Darkangelsonic: I'm so sad... Only katana3700 review... (cries) What happened??? Don't you guys like the last chapter? I mean, I had to make Ashley and Bastion make-up at some point, right?
katana3700: I'm glad at least you like it.
"Speaking of exams, I heard you had an invitation to move to Obelisk. Why didn't you take it?" Bastion continued
"Oh—that, well, because you and Rai won't be there." Ashley smiled at him as she answered whole heartedly
"Oh? Don't you think your boyfriend would be jealous?" Bastion said bitterly
Why was he brought this up? Why now; especially when they had just made up.
"Boyfriend?" Ashley echoed in confusion
"I saw you with Zane."
"Right… Are you jealous, Bastion?" Ashley teased
"What?!? No—Impossible!" Bastion brushed his hair away from his face and looked away from Ashley
Raiki had appeared from Ashley's room and walk over to them.
"Hey, so are you two friends again?"
"Of course!" Ashley exclaimed as she faced the brownish blond boy
"Right, Bastion?" Ashley turned to Bastion who nodded
"Where's my Laike?" Ashley turned to Raiki
"At your room, he's nibbling on a t-bone steak. Man, that dog eats better than we do!" Raiki sighed
"So any plans tonight?" Raiki burst out with a new sudden enthusiastic energy
"How about we go and grab something to eat?" Bastion suggested
"BASTION'S BUYING!!!" Ashley announced as they headed down to the cafeteria
"I never said that."
"Oh come on, Bastion. Just for old time's sake and catching up. I mean, Ashley has been in bed for two days and we should update her with Jay and Sy are dueling to stay here in DA tomorrow you know?"
"Oh, he's dueling tomorrow?"
"F-fine, but you're buying your own, Raiki."
"Whatever; as long as Ash is happy." Raiki muttered
"Duel… Why?"
"It's a win or expel duel." Raiki explained
"Crowler." Ashley announced almost instantly
"Something about going into the abandoned dorm." Bastion added
"I know… Crowler got me to a trial to be expelled too, because I was there and I was wearing Zane's blazer… He thought I stole it from him."
"Zane…" Raiki and Bastion frowned
"Why was it with you? His blazer I mean." Raiki interrogated
"I was at the beach before and I…" Ashley looked at Bastion who was staring at her and realized it was THAT time
"When you ran away…" Bastion finished, Raiki looked at both of them in confusion
"He thought I was cold so he let me borrow it. I was only in my bikini at the time... And my things were soaking wet plus it was with Jay and Sy at the time." Ashley explained to Raiki as her eyes were now glued to the floor
"I got lost when I was going back to the dorms."
"You were alone?" Raiki asked
"Yeah, Zane offered to take me back but I declined, which reveals how completely incompetent I am in directions!" Ashley sighed
Raiki laughed; Bastion was unamused and remained with a stern expression on his face. He seemed to be contemplating about something.
"So yeah… I ended up in the abandoned dorm and I saw Jay dueling some weird guy…" Ashley said thoughtfully living out the shadow game part where she had contributed whether she liked it or not
"We got out of the dorm right after winning… We were lucky." Ashley continued as she tightened her fists
"So THAT's what he meant by sleep deprived." Raiki exclaimed and was quiet relieved
"He? Sleep deprived?" Bastion echoed and glared at Raiki
"Never mind, it's nothing really." Raiki nervously laughed
"Yeah and the next day I was called for the trial without any sleep and I had to drag Zane to testify for me. I was really scared and worried for Jay and Sy too. My feet just gave way, I guess. So Zane carried me to class." Ashley said as she looked at Bastion again
"Oh." Bastion replied simply as he met Ashley's eyes with his
They reached the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was filled with Ra students and they looked very down and depressed. It was odd.
"Why is everyone so depressed about? It's like someone just died!" Ashley announced nonchalantly
Everyone perked up in the sound of her voice and overcrowded them. They were all so happy that they were crying.
Ashley was a bit shocked by the turn of events.
"Alright guys, come on, break it up. Give her some space." Raiki announced like a body guard
It was like nothing had changed, everyone went back to their seats quite happy; even with the fact Bastion and Raiki were still with her.
"You're so pampered, you know?" Raiki told her
"I know." Ashley chimed and held Bastion's hand suddenly
Bastion blushes.
"But you guys spoil me so, so much! That's why I want to stay with you both." Ashley continued
Raiki smiled and so did Bastion. The three Ras went over to the cafeteria and bought some chips to eat.
"Now… I wanna go to Jay's. I wanna help." Ashley pouted being ever so childish and being irresistibly cute that it was impossible to say no for any of them
"…You are unfair to both of us you know that?" Bastion stated
"I know, but that's why you love me right?" Both guys blushed and Ashley giggled
Ashley skipped to the door and looked at them sweetly. It was definitely different, but it was good different, at least that was what the two had felt. She looked back at them.
"Come on, you two! I want to give Sy and Jay something that'll help them!" Ashley exclaimed excitedly
The two Ras looked at each other then ran to her side and smiled. They were all friends again and for now that's all that mattered. The three headed to the Silfer dorm.
"So what happened while I was a sleeping beauty?" Ashley mused all of a sudden that the two Ras laughed
"YOU? A sleeping beauty?!? You wish! You know you kick and talk in your sleep?" Raiki replied
"REALLY?!? Oh my Ra!!! Did I kick you???" Ashley's eyes widened
"… Well, yeah… Once." Raiki replied
"… She kicked you?" Bastion echoed with hesitation
"Yeah… On my face too…" Raiki muttered under his breath; Bastion laughed but Ashley didn't hear Raiki
"She was shouting something like, 'BASTION!!! PLEASE!!! DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE!!! IT WASN'T TRUE!!! I WON'T BE HAPPY!!! PLEASE…'" Raiki closing his eyes and holding out his hands in the air, imitating Ashley when she was having the nightmare
Bastion and Ashley both blushed; then Ashley gives him a glare.
"Then she suddenly jumps out of bed and says she wants to see you." Raiki continued; Ashley punched him on the shoulder
Raiki runs away from her, anticipating her outburst.
"IDIOT!!! HE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO FIND THAT OUT!!!" Ashley shouted angrily and blushing furiously
"I wasn't?"
"Well… I didn't want to confuse you with your feelings, so yeah… It was probably because I don't like not being friends… And us fighting…"
"Well, that's really not the issue here, is it? It's what you dreamt…"
"I don't know… You called me 'filth'… And said you've out grown me… I don't even know what THAT means!!!" Ashley panicked
"Besides I couldn't just come up and barge in your room and shout… 'HEY, BASTION! I just dreamt about you calling me 'filth' and said 'you've out grown me', whatever that means, and by the way you told me 'you'll leave me alone and I'll be happy!!!' So will you forgive me?' Right—real subtle, Bastion." Ashley said
"Right…" Bastion agreed; it was in fact downright insane to tell someone that
They had a moment of silence.
"Did I really say all those things to you, Ashley?"
"Say what?"
"All those things to you… In your dream…"
"Yes."
There was silence between them.
"Ash, it was only a dream." Bastion reassured her and held her hand in his
"But… You said, because I said to leave me alone… I'd be happy… " She started trying not to cry but her voice betrayed her
Ashley held Bastion's hand tighter as if trying to assure herself he was still next to her.
"Ash… I won't leave you." Bastion said tenderly
"I know…"
Ashley and Bastion looked at each other making eye contact and slowing growing closer and closer.
"Uh… I don't think we… Are… Thinking straight." Ashley said as she pulled her hand away from him and lightly pushed Bastion away, as they both blushed
"Uh… Yeah, just a heat of the moment." Bastion reasoned for both of them
Heat of the moment… That's it. He assured himself
"Rai and the others must be waiting for us, so we have to hurry." Ashley told Bastion as he nodded
Ashley and Bastion continued walking in an awkward atmosphere between them for a couple more minutes until they reached the Silfer dorm.
"Ash!!!" A familiar voice called out from the 2nd floor of the Silfer dorm
"Hey, Jay. Miss me?" Ashley grinned, Bastion flinched
"YEAH!!! OF COURSE!!! And by the way, you still owe me lunch." Jay exclaimed
"Right… I have a present for you and Sy that might help you tomorrow!" Ashley replied, then looks at Bastion's way
Bastion was quiet since the incident and had this sort of serious and thoughtful expression on his face, while Jaden comes down to fetch them.
"Bastion? You… You're ok, right?"
"I'm fine just thinking."
"You're so boring, Bastion! You're always just thinking. Doesn't it get boring, Ash, when he's always like this?" Jaden said all of a sudden as he appear on the ground floor meeting them
Ashley grabbed Bastion's hand to his surprise and he blushed.
"…He's not always like that… I mean, yeah, he's serious most of the time, but that's what I have you and Rai to even that out, so no worries." Ashley said with a smile, as they went up to Jaden and Syrus' room
The three entered the room and saw Raiki, Syrus, Chumley and Alexis in the room. Jaden was the first to enter inside and sat across Syrus. Chumley is on his bed and Raiki was arguing with Alexis on Jaden's bed; both hovering over Syrus, coaching him at what he has to do. Bastion sat on Jaden's bed near Alexis while Ashley stood pouting. No more room to sit. Everyone was staring at Ashley.
"That's so not fair…" Ashley muttered as she crossed her arms and turns away from the three
"You can sit here." Raiki said as he pulled Ashley on his lap to sit and she blushed to Bastion's irritation
"Raiki Caelum, if you don't let me go right now I'm going to kill you!" Ashley threatened
"Oh come on, Ash. It's just because there's nowhere to sit in." Raiki retorted with a whiney tone
"… B-but…" Ashley could only manage to say; she was still thinking how to get out of the situation, Bastion at the edge of his seat wanting to pull Ashley away from the other Ra
"Ashley, can I ask?" Alexis cut her train of thought
"Hmm?"
"Are you two going out or something?"
"EH?!?"
"As a matter of fact, we are!" Raiki exclaimed
"Ou…" Ashley knocked Raiki on the head
"We're not, Alexis. He's a big fat liar."
"That's so mean… I'm not fat. …Am I?"
Everyone burst out laughing.
"… So what kind of presents are you going to give us, Ash?" Jaden interrupted
"Presents?!?" Everyone else chorused
"It's cards that might help you in your match, Jay." Ashley corrected
"REALLY?!?" Sy exclaimed in excitement
"You guys should be thankful she's generous today." Raiki mused
Ashley pushed Raiki away from her and stood up.
"Hmph! Just for that I'm not helping you with your practice duels!"
"B-but!!! I haven't won even once yet!!!" He whined and everyone else's mouths flew wide open
"He hasn't won any duel against, Ashley?" Alexis asked
"Well, yeah. She's an insanely good duelist, pro even!"
"Big mouth." Ashley mused as she hit Raiki on the arm
"IT'S THE TRUTH!!!"
"Come to think about it… I haven't seen Ash duel ever." Jaden whispered to Alexis
"Yeah… She always finished ahead of time in written exams and when everyone else finished the written and would take the duel exams… She's already done." Alexis added
"She studies and works hard." Bastion told them
"He should know he studies with her." Raiki agreed
"Anyway… Can we talk about something other than me?" Ashley interrupted
"Like what?" Chumley asked
"Like what happened when I was out of commotion for two days?"
"Well, Chumley almost got dropped out of school to work for his dad at their family hot sauce factory." Syrus informed Ashley
"That ended well, actually. You know, even though Chum lost, he gain his dad's respect and his dad let him stay here." Raiki added
"But before that Sy had this insane idea of dropping out because he was afraid he'd let Jay down." Chumley started
"Oh, yeah!!! He even ended up near the lighthouse to ship off on his hand-built raft. Jay stopped him though." Raiki added
"I even challenge Zane to a duel to pull up Sy's confidence." Jaden informed Ashley proudly
"Zane won though." Alexis concluded
"You didn't have to tell her that!" Jaden said defensively
"But it was a GREAT DUEL!!!" Jaden exclaimed suddenly regaining his energy and grinned at Ashley
"I don't know about you. But I definitely learn something during their duel! …Something about a good duelist being ready for anything." Raiki muttered to Ashley
"It's 'a good duelist is ready for anything... And that means knowing not just to how to use the cards, but knowing play them too', Rai." Syrus corrected
"That's great advice, Sy!" Ashley commented; Syrus blushed
"It should be. It's from Zane." Raiki told her with a hint of jealousy
"Jealous much." Ashley pointed out and everyone laughed as Raiki rolled his eyes
Ashley took out a deck of cards from her card holder that was conveniently strapped on her right leg.
"Is that your deck? Can we see? Can we see?" Jaden excitedly said, Ashley rolled her eyes; she forgot how Jaden can be so childish sometimes, even more than her
"It's not my deck, Jay. It's my trunk cards… Well…I was wondering if I could make it into an extra deck later but I didn't have the time so you can pick any cards you want, before I do that." Ashley told Jaden
Jaden snatched the cards to look at them; then Ashley just shrugged.
"Look! She has so many great cards! Axe of Despair, Shadow Spell, Widespread Ruin, Giant Trunade, Mystic Space Typhoon, Time Seal, Spear Dragon, Shield Crush, Luster Dragon, Precious Cards from Beyond, Compulsory Evacuation Device, Trap Jammer, Magic Jammer, Hammer Shot, Monster Reincarnation, Blast Magician, Threatening Roar, Hero's Signal, Conscription and even Steam Gyroid and Spark Gun." Syrus announced as he looked over at Jaden's hands
"Yeah… They're my spare… I guess… Just improved my original deck a while back, but I'm going to make me a new deck so I won't be so attached to my old one." Ashley told them and there were 'oh's and 'ah's in the room
"You guys can have any card… Or cards you want, so long as you need it." Ashley said
"Are you sure? Those are good cards…" Bastion told the Ra girl
"Of course! Jay and Sy are my friends I won't want them to be kicked out. Not if I get a say in it!" Ashley replied with a big grin on her face
"Yeah, I can see it… Ash in the street in a magician costume saying, 'Pick a card! Any card!!!'" Raiki teased all of a sudden
Everyone was caught off guard and fell where they were.
"That's it!!! I'm going to kill you, Rai!!!" Ashley shouted
Darkangelsonic: There... Done... I'll update again soon. Promise. Since my vacation is about to end soon as well. I'm still working on Chapter 13 though... It's kind of long. Hehehe Anyway, how about any plot twist ideas? I'm getting a little dry here. Hahaha Also tell me what you think of this chapter. Critics and praises are allowed anytime! Hehehehe Just go ahead and express what you think!