Chapter 10: Fear of Overwhelmed Love
Early evening. Alexis exited the Academy to head to her dorm. She missed the battle between Jaden and Bastion borrowing Ash's Pokémon, Chimchar and Buizel. "Another day, another lesson," she muttered. "Too bad I had miss out on watching the battle. I would've liked to see something new than watching duels every time." As she reached the blue-roofed dormitory, she heard commotion within. The random yelling from inside irked curiosity from the blond elite. "Pretty loud in there." Rather than entering, she walked away from the dorm. "I'll go see how Ash is doing." Unbeknown to her, Ash and Pikachu were being held captive by other Obelisk Blue girls. He started to come around after his fall in a pit, and those who dug the trap stood in front of the tied-up trainer.
"What… is…" he groaned from the stirring.
"He's awake!" someone shouted. Coming around slowly, he found himself surrounded by the white uniforms with the blue skirts, shoulders and shoes: Obelisk Blue.
"Evening, our little heartthrob," Jasmine teased. "Sorry to do this but we feel you deserve better than living with Slifer Red."
"Besides, we've begged and pleaded Crowler to have you nearby in the boys' dorm," Mindy added. "But if anything, we can take you and Pikachu as a consolation." One of the other girls hoisted Pikachu up, wearing a smaller uniform of the girls' Obelisk Blue, skirt included. His face had lipstick marks all over. He seemed exhausted.
("Too good to be true...") he squeaked.
"Never seen a mouse actually look good in this," the girl holding Pikachu giggled. Ash cringed at seeing his best friend be turned to a dress-up doll.
"And besides, Alexis shouldn't be the only one having fun with you," Jasmine pointed out as she straddled Ash's lap like a saddle on a horse. However, Mindy put her hand on Jasmine's shoulder.
"Let me go first," she offered. Jasmine leaned back as Ash's eyes lit up. They would grow as Mindy laid a deep kiss to his lips. Pikachu squeaked in fear, protesting his master getting their "love" from the girls. Mindy broke away as she tapped Jasmine's shoulder.
"Nothing against you." Jasmine wrapped her arms around Ash's head, her legs around his hips and the chair before sealing a kiss of her own. Pikachu wanted to help, but he didn't want to hurt the girls who wanted to submit their expressions to him and his master. Jasmine's lips separated from Ash's before she dismounted. "Okay, who's next?" The score of girls made Ash sweat when they all cheered to volunteer their hearts to him.
"I'm gonna need a heavy dose of lip balm by the time this is over," he muttered. As the girls closed in, Alexis arrived at the Slifer Red dorm where Jaden, Bastion, Syrus, Buizel and Chimchar seemed lost.
"Sorry I missed out!" she apologized. "So what's… going on…?" A new face seemed to spark some hope.
"Alexis?" noticed Bastion.
"What happened to you guys?"
"Have you seen Ash?" asked Jaden. "We haven't seen him since our battle after Pikachu disappeared." Alexis blinked to the question.
"Can't say I have," she replied. This worried Ash's Pokémon. "With all the noise around the girls' dormitory, I couldn't find myself concentrating inside." That's when a thought ran through Alexis' mind. "Hold on… Ever since Ash came to Duel Academy, those girls couldn't stay away from him!" Suddenly, the boys began to realize a connection to the missing trainer and the ruckus at the girls' dormitory.
"Are you saying Ash is being held captive in the girls' house?" Chimchar and Buizel grew more worried about their friend's safety.
"I could imagine Jasmine and Mindy but this is a bit far," Syrus gulped.
"The only thing that could be worse is if they treat Ash like a sex slave," Alexis pictured. "Let's go and see if he's there!" The boys agreed to helping Alexis in saving their new friend. Half an hour later, the boys and Alexis found the girls' dormitory. Seeing Alexis and the boys near the dorm, Jasmine came out to meet her dorm-mate.
"Hey, Alexis!" she greeted. "I was wondering where you ran to. Though, why did you bring Jades over?" Alexis' face wasn't one to play around. Her suspicion landed on her.
"Come on, Jasmine. Where is he?" Jasmine huffed a sigh, practically convicting herself for her plans on Ash.
"If anyone knew the ordeal, it'd be you. Couldn't go a day without your boyfriend, right?" Alexis gawked at her accusation on her relationship with the trainer.
"What are you implying?"
"You can't hide your feelings. Everyday, it's you and Ash, even when you two dueled." Alexis felt cornered about the ordeal. Jaden felt the discussion had gone long enough.
"Look, just let Ash out of your dorm!" he ordered. "That's all we want!" Mindy finally emerged, a Duel Disk on her arm.
"If it isn't the other Slifer Superstar..." she mocked. "And I did hear the talk from inside. If you want Ash out of this dorm… you'll have to duel us!" Jaden flashed a smile to the girls, willing to go with the idea.
"Seriously..." moaned Alexis as she palmed her forehead. "What happened to our friendship? Or was a boy that much to turn your back?" Jaden pulled out his Duel Disk, ready for another battle.
"Who cares!" he cheered. "If all you want is a duel, get your game on!" Alexis jumped at Jaden's will to perform a duel.
"Jaden!" The brunette reeled Alexis' head near his.
"It's alright. Besides, Bastion's got Chimchar and Buizel ready to spring Ash out of there while we're distracting them." Alexis seemed mentally worn with Jaden's sudden plan.
"I swear, it's like you and Ash are brothers in a bad reunion." Another girl brought Duel Disks for Jasmine and Alexis to put on as the girls took a break from giving Ash kisses. Once dressed, the Duel Disks adjusted for the duel. Once the decks entered the slots, the counters lit up with 4000 on display.
"It's been awhile since I've had a tag duel!" sneered Jasmine. "Mindy and I against our friend and the HERO duelist." Jesse and the Pokémon waited for the duel to start. They didn't have to wait long.
"Let's duel!" they shouted together. As the four drew cards, Bastion knelt back down to Buizel and Chimchar.
"Alright, eyes are focused on the duel," he whispered. "Go in and find Ash. If you need to use any abilities, do so." The Pokémon nodded before galloping in. Getting in the Obelisk Blue Girls' dormitory was easy. Finding Ash and Pikachu was another story. The stairs in the middle of the foyer leading to the second floor gave Buizel an idea.
("Take the upper floor!") it suggested. ("I'll scope out down here.")
("Gotcha!") the chimpanzee agreed before climbing the staircase. Buizel sniffed around the lower level, trying to pick up a scent. Chimchar noticed two open doors after climbing, one of them having a girl on guard. It hid behind a plant and pot as the girl passed by. Entering one room, he found Pikachu, still covered in lipstick and wearing the uniform. Pikachu stirred at the creaking of the door's hinges as he sat on the desk.
("Chimchar!") he squeaked in surprise.
("What happened?")
("Well, we've been kidnapped by the girls and after kissing me a few times, watched Ash get kissed by every girl in this house. It was a nightmare to watch, let alone experience.")
("I can imagine. Let me get these off.") Chimchar scratched the rope, breaking it to free Pikachu before helping him remove the uniform. Pikachu felt free from the rope and the clothing.
("Thanks. Ash is next door.") Chimchar bobbed its head just as Buizel sneaked in the same room.
("What the heck happened to you, man?") he chattered. Pikachu wiped as much lipstick from his face before meeting with Buizel.
("Nothing pretty for sure.") Chimchar agreed since seeing his face glossed over.
("Next door is guarded.") The news prompted Chimchar to grow in concern.
("That's where Ash is!") he hooted. Pikachu tilted his head down for a second.
("We'll need steam cover!") he opted. ("Your Flamethrower into Buizel's Aqua Jet charging.") Buizel and Chimchar wondered how it would work. The three huddled together for the plan. Outside the guarded room, a brunette girl kept an eye on everything while everyone else watched the tag duel. The Pokémon spotted the lone girl, rubbing her lips playfully. No question she took part in the marathon of kisses. Pikachu bobbed a nod to execute the plan. Buizel summoned a torrent of water to cocoon itself. That's when Chimchar breathed a stream of fire and nailed the water, thick clouds of steam billowing from the combination. The girl turned to see the steam coming her direction. She began to freak out.
"Fire!" she yelled before stepping on a stick of lip balm. She tripped over and fell on her back hard, knocking her out. The Pokémon came over to see her, the door now without someone guarding it.
("Guess that works, too!") Buizel shrugged. Opening the door, they found an exhausted Ash in worse shape than Pikachu. His face and chest had lipstick marks, his undershirt ripped to shreds and his breathing a little hard.
("Ash!") hooted Chimchar. Seeing his Pokémon, Ash felt he received help.
"Pikachu, Chimchar, Buizel," he weakly praised. Chimchar began working the rope to free his master.
("Man, and I thought Pikachu got it bad.")
"I'll be fine for the most part." Chimchar used his flaming tail to burn the rope to free Ash, now able to stand. "Let's get going." Ash let the way out before Chimchar pointed to the entrance. As they exited, Bastion waived them over to regroup and see the end of a lopsided tag duel. Jaden's Life Points at 3500 and Alexis' at 3350 led Jasmine's score at 400 and Mindy's at 550. Jaden had one monster on the field being a man in a white spandex suit with the eyes sticking out and a blade protruding from the crown. It also had blades that were attached to his arms. He also had a blue sphere in its chest. Its Attack stood at an impressive 2500 and Defense at a not-too-shabby 2000. Joining it was Cyber Prima, Alexis' monster with her attack at 2300. From their opponents was a half-blond man/half-horse holding an ax. Its Attack wasn't as impressive, only 1300. The other monster seen was a warrior with a weird beige head with antennae coming out of his hat which had goggles over a knit cap, a shield with its face on and a broad sword. He also wore maroon clothing. Its attack was even worse, only 500. Alexis had the next move.
"Cyber Prima, take out Swordsman of Landstar!" she ordered. Cyber Prima raced in to deliver a bash to the swordsman, making it crumble. Mindy cried out as her Life Points emptied to zero. One more monster and Alexis seemed eager to end the tag duel. "Let's end this Elemental HERO Neos… Take out Mystic Horseman!" The white being came at the horseman and cleaved the creature apart. Jasmine's stare of fear watched her monster become mince meat and her Life Points fall to zero as well. The duel ended.
"And that's game!" cheered Jaden. Jasmine and Mindy fell to their knees in defeat. Alexis stepped up to her dorm-mates with her ultimatum.
"Now, you'll release Ash at once," she demanded. "Otherwise, I can report you to the Chancellor about your conduct detrimental to Academy grounds." Having lost the tag duel, Jasmine and Mindy surrendered.
"Fine, take him..." murmured Mindy. Jaden turned to Bastion, a thumb up to tell him the mission was a success. Ash carried his Slifer Red jacket on his back.
"Well, that was a little fun," sounded a displeased Jaden as he started to walk away. Alexis had one more item to address.
"I'll be staying with Slifer Red tonight to make sure you don't pull anymore shenanigans," she warned before joining the boys back to the other dorm. While watching their friend, perhaps their friendship walk, a sly smile formed on Jasmine's face.
"Well, at least we had fun," she complimented on the execution of their plan. Alexis, the boys and the Pokémon made their stroll back. The incident brought back a memory from sometime ago.
"Remember when you had to rescue Syrus from those girls?" recalled Bastion.
"Yeah!" snapped Jaden. "At the time, Alexis was my opponent. It's actually nice to have her as a teammate instead. Though, I wished we knew about Ash's dilemma sooner." Winged Kuriboh emerged to see Jaden's doubting face. The coo had Jaden see his Duel Spirit. "You worried about Ash as well?" Winged Kuriboh nodded. "If you want, you can go check on him." Agreeing, Winged Kuriboh left to see Ash as he appeared drained. His Pokémon grew concerned about their master who endured a lot over the day from the test to the Pokémon Battle to the girls' trap to the many, many kisses. Alexis saw the hurt body that was the trainer.
"Ash, I can't say how sorry I am about what the other girls did to you," she apologized. "Even you didn't deserve their 'love' like that." Ash walked forward a little before turning to Alexis, his pride in pain.
"Let's get it over with!" he mulled. "I-I just… I-It doesn't really matter now! You're the only Obelisk girl left! Everyone else had a piece of me!" Alexis felt taken aback, the invite seemed too surreal to pass. His time with Alexis' dorm-mates altered his perspective to how he's been treated since the waterspout threw him onto Duel Academy. Hearing the commotion from the Slifer Red room, Chazz opened his window and saw figures too far to see. He grabbed binoculars and viewed Ash, his back facing him, and Alexis.
"Not again!" he growled. "Get away, Alexis!" Not able to hear Chazz, Alexis approached, her hand in a pocket in her uniform.
"Always on hand..." she muttered as she pulled out an individual pouch which held some moist towelettes. She tore open the packet, pulled the towelette out and applied it to Ash's face. She began to clean the lipstick, astonishing the trainer as Pikachu perched himself on Ash's head. Looking, he saw Alexis' smile. "Don't get the wrong idea. I like you a lot but I'm not stooping to Mindy's or Jasmine's levels." A tear fell from Ash's face. Alexis noticed the fear from everyone from her dorm affecting him.
"I'm sorry…"
"Don't be. You don't get a lot of love back home." Ash's face free of gloss and lipstick, she cleaned Pikachu's face which didn't take long. "Oh well… I got more on me if needed. Anyway, let me give you this instead." Alexis wrapped her arms around Ash, hugging him softly. Ash felt her hug, noting her gentleness and comfort and how it differed to the other girls. Chazz roared in anger, furious about Ash accepting the hug while not realizing his exhaustion.
"That tears it!" he shouted as he stormed out of the dorm room, only to be met by Jaden and Jesse.
"Hold on, Chazz!" snapped Bastion.
"No, he needs to get away from Alexis this instant!" Chazz started to sprint but Bastion and Jaden held him down. The yelling brought Hassleberry, Jesse and Syrus out of the bedrooms.
"Leave Ash alone! He's in a ton of pain!"
"You want off this island by expulsion?" warned Jaden. Chazz pushed but was soon held down by the two wanting peace.
"Listen, if you attack him now, Alexis will want you removed from her life and you can't win like that! She hates cowards!" Hearing the threat, Chazz relented.
"Okay, fine, I'll stop!" he yelled but soon relapsed as he saw Alexis' head leaning to Ash and Pikachu's ears pop up. "Let me at him! Let me at him!" The two did their best to restrain Chazz as Ash and Alexis made the rest of the journey. Winged Kuriboh came to Ash, a coo in concern. Ash nodded, easing fears to the Duel Spirit. Upon reaching the dorm, Alexis watched Chazz's struggle.
"I take it you don't like me giving Pikachu some love?" she teased. Chazz stopped once more at the news.
"The- The rat?" Pikachu angrily squeaked, offended by the reference. Eased, Chazz risen after Jaden and Jesse removed themselves. "I'm fine if it's Pikachu or any of Ketchum's creatures. Just as long as it's not him." Standing up, he viewed Ash's wrecked clothing. "Man, you've been through a lot." Ash sighed to the obvious.
"I think Sy has a few extra undershirts he can give Ash," Jaden referred. Syrus heard Jaden's suggestion, believing him.
"Let me comb through what I have," he offered. Ash nodded before Jesse helped him to his dorm to relax.
"Anyway, I told those who practically raped Ash that I'll be here tonight to make sure no more shenanigans go bump in the night," Alexis relayed. Chazz gawked at her announcement.
"You're staying?" he repeated. "Well, I guess it's good to have you around. About time a real woman stayed in Slifer Red, not some runt like Blair."
"Sorry, Princeton. I'll be bunking with Jaden." Chazz balked, stumbling over slightly. In Ash's room, Hiita, Winged Kuriboh and Dark Magician Girl shared their words of encouragement for their trainer/duelist. His Pokémon, including Gligar, Turtwig and Staravia, aided in comforting their master. Dark Magician Girl sat by Ash, petting his bare back while Hiita patted his head.
"Just focus on what's ahead," she recommended.
"Besides, we're here to help with what you need," Dark Magician Girl promised.
"Thanks, you guys," Ash praised. Dark Magician Girl sneaked in a kiss to the cheek as she offered two soft slaps to his back. The Pokémon yawned. They're tired and so was Ash. Winged Kuriboh left to reunite with Jaden and the other Duel Spirits vanished. In the dining hall, news of the incident troubled those of Ra Yellow.
"I would argue that Syrus had it bad but know what Ash endured," Bastion shuttered.
"I know," Alexis agreed to Bastion's unsaid finish. "The right thing to do is report to Chancellor Sheppard… but I don't want to hurt the friendship I have with Jasmine and Mindy." Even though what her friends did was rather cruel, the last thing she wanted was the end of their friendship.
"Well, we all know how close you and Ash have been," Jaden pointed out. "We have no problem having you with us if you need to."
"How many times do I have to-"
"We know, we know. I think I understand what your relationship is. Trust us." Jaden did sound trustworthy. She wanted to put her trust in him.
"Thanks..." The group soon turned in for the night. Everyone slept, Ash more soundly. He fell asleep after the encouragement from his Duel Spirits. His exhaustion also had him forget to lock the door to his dorm room. That door creaked open where someone or something entered, eyes partially opened but not focused. The person reached the bed and without hesitation, leaned in to kiss Ash on the lips, much softer than Mindy or Jasmine earlier. The person dug the legs in the blankets, wrapped an arm around Ash and closed eyes. None of the Pokémon heard a creak, but Dark Magician Girl came out to see the sudden ruckus. Viewing the new sleeping partner made the blond giggle, wondering how Ash would react to who he's sleeping with. She vanished without a word said. While one… or two or several are sleeping in peace, one isn't so fortunate. He may be going through a nightmare.
TO BE CONTINUED...