Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal The Supreme King Dragon's Advent

SS: Ryoga Kamishiro - Friend or Foe?

You know, life has a funny way of throwing challenges at you when you least expect it. Ever since our parents died, it's been my responsibility to take care of my little sister, Rio. I've always felt this overwhelming need to protect her, to shield her from any harm that might come her way. It's like a fire burning inside me, pushing me to be there for her at all times.

When our parents were still alive, Rio was such a sweet, innocent girl. She had this delicate charm about her, always giggling and playing with her dolls. I loved that about her. But as time went on, I noticed a change in her. She became more tomboyish, more rebellious in a way. And you know what? I didn't mind it one bit. In fact, I embraced it. I thought maybe she was just trying to keep up with me, trying to be like her big brother.

But what I failed to realize was that my overprotectiveness was suffocating her. I didn't see it then, but I see it now. Rio needed room to grow, to explore the world on her own terms. And I denied her that freedom because I was so consumed by my need to keep her safe. I never asked her why she changed or why she was always alone. I just assumed it was my duty to protect her, to make all the decisions for her.

That afternoon, after a particularly heated fight between us, I went looking for Rio. I was worried sick, imagining all sorts of terrible scenarios in my head. And then I found her, talking to this boy I'd never seen before. My protective instincts kicked in immediately. I confronted the boy without a single question, without even giving Rio or him a chance to explain.

I was blinded by rage, consumed by this overwhelming need to protect Rio from any potential threat. I couldn't see past my anger to hear what the boy, Ren Hitorigoto, had to say. He pleaded with me to trust in Rio, to guide her instead of trying to control her. But my anger drowned out his words. I only saw his words as an attempt to manipulate Rio for his own gain and I couldn't fathom the thought of someone else using Rio like a tool.

And so, we dueled. In that moment, I fought with all the strength and skill I had. I wanted to prove that I was the only one capable of protecting Rio, that I was the only one who truly knew what was best for her. But as the duel came to a close and I stood there victorious, I realized something. I had made so many mistakes throughout that duel. My rage had clouded my judgment, and I had acted without thinking, and I would've lost if it weren't for Ren being "weak" at dueling.

In that moment of reflection, I saw the truth. I had let my overprotectiveness blind me to the needs and desires of my little sister. I had failed to trust her, failed to give her the space she needed to become her own person. It wasn't about controlling her, it was about guiding her, supporting her in her journey of self-discovery.

Ever since that day, Ren had always been hanging out with me and Rio. Our bonds deepened, and we treated each other as if we were brothers in blood. We laughed at Ren's jokes and enjoyed friendly banter. He helped bridge the gap between me and Rio, slowly melting away the walls I had built around myself.

I changed, becoming much calmer and more analytical, as if influenced by Ren's presence. He had a way of looking at things objectively, which I found refreshing. Ren promised that he would protect Rio, and we dueled every day to improve our skills. With each duel, I realized that I was growing stronger, both as a duelist and as a person. It was a gradual transformation that I hadn't even noticed until that fateful day when Rio got kidnapped by the Barians.

My heart raced as panic surged through me. Without a second thought, Ren and I, along with Yuma and the others set out on a mission to rescue Rio. Our journey took us through countless battles against brainwashed individuals, each duel bringing us closer to the mastermind behind Rio's abduction. We even ventured into the treacherous realm of Sargasso, risking everything in our pursuit of justice.

The pivotal moment arrived when I faced Dumon, a formidable adversary. The duel was intense, each move calculated and strategic. But just as the duel is nearing its climax, Ren crashed into the ground like a meteor, creating a powerful force field that interrupted our duel. I was astonished—I had never seen Ren unleash such a display of power before.

And so, as Ren declared his intentions to take on the Barians alone, a mixture of shock and confusion washed over me. This wasn't the Ren I had come to know and trust. The cruel and amused expression on his face shattered the image I had held of him in my mind. It felt as though a stranger stood before me, someone I couldn't fully comprehend.

I called out to Ren, pleading for answers, desperate to understand what had led him to this drastic change. But my words fell on deaf ears as he focused solely on his self-imposed mission. The force field he had conjured around himself was impenetrable, separating us and leaving me no choice but to watch from the sidelines.

As Ren's brutal display of power unfolded before my eyes, I watched in a mixture of awe and horror. It was as if he had tapped into a wellspring of darkness, unleashing a level of cruelty and devastation that I had never witnessed before. The Barians, once formidable opponents, were now reduced to screaming in agony as their bodies were torn apart by Ren's relentless assault. The sheer destruction left behind was overwhelming, not even a speck of dust remained of his enemies.

At that moment, I knew that the Ren I had known was gone, replaced by this merciless person, or would the word 'monster' fit more? The shock and confusion that had initially gripped me evolved into a deep sense of doubt and unease. How could someone I had trusted so deeply hide such a malevolent nature?

As the duel reached its climactic end and we successfully rescued Rio, Ren took a moment to explain himself. His goal, he revealed, was the utter destruction of the Barian World. He assured me that as long as I and the others did not stand in his way, we had nothing to fear from him. But his words only served to deepen my skepticism. How could I trust him after witnessing the extent of his brutality?

Ren's transformation shattered the image I had held of him in my mind, leaving me uncertain about his true motives and the lengths he was willing to go to achieve them. I knew that from that point forward, I would have to remain on guard, never fully certain of the Ren that stood before me. The sense of betrayal lingered, gnawing at the trust I had once placed in him. And as we continued our journey, I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets and surprises lay hidden beneath his cool exterior.

Yet, despite the turmoil within me, a part of me still clung to the belief that there must be a reason behind Ren's actions. I refused to let go of the hope that the Ren I respected and became fond of was still there, buried beneath whatever darkness had consumed him. I couldn't abandon him, not when he had been there for Rio and me in our darkest moments. I want to trust him, yet I feel like if I make the wrong step, I'll only end up falling in an abyss I'll never escape from.