Jacob

In an old barn beside a haunted-looking farmhouse, numerous computers calculated probabilities while others waited for commands. Data-G-01 was entering codes into a computer that Guardian 20276-7 had given him.

All of a sudden, red lights began flashing, and numerous alarms blared.

"Mr. Data, go get the team immediately. My sensors indicate that a portal has opened to Earth, and a humanoid has landed near Honey Grove Beach," said Guardian 20276-7.

Inside the haunted-looking farmhouse, Bridget, Rain, Boze, and Delilah were enjoying breakfast, unaware that it was about to be interrupted.

At Honey Grove Beach, a teenager named Jacob, who had a crush on Rain, had been searching for her ever since she had been teleported to another realm to save mankind from the evil, mind-controlling Gildebane. As Jacob walked along the beach trying to figure out where he was, Andrew, a member of the Big Seven wearing a seal costume, watched from a distance.

Bridget, Rain, Boze, and Delilah entered the old barn, which served as a command center, and walked up to the Intergalactic Time-Space Continuum Tube mounted on a metal base.

"My sensors indicate that a humanoid from Earth has arrived through a portal and is located at Honey Grove Beach. My sensors also indicate that a member of the Big Seven is there," said Guardian 20276-7.

"I bet that member of the Big Seven is watching while wearing some stupid outfit," said Boze, clenching his fists.

"Boze, I share the same thoughts as you do," said Guardian 20276-7.

"I volunteer to go and send this one to the Umbral Realm just like the other two," said Bridget.

"Bridget, I appreciate your willingness to help the team, but something tells me Rain should be the one to go," said Guardian 20276-7.

As Jacob walked along the beach, he encountered Andrew.

"I am ready to become you," said Andrew.

Jacob looked at him with a confused expression.

"We are going to play a high-stakes card game, and when you lose, I will become your clone," said Andrew.

Jacob, now trapped in an unfamiliar realm, assumed Andrew was either mentally unstable or on drugs and began to walk away.

A tractor beam suddenly shot from Andrew's eyes and pulled Jacob back. Shackles and chains magically appeared around Jacob's legs.

"You are not going anywhere," said Andrew, handing him a deck of cards. "The Shadow Game will begin as soon as I take my seat."

Andrew let out an evil laugh.

In the same realm, in World Eight: The Forbidden Level, Matthew watched Jacob and Andrew on a viewscreen inside a secret room.

"This will be an easy win for Andrew, and he can finally look like a real person," said Matthew with an evil laugh.

Meanwhile, at Honey Grove Beach, Rain ran along the shoreline searching for whoever had come through the portal or any member of the Big Seven.

She suddenly stopped, horror filling her face as she realized a Shadow Game was about to begin between Jacob and Andrew.

"Oh no! I'm too late!" exclaimed Rain.

Then she realized the duelist facing Andrew was Jacob, someone from her church who had never played a Shadow Game before.

"Oh my gosh, no!" cried Rain.

Dark clouds rolled across the sky as the Shadow Game arena rose from the sand. Black flames circled the dueling table while chains of dark energy sealed the battlefield.

"The Shadow Game has begun," Andrew announced with an evil grin. "The loser will pay the ultimate price."

Rain sprinted toward the arena but was stopped by an invisible wall.

"Jacob!" she shouted. "Don't give up!"

Jacob looked at the deck of cards in his hands.

"I've never played this game before," he admitted.

Andrew laughed.

"Then your defeat will be quick."

The duel began.

Andrew opened with a relentless assault, summoning powerful monsters that battered Jacob's field. Each attack sent waves of pain through Jacob as his Life Points steadily dropped.

Jacob struggled to understand the cards, but he learned with every turn, refusing to surrender.

"You don't belong here," Andrew taunted. "Soon I'll become your clone, and no one will ever know the difference."

Rain clenched her fists.

"Jacob, keep fighting!"

Turn after turn, Andrew remained in complete control.

Finally, Andrew declared, "This is your last turn."

A massive shadow creature charged across the field and destroyed Jacob's strongest monster. Jacob's Life Points fell to just 100.

Matthew watched from his secret chamber in World Eight: The Forbidden Level.

"It's over," he said with an evil laugh.

Jacob looked at his nearly empty field and took a deep breath.

"I can't quit now."

He drew one final card.

As he looked at it, a plan came together.

"I activate my Spell Card!"

The card destroyed Andrew's strongest monster.

"Impossible!" Andrew shouted.

"I Normal Summon my final monster!"

Jacob summoned a warrior that had remained in his hand since the beginning of the duel.

"I equip it with my strongest Equipment Card!"

The warrior's power increased dramatically.

Andrew's confident smile disappeared.

"No..."

"I enter the Battle Phase!"

Jacob's warrior charged across the field, cutting through Andrew's remaining defenses.

"Direct attack!"

The attack struck Andrew with tremendous force.

His Life Points dropped... 800... 400... 100...

Then...

0.

No!" Andrew screamed as a portal opened beneath him. The seal costume slipped off as he was banished to the Umbral Realm.

The shackles and chains around Jacob's legs exploded into fragments.

"How is this possible?" Matthew shouted, pounding his fists on the table. "It's no wonder he failed to take over Lorebound Studios. He can't even defeat someone who has never played a Shadow Game!"

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Rain rushed over, hugged Jacob tightly, and began to cry.

"I thought I'd never see you again. What are you doing here?" she sobbed.

"I missed you, so I came looking for you," Jacob replied.

A brilliant beam of light descended from the heavens, enveloping Jacob, Rain, and the empty seal costume before teleporting them back to the command center.

"Rain, why don't you introduce everyone to your friend?" Guardian 20276-7 said with a warm smile.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Jacob," Rain said proudly.

As everyone welcomed Jacob, Rain turned toward Guardian 20276-7. Tears once again filled her eyes.

"When you send Jacob back, please send me with him," she pleaded.

Guardian 20276-7 smiled kindly.

"Rain, you have become a vital asset to this team. And although Jacob has very little knowledge of the Shadow Game, he can still become a valuable member of our organization."

Rain wiped the tears from her eyes, though a puzzled expression remained on her face.

"Jacob, step forward," Guardian 20276-7 said.

Jacob obeyed.

"Jacob, I am aware that you have a strong interest in computers and electronics."

Jacob looked surprised. He had never met the Guardian before, yet somehow the Guardian knew about his interests.

"Instead of participating in Shadow Games, you will work alongside Mr. Data. Your responsibilities will include computer analysis and developing software programs to help locate the forces of evil that threaten this realm and mankind."

Overcome with excitement, Rain threw her arms around Jacob and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you," she whispered.

With their latest adventure finally over, Delilah, Boze, Rain, Bridget, and Jacob left the old barn and made their way back to the haunted-looking farmhouse.