Duel Fragments
Chapter 4
The wind had begun to swirl around the streets of Domino city, sending flurries of leaves swirling around a small community park. Zane was leaning against a tree, with a duel-disk equipped to his arm. His outfit was as casual as the everyday person, he simply wore black jeans, a black leather belt, and black shirt. He had even swapped out his boots for casual sneakers. Today he simply wanted to be 'Zane' and not 'the kaiser' or 'the hell kaiser'. He felt a Buzz in his pocket, but ignored it. It was most likely Syrus again, trying to convince him to join Alexis for lunch. Zane sighed, closing his eyes to the world around him, just listening to the rustle of leaves and distant city sounds. This is what he needed, to take take a step back and just relax. As the sounds of the city mingled with the rhythmic rustling, Zane's mind wandered back to that day in the restraunt, and the Vagnabond's words.
"Names mean little to those of us with a twisted existence."
Why had she said such a thing? Why would she call her own existence 'twisted'? Maybe, the awnser to that question, was the key to truly understanding the situation. He rested the tips of his fingers against his forehead, as he tried to think of the best path foward. The Pro-League season would kick up again in two-months, and he had to prepare for that. Duel-Links was intriguing, but it wouldn't pay the bills. Before he could ponder any further, his phone rang rather loudly. He exhaled a deep breath, took out his phone, and swiped to the right, "I told you I'm busy Syrus!"he stated with more anger, than he intended.
The person on the other-side of the call, was taken aback, by the tone of Zane's voice. The last she heard, he had mellowed out from his 'Hell Kaiser' persona, but what he had just sounded like, was more Hell-Kaiser than regular Zane, "Geez, Syrus was right, you are in a foul mood."she replied.
Zane leaned his head back right against the tree, clutching his phone tighter than before. The sound of her voice, reminded him of her subtle rejection at the light-house at duel academy. He had told her, that he would miss her-only for her gaze to be cast downwards and her expression became one of discomfort. In addition she had not contacted him, since he graduated the Academy. It had been years since then, and she had all but forgotten him. If not for Syrus or Atticus, he doubted he would have ever heard from her again,"It's been years, Alexis. So why have you decided to step back into my life, again?"he said.
"Syrus has been really worried about you. You're not alone, with your strange experience with Duel-Links, Zane. I've had a similar experience. I thought maybe we could work together to solve this, like before..at the Academy.."
"Heh, I don't need your pity, or your help, Alexis. Maybe you should chase Jaden instead.."
Alexis felt the sting of his words, than more she cared to admit. He had dismissed her so effortlessly, and just to twist the knife, had brought Jaden into it, "You're become a real jerk Zane! Not only do you not respect your opponents, but your friends as well."she stated,harshly.
"We are done here,Alexis." he stated, before ending the call. His mood had shifted, back into one of silent-fury. He needed a duel, to take the edge off. He looked around the park, but only saw some kids dueling. He leaned back once more against the tree, contemplating the best place to seek an opponent.
Elsewhere, amidst the bleeping sounds of monitors, and the rush of feet against a treadmill- a doctor observed his subject. He adjusted his glasses and reviewed the data on the screen. He couldn't see any change in the Vagnabonds vitals, no matter how fast she ran on the treadmill. Ever since she was released from the tank two hours ago-zero changes at all. It was eerily unatural and left him questioning the entire experiment. Still, they had to proceed, protocol demanded it. He glanced at the Vagnabond, trying not to make eye-contact, "Once again, you have passed another fitness test-without a single issue..Vagabond."he said, masking his unease behind a professional facade.
The Vagabond stepped off the treadmill, and remained standing, as ridged as a stone.
Knowing, that he would have to unleash her onto the general population, for duelling, made his stomach churn. He could only hope she would adhere to the boundaries they had set. He walked over to his desk, and opened a box. He could tell by the chrome metallic sheen, and the etched Kaiba Corp Logo- that his boss had spared no expense on this duel-disk. It was not standard-make. It was smaller, thinner, and much more intricate. It also had some sort of head-set attached. He glanced over his shoulder at the brown-haired girl. "Your new Duel-Disk has arrived..but it has no instructions.."he said,carefully.
The Vagnabond walked over, with all of her body moving with eerie precision. She peered at the device, and took it from the Doctor's hands. She slid it onto her right arm, and then looked at the Doctor with a bored expression, "Who do I have to take down?"she asked.
The doctor picked up the data-pad that was on his desk, swiped right three times, and then showed the Vagnabond her opponent's profile. He couldn't help but squirm slightly,when he caught sight of the slasher-smile appearing on the Vagnabond's face, "I see that you're excited to duel this opponent, Vagabond."he said, nervously.
The Vagnabond was thrilled at the blonde haired, and hazel eyed target chosen for her to duel. She looked at the doctor, and then chuckled, "Oh no, this won't be just a duel- it will be a thrashing.." she exclaimed, in a voice that tip-toed the line between excitement, and utterly deranged.
The Doctor nodded, swallowing hard as he tried not to imagine the chaos she might unleash,"Well then, I shall arrange for you to be escorted out of the lab." He pressed a button on the intercom, summoning two security personnel.
The Vagabondrocked backward,and forward patiently waiting for her escort to arrive. Once the two tall,and heavily equipped men arrived, she walked ahead of them, knowing they would just fall in-step behind her. She hummed, a low tune, that cascaded into an eerie high-pitch.
The sun had set into a light red-glow, and Zane was driving his motor-cycle along the deserted road. Zane could sense, that something, was making Cyber-End-Dragon aggitated. He could see its mechanical scales flickering menacingly in the night air. Holding the handleo-bars tightly, he tilted the bike to the right onto roads, that would lead him to the outskirts of Domino City. The wind whipped at his face, a relentless reminder of the Grey Clouds gathering above..