This is the last chapter of Arc 4! And a heads up to you guys; I'm going to take a break from the writing and revise the chapters of Arc 3 and Arc 4 because I need to change some things. It's highly possible I might remove some chapters permanently, but that's still a question mark at this point.

Thank you for understanding and enjoy this chapter, and the audiobook version of CSP that you can find on my YouTube channel! Your support means a lot to me! I wouldn't have been able to make it this far without you, guys! You're amazing!

Special thanks to CitrusUnshiu for helping me out with this chapter!

Estelle's training outfit can be found on DeviantArt.

The chapter begins in Sherry's point of view.

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

Chapter 76: The Question of the Card

After what happened at the World Racing Grand Prix party, I was more determined than ever to find out about Iliaster and their plans. So, throughout the whole week after the party, Mizoguchi and I went out late at night to confront the companies that Papa used to be associated with through his company before it was taken away by the rival company.

I was determined to find the answers to all of my questions, especially the card Papa had entrusted to me before his death.

Z-ONE.

What was the purpose of this Spell card? Why did Papa want me to protect it? What secrets did it hide from me?

Mizoguchi and I snuck into the next company on my list to collect information, but alas. No one knew anything. The boss confessed he had been ordered by someone to find me and get the card from me, but he didn't know anything else. He didn't even have any data about Iliaster stored on his computer.

"I knew it", I sighed while staring at the pile of unconscious people in the boss' room. "These people don't know anything. It looks like we'll have to analyze the card ourselves."

"Analyze?" Mizoguchi repeated. "But such machine does not exist."

"There is. Just one place in this city can do it", I explained before looking outside at the tower of Sector Security. "A place where a super computer can analyze anything."

"Sector Security…", Mizoguchi figured it out. "Are you serious?"

"Yes", I nodded. "I originally thought about infiltrating Sector Security to get to the Main Computer if we didn't find any clues from the useless companies, but now…"

"You are affiliated to people connected to Director Goodwin and his daughter, so it would look bad for you to break in and do things your way", Mizoguchi pointed out.

He was right. Infiltrating Sector Security would be a huge risk, especially if I get caught. It could cost my team getting kicked out of the Grand Prix. If I hadn't gotten close to Aki, things might have been a lot easier to deal with.

I guess I shot myself in the foot. I was used to be alone with only Mizoguchi by my side, but now… I guess some things can unexpectedly change when you meet new people.

I sighed softly in defeat. What should I do now?

XXXXXXXXXX – Aki's POV

Mei, Sakura, and I met up with Sherry and Mizoguchi by Duel Academy's Turbo course to practice for the preliminaries of the World Racing Grand Prix. It was actually hard to rent the private course nowadays because every Turbo team that was going to participate in the Grand Prix was desperate to practice.

After what happened at the party last week, the official practice week of the Grand Prix was postponed for up to two weeks because many Duelists got injured and they needed some time to heal. The majority of them only got bruises and minor injuries, but some weren't so lucky.

Today was a Sunday, so many teams had rented the Duel Academy course to practice for an hour each, and so we had to make the best of it before the next team arrived.

We were able to practice with a Duel Drone that was programmed to be our opponent. From what I heard, the Duel Drone used to be a tool for Sector Security to chase after criminal Turbo Duelists, but now KaibaCorp had taken the next step to make Duel Drones a practice tool that a single Turbo Duelist could use if they didn't have a partner. It was something they developed shortly after the first announcement of the World Racing Grand Prix last year.

At the moment, Mizoguchi was on the course Turbo Dueling the Duel Drone. Mei and Sakura sat by a stand that had been set up by Duel Academy and had their concentration on the laptops in front of them. Sherry was instructing them of what to check if the data coming from the Duel Runners was correct or wrong. If there was even a small sign of error, the girls had to inform the Turbo Duelist to head to the pit to quickly fix it before heading out to the course again.

I made sure to take mental notes so I could help out as well. All those sessions with Yusei and Sherry of how to maintain a Duel Runner and its data had helped me immensely. I couldn't let the team down because of my incompetence.

"-ki? Aki!"

I snapped out of my thoughts, blinking my eyes before looking up to see Sherry was standing in front of me.

"Are you okay? You looked like you were in a trance", the blonde woman said concernedly.

"I-I'm okay!" I nodded with a blush before I took a step back, surprised that I didn't notice Sherry had walked over to me.

"If you say so", Sherry shrugged. "Say, Aki… Do you have some time after our practice run?"

"Eh…? Yeah, I do", I nodded while raising an eyebrow. "Why are you asking?"

Sherry hesitated for a moment while having an expression that clearly said she was debating about something. "I'll explain that after training. It's a…sensitive topic."

XXXXXXXXXX

After the practice hour, Mei, Sakura, and Mizoguchi left while Sherry and I drove to my place to talk about the issue. I first went to my bedroom to drop my duffel bag with my riding suit before I led the blonde to the garden so we wouldn't have any ears eavesdropping on us. We sat down on the same garden bench where Sherry proposed to me to join her team after I got my license.

"So… What's going on, Sherry?" I asked softly.

Sherry didn't respond until ten seconds later. "Do you remember what I asked Estelle and Yusei when we met for the first time?"

"Yeah, you asked them what they Duel for", I nodded.

"Yes, because we all Duel for a reason", Sherry nodded before she clenched her hands into fists. "And my reason…is still vengeance."

I got a little sad, remembering her story. She was chasing Iliaster who was responsible of the LeBlanc's massacre. I couldn't imagine what she saw and experienced when she found her parents dead in their own cold blood. She was such a strong woman to go through everything she had to deal with while growing up. I couldn't help but place a hand on top of her left fist to give her some comfort.

"For a long time, neither Mizoguchi nor I had any idea why Iliaster was after us", Sherry continued. "But a couple of years later, we randomly found something that could be the reason why Iliaster is so desperate for me."

I removed my hand when I felt she wanted to move her fist. She picked up a card from the pocket of her pants and showed it to me. I gently took it from her to get a closer look. It was a Spell card called Z-ONE.

"I've never seen or heard about this card before", I spoke up.

"This card was hidden in the teddy bear my father gave me before Iliaster attacked our home", Sherry explained before taking the card back. "I know there is a reason why Father wanted me to protect it. Several people have been chasing me and Mizoguchi for it, but all they're saying is they have been ordered by someone to go get it. And I suspect that someone is the head of Iliaster."

Iliaster did all those terrible things to Sherry and her family…because of a card? How cruel can they be?! Then again, Iliaster have been targeting us Signers and Priestess a couple of times now with their Riding Roids and Lazar had helped them out before he went missing.

"That explains why you're after Iliaster…", I mumbled softly.

"My hypothesis is that it has something to do with Iliaster. That's why I need to analyze the card so that I know what is beneath the surface of it", Sherry explained, looking determinedly at the card.

I nodded, understanding the reason why Sherry wanted to participate in the World Racing Grand Prix more. "I understand. I can talk to Estelle, so that she can help you access Sector Security's Main Computer", I said before wrapping an arm around Sherry's shoulders, giving her a slight hug. "I know you'll get to the bottom of this mystery one day. Don't give up."

Sherry stared at me for a second before she smiled softly, looking warmly at me. "Thank you, Aki. It means a lot to me", she said gently.

Her smile and soft voice made my heart skip a beat, while a warm feeling spread in my stomach. Was this the so-called butterflies in one's stomach?

Not thinking much about this warm feeling, I returned the smile. "You're welcome, Sherry."

XXXXXXXXXX – Estelle's POV

"Yaah!"

"Arrgh!"

Yusei and I clashed our wooden swords against each other before fighting hard to push the other one back. When I felt the numbness in my arms, I jumped back and got into a pose. Yusei did the same as we carefully eyed each other's moves.

We were currently training on the Duel field on Goodwin's property. After the incident at the party, the practice week for the Turbo teams was postponed for up to two weeks since many Turbo Duelists got injured by Dobocle and Armstrong's antics. One week had already passed, so everyone was getting excited to try out the new courses.

And what happened to the party crashers and Hironori? Well, Armstrong and Dobocle were sent to the Facility because of their misdemeanor. Hironori, however, lost his company that got taken away by Seto before getting thrown into a prison overseas for the multiple attempts of kidnapping me. So, adios, Hironori Ryou!

Bruno sat on a bench watching me and Yusei practice. The weather had gotten warmer, so I was dressed in black sporty tank top, dark blue elasticated shorts, black sporty leggings that stopped above my knees, and royal blue trainers. Both my hands were wrapped in bandage so I wouldn't get blisters afterward. Yusei had dumped his jacket and gloves, so his arms were bare, which was first a small distraction for me before I snapped out of it, and a pair of soot-brown pants that reached down to his knees. His hands were bandaged as well.

I watched Yusei's movement as we circled each other. His eyes had the same deep glance whenever he worked on Duel Runners. He was analyzing me, trying to predict my next move. I thought I should try tricking him, so I took a small step forward with my right foot.

Yusei's body got stiff for a second before he ran towards me. I tightened my grip on my sword as I waited for him to get closer. He raised his sword before slashing it toward me. I used my right foot to push myself to the side, causing Yusei to hit the ground instead.

I rapidly swirled around and pushed Yusei down on his stomach with my body weight. He grunted by the impact, but froze when I poked the back of his neck with my wooden sword. I got up on one knee while using the other to keep him down.

"Surrender?" I asked in a serious voice that I only used when I fought my enemies.

Yusei's body relaxed before he exhaled deeply through his mouth. "Surrender."

I switched back to my usual self and got off Yusei before holding out a hand. He pushed himself up on all four at first before taking my hand. I pulled him up on his feet just as Bruno walked over to us with two water bottles.

"Great work, you two", he smiled as he gave us the bottles.

"Thanks, Bruno, but Estelle won this time", Yusei chuckled softly as he took his bottle.

"You almost had me a few times, Yusei, so you're not that bad", I told him before I took a sip of my bottle.

"You're certainly getting better, Estelle", Bruno commented. "But I didn't expect you to know some moves too, Yusei."

"I learned that from Kalin back in the days when Jack, Crow, and I were in the Enforcers", Yusei explained. "In the old Satellite, there was one certain rule out on the streets, especially among the Duelists; only the strong ones will survive and the weak ones will fail."

"That explains your good physique", I commented softly while trying not to blush.

I cast a side glance and saw Yusei's cheeks had turned into a soft shade of red. Did he like my compliment or did he think I was flirting? I wasn't my intention to flirt; I just wanted to point out my perspective.

Okay, maybe I was flirting…

"Thank you", Yusei replied with a smile.

Bruno looked to the side and raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that Aki?"

We turned to the road and spotted a familiar burgundy-colored Runner driving toward us. I quickly realized it really was Aki.

"Aki? I wasn't expecting her today", I said out loud.

"I thought she said she was going to train today with Sherry and the others", Yusei pointed out.

"Maybe they're already done?" Bruno suggested.

Aki parked next to us before giving us a wave. "Hi, guys!"

"Hi, Aki", Yusei nodded.

"What brings you here, Aki?" I wondered.

Aki removed her helmet and gently shook her head to fix her hair. "I need to talk to you about something important, Estelle."

"Okay…?" I mumbled confusedly.

I led Aki to the garden while leaving Yusei and Bruno. I could tell the girl wanted to tell me something extremely important, but I couldn't figure out what it was. There were no scenes in the anime that showed Aki in a situation, besides the episode in which she got her license. In retrospect, she barely got any episodes in which she was the heroine of the day. That was a poorly written manuscript by the writers. Shame on them!

"What do you need to talk about, Aki?" I asked after we sat down on a bench.

"It's about Sherry", Aki spoke up.

"Sherry?" I blinked in surprise.

Aki nodded, "She told me her past of why she's been chased by Iliaster ever since they killed her family. It's because…of a card she indirectly got from her father."

A card… So Sherry must have showed the Z-ONE card to Aki.

"She believes the card is the reason why Iliaster is chasing her", Aki continued. "She's desperate to find out its secret, but she doesn't know what to do now. So…" She played with her hands while they rested on her lap. "Do you think you can help her out? You've got the Main Computer in Sector Security that can analyze cards, right?"

"Yes, we're able to do that", I replied, rubbing my chin while thinking hard. "I do have plans to meet up with Yusei and Bruno on Wednesday to once again check if the Main Computer has any information about Bruno at all. I can squeeze her in if she has time on Wednesday."

"Thank you, Estelle", Aki smiled. "I'll let her know as soon as I call her."

"No problem, Aki", I nodded before a thought struck me. "Wait… Didn't I give her my calling card before? She could've contacted me directly."

"Well…", Aki shifted on the bench. "She told me she didn't trust you back then, so she ripped the calling card apart."

"Ah… That's reasonable", I nodded with a sheepish smile.

If I remembered correctly, in the anime run, Sherry and Mizoguchi infiltrated Sector Security and threatened to blow up the Headquarters with a bomb, which ended up being a fake threat. They used the threat to evacuate everyone from the building to have no eyes and ears around them so they could use the Main Computer to scan the Spell card.

Wasn't it also the time Yusei saw Z-one for the first time? My memories were getting a little hazy after being in this world for more than a year because I've been filling my memory chest with new moments and experience.

XXXXXXXXXX

Yusei and Bruno had no problems with Sherry joining us for the Main Computer when I told them she was possibly going to show up for business matter. Aki called me the next day, saying Sherry will make an appearance on the date. Aki couldn't show up because she still had school.

Because of the additional person, I had to inform Goodwin about the change. Plans that were related to the Main Computer always had to be reported to the Director. Goodwin allowed it, since he trusted my judgment.

Bruno and I arrived first to Sector Security ten minutes before the time. Because I was technically on duty, I was dressed in my Security uniform. Yusei arrived five minutes later and then Sherry and Mizoguchi joined us just two minutes after him.

"Hi, Sherry, Mizoguchi", Yusei greeted.

"Hello", Sherry nodded.

Mizoguchi nodded silently as greeting.

"How are you guys?" Bruno asked.

"We're doing well", Sherry replied. "We've been practicing for the World Racing Grand Prix with Aki whenever she's done with her classes."

"I'm looking forward to Turbo Duel you three on the course", Yusei commented.

"Same to you, Yusei", Sherry smirked.

"Mizoguchi, I'm afraid you'll have to stay and wait until we're done", I told him.

"I understand", Mizoguchi nodded. "Look after Milady for me."

With that said, my group walked to the elevators and waited for one to reach the floor. Once one arrived, we stepped inside, but two more officers wanted to get in too.

"I'm sorry, but take the next elevator", I told them before I held up a certain card key.

The officers saw the card key and respectfully backed away, knowing where we were about to go. The doors to the elevator closed before I turned to the panel.

"What's that card?" Yusei wondered.

"It's a card key that you have to scan by the panel here to get down to the Computer Room", I explained as I held the card key in front of a scanner. "Only a few people have copies of it and only lend them out to the ones they trust."

The scanner beeped in a green light, showing it had approved the access. The elevator started moving down while the panel showed which floors we had passed. The Main Computer was quite big, so it was going to take a few minutes.

The elevator stopped by the final floor and opened the doors. We stepped outside into the large room that was connected to the Computer Room. I led my friends to a locked door, which I unlocked with the same card key. As soon as the doors opened, we walked through the tunnel before we made it to the super computer.

I had been down here only three times and I always got fascinated by the large construction. It is said the Main Computer was one of a kind and no other police departments in the whole world had their own super computer like this one.

"Let's start with Bruno first and then Sherry's card", I suggested.

"Fair enough", Sherry nodded. "You had plans to identify your friend first."

I showed Bruno to place his hand on a scanner that could scan fingerprints and take a tiny sample of blood. While he stayed frozen by the scanner, I typed on the keyboard of the Main Computer to make sure the process would go smoothly. I knew this was going to be fruitless since Bruno originally came from the future and he was an android sent by Z-one.

I sighed in defeat when the screen showed there was no file of Bruno. "You can remove your hand now, Bruno."

Bruno did as I told him before he massaged his hand. "Did you find something?"

"Nothing…", I shook my head.

"Nothing…?" Bruno sighed sadly before looking at his hands. "And my memories haven't come back yet… Who am I? What happened to me? Is someone waiting for me?"

"Don't worry, Bruno", Yusei spoke up. "The most important thing is not to rush yourself. I'm sure your memories will return sooner or later."

"I hope so too", Bruno nodded with sad eyes.

"It's unfortunate you couldn't find the answers to your questions now, Bruno", Sherry said before she walked past Bruno with the Z-ONE card in her hand. "Let's hope the Main Computer can give me the answers I've been looking for in more than a decade."

I accepted the card and placed it in a scanner that was specific for all kinds of cards; Duel Monsters, credit cards, identity document cards, etc. I activated the scanner and typed the keyboard as I scanned the card ten times. Each time, the Main Computer said the same thing; Z-ONE was a Duel Monsters card with the same effects that I had read on it, and nothing else. It couldn't figure out the card was the key for a certain machine, which was a bit strange.

"The Main Computer says it's just an ordinary Duel Monsters card", I said.

"That's a lie! This analysis is wrong!" Sherry exclaimed in frustration before she grabbed the card. "It must have something hidden or else Iliaster wouldn't be looking for it!"

Before we knew it, the Z-ONE card emitted a bright light that engulfed me and Sherry. I shielded my eyes from the light as I heard Yusei and Bruno's cries behind us. They sounded close yet so far away.

XXXXXXXXXX – Normal POV

The four young adults opened their eyes when they felt the light had faded away. To their surprise, they were no longer by the Main Computer. They were in a weird special dimension where everything was white, yet it didn't blind their eyes.

"Where is this?" Yusei asked, his voice echoing in the nothingness.

"I don't know", Bruno shook his head.

Sherry looked at the Z-ONE card. "We were supposed to be in the Computer Room… Could it be…the card brought us here?"

Estelle looked around with a worried expression. She knew where they were. This was the dimension…where he was waiting for the certain day to arrive. She turned around and gasped loudly in surprise, getting the others' attention.

"What's wrong, Estelle?" Yusei asked.

"Look…", Estelle whispered as she pointed at something.

The trio turned around and saw the same thing the brunette had just spotted. A white comma-shaped machine was hovering far away from them so they couldn't see any details.

"What is that?" Yusei wondered.

Straight after that, the four humans felt a harsh headache that forced them to cry out in pain. What none of them realized was the machine was scanning them, but its main target was Yusei. Once it was done, the four people lost consciousness and collapsed on the flat surface.

"You have already seen too much…", a deep baritone voice echoed from the machine. "Go back…and fulfill your duty so the future can be changed for the good."

XXXXXXXXXX – Estelle's POV

"-stelle! Estelle! Wake up!"

Ugh… My head was still throbbing in pain. Who was calling my name?

I slowly opened my eyes and was greeted by Mina's worried expression. "M-Mina…?"

"You're awake!" Mina sighed in relief. "Thank goodness you're all okay!"

I slowly pushed myself up on my backside and rubbed my head. I could still feel the remnants of the headache and now I was getting groggy. I could hear several voices in the background and running footsteps, so I assumed there was a group of officers here to check if everything was okay in the Computer Room.

"What happened…?" I mumbled exhaustedly.

"That's what we're wondering, woman!" Trudge grumbled as he walked over to us. "Mizoguchi got worried about you guys when you were down here way longer than supposed to, so we hurried to see what was going on when, all of the sudden, a huge storm appeared above the building!"

I rubbed my forehead as I tried remembering what just happened. We analyzed the Z-ONE card before we were teleported to the dimension where he was and he did something to us that forced us to lose consciousness…

My eyes widened in realization. "How are Yusei, Bruno, and Sherry? Are they safe?"

"We're fine, Estelle", Yusei's voice called.

I looked to my right and sighed in relief at the sight of Yusei and Bruno being awake, but Sherry was still unconscious and was resting in Mizoguchi's arms. I got help by Mina to stand up before hurrying to my friends. "Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah, except my head still hurts like I've got run over by a train…", Bruno replied while rubbing the back of his head.

"How are you, Estelle?" Yusei wondered.

"Okay, but exhausted", I nodded before looking at the French blonde. "How is she?"

"Milady appears to be unharmed", Mizoguchi responded. "Whatever happened here must have caused her to lose consciousness."

"And that's what I want to know", Goodwin's voice spoke up.

I turned around and saw my adoptive father walk up to me with Seria behind him. Goodwin had a nonchalant expression, but I could tell by his aura he demanded answers for breaching the agreement we made.

"Goodwin…", I mumbled nervously.

"I want a full report of what happened here from you tomorrow, so go home and get some rest, Estelle", Goodwin said in his Director voice.

"Yes, Director", I saluted tiredly.

XXXXXXXXXX

Yusei, Bruno, Mizoguchi with Sherry in his arms, and I were escorted up to the ground floor and walked outside to go home. The sun was starting to set, so we had been down by the Main Computer for a long time.

"Are you able to bring Sherry back to your place?" I asked Mizoguchi.

"Yes", he nodded. "I'll call for a cab, so we'll fetch our Duel Runners tomorrow."

"I'll let the others know to look after the Runners", I nodded.

Mizoguchi nodded in return before he walked away, leaving me alone with the young men.

"I'm still confused…", Yusei spoke up. "Just what was it that we saw inside that light?"

"I don't know", Bruno responded. "But it could be that it allowed us to escape."

"'It'?" Yusei repeated before his eyes widened in realization. "If the card Sherry has is connected to Iliaster… Could it be that thing might also have something to do with Iliaster?"

I hesitated for a second, wondering whether I should confirm Yusei's suspicions or not. Maybe it was best for him to know some of the truth.

"Yes, it is", I nodded.

Both Yusei and Bruno turned their heads to look at me. "Are you serious, Estelle?" Yusei asked.

"That thing is with Iliaster?" Bruno asked.

I nodded slowly. "Yes… And we might see it again…depending on what happens during the World Racing Grand Prix."

"What do you mean it might appear again?" Yusei asked concernedly. "Is it going to ruin the Grand Prix?"

"No…", I shook my head. "But I'm afraid we have to wait and see what will happen in the future."

Everything was going to be determined at the Grand Prix and the other events that could contribute Ener-D to complete the Grand Design and bring the Ark Cradle to this era.

Whatever that was going to happen from now on… We had to face it.

For the sake of this world.

For the world's future.