The rustling of bushes drew their attention.
"Something's there!" Alexis exclaimed, stepping closer.
Before anyone could react, a monkey leaped out, its helmet flashing as it grabbed Alexis. She screamed as it hoisted her onto its back and bolted.
"Alexis!" Jaden shouted.
The monkey hoisted her up effortlessly, chittering as it bounded deeper into the forest.
"Alexis!" Jaden yelled, sprinting after them.
"Why is it always me?!" Alexis screamed, flailing around, but didn't seem to affect the monkey much.
Ace's eyes narrowed, his body tense as he sprang into action. His platinum blond hair whipped behind him as he chased after the monkey with inhuman speed, powered by the energy of his duel spirits.
The group caught up at a cliffside, where the monkey stood holding Alexis. It pointed to its duel disk, chattering wildly.
"He wants a duel," Jaden said.
"Great," Alexis deadpanned. "Because that's what we need right now."
Before anyone could step forward, armed men and scientists emerged from the trees, their weapons aimed at the monkey.
"Surrender the specimen!" one scientist demanded.
Alexis glared at them. "What are you doing with a monkey that has a duel disk and... whatever that helmet is?"
The lead scientist smirked. "It's none of your concern. Step aside."
"They were experimenting on him," Ace said, his voice cold and biting. He stepped forward, his duel disk snapping into place.
The lead scientist smirked. "And what will you do about it, boy?"
Ace's ring glowed ominously. His platinum hair turned stark white, his eyes glowing red. Armor materialized around him as Swordsoul Sovereign - Chengying merged with him.
The transformation was both beautiful and terrifying. Alexis gasped, her heart racing.
"Ace…" she whispered.
The guards raised their weapons, but Ace was faster. He dashed forward, his fists moving with bone-crushing force. One guard went down with a sickening crunch, his weapon clattering to the ground.
Another guard swung his rifle, but Ace caught it mid-swing, snapping it in half with ease. He drove his knee into the man's stomach, sending him sprawling.
Blood spattered across the forest floor as Ace fought with a terrifying efficiency. He moved like a predator, his strikes were calculated and brutal.
One scientist tried to flee, but Ace was on him in an instant, slamming him into a tree. The man screamed as Ace's hand closed around his throat.
"P-please!" the man begged.
Ace leaned down, his voice a dark whisper. "You hurt her. That is unforgivable."
But Alexis's voice cut through the haze. "Ace, stop!"
Ace froze, his glowing red eyes meeting hers. Slowly, he released the man, who crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.
"Are you hurt?" Ace asked Alexis, his voice softer now.
Alexis stared at him, her heart pounding. "I'm fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ace exhaled, his armor fading as he stepped back.
The monkey bowed to Ace. "Wheeler thanks you."
Ace smirked, tossing Alexis over his shoulder.
"Put me down!" she protested, blushing furiously.
Ace chuckled. "Not until I've lectured you about your idiocy."
Mindy and Jasmine burst into laughter.
"Mate of strong human!" the monkey declared, making Alexis's face turn even redder.
As they walked back with Alexis still on Ace's shoulder and tired of struggling, Ace smirked. "What have you learned from this?"
Alexis crossed her arms. "If things get dangerous, bring you along."
"And?"
"And... listen to you more often," she admitted.
Ace grinned. "Good girl."
"But you didn't have to go all... berserk back there," she said, glancing at him.
Ace shrugged. "They hurt you. I reacted."
Jasmine and Mindy, walking a few steps behind, exchanged amused looks.
"Oh, he reacted all right," Jasmine whispered.
Mindy giggled. "If that's not love, I don't know what is."
Alexis glared over her shoulder. "I can hear you."
"Good!" Mindy said cheerfully. "Then you know we're rooting for you two."
Ace smirked but said nothing, his gaze fixed ahead.
Alexis sighed, shaking her head. "Unbelievable," she muttered, though her cheeks were still pink.