Chapter 7 – Social Self-Repairs
Bold words: Name Introductions; Card names; Monster Stats; 'Special Attacks'; Player(s) Life Points.
. (A) / (FM): Anime / Fan-Made - Cards used in the Anime/Manga; Cards created by the author.
. Italic: Non-English words; Epilogue and Prologue.
. " " - Normal Talk
. ' ' - Thoughts; Summon Chants
Special Thanks: Zeon Paralysis Crystal (Story Proof-Read)
Author's Notes: For those who didn't follow the server error, I posted chapter 6 beforehand. I highly recommend reading it before this one, for the story to make more sense. Thank you for your understanding...
– PROLOGUE –
Syrus Flashback: Seven years ago
"Are you ready, Masao?", young Syrus asked another boy at the park.
"Yeah, let's get this game started!", Masao answered with his duel-disk ready. He had short black hair, he was as shy as Syrus when it came to meeting new friends.
But for Syrus, he was a good friend.
"DUEL!", the two shout as they draw their cards to start their fun duel.
As the two young duelists engaged in battle, time passed surprisingly quickly for the two kids and their small audience. An older brother in the form of a younger Zane walking to the park after finishing a tiring school day; he saw how his young brother was having fun with the other kids who were cheering the duel continuation.
Masao had 2 monsters on his side of the field, while Syrus had two set cards.
Turn 5
Syrus (S): 2500 LP
(Syrus field)
2 set cards (Spell/Trap Zone)
Masao (M): 1200 LP
(Masao field)
Spirit of the Harp (ATK 800 / DEF 2000); Shining Angel (ATK 1400 / DEF 800)
It was Masao's turn, as he drew the starting card of his turn.
"It's my turn! And I sacrifice my two Fairies, Spirit of the Harp and Shining Angel! Wingweaver, it's game time!", his two monsters vanished with bursts of holy light, calling forth a descending tall six-winged pink-skinned angel lady dressed in golden clothing with two pieces of ornate jewelry on her chest and hips and a halo glimmering with divine light above her long red hair. (ATK 2750 / DEF 2400)
"Oh yeah, now I got ya!", Masao says excitedly, happy his partner is finally out and ready for a win.
"Oh no you don't!", Syrus childishly retorts as he quickly reveals one of his set cards. "I activate my Trap Card, Trap Hole! It destroys your Summoned Wingweaver!"
"Shoot! My Partner…", Masao panics as he looks at his angel being forced into a giant pit as if he couldn't save her.
"Nice, I did it!", Syrus cheers as he happily celebrates watching his opponent's monster get destroyed; his smile suddenly changes to a concerned look, as he sees tears leaking down his friend's face. "Masao, are you okay?"
"I-I was able to finally summon my partner *Sniff* but I couldn't do anything more *Sniff* I can't Summon more monsters this turn too. Dang It…"
The sad sight for Syrus was like knives being plunged into his soft heart. He still had his face-down card, his turn just starting…
Turn 6
S: 2500 LP
M: 1200 LP
"I- I draw!", Syrus drew his card.
Zane took a glance at the card he drew – Monster Reborn.
'Lucky draw little brother. You can use it to revive his Wingweaver to your side of the field, and end this duel.', he thought tactically.
"… I activate my Trap. Graceful Tear.", Syrus revealed his other set card, while Zane looked on in a mix of amusement and confusion at the same time.
'What is he doing? He could win just now…', the older brother ponders as he sees Syrus walking to Masao.
"This card allows me to add a card from my hand to my opponent's hand, to recover 2000 Life points!"
(S: 2500 – 4500 LP)
"Here, Masao…", Syrus showed him the cards he had in his hand. "Pick what you prefer…"
Masao smiled. "Then… I guess I pick your Monster Reborn! Thank you…"
Syrus nodded, as he returned to his spot.
"I'll end my turn!"
Turn 7
S: 4500 LP
M: 1200 LP
"It's my turn, I draw!", Masao drew, now confident. "I play the Spell Card, Monster Reborn! I'll use it to revive my Wingweaver from my Graveyard!"; His monster returned to his field with a grateful smile towards the opponent (ATK 2750 / DEF 2400)
"And next, I play the Spell Card, Pump Up!"
(A) Pump Up! – Normal Spell
Target 1 face-up monster on the field. Double its ATK until the End Phase.
"Thanks to this Spell, my Wingweaver will double her Attack Points!", Masao exclaims excitedly as a holy auroral aura covers the tall angelic woman, making her wings and dress glow brighter (ATK 2750 – 5500 / DEF 2400).
"The monster's Attack points are higher than Syrus's Life Points. Why would Syrus lose like that?", Zane mutters in confusion as the duel reaches a decisive victory.
"Let's finish this Wingweaver! Attack Syrus directly! 'Holy Arrow!'!", his angel quickly created an energy arrow comprised of solely holy energy and a bow to aim it towards the opponent.
With a drawn bow and white light emitting from it, she let go of the bowstring letting it loose, and with a quick burst of light passed through Syrus; while the boy closed his eyes and smiled at the result…
(S: 4500 – 0 LP)
MASAO WINS THE DUEL!
"I WON I WON I WON! And with my favorite card too!", the victory boy jumped with joy, his fists raised in the air as high as he could get them.
After a few moments of celebrating his win. He then walked to Syrus with a gleeful smile, returning his 'Monster Reborn' Spell Card.
"Thank you, Masao…", Syrus shows gratitude, placing his card on the deck.
"No! Thank you, Syrus. I had so much fun dueling you… and sorry for tearing up back there. It was a little embarrassing on my part, wasn't it?", Masao sheepishly laughs, one of his hands on the back of his head rubbing his hair in slight shame.
"Was it?", Syrus thought aloud to himself, turning around to see his older brother. "Ah, Zane was waiting for me. I have to go now; it was nice dueling you, Masao."
"Yeah, I'll see you next time…", Masao says as he waves Syrus off, watching him leave the park with his big brother. "What a cool friend to have."
"Big Brother, were you watching me duel?"
"Indeed, I was. And I noticed… you could've won that duel. Yet you didn't play Monster Reborn and instead activated your Trap to give it to your friend. I wonder why?", Zane asked curiously.
"Well, I-It was j-just…", Syrus stammers to come up with an answer that would placate his brother's curiosity. "I was just, just wanted to be 'helpful' for a second. It hurt a bit watching someone trip over themselves with a mistake they made, so why not give a helping hand to let them win the duel?"
"Is that all?", Zane asked jokingly, receiving a cute pout from his little brother.
"Mmm… Big Brother, it's kinda of true. My friend Masao loves dueling, and also… he also told me he liked the Wingweaver card. A card crush, he said. He was really happy about winning with that card, he said it was like his partner."
"Hmmm~… did you tell him about your card crush being Dark Magician Girl too?"
"I DIDN'T!", Syrus's panicked response made Zane laugh a good bit. "Hmph~… Zane, stop teasing me."
Syrus received a head pat, coming from Zane's gentle hand even ruffling it a bit.
"Syrus, do you love dueling as well?"
"Mmmhmm, I do love dueling; because it's so much fun, whenever I win or lose to people who want to duel me. Let's duel back at home, okay?"
"Sure, I'm fine with it.", Zane agreed gratefully. But a troubling thought crept to his mind. A tiny doubt, minuscule even, yet he could not shake it. It was about Syrus, after all…
'Syrus, you're far too soft. You're the kind of person who'd surrender so others could smile. The joy of dueling is giving it all you have against your opponents. If you held back, it's not as fun as it could've been. If you wish to become a pro-duelist in the future, your excessive kindness serves as a double-edged sword.'
Location: Slifer Red Dorm; Time: 6:30 am
'BEEP! BEEP!'
Syrus' alarm was ticking, receiving a pat from its host.
"A dream? And it was a weird one too…"; He murmured with a saliva thread; his hands busy finding his small glasses, a grumble coming from his stomach as Syrus held it with concern.
"I'm hungry, I didn't get to have dinner yesterday… I need food.", he walked away from his room. "… But first a shower, and brush my teeth."
Today was Saturday; which meant he didn't have any schoolwork, so he didn't need to worry about waking up in the early hours and going to class. However, his gut was begging for sustenance…
If he had stayed in the room for just a bit longer, he would've noticed a certain magician girl appearing in his room. Since he was her new apprentice due to the 'Neuro Link' she made with Yubel's help; she was very curious about the kid's daily routine, as his mentor would always be.
"Now then, now then. What will my favorite apprentice be doing this morning, I wonder…"
Location: Slifer Red Canteen; Time: 7 am
"Two chai and three of the special, please…"
Syrus didn't look so amused after waiting half an hour preparing himself for another day; he was already freshened up and dressed in the Slifer uniform but was getting very cold due to the weather outside.
It was Autumn after all…
"I didn't see you at yesterday's dinner table, Mister Truesdale", pondered his dorm cook, Austin Frederic; looking at the fatigue that Syrus' posture was showing off. He was a tall, muscular, American dark-skinned man, proud of his cooking skills… and just like Banner, he was also a nice guy to talk with.
"You must've had quite the night to lose a lot of nutrients like that, as far as I can tell. You can't sleep with an empty stomach; the hunger pains will cause your blood sugar level to drop, which is dangerous for your health. You hear me, boy?"
"Yes, I do sir. I was exhausted yesterday, and not in a fun way… call it a series of no-good events."
"Everyone has their bad days, son.", he brought two teas, two sandwiches, and the dinner meal from yesterday; Fortunately for Syrus, it was his favorite: fried shrimp. "Unfortunately, I can't give two specials to a student; so, you can always eat your cold dinner with your breakfast."
Syrus' lips perked into a content smile, as he grabbed the tray with the two breakfast packages and yesterday's dinner.
"Thank you very much, mister Austin."
"It's the least I can do for kind kids like you, boy. I've heard from that kid Jaden, how you brought breakfast for him yesterday. But… let this dinner deal be a warning for ya, gotcha?"
"Sir, yes sir!", Syrus waved back to his dorm, receiving a wave from the muscular cook.
"Eat well, boy… You'll need it for today!"
Location: Outside Slifer Red Dorm; Time: 7:30 am
Spreading his arms, Syrus let out a satisfied yawn for starting the day after his breakfast.
"My stomach's stuffed, Big Bro's breakfast was delivered to his bed, and my head has cleared up a bit", he said happily, but he didn't feel satisfied… "Then why am I still worried? Is it because of what happened yesterday night?"
He still remembered the discussion he had with Alexis and the way he felt offended when Jaden was mentioned in it. He wouldn't mind if the topic was him alone, since he was used to that kind of trash-talk… but Jaden was someone special to him.
He wondered why and how… his 'anger' had pushed him so far with Alexis in their "little" conversation and the consequent duel.
"I hope Alexis isn't that mad with me. I don't think I could call up that much courage again.", Syrus muttered to himself, as he saw Duel Academy Main School in front of him. "Uggh... Remember what Jaden said – 'We're both still learning'. Hopefully, it'll be fine."
(Somewhere close)
"I'm glad you woke us up, Big Sis.", Jaden said in his uniform, hiding behind the forest trees watching his friend with the two spirits. Both spirits were sitting on the branches of the tree…
"It's my apprentice we're talking about. I don't wanna scare him just yet, so of course I would ask you to present me, Little Bro~…"
Yubel snorts in amusement thanks to her bestie's comment.
"I told you already… You could sleep with the little man after 'studying' while being in each other's arms."
"Hmmm? A bit quick Big Sis, but hey… Syrus could use a boost.", Jaden agreed with a wink, trying to tease his adoptive big sis and be helpful.
"STOP IT, YOU TWO! Stop all the teasing between me and Syrus… It's not funny!", the sorceress shouts at the duo with her face red with frustration and embarrassment; Yubel and Jaden responded with cheeky grins and devil-may-care shrugs.
"Today you two won't have a school lesson, so I wonder why is he walking inside the Academy.", Yubel asked curiously.
"Who knows…", Jaden answered, yawning one last time. "Maybe I should wake up early more often. The fresh early morning air is something else."
Location: Duel Academy Main School
"That explosion last night nearly screwed up my sleep schedule!"
"Was there an intruder last night? Did Alexis stop them!?…"
"That ice palace at the beach, the Queen using that card is rare! What kind of an opponent was she dueling!?"
Rumors spread about thanks to various Obelisk Blue groups that woke up early that day or stayed up a bit too late last night. The main topic wasn't too hard to figure out – Alexis having dueled someone last night which ended in an explosive finale. The main mystery was who was the opponent.
Syrus paid close attention to each sentence the Blues shared in their respective groups. The nervous Slifer Red tried to make himself as small as possible, as the Blues talked among themselves.
The rumors getting more exaggerated and at times ridiculous the more the little Slifer snuck by for the most part unnoticed. Some rumors say she was dueling a monster from the mythical Shadow Realm. Another from a tennis-obsessed braggart saying a rival was out for Alexis' hand. Others say she was dueling the Academy's Security for fun.
"Could I ask for a Pharaoh's Servant Booster Pack, please.", a familiar voice sounded off from the Card Shop, the boy approaching it without paying it too much attention.
He sneaked from the entry to see the blonde Obelisk Blue buying a Booster pack from Miss Dorothy while placing the PDA on the purchase machine.
"Thank you for your purchase, Miss Alexis. Good luck with your new additions to your deck."
"Thank you, have a nice day too.", Alexis thanked the old lady, while holding her booster pack. As she turned around, she saw the boy's face looking at her. "… Is that you, Syrus?"
"Ah… yeah, sorry for disturbing you just now. I maybe thought that, if I could buy a booster pack, I could, you know…", the Slifer student with a sheepish expression looked in other directions but not at Alexis' face. "… forget what happened yesterday; as if it was all just a dream, you get me?"
"Really?", Alexis thought with a deadpan look aimed at Syrus for a bit, but then looked in shock at him. "Eh… WHY!? That duel was one of the most intense and passionate ones I had in a long time! What happened was one of the most exciting duels I had in the past few years! It was real!"
The loud shocked voice got the attention of a good few groups, staring at Syrus and Alexis talking together. The Obelisk Queen, whom most of the dorm adored, many both male and female students the dorm to confess their feelings both romantic and platonic for the blondie.
But as if someone wanted to pull a fast one on them, they have the surreal sight of a small, shy, skittish, terrified, and unassuming Slifer Red aside from the light blue hair interacting with the one they held in high regard.
"T-They're staring at us, Alexis. What do we do?", Syrus stammered nervously, feeling antsy at the prying eyes. He felt the blondie's hand grabbing his.
"Don't worry about them and follow me. We need to talk…", she politely demanded, leading him to the Academy canteen.
"Ah… okay.", Syrus answered, but still frightened.
'I messed up. Alexis must be really mad, and everyone's looking at me… My life is over! Why did I come here…'
Location: Duel Academy School Canteen
"Who is that guy? Does Alexis know him, are they related somehow?"
"A Slifer Red, sitting on the same table with the Elites, next to the Queen of Obelisk Blue…"
"It should be me sitting at that table, Me, not Him! ME!"
Some of the curious stares and glances the blue-garbed students gave to Syrus turned to deadly glares as time passed. Ones where the boy could feel their piercing eyes in his direction; although Syrus had just taken a cold shower, he was sweating buckets.
"Great! I'll probably get killed before I get my lunch. Let me tell my mom I love her."
"What are you talking about, Syrus?", Alexis asked with a raised eyebrow while eating her breakfast – a bowl of steamed rice, pickled vegetables, and miso soup. Syrus gestured to the side so that Alexis could stare and see a lot of glares from fellow Blues…
"Oh, yeah. I forgot that we were sharing a table here; I didn't imagine they would follow me as if I were Halftime Entertainment. Time and Place!"
"Uh...would you blame them?", Syrus questions with a nervous smile. "It just feels like we're complete opposites at the same table, right? You're tall, I'm small; you're pretty, I'm… not that good-looking."
"Stop…", Alexis asked, still eating her meal with her chopsticks.
"You have a strong body; one any girl would wish for. My body is weak; it doesn't last long in P.E. class.", Syrus continued, no matter if Alexis asked him to cut the topic; but it was too late for Syrus to stop from spilling his guts about his self-doubt and insecurities.
"You're smart, everyone praises you for the answers you give them. Me, on another hand, I get mocked if I even attempt let alone get it right."
Alexis felt a fair bit irritated at her former opponent's pity party and repetitive putdowns of his formidable ability; she gave a loud snap with her fingers in his face to shut him up.
"Enough!", she demanded with an even yet cold tone of voice making the other students quiver as if it was an additional order for them to stop staring and mind their own business…
"… I'm sorry. I think I went too far."
"You certainly did. I was trying to have a nice meal with you since I didn't eat breakfast yet, but listening to you put yourself down tends to kill an appetite…", she deadpans but looks at the sad look on his face and sighs. "You looked pretty tired yesterday. You also told me you didn't have an appetite after… last night, right?"
Syrus nodded quietly.
"Did you eat dinner yesterday?"
He shook his head, also quietly.
"Figures, I knew something was wrong with you.", she picked up her miso soup and put the bowl in his area. "Here, you can have it. It's not much, but can help for today; I hope you won't mind."
Syrus looked at the soup at his side, his hands were moving by themselves. But it wasn't like Alexis was ordering him to eat the soup she had given out. He drank the soup by the bowl as a thought crept into his mind…
'Why is she helping me all of a sudden? I haven't done anything to her, did I? I think it's time to apologize…'
"Hum… thanks for the miso soup, Alexis. Also, I have to tell you this. I'm… I'm sorry-"
"Don't be sorry, Syrus.", Alexis interrupted him, arranging her chopsticks after ending her meal. She then pulled out the 'love letter' from yesterday from her pocket and placed it on the table. "I should be the one apologizing to you, Syrus. Not the opposite."
His eyes widened at Alexis' surprising remorse. As if he couldn't believe she would say that phrase in public for other people to hear.
"You're… You're not joking, are you?", Syrus asked in a panicked voice. "Please tell me you're just messing with me, and this is another universe and you're going to tell me how much of an idiot I am,"
"You're no fool, Syrus!", she says irritably at the Slifer. "I'm being honest, you can trust me here. Just please, be quiet and listen to me!"
Syrus understood it. She was feeling embarrassed and her demeanor was completely different; it wasn't the same Alexis he met at the beach, where she was looking down on him; nor the Alexis that was a spectator to Chazz and Jaden's grudge match.
It seems the blondie didn't even sleep well yesterday…
"O… Okay, I will!", Syrus looked at the table and saw Alexis pointing at the front part of the letter. "So, what's this about anyway?"
"It's quite obvious really. See the kiss mark on the front?"
"Huh… It's a red kiss mark. And…"
"It belongs to my Dorm's headmaster. Fonda Fontaine's lipstick, as she told me."
A smashing sound could be heard along with clattering dishes; Syrus's head was on the table in frustration. The previous night's entire situation very beginnings seemed so comical yet frustrating to the little Slifer. It would be shocking if not for the frustrating inkling about who pulled this scheme. But as if in denial Syrus desperately tried to joke.
"So… it wasn't you who wrote this to Jaden, neither the lipstick for the kiss. It was all Nurse Fontaine's plan to invite him to go to the Girl's dorm. I don't get it…"
"Oh, it gets worse if you want to know the truth…"
"And that is…"
"Ms. Fontaine told us yesterday that Dr. Crowler asked to borrow her lipstick in the morning."
Syrus gaped in disbelief, his eyes closed to avoid tearing up, his lips trembling, his soft voice leaving him without speaking. Alexis confessed that it was… all Dr. Crowler's fault. The one who wrote the letter, kissed it with the red lipstick and wanted to put it in Jaden's locker, but instead put on his.
He started hitting his head on the table again, and again, and again… about at least fifteen to twenty times. He WANTED to forget that accursed night. That horrid thought of his teacher doing such things was just absurd.
"Stupid. Stupid. I'm. So. Stupid!"
"Syrus, calm down! You're only hurting yourself!", Alexis quickly got up from her seat, walked to Syrus, and grabbed his shoulders to look him dead in the eyes to reassure him. "It's over now, okay? Ms. Fontaine found out and will tell Chancellor Sheppard about this. You can rest assured that fiasco won't hurt anyone else…"
"How can I… be sure you're telling me the truth?", Syrus asks with a pained look towards Alexis. "What will Jaden think about this, when I tell him what you said to me? Will he laugh at me, like you did to me yesterday?"
It wasn't just Syrus trembling on the spot, however. He could feel Alexis' fingers also trembling on his weak shoulders. Alexis could feel a few cold tears leaving her eyes, a feeling of regret coming to her…
"Trust me, please trust me, Syrus. I'm sorry for what happened yesterday, and for what I said about you and Jaden. My behavior was abhorrent; I acted like a spoiled rich girl. But yesterday was also hard for me to trust boys if you wanted to know."
"… How hard? If you don't mind me asking."
"Around forty-nine boys, most of them from the Obelisk dorm asked me out, saying that I was the woman of their dreams, and they promised me happiness. And don't let me get started with their love letters stuck in my locker room. You can imagine what happened next…"
"You… rejected them, I guess."
"And you're correct on that front.", Alexis said sighing in relief, as she continued. "See? You're not the idiotic guy you claim to be. You're a good person in my eyes…"
"… But I guess I'm not your type then, aren't I?", Syrus asked while scratching his back.
"Unfortunately, correct again. No remorse?", Alexis winked at him playfully.
"I'm fine with being friends with you, at least the good ones.", Syrus admitted with a relieved and relaxed smile. "I understand your pain, and you understand mine. We don't need to be tense towards each other... So that's a relief and pleasure to be considered a friend by you."
Alexis answered by hugging him tightly, enjoying the silky-smooth comfort of his light-blue hair. "I would love to~. Let's be good friends to each other, Syrus Truesdale"
"It would be an honor, Alexis Rhodes.", he says while hugging her back.
They kept conversing with each other, recalling things from the past that would bring a smile to their face. Especially, finding out their older brothers knew each other. But they were simply enjoying the moment of the day when the cold winds turned out to be warm ones.
(Somewhere close)
"Well; All's well that ends well?", he asked to both Dee and Yubel. The three were close to a wall from the hall where they could see and listen to Syrus and Alexis talking amicably.
"Yes, I do believe so.", Yubel agreed with a nod. "I don't know what happened yesterday for them getting this hurt to then becoming so friendly. Do you have any idea, Dee?"
"Oh, if you knew, then you wouldn't believe it.", the sorceress did her best to control her nervous laughter. "But let me just spill that tea for the two of you…"
While Syrus and Alexis were still discussing food topics they liked, Dee summarized what happened yesterday, before their duel.
"Yikes, I had a feeling that Alexis would be shocked about it too.", Jaden said with a serious look on his face. "And I understand how she thought anyone could fool Syrus about this fishy letter, how Alexis mentioned my name in their conversation…"
"Did she have a reason to do so?", Yubel asked curious.
"I wondered the same thing, you two. And that's when Syrus and Alexis started a duel during the night… I felt a powerful force emitting from Alexis' duel disk, or maybe it was her cards? Maybe she was being manipulated…"
"A powerful force, you say?"
"Then it's not a secret anymore. Two days ago, my instincts were correct – Alexis can see and talk with Monster Spirits."
"Can she? If so, could she be able to see you two as well?", Jaden asked curiously.
"You seem to be forgetting something, my Prince.", Yubel reminded her friend. "For a human to be able to look and hear duel spirits in the Human World, this contract we have called a 'Neuro Link' determines which spirits can communicate."
"In other words, we can communicate with you, and Syrus as well, when he gets to know."; Dee added. "However, none of us can't see the Spirit Alexis is contracted with and neither she can't see us."
"Ah… that makes sense now!", Jaden's fist plopped his palm. "Then… why don't we do that 'Neuro Link' contract with Alexis?"
The two spirits stood in shock by Jaden's question, their answer was obvious…
SMACK!
Dee hit his head but both women had their arms crossed with a frustrated glare.
"Ouch! What was that for?", Jaden shielded his head after receiving that kind of smack.
"Idiocy won't get you anywhere, my Prince.", Yubel answered.
"You expect us to let a 'stranger' form a neuro-link with us, without someone expecting anything suspicious of her? Are you nuts?", Dee states incredulously.
"Well, you formed a contract with Syrus, so…"
"THAT'S DIFFERENT!", both Yubel and Dee shouted at him. One that made Syrus listen curiously from the spot he was sitting on; but he ignored it, thinking it was someone yelling instead.
"Is everything okay, Syrus? You moved all of a sudden…", Alexis asked him worriedly.
"It's… nothing. I think I've heard someone yelling."
"Someone yelling? I didn't hear a thing…", Alexis mutters in concern.
"Alexis! Over here, Alexis!", Jasmine called her from afar with Mindy waving hello. "Wanna hang out with us, or not?"
Alexis turned her attention to the two girls waving at her and looked back at her friend.
"Sorry, Syrus. Those two are my best friends from middle school, and I usually walk with them for a bit. Do you mind if I take my leave?"
Syrus smiled while shaking his head. "I'm fine with the talk we had, Alexis. I had a great time with you; I'm just glad we got this time to talk things out."
"Likewise, I feel the same way.", Alexis waved at him as she walked away. "Call me whenever you need my help, got it?"
"Have a nice walk and a good day!", Syrus waved her off as she departed while grinning. "So cool~. I'm really happy now! Alexis is my new friend; I can tell that we share a lot of things we like together. I'm glad everything worked out. Friendship at its finest!"
"HEY, KID!", a voice shouts, coming from a group of three Obelisk Blue students; Syrus' smile did an immediate 180 into a frown.
'Well, curse my tough luck. Wish Alexis stayed for a bit longer…'
"Hey, pal…", one of the students walked up to Syrus' chair. He looked to be a ruffian by the way he looked, his black hair was messy, and his eyes were an olive-color; his name was Albert Joh.
"What I could tell was how long you've spent wasting your breath with our beloved idol, Alexis Rhodes. The breakfast sharing, and that hug you two had was a little intimate… I hope you enjoyed it to the fullest because there won't be a next time for you."
"You heard the big guy!", the other student remarked while sitting on the spot Alexis sat; his short hair was blonde, sharp eyes with long eyebrows, and an angry smirk on his face aimed at the blue-haired kid; people knew him as Ralph Duke. "You're in deep trouble now unless you tell us why Alexis spared some time for little ole you."
"Are you two dating?", the last student from the group asked while standing close to the table. He was as tall as the other two, he had long hair styled into a ponytail; his name was Dennis Walker. "Did you black-mailed her, telling her to come here so you can rub your relationship in our faces? Spill the beans, will you?"
Syrus facepalmed in annoyance. Dealing with arrogant snobbish bullies was the last thing he wanted.
"I-I have… nothing to tell you. Would you mind leaving me alone?"
He felt Albert's strong arm gripping his shoulder as if the big guy wanted to gauge its endurance.
"I think we weren't being clear. It wasn't a question, it was a demand, little man…"
Then in a surprising turn of events, Albert's arm was tightly gripped by Jaden, who gave a stern look to the Obelisk Blue.
"As my friend requested, leave him be.", the taller Slifer Red spoke, his voice dripping with irritation and restrained anger, one that was making Dennis sweat a bit in apprehension.
"W- Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?"
With one last painful squeeze of the Obelisk's arm, Jaden let go of the Arrogant Blue's arm, and while the blowhard backed off the Slifer Red got ahold of Syrus' arm, and they walked away from the table.
"Th-Thanks, Big Bro."
"Don't thank me yet. I'll just ask you to get ready…"
"Eh? For what?", Syrus asked, as he saw Jaden pulling up his lungs, his foot stomping the ground.
"RUN!", he shouted and quickly ran away from the blue not in the mood for a fight; while dragging a flailing Syrus, as the little guy screamed.
"HEY! Don't let them get away!", Ralph rashly ordered some of the other male blues, who formed a pseudo wall to stop Jaden from leaving the place.
"… Do you trust me, Syrus?", Jaden says, his voice serious with an undertone of playfulness.
"I do, I do… but please don't let me get killed here!"
Jaden chuckled a bit as they ran off. As if he would hurt his friend, who's been his first on this wild island. He kicked a close by chair near the wall of students, and jumped high on it; showing his athletic skills, Jaden and Syrus successfully jumped over the barrier, as they continued their escape to their home dorm.
"FOLLOW THEM!", Albert shouted from his spot.
A bunch of Obelisk Blue students did so, almost covering the whole hall to capture the two Slifer Reds.
"They… they're almost here, Big Bro!"
"Don't worry, I have a cunning plan…", Jaden says with a big grin, as he dodges a few Obelisks Blue boys and girls trying to tackle him. Some trying to stop the chaos, others in envy, others just out of spite for the Reds, and then he sees the next corner which would lead to a dead-end. "Close your eyes, Syrus."
His friend did so and closed his eyes as much as Jaden ran straight down the hall avoiding various Blues. From the dead-end corner, Yubel and Dee were watching the comedy of error with a look of determination to hide their laughter at Jaden's Antics.
"Pick up the pace Prince!", the demoness deadpans in response to the mess Jaden made. "Got a good spell, Dee?"
"As we practiced…", Dee and Yubel with their conjoined arcane strength, created a portal of mystical energy at the hall's end. "NOW!"
"Here goes nothing!", Jaden remarked as he got near to his destination, then he turned to the said end of the hallway, and tossed the panicking friend into the portal.
Much to the frustration of Yubel and Dee, he did his signature pose before jumping in; Then Dee and Yubel entered the portal it quickly disappeared as the Obelisk Blue group stared in straight-up confusion at the disappearance…
"Where did they go? We lost them…", Dennis grunted.
"They were this close to getting caught. Damn it!", Ralph adds, annoyed at their failure.
"Those Slifer Reds…", Albert felt his hand tightening his grip. "The next time I find them, I'll…"
"What will you do?", a mature and powerful voice spoke out from behind them. It belonged to a tall 3rd year Obelisk Blue student, with his calm yet livid stare at the three stooges who started this mess. "Who are these Slifer Red students you're so annoyed by?"
"Ah… Zane, it's you! Well, you see; You should've known what happened this morning…"
"We saw this blue-haired Slifer Red kid hanging out with Alexis Rhodes, the Obelisk Blue Queen."
"And we thought that it was better for him to learn his place here in the Academy, the Obelisk Blue way…"
Zane kept approaching the three students as if he were a dragon about to devour three intruders who dared damage his possessions.
"I think I didn't hear just right from you three?"; His tone even but with an undertone of venom in those words. "Did I hear a 'Blue-Haired Kid' from you three?"
Zane's question was more aimed at Ralph, who was sitting in the other chair in front of Syrus before the situation escalated. He could see the trembling of the 1st year student…
"Eh, uhm… you see; HE started it!", he quickly pointed his finger at Albert, making him gasp in surprise. "He's the one who started it by threatening!"
"Hah? What do you mean by… that?", Albert asked in disbelief, as he saw Zane now close to him with his cold stare feeling like it was peering into his soul. "EEEEP! No, it's not what it looks like…"
"Save it, because I saw the whole circus…", Zane told them idly while watching his fellow blue panic further. "Unluckily for you three, I'm here now and about that other kid, Jaden Yuki, saving my younger brother from you three. I owe him a favor."
"…", the three boys looked to each other with silent faces, until…
"THAT SLIFER RED BOY IS YOUR BROTHER!?"
"THAT CAN'T BE TRUE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!"
"WE'RE SORRY; WE'RE DEEPLY SORRY, ZANE TRUESDALE!"
Zane sighed irate, having to witness this awkward scene of three previously pompous Obelisk Blue students on their knees, their heads planted on the floor; while other blue students were also trembling in the general vicinity of the superior 3rd-year student that almost everyone was afraid of.
After all, they could feel his 'threatening aura'; a giant dragon spreading its massive wings, it had three heads, growling loudly with their piercing eyes of red, green, and blue to the kneeling victims.
"People these days.", that's all he could say…
– End of Chapter 7 –
– EPILOGUE –
Location: Slifer Red Dorm; Time: Yesterday Midnight
It happened after the game draw of the duel between Syrus and Alexis; the sleepy boy had felt a gentle hand rubbing his silky hair, but how he looked really tired that night made him unable to wake up…
Syrus was shaking himself over his bed. It felt like his body was getting adapted to a sudden urge, as the kid was groaning from the 'dream' he was having.
A deep dark void, empty. Syrus was walking freely, not too afraid of the darkness around him. It felt peaceful but awkward at the same time.
Just what kind of dream was this?
"Hello? Anyone? Is there anyone I can talk with?!", he asked aloud. "… I guess it would be expected from a dream, to not receive an answer."
"I'm here, Syrus Truesdale!", a voice echoed in his mind, the boy turning his head to its source. A giant vertical draconic red eye opened for him, its veins and joints spreading around the area. "I've been waiting to meet you, my sweet child."
"Me? I… I don't know who I'm talking with.", Syrus told the eye concerned. "Is there anything you want with me?"
"Yes, I do.", the eye answers, as it starts to open and close to get used to the space they were. "I came to ask you to direct your mind and soul if you're willing to walk down a path beyond your knowledge and perhaps even mine. A power to share with your loved ones. One that you won't be able to take back… if it even costs your existence."
"Me? Earning a new power? Right after the bad night I had?", Syrus asked still confused. "Why do you think I deserve it?"
Another voice echoed, but this one was more cheerful. Her words to Syrus feel like someone hugging his small tender body, and refusing to let go of him.
"It's because you're a very interesting boy, Syrus. And I want to meet you as fast as possible; for that to happen, you must accept this offer."
"And… who are you, that wants to meet someone like me?"
The voice giggled to him, as well as the eye did. Syrus gasped after seeing two forms, they were two silhouettes, a gold demoness and a hot-pink magical girl smiling at him. The space they were in looked tranquil, with grass and flowers surrounding them with a giant tree behind the two energy beings.
"We're Spirits that wanted to form a contract with you, Syrus.", the sorceress explained. "I have big hopes for you, and hopefully not regret picking someone else to take this opportunity. However, for this contract to be truly forged, you must also accept it with your heart and soul."
"You're at a crossroads, little one; it's your choice.", the demoness inquired politely.
Syrus thought for some seconds before coming for the answer.
"Will this power allow protection and gain Big Bro's trust and pride in my skills?"
The two spirits reacted differently to the question. The Pink Sorceress winked flirtatiously at the boy. The Golden Demoness however rolled her eyes at her companion's antics and said to the increasingly eager Slifer Red.
"The path to self-betterment is as long as you make it. This is merely the first step to a greater journey. Are you willing to take it?"
Syrus nodded with determination…
"I'm in!"