Boss Rush

XLI: Hourglass of Courage

"What was that about?" Rowena demanded as she parked her D-Wheel next to the red and gold Meteor Stream outside her apartment block. "That boy, he was talking about curses. What was he saying?"

Ryuusei just stared straight at the door. "Will you open the door, Rowena-san?"

Rowena huffed, producing her keys. In moments, Rowena had flounced into the apartment, Ryuusei following quietly.

Erika looked up from her perch on the couch. The TV was off, there was nothing around her, and her eyes were red and puffy. "Oh, you're back." Enthusiasm was clearly not present in her words.

"I brought our exorcist," Rowena waved a hand towards Ryuusei as she sank into the chair next to her. "Erika..."

Slowly, Ryuusei raised a hand towards Erika. "I... it might be easier if I hold your hand."

Erika looked at him, before slowly, she raised one hand to meet his own.

"Close your eyes, Erika-san." Ryuusei murmured. "Marguerite."

"Yes." the Witch of the Time Flower's voice murmured into his ear. When she next spoke, it was in a musical voice like a choir all of its own. "Repeat after me..."

"What?" Rowena demanded as Erika's hand went slack and the woman relaxed into the couch. "What happened?"

Ryuusei shook his head. "Well... a powerful spirit like Kyothys can't really be exorcised out without harm coming to Erika-san. So I gave Erika-san a chance to rehash things with Kyothys in her mind. Whether to throw Kyothys out, whether to tame Kyothys... well, it depends on the result."

"But..." Rowena spluttered. "But you're the so-called Summer King, right?"

"Call me Ryuusei," he said. "It would be easier for everyone."

"Right." her voice sounded falsely pleasant. "So are you going to stop playing games with me and help Erika, Ryuusei?"

"That depends."

Her teeth clenched. "On what?"

He turned calm blue eyes to the other. "On you."

"Don't go getting specific on me, now," Rowena snapped. "I wouldn't know how to handle it."

"Do you think this is a joke? A game?"

"I know damn well it isn't a game."

"And that is where you are wrong." Ryuusei patiently explained. "It is a game, but unlike the ones you know. You aren't allowed to know the rules to this game, and it was never intended to be fair. Do you know why Kyothys chose her,Rowena-san?"

She glared at him. "No."

"Neither do I," he said. "And here is my part. Why choose Erika? Perhaps because something is expected of you that no one else can get. Perhaps my presence here is expected."

"What's the difference?" Rowena demanded. "Erika is hurt. She was hurt in something involving you. Don't you think you should get her moving again?"

"But if that is what Winter expects, it could be used against me." was the troubled reply. "I am King of Summer, but even so I must be cautious in the use of my power."

Rowena snorted. "Setsuka sure as hell doesn't think that way."

"Of course not. Setsuka is of the opposite end of the spectrum. Violence, viciousness, mercilessness, it is to be expected." Ryuusei shook his head. "I should not do any more. She has a chance of fighting, it is there."

"It's just a chance," Rowena argued. "Shouldn't you at least give Erika a fighting chance?"

"I am of Summer. Kyothys is of Summer. Any assistance I provide in the form of power could also be used by Kyothys." Ryuusei pointed out, placid as a lake's surface. "Besides, should I give any help, it's more than likely that Erika-san would be marked in the future. Erika-san made her choice, and it is not within my power to undo it."

Rowena glared at him, before sighing back into the chair. Ryuusei let the hand hang limply over the couch as he took a seat opposite the other Duelist.

"So..." Rowena drawled. "You're cursed."

"Rowena-san, it's none of your business."

"No, do tell," Rowena leaned forward. "I mean, even someone like me can tell you're fairly ideal." Rowena peered across the table at him. "Bold features: high bridge of nose, valiant eyebrow, hard-cut mouth with a stoic air, but eyes seem to hide a quiet grief... Your gaze is even more brilliant with your red bangs. You're basically perfect, so where's the curse?"

Ryuusei just closed his eyes. "Sometimes perfect people can't find love either."

"I..." Rowena studied him. "Nope, I don't see. Unless... you're unlucky in love?"

"I don't know, alright?" Ryuusei bit back.

"Okay, okay, chill," Rowena raised both hands. "Want... to talk about it?"

"No, thank you."

"Okay- wait, no?" Rowena waggled both eyebrows at him. "No? Really? People talk about their woes. And I'm almost a stranger, you can tell me."

"I mean no, because the one time I ever talked about it, the other guy left because he couldn't accept the truth."

"Well, that sucks," Rowena finally said. "You sure? I've been popular before, I know."

"I don't understand myself," Ryuusei answered. "It just means that I can only tell you the incidents that I know happened."

"Okay..." Rowena leaned forward.

"Do you know Anjhel Takumi?"

"Takumi? You mean the teenager last year convicted of three counts of attempted first-degree murder-" Rowena cut off. "What's this got to do with you?"

"He was my junior." Ryuusei shortly replied. "I thought... he could be another friend. Then he tried to off my best friend and all other perceived competition."

"...Damn, that sucks," Rowena frowned. "But one time doesn't matter-"

"In middle school, two girls stabbed each other in front of me because each wanted to be the first to give me Valentine's chocolate."

"Now that's just plain insane-"

"In elementary school, the teacher turned out to be a stalker after me." Frustration was clearly evident in his face. "That's just the highlights. I... I don't understand."

"Stop." Rowena raised her hand, palm facing him. "I think I get it."

"As in the situation we're currently in? Or that I can't get a date because they seem to mysteriously off themselves sooner or later?"

"No, as in why the other guy feels inadequate," Rowena frowned. "I... I don't know how to say it."

"Shimotsuki said that it was the tragedy of my life, but it was for other people." Ryuusei said.

"I think she was on to something." Rowena coughed. People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People's heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool. So she consoled herself. After all, she decided, it was hardly like the boy actually understood that his perfection was his curse. That would make it all the easier to attract him... wouldn't it? Such an ideal boy...

She twirled a lock of hair. "So... tell me-" Rowena stopped abruptly as something caught the corner of her eye.

"Yes?" Ryuusei asked politely at the horror on her face. "Is there something wrong, Rowena-san?"

"Er, n- no, of course not," Rowena laughed, breaking off into a fake yawn. "Erm, wow, you must be tired after helping Erika, maybe you should go home, right?"

"Well, I guess..."

"Excellent!" Rowena almost practically threw him out. "Thanks for the help!"

Ryuusei blinked as she slammed the door in his face and locked it. "Erm... right..."

On the other side of the door, Rowena scowled at the single strand of white amidst her burgundy-caramel-platinum blonde locks. "Why now...?" she sighed in an aggrieved tone, before her face morphed to one of surprise. "Erika?"

Satonaka Erika had sat up, and was now rubbing her head. "Oww..."

"Erika, you're awake!" Rowena exclaimed.

"Yes..." Erika sighed.

"That's good news!" Rowena cooed, ignoring how Erika gave a very grim smile.

"Oh, yes," Erika murmured, her eyes glowing gold. "Very good news..."

Marguerite was silent even as the partnered Duelist and Duel spirit took to the highways towards the Memorial Circuit. Seated on her rose-staff, the Spellcaster monster remained mysteriously quiet even as sunset's orange light filtered over the Infinity Monument, just skidding past the Tops' statue of Ancient Fairy Dragon. If, perhaps, one just looked down, they would have seen the iconic words scribbled into the metal just before cooling, the memorable monument to the saviours of the city only years ago:

The holy light of protection, shine now and become eternal life...

"What's wrong, Marguerite?" Ryuusei asked. "Did... was it wrong?"

"No," the Witch distantly replied. "Merely that... I have never seen perfection as a curse. Amongst we of Summer, perfection and beauty is to be prized, above all to be cherished. To mar beauty was akin to courting a death sentence amongst us. I have known many a battle to begin for the sake of protecting beauty. Yet, for that same thing to be a curse, I...I am at a loss to understand."

"Sometimes... it can't last," Ryuusei quietly answered, skidding to one side to avoid a truck. "Sometimes beauty isn't everything."

"We must agree to disagree, I suppose," Marguerite replied doubtfully. Her brow was furrowed, though she did not glance at the sun as the witch was wont to do, as Ryuusei noted. "I do not think you should be close to her."

"What?" Ryuusei frowned. "Why not?"

"Because I know the onset of tragic obsession when I see it."

Once it was safe to take his eyes off the road, Ryuusei glared from the corners of his eyes at Marguerite. "What does that mean?"

"Only that you court tragedy and pain by remaining around her," Marguerite argued. "She knows where to find you, even though you never said anything to her."

"I'm representing DA Kings, of course I'll be at school," Ryuusei explained.

"Then how did she get past the mortal sentinels?" Marguerite pointed out. "My host, Ryuusei. Do not hang around that woman any longer, please."

"I don't have any reason to, do I?' Ryuusei pointed out. "She's not a stalker, is she?"

"I detected no malicious intent from her aimed at you, if you must. But it is dangerous. It will end in tragedy." Marguerite huffed.

"I'll try, but we're Dueling in a tournament, I'll have to face her some time soon," Ryuusei agreed. "Besides, she's not aiming to kill me or something, so it shouldn't end in tears, right?"

"Do you ever know how the people around you are feeling?" Marguerite suddenly demanded out of the blue.

Ryuusei stopped mid-dismount. "I... guess? I mean, Rowena-san must have been relieved, right?"

"I suppose not!" Marguerite snapped. "I think you have no idea. I think that is the tragedy of your life. But, the tragedy is for other people – not for you. I think you recognised it, but you are quite unaware of the force of acute physical passion. Am I making sense to you?"

"Rowena-san... is jealous? Of me?" Ryuusei frowned. "I saved Erika-san..."

"You..." Marguerite huffed as he threw his gloves to one side. "That je ne sais quoi is the tragedy of your life! Don't you understand?"

Calm, placid, Ryuusei turned his eyes on her. "I understand more than I let on. I will apologise, I will accept any hate, but I will never admit that. Because that is pathetic, and I am a Duelist and a son of the Fudo, and I will not lower myself to that. No. Matter. What. Thank you for your help, Marguerite. You've been a good teacher."

"You..." the Witch of the Time Flower huffed, crossing her arms and legs as she floated alongside Ryuusei pushing the Meteor Stream along.

"Nii-chan!" Seika waved from the grandstands. "It's coming soon,so I came with Carly-san and Reina to see!"

"Ryuusei!" Carly waved from the sidelines, and in her arms the baby Reina gurgled.

"Mom, Reina, don't distract him!" Rex yelled.

"She's right, Carly-san!" Chase added, both of them wearing Riding suits to match their D-Wheels; Rex, black and gold, and Chase had red and black.

Ryuusei grimaced at the red and gold ensemble Rex flung at him. "It looks like something Uncle Jack would wear."

The red was deep, blacker than the name of its colour would suggest, almost like blood itself. It was more dignified than ostentatious, and definitely not something like a peacock; even the yellow had been reduced to mere racing streaks along that arms and legs.

"Bah," was the reply. "Get your ass on the bench, we're going to start. Chase already set up Calcifer for you."

"Stop naming my laptop!" Ryuusei shot back, though he was cracking a smile.

Floating beside Seika, Marguerite wrong her hands and contemplated actually hitting Ryuusei over the head with her staff for once. "That... immature, barely-grown... man!"

"Ryuusei looks pretty studious there," Carly commented to Reina, who gurgled in reply. "I wonder why he doesn't have a girlfriend."

"Nii-chan is always suffering in silence," Seika quietly murmured. "Nii-chan never asked to be so treasured, or so loved. He spares no thought for his own pain, but he tries not to hurt people who love him anyway. He didn't curse about this, or blame curse the kami or demand to know why. Nii-chan only smiles to those around him, so that no one would know the weight upon his heart. That is why he would not, could not toy with the hearts of others deliberately, not when he is already so successful by accident. So please, do not blame my Nii-chan. Because it's not his fault."

Marguerite paused to stare at the girl. Could she...? No, it could not be...

"Good evening, Witch of the Time Flower."

"You can see me?" Marguerite looked taken aback. "But... that..."

"The fate of Nii-chan and mine were connected through the Momentum, since our fathers both worked on it." Seika quietly answered, still looking straight ahead. "Will you take care of Nii-chan for me? Nii-chan is so strong... but at the same time, so weak."

"I... will," Marguerite murmured quietly. Neither of them looked at each other, neither of them really knew one another, but an agreement had been reached. As the song of the battlefield echoed in herald, so the tournament was approaching... so the time of reckoning comes.

"Tenjouin Michiru tried to kill you?" Takeshi demanded later that night in the Ishihara apartment.

Alexianna nodded quietly. "But, don't worry, she didn't. She's still lacking in experience."

"But not in willpower," Kiyomi observed, seated across Kaname. "Tenjouin is a 'seed' holder as well, and her 'seed' is one of the Four Treasures as well. She's a certifiable threat. Forgive me if I seem condescending, but frankly, I can't think of a single Psychic power that could stand up to a 'seed'."

"These 'seeds'... Nee-chan has one, right?" Takeshi commented.

"I..." Kaname reluctantly nodded. "I was gifted one-"

"By Marguerite, the Sorciere de Fleur that hangs around Fudo Ryuusei," Kiyomi cut in. "Well, awakened would be a better term, but let's skip that implication. In short, LeRouge-san, you're in danger."

"I have Shimotsuki Setsuka as a distant cousin," Alexianna snarled. "Don't think I'm a pushover just because the French haven't won a military conflict since Trafalgar."

"Shimotsuki Setsuka has spirits at her command, 'seeds' at her whim and she outclasses us," Kiyomi pointed out. "And now Tenjouin Michiru's her attack dog, pardon my French. Who knows, Shimotsuki Setsuka might be the enemy. Someone had to call the spirits to attack Miyagi and Kinsman."

Takeshi groaned. "Are you suggesting that Shimotsuki ordered the attack on Ava-san and Abel? Because I don't believe it."

Kiyomi's jaw set. "It's a possibility. Look, Shimotsuki Setsuka is the Winter Queen, that you know, I know, everyone knows it. Shimotsuki is also someone who benefits from not having all three members of Team Ragnarok around, because then no one else notices the balance of the two worlds more. Right now we know that Fudo Ryuusei is Summer's King, and Winter stands to win decisively if she puts him away forever. She holds all the cards now, scratch that, she's at a position to disappear Fudo Ryuusei off the face of the earth and rearrange the world as she likes. Yet, she doesn't. Which indicates that either she doesn't know her advantage, or that she's biding her time."

"I don't think so." Alexianna flatly replied. "Setsuka helped me convince Aunt Sherry to let me marry Takeshi. If she was otherwise, then she would have already had Kaname-san... dealt with. She didn't. There were, and still is, many things Setsuka could have done to us, crippling us and our Dueling ability. Yet she didn't."

Kiyomi raised both hands. "It's a theory, though I see your point. Shimotsuki has class, even if she's bringing you down. Outright threats are... just gauche."

"I agree," Kaname firmly stated. "Even when I used my power... my power hampered her, but she didn't do anything to me. Even if she was evil, Shimotsuki-san never actually attacked me when I was in the Clubs House. I was cared for, and occasionally visited. Right now it's like she's being possessed, so cold... so heartless, so conniving and secretive." Kaname broke off, shivering. "Like... she forgot."

"Possessed... that's it."

All of them paused to stare at Takeshi. "What's it?" Alexianna enquired.

"No way." was Kiyomi's flat denial. "Have you even met the woman?"

"Why not? Shimotsuki scares the crap out of people, but it doesn't change the fact that she's human." Takeshi explained. "She's as human as any of us, even if she's called the Winter Queen. There's been cases of Duel Spirit possession even amongst the most powerful Duelists. Even the King of Games was said to be possessed by the Nameless Pharaoh. It's not too much of a stretch to imagine that she might not be acting of her own will. I mean, even-" Takeshi stole a look at Kaname "-Ryuuga didn't actively try to kill people."

Kaname's expression never changed. "So, either our fearless leader is under possession, or she decided to flip out on us and take over the world."

"Huh? She's not my leader," Takeshi argued hotly.

Kaname brushed him off. "Point is, what exactly are we going to do? Exorcise her?"

"We have to try," Takeshi firmly nodded. "The attacks on Team Ragnarok, Shimotsuki and Tenjouin, not to mention the spirits milling about... and the approaching Stygian Dirge is just too coincidental. There has to be a trap somewhere."

Night had fallen over Neo Domino City. Darkness had just fallen, and a huge building surrounded by a cluster of other buildings began teeming with life. The Daimon Area, once a disreputable area of Neo Domino City prior to its combination with Satellite, had been spruced up, the bad element of humanity's greed repelled to the Puzzle Area and the edges.

Within the Arcadia Movement, the peace was disturbed, if for a brief moment.

"What exactly are we doing here?" Michiru demanded boredly, studying her cuticles.

"Because Reggie went out of control again and we have to calm him down." Setsuka's reasonable answer was completely at odds with the chaos of the Duel fields. Warrior women astride flying horses charged across the ceiling, cracks appearing in the floors and walls on impact from the Duel Monsters, and complete with a few panicked new Duelists. Although most of the Movement were trained to handle such situations, it took an exceptional Psychic to handle the stress of rampaging monsters. "And Glen isn't on hand."

So saying, the young former head of the Arcadia Movement gripped the railings as she flipped, landing acrobatically on the field across the young blond blue-eyed Duelist. "Reginald Mackenzie."

"Why do I have this power?" Reggie, as he was more well known as, screamed. "I curse my own ability and search for an answer, but I can't get it. Don't you have that experience? When you hurt someone using your power. I understand! We're all monsters just the same!"

"What happened?" Setsuka demanded.

"My Valkyries can paint the field red with their blood! They can rend them with their swords! So why... why was I given such a power?"

"Fine."

Knuckles cracked, and Reggie barely had time before one hand was broken with a wet snap. He went down groaning in pain and rage, clutching the snapped hand, the monsters losing their solid form to become nothing more than holograms once more. Setsuka was not finished with bodily harm yet; now she took Reggie by the lapels and slammed the boy into the nearest wall face-first, before putting his back to it to face her. Despite being shorter than the boy, Setsuka looked angry, and the sight was a terror to behold.

"You don't want this power because it hurts others?" The dark-haired girl's words came quietly. "Nothing less from someone like you. You speak only of trivial matters. Abilities are only abilities, no matter what you think about it. It's entirely up to you how you use that power. You're an idiot, not to recognise this fact. It doesn't matter if you possess this power or not, it doesn't change the fact that you're the type to hurt others. Ultimately, all you're saying is that you are special, and that the people around you are ordinary. Now. What happened."

Gulping wetly, the next words Reggie spoke actually came with a modicum of calm. "We... Glen and I... we went out, to the Satellite area. I... we met a group of thugs, we fought. I know.. you said, try not to use our abilities, but... Glen, he played the Watthydra. The man, he was electrocuted. We called the paramedics, but... he died. Now... Glen, he's in the station, I have no idea... I..."

Setsuka made a noise that could be taken as several different modes of displeasure. "And because you've seen death for the first time, you're afraid."

"I..." Reggie nodded quietly. "I... they looked so sad, their eyes, so sad and empty. I... Is that... death?"

"And you've never seen it happen during your time with the Elysium Circle," Setsuka nodded, her tone understanding. That was before she slammed his into the wall again, then pulled the boy until they were nearly nose to nose.

"Listen, and listen well, Mackenzie, because I'll only say this once." Setsuka hissed. "Glen Powers is smart, comic, and wouldn't hurt anyone if it left him well alone. But, if it comes down to you and the enemy, the enemy better get ready to take a faceful of Watt monsters. He'll cry, he'll hurt, and he'll have nightmares, and it will hurt for a very long time. But he'll live, and most importantly, so will you. Because the both of you are all that each other has left, and you'd damn well make sure you protect yourselves. Got me? Now either nod or say yes, or I'll drop you unceremoniously and crush your skull with my shoe if that's what's needed to kick some sense into you. Hurry up, my arm's getting tired."

Reggie faced her squarely, and then gave a single nod.

"Right!" Setsuka clapped, dropping the other Psychic in the process as she regarded the crowd. "Hazuki, get on the line with the Press Department, make sure that it's played up as self-defence before the Daily Duel tries another angle. Yukio, I need Captain Kaname on the line pronto, I want the First Investigative Brigade on it to rule accidental death. Nakamura-san, please track down any and all other thugs present to place a witness statement, we'll employ the jack-of-all-trades again. Kasai, if you can get your guys on the phone."

Silence reigned.

"Well? Get to work! I have a competition to prepare for!"

The crowd immediately scrambled into action as Setsuka rounded on the injured Reggie. "We're the Arcadia Movement. I swore to protect and serve, and I will protect and serve until we are acknowledged. Now get yourself to the infirmary before I injure you any further."

"Yes, Boss!" Reggie stiffly saluted with the uninjured hand, picking himself up to hobble to the infirmary. "And... thank you."

"The readiness is all," Setsuka waved a hand. "We should prepare, everyone."

Nakamura had a towel and a drink ready the moment Setsuka left the Duel fields.

"Thank you, Nakamura-san," Setsuka accepted the proffered gifts.

"Did you think it was... too violent?" Nakamura questioned, his voice never levelling above a monotone.

"For types like Reginald, they need to know pain to understand sincerity, to be cruel," Setsuka nodded. "It was necessary."

"I could not help but notice that you took to slamming his face quite violently." Nakamura remained stoic. "You will tell me, yes, Missy?"

"There is nothing to say," Setsuka replied.

"It has been more than a year and a day, I notice, and yet Master Jimmy is not coming to Japan," Nakamura murmured. "He is not signing the papers, is he?"

"I will not tell him," Setsuka looked away.

"He does not know." Nakamura's statement made his opinion clear. "That it is a binding marriage."

"I must secure the family money somehow," Setsuka gave a negligently elegant shrug. "By leaving the obligations to James, he must observe them. Such is the nature of him."

"It seems an unnecessarily cruel thing to do, Missy." Nakamura glanced at him. "A lot could be done if you just told him-"

"I will not place that fate on him." was the automatic answer. "I am... a very selfish person, aren't I, Nakamura-san?"

"I... I cannot say, Missy."

"And yet... I am selfish enough to coerce a marriage, knowing that James is barely eighteen and that it would be a dubiously legal move," the girl huffed. "And you signed the papers, despite everything."

"It seemed... to be the best," Nakamura relented. "Your parents would be proud of you, Missy. But not to see you throw your life away."

Setsuka did not answer for a few moments. When she finally did, it was unexpected. "No one would ever believe that I would do this."

"No one would." Nakamura automatically replied.

"I... I am so tired of facing people who say that it's wrong for me to live," Setsuka sighed, looking very young. "I am tired of people who cannot see me as I am. So, the only way I know how... I will be cruel to be kind."

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