Chapter 27: Special Tribute
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. And before you all ask yes I am preparing for the Shadow Riders but after the tragic passing of Yugioh Creator Kazuki Takahashi I knew I had to make this special chapter in honor of the man who made one my favorite card games. I even have a special teaser courtesy of my friend masters123lfm. I hope you all like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
We find ourselves in the Gravekeeper tomb as Seika was running for her life.
Panting heavily, she found herself at a fork in the road.
Not sure which one to go she suddenly heard footsteps. "She went that way!"
Panicking she ran down a path as fast as she spotted a light at the end of a tomb.
Smiling Seika thought she was home free but when she arrived she came to a stop to see she was on the edge of a giant cliff.
"Oh no." Turning around she tried to double back only to see several Gravekeeper Spear Soldier's pointing their weapons at her.
"You escaped me once, but I won't allow that again." Gravekeeper Chief said entering the room.
"S-Stay back." Seika said in fear.
Stepping backward, her foot knocks a rock off and over the edge.
"Your tomb awaits." Gravekeeper Chief snaps his fingers and multiple bandages shot out and wrapped around her.
"No! No! Let me go!" Seika yells struggling to escape but to no avail.
Behind her, a coffin floated up and scooped her up.
Screaming in horror Seika looked to see the lid closing above.
"No! Please! Please! Someone! Anyone! Help me!" Seika screams as it was sealed shut.
Screaming Seika woke up in her room.
Looking around she saw she was sweating realizing it was just a nightmare.
It had been a few days since the whole Gravekeeper mess and needless to say some hadn't forgotten that experience.
At the Obelisk dorm, Takeru was looking at the new bangle that was strapped to his right arm.
'What am I supposed to use this for? And what was that whole thing Mahad tested me on?' Takeru thought.
Suddenly he heard a knock at his door getting his attention.
Opening the door he saw Mindy waiting for him.
"Hey you." Mindy said.
"Hey you." Takeru smiles happy to see her. "What are you doing here? Classes don't start for another hour."
"I thought we could walk together. Just some you and me time. Lately you and Alexis have been spending a lot time together." Mindy said.
"Yeah we have been." Takeru blushes.
"Don't worry I'm not jealous or anything, but I do expect some time with you." Mindy said.
"I know and you're right. I should spend more time with my first girlfriend." Takeru said closing the door.
Spotting the bangle on his arm, Mindy looked at it curiously.
"So you're really keeping it huh?" Mindy asks.
"Yeah I feel like after everything we went through it couldn't hurt." Takeru said.
"I can't believe you, Jaden and Madison had to go through all that." Mindy said.
"Me too, but I have to say you and Alexis handled it pretty well compared to the others." Takeru said as they walked down the hall.
"Well that's because we knew that you were there. You'd never let anything happen to us." Mindy giggles making him blush.
"I…I guess that's true." Takeru said rubbing the back of his head.
"Although I did learn something very interesting while I was in that coffin." Mindy said.
"Oh yeah what?" Takeru asks.
"Another girl really likes you." Mindy teases.
"Really? Who?" Takeru said surprised.
"Seika." Mindy said.
"Seika? Wow I-I mean she teased me from time to time but I didn't know she liked me like that." Takeru said.
"Oh so she has shown signs that she liked you? Tell me have you two had any moments together?" Mindy asks interested.
"I wasn't cheating on you. I-I mean this was before you and I got together." Takeru stutters making Mindy giggle.
"Don't worry I'm not mad in fact I say you give the lady a chance." Mindy said.
"Really? I mean I get that you were fine with me and Alexis but you're fine if more girls join?" Takeru asks.
"Just as long as I stay where I am." Mindy teases.
"You are something else Mindy. You're a romantic, wild, unexpected and I love every part of that." Takeru said.
Blushing Mindy was loving all the flattery.
Later that day as classes started we find ourselves in a Study Hall period as everyone was doing their studies…well almost everyone.
Asleep at his station, Jaden had his head in his hands sleeping.
"Hey! Wake up!" Madison said clapping her hands in front of him waking him.
Lifting his head up we see Jaden was also wearing the item he got from the Gravekeeper trip.
"Huh? What?" Jaden said.
"What do you do at your dorm? Do not get any sleep?" Madison asks.
"Are you kidding? He sleeps more than me and Chumley." Syrus said.
"So then how are you able to sleep in class?" Madison asks.
"I can sleep anywhere. It's a gift." Jaden chuckles.
"Jaden just because it's a free period doesn't mean you should spend it sleeping." Takeru said.
"Well she's doing it." Jaden points as Takeru looks over to see Seika with a tired look on her face.
"Uh Seika you okay?" Alexis asks nudging her but Seika wakes up with a gasp startling them.
"S-Sorry Alexis guess I didn't get much sleep last night." Seika said.
"Are you sure? You don't look so well." Mindy said.
"Just have a lot on my mind. Things have been a little weird lately. Even for this school." Seika said.
"She's not wrong that whole Gravekeeper thing was nuts." Madison said.
"Not lishous at all." Chumley said.
"There's no way that could have been real. I mean were they actually monsters?" Syrus asks.
"I don't know I mean have you ever wondered if duel monsters could be real? I mean we put the card in the duel disk and they appeared in the real world." Takeru asks.
"Yeah that would be awesome I could introduce my elemental heroes to the kids while your spellcasters can be part of your magic shows." Jaden smiles at the thought.
"Yeah that would be a great idea." Syrus sighs thinking about holding hands with the Dark Magician Girl.
"Sy you're daydreaming about Dark Magician Girl again, aren't you?" Takeru assumes.
"No I'm not!" Syrus blushes quickly.
"What a bunch of dweebs thinking that duel monsters can be real there is no way that can't happen and there isn't a single person that can bring them to the real world." Chazz scoffs.
"That's where you wrong Chazz anything is possible." Banner said appearing out of nowhere startling them.
"Where did you come from?!" Chazz asks startled.
"I was around and couldn't help to overhear this little conversation. This reminds me an old story. You children wanna hear?" Banner asks.
"No thank you! The last time you did that I got talked into going to the abandoned dorm, almost got expelled, and Jaden, Madison and I had to deal with scary Egyptian guardians and a powerful magician." Takeru said.
"C'mon Takeru this will be fun let's just hear the story from him." Jaden said.
"Oh fine." Takeru said not liking this.
"Ok children there is a myth about a powerful duelist and very intimidating. A Witch." Banner declares.
"A Witch?" Madison said not sure if she heard him right.
"She was a student from this very Academy she was an obelisk blue. Had good grades, was popular, had lots of friends every guy wanted to date her and every girl wanted to be like her and she was a great duelist. But all of that changed when she accidentally injured her opponent during the duel and with that, she lost everything her so called friends abandoned her and then she swore revenge. After that event she was labeled as a witch and she disappeared never to be seen again. The end." Banner said making all of them uneasy, even Chazz.
"Uh…you're kidding right? That's no way that actually happen. It's just a scary story, right?" Syrus asks.
"It has to be. How can someone "accidentally" injure an opponent since you didn't mention anything about the shadow games." Chazz points out.
"Because it wasn't a Shadow Game. Rumor has it she was born with a powerful ability that enabled her to materialize and bring to life monsters and the effects of Duel Monsters cards, allowing her to freely control them. But the more she used them. The more she believed them to be a curse." Banner explains.
"You've gotta be kidding me." Madison said.
"Wow that is…awesome!" Jaden smiles much to everyone's shock.
"Awesome?" Everyone said confused.
"Don't you get it? She can bring monsters to real life and we could befriend them and hang out with our monsters." Jaden said making Takeru smile at his point of view.
"Of course a slacker like you would have this idea." Chazz mocks when Madison hits him in the shoulder. "Ow!"
"Oh stop being a baby." Madison glares.
"Well I agree with Jaden on this one. It's not the power we should be worried about its what people do with them that's the matter." Takeru said.
"Your point magic boy?" Chazz asks.
"For example a knife you can hurt people but you can use to cook delicious food a pencil you can poke someone eye causing pain or make drawings. Get it Rich kid?" Takeru asks.
"He got you there Chazz." Alexis smirks Chazz grit his teeth in anger.
"So Banner what else you know about this witch?" Seika asks.
"Aside from the fact that she believes those powers of hers are considered a curse. I don't know nothing." Banner said.
"I wish I could meet this witch I would try to make her smile and show that her power isn't a curse but a blessing. " Takeru said as Mahad's spirit appeared behind him proud of his student's desire to help.
"A noble goal indeed Takeru, but before that I do have good news for all of you so pay attention." Banner said. "Today is a very special day for Duel Academy and for all of you. You see children it was on this very day many years ago that Duel Monsters was first introduced to the world."
"The anniversary of Duel Monsters." Takeru said surprised.
"Whoa that's awesome." Jaden said.
"Yes Jaden it is, which is why Duel Academy is holding a celebration tonight for all the students. But at the end all students are required to do one thing. At the end of the celebration when the fireworks go off all students must take their favorite card from their deck and hold it up to the sky." Banner said.
"That's a little weird. Why would we do that?" Chazz asks.
"To show your respect and love for the game that has touched all of our lives." Banner said.
As the bell rang, all of them made their way to the card shop where in honor of this day everyone got a free pack of cards.
"Single file everyone. There's enough for everyone." Dorothy said as she and Sadie handed them out.
"Oh man which card should I pick? This sounds awesome." Jaden asks.
"Well I know your card." Mindy teases looking at Takeru
"You gotta admit a celebration sounds pretty fun." Takeru said looking at his girlfriends.
"Sorry Takeru but we're gonna have a girls night. Duel Monsters is kinda how Jasmine, Mindy and I became friends." Alexis said.
"Sorry sweetie maybe another time." Mindy said.
"It's fine, you three have fun." Takeru said.
Hours later, the school was having the celebration.
All over the main building booths were set up with tasty foods, games, students looking at their cards and even a few duels.
Walking through the halls, Sheppard, Banner and Crowler were watching the festivities.
"Ugh do we really need to have a party for this?" Crowler asks.
"Come on Crowler enjoy yourself." Sheppard said.
"Seeing how your Ph.D. revolves around this game one would think you would be very eager to participate." Banner points.
"Well…that is true but I believe that I've outgrown such things." Crowler denies.
"Crowler even one part of you has a love for this game you should find a way to enjoy it." Sheppard said.
"Come on Crowler even you have to have some good memories around this game." Banner said as Pharoah meows. "Ooh good idea Pharoah I could go for some Takoyaki myself."
Downstairs, we see Jaden sitting with Syrus and Chumley with all the food he could eat.
"Oh man I love celebrations!" Jaden smiles eating some Yakisoba noodles.
"It's not Grilled Cheese but it's pretty good." Chumley smiles.
"Hey room for one more?" Madison asks walking over.
"Sure pull up a seat." Jaden said swallowing his food.
"Talk or eat Jaden but not both." Syrus said.
"Somethings just never change." Madison rolls her eyes.
"Yeah but you have." Jaden said.
"What do you mean?" Madison asks.
"Well no offense but when we were kids and you were always picking on me I kinda thought you hated me." Jaden admits. "But ever since we dueled here it's like you're a totally different person and I kinda wish you were like this years ago. Maybe we could have been best friends."
Blushing Madison shook her head and looked away. "Whatever Jaden."
"Here have some food and relax." Jaden said holding out some takoyaki.
"Oh no I'm not really sure if I.." Before she could finish Jaden held a ball out.
"Say aah." Jaden said.
Slowly Madison opened her mouth and Jaden fed her one making her turn bright red.
"Well?" Jaden asks.
"Okay that's pretty good." She smiles.
Meanwhile, across campus, Alexis, Jasmine and Mindy were hanging out together.
"Man I wish the school had more festivities." Mindy sighs loving this.
"Well I think there's another one coming up soon. We'll have to do something for that one too." Alexis said.
"Sounds perfect." Jasmine said liking the sound of that. "You know it's nice that we're all together. Feels like always one of us is off doing something."
"Mindy's really up her dueling game." Alexis said.
"Yeah because of a certain boy." Jasmine smirks making Mindy blush.
"Takeru has been part of it, but I'm not the only one who's benefited from having a boy in their life." Mindy said.
"Wait…Alexis? You have a boyfriend too?" Jasmine realized.
"Yeah sort of." Alexis blushes.
"Oh my god and I'm just hearing this now?" Jasmine asks.
"It just kind of happened and Mindy helped give me the push to admit my feelings." Alexis said.
"Well who's the lucky guy?" Jasmine asks.
Pausing Alexis and Mindy were a little nervous about this part.
"Actually…my lucky guy." Mindy said surprising her.
"Wait Alexis you're dating Takeru? When did Mindy break up with him?" Jasmine asks.
"They didn't. Mindy sort of let me join their relationship." Alexis confesses.
"You guys are sharing the same boy? Wow I mean sure Takeru is a nice guy but I didn't realize he meant so much to both of you." Jasmine said.
"Jasmine one thing I've learned is that my Takeru has a way of making the people around him safe and happy. He's helped so many people including Alexis and me. I honestly couldn't turn away other girls who love him." Mindy said.
"He's a great person Jasmine. It's like when I'm with him no matter what bad things might happen I can get through it. Even finding my brother." Alexis admits.
"Maybe someday you'll see someone who makes you feel as amazing as Takeru makes us feel." Mindy said.
Looking at the loving smiles on their faces Jasmine could see it, they loved him very much and he loved them.
'Takeru, you are something else.' Jasmine thought very interested in the boy who charmed her friends.
Thinking back to when Wheeler kidnapped her, Takeru was the first to try and save her.
When he saved her, she felt so comforting and happy around him but did that mean she had feelings for him too?
Finally, we see Takeru heading to the coast to get a good spot for the fireworks.
As he made his way down the path he noticed Seika asleep against a rock fidgeting back and forth mumbling something.
"Seika?" Bending down Takeru reached out to touch her shoulder when Seika let out a loud gasp startling them.
Looking around frantically she noticed Takeru on the ground next to her.
"Takeru what are you doing here?" Seika asks.
"I came for the fireworks but then I heard your groaning. Sounds like you were having a nightmare." Takeru said.
"It's nothing really." Seika said looking away.
"You fell asleep in class too. Are you okay?" Takeru asks concerned.
"Please you don't need to worry about me." Seika said.
"I don't have to but when you're like this I feel I should. What's going on Seika? Are you sure you're okay?" Takeru asks.
"I'm fine!" Seika snaps making Takeru step back startled while Seika just looks at him worried. "I'm sorry I-I didn't mean to snap at you like that for just trying to help me."
"Seika what is going on with you? You're tired, jumpy and scared. Why are you like this?" Takeru asks.
"Because of that!" Seika declares pointing at his bangle.
"What?" Takeru said surprised.
"Ever since that insane field trip I've been having nightmares over and over again of being buried alive like in that duel you were in. I mean what the hell? What kind of other dangers are at this crazy school and what if I have to deal with it? I'm freaking out!" Seika said.
"Seika calm down." Takeru said.
"Do not tell me to calm—" Before she could finish Takeru pulled her into a hug surprising her.
"Hey it's okay, you're gonna be okay." Takeru said.
"H-How do you know for sure?" Seika asks.
"Because next time you'll be ready for it and you won't be alone. You'll have your friends, you'll have your cards and you'll have me." Takeru smiles.
"R-Really?" Seika blushes.
"I'm gonna be honest with you. I have been dealing with tons of crazy things. Including a duel against my favorite monster. It never gets easier to deal with but I've got all my friends there for me so I know I'm not alone plus I have a few tricks." Takeru said.
"Oh yeah like what Magic boy?" Seika teases.
"My dad taught me a few breathing and stress exercises for performing. I'd be more than happy to share them with you. They'd probably help with your nightmares too." Takeru said.
"Thanks Takeru. I really am glad I met you." Seika smiles feeling much better.
"Me too Seika." Takeru said.
"No I mean really glad. I've been trying to figure out how to tell you this but I could never figure out how." Seika said.
"You're in love with me." Takeru said surprising her.
"How did you…Mindy." Seika realized.
"Yeah she told me about your little confession back in the tomb." Takeru said.
"Oh god I feel so embarrassed." Seika blushes.
"I'm flattered actually. A pretty girl like you interested in me?" Takeru said.
"Well why do you think I always teased you?" Seika giggles. "But yeah I mean you were fun and very kind. You would drop everything to help others and me. When I'm around you I just feel safer. I just wish I had realized it sooner before Mindy scooped you up." Seika confesses.
Smiling Takeru leans in and kisses her on the lips surprising her.
"T-Takeru?" She said surprised.
"That was for telling me that." Takeru said.
"But wait what about Mindy? Won't she get mad?" Seika asks.
"She and I might have a special relationship." Takeru said.
"So wait are you actually saying you want to go out with me?" Seika asks interested.
"Honestly…yes I do. Seika you may tease me a lot but I've seen you when you're serious. You always want to help when things are serious when Chazz tried to sabotage Bastion you rushed out to help me stop him no questions asked. You may act like a Beauty Queen but you're really nice and I would love to go out with you. Assuming you'll give me a chance." Takeru said.
This time it was Seika's turn to kiss him making Takeru the surprised one.
"So uh I'll take that as a yes?" Takeru asks.
"Assuming I can always count on you to be there for me when things look bad." Seika said.
"I promise Seika. I'll keep you safe." Takeru vows.
"You better." Grabbing him by the coat, Seika pulls him into a kiss.
Surprised at first Takeru kisses back making Seika moan as she finds herself pulled more and more into it.
Suddenly behind them fireworks shot into the sky.
Separating the two of them look up to see the fireworks take the shape of Duel Monster cards.
"Oh the tribute." Takeru recalls.
Reaching to his deck, he takes out his Dark Magician and held it up to the sky.
Reaching for her deck, Seika pulled out her Viper's Grudge card.
All over the Academy the students held out their favorite cards to the fireworks in tribute.
Jaden held out Winged Kuriboh, Syrus held Power Bond, Chumley held out Des Koala, Alexis held Double Passe, Bastion held Water Dragon, Madison held Junk Warrior, Chazz held Armed Dragon Level 7, Mindy held Nimble Momonga, Zane held Cyber End Dragon, and even Crowler took out his Ancient Gear Golem.
As the celebration came to an end all of them thought about how much this game has meant to them and even though the day is over their love of the game will never disappear.
R.I.P Kazuki Takahashi, the True King of Games