So here is what will probably be my last fanfiction for a good while, maybe even my last GX fanfiction. There are a lot of people that I have to thank for this and I feel that I could fill up a good two pages detailing all the contributions made by others. But you know, I don't think I'm going to, since I'm sure that those who contributed know very well who they are. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart, and hope that any enjoyment they may glean from this piece goes a little towards paying my debts. Because I'm lame I decided to split this up into installments...so I guess chapters? It was originally meant to be a oneshot, but I figured that the length would be a bit much for one sitting.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yuugioh! DM GX or Yuugioh! DM 5D's.

The sky was alive that night with pulsing, neon colours whose brilliance rivalled those of any other solar storms in memory. A phantasmagoric ribbon twisted through the sky, an opaque snake thrashing against the star-studded heavens. Then the ribbon split, and there was a great number of smaller writhing forms. Johan Andersen took this all in from his place upon the roof of his house complex, his body buried in layers of clothing and his arms wrapped tightly around his body. No other soul joined him, and of this he was not surprised. The Aurora had become his private show it seemed and would be just that until the end. Everyone else was too busy now to enjoy this flaunting of nature's beauty. Though with what they were all busy with no one could say, but they felt it all the same. The threads of dysphoria were woven into the air and ran through every person.

Then, in the depths of his soul, echoed the truth that he had spent so many nights wondering; that the time was nearly upon the world.

And Johan, who had not objected to his small, sequestered existence for two years, felt isolated as he never had before. He was not a part of their preparations. He did not hear their vague mutterings about nameless concepts. He knew of the key word—change—and how it was slowing pulling them away towards an unknown future. Things were going to change and he was going to be left behind. If only he could prevent it; if only he could allow himself to fall into the gravity of Momentum.

A flash of white light caught Johan's attention as it streaked behind the Aurora. For but a glorious moment the falling star had tried to make an impression on the world. Unfortunately, only one man had seen it, and that man was too tired to appreciate its transient beauty and laud its endeavour. With a heavy body, Johan shook his head and closed his sagging eyelids. The cold was upon him in that moment, as sharp as finely crafted sword cutting an icy clarity. The hiemal air burnt his lungs and constricted his chest as it rushed through him. He immediately stood up and stretched his arms above his head, the red thread tied to his left wrist fluttering from the sudden movement. His breast was tight, but he was fine. Johan exhaled loudly, calming himself, before sitting down again.

To his left came a curious mewling that immediately drew his tiring gaze. Johan smiled at the source of the cries, his beloved spirit partner Ruby Carbuncle, as he brought his hands to his mouth and exhaled. He then rubbed then together. The intangible creature ran up her master's arm and settled against the crook of his neck and beneath a lock, providing the man with no extra warmth and disturbing not a single strand of celadon hair. Johan then brought his hands to his neck and smiled. He appeared content, absorbed in affection. Cooing to Ruby, he thanked her for her presence and kind, if but impotent, gesture.

There was a flurry of motion, and then he was surrounded by his family. Cobalt Eagle perched on Johan's head, making himself comfortable before digging his head into his plumage. Amethyst Cat curled up by his side, and the rest of the Gem Beasts took their own positions on the roof which they all, miraculously, fit on.

Just as the cold had been upon him, Johan was suddenly felt an acute wistfulness over come him. Overwhelmed, he was close to crying for gratitude he felt towards his family and constant companions. All of them were here for him and always would be. So constant were they, they would be endure long after he had departed from this world. Not to say that Johan worried about death or his own morality, but rather he found a certain comfort in knowing that the Gem Beasts would still live on when he left. And it was hard for him to define, but there was a faint inkling that told him any separation would be only temporary. No matter what, they would find him again.

"Johan, Johan, make a wish," Cobalt Eagle cooed urgently from his perch.

Johan looked up towards the heavens expecting to catch a glimpse of a singular faint light but, much to his delight, instead saw a vast number of white streaks spangling the dark night. A galaxy could have been falling, he thought, though he was aware that it was just a meteor shower. A rare occasion for sure; the last time he had seen one had been nearly ten years ago.

Enervated by the shower of light, Johan stood up quickly, nearly shaking Cobalt Eagle from his head. He smiled as he pressed his chin against his neck and covered his mouth with his wool scarf. Several more meteors past, and then the night was bare of any ornaments but for the Aurora, which was now a uniform wan green.

"Johan missed his chance!" Cobalt said, fluttering his wings.

Ruby jumped from Johan's shoulder to his crown. "Rubi."

"Nah, just give it a moment, guys," Johan said, his words muffled but intelligible.

And the meteor shower did resume, and he watched it until the very end.

--

For reasons he did not particularly care about, Johan had become increasing nocturnal in the past year. So when he received a knock on his door at ten the next morning he was barely presentable, let alone ready to deal with another person. That he had not had a visitor in nearly a year did little towards his preparedness. He took his time to amble down the hall connecting his living room and atrium, along the way taking ample time to observe the shapes that the refracted light made on the white walls and make mental notes of where he had to dust.

Stifling a yawn when he finally reached his door, he unchained the single lock and opened it. There, looking up at him with piercing green eyes, was a man of a manner he had never seen. The man before Johan had decidedly elfin features, make-up reminiscent of a clown, and raiment that seemed stolen from a ring master. All of this in concert had Johan wondering if this person was indeed a person and not a Duel Spirit.

"Johan Andersen-kun, the Gem Beast duellist," the man said, the quality of his voice nearly making Johan wince.

"Yes, that's me. And you are?" Johan asked, careful to keep any hints of his first impression of this man from his tone. Which, admittedly, was quite a task since Johan felt an almost instantaneous distrust of this new man.

"I am Jaegar, Chief of Special Investigations for the Public Security Maintenance Bureau of Neo Domino City. It is a pleasure." Jaeger, after bowing at his waist, extended a hand which Johan was reluctant to touch for a handshake.

"Neo Domino? What would a Japanese public official need with me?" Johan asked, incredulous. He then looked past the short man for the first time and observed the plush limousine idling at the curb. Even though the sun's reign was well established in the blue sky, the headlights were on. Johan looked back to the man and regarded him a moment.

"Ehehe,"—Johan cringed here, deeply troubled by his laugh—"you would have known had you had a telephone or read your mail. You see, we—the Bureau of Public Security—are very interested in employing you to be in the first exhibition duel in the new Duel Stadium."

"I do not Speed Duel," Johan said with a perfunctory wave of his hand, assuming that was what this little man was after. He had wondered if one day the subject would be broached to him, and he had decided many times over that he would refuse no matter what. After all, the new world was not for him.

"Oh no, just a standing duel. Your deck is too outdated to work in a Speed Duel. Besides, we know about your debilitating little condition."

Johan stiffened, neither pleased to hear his family insulted or that such an intimate detail of his life was known by some random outsider. "How? I was promised by Kaiba Corporation that my medical record would remain private."

"It was not Kaiba Corporation, Johan Andersen-kun. Your former manager had a breakdown a few months ago. He was a threat to public security so we had to cease his assets and estate, which included the files of all of his clients, ehehehe."

"What? Then how much do you...My privacy has been violated." Johan was visibly upset, his brow furrowed and his shoulders angled as he regarded Jaeger.

"No it has not. It is our right. You may see your file if you like, ehehe."

Nonplussed and irritated, Johan looked on as Jeager pulled out a PDA which projected a holographic interface. He felt foolish for not being aware that such technology had been developed for uses outside of Duel Monsters. So now Kaiba Corporation was doing more than Duel Monsters, was probably dominate over all technology now. Jeager typed in the Katakana for Johan's full name, and, after going through a few screens, pulled up the appropriate file. He then passed the hologram off to Johan who, in his shock, instinctually reached into the air to grab the floating, opaque rectangle gliding towards him. And on this rectangle he saw his life dissected and systematically summarised, including a list of all his vital status as of three years ago and a summation of certain events in his life. Not sure whether to be mortified or curious, Johan looked from the insubstantial screen to Jaegar and back.

"Ehehe, quite an accomplishment, yes? Every citizen Domino City—both Neo and the Satellite—has such a file. Luckily, yours is not public and it will stay that way as long as you refrain from disorderly and immoral behaviour."

Johan merely nodded as he passed the screen back and regarded Jeager, wondering what this man who made a living violating privacy considered as immoral behaviour.

"So, have you considered our offer, Johan Andersen-kun?" Jeager asked as he closed the screen and placed his PDA back in his pocket.

"Offer? I..."

"Be aware that we will take very good care of you when you come. In addition to your pay of ten million Yen all living and personal expenses will be covered. And if you wish to remain in Neo Domino City, a residence in Tops is guaranteed, all expenses gladly covered. Here, read over this letter. It'll provide you with all that you need to know."

"I need more time to think about it—there is a lot to think about. Please give me some time."

"Of course. Though, it seems you've been quite effected by your years, yes? I will be back tomorrow, ehehe. Sleep well, Johan Andersen-kun." And with one more obnoxious laugh, Jeager turned and headed for his limousine.

Johan quickly closed his door and leaned against it for a length, unaware of the elapsing minutes. His mind was still, but then he thought, and he thought only about that strange man, that short envoy of the outside world knocking at his door and alerting him to his place in the new world. Who had he thought he was? Johan wondered. He was not above the change. It had come to him before and left him to his isolation. Now that it had come for him again, his response was entirely up to him. Yet something about Jaegar had left a subliminal impression on him, that no matter his own will and sentiments he would end up leaving. They had gone through all the trouble of tracking him down, after all. He was unnerved now, and justly so. He could feel his family trying to comfort and soothe him. Such was their effort, and so he did his best to effect nonchalance for their sake.

After collecting himself a bit more, Johan stood straight up, tucked the paper Jaeger had given him in his pocket, and began walking down the hallway. He quickly stopped and looked over his shoulder, suddenly sure that he was being watched. Assured that nothing was there, he continued walking, but slowly. He started when a nearby clock announced quarter past ten.

Marvelling at how nervous he had become, Johan picked up his pace and, upon arriving in his front room, settled himself on the couch. That the meeting with Jeager had been disturbing there was no doubt, and he could not help but wonder why it was so. Johan had never been one to mind another's appearance. Perhaps it had been his intonation, that habit of his of rising peculiarly high on his last syllable. Johan had never heard a speech a pattern quite like it, which was probably why it had made such an impression on him. Then there was the possibility that he was unnerved simply because Jeager, for all his salient physical characteristics, had an air about him that suggested that he knew unfathomable things about everyone else in the world, things even that one did not—could not—know about oneself.

Sensing his rising distress that he had been trying so hard to mask, his Duel Spirit Ruby materialised on his lap and curled up against his torso. With one expectant glance cast up at him, she earned all of Johan's attention as well as a hand stroking her incorporeal head. That he was merely stroking the air never did seem to bother Johan. And perhaps if it had it would have suggested something that was not natural to his character, but rather something that had quietly festered over the years. Though he had yet to truly acknowledge it, Johan had become more sensitive to the opinions of others, and probably would never really acknowledge it until he resumed regular contact with the outside world.

"Rubibi," came the soft trill of his Duel Spirit.

Johan responded by scratching behind one of her ears and smiling down wearily at her. "I really don't know what I'm going to do, Ruby. I think I might need to sleep on it, as he said. Last night...last night I didn't sleep too well, and I've got a bit of a headache." To illustrate what kind of pain he was having, Johan brought a hand up and pressed his thumb into his forehead. He had become increasingly susceptible to headaches lately, the most common kind a dull throbbing in the front of his head that managed to hinder overly complicated thought. Often times he woke up with these headaches, and on such days he was more drained than usual, moving through his daily rituals with a languidness that those who had known him years before would never be able to believe he possessed.

But, then again, a lot had changed.

Sighing slightly, Johan leaned back into the couch and nuzzled his cheek into the cool cushion. Ruby, in the most comforting gesture she knew, jumped to Johan's shoulder and settled between his shoulder and cheek. She waited a while, swinging her tail in a rhythm occasional interrupted by a quick flick to either side. Johan's breathing grew steadily quieter. Eventually he feel asleep.

It was when they were sure he was gone within the nebulous world of dreams did the Gem Beasts appear.

Though not the whole family, Cobalt Eagle, Amethyst Cat, and Sapphire Pegasus took in upon themselves to deliberate the issue of Johan's leaving of the house and all subsequent issues. Sure he needed out—they even worried about how much of a recluse he had become—but would it really do him good to go somewhere as far away as Japan? There were also memories in Domino City, so whether or not that would be good for Johan was debatable. Whether or not they could trust this strange envoy of outside world was also up for debate. However, it was unanimously agreed that Johan needed to duel again and that, more likely than not, he would end up going. The issue at hand now was how exactly they would go about supporting him. They had become the cornerstone of his existence these days, which made this an exceedingly delicate subject.

"I don't care what you think, we need to be there for Johan in whatever capacity he needs us," Amethyst said, her tone as pointed as ever. That her sharp (if poorly chosen) words could cut down almost any argument had never been doubted by the rest of the Gem family.

"Yes, yes, but where is the line? You know what has happened in the past. If he is seen chattering with the air all day long that will not leave a good impression on other humans," Cobalt countered, bringing up a valid point as well as a very possible reality. "It's already happened once. Not again."

"Don't forget that he can communicate with us through channels in his mind." This time it was Sapphire Pegasus who spoke.

"And being conspicuously silent is any better? Poor Johan is doomed either way!"

"Ugh, listen to you two go on! We're family, and families are there for one another no matter what. Maybe they'll think he's loopy, maybe they'll conclude that he thinks too much. Either way—or anything else, for that matter—it shouldn't mean anything to us. What Johan needs, we give him just as we always have," Amethyst said quite flatly. When she was finished she shook her head in a rather human display. "And that's the end."

When Cobalt Eagle and Sapphire Pegasus both had nothing farther to say, it was clear to all that Amethyst Cat had won. With a not-so-cool head prevailing, all three disappeared back within their cards sitting in Johan's front pocket. Ruby, however, remained sitting on Johan's shoulder until she herself fell asleep.

--

Johan's current residence was a medium sized, two-floor housing unit with two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen with an attached dining room, and a study on the second floor. Most of the furnishings were illustrious of the owner—generally plain with a few striking eccentricities, such as the gilded kitchen clock and a set of mismatched dining chairs that looked like they were from entirely separate epochs of human history. There was no television or computer to be found in the house. The only inlet for information was a radio placed on his nightstand, and it had a nasty habit of not working for days on end, and then only picked up two channels since radio had long ago become obsolete. Of the few channels that still existed, most were carried by way of satellite. There were three existing copies of the house key, two of which were in his possession.

When Johan woke up it was well into the evening. But the time was his last concern, overshadowed by a sense of dread instilled in him by his dream, the memories of which had dissolved into faint impressions immediately upon waking. Try as he might his recollections yielded only blurs of colours and whispers of concepts he had never known. That he had once been to the place in his dreams there was no doubt, but he had drifted away from it so long ago he may as well have never known it. He was not overwhelmed, however, for such dreams were no longer strange to him. Dreams seemed to have little effect on him, really, unless they were of the time he had spent as a student at the Duel Academia. Those dreams and the respite they provided were rare and worth the world to him.

When the dread had passed, Johan sat up and stretched. Upon glancing out his window he shrugged and lay back down. Without another thought he pulled out the paper given to him Jaeger and scanned over the dozen our so sentences typed in a plain Sans Serif font. It read like a memorandum and the paper was thick, smooth, and off-white. After reading it over a few times he put it back into his pants pocket, crossed his arms behind his head, and glued his eyes to the darkened ceiling, to which they would stay glued for a good four hours.

In the end Johan knew better than to think he could possibly stay away from Neo Domino City. It was a Hobson's choice, figured, and whatever his intents, sentiments, or own personal inertia, there were more forces then he could ever know pulling him to a place worlds away from his own peaceful existence. With the decision made came the inexorable struggle of rousing his excitement and enthusiasm. Try as he might, the prospect was at best deserving of mixed feelings. His ambivalence was born of vague images and expectations of Domino City, memories that had since faded, leaving behind only glimpses of the towering stalk of the Kaiba Corporation building smoldering as it prepared to collapse within itself and the faint scent of sea air as he stood surrounded by his family in the presence of someone he had liberated. On the other side of his being was a stirring of something that had been dormant, a strange mixture of feeling and emotions rising on a tide he had forgotten the name of. Also effecting his enthusiasm was the nature of the man sent to retrieve him. He was cut of a political cloth, and that politicians were born with diarrhea of the mouth Johan had no doubt. Even if expostulated with hollow words and bloated language, Johan would have eventually given in if only to save his ears from being talked off.

So as it was, when Jaeger arrived at his home the next day at the exact time he said he would, Johan was ready to leave, the few possessions he figured he would need in a red valise bag and his Gem Beasts tucked safely within their holster. There was little worry that he would be missed for however long he was gone, so Johan had not say goodbye to his neighbours nor bothered broaching to them the task of taking care of his house while he was gone. Though there would be horribly noisome and stagnant air when he returned, Johan gave his home no more thought other than making sure both copies of the key were on his person.

It was a day as beautiful as any other at this time of the year, the autumn air made cool and sharp by an early hiemal chill. Everything seemed to be brighter in the sunlight, the buildings more colourful than usual and the brass buttons on Jaeger's clothing gleaming. Wisps of strikingly white clouds hung in the sky and an occasional sea bird flitted by. Johan took a deep breath before stepping outside of his house and locking the door behind him. Jaeger smiled, showing his teeth, while gesturing towards the limousine.

"After you, Andersen-kun."

But Johan hesitated a moment. Casting a glance at the walls that contained his house, Johan could not help but wonder if this moving would have any consequences. There was a part of him that was telling him he would never see this place again, this both worrying and exciting him. Suddenly he had half a mind to go back inside and gather a few more things, but this was quickly replaced by another, more poignant realisation: if he was not coming back here he would not need any more of his material possessions for he would either be dead or utterly content.

Behind him Jaeger cleared his throat. This did little to hurry Johan along, instead making him more inclined to linger. If he was going to leave, at least it would be on his own time and pleasure, if not on his own terms. There was a hollow silence that descended as the tension increased. Expectation and impatience rolled off of Jaeger whom Johan assumed was not use to being kept waiting. That he would tolerate such an indolent act spoke volumes to Johan, reenforcing his suspicion that there was a very important and powerful man behind all of this. But whether or not that was good or bad, Johan could not know for sure.

"All right, I'm ready," Johan suddenly announced. Turning on his heel, he strolled past Jaeger and showed himself to one of the limousine doors. He got in without a moment's thought, quickly sliding down the cool black seat, and folding his hands when he finally settled in. When Jaeger's small form finally stepped into the limousine Johan was looking out the window and twiddling his thumbs.

Jaeger had to fight to maintain his composure and not snap at this very special man. "Make yourself at home, Andersen-kun. We should arrive at the airport soon."

"I know that. I live here. And you know, I really don't like being called '-kun'. I think '-san' sounds better. Or if you want, you could speak English to me," Johan said without looking at Jaeger. He maintained his view of the passing buildings but set his hands in his lap.

"Andersen-san, then. As you prefer it. In any case, would you like something to drink?"

"No, not really. But I would like a few answers. First, why exactly are you guys interested in me?"

"Why, you! Ehehehe. Such a name as the legendary Johan Andersen-san kicking off the legacy of the Duel Stadium. It's truly a glorious, auspicious prospect," Jaeger said, his hand making a sweeping gesture. It was the only gesticulation Johan had seen him make, and it had seemed nearly awkward given what was said.

Johan shook his head slightly. "Heh, and quite symbolic, huh? After my duel—which you probably intend for me to lose—you'll probably have a round of Riding Duels. Such a succession will subtly impress upon the minds of the people an ending of the old era and the arrival of another. The advent is over, huh? It's here now, upon us and all the people of the world."

"Ehehe, you could say something like that, Andersen-san. But you misjudge our character. We don't mean to make such an image. Instead it is a time when the past meets the future in an amiable way. The old way must cede to the new, but it doesn't have to be painful."

"Who is it that you work for? Clearly these are not your ideas," Johan said simply. He was looking pointedly at Jaeger, almost glaring at him. It was quite clear that he was serious, but Jaeger merely laughed his unnerving laugh.

"They are my ideas indeed, Andersen-san. The Public Security Bureau is very concerned with how transition is handled, even if the people do no know that it is occurring before them."

"...Before them? It's almost as if you're suggesting that people aren't aware of the change."

"Ehehehe, again you are so close, Andersen-san. You see, people just don't seem to care."

Though were many things that Johan wanted to say and so many questions he wanted to ask, he remained silent as he regarded the strange man sitting across from him. He was bizarre for sure, both inside and out, a kitschy envoy for something Johan just could not quite fathom. The insinuations, innuendo, and doublespeak had his mind rolling over itself in an attempt to comprehend everything and tripping over itself in the process. Theories, worries, and words ran into each other and filled his mind with half-conceived thoughts that were quickly replaced by even more jumbled thoughts. He felt another headache coming on, so, doing his best to calm his mind, Johan took a deep breath and focussed once more on the world that seemed to pass by.

His own concave reflection stared back at him, the proof of his age evaluating him and passing judgment. What did his years think of him? If all the emotion and feelings of the past years had manifested in this realm as a sentient being it would not surprise him, really, for his interworkings had such a potency in him that they had quite literally taken on a life of their own. So, did his thoughts judge him now? What would they think of him, the one who had spent the dark, solitary hours conceiving them? Would they be merciful in their assessment of the one who had brought them to a miserable existence in an abject world?

Finally able to gather a semblance of coherent thought, Johan focussed his attention to the future, that ever-shifting place his mind had been increasingly prone to dwelling in. Though he knew considerable less than he would have liked about the circumstances of the situation and placed not a bit of trust in his "escort," Johan was able to extricate the good that was to be had from what was coming. To be able to stand upon the stage again and reach out to the hearts of the audience moved him, rippling upon the surface of his mind that was already as stable as water. If all went as said it would only be a matter of time before he could see his family in Solid Vision once again. They would be as real ever allowed in this dimension.

Though leaving also brought another singular anxiety to the back of his mind: what if, by leaving, he had set the course of his future down a entirely new road? He had been told to wait for two years. He had waited patiently for one, and he had ultimately left before time was up. By no means had he grown impatient or restless as far as he knew, and at this point he could only hope that this much was apparent to any who saw him moving away from his appointed place and followed the thread of his actions.