Spirit Caller
Chapter Fourteen
14
Seeing Eye To Eye
This Chapter contains new and VERY IMPORTANT content! Read carefully and enjoy!
-Akarii
I don't understand...
Connar thought to herself as she stared blankly into the card she just drew.
Why on earth is this Kaibaman card even in my deck!?
She sighed, trying to understand. She had carefully built her deck up around Spell Casters and Magicians. So Having drawn a Warrior type really threw her for a loop- She closed her eyes trying to think about how this mis hap could have occurred...and a hazy memory played in her mind...
xxx
It was late... she remembered that...definitely dark...and she herself had her eyes closed...stuck between being awake and asleep, the day before she was to set off for Duel Academy.
She could hear him... Heavy foot steps quietly stepped into her room...shadowing over the dim light coming through her cracked open bedroom door.
"...Asleep already? Hmph...good I suppose. You'll need your rest...big day tomorrow after all."
That was her father's voice.
"Sorry I couldn't make it back in time before you went to bed...and I'm afraid I won't be able to see you off tomorrow...I'm sorry for that too."
The man stopped. She could feel his gaze shifting from her over to her nightstand.
"Heh...Deck, right by your bed, huh?" he chuckled, "You're Duelist all right." he hummed and she could feel his arm reach down to pick it up. He was sifting through her cards, and she knew-
She could just feel his grimmace as he did so.
"Hmph...Magicians and Spell casters..." he scoffed, " Magic tricks and Hopcus Pocus...It would seem spending time with yugi at his Grandfather's card Shop has rubbed off on you." he paused, "...but then...you always were drawn to that sort of thing...even without Yugi's influence, weren't you?" he chuckled, "I wonder where you got that from...because you certainly didn't get it from me." he hummed, "...Maybe that deep rooted interest came from your birth family perhaps..." he sighed, "...I still haven't found too much information about that part of your life...but it wouldn't surprise me...you were still pretty young when we adopted you...but from one to another...I know what trauma, looks like." taking a moment as he siffed through her cards, he didn't remove anything from her deck...but...she heard him slip something in, and give her deck a good shuffle before gently placing it back on the night stand beside her bed and softly combing fingers through her bangs, to tuck them back. "This way...I'll still be with you." he said to her softly, "...Even when I'm not."
And soon, after placing that deck back where it belonged...those same heavy foot steps receded...shutting the light away with a click.
xxx
...Trauma?
...I wonder what he was talking about...
She thought to herself.
Still...that must have been Kaibaman that he slipped into my deck while I was in bed...that would make sense on how it got there...
Not that it was any old Warrior type however...
Kaibaman...
Shesmiled as she closed her eyes again to even further distant memories...
xxx
"Kaibaman~ Kaibaman~ WHOOSH! Kaibaman will save the day~!" a small 5 year old girl ran around a cluttered playroom in an orphanege. She had her arms spread eagle while she jumped around like a little air plane, singing a special song as her favorite show played on the tv. The Kaibaman show.
"Hooraaaaay~ For Kaibaman!" She twirled around and giggled fumbling onto the carpet. She could watch this show for hours. All the other children tended to stay away from her, playing with each other outside instead. But she was okay with that. She was more than content staying inside, watching her favorite show as she held a well-loved action figure of its star in her tiny little hands.
As she hummed and gently rocked back and forth a special knock sounded on the wall just outside the door.
"Knock Knock~? Hey Connie-kins~ Won't you come out and play~?"
A sing song voice of a familiar visitor playfully beckoned her from the door way.
"Mokey! Mokey!" the small girl beamed into a barrage of giggles as she leapt into a snuggle attack onto her favorite visitor. "Mokey! You came back!"
"Haha, Of course I came back!" The boy she called Mokey smiled and hugged her back tightly making her squeak and giggle,"I promised I would come back to play!" he said to her,"And I have a special Surprise for you today too!"
"Really!?" she beamed excitedly, her baby blues shining brightly, making it hard fort he boy not to melt. She was so cute.
"Really, Really!" he giggled and gave her a loving squeeze.
Mokuba came by often to talk to and play with the orphan kids at the Orphanege. He and his older brother donated to charities and facilities dedicated to helping children. During one of their drop-ins, Mokuba wound up bonding with a small pink haired girl who often sat away from the other kids... all by herself. She played with a well-loved action figure. It was old and worn in... and some parts of it seemed to be burned, or melted. maybe it had an accident with a stove... but she never let go of it. The care takers say she had it with her even on the day she arrived. She seemed shy at first, but as Mokuba came to visit her more often... she began to open up into a bouncing ball of energy full of love.
"Remember when I told you I had a big brother?" he said to her, sitting her onto his lap and she nodded excitedly.
"Yeah I do!" she beamed excitedly clapping her hands, "Cuz I told you I had a Big brother too- He's just invisible!"
"That's right- you DID mention that!" Mokuba chuckled, "Is he here today too? Would he like to hear?"
The small child shook her head.
"Mm-mm." she mumbled, "He said you were coming today and knows that I like playing with you, so he wanted to leave us alone to play."
"I see..." said Mokuba, "Well that's nice of him, and be sure to let him know that he can play with us too, okay~?"
He didn't think much of it whenever the girl talked about her invisible big brother. She was 5. And undoubtedly lonely...so making up friends and family seemed pretty normal to him...
"Well today, my big brother is going to play with us too...is that okay, Connar?"
"Really!?" she beamed happily and giggled. She was so excited to make a new friend like Mokey,"I'm so excited!" she giggled, "What game should we play!?"
"Go pick something fun!" he grinned, "I'll go get him!" The boy chuckled as he ran to the door way to look for and call for his older brother.
"This way, Seto!" he said waving him over, "She's so excited to meet you!"
"Is she, now?" a raspy voice chuckled and stepped slowly into the door way, revealing a tall stoic brunette male with sharp blue eyes," Well I only hope I will be as fun as Mokuba is." he chuckled gently, despite being tall and intimidating he held a soft spot for children.
"The little girl over there is named Connar." The nurse pointed to the small child as she dug around shelves for a game that had all of its pieces.
"I see." said the man, as he watched her from where he stood.
"That's right!" Mokuba beamed," She's really sweet once you get to know her, I promise!" he chuckled and called for the small child," Hey Connar. Come here for a little bit, will you?" he asked,"Come say hi!"
The pink haired girl ackowledged the boy and hopped over obediently next to him while he patted her head.
"Connar, this is my big brother!" He said smiling as she looked up at the tall man and her eyes widened and sparkled with awe.
"His name is-"
"KAIBAMAN!" she blruted out excitedly and squealed jumping up and down sending both of the brothers back in surprise. "Kaibaman! It's Kaibaman!" she giggled and threw her arms around the man, "You're Kaibaman!"
"Uh-Wait, Connar, that's-" Mokuba was shook by how quickly she threw herself at his older brother who seemed just as confused by the sudden hug.
"O-Oh my goodness! Connar, no no!" the nurse flailed and tried to pry the giggling young girl away from him. "I-I am so sorry, -" she stammered, "She...really loves Kaibaman, you see-"
"So I see." Seto chuckled and peeled himself away gently as the nurse took the girl from him.
"Listen to me, Connar." said the nurse as she tried to explain the situation," You can't just hug people without permission, first!" she stated, "This is Kaiba-not Kaibaman."
"No! He IS Kaibaman!" she refuted," My Big brother said so- And I can prove it!" she broke herself away from the nurse and threw herself into her tv watching area fumbling around for something...
"Big brother?" Seto blinked and looked towards Mokuba who shook his head.
"I asked about it, but the caretakers here say she doesn't actually have a big brother...though she often talks about an invisible one." he shrugs, "I think she just gets lonely here, Seto." Mokuba said softly, "So she made up a Big brother of her own to have, you know?" he shrugged, "I don't see her with many other kids too often so it makes sense that she would make up a companion right? And being an orphan...It would make sense that she would want siblings, or any family really."
"At that age, yeah...it does make sense." he said softly, "I had imaginary friends too when I was 5...and before you were born, I also used to pretend I had a sister or brother." he chuckled.
"Really?" Mokuba laughed, "I didn't know that!"
Once the girl returned she would softly tug on the older Kaiba's hand and open it, placing the old Kaibaman figure that she played with in 's hands.
"See!? It's Kaibaman!"
"O-Oh...L-Look at that Seto-I-its...Kaibaman." Mokuba struggled getting that sentence out, trying not to burst into a fit of laughter.
"Haha, so it is Kaibaman~" he smiled as he held her favorite toy carefully in his hands,"Do you like Kaibaman, Connar?"
"Mm-Hm!" she nodded boldly, "My big brother says he's the best!"
"Oh, really?" he asked of her, "How come?"
"Kaibaman's a super hero!" she exclaimed, "He's a hero to kids like me! And keeps us from being lonely..." the smile she gave the man before her was a sad one as she carefully took the doll back and softly stroked it's hair.
"I see..." said Kaiba,"And are you lonely, Connar?"
"Not so much anymore." she said softly, "My big brother stays with me so that I don't feel lonely." she states, "But he's invisible...so no one else can see him but me...which I guess still makes me lonely a little..."
Seto gave an inquisitive expression. He cvould tell by reading the girl's face that she indeed was a lonely child...despite being here with other kids...she seemed...separate from them, some how...
And so considers that perhaps this is why she made this imaginary brother up...
"Connar, hunny..." the nurse tried to correct the child, as well as change the topic. It seemed she got a little uncomfortable when the girl spoke of invisible brothers...
It did seem like an odd imaginary friend to have.
"Kaibaman is on the tv, he's not real-"
"You know, I think we could all use a cup of juice!" said Seto, interrupting the nurse before she could push the subject, seeing as being told her favorite super hero wasn't real, definitely seemed to sadden her "Would you mind?"
"Oh, uh...yes sir..." she said softly,"Of course, I'll be right back." as she walked out, the man lowered himself down to the little girl's level.
"Don't listen to her~" he whispered to her playfully,"Kaibaman is absolutely real~"
"You Promise?" she whimpered softly.
"Indeed I do." he said to her,"And do you know how I know he's real?"
"How?"
He leaned in closer and whispered.
"Because he's me." he said to her, "You were right all along...I AM Kaibaman! You're so smart for knowing, Connar!"
When the man told her this precious secret, her face burst into light and excitement once again. Mokuba snickered at the sight, chuckling as the two spoke as though they were having a serious conversation.
"I knew it!" she stated.
"But~ You have to keep it a secret, Okay?" he whispered and chuckled poking her in the nose,"Just between you me." He winked.
xxx
That was the day I met him for the first time...
The Day I met the man, I would soon call my father...
She smiled to herself
I forgot about those memories...
She chuckled as she held the card in her hand, softly stroking it with her thumb.
Kaibaman always gave me courage...having him with me made me feel brave...
Made me feel safe.
I get it...
she chuckled.
My father probably slipped this into my deck, to remind me that I don't need to feel afraid of anything...because as my father...he will always protect me.
she smiled to herself.
Man...that's such a dad thing to do...
she giggled.
Thanks, dad...
"Uhhhh...Earth to Connie!?"
"Huh!?" Connar jumped as Jaden's voice brought her back into reality.
"It's your turn!" He laughed.
"O-Oh right, Sorry!" she said in a panic quickly slipping the warrior into her hand. But for some reason...something didn't feel right about this card... Or about this Duel in general...
It's like it feels...empty...
She quickly shook her head and pulled a couple cards for activation.
"For starters since it is my stand by phase, I gain 800 life points thanks to Pkeru's white magic!" She giggled as the glitter rained around her and her life points went up.
Connar: 4400-5200
Jaden:4000
"Not only that though." said Connar, "If you know about my Duel with Bastion, then you also know that Curran has a little black magic of her own!"
"Ahhh!" Jaden cried out as his life points dropped by 600.
Connar: 5200
Jaden: 4000-3400
" Just like how Pikeru's white magic raises my life points by 400 for each monster on my side of the field, Ebon's Black magic causes yours to fall by 300 for each monster on YOUR field!" She beamed," Next on my turn I will be activating a spell card, Trial of The Princesses!" she claimed,"Which I happen to have two of!" she placed them down on the field "I will equip one to Pikeru and one to Ebon!"
White Magician Pikeru:
ATK: 1200-2000
DEF:0
Ebon Magician Curran:
ATK: 1200-2000
DEF:0
"Woah! Nice Power boost!" Jaden beamed excitedly, "Way to create two kick butt monsters~ I bow to thee!"
"And I'm not done yet!" She grinned, "Next I will activate another spell called Stop Defense, Sorry Clay man~" she giggled as she forced the warrior into attack mode,"And with that, I will attack, just like you've been asking me to!"
"Which is exactly what I wanted!" said Jaden as he flipped over his trap, "See, I also have Negate Attack!"
"Oh no!"
"Oh yeah!" Jaden beamed,"Sorry but Clay man will be sticking around this time.
Well so much for that...
Connar giggled and looked into her hand
My whole plan got foiled by Negate Attack.
How Ironic.
She chuckled and scanned her hand, once again frozen on the Kaibaman card, feeling her stomach churn.
I can't put my finger on it...but...something..about this card...
"Uh, Connar?"
"Oh right- Sorry Jaden I have no other moves left this round." She gave him a shallow smile,"My turns done."
"That means my turn is on~!" he beamed,"And since you like to play with magic, I think it's time I sick some magic on you!" he stated," The magic of Polymerization!" he grinned," I fuse Sparkman with my Clayman in order to bring out, Elemental Hero Thunder Giant!"
As the two heros moved together, a new larger one quickly took their place.
Elemental Hero Thunder Giant
ATK: 2400
DEF: 1500
But... Connar didn't seem too phased. In fact, she didn't seem to be paying any attention at all. Except to the empty feeling Kaibaman card in her hand...Silent and lost into its faded out image, unable to pin why it had such an empty feeling...
"Hellooooo~ Connar!?" he blinked, "Aren't you even gonna acknowledge my kick butt monster?"
But she was lost to him. Her eyes had faded out and her "presence" in the current moment was simply...gone.
Something's got hold of her...Though, I'm not sure what...
he thought to himself.
She's no longer in this duel...
he blinked.
Well, this ought to bring her right back!
" Not only is Thunder Giant's attack more formidable than your souped up magicians-he's got a special power too!" he stated,"See, by discarding one card from my hand once per turn, Thunder Giant's Special ability allows me to destroy one of your monsters with an original attack power that's less than his own!"
"Huh!?-Ahhh!"Connar cried out as Curran Screamed in her sudden destruction.
" You awake now, Connie!?" Jaden laughed, "Because THAT was just his ability! That means his real attack can be sent straight to Pikeru!"
Connar gulped and held her arms up in defense as the lightning struck her magician down.
Connar: 5200-4800
Jaden: 4000
"And I think I'll leave it at that for now!" Jaden grinned, "Your move Connie."
"R-Right..." she said calmly, "Nice move Jaden..and now, I draw!"
"It's about time~!" A female's voice teetered and echoed in her head startling Connar as she looked at her hand.
It's you!
She blinked.
Dark Magician Girl!
She quickly placed the card into her hand and scanned what she had remaining.
Let's see... in my hand I have Dark Magician Girl...The trap card Magician's Circle...and Vindictive Magician. Hmm...
She nodded.
I think I can do something with this!
She grinned and prepared to make her next move, but she froze once more on Kaibaman in her hand as well. No matter how many times she tried to disregard it, the feeling from the card affected her.
This...This Duel just doesn't feel right...
Something is missing.
She blinked. She couldn't pin point why it bothered her so much... All she knew was that so long as this feeling of emptiness resonated, she couldn't properly focus on this duel. She sighed, taking the warrior into her hand and carefully slipping it back on top of her deck, placing her hand over it.
"...I Surrender, Jaden."
To Be Continued