Ancient Sunshine
"I believe Ruka may have a talent, if not an actual power," Xavier explained to the teachers of the Institute and Jean, the other telepath available, when the duties of the day was done and the students suitably occupied. "Ancient Fairy Dragon, I believe that that creature is alive in the sense that it has clearly intelligent thoughts, is capable of blocking off my mental probes, and it can clearly interact with others, if on a more limited scale."
"Gee, living holograms," Logan crossed his arms. "Big deal."
"Far more than that," Xavier raised his hands in an explanatory gesture. "I have seen into Ruka's mind, and I have seen a world very much resembling fairy-land, with this dragon ruling over it. Perhaps it could be a projection of her mind, a different facet of her personality made flesh in a sense, but there is a single piece of evidence that stands to the contrary."
"That before she even entered the Institute, she already sensed another being," Jean caught on. "The Guardian Elma she was talking about."
"Precisely," Xavier nodded. "There are too many factors to consider, but if we isolate the case, then Ruka's living dragon might be linked to a few other individuals."
"How?" Ororo posed. "Charles, this is a thirteen-year-old here."
"Not just any thirteen-year-old," Xavier clarified, typing on his desktop. "I have done my research on Duel Monsters immediately after I realised that the dragon was a sentient being. Ruka was apparently a junior member of a... Turbo Duel team in a Duel Monsters tournament called the World Racing Grand Prix. Ancient Fairy Dragon is one of a set of five dragons, all held by members of the team, called Teams 5Ds."
"Kids these days," Logan grumbled.
Xavier hit a key to call up a picture of a scowling tall blond man in a white racing suit, obviously the centre of attention. "Jack Atlas, one of the main fielders of the team, now the world's top champion of Duel Monsters."
"I remember," Jean murmured. "Kurt's a fan."
Xavier stubbornly continued. "Next is his rival, Crow Hogan, also a former member of Team 5Ds."
"Former?" Logan sceptically posed.
"The team disbanded after winning the World Racing Grand Prix," Xavier added as a shorter man with a shock of orange hair and numerous yellow tattoos, with a crow-like dragon behind him, appeared. "Number two in the world's professional leagues. Apparently their rivalry is one of legendary proportions."
"Kurt did say something about that..." Jean mused.
"I'm trying to see a pattern here..." Jean frowned.
"Aki Izayoi, our third member of Team 5Ds," Xavier called up a picture of a voluptuous redhead, her amber cat's eyes glaring from the photograph. "By all accounts a reserve of the team, she is also the most notable case we have on record concerning the whole team."
"Why?" Ororo pointed out.
"Because she is a former member of the Arcadia Movement," Xavier steepled his fingers. "The thieves have managed to destroy almost all files pertaining to the Movement. There must be a reason, and there is a connection, however tenuous, between Izayoi and the Movement."
"What's that got to do with holographic monsters?" Logan asked as a small QuickTime screen loaded.
"By all accounts, Logan, Rua and Ruka have confirmed that Ms Izayoi can make a duel real," Xavier explained. "Now that you have seen a duel, can you imagine what they mean? Those holographic monsters, they can become solid, breathing and living, and very capable of maiming and destroying. For what reason would anyone go after people with such destructive power? There is also the glimpse I caught in their minds, of the urban legend called the Black Rose Witch. Aki Izayoi and the Witch are one and the same. I'll show you the images."
Near-identical flinches crossed their faces as they saw what Xavier had glimpsed in the minds of the twins.
"I think the situation turned out to be stranger than I imagined," Xavier murmured, "And even more precarious when the last member of the team is considered." Finally it was a full-face photograph. Another young man, with raven black hair with gold highlights. Almost a pretty boy of sorts, but the confidence and strength his easy posture exudes belied his delicate look. "Yusei Fudo. The leader of the team. Now retired, and ostensibly now finishing a Ph. D. in particle physics while heading a major energy project already in his twenties."
"Those eyes, they're a fighter's eyes," Logan clucked his tongue. "Nice."
"Genius," Jean concluded. "What did Cerebro report on them?"
"It is too dangerous to use Cerebro near Neo Domino City," Xavier reluctantly answered. "More than once I had run into... certain interference near it. I wanted to make the attempt under more controlled circumstances." He tapped his fingers together. "I certainly didn't count on an unknown psychic in the vicinity trying to steal information of unknown importance from us."
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
The oak swung open, followed by Gambit casually strolling in with a fuming Scott on his heels. "Bonjour, Professor. Remy has managed to find our unknown thieves! But only faces."
"Faces?" all present leaned as the Cajun produced blow-ups of a pale-skinned woman with black hair and cobalt eyes, and a significantly man with spiked blond hair. The most unusual thing, beside the time stamp, was the sight of Ororo and Logan being on either side of the thieves and not noticing it.
Both teachers leapt to their feet. "That-"
"That... I thought they were students," Ororo frowned. "Don't tell me..."
Xavier peered at her, his mind searching through her memories for any tampering. "No, you were not controlled. He must have deceived you in some way. But, Logan, surely you would have noticed the scent."
"What?" Logan's brow furrowed. "Ororo's cologne got in the way."
The weather-witch glanced at him. "Logan... I don't use cologne except for special occasions."
Remy burst into laughter. "Mon Dieu, they got in, stole what they needed, and then walked out of the front door easy as you please! How brave!"
"So... how did they get in?" Jean pressed. "They got past you, Gambit. Not a good idea of the thieves of New Orleans, huh?"
Gambit's smile faded, before it brightened again. "Ah, oui. But I found pictures! And pictures mean that with some... helpful people... we can get names! And then I will have payback."
"They walked in..." Logan gave a grim smile. "Yeah, they waltzed in and out without us noticing. We'll be the laughingstock of New York if this gets out."
"This is a school, Logan," Xavier's expression looked pensive. "Thank you, Remy. I'll have to run the facial recognition algorithms, but it would take a while."
Remy gave a brief laugh. "Yes, yes. Though... I did think the man looked familiar..."
All mutants paused. "Did you now?"
"My imagination?" Remy frowned suddenly under the Professor's physical and mental scrutiny.
"The man and the woman were in New Orleans," Xavier squinted physically, his mind shuffling through the faint memories. "He beat you up for a card."
"Ah, yes, dat!" Remy clapped. "Very torn, not at all good quality, but very treasured. Actually, there was an entire deck of them in his pocket, and only that deck. Bit odd, usually people carry keys or coins with them, especially the man, he had big pockets in that coat-"
"There it is," Xavier breathed. "Hold still, Remy."
"What, Charles?" Ororo pressed.
"Guardian Eatos," Xavier frowned. "Guardian Tryce... Twin Swords of Flashing Light... Guardian Elma."
Three orphans. Two professional Duelists, one with a confirmed criminal record of stealing and car robbery. One a semi-retired professional Duelist, now a particle physicist and with a Ph. D. plus criminal record to boot. One a wealthy senator's daughter, slated to become a doctor and currently in her intern-ship. Two thirteen-year-old kids, of a moneyed background, privileged if not basking in familial love.
A ragtag team of kids, was Logan's first thought. Doubtless there was a very interesting story behind how they met.
Still, as he watched the kids babble about Duel Monsters, part of him did not like the idea of Ancient Fairy Dragon having a mind. Now that Charles had confirmed the existence of at least one, or more, sentient presences around Ruka, Logan was more on edge. He preferred material things; the material would break under adamantium claws sooner or later.
"I do not like it," Storm confessed. "Hearing voices no one else can hear, that are not thought... do you think it could be a telepath?"
"Who knows," Logan snorted. "Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain."
"You quoted that from the boy wizard."
Logan shrugged. "Read the books. Didn't see the appeal."
"A man of hidden depths, Wolverine."
"You live long enough," Logan shrugged.
"You were with Team 5Ds?" Kurt's near-shriek got the attention of the two older mutants. "Tell me, did Yusei Fudo really build his own Duel Runner?"
"Yep," Rua proudly replied. "He also improved the Wheel of Fortune and the Blackbird, plus upgraded the Machine Day Breaker. What, you didn't know?"
"Rua, Team Taiyo didn't make it past the preliminaries," Ruka reminded her brother.
"Oh, yeah," Rua sighed. "But it was awesome! Yusei turned a hunk of junk into a pro D-Wheel in like, one day!"
"What's a D-Wheel?" Kitty frowned.
"Oh? Oh, you see, in Japan Duel Runners are called D-Wheels," Ruka explained. "But, they both can reach up to two hundred and twenty kilometres per hour and they're used for Riding Duels, or Turbo Duels as you call them in America."
"Two hundred and twenty...?" Kurt frowned, trying to convert. "Hey, Logan! How fast is two hundred and twenty kilometres per hour in miles?"
"'Bout one-three-six!" Logan shouted.
"Whoa, cool!" Kurt yelled. "Maybe this Yusei and Logan should meet. They'd be talking about mechanic stuff all day! Hey, maybe he can install the mechanism for Turbo Duels!"
"You are not touching my bike, elf," Logan bared his teeth.
"It's a bit dangerous to have a Riding Duel here, but..." Rua considered. "Maybe we'll ask Yusei! He's really good with his hands, he could fix anything!"
It was funny, how professional interrogators might not be able to reason with small children, but plonk down someone chatty of the same generation and you would be able to glean a life story out of them. Hence, with the helpful presence of Kurt, Kitty, and a few of the other students, on top of subtly trying not to follow them and keen hearing, Logan was soon able to piece together three relevant facts:
a) to the twins, Team 5Ds were good friends that still remained in touch, and only disbanded due to choosing their own paths,
b) that the team was held together by the one man, Yusei Fudo, who according to Rua might be a shooting star itself, like his namesake, and
c) the kind of bonds, that absolute trust a teenager placed in a friend, could only be the kind of bond forged in fire and steel and adversity and people trying to kill you.
Logan was pretty sure about that last fact, having lived with many such things, and therefore considered an expert at that kind of bond. But why would anyone target a pair of teenaged twins?
I agree, Logan.
With a trick of mental discipline Charles had taught him years back, Wolverine turned his thoughts toward their target, the information being sent mentally into his head. So you think this Rafael Eatos is the guy?
The algorithms show a close match. And the man's past records are certainly... dubious enough to indicate a good likelihood.
Leave it to Charles to understate it. Weirdness spotted the police records like ink. Arrested who knew how many times, jailed only once, freed in a breakout by prisoners everyone thought had better sense... Once wanted by Interpol for reasons unknown for ten years, never been caught, warrant suspended pending reactivation.
This could get ugly.
And we've found our mystery woman as well. Oh my.
Diana Hunter. Equally unusual. CEO of Hunter Securities and Co. Married to Rafael Eatos. No children. A curious mix of Asian and Western features in her face, something alight and laughing and generally vivacious in a way that reminded Logan of Lady Deathstrike or Emma Frost. Her record was clean; like his own. Which meant plenty of blanks that raised flags that this was not a woman to cross.
And she was currently in New York with her husband.
"Mr and Mrs Smith," Logan's lips twitched.
I appreciate the movie reference, though it may be slightly crass... there is another mind near Ruka.
The twins had set out and were currently playing some game that involved playing the cards, laying them on the table. Doubtless, it was the boring version of the Duel Monsters Duel.
Then Charles screamed.
Logan was already sprinting for the doors, rushing through carpeted hallways and taking the stairs three at a time before he was inside, growling as he held a groaning Xavier's shoulder. A snarl ripped from his lips. "Chuck!"
"Charles!" Ororo was already following behind, her face creased with worry.
"I'm okay," the telepath panted from the exertion. "It's... well, it's a dragon."
"Didn't look that tough," Logan growled.
"Fairies are said to be notoriously fickle and arbitrarily cruel," Ororo bit at her lower lip. "Please, Charles, try not to anger beings of the immaterial world."
"I- I'm sorry," a small voice murmured from the door as the teachers looked towards Ruka, shyly standing by the open doorway. "A- Ancient Fairy told me... Regulus attacked you, Professor."
"It was... my fault," Xavier groaned as he grabbed at his bald head. "Although... it feels like someone ran a tank through my head. I believe it means that these... beings, including Ancient Fairy Dragon, they are connected to your mind."
"Y- Yes..." Ruka frowned.
"Could I... could I speak to Ancient Fairy Dragon?" Xavier pressed.
A shadow fell across the girl's face, black moods shrouding her thoughts like the dense fog of London. "I'll have to ask her about that. I hope you'd be alright. Good day, Hakase."
"Way to go, Chuck," Logan sniffed. "I told you not to poke around minds you don't understand. Curiosity killed the cat, you know."
"Because I know I can help her, Wolverine," Xavier said sharply. "It's a matter of control. Mind and body, working in harmony... not voices in her head from a disembodied source that appears in a hologram that has a mind of its own!"
Logan drew in a sharp breath as he stabilised the professor in the wheelchair. "And? Found anything, then?"
"Whatever it truly is, it's not physiological. It's not even a matter of the mind, although there is a definite mental discipline involved. No, Logan. What Ruka taps into, what that dragon is... it's pure emotion." The telepath folded his hands together in front of him, staring into the distance. "It's as if someone called one of your rages to heel, and pushed all that force into willing the world what they wanted it to be."
Logan shuddered. "A kid practising mind over matter? Like that?"
"I do not know, Logan," Xavier whispered. "The answers lie with Ancient Fairy Dragon. And the lack of answers... it is telling. That there is something we don't know, and that we shouldn't know."
"What are you doing?" Logan asked as Xavier wheeled himself towards his desk.
"Jack Atlas and Crow Hogan are going to be in New York for an upcoming tournament," Xavier answered, his voice slow. "Yusei Fudo is flying in for a physics conference held by Dr Richards, and Aki Izayoi as well. Team 5Ds are gathering in New York, Logan. And they have the answers we need."
He laid out a piece of Institute stationary and began to write. He tried his best to be candid and discrete at the same time, telling the readers of his conversation with the twins and stating very clearly that he knew something, if only part of the story. At the end of the letter he invited, no, urged, them to come to the Xavier Institute, even for a short visit.
Yet somehow, he was not too optimistic. That outpouring of black moods, those murmured words, that flinch at the mention of the Arcadia Movement – it would take more than a letter to be trusted by the team, for Charles Xavier at least.
Izayoi Aki sighed in relief as she and her sudden travel partner managed to collect their luggage and exit Customs without much trouble. "Finally, we're done."
She glanced from her large luggage case to his small suitcase. "Yusei, how do you pack so light?"
Yusei Fudo shrugged non-committally. "Papers. Clothes. The usual stuff."
"No souvenirs?"
"Some small stuff, maybe." Master of the laconic wit, was Yusei Fudo.
"It feels like a reunion," Aki commented as they walked into the concourse. Around them, the typical scenes of airport life milled around them. "Who knew that we'd meet in the same connecting flight to New York?"
"True," Yusei mumbled. "Aki, you came to New York for a conference, right?"
"Right," Aki giggled. "Yusei, you too?"
"Close," Yusei mumbled. "My sponsors wanted to meet me here. They wanted me to present my research."
"Oh?" Aki mused. "So, where are they-?"
"Yusei!" the brunet of the pair could hardly react as he was hounded upon. "Oh, you finally made it! I was so afraid that you might have gotten on the wrong flight again!"
"D- Diana-san, that was only one time..." Yusei looked completely discomfited by the presence of the vivacious woman clinging onto his middle.
"Yusei..." the newly-minted professor swallowed from the sudden aura of malevolence around Aki. "Who is this woman...?"
Deceptively strong arms let him go as the woman with long black hair let go of him to flash a smirk. "Oh, you must have brought your wife! Atta boy, Yusei!"
Even Aki blushed at that implication. Yusei looked completely mortified. "It's not like that, Diana-san!"
"Then, your fiancée? Your girlfriend?"
"No! She's a friend!"
"Well, not just a friend, I guess. There's hope just yet," the woman clapped, turning to Aki with a winning smile that reached to her gleaming cobalt eyes. "Don't worry, hon, I'm married."
"O- Oh. I- I'm so sorry..."
"I am Diana Hunter, nice to meet you." There was something about this woman, Aki decided, that reminded her of herself.
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