AN: Hey Everyone, me again! ^ ^ Sorry, this chapter supposed to be put up yesterday but to be honest I just kept hating myself for how I knew I would end it. You'll see what I mean when you read it. The story is still in Astral's POV. Now how about we get on with the story!?
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yugioh Zexal. If I did probably non of the characters would have made it.
In the last chapter we witnessed Yuma being the one corrupted by his own lies instead of Astral and Yuma then forcing Astral into Dark Zexal.
Why does my body feel so heavy? I begin to try to move only be met with stiffness and pain. After what felt like an eternity of trying to move I'm finally able to sit up and open my eyes. I look around and everything seems so different. Where am I? Shouldn't I be in the emperor's key? Why can't I remember anything?
I look above me to see a giant statue of Yuma standing above me, it appeared to be crying with it's arms raised as if reaching out to something. Seeing the statue made everything come crashing back into place. Rei actually being Vector, Yuma knowing he was a Barian and lying to me, me verbally attacking Yuma and allowing Vector to corrupt Yuma, and Yuma forcing me into Zexal.
I'm not sure where I am now but I do know on thing. I need to find Yuma and make sure everything was set right, to make it like it was before Vector came into the picture. Back when Yuma and I were partners and that's all that mattered. So even with my sore body I started making my way into the statue to find Yuma.
After what felt like hours of climbing I found a strange dark blue gem floating in the middle of the passage way. Of course I thought of just leaving it because it could have been some kind of trap but my curiosity got the best of me. I reached out and gently grabbed the blue gem which started to glow a light blue before an image floated up from it.
The image was of Yuma and Rei on a roof. I could here Rei say, " You can't tell anyone about me being a Barian, not even Astral. It could put him in more danger than he already is. " How dare he use me as a way to trick Yuma into listening to him!
I could hear Rei keep but his words were covered by what sounded like Yuma's voice but I couldn't see his mouth moving. I heard the voice say, " I don't want to lie to Astral but I also don't want him to be in anymore danger. " I heard the voice say in a more determined tone, " I'll do whatever it take to protect Astral no matter what! " Yuma then copied Rei when he saluted him.
After a while of processing what I saw I came to the conclusion that there orbs were some kind of storage for Yuma's memories. But why was this one lying in the middle of the path? Did Yuma what me to see this memory? And is so for what reason? I suppose the only thing I can really do is keep going.
After a while of walking I came across another blue gem in the middle of the passage. This time the image kept switching between different scenes of Yuma. It seemed to be of a normal day because he was in the usual places such as in class, in a duel, talking with friends, and lying in bed.
The only real difference was hearing what was going through Yuma's head at the time. Like the scenes there just seemed to be snippets of his thoughts but had the same theme every time. Me. " I can't believe I'm actually keeping secrets from Astral . . . This is to protect Astral. . . It's all for Astral. . . Astral would understand. . . Astral would do the same to protect me, right? "
So Yuma was trying to convince himself what he was doing was right. So he hated keeping secrets from me so much that he had to constantly convince himself that it was for the best. But he forced himself to keep the secrets from everyone to protect me. He cares about me that much? Now I definitely knew I had to find Yuma, so I continued walking.
As I kept walking I came across another gem, just how many of these things are there!? This one was a little different though with a much darker shade of blue and the tiniest spot of black near the center. As I touched the gem it glowed and the images it showed were also darker in return.
I could recognize these events as after I discovered that Yuma had Barian cards in his possession. The day that he had went from just keeping secrets to really lying to me. I could feel my anger rising again at the thought. That was until I heard what the gem said.
Just like last time the scenes skipped but the words were so very different and even included what just happened with Vector. " I can't believe I lied to him. . . I hate myself. . . I'm a terrible friend. . . Astral's going to be so mad if he finds out. . . What have I done. . . I'm a traitor. . . I'm so sorry Astral. . . Please forgive me. . . " But the image stopped where I had slapped Yuma in the face. Then all I heard was, " I knew he'd hate me. ''
Toward the end the gem turned completely black and gave off a coldness that made me sad for some reason. I continued moving forward, determined to find Yuma. I finally came to a large black door and pushed it open and walked into the center of the room. Standing there looking out a window was Yuma. I could still see the markings that the darkness left on his skin. He turned toward me and I couldn't help but gaped at the insane grin that seemed to split his face and the dark gleam in his eyes.
Without realizing it I started taking a step back, which ended up being a bad idea as I heard the door slam close behind me.
" Where are you going Astral? " I heard Yuma ask me in a voice that sent chills down my back. " You just got here. " Yuma started walking toward me. " Don't you know this is where you belong? " Now Yuma was right in front of me. " Right here with me. "
" Where I can protect you and destroy anything that might harm you? Just like Vector. " I looked at Yuma in shock and took a step back.
" W-what do you mean? " I asked Yuma with a shaky voice.
Yuma's smile widen. " I mean while you were on your way here I dueled Vector and won.I would have killed him but he ran off before I had the chance. " Yuma's smile faltered before coming back full strength. " But not before I did a real number on his wing. "
Yuma suddenly grabbed onto my shoulders and I cringed at his touch. " But now you're here! I'm sure if we work together we can find him and finish him off. In fact! With our power and can destroy all the Barian emperors! All of Barian World! " Insane laughter ripped itself from Yuma's throat. " But why stop there!? We can destroy everything! All the worlds! All the people! Then it would just be me and you! Just like it should be! "
It was at that point that I realized that this was no longer Yuma. Yuma would never even think of hurting a single person, let alone destroying everything. I looked away and shut my eyes as I charged a blast of energy in my hand and launched it into Yuma's chest.
With tears streaming down my eyes I turned to look at Yuma who was looking in shock at the hole in his chest before looking at me. Then the darkness seemed to fade away and the regular Yuma, my Yuma, started to fall. I knelt to the ground and caught him in my arms. He looked up at me with his usual bright smile. He then lifted his hand to my face and said, " Than you for saving me. " Before he disappeared in a shower of light.
All that was left in his place was a black gem and as I reached for it the images started out completely in black and white where I blasted Yuma in the chest. I heard, " Does he really hate me so much that he's willing to kill me? "
Once I was on the ground holding him I heard, " He's crying for me, He doesn't hate me. He did this for me. To protect me and everything I care about from myself. And yet, he's still crying because he didn't want to hurt still cares about me even after all I did. I'm so happy. So happy. Thank you Astral. For being my friend, for protecting me, and Astral, ' Thank you for saving me. ' "
Now that the images ended the gem glowed a beautiful golden color that radiated warmth. A parting gift from Yuma. I hold the golden gem to my chest As I fully break down and sob on the ground.
AN: Well there it is. If you need me I'll be in a corner for the next week or so crying.
