A/N: I OWN NO PART YU GI OH 5DS! ALL RIGHTS GO TO THE CREATORS!

Some ideas in this story are influenced by the story, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds: Bonds Beyond Magic by Cool Cat 2000. The ideas go to her.

Chapter 24: The Dreaded Answer

Era's POV

I told Akiza that I had to go talk to some of my angel friends and she agreed to let me go. "I'll see you at the final round," I told her.

"Will you be in the tunnel like last time?" she asked.

"Of course," I answered.

I went my separate way and allowed Sayer to take Akiza to rest. Cornelia immediately wrapped her arms around me.

"Are you alright? You weren't hurt, were you?" she asked.

"Cornelia, I'm fine. Really. You know nothing could hurt me," I told her. "I've had enough experience with humans to deal with their words and actions."

"You've dealt with crazy powerful stuff before even this. I mean, Yugi Muto and the Shadow Games and all that, dimensional vortexes, and…" I made a cut move with my hand to cut her off.

We turned as we heard devious footsteps coming up. "Lazar," I greeted as he came around the corner.

"You know, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. I'm shocked you've been here so long. But I'm here on another matter. Director Goodwin wishes to speak to you about those marks on your body," Lazar stated.

"Lazar, I'll see him when I want to speak with him myself. We all know what he'll try to do to me. So my answer to him: Leave me alone," I retorted.

I heard more footsteps coming from behind me and turned as Yusei and the group came up. Tanner stepped in front of Luna and Leo while Yusei held me back, glaring at Lazar with full strength.

"Hmph," Lazar stated. "You may have dodged the bullet as of right now, Ms. Era, but you will end up talking to us by the end of the tournament." He walked away with that.

"Yeah, good luck with that, slime ball," Cornelia responded.

"Cornelia!" I exclaimed looking at her.

"What? He is," Cornelia responded.

I took a deep breath while everyone watched up. "Cornelia, you know what that means in Angelic," I told her.

"Why can't I call him that? He is one," Cornelia responded.

"I know, Cornelia, but it isn't Angelic like to call anyone that, at all. Do you really want to offend our highness?" I asked.

She groaned. "No," she answered.

"Then don't speak like that," I told her.

"Did Cornelia really say the SB word?" Yue asked and we looked up to see her hovering in a sitting position on the ceiling.

"Yep," Cornelia answered.

"I'm a young angel and I know never to say that word. You're an adult angel for crying out loud!" Yue responded.

"Great. Getting scolded by a young angel too," Cornelia muttered.

"Okay, you two. We still have everyone around us so you can continue this later. Yue, make sure she doesn't say it again," I stopped.

"Okay!" Yue agreed back to her innocent state.

"Anyway, we need to get back to watching," I told them. I looked back at Yusei. "I'll see you guys in a bit."

"Era, wait. We need to talk," Yusei stopped me.

I sighed. "Alright," I agreed. I looked at the other two angels. "I'll head up once I'm done."

"See ya up there!" Yue called and yanked Cornelia with her and away.

"What's up?" I asked them once they were gone.

"Girl, what were you thinking? Do you know how much danger you'll be in now that people know about you being an angel?" Tanner asked.

"I've got a good idea. But I'm an angel. There isn't a cage or human technology that can hurt me," I told them. "Besides, they can't catch unless they have some sort of demon technology but how would they actually get that. Only demons of the higher ups can allow demon technology to get passed to humans. Besides, people need to realize how everyone is different and some can be more different than others and still do good and help people. You don't need to worry about me."

"But, Era, what if you get hurt?" Luna asked.

"I won't," I told her. "I promise." 'Or at least not until I fight Equette,' I added mentally.

I noticed Yusei watching me with studying eyes. "You're hiding something, Era," he finally stated. I looked at him with emotionless eyes. "Are you thinking about that demon that we met when we first arrived here?"

"Course I am," I answered.

"What're you talking about?" Yanagi asked.

"When we first made it through the tunnel and met up with Jack, a demon tried to get ahold of Jack. But I was able to warn just and get him to move before the demon took control of him," I explained. "His name is Equette. Once he saw me, we decided to hold off our fight until it was time and then he left agreeing to leave humans alone until we fight."

"How do you know he isn't taking humans right now?" Tanner asked.

"Even though demons are made of darkness, they do keep their word," I answered. "The only 'good' side of demons."

"Era, how strong is Equette?" Luna asked.

"He is known throughout both the Underworld and Afterlife as the best angel fighter. And that was before the darkness began to gain power and get into the Afterlife," I answered. "The only thing I have to worry about is the strength he's gained since the Afterlife's invasion."

"Era, do you know if you'll come out of this alive?" Leo asked.

"I can't tell. But if he's as strong as I think he is," I paused for a moment before continuing and closing my eyes calm, "then we may both end up as nonexistent after this battle."

Luna and Leo ran up and grabbed onto me in a tight grip making me look at them. "Don't go, Era," Luna muttered into my stomach. "I don't want to see you die."

I giggled. "I'm already dead, Luna," I told her. "And I won't try to die. I'll try to come out on top. But if the situation looks too dim, I'll use the one spell that will take Equette out with me so he can't cause harm again." I used a spell to let me phase out of their arms and run to do my job, leaving Yusei's calls behind me. I hated to break the news like that, but I couldn't keep it a secret forever. After all, once it all begins, I may only see them one last time in the end.