/Short chapter. My first story. I tried to stay as true to the original story plot as possible so it may sound kinda bland, like an essay. Do tell me where I cna improve alright. Rate and review. Thanks :D
Chapter One: Giving up or moving on?
"Tick, tick, tick…" Jaden's life points fell to zero, as his Elemental Heroes Avian and Clayman shattered before his eyes, like pieces of his heart. He yelped in pain, but perhaps it would be a defeat he could accept. After all, he was the boy with oozing optimism and boundless flow of energy, wasn't he? He gazed at the Ra Yellow occupant, his friend and duel opponent, dreamy eyes seemingly losing their glow.
"Thanks, Bastion! That was a sweet duel – well, even though I lost," he gushed with a forceful smile, trying not to sound upset. Again, he sighed to himself with obvious disappointment. For a moment the duel field was completely quiet.
"Well, well," Dr. Crowler's voice broke the silence, "Good job, Bastion. Continue dueling like this and you'll be promoted to Obelisk Blue in no time." He applauded with a tinge of sarcasm, then proceeded to eyeing the now despondent Jaden. "Unlike some slackers, who perhaps would never get promoted."
Bastion pat his friend's back. "Go for it, pal. You know you can get your game on," he whispered encouragingly in his crisp British accent. Jaden could not smile but he managed to mouth a word of thanks. The duel field cleared, leaving only Jaden and the queen of Duel Academy, Alexis Rhodes dwindling in the vicinity. She reached for his shoulder and he turned back slowly, chocolate eyes trying hard not to tear, but failed. The drops of misery and shattered hope wet the ground like pearls falling off a broken necklace. As far as Alexis did not want to admit it, seeing him in a state of despair like this certainly pained her tender heart more than ever.
"Don't cry, Jaden, don't give up," she said in a soothe, comforting voice. It was not working. "I got crooned in five straight duels, Alexis. It's horrible. Dr. Crowler was right about the Slifer Slacker bit. I only know how to sleep in class…" his voice trailed away. "No, Jaden. You're just…going through a rough patch." She couldn't think of anything else to say. "I don't know what's happening to me. I just feel so…helpless. I've never felt like this before, like a stack of cards crumbling down," he sniffled through his cries. The Obelisk Blue student sighed. She wasn't good with her words, but she couldn't bear to see him go all teary.
"Look, this isn't the Jaden I know. The Jaden Yuki I know is a strong-willed kid with a never-extinguishing fire of determination, and the last thing he would do is give up," she continued, "You're not giving up, are you?"
He gazed at her, slightly taken aback by her words. "I don't want to, but somehow I just feel like I don't have a choice…" his voice was now almost faint. "No, you're wrong. We always have a choice. Fight on and pursue your dreams, or give up and lose everything. You have a choice, Jaden." She watched as his face gradually lit up, regaining life. "You're right, I do have a choice. Right! I'm not giving up. Never going to. In fact, I'm gonna work harder and show everyone that I'm really no slacker," he wiped the tears off his face, grinning, "Thanks, Alexis. Your words really helped me a lot. See you around, buddy!" He ran off the field with much excitement. Alexis just stood rooted to the ground with mixed feelings.
"Buddy, huh," she muttered to herself, "Nothing more than that?"
Meanwhile, the twosome were unaware of another presence in the duel field. Zane Truesdale had seen and witnessed the whole incident high up from the balcony where he was standing. He had never seen Alexis behave this way before, and he sure wondered why. Brushing the thought of his mind, he left as well, leaving the duel field empty. He did not want to interfere anyway. Or maybe he really did.