A splash of cold water against his face brought Jaden back to his senses. He gasped, blinking as his vision cleared, revealing the dark ocean surrounding him. The steady rhythm of the oars in his hands reminded him that he was moving, but… how did he get here?
And more importantly…
Why had he left?
His head spun as he glanced around, taking in the sight of his surroundings. The ocean stretched out endlessly around him, illuminated by the shimmering moonlight.
"Where… where am I?" he muttered, squinting his eyes. The boat he sat in rocked gently with the waves, cutting a path through the waters. "I… I was in bed, right? Yeah… I know I was! So, how in the world did I end up here? Is this a dream about deep sea fishing?!"
He looked behind him, hoping to find some clue explaining his whereabouts. Instead, all he found was the empty boat.
He hadn't even brought any food!
"Oh, great. I knew I should've eaten that fried shrimp Sy tried to give me. What am I supposed to do now? Fish? Yeah, right. With what? My jacket?!"
He sighed and slumped over the edge of the boat, gazing into his reflection.
"Man… what am I doing out here? There's gotta be some reason, right?"
He racked his brain, trying and failing to piece together what happened. The last thing he remembered was being in the infirmary, but after that… there was nothing. His mind was blank, an unsettling void where his recent memories should have been.
"And here I thought sleepwalking was Chumley's shtick. He'll never let me live this one down!" he sighed. His brow furrowed as he stared at the waves. "Assuming I even make it back home…"
He shivered at the thought, then resolved himself to never think like that again. Who cared if he didn't know how he got there? He was gonna be just fine. Like always!
Still…
Something about this had Jaden's hair standing on end. He was used to getting into wacky situations, but he'd never had a blackout before! And then there was that weird dream he had, too… Just what in the world was going on?
"You know what's happening, Jaden," a voice softly replied from above. "You came for me… as I knew you would. And now, I'll never leave you again."
Jaden gasped and looked up, his eyes narrowing as he searched for the source.
"Okay, now I know I'm dreaming! Hello?! Is anyone there?!" he asked.
Their soft chuckle echoed around him.
"Yes, Jaden, I'm here!" they said. "And now that we've finally been reunited, nothing will come between us!"
An explosion of light followed their declaration, and Jaden gasped as he covered his eyes. The ocean quaked and the waves shook as a star descended from above.
'No, that's not a star!' Jaden realized as he looked closer. 'It's a meteor! And it's headed for me!'
He scrambled, reaching for the oars.
But he moved too late.
The meteor crashed into the ocean with a deafening roar, sending a massive wave hurtling toward Jaden and his tiny rowboat. He barely had time to react before the wave lifted the entire thing up, tossing the boat like a toy in a storm and sending him flying overboard!
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" he screamed, reaching for the boat as he fell. But there was nothing he could grab onto.
Nothing that would prolong his life.
With one last scream, Jaden vanished inside the roaring explosion, his last thoughts being of his friends back home… and the fried shrimp still on his plate.
TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: TWISTING THE TALE
LESSON THREE
A LESSON IN PAIN
His scream died as he opened his eyes.
'Huh? I'm not dead?' he thought.
The world around him was spinning, giving him a headache as he steadied himself. He pushed himself onto his hands and knees, looking around while catching his breath.
"What… happened…?" he muttered. The last thing he remembered was the meteor crashing into the ocean and throwing him overboard! Now, he was suddenly surrounded by land, in what appeared to be a desolate wasteland! Jagged rocks lined the area's surface, and gloomy storm clouds swirled overhead.
'Is this hell?' he thought to himself, frowning as he climbed to his feet. He turned in a circle, studying his surroundings for any sign of intelligent life. The wasteland seemed to stretch on for miles, expanding in every direction. It was far too distant to have been caused by the sudden crash that had destroyed his boat.
"There goes my idea that the place dried up," he murmured, rubbing the back of his neck. "Great… First, I'm in the middle of the ocean, and now, I'm in the middle of nowhere! If this is a dream, it's time to wake up."
He pinched himself.
No luck.
"Yeah, should've known that that'd be too easy," he sighed, slumping his arms. "So, now what? Guess I really should've paid better attention in class. Professor Banner's Survival Course would've come in handy right about now…"
As Jaden contemplated his next move, a thunderous explosion shook the air behind him. He turned in shock, his eyes widening as he noticed smoke rising in the distance.
"I know this is probably the worst idea ever… but it's better than wandering around!" he said.
And with no other leads, what choice did he have but to investigate? He sprinted towards it. As he got closer, the unmistakable sound of combat filled the air. No, not combat. But jeers! And… cheers?
He squinted his eyes as he reached the top of the hill, spotting an arena. And inside it… his eyes widened.
"No way, Duel Monsters?!"
Dozens, no—hundreds of various Duel Monsters stood inside the colosseum. Some of them sat in the stands, clapping. Others were bound by chains. Regardless of their position, however, their eyes were locked on the center. It only took Jaden a single glance to see why:
There was a Duel in progress.
One of the Monsters—a blonde warrior clad in silver armor—stood opposite a chuckling figure draped in tattered robes and a sadistic grin. Jaden's eyes widened in recognition.
"That's… the Marauding Captain! But what is he doing out here?! And…" he saw the device on their arms. "A Duel Disk? They're dueling? It can't be… Another Spirit World?!"
As if to answer his question, the sadistic figure threw out his clawed hand.
"It's over, Captain! Reign-Beaux, send this fool to the stars! Kikiki… Wicked Canon!"
His shadowy monster attacked.
The Marauding Captain screamed as a bolt of lightning leaped from the being's spear, engulfing him in its electrical wrath and reducing his Life Points to zero.
"Kikiki… Kikikiki!" his opponent cackled as he fell, the surrounding Fiend monsters chanting in praise as they watched the Duel reach its conclusion.
"Brron! Brron! Brron! Brron!"
"Whoa…" Jaden murmured. "I've never seen that Monster before! Reign-Beaux… was that it?"
Ignorant of their onlooker, the so-called "Brron" towered over the Captain.
"And now, another one bites the dust!" he chuckled. "Farewell, Captain!"
Jaden gasped as the Marauding Captain suddenly shattered like glass. The flaking particles vanished, disappearing into the dark sky high above.
"Hey!" he shouted before he could stop himself. "What do you guys think you're doing?!"
"Hm? What's this? A human? Here?" Brron asked, finally spotting him.
Jaden winced. Maybe he should've thought before he chose to speak up. After all, if they did that to the Marauding Captain, who knew what they would do to him?!
"Kikikiki… it seems an unwanted spectator's infiltrated our ranks. No matter though. Bring him here!" Brron roared with a sweep of his cape.
Jaden gasped as the horde of Fiends turned toward him as one, their sharp fangs and glowing eyes promising pain, and worse—death. He scrambled to his feet, hoping to make a break for it in the other direction, but before he could take even a single step—
"Freeze!"
He was surrounded.
In an instant, multiple Kurama and Skull Servants had their weapons pointed toward him. They guided him through the arena's front gates and up the staircase toward Brron.
The cackling figure's twisted smile grew as he watched Jaden approach them.
"Kikiki… Trying to run? It's no use. There's nowhere to hide!"
"Yeah, you can say that again," Jaden murmured, only to recall why he'd spoken up. "Hey, wait! What's the big idea here? What'd you do to that Marauding Captain?!"
"What did I do? What we always do!" Brron cackled. "Killed him, of course!"
Jaden gasped. "Killed him?!"
"It's the fate of those who lose in this world," Brron smirked. "Those who win shall see another day. Those who cannot… perish! Turned into paste and nourishment to fuel my cause… The rebirth of my Master!"
"That's insane! You can't just kill people for losing a Duel!" Jaden shouted. "Is that what you have planned for the rest of them, too?" He asked, glancing at the ones chained below.
Brron cackled, appearing amused by Jaden's indignant anger.
"But of course," he replied. "What other use would I have for them? They're my meal!"
"...!"
Jaden grimaced. "That's…!"
He looked at the spirits below. Their eyes were downcast, looking as though they had already given up on their lives.
"No. That's not right! I won't allow you to harm them!"
Brron giggled. "Is that so? And what do you plan to do about it, human? Are you going to Duel me for those weaklings' freedom? You're more than welcome to, of course! But don't think you can complain when I eliminate you like I did the Captain! This a dog-eat-dog world, my boy! And only the strongest survive!"
Jaden gritted his teeth.
"You're on, Brron! I can't let you keep hurting these people!" he shouted. He reached for his deck, only to grasp empty air where his holster once sat. His eyes widened as he glanced downward. "Wait… My deck! It's gone!"
"Kikikiki… Too bad, human. If that's the case, then no Duel! Guards, throw him downstairs with the others! I won't waste my time with a weakling!"
Jaden barely had time to react before the Fiends descended upon him, their skeletal hands dragging him toward a passageway beneath the arena.
"Hey! What are you doing?! Let go!" he struggled, straining against them. But their strength was greater than he anticipated. He could barely stand on his feet, much less fight!
'Darn!' he thought.
"Move it, human!" a fiend sneered, prodding him with their blade. Jaden grunted but didn't resist, grimacing as they carried him deeper. The Fiends led him down a steep flight of stairs, then through a set of stone doors. The jeering laughs of the spectators faded, replaced by an eerie silence. It wasn't long until they stepped into what appeared to be an underground dungeon. The air was thick with the stench of decay, making Jaden wrinkle his nose.
The Fiends surrounding him must have sensed his displeasure, for they chuckled while passing each cell. Perhaps they were mocking him, taunting him with the sight of beaten monsters and tortured souls. They were all crumpled, lifeless figures, their eyes hollow and decrepit. The sight sent a shiver down Jaden's spine.
'Am I gonna be like them, too?' he thought.
"No," he cursed. "You guys are monsters!"
"I think we established that fact by now," the Fiends said. "But too bad! You're stuck with us! And we'll milk you for all that you're worth!"
They flung him through an iron door at the end of the hall without another word, sending him sprawling onto the cold, stone surface housed inside.
Jaden grunted as he hit the ground, wincing as the blow scraped his knees. He scrambled to his feet, turning around just in time to see the door shut behind him. He grabbed the bars and glared at the Fiends.
"Hey! Let me out of here!"
"Kikikiki… No dice. If you don't want to duel, you can rot with the others!"
"Others? Hey!" Jaden called after them, but the Fiends paid him no mind and left.
"Great," he muttered. "Now what?"
He turned to study the cell. The walls were cracked, the lights were dim, and the floor was covered in grime. Even worse, several chains hung down from the ceiling above, clinking softly in the still air. They paved a path into the darkness.
Jaden sighed and slumped down by the wall. What was he supposed to do now? And where was his deck? Without his cards, there was no way he could duel a path out of here!
'At least that explains why I haven't heard my pal, Winged Kuriboh!' he thought with a frown. Usually, the little critter would've wasted no time in making itself known during conflict. But it had been conspiciously absent, even when he'd first woken up on that boat!
'I should've noticed sooner!' he thought. 'I could've done something, or… I dunno. Anything!'
He closed his eyes, racking his brain for ways to get out of this nightmare, but before he could start to beat himself up, the chains in the far corner rattled.
He jumped to his feet.
"Hey! Who's there?!"
"J…den… is that… you…?"
His breath hitched.
'They know my name?'
"That's right, but hey… who are you?"
He moved closer, allowing his eyes to adjust to the cell's shifting darkness. As he neared the wall's farthest corner, he saw them—a figure wrapped in numerous chains.
"What the—?! Are you alright?!"
"Ja..n… you… came… I… always knew… you… would…"
Jaden gasped, "Do I know you?"
The figure was bound to the wall, wrapped in chains that rattled with every breath they took. A pair of bat-like wings extended from their back, torn from what must have been years of imprisonment. The figure's skin was a dark, purplish hue, their form humanoid yet distinctly alien. Something about it tugged at the back of Jaden's mind. This person was familiar somehow.
The closer he got, the more familiar certain details became—the sharp claws, the strange mix of feminine and masculine traits… they screamed to him. He knew this monster! And it seemed like they knew him, too.
"I… I know you, don't I?" he murmured, stepping even closer.
They shifted slightly, and their voice, hoarse and strained, reached out to him again. "Yes… You know me, Jaden… I've always been… by your side…"
Jaden's eyes narrowed. "By my side?"
His heart pounded faster and faster.
Then, as if they'd sensed his hesitation, the figure slowly raised their head.
The flickering light fell upon their face, illuminating their two eyes—one a glowing, intense orange, the other? A malevolent green. Jaden's breath caught in his throat as everything finally fell into place.
"You're… You're Yubel!"
The memories came rushing back.
The Duel with Judge Man, the reason he'd suddenly left the island in the middle of the night! It was for her. To see her again! To save her from… whatever this was!
Yubel's lips twitched upward as she took in Jaden's horrified expression.
"Hmhmhmhm… Why so shocked? Am I not what you expected? Or did you expect me to be in ruins after everything that you did?"
Jaden winced and took a step back. "What I did…? Yubel… What happened to you? How did you… why'd you end up in this place?"
"Don't act like you don't know!" she snapped, her voice uncharacteristically harsh. "I'm here because you sent me away! Because you abandoned our bond out of fear!"
Her wings flapped, releasing a sharp wind that tore through their shared cell. Jaden hissed and shielded his face as the gust ripped across his skin.
"Ugh…! Yubel…!" he said, wincing as the sudden air currents drew blood.
The sight of it brought a smirk to her lips, but she quickly reined herself back in.
"At least, that's what I thought… But I see now I was mistaken," she said. "You didn't send me away out of fear… You sent me away… out of love. So that I could grow even stronger for you… and in this dimension, I have."
"Yubel…?" Jaden asked, furrowing his brow. "What do you mean… you grew stronger?"
Yubel's soft giggle was her only response. At least, until she grinned. The moment she did, a burst of darkness erupted from the core of her being, annihilating the chains binding her and setting her loose in the cell.
Jaden gasped and fell back as Yubel stepped forward and flexed her muscles, working the stiffness out of her limbs before smiling at Jaden cruelly.
"You remember, don't you?" she asked once finished, narrowing her eyes at the Slifer. "How you begged your parents to send me away in one of KaibaCorp's special satellites?"
"Ah…! That's right!" he recalled. "It was part of Kaiba's special Duel Monsters Project! They asked young Duelists to create new cards… and imbue 'em with some weird 'alien power!'"
It was an absurd notion now that he thought back. Aliens didn't exist! At least, that's what he would have thought had he not met Duel Monsters in other worlds. Even so, he remembered staying up for days designing new cards! He'd even created a new HERO, one meant to shine brighter than any other! He never found out what happened to them… but Yubel had been entirely different! He had begged his parents to send her away after she'd started hurting his friends! His hope had been that whatever 'alien power' was out there would help her, teach her that sometimes, being gentle was more important than winning the Duel!
As if sensing his realization, Yubel's smirk grew bigger.
"That's right, Jaden. You sent me away to gain that 'alien power…' but what you didn't know… was that my satellite was different from those cards you created. While they were sent into the darkness of space, my own craft had a malfunction, one that sent me spiraling into the darkness of this cruel world."
"What?! No, that can't be right! My parents said that you were just fine!"
"Then they lied to you! Manipulated you into forgetting all about our bond!" she hissed. "But our connection was too great to break… You proved as much on that day."
"Judge Man…" Jaden said, recalling his Duel with the empowered spirit. "I called for you…"
"...and I came. As I always will for you, Jaden. When I heard your call, I sent what little power I had left to aid you… and together, we claimed victory where otherwise you would have been met with death. Don't you see? You and I are destined to be together. I, as your loving defender, and you, as my beloved king."
"Yubel… but that doesn't explain why you're still here now. What happened?"
Yubel's eyes furrowed. "My power… I used what little I had left to help you, Jaden. Because of that, I was incapable of defending myself from the rules of this world. In my weakness, the Mad King Brron usurped my position of power. He chained me here, leaving me to rot as he led this world toward ruin."
"Brron…!" Jaden grimaced. "He's the one who's been killing off weaker Duel Spirits!"
"Such is the law of this world. The strong survive. The weak perish."
"Yubel! You can't tell me you actually believe in that, too? Dueling's meant to be played for fun!"
"Then maybe you should teach him a lesson," she said.
"You mean duel him?" Jaden frowned. "I mean, I'd definitely be down to. But the thing is… I don't have my deck."
Yubel grunted. "Your deck? Is that the only thing holding you back? I forgot how foolish you could be."
Jaden gaped. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you don't need your deck. You have a much better one waiting right here," she said, gesturing to herself.
"What?" he breathed, his voice dropping to a whisper as he took in her words.
"Need I say it?" she said with a smirk. "I am your card, first and foremost. If you wish to wield me in battle… then you need only ask."
"Yubel…" Jaden's voice was barely a whisper now, his chest tightening.
A sly smirk played on Yubel's lips as her form dissolved. Her wings folded inward with a shimmering glow, crackling with a strange energy. The glow expanded, engulfing the room in light as she vanished entirely. In her place, a deck of cards floated in the air before Jaden.
"Use me," Yubel's disembodied voice echoed, "and you shall certainly grasp victory."
Jaden's breath caught in his throat. The weight of the deck's strength pulsed through the air, making the very cell quake. He reached for it, his fingers trembling as they brushed against the back of the cards. As he felt their surface, Yubel's lingering presence circled around him, caressing him like a long-lost lover.
"Whoa…" Jaden whispered. "Yubel… Thank you. I promise I won't let you down!"
He could feel her presence wrapping around him.
"You'd better not," she replied.
-GX-
"Kikikiki… Reign-Beaux, attack!" Brron screamed violently, his face twisted in malevolent glee as the Overking of Dark World lunged forward. His opponent, a measly Cyber Commander, screamed as the Fiend's lance struck true. Its steel depleted the last of his Life Points in an explosion that shook the whole field.
"Uaaaaaaaaaagh!" Cyber Commander cried as his body disintegrated, leaving only an empty Duel Disk that Brron crushed to paste with his foot.
"Kikikiki… Who's next?!" he yelled, glancing over the prisoners. "I still need more to revive our great King! More anger! More fear!"
The chained Duel Monsters all reared back, averting their eyes from the madman. Brron's sickening grin grew at the sight, and he snickered as he studied their faces. It echoed through the colosseum, drinking in the fear radiating from each prisoner. His glowing eyes scanned their figures all the while, wondering which should be his next victim. Each of them trembled at the prospect of being the next to engage in his cruel games. The chains binding them rattled as they cowered, knowing a loss would cost them everything.
"Kikikiki… What's the matter? No one wants to step up?" he sneered. "Surely one of you pathetic wretches thinks they can last more than a few turns?"
The prisoners remained silent, their faces turned away and eyes wide with terror. Brron relished their despair, his grin widening as he raised his hand toward the crowd.
"Come now," he cooed mockingly, "I can smell your negativity from up here! But it's not enough. I need more! Who's next to feel the wrath of Dark World?!"
A cold, suffocating silence gripped the arena as none dared to answer. Brron's grin twisted with impatience as he raised his arm again, preparing to choose.
"If none of you are willing to volunteer," he chuckled, "I'll just pick someone myself…"
But before he could make a decision, a strong and defiant voice cut through the silence.
"Hey!" it said. "Why don't you try picking on someone your own size, ya jerk?!"
Brron's eyes widened and snapped to the source, his grin faltering for the briefest of moments. There, standing at the entrance was Jaden, his eyes stern and hands clenched into fists. The chains on the other prisoners rattled as they watched him with wide, fearful eyes. Several guards moved into position as well, but Brron held them back with a wave.
"Kikikiki… You again?" Brron chuckled, amused and curious. "Haven't you learned your lesson, human? I have no interest in weaklings! And without a deck, that's all you are. A weakling. Weakling! Weakling!"
Jaden stepped forward, his stance firm as his eyes locked onto Brron's figure. "Weakling or not, I'm not gonna stand by and watch while you keep hurting people! You want a Duel? Fine! You've got one! But this time, it's against me!"
Jaden threw his fist forward, and a bright light shone from the space on his sleeve. Amazed gasps filled the air as his Academy Duel Disk reappeared on his forearm.
Brron's eyes gleamed as he noticed the device, and more importantly, the cards stacked within it.
"Oh? You managed to acquire a deck? How… interesting… You're on! But don't think this will be like the Duels you've partken in in your world. When you duel here, winner takes all! The loser is sent to the stars! Kikiki!"
"Yeah, I get it," Jaden replied, his voice steady despite the air's tension. His expression remained unwavering, focused though his heart pounded a mile a minute. He knew what was at stake—he had seen what happened to the Captain with his own eyes. But he also knew he couldn't back down. Not when so many lives hung in the balance.
"I'm not afraid of you, Brron! And I'm gonna make sure you let these guys go!"
Brron's grin stretched wider, his amusement mixing with genuine interest.
"Kikikiki… Very well, human. If you're that eager to die, so be it!"
He snapped his fingers, and the air around them crackled as his Duel Disk appeared. The fiendish device looked remarkably similar to Jaden's own, but while Jaden's wore a metallic silvery sheen, Brron's was dyed with darkness. A sleek dark grey covered the summoning disk from head to toe, accentuated only by the green trims coloring its corners.
Jaden gritted his teeth. It was like looking into a twisted mirror. But he wasn't going to let Brron shake him.
"Alright! Get your Game On, Brron!"
"DUEL!"
JADEN - 4000 LP
BRRON - 4000 LP
"I'll go first!" Jaden said. "It's my turn. Draw!"
His eyes quickly narrowed in thought as he studied the cards in his hand. There wasn't any room for hesitation here. He needed to play smart from the get-go! But his new cards were vastly different from the HEROes he was used to playing.
'Oh, man…' he thought, frowning as he looked over his cards. 'This sucks! None of these cards have any Attack Points! Guess I'll have to start by playing defense.'
"I summon Gruesome Grave Squirmer in Defense Position!" he declared, slapping the card down on his Duel Disk as a portal appeared on his field.
An eerie, bandaged creature emerged from the dark swirl of energy, wriggling as its grotesque form took shape and crouched atop its own card.
Gruesome Grave Squirmer - LV1 - DARK - Fiend - (0/0)
Brron sneered, his eyes gleaming as the card appeared on Jaden's side of the field.
"Kikikiki… You're starting with that pathetic creature?" he asked nastily. "You'll need more than a squirming pile of bones if you want to stand against me, human!"
Jaden didn't flinch. "We'll see about that! I'll set one card and end my turn. Time for you to put your money where your mouth is and get your game on, Brron!"
The holographic card materialized in front of Jaden as he set his last card, its reverse hologram lying in wait for the perfect moment to strike.
To his credit, the Dark World king seemed unfazed by Jaden's move, or perhaps, he was pleased by it. His claws twitched as he reached for his cards.
"Kikikiki… that's all? You've just sealed your own fate, human! Prepare to watch your little monster crumble to dust! It's my turn! Draw!"
Brron let out a dark chuckle as his eyes fell upon what he drew. His lips curled into an ugly grin. "Experience the Dark World's power! I activate Graceful Charity, which lets me draw three additional cards!"
"Graceful Charity? I know that card! It makes you discard two from your hand, too!"
"Oh, believe me, I'm well aware of that fact!" Brron chuckled grimly. He drew three cards from his deck and smirked as he gazed upon their features. Then, he said, "I'll discard these two: my Gren and Grapha of Dark World!"
"Dark World?" Jaden asked. "You mean like the world we're in right now?"
"The very same," Brron smirked. "And they both come with a few special effects! You see, my 'Dark World' Monsters have effects that activate if they're discarded, and since Graceful Charity just so nicely discarded them both to the Graveyard, that means I can use them both, and I'll begin by activating Gren's!"
A dark shockwave burst from Brron's Duel Disk and ripped toward Jaden, forcing the Slifer to shield his eyes as the invisible pulse tore through his field. He let out a grunt as the wind ripped through his jacket and forced him backward, shattering his lone face-down after revealing it to be Hate Buster.
"What the-?!" he gasped. "Hey, my Trap!"
"It's Gren's special effect," Brron explained. "As the tactician of Dark World, he can remove one pesky Spell or Trap on the field. And he's not the only one providing me with a little removal… Don't forget, I still have my Grapha's effect to activate, too!"
"Grapha?!" Jaden shouted, watching a mirage of a dragon emerge behind Brron.
"That's right, just like Gren, he has an effect that activates when he's discarded!" Brron grinned and pointed at Jaden's Gruesome Grave Squirmer. "If Grapha's discarded, just like Gren, he can destroy a card! But he's not limited to your worthless Traps… he can destroy Monsters, too! Monsters like your pathetic Squirmer! Grapha, tear him apart!"
The mirage roared, releasing a cloudy mist that made Jaden gasp. He let out a shout as it engulfed his field, shrouding the area in darkness. As he opened his eyes, it was only to find Grapha's claw gripping Squirmer tightly, squeezing the very life out of the bandaged Fiend with a growl.
"Squirmer, no!" Jaden shouted, but his cry didn't help. With a rattling shriek, his Grave Squirmer shattered, leaving him completely defenseless.
"Kikikiki…! Bested already? We've only gotten started, human!" Brron smirked. He reached for another card in his hand. "I summon Kahkki, Guerilla of Dark World!"
A grotesque, hunched fiend emerged from its card on Brron's side of the field, baring its sharp teeth at Jaden as it hobbled its way into view.
Kahkki, Guerilla of Dark World - LV2 - DARK - Fiend - (300/500)
Jaden frowned as the small fiend appeared. "It just has three hundred Attack Points? What're you planning?"
Brron giggled. "You're about to find out in a minute. Actually, you'll find out right now, through Grapha's second effect!"
"Second effect?" Jaden gasped. "It can more than destroy my monsters?"
"Oh, he can do far more than that, my boy. Far more, indeed!" Brron grinned. "You see, one of Grapha's abilities only works while he's in my Graveyard, and now that he is, I can use it to return Kahkki back to my hand!"
"Hey, what gives? Why would you summon a Monster just to take it right back?" Jaden asked.
"Because," Brron snickered, "by doing so, I can Special Summon Grapha himself!"
"What?!"
Jaden's eyes widened as the Dark World's Guerilla vanished inside a dark vortex. In its place, a towering figure cloaked in shadows arose.
Its hulking form was draped in what at first appeared to be black and silver armor, but a closer look proved them to be scales, part of the very creature itself. Several curved horns protruded from its yellow-eyed, skull-shaped face, and dark smoke seemed to seep from its body, writhing in the air like tendrils.
"Grapha! Arise!" Brron shouted as the dragon loosed a bone-chilling roar. Its stats glowed brightly on the field beside it, showing just how deadly it was.
Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World - LV8 - DARK - Fiend - (2700/1800)
"Twenty-seven hundred Attack Points?" Jaden breathed. "Now that's more like it!"
"Kikikiki… Impressed, are you? Then why don't you take a closer look?! It's time we saw how much fear your heart can take! Grapha, attack that weak human!"
Grapha let out a deafening roar, its claws gleaming as it prepared to strike. Dark energy began to gather in its maw, crackling with malevolent power. But just as the monstrous dragon reared back to unleash its devastating attack, Jaden heard it.
'Now, Jaden!'
"Stop right there!" Jaden shouted. "When your Monster declares an attack, I can Special Summon my Monster! And this one comes from a special place—my heart! Spirit of Yubel!"
A blinding light crashed down on the field between them as Jaden spoke, flinging the chosen card out of his hand and onto the center space of his Duel Disk. Brron's eyes widened in recognition.
"Yubel?!" he asked. "Then you're…"
Whatever Jaden was, he didn't find out, for Brron trailed off as she formed.
Her spectral body floated between the Slifer and the towering Grapha, her mismatched eyes gleaming with intensity as she stared down the hulking dragon.
Spirit of Yubel - LV10 - DARK - Fiend - (0/0)
"Kikiki… I see," Brron muttered, smirking as he studied her features. "So, that's how it is… Very well. I'll accept my mission with glee…!"
Yubel smirked at him, the wicked light rolling off her body in waves.
'Fufufufu… Brron, you will be the stepping stone for his glory,' she thought. 'But first…' she glanced back at Jaden, 'he'll have to prove he can use me correctly.'
"When Spirit of Yubel is summoned, I can add a Spell that mentions "Yubel" to my hand!" Jaden said. He opened his deck and skimmed through the cards. "I select Nightmare Pain!"
He revealed the Trap to Brron, frowning at the unconcerned look on his face.
"You can add whatever you want," Brron said, "but it won't protect Yubel from battle! Grapha, attack the Spirit of Yubel!"
Yubel sneered at him for the words.
Grapha's eyes glowed with a fierce malevolence as Brron's command reached its ears, its skeletal form brimming with the same dark power it wielded before. It reared back, drawing in a massive breath as energy swirled around it, creating a blazing, molten mass of fire in the depths of its maw.
Yubel hovered calmly in place, her form illuminated by the sphere's luminosity. Her gaze flicked back briefly to Jaden, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. It was as though she testing him—waiting to see if he truly remembered their bond.
Jaden's heart raced. He knew Yubel couldn't be destroyed by battle, but he still clenched his fists, feeling a pang of concern for his very first friend. "Yubel, watch out!"
With a ferocious roar, Grapha finally leaned forward and vomited the sphere. The crimson orb of destruction swelled as it hurtled toward its lone target, growing larger and larger, and more menacing with each passing second. It was a force of pure devastation, burning with the darkness of the Dark World. For a brief instant, it even seemed too overwhelming for Yubel to withstand!
Jaden's eyes widened in horror as the attack connected with his Spirit of Yubel, engulfing her in an explosion that sent burning shockwaves rippling through the air. The ground quaked beneath them, kicking up debris and sending the crowd running. Jaden stood his ground but feared for the worst as the light obscured Yubel completely.
"Yubel!" he called, his voice urgent as he shielded his eyes from the brightness. His heart pounded in his chest as he waited, hoping that she would emerge unscathed.
As the smoke and fire began to clear, the remnants of Grapha's blast vanished. Jaden held his breath, his gaze fixed on the spot where Yubel had been moments before.
And then, from within the lingering shadows, Yubel's form slowly reappeared.
Her body, still floating gracefully, was completely untouched by the massive fireball. The dark energy surrounding her shimmered as if absorbing the very force of the attack.
Jaden exhaled a breath of relief, his eyes full of renewed confidence.
"Yubel can't be destroyed by battle, Brron! And she protects me from all damage, too!" he declared.
Yubel smirked and chuckled as Brron's manic grin twisted into a scowl.
"Kikiki… No matter. Yubel's defenses won't protect you forever. Eventually, she will fall—and so will you, Jaden. I'll set two cards and end my turn."
"Then that means it's my move!" Jaden said.
He looked at his cards.
'And with how things are looking, I'd better make this one count!' he thought.
"Here I go. Draw!"
He eyed the card. Geistgrinder Golem. A powerful three thousand Attack Point Monster… but not one he needed right now. He grimaced.
'Do it, Jaden.'
"I activate Nightmare Pain!" he declared. He slid the Spell through the back of his Duel Disk, materializing its card on the field.
Its haunting aura spread through the arena, casting long, thorny shadows. From the ground, massive vines erupted of their own accord, each adorned with fiendish roses and thorns that twisted and curved. Brron sneered, unimpressed, as the plants' overgrowth consumed Jaden's battlefield.
"A bit late to start growing a garden."
"But not too late to use its effect!" Jaden countered. "During my Main Phase, Nightmare Pain lets me destroy a DARK Monster I control, and I do, I can add "Yubel", or a card that mentions her, to my hand! I…" he hesitated and locked eyes with Spirit of Yubel. She smirked at him and nodded her head. "I destroy Spirit of Yubel!"
She closed her eyes, her spectral form unraveling into wisps of smoke. The eerie tendrils flew toward his hand, manifesting Yubel from his deck.
He grimaced and threw out his hand.
"But lucky for me, it's not goodbye for long! Because now that she's gone, Spirit of Yubel's other effect activates!"
"Other effect?" Brron inquired, cackling as he turned his head.
"That's right!" Jaden said. "See, when Spirit of Yubel is destroyed, she Special Summons Yubel right from my hand, deck, or anywhere! And since my Nightmare Pain just put a Yubel right in my hand… she gets to come right on back!"
"That's what you think!" Brron interrupted. "At that moment, I activate my Dark World Brainwashing Trap card!"
"What?! Dark World Brainwashing?!" Jaden gasped as the face-down flipped up. It released a sickly green energy that traveled across the field and into Jaden's Graveyard. "What are you doing?!"
"Ruining your worthless lovenest," Brron laughed. "Dark World Brainwashing activates while my hand has more than three cards! It lets me return one 'Dark World' Monster I control to my hand, and if I do, I can change the effect you just used to make me discard!"
Jaden's eyes widened. "Discard? Ah, no! You're kidding!"
"I'm afraid not! Wait, why am I afraid? You're the one losing!" Brron laughed. "I return my Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World to my hand! And you know what that means…!"
"No, Yubel!"
The spirit's wail spilled from his Graveyard. Jaden winced and covered his ears as the shrill cry tore through the field, traveling straight into Brron's hand as he smirked and reached for a card.
"Well, now… if I have to discard, I wonder which card I should choose," he chuckled. "Eeny, meeny, miny—oh! I know! How about Grapha?!"
He slid the card back into his Graveyard, smirking as Jaden grimaced.
"Oh, great," Jaden murmured.
"Seems like you know what's coming!" Brron chuckled. "That's right! Since Grapha was discarded again, his effect activates! And since you only have one card on the field, say goodbye to your Nightmare Pain!"
Ugh!" Jaden cried as its invisible fist crashed through his field, eradicating the overgrown vines in a display of its physical might. Debris and torn vines scattered around Jaden as the ground quaked, and he raised his arm to shield himself from the worst as his Spell card shattered.
"Kikikiki! And don't think the fun ends there, my good friend!" Brron sneered. "Because since it was your Monster that made me discard, there's even more I can do!"
"What?!"
Brron's wicked grin stretched wider, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. "Oh, did I forget to mention it, human? Grapha has another effect!" His clawed finger pointed straight at Jaden's Duel Disk, sending a ripple toward Jaden's hand. "When Grapha is discarded by your card effect, I can select one card from your hand. And if it's a Monster…" Brron's eyes flashed. "I can summon it right to my field! Kikikiki… And I know Yubel is in your hand, Jaden. Imagine how delicious it would be if she were to fight for me and crush you!"
Jaden's pulse quickened, his eyes darting to his hand as he took in the words. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
'He… He wants Yubel?'
He stared at the five cards in his grip, tightening his hold on each one. He didn't want to give any of them up, but he definitely couldn't lose Yubel!
'Calm down. I still have five cards,' he thought, heart pounding in his chest. 'The odds are in my favor… there's no way he'll pick Yubel. He can't!'
But as Brron raised his hand, a red marker appeared over Jaden's fingertips. It flickered menacingly, its eerie glow dancing between each of his cards.
Jaden's breath caught in his throat as the marker started to slow, bouncing between three different cards: each of them was a Monster.
"Kikikiki…" Brron's laughter echoed through the arena, his voice dripping with sadistic glee. "Which will it be, Jaden? The card on the left… or the card on the right? Maybe the one in the middle?"
Jaden's fists clenched tighter around his cards.
'No! You can't go to him!' he thought. 'I can't lose you again! I only just got you back! I just got her back!'
The marker hovered over Yubel, pulsing as if to mock him. Jaden's mind raced. Losing her again was something he couldn't bear.
The marker flashed brighter, slowing to an almost painful crawl.
Beep. Beep. Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep…
It came to a stop, casting a deep red glow over one card.
'No…' Jaden's heart sank as the marker highlighted Yubel. 'Not her… I can't lose her now! I won't fight her!'
But then—
Beep.
The marker shifted at the last second, sliding to the left.
Jaden's eyes widened in surprise. The image of the chosen card flashed between them. Jaden let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
It was Geistgrinder Golem.
Brron's face twisted in mild disappointment, though his wicked grin never left.
"Aww, I was hoping for Yubel." He muttered, sighing dramatically. His tone quickly turned sinister again. "But no matter. I got what I needed! It might not be your beloved ace, but it's still enough to crush you, Jaden! Come and serve your new master now! I summon you… Geistgrinder Golem!"
A mechanic screech filled the air as the card was ripped from Jaden's fingertips, pulled along by an invisible thread that deposited it onto Brron's Duel Disk. The second it touched the Disk's steel surface, an earthquake shook the arena, splitting the ground between Jaden and Brron as a massive robot rose from the earth.
The monstrous machine was a hulking mass of jagged steel and twisted gears, its body shaped like a walking grinder designed to tear through all it touched. Large, spiked wheels churned in its chest, while chains swung from its limbs, promising pain to any who dared to approach it unprepared.
Geistgrinder Golem - LV8 - DARK - Fiend - (3000/300)
Brron laughed, the sound echoing through the arena like a chorus of darkness.
"Kikikiki! Three thousand Attack Points? You were holding back on me, boy! With a creature like this under my control, your chances of survival are zero! On my next turn, this golem will grind you and your miserable Life Points to dust! Kikikiki! Kyahahaha!"
"Next turn? That's a laugh!" Jaden growled.
"Hmn?" Brron inquired, his laughter ceasing as he tilted his head.
Jaden's hand trembled, his fist clenched tightly as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. Though Brron had failed to snatch Yubel from his hand, the fear of losing her again still gnawed at him. But now, that fear was transforming—fueling him with a new resolve…
The resolve to tear Brron apart for daring to think that he could!
"You tried to take her from me…" Jaden muttered, his eyes hidden beneath his dark hair. His body trembled. "...And after I just got her back… well, I won't stand it!"
With a fierce motion, Jaden lifted his head, his eyes glowing with a brilliant gold light. His gaze pierced through Brron, who stood grinning wickedly on the other side of the field.
"You won't get another turn, Brron!" he roared. "I'm ending this now!"
He grabbed a card from his hand and slapped it onto his Duel Disk. "Samsara D Lotus!"
A small, eerie plant-like creature materialized onto the field, its dark, twisted form swaying gently in the shadows of the arena.
Samsara D Lotus - LV1 - DARK - Fiend - (0/0)
Brron threw his head back and laughed, his eyes shining with not fear, but mockery. "Kyahahahaha! Zero Attack Points? That's your incredible plan?" he asked. "What do you think you're going to accomplish with that? Are you trying to lose even faster?!"
Jaden's eyes burned with intensity as he raised another card from his hand. "No, Brron. Samsara D Lotus isn't meant to attack! It's meant to fuse!"
Brron's laughter faded, his amusement replaced by confusion. "Fuse? What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Polymerization!" Jaden said, revealing the iconic spell card. The air around him began to swirl with power as a vortex of energy opened on the battlefield, "I'm fusing Samsara D Lotus with the card you tried to take from me… YUBEL!"
As Jaden held up the Yubel card, a shockwave of pure darkness erupted from his body. It engulfed the field in its suffocating presence, forcing Brron to shield his eyes.
"This…! This is…!"
The Yubel card and Samsara D Lotus began to glow, their forms turning pitch black as they merged into the spinning vortex of Polymerization.
"HIIIIIIIIIIIE!" Brron shrieked, stumbling back as the wave of dark power washed over him. The arena trembled as the fusion began, flashing with bolts of dark lightning. They crackled and sparked across the ground, ripping through the air with violent intensity.
The vortex pulsed with energy, expanding and contracting with each passing second until, finally, from the heart of the darkness, a new card began to emerge.
Jaden grabbed the newly-formed Fusion Monster from the swirling, his eyes flashing with fierce determination as he slammed it onto his Duel Disk.
"Come forth! My Eternal Servant! YUBEL - THE LOVING DEFENDER!"
The darkness on the field gave way to light, and Yubel was made whole once more.
She hovered above the field, spreading her wings as they were made flesh, casting a protective shadow over Jaden while he gazed upon her from below. Her mismatched eyes glowed with fierce loyalty and unshakable resolve. The twisted dragon's head that had become her arm let out a deep, growling roar.
Yubel - the Loving Defender Forever - LV12 - DARK - Fiend - (0/0)
"That's…" Jaden trailed off as he took in her form. It resembled another he had grown to love. That of his favorite HERO. But now that he gazed on Yubel, he had to wonder… was that card really his favorite Monster… or was it because it reminded him of her?
Brron took an involuntary step back, frowning as Yubel descended and smirked at him.
"You've grown too big for your britches, Brron."
"I… I never meant…" he started.
But Jaden's voice interrupted. "When Yubel - The Loving Defender is summoned, you take five hundred damage for each of her Materials! I summoned her using 'Yubel' and 'Samsara', so that's a thousand damage to your Life Points!"
"Fufufufu… you heard him, Brron," she said, raising her finger to the sky. The light vanished, replaced by pitch-black storm clouds that swirled around her. Her lips parted into an eerie smile as she pointed at him.
"Feel pain."
"Guwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Brron screamed as lightning rained down upon him, leaving him a smoldering mess as the sound of his falling Life Points filled the air.
JADEN - 4000 LP
BRRON - 3000 LP
"Now do you get it?" Jaden asked, golden eyes narrowing as they met Brron's. "You tried to steal my Yubel from me, but now she's stronger than ever!"
Yubel - The Loving Defender Forever smiled as she touched down by Jaden.
"Yes, Jaden. Let us end this fool so we can go home."
"Prepare yourself, Brron!" Jaden called, his Duel Disk flaring with power. "Because this is the end! Yubel, take down that Golem! Skydive Torture!"
"Attack?!" Brron breathed. "Are you stupid, boy? My Golem has three thousand Attack Points! And while Miss Yubel is very impressive, she still has zero Attack Points! The only thing your attack will accomplish is inflicting damage to your own Life Points!"
Jaden grinned. "Is that what you think? In that case… let's try it! Yubel, do your thing!"
Her voice dripped with sadistic pleasure. "As you wish."
With a single, elegant motion, she leaped into the sky, her wings propelling her high above the arena and into the clouds above. Her dragon-like hand glowed brighter as she turned into a descent, the storm clouds swirling violently around her as fire gathered in its maw.
A massive explosion erupted across the field as Yubel crashed into the golem, shaking the very ground beneath them in a wave of hideous red light. The force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling outward through the arena, and Brron stumbled back, his eyes wide with horror as he watched Geistgrinder Golem begin to fall apart. The golem's metal frame cracked and shattered, scorched pitch-black from the blow. Even its limbs were disintegrating under the weight of Yubel's wretched force.
"This… This can't be…" Brron muttered, staggering backward. "Geistgrinder Golem had the higher attack… How could it lose to Yubel?!"
"It's Yubel's special effect!" Jaden said, clenching his fist. "If she battles, not only will I not take any battle damage, but she'll banish the enemy Monster! And it doesn't end there."
"W-What does that mean?" Brron asked as Yubel hovered forward. He took another step back, only to realize he'd hit the wall.
"What it means," she answered for Jaden, "is that you're about to die. because when I battle, I inflict damage equal to that Monster's Attack Points." She lifted her arm with an eerie smile. "Farewell, Brron. You served me well. But I have no further use for you. And we don't need Jaden learning more."
"Kikiki… Kyahahaha! I see… Then I've done my duty. It was… an honor… to serve you, Creator. May you live long… with the King."
"Indeed," Yubel replied with a smirk, her dragon arm brimming with power. "Rest now, Brron. May your darkness rekindle that inside of Jaden."
With those words, a deafening roar erupted from her dragon hand's jaws, consuming Brron in the blinding blaze of hellfire it held within. The ground trembled violently beneath Jaden's feet as the flames burst forth, engulfing everything in their path in a violent black and red haze.
The darkness surrounding Jaden flickered at the sight, obliterating the last remnants of Brron's twisted influence.
But the destruction didn't stop.
On the contrary, it only seemed to grow stronger!
The energy from Yubel continued to pulse outward, licking at the rest of the world! The once-stable ground beneath Jaden quickly dissolved into the inferno, and the sky above cracked open, revealing even darker flames beyond!
Jaden's heart pounded as the flames grew higher, hotter, consuming everything. His head spun, the intense heat pressing in on him from every direction.
"Y-Yubel…!" he gasped, trying to stop her. But the words wouldn't come. The overwhelming heat and energy surged toward him, too strong to withstand.
The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was Yubel's figure standing tall, her wings outstretched, and eyes gleaming with satisfaction as the world burned.
-GX-
"Ja…n. J..den! Jaden, you've gotta wake up!"
"H-Huh…?" he groaned, his eyes fluttering awake in a haze. He was staring at a familiar ceiling, his body jolting as two hands shook his shoulders.
"Jaden! Jaden!"
"Huh…? Who…? Syrus?"
"Whaddya mean, 'Syrus?' Do you have any idea how worried I've been?! Where've you been?"
"Huh?" he repeated, rubbing his eyes as he woke. With a groan, he finally managed to push himself up to lean on his elbows, squinting as he took in the familiar surroundings. He was in his dorm. At the Academy. Beside him, his short, worried friend's face was filled with concern.
"Hey, Syrus. What gives? I was kinda in the middle of a really sweet dream!"
"Dream?" Syrus mumbled. "Jaden, you've been missing for two days!"
"What?! Two days?!" he scrambled to his feet, checking his PDA's calendar. "No way… it's really been that long? Then… it wasn't a dream?"
"Jaden, what are you talking about? What dream? Where have you been?" Syrus asked. "The last time I saw you, you were taking off in some boat to go see some friend!"
Jaden took in the words silently, his disbelief coloring his features.
'No way. That's just like my dream. Then… that stuff really happened?!'
He reached for his deck, finding the usual HEROes lined up on his bedside. Which would've been fine…
…if he couldn't feel another deck still sitting in his pocket.
"Jaden? Earth to Jaden? Do we need to go to the nurse?"
"No, Syrus," Jaden replied. "In fact, I feel pretty great!"
Inside his pocket, Yubel purred.
"Me too, Jaden. Me too."
TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: TWISTING THE TALE
LESSON THREE
END
Out with the Scorcher and in with the Torture! Yubel finally raids again! But will this new ally be enough for Jaden to defeat his new enemy: TESTS?! I sure don't know, but I do know one thing! She won't take Chazz lying down! Nor will she suffer the growing delusions of another arrogant Duelist! Does Konami really have what it takes to stand up to yet another Duel Spirit? And will he even want to when he learns it's in the hands of "that dweeb, Jaden?"
Find out in the next chapter of the thrilling conclusion to Tag Force Alternative!
Twisting the Tale: Lesson Four - Reunion!
Class Dismissed!