Chapter 06: An unexpected break
By the time half a month has passed with a blink of an eye Jaden was occupied with two things, getting the hang for surfing and studying, with the former admittedly being a bit tougher than the latter as said hero duelist found himself wiping out much more frequently than actually catching a wave, however that didn't stop him one bit.
" come on… get your surf's on…."
Jaden at this point has spent the whole morning in Domino's local beach as he was busy with his 20th surf attempt clearly trying to find his balance on the surfboard as Atticus Rhodes, his so called coach turned out to be the kind to throw you into the pool and let you learn on your own how to swim kind of instructor. Another five attempts were made by Jaden as finally on his 25th run he managed to balance himself on the board before wiping out immediately.
" okay….. now let's see if I can do that for more than five secs…"
By high noon Atticus Rhodes in the flesh has graced the beach with an Hawaiian shirt getup and a ukulele in hand as Jaden spotted him asking jokingly.
" say isn't the student's job is to be late to class?….."
Atticus not missing a beat replied with.
" I taught you all that I know young one, now it's time for the sea to be your guide…"
Rolling his eyes was Jaden's mistake as he wiped out yet again, this time lasting for about two minutes, washing ashore the younger teen decided to take a break for a bit as he reached for a snack and a soft drink he packed earlier today.
" go easy dude…. Surfing is a sport just like everything else…."
Jaden nodded.
" sure, say how's things at home anyway?"
Atticus smirked.
" normal- ish, why you're asking?"
Jaden asked right back.
" do I need a reason to?"
At that both teens began laughing while Atticus replied between laughs.
" it's a shame you don't go for the whole fiancée thing….. I would've loved it to have you as a brother in law….."
Jaden jabbed right back at him.
" stop trying to play matchmaker already…"
Atticus at that tried to take the opportunity to tease Jaden some more before he received a text from Alexis saying.
' come back home, we're heading on an unexpected trip soon.'
Atticus texted back.
' will do.'
With that another text popped up saying.
' don't forget to make sure Jaden doesn't slack off.'
Atticus gave an actual sad smile which Jaden picked up on.
" trouble in paradise?"
Atticus sighed as he said.
" not exactly, we'll probably be gone for a little while."
Jaden asked curiously.
" like a family vacation or something?"
Atticus gave a friendly slap on Jaden's back saying.
" family adventure actually… speaking of, don't slack off on your studying or surfing, got that?"
Jaden smirked through the small pain he felt.
" Lexi's orders?"
Atticus gave him a look that wordlessly said ' who else' before he chose to end the conversation with the following.
" you should definitely have that shoulder looked at before you dislocate it altogether."
Jaden gave a dry laugh stating.
" I'm pretty sure you did that already."
With that Jaden was left all on his own with only the surfboard to keep him company as rush hour at the beach was just starting. Speaking of people, as Atticus Rhodes made it back to the house in record time he immediately went upstairs to pack as he noticed Alexis in a dour mood about the whole thing.
" missing your boyfriend already?"
Alexis snapped back at him.
" don't start with me, besides it's not like that with Jaden, my worries are purely academical."
Atticus replied with a mischievous grin.
" I never mentioned Jaden by name."
The Rhodes siblings began bickering all the way to the car as the elder Rhodes sibling concluded the back and forth with the following.
" from what you told me about his mom, I'll doubt the poor guy would get time in the yard, much less early parole."
As Alexis took her seat in the car, a more modern version of the Jaguar uncle Elliot drove, Mariam took the opportunity to give Atticus a friendly warning.
" leave your sister alone before you'll be the one begging me for parole."
Knowing his mother penchant for promises disguised as friendly threats Atticus gulped as he took his seat while the car drove off, about a third of the way towards the airport said older teen broke the silence.
" not that I'll complain about family vacations but why all of a sudden you're taking us with you old man?"
Henry Rhodes answered the question plainly and directly.
" I'll let senior answer that one, it's his mess for the most part."
With that said and done three days have gone by with Jaden being free to his own devices, so to speak, though he would be lying if he said that something wasn't missing, he tried everything, dueling, sports, TV, heck even homework yet he still felt empty inside, even if he had someone with him in the house, in this case Gordon.
" if you're going to keep frowning like that, that's eventually would wind up becoming permanent."
Jaden sighed.
" I know dad but I miss them."
Gordon took the opportunity to lightly tease.
" her especially?"
Jaden asked jokingly.
" I'm that obvious huh?!"
Gordon gave a wry smile saying.
" don't worry, your secret's safe with me."
Jaden, slouched on the sofa in front of the TV, has now gotten up as he stretched himself before saying.
" I'm going to take a walk and get some fresh air."
Gordon deadpanned.
" you do remember that we live in the big city right?"
Jaden at that laughed a bit stating.
" it's better than sulking all day."
Gordon, fully engrossed in his newspapers and magazines said casually.
" can't argue with that logic."
By this point Jaden has already left home as he took to the streets, walking by a few places that stuck with him from the past while Elemental Hero Avion materialized next to him as said teen asked.
" need something old buddy?"
Answering just like his dad Avion said.
' just making sure you're watching where you're going.'
Jaden replied with a dry joke of his own.
" thanks for being funny but I don't need funny right now."
Avion asked.
' worried about that girl of yours?'
giving a small smile Jaden answered.
" honestly?, more than I'll even care to admit but it's not just that…."
Avion gestured Jaden to continue as he did.
" a while ago I saw a drawing of a weird helmet…."
Avian asked curiously.
' a helmet?'
Jaden continued the conversation.
" yeah, it was weird, I never seen it in my life but somehow it felt familiar…"
With that Avion suggested.
' we should return home soon, maybe show me your drawing skills in the meantime.'
Jaden at this point could only ask the following.
" any idea where we are?"
Knowing that the statement was only said partially joking, he still sighed.
' follow me then'
Knowing not to mess with him for too much Jaden followed the elemental Hero back home as he heard Gordon asking.
" that was short lived."
Jaden replied as he went upstairs.
" nothing's changed, I just know what to focus on right now.
With that Jaden drew the helmet as best he could for Avion as the elemental hero took a "closer" look while Jaden chose to get some sleep in before supper.. waking up fresh Jaden made it to his second course when the doorbell began ringing.
" are we expecting anyone?"
Gordon replied.
" mom's working late today so no….."
By this point Jaden already made it to the front door as he checked who it was only to find absolutely no one behind said door saying to himself.
" okay… spooky much….."
With that said and done none of the Yuki's noticed that a strange car was parked from a far watching them closely before driving away. Later that evening Avion came back to Jaden's room with an update on the helmet.
' I've been asking around and you might want to sit down for it'
doing just that already Jaden replied in a friendly tone.
" already am old buddy"
With that said and done Avian began telling him about what he found out about said strange item with Jaden paying close attention.
' first of all what do you know about the helmet from your end?'
Jaden replied honestly.
" well I know that many people either wanted it or want it and it holds great power, what do you know?"
Avion looked a bit uneasy as he stated.
' I could only share bits and pieces, please don't think any less of me.'
Jaden reassured him by saying.
" bits and pieces is better than nothing at all so go on."
Avion at that started with the following.
' it belonged to a prince, a prince from where duel spirits come from, a ruler who went by the name of the Supreme king of gentle darkness….'
Intrigued about one thing in particular Jaden interrupted by asking.
" went? as in past tense?"
Avion confirmed this as he replied.
' yes, he fell in battle but not before defeating an unspeakable evil called the light of destruction.'
Jaden at that followed along before asking the following question.
" this evil light or whatever, is it destroyed or does it have a way to return?"
Avion made a grim expression as he answered.
' I truly do not know, what's consistent about the stories I heard is that the light of destruction cannot be destroyed, only slowed down.'
Jaden at that concluded the conversation with.
" thanks pal, take the rest of the day off, you deserve it."
Avion was about to protest however Jaden said as follows.
" at this point there's no point in worrying too much, besides you can make sure that I'll keep my friends safe okay?"8
With that Avion left the room as Jaden was left on his own thinking about what to do next. After a short while of thinking Jaden picked up his phone as he texted Alexis, the only problem now was on how to start the conversation, eventually he settled on this.
' how's your surprise summer trip going?'
the following text came in.
' not much of a trip, grandpa got mixed up in a crazy adventure with an even crazier story behind it.'
Jaden's reply came as such.
' well I just heard a crazy story as well, want to share them when you get back?'
Alexis texted the follow up message.
' honestly not sure yet when we're coming back but you're on.'
Getting a bit worried Jaden replied.
' stay safe, all of you.'
Alexis texted back.
' sure.'
Before Jaden could put the phone away another text popped.
' don't forget about your homework.'
Jaden sighed in relief at that as he chuckled to himself while thinking.
' almost did for a minute there… thanks for reminding me….'
With that Jaden went to try again and confront his homework, managing to complete a bit more of it before calling it quits for the night.
" I'll finish it by tomorrow…"
With that Jaden crashed on his bed as he went to sleep. In the meantime the following conversation was being conducted from the strange car that parked outside Jaden's home not a few minutes ago.
' are you sure this is the one we're looking for master?'
' with absolute certainty.'
' should we get rid of him before he has a chance to interfere with your work?'
' that won't be necessary, I have the perfect pawn for that delicate matter.'
' what about the ones looking for the helmet?'
' keep a close eye on them, retrieve said helmet and get rid of them if you deem it necessary'
With the car drove off into the night as though it merged with the shadows as Avion stood guard on the Yuki's rooftops as he noticed his partner's presence emerging.
' what could I help you with Burstinatrix?'
said Elemental heroine replied with.
' you've been intentionally withholding information from Jaden, why?'
Avion sighed.
' how could I've done any different, our young friend has to deal with academics, making friends and enjoying good food, how would you feel if I pulled the rug from under his feet telling him everything he knows might be half truths.'
Burstinatrix retorted with.
' are you certain it's the right call?'
Avion concluded the conversation as follows.
' I'm certain I won't make the mistakes Yubel did.'
Burstinatrix didn't hold back on this one.
' of course not, the mistakes you're making belong all to you.'
With that Avion was left alone on the roof.
Speaking of alone, Jaden tried to continue doing his homework for at least two more weeks before he got the following text from Alexis.
' returned home last night, we'll see each other in four days.'
Jaden texted back.
' four days?….'
Alexis replied as follows.
' to give you enough time to finish your homework, I'm not planning to go easy on you.'
Jaden smirked concluding the conversation with.
' thanks for the warning, see you then.'
With that said and done those four days passed quickly as Jaden was happy that things returned to normal. Making his way towards the Rhodes's home he was greeted by Henry Rhodes senior as he said.
" welcome young man, I'm sorry we left without saying a proper goodbye."
Jaden dismissed the apology politely.
" no harm done, I understand it had something to do with your helmet project"
Henry Rhodes senior at that ushered the boy in as Jaden asked.
" learned anything new about said helmet?"
Henry Rhodes senior answered as follows.
" just more clues about its resting place, may I ask to know why?"
Jaden answered honestly.
" I have a few close friends who gave me a new story about that helmet"
The old man smirked.
" if you have the time I'd like to hear about it."
With that said and done Alexis walked in on the two as she stated.
" mind if I sit in on this one?"
No one gave any objections as Jaden began relaying the story he heard from Avion detail by detail, or close enough to that since said teen explained it as best as he could with Henry Rhodes senior got straight to the point.
" so this prince of gentle darkness was tasked to save the world from the light of destruction?"
Jaden confirmed by replying.
" that's pretty much what I've got out of it, so? What did you manage to find?"
Henry Rhodes senior continued the conversation as such.
" Alexis dear, would you mind closing the doors before we continue?'
Making sure no one was eavesdropping Alexis closed the doors to her grandfather's study as he produced a small journal , opened on a specific sketch as the old man asked.
" before I show you what I found I must ask, do you believe in fate Jaden?"
Jaden's response was as such.
" believe it or not, somehow I wind up in a greater than life adventure, and I always welcome it."
Henry Rhodes senior accepted the reply as he motioned Jaden to step closer. Seeing the sketch Jaden gulped as he saw his own face from beneath the helmet being portrayed in the drawing and to hammer home that this was no fluke, his favorite monsters were present in said sketch.
" is this prince of darkness supposed to be me? Or someone who looks the part?
The old man clearly unsure answered.
" I'm not sure, that's why I'd like you to join our next adventure."
Jaden smirked.
" don't know what I would tell my parents but I'm in."
Alexis chimed in as she asked.
" do you trust me Jaden?"
With that said and done Alexis arranged for her father to drop both of them up at Jaden's home after the study session has been concluded for today. As the trio became a duo with Henry Rhodes junior deciding to hang back he made himself clear.
" if you need help I'm right here, and Jaden?"
Jaden paying full attention gestured the older man to continue.
" don't get any ideas."
Rolling her eyes Alexis dragged Jaden out before he could ask what the older guy meant as she said.
" he had an Atticus moment."
Jaden lightly joked.
" oh brother…"
With that said and done Jaden welcomed Alexis into his home as he said the following.
" let me check if my folks are home."
Alexis asked the following.
" and if not?"
Jaden replied as follows.
" we'll send your old man home and we'll wait for them to return…"
Before Alexis could respond Jaden continued talking.
" besides maybe you can help me make sense of some of the homework I have?"
Alexis gave a pleasant smile.
" sounds like a plan."
With that said and done Henry Rhodes junior left the two of them alone after Alexis convinced him. Either by sheer nervous energy, excitement or both Jaden ushered Alexis into the Yuki's home, taking a look at her surroundings said guest couldn't help but comment after witnessing the home's unmistakable charm.
" so this is the place where the one and only Jaden Yuki grew up?"
Jaden's only reply was.
" pretty much."
Jaden jettisoned into the kitchen as he said.
" wait right there in the living room, I'm making us early dinner."
Alexis only could smirk in surprise.
" you can duel, you've got jokes and you know your way around a kitchen?, I'm surprised you're not taken already….."
Jaden was brutally honest with his reply.
" maybe I don't want just anyone, maybe I'm waiting for the one, know what I mean?"
Alexis muttered to herself so Jaden wouldn't catch on too easily.
" I used to think that too until life threw me a curve ball."
With that said and done Jaden told Alexis to make herself feel at home until dinner is served which only took for about fiftheen minutes with the hero duelist serving Omlettes.
" classic….."
At that Jaden replied with modesty, humility and a little self deprecation.
" oh you can go ahead and laugh if you want… it's the only thing I can cook without destroying the kitchen while doing so…"
Both teens shared a comfortable laugh as they sat down to eat while a few minutes later Alexis started a new conversation.
" how will you convince your parents to let you tag along?"
Jaden thought for a minute on the subject before responding.
" honestly?, the truth, minus the whole duel monster spirits and all that, I'm afraid no one I ever knew quite got it."
Alexis chose to respond to his honesty with one of her own.
" if I didn't witness it I wouldn't believe in it either, though I've got to know, what are those heroes of yours to you?"
Jaden replied straight to the point.
" friends and family."
As they finished dinner Jaden insisted that he would clear the plates as Alexis chose to tease him a bit.
" you'll do pretty much anything to avoid doing your homework , don't you?"
With that a new voice spoke up, sort of, as Gordon Yuki entered the home.
" well that and his mother will skin him alive if he forgets what we taught him."
Jaden at that confessed.
" true."
Gordon at that reintroduced himself to Alexis Rhodes as they made a formal introduction as he asked Jaden.
" that takes me a while back, what's with the sudden surge of nostalgia?"
Jaden answered immediately.
" needed help with my homework and the Rhodes family need my help"
sharp as ever Gordon picked up on that.
" help with what exactly?"
With that Alexis began explain enough of everything so Gordon could get a bigger picture as he finally said.
" so basically it's like a one big field trip?, am I wrong so far?"
Both Jaden and Alexis nodded a 'no'. With that said and done Gordon excused himself as he went off to prepare a room for their study session as he cited.
" knowing my son, like any decent father, Jaden will need a room far away from any distractions."
Jaden at that gave a sarcastic laugh.
" at least let me leave the room first….."
Alexis at that stifled a laugh while the duo waited for another few minutes until the new " study room" was clear. As the two began their study session Alexis noted that although Jaden improved with his subjects he couldn't help but take a few steps back in other areas.
" be honest, have you kept up with your homework?"
Jaden returned the favor.
" tried to but without my favorite teacher it didn't seem right or easy."
Alexis sighed in mild disappointment as she asked.
" do you expect me to hold your hand while I walk you through this?"
Jaden, being typically him, replied with.
" I wouldn't mind holding hands in general."
Realizing what he said as the impact settled on Alexis the two teens in question stopped talking altogether as the tried to focus extra hard on the studies in front of them as Jaden thought to himself.
'great move big mouth…. Now you ruined the mood yet again…. And things were going good too….'
Picking up on his wavelength Alexis simply replied with.
" for the record I think holding hands sounds pretty nice."
With that renewed sense of relief both teens continued focusing on their studies being completely unaware that Lauren was returning home as well. As Lauren returned home she noticed her husband had a small goofy grin on his face as she asked.
" anything to share with me?"
Gordon replied nonchalantly.
" actually Jaden does."
Lauren scanned the room before replying.
" speaking of which, why is he so quiet?, by now I usually give him a noise citation right about now."
On that Note Jaden and Alexis walked out of the study room as both of them were looking for refreshments as Lauren smirked to herself.
" well that makes perfect sense."
Unbothered Jaden and Alexis responded in unison.
" we were actually studying
The smirk never left Lauren's face as she addressed Jaden.
" well at least I see you had the guts to invite your girlfriend over."
Alexis cleared her throat in embarrassment as she pointed out.
" I'm sorry I didn't come for that, actually I needed to speak to you as well."
At this Lauren gave Jaden a side look reserved for him when she wanted to ask as to what exactly did he get himself into this time as her son replied.
" it's nothing bad I promise."
With that said and done Alexis recapped everything she explained to Gordon as Lauren followed all of it.
" so? You want me to sign off on Jaden globe trotting around the world like a junior archeologist…. Well go right ahead."
Alexis at that was pleasantly surprised..
"already convinced?"
Lauren's smirk turned into a playful grin. With that said and done Alexis felt like she stepped into a well laid trap, or at least like getting pulled in into yet another hair brained scheme her brother cooked up as she agreed for both families to a meet and greet as Jaden sweat dropped.
" if it makes you feel any better, no one can say no to my mom when she decides to use her secret weapon."
Alexis at that admitted.
" only a little, she could definitely give Atti a run for his money."
With that both teens shared a laugh before they continued their session for another two more hours as the time read 20:00 pm. Taking a good look at the time Jaden deflated a bit said.
" wow… time really flies by when you're having fun… if you'll excuse me for a sec…"
Jaden at that ran out of the room as he managed to convince his dad to drive Alexis home with one caveat, he has to act like a gentleman an escort her all the way home, having no problem with that said hero duelist agreed. Driving them both Gordon took every opportunity to roast Jaden with dry humor as Alexis gave him directions, once they were there dear old dad pulled at least two blocks away from the girls house as he stated.
" remember what I asked of you?"
Jaden nodded a 'yes' as Gordon continued.
" time to put that lesson into practice."
With that said and done Jaden surprisingly acted like a gentleman as he began escorting her towards her home. Falling in a comfortable silence Alexis couldn't help but find it a bit cute how self conscious Jaden acted as she teasingly said.
" I told you I had no problem with holding hands."
With that Jaden gently entwined his fingers into hers as they walked the rest of the way holding hands until they reached the Rhodes home as Alexis said.
" thank you for a nice dinner and even a nicer day."
Jaden couldn't help but smirk as he replied.
" well gee, it sounds to me like you've made today into a date or something…"
In a teasing mood herself Alexis countered with.
" oh yeah?, well what if I do…..?"
At that Jaden began rubbing the back of his head as he stated.
" if I knew today was going to end up like this I would have bought flowers as well…."
To his surprise and her own Alexis closed the gap between them as she gave a quick and short peck on the cheek before she headed swiftly inside as jaden was left dumbfounded on her door step for a minute or two before saying.
" well….. that was something….. I guess it's same time as usual…."
Now recovered from the surprise Jaden began to make his way back towards his dad's car as he was now thinking about that kiss.
' does a kiss on the cheek counts as kiss?… probably….felt really nice though….'
grinning like a fool all the way back to the car Jaden got in as the vehicle drove off as Alexis stood still in front of the closed front door as she muttered to herself.
" why did I do that….. that was stupid of me to do….."
Before she could continue to berate herself further Mariam surprised her by approaching her as she laid a sof touch on her right shoulder stating.
" I think it's another time for a heart to heart conversation."
Alexis replied honestly.
" I don't think another chat would help much."
Mariam's only response was to give her a reassuring smile as she said.
" try me."
Alexis at that sighed saying.
" let's find a room for this talk shall we?"
Mariam gave her a silent gesture saying ' by all means lead the way'. Doing just that Alexis found a nice quiet spot. Having their heart to heart conversation Alexis reluctantly detailed everything that happened a few hours ago as Mariam listened without cutting in as she finally came to the end of it.
" so by the end of it I ended up giving him a kiss on the cheek before I ran away leaving him on the doorsteps, god …. what have I done… I was supposed to be his teacher and nothing more…."
Mariam at that broke her silence.
" Alexis dear, find me a newspaper if you please."
Confused Alexis couldn't help but show the expression on her face as Mariam clarified.
" so I can thwack you with it for good measure."
Alexis couldn't help but react as follows.
"what!?, what for….?"
Mariam sighed as she instead gave her a stern talking to.
" first of all you're not a teacher, teachers have to be licensed and qualified for, you're a 15 years old teenage girl."
Alexis was getting kind of angry at this point but she still maintained an even temper.
" so should I use it as an excuse while I mess up someone's life who for once I actually respect or even like?"
At that Mariam gave her a sympathetic smile while reassuring her.
" as your mother I know you best, you're competitive and strong willed but being vulnerable isn't the same as showing weakness, denying vulnerability is showing weakness, work trough it and grow strong from it okay?"
Alexis nodded quietly gesturing that she took it to heart as Mariam continued.
" and patch things up with Jaden in the meantime so you won't confuse him further down the line."
Alexis at that excused herself out of the room as she was processing everything that happened as she eventually found her resolve. In the meantime outside of the Rhode's household a strange occurrence has begun, the shadows all around the neighborhood converged into one as a humanoid form materialized as it began talking seemingly into thin air.
' the boy has finally got involved, what are your orders?'
' give him a test, make sure he's strong enough to face his challenges ahead.'
' should I hold back master?'
'… I'll leave that to your discretion…..'
By that point the shadows returned into place like nothing really happened though someone might disagree with that, that someone being Elemental Hero Clayman who materialized in Jaden's room as though he was in defense mode while said teen stepped into a few good minutes after.
" wow….. you don't usually come out to play so what's up?"
Clayman remained quiet for a moment or two before saying.
' something is coming.'
Jaden nodded at that replying.
" and when it comes we'll deal with it."
Clayman couldn't stress the following point enough.
' I'm serious.'
Jaden countered that statement saying.
" so am I."
Clayman at that began to disappear before having the last word in.
' hard to tell.'
Jaden could only scoff before deciding to have some fun for once on his vacation before turning in for the night.
Next time: Murphy's law.
