Hello all, and welcome to another chapter of Hero's Call!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Why? Cause I'm poor. Why? Ask God that, notme!
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Arc 02
Chapter 21
Physicality Problem
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Yusei Fudo, a turbo duelist, laid peacefully on his back, watching the scenary above him. What was above him, you may ask? Why, it's the night sky of course.
Each star glimmered with it's own unique glow, a magnitude that was 'out of this world'. Get it...? *Sigh*...
His eyes fixated on the spots that enlightened the bland canvas, his mind hovering over a particular thought. A thought that involved the tournament he was taking part in, or more specifically, the King of New Domino.
Jack Atlas.
Yusei's mind flinched when he entered that territory, something that he rarely thought of, but something that he had been focused on for the longest of time. One of the king's statements ran through his nerves, practically haunting him to no end.
"That card doesn't deserve an owner that needs it to pull out a 'W'."
It wasn't true though, Yusei had proven the inaccuracy of that sentence without a complete hassle. His tag duel with Konami. His first round in the Fortune Cup. Yes, it was truly settled. Since it wasn't not the card that makes the duelist, it's the duelist that makes the card.
Despite this positvity overshadowing that specific accusation, the crab-haired duelist wasn't convinced to the fullest though. What if those duels were just a small bump in a wider road? Was it honestly trials that eliminated the possibilities of Jack being right in the first place? He had beaten Officer Trudge before, and that was without Stardust Dragon as well. Granted there were two more duelists during his latest match with the big tanned man, but Konami had easily canceled the extra combatant out of the park.
Then there was that guy named... ur... Hunter? Yeah, Hunter was his name, disguised as Shira in the tournament. It was not that much of a challenge to begin with either.
So in hindsight, none of them really showcased a real spectation to force Jack's own words down his throat. It was still unclear if he could truly win without the hope of Satellite. But he was a hundred percent certain that beating Jack was the key point in honoring his dueling career once and for all. But the real question was, does he have the ability without Stardust?
It was all such a brain teaser for the calm individual, but Yusei held a level head regardless. It was only a side factor after all. He needed to stay focus, and focus he shall be until the time comes.
The finals.
"I hope you'll be ready, Jack... I'm not gonna hold back, not one bit."
-5Ds-
"It's over Jinx, I've won, and there's nothing you can do about it."
That was one of few declarations Akiza had uttered, watching the inevitable fall out in front of her. The others around the Black Rose actually believed her, whether they liked it or not, their eyes desperately wanting to recoil for safety.
But for some reason, the redhead found a face of calmness written blindly on Jinx. It confused her, and gave her the sense of insecurity she wasn't expecting to gain.
"Activate effect!" Those words bled itself in Akiza's ears, one eighty-ing her mood. "Once a direct attack is made, I can Special Summon my Battle Fader from my hand and end your Battle Phase."
"You- wait, what!?" The Rose of the Movement flinched in disbelief, a fiend object swinging it's arm for all to see, a glow of neglection repelling the power crimson blast of Black Rose Dragon, fading it into non-existence.
Battle Fader (L1- DARK- Field- A0- D0)
Jinx smirked with lidded eyes. "Don't tell me you honestly expected me to fall that easily, Dark Witch?"
"But... I had you..." She glanced down to her Duel Disk, the marker indicating her second Main Phase. "How could this be...?"
"Akiza," Jinx sighed, "You may not know this, but I actually admire you a lot."
"What?" She stared back up, still in a daze.
"I watched your violent acts all across TV. You've made a name for yourself, and regardless the one-sided accuracy of your reputation, I'm inspired by your incredible power. Your skill. Your Dragon. It's undeniably unmatchable. But..." She tucked a strand of front hair behind her ear, "You lack something. Something very important. Something that you desperately need to check up on."
"What's that?" Akiza couldn't help but ask in curiosity.
"Discipline." Jinx smirked, adjusting her spikey wristband with her right hand, "And because of that, it led you to a path of deception and arrogancy."
"And you an exception?" Her opponent shot back with a hidden glare.
"Of course not," she waved the comment astray, "well, at least not as bad as you are. And with your duel during the Fortune Cup, you left your Dragon's ability wide open. Destroying everything in it's path regardless of the obstacle's strength is quite a power. Knowing such monsters exists, I took it upon myself to recollect and construct my deck and trunk as a whole." She placed a gentle hand on her deck, forming a contented smile, "I never expected to test my recent recipes on you so early however, but as it ended up, I'm glad I reinforced the adjustments. And due to those adjustments, I was ready to counter whatever plate you would normally dish out. Granted, my knowledge of your style of dueling is limited to a measly one, but one was all I needed."
Konami stared, and felt a tug on his mind when observing Rosy's opposition. A glimpse of emotion stirred up within. An emotion of respect.
Akiza growled lowly. "Are you done mumbling the insignificant gag that is your life?"
"Yeah, pretty much." Jinx smirked confidently, revving the newly awaited card, "Now with your hand empty, and your Dragon's backup down to naught, I think I'll show you how to really end a duel! Draw!"
Turn Four- Jinx
The Black Rose grimaced, steeling herself for the worst. There was no way that imbecile could honestly take down her Ace and her in a single turn, right? Right?!
"Here comes the death of the Witch!"
"Finally, some revenge for the fallen!"
"Yeah! Have a taste of your own fuckin medicine, bitch!"
"Get ready, Dark Witch." Jinx took ahold of one of her cards, "It's time I deliver some bad luck."
Akiza eyed her confusingly, but not enough to compensate her nervousness as a whole. "What? Is that some kind of play on words referencing your name?"
"Maybe," she shrugged, "It's my to-go gift when I end duels on a sour note for my opponents. Now let's get to it." She snatched the card, inserting it swiftly inside her dueling device. "First off, I think I'll temporarily change the scenary a bit. Activate Field card, Dragon Ravine!"
Suddenly, the once noisy, circular room transformed into a, well, noisy rumbling display of mini canyons slowly rising from the surface and crowding around the two in the small yet big enough cage.
If Akiza was not anxious enough after the confident response from Jinx, then this sudden assertiveness from the Silver Girl's field card definitely took the cake. "What does it do?"
"I'm glad you ask, though I guess I would have explained either way." She took a card, and tossed it into the grave slot, "Once per turn, I can discard one card to activate one of two effects. The one I'm choosing..." Jinx grabbed the ejected card calmly, revealing the artwork to Akiza, "...is to add one Level Four or lower Dragunity monster from my deck to my hand. That monster is none other than Dux of the Dragunities! But why not rather introduce the two of you in person? Go, Dux, attack mode!"
Twirling to life, in a sun bright light reflecting the stormy temporary wind, was a humanoid creature cloaked in a white garment, flapping steadily with a determined and strong stance and ended up in front of it's smirking master.
Dragunity Dux (L4- WIND- Winged-Beast- A1500- D1000)
"And as it states, Dux gains two hundred ATK for each face-up Dragunity on the field."
Subtly glowing with strength, the beast gave off a groan of acceptance, sucking in the sudden and typical power inside it's mobilized body.
Dux's ATK: 1700(+200)
"Unfortunately for you, that's not all, cause I'm gonna activate Dux's second effect! Once per turn, I can equip one Level Three or lower Dragon-type Dragunity from my grave to him."
Dux groaned in response, a similar atmosphere sphere-ing him in a spiritual glow, an armored ghost forming above the Winged-Beast, adding shoulder blades to Dux as proof of unification.
"And since Phalanx is considered as a Dragunity monster despite it being an Equip Card as well, Dux's ATK rises once more!"
Dux's ATK: 1900(+200)
'Still not enough. But then again, she doesn't seem like she's done in the slightest.'. "Wait a second," The Rose Witch looked up and squinted in suspicion, "I do not remember destroying a creature such as Phalanx before."
"I concur," Jinx crossed her arms, "but have you already forgotten about the discarded card from my Ravine's effect?"
Realization her mistake, the redhead grimaced, having nothing to contrast with.
"Now, back to the action," The Silver Girl ousted the monster and slapped it in place, "Once per turn, while my Phalanx is this ghostly and such, I can reconvert it back to it's original form. So come back to life, my Dragon Soldier!"
Howling lowly, the once ghostly figure evaporated and condoned to a fully fledged, solidified form of itself, huffing out visible air through it's nostrils menacingly before standing up in a mighty stance, Dux's recent armor fading away.
Dragunity Phalanx (L2- WIND- Dragon- A500- D1100)
"Now it's time to bring out the big guns." Smirking smugly, Jinx witnessed realization striking the face of Akiza in an instant, like a flash of lightning. "Yep, it's time for a Synchro Summon."
The two beasts nodded in unison, shooting upward in their respective synchronizating formation.
"Two souls, one heart. Let the wind guide the innocent and undertake the wicked into a labyrinth of despair. Ignite the density and give way for the stagnant union of the paramount aggregation. Take form and strike first, Gae Bulg!"
The rings and stars ignited, signifying one whole. That one whole erupted, enlightening the texture of the Field Card, and practically blinding the eyes of defiance. Wings graced swiftly, a tail swung powerfully, the equipment it contained shone alongside it's rough but smooth scales, and honorably allowing the ground species to embrace the warmth and significance it gave off.
The dragon roared with magnitude.
Dragunity Knight- Gae Bulg (L6- WIND- Dragon- A2000- D1100)
"That's one sick dragon." Konami subconsciously muttered, eyeing the beast with growing admiration.
Akiza on the other hand was not impressed one bit. Mainly due to her position in this whole dilemma. But then noticed something. She smiled highly. "Too bad that you miscalculated. Your monster's ATK is off by four hundred points, and fifteen hundred to end it all. I guess that whole shtick about you finishing this duel was a fluke after all."
"Don't be so sure, Akiza." Jinx smiled with lidded orbs, "As you should know, most Synchro creatures have at least one effect to back up their lack or even incredible strength. And my Gae Bulg here is no exception."
The witch grimaced.
"Now, attack her Rose Dragon with your Unstoppable Force!"
"But it's not strong enough." Akiza warned, less confidantly than she wanted it to be.
"On the contrary," Jinx removed an ejected card from play, "It's all the need. Effect Activate! When attacking or being attacked, my Dragon Knight can absorb one of my graveyard's Winged Beast's energy and form it as it's own by removing the designated card from play. I think my Mistilteinn will do the trick."
"Hang on," Akiza progressed the information carefully, "If I remember correctly, your Mistilteinn has Twenty One Hundred ATK points. Which means..."
"My Bulg here gains enough points to end this whole match."
Gae's absorbed beam grew in size, a mixed yellow endlessly evaporating itself from the pure white energy in the Dragon's mouth.
Gae Bulg's ATK: 4100(+2100)
"Fourty One Hundred..." Akiza sunk.
"You were too in a rush and was reckless enough to overlook drastic possibilities, Akiza. I guess in the end your strongest zone was your biggest weakness. It's time for you to pay the toll. Now you'll know, when taking on the Esteemed Jinx, you'll only end up ruining your day. Sayonara, Dark Witch!"
"No..." Akiza whispered as she fell to her knees, the beast before the helpless Rose Dragon releasing and soaring the beam of demise toward her. "I've... failed?"
-5Ds-
Konami could barely feel the faint aura coming from the fallen Black Rose Witch through the blinding smoke. It felt... neutral, somehow. That's certainly something odd considering her presence had always been so negative, when he was around her at least (and positive when that bastard Divine was), this atmosphere was definitely different.
The question was, why was it so, average, so, median, so...' He questioned mentally, watching the dust settle and revealing the triumphant Jinx releasing her monster from the Disk.
-Life Points-
Jinx- 4000
Akiza- 0(-1100(EX600))
-Life Points-
-Duel-
Jinx(W) V Akiza(L)
-Duel-
'So... lifeless? Wait, lifeless!?' His mind halted, his eyes bulged, and his body quivered at the revealed scene of an unconscious Akiza on the ground, her being steaming out smoke, like she was fried in some way.
The DM...!
"Open up the gate!" Konami rustled through the crowded perimeter, unpleased looks aiming their way toward him for his rude behavior.
"Hang on kid." The voice of the calm guard uttered, slowly pestering his ring of keys for the correct piece.
"Now!" Red Hat growled angrily, earning a glare from the man.
"I said hang on you brat!" Finally unlocking it, he took his time sliding off the other secured bars, if only to rattle the young smartass for his amusement.
Konami did not take this lightly though, as he roughly pushed the man off his feet, swiftly sliding the rest out of the way, and swinging the exit open.
"Hey, you bastard!"
The red teen slid to a halt, crouching down with eyes hovering themselves on Akiza as he flipped the damaged female on her back and checked her pulse that the neck device recently released.
...
...
...
...
...He released a heavy breath he did not know he held. She was still with them. Thank Horakhty for that.
"Isn't that that Red Hat dude from the Fortune Cup?"
"What the hell is he doing?!"
"Is he checking her pulse? Why?"
"Maybe to confirm if she's alive?"
"What the? Why?!"
"Maybe he's one of 'em Psychic bastards from the Arcadia Movement!"
"Yeah! He could be right!"
"Kill that idiot as well Jinx!"
Jinx however, stood still. Her eyes fixated on the scene that everyone's attention was on as Konami steadily picked up Rosy in his arms.
"Boo! You suck!"
"Boo! You stink!"
"Boo! Get outta here!"
Konami stopped in his path to the gate when the same man he pushed stood in his way, grimacing sickly as he cracked his tight knuckles.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Red Hat felt a bead of sweat slip down his forehead as the dangerously approaching crowd gloomed over him.
"You're toast, you little brat!"
"Stop it! All of you!" Everyone looked to their respective sides to gaze upon the trailing Jinx.
"Jinx!? But they're our enemy!"
"Yeah! This is our moment to finally end the witch once and for all!"
"Yeah!"
"Yeah!"
"Yeah!"
"Keep quiet!" Jinx furrowed with lidded eyes, her expression zipping their mouths, if her stern tone had not. "You said 'they', so are you targeting all Psychics? You do realize I'm one of them as well, right?"
"Well yeah, but you cool in our books, Jinx."
"Yeah, you know you're the only exception around here."
"Of course I do." She sighed. "But we've inflicted enough pain upon her for today as it is."
"Not enough, it seems."
"She's still alive!"
"Yes, but I wasn't aiming to kill her."
"But, but, but-"
"Since she's my opponent, I get to decide her fate."
"But-"
"I said I decide, you hear me!?" She held out her Duel Disk for more emphasis, silencing the group, and the whole room in general. "Now then," Jinx turned to the cornered duo to her left, "need a ride?"
"Ride?" Konami questioned.
"Yeah." She pulled out a card and placed in position. Soon, a whirlwind erupted and out from the sprinkling ashes flapped the same beast that ended the duel.
Gae Bulg.
Before Konami could reply, Jinx, jumped on the crouching creature, reaching out with a gloved palm and a soft smile.
He stared, before reluctantly nodding in acceptance. Words were unnecessary in this situation after all.
-5Ds-
"So, where to, Mr. Red Hat?" Jinx asked once the three took flight and was in sky view. The Silver Girl had carefully sandwich'd Akiza in front of her to secure the redhead's safety.
Konami held tightly onto the armor of the Dragon, his grip was and would easily be trampled by the sheer smoothness and lack of dents it contained to allow his grasp to withstand for a longer period. Jinx effortlessly picked the problem up, since, you know, it's her Dragon after all, and it's qualities were technically implanted in her mind.
"Oh, ur..." He cerebrated on the destination. Konami's apartment was closer than the Movement, and he had a first aid kit for obvious reasons (being taken down by Akiza before really made him take precaution on physical harm in New Domino more seriously, if not, his friend would have in the end). But then there was Tasha's say as well, and knowing her opinion on everything that involved the Movement, she might not be too fond of the idea.
He could drop her off by the Psychic's 'Sanctuary', given they had plenty of doctors and scientists to help their companion on her feet as quick as possible. Then again, he wasn't all that fond about that specific place, and handing them over an unconscious comrade of theirs could mean an instant death upon himself through sheer vengence and hate, given their ability to rip him apart was really high.
And yes, he was planning to take care of Akiza's wounds personally. It was just how he was, and that Rosy deserved at least his help after such an ending, whether she liked it or not. Besides, he felt guilty letting her take on Jinx alone in the first place, despite Rosy insisting no assistance from his part, and them not expecting such an outcome to happen in the first place.
So, it all came down to not his benefit, but hers, which should've been so before anything else...
"My apartment in Domino Square. I'll indicate you when we get there."
"Okay." She took her eyes off from his once silent self, cutting her curiosity on his contemplation down to size. "You know, you could just hold onto my waist."
"Wha-?" Konami blinked with a faint rising blush, taken aback, "W-What for?"
"Your grip." She stared back with wondered eyes, her orbs glimmering with innocence, or at least it seemed. "You're obviously struggling to hold on. C'mon, don't be shy, I won't bite." She stuck out her butt for emphasis, causing a surge of discomfort to run down Konami's sides as he involuntarily stared at the tight navy blue jeans of the young woman in front of him.
He gulped, blinked his daze away and stared to the left, doing his best to not drift off to pervertville. "Ur, n-no thanks."
"Please?" She stuck out her bottom lip, subtly shaking her hips in anxiety. "I would feel really guilty if you fell."
Red Hat's heart ached when he heard her sweet, innocent tone. What was this girl playing at? He would rather jump off for cover than to lay hands on a luring person like her. Then again, he didn't wanted to die, and Akiza needed him- technically speaking- so he had his hands full at the moment.
"Fine, if you insist." He sighed, barely placing his fingertips on her bare skin, right below her short purple jacket and dark belly-showing shirt. This wouldn't be a problem, and Konami could have easily seen it being a natural case if it weren't for her desperation for his touch.
How weird it was...
"That's not good enough." Jinx lidded her eyes boredly, "If we deal with sudden turbulence, then you would fall off immediately. C'mon, harder, Mis-ter Red. Hat." She emphasized his name seductively, shaking her curvaceous hips with each syllable.
Konami growled angrily. She was suddenly really demanding, and was playing with him like an instrument?! "Fine!" He pushed his palms deeper, curling his fingers for emphasis from his emotion and almost diggin his nails into her soft, surprisingly warm, smooth skin.
"Urgh!" She moaned musically, surprising Konami and prompting him to let go and move his hands down to their origin point; on the armored scales of Gae Bulg.
"S-Sorry, I d-didn't mean to-"
"Gee," she pouted playfully, looking at him with narrowed eyes, bottom lip once again collecting air. "You sure play rough, huh Mr. Red Hat? I was told to go on a few dates before going wild like that though. But my dad says I should wait until I'm old enough, regardless."
Konami just stared, speechless due to the unexpected reply.
"I'm pulling your leg, Mr. Red Hat." Jinx laughed freely, letting out a gag of giggles. "You should see your face right now."
"I..." He trailed off, originally planning to rebuttal his mood.
"But still, I suggest you hold on to something more reliable. You may never know if you we actually ran into something undesirable."
Konami looked down. "I'll... keep that in mind..."
Then, things went silent, the wind washing against their ears gently, along with everything else in front. "So..." He started, clearing his throat, "Why did you decide to help us?"
She glanced over her shoulder, staring in his eyes before turning back toward the front. "I would typically brush that question off with a cliché 'No special reason' or 'Cause I felt like it', but knowing how I technically pushed the Dark Witch through hellish fire, I guess an honest explanation is in order."
She paused for a moment before continuing. "Besides the obvious fact that I feel incline to help out one of my own kind, and that I feel guilty doing this to her, I actually look up to Akiza, not for what she does, but for what she's capable of. She's strong, independant, people respect her, regardless for what, and dresses fuckin' badass! Mind the language." She chuckled sheepishly, earning a smile from Konami. "She has the whole world practically under her fingertips and has the entire population bubbling about her. Her attacks. Her strength. Her anti-Domino attitude. It's just a shame she's using it for the wrong things though." She sighed.
Red Hat felt the last statement to be really weird coming from a rogue and a criminal in the first place. Then again, that's only what he heard about her so far, and hadn't really witnessed it personally. A thought suddenly appeared in his head. Was it actually true though?
"Anyway," Jinx resumed, "I guess knowing I studied Akiza beforehand and preparing for her with the same not able to really be said for herself as well, felt cheat-ie in a way, you know? So if she died, I would feel dissatisfied knowing I didn't beat her at her complete full deployment. Also, I guess it was because of another personal reason..." She went quiet afterward, Konami feeling the thickness of the atmosphere sinking in.
"You don't sound very rogue-like."
"What?" She turned.
"Rogue in it's general meaning defines the unreliability of a person. Your explanation sounds anything but deceiveful."
"Oh, is it?" She smiled. "Maybe I'm half rogue, or maybe I'm just that convincing."
"Maybe, but I doubt it. For someone who ruins others' days, as you mentioned, you certainly go out of your way to right your wrong."
"You trying to point out my flaws, Mr. Red Hat?"
"No. All I'm saying is that your supposed reputation does not suit you." He shook his head, "In short, what I mean is you're a good person, Jinx. You're better off being one in the end. And please, call me Konami. I'm not that old, you know."
Jinx stared, and stared, not blinking. It felt a bit uncomfortable for the male teen, she seemed to be frozen in time. Then, she looked away, not saying a word. Konami felt like he had said something wrong, so he careful asked her.
"Did I... say something wrong?"
She shook her head quietly, still staring forward, back facing him. He decided to keep quiet to not disturb her silence.
-5Ds-
"Careful." Konami stated, catching the slowly sliding, unconscious body of Akiza on the stationary wing of one other Dragunity creature. It was a hassle, but they finally got her through the window of his apartment.
"I still think the front door of the apartment would have been better." Jinx said flatly, sitting casually on the flapping dragon.
"And I told you already that bystanders would not take me carrying her to my apartment very lightly. It's a wonder how she got in here so civilized in the first place. Then again, she could've just walked in without anyone stopping her."
"Fair enough." She adjusted herself in her Gae Bulg, releasing the second beast in the process. "Well, see ya."
"Yeah." Konami nodded. "And thanks again. I owe you one big time, since I don't think I could have taken on that many guys all at once."
"Heh, I'll hold you to that." She smiled, facing forward, but Gae Bulg stayed. Only after a few seconds of silence, she gently waved before taking off.
"Wonder what that was all about?"
"Konami?" He heard near the doorway of the room, turning him around with Red Rose in hand, or hands to be exact.
Tasha walked in, rubbing her eye drowsily before stopping. She eyed the person resting peacefully in his hands. "What the... hell?"
"Urm, Tasha, don't trip, okay?" He approached steadily, "I can explain."
"Why is she here? And why is she unconscious?" The girl glowered, the latter being less intrigued and more indifferent.
"It's a long story." He said tiredly, "Just, let's first get her to the bed, okay?"
Tasha stared, before making way against her judgment. "This better be good."
-5Ds-
"So that's really the gist of it." Konami finished, delicately dampening chlorinated cotton on the redness of Akiza. And I'm not talking about her hair or clothes either. They had removed the upper garments of the Arcadia supporter and rolled up her sleeves to work more efficiently.
"That still doesn't explain why she's here, Konami." She furrowed, sitting on the bed next to the evil bitch with crossed legs.
In short, Tasha did not like none of that, and none of what was happening as well. Konami was helping the enemy for some effing reason!
"Because I'm helping her recover, Tash." He said, fixated on treating the wounds of the injured.
"Why though?"
"Cause she needs it."
"You're dodging the question, Yamu." She crossed her arms.
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are! I thought she was the enemy?!"
"No, Divine is."
"That's just another way of saying she's too!"
"No she's not."
"She's doing his selfish deeds willingly. That makes her equally as guilty!"
"She's just confused, and was told and taught wrongly."
"That's barely any compensation! And have you already forgotten what's she had done to you?!"
"Again, she's being manipulated to hurt the wrong side."
"How do you even know that!?" Tasha stood up on the bed, furious.
Konami looked up to the sudden movement of his friend. "I just know, Tash."
"Don't 'Tash' me, Konami!" She balled her fist, "She almost killed you! She left you to rot in some woods. Have it not been for Simon, you would've died! She treats you like garbage! Picks you up by the claws of a beast! She's nothing but trouble, hurting others as well! She's just as bad as Divine, if not, even worst! And... and... AND...!" She hung her head lower, shadowing her eyes, trembling with emotion, as well as her cracking voice. Tears started flowing down her clutched orbs. Tears of confusion, and negativity. Tasha tilted her head upward to stare in the covered eyes of Konami. "AND YOU'RE JUST GOING TO FUCKING OVERLOOK EVERY DAMN THING THIS BITCH HAS DONE!?"
Red Hat stared at her, keeping his eyes fixated. Then, he reached out, but Tasha jumped off the bed, distancing herself even more. "DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE CONSOLE ME, KONAMI YAMU!"
"Tasha..."
"JUST STOP! JUST, JUST...!" She covered her face with her fists, tightening it as much as she could. She wanted to punch something so badly. She wanted to rip apart her infuriated being. She wanted- she needed, and she needed it that badly. Konami stood up, and made his way to his friend.
She shook as if she was desperately trying to disband her emotions. It did not happen. Her heart ached, her mind in disarray, her bones rattling in despair.
Then, she felt a tight, yet gentle, foreign, yet familiar embrace of two arms wrapping itself around her back, pressing her being closer to a nearby body.
Her arms fell to her sides, her fists still quivering. She found herself sobbing, tearing up in the chest of her friend. Her face dampened the clothing with every passing second, her legs giving way lazily as they both went down to their knees.
The moment felt similar to when she first met Konami in his humble abode, first opening up, carelessly no less, and first started sobbing her troubles away in the arms of care. But it felt so different at the same time.
Yet despite it all, despite it being so unbelievably painful, and good at the same time, the moment never lost it's purpose, it's meaning, it's reality. It felt like a dream, but it could not be any further from the truth.
They stayed like that for a while. Konami embracing, Tasha crying. Red Hat enduring, and Tash extracting.
"I'm sorry." Konami muttered lowly in her ear, soothing her sadness. "I never meant to exclude you from such a matter. She was so vulnerable in front of those bastards that it... that it reminded me of how inappropriate you were treated." He tightened his grip, "I'm really sorry."
Tasha's crying was almost nowhere to be heard. "I... I just don't w-want to see you get hurt again, Konami. I don't want to lose you. Hearing how c-close you were to death, it made me so mad, at myself."
"Yourself?"
"Yeah... I realized how pathetic I was, how important you were to me, to my entire life, and yet, I was unable to protect such an important person close to my heart. I felt guilty, Konami. I wanted to kill myself for it. For allowing such dread to befall upon you. You helped me out of the gutter. You saved my life, and yet, I couldn't even save yours from being harmed. But I thought about you, and how hurt you might be once I finally took my life away. So I decided instead of mourning my disgusting waste of space, I would become stronger. Stronger for you and myself. I thought I had. I thought I finally became something worthy of you, but then knowing how close you were to being beaten up by those scoundrels made all that effort meaningless. I've failed myself. I've failed myself, Konami! I've failed... you... I'm such a failure. I'm so fucking pitiful. so fucking pathetic, so FUCKING worthless, so, so, SO-!"
"That's enough!"
Tasha shot her eyes open, startled. Her head was lifted from the chin. Her eyes met his. His chocolate orbs. His stern and powerful magic crystals.
"What have I told you about speaking about yourself like that?" He almost glared daggers in her direction. Tasha felt ashamed. "Please, just stop, Tasha. You're none of those awful things, you here me? NONE OF IT!" He almost shouted, Tasha completed flinched, his voice cracking with emotion.
Konami sighed as he closed his eyes. He was tempted to massage his temples, but he chose not to. He opened his eyelids once more.
"Tasha, you shouldn't blame yourself so unnecessarily like that. It's not your fault that I decided to leave. I chose to go with her, and I knew the danger that may follow. You have nothing to blame yourself with. Had I not told you how significant and strong you already are? I meant every single word. You are so much more than a waste of space, Tash. You're you. And you're absolutely incredible. And I really mean it."
He smiled warmly toward her fixated form.
"Who took on her demons of the past earlier today and kicked Kazura's ass? You did. Who bravely prevented that Psy-Fi group from escaping in the first place? You did. Who took it upon herself to look for me when I went missing?" He paused, waiting for a reply.
"...I did..."
"Exactly." He prodded her nose playfully, causing her to blink and narrow her eyes near the corners cutely, "I- WE would be nowhere but lost without you, Tasha. You've already grown into something wonderful. Someone I can look up to when I need a hand. I'm proud to call you as a friend. A close friend. So please Tasha, just remember that even the smallest of details you affect has significance to it." He momentarily released her shoulders and gave her puffy eyes a gentle wax with his thumbs. "And what have I told you about smiling in tough situations, silly? Have you already forgotten about your promise?"
Tasha cracked a giggle, her smile replacing her frown in an instant. "Sorry." She shyly looked up at him adoringly.
"It's fine." He sighed in content. "Just please Tash, even if you make mistakes in the future, don't dwell on it too much. You'll always have a chance to correct your wrong, okay?"
"Y-Yeah..." She smiled dreamily, a cloud of sunshine hovering above her mind, her stitched heart beating faster once more, and her stomach fluttering in rhythm with her veins. She always ended up feeling so cozy when Konami was around. The mere thought of her friend gave her a comfortable and uplifting feeling of soothing energy that coursed through her entire being.
He made her troubles go away just by being there for her, her problems astray. She didn't know why though. She thought it was a friend thing, but once she gained more, Tasha soon realized it applied only to Konami.
'Kon-kun...'
"Tasha?" He raised a brow, deciding to wave a hand in front of distant face when he suddenly heard a third voice.
"What the? Where am I?"
Both two gazed at the bed, Akiza moving but regretting it instantly as she fell down on the mattress.
"Easy there, sleepy head." Konami stood up to reveal himself, making his way to her side. "I wouldn't suggest any movement for a while."
"Red Hat? Where am I? What happened to my clothing?" Her voice began to pitch up with anger, indicating her disapproval.
"Stay still, witch." Tasha stood up after wiping her cheeks from the dried stains. "Kon-kun is taking the time out of his life to treat your wounds."
"My wounds? When did I- Jinx!" She tried sitting up before falling down once again, groaning in pain.
"I told you to take it easy, Rosy." Red Hat repeated concerningly, taking ahold of the cotton and resuming Doctor mode.
"Hey!" She moved away on instinct, but cried out once more before moving to the original position a third time. "Are your ears infested or something?! I told you to not touch me?! How difficult is that to comprehend?!"
Tasha's eye twitched. This ungrateful little...!
"I know you hate contact with me, but it's the only way to heal the pain." He said calmly, going back to work with a now less resisting Akiza.
"Damn it! Where's my Duel Disk!? I demand my Duel Disk, now!?"
"Why? So you can teach me a lesson again?"
"Of course!"
"And why would I want to be taught a lesson?" He questioned almost nonchalantly, applying chlorine to another area.
"Cause you deserve every last of them! Now let go of me before I'm going to kill you myself!"
"Could you just SHUT UP already!?" Tasha shouted, catching both's attention. "Can't you see your lack of gratitude sickens others to no end? Just let Konami help you get back on your damn feet already! Once you are, you can get the fuck out as much as you want! Until then, zip your stinkin PIE hole, got it?!"
Akiza did not reply, she just stared, falling into a pit of teeth grinding and even more defiance. But for some reason, this pink-haired imbecile had a point, and thus marked the silence of the Red Rose. She looked back to the surprised Konami and glared.
"Well? Don't just stand there, you imbecile, finish off so I can blow you, and this foolish Dominian to ashes!"
Konami looked from Akiza to Tasha, earning a nod. From Tasha to Akiza, earning a glare. He nodded dumbfoundedly, deciding to ride the sudden wave. Still, he hadn't expected Tash to be so demanding and Rosy being so stoic against her will. How pleasantly unexpected indeed.
He could only hope it would continue like this. That's all he could do...
Hope...
If it did not end up like this though, then they had a long night ahead of them.
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End Of Chapter