nightshroud to get distracted as she floated silently next to Atticus as she whispered.
" follow me, we have the power to bring her back."
At that Yubel teleported themselves both back as without making a sound Atticus was expriencing what can be described as an emotional breakdown.
" listen carefully and don't react at all, he may be listening from somewhere."
Atticus slowly nodded in agreement.
" sure….. what else could I possibly lose…."
Jaden explained every detail of his impromptu plan to Atticus as the older teen payed careful attention while the hero duelist asked the following.
" think you're a good enough actor to pull this off?"
Atticus nodded as he replied.
" my sister's fate depends on it so I'd better be right?"
Jaden at this point gave the go ahead for Yubel to transport them back to where Nightshroud was at which made Chazz and Zane acknowledge the hero duelist.
" I hope you know what you're doing Jaden."
Jaden only replied with.
" I am."
Before Chazz could chime in in his usual way Jaden called out to Nightshroud.
" release Alexis now and let's finish our fight once and for all!"
Impressed by the confidense Nightshroud acted around jaden like they were old buddies playing poker.
' and why should I, I like it here too much'
Jaden replied back.
" because I no longer have the power of the supreme king, not fully anyway…"
Nightshroud was caught off guard before he muttered.
' Atticus…'
Jaden at that gave a nod as he stated.
" that's right….. so release your hostage or kiss the supreme powers goodbye."
Nightshroud smirked.
' if that's the case, prove it.'
Anticipating that happening Atticus and Jaden mouthed instructions very discreetly to their friends to summon their best monsters to create the illusion as though the former could bring monsters to life and controlling them as the smirk never left Nightshroud's face.
' I admit, you two were commited to your little bluff but you'll have to try better.'
Not surprised one bit, now it was time for Jaden to smirk.
" speaking of better, how about a trade?"
Amused yet intrigued Nightshroud asked with clear sarcasm in his voice.
' what could I possibly want that you have?'
Jaden hit the nail on the head.
" actual power for a change."
The mood changed on a dime as Chazz silently commented.
" he officially lost it."
Understanding what Jaden did Zane chimed in.
" on the contrary."
With that Jaden continued pouring in the insults like salt on fresh wounds.
" after all it's in your nature to be nothing but a parasite."
Nightshroud scoffed.
' childish taunts?, may I remind you that i'm above it all?'
Jaden countered.
" yet here you are hesitating, a real threat to the world would've beaten me by now."
Knowing that he had a point Nightshroud reluctantly released his hold onto Alexis as he stated.
' once I'm taking over your body, the first one I kill is Alexis.'
Jaden got eerily quiet for a moment before saying.
" then shut up and go for it already."
Nightshroud began laughing as he said while literally exorcizing himself from Alexis,choosing to go with the most painful process imaginable. With Alexis free Nightshroud made his way fast towards Jadenbut before he could possess the hero duelist Atticus got in the way, getting repossessed.
' you fool…. What have you done….'
Fighting, Atticus responded with.
" what I could've done in the moment… returning the favor freak…"
Jaden at that asked.
" still there buddy?"
Atticus gave a quick yes of a nod while fighting Nightshrouds.
" get this over with quick…. Before it's too late….."
Jaden summoned Yubel to teleport them away from the weird labyrinth as Chazz and Zane were left behind.
" well thank you for being concerned… we're fine….."
Chazz summoned Light and darkness dragon as he offered him a way out to which Zane replied with.
" I have my own way out but thanks anyway."
With that Zane began to summon Cyber Phoenix as a whole group of "agents" began to materialize only for them to return just as quickly into the shadows.
" does that mean what I think it means?"
Zane's only reply was.
" do you want to stick around and ask?"
Chazz had to admiy the following.
"… good point…."
With that said and done both of them escaped from the maze and all but not before remembering to make sure that Alexis wasn't left behind.
" thank you….. it's nice being remembered….."
An awkward silence fell upon the three in question until Chazz broke the silence saying.
" in our defense, we had a lot on our minds at the moment."
Not holding a grudge Alexis gave them her approval as they continued flying until they found an exit left for Nightshroud's convinience.
" guys…"
Zane responded to what Alexis was about to say.
" I know this exit may not lead us to Jaden but anywhere is better than still being here."
Chazz at this point agreed.
" couldn't have said it better myself."
As the trio made their exit out of the labyrinth so did Jaden and the possessed Atticus as Yubel landed them just outside the supreme king's temple within the Bermuda triangle. As Jaden got his barrings Nightshroud noted.
' so what was the big deal?, you came up with an elaborate plan to trap me here forever?'
Jaden joked to buy himself some time to figure out how he'll rescue Atticus this time.
" I think it's meant to be 'for all eternity' "
Nightshroud deadpanned.
' enough jokes, you actually thought you could outwit me?'
Jaden continued to joke.
" hey it's not rocket science you know."
A strange smirk came across Nightshroud's/atticus's face.
' neither is this, you can challenge me to a duel, you can try and beat me but….'
Jaden at this point asked.
" but what?"
Nightshroud at this point decided to pay Jaden back by drawing out the suspense to the point of absurdity until a sadistic smile replaced the strange grin.
' Atticus will be trapped with me, should you win but more importantly…'
Before Nightshroud could drag on the reveal again Jaden took a wild guess.
" it has something to do with the duel itself isn't it?"
'Jaden ' cracked a smile.
' well done, care to keep guessing what further changed' .
Jaden at that had a moment of realization.
" it's the life point system."
Nightshroud laughed.
' exactly, if I lose life points i'll be losing pieces of myself too.'
Jaden at that cursed the situation he was in.
" so either of us can't afford to lose any life point."
Before Nightshroud could taunt him further Atticus regained control for a brief moment.
" destroy him… and…. destroy me as well….."
Nightshroud mocked.
' how touching….. though he wouldn't do that since he's…. desperately in love with Alexis Rhoades….'
Jaden didn't respond.
' did I hit a nerve?'
Jaden still didn't answer which started to anger Nightshroud.
' answer already…."
With that Jaden obliged.
" in a normal situation I wouldn't, then again it isn't a normal situation is it?'
Nightshroud surprisingly agreed.
' no, indeed it isn't.'
jaden at that activated his duel disc as Nightshroud activated his own as the duel for the supreme king's power began with both opponents playing both defense and offense trying to gauge one another. After a while Nightshroud noticed that Jaden wasn't letting up with his attacks to which he summoned his "agents" declaring.
' defend your master at all cost.'
Like a bolt out of the bloom the "agents" were struck By Zane, Chazz and Alexis.
" starting the party without us?"
As the two monsters kept on attacking and destroyin the army of "agents" Alexis touched down o n the ground next to Jaden.
" Jay?, what happened to the plan?"
Jaden sighed as he answered.
"lord of darkness over there threw a monkey wrench."
Alexis responded by asking.
" what monkey wrench exactly?"
Jaden explained it as concisely as possible.
" in this shadow duel the more damage I inflict on my enemy."
" dsetro him."
At that Jaden was left speechless as Alexis explained.
" believe me, he would rather be destroyed than destroy anyone."
With that said and done the duel between Jaden and Nightshroud came to an end as both Jaden and Alexis declared war on Nightshroud.
" duel!"
Alexis: 4000 - Jaden: 4000 – Nightshroud: 4000
" ladies first boys."
With that said and done Alexis drew her opening hand as she played one monster face down in defense mode as she laid three face downs saying.
" I end my turn and hand it over to Jaden."
Jaden replied as such.
" thanks Lex, I draw….."
drawing his opening hand Jaden went on the offensive, summoning Avion as warm up settling for one additional facedown .
Elemental hero Avion (1000/1000)
" Avion? Why don't you start us off with a direct attack?'
Avion at that did as he was told shooting his razor sharp feathers on Nightshroud.
Nightshroud: 4000 → 3000.
" had enough or are you hungry for more?"
Nightshroud at this point declared defiantly.
' I'll never have enough….'
Right before Nightshroud drew Atticus regained temporary control as he screamed.
" Jay…. sis…. don't hold anything back…"
Alexis and Jaden replied in unison.
" we're not so just hang in there….."
Nightshroud smirked in a mocking manner
' if you're so anxious to reunite with him then allow me to send you there.'
As Nightshroud drew he summoned the following monster.
' I set the monster Darkness eye in attack mode.'
Darkness eye (0/1000)
Nightshroud continued his turn with this.
' I play the field spell Darkness which allows me to set five face downs either from my hand or deck.'
Nightshroud did exactly as he explained as Jaden noted.
" knowing you there's more to these cards, so spill it."
Nightshroud at this point remained stoic as he said.
' patience… all shall be revealed soon…'
Keeping his frustration in check he allowed Nightshroud to finish his turn as Alexis regained control of the duel as she summoned her ace monster Cyber Blader in attack mode, equipping it with Fusion weapon as well.
Cyber Blader (2100 → 3600/800)
Just as Alexis was about to declare an attack on that very Darkness eye Nightshroud let out an amused laugh.
' you do realize that you're being reckless and more importantly , you'll lose your precious brother at this rate.
It wa Alexis's turn to deliver a stoic remark.
" I would rather sacrifice him than to let a creep like you torture him."
Nightshroud at that played two of his face downs.
' I play the cards Zero and Infinity, and those two cards are special since they allow me to activate the card between them, my Darkness trap card, allow me to show you what it can do,
with that said and done Cyber Blader was destroyed as Alexis set another couple of face downs, ending her turn.
" my turn and I draw…"
Nightshroud interrupted the declaration.
' my Darkness's special ability activates, within every end phase my trap cards reset themselves.'
Jaden rolled his eyes.
" great…. Just what we need."
Just as Jaden said those words a squad of "agents" appeared out of the shadows surrounding all of them as Jaden thought to himself.
' oh just perfect…. Like we needed them anyway…..'
Before anything else could happen an explosion of lights and color got rid of a few " agents" as Chazz and Zane flew by signaling the two that they got this,
" quit stalling and beat this guy already once and for all."
Jaden smirked.
" you heard him, let's not keep him waiting."
Nightshroud smirked as well replying.
' yeah…. Let's…'
With that Jaden continued with his turn as he drew one of his specially designed cards, in the same turn he summoned both of his favorites, Winged Kurriboh in defense and Flame Wingman in attack.
Winged Kurriboh (200/300), Elemental Hero Flame Wingman (2100/1200)
' are you about done?'
Jaden commented flippantly.
" didn't know you were that eager to lose."
At this Nightshroud chose to remain quiet as it suited Jaden just fine as he set a couple of face downs .
" now I'm done."
Nightshroud's only reply was.
' in more ways than one…..'
Before either Jaden and Alexis could react Nightshroud made his move.
' whenever Darkness eye is on the field I can use it's ability to summon monsters without tribute, so rise Darkness destroyer.'
On the field, a fiend type monster appeared right next to the eye using it's exposed nerves like tendril to balance itself, on the surface it stats seemed like an average duel monster but neither Alexis nor Jaden expected it to be actually a normal monster.
Darkness destroyer (2300/1800)
Sensing their tense demeanor Nightshroud mocked them by saying.
' that's quite alright, you can ask what's the catch with my latest monster.'
Jaden joked to shake of the nerves that overcame him.
" actually we're good thanks."
Nightshroud still told them just to be a jerk about it.
' first of all my destroyer deals piercing damage equal to the difference between his attack and your monster's defense points and second…. It can attack twice in one turn.'
Jaden's only reaction was.
" oh great….."
To make matters worse Nightshroud used his trap combo to destroy Kurriboh first.
' Darkness destroyer, show Jaden just exactly why you've got that name.'
Darkness destroyer launched an attack on Flame Wingman destroying him as the unbearable pain hit Jaden.
Jaden: 4000 → 3800.
' oh and please don't forget that my destroyer is free to attack you again.'
With that a second attack was launched and hit almost sending Jaden flying from the impact with the hero duelist barely managing to stand up.
' I wouldn't blame you if you chose to lay your weapon and surrender.'
Jaden: 3800→1500.
" news flash… I never throw in the towel and that attack wasn't as powerful…. As you thought…"
Nightshroud at that mocked him.
' at least try to look tough if you want to act like it.'
Nightshroud ended his turn as Alexis turn came up as she wondered what would be the best course of action, to defend themselves and buy them a bit more time until Jaden or her figure out how to save Atticus or end this duel quickly and risking losing her brother forever.
' if you don't mind could you make your move today?, I still have a world to subjugate.'
Alexis was about to tell him off until Jaden stopped her quietly saying that he wasn't worth it before saying the following.
" don't doubt yourself because your brother wouldn't and I don't."
With that said and done Alexis cleared her mind and steeled her resolve before taking her turn.
" I draw…"
Just as Alexis drew Chazz muttered to himself from afar.
" please let it be something that could be useful to them…."
To be Continued in : Sacrifice part 02.