Julisa finally smiled and Jim felt his heart race.
Only five minutes earlier, they'd been dueling against Alice and Jesse. It was a draw, thanks to Alice's Lost Love in the Pond. Nobody had normal monsters and it ended in a Draw.
"Jim?"
"Mm...?"
"Your ship leaves in a few hours. Still think you'll make it?"
"Just like always, mate." He smiled. "Before that, Jesse and Alice wanted me to show you something." He was leading her down the bricked path.
Julisa raised an eyebrow and-
"JULISA! JIM! SHIRLEY! You guys made it!" Alice yelled, her hand cupped to her mouth. She looked strange with her hair tied up in a lose bun. She was wearing a pair of glasses and shorts with a lose tank.
For some reason, that looked silly on Alice...
Jim broke into a run and left Julisa and Shirley behind. Shirley started wading after him. Julisa kept walking until she met up with Alice, who was watching Jim run.
"Mind telling me?"
"Blair can." Alice smiled brightly. "In the meantime, how did the victory kiss taste?"
"Er..." Julisa looked away. She was flush from that, but she really loved it. Jim had given her the victory kiss with the gentlest of touches and the warmest hug. "Don't ask."
Alice giggled like she was five. "Well, there they are! OI!"
Julisa looked and gawked.
There was everyone, enjoying the beach and the cool waters. Blair was with Alexis and Jaden. Jim was talking with Jesse as the duo dipped their toes in the water. Jim looked to the side and gave Julisa one of his little sparks. Alice ran over to join Aster and Zane, both of whom were sulking in the corner. Atticus was out surfing while Syrus and Adrien were sailing. Axel was way off to the side, his arms crossed and his back to the waters.
Alice was right, she'd have to ask Blair...
"It's just a parting present for the guys leaving soon." Blair gave Julisa her "haha, I win," smiles.
"Attention all Duel Academy students! Please return to the school for an important announcement!"
The band made their way to the school. Jim caught up with Julisa and took her hand, leading her away. Alice smiled at Jesse and they linked arms, marching through the crowd. Aster and Jaden walked as a pair, not really touching, except for the occasional graze of their knuckles, which sent them into silence. Zane, Adrien, and Atticus brought up the rear, the trio seeming to be lost in their own.
Alice suddenly ran passed, Julisa following her. Zane and Atticus stopped, as Aster had done. Something was blinking in the distance...
A huge flash of light and they all turned around. The towers of Duel Academy had vanished.
Duel Academy and most of the students were missing...
HEROSHIPPING! er, i mean, Aster/Jaden! yes! anywho, that's it for this one! any more and i'd need to stop everything else... still, had to make it tie in some how...