Darkangelsonic: So here is chapter 7... Having a hard time with 3 majors now. I'm so so sorry it took me so long. and surprisingly I still have the average of 2 reviews per chapter. How sad. sobs
Ani-sand: I thought Jaden playing in the beach was one of my craziest and probable thoughts. hahahaha Yup I understand, the whole school thing. hahaha I'm still happy you like the chapters. I hope you like this one too.
Bane-Teller: I don't get why you're grinning at poor Ashley's expense. hahahahaha But I appreciate that someone looks forward to me updating. (grins)
"WHO THE HELL TOLD YOU THAT IDEA?!"
"I CAN TELL!!"
"THEN YOU'RE BEING ILLOGICAL!"
Ashley heard Bastion take a deep breath.
"You're not a burden, Ashley."
"Then what am I?"
Bastion couldn't answer, but he was trying to, when Ashley decided to run away from him. She just ran to anywhere but there, any place but there would be good.
Ashley ran deep within the forest and ended up at the edge of a cliff. Ashley took a deep breath.
"BASTION, YOU BIG IDIOT!!"
"Is he really?"
"Who's there?"
"You're most loyal servant, Hime-sama."
"Show yourself!!"
"As you wish, Hime-sama."
A black armored knight appeared in front of Ashley, he was kneeling down in front of her.
"Buster Blader?"
"At your service, Young Mistress."
Is this real? Am I hallucinating or something? Ashley's face reflected her thought
"Mistress, I assure you, you are not hallucinating or going insane. I'm your duel monster spirit."
"Oh? I see… Buster Blader…"
"Yes, Mistress?"
"I'm not really in the mood so will you please leave me alone?!"
"I didn't know someone had reserve this spot already. I'll come back later." A low voice said
Ashley jumped in surprise and turned to see a 3rd year obelisk with dark blue hair.
"I didn't mean you." Ashley laughed nervously
Buster Blader, you are so dead after this!! He must think I'm insane or something…
The obelisk looked at her and the clothes she was wearing intriguingly.
"So what are you doing here dressed like that?"
"Um—it's a long story. Besides what does, an obelisk like you, could be doing here?"
"I like being alone to think."
"I see."
Ashley sat at the edge keeping her legs close to her to keep warm. The obelisk walks over to her side and gives her his blazer.
"Thank you… Um—what's your name?"
"Zane."
"I'm Ashley, Ash for short."
I hope Aguilos is doing better than I am… I really miss home…
"Something wrong, Ash?"
"No, just homesick. I miss my big brother and my friends."
Like Joey and Tristan for one… They always seemed to know how to make me feel better…
"I see."
"I wish… People wouldn't be these complex beings." She spat so suddenly
"Why?"
"I don't know I guess it seems less of a struggle…"
"Less of a challenge too."
"…Ok, I take that back… It's the fuss…" Ashley said practically trying to find a loop whole in her "excuse"
"But isn't the fuss that makes it a challenge?"
Ashley buried her head in her hands and groaned in defeat, Zane was catching on her charade.
"That's not what's bothering you, is it?"
"Not really… This is so stupid… I can't explain this feeling… Or why am I feeling this way..."
They both kept silent and look at the setting sun with its beautiful shade of orange, yellow and red.
"Are all obelisks supposed to be… I don't know… Smug with all the meaning of the word?"
"Not everyone is like that…" Zane sighed
"Just most…?"
"No, just Chazz."
Ashley couldn't help but laugh, it made her feel a little better for the moment. Zane looked at the laughing girl and concluded it suited her better than being sad and depressed.
"It's getting late you should go back to your dorm now."
"I should say the same to you, Zane." Ashley smiled at Zane
"Wearing that? I'd say YOU ARE the priority."
Ashley blushed.
Oh, yeah… I forgot the stupid bikini.
The sunset had completely disappeared now and it was completely dark.
"You can go back alone right?"
"Of course! I'm not THAT incompetent…"
Zane stood up, looking at her for a moment before started to walk back to his dorm.
"Good, see you around."
"Bye."
Not long after Ashley stood up and headed to her dorm. Unfortunately, she got lost.
ASHLEY POV
I walked at an unfamiliar place it seemed to be a deserted dorm, and reminded me of a place I use to known so well… It wasn't like any place anyone would want to be, but it still exists in this world.
FLASHBACK
A small Ashley, at the age of 4, was caged in her room with one else but the maids who came to feed her and the random visits from her brother and home school teacher. It was dark, cold and lonely and 'room' was not the exact term to describe it. It was prison that she had to be in for years, at least until her brother was powerful enough to take care of her in the outside world without their father having a say in anything.
END OF FLASHBACK
Thinking about it still gave me chills down my spine, I didn't like to think of it for long. My father had kept me there thinking I was his failure, I was completely the opposite of Aguilos, if he was light; I am dark. He was the perfect heir and I was father's failed experiment. My father couldn't stand my presence but it was a package deal you see. If he had Aguilos, he has to get me too. Aguilos-nichan was my only blood relative; my only REAL family… Him and my friends.
"Buster Blader?"
Buster Blader appeared by her side.
"Yes, Hime-sama?"
"Please take care of me from now on…"
"Of course, young mistress."
Oh, how I wish I have my IPod with me and my things for that matter. I shivered as I felt the breeze past by me.
I suddenly heard these voices they seemed very familiar to me and a faint sound that I could barely differentiate it.
"Kuribo?"
"It could be him, Hime-sama, but I doubt they would come this far."
I nodded. He's right; Yugi wouldn't come here. I looked around and saw these markings on the wall, Egyptian writings like before and they're about the millennium items. I started to get this weird feeling like the one I felt yesterday only it's stronger this time around; I was getting nervous, but why? Then I remember this song that started to echo in my mind so I started to sing it to myself as I made my way to where all the noise was.
Anyone can run and give up
Given a moment, so keep on walking
There's something only you can do to this blue planet,
To keep it from losing its light,
Grab your dreams that we have.
Protect your truest friends,
You can become your stronger self.
When the fire lights up in your heart, with your untapped power,
All of your wishes will not be false.
They will be granted… SHOW ME YOUR BRAVE HEART!
(A/N: Brave Heart is the title of this song it's from Digimon Adventure 01 evolution song. (smiles) hehehe this song always cheers me up when I was scared, and at the time it seemed like a good idea to put this in here.)
I started to hear the voices more clearly.
"Jay! Sy!!" So I ran to the voices without any second thoughts.
I ran and saw Jaden dueling this weird guy; I fixed my hair into a high pony-tail as I approached Sy and the other red slifer.
"Sy!! What's going on?"
"Ash?"
"Yup that's me. What's going on?"
"Jay's been challenged to a shadow game duel and he's holding Alexis as hostage."
"SHADOW GAME?! NO WAY!!" I gasped in surprise and bewilderment
Wait, did he say Alexis? Jaden's doing this for her? I shook away the thought for a moment
Anyway to more pressing matters… A shadow game? That can't be… I'm the only one who can open the shadow game… Unless…
"Hime-sama, I sense something bad is going to happen… Be careful."
"Who are you?" the other slifer asked
"I'm Ashley, but you can call me Ash. Don't let the blazer fool you, I'm a Ra student."
He must be Chumley…
NORMAL POV
Black smoke had started to build up in the area and for some reason everyone but Ashley was getting affected.
"You guys, ok?"
Sy and Chumley were struggling to breath and so was Jaden.
"Stop kidding around!! THIS IS NOT A SHADOW GAME!!"
"SHUT UP, GIRL!"
"I should know…" Ashley muttered
"Hime-sama, get a hold of yourself! We must keep our guard up no matter what!"
"I know, Buster…"
Jaden regain his normal breathing, fully believing in Ash threw his Avion card at the guy's so called millennium puzzle.
"Ashley's right! You're just doing this with smoke and mirrors! And that millennium puzzle is just a papier-mâché imitation!" Jaden got up to his feet again
Ashley's eyes widened as she saw Winged Kuribo by Jaden's side.
So THAT'S the Kuribo I was hearing…
"Why did you get fired at the carnival and they don't want you back?"
"No, they said I could get the job anytime I want!!"
"You're just a side show phony! You're just a washed up carnie!"
Jay going too far with that one… Ashley thought
"FOOLS!! You forget… The girl!"
"Alexis!" Chumley gasped
The man laughs.
"That's right, and you'll never see her again!! Her soul will be lurking in the shadow realm for the rest of eternity because of my millennium pendent!! So what do you say to that?!"
Chumley and Syrus gasped and looked at each other in dread. Ashley crossed her arms and looked at the grinning Jaden.
"Besides that you're a big dunce? You see this place is filled with sketches about the millennium items and that thing you're holding is called the millennium puzzle, not pendent! You don't have Alexis' soul, you never have and never will!"
Very observant of you, Jay, that's completely correct. Ashley smiled
"Now, hand her over and hand over all the other kids you snatched!!"
"Other kids? I don't know what you're talking about. And because of that carnie comment, you can find you friend yourselves!!"
He throws a smoke bomb.
"No way, you're getting that away that easily!"
"We won't allow that!" Ashley added
He was going to run away, Ashley and Jaden ran after him. A sudden painful feeling went up Ashley's body.
No… I can't…
"ARGH!!"
"ASH!! JADEN!!" Chumley and Syrus chorused
The floor had lit up then the shadow game was formed and Winged Kuribo and Buster Blader can now be seen as clear as day. The evil spirits that had been lurking in the shadow game surrounded the man before went inside the guy's mouth to body. They were thirsty for fresh souls. Buster had protected Ashley while Kuribo protected Jaden.
"Hime-sama, are you alright?"
"Just like old times…"
"So it would seem, young mistress."
"...I hate being here…" Ashley sighed
I guess being with Atemu and his adventures has its perks…
Buster nodded at Ashley as she looked at him with a worried experssion, after all this wasn't the first time they had a shadow game, unlike Jaden and Kuribo.
"Jay, be careful! Don't let those black blobs get you; you're soul is at stake!!" Ashley warned Jaden
"Princess, it's very nice to see you. It is an honor." The weird guy interrupts Ashley
"SHUT UP!!" Ashley snapped, she was not at all in the mood for this…Crap.
Then again… Being with Atemu was the exact same reason why I became part of it…
"Buster, please help Kuribo protect Jay. They won't get me… Unless I duel…"
"Kuri!!" (Yes, please!) Kuribo happily nodded
"Yes, Hime-sama."
Ashley looked at Jaden, who was completely clueless just like always, talking to Kuribo and Buster like it completely doesn't matter he's talking to duel monsters.
"That or Jay bets me in their duel… But that's not likely to happen."
Kuribo was shooing the black blobs away from Jaden as Buster had swing his blade also keeping the blobs away. Jaden continued to duel while Ashley crossed her arms and watched cautiously.
This match will decide if I must still battle or not… Jay, you better win…
Jaden LP: 600
Shadow Duelist LP: 1900
"Ok, then lets continue!! I play the spell card monster reincarnation! Now I discard a card from my hand and bring one of my graveyard monsters back to my hand. And now I choose everybody's favorite golden boy Sparkman!! You remember him don'tcha?"
"Very well… My turn…"
"Yeah, but don't forget Mr. tall-dark and scary, without your pandemonium spell card you lose 500 life points per turn for having an archfiend in your field!"
Shadow Duelist LP: 1400
"500 life points is nothing compared to a soul. Now, go skull archfiend attack!"
"You're really pulling out the stops now, aren't you?"
"Jay!! Get your head in the game!!" Ashley scolded
"Yeah, sorry…"
"I now place one spell card over and summon the Des Mode Archfiend in attack mode, and end my turn."
Des Mode Archfiend Attack: 1100
"Ribo…" (Will you be ok?)
"Don't worry, Kuribo, I'm totally still in this duel! Here goes… Now, this is my strategy… I'll put my Sparkman to attack mode."
Sparkman attack: 1600
"And activate a spell card spark blaster! It has 3 blasts! And let me changes the battle mode of any monster on the field for each of them. And I know who I'm gonna use it on first!"
"So be it change my skull archfiend's battle mode…"
"Who said anything about your archfiend? I was talking about my Sparkman, but only after it attacks your Des Mode Archfiend!"
Shadow Duelist LP: 900
"You go show him who's boss!" Ashley commented
"Now Sparkman is in defense position."
Sparkman defense: 1400
"That is cowardice!"
"Is it? I thought it was a smart move, you're just angry you didn't think of it." Ashley exclaimed
"Aw, shucks, Ash." Jaden scratched the back of his head
"Young master Jaden… The battle?" Buster interrupted
"Oh, yeah, right."
"It matters not now, nothing can protect you from my trap card… Battle Scar and because of this card the damage done to me by my archfiend will also be done to you."
Shadow Duelist LP: 400
Jaden LP: 100
"This is bad… I might not…"
"JAY!! STOP THINKING THAT! INSTEAD, THINK OF A WAY TO GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION!! IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL YOUR LIFE POINTS IS ZERO!!"
Buster and Kuribo had scared away the evil little black blobs.
"Don't worry; I've something up my sleeve. Besides I still have Sparkman."
"Wrong, destroy that monster! Now I place down a card and activate the spell card double spell! Now that I discard one of my spell cards in my hand I'm allowed to use one of your spell cards from the graveyard! And I select emergency provision!! And it adds 1000 life points when I discard one of my meaningless cards on the field."
Shadow Duelist LP: 1400
"Now, your fate is seal and your soul will remain in the shadow game forever, when Battle Scar takes away your life points in my next turn, just like the students I've taken!"
"Better end this with this turn, because no matter how I look at it, it's either him or me… Ok, here I go! I summon Bubbleman in attack mode!"
Bubbleman attack: 800
"You know my bubbleman is gonna bust if he's left alone! So when he's the only one on the field when I summon him I get to draw two more cards and if he is the last card when I summoned him I get to summon another monster! What do you know, I drew his favorite card, Bubble shuffle! It lets me change your monster and my monster to defense position and allows me to sacrifice bubbleman to summon a hero!"
"If my skull fiend doesn't negate your spell card then my roulette will, you should hope doesn't land on 1, 3 or 6 or else it fails to activate."
"Aw, man, I've got bad luck with this thing."
Ashley put her hands together and prayed for her friend to win and the roulette landed in 2.
"TWO?!"
"YES!!" Ashley shouted in victory
"Alright! Finally!!"
Bubbleman defense: 1200
Skull Archfiend defense: 1200
"Now, let's give a shadow realm welcome to Elemental Hero Blade Edge!!"
Blade Edge attack: 2600
"I know what you're thinking he's SO sharp isn't he?"
"JADEN, CUT THE WORDS OUT AND GET ON WITH IT!" Ashley shouted as the black blobs had started to ambush her and are getting closer and closer.
"Right… Anyway he's so sharp that the remaining damage from my attack to your defending monster goes to your life points!! Now attack Hero Blade Edge!! Show them how you got your name!"
Shadow Duelist LP: 0
"NO!!"
The black blobs jumped on the loser.
"GET THEM OFF ME!!"
"Wow, now, that's some great special effects!" Jaden exclaimed as Ashley shrugged at him
An exit had opened up from Jaden's side, when winged Kuribo had signaled him to get out of there. Ashley narrowed her eyes with a disgusted look on her face as she watched as the so called shadow duelist was being eaten away by the black blobs.
"ASH!! Come on! Let's make tracks!!" Jaden shouted at her
"Hime-sama…"
Ashley nodded and ran to Jaden's direction as they simultaneously jumped out of the shadow game and minutes later it completely disappeared.
"Jay!! Ash!!" Syrus called them as the two slifers ran to their side.
"You two ok?" Chumley asked
Ashley only nodded and for some reason she wasn't talking... Or couldn't talk.
"Never better!" Jaden answed
"Do you think…?" Syrus hesitantly asked
"Of course not! Just like I said they're just a bunch of tricks."
A bunch of tricks… Huh?
"Come on let's get, Alexis out of this place." Syrus suggested
"Ash, something wrong?" Jaden asked her with completely concern for his friend
Ashley shrugged as she walked around and took this wooden picture frame with a brown haired obelisk student's picture on it. Jaden and Syrus carried Alexis, while Chumley was far behind them.
"Hime-sama, is everything alright?"
She didn't answer and completely ignored Buster Blader. She followed Jaden and the others out.
The sun was already rising when Alexis started to come around.
"Where? Where am I? And what are you guys still doing here?"
"The abandoned dorm." Chumley said
"We couldn't just leave you behind! And I think these are for you." Jaden handed Alexis picture frame Ashley had took from the dorm
He was actually worried about me…
"My brother…" Alexis muttered as she looked at it closely
Ashley was watching them; standing near a tree not far from them. Alexis look at the girl with curiosity to her outfit.
"We should probably get back to our dorms before anyone notices we're all gone." Syrus suggested
Ashley nodded and was the first to leave, while earning concern stares from her friends. They all looked at each other before ignoring it and leaving the place.
ASHLEY POV
Why the hell can't I talk? And why is it that my chest fells heavy and hurting…?
"Maybe, because you feel burdened, Hime-sama? Or because you feel like no one will understand if you said anything…"
I groaned. Buster was always right when it come to my feelings; he reads me like an open book. Then I remembered Crowler was my first class and groaned again. Before I jogging over to my dorm and doing my daily routine. I grabbed my PDA, IPod and phone before going out of the room.
Since I forgot to get any of my stuff from Jaden and Syrus yesterday including Laike and my report being with Bastion I really didn't need anything else except for a pen. But I wasn't in the mood for hunting down my stuff just yet. I needed to call someone, I wanted hear someone's voice; someone who can relate to my crisis. I went out of the dorm as fast as I could and went over to the entrance of the school.
I started to dial find Yugi phone number to call him, but gave it a second thought and decided to call Aguilos nichan, but decide he didn't know about the shadow games; then thought about calling Makuba or Seto or Tea but then thought what good will they do? I groaned, before I decided to just randomly call someone to end my grief.
"Hello?" a lazy and sleep voice said
"…"
I still couldn't say anything.
"Hello? Who's this?!"
"Joey." I finally said
"Chibi Ash!! It's so EARLY!! Why are you calling?!"
"Was I disturbing you?" my voice betrayed me as it started to break as I talked
"Ash, are you CRYING?!"
"No… Just a bit shocked… Maybe scared…"
"Want us to come get you?"
"NO!!" I shouted as my face was starting to turn red especially my eyes
I was forcing myself not to cry.
"What's wrong? If you don't tell me I'm going to tell the others and we're coming to get you."
"Shadow game…" I muttered trying to not let anyone hear
My eyes started to tear I can't hold it any longer.
"WHAT?! THERE?? WHEN?!"
Joey and the others had experience this as well… The shadow game, when Atemu and Yugi played betting the millennium items and souls.
"Last night. I saw Buster Blader…"
"Wait… As in Buster Blader… Your duel monster?!"
"Hn."
"I'm calling Yugi were going to have a talk later tonight."
There was a strange silence between us, when the thought of Joey wanting me to go back home hit me again but I was having second thoughts and the images of Bastion, Rai, Jay, Sy, Chumley, Zane, Chazz and Alexis kept on appearing in my head.
Wait didn't I want to go back home yesterday… …Since I was missing Aguilos and the others so much. I shook it off
…Then again… I can't leave Jay and the others neither… Not with THESE circumstances, it won't be fair that they're being dragged into this. Everything's different now, no more turning back; I have to be brave…
"Joey, don't send me back… Please?"
Joey still kept his silence for a moment; he was really thinking it through.
"We won't, promise. You'll be ok though, right?"
"Yeah… Bye."
"We'll talk later." Was the last thing I heard him say, and then I hanged up.
I put my phone in my pocket and grabbed my IPod then used my IPod and started to play random songs blasting in my ears.
I really want to clear my mind… Ever since I gain my eye sight back I can't have a peace of mind!!
I wanted to scream but didn't; I could feel the people look at me as I pass by, I couldn't blame them I had a totally different aura today, I am totally off today.
Darkangelsonic: AFTER A LONG LONG TIME OF SCHOOL I still have a hard time doing this. Hahahahaha So yeah I'll come up with a chapter 8 soon. Promise. I finally did the dueling part!! At last!! I hope I did good... So anyone want to vote? I'm kind of thinking of Ashley's pairing, since she's practically... Flexible? Here are the pairings...
ASHLEY and RAIKI
ASHLEY and BASTION
ASHLEY and ZANE
ASHLEY and CHAZZ
ASHLEY and JESSE
Any suggestions still? Open to suggestions. Every vote counts. Hahahaha