I DO NOT OWN YU-GI-OH! GX, 5D'S, NOR THE CARD GAME.

Yusei stands there, perplexed how Judai actually wanted the coin flip to return his own monsters back to his hand rather than to take out his field. But, it doesn't matter as much anymore now. This was getting very interesting as Judai stands before him, having a different kind of hue for his pupils, baring a resemblance to the spirit he saw earlier, with a toothy grin on his face as he proudly held the two cards in hand, which one contains Elemental Hero Stratos that was returned earlier.

JUDAI 700LP YUSEI 1400LP

The brown top's field was clear, but Yusei's field had two Doppel tokens (400ATK) and Speed Warrior (900ATK/400DEF) laid out in Defense Mode, as his Junk Warrior stood proudly, gaining the ATK of the other three monsters (2300ATK 3900ATK). A tint of a golden glow envelopes Judai's deck in his disk, catching Yusei's eye. Judai's grin only widened as a card sticks out.

"When the Equip Spell, Instant Neo Space, is ever removed from the field, I can select and Special Summon out Elemental Hero Neos," he smirked as he twirled the drawn card around, revealing it to be his ace. Yusei furrows his brow whilst Judai slap down the card onto his deck. The form of some sort of alien humanoid makes his entrance, tightening its fists where they glow in light. The white creature had a kind of spike on its head that matches with the ones on his forearms. It flexes its arms in its chest as it then strikes a mighty pose. (2500ATK/2000DEF)

It's his ace monster, Elemental Hero Neos, Yusei noted. Evidently, the card works with Fusion so he must have some sort of Fusion card in his hand or to do that Contact Fusion he performed earlier.

"I throw a facedown, and end my turn!" the brunette declared.

Yusei gasps under his breath. "What?" he murmurs to himself, drawing his next card from deck. A fit of tension becomes over Yusei, staring at the field separating the two men. Again, Judai took Yusei by surprise again. He was making moves that didn't make sense and then springs them into action later. Yusei is known to study the field very well, calculating as fast as he can to link any combinations in his mind. For now, he decides to be take the cautious route and not attack. "I'm gonna switch my Doppel tokens into Defense—"

The orange and green tint in Judai's eyes suddenly began to glow once again. You know what to do now, Judai, the female voice told the teen in his head. With a nod, he takes one of the cards in his hand. "I play my Quick-play Spell! Super Polymerization!" Yusei's eyes sprint open. His opponent discards the Stratos in his hand as he explains, "I discard one card from my hand and play out this card's effect, letting me perform Fusion with any materials out on the field." The man feels a lump clutching in his throat. His Junk Warrior takes mutiny, jumping into the air as Judai's Neos also collides with it as their forms spin, morphing together as bolts of lightning shoot out from the whirling mass. The duelist grits his death as a new form flexes out. It carried a massive shield and a double-edged sword, carrying resemblances mainly of Elemental Hero Neos, but still a different monster. Yusei knows this Neos Fusion. It's the same one he used during the duel with Paradox.

The glowing tint disappears from his eyes, revealing his chocolate colors again as he smiles. "Elemental Hero Neos Knight!" (2500ATK/1000DEF)

Yusei was still in shock. He has never heard of a Fusion Summon during the opponent's turn, not even of this Super Polymerization's existence. Judai Yuki was able to fuse his own ace with the Synchro Monster Yusei trusted in.

Then, it hit him. His eyes widen as he looks up at Neos Knight.

Is this my alternative Synchro solution? The man that confronted me, claiming I've yet to obtain Accel Synchro that would be able to take down Meklord Emperor Wisel. That machine swallows Synchros whole, completely obliterating the opponent. But, what if this can stand a chance? Yusei thought as he began to feel the warm sensation of hope. Am I able to use Fusion Summon as an alternate solution?

A whistle breaks Yusei's contemplation, shaking him back into reality. Judai was pouting, crossing his arms. "Sorry, you kinda bugged out." Yusei shook his head, smiling. "No, I'm sorry." Judai crosses his arms behind his head, smiling brightly, "Doubt you were thinking of a way to take this Knight down, I'm sure!" Yusei smiles at the corner of his mouth. "No, Judai, you just gave me a really good use of help for me to use when I return to my timeline." The brunette's expression softens.

He was of help for Yusei?

Judai was trailing the world, seeing if he could help anyone at all while exploring new parts of the world, expanding his horizons as far as the eye can see. Knowing he was of help for Yusei, for whatever reason he has in his era, it made the boy feel good. Really good. His child-like smile began to change into a wider one, a genuine smile.

But now's not the time to think on that. He shakes his head out of the daydream, remembering that he now has his trump card out. "Well, I can't help ya out of this sticky situation now, can I? Your Junk Warrior was used as Fusion Material for my Neos Knight," he points out. Yusei almost forgot the ability his Knight now carries. Judai, as if he just read Yusei's mind, nodded ecstatically. "Yup, he gains half of the ATK of the Warrior-Type monster that was used for the Fusion. Your Junk Warrior was thirty-nine thousand so my Elemental Hero gains the bonus of.." he trails off as he tries to calculate the math in his head.

Yusei gulps down the big lump in his throat. "Nineteen fifty."

4450ATK

Judai shouts in victory, pumping his fist into the air. "Oh, yeah! And don't forget, he can attack twice per turn! But, luckily for you, you don't take any Battle Damage." Yusei would feel more at ease since the Fusion Summon was performed during his own turn so he can create some defense. However, Yusei's hand only contains of two Spell Cards which wouldn't help him at all, at least not yet. Yusei closes his eyes, knowing he's going to have to take the chances he has out on the field right now. "As I said, my Doppel tokens will go into defensive, and I'll end my turn with that." Not a whole lot he can do, after all.

Judai draws his card, thrusting it in front of him. "My turn! And I'll attack those tokens with Neos Slash!" The warrior grips its duo blade in hand, leaping towards the miniature solders. With swift movement that was too fast for even Yusei's eyes to follow, the tokens were cut down as a gust of wind blows into the man. Now, he only has Speed Warrior out defending for him. "Turn end," the boy declares.

"My turn now," Yusei said as he draws his new card. But, the card wouldn't help him. The best he can do right now is to call a bluff. "I Set a card facedown, ending my turn with it." The boy begins to wonder as he looks at Yusei's newest facedown. Is it another card that would defend Yusei from certain defeat? Or could it be a mere a distraction that would throw Judai's game off. Well, he isn't going to stop, that's for sure!

"Attack Yusei's Speed Warrior, Neos Knight!" he declares. At his command, the Fusion Monster strikes down the level two monster. Its master grunts in guilt, "Speed Warrior, forgive me."

"Moving onto Main Phase 2," Judai murmurs to himself. His hand was of one Spell Card and one Trap Card. He sighs in his head, betting Yusei has better luck than he does at the moment. He doesn't want to brag, but usually he has the luck of the draw. Hell, he has been able to get the right cards and using the effects at the right time, just as he's been doing up to this point. Okay, maybe he is bragging now. "Nothing I can do, so I'll call it an end to my turn."

"Draw!" Yusei pulls his card, wishing for the best. He could sigh so hard in relief right now.

"I summon Sonic Chick in Defense Position." A small pink bird with running shoes yelps out of the positioned card, fending itself with its wings in protection. (300ATK/300DEF)

Huh, it's that card Yusei used for his Gardna earlier. Guess I'll see what it does, can't wait!

"End turn."

Judai swipes his next card out. "Sweet!" Judai exclaims as he holds up his drawn card. "I summon Elemental Hero Clayman!" A gigantic, boulder of a creature appears in an earthy glow, crossing its enormous arms. (800ATK/2000DEF) "But now I dish out the Spell, Miracle Fusion! With this, I can fuse any Heros on my side of the field and Graveyard for a Fusion Summon!" Judai yells out. Yusei feels a bit of panic. Now this guy can fuse even with monsters already laid to rest in the Graveyard. From the Osiris Red graduate's Graveyard, comes the female hero, Elemental Hero Burstrinatrix as she then blends into Clayman. "I give you, Elemental Hero Rampart Blaster, in Defense Position!" From the blended form, an even bigger warrior comes out, armed to the teeth with armor all over her body with a shield and a gigantic gun for a hand. (2000ATK/2500DEF) Judai holds his hand out towards his Neos Knight. "Attack Sonic Chick!" The warrior jumps towards the screeching bird, holding up its blade, ready to swing the chick out of its misery. But then, a blue aura envelopes the pink bird as it blocks the knight's assault.

"What the-? Judai calls out as Yusei holds his finger up. "Sonic Chick can't be destroyed by monsters with nineteen hundred or more ATK points, Judai." The brunette bites his bottom lip but smiles at the corner of his mouth. "Well, that's not a problem." The female warrior begins to take aim at Yusei, surprising him. "Wait, Rampart Blaster is in Defense!" Judai points his hand towards Yusei, gesturing what looks like as if he's holding a gun to him. "Yeah, this lets her attack you directly with half of her ATK!" Missiles shout from Blaster's gun, hitting around Yusei as smoke fogs his surroundings. "Damn!" he curses as the smoke clears.

YUSEI 400LP

He fans the smoke from his face, looking at a very confident Judai. He was actually almost dancing, knowing that he has a good chance to win in his next turn. "Oi," Yusei utters as he feels a bit embarrassed that Judai is already celebrating. But, he is suddenly reminded of Rua. Honestly, he wouldn't be surprised if the twins come from his bloodline. Wonders aside, Yusei is stuck. He had hoped Sonic Chick would be his wall monster just for now to buy a couple of turns. That plan fell hard once Judai brought out a monster that can attack directly, let alone while in Defense Mode. Maybe this is as far Yusei will go in this duel with Judai. He was able to make do with what he had. He just wishes he was able to give a bit more, making it a duel they'll always remember….

When suddenly a burning, pulsing sensation hits Yusei's right arm. Surprised at first, he looks at his arm. Glowing brightly through the fabric of his clothing was the Dragon Head birthmark. Judai doesn't take a blind eye and sees the red glow from across the field. "What?" he asks himself when he hears two voices behind him.

Judai, it seems his gift is ready to truly show you his best, Professor Daitokuji whispers.

Be ready. I can feel that something is going to occur, Yubel warned.

Judai looks at his fellow opponent. "Yusei?"

The man closes his eyes. Crimson Dragon? You really are going to grant my wish and give my very all to Judai? He slowly opens his eyes, faintly seeing a golden glow on the top card of his deck. Yusei realizes its time to truly give his best in this single turn.

"It is," he begins to exclaim, placing his hand over his deck, "my turn!" He pulls his next card, holding it across from him, not even gesturing his eyes over to the card. "I play my facedown Spell, Cards of Consonance! I discard one Dragon-Type Tuner monster from my hand to draw two cards, so long as it has one-thousand or lower ATK points." Judai blinks his eyes open. He hasn't even seen his drawn card! Yusei flips the card over in his hand.

"I discard Majestic Dragon!" he declares as he places the card into the Graveyard slot. Judai gasps, seeing that Yusei does have another fighting chance. Amazing…Amazing!

Yusei then pulls two cards from his deck. As he looks at the lone two cards, a combination immediately links in his mind. His eyes motions towards the brown top. "Judai, it ends here," he confidently, yet sadly, states. Judai's eyes widen even more. He can't let this duel end, he just can't. It was a few minutes away from midnight. The duel must go on, it has to!

"I summon the Tuner monster, Debris Dragon!" A small dragon appears in a gust of wind, having features of a certain dragon of Yusei's but with a different set of colors. Hold on, that dragon looks just like-! Yusei trusts his hand outward, activating his summoned monster's effect. "When he's Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a five-hundred or lower ATK monster form my Graveyard. I'm selecting the three-hundred point monster, Level Warrior." Out from the Graveyard, Level Warrior appears, flinging its cape out in its entrance. Here we go, old friend, Yusei tells himself in his mind. He raises his outward arm up into the air. "I tune level four Debris Dragon to level three Level Warrior and level one Sonic Chick!" Four, glistening stars shoot from Debris', spinning into the air to create four green rings. Level Warrior and Sonic Chick dive into the rings, shedding their colors for orange outlines of what they were as they synch together. My very best, Judai.

"Clustering wishes will become a new shining star. Become the path its light shines upon!" A brilliant green pillar of light shoots through the rings; a faint, majestic roar rules the air. Judai immediately recognizes this roar without a doubt. "Synchro Summon!" Yusei exclaims as a large creature is born from the light. "Take flight, Stardust Dragon!" The white dragon roars loudly, sprouting out its wings into the air, flickering stardust all around in its magnificent presence. (2500ATK/2000DEF)

The dark night suddenly began to glow in a mass hysteria of colors with banging sounds. The two are surprised as they look up. Fireworks were shooting into the air, turning night into day with a palette of colors. Yusei and Judai were hypnotized from such an amazing sight, seeing all sorts of colors dancing across the sky. Giving even more of an exciting feeling was the crowds below. Children were cheering in awe, even some adults were astounded and couldn't help but cheer with the kids, sometimes clapping.

"Wow, so that's why they were all sitting down on the floor," Judai remembers, looking across the night sky as the colors reflect in his eyes.

"Judai," Yusei calls out somewhat sadly.

The boy looks back at Yusei. He couldn't see his eyes, his head was lowered so his bangs were covering over them even with the array of colors lightening up the area. Yusei opens his mouth tospeak but then closes, unsure of what exactly to say. He needs to be honest, and tell him. He lifts his head, opening his sad, blue eyes. "It's over, Judai."

It felt like glass breaking inside of the boy. He can feel as if his heart just plummeted down an endless shaft of emptiness. "No, no it's not," he denied under his breath, feeling his eyes twitch. Yusei takes the last card he holds into his right hand. "Battle." Judai looks up at the two monsters, Neos Knight and Stardust, as they begin to position themselves for a fight. The dragon starts to lift itself into the air, beating its mighty wings as he cocks its head back, an orb of celestial light begins to form in its mouth. "It doesn't stand a chance to my Neos Knight! If you attack, your Life will drop to zero. Don't tell me you're going to end it yourself?" he shouts. Elemental Hero Neos Knight grips his sword tightly as he jumps into the air, flying towards the opposing dragon.

Yusei slowly swings his head side to side as he holds up his one, lone card. "Quick-play Spell, activate," he hoarsely declares. He lifts his head up gritting his teeth with eyes wide open, looking up at the two monsters. "Blind spot Strike!" he exclaims. Judai's second monster, Rampart Blaster, began to grunt. Particles of the monster was streaming towards Stardust's charging attack. "Your Defense Position monster's DEF points are added to my Attack Position monster's ATK points for this turn!" (5000ATK)

A woman's gasp whispers at Judai's ear as a slight pressure of what feels like a hand places on the boy's shoulder. Judai, it's over! Yubel tells him. Judai shrugs off the pressure on his shoulder and glares at the spirit of the Duel Monster, bearing his teeth. "No, it isn't! Neos Knight is supposed to represent me and Yusei, Yubel!" The woman was taken back. Judai? The brunette shakes his head violently. "This is the Fusion monster that carries my ace and a monster of Yusei's. Even if he gets destroyed right now, I can still bring him back!" Judai exclaims as he grips the card in his hand, Call of the Haunted. "I'm not gonna let what symbolizes us, together, to stay dead," he hisses through his teeth.

Yubel's arm gestures out towards the field, just over Judai's side. He sees her arm and looks onto the field when he feels his world just collapsed. "Yusei, where did that Trap Card come from!" he demanded to know.

"The Trap, Skill Successor, can be activated from my Graveyard by removing itself," the man explains. Judai gulps down. Yusei's hands ball into fists. "This effect gives the ATK bonus of eight-hundred to a monster on my side of the field." (5800ATK) He bites down on his bottom lip, remembering back on today's events all from when they first met. The passing time they bonded so quickly together ever since the moment they introduced themselves to each other, to their teamwork with Yugi against Paradox, sharing laughs and smiles together during their day in Italy. He knew, deep down as much as Judai knew, they will never have the time they shared today ever again.

No… No no no no no no, don't you dare, Judai silently cried in the back of his mind, watching Neos Knight getting closer and closer towards its demise. Yusei inhales a deep breath as he shuts his eyes tightly, raising his head into the night, tears stinging at him, and cries,

"SHOOTING SONIC!"

It was over. Neos Knight is struck down in brilliant light from Stardust Dragon. Judai stood in horror, not that because he lost, but because their time together was over now. And Yusei was gawking up at the sky with an absent mind, watching as his dragon materializes away.

JUDAI 0LP

Just cold, uncomfortable silence. Not a word was uttered between the two as they climbed down from the building. Yubel and Daitokuji's words rang through dear ears as the boy was ignoring them. They walk into an empty alleyway. Yusei begins setting up his motorcycle, checking for anything amiss in the engine. After the check-up was clear, Yusei places his duel disk onto the D-Wheel's slot, revving the engine up. He stands by his D-Wheel, holding his helmet under his arm. His hands were shaking, trembling in sadness. He looks towards Judai, who just stood there, looking down at the floor with his bag by his leg. Neither of them liked saying goodbye, not in the least bit. But, Yusei figures he will make the move himself as his feet bring him to the boy.

Judai didn't move at all as Yusei stood just a few feet away from him. Yusei felt guilt stringing up his body, freezing in what to say to him. Yusei looks down, glancing back and forth on the ground. I'll just say it as it is, Yusei decided.

"Judai, I—"

His back hits against the opposite wall. Stunned, Yusei stares at Judai, who has him pinned against the wall. Judai's head was still hanging low as his slow breathing tickles at the bottom of Yusei's neck. After what seemed like forever, his head lifts. "Yusei," Judai whispers under his sobbing breath. His dark, brown eyes were glistening as they looked up into Yusei's blue eyes.

The brunette feels his lips begin to tremble, his hands taking a firm grip on the man's shoulders despite they, too, were trembling. They stayed frozen in time, just staring down in each other's eyes, both trembling with a shortage of breath.

Judai's face was close to Yusei's, thoughts running into his mind.

I….

Judai lets go of Yusei, lowering his head back down enough where the opposite man couldn't see his eyes. "Judai," Yusei asks in a slight whisper. In a surprise, Judai's head lifts back up.

"That was a fun duel!" Judai exclaims, grinning ever so child-like. "Man, you had me there really good, totally didn't expect for that Trap to come in play from the Graveyard. If it weren't for that card, I would've given ya the beatdown!" he exclaims, rubbing his index finger just underneath his nose in pride. Yusei was looking at him, nodding slightly. The brunette shrugs as he turns back , grabbing his bag as Pharaoh retreats from inside of it. He turns his head over his shoulder, grinning with his eyes closed. "Guess I'll hopefully catch ya sometime in the future, huh?" he smiled as he began to walk out of the alleyway. A fast pace of footsteps run behind him, and before he could turn around, his vision became navy blue.

Yusei interlocks his two arms from behind Judai, holding his back to his chest in a tight embrace. Judai began to tremble, looking down at the folded arms just beneath his chin. Judai gingerly places his hand over one of Yusei's arms, feeling warmth in his cheeks as they both stand there in silence.

"Goodbye, Judai," Yusei whispers into the back of Judai's hair as his arms slowly let go of the boy. He stands there, not turning around at all, as he listens to footsteps walking away from him, followed by an engine revving up. The D-Wheel speeds away in red light before disappearing into the back wall of the alley.

Pharaoh, struts towards Judai, rubbing itself against his leg, meowing. Something wet hits the feline's head, causing it to shake its head as he looks up at the man. Tears were streaming endlessly down his cheeks, his teeth clenched down. And his hand, still up in the air as if he were still holding over the man's arm that hugged him so. "G-Goodbye, Yusei," he stutters silently.

Crow groans loudly in the garage, stretching his arms up into the air. "Aww, damn, that feels good!" Jack narrowed his eyes, holding his helmet as he looks at the man with an orange mess of hair. "Crow, hurry the hell up. We're already behind as it is!" he hisses. Crow glares at him but still wearing a grin. "You're just jealous because I have a new riding suit!" Jack felt furious. "No, I am not! My suit is just as fine as it is, and besides, I had one way before you do now, so shut your mouth."

Crow laughed in a mocking matter as he walked towards his D-Wheel, Blackbird. "Yeah, right. You could've gotten a new one if you didn't spend all of my money for that get-up you had at the WRGP party." Jack sticks his nose up in the air, putting his helmet on. "Jack Atlas needs to look his best at any event." Crow rolled his eyes and looks over to the silent man between the two. "Hey Yusei, everyone else went ahead, right?"

Yusei, wearing his new riding suit as well, nodded, pressing the button on the side of his helmet to bring down the visor. "Right. Aki took Bruno with him while Rua and Ruka went on with their Duel Boards." Jack scoffs as he sits down on his motorcycle, fixing his gloves on. "Right, right. Guess it's time we see who our first team of opponents will be." Crow presses the button on his screen, opening their garage door. "Not like it'll matter. Crow the Bullet is gonna be takin' them down! And besides, maybe Jack can serve as a good sacrificial lamb," he grins as he speeds away, leaving behind a very pissed Jack.

"Crow, you bastard! Don't you look down on my pride as a warrior!" he screams as he speeds off, chasing after the black motorcycle. Yusei smiles as he begins to rev his engine up. He looks down at his duel disk, holding his deck. He picks up the top card as his eyes carefully study the Dragon Knight Draco-Equiste card.

"Judai," Yusei tells himself as he slides the card back. "Thank you for showing me your Fusions. I'm positive this will help me in my journey in finding how to Accel Synchro." He steps on the pedal, revving his engine up.

"This card will serve as our bond!" Yusei smiles as he drives away, the garage closing behind him.

In the empty, dim room, Yusei's normal jacket hangs over a chair. A very soft square light was barely shinning through the fabric in the shape of a rectangle. Yusei left his cell phone behind in the breast pocket of his jacket. And, it was ringing.

Ba-doo-doo-doo-da-be-doo, roo-roo-row-ba-ding~

Fin