Hero
Author's Note: Wrote this sixteen years ago and never finished it. Enjoy the story and R&R.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX series.
Summary:
Edo Phoenix grew up believing his brand of justice could avenge the tragic loss of his father. Will Yuki Judai's relationship with Marufuji Sho show him what makes a true hero shine?
Chapter 1
Footsteps, rhythmic and poised, echoed softly in the equally poised hallway. The sounds were light on the air, creating an illusion of silence as the sole individual crossed the pale red carpet. As he walked past, marble pillars, polished so excessively that he could see his reflection in them, presented themselves. They lined either side of the crimson channel, standing erect with the posture of soldiers and only hunching over at the ceiling where the structures ended in elaborate architecture.
The floor was sparkling white and stretched far, the end barely visible at the foot of a glassy staircase of three steps. The only darkness that crept into the sanctuary was that of his own shadow, projected radially over the pristine expanse in the shape of a pentacle.
A sudden chill came over him, and he gripped his sides instinctively. He was well aware the act would prove pointless, as the sanctum was a haven without doors or windows that could shut to keep the wind from making its presence known. He did so regardless, however. It gave him some sense of repose.
He ascended the staircase, finally arriving in a much brighter room. Four glowing spheres were suspended high above, casting a blue hue over the glimmering walls. Each radiating orb was arranged perfectly so that together, one atop another, they formed a miniature cross. At the center of the room, there was a man, a table, and a chair.
"You're early, Edo," the seated one said calmly, though a hint of expectedness rang in his voice.
Edo didn't reply. He didn't think his manager was waiting for a response. From the looks of things, he was too preoccupied mixing the cards on his table, as if Edo had not come in unannounced at all.
"Something interesting happened. I visited Duel Academia recently…"
"Duel Academia? Why did you go there?" The boy brushed strands of his silvery hair out of his eyes.
Saiou united the cards into a single pile. With a fluid motion, he scattered three from the top horizontally in front of him, and with a second, placed an additional one above them. With his left hand, he lifted the card furthest from himself, as well as the leftmost closest to himself, and turned them face up. A jester of sorts, sporting a tightly-wound headdress and fife, adorned the face of the latter.
"Fate is an unequivocal concept, Edo. One is only susceptible to destiny, yet the power that climbs beyond my prediction is still seeking to precariously manipulate my Wheel of Fortune. That is… Yuki Judai's power!"
Edo again refrained from saying a word. He waited patiently for an answer to his original question, but was beginning to suspect it would never be answered, given his manager's riddle-talk.
"Yuki Judai, represented by The Fool. He holds the key to unlocking the secrets of my Wheel of Fortune. The key that will allow it to spin forever."
"Judai has that ability? Why would he –?" Edo spoke at last.
"That is a mystery. But I have no intention of playing detective. Go to Duel Academia at once. We must make haste. Already my fate begins to spin out of control."
"So I must return to that school again? Fine, I'll go." Edo straightened his tie, proceeding out of the room.
Saiou flipped over the next card. "The upright god of death who brings destruction. What change will be wrought?"
Intriguing.
He flipped over the final card of his spread. It was The Hierophant.
"Yuki Judai is not alone. Edo, you too share the same path." He shuffled the four cards on the table back into the deck, and began mixing again. A single tarot card fluttered away from its brethren and the diviner's gaze followed its descent closely until landed on the floor, at which time, shock struck.
"The Lovers!"
…
Under the cover of darkness, the vehicle sped through the clouds, its propellers slicing through the billowy substance. The plane veered from side to side due to turbulence, but remained relatively steady thanks to the pilot's skills. A hatch in the plane's side was open, two figures making preparations within.
Edo put on his gloves and adjusted his tinted goggles so that he could see properly. He put weight down on both feet to check the board he was standing on was secure before locking his boots into place with the straps on the board's edges.
The hatch operator inspected the athlete's gear, nodding when he was certain everything was set.
"ARE YOU READY?" he let out a yell that was drowned out by the whipping of the propellers outside.
Edo gave the man a thumbs-up.
"GO!"
Launching himself forward, the teen drove himself off the aircraft's ramp and into the open atmosphere, his shielded eyes meeting the night sky. Although much of the heavens had been blanketed in shadow, they still carried a rare beauty, the sky an intricately woven network of tiny pinpoints of light.
Steadying his board, Edo roared loudly as he fell, the blurriness around him flying backwards in a violent storm. He shifted quickly to slow his momentum, gaining more control over his plummet.
Smoke arose from the island below. It was unmistakable, practically bursting forth from the volcano that shared the same landmass as Duel Academia.
Edo was hooked on the rush of adrenaline. His senses flared. At that moment, he lived up to his name. Rising from the ashes, the firebird soared onward. Defeated previously by Yuki Judai, he would return birthed anew.
