a battle rages within the mind of one. One once being two. The two one being master, and servant. Once being friends. For years the Servant secretly watched his master, stealing the Master's special attacks and memorizing his technique. Now the Servant unleashes his true intentions, and blows fury apon the eyes of his spirit-broken, former master. No greater a battle has there been, no more unfairly matched. The once Servant delivers blow after blow of his hatred. The former master is forced back farther and farther. Until he can step back no more. He falls... Kahhahaha, beyahahahahah!!! Laughter. An evil sound to the ears. A laugh of victory. `No...!!` the former Master pleads in his conciousness. He lies almost done for, on the brink of death, holding to life by a single thread. `I cannot let this be-..come...to be..the end!` A thread of rightiousness. A final attempt to bring his betrayer down, he sets forth his most unforgiving technique. Only once before had he used it, and for good reason. This deadly technique is so vicious, that the weilder may even succumb to its power. The last time this technique was used, the former Master had barely survived. Closing his eyes, shutting out the shame to die with honor, the former Master begins to chant, "Final..Dragon..of...the ..Heart!!" The Dragon of Heart was set free! The battle field, in the mind of One, is consumed with blinding light, tearing sound, and the most extreme power. The once Servant is overcome. And the former Master...is gone. Violet, Ebony, and Agony Survivor's Hope It was the first day of the long awaited Summer Vacation. Tiea Gardner and her friends, Tristen, Joey, Bakura, and Yugi, decided to go out on a camping trip near the ocean, and had just arrived at th perfect spot just over 2 hours earlier. The boys now played a game of football, while Tiea sunbathed on the nice warm sand. "Ahh," Tiea sighed, "What a relief it is to get out of that bustling city! Fresh air, no more school, and the best of all, my friends are with me!" said all too late. "Watchout!" called Tristen. Tiea looke up to see a leather missled targeted right to her head! "Byyaaaaahhh!!" she screamed right before... SHMACK!!! All the boys ran to the scene. "Tiea, are you Ol-right?" asked Bakura. Tiea was found in the sand. Twitching. "Uuhhh..." she moaned. "I'm dreadfully sorry, I lost control of the ball--" he was stopped short, for Tiea was strangling his neck. "So you're the one sho hit me!" Tiea accused. Joey, Tristen, and Yugi just blankly stared. "No! Wait, please!" Bakura managed to get free, but soon was on the run. "It was an accident!-" "Com'ere!" she demanded, chasing the young, whit-haired Brittish boy close behind, swiping at him. The others' blank stares turned to hysterical laughter. "Better watch out, Bakura! Tiger-Tiea's on the loose!" Tristen laughed. "It was an accident! I'm sorry!" he was almost frantic, until he spotted something in the destance. He stopped running to better focus his eyes, when Tiea ran into him. As the others caught up with them, Tiea was found in the sand, twiching. "Grrrrr...." She rose, growling, with fangs and claws ready to kill, but changed into more of a question mark one she noticed the still-standing Bakura had an expression of wonder, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand. "What is that?" He asked into the surf. "What's what, Bakura?" asked Yugi. "That, up ahead!" He said, pointing. They fallowed the line to the point in which Bakura's eyes were so fixed on. A small figure lay there as though it had washed up from a storm. "You're right, something is there!" cried Tiea. They ran to the fallen body where they stood gaping at it. Fromwhat they could tell, it was clearly male. It was a small man about the same size as Yugi, but more defined, as though already an adult. This man had strange garments. His skin was neither black, nor white, but a light violet shade. Ears, that your would only hear of in fairy tales, long and pointed, protruded from the sides of his head, and hanging from the earlobes, gold poterra earrings. This strange, small man's hairline was a thin line down the middle of his head into a long, white Mohawk. This man's first appearance is more than just something to bne amazed of, but on the second look taken, a sad and horrific realization is made. Not only does this stranger seem alien, as well as a survivor from a terrible storm, but on their second glance, the skin that could be seed, aside from what was left of his torn and ripped clothing, something had dealt bruises and cuts so severe, blood that is a darker hue of his skin, seeped from them. From his mouth and nose dripped the same purple liquid. "Do you think he's..." Tristen's voice trailed off at the thought. Snapping out of his bewilderment, Yugi dropped down on the ground and listened intenly. After a moment, he heard the sound of labored breathing, so soft, is almost threatened to stop all together. "No," Yugi answered, relieved, "he's not." "what do you think happened to him?" Tirsten asked. "I don't know," said Yugi, falling into the same concern, "But he's hurt, we have to help him." They all agreed. It only took one person to carry him because of his size, and they rushed him to the campsite where Joey lay his pathetic body down only Tiea's sleeping bag inside her tent. From there, Bakura, having the most medical knowledge, tood control over the situation. "Yugi, get some water from the stream!" "Right," Yugi answered and rushed off with a bucket. "Tiea, there's a medical kit inside my backpack; we're going to need it." "Oh, um, yeah," Tiea said. "Joey, get a fire going for that water!" "Right," Joey said, and started on their makeshift fireplace. Tristen looked at the work being done by the others and then realized he was doing nothing to help. He began to go frantic, "Hey! I don't have a job! You gave them jobs, what about me?!" "Settle down, Triston! You didn't think that i was going to bandage up this poor fellow on my own, now did you?" Bakura assured, "I need your help with that." "Oh... Well, I guess not." He said. He entered the tent and sat down next to Bakura. Tiea had found the medical kit and brought it over. "Here you go, Bakura," she said, handing it to him. "Thank you," Bakura took the kit and opened it, searching for the bandages. "Can I do anything else?" Tiea asked, while taking another look at the wounded stranger. Bakura shook his head. "No, just go join the others, we can take it from here." Tiea nodded and walked over to the fire that Joey had made, along with Yugi, who was now waiting for the water to boil. Tristen turned to Bakura and asked, "Why did you choose me to help, and not Yugi, or someone else?" Bakura replied, "You are generally the most serious of the group, Yugi and Tiea would be too worried, and I don't think that Joey is mature enough to handle this very well." "Ah, i see," said Tristen. They turned their attention to removing the stranger's garments. It was fairly easy; they were quite simple, yet elegant. Even though it was be hopeless to try and mend it, they could still tell that it had possessed a feel of some importance. They found that underneath the clothing, the stranger had taken even more punishment. Amon which, there were three broken ribs, Bakura assumed they were the cause of the blood comming from his mouth and nose. "This is worse than I expected," Bakura said, "This will take time. Let's hope he has enough strength to keep breathing." Yugi walked over to them, “Here’s the water you wanted.�? Bakura nodded and put it next to the med-kit. Yugi stole a glance at the stranger and left, closing the entrance to the tent behind him. Tiea asked him as he sat down, “So, did they tell you how bad it was?�? Yugi shook his head, “No, but I did manage to take a glance.�? He looked into the fire and let out a breath, “It didn’t look good.�? * * * * * “Augh! They’ve been in there for hours!�? Tiea complained. The sun had gone to rest and the sky was dark and speckled with tiny little lights the humans had long ago called Stars. “Could it really be that bad?�? “Heh,�? Joey smirked, leaning back against a tree. “You know, it could be because the purple dude’s anatomy is weird.�? Yugi and Tiea looked at him. “What do you mean by that?�? Tiea asked. “I mean he’s an alien.�? They rolled their eyes, “Oh, Joey…�? “Come on!�? Joey persisted, “The purple skin and pointy ears are a dead give-away!�? “We have no way of knowing that for sure, Joey,�? explained Yugi. “If he makes it, we’ll ask him.�? Bakura and Tristen finally appeared from hours of tiring labor. Their eyes were drooped, their shoulders hung arms and hands that had done everything to assure the stranger’s survival. Tristen stretched before slumping down in front of the fire, “Man, I seriously need to hit the sack!�? The three friends eagerly awaited the news to be told. “So?�? Joey asked, “How’s the Purple Alien?�? “Joey!�? Tiea slapped Joey’s head with the magazine she had finished reading. Tristen sighed, seeing that Bakura more tired than he was, he told, “I have never seen a guy taking a beating like that. And survive. If we hadn’t found him then, he’d surely be dead.�? Bakura commented, “We did the best we could. But I’m afraid he won’t make it to see the morning.�? “Oh! That’s terrible!�? Tiea exclaimed, her voice full of concern. “If only there was something more we could do!�? Yugi wished. “But if we take him to a hospital…�? “Yeah, no kidd’n’,�? Joey said, “They’d do experi—Hey!�? Joey dodged a whack from Tiea’s rolled-up magazine. Tristen shook his head. Bakura yawned, “Well, I’m certainly getting tired. Let’s all go to bed.�? “Bed?�? Tiea realized, “Gah! But my bed is taken by the Purple…�? She stopped herself and then delivered a cold stare at Joey. Joey got up, and sloooowwly backed away… Yugi smiled, “I’d give you mine, but I think it’d be too small for you.�? “No problem, Yug’,�? said Joey, “Tiea, you can have my sleeping bag.�? Tiea blinked a few times. “Uh,�? she stammered, “Really? Even after hitting you with a magazine?�? Joey blushed and scratched the back of his head, “Tee heh, what ‘er friends for? Besides, I kinda wanted to sleep under the stars tonight.�? “Thanks, Joey!�? Violet, Ebony, and Agony A New Day, a New Friend The opening eyes of the stranger, still glued from questionable hours of sleep, slowly began to focus on the yellow tent’s ceiling. To his eyes, the air seemed to have mist, gently being blown away by a breeze. A finger moved. Then his hand. He lifted his arm, to feel a sudden pang of pain, only now realized by his still awakening senses. He took the pain, and held his hand before his face. I have… Purple skin? He asked himself, why this color? It was the crisp temperature of a new day that he felt with this hand. Morning. His ears were played upon by the sweet music of little birds, the tinkling of pots, sizzle of food being made, footsteps, laughter, and the far off drone of pounding waves. He could smell the food, something new, never before had he known this smell. He figured he had not eaten anything for a long time, since such a potent smell had made his mouth salivate. Another feeling. A presence in the room. Looking about, his eyes landed upon a girl. How he knew this was rather simple; her shut eyes and pretty face, which had brown hair falling in front of, looked her too feminine to be otherwise. He sat up, feeling another, yet more vicious, pang of pain, this time from his ribcage. He felt within his chest, something smothering him. His own body forced him to cough, and spit a bitter liquid out. His eyes gave a picture of what he concluded to be his own blood wetting his fingers. Guess that would make sense, he thought, that it would be as my skin is… His ears twitched and he twisted his neck, to see that he had awoken the sleeping girl. The girl had propped herself on her elbows and had the same surprised and dumb look that he wore. Her shut eyes now stared right back into his. She blinked. The girl said dumbly, “You’re awake.�? The stranger nodded his head, though it being a little sore. He noticed the girl had turned her attention to the blood on his fingers. He quickly hid it from view, almost ashamed of his own weakness. Now that he was wide awake, his mind allowed him to wonder. This place he was in he knew nothing about, nor did he know any more of this girl lying across from him. He drew a breath, feeling his ribs ache again, and asked, “Who are you? And where is this place?�? “We found you and brought you here,�? the girl answered, “Tristen said that if we hadn’t, you’d be dead, and Bakura thought you wouldn’t make the night!�? “Oh,�? he said. To make him suffer more, his mind ached with the realization, like someone landing on his head, and surviving, that death could have snatched him, and still can. Seeing this, Tiea regretted, and tried to change the subject. “My name’s Tiea,�? she informed cheerfully. She had introduced herself, and was eager to learn who he was… what he was. “Hello Tiea,�? he said, “My name is…�? His words ceased on his tongue. My name is… my name… what is my name? He could not remember. Why? A chill tingled his wounded spine. What could have happened for him to not remember his own name? “Your name is what? What’s your name?�? She asked, “Don’t you remember?�? The stranger’s eyes quivered. “No… I.. can’t. I-I don’t.�? “Nothing? Nothing at all?�? she asked. “Please try.�? Tiea dreaded the thought that he had been wounded that badly. There must be something, anything! The stranger did not want to believe it either. He tried again, closing his eyes and concentrating, searching back in his memories. The girl introducing herself… waking her… blood, pain… smells and sounds… the cold, crisp air of morning… the yellow hued tent above him… Darkness… Never ending… Cold… ….. Fear? FLASH! “How could you think that I would stay as your inferior, did you really think that I would just wait and be told what to do? … You were a fool... Kai, you are weaker than I thought…�? FLASH! Pain! Such agonizing pain! His chest was smothered again, and his nose started to bleed. His eyes closed tight, wincing. Why was he suffering so? Do the fates wish him dead? If so, then why had he survived? He spat blood from his mouth, dripping some from the corners of his lips. His lungs burned for air, his mind froze, and all things around him faded out of existence. “Ah!�? Tiea dived and caught him. He now, again, was unconscious. She let his body lay against her chest, “Bakura! Get in here, quick!�? she screamed. Bakura and the others rushed to the entrance of Tiea’s tent. They all gasped at her and the stranger. “Whoa, Tiea, what’s goin’ on here?�? Joey asked excitedly. “I don’t know! I asked him if he remembered anything and he started bleeding and shaking!�? Tiea explained. Bakura moved beside Tiea to take a better look at the stranger. His face still wore pained expression, mouth and nose bleeding. Bakura grunted, “If Only I could do something more about those broken ribs! They are to blame, the pain must have caused him to pass out.�? Yugi turned away from the stranger, he could not bare to look at him. His body shook, and his eyes forced back tears. “I don’t understand! What could have hurt him so bad?�? he cried. “Oh, Yug’…�? Tristen said, sorrowfully. Bakura asked Tristen to come and help him before Tristen could comfort Yugi. Joey did the best he could by putting his hand on Yugi’s shoulder. “Here, Tiea, give him to me.�? Bakura took the stranger and laid him back on the sleeping bag, gently laying his head on the pillow. Bakura looked at Tiea, “Tiea, I must ask you to leave now.�? Tiea hesitated, but left, passing a concerned glance at the others crowded around the entrance. Tristen, joining Bakura inside, asked, “Joey, you haven’t boiled those eggs yet, right?�? “No, why?�? Then it occurred to him, “Oh, right!�? Joey ran to the fire and fetched the pot of water. “Here,�? Joey said, handing the hot water, carefully, to his friend. The things that were done the night before were repeated. The Stranger’s bandages were removed, his wounds were recleansed, and new bandages were applied. His mouth was wiped, as was his nose. His torso, with the broken ribs, and his shoulder, which was also badly damaged, was bandaged tighter to set them. The cloth used to clean him of access blood was wrung dry into the pot of water that now was a dirty violet. This process was slow, but not as time-consuming as the first. After reviewing and checking his body one final time for things they might have missed, Bakura and Tristen left the tent, and ate breakfast with the others eagerly awaiting the news. “You know what we’re goin’ ta ask, so tell us,�? Joey said, passing made-ready plates of bacon, sausage, and bread, along with glasses of milk. Bakura sipped his glass, and answered, “I will say the same as last night; we did the best we could.�? Bakura turned to Tiea, “Tiea, you said asked him if he remembered anything of what happened to him, right?�? Tiea nodded, “Yeah, he was awake when I woke up, so I asked him.�? “Hmm,�? he wondered, “This is strange, how can he wake up after only one night? It makes no sense!�? “Well who knows how long he was on that beach? He could have been there for days,�? Tristen suggested. “True, but it still puzzles me,�? Bakura sighed. They ate and conversed of other, more enjoyable subjects. The morning passed and the summer heat soon came into effect. The stranger slept and did not wake. The friends put aside their worries of him to make their summer vacation as fun-filled as possible. Yugi, Joey, Tristen, and Bakura left for the beach to play in the waves and catch and throw leather missiles. Tiea stayed behind at the campsite to watch over the sleeping stranger. Tiea sat on Joey’s rolled up sleeping bag, watching the stranger’s chest rise and fall, breathing slow and labored, under the fabric. He breathed now more easily than when they had found him there, lying helplessly like a beached, infant dolphin. His eyes were shut, and his face was at ease, only for a slight crease of his eyebrows from the sudden outbreak earlier that day. His face… she though, looks so much more peaceful now. When he passed out, his face was so… “Ughn…�? the Stranger moaned. Tiea moved from Joey’s sleeping bag to the stranger’s side. His head moved slightly. Tiea grew more attentive. As though it took effort, his face twitched, and then he opened his eyes, blinking, and focused on Tiea’s face. “Tiea…�? “Shh, please rest. You need to build up your strength…�? “No.�? His voice sounded so sure, she did not want to argue. “I remember, Tiea, I remember something from my past,�? he told her. Finally the moment had come, finally she would find something about this strange, small man. “Kai,�? he said, as clearly as possible. “Kai?�? She repeated. He nodded. A slight disappointment came to her, but she did not let it show. “Is Kai your name?�? she asked. Since shaking his head was out of the question, he answered, “No,�? then added, “I don’t think it is a name.�? Another slight disappointment. “Well we have to call you something,�? she pointed out. “Yes,�? he agreed. He thought about it. “Kai,�? he sounded out the familiar word, trying it out. He smiled, “Yes, I believe I like it.�? Despite the pain, to say to her face to face, he sat up, “Hello, Tiea, my name is Kai.�? * * * * * “I got it, I got it!�? Joey yelled, running backwards to catch the ball. At the moment he was to catch the ball, he tripped and fell over a fairly large piece of driftwood. “Don’t got it,�? he said, lying on his back in the wet sand. The other’s laughed at him. “Get up and get the ball, Joey! You’re the closest one to it,�? Tristen called. (Here it may be said that Tristen and Joey are somewhat best friends. In dangerous and tough situations, they can sound on one another to watch each other’s backs. They show how they care for each other by sometimes teasing or bickering.) Joey hopped up and walked over to where the ball had landed. Joey bent down and grabbed it up, just in time to see Tiea helping Kai, walk towards them. "Hey! Check it out!�? he laughed, “The Purple Alien’s alive!�? “What?�? The others asked, running over to see for themselves. Tiea and Kai cautiously moved close enough for eye to eye contact. The friends smiled at them, and crowded around. “You made it!�? “I can’t believe you’re awake!�? “You’re okay!�? Bakura and Tristen were relieved, Yugi was overjoyed, and Joey just kept laughing because the Purple Alien was staring at Yugi, or, actually, his hair. What an unusual way to fix one’s hair… Kai thought, but did not comment, for he thought it would be rude. “Everyone, meet Kai,�? Tiea introduced Kai, who now was no longer a Stranger. Though it was strange that Kai, when introduced, took a slight bow. The friends made fun and bowed in return, as showing respect. “You remember your name?�? Yugi asked hopefully. “Well, no, but it is something I remember,�? Kai said. “Just think of it as something to call me by until my true name comes to me.�? “Ah,�? they nodded, understanding. “Well,�? Tristen decided that he would be the one to introduce the others. Pointing to one at a time, “That’s Yugi with the spiked hair, Joey’s the one with the ball, that’s Bakura, and I’m the one and only Tristen.�? After his glory moment was interrupted by a playful jab of Joey’s elbow, he continued, “I’m sure you already met Tiea.�? “Yes, I have,�? answered Kai, “and she has been most hospitable.�? Tiea blushed. Kai smiled, “I’m glad to meet you all. I can’t thank you enough for saving my life. I only wish I hadn’t lost my memory.�? “Nah, don’t worry about it. And I’m sure it’ll pop up sooner or later, just let it come to ya,�? Joey said comfortingly, which was strange, and the others were a little surprised. Kai chuckled. “Oh,�? He began to sway suddenly and Tiea caught him. “Kai, are you alright?�? “Oh, yes, I,�? Kai said steadying himself, “I think I just lost my breath, that’s all. Let me sit down, that would be better for me.�? “You should go back to the campsite,�? said Yugi, “You shouldn’t be up after what happened to you!�? “I thank you for your concern, Yugi, but I can rest here.�? Kai sat cross-legged on the sand. “Well,�? Tiea, no longer concerned for her new friend, said, “I’m going to get my swimsuit.�? She started back to the campsite. “I’ll be back,�? she called. Swimsuit? Kai thought, What’s that? The guys headed back to their game and Kai watched happily at them running around. He was interested about this device that Joey said was called a football. All it was was a stitched together piece of leather pressurized with air, and it was used to be thrown and caught. He watched attentively to how they threw the ball. He observed the ball was positioned with the one of the points of the ball cupped in the web of the hand, fingers spaced about, perhaps, two centimeters apart, and the pinky finger laying just in between the white laces. The arm was brought behind the head, extended, and then propelled into the air at a decided angle, with the ball spin horizontally to further its distance and lessen air resistance. The catching of this projectile was less complicated of a feat. The person designated as the catcher would run to the calculated place of contact with the ball, and trap the ball with two hands, and pull it close to the chest to negate inertia. The process of this game would be repeated countless times, and all the while, the boys laughing and having a good time. Kai would like to play this game, but his injuries kept him from doing so. He sat there enjoying the ocean breeze and the warm sun and sand. He heard footsteps come from the path behind him, and he did not stir for the voice that came along with them. “Enjoying yourself there, Kai?�? “Ah, yes. The weather here is wonderful.�? Tiea laughed and sat down beside him. “Glad you like it.�? Kai turned to face her, but went wide eyed and quickly turned away. “What are you thinking?! Wearing something like that! Have you no modesty?�? Kai rubbed his eyes in attempt to clean himself of his accidental and unexpected sight of this girl’s overexposure. “Hm? Oh!�? Tiea laughed aloud, “Oh-ho, you’ve never seen girl in a swimsuit before, have you?�? Kai shook his head, still looking the other direction. So that’s what a swimsuit is. “Is it… is it considered alright by your standards, I mean, to wear such things? I can understand them,�? Kai said, nodding toward the boys, who were wearing swim trunks, “but a female… How can that be modest?�? “Kai,�? she said still smiling, “it’s alright, you can look at me. Really.�? Kai shook his head again, and assumed a position that did not allow his sight range to see her without effort. Tiea just smiled and started to apply sun lotion to her arms. “Watch out!�? called Tristen. Tiea looked up to see a leather missile targeted right to her head! “Byyaaaaahhh!�? she screamed, right before… ………… Tiea hesitated before uncovering her arms from her head. She was surprised to see that Kai had caught the ball just inches away from her face with his hand. She relaxed and stared at Kai, dumbfounded. Kai took the ball and placed his hand on one end and said, “A fascinating thing. Isn’t it?�? before he threw it back to Bakura, who had been the one who had thrown it at Tiea. Bakura caught the ball in his arms, but was taken a little off guard by its power, considering Kai’s injuries. After realizing that it was Kai’s first time throwing a football, his jaw dropped. Tristen laughed. “Nice catch! And where did you learn how to throw like that?�? Kai chuckled, “I simply watched you do it.�? This was certainly an interesting character. Bakura, Joey, Tiea, Tristen, and Yugi all wondered what the next day would bring, and how this strange, Purple Alien, who now called himself Kai, would change this summer vacation into an adventure. I know, I'm cruel to Shin (or Kai...), but at least things are starting to look bright for him! If only his memory would comeback... Sorry, but if it did, where would the suspense be? The next chapter concerns entirely of that subject, where Kai tries to remember his past. You probably know the characters that are helping him by now, but those who don't, like my English teacher and my friend Becca, they're just more interesting characters to eat up. Use this to update your site! Lil' Surfer,
