It made me so happy to see how many of you got so stunned and excited to read the DM characters' return! I'll keep giving you more surprises in this chapter.

This fanfic has now over 200,000 views! The original never made it this far! Thank you, everyone, for your love and support for the new version! I promise I'll keep doing my best and I welcome ideas and advice from you.

Another special thanks to FlowerHeart17 for some ideas you've given me that I added in this chapter!

The chapter begins in Estelle's point of view.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's characters! I only own my OCs!

Chapter 85: WRGP Premium Event Party – Part 2

My friends were busy talking to Yugi and asking him questions and advice about Dueling. Anzu and Henri walked away to get something to eat while I stayed in the background, enjoying the view of my friends chatting with a living legend.

"Well, mind if you share the first King of Games with the rest of us?" a new voice spoke up.

I looked to my left and saw an adult version of Manjoume Jun and Tenjoin Asuka walk up to the group. Asuka was holding a champagne glass while her other arm was linked with her husband's. If I remembered correctly, the majority of GX characters were around ten years younger than Yugi, so I guess they were in their forties.

"Oh! I know you!" Leo exclaimed at the sight of Jun. "You're Manjoume Jun, the CEO of Manjoume Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd!"

"I see you're educated", Jun commented before flipping his front bangs. "That's right, kiddo; I'm Manjoume Jun!"

"Jun, you don't have to act like this", Asuka sighed softly.

"Oh, great, another Jack…", Crow mumbled softly in defeat.

"One is always enough for us…", Bruno laughed sheepishly.

"Pah! No one will ever be able to outshine the real Jack Atlas!" Jack spat.

"Well, you certainly got outshined by Fudo Yusei at the Fortune Cup", Jun retorted.

"Excuse me?!" Jack growled angrily.

"I think Jack just met his match", Aki commented.

"No kidding", Mei nodded in agreement.

"I take your comment as a personal insult! I challenge you to a Duel right now!" Jack declared as he pointed at Jun.

"Jack!" Carly spoke up before she hugged her crush's arm. "We're on a party right now, and you're causing a scene."

"Yeah, Jack, we're here to give everyone a nice impression of our team and if you start a fight, it'll be bad for your image!" Crow added.

Jack looked at Carly, then at Crow, and back to Carly again before he sighed and relaxed his shoulders. Carly let go of his arm as soon as he calmed down. He turned away with his arms crossed and nose high up in the air.

"Be glad I'm in a good mood, or else I would've crushed you with my Red Dragon Archfiend, Manjoume!" Jack growled.

"I doubt that, Atlas", Jun chuckled amusingly.

"Now, everyone, there's no need to fight", Yugi spoke up. "As of now, we're all friends who are enjoying the party before the World Racing Grand Prix begins."

Yugi's smile was as cute as in the anime when he was a teenager. No wonder so many liked Yugi back in the days and even to this day. I hid my giggle behind my hand as I remembered the memes of Yugi being associated with a panda, especially his Season 0 self.

Getting a small craving for food, I quietly left the group to walk to the delicacy table. I grabbed a paper plate before placing some cheese cubes, grilled chicken skewers, and salad on it. Once I had finished piling up the food, I grabbed a plastic fork from a container and went to a table by the large windows of the party hall.

I looked out the window to see the pretty lights outside from the skyscrapers and the holographic screens that were promoting the sponsors for the World Racing Grand Prix. So far, everything was going well with the party.

I may not be interacting as much as I should, but I preferred staying on the side and watch everything and make sure peace was kept in order.

"Estelle Goodwin?" a voice spoke up.

I turned to my right and saw the trio of Team Unicorn standing next to my table. I quickly snatched a napkin from a container that rested in the middle of table and wiped my mouth clean without smudging my lipstick before standing up.

"Yes? What can I help you with, Team Unicorn?" I nodded softly in greeting.

"Please, you don't have to be so polite", Andre chuckled softly while gently waving his hand. "We were wondering if the rumors are true that you are part of Fudo Yusei's team for the World Racing Grand Prix?"

I raised a confused eyebrow, but decided to answer. "Yes. I'm the backup Duelist."

"Backup Duelist?" Jean commented softly before he rubbed his chin. "We should've thought of having a backup Duelist too for just in case."

"Maybe for the next tournament, Jean", Breo said with an amused smile.

"Also, do you happen to know where Yusei is? We'd like to have a friendly chat with him before we become rivals on the Duel lane", Andre said.

I pointed at the direction where my friends were still chatting with Yugi, Jun, and Asuka. "He and my friends are with Muto Yugi over there."

"Ah, with the living legend himself", Andre smiled. "Thank you, Estelle. I hope we'll get to see you Duel in the World Racing Grand Prix. It would be an honor to see Blue-Eyes White Dragon."

"We will see what the future brings forward", I smiled softly. "Enjoy your time at the party."

With that said, Team Unicorn left my table to join the expanding group of curious people who wanted to talk to Yugi, Jun, and even with my friends. I noticed the girls and Leo had left to get some food by the delicacy table. Leo was picking a lot from everything and dug into the food enthusiastically.

I finished my food and dumped the paper plate and plastic fork in a trash bin before heading to the table with drinks. Halfway over there, Carly ran to me with the same enthusiasm she had whenever she got a scoop.

"Estelle, Estelle, listen!" Carly said as she grabbed my arms. "Jack asked me if I could be part of the team's pit crew!"

"Really?" I asked in surprise because I hadn't heard the guys discussing about it.

"Yeah! He said they need a pair of extra hands now that Aki's part of Sherry's team", Carly nodded.

"And did you accept the request?" I wondered.

"Of course I did!" Carly smiled widely. "You would be an idiot to refuse Jack's request!"

"Don't talk like that", I giggled softly. "I'm glad to hear you'll be part of the team. But… Can you afford the long absence from your job?"

"Mr. Pitts can survive a week or two without me", Carly replied. "Thanks to my big scoops over the last several months, he doesn't care how long I'll be absent."

"If you say so…", I replied hesitantly.

"And I'll use the time to get some good inside scoop too", Carly giggled.

"Be careful with the boundaries, Carly. None of us want any personal information be leaked", I warned her.

"Don't worry; I'm not that desperate."

Carly hurried back to Jack while I headed to the drinks table. I looked among the glasses with drinks to see if there was any non-alcoholic. Just as I found one, I heard a familiar seductive voice whispering close to my ear.

"Hello, my dear…"

I froze in dread as the dirty breath tickled my bare neck. It couldn't be the one who I thought it was…

I slowly turned around and felt a gasp get stuck in my throat as I flinched backwards, my lower back hitting the table, but luckily not hard enough to cause all the glass to get knocked down.

No… He couldn't be here! There was no way!

"Hironori Akunin…?!" I exclaimed in a low voice.

That's right. The man who ordered his employees to kidnap me before was at the party. But how? Goodwin kicked him off the list when he heard who had been responsible for my kidnapping.

Akunin was wearing a lime-colored suit with black trim and a bowtie. His eyes traveled from top to bottom, staring at me like an insect with a sinister smirk. "Oh my, you look stunningly beautiful", he said seductively.

As much as I wanted to growl and tell for Security, I didn't want to cause any trouble yet. "Save it, Mr. Hironori", I spat angrily. "Didn't my father kick you off the list?"

"Yes, he did, but it's been an exhausting week, so I decided to take a break and let myself in", Akunin replied.

I crossed my arms and used my scary glare at him while I slowly backed away from the table to get a chance to escape if needed. "Let yourself in? Sounds more like you barged yourself in like a selfish party crasher."

"Now that's just plain rude", Akunin smiled mockingly.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave this instant", I said with a serious voice.

"But I just got here and the party just got started", Akunin cooed as he walked closer. "Besides… We haven't finished our conversation from before."

I gritted my teeth as I exactly knew what he meant. Forced marriage. He didn't just want to use me for his team in the World Racing Grand Prix, which by the way got removed after the kidnapping, but he wanted me to be his wife just to get the shares of Goodwin's fortune. There was no way in hell I was going to marry someone for the wealth!

It took everything within me to keep my cool and not personally throw him out of here. "Mr. Hironori, you've already caused enough trouble ever since you abducted me. Don't make me angry…because you wouldn't like to see the dragon within me", I growled threateningly, sensing my powers were almost getting out of control. "So I'm asking you for the last time… Leave or else."

Akunin snorted and ignored my warning. "Oh, c'mon, Estelle, I'm only trying to give you a chance to live a happy life beyond your wildest dreams. Have you even thought about finding someone to love and loved in return?"

How the heck did this even get into the conversation? "I already have a happy life with my friends and family, so don't try to change my mind because it won't work", I growled and turned around. "Now, if you excuse me."

I was only able to take a few steps before Akunin grabbed my right wrist. I looked back and saw he had a wide smile that had "trouble" written all over the lips. "You will be my wife whether you like it or not. Unless… You have someone in mind."

"My personal life is none of your business", I spat back. "Let me go."

I tried pulling my hand away, but his grip was tight. "I'm still not done until you answer my proposal!" Akunin sneered.

"Let me go, and my answer will always be no!" I shouted.

"Is there a problem here?" a familiar but serious voice spoke up.

I turned to the source and saw it was Yusei. He had a poker face, but I looked down and saw his hands were clenched into fists. It was obvious he was frustrated by the sight, since I sensed his emotions through our Marks, but he was doing his best to hold himself back.

"Oh, nothing, young man", Akunin replied with a smooth voice to hide his true colors while he moved my almost-limp hand. "I was just checking to see if Ms. Goodwin needs help to pop her wrist back and it looks like it's better now."

I rolled my eyes at that ridiculous excuse. I could tell Yusei wasn't buying it by the look in his eyes. I snatched my hand back with a violent jerk to show my rejection for Akunin. I turned around and hurried to Yusei, so I could link my left arm with his right arm.

"Yusei, could you escort me to my father, please?" I asked with an emotionless voice. "I have something to tell him."

Yusei looked at me for a second before nodding. "Sure."

We turned our backs to the party crasher before leaving him. I could feel how Akunin drilled holes on my back with his stares, but I ignored him. I just wanted to get as far away from him as possible.

XXXXXXXXXX – Yusei's POV

I noticed how Estelle had disappeared from our group, which made me worried for a second, but I soon found her by a table safe and sound, so I relaxed my tense body. The nightmare was still vivid in my mind and I wouldn't be able to fully relax until the party was over.

Yugi left us to interact with his other fans, so my friends and I split apart to enjoy the party. Bruno and I caught up with Rick from Bolger & Company and talked to him about mechanism and got some details of what my team needed to do to fulfill our part of the contract for the sponsorship.

After the short conversation, Bruno left to grab some food while I headed to the drinks table to moisten my dry throat. Only meters away, I saw Estelle interact with a man in a lime-green suit. I could tell right away she wasn't comfortable with him and she tried walking away, but the man grabbed her wrist before she could leave.

That's when I jumped in and helped Estelle get away from him. The way she clenched her hand against my arm told me she was very tense, so I was glad I managed to help her.

Once we were far away from him, I decided to ask her who that man was. "Hey, who was that guy…?" I whispered.

Estelle removed her arm from mine and turned to me with a concerned look. "Do you remember the day I was kidnapped and placed in the back of the truck…?"

"Yeah", I nodded.

"His name is Hironori Akunin and he's the one responsible for the kidnapping…"

"What…?!" I whispered loudly, shocked to hear that.

Estelle nodded to confirm it. "He said before he kidnapped me to force me into marrying him and get the shares of Goodwin's fortune…" Her eyes shifted into a harsh glare. "He's also one of the very few persistent bachelors who are still trying to woo me and ask my hand in marriage to get the money. Goodwin did blacklist Hironori after I told him who kidnapped me, but somehow he managed to sneak into the party."

I couldn't believe it! There were still some men trying to marry Estelle for money and power because of the family connection?! And one of them was here at the party?!

It took everything within me not to march over to Hironori and beat him into a pulp, but I couldn't cause a scene right now. If one of the members in the team made a commotion, it could affect us throughout the whole tournament with bad rumors and humiliation.

"Are you sure you're okay with him around?" I asked.

"I think so", Estelle nodded. "As long as I'm not around him. I'll also let Goodwin know he broke in."

"I'll go with you", I told her before gently grabbing her hand. "I don't want anything happening to you."

Estelle blushed softly before she giggled softly. "Thank you, Yusei", she squeezed my hand in return. "I appreciate it."

I felt my cheeks get warm as I guided her hand to my arm, so we were linked again. Estelle looked surprised by it, but she soon relaxed and leant her head against my shoulder. My heart was pounding hard in my chest by the sight. This confirmed even more we had feelings for each other. I was looking very much forward to the end of the World Racing Grand Prix so I could confess to her.

"Estelle…", I whispered softly as I escorted her towards Goodwin who was mingling with people his age while Ish stood by his side. "You look astonishing beautiful tonight."

"Thank you…", Estelle blushed hard as she squeezed my arm. "You look so handsome in your Turbo suit."

I couldn't help but both blush and chuckle shyly at the compliment. "Thank you."

Estelle raised her head from my shoulder when she saw something. "Wait a moment. I'll be right back."

I let go of her and watched her walk up to a waiter who was holding a silver tray filled with champagne flute glasses. She grabbed two of them and nodded thank you to the man before walking back to me.

"Here", Estelle said before giving me one of the glasses. "Before we get to the boring part of the party, we need a toast for the future."

"Okay", I shrugged as I looked at the bubbly drink in my hand.

"It's sweet champagne", Estelle explained. "I don't drink alcohol, except for sweet champagne for certain occasions. I hope you don't mind."

"No, not at all", I shook my head. "It just reminded me of the time back in the Enforcers when we once found an intact alcohol bottle and drank it all. The next day, I woke up with a big headache and hangover, so I promised myself to never drink again. But some champagne is okay."

"You drank alcohol when you were a teen…?" Estelle said in disbelief before she gave me the angry mother hen look. "What were you guys thinking?!"

"I guess we weren't thinking at all back then", I chuckled sheepishly.

"As do many teenagers who think they will become adults by smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol and have unprotected sex without thinking about the consequences…", Estelle muttered irritably under her breath.

I could tell this was a frustrating topic for her, so I cleared my throat. "How about the toast?"

"Oh! Right…", Estelle snapped out of her thoughts and laughed sheepishly.

"Here's to the World Racing Grand Prix."

"And to reach the stars of victory for Team 5D's."

We clanked our glasses and enjoyed the drink.

XXXXXXXXXX – Normal POV

While Yusei was busy escorting Estelle from Akunin, none of the star lovers knew some of their friends' eyes were watching them. Sherry, Aki, and Crow were three of them.

"I wonder who that man is", Aki mumbled while she held a champagne flute. "He's staring so intensively at Estelle."

"By the way he's glaring at Yusei, I bet he wants Estelle all by himself", Crow said with a grimace. "And the color of his suit… Why does he look like a nasty insect?"

Sherry took a few sips of her champagne before responding. "Maybe because he is an insect in the society. He has a bad guy aura."

"Milady", Mizoguchi spoke up behind the blonde French.

"Yes, Mizoguchi?"

"That man…was with the group who tried harming you, Ms. Aki, Mr. Yusei, and Ms. Estelle with the truck before."

"What?" Sherry said in disbelief.

"Wait, what're you talking about?" Crow asked.

"Do you mean the time we rescued Estelle from the attempted kidnapping when we met you guys for the first time?" Aki asked.

"Yes, Ms. Aki", Mizoguchi nodded. "I assume that man is the leader and the one who organized the kidnapping."

"Don't tell me… He might try kidnapping Estelle again?!" Aki gasped in realization.

"In the middle of a highly secured party? I doubt that", Crow shrugged. "But it doesn't hurt to forewarn Kalin. He did write in a message he was one of the officers watching over the party tonight."

"That's correct, Crow", a familiar voice spoke up.

The quartet turned around and came face to face with Kalin, who was dressed in his Sector Security uniform, and Cassandra, Toru, and Misaki. Team Icy Scrapwatt were dressed in their Turbo suits; Cassandra in an icy blue suit, Toru in a red/white/black suit, and Misaki in a sea blue suit.

"Hey, speak of the devil and you shall appear!" Crow grinned widely before patting Kalin's shoulder. "Nice seeing ya here, bro!"

"Same here, Crow", Kalin chuckled before the young men fist-bumped.

"I'm glad to see some familiar faces here", Toru chuckled. "You guys vanished in the crowd when Estelle escorted the Muto family here."

"Yeah, it was a real blast to meet the legendary Duelist!" Crow nodded happily. "We learned a lot from Yugi, so there's no way we'll lose in the World Racing Grand Prix!"

"We'll kill two birds with one rock…", Misaki mumbled.

"Oh, Misaki…", Cassandra sighed.

Sherry cleared her throat. "Crow… You're forgetting the important part."

"Oh, right!" Crow said. "Kalin, we think there is someone here who wants to harm Estelle."

"Really? Who?" Kalin asked.

Aki pointed at Akunin who was still standing by the drinks table and stared at the star lovers. "That man over there."

Kalin threw a curious glance at Akunin who had grabbed a large glass of red wine and poured it down his throat in frustration, accidently spilling some on the suit. "He seems to be clumsy but harmless. Are you sure he's a bad guy?"

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Ish spoke in a microphone while standing on the stage with Anzu next to her. "The next song will be performed by Muto Anzu to the couples and lovers here to enjoy the night! Give it up for Mrs. Muto!"

Everyone applauded as Ish handed the microphone to Anzu and walked out of the stage. Anzu cleared her throat before opening her mouth. "The song I will sing is one that touched my heart when I was on my first date with Yugi when we became lovers."

Yugi and Henri were standing in front of the stage when Anzu told everyone about the song. The legendary Duelist blushed hard with a sheepish look and rubbed the back of his head while Henri chuckled teasingly at his father and lightly elbowed his side.

(Insert: "You'll Never Know" by Renee Fleming)

The small orchestra behind Anzu slowly began playing the soft jazz song as the crowd by the stage split up to make space for the ones who wished to dance. One by one, the couples walked to the dance floor and started dancing in the same pace as the song.

Sherry placed her champagne flute on the table next to her before holding out a hand to Aki. "May I have this dance, Aki?"

Aki blushed by the invitation, but then giggled and placed her hand on Sherry's. "Yes, Sherry."

Sherry chuckled softly before she guided the female Signer to the dance floor. Mizoguchi tried keeping his face free from emotions, but the corner of his twitched upward by the joy in his heart at the sight of his ward enjoying herself.

Toru turned to Misaki with a questioning look. "You want to dance, Misaki?"

"No…", Misaki shook her head. "Dance is not my thing…"

"Well, I want to dance", Cassandra said. "My health may not be the best, but I can dance slow dances like this."

"I wish I could dance with you, sis, but I'm on duty", Kalin chuckled sheepishly.

"Hey, wanna dance with me, Cassy?" Crow asked as he held out his hand.

"Sure", Cassandra nodded before grabbing Crow's hand.

The Blackwing Duelist led the Ice Barrier Duelist to the dance floor and started dancing. Shortly after them, Mei and Sakura were also dancing together. Jack and Carly were dancing as well, but Carly kept accidently stepping on the former King of Games' feet, so he made her stand on top of his feet while he took the lead, his coat ruffling around them like a protective mantle. Jun and Asuka could also be found among the dance pairs, and even Mokuba happened to dance with a random woman who had asked for a dance.

Seto watched his brother from a corner while slowly sipping a glass of white wine. He had rejected several dance offers because he wasn't interested in forming an intimate relationship with anyone. He never found the one in his childhood and he had been in a coma for a long time. He was too old and busy to have a relationship, and no one caught his attention like the girl his past Egyptian incarnation had been attracted to, but sadly lost her life when she sacrificed herself to protect him.

Goodwin and Ish were dancing together with their eyes on each other, but when something red flashed by them, they turned around and smiled warmly at the sight. Yusei and Estelle were dancing together while never once looking away from each other. None of them realized some reporters and paparazzi were secretly taking pictures of them.

The Fortune Cup Champion and the daughter of Sector Security's Director dancing together! What a scoop!

Leo and Luna were sitting by a table enjoying the food, but they were now ignoring it as they looked at the dancing crowd. They kept shifting their eyes back and forth between their friends.

"I wonder what it's like to dance with someone you really like…", Leo mumbled loudly.

"Me too", Luna nodded. "This dance feels too romantic for us kids to understand."

"Yeah… Not that I'm sad about it 'cause I really don't know what love actually is", Leo shook his head.

"I think love is something stronger than a mere crush…", Luna replied before blushing like thinking about a certain lone boy.

"Hey, hey, Luna!" Leo panicked when he saw his sister's expression. "I know you like Sly, but he's a jerk!"

"He's not!" Luna argued. "Okay, maybe a little, but his attitude's gotten better after he was adopted by Misty."

"Once a jerk, always a jerk!" Leo argued.

Everyone was busy that no one saw the hatred glares that Akunin was giving Yusei and Estelle. He got suspicious when the Signer intervened and escorted the brunette away from him, but now it was confirmed.

There was a romance going on between the star lovers and he hated seeing that! That was the last straw!

Akunin dropped the now empty wine glass that shattered on the ground. No one heard the noise because the music was loud enough to overpower it. Akunin, a little drunk, stumbled back to a dark corner and dug through his pocket before picking up his smartphone. He tapped a secret number on the screen and lifted the device to his ear.

"Men. Plan A has failed. Initiate Plan B… Send in the bikers."