(A/N) I would also like to take this time to thank Trillinka. You saved me! I knew there was something wrong about that chapter but I just couldn't put my finger on it! Thank you so much! For that I would like to dedicate this chapter to you.

Unleashing Valor

By: Tellemicus Sundance

New Arrivals

Rubbing the back of his neck tenderly, he sat up. As his eyes adjusted to his surroundings, he instantly realized that he wasn't where he remembered. A vague memory crept up into his mind: a darkened village with a friend standing close to him, a sharp blow to his neck and… oblivion.

With his free hand, he pushed a trashcan away from him. The putrid smell of it and the alley he sat in were starting to make him sick. But it was this movement that brought to his attention something that he'd missed earlier. Strapped to his back was a heavy bundle that was trying to pull him back onto his back.

Shrugging the straps from his shoulders, he pulled the pack into his view. It was a roll of tough leather that was wrapped tightly around several items. Untying the straps, he unrolled the pack. What he saw took his breath away: several katana, numerous throwing stars, and a pair of nunchakas.

But one katana quickly caught his eye. It was bound in black leather, unlike the brown leather of the others, with a matching scabbard. The metal linings and hand guard gleamed a bright golden color in the rising morning light.

With a swift yank, he unsheathed the deadly blade. The blade was as polished as fine chrome but was incredibly sturdy. The edge, he could see with an experienced eye, was clearly sharp enough slice through a man's flesh with minimal effort. Etched cunningly into the blade was a Japanese inscription.

Forged by Yukito Takei: I belong to the One who defeated the Dark Lord, becomes the first Samurai of the West, and the greatest Warrior of all Legends.

The piercing ring of the school bell signaled the end of another day. Jeremy and Odd were walking down the hall towards the soccer field and their favorite bench. As they approached the doors to the outside, they spotted Yumi. She was going the opposite direction with William beside her.

Ignoring all else around him, Odd went about putting on a set of headphones. He could barely hear Jeremy's subdued voice as they walked through the doors, "Ulrich would be so mad if he saw Yumi looking at William like that."

Pausing only to grunt in acknowledgement, Odd turned on his headphones. Playing his music loud enough for Jeremy to hear, he began humming to the beat of the song. He slouched into the bench, stretching his legs and back. Sitting down on the bench, Jeremy opened his laptop and immersed himself in his project.

"Hey, Jeremy," a familiar voice called to him.

One glance behind him Jeremy forgot all about his laptop. He scooted over slightly to allow more space for his beloved pink-haired friend, Aelita.

Feeling restless with the fast paced song ringing in his ears, Odd stood up and wandered off. He also knew what was probably going to happen between the two lovebirds and he didn't feel like losing his lunch again just yet.

Without paying much attention to where he was going, he soon found himself pacing the length of the Kadic Academy parking lot. For some reason, he also found Sissi and her gang there too.

Sissi was pacing back and forth as well as she spoke to her minions. It was apparent that she was upset and her cronies had to endure her wrath. Odd would've ignored them until a break in the song. Between that break, he could barely hear her say one word, Ulrich.

It had his instant interest and a devious idea.

He put on a big plastic smile as he walked up to Sissi. He watched as she whirled around at the sound of his approaching music. She started talking to him, clearly with her usual swagger and attitude. However thanks to the volume of his music, Odd couldn't hear or even comprehend a word of it.

His smile transformed into a genuine one as he interrupted her. "My dreams come true! I can't hear a single word you just said!"

Sissi's face contorted slightly with anger. She started yelling at him at the top of her lungs apparently as her face turned several shades of red. He could've just barely heard her seething remarks above his music, if he had cared to listen. Throwing on a face of mock concern, Odd shushed her.

In a calm voice, he said "You shouldn't get so mad, Sissi. Otherwise, your face might get stuck in that position—oh wait! Stupid me! That would be an improvement!"

Sissi's glare of pure hatred was lost to him as he walked off laughing loudly at his own joke. He left behind a thoroughly ticked off Sissi and the promise of some bitter payback.

Yes, his spirits were quite high as he rounded a corner toward the game field.

Suddenly the music was playing on deaf ears as Odd stared. There, in the shadows of the tool shed, was a figure he'd not seen for two months. It was Ulrich! Standing there at the corner in disbelief, he watched. As if sensing that someone was watching him, Ulrich suddenly vanished behind the shed.

Finding his voice, Odd cried, "Ulrich!"

Odd ran for the shed. With his adrenalin rush, Odd was at the shed in moments. He didn't even notice that his headphones had slipped from their place and fell down to his shoulders. Thanks to the distance involved and the speed at which he had tried to force upon his unprepared body, he was quite out of breath.

When he could breathe again, he circled the shed several times. He looked the brush and nearby trees, even in the trees. He peeked into the shed's window. He even backed up several paces to look upon the roof.

But he found no one.

Stopping to catch his breath, he pulled his headphones from his neck. Turning off the CD player, he pulled his phone from his pocket. Hitting the speed dial for Yumi's number, he felt a smile creep up his face. Time to spread the news, he thought as he listened to his friend's phone as it rang. Even if I'm just seeing things.