A/N: I OWN NOTHING! EVERY BIT OF YU GI OH 5DS GO TO THEIR CREATORS! THE ONLY THING I OWN IS MY OCS!

Chapter 11

One Lost

Third Person POV

It was a week after that night. Ever since the announcement of the World Racing Grand Prix, crimes involving duel runners have been rising throughout the city. Yusei was concerned, especially after what he had seen a few nights before. Those eyes that watched him and Jayla before disappearing… the feeling of danger that came with him never left Yusei.

And then there was also the rumor that Jack with his friend Carly were trying to investigate the thieves. Yusei was nervous as to where that would lead.

At the moment, Jack was with Carly and waiting to figure out something. Arch came up. "Master, for the final time, this is a bad idea," he told him. "For both you and Carly."

"I promised Carly I would help her with this," Jack retorted in a whisper.

"Maybe, but I don't like the feeling I'm getting about this search for tonight specifically," Arch responded seeming nervous and a bit fearful. "Please, Master, you and Carly head to your homes for tonight at least. For your safety."

"Arch, we're doing this. Deal with it!" Jack retorted sternly.

"Yes, Master. As you wish," Arch responded before disappearing.

Suddenly, Jack and Carly spotted a gang hurrying off with a number of duel runners. "Stay here, Carly," Jack ordered and took off to stop them. As he neared them, "Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"

None of them seemed fazed by the tall Signer behind them and the obvious leader brought out a gun. "Master!" Arch called as the trigger was pulled.

One of the gang members went to shield Jack, but Arch's instincts kicked in and he pushed the gang member out of the way and took the shots. The push was a little too hard though, sending the member into a rough crash and the rest of the gang disappeared quickly.

Meanwhile, Arch fell to the ground visible rolling against the concrete for a couple meters. Jack immediately stopped and hurried to Arch. "Arch!" he called as he ran up. He looked to see his protector had about three bullet wounds in the center of his lower chest. Arch was gasping and trying to grab his wounds.

"Arch, why would you do that?!" Jack exclaimed.

"It's my duty to… protect you through any means necessary, Master… even at the cost of my life," he answered through breaths.

Trudge pulled up and immediately came to Jack side. "I'll get an ambulance," he stated almost immediately. He turned and noticed the gang member and obviously recognized him. He then called for an ambulance for both the man and Arch.

Jack was watching Arch, trying to keep him awake. He had a feeling as soon as Arch passed out, his protector would not be waking up again. He had secretly known the torment Yusei went through when he lost Jayla. And though Jack didn't like Arch in the same way Yusei did for Jayla, Jack would still forever feel the torment from Arch dying out of protecting his and the man's life.

The ambulance was closing in when Arch's breath was getting shallower. "Arch, listen to me! Don't give up!"

"M-Master…" he called out weakly.

"Arch, I'm ordering you to stay alive," Jack tried.

The Dragon Protector coughed up a bit of blood and he was obviously fading to oblivion as the ambulance pulled to a stop. "I'm sorry, Master," Arch whispered. "At least you're… alright…" Suddenly, he released a breath but nothing followed.

"Arch!" Jack called. The protector's eyes were distant and showed no sign of life. "Come on, Arch!"

Trudge hurried over shocked. Jack immediately hit the ground in sadness and fury. 'That gang leader is going to pay for this…' he thought angrily and bitterly. 'I swear…'

. . .

Jayla went wide eyed as she felt a huge change in energy and a sudden gape in her own. She looked out the window in shock standing up. "Oh no…" she muttered.

Yusei who was working beside her turned and asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's Arch," she answered bluntly, but sounded beyond sad.

Yusei immediately tensed, worried as to whether she would confirm his worst suspicion. "What about him?" he asked.

"Arch…" she choked out. "He's… He's…"

Yusei got the sad message and brought her into him. "It's okay, Jayla. I'm here," he whispered as tears soaked his shirt. "I'm here."

"Yusei, there's something you should know…" she whispered weakly.

"What?" he asked.

. . .

The gang member that tried to protect him was put in the hospital until critical condition. Yusei for once had Jayla stay at the garage alone so she could have a moment while he went to get the details.

"So who is this guy exactly?" Yusei asked.

"His name is Kaz. He's a Sector Security officer who was uncover to investigate the thieves," Trudge explained. "Thanks to Jack's interference, he's no in critical condition. Though I'm certain he would've been worse if Arch hadn't…" he paused for a moment to look for the right word, "protected him."

"He was probably already moving to protect Jack when Kaz got in the way too," Yusei suggested. "All Arch ever wanted to do was make sure Jack was safe and well. If he died feeling his protected Jack from the thieves, he'll be able to rest well." Jack took a card from Kaz's deck and began to walk out when Yusei called, "Where are you going, Jack?"

"Just going to clean up some loose ends," he answered and left.

"What do you think Jack's going to do?" Trudge asked a bit unsure.

"I've seen that look in his eyes before. He's going to try to figure out these thieves to avenge Kaz and especially Arch," Yusei answered. "And no one will be able to stop him from doing it."

"What should we do then? He doesn't have Arch anymore to keep him safe," Trudge asked.

"Jack can handle himself," Yusei answered. "He's done it before. My biggest concern is Jayla and the other Dragon Protectors."

"What do you mean?" Trudge asked. "I can understand Jayla since Jack contacted you two. But Rose, Wing and Ancient? As far as I'm aware, they don't know anything."

"According to Jayla, when one Dragon Protector dies, all the others feel that death," Yusei answered. "Just like Signers, they're connected to each other. Jayla knew before I did and told me. I have no doubt Akiza, the twins, and Crow know by now."

"How is Jayla then?" Trudge asked.

"When she first found out, she was crying in sadness. It is understandable. Back during the Dark Signers, she was having to choose whether she loved Arch or I more," Yusei explained. "I'm not sure how the other Dragon Protectors handled it. When I left she was better. I'm going to check on her once I get back."

"Let's hope she stays okay," Trudge answered. "If Arch was one of the things that was keeping her from getting taken over again-"

"Trust me, I'm not letting that happen. If it starts, I'll find a way to stop it before it can get too far," Yusei retorted. "Arch may have been one of things that kept her stable, but Our friends and I are also an anchor for her. As long as the rest of us stay okay, she'll be as safe from the Earthbound Immortals as possible."

"I hope your right," Trudge responded.