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 6
"Four of Wands, reversed: conditions unfit for advancement, problems and flaws become apparent, unproductiveness and delay."
Saiou was fixated on the card. Although the final piece of his scheme had fallen into place only two nights prior, his readings were warning him of an ominous roadblock to emerge in the near future.
He drew another card from the deck.
"Temperance: restraint, moderation, balance."
Stepping within several feet of the same lake where he met Sho, he returned the cards to the box strapped around his leg.
"Who summons me here?"
A pudgy cat who had been hiding in the bushes sprang from them and scampered by. At the shoreline, it stopped to scratch its ears.
"Hmm?"
"You are the leader of the Whites who have overrun Duel Academy?" a formless voice asked.
Saiou regarded the animal with astonishment. "A talking cat? No, I am mistaken. You must be the one Temperance represents."
"Temperance? Oh, you are aware of my alchemic studies. Impressive."
"Why have you called me here? I am very busy."
The feline yawned. Its mouth was not moving, yet the voice remained.
"I am not the one who calls you here tonight. As you yourself would agree, fate has led you to me."
"I beg to differ. Fate will not lead me astray. My plans will go ahead regardless of your own."
"That is most uncertain. Are you not concerned about Yuki Judai?"
A bright golden orb escaped the cat's body, levitating in midair. Shadows surrounded it, and a humanoid figure took shape. The masked figure's long white hair flowed behind him in a ponytail. He was dressed in a sandstone cloak thrown loosely over his shoulders. Two pairs of emeralds adorned the front of his cape and his waistline, and a tangle of ribbon wound itself around his body. His red eyes gleamed behind the false visage he wore as he lifted an arm, revealing a Duel Disk.
"A spirit?"
"I am Daitokuji, the great alchemist of the Seven Stars!" the apparition introduced himself. "Come and accept my Dark Game, if you are so confident! I will not allow you to get anywhere near Judai-kun until you have defeated me!"
Saiou deployed his own Duel Disk. "Then let the Duel commence!"
…
"Achoo!" Judai sneezed. It had been days since he last saw Sho, and the extensive search proved detrimental to his health.
"Cheer up, Aniki! Marufuji-senpai will be back soon! I can feel it, zaurus!" Kenzan comforted him.
"It's no use. I've looked everywhere, and there's no sign of him. It's like he vanished off the island without a trace!" Judai answered, deflated.
The Ra Yellow retied his bandana, which had come undone for the twentieth time. "He's probably staying in his dorm."
"Misawa says he hasn't seen him. And there's no way he's hanging out in Obelisk Blue. Saiou's got that place locked up tighter than a safe!"
"We'll keep lookin' tomorrow, don! He couldn't have gone far, zaurus!"
Judai hugged his pillow. "I hope so, Kenzan. I hope so."
…
Within space, light crashed down on Saiou's opponent.
"I activate the effect of my Trap, Elemental Absorber! By removing a monster in my hand from the game, I can halt the attacks of monsters sharing the same element! Go, Elemental Absorber!"
The centrifuge spun rapidly, creating a force field that shielded the alchemist from the fallout. The redirected blasts disappeared harmlessly into the vastness of the universe.
"My turn! Draw!"
Daitokuji reflected on past experiences to aid him in his next move. Saiou had two monsters lurking on his side of the field. In theory, one assault divided three ways would be enough to take out the fellow occultist for good.
"Helios Tris Megistus!" He pointed heavenward and announced his sole monster's name, though it was technically composed of three bodies. "Attack with Phoenix Prominence!"
The trio of bandaged child-sized entities burst into flame. From each tiny homunculus' round sun head, solar flares spewed forth and combined to form a gigantic bird of unprecedented heat. The immortal avian screeched, hooking its burning talons into Saiou's servants.
Both Duelists glanced down at their Life Point counters simultaneously. Both read zero.
Saiou's set card…
"It would seem we are evenly matched."
"Carry on, then," Daitokuji said. "I invite you to continue your quest. Judai-kun will be waiting."
"What are you implying?"
"Judai-kun will not give up, nya," Daitokuji reverted to his catlike speech. "He has a grand imagination and creative soul. Success will not come easily for you. He cares about his friends, and he cares about Sho-kun as well. Don't forget that, nya."
The ghost re-inhabited its vessel, entering the cat known as Pharaoh.
Saiou began his trip back, his mind unchanged.
