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.

Pairing: Judai/Sho/Kenzan triangle.

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 5

"Yuki Judai, your ultimate challenge awaits. The final happenings that will determine The Fool's fate…The uncertain course he placed his trust in, and the deceiving bridge he must cross…There is a price to pay. The outcome, unknown. Will he be allowed to pass safely, or will that bridge collapse?"

By candlelight, Saiou plucked an apple, the topmost card, from its tree, his tarot deck.

"The Tower, reversed?"

A knock.

"Who is it?" he said, not bothering to look up.

"Marufuji Sho has been spotted on the premises."

The diviner grinned. "Excellent."

Sho sat by the edge of the lake that bordered the former Obelisk Blue dormitory. Despite its takeover by Saiou's followers, the living quarters reminded him of his brother. During rough times like these, he would often turn to his brother for help, but now all he could do was rely on a memory – how Ryo had been previously, before becoming Hell Kaiser.

There'd been changes within himself as well, he realized. His heightening desires toward Judai. The deepening sense of abandonment presently constricting his chest.

Everything was happening so fast. It was overwhelming.

"How could he do this me? He said I love you so simply!"

"You ran away, didn't you?"

The depressed Ra Yellow almost had a heart attack when he saw who it was.

"Excuse me. I did not mean to startle you," Saiou apologized. "You are Marufuji Sho, aren't you?"

Sho was too scared to open his mouth.

"By the looks of things, you've had a bad day. Care to talk about it? I'm a good listener." Saiou took a seat next to him, his tone thick with reassurance.

Although he was reluctant to speak, especially to Saiou of all people, Sho desperately needed the company. Torn between fear and acceptance, he selected the latter and began recounting the events that had led him to the lake in the first place.

"How awful!" Saiou gasped once the story ended.

"It's all right. If Aniki doesn't want me around anymore, I can cope." Sho plucked the blades of grass he was sitting on, not believing himself.

"You should not lie to yourself," Saiou told him. "When you lie to yourself, it can make you sick."

"It can?"

"Yes. It's better if you confront your problems. That way, the things hurting you will go away."

"But I don't want Aniki to disappear!" Sho's voice cracked.

"I can see that. You love him very much, don't you?"

The smaller nodded, both hands at his heart. "I do love him."

"It's because of them…that Kenzan-kun and Edo Phoenix. They're the ones trying to ruin everything for you and Yuki Judai. They're the ones who think they can step all over you to get to him."

Sho felt…validated?

"Would you like to see something cool?" Saiou asked with a smile. "These are tarot cards. Truth is, they told me you were lying to yourself and making yourself sick."

"Wow! Really? They're nothing like my Vehicroids!"

"These aren't for duelling. Would you like to try them out?"

"You'd let me play with them?"

"Absolutely." Saiou shuffled the cards adeptly. "There's nothing wrong with hatred. It's perfectly normal."

"What?"

He continued shuffling. "The card that said you were sick. The Tower. It's a bad card. Not you at all! But the only reason it showed up was because of them."

"Kenzan-kun and Edo Phoenix?"

"That's right. The two of them, they aim to take him from you. So ask yourself, is it wrong to want to hate them?"

"I guess not?" Sho wasn't sure.

He and Kenzan argued over who had the right to call Judai "Aniki," but they were still good friends.

He put up with Edo's snobby attitude too.

"Maybe it's not just them. Maybe it's Yuki Judai. Hasn't he mistreated you?"

"Aniki did?"

"He did, didn't he? You were merely his toy! Once he was done with you, he threw you out! Doesn't that make you feel mad? He had no right to do that to you! You deserve better than that!"

"Hey, yeah! He's the cheater!"

Things were beginning to make sense. Sho was ripping grass out of the dirt now.

"He was too busy messing around with others to care about you! How's that? Tell me when to stop shuffling! Everything will be made clear!" Saiou laughed.

Inadequacy gripped Sho.

You think it's all fun and games, don't you, Aniki? You think playing with my emotions is entertaining?

The oracle stopped shuffling his cards, watching as swans on the peaceful lake flew off in terror. He placed the newly formed pile in front of the enraged Sho.

"I hate you, Judai!"

"It's okay to hate him," Saiou repeated. "You're in control now. This is your fate. I will help you conduct it properly. Isn't this good? Destiny is only a step away. Come. Make your choice!"

The boy pulled a card from the pile emotionlessly: The Lovers, reversed.

Sho embraced his newfound ally. "Saiou-sama…You're my friend."