Chapter Ten- Wrapping It Up

"Seriously? Sheppard's gonna have a tournament where we can duel pros?" Jaden asked as they left the woods the following morning.

"Uh-huh. Zane's going to be in it which is how he found out about me being half-werewolf."

"So, he knew the good you until I made him believe you were dangerous."

"Actually, you didn't. Zane gave him a gold charm with a green stone that blocks canine magic. He pretended that you influenced him."

"He did a good job of acting. So, I can tell him I'm not dark anymore and he can make a school-wide announcement to get rid of those rumors."

"You also need to beat Satorius."

"Yeah and I'll do it with the Neo-Spacians. I'll need to practice with them first, though and this tournament would be perfect practice."

Syrus was about to comment on that plan when Hassleberry's voice exclaimed in alarm, "Sam Hill! Careful, Sarge!" The next thing Syrus knew, Jaden was being pulled away from him and shielded by their friends.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Jaden asked.

"Protecting you, though you probably could handle him," Atticus replied.

"I don't need protection. It's just Sy," Jaden pointed out. "He's not gonna hurt anyone. He's harmless."

"Really?" Bastion asked.

"Yes!" Jaden said. "Everything I said were just rumors. There's no truth in any of them." He saw his friends exchange looks and worried that he may have to influence them again when Bastion said, "Jaden is correct. Syrus had done nothing to warrant fear or suspicion."

"Those are good points," Atticus said. He flashed a grin at Syrus. "And he's cute with the ears and tail now."

Hassleberry nodded at this. "When did that happen, Sy?"

"I've had them since before attending Duel Academy. I just restrained it. Ja convinced me to let go last night. I saw no reason not to as the whole school knows I'm half-werewolf."

"A school who still fears you," Jaden said, ears drooping. "I feel awful about spreading those rumors. I'd like to stop them."

"Why not use your magic to influence the school to stop the rumors?" Bastion asked.

Jaden shook his head hard. "I shouldn't. That spell is what caused the trouble."

"Only because you were being influenced to be dark and mean," Syrus said. "All that evil force is gone and can't influence you again."

"I…guess I could use it and then end it," Jaden said.

Syrus nodded. "Do it, Ja and we can ask Chancellor Sheppard to also end the rumors."

Jaden closed his eyes and forced his desire in the direction of the school and the dorms. Another breeze was felt briefly and Jaden opened his eyes. "I'll leave the spell in place for the day. It should reach everyone that way. I'll end it after school."

"Great. Then, let's eat," Syrus said. Everyone blinked at his words and he shrugged. "Changing to a wolf and back again is energy draining and I need food to replenish it just as Jaden needs it for his magic."

"Yes, that does make sense," Bastion said. "So, let's have breakfast and you can tell us how Jaden became his friendly, normal self again, Syrus."

The cloudy eyes of his fellow students was a comfort to Syrus this time around. He had girls coming up to him, asking to feel his ears or tail while the guys asked about his heritage. All of this attention was a little embarrassing but he granted the requests and answered the questions.

"Different from how it was before, huh Sy?" Jade asked as classes broke for lunch.

"Yeah, but I prefer it to the rumors."

"We should see Sheppard before we eat." Jaden led the way to the office and the doors slid open and made Sheppard look up.

The chancellor blinked for a moment before an indulgent smile came to his face. "You finally lowered the third barrier. Those ears and tail suit you, Syrus."

"Thanks. I let them come out after I dueled and saved Jaden."

"And yet everyone's still being influenced," Sheppard said sternly.

Jaden's ears folded back at the rebuke. "I'm only doing it to help end the rumors I spread about Sy. I'll end it after school, I promise. We came to ask you to help end the rumors."

"Of course I'll help. It's clear you're back to your usual self."

"Sweet," Jaden said, ears erect again. "Oh, Syrus said you're going to hold a tournament with pros and students. Count me in for it."

"It's true, but keep it quiet until I announce it."

"My lips are sealed."

Sheppard gathered the school after classes were over and he found it unsettling to see hundreds of cloudy eyes focused on him. He shook if off as he faced the assemblage. "I am aware that there were those among you who feared Syrus Truesdale for being half-werewolf. Rumors of him being dangerous have flown around and I am here to say that I have spoken to him and he is not dangerous. He is no different than Jaden, just a wolf instead of a fox." Sheppard then felt a breeze as he finished speaking and he saw cloudy eyes became clear and alert. Jaden must have ended the spell. He smiled at this realization before continuing his speech. "On another matter is my absence for most of the year. I was traveling the world to find the best pros and invite them here to duel each other and against you, my students.

"The competition is what I call the GX Tournament. Everyone will receive a GX medal which the loser will hand over to the winner." Sheppard held up a medal so everyone could see it. "Everyone must give over all medals they have when they lose and then they are out of the tournament. The winner will be granted whatever they wish. I expect you all to duel each other to improve your skills before the tournament begins. Dismissed." The crowd dispersed, chatting about Syrus and the tournament in equal parts of awe and excitement.

"I can't wait to duel those pros," Jaden commented at dinner. He scarfed down his fish and other dishes before getting more fish.

"We need to duel other students to get better," Syrus pointed out as he nibbled the shrimp he had chosen instead of fish.

"Problem is, no one wants to duel me as I'm the top duelist," Jaden pointed out before enlarging the size of Syrus' shrimp to which the half-werewolf happily thanked him.

"I wouldn't mind dueling you," Syrus said after a few minutes. "I'll learn something even if I lose. Plus, it'll give you practice with your new cards."

Jaden grinned at this. "You got a duel. After school tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," Syrus agreed. He returned to dinner, happy. Jaden wasn't dark anymore and Syrus would help him in his destiny to defeat Satorius. And it starts with a duel tomorrow. Two best friends who have more in common than we first thought.

The End

The rest of season two pretty much plays out as it does in the show. Please don't ask me to do a third story surrounding the third season. I didn't watch season three very much so I wouldn't be comfortable doing a story in that season even if I did watch it again.