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

Chapter 21: The Mates

Third Person POV

Bruno, Yusei, Jack, and Crow thought silently. Era gave a silent, frustrated sigh in the thought of going to find Lazar herself.

"I got this," she said and ran out fast.

"Era!" Yusei called sounding annoyed but it was too late.

"Go after her, Yusei. We'll search on the ground," Crow told him. "And keep in contact with us."

"Right," Yusei agreed and ran out. They noticed a light flash outside before there was no sign of Yusei.

"Is Yusei an angel too?" Bruno asked.

"Yeah," Jack answered. "We didn't even know until recently."

"Really?" Bruno asked shocked by the development.

"Yeah," Crow answered. "But he was keeping it a secret with Era under a god's orders so…"

"I get it," Bruno responded. "Let's go find Lazar." The other two nodded and they were off fast.

. . .

Yusei flew around the air. Keeping a close eye out for Era but also keeping his mind of finding Lazar. He groaned in annoyance as he couldn't seem to find Era anywhere.

'Where is she?' Yusei thought. 'This is one of the times I wish I had the ability to talk to her telepathically again.'

Suddenly someone pulled in front of him making him pull to a stop. Yusei looked at the person and glared. 'Brehnam…' he growled mentally.

"Looking for your precious angel, are you?" the demon asked. Yusei stayed silently making his opposite grin. But Yusei did notice Brehnam's missing arm was replaced by something that seemed mechanical but it had dark energy radiating off it.

"I see you got an arm back," Yusei stated. "Couldn't stand not having the one I blew off?"

Brehnam growled in fury. "Don't tempt me to rip yours off," he retorted angrily.

"I would love to see you try," Yusei fought. "But I'm not worried about fighting you right now. I'm more worried about Era."

"Ah, still have strong feelings for her," Brehnam said returning to a calm nature. "When are you planning on letting those feelings go? Once I have her, you won't be able to function unless you let that precious Guardian Angel go."

"You're not going to take her," Yusei retorted defensively.

"I already have a couple strong demons chasing after her. It won't be long before she's tied up in my hands," Brehnam stated worrying Yusei beyond what seemed possible.

"If you hurt Era, I'm going…" he began but the demon king cut him off.

"You're going to what? You may be strong, Yusei. But no mere angel can wipe me out alone," Brehnam said with a laugh. "Even if you fought me, your angel strength still hasn't reached its full potential. As such, the likelihood of you coming out alive is slim. And what would poor Era do if she found out you were killed?" Yusei glared but Brehnam could see a hint of confusion deep in Yusei's eyes. "Oh? Did Era not tell you?" He laughed again. "An angel's strength continues to grow to its full potential for a couple years. It takes about two years after becoming an angel for their power to fully come into this world."

"How would you know that?" Yusei asked.

"Izoa told us all about you angels and your abilities," Brehnam stated flying up and Yusei didn't budge. "Ah, poor Yusei. You still have so much to learn. But I do know why Lazar wanted that oh-so-special program you three made. Would you like to know?" Brehnam got closer to Yusei while the angel didn't reply. "Primo has some big plans for everyone and he sent Lazar to get the program that would help put his plans into motion." Yusei widened his eyes in realization but quickly regained his composure. He looked as Brehnam gave a small, depraved, successful grin. The demon then said after a couple seconds, "Seems like Era couldn't run forever."

"You're going to leave her alone!" Yusei retorted defensively.

"Don't worry. I'm going to give you the chance to say goodbye," Brehnam stated. "It's the last bit of revenge I could think of. Have you watch as I take her away to the Underworld. But if you want that chance, you'll have to find her. She's where Lazar is taking the program. Find that, and you'll get your last chance to see Era." He then laughed sinisterly before flying off.

Yusei glared in the direction Brehnam went. 'You're not taking her to the Underworld,' he thought as he darted off to find Lazar. 'I promise, Era. I'm going to save you and keep you safe. For the Crimson Dragon and for both of us.'

. . .

Era slammed her body into the bars of a large demon cage. The echo of the bang rang in the empty, large room. The dark energy wasn't as strong as the last one so it didn't hurt her too bad. But she couldn't break out, no matter how hard she tried.

'How did I let myself get caught?! This isn't you, Era,' she scolded herself.

The door to the room opened and she flipped to the person walking in. "Who's there?" she called defensively.

A deep, familiar voice cackled. She tensed as Primo stepped in front of her. "So this little angel is the most powerful of them all?" he taunted. "To think one so strong can be made so weak by a simple cage."

"Let me out and we'll see how strong I am," Era retorted. She heard hard beating, dark wings land to her side and turned to the demon. "Brehnam…" she growled.

"Still have such a strong will, fighting spirit," he responded. "Don't worry. By the time I take you to the Underworld, you won't have that spirit anymore."

"Yusei won't allow that to happen," she retorted.

"You truly have faith in your mate, don't you?" Brehnam asked.

"Mate? We're just a couple. We're not 'mates' yet," Era replied.

"That's something Izoa was able to change in the textbooks at Angel Academy. The true meaning of the sign between a male angel wrapping his wings around a female," Brehnam responded. Era looked at him closely. "A male angel doesn't entirely choose to wrap his wings around an angel. He naturally does it when he is close enough to the female that his body wants to. When he wraps his wing around the female in that protective hold, it is a sign of unbreakable love between the two and locks the two in a bond similar to marriage for an angel. Just as demons make our attachments."

"That's…" she stopped unsure what to say.

Brehnam smirked and gently caressed her cheek. Era winced at the dark energy. "Shh…" he whispered. "It'll be time for you to say goodbye to your mate soon enough." Brehnam then pulled his hand back and he and Primo walked out.

'That's not…' Era thought still in shock. 'Yusei… help me…'

Okay, don't get mad at me for doing this if you don't like it. It kind of just came along as it appeared in my head.

To be honest, I don't have most of this story played out scene from scene. I honestly never have for any of my stories. I just put down what I think of and feel will work. Sorry if you don't like what just happened. Kind of just thought it would be interesting to put in Era's head and mess with her a bit.

Anyway, let me know whatever you think through PMs and reviews. I like to hear your feedback as I want to get better. Just please don't be too harsh or rude in any of them.

If you want a good example for something rude and harsh, look at my Guardian story's reviews for one by "kenki ghoul". I might respond but I won't care if you want to be as rude as him/her. *shrugs* I'm a writer and I'm me. That's all that matters.

For me, I want to hear opinions. That's why I sometimes have voting questions so I can hear your voice instead of going completely on my own.

Anywho, I've ranted for long enough. See you in the next chapter, readers!

-bricann