Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or anything to do with the franchise. This fan fiction is merely for entertainment purposes and not my own profit.
Author's Note: And I am back, people! Mag-san here, pulling out a rabbit out of a hat by bringing you a new chapter. About time, I know. I am trying my best. I'm busy with work and classes now, and one of them is going to be a Creative Writing class, which I hope will improve my skills so I can bring all the more fanfiction goodness :) Until then, thank you once more for your patience. I have the best readers ever! I really am thankful to you all for sticking with despite my lateness in updates. Now, enjoy this new chapter while I go cry like a baby in gratitude.
Chapter 8: The Archives
Yusei took a deep breath as he walked down the long hall. He was greeted by a few students here and there. He was genuinely surprised by how well he, along with his friends, was being treated at the school. He had expected to be treated with a little more hostility than he was getting now. The only time someone had acted rude towards him was when an upperclassman had bumped into him and Yusei had dropped his lunch on the boy. Even then, the boy apologized once he had realized it was Yusei who he had bumped into. It had been a strange experience to say the least. And it left him with new questions along with the old ones. Something about the academy was odd, not off, just odd. Not that he was going to complain, it was only his natural curiosity that kept nagging him.
"This place is certainly nothing like I thought it was to going be," Yusei said to himself as he walked. "I wonder why. There has to be a reason."
It still bothered him, even as he reached Rutherford's office. He looked around, taken aback by the lack of not only a secretary, but a desk for said secretary as well. Seeing nothing else to do, he opted to just knock. He was getting anxious as it was. He waited for a few seconds for a response, just looking down at his shoes while he waited. Knocking again, this time calling Rutherford's name, Yusei waited for a response and again he got none. Taking a quick look around for anyone, the hall empty, Yusei grabbed the knob and casually opened the door. He peaked inside and from his first glance, saw no one. Maybe he could wait for Rutherford, and apologize for just walking in without permission. This was too important for him to just leave. Yusei needed answers, or at least to be pointed in the right direction.
He stood in the middle of the room, getting a good look at the place. It wasn't what he had thought it would be. In fact, it was in vast contrast with the rest of the school. The interior of the room was a nice honey-oak, with bookcases lining the entire room, even a section lined the top of the wide window, burgundy drapes flowing to the carpeted floor. The carpet itself was purple, with patterns of pretty gold and pink lotus sewn in. The furniture looked like it belonged in a Victorian-era home, fine and polished. Yusei looked through the books, most looking like they were from long ago but in still good condition. He picked one up, the title catching his eye, The Glorious Hero and his band of Magnificent Warriors. At first, he just carefully skimmed through it, the pages of old parchment crinkling a bit under his touch.
"This is really old," he said softly, looking up at the rest of the books. "They must all be."
"They are," Yusei jumped, dropping the book.
"Chancellor!" he gasped when he then realized he dropped the book, picking it up and making sure it wasn't harmed. "I am very sorry! I didn't mean to intrude. I was just wanted to talk and you weren't here, so I opted to wait.'
"It must be very important if you were willing to wait long for me," Rutherford chuckled as he took a seat behind his desk. "Please, have a seat."
Yusei sat down on one of the chairs in front of the desk, "Thank you, sir. This is very important."
"Well, you are searching for clues as to who your parents were, I would think it is," Rutherford said, taking Yusei by surprise.
"I wasn't very subtle, was I?" he sighed.
"Oh, you were, but I know this is a very important matter to you and your friends," the older man replied. "I know I promised I would help in any way I could, and I am a man who keeps his promises."
Yusei felt his spirit lighten at those words.
"However," and it suddenly got rained on, "as I told you, the Archives are under repair. There were years of research and intelligence stored there that could not be just restored without time, which has been one of our highest priorities here at the academy."
"I can imagine it hasn't been easy," Yusei said, thinking over it as it made sense in his head. "So all these years, you and those at the academy have been working to restore the Archives? How much was there before Zero Reverse?"
"Enough to give me constant migraines for the last 16 years," Rutherford held his forehead, showing how frustrating the work was.
Yusei saw the bags under the older man's eyes, the heaviness in his voice, how his shoulders fell. The man was exhausted. And Yusei knew it wasn't just the work on the Archives that had caused this. Rutherford was the Chancellor of Duel Academia, one the most important institutions in the world. It was the world's greatest defense against the most of unspeakable evils, the one that created legends, both good and bad. It was a weight Yusei did not envy and sympathized with. He did want to find out about his parents, anything that could help, but looking at Rutherford, Yusei found he couldn't bring himself to ask more. Rutherford saw different.
"Yusei, my boy, don't hold back," he took the young man aback. "I know what is on you mind. First, no, I don't read minds, so that isn't how I know. I am good at reading people's body language. And second, I am going to allow you into the Archives."
"You are?!" Yusei stood up in disbelief.
Rutherford chuckled at his reaction, "I did promise."
Yusei could feel his heart swell with excitement and anxiousness. Was this really happening? He couldn't believe it.
"Thank you! Thank you so much, sir!" Yusei bowed in his gratitude. "Really? This means so much to my brothers and myself."
"I know. Though there are some conditions to your access of the Archives," Rutherford pointed out.
"Of course, sir," Yusei sat back down, listened intently.
Rutherford began counting them off, "One: You will be escorted at all times by a senior member of the staff. Even when you think they're not there, they are. Two: You will do as they say. If they say you cannot go in a certain part of the Archives, you cannot. Three: Be wary of what you see. And four: Once you finish your time in the Archives, you will not speak of anything there unless you have my say so. These are the conditions you must follow in order to gain access to the Archives. Share them with your friends and once you have a clear understanding of them, return to my office and I will make the proper arrangements for you three."
The three young men remained quiet as they rode down the elevator. After Yusei had returned from Rutherford's office, and explained the conditions he had given him, the three of them had sat and tried to understand what it was Rutherford had instructed of them. The first two conditions were simple enough, but it was the third one that had stirred their curiosity, "Be wary of what you see". What did that mean? Was there more to the Archives than mountains upon mountains of information? The question itself was the answer. There was no doubt in Yusei's mind there was more going on in the academy itself than what was on the surface. Whatever it was, there was good reason for it to be kept from public eye. And it made sense of the last condition. No matter what they found within the Archives, they had to keep it to themselves. This was Duel Academia, after all. Not just anyone could walk into the Archives all willy-nilly.
It had explained what had happened at their lesson with the Guardians. After Carly had been escorted away by Shun, Yusei and Crow had asked Jack what had happened between himself and Carly. He had told them he had straight out asked her about the Archives. Once she realized what he had been up to, Carly had changed the subject all together. She had avoided answering his question after that. Her sudden change in mood was clue to what may lay hidden in the Archives. Crow had told Jack he should have stopped when Carly insisted to joining the others. But knowing Jack, Crow knew Jack had done something worse because she had looked like she wanted to wring his neck when they joined them. And that was when he had told them about what had happened afterward.
"You should have kept you big mouth shut," Crow said as they rode down. "But noooooo! Mr. Big Man had to keep going, didn't he?"
Jack didn't respond back, but Yusei did, "Enough, Crow. Jack has learned his lesson. Though I do agree with you. We don't want to be on bad footing with the Guardians. We are going to work together a lot later on."
"I know, but Carly looks like the type not to get mad so easily, unlike someone we know," Crow whispered the last part of it, Jack still hearing him. "It must be a pretty touchy subject for her, that's all I'm saying."
"Which is why I am formally apologizing to her the next time I see her," Jack said in a calm tone.
Crow didn't believe him, "Riiiight! And why haven't you done it already? It's been three days since our last lesson with Raphael. She can't be that hard to find, especially for a Guardian. Those guys are celebrities around here."
"Surprisingly enough, it has been," Jack informed him with a stern look. "You don't think I have been trying to find her?"
"Did you try her dorm?" Yusei asked.
"That was the first place I went, but apparently, she wasn't in."
"Maybe she just didn't want to talk to you and she's been avoiding you this whole time, ever thought of that?" Crow said with blank face.
Jack just grunted, "Yes, I figured when even Rua told me she was busy, but I could see he was lying through his teeth. I guess I really messed up."
Did Jack just admit he was wrong?! Both Yusei and Crow thought in disbelief.
As they were about to respond to his out of character behavior, the elevator dinged, signaling they had reached their floor. Looking at the screen where the number would be, Yusei was taken aback of the lack thereof. Even the level on which the Archives were placed was secret. This is was a very big deal, and Yusei knew they couldn't waste such a precious opportunity. It was surprisingly well lit, despite how far underground Yusei assumed they were. As they walked out, they saw four passageways from which they could choose from. But which one was the right one? For all they knew, the wrong one could end somewhere horrible.
"Welcome," they were greeted by Aki, who appeared out of nowhere.
"Holy-!" Crow jumped, holding his chest. "Where'd you come from?"
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you guys," Aki sweat-dropped, walking down the second the last passage. "If you will follow me...I will be one of your guides during your time in the Archives."
"Who else will be joining us?" Yusei asked, hoping a certain name would pop up.
"Shun and Anasta will be with us," Aki said, Yusei mentally sighing at the lack of the name he hoped for.
"So, Aki," Crow was not one to beat around the bush, "what about Carly? We haven't seen her around for a while. She on a big mission?"
"Something like that," Aki smiled, knowing someone else was happier would Carly's company than anyone else. "She is visiting one of our allies in the north. He was wounded during a battle and she went to get his statement on the matter. Standard procedure and all."
"Sounds boring, except for the part where she gets to travel, that sounds fun," Crow noted.
"One of the many perks of being a Guardian," Aki said, stopping in front of a pair of unassuming doors.
Was this really it, the mysterious Archives? But then again, Yusei knew appearances could be deceiving. Aki placed her hand where the door met, a sudden wave of energy oscillating at her touch. It spread throughout the doors like water. The doors then opened on their own, as though recognizing Aki as a Guardian and allowing her entrance into the Archives. Before she stepped in, she announced herself and the guys.
"Aki Izayoi, Alpha-level, Guardian-status, admitting entrance to Archives to Guardian-in-training, Yusei Fudo, Jack Atlus, Crow Hogan!" she spoke in an authoritative voice.
A wisp, ghostly voice answered back, "Admittance approved. Welcome to the Duel Academia Archives."
"Well, come on in," Aki waved as they passed through.
As they each passed, the door frame shined. Yusei stopped in front of a glass case holding a rather big book and saw something on his chest, right above the school insignia.
"What's this?" Yusei pointed at his chest.
Both Jack and Crow realized it and when Aki turned around, she also had a glowing mark.
"This is a simple mark that shows the limits to your access here. There are certain parts of the Archives you won't have access to until you become full Guardian. It's only for security reasons," Aki explained. "Yours' are red, symbolizing you are freshmen here. They are also in the shape of a dragon head to symbolize your training as Guardians, giving you far more access to the access than regular students. Mine is white, which represents my seniority and is in the shape of wings, giving me full access to the archives. Does that make sense?"
"Pretty much," Crow said.
"You're here!" Anasta exclaimed, running from the corner and jumping into Crow's arms. "Big Brother Crow! I get to be your guide!"
"Well, that's great by me!" Crow laughed, picking her up and swinging her around like she was air.
"Wheeeee!" she squealed in delight.
"Crow is really good with kids," Aki said.
"He's always been that way," Jack smirked. "He has a real father complex, if you catch my drift."
"That just leaves Aki and me," Shun said as he joined them. "I'll show Jack around while you help Yusei, okay? I know that will make you happy."
He whispered the last part, and Aki blushed bright red, "Shun! Don't make it into something it isn't!"
As she yelled at him, the others wondered what Shun had said.
"What did he do?" Crow asked.
"Just making fun of Aki," Anasta giggled. "But he's only teasing her."
"Anyway! Let's get a move on! We don't have all day," Aki ordered, Yusei silently following her.
"Good luck," Jack and Crow whispered at him with a thumbs-up.
He knew they meant with Aki, since she was in a bad mood. The Archives were massive! Yusei thought his neck would start to hurt from looking up so much. No wonder it had taken so long to recover everything from Zero Reverse, and they weren't done yet!
"Wow, you guys have really done an amazing job here," Yusei said, looking at each aisle with careful eyes.
"Thanks, it hasn't been easy, but we have progressed very nicely over the years," Aki sighed. "Come on, I think I know where we can start."
Yusei tried not to get his hopes up, but it seemed impossible at that point. So close to answers...
The birds chirped are the sun beamed down, dew glistening on the leaves. Carly walked down the outside hall, carrying a tray of food with care. She didn't have her glasses on, but only because her "patient" had insisted on her taking them off.
"He can be pretty persuasive when he wants to be," she smiled, her socks patting the wooden floor gently.
The feudal home was beautiful and well maintained. It was a palace fit for a lord of great power. She knocked a few times on the wooden frame, and he waved her in. The slide doors were pulled all the way, to let the fresh air in. It would do him good.
"Here you go, Shiromori," Carly said as she set the food in place for him.
"Thank you, Carly," he gave her a gentle smile. "I greatly appreciate this."
"It's not a problem," she said. "Now eat up! You need your strength if you're going to make that journey to the school."
"I am doing my best," he placed his hand over hers. "With you here, I know I'll get better in no time."
She blushed pink, her heart pounding, "Shiromori...I'm nothing special. You don't need to make a big deal out of it."
"That's not true," he looked at her with those piercing eyes of his. "You are special."
"Shiro..." Carly couldn't help but be entranced by his dazzling red eyes. "I..."
"HELLO, EVERYONE! MIYUKI IS HERE!"
Carly jumped in her fright, holding her heart from the shock of their sudden visitor. Shiromori, on the other hand, glared daggers on fire at his cousin. She could have been his fraternal twin, only her father was his uncle and she was two years younger than Shiromori.
"Miyuki!" she twitched at his anger. "What have I told you?! Knock before you enter a room, especially a private room!"
"I'm sorry, Shiromori, whatever I did..." Miyuki stopped when she noticed Carly.
Realizing what she had done, Miyuki started to regret coming here in the first place. Oh no! I ruined a precious moment between them! Shiromori is going to kill me!
"Um, I see you are busy, I'll uh, just be around," making a circular motion, Miyuki ran away as fast as she could.
"Honestly," Shiromori sighed. "Carly..."
"Uh, yes, I'm okay," she offered a nervous smile. "I just didn't expect that. She's such a good little ninja."
"I do apologize for her behavior though," he insisted on formally excusing Miyuki. "She has always been so 'energetic'."
"Don't you mean hyper?" Carly joked.
"I was trying to be nice," Shiromori grinned slyly. "Still, thank you for coming. You didn't have to."
"Shiro, you're one of my oldest and dearest friends, of course I'm going to check up on you," his heart skipped a beat as he felt the warmth of her aura.
"Carly..." he felt the hard pounding of his heart as she continued on about how things were at school while finishing preparing his food.
He watched with his eyes glued to her every motion. All he needed was to be in her presence and he couldn't be happier. That was all he wanted.
"Oh, cousin," Miyuki sighed, her eyes glittering with sympathy as she looked on from her hiding spot. "All you have to do is tell her how you feel and everything will fall in place. Why don't you tell her?"
Shiromori was not one who could openly declare his love for someone, especially Carly. However, Miyuki just couldn't take it.
"Cousin, you have to do something or Carly will be snatched up by someone else!"
Jack glared at the information in front of him, trying to make sense of what was in front of him. There had to something, anything! Shun was going to through the database, trying to "find" what he could for Jack. I feel kind of like a bastard doing this, why can't I just tell the kid the truth? If Stella saw me right now, she would kill me! I'm so sorry, Stella! Blame Xander!
"Did you find anything?" Jack's voice brought Shun back from his self-shaming session.
"Hmm, not really! But you can't expect to find something right away. The Archives are a massive database, it could take quite a few times before you find anything of substance," Shun told him matter-of-factly, mentally asking for forgiveness from Jack's mom's "spirit".
"It doesn't matter," Jack said, shutting one book, and opening up a screen in front of him. "We've waited too long for this. I need to find something, no matter how little it is. I just want to find out who my parents were, good or bad."
As Jack started searching, Shun stared at him in amazement. Stella, if you could see him now, he is so much like you, but I can see parts of Nicholas in him as well.
"I suppose leaving a bread crumb here and there wouldn't hurt," Shun said to himself in a low voice, Jack too focused to hear him.
Shun started playing around with the screen, trying to find something not too big that it would give away what he knew. It was just a little something to lead Jack in the right direction. Glancing at Jack every now and again as not to get caught, Shun made a little twitch here and a fiddle there...and done!
"This should be enough to start him off on the right track," Shun smirked confidently before placing his "bread crumb" in place. "Now to play the waiting game."
As Shun let the screen disappear, he walked over to a shelf, pretending to be in search of what Jack was looking for. It was all about patience. Jack would stumble upon it in no time.
"There has to be something in here, anything," Jack grumbled. "This place is huge! How can I not find anything?"
The words starting to blare at him from the screen, his eyes starting to hurt. He had been at it for three hours now. He could only hope Yusei and Crow were having better luck. Finally, when it seemed the words were actually yelling at him, Jack let out a yell of aggravation, lifting his arms as though he were going to pull his hair. He let them go to the side, his hair intact. Laying back, his body limp, Jack let his head droop back, eyes closed. There was just so much to go through! But he couldn't give up. He had been through worse. This was nothing compared to what he had faced growing up. It had not been easy, growing up in Satellite in its worst years. Everyday had been a fight to live to see the next. And all the time, not knowing where he came from or who he was. Yes, he knew his name was Jack Atlus, but that was it. Martha had told him when he had grown enough about the day of Zero Reverse, adding the mystery of his father.
She had been cleaning around the church she lived in then when a young man carrying toddler of no more than a year came running in. He had been asking for the bishop that led that church. Said bishop had gone into the city for an event with many of his followers. When Martha had told him that, the look of utter horror came over his face, terrifying Martha in a way she could not describe. With no time to waste, he handed his son to her, along with his baby bag. A confused Martha had asked him time and time again what was going on. All he had told her was to go as far from the center of the city as she could. Before leaving, with a desperate and heartbreaking expression, he had kissed his son on the forehead, asking for forgiveness and hoping he would grow up into a strong man. After she was done, Jack had been shaking. Just 11-years-old and he was trying to wrap his head around why his father had left him at that church, and more gut-wrenching than that, was how his father had knowledge of the tragedy that had yet to occur in a matter of hours.
Opening his eyes, he looked up at the bright ceiling, making out the intricate design as his eyes adjusted, with that question circling his mind, "How did you know?"
Shun stopped what he was doing. Seeing Jack through the books, all he could do was sigh deeply. He knew what Jack was thinking. He couldn't read mind, but somehow, he knew what was going on in the young man's mind.
"OKAY!" Jack pounded his fist on the table, startling Shun. "That's enough self-pity! Back to work! I'm not going to get anywhere by just wishing it. I have to do the grunt work. Besides, between Yusei and Crow and myself, we're bound to find something."
As Jack psyched himself up, a glowing red light descended from the ceiling. Jack noticed it and scoffed with a cocky look on his face.
"I guess I spoke too soon," the light fell gently until it stopped right in front of Jack. "Hey there, took you long enough to get here."
A small growl emitted from the light as it came to stop in front of Jack. It then transformed into a dragon pub. It's scales were black with fiery red scales around its arms, legs, and along its torso. It had three horns, two that were on either side of its head and that slightly curved towards its face and a third growing from its forehead kind of curved up. It fanned its black wings, showing the red on the inside. It curled its pointy tail as it landed in Jack's outstretched arms.
"Guess it was a long journey, huh?" Jack chuckled as his dragon instantly fell asleep in his arms.
"So that's your dragon?" Shun asked as he walked up.
"Yes, this is Dante," Jack petted the dragon as it purred in its sleep. "Things have finally settled so he and the others could returned."
"Others? Yusei and Crow's dragons too?"
"Yes," Jack sat down, Dante not moving. "Not long before we received our acceptance letters, Yusei, Crow and I dealt with something pretty nasty back in Satellite. The battle was grueling and took its toll. Our monsters were exhausted, so we sent them to the Spirit realm to heal up faster."
"Wow, must have been one hell of a fight," Shun whistled, realizing how long it had taken for the dragons to return to their partners.
"It was," Jack said, resuming his search. "What?"
A file had popped up with the name "Atlus" connected to it. No way...was this really happening?
"No way, this can't be," Jack whispered as he laid Dante on the table and pulled up to the screen.
Shun leaned in, and tried not to smile too much. Go on, Jack, follow the bread crumbs. You have no idea where they will lead you.
Yusei huffed as he closed yet another file.
"Not it either," he said disappointed.
Aki sighed as she sat down, massaging her head of its ache, "I'm sorry, Yusei, I wish I could make it easier."
"It's okay, Aki," he said, taking a break from all the information he had to sift through. "If it were that easy, we wouldn't even be here in the first place."
"True," she smiled as she stood. "How about I bring us something to drink while we rest the time being?"
"That would be great, just a soda for me," he said.
"Got it! I'll ask everyone else before I leave. Anasta and Shun will help you out if you need anything," Aki said as she ran off.
The last of it was code for: Anasta and Shun will keep an eye on you while I'm gone. That was one of the rules Rutherford had shared, and none of them were not going to break them just because they were busy helping him and the others.
"I never knew my brain could feel so numb," Yusei stretched, trying to wake up his muscles from sitting for so long. "But there is something here, I know there is."
Deciding to get some more material while he waited, Yusei picked up a few more books and straightened out the mess he had made, putting away what he didn't need. Too busy with what he was doing, Yusei failed to notice the ball of white light heading his way. It was only when it was reaching him that he chuckled, knowing who it was.
"Hey there, buddy," he turned around, extending his arms to welcome his dragon back.
It changed into a pub just as it landed on his arms. It was white with a slight tint of blue. Its appearances was like a soft metal, with silver-blue scales running along its wings and neck. There were deep blue-purple scales that looked like reinforced armor on its chest and shoulders. Its head was long, with its three horns in a way that reminded one of a fighter jet. It stared up at Yusei with its brilliant green eyes, nudging his jacket.
"I missed you too, Aero," Yusei scratched the back of his dragon's head, which said dragon very much enjoyed.
"Yo, Yusei!" he looked up as Crow walked up, Anasta giggling behind him as she held a bundle of feathers in her arms.
"I see Shadow made a new friend," Yusei laughed a bit as the bundle unfurled into a dragon pub, making Anasta beam with delight.
Its wings were strange, with long black and red feathers on a thin frame, with the longer ones separated by an empty space from the shorter ones. It's entire head resembled that of a hark, with wild red/black feathers falling along the top to its neck. Its main body was of onyx/blue scales with these six sharp gray appendages sticking out, thought they didn't seem to cut Anasta's hands as she held the dragon. Long, ribbon-like feathers were in place of a tail, flowing as it floated about. It stared at Aero with its burning orange eyes, wondering why he was sleeping. Shadow gently poked Aero to wake him up, Aero perking up and letting out a cute "caw".
"Aww, so cute!" Anasta's eyes lit up as she went over and looked at Aero with curious eyes.
"This is Aero," Yusei said as she petted him.
"He's so pretty!" she giggled.
"Anasta?" Aki had just arrived with a wide assortment of drinks on a cart, along with nice sandwiches and treats. "Oh! Is that your dragon, Yusei?"
Yusei nodded, Crow stepping in as Shadow rested on his head, making his hair a nest, "And this is mine, Shadow."
"Hi," Aki smiled as she greeted the pub. "Where have you been keeping these guys? This is the first time I've seen since I met you guys."
"They were in the Spirit realm healing," Shun explained as he and Jack joined them. "Apparently, our three friends from Satellite had quite the tussle before arriving at our school and their partners had to leave to recuperate better."
As Aki asked what that was about, Anasta glued into the conversation, Jack stayed behind by the farthest bookshelf. All he could think about was what he had found not but ten minutes before. It was like his mind was blank except for what he read, that small paragraph that had filled his mind and pushed aside anything else that had nothing to do with it. Nicholas Atlus...that name, he could say it over and over a million times and every time it touched him in a way he could not describe. It was the name of his father. There had only been one paragraph on him, that's it. But it was something. And it was definitely something worth sharing with his brothers.
"Jack," he looked up, meeting eyes with Yusei.
He didn't have to say anything for Yusei to know what was going on. Yusei didn't push it. It wasn't the time. Giving him a casual nod, Yusei left him alone with his thoughts. Whatever it was, it was big.
"Jack find something?" Crow spoke in a low tone as Shun and Anasta looked over the treats Aki had brought.
"Yeah, but not here," Yusei said, Crow knowing what he meant. "We should take a couple of hours before we leave. Who knows when we'll be able to come back, what with our classes taking a good chunk of our time."
"Right, but let's eat something first. Can't do anything on an empty stomach," Crow suggested, walking over to Jack, who seemed to agree once Crow told him.
As they ate, Anasta covering for most of talk among them, Jack grew antsy to go back and look for more. But wearing himself out would do him no good. After all, he didn't want to turn obsessive about it like Yusei would his work. That was just absurd!
"RUN, IDIOT, RUN!" the young man yelled at his friend as they frantically made their way through the empty streets.
"I'M RUNNING AS FAST AS I CAN!" the other gasped back, his lungs burning. "We can't keep running! We have to hide!"
They both looked around, trying to find the ideal hiding spot, "There!"
They ran into an old house, decrepit and falling apart, but a better choice than the rest of their surroundings. Rushing in, they tried to close the front door as quietly as they could. Shuffling into the living room, they hid behind a couch, their backs to the wall. They huffed rapidly as they tried to catch their breath. They had been running for what had felt like hours, never seeming to get away. They were sweating buckets, hair sticking to theirs faces. The first had spiked brown hair with hazel eyes. He was the tallest of the two, with lean appearance. The second had short brown hair that had been combed back, but with all the running had come loose. His honey, gold eyes stared at the floor for a long time.
"What are we going to do?" the second asked, his eyes filled with terror. "They'll find us, we can't outrun them."
"I know," the first said, holding a more calm expression, albeit tinged with fear. "But we have to get this message back home. We can't stop until that is done."
He looked down, his eyes glossed over, trying to find the strength he needed.
"Our friends are gone, we can't change that. But we have to live long enough to make sure they didn't die in vain, and that neither do we."
His friend looked on him with sympathy, "Right, even though I am scared out of my mind, and I don't believe we'll make it, we have to keep our promise."
"That's the spirit! Now, you're the best out of the two of us to do this, so while I keep an eye out, do what you have to," the first commanded.
With a nod between the two, the first got up and stood guard at the opening of the living room. Remaining in the hiding spot, the second took out some chalk from his bag and started drawing around him. He tried to keep his hand steady, his nerves getting in the way. Finally, he stopped for a second and took a deep breath. Thinking about what he needed to do, he set back on his task, this time his hand steady and even. While his friend worked, the first keep a sharp eye on any movement he saw. The old house creaked, as though trying not to fall apart but unable to stop it from happening. He couldn't use his powers or else they would be found sooner. Once the second started, the enemy would be on them in a matter of seconds. He had to be ready to fend them off while the second finished. Speaking of which, the second was done with the runes, pulling out a small vial of glittering, gold dust.
"Pixie dust?" the first asked.
"Yeah, it's magic in one it's purest forms. This will make up for the power I have used up," the second explained. "Get ready."
The first stood at the ready, conjuring two short swords, mentally preparing himself.
"Three...two...one," placing his hand on the floor, the second concentrated, "NOW!"
The runes he had drawn shimmered with an intense light, which touched every corner of the room. The young man breathed hard as he looked at the front door, already hearing the growls as they reached them. He turned to the kitchen, where more growling was coming through.
"Both ways, huh? No problem," he poured magic into the blades, which shined from the energy. "I've faced worse, so bring it on, you ugly fuckers!"
As soon as he said that, a monster crashed through the front door, dashingly wildly at him. He dodged it and cut its throat, sending it crashing into the fireplace. Another came running from the kitchen, which he also killed with ease. Two more came from the front, which he killed as well. But as he finished them, one came from a window upstairs, catching him off-guard. He barely dodged it's razor-sharp claws. He stumbled back long enough for the beast to hit him with the back of its huge paw. He flew across the room, hitting a glass cabinet, which crumbled from the impact. It snarled at him, preparing for a final strike. The other young man looked on in panic, wanting more than anything to save his comrade.
"NO!" his friend screamed. "You keep going. You can't stop!"
"Scott!" the other yelled as the monster lunged at him.
Scott yelled as he barely caught it with the tip of his sword, impaling it. He grunted as he pushed its body to the side. As he got up, he hissed, falling to his knees. Feeling at his back, he cried out as he touched the piece of glass that was stuck. But despite the pain, he had to keep going.
"Scott! Please, let me heal your wound!"
"No!" Scott gasped as he limped over to the opening, more growls approaching. "Danny, this is our last stand, this is where we go like the bad-asses we always wanted to, remember?"
Danny stifled a sob, recalling those days, "Yeah, I remember. We'll see the others soon, right?"
"Yeah, we sure will, and then we can go back to the school, and tell Rutherford of how awesome we did," Scott smiled proudly, his eyes growing hazy. "I can't wait to tell Aki how I did, and she'll finally know how I feel. God, I finally get her to say yes to going out with me and this happens."
He stopped at the opening, staring at the ground, thinking about the school, Aki coming to his minds' eye, how beautiful her eyes were that they made him feel like he could melt. Danny's heart was heavy, tears running down his dirty face. Hearing the muffled growls, looking at the runes. With one hand, he pulled out a bottle filled with a dark red liquid. He had never known he would have to use it in the manner he had in mind. But it was hopeless anyway. There was no way they would go home now. They were too deep in enemy territory.
"Raphael would have my head if he knew about this," Danny said, holding up the bottle to his mouth and pulling the cork.
Scott looked over and chuckled, "Too bad he won't get the chance."
"To our friends, and Duel Academia," Danny held up the bottle.
"I'll drink to that," Scott said as Danny poured the red liquid over the runes.
They sucked it in and glowed blood red.
"I'm sorry, Aki," Scott sighed, cocking his head to the side, the monsters reaching them. "Looks like I'll have to take a rain check on that date."
As the monsters poured in, Danny poured everything he had into the spell. The glowing was blinding, filling the house with its brilliance. It grew silent for a moment, and then...an immense explosion completely overtook everything, incinerating everything in sight. The ground shook, a great pillar of light piercing through the dark fog.
Aki stopped in her tracks, her heart dropping for some reason, Anasta taking note, "Aki, what's wrong?"
"I...I don't know," Aki gripped her chest, trying to calm her heart. "I feel as though...something horrible has happened."
Aero then perked up, sensing something. Dante and Shadow seemed to have felt it too, as they followed his lead and flew away.
"Hey, where you guys going?" Crow got up, running after them.
Yusei and Jack followed, curious as to what was going on. Somehow, Aki knew she had to go too. Anasta and Shun looked at each, shrugging their shoulders and joined them. They walked down the lines of bookcases, the dragons seeming as though they were being pulled somewhere. After a while, the bookcases stopped and they were led into a room with long white doors.
"What's in here?" Crow went to open it when someone stopped. "Shun?"
"I'm sorry, but this is a special area," Shun said, letting go of Crow's hand.
"What is it?" Yusei stepped forward, taking a good look at the doors.
"I suppose you should know of it, since you are joining the Guardians," Shun sighed, scratching the back of his head. "This is an armory of sorts. It keeps the weapons of our bravest here."
"Why would they keep them somewhere so far from their reach?" Crow inquired. "Is it for security purposes?"
"Yes, kind of," Shun gave them a sad smile. "This is where the weapons of our fallen now rest."
"What?" they stepped back.
"We have two memorials for our fallen comrades, one is called the Wall of Memory, where the names of those lost in battle are etched to forever be remembered by those who still live because of their deeds. It is placed in the garden area of the school, right beside the center of the school, for anyone wishing to pay their respects. The other is more private and intimate, for only a special few may enter. This is the Hall of Valhalla, where the weapons and most powerful of magic of our fallen are placed. They serve as not only a reminder, but also as beacons of hope that through death, there is still life, and as long as there is life, we live to protect it, at the cost of our own."
The three stared at the doors with awe in the eyes. This was a place to be revered and respected. To them, this was what they knew could happen should they fail. It was something they had come to understand since learning magic growing up. Aero nudged his head against the doors, trying to get in.
"Now, now, little one," Shun floated as if air and took the dragon pub into his arms. "Not is not a place for you. It is also holds the stones representing Duel Monsters who have been lost, and that might be very sad for you."
"So, Duel Monsters are also honored?" Yusei said.
"Yes, they have as much to do with our job as we do ourselves," Shun nodded, petting Aero to calm him down, which seemed to work.
"They must have sensed something here that drew them," Aki suggested.
"But what?" Jack asked. "They were fine when they arrived, they didn't even fly here until now. Huh? Anasta? Are you alright?"
They turned around, seeing as Jack had that Anasta was standing right in front of the doors, her head up as she gazed at them with distant eyes.
"No..." she whispered, her voice breaking, "no...no...please no..."
As the realization hit her, tears cascaded down her cheeks, which she covered as she spoke in broken Russian. Aki immediately rushed to her side, asking her what was wrong, but all she got was words she couldn't understand.
"Anasta, please, calm down," Aki smoothed her hair. "English, please. I don't speak Russian."
But that only made her cry louder, as she yelled in Russian with big tears. Shun's eyes widen. He spoke Russian, very well. He let out a heavy breath, his shoulders falling as he looked upon her with sympathy.
"Oh, Anasta."
"What is it, Shun?" Aki asked, holding a now hysterical Anasta in her arms. "What happened?"
"I am afraid...we have lost a team," he spoke in a calm tone, but there was a hint of remorse he could not hide.
"Who?" she asked, not wanting the answer but still listening.
"I don't know, all Anasta is saying is how sad she is they're gone," Shun answered before facing the guys. "I am sorry, but this is very urgent. I must speak with the Chancellor at once. Your visit will have to end for the day."
"We understand," Yusei bowed, Jack and Crow not saying anything otherwise.
Without another word, they followed Shun back to the entrance. Yusei was about to ask about the book they had left scattered in their workplaces when he caught a glimpse of those very books floating back the shelves by themselves. As they were halfway to the entrance, Yusei looking back to the front, something caught his eye. It was a woman, someone he had not seen before. He wondered where she had come from. Perhaps another Guardian doing work. It was possible, and the Archives were huge, making it seem perfectly rational that they wouldn't have bumped into her any sooner. But what had kept him from brushing it off as that, was the fact that she was glowing, as though she weren't really there. When he turned back, she was gone.
"Something wrong?" Shun asked him, as Yusei noticed the others were already at the doors.
"I thought I forgot something," Yusei lied, joining the others.
As the doors opened, the group filing out, Yusei couldn't help thinking about the strange woman and why he had lied to Shun. Everyone quiet as the doors closed, except for Anasta's whose cries were now hiccuped sobs, Yusei recited the rules Rutherford had shared with him about the Archives, with one sticking out the most to him: "Be wary of what you see".
The sound of heavy, metal doors shutting echoed along the iron halls. Footsteps clank, clank, clanked as he made his way down the cold hall. It was dark, as though the light had been snuffed by the darkness that permeated the air. The only illumination was coming from the few cracks along the wall, and even then it was not enough. Outside was barren, the site of a great disaster as buildings were either toppled over or leaning, groaning as though trying not to fall. There were no animals, not even insects. The only plants were dead trees, turning to ash to one's touch. The long cracks along the streets were like scars that would not soon heal, as if the very land itself had died. The young man sneered as he thought about what had happened. He was ticked off for letting them not only get away, but die before he could get his hands on them.
"Damn those rats! They played dirty and got away with it!" he grumbled under his breath, his voice a tad high. "But no matter. It isn't like they made a dent in our plans."
"Are you sure about that?" Daliah peered at him as she emerged from the shadows. "Master Rudger believes they may have reached out to Duel Academia just in time before they died. We have to make sure."
"Heh! Of course they wouldn't die before leaving us a mess to clean up," he cackled, removing his hood, revealing a twisted smile. "Like the rats they were, filthy and a nuisance...I guess I can still have fun picking up where they left off. If only their teammates hadn't died either in such a blazing manner, I would have had fun messing with them."
His gold irises gleamed menacingly, standing out more so as they were surrounded by nothing a black that seemed to suck one's soul in. The mark long his left eye glowed only briefly as a door opened beside him, Daliah following him in.
"We can still capture their souls and find out what we need then," she suggested.
"Yeah, but they're Rutherford's students," he said, striding to a balcony, the wind howling outside. "No doubt he taught them one last trick to perform after dying to prevent something like that from happening. That man is one clever devil! Ha! I love it! It would be no fun if it was easy!"
Kiryu laughed manically as he stood outside, his cloak bellowing as he gazed upon his "work". The creatures snarled as they looked up at him, waiting him command. They were nothing but shadow. That would change soon.
"Soon, my pets! We will descended on Neo Domino and Satellite and take our rightful place!" he proclaimed with bravado, his eyes blood-thirsty. "WE WILL RAIN ON THEM WITH NO STOP, LINING THE CITY WITH RIVERS OF BLOOD! IT IS OUR BIRTHRIGHT, WE TAKE WHAT WE WANT AND KILL ANY WHO STAND IN OUR WAY! NEO DOMINO, SATELLITE, THE ENTIRE WORLD IS OURS FOR THE TAKING!"
The creatures roared in unison, haunting in its strength. Daliah watched from behind him, her long, black hair flowing in the wind.
"Isn't it beautiful, Ashe?" she spoke, her gaze actually loving. "How soon we are to accomplish what we set out to do?"
Ashe, still in his head-to-toe cloak, was hard at work sketching Kiryu in all his grandeur, "Oh! You so rarely find something so magnificent to draw inspiration from. Lord Kiryu, you are death itself, the harbinger of the long-promised chaos we have dreamt of!"
"Chaos, I will bring that and more to the wretched place that I have despised since I was born," Kiryu grinned ear to ear. "I will topple it, all of it...but first, I will deal with the ones who turned on me in the first place, the ones who pretended that sweet lie of 'friendship'...Jack...Crow...but I will start by killing him, YUSEI FUDO! I WILL TURN HIM INTO THE NOTHING THAT HE IS!"
Yet another chapter done! Hurray! I thought I would never get to this point after this long. Thank you all for staying with me through it. I cannot say that enough. So, we got introduced to 2 new characters, only for them to die seconds later. But no worries, it is not the last we have heard from Scott and Danny, along with their fallen company. We will see them again, and explain what they were doing spying on Kiryu.
Please review, because it is like fuel for me.
Preview: The school is shocked by the deaths of Scott and his group, but the Guardians have only one thing on their minds: Revenge in the name of Justice.
