Zaira's p.o.v.

I let out yet another scream and in some way felt my body tense. It didn't help that I was still tied by 96's annoying tentacles. My head was also splitting in two in some way. I have closed my eyes and was thinking and mumbling in someway "This is not real. This is not real". However it still didn't stop making me scream once in awhile. If this was an hallucination it was extremely realistic. I knew 96 could have lied and all this pain was real, but right now I just was holding on to this little piece of hope. That this was indeed not real and my brain was hallucinating. I could hear 96 chuckle near me, but ignored him. That was pretty easy since the pain felt so intense. I knew I have told Astral I could take it, but was not sure I could keep this up forever. Then suddenly I heard this voice. It was faint, but I knew it was there.

"Mistress, don't worry. Help is on the way".

I gasped a little. Both because of the pain and because it surprised me a little. Cy was here?! I was smiling inside. Then 96 sure would get beaten. If it was possible I would kick his sorry ass myself.

"96!" yelled Astral suddenly "If I surrender, then what will happen to Zaira?".

I looked in horror. But Cy was gonna free me soon... he couldn't give up now! I bit my lip and slowly opened my eyes. I saw Utopia, being pretty defensive here. I had a feeling that was the reason I haven't felt to much pain for the time being. I took a look at Astral. He looked as calm as ever, which I found weird. My eyes widened. Of course! Astral was a diversion of some sort, so Cy could save me. 96 chuckled.

"It really doesn't concern you Astral" the number said and smirked "I have no intention of telling you. You will know when you join us".

I didn't feel so thrilled by that reply. I wanted to know the answer to that question as well. Astral sneered.

"No! You have to tell me now!" He yelled "I have to know before I join you. I need a clear conscious. I have to know if she is okay before I... ". Astral couldn't finish the sentence. 96 grinned evilly and looked at him.

"Before you become me?" 96 said "I would call this stalling... especially when I think we have an intruder in here".

I looked in horror when I saw 96 create another tentacle and slammed it behind my back. I could hear a loud groan. I had just turned my head to see Cy get slammed in the back by the tentacle. It collapsed in mid air.

"Cy!" I yelled in panic and looked at 96 "Don't hurt him. He is my close friend!".

"I don't think so. Your precious Cy has been torn in my sight, since we first met. It destroyed far to many of my plans already" 96 told me and slammed the tentacle down at Cy's body.

Cy sneered, but refused to scream. I was crying. I wanted to be by my trusted partners side. Cy looked weakly at me.

"I am sorry Mistress I couldn't save you" he told him.

I just shook my head. Just knowing that he was trying, was good enough for me. I was about to say something, but 96 was faster.

"Yes you should be sorry. Did you really think I haven't noticed the changing wind in here and that Astral was a decoy" he told Cy.

The wolf sneered, when it got hit with another blow. Then Cy looked at me and actually smiled a little.

"A decoy eh? Well what if I tell you that he was not the only one" Cy said and sneered.

Before any of us, 96 and me, could do or say a thing, a scream filled the air. I could feel my bonds loosening and suddenly I was tossed through the air. I got catched by some something and I sighed relieved.

"Way to go Cy" I said and smiled "That was one heck of a plan".

I looked up and looked really surprised. I was not in the arms of either Cy or Astral, but Utopia.

"Take her out of here Utopia and help Yuma" said Astral and smiled at the mighty warrior and me "Zaira hold on tight to Utopia and do not come back here. Not as long as he is in here".

Astral pointed at 96. The dark number looked pissed. He was still having a tentacle at Cy, but it didn't really matter to him, since I had escaped. I could see some of his tentacles was slowly regenerating. Apparently Utopia had slashed him from behind when he was distracted by Cy and freed me. That apparently had been the plan all along. Utopia nodded and slashed dark mist with it's sword. I was well protected in his other arm. I sighed relieved when I felt no pain. I was not by 96, so no hallucinating pain any longer. Then Utopia jumped up in the air and began leaving. I was struggling to get free.

"No! Cy! Astral!" I yelled "I can't leave without any of you!".

Astral just smiled at me. 96 tried to attack us, but Cy protected us with one of it's winds. Second later we left the key.

Astral p.o.v.

Astral sighed relieved when Zaira finally was free from the clutches of 96. He was also happy that Utopia now had left him to help out Yuma, regardless what dangerous position he was in. 96 sneered angry.

"Oh well she and your stupid warrior escaped" he said and snort "At least I only have to deal with you Astral and the pitiful wolf right here". Cy coughed a little.

"Actually you only have Astral to deal with" the number said and it's body began to glow a little"I can't move far away from my mistress. So if she is not here, then nether am I. I am sorry Astral. I know she wants me to protect you. However you knew the risk when you made Utopia leave. You knew I would leave as well".

"I did" Astral said slowly "Just protect Zaira. That is all I ask for".

The number monster nodded and disappeared. 96 looked at Astral and smirked evilly.

"Oh that changes things" he said and made his avatar leave the field "So you let Zaira escape. Well that doesn't matter, because you will pay that price now. Without Utopia you are helpless to resist us. Your concern for the humans must have weakened your mind".

He grinned evilly and suddenly all the number locks (beside 24 and 39 of course) began to glow. All the numbers power flew over to 96 now.

"Ah all these numbers are under my control now, but I need more power" he said and looked at Astral "You will be absorbed next".

Yuma's p.o.v.

A little while earlier with Yuma.

Yuma was staring down his deck and duel disk. He had two monsters on the field. Normally he would summon Utopia, but since it was Astral's cards, he couldn't use it. Then I just have to win without Utopia. He drew and got the card "Half unbreak". Yuma sneered. That card couldn't do a thing against their monsters. In a desperate attempt he attacked Morpho with his knight. He dealt Dextra 500 points of damage.

"Ha is that the best you got for us" yelled Nistro and smirked "A mosquito could do more damage than you". Yuma sneered. There were really not much he could do.

"Hey quit stalling!" yelled Nistro at him "End your turn so I can crush you. Either that or forfeit the duel".

Yuma sneered. He had to do something. He was holding his hand around the key. Astral, Zaira! I wish you were here! Yuma sighed. He was about to set his card facedown, when a bright light appeared from the key. A beam got shut out and flew for some seconds out on the field, then it returned to Yuma. It split in two. One beam hit his deck case and the other up in the air and exploded into some dust. Then Yuma heard this voice.

"Ahr catch me! Catch me someone!" the voice yelled.

Yuma looked up and saw Zaira falling down from the sky. Without thinking, he tried to catch her but at some point also lost sight of her until...

"Oh never mind" Zaira said "I think I actually landed pretty soft". Yuma groaned.

"Speak... for yourself... here" He said and groaned again. He could hear Zaira talk.

"Yuma?" she questioned "Where in the world are you?". Yuma groaned again.

"You are... sitting on my... back" He got out "Now... please more it... Zai. You are damn heavy".

Yuma felt the weight from his back move and sighed relieved. He got quickly up and dusted himself off. He looked around and saw Zaira in front of him.

"Zai?" He questioned when he saw her tired face "You look tired. You came inside the key right? What happened? Where is Astral?".

Zaira closed her eyes a little and stumbled forwards a little. Yuma quickly grabbed her when she fell forward. Now he was really concerned. She was about to pass out.

"Zaira, Zaira! What happened?" Yuma tried to shake her awake. Tori and Flip appeared as well. Zaira groaned a little and shook her head.

"Sorry, I am just... the hallucinations and pain... and squeezed like hell. My muscles are just so tired. I am just mentally tired" She mumbled. Yuma looked confused at her. So did the others.

"Hey did that girl just fall down from the sky?" Nistro questioned "I am sure I have seen her before". Dextra sended him a cold look.

"It's Zaira your idiot. The girl who was Kite's laprat once. We never found out why" Dextra said thoughtfully. Nistro blinked a little.

"Oh okay that is Zaira" He said calmly then.. "Am I the only one who saw that she fell down from the sky?! Oh these late night shifts is really getting to me". Dextra sighed.

"Calm down Nistro, I saw her fall from the sky as well" Dextra said. Nistro sneered.

"Then how in the world can you be so calm?!" He asked angry "She just fell down from the sky. How?! Why?!".

Yuma could hear them argue and in the end they came up with that after the duel they would ask her. Yuma looked worriedly at his big sister. She shook her head a little again. Tori took her hand.

"Maybe you should rest a little Zaira?" she asked. Zaira shook her head.

"Astral! He need help... the key! Utopia saved me..." She mumbled straight out.

"Zaira... you need to rest" Yuma told her "I will help Astral. Just relax okay".

"Yeah" she mumbled "But Yuma... Astral sended you Utopia at his own risk. He needs seriously help".

Then she walked, really stiff, over with Tori and fell quickly asleep.

Yuma looked worried after her. However he still had a duel to continue. Nistro was getting impatient and telling him to duel already. Yuma had noticed Utopia in his deck case as well. He remembered Zaira's words. That Astral sended him the card and that he was in serious trouble. He just had to win this duel quick then. He overlaid his two monsters to XYZ summon "Utopia" to the field in def mode. Then he placed a facedown and ended his turn. Nistro and Dextra looked shocked at him.

"He has a number" Nistro said in disbelief "He has a number".

"Yeah and it is one of the most amazing I ever seen" Dextra added.

Nistro wanted to take it down, but Dextra reminded him that it was her turn first. She summoned "Moonlit papillon" to the field. Nistro looked annoyed.

"Ah don't Dextra, I told you I am going after that number" he said. Dextra snort.

"You will wait your turn. Since we know he has a number this is no game anymore. We are doing it by the book understand?" Said said in a cold tone.

"Ahr, but I hate by the book" Nistro told her and sighed deeply.

Dextra continued her move and overlaid her two monsters to XYZ summon "Photon papilloperative". Yuma looked shocked at her. Wait they were using photon monsters just like kite!

"Hey what gives why are you using photon monsters just like Kite?" He asked.

The two duelist looked shocked at him. They asked where in the world he knew Kite. Yuma told them he had dueled Kite before, but they finished in a draw.

"A draw?" said Nistro in disbelief "But Kite is one of the best duelists there is. You have to be very skilled".

Dextra nodded. She suspected Yuma was the host to the messenger from Astral world. She also had a theory that Zaira had a finger in play as well, since Kite was interested in her in the first place and that she just appeared out of the blue just now. Nistro agreed. Dextra used her monster's eff. By using a Ou she could change Yuma's monster from def to att mode and it lost 600 att points. Then she played the spell "Berserk scales", giving her monster a 1000 att power bonus. Then she attacked Yuma with her monster. Yuma quickly activated Utopia's eff, used a Ou and stopped the attack. Dextra sneered. Because of her spell her monster lost 2000 att now. Yuma sighed relieved. He was still in this. However Nistro still had his turn. He drew and tributed his "Blade bounzer" to summon "Phantom bounzer". He overlaid them to XYZ summon "Photon strike bounzer" to the field. He made his monster attack Yuma, but he used Utopia's eff again. Nistro smirked.

"Ha tricked yer" He said.

Yuma looked in horror. By using one Ou Nistro could negate Utopia's eff and Yuma would get slammed by 1000 points of damage. He sneered. Yuma only had 1000 life points left. He activated the trap "Damage diet" and halved the eff damage he would take this turn. He only lost 500 points of damage. However he still got blasted to the floor. Nistro only smirked.

"Whatever kid. Because your monsters eff is negated, my monster can still attack" Nistro told him and attacked him.

Yuma quickly activated his other trap "Half unbreak". It protected Utopia and he only took half the damage this turn. Yuma got hit again and was lying on the ground, hurt pretty badly, but he was still in this with 100 life points left. Nistro sneered, stating Yuma still was in this, but only barely.

"The kid is finished" Dextra said "His monster is out of Ou and he has no facedown card. Stay down boy. Take it easy on yourself and hand your number card over to us. I mean why let yourself go thought any more misery".

Yuma sneered and forced himself up. He was yelling that he was never gonna give up. That was not his style at all. He was seeing the duel through the end. Nistro sneered and placed a facedown and ended his turn. Yuma sighed relieved. It was his turn. He drew and summoned his "Cardcar D" to the field. He activate it's eff. By releasing it, he could draw two more cards from his deck. The draw back he couldn't special summon on this turn.

"To draw the card I need" yelled Yuma "I just gonna feel the flow".

He drew two cards and stopped up. It was two spell cards. "Double or nothing" and "Double tension". Yuma looked at the cards. He couldn't figure out how they could help him further in this duel. If only Astral was here! Or Zaira was awake. He fell down on his knees. He had finally broken down.

Astral's p.o.v.

Around the same time in Yuma's duel.

Astral was flying through the key avoiding getting caught by 96's tentacles. He was actually avoiding getting captured at all. 96 made sure he couldn't leave the key of course and actually had fun chasing Astral down and around the key and ship. He could hear 96 laugh in the background and his voice was ringing down the ship like an ekko. Astral never knew where he really was, but his tentacles could be seen near him almost all the time.

"There is no escape in your fate Astral" he said and grinned "You are gonna fulfil your mission of destruction. Whether you like it or not. There is much we have to destroy. Plus a girl we are gonna catch".

Astral sneered. He was not letting 96 have his hands on Zaira ever again. Even if he became him. He was swearing that.

Astral rushed out of the ship in another attempt to get out of the key. He could feel the vibrations from the duel still. He knew Yuma still needed his help. He also hoped that Zaira was okay and that Yuma had done his best to use Utopia to it's full potential. He just wished he was there to guide him if he didn't or at least lose together with him if that was possible. There were actually many things the white ghost wanted to do. Then suddenly he felt something around his angle.

"Got you!" 96 voice rang and Astral could feel the tentacles wrap up and around his body.

He was captured the same way Zaira was. 96 appeared. He apparently could create himself out of a little part of his body. In someway like a slime creature of some sort. Astral thought that was very fitting for him. 96 grinned evilly.

"How many times do I have to tell you Astral" He said and smirked "There is no escape in your fate. You will join with me and become part of me".

Astral was struggling like hell, but the bonds around him didn't loosen at all.

"I would rather die that join up with you" Astral said and struggled again. 96 grinned.

"Oh really you don't have a choice now do you" he said and Astral felt the tentacles squeeze him a little. Astral gasped. The dark number grinned evilly.

"When we have joined then maybe I am gonna keep a tiny piece of you alive, so you can see when Zaira and Yuma obeys and serves me" he said and grinned.

"They would never listen to you" Astral said "Why are you even targeting them in the first place. What had they ever done you?".

96 smirked and flew closer to Astral. They were actually face to face now.

"You will find out they will Astral. You see I can be quite persuasive, but you see soon enough. And why I am targeting them?! Well that is an easy one. Because you hold them dear. Whatever belongs to you, belongs to me as well and unlike you I will make them quite useful" he said and smirked evilly.

Astral looked in horror. He struggles again. Then Astral could feel vibrations again. They were a lot stronger than before. Yuma really needed his help now. 96 smirked.

"He failed miserable Astral. Just like you failed" he said and scretching arm towards Astral.

His skin slowly turned black. He could feel 96's power ruin through him. Astral sighed deeply. Yuma, Zaira. I am sorry!

Zaira's p.o.v.

I slowly woke up when I could hear shouting voices all around me. My body was not as tense as before and I felt kind of relaxed. I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Yuma down on his knees in front of two big monsters in a duel. My eyes widened. I could remember that I fell out of the key with Utopia. Landed on Yuma and the rest was really a blur. I had just been so relieved when I came out of the key. So tired and stressful, that I properly only noticed the most important things around me. That was Yuma at that time. Telling him about Utopia and Astral. After that I think I finally went to sleep. At least for a while. However now me and my head was fully cleared and rested. I began observing the things around me. Yuma was having a 2 against 1 duel. With Nistro and Dextra! Ohoho you gotta be kidding me. I groaned a little and got up on my feets. Tori and Flip looked at me and asked if I was okay.

"Yeah, but what is happening?" I asked.

Tori began explaining the risks in this duel and that Flip had been cheating and got punished. I was shaking him like hell and saying it was not cool. Yuma was apparently fighting so they could give Flip a second chance. However Yuma was down to his last 100 life points and had only two cards left in his hands. He had Utopia, but without Ou's. I sighed deeply and decided to walk over to Yuma. I bowed down and was holding a hand towards him.

"Hey Yuma, how's it going?" I asked and smiled. The boy looked up at me.

"Zaira?!" He said in disbelief "You really here?". I tilted my head and nodded.

"Yeah why shouldn't I?" I asked "You are dueling against these two eh? Why are you lying on the ground then? Get up!".

Yuma looked at me and nodded. He took my hand and got up. I could see the two spell cards in his hands, but like him, I just couldn't figure out how to use them as of yet. Yuma sighed deeply.

"I am sorry Zaira. I let you and Astral down" he said in a low voice. I shook my head.

"What are you talking about?" I asked "Letting us down? You have been dueling against two dangerous opponents all by yourself and you have been doing great".

"No. I have just survived there is nothing I could do to defeat them" He said.

Then suddenly Tori and Flip began on a long speech on how hotheaded and stubborn he could be. That he never gave up and that he was seeing through to the end. Even when it seemed hopeless, because that's what makes him Yuma. I couldn't have said it better myself. I smiled at Tori. She was blushing a little. I looked at Yuma again.

"So are you agreeing with them Yuma?" I asked. He clenched his fists and smiled.

"Of course I am." He said "I can't give up now Astral is depending on me. I will never give up. I will win this duel too, because I am feeling the flow".

As he said the last part he slammed my hand with a high five. We both didn't notice a spark was created around the key now.

Astral's p.o.v.

Astral was still captured by 96 and most of his body had gone from white to 96's black body. Only his head remained. Astral let out a big sigh knowing he was gonna get taken over in less that some minutes. 96 was grinning evilly.

"The process are almost done Astral. Aren't you glad your life gets more purpose"the evil number asked. Astral just sighed.

"Just promise me you also will treat them nicely too 96" He said.

"Oh I will, if they obey me that is" He chuckled "I have a feeling Zaira will not be so obedient, but I like a challenge".

Astral sighed. However then suddenly a bright big light beam flew in here and was flying straight towards him. 96 looked surprised as well when the blast hit Astral. The white ghost could feel a warm burning feeling running through his body. He could hear these warm thought and knew it was from Yuma and Zaira. He could hear them both say his name.

"Yuma, Zaira" said Astral out loud "I can sense you. We are connected".

"What is happening?" yelled 96 and closed his eyes because of the bright light "It feels like I am losing my hold on you". Astral smiled.

"That is due to the bond between Yuma, Zaira and me" Astral said and smiled "We are powerful and are not beaten by the likes of you".

"Impossible" yelled 96 but also noticed his body began burning. He and the other numbers in his body, flew back to the locks inside the ship. They were once again locked really tightly. Astral smiled and flew towards the exit.

Zaira's p.o.v

I was not sure what was going on. I made a high five with Yuma one minute and then the key suddenly flashed brightly the next. Everyone around us got blinded by the bright light. Even Dextra and Nistro. Then before we both, Yuma and me, knew it a voice was speaking to us. A voice we both knew very well.

"Yuma, Zaira!" Astral said and was standing brightly in front of us.

I even was sure Nistro and Dextra could see a little bit of him as well.

"Astral it was about time" said Yuma proudly when the light disappeared "What have been keeping you so long? Never mind that. I guess you came because I am desperate for your help. Well you are wrong. I was doing just fine all by myself".

I facepalmed a little. Stubborn Yuma here we come! However I noticed that Astral was eyed Yuma from top to bottom, seeing his worn out clothes and bruised body. He looked at me as well. Then at the duel and then back to Yuma. He was smiling.

"You have done well Yuma I sense all pieces are in place for victory" He said.

"They are really?" said Yuma confused and stopped his arguing.

Astral nodded. He told Yuma what to do and the boy smiled happily. I just shook my head. Even if Yuma never would admit it, they both had become pretty good friends. First off Yuma used the card "Overlay eater" from his grave. It was one of the card, he sended to the grave to protect his gardna. By removing this card, he could steal an Ou from a monster and give it to Utopia. Like Nistro's monster etc. then they attacked Dextra's monster with Utopia. They were in full sync the whole duel through. First they stopped Utopia's attack, then they used "Double or nothing" and doubled Utopia's att. They doubled it again with the "Double tension" spell card. Now Utopia had 7600 att.

"I think we can start panicking now Nistro" Dextra said.

"Yeah that is for sure" Nistro replied and looked in horror.

I smiled. They were about to attack and defeat Dextra, when Nistro activated a trap called "Bounzer guard". Now the attack got redirected to Nistro and his monster. Utopia was still stronger and Nistro lost. Because of the rules, Yuma still won the duel. Flip and Tori congratulated Yuma. Flip was happy that he was not kicked out of the city. I however noticed that Dextra had gone over to Nistro and asked why he had taken that hit for her.

"I don't know. It just felt right" I could hear him say and he got up on his feets.

I shook my head and smiled. Nistro liked Dextra that was for sure. They both walked over here and told Yuma they were gonna keep his word. Flip got a second chance. Then they looked at me. I glared back. Nistro smirked and I smiled back.

"Hello Zaira... care to explain why you fell out of the sky?" He asked.

I looked puzzled. Yuma smiled awkwardly and was beginning on a weird story, before Nistro stopped him. Dextra was looking at me as well. At least her eyes was not full of hate.

"Actually that doesn't matter" He said "I am not sure what your business is with Yuma, but take good care of him. I will take him and that number down". Then they both disappeared. I had a feeling they were looking out for any other cheaters.

Then a lot of things happened. The kids Flip stole from appeared and beat him up for stealing their heart pieces. I didn't meddle there. He deserved it. However in the end his own heart piece was missing as well. Flip was out of the tournament. I looked at Astral and quickly pointed him in the chest. The ghost looked at me.

"What are you doing?" He asked. I snort and pointed a little more.

"He didn't hurt you to bad right? I mean 96" I said "I am sorry for freeing him".

"Oh yes that" Astral said and smiled "No he didn't hurt me to bad, but you on the other hand... oh yeah I need to...". Astral pointed a finger at my neck, giving a tiny jolt there, which made me sneer angrily.

"What was that for?" I yelled and grabbed him. Astral just smiled.

"I freed you from the mark. It was that part who he controlled and gave you the hallucinating pain. Now he will not control you again" He said. I snort coldly.

"A warning could have been said" I said "Are you sure he has not hurt you Astral".

"Hmm who is now overprotective" said Astral and smiled a little.

"I am not overprotective" I began, but Yuma agreed with him. I sneered and began leaving. Yuma and the others quickly followed.

"Zaira where are you going?" Yuma asked. I just snort.

"Out!" I said "The heart pieces doesn't gather themselves". Yuma grinned. Astral sighed and we all left for a walk in the city.