Aknamkanon called O'Shay's number and asked how Yugi was settling in. "As well as can be expected. He's been introduced to Astro, but the boy seems depressed. He must want to go home," the scientist stated. "He has been keeping up with his studies, but his heart's just not in it. Mahaad's explained some of what's happened, but can you tell me about the energy pulse that Astro picked up coming from Yugi's wristbands?"

Aknamkanon nodded, "That energy pulse is from the transphasic energy that's been infused into the metal of the band. Yugi needs said energy to survive until an alternative can be found."

"Go on. Why would such a young child need this type of energy to survive?"

Aknamkanon sighed, "Yugi was injected with nanites when he was five. His kidnappers used him as a test subject when they abducted him from my office. I nearly lost my baby boy during the ordeal. Can you send Yugi in so that I can talk to him?"

O'Shay nodded, "Of course."

LINE

Yugi walked into the view of the screen, "PAPA!" He started crying, "I wanna go home! Papa, please take me home."

The man was at a loss for words. His seven-year-old, was sobbing his little heart out. "Oh, Yugi. Settle down. You can come home within a few days. But I have to take care of a few things first."

The boy sniffled and wiped his eyes. "Okay Papa."

"Yugi, my friend said that you've met Astro. What do you think of him?"

"He's okay. Astro helped me with my studies like Mana does back at Grandpa's. But he takes off a lot. Why do you ask, Papa," Yugi questioned.

Aknamkanon smiled at his son, "Because I had modeled Mana after him. Astro is like your Kuriboh and Mana."

Yugi smiled, "Oh-h-h-h."

"You be a good boy, Yugi," his father stated. "I'll bring you some presents and we'll stop to eat anywhere you want on the way home. Sound like a deal?"

Yugi beamed, "Oh Yeah! Thank you Papa. I love you."

"I love you too, son. I'll see you in a few days."

LINE

At dinner, Yugi was in a better mood, eating a bit more than he had earlier. When NORA sat the 'sludge' in front of him, Yugi grimaced a bit. He didn't notice Astro observing his actions as he took a deep breath in and plugged his nose, chugging the shake before the taste could set in. "Yuck," Yugi complained. "Even after two years, that stuff is still nasty!"

"Then why drink it," Astro questioned as Yugi downed his juice.

Taking a breath, Yugi shrugged, "Because my doctors say that it'll keep me from getting sick. I have to drink that stuff every day at dinner time. I tried to skip it once, but I felt sick the next day and my doctors had to talk to me about skipping medicines like that. I wish that I didn't have to drink the Sludge and take all my medicines any more."

"Oh."

"Mana, my nursemaid, makes it at home for me. She watches to make sure that I drink it all and then rewards me with her homemade chocolate cake. I miss that." Yugi sighed.

Astro had an idea, "Say, Yugi, do you want to hang out with me at my house tomorrow? We can play some games or something."

"Okay," Yugi smiled, "I'll ask Dr. O'Shay first."

LINE

Yugi was dropped off at Astro's house the next day. "Now, just call when you want to leave and I'll pick you up," O'Shay told him as he exited the hover-car.

"Okay," Yugi nodded. "I will. Thank you doctor."

Astro led Yugi inside the house. The small boy had barely shut the door when a pink and black blur ran into him. "ZORON! You don't greet guests like that," Astro scolded the object. He turned to Yugi, "Are you alright?"

Yugi nodded, "Yeah, but what hit me?"

"That was my sister, Zoron," the robot huffed. "Dr. O'Shay made her a few years ago."

"I'm right here, Astro," the robotic girl huffed. "I can hear you and I can speak for myself you know. Hi, I'm Zoron. What's your name? Will you be my new friend? How old are you?"

Yugi paled at the onslaught of questions, "I'm Yugi and I'm seven."

Yugi and Astro hid in his room until the doctor came to take him home.