Contemplations

Life continued on slowly and steadily for each member of Team 5D's. Yusei finally found his passion again through dueling, and he went on to conquer the pro circuit many times. Crow and Jack were not too far behind him, clashing numerous times as well as teaming up with him when the opportunity presented itself. Leo continued to push his way through many tournaments and became a feared competitor with a reputation as notorious as the great Jack Atlas.

Akiza returned to her position as a doctor in Germany, pushing herself to reach greater heights. She, with the help of a strong team backing her, was able to revolutionize the medical field and help duelists and non-duelists alike who had an affinity for psychic powers like she did. Due to Akiza's past and understanding of these powers, she became a renowned expert in this specialization and managed to help hundreds learn how to control their powers.

She knew that even though she hated the suffering she had to go through when she was younger, it allowed her to touch many lives.

Luna continued to watch her brother Leo grow and develop as she supported him wherever he went. She knew that she didn't want to be left behind as the rest of her comrades were constantly testing their limits, so to speak. So Luna pushed forward with her education, finding a fit in the field of teaching. Using all the knowledge she had learned from her time as part of Team 5D's and on her own, she inspired a league of students to go out and push their potential. During her months off, Luna would often go meet up with her brother to catch up with him and keep him out of trouble.

Luna finally blossomed into the adult she was meant to be.

Yusei was finally able to conquer his past and the fears that surrounded it. He had come to terms with the fact that his past would no longer return, at least in the way that he had wanted. This allowed Yusei to carve out the future he had envisioned many years ago, but was too scared to act upon. One thing Yusei had decided to do was to try and meet up with the rest of Team 5D's on a more regular basis. He had decided that although they wouldn't be together like they used to, he still wanted to be the thing that linked them all together.

This was his passion. His bonds with his family.

If Yusei was being honest, he would admit that Team 5D's extended so much further than just a clever name for a Riding Duel team. It represented his hope. His dreams. His ambitions. And because of that, he promised himself that he would never let them slip away like he did in the past. Because of this, the rest of Team 5D's gravitated towards Yusei like they always did. They met up on a monthly basis, spending a few days out of a month catching up. It was easier for Jack, Crow, and Yusei to meet up because they were often dueling in the same spaces. Although it was slightly harder to meet up with Akiza, Leo, and Luna, they still were able to make it work.

Akiza loved watching Yusei grow and develop, as she continued to love him day in and day out. Yusei's feelings for Akiza grew with each passing moment. She had inspired him to break out of the barriers he had put around himself and constantly push forwards. Whenever Yusei began to doubt his abilities or his strengths, Akiza always reminded him of everything he had overcome and how strong he was. Yusei was eternally grateful for this. As the years went by, their relationship grew more and more. It was inevitable that they planned to be in each other's lives for a very long time.

Akiza was able to give Yusei the strength that he had given her when they were younger. To her, this meant everything.

Realizing that they wouldn't be young forever, Team 5D's began to slow down their ambitious pursuits. Jack, having dominated the dueling world as "King" decided that he wanted to settle down in Neo Domino City. He wasn't sure exactly what he would do after leaving the pro circuit, but something told him that he would want to run into a certain reporter. Crow knew exactly what he wanted to go back to. The kids, who now, were grown adults functioning as contributing members of society.

He was so proud of everything they accomplished.

Even though they still give him a hard time, deep down, they know that it was because of his strength that they were able to be successful.

Luna and Leo also moved back to Neo Domino City to figure out what they wanted to do as well. Leo was now the world leader in the Dueling circuit since Jack, Yusei, and Crow left. He was unsure of how to proceed. Luna loved teaching children. She didn't think that it would become such a passion of hers, but it did. She didn't want to give it up. But, she was sure that whatever she found her doing, it would be a rewarding experience.

Yusei and Akiza's future led them in a very interesting direction.

Looking over a balcony were two adults who had seen and experienced more than anybody should. Hands intertwined, Yusei and Akiza silently watched the sun set as they pondered everything they had been through.

"Akiza… Yusei began, can you believe we've come this far?"

"Yusei… It's surreal for me to even think that this is how my life would have turned out. I'm happier than I've ever been before."

Just as Yusei was about to respond, a young boy about 12 years of age came running through the door. His hair was a mixture of Yusei and his father's, but his facial features shared resemblances of both Akiza and Yusei.

"Mom, Dad, I'm back from school! Today's the day, dad. You promised."

Yusei and Akiza looked at each other and smiled. Getting down on one knee, Yusei patted his son gently on his head and began to tell his story.

"Alright son, today is the day I tell you about how I met your mom."

Akiza smiled brightly as she listened to Yusei re-tell the events of their childhood with great accuracy, hoping this moment would never end.

-Fin

A/N: My final chapter for this story! It's a little bit shorter than the previous ones, but it wasn't intended to be too long in the first place. Anyways, thanks for coming on this journey with me! I hope to increase my writing ability as I continue to write stories. Please R&R and let me know what you think of the story!