Look! It's another episode of Legacy of the Star Princess! Hold onto your…ummmm…. Dragons? I don't know! Anyways, you know the drill by now, so I'm just going to be quiet and present to you to the next episode.

A group of local kids were playing around Crow's shanty-house when he arrived home. When they saw him, they ran up to him excitedly. He dug around in his pack and pulled out one of the decks he took from Sector Security.

"Let's see what Uncle Crow got for you guys today."

He handed each kid a deck of cards. "Are these for us to keep?"

Crow laughed. "Of course, every kid should have a dueling deck. …And I just found these lying around. But don't let Sector Security catch you playing with those cards…or they might come looking for this face."

The kids giggled and thanked him as they went back to playing around the Satellite. He was greeted by his computer when he entered the house.

"Welcome home, Crow. Did you see the news?"

Crow looked at the TV to recognize a familiar face.

"Yusei Fudo won the Fortune Cup. He defeated Jack Atlas. He is the new champ." The computer told him. A picture of Yusei surrounded by Fireworks was on the screen. Crow sighed.

"Well, I'll be danged. If Yusei can make it to New Domino city, why couldn't I?"

…

Goodwin sat in his office with Lazar sitting across from him and Jack waiting outside. Lazar saw the rain now pouring down heavily, beating against the window pane and streaming down.

"Now that the real fight is starting, we need to take some more precautions to insure everything is secure." Goodwin told him. Lazar blinked.

"Yes. I would think so. Now that the Dark Signers are out and about, they'll be coming after Sidney as well as the other signers. After all, we both know what would happen if they got their hands on the Star Princess."

"That's what I was going to discuss with you Lazar. I think special arrangements need to be made for Sidney. She needs a bodyguard."

Lazar cocked his head. "Mr. Goodwin, where would we found a competent bodyguard to protect someone against a force of such magnitude? It would also be a pain to explain our situation to them once we got them."

"We already have them."

"Oh?" Lazar wondered.

"I believe something YOU said gave me the idea. I thought it would be better of we had a signer protect her."

"Well… Luna is out of the question. But, then we have three to choose from. Or, I suppose if we had the fifth signer on our team…"

Goodwin thought deeply. Nobody had any idea that HE was the fifth signer. And he was a master of hiding it. But, Lazar also wasn't following him.

"I've already chosen someone specific. Jack is my choice."

Lazar gulped. "Jack? Are you sure? I never said…"

He then remembered the jokes he had made about Jack and Sidney and slightly regretted ever saying them.

"Wouldn't the media find it strange to demote Jack to such a duty?"

"That's why we're not setting it up as Jack being a bodyguard. As far as the public will know, as far as everyone knows…this is a marriage. They will excuse his constant presence with Sidney as being a concerned husband. Besides, it will also prevent Yusei getting to close to her and try to make off with her."

Lazar couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I was only joking when I suggested that! And you're not going to tell ANYONE!? Not even Jack? Or Sidney?"

"In order to make the story believable, everyone must believe it to be true."

Lazar shook his head. "Ok, but Director, didn't you think that Yusei has no reason to leave and take Sidney with him?"

"Perhaps. But you can never be too careful, Lazar."

Lazar could see this wasn't a good idea. "Should Jack be allowed in now?"

"Yes. I'll be…happy…to tell him the good news."

Lazar stood up in bowed. "When will we tell Sidney?"

"Tomorrow after everyone comes with their answer."

"Yes sir." He nodded.

…

Sidney waited under a tree for the limo to come pick her up. It was a long half hour before it arrived, and by that time she was soaking wet. The first few pages of her sketchbook were completely drenched.

When she got home, she was shivering furiously. A servant saw her dripping on the floor and grabbed a towel. A hot shower was what she needed, she thought.

"Achoo!" Her sneeze was more like a mouse sneezing. She ran upstairs and immediately stripped to take her shower.

When she stepped into the shower, she turned on the water and let the hot liquid run down her back. She thought of the dreams she had when she had that night she was in the hospital not to long ago. She had almost forgotten it.

So that was the Crimson Dragon. It drew these marks on me and gave these powers. I get that now. But I still don't recognize that stone room, with the stream that led to a pond…the small amount of sunlight. That sensuous feeling I felt…

Sidney finished and got into her white shirt and jeans. She sneezed again and felt a little woozy. She needed to lie down and take a nap, she thought.

The teen undressed again and laid her clothes by her bed. She got on her purple nightgown before curling up under the covers and sleep overcame her rapidly.

After an hour or two, the servant who gave her a towel came to check on her. She was already in a deep sleep and could not be roused. The servant felt her forehead and found she had a small fever. The servant swiftly ran down the stairs to call Mr. Goodwin and tell him that Sidney was falling ill.

…

Yusei returned with Leo and Luna to Blister's place. They would expect Trudge to come and get them again tomorrow morning. Rally came to greet Leo and Luna. Tank, Blitz, and Nervin also came to check on the three of them.

"So, did you guys find out what you needed to know?" Rally asked.

"I got more than I bargained for." He told them everything Goodwin told him. Tanner and Blister also came in to here the story.

When he was done, everyone stared at him very hard. Yanagi sat in the back, nodding his head. Tanner turned to him.

"Did you know any of this, Gramps?"

"Only a little. A lot of this is new. But, it sure makes sense. So, you have until tomorrow to tell him what you're going to do?"

"Yeah."

"The Satellite is our home! You've got to help protect it! We'll be right behind you! There are still people close to us there!" His friends hoorayed.

"Thanks guys."

"Say, what about your old buddy, Crow?" Blitz asked. Yusei remembered him.

"I may need to contact him. He needs to know what's up so he can help handle things when the situation gets dangerous."

"Ok."

"Yusei, what's going to happen to Sidney?" One of his friends asked. He replayed the incident in his head where she kissed him earlier that day.

"I would think now that the Dark Signers are out on the prowl that he'll keep her locked up now more than ever. Unless she can hold her own in a duel, of course." Tanner speculated.

"He still might keep her locked up anyway. After all, he still doesn't want you seeing her, Yusei." Blister pointed out.

"We need to get everyone to work together on this. Unfortunately, that includes Goodwin." Yusei said flatly.

The rain was still coming down. A light sound of thunder could be heard in the distance. This storm was going to get a little scary.

…

Goodwin had just finished talking with Jack when the servant called. He felt a little anxious when he picked up the phone.

"Yes. What is it? …She…She's coming down sick? This is the worst timing…I'll be home after the Press Conference today." He clicked a button on the phone and placed it back on the receiver.

Mina was on the other side of the door, feeling downcast as she heard the two of them talking. She had overheard his conversation with Lazar, but chose to say nothing for now. Mina felt sorry for both Sidney and Jack, and knew that it would hurt both of them. It would hurt everyone who didn't know. But it would also hurt her, because she knew the truth, and she knew if she said anything she could lose her job. She could only sit quietly listening to the rain and thunder as she typed away on her laptop.

Meanwhile, in the office, Jack reclined in his chair, with a smug expression. He wasn't sure whether to laugh or just keep quiet as he struggled to contain his satisfaction.

"So, is there a date set for the wedding?" Jack tapped his fingers.

"Not at the present time. For now, the engagement is the only thing. But, you do realize I have only allowed this betrothal because it is necessary for certain security precautions."

"I know you, Goodwin. There's something you're not telling me." Jack demanded. Goodwin was always frustrated by Jack's stubbornness and smirked.

"Maybe it's not for you to know."

"You'll have to come out with it at some point. Just look at what happened at the Fortune Cup. But, I suppose I don't have to know now…" That was Jack's mistake.

"I want to come with to see my fiancé."

"Very well. But you cannot say anything about this until tomorrow night. Do you understand?" Goodwin urged with a strain of intimidation in his tone.

"I see. Fine. My lips are sealed…for now."

…

Laura and Shinju had gone back to offer last minute help at the shop. They helped close up without saying much of anything. Shinju's parents had ended their shifts an hour ago and had gone home. Kuro looked at them with concern; they were usually not this quiet.

"You guys are acting like you lost your last friend, what's up?"

"It's kind of complicated."

"Calculus is complicated, Nephew."

"This is more complicated than that, it's more like… the theory of relativity cubed." Shinju tried to draw a mental picture for his Uncle.

"I don't even get it myself." He said. Kuro laughed.

"I get it. So, you're not going to tell me, are you?"

"It's better if you don't know." He said.

"Fine. As long as it isn't taking drugs or committing murder I'm sure it's ok for you not to tell me, as least not right now."

Laura gulped. "We might tell you later when things make more sense."

"Fine. Now, get on out of here before you two wind up having to camp out here until the storm subsides!"

…

Sidney was lost in a dream. She was in the stone room again, but this time she was sure that she was alone. At least for now. It made her a little disappointed. She stood as the edge of the pond. Her foot slipped and she fell in as she looked at the Crimson Dragon engraved on the walls.

Instead landing with a thunk into the pond, the pond seemed to transform into a lake. She became entirely submerged, and tons of light started filtering in from the surface. However, when she tried to resurface and get back into the room, it was like there was a sheet of glass preventing her.

She started to feel lightheaded as she held her breath. She was forced to breathe, but strangely she could breathe quite easily. But she knew was in water, because she felt the currents flowing around her and could see her hair almost suspended. Sidney swam towards the bottom a ways until she reached the floor, which was a sandy lakebed. But, there seemed to be an absence of life.

But, she started to see a figure far away. But, it seemed …not human to her. She wasn't sure whether to swim to it or away from it. But, she had not choice but to wait and let it come to her, for then she was frozen in place and couldn't move.

As the figure got closer and closer, she could see the body of some giant monster, with a black reptilian coat and red in several spots including its belly. It almost looked like a cross between a dragon, a giant, and a demon. It had the head of a black dragon with fiery eyes, and red lines running in between its scales. Its horns resembled those of a ram.

It opened its mouth to reveal a long blue tongue and rows of sharp teeth. It grabbed her in its clawed hand and pinned her down to the sandy floor. Sand rose up towards the surface. The creature started to shrink. Once it was getting closer to her, she started to feel like she had seen it somewhere. It wasn't the Crimson Dragon; it was black and more humanoid in nature. It stopped shrinking when it was about down to only a foot taller than Sidney.

It's hand was now simply holding her down by one arm, until it grabbed her other arm and completely pinned her down. It started ripping her clothes with its fangs and she started screaming. Water started filling her lungs and she could feel herself drowning. She didn't bleed, but she could feel intense pain, especially on her left shoulder and in her torso. But, as the dream was fading into darkness and she was waking up, the creature's non-human features were also beginning to fade and reveal a more human shape.

…

She was panting heavily when she was forced awake. The servant had hot lemon water ready for her and handed it to her as she comforted the frightened Sidney.

Goodwin and Lazar were talking with Jack outside the room. When she saw a glimpse of Jack behind Lazar, she could feel a sick feeling in her stomach. Goodwin peered inside as she took a sip of the lemon water.

"Good. We were worried you would never wake up from your nightmares." The servant patted her on the back and departed.

"You need to get your strength back as soon as possible. We can't afford to have you be sick right now." Goodwin scolded her.

"Geez." Sidney replied.

"What did you see in your dream? It wasn't a spider, was it? Or another animal."

"It was a dragon! Some kind of demonic dragon!" Sidney restrained of herself from saying anything more. When Jack heard her say this, his face grew pale. He had a pretty good idea of what a demonic dragon might look like and what it might be called. But, he hoped it wasn't what he was thinking of. He thought of a monster he knew all to well. A monster that existed in his deck, a dragon that was supposedly one of the five dragons from so long ago.

"Not Red Dragon Archfiend…" He whispered to himself.

"It's probably not that, Jack. Red Dragon Archfiend and you are on the side of light; surely it is a creature of some other nature." Lazar suggested. But, he knew better.

This was a warning. Goodwin's plan wouldn't work. It would only put her in more danger. But, what was he thinking? Lazar wanted to suggest that he take this dream as an omen to change his plan and to choose a different guardian for Sidney. But, he knew that Goodwin would brush it off, just like he often did.

Ok, that may have been a bit too intense, but at least we're moving along, right? Am I right? Anyways, be sure to read and review A Futuristic Fairytale by Coke head, our generous illustrator. And, if you want more Star Princess, check out my Trailer on Youtube!

Wow… I wonder where I am going to go with this. Anyway, I hope to get more reviews from my adoring fans. You know what to do. Have a nice day.

We'll see you back here for episode sixteen. Be there or be square.