Yu-Gi-Oh GX: The Start Of Tag Force

Chapter 6: Proof Of Friendship

...At the Duel Stagium at the Dueling Arena ... ...

...It's now Rei's turn, and Konami, Judai and co. remained to support him/her. "Yeah, Rei-! Go for it-! You're the only one left-!" Judai cheered - -

"Yeah-! All of us Osiris Red are almost through-! Good luck-!"

-Syrus cheered along with the other Osiris Red students - whom Rei is flattered at, since they're all banded together like one for all, all for one - -

"...Now, ladies and gentlemen, after I thoroughly suffer a heart-break just now ... ... we're now holding ... ... " '-wait, this is Saotome Rei, who is a transferee along with Senior Konami-san, but it's strange ... ...I don't recall much about him being with the other candidates during the entrance examination, and more to that, his test are said to be average, no, more like below above average, that is why he's on the Osiris drop out dorm. But before that ... ... Hm, something's been bothering me, it's like he's never taken off his hat or beret hat, for some reason ... ...Hm, something is suspicious here. -wait, come to think of it, Senior Konami-san is also always wearing a hat, and they both do so - and are said to be always together, like ... ...hm ... ... '

"-well then, let us begin with the rest of the dueling exam in this part. This has been a rather shocking turn of events for the Osiris Red drop out district - but this will be the last. Our beloved Obelisks are at the other side, so let's get this under way ... ...the last one to take the Exam is ... ...Saotome Rei-kun-!"

-The crowd, mostly the Osiris Red students, give round applause.

"Now, as for the opponent, it will be ... ...None other than myself-! Hohohohoho-!"

"Eh? Wha-? W-Whaaaat...!?" Rei is astonished and utterly shocked at that - -

"Hohoho, I know I just did this with Konami-san earlier, but this is also somewhat important. Now, Rei-kun shall be my opponent for this duel exam-!" Crowler declared and announced - -

"My opponent will be Doctor Crowler-!? How could ... ... " Rei said in great disbelief.

"Now, Saotome Rei-! Once you lose this duel, you would have to ... ...and no offense taken, Konami-san, too, once Saotome Rei-kun has been put to his place ... ...both of you will be removed of your caps ... ...right here in front of this arena-!"

"W-WHAAAAAAAAAATTTT-!?"

-Rei, as well as Konami, is shocked, utterly and completely, shocked at that - - "Konami-san, Rei-kun, I've always wondered. You two are always seen wearing your hats, and neither a witness mentioned you guys without them-! So I figured something must be hidden those hats-!"

...A lot of murmurings are heard, something about Rei and Konami are always seen wearing their respective hats - - and then, Chumley ... ... "Now that he mentioned it, weren't they pretty much adamant not going to the hotspring since we might see them without their hats on-?"

"Huh-? Really-?" Judai asked, causing a sweat drop from both Syrus and Chumley.

"Uh... ...Judai, have you forgotten already-?"

"Oi, wait a minute, they did so during the encounter at the abandoned dorm, I finally figured it out ... ...!?" Manjoume said - -

"Huh-? Manjoume-sama, have you figured out something ... ...?" The same Obelisk guy from before asked - -

"-It's the hats-! Must be their hats where they kept the girl ... ...!"

-That deadpanned the Obelisk guy, scratching his head - -

"Oh, really? Just how small are we thinking, an infant, a cell ... ...? Or a - "

"SHUT UP-! Just watch and see-!"

-Back to the duel arena, and Crowler accusingly points at Rei - - "See, that's what it gets me-! Something must be hidden in those caps, so we'll have to see it for ourselves-!"

"...Oh no ... ... "

-Rei felt very dumbstruck and frightened that this is all of the sudden, though, she pretty much braced herself for something like this - like earning prestige.

"So now, that's the condition of this duel - Once I win, you get to remove that cap-!"

-Rei whispers to Konami who has been beside her for a while - - "Oh no-! T-T-This is bad-! Hey, I really, really, really need your help this time -! -If I lost this duel and get my beret hat stripped from me, everyone in this arena will find out that I'm actually a girl-! Oh, geez, why did Doctor Crowler had to make the condition about our hats in this duel-! -I'm going to be expelled-!"

"-Say, what COULD you possibly whispering over there-?" Crowler asked as Rei broke up the whispering conversation - -

"N-Nothing, nothing at all, Doctor Crowler-! -G-G-GYAAAAAAAAAHHHHH-!"

"Oh my gosh-! A gust of wind, now's our chance to-!" -As Crowler said that, a gust of wind has indeed blown on Rei's direction and it's about to remove her beret hat, and she thought it's the end now ... ... but ... ... Konami stepped in and covered her head with his own hat, that he then caught her beret hat, that only his is exposed ... ...

"...well, there you have it. As you can see, there is nothing but brown hair in this-! -So that's it. And as for Rei, she'll have to be judged on this duel on taking off the hat-!"

-The crowd goes on an uproar. "Oh, wow-! -Konami took Rei's hat and covered his head with his own hat before anyone could see during that a bit of blackout just now." Just like Syrus said the lights went out - actually Konami turning it off, but in a nick of time, managed put his hat on Rei's head, before the instructor turn the power back on, - - "T-Thank you ... ... "

"Gah-! Senior Konami-san-! -You should know to mind your own business here!" Crowler berated a bit, but - -

"...This is proof ... ... " -Rei said unfinished ... ...

"-This is proof of our friendship! No matter how selfish I've been, no matter what the predicament is, you've always there for me, Konami-san! That's why ... ...Please watch over me on this duel-!"

...Konami didn't say anything at first. But he gave his Honest card, for now, "...Be honest with yourself." He said, before going to the side line and he just donned another Red Hat that is given by Judai who said it looks good on him a while earlier when everyone was so focused on Rei - - "Hahahahahaha-! -what are you talking about, I don't understand what you're saying, hahahahaha-! -But then, again, this is still a duel exam. If that wind isn't going to blow away those caps, this duel will-!"

-Rei braced herself then, """DUEL-!"""

Rei: 4000 LP

Crowler: 4000 LP

-The crowd goes on an uproar now, "I'll go first. Draw-! -I summon Maiden in Love, in ATK position! Plus, three cards faced-down. Turn End!"

"Hohohoho, I'll show you what's the real world is like! Now, I summon forth Ancient Gear Beast, in ATK position! This monster can absorb other Ancient Gear monsters and add a 1000 ATK points to their ATK power. Hohohoho, now witness forth this now, I use Charity of The Pure Integrity-! I can summon level 3 or much lower level monsters, now, come forth two ancient Gear Soldiers! I activate their special ability! This can cause 1200 damage to the opponent, now!"

"Trap, Activate! Attack Drain Barrier! This lets me drain the effect damage that I am to take, thus, Maiden in Love! Please be brave and move forward! Now!"

-All the attacks are drained by a elastic light barrier that protected Maiden in Love.

-The crowd goes on an uproar and Crowler isn't very satisfied with the result. "Now I add 1200 to my LP, making it 5200 LP!"

"I know that! Do you take me for a fool, little boy!? Now, I activate Ancient Gear Beast's special ability, it lets me add a 1000 ATK power to them by tributing Ancient Gear monsters, now come forth, two Ancient Gear soldiers!"

Ancient Gear Beast: 3200 ATK

"3200 ATK power!?" Rei exclaimed in mild surprise.

"Pre-ci-se-ly! Now, your little missy monster won't be safe, now, attack, my monster - But wait! No, I change my mind. I summon Trojan Horse! And use Pot of Greed to attain more cards from my deck, two, in precise. I use Heavenly Treasure Heaven. Both of us shall now draw until we have full arsenal!"

-Both duelists did so. "And now, I summon forth "Tribute Rule", should I've already conducted a normal summoning phase, I can still do so, even now! Hohoho, now I sacrifice my Trojan Horse that which can act as a two monster tribute to summon forth Ancient Gear Golemn! HahahahahahHahahahaHahahahahaHahahaha!"

-The crowd is excited now, and Rei is on a predicament - - "Hahahaha, now, little missy, I shall show you how harsh the real world is! Ancient Gear Punch!"

-Ancient Gear Golemn attacks, but ... ... ... ... "I ... ... am ... ... being honest ... ... I want to be like Zane Truesdale, and I came here ... ... and I might confess to him ... ... once I ... ... he'll surely make it to the finals, so ... ... there! That's when I'll confess to him, so ... ...! I'm not about to lose!" Rei thought that and just used - - "Key of Gamble! This lets me draw one last card should I about to lose all of my LP in this turn! So ... ... ... ...Draw! I got it! Now, I activate the monster, Honest! This lets me increase a light monster's ATK points by the same number as the attacking monster!"

"-whaaaaaaaaattttt!? Mamamiaaaaaaaa!"

"-But ... ...! I'm not done yet, I summoned forth, Mimic Magician, this copies Honest Again, so it becomes double now - and finally, two Light Bursts, reverse cards - Open! Now, I can increase your love power as hot as magma, now! Go, Maiden in Love! Please, accept, until you can't take it anymore!"

-That won the duel there as Ancient Gear Golemn is suddenly destroyed with pure, utter blow that depleted all of Crowler's LP to 0. Similar to Manjoume last time - and the latter just stormed out of the stadium.

...

...

...Later, near the cliff ... ...

...Rei and Konami are here by the cliff, with Rei coming here after Crowler have bemoaned his fate - on being defeated by an Osiris, again. Though he doesn't really consider Konami an Osiris student - or ranking Osiris, at that - - "whew, I wasn't sure what was going to hapen there, for a moment. But, at least, we were able to fool them ... ... and since Chancellor Sheppard said that he has a thing or two that HE doesn't wish people to know, I guess that's fine ... ... ... ...Say, why did you come to all that trouble just to hide my secret?"

"...Huh. I don't know ... ... it was the right thing to do -? Honestly, I wouldn't want to deter you from your decision. So I guess I made the right one."

"S-Say, what do you think would happen if I were to say ... ... can I still be being under your care ... ...?"

"...You mean protect your secret? Hm, well ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... "

"Please, please, please-! I'm really super, duper serious this time and I ain't kidding when I say that it's only because of you that I made it this far-! You've help me since day one, and we'd continued to lend each other's strength, it was kinda fun, too! But right now, I have a promise to keep to myself, and that is if I should enter the GX tournament, I would ... ... I would tell Zane about what I feel about him, and tell him of my own feelings at that ... ... "

"-watch it, Rei. Your hart might come off."

"Huh? O-Oh. T-Then please, please, please, please-! I'm really serious, I won't leave you alone until you say "Yes!", I won't leave you even if you eat, sleep and play or duel all the time! You get me!? I won't even leave you even if you take a shower or sleep on your own room!"

-Konami suddenly closed her mouth with his finger. "All right, I'll help you. I'll help you up to the whole year then. I'm your caretaker now. Your guardian in this school. Got it?"

"R-Really?"

-He nodded firmly. And both share an understanding of sort.

"Teehee. Here's to the greatest partner in this school!"

"Ah. Ah. Then, come on, everyone is eager to hear of the test results tomorrow. It's Sunday, so best spend it wisely!"

"Haiiiii-!"

-They both leave this place ... ... ... ...

...

...

...The next day, Sunday ... ...

...Since the uproar of Konami finishing his test examination in just two minutes, most have accused him of cheating on the test - though the staff, especially the chairwoman, affirmed and stated that no one other than the staff members, especially the chairwoman and the disciplinary committee, have been the ones to check and/or touch the answer sheets for the test papers, so all accusations are dropped off - and most, the same people, apologized for the accusation. Though Konami feels he could care less ... ...

"Oi-!" Someone suddenly called out, it's Daichi Misawa - - "In case you're wondering, the test results are posted. Kaiser Ryou is the top scoring student so far, and next to him is ... ...You." -Daichi made it sound like it was painful to admit, at first. "Say, how smart are you? I mean your IQ of getting to finish the score in just two minutes. I've seen Zane take off for at least two minutes like you, but it seems like ... ... I guess my question is how did you pulled that off-?"

...Konami ought to answer or reply something, but ... ...

"...why do you ask?"

"Nothing. I just want to know. It's part of my nature."

"Huh. Nature, huh. Intellectual people loves nature at best, you know that?"

-He said recalling Zane watching out at the Sunset before. And before then, Asuka, too, is by the beach.

"-well, if I'm going to ask. I suppose I made effort. Like how you study for an exam, how you become so smart, that is your talent, and make my own situation A-okay. Most powerful people comes take great responsibility, but it's no different from other responsibilities. So that's how it goes, Misawa, was it?"

"Ah. Misawa Daichi, pleased to meet your acquaitance, Hagure Konami."

"Ah. Ah." They shook their hands.

"I honestly admit, you're really an interesting duelist. More so than that kid, Judai Yuki, since his first arrival. First, he's said to have almost - no, he did defeated Manjoume after hearing the story from Tenjouin-san. Oh, Tenjouin Asuka-san. But I heard he lost again to him, though that was during our non-scheduled first semester days, you've come in a nick of timing to enroll here. So congratulations, I guess."

"Ah. Ah." They shook hands again.

"Say, why aren't you aiming to become a resident of the high ranking dorms. From what I've heard, Doctor Crowler offered you a spot in Obelisk, but you turned it down! Why?"

"Huh. Well ... ...let's just say I don't meet standards. And I mostly keep to myself and in a secluded room, too. So the Osiris room pretty much serves me."

-Daichi frowned at that. Though he could also relate as he likes to have a secluded place of his own - - "-well, that's that, I guess. I better watch out for that kid, he's not an average duelist, that's for sure."

...

...

...School days have gone and passed by normally for everyone, and Konami actually befriended some of the other Osiris students, looking up to him as a role model - even Judai is outclassed, as Syrus admitted.

...Then day after day, it seems like it's going as usual ... ... that is ... ... "Huh ... ... ... ...Asuka-?" -Konami sees Asuka looking at the distance - trying to remember Fubuki and the cherished moments with him, and, well ... ...wondering how's he doing ... ... "The Sunset is like that of a cherished picture of memories between the youth and that of your own cute face, you know that."

-Konami suddenly spoke to her, which struck a cord sensation since that's what Fubuki also said to her once - and also - "Oh, Konami. Oh, I-I'm sorry ... ... "

"...what's wrong? You look like you're in deep thought."

"Deep ... Ah, I guess so ... ... You remind me of someone ... ... I just can't put it together, why do you remind me of him so much ... ...?"

-Konami recalls that Zane said the same thing, to him, does he really resembles this Fubuki Tenjouin.

...Or that perhaps, they just share the same hobbies - well, not all hobbies, as Konami recalled that Fubuki likes to impress the ladies, and likes surfing as he has talent for it - "...I just can't put it ... ... ... ... " Asuka murmurs to herself, and right then ... ... ... ... Konami leaves her be, seeing she's very deep in thought ... ... right then however, Konami sees Manjoume preparing to set sail on the open ocean on a boat with his boat being prepared - "Farewell. Duel Academy!"

...

...

...At the open sea ... ... ... ...

...Manjoume is feeling melancholic as he transferred to Duel Academy and immediately rose to the rank of Obelisk, and before then - he was expected to be a perfect image by his brothers, though even then ... ... as he has lost a duel to Judai, then later, two consecutive defeats from Konami - and even Rei, well, frankly, it's just Konami ... ... and he cannot put his mind behind it. Just what is it he needs to do to make his situation A-okay ... ...?

... ... ... ...The silent waves are giving him a lullaby, so ... ...meanwhile, back at Duel Academy, at the library ... ... Judai and co. are here, supposed to be doing home work, but he - Judai - - got all sleepy and just decided to scan some cards and watch t.v.

"Say, Aniki, shouldn't we be at the classroom? At least, in the Osiris dorm, Daitokuji-sensei ... ... " -Right, Daitokuji advised the Osiris students to stay at the classroom at least, since it might be dangerous to stay in the Osiris dormitory as a storm signal no. 3 is coming their way ... ... so Daitokuji-sensei said he'd packed some things there, like the hoven for cooking food and the fridge, where Crowler reluctantly allowed it, since there's no choice. And they certainly can't give accomodation at the Obelisk Blue dormitory, and right then ... ... "I wonder where Konami is, it would be good if all of the Osiris red are all here, since it might be easier to find all of us ... ... "

"I don't think Konami is a reckless person. So don't worry about it." Chumley assured and that got Judai into thinking and recalling that Manjoume has been absent for three days straight ... ... there's nothing much to do in this island, as it's not of the city so during days off they just spend their times on computers, in Judai's case, he's trying the dueling network to duel on network duels to duel some people - the same goes for Konami, actually, and speaking of Konami - - just where is he, any way ... ...?

...

...

...At the middle of the ocean ... ... ... ...

...Manjoume's boat is still drifting, he plans to enroll in North Academy, where he might regain his self-esteem - and to also make his situation A-okay ... ... but ... ... "Can I really do this-?"

"Ah, with these rations, you can barely stand an hour in this stormy afternoon. So you should have at least brought some more." Konami suddenly appeared by the boat's edge, with him seem to have swam here ... ...

"Ah. Ah. I didn't think I would have ... ... Huh-? Huh ... ...? You're ... ... " -Manjoume sees Konami, who has picked up a breathing underwater device, and ... ...

"W-WHAT THE HEEEEEEEEEELLLLL-!?" -Manjoume exclaimed throughout the horizon in the sky - "YOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU-!" -He points an accusing finger to Konami.

"Ah, ah. So, how come you're here?"

"-why the hell are you here, asshole!? Osiris Dropout, how, when, why ... ...why the hell are you here-!?"

"Ah. Ah ... ...it's a long story ... ... no, it's a short story. I swam ... ... using this device here, you know, the ones agent or discoverers used to get a discovery of sharks and things in the sea ... ... ... ... that's it."

Manjoume fell, completely dumbstruck.

"Of all the ... ...You lousy drop out punk-! You swam all the way here, hmph! -what an idiot! Idiots don't think much-!"

"Naturally. Or are you stupid enough to believe otherwise?"

"Grr. -why you ... ...why the hell are you here-!?"

"I think the most prudent question is what ARE you doing here in the middle of nowhere-?" Konami asked, getting to the point - -

"Hmph! None of your business, I'll drop you off to the Academy and then I will LEAVE!"

"Don't tell me you've come to follow the fairy tale of "finding myself" or some stories like that, like going off on an adventure around the world or something like that. Tch, that's so not like you."

"Grr, JUST what is it to YOU any way-! Just everything I've gone through, it's too damn hard-! And whatever I do is none of your damn business!"

"...Ah, it's none of my business. But, Manjoume, don't you want to know or find out how to make your situation A-okay?"

"w-what... ...?"

-Manjoume seems off-guardly got caught at that.

"Make my situation A-okay ... ...? L-Like, how, exactly ... ...?"

"Hm, well, for one, you do things not by your own judgement alone, in other words, for everyone's sake is what you should do. And second, I know it's very hard, but always remember that everyone can make their situation A-okay, no mere idiot can deter than from you."

"-w-what ... ... T-That's ... ...You came all this way to tell me that? ... ... ... ...Hmph, what a loser. If that's how it is, hmph, well, thanks ... ... But I'm taking you back to the Academy! Tch, you're really a trouble-maker you know that-! And to think you passed the test not by intellect, it's pretty darn undignified! It's ... ... "

"...Yes, well, as long as it can make me not fail, I'm fine with it. As long as it's right, it shouldn't be too much of a hassle, right?"

"... ... ... ... Hmph, well all right, but I'm still taking you back - but ... ... "

-Suddenly, it started to rain and violent winds are coming their way, it seems there's a storm signal coming now, much to the awkwardness of both boys as they've realized they're in the middle of the ocean and a storm is about to hit - - "This is your fault, Manjoume."

"Shut up! This is something Manjoume-sama must do himself-! I've gone into exile, but now, rising up, I will take my time and chances to go the distance - - and return in the middle of the semester-!"

"...what? You're ... ...dropping out-?" Konami asked in great disbelief.

"Hahahahahahahahahaha-! I don't need to drop out, but, right now, I'm in need of prestige. That is why, I want to become more stronger, in order to topple all enemies before me, like you, Red Hat-! Got it?"

-Konami grimaced at that. "Deal." -Both are into agreement at that - but ... ... it started raining now ... ... ... ...

-It started to rain violently now, and Konami and Manjoume are trying to get through the storm that is pressing hard now, as they make a detour back to the Academy, and it seems in the Academy, all Osiris Red are given shelter in the classrooms that they're asleep now - except Syrus, who is worried for a missing member or fellow dorm mate, Konami ... ... Back to the latter, he and Manjoume just arrived by the harbor - as Konami makes a run for it, but he keeps tripping, no matter what.

-Manjoume ought to help him out, as they both made a run for it, and are caught in a squall, or a violent wind, that is making them go through some heavy lengths and have to stop by Osiris dormitory nearby, as of then - they entered the first room, which is actually Rei's room, as far as Konami remembers - and then, they heard a "meow" sound coming outside and Konami rushed out to find Pharaoh - who is drenched in the rain fall and Konami rushed in to help him out and a falling tree is seen, and he quickly returned inside and drops Pharaoh to the ground as he turned on the light - "-well, at least we found accomodation in this part - - "

"You have no idea what kind of tsunami just robbed me of my trip-!? Maybe I should have gone ahead and ... ... "

"...And what-? Get caught in this stupid typhoon storm?"

"Yeah, well maybe I should have ... ... "

-Konami lits a lamp nearby, and puts it on the middle - "It's a common symptoms you know, the inducing-insanity thing for people who are into entertaining people, as well as providing the means of morale to others. So don't sweat that it's different from others, it's basically the same thing. Though, no one will have it easy. Got it-?"

"...Yeah, well, as for how to make my situation A-okay ... ... "

"...Get back at your enemies, at full force, I guess ... ...?"

"Huh, yeah, I guess so ... ... But I'm still aiming to become a number one duelist and student in North Academy, I have to try."

"...I dunno. I guess that's how you must deal with this. Okay, I'm gonna catch some shut-eye ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... "

...Both have fallen asleep, with Pharaoh snuggling onto Konami's side, and all or everyone fell asleep ... ... ... ... well, except for Judai and co. They are searching for their friend, Konami, whom they suspect is on the Osiris Red dormitory - - "Oh man, I thought and told everyone to go to the classroom, nyaa~~ And Pharaoh is missing, too."

-Daitokuji sensei is with them, too, as they go to the dorm of theirs ... ... ... ...

...

...

...Soon both Manjoume and Konami are given accomodation, sort to speak, in the infirmary and Manjoume expressed desire to leave Duel Academy for now, since he needs to "find himself", meaning make his situation A-okay by taking in some more challenges, or training, as one can put it.

-So he left Duel Academy on a ferry instead, as soon as the storm subsided a bit and Judai and co. including Daitokuji and Miss Fontaine and Konami, accompanying them at that - and soon, days passed by and the storm passes by, and it returned to the good normal days, or weather again, "It feels good to be back on the sunny weather-!" Syrus commented.

"-Yeah, you're telling me! -well, at least, they can grill sandwiches again."

-Chumley said that and Daichi greets the group - - "Hey, guys. I heard what happened, Manjoume Jun has temporarily left the school, well I suppose he quitted, sort to speak, Duel Academy, right now."

"Ah. It's very unfortunate, but I guess everyone has their own homework to do, huh?"

-Judai said that and Syrus ought to say something. "Speaking of homework, class is about to start. And they have a quiz coming."

"Oh, that's right! I better get something done, too!"

"-well, that'll be no problem for me. And for you, too, right, Red hat?"

"Probably." Konami replied to Daichi's question.

"All right then, let's go, I might be able to help you out a bit in reviewing some of the materials ... ... "

...And so the days passed by ... ... ... ...

End of Chapter 6