A,N: Well here is the next chapter. I must admit I have been eagerly waiting for this. One of my favorite duels. Just so you know, the duel and cards are maybe a little different than the usual duel, but hope it is okay. Oh and the picture. Well it makes sense, when reading the duel. Please comment on what you think though. I like feedback so I can get better.

Normal p.o.v.

"Dr. Faker! Dr. Faker!" Mr. Heartland then yelled and appeared in a dark colored room. He was in a lot of panic. Dr. Faker was shown in the a lit up sphere bubble. Something they used as communication. "Kite has been defeated by Vetrix. We must stop the tournament right now". Dr. Faker smirked evilly.

"Don't get so excited" he then replied "The plan is still in place, and it is safe as long as we have the sphere field at the end of the tournament". Mr. Heartland looked a little perplexed at him, but he didn't argue with him.

"When this little intermission is over and people are back at the tribute, start the next duel Mr. Heartland" Dr. Faker then instructed him. Heartland bowed respectfully.

"Yes sir!".

The real Zaira's p.o.v.

Around same time.

I knew I was sleeping. In some way I also knew I was suppressed by this other self, and lying on Cy's fur with his warm furry palm around me, for warmth and protection. How I knew it, with my eyes closed and everything, I really didn't know. It was like I was sleeping, but my body and subconscious was aware of everything that was around me. At least in here, but not out in the real world though. I couldn't get passed the barrier here anyway. That and my soul was not able to get conscious. I couldn't see what was going on with Yuma and my friends. My thoughts wandered once in a while to Shark as well.

"Mistress" I was sure I could hear Cy whisper, but I already knew what he was going to say, even though I couldn't reply him.

The footsteps in here revealed it. He was about to tell me my other half was on her way over here. Although maybe I was just imagining it, but didn't her footstep sound rushed? Then I got shaken.

"Zaira, wake up?! Please wake up! You just got to. It is important!" I could then hear her yell and felt I got shaken even more.

My eyes opened slowly. It wasn't a surprise when I saw her. The other me. What was surprising, was that I could keep my eyes open. I was so tired. I slowly began closing them again.

"No! Zaira you got to wake up! It's important!" She then yelled "You got to take over. You got to be in charge of this body!". I slowly opened my eyes again.

"Why?" I then said in a hoarse voice "Isn't this what you wanted?".

"No!" the other me yelled and took my hand "Zaira you got to claim your body again. You just got too. Cy help me!". The blue wolf lifted his head in confusion.

"Why? Why should I help you?" He then questioned. The other me looked like she was about to panic. She bowed her head down to the ground now.

"Please, I need your help. I can't defeat him on my own" she then said and now tears were actually shown in her eyes "I am so terrible sorry. I finally figured out the truth. I know that Vetrix tricked me. Oh Zaira, I hurt you so bad. Can you forgive me?".

I looked puzzled at the double in front of me. I had no idea what was going on. However I made her move a little away, so I could get up on my feet's again. Cy stumbled to his feet's as well. Even though we both were terrible tired.

"Forgive you?" I then questioned "I have no idea what is going on. What shall I actually forgive you from?". I shook my head a little. Sleeping like that apparently took the awareness of certain events away from me.

"Vetrix took my memories. I mean our memories" The other me said and looked horrified "I hurt you deeply. But we really don't have time to discuss this. You have to take back your body. You got to defeat Vetrix".

I was not sure what to say or do, but I had a feeling I actually could trust her. At least this time. That and I wanted my body back too. Cy was staring at that double of mine. It looked like Cy was waiting to see what my choice were. I knew that he would support me on whichever I choose to decide. I took her hand and actually smiled, which surprised her deeply.

"Fine, I believe you and forgive you for the time being" I then said "So what do you want me to do? How am I able to claim charge of my body?". The other me smiled.

"It is pretty easy, you just have to..".

"Well that is enough you two" said a voice suddenly and interrupted us. A shadow merged from somewhere and soon Vetrix was really in here as well. I couldn't believe my eyes. I looked up at my double. She had a scared face expression.

"Vetrix" she then said in a scared tone and looked up at me "Oh Zaira I am so sorry. I didn't know I had lured him in here". I could hear Vetrix chuckle.

"I told you that you couldn't escape me" he then said and laughed again "You have something that is mine. The powers you borrowed. I want them back".

I looked shocked over at the lookalike of mine. She had borrowed powers from Vetrix. I could see Vetrix smirk evilly now. He stretched his hand towards that double of mine, and I knew he would rob that power from her. Maybe even her existence. It was after all Vetrix who had given her life in the first place. I sneered and Cy and I quickly walked in between. In some way shielding her. Why? Well I just couldn't let Vetrix do as he pleased. That of course confused my double and Vetrix quite a deal.

"Zaira? Why are you protecting me?" my lookalike then asked. I snort coldly at that.

"Don't get the wrong idea" I then said "Cy and I just don't want Him to do as he pleases. When all this is over, Cy and I will deal with you on our own". I could see my lookalike slowly nod. She looked rather sad down at the ground now.

"I understand" she then said in a low voice "I guess I don't deserve better, after all that I have done".

I felt rather confused here. What had she done? What was going on here? Then laugher could be heard again, and I instantly turned towards Vetrix again. He had of course withdrawn his weird dark powers. He couldn't face Cy and I on his own. Or so did I at least believe.

"This is really ironic" Vetrix then said "You protecting her. even though you have no clue on to who she is. I find that rather funny". Then Vetrix laughed again.

"What do you mean?" I sneered and clenched my fists. "Explain yourself".

"Oh if you insist" Vetrix said and chuckled. Then he pointed at the double behind me "This girl. I believe you think I created her or something. That she is a lookalike and nothing more. However you couldn't be more wrong Zaira. She is not something I have created. You did!". I was staring. I looked over at the girl. Then back at Vetrix.

"What in the world are you talking about?" I then sneered "I didn't create her. How should I even could do that? And even if I did, why is it that I don't know about it? I never have seen her before in my life, before you appeared".

I could actually hear the other me, sniff behind me. She had hit her face in her hands now, and I was sure she was crying. Even though I didn't know why.

"Oh look you hurt her feelings" Vetrix said and grinned "Let me simplify things. You don't know about this, because you don't acknowledge her existence. Or in more simple terms. She is your past self. The past from the orphanage. That part from your life you are trying so hard to forget by all means. When you ran away from the orphanage, that caused you to lock a part of yourself away from your own heart. A part you don't want to remember. A part you hate. But that part was/is still there. I only gave it life and a body from the crest".

I was staring. Really staring. At my double. At Vetrix. A lot of things made sense now. The first time I meet her, this girl, this part of me, had hugged me. She had missed me. Wanted to reunite. That she was all alone before Vetrix gave her life. That and the sentence 'I want to become a part of my warming heart once again'. She truly had meant that. But what had I done? Tossed her aside again. Believing she was something evil. I had told her if she was me, then she would know what I wanted. At that time, the darkness from Grace's number was infecting her properly. After all Vetrix had taken her memories away. But when we beat and freed Grace, she was of course still there. Hiding in Cy's shadow, so she couldn't be found and locked away again. She truly wished for my happiness, but didn't have my present memories to act on. That was also why Cy didn't know about her. He was never present in the orphanage.

"Vetrix said.. Vetrix said, that if I showed how much I cared about you, you would surely let me in again" I could hear the other me, no another part of me, say "I thought that if I punished the evil does, you would let me in again, but I didn't know.. I didn't know I made things even worse". Then she sniffed a little again.

"She was very easy to convince, but that is too except. She only want you to be happy Zaira" Vetrix said in a mocking tone and was holding his hand out in the air "But since she has gained your memories, she is of no use to me. Bye!".

I could see the horrified expression on the other me's face. I was still rather shocked to do much. I couldn't believe she was my past. She is me! But I didn't realize I had tossed her aside. I didn't know I have locked her away. I tried with all my might not to think of my past. She must have been so lonely. I was lonely! But still I also hated her. I hated myself at some point. How must pain must she have felt then. No I got to.. Before I actually realized what I was doing, I was rushed in front of Vetrix attack, and got hit instead of her. My past self. Cy, her and even Vetrix looked surprised at that action.

"Mistress!" Cy yelled worried. He also had good reason to be worried.

Vetrix weird hand or whatever you call it, well it's power was stuck right though me. Kind of like Kite's Photon ghost hand. The only difference was that it actually hit my body. In this case my stomach. It didn't really hurt. It felt more like a ghost hitting you. A ice cold feeling through the body. I groaned a little in annoying's.

"Oh you still protect her?" Vetrix then questioned with an annoyed smirk. "Why? I thought you wanted to get rid of that part of yourself Zaira Wroom. And here I am doing exactly that".

I sneered a little and tried to get rid of that ghostly hand, but even though it felt like a ghost, I couldn't move it. I could see the double of mine look shocked at me. I tried smiling a reassuring smile to her.

"Don't worry, this time I will not get rid of you" I said and tried getting out of that weird grip Vetrix was having on me. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have locked you away. After all You are me, and I am you. You must have felt so lonely. Even though I disliked my past, you are still me. You have a right to exist inside me too. Because without you I could never turn out to be the girl I am now, and for that I am truly grateful. When I have gotten rid of Vetrix here, let's be together like you always wanted. I owe you that".

I could see my doubles eyes widened in surprised. Then tears ran down her cheeks. She nodded eagerly. She really wished that.

"Oh I would like to see you get rid of me Zaira" I could hear Vetrix say. Then he chuckled darkly. I sneered angry at him.

"Well even if you have a hold on me, you can't do a thing to me" I then replied coldly "You shall have my permission, and that I will never grant you. You will never get a true hold on me. That was why you had her. Without her you have no power over me Vetrix". I groaned a little in surprise, when Vetrix hand actually moved forward.

"Well as true as that is Zaira Wroom. I don't need your permission any longer" Vetrix then said and took some few step forwards. That ghost hand continued forward as well. Moving through my stomach and all. Vetrix chuckled and continued "Because she has accepted a lot of my powers, and like you said, I need her to have powers over you". I looked puzzled at him. What was he talking about? I could see Vetrix tilt his head a little. He was looking at my past self.

"I promised I would fulfil your wish in returning back to Zaira, didn't I?" Vetrix then said and had an insane grin on his lips now "Well consider that done my dear".

Without any warning, Vetrix had made that power of his rush forward now, and grab that double of mine. Then he slammed her actually into me. I let out a painful scream. I could hear Cy yell my name, but also knew he didn't dare to do anything, as long as Vetrix had that tight grip on me. After all he could hurt me as well. I slowly turned my head backwards, to notice that she, my past self, had got dissolved into some kind of weird dark energy. That was properly how she truly was inside my heart. Her true essence Vetrix had transformed with the power from the crest. Vetrix easily pulled that ghost hand back towards him again, and that dark energy followed, which caused me to scream once again. I fell forward cleansing around my chest and head. It hurt a lot. A weird aura was present around me. I squeezed my eyes in painful matter and looked over at Vetrix. It was rather hard since my sight got dizzy.

"What, what did you.. do?" I said in a weak little voice. I could hear the boy laugh.

"That past self of yours was filled with a lot of my powers, which I gave her intentionally to infect you" He then replied. "I knew at some point you two will join together. All so I could make you destroy Yuma". I groaned painfully.

"You knew.. I would protect her" I whispered "From the start". Vetrix smirked.

"I saw a lot of your memories, when you tried to save Hart. I know how you would act almost better than yourself Zaira" he then replied "Thanks to you little double I now control you and that chaos number of yours". I groaned a little. Everything was spinning around. Everything hurt. My soul was like it split in two.

"Mistress, don't worry I am here" I could hear Cy say and I was sure I could feel him rub his face at mine. I just couldn't see him. I could hear Vetrix grin again.

"Oh how sweet. Your little number is so loyal. But I believe you two will have to go to sleep now" He then said "Night, night!". Then everything went truly blurry.

Normal p.o.v.

Time skip.

"Well it is finally time for the next duel ladies and gentleman's" Mr. Heartland then announced and looked at all the people who had returned to the tributes after this half an hour of intermission they were having. "We are having our last duel before the finals. So get ready for the two finalists who won their first rounds of dueling".

"Oh yeah, Yuma is finally gonna take on Zaira" Bronk then commented eagerly. "To think that Zaira actually beat Shark. It was so epic!".

"Well Yuma has dueled Zaira many times before, so it could give him a big advantage in this round. Yuma knows all about Zaira's cards and moves. Now he can use all that knowledge to plan out his strategies" Caswell then proclaimed.

"But Zaira knows the same thing about Yuma too" Flip then said and snort "Besides we all knows that Yuma never plans his strategies, because then he has to use his brain".

At that the others sighed deeply. Tori was the only one who looked a little worried though. Tori was the only one Yuma had told what was really going on with Zaira. That Vetrix had done something to her, and now she was worried for Yuma's safety. It is true that Yuma has dueled Zaira many times in the past, but he never had to battle a monster like the one Zaira used in the duel with Grace and Shark.

"I hope Yuma will be okay" she then muttered slowly.

"Well the last duel before the finals will begin now" Mr. Heartland then announced. "Our first duelist was unknown, but he took the WDC by storm, by a series of spectacular victories. He may look like a pint-sized pipsqueak, but this kid has a heart of a giant. Give it up for Yuma Tsukumo!".

At that Yuma rushed inside the stadium, with a happy smile on his face, while wavering to everyone at the tribute, who he considered as his fans. Astral was floating up in the air beside him, and sighed deeply at Yuma's carefree behavior. They should after all fight against Zaira. Astral sighed again when Yuma tripped over some stairs on the way up to the platform they should fight on. He really was good at embarrass himself.

"Well Yuma's challenger is a feisty one. She is known as a fierce wolf, who doesn't hesitate in kind of everything" Mr. Heartland said "After her fierce battle with Reginald Kastle, we have all seen what extraordinary might this girl has. Give it up for Zaira Wroom!".

Everyone was watching when the orange haired girl walked slowly inside from the hallways. Yuma looked determined over at her, and when Zaira finally was standing in front of him. He however soon realized that something got to be wrong. Astral realized that as well. Zaira's eyes were totally distant. However the platform rose to higher altitude, and soon a duel was about to commence. Everyone just knew this would be epic.

At the loge was Vetrix of course sitting. He was watching the duel with eager excitement. How could he not, when he was gonna fight the victor.

"Zaira vs. Yuma. What an entertaining match up" He then said and grinned "It should be a nail biter with these two. Yes, even if I already know who the winner is going to be". Then he laughed like hell.

Astral's p.o.v.

As the platform slowly reached the height they were supposed to duel at, Yuma and Astral looked at Zaira in front of them. She was acting weird. Really weird, and that was more weird than usual. Astral had seen Yuma duel of course, but the way Zaira acted now, really puzzled Astral. He knew Zaira was helping Vetrix. He knew he had done something to her, but her behavior until now had been more like 'I want to kill you' part, than this silence treatment she was giving them now. She had been fierce in her duel with Shark. Anger had been there too. However the way Zaira was now, staring at them with distant eyes, without saying anything, worried Astral quite a bit.

"Hey Zaira! Sis, is everything okay?" Astral could then hear Yuma ask her. Astral looked worried over at Zaira. He actually figured Zaira would do something, by that. React in some way. She always flipped out when Yuma called her sis. Now nothing.

"She didn't react. Something is definitely wrong" Yuma concluded and looked at Astral "Zaira look totally spaced out. Kind of like I do in math class".

"Hmm maybe.. maybe Zaira has got possessed?!" Astral then said in a worried tone "In that battle inside Hart's mind. Vetrix took form of Cy's chaos form, and stated he had possessed Zaira. Maybe that number controls her completely now?".

"You mean it's like it has zombified her? Poor Zaira!" Yuma then uttered and looked over at Zaira again "Snap out of it Zaira. Fight that number! Don't let it take over". However like before, Zaira didn't really respond. The only thing she did was activating her duel disk and gazer. Yuma looked even more worried now.

"Yuma, this duel will be challenging" Astral then said and clenched his fists "If that number does control Zaira, then her dueling abilities will be even sharper than they normally are. You must stay alert!". Yuma nodded.

"Don't worry. I will help Zaira and rule this duel" He then said and activated his disk and gazer as well. "I promised Shark, Sasha and myself that. Let's go!".

Yuma: 4000 Lp.

Zaira: 4000 Lp.

Yuma made the first move. He drew and placed the monster "Dododo bot" in facedown def mode. Then he placed a card facedown and ended his turn. Astral nodded approved. Perfect, the first card Yuma put down, is Dododo bot. It has 1800 att and 1900 def points. The other card is the trap ' Impenetrable attack'. He has put himself in a strong position to survive an attack.

"Take it away. You are up" Yuma then told Zaira. Astral looked over at his best friend. He wondered what kind of move she would use against them.

"It is my turn" Zaira then said and spoke for the first time since arriving here. However her voice sounded monotone and dull. "I summon 'Pitch black warwolf'".

It was this pitch black warwolf with dark fur and a giant red blade. It looked rather vicious. Astral had never seen that monster before. He wondered if Zaira had upped her game before the competition, or if Vetrix had given it to her.

"Only 1600 att points" Yuma then said in a relieved tone "It's harmless".

"Are you sure?" Astral then commented "It's eff cancels out trap cards doing battle. Don't underestimate Zaira's tactics. We both know she is very bright".

"Pitch black warwolf attack Yuma's face down monster" Zaira then suddenly said in that monotone voice which surprised them both a lot.

"Why would Zaira make such a reckless attack on a facedown card?" Astral wondered in a puzzled tone "It could be much stronger than her own monsters".

However Zaira's attack continued. She made her wolf attack Yuma's Dododo bot which caused her 300 life points since, Dododo bot's defense was stronger. Zaira got blasted through the air now and slammed the ground pretty hard.

"Zaira!" Yuma uttered shocked. Astral looked really puzzled at her now

"I do not understand" he then said "To attack without knowing the opposing cards strength is foolish. I know I thought her better".

Astral clenched his fists. Something was clearly wrong with Zaira, and Astral was worried, that if they don't figure out what was truly wrong with her, they could lose her forever.

Normal p.o.v.

"Wow that move is costing Zaira big time. She got careless, and now she is down for the count instead of Yuma" Mr. Heartland then commented.

"Zaira really made a rookie mistake" Bronk commented from the tribune.

"I only expected something that pathetic done by Yuma" Flip added.

"Maybe this is part of Zaira's game plan" Caswell then said "Think about it. Yuma knows Zaira's usual strategies inside and out right. So what if Zaira decided to change things up a bit, cause she figured that would confuse Yuma".

"You are saying Zaira took that damage on purpose?" Bronk then questioned. Tori looked worried up at the video screen. She was not sure that was the case here.

Yuma's p.o.v.

Yuma sneered in annoying's. He was not sure what was going on here. Astral had told him Zaira's dueling skills would be even greater than usual, so why did Zaira take damage just now. He really didn't understand. Zaira got slowly up.

"I place one card facedown and end my turn" she then said in that monotone voice and then ended her turn. Yuma sneered again.

"Man, Zaira totally not acting like herself in this duel. She was even more aware of dueling, when she dueled Shark., and he believed there is two in there" He then said.

"You have no way of knowing what is going through her mind" Astral then said "Many outcomes could have happened to her since we saw her last. Although I still believe it is that number. I believe the wises cause is to keep your guard up, and stay prepared for surprises, and you must not grow overconfident".

"I am too good to let that happen" Yuma then uttered and drew.

He started off by summoning "Gogogo golem" in att mode. Then he flipped up "Dododo bot" in att mode as well. He made his golem attack Zaira's wolf and dealt her 200 points of damage. Zaira got once again blasted to the ground. Soon she got up, looking at Yuma with these distant dull eyes. She didn't say anything when she got blasted, and Yuma really was worried that Zaira had turned into a zombie of some kind.

"She is still under the control of that number. I have to shock her back to her senses" Yuma then concluded and made the Bot attack Zaira directly.

The bot attacked with his lightning blade, and litterally shocked Zaira. This time she actually screamed up. Then she fell to the ground with only 1700 life point remaining.

"Wow talk about electrifying" Mr. Heartland then commented to the crowd "That jolt just cost Zaira 1800 life points. If she doesn't rise soon, Zaira will have to forfeit the duel completely". Yuma clenched his fist a little.

"Get up Zaira! You got to fight this duel to the end!" He then yelled at her. "Don't give up now. Keep on battling! You are one of the fierces duelists I ever met. No one is a tough as you. You are supposed to duel like a Wolf. I have seen puppies with more bite!". There were still no reaction. Yuma looked at the cards in his hand.

"I won't attack her when she is down" Yuma then concluded and tossed instead a facedown and ended his turn. He looked worried over at Zaira now.

"Aren't you at least gonna try?" Yuma then yelled and finally Zaira reacted and began getting up on her feet's again. "Yeah that right! Come on Zaira. Get up and duel!".

Zaira's p.o.v.

I was feeling really weird. It was like I was walking through a dream or something. Everything around me was feeling rather unreal. I knew I was dueling. I knew I had to win this duel for some reason, but it really felt like I was only half awake. I could see the monsters on my opponents field, but that was about it. I couldn't see who I was dueling against. Not that it was so important anyway. My awareness was really messed up. I knew I got attacked. I knew I lost life points, but the attack.. the pain.. I could only feel half of it. My mind was hazy and darkness was all around me. The headspace I was sharing between Cy and I was covered in it. Wait a minute, who was Cy? Where did that name come from? I shook my head wildly. I was covered in that darkness in here, and I was feeling so lost and confused. What was I doing here?

"Come on Zaira. Get up and duel!" I could then hear a voice say. My eyes widened.

"Yes I must duel. That is why I am here" I then mumbled to myself and grabbed my head a little "But.. what am I fighting for? I know there is a reason, but I can't remember what it is. Try to remember, what's my reason for dueling!".

"Have you really forgotten?" I could then hear a voice say. A masked kid appeared beside me in this inner space of my mind. I knew instantly who that was.

"Vetrix!" I uttered. The boy with the mask smiled at me.

"You know who I am. That is very good Zaira" He then said "I am relieved that your memory has not been completely wiped out. Together we can rebuild, what has been lost. If you trust me, I can help you remember everything". I looked puzzled at him. I was not sure what to think anymore. Everything was so hazy. I felt so confused.

"Listen I know the reason that you duel" Vetrix then said and smirked "It is simple. You duel for me". My eyes widened at that message.

"For you?" I questioned. Could that be true? But then again why shouldn't it?

"Exactly. That is your whole purpose. You are my puppet and you will obey my commands. And now I command you to completely destroy your enemy" Vetrix then said and I was sure his eye shown in the mask actually glowed, before some weird energy hit me. I had a feeling my eyes went even more distant.

"My enemy.. must be.. destroyed.. completely" I then mumbled out, but at the same time a little part of me was resisting.

I grabbed my head and tossed myself at the ground. I tried to get the pain away who now was inflicted on my skull. Apparently I was doing the same thing in the real world. I could hear voices yell my name.

"Zaira! Zaira what is wrong?" Yuma then yelled in a worried tone, while watching me rolling around on the ground, clenching my chest to my knee for a second, then rolling over on my back. I still had a tight grip in my head with my hands.

"Oho Zaira is having a massive meltdown. The pressure of competing on the big stage must be getting to her" Mr. Heartland then announced to the crowd.

At the loge Vetrix was staring annoyed at the video feed in there.

"What is the problem Zaira? I told you what you have to do, so why are you resisting my commands?" He questioned "I went to all this trouble with freeing that part of yourself you had locked away. Then I shared my powers with her, and here in the end, I merged you two back together. All so I could let the power your past self had from me, infect you and your mind completely. Now use your powers to destroy your enemies. Let me remind you who your enemies are and why you detest them".

I could of course hear every word Vetrix was saying to me, while rolling around in agony on the ground. His voice filled that inner mind of mine, even though Vetrix wasn't present in there any longer. His voice rang like echo thought my mind now.

"Think back on your beloved brother and what they did to you two" He then said "You must get revenge on those responsible".

At that a picture entered my mind. A male with a blurry face was standing in front of me. That didn't surprise me a lot. My nii san's face were always blurry in my memories. My brother was holding a hand in front of me. I was of course about to take it, when someone grabbed my brother and he disappeared in a yellow, flashy, light. My eyes widened in horror, and I turned around to see who were responsible. 4 persons appeared as pictures inside my mind. 3 males and one girl. However the three males disappeared so quickly that I didn't manage to figure out who they were. The female however, I could recognize.

"That is Grace!" I uttered before the picture disappeared from my mind. It was replaced with another one.

"That's Vetrix" I then uttered really confused "Could they be my enemies?". The picture of Vetrix disappeared as well, and got replaced by a man I never had seen before. I looked puzzled at the picture in front of me.

"Who is that?" I questioned.

"That is Dr. Faker" I could hear Vetrix say in here.

My eyes narrowed. I was sure I had heard that name before. Then once again in front of me was a picture of my brother. He was still having that blurry face. We were actually holding hands. That until Dr. Faker suddenly appeared and ripped us apart. I couldn't stop myself. A scream of anger flew out from my lips, and I tried desperately to stop him from taking my brother away from me. Then suddenly all the pictures stopped and I was back in my own mind with Vetrix beside me once again.

"Dr. Faker. His name should fill your heart with rage of course" Vetrix then told me "You see, he is the one ripped you and your brother apart. You vowed that you will make him pay for his terrible crime, and that you wouldn't let anyone stand in your way". My eyes narrowed and I nodded slowly.

"Yes of course. Dr. Faker" I then mumbled slowly "He is the one who took away my brother. Dr. Faker is my enemy. I will do whatever it takes to destroy him". I turned around to stare at a picture of Dr. Faker that once again had appeared inside my mind.

"It's true. You must destroy Dr. Faker" Vetrix then encouraged "But that is not possible Zaira, because there is someone else standing in your way".

"But who do you mean?" I then asked Vetrix.

"You forgotten his identity too?" Vetrix questioned "Well let me jog your memories".

The picture of Faker disappeared once again, and got replaced with that of a boy with red and black hair. My eyes widened. That was Yuma Tsukumo. He was smirked and grinning evilly at me.

"Yes, surely you remember how ruthless Yuma can be. He is always meddling in your plans and sabotaging it" Vetrix then replied. Those words made me really angry. Vetrix of course continued "Even now Yuma is standing in your way. He is trying to defeat you for Dr. Faker. Just as he teamed up with Faker before to take away your beloved brother".

At that I stopped struggling. Everything made sense now. Yuma Tsukumo and Dr. Faker were my enemies. I got slowly up on my feet's and turned towards the duel I was having. The duel with Yuma Tsukumo! Anger was emerging around me now.

"Zaira" Yuma then said and actually looked relieved, but I could see through his goody two shoes act. He was trying to deceive me, by making me think he was this goody, goody kid, but I didn't believe him for one second.

"I will never forgive you!" I instead yelled in an really angry tone of voice.

Yuma's p.o.v.

Yuma really didn't understand what was going on here. One minute Zaira was lying on the ground, screaming in agony, the next minute, she was up on her feet's yelling in his face 'that she would never forgive him'. Yuma was really confused here. She was clearly really angry at him, even though he had no idea why.

"Let's settle this" Zaira then sneered out and a very familiar crest symbol appeared on her right hand. "Once and for all Yuma!".

"That crest on her hand" Astral then said and looked at Yuma. Yuma nodded. They had both seen it before. "This is the crest, who belongs to Vetrix".

"So Zaira isn't possessed by a number? She is possessed by Vetrix or?" Yuma shook his head a little "Shark said one thing. You said that with the number, and now Vetrix crest is on her hand. Which one is the truth?".

Astral looked thoughtful as well. He didn't really know either. However right now they were having bigger problems, because Zaira was coming from them. She drew and used the spell "Pot of greed" to draw 2 more cards. She had six in her hand now. Then she summoned "Beast wolf" from her hand. It was Not special summoned, so Yuma didn't get any damage. Then she played the spell "Clan meeting" and could summon a wolf from her hand or deck. She chose "Silver fang" from her deck. She also added the equip spell "Hunger pangs" to silver fang. She could equip it to the lowest level monster, which was the lv 3 silver fang with 1200 att, and this monster gains 1000 att points, and could attack equally to how many wolf monsters there were on her field. She had two, so silver fang could attack 2 times in a row. The only drawback, it got destroyed by the end of this turn. Zaira of course made the monster attack Yuma's golem.

"Yuma launch a defense" Astral then advised. Yuma did quickly as he asked him. He activated his trap "Impenetrable attack". It protected his golem from destruction.

"It's no use!" Zaira sneered and was holding up a quick spell called "Steel fang".

It got added onto her silver fang. When a monster added with this spell card attacks, all opponents trap or spell cards gets destroyed. Yuma looked horrified when Silver fang directed it's now steel fangs at Yuma's trap card and destroyed it.

"Good work silver fang, now finish your attack" Zaira then yelled and made the wolf attack Yuma's golem.

It got quickly destroyed and Yuma lost 400 life points. However Zaira was of course not done yet. Silver fang could attack twice. It attacked and destroyed Yuma's Dododo bot, dealing him 400 point additional damage. Yuma flew through the air and got slammed on the ground pretty hard.

The crowd went wild. They were cheering Zaira on like hell now.

"For a second there, it really looked like Zaira was throwing in the towel, but now she has gone on the attack" Mr. Heartland then commented "That's what I call really showing heart. Way to go!". Yuma's friends looked puzzled up at the duel.

"It's a total turn around" Bronk then commented.

"I wonder what woke her up" Caswell then said.

"Maybe she was faking it before" Flip then said. Tori just clenched her chest. She just hoped Yuma would survive this and be okay. That and bring Zaira back.

The duel continued. Zaira continued her move. She still had "beast wolf" on the field. She quickly attacked with it as well. Dealing Yuma 1200 direct damage.

"I am gonna get revenge for what you did to my brother" Zaira then yelled "You took him away. Now you will get payback!". Yuma groaned in pain and got slowly up on his feet's. He was only having 2000 life points to his name.

"Aw, well at least Zaira is dueling like her normal fierce self again" Yuma then said.

"Zaira is far from normal" Astral then replied and floated down to his level. "It is clear that Vetrix has intensified his control over Zaira's mind. The rage that is growing inside of Zaira, makes her a much more dangerous opponent".

"She is angry, but why is she angry at me?" Yuma then questioned.

He tried recalling all the things Zaira had said during their duel. The sentence 'I will never forgive you' and 'I am gonna get revenge for what you did to my brother. You took him away' ran through his head now. That and with the info he and Astral had on Zaira's past. Yuma's eyes widened in surprise now.

"Zaira believes I separated her brother from her" he then concluded "But no one, not even Zaira, knows what happened to her brother. It must be Vetrix! He changed Zaira's memories somehow". Astral nodded in agreement.

"I believe so too. It is not like Vetrix hasn't done that before" he then replied "By making Zaira believe you took away her brother, Vetrix unleashed Zaira's anger".

"I finish you up on my next turn Yuma" Zaira then said and placed a facedown and ended her turn. As she did that silver fang got destroyed, leaving Zaira with one monster on the field. It was Yuma's turn now.

"I got to find a way to help Zaira, but how can I stop Vetrix from controlling her?" Yuma then questioned. He didn't know what to do right now

"The problem is not just Vetrix" Astral then said "I still believe a number is controlling Zaira too. Cyclone beast chaos wolf. If Zaira summons the number before you break Vetrix's grip on her mind, then it will be almost impossible to save Zaira".

"It is not going to happen" Yuma then said firmly "We saved her before, and I will save her again. I will do whatever it takes to win this duel. Hopefully that will restore Zaira back to her normal self".

In the background he could hear the crowd cheer him on. Some of those people were of course his friends.

It was Yuma's turn. He drew and summoned "Gogogo ghost" in att mode. (1900 att, 0 def) Yuma quickly made his monster attack Zaira's beast wolf, but of course Zaira was ready for him. She activated the trap "Wakabu" and shielded her monster. Yuma's eyes narrowed. Zaira still protected her monster, just like she did in Roku's sanctuary. That only made Yuma 100 percent sure that this was the real Zaira. If there really were two of them, like Shark said there were, then the other Zaira was not in change right now. Yuma placed a face down and ended his turn.

"You are up Zaira" Yuma then told her. Zaira sneered angry at him.

"And you are going down Yuma" she then said in a cold tone "I have a card that is gonna finish you off forever. I will get revenge for what you did to my brother".

"You got it wrong. Vetrix is tricking you" Yuma then replied "What happened to your brother.. well no one really knows. Not even you". Zaira sneered angry.

"I don't believe you" she then said "We both know you will say anything to save yourself, but it is too late Yuma. It is ending now. You are guilty and this is your judgement day. I will finish you off, when I use my number". Yuma looked surprised. Zaira's number? As in Cy? That only confirmed for him that this was the real Zaira.

"Of course! Zaira only needs one monster to build the overlay network" Astral then said.

Yuma nodded slightly. It was Zaira's turn. She drew and as Yuma figured, her bonds with her wolves was still there, so of course she drew a level 4 monster. She summoned "Wolf warrior". Then she smirked evilly.

"Here. Everything is set. I overlay my two wolves to Xyz summon 'Nb 24 Cyclone beast wolf'" Zaira then yelled.

Yuma looked in horror when the network got assembled and the blue chained wolf appeared on Zaira's field. However Yuma was sure something was wrong here. A weird black aura was around the number. Maybe it was as infected as Zaira was? After all Yuma knew how much Zaira usually treasured this card. It was her dear friend. Maybe Astral was right and the numbers controlled her as well? Astral bit his lip a little.

"This is bad Yuma" he then commented. Yuma couldn't agree more. With Cy's 2500 att points against them, they were having big troubles alright. However Yuma was not going to give up. He was gonna save Zaira and win this duel.

A,N: Well That was that chapter. Hope you find it interesting, even though I cut it on a cliffhanger again. I am so cruel! 😃 However in the next chapter, we of course continues the duel. We also get a little into the true story about Zaira. At least all with Astral world. Yuma's effort to save her. Well I can only say it is going to be epic, as well as a little sad. But you will see what I mean in the next chapter. Hope you can wait for it.