Zaira's p.o.v.

I was surrounded in darkness. At first I couldn't see a thing. However then a bright light appeared out of nowhere, and I was standing on the same crumpled pathway, I had been before. These many times I had been in here in my dreams now. I was no longer scared of being in here. However I was still careful, when I was walking on the pathway. I began walking over to the door, who was a little far away from me. That door, who resembled Yuma's door so much, but wasn't. When I came closer, I could see the difference right away. Like there were no chains. No lock either. That was pretty weird. When I arrived, I tried to push the door again, but like always, it didn't open. I sighed. Then I heard it. Whisper. Whispering voices all around me. They were saying my name, over and over again. Then the door changed a little and the cheapy face had appeared once again. The door, who was looking at me. I was not happy about this face it sended me. 

"Zaira" it said and the whispering voice followed. Repeating what the door had said. It gave me the creeps. I sneered angry at the door. 

"What do you want?" I asked "Just let me in already". The door sneered coldly. 

"I can't girl" it said and snort "Only you can open it Zaira". The voices whispered "Open" a lot and my name. I sneered a little and looked at the door. 

"How is that possible. There is not even a lock on you. How can you open without a key" I said angry. This time the door actually laughed a little. 

"There is many ways to open a door Zaira" it said "However since you don't want to protect the ghost.. and Yuma. You will have to wait in a long time for that key of yours".

I sneered coldly at the door. Suddenly everything began to crumble and everything also began flashing. I had to close my eyes. I knew I was about to wake up. I had to ask.

"Is Yuma and Astral the key to open the door?" I asked quickly. I could hear the door grin. 

"No. But they makes it easier. You will know in duo time Zaira. When you have found what you have been looking for" The door said. Then I felt like I was falling.

"Wahh!" I yelled and woke up in the bed in the mansion. I was all sweaty and gasping after air. I had a headache. Cy appeared beside my now. It looked worried!

"Mistress. Are you okay?" it asked worried "You were screaming". I sighed deeply. 

"It is nothing. It was just that dream again. You know the door" I said. Cy nodded. 

"What are we supposed to do mistress?" it asked "You had this dream for a while". 

"Yeah I know" I said and sighed "I need to check something out, first thing in the morning. Wake me up when it is morning". Cy nodded and I fell asleep again. 

Time skip.

I was hiding in the shadows. I was at the duel field place. That place where I first time met Shark. I could see Yuma duel Bronk. Caswell and Tori was spectators. Astral was floating around Yuma, watching every duel, in his observant mode. However was that a worried wrinkle on his face? I actually had a feeling what it was! Yuma was actually devastated after the duel with Shark. However no one had noticed that. A minute after, Yuma fell to the ground. He had lost 20 times in a row. I sighed. In the end Bronk left. Tori walked after him. I decided to follow there conversation. 

"Wait up Bronk" said Tori. She sounded worried. Bronk waited for her. "Why are you leaving?". Bronk snort coldly. 

"I don't like the person Yuma is turning into" He said and sighed "Maybe Zaira's words are correct. He will let us hanging, because he grew back on his word". Tori tried to make him relax, and said Yuma only got carried away. Bronk snort back at her. 

"No he didn't" He said "He broke his word, just because he lost. That's not cool".

Then before Tori could do a thing, Bronk rushes away. I sighed deeply and began walking away. Suddenly my D-gazer calling. I took it on and picked up the call. 

"Mysty your darn girl!" Yelled Shark in the other end, which surprised me a little. However then I got my compose on again. When he called my Mysty, the gang couldn't be far. Then I remembered. I haven't been at the arcade at all today.

"What's up stupid Shark boy?" I said and tried to sound cold. Shark snort coldly. 

"Hey stop calling me that. Stupid thief girl. Where are you? Scorch is quite angry. Don't tell me I have to go catch you" He said angry.

He was about to say something, when the picture moved and Scorch was shown. Wait had he just removed Shark's D-gazer? I just looked cold at him. 

"Hello Scorch" I said coldly "Brutal as ever I see. What do you want?". Scorch snort coldly. He really looked angry. 

"This is nothing Mysty. I can show you even more brutality, if you are not shown in the next hour" He said angry "I told you to show everyday girl". I shrugged. 

"Well I have girl thing to attend to. But guess I have to show then. When you ask so nicely" I said sarcastically "Be there in half an hour". Then I hung up. I didn't feel so good. Shark! I rushed towards the old arcade, pretty fast!

Time skip.

I arrived at the arcade and was just catching my breath, gaining my composure, before I entered the arcade. I could see all the other members stare at me. They were playing duel monsters, but had stopped up. Then weasel, who was sitting on a chair doing nothing, rushes up. He looked up at the top floor and began screaming really loud. 

"Scorch! She is back!" He yelled "So you're happy now right?".

I looked up at the top floor as well. A door opened to Scorch's room. Him and Chills walked out. They were smirking at me. Then they looked back into the room. 

"Hey Shark come out and say hi will yer" Scorch said coldly "This is a reminder to all what happens when you fail your duties to our gang".

Shark walked out of the room. My outside character was coldly like ever. I didn't say a thing and didn't care, but on the inside, I was furious. Shark looked beat. Really beat. His cheek was swollen, he had bruises on his hands and he was rubbing his stomach. He was limping on one of the legs as well. He walked slowly down and was sending the other gang members cold eyes. 

"What are you all looking at?!" He said angry "Just continue what you are doing losers".

The others quickly did that. Shark walked over to the chair, Weasel was sitting at, but a cold look from Shark, was enough for him to move. Scorch and Chills has walked down in the mean time, and was looking at me, with a happy look? I was a little confused here. 

"Mysty my girl" He said "Good you could come. I thought you were gonna bail on us". I snort coldly, took a look at Shark, then back at him. 

"No. I said I have girl stuff to do" I said "I just forgot the time. So why should I return? Hope not just because I shall see Sharkboy as sushi. Then I have better things to do". Scorch laughed a little and placed a hand on my shoulder. 

"No. Of course not" He said "I have big plans with you. However I am gonna keep you in here, until I do. I forbid you from leaving the arcade". I looked stunned at him. So did everyone in here. Even Shark. Then I snort coldly. 

"Yeah right. Good joke" I said coldly "I can do what I want Scorch. No one can keep me in here". Scorch smirked a little cruel. He was really different today.

"Oh yes I can" He said "Shark still your leach. And I have made it clear, that he is not gonna leave your side ever. Not until I need you. If Shark disobey, then he is dead sushi". I looked coldly at him. Then I sighed a little. 

"Fine. If you think that helps" I said "But at least clean him up a little bit. I don't want to look at a dead boy over there. Or give me another leach". Scorch laughed. 

"Good try" He said "But Shark stays your leach. But sure, Weasel give Shark the first aid kit. Now go to your room, and stay there". I sneered frustrated at him. 

"You are a pain in the ass! " I yelled angry "Hey give me some food in an hour, or I will seriously kill someone!".

Then I marched up to my room and slammed the door. However seconds later Shark opened the door and sighed deeply. In the background, I could hear Scorch yell. 

"And stay in there. Make sure she is not leaving". Shark sighed coldly.

"Yeah, Yeah, I know" he said and slammed the door behind him. I sighed. House Arrest with a beat up Shark So fun.

Time skip.

"Aw! Easy with where you are pointing this thing!" said Shark grumpy. I sighed a little. I removed the tweezer from his eye. Scorch had apparently removed Shark's D-gazer by force, leaving a big scratch near his eye. I was cleaning it with cotton wool and alcohol, but first need to remove one little metal piece, who was stuck in his wound. I grinned a little at Shark.

"Is the big bad Shark scared of me nursing him?" I said in a low voice. Shark sneered.

"Of course not!" he said coldly. He was about to say more, but I placed the cotton wool with alcohol on the scratch. He yelped a little. 

"Now keep it on" I advised "I don't have a ice back for your cheek or leg sadly. What the hell did he do to you? Scorch I mean". Shark sighed a little.

"Well apparently I didn't keep good eye on you" He said and sighed "When you didn't arrive, Scorch became more and more angrier. I was actually a little scared there, but hoped you wouldn't show. However in the end the fear of dying was just to strong and well I called you. However when Scorch saw that, he got angry that I didn't do that from the get go, and well I was punished". I looked in horror. 

"I don't know what is wrong with him or his brother today" Shark said "Normally Chills can keep Scorch down, but this time, they were enjoying hurting me. I smell something fishy here". He yelped a little again, when he tried moving his leg. I already had a look at it. There were a some big blue marks on it, but it wasn't broken at least. I removed myself from the couch. Shark placed himself there instead of the armchair and slowly went to sleep, minutes later. He must really be tired. I sighed. I placed myself in the armchair. I was a little worried. What was Scorch's big plan, since I couldn't even leave. I hoped I would never find out.

Yuma's p.o.v.

Yuma was sitting in silence at the dinner table. The food was ready and he and Grandma was sitting at the table. Just waiting. Kairi had not shown yet. Yuma had a stolen look on Grandma now. She was looking down at the table, signing. 

"Grandma?" asked Yuma slowly and the old lady looked at him. Yuma sighed and continued "Are you angry at me?". Grandma looked surprised at him.

"Oh Yuma why do you think that?" Grandma said and smiled. Yuma sighed a little. 

"I couldn't bring Zaira back" He said in a low voice "I failed. I had hoped she would be my friend, but Zaira said she would never see me again". Grandma placed a hand on her grandchild shoulder and smiled. Yuma looked surprised up.

"Oh Yuma. I am not angry at things like that" Grandma said and sighed "I am sad that Zaira is not here, yes. But I knew it wouldn't be easy. That girl has been alone for almost 2 years. It is difficult gaining her trust".

Yuma nodded a little. Astral flew out of the key and looked down at Yuma as well. Yuma was about to say something again, when another voice rang through the room. 

"You are not quite right here, grandma" Kairi walked into the room and placed her at her seat at the table. In her hands, she had some papers. She gave them to Grandma.

"Here. Take good care of them" Kairi said and smiled "I got through with some connections, and found some papers on Zaira's past. Or that past she remembers. Get this, Zaira is a orphan as child. She got found on the beach at the age of 9. The only thing she could remember, was her full name. She was taking in to a orphanage. However here is the strange part. Everyone was afraid of her. I am not sure why  Maybe it is because of her orange hair and purple eyes. However when she was 13, she decided to run away. Or that's what the orphanage tells me". Yuma looked in horror. She must have been so alone! Astral floated down beside him and looked worried at Yuma. 

"She is just like me. Without no memories" Astral said "I can refer to what that is like".

Yuma nodded a little. Grandma was looking around in the papers, when suddenly she looked confused at Kairi. 

"What is this Kairi?" she asked "Is this what I think it is?". Kairi nodded. 

"Yes. Zaira's adoptions papers" Kairi said and drank her tea "The Orphanage sounded really relieved, when I called them, and asked to take her in. They didn't care about who we were, and was not even gonna make an appointment to meet us. We could just take her. What hard life that girl most had, had. When no one likes you". Yuma looked really shocked. He took one of the papers from Grandma.

"Wait Zaira's full name is THIS!" Yuma said surprised. Kairi nodded. 

"So Yuma, want me to adopt her into our family" Kairi asked "She will be your friend but also sister. Older sister. She is younger than me, but...".

"Yes!" said Yuma and interrupted kairi "Yes! I love that! Then I can duel her, and do fun things, and she is not as boring as Kairi I think". Yuma looked up in horror. 

"I heard that YUMA!" yelled Kairi, but then shook her head "Well anyway, we just need Zaira to sigh and show this at the major's office, then she is part of our family". Yuma flew up from the chair. Happy like hell. Zaira would soon move in here.

"You two are forgetting something" said Grandma and sighed "Zaira is not gonna agree to this". Yuma stopped up. Kairi bit herself in the lip. 

"Oh yeah" they both said in unison "She wouldn't". Yuma sighed and placed himself at the table again. Minutes after he flew up again. He looked determined. 

"I don't care" Yuma said "I will make her come back. She is gonna leave these criminals. She is gonna be in my family. I am so feeling the flow on this!". Then he grabbed his chopsticks and began eating like hell. He needed energy.

Time skip. 

Yuma was lying in his hammock once again, and couldn't sleep. He had told Grandma and Kairi, that he was bringing Zaira back, no matter what. However he had no idea on how. He was looking at his golden key. 

"Oh Astral" He said "I have no idea how to save Zaira. Or Shark for that matter". The key glowed a little and Astral floated out. He was looking at Yuma.

"I still think the same approach is at order here" He said "If you get Shark to leave, then Zaira will leave as well". Yuma sighed a little. '

"We have already tried that Astral" He said and sighed "I lost big to Shark". 

"Yes. However you always say "Feel the flow" and never give up. Isn't that correct? So why have you given up this time? Because you lost and now are afraid" Astral questioned. Yuma sneered angry at the ghost. 

"I am not afraid Astral!" He began, but Astral cut him off.

"Yes you are Yuma. You are rattled by that duel. You are really bad at dueling. However now you are dueling without thinking. You could duel a tree and still lose" Astral said and sighed "And yes Shark is a good duelist, but I don't think it is the only reason he won. I think he was studied up on you and your deck. How much have you studied him?". Yuma sighed and turned around in the hammock.

"I haven't" Yuma said in a low voice "Fine. I will study up on him. Then I will have a rematch".

Astral nodded and flew into the key. Yuma sighed. Maybe he should ask Tori for help. He had no idea on how to study up on Shark. First thing tomorrow, he would ask Tori to help him. Then he fell asleep.

Shark's p.o.v.

Shark woke up in the middle of the day. He was not sure why he knew it was day, but was it really important right now. He got slowly up. His one leg was still hurting like hell, was properly still covered with blue marks, but at least Shark could walk. He was still limping, but Shark could survive. His face hurt a lot more. Actually everything hurt. Darm that Scorch! He could at least have given him a fair fight, instead of having his brother Chills, to hold him, while Scorch beat him up. At least he could have hit him much more worse. Maybe because he still was Zaira's leach? Scorch still needed him. Shark had a feeling, he would be dead, if that wasn't the case. He looked around in the room. He had actually thought Zaira was in here as well. Scorch said she should stay inside the room, until... Shark looked in horror, and walked quickly out of the room. If she wasn't in here, then Scorch must be with her. Whatever plan that annoying leader had with Zaira, he was going to go with her. She was not doing this alone. He arrived at Scorch's room. He could hear voices.

"So are we talking about doing this, or are we really talking about doing this?" said a squeaky voice, Shark knew to well. It was Weasel's. Scorch grinned a little. 

"Oh we are talking about doing this Weasel" Scorch said and grinned again. "So are you up for it Zaira? Talking that rare deck at the museum for us?".

Shark sneered. He was correct. Scorch had Zaira in there. He moved closer to the door. Luckily Scorch had been a little hard on the doors, so there was a big crack in the door. Shark could see what was going on in there. On a couch was Scorch sitting. He was looking at a tv in front of him. At a wall, to Scorch left, was Chills leading towards the wall. He was smirking. Zaira was sitting on the arm resting place to the couch. She was sitting at Scorch's right side. At the other end of the room, close to the tv, was Weasel standing. He was also leaning towards the wall, but he had this scared expression on his face. Shark knew he was scared. Shark looked at the tv, and saw a news report on the tv. A rare deck has just being published at the museum. They wanted Zaira to steal it. Shark clenched his fists. Zaira sighed a little and looked at Scorch. 

"I know I am good, and all that, but I am not invincible" Zaira said "Even with me, this not easy getting into. The security is pretty tight around places like this". 

"Ah I know. I have a backup plan, just in case" Scorch said and smirked. He was looking at Weasel for a moment. Shark sneered. He was gonna make Weasel take the fall, if they not succeeded. Zaira looked at Weasel for a moment. However she didn't say anything. Weasel sounded really scared now. 

"This sounds really dangerous" said Weasel and was shaking in fear "What is we get caught, what if we can't get pass the security? If my parents knew I will be judged criminal for the rest of my life".

Shark sighed. He knew that feeling. However Chills walked over to Weasel and grabbed him, saying he was a member of this gang, so act like it! However Weasel was still scared. 

"We will be fine" said Scorch suddenly "As long as we got these, we can do anything".

Shark could see what it was. It was a card. A number card. Chills apparently had one as well. Shark sneered inside. So that was the reason, they were so different. Figures. Zaira looked at them. 

"So where did you get them?" She asked out of the blue "I don't remember seeing such cards before". Scorch just smirked. 

"That time, when you sneaked aboard the ship, me and my brother found them there" He said "With these we can do whatever we want. Meet up at the pier tonight. Don't be late".

Suddenly Chills were looking in Shark's direction. Shark was quick to move out of the way, because suddenly Chills kicked down the door. (figures it has so many cracks) he walked out in the hallways, looking at Shark. He was just staring cold back at them. Scorch, who had grabbed Weasel, walked out as well, followed by Zaira. She was staring cold at Shark, but they had been together so long, that Shark knew Zaira's expressions by now. She was surprised to see him here. 

"What are you doing here?" asked Chills coldly "You weren't listening on our private conversation, weren't you?". Scorch smirked a little.

"If you were, we might have a problem" Scorch said. Shark shrugged a little.

"Well I were" He said and smirked "And I want in. You can't leave me out of this. I want some fun as well".

He was looking directly at Zaira, when he said that. Hoping she would catch the message. She did. She snort back at him. 

"Fine. You got in" said Scorch "Just don't go in our way. Got that?". 

"Crystal clear" Shark said. Scorch and Chills left. Leaving Weasel, Zaira and Shark, back in the arcade. 

Zaira's p.o.v.

Darn you Shark. I was not gonna drag you into this, but what do you do. You get dragged along anyway. Darn you. However with that message, he gave me, I am sure I can't make him change his mind. So he wants to have some fun as well ha. Well if you want to go down together with me, then it is just fine. I sighed deeply. We had all walked outside. Weasel was so scared that, I had a feeling, he needed some fresh air. I sighed deeply. I looked at Shark! Shark looked at me! Then at Weasel.

"Listen" He said to Weasel "There is a train leaving town this afternoon. You should be on that".

Weasel looked confused at Shark, mumbling all sorts of stuff. His family his friend, he had no money. Shark just sneered. 

"Just go already. Leave!" He yelled. Weasel got frightened up and rushed out of here, some minutes later. As soon as I was sure, Weasel was not there. I looked at Shark and sighed deeply. 

"You shouldn't have done that" I said "Now Scorch makes you the scapegoat". 

"I don't care" He said "He was scared. Didn't want to be criminal. I understand him. So I took his place. Figured if I should go down fighting, then why not for my friend". I looked a little shocked at him. Then sighed.

"You are such an idiot Shark" I said "A damn annoying idiot, but my friend never less". Shark looked at me. He was surprised!

"You said the F word" He said "So finally realised I am your friend Mrs. stubborn". I sighed deeply. 

"Well yeah. I have meet no one who would let yourself get beat up and then voluntarily chose to be criminal. Just so I never get caught" I said "But if you go down today, then so will I. We can end up in prison together. How does that sound?". 

"Fine by me" Shark said "If that is what you want. However after tonight, we will be criminals forever. We can never turn back". I nodded and highfived his hand.

"Lets just do it" I said. 

Yuma's p.o.v.

"I still can't believe that Shark's real name is Reginald. Reginald Kastle" said Tori on the way from school. Yuma and Tori had stayed after school, to find out information about Shark, in the school's library. There they had found out, that Shark had been kicked out of Duel tournament. At the nationals. For the fight against the title. 

"I can't believe Shark would look at the opponents deck, seconds before the match" Yuma said angry "I just can't believe that. He is a honest duelist Tori". Now they were on their way home. Discussing what they had been reading. 

"But the article states that..." began Tori, but Yuma cut her off. 

"I just know he is a honest duelists" Yuma just stated "He has a heart of a duelist. Just like Zaira".

They continued walking, when suddenly a boy was standing in front of them. Catching his breath. Yuma remembered him. He was in that gang Shark and Zaira was in. He sneered angry at him.

"What are you doing here?" He asked angry. The boy looked torned. 

"Its Shark and Mysty" He said "You were friends with Shark right? They are gonna break into the museum tonight. Stealing that rare deck from the news. Mysty is this awesome thief, but even she can't get away undetected. It is all these cards our leader has found. Since they had them, they had done crazier and crazier things. You have to help them". Yuma looked at the boy. Astral was floating beside him once again.

"Yuma. It sounds like a Number card" He said. Yuma nodded and began leaving. 

"Yuma. Stop! Shark is in trouble. And that Mysty girl is maybe Zaira" She said "They are in trouble. Maybe it is best to forget them". Yuma sneered.

"I can't Tori" He said and sighed. "I have to help". Tori looked confused. 

"Why not? It is not like they would do the same for you" She said. Yuma sneered.

"You don't get it" He said "I am not just doing this for Shark... and Zaira. I am also doing this for me. What Zaira told me last time was true. I did go back on my word. I wanted to win so badly, that I broke a promise and summoned a Number. And now they both are in danger. Because victory mattered more than helping them".

Then Yuma began running, and Astral floated after him. Yuma clenched his fist. This time would be different. This time he would save both of them, and keep his promise. This time he would bring Zaira back home. 

Yuma arrived at the museum at midnight. The sky was clear, for now. In the background in the sky, was big clouds showing. Yuma didn't care. He was waiting for his friends. Suddenly he could hear sounds of engines. He knew they would arrive any minute now. Astral looked at him.

"Are you ready Yuma?" He asked. Yuma nodded. He was a little nervous though. 

"Yeah. But I may have to risk everything here Astral" He said "Are you still with me?".

Astral just nodded. The sound of engines was really close now. Yuma clenched his fists and made himself ready to face them.

Zaira's p.o.v.

We arrived at the museum. Scorch had been a little angry that Weasel had not shown, however a minute after, he shrugged. I had a feeling, they were gonna make Shark the scapegoat here. We got of the motorcycles and walked towards the museum, but suddenly a boy was standing in front of us. My heart skipped a beat. Shark didn't look happy either. Yuma was standing in front of us, and he looked determined. 

"Who are you pipsqueak?" said Scorch coldly. Yuma looked at us, then at Scorch.

"I am the kid, who is about to stop what you are doing" He said. Scorch smirked.

"Oh really. I will see you try" He said. Yuma sneered. 

"If you want to go forward, you will have to duel me. If you win, my Number card will be yours" Yuma said and was holding up Utopia. I was shocked, so was Shark. He continued "But if I win, you will leave from here".

Scorch and Chills looked at each other. I had seen that look in their eyes before. They were greedy. 

"Are you really sure you want that kid?" Scorch said. Yuma nodded. 

"Yuma stop. Two against one" said Shark surprised. Yuma just nodded. 

"I will never back down. I can't have you two to toss away your lives Shark, Zaira. You are so much better than this" He said. Scorch looked at me and placed a hand on my shoulder. He was smirking evilly. 

"So do you know this kid? Because if you do, your real name must be Zaira" Scorch said coldly. I just shook my head. 

"I do not know him" I said and snort "This kid is just mixing something up". Shark looked at me for a minute. Scorch grinned a little. 

"I didn't think so. You belong with us now" he said coldly and smirked. I sighed. 

"That is right" said Shark and sneered at Yuma "We belong here. We don't need you to look out for us". Yuma looked at us. He was really angry. 

"You are so dead wrong!" He yelled "Zaira! Shark! They are only using you. Can't you see that?!". I sneered coldly at him.

"We know that" I said coldly "But we are using them as well. Just leave Yuma". 

"No way! I will bring you home Zaira. You belong at my place. Grandma, Kairi, Bronk and Tori are waiting for you to return" He said and then looked at Shark "And You Reginald. You are better than this aren't you? You both should just cut your ties and leave back to your home". I sneered angry. Shark had clenched his fist. Apparently his name was Reginald. Interesting. Scorch looked at me.

"Let us take care of this pipsqueak Mysty" He said "Take a breather, and be ready when we win, to go inside the museum and steal the deck". I nodded. I began walking away. Over to a bench, with my back turned towards Yuma. Yuma sneered.

"You don't walk away from me Zaira, Asta, Wroom!" Yuma yelled out loud. I looked shocked at him. He.. He knew my full name! I sneered angry. 

"Where do you know that name from?" I said angry. Tears were forming in my eyes now "Why? Why do you care so much? Why do you care what happens to me? To Shark?". Yuma looked at me. Then at Shark. 

"Because I care about you. You are both my friends Zaira. Shark." He said and smiled. I was shocked. I was just standing there. Scorch was laughing a little. 

"Well lets first make everything clear here. If you challenge us, you will face all of us. This is not two on one, but three. Got that kid!" Scorch said. Yuma sneered. 

"I don't care. I can take you all on" Yuma said "I am fighting for my friends here".

Shark was suddenly standing beside me and took my hand. I was still crying, but knew instantly, what Shark would do. I nodded. When we began walking over to Yuma and Astral's side. I could see the Scorch and Chills look shocked. I didn't care.

"Hey what are you two doing?" yelled Scorch angry. I snort coldly and wiped my face. Shark snort at them as well. 

"This is gonna be two on two" Shark said and smirked a little. I grinned. 

"Yep. And I am helping" I said "I am leaving the gang. Shark does this as well". 

"What?!" yelled the two brothers "How dare you betray us!". I just smirked a little. 

"Are you sure about this?" asked Yuma suddenly "They don't look so happy". 

"Oh don't mind them" Shark said coldly "Because when I am finished, they will regret ever hurting me". I looked at Shark, and shrugged. Scorch sneered.

"As you wish Shark. I will make sure you get punished for betraying us. As for your little thief friend over there. I will make sure, she gets punished, when we win" He said.

I was just pointing my tongue at them. There were just no way, they could win against Yuma and Shark. Yuma looked at me. He was smiling like hell. 

"Yes. Zaira you are coming home with me" Yuma said. I froze.

"I never said that" I said coldly "I am leaving the gang yes. But I never said I come home with you". Yuma looked down. Astral floated beside me now. 

"Zaira, please just think about it" Astral said "Watch this duel, maybe you will reconsider". I looked at him and shrugged. The duel began. 

Everyone was having a turn. Scorch started of with a monster and two cards facedown. Yuma summoned "Zubaba knight" to the field. Chills a ice dino and two face down's. Shark actually XYZ summoned on his first turn and got "Aero shark" on the field, and used its eff right away. Scorch got slammed with 1600 points of damage. Shark smirked coldly. 

"That was for hurting me. And using my friend to do your dirty work" He said. I smiled a little. It was a weird feeling having a friend, but I was happy. However then Scorch and Chills were laughing. They made a deadly combo. Chills using one of his facedowns, and Scorch could summon and level 5 monster to the field. Scorch activated a same kind of trap, letting Chills summon a lv 5 as well. I sneered. Something was fishy here. The catch with these traps was, that if they both didn't have lv 5 in their hands, they were slammed with 500 points of damage. How did they know they had lv 5's in their hands? Astral was confused as well. Scorch activated a card, who dealt 500 points of damage for every lv 5 on the field.

"We are gonna give you 1000 points of damage Shark!" yelled Scorch "For betraying us!".

Shark sneered and got down on one knee. He didn't look so good. He placed two cards facedown and ended his turn. I looked at Shark and remembered. He was not fit enough for a duel yet. His leg and body were still hurt after Scorch and Chills attacked him. Shark sneered and got up on his feets. He was stubborn. Thats for sure. It was Scorch's turn again. He flipped his monster face up. It eff activated and it became lv 5 as well. Scorch XYZ summoned with these two monsters and summoned "NB 61 Volcasaurus" to the field. He activated his monsters eff. By using a Ou(Overlay unit), Scorch could destroy a monster on the field and deal damage, equal to the destroyed monsters att. He chose of could Shark. He destroyed "Aero Shark" and he got slammed with 1900 points of damage. Shark fell to the ground. Scorch was not finished. He used another Ou and destroyed Yuma's monster, dealing him 1600 points of damage. I looked in horror at it. I rushed over to the two boys who was lying on the ground. Shark was groaning in pain, however Yuma was a least up on his feets. He sneered at the gang brothers. 

"My Grandma punches harder than you!" Yuma yelled, but then he noticed Shark. I had lifted his head a little. Shark was conscious, but only a little. He sneered. 

"My... leg!" He yelped a little "But I got to get up. I am not giving up here". He yelped a little again. Scorch and Chills laughed a little.

"Oh can't the big bad Shark get up on his feets" said Scorch "Oh yeah how is that leg and stomach of yours. I did kick it a lot didn't I".

Shark sneered. He forced himself up and was sitting on the ground now. He was about to get up again, but I pushed him down. I turned towards Scorch. 

"So is it really so fun beating up a kid. Shark is already hurt enough!" I yelled "I will take his place! Then you can bunch me around. Weren't you gonna punish me as well?". Scorch looked at me. Shark had grabbed my hand and sneered. 

"No! This is my fight! I have to end it!" He said angry. I shook my head and took his duel disk. He didn't even put up a fight. He was beat up that's for sure. 

"I am dueling. It is my turn to be your friend Shark" I said "So why aren't you letting me?". Shark looked at me with big eyes. Then he smirked a little. 

"As you wish Ms. stubborn" He said "You have already stolen my duel disk and deck. So why not my pride as well". I snort coldly at him.

"Who is the stubborn one now?" I asked and smirked.

Shark shrugged and smiled. Luckily Tori and Bronk arrived in just that moment. They took care of Shark. I took Shark's place in the duel. Scorch and Chills had nothing against that. 

"So now we are gonna duel a newbie eh" Scorch said "You two are making this too easy".

I shrugged. Yuma looked worried at me, but didn't say a thing. Scorch attacked me with his monster, properly thinking this was over. I smirked and revealed Shark's facedown card "Zeus' breath" and canceled Scorch's attack. Scorch sneered and placed two facedown's and ended his turn. It was Yuma's turn. He pulled off a combo, which allowed him to XYZ summon "Utopia" to the field. However Chills was really. He revealed a ice trap, and froze utopia in its place. It couldn't attack now and if he used it's eff, Yuma would be slammed by 500 points of damage. Yuma sneered and placed two facedown's and ended his turn. Chills looked cold at me. 

"So Mysty or Zaira or whatever you are called, aren't you regretting you took that puny weakling to Shark's place" He said and grinned "The only thing changed, is that you will get all the hurt". I sneered, but knew I was done for. 

"I activate Utopia's ability" Yuma yelled "By removing a Ou, I can stop your attack! Zaira is safe".

I looked at Yuma. He got 500 points of damage. Chills attacked again, but Yuma protected me once more, and got 500 points of damage. I bit my lip. Then Chills and Scorch pulled off a strange combo once again, and in the end Chills had two lv 5 as well. He XYZ summoned "Nb 19 Freezerdon" to the field in def mode. He used his monsters eff. By removing a Ou, he could restore all Volcasaurus Ou. I sneered. Now they could kick us around some more. I looked at them. Something was not right here. 

"They are cheating" said Shark suddenly out loud. He was apparently still looking at this duel. Bronk was supporting Shark and had placed one of his arms around his neck. I sneered. Of course they were. Astral floated down to Yuma.

"A cheater? Isn't that a large cat?" Astral asked.

I grinned out loud. Yuma began explaining that they were dishonest, which made Astral look in horror. In his eyes they were not true duelist, anymore. I sneered. They had never been that. 

"I can't believe you call yourself duelists. You are just a bunch of cheating nobodies!" Shark yelled at them. I nodded in agreement. The gang brothers grinned.

"Oh yeah Shark. You are the one to talk. Everyone knows you cheated doing the nationals, in the tournament. You peeked at the opponent's deck, doing the finals". Chills yelled at him. Him and Scorch was laughing. Shark looked devastated. 

"I... I only looked at the card for 5 seconds" Shark said in a low voice "I couldn't help it. I was so scared of losing".

I looked at him and sighed. The two brothers were laughing at him. Saying he was a chicken and other stuff.

"Stop laughing!" yelled Yuma and caught both my and Shark's attention "There is no fun in laughing at other people's fears, when they get a hold on you. I have been there. I was so scared the other day, that I busted out a Number, even though I said I wouldn't. I was just afraid of losing". I looked at Yuma and bit my lip. 

"I am not a cheater!" I yelled suddenly getting everyone's attention "But I am scared as well". I didn't know why I suddenly said that. I had no idea. Maybe because I am moved by Yuma's actions. I wanted to share my fear as well. 

"I. .. I am. .. afraid of trusting people. I am afraid of connecting to people, because they had let me down in the past. Leaving me all alone and scared" I said and looked at the ground "So instead I run away. Run away from my fears. Thinking if I could just run far enough away, I would no longer get hurt, but...". I couldn't continue. I had never beaten that fear. It was not totally the reason, I had been kicked out of every city. Some of them I left on my own. Because I was afraid. My tears were running. Suddenly a hand was placed on my shoulders. Then another one, and another one. When I looked up, Yuma, Shark, Tori and Bronk had placed a hand on my shoulders. 

"Zaira" said Yuma and smiled "You don't have to run away any longer. Don't you see. We are your friends and we will never let you down". Shark smiled and nodded.

"Yeah. We will help you beat that fear" Bronk said. Tori smiled and nodded as well.

"Oh look. The little thief girl has aching heart" Scorch said and grinned "Pathetic". 

"Shut up!" yelled Shark suddenly "How dare you laugh at her. So what if Zaira is afraid. So what if her heart is hurt. That doesn't give you the right to laugh at her". Shark got out of Bronks grip. He could stand now. 

"I know her pain. I had been alone myself. After the nationals I had nothing. I was alone. I joined the gang, to try fill the void. It didn't help. Until I found Zaira" Shark said and looked at me and smiled "I saw the same loneliness in her eyes. She was just like me. Therefore I decided to be her friend. Because I wanted to make her pain go away. Just like she had done with mine".

I looked surprised at Shark. I didn't know that. Scorch and Chills were still laughing. I wiped my tears away and looked at them. I clenched my fists and looked at the others. 

"Lets beat them Yuma" I said. Yuma nodded. The others left out to the sidelines again. It was my turn, and I was going to kick their sorry ass, for hurting my friend.

I drew and used "XYZ gift". For every card on the field I got two more cards. Then I summoned Shark's monster "Needle sunfish", and with a spell I got his "Big jaws" back from the grave. Then I XYZ summoned "Black ray lancer" to the field. I removed a Ou from it and canceled vulcasaurus's eff''s, needle stunfisk from play. Volcasaurus lost 500 points of I was about to attack, but of course Chills was meddling. He activated a trap, that cancelled out my attack, but he got hit by Vulcasaurus's att points now. Leaving him 2000 lp's. Then Scorch activated a trap as well. With this he could check one of our hands, and if there was a monster card, it got sent back to the deck. He chose Yuma. We could all see his hand now. He was holding "Monster reborn" and "Gogogo Golem". I looked at my hand. Maybe this could work. I had to beat my fear and trust Yuma. Yuma's golem got send to his deck. I looked at Yuma, and placed a card facedown and ended my turn. It was Scorch's turn. He smirked evilly. 

"Now feel it burn girl!" Scorch said and smirked evilly at me.

He used his monster's eff once again. He destroyed "Black ray lancer" and I would have been done for, if Yuma hadn't activated his trap "Damage diet", which cut the damage in half this turn. I got blasted to the ground and had only 50 life points left. I had believed in Yuma and that it had payed of. Maybe I really should trust him. I activated the trap "Icy crevasse". I took now take down Volcasaurus, and deal Scorch damage equal to his monster. However Chills intervened. He used a trap and changed the target to himself. Now him and Freezerdon, took the fall instead, but Chills lost all of his life points, which was what I had hoped for. In some way. Scorch looked really angry now. He used his monster's last Ou, and destroyed utopia. Yuma also survived this turn, because of his trap. He had 150 life points left. However Scorch was not finished yet. He attacked with his monster, and was trying to finish me off. I smirked and activated my "Final offering" trap card. 

"With this card, I can stop the battle phase, by giving a card to another player" I said and smirked "Like Yuma over there".

I tossed him a card and hoped he had learned something, since his last duel with Shark. That I could trust him, and that he would believe in me as well. He had to play this correctly. Scorch sneered. He activated a spell. In his next turn, the spell would explode, wiping us all out with 500 points of damage. Since we had less than 500, we would lose on his next turn. Now everything was up to Yuma. Hoping, almost praying, that he would play the cards right. Yuma was looking in his hand. I closed my eyes and waited for him to play. 

"I play monster reborn" Yelled Yuma "I bring back, black ray lancer from the grave".

I smiled. He had learned something. he activated the card I gave him "Armored XYZ". With it, he would equipped Utopia on to lancer, giving him Utopia's abilities. Volcasaurus was gone, and by removing the spell again, Lancer could strike once again, and we won the duel. 

When the duel was over I sighed relieved. I felt beat. Wondered how in the world, Shark had the power to get up, with all these bruises and blue marks. 

"I will take that" said a voice and grabbed the duel disk and deck. I turned around and saw Shark behind me. He was actually smiling. A little. 

"Well as your first try, and with my deck, I am surprised" Shark said and snort "This is not your first duel, that's for sure. You must have dueled before". 

"I agree" said Astral. He was floating beside me now "Your skills are a lot better than Yuma's. Wait here".

I nodded. Yuma was screaming to Astral, what he meant by that, however I think Astral didn't listen. He was absorbing the two brothers numbers. A little bit later they woke up, and could apparently not remember a thing before they got the Number. One look at both me and Shark, and they run away in fear. Serves them right. Yuma was suddenly standing in front of me. A minute later he bowed to me, which was a little weird. Then he did the same thing to Bronk. 

"I am sorry Zaira. Bronk" He said "I broke my promise. I did get back on my word and I am sorry. I will never break a promise. And Zaira. I will never let you down. I promise".

I looked at him and didn't know what to say. Bronk just slammed his back and smiled at him. I looked at Yuma. Then I looked at Shark. 

"Well okay" I finally said to Yuma "I believe you. However where do you know my real name?". I looked cold at him. Yuma smiled a little awkwardly. 

"Um well you see" He said and began telling all about Kairi finding and the adoption papers. That Kairi was clearing my name and other stuff. I sighed a little. 

"So your full name is Zaira, Asta, Wroom ehh" said Shark and smirked "A funny name if you ask me". I sneered cold at him. 

"Oh yeah and Reginald Kastle sounds so much better" I said sarcastically.

"Okay, okay Toché!" Shark said and sighed "So what is your plan now Zaira?". 

"Please come home with me" begged Yuma "And if you sign the paper, you are part of my family. You could be my sister". I snort coldly and looked at him. 

"Who want to have you as a little brother?" I said coldly but then smiled "On one condition. I want to have my own deck. And if Kairi really can clear my name. I am done running I hope". Yuma was jumping up in the sky. 

"I am feeling the flow!" He yelled and was happy like hell. Tori sighed. 

"So the wolf has finally been tamed" said a voice suddenly and I turned around. Shark was on his way out of here. I looked shocked at him. 

"Shark where are you going?" I asked "I thought you were my friend". He stopped a little away from us, and turned around. Then he snort. 

"I am leaving" He said coldly "You don't need me around any longer Zaira. And just because I am leaving, doesn't mean we aren't friends anymore. So see you around Mrs. Stubborn". I looked at him and nodded. 

"Hey what about your card Shark?" said Yuma suddenly. Shark smirked. 

"Keep it. You need all the help you can get" He said and smirked "Even with Zaira around you still need help". Yuma was sneered at Shark. A minute later, he left on his motorcycle. I looked at Yuma. 

"So what now?" I asked. Yuma smiled and looked at Bronk. 

"Bronk a race from here to my house. I am gonna show my new sis, how to feel flow" He said and before I could say anything, Yuma had grabbed my hand and rushed off with me. Bronk was right behind me on his skateboard. 

Astral's p.o.v.

Astral was looking at Yuma and Zaira, when they left towards Yuma's home. Astral was of course following them. However he was thinking a lot.

"Observation 12, not all duelists duels with honesty" He was thinking and then sighed a little. He looked at Zaira. That girl was almost as smart as he was, she didn't need many seconds to come up with a strategy. Even though it was someone's else's deck. Astral was sure, she was even better with her own deck. He wondered who that girl was. Was she really here to protect him and Yuma? Who was she before she was found on the beach? And her name, Zaira, Asta, Wroom. It sounded so familiar. And wasn't Asta a name from his world? Astral world? Astral shrugged. Sooner or later he would find out. He just knew.

A,N: Well that was that Chapter. I must admit there was some places in the story I was about to cry. Sniff! But it all ended well so... In the next Chapter Zaira begins school. Gonna be interesting. Her with that personality... well lets just say, it doesn't go as well as it could. Zaira also gains a deck, and then she will meet a certain Number hunter.