(Yusei/OC, Jack/Carly) The Dark Signers have a new tool, information. When word reaches the Signers that the Dark Signers have found a way to remove the marks and summon the Crimson Dragon for themselves, the Signers get the shock of a lifetime! Now, if only they could figure out what these five, completely ordinary people are for.... and why all of them can summon monsters without a Duel Disk!


SLAM!

Nope, that just made it worse....

SLAM!

Now? No, still jammed....

With one good swing, the Duel Runner was airborne for a split second. The sound resonated around the garage and he jumped back.

He was kneeling down, clutching his foot and shin.

"B-bad idea. Eh?" He looked behind him and smiled. Standing up, his elbow-length hair came lose of it's ribbon. He had aqua-colored hair and the brightest, most yellow eyes ever. He loved to wear blue and it always was odd with his black gloves with the index and middle fingers cut off. "You're awake."

"Mm."

She had dark brown hair. Her eyes were the same sterling yellow.... or one of them was. She had a right eye that was aqua and was holding a scar just under it. She loved to wear green and that was her special color. Green everything. Her hair, which was only to the top of her shoulders, was slightly tangled and her bangs were dangling in her face again.

"Had a good sleep?"

"No."

"Good. Because I couldn't sleep."

"Why?"

"I saw the Signers again." He sat back, the Duel Runner creaking slightly under his weight. He crossed his arms and bowed his head. "I saw their demise. It's not a pretty sight. I feel like we should be helping them. Something just doesn't feel right...."

"Yeah...."

"Should we help them?"

"No. They can handle themselves."

"What if they can't?"

"I don't know."

---Jack---

He sat, bolt-up-right. Sweat flew off his face from sitting up so fast. Despite all that had happened, Jack had agreed to stay with Yusei, Luna, Leo, Blister, and Akiza. Looking around, Jack saw them come up, one by one.

First, Yusei came up, but he hunched over, clutching his arm. Then came Luna and she curled up hiding under the covers and groaning. And lastly was Akiza.... who just stared at her hand as she tried to still her shaking.

Jack looked at his arm. The burning was starting to become too much. Just when it seemed like it would start to burn his arms off, Jack felt it stop, quite suddenly.

Yusei crawled over and held out his arm. "Jack, look...."

Yusei's mark was starting to fade. Akiza came and showed the same signs. Luna stayed where she was, but Jack had a sneaking suspicion that she was scared now. Jack looked down and realized that his mark was fading as well. It made no sense....

All of a sudden, there was a loud, resonating bang. It felt like it ripped the air, but Leo and Blister were still out cold. Jack looked up and saw that none of the lights were shaking. But he'd felt his ribs rattle. The bang became so loud, Jack felt like it ripped through his skull and rattled his jaw. He was sure that'd wake them. No reaction....

Then, without warning, the Signers suddenly felt pain shoot through their arm. They felt the urges to follow the pain's resonating. When they walked into the streets, the Dark Signers grabbed their attention. By reaction, Yusei took off, after Rudger. Jack saw Carly and went to grab her. Luna, scared as always, backed down when Ridger challenged her, but when he sneered at her, she bolted. Akiza glared Misty down and the two stood perfectly still.

High, above their heads, six bodies stood on a glowing platform.

"Spread out, like butter over bread. How will we make it work?"

"We'll manage. We always do."

"It's time to reveal the power of our last ditch protection."

Down below, the Signers each engaged in battle. But the Mark of the Dragon didn't appear, but the tattoo returned. Jack had a gut feeling that something was certainly wrong.