Chapter Twenty-One: Teran's Tale
"We're almost there you guys! Outset straight ahead!" Tristan announced. Everyone gathered in the bridge and saw the large island. The island was mostly on pylons of steel and strong stone and wood boardwalks. The marina, which was loaded with boats of every size, shape and type, was packed to the brim. Though clouds darkened the area, Saria could make out a Ferris wheel and multiple rides being set up on the large square near the edge of the marina.
"Hey! What's with all the carnival stuff?" Joey asked, facing Saria.
"I forgot! It's the Winds of Light Festival! It's my favorite island holiday!" Saria exclaimed happily.
"A festival? Alright! That works for me!" Joey replied.
"OK! Head for the island Tristan!" Yugi commanded, pointing at it.
"Outset, here we come!" Tristan announced and he pulled the Sea Wheeler towards the harbor.
"Tristan, circle around to the western side of the marina. My father's private docks are there," Saria instructed as he circled past the main docks.
"You sure your dad won't mind?"
"Don't worry: He's got more docks than he can handle," Saria replied, a smirk on her face. Tristan promptly pulled into a small dock at the edge of the area. Saria jumped out of the boat and met several men in striped T- shirts and sailor gear. She spoke to them in Hylian and soon, the team, with all of their belongings in backpacks prepared to leave.
"Hey guys. Ready to go?" Saria asked, shouldering her pack. Everyone nodded except for Teran.
"You guys go. I'm going to find the Outset gym leader," Teran announced.
"You sure? My dad is the leader remember?" Saria asked. Teran stared at her angrily.
"I know! I'm going to find his arena. He can't possibly duel in your backyard!"
"Teran, I'm sorry about before. Come with us! We'll all go together!"
"Not a chance in hell!" Saria gasped, then frowned.
"Listen here, Teran Katan! I'm sorry about before with the spirits. I would've told you sooner if I knew it was alright! I didn't know what you would think of me! I didn't want you to think of me as a freak," Saria explained angrily. Teran got right up in her face and stared her in the eye.
"I don't think you're a freak, just a liar like Yugi!" Teran replied, venom in his tone. It was Yugi's turn to frown. His Millennium Puzzle glowed and Yami's spirit merged with Yugi's body.
"Teran, Yugi and I are both sorry for what happened on the boat here. I didn't know if I could trust you right away, I'll be honest about that. But after traveling with you and Saria, I found you to be trustworthy. That's why I shared my secret with you. I understand if you don't like it, but you'll have to deal with it like everyone else," Yami said, in a calm tone.
"I..." But Teran didn't know what to say to that.
"Teran, I need you like you need me. I'm sorry about lying to you about Link. Can you forgive me?" Saria asked. Teran clenched his fists.
"Saria, you know I hate liars. I can't forgive you for this. And I don't need you! I don't need anyone to win this tournament! I'll go on alone!" Teran replied.
"But Teran, you do need us! You got as far as you did with our help! There's no way you would get this far without our guidance, both Yugi's and my own!" Saria shot out angrily. Teran whirled around and punched her in the side of the face. Saria recoiled and everyone watched as he turned and ran down the boardwalk.
"He ain't getting away with that! Come on Tristan!" Joey began.
"No! Let him be!" Saria commanded. The two best friends, who were poised to chase Teran down stared at her.
"He needs some time alone," Saria said as she rubbed her bruise, "Lets go to my house and ice this." Everyone glanced one last time at the fading Teran and then they turned to go up the boardwalk to the island itself.
"What's up with that kid? One lie and he goes from best friend to biggest foe," Tristan complained.
"Teran's had a rough life Tristan," Saria replied, sorrow in her voice.
"What's happened to him? What made him like this?" Serenity asked. Saria stopped and looked at the ground.
"It's a long story," Saria whispered, pain in her voice. Everyone sat down on some nearby benches.
"Teran's life has been one constant battle. His biological father died in battle and his mom married a Calatian who wastes their income on beer and smokes. Teran's step dad is currently unemployed and he hates Teran in every way possible. Teran's mom tried to work things out when Teran was a toddler, but Mr. Katan thinks of Teran has a waste of flesh and blood. I hate him almost as much as Teran does. Mr. Katan is a master liar and con artist and has a record the length of his arm. But that's not why Teran hates liars and doesn't trust easily," Saria explained.
"What happened?" Joey wondered. Saria stood up.
"I'll tell you the rest at my place. My mom knows the story almost better than I do," Saria replied. Everybody grabbed up their stuff and continued deeper into the small metropolis.
MEANWHILE, SOMEWHERE ON THE EDGE OF OUTSET...
I don't need them! I don't know why I trusted them! They were probably ready to screw me over! Teran thought as he ran down the boardwalk. He knew the island well and had a good idea where the gym might be. He had entered the warehouse district and found it to be deserted except for the occasional boat going through the canals.
"Well, here's hoping I'm right," Teran mumbled and he jogged down towards the older buildings. It was then he spotted two older teens in leather jackets with duel disks exiting a warehouse. They were clearly frustrated. Teran hid behind the first building he could and listened in.
"Man! That Floyd guy is unbelievable! Who would've thought he had those in his deck?" One guy said in amazement.
"Yeah, that old guy has skills. No duelist will get a medal from him! Lets go and plan a strategy to beat that old fool and get our rare cards back," the other guy suggested. The two then walked off. Teran smiled.
"Bingo."
MEANWHILE...
"What a house!" Joey said in awe. The Floyd house stood on the actual island and was a two story condo with a porch and helipad on the roof of the house. The flowers in the beds were at their prime and the lawn was neat and clean. Waiting on the swing was Mrs. Floyd, playing a flute-like object.
"Hey Mom!" Saria shouted and she ran up the cement path. Mrs. Floyd looked up and smiled. She met her daughter on the porch and the two hugged.
"Oh! My baby! It's so good to see all of you!" Mrs. Floyd greeted. It was then she noticed the bruise on Saria's face.
"What happened to your face?" Saria looked down and she began to cry.
"Lets go inside and talk," Joey offered.
"Yes, lets get her cleaned up," Mrs. Floyd mumbled and she opened the door for everyone. Everyone gathered in the kitchen and the Domino teens took turns explaining what happened on the boat including the appearance of the spirits Yami and Link. Just as Mrs. Floyd finished fixing Saria's bruise, the tale was at an end.
"I thought I sensed mystical power from your amulet Yugi!" Mrs. Floyd said.
"You could sense my Millennium Puzzle's power?" Yugi asked. Mrs. Floyd nodded.
"Yugi, this family has magical power. Saria's is hereditary as is mine. Any powers Saria has I have. She's also got her father's knack for swordplay. But right now, she needs to rest while I finish her costume," Mrs. Floyd said, standing up.
"Costume?" Saria asked.
"The festival dear. You're the maiden this year remember? You're the lead in the show tonight!" Mrs. Floyd reminded. Saria racked her brain.
"You're right! But it's been so long since I practiced! I haven't played in a while..." Saria trailed off.
"Yes, I know. The tournament has kept you busy but there's no changing tradition. You're the maiden so you better get practicing. The show is at ten," Mrs. Floyd informed.
"OK, but I want to find Teran first. I have to talk to him."
"Go, but hurry back. Your dad's gym is somewhere in the warehouse district. I can't remember where exactly."
"Lets go everyone." And everyone followed Saria out the door for eastern Outset.
MEANWHILE...
Mr. Floyd was coming out of the warehouse and he was stretching.
"Whew! What a duel that was. I'm not cut out for this," he complained.
"Hey Mr. Floyd!" Teran shouted, "I'm here for a duel." Mr. Floyd sighed.
"Hey Teran. Where's Saria and those other guys?"
"Busy. I came alone. Hope that's alright."
"Don't worry. Come on in." And the two entered the building.
I'll show Saria and Yugi that I don't need their help to win a duel. Teran thought as his form vanished down the stairs.
"We're almost there you guys! Outset straight ahead!" Tristan announced. Everyone gathered in the bridge and saw the large island. The island was mostly on pylons of steel and strong stone and wood boardwalks. The marina, which was loaded with boats of every size, shape and type, was packed to the brim. Though clouds darkened the area, Saria could make out a Ferris wheel and multiple rides being set up on the large square near the edge of the marina.
"Hey! What's with all the carnival stuff?" Joey asked, facing Saria.
"I forgot! It's the Winds of Light Festival! It's my favorite island holiday!" Saria exclaimed happily.
"A festival? Alright! That works for me!" Joey replied.
"OK! Head for the island Tristan!" Yugi commanded, pointing at it.
"Outset, here we come!" Tristan announced and he pulled the Sea Wheeler towards the harbor.
"Tristan, circle around to the western side of the marina. My father's private docks are there," Saria instructed as he circled past the main docks.
"You sure your dad won't mind?"
"Don't worry: He's got more docks than he can handle," Saria replied, a smirk on her face. Tristan promptly pulled into a small dock at the edge of the area. Saria jumped out of the boat and met several men in striped T- shirts and sailor gear. She spoke to them in Hylian and soon, the team, with all of their belongings in backpacks prepared to leave.
"Hey guys. Ready to go?" Saria asked, shouldering her pack. Everyone nodded except for Teran.
"You guys go. I'm going to find the Outset gym leader," Teran announced.
"You sure? My dad is the leader remember?" Saria asked. Teran stared at her angrily.
"I know! I'm going to find his arena. He can't possibly duel in your backyard!"
"Teran, I'm sorry about before. Come with us! We'll all go together!"
"Not a chance in hell!" Saria gasped, then frowned.
"Listen here, Teran Katan! I'm sorry about before with the spirits. I would've told you sooner if I knew it was alright! I didn't know what you would think of me! I didn't want you to think of me as a freak," Saria explained angrily. Teran got right up in her face and stared her in the eye.
"I don't think you're a freak, just a liar like Yugi!" Teran replied, venom in his tone. It was Yugi's turn to frown. His Millennium Puzzle glowed and Yami's spirit merged with Yugi's body.
"Teran, Yugi and I are both sorry for what happened on the boat here. I didn't know if I could trust you right away, I'll be honest about that. But after traveling with you and Saria, I found you to be trustworthy. That's why I shared my secret with you. I understand if you don't like it, but you'll have to deal with it like everyone else," Yami said, in a calm tone.
"I..." But Teran didn't know what to say to that.
"Teran, I need you like you need me. I'm sorry about lying to you about Link. Can you forgive me?" Saria asked. Teran clenched his fists.
"Saria, you know I hate liars. I can't forgive you for this. And I don't need you! I don't need anyone to win this tournament! I'll go on alone!" Teran replied.
"But Teran, you do need us! You got as far as you did with our help! There's no way you would get this far without our guidance, both Yugi's and my own!" Saria shot out angrily. Teran whirled around and punched her in the side of the face. Saria recoiled and everyone watched as he turned and ran down the boardwalk.
"He ain't getting away with that! Come on Tristan!" Joey began.
"No! Let him be!" Saria commanded. The two best friends, who were poised to chase Teran down stared at her.
"He needs some time alone," Saria said as she rubbed her bruise, "Lets go to my house and ice this." Everyone glanced one last time at the fading Teran and then they turned to go up the boardwalk to the island itself.
"What's up with that kid? One lie and he goes from best friend to biggest foe," Tristan complained.
"Teran's had a rough life Tristan," Saria replied, sorrow in her voice.
"What's happened to him? What made him like this?" Serenity asked. Saria stopped and looked at the ground.
"It's a long story," Saria whispered, pain in her voice. Everyone sat down on some nearby benches.
"Teran's life has been one constant battle. His biological father died in battle and his mom married a Calatian who wastes their income on beer and smokes. Teran's step dad is currently unemployed and he hates Teran in every way possible. Teran's mom tried to work things out when Teran was a toddler, but Mr. Katan thinks of Teran has a waste of flesh and blood. I hate him almost as much as Teran does. Mr. Katan is a master liar and con artist and has a record the length of his arm. But that's not why Teran hates liars and doesn't trust easily," Saria explained.
"What happened?" Joey wondered. Saria stood up.
"I'll tell you the rest at my place. My mom knows the story almost better than I do," Saria replied. Everybody grabbed up their stuff and continued deeper into the small metropolis.
MEANWHILE, SOMEWHERE ON THE EDGE OF OUTSET...
I don't need them! I don't know why I trusted them! They were probably ready to screw me over! Teran thought as he ran down the boardwalk. He knew the island well and had a good idea where the gym might be. He had entered the warehouse district and found it to be deserted except for the occasional boat going through the canals.
"Well, here's hoping I'm right," Teran mumbled and he jogged down towards the older buildings. It was then he spotted two older teens in leather jackets with duel disks exiting a warehouse. They were clearly frustrated. Teran hid behind the first building he could and listened in.
"Man! That Floyd guy is unbelievable! Who would've thought he had those in his deck?" One guy said in amazement.
"Yeah, that old guy has skills. No duelist will get a medal from him! Lets go and plan a strategy to beat that old fool and get our rare cards back," the other guy suggested. The two then walked off. Teran smiled.
"Bingo."
MEANWHILE...
"What a house!" Joey said in awe. The Floyd house stood on the actual island and was a two story condo with a porch and helipad on the roof of the house. The flowers in the beds were at their prime and the lawn was neat and clean. Waiting on the swing was Mrs. Floyd, playing a flute-like object.
"Hey Mom!" Saria shouted and she ran up the cement path. Mrs. Floyd looked up and smiled. She met her daughter on the porch and the two hugged.
"Oh! My baby! It's so good to see all of you!" Mrs. Floyd greeted. It was then she noticed the bruise on Saria's face.
"What happened to your face?" Saria looked down and she began to cry.
"Lets go inside and talk," Joey offered.
"Yes, lets get her cleaned up," Mrs. Floyd mumbled and she opened the door for everyone. Everyone gathered in the kitchen and the Domino teens took turns explaining what happened on the boat including the appearance of the spirits Yami and Link. Just as Mrs. Floyd finished fixing Saria's bruise, the tale was at an end.
"I thought I sensed mystical power from your amulet Yugi!" Mrs. Floyd said.
"You could sense my Millennium Puzzle's power?" Yugi asked. Mrs. Floyd nodded.
"Yugi, this family has magical power. Saria's is hereditary as is mine. Any powers Saria has I have. She's also got her father's knack for swordplay. But right now, she needs to rest while I finish her costume," Mrs. Floyd said, standing up.
"Costume?" Saria asked.
"The festival dear. You're the maiden this year remember? You're the lead in the show tonight!" Mrs. Floyd reminded. Saria racked her brain.
"You're right! But it's been so long since I practiced! I haven't played in a while..." Saria trailed off.
"Yes, I know. The tournament has kept you busy but there's no changing tradition. You're the maiden so you better get practicing. The show is at ten," Mrs. Floyd informed.
"OK, but I want to find Teran first. I have to talk to him."
"Go, but hurry back. Your dad's gym is somewhere in the warehouse district. I can't remember where exactly."
"Lets go everyone." And everyone followed Saria out the door for eastern Outset.
MEANWHILE...
Mr. Floyd was coming out of the warehouse and he was stretching.
"Whew! What a duel that was. I'm not cut out for this," he complained.
"Hey Mr. Floyd!" Teran shouted, "I'm here for a duel." Mr. Floyd sighed.
"Hey Teran. Where's Saria and those other guys?"
"Busy. I came alone. Hope that's alright."
"Don't worry. Come on in." And the two entered the building.
I'll show Saria and Yugi that I don't need their help to win a duel. Teran thought as his form vanished down the stairs.