Sorry for the long-awaited update, everyone. I must also apologise to fans of Believe for waiting so long as well for the next chapter there too; I am going to get there, promise. So, without further delay, here is Chapter 9 of Yu-Gi-Oh GX: Sleeping Beauty.
Chapter 9- False Revelations
The trip to the cottage was filed with much discussion. Atticus was bombarded with questions about how great and romantic his new attempts at songwriting were and that his agent must be one of the most stupid people on the planet. Zane, the quietest person involved, treaded along without a word with Syrus gushing by his side about going to meet Mana again. Aster had his phone to his ear, talking to a spokesperson at Kaiba Corp about the possibility of his participating in the next big-time tournament as it came very close to his already scheduled world tour.
Behind them, Bastion, Hassleberry and Axel were talking animatedly with Jim about him being an Angry Anderson fan. Ignoring the four, Jesse focused his attention to a silently crying Blair walking next to him. He had known for some time that she had a big crush on Jaden and was hoping that it would be reciprocated, but he also had known who Jaden had his heart set on and figured that that was just going to lead to heartbreak for Blair. He tried to think of some words to say to her.
"Blair?"
Already knowing that he was going to try to comfort her, Blair replied, "It's okay, Jess. I guessed that I never had a chance for a while. I'll be fine."
Jesse still regarded her with a concerned look. "If you're sure?"
"I am."
At the very back of the group, Jaden and Alexis walked hand in hand, their eyes turned to one another with the thoughts of the dance and of the kiss lingering on their minds. This was how they had been since parting from the kiss, since leaving the forest clearing with the others. The burdening weight of keeping their feelings quiet had been lifted from their shoulders and was replaced with an airy fulfilment of joy deep within their being. Everything that had happened up until then; protecting the keys to the Sacred Beast cards, facing the Shadow Riders, Jaden disappearing after losing his duel with Aster, the Society of Light coming to Academy Island, Alexis getting brainwashed and converted into the Society's ranks, and Jaden having to fight her and the Society, they were all far behind them now. Instead they were looking ahead to the immediate future, wondering and imagining what things could come about from the new change in their relationship. Whether those things involved peace or danger, all that either of them wanted was to be by the other's side through them.
:*:
The cottage came within sight of the gang. Atticus snuck a quiet look back at Jaden and Alexis. The two young lovebirds, as he was beginning to like to call them, were still stuck staring into each other's eyes as they somehow managed to keep to the path. A wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and he turned his head forward to face all of the people waiting for them. His foster parents, Sheppard and Dorothy stood side by side between the two large picnic tables, one of which held the party food and two humongous cakes while the other was withstanding the weight of all the birthday presents piled onto it. Doctor Crowler to their right was leaning against the front of the house with both arms crossed over his chest, acting as if they were running late for a lesson rather than a party. Professor Bonaparte and his son Marcel were sitting calmly at the food table. Sartyr was adding some finishing touches to the foods he himself had contributed to the celebration. Fonda stood away from the group; she appeared to cast nervous glances towards an only recently arrived Sartorius, who was also staring back at her at times in the same manner. The instinct to matchmake triggered in Atticus' mind, but he put it away for later planning as he noticed with dislike the presence of two people he was not expecting to be there. Professors Stein and Viper kept at the back of the crowd, intentionally glaring the fact that they didn't want to be there.
And then last, Mana was standing in front of everything, obviously hoping to initiate the surprise welcome to the birthday duo.
Well, Atticus thought with a mental shrug, who was he to disappoint?
Giving a signal to the others, Atticus led Mindy and Jasmine to veer off to the left. Zane caught the signal and turned to the right. Syrus, suddenly realising where they were, followed his brother. Aster smiled at the shorter boy snapping back to reality and strolled off in Atticus' direction. Bastion and Axel parted from Hassleberry and Jim, turning off to the right while they went left. Jesse and Blair separated in the same fashion.
Leaving Jaden and Alexis' path very much clear.
The two stopped for a moment, knowing in that instant that there was noone walking ahead of them. They raised their eyes away from one another and turned towards the cottage. There, their gazes widened as they took in all of the sight that was before them.
Mana, who had been keeping her eyes on the two of them since the gang's arrival, replied to their reaction with a beaming smile and threw her arms up.
"Happy birthday!" she crowed.
"Happy birthday, Jaden and Alexis!" everyone else declared in unison.
Jaden and Alexis glanced back to each other in confusion, asking quietly if the other one knew if this had been going on. When the answer of no was exchanged, the confusion fell away and they met their friends and teachers with a bright grin.
:*:
Dorothy, Mana and Fonda all agreed about halfway through the celebration that the party was a fantastic success all around. All of the food prepared between Dorothy and Sartyr was devoured by the ravenous appetites of many of the boys. Atticus was requested by Mindy and Jasmine to perform love songs so everyone could get into a dancing mood. Jaden was the first to, asking Alexis to dance with him before Atticus had even played for a full minute. Next, Syrus shyly asked Mana if she wanted to dance with him; she accepted, shrugging her shoulders at her two fellow spirits. Misinterpreting it as a challenge, Fonda rose up and dragged Sartorius away from the table to dance with her. Dorothy simply smiled and offered her hand to Sheppard. As Atticus' music progressed, other pairs joined those who were already dancing. Aster and Jasmine. Jesse and Mindy. Marcel and Blair.
Finally the music wound down and all thoughts were turned to gifting the birthday boy and girl their presents. Syrus, Zane and Hassleberry went first.
"We all chipped in on these," Syrus mentioned as he handed a card each to Jaden and Alexis.
Jaden turned his over. "Elemental Fusion! Whoa!"
"Command Knight," Alexis exclaimed in equal feeling. "I've been trying to get this one for a while."
The three boys all grinned and made way for the next person. Crowler stepped forward and gave Jaden a homework pass and Alexis the 'Soul of Purity and Light' monster card.
"That pass is one-use only," he warned Jaden. "Don't waste it."
Bastion came after him, handing over a pair of the latest model of the Duel Academy Personal Messengers. Professor Sartyr's gifts were two free copies of his newly published cookbook. Bonaparte's were another homework pass for Jaden and a collection of spell and trap cards for Alexis. Mindy, Jasmine and Atticus followed presenting Alexis with a necklace bearing small onyx stones coloured red, yellow and blue. The thing they had for Jaden though - - - -
"It feels like a book," he thought out loud as he surveyed the package.
Alexis swiftly glanced at her brother and two dormmates. "It had better not be one with love tips," she said sternly.
The threesome gave out a nervous chuckle and backed away. Jaden unwrapped the present. Sure enough, it was exactly what Alexis had guessed.
Marcel and Blair took their turn. Like Syrus, Zane and Hassleberry, they each gave Jaden and Alexis a single Duel Monsters card, the trap card Heroic Surge for Jaden and the monster card Warrior Lady of the Wasteland for Alexis.
Jim and Axel's presents were both books on duelling strategies. Jaden and Alexis gave them a hard look and asked why they would need that.
"That's what I said," Jim nodded, "but Axel reckons you need to harden your skills and strategise better."
Axel snorted in answer as the two moved to let Jesse in. The teal-haired Crystal Beast duellist handed Jaden a single card while he gave Alexis a duelling pack.
"The Cyber Princess cards. Thanks Jess," Alexis replied.
"Wow! Elemental Hero Neos Brutus!" Jaden exclaimed. "There's only ten of these!"
Jesse winked back. "Pegasus thought you could use one of them, so he sold that one to me at half price."
Behind Jesse, Aster looked both curiously and somewhat enviously at the card. "What's the full price for it?"
Jesse turned back to him and whispered the answer in his ear. Jaden swore he saw the pro duellist turning pale. Whether he was or not, Aster quickly recovered and stepped in to hand his presents over. To Jaden, he gave a pack of Elemental Heroes cards while he put a single card in Alexis' hands. He winked slyly at her.
"Jesse isn't the only one who has pull with Pegasus."
Alexis looked at the card, and her eyes widened. "C - Cyber Angel Vishnu!"
"What?" Jaden cried childishly. "That's got an ability to destroy Fusion monsters! What are you trying to do, Aster?"
Aster shrugged nonchalantly. "I thought that Alexis might like to beat you for a change."
Alexis smiled a little. "That would be nice."
Everyone, even Jaden, laughed. Then Mana handed an envelope to Jaden, and glanced mysteriously at Alexis.
"That doesn't mean it'd going to be easy for you," she said.
Jaden opened the envelope and tugged out the two cards it held. He looked up amazingly at Mana.
"Really?"
"Yep. Dorothy pulled some strings of her own."
"But, these are the rarest Equip spell cards ever," Jaden stammered.
"And all yours. Alexis, your present is waiting inside," Mana said, winking a hint in her eye.
Alexis looked back at her questioningly, then she caught similar glances from Dorothy and Fonda to go on. She got up and headed inside the cottage while everyone else gathered around Jaden to see just what his newest Equip spells were.
Alexis did not to go any farther than the main room for her present. Gasping out in surprise, she approached Dorothy's sewing table. There, laid out waiting for her on the smooth timber surface, was a gorgeous ornately-designed sky blue dress. Gingerly, she stretched out her hand to stroke the material; it was a beautiful cut of satin, but under the touch of her fingertips, it felt like it was actually made from real silk. She moved her other hand to pick it up.
"It's a nice dress."
Alexis dropped the dress back onto the table and she turned to face the owner of the voice that had spoken.
"Chazz?"
From the back corner of the room where he had been standing watching her, Chazz moved out of the shadows.
"Hey, Alexis."
"I thought you had gone home."
Chazz smirked. "I was. I got about halfway, but then I remembered the gang had been planning a birthday bash for you and Jaden. Turns out I didn't want to miss it."
"Huh. Thanks," Alexis smiled. "But why didn't you join us and the others outside?"
"Your aunts," he answered with a shrug. "I get the feeling they still don't like me."
Alexis contemplated his response. It was true that for some reason her aunt had always been extremely cautious wherever Chazz was concerned, especially when they found out he had a crush on her. But dislike? There was no way they could dislike him. Chazz had proven himself time and again.
"That's not true," she spoke. "They know that you're a good person."
"It doesn't matter whether I'm good or not," Chazz stated.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing," he replied, shaking his head. Then he turned to face her again. "So, you and Jaden, huh?"
"How did - - -
"Saw you two dancing. Neither one of you took your eyes off the other."
"Oh," Alexis said guiltily.
Chazz's ears flicked to attention the moment he heard and recognised the guilt. It was time to strike. He adapted his voice to a more comforting tone.
"Don't worry. It's fine," he said. "At least it's Jaden. For all I know, it could have been someone worse."
He stepped closer towards her.
"I'm just hoping the rumour's false."
Alexis looked at him, her curiosity overriding her guilt. "What rumour?"
"That," Chazz answered slowly, "That you're the missing Kaiba girl."
"What?" Alexis stammered, remembering having heard the old story of Mokuba and Rebecca Kaiba's infant daughter disappearing years ago many times over from Mindy and Jasmine. "That's crazy."
"Is it, Alexis? You know you're adopted but you have no idea who your parents are. Your aunts have never told you anything about them. For all you know, you could be."
Alexis considered it for a moment. Yes, she had never been told a single word about her parents, not even about whether they were alive or not. But her being the daughter of Mokuba and Rebecca Kaiba, it was still a stretch to think about for real. Chazz sensed that she was feeling doubt and pressed on. "Remember the story. At the same time the baby vanished, so too did three women often seen in the company of her parents. One of them had adopted a boy before then."
Atticus, Alexis thought.
"Even…even if what you're saying is true, and I am the Kaiba girl, I still don't see what that has to do with me and Jaden starting a relationship."
Time for the kill, Chazz thought secretly.
"It's got everything to do with it. Haven't you seen the news today?"
Alexis shook her head. Chazz went on.
"Apparently the Kaiba girl is going to be reunited with her parents this evening to celebrate her sixteenth birthday, and to meet her fiancé."
Alexis first reacted to the fact that it was the Kaiba girl's sixteenth birthday by wanting to state that it was just a coincidence, until the last part of Chazz's statement registered in her mind.
"Fi - Fiancé?" she choked.
Chazz nodded to her. "Yeah. She, you if I'm right, is going to be officially engaged to the son of Yugi and Tea Moto tonight."
Alexis wanted to shake he head in denial, but some uncertain feeling growing inside was telling her not to be ignorant of what Chazz was saying. She looked into his eyes, and she saw how serious and honest they were. That he was. Knowing that led her to the only conclusion that was left.
Everything he was saying was true.
Again she tried to deny it, not out of disbelief, but of her own personal values. All her life she had wanted to do things differently. Wanting to be recognised as a great duellist rather than being seen as the prettiest and most popular girl in the school. Not being as boy crazy like the other girls around her. And perhaps the greatest of all her wants, having the decision to make her own choices. But if Chazz was right, all of that was going to be taken away from her. Even worse, it was never hers to begin with. She was just going to reassume her old life where everything was decided for her, even on who to love. As she thought this, a very familiar face, someone who was just outside, popped into her mind.
"No. Jaden and me, we're - - -
"Not if your parents or your aunts have their way," Chazz interrupted. "Face it, Alexis. The future you want is not gonna be yours anymore. But if you still don't believe me, why don't you ask your aunts yourself?"
Alexis looked down at the floor. "I don't think I can."
There was no answer. Alexis looked back up. Chazz was nowhere to be seen. For a brief moment, she thought she had imagined the whole conversation, until Mana walked in through the front door and Chazz's accusation returned to the forefront of her mind.
"Alexis, is everything okay?" Mana asked.
Alexis rounded on her. "Am I the missing Kaiba girl?"
Mana's gentle eyes spasmed with fear. "Where did you hear a thing like that?" she exclaimed quickly.
"Chazz was just here. He told me that you're taking me back to my parents tonight so I can get engaged to a complete stranger."
She waited for the rebuttal, the one hope she had that everything she had just been told was all just a rumour. Then she grew uncertain when Mana did not answer straight away. Instead her aunt was frozen in horror, an expression of panic crossing her face.
"Chazz?" she gasped. "He was here?"
After that Mana remained silent. Alexis was about to push for an answer when Dorothy and Fonda rushed into the room.
"Mana, what is it?"
"We heard you scream."
Scream, Alexis questioned mentally. She didn't scream. What's going on?
:*:
Mana looked between Dorothy and Fonda, flashing to each of them the image of the question Alexis had just asked her and the short talk that followed. Their faces fell.
Does she know, Dorothy wondered.
It's obvious she does, Fonda argued, this is one of her favourite games. Yubel's trying to get Alexis to turn on us.
But what do we say, Mana cried. If we say nothing or lie, Alexis will find out some other way. Yubel will take advantage of that.
Well, we can't tell her the whole truth either, Fonda spoke hotly. If we reveal to her that the person Chazz told her about is Jaden, then she'll calm and Chazz will get wise and go report back to his mother.
Yes, he'll likely be waiting to talk to Alexis again, Dorothy agreed.
So, then what, Mana asked.
Tell her the truth but leave Jaden out of it, Fonda replied. It's all we can do.
But, that's brutal, Mana exclaimed in shock. It'll break her heart.
We know, Dorothy said uncomfortably. But Fonda's right. If Chazz has discovered the truth about Alexis, he cannot be allowed to know about Jaden.
:*:
The three duel spirits exited their trance and turned to their confused ward. Dorothy stepped toward her.
"Alexis, we're sorry. It's true. You are the daughter of Mokuba and Rebecca Kaiba."
Guilt swept through her, Fonda and Mana as they saw whatever hope Alexis had shatter and fall from her face.
"And we are taking you back to your family tonight."
"Where I'm," Alexis struggled to speak.
Dorothy glanced back at Fonda and Mana. Reluctantly, with tears blossoming in their eyes, they nodded to her to answer. She faced Alexis again.
"Yes."
They waited for the fallout, for Alexis to break out in rage and state that she was not going to do any of those things and they would have to drag her back to her parents themselves, but none of it came. Alexis was just standing there, as motionless as a stone. In worry, Mana transferred her spirit into Alexis' consciousness. There, she was met with a flurry of images she gradually realised were dreams.
Alexis spending day upon day together with the gang, having fun at the beach or at the Card Shack.
Duelling throughout the rest of her school years.
Graduating.
Then came the ones that involved Jaden; watching him sleep in class and finding it a little cute, getting a warm feeling inside while in the presence of his cool and confident personality or whenever he expressed how much he cared, seeing how awesomely he duelled in the arena. Other visions concerning Jaden followed, showing Mana how Alexis was imagining the relationship between her and him would progress. But the worst thing for the guilt ridden Dark Magician Girl to experience was to hear what came at the end of it all. Just a single but nonetheless devastating line of words that she knew Alexis would never say to anybody out loud except to perhaps one person.
'I can't live without him in my life.'
Mana rushed back in a hurry to her own body to give Alexis a verbal reply, but by the time she had opened her eyes and moved her mouth to speak, Alexis was already racing upstairs to her bedroom with tears pouring down her stricken face.
Dorothy and Fonda turned to her worriedly. She answered their questions sadly, "Their bond…has developed more than we thought."
:*:
Outside the cottage, out of view of the three duel spirits and the partygoers, Chazz grinned triumphantly. So he had been right. Alexis was the missing Kaiba girl. The grin changed into a smirk, as he pondered on how unhappy she now was. It made him feel good; no, satisfied, satisfied that he had gotten back at her for rejecting his advances.
And now, he thought deviously, it's time to see if I'm right about the slacker.
Ensuring again that he went unnoticed by the three spirits, Chazz slid out of hiding and strode over to the woods. A short glance behind him saw that he had gotten Jaden's attention. Smiling, he disappeared into the shadows and bided his time. A moment later, Jaden came crashing through the bushes.
"Hey Chazz," he said brightly.
"Slacker," Chazz greeted him.
"What brought you back to the island so fast?"
"I simply forgot to wish Alexis a happy birthday," Chazz shrugged.
"Okay, good, but nothing for little me?"
Chazz snorted. "Wouldn't matter if I did. You have a happy day everyday."
"Yeah, but there's something that's got to be said for birthdays, right?"
"I guess. Fine," Chazz said as his lips formed another grin. "Happy birthday, Jaden…Moto."
The characteristic grin slid off Jaden's face. His eyes burst out in fear.
"Um," he chuckled nervously. "Don't you mean Yuki?"
"Nice try, Prince of Games," Chazz remarked dryly. "I know your secret. The thing is, do your parents tell you theirs?"
"What are you talking about?" Jaden said guardedly.
"Well, given the fact your family lives at the Kaiba compound, I thought even you would know about the missing Kaiba girl."
"You mean Uncle Mokuba and Aunt Rebecca's kid?" Jaden said. "Little hard not to; they've been lonely for years since she vanished."
"Is that all you know?"
Jaden turned defensive. "Isn't it enough? I was a baby when that happened. So were you."
"True," Chazz smirked. "But unlike you, I pay attention to world events, public or private."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Jaden, like the Kaibas are getting their daughter back."
"She's been found!" Jaden started.
"In a way. Yes, her parents will be getting her back, but she will also be getting her future husband. You."
"What?!" Jaden cried.
"Yep," Chazz sneered. "The Motos and Kaibas are going to be united as a family one day as tonight you will be engaged to marry the girl."
"No," Jaden shook his head furiously. "I can't. Alexis and I - -
"I know. The two of you are dating. Aw, you're gonna break her heart, Jaden."
"No I'm not," Jaden replied firmly as he fished a phone out of his blazer pocket and dialled in a number. "Pegasus, get my private jet to Academy Island now. I need to see my parents about something."
"Oh, they want to see me as well, do they? Good."
He took a step back towards the cottage, but then turned back to the boy behind him.
"Thanks for telling me, Chazz."
Chazz waved him off. "Do what you gotta do, Jaden, but I don't think you should tell Alexis about this. At least, not until after it's settled."
"Good idea," Jaden noted.
As he watched Jaden storm off back to the party, Chazz let all the pretences of friendship fall away from him. Pleasure took hold of his every emotion as he saw his gambit play out well for him. Now not only did he know the real truth of Jaden and Alexis' identities, but he had also crafted a way that they would never know about each other and that the three spirits would not let them know before the curse's time would run out.
Smirking wickedly, he summoned up one of the spells he had learned to master through his childhood to transport himself back to the citadel. He had good news to give to his mother.
I hope that this was well worth the wait I've put you all through.
1) The cards Elemental Fusion and Heroic Surge are my own creations.
A) Elemental Fusion (Spell card) - Pay 1500 Life Points. Allows a Fusion Summon from any two Elemental Hero fusion material monsters from the deck or graveyard.
b) Heroic Surge (Trap card) - If an opposing monster targets one of your monsters for an attack, your monster gains half of the attacking monster's ATK strength until the End Phase.
2) I know Cyber Angel - Vishnu only just started appearing in Arc-V. I thought it would just be a little bit of potential fun to have it in Alexis' deck now if she ever has a duel with Jaden.