A,N: Well here is the next chapter. It is a little different than the original or that is what I think.

Zaira's p.o.v.

I smiled happily, when the two arclight brothers fell to the ground, declaring Yuma and Kite the winner of this tag duel. Everything made by the hologram returned back to normal, and we were once again back in the old museum. I was leaning up at one of the destroyed pillars, and Tori and Orbital was dancing happily around. That until they figured out they were dancing with the enemy, and quickly stopped what they were doing, and turned their backs to each other. I just smiled a little at that. Yuma was also happy that they had won. Kite just snort and was gasping for air. The duel had set it's toll on him. Quattro sneered angry and got up from the floor.

"This is embarrassing" He said and sneered "We just lost. We lost!".

Trey nodded. He was having some stolen looks at me though. Kite then suddenly fell to the ground. Apparently this duel had been to much for him. Everyone beside me rushed over to him with a concerned look. Kite ignored them. He was glaring at Quattro.

"You are finished. Now tell me where Hart is! Where is my brother?!" Kite yelled.

"Sorry all of the sudden I can't remember" Quattro replied in a mocking tone.

"Okay I got you" Kite replied coldly "Maybe you won't talk, but your soul will!".

I saw Kite use that Photon energy, to tab into Quattro's body and steal his soul, but surprisingly his crest on his hand blocked out the attempt and sent Kite flying instead. Astral tried to retrieve the numbers from Trey as well, but the same thing happened. The crest protected him. I noticed that Trey looked really puzzled. I had a feeling he just saw Astral actually. Quattro snort.

"Nice try, but the crests that we bear protects us from your little tricks" Quattro told them.

I sneered. It was the same in my and Quinton's duel. Cy couldn't get the number from him. Quattro grinned evilly.

"You can't touch us" Quattro continued "You and your little friends may have gotten luckly this time but... What! No! Ahrr!".

Before Quattro was finished with his little speech, a portal appeared behind him, and before anyone of us knew it, let alone Quattro, he got dragged into the portal. We could hear him scream in the background.

"Wow he just vanished" Tori commented.

I sneered. I had a feeling Vetrix was behind this. I noticed that Trey was staring out in the air. Then he looked at me for a minute.

"Come Trey" I could hear a voice say from the portal and instantly knew it was Vetrix's voice. "It is time to go home".

Trey looked at the open portal. Then back at me. He smiled a little sad smile and tossed me a rose.

"Where is my brother?!" yelled Kite in the background. He was quite desperate.

"Zaira, my beloved. I am sorry. I have not earned your love" He said slowly.

"Trey your idiot!" I just yelled and forced myself up on my feets. My legs shaking "I do NOT love you. Get that out of your head! Tell me where Kite's brother is!".

Trey just smiled at me and waved at me with one hand.

"Of course you don't" He said in a sad tone "You can after all not love a duelist who is losing now can you. But a day I will be back and be the duelist you want me to be. So just wait for me okay". I sneered angry at him.

"Trey I didn't mean it like that I meant... I would never love you back!" I yelled, but he had already disappeared through the portal.

I sneered angry. So did Kite as well. After all we had no idea where Hart was. The others looked confused around.

"Where did they go?" Yuma questioned "They just vanished".

Kite slammed his fists at the floor. I took a step towards him, but could barely stand. Orbital gave me some support. After all Kite had ordered him to keep me safe after all.

"Hart" Kite said and sneered. He sounded so sad, but who could blame him.

"Your brother is right here" said a new voice.

We all turned around. At some platform above the entrance door was Quinton standing, and in his arms was Hart. Kite looked shocked at Hart in his arms. He wasn't moving at all.

"Hart are you okay?" Kite yelled "Hart talk to me!".

"Hey, I remember you" said Yuma suddenly "You are that guy from the tower".

I sneered a little. So it really was Quinton who had kidnapped Hart. I was glaring at him. So kidnapping me wasn't enough. Our eyes meet.

"So is he the one who kidnapped you Zai?" Yuma asked me.

He would properly have said a little more, but Kite rushed in and pushed him away.

"What is going on? What have you done with Hart?!" Kite yelled angry.

Suddenly Quinton glowed in a blue color and the blue crest appeared on his forehead. With the help of telepathy, he made Hart airborne and made him slowly land on the floor in front of Kite. Kite fell down on his knees and looked shocked at Hart's condition.

"Hart, what did they do to you?" He questioned. Orbital was quickly by his side.

"Master Hart" he said worried.

I sneered and looked at Quinton. Hart was unconcious and looked tired and beat. It could only be their rituals fault. Kite sneered.

"Who are you? What is wrong with my little brother" He asked coldly.

"That is a simple question, with a very complex answer" Quinton replied "Perhaps another time. You should know that after all he has went through, he still had a little strength left, but he chose to give some to you Kite... and the girl Zaira Wroom".

"What?" said Kite and looked shocked.

He turned around and looked at me for a minute. I just sighed and nodded. I told them everything, in a way, what had happened. I didn't tell about the flashbacks or Vetrix actually. Not fully only that Hart under the ritual apparently indirectly made me see the ritual as a ghost and couldn't do a thing to stop it. I ended the story with Hart and his energy transfer.

"So he is like this because of me" Kite said slowly. I shook my head.

"No because of us" I told him, but Kite sneered.

"No it isn't. You didn't do a thing. I did it by dragging you into this" He said.

I had never seen Kite so sad. I was about to say something, when I got interrupted.

"I actually didn't think I ever would see you again Zaira Wroom" Quinton said coldly "You must be either brave or foolish to involve yourself in all this. After all you just barely escaped the 24 hours of my crest". I sneered angry.

"Shut up! I didn't care about my safety, your stupid kidnapper. I was trying to save Hart from all of you, even if I had to go into the lion's nest to do so!" I yelled.

"Wait so he is that kidnapper" Yuma sneered at Quinton "Okay you have some explaining to do. So start talking". Quinton looked coldly at Yuma.

"It is you again" He said and eyes narrowed "You are as persistent as your father".

"Huh, what do you know of my father?!" Yuma questioned. I was confused as well.

"Your father is alive Yuma" Quinton said "He is in Astral world".

My eyes widened. So did Astral's, but the one who was most shocked was Yuma. I could understand him. This was some seriously big and surprisingly news. This could not be something good at all.

Time skip.

"Zaira! Zaira wake up!" yelled a voice and I groaned a little. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Shark looking at me. I yawned a little.

"Shark, where are we?" I questioned and looked around. Shark snort a little.

"At your home" he said slowly "Can't you remember that you asked me to give you a ride home?".

I blinked a little with my eyes. I was still a little tired. Right now we were on Shark's motorcycle and we were apparently standing in front of Yuma's house. Correction, I remembered. It was my house as well now. Shark smiled at me.

"How are you?" He asked "Feeling better? You were sleeping so tightly, I was a little worried that you would fall off, but apparently I was worried without reason. You are squeezing my waist so tightly, that it is a little hard to get off here".

He pointed at the motorcycle. I noticed the arms around his waist and quickly removed them. I was a little red in the face. Well that was embarrassing. I must really have been out of it. I sighed a little and recalled what had happened.

Flashback.

We were staring up at that balcony and was staring at Quinton. He had just told Yuma, that his father was alive and in Astral world, which surprised all three of us. Yuma, Astral and me. Seconds later, Yuma flipped out, asking Quinton questions like, where he knew that from, and if he could take him to him, but Quinton didn't reply. He was just having a cold look at all of us. Seconds later a portal appeared behind and then he was gone.

"No don't go! You have to tell me what happened?" Yuma yelled like hell.

He was sounding as desperate as Kite was, but it didn't help Quinton was already gone. Yuma sneered and slammed a fist at the floor. Then he got up and pretended everything was okay, which clearly wasn't the case, but I had no idea what I could do to help him.

"Orbital, glider mode, we are leaving" said Kite suddenly.

I turned my eyes towards him, and saw Kite carrying Hart in his arms. Orbital saluted and turned into a glider while equipping himself to Kite. My eyes widened. I suddenly realised that Kite where the only one who could transport me home. Apparently I wasn't the only one.

"Hold on Kite, you are leaving?" Yuma questioned. Kite snort coldly.

"Yeah, any problem with that? My brother need treatment right away" He replied coldly.

"Yeah I understand" said Yuma and smiled "But you are coming back right? My sister needs a lift. We can't carry her home by ourselves". Kite snort coldly.

"It is not my problem. I am not coming back" He said "You should have thought about that before Zaira decided to meddle in this".

I sneered. Was that the thanks I got for helping Hart?! Yuma began arguing loudly with the prideful Kite.

"I could just give you a lift Zaira" said Astral suddenly. I just sighed a little.

"Yeah and give people in the city heart attacks, when they see me float" I commented "I appreciate the offer Astral, but I will not give people a reason to fear me once again".

Astral sighed, but nodded. Then suddenly the doors flew open and motorcycle rushed in here. My eyes widened. It was Shark. He stopped the bike centimeters from Yuma. He was looking angry for some reason.

"Okay, where is he?!" He yelled and looked around.

When he saw Kite, he sneered and glared at him. I had never seen him so angry.

"Okay, there you are!" He yelled at Kite "I don't know what your business with Zaira here is, but you keep your filthy hands off her, you pitiful number hun...".

"Shark!" I suddenly yelled and stopped Shark's sentence "I am so happy you are here".

"You... you are?!" Shark questioned and looked puzzled at me now.

"Yeah of course" I said and took one step forward and took his hand "You see I am quite a pinch. I was having a little accident and sadly can't walk. Not really... and well I need a lift to get home and... wait what do you mean business with him?". Shark bit his lip.

"I... Um it is nothing. Nothing at all" he tried reassuring me "I heard you were in problems, and... yeah thought he had something to do with it". I looked puzzled at him.

Why did he think that?!I shrugged. Maybe he thought that because Kite did kidnap me one time.

"Well I see everything worked out just fine" said Kite then and snort "Your little boyfriend can bring your home then Zaira. I don't have the time to hang out with you any longer anyway".

I sneered at Kite. So did Shark.

"We are not together!" we both yelled in unison and looked at each other.

Then Shark suddenly looked away. Kite just smirked a little and walked quickly passed us.

"If you say so" He just replied "But I have a feeling someone wants that".

I looked puzzled at Kite, but he only spread his wings and flew out of here, in full speed. I looked over at Shark.

"What did he mean by that?" I questioned. Shark shrugged a little.

"Who knows?" He just said "Anyone who could tell me what is going on here?".

Yuma began telling everything that had happened.

I sighed a little. Now we were here. Shark had given me that lift I asked him about, but I actually didn't think I would fall asleep. I must have been tired. Shark jumped off the motorcycle and waited for me to do the same. My body was still a little beat, so it took a little while for my legs to move in the first place. Even through the nap had done me good. Shark eyed me a little and snort. Then he grabbed me. He was carrying me in bridal style and began walking towards the house. I was really surprised at first. Then I sneered angry.

"Ahr, what are you doing?" I yelled "Put me down Shark!". He snort a little.

"And what, wait for you to walk inside" He questioned "You are clearly not cable of walking right now. Let's face it, a snail could even win a race over you". I sneered.

"That is not true Shark" I sneered and pulled in his hair "Now put me down!".

"No I... aw... hey stop doing that. It hurts!" Shark sneered "Can't you just accept, you need help ms. stubborn. I am doing you a favor here. This is ten times quicker".

I snort and would have pulled his hair once again, when Shark shook his head and made his locks out of reach. I sneered inside. So much for annoying him. I sighed inside as well. I would never admit this to him, but it was actually pretty comfortable lying here in his arms. His hands and chest was really warm. We walked inside the house. It was in the middle of the night, but the front door was at least not close. I figured that Kairi had on purpose let the door be unlocked. We walked inside. It was pretty dark in the hallway, but I figured Kairi and grandma had gone to bed already.

"So where is your room Zaira?" Shark questioned and looked at me. I sneered.

"I am not telling. I can take care of myself" I said "Just put me down Shark".

"Give it a rest Zaira" Shark growled "I am not leaving before I am sure you a lying in your bed resting. So stop being stubborn and tell me". I snort a little.

"Nope! I am not the stubborn one, you are" I replied "I am not telling. I can take care of myself. So put me down Shark, or we are gonna stand here forever".

Shark sneered. I knew he was not gonna give in either. In the end we ended up yelling. Something not so important things like, being a proud wolf and a proud Shark. Suddenly the light went on in the hallway and I could hear voices.

"Okay, who is making so much noise in the middle of the night" a voice said and I saw Kairi walking down from the stairs "Yuma if that is you, I am seriously...".

Then she noticed Shark and me. She looked surprised at us. I went a little red.

"Zaira, who is this?" she said and glared at Shark "Are you two... cuddling?".

Shark and Zaira both looked at each other and turned completely red.

"Wha... no we are not" Zaira said in a loud tone.

"Yeah, it is a misunderstanding" Shark added. Kairi glared at them.

"Okay if it is not that, then what are you two doing?" she sneered and glared at Shark "Are you kidnapping her, because then you are gonna get it".

I facepalmed a little. Then my eyes narrowed and a sneaky idea. Shark had to let go of me now.

"No, no I am not" Shark growled "I am only helping her. Tell her Zaira". But I didn't say a think. I just smirked a little.

"Put me down now Shark, or you will be sorry" I said out loud. Shark eyes widened.

"Grr, you are a little sneaky wolf" He sneered "I am not putting you down... I".

then footsteps could be heard and Grandma Haru appeared in the hallway as well.

"What's all that noise?" She asked and looked at me and Shark. Kairi snort.

"I think this male here is kidnapping Zaira" Kairi said and I smirked. Shark sneered.

"Grr, listen I am not kidnapping her" He defended "Look Mr. stubborn is too prideful to admit she needs help. She had an accident and can't walk by herself, so can someone tell me where her room is, so she can get the rest, she needs".

Kairi sneered and was about to say something, when Haru placed a hand in front of her.

"It is upstairs, second door to the right" She replied and smiled.

"Grandma!" I said shocked. She just snort a little.

"Oh I know how stubborn you can be Zaira" Haru said "And this young man is clearly not lying. But hurt her boy and you will feel Grandma's wrath". Shark snort.

"Yeah whatever, I had no intention of that" He replied and rushed up stairs. I was still to shocked to say a word.

"Now sleep Zaira" advised Shark and tossed the blanket over me.

I yawned a little. I was still dressed in normal clothes, but I was to tired to even bother shifting into nightclothes. I had a feeling Shark knew that as well. I looked up at him. He had placed himself at a chair near the bedside. He was looking at me for a while too.

"You are damn stubborn Shark" I told him and snort. Shark snort back.

"Yeah just as stubborn as you Mr. stubborn" He replied "By the way nice act down there. What was intentions? Making your foster family hate me?". I sighed a little.

"You letting go of me" I said slowly. Shark sighed a little.

"Because of what? So you could over use your own body" he questioned "Why are you refusing any help from me? From anyone actually". I sighed a little.

"So I am not considered weak" I replied "I can take care of myself". Shark snort.

"Zaira, you are not weak" He said slowly "You are one of the strongest I know, but I understand you though. I hate been taken pity by others as well, but can't you at least let me be there for you, and let me help you. I am your friend, like you are mine".

"Oh yeah you are the one to talk, you are as tough and stubborn as me" I commented and snort, but then smiled a little. Shark snort a little back.

"Fine, if you let me be there for you and help you, then I will let you be there for me and help me" He replied.

I smiled and actually took his hand. Never thought Shark could be that nice. I yawned a little.

"Sounds like a plan Shark" I said slowly and closed my eyes "You are really nice. I think I like you. I am a little sleepy... are you staying until I wake up?!".

"I am not sure Zaira, do you want me to?" I could hear Shark say. I smiled a little.

"Yes I would like that" Then I fell asleep.

Shark's p.o.v.

Shark was smiling a little, when he noticed that Zaira had fallen asleep once again. She was so innocent, when she was sleeping. It reminded him that she in some way had this soft side. Shark just couldn't stop staring for some minutes. She was so beautiful. His heart was beating pretty fast. He was holding her hand with both now and he could feel the warm from her. Then he sighed a little. Shark placed his hand at the top of her head and actually let his hand roam through the orange locks of hers.

"Shark" he could suddenly hear Zaira say and he instantly moved his hand away.

He could hear her groan a little, but she didn't wake up. She tossed a little in bed though.

"It hurt" she mumbled a little while later "So tired!".

Shark froze. She was still beat after all that? Shark was actually not that surprised. She had been through a lot, but it actually just made him remember, on who had hurt her. Quattro! Quattro and his stupid siblings. It had all begun with them! Shark sneered. Maybe they didn't directly hurt Zaira this time, but they were the cause she was so tired right now. Shark clenched his free fist. When he saw Quattro again, he was so dead! First he hurt Rio and now he hurt Zaira. They were all dead. He sneered angry.

"Shark" he could hear Zaira mumble once again. She sounded desperate "Shark it hurts, make it stop!". She was tossing around for while.

"Zaira" he said surprised and a little shocked. He took her hand in both his. Like he always did to Rio "Zaira, easy calm down. Don't worry, I will make sure you are not getting hurt. I will make it go away. Just relax a little".

Shark felt a weird sensation running through him. Like he got a little shock. Then seconds later, he noticed Zaira had slowly calmed down again. Shark sighed relieved and got slowly out of her grip. He quickly ran his fingers through the lock of hair, while making sure he didn't wake her up. She was so sweet and cute right now. He let go of her hair and got up from the chair. He had clenched his fists a little.

"Don't worry Zaira I will protect you" He mumbled and sneered in a low voice "I will make sure no one will harm you ever again. I will crush them all, and I will start with Quattro".

Shark looked at his unfinished heart piece. But to do that, I need to get to the finals. He sneered again. He needed to leave. He needed to prepare his deck. He looked at Zaira for a moment and sighed a little.

"I am sorry Zaira, but I can't stay. Hope you understand" He said and minutes later he disappeared from the house.

Shark hadn't noticed that a dark purple aura was emerging around him now.

Kite's and Co. p.o.v.

"Hart!" yelled Kite and ran after the stretcher, where Hart was currently lying. A pair of robots was, in Kite's eyes, running away with him. "Where are you talking him?!".

The robot's ran into a operation room, and Kite would have followed, if it wasn't for Nistro blocking his way to the room. They were at Heartland tower.

"Calm down" He sneered at Kite "Go for a walk or something". Kite glared at him.

"Move it!" he said coldly. Nistro snort. He was staying put, which annoyed Kite a lot.

"You know I can't let you get passed these doors Kite" Nistro replied. Kite sneered.

"So you are not gonna move. Alright then guess we are doing it the hard way then!" Kite yelled and was about to plant a fist in Nistro's face, but felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and was face to face with Dextra.

"Back off Kite" she told him "You have to trust Mr. Heartland. He will do everything he can. I know that you are concerned about your brother Kite, but you can't help him now".

Kite sneered and clenched his fist, but deep down he knew Dextra spoke the truth. He looked down at the floor now.

"Tell me" said Nistro suddenly "Why didn't you inform the rest of us, when you discovered that the original number had allied itself with Yuma Tsukumo. Secondly that this girl you had as laprat, the sky girl has something to do with it too".

"Yes that girl flew almost out of that key, the boy had around his neck" Dextra added "Or I think she did. What I know is that she fell down from the sky suddenly".

Kite closed his eyes a little. He wasn't actually surprised. Zaira, that key and Astral had in some way a connection. It was also clear that, the Astral figure called Astral was very fond of Zaira. Almost as a big brother. Oh how Kite wanted to know the answer to that riddle. He wasn't a researcher for nothing.

"You know about that?" He just replied. Nistro and Dextra nodded.

"We do" Nistro replied and smirked. Kite snort.

"Well don't you worry, I have plans to deal with them. Both Yuma and his sister Zaira" He said. Nistro snort a little.

"Deal with them?" He questioned "You just had a tag duel with Yuma like you were some buddies already. No I will deal with them. Dextra told me this Zaira sky girl is having some nice dueling skills. I want my shot at her".

Kite glared at him. He remembered that Zaira wanted to duel him in the finals, and secondly he wanted to uphold his honor and beat Yuma. After that draw of a duel they had, he needed to beat them both. Kite snort.

"You do not want to get in my way Nistro" Kite said coldly.

Inside the operation room, was Hart lying on the stretcher and was connected to a lot of machines. Like etc. an oxygen mask, and a heart wave scanner. In a holographic sphere was Dr. Faker shown, sitting on a throne and was looking concerned at Hart.

"Oh Hart I can't help but feel that this state you are in, is all my fault. Dear boy" said Faker.

Mr. Heartland, who was standing in the background looked up at the doctor.

"Rest assured dr. Faker. My people are doing everything they can" He told the man.

"Who did this Mr. Heartland" Faker said in an angry tone "Tell me, who took his powers!".

Heartland began telling the report Kite had given them. Apparently they were strong individuals who bears a strange mysterious crest.

"...Whoever they are, they will no doubt show themselves in the duel carnival finals" concluded Mr. Heartland. Faker sneered angry.

"And when they do, I want you to make them pay for this."He yelled "I don't care how you do this Heartland, but you must recover Hart's power!". Heartland nodded.

"Yes sir".

Zaira's p.o.v.

"You do not even know how to get to Astral world".

"That occurred to me, but when my father disappeared, he was looking for the edge of the world, so that is what I am gonna do". I groaned a little. I could hear voices.

"But what about the number's. What about helping me and Zaira recover our memories?" a voice said. I had a feeling it was Astral's.

"Come on, don't try to guilt me. It is just... well he is my dad. I got to bring him back." another voice said.

I groaned a little and opened slightly my eyes. I also blinked a couple of times. What I saw was Yuma, sneaking around in the dark and was about to fill a giant bag, with a lot of stuff. I blinked a little again and yawned.

"Yuma?" I questioned "What are you doing?".

I looked around as well. I could see Astral float beside Yuma, like he always do. Yuma stopped up and looked over at me.

"Oh hi Zai, feeling better? Have you recovered?" He questioned.

I stretched my body a little and moved out of the bed. I must admit I had never slept so well or been so refreshed. I wondered why?! Then I smiled.

"Yeah never felt better actually. Which is weird, the alarm only states I have been sleeping for a couple of hours" I said confused. Yuma only grinned a little.

"Shark must have been taking good care of you" he stated "He did bring you home after all. We meet him on our way back to the house. Tori and I. He said you were sleeping and that he had something to do, so he left". My eyes widened a little.

"Wait Shark, Shark left" I questioned "But I... I was sure he said he would stay until I woke up again. Hmm wonder if I dreamed it".

For some reason I felt disappointed that Shark had left. Wonder why?! Yuma shrugged.

"I don't know, but we can't hang around here all day" He said and grabbed the giant backpack and placed it on his back "It is time to get going".

He began leaving through the window. He had some problem with making the back fit through the window. It was clearly to big. I looked confused at him. Astral flew over to me now.

"Zaira, I am sorry to disturb you, but you got to help me persuade Yuma" He said slowly "He is trying to go to Astral world... as in right now". My eyes widened.

"Astral world? As in your world Astral?" I said confused "Does he know how to get there?". Astral shook his head.

"That is what worries me. After his talk with that individual, who kidnapped you and Hart, Yuma apparently decided to go to Astral world to save his father" Astral said and sighed.

I bit my lip. Just in that moment, Yuma's bag manages to get out of the window and he fell down in the garden. I sneered. Astral was right. We had to stop him. I was happy that I was dressed and feeling well again. I jumped out of the window as well. Astral was already by Yuma's side. He couldn't move that much away from the key after all. Yuma was already trying to sneak away from the house, but when he was about to leave down the stairs, I saw Tori, Grandma Haru and Kairi waiting for him. I smiled a little. Good to know I was not the only one trying to stop Yuma. Yuma smiled awkwardly at them.

"So what is in the bag Yuma" Kairi asked coldly "Finally doing your laundry?".

"Well you are properly not gonna believe me" He said slowly "But there is something you need to know...". Kairi snort a little.

"Oh is it about dad being in some alternative universe or something" she questioned "Well Tori told me everything. So what you want to go to this other world. False. Now just go back inside".

I smiled. Kairi could be damn persuade if she wanted to. However as a surprise, Yuma didn't listen and instead began running off. We rushed after him, when suddenly I could hear a voice talk.

"Don't worry everyone. The master will take of this". Before I knew it, my eyes were covered and a grinning voice said "Guess who!". I had actually no idea.

"Come on, come on, come on guess" the voice said impatient "I don't have all day".

"Haku, let go of me" I said and smiled. No one else could be that impatient.

"Ding dong" she said and I could see again. Beside me was a long, blue haired girl.

"I am Haku, Master Roku's student. You must be Yuma's and Zaira's family. I always wanted to meet you. It is such an honor I..." She said while shaking everyone's hands.

In the end I sighed deeply and grabbed Haku, before she shook someone dizzy.

"Oh it is good seeing you Haku" I said and grabbed her arm "What are you doing here? What do you mean by that the master will take care of this". Haku smiled.

"Oh yes, I am here because I am in the duel carnival" She said proudly "But since the master came to like check on me, we decided to check on you as well. He is with Yuma right now.. Oh my we need to get over there fast".

And before I knew it, she grabbed my hand and rushed down the streets and I couldn't do anything but follow.

We arrived at the riverside and found Yuma and Roku dueling for some reason. Apparently Roku had challenged Yuma to a duel. He was stating that Yuma was having a face of someone who was running away, and if that wasn't true, then he should prove it in this duel. I could hear Astral state that he was not gonna help Yuma in this duel, which Yuma just agreed to. He said he could do this on his own. The duel started off and ended pretty quickly. Yuma summoned a bunch of monster's like etc. Gagaga magician and gagaga girl, and in some way managed to deal Roku a lot of damage. He was only having 500 lp's, while Yuma had 3800. Roku had one monster face down and a card Trap/spell facedown as well. Yuma was too hasty and made the monster's attack, which was a big mistake. The facedown card was the trap mirror force and it destroyed everyone of Yuma's monsters. Yuma snort and stated that he had an advantage anyway. Roku snort and revealed his monster. It was "Queen's knight". He then normal summoned "King's knight" and because of it's eff, he could summon "Jack's knight" from his deck to the field. Then he used "Polymerisation" and fused the knights into "Arcana knight joker", who had 3800 att. It was just enough to make Yuma's life points down to 0. Roku made the monster attack and seconds later he won the duel. Yuma sneered angry.

"Grr come on, let's duel again" He told Roku. I sighed deeply.

"No!" yelled Roku and surprised us all "What are you so impatient for Yuma? In your current state, you could never defeat me. Right now you are a fool. Only emotions and no thoughts".

Yuma looked surprised at him and then sighed seconds later.

"It's just that I don't know what to do. If I help Astral, Hart get's hurt. But if Hart is trying to destroy Astral world, and my father is there..".

I looked confused at Yuma. I didn't know Hart was about to destroy Astral world. I looked at Astral and he quickly explained that Hart had said "I am on a mission to destroy Astral world" just before he was taken by Quinton. Astral was not sure if the info was correct or not. I sneered. I just couldn't believe it. Hart was a nice boy. He was clearly not gonna do that, was he? I shook my head. There were just no way.

"So you decided that you would run away from your problems?" Roku questioned "Running off to find your father is certainly brave in theory, but when you don't even know where to start looking, it well just seems like you are running off. Just look at all you will be abandoning. Your dueling, the carnival, your friend Astral and sister Zaira. All that you have been fighting for, and training for. I think you are scared to face your problem, but Yuma, I want you to look down at your feets. Those feet are firmly rooted in dueling. You can't just walk away from it, no more than you can outrun yourself. Dueling is the bond between you and your father. You must trust that the path of a duelist would lead you to the answers you seek" Roku said and ended his long speech. Then he looked at me "That also refers to you as well Zaira. Follow the path of a duelist and you will find what you have been looking for".

I nodded surprised at Roku and nodded. Yuma also cheered on by this and stated he was just gonna take this one duel at the time. A little while later we all returned back to our home with Roku and Haku as our guests.

Quinton's p.o.v.

Quinton was standing beside his father in that room who was his. Vetrix was sitting in his throne chair and was actually a lot more happier, than he used to be. He had after all been a lot more angrier since Grace let Zaira escape, and made him lose the opportunity to gain Zaira's powers. Quinton knew he had figured out how to get access to Zaira's powers, but he didn't know the plan for that as of yet. He noticed that Vetrix was summoning a red ball in his hand and it disappear and reappear some couple of times. The proud arclight however had his attention elsewhere. He was looking around in the room, looking for something, or in this care someone. Neither of the arclight brothers had seen their sister yet since that day, but Quinton had a hunch she was in here. Somewhere! This room was not so big, but it did have dark shadows in here. She could be hiding in the shadows or Vetrix was hiding her with the crest. He could hear Vetrix grin.

"You will not fine her in here Quinton" said Vetrix suddenly "You are looking for your tiny baby sister, isn't that correct?".

Quinton looked at him and nodded. He would have said "She is your daughter as well", but decided not to. Vetrix grinned.

"You will see her soon. Her punishment is almost over, but since I am in a nice mood I could let you see her a little bit if you like" He said and smirked "Although I first need to control Hart's powers. They have begun to awaken inside me".

He tossed the red ball up in the sky and it grew into a giant red sphere. It created a vortex and began slowly destroying the room. Vetrix used the crest to absorb the powers and bit by bit he gained the power inside his body again. Now in full control of it. Vetrix smirked.

"Now then... let's visit Grace shall we" He said evilly and got off the throne.

Quinton looked at the boy and inside he sighed. He knew he wanted to see his little sister, but at the same time, he knew what was going on. He knew what she was going through.

"We don't need to visit her Vetrix sir" Quinton said and hated himself for this "I will see her when your job on her is done. Secondly there is more important work at hand". Vetrix smirked evilly and looked at Quinton.

"Oh and what may that be" He questioned.

Quinton quickly began telling everything that had happened at the ritual and the double duel.

"Wait you are saying that that boy, Zaira's foster brother, has teamed up with the original number?" Vetrix questioned. Quinton nodded.

"Yes the boy's name is Yuma Tsukumo" He began, but Vetrix interrupted him.

"Wait Tsukumo, as in Kasuma Tsukumo's son. That can't be...! I should have known Grace did spy on... she left it out on purpose Grr!" Vetrix sneered and looked at Quinton "Quinton you are dismissed. I have something I got to do".

Quinton sighed deeply inside, nodded and began leaving. I am so sorry Grace, but this is your own fault. Then he left the room.

Zaira's p.o.v.

We were all sitting outside on the terrace to the garden. Yuma and Roku had a trip in the sauna and was now relaxing outside together with all of us. Grandma had brought us tea, mostly the reason Haku was sitting relaxed beside me, and we were all enjoying the peace and quiet.

"So.." began Yuma and looked at Roku "The guy who put this whole duel carnival together, do you know anything about him".

I also looked at Roku. I was curious too.

"Every light cast a shadow, every puppet has a puppeteer. That is what I know" Roku replied and made us, me and Yuma, look confused at him.

"Huh what is that suppose to mean?" Yuma questioned. Haku sipped the tea.

"Oh how wise master" she said slowly "That is correct indeed". I looked at her.

"You understood that?" I questioned. Haku smiled and nodded.

"Yeah of course. You see the one who is organizing the duel carnival is Mr. Heartland right" Haku pointed out "He is just a face. He has the smile and the voice, but he is not the words. Someone must pull the strings from the shadows right master?".

"Yes you are right Haku" said Roku and smiled "As I expected from you. Yes there is a hidden mastermind behind all this.The man, who is said to have build Heartland city, was a brilliant scientist named Dr. Faker".

My eyes widened. If I remember correctly Kite mentioned him to Orbital once. Maybe they knew each other?

"So what is his story?" Yuma questioned. I also wanted to know that.

"His story is pretty much a mystery. Is he still here? Has he moved on? Nobody knows much about him and that is most likely how Dr. faker want's it" Roku replied.

"Actually I know Dr. faker left one time" said Grandma suddenly "He was on an expedition with your farther Yuma. Actually that was the last expedition your father had before disappearing. Besides one letter 7 years ago, we haven't heard from Kasuma since".

Yuma and I looked surprised at Grandma.

"What letter?" Yuma questioned "You never said there were letter from my dad".

"Oh yes I never told you because it really wasn't that important, until now" Haru said and handed me an envelope with a little letter in it. I slowly opened it and read.

My dear mother.

I am sorry I that I haven't contacted you before now, but things has been a little hectic. However I am healthy and in no danger so don't worry about me. I have a favor to ask of you mother. If you ever in the future stumble across a girl with orange hair and strange purple eyes, I am asking you to take care of this child.She is one of the kind and special. One day she will have great value of our future. I trust her, so take good care of her. Her name is Zaira.

Love Kasuma.

I looked surprised at the letter. Yuma was reading from behind me together with Astral. They were as surprised as I am. Then Yuma hugged me a little.

"Haha, even my father agrees that Zaira is part of the family" He states "And that I shall share my world with her".

I sweatdropped a little. Astral stated that this must be a sign that I really came from Astral world, since Yuma's dad was there and knew me. I just nodded. Apparently nobody cared about the part with that I had great value over their future. Suddenly Haku got up and she looked around.

"Okay, that was a nice cup of tea. Now to do something" she said and rushed around everyone of us saying "Can I help with something" to everyone here. I sighed.

"Haku" said Yuma annoyed "Does she never relax beside drinking tea?".

Roku grinned a little and grabbed Haku in the collar of her clothes and tossed her out in the garden. We all looked confused at his actions.

"Only one thing makes her calm down besides tea" he stated "And that is dueling. So Zaira is you would be so kind and duel Haku here, and give her a duel so she can calm down for the rest of the evening". My eyes widened a little.

"Me?" I questioned "Why me?". Roku grinned.

"Well you are the only one I haven't seen how it goes with doing the carnival" He said and smiled "Haku would be a fitting opponent, and secondly she has a heart piece remember. You are collecting these aren't you Zaira?".

I flew up from my spot at the terrace and grabbed both duel disk and gazer.

"Okay let's get dueling. It is time to shred some fangs".

Zaira: 4000lp.

Haku: 4000lp.

The duel began. Haku started off. I must admit I was a little curious about what deck she used. After all last time we dueled she used one of the sanctuary's. Therefore I got a little surprised when Haku only placed a monster and a card facedown.

"I end my turn" Haku said and grinned.

She danced a little around. Clearly eager to duel. In the background I could hear Yuma cheer me on. I drew and looked in my hand. I had a feeling Haku was luring me into a trap, but regardless. I summoned "Wolf kid" and with it's eff, I summoned "Beast wolf" and it's eff gave Haku 500 points of damage because it was special summoned. Then I attacked with wolf kid.

"I reveal my monster 'Asura priest'" Haku said and grinned "And it looks like you destroyed it. Uh unlucky me".

Her monster ended in the grave. I looked confused at her. A priest! She had a priest in her deck. Don't tell me she has a.. I attacked with my wolf, however Haku was ready this time.

"I activate an eff from my hand, by discarding 'swift scarecrow' from my hand I take 0 damage and the battle phase ends!" Haku yelled and sended the named card in the grave.

Like she said the battle ended and she took no damage. I smirked a little.

"I know what deck you have" I said "You have a spirit deck".

Haku looked shocked at me, which just proved that I was right.

"How... how did you figure that out... on just one turn?" She said surprised. I smiled.

"A spirit deck normally have cards who protects the user against direct attacks" I said "Secondly you had a priest on the field. If I didn't destroy it in this round, it would have returned to your hand after the end phase. Direct attack is your weakness".

I could hear surprised gasp from the crowd. I could see Roku nod in acknowledgment.

"As I would have excepted from Zaira wroom" which made me blush. Haku snort.

"Oh yeah even if you know my weakness, it doesn't mean you will win Zaira" She said "I know your weakness as well. Your bond with the monster's is yours".

I shrugged. That may be true, but there were no way she could break it. I ended my turn with a facedown. Haku drew and smirked. She played the spell "Double summon". Now she could normal summon two times in this round. She summoned "Izanami" to the field. Also a spirit, and when it was normal summoned, she could discard a card from her hand and add a spirit to her hand from the grave. She chose of course her "Asura priest" and instantly summoned it as well. Then she activated the spell "Black pendant" and gave her priest 500 extra att. (2200 att) Azura's eff was that it could attack all my monsters on the field. I sneered. There goes my defense. She destroyed both my monsters and gave me 1400 for my monsters. She also attacked with Izanami and got 1100 as well. I sneered again. Okay I was overconfident. Haku was pretty good. That spirit deck was really good. But now the spirit's returned to her hand. I was at least safe for now.

"I overlay my two monsters and xyz summon" Haku said and caught me by surprise once again "I XYZ summon 'Water fairy of the deeps'".

A long blue haired lady, dressed in a white long dress and had a blue staff in her hands appeared. She was a Lv4 fairy type with 2200 att and 2000 def. (picture) I gasped. Okay Haku was really good at surprising her opponents. Suddenly I got slammed with 500 points of damage. I had totally forgotten her "Black pendant". When it leaves the field, the opponent lose 500 life points. Haku grinned happily.

"I end my turn now" she stated "But just wait until you see her eff Zaira. You are in for a treat".

I sighed deeply. I was not questioning that at all. I was sure there was a reason Haku had summoned that monster and didn't attack. I drew. Believe! Believe! I had already decided before the match not to use Cy since Haku had no numbers. I will not be like Yuma and rely on Cy forever. Therefore a lot of combo's was merging inside my head now. I just needed the right cards. I looked at the cards. I played the card "Pot of greed" and got two more card. Yes one of them was here. I just have to survive one more round. I looked at Haku. That monster surely have a special eff. I had to be careful. I placed a monster facedown and a facedown card and ended my turn. I looked at Haku. At least Haku only had one card right now. She drew.

"And now for the main event" Haku said and danced a little again "My monster's eff. Once per turn, I can summon one spirit monster from my hand, regardless how powerful. It is treated as a normal summon though. I summon 'Yamata dragon'".

I looked shocked at it. It was a lv. 7 monster with an att 2600 and 3100 def. Water appeared on the field and when it disappeared the dragon was on the field. If it ever gave me battle damage, she could draw until she have 5 cards in her hands, but it that happens I am dead. Haku attacked with her two monsters. I quickly revealed my facedown card. "Negate attack". I sighed relieved. I was still in it. Haku sighed.

"You are stalling" She said "What are you waiting for? A super card? I already figured out you won't use Cy. If you would, you would have done it with Beast and wolf combo".

I shrugged. Haku was pretty good at figuring people out apparently. Her dragon returned to her hand. I drew and looked at the card. I sneered. Not the card, but maybe I could.. Ah I have my comeback. I smiled. I played "Graceful charity" and drew three cards, then discarded two. Two normal monsters.

"It have been a good duel Haku" I said and smiled "You are really a worthy opponent and it has been a honor dueling you, but it is time to end it". Haku looked puzzled.

"End it? But I am in the lead. What could you possible have that can turn things around" she questioned.

I smiled and revealed my face down I had placed in the start of the duel. It was called "Slave to the wolf". I could steal her monster until the end phase, but if I did, I should pay 500 points when it returned to her. I was gonna end it before that. I took control of her fairy. Haku looked shocked at me. She was wide open now. I activated the spell "Synthesis spell". Haku's eyes widened.

"A ritual spell card" She said surprised "But I didn't know you had ritual monsters".

"Yeah I always relies on Cy or XYZ monsters, but this deck is actually a ritual deck" I told her "The XYZ's was something I added. I sacrifice your fairy (lv4) and a lv4 monster from my hand. This monster only require a sum of six or above, but 8 stars is just as useful. Behold 'Lycanthrope'!".

A giant bad boy werewolf appeared on my field. It has 2400 att and 1800 def. Haku looked at it.

"Um you calculated wrong" she said "This monster is not enough for me to go down to 0".

I just smirked and played a field spell "Wolf cave". It gave all wolf monster 500 more att. I attacked and dealt Haku 2900 points of damage, leaving her with 600 lp's left. Haku still looked puzzled at me. I grinned a little.

"Did I forget to mention, when this monster deals battle damage, you lose 200 points for every normal monster in my grave" I said "I have 3 normal monsters, so you lose 600 life points".

Haku got his by virtual fire and she had lost the duel.

I sighed relieved and took of Gazer and duel disk. Then I walked over to Haku and helped her up and gave her a extra handshake for good sportsmanship. Haku also gave me a heart piece. I smiled. At least I was getting there. To the final that is. Yuma and Astral as well as the others congratulated me. Roku was proud of us both and stated we would turn into fine young duelists. I smiled by that statement.

"So Haku, how many Heart pieces do you have?" I asked and was Haku flinching.

"Um I um had one" she mumbled slowly. My eyes widened.

"Wait are you saying you are out?" I said in disbelief "That I got your last heart piece".

Haku slowly nodded and grinned. I couldn't believe it. Haku was this awesome duelist and then she only have 1 heart piece doing the three days event.

"Well maybe I should explain" said Roku and coughed a little "You see Haku has a good nature. She just can't stop helping others, regardless what. When she challenges people to a duel in the carnival, she does it because she knows the person has problems. Sometimes she wins and get the heart piece, and the same time she had been helping the poor soul. Other times she has lost to demonstrate a point, which leads us to where we are now. Kicked out of the carnival". Roku sighed.

"Yep, but it was worth it" Haku said and grinned. She grabbed Zaira's hands "I never had such fun duel. We are best friends for now on right Zaira? I know you will win the carnival and make me proud that I gave you that piece".

Zaira was a little stunned, but did nodded a little later. Haku smiled and danced a little around. She hugged me a little as well and pointed at the sky.

"Look there Zaira, you see that star" she said and I nodded a little "That is your victory star. If you just follow that one, victory will be assured".

"Where? Where?!" yelled Yuma and rushed over to us "Where is that victory star? Do I also have one?". I sighed deeply. Astral did as well.

"That was a girl talk Yuma" I sneered "And you don't have a victory star. You lose to often".

Yuma looked really offended. We were about to fight, when Kairi coughed a little. She stated it was late and that we needed to go to bed. I should share room with Haku and Yuma the attic with Roku. In the end we decided to get a good night sleep. I smiled. Tomorrow I would get the last pieces I needed. You could count on it.

A,N: Well that was that chapter. Well that was a hard one. The duel especially. Oh by the way, all cards beside the xyz monster in Haku's deck exist in the real world as cards. You can look it up on wiki. Zaira's is mostly made by yours truly. Next chapter is also a hard one. Again Zaira duels.. she has a battle royal. Not gonna tell against who, but I can tell you this.. it is gonna be epic. So hope you can wait that long. :D