Chapter Two- Heritage Emergence

Jaden awoke to the sensation of rubbing and itching. He reached up to scratch, eyes still closed and his hand made contact with another hand. He heard a startled gasp and his eyes flew open to see Syrus. He released the hand as he sat up. "Sy, what were you doing?" he asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

"I was…rubbing your ear. I mean, it looked so…soft and it sure is soft."

Jaden blinked at his friend. "My ear?" He put a hand to a side to find nothing. He moved his hand up and it met up with a soft furry object. He scrambled out of bed and to a small mirror, gaping at his reflection. He had two black-tipped red fox ears on his head! "Oh my gosh. This is why my ears were pointed: They were changing."

"Whoa," came Hassleberry's voice when he saw Jaden.

"Ja, they look cool and they kind of suit you," Syrus said.

"You think so?" Jaden took a second look and had to admit that Syrus had a point: Despite the ears being a different color, they looked like they belonged there. He gasped slightly as one of them turned to face outward. "Wow," he said and then grinned. "Cool! No one will be able to sneak up on me with these babies!"

"Jaden is correct," Bastion said as the gang sat at the bottom of the stairs of the Slifer dorm. "Foxes are part of the canine family and have sharper senses than humans do."

Jaden closed his eyes and sighed as Alexis scratched behind an ear. It felt so good and with his eyes closed, he was able to hear a lot better. Every subtle sound was sharper and clearer, including ones he normally wouldn't hear.

"Uh, Jaden?" came Syrus' voice. "Shouldn't we tell Crowler about this? I mean, with school and all tomorrow."

Jaden opened his eyes and Alexis stopped scratching. "Maybe. I don't know. He may not buy it even with the ears. We all know I'm not his favorite person."

"Then might I suggest just you and me?" Bastion said. "Crowler will accept it, especially since I will be there to verify your claim.'

Jaden nodded in agreement. He knew that Crowler tended to favor Ra and Obelisk students than Slifer ones, especially the Obelisk Blue.

Crowler and Bonaparte stared at the ears as Jaden finished explaining. Their stares annoyed him and his ears flattened to express this. "This is a joke, oui?" Bonaparte scoffed.

"It is no joke, Vice-Chancellor," Bastion stated. "I researched trickster foxes since viewing the message Mrs. Yuki sent. Foxes have been known to breed with humans and conceive half-fox offspring. The signs vary, but evidence of their existence is well-documented." Bastion produced some papers and put them on the desk.

Both chancellor and vice-chancellor looked over the research papers with its facts, figures, and documented cases. Finally, Crowler looked up at Jaden. "So, will you only have the ears?"

Jaden's ears became erect as he said, "Probably not. I may end up wanting to play tricks, most likely harmless ones."

"Most half-foxes tend to play tricks," Bastion added. "It is the nature of the person that determines the type of prank but sometimes it's the nature of the fox parent. In this case, I believe it will be Jaden's nature that will determine the prank type."

"Doctor Crowler, I would like it if you got the word out to the school about this. I know I'm going to get stared at," Jaden pleaded.

Crowler took in Jaden's ears again before nodding. "All right, Slacker. I'll send a message to all school PDA's."

Jaden sighed and grinned. "Thanks. That means a lot."

"Well, that went well," Bastion said as they left school.

"Yeah. Now I won't have to constantly explain tomorrow."

"Indeed." The pair walked down the sidewalk, the leaves of nearby trees rustling in a breeze. Jaden's ears twitched in the wind and pricked up when they heard an almost inaudible voice whisper, "Jaden," on the wind. He looked at the woods and heard that voice again calling his name.

"Jaden?" Bastion inquired.

"Yeah, I'm coming." He waited until Bastion had gone on ahead before pelting toward the woods, his ears alert for that voice which sounded vaguely familiar.

"Hello?" he called as he entered the forest and headed into it. "Hello?"

"Jaden. My boy," came the voice, a male one.

Jaden stared as a large red fox came out of the darkness on four dark red paws. His brown fox eyes looked into Jaden's matching brown eyes. "Dad?" he gasped, recognizing him from his dream.

"Oh, Jaden. You are a handsome young man and your fox heritage is making itself known," the fox answered.

Jaden touched an ear. "Yeah. I found it hard to believe when I read Mom's message. I thought it could have been a birthday joke."

"Clearly, it isn't." The fox sat and Jaden followed suite. "You know the ears won't be the only aspects of your heritage that you'll receive."

"So, I will be playing tricks?"

"Oh, yes. I play them all the time, especially on those who I see as my enemies. Those tricks are my way of getting revenge."

"Uh, Dad? I don't think I could ever do that. I mean, I don't really have enemies, just dueling rivals."

"Perhaps so. You are much like your mother; it was her friendly sunny personality that drew me to her and prompted me to take human form." His eyes grew faraway for a moment before returning to the present. "I went to her on your birthday and asked where you were. I then arrived last night and waited to see you so I could call out to you."

"Wait. How could you get here so fast?"

The fox laughed. "I'm a trickster, a being of magic. I simply visualized the place and I'm magically transported there." He got to his paws and came closer. "You have the same magic as my son, but can't access it on your own. I, however, can unlock it for you. Consider it my birthday gift to you." He put a paw over Jaden's heart and barked a couple of times. A glow outlined the paw and it spread to Jaden's body before fading.

"So, I can do magic now?" Jaden asked. "Could you teach me?"

"I don't need to teach. You can do pretty much anything you imagine and desire. You simply need to focus on what you want. It makes doing tricks easier. Now, I believe you have some friends who are wondering where you are."

"Oh, yeah." Jaden stood, took several steps before turning to say goodbye, but his father was gone. Jaden blinked and then shrugged as he left the forest, and headed toward Slifer.

The fox stalked Jaden along the edge of the forest, admiring the boy. He was a perfect blend of him and his mother. He had his mother's hair and personality, but his eyes and trickster fox nature. Unlocking the boy's trickster magic would prompt the boy to see what he could do and to play a couple of minor tricks.

Those tricks will eventually turn mean and evil as he indulges more in his powers and magic. The desire to get revenge will grow thanks to the Fox Spirit card. I sent that card to replace on card in a pack from one of his friends. It will spread its dark power to the rest of his deck and will enter his heart while dueling with his deck. I do hope a situation arises where he will desire to lash out at a perceived enemy. If it's a duel, hopefully, he'll summon the card I gave him. By the time that duel ends, my son will be dark and possibly evil.

He growled in pleasure at the thought and his eyes turned red and glowing again. No child of his was going to be good if he could help it. When he took human form, his evil side had gotten locked away. It didn't bother him for he knew that it would re-awaken on the first full moon after resuming his true self. He had counted on falling in love but not on getting married and having a child. But, no matter. I love Jaden and I'm glad I met him so I could turn him evil. Soon Jaden, you too will be an evil trickster and freed to do as you wish.