It's time for another party, but this one is the World Racing Grand Prix Premium Event party! FlowersHeart17 designed an outfit for Estelle, which can be found on DA, and contributed with the ideas for this chapter. Thank you again, my friend!

Aki and Sherry will also wear different outfits for this chapter, which you can also find on DA. Special shout-out to CitrusUnshiu for helping me with their designs!

We have the 950th review shout-out winner! It's david2299! Congratulations! Next shout-out will be by the 975th review! Remember; those who already have won a shout-out won't get another shout-out and the guest reviews don't count.

The chapter begins in Yusei's point of view.

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

Chapter 73: WRGP Premium Event Party – Part 1

It had been three days since Estelle's birthday party and tomorrow was the official World Racing Grand Prix Premium Event party. This week had been quite hectic with the final preparations because the teams participating in the tournament were going to gain access to the new courses built for the tournament from Monday, meaning the day after the party. We could start practicing a week before the World Racing Grand Prix pre-qualifications with our upgraded Duel Runners to the max.

Estelle had been visiting the garage to help out a little, which was highly appreciated. She was going to be our backup Duelist in case Jack, Crow, or I got hurt and couldn't drive our Runners for certain reasons. Her Runner didn't have the same engine as the rest of us, but it was still okay. Much to my joy, she was wearing the necklace I gave her. I would see her playing with it between her fingers with a warm glance in her eyes.

Aki made an announcement on Estelle's birthday that she had decided to join Sherry's team to spread her wings and gain experience. The others got surprised by the reveal, but they calmed down after a proper explanation. We were still friends, but if our teams were going to meet each other in the tournament, we would put aside our friendship and Duel each other without any hesitation.

XXXXXXXXXX

I was on my Duel Runner driving fast in the late night, but I was neither chasing nor Turbo Dueling someone. I was looking for someone, but who?

Jack, Crow, Aki, and Sherry were behind me as they were following me. What had just happened?

My Mark started glowing as I sensed the familiar presence of Estelle. Was she nearby? What was going on?

"Hey, you guys sense that?!" Crow called through the intercom.

"Yeah, it must be Estelle!" Aki replied. "We're getting close!"

We left the urban landscape and drove onto one of the many bridges leading to the unification monument of Satellite and New Domino City. I could barely feel the chilly wind against my body. My heart was beating faster now that Estelle's name was mentioned.

Someone must have happened to her and we were frantically looking for her!

"I think I know who could be behind of the kidnapping!" Sherry said.

"Who, Sherry?" Aki asked.

"Our common enemy, Iliaster!"

"Those bastards again?!" Jack growled angrily. "What could they want this time?!"

The monument was getting bigger the closer we got to it. I could barely see it, but I saw four figures on top of the structure. Three of them were wearing white while the fourth person had a red dress. They seemed to have an argument before the figure with the red dress did a sudden move and jumped down from the monument!

"Estelle!" I yelled instinctively, knowing it was her who had fallen off of the monument.

Estelle flipped in the air and fell so her back was facing the ground. I tried pushing my Duel Runner to go faster, but it was already on its limit.

One of the white-clad people jumped down as well and drew something out of a sheath strapped on their belt. The surface shone like a blade for a second.

Wait… Was that a sword?!

The figure with the sword fell toward Estelle and the next second I blinked my eyes…

The scene around them had changed into red with their bodies looking like silhouettes when Estelle's body was slashed in half by the waist!

"ESTELLE!"

XXXXXXXXXX

I snapped out of the nightmare and instinctually sat up on the bed while gasping loudly for air. My body was wet by cold sweat after that nightmare. It felt so realistic like that had actually happened just now. I felt sick for a second when I remembered the blood, but I swallowed back the bile.

My hand was shaking as I wiped the sweat off my forehead. Who were those three people who kidnapped and murdered Estelle? Why did I have this nightmare? Was it a sign something awful was about to happen with my love?

I sighed deeply and rubbed my forehead in frustration. Maybe this was just a nightmare without any significant message and I was simply worrying too much. I sighed again before lying down, hoping to get some more sleep.

But the voice in the back of my head still tried telling me the nightmare was more than just an imagination.

XXXXXXXXXX

We arrived to the party early to make sure we wouldn't miss any news about the upcoming tournament. Crow suggested he, Jack, and I should wear our riding suits to stand out and showcase we were one of the teams participating in the World Racing Grand Prix. Hours ago, Aki delivered my and Crow's new riding suits, so both of us were wearing them. When we were about to leave, Jack said he needed to get something and he would meet us at the party.

Crow and I caught up with Leo, Luna, Aki, Sherry, Mizoguchi, Sakura, and Mei before entering the tower building where the party took place. Everyone was formally dressed for the party. Sherry was dressed in a white sleeveless collar top with vertical stripes, white flowing pants that resembled a long skirt, and white heels. Aki had a dress that had a white one-shoulder top, a long black formfitting pencil skirt, black high heels, and a chain necklace. Sakura and Mei had the same outfits they used on Goodwin's birthday party last year. The reason why they were at the party was they had joined Sherry's team as part of the pit crew. They wanted to support Aki and the team in every way they could. The twins wore simple but formal outfits and Mizoguchi was wearing his butler uniform like always.

We met up with Bruno who was dressed in a dark blue suit with a white undershirt and a blue tie. He was chatting with Trudge who was also dressed in a suit.

"Hi, Bruno", I called.

"Yusei, everyone", Bruno greeted with a smile.

"Well, looks like everyone's here…except Jack", Trudge pointed out. "Where is he?"

"He said he was coming later", I explained.

"I still wonder what he needed to get before coming here, though", Crow mumbled. "He never misses a party."

Luna looked around, seeing there were Securities in every single corner, surveying the party hall. "Umm… Trudge, why are there so many officers here?"

"Take a look around", Trudge nodded at the people who were chatting and had a good time. "The place is packed with famous Turbo Dueling teams from all over the world and the representative of their sponsors. This is like a gold mine for hardcore criminals to rob. Director Goodwin has assigned three quarters of the officers to watch over the party tonight."

"Then everything will be okay?" Sakura asked.

"Of course, kiddo", Trudge grinned. "Well, I got to go and check my colleagues. Enjoy the party, kids."

The party hall was crowded with teams from different countries, their sponsors, and many reporters and journalists had come to interview them. I recognized one of the teams that came from Spain; Team Unicorn. I heard they were one of the popular teams expecting to win the World Racing Grand Prix. In the back of my head, I was hoping we would Duel them in the finals. I wanted to see what kind of Decks they were going to use, and not just them but everyone else. I wanted to learn more about Dueling.

"This is awesome!" Leo exclaimed in joy as he rushed to the buffet table. "No less from a World Racing Grand Prix Premium Event!"

"Oh, Leo…", Luna sighed in defeat.

"He's always on the run, isn't he?" Sakura asked.

"All the time…", Luna sighed.

"Goodwin sure spent tons of money to make this spectacular", Crow commented as a couple of journalists ran past us, eager to interview Team Mantis. "But it stinks that no one wants to interview our team."

"In all these famous teams' eyes, we're the underdogs", I said.

"Even though, you are the Fortune Cup champion?" Bruno asked. He knew about the Fortune Cup because I told him about it.

"I prefer keeping a low profile because of Iliaster", Sherry spoke up. "But I guess it'll inevitable when someone get curious about Team Royal Knights."

"Then is it okay for you to get interviewed?" Aki asked. "I have a feeling Carly will be here since she's a reporter."

"Did I hear someone say my name?"

Carly took quick steps to us while holding her precious camera. She was dressed in a light blue dress with a three-layered skirt, a bolero that was slightly darker than the dress, and blue heels. She had a special reporter pass resting on her chest, which gave her permission to enter the place. She wasn't wearing her glasses, so I suspected she was using contacts.

"Hey, Carly!" Crow cheered with a chuckle. "So you're here too?"

"Why wouldn't I be here? Everyone's been waiting for this World Racing Grand Prix Premium Event!" Carly grinned like a happy child in a candy store. "Some front-runner teams are here and I'm gonna interview them like crazy! Including you guys, if that's okay."

"Well, we are being sponsored by Bolger & Company, so I guess we could go for some publicity for them", Crow said. "What'd you say, Yusei?"

"I don't mind", I shook my head.

"Great! Then I'll take a group picture of you first!" Carly smiled before her expression changed into confusion. "By the way, where's Jack?"

"He said he was coming later, which doesn't make any sense", Crow replied. "He always wants to get first to a luxurious party-"

"Sorry for keep you waiting!"

We turned around and saw Jack walk up to us with a proud smirk. Unlike me and Crow, he was dressed in the fancy Halloween outfit from last year; not in the Turbo suit we agreed on.

"Jack! Why are you dressed like that?!" Crow exclaimed in shock.

"A King must always have a perfect appearance for parties", Jack replied, the smirk still on his lips. "The costume was still in my wardrobe, so I decided to go for vintage."

"Jack, that's not exactly vintage…", Aki laughed sheepishly.

"There you go again with your own way, Jack! We agreed we would be dressed in the Turbo suits to advertise for our team and get some publicity!" Crow growled irritably.

"But he looks good…", Carly blushed softly.

"He always looks good in your eyes, Carly", Aki pointed out.

"Ohohoho, if it isn't my greatest rival, Izayoi Aki!" a new familiar voice exclaimed.

We turned around and saw Aki's rival, Ran, walk up to us. She wore the same dress she had used on Goodwin's 50th birthday.

"Ran?" Aki blinked confusedly.

"That's correct", Ran nodded.

"What are you doing here, Ran? Aren't you supposed to be in the United States for studying?" Mei wondered.

"Yes, but I got an early leave for the summer vacation so I can participate in the World Racing Grand Prix", Ran explained.

"You're going to Duel too?!" Sakura gasped in disbelief.

"Not this time, unfortunately", Ran shook her head. "I'm the representative of Kobayakawa Inc. who is sponsoring Team Mantis."

"Really?" Leo blinked confusedly.

"Why, yes! How else can we spread the knowledge about insects? They are needed for the ecosystem", Ran explained. "Say… I heard rumors you'll be participating in the tournament, Aki. Is that true?"

"Yes, it's true", Aki nodded before glancing at Sherry. "I'm part of Sherry's team; Team Royal Knights."

"Good evening", Sherry nodded with a poker face as she reached out her hand. "Sherry LeBlanc."

Ran's expression also turned into a poker face before she grabbed the French's hand for a handshake. "Kobayakawa Ran. You've got a powerful Duelist in your team, so you better treat her with respect."

"Don't worry about it", Sherry replied. "Aki's a valuable member of the team."

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Seria's voice echoed from the loudspeakers.

We turned to the stairs where Seria stood at by the bottom of it. She was wearing her Security uniform while holding a microphone.

"It's finally starting", Jack commented.

"Please welcome the host of the Premium Event party; Director of Sector Security Rex Goodwin, his daughter, Estelle Goodwin, and his partner, Ish Kiq Garcia!"

Three silhouettes appeared at the top of the stairs before spotlights shone upon them. Goodwin stood in the middle, dressed in the same tuxedo he used at the release of the movie about Jack last year, but the movie then got removed after the revelation of my foster brother's past. Ish was wearing a brown dress that resembled the ancient Aztec style with red accents on the edges. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun at the bottom of her head.

But my breath got taken away when I saw Estelle. She was dressed in a long and sleek crimson red formal one-shoulder dress with long black opera gloves, and a pair of black heels. The bottom of the dress was a little flowy and had small gold diamond-shape studs. She had her hair tied up in a bun with a gold elastic band, but it looked like she was using hair extensions because there was no way she could make her hair grow out so much in a short amount of time. As for accessories, she had a pair of gold dangle earrings that looked like stars from a distance and mid-lower choker that was gold and had a large ruby gem in the middle with two thin chains wrapped around her neck. Her glasses had been replaced with the ones she wore on Goodwin's birthday.

At the sight of my crush, I was immediately reminded by the nightmare I had last night. It gave me a weird feeling that something might happen tonight. I hoped my gut feeling was just an illusion.

"Everyone, I would like to welcome you all to this Premium Event for the first World Racing Grand Prix", Goodwin spoke up while holding a microphone. "As all of you may know, New Domino City has undergone great changes. Following the opening of the Daedalus Bridge, the boundaries between the city and Satellite have vanished, transforming it into a literal utopia where anyone and everyone can enjoy Dueling. The World Racing Grand Prix, or WRGP for short, is an event which serves as a symbol for the newly reborn New Domino City. A major event that will build bridges to peace for all eternity!"

Everyone clapped to the speech, but I could tell there was more because Goodwin was still holding the microphone.

"Now, let me introduce the man whose company has made it possible for us to Duel and connect bridges to each other; Kaiba Seto and his little brother Kaiba Mokuba!"

The Kaiba brothers joined the Goodwin family while everyone was still applauding. Kaiba was dressed in a white suit with a light blue undershirt, blue tie, a pair of white leather shoes, and the signature belt with the initials KC for KaibaCorp. Mokuba was dressed in a very light beige suit with a black undershirt, a purple tie, and black leather shoes.

Goodwin passed the microphone to Kaiba so he could hold a brief speech. "Thank you, Goodwin. First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who's been supporting KaibaCorp by buying our devices for Dueling. We're always making sure you get the best and latest products, but we are still far from done creating the ultimate Duel Disk and Duel Runner. I may have been absent for more than thirty years, so it was quite the shock to hear what happened eighteen years ago with our beloved city, but thanks to everyone's resilience, you managed to build a bridge to reconnect to each other. And there is someone here who is especially grateful for your hard work… The first King of Games, Muto Yugi, with family!"

"No way?! The legendary Duelist, Muto Yugi, is here too?!" Sakura exclaimed in shock.

"This is perfect! Now I can finally challenge him to a Duel and show everyone I'm the real King!" Jack declared excitedly.

I was stunned to say the least. I didn't expect to meet Yugi again. Was he going to recognize me? It had been more than thirty years for him since we met when we confronted Paradox and stopped him from erasing Duel Monsters, so he might have forgotten about me.

Everyone started clapping again and some wolf-whistled as a middle-aged version of Yugi walked to the balcony, joining the Goodwin and Kaiba families, with a woman in his age holding his arm and a younger version of himself behind him. Yugi was wearing a royal blue suit with a black undershirt that looked similar to the same outfit he wore when we met during the Paradox incident. In addition, he had a blue bowtie and a pair of brown leather shoes.

The woman, who I suspected was his wife, had straight brown hair reaching her shoulders and blue eyes. She was dressed in a long yellow dress and had white opera gloves, and white heels. The "other" Yugi was obviously their son because he had the same hairstyle as his father, but the black part was brown and his eyes were blue which were inherited from the mother.

Kaiba passed the microphone to Yugi who accepted it with a soft nod while the clapping died down. "Thank you, everyone. It feels weird to be back to New Domino City to be part of a piece of new history. It pained my heart when I heard the city had split into two and inequality separated New Domino and Satellite."

Was it just me or did Yugi just glance at me?

"But thanks to many people with big hearts, the inequality's been erased and we can live once again as one", Yugi smiled. "One last piece of advice to every Duelist in this party hall and everyone else in the world; believe in the heart of the cards and they will respond to you."

Everyone clapped again at the last speech before the room got dark and holographic screens popped up everywhere with the MC on them.

"Now then, I'm taking this opportunity to give a summary of the first World Racing Grand Prix!" the MC announced before a holographic blue-print of the new Duel lanes scattered across the city appeared above us. "The course will be the circling course in New Domino City's suburbs. The course is ever-changing! In less than a month, a series of hot Duels will unfold on this varied course in the final round by the Turbo Dueling teams that have cleared the local preliminary rounds! And the highlight of all this will be the three-man team Endurance Turbo Duel!"

XXXXXXXXXX – Estelle's POV

I was eager to introduce Yugi to Yusei and our friends. He actually recognized me when we met in the VIP waiting room before our entrance. I was surprised that he remembered me after such a long time. He said it was impossible to forget me, Yusei, and Judai, and the whole Paradox incident.

While the MC was doing his part of the introduction, I linked arms with Yugi's twenty-four year old son, Muto Henri, before we walked down the stairs, following Goodwin and Ish, Seto, Mokuba, and Yugi and Anzu. Once the details of the final course in the World Racing Grand Prix were told, the party was on.

Many reporters hurried to interview Goodwin, Seto, and Yugi, but I managed to "save" the Muto family from the mobs and escorted them to my friends. My dress had a left slit that slightly exposed my left leg, which made me feel both a little embarrassed and sexy, but what people didn't know was I had a tazer strapped on my thigh above my knee. There was a chance that thug, Dobocle, was going to make an entrance or someone else would be a party crasher, so it was better to be prepared than not.

"Hi, guys", I waved my hand to my friends.

"Hi, Estelle!" Crow waved his hand. "You look great!"

"Thank you", I smiled softly. "You and Yusei look so cool in your new riding suits."

"Of course we do!" Crow grinned. "Setsuko's a wizard with sewing!"

"I'll let Mom know", Aki giggled with a smile.

I giggled softly before I raised my hand at the Muto family. "Everyone, this is Muto Yugi, his wife Anzu, and their son Henri."

"Nice to meet you all", Yugi smiled. "And nice to see you again, Yusei."

"You remember me?" Yusei said in disbelief.

"Of course I do", Yugi chuckled. "How can I forget the Duel we had against Paradox when we saved the existence of Duel Monsters?"

"So this is one of the boys you told me about, Yugi?" Anzu asked.

"Yes, Anzu", Yugi nodded with a warm smile to his wife. "It feels weird to see you again like this, Yusei."

"It sure does", Yusei chuckled. "Last time we met, we were about the same age-"

Jack stepped in between his foster brother and the first King of Games. "Muto Yugi! I'm Jack Atlas, a former King of Games, and I challenge you to a Duel!"

"Jack, don't interrupt them!" Aki scolded him.

"Yeah, we know it's been your dream to Duel Yugi, but don't be so impolite!" Crow added.

Yugi chuckled softly. "It's okay, guys. I'm used to it because of our friends, and I'd like to accept your challenge, Jack, but I don't Duel anymore."

"Much to Kaiba's disappointment…", Anzu added sarcastically.

I couldn't help but giggle in agreement. Seto got so shocked when he heard Yugi had retired from Dueling. He said they still had a score to settle, but he moved on after venting out his anger with the work at KaibaCorp.

"You're no longer Dueling, sir?" Mei asked in slight surprise.

"No, I retried years ago", Yugi shook his head before turning to Henri. "I passed my Deck over to Henri if you want to Duel each other."

"I'm up for it", Henri nodded with his father's smile. "I've learned a lot from Dad and I modified the Deck with some new exclusive cards I got from Industrial Illusions, so I think I can live up to everyone's expectations as a father's son."

"Henri, we'll always be proud of you whether you win or lose", Anzu smiled motherly.

"I know, Mom", Henri smiled. "So, when would you like to Duel, Jack?"

"As much as I'd love to Duel right away, my team has to prepare for the World Racing Grand Prix, so name a time and place after the tournament and I'll be there with my Phoenix Whirlwind!" Jack replied.

"You want a Turbo Duel?" Henri asked.

"Yes!" Jack nodded.

"Jack, did it even cross your mind that Henri might not have a Duel Runner?" Carly said.

Jack froze for a second when he heard that, but he quickly got over it. "Ground or Turbo; I don't care as long as I get to Duel one of the legendary Decks!"

"He sure is determined…", Bruno commented in the background.

"This is so cool!" Leo exclaimed with shiny eyes. "I'll get to see Muto Yugi's Deck in a real life Duel!"

"As much as I find this entertaining, I have to return to my team", Ran said. "I cannot leave them for long as the representative of their sponsorship. I'll see you later, Aki."

"You too, Ran", Aki nodded.

Before Ran left, she turned to Sherry. "And you better treat her well, Sherry, or else", she warned.

"I always keep my word", Sherry replied with another glare. "I'll look forward challenging Team Mantis."

"I'll pass your word to them", Ran nodded. "Who knows; you might meet them in the preliminary rounds. So long, everyone!"

XXXXXXXXXX – Normal POV

The Three Pure Nobles were sitting on their thrones in the mystery room with the Circuit, except the incomplete Grand Design had been replaced by a window that showed them the World Racing Grand Prix Premium Event party with the Signers and their friends.

"Look at them! They're all so calm and relaxed they're not suspecting we might have something up on our sleeves", Lester grinned maliciously.

"Well, for this event, we have nothing to cause havoc and force them to Turbo Duel", Jakob responded. "Let them have their fun before the storm."

"I wouldn't speak so soon, Jakob", Primo commented.

"What do you mean, Primo?" Jakob responded.

The window showed a close-up of Estelle of how she giggled at something while Yusei was staring lovingly at her in the background.

"The bond between the Priestess and Fudo Yusei is as visible as a clear sky", Primo stated.

"We already know that, Primo-", Lester said.

"But what if we force them apart so Yusei won't be able to concentrate on the tournament?" Primo continued.

"Primo, whatever plans you have, we have our orders", Jakob said with a warning tone.

"Yes, but nobody said we could come up with our own plans to accelerate the complementation of the Circuit", Primo chuckled evilly.

Jakob grew silent for a second to comprehend the second Pure Noble's words. "Your last plan that you've yet commenced is too barbarous, so I suspect this new idea of yours is the same."

"You hurt my feelings, Jakob", Primo commented sarcastically before a dark expression swept over his face. "This one is even better than my big project."

XXXXXXXXXX

I bet no one expected to see the Kaiba brothers and the Muto family, so a big surprise to you!

I named Yugi and Anzu's son Henri (Japanese version of Henry), which was inspired by Henry Tudor which is an alter ego of Yami Yugi in the video game "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Duelist of the Roses".