Hello everybody! Sorry it took so long to get this episode up! It was a little difficult writing this one, but now we are good to go. I have a couple of things to say before we get started. Number one, once the school year starts, I will probably be able to only get one episode up per week. I will try to work on two per week, but sometimes life has to come first before fanfiction. So, as my faithful readers, be patient and bear with me.

Second is just a reminder. I do have most of the major events in canon here, but they may be in a different order or occur in a different manner. Also, stuff has been taken out or put in. But the point is, I have changed some things in order to accommodate the plot of this fanfiction, and I apologize for discrepancies.

That's my soapbox speech for today, so R&R, and enjoy the episode!

Yusei drew his card. His runner began bumping and wobbling.

"Look's like your Runner is about to give out, eh Yusei?" Kiryu smirked.

"No it's just a little wobbly."

"Oh, like your duel strategy?" He mocked Yusei.

"Not quite. You see, since I have monsters, I can summon my Level Warrior to the field as a level four monster."

A red clad warrior appeared with a yellow cape and glowing stars up his front.

(Level warrior is now a level 4 monster with 300 attack points.)

"I also summon Hyper Synchron." A multi-colored machine like creature emerged in a blast of light.

(Hyper Synchron is a level four light attribute monster with 1600 attack and 800 defense points.)

"And now I synchro summon my ultimate monster by tuning my two monsters together! Come on out, Stardust Dragon!"

A ring of eight stars formed a circle as his two monsters disappeared, and one giant creature took their place. Stardust Dragon was an immaculate white dragon to behold, with glittering gold eyes, and an ocean blue chest. It's whole body rippled with ivory and sea colored scales as shining dust fell to the ground.

(Stardust Dragon is a level eight wind attribute Dragon type Synchro monster with 2500 attack points and 3000 defense points.)

"Also, since I used Hyper Synchron to summon my dragon, it gets 800 more attack points and can't be destroyed in battle." Stardust Dragon now had 3300 attack points. He ordered it to attack Kiryu's dragon. Kiryu countered by activating the power of Infernity Guardian, which prevented his dragon from being destroyed, but his life points still dropped to 3700. He felt a sting in his back.

Shard of Hope was still active, so Yusei activated it. Because Kiryu took damage, he could draw a card, and if it was a trap he could activate it in return for Shard of Hope's destruction. He drew a card, Miracle Locust.

Stardust Dragon gained 1000 more attack points and could attack again. Now Kiryu's dragon could not access its great abilities and was destroyed, and Kiryu took another hit that left his life points at 2400.

But Yusei wasn't finished. He activated another card called Synchro destructor. Kiryu would take damage equal to half his monster's attack, but since it was a Synchro monster, he would take full damage. It seemed to be all over.

But, Kiryu had his own counter move.

He activated a called Damage Translation, which halved his damage. His life points after the two hits were now at 900. He could feel the pain surge through him. Then, at the end phase of Yusei's turn, he activated the second part of his trap, which brought out two eerie black Ghost Tokens.

Things were now as tense as ever. Sidney wanted this to be over now. She had been around Laura and Shinju long enough to see that Yusei's bike was ready to go kaput.

As if to speak the magic words, her cell phone rang from inside a hidden pocket on her dress. She whipped it out to see Laura was calling her.

"Laura! I'm so glad you called. I need your help."

"You've got that right! Did I hear correctly that you're marrying that no good pervert? Don't worry! Shinju and I will come to the rescue."

"No! It's not that! Yusei's in a turbo-duel right now, but it's a shadow duel with a Dark Signer…" Sidney explained.

"What! You mean like what Goodwin was talking about."

"Yeah. It's like his other duel with the Shadow Drone. All the damage taken is real… and it looks like he's in really bad shape and his Runner looks like it's going to creep and die." Sidney told her.

"Ok. Shinju's uncle Kuro and my dad know each other. We can send one of the science department's air vehicles to pick up Yusei's Runner when it gives, and take it back to the shop for repairs. Be prepared though Sid, because Yusei is going to get hurt…he'll need to see a doctor right away.

Anyways, we'll be there A.S.A.P. Just hang in there, ok?"

"Thanks Laura." Sidney was shaken. She prayed Yusei wouldn't get hurt, but now it seemed that it was unavoidable. Jack was still standing close by. Mina had been in the copter the whole time watching, and could see things were not looking good.

It was now Kiryu's turn, and though he wasn't able to draw, he had added a card to his hand via one of Yusei's cards and suddenly, on one side of the arena, a group of hooded figured gathered around.

"Are those all the people who were taken?" Crow gasped.

"They are, and that means something bad is about to happen." Midori muttered.

"Now, Yusei. I'm going to channel the souls of our captures to summon my strongest monster, my Earthbound Immortal, Ccapac Apu!"

"What!" Yusei couldn't believe it. Kiryu's Ghost Tokens vanished, and the people on the other side started disappearing into the sky. A dark cloud began whirling, and a huge black hand reached out as a huge monster landed on the ground. It looked like the purple silhouette of a giant they had seen earlier, but it was night black and had blue lines running all over it in a pre-Incan design, with a circle at the center that resembled an eye. Yusei tried to send his Stardust Dragon after it, but it proved ineffective. He also tried to counter with a trap and that failed as well.

"Thanks to the souls of those captured, my monster is basically invincible; how do you like that, Yusei?" Kiryu laughed hysterically as his humongous beast moved in to attack, by attempting to crush Yusei with its titanic palm.

Yet, the monster was now inches away from Yusei and his Runner, when a piece of the Runner blew out and started the Runner spinning out of control. Yusei was thrown off and rolled hard onto the ground in a series of crashes.

When it was over, Yusei was terribly injured, and his bike was smashed. The duel was brought to a halt before his life points could be touched. Despite the fact he was injured, he was alive, and was not sent to the Netherworld.

Kiryu rode up alone side him as Sidney rushed down to Yusei.

"Looks like your Runner ended the duel before the duel could end you. Simply pathetic! Say…what did the MC at the tournament call you? Satellite Shooting Star? More like Satellite Falling Star!" He roared maniacally as he rode off. He shouted back.

"You can't defeat me! However, expect to see me again… all of you!"

Sidney stood over Yusei with tears in her eyes. The light of her marks were dimmed. She had stopped healing, and started to become wobbly. What she was told was true; if a Signer was hurt, her powers would be compromised, sometimes even nonexistent. She dropped to her knees when she saw that a piece of glass had dug itself into Yusei's side.

"Ahhh….my…" Yusei groaned in pain.

"Oh no…Yusei! We'll get you to a doctor! It'll be ok!" Sidney reached out.

"Don't touch him!" Crow warned her as he came riding down the hill. Midori jumped out to come and help.

"I'll take him to Martha's place. Dr. Schmidt lives there." Jack came scrambling down after them, and helped lay Yusei across Crow's Runner.

"I'm coming with you!" Sidney was held back by Jack. She cried and begged for him to let go as Crow got onto his Runner. Midori got directions from Crow, and chose to stay behind to take Sidney to Martha's place herself.

However, Jack was reluctant to let her go. His arms were firmly wrapped around her waist. Sidney dug her nails into him and he was forced to let go. She panted heavily.

"I'm taking you home." He snapped at her.

"No. You can't make me go home. I'm not leaving Yusei! Go without me!"

"Fine! It's your funeral when you get back!" Jack hopped back in the copter.

Just then, another copter came flying down as Crow rode away. Laura, Shinju, and Uncle Kuro hopped out and ran over to Sidney.

"Oh my gosh! Sidney, what happened to you?" Laura was shocked at her condition. She glared at Jack, who stared out from the copter. Kuro unloaded Laura's car from the vehicle.

"Here. We brought this. We'll be back to pick you all up in a few hours." Shinju and Kuro loaded Yusei's Runner onto the air vehicle and it closed up and floated back into the air, to fly back to the city.

"Well, if you need a ride back, we'll take care of it!" Laura hugged Sidney. Jack huffed. Mina nodded and thanked Laura, and told the pilot to take them back to the city.

As they were going back, Jack gave Mina a dirty look.

"I can't believe you let her stay."

"She wanted to look after Yusei, and he was badly hurt…."

"She shouldn't be hanging around him like that. After all, she's MY fiancé, not his. Besides, he's taken care of…"

"I would've done the same thing if it had been you, Jack. If you'd really care about her and didn't let your jealousy get in the way, I bet you would have gone with them." Jack refused to say anything more.

…

Crow made it to Martha's old house in record time. He jumped out of his Runner and banged on the door.

"Martha!"

"Crow! It's the middle of the night. This had better be good." Martha stepped out with a candle in hand. Martha was a middle-aged woman. Her dark hair was kept at shoulder-length, and from her full tan face and chestnut eyes. She always wore a simple black dress with a white collar that suited her short and somewhat wide stature.

She gasped. "Is that Yusei!"

"This is bad, Martha. We need Dr. Schmidt. He needs surgery, now."

Laura's car with Laura, Sidney, and Midori came riding up behind them and was parked next to Crow's Runner. Martha looked up at them curiously.

"They're friends, we can explain later… hey! Can you all lend me a hand here?"

Everyone helped to gently carry Yusei inside. Martha got Dr. Schmidt. He was an elderly doctor, with stylish white hair, and a typical orange shirt, denim pants, and a lab coat. His eyes glinted when he saw Yusei. Martha and the doctor took Yusei into the other room, where he prepared everything and removed Yusei's jacket and shirt to begin. Yusei was unconscious now, but his face was still twisted in a look of horrible pain.

Martha worried as the doctor started working to remove the glass and stitch up his side. Everyone else waited outside.

Crow leaned against the foot of the wooden stairs, while he hand his hand in Midori's shoulder as she watched the door. Laura reclined on the white wall near the door. Sidney was straight across from it, with her fists clenched and her body tremoring. Laura walked over and rubbed her head to reassure her.

"It's going to be ok, Sidney."

"But Laura…"

"But nothing. I bet you he'll be just fine." Laura objected. Midori looked at Crow and then at Laura and Sidney.

"I have a feeling that your friend is right." Midori said. Suddenly, Midori's eyes grew distant. Crow saw this, and realized she was having another one of her blackouts. She began speaking to Sidney softly.

"He'll be ok, I promise. He'll be so happy to see you when he wakes up." She blinked and returned to her normal self.

"Did I say anything that was helpful?" She asked Crow. He nodded approvingly.

"I know I will have to go back with Yusei when he's better…that's the reason he came, isn't it? …But the truth is, I don't want to leave. I like being with you, Crow. Why don't you come with us?"

Crow stroked her head. "That would be great. But, I have my nest to protect."

"But…how will we see each other?" She asked. He blushed a little.

"Don't worry; we'll se each other again. You can count on it." She nodded and hugged him, which made his face turn red for a moment. But, he wasn't prepared for what Midori was about to say next. Laura and Sidney hovered in the background.

"I lo… believe in you, Crow." Midori stopped herself from saying that she loved him. She knew him only a day. But, underneath, the seed of love had taken root within her, and this was only the beginning.

Crow also had developed an attachment to her, and felt it very hard to know that she would be leaving him after such a short amount of time.

Sidney went outside to sit on the steps. Laura came after her. Midori stayed inside just in case Martha or the doctor came out. Crow followed Laura and Sidney outside.

"Well, now that we've got time to kill…do you want to talk about what happened at the party?" Laura asked.

"I didn't get Cassandra's autograph for you. Somebody tried to kidnap her and I never got the chance…" Sidney tried to avert the subject. Laura giggled.

"Kidnapped? You're kidding! I forgive you…but that's not what I meant. I was talking about you and Jack. I know that it's a setup." Crow's eyes widened as he listened to them while leaning against his Runner.

Sidney started tearing. "It isn't fair. Goodwin never even asked me if I wanted to get married at all. I mean…I'd like to get married SOMEDAY…But not now, and not to Jack. I just don't love him that way."

Crow finally said something.

"Sounds like you don't have a choice."

"No, I don't. Goodwin's my foster father, and what he says goes until I'm eighteen." Sidney said.

"Well, Jack was my friend back in the day, but I can't say I would take his side in this. He seemed gun-ho for the whole thing, but you say never even wanted this."

"Yeah…but I shouldn't complain about it. It's not like my dad can be brought back to life. And my mom hasn't showed up ever since she left me when I was a toddler. Why would she give a care about me now? I can't do anything about it." Sidney could feel herself falling into despair. Laura shook her.

"That's not true! Shinju and I have a plan. You'll still get married, we're just going to switch the groom around to someone you like." Laura said cheekily.

"No, Laura. I don't want to get married at all right now. Period, exclamation point, sharp sign!" Sidney looked up at Crow, who had his arms folded across his chest, thinking hard to himself.

"So, are you also a friend of Yusei's?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm Crow Hogan. Yusei and I use to be apart of a dueling group together. We were the best of friends, the four of us against the world. Anyways, the girl in there is Midori. Yusei and Blister were sent here to find someone called the Oracle of Twilight, and apparently Midori fits the bill. So, she'll be going back with you guys."

Sidney then remembered her bandages. "Hey Crow, what happened to her? I noticed she's been hurt in several places."

Crow grimaced. "You know that Dark Signer Yusei was dueling? Well, his name is Kiryu Kyosuke, and ironically he was our friend and apart of our group along with Jack, Yusei, and myself.

He decided he was going to take over the Satellite and eliminate all threats. But, he went over the edge… and now he's a Dark Signer.

I still can't get over the fact that he raped her…the Kiryu we knew would never lay a hand on a girl. He helped people and made the streets safe."

Laura's jaw dropped.

"You mean the laughing psycho molested that poor girl? She looks like she's only just into high school! What a loser!"

"And now she has to carry that memory for the rest of her life. What if she gets pregnant? What if he tries to go after her again?" Laura put her hand on Crow's head.

"We'll protect her. And once she comes back to the Satellite that will be your job." Crow nodded. Laura smiled at him.

"I promise I'll look for her missing grandpa while she's gone. It's the least I can do to make things better for her. Assuming the Dark Signers didn't capture him."

Sidney managed a faint smile. "He's probably still out there, if he's the kind of grandpa who would do anything to protect his family. That's what I think."

Well, that's all we have time for today. Yes, I probably spelled some stuff wrong, but hey, it happens. Anyways, please R&R, and I hope to see you all back here for episode 23. YAY!