I want to take this time to thank Abyssdancer for inspiring me to write this sequel. We traded PM back and forth and this story is the result.
Chapter Three- Wolf Half Unleashed
"You're honestly okay with Ja being who he is now?" Syrus asked Alexis and Atticus as class was packing up for the day.
"Of course," Alexis said. "He was meant to be a trickster and one can't deny their true nature."
"But…but his pranks are mean and hurtful," Syrus protested.
"That's his nature," Atticus said. "Plus, they can be funny."
Syrus looked at their cloudy eyes and knew making them see reason was hopeless. "Yeah, funny," he said flatly. "Well, I'll see you later. I wanna get my homework done." He moved quickly out of the room, feeling hopeless. There was no way to snap his friends out of Jaden's spell; only Jaden could but he wasn't going to do that. I wish I could talk to someone but almost everyone is on Ja's side.
The call tone on his PDA sounded and he pulled it out to see that the caller was Zane! Yes! This is exactly the one I need to talk to! He raced to an isolated spot in the school an answered the call. "Hey, Zane," he said as his brother appeared on the screen. "I really need to talk to you."
"And I need to talk to you," Zane responded.
"Really? Great. How's your dueling career doing?"
"I'm working my way up. I chose to imitate our friend, Bastion in terms of different decks. I'm at the top of the basic leagues and my next duel will advance me to the next one if I win."
"Of course you'll win. I still believe in you even if no one else does."
"That's good to know. Listen Sy, last night, I met up with Aster and he told me about his duel with Jaden. How bad is he?"
"Pretty bad. Right after the duel we tried to tell him that the way he had been acting wasn't him. He disagreed and used his magic to make us agree with him and to go along with any pranks he plays on us or others. I threw it off yesterday morning and put up my barrier to block his magic. Ja's eyes are turning dual-colored: Brown and red."
"Dual-colored eyes. That is bad. Does Jaden know you're not under his spell?"
"No. I've done a good job at acting like I still am."
"That's good. I was concerned that you were still being influenced and I was going to ask you to erect your barrier."
"It's up and my focus and concentration are better than before. Now if only I could have Ja back to the way he was."
"There might be a way. Jaden's Fox Spirit card is one of a rare set of animal spirit cards. Our father happens to be in possession of one of those cards which may beat Jaden's card and drive out whatever evil force is controlling him. I'll talk to him and see if I can get him to send you the card."
"I hope he agrees. I'd like to have my friend back."
"Well, while I talk to Dad, I want you to improve your dueling. You were promoted to Ra, after all. Also, let your wolf half loose. It will give you more confidence so you can stand up to Jaden if you need to."
"I'll do that, Zane. Thanks for calling me."
"You're welcome and be careful. I love you, little brother." The screen went blank.
"Love you too, big bro," Syrus said softly. He put the PDA away and closed his eyes. A half-werewolf's barrier was a multi-layered and multi-functional defense. The first part was blocking the magic of other canine members, especially foxes. Focus and concentration improve from this part.
The second part is the unleashing of one's wolf side. Confidence, sharp senses, and faster speed come from this part as well as becoming a self-ware wolf on the full moon. Syrus didn't like his full moon changes or the ears and tail that appear on his human form. That was where the third and final barrier part came in: It restrained his full half-werewolf appearance.
It is necessary to unleash my wolf half. I will gain more confidence from it as well as sharper senses and faster speed, faster than I usually am. I don't like to take wolf form but I must accept it and use the confidence from it to improve my dueling. I can use the third level of my barriers to restrain my ears and tail. Syrus lowered the second level and felt his confidence grow as well as his senses sharpening. It is done. I will become a wolf on the next full moon which will be in two days. That should be enough time to duel and improve. Zane's right; I'm a Ra Yellow and I'm here to be a pro duelist when I graduate. I can't be that if I shy away from duels. Syrus opened his eyes and then shut them again with a small cry before opening them a little. I had forgotten how sharp my senses are. The sun is bright. Syrus felt his eyes watering from the light and took his glasses off to run his sleeve over his eyes.
"Sy?" came Jaden's voice and there was true concern in it. "You okay? Did someone pick on you? Tell me who it is and I'll make them pay."
"No, no,' Syrus said quickly at hearing the vengeful tone in his friend's voice. "I…decided to try wearing contacts and put the second one in at the wrong angle." He blinked and looked up at Jaden who had a look of sympathy now.
"Yes, of course. Too bad you're not half-animal like me. You wouldn't need glasses or contacts. Your vision would be perfect."
Syrus fought the impulse to tell Jaden that he was half-animal. He knew that if he told, Jaden would know that Syrus was not under his spell. That could be dangerous for me. I have to keep it a secret, improve my dueling, and hope Zane can convince Dad to let me, at least, borrow the card needed to save my friend.
"Fox Spirit- Malicious?" Mr. Truesdale repeated with a worried tone in his voice and on his face. "That is the worst one of the spirit animal cards. More so if in the hands of an evil trickster, full or half."
"How is it the worst?" Zane asked.
"It's right in the name, son. Malicious. Based on what you've told me, I surmise that Jaden's dad put some of his dark nature into the card and later showed up to unlock his son's magic and persuade him to be a trickster fox like himself."
"I told Sy that you have an animal spirit card in your possession. Can it counter Fox Spirit somehow?"
"Oh, yes…if used in a duel. If it sends Fox Spirit to the graveyard and helps him win the duel, the dark and evil nature will be expelled."
"Father, could you let Syrus at least borrow the card so he can expel that nature from his friend?"
"Of course I can. Fox Spirit must be defeated and not used again. I will also send an Equip spell that was exclusively made for this card."
"May I ask what the spirit's card name is?" Zane asked.
"It is called Wolf Spirit- Courageous."
"Courageous," Zane said. "That's what Sy's going to need if he hopes to save Jaden."
"He will win if he utilizes his wolf side instead of suppressing it."
"He already has. I told him he needs to let it loose if he intends to win his duels and improve his skills."