Episode 1: The Yukimura Curse

Standing along the tree line, the Key Bearers were awaiting for Professor Banner to show up; apparently he had heard rumors of another Shadow Rider. And as always Jaden and Chazz were arguing on who would be the one to challenge the supposed Shadow Rider. As the two argued, the others watched with either bemusement, annoyance or a bored expression. As Chazz was about to list the varies reasons why he should be challenging the Shadow Rider, they were that 1) his deck kicked ass, 2) he was unbeatable and that 3) the Shadow Riders were no real threat, a terrible nightmare was unleashed. More specifically... Jaden's worst nightmare coming to light...

"There are 3 reasons why I, Chazz Princeton, will be dueling the Shadow Rider, Slacker." Declared the pale dark haired youth declared with much air and arrogance of a nobleman.

"Huh?" The other young man elegantly asked. His amber-brown eyes grew wide in childish wonder. Suddenly a huge goofy grin broke onto the youth's face as he began bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"Really! What are they!" The excited teen questioned.

"It's simple, Slacker!" Chazz began, "First of all, my deck kicks ass. Second of all, there's no Shadow Rider out there that can beat the Chazz, and third of al... ahck!"

However, before Chazz could finish his boasting. Chazz' feet were side-swiped out from under him; causing him to fall flat on his back. Now, normally one's feet are not naturally just side-swipe on their own. Oh no, in order for that to happen someone had to side-swipe said feet, and that said someone was...

"JADEN!"

"What the hell!"

thunk

Now, if one would ask, none would be able to answer which came first. Was it 'Jaden'? Was it 'what the hell'? Or was it 'thunk'? However, if asked what caused this, all would agree that the source was a throwing dagger lodged half-way in the tree, where Chazz was only seconds ago standing. If Chazz' feet were not side-swiped, he would have been one dead duck.

Staring at the throwing knife and at the youth, who saved his life, Chazz' eyes were unusually wide. The youth, Jaden, was still crouched down but his face obscured by his auburn-brown hair and head bowed. Jaden's breathing was slow, even and calming... In other words, normal. Jaden gave no indication of him being scared, startled or shocked. It was as if this was an every day occurrence; as if it was normal to dodge throwing knives, which were meant to Kill You!

Suddenly the stunned silence was broken by a maniacal laughter. Suddenly the owner of that bone-chilling maniacal laughter appeared; startling the others, save for Jaden. Slowly Jaden stood up with his head still bowed down as he stepped over Chazz' prone form. Chazz was frozen in place by shock at his would-be murderer's appearance. His murderer was male; a bit taller than himself, and had a look that screamed deranged-homicidal manic!

The stranger's hair went everywhere and was white as snow. His eyes were sharp, clear blue and hints of insanity were clearly present. The stranger's dark skin looked pale against his black clothes, and white jacket that resembled one given to the mentally insane as restraints. The stranger continued to laugh as Jaden walked closer the tree. Slowly his laughter died down as Jaden's hand reached for the throwing dagger. Soon all laughter died as Jaden pulled out the dagger and in a blink of an eye, he threw the dagger back to its owner.

"JADEN!"

"What the FUCK!"

The bystanders gasped at the unnatural display of violence from their usually carefree, innocent and genki of a friend.

"Kukukuku," the stranger childishly giggled, "Still the same, Hero Slayer. Still the same."

Jaden finally looked up; revealing cold, hard eyes of amber-brown.

"J-J-Jay..?" A soft, quiet voice whimpered at the newly transformed friend.

"It's alright, Sy." Jaden's voice was warm and comforting, but his eyes remain focused on the stranger.

"Hey, Slacker, what's going on?" Chazz finally came to his feet and stood behind the auburn-brown haired youth.

The stranger clucked his tongue as his eyes narrowed on Jaden; daring Jaden to speak the truth.

"He's name is Cobra." Jaden began; ignoring Cobra's hissing, "You challenged me, Cobra."

"Yes, yes... Always a game. A game to you." Cobra cooed, "The Boss misses the games. Your games. Yes, yes... The Boss misses..."

"I don't care." Jaden replied; interrupting Cobra's rants, "I'm free. I'm no longer bound to your insanity. Now, leave. Me. Alone."

"Kukukukuku... No, no... The Boss misses you. The Boss wants you back. The Boss wants his games. Your games. The games."

"Who is this nut?" Chazz mumbled.

"Cobra is an assassin from the Yukimura Yakuza Clan, and yes, he is crazy." Jaden sighed; then dropped his voice barely above a whisper, "Chazz, I need you to do a favor for me."

"And what's that?"

"I want you take Sy and the others out of here, and I want you to take special care not to get Sy and yourself killed."

"WHAT!" Chazz growled as he watched his rival; watching him for any signs of a joke. Then again he quickly remembered that it was Jaden, who saved his ass and threw a bloody dagger back at his attacker. No, Jaden was not joking. He was dead serious, which sent stray chills down Chazz' spin.

Looking back at the demented youth, Chazz knew this was going to be ugly. He knew that Jaden would want them out of the way. It was Jaden after all. Friends first; self later. Jaden had once told him, but why did Jaden say the last part! Would Jaden's enemies come after him and Syrus? He could understand Syrus. The blue-haired chibi and Jaden were joined at the hip. But why himself? Because they were rivals? Hell, he was surprised that the Duelist Champanion did not make a mention about Alexis; only summoning her up with 'the others'. Glancing over to the others, he saw they were getting nervous with all the tension in the air.

"Alright, Slacker." Chazz friendly commented.

Jaden looked at him and smiled his goofy smile, which amazingly enough assured the young millionaire.

"Thanx Bud!" Jaden cheerfully replied as he watched Chazz rejoin the group. Jaden continued watching his friends leave; not loosing Cobra from his peripheral vision. His eyes soften with longing as he watched Chazz drag Syrus away. Oh kami, how he wanted to go with them! But his fate and destiny were too cruel. Will he even make it out of his battle with his soul intact? He seriously doubted it.

"You have gone soft... Gone soft, yes... Boss, Boss will be mad... Yes, mad!" Cobra mumbled; causing the darker side of Jaden to surface again.

Honey-amber eyes glowed with rage at the one thing that destroyed his world and his future.

"Safety Protocol deactivate! Access code Hotel - Sierra Four - Ninner!" Jaden growled.

Before the computer could acknowledge the access code, Jaden swiftly brought forth his favorite card, The Flamed Wingman, in attack mode.

"Kukukukuku... Time to play! Time to play!"

Bird Rock Lamb-chop Bird Bigger Bird

"Chazz! Put! Me! Down!" Syrus yelled as he kicked and punched at the pale dark haired youth, who man-handled him.

With each kick and punch, Chazz' patience was wearing thin; dangerously thin.

"Let! Me! Go!" Syrus continued; ignoring the danger coming from his captor.

"Let! Me! Go! Jay! Needs! Me! Let! Me! Go!"

"Shut! UP!" Chazz yelled as he unceremoniously dropped Syrus; grabbing the smaller teen's arms.

Startled by Chazz' actions, Syrus quiet down but was quickly formulating a plan to return to his friend, his only friend.

"That stupid Slacker told me to get you out of there!" Chazz yelled at the usually timid youth. It made Chazz uneasy to yell at Syrus, but he had no choice. He had to make sure that Syrus understood. Suddenly he felt pleased with himself when Syrus bowed his head in submission until he gave a loud yelp as pain shot up his shin; causing him to let the blue-haired chibi go.

"SYRUS!" Several voices cried after the fast youth, but their cries were drowned out by Chazz' own growl in rage as he blindly chased after the small run-away.

Syrus did not care of the dangers to his well-being. All he cared about was getting to Jay. He had to get to his best friend; his best friend that he loved more than he should but did not care. He loved his best friend, and call him a helpless romantic, but one does not abandon the one you love to battle their battles alone.

Bird Rock Lamb-chop Bird Bigger Bird

Chazz was pissed. He did as Jaden asked. He took Syrus away, and now the damned Chibi was running back to him! Of course, he could not truly be mad at the Chibi. Chazz was not blind. He saw the Love in Syrus' eyes whenever he looked at the auburn-haired duelist. He even recognized the Desire in Jaden's eyes at times when Jaden did not seem himself. Pausing in thought, Chazz wondered if those small periods when Jaden was not himself, was he really himself? Shaking his head, Chazz needed to focus on the job at hand. He had to stop his Chibi! Yes, his Chibi; he did not know how or when it happened, but Syrus' gentle and innocent nature had warmed its way into his heart and soul. Of course, he was jealous that his blue-haired Chibi had eyes for the clueless-wonder known as Jaden, but if it made Syrus happy then he would stand aside.

Hey, Boss! Whadja doin'! Ojama Yellow, Chazz' Duel Spirit, whimpered in fear as it sensed the danger up ahead.

Chazz felt it as well. He felt the ever-growing sense of danger. The air crackled with raw power. If it were not the fact that Syrus was running toward the source, which also happened to be the direction of Jaden and that freak Cobra's duel, Chazz would have immediately turned around. But Syrus was running toward the duel, toward the source of that raw power, and Chazz had to stop him before it was too late.

Slowly he was gaining on his blue-haired Chibi. Chazz mentally smirked as he realized that his Chibi was slowing down. Syrus may be a fast runner, but eventually he would run out of energy; giving Chazz a chance to catch him and drag him the hell away, for now Chazz can visibly see the raw power crackling in the air. Suddenly Chazz mentally cursed as Syrus seemed to have gained his second wind; especially after the smaller duelist was nearly shocked by the dancing electrical currents. Stretching his long legs, Chazz covered more ground very quickly. He could feel his lungs and muscles protest against the abuse they were in, but he pushed the pain aside as the object of his desires, the object of his rival's desires, was in front of him. With one last bust, Chazz managed to lunge himself at the petit angel and tackled him from the behind.

"EEEP!" Syrus unceremoniously yelped as he felt something, or more specifically someone, tackled him.

The two bodies tumbled and rolled due to the sheer momentum of the tackle. After several bumpy rolls, Syrus found himself sprawled out with the one and only Chazz Princeton on top of him. Syrus' silver eyes grew wide as he strangely found himself fighting a blush. However, as soon as the blush tickled his cheeks, Syrus felt his pale flesh become paler. Silver eyes were trapped by soul-piercing onyx eyes. A breath was hitched in Syrus' throat as he felt overwhelmed by the intensity of Chazz' stare. This dark glare somehow comforted Syrus; causing him to cease his struggle to get to Jaden, his best friend, his secret crush. Although Syrus ceased all struggle, it did not quell the need to by Jaden's side.

Nose to nose, breath mingled with breath, Chazz stared into Syrus' eyes and felt his chest tighten in pain as Syrus' own silvery orbs pleading with him. Syrus' pain and need for Jaden was so evident that it was almost tangible. Closing his own eyes to hide from Syrus' innocent eyes, Chazz recomposed himself as he quickly came up with something, anything to get Syrus to come with him; away from the danger as Jaden had asked, had trusted Chazz to do.

"Dammit!" Chazz growled; causing Sirius to stiffen. "That Stupid Slacker!"

BOSS! LOOK OUT! Ojama Yellow squealed; drawing Chazz' attention to the oncoming debris of falling rocks and trees. Tightening his hold on the petit lithe form of his Chibi, Chazz rolled them out of harms way. Without further warning, Chazz climbed to his feet; dragging Syrus with him.

"Jaden!" Syrus' voice trembled in fear as he looked at the duel's direction. Then Chazz found himself trapped by a pair of wide, watery, pleading silver orbs. A pair of silver orbs that he cannot look away or reject; no matter how much he would love to.

"Please!" Syrus began to plead, "Please, Chazz, I have to be with him!"

Chazz was going to hate himself, but he had to. He had to...

"And do WHAT!" Chazz snarled at the smaller youth; half hoping he would submit, but Syrus surprised him and himself as tears pooled down from clear, silver eyes when Syrus yelled back.

"I KNOW I won't be of any help! I KNOW I can't help him! But I'm not gonna abandon him! I LOVE HIM! I NOT GONNA LEAVE HIM!"

Chazz looked at his Chibi, in pain and pained himself. It was one thing to see Syrus' Love for Jaden, but it was another thing to actually hear the sweet blue-haired angel admit to it. Chazz closed his eyes as he felt them sting with unshed tears. He was a Princeton. A Princeton had no emotions; especially the emotion called Love. He was a Princeton; therefore, he had no emotions, but then why did he want to cry in anguish because he was not loved? Oh why? Oh why?

"Please, Chazz, let me go to him. Please." Syrus began whimpering as he held himself tight; afraid that Chazz would hit him for admitting his love for his best friend, his male best friend.

Not knowing what he was thinking, Chazz suddenly found himself walking toward Jaden's duel with the one he loved beside him. It was not long until they reached the clearing. Staying hidden along the tree line, Chazz' eyes grew wide as saucers at the sight before him. Subconsciously he shielded Syrus with most of his body, but the sight before him scared him more than any of his brothers' "punishment" sessions. A strangled gasp and painful grip on his arm told Chazz that Syrus was also scared, but he was not going to leave either.

The clearing resembled more like a battlefield than a dueling field with pit holes, debris everywhere, and charred and/or uprooted trees scattered about the two combatants. The two combatants continued to stare at each other; breathing haggardly, clothes tattered and bloodied from injuries, but they looked far more monstrous and yet exotic than anything else in the world or in Duel Monster World.

Cobra's eyes were wide, wild and a bright shade of blue. His white hair was far more unruly than previously. And his dark skin was now marred by blood with strange tribal markings that glowed violently; an ominous green color. Cobra looked even more maniacal and dangerously feral; causing trembles to course through Syrus' tiny body and causing Chazz' blood to grow cold.

"Jay..." Syrus whimpered in a voice mixed with awe and fear.

Looking towards the direction that Syrus was looking at, Chazz gasped in shock. Standing opposite of Cobra was a bloodied Jaden. His hair was wild and flared, much like a cat's fur raised in anger, as were his honey-amber eyes; giving him a feral look of a pissed off feline. What was so stunning was the strange tribal markings under Jaden's left eye and on the exposed flesh of his arms and torso. His own markings glowed but not as violently or ominously as Cobra's. No, Jaden's markings glowed a soothing shade of honey-gold. While Cobra looked like an insane Hell's Spawn, Jaden looked like a fallen dark angel on the verge of victory.

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"End this! End this! Hero Slayer!" Cobra hissed; Hero Slayer narrowed his eyes.

Cobra knew he was in trouble. He may be insane, but he was not delusional enough into believing that he could win against Hero Slayer. Hero Slayer was the best; he was the King of Games in the Underground World. Hero Slayer was the number 1 assassin of the Yukimura Clan. He had no emotions. He had no ambitions except for the missions. His kills were swift and efficient, and Hero Slayer had a 100 success rate in his mission assignments. Hero Slayer was the perfect human weapon. In the beginning Cobra was uncertain if he could complete his mission because Hero Slayer began with his best card; indicating that he wanted to end this game - swiftly. However, the longer Cobra dragged out this game like the serpent that he was named after; the more that ol' Hero Slayer surfaced. Hero Slayer loved to play games with his victims; especially life and death games because they stimulated his mind, exhilarated his blood making him feel alive, and because he would always win. During the games, Hero Slayer was God. Hero Slayer was the King, and the King was returning; just as the Boss had predicted.

Cobra looked onto the field. Hero Slayer had just summoned his best card yet again after Cobra's three successful previous kills, and now he activated Fusion Gate; a card that would allow Hero Slayer to summon any Fusion Monster from his deck. Regardless of whatever monster was summoned, Cobra was still dead. All he had was his Apophis Fiend. Suddenly movement at the tree line caught his attention. Cobra smirked; it was a few of Hero Slayer's foolish friends. The blue-haired child and the raven-haired teen.

Cobra smiled; truly smiled that made his face far more hideous then imaginable. His mission was to re-awaken Hero Slayer, and what better way than to kill his insignificant friends while Hero Slayer helplessly watched. However, he would have to wait for it was not yet his turn.

"For the last time! Cobra! Leave! Me! Be!" Hero Slayer shouted.

Cobra hissed an oath that Hero Slayer knew by heart for he heard it a hundred times before.

"Fine." Hero Slayer spat as he drew a card and narrowed his eyes; giving him a menacing look. "With Fusion Gate out on the field, I fuse Flamed Wingman with Elemental Spy Master and summon the Elemental Arch-Nemesis Mastermind (ATK 4300/ DEF 800)!"

Instead of the usual bright flash of a summoned Elemental Hero, this new monster slowly manifested from the sudden mist that slowly crawled onto the field. Standing next to Hero Slayer was the manifestation of every hero's nemesis, the manifestation of evil, the manifestation of villainy. Towering over Hero Slayer, Elemental Arch-Nemesis Mastermind stood and stared at Cobra with indifference visible in the monster's one visible eye. Mastermind's face was covered by a white mask; the left side plain with one eye-hole while the right side was decorated with four painted eyes. The white mask was attached to a chain that was connected to the right elven-shaped ear, and from the ear, the chain was attached to the black, tattered leather coat. Mastermind wore all black, giving it the overall look of the Fallen Angel himself.

Cobra's eyes widen in pure horror. The Elemental Arch-Nemesis Mastermind was the card that gave Hero Slayer his code name. This monster was the second strongest in Hero Slayer's deck, and it was the most beloved card in his deck. Mastermind's attack points were high to begin with, but it also had effects that could make a grown man or an insane man cry, which Hero Slayer preferred to play first before having the beloved monster strike. Cobra's only saving grace was that Mastermind cannot attack nor can his special abilities be activated this turn; giving Cobra a chance to strike.

"I end my turn." Hero Slayer solemnly said; completely confident that he had won the duel. But something kept tickling at the back of his consciousness; something that he should pay attention to; something that was important. Mentally frowning, Hero Slayer pushed the feeling aside.

"Heh! End turn? End turn!" Cobra cackled as his eyes shined brighter with madness. "My turn! My! Turn!"

Hero Slayer remain silent as the tickle at the back of his consciousness became stronger.

"Kukukukuku! I kill Hero Slayer! Kill Hero Slayer!" Cobra squealed with childish glee.

"What!" Hero Slayer whispered in fear.

"JAY!"

"SLACKER!"

"Apophis Fiend! Attack those two insects!" Cobra shouted; causing his reptilian monster to charge at the fools that Hero Slayer call friends.

Hero Slayer was startled by two familiar voices calling to him. His honey-amber eyes were painfully wide as he watched in horror that the two most precious people to him were watching his duel. He watched in horror as Syrus, his blue-haired angel, came running toward him; trying to out run the on-coming attack. Hero Slayer watched in horror as Chazz, his raven-haired companion, followed Syrus toward him. Syrus and Chazz; his first and only friends since escaping the Organization. Chazz and Syrus; his two precious treasures that invoked emotions he did not know existed nor did he know he had. Syrus and Chazz; the two he would protect and die for.

Suddenly Hero Slayer's mind exploded with memories and emotions that he had buried and/or kept alive.

"SYRUS! CHAZZ!" Jaden screamed as his cursed markers glowed brightly; enveloping him in its light while a single thought entered his mind, heart and soul. PROTECT!

The clearing echoed with an earth shattering explosion. Soon silence fell into the clearing, but it was quickly destroyed by the insane laughter of one psychotic assassin-duelist.

"Now! Now! Hero Slayer!" Cobra began, "Now! Hero..."

Cobra's taunts stopped as he noticed his opponent missing from his end of the field, but his Mastermind remain; awaiting for the next chapter of its Master's life to begin.

Several moans and a cough caught Cobra's attention.

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Syrus could not help but moan as his entire body groaned in pain. Besides him, Syrus heard Chazz' own moans in pain. Painfully crawling to Chazz' body, Syrus suddenly became aware of a third figure standing in front of them. Another moan from Chazz told the timid duelist that his taller friend was wake and alive.

"Chazz?" Syrus timidly called as he could not take his eyes off the barely standing figure, who was bleeding. Syrus knew who it was but was afraid to admit it.

"Ooh..." Chazz grumbled as he slowly sat up; ignoring his body's protest.

"Please, tell me that isn't Jaden." Syrus whispered; causing Chazz to look startled at the barely standing figure.

Suddenly the protecting figure began to sag; causing Syrus and Chazz to rush to catch the collapsing form of their best friend, Jaden Yuki.

"J-Jay?" Syrus called as tears caressed his cheeks.

"H-hey... Slacker... What were you thinking?" Chazz mumbled in shock.

A cough racked through Jaden's tattered body as a gentle smile graced his face.

"You are precious to me..." Jaden's voice was soft and gentle; giving each a gentle squeeze as he slowly straighten himself up.

"What?" Chazz asked stun.

Syrus whimpered as he clutched onto Jaden for dear life.

Jaden's honey-amber eyes stared into Syrus' silvery orbs then Jaden's carefree, goofy grin brighten the battlefield.

"Don't worry, Sy!" Jaden's jovial voice carried across the field to Cobra's ears, "I'm not going anywhere."

Then his eyes soften once again.

"Thank You, Syrus. Thank You, Chazz."

"Hunh?" Chazz elegantly mumbled, "Whatever."

"You both saved me." Jaden smiled again.

"What is this! This! This! What is this!" Cobra hissed in rage.

Jaden gently pushed Syrus and Chazz behind him; protecting them.

"Proving a point, Cobra."

"Point? What point?"

"Hero Slayer is dead. Jaden Yukimura is dead." Jaden confidently decreed, "My name is Jaden Yuki. And it's my! Turn!"

Cobra's eyes widen in horror as Jaden drew another card.

"Sweet! I activate a Spell card called Sparkplug Re-Spark, which allows me to return Elemental Hero Sparkman from my Graveyard to my hand! And now with Fusion Gate on the field, I fuse Sparkman and Mastermind to summon the one and only Elemental Anti-Hero Spheroph!"

"Holy..!"

"Spheroph?" Syrus asked.

"Yeah, it's a super rare card. Only two are in existence in the entire Dueling World. Spheroph's attack points is based off of how many Heroes and Villains the Slacker has in his graveyard; plus Spheroph can attack immediately with an attack only the strongest duelist can summon. Dunno why that is. Might be a glitch in the program. But... How did the Slacker get a hold of one of them?"

"It was a gift from the woman, who gave me life." Jaden's voice was quiet, "I guess, she would be my mother..."

"Jay?" Syrus reached out and grasped hold of Jaden's hand.

"Of course, you idiot, she would be your mother." Chazz chastised; not liking at all the tone of uncertainty coming from the over-confident Duelist Champion.

Jaden looked at Chazz with owlish-blinking eyes in surprise then smiled a child-like smile.

"Heh! Yeah, she would be my mother!" Jaden cheered then turned to Spheroph. "Spheroph attack with Judgment of Jenoa!"

The monster known as Spheroph gave a slight nod of his head in understanding then lunged forward and attacked Cobra head long with its long katana; bring Cobra's life points to zero and seriously injuring the assassin-duelist.

"And that's game." Jaden sighed as he leaned heavily on Chazz; knowing that Syrus could not support his weight even if the chibi wanted to.

"Ah!" Cobra cried in pain as his hands covered his wounded face.

"Come on, Syrus." Chazz mumbled as he helped Jaden move, "The Slacker needs to see a doctor."

"But... What about him?" Syrus asked as he looked at the crumbled form of Cobra.

"He'll be fine, Sy." Jaden whispered, "Trust me."

"O-okay, Jay!" Syrus reached for Jaden's other arm over his shoulder, "Let's go to the nurse."

"Die! Die! Die! DIE!" Cobra screeched; causing the mixed-match trio to turn around to witness a throwing dagger flying for Jaden's heart.

Suddenly the clearing echoed with a single loud bang.

The throwing dagger was thrown off course.

Cobra's battered form was deadly silent as it toppled over... Dead.

"Jaden Yukimura of the Yukimura Clan..." A soft, feminine voice spoke.

Jaden instinctively stood before Syrus to protect him while Chazz stood before Jaden; protecting him.

Slowly the tall, slim figure of a beautiful red-haired woman emerged from the tree line. The woman was not only beautiful but also armed; armed with a handgun aimed at Jaden. Suddenly Chazz and Syrus gasped for they knew who the beautiful woman in the white nurse's garb was.

"Riku-chan." Jaden whispered.

Jaden then stepped away from the protection of his precious persons. He slowly walked up to the beautiful red-head, known as Riku-chan or better yet known as Nurse Riku.

Riku-chan slowly lowered her weapon when she watched Jaden approach her. Her sapphire blue eyes pierced into Jaden's own honey-amber. She pierced into his soul as if searching for any signs of a monster that would not hesitate in killing the innocents. She pierced into his heart to search for any signs of the cold-hearted killer that he was once known to be. She looked into his eyes. His eyes were hard but not cold. No, his eyes were determined. He was determined.

"Riku-chan?" Jaden called once more but uncertain like a lost child.

"Jaden..." Her voice was hard; hiding her hidden hope and longing for this lost child before her.

"Y-you gave birth to me. Y-you gave me life, ne?"

"Hunh!"

"WHAT!" Chazz and Syrus gasped in surprise; even Riku-chan was surprised but different reasons.

"How...?"

"You gave me life." Jaden said once more with a small and confidence then suddenly he began to collapse due to blood loss and exhaustion.

"JADEN!" Chazz and Syrus called as they rushed over.

Riku-chan easily caught Jaden in her protective arms and enveloped him a mother's embrace.

"You're my mother." Jaden blissfully whispered as he surrender to slumber, "Mother."