Normal p.o.v.

In some side alley in Heartland city was two people were dueling. One of them was Nistro and the other, in his eyes, were some punk who broke their sacred rule. Alias a cheater. Beside him was his partner Dextra. They were both part of Mr. Heartland's committee. The ones who was the judges and made sure no one was cheating. Also in secret was checking for numbers. Right now Nistro attacked this cheater with his "Hammer bounzer". The duelist got blasted to the floor.

"Get up!" yelled Nistro angry "I am not finished with you yet". The kid got up.

"Please Nistro. I will never cheat in a duel again" said the boy in a scared "Please I have learned my lesson. Please let me go". Nistro snort.

"Not a chance kid" He said "Not before you pay punk". Dextra behind him sighed.

"That is enough Nistro" she said "Don't forget our real mission, to track down number cards".

Nistro looked at her and sneered. He turned toward the kid.

"You are getting off easy kid, but don't let me see your face ever again in Heartland city or you are gonna get it".

The kid got quickly up and rushed out of there with horror shown in his face.

In the meantime Flip, the guy from Yuma's group who was using flip effect monsters, fell of the tree, he had been hiding in. He was at the start of the carnival at the opening ceremony, rushes up in the tree, to find duelists who was easy to spot and beat. However instead he fell asleep and woke up a day later in the carnival. Flip was in panic since he was behind in the carnival. He was rushing out of there, to find a duelist to beat. Until he realises that the competition properly was a lot harder now that he was missing a day. Unless he was pulling out a flip side. He was grinning evilly.

Yuma's p.o.v.

Yuma and Tori was walking through the streets of the city. Yuma had just placed his fought heart piece in it and was smiling happily. Just one more and he was qualified for the finals. Tori was as happy as he was.

"Congratulation Yuma, just one more and then you are a finalist" she said.

"Yeah I am awesome right" He said and smiled a big wide smile. Tori nodded.

"Um but I wonder where Zaira is. She just suddenly disappeared after I had brought that ice cream for myself" Tori said confused. "Has she decided to wander around alone in the carnival".

Yuma grinned awkwardly and looked around. When he was sure no one was around, he pulled Tori down a side street.

"Since you are my best friend I figure I could tell you" Yuma said "But you have to promise to never tell anyone about this". Tori nodded and swore never to tell.

"Okay listen to this" Yuma whispered and pointed at his key "Zaira is visiting Astral in the key. Apparently they both can travel in and out". Tori looked surprised.

"Really? That is awesome" she said "So Astral is really having a great friend in Zaira, since he wants to invite her to his home. Wonder how she does it?".

"Yeah well I don't know" Yuma said and shrugged "But since they are both in the key I have a free duel without both of them commenting my moves".

Tori smiled. They continued to walking down the streets, when they suddenly came across one of their classmates called Spencer. He was rushing around and it was like he was looking for something. Yuma and Tori decided to figure out what was going on. Apparently Flip had tricked him. He had accidentally switched pieces with Flip. He had a whole bag with heart pieces and Spencer could have them in exchange for his heart piece. However later on Spencer found out the pieces was all fakes. They were made out of candies. In the end Tori and Yuma decided to help finding Flip to get Spencer.

Normal p.o.v.

Back to Flip. Spencer was not the only one he tricked. He had tricked several duelist and gotten their Heart pieces. He had 4 heart pieces already. He decided to place one piece of candy and rushes over to heartland tower to qualify for the finals. However he didn't know some of the kids had reported this to Nistro and Dextra, so when he arrived there Nistro was waiting for him. He found evidence for that Flip was cheating, by making him lick his heart piece. The candy piece melted in his hand. Secondly he was having fake heart pieces in his hat. Nistro grabbed him..

Yuma's p.o.v.

Yuma and Tori rushed to heartland tower. They had figured out that if he had enough pieces, he would go to the tower to be a finalist. When they arrived they saw that Flip was bound and carried by Nistro towards the tower. He had also forced the boy to eat all his fake pieces as one of his punishments. Yuma rushed over to them.

"Hey you what are you two gonna do with Flip" He asked. Nistro snort.

"What's in it to you kid?" He said and snort. Dextra squeezed her eyes.

"Hey Nistro I recognize this kid" She said "He had gone in our way before. First at the tower with the begging for heart piece and then with the vegetable duel (Tombo tillbitty, tomato duelist)". Nistro looked at him.

"Oh yeah I remember now too" he said. Yuma sneered.

"I wanna know what you are gonna do with Flip" Yuma said in an angry tone.

"This cheater made fake heart pieces" yelled Nistro "He is gonna pay with his deck and he is forbidden to enter any duel carnivals or tournaments for the rest of his life. Then lastly I am gonna ban him from Heartland city forever". Yuna eyes widened.

"I know Flip was wrong, but isn't that a bit extreme?" He asked. Nistro snort.

"I tell you what's extreme" said Nistro almost yelling "He violated our sacred code and now he will suffer the consequences".

He continued walking towards the tower and Dextra was waiting for him at the door. However Yuma couldn't just let this happen to his friend. He rushes towards Nistro.

"Hey wait. I can't deny that Flip did a big mistake and have to be punished, but you can't just ban him forever" He said "But how about we settle this honorable with a duel. If I beat you, Flip get's a second chance". Nistro laughed.

"A duel you say. Forget it kid, I am way better that you" He said. Yuma sneered.

"Oh yeah that is what you think. I can beat you and your partner in a duel together" Yuma said. Dextra snort and then walked towards them.

"Fine then. We will have one duel. You against me and Nistro, and if you win against one of us, we will give your friend a second chance" She said "But if you lose you will have the same punishment as Flip".

Yuma looked in horror. If he lost, he was kicked out of the tournament. Nistro laughed, thinking Yuma didn't have what it takes. However Yuma sneered and agreed on the terms. Even through Tori told him that Astral was not around to help him. However Yuma just couldn't let Flip hanging. A 2 against 1 duel began.

Zaira's p.o.v.

"Wah it is really beautiful and big in here" I said and stared in awe.

We were in the room where the numbers were gathered. Astral nodded in agreement.

"Well this is my home" Astral said proud "You can visit every time you like. You have my permission. You can live in here as well if you like". I grinned a little.

"Thanks for your hospitality" I said "But I don't think I can. Being human and all that Astral, but I will definitely visit you if that is what you like". Astral nodded happily.

"By all means do" He said "I like having my best friend on visits".

I smiled and looked at the part with the numbers. I touched a blank stone in there. I had a feeling it was there Cy's place was. Mostly because Cy had told me that. Then I sighed.

"Well I think I have to go back to the human world" I said and smiled at Astral.

"Want me to follow you out of the key?" Astral asked. I shook my head.

"Nah you wanted to figure out what the numbers had been telling you, right" I asked "I can leave on my own".

Astral nodded and began slowly summoning all the numbers he had gathered. He had told me he wanted to find more clues on who he was. I knew that feeling. A circle surrounded Astral and he was in some way shut out from this world and the key. I sighed and began leaving. After all the heart pieces didn't gather themselves you know. I had just walked a couple of steps when I heard this voice. It was a whisper in the air, but I catched it instantly and stopped up.

"Zaira. Zaira my dear little girl, come to me" it said.

I was not sure what was going on, but I felt so tired for some weird reason. I felt my head became hazy and my body began walking on it's own. I felt a burning desire to go in that direction.

"Yes. That is a good girl. Come to me and release the seal. Free me Zaira".

I nodded in a hazy dreamy state and walked deeper inside the key a little. To that glowing spot who was calling me. I didn't know why I was following orders, but I felt like I had to do it. I also knew it was a number card spot. I slowly touched the spot and felt a strange sensation running through my body. I was rubbing my eyes now. What was I doing? No this was not a good idea. I removed my hand from the spot, but it was already to late. I felt a warm pulsating tentacle wrap around my waist. It was quickly followed by many more and soon I was wrapped up in a grip of pulsating black tentacles. Just like when you were tied up by a rope. A floating figure was standing beside me and was grinning evilly. I looked in horror. It was dark mist alias 96 and I think I just accidentally freed him from the key.

"Thanks my dear Zaira" he said and I began to struggle like hell. "I owe you one hehe. What about I keep you alive when I destroy the world. I can keep you as my dear little pet".

I was struggling even more. He was grinning again.

"Let me go! What happened a minute ago? Why in the world did I free you?" I yelled and tried to get free again. The tentacles was just squeezing a little harder.

"AH yes, remember the mark I gave you last time. Well I could hypnotize you for just a minute because of it my dear Zaira" he said "And I made you break the seal. In other words you set me free". I sneered angry.

"Yeah well enjoy your freedom, because I will seal you again as soon as I am free" I yelled "Or Astral will".

96 just grinned evilly and another tentacle wrapped around my mouth now. He padded my head a little.

"Shh my dear little Zaira, we can't sneak up on Astral when you are yelling like that" He said and grinned "This time his body and power will be mine".

My eyes widened a lot and I muffed, but no words could come out of my mouth. I just hoped Astral would see this coming. I really hoped that.

Astral's p.o.v.

Astral was looking at some of the number card he had gathered so far. He needed to see if they could unlock anything new. Number 89 galaxy queen showed how he in some way was born. He could still remember it's words. This kind woman's words.

"Your name is Astral and you are being intrusted with the future of our world".

He had a feeling it was his mother's voice, but couldn't remember how she looked like. Just like Eliphas who apparently was his father and the guardian of Astral world. That and that he was the prince from Astral world. The other numbers showed only some weird destruction. The destruction of his world. Astral sighed. The numbers didn't show more important news. He wondered if he asked Zaira to join him, then maybe more clues would show. He had to ask her later on. However he really needed answers. He had a feeling he was having a bond with Yuma and Zaira that he not fully could understand yet. With Yuma it could access a great transformation, with Zaira... well he was not fully sure what his purpose with her was as of yet. However he knew he would figure that out in duo time. He sighed deeply. Then suddenly he felt some weird vibrations in here. He knew Yuma or Zaira had begun a duel. He had to leave now. Maybe they needed his help or advice.

"Leaving so soon Astral" said a voice suddenly and Astral turned around.

He was standing face to face with 96 once again. He looked in horror.

"You again. Number 96" Astral said in disbelief "How is it you are here? Did you break your seal again?". 96 grinned evilly.

"Correct. Or let me be more specific. I got help" he said and smirked "Feast your eyes on your little protector".

Astral looked in horror when 96 pulled some of his tentacles and Zaira was shown. She was struggling like hell in the bonds she was tied up in and she was muffling a lot. She couldn't speak since a tentacle was covering her mouth. However when she noticed Astral, she went quiet for some reason. She was staring down and looked ashamed a little. Astral sneered angry.

"96 what have you done with her?!" He yelled "Release her immediately!". 96 grin.

"No I don't think so. She is mine now. You should be angry at her instead. She freed me from my seal you know" the dark number said and smirked. Astral sneered.

"Yeah you are lying" He said "Zaira would never do that". 96 smirked evilly.

"Well go on my pet. Tell him you really freed me" he said and removed the tentacle from Zaira's mouth.

She took some deep breaths of air and looked guilty at Astral.

"He... he speaks the truth, but he did something to me Astral" She said "I would never free him by my free will. You gotta believe me Astral". The white ghost nodded.

"Well ain't that sweet" He said "You still believe her over puny me. However that will soon change. You see we all decided it was time to act". Astral looked puzzled.

"You all?" He questioned "Who are you talking about?".

96 smirked. A glow of the different locks in here could be seen now. The locks from the numbers. Astral looked in horror. This could not be something good.

Yuma's p.o.v.

Back to Yuma's duel.

Yuma: 4000Lp.

Nistro: 4000Lp.

Dextra: 4000Lp.

Yuma was standing in front of Nistro and Dextra. His two opponent were ready to face him, but agreed with each other to end this duel quick. Yuma sighed inside. What had he gotten himself into. He couldn't duel both of them, and not without Astral or Zaira. However he just had to help Flip. He just had to. Yuma clenched his fists. He could hear Flip panic in the background. Apparently Tori had told Flip that Astral was not around. However Tori also threatened him to cheer for him, or she will get it to him. Yuma grinned inside. He could always count on Tori. He smiled at his friends.

"Don't you worry Flip I will beat them. I have the perfect strategy and cards" he said and tossed down a facedown monster and a facedown card. He ended his turn.

"Ha for someone who talks big, it sure looks like you don't have the cards to back it up" Nistro said and grinned evilly.

"Well I am just waiting for the right time to strike" Yuma told them. Dextra snort.

"Well it is my turn" She yelled and drew. She summoned "Morpho butterspy, Att 1200." in att mode. She placed two facedown and ended her turn.

"That is some strong butterfly" Yuma said. Nistro just smirked a little.

"If you think that is strong, then wait until you see what I have in store for you" He told Yuma and drew.

He summoned "Hammer bounzer" to the field. Even though it was a lv6 monster, Nistro could bring it out, because Yuma had a monster and he didn't. He ended his turn. Yuma looked in horror. He had to think this through carefully before making a move. He was actually glad Astral had learned him to be not so hasty in a duel, but he really wished he was here. He never would imagine, he actually was missing Astral commentary tracks. He drew and decided to make a move. He flip summons his monster "Rai rider" in att mode. Then he normal summons "Tasuke knight" to the field. Also in att mode. He made his knight attack Dextra's butterfly. His plan was making his knight destroy the butterfly and then Rai rider would go in there and give her some more damage, but of course Dextra was ready for him. She activated her "Butterfly Yoke" trap card. She equipped it to Yuma's knight and could now switch it into def mode. Then later she could change battle mode on the equipped monster. Yuma sneered angry. Nistro smirked.

"It looks like you are back where your turn began genius" He mocked. Yuma sneered.

"Just wait until my next turn" He told them. Yuma just hoped he could survive that long. He really wished Astral was here.

Zaira's p.o.v.

I sighed deeply while tied up by 96. I felt so damn guilty and ashamed. I was there to protect Astral as a protector from Astral world, and I couldn't stop making bad situations happening instead. Like I was the one who picked up the number and Astral was about to get absorbed by 96 last time. If it wasn't for Yuma's acting, Astral's plan and me and Cy's powers, we would never had been free from him last time. But of course I just had to free him again, and worst of all getting captivated. He was damn annoying first time to get rid of and now we had to do it once again because I was an idiot and freed him. Astral looked confused and in horror as well. He looked from me, to 96, to the glowing number card and back to me and 96. I was glad he was concerned about me at least. I wish I could do something in return, but these stupid tentacles didn't look like they were gonna release me soon. It was wrapped so tightly around my body, that I couldn't mode a muscle, beside my head.

"Does that mean that the other number cards are giving you their power?" Astral asked 96. The dark number grinned evilly.

"Naturally" He replied and lifted his hands "It is time to act and to destroy".

I looked in horror when the scenery changed into deep dark purple/red sky with floating stones all around us. Astral looked in horror at 96.

"Destroy? Are you saying that we exist in order to bring destruction on the world" He asked. 96 grinned evilly.

"Well what other purpose could you, this girl and I have?" He said and smirked.

My eyes widened as well. I could come up with many solutions to that question. Um help people, defend the earth, be of use to the society, but I think 96 actually didn't care what I thought or what Astral thought for that matter. He apparently only loved to destroy things. I sighed deeply. Why was I always captured by people who wanted to destroy or hurt someone. 96 smirked again.

"Your destiny lies with us. Just like Zaira here" He said and padded my head again. I wanted to bite that hand. "Remember your mission. The time has come at last. Come and join us Astral".

96 made even more tentacles from his body and made them fly over to Astral. He was trying to capture him, just like he did with me.

"Astral, watch out!" I yelled, but had a feeling it was too late.

However as a miracle the tentacles got sliced and in front of Astral was Utopia now standing.

"Utopia!" said Astral relieved. I was relieved as well.

"Number 39" said 96 and smirked evilly "So you refuge to join us on our mission of destruction. Well then I will have you to join us by force then".

He stretched his hand out and vibrations was shown in the air. Like when you walk on water and rings in the surface is shown. Out of these rings appeared Dark mist, the number card and 96's alter ego. I looked in horror. He had just summoned himself. How that was possible? I decided I didn't want to know. I struggled against the ties who was holding me.

"Let me go!" I yelled like hell and hoped Dark mist got distracted. It sadly didn't.

"Shh Zaira, I will recommend you to keep quiet, or do you really want me to cover up your mouth again" 96 said and padded my head "Just watch the show. After all this is gonna be the last time you see your dear friend Astral".

I sneered, but couldn't do a thing to help. A fierce fight between Utopia and dark mist began.

Yuma's p.o.v.

They were back at Yuma's duel and it was Dextra's turn. She summoned "Swallowtail butterspy" to the field in att mode. Then she used her equipped trap card and changed Yuma's knight into att mode. Yuma smiled relieved. Her butterfly only had 100 more att as his knight, so he would only take a little damage. That of course until Dextra revealed her morpho's eff. When a monster changed battle mode their monster lost 1000 att and def points. Yuma looked in horror. Dextra attacked with Morpho and destroyed Yuma's knight. Then since she gave him battle damage, her swallowtail's eff activated. Yuma's other monster lost 500 att. (the same amount he got at damage earlier) The two monster battled and Yuma lost even more life points and got slammed to the ground pretty hard. He had only 2400 points left and it was still Nistro's turn left. Nistro smirked evilly.

"You are running out of life points fast Yuma and you haven't even scored a single hit against my partner or me" He said and grinned "Give it up!". Yuma sneered.

"No way, I was just warming up and the real duel is only beginning now. I got some surprises for yer". Yuma told them.

He used his rai riders eff. Since swallowtail attacked this monster, it wasn't allowed to attack the next turn. Nistro and Dextra just snort. Yuma's field was empty. There were no need for Dextra to even have a turn. Or so proclaimed Nistro. It was his turn. He summoned "Blade bounzer" to the field. He made Hammer attack Yuma directly, and it's eff made sure Yuma couldn't use any trap or spell in the battle phase. However since he got attacked directly, Yuma could summon "Gagaga gardna" from his hand, and by discarding a card from his hand, Gardna couldn't get destroyed. Nistro sneered. He attacked with his blade monster. Yuma discarded a card again, but he did take damage since Nistro's monster was stronger. It just didn't get destroyed. Yuma sighed relieved, thinking he and his monster was safe for now. Nistro smirked.

"Oh no you aren't" He said "By discarding a card from my hand, my blade bounzer can attack again".

Nistro discarded a card and his monster attacked again. Yuma discarded a card to protect his monster, but still lost 300 more life points.

"Gardna is a gooner" Flip commented "Nistro has way more cards that Yuma, so he can keep on attacking".

Yuma looked in horror. Nistro discarded yet another card and his blade monster attacked again. Yuma discarded his last card to protect his monster and lost 300 life points again. He fell to the ground. Nistro smiled.

"You just played your last card kid" He said "Now your monster can't use it's eff. You made a huge mistake challenging us and now you out of the carnival".

Nistro discarded his last card and his monster attacked Yuma again. Yuma looked at his monster and remembered. He was cardless which means..

"I activate my tasuke knight eff from the grave. When I am attacked with no cards left in my hand, I can instantly summon it and furthermore it ends the battle phase" He told his opponents.

Tasuke knight appeared and stopped the battle. Nistro looked surprised. Apparently he couldn't believe Yuma just blocked him.

"Way to think on your feet Yuma" He could hear Tori cheer in the background.

He was smiling like hell. He was happy she liked the move. It was Yuma's turn again. He looked at the field. Okay I got 2 lv 4 monsters on the field. I should summon Utopia! Yuma looked in his deck case, but there were nothing in there. No numbers because all these cards belonged to Astral of course. Yuma looked shocked. He had forgotten, Astral was not around. He couldn't summon Utopia.

"Yo Astral, where are you?!" yelled Yuma and looked around.

"Hey quit stalling Yuma" yelled Nistro back.

Yuma sighed. It is gonna be impossible to summon Utopia without Astral around. What to do? He hoped he really was gonna show soon or he was done for.

Astral's p.o.v.

Astral looked in horror when the fierce battle with Utopia and Dark mist prevails. It was a fierce fight indeed. They fought back and fourth. Utopia with his swords and Dark mist with his instant regeneration. Dark mist's attempt to seize him and to subdue Utopia, and Utopia's will to protect him. Luckily Utopia and Dark mist was equally strong. However Astral was not worried about himself. He was more worried about what 96 still was keeping in his care. His protector Zaira. She was watching this battle with as much horror as he was. Astral could hear 96 sneer.

"This can't continue like this" 96 said in a loud outburst "I can't regenerate forever... I have to turn the tables".

Then suddenly his gaze fell on Zaira for a while. Astral knew nothing good came from that look. He also noticed that Zaira didn't look happy either. 96's lips went up in a evil cruel smile now as he looked at Astral.

"You want her back don't you Astral" He said in a sweet wicked voice.

"Of course" replied Astral and hoped this was not what he thought it would be.

"Well sorry about that, but she belongs to me now" He said and grinned "I am not even gonna trade her for you Astral. However I am gonna make this game a little more interesting at least". Astral frowned a little. Zaira looked at 96 as well.

"What do you mean?" she asked. 96 smirked and looked at her.

"So glad one of you asked" He said in his sweet wicked voice "You see every time an attack from Dark mist is stopped or get's hit from Utopia, you Zaira get's a little gift". Astral looked at him with a confused look.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

96 smirked evilly. Just in that minute Utopia cut one of Dark mist's roots. Zaira let out a painful scream suddenly. Astral looked in horror.

"Zaira! What... what is happening? What is he doing to you?" He asked her.

"I... I don't know" She said and gasped a little. "I just felt this... pain".

"Yes correctly" 96 said and lifted Zaira's chin a little "You feel Dark mist's pain. My pain. However it is only a hallucination. I am after all not gonna hurt you for real just yet, but the pain is really realistic, and oh yeah 5 to 10 times worse than what I am feeling. Let's see whose spirit breaks first Astral. Hers or yours".

Astral looked shocked. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He looked up at Utopia. He saw the mighty warrior hesitate just a bit. Just like he was. An attack hit the big warrior. Astral looked in horror. He didn't know what kind of plan 96 had with that strategy. Maybe he was trying to make both him and Utopia hesitate. Maybe he was trying to hurt him and Zaira mentally. That was mostly the case, when Zaira let out another ear-splitting scream. It hurt him as much seeing her in that pain as she felt it. Astral hated seeing her in that kind of pain. However maybe it could also be...

"Stop doing this to her!" Astral yelled "What does she even have to do in this stupid fight 96?". The number grinned a little.

"Everything Astral. However you will find out when you join us" 96 said "You want me to stop. Fine. I will do that under one condition. Give up and I will stop hurting her ever again. Unless if she disobeys of course".

Astral clenched his fist. 96 was of course having a plan of using all three of these strategies.

"Astral don't do it!" yelled Zaira. She had closed her eyes because of the pain "I can take it. Just beat him to shreds".

She smiled a little and let out another scream. Astral was not sure what to do. It also didn't help that these vibrations from Yuma was sounding in here. He was calling for his help. He needed to do something.

"Astral!" said a voice suddenly near him and Astral looked around, but he couldn't see anyone. He felt however a weak, almost not noticeable wind close at him.

"Astral" said the voice again "We both wants the same. So trust me and listen really closely. I have a plan".