Okay, I got three chapters to do; and I can't slack off as much as I want to...because I lack inspiration! But, I got a mind of good ideas flowing thru my veins, so I here to present the seventh chapter of One Touch, One Kiss!
Chapter 7-Can I Really Trust You?
Debatable glances were coming from many directions of which Yugi and his friends wanted to know what was causing Serenity to change so much in front of them. They were now in Ishizu's room in hopes of finding the real cause of Serenity's changes in behavior since the beginning of the quarterfinals; Joey being the most worried about the sheer magnitude of the information coming from this woman's mouth. It had been almost three hours since the departure from the city, and already many things are setting into light. Answers were needed towards questions, and many motives were questioned within the halls.
Seto, himself, wanted to know about what was the missing piece towards his mesmerizing vixen ever since her first true appearance in his view. She developed quite an interest on her, yet he didn't know where, whom, or how she obtained that power. Setting himself outside the door to Ishizu's room, he heard quite a chatter as Yugi and Joey tried to get answers about many things about the things that they didn't know. Seto didn't care about what they talked about Marik or his priorities, but he lifted his ears once more when the topic now switched to Serenity's total change in person.
"I had no visions about Serenity's complete change during this tournament; I cannot say that this spring of events truly has me puzzled about my brother's intentions." Ishizu said.
"We just want to know whatever the hell caused my sis to act the way she is now!" Joey bellowed. "She calls me names, diss my friends, and showed off some crazy power during my duel! Something's definitely the fuck wrong with her!"
"Pft!" Maria retorted. "You're saying that because you're afraid of her turning independent and letting her go, asshole!"
"Shut the hell up, bitch!" Joey shouted.
"No, you shut up, bastard!" Maria shouted.
"Enough!" Yami yelled. "My Ra, we can't get you two to back off each other for a few minutes!"
"It's his/her fault!" Joey and Maria said, pointing the accusing finger on each other.
"Whatever..." Tristan sighed dismissively. "Stupid storm caused all of this; came out of nowhere and next thing you know, Serenity goes all loco!"
"Hey, don't forget about Mai's sudden appearance as well, Tristan." Tèa said. "She went from being the woman we met in Duelist Kingdom, to what we see right now! I mean, Serenity must have seen something in that storm to make her react like this."
"I think you might be on to something, Tèa." Duke said. "I heard noises coming from those clouds and it sounded like someone was in a hurry to get away from them."
"What did they look like?" Ishizu asked.
"None of us have gotten a good look at these 'things', Ishizu." Yami said. "I did however, see someone carrying a bright gem in his/her hands..."
'No...It cannot be.' Ishizu thought, eyes widen in shock. 'But, the legends about this gem was never accurate, let alone been confirmed! If what they say is true...then I'm afraid that Serenity will be in more danger than the rest of them.'
"I think I now know what you are speaking of, but I'm afraid you cannot help Serenity at this point." Ishizu said.
This set of words sparked outrage in Joey's eyes. What the hell did she mean that he can't help his little sister?
"You do?" Yami asked. "But, why would you withhold such crucial information?"
"I did not withhold information; rather, the information was never confirmed nor studied upon in legends." Ishizu said. "What you are speaking to me, is a powerful gem called the Soul Crystal."
"The Soul Crystal?" Tristan said. "What the hell is that?"
Seto perked up his ears again. So, the crazy destiny woman, aka Ishizu, does know something about Serenity's powers and such. It was time to know what portions of the information he would tell to his vixen if he wanted to earn her trust, and this information was also beneficial to him in more ways than one. To think that one such jewel can contain that massive amount of power, yet for reasons unknown to him, Serenity was the only one out of the whole geek group to be chosen to contain such ferocity in her fragile body. He listened once more as questions started to pour out of the group.
'I wonder if my charming Serenity knows anything about this crystal inside of her. I'll earn her trust so easily, and then...no one would dare challenge my authority!' Seto thought maliciously.
"Please calm down, my friends." Ishizu said. "I know you are very worried about Serenity, but right now...no one in this very room knows her exact location."
"That's true." Joey said. "Soon after my duel ended, she disappeared and no one has even heard not one peep from any hiding places that she might have found over the time period we have gotten!"
"So, what about this Soul Crystal that Serenity somehow obtained?" Yami asked. "Is it more dangerous than expected?"
"My pharaoh, you and your friends are quite safe; however, for Serenity...a whole lot of trouble is awaiting her." Ishizu said. "Not much has been heard about the Soul Crystal since it's first appearance centuries ago, except that all those who do possess it die from the crystal's after-effects."
"What?" Tèa said, suddenly turning deathly pale.
"Yes, this much info was obtained during autopsies of every person who came in contact with the crystal. Those who lived during the Soul Crystal's trials isolated themselves because they fear that the crystal might still be with them." Ishizu said.
"But, why the sudden change in person and appearance?" Duke asked. "It can't happened that quick enough to appease everyone around them!"
"It's during the lapsing time that the Soul Crystal itself starts incorporating itself into it's new host, gathering anything around it, from personality to appearance, and then physically making those changes itself." Ishizu said. "The person might display some form of sickness, but it automatically passes as soon as the crystal is completely done with arranging itself to the host."
"That would explain Serenity's sudden transformation." Yami said. "She fainted when she looked at Kaiba, then suddenly got nauseous when she was around Mai."
"But, it doesn't explain that hell of a crazy power she pulled on Dice Boy and me!" Tristan shouted.
"And the sudden retreat during the duel." Tèa added.
"The Soul Crystal tends to possess the host at times; and also acts as the other side of which no one has ever seen in another person. The crystal itself is very powerful, and only those of pure heart can control such a powerful gem. But, however, should the crystal's power be displayed in front of people desperate for revenge and corrupted in the heart, it makes up for that portion by taking a piece of the host's life force and transfers it to the crystal to make it pure once again." Ishizu said. "Serenity must have gone hidden in a place that only she knows, and is avoiding you all to protect you from what she is experiencing as of now. But, I know that she must be back; she cannot hide from the dangers she'll be facing as of this critical moment."
"So, in short terms: Have Serenity avoid people who are corrupt and make sure we don't piss her off." Maria said.
"Well, now that we know what's causing Serenity to panic, it's best if we can find her right now." Yami said. "However, we might have to distinguish between the two personalities when that crystal does possess her again."
"I rather tell that spirit to get the fuck outta my sister!" Joey shouted.
"Oh no, you don't, you son of a bitch!" Maria retorted. "Serenity totally needs that change! I'm not letting you destroy what she worked up for!"
"Make me, asshole!" Joey yelled.
And the fighting between the two continued, as everyone tried to break it up again. Moving from the hallways with a smirk upon his face, Seto chuckled knowing all the information that he needed to persuade his alluring angel into his dragonish claws. He edited the words in his mind, thinking of the perfect solution to sway her trust into believing that he can save her, when he wanted to use that power to crush his competition. There was nothing that the geek squad can do now; he had the only way of locating Serenity, and he was going to be the first one there as well.
'All of my information has been gathered, and whether Wheeler likes it or not, I will obtain that power through Serenity; no girl can ever resist me, and she'll be no exception.' Seto thought.
He left before anyone saw him, knowing sooner or later that Serenity will eventually come out to see her friends and brother.
Speaking of Serenity, let's see where she is right now...
The breeze outside calmed down, yet it was still chilly as Serenity looked out into the night sky; her thoughts going through like crazy as she tried to press every single information that she learned about the gem inside her own body. There was nothing she can truly do about the spirit's transition whenever she was thought to be in danger or about the sudden loss of life within her own soul, and she knew that her brother and the rest were worried about her own welfare. She held herself in her own arms as she started to head back to her friends.
'All of this is happening because of that storm that appeared several hours ago, yet why do I feel that I'm going to be the one that's in more danger than the rest of my friends? I know that spirit would try to take over my body again, but...can I really trust her with my very own life?' Serenity thought.
However, something in her body froze up as she looked up again, seeing clouds forming under the blimp, and a destructive roar was heard from the sky above. Was this one of the trials that the crystal predicted that she needed to overcome...?
I hate my schedule! I never get anything done this way! Oh well...time to make a new one, again.
R&R, people!