Author's note: I'd like to add a disclaimer to this chapter. I do not own yugioh gx or any of the characters sadly. I just own my own characters. (Wolverine, Amber, and Ally) I do not own the song I put in this chapter. I don't so don't get pissed off that I added it in.
Chapter 14
After the graduation ceremony had ended, Slade watched his ex-girlfriend present the animals to the newly graduated students. He was thoroughly disgusted of watching Atticus getting excited over some cat. Cats are meant for females he thought cynically. He watched Ally's twin play with the small fluffy white puppy. He began to wonder if he should have gotten Chazz a graduation gift. He spotted his youngest brother from the corner of his eye and walked over to his eighteen year old sibling who was celebrating with his girlfriend.
"Congratulations, Chazz," said Slade curtly which made the young man pull Mindy closer to his body. He really does hate me thought the eldest Princeton I don't blame him anymore. He pulled out his large course hand to shake Chazz's smaller one.
"Thank you," coldly replied Chazz Princeton with a smirk. Amber must have gotten to him already he observed. He wondered if his girlfriend also noticed his brother's strange behavior. Although Mindy didn't know Slade very well, Chazz had told her stories and she had seen him at the school.
"I hope you use your education wisely," Slade said with criticism echoing within his tone. He was soon joined by Jagger at his side as usual. The eldest brother looked over at the politician and frowned.
"Where have you been?" growled the business man at his younger brother. Chazz raised an eyebrow at Jagger in curiosity of his response. Mindy asked herself what is going on here? Why is there so much tension?
"What is going on, Chazzy?" inquired Mindy in a hushed voice. She blushed as Chazz looked down in her kind brown eyes. She felt his hand take hers and he, being much taller than she, bent closer to her.
"Slade is a bit possessive over this one girl, his ex to be exact, and Jagger used to date her after they broke up, but it didn't last very long. Sadly, Slade doesn't want them to be together, because he's an asshole," Chazz whispered the explanation. He thought it's a sad truth to be honest. He looked at his sisters who were staring at one another.
"I was congratulating Atticus, Alexis, and the valedictorian. Chazz, congratulations as well," replied Jagger coolly. He didn't understand why he should have to explain himself to his brother, but it was better than having Slade yell at him.
"That reminds me," exclaimed an ecstatic Mindy, "Atticus is going to perform a song with Ally since Alexis won't do it, and Jasmine can't sing worth crap. Jasmine's going to play guitar though. Chazzy wazzy, are you going to watch it with me?" Slade and Jagger snickered at the female. Chazz, who hated anyone messing with his girlfriend, punched both of them in the stomach.
"Assholes," the spiky black haired Princeton muttered. He looked over at Mindy, "but Atticus sings as bad as Jaden does. I know you've heard that before." Slade and Jagger look at each other and shrug. They wouldn't know what the Slifer sounded like when he sang.
"No, Atticus actually doesn't," Mindy protested, "He's pretty good actually. He has the boy band sound. You just never heard him after he got voice lessons." She gave her boyfriend puppy dog eyes that he couldn't refuse.
"Whatever," Chazz replied then being dragged over to the stage set up for the performance.
"Should we go check it out?" asked Jagger, "I'm curious to how this sounds." He actually wanted to see how this was going to turn out. The whole student body seemed to be excited about the Rhodes's performance.
"We might as well," grumbled the unwilling Slade. They went over to the stage set up at the beach. They felt so out of place in their business suits. They stood in the back.
Atticus's voice roared, "Are you all ready for this?" He earned a scream from all the fan girls and the boys who were just there to see how well the king of cool actually sang. "Good," said Atticus, "I'd like to introduce our guitarist, Jasmine; my sister and my other singer, Ally; our drummer, Jaden Yuki; and our pianist, Bastion Misawa!" A deafening cheer surged through the audience. Atticus looked at his sister and thought this should help you, sis.
Atticus began his sweet melody as the instrumentalists started playing the song.
Slade knew this song all too well. When, he and Amber broke up, it was played constantly on the radio.
I'm
not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But
I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And
so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
Slade felt his heart race. He knew he never meant to hurt Amber in the past, but he did. For his attempt to control the world, he was hated by many people. He realized that he learned more about how hard Amber had taken the breakup, and that it affected her more strongly than it did to him. Then Ally joined Atticus to sign the chorus.
I've
found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to
start over new
and the reason is you
Slade sighed. Sadly, his only purpose was to take down his beloved. He wondered what was wrong with him. He thought I should start over. I should try to be a better person. Why did he want so badly for her to be with him? Why were there so many memories that he could never seem to forget?
"This is
pretty good," said Jagger only deserving a nod from the entranced
Slade as Ally started her solo. I'm sorry that I hurt
you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I
put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the
one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear
Slade looked over at Amber who had tears forming in her eyes. He thought I wonder if she is also affected strongly by this song. That seemed to make perfect sense because he now knew how much she didn't want to break up with him. Maybe, she knew about his pain as much as he was aware of his. Slade wanted to go over to the crying Amber and comfort her, but it wasn't in his place to do so. He heard the young male Rhodes accompany his sister.
I've
found a reason for me I'm
not a perfect person I've
found a reason for me I've found a reason to
show
To change who I used to be
A reason to
start over new
and the reason is You x4
I never meant to do those things to you
And
so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
To change who I used to be
A reason to
start over new
and the reason is you
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I
do
And the reason is you
It then became clear to Slade that he needed to change his ways. He glanced at the cheering eldest sister of Atticus and Ally. It really was my entire fault he thought, but then Slade smiled as he remembered something sweet that the concert had invoked within him. It was one of his fondest recollections that he could muster. It was one that he would never forget.
Flashback
"Wow, that concert was amazing, wasn't it?" exclaimed Amber as she and Slade left after an U2 concert. "I mean, they are so talented, and their voices aren't horrible live like some of other musical artists are." She looked over at her best friend who just laughed.
"Yeah, whatever Amber," replied Slade, "but I should expect that from a crazed fan girl." She punched his arm lightly and shook her head.
Amber retorted, "Oh, and you sing so much better. They make a statement, Slade. If you didn't like them, you shouldn't have come." She turned her head away from his direction making him wonder what he was supposed to do next.
"I never said I didn't like them. I just said you were obsessed," replied Slade casually as he turned her around to face his broad body. She frowned making the twenty-year old Slade smiled.
"I am not," she
said angrily as she looked up at the young man with stubble on his
face.
"You know, you're actually cute when you're angry," he said pulling her close as a group of people came almost trampling her. She was blushing fiercely.
"What do you mean?" she asked as she was led outside into the snowy weather. She shivered wishing she had on a heavier coat. Slade took off his jacket and handed it to Amber.
"Thanks, but won't you get cold?" asked Amber as Slade brushed snowflakes out of her hair. He kissed her lightly on the lips because he felt as if he didn't do it then; he never would get another chance.
"I'll live," he said with a smirk as she grabbed his arm to be led to the car through the crowded streets. She looked up at her best friend who just kissed her.
"Why did you do that?" she finally asked once they reached his car. He unlocked the doors and started the ignition and heat.
"Well, I like you a lot," he replied, "and I figured it was perfect timing. Besides, if I didn't do it then, I never would. I hope you…" He was cut off by her lips against his. He kissed back and held her close.
"I like you too," she replied, "where does this leave us though?" She saw a wide smile form on his face.
"Wherever you want," he responded softly as he put the car in reverse, "You tell me." He saw her giggly from pleasure.
"Let's be more than friends," she replied after much consideration.
"I'd be honored," Slade replied.
End of Flashback
Slade knew then as he looked at Amber once more that he couldn't dominate earth. He lost his family and his most loved person. He knew that he had a world to conquer and save and that world belonged to Amber Grace Rhodes.
Mew Kazurinu: I figured that Slade was probably a good guy at one part of his life. I do not own the song "The Reason" it's by Hoobastank not me. I hope you enjoyed the long chapter.