1Chapter summary
It's been five years since that fateful night and a lot of things have changed. Jaden lets us in on a few of the gangs lives while getting ready for her dueling exam for duel academy.
We get some father daughter bonding time before Jaden goes off towards the kaiba dome.
Ryoko kaiba is introduced while waiting for her cousin Jaden. She isn't your ordinary dualist. For one thing she is in a wheelchair and for another, one of her parents turns out to be three months pregnant.
Jaden meanwhile runs into… Literally someone that helps her out. In return after talking for a few minutes. Jaden hands This stranger a very special card and she finds out his first name. But there's more to this obelisk blue student then meets the eye.
Hey everyone! I am glad that you guys enjoyed the first chapter. Now to clear some things up, during the last bit towards the end when Jaden woke up, the entire chapter was in fact a dream. yeah… The progress a dream turned nightmare. I hope that clears somethings up. how do you handle this story it's going to get dark later on… Just a heads up. if there are any more spelling errors then just let me know and once again criticism is welcome. If you guys have any theories on some of the characters intentions, backstory or anything else then feel free to comment down below. but again you don't have to.
PS: puppyshipping puzzleshipping along with a few other weekend in this story. Although the previously mentioned ships were obvious in prologue, lol
warning: mentions of someone touching someone else in their permission and male pregnancy.
Now on with the story!
Five years later ~
A 15 year old Jaden snapped her eyes opened sitting up in her queen sized bed. She rubbed her eyes a Cold sweat covering her body. She glanced at the clock which read 4:50 AM. She yawned and quietly slipped out of her warm blue blankets. Not wanting to wake up the black furred feline or Kuriboh, her dual monster partner.
Her room was filled with all sorts of games and a few trophies on one of her shelves. Which was right next to the large window that looked out towards the still dark early morning sky and the rest of Domino. The far corner that was next to the window had two bookshelves one facing the door while the other faced her bed. They were piled with multiple Games some of them half opened.
Next to her bed which was in the middle of the room was a nightstand with a lamp, her clock and her dueling deck. Along with the white stuffed rabbit and winged Kuriboh plushy, which were propped up against the wall. On the other side of her room was a simple wooden desk with a swivel chair and desk lamp.
On top of the wooden material was her battle city dueling disk, The golden box that held a half completed puzzle which was slowly turning out to be a clock, was sitting right next to it. Next to that was her laptop, which was for homework, research and... Making music videos, when she got bored. And on top of that was her kaiba-corp phone which was constantly getting upgraded by her godfather.
Next to the desk nearest the door was another desk this one splattered with paint and art materials. On the far right there was a stack of sketching notebooks with black leather covers. On top of them was a large rectangular clear blue case filled with pencils. A few colored pencils rested on top. Then in the center there was another desk lamp followed by a White square that had little sections of different colored paints with a clear plastic lid that was currently clasped shut.
On top of that was an assortment of different brushes in a wooden box that was closed by a golden clasp. And finally right beside the desk was an empty easel canvas.
'Hey there, it's been five years ever since that night. Let me catch you up.'
Jaden walked towards her study desk, her Silver long sleeve nightgown swishing softly with each step that she took. The amethyst tipped brunette sat down grabbing the box as she did so. Before opening it the brunette glanced towards the wall. Where a framed photograph of a grinning Joey, a smug looking seto and a happily grinning light blue eyed, blonde haired, pale skinned girl sat in a wheelchair. The two males had one of their hands on the girls shoulders while in the background there was a couple being shoved into a police car by a few officers.
Jaden smirked, remembering that day and seeing the owners faces when none other then seto kaiba barged into their orphanage followed by her dad, a couple of police officers and her uncle Joey. She followed her uncle inside after the two owners were handcuffed and being dragged out of the orphanage. All of the kids were terrified and it took a few of the authorities a couple of hours to explain what was going on. During that time her godfather and uncle had signed the last few papers.
Another framed photograph was on top of the first. It showed a pristine looking pale blue castle like structure with somesmall balconies on the second floor and a large play area for some children on the grounds. The lawn was freshly mowed and a few flowered bushes were placed in front of the double doors. The entire area was surrounded by a short hedge with a few roses here and there.
'Three years ago I got a new cousin, her name is Ryoko. And may I just say she is a lover of not only dragons, but spell caster cards. My dad has even nicknamed her the mystic princess and the name has stuck ever since. About six months later at Makubas insistence kaiba finally got the guts to propose to my uncle Joey. Which I still fondly refer to as Mutt, to my uncles displeasure and my God fathers and cousins amusement. Ryoko and I have gotten along ever since her adoption, she's fit right into the family pretty quickly. We both love dueling, whether it's against each other, our dads or training sessions with family members that are in town.'
'but seriously, it was a wonderful day for my cousin, uncle and godfather. Heck the reporters got a field day when they got some of the juicy details, via my godfather Bakura. He may be a thief but he can't keep a secret. As for the two owners... They got a low paying job at a cheap restaurant. And as for the orphanage it looks like a castle, literally. Kaiba went all out, the kids that still haven't gotten adopted are loving the place. Including the new owner who had been a recent resident of the old orphanage. Her name is hope and she's running the place better than ever. At least that's what I've been told by uncle Mutt. Things have definitely looked up for those three and the orphans during these past few years.'
She turned her attention back onto her current project. Pulling out a mesh of gears, she stared at them for a while a small smile on her face. They glittered and shined in the light of the now turned on desk lamp. The pieces almost seemed to be glowing, if Jaden didn't know about the millennium items. Then she would've brushed it off as her imagination, but she knew better. Soon the snapping and careful placement of any gears became automatic as the time passed.
Jaden knew that she should go back to sleep, but she just couldn't. Not after waking up from that memory. That night still loomed over her head and when not in public she always wore her Daddys domino high school uniform. That was... She used to wear it every day. After a month of practically being catatonic along with her dad sinking into a thankfully not too deep depression. She had requested that a red version of the school uniform be made by her aunt Mai.
She briefly glanced up from her work to look at another few photos. One was of her aunts standing in front of a boutique-dance studio that was two stories showed Ryou, Bakura and isis standing in front of the domino city Museum. The two white haired males were wearing official museum uniforms. Malik and Marik were next, the two blondes were standing with a few other archaeologists in front of a dig site, huge grins on their faces.
'aunt Mai along with my other aunt tea started a dueling fashion line were both male and female duelists could order in person or online a customized outfit of their liking. Aunt tea had decided after the tragic... Incident with daddy to stay in domino. The floor above my aunts shop is used as a dance studio which is opened three times a week for anyone who wants to learn.'
'Bakura and uncle Ryou started working at the domino city Museum about two years ago as tour guides and translators. The translating bit was for not only outsiders, but also for the hieroglyphs. The two seemed pretty happy and they've obviously been getting closer. Bakura is still in denial of anything serious going on between them. Nevertheless all of us are placing bets on when the two are going to start dating. But I'm digressing.'
'The museum has been doing even better than before thanks to the two not only being able to talk to other people of different languages. But also translating some artifacts that had the museum staff stumped for weeks, if not a couple of years. I went there once on a field trip and speaking from personal experience it was incredible. Ryou mainly works with us kids while Bakura does the adults for obvious reasons.'
'Marik and Malik didn't want to leave us after the incident with daddy, but at the insistence of Mariks sister isis, they had to return back to Egypt six months after that night. They've decided to put their Egyptian knowledge to the test by becoming archaeologists after some heavy debate. And I'm getting this info secondhand from Moki who overheard it during one of my godfather's phone calls. Apparently the digs they've been on have been smooth sailing... I just hope that it stays that way because knowing my godfather Marik, he'd sooner get the entire crew buried in a tomb.'
Time past as Jaden nearly completed her life's work for the past five years. The sun was beginning to rise. Pie the black furred feline which had been a constant companion of Jaden's as well as the winged Kuriboh, chip, started to wake up.
The little winged fluff ball gave his version of a yawn before floating to the air chirping happily. Pie stretched and rubbed her eye with one of her front paws. Glancing at the clock she noted that it was 7:30. The light green eyed feline grumbled to her self in her mind, saying how 'it was to early to be getting up.'
The amethyst tipped brunette wasn't aware of any movement behind her. As she placed the White face of the clock over the gears. Automatically she reached in feeling around for a while until she found the last piece. Jaden blinked as the eye of Horus stared back at her glowing slightly. Connected to the back of the eye were two metal pieces with small arrows at the ends. The two black hands were different sizes, one large, the other was small.
"This is it." She breathed. "I can't believe I'm almost done."
'You should get ready, Ra is beginning to awaken mistress. Plus there is you're dueling exam.'
Jaden huffed in annoyance, there was only one person or cat that called her mistress and spoke in a formal tone in her mind.
"Oh well better late than never." She said to herself trying to think optimistically. If she got ready now. Then she'd have enough time for breakfast.
Reluctantly she placed the final piece of the millennium clock on the table and stood up. She rummaged around in her drawers, looking for something decent. As she was doing this Mana and Mahado appeared beside the black cat floating a few inches off the ground.
The male spellcaster looked away as his young charge got ready. Jaden glanced at her little audience, who all turned away, embarrassed. Giving her some semblance of privacy.
"Thank Ra for small miracles." she said laughing slightly imagining the look that her dark magician friends face had when he turned away.
'Mahado and Mana had been a constant help during these past few years and I now consider them as part of the family. As if they weren't already part of the family, but you get my point. As for pie soon after my daddy disappeared I found out that I could communicate with her telepathically. Not surprisingly to my dad, she has vast knowledge of the world and a good amount on dueling.'
'Also when I found out that pie could talk telepathically to me i freaked out. Speaking to duel monsters was one thing, having a cats Voice inside your head is a whole other level. Dad helped me calm down, though it wasn't easy. It took a while for me to wrap my head around it and even longer to get used to pie speaking in my head.'
Rolling her eyes good naturally at the four, she tugged the Black shirt over her head. Once getting the rest of her clothing on. Jaden grabbed her brush and began calming it through her long hair, which ended halfway towards the middle of her back. It still had its amethyst tips in place. Her bangs along with the two slightly longer strands of hair framed her face nicely. It made her look more innocent and beautiful. At least in Mana's opinion.
Jaden held a strand up to her eyes by her pointer and thumb. Just examining it as if it were a puzzle that she couldn't solve yet. There was only one way that her plan would work. She couldn't go to Duel Academy as a girl, her face would be recognizable. Instead she opted to go as a boy under the alias of Jaden Yuki. First things first, she needed to look like a boy... Thankfully she had a small chest so that wasn't a problem. As for her hair, that definitely was a problem.
'Ok, let's back up a few steps. The reason why I'm pretending to be a boy is simple. I am hopefully going to attend Duel Academy. Why do I want to go to a school that dedicates itself to dueling? And why am I not going as a girl? Well for one thing, it's a dream come true for me. And two, I've been hearing rumors of some students disappearing under mysterious circumstances, for the past few months. And three, my hair style not to mention my face is well known. I mean I am the princess of games.'
'Plus there could be some answers on the island about my daddy's whereabouts. If there's any information on these guys, then I am going to kick there sorry ass into the shadow realm! If they ever come onto the island or when I find them.'
'Plus it's not like I'm gonna have to save the world while there right?'
"I'm going to have to cut it." She decided after a while of pondering the thought.
"No you won't." Mana said sternly holding up a flower shaped hair tie.
Jaden raised in eyebrow as she's snatched her red domino high school jacket from her closet. The back part was longer ending at the back of her knees. Whenever she walked it billowed out behind her. That was an added bonus in her opinion.
"OK... How does a hair tie disguise the fact that I am a girl. No offense Mana but, that practically screams. Hey everyone I am a girl. Oh on a sidenote I am the king of games daughter." She said joking at the last bit.
Mana burst out laughing, tears streaming down her face as she clutched her stomach unable to answer. With shaking hands she handed the hair tie to Mahado, who took it and floated over towards Jaden. Standing right behind her, he gathered up her hair and proceeded to tie it up into a low ponytail.
"This hair tie will create the illusion that you have shorter hair and it'll disguise your other hair color, but in actuality your hair will be invisible to everyone except us and yourself." Mahado explained finished with her hair.
She gave him a grateful grin before proceeding to put on her red jacket leaving a few of the top buttons open. Once she was done with that she tugged open her nightstand drawer and pulled out a hand held mirror. Her reflection showed what appeared to be a boy with short Brown hair that went from light to dark at the ends, no amethyst tips whatsoever.
'Impressive magician. This spell will definitely be useful in the coming months.' Commented pie in her head.
She nodded grinning in approval as she put away her mirror. Still having the top drawer opened she rummaged around for a thick Silver chain that she could use as a makeshift necklace for her millennium item which had a loop on one side. She gave out a cry of triumph a few minutes later. As she held the thick piece of connected metal in her hand before shoving it into her Blue jeans pocket..
Jaden looked around scratching her head. "Why do I feel as if I'm forgetting something...?"
"Did you start packing?" Asked Mana Who'd stopped laughing a while back. " you do realize that you only have two days to get ready right?"
(And didn't you say you wanted to spend some time with your family before you left.) added chip
The brunette shrugged. "I was hoping to do it later after my dueling exam." She admitted sheepishly.
After this was said the mail spellcaster looked at the group in front of him. His previous master had given Mana, chip and himself to his only child. That much Mahado was certain of. And if he was going to have to watch his young charge in her entrance exam. Then he'd rather be fully present in his human form then just in his regular duel monster appearance. Plus he wasn't taking any chances on something happening to Jaden during the school year. True, he and Mana couldn't watch over Jaden in their human forms 24 seven, but during the times that they could when no prying eyes were around. He and the others in the deck would make the most of it.
With that said, Mahado transformed into his human counterpart. He was now wearing a dark purple suit with a white shirt underneath and a black tie on top of the white shirt. Black pants and dress shoes, the same color as the pants. A belt with a gun strapped to his hip. He crossed his arms and nodded at Jaden. A blank expression on his face.
Mana, pie, Jaden and Chip stared at him, flabbergasted.
'What in the name of Ra!' Exclaimed pie
(Mana? What's going on?!) cried chip his furry round body mere inches away from the other duel monsters face.
The blonde spellcaster raised her hands up defensively. "Don't look at me. I'm just as surprised as the rest of you!"
"Yeah, I'm gonna agree with these guys over here."Admitted Jaden. "What are you trying to get at Mahado? Are you trying to be my bodyguard or something?"
"That's exactly what I am." he Confirmed simply.
Jaden face palmed. "Seriously? Is Dad that paranoid about my plan? I told him, seto, Mokuba, serenity, uncle mutt , Ryoko and... And the rest Of my dual monsters in my deck! For Ra sake!"
Mahado smiled, amused. "Not all the time mind you, and just for today I'll be fully present unless you summon me in your duel."
The amethyst tipped brunette frowned and crossed her arms, pouting. "Fine, but I won't like it."
Mana and Chip looked at one another and said goodbye to the three before heading off into the Spirit realm. Mana needed to check something important while chip had a family get together he needed to attend. Jaden waved goodbye and once the pair were gone, she flopped onto her bed mindful of pie still sitting on it.
She reached over with her hand that was nearest the pillow and brought out the small silver bracelet. It was wrapped in the silk red bandanna. Still lying on her back she unwrapped it for a moment and stared at it lost in her thoughts.
She could still remember what her daddy had said. 'Trust in the heart of the cards.' That saying was engraved into her mind and she took it to heart, as did her cousin. It was comforting and painful to have one of her daddy's last words so deeply ingrained into her soul. Oh how he loved her so much that he was willing to risk his own life to keep her and her dad safe. Usually if one of her parents had to make a sacrifice Jaden figured that it would've been the Other way around. Her dad sacrificing himself instead of her daddy. She curled into a ball feeling tears pricking at the edges of her eyes. Her mind began to wander to that far away night. It felt like a lifetime, but it was only five years.
Contrary to popular belief, Jaden had stayed positive for the most part after her daddy's disappearance. Most people would've figured that, that event would've scarred her for life. Making her into a cold bitter person. But Jaden was determined not to go down that path. Only a few times did she dare bring out a bit of her yami Side. Jaden knew that pie was her darker half, but her dad was the darker half of to intertwined souls, the gentle darkness mind you. And not the insane corrupted darkness that most people thought of. So it would make sense if her mood all of a sudden changed from innocent and sweet to confident and dangerous.
With those thoughts in mind and one of the last words that her daddy had said to her, echoing in her mind. Jaden fell into a trance like stupor, her eyes glazed over as she relieved the worst birthday ever.
Pie looked up at the magician worry in her green eyes. She leapt down from the bed and walk towards the door. Standing on her hind legs, pie jumped and grabbed the door knob with her front paws. Her back paws scrambled for a firm grip on the smooth wood. Extending her claws out, she held on fast before turning the door knob with her front paws. It wasn't easy, but with practice over the years pie managed.
The door opened and the black feline landed less than gracefully on the floor. Feeling Mahado's gaze on her, pie whipped her head around after getting to her gave the duel monster now human a withering look, daring him to say anything. She might've been intelligent but pie did have some semblance of dignity about her.
'Not a word magician. I shall be getting the pharaoh. He's the only one in this household that can get my mistress out of that stupor. And magician, might I suggest breakfast?' She suggested before her voice turned amused. 'You know the pharaoh can't cook to save his life.'
Mahado nodded chuckling knowing the black cats words were true. The pharaoh was many things, but a cook was not one of them. Once pie left, the brown haired young man gave one final worried glance at Jaden before gently closing the door behind him. Making his way down towards the kitchen, he passed by a few smaller duel monsters that could shift their size. But mainly there were the ones that looked like humans.
None of the duel monsters that were allowed to roam freely in the two-story household were treated as servants. Instead they were treated like family, helping out wherever they could or just taking care of the house when no one was around. At times they would even accompany the pharaoh when he went towards the game shop. Cosplayers were a pretty common thing in domino. So it wouldn't be strange if a few people that looked like duel monsters walked down the street.
Pausing a few feet from the kitchen entrance he listened. Three pairs of feet from what he could tell, were walking around the room. They were light and quiet. All spell casters had light feet. So it could've been either gender occupying the room. Having light footing was a trade that all spell casters carried.
Kiwi, apple and chocolate had appeared in the kitchen about 10 minutes ago. Ryoko kaiba, there card master/owner didn't need them at the moment. They could've gone to the spirit realm, but there was nothing really much to do there. Other than catch up on reading or testing new spells which the three didn't do until late towards the evening and never in the morning. When the trio had left the mansion, it was on high alert for some odd reason.
The three girls weren't really sure what was so important that they needed to have security buffed up by having a few duel monsters out and about. Heck two of the blue eyes White Dragon's were standing in the driveway where the limo was parked. To be frank, the girls were confused and Ryoko was a bit preoccupied in getting ready, to answer any questions that the three girls might've had. Barry had shooed them away. Telling them to make themselves useful in one of the other millennium wielders houses.
And that's exactly what they were doing. Making breakfast was going to be that task.
Mahado now stood in the doorway raising an eyebrow, scanning the already inhabited kitchen. Apple, kiwi and chocolate were getting mixing bowls, flower, eggs and anything else needed to make breakfast. Chocolate glanced up from one of the bottom cabinets that she was looking through to see if she could find any sugar, and froze at seeing the dark magician.
"Ladies," she declared. "Prepare to have your necks being breathed down on as we make breakfast."
Apple and Kiwi froze, The two previously mentioned spell casters followed chocolates gaze to see Mahado standing in the doorway. At the site of him, Kiwi nearly dropped the Carton of eggs that she was holding. Apple visibly gulped and gave Mahado a smile. To the dark magician it looked more like a grimace.
"You three might not be this households resident Duel monsters, but that doesn't mean I'm not responsible for your actions. Now let's get to work and I'm keeping one eye on all of you." He reminded a sterne edge to his voice.
"We know, Mahado." Replied Apple in a timid whisper.
The dark magician features softened slightly. Apple was the shy one in the girls group and he had a slight soft spot for the girl. He hummed in acknowledgment and proceeded to give each of the girls certain instructions. Soon the four spell casters were working like a well oiled machine. Mahado knew how to get people to work together, some of the pharaohs and his lovers influence had rubbed off on him.
While breakfast was being made, yami had woken up early. Like his daughter he couldn't go back to sleep. He had been having the same nightmare like Jaden, except he relieved that moment where his husband had disappeared. Yami hadn't been the same ever since that night but thanks to a few therapy lessons that seto demanded... No ordered that he take, he was mostly back to his old self. He was now reduced to a visit to his therapist one day a week. Dr. Chase was informed of the magical situation having a few of the others as some of his clients.
Admittedly yami was reluctant to go at first almost 5 years ago. But thanks to the therapy sessions, he'd gotten out of his depressed state and for that he was grateful for kaiba's threats of being fired from his own company. Being fired from the richest global company tended to have major backlash on you're work life. Most people wouldn't hire you let alone look at your résumé.
When he first heard that threat yami was skeptical, but then he thought of his daughter and what sort of life she would live. Yugi... His light, his husband, his everything was stripped away from him. His daughter was without a parent and living in poverty definitely wouldn't improve her view of the world. He wanted the innocence and optimism that shined in Jaden's eyes to stay for as long as possible.
So after the third threat, yami relented and began taking his therapy sessions. Having Jaden around made it worthwhile to keep on moving. She was happy and had gained Yugi's creative side. Chuckling he knew for a fact that his light would certainly have been disappointed in him if he'd stop caring about his own life.
His friends, his daughter, all of them made every minute worth it.
Currently he was in the bathroom fully changed out of his night wear and into his current clothing. He was wearing a pair of black pants with a black leather belt around it, his deck holder on his hip. A pair of Black ankle length leather boots, a white T-shirt with a black leather jacket and a leather choker around his neck.
After scrubbing his face with a cold wet towel yami left the room ready to face the day. He reminded himself with a little excitement and worry that it was Jaden's physical exam. He knew his daughter was capable of passing this part of the exam. The written one... It wasn't fantastic but it wasn't terrible either. Mostly it was average which was good enough for him.
His train of thought was cut off when pie hissed at him getting his attention. He looked down, the black feline glared up at him in response at his confused expression. Her eyes were worried and that wasn't a good sign. If pie was worried then that could only mean one thing.
Kneeling down he asked. "Pie? Is everything all right?"
The former pharaoh mentally shook his head. That was a ridiculous question. Of course pie wasn't all right.
Her voice echoed in his mind. 'No of course not. It's the day of her exam... And she had a nightmare last night. I could sense it through the link.'
"Did she wake up?" He questioned worry filling his voice.
'Yes my pharaoh, she did. When I woke she was almost finished with the Clock. As far as I know she didn't go back to sleep after the nightmare. I believe it had something to do with the queen...' She explained trailing off at the last bit. Knowing that the pharaohs... Queen was a touchy subject.
If there was one thing that you should never do in front of a Mutou it was, one, Insult the queen or any of the family member's, two, insult the deck and it's monsters, and three, call any of the other millennium wielders and allies, sluts, whores, bastards... Etc. etc. The last one... Was on the number one spot in the kaiba/Wheeler household. Ryoko was especially proud of her families show of affection for the same gender. For the young girl was interested in females instead of males.
How did pie know all of this? Well cats knew how to gather up gossip just like Kuriboh's.
Yami stroked the black felines head gently, noting that the golden collar was around pies neck. Smiling sadly he stood up and murmured a 'thank you' before heading towards his daughters door.
Pie understood that the following conversation between daughter and father was private. Even though she was her lights other half in a manner of speaking she knew when to back out of a family discussion. Sniffing the air her ears and tail perked up at the scent of human food being cooked downstairs. Licking her lips, pie pounded down the stairs feeling her stomach grumbling. At this point in the day she did not care if she had an ounce of dignity with in her.
She had a feeling that this would be one of the last normal days in a long time.
Clutching the bracelet to her chest Jaden whispered. "Why is it always the good people that have the worst luck?"
Walking into his daughters bedroom unseen. Yami replied while sitting on the end of her bed. He had a melancholy smile on his face. A picture of the three when Jaden was only five hung above her bed catching his attention briefly before it returned to his daughters curled up form.
His voice was gentle and quiet. Yami not wanting to break this fragile silence between them. "I don't know sweetheart."
Jaden glanced up from her position on the bed and sat bolt upright at seeing her dad. She tried looking cheerful but knowing that her dad already saw her expression from earlier. Yami pulled Jaden into a hug at seeing her downcast expression. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't hold back her tears. Her hair was starting to feel a bit damp and she knew that her dad was crying. Jaden began to cry too. Knowing that they were still hurting from that night five years ago.
After a long time of silence and crying. Father and daughter pulled away. The pair felt a little better after letting a bit of their emotions out.
Wiping away her tears with her sleeves Jaden asked. "So W-what a-are you doing here?"
Yami ruffled his daughters now short hair. He'd noticed the change and his daughters hairstyle and decided not to comment on it. Knowing that this was Mahado and Mana's work. Although the two wouldn't admit it they were more paranoid than he was at his daughters crazy plan. Then again halfway thought up and crazy plans ran in their family especially with Jaden.
"Pie informed me of what happened last night." He replied chuckling as his daughter crossed her arms and rolled her eyes dramatically.
Unfazed the pharaoh continued. " aside from that, I don't really know why good people have the worst luck. However I do know that Yugi would want you to be happy today. Even if you weren't going undercover, Aibou wouldn't want you moping around before your exam now would he?"
The slight tease that she heard managed to get a smile on her face. Giving in and knowing that her dad was right. She sat up, placed the wrapped silver bracelet into one of her Red uniforms outer pockets and grabbed her cards. Slipping them into her black deck holder, which was attached to her black leather belt.
Running a hand through her shortened hair she gave her dad a determined nod.
The next thing yami knew his daughter had grabbed her millennium clock, her dueling disk and was halfway out of her room.
Jaden skidded to a stop when she reached the stairs. Padding her blue jeans frantically, she realized that she forgot something very important. These important things, couldn't wait. Running back towards her room and nearly crashing in to her dad, who was coming out of it, she bolted inside.
Yami stumbled back a few steps nearly bumping into his daughter who shot into her bedroom like a bullet. He knew what his daughter had forgotten, and he was relieved that she remembered. If she didn't then he could be the next target or one of his friends could be held as leverage. Yami was hoping that if Jaden went to duel academy with these important objects, then hopefully she would be safe. But knowing his families luck, his daughter would be in danger nonetheless, with or without, what was hidden in his daughters room.
He didn't like it, he truly would've preferred one of the other millennium wielders or himself to guard the objects. Better yet kaiba placing them in one of his high security vaults. However they could be penetrated by shadow magic. He reminded himself, his hands clenching into tight fists until his knuckles were white. Frowning, yami made his way downstairs knowing if he continued down this path, then it would drive him mad.
Meanwhile Jaden leapt onto her bed and snatched her pillow as if it were the most important thing in the world. In a way it was or more like the contents inside were the most important thing in the world. Shoving her hand inside of the pillowcase she searched around for a few minutes until three cards held together by a rubber band, made contact with her skin.
Breathing out a sigh of relief Jaden snatched the cards and gingerly slipped them into a hidden pocket in her right sleeve. These cards were none other than the three god cards. Slipping off of her bed and towards the door once again. She could feel their power humming through her body.
These three along with the ones from her daddy's deck were the only ones not missing. They had appeared seven days after the attack next to her deck. No one knew why they appeared like that. To this day the god cards were as mysterious as ever.
Ra was especially vocal today. His power shined through her body more insistently. As if he was trying to tell her something, but she didn't know what he was trying to get at. As she walked downstairs his voice echoed through her mind. It was both commanding and gentle.
"Give me to the eldest son of the sun, he shall protect his past and present love in its darkest moments. Betray the shadows one night he shall when blood spills blood and blood saves blood. The son of the Sun will guard the sweet light. Who's heart has been shattered by an unworthy soul. And lovers hearts will be mended once more, when they reunite two broken souls."
Gods, Jaden decided were very strange.
"Okaaaay, that was weird." She mumbled. "I don't even know what he was trying to tell me, it was just a riddle. It didn't even make sense give him to 'the eldest son of the sun...' That doesn't make any sense."
Shaking her head Jaden continued on her way down towards the kitchen. Ready for whatever came next.
40 minutes later~
Jaden, pie, yami and Mahado in human form stood outside of the two-story house staring at it in silence. Jaden felt like it would be the last time that she would see her home in a long time. Sure she'd be coming back after her exam was done. But there was just something about this moment that just felt different. She fiddled around with the now completed millennium clock that hung around her neck the cold metal chain rubbing against her slightly damp neck. Jaden had to admit to herself, she was nervous and excited for the exam.
Breathing out a puff of air she slowly turned around pies leash held tightly in one hand. The cat had a second collar around her neck. The millennium item safely hidden beneath the red material. A few tags managed to hide the eye of Horus from site. And if someone did see the eye, then they'd assume it was some type of added accessory to the cats collar.
When breakfast was done about 20 minutes ago. Jaden had finished the millennium item, and just like her daddy before her the thing began to glow. The clocks black gears spinning crazily as the eye got brighter and brighter, catching everyone's attention. At that point they had all moved into the living room, her dad had his back turned to her and she decided now was a good enough time to finish building the item before she left.
That proved to be a mistake.
Her dad had told her 10 minutes later after she regained consciousness. That the symbol of the eye had appeared on her for head and not a few moments later. She'd been thrown across the living room, hitting the back of her head on a bookshelf which had cost her to go unconscious from the impact. It had taken about 10 minutes for her to regain consciousness and another 10 to explain.
That definitely explained the big egg sized bump that was forming on the back of her head.
Once that was settled her dad had given her specific instructions to not allow anyone near the millennium item and to not play any penalty games unless absolutely necessary.
Jaden had been taught in the ways of a penalty game. Once she turned 12 and after more than 50 setbacks, Bakura had been keeping count, she finally mastered the art.
Jaden briefly glanced at her phone screen. Gaping, she saw the time, it was 8:55. Jaden only had about 25 minutes left before the exams were to be done. Shoving her phone into her pocket she ran forward, forgetting about pies leash that she was holding. Jaden stumbled and fell onto the sidewalk.
"Ow..." she grumbled.
Rubbing her sore cheek with her free hand, she scooped up pie with her other and began running off towards the kaiba dome. Mahado was right on her heels as yami waved goodbye.
"And for the love of Ra, next time I see you. I hope you get a decent boyfriend that loves you for you! Because if you don't, then I'll start my hunt for your ex boyfriend again!" He called out smirking as he noticed his daughter stumble.
The brunettes face was beet red as pie and Mahado smirked. Last time Jaden got a boyfriend she was 12, ignorant, the guy was cheating on her the entire time and she ended up getting a black eye and broken heart. To add on to her list, the guy had touched her chest area without her permission! And that was why she had trust issues with any boys that said she was pretty or who wanted to go out on a date with her.
To this day a boy hadn't caught her eye in the last three years and now that she was a little older and more experienced. Jaden now knew that she just wanted someone to lean against through her grief and pain.
The only people who knew about her ex boyfriend were her dad, Ryoko, her godfather seto, uncle mutt, tea and Mai. For the most part all of them had stopped looking for her ex after seven months.
Jaden had somehow convinced them to stop searching for him and made a deal with them. If she ever got a boyfriend during the time that she was in the Academy. Then they would resume the hunt and her Second boyfriend would be the first one to hit the bloody idiot.
Jaden getting a second boyfriend wasn't that likely. At least that's what she assumed at the time.
Ever since then she'd never even looked at a boy the same way. If there was one good thing about that experience it was that her first kiss wasn't stolen by that good for nothing jerk, so at least the gods had some mercy in her love life.
Though Mana was a whole other league. She'd tease and insist that she liked a certain boy, but Jaden had always ignored her, tolerating the spell casters jokes. Although it would occasionally get her out of her shell and not be so self-conscious of her flaws and doubts. The longest she had to deal with mana's teasing was a week. Still whenever her duel monster friend got the chance she would be merciless in her teasing.
Underneath her breath she hissed. "Shut up, dad!"
"Your father was merely trying to give you some advice." remarked Mahado
'In her Majesty's defense that wasn't very helpful advice.' Pie argued.
"You think." Deadpanned Jaden. " besides you know my trust issues with boys."
'Just trying to help mistress.'
Smiling Jaden nodded still running through the streets of Domino. "Appreciate... The sentiment... Pie, but right now... I need to get to my entrance exam."
Heading up towards a familiar street Jadens Face broke out into a large grin. Seeing that it was her grandfathers game shop. Outside was her Great grandfather and Tristan wiping the windows and sweeping the sidewalk. Mahado let out a small smile of his own knowing that this small little shop was a key point in his young charges parents lives.
A feeling of nostalgia washed over Jaden as she waved at the two while running by. "By great grandpa, see you later uncle Tristan!"
"kick the examiners behind!" Called out Tristan pausing in his work.
The old man smiled his eyes shining with Pride. "Good luck, granddaughter. Never forget the heart of the cards are always with you!"
"I will!" She called back.
Skidding to a stop at an intersection, Jaden impatiently waited for the light to turn red. After a minute the traffic stopped and she bolted across the street. Mahado shook his head following his young charge. He wondered if it was true that Jaden had gotten her endless amounts of energy from the queen. That wouldn't surprise him in the least.
Meanwhile~
Ryoko looked around in patiently her hand gripping her deck. The blonde, sharp light blue eyed girl was wearing an ice blue kneelength silk dress with ruffles at the ends of her long sleeves. Over that she was wearing a high collared white jacket with a small silver chain necklace with an oval shaped sapphire jewel with the White image of a blue eyes White Dragon at its center. On her feet were a pair of white ankle length boots.
The blonde had her hair up in a ponytail held by an ice blue Silk ribbon. The girl wasn't standing up she was sitting in a highly advanced kaiba corp made wheelchair that hovered a few inches off of the ground. On her lap was a silver briefcase. Her hands were folded neatly on top of it one of them having her dueling disk while the other held her deck.
She reached up and fiddled with one of the small sapphire earrings hanging from her ears. It was a nervous habit and one she knew she should stop, but Ryoko promised herself to wait for her cousin. If Jaden didn't make it, then she wouldn't enter the Academy this year. It was an unspoken promise between the cousins and they were both willing to stick by it through thick and thin.
After all, Ryoko had helped Jaden through her heartbreak when she was still living in the temporary orphanage. Jaden gave her and the orphans hope. Ryoko gave Jaden the strength to move on from her first heartbreak. The two had been inseparable since. Even more so, ever since she'd joined the family.
Ryoko hadn't forgotten that day. She still wanted to get a punch or two in for what that cheating pervert did to her younger cousin. Jaden didn't deserve any of that!
Currently the adopted daughter of seto kaiba was in front of the kaiba dome. Waiting in patiently for her cousin. Jaden was many things, a wonderful friend, cousin, rival, but when it came to being on time and prepared... Not that great.
"...Miss kaiba?" Began one of the attendees nervously. "W-we only have 10 minutes left..."
Ryoko gave the female attendant a side glance before returning her light blue gaze onto the path ahead.
"Hmm, We'll give him five minutes." She decided. "Is that understood..." she finished Icily.
"But..." began the second employee this one a mail. The female placed a hand on his shoulder shaking her head.
"It isn't worth it Corvis." Side the female. She had been working for kaiba Corp for about a year now. And she knew when a fight was lost especially when a kaiba was involved.
Ignoring the second employee, Ryoko calmly opened the briefcase just enough to slip her hand in and bring out a large yellow folder. Just as swiftly she closed it not giving the two people on duty a chance to peek inside. Handing the envelope over, the blonde briefly explained its contents.
Jaden had sent her a rushed tex explaining her plan last night before bed. Ryoko had read over the message and asked her cousin a few questions. Such as, what her medical record was and what last name will she be using.
This morning she had received another text just as she arrived at the kaiba dome. Her cousin had told her about Mahado and how he was going to be her escort a.k.a. bodyguard for the day while she was in her exam. Unless Jaden summoned dark magician, onto the field which was very likely. Then she needed to figure out a cover-up for Mahado's presents. Luckily throughout the past three years and having to wait for her cousin had given her plenty of time to come up with a foolproof lie.
"The latecomer, will be having a feline with him. It is in authorized constant companion via his doctor. The feline is to help him cope with any thing that might trigger some traumatizing memories. My father has hired a personal Escort today for myself and the boy that will no doubt pass his physical exam." Ryoko explained briskly.
The adults looked at one another silently nodding in agreement. Ryoko paid them no mind. Her thoughts were on the events from A few months back and this morning.
About three months ago give or take, someone... Bakura or Tristan she suspected thought it would be a funny idea to steal one of berries potions and mix it into some type of drink and handed to Joey. Whoever placed the potion inside of the drink didn't know much about potions... Or they were too ignorant to not read the label. To put along story short. Joey or mother as she liked to call him, was pregnant in less than a week. This potion was the same one used by her uncle Yugi When he got pregnant with Jaden.
Now three months later, her mother and father were going to a private doctor, the unfortunate part was that they had to go across town for the appointment. And her father, was to put it simply more than a little on edge. If the media ever found out that seto kaiba's fiancé was pregnant... Well things would go to hell pretty fast.
And that was why her father had to have his blue eyes White Dragon's outside in the parking lot. Thankfully the walls of the mansion were high enough to block the dragons from site. Even then the dragons could shift their size since they were one of the more powerful monsters. The more powerful the monster the easier it was to shift their size. If they were an animal or machine of some sort. But if they were humans or had a humanoid appearance then they could not change their size.
Ryoko looked down at her briefcase and deck. Her eyes flashing with determination and fury. "Don't worry uncle Yugi, Will get you back and we'll make those shadow riders pay for what they did. I might've not gotten to meet you, but I'm going to help Jaden find you."
The blondes light blue eyes grew distant as she remembered some of the stories that her parents had told her about her missing uncle. She did not notice her sapphire pendant glow slightly.
Five minutes from the kaiba dome ~
Jaden had placed pie down a while back realizing that the cats extra weight was slowing her down. The three were running at TopSpeed towards the kaiba dome hoping to get there on time.
"I've got my deck, i've got my gear and I've got five minutes to get to my duel academy entrance exam before it ends!" She cried.
"If there's one good thing that's coming out of this situation," started Mahado. "it's that they can't throw you in detention for being late."
Grinning Jayden nodded. "You read my mind, bodyguard." She joked.
Mahado rolled his eyes while pie panted trying to keep up with her mistress. Taking a sharp turn Jaden continued on, her speed increasing.
Pie noticed through her blurry vision that someone was up a head.'Mistress theirs...'
The warning was too late. Not noticing the trio coming towards him. A tall pale skinned student in a dark blue obelisk uniform was staring at his hand. He just passed his entrance exam with ease, since he had the cyber end deck in his possession. The 16 year old glanced up just in time to see someone crash into him. Cards scattered as pie and Mahado bent over. The two took grateful gulps of air panting heavily.
Mahado might have been the dark magician, but he had his limits like anyone else. Pie had been running nonstop after the second street crossing after leaving the Kane game shop. The cat was exhausted and her black fur, that attracted the sunlight like a beacon wasn't helping matters.
Meanwhile the two teens fell in a heap on the ground. The obelisk blue student right Palm getting scraped against the rough concrete in the process. He gave out a quiet grunt as Jaden slowly got to her knees beginning to Collect her cards. She glanced back briefly knowing that she bumped into someone. Once she saw the person on the ground, Jaden held out her hand, stopping in her mad dash to gather up her cards.
The brunette didn't like seeing anyone injured or hurt. If she could help them even in a small way, then she would drop everything and help that person. Even if it was an enemy, though if that enemy had taken something or worse someone important from her...
"Thanks..." Said the boy taking Jaden's offered hand.
"No problem,"replied the brunette beginning to gather up her cards. Making sure to not ruined them.
The boy began to help as well. "So you're a duelist." He noted.
"Sure am." Reply Jaden happily. "I'm on my way to my entrance exam."
She glanced briefly at the strangers clothing and saw that it was one of the uniforms that duel Academy offered. That could only mean one thing.
"Oh... You already past your exam."
"I see you pointed out the obvious." Replied the Stranger smoothly.
The brunette flushed in embarrassment ducking her head in a shy manor. "Yeah... I um, also... er, noticed things that other people tend to look over. Especially during duels or games... I tend to get creative... And I just like dueling for... The fun of it uh, I guess..."
Jaden briefly wondered why she was acting so shy around this person. Then she remembered that this person was a boy. She waited a few moments for that uncomfortable 'I'm in danger,' feeling to settle in her stomach, but nothing happened. Jaden only felt a warm tingly sensation in her hand that she used to help the boy up.
'That was... Strange?' she thought. 'This never happened before whenever I helped out a boy. And why am i so flustered and shy around this guy?'
A simple nod was her reply as the boy handed her the remaining cards. Jaden was grateful that this stranger didn't out right call her weird or crazy.
The boys teal eyes looked at the smaller teen, a little curiously. This duelist was someone he'd like to know more about. He then frowned remembering that the path he led was dangerous and he didn't want to drag this innocent duelist into his problems.
"I never seen some of these cards before." He commented knowing that some of these cards he'd already seen while others hadn't even been released yet in domino. This duelist was peeking his interest with each second that past.
Jaden didn't comment, she inwardly laughed knowing that it was her own designs and artistic talent that created some of these cards. She took them and noticed his injured right Palm. Noting the injury she absentmindedly placed the rest of her cards in her deck and reached into her pocket pulling out her red silk bandanna. Her dad was right she was just like her daddy willing to help someone that she'd just met. A flicker of sadness crossed her eyes before she grabbed the boys wrist and wrapped the silk bandanna around it.
"Sorry about your hand." She apologized her voice sincere.
"I'll be fine." insisted the boy. "You don't have to do this."
The pair got up while Jaden replied not noticing that her bracelet had slipped from her pocket. It rolled a few feet away from the small group unnoticed by any of them. Pie was preoccupied in cleaning her Fur and making sure that her collar was hidden from sight. While trying to act like a normal every day feline. Mahado was checking the time seeing how much of it they had wasted.
"First of all if it hadn't been for me rushing to my exam then I wouldn't have bumped into you... Or more like crashed into you. Secondly I wanted to..."
Mahado tapped her shoulder cutting her off. She frowned looking at him annoyed. The brown haired blue eyed man just tapped his wrist, silently telling her that they were running out of time. Nodding, Jaden was just about to runoff towards the kaiba dome when Ra sent a wave of power through her body. When the gods were involved, Jaden didn't go against their orders, those some of their actions were questionable at times.
Images of her handing the card over to the stranger flashed through her mind. Jaden blinked slowly, coming out of her dazed state. She must've had a weird look on her face, because a pale hand was placed on her shoulder. Still dazed from the images, Jaden absently reached into her sleeve and pulled out the three god cards.
Mahado's eyes widened briefly before his features smoothed out into a blank mask. He was the only one to notice a gold ring on the boys left ring finger before he removed his hand from Jaden's shoulder and slipped it into his uniform pocket. There was something about the ring that felt like a millennium item. The energy flowing off of it was strong like Jaden's millennium clock and the millennium puzzle. But the collar, clock and ring had an odd aura around them... Mahado couldn't explain it but there was something more to this boy then met the eye.
Jaden was oblivious of the boy taking his hand away from her shoulder. She stared at the card held in her hand. It was Ra and he was quite insistent in having her hand him to this stranger.
"Trust me child you will see me again. Remember my message from earlier."
yeah no, Jaden wasn't reassured. But something inside of her just told her that Ra belonged with this obelisk student. She couldn't believe she was doing this but... Maybe... Just maybe it was the right thing. Her daddy hadn't been wrong when he handed her Mana, Mahado and chip to her that Long ago night. Even though it cost him...
Shaking the thought away and swallowing down the golf ball sized lump forming in her throat. She gave one final glance at the card in her hand before making up her mind. Holding out the card face down she held it out to the boy whom she hadn't really looked at in the face throughout their little encounter.
"Take this... " she said calmly, silently congratulating herself in keeping her composure. "I have a feeling that it belongs with you."
Hesitating for only a moment the boy took the card not looking at it. "Why are you giving me this? It's yours and you barely met me. What's to say that I won't destroy it or sell it?"
Jaden shrugged raw was pretty vague on why she should hand him over to this stranger.
"Honestly? I'm not too sure... " she gave him a brief smile. "But I just have this odd feeling that we'll see each other sooner than we think." She replied simply.
"And as for that last tidbit,"she smirked and shook her head. "Some of these cards in my deck are... Rare. You didn't steal them at the first opportunity you got. You could've easily just runoff with them once you had them in your possession but you didn't."
He looked at the brunette, throughout their entire encounter the small duelist hadn't looked up fully and seen his face. She walked away Mahado and pie already ahead of her. Not turning around, she gave the boy her own advice on the cards and deck.
"Sometimes a deck and it's monsters are more than just pieces of cardboard... Sometimes they can be the strongest link to your past... Or they can even become your Partners... your Friends... your family..."
She waved goodbye not looking back. So Jaden didn't see the shocked expression that crossed the taller teens face when he looked at the card.
Looking up he asked. "If I may ask, what is your name?"
Jaden smirked while jogging to catch up to her cat and temporary guardian-bodyguard for the day. "Watch my duel, maybe you'll learn it then!"
Holding the card close to his chest he replied with. "Zane, my name is Zane."
Jaden smiled, happy to at least have a name to remember instead of thinking of him as stranger.
"Glad to meet you Zane, see you at duel Academy!" She happily called back hoping that she'd see this Zane character in person and actually look at his face next time they met.
The brunette ignored her slightly pink cheeks as she dashed towards the registration area.
Carefully Zane placed the god card into an inner pocket in his obelisk blue uniform. The Long dark blue spiky haired, teenager, turned and began walking in another direction towards the kaiba dome. Deciding to take the brunettes advice and watch his dual. Out of the corner of his eye a silver object caught his attention. Walking over and picking the object up. He found that it was a bracelet of some sort, figuring that it was the brunettes. he pocketed it away planning to give it to him after his dual.
Once more Zane made his way towards the dueling arena. All the while he sensed familiar eyes watching him from the shadows. Keeping his mask of indifference on his face, he inwardly sneered. One day they would pay... He would pay for everything.
A quiet reassuring feeling washed over him. It was familiar and foreign to him. A bitter sweet smile was on his lips for an instant before it vanished.
A translucent figure with silver gray eyes and Sandy blonde hair tied in a low short messy ponytail that ended above his shoulder blades, appeared next to Zain. He gave the spirit a brief glance before looking down at his chest. Still walking towards the kaiba dome, the spirit trailing along side him unseen by anyone else, but Zane.
"It's been a while... Hasn't it..." He whispered a hand placed over his heart where the card lay hidden.
AN: well this chapter is over. Oh and a fun fact in the last chapter or should I say prologue win Yugi worse… Taking that scene was inspired by Percy Jackson the lightning thief. And nope that is in the Percy Jackson reference that I was talking about.
Can't wait to see what you guys would think later on after this two-parter!
Oh nearly forgot this story will be split into three different arcs.
1. The god trust arc
2. The millennium Key arc
3. The shadow beast arc
So look forward to that. We are currently in the first Ark, 'The trust God arc.'
And Holy… how the heck does Ryoko no about the shadow riders? Well you'll just have to wait and see and better explained a few chapters later. but there's something going on with zane? I soo did introduced him in this chapter and yes, he's 16 in the story the same age as Atticus. If you want more info then go back and look at the first chapter/prologue. Hope you guys enjoy and see you in the next chapter!