Chapter 8: Reunions and Explanations
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We find ourselves back at Tifa's bar, as Roxas sits with Tifa and Jessie as they have various plates of food around them.
"Well it wasn't the outcome we hoped for but Gogo is gonna help us and now Roxas is competing in the Fortune Cup," Jessie said.
"Definitely not what I was expecting," Tifa said before noticing Roxas had an uneasy look on his face. "What's wrong Roxas? Don't like takeout?"
"No it's great. I'm just trying to figure things out. I just came to this city to help my friend and now I'm being dragged into this Fortune Cup stuff? It's crazy." Roxas said.
"That's the thing with life Roxas, things never go the way you expect," Tifa said.
"No kidding," Roxas said before taking a big bite of his food.
"Hey don't worry about it, if you duel like you dueled in the underground I like your chances," Jessie assures.
'I've only been dueling for a few weeks, these guys probably spent their whole lives dueling. But I guess I don't have much of a choice.' Roxas thought.
After dinner, as Roxas was helping clean up Tifa stared at him from behind the counter and smiled.
"You I bet after these last few days he wouldn't say no to a night of fun," Jessie whispers making Tifa blush.
"Jessie!" She glares but she just smirks. "Stop trying to set me up with him. Hasn't he been through enough?"
"Yeah, that's why I'm suggesting it. A guy like that needs something good in his life, especially with all that's happened. All I'm saying is Tifa you better move fast or I might be that special someone to him." Jessie teases before walking away.
Shaking her head, Tifa tried to snap out of it but part of her had to wonder.
It was pretty nice having him around and he was a big help around the bar.
After cleaning up, Roxas made his way up the stairs when he heard a door open.
"Hey Roxas, shower is all yours if you want a quick soak," Jessie calls out.
"Oh thanks, Jessie I might—" As he turned he saw Jessie leaving the bathroom wearing only a towel around her body as her long hair ran down her back.
"See something you like?" Jessie teases making Roxas blush.
"Uh sorry about that," Roxas said looking away and making her grin.
"Don't worry about it. Although if you want some company later I can help." Jessie offers.
"I think I'm good for right now," Roxas said.
"Well you know where my room is if you change your mind," Jessie whispers.
"Uh sure." Roxas said unsure if he should turn around.
Gigging Jessie walks away seeing she got his attention. "Night Roxas." She winks.
As Roxas watched her leave, he had to admit the girls in this world were by far some of the most interesting he had ever gotten to know.
He definitely was feeling some interesting stuff around Jessie and Tifa.
Making his way into the bathroom, Roxas splashes water on his face to snap out of it.
The next morning, Roxas, Tifa, and Jessie were following Gogo to a rundown neighborhood before stopping at a yellow building.
"Alright this is the place," Gogo said.
"You sure this guy will help me find Yusei?" Roxas asks.
"Oh yeah, Blister can find anything," Gogo said knocking on the door.
A few seconds later, a man with brown hair, an aftershave, a white long-sleeve shirt under a green vest, and brown pants. This was Blister.
"Gogo. Been a while. So to what do I owe the pleasure?" Blister asks opening the door.
"I need your help. A friend of mine is looking for someone and you're gonna find him." Gogo said.
"Oh really?" Blister said before noticing Roxas. "So this friend of yours got a name?"
"Yusei. Yusei Fudo." Roxas declares surprising him.
"Well, it's your lucky day." Blister said letting them in. "Follow me."
Leading them down to a garage, Roxas was surprised to see a familiar face working on his duel runner. Next to him was a muscular man with spiky blue hair and an elderly man in robes. These were Bolt Tanner and Yanagi. But all three of them even Yusei had strange yellow marks on their faces.
"Yusei?" Roxas said getting his attention.
Looking up, Yusei smiles happy to see his friend.
"Roxas. Buddy." Yusei said as Roxas made his way down.
"You had Roxas's friend the whole time?" Tifa asks.
"Not exactly. Bolt sent Yusei to me and I've been letting him crash here for a while." Blister explains.
"Wow talk about lucky," Jessie said.
"So does this mean we're square now?" Blister asks.
"No searching, no debt repaid. I'm saving that favor for another time." Gogo said.
"Aw come on Gogo." Blister groans.
"What happened to your face?" Roxas asks before looking at Bolt and Yanagi. "And who are they?"
"Long story," Yusei said before looking at Gogo, Tifa, and Jessie. "How'd you meet them?"
"Also a long story," Roxas said.
"So Yusei, who's this young feller?" Yanagi asks.
"And who are these ladies?" Bolt smirks.
"This is my friend Roxas. The guy I told you about." Yusei introduced.
"Hey." Roxas nods.
"Well look at that. Roxas's mood took a 180 the second he reunited with his friend." Jessie said.
Looking at his smiling face, Tifa couldn't help but stare. "It's nice to see him happy."
"I'm not gonna lie, I'm really glad you're here. Things have been insane." Roxas said.
"Same," Yusei said.
"Well, you came a good time. Yusei and I were about to have a duel. If I win I get a spin on his runner." Bolt smirks.
"Why don't you guys stay and watch?" Yusei asks.
"Watch a duel? Don't need to twist my arm." Tifa said.
"Same. By the way, that is one cool runner." Jessie points out.
"I like your friends." Yusei chuckles.
"Yeah they're pretty amazing." Roxas blushes.
Heading out to a side lot, Yusei and Bolt faced off.
"So Roxas is your friend any good?" Gogo asks.
"Oh yeah, Yusei's one of the best duelists I know…well granted I don't know many," Roxas admits making the girls giggle.
"Well maybe we'll see just how good he is," Tifa said.
"I bet your chances against him would be good," Jessie assures.
"Let's Duel!" However just as the two were about to duel a Duel Runner pulled up in between them.
"No freaking way!" Jessie gasps.
"I know that duel runner anywhere." Gogo gasps in disbelief.
"Jack?" Yusei said surprised.
Stepping out, Jack took off his helmet to look Yusei in the eye.
"What's the Master of Faster doing here?" Tifa asks.
"You're guess is as good as mine." Blister said as Jack glanced at them and while Yanagi and Blister were nervous Roxas just glared at him.
'So that's Jack.' Roxas thought.
"Been a while Atlas. What's up?" Bolt Tanner asks.
"My dueling career." Jack mocks before looking away.
Growling Bolt was about to snap but Yusei shook his head telling him to stand down.
"What do you want Jack?" Yusei asks.
Reaching into his jacket, Jack takes out a card. Turning it around, he reveals it to be the card Stardust Dragon making Yusei gasp.
"I heard you're entering the Fortune Cup," Jack said.
"How did you know?" Yusei asks.
"Doesn't matter. I came to give this back. That way we can settle things from that night." Jack said. "If you can beat me, you get it to keep it. If I win, it's mine."
"So you were the one who sold out Rally and the others." Yusei accuses surprising both Roxas and even Jack.
"What are you talking about?" Jack asks.
Reaching into his jacket, Yusei pulls out a picture of their satellite friends.
"Your friend Lazar stopped by and if I don't duel they pay." Yusei declares.
'Wait Yusei's dueling too? And he met that man?' Roxas thought surprised.
"And when I find out who's behind it, I'm gonna make them pay for messing with my friends," Yusei said.
"Well then you'll definitely need this," Jack said tossing Yusei the card. "And just so we're clear I don't know about this. I duel for me."
As Jack turns to leave, he sees Roxas approach him.
"So you're Yusei's new friend. I don't believe we've officially met." Jack said.
"The name's Roxas. And I just want to say Yusei isn't the only one you must watch out for." Roxas warns.
"And why's that?" Jack asks.
Reaching into his pocket, Roxas pulls out his Fortune Cup invite. "Because I'm in the Fortune Cup too."
This time it was Yusei's turn to be surprised.
"He's not the only one," Gogo said taking out her invite.
"Well, this Fortune Cup won't be completely boring after all." Getting in his runner, Jack puts on his helmet revs the engine, and races off.
"So you're competing as well huh?" Yusei asks.
"Yep. And it was that Lazar guy who made me duel as well. He said if I didn't me and my friends would be thrown in jail. Guess he used a similar tactic on you." Roxas said.
"Apparently." Yusei nods.
"So what did Jack give you?" Jessie asks as Yusei reveals his card to them.
"Whoa, is that the card he took from you?" Roxas asks.
"Stardust Dragon. So you are a Signer." Yanagi declares.
"Signer. Yusei what's that?" Roxas asks but Yusei doesn't have an answer.
"You don't know? With that card, Yusei summoned the Crimson Dragon." Yanagi said.
"Crimson Dragon? Yusei what is he talking about?" Roxas asks.
"When you gave me that chance to duel Jack he and faced off and when we did a large dragon appeared," Yusei said.
"Wait so that means you both are signers." Yanagi realized.
"Uh is that old man okay? He's talking weird." Jessie cringed unsure what was happening.
As the sun was setting, we found ourselves in an area filled with street duels.
"I win!" One guy with long blonde hair grins.
In a corner, we see Roxas and Yusei standing with Yanagi, Bolt, Tifa, Jessie, and Gogo while they are waiting for Blister to meet with someone.
"What are all these marks? They look just like yours." Roxas asks looking at Yusei.
"That's because they're Facility Markers. So whenever people see you they instantly can see you're trouble." Bolt said.
"Wait you got arrested Yusei?" Roxas asks surprised.
"Yeah but then I got out. Turns out that place is crooked and rotten to the core. I had to do quite a bit to get out." Yusei said.
"And when he did he got all of us lighter sentences," Yanagi said.
"Sounds easier than fighting your way through my Underground Duel Circuit." Gogo smirks.
"You did what?" Bolt asks.
"I needed to find Yusei and Gogo knew someone who could help. Who as it turns out was Blister." Roxas said.
"Small world," Yusei smirked as Blister made his way out.
"Good news. I found a work boat to the Satellite tonight." Blister said.
"You mean a garbage boat?" Tifa asks.
"It's to check on Yusei and Roxas' friends. This way they can focus on the Fortune Cup." Blister said.
"Since when are you big on helping others?" Gogo asks.
"Around the time I met Yusei." Blister said.
"Aren't you guys overreacting a bit? I mean it's obvious Yusei isn't a weakling. I can speak from experience." Bolt said.
"Something big is going on. Goodwin basically forced the two of them into the tournament and to add bigger questions added Gogo to the mix. Who knows what really could be going on?" Blister asks. "I'll focus on your friends while you guys just focus on winning."
"Sounds good." Yusei nods.
"Mister." A young voice calls out.
Surprised Yusei looks to see two young boys even younger than Rally. One had green hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in white and the other had brown hair and glasses. These were Leo and Dexter.
"Hey, have you dueled the Black Rose Witch?" Leo asks.
"Witch? Stop joking around and go home." The man brushes off and walks away.
"Maybe she doesn't exist Dex," Leo said.
"If she doesn't exist then how come everyone knows about her?" Dexter counters.
"Is it true what they say about her?" Leo asks.
"Yep." Dexter nods. "When she duels the ground shakes, when she plays a spell or trap it actually happens. And don't even get me started on the monsters." Dexter gulps.
"Alright Dexter. Since you're so scared I'll stay." Leo smirks.
"I'm not scared!" Dexter snaps.
"Leo what are you doing here?" Yusei calls out getting his attention.
"Yusei." Leo smiles running over to him. "He's the guy who customized my duel disk!"
"Really?" Dexter said intrigued.
"Leo, what are you doing here? This isn't a place for Children. Where's Luna?" Yusei said as the others joined him.
"She didn't want to come," Leo said.
"And for a good reason. You two better go." Tifa advises.
"Yusei how do you know this kid?" Roxas asks.
"He's from the Tops. He and his sister Luna helped me." Yusei said.
"Are you Yusei's sidekick?" Leo asks.
"Sidekick?" Roxas asks not liking that one bit.
"Roxas is my friend." Yusei chuckles.
"Well Roxas, I'm Leo and this is my friend Dexter." Leo introduced.
"Uh hi there," Dexter said nervously.
"Dexter you should get Yusei to duel you. He's got a killer combo." Leo said.
Pausing Dexter was unsure until he noticed the Fortune Cup invites in their hands.
"No way! Are those what I think they are?" Dexter points.
"Yusei are you guys in the Fortune Cup too?" Leo asks.
"We are." Yusei nods.
"Sweet! So I might get to duel you guys." Leo said excited.
"He's in the tournament too? Geez they'll let anyone in." Gogo mutters.
"Actually his sister Luna is competing but he's dueling in her place." Yusei corrects.
However, suddenly this moment was ruined when Yusei felt a sharp pain in his arm making him cringe.
"Yusei!" Bolt gasps when Roxas feels a similar sensation as well making him groan in pain.
"Roxas!" Jessie gasps.
"What's going on?" Roxas cringes.
"It's like last time." Yusei cringes. "The time the Crimson Dragon appeared."
Suddenly all the spectators watching the street duel fled in fear.
"She's here!"
"The Black Rose!"
"There's no such thing." One duelist said when a powerful gust of wind blew in causing everyone to cringe.
"What the heck is going on?!" Jessie asks.
"The witch is real!" Yanagi panics.
"I thought she was just a rumor," Gogo said.
"Does that look like a rumor?!" Blister asks.
"We better get out of here and fast," Tifa suggests.
However, before they could react giant vines shot out of the ground.
Acting quickly Tifa and Jessie grabbed Leo and Dexter and jumped aside while Roxas and Yusei avoided it, and Gogo managed to dodge it, the others however got hit knocking them back.
Slowly looking up Roxas and Yusei saw a large dragon hidden in the dust.
"What is that?" Roxas asks when suddenly his mark appears on his arm surprising Yusei.
"You too?" Yusei gasps showing the mark on his arm.
"Wait what are those?" Tifa asks.
"It's the Mark of the Signers." Yanagi gasps.
"The what?" Gogo said never heard of that.
Leo on the other hand was in shock. Clearly, he knew what that was. "The Mark of the Signers?"
Emerging from the dust, we see a figure standing beneath the dragon.
"The Black Rose Witch." Leo gasps.
Seeing that she was the one behind this Roxas raced towards her.
"Roxas wait!" Yusei said running after him.
As Roxas got closer, he saw under the dragon a woman in a black cloak, with long strands of purple hair hanging from the sides of her face that was covered with a mask and a pink duel disk on her arm.
"So she's the one behind this." Roxas realized.
"The Black Rose." Yusei finished.
As their friends ran to help them they were surprised by the enemy in front of them.
"Well guess she's real after all," Jessie said.
"Which means she's dangerous." Blister said.
"This is not good." Yanagi gulps.
As the Black Rose gazed at them she gasped seeing the marks on both Yusei and Roxas.
"You two! You also have a mark!" She declares.
"So you know what these are too huh?" Roxas asks about to approach her.
"Stay away from me!" The Black Rose orders playing a card causing a bright light to engulf her and a storm of petals to fly at them.
Eyes sharpening Roxas knew he had to move fast.
Summoning Oblivion and Oathkeeper, Roxas throws them canceling out the attack and flying towards the light but when it hit the area Black Rose was, they saw she was gone.
"What in the?" Roxas paused confused as the keyblades flew back into his hands.
"She's gone," Bolt said.
"Yeah but did you see that?" Yanagi asks looking at Roxas.
"The Black Rose is real," Dexter said clinging to Leo.
"So cool," Leo said clearly scared.
"Roxas…what is that?" Yusei asks as Roxas makes his keyblades disappear.
"It's a…long story." Roxas sighs.
"She said you two also had marks. What did she mean?" Jessie asks.
Looking at their arms, both saw the marks had disappeared.
"Roxas, we have to find this Black Rose," Yusei said before turning to him. "But first what was that?"
"I can tell you but it's a little crazy. So I don't know if you guys will believe me." Roxas said.
"A lunatic in a mask just tried to attack us over glowing vanishing tattoos that you both had and you stopped her with giant keys. I think we can handle whatever craziness you're about to say." Gogo said in no mood for this one to be pushed under the rug.
Looking around Roxas saw people were starting to recover from the sudden appearance.
"Okay but can we move this to somewhere private?" Roxas asks.
"Good idea." Blister said leading them away.
As they took their leave, nobody noticed Lazar watching this from atop a crane.
"Hmm it seems there might be more to this newcomer than we thought," Lazar said intrigued.
That night in a dark alley, we see the Black Rose briefly take off her mask.
"That mark. Why did they have one? And…that other one. He has powers too, but I've never seen anything like that before."
Back at the bar, Tifa locks the place up while Roxas places the keyblades down on the table for Yusei and the others to see.
"These are called Keyblades and their powerful items," Roxas said.
Bending down Bolt picks up Oblivion.
"Hmm, these are pretty cool." He said when Oblivion vanished out of his hand and appeared in Roxas's hand.
"How did you?" Jessie gasps.
"These things are picky with their users," Roxas said.
"Such amazing artifacts. How did you find such wonders?" Yanagi asks.
"Well…this is where it gets a little crazy," Roxas said before taking a deep breath. "I'm not from this world."
"Pardon?" Blister said unsure if he heard him right.
"What do you mean not from this world?" Jessie asks.
"You see I come from another world, but for most of my life, I had struggled to be my own person. I was always for my life or for someone else's sake. And then when all the fighting finally stopped, I realized I didn't know how to do anything else. So when I had a chance to have a fresh start here I took it. And through that, I met Yusei and found my way here." Roxas explains leaving everyone speechless.
"I-I gotta say. I had some ideas on why you were so secretive, but they weren't even close to what you just said." Gogo said.
"Roxas." Tifa frowns.
"Well, this explains why you didn't know much about anything when we first met," Yusei said.
"I know I've been lying to you all and I'm sorry. But I believe me when I say I still want to help and make sure our friends are okay and compete with Yusei and Gogo in the Fortune Cup. So what do you guys think?" Roxas asks unsure how they would respond.
As all of them looked at each other, Yusei was the first to step up.
"It doesn't matter if you're from this world or any other Roxas…" Smiling Yusei held out his hand. "You stuck by me through all this so as far as I'm concerned you and I are still friends."
"Yeah you got guts, Roxas." Bolt agrees.
"You are a chosen warrior who uses his power for good." Yanagi declares.
"I guess since you're not from here you might have to stick around a while longer with us." Jessie grins at the idea.
"Hey you're not going anywhere until I get that rematch you hear me?" Gogo smirks.
"Don't worry I'm real good at keeping secrets." Blister said.
Hearing this, Roxas couldn't help but smile feeling at ease.
"Thanks guys," Roxas said shaking Yusei's hand.
"Now you guys better rest up. Because I want our matches to be legit, if we duel I won't be pulling any punches." Gogo declares.
"Wouldn't have it any other way." Yusei smiles.
"Thanks, guys. Really that means a lot." Roxas said.
As all of them assured Roxas that they would keep his secret and help him Tifa was the only one who was silent through it all.
After everyone went home, Tifa was doing a final walkthrough of the bar when she noticed a light on near the balcony.
Slowly making her way over, she noticed Roxas looking out at the city.
"Enjoying the view?" Tifa asks joining him.
"Oh hey. Yeah, I guess I just wanted to clear my head. I honestly hadn't expected everyone to accept me so quickly." Roxas admits.
"Why not? You've made quite the impression. So what if you have giant key swords as well?" Tifa asks.
"Keyblades." Roxas corrects.
"Right sorry. You know you were pretty cool back there. When she attacked us you countered. It was like you were a hero, charging in to save everyone." Tifa said.
"Yeah well old instincts die hard," Roxas said.
"It must have been hard for you. Hiding such a big secret and finally admitting it to us." Tifa said.
"It was. Part of me was worried you guys would kick me out." Roxas admits.
"Roxas," Tifa said surprised to hear that.
"I mean I know I had to find Yusei but I really liked the idea of being here with you and Jessie. Granted I didn't know for how long but I really like you both." Roxas said.
"We like having you around too Roxas. And don't worry I'm kicking you out anytime soon." Tifa assures.
"Thanks, Tifa." Roxas smiles.
Looking at his smiling face, Tifa slowly leans in and pecks him on the cheek.
"You're welcome," Tifa said leaving Roxas speechless.
"T-Tifa?" Roxas pauses.
"That was to assure you that you do belong here and…to wish you luck with everything," Tifa said.
"Uh yeah, the Fortune Cup." Roxas stutters.
"Better get some rest. Night." Tifa said walking away.
As she turned a corner, Roxas put a hand to his cheek.
Little did he know around the corner, Tifa had put one hand to her chest and another to her lips.
'Did really just happen?' Both thought.
Needless to say, of all the surprises today this one was definitely up there.
Soon the morning of the Fortune Cup came, and as promised we saw Mulan pull up in front of the bar.
"Hey! Rise and shine! It's time to go!" Mulan said opening the door.
Inside we see Roxas was having breakfast with Jessie while Tifa was sipping a coffee.
"And here I was wondering if you forgot about us," Tifa said.
"Not a chance. My job is on the line." Mulan said.
"Well give us a few minutes, we're almost ready," Jessie said.
"Just hurry up," Mulan said.
"Look I know we don't have the best history but don't worry we'll make it on time. You won't lose your job." Roxas assures.
"Gee thanks," Mulan mutters.
"Hey he's trying to be nice. Cut him some slack." Tifa defends.
"Why? No one seems to give me any. Even at my own job people don't take me seriously." Mulan said.
"Wait what?" Roxas asks.
"Forget it." Mulan said looking away. "Just get your runner ready and I'll make sure you get there on time."
As Mulan walked over to the door, Roxas couldn't help but wonder what she meant. Needless to say, if he was gonna have her by his side through the whole tournament it wouldn't help to try and get along with her.
Of course, all that depends on how long he lasts.
At the Fortune Cup, as tons of viewers were lining up to watch the duels we see Goodwin talking with Lazar in his special viewing box.
"Director, one of the informants at Iliastor led me right to her. I made sure the Black Rose got the invitation. She'll be dueling here along with Yusei." Lazar chuckles.
"Then all is going according to plan," Goodwin smirks. "Soon the Crimson Dragon will rise."
Behind them, we see Jack sitting in his seat just as eager for the tournament as Goodwin.
'And Yusei will fall.' Jack thought.