A,N: Well here is the next chapter. It is a really long, but good one so hope you can live with that. I just want to state some facts before you begin to read. Artimus Stanley, you know the comic boy, is a second year student in this story. Needed him to be in Zaira's class. That and Ray may be a little maybe out of Ray character in this chapter too. You will understand, when you read it. That is all. Have fun reading.

Normal p.o.v.

Time passed on in Heartland city. Everything was at first rather normal. Yuma, Zaira and the gang along with Ray, was having a bearable time with each other. That until Yuma suddenly got selected for class representative. Something with Ray nominating him. Caswell was not happy about this, since he was the former class representative. So was the school council president Carlyle Chesterton, who were under Girag's control along with the whole council, and he made him the schools disciplinarian. After making Caswell the disciplinarian, which he used to get his grudge on Yuma, Carlyle has a duel with Yuma, under school rules, which was fishy. In the end, Caswell came to his senses and well helped out Yuma, so he won over Carlyle, and freed the whole student council from the barian's control. Girag was rather frustrated. That until he found a picture drawn of him, as some sort of comic figure. A talented kid named Art had created, which Girag of course brainwashed. Here the story once again begin and it is project week for the whole school along with tests..

Zaira's p.o.v.

"Okay place your pen down at the table!" Our teacher in math Peter McCoy shouted, and we as students did that.

I sighed deeply. Math was one of my strong suites, but still. Tests made me nervous. I looked over at Shark who was having a calm and collected expression. I figured he had been doing okay. Either that or he was extremely good at hiding his anxiety. Peter McCoy walked around in the classroom collecting the papers. We were not allowed to talk yet though. Class was not finished, and we still had partner selection for the project week. Apparently it was rather common every year to have a project week, and to make it more exciting, our partner was selected by random between students in our class. It was like that in every class through the whole school. I was hoping to be paired up with Shark boy, but considered all the classmates in this class, the odds were slim. The selection was rather simple. Our name was written on a piece of folded paper, and placed in a little sack of some kind. Without looking, our teacher pulled out two names and well they were partners for the rest of the week, starting on Friday, which was tomorrow. I looked around on the other students. Everyone was okay I guess, beside one of Shark's fan group girls. Teaming with them, would be like being maimed literally. They would surely make my life hell, since I dated Shark. Peter had collected all the test papers and had now begun to pair us up. I was only half listening. I really didn't care about who got paired really. All I was listening for was my own name and Shark's, but I really didn't think he could get paired up with anybody terrible. After all Shark's reputation was exceptional bad boyish.

"Reginald Kastle and Veronica Lounge" Peter then uttered and I fell down my chair.

I had to correct myself. That was the most evil and cruel pair in my entire life. Veronica Lounge was the head leader of Shark's fan club. I could literally hear her laugh her insane laughter at me, stating she would make Shark fall in love with her instead, and thereby dumb me in favor for her. I glared angrily over at her table, when I got up on my bench again. She was smiling sweetly and waving at me, and Shark, from her seat. I was like 'Grr' inside. Shark of course ignored her, and I knew he wouldn't settle for a girl like her, but still. This would be like torture.

"Zaira Wrong and her partner will be...". On second thought, this week would be like hell added with a lot of torture!

Time skip. After school.

"I hate my life!" I sneered as I was standing out in the school courtyard with Yuma and the usual gang.

We were waiting for Shark to finish his group preparation with his partner, who clearly was just trying to keep Shark to stay longer with her. Yuma and the others looked puzzled at me.

"Why? What is wrong Zaira chan?" Ray questioned puzzled "Did your test go bad?".

"No!" I sneered "I am good at math. I know I did great. What isn't great is this project week. I just hate it! Shark got hitched up with a fan of his".

"Oh you are Jealous" Cathy teased "But I can understand your feeling of not being with your beloved one. I got paired up with Tori of all people!". Tori sent her an annoyed look. Something told me, she wasn't happy either.

"What is wrong with you?" Yuma uttered "I have no problem with my partner. We are the perfect team. Isn't that right Ray?". Ray nodded eagerly.

"Of course Yuma Kun" he said in a happy tone "We are so gonna ace it!".

I rolled my eyes. I wasn't sure that was even possible with Yuma being a slacker and Ray being a hyper goofball. I don't think the Ray way would ace anything actually.

"So who is your partner?" Tori questioned and looked at me. I figured it was to chance topic from Yuma and Ray high fiving the sky just now. I snort at that.

"Him!" I replied as a kid rushed out of the main entrance towards me.

"Zaira! You forgot your sketchbook!" He said in an advising tone "If we shall be partners, I except you keep better track of your stuff". I sent the boy a cold glare.

"First of all, you gave me that book Art. Second of all, I don't want it!" I sneered angrily "I told you a million times already".

Art, Artimus Stanley, my partner looked puzzled at me. I rolled my eyes. Of all the people in that classroom and then I had to be paired up with the comic geek. Who uses pencils and stuff to keep up their hair?!

"I really don't understand it Zaira. Those sketchbooks always helps me" he then replied and scratched his hair a little.

He was holding an identically sketchbook at his chest, which he of course soon dropped, because he was carrying enough stuff in his arms as it is. Drawings and sketches were all over the place.

"Oh I am so sorry about that" Art uttered and began collecting his drawings. I sighed at that, but in the end, we all began helping him.

"Wow!" Yuma then suddenly uttered and were staring at one of the drawings "Is that me? It looks like me, and I am awesome!".

I peeked over at Yuma's shoulder now. Yuma was staring as this ultimate hero, as it was written on the paper, and yeah it did look like Yuma a lot. Art looked rather embarrassed now.

"Well yeah it kinda is" Art admitted "But you weren't supposed to see this yet, since it is not fully done. I wanted to use it for this week's project, but my partner turned me down". Everyone's eyes turned to me now. I sneered angrily.

"Yeah of course. You wanted to make a superhero story!" I yelled "We got hit with the topic modern history. When is superheroes modern history?".

"Well you never let me fully explain" Art countered rather quickly "I wanted to make super heroes based on WDC duelists. Like Yuma here".

I rolled my eyes. This was getting better and better. I could kiss my straight A's goodbye. Yuma was looking at the drawing with happy eyes though. Then he looked puzzled at it.

"But why is it not done yet?" He questioned slowly "I think it looks awesome".

"Well you see, I haven't found out this hero's weak point yet" Art replied and smiled sheepishly "All heroes have one. So might share yours with me?".

"My weak point?" Yuma questioned and grinned "That's an easy one. I don't have one". At that I was face palming a lot. Yuma was as stupid as ever.

"Wait a minute, WDC duelists!" I uttered "Does that mean you have other drawings in there? As in a picture of me!". Art nodded eagerly and gave me a pile of drawings.

"Yeah, I was gonna show you, but when you turned down the idea, I saw no need for it" He replied "Yours are somewhere in there".

I rolled my eyes and looked through the pile of drawings. I had an idea he did this on purpose so I could look at each picture, and thereby get drawn for that idea to the project week. I must admit these pictures were awesome. All duelists in the finals were drawn here, as some kind of hero. Or Vetrix did look more like a psychotic villain, but still. Even Sasha looked great pictured as an ice dragon of some sort.

"Wow that is Shark?!" Yuma uttered and pointed at the picture shown in the pile now.

Apparently Shark was what an antihero called the night Shark? Pretty fitting actually. Art and Yuma were having a discussion about that, which I really didn't care about. I was much more interested in the last picture in the pile.

"Is this a joke?!" I sneered and pointed angrily at the drawing "What is that supposed to be? A cute fox? I am nothing like that".

I was holding up a drawing of a cute wolf or fox or whatever, who were supposed to be me. (kinda resemble Miles/Tails from sonic, if you know what I am referring to) Art hummed a little.

"Actually it was supposed to be a wolf, but yeah I might need to change the design a little. It does look fox like" He responded and went thoughtful. I sneered angrily.

"Well let me spare you for the trouble" I said in a cold tone and curled the drawing into a ball and stepped on it "I do not approve".

Art didn't look so happy, but before he could say anything, Shark finally appeared beside us. Art of course tried to make Shark agree in using his design too, which my boyfriend disapproved of as well. Art however was persistent, and in the end made Shark drop one of his rings. That made me bite my lip. Shark had told me, how Rio had given him them before she got hospitalized. He was wearing them to remember her by. Luckily Shark didn't go all violent on him. He just bowed down and picked up the ring, and we soon left the school's ground. I was holding hands with Shark of course.

Time skip. In the middle of night. Yuma's place.

I ran and ran. I gasped after air. Shadows was all around me. Blood was all around me. Screams soon followed, and I covered my ears. I didn't like it. I didn't like it at all. People were dying. Where I knew that from I couldn't tell. I just knew. More screams followed and I let out a cry as well. I wanted it all to stop. I wanted this meaningless battle to end. I had no idea who was fighting. All I wanted was these meaningless screams to stop. To make the deaths stop. Why was that so difficult?! An arrow from somewhere hit me in the chest and I felt groaning to the ground. I knew it had pierced my heart. In front of me emerged a shadow figure with red glowing eyes. Their lips were smirking.

"Goodbye Zaira Wroom. Have a nice death" the being said.

I groaned in pain and cough up blood. However I didn't want to go down. I didn't want to die!

"No..." I managed to say "I.. won't.. die". The being smirked evilly.

"Oh? Why? What is keeping you from doing that?" the being questioned "You have nothing. You won't stop them from slaying each other. No one will come to your aid either".

I tried to focus, but my eyes were really blurry now. I was trying to say Astral and Yuma's name, but for some reason the words were stuck on my lips. I couldn't say Shark's name either. It was like they didn't exist. I groaned in pain again.

"Nii san!" I then managed to whisper. I could hear a voice snort. Sounds a sword got drawn could also be heard. Everything began getting black. "Nii san".

"Zaira, Zaira!" I could feel I got shaken slowly.

I sniffed a little. My eyes slowly opened. I was not sure what was going on or where I was at first. The nightmare was fresh in the mind. Luckily it seems like I haven't screamed up at least. I couldn't hear Yuma or Astral rush down from the attic. I could hear Yuma snoring. I sniffed a little. I was crying. I didn't know fully why. The dream had been terrible, but why was I crying? I couldn't see a reason why I should cry.

"Zaira" whispered a voice then suddenly and I tensed. However at the same time I felt so tired. I blinked a little. A silhouette was beside me at my bed now.

"Who are you?" I said in a groggy voice. I wondered why I wasn't shouting or anything. Someone was in our house! The silhouette moved pretty quickly now.

"Shush, it's okay, you are dreaming" the voice then said and a finger got placed on my lip for a sec "You were calling for me remember?! Now I can finally answer your calls Zaira. Your nii san is here at last".

My eyes widened in surprise. Without warning tears were running down my cheeks again.

"Nii san.. I.. how?!" I whispered. The silhouette grinned a little.

"Anything can happen in a dream" he replied and rubbed away some of my tears "Tell me who makes you cry Zaira?". I bit my lip a little.

"Just, just a bad dream" I then whispered. The boy hummed a little.

"Well don't worry Ve.. I am here ok" he then reassured me "Now lay down and get some rest. When you wake up that bad dream is all but gone". I yawned a little and placed myself at my pillow.

"Nii san.. don't go" I said slowly. I was holding a hand out. I could feel him grab it.

"Don't worry I won't be far" he then reassured "I will come one day. The real me will come and get you. Wait for me Zaira". I nodded slowly and yawned. He let go of my hand. I just smiled a little.

"Good, because you will not remember much of this meeting".

That was the last thing I heard, before I fell asleep once again. That and purple eyes staring at me.

When I woke up, again, it was already morning. The nights event was a little blurry in my mind though, but I stood up and prepared myself for school. And what a day I was having. One of the most unlucky days of them all. Besides that Yuma overslept and I had to drag his sleeping corpus to school, we also had to take Ray's 'Ray way' because we were late. When I finally arrived, Art and I had a heated discussion on our theme of our project. That and added with that miss fangirl was flirting with Shark, or tried flirting with him, while she knew I were watching from afar. It was completely annoying, even though Shark didn't respond to any of it, or ignored her. It still pissed me off inside. The only happy thoughts I was keeping inside my mind was that it was soon weekend, and Shark and I had planned a date today. That kept me going through this dreadful day. When the bell finally rang, and ended this day's activities, I was all like 'Yes' inside.

Soon Shark and I, as well as the others who wanted to tag along, were on our way home. I couldn't wait for that date we were having. However I should have known this was too good to be true. After all this day hadn't been anything but terrible so far, so why stop now. I had hugged Shark's arm, like I usually do when I was all thrilled and excited for something. It was a trait Shark of course found cute, and he was soon smiling, making our fingers intervene.

"Someone is excited. Have you missed me that much Miss stubborn?" he questioned.

"Of course!" I uttered happily "Don't you know what kind of dreadful day I have been having? I am just so happy we have time for each other now. Can't wait for our date tonight".

At that Shark froze a little. He had even stopped up, which puzzled me. Slowly, very slowly, he opened up his mouth, and right in that moment, I so wanted to kill those words he was saying.

"We had a date tonight? Since when?!". I think my world literally crashed inside.

"Shark, don't tell me you have forgotten it" I then said and let go of him "We planned this last week. You were the one suggesting this". Shark bit his lip a little.

"Well I do remember us planning it, but I just forgotten it was tonight" he then defended and looked at me with regretful eyes "I have had a lot of my mind lately. I am sorry Zaira, but I kinda have another appointment today". My eyes widened in horror at that. My boyfriend was ditching our date?!

"What, you are cancelling it?" I yelled angrily. I really hoped he had a good reason for this. I was already pissed as it is. "Why?". Shark rolled his eyes now.

"To visit Rio of course. I promised her, I would tonight" he then replied. I sneered angrily inside now. I clenched both my hands.

"So let me get this straight Shark boy. You rather want to spend time at a boring hospital instead of hanging out with me, your girlfriend, for just one night" I then yelled "You have been there every night since the WDC. It is not like it matters, that you aren't there for her for just one night". Shark sneered angrily now.

"Well as a matter of fact it does Miss stubborn! She is my sister, and she is in a comatose! What if she wakes up, tonight and I am not there" he yelled back at me.

"And what if she never wakes up Shark boy" I sneered out without thinking. I was just caught up in the moment in heated anger I guess "Then what? Are you just gonna sit there wait for her anyway. Rio wouldn't want you to do that".

"And what do you know about what my sister, want or don't want for me Zaira?" Shark yelled back. He was clouded by anger too "You don't know her at all".

"So what Shark boy?! You clearly would choose Rio over me, your girlfriend anytime" I sneered and turned my back to him. I was rather disappointed now.

"And what is wrong with that" Shark snapped back to me "I choose family over friends and loved one every time, but it is not like you understand. You are an orphan. You don't have any true family!".

Silence uttered all around us. My eyes widened in shock at that sentence. I know we both had been heated up in the moment, and that we both said things we weren't proud of, but that line stung like hell.

"Ahr Shark you broke the taboo!" Yuma uttered in a scared tone.

Everyone who knew me, knows that talking about the family I might or might not have, was a touchy subject for me. I was shaking a little now. I didn't know if it was in anger, or pain or sadness who was running through my body now, but I turned around and looked at Shark with tear filled eyes, where after I slapped him across the face.

"Fine, do whatever you like Shark boy" I then yelled "See that I care, because we are through. I really hate you!". Then I ran away as fast as my legs could carry me.

Shark's p.o.v.

Shark was not fully sure what just happened. Right now he was sitting on the ground rubbing his cheek in utter confusion. Zaira had slapped him. She had literally slapped him. It had come as such a surprise, that Shark had lost his balance, causing him to sit on the ground right now. The events were running through his head. He knew he had messed up. He knew he had ditched their date, but he had thought miss stubborn would understand. Zaira was normally so considerate. Normally she was okay with something so trivial as a date being cancelled. Instead she had been yelling at him and they had begun arguing. One thing lead to the other, and Shark had accidentally said that. The taboo words who was forbidden around Zaira. Zaira hated being reminded that Yuma and his family wasn't her true family after all. Geez I have forgotten how hard she can hit. He rubbed his cheek a little more. He didn't know what to do as of yet. Had Zaira just broken up with him? He couldn't comprehend this at all. Should he go after her? Knowing Zaira, she properly didn't want to see him at all right now. Maybe he should wait until she had calmed down?

"Shark, how could you say those things to Zaira?" Yuma then uttered "You know she hates being reminded of that. You need to do something". Shark snort at that.

"Ahr put a sock in it Yuma" he sneered and got up "I don't need you to remind me that I messed up".

He could hear Yuma snort now, which made Shark roll his eyes. Knowing Yuma he would properly do something dramatic to try and change his mind. He therefore got very surprised when Ray suddenly grabbed him, and were staring at him with very angry eyes now. If eyes could kill, he would be death already.

"How dare you say that to Zaira!" he yelled loudly and shook him like hell. Shark was feeling very dizzy. "Oh the things I shouldn't do to you. I should.. I will ki..".

"Ahr Ray what are you doing?!" Yuma suddenly uttered and those words made Ray stop surprised up. He quickly dropped Shark to the ground now.

"Oh I am sorry Yuma Kun. I don't know what came over me" Ray apologized and looked firmly at Shark now "It's just.. I couldn't handle seeing Zaira chan cry".

"Yeah I do understand Ray, but shake all life out of Shark isn't gonna work either" Yuma replied in a reassuring smile. "We just need to come up with some other stuff to help her, and Shark being friends again".

Shark rolled his eyes. He was finally stopped being dizzy. How he and Zaira should make up was not of their concern.

"Oh I know" Ray uttered suddenly and was smiling a bright smile "We just need to cheer Zaira chan up. Leave it to me and the Ray way".

Before anyone could say or do a thing, Ray had rushed away from here. Shark snort at that and got up on his feet.

"I am going for a walk" he then proclaimed and left as well, but in a different direction than Zaira had used.

Zaira's p.o.v.

I sighed deeply and tossed another stone in the river. I was feeling rather dreadful. With my knees close up to my chest, I was in a lot of self-pity. As usual when I was down I could be found around water. It had a tranquilly I needed to calm myself down. It made me relax for some reason. I tossed yet another stone.

"Mistress" I could hear Cy say and I lifted my head to look at the transparent ghostly state of Cy's spirit form. The proud wolf was lying as close to me as I allowed, which was a meter or so, at the grassy ground. He looked at me with a worriedly gaze.

"It is gonna be okay Mistress" he then reassured "We will find your family".

"How can you be so sure about that?" I questioned and sniffed a little "Maybe they didn't want me, and that was why I ended in Astral world. Maybe something has happened to them, and that is why..". Cy growled firmly and stopped my raddle.

"We both don't know what happened to them, but we will find out" He then reassured "We got to have hope. You are not alone. I am here with you whatever happens. Remember that Mistress".

I nodded slightly at that, and tossed another stone in the river. Then I sneered angrily.

"Shark boy is a big, big idiot!" I yelled out loudly "That annoying jerky octopus head. How dare he say I don't understand?! I do. I do you damn jerk. He can go drown in the sea for all I care".

Cy growled in agreement to that. I could hear him mumble something about Shark drake, and that he wasn't keeping his partner in line, or something. That and Cy would bite him and Shark. I rolled my eyes, but a little smile did show on my lips. Cy did at least try to cheer me up in his own bizarre way. However then I sighed deeply again. I was just feeling so depressed right now.

"Nii san" I whispered slowly. It was moments like this I wished my brother was here.

"So it.. is here you are.. Zaira chan?" a voice then said behind me, and I turned surprised around. Ray Shadows were standing there in front of me and were gasping for air. Then he was smiling a big smile. He looked around at the scenery.

"Wow this place is rather pretty" he then uttered "Yuma Kun told me you liked places with water Zaira chan, but didn't understand why, until now. It is beautiful here, and that sunset just makes it even more pretty".

I turned my head to the horizon to see that he was right. The sun were about to set. I didn't think it was that late.

"What are you doing here Ray?" I questioned annoyed "I don't need any fans right now. So go away!". Ray sent me a puzzled, worriedly look.

"But we are all worried about you Zaira chan" he then said "Yuma kun and the others are searching for you as we speak". I snort coldly at that.

"Well I didn't ask him to" I sneered coldly "I just want to have my peace and quiet".

"Okay, okay I get it. You want to be alone" Ray uttered in a scared tone and took some steps backwards "I will leave then, but I thought you should know, that I think Shark wasn't fair over for you at all. How dare he say that you don't understand?! You are very compassionate and caring, so why wouldn't you understand him? Even though I don't get all that with an orphan and taboo words".

At that I tensed. I knew it hadn't been Ray's intentions, being the newbie and all, but that last sentence made me think of the orphanage and my dreadful past, along with my doubtful family. Suddenly tears were running down my cheeks, and I quickly tried to hide the sight of it, by turning my head. Sadly Ray had already noticed.

"Wah you are crying?! Zaira chan is crying. What to do?! What to do?!" he then yelled up, and by the sound of it, also looked like he was flipping out.

"Just go Ray" I said firmly without looking at him. I sniffed a little too.

"But I can't leave you here, while you are crying" he uttered.

I just sneered at that, and yelled he should leave. Silence were the only reply to that, and I figured he really had left. I let out a relieved sigh. That until I suddenly felt arms wrapped around me, and were pulled into a weird hug. My head was lying on Ray's chest as he kneeled down in the grass. His purple eyes were filled with worry.

"Zaira chan I am sorry, but please understand. I just can't leave you like this" Ray then said in a pledging tone "Helping others is part of the Ray way". I sneered angrily and began hitting him with weak small punches. I wanted out of his grip.

"Let me go! I don't want or need your help!" I shouted, but surprisingly Ray kept his grip very firm. I sneered angrily at that. "Let me go! You don't understand. You are just a newbie. A goofy transfer student. You don't understand anything!".

"Then explain it to me!" Ray suddenly shouted back, which surprised me a big deal "Or don't. I don't care Zaira chan. But I am not gonna let go, until I am sure you are okay, and right now you clearly aren't".

At that I looked stunned up at him. Seconds later my façade broke. Everything literally broke. I couldn't keep my parades up any longer, and I cried. I sobbed out in cries. Not sure why I actually was crying. I had a hunch it might have been everything that had been hidden, boiling on the inside all those years. All that had happened in the years up until now. And Ray let me. He didn't do or say a thing. He just let me cry. At some point, I didn't know when, I also began sharing everything with him. All that had happened in the past, with exception of Astral world. That part he didn't need to hear. I figured he wouldn't understand anyway. I felt like I could trust him for some reason. In the end, I was just lying with my head at his chest, listening to his heart beat.

Ray's p.o.v.

Ray sneered angrily inside as he hugged Zaira. She was a nerve wrack and just needed a good cry, to let all the bad emotions she was feeling out. That was all Ray could help her with for now. He wished he could do more. Oh how he wished he could. If it stood to him, he would take her with him, so she was safe from well everything. The anger Ray was feeling right now, was so intense, that he almost lost sight on his own thoughtful plans, but luckily it was only almost. The things Zaira told him. He couldn't believe those people at that orphanage in her past had treated her like that. They hurt her! They hurt her! Ray made a mental note, that somewhere in the future, they will pay, but for now, he had to stay in character. He had to pretend to be Ray Shadow. This dense transfer student.

"Are you better now Zaira chan?" He questioned innocently and let slowly go of her "I am really not good at stuff like that. Guess the Ray way isn't exactly there to cheer up people".

He scratched his hair innocently. Zaira shook her head a little. She moved some of her tears away from the corner of her eyes.

"No you did an okay enough job" she replied and forced herself to smile a tiny smile. "Guess I just needed a hug. I am all better now". Ray looked at her. It was clearly shown she was not okay, but he couldn't argue with her on that now.

"Oh that is awesome to hear" he uttered in a happily tone and looked at her "Okay, it is decided. Every time you are down in the doubt, I will hug you until you smile".

"I really don't think it is necessary.." Zaira muttered out, but Ray interrupted her by giving her another hug.

He knew Zaira was so down right now that she wouldn't even hit him or push him away this time. She just let it happen. They were once again both silence, as he hugged her for a little while. Ray didn't even mind Zaira wasn't hugging him back. She had changed. She wasn't a hugging kind of type any longer. Then without warning, a weird sensation ran through Ray. A sensation he actually were rather familiar with. His eyes narrowed. He once again let go of Zaira and sent her a happy smile. Soon Zaira actually returned it. A tiny smile showed on her lips.

"Ah there, there, Zaira chan is smiling" Ray uttered in happiness. Seconds later he groaned a little, when Zaira has slammed a fist in his head.

"What is that supposed to mean?!" she sneered at him "I told you I am fine!".

"Okay, okay I believe you" Ray quickly said and put his hands up in a defensive stand "So please stop hitting me Zaira chan. You hit like a wild wolf on rampage".

Zaira sent him another cold wolfy glare, which made Ray happy inside. That was the Zaira he knew from school. He got up and backed some steps away.

"I see you are all better now, so I will go tell Yuma he can stop worrying now" Ray then said quickly, and ignored another glare from Zaira "I better go". Then he rushed away from her, before she could do or say anything.

Or that was what it was supposed to look like. Ray had in reality another agenda, and he wanted to get away from Zaira without looking too suspicious. That and he didn't want to drag her into this. So Ray hit in an alley, and made sure Zaira wasn't going any place near his hideout. Just like Ray suspected, Zaira was leaving right away, after he supposedly ran out to find Yuma. She didn't want to be found as of yet. Which suited him just fine. If Zaira wanted to be alone, he was not gonna stop her. When he was sure she was gone, he turned around and looked inside the alley.

"I know you are there. Come out!" Ray then yelled in a firm voice.

"Impressive. You knew I was here, but nothing can stop the glory of barian world" a voice then said and chuckled.

Out from the shadows in here, walked a boy with long red brown hair and dressed in a green school uniform. Ray's eyes narrowed. He knew that boy. Artimus Stanley. That comic book writer, who were Zaira's classmate and project partner, as well newest puppet to barian world. Ray had felt barian energy present here, but he didn't think it was this loser.

"Are you here to stop me in obtaining her?" Art questioned and smirked evilly "Master Girag ordered me to get Shark's number, and since Rio and his girlfriend Zaira is his weak point, I will take them both. For the glory of barian world".

"Yeah right. I think I will change your script a little" Ray replied in a cold tone.

"Ha like you could ever do that" Art mocked and smirked "I have the power of barian world on my side. Nothing can stop me!". Ray snort at that and was holding up a card in front of Art now. He looked stunned at it, when it began glowing.

"Well so do I" Ray replied firmly at glared at him "And I overrule the puny power of your current master. You obey my orders now!". As soon as the card stopped glowing, Art kneeled down on one knee showing true respect and loyalty.

"Master I am truly sorry. I didn't know it was you. Please forgive my rudeness" Art now pledged and looked worriedly at him. Ray snort at that.

"You better be. Targeting Zaira Wroom when I am on the case, is a serious crime" He then sneered angrily. Art shivered scared now.

"I am sorry. Really sorry Master. I didn't know she was your target, I swear" he then defended "Please don't dismiss me. I will do everything I can for barian world".

"You in luck then" Ray snort and turned his back towards him. "There might still be a little use for you. However if you cross my orders again, you won't. Have I made myself clear?". Ray could see Art in the background nod eagerly.

"Yes of course Master, of course. Tell me your orders and I will carry it out" He then said. Ray smirked evilly at that. This was going pretty well here.

"Return to your former master, and act as nothing ever happened" Ray then said firmly "If he ask why you haven't got Zaira Wroom, tell him a suitable lie. Carry out his orders, but never ever lay your hands on Zaira, or you will get it. She is mine! Mine to deal with. My target, got that!". Art once again nodded to that.

"Good now begone from my sight!" Ray sneered, and could see Art do just that.

Ray smirked a little again. Knowing his powers, Act wouldn't even remember this meeting at all, but his orders were however edged into his memory without him even knowing. Ray hummed a happy tune, and walked out of the side alley. His sunny, hyper character traits were now also present on his face once again.

Zaira's p.o.v.

Time skip, the next morning.

"We brought enough gifts right?" Ray questioned and were holding up two giant bags of candy.

I rolled my eyes, and once again wondered what I was doing here. I didn't want to see or be near Shark as of yet, but the firm glares from both Yuma and Tori told me there was no way out of it. They wanted us to make amends.

"Guys I told you. Rio is still asleep. She hasn't woken up in weeks" Tori said. I rolled my eyes when Ray finally realized Rio couldn't eat any of the candy they brought her. How could a guy who gives so warm hugs, be so dense?!

"That's perfect. More sugary goodness for me!" Yuma uttered happily.

I rolled my eyes again. The last thing I needed was a too hyper Yuma, who was running around on a sugar rush. However as we reached the hospital, Shark was running outside, and he looked really distressed. I knew right away something was wrong.

"Rio is gone! She is not in her room! She disappeared" Shark uttered in a scared tone.

"Disappeared?!" Yuma questioned "What are you talking about?".

My eyes narrowed. Then I looked over at Shark. Right now he properly also had forgotten our fight from yesterday. Shark would do everything for Rio after all. I sighed inside. Whatever happened between us, this was an emergency. I guess we could let our differences slide, until Rio was found. I looked firmly at Shark.

"When were the last time you saw her?" I then asked. Shark looked stunned at me.

"Last night. I went home to sleep, but wanted to have a quick check up on her this morning. Then I noticed she was gone" he then replied me. My eyes narrowed. What was going on here? Had someone taken Rio or had she woken up?

"Oh good you are all together" a voice suddenly said, and we all turned towards it. Art was standing some meters away and were smirking.

"What are you doing here Art?" Yuma questioned puzzled.

"Actually I came here to talk about Rio" Art replied and grinned evilly.

"Hey, how do you know about Rio?" Shark sneered angrily. "Did you.. do something?". I wasn't liking this at all as well. Art chuckled evilly now.

"I happen to know where your sister is" he replied "If you want me to tell you, then you will have to duel me". Shark looked rather stunned now.

"You want a duel?" He questioned annoyed now. I sneered as well.

"Just tell us where she is" I said in a cold tone. Art sadly didn't listen. The key around Yuma's neck flashed and Astral also appeared.

"Yuma I sense something strange about this person" he said.

I nodded to that. Art was really acting weird today, and I should know. He was my partner.

"You are gonna regret messing with my sister!" Shark sneered angrily and I knew there was no stopping Shark now. He was gonna duel Art.

Soon we were all assembled on the hospital roof. Art and Shark was facing each other. Both with their duel disks and Gazer activated. They were locked and loaded as Shark always said before a duel. A really weird catchphrase, but at least better than Yuma's. The duel began.

Shark: 4000 Lp's.

Artimus: 4000 Lp's.

"You gonna wish you haven't messed with me!" Shark shouted and drew.

He summoned "Shocktopus" to the field in att mode. It didn't stay for long, because Shark tributed it to special summon "Sharkraken" to the field from his hand. It was having 2400 att and 2100 def points. Shark sets a card and end his turn. It was Art's turn now. He drew and activated his field spell card "Comic field". Something with that he felt like they should have this duel in a different location. I rolled my eyes at that. Art literally had comics on his mind constantly didn't he? However a giant castle was now shown in the background now. Shark and Art was dueling on rocky ground outside. In some way this portrayed them as they were fighting to get inside or something. Which properly was true since I had a hunch Rio was in there.

"This kingdom is the product of my imagination, and everything that transpires in it, is all part of my story" Art now told us. "It is an rather epic tale of a great and noble hero who looks an awful lot like me, who goes on inheriting quest, climaxing on the defeat of the evil lord Shark. Also known as the nightshark. Our story begins with me summoning 'Lancelot, knight of the lake'".

And Art did just that. Soon a knight had joint his dueling side. I wondered if the duel was gonna be like that the whole time? But you gotta admit Art was creative at least. He continues his move with playing the spell "Vow of the sword". Since he already had a lv 4 warrior monster on his field, he could summon another knight named "Tristan, knight of tragedy". I could hear Astral comment on that Art now had two lv 4 monsters. I knew what that meant. Art was gonna overlaid them. Seconds later I was of course correct. Art now xyz summoned "Comics hero king Arthur" who was a rank 4 monster with 2400 att points and 1600 def points. Art was not done yet. Since Lancelot became an Ou, Art could now weaken Shark's kraken with 800 att points. Art's monster was now stronger. He of course made his knight attack.

"I would be shaking in my shoes, if my facedown card wasn't Zeus's breath" Shark then told him and smirked "But I am afraid it is. It stopped your monster's attack and slams you with 800 points of damage. Better luck next time Stanley".

I smirked at that. I had no doubt that Shark would win. Especially if he played good moves like that. However Art didn't seem faced.

"But I thought you cared about your sister" Art then replied and made Shark stop up.

"What do you mean?!" Shark questioned annoyed.

"Oh right, I haven't told you yet" Art replied and chuckled evilly "You wanna know where your sister is. Little Rio is in world my imagination created. Locked in a dungeon in castle.. let's call it castle Artopia, in the kingdom of Stanilious".

As Art began to tell his story, a picture drawn of course by Art personally, showed Rio who really was inside the castle's dungeon. Shark looked rather horrified. So did I.

"If you defeat me, the kingdom of Stanilious will be destroyed" Art continued explaining "And if that happens, then who knows what will happen to your sister. Something tragic properly". I sneered angrily. Art was blackmailing Shark!

"You think this is funny!" Shark sneered angrily.

"That is seriously low" Yuma uttered in the background, and I couldn't agree more.

"Yeah what can Shark do?!" Tori also added. I sneered angrily. I didn't know that either. Art was chuckling evilly now.

"He, he, I am so sorry Shark, but you can't win this one" he proclaimed "And once it is all over, your number card will be mine".

I glared coldly at Art. There were no mistake by that now. Art must be brainwashed by barian world. Not even the dork to Art could be that cruel in real life. However he attacked with his knight once again. Shark didn't activate his trap, because he was worried about Rio, and therefore lost his monster and 800 life points. Shark was soon lying on the ground, rather beat. Art ended his turn with a face down. Shark was up again.

"This is not cool. What is Shark supposed to do?" Yuma uttered. I clenched my fists.

"We gotta find a way to get Rio out of there" I then replied "Then Shark doesn't have to worry about her, and he can focus on dueling". The others nodded to that idea.

"This field is a world that Art Stanley made through some kind of power" Astral then said very thoughtful "Since he is the world's creator, he controls it".

"The words creator.." I muttered out rather confused. My eyes lit a little up. "I got it! Art's sketchbook. He always carries it around. That story might be in it..". The others looked rather puzzled at me. Luckily Tori caught on pretty quickly.

"Oh yeah I see. If Art drew this magic world in that book, then we might be..".

"..Then we might be able to erase it" Yuma finished firmly. I nodded to that as well.

"Well let's go!" I said "Art is keeping his stuff, at his club room. He told me that once. Even though I can't believe we have a club for a single member only..".

"Oh no Zaira, you are not going" Tori said firmly and grabbed my arm, before I could do or say anything "Ray and Yuma are going to get that sketchbook. You are staying here and support Shark through the duel. In this crisis he really need his girlfriend!".

I slowly opened my mouth, then closed it again. I was about to point out I kinda broke up with him, sort of, but figured it really wasn't important right now. Tori was right. Shark really need me right now. Even though it was only support. In the end Ray and Yuma ran towards the school, to the club's meeting room.

The duel continued and it was Shark's turn. He drew and summoned "Hammer Shark" to the field. However Art seemed to have a problem with that.

"Ahr, that monster is not worthy enough" Art complained "I want your number".

I sent Art a cold glare now. More blackmailing?! What was he gonna do? Have Shark to follow his script completely? Apparently so, because Art activated the trap "Ordeal of a hero". Now Art forced Shark to special summon two monster with the same lv as Hammer shark. If he didn't he would take 400 points of damage.

"Alright pencil neck, we will do things your way, for now!" Shark sneered and summoned "Spear Shark" and "Double Shark". He overlaid all his monsters to Xyz summon "Nb 32 Shark drake" to the field in att mode. He sent Art a fierce glare.

"What do you want me to do next?" he sneered out "If I attack, something could be happening to my sister". At that Art chuckled evilly.

"Not true. You can attack me as much as you want" he replied and smirked.

"How is that?" Shark questioned in a puzzled tone.

"It is all part of my story" Art replied and grinned "The evil nightshark comes to castle Artopia to kidnap the slumbering princess, so they can steal her powers, but the great hero Artimus Stanley is arrived to rescue the princess, and battle resumes..".

At that Shark took it as a go sign and attacked Art with Shark drake. He destroyed his xyz monster and dealt 400 points of damage. Art got blasted to the ground now. I was mighty pleased by that. Art deserved that one.

"No way the great king Arthur has been destroyed. King Arthur!" Art shouted and got up on his feet's "The entire fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance. You gotta stand up and battle!".

Which were exactly what kinda happened. Because of Art's field spell, his monster couldn't get destroyed, and it instead rose 500 att points stronger. It was now having 2900 att, which was 100 more than Shark's monster. Sadly that was not all. When Art's king Arthur att points changed, it could use one Ou to ditch out the same amount of damage as the att was changed. Shark got now blasted to the ground with 500 points of damage.

"That is what you get. Your wicked spawn of evil" Art then said and laughed.

I clenched my fists in angry matter. I should give him some spawn of evil. Shark groaned and got slowly up and sit. He placed a facedown and ended his turn. It was Art's turn now. He started his move off with the equip spell "Miracle sword". It gave King Arthur 500 more att, but since his att changed, it once again used an Ou, and Shark got hit by 500 points of damage once again. Art also attacked Shark drake and dealt even more damage to Shark. He was down to 1600 life points.

"So here is where my epic tale hits its first plot wall" I could now hear Art say "A number can only be destroyed by another number. But I found a way around that pesky rule and worked it into my story".

My eyes narrowed at that. That didn't sound promising. Art activated the effect of his sword. Since he was not able to destroy Shark drake this turn, he could sent the sword to the grave, to activate a spell card from his hand. Art smirked at that. I had a bad feeling about that, and it didn't help when the familiar barian symbol appeared on his forehead now.

"I will destroy this evil in name of barian world" Art then said and of course activated 'Rank up magic barian's force' "Go chaos xyz evolution. Barian power. Born of chaos. Visits your judgement on this world of filth. Come forth Cxyz comics hero legend Arthur".

It was an expressive rank 5 knight with 3000 att. Like every time barian force was activated, Art could now steal Shark drake's Ou's and give Arthur them. For every Ou Shark drake also lost 300 att points. He had 3, so Shark drake loses 900 att (2800-1900) Art once again made his new monster attack, and this time he could destroy Shark drake. Shark got blasted through the air, hitting the ground pretty hard. He was only having 500 life points remaining. I sneered angrily at that. What took Yuma and Ray so long?!

"Shark! Shark can you hear me?!" Yuma's voice ran through all our gazer's now, and I sighed rather relieved. They had hopefully found Art's sketchbook.

"Yuma is that you?" Shark questioned puzzled and looked up at the video feed who had now appeared in the midair now.

"Shark we found it. We found Art's sketchbook in the club's meeting room at school. It got a bunch of pages from his comic book. It is all here" Yuma now said and were holding up some comic drawing for all to see. "Your sister is like a princess or something, but she is captured, and then you are some evil thief guy, who is trying to get to her".

I could hear Shark utter his sister's name. I bit my lip a little. I felt a little guilty over saying that stuff in our last fight. Of course visiting Rio and be there for her meant a lot to Shark. It had been wrong of me to say that. But maybe I just had been a little jealous and neglected. I sighed inside. If Shark survived this I might apologies. I could hear Art grin now.

"So you found my master piece?" he questioned "What were you hoping to accomplish by finding it? It is not like you can change the ending".

"How does it end?" Tori asked in a worried tone now.

"Oh it is epically sad. A real tear jerker" Art replied and pulled on a sad face "Lord Shark and the heroic knight battle for the slumbering princess. In the end the nightshark falls to the ground, defeated by sir Artimus. But unfortunately Sir Artimus is too late, and the princess is lost to an eternal sleep. In other words, you lose the duel and the girl! But you have to admit it is a great twist".

Everyone, including me was rather horrified by that ending. Shark was surely more heartbroken, than any of us. I could hear Ray mumble, that there weren't anything we could do, which only made me sneer even more. How dare they give up, just because the writer says so!

"Shark you are pathetic you know that!" I then shouted and got everyone's attention. Shark was staring surprised at me now. I sneered again. "What is wrong with you? Just get up and duel for god's sake. You are Shark boy! You never do what people tell you to do. So just chance the ending. Or are you just gonna let some fiction decide your fate?! Where is the fierce Shark I fell in love with?!".

At that Shark was staring stunned at me. Then he nodded and got determined up on his feet.

"That's right. No one tells me what to do. For Rio. I.." He got up on his feet. He looked rather determined. Then he began shouting. "Rio I need you to hear me. Rio! Can you hear me?! Rio wake up! Rio!".

As he did, I noticed his ring on his hand were glowing. Normally Reginald had two on, so I figured he had given his second one to Rio. I knew it connected them somehow. It therefore didn't surprise me one bit, when afterwards we could hear a female voice shout all over the place.

"Reginald up here!".

We all turned towards the voice and noticed Rio at the top of one of the castle's tower's. Everyone was kinda surprised and relieved at the same time. Besides from Art, who found this to be an outrage. I could even hear Astral comment on that Shark broke Art's magic and saved his sister. I was also proud of Shark right now. Rio looked puzzled down from the tower.

"Ah, Shark? It looks like you are losing a duel?" she uttered rather confused "Come on Reginald. You losing is embarrassing". I chuckled at that. I think I would like Shark's sister. She was kinda direct with him.

"Grr, I have been losing because of you!" Shark sneered back.

"This is an outrage!" Art yelled out again "Nobody is allowed to rewrite my story but me!".

Then he kinda returned back to dueling. Properly still wanted to win over Shark in the duel. He activated his legend Arthur's eff. Since Shark's monster was destroyed in battle, he could use one Ou, banish Shark drake, and deal damage equally to its att. However Shark smirked at that. He activated the trap "Torrential Reborn". He could do that, since Art destroyed his water monster. Shark could now summon it back to the field, and deal Art 500 points of damage. Art looked rather beat by that, but he ended his turn. Shark was up. He drew and Chaos evolved Shark drake into "C Nb 32 Shark drake veiss". Shark used his monster's eff. By using an Ou, he could banish a Shark monster from his grave, to lower Art's monster's att. Shark banished Shark drake, so Art's monster lost 2800 att points. Shark also activated the spell "Surging Erosion" which made Shark destroy a face up spell or Trap card. Like etc. Art's comic field spell. I could now see Rio standing at the top of the water tower here at the hospital, and figured it was there Art had hid her.

"What have you done to my master piece?!" Art uttered rather horrified.

Shark only snort at that. He explained that his spell also gave his monster 500 att points, and with that Shark kinda won the duel after he attacked Art reducing his life points to 0.

Everyone was celebrating as the duel ended. Art had of course no memory of the event of being brainwashed, but funny enough he still could remember we were partners in the project week. Figures! Shark had of course helped Rio down from the water tower, and was now carrying her, as they were about to leave the hospital. Since Rio was safe, Shark once again remembered our fight from yesterday, and our eyes meet in some weird understanding. I knew Shark was guilty, but sadly I was also still mad at him. A lot in fact, but I still remembered I wanted to apologize, so I walked over to him. Shark turned his head a little at that. He didn't want to face me?

"Shark I am sorry I said those things about Rio. I guess I was just a little worked up and stressed. Maybe a bit jealous that you spend more time with her than me" I said in honesty and bowed respectfully "I am glad Your sister is awake, but I hope you can forgive me for that". Shark growled a little at that.

"I always forgive you" He replied slowly. He was properly gonna say something more, but I was not gonna let him. I was glaring at him with an angry face.

"Good, because I do not forgive you Reginald, Shark, Kastle" I sneered and properly surprised everyone "You hurt me very deeply. Now if you will excuse me".

Then I left the hospital rather fast but also in a rather gracefully, proud gesture.

Time skip. In school at Monday.

"Zaira, Zaira wait up!" Art yelled and ran down the hallway trying to catch up with me. I did stop up so he was standing beside me, some seconds later.

"What's up Art? And didn't we just make our part of the project for today?" I questioned in a puzzled tone. Art sent me a wide happy smile.

"Yes, yes of course, but that is not why I want to talk to you" He replied and were holding up his sketchbook. A new comic drawing of a certain female were shown.

"Tada what do you think?" Art questioned "You disliked the other drawing I had made, so I decided to make a new one, and use you as inspiration. This wolf female is half wolf, half human, and a thief girl, who is stealing from the rich, to help the poor in the world, while at the same time trying to find the elixir that can cure her from that tragic state". I rolled my eyes a little at that.

"Well it is a least a better than the other one" I replied "You can use it in the comic, but you dare give me a tragic ending, or I will kick your butt". Art saluted at that, but was still smiled happily. That kid just really liked drawing I guess.

"Oh Art what is that?!" Yuma uttered and was now staring at the picture as well along with the usual gang.

Where they had popped up I didn't know, but it irritated me a little. Especially since they had dragged Shark with them again. They really wanted us to be good friends. Ray looked puzzled at the drawing.

"I think it is supposed to look like Zaira chan" Ray then uttered "In some wolf kinda way". I lit up at that. At least he could see what it was supposed to look like.

"Oh that is pretty cool" Yuma uttered as well "Hey Art am I in that comic of yours?".

"Oh um yeah" Art replied and handed him a drawing with me fighting.. a witch kinda thing I think. That was pretty cool. Then I couldn't stop smiling.

"You are the sidekick" He replied and pointed at a boy who accidentally got turned into a frog, by the witch. It had Yuma's hair "You are comic relief".

"Observation Nb 21, Yuma would make a good cartoon character in real life. And so is Zaira" Astral then said. My eyes narrowed a little by that.

"It is lame.." Shark replied and snort. That made me only glare even more at him. I turned angry around and left without saying a word.

"Mistress, you have to forgive him at some time" Cy said inside my soul.

"True, but I will wait a little while later" I replied rather coldly "At least until he tries to apologies to me, which he hasn't done yet". Then I walked outside to eat my lunch.

A,N: Well that was the chapter. Sorry for Shark and Zaira not making up as of yet, but I need them to not make up yet. You see why in the next chapter. As for the next chapter Rio begins school. Shark does try do amends with Zaira, which is rather funny. Notes to future, clearly not listen to Rio in such situations lol. But hope you liked the chapter so far. Please comment on what you think. Would like feedback. 😉