Disclaimer: *ahem* I do not own Yugioh or anything here. Thank you.
Sam sat quietly in his room as he stared at a picture frame. Inside, he watched a duel monster card stare back at him. There, a holographic card glittered, even in the darkness of the night. "You…" Sam said as he traced a finger down it. "You are my ticket to defeating Jiu. No matter what I did, no matter how much I begged, I could never find a card that was higher than you. Why?" Turning his head angrily, he spat at the floor. "My other Celtic Guardian…I don't know why I got through so much trouble taking good care of him…and then…I can challenge Jiu to a humiliating defeat and wipe that smirk off her face once and for all." Looking down at his deck, Sam frowned. "I don't need you." He glowered. "Nobody could win with you. I'll get rid of you somehow."
***
It has been more than a month since I was with Jiu. And Sam hasn't given us any trouble at all.
It's like a paradise…
Except…
Were the others all right?
Dark Magician, Gaia, and Blue eyes?
Here I was having the time of my life, and they were still stuck with Sam.
I have to get them out…
***
"Jiu?" I asked one day as we sat together on a bench out in a park. "Uhm…can I…go somewhere?" Slowly, Jiu looked at me. "Sure I guess." She said casually. "That depends on where you want to go."
I have to be honest…
She took me in after all.
"I…I want to go and get my other friends from Sam…"
Jiu immediately sat up straight and opened her eyes wide. Human emotions are strange. "You want to WHAT?" she cried. "Celtic…I…" Sighing, Jiu silently ran a hand through her hair. "Easier said then done Celtic. How are we going to do that? Well…never mind…tell me who's there in Sam's deck anyway." Looking down I sighed. "This might take a while." I said quietly. "He has forty cards. A small deck, but twenty are mon- partners." Sighing again, but this time lightly, Jiu nodded. "All right." She said as she sat down again. "Let's hear it."
Nodding my head, I began. "Three Blue Eyes, a Dark Magician, three Magician of Faith's, a Gaia, 3 Mask's of darkness, a Curse of dragon, Lord of D., a Baby Dragon, Mystical Elf, Aqua Madoor, one Two headed King Rex, and 3 Giant Soldiers of Stone." Jiu only stared. "Wow…" she said as she gaped. "That's a pretty good line up."
"Stupid cards…"
Sam!
Quickly, Jiu and I ducked behind the bench as we silently watched. Angry, Sam appeared, holding his cards and glaring at them. "You guys are trash. You can tell whoever finds you that you're not worth the effort."
"They're always worth the effort!"
Instantly, I looked up. Jiu was standing, the same angry face I saw when I was abandoned on her face as plain as day. "Sam!" she roared. "First Celtic and now the rest of your deck! How far do you plan to go? Damn you Sam, why don't you just throw away everything you care about!" Sam was a bit surprised at first, but then his shock was quickly replaced with a grin. "Oh, Jiu." He said a bit too happy. "Where's Celtic? I don't see him. Could it be that you're all…alone?" Jiu glare deepened as Sam laughed. "I'm never alone." She retorted. "Don't tell me you're going to throw away your whole deck!" Instantly Sam stopped laughing and looked Jiu in the eye. "I am." He said coolly. "They're all weak and I can get better cards anyway. My father can get me more." Looking over a sneak peek at my friends, I almost cried out in pain when I saw the condition they were in. All of them had the white part of the cardboard showing and most of the picture was scratched. The surface was dirty, and small residue of black goo was stuck to some of them.
"If you think you can win with these then take them!"
Snapping back out of my shock, I saw Jiu duck as cards flew at her head. "SAM!" she angrily cried. "One day you'll understand the heart is more important than anything and you'll regret your ways! I'll make sure of that!" I was about to get up, but Jiu silently waved a hand down to me telling me to keep still.
This was her fight.
"Fine." Sam said as he brushed himself off. "I challenge you to a duel. Next week on Friday. Bring your new cards and play me. Then we'll see who is the strongest one here. Come to my place…if you're not to scared." Jiu clenched her fists as she stared back at Sam with hate. "I'm never afraid knowing I am never alone." She said. "You'll understand Sam that honor and power isn't always what pulls you through a duel. Or life. Sometimes, you need to trust your heart."
But Sam had already walked away.
Sighing and picking up the fallen cards, I heard Jiu mutter, "Jerk." As I helped her. Once we were finished, I watched as Jiu handed me the deck. "Here Celtic." She said gently. "See if everyone is here." Taking the deck, I nodded, happy I was going to be reunited. "Yes…" I said as I finished. "Everyone is here…" Jiu smiled as she took the deck back. "Good." She said as she carefully handled the deck. "All right…I suppose I better get to know them. We're going to be together after all…so who's first?" Thinking for a bit, I had to take careful consideration. Everyone would automatically accept Jiu if I knew him or her. Even Dark Magician. Anyone besides Sam was good news and Jiu was very kind to me, so they would have no trouble getting along.
Except Gaia.
He still refuses to believe humans are capable of being kind.
"Maybe Gaia." I suggested knowing he would go crazy knowing he was with another human. "He doesn't really appreciate humans Jiu, so you'll have to excuse him. I'm sorry." Jiu nodded, only half listening as she searched for Gaia. "I understand." She said as she pulled him out. "After Sam, I would expect that…Gaia the fierce knight!" she called. Instantly, a bright light glowed and slowly, Gaia and his horse came out.
But something was wrong…
Gaia's head was stooped and his shoulders hunched. His lances were fallen to his side and he didn't move. His armor was dented, rusted, and the once bold paint was peeling. His horse had his proud head dragging to the ground, and he was thin and raged. "Gaia!" I called to him. "Gaia it's me Celtic!" Slowly, Gaia looked up. "Celtic…?" he asked slowly.
Poor Gaia. Looks like Sam broke him at last.
"Oh my god!" Jiu exclaimed, as she looked him over. "Gaia! Oh no…" Gently, I walked up to Gaia, getting him off his bedraggled horse. "Gaia listen to me." I began. "Sam has abandoned us and now Jiu is here to take CARE of us. She has already been good to me and she has to have your help to cooperate if she is able to heal you." Angrily, Gaia opened one eye and stared at me. "No human cares for me Celtic." He said bitterly. "Not even my steed care anymore. He knows what a human is thinking about him in their hearts. He can see if they have a good heart or not. He saw too much of Sam…he…"
"Hello…I'm Jiu…you're a handsome horse."
Looking up at the same time, Gaia and I watched amazed as Jiu slowly petted Gaia's horse that seemed to be enjoying the much needed attention. "You're a friendly guy aren't you?" Jiu asked happily as the horse continued to nuzzle her. Turning back to me, Gaia gasped. "He…he likes her already…" he gaped. "She…" "She's very kind." I finished for him. "She knows what to do and what to say to take us in. She may not be as old as Sam…" Looking at him in the eye, I grinned. "But she is wiser. She can take care of us. And we can be ready to fight again. She needs a deck. We can be that deck. Gaia…your horse trusts her…I trust her…why don't you?"
Gaia was silent in thought.
***
"Carl!"
Mr. Carl looked up from his counter to see Jiu, Gaia, and I walking through the doorway. "Ah!" he cried in surprise. "Jiu-a! I-a thought I was never gonna see you-a again!" Giving a small laugh, Jiu walked up to the counter as Gaia and I stayed back. His horse was outside. "Listen Carl…" Jiu began. "I'm kinda having a big party here…two things…one do you think we can get a horse in here?" Pointing to Gaia, Jiu said, "Namely his horse." Mr. Carl blinked. "A horse? Is he trained?" Gaia nodded. Sighing Mr. Carl nodded. "But I-a hope he doesn't make a mess-a." But Jiu shook her head. "If he does, I'll get it." She said. "And also, do you think we could get…five to start with. I've got some cash with me, so I can pay for this. And maybe some…" Then looking at me, she grinned.
"On the other hand, let's get some water…"
***
As Mr. Carl went in the back after taking our order, Jiu and I helped Gaia and his horse inside. Gaia's horse on the floor because of lack of space. Pulling out her deck Jiu stared at them kind of curiously. "What a day…" she muttered. "I don't even know how to use this thing other this dueling normally." Blinking at her, I stared.
Doesn't know how to use a deck?
"Wouldn't you just call their name?" I asked. "You did it with Gaia." Sighing Jiu stared back at me. "Don't you get it Celtic?" she asked sadly. "How am I gonna take care of TWENTY ONE cards? I could never keep up with the money it takes to pay for you all." Sadly, I looked down.
What are we gonna do?
Staring down at my feet, I sighed sadly. "Jiu…" I mumbled. "I…we…we don't want to go back to Sam. Even if he is rich."
But then…
Gaia laughed next to me.
"Celtic…" Gaia grinned. "Have you forgotten or have you just stayed out of your card too long? Jiu never needs to feed us as long as we're inside the realm. The only time we get hungry is when we come out here and stay out for more than a day or so like you have. And…including me."
"Pizza's here-a!"
As the wonderful food of life floated down to me, I watched Gaia reel back in disgust. "Celtic!" he whispered to me. "What is this crap?" Whispering back so Mr. Carl's feelings wouldn't be hurt, I hissed, "It's not really. Its called pizza and it's very, VERY good."
Gaia stared.
"Here."
Handing him a piece, Jiu grinned. "It's not bad I promise." she said. "Try it." Very carefully, Gaia slowly picked up the piece with his two fingers and stared at it. "Peezzaa? I…really…I…" he stammered. "Oh, shut up and eat it!" I glared already now neatly digging into my own slice. Slowly, Gaia put the piece in his mouth and as soon as he did, his eyes nearly popped out.
"Hey Carl…I think we may need some more napkins here…"
***
It was next Friday and time flew by quickly! Jiu after the wonderful pizza had taken us to a hospital where after a few days rest, Gaia was back on his feet, and his armor polished, his head high again. He would greet others with, "Hello, I am Gaia the knight and I fight for Jiu." The horse had rested in a near by room, for there wasn't a stable and he was soon up and running again with his same speed, neighing happily. Dark and the others were just as pleased when they found out that Sam was no longer going to be a problem. (Dark was yelling, "Pizza! Pizza!" When he ate it) But it was the day of the duel, and Jiu and not only I, but also Gaia and his horse insisted they come too to stand outside Sam's doorway. "Sam!" Jiu called, as she didn't bother to knock. "I'm here!"
Slowly the door opened and we stepped inside.
As we stepped in, a man waited at the door. "This way…" he said quietly as we entered. Silently, we walked down marble halls; I could hear Jiu sigh an unimpressed sigh. Soon we came upon a room shaped like a dome, except this was huge! The ceiling rose to two stories above our heads and was about the same way across. One of the sides, a small platform with a place to duel stood brightly colored blue. The other on the other side was red. Sam was in the red one. "Ready to lose?" he asked Jiu as she stepped in the blue one, Gaia and I forming back into our cards.
And then I heard no more.
***
(3rd person view)
Jiu snorted and shook her head. "Today's the day." She said silently as she shook her head. "The day you repent for what you did to your cards!" Sam smiled but only said, "2000 life points and no tributes…let's go…"
"Let's duel!"
Sam smirked as he put a card down. "Let's see you try this…" he snickered. "La Jinn in attack mode." Jiu said nothing as she stared it down. "This…" she said placing a card down. "In defense." Sam grinned as he watched the yellow light indicating a face down card glow. "Attack La Jinn!" he cried. "Now!" But Jiu only smiled and flipped the card up. "Mystical Elf." She said grinning. "Two hundred down for the count." Sam glared as he watched a small life point meter fall to 1800. "Fine." Sam said as he pulled two cards out. "Saggi in attack and this too…face down. And I'll play acid trap hole to get rid of Mystical." Glaring, Jiu only stared at Sam some more. "Alright…" she said as she put a card down. "I'll play this card face down and play Giant Soldier of Stone in attack mode with an invigoration card and attack Saggi with the attack power of 1700!" As Sam watched Saggi disappear, and his life points go down to 700 he laughed. "Fool!" he cried as he picked up his face down card. "You know…I had a crush card here. Now you can only play monsters with attack of less than 1500 attack! So sorry. And I'll play Sword Stalker with the sword of dark destruction and attack Giant Soldier of Stone." Jiu glared. "Great…" she muttered as the Stone Soldier disappeared. "Good move…but I can play this…Fissure!" Sam watched as the ground opened up and Sword Stalker was sucked into the hole. "No!" he exclaimed. "But no matter. Then…" he said as he played a magic card. "I'll play Last will, enabling me to find a monster with attack lower than 1500 in my deck…and do you know who I chose?" he asked. "I choose Celtic Guardian in attack mode!"
"What?" Jiu exclaimed as a Celtic Guardian appeared. But it wasn't the same. This Celtic's armor his skin and hair was darker in color and he had a smirk on his face. Jiu gasped as she looked at the Celtic. "What…" she gasped. "What…Why is he…?" "Surprised?" Sam asked grinning. "He's a bit different than yours. But hey…attack Celtic!" The evil Celtic quickly dashed at Jiu making an upward slash at her Life points go to 600. "As you can see Jiu…" Sam said as he watched her fall back in pain. "Direct damage can take its toll." "Crud…" Jiu muttered as she slowly picked herself up. "But I'll play my own Celtic Guardian as well!"
***
(Back to Celtic's POV)
As I silently came out of my card, I stared down my opponent.
It was me…!
"Hello Celtic…" the evil me said. "Funny we have the same name…" Glaring back, I tightened my grip on my sword. "Jerk…" I hissed. "I'll defeat you as well as Sam…we all trust in Jiu and we know she won't let us down!" But the evil Celtic just smiled. "Really?" he asked. "I don't think so. Because my master has one card in his deck that can finish this. And it's…"
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!" Sam laughed as he held up a card to play. "It's here…this magic card that allows me to directly attack my opponent! Go, Final Flame!"
NO!
Jiu!
Helpless, I watched as bright light came out of nowhere and formed into a fireball.
JIU!
She would die!
Without a second thought, I quickly flung myself in front of her, not listening to her surprised gasp. "Jiu…" I said as the light hit me. "You protected us…now…I have the chance to return the favor…"
And then, I saw nothing.
***
"Celtic!" Jiu screamed as she watched in horror. "Celtic no!" As she silently fell to the ground in shock, Sam laughed at her. "Oh, Jiu…" he smirked. "It looks like your faith wasn't enough to save you after all…!" Jiu fell to her hands as tears began to fall down her face. "He…he saved me…" she whispered hoarsely. "He…" Closing her eyes with pain, Jiu slammed her fists into the ground.
"CELTIC!"
Sam only laughed. "Jiu…" he began. "Play your next card! I know you don't have another card that can help you now!" Sadly, Jiu stood on her feet. "Not really…" she muttered. "I have one…" Sam glared at her. "You've got nothing." He growled. "You're going to lose to me. Make your move."
"I'll have to draw for this card…" Jiu thought as she reached for her deck. "I have to believe…for Celtic…" Picking up the card, Jiu slowly looked at it. "Now!" she called as she put the card in place. "I play Pot of Greed and I can draw two more cards…and I draw…"
…
"Monster Reborn!" she cried as she put the card in place on the scanner. "Reborn the Celtic Guardian!" Sam glared as Celtic appeared. "Big deal!" he said as he glared Celtic down. "I can still beat him!" But Jiu laughed. "Not really." She said. "Not with the Sword of deep seated which raises his attack to 1900! And with another invigoration I can boost Celtic all the way up to 2300! Attack!"
The Evil Celtic blinked as Celtic came up from the ground. "I won't lose!" Celtic yelled as he slashed down on his counterpart. "I won't let Jiu down!"
As the sword clashed down on the evil Celtic's shoulder, Jiu glared at Sam.
"You lose."
***
(Celtic's POV)
After we had gotten out of that house, Jiu and I were sitting on the same bench in the same park we saw Sam try to throw away his cards.
"Celtic?"
"Jiu?"
"Have you guys spotted anyone you want to be partners with yet?"
Sighing, I felt this coming. "Jiu…" I began. "I know you wanted to find a duelist for us, but I was talking with everyone and we…" I trailed off as I watched clouds rolled above us. "Do you think…do you think we can possibly…stay with you?" Immediately, Jiu shot her head up and stared. "You guys…want to stay with me?" she asked. "Why?" Blushing a bit, I looked down at my feet. "Because…" I said fumbling over my words. "You're our friend…and I know you're busy with other things, but if we go anywhere else, others will consider us to be abandoned and…our honor…" Jiu grinned and sat back on the chair, her arms folded over her head. "Celtic." She interrupted. "Honor isn't what's important. Your heart will tell you where you ought to be and wherever that is, I'll go with it."
I guess we get to be wherever we want to be.
Where we belong…is next to her side.
Looking back up at the sky, I smiled.
"Thank you."
And thank you to all my readers and reviewers for taking time out of your lives to read this. Please, it if you haven't, please review for I really enjoy the feedback. It really helps. Thanks again and remember…
Life is just a Dark Secret…