A/N: Alright, here's the next chapter! Flashbacks are in bold. Enjoy! We don't own Yugioh GX or Yugioh 5D's.

"Thank you, ma'am," Yusei said to the desk clerk. "We'll take them."

The gang had gone to the hotel Yusei had found, planning to check in for the night. With it being summer, they were practically booked, but there were three rooms available—two doubles and a single.

Yusei turned to the gang, room keys in hand, and said, "I got our rooms. Sorry, guys. There's only enough here for three, so some of us will have to share."

"I better get the single room," Aki said.

Jack humphed. "Fine, but can I bunk with someone who isn't Crow? He drives me crazy sometimes!"

"Hey. The feeling's mutual, pal," Crow said.

"Then which one of you's staying with Judai?" Yusei asked. "Jack?"

"Why are you suggesting that?" Jack asked.

"Because I highly doubt you wanna room with me, either. Besides, Judai's pretty quiet. You won't even know he's there. It will be like having your own room all to yourself." Silently, Yusei added, Unfortunately.

Jack humphed again. "Not quite, but okay. I guess that works."

"What about you two?" Yusei asked Judai and Crow. "Is that okay with you?"

"No complaints here, buddy!" Crow said with a wink, a grin, and a thumbs up.

Judai shrugged. "Whatever."

"Good. Then I suggest we rest up for tomorrow's trip. It's bound to be a long one."

"And how do we know Kaiba will agree to this?" Jack asked.

Aki answered, "We tell Mokuba. According to Asuka, Kaiba will do almost anything he requests."

"Then it's decided," Yusei said. "Mokuba gets to hear our full story."

Jack handed Yusei and Crow the bags he'd packed for them and headed to his room. Judai followed after the others wished him goodnight.

Judai sat on his bed, staring out the window, as Jack climbed into bed. Night wasn't really his favorite time of the day—heck, sometimes, it was worse than the daylight hours. He bet tonight would be one of those nights.

Yubel pulled him from his thoughts, saying, "See, Judai? I told you this would work. Just one more day."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Yubel," he said quietly. "We still don't know if this is actually going to work."

"Okay. Quit it! You've been a real downer these past few centuries, and I think it's high time it stopped," she snapped. "This is a good thing! It should perk you up, not knock you down! Quit being such a pessimist already."

"I'm not getting my hopes up, Yubel."

"Arg. It's third year all over again. Don't you ever get tired of always being depressed? At least treat this like a fun adventure like you used to love. I mean, you're going to space, for crying out loud! Aren't you even the least bit excited?"

He lowered his head. "I just want to get this over with..."

"So, not even a space trip sounds fun to you?" Yubel asked lamely. "Really?"

Judai didn't answer. Yubel sighed.

"That's what I was afraid of. Whatever happened to all your charm? You lost it again. And after Yugi worked so hard to help you find it, too. Why?"

He was quiet for a moment before answering, "You seriously think that I can keep this up forever?"

Yubel looked at him sadly. "Judai..."

Winged Kuriboh appeared, giving Judai the same sad look. "Kurii..."

Judai didn't say a word in response to either of them.

"So, are you done talking to yourself yet, kid?" Jack asked, looking at him. "Because I'd like to get some sleep tonight, if that's alright with you."

Judai turned to face Jack and said, "Yeah, I'm done. Sorry."

Jack humphed. "Just go to bed already." He rolled over to face the wall.

With some trepidation, knowing that his usual nightmares would be even worse after today, Judai lay down and went to sleep as well.

In the morning, Jack ordered room service. Why did he order room service? Because he was Jack. Crow, Yusei, and Aki had all come to see if the two were ready to leave and found Jack with a lobster on a food cart before him. Judai just leaned against the wall, watching.

"You just don't get it, do you!?" Crow demanded. "We can't afford all this junk! We just barely had enough to pay for our rooms and a small breakfast for everyone! Now we're broke again!"

Judai shrugged. "What does it really matter? It's not like we need money in space. Besides, shouldn't I be the one who's ticked off? That was my money, after all."

Crow was silenced—Judai had a point.

Jack grinned victoriously. "Yeah. What he said. Mind your own business, Crow."

Crow growled. "Wh-why, I oughta—!"

"It's fine, Crow," Yusei said. "We can get some later if we still need any. For now, though, I think we should go over our game plan. Just so everyone's clear, we're meeting Asuka and Sho at the park outside before heading to our appointment at 12. Once there, Aki will ask to speak alone with the younger Kaiba while the rest of us try to convince the president of KaibaCorp to help us out." He paused briefly, then asked, "Did I leave anything out?"

"No, I think that about sums it up," Judai said, though part of that plan had his stomach churning.

"Well, then, what are we standing around here for!?" Crow asked. "We should be getting ready to leave!"

Yusei and Aki nodded in agreement.

"Right," Jack said. "Just as soon as I finish my lobster."

"Aarg! You're impossible!" Crow exclaimed. "Okay, fine! But at least share with Judai!" He pointed at the boy against the wall. "He deserves a good meal!"

"That depends on if he wants any." Jack turned to Judai, hoping he wouldn't be hungry, and asked, "Well?"

He didn't know how big of a mistake that was until it was too late. Judai's expression lit up, and Yusei could actually see his old friend in there for once.

"Sure!" the brunette answered.

"What!? Really!?" Jack asked, shocked.

"Whoa!" Crow said. "Now that was unexpected! That dude must love to eat!"

As they were talking, Judai had abandoned his spot by the wall and started helping himself to some of Jack's food, taking an extra plate that had been brought up and putting food on it. Jack looked annoyed at first, but then he saw just how much of his meal Judai was taking—he'd scooped up about half of what had been there eagerly.

"Hey, just how much are you planning to eat, anyway?" Jack asked, sitting forward, shocked.

Crow laughed. "Looks like your mealtime just got cut in half, dude! Good thing, too. Now you've got more time to get ready, Jack," he said, grinning and snickering.

Yusei grinned. Aki giggled. Judai, meanwhile, was scarfing down the food. Jack stared at him, even more stunned.

"Just what is this kid!?" he demanded, eyes wide.

"Whoa! Now that looks familiar," Crow said, watching Judai shovel food into his mouth as if it might run off if he didn't eat it fast enough. "Where have I seen that before?"

"I've seen Rua eat like that before," Aki said with a smile.

Crow snapped his fingers. "Yeah! That's it! So the dude's got something in common with Rua, huh?"

"It's more than that," Yusei said, smiling. "Those two are almost twins."

Judai stopped eating for a moment and looked at them. "Huh? Say something?" he asked.

Aki giggled again. "No. It's nothing." She let out another giggle.

Judai cocked his head.

Hovering just outside the window, the spirit laughed shortly. "No matter how many times I see it, it still amazes me how much the guy loves to eat. Congrats, you guys," he said, glad they had gotten Judai to smile like that again. "Maybe I won't have to worry after all."

When Jack—and Judai—had finished with that meal and everyone was ready to leave, they checked out of the hotel and headed to the park across the street.

Aki looked around at the pond in front of them, the trees, the benches, and the playground. "Wow. Look at this place. It kinda reminds me of the parks we have. That is, if the buildings weren't so old-looking." She glanced at the tall building in the distance—KaibaCorp.

"It's sure an amazing sight, huh?" Yusei asked.

Aki nodded, smiling. "A truly amazing sight. It's kinda neat to see how far we've come, and yet we've still kept some things the same. It's nice to think that there are some things that never change."

Yusei nodded, smiling in agreement.

Yubel, meanwhile, had appeared for all spirit-seers to see and looked ridiculously nervous, even going so far as to be pacing.

"Will you relax?" Judai asked.

"I can't," she said. "They're coming, and you know what they'll do to you."

"Yeah, well, there's no point in worrying about something you can't control, is there?"

"I guess..."

The green-eyed spirit floating above looked across the park and gasped. He'd been worried before, but now he was panicked.

"W-what's he doing with her!?" he asked. "He's only gonna make things ten times worse! And, if I step in, I'll make things ten times worse! What do I do!?"

His friend told him to calm down—panicking wouldn't help any, and he should just let those guys handle it.

"I know, I know, but still," he said, looking down at Judai. "He's gonna break. Right here and now. Poor guy."

Asuka came over in a green sundress and carrying a bag, saying, "Hey, guys! Ready to do this!?"

The gang turned to her, and Judai's eyes landed on a boy standing beside her—dressed in black pants and a blue shirt, a bag slung over his shoulder as if he planned on going somewhere, one of the last people in the world Judai wanted to see stood next to the very last person he wanted to see him with.

"Hey, Asuka!" Aki said. She looked at the other and asked, "Manjoume, what are you doing here?"

Good question, Judai thought, staring at him.

"What do you think?" he asked. "I'm going, too. Don't ask me why, though..."

Judai stared for a moment, horrified—too horrified to speak. Finally, he said, "You can't come."

Rick. That was all he could think of at that moment. Asuka and Sho tagging along was one thing, but Asuka, Sho, and Manjoume? No. That would mean he should just call up Johan in Norway and invite him along on this trip. Kenzan and Rei and the Kaiser, too, while he was at it. Maybe even Jim and O'Brien. No. Asuka and Sho were bad enough.

"Yeah, Manjoume," Asuka said, turning to him. "Why do you want to come with us, anyway? That's so unlike you."

He humphed. "I know," he said. "I don't know. I just can't let this guy go without me, for some reason. It's like something deep down's telling me to go, for some stupid reason."

"You can't come," Judai repeated, still looking horrified.

"And why not!?" Manjoume demanded. "Asuka's going! And did you forget that it was me who got you into this place in the first place!?"

"You can't come."

Manjoume stared, wondering what exactly was so bad about him that he couldn't come.

Sho came running over, a duffel bag in hand. "Aniki! I'm ready!"

"Aniki?" Manjoume asked, looking at Sho. "What, this your baby brother or something? He looks nothing like you!"

Judai just stared at Manjoume, apparently not noticing Sho, and repeated, "...You can't come."

"Aniki? You okay?"

"Alright! What's your problem!?" Manjoume demanded. "Snap out of it, you idiot! Now, why can't I come!? Well!?"

Judai looked at Asuka, then turned his attention back to Manjoume. "Because you can't."

Looking annoyed, Manjoume said, "That's not an answer, dimwit."

"Jaden?" Asuka asked, using his alias in front of Manjoume since he hadn't heard Judai's story.

"I don't know if we'll have room for you, and all of these guys are already going," Judai answered hastily. "They were on board before you, so they get first dibs. Besides, why would you want to go to space with a bunch of crazy aliens, anyway?"

Manjoume threw his arms up in the air, shouting, "I DON'T KNOW! You tell me! I mean, you obviously know me from somewhere, right!? Just who are you!?"

"Easy there, Manjoume," Asuka said. "No need to bite his head off."

"Well!?" Manjoume demanded.

Judai tensed.

"Aniki?" Sho asked. "Is he one of—" He cut himself off.

Judai stood there a moment before, desperation clear in his tone, saying, "Somebody give him a good reason not to come... Please..."

Asuka looked at him a moment before pointing at Yusei and looking toward KaibaCorp out of the corner of her eye, asking, "Does this have to do with you-know-what?"

Judai nodded.

"One second," Asuka said, taking Judai's hand and leading him off a little ways away from the group.

When they were far enough away not to be overheard speaking quietly, she whispered, "Okay, obviously, he's one of your old friends." Silently, she added, Which is crazy, but... Aloud, she went on, "And, obviously, you don't want to see him. But why don't you want to see him?"

Judai shifted his weight. "It's not so much I don't want to see him as it is I...can't stand to see him... At least, not with..."

"With what? What's wrong?"

Judai stared at the ground, shifting his weight again. Asuka's eyes widened.

"You don't seriously mean..."

No answer from Judai. The look on his face was answer enough, though.

"Uh-huh," Asuka said, stunned. "And what alternate world am I living in in the future? That's crazy."

"Manjoume's not as bad as he seems," Judai told her. "He's just...hard to get close to, that's all. He needs someone to knock him down so he knows what it feels like to not always be at the top. And he could use a friend, too... Regardless of what he says."

Asuka shook her head nervously, wondering if she'd lost her mind in the future. "But, still, I..."

"Look, don't ask me, okay?" Judai said, sounding pained. "I don't even like to think about it, let alone try to figure out why."

Asuka stood there for the longest moment, stunned. Finally, she sweat.

Eyes closed, Judai said, "Though it's probably got something to do with me never aging..."

That's when it happened—one of his most painful memories, one he'd locked away long ago, resurfaced, and he couldn't stop it this time.

They were twenty-six. At least, supposedly. Judai hadn't changed in the least since third year. When he stopped by Duel Academy, where Asuka was a teacher, she realized this.

As the two sat on the roof of the school, she asked, "Judai, I don't know how to say this, but you kinda look like you're still eighteen. Any idea why that would be?"

"I don't know," he answered, worried. "I guess I...haven't really been aging lately."

He was hoping he was wrong—maybe he just looked younger than he really was. There were people who did, after all.

"What!?" Asuka asked, startled.

"Yeah..."

"B-but how is that possible!? Please tell me you're joking!"

Judai shook his head. "I wish I was. I guess it's...because I fused with Yubel back in the alternate dimension."

He and Yubel had talked extensively about this little problem of his. As much as he tried to tell himself it wasn't what he thought it was, Yubel confirmed that it was. He clung to the hope that maybe she didn't know what she was talking about, but he was starting to wonder.

Asuka just stared at him. Not exactly the reaction he had been looking for—he had come here in the hopes of getting some reassurance that everything would be okay.

"Asuka?" he asked.

She stared at him another moment before saying, "Judai. I—"

He cocked his head.

Asuka took a deep breath, looking upset. "I'm sorry, Judai," she said. "But if that's true, then, I guess... I...don't think we can be friends anymore... At least, not right now, okay...?"

Judai stared at her in disbelief. He'd come here looking for support, and he was being abandoned by one of his closest friends instead?

"What?" he asked.

Asuka closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Judai, but...I can't do this. So, until I change my mind, don't come back here. Or even call. I won't pick up even if you do..."

She got up and walked away, her eyes still closed.

Judai watched her go, eyes tearing up. "Asuka..."

Judai shook his head, trying to drive that painful memory away and put it back where it belonged—deep in his subconscious.

"Hey, are you okay?" Asuka asked.

"I'm getting tired of people asking me that..."

"What happened? Did you remember something?"

"Yeah. And I'd rather not talk about it. So let's forget I ever remembered."

She looked at him, then asked, "Was it about me?"

He lowered his head.

"So you remembered why you hate Manjoume, then," she guessed.

And there it was—another painful memory he'd locked away.

Judai sat in the 34-year-old Sho's backyard while he made them dinner on the grill. He'd died of cancer last year, yet here he was. Sho was so grateful to have him back that he was having a celebratory cookout. His wife, Junko, was picking the kids up from school.

"I had cancer!" Judai said to no one in particular for the umpteenth time. "And I died! So why am I here!?"

"I don't know," Yubel admitted. "But at least it made your friends happy. Didn't Johan say he was coming over for the 'party?'"

Judai thought that Yubel was only half right about his friends being happy—there was one person who may not even have known he'd died. He had tried to call her time after time when he had been diagnosed, yet she never answered, just as she'd promised. And at a time when he had needed her the most...

"So, they're celebrating my return from the dead?" he asked, pulling himself away from his thoughts. "With me still being eighteen?"

The more this went on, the more Judai got a really bad feeling about what exactly "this" was.

"I guess," she answered.

Johan came over, excited. "Heey! Judaiii! Great to see ya!" he called.

"Uh, hey, Johan!" Judai said with a smile, pushing away his worries for now—he'd worry about this later.

"Man, am I glad to see you! I've really missed you, pal!" Johan said, a huge smile on his face.

"Uh, sorry?" Judai said. What are you supposed to say when you come back from the dead?

"Anyway, since you were dead all year, I assume you haven't heard the news yet."

"What news?" Judai asked.

"It's Manjoume and Asuka!" Johan answered, still smiling. "They're getting married! Can you believe it!?"

Judai's eyes widened. "W-what!?"

"See for yourself," Johan said, holding out a newspaper.

Judai snatched it and stared. The headline read, "Manjoume Thunder, the New King of Games, Takes a Queen!" Apparently it was a big enough story to not only make the front page but take up the whole thing. There was a picture of the happy couple kissing at their engagement party.

Judai's stomach churned. He stared for another moment, unable to speak. "What...?"

"I know. Hard to believe that just a year ago, she was still playing hard to get. I wonder what changed?" Johan looked thoughtful, a finger on his chin.

Judai just stared at the picture, which made him feel even more sick the more he looked at it.

Johan looked at his friend for a second before asking, "So, you didn't even know that was going on?"

Judai hesitated before saying, "She...she hasn't spoken to me in years..."

"Oh... Sorry."

That's when Judai's phone went off. He pulled it out and stared at the caller ID in disbelief for a moment: Asuka Tenjoin.

He pushed send, accepting the call, and tried to keep his voice neutral as he said, "Hey, Asuka. What's up?"

"Hi, Judai!" she said, sounding super happy. "Guess what? I've got some great news! We can be friends again!"

"Really? Why's that?"

"Well, let's just say, I've come to terms with reality," she said sadly. Then she giggled and, sounding happy again, went on, "Speaking of which, I'm engaged! You're invited to the wedding, if you're interested."

Judai felt something inside of him break. He took his time answering, trying not to let her hear any pain in his voice when he finally said, "Congrats. Yeah, I'll be there. When is it?"

He knew even as Asuka gave him the details that he'd regret going to it, but he hadn't seen her in so long it hurt.

"It's gonna be great to see you again," Asuka said. "I've missed you, Judai." She giggled.

Judai smiled sadly and said, "Yeah, I've missed you, too."

"Oh! Look at the time!" she said suddenly. "I'm running late, so I've gotta go! Can't wait to see ya, though! Bye!"

Quietly, Judai echoed, "Bye."

Asuka hung up, and the first conversation he'd had with her in eight years was over.

Johan looked at Judai, concern written all over his face, and asked, "You okay, pal?"

Judai sat there silently for a moment before saying, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay."

But he was still staring at his phone.

Judai shook his head again. "Asuka, stop asking questions, alright? Look, I don't hate Manjoume, I just don't want him coming with us!"

"Okay... But..." She hesitated, not wanting to upset him more.

"But what!?" he demanded.

"I, uh..." She sighed. "I think you should bring Manjoume along..."

"Why?"

"Well, from the sound of it, you two...had a lot of unfinished business and may have ended your time together badly? So maybe there's a reason he keeps showing up now."

Judai just stared at her.

"I mean, what if this is your chance to mend the fences before it's all over?" she continued. "I mean, with the way things are going, he's likely to wind up hating the old you because of it."

"...Fine..."

"So I'm not in trouble, then?"

Judai looked at her, then shook his head. "I never have been able to stay mad at you for long. Not even when you weren't answering when I was..." He trailed off. After a moment, he finished, "No, you're never in trouble with me."

Asuka smiled. "That's a relief."

"Hey! Lovebirds!" Jack called. "You're breaking the rules over there! Mind coming back here so we can leave!?"

Asuka blinked, slightly startled by the lovebirds comment. "Rules? What rules?"

Judai was glaring rather fiercely as he walked over and punched Jack in the face.

"And what was that for!?" Jack demanded.

Still glaring at him, Judai said, "Shut. Up."

Asuka stared, stunned. "Huh...?"

"Aniki!"

Judai looked at Manjoume and said, "Manjoume, you can come. And, if there isn't room, you can take Jack's spot."

With what he'd just remembered, that comment of Jack's was especially unappreciated. Lovebirds...they'd never been. Yusei had guessed that he'd had a girlfriend, but he'd been off about one thing—they'd never been together. She had always been just a friend, albeit one he'd had a crush on since he met her.

"Why the sudden change of heart, pal?" Yusei asked. "I thought you didn't want him to come."

"Yeah, well, I guess it couldn't hurt to drag one more guy along..."

Manjoume humphed. "Whatever. Can we go now? You'll be late if you don't hurry."

"He's right, guys," Aki said. "It's already 11:45."

"Then we should get going," Judai said, heading off toward KaibaCorp.

The others followed, filling Manjoume in on everything he needed to know along the way. Judai smirked at his protests about them being from the future.

Above, the spirit watched, thinking. "Hmm... Sho, Asuka, and Manjoume... Oh, now I really can't go down there and help!"

His friend nodded in agreement.

"Man, can this get any worse?" He waved his friend along, saying, "Come on, pal. We better follow, just to be sure."

His friend agreed, and the two took on their light forms to follow the gang into KaibaCorp.