Chapter Two: Bastion's New Look

Bastion was lying in a large four poster bed. It felt better than his bed at Duel Academy. 'This is nice,' Bastion thought. Bastion could barely believe just yesterday he was an orphan with no friends that really cared for him. At a school that was quickly turning into a base of operations for a cult, with him foolishly thinking of challenging the cult's leader. Now he had a family that cared for him

From what Jaden and the others had told him about Sartorius, Bastion now realized, with his head clear that he would have been no match for Sartorius since Sartorius could see what his cards were. Before, Bastion didn't believe in magic but now with him being in the past Bastion believed. Still Bastion planned to wait and when the time came he planned to go back to Duel Academy and beat Sartorius and free those he controlled.

Just then the door to his room slammed open as Valon barged in with Alistair following him. "Hey kiddo it's time to get up. We need to get going," Valon said as leap and landed on the bed on his stomach.

"Where are we going," Bastion asked as he rubbed his eyes and got up and put on a shirt and jeans that Alistair gave him last night to hold him over for the next day.

"We're going to be going shopping," Alistair said with a smile as he watched Bastion go into the bathroom that was connected to his room to change.

"Yeah, since you're one of us you need a new look and a bike of your own. I'll even teach you how to ride it," Valon said with a smirk.

"Thanks," Bastion said as he got out of the bathroom. Soon Valon and Alistair were driving their bikes with Bastion riding behind Valon. Soon they came to a biker clothing store and went in.

"Ahh, Alistair and Valon, two of my three best customers. What can I do for you?" a large man in biker outfit behind the counter asked.

"Hey James, we got a new member of our family here that needs a complete makeover," Valon said with his arm around Bastion's shoulder as Bastion looked around the store.

"Alright then let's get started," James said as he took Bastion to a dressing room. For a couple of hours Bastion tried on different outfits until Bastion, Alistair, and Valon all agree on the same outfit. The outfit they all agreed on was a tight, dark-green muscle shirt that had no sleeves, black and green arm bands, black fingerless gloves, a custom high collared black leather trench coat that had his favorite monster Water Dragon on the back and a seal of Orichalcos on the inside of the collar.

Bastion looked himself over in a mirror that was next to the dressing rooms. "It needs something," Bastion said.

"What do you mean? You look perfect," Alistair said with a confused look on his face.

"No, he's right. He need something that symbolizes a moment in his life where he was at his weakest but came out on top," Valon said as he looked over Bastion's new look.

"We have an assortment of chokers that have different symbols hanging on them," James said as he came out with a container of chokers that he opened. There were a bunch of nice chokers in the box but the one that caught Bastion's eye was the black one with a sliver snowflake hanging from it. "I'll take this one," Bastion said as he picked it up and put it on.

"You sure about this Bastion?" Valon asked as he saw the snowflake and was very confused about Bastion's choice.

"Of course Valon. The Former Snow Prince must have the symbol that is connected to his name," Bastion said with smirk of knowing on his face.

With that they paid for everything and then when to a nearby motorcycle shop where they got a dark green motorcycle that was similar to Valon's that they had delivered to the base. After that they went home.

When they arrived home Dartz was waiting for them, "Young Bastion, it is time we talked about the information you have about the future. Please meet me in my study after you've put away your new things," Dartz said to Bastion.

"Yes Master Dartz, thank you Master Dartz," said Bastion and then Dartz went to his study.

With Valon's and Alistair's help Bastion put all his new clothes away in record time and then took the greatest pleasure in burning his Duel Academy uniform, the symbol of a life full of pain and loneliness. After that Bastion walked to Dartz's study and just as he was about to knock on the door it was flung open and Rafael came out of the study. Rafael gave Bastion a dirty look then walked off. "He reminds me of Chazz before I kicked his arse," Bastion whispered to himself before going into the study.

Bastion walked up to where Dartz was sitting and kneeled on one knee. "You wanted to see me sir?" Bastion asked.

"Yes young Bastion. I would like to talk about the information you have on the future. Please have a seat," Dartz said as he motion to the chair next to him. Between the two seats was a table that had a tea set and a small platter of sandwiches. Bastion got up and sat in the chair as Dartz poured two cups of tea and gave Bastion one of them. "Thank you Master Dartz," Bastion said as he took a sip of tea and a bite of a sandwich.

"You're welcome. Now, Bastion what happens in your future?" Dartz asked as he took his own cup of tea.

"Well, most of what I know of this part of time is rumor and speculation since my past self is only four years old right now. But one thing I know is true is that one day Duel Monsters started appearing all over the world and a giant eye appeared in the sky and started absorbing the Duel Monsters until a giant Dragon appeared and shattered the Eye. That's when the rumors kicked in. One says that the God Cards were stolen and were used against Yugi. Another says that only Obelisk was used against Yugi," Bastion said to Dartz.

This went on for several hours until Bastion had told Dartz all the rumors he could remember for this part of the timeline. "Thank you Bastion. That will be all for now. I will send for you when I need more information. You have done good work my child," Dartz said to Bastion.

"Thank you Master Dartz," Bastion said as he got from the chair and kneeled in front of Dartz. Bastion then got up and left the study. When he got out of the study and shut the door there was Rafael, as if he was waiting for Bastion. "What do you want?" asked Bastion in a bored tone.

"Don't take that tone with me punk. What were you and Master Dartz doing for so long?" Rafael said in an angry tone as he glared at Bastion with hatred.

"I was telling him what I know about the future. What is your problem? It's not like I'm trying to become Master Dartz's favorite," said Bastion, wanting to leave. He didn't like the look Rafael had on his face.

"I'm not going to give you the chance to take my place as Master Dartz's favorite. Since you've come the future you must be pretty powerful. I think the Great Beast will like that power," Rafael said as he activated his duel disk.

Bastion couldn't believe what he was seeing, was Rafael that desperate to ensure his place as Master Dartz's favourite?

"Well, what are you waiting for, coward?" asked Rafael.

Bastion clenched his hands and gritted his teeth, "I'm no coward Rafael. I'm not going to duel you for several reasons, one, I don't have my deck or Duel Disk with me, two, I'm not about to duel right outside Master Dartz's door, three, I've already dueled you and beaten you, four, although I hate you because you have a Duel Spirit I'm not going to act like a spoilt child over it. Grow up Rafael and oh and five, I'm not the type to get into trouble without a good reason and you don't have one," said Bastion.

"Why you little punk, I'm going to crush you!" yelled Rafael and made to punch Bastion when the door opened and Dartz caught him in the act.

"Rafael, what is the meaning of this?" he asked sharply, "I could hear shouting from you."

"Mater Dartz…I…I was…" stammered Rafael.

"Rafael, look at me, look into my eyes," commanded Dartz and Rafael gulped but did as he was told. Dartz's eyes flashed a purple colour and so did Rafael's and Dartz saw exactly what happened. He then looked at Rafael in disproval. "Rafael, I am very disappointed in you. I thought you were better than this. Bastion is just like you and the others and you are trying to start fights with him. You are now forbidden to leave the grounds until I say so and you have kitchen duty for two weeks. Maybe that will teach you not to start fights," scolded Dartz, knowing that Rafael hated staying in the same place for too long and he also hated kitchen duty because not only did he have to cook but he also had to clean up and he hated that as well.

"Bastion, I saw what happened through Rafael's eyes and I know you are not hurt, physically, but are you hurt?" asked Dartz in genuine concern; he actually liked the young duelist from the future. He was polite, intelligent, a good duelist and there was something about him that reminded him of himself as a boy, before he became king, before he was married, when he was trying to find his way in the world and find out who he was, when his father was too busy being a king and when he was alone. Yes, Dartz liked Bastion and there was something else, after all that had happened to this boy he still retained some of his innocence, how could that be?

"I'm fine Master Dartz, really. I'm not hurt in any way at all," said Bastion and Dartz gave him a smile and put his hand on his shoulder.

"That's good, now, I believe that I hear Valon calling for you, go and see what he wants and enjoy the rest of the day," said Dartz and gave Bastion a small pat on the shoulder and turned to go back into his office.

"Thank you Master Dartz," said Bastion giving him a bow and a smile before taking his leave. Dartz looked at his retreating back and then went into his office and closed the door, not even sparing Rafael a single glance. Rafael was not happy at all.

"That punk is going to pay for this one day, I swear it, he will not become Master Dartz's favourite," growled Rafael in a low voice and then walked away to his room.

Xxxxx

At dinner, which had been cooked by Rafael, when everyone was at the table and the food was served, just before everyone started eating Dartz gently tapped his spoon against his glass. "Before we start eating I'd like to make an announcement. We have gained a new member in our family but he needs the final thing that will show that he is part of our family," Dartz said as he motioned to their butler.

The butler went into the next room and came back with a box and opened the box before Bastion. Inside the box it was lined with velvet but in the middle of the velvet was a silver gauntlet with an Orichalcos stone right in the middle of it. Bastion picked it up and looked at Dartz. When Dartz nodded his head and gave him a small smile Bastion put on the gauntlet onto his right wrist and the stone began to glow slightly and Bastion gave Dartz a small smile.

"Let us give a toast to Bastion, the new member of our family," Dartz said as he raised his glass.

"Here, here!" Valon and Alistair said cheerfully as they raised their glasses as well. Rafael also raised his glass too but only to not upset Dartz.

'Things are looking up,' Bastion thought as he looked at his new family.

A/N: Two chapter in two day. Read and review please. I plan on having at least one more chapter up before I go on my trip.