Aster decides that the only way to save Echo from making a mistake was to challenge Adrian to a duel. Now that the duel begins, Adrian plays Vortex Trooper in defence mode then activates his muster's effect to return two cards from his hand to his deck in order to draw two new cards.
As the duel continues, Aster realizes the strategy Adrian had that he was trying to find a way to summon Exodia. Knowing how bad it could be for that to happen, Aster tries anything he could to stop the other from summoning The Forbidden One.
When Aster plays a spell card that only allows him to only have four cards in his hand, however the turns had changed and with a spell card that Adrian discarded, he was allowed to special summon Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord.
In order to summon such a monster, Adrian once again told Echo he needed to sacrifice someone he loves in order to break the seal.
"Echo! Don't do it!"
Aster yells out, Rosa didn't know what to say but watches the female step forward as Exodia to be summoned.
Frowning, Aster just doesn't understand why Adrian was lying to Echo, she didn't deserve it - he knew her feelings for him was blinding her.
"I don't get why you solely claim to 'love' her but still end up sacrificing her."
Adrian felt that he didn't need to answer to that, he really didn't- he just wanted the rule this place like he knew he was meant to. As Exodius' large hand grabbed hold of Echo, he didn't like what was happening and tells his opponent he won't duel anymore.
"You can't stop this duel now Aster, we have to keep on going until one of us loses."
Adrian chuckles, with a smirk following right after as he summons Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord. However it wasn't the same type of Exodia- however it was able to let Adrian send the Exodia cards to the graveyard with it's effect and can also declare an automatic win.
While Jaden watches, he says how Adrian was so like him, especially when he was at his low. He wanted to risk everything to gain power. While Aster tries anything to skip Adrian's battle phase, so he wouldn't have to send the Exodia cards to the graveyard; to the silver pro's disadvantage, Adrian plays Rage of the Forbidden One which negated Aster's trap card.
Now as Echo is sacrificed to the stars, thus him winning the duel and also allowing the released Exodia to become his servant. Free from Yubel's power, the arm disappears as his own arm is shown once again.
Aster, knowing that he had lost stands in front of everyone and protects them, stretching his arms out. He didn't want Exodia to hurt them all - a real friend he was.
"Go! Run out of here while you can."
Rosa's golden orbs stare at Aster, and wipes her tears away knowing she couldn't say anything to convince him otherwise and runs out with everyone else just barely making it out of the cave on time. Since now Aster was been sent to the stars and Rosa hurting so much, she had her hands clutching her aching heart.
Outside of the cave, the group sees Adrian on Exodia's shoulder while it walks away, telling Jaden he wasn't worth dueling since he wasn't the Supreme King any longer.
While continue walking the group ends up in a snowy wasteland, reaching an ornate gate that had a gargoyle on top. Jaden does want to enter it, but is stopped by Zane who questions him if he is able to rescue anyone in the current state he was in and challenges Jaden to a duel, saying if he can't beat him hen he would have no change of saving Jesse.
As the duel starts, something doesn't seem right with Jaden as stares at a certain card- the card must be Polymerization and must still feel guilty when he was still The Supreme King. And decides to just summon Clayman in attack mode which didn't make any sense at all, with such a high defence, Jaden usually played that monster in defence.
As the duel progress, everyone could see Jaden struggling- he always came through and even had what he needed to win. However it seemed like he is still feeling pretty guilty about what he did as the Supreme King and just couldn't go on.
This, Zane did not like at all and told him he couldn't rescue Jesse in the condition that he was in. As Zane was about to give a direct hit, he had painfully gripped his heart as the duel ends. As Jaden decides to walk away, Zane tells them about his underground duels and the electrodes that he uses as well when dueling which took a toll on his heart - and he hadn't noticed.
As Jaden wanders away from the group, he wants to find a way to atone for what he did, with Winged Kuriboh accompanying him. Syrus and Ojama Yellow following behind, leaving Zane, Rosa and Crowler by themselves.
With them alone, Crowler decides to go off and take guard while Zane rests himself upon a rock but still seemed quite pained.
"I can't believe ya didn't say anythin' to no one Zane."
Rosa tells him, kneeling by his side with one of her hands on his own. She has a feeling he would also be sent to the stars however she doesn't want that to happen. The female just doesn't know why but shouldn't be feeling like this.
"That's okay, I didn't need to make anyone worry."
How could Zane be okay with this? How can he not tell anyone and let everyone worry about it? It just wasn't right and she didn't like that, a slight frown had come to her face and leaned in slightly.
"So ya know if ya told 'ny of us, then we'd be worried- 'course we would. I jus' can't believe you did this to yerself Zane."
Zane's eyes widen, part of him seems hurt, like he is to blame when he sees Rosa sad and crying, tears falling to the jacket. His hand raised to wipe away the tears on her face, he didn't know why he felt bad- did he make her cry?
"Sorry Rosa, but I chose that path myself."
Her head sunk when he said this and just couldn't stop the tears, she couldn't understand it at all.
"I-I wish I was there for ya, ya know? If only we were friend's when you were still in school; I would've told ya earlier 'bout Aster."
She felt bad about it, but she didn't meet him until the Genex Tournament; she was just in her own world and quiet when she started in her first year.
Final year now and the Ra female had friends and met up with her first love. However it was changing, her heart was beating fast. His large and masculine hand rested on her cheek while he softly smiled towards her. Teal eyes gazing into her golden hues, he didn't want her to cry or worry anymore.
"You don't need to blame yourself, it's my fault Rosa. Don't cry."
He pauses there, slowly bringing her face in closer to his own. Sniffling slightly, the female had wiped away the rest of her tears; her cheeks turned red. Never had she been so close to a guy before, and it was too close for comfort!
"When we make it out, I want you to know I will never make you cry. I promise that; unlike Aster- I'll protect you and make you very happy."
'What does he mean?' Rosa thought, not having a clue however her heart was beating fast, thumping loudly. Her cheeks growing hot and not even understanding what was happening.
Love stories in movies and novel's never happen in real life, it's never a happy ending. However at this moment, it was much different. It wasn't like what Rosa had seen or read, she doesn't know what he means by that, protect her? Make her happy? It was so confusing but at the same time she felt like her heart was whacking out on her.
As she was about to open her mouth to ask him, he had brought his head closer to her; his eyes gently shut while hers widened - shocked at what happened. So many thoughts racing within her mind. This wasn't a dream, it was happening and Rosa just couldn't forget.
Her first kiss.
