Zypher: Welcome all! Getting ever so close to Death-T. Yep, from your reviews, I can see you all hate evil Kaiba. Well, that'll soon be taken care of. But for now, glad you all enjoyed the last chapter and hope you will enjoy this one as well.
Note: I had a feeling that you all were thinking that when I was doing the introduction for Hanasaki with Duel 3: Hard Beat but I couldn't since I didn't have my Shonen jump issue that contained that duel nor do I have the graphic novel with that in there so I'm starting the introduction with Duel 22 and 23: American Hero. If I ever find my issue or get the novel, I'll think about writing up that part later in the story or before Monster World.
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Yami no Game: Death's Awakening
Chapter 21
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With no sign of Kaiba for the next few days, they were happy to relax for a while. During school, Yugi, Jounouchi, Honda and Zella made a new friend named Tomoyo Hanasaki. He was interested in a comic called Zombire he brought in, along with a few more, and were quickly friends once he became interested. "It's so awesome to know you collect all these American comics, Hanasaki!" Yugi said excitedly. "Yeah! Zombire is super-popular in America!" Hanasaki replied, looking up to him. "I've always had an interest in American superheroes. Zombire is one of my favorites."
"So, how did Zombire become such a great hero?" Zella questioned. "Oh, you won't believe it! He was once the God of Death but he learned to love and started fighting evil! But the more he turns good, the more his face behind the mask rots away, like a zombie and as time passes, his life gets shorter! But he still fights evil! That's why they call him Zombire!" Hanasaki said proudly before realizing his outburst.
"Sorry. I always get excited when I talk about Zombire." he whispered. "No worries, Hanasaki. That just show how much you like him." Yugi replied. 'Even though his explanation of him makes me think of Yami and Aqua. I may not know what happened in their past that led them to become demons but they did learn to love and started fighting those that were evil at heart.' he thought. "At my jii-chan's store, imported Zombire action figures are selling like hotcakes!" he continued. "Do you happen to have garage kits too...?" Jounouchi asked.
"Yeah!"
"Hey guys! Why don't you all come over to my house after school? I can show you my entire collection!" Hanasaki suggested.
"Sure!"
"I'd love to see it, Hanasaki-kun!"
"Ok! Right after school, we'll head over to my house!"
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When they got to Hanasaki's, he led them to his room where Jounouchi, Honda, Zella and Yugi were surprised at all the Zombire stuff Hanasaki had. "Wow! Did you collect all of this, Hanasaki?" Jounouchi asked in awe as they looked around at all the figures, posters and books he had. "Well, my father works in America. Every time he comes back to Japan, he brings something for me." Hanasaki explained. "That's really amazing!" Yugi said, picking up a case with a Zombire action figure inside. "Here's a rare gold variant figure! You just can't find these anywhere in Japan!"
As they were examining more figures and reading some of the books he had, the door open and in walked Hanasaki's mother with a tray of snacks. "Welcome everyone! Would you like some Zombire snacks? They're from America!" His mother told them. "Sure! We'd love some, Mrs. Hanasaki!" Zella replied happily. She smiled, placing the tray down for them and both Yugi and Jounouchi took and cup of tea for themselves. "This is the first time Tomoyo has brought so many friends home!" she said with a smile. "Oh! But before I forget, you have another surprise visitor, Tomoyo!" she said as a figure appeared from behind her.
"Huh...!"
She laughed softly as the figure came into view. "Bwhaha! I'm Zombire!" The figure spoke, shocking Yugi and Jounouchi. "Hi dad!" Hanasaki said happily. "Dad?!" They both called in surprise. Hanasaki jumped up and ran over to him, his dad ruffling his hair lightly. "When did you get home?" he asked. "Oh, just now!" His father said. "Dad! Is that a real Zombire mask?!" Hanasaki questioned, more enthusiasm in his voice. "Oh yes! It's the one you wanted, Tomoyo." he spoke, pulling the mask off and handed it to him.
"This must've been expensive." Hanasaki murmured. "That's ok, as long as you like it." he said with a smile. 'All right! I'll dress up in this costume and surprise everyone!' he thought as he left the room. "Please, have some snacks everyone!" he spoke as he went down the hall. When he was gone, Jounouchi took another sip of his tea, looking over to Yugi, Honda and Zella. "Man, whole family's Zombire crazy..." he hummed before looking up and saw something on the nearby desk. The blonde got up and went over to a shelf, pulling out a box. "Whoa! A Zombire garage kit! He hasn't completed it yet!" he gasped, going back to sit down with them.
"What's a garage kit?" Zella asked. "It a plastic model of a character. They're designed by pro modelers but you have to build them yourself. They look very cool once you're done!" Yugi explained. "Alright! I'll do it for him!" Jounouchi exclaimed. "Hanasaki's too busy collectin' ta put this thing together!"
"This is yer basic soft vinyl kit! First ya soak the pieces in warm water and mold them into the right shape. Once the parts are warm...you cut off the excess from everythin' except the parts you need." he directed, showing them how to create the model. "Then connect the parts with glue...a little bit of spray paint and it's done!" he cheered, showing them the finished model.
Hanasaki came in with his Zombire costume on, getting a compliment from Zella, and was appalled to see his garage kit model done. "Why...why did you put it together? I wanted to keep it in its original box..." Hanasaki whimpered. "Huh! Ya weren't gonna build it?!" Jounouchi exclaimed. "No. It would've kept its value if it was still in its box." he explained. "Oh."
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After staying a little while longer, Yugi, Jounouchi, Zella and Honda thought it was time to get home. "Thanks for having us over." Yugi said happily. "Sorry 'bout the kit though..." Jounouchi murmured softly. "It's alright! Actually, it looks better this way! You did a good job, Jounouchi-kun!" Hanasaki said. He grinned and nodded, thanking him.
"Goodbye!"
"See you tomorrow!" Hanasaki called, waving back to them before heading inside with his parents. "That was fun!" he said, looking up to his mother. Mr. Hanasaki was silent for a while and once Hanasaki and his wife were gone, he left back out the house, catching up with Yugi and his friends. "Ah...ahem...excuse me everyone.." he called and they turned back to see him there. "Please stay friends with Tomoyo. I...I beg of you." he whispered, shocking them. "We'll always be his friends!" Yugi spoke. "Yeah, he's right. What did ya think?" Jounouchi questioned.
"Thank you...To be honest, Tomoyo is...fragile. Because of my work, I haven't been able to spend time with him as I'd like...I was starting to think his only friends were those action figures." he said softly, eyes downcast as he spoke. "Don't worry, Mr. Hanasaki. He's not as fragile as ya think." Jounouchi said. "Yeah, he's right! Well, we got to get going! Later!" Yugi said as they continued their walk back to their homes. Mr. Hanasaki watched as they go, silent as he recalled their words.
'Be strong, Tomoyo...be strong!' he thought as a memory resurfaced.
-Flashback-
"Wow, Dad! You brought something for me again!" Hanasaki said as he laid in a hospital bed, holding a box in his hands. "Yes, he's called Zombire, Tomoyo. He's the strongest hero in America...no...he's the strongest hero in the world." he explained. "Wow! Is he really that strong?" Hanasaki asked.
"Yes!" Hanasaki smiled as he looked back to the action figure. "When I look at the action figure, I feel like I'm stronger too!" he said happily. "Really! Then I'll bring you more Zombire toys and comics every time I come back from America!"
"Really! You promise?!" he exclaimed, looking up to his father.
"Yes, Tomoyo! Lots of toys! Tons of them!"
-End Flashback-
'Tomoyo...' He turned to the window where Hanasaki was roleplaying Zombire up in his room. "Yes, I am cool if I do say so myself!" Hanasaki said happily, looking up to one of his many posters of Zombire. "Streaking through the night, racing between skyscrapers to defeat evil!" Soon, he was gazing at the poster with fascination. 'Streaking through the night...that's so cool...Zombire belongs to the night!' he thought before becoming determined.
'All right...I'm going to go out dressed like this...no one will know it's me...' he thought as he moved over to the window and opened it. "Careful." he whispered to himself as he climbed out onto the small roof below his window and soon jumped down to the ground, catching his father's attention. He turned to see him running off into the night. 'Tomoyo...'
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'This is amazing! I feel like the real Zombire! I feel like I'm strong!' The boy thought as he came into the park, unaware of someone watching him from the shadows, and relaxed on a bench. 'Ha ha ha...I could get used to this.' Hanasaki thought, stretching a bit. He then heard something and turned to see two kids beating up another. "Take that!" One growled, kicking the kid that was still on the ground. The other tried to stand up but was soon punched by the other two.
'A fight...this is bad...two against one...' he thought, getting up and walking off but then realized something. 'But Zombire wouldn't run of at a time like this!' He turned back to where the fight was happening and caught the teens' attention. "What are you?" One questioned. "I'm Zo-" But stopped, realizing what he was about to do. 'Wait! Zombire doesn't give his true name until he beats the bad guys!' he thought. "So, you want some too, eh?!" One of the bullies snapped, making a move to attack him and he cried out, raising a hand to block the blow. When the bully hit his hand, he flew back with a cry. 'Huh!'
"Hey! You hit my friend!" The other growled, moving to attack him. 'Oh no!' he thought, raising his hands to block once more but saw that the other flew back. "Huh?" Both teens got up and ran off. "This dude's stronger than a freight train!" One cried. "We can't fight him! Let's get out of here!"
'Ah! I almost forgot! This is where I say my name!' He thought, standing proudly. "I am Zombire!" he announced as he left. 'Oh, I am so cool!'
'Amazing... just amazing...I'm really strong! I'm Zombire!'
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In another part of the park, the three teens were talking with Mr. Hanasaki. "Good enough for you?" One asked and he nodded. "Yes...yes it was! Oh...of course! Here's your payment!" he spoke, handing them some money. 'Now Tomoyo will have more confidence in himself.'
"Heh heh! That job was a breeze! 100,000 yen (about $800 US) for playing along with a kid's hero games!"
"Can you do it again?" he asked.
"No prob. Just tell us your son's name and school and we'll do the work." The first teen spoke. 'This old dude's a sucker...' he thought.
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The next day after school, Yugi was leaving out since his friends were busy. "Maybe Yami and Aqua will work with me on my Zombire garage kit." he said quietly to himself. The two teens from the night before walked up behind him and caught his shoulder. "Hey! You're from Domino High, right?" he questioned. 'They look like trouble. Better be careful.' he thought. "Do you happen to know somebody named Hanasaki?" he asked again. 'Hanasaki! What could they want with him? I best keep quiet.'
"Uh...who are you talking about? I don't know Hanasaki." he whispered. Hanasaki was leaving out the school gates when he heard the commotion. "You're lying! You do know him!" The bully hissed. "Those are the guys from yesterday! And they're picking on Yugi!" he said to himself. The first took a fistful of Yugi's school uniform, glaring down at him. "Honest...I don't know." he whispered, doing his best to keep any sense of fear from going through the link. 'I taught them a lesson yesterday and they still pick on people.' he thought. 'Don't worry, Yugi. I'll protect you! This looks like a job for Zombire!'
"Don't lie to us!" The kid said again. "We know you know Hanasaki!"
"I don't! I really don't!" Yugi cried. Hanasaki came over and stood in front of Yugi, holding his arms out to protect him. "Cut it out! Leave him alone!" he told them and Yugi was surprised. 'Hanasaki!' he thought. The teens were also surprised but underneath their ploy, only acting. Hanasaki was determined, glaring up at the others. "Hey...he sounds like..." The second kid whispered. 'Yeah, no mistake! It's him! The play hero from yesterday!' The other thought. They looked down at him and he continued to glare. 'Don't be scared...I can take these guys when I turn into Zombire!'
"Hey, let's get out of here!"
"Yeah, we can't handle this guy!"
They both walked off and Yugi was even more surprised. 'Phew.' Hanasaki thought. 'They ran away when they saw Hanasaki? What could've started this up?' he wondered before he looked to Hanasaki. "Are you alright, Yugi?" he asked. "Yeah, I'm fine but that was incredible, Hanasaki!" Yugi praised. "From now on, let me know if you have any bully problems! I'll take care of them for you!" he said and Yugi nodded. "Sure." he told him. 'He seems really confident now. I'm glad.' he thought before they headed separate ways.
Not far off, the two teens kept walking. "Hey, where are we going? Weren't we going to pay him back for last night?" The teen wearing a bandanna asked. "No way! We just need to know what he looked like." The other replied, looking back to the first. "That little brat is our meal ticket! Let him play hero for now!" he told him. 'Because he won't be for long. We'll put the plan into action tonight.'
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That night, Yugi was assembling his own Zombire garage kit, Aqua watching from the bed. "It seems your new friend has gotten you into this Zombire, hasn't he?" Aqua questioned. "Yeah! You should've seen the collection he had. Not only that but I could kinda relate Zombire to you and Yami." Yugi spoke, turning to look at him. "Oh really? Do tell, little love."
"Well, as Hanasaki told me before, Zombire was a God of Death who decided to fight evil once he learned to love and kept fighting no matter the consequences to himself. In a way, that makes me think of you two since you both took care of any evil hearted person that hurt me or my friends, no matter the consequences it would do to you both." Yugi explained and Aqua nodded in understanding. "Yes, he definitely relates to us. We have taken care of every evil hearted person, except for Kaiba and those that you wish to have spared, even with the consequences such as what happened after you saw us when we didn't want you to, at least not at that time." Aqua murmured.
"Yeah. I hate to go back on that memory. I still feel so stupid to have made you two leave without giving you the chance to explain the situation more." he whispered and Aqua climbed off the bed, walking over to him and draped his arms around his shoulders, nuzzling his neck with a purr. "Don't worry. We are here now and forever. You forgave us and that's all you needed to do to have us return to you and give you our love." Aqua purred, kissing his neck softly and made the younger teen blush.
"I-I better get back to my kit." he stuttered and Aqua laughed, his deep voice sending shivers down his spine. "But of course. I shouldn't distract you now, should I?" he whispered before moving back to let him work. Yugi did as he said, finishing up the model within a few more minutes. "There, now all it needs is a little paint and he'll be done." Yugi hummed as he took the spray can and went to spray some onto the model but saw it was empty. "Oh no. The can's empty." he murmured and sighed. "Talk about bad luck. Just when I was almost done and we don't stock spray cans in the store. All the places will be closed by now."
He looked over to the clock and saw it was only eight now. 'Wait just a second...I have an idea.' he thought and looked over to Aqua. "Hey Aqua, do you mind giving me a ride over to Hanasaki's? Since he's a bigger fan of Zombire than me, he probably has some paint I can use." Yugi asked. "Sure, climb on and tell me the way." Aqua answered, kneeling down and Yugi climbed onto his back, taking a grip on the hooded black cloak he took a liking to wearing. He made a big enough hole through the skylight with a bit of his magic and flew out, returning the skylight back to normal before following Yugi's directions to Hanasaki's.
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There, one of the guys from the group of three stood by his house, holding something in his hands. Inside, the Hanasaki family was eating dinner. "You're going back to America tomorrow, aren't you, dad? When will you be back this time?" Hanasaki asked. "I don't know really..." Hanasaki looked crestfallen. "Oh well..." he said quietly. His father saw this and knew of something that might cheer him up. "B...By the way, Tomoyo! I heard of an incredible rumor! Last night, some bad guys were beating someone in the park but they were stopped by a superhero that appeared out of nowhere!" he explained. "Who knows, it might be Zombire!"
Hanasaki smiled at seeing his father happy. 'Wouldn't he be surprised if he knew that was me...' he thought, his spirits lightening up more before he excused himself from the table. "Well, goodnight! Thanks for dinner!" he said as he left the kitchen, looking back to them. "I'll be in my room but knock before you come in, ok?" They nodded. Once he was in his room, Mrs. Hanasaki looked to her husband. "Don't you think Tomoyo is acting a little more masculine lately?" she questioned. He chuckled softly, pouring himself some more to drink.
"You think so?"
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He placed on his costume, removing his glasses and placing in contacts before placing his mask on and went to practice his fighting skills. 'I have to keep in shape so I can fight evil!' he thought, continuing with his punches and kicks until something flew in through his window. "W-what is that?" he wondered before picking it up, finding out it was a note. "It's a ransom note!" he exclaimed, reading it.
'Attention superhero-
We have your friend! Don't try and stop us!' The note read, a crude drawing of Yugi tied up off to the side of the note along with a map to their location. 'Yugi's been kidnapped!'
"It must be the work of those punks! They won't get away with this!" Hanasaki growled before leaving out the window and towards where the guys supposedly held Yugi. The note was left on the floor of his room among the broken glass of his window. Around the corner, the kid that threw the note was talking through a walkie talkie, telling the others that he was coming.
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"Hey, he's coming this way!" The second said, looking over to the first that was spraying skull and crossbones onto the wall that was over the square-like pier by a train bridge.
The first laughed, finishing up his art before turning to the other. "Alright, time for stage two!" he said and the other nodded, bringing out a cellphone and dialing Hanasaki's home number which they gotten before planning out their little ploy. "Hello, is this Hanasaki Tomoyo's home?" he asked and got a confirmation. "You're his old man?" Again, another confirmation. "Hey, it's us. We'd like to play some more hero games with Tomoyo tonight..."
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Mr. Hanasaki looked shocked as he heard the guy he asked to help raise Hanasaki's confidence speak. /And the payment this time will be.../ he said and he gasped. '500,000 yen!' (about $4,100 US) he thought in shock. The teen laughed again. "If you don't want to pay...then we'll introduce a shocking plot to the game. This time the superhero gets beat to death by the villains." he jeered, chuckling again. "But...but I don't have that kind of money!" he told him. The teen didn't give a response to that, only looked up as he and the other saw Hanasaki in his Zombire outfit.
"And here he is...the hero just arrived, old man. If you don't bring the cash, the next time you see him is in a hospital bed." he said before hanging up the phone before getting a response. "All right, you villains! What have you done with Yugi!" he demanded, unaware that they were planning much more than he thought.
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Aqua landed at Hanasaki's home and Yugi slid off his back, walking over to the door with him beside him and rang the doorbell. "Good evening! Is Hanasaki in?" he called. The door opened to reveal his frightened father and seeing Yugi there, he begged him to help. "What happened to him?" Yugi asked in fear. "I-I found this in his room. What should I do...?" he pleaded as Yugi took the note and read it over, Aqua looking as well. 'Hanasaki did this for Yugi's sake.' Aqua thought before looking to Mr. Hanasaki.
"Don't worry. We'll bring him back." Aqua announced and Yugi looked up to him. Seeing that he was angry at the people who did this, nodded and climbed onto his back once more before he flew off, Mr. Hanasaki watching as they left before following.
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Hanasaki cried as he was kicked once more by the bandanna wearing teen. "What's wrong, little hero~?" he taunted as he watched him hit the ground. "Here, I let you in on something. We were only acting last night." he told him and Hanasaki was silent. "Your old man paid us to do it!" he said and that brought shock to Hanasaki. "You're lying...You're lying!" he cried, getting back up and charged at them and the first, being the leader of the gang, took the can of paint he had and sprayed it into his face, causing the paint to get into his eyes.
"My eyes!" The boy cried, writhing on the ground as the other laughed. "You can never be strong!" The bandanna wearing teen said, kicking him. "That's enough, you foul humans." A voice hissed and they turned to see Aqua standing there, hood shadowing his face and cloak fluttering in the wind as Yugi stood beside him. "You'll be playing a game with me now." The demon snarled, eyes glittering death as he stared them down. "Go and help Hanasaki, love." Yugi nodded as he ran down to help Hanasaki.
"What the-?! Another wannabe hero?!" The leader grunted, smoke rising from his cigarette. Aqua snorted as he jumped high into air and landed before them gracefully, Yugi helping Hanasaki to stand. Soon, his father arrived to watch what was going to happen, coming down to help Hanasaki as well and the three of them headed back up the stairs. "So, you wanna play huh?" The leader spoke and chuckled.
"This should be fun..."
Aqua only laughed darkly and narrowed his eyes, gazing down the leader heatedly. "Think you can really take on all three of us...?" The leader demanded casually, flicking his cigarette away and it landed right beside the spray paint can which caught his attention. He smirked, going unnoticed by the others and picked up the can with his tail, transferring it to his hand and looked to them. "I think it will be fun and most satisfying on my part." Aqua hummed. "Hey! He's dissing us!" One of the teens snapped before all three came at him with knives but with a flap of his wings, he was airborne and moved out the way. The leader cursed and he watched him. The demon flew low to the ground, spraying the paint as the teens chased him. One tried to get him but he curved around him, making him curse.
"He's too fast!"
"I'm gonna kill him!"
Aqua examined his path and smirked, seeing as he had them right when he wanted them. The leader growled and looked to him. "That's it! I don't have time for tag!" he hissed, looking at his two lackeys. "Hey! Circle him from the other side! Corner him at the bridge before he can get away! Pin his wings if needed!" The leader commanded and they ran off to the other side. Hanasaki's father, Yugi and Hanasaki was already at the top of the stairs, Yugi watching Aqua and Mr. Hanasaki tending to his son. "Tomoyo...are you alright?" he questioned. "Yeah, my eyes are just blurry." he whispered before turning to Yugi. "You came to help me. How did you find out?" he asked.
"I came over to your house to get some paint for my model and your father told me what happened. These punks tricked you to come here and now they're about to get what they deserved." Yugi explained and Hanasaki turned his gaze down to where Aqua is, almost in awe art how much he resembled Zombire. 'He's almost like him. He fighting them to help me!' he thought. "Come on, Tomoyo! We need to get back home." His father urged but he didn't move. "Go, Hanasaki! This is something you or your father shouldn't witness." Yugi murmured. "No! I can't run away! If I do, I'll never be strong!" he cried, taking off his mask and watching the rest of the little game Aqua was playing.
Yugi sighed and looked to Mr. Hanasaki. "I warn you, what he will do is not something just anyone would see. He won't let you or Hanasaki remember but if you do happen to remember this night, do not tell anyone else." Yugi whispered and Hanasaki's father looked to him before nodding. Aqua finally landed and the gang started coming closer. "We got you cornered now." The leader spoke. "Yeah! Prepare yourself for a load of pain!" Aqua laughed darkly and looked to them, removing his hood but his eyes still glittered death. "You fools really think I was running in circles? Look at the ground!" he said and they realized that he ground was in a mess of intertwining curves that stopped where he was.
"He's been tagging the ground with spray paint!"
"I wasn't tagging. I was sealing your fate with the fuse you happened to set up." he spoke, pointing to the cigarette that was shortening more and closer to the paint. "It will set the paint on fire and soon, you will have no way out." he told them, surprising them. When the flame hit, the paint was set on fire but it rose high so they couldn't escape. "Hey! Let us out!"
"I can't. You have harmed Yugi's friend and I will not take that lightly. Your lives are mine." The demon whispered, walking through the flames as if they were curtains and looked to them, showing sharp fangs. They tried to escape, seeing as he wasn't normal, but the fire was too hot to even try and jump through without the feeling of being burned to ashes. Quick as a flash, Aqua attacked, knocking each one down before tearing in and gulping down flesh, much to the shock of Hanasaki and his father.
"He's some sort of demon." he whispered and Yugi nodded. "You wouldn't believe the story but he is a demon and he along with another has protected me and my friends for a while. They both deal the same punishment to each evil hearted person that has done something to me or my friends unless I will it to not happen." Yugi spoke. Once the deed was done, the flames died, leaving no trace of the game except for the blood on his snout and claws and he looked up to them. He jumped up and landed before them just as gracefully as the first time and Mr. Hanasaki backed away, ready to take Hanasaki with him but he only walked closer, Yugi walking with him until he stood by Aqua's side and looked to him.
Hanasaki sighed and looked down. "I'm sorry all this happened. It's my fault." he said but Aqua placed a hand on his shoulder, after wiping the blood off, making him look back up to him. "It's not true, little hero..." he whispered. Soon, his eyes started to give a hypnotic glow, putting him and his father to sleep and with a wave of his hand, they were back home and sleeping in their beds, not remembering the aftermath of his little game with the delinquents and Hanasaki's bruises healed fully. He and Yugi left, taking the can of paint which Yugi was glad was the same one he needed so he could finish his model.
The next day, Hanasaki woke, still in his Zombire costume, and placed on his glasses after removing his contacts. In doing so, he saw a note lying on his desk. 'Tomoyo, your father was wrong. The true hero's face was hidden behind the mask...the face that got bruised defending his friend. Strength comes from the heart. Remember that and you'll always be strong.'
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Zypher: And that's it for that. Hoped you all liked and will be waiting for more. Time for evil Mokie's debut and then...Death-T! See you soon. And don't forget, whoever reviews first can get a prize of their choice! A fic of their own plot or a character's (give detail please)appearance in this story most likely unless you like him/her appear in another one of my stories. Tell me if you're my 100th reviewer.