Chapter 23: Return to Face the Future
I awoke to see her smiling face looking at me again. I don't get it, why she's up so early. I guess it's her habit from when she worked; I'll have to get her normal hours.
I picked her up and carried her down stairs and sat her in a chair next to me. "Morning," Jaden greeted to me and looked at then looked at her. "Morning to you too,"
"Hi," Kate greeted.
"So what's going on for today?"
"I don't know, I want to get so new cards while we're here, and also get her a starter deck, since we're going to teach her, right?"
"Cool, we'll start right away, after we get the cards that it." Jaden said excitedly.
"What kind of deck should we get her?" I asked.
"I don't know; what does she like to do?"
"She likes to…" I said waiting for it to me.
"Cook!" We yelled. Only on one time had I seen a cooking deck, and that was that freak who made us chili."
"Oh yeah, you told me about that. I wanted to eat that so badly!" I answered.
"I know but now we got Kate, and trust me, she's much better and able to duel too." He answered.
"Okay, come on Kate we have to get ourselves cleaned up before I can take you out in public and go shopping for your first deck."
"Mommy, what was your first deck?" I wonder if I remember.
Ж Flashback Ж
"Mom, where is Atticus?" I asked smiling, I was only 6.
"He went to get you a present Alexis, be patient." She said holding me.
"Okay," I sat there for hours waiting for him to return, then the door slammed open, I smiled.
"Hey Lexy, guess what I got you?" Atticus asked me smiling; he was about 10 at the time.
"I don't know what?" I said excitedly.
"Why don't you open it yourself and find out?" I asked.
"Okay, thanks in advance."
"Wait until you know what it is Lexy." He warned.
I carefully undid the paper and opened the package. My eyes went wide and I had a huge smile on my face. "It's a dueling deck."
"Yep, that's what it is alright." Atticus said smiling.
"Thanks so much, brother," I said hugging him.
"You're welcome, now come on; I'm going to teach you how to play."
"Okay," I said happily following me. We were both happy and smiling about his gift. I think dueling is the one thing that we always had in common; he's always helped me with it, since the very beginning.
Ж Flashback Over Ж
"My brother gave me my first deck. My parents weren't the most encouraging people about dueling; at least they didn't stop me. I would have hated that."
"You know what, if it wasn't for dueling I wouldn't have met you Lexy, it's all thanks to Atticus that we met, and dueling; Atticus and Dueling got us together, that's a strange thing to say."
"Zane helped as well, and Crowler, as well as the School; right?" I asked.
"Zane is the one who suggested that you meet me right?"
"Yeah, it was the first day of school when I met him."
Ж Flashback Ж
I sat on the dock all by myself, looking out on the sea. "You're Alexis Rhodes right?" Zane asked. I turned around and saw him, Zane Truesdale. I heard about him through my brother.
"You're Zane Truesdale right? And yes, I am Alexis." I answered smiling.
"I thought so; you're the Obelisk Queen now, huh?"
"I guess, don't really care about it though. It's just a stupid title." I answered.
"Exactly, most of the kids I meet that are from prep schools are all… how can I put it nicely?"
"Idiots who wouldn't make it if they really did have to take the exam." I said smiling.
"Yes, that's it. But not you, you're a girl with skill, brains and not like the others. They're all…"
"Talent less princess with no ability or power, just beauty to flaunt." I answered.
"You're quite good at this."
"I have to be, Atticus is my brother, and he tends to forget words a lot." I answered smiling.
"Yeah, I've had to help him a lot of the time. So you want to go see the new incomers?"
"Sure, but I don't see why? I mean if they're any good, then they'll be with us, right?"
"No, their separation basis is a bit bias, those who are of some class are put in yellow, red is lower class and those with little or no skill but ability as well as those who are exceptional and show off."
"So what is blue?"
"Just what you said, they're princesses and idiots who went to a prep school and think they're good but they aren't all good." He said walking as I followed.
"This is your second year, right?" I asked.
"No, my last, my third; I've been here the longest, this is it for me. A lot of adventures and excitement lay ahead for you here. So let's go find some people that are on our standards."
"Okay, let's go." I said.
Ж Flashback Over Ж
We finally arrived at the store and I picked out a ton of cards for her, and she picked out some, and Jaden picked out some, I gave her some of mine, and so did Jaden. Her deck would be amazing when she got use to it.
We took her to the park and set her down at a chalk drawn dueling board on the ground. I took out a piece of chalk and marked what each of the rectangles represented, and all the different card types, and other notes.
She listened intently as I explained the entire different field and everything, Jaden was sleeping, with her sitting in his lap; she was very interested.
Kate was a real challenge, she had mastered all the strategies that I had taught and she was a real challenge for me but for Jaden, she was a real headache, it was quite sad.
"Why is it so hard?" Jaden yelled at me, figuring out how she had become better than him.
"Because she has raw talent to harness,"
"And I don't,"
"No, but you have limitations that you have to reach." I answered.
"Then I'll just have to pay attention and get better." Jaden said, I started laughing and he looked at me.
"Are you serious?" I asked.
"Of course I am it's crucial that I get better even beyond my own limitations and you're going to help me."
"How will I do that?"
"Lexy you're book smart and talented in strategies and stuff like that. If anyone could help me with that, it'd be you." He answered.
"Okay, then let's begin." I said looking at the chart and stuff like that.
I think Kate learned more then Jaden did, but he tried to get these very hard. He wasn't good at strategizing and if he ever dueled with it, he'd lose easy. It just wasn't his thing, to predict their move, and find a way to counter it; it was not the easiest thing to do.
"Lexy, it's too hard. You actually expect this to help my dueling?" He asked me.
"You don't have to but if you even took some of these things into consideration when you are dueling you'll improve a lot, you know."
"I'll give it a chance on my next duel; I see how I would do with just a little coaching from you, Alexis." He said smiling.
"Okay, let's go choose someone at the center around the corner that would be a challenge for you."
"Yeah, there are a lot of good duelists around here, better yet, let's go find Lisa." He said.
"Lisa, are you sure about that?" I asked him.
"Yeah, you should challenge Zane, I'm sure that he'd be up for a duel with you. I'm sure you could do it."
"Thanks, but I think that Zane is still a little advanced for me." I said declining the thought.
"But Lisa beat Zane, and you beat her, didn't you? So it shouldn't be much of a challenge and plus another star would be good for us both." He said.
"I guess, let's go; come on Kate." I said picking her up and sticking her deck into its boy and snapping it to my belt where I kept my deck also.
I was feeling more tired then usual today but that wouldn't keep me down. I had to keep pushing forward no matter what it took, even if that meant I would be even more tired the next day.
We arrived at the Truesdale Complex and we challenged them to a duel. It was a hard duel but we all won, and we fought like it was for our lives and we won. It was glad because it made us each have two stars.
"Told you that you'd do fine Alexis,"
"I still can't believe that I won." I said holding the star that I received from Zane from my hand.
"It's a pretty cool star, I wonder what master duelist gives out those kind?" He asked.
"I don't know but they must be only a fair duelist if both Lisa and Zane beat them, and retrieved one of these cool stars." He answered.
"Mommy and Daddy both have two shiny stars." The man said.
"Yeah, one day you'll get shiny stars too; you have a lot of skills too." He advised.
"Yep, with a lot of work, good teachers, training, and working hard it will be no problem for you." I said encouraging her.
I packed up all our things and then we got up to return back to the school it would be interesting to see her reaction upon seeing the school; that would be truly interesting. I thought.
We arrived at the school and she was wide eyed when she saw the school. "It's amazing, and everyone there can duel too?"
"Yeah but we're the best, no counting some of the teachers." Jaden said with a ton of confidence.
We walked in the school and we were greeted by Crowler and Bonaparte. "Alexis Rhodes, what a pleasure to see you again, likewise with you, Jaden Yuki." Bonaparte greeted.
"Hi lady," Kate said causing Jaden to burst out in laughing, I forgot to mention that.
"I'm am not a lady young girl."
"You're a funny man." She said laughing. I scooped her up in my arms to keep her away from Crowler's Temper.
"She your daughter?" Bonaparte asked seriously.
"Actually yeah, she is." I said smiling at her.
"What Alexis, when were you pregnant? Is it Jaden, if it is then…?" I stopped him holding up the adoption forms.
"I adopted her Crowler, lay off. She's staying with me, in reference to the prelayed code of your ordinance." I answered.
"You're more up into mine and Lexis's business more than ever Crowler." Jaden said looking at Kate.
"Can she duel?" Bonaparte asked.
"Yeah, Jaden and I taught her everything we could in the last day, she can almost beat Jaden."
"Beat Jaden; then it's settled she'll duel Chazz for her chance into the dorm, and his chance to be blue again."
"I'm surprised he's interested." Jaden said.
"Okay, let's get you set Kate. I have to teach you how to duel with a duel disk. Let's go." I said carrying her away.
She was easily taught I just drew down where the different card types go, she memorized it and was ready. I dueled with her once to make sure she had it down, she lost by a lot but for a beginner, and she was good.
I took her out to the field and sat her and her duel disk down on the ground and Jaden and I stood above her. "I'm going to duel a child; this is too easy. She better be good."
"Trust me Chazz, she it. Don't underestimate her."
I smacked Jaden, "Jaden, for the time being, he's our enemy, you don't advise him." I said sighing.
I never have figured out how children so young can duel, like when I started but I just know they can because I could. How can a child's mind hold all the card strategies, types, and different possibilities to do things? It was so amazing, and impressive.
She didn't announce her plays well, but she did to a point where it wouldn't be counted as illegal, she played every card perfectly, at the right time, thought things through and in the end won. Too bad Chazz was a profession duelist or she'd get a star for that but I guess it's too late now.
"Good game, girl." Chazz said walking over to her.
"Hi, your name is?" She asked.
"I'm Chazz Princeton, who are you?" He asked.
"I'm Kate, Jaden and Alexis' Daughter." She announced herself smiling.
"No wonder I couldn't beat you, you've got the skills of both of them, and I can see that. No wonder those strategies were so familiar."
"I'm happy you're happy." She said and he laughed.
"You're still a child."
"Daddy says that," She said smiling. I giggled and picked her up and carried her up to my dorm and laid her in an extra bed in the room.
"So everyone here knows you?" She asked.
"Pretty much, not very many people don't. Why don't pick out something, we were invited to a welcome back dinner by some of our friends."
"Okay mommy," She said grabbing a dress and changing into it.
I went down the hall with Kate in my arms, and I left her with Kari. So I can talk with Jaden a little more formal. I don't think we've talked in a while. I walked over to Jaden in my light blue dress. Jaden just smiled. I blushed. "Hey Jaden, how do I look?"
"Man Lexy, you look better every time you change your clothes." I blushed more, and smiled showing that I enjoyed his compliments.
"Thanks, you look really nice yourself." I said complimenting him.
"Thanks Alexis, but where's Kate?" He asked.
"She is spending time with Kari and TK as well."
"I haven't talked to TK for awhile; remind me to before the party is over." I answered.
"Okay, so let's go find Syrus."
"Don't you think he's been down lately?" I asked.
"Yeah, poor Sy. I'll go talk to him, and see what's up." He responded. He kissed me on the cheek and walked off.
Jaden came running back to me out of breath. "He won't talk to me; do you think he'll talk to you?" Jaden said to me.
"I'll go check, where is he?"
"You're thinking spot; apparently, he shares that with his whole family." I nodded and walked down to the outhouse and sat next to him.
"Alexis?" He said looking at me.
"Yeah," I answered.
"Is Jaden going to leave me?" He asked.
"No, he's staying here; we're going to be here for a while." I said sitting next to him.
"How long?"
"How many more years do we have?"
"One after this, so two years left." Syrus answered me.
"Then we'll be here for two years, then I go to college and you and Jaden have dreams if I'm correct, right?"
"He's still planning on doing that?" Syrus asked.
"Yeah, he wasn't sure if leaving me by myself with Kate for those three years would be the smartest thing, but she'll be in a real school then, so I'll be able to go to college myself as well."
"Won't you miss Jaden?" He asked.
"Of course I will, I'll miss everyone but that won't cause me to stop them from reaching their dreams. I would never be the selfish, Syrus." I said smiling at him.
"So you're going to let him go off on his own, to make his dreams come true."
"Of course, I love Jaden and I don't want to leave him but I don't want to not let him reach his dreams. He's too important to me, to limit him." I said to him.
"You're a great person Alexis. No wonder I'm your friend."
"Thanks Syrus, well let's go back to the party." I said standing up. He nodded and headed off next to me.
I met up with Kari and she was holding a sleeping Kate in her arms. "So Kari, what do you plan to do after you graduate?" I asked.
"I'm going to be a kindergarten teacher. It's a dream of mine."
"And you TK?"
"I'm going to be a writer." TK answered.
"What about you Alexis?" Kari asked me.
"I'm going to be a duelist academy teacher." I answered.
"Dueling truly is your calling Alexis; you'd be great at teaching it to students. If you can teach Jaden even the bit he knows I'm impressed." TK said laughing.
"He's a hard one to teach, I had to keep him occupied while I was teaching but Kate still got more out of the lesson then he did but he learned quite a bit."
"I have natural skills, I don't need strategy or taught skills; can't anyone get that!" Jaden yelled.
"You'd be surprised how much farther a good strategy can take a kid with natural skills." I boy said behind Jaden, it was Phoenix.
"Yeah but I still can bean anyone with my natural skill so it doesn't matter, so this rocks to fight those who use it. Raw Skills beat Strategy every time."
"Yeah but one day someone will prove you wrong, and then you'll be surprised."
"Okay, I can't wait for that exciting duel." Phoenix sighed and walked away.
"Oh and here." Phoenix threw a gold star at both of us.
"You both beat me so you both get one, take care." He answered.
"We will thanks," I said smiling.
"Cool that makes three stars, how many do we need to challenge our teach Lex?" Jaden asked.
"I can't remember."
"Oh, then we'll go ask one day." I said smiling and pinning it to my shirt next to the other two.
"More shiny stars," Kate said smiling.
"Yeah, we're good at getting them, aren't we Jaden?" I asked smiling. He nodded in response and looked at the star in his hand.
"We're great."
"Cocky aren't we now Jaden?"
"You can only stay uncocky so long Alexis." Sebastian said to us. "Especially when you rarely ever lose."
"I guess but that's a bad example for her so behave Jaden. You can only be cocky when your dueling and when she's not around, got it." I commanded.
"Whatever you say Lex." He said nodding.
A/N: Sorry it's late but I was super busy again and I couldn't finish it so since I don't have a football game I decided to finish it today.