Hi everyone, DisneyAnimefan94 here and welcome to the final, well second to final chapter of the Barian Wars trilogy and the Ryan Oliver saga. I wanted to start of doing my usual opening greeting instead of my finale opening but that one will be in this story also. So before I mention it again in the epilogue which will come out soon, thank you all so much for supporting this entire project.

And now DisneyAnimefan94, presents: The conclusion of the Barian Wars trilogy and the Ryan Oliver Saga.

Disclaimer: I don't own Zexal!

Chapter 22: The Last Goodbye

Ryan's POV

I just stood there sobbing away inside of my sister's arms as I could hear Yuma starting to cry as well.

"No, I can't believe it, Shark's really gone." He said as he quietly cried as I began to hear Tori cry as well. Just then we all heard a groan interrupting our somber moment.

"But I don't want to duel a monkey…" We all then turned around to see Flip sitting right behind us.

"Flip!?" We all asked.

"Shark's defeat has severed the connection between Barian World and Earth, returning those who had been defeated, in our skirmish." Astral observed.

"If everyone is back…" I said looking at my sister.

"Then that means my group is back too!" She said as we hugged each other joyfully. To make the moment even more joyful we looked out into the ocean as we saw the sun coming up.

"First time I've seen the sun risen in a while." I said as I heard my sister give an agreeing hum.

"Yuma, I knew your rescued me!" Flip cried out as we looked behind us to see Flip holding on to Yuma as I just rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Because I'm your best buddy right?"

"Yeah, I'm glad you're safe and sound." Yuma said.

"Yuma!" A chorus of voices shouted as we looked to Bronk, Cathy, Caswell, Lilibot, Hart running towards us.

"Ryan, Stephanie!" Another chorus of voices rang out as we looked to see Donovan, Lorenzo and Luna coming from the other direction.

"It's my team!" Stephanie cried out as she ran towards them. Then a voice came from the sky as we saw two others who were friends of Yuma coming down as I smiled. All around me there were friends finally reunited now that the war was over. But I wasn't. I still lost both Shark and Rio knowing that I would never see ether of them again. I looked down to see the pendent now back in its original state thanks to Shark, and Rio's ring still on my finger, as I just bowed my head. Nearby I could hear everyone giving their praises and thanks to Yuma.

"Well thanks guys, but I don't deserve all the credit." He said as I looked up at him. "You see Ryan was the one who helped end it all by dueling Shark in the last battle." He said as glanced over at me as I gave him a sad smile. "But in the end we weren't able to save anyone, not Shark, Rio or Kite."

"But if Shark and Rio are really gone…" Luna spoke up as she then walked right towards me. She stared at me and then pulled me into a hug. I was so surprised that Kite's younger sister would hug me as I hugged back. "Ryan I'm so sorry about your loss, but if it helps I could be your sister, even though I'm no Rio." She said with a smile on her face. Suddenly everyone then came around saying the same thing as we were all pulled into a giant group hug.

"Thanks everyone." I said. "It's really nice to know that I have such great friends, and who have thought it was all thanks to that first duel my brother had with Yuma, but it's just not the same." I said as I frowned again. Just then I saw my deck glow as pulled it out to see Shark Drake and Mermail Abysstitian glowing. "Hey my numbers are starting to glow." I said.

"Mine is too." I heard Stephanie say as I then looked down at my own cards as they floated out of my hand as I looked to see that they along with my sisters were being pulled in by Astral. There was a bright flash but as the light faded, we saw that Astral was gone.

"What just happened?" I asked wondering why Astral disappeared.

"Everyone, Ryan and I have to get going." Stephanie said as I looked at her.

"We do?" I asked as she nodded.

"Yeah, I think we deserve a good long rest after what we've been through." She said as I nodded.

"Well it's a long walk back home, but I know we can make it." I said as she nodded. After saying our good byes to everyone we made the long journey back to house where Rio, Shark and I lived. I opened the door to a pretty lifeless house.

"So this is where you lived with Shark and Rio all this time?" She asked as I nodded.

"Most of the time it was just Shark and me after an accident that left Rio in a comma." I said. "However once she got out of it was like everything was like before, until now."

"You know I miss them too, in my own way of course." She said as I smiled at her.

"I'm going up to my room sis, please make yourself comfortable." I said as she nodded.

"Of course." She said as I turned to go upstairs to my room. I then turned back to face her again.

"Um just don't sit on Shark's chair, he hates it if anyone is sitting on it." I said as Stephanie just giggled.

"Okay little brother." She said as I nodded. I then walked up the stairs and into my room. As I opened the door I turned on the lights and looked around and sighed. I then put my d-pad and my deck and my pendent, on my desk, took off my trench coat, put it on my chair and laid down on my bed. I looked up at the ceiling and sighed. I was like that for about an hour as I did nothing but stay in my room all day. I looked to the side of me to see a photo of Shark, Rio and I as kids down at the carnival. I smiled and looked to see that I was beginning to grow my hair out. I then reach out to the back of my own head and sighed. When I was in my barian form, my hair was long again, but as a human my hair was cut short.

"I wish that I never cut my hair." I joked to myself as I then noticed my mermailian pendent began to glow. I put aside my photo as I sat up and picked up my pendent as the entire room began to glow. When the glow dimmed I found myself back in the underwater world this time inside the castle, surrounded by the mermails and in front of me were Gaios and Dine.

"GREETINGS RYAN." Gaios's voice boomed as I smiled. "I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO LOSE A FRIEND AFTER A BATTLE RYAN, BUT YOU DID A GOOD THING ASSISTING ASTRAL AND FULLFILLING YOUR DESTINY TO HELP SAVE THE WORLD AND FOR THAT I OWE YOU MY THANKS." He said as I then frowned.

"Hey what's wrong Ryan?" Dine asked.

"It's just that, what's going to happen to us?" I asked her. "I mean now that I've done my part, do you guys have to go too?" Dine giggled at my question as I looked confused at her.

"Are you kidding Ryan? You're stuck with us for life, until the day comes when you don't need us no more, then we'll probably collecting dust or something." She joked as I just shook my head. "But anyway thanks for everything Ryan, that's all we have to say." She said as I bowed in respect to everyone as I lifted my head they bowed back as the area began to glow brightly again as I looked around to see that I was back in my room. I decided to see how my sister was adjusting as I decided to go down stairs to see how my sister was doing.

"Okay Tori, we'll be there bye." She was talking on her duel gazer as she then hung up and looked at me.

"Hey sis, what's going on?" I asked her. "There's a big duel going on right now between Yuma and Astral." She said.

"Whoa, Astral and Yuma are dueling each other?" I asked as she nodded. "Then let's go." I said as I went back upstairs to get Rio's d-gazer out of the pocket of my trench coat and went back down as my sister and I left the house.

"So I was thinking." Stephanie said. "Now that we finally found each other, and that Shark and Rio are no longer here, maybe you want to move in with me?" She asked as I looked at her. "I mean I know it's not what you're used to, but they are a nice family to live with." She said. In truth I never thought I would have to move away from Heartland City, everything I know the people who I have met. "Ryan?" My sister asked interrupting my thoughts.

"Um, I'll think about it sis." I told her as she nodded. "Okay." She said. We finally arrived where Yuma and Astral were about to begin their duel, with all of our friends watching. "This place…" I said looking around. "This is where Yuma and Astral first met, and where Yuma dueled Shark the first time." I said as the images from their duel played back in my head. It was also a first for me when I met not only Yuma both Tori and Bronk as well. The duel was a pretty intense one as at one point Astral had Utopia out along with its four chaos forms but then Yuma had xyz summoned both Gagaga Cowboy and Samurai and was able to take them all down. But that didn't stop Astral as he used a Rank Down magic card to summon another form of Utopia called Utopia Roots and used both Shark's and apparently Kite's number card both as overlay units to take both Cowboy and Samurai out. But then Yuma used his trap cards Danger Entron to draw and surprisingly performed a Shining Draw without Zexal, the card he drew was a trap which stopped Root's attack and used both Cowboy and Samurai in his graveyard to summon a new monster called Future 0: Utopic Future. The duel was getting intense from there as Yuma only had three hundred life points and Astral had five hundred and fifty left. Then on Astral's next turn he performed Cosmic Shining Draw and played a Rank Up magic card and ranked up Utopia and performed a Hyper Rank Up Evolution and xyz summoned a new number of his own, Number 99: Utopic Dragon. We all stood in amazement of this beast just as we did with Utopic Future. Then using his dragon's effect he brought back Utopia Beyond. Then it was back and forth as both Yuma and Astral activated their numbers effects. And then he used his dragon's ability to destroy his own monster as deal damage to Yuma. But Yuma used his Utopic Future's effect to save him. Then they were at it again with both Utopic number monsters as Astral used his dragon's ability to destroy Yuma's Utopic Future but then Yuma used two trap cards in order for his Future to destroy his dragon. Then Astral activated a trap card called the Door of Destiny as we saw nothing but a bright light.

"I wonder what's going on in that light?" I said. We all waited to see what would happen as the light slowly dimmed.

"Guess we'll find out." Stephanie said.

"Ryan we can help you!" Dine's voice said coming from the pendent as I was then was able to see through the light. Astral had played a monster trap card, to defend himself. But then Yuma played his Double or Nothing as he merged with Utopic Future with eight thousand as it attacked Astral's monster trap. And then Astral's life points drawn to zero. The duel was over as Yuma went over to help Astral up as we all then looked up to see the Numeron Code floating in the sky. We all watched as Astral and Yuma say their last goodbyes as I could feel sadness in my heart.

"Good Bye Astral." I said. As Astral began to float away back into his own world as I could feel tears coming down my face as we saw both Astral and the Numeron Code shine a bright light and then both were gone. I looked to see Yuma still staring up into the sky as I walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulders as he looked at me. "You're going to be okay?" I asked him as he wiped away the last of his tears and nodded.

"So what do we do now?" He asked as I then looked up into the sky.

"Go home I guess." I said. With that we all agreed after saying good bye to everyone who came to watch the duel, just me my sister, Tori, Caswell, Bronk, Flip, Cathy, Luna and Hart walked Yuma home.

"Hey guys, you can all stay at my place for dinner if you want, it's on me!" Yuma said as everyone cheered. I couldn't help but smile as I then stopped and looked as we were right in front of where I met Shark and Rio for the first well I guess the second time. "Hey Ryan?" I heard Yuma's voice as I looked to see him and his friends surrounding me. "You okay?" He asked as I nodded.

"Actually Yuma, everyone there's something I have to tell you." I said. "The thing is, my sister has offered me a chance to go live with her adopted family, and well now that everything is truly done, and with Shark and Rio gone, I've decided to except it." I said as everyone gasped.

"But Ryan… you can't just… I mean I can't afford to lose another friend!" Yuma shouted as Tori stepped in.

"Hey what do you mean just you, Ryan's our friend too isn't he?" She asked as Yuma then nodded as she then faced me. "The thing is Ryan, if this is your decision we are all going to miss you." She said as everyone nodded.

"I'll miss all of you too." I replied back. "But don't worry, I won't forget any of you and comeback to Heartland City for a visit." I said as we all then put our hands on top each other.

"Hey what about us?" A familiar voice said as we all gasped.

"That voice…" I said in disbelief

"It just couldn't be…" Yuma said in disbelief as well as we all turned to see eight familiar faces standing just a few feet away from us. I turned to face the one with familiar purple hair and his signature purple jacket.

"You weren't just going to leave without saying good bye to us didn't you Ryan?" The girl with the long blue hair said. My heart skipped a beat still shocked at what I was seeing.

"Is…Is that really you?" I asked as I then walked over. I then balled up my hand into a fist as I aimed it at the purple haired boy as he stopped it with his hand. The boy then smiled at me.

"It's good to see you too little brother." He said as I then lunged towards both him and the girl as we hit the grass and rolled down a small hill. The three of us laughing, as we landed on the bottom. I then looked up at both of them.

"Shark…" I said as Shark smiled and nodded. "Rio…" I said as she too smiled and nodded as we all had tears in our eyes. "I thought I never thought I would see you two again." I said crying as they pulled me into their embrace.

"Come on Ryan," Shark said. "Do you think it would be that easy to get rid of us?" He said.

"Yeah, because it'll take more then what happened for us to be gone forever." Rio said as I looked at her. There was a silent moment between the two of us as I took her by the chin and leaned in for a kiss.

Stephanie's POV

I smiled as I looked down at my brother finally being reunited with the ones he loved. I then saw Yuma race down the hill to embrace Shark as I laughed at what was going on.

"Hey you." I heard a voice as I turned to face Dumon as I could feel my own cheeks burning up.

"H-hey you." I said nervously, looking away.

"Sorry for all the trouble that I caused." He said as I faced him.

"Well you should be mister, do you know how heartbroken I was after you left without saying goodbye!" I yelled at him as he flinched in fear. "But…" I said as I approached him. "I'm glad your back." I said as we got a little closer.

"Me too." He said as we leaned in for our first kiss.

"Hey!" I heard my little brother yelling as we broke from our kiss to look down to see him looking mad. "Who say's you have the right to kiss my sister Dumon?" He yelled out.

"I don't know, what gives you the right to kiss Rio?" Dumon teased back as I looked to see Ryan blush and Rio giggle as I giggled as well. "Now where were we?" Dumon said looking back at me.

"Oh I remember." I said back as we leaned in for our second kiss.

Shark's POV

After finally prying Yuma off of me I looked to see the three closest to me happy, Rio and Ryan were together and Dumon and Ryan's sister were together as well. I then got up to brush any grass that was left on me when I heard someone as I turned around to see a very angry Luna with her hands on her hips.

"Uh, hey Luna." I said as she approached me.

"You, you have some nerve Reginald Kastle!" She yelled out.

"Now Luna, I can explain…" I said with my hands up until she pointed at me.

"Oh I think after the little stunt you pulled off was explanation enough Reginald." She said. "Turning your backs on your friends, siding with the enemy and then dying!" She said.

"Come on sis, go easy on him." I heard Kite say.

"You stay out of this big brother!" Luna said yelling at him. "But I'll deal with you later as well." She told him as she then put her attention back on me. "Well, I guess there's only one thing to do after that." She said as she approached me. She then grabbed me by the collar and pulled me down to see her eye to eye. "This…" She said as she then put her lips on mine as I kissed her back as we were locked in a passionate kiss.

Ryan's POV

We were all surprised at Luna and Shark's actions but we couldn't be happy none the less that Luna was able to forgive my brother.

"This is a miracle." I said as I looked at Rio. "But how were you guys able to come back?" I asked.

"It was Astral." A familiar voice said as we turned to two sets of adults there. I then smiled as I rushed over to one of them.

"Dad!" I shouted as I wrapped myself around him.

"Mom!" I heard my sister cried out as I looked to see my mom and my sister hug.

"Mom, Dad!" I heard Yuma shout as I saw him reuniting with his parents.

"It's good to see you kids again." My dad said.

"Great to see you two dad, but what do you mean by Astral did it?" I asked.

"What your father means is, that Astral used the Numeron Code to rewrite the history of those lives who were lost during this skirmish." Yuma's father replied.

"But if he revived my parents, Kite and the emperors, then that means that…" I said.

"Yes, Astral World and Barian World are now united as one world." Kazuma said.

"Well I'm just glad everyone is back!" Yuma shouted.

"Couldn't have said it better myself Yuma!" I shouted in agreement. "Now let's all go home." I said.

"YEAH!"

Stay tuned for the Epilogue…

This is DisneyAnimefan94, signing out.