Yugioh! GX: August Requiem

Joint work-Latimer Baka handles most of the writing, and daisuke151 handles the duels, for Latimer knows squat about them.

Set during season 4-character personalities being experimented on a bit, AU in a sense. Set after 162. Review please.

PART I

PROLOGUE: FAR FROM WHAT COMES

"Yeah; it's not working for me."

The girl grabbed tuft of her untidy hair in frustration. Noting this, the boy sighed in resignation. His mind began to search for a means of justifying his actions. "I don't wanna go back. We've already gone through enough to get this far."

"Daisuke," the girl said through gritted teeth, transferring her hands to his shoulders, "it is an order."

"The council can't make us go back in time; that's ludicrous!" the boy exclaimed; "Amari!"

She merely grinned, in a way she knew would irritate her brother.

"Actually, they can."

---

Ryo frowned intensely at his glass of water. The liquid rippled as the door swung open, revealing a bulky man with greyed, wispy hair.

"Aaron, why have you called me?"

"We need Kaiser," the man said directly.

Ryo's lips curled upwards slightly.

"The Kaiser no longer exists," he replied firmly, standing. The man gasped as Ryo began to stride away, an indifferent look gracing his expression.

"Wait!" Aaron pleaded. Kaiser complied, but refused to look back, shoulders tense. "We need his ability."

"And what makes you think it's not already here?" Ryo's voice was hard. "Here, in me?"

Gobsmacked and unable to muster a decent reply, Aaron cast his gaze to the ground. A deep chuckle rumbled from Ryo. "I didn't think so."

And with that he was gone.

---

Sho squinted.

Judai arched a brow and tilted his head, throwing his short friend a bemused look.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh." Sho blushed feverently. "I was just squinting. The sun's really bright today."

"Yeah," Judai agreed. His blank expression twisted into one of discomfort. "But it's absolutely freezing." He wrapped his jacket around himself more tightly.

Sho smiled at Judai's antics, before letting his mind drift again. His eyes swooped over the area they were situated in, passing by students and bushes and buildings, before his eyes landed on a familiar figure.

The aforementioned figure seemed to be struggling with a strained smile. Her two friends giggled and whispered something, before ambling off. The muddy blonde headed female's muscles loosened and she groaned, rapping her knuckle gently against her forehead repeatedly.

Sho grinned.

"Asuka, more boys?" he called playfully.

She blinked, confusion dancing over her face, before recognition settled.

She altered her position so she was facing them, a half smile tugging at her features.

"Apparently the new 'hot' boy has the 'hots' for me," she sighed, closing her eyes.

"Does that mean you're preparing to leg it before he finds you?" Judai probed cheekily, his infectious grin making an appearance. Asuka's smile furthered a fraction.

"It means I'm going to be calm, and if he asks me out I'll have to put him down lightly."

"What if he tries anything?" Sho questioned.

"Then I'll put him down in a harsher manner," she responded, opening her eyes.

"Ah. Maybe the other girls can be around to pick up the pieces?" Sho suggested.

She shrugged.

"If they want; I don't understand why boys think I'll date them without even knowing their name."

"Well, when they see something 'hot'," Sho explained, pushing his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose, "they tend to forget things."

Asuka regarded him warily.

"I don't see you like that."

"I'm smart," he said proudly.

Her eyes swerved to Judai.

He blinked at her.

"What?"

---

"But we need Kaiser-"

"I'm sorry." A sombre emotion flooded his dark eyes. "Kaiser will not duel again."

"Ryo..."

"I duel on my own. Kaiser is nothing but trouble. Aaron," he turned his sombre eyes to Aaron, "I thought you of all people would understand."

The man's gaze fell to the ground once more. Ryo sighed heavily, shaking his head. He had figured Aaron, having gone through similar feelings would understand.

But Aaron was never one to change his fickle ways. "I'm going now. Please don't follow me this time."

Aaron stayed put as Ryo began to open the door. However, as he grasped the handle, a force suddenly pushed it open. Ryo stepped back a bit, eyes widened.

The dark and blonde haired people stared at him.

The girl gulped and tugged at her collar, averting her eyes, while the boy remained impassive.

"Aaron, we need to talk to you now," the boy remarked.

"Who are you?" Ryo queried, eyes narrowing suspiciously. The boy replied without facing him.

"My name is Daisuke. This here is my sister Amari." She let loose a strangled laugh and waved madly. The boy rolled his eyes. "We're here on important business. Please leave."

Ryo's brow ascended slowly.

"Enough to drive me away?" he asked, sending a clammy looking Aaron a speculative glance.

The boy confirmed it when a nod.

Ryo pursed his lips, before nodding in agreement. "I will go then. Aaron," he began before he disappeared through the door, "I'll see you later." Aaron made no movements. "And..." He frowned and tried to get a better look at the two. Instead of allowing him, they purposely stepped out of his sight range. "Ah...it was nice to meet you two."

"Likewise," the boy said as he shut the door.

---

Manjoume was puzzled.

...Which never did bode well for a person like him.

"Why am I even here?" he grumbled, resting his face in his hands.

"Well," Ryo said calmly, "you need to be."

"That tells me nothing!" he groused.

Ryo rolled his eyes.

"Wait patiently."

Just as Manjoume was about to retort, the door was thrown open, revealing a menagerie of people. The group consisted of Judai, Sho, Fubuki, Asuka and Rei. Manjoume blinked. Where was...?

"Toilet," Judai cut in, reading his mind.

"Right," Manjoume folded his arms over his chest. "But why are we here? I have things to do."

"Manjoume, I'm sure Ryo has us all here for important reasons, so," Asuka sent him a sharp look, "be quiet."

He gawped at her like a wounded puppy, before whirling around and plonking himself down on the nearest chair.

"So, what's up?" Rei quizzed, eyes alight with curiosity. Ryo's eyes darkened and she found herself flinching. 'What's wrong with him?'

"I've something to tell you all," he said.

"Ryo?" a voice interjected softly, shaking.

He refused to glance at Asuka, but instead Judai, who caught his unwavering gaze.

"Ryo..." Judai's brows burrowed. "Ok. Whatever it is, we're behind you."

END PROLOUGE