Chapter II: The Bow of Royalty
Welcome back, everyone, to another installment of "Summer Love, Summer Fears." For those of you who are wondering when this story will turn darker, it isn't this chapter. 15animefreak15 and I are glad you're all taking interest in it and are glad there are people who use to find joy in a weary world. I, for one, have been enjoying to reawaken a part of myself that hasn't enjoyed this kind of expression in many years. And I am glad to get to meet so many people who just have fun like this. Anyway, we would like to thank our reviewers and new readers and we each hope you'll check out our separate stories and leave reviews!
Last time…The new couples and remaining singles prepared for a long and happy summer. What happens next! Read and find out!
Disclaimer: Peach and 15animefreak15 don't own Yu-Gi-Oh GX. Kukalaka the teddy bear is named for the bear of the same name featured on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Peach owns Annie and 15animefreak15 owns Violet and Rosa. They both own this story idea and have had so much fun writing it.
The four couples met up at the dock, each holding hands and waiting for what would come next. "This is going to be an interesting summer..." Annie said.
Jaden grinned. "Yeah. This is going to be great," he said as they boarded the boat. "And to think it started with Chancellor Shepherd trying to make us guys into sensitive guys..."
"I say it worked! Did you see how much Chazz was crying??" asked Violet, grinning.
"I didn't know he could cry...he seemed so tough," replied Syrus.
"At least he did not throw un tantrum like un certain Ra I know," stated Rosa, glancing at Hassleberry.
"Oh yeah, I heard about that. Was it really that bad?" asked Alexis, giggling.
"Oh, I knew I should've made that classified..." Hassleberry groaned.
"OH COME ON!" Chazz Princeton shouted, coming up. "It's been two months, Alexis! Maybe I should tell them what you did while you lived in my upgraded dorm!"
Violet blinked, shaking her head and rubbing her ear. "Violet?" muttered Syrus, confused.
"Eh, are you alright, Senorita Violet??" added Rosa more specifically.
"You still cri-" began Alexis. However, she was interrupted.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY? I CAN'T HEAR OUT OF MY EAR BECAUSE CHAZZ YELLED IN IT!" Violet yelled twice as loud.
"WHAT THE HECK!" Chazz yelled back.
"WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF?!" Annie shouted, her patience worn thin.
Syrus "eep'd", and hid behind Jaden. Rosa and Alexis sweat-dropped. Violet's ear gave a satisfying "pop". "Hooray! I'm cured!! Thank you, Annie!" cheered Violet happily. She hadn't heard Annie's impatient shouting, and hugged her excitedly.
"Uh...you're welcome?" Annie said, confused. "Um...Alexis?" she asked.
"Yeah?"Alexis replied. Violet had gone back to blatantly not paying attention to the conversation.
"Uh...what did you do?"
Alexis blushed, sending a deadly glare at Chazz to tell him that he'd better keep his mouth shut or else. "N-Nothing! Really, heh..."
"She sleepwalks," Chazz blurted out.
"Kya! CHAZZ!!" yelled Alexis. Her face went as red as Jaden's jacket, and she turned on the black-clothed Slifer with murderous intent. 'I know. I'll throw him off the boat; that should work...' she thought, fingers twitching.
"Oh, yay! Finally, some excitement!!" cheered Violet enthusiastically.
"LEX!" Jaden shouted. "It's okay!"
Alexis clenched her fists tightly and turned away from Chazz, forcing a smile onto her face. "Right. Remain calm, don't kill anyone. Stay focused," muttered Alexis, brow twitching.
"Aw! No fight?" asked Violet, pouting.
"Psychological revenge is far more fun..." Annie said. "And that's not a big deal, Alexis...we all have our things..."
"Good point, Annie! You sure I'm not rubbing off on you?" asked Violet, grinning.
"Annie has another point, though. I know Zane still has a Cyber End Dragon plushie..." stated Syrus. This caused everyone to burst out laughing, especially Violet.
"You told?" a familiar voice growled.
The hair on the back of Syrus' neck stood on end, as he turned only to come face-to-face with none other than Zane. "Uh, hi, Zane..." the bluenette greeted nervously.
Violet smirked and walked up to the Pro League duelist, mischief obvious in her intent. "Aw, that's adorable. The big bad pro Zaney still sleeps with his favorite monster card. How precious!" she squealed, giggling.
"Well..." Annie admitted, "I have stuffed animals..."
"Well duh, so do I. But it's cute to imagine someone as tough as Zaney here having one!" replied Violet, grinning. Syrus was still shaking a little, nervous that Zane was mad at them.
"Urgh..." Zane groaned. The rest of the guys snickered.
Violet immediately spun around, looking at each of the guys in turn before jabbing an accusing finger at them. "You all have one, too, don't you? A stuffed monster you have at home!" stated Violet.
"Uh...well, I might have a stuffed Drillroid at home..." mumbled Syrus, blushing.
"Aww..." Annie squealed happily.
"A good soldier doesn't sleep with a plushie..." Hassleberry said very seriously. "He has a blankie!"
Violet smiled happily and turned her gaze onto Jaden, Bastion, and Chazz. "Come on, spill it. We know you three have stuffed toys too," Violet said, tapping her foot impatiently.
"I've seen Jaden with a Winged Kuriboh plushie," Alexis grinned.
Jaden smiled. "Well, yeah...it's true..."
Bastion sighed. "I...had a teddy bear...Kukalaka..."
Violet squealed at the thought and stared at Chazz expectantly. Rosa and Alexis did the same, grinning eagerly to hear what kind of toy The Chazz had. "All right, Chazzy. Tell us, what makes you warm and fuzzy inside? Hm??"
Annie smiled. "Chazz...please tell us..."
Chazz owed Annie, so he swallowed. "Uh...I have a plush...Dark Witch..."
Violet grinned and prodded Chazz's arm. "I knew it. You're just a big softy, aren't you?"she asked. However, before he could answer, the ship's foghorn went off and the craft started moving. Of course, this scared the living daylights out of everyone, even those outside the
small group. "THE ALIENS ARE INVADING!! DUCK AND COVER!!" yelled Violet, lifting Bastion's yellow blazer, hiding her head.
"HOLY CRAP!" Annie shouted.
"BLOODY HELL!" Bastion added.
"AUGGGGHH!" Jaden yelped.
"DANG IT!" Chazz screeched. Zane groaned softly.
"Dios mio...can they not turn down el volume un pequeño?" asked Rosa.
"You okay, Jaden?" asked Alexis. Syrus was still clutching onto Annie's blazer for dear life.
"...Have they started disintegrating us yet?" came Violet's muffled voice from underneath Bastion's blazer.
"Violet, it's okay...Nobody's landed. It was just the foghorn..." Annie said. "Hey guys, I have a great idea, and it hasn't been cool to do this since before most of us were born!"
"Oh, great, what?" Chazz groaned.
"Oh...darn. I got all excited for nothing," Violet whined, pulling her head out from under Bastion's jacket. Syrus sighed in relief and waited for Annie to explain her idea. Rosa glanced at Violet and rolled her eyes, using her hand to fix Violet's static-raised purple hair. "Thanks, Rosa!" Violet whispered, grinning.
"TO THE BOW OF THE SHIP!" Annie shouted enthusiastically. "Alexis, get Atticus!"
"Er...Annie, what in the world are you planning?" Bastion asked.
"I want us to do the 'King of the World' thing from 'Titanic.'" Annie flushed and continued, "I've always wanted to with a big group of...friends..."
"Yeah! Let's do it!!" yelled Violet. She grabbed Bastion with one hand and Annie with the other, before running off towards the bow of the ship.
"H-Hey, wait up!"called Syrus, running after them. Rosa grabbed Hassleberry and Alexis grabbed Jaden, the two couples following after the other two couples.
Zane saw the group of kids running toward the bow and decided to follow. Meanwhile, Atticus Rhodes approached his best friend curiously. "Um...what do you think they're doing, Atticus?" Zane asked, puzzled.
"I don't know. But since Violet and Annie are with them, I'm guessing it's gonna be crazy fun!" Atticus replied, grinning.
"Okay, everybody!" Annie called happily, and then noticed the older boys. "Hey Atticus and Zane! You're just in time! We're re-enacting a scene from Titanic with a twist!"
"I like twists! What's the twist, Annie??" asked Violet eagerly.
"Yeah, tell us! I can't wait!!" added Atticus, just as excited.
"We all have to get up one at a time and yell it, and then we'll all stand and hold our arms out on the bow..."
"Why don't you do it first, Annie? You were the one who came up with the idea," stated Violet. Truth was, she couldn't remember the scene, and would use Annie's display as an example.
"Okay," Annie said, getting to the railing and standing jauntily with her arms out. "I'M QUEEN OF THE WORLD!" she cheered. "Okay, who's next?"
"Bastion, you wanna go?" asked Violet. She wanted to hear that dreamy British accent of his yell out to the sunset. 'Uh-oh, hope no one saw me drooling...' she thought, sweat-dropping.
"Um...I'd like to wait, if I could..." he answered.
"Okay, I'll go!" Chazz volunteered. "I'M KING OF THE WORLD!" he shouted, and then fell backward on his butt.
"You okay, boss?" the Ojama brothers, his duel spirits asked, appearing next to him.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Chazz groaned.
Violet snickered lightly and got an idea. "All right, I'LL go, then. But first, Bastion, promise you'll catch me if I fall?"
"I promise, Violet darling..."
"Good!" Violet walked up to the very edge of the railing, spreading her arms like wings. "I'M QUEEN OF THE-" Violet was about to fall back on purpose, but then the boat hit a wave and sent her flailing forward over the railing. "B-B-BASTION!!"
Bastion ran forward and caught her around the waist and dragged her back to safety. "What in Fermat's Last Theorem? Were you trying to imitate Kate Winslet?" he asked, so worried.
Violet's look of complete terror turned to one of confusion, and then became a sly grin. "I got you up here, didn't I?" Indeed, they were still on the bow, looking much like the couple from the movie. "Come on, say it..."
"Let's get you down, darling...After that, I doubt I could keep my balance just yet..."
"Okay, I'll do it..." Zane sighed. The pro duelist climbed up and got into position. "I'm KING OF THE PRO LEAGUES!!"
"No you're not. Yugi is," stated Violet bluntly.
"She has a point, Zane..." Syrus added. Even though Yugi didn't duel much anymore, he was still considered the King of Games. Meaning, since he was undefeated, he'd be the King of the Pro Leagues as well.
"Well, then," Jaden grinned as Zane got down, "I guess I have to change what I'm gonna yell..." He climbed up and yelled out, "I'M KING OF GAMES! SOMEDAY!!"
Syrus was just as nervous as Bastion, and decided to wait it out as long as possible. So, Rosa went up instead. And she decided to break the "Queen of" expression for one of her own. "I LOVE MI DINO-DYNAMIC BOYFRIEND!!"
Hassleberry grinned at this. "Well, then... I'M KING OF THE DINO DUELISTS AND I LOVE ROSA JIMENEZ!"
"Oh, tu silly!" laughed Rosa.
Alexis grinned as she thought of her own line. "Well, if Jaden's going to be the King of Games, then...I'M THE QUEEN OF GAMES!!"
Annie looked at Syrus... "I'll be right here, and I can swim...C'mon, Sy...please? Now?"
Syrus stared at his hands for a moment, but knew he couldn't resist a request from Annie. "A-All right...I'M GONNA BEAT ZANE SOMEDAY!!"
"You should try, bro..." Zane grinned. "Atticus, c'mon, your turn, dude."
"Well, it's about time! I'M THE MASTER OF LOVE, OH YEAH!!"
Everybody laughed. And then...it was Bastion's turn... One could almost hear the musical score of 'Titanic' as he took his position and held up his arms in triumph. The nervousness left his face and he yelled, "I'M KING OF THE WORLD!! WHOOO-HOO!!"
"That's my man!" called Violet, grinning. She ran up and tackled him, the railing being the only thing stopping them from tumbling into the water below.
"I'm starting to think she wants to fall over the railing," Syrus whispered to Annie.
Annie sighed. "Okay, everybody take a spot on the railing! Let's all hold our arms up and cheer!" The group did enthusiastically and when they were through, Zane ruffled his brother's hair affectionately.
Syrus smiled and went over to wrap his arms around Annie in a loving embrace. "Just to let you know, I didn't fall on purpose. That was courtesy of Mother Nature, who seems to like messing with me. Oh, and I didn't understand a word you said, either," explained Violet simply.
"That's all right, darling," Bastion said softly. "Perhaps we'll learn more about each other..."
"Right! I can see Domino City now, you guys!!" Violet yelled. She pointed ahead, the last bits of sun melting under the tall skyscrapers of the city.
"Yay...I think..." Annie said, turning very pale.
"All right! Home sweet home!" Jaden grinned.
"I can't wait, Jaden," Alexis smiled softly.
"Yeah! Just wait 'till mom and dad meet you two love birds," Atticus added, grinning mischievously.
"We still have un ways to go. All the way to Texas," Rosa stated, smiling.
Hassleberry sighed..."Yeah, we've still got to get on that plane..."
"Mum's probably made beef stew...I haven't had it in ages..." Bastion smiled.
"Beef stew! Sweet!!"Violet cheered excitedly.
"Great...home..." Chazz groaned, not looking forward to his summer at all.
"Little brother...Mom and Dad are waiting," Zane grinned wickedly.
"Yeah. They probably can't wait to meet...Annie? You okay??" Syrus asked, worried.
Then Hassleberry noticed Annie. "Private Annie?" Annie was starting to hyperventilate.
"Not again! Annie!! Snap out of it, girl!" yelled Violet. She grabbed her friend securely by the shoulders and shook her, purple hair whipping in the wind.
"Oh, no. She's not going to faint, is she?" Syrus asked worriedly.
Unfortunately, Annie did just that. "Thank God Mom's a doctor..." Zane groaned.
And that, everyone is where we end Chapter II. Annie seems to faint easily. Is there a reason for it? And next, the gang will be meeting the parents. There are still humorous moments ahead, but there are dark times as well. I don't think it's at emo level; 15animefreak15 doesn't think so either. Anyway, read and review, everyone! Thank you!