Hey everyone! I'm back with another chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: *Glares at everyone* Hell, why do I have to go through this every new chapter? I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, plain and simple.

Claimer: Okay, I own this plot, Mel, Mark, and Michael the Archangel owns Michael, duh. Oh, I also own Aura Beast.

Chapters Remaining After This One: 8

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Jaden's POV

"Will she be okay?" Alexis asked, looking up at Dark Magician Girl from her spot on the floor. Dark Magician Girl stood at the end of Mel's bed, her arms folded across her chest. Kaibaman stood very close to her. After Mel had her little freak out and collapsed in Jesse's arms, we returned to her room. It had been hours since then and Mel was still out. We all decided to make ourselves comfortable and ended up sitting on the floor. Jesse was sitting on the bed, Mel's head in his lap.

She should be. What just happened…I'm not sure what it was, Dark Magician Girl answered as she gnawed lightly on her thumb. I looked at her and then at Jesse. He was looking at me. We both knew that Dark Magician Girl was lying, at least partially. She knew what Mel was talking about when she had her little freak out, we both just didn't know what.

"Are you okay?" Alexis asked me softly. I looked at her.

"Oh, yeah. Just a little worried about Mel, that's all," I answered. Alexis opened her mouth to say something but Michael spoke up before she could.

"You and me both, Jay," he said with a sigh. I sighed and slouched against the wall, my arms resting on my knees. Alexis reached up and took my hand, lacing her fingers with mine. I smiled at her and she smiled back at me.

"Hey, I think she's waking up," Jesse called suddenly. We all looked at the bed. Yugi shot to his feet, moving closer to the bed. Dark Magician Girl looked at Kaibaman. He nodded slightly and she quickly disappeared out the door. I gave Alexis a confused look. She just shrugged. We pulled ourselves to our feet and everyone else followed us.

Mel's eyes fluttered a few times before remaining open. Lucky girl, the first thing she got to see in days was Jesse. I know after days of being unconscious, the first thing I would want to see would be Alexis. … Wait, did I just say that? God, I think I did. Opps…aww, who am I kidding! It's true!

"Hey," Mel said her voice a little thick. I guess that would happen after being unconscious for a few days. Jesse grinned slightly at her.

"Hey," he said. Mel smiled slightly back. She then shifted herself, pushing herself up. Her eyes seemed to blank as she fell back slightly. Jesse caught her and pulled her back down. "Whoa, don't push yourself just yet. You just woke up." Mel nodded and relaxed against Jesse.

"How do you feel?" Syrus asked her. Mel looked up, off slightly into the distance.

"Weak as a kitten and tired like someone who just ran fifty miles. Other than that, I'm golden," she answered. Yugi chuckled.

"Still funny as ever I see," he said. Mel's head whipped to the side. Even though she nearly passed out before, Mel sat up quickly. Jesse placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled Mel back against him so he could help support her.

"Sensei, what are you doing here?" she gasped in surprise. Yugi frowned and knelled down next to Mel's bed.

"Mel, what is the last thing you remember?" he countered. Mel gave him a look of confusion.

"What do you mean?" she asked. Yugi sighed.

"Just tell me, Mel. It's very important." Mel frowned and looked down. She looked like she was thinking hard. Suddenly, she gasped, her hands shooting up to grip the side of her head. "Mel?" Yugi called, alarmed.

"Aura bestia," she whispered. She turned her head to look at Yugi, her hands still clutching it. "It came after me again, didn't it?" Yugi frowned and placed his hand on Mel's head.

"I'm afraid so. But you survived again and it won't get a third chance at you," he said. Mel frowned and looked down at the blanket.

What specifically do you remember? Kaibaman said. Yugi and Jesse both shot Kaibaman a very dirty look. Very nice synchronization. I give it an eight.

"Nothing clear. Dark shapes, it's dark, husky voice, and the nasty smell of death that oozed off of it. That's about it," Mel explained slowly. Kaibaman looked annoyed with that response. Mel dropped her hands slowly. "But, I do remember talking."

"That doesn't surprise me. We were talking around you a lot," Chazz answered. Mel shook her head.

"It wasn't any of your voices. There were three voices. Two of them were dark…hard…cold. They sounded exactly the same, but were different," she said.

"That makes no sense, Mel," Jim said. Mel's brow furrowed as she concentrated.

"I know, but I can't explain it. I know they were two different people. I don't know how, I just do," Mel said fiercely. Jesse rubbed her arms.

"Okay, they were two different people. What about the third voice?"

"It was completely different. Soft and sweet, kind of like a mother when she is comforting her frightened child. The two dark voices were talking to each other; I felt like I was eavesdropping on them. The third voice was talking to me," Mel explained.

What were they saying? Kaibaman asked. Mel looked at him.

"I don't remember. I only remember little things. What they were staying, what their conversations were about, I don't remember. I can't recall them," she said.

Try!

"I can't! Damn it, Kaibaman I just can't!" Mel screamed as she glared at him. Kaibaman took a step back in surprise. Mel sighed and relaxed. "I'm sorry; I just can't remember anything about what they were saying." Bastion placed his chin in his left hand. He looked like he was thinking.

"I'm sure you were just imagining it, Mel. I'm sure it's nothing," he said. Mel nodded slightly.

It isn't nothing. We all turned to see Dark Sage standing in the doorway. Dark Magician Girl was behind him. She didn't look happy.

"Then what is it?" Hassleberry asked. Dark Sage took a step into the room. Dark Magician Girl slipped in after him. Kaibaman quickly went to her. He looked at her confused, but she had her eyes locked onto Dark Sage.

She can explain it to us, can't you, Esabella? He said. Mel let out a strangled gasp, her eyes popping wide. Slowly, she raised her head to look at him.

"What did you just call me?" she asked softly.

I called you by your name, he said.

"Her name is Mel, not Esabella," Axel said. Dark Sage shook his head.

She is lying. Esabella is her true name, Mel is just her cover name, he said, sounding very confident.

"You're wrong. Mel is my birth name," Mel whispered. Dark Sage looked at her.

Why do you insist on lying? Why did you lie in the first place, Esabella? He demanded. Mel shook her head.

"Don't call me that," she said softly. Dark Sage sighed and leaned forward slightly, his hands gripping the staff in front of him.

I shall not call you by your fake name. I shall call you by the name your mother gave you, Esabella, he said.

"No, Esabella isn't my name." Mel barely spoke in a whisper, but everyone could still hear her.

Sage, maybe you are mistaken, Dark Magician Girl offered. Dark Sage turned his head quickly, a glare on his face.

I am never mistaken, Empress! He snarled. Dark Magician Girl recoiled and Kaibaman glared back at Dark Sage.

Sage or not, everyone in this kingdom shows the Empress the same amount of respect. You are not excluded under any circumstance, he warned Dark Sage. Dark Sage let out an annoyed sigh before turning back to Mel.

"I'm not Esabella," Mel said. Dark Sage scowled.

Why do you insist on lying, Esabella? We now know the truth.

"You don't know anything," Mel said, her voice soft but fierce.

I know more than you think, Dark Sage said. Yugi looked at him.

"You should really listen to Mel, Sage. She speaks the truth while you speak nothing but lies and false assumptions. Assumptions I'm afraid could very well end your existence," Yugi said slowly, his eyes glaring heatedly at Dark Sage. He, however, seemed unruffled by Yugi's very serious threat.

You, too, have been fooled, Yugi. She is not Mel.

"She is Mel. Her name isn't Esabella," Michael said fiercely. Dark Sage sighed.

All I want to know is why you lied to us, Esabella, he said. Mel shook her head slowly.

"Stop calling me that."

Tell me why, Esabella.

"Dark Sage, knock it off!" Yugi snarled.

Esabella, tell me why now.

"Stop it," Mel whispered, her head lowered just so her bangs shielded her eyes.

Why?

"Knock it off!" Yugi yelled. Dark Sage paid no mind.

WHY ESABELLA! Dark Sage yelled, finally having enough. He raised his staff up and stamped it on the ground.

"STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP CALLING ME THAT!" Mel screamed suddenly. Her hands shot up and gripped her head and she began rocking back and forth. Her eyes were closed tightly but that still didn't stop the tears that were flowing down her cheeks. Jesse reached out and pulled Mel back against him quickly, cradling her head in his shoulder.

Fake tears now, Esa-, Dark Sage began but Mel cut him off. She screamed again and threw something at him. When he knocked it away and it skidded to a stop by my feet, I realized that it was ring. Probably Dark Magician Girl's…

"DON'T CALL ME THAT! ESABELLA IS DEAD!" she screamed again, only to be silenced by her own sob. Dark Sage staggered back a step, shock alighting his face.

Dead? He gasped.

"That's right," Yugi snarled. His hands were balled into fists at his side. "Esabella has been dead for more than four years." Dark Sage shook his head back and forth slowly.

"Who was Esabella?" I asked. Michael looked at me.

"She was Mel's best friend. They met just after Mel was found in the woods after Aura Bestia's first attack." Michael looked at me. "She was killed in a hit-and-run." Dark Sage placed his hand over his mouth.

Good Gods, I've made a terrible mistake, he whispered.

Really? I failed to notice, Kaibaman spat sarcastically. Dark Magician Girl gave him a warning look, which he ignored.

"How did you know that name?" Mel asked. She was looking at him, her head still on Jesse's shoulder. She was clutching his shirt and he had his arms around her. Must be nice…

It is the next name in the cycle, Dark Sage answered. Mel sat up straighter and looked at him confused. She whipped the remaining tears from her eyes.

"What cycle?" Dark Sage sighed and released his staff. He crossed his legs and began to float in midair. Very creepy, but extremely cool at the same time!

The cycle of the Oracolo.

"What's the Oracle?" Jesse asked. Dark Sage held his hands out. Something sparked in his hands and suddenly there was a weird eye hovering above his hands.

The Oracolo was a very powerful Duel Monster. Legend of the Oracolo states that she traveled to the human realm, where she was slain. But, because she originated from our realm, instead of traveling to the great beyond, she was caught in the veil between our realms. Because of this, it is believed that a human child is born and is able to draw the spirit of the Oracolo to her, allowing her to possess her.

"That's kinda creepy," Alexis said. Dark Sage dropped his hands so the fell into his lap.

It is actually a high honor. That is why I believed Mel's true name was Esabella, as the names in the cycle vary between Esabella and Isabella. Esabella was next. I looked at him.

"But what made you believe that Mel was actually the Oracolo person?"

From what I was told by the Empress.

"But I'm confused. How does the Oracolo spirit get to the body of her…," Bastion began but he stopped, realizing that he had no idea what to call the Oracolo person.

Reincarnation, Dark Magician Girl offered. Bastion nodded.

"Yes, how does the spirit know how to get to the body? I'm sure there are more than one Esabella and Isabella in the world." Dark Sage nodded.

You are correct my young friend. It is believed that there is a physical item in the human realm that the reincarnation is able to get. This item allows the spirit to be drawn to her body.

"What's the item?" Chazz asked. Dark Sage shook his head.

We do not know.

"Would a pendent work?" Mel asked suddenly. Dark Sage looked at her.

It could, if worn by the reincarnation at all times, he allowed. Mel reached up and pulled a chain out from underneath her shirt. She held her other hand underneath the neckline of her shirt. A pendent fell into her palm. She held it out for Dark Sage to inspect.

"Would this work?" Dark Sage lowered himself to the ground and walked over to Mel. He inspected the pendent Mel was holding out. It was a sky blue crystal held in a sterling silver cage. It was only about an inch and a half big. Dark Sage reached out to touch the pendent, and then stopped.

Yes, this could very well be it. Is this Esabella's? Mel nodded.

"It was, yes. She gave it to me before she died." Dark Sage straightened up.

That would explain how she came to be possessed by the Oracolo, Dark Magician Girl said. Dark Sage nodded.

Yes, it does. Dark Sage sighed again and began to leave.

"Wait, Sage, I have a question," Jesse called. Dark Sage stopped. He turned to look at Jesse. He grabbed his staff, as if just realizing it was not in his hands.

What is it, young one?

"When Mel was possessed by the Oracolo, she called Jaden and me the 'Cosmic Knight' and the 'Elemental Knight'." Mel looked up at Jesse in confusion.

"I did?" she asked. Jesse nodded.

"Yeah, and in Italian, if that means anything." Mel pursed her lips.

"I can't speak Italian. And I sure don't remember saying anything like that."

"Oh, trust us, mate, you did," Jim said. Mel didn't look happy. Dark Sage whipped his head to stare at Dark Magician Girl. I caught a glimmer of utter shock in his eyes.

Is this true, Empress? He gasped. She nodded.

It is.

Very well. Dark Sage began to leave again, but froze at the door. He turned to look at Dark Magician Girl. Tomorrow, my corridor, Empress. When she nodded, he left.

"He didn't answer Jesse's question though," Blair noted. Dark Magician Girl looked at her, smiling slightly.

That is what he was telling me about. He is going to explain what she meant tomorrow.

"Why tomorrow?" I asked.

Because you guys have learned so much already. He wants to give you guys some time to absorb what you already know, she answered. We all looked at each other but nodded. Dark Magician Girl smiled at us. Now, why don't we all leave Mel alone, as she needs rest? You guys can do as you please until Kaibaman summons you for dinner.

"Wait, I have one question," Syrus said. We all turned to look at him. She smiled at him.

What is it, Syrus? She asked. Syrus blushed and lowered his gaze to the floor.

"Why did Mel speak Italian when she was possessed by the Oracolo? Why did Dark Sage? And you?" he asked. Dark Magician Girl's mouth opened in an 'O' of understanding.

Oh, Italian is the language of the Duel Monsters, she explained.

"Really?" Blair asked. Dark Magician Girl placed a finger on her chin.

Actually, it is the language in your world that translates easiest into our language, she said offhandedly.

"Oh, okay then," Syrus said. She smiled at him.

"Well now that that's cleared up, let's let Mel rest like the Empress said," Yugi said. With that, there was little room to argue. Everyone began to leave, until Alexis, Jesse, and I were the only ones in the room. Alexis was standing by the door, waiting for me. I was waiting for Jesse. He began to move away from Mel but she grabbed his shirt, holding him there.

"Stay, please," she said, looking at him. He looked at her and then at me. I just smiled and followed Alexis out, closing the door behind us. She looked at me.

"What do you plan on doing until dinner?" she asked. I shrugged, stowing my hands in my blazer pockets.

"Nothing, just maybe wondering around the castle."

"Can I talk to you then? In private?" I looked at her.

"Sure. Where?" Alexis didn't answer, but instead took my hand, pulling me down the hallway away from Jesse and Mel.

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Yay! A longer chapter! Thank goodness!

What's going to happen next? Review and you'll find out!

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