Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Quinton X Female Reader.(part 2)

A few hours later you woke up feeling a little better, though you felt tired still. Now it was time to go and collect your brother and sister. Picking them up you took them for a walk through the park like you always did. Again you heard that maniac laughter, wandering if it was Hiro.
“Hey Hiro, was that you laughing a moment ago?” You asked.
“No, _____________(name). Why?” Hiro asked curiously.
“It’s nothing. I was just wandering. Let’s get you guys home, ok?” you replied. Both nodded.
“Ok, let’s go.” The sun was just beginning to set in the sky now, highlighting it in shades of gold, pink, purple and orange. When you opened the door, dinner was already being set down on the table.

“Welcome home.” Your mother said, beginning to set the plates on the table.
“Thanks mom!” You all chorused, smiling as you ate, your mother sat down beside you.
“Dig in you lot!” she said cheerfully. Once dinner had finished, you collected the dishes, now feeling happy and content.
“Thank you for dinner mom.” You replied, starting to wash the dishes.
“You’re welcome. I’ll take care of these tonight honey. You go and get ready.” She replied, taking over.
“Ok mom.” You said heading to your room to have a shower. A little while later, you felt refreshed and you were wearing your finest wear. A deep purple silken dress, that fit you well. On the side it had a small split, enough that you could wear it, without tripping.

Looking at your reflection, this time you had chosen to go with the side braid, which fell slightly short of your hips, while your light fringe, long sat slightly over your eyes. You put your deck into its case, and placed them in your draw. Soon enough you had retrieved your invitation to Heartland’s party, before tomorrow. On your bedside table shone your heart piece, glowing dimly in the light. Only one day to go, you thought, silently. Saying good bye to your family, you left promising you’d be safe. When you heard the soft thud of your door, you put your invitation into your jacket, keeping it safe, as you walked to Heartland’s party.
The moon was full tonight, and the air was cool and fresh you enjoyed it. But you couldn’t help but feel something wasn’t right tonight, but you couldn’t put your finger on it.

Sighing softly you went on your way. When you arrived outside of Heartland’s home you were stunned. On the walkway was a red carpet, and split on either side were many duelling fans, screaming at the top of their lungs. Walking up the red carpet you heard fans call your name, you gave them a faint smile, than before you entered Heartland’s home, a security guard of some sort asked for your invitation. You handed it to him.
“Welcome, ___________(name). Please enjoy yourself.” He said, returning your invitation to you.
“Thank you.” You replied, voice slightly cold.
“Hey, ____________(name)” you turned around to see Kite, he had grown a lot since you last saw him, that night when Quinton had shoved him onto the ground. His expression looked cold and slightly angered.

“Hello, Kite. Nice seeing you here.” You replied, before swiftly turning and heading inside. Outside you could hear fans calling your name. Looking around you were surprised to see how large Heartland’s home was. The hall was large, with a massive chandelier above the floor and stairs everywhere. Talk about living a life of luxury. A massive cake stood in the centre of the room, and scattered around were many trays filled with snacks galore. Scanning everyone in the room, you noticed some duellers you knew and others you didn’t. You couldn’t wait to battle them, and take their numbers if they had any. Again your eyes scanned the crowd, some part of you hoping to see Quinton’s face amongst the duellers, you couldn’t. You took a small glass of wine and moved to the side, finding yourself slightly covered in shadows.

Again you felt you mind drift, thinking about Quinton and his family. Around them you felt like a part of their family, sometimes even more than your own. You loved Chris and loved his brothers, Thomas and Michael. But you loved the youngest ones like a sister would. You remembers how kind they use to be, and that you got along with them, nowadays you knew they had changed their names to Quattro and Trey. A racket outside brought you back to the room, laughter and talking everywhere. You recognised the voice, annoying as usual, Yuma Tsukumo was complaining outside.
“But I’m on the list!!!” He shouted. Another voice spoke a second later, it was female and sounded mad.
“Yuma! Did you forget to bring your invitation!!!???”

“I was sure I had it with me, Tori!” he replied back. The security guard laughed.
“You can’t be serious? How is a scrawny kid like you a champion duellist?” he said. This time a new voice spoke. It was husky and was talking about Yuma.
“He’s one of us,” The voice said.
“You’ve got to be joking!?” Soon enough Yuma and his friends had snuck inside. You placed down your wine, which you had hardly touched to get yourself some snacks. You could hear Yuma heading towards you, which you ignored as you had noticed something, more like someone.

Standing in the shadows and by himself stood Christopher Arclight. Man had he changed. For one he looked extremely handsome. Though some things hadn’t changed. His long silver hair flowed loosely, and his style of clothes hadn’t changed. He was wearing a long dark blue and white jacket which had gold trimmings and he wore white pants. His eyes were their usual dark blue, though they looked lifeless almost and his light purple and green fringe shone faintly against his silver hair. His expression though, was the same one you had remembered from that night, a few years ago. It was cold, and almost angry. Your heart skipped a beat when he looked towards you, but before you could move towards him Heartland began to speak.

“Welcome Duellers…” Heartland spoke in his usual cheery manner, after all he was commentating the World Duel Carnival, and would be letting duel fans worlds wide what was happening as the carnival progressed. He was also the host of this party. You zoned out for a moment, but soon a maniac laughter echoed through the hall and the lights went out.
“What’s going on here?” Heartland’s voice said. In the darkness. You heard the click of a spotlight near the stairs and turned. Standing before you was a child. He had yellow hair, styled similar to your braid, he wore a blue suit with white gloves and his face was covered in a silver mask, only one side showing his gold eye. A memory flashed before your eyes, Byron wore a suit similar to this child’s one. Yet despite the chaos he felt familiar to you. The child leaned on the rail, letting out another maniac laugh, before he scanned the crowd, and to you.
“I’m so looking forward to duelling you all…. Some more than others.” He said, tauntingly.
“Ventrix, what is the meaning of this?” Heartland said.

Ventrix laughed, and turned his gold eye towards Yuma who was not far from you. Ventrix smiled cruelly.
“Astral…. I see you…” Ventrix said, laughing again. The spotlight clicked off, before he clicked and shone on you. Standing before you was Ventrix. You didn’t flinch, in fact you felt perfectly fine, though you knew you had a cold expression your face. His voice was taunting.
“Long time, no see ____________(name). I look forward to duelling you…” he teased. You frowned.
“Long time, no see Ventrix. As do i.” you said, not caring how cold your voice sounded. The child laughed again, a smile on his face. Despite being singled out, you didn’t care if others saw. And you had a feeling of familiarity around him, like you knew him.

“My, my. It’s seems you have changed ______________(name). I look forward to seeing you… soon.” He said, laughing once more. That Maniac laughter, sending a chill down your spine. The lights came back on and Ventrix was no longer there. You heard the crowd mutter something between themselves, you ignored it, moving to the side of the room. A strange stirring surfaced inside as you felt a faint burst pain on your right hand. You ignored it. A moment later a tall man that seemed to be falling apart ran inside. The cloak came off, and you saw a kid running on stilts, trays soon flew everywhere, as guards came running after the kid. He looked behind for a moment, tripped and crashed towards the cake.
“Get back here!!” the guards said.

Cake flew everywhere, landing on Heartland. You moved swiftly, as some of the cake came hurling towards you, and it crashed into the stairs behind you. Yes, you could move swiftly, though you only did it when necessary. The kid headed towards Yuma.
“Let’s get out of here!” the kid said, when the guards came after him.
“Hey it’s that kid again!!” they said, Yuma took off, friends behind him.
“Time to go.” He said, heading out the door. Silence filled the hall.
“My party’s ruined!!!” Heartland complained. Soon enough you left, exiting into the cool night time air. More questions came to your mind. Such as, why were you not afraid of Ventrix? And how did you know him? How did he know you? And what did he mean by seeing you soon?

Sighing you folded your jack in half and placed it over your arm. Tonight you had seen Quinton after so long. He hadn’t changed much. Well maybe his personality had slightly. His expression was cold and he didn’t even stir when he caught your eyes. He just looked at you. He definitely wasn’t the same kind and gentle boy you had admired so much, now he was cold and emotionless. You paused. The wind was silent and you could feel someone watching you. Turning around your eyes stopped at a tree. In the shadows was a young man. Gently he stepped out, long silver hair gleaming in the pale moonlight, his dark eyes, seemed to be watching you. Again you felt the tiniest of stirrings seeing him, but you brushed it off.
“Good evening, Quinton.” You said softly. He came towards you.
“Good evening,____________(name). Its good to see you after all these years. You have changed.
Though you are still naïve, but there’s something different about you.” Quinton replied, his voice gentle, like you remembered it.

“You’ve changed as well Chris.” You replied. He smiled slightly.
“We all change. And it’s been a long time since I’ve heard my name.” He replied. You felt like he was his old self again. That same kind-hearted person.
“Yeah, we do. And yeah. How are you and your brother’s doing?” you asked. His gentle expression hardened slightly.
“We are going alright, though Trey has been a little tired now days. What about your family?” he asked. You froze slightly.
“We are doing alright…” you replied. You were doing alright, but you didn’t want Quinton to know that you had started collecting numbers, or that you felt like you were missing something.
“That’s good to hear. By the way you look lovely tonight. My father recognised you easily.” He replied.

You blushed faintly.
“Thank you Quinton.” You said, smiling back.
“Anytime _______________(name).” he replied. You chuckled slightly. Right now you felt like a big sister talking to her brother. You and Christopher Arclight had been like that.
“Quinton, I look forward to duelling you, and I hope to be the first one who battles with you.” You said lightly. This time he smiled.
“As do i. I look forward to seeing how you’ve grown as a dueller. So does my father.” Quinton said, stopping a moment to pause. His father?
“I’m sure he does.” Chris smiled at you.
“Good night _______________(name). I’ll see you tomorrow.” Quinton replied, turning away and walking off.
“Good night, Quinton.” You said quietly walking in the opposite direction.

You had seen his old self tonight, but you knew tomorrow he’d be back to cold and emotionless. It would be nice to see how you would go up against your old teacher. The last time you had duelled, you had lost. But since then you had dulled many and won. The silence of the street was peaceful, as the moon shone down with silver rays. Despite Heartland’s party being destroyed, and Yuma chased out you had enjoyed yourself. Still seeing Ventrix hadn’t bothered you much, because he felt familiar to you and he didn’t scare you like he had with Yuma. Again you thought back to the party when Ventrix had appeared. Particularly when Ventrix had spoken to you so casually. He knew who you were. And what Quinton has said. Slowly your mind put the pieces together. Ventrix was indeed Byron Arclight. That was why he spoke so casual to you, and why you didn’t feel scared when he singled you out. The reality surprised you. The day your father disappeared, you began to change. You started shutting people out, and it was the same for Quinton when his father didn’t return.

But tonight Byron had returned, but he was no-longer the same person you knew. He was now in the form of a child. Who went by the duelling name of Ventrix. What had Faker done to your father, and Kazuma? Were they back as well? No, they can’t be. They disappeared when Byron had. Seeing Quinton tonight had stirred up some old feelings. But tonight it felt like he had only started to see you, but the way he talked tonight it felt like he was family. You knew that Byron had returned, but he was no-longer human. What you knew now, you’d keep to yourself. Soon enough you had returned home. All the lights were out which meant your mother and siblings were asleep now.

Quietly you opened up the door, and headed to your room. Changing out of your dress. You put on your favourite cotton pyjamas and snuggled into bed. The moon was bright and shone lightly into your room. Slowly you fell into a dreamless sleep, but it didn’t last. Maniac laughter echoed in your room. Opening your eyes quickly, you sat up and looked around, nobody was there. Getting out of bed you rubbed your eyes and wrapped a gown around you. Again you heard the manic laughter, which was so close. It sounded like Ventrix’s. What did he want? You thought coldly. A lone figure the shape of a child stood near your window, hands behind his back. A young child turned towards you, it was Ventrix.

“You’re awake, good.” He said. You stayed silent. The realisation of who he was, still fresh in your mind.
“Yes, I am now. What do you want?” you asked, sleepily.
“I told you I would see you soon. What’s wrong with that?” he asked sweetly. Though his voice was taunting.
“Nothing. But why are you here?” you replied, slightly angered. This made him only smile.
“What a way to greet an old friend.” He said, coldly. You ignored it. Ventix made his way to your bed. Sitting on the edge he looked at you.
“My son is right, you have changed. Do you want to know why you collect numbers?” He said menacingly.

“We all have changed Byron. And how do you know I collect numbers?” You said coldly. Smiling cruelly Byron put a finger to his lips.
“There’s a lot of things I know _______________(name).” he replied.
“Your eyes shoot daggers at me. Why are you so angry? You know who I am, which was easy for you, because you’re smart. But there’s things you don’t understand.” He replied, jumping onto the floor.
“Of course, I do Ventrix. You were like a father to me when my father wasn’t around. So why do I collect numbers?” You asked, annoyed. This amused him.
“You truly don’t remember? My, my how time can make us forget.” He replied mockingly.
“Let me remind you why you hunt numbers.” Byron said. Suddenly it felt like time had stopped, you looked at Ventrix’s hand and noticed a red crest had appeared. It had a four point outer wall and the centre was spiked, almost like an eye. To you the inner crest looked like a sun. Soon enough it began to pulse, and you were no longer in your room.

Standing before Byron, Kazuma, Faker and your father. All of them were sitting around a fire, well almost. Faker was inside a tent, typing away at a computer. The other three were talking to each other in muffled voices, but you couldn’t understand what it was about. The scene shifted, your father, though still blurry was talking to Faker. They were discussing the portal, and what lay ahead on the journey. Faker was arguing with him, because your father had discovered what Faker had planned for Byron and Kazuma.
“You’re willing to sacrifice our friends, for some unknown power!?” your father shouted.
“They were not my friends, they were just acquaintances, as are you!! You can’t stop me!!” Faker shouted back. Again the scene changed, your father was trying to warn them about Faker’s plan. They dismissed it. And loyal to his friends, your father ignored it and followed them. The scene changed once more and you saw Byron and Kazuma falling into a red portal.

Your father had tried to grab them, while holding onto a ledge but Faker had pushed him in to.
“You should have stayed out of this!! None of this would’ve happened if you didn’t disrupt my plans. Now go follow your friends, goodbye and good riddens”. Faker said, turning away from Byron and Kazuma. Your father’s shadow falling in with them. The scenes cleared and you found yourself back in your room, Ventrix, grinning at you. Deep inside you felt anger burning and hatred brewing. You collapsed on the floor. How had you forgotten?
“How could I forget? I thought my father had just disappeared. But Faker had betrayed you all! How dare he?” you said, voice filled with anger. For a moment, you caught a glimpse of the old Byron Arclight, as Ventrix’s steely expression faltered. But it disappeared without a trace.

“Exactly. That’s why you collect numbers, ______________(name). So you can get revenge on Dr Faker and his son, Kite.” He said to you. Eye cruel.
“That’s why I hate Faker, and his son. Because Faker had betrayed all of you, Byron.” You said, his name slipping out, without you realising it. But there was no change in Ventrix’s cold composure.
“Which is why you need to collect more numbers.” He replied, a maniac laugh leaving his lips. Again you felt the faint burning on your right hand, as Ventrix’s crest pulsed. The burning became hotter and you gasped. Deep inside you felt the full power of your anger and hatred, as those scenes flashed before your eyes. A moment later the pain had faded. You hadn’t felt it though, loking at your hand you noticed you hand had a crest similar to Ventrix’s, it looked almost like fire and lightning rolled into one and you could see it was a symbol of some kind.

You looked at Byron, he had a cold and heartless smile on his lips.
“My you have some power there, _______________(name).” He said, and you noticed his finger pointing to the crest.
“Having that symbol means, you are almost impossible to beat. Each of my sons have their own crests, with their own power. You will be fun to watch.” He said mockingly. You glared as Ventrix grinned. Yes, you would continue hunting numbers, because it was your duty as a daughter to avenge your father and you’d destroy anyone who stood in your way. You would take those numbers from other duellers so you could take down Dr Faker for betraying your father and his friends.
“Yes, excellent, excellent. Haha. You are not the same girl I use to know. You anger and hatred for Faker makes you dangerous.” Byron’s voice said, venom dripping from the words Faker and Dangerous. A cold manic smile adorned his lips before he disappeared. You blinked, what had just happened? You could still feel the anger you had inside, it had lessened though. Now you understood why you hunted numbers, you did indeed have someone to avenge, your father. Though you still didn’t understand why he was so blurry in your memories. Shaking your head, you headed to your beside draw and flipped on a light, retrieving your deck from its case.

You spread them out, eyeing off your numbers, yes each had their own abilities and power, but you knew there were more you needed to collect. First from Yuma Tsukumo, then Kite and any others who collected numbers, even if it was from your old teacher, friend and brother. Brother? What? You caught yourself. How was Quinton your brother? Yes the Arclights felt like family to you, and you had so many good memories with them, though they were in the past. All of them had changed now, and so had you. But they couldn’t be your family, because you had two siblings of your own, Yume and Hiro, and a mother who loved you. And your father had disappeared, when Faker let him fall into a red abyss. But why was your father so blurry in your memories? Again anger stirred as well as confusion. You would continue hunting numbers and would make Faker for what he had done to them. Eyeing your numbers, you knew that they were connected to you, and you knew why.

Tomorrow was the World Duel Carnival, and you would take down anyone who got in your way and take the numbers from the duellers who had them in their decks, starting with Yuma Tsukumo. And you would wipe out the duellers one by one, before taking down Faker, for Byron, Kazuma and your father. For you would show no mercy, whatever the case. A moment later you packed up your deck and shuffled them one final time, before setting them down beside your bed, and turned out the light. Tomorrow was a new day.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Quinton X Female Reader.(part 1)

Today was going to be a busy day you thought, opening your eyes in the early morning sun. A second later your alarm clock sang as you hit the top, silencing it. Sighing and turning your eyes to the clock face you read the time to be 6:45 am. An early riser you had often called yourself, but you knew there were others who woke up at 5 am. A voice echoed form downstairs.
“Time to wake up honey!” Your mother’s voice called. Replying as you shifted from under the covers.
“Thanks mom!” Stretching you walked towards the window, standing in the distance stood Heartland Tower and all of it’s glory with the heart shining in the early morning sun. This was always the sight you woke up to every morning. It was a constant reminder that you lived in a city.

Heartland tower you knew was the home of Dr Faker, Kite and Hart. Though this year Heartland would be the home of the WDC, or World Duel Carnival in which you would be competing like you had in the past, though you still couldn’t help it that you felt nervous. Turning back to your bed, you eyed your deck, for you knew that contained in it were six number cards. The only thing was that you didn’t know why you had collected them, or why you were still hunting them. Because you knew that deep down you had no-one to protect or to avenge. Yet something, or someone was telling you to continue collecting them. Sighing and shaking your head you cleared your mind, long hair falling into your face. A shot shower would be nice so you could wake up more, and get your drowsy muscles to work. Turning on the handles you felt the hot water pounding on your body and messaging your muscles.

Boy did it feel nice. Sitting down for a little while, the water continued messaging your body, as you felt your mind slowly beginning to drift. It had been almost five years now since you last saw Christopher Arclight. He had been your childhood friend and duelling teacher. The last thing you remembered about him was well, him leaving and never looking back. It had been a miserable night with heavy rain pouring, from a stormy sky. You had come by Dr Faker’s home to visit Quinton and just to see how he was doing. Only to hide behind a bush, cold rain pouring on you when he came out. He had been wearing a long dark blue jacket, and his silver hair was out of its trade mark plat. The expression on his face scared you, as you had rarely seen him so angry. A young boy with yellow and green spiked hair came running after him. The next thing that played out before you shocked you.

You had seen Kite grab Christopher’s arm only to be shoved into the ground. You gasped, which made Chris turn towards you. You ducked behind the bush, tears flowing from your eyes, and you heard Christopher walking off. You had never seen him so cruel, you had grown fond of his gentle and kind personality, but in that moment you didn’t know who he was anymore. Your heart was torn in two places. One part wanted to comfort Kite, and the other wanted to chase after Chris to see if he was ok. You heard Kite crying, and wanted to comfort him, but you couldn’t. Instead you turned away from both and ran off, hair flowing out behind you and tears pouring out of your eyes. Since then you had closed up, shutting people out of your life, even your own mother.

Since that day, the only people you opened up allowed in was your younger brother and sister. Around them you softened up the slightest, though you still kept to yourself. Standing up, trying to stop the tears from leaving your eyes, you turned off the shower and dried yourself, before dressing in your normal clothes. Focusing on your hair you dried it, before studying your reflection. Your light fringe falling in your eyes. How should you wear your hair today? You thought quietly. Tonight would be filled with the sound of clinking glasses, laughter, and fans calling out your name. But you wouldn’t be talking with other dullers, you’d just keep to yourself. For tonight you had a party to attend, thanks to Mr Heartland. Only duellists competing in the world duel carnival were able to attend, some could bring friends if they wished.

Tonight would be the last night for time to spend with family, before the W.D.C started. Shifting your fringe from your eyes, you let is sit slightly on the edge of your brow. A moment later you began braiding your hair in the style of how Christopher used to have it when he was younger, it hung long over your right shoulder before you tied it off. Studying yourself a moment longer, you smiled faintly. Thinking about Quinton only made you miss him that much more. Yes that day, it felt like you no longer knew who he was, but you knew he was there, just buried, beneath his cold exterior. Not only had he been a friend and teacher, he had been your first love. Well, not exactly. You had developed feelings for him, despite trying to understand why he felt so familiar to you. When you and he worked together, he felt like a brother to you, he treated you like a sister.

Despite all that you had hid your feeling towards him easily, by focusing on the tasks at hand. You had grown fond of his kindness and his gentle heart. You remembered his kind smile, and his trade mark braid. But you had never sucked up the courage to ask him how he felt towards you. Being around the Arclight’s you had felt at home with them. You remember the day Byron came to you, and congratulated you on what you had achieved. You also remember from that day, where quietly and away from his sons he had classed you as the daughter he never had. Mostly though he saw you a skilled duellist, which was kind and clever like his son, Chris. Yes, you had many good memories with the Arclight family. Even your own. Looking back in the mirror you noticed a few silver tears had slipped from the corner of your eyes.

“What happened to you Byron? Chris?” You asked your reflection quietly. Yes, you were very fond of the Arclight’s; always have been. Wiping away those few tears, you studied your reflection again. No, you thought, pulling on the ribbon tip, long hair spilled over your shoulder and down your back. No, you thought again. It reminded you too much of Quinton. Returning back to your room, you grabbed your duel deck, put it into your pocket and headed downstairs for a spot of breakfast.
“Good Morning, _____________(name). Hope you slept well?” Your mother asked.
“Good Morning, Mom. Yes, I did. Thank you.” You replied as your mother made you your favourite breakfast.

The sound of young laughter made you turn, running in the kitchen were your two younger siblings Yume, who was ten and Hiro who was seven. Both came towards you and gave you a massive hug each.
“Morning sis.” Your younger sister said. You gave them a small smiles.
“Good morning Yume, Hiro.” You replied. Only three years difference your siblings always seemed to act like each other, if they weren’t different ages, you would think they were twins. Now days both of them went to school, and enjoyed every minute of it. As for you, it had been two years since you were last at school and almost every day after school finished you would visit the Arclights, learn and duel. You and Christopher were the same age, only a few months separating both of you. Almost on a daily basis, your father was always helping Byron, Kazuma and Dr Faker and he was good friends with two.

You dad, never fully trusted Faker even though he was still polite and kind towards him. As the years progressed your dad, did begin to trust Faker, and soon Faker ad cracked the code of a new portal somewhere. Your father, did warn his friends, and when they insisted everything was alright, he accepted it. If you were honest you couldn’t really remember much of your dad. When Faker had figured out the time the next portal would open, all of them went on an adventure and you hadn’t heard anything since.
“____________(name), is everything alright?” Your mother’s voice said, slightly worried. This broke your trail of thought. Blinking you focused back to the room, your siblings had stopped playing and were silent. You smiled weakly.
“Yes, everything is fine.” You replied, turning back to your breakfast.

“Are you sure, sweetie?” Your mother asked.
“Yes, I’m positive. I guess I’m a little nervous about the W.D.C, tomorrow, and the party tonight.” You replied, mentally kicking yourself for lying. Well some of it was true.
“Ok darling.” Your mother said. This time it as your sister who spoke, voice brimming with confidence.
“Sis, you can do this!! I believe in you.”
“Me to! Me to!” Hiro put in. Despite closing everyone out, you gave a faint smile to your family.
“Thank you.” You replied.

“Hurry up and eat you two, or you’ll be late to school!” Your mother called, winking. Being twenty has its perks, you didn’t need to go to school anymore and you could enjoy living, or in your case duelling. Though your mother often insisted for you to walk your siblings to school, hoping that you would begin letting others back into your life. Easier said than done, most times. A little while later, you were walking your brother and sister to school, one on either side of you. The sun felt warm against your skin, and a gentle breeze ruffled leaves, while blowing your hair out beside you slightly. Soon enough you heard a familiar voice behind you, making you turn around. Running towards you was a young teenage boy who had spiked red and black hair. He wore a sleeveless read hoodie and pants. Beside him was a silver being.

It had gold eyes and was embedded with green jewels. You recognised the spirit, it was Astral. You felt yourself close up, and a cold look crossed your face.
“Hey, ______________!(name).” The boy said, cheerfully. You noticed Astral was watching you.
“Hello Yuma, Astral.” You said coldly. A thud turned your attention towards Yuma Tsukumo, who was on the ground a shocked expression crossing his face. A moment later he gained his composure and sprang up.
“You, you see Astral?” Yuma’s voice said.
“Yes, I can see him.” You replied.
“Since when?” Astral’s voice brought your attention to him. His gold eyes seemed slightly suspicious.
“Since a while ago, Astral. And before you ask Yuma, I don’t know how.” You replied.

A tug on your hands brought you back, your siblings smiled shyly.
“Sis, let’s go or we’ll be late for school.” Yume said.
“Of course, let’s go.” You replied, turning away, only to be stopped by Yuma.
“Yuma, I need to take my sibling to school. Shouldn’t you be going to school as well?” You asked, slightly irritated.
“I know ______________(name). But I’m just so pumped about tonight and the World Duel Carnival. And I can’t wait to duel you!” He said.
“I can’t wait either, Yuma.” You replied, voice still slightly cold.
“See you then!” he said, before taking off.

“Good grief.” You said softly.
“Sis, who was that person?” Hiro asked.
“That was Yuma Tsukumo. A contestant in the Duel Carnival.” You replied.
“Sis, will you beat him?” Yume asked, eyes innocent and wide.
“I will, I promise. Now let’s get you both to school.” You replied. Yes you knew Yuma, he was the youngest child of Kazuma Tsukumo. You had never duelled him and you only saw him as an acquaintance even though his father was best friends with your father. But as the carnival progressed later on tomorrow you’d see what happens. A few hours later, you had returned home. Once you did your jobs, you went up to your room. Peace and quiet would help you.

Sitting cross-legged on your bed you scattered your deck out on the bed covers. Checking you made sure you had plenty of monsters that would help with your numbers, trap, magic and spell cards. Among them you eyed your numbers: Number 44 – Sky Pegasus, which you knew was a level four monster, Number 49 – Fortune Tune a winged beast that during stand by phases gave you an extra 500 life points, Number 83 - Galaxy Queen, your weaker number card, Number 87 – Queen of the night, perhaps your strongest number card in your deck, Number 94 – Crystalzone, your water attribute number and finally, Number 104 – Masquerade, another great card you had. Looking at your deck you noticed you had a lot of light cards, as well as some water cards and dark cards. Enough to be able to summon your numbers.

Eyeing them again, those thoughts came into your mind. Why had you been collecting these? What were they for? And what was their purpose? You felt confused again, that same feeling stirred inside. Like someone or something kept urging you to collect these. You didn’t have anyone to protect, while you continued to collect them, at least you think you didn’t. Frustrated you grabbed them and thought about throwing them out. Quickly you dismissed that thought. Holding them in your hands you heard a strange laughter, like a child’s laugh and looked around, no-one was there. Opening your bedside draw, you held your hand over it. You tried opening your hand so they could drop in, they didn’t. A strange stirring began to rise, like anger. You tried to open your hand again, and failed. The cards stayed in your hand. It was strange, somehow you felt connected to these cards. Frustrated you slammed the draw shut. Why couldn’t you let them go? What purpose did they have to you? Why did you feel connected to them? And who was teasing you, urging you to continue hunting numbers?

Sighing, you let the cards fall onto your bed. Grabbing them all you shuffled them, before placing your deck on your bedside table. Now what? You thought darkly. Suddenly you felt tired, there were still a good few hours before you needed to pick up your siblings. A rest might help, you thought. Resting your head back on your pillow you tried to fall asleep, but try as you might no sleep came. You mind kept thinking back to the Arclights, your father and Faker. Your dad knew Faker had hungered for power, though you could never understand why. What you did remember about your father was that he was a mix of Bryon and Kazuma. He was like Byron, because he loved science, and enjoyed learning new things and he was like Kazuma, because he enjoyed adventures. Which was probably the reason why they were such good friends. The day they left it had been early and you were the only one up. Your father had promised to return safely, and then he left. That was the last time you had seen him, a few years after Chris began to change, and soon he distanced himself from you.

Again memories of that rainy night flashed before your eyes, Quinton shoving Kite onto the pavement, Quinton’s expression cold as he looked at you, the way he just walked off, Kite crying and you running away dis-heartened at the way Christopher had changed from that beautifully kind boy, you had cared so much for. It was too much. You hit your pillow, trying to stop the tears falling from your eyes. Byron, Kazuma, your father all disappearing without a trace. And number cards. All of it felt like a burden, but you couldn’t help but feel that something was missing, like you were forgetting something important, a memory, a story, Something. Frustrated and crying you sat up and wiped the tears away from your eyes angrily, you put on your hard exterior once more. Whether or not you were forgetting something important from your life, you needed to collect more numbers. But you couldn’t worry about why, in a few hours you had to pick up your siblings.

Before preparing for Mr Heartland’s party before the WDC took place tomorrow. After a little while you finally found some peace and rested for a while, eyes closing.