Chapter 10 – Bashful Blue Birthday Bonds! Sky High Celebration!

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)

– PROLOGUE –

Syrus' Flashback: Six Years Ago (25th September)

In the dark room, the television was on; little Syrus was sitting in front of it, a blanket comforting him from the cold winds of Autumn. On the TV it showed one of his last CD recordings of Duel Kingdom Live Duels that marked the beginning of the Card Game Zeitgeist.

"Oh… so by looking at these rules, they were different from the ones we had now.", Syrus acknowledged while writing on a paper he had in front of him. "Each player starts with 2000 Life Points, so they changed it to double to 4000. All monsters, High-Level included, can be Normal Summoned, without tribute; this rule also applies for Fusion Monsters, where they're treated as Normal Monsters. But there are some exceptions…"

The boy kept writing some names of Fusion Monsters, including the well-known Fusion Spell, Polymerization.

"Gaia, the Dragon Champion; Black Skull Dragon; Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. These are three examples of monsters used by Legendary Duelists, that cannot be Summoned, unless they have the required materials. Eh… that rule is the same applied here."

Due to his rambling, Syrus wasn't aware that the door to his room was slightly opening up; two pairs of eyes watched on silently with smiles on their faces.

"How fascinating, Mom. Syrus is surely too focused on rules that don't apply anymore in 'this' World of Dueling.", a young Zane quietly snarked to the smiling light-blue-haired woman beside him. She was Syrus and Zane's single mother, Emma Truesdale.

"Don't tease too much Zane, it's practically a documentary for the game. You could stand to appreciate it like your brother has."

"… I'll think about it, Mom. Meanwhile, we came to give a 'surprise'.", he said, while holding a recipient with his two hands, giving a small smirk.

"Game Rules: A player can play up to 5 monsters and 5 Spell/Trap cards. This rule is also applied to ours…", Syrus wrote on the piece of paper on the floor. "However, only 1 monster is allowed to battle in every Battle Phase; and no direct attack is allowed. So that meant each duelist MUST summon a monster to proceed to the next turn. Interesting…"

"And finally, Spells and Traps. Spells were all Normal Spells; however, they could be activated from the hand OR face-down, even during the opponent's turn, if it meets the conditions. There are also 'Monster Spells', like Time Wizard and Copycat. As for the Trap Cards, being treated as Normal Traps; they must be set face-down… and cannot be activated until the opponent's turn after it was set. Hmm… won't that make traps kinda too slow to be played? Oh well, you can't have it all you want, I guess…"

Suddenly, the lights of his room turned on…

"SURPRIIIIISE!", Zane and Emma shouted out at him; Syrus gasped in surprise tossing the blanket away to see what they wanted.

"Happy 10th birthday, Syrus!"

"Big Brother, Mom…", the birthday boy walked up, seeing the package Zane was holding. "You remembered. Is that my gift?"

"Sure is, little champ. Here, open it…", Zane hands him the surprise gift; and Syrus joyfully rips out the wrapping, until his eyes can't believe what is in it.

"This… This is a Dark Magician Girl's body pillow?", he asks, seeing a picture of the well-known Magical Girl showing a playful smile on her face on the fluffy thing. "Is it really for me? Am I dreaming about this?"

Emma gives her younger son a little smile.

"It wasn't easy to find it in the first place. Zane here got lucky when he found this pillow in a trade somewhere. You should thank him for the gift."

"But… why would you do this, Big Bro?"

Zane gave a soft laugh at his question.

"What kind of brother would I be, if I didn't care about my little brother's happiness? You've been improving a lot, as far as I can tell. You're still too kind for your good but you've made massive strides and given your opponents a much tougher time than even I expected."

"Right. I've been doing it ever since, then…", Syrus looked to the other side, timidly hugging his new cherished gift. "Will you have dinner with us, Big Brother?"

"It's your birthday, Sy. Of course, I will…"

"YAY!", Syrus happily lets go of his gift to hug Zane to his surprise. "I love you so much, Big Brother. And you too, Mom!"

Zane hugged him back while patting his head; Emma slightly chuckling, while patting Zane's shoulder.

"We love you too, Syrus. We wish you your best at everything… Anything that reaches for your dream, and your happiness."

Location: Duel Academy School Canteen; Time: 1:30 pm

It was lunchtime, and the room was filled with students sitting at the tables; some were still waiting to get served; and lastly, footsteps from people looking for their friends or free seats to eat at.

One of the students with the last issue… was Mindy, who was separated from her friends. She was waiting for a certain someone to walk in so that she could ask him to have lunch with her.

"You can do this, Mindy Hamaguchi. You've been practicing this in the mirror alone, before going to bed.", she said to herself, holding on to her tray with a plate of Caesar salad; she was looking around to find a certain spiky black-haired Obelisk Blue boy.

"I just hope he can accept, or else, I'll die of embarrassment and eat ice cream for dinner…", she sighed while walking around one last time before Mindy could watch him close to her. "Ah! Wha… What a surprise to see you, Chazz."

"Hello to you too, Mindy.", the boy greeted her, while holding his trey with a bowl of onion rings. "Were you waiting for someone?"

"Y- Yeah, about that. I just…", Mindy looked down to her tray, her cheeks blushing a little. "I wanted to ask it…"

Before she could finish her sentence, Chazz looked behind him to see his lackeys walk in with treys that had onion rings as well.

"I'm sorry it took this long, Chazz.", said the boy with blue hair and round glasses. "But those Slifer Red slackers were taking their time picking their lunch…"

"And we also got lucky to find spots for us three to eat.", the tall student with the spiky brown hair added, and then looked at the girl in front of Chazz. "Hmm? Were you talking with Mindy while waiting for us, Chazz?"

The Elite boy in question looked back at her, seeing Mindy was now silent and looking the other way; embarrassed for not noticing that her 'crush' was waiting for his friends and a table to eat.

A 'waste of effort', she thought, while thinking about walking away…

"I'm sorry, guys. But I've remembered now. Ms. Hamaguchi had asked me… yesterday, if she wanted to have lunch with me today.", he looked back at his two colleagues with serious eyes. "You can use those free spots for yourselves, that we'll find our own."

"Eh? Did you plan all this without telling us? You could have warned …"

"This makes it look like you're protecting Mindy, who's just silent over there."

Those comments made the girl in question feel even more terrible about herself. Yes, she truly wanted to walk away from this mess, because she was the one who started it…

"QUIET DOWN!", Chazz warned, so that his lackeys could look the impatient look on his face.

"It was MY fault for starters, yes! I'm the one apologizing for waking up late, on a weekend… and not remembering you two that MY friend over here texted me yesterday about having lunch with me. Any more questions?"

"N… No, sorry bothering you."

"You two have a good meal… We'll be going then."

The two students walked away to the table with free spots, while Chazz and Mindy were now looking at each other.

"… I'm sorry if I could complete my sentence. But I guess you guessed what I was about to ask.", the girl told him with a shy expression. "But I also feel bad for your friends, who wanted to have lunch with you."

"Don't be sorry then; it's my problem, not yours.", Chazz answered back. "But since you had the guts to talk with me, and ask me to have lunch with me… who am I, to reject your offer?"

"You, won't reject my offer to have lunch with me?", she asked back, as if she was stargazing. "You… you d- don't have to, if you're being forced to."

"Ehehe… It's nice of you, to get worried about me.", the boy laughed silently. "However, I have more worries on my hands to take care of. Then, shall we?"

Mindy nodded excitedly, her head feeling fluffy and her troubles flowing away from her mind.

"Yeah, let's find a spot for us to eat then!"

(At the food order)

"Hakata Ramen here, please.", Syrus asks for his meal to the waiter; a ham noodle soup, with scallions, ginger, soy sauce, and garlic.

"Mine will be Sapporo Miso Ramen, thank you.", Jaden asks; it consists of a flavorful white-meat tenderloin noodle soup, with hard-boiled eggs, bean sprouts, corn, and bamboo shoots.

"It'll be 100 Duel Points for each bowl, or 600 yen in cash.", the cashier told them.

"I'll pay for both bowls, please. In Duel Points.", the taller Slifer offered, picking up his PDA.

"200 Duel Points, please."; Jaden placed his device on the machine to make his payment. "Thank you for the purchase, Mr. Yuki. We'll bring the two bowls of ramen ready."

(J: 350 – 150 DP)

"Are you sure to buy my lunch, Big Bro?", Syrus asked his friend. "I could buy mine since I have enough Duel Points for it."

"Chill, Sy… I promised you I would buy you lunch today.", Jaden grinned, the two hot ramen bowls coming their way. "Call this meal a celebration party for the 'you-know' welcome, pal."

"Thanks, Big Bro.", the little Slifer cheered, the two Students picked their respective trays and walked to the closest group table they could find. "I think we can sit here while we wait for them. What do you think?"

"Five, six, seven…", Jaden counted. "Eight spots. Perfect! We can sit here."

They placed their tray and sat in the middle of the two tables, so they could start their lunch. To their surprise, they saw a familiar face walking nearby; their 1st year Ra Yellow friend from the 1st day in Duel Academy, Bastion Misawa.

"Hello, you two. Would you mind if I sit at this table too?", he asked nicely. "I'm sorry if I couldn't meet up with you guys soon. I have been writing some formulas in my room ever since I woke up; the only times I left my room was to take a shower and eat breakfast."

"Don't mind a single bit.", Jaden grins, picking up his chopsticks to start eating his noodles. "Feel free, we're waiting for others to hang here with us."

"You do? Well, that's a surprise…", Bastion mutters. "I wonder, which Slifer Red friend earned your attention?"

"Well, about that…", Syrus was about to explain their first days at the Academy so far, but then a certain bunch of students were nearing the table. "Ah, they're here!"

Bastion looked back, and to his surprise saw Alexis and Jasmine; but also, Zane, Kassidy, and Seisha…

"You two were waiting, for Obelisk Blues to lunch with you?", Bastion asked, watching Jasmine and Alexis sitting on the edges close to Jaden and Syrus.

"I met them the first day.", Alexis says with a rueful look, tasting her vegan noodle soup. "Seeing Jaden enjoying his time shooting for the stars when he dueled against Chazz under… 'mistimed circumstances'."

"Like I said…", Jaden grunts, swallowing the pasta. "He wanted to throw down, saying that he was better than me. And I just wanted to have fun, it couldn't be helped."

"Jaden… just take Alexis' words.", Jasmine says with a deadpan look on her face, while placing her ramen soup on the table; surprisingly, the same pick as Syrus. "I was just glad to know that my best friend found this little guy."

Zane grinned silently seeing Jasmine flirting with Syrus, his attention suddenly switched to Bastion's presence.

"You don't mind if I sit here? It's been a while since I ate at the same table with my young brother."

"If he does that, let me sit as well.", Kassidy offered herself with a happy grin; leaving the Ra Yellow flabbergasted. Nodding silently, letting Zane sit next to him, and Kassidy on the edge closer to Zane.

"The Kaiser, two 1st-year Elite Obelisk Blues, and a 2nd-year Elite Obelisk Blue sitting at this table?", he then looked curiously at his two acquaintances. "Jaden, Syrus. You two sure your dorm position isn't… misplaced?"

"What do you mean, Bastion?", Jaden questions innocently. "Rank doesn't mean we can't be friends."

'Friends', Alexis and Jasmine thought simultaneously when they looked over the other tables, to see some students shooting glares towards Syrus and Jaden; they still couldn't accept it, or hadn't learned their lesson from Gerald's match against Jasmine.

"You… You don't mind, if I sit here?", Seisha shyly asks Bastion, who curiously stood next to him while holding her tray.

"My apologies. You've been waiting for my answer… Ms?", he asked without thinking. "Please, you can have my spot if you wish. I can leave…"

"No…", Seisha interrupts, looking at Bastion pleadingly. "I meant; I want to sit next to you."

Bastion, all of a sudden, felt two prying eyes wearying into his skull and turned to see Jaden and Syrus looking at him funny while filling more pasta into their mouths. The Ra Yellow couldn't tell if they were about to embarrass him, or if they were waiting for him to accept her offer.

"Please do so.", it was what Bastion could come up with; Seisha cheerfully placed her trey gently next to his, while sitting on the edge, and showing her content look.

"So, you were saying, Bastion…", Syrus started.

"Aren't you the one in the misplaced dorm, buddy?", Jaden teases.

"Little Sis here has been looking for you for a good long while, ya know.", Kassidy says idly, trying to support her sibling. "Please take responsibility, and let her enjoy your company?"

'So… this is what people call Karma.', Bastion ponders while looking around, and seeing his two Slifer acquaintances hanging out with more new arrivals.

"I should start leaving my dorm more often, and see more of this place. Because I'm missing so much context here."

"You have.", Zane says with a hint of joy. "Alexis told me; About Jaden dueled against Chazz, and would've prevailed if it wasn't for security."

"You don't say…", Bastion says while drinking some tea, while Zane continues.

"… As for my younger brother, Syrus; engaged Alexis in a duel that surprisingly ended in a draw."

"PFFFFFFT"

The group looked on in no small amount of amusement at how the Ra Yellow spat out some of the tea into his meal, suddenly coughing after hearing that bit of news.

"Syrus and Alexis dueled? And it was a Draw!?", he exclaims the latter sentence, another shocking update for his list of variables. "That… that's… that's… you two don't do small, don't you?"

"You tell me about it.", Alexis says while looking at Jasmine. "But we have proof, someone who recorded our duel. And I'll admit, Syrus isn't fit to be a Slifer Red."

The small Slifer student felt a bit sheepish, hearing Alexis' comment.

"Well… I still have a long way to go. But I guess another Slifer Red can always perform better than me."; his comment left Jasmine looking at him befuddled.

"Please tell me you're joking, Syrus. Alexis meant that you deserve to be in a dorm higher than Slifer Red. You proved it at that night on the beach."

"But… But I think I made mistakes, and I could've played better."

"Nope. You did great, sweetie.", Jasmine smiles, while giving a surprise hug to her crush.

Zane decided to interrupt this topic while focusing on another important one.

"By the way, Syrus.", he looks at his younger brother with seriousness. "Isn't your birthday around the corner; is it Today?"

"PFFFFFT"

This time, Jaden spat out the tea, but was straight to Syrus' face; who then took off his small glasses to clean them with a napkin.

"TODAY'S YOUR BIRTHDAY, SY!?"

"No, Jay. And no, Big Brother… It's in TWO DAYS.", Syrus answers, a bit annoyed; placing his glasses back "I was born on 25th September, and today's 23rd."

He was finished with his meal, picking up his tray to put it away as he left the table.

"My clothes are messy now, and I forgot I had some homework to do… I see you guys later."

"Let me go with you, Sy.", Jaden also walks away from the table, to follow his friend.

… Leaving only the Obelisk Blue students and Bastion to think about Syrus' birthday approaching.

"I'm usually more focused on this.", Zane tells them. "But things have been busy these last few days; Guess I got the dates mixed up."

"Don't worry your head, Big Bad Kaiser", Kassidy shrugs with a lazy grin. "But we're happy you brought it up. At least we won't be bored here. But..."

They all understood, while a few gave either a smirk or a warm smile.

"The little guy's big day is in two days. Let's get prepping ladies and gents."

Location: Outside Duel Academy Main School

"Look, I'm sorry for spitting on your clothes, Sy. But that doesn't mean that you could just leave the table like that.", Jaden tells his little friend, who kept walking to the dorm to take a shower.

"This is not your fault, Big Bro.", Syrus tells him. "It's just… I'm very nervous when it comes to large groups. My last birthday party happened two years ago. It's kinda of a surprise really for me."

'Two years ago? Nobody had a party for him for two years?', Jaden thought while seeing Syrus walk away. He then sensed his demonic friend standing next to him.

"You heard it too, Yubel?"

"Quite well, my Prince. But I couldn't say anything unless it hurt his feelings in a way we can't take back. So, I'll leave it for Dee to console him. What will you do?"

Jaden smiled as if his answer was obvious to his longtime demonic partner, who smiled back.

"Isn't it obvious? We've got work to do!"

(with Syrus)

'As I keep saying it… I'm so spineless. But I won't say it's a bad thing in this case.'

He then sensed his Spirit friend, Dee, appearing and following him.

"Please, tell me you won't be watching me take a shower.", Syrus asks her embarrassingly while thinking about it, and trying to change the topic. "I know that I told you before, that I have a crush on you; but watching me… without clothes. Surely, you won't like that kind of view."

"Your thoughts are an open book, Syrus.", she says with her arms crossed. "And I can tell that you're a bit hurt about what your brother told you as if he forgot your birthday. But please, I beg you… don't feel down about it."

Syrus could feel his fists clenching a little bit as if he was trying to control his adrenaline.

"I'm not mad. I'm just… not happy because I can't tell what will happen in the next two days.", he answers honestly. "I can't let my mind get cluttered now, because I need to think about getting stronger, just like Big Bro. So please, Dee…"

He looked at determination, and the Magician Girl felt his thoughts race.

"Let's keep working hard; Let's get our minds focused and continue to improve ourselves.", he says resolutely. "This Duel Energy doesn't grow by itself, does it?"

His words made his 'teacher' have a proud smile adored on her face, placing her hands on her hips.

"I couldn't ask more from my Apprentice.", she then pointed at Syrus. "Very well. These are my orders… take a fresh and clean shower, and come to your room to begin our next studies! I hope you're ready because I won't go easy on ya…"

"Will do!", the boy saluted, running straight to his dorm to pick up his towel; and leaving Dee with a silent smile.

"You shall no worry, my beloved Apprentice. You've got new friends, so this year will work out differently than you expected."

Time: 2 Days Later, At noon

25th September; Another day of schoolwork, the students walked to their respective dorms… except a group of boys, consisting of Jaden, Bastion, Zane, and the blindfolded birthday boy, Syrus.

"Was this necessary, Big Bro?", he asked, while being followed by Jaden's arms, not knowing where they were bringing him.

'Is this what Syrus calls Jaden when I'm not around?', Zane thought, giving a small smile. '… It has been a while; did they meet before Duel Academy?'

"We're almost there, Sy. You can't take off the blindfold or you'll ruin the surprise.", the other Slifer tells him, seeing the gate open at his signal.

"Big Bro… why am I hearing metal being pushed away?", Syrus questions, doubtful at Jaden's decision. "Are you sure this is the right place?"

"Just wait a bit. Be careful with the stairs…"

"Stairs?", he asks again, feeling the mentioned ladder, as he walks carefully while grabbing his roommate's shoulder. "This isn't funny. Where are you bringing me?"

Some doors opened, and as they walked inside; some girls made space for the boys to walk inside, while the blue-haired Slifer kept walking forward without holding onto Jaden.

"Big Bro, are we there yet? Didn't I tell you that I'm scared of being blindfolded?"

"It's OK, Sy. You can take out the blindfold now.", Jaden asks, seeing the boy taking it away from his eyes. The moment he took it out, his eyes couldn't believe what he was seeing…

"SURPRIIISE!", the crowd of female students shouts at him. It was almost 25 girls, all from different years. They started clapping their hands, wearing party dresses for that moment; while the boy kept looking around the two-ground building.

This wasn't the kind of surprise he was expecting…

"Wha… Why am I celebrating my 16th birthday in the Obelisk Blue Female Dorm?"

"For two simple reasons, really.", one of the group of girls replied, revealing to be Kassidy. "The first reason being me, who volunteered to pick the best place to have your party. We could've done it in the Slifer Red Dorm, sure. Although the conditions there are awful for this kind of crowd."

"Yeah, I can agree with that.", Syrus nodded, remembering his first day at the Academy. "Although our rooms don't look too bad… they need some cleaning from the inside out. What's the second reason?"

"The second reason is because I've heard what happened between you and the Obelisk Blue students who messed with you. So here I thought… why not change your opinion about the Academy, if WE, girls, can give you a good time? Especially after a video we saw, a lot of fans are in your corner."

After her words, the lights inside the building turned off, and a screen was shown on the wall of the building, just that they could see the memorable duel between Syrus and Alexis, which brought attention to some students who didn't get the chance to watch it and see the true power of both sides of the Slifer Red and Obelisk Blue.

It was truthfully a duel to be studied and re-watched, the girls seeing it as if it were a piece of art. Not to mention the determined face Syrus showed, against the cold stare that Alexis gave, which scared some who tried to attempt to face her.

When the recording was over, everyone cheered at the boy once again; while Syrus just looked confused at them. This duel wasn't mentioned to be for show, but for his honor to protect Jaden's dignity. No wonder, he was terrified and clueless about what to do at that moment…

"You're so cool, Syrus Truesdale! Happy Birthday."

"For a student of his rank, he shows skills above some Ra Yellow students I know."

"Why is he on Slifer Red? He's way better on Obelisk Blue; it even fits well with his blue hair."

The boy being targeted by these compliments was just smiling nervously while waving around. But deep inside, he wanted to leave the Girl's dorm; he knew that he wasn't fit to be looked at by big crowds, or else, he wouldn't look at his face in the mirror again from how embarrassed he looked.

"All right, all right, girls.", the headmistress asked everyone to stop clapping their hands and walking close to the boy. "Now Syrus, as you heard from Kassidy; We usually don't give this chance to the boys of every dorm, including the Obelisk Blues. But after hearing this request from Kassidy, Seisha, Alexis, and Jasmine, I've decided to place my trust in you, as a person. Would you like to have your birthday party here?"

Took him some seconds, due to the shy look on his face; but after a sigh, Syrus grinned.

"I would love to. This place, and the girls celebrating my birthday. I don't mind it at all…"

"Then it's decided.", Jasmine said with her fist up in the air. "Bring up the balloons, appetizers, and the gifts. There's a birthday boy in the house!"

During the whole evening and night, there was music in the background; and balloons being passed to one another, some girls started dancing while drinking some soda and fried snacks; while Syrus, Jaden, Zane, and Bastion were talking with Alexis, Jasmine, Fonda, Kassidy and Seisha.

"Wow. I'm just… speechless about this kind of surprise, really.", Syrus admits.

"Don't worry, buddy.", Jaden tries to console him. "This is a one-time surprise. So, you don't need to look that nervous now and then."

"If only our birthdays would be like this one.", Bastion says, while eating a slice of the cake. "I can't deny that this cake does taste really good."

"While I'm fine that we're having a good time, I'm still wondering…", Zane looks at the group with a worried look. "Did anyone see Mindy? I thought she was always grouped with you two, Alexis."

"Yeah, about her not showing up…", Alexis shows a sheepish smile. "She told us that she looked nervous about the exams, which will be in 2 weeks. So, she went to the library with 'someone' to study some subjects."

"Either that or it's a 'date-study' moment between them," Jasmine replies with a grin. "Although I must admit, they look cute together…"

"Mindy is dating someone?", Jaden asks. "Mind if I ask who?"

"Big B… I mean, Jaden. Don't ask that kind of question…", Syrus tells him with a slight concern. "That's more her private business. Have some tact, please…"

"Tact? Is that a new Kitt Katt Flavor I never heard of?", he asks back in a joking tone of voice, just that Syrus could facepalm. "Speaking of which, I'm starving. I'm gonna get some cake if you don't mind."

"Oh brother.", Zane closes his eyes, slightly grinning. "What kind of friends you met, birthday boy."

Syrus embarrassing glances at another group, who were laughing goodheartedly about his and Jaden's odd bond with each other.

Location: Slifer Red Dorm; Time: 10 pm

"Man, I'm stuffed.", Syrus admits while lying on his bed. "I didn't eat this much in a good while, I'll admit."

"Get used to it, bro.", Jaden replies, sitting on the wall behind him. "If you know how birthdays can be this fun, then you should wait for the next year; it'll be a blast from the past!"

The two boys were now at their dorm, after the dinner that they had in the Girls' Dorm also. And to be logical… the cuisine they had there was classy. All the favorite foods they could think of, the nutritious and delicious meat and fish; the soda and dessert.

It felt like they lived in paradise… Syrus wondered why such a thing didn't exist in their dorm.

"Well, after eating this much and a nice bath… It is time for me to have a nice slumber."

"Wait, before that.", Jaden gets up, and then Yubel and Dee appear with a gold and pink burst of light. "We also wanted to give you some gifts to commemorate your birthday, Sy."

He smiled after seeing that the night wasn't over yet for them, seeing Jaden giving a card to him.

"You didn't have to… but thanks.", Syrus picks up the card that Jaden gave him, his eyes getting wide open. "Big… Big Bro, what is this card? Why… How did you obtain this card?"

The card in question that was in his hands… 'Barbaroid, The Ultimate Battle Machine'.

"This card wasn't available ever since I got my deck, 10 years ago. Neither they've been giving it support like this before. How did you get your hands on this card?"

"Eh… I've got my ways for it.", the brunette retorts by shrugging his shoulders. "Do you like it?"

"I love it, this card is perfect for my deck!"

"That's good because it was supposed to be a shared gift, between Jaden and me.", Yubel adds, walking close to the boy. "Would you be honored, by receiving a warm embrace from the drak?"

Syrus didn't think twice, by knowing how Jaden and Yubel became great friends to him ever since they met.

"Who am I to say 'No' to you, Yubel? I should be the one asking for it instead…", he gives her a hug around her waist while receiving some head-pats from the jolly demoness.

"Did you forget someone else's gift, sweetie?", Dee asked him from behind; Syrus looked at her while separating from Yubel's hug. "I've got something special for you too~."

"And, what is it?", he asks curiously.

"Close your eyes…", she asks, Syrus doing so. "And here…"

For some seconds, sweet lips were in contact… with his right cheek. A big smooch from Syrus' crush, who felt his cheeks getting redder, while the boy did his best efforts to keep his eyes closed.

SNAP!

Dee and Syrus' reactions became ones of shock when they heard the sound of a picture getting shot from Jaden's phone; showing Dark Magician Girl kissing Syrus' cheek, facing backward.

"Big Bro, why… why would you take a photo just now?"

"Because you two are so cute~…", Yubel replies with her tongue out.

"Jaden, you better delete that picture.", Dee warned.

"I will, after sending it to Dad."

"No, you won't!", the Magical Girl summoned her wand and started running to the helpless boy who ran away from the room and Dee followed him.

"These two are siblings at heart…", Syrus admits, while Yubel stood next to him.

"Then wait the next days to see the best of it."

"Riiight.", the boy replies, the two then laughing nicely next to each other.

There was only one person in that room who wasn't enjoying Jaden and Syrus' behavior while listening to some weird voices and not getting any chance to sleep. It was all Chumley…

'When will I have my chance to have some sleep, I swear these two…'

– END OF CHAPTER 10 –

– EPILOGUE –

Location: Slifer Red Dorm

During the same night of Syrus' birthday; while the Slifer Red boy was asleep, his mentor decided to know more about him. The best way to do so, without disturbing his sleep, would be hovering over his apprentice's mindscape.

"A dark place, with no lights?", she ponders in the void. "This is weird. Since Syrus is usually very positive despite his nervousness; I expected to see this hall with some brightening."

She kept walking but with no sense of direction… it felt like she was lost in all the void that was his 'space of comfort'.

"Mmmm… this DOESN'T help. I WANT to know more about him, so there's no helping it.", Dee snapped her fingers, and the perimeter around her started showing some light; she sighed in relief.

"Much better… now then.", Dee kept walking inside his mindscape; when she crossed around some doors with some numbers – some were easy to open, and others were locked with chains and miasma.

"Why are they locked, I wonder…", the Magical Girl asked to herself with a thinking look. When she tried to touch the chains, it felt like a dark spark touched her skin and made her step away from it. "It's avoiding me. Is it because it's private? Or am I not allowed to get inside?"

She then looked at the ones easier to open, while shrugging.

"… Who knows what I'll see behind some of these doors, but I'm interested to find out.", she pushed the door knob of the Gate 08. A light was shown, and a new view was set for Dee to watch it.

She saw a younger version of Syrus wearing his student uniform, sitting on the table close to an old man dressed in casual clothes, he had light-grey hair and a beard over his face. She guessed he was his grandad, by his appearance.

While the boy was enjoying drawing whatever he was thinking on a piece of paper, the old man was enjoying his time watching his grandson enjoying his times of youth.

"Here you have it my boy.", the old man took out a card from his trousers' pocket and placed it in front of Syrus.

"What is this, Grandpa Marcus?", the little boy asked innocently, his eyes sparkling for the Spell Card that he picked. "Power Bond? Are you giving me this card, Grandpa?"

"I gave one to your old brother, it would be fair giving one to you too. Or am I wrong?", Marcus asked with a little laugh, while Syrus gave a surprised face.

"This card is so cool! With this card, my Fusion Monsters will get even stronger. Now I'm sure that my deck will look more powerful than my Big Brother. Ehehe, he will have a bad time with me now."

"L… Like I told you, my boy; Zane also has it, so I don't think you will be better than him over this card.", Marcus explained, and then started coughing. "Oh my, I think it's time to take my pills. Would you be kind to bring them to me?"

"The usuals? Are you sure they'll make you get better, grandpa?", Syrus asked, a bit worried. "Mum told you that you need to leave more times from home, and walk outside."

"I'll be fine, my boy. Just do as I say, ok?", Marcus asked once again, seeing young Syrus leaving from his chair to get the pills.

Dee saw the whole scene while smiling to herself.

'Ah. So that's how my sweet Apprentice got his Power Bond. His grandpa sure is a good person to him, I wish I could meet him someday.', the Magical Girl said to herself. "Well, well. I think I've seen a good bit of what I intended to watch and get to know better about Syrus' past. It's time to take my leave…"

As she left his mindscape, she didn't get to see the next numbers after the Gate 8…

From the chained doors, dark miasma reveals what would come after…

The Gate 09… Locked…