Chapter Text
Normal p.o.v.
“Yuma! Hey Yuma!” Kairi’s voice ran through the whole place rather loudly in a very angry tone “You better come down pronto or I’ll call Bronk to munch on all your food! Yuma! I know you can hear me! the whole town can hear me!”.
Right now, Kairi and Tori was standing inside Yuma’s room underneath the ladder to the attic, where Yuma usually slept in his hammock. However, since that day Astral had left him Yuma had not left his home at all. He barely left his room, but when he finally did it was only for a quick run to the bathroom. He barely ate anything which of course made his family and friends worry. That was one of the reasons Kairi was shouting an ear off underneath the stairs. To get him out of his depressive flunk, but no matter what she did, Yuma didn’t move or say anything.
“I guess Yuma still won’t leave his room?” Tori questioned worriedly as she looked up at the stairs to the attic.
“Yes I tried to get him down all day, but he is not reacting. Even food treats aren’t working” Kairi said and sighed “Maybe I really should have picked Zaira when Grandma and I were discussing which of them we would cheer up. She would at least react”. At that Tori chuckled a little.
“Not to mention bite of your head if you as much as touch her” she then replied and sighed deeply “That said, we really do miss her at school too. Were you able to find her?”. At that Kairi shook her head.
“Not a clue and I am a news reporter” she responded “That little thief girl is hard to find when she does not want to be found. That said, Grandma did mention that the refrigerator had been raid, but I have no clue if it is Zaira or Yuma’s doing”.
“What about Shark? He must know where she is at” Tori then said.
“I tried, but he is spending so much time at the hospital now, watching his sister that even if Zaira is at his place, he has not seen her or been there for that matter” Kairi said and sighed “But at least my guts are telling me she is still in the city”.
“Yeah I guess those two are still upset” Tori mused as she recalled the events with number 96 and how Astral had sacrificed himself at the end.
“Yeah let’s give them some time” Kairi mused as well and scratched her hair in sheepishly matter “Everyone deals with a loss and depression in their own way.
Vector’s p.o.v.
In the meantime. Somewhere else.
Inside red crystallized palace whose location was unknown and not in the use of the emperors of the barian world, was Vector and Don Thousand now entering this esteemed royal home. Vector was looking stunned around. He had never seen this place before and that said something since Vector had been around every inch of their home world in his pursuit of finding his lost little sister. This palace was even more glorious than the emperor’s palace and that said a lot.
“Welcome to my sacred domain” Don thousand introduced as they entered.
“Don thousand, this palace is truly befitting of your great and unlimited powers” Vector tried flattering. Although he did not lie.
“Few mortals have ever gained entry. You should consider this a great honor” Don thousand remarked inside his head.
“I do. In fact, I am not even sure I am worthy to be here” Vector replied as he looked around inside this giant throne room they now had entered.
It reminded him of Nash’s throne room, besides the size and the decorations. Compared to the emperor’s place everything was at least doubled its size and decorated much more magnificent. Take the giant staircase with this enormous throne that could at least fill 3 people. Vector would almost have whistled had it not been for him being improper. This was clearly a place he could see himself and Zaira live at in this future. Then Vector’s gaze locked itself onto something entirely different. At the end of the staircase was a giant sphere containing a very noticeable dark aura. One Vector was very familiar with.
“Wait, is that what I think it is?” Vector then uttered as he teleported over to the black giant sphere. Now in front of it, he could feel its radiating dark power.
“Number 96! But I was sure Astral defeated him” he continued.
“Ha-ha. Yes you are partly correct Vector” He could hear Don thousand say inside his head “However, Astral was unable to destroy all his powers, so naturally what was left returned to its rightful owner”.
“Are you implying that that’s you?” Vector questioned surprised “How could that be?”. He could sense Don thousand’s dark power radiating within him now.
“Because Vector! Number 96 was original a part of me!” the god hissed at him. “When I battled with Astral eons ago, I attacked with such fury that a splinter of my dark power and heart buried itself within his heart”.
“Of course. I wondered why Astral could have such a vile being inside of him. No offense” Vector responded dutifully. He had always wondered this.
“Here. Taste the dark power that created number 96” Don thousand offered as Vector could not stand against the dark temptation of this power.
His hand soon touched the dark orb, and its dark power ran through his body and radiated with his barian Lapiz. Vector had never felt anything like this before.
“It is unbelievable!” he uttered in pure distress and delight at the same time.
Minutes pasted as this dark power finally subsided inside of him. Vector could feel the power of chaos running through his veins and first now he could feel the chance his body was beginning to undergo.
“Wh-what have you done to me?” Vector then questioned.
“I turned you into my ultimate warrior” Don thousand responded with.
“I can feel all this chaos power coursing through me! Ha-ha! With this power I will crush Yuma Tsukumo and take back my sister!” Vector uttered rather heroically and got up on his feet “I will get her back! Zaira will be back with me where she belongs and this time, no one will…”.
Stop me! That had been his final words, but he never managed to say them because suddenly pain rang through his body like a wildfire. He could sense how Don thousand’s spirit left his body and accented onto the throne at the end of the staircase now. Vector let out a painful groan as he fell to the ground in a kneeling position. In the background he could hear Don thousand chuckle now.
“You must learn patience Vector. Zaira will return to the barian world one day. I promise you that. But for now, it is not time yet” The god then said.
Vector groaned annoyed at that, but he didn’t say anything in remark. If this god could unleash this cruel pain on him, then what else could he do to him? No, the right action was to stay silent and see where this was going. However, a little fleeting thought did enter his mind though. Ah! What kind of game is this god playing with me? He could hear Don thousand chuckle again.
“You will crush Yuma one day, but first there is another task to be done. One of great importance” He then said. Vector lifted his head as he looked upon the spiritual being sitting on the throne now.
“Sounds very excited” Vector replied with.
“Behold!” Don thousand uttered as he pointed at a spot on the floor.
As he did, the floor opened a pathway and a giant machine appeared from there to Vector’s big surprise. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before.
“It looks impressive, but what is it?” Vector then asked.
“This fusioniser will make it possible to combine Barian world with the human world” Don thousand then explained to Vector’s big surprise.
“Joining them together? Is that really possible?” he then asked.
That had clearly been the wrong question since lightning suddenly roamed in the sky. Wind was gusting the place in a wild matter and the palace ground itself was rumbling rather loudly. It didn’t take Vector many moments to realize this was Don thousand’s doing and that he had clearly pissed him off now. Agonizing pain also hit Vector as he felt someone were pressing his Lapiz to almost dust. Or that was at least how it felt like.
“Doubt me again Vector and you shall suffer the consequences! Is that understood?” Don thousand then yelled. Both inside his head and through the room just now. Then the agonizing pain doubled in size.
“Ah yes! Yes I understand!” Vector uttered as he realized Don thousand wanted an answer from him, Finally the pain subsided, and he was able to breathe without feeling all life being squashed out of him.
“I do believe it is possible and I think it is fiendishly brilliant” Vector then quickly added. All in order to make the god’s anger subside. “But what is the purpose of fusing the two worlds?”.
“For power! Much more power!” Don thousand then uttered “Destroying Astral world requires a great amount of energy and by tapping into the human world I will gain that energy. Vector I want you to execute my plan. Sit upon my throne and see to it that everything goes as designed. To assist you I am giving you four unique and powerful numbers. They will help you spread turmoil and suffering across the human world. Wield these numbers viciously. Use their power to throw the human world into complete and utter chaos…”.
While Don thousand were talking, Vector was slowing walking up the stairs of the throne while cursing inside like crazy. Sure, the pain had subsided, but his boy was still aching like hell. As he hit the last step to the throne his feet felt like he had been walking on coal. Relief washed through him as he finally sat down on the enormous throne. Only to find himself in another predicament. Tentacles wrapped around his whole body. They had appeared from the throne somewhere. Vector knew Don thousand were responsible and it was only confirmed when Don thousand voice ran through it all.
“Failure is NOT an option!”.
Vector groaned annoyed. He would have to agree with him, because if he didn’t something worse might come along. However, his body began changing. Especially around his hands, feet’s, and face. He was simply happy Zaira didn’t have to see him in this state.
Yuma p.o.v.
Yuma was lying in his hammock. It was in the middle of the night and he couldn’t sleep. Tears were running down his cheek as he thought about how Astral had sacrificed himself so that both him and Zaira could live. Yuma knew it was a noble sacrifice. That he was doing it to protect them and at the same time deal with number 96. He did defeat him. That was the only plus in this whole situation. Everything else was well dreadful. Sure, they had fought a lot. Astral and him, but at the same time they had become irresistible best friends. It was for that reason Yuma was feeling so much pain in his heart. It was like there was a giant hole where Astral had been and now instead of him, he only felt sorrow and misery. He just couldn’t handle it.
“Astral I just can’t believe you are gone” Yuma sniffed as he turned around in his hammock. Tears hit the ground again as he did “Why did you have to leave me Astral? Why? We were a team. You, Zaira and I. Without you, everything is falling apart. Why didn’t you trust me…?”.
His eyes flickered to the giant trunk at his window. It was there he was usually sitting, building his deck together with Astral and it was there his deck were lying right now along with the pile of number cards. Tears began running down his cheek when Yuma saw them. It was an action that even made the lobster haired boy get out of bed now.
“I wish I never started dueling or ever heard of number cards” Yuma muttered to himself as he grabbed the pile of number cards. An image of Astral of course entered his mind and made Yuma hiss in anger. Enraged he even walked over to the window and opened it up. His right arm was ready for a throw now “If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t feel so angry and upset! I don’t want these! They can just go away…!”.
He was prepared to toss all the cards out of the window just now when a hand grabbed his right arm in a tight firm grip. The angry voice that followed didn’t help at all.
“Yuma! What the hell are you doing?!” he could hear Zaira’s accusing voice yell at him and could feel how she forced him to let go of all the numbers, so they fell to the ground instead of out of the window.
“I… I don’t want these! They are nothing but trouble!” Yuma uttered angrily as he was pushed backwards by Zaira as she went past him to close the window. Her accusing face expression then turned towards him before she bowed down and picked up the cards to Yuma’s horror.
“Here” she then stated as she was holding the numbers in front of him. An action that caused Yuma to back away instead.
“No! I don’t want these!” He then sneered “Astral, they…they only cause me pain!”.
“You really don’t mean that Yuma” Zaira responded in an emotionless voice.
“Of course, I do! They took away Astral! I don’t want to see them ever again!”.
“Astral entrusted us with the numbers Yuma! Are you just letting his last wish go to waste like that?” Zaira only responded in a firm tone, making Yuma flinch. Before he knew it, he was holding the numbers in his hand and this time he didn’t try to get rid of them. Instead, he was holding them close to his heart.
“I… I just don’t know if I can keep them safe” Yuma then admitted and looked up at his sister with hopeful eyes “Maybe you could…”.
“I already explained it to you Yuma” Zaira said and sighed deeply “I am a barian! Me possessing all the numbers is a bad thing. Especially, since Vector is my brother…”.
“But… but… you are not a bad person! You are my sister! You wouldn’t join them. I just know you wouldn’t!” Yuma uttered frantically as he was looking at her with begging eyes and ended up saying what was really troubling him “You wouldn’t leave me!”.
He could hear Zaira sigh as he felt her comfortable arms around him and for once Yuma felt like he could relax and calm down. Just a little. Zaira was the only one who understood how much Astral meant to him. She was the only one who was carrying the same pain he was feeling.
“Yuma…” she began and sighed “You shouldn’t have so much faith in me. I am what I am. A barian. And yes, I don’t want to join them for now, but there might come a time… Vector tried kidnapping me twice already and knowing him he is resilient. The numbers are not safe with me”.
“I… I…”.
Understand. Or that was at least what he wanted to say but the words wouldn’t come out of his mouth. Maybe because it wasn’t true. Because Yuma didn’t understand. He didn’t understand why Zaira were sneaking around again, like she had done in the past when she was running away. He didn’t understand why she was raiding their fridge once in a while, when Grandma Haru already were making food for her anyway, and most of all, he did not understand why Zaira wasn’t showing herself to his family nor sleeping here at all. It was like she was too ashamed to show herself to them or something like that. Sobbing sounds could be heard as he placed his head on her shoulder. His arms were having a tight grip there too.
“Please just don’t leave yet. Zaira I beg you” he pledged and hoped she would honor his request for at least a little while.
Vector’s p.o.v.
A little while later.
At Barian world Vector was waiting impatiently for the little fly Mr. Heartland to appear. It was one of the drawbacks sitting on this throne. For the time being he could not leave the place, no matter how infuriating as it was. That was the reason he had to rely on someone else to carry out his and Don thousand’s plans. At least for a little while. The sounds of buzzing could be heard as the fly Mr. Heartland finally appeared. Vector growled annoyed at that. Finally!
“I heard you needed me, so I flew as fast as I could. What’s the latest buzz buddy?!” Mr. Heartland uttered cheerfully at first. That until he noticed Vector and his new get up and were instead staring at him in awe.
“The buzz is that you are late!” Vector then hissed at him.
“Ah eh sorry about that. I couldn’t find my glasses, but I am glad I did. I like your new look” the little fly exclaimed as it tried to be flattering.
Not that Vector really cared there. Instead, he grabbed the little fly with his left hand. He could see how Mr. Heartland had closed his eyes, thinking he was about to be squashed, but Vector did have other plans. Energy rose through his hand as he could feel the little bug change.
“Change is good and speaking of change it is time you had one” Vector mused as he removed his hand so the transformation could happen.
Soon Mr. Heartland were transformed from a bug into a human again. He was even dressed in a very dashing white suit, to the now new man’s surprise.
“Looking snazzy Heartland. You just need one final accessory to complete you assemble” Vector mused as he let a number card fly over to him. The former major was staring at it in awe at the card now.
“Amazing! My very own number card” Mr. Heartland then uttered and let out a cheerful grin now “I am honored you have given such an important card to me”.
“Stop at nothing to seize Yuma Tsukumo’s numbers. I will even give you an evil entourage as back-up” Vector stated as he flicked with his fingers.
Three people emerged in front of them as they kneeled down in front of Vector. All of them were wearing the noticeable barian cloaks. But even so Mr. Heartland recognized them,
“No! It can’t be! They should all be dead!” he uttered rather stunned.
“Oh, trust me they are” Vector said and chuckled darkly. “I know all about how you used to be a criminal from the criminal underground of Heartland city before you worked for Dr. Faker and became major. You needed a new career path after all the members of your team died”.
“Ah yes. I guess you know about that” Mr. Heartland mused slowly “But still…”.
“Ha! What is there to talk about Heartland. Don’t you know souls with regrets ends up in barian world? That is the reason we are standing before you, just as you are standing before us.” one of the cloaked men then said as he walked forward and tossed his cloak in the process.
A muscular man with almost pale gray skin and a pointy nose were looking at him. He was dressed in a brown sleeveless jacket, a pair of dark glasses, a necklace in golden colors and black pants. He did seem bald but has something that slightly resembles hair on the back of his head.
“At last, the team that put the fear in the fearsome four is finally reunited to spread dread and mayhem wherever we go” Erazer continued with glee in his eyes. Mr. Heartland couldn’t contain himself a smirk as he saw his former colleagues.
“Erazer” Mr. Heartland greeted and now chuckled darkly. He turned towards Vector as he bowed down respectfully “You won’t regret what you have done for me Vector. I promise I won’t let you down”. Vector growled annoyed at that.
“For your sakes I hope that is true. I am Not a forgiven person!” Vector mused in a cold tone “But you know that already, don’t you Mr. Heartland?”.
“Of course, my lord” Mr. Heartland responded rather quickly and got up “But I believe we need to get going now. Those numbers won’t catch themselves…”.
“Just one moment” Vector mused in a cold tone again “I have a final job for you…”.
Normal p.o.v.
At Yuma’s house all his friends where inside his room trying to get Yuma down from the attic and be with them. They were having several attempts. Tori and Cathy had made delicious food, although Cathy might have added cat food to give it extra flavor. Bronk had invented a new shining communication badges for their number club. Flip had managed to get his hands on some super rare duel monster cards and Caswell had a bunch of tickets to the new super extreme roller coaster downtown. But no matter what they did, or made it sound excited, Yuma just wouldn’t leave the attic or speak to any of them. In the end, the group had to leave because it was late, and their parents were missing them. However, it didn’t mean that they were giving up. They would try again and again to get their friend out of his flunk no matter what.
Somewhere else near Heartland, was a submarine about to surface, bearing a familiar crest on the underwater machine itself. Inside it was 4 teens, a girl and 3 boys present.
“So, the rumors are true” the tallest of the boys then spoke “Astral has vanished from the human world which means the barians will attack with even greater ferocity. It is time for us to sweep into action. Your job will be to look after Yuma”. A red-haired boy saluted gracefully.
“It would be a great honor bother” he then stated, “Maybe I can even impress my sweet little angel with my dashing new moves”.
“That is if you can find her” another voice added in. This time it was the girl that spoke “Zaira seem to love the game Hide and seek a lot. It will be quite the accomplishment to find her. Especially, when she does not want to be found”.
“Yes, but I have my utmost faith in you” the other from before spoke “Do whatever it takes to find her. The barians must not get to them first”.
“Aye, aye!” both siblings saluted.
Zaira’s p.o.v.
In the middle of the night.
I sighed deeply. I could feel the fresh air hit my face and were properly the only thing right now that made me feel like I was alive. Everything was just dreadful. Everything was just filled with pain and lack of effect. In that dur I was not much different than Yuma really, but unlike him who didn’t leave the Tsukumo resident, I was barely home. Astral’s dead was as dreadful and painful to me as it was for Yuma. The only difference was that I decided to be strong in others presence, even though I wasn’t. That little rascal of a brother to Yuma just didn’t need to see me out of it too. Then he would never heal. Then he would never be better and if I were honest, that was important right now. With the barians so close by, I was sure they would do a critical move soon, with their nemesis Astral gone and all that. That was at least what I would do if I were them and that itself worried me to no end. We needed Yuma and his power of feeling the flow more than ever now. It was for that reason I let him cling to me for safety. At least for now even though I was clearly not the right person to be the one comforting him. I was a barian after all. I was the mortal enemy of Astral world. Those thought had been entering my mind a lot lately. Especially, after Astral broke the connection between us. Sure, being barian had always troubled me, but with the seal and all along with Astral by my side, it just didn’t matter so much. I was his protector. I was fighting against the barians and barely had a choice in that regard because of the seal. It kinda made my worries disappear into the far corner of my mind. Now however, with the seal gone and all that, I felt like I had lost my purpose for being here. My reason for living. I suddenly had to decide for myself. Not that it wasn’t a bad thing, but with this war going on and both worlds fighting over me; that being Yuma and the barians, I just felt like the wrong move could doom us all. It was for that reason I hadn’t told Yuma anything or stayed around for long. I just felt guilty. Especially, to Kairi and Grandma Haru who had taken me in as one of the own. Because what if, what if I did in fact chose the barians and fight against Yuma and the others? What if I turned traitor to them? Would they ever forgive me for ditching on their kindness? That said, the only reason I hadn’t run away as I usually would do, was because of Astral’s wish in protecting the numbers and looking out for each other. That was the reason I was checking in on Yuma once in a while. Like last night where he was ditching the numbers. Hadn’t I not appeared, Cy and I had properly been all around town searching for them.
I sighed deeply again. What the hell was wrong with me? This shouldn’t trouble me at all. After all, wasn’t I on the Astral world’s side regardless of being a barian? Wasn’t that the reason I hadn’t ditched Heartland city? I were against the barians, even though I was a barian! Wasn’t that the reason I were patrolling the city every night to make sure the barians had not infiltrated the place? I shook my head as I turned around a corner down some unknown street to who knows where. I just wanted to run away, even though that also meant running away from me. I couldn’t deal with any of this right now. Especially not myself.
“You won’t find them tonight mistress” I could hear Cy say as the blue wolf materialized itself in spirit form beside me. I hissed annoyed at that.
“What are you talking about?” I hissed back at him “Find who?”.
“The barians Mistress. I already searched the city with my wind power” He explained and gazed at me with worried eyes “But even if you did, they would not give you the answers you seek…”.
“What is that supposed to mean?!” I bit back in an angry tone, but deep down I already knew what he meant, and Cy knew this as well.
“Every night you search for them. The barian emperors in hopes that they will give you the answers you seek. All so your choice in all this will become easier” Cy replied dutifully “You want them to appear before you. You want them to choose for you and thereby quell the pain and anger you are feeling. But it will not solve anything Mistress. Your pain over Astral will not just disappear”.
“You don’t know that! You don’t know anything!” I shouted to Cy and once again began running away.
From him! From anyone. Truthfully though Cy was right. It wouldn’t solve anything, but I really didn’t care. I needed to see someone and since I had blocked away all my earthly friends, there really was only the barians left. Or in this case Dumon. The grey haired barian had been as much in my mind as Shark had which reminded me that the war was not my only choice. What I wouldn’t give to be in either of their arms right now. I could go to Shark at the hospital, but he had been so absent lately, that I doubt I would gain any comfort from him. Actually, that was a lie. I knew I wouldn’t gain any comfort for him. Shark had tried after the events with 96. He really did, but everything with Rio was just filling his mind so much that everything else were just drifting away. Including me as sad as that was. Maybe that was why I sought comfort from well the barians. Or tried to. I gasped a little as I stopped up near a lamppost. I needed a breather.
“Mistress…” Cy once again stood beside me as he tried rubbing my cheek even though he was a spirit. He was trying to comfort me, and I did appreciate the effort.
“Mistress. I am worried about you” Cy continued as I were sitting on the ground now with my backside slumped at the lamppost. “You haven’t slept in days and you have barely eaten anything. Please, at least find yourself a place to rest. Just for a little while”. I shook my head as I placed my head between my knees. I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to do anything.
I was not sure how long I was like this. I was not even sure if I fell asleep or were just so far away in my own mind that anything else didn’t matter. All I knew was this loud sound who suddenly brought me back to reality. That along with this loud scream had my senses going into overdrive.
“Mistress?” I could hear Cy question as he too were trying to find the sound.
“It is coming from over there!” I uttered and rushed to my feet.
Once again, I was up and running, but this time I at least had a purpose. As I got closer the screams did in fact get louder and I sound hit in a dark alley behind a wooden box of some kind. There I could see the shadows of two men dueling. I knew it were males because of the sound in their voices. I just didn’t have a clue why they were dueling here of all places. That however soon got revealed.
“Game over” I could hear the bigger and more brute shadow owner say.
“Fine you win. Just… just leave me alone!” I could hear the smaller one says, and I realized that this was not a fair duel. The other were clearly forced into this.
“Oh, I know it is disappointing to lose, so how about I help you forget all about it” the brute stated as I could see him grab the other and… I blinked a little.
I was sure this guy’s shadow changed into something I couldn’t quite figure out. However, it was only for a sec. I could hear the guy scream again for some reason and then the other guy, was he really a guy, dropped him like a sack of potatoes. I was not sure what was going on here, but I knew this guy was not an average human. Was he a barian? If he was, he was clearly not one of the other emperors. None of them had a shadow like that. I bit my lip as I debated with myself what to do. Usually, I would already have let myself be known and surely confronted him, It, and kicked his butt. However, now sleep deprived and lacking purpose, I was not sure if I was even ready to duel again. Both physically but also mentally. Wannabes didn’t win duels as Shark had stated one time and I believed him 100 percent. That and if I lost, I didn’t want to end up like whatever happened to that guy on the ground just now.
“Mmm delicious” I could hear the other guy say which made up my mind pretty quickly. I needed to get out of here. Only problem, I just had to kick something, a can maybe, in the dark and of course make a sound. Figures!
“Who’s there?!” I could hear the other shout and soon found myself face to face with gray skinned man with weird glasses.
My eyes widened at that. Never seen a person with such lack of sunlight on his skin. I seen pale but this was clearly beyond it. Especially his dress code. I took a step backwards. The guy had not noticed me yet, which was actually hilarious since he was clearly a night owl.
“Are you his friend?” the man questioned as he narrowed his eyes in his search of me in “I must say it is unusual that my prey comes to me, but I welcome the change…”.
He properly would have said more, but in just that moment, he noticed me inside the shadows and his eyes widened in surprise. I was not sure what I had expected really. Properly something around the lines that this poor guy on the ground had. However, him kneeling in front of me had never crossed my mind ever.
“Oh, I am so sorry princess I didn’t know it was you. Please forgive me” he then apologized which had question marks all around me now.
What the heck was going on here and why the hell was this guy calling me princess? Sure, my name meant princess according to Dumon in ancient times, but I was fairly sure this guy didn’t know that. Only one thing was sure, if he was this respectfully to me, it must mean he was a barian. Question remained why.
“Who the heck are you?” I then spoke and made this dude rise from the ground “You are a barian aren’t you? What are you doing here?”.
“My name is Erazer and I serve your brother Lord Vector” This guy, Erazer apparently, introduced himself as “As for why we are here, I am sure you know. We are here to get the numbers from that kid Yuma Tsukumo…”.
“Aha I see and why does he not get them himself. I had preferred him over you any day” I growled annoyed “What did you do to this guy?”.
“What? I am not allowed a midnight snack? His memories when losing are so delicious” Erazer said and chuckled “I can bring you one princess if you want…”.
“No thank you” I mused. I already felt grossed out enough as it was “Summon my brother instead. I would like to talk to him instead”.
“No can’t do princess. You see Lord Vector is kind of tied up at the moment. That is the reason he sent me” Erazer replied and smirked “But I can bring you to him if you want. I am sure he would be thrilled to see you”.
“Are you taking me for a fool? That is clearly a trap!” I hissed angrily “If you work for my brother you are the enemy!”. Erazer hummed at that but then shrugged.
“If that’s how it is princess, I won’t force you” he then said and turned around “But if you should change your mind, we will be at Heartland memorial hall”.
He pointed at a giant building in the horizon. If I remember correctly that was the place the citizen had build for Mr. Heartland after his death. If only the people knew how corrupt their beloved major really was, I was sure no one would have given him such an honor. Not that any of us had mentioned that considering the Tenjo family had been in on this. It would ruin Kite and his family’s name.
“Don’t count on it!” I snort back as I left the scene with quick steps.
Time skip. The next sundown.
I sighed deeply as I once again were staring down Heartland memorial. This time too close for comfort. I was not even sure what I was doing here. Did I honestly think that brute would really bring me to my brother? Just like that. Not to mention even if he did, there was no telling what my brother Vector would actually do. He could be unpredictable. Guess that was a family trait in our family, but even so, Vector was my brother. Even with his destructive and kidnapping tendencies. He was still my brother. That said I was not a complete idiot. If I ended up in barian world wouldn’t that be seen as traitorous? If I ever did manage to return to Earth ever again. What was I thinking of even coming here? No matter how depressed I was, no matter how much pain I was having and that I sought comfort, this was not the right answer. I nodded for once determined to myself. If I wanted to meet with the barians, especially my brother Vector, it should be on neutral ground. I was about to walk away when things suddenly escalated.
“Hu Zaira what are you doing here?” a voice said and made me turn surprised around.
In front of me was the usual gang of Tori, Cathy, Caswell, Bronk and Flip and what was even more strange they were all armed with the most bizarre weapon choice. Some robes, some daggers and Tori was carrying a frying pan.
“Um…” I began and were not sure what to say at first but then gained my compose “I should be asking you the same time. What’s up with you?!”.
“Well rumor has it there is a memory thief going around attacking innocent duelists” Caswell began, and Flip continued “We can never be too careful”.
I hummed at that. Maybe that had been what this Erazer had been doing. Stealing people’s memories. It certainly lived up to his weird name.
“Your turn Zaira. What brings you here?” Bronk then asked again.
“Disturbances” I mused out in a quick lie. After all I couldn’t tell them the real reasons “I sensed some disturbances coming from this place”.
“It must be the barians!” Cathy hissed fiercely.
“Which means we hit the jackpot you guys” Caswell uttered determined.
“Yeah, we will have Yuma back to himself in no time!” Tori uttered cheerfully as well. My eyes widened at that statement. Were they intending to take on Erazer with only those tools? Were they crazy?
“Okay let’s go. Mission memory thief is underway!” Bronk encouraged and soon the group left inside leaving me rather speechless. Then…
“Hey, wait you guys it is dangerous on your own” I shouted and ran of course after them.
Normal p.o.v.
Inside the memorial hall was Erazer sitting on a table and studying his nails when Mr. Heartland came up to him. He looked very annoyed.
“Erazer, tell me, what are you up to?!” the man questioned annoyed.
“I don’t know what you mean Heartland?” Erazer pretended innocently.
“Don’t play innocent. We were ordered to capture Yuma Tsukumo’s numbers. Instead, I find out you have been attacking random duelists for no apparent reason” Heartland hissed back as his subordinate.
“Okay you got me. I was just using those duelists to warm up for the main events” Erazer explained and chuckled darkly “And to feast on their memories of course. I have a special taste for loser’s minds. The aguish they feel after a humiliating defeat are so delicious”. Mr. Heartland snort annoyed at that.
“But even so, people are beginning to ask questions” He inquired “I do not want to shift headquarter so soon. Have I made myself clear?”.
“Crystal” Erazer replied and smirked “However, did I mention I found the little princess, Zaira Wroom, wandering the streets the other night? Just thought you should know”. At that Mr. Heartland’s eyes widened in surprise.
“You found her? Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? And more importantly, bring her here! Lord Vector would surely be…”.
“…Be beating and breaking our body and bones for hours if he found out about this” Erazer finished with a snort “Sure, she is indeed our master’s weak point, but that can also be a double-edged sword if not used correctly, and I have no intentions of gaining his wrath just because the little princess gets a scratch or a blue mark somewhere, do you?”. Mr. Heartland paled at that.
“Well, no, I do have such delegate skin” he mused in a scared tone before gaining himself “But was it smart to leave her be? She could be warning Yuma Tsukumo…”.
“Trust me Heartland. With the way she was looking at me with those dead eyes, I doubt it” Erazer interrupted and chuckled “I never seen such a broken girl before, and I seen my fair share of that when Lord Vector is having his fun with prisoners. She would come here voluntarily. Just you wait and…”.
He had just said that when the alarm went off inside the Headquarter. On a video screen were now a group of intruders seen. All which made Erazer chuckle.
“Speaking of the devil. Zaira Wroom. Right on time” He said in a mocking tone.
“But she is not traveling alone” Mr. Heartland replied as he studied the video feed “Wait I have seen that group before. They are all friends with Yuma Tsukumo”.
“I bet their memories will be incredibly helpful and delicious” Erazer mused as he licked his lips and soon began leaving this place to pounce on the unsuspecting intruders.