A,N: Hello dear readers! Here is the first chapter in Zexal 2! Well kinda couldn't keep myself from writing it, which is good news for you all lol. Got motivated to write this, so just want to just shout out a thank you to all of you. Couldn't have done it without all of your support. So thank you! Well without further notice, have fun reading!!

Barian's p.o.v.

In an unknown world, surrounded in red colors of crystals and red tundra's alike, was 4 beings assembled in this throne room. All four looking at some kind of red crystal rose, who was showing them images of the human world, and a certain event that had happened there. The four individuals were witnessing the duel with Dr. Faker against Yuma Tsukumo and his two friends Shark and Kite. They saw how Yuma and Astral defeated the possessed Dr. Faker in the end. They were not happy about it.

"Our plan was to give powers to humans, so they would steal numbers, and destroy Astral world" A grey being wrapped in a similar colored cloak then said. "Unfortunately both Dr. Faker and Vector was defeated by the power of Zexal".

"Dumon, you cannot stand by and do nothing" a yellow individual shouted angrily "What is the plan?". The grey being, Dumon, turned towards his comrade.

"We will destroy Astral world ourselves" he then replied firmly. The yellow one sneered angrily, clenching his fist in angry matter.

"But Dumon, Barian world and Astral world are both massive energy worlds. We cannot attack them directly" he then said. "This is why we used humans".

"You know that in that world, we cannot appear in our natural form" a brown cloaked being added. "And that means we cannot capture number ourselves".

"We have no choice. We need those numbers" Dumon replied firmly. "We must go with our alternate plan".

At that a red cloaked being snort, and got down from this floating crystal, he had been used as a chair. Dumon and the others turned to him.

"Alito, there is.." But Dumon was quickly cut off, by this red being Alito.

"I am not like Vector. I refuse to do work that bores me" he proclaimed and disappeared from here in a red spark of energies. Dumon sighed and turned to the brown being, who was sitting at the end of the staircase in here.

"Girag, you go" he said slowly. The brown being, Girag, looked stunned at him.

"Me?!" he questioned. Dumon nodded at that.

"You are a great barian warrior. I know you can do the job" he replied in an acknowledging, praising, tone. At that Girag got up and nodded proudly.

"Yes I am a great warrior, and strong too" He then said and hit a giant fist at one of the crystals in here, and smashed it to pieces. All so he could prove his point. Then he turned towards Dumon once again. "I will get every single number. Do not worry Dumon".

Then he disappeared through a portal leaving to the human world. Dumon looked after him. He was counting on him.

Zaira's p.o.v.

Darkness was the first thing I noticed. It was all around me, like creepy foggy mist. The whole place was clammy too, and it made goosebumps appear on my arms. I shivered a little at that, and wondered where I was. That until a bright light were appearing all around me, and I had to close my eyes, or I would get blinded by it. When I opened my eyes again, I was once again standing in front of The Door. This door who was chained and had this strange symbol on. This weird door I apparently couldn't open. All because it didn't have any locks on. I must admit being here made me rather annoyed. I wasn't even scared or anything. Just annoyed like hell. I mean I could surely dream more pleasant, that being dragged here once again. Therefore I sent the door a defiant glare, which it of course ignored.

"Zaira, I have been waiting for you" The door said in its ancient sounding voice "You are almost ready". At that I tsked.

"Almost?!" I then yelled "Almost ready with what?! I did what you asked of me. I hang around Yuma and Astral. I know I am Astral's protector, and I were sent to Astral world as child. I did all that, and then you are saying I am not ready! What more do you want?!".

"Yes I know, you had been on a long journey Zaira, but I have to ask you to be more patient" The door then replied. I just snort at that.

"Well do I have any other choice?" I sneered and crossed my arms in defensive matter. "So what is it you have summoned me here for eh? What do you want?!".

"You have done as I required and been helping the messenger for Astral world to gather the numbers" The door replied "However that is not your true destiny". I rolled my eyes at that.

"Then what is my destiny?" I said "What happens when I finally open you?".

"Your heart will lead you to it. Your true destiny" the door said "Opening the door will be one of those steps that is required of you, little one. Are you prepared?!".

Echoing voices all shouted prepared in the background now. I sighed deeply.

"I am prepared" I sneered out "Just tell me how to open you, so we can get this over with".

"All I require of you, is finding three keys. Find them and break the seal!" It now said.

"What keys?" I questioned in a puzzled tone. "You don't have a lock on you!". A little light emitted in front of me now, and three slots, all in the same shape and size, could be seen.

"Find the three number cards, who can open this door" the door replied firmly "It is important that you do Zaira Wroom, or you will never find your true home. You already have one of them in your possession".

Light once again lit up in front of me, and suddenly Cy's card were in front of me. My eyes widened in surprise. Cy's card were one of those card who could open it?! Meaning those 50 number cards Yuma, Astral and I had collected were not one of them. That was just great!

"Hey wait a minute, what do you mean with true home?!" I then shouted "Do you know who my true family is?!".

As I just had said that, the creepy black mist were beginning to appear around me just again. The door and everything were beginning to disappear.

"No, wait, you didn't answer my question!" I shouted and began running towards the door who were about to disappear. Sadly the crumpled pathway I was on, gave after under my feet's, and I let out a terrified scream by that..

And I fell down from my seat in the classroom. I groaned in annoyance, and rubbed my butt. Shark, looked stunned down at me. He was my seat partner after all. I could hear some of the students laugh at me, but as soon as Shark sent them a glare, everything went silent. I smirked inside Shark and my reputation was outstanding. With one little problem however...

"Miss Zaira Wroom, will you please explain yourself!" I could hear the teacher Miss Sayuri Sakaki yell from behind me now.

In her eyes Shark and I were troublesome students. Delinquents at that, so do a mistake in her class and it would be noted immediately. I smiled sheepishly and scratched my hair.

"Um I just fell of my seat. No Biggy" I replied with a tiny lie "I guess I slipped when I wanted my pencil who fell to the ground". Miss Sakaki glared at me.

"Miss Wroom I appreciate you stop lying! I know you fell asleep in my class. I will give you a warning this one time. But if it happens again, it is off to the principal's office" she then said firmly and walked back to the desk and began teaching once again.

I on the other hand climbed back on my seat, and grabbed my text book, pulling it in front of me and felt rather embarrassed. Shark had seen this humiliating scene. Kinda felt like a big idiot in front of him now.

"Hey!" Shark whispered and pulled his text book in front of himself too, so he could talk to me without getting caught. "What happened to you a minute ago?".

"What do you mean?" I whispered back "Girls can fall asleep in class you know".

"Yeah sure, but you were not sleeping" Shark replied in a casually tone "One minute you were reading, the next you were staring into midair, and I couldn't make contact with you at all". I looked stunned at him. I didn't remember any of that. Was my meeting with the door not a dream?!

"You fell off the bench minutes later, being yourself once again" Shark continued in a low voice "So what happened Miss stubborn?! This resembled you getting sick in class remember?! You make me worry".

I bit my lip, sighed and ended up telling Shark my.. daydream?! I wasn't sure what that meeting actually had been, but it was a little strange. Knowing Shark and I thought, we have been through stranger things than that. Shark's eyes narrowed when I finished my story.

"Hmm I think you should consul Astral. Isn't he a know it all on everything?" Shark then said "Maybe this is an Astral world thing or something". I hummed a little.

"Sure, why not. After class I will talk to him" I said slowly. Shark grabbed my hands.

"No, now! At lunchbreak!" he said firmly "And I don't take no for an answer. If this causes you sick or something, like last time, I want it cured right away".

"Fine, fine whatever Shark boy, I will go, are you happy now?" I sneered back.

"I am thrilled" Shark replied with a smirk "I cover for you. I need a day to skip school anyway".

I rolled my eyes. Of course he did, and by covering for me, he meant I was skipping the next classes as well, stating I was with him all day. I just loved my boyfriend.

Time skip.

Class soon ended, and it was time for lunch. As Shark requested, I began leaving towards Yuma's classroom. I stuffed my mouth a little first of course. I needed energy, but soon after I was wandering the halls of this school. I was wondering if Yuma were inside or outside the school's ground. After all where Yuma was, Astral was. Kinda a link between Astral and the key after all. I were thoughtful a little. Usually they were outside on the school roof eating lunch, but to be completely sure, I made Cy go on a search for him. Cy was the wind is someway, and he was quicker to find someone that I ever could.

"Yuma is in his classroom Mistress, Fans wants autographs" Cy told me seconds later.

I rolled my eyes. Of course they wanted. Yuma was of course the WDC champion. At least I had enough scary reputation, so kids were not standing at our doorstep, which I think Kairi and Grandma Haru was grateful for. I soon arrived at my destination, only to find an completely different situation than I thought it would be. Yuma was surrounded by fans, but for different reasons.

"Can you give me Shark's autograph please!" a girl screamed.

One yelling Quattro's name. Some even Kite. However when a herd of boys were asking for my autograph, that kinda crossed the line in here. I marched in here. Yuma however was so occupied with all the attention he was getting, regardless not even being about him, that he didn't even notice my approach. However Tori and the usual gang as well as the fan boys all did, and they all moved away so I could pass through. Oh I loved my reputation really.

"Okay dear fanboys and ladies, I will try your best to carry out your requests" Yuma said firmly and got up from the table he was sitting at. He had closed his eyes in determination. "I can't promise the boys autograph, but I can surely trick my sister into signing them so..".

"What was that?!" I yelled and I could see Yuma flinch at that. He slowly opened his eyes in a scared motion, and when he saw it was me, he freaked completely out.

"Ahr Zaira, what are you doing here?" he tried in a calm and collected tone. Not really working "You um didn't listen to any I said, did you?".

"Oh she heard it all" Bronk replied with a smirk.

"Loud and clear" Flip added and Caswell continued "You are in deep trouble".

"Ahr eh, it is not what you think sis, I can explain!" Yuma yelled up in a scared tone. I just hit him in the head (again) and then grabbed him in the collar of his clothes.

"Have mercy!" Yuma shouted as I dragged him along out of the classroom.

I noticed Bronk and the other males, who were not any fanboys of mine, smirk at that. They apparently didn't like Yuma getting all the attention from the girls.

Time skip.

"What, so you only here to visit Astral?" Yuma uttered stunned "So you are not gonna beat me up, for trying to ask for autographs?".

"Not unless you Do ask me Yuma" I growled back "You know I hate that stuff. It is not my problem, how you are gonna tell the boys that".

Yuma eyes widened. Apparently first now he had realized, he needed to turn them all down. Right now we were both outside. I had dragged him out in one of our hiding spot, I knew around the school. This time it was an tiny alley side way, close to the school entrance. We could barely squeeze in there. I rolled my eyes. I didn't have time for Yuma's soon to be begging requests for autographs. I instead grabbed around the key, and were ready to go in there, when Yuma grabbed around my wrist.

"Wait you are going to visit Astral now?" he questioned in an annoyed tone. "The school is not done yet Zai..". I rolled my eyes.

"What does that matter Yuma? You sleeping half way through the classes anyway, and then you worry about mine? I am skipping school today and Shark is covering for me" I replied in a cold tone. Yuma didn't look so good.

"Kairi is gonna kill me, if she finds out Zai" Yuma uttered in a scared tone "Mount Kairi is so gonna blow. Please tell me you are back before dinner".

"Can't promise anything. Bye Yuma. If you lucky I will give you a warning, next time I come out" I said in a teasing voice and disappeared into the key before Yuma could complain or anything.

Astral and I don't have a clock in there, so no one of us knows what is happening outside the key. I could be gone for a couple of hours. Could be even longer. I popped out one time, Yuma had fallen asleep in his hammock. Short story, we both fell to the ground that night, with bruises to match. So Cy and I came up with, that he should go out to check the situation, before I reappeared from the key. Cy would give Yuma a warning, if needed. It would after all be unexplainable if I popped up in Yuma's class all of the sudden. Although I didn't visit Astral that often though. However I did love to tease Yuma with it a little.

Soon I were inside the key, and flying slowly towards the ship in there. Cy were of course the first one greeting me in here. The key, I was not sure about what kinda space this was, but I could touch and feel Cy in here. Properly all the numbers, now that I was thinking about it. After all 96 had grabbed me in here, and Utopia had carried me out of here. However that was not important for now. What was important was that Cy materialized beside me, nuzzling my check a lot, and carried me with awesome speed down towards the ship. We soon arrived at the spot, Astral kept the numbers. That was the usual spot Astral were at mostly. Him trying to remember his missing past. Just like I was. I wanted to find my family after all.

"Yuma, Zaira and I have collected 50 numbers up to now" I could hear Astral say, as we landed inside.

I could see Astral look thoughtful at the numbers, as he released them, into his confinements of the key. Cy's spot glowed a little too, but Cy was my number, so he refused to obey Astral. Something he of course knew about.

"Knock, knock, am I disturbing?" I said and made Astral return back to reality.

He could be so caught up with the numbers sometimes. The Astral being turned surprised towards us, and when he realized it was us, he instantly calmed himself down.

"Oh, Zaira, Cy, what a lovely surprise. I didn't know you were coming for a visit" he then said and flew over to greet us "And you are not disturbing. What brings you two in here? Is school finished already?". I grinned sheepishly.

"Well I kinda left in the middle of it, but you said I could visit anytime Astral" I then replied him. Astral didn't look fond of that though.

"As much as I enjoy you visiting me, I prefer you wouldn't skip school" He then advised "As your former teacher, I insist you don't slack on your education..".

I rolled my eyes. Astral could be damn stick 'Brother/father' sometimes. Luckily Cy stopped him, before he began on a long speech about how humans could teach me stuff and Blah, blah, blah.

"My mistress has been daydreaming about her door again" Cy said firmly "Her boyfriend advised her to go to you, because she went into a trance of some sort. He figured you could help her". At that Astral stopped up, and looked stunned at me.

"The door?! The door you mentioned back when we meet" Astral questioned puzzled.

I nodded slightly and began telling Astral everything. My different encounters with it all up until now. How it had warned me with Zexal and well everything. Astral was listening carefully to the whole tale. He was obviously curious and thoughtful at the same time.

"Then the door told me about my true home and..".

"And you figured the door knew about your true family" Astral interrupted.

"Yes, I would like to find them" I replied and nodded slightly.

Astral looked sorrowful now. I wondered if it was because he felt guilty that his father, Eliphas had taken me under his wing, using me as the tool he saw me as. Nothing more, unlike Astral who saw me as his best friend. Maybe even a family member of some kind. Whatever reason Eliphas had done this, they had taken me away from my true family after all. I always wondered if they had been looking for me, or if they were happy that they had gotten rid of me.

"Mistress no one would think of you like that" Cy said in a carrying voice and rubbed his head at my cheek affectionately. He had read my mind apparently. "If they do, I will make sure they Don't!".

I sighed deeply and placed a hand at Cy's head. Yeah Cy's threatening methods would surely help. Now I was even more worried, than before. Astral hummed a little.

"As I recall, you said the door would open, when you had 3 specific number cards" he then said "But only Cy's card, is one of the 50 we have? Do you have a clue what happens, when that door finally is open?". I shook my head.

"Nope, no clue, but I feel like it is important" I replied "Yuma opened his, and then you appeared Astral. I just know the door keeps something secret. It advised me to meet up with you and Yuma after all". Astral nodded again. He went thoughtful for a moment, then he turned his attention to the numbers.

"Maybe.." he mumbled out, and his hand stretched out towards the numbers. Every spot in the key were glowing now. Cy began disappearing into its card even, and I soon found myself and Astral encaged inside a blue kind of sphere.

"Astral?!" I uttered stunned "What?! Where? What is happening? I.. Cy is..?".

"Calm down, 24 is fine, he is resting inside it's card" Astral mused and smiled a little "And don't worry, I didn't sever your bond Zaira. I think I might have an idea on how to help you. If you trust me that is". I looked at the sphere I was in.

"Well I do trust you, but what is all this?" I questioned "What are you gonna do?".

"You said 24 Cy were one of the cards to open that door" Astral replied "I believe if I can draw out the numbers powers, mostly Cy's power, we might get a clue on where the other 2 numbers are located. In any case, if it doesn't work, I can still use the numbers, to get you a checkup. It concerns me, that you went into a trance..".

"Well okay sure" I said and shrugged "We might as well try. So what am I supposed to do?". Astral smiled at me.

"Just lay down at keep your mind at ease" He advised "The numbers and I will take care of everything".

I nodded and did as he asked of me. It wasn't long before I were lying down alias floating down inside the sphere, resting. Soon I fell asleep.

Yuma's p.o.v.

"Ahr Zaira wasn't fair at all. Now I have to cancel all the attempts in getting autographs for the girls. How come they weren't into me. I was the one winning the duel carnival" Yuma complained as him and Tori were walking home together after school. At that Tori giggled a little.

"I know, but you seem to enjoy the attention anyway" she replied and grinned.

"So not true. I hated it. By the way, where did Bronk and the others go? Zaira ditching me is rather normal, but I had hoped Bronk and the others were around, so we could duel" Yuma said a little annoyed. Tori giggled again.

"I guess I shouldn't be telling you this, but they have been doing some extra training" Tori replied "They wanna make sure they have the skills to keep up with you, when you duel". At that Yuma looked rather surprised. That meant no duels at all, for maybe a long time. That was just great.

"So that's how it is supposed to be. Keeping secrets from me" Yuma shouted angrily.

"Don't be paranoid Yuma" Tori replied and smiled at him. Then she looked puzzled around. "Hey I haven't seen Astral. Where has he been lately?".

"Ever since the carnival, he has been hanging out inside the key" Yuma replied and snort "At least I get a little peace and quiet. Unless Zaira wants to visit him. Sometimes I wonder if I shall just hand Zai the key instead. It would be easier".

"So Zaira is in the key right now?" Tori questioned "Must be handy with all the abilities she is having". Yuma shrugged at that.

"Well Zai says the Astral power she is having, is not really hers, but Cy's. Her numbers. Something with being Astral's protector or something" He then mused out "It sounds like a hard work to me".

Tori nodded in agreement. Then sounds of an runner could be heard, and Yuma saw Shark riding on his motorcycle. Yuma's eyes lit up at that. Maybe he could have a duel with him. He rushed down from the hill, waving like hell, for Shark to stop, and soon his friend drove into the side stopping his runner. Yuma was smiling like hell, asking Shark for that duel.

"I can't" Shark proclaimed firmly "I am going visit my younger sister Rio".

"Wait younger sister. You are going to the hospital?" Yuma questioned.

"Yes, since Zaira is not around at the moment I figured I should" Shark replied and pointed at the key "After all the WDC is over, but Rio is still not awake".

"Oh I am sorry" Yuma said in a sad tone. He had just said that, when a wave of energies hit all three of them. Yuma was not sure what it was, but it felt weird. It was like it was a warning that danger approached them.

"What was that?" Tori questioned.

"It almost felt like a wave" Yuma replied slowly.

What Yuma didn't know was that the wave he was feeling, was because Girag had arrived in Heartland city, and were now brainwashing a powerful motorcycle gang, with the power of barian world, who was present at the pier. Energy waves even hit Kite's scanners at Heartland Tower. Suddenly Shark's gazer were giving a bibbing sound, telling them, the hospital were calling. Something must have happened to Rio.

Time skip.

"Rio!" Shark shouted as the first thing when he entered Rio's room.

Yuma and Tori was right behind him. Doctors and nurses were all around, trying to figure out what was going on here. According to the doctor there, Rio who was still in comatose, but had suddenly gotten a term for the worse, about a half hour ago. They still couldn't conclude what was the cause of it. The doctor and nurse stormed out alarming everyone that they needed help immediately. That left Yuma, Shark and Tori alone with poor Rio who was gasping a lot. Shark looked worriedly at her.

"Rio" he whispered. Rio gasped a little more, and began mumbling.

"They are coming" she said "Coming, a darkness is coming!".

"A darkness?!" Tori questioned. Yuma and Shark had no clue on what she meant either. They were listening carefully though.

"They are coming!" Rio now shouted loudly "Coming to take.. coming to take what's most valuable!".

At that Yuma froze a little. Most valuable?! His thoughts wandered to a dream he was having in the class today. He had been standing in front of the door once again. The one he had opened to gain the power of Zexal along with Zaira.

"Whoever who can open this door, will gain a great new power, but know that with such a reward, comes great risks. You will lose what is most valuable to you".

The door's words ran through the head of Yuma now. What was most valuable to him? Pictures of Astral were running though his head now. Zaira were soon behind. Astral and Zaira. They are important, and have great value to me. Maybe it is them! His hand flew up to the key around his neck. Then sounds from his gazer could be heard. Bronk's number were shown on it, and Yuma wondered what his friend wanted. However when Yuma picked up, a completely different face appeared on the screen. It was a man, Yuma never had seen before. He was smirking evilly.

"Are you Yuma Tsukumo?" the man questioned.

"Hey, who are you?" Yuma questioned. The man chuckled darkly.

"My name is Fender, and I.." However the man was interrupted when Bronk jumped in between screaming Yuma's name. Yuma could see they were at the school grounds.

"Yuma, don't come here, you understand! Don't come.." However he was interrupted when Fender slammed a fist in Bronk's face, and tossed him to the ground.

"Bronk! Bronk!" Yuma shouted worriedly. Fender however smirked back at him.

"I am taking everything you got" He then said "Come to the school right now, and bring your numbers". Yuma looked stunned at him.

"My.. my numbers?" He questioned in a scared tone.

"That's right and hurry, I don't know how much your friends can take" Fender replied and were laughing like hell, then he turned off the Gazer. Yuma looked shocked out in the air. He couldn't believe this was happening.

"Yuma, we got to do something, but what?!" Tori uttered. Yuma nodded slightly.

"I knew it!" he then mumbled out and got both Tori and Shark's attention. "I knew it had to be all about Astral. All about Astral and Zaira, because she is his protector".

"Astral and Zaira?!" Tori questioned puzzled. Yuma nodded slightly.

"I don't exactly know why, but someone or something is trying to take Astral" He replied and clenched around the key. "With Astral and the numbers gone, Zaira will disappear as well, because she and her number Cy are connected. I already seen her die once, because her number was taken. That is something I never ever will witness again. Maybe it is good Zaira is inside the key at the moment. Knowing how she is, she will refuse to stand still and do nothing when danger arrives".

At that Shark nodded firmly. His eyes were fixated on the key as well. He was then looking at Yuma to see what he was about to do. Without warning Yuma took off the key, and were handing it to Tori.

"Tori I think it is better you hold on to this" He then said firmly.

"But aren't you gonna need either Zaira or Astral to help you out?" Tori questioned.

"I can't risk Astral nor Zaira's safety. This is the only way I know how to protect them" Yuma said and soon ran out of the hospital room, before anyone could stop him. Don't worry Astral. Don't worry Zaira. I won't let them get you. I promise!

Zaira's p.o.v.

"Nii san!" the words got shut out from my mouth as I ran down the meadow in a quick tempo.

In the horizon I could see that blurry silhouette of my brother. I ran even faster. As fast as my small legs could carry me. I was a little child, and I deep down knew this was a dream. That didn't stop me from reaching him. My brother. My nii san.

"Nii san!" I shouted once again, and saw the male silhouette stop up.

I tried running even faster and soon tossed myself at my brother's chest. That however made him, and I, fall down in the grass. I was sitting on top of him.

"Geez Zaira, do you have to tackle hug me every time you see me?" My brother questioned.

"But I wanted a hug" I replied and looked a little offended at him. My brother sighed and flipped our position, and got slowly up from the ground.

"Then you could just ask for it. We are no longer little kids" he said and looked up in the sky.

As he had just said that, my body actually changed into my current age. As did he although he was still a blurry silhouette. I looked up at my brother.

"Nii san, please tell me, what is your name?" I then asked. My brother looked perplex at me.

"My name? You already know my name" he replied "Stop fooling around Zaira".

"I am not fooling around!" I said firmly and got up "Something happened okay?! Things made me forget, but I figured since it is a dream, my subconscious might remember. Please Nii san, tell me your real name, so I can find you for real in the real world". My brother turned towards me, and were smiling a wide smile.

"My name is...".

Suddenly everything went dark. Everything changed. Everything turned black, and lightning appeared around me. The ground began collapsing, and before I could do a thing, I fell downwards. I let out a terrified scream.

"Zaira? Zaira wake up!" a voice were suddenly saying, and could feel myself get shaken.

My eyes flew up and I was gasping for air, in some seconds. Then my eyes fixated on Astral. He was floating a little above me, and looked worriedly at me. I shook my head a little. The images from the dream was still clear in my mind.

"Why? Why did you stop?!" I uttered annoyed "I were so close at getting my brother's name in that dream I was having".

"My apologies Zaira" Astral apologized "However the ship has stopped working, making the numbers power disappear".

I looked puzzled at Astral, and first now noticed that the blue sphere had disappeared, and that I was lying on the ground now.

"Wait if ship has stopped moving, does that mean Yuma is not in possession of the golden key?" I questioned. Astral told me once that he had been in a similar situation when Kite had taken the golden key from Yuma in the past.

"Yes I fear the worst" Astral replied slowly "Without Yuma holding the key..".

"That means we can't leave the key" I interrupted. Horror was all around me now. Astral and I were stuck in the key for now.

Yuma's p.o.v.

Yuma ran and ran as fast as he could. He needed to get to the school grounds as fast as possible. He needed to save his friends from this gang member, who apparently also wanted the numbers. Yuma soon arrived, and found his friends lying on the ground rather beat up.

"That rat!" Yuma sneered and rushed over to the friend who was closest by. "Guys are you okay?!". That was Cathy. Yuma slowly shook her awake, and Cathy looked guilty at him.

"Yuma I am so sorry" she whispered "We did our best for you Yuma, but he was too strong". Bronk groaned a little and lifted his head. He looked at Yuma.

"Hey I told you not to come!" He sneered at him.

"Do you think I would just abandoned you guys?" Yuma uttered rather shocked. Laugher could suddenly be heard, and Yuma found this guy Fender, at the school bridge, looking down on him. He was smirking evilly.

"Ha-ha, I knew you couldn't stay away" Fender said and glared at Yuma "Alright so hand over those numbers and be quick about it". He jumped down from the bridge and was now some meters away from Yuma. Yuma looked puzzled at him.

"You are Fender right?" He questioned "Why do you want my numbers?".

"I want them, because Barian world needs them" Fender replied and suddenly was radiating in a weird pinkish, red aura. Yuma looked stunned at him.

"Barian world?!" He uttered in disbelief.

"That's right Yuma Tsukumo. You are the stepping stone for Barian world" Fender replied in a cold tone. Yuma was staring at him.

"That can't be" Yuma slowly replied, remembering the duel with Dr. Faker, and the barian who had taken over him that time "I defeated that thing from Barian world in a duel. Shark, Kite and I defeated it. I just know it!".

"That battle was only the prologue Yuma. Now it is time for the real story to begin" Fender replied with an evil smirk. Yuma snort at that.

"Oh yeah, but I am gonna end it" He then proclaimed and tossed up his duel disk and gazer. He was soon ready to duel, and so was Fender.

Yuma: 4000 Lp's.

Fender: 4000 Lp's.

Fender had the first move. He summoned his lv 3, "Djinn cycle" to the field. Then he played the spell "dark engineering", which lets him target his Djinn cycle on the field, making him special summon an exact copy from his hand to the field. So Fender summons another Djinn Cycle. That made him have two lv 3 monsters on the field. Yuma knew where this was going. Fender overlaid his two monsters to Xyz summon "Mechquipped Angineer". (Rank 3, 1800 att, 1000 def)

"He already Xyz summoned on his first turn" Yuma said slowly. More to himself than anyone else "But it only has 1800 att points. No problem". Or so Yuma believed, because all of the sudden Fender was laughing out loud.

"Don't be so sure Yuma" He then replied "Because now I activate Djinn cycles eff. When it becomes an Ou, you take 400 points of damage, and since there are two, you lose 800 points".

Yuma looked rather scared, when Fender's monster suddenly shot beams at him, and he got tossed to the ground losing 800 life points. What Yuma didn't know was that Astral also got hit inside the key, because he lost life points.

"Hmm I think I will end my turn now" Fender told him and smirked "But nothing you can do, will make a difference. You cannot compete against the power of Barian".

Then once again Fender was laughing like hell. Yuma sneered angrily and got up on his feet. Fender was a really strong opponent, and Yuma didn't know how to actually win right now. He clenched his fist. If only I had Utopia with me. No, I can't think like that. I have to do this myself. I always either depend on Astral or Zaira to save me. This time it is my turn to do whatever it takes to save them. And by that determination, Yuma drew, and began his move.

Zaira's p.o.v.

In the meantime.

I sneered angrily and kicked the air with a hard kick. Right where the entrance normally would be, but since Yuma was not wearing the key, the entrance was sealed off with something. Some kind of barrier. I kicked it again, and again, as well as hit it, and hit it. I was trying everything I could do to make it open once again, but nothing! After all that, I hadn't been able to float any longer and I was falling down towards the ship again. Or falling might not be the right words. Cy were after all catching me and tossing me up there in an endless cycle. I still couldn't get out.

"Zaira it is pointless. The key won't open, as long as Yuma is not wearing it" Astral replied weakly, and looked at me, when I landed on the ship ground outside.

"No it is not impossible!" I sneered back "I will open up that key, and get you to Yuma. Even if it is the last thing I do. You told me Yuma was dueling, and by the sound of it, the numbers are at stake".

I clenched my chest a little. Astral had literally got struck by the lightning in here, indicating this duels risks. I was not sure what kind of game Yuma was playing at here, but Astral and I were at risk here. Who was he dueling, and why did Yuma take off his key? Didn't he know what would happen to us if he lost? What was he thinking?!

"I know" Astral replied weakly "I know. Yuma is dueling someone and the numbers are at stake but..". A glowing light suddenly appeared in front of us. Utopia's card in all its glory where floating in front of Astral now.

"Utopia?" Astral questioned "Are you going to Yuma?". At that the card nodded.

"Well then hurry up" I yelled "Go to Yuma. He need all the help he can get".

The card nodded again, and flew up in the sky. Soon he disappeared to who knows where Yuma was at the moment. Astral looked puzzled at me.

"Zaira, I don't understand" he then said "You wanted to leave. Why didn't you do that along with Utopia? You could get out of the key". I shook firmly my head.

"No, I won't leave you" I replied and kneeled down beside him "If I go with Utopia, I end up where Yuma is, and that is not where I wanna go. We have no clue where the key is at the moment, and I need to get out of the key, so I can bring it to Yuma. That is my mission at the moment". Astral looked puzzled at me now.

"But Yuma needs your help..".

"No Astral, he needs you" I interrupted and were holding both his hands in mine now. "I am only the protector. You are the better duelist here. You are always calm and collected, and can even see the big picture, even when you two are about to lose. That is what Yuma needs now. So until I have found a way out of that blasted key, I will stay here with you, got it?!". Astral looked stunned at me for a least a couple of seconds. Then he nodded.

"Thank you Zaira. That is very kind of you" he then said.

"Of course! My mistress is very kind" Cy replied proudly. I just rolled my eyes.

"What are friends for" I then said and smiled.

Yuma's p.o.v.

In the meantime, Yuma was trying to come up with a strategy to beat that xyz monster. However he hadn't come up with anything. Then suddenly his extra deck began glowing, showing a certain xyz monster. Yuma was very touched by that. Utopia, you came for me. Thank you! Now Yuma knew what to do. He started off his move by summoning "Goblindbergh". When it summoned to the field, Yuma could summon a lv 4 or below monster from his hand to the field in att mode. Yuma chose the lv 3 monster "Bachibachibachi". Then he played the spell "Plus star 123". With this card he could add 1,2 or 3 levels to a lv 4 or below monster. Just like his Bachibachibachi. He rose it's level from 3 to 4. Now Yuma of course overlaid his two level 4 monsters to xyz summon "Nb 39 Utopia" to the field.

"Well now, better late than never" Fender said and smirked.

Yuma now attacked with Utopia, but of course Fender was ready for him. He activated his monster's eff. He used one Ou to switch his monster to def mode, and now it can't get destroyed by battle this turn. Yuma snort at that. Because Yuma's Bachibachibachi was used as a Ou, Utopia now gave piercing damage. Fender looked stunned, when Yuma gave him 1500 points of damage. He was the one hitting the floor now. Yuma's friends were cheering him on like hell in the background. They all just loved the move Yuma just did on that guy Fender. Yuma were happy for their support. He turned towards Fender, who was still lying on the ground.

"And now I end my turn" Yuma proclaimed rather confident. "You're up, but with Utopia by my side..". Yuma stopped in mid-sentence, when Fender suddenly were laughing once again.

"Hey what are you laughing at?" Yuma questioned.

"At you Yuma" Fender told him "I was waiting for Utopia".

As he got up, Yuma noticed a strange symbol on his forehead. It was the same symbol who had been shown on Dr. Faker's forehead, when this barian creep had taken him over. Yuma was not liking this at all. Fender drew and were glaring at Yuma now.

"Now you will witness the true power of barian world" he said and was holding up a card "I activate 'Rank up magic barian's force' from my hand".

"What's Barian's force?!" Yuma uttered rather shocked.

"This card ranks up my xyz monster and summons a chaos xyz monster" Fender replied and rebuild the overlay network with his monster.

Yuma couldn't believe what he was seeing. This resembled the chaos evolution both Shark, Zaira and himself were using, but at the same time it was different. This summoning looked much more darker and sinister. Yuma felt scared, even though he never would admit it.

"Barian power, born of chaos. Bring your judgement on this world of filth" Fender then shouted and his new xyz monster now began appearing on the field "Come forth Cxyz mech quipped Djinn angeneral". (Rank 4, 2600 att, 1900 def)

"Chaos xyz?" Yuma questioned puzzled. How was Fender able to do that. Not only that by his monster had gone up in rank for some reason too.

"What kind of thing is that?!" Bronk uttered.

"How could an xyz monster's rank go up?" Caswell added in a confused tone.

"I have never seen that happen before" Flip added as well.

"Now my barian power will destroy you all" Fender proclaimed.

Since he had used barian's force, he could now target an xyz monster on the opponents field, as in Yuma's field, and steal all Ou's from his xyz monster alias Utopia. However that was not all. Yuma's utopia lost 300 att points for every Ou that got stolen. That means Utopia's att dropped to 1900.

"Even the great Utopia, is no match for Barian world's power" Fender said and smirked "It is over, and now all your numbers will belong to Barian world".

A,N: Oh an intense heated battle to stop, but sadly the episode is done for now. The chapter also gets too long in my opinion, so decided to stop here. The next chapter, the duel continue of course, and I do wonder what happens to Zaira and Astral as well. All I can say it is gonna be epic. That and someone is watching everything that is going on right now. Hope it peeks your interest. Please comment on what you think. Would like feedback 😊