A,N: Well here is the next chapter. I can really not believe I am already here you guys. Almost done, sort of, with Zexal 1. I couldn't have done it without all your readers support. So thank you everyone, for reading this and wishing more. It makes me so happy! Just a little note, the duel are a little different, with different cards and stuff.  please comment on what you think of the story though. Would like feedback 😃

Normal p.o.v.

The duel progressed. Everyone at the tribute was in awe over Cy. Zaira had after all never used it in the competition. They had seen Chaos Cy, but Cy's normal form was having a more graceful appearance. Yuma's friends however had seen Cy before, so they weren't that affected like the others in the crowd.

"Oh Zaira has brought out Cy now" Bronk commented "She means business".

"I'll say" Flip added "Is it just me or is Zaira acting strangely through the duel".

"No I think so too" Cathy said "This is not our Zaira".

"Well that is because.." Tori then said and began explaining what was going on exactly. The others eyes widened.

"Wait, are you telling me, Vetrix possessed Zaira?" Bronk then said in a low voice, but was still loud enough for the others to hear, without people on the tribute could hear them. Tori nodded slightly.

"Well that explains it" Caswell then said "Zaira being so mean through the duel with Shark. I thought she liked him. But in the end she turned him down. However if that wasn't Zaira..".

"Then maybe she do like that bully" Flip then said "There is always a flip side. If Zaira is mean now, then that truly is kind and caring on the inside".

"We got to do something" Cathy said "Help her in some way".

"We will!" Tori said firmly "By believing in that Yuma can win and save her. Come on Yuma!". Then the whole team began cheering like hell.

At one of the screens Faker was watching this duel as well. He was amazed by Cy's appearance, and wanted to have it's power like he had the other numbers. In the loge, Vetrix was smirking evilly as well, while watching the duel.

"I know you Faker. You are planning to cease control of Cyclone beast wolf and it's power, but you don't realize that I have plans too" Vetrix then said.

Astral's p.o.v.

Yuma: 2000 Lp's.

Zaira: 1700 Lp's.

Astral couldn't believe what was happening. He really couldn't believe he was dueling his best friend, and then it was under these circumstances. Zaira being possessed by Vetrix, or the number, or whatever that was happening to her. Astral just couldn't comprehend it. So many things were wrong. The anger Zaira was showing. Astral had a feeling, Vetrix had a plan with all this. Beside from destroying him and Yuma of course. It also pained him to see his protector, his best friend being used like that. Astral just wished he could go over there and shake whatever part of Vetrix's power out of her. However he knew it wouldn't help. Vetrix was having a too tight grip on her. That and Zaira couldn't touch him earlier. Could she now? Cy was summoned on the field after all. In the other duels, Zaira hadn't summoned it. Astral just wished he knew what was truly going on with Zaira. Was she possessed by a number or Vetrix? Was she the real Zaira or not? He had so many unanswered questions. He just wished he could get the answers.

"Astral! Astral!" said a voice suddenly and the Astral being looked confused around.

Someone was saying his name. However when Astral looked around, he could see no one speaking to him. Yuma was too focused on Zaira, and Zaira was too angry to even want to talk to the ghost in the first place. The only thing she cared about was destroying them. Mostly Yuma.

"Astral, Astral, listen to me!" the weird voice then said again. "Close your eyes and you should be able to see me".

The astral being was a little confused by that, but decided to do as the voice asked. It was not as he had anything to lose by doing so. Slowly for his inner eye wind was suddenly blowing. A creature appeared there.

"Cy?" Astral she in a bewildered tone "What are you doing here?". Astral couldn't really understand why Zaira's number in all its glory was in front of him, and then for his inner eye. Astral did however notice that it was the real Cy and not the corrupted version who was standing on Zaira's field. That number who was swept in a dark aura.

"I am part of the wind. I am the wind" The number replied and growled "This is my spirit. My true body is kind of occupied". Astral nodded slowly. Cy was after all on Zaira's field now, but Astral wondered what the number was doing here though.

"Astral, you must save my mistress. I can't do it myself" The number then said "I would like to, but Mistress Zaira is in an emotional state right now. She needs me to be at her side. Even if that means I will be corrupted by the darkness too".

"Cy, tell me, what is wrong with your mistress? Our Zaira?" Astral then asked. "How do Yuma and I save her?". The number sighed deeply.

"Vetrix did terrible things to her" Cy then said "But what you need to know is that Vetrix controls her with the chaos version of me. The darkness in the number messes up my mistress memory and possesses her soul. Something I regret deeply. I promised mistress never to possess her, but that is exactly what I am doing". Astral looked stunned at the number. Zaira really was right about that Cy was a good number.

"It was not your fault" Astral then said slowly "I am sure you did all you could to protect her. I should have believed more in Zaira, when she said you were a good number. However if we remove the chaos number from Zaira, she will be free?".

"Yes, mistress will be free" Cy then said and nodded "But if mistress summons the chaos part of me, I will not be able to help you doing the duel. You are on your own, so choose wisely". Then the number disappeared for Astral's inner eye. Astral sighed and began telling Yuma everything. The boy looked as surprised as Astral had been, but then he began smiling.

"So if we free her from the number she is safe?" Yuma questioned happily "That will be easy. She summons the chaos number and we win". Astral sighed deeply.

"Yuma this duel will be challenging" he then replied "That and I believe it is Zaira's turn. So keep your guard up". Yuma nodded slightly.

"Cy, I use your special ability to destroy two cards on the field" Zaira then said and removed an Ou. "Destroy their monster and one of their facedown cards".

"Ahr no good" Yuma then said and flipped completely out "If Zaira hits 'Rivals unite' we are done for. How can we then save her?".

"Yuma stay calm. There is still a chance she doesn't hit that card" Astral then said "We just have to wait and see. There is 50 percent chance she doesn't pick that one". Cy roared and a wind cyclone appeared and blew away 'Gogogo ghost' and one of the facedown cards. Then Zaira made Cy do a direct attack.

"Show no mercy Cy! Destroy Yuma once and for all" Zaira then yelled.

"Yuma prepare yourself" Astral then commented and the boy beside him nodded. A wind cyclone hit them with raw power. Yuma let out a scream.

Normal p.o.v.

At the tribute Yuma's friends was staring in horror at the attack. Cy had created a lot of dust, so they couldn't quite see what happened. But everyone believed they were finished. Even Zaira, who was at the other side of the duel field. She smirked evilly, thinking her job was done. Then the dust cleared however.

"What's this?" She questioned puzzled. Yuma and Astral was still in the game.

They had lost half of their life points (2000-1000) and was having "Gogogo Golem" in def mode on the field. Zaira's attack had clearly hit the golem, but since it was in def mode it couldn't get destroyed in battle once per turn.

"Yuma took his monsters and made a switcheroo" Bronk then commented.

"Great move. Yuma still have a chance to pull this one out" Tori then uttered.

"How were you two able to bring out Gogogo golem?" Zaira then questioned.

"We just had to pray ourselves lucky" Yuma replied with a sneer "When you used Cy's effect, you also destroyed just the right trap. The trap 'Sucker's punch' who gets activated when it is destroyed. By paying half of my life points, I could summon a monster from my grave in def mode. Because of Golem's eff, it stayed on my field and we took no more damage". Zaira sneered in annoying's.

"So that is how you survived" she then said "But I will defeat you on my next turn".

"Most impressive Yuma" Bronk commented from the tribute.

"That was genius" Caswell then added and Flip continued "Although it was properly Astral's idea".

Faker and Vetrix both enjoyed the duel, but for different reasons. Vetrix enjoyed seeing Yuma struggle, and Faker was impressed with Zaira dueling, because he wanted Yuma to summon Utopia, so he could see what it was made of.

Yuma's p.o.v.

Yuma sneered in annoying's. He had been so close at losing that he was sure he could taste it on his tongue right now. If Zaira had picked the wrong card, it really truly had been over, and he would not have been able to save Zaira. Yuma did wonder however if Cy had anything to do with that. If what Astral said is true, then the number wanted Zaira free from Vetrix as well. Astral floated down beside Yuma now.

"Listen Yuma, you must find a way to summon Utopia. It is our only hope now" He then advised him. Yuma nodded slowly.

"I was thinking the same thing, but I only have Golem on the field" He then replied "I need to draw another lv 4 monster to summon Utopia. Okay here goes!".

Yuma drew. If it was luck, Yuma didn't know, but he drew the spell "Pot of greed". Hopefully Yuma would get two good cards out of this. He drew again. Two trap cards were staring at him. Yuma sneered. How unlucky could he get?!

"Ahr no luck. It is not any monster cards" Yuma then uttered out.

"Patience Yuma" Astral then advised. Yuma sneered angry.

"Patience! I don't have the patience to be patience!" he then yelled "I got to save my sis Zaira, before it is too late!". He turned towards Zaira now.

"Come on Zai! Snap out of it! Vetrix is controlling your mind, but I know you can break free if you just think back to all the stuff we have done together" Yuma then yelled at her. Zaira was having a puzzled look on her face now.

"What are you talking about?" she then questioned.

"Don't you remember our first meeting? The part with the Litterbots and them stealing my cards? It was kind of awkward" Yuma then said, smiled and continued "Then there were the double duel against Scorch and Chills. You borrowed Shark's deck and later you became part of my family. Then there were the part with Kite and my key, and later they event with Trey. All events were you tried saving me. Something I am really grateful for". Zaira however really didn't react at all.

"Think back Zaira, try to remember" Yuma then continued "All those events and duels helped me to see who the true you is Zaira. That person is my friend and..".

"No I am not!" Zaira interrupted and sneered at Yuma. A magenta aura was appearing around her now. "I don't want to be friends with anyone Yuma. Especially not with someone like you. One thing I care about it getting revenge. You are gonna pay for taking my brother away!".

Vetrix crest once again appeared on her hand. Yuma looked shocked at her. He couldn't believe he couldn't get through to her.

"But I had enough chit chat for one day. We are wasting time here. I came here to duel. Not to have a conversation" Zaira then said "So hurry up and make your move".

"Alright then" Yuma sneered out "I have to let my dueling speak for me".

Then Yuma did his move. He changed his golem from def mode to att mode. Then he equipped it with the spell "Golden form". Since his monster switched from def to att mode, the spell doubled its att to 3600, until Yuma's next turn.

"Wow break out those sunglasses folks, this is the most glitches golem I have ever seen" Mr. Heartland then commented. Bronk clenched his fists.

"But even though it is powered up, it is still not a number card, so it can't take out Zaira's number" he then commented.

"Yeah, so why did Yuma use the spell?" Caswell wondered.

Back with Yuma, Astral looked puzzled at Yuma as well.

"Yuma.." He then said slowly. Yuma clenched his fists.

"I know what I am doing" he then told the ghost. "Even though I can't destroy Cy, my attack still packs a punch. Maybe the impact will be enough to bring Zaira back to her senses".

Astral nodded slowly. He let Yuma do that move. He made his golem attack Zaira's Number wolf. He actually figured that Zaira would use Cy's last Ou to stop the attack, but got surprised when she let that happen. She got blown up in the air now, because of the attack and hit the ground pretty hard. Cy was of course still on the field, but Zaira lost 1100 life points, giving her a score of 600.

"Zaira snap out of it!" Yuma then yelled. "Come on Zai!".

In the background he could hear Mr. Heartland comment on Yuma's outstanding attack, and that they were at 1000 or under that in life points. Yuma really didn't care. He was only focused on Zaira. The orange haired girl groaned and got slowly up on her feet's again.

"You can't take down my number, so you are trying to drain my life points instead. Only it is too late Yuma" Zaira then replied and smirked evilly. Yuma sneered a little and ended his turn with two face downs.

"We will see about that Zaira" Yuma then said "Take your turn".

Zaira's p.o.v.

I was pretty angry. How could I not, Yuma was the one guilty for taking away my brother. Him and Dr. Faker! I would do everything I could to get revenge for what they had done. That I owed my brother, wherever he were. I glared angry at Yuma.

"If you insist" I then said in a cold tone and drew "It's time. I just wish my brother was here to see this moment, but he can't be, thanks to you!".

I let out a terrified scream that surely startled the people at the audience, but I didn't care. I just wanted to win! Energy rose beside me now. I looked at Cy.

"It's time. By combining Cy with its Ou, it can further evolve itself. Go chaos Xyz evolution!" I then said and made Cy disappear into the overlay network. Soon its chaos counterpart appeared on the field instead "Appear C24 Cyclone chaos wolf".

That summoning of course had a big impact on people at the tribute. They all remembered that I had used it before in this arena. Although my memory of it was blurry. Yuma and Astral didn't look happy either. Serves them right!

"Zaira summoned her chaos number" Yuma then uttered in a scared tone.

"The chances of us winning the duel doesn't appear to be promising" Astral then added.

I snort inside. Of course not. They were gonna lose, and I would get my revenge. My eyes narrowed. I had 2 cards in my hand and under 1000 life points. It was for that reason, I could summon Cy's evolved form in the first place.

"I activate Cy's new special eff. By using an Ou, I can take cards from either of our graveyards, for every monster on our fields" I began explaining "There is two monsters on our fields, so I can take two cards. I want your and my 'pot of greed' from the graveyard, and for every stolen card, your monster loses 500 att points".

"That means my golem loses 1000 att" Yuma uttered shocked.

"Correct" I sneered "Now Chaos Cy, do your thing!". Cy let out a roar and it's many dark tails rushed forward to plant its roots in our graveyard's.

"You must stop this" Astral then said and looked at Yuma. My eyes narrowed by that. Yuma nodded eagerly.

"I am activating my 'Power change barrier' trap" Yuma then said and a warrior lit in golden colors with a giant shield appeared in front of his golem.

Apparently by sacrificing 700 att points from his golem, Yuma's trap cancels out Cy's attempt in stealing his and my cards. My eyes narrowed. So that was their plan. Well I could work around it with no problem at all.

"I will just do it all over again Yuma" I then sneered "I use a Ou to take two cards from the graveyard, so your monster loses 1000 att".

"That's not gonna happen Zaira, because I still have my trap" Yuma then replied and once again his monster lost 700 att points. I snort coldly.

"I still have one Ou, so I can strike again" I then said and removed Cy's last Ou "I take two cards from the grave and weaken your monster".

Just like last time Yuma activated his trap, and his monster lost 700 att. I smirked a little. Okay he had canceled my monster's eff out, but by doing so, his monster was seriously weakened. So weak in fact that Cy could destroy it. I wondered if he had realized that. His monster now only had 1500 att points.

"So what?" I then sneered out "You might have stopped Cy's eff, but Cy has now 1000 more att points than your golem. This next strike will end the duel".

Then I made Cy attack. If this hit, Yuma would have 0 life points and be out of the tournament. However of course Yuma and Astral wasn't done yet. They activated the trap "Half unbreak" and protected golem from destruction. At the same time the damage was cut in half. They survived my attack with 500 life points remaining. Yuma got however still tossed in the air and hit the ground pretty hard. I snort a little.

"You survived everything I thrown at you" I then commented and looked at my hand. A card Vetrix gave me before the duel was shown there. I smirked. "But I saved the best for last. On my next turn you are gonna lose". I placed Vetrix card face down and ended my turn.

Vetrix's p.o.v.

Vetrix was still sitting at the lodge and was smirking evilly, while watching the duel. It was getting to the climax and Vetrix liked it very much. He could hardly wait.

"If Yuma was wise he would stay down, he doesn't have a chance" he then uttered. "It's over. The card that I gave Zaira as a present is too powerful. Yuma will be finished once and for all". Then Vetrix laughed like hell.

Yuma's p.o.v.

Yuma was staring down Zaira once again. He had gotten up on his feet's and was once again ready to duel. He was not about to give up. There was too much at stake here. He wanted with all his might to free Zaira from Vetrix control. She was his friend. She was family too. He was not gonna give up on her ever. Astral looked just as worried. He was floating beside him and his eyes was also fixated on Zaira.

"We are down to 500 life points" Astral then commented "This is our last chance".

"I know" Yuma then said slowly and looked at his deck "But I am counting on my deck to help me win this turn. I gotta draw the perfect card. I am feeling the flow!". Yuma did his determined pose, and drew a card from his deck.

"I did it" He then uttered happily "I summon Gagaga magician". Since Yuma now had two level 4 monsters, he overlaid them to Xyz summon "Nb 39 Utopia" to the field in att mode. Zaira glared at the monster.

"Nice work" she commented in a mocking tone "Except that Utopia and Chaos Cy has the same att points. If Utopia tries to attack both of our monsters are destroyed, which means you are wide open Yuma. But by all means attack". Then she laughed like hell. Yuma clenched his fists in determination. He couldn't wait to free Zaira.

"That's not true!" Yuma then yelled and made Zaira stop laughing "Utopia will survive, and so will your chaos monster". Zaira looked puzzled at him.

"What are you talking about?" She then uttered surprised.

"I am fighting this duel to save you Zaira, but that doesn't mean I don't want to win. It is important that I become the WDC champion, so I can stop Dr. Faker and Vetrix. Something you said you wanted to help me with" Yuma then said and sent her a determined look. "But for now it is important to free you from the control Vetrix has on your mind. I promised Shark and myself this. I will do whatever it takes to help my friend. Especially when one of my good friends is part of my family. I am talking about you Zaira Sis!".

Zaira suddenly quivered by that. She was staring at him with a really surprised, maybe even shocked expression. Yuma wondered if he had gotten true to her a little, but at the same time, he hadn't the time for it.

"This will work!" he then yelled and made Utopia attack Chaos Cy. Zaira shock her head a little and once again stared angry at Yuma.

"You really don't give up!" she then yelled "Cy make his monster go out with a bang. Black fire of chaos!".

Then she made Cy attack Utopia. However attacking had never really been Yuma's goal. Their monsters shouldn't destroy themselves. He instead activated Utopia's special eff. By using an Ou, it could stop its own attack.

"Hold on! Utopia stopped its own attack!" Zaira then uttered rather puzzled.

"Are you ready?" Astral then asked Yuma.

Yuma nodded. He activated his last trap. The trap "Rivals Unite". Since Utopia stopped its own attack, the trap equip on to Zaira's monster, and Yuma could take control of it. Zaira looked really shocked now.

"No, you can't" she then yelled. Chaos Cy let out a terrifying roar.

"Leave Zaira at once! Hear that Cyclone Chaos wolf. I order you to enter my soul instead!" Yuma then yelled and the number lit up and turned to sparkling energy.

Energy that flew straight for Yuma and soon engulfed Yuma's body completely. However Yuma didn't really care there. He didn't care that the number soon merged with his soul. Because Zaira was free of the number.

Zaira's p.o.v.

"Leave Zaira at once. Hear that Cyclone Chaos wolf. I order you to enter my soul instead!".

A strange sensation ran through my body now. Yuma had just taken control of Chaos Cy and everything around me felt weird. Really weird. Pain then flashed through my body. It was like something ripped out my chest. I couldn't stop screaming. Then I could hear Yuma yell to me.

"You are free from the number Zaira, now try to remember the truth about the past".

I let out yet another scream. It was like my body was on fire. Pictures emerged from my head. Pictures I was sure I had seen before. Something who was important. Something who was going down memory lane.

I was lying on a common street. My back had hit the ground pretty hard. On top for me was a boy with red and black lobster hair.

"Stupid Bronk! I get you for that" the boy then sneered out.

"Hey Kiddo! You are lying on top of me!" I then yelled at the boy.

The picture changed. I, Yuma and Shark was at the harbor. A beautiful sunset was shown in the horizon. Shark and I were both pretty annoyed at that time. We were about to leave when Yuma began yelling at us.

"Oh come on Zaira, Shark! I thought we were friends".

The picture changed again. Shark and I were leaving on Shark's motorcycle.

"Please don't go!" Yuma then begged. I turned angry around.

"Save it Yuma! We both know you are lying. I don't ever want to be bothered again by you or anyone else". Then we both left.

The picture changed again. I was standing at the museum, who was having this rare deck. Beside me was Scorch, Chills and Shark. Yuma and Astral was standing in front of us.

"I can't have you two to toss away your lives Shark, Zaira. You are so much better than this!". Then a little while later Yuma yelled something differently.

"You don't walk away from me Zaira, Asta, Wroom!".

The picture changed again. This time Yuma and I was hanging from a cliff. This was the duel against Trey, and Yuma had turned into quivering coward.

"Now you listen, you idiot" I had yelled at him "You are not a loser Yuma. Trey did something to make you think that way, but it is not true. You are one of the most bravest, reckless, people I know, and I admired you for that. You once told me you lived in the positive world, where people could dream and that you could do whatever you sat your mind too. I was living in the negative world, where doubt and negativity lives. You had this burning wish to make me crossover to your world. To share the positive world with me, and I finally think it is happening. I may be creepy, have few friends and have a past I am not proud of, but I am not about to give up, and neither shall you Yuma. As I see it, Trey forced you to the negative world, but guess what you are not gonna stay there. No, you are gonna come back to the positive world, even if I have to drag you there together with me, and do you know why? It is because I am feeling the flow Yuma!".

Then we got pulled up by Yuma's friends.

A lot of other pictures followed. Yuma and Astral bringing me home countless times. Memories of me slamming Yuma countless times. The good and bad stuff we had together. Things Vetrix had made me forget, but now every true memory I had returned. Also some of the ones hidden away from Astral world. My body pulsated a little and the power of Vetrix's crest disappeared too.

"I finally remember Yuma" I then said slowly and tried to comprehend what was happening. Or had happened. My head was aching painfully "You are not the one responsible for what happened to my brother. No one truly knows. But Vetrix.. He used this to his advantage. He is the one messing up my head and soul. It was him! He was the one who planted Cy's chaos form in my soul and made me forget".

A scream filled the air now and woke me up to the cruel reality. In front of me was this duel Yuma, Astral and I was having, but since Yuma had taken Chaos Cy over to his side of the field, without using Astral to keep the number under control, Yuma was slowly getting consumed by Chaos Cy's power. My eyes widened in horror.

"Yuma!" I yelled and tried to figure out how to help him.

"It is too late for Yuma. Soon his soul will completely be consumed by Cyclone chaos wolf's power" I could then hear a voice say and Vetrix appeared as a hologram beside me.

I made a note to myself to kick Vetrix butt, but right now I was more worried about Yuma. He was clenching his chest and dark aura was him. Like Vetrix said, he was slowly getting consumed by the number.

"Yuma!" I yelled out in frustration. I didn't know what to do.

"If he truly is your friend and little brother, you want to help him of course" I could hear Vetrix say beside me now. I sneered angry. I wished Vetrix could take a hike. Yuma let out yet another frantically scream.

"What.. what can I do?" I then mumbled out. More to calm myself down than anything else. Then I remembered. The trap card on my field. The trap Vetrix had given me. I could see Vetrix smirk evilly at my side now.

"Ah so you remember. You just have to use the trap card I gave you. 'Heraldry Catastrophe'" He then mused and turned over to Yuma, who surely could see him, but still was trying to prevent the number from taking control of him.

"Don't worry Yuma. Zaira will save you" Vetrix then said and smirked. Yuma sneered angry at him, and yelled his name, but Vetrix didn't care "Since you took control of Cyclone beast wolf, Zaira can now activate her facedown card. It is a trap called 'Heraldry Catastrophe'. Since you now control Zaira's monster, the trap destroys it, along with all your monsters who has equal or fewer att points. So that means that Cyclone chaos wolf and your Utopia will both be wiped out".

"Wiped out?!" Astral uttered shocked. I knew why. If Astral lost with Utopia on the field, he would disappear after the duel. That didn't make me feel better.

"No way!" Yuma then also added. Vetrix laughed evilly again.

"Oh and you will also take damage equal to those monsters att points" He then said "That's a total of 5000 points. So Zaira it is a win-win for you. You free Yuma from your monsters control and you win the duel. Am I brilliant or what? I expected Yuma to take over your monster, and that's why I gave you the trap. Your victory is guaranteed Ha-ha-ha!".

I was not sure what to say now. I was lost for words. I was in shock. I couldn't believe what was going on here. Yuma finally freed me from Vetrix's control, only for me to wake up and figure out that this still was part of Vetrix's plot. I was having a terrible dilemma right now. At one part I couldn't let Yuma lose. If I did Astral would be gone too, but if I didn't do something, if I didn't use the trap, Yuma would get consumed completely by Chaos Cy. Whatever I choose, Vetrix would win in the end.

At the same time Yuma and Astral was trying to get out of this predicament as well. Yuma was having the monster "Traplin" in his hand. He could summon it, by destroying one trap on the field, which means he could get rid of Rivals unite. However as Astral pointed out, if Yuma did this, then yes Utopia and Astral was being saved, but I on the other hand, would gain control of Chaos Cy once again, which lead to me, being controlled by Vetrix. That made Yuma gasp in horror.

"So I have to choose between saving you or saving Zaira?!" He then yelled "I can't!". Just in that moment, Chaos Cy tightened its grip on Yuma's soul, and I could hear Yuma scream painfully up. He fell down to his knees now.

"Yuma!" I yelled and tried to come up with something. Just something differently.

"Quick, use that trap card. It is the only way you can help Yuma" Vetrix then urged. "Every second you hesitate, that chaos monster tightens its grip on Yuma's soul. You must activate Heraldry Catastrophe before it is too late. It will save your friend and assure your victory".

I was still lost for words here. I was still in this dilemma. I wanted to save Yuma. I really wanted, but I also wanted to save Astral. Astral was my friend. That and I really didn't want to do anything Vetrix asked me too. That would be almost the same as a traitor. Almost! Yuma was not looking too good. The dark aura around him was sparkling, and it was easy to see, that Chaos Cy's power was too much for his soul and body to handle. However he still manages to get on his feet's. He was having a pained expression on his face when he turned towards me.

"I can't do it!" He then said in a pained voice "I can't choose between you. You and Zaira are my friends. You are like family! I care about what happens to both of you, and I don't wanna see either of you hurt".

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Yuma was prepared to keep himself possessed, just to save me and Astral. At the same time, I knew Astral was prepared to die as well, just to keep Yuma and me safe. It really was a dire situation. Wait a minute. Family! My eyes flicked to the first card I placed facedown during our duel. At that time I had been kinda like a zombie. I had played on my instincts there. A smile appeared on my lips now. That's it! Oh Grace I could kiss you now.

"I activate the spell 'Family ties'" I then yelled and surprised everyone around me "With this card I banish a number card, like Chaos Cy, from the field. So Yuma is no longer affected by him". Yuma, Astral and even Vetrix in the hologram looked shocked. The spell rushed forward and blew away Chaos Cy from the field, however..

"Since this was a beast monster I banished, the owner, that's me, takes 1000 points of damage!" I then explained, when a whirlwind of from the card blew me over. That caused me the duel, but I didn't care. Yuma and Astral was at least safe.

Astral's p.o.v.

Astral looked stunned at Zaira's last move. She had used the spell, she got from Quinton, banished Chaos Cy and thereby took 1000 points of damage. That move made her life points hit 0, and Yuma won the duel. Everyone at the tribute was rather stunned. They couldn't believe the duel ended the way it did.

"I don't believe it" Mr. Heartland announced "Yuma Tsukumo wins the duel".

"Zaira! Zaira are you okay?" Astral could hear Yuma yell, and they both rushed over to the orange haired girl on the floor. Astral looked worried at her.

"Zaira, please answer" Yuma then yelled at her "Tell me you are okay".

"I'm fine" Zaira said slowly and opened her eyes. She smiled a tiny smile. "You saved me Yuma. My soul could have wandered lost in his darkness forever. But you two never gave up on our friendship. The bond we share. Vetrix tried to use me to hurt you and Astral, but in the end, I never gave up on our bonds either. Just promise me you two, that whatever happens, you will defeat and save Vetrix for good". Yuma nodded slightly, but confusion was written on his face. Just as it did on Astral's.

"Astral, I am sorry" Zaira then said slowly and hold out a hand towards him. Astral took it and they both touched. "I remember everything Astral. Everything from Astral world. I have been a terrible protector to you. I am sure your father would agree".

"Zaira what are you talking about?" the ghost then asked "It sounds like you..".

"Yuma, you are such a kind little brother. I am sure my real big brother would like you. If you ever meet him, tell him I love him" Zaira then interrupted and smiled "Your family have been so kind to me. Wish I could eat a little more of Grandma's food, or high five the sky with you just once more". Yuma shook his head.

"Zaira stop talking nonsense, you will surely get better. I didn't injure you that bad" Yuma then said in a confused tone "Your mind just need to recover from whatever..".

"Astral take them!" Zaira then interrupted and two number cards appeared in the hand she was holding Astral's with. "It is time you gained more memories".

Then she let go of his hand. Her arm felt to the ground and Zaira closed her eyes. Yuma looked shocked at the whole scene in front of him. He was not sure what was going on. Zaira wasn't that beat up, so why did she suddenly end unconscious. He shook her a lot. Astral on the other hand was more occupied by something. The number cards he had obtained, 24 and it's chaos form was flashing. Soon he got engulfed in its memories.

Flashbacks:

Astral soon found himself in his home world Astral world, which puzzled the ghost a little. Why am I here? When was this? He got that confirmed when he found himself as a young child, at the same age he meet Zaira for the first time, running around with Ena. Astral remembered this now. It was at that day, an earthquake or something happened, and Astral and the other citizens, had taken shelter in the palace. Astral also remembered that his father had suspected it was an attack from Barian world. At first Astral thought this memory was gonna follow him during that time, but got surprised, when the view point got shifted over to his father, Eliphas. The Astral guardian of the Astral world, had rushed through the terrain of Astral world moments after, he had made sure his son and citizen were safe. Soon his father arrived at the location where the cause for the earthquake had occurred. Astral found a woman, Xena, at a crater of some kind. In her arms she was carrying a sleeping child. A young human girl with orange hair.

"Xena!" Astral could hear his father say. "What are you doing here? I told everyone to take shelter in the palace". The woman sighed.

"I would but I saw this meteorite and.. well my mother instincts called me here" she then replied.

Astral could see the confused expression on his father's face. Then he noticed the child in her arms. Eliphas quickly tensed. Astral energy emerged from his hands.

"Place the child on the ground and stand beside, so I can kill it!" he then said in a cold tone.

"But with all due respect Eliphas sir, she is just a child. She will do no harm" Xena tried reassuring him "She is innocent". Eliphas sneered.

"Are you disobeying my orders Xena?" he then yelled "Stand down or feel the consequences".

Astral could see Xena tense. Then she sighed a little. Astral didn't believe Xena would disobey his father's order. He was the guardian of Astral World after all. However something happened that changed everything.

"Please I beg of you, please don't kill the child" A voice then said.

Eliphas and Xena looked confused around. Astral however had heard this voice before, so he didn't get surprised when a card soon floated in the air in front of them. This was Cy even through the card looked a little different. Eliphas looked puzzled at I.

"Please reconsider" the card then said "This child, my child, My Zaira hasn't done anything wrong. She truly wishes no harm. I will guarantee for her". Eliphas eyes narrowed.

"A duel monster card" He then commented "And a strong one at that".

"I will do everything you say, just spare my mistress Zaira" The card then begged.

"Anything?!" Eliphas then said and the blue light from his hands slowly disappeared. "Like becoming extra power for my son? You will fight for Astral world?".

"If that keeps you from harming my mistress, then yes I will become your tools of destruction" the card then said.

The scene changed.

Astral was now in this blue garden. The Crown prince remembered this place. It was one of the royal garden's around the palace. Astral turned his head to look a crystal blue forest a little away. Then a happy, giggling sound could be heard a little away. Astral turned his head, to see a blue wolf with chains and chain balls at its legs, jump out of some of the bushes there. On his back a happy young Zaira was sitting and laughing happily out loud.

"You can't catch me!" she then yelled and turned towards the two smaller Astral beings who was following her trail. Astral couldn't keep himself from smiling. This was also a memory from his childhood, with Ena and Zaira.

"That is not fair Zaira!" Ena yelled and rushed after her "You can't use Cy in tag".

"It is not unfair at all. You two can fly" Zaira replied with a smirk "Try and catch me!".

Then her and Cy bumped into Eliphas on their way out of the forest though. The Astral Guardian sent her a disapproved look for that. Zaira smiled sheepishly.

"I.. I didn't see you there your majesty. So sorry!" she then apologized.

"Father!" a little older Astral then said and floated in front of his father "I.. Zaira didn't do anything wrong. We were just about to play tag in the forest and..".

"Have fun my son" Eliphas replied and petted his head "Be back before dinner".

"Really?!" a young Astral said bewildered. Then he lit up with a big smile "Oh thank you! Thank you father!". He then hugged him out of happiness.

"Yay, we are so gonna play" Zaira uttered happily, and smiled sheepishly when Eliphas sent her a disapproved look. He really disliked her. Soon they rushed through the forest.

"Astral! Ena where are you?" Zaira then yelled out loud in a panic.

They had played just fine. Zaira and Cy had rushed a little forward into the forest, and at some point they had went lost. Zaira sighed deeply and clenched her small fists at two tots of Cy's fur at its back. She was really scared now.

"Now, now mistress don't cry" Cy said in a soft caring voice "We will find them soon".

"They just disappeared" Zaira whispered "I wanna go home Cy!".

"We will soon be back home I promise" Cy then reassured "Until then you must be strong. You wanted to become a great Astral warrior right? They don't cry all the time!".

Zaira sniffed a little, but nodded. She looked around in the forest. Everything looked the same.

"Cy, can't you use your power of the wind, to find our way home?" she then asked.

"I have been trying, but something is blocking my powers" Cy then said. That didn't make things better. Zaira sniffed again, believing they couldn't get home now. Cy sighed a little and continued "But come let's just keep on going, maybe we can find something recognizable". Zaira nodded quickly and the two of them continued walking.

They hadn't come very far, before they found blue clearing, with a beautiful lake. A little away from there was a hunt actually. Zaira and Cy looked puzzled at each other. They never knew a place like this existed.

"It is beautiful" Zaira uttered happily "Who do you think lives here?". Cy was about to reply, when a voice could be heard.

"Who's there?! Identify yourself!". A male armed with a duel disk appeared, and looked firmly around for any danger. A female with orange long hair was following him. They all looked stunned at each other.

"A human girl on a wolf?" the male then said puzzled and lowered his duel disk. "I didn't know there were other humans in this world".

"Oh Kazuma isn't she a cutie" the female then said and smiled "She reminds me of Yuma and Kairi a little". The male Kazuma smiled a little.

"Yeah that she does Mira" he then replied. "But why hasn't Eliphas..".

"Who are you?" Zaira then questioned "Are you lost too?".

"You might say that" Kazuma replied "The name's Kazuma Tsukumo, and this is my wife Mira Tsukumo. What is your name? and how did you two get through our barrier?".

"Oh I am Zaira. Zaira Asta Wroom, and this is Cy" Zaira said in a happy tone "And when I grow up I will be a great Astral warrior! Then I can be with Astral forever!".

"You don't say" Kazuma said and smiled "So you know the Crown prince Astral?".

"Yes he is my best friend" Zaira said happily "I'll soon start study too. Astral promised to being teaching me. So I will learn, lots and lots of things!".

"Well good luck with that then" Kazuma then said and smiled "Maybe you could be the bridge that builds the three worlds together". Zaira looked puzzled at him.

"Bridge? What bridge?" she then questioned. Kazuma shook his head.

"Never mind that. Just turn around to the left from here and continue this road, then you will get to the Astral palace" Kazuma said "You surely want to get out of here. However when you leave the barrier, you will forget you ever meet us dear Zaira".

Zaira looked puzzled at him, but Cy nodded eagerly. Soon they left this place.

Scene change. Time skip.

This time Astral found himself in a place, he hadn't seen that many times. It was on the top of one of the tallest towers in Astral world, and Astral disliked it here a little. It was here his father was having his throne room. It reminded the Astral prince of his duties to his people, even though he couldn't remember that duty as of yet. In front of the throne where his father was of course sitting, was Zaira standing right now. She was still as tall as a 9 year old, but she was having a much more mature look in her eyes. Cy was of course right beside her. Just as always. She bowed to Eliphas.

"You wished to see me your majesty" Zaira then said. Eliphas nodded.

"As you know, the time for my son to travel to earth approaches us" the Astral guardian then said "As you know, a protector is accomplishing him on that journey. Because of resent event, and that you are the best in your class, I have selected you to join him Zaira".

"I am eternal grateful your highness" Zaira then said and bowed her head again. Cy did that as well. "You know it has been my wish for a long time". Eliphas snort at that.

"You should be grateful. I never thought a human would join my son, but just to be sure that you know your duties as his protector, I had you summoned here" he then said.

"It is my sole purpose to protect and guide the Astral prince towards his mission against the wicked ones" Zaira then said "I shall keep my codex of honor as an Astral warrior".

"And.." Eliphas eyes narrowed a little "Are you also prepared for the final step, I placed upon you? The vow you and your number promised". Zaira nodded slightly.

"When the time is right, Cy and I will do the right thing your highness" She then replied "If we ever lays a hand in harm upon your son, or when it is finally time for Astral to use Cy's powers, I will give him the card without hesitating, even though I will die in the process. All for the sake of Astral, the crown prince and Astral World!".

"Good that is what I require of you Zaira Asta Wroom" Eliphas replied with a smirk.

Astral gasped when the flashbacks ended. If he had been able to, he would surely drop the number cards to the ground. That was how surprised he was. He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe what he had been seeing. His farther had.. This couldn't be true! He shook his head. NO! it just couldn't be.

"Astral! Astral something is wrong with Zaira!" Yuma then yelled and woke up the ghost beside him. Yuma was looking up at him with scared, tearful eyes "She is not responding at all. It is like.. yeah!".

Astral knew what he was trying to tell him. He knew it already, but it didn't make it more dreadful for any of them. Zaira had kept his promise to his father Eliphas, and had died in the process..

A,N: Sniff. That was the ending of that chapter. I am not crying. I am not! 'sniff'. Just think this is a sad ending and a cruel, cruel cliffhanger. Even for myself. However next chapter, well Yuma's battle with Vetrix. Cut a little down though. Other stuff happens you know. A really epic chapter. So yeah hope you can wait a little before I update once again.