With this chapter, we're passing the 70,000 word mark! *party horns*At the end of this chapter, you are going to either love me or hate me. You decide.

….

"What gives? That wasn't there before!"

What Kanji was referring too was the fact the group had ended back at Yuma's palace and it had a change to it. A large tower had emerged from the middle of it but it looked like two architects had argued over the style of the tower has it was a bizarre mixture of glass and metal for building materials.

"Actually….I saw that tower here before." Teddie said.

"When did this happen?" Chie asked.

"Before we had to go save your skins from that underground dungeon! I was going to tell you but too many things happened afterwards! But it's different…..last time I saw it, it was only made out of metal."

"So what caused the change?" Naoto wondered.

"I wouldn't make that a cause for concern…" Shark said flatly, "Aren't we on a rescue mission?"

"And who cares if the tower changed….I just want to make sure Astral's okay!" Yuma exclaimed.

Rise was already scanning with Himiko, "Now that we're closer I can defiantly tell Astral is here….but there's something odd too."

"Odd how?" Chie asked her.

Rise shivered, "Something cold and imposing….nothing like I've ever felt before."

"You mean something else could be in there?" Yosuke was worried.

"If that's the case we have to extra careful." Yu said.

"I think that comment came too late…." Shark pointed to Yuma who was already running in.

"Yuma wait!" Yukiko lead the chase.

"You don't know what kind of shadows are in there!" Teddie called out.

"I don't care….I'm getting Astral back!" Yuma kept running as Shadows rose from the ground ahead him forming into wolfs. "Out of my way! Persona!" Yuma summoned Hope who wasted no time slashing the shadows clearing the way.

"We said wait!" Chie called out as hawk like Shadows came down from above. "Tomoe!" She called out kicking the Persona card. The helmet wearing warrior quickly turned the Shadows into ice cubes.

"I have to admit…this is pretty impressive." Shark said.

"Wait till we go all out." Yosuke said as Jiraya blew away several enemies.

"Everyone duck and cover!" Teddie called out as Kintoki-Douji threw a missile ahead of them eliminated another group of Shadows also revealing another important detail.

"A mirror?" Yuma panted realizing that the hallway ended and they were just seeing a reflection.

"This whole place if full of mirrors…." Yukiko said taking time to look around.

"Should we try to navigate the place or do I have to bust down walls again?" Kanji asked.

"Save your strength for actually battles…." Naoto said, "We have Rise scan the area and I can have Sukuna-Hikona scout ahead."

"And stop running into things Yuma!" Shark scolded him.

"A-alright…." He whimpered.

"Don't so hard on him!" Chie scolded Shark in turn, "He's just really worried alright? What if it was your sister?"

Shark felt anger swell up inside him as he shot her a death glare.

"Chie not cool!" Yosuke got in between the two, "That was a low blow and you know it!"

"But…I was just trying…." Chie stammered.

"Just stop!" Yuma interjected, "I don't want any fighting right now….."

"Yuma's right…infighting will do us no good." Yu said calling order back to the group.

"What you looking at Teddie?" Yukiko asked trying to change the subject.

"It's these mirrors….." Teddie poked the mirror's surface, "They smell funny."

"Smell?" Shark raised an eyebrow.

"My nose is sharp just so you know and these mirrors are not normal!" Teddie protested.

"They look fine to me." Yu said as he looked into one.

"This is the TV world….anything could happen." Naoto looked at her own reflection, then it changed, "What the-!"

Everyone looked at the mirror she was in front of. Her reflection was dressed differently, namely an over sized lab coat.

"Naoto's Shadow?!" Yosuke exclaimed, "Please don't mean we have to fight her again…..please don't mean we have to fight her again…" He began to chant and pray.

Chie backed away from the mirror seeing her own reflection staring back at her with gold eyes, "This too freaky….."

Rise and Kanji immediately covered Yuma and Shark's eyes and marched them forward. "What gives?" Yuma demanded.

"There are some things that a young mind is better off not seeing." Kanji said.

"You will thank us later." Said Rise.

Everyone else shook their heads. They too would rather forget seeing the loin cloth wearing Kanji and the bikini clad Rise again.

….

Thankfully further into the tower the mirrors stopped reflecting their shadow selves. Though now every surface was mirrored giving the illusion that they were standing in an endless void.

"Oooff…" Yukiko rubbed her nose after running into another mirror. "It's impossible to tell what's a wall and what's not now."

"We could just do the right hand trick." Yuma suggested.

"That's going to take too long…" Kanji complained. "You sure you don't want me to bash the walls?"

"Let's not try to draw attention to ourselves. While it could let Astral know where we are it could let the Shadows know just as well." Yu pointed out.

"So let's just traverse very carefully, we cannot afford to be separated now." Naoto said.

"Though why is this place full of mirrors? When you think of Astral…mirrors really isn't the thing you think of." Rise said.

"There are urban legends that say mirrors show your deep secrets…." Teddie said in a creepy manner.

"That's not helping the mood." Youske said.

Yuma was sort of paying attention. He too was thinking about the significance of the mirrors. Astral never liked secrets being kept from him so maybe that's why they say the shadow versions of Yu's friends. But the way this place was set up, it was like they were supposed to be lost. And there was the fact that they had already disagreed over Astral's supposed mission. Did Astral feel unsure about himself? "Ow!" He ran into a wall again.

"Tried to warn you…." Shark said.

"Sorry….."

"So these guys go through places like this often?" Shark asked.

"Yeah….they said they had to go through a palace to find where I ended up."

"So it's different for everyone then."

"Yep….though they won't tell me where they found Kanji and Rise."

"Must have been related to why they didn't want us to see their…." Shark gave a glance at the mirror, "Other selves…..What was yours like if you don't mind me asking?"

"Oh…well….." Yuma scratched his cheek, "How do I put this….he…said he hated his friends."

"You….you hating your friends?" Shark was trying, and failing, to suppress his laughter. "Oh that's too funny…."

"I'm serious! He nearly killed us!"

Shark regained his composure, "Sorry….I never thought of seeing you that way."

"Neither did I….that's why accepting him was so hard."

"Wait…so you believed what he said?" Shark was in disbelief.

"Because he was right…." Yuma sighed, "Deep down…I did hold resentment towards others. Sometimes even over the littlest things."

Shark was honestly surprised. People knew that he could hold petty grudges against people but Yuma? Maybe he wasn't the happy go lucky idiot that many people knew after all. Yelling Kattobingu and doing stupid things at school…was that to compensate for the negativity he saw in life? Maybe he was reading into it too much but…he was definitely seeing Yuma in a new light.

"Guys….there's something around the next corner…." Rise said as she scanned the area again.

"Something good bad or something good?" Kanji asked for clarification.

"Fifty percent either way," Was the response.

"Then everyone be prepared. Shark, hang back in case something strikes us first. You don't have a Persona and we don't want you getting hurt." Yu ordered as the boy grumbled heading to the back of the group. Everyone with combative Personas had them at the ready while Yu went with Izanagi to start. Giving a signal, everyone ran into the room, and stopped in their tracks.

They were standing in a hexagonal room that lacked mirrors and had instead gothic style arches with platforms large enough to sit on resting on top. It had only one light source coming from the ceiling shining down like a spot light drawing their attention to familiar figure laying unconscious on the ground.

"ASTRAL!" Yuma sprinted forward Hope flying close behind him. Was he hurt? Was something wrong? Yuma's mind raced with possibilities the cries of his friends fading as he got closer to the down spirit.

Yuma….

Yuma's pace slowed, "Astral?"

RUN!

A ring of black fire ignited around Astral. Had Yuma kept going at the speed he was, he would of defiantly been caught in it. Hope had already wrapped his wing around Yuma to block from the heat.

"Black fire?!" Chie was caught off guard but its appearance.

"Where did it come from? Is it a Shadow?" Yosuke asked.

"No….there is something odd about the fire but it itself is now a shadow," Rise analyzed the situation when an alarm in Himiko went off, "Above us!"

Yu followed where she pointed to. Illuminated oddly enough by the dark flames sitting one of the platforms above, was another Astral. But something was wrong about this one he could tell. Other than the dull gold eyes of the Shadow, it looked like colors of part of his body were inverted. He was looking down on them with an amused look on his face and smirked.

About time you showed up. I was getting bored playing with him.

Yu flinched at the callousness in his voice, just looking at him was making his legs shake.

"That's…..Astral's Shadow?" Yukiko's voice was soft.

"But….it's different than what we saw on the TV last night." Kanji pointed out.

"Did you hurt him!?" Yuma demanded. His voice sounded strong but his body was shaking.

The Shadow Astral tilted his head as if puzzled. Not really….he was a fool seeking me out.

"Seeking you out?" That detail caught Yu's attention, "Are you saying that Astral purposely came here looking for you!?"

That's right…he thought that he could learn more about himself by facing me and accepting me. A really stupid idea in my opinion.

"Stop that!" Yuma pointed an accusatory finger at the Shadow, "If Astral didn't reject you then why did you attack him?"

I didn't attack him…Shadow Astral looked smug….I just brought him here. Who knew that he couldn't handle my presence. I suppose I am much more powerful than I realize.

"I don't get it…" Yosuke whispered, "Our Shadows never caused us harm unless we rejected them."

"This is defiantly going against what we've faced before." Naoto gritted her teeth.

"I don't like it…" Teddie was trying to hide behind Kanji, "That Shadow's not normal."

"That's because I don't really think that's part of Astral."

Everyone turned to Shark in surprise. "Why are you saying that?" Yu asked.

Shark ignored him and directed his next statement to Yuma, "It's just like in Saragasso. You remember what Vector did."

"Yeah…he….he corrupted Astral…..he became….that." Yuma was shaking in anger and fear at the memory.

"You can detect it right?" Shark turned to Rise, "That something else is afoot here?"

"R-right….there's something inside Astral's Shadow….and it's not good."

The sound of someone slowly clapping echoed in the room. Everyone looked around trying to find the source.

"Congratulations….I'm so glad that you didn't take things at face value." Someone stepped into the light and the best way to describe him was not human. Grey skin that looked like rock with black armor and wings as well as red gems embedded into his skin. And as freaky as the lack of mouth was, it still spoke. "I'm here to ruin everything again Yuma!"

Yuma hissed through his teeth with venom, "Vector…."

"Wait….that's the orange hair kid from the other day!?" Kanji exclaimed in alarm.

"Yeah….that's just his true form." Shark explained for the group.

"Ohhh….is that Shark?" Vector leaned forward with a hand over his eyes as if he was blocking out the sun. It looked rather childish to be honest. "Shouldn't you be back sobbing at your sister's side? I mean it's not like she might be dying right now."

"That was totally uncalled for you rock creep!" Yosuke yelled at him.

"YOU! YOU DID SOMETHING TO ASTRAL!" Yuma roared in anger.

"Jajajajan!" Vector chimed, "That lazy Shadow wouldn't do what I wanted so….I just gave him a little push!"

And don't regret it….This power….this evil….I love it.

"Stop saying that! He's just manipulating you just like last time!" Yuma protested.

Like last time? Shadow Astral jumped off of the platform landing right in front of Yuma and leaned into his face. How is this like last time? Last time you were just a blubbering mess trying to apologize for something you should of had the common sense to avoid. You knew that the Barians were our enemies yet you still elected to use their power!

The Investigation Team was in shock. Yuma had only briefly mentioned their past encounter with Vector and what he did but this was the first time they were getting the details.

And this time? This time is completely different. Some friend you are to not realize that your friend was missing for a whole day. You're so dense that you need it to be spelt out for you that Astral was in danger!

"But….he was in the key…I didn't notice…"

Stop making excuses. I don't need you any more you pathetic weakling! I'll destroy my weaker half and complete my mission unhindered.

"Y-You can't…."

Hmmmm? Shadow Astral turned behind him, You've got something to say weaker half?

Astral was very weakly raising his head from the ground, "You know as well I as do that's not true….I said things like that before…when I was corrupted. But you know that's not who we are….With Yuma's help he freed me….and he can free you." Astral gave a pained smile to his other half.

Free me? Shadow Astral scoffed, I don't need to be freed as you say. The power of the Barian has already freed me though if you are so seen on testing your little theory….He turned back to Yuma with hunger in his eyes.

Shark recognized the sign, "Stop him!"

Yu didn't need another hint, "Izanagi!"

The sword wielding warrior shot forward ready to swing its blade. The dark Astral just waved his hand igniting Izanagi's shoulder in dark fire.

"GAAHHH!" Yu collapsed to the ground clutching the same shoulder in pain.

"Yu!" Yuma tried to run back only for the dark copy of his friend to grab his arm painfully, "Hey let go!" Hope tried to intervene and cut the Shadow's arms off only to get a fireball in the chest.

I won't let go….in fact….More of the dark flames kicked up at their feet…We are going to do it.

"It…" Yuma's eyes widened in realization and fought to free himself with all of his might, "NO! I won't let you!"

"YUMA!" Astral tried to get up but the flames surrounding him intensified. "Don't hurt him!"

Too late…his power is mine! The flames shot up around the two of them forming a dome. Hope let out a pained cry before it shattered like a piece of glass.

"ASTRAL! HELP ME!" Was Yuma's plea before he was devoured.

"TOMOE! Put out that fire!" Chie panicked but her Persona's ice based attacks here having no effect on the dome.

"Take-Mizazuchi!"

"Sukuna-Hikona!"

"Kintoki-Douji!"

"Jiraiya!"

"Konohana-Sakyua!"

The Persona's obeyed the cries of their masters trying to rip and tear at the flaming dome while Shark was trying to help Yu up. "What's happening?" He asked through the pain.

"Something I've only seen once…and hope I never had to see again…" Was the only thing Shark said as he watched the dome.

"But what's happening to Yuma?" Rise asked worriedly.

The dome began to pulsate with energy as the flames hardened into solid mass before cracking. The Personas backed off unsure of what was going on. The dome exploded with energy knocking everyone back except for Astral who hugged the ground to avoid getting knocked into the flames surrounding him and Vector who was unfazed and watched the scene with ever growing delight.

Yu strained his eyes trying to see through the smoke. "Yuma?"

Not Yuma…It was Yuma's voice, and at the same time it was not.

Someone stepped out of the smoke. Yu could spot Yuma's distinct hair but it seemed to be longer. He was wearing a grey body suit with dull dark red armor covering his chest, arms, legs, as well as a over sized shoulder guard on his left side and a shield on his left arm. Green marking identical to the ones Astral had where on the body suit as well the two on his cheeks where visible on his skin now several shades darker. Around his head was a headset with a lens covering his left eye. Snapping his eyes open, he showed that they were gold as the Shadow's.

Not just Yuma….He let out a wicked grin….We are both here….we are both one…..we are Zexal.

…..

:)