I apologize for the long wait. Sometimes life happens when you are making other plans. Please give me your sympathy. Anyways, Read, Review, and Enjoy.

Lazar observed a scowl from Laura and gave her a reluctant expression. Shinju and Kuro slowly emerged from the other aircraft, gently bringing Yusei's Runner down onto the ground. Laura ran over to Shinju and hugged him.

"Thanks for putting up with all of this, Shinju." She squeezed at let go.

Shinju blushed. "Aw, shucks. I'd do anything for my girl, you know that!"

The late morning sun was now hanging over the Satellite, with a slight breath of wind stirring up the dust that blew along the cracked roads and empty walkways. Martha's place seemed like a symbol of hope in the middle of a desert.

Laura turned her head and gave a slight growl when she saw Jack begin to approach Sidney and Yusei. He ignored her as he gave Sidney an almost pitiful expression, clearly intended to be persuasive. He was a couple feet away from them when Lazar spoke to Yusei.

"Have you found the Oracle of Twilight or any information that might lead us to them?" He asked. Yusei nodded.

"We found the person. She's inside. But…"

"Then we should be taking all of you back then, now, shouldn't we?"

Just then, a voice came from inside. "Yusei isn't going anywhere!"

Martha emerged from the house with Crow, Midori, and a couple of kids following behind her. Lazar raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? And why not?"

"He was badly injured and had surgery last night. He needs bed rest for the next for days in order to recover properly." Martha told him firmly. Lazar noted the bandages that were visible beneath Yusei's shirt.

"Well, Yusei was the one who came for me with the other guy, and I'm going back…. And there's probably better medical care in New Domino City. Maybe it would be best if we let him go back?" Midori supposed.

Yusei remembered his conversation with Martha earlier that day.

(Flashback)

"It's been rough," Martha said, "Security took our decks and Crime has taken whatever else has even of little value. It's a part of why so many people look up to you, Yusei. People thought you had a chance at getting out of here and starting a normal life. That's why it breaks my heart to see you back here dueling…

I just hope you won your little game."

"It's not what you think, Martha! There are some people out there who want to destroy our home, you see, there is this group called the Dark Signers…"

"Calm Down, Yusei. I believe you. But, why are you trying to take these people on by yourself?" She asked.

"Because it's my job."

Martha sighed as she was slicing an apple. "You'll just never change…your always trying to do things by yourself without any help and wind up in a hospital bed.

You have friends who would follow you anywhere. After all, a few of them came all the way from New Domino City just to help you and make sure you were ok.. And some even got your Runner after it was all smashed up.

And then there's Jack…you two were like brothers once. Whatever happened between the two of you, it's time you both forgave and forgot.

Life is hard enough…it's even harder without a best friend.

And if it's true that these Dark Signers want to turn our home into a Parking Lot, then you'll need all the friends you can get…because, mark my words, I'm done bandaging your black and blues."

She handed him a couple slices of apple. He thanked her.

"Also…if you leave before I say you're better, those scars are just the beginning." She warned him.

(End Flashback)

"I'm not so sure that would be best for him, Midori." Martha said, "However, if he can get better care, then perhaps it doesn't matter either way."

Jack noticed Martha and his eyes widened. "Martha!"

Sidney giggled a little when Martha got a huge grin on her face. "Why Jackie! You've grown up so much since I last saw you!"

She ran over and squeezed him. His face turned slightly pale blue. Laura and Shinju laughed quietly to themselves as the walked over to stand by Sidney on the opposite side from where Yusei was.

Lazar, in the midst of this reunion, saw Midori standing quietly in the background, with her hand firmly wrapped around Crow's arm. He approached the two of them cautiously. Crow was a bit apprehensive, but Midori found Lazar to be a rather silly looking individual, and had no trouble in talking to him when he asked her questions about her and her powers. He never once mentioned the Dark Signers, which was part of what made it easy. However, her eyes would occasionally drift towards Crow, looking for reassurance. He smiled and held her hand to make her feel better.

In the meantime, Martha let go of Jack, and he took a deep breath to get air back into his system. Laura was still quietly enjoying it.

"Oh, Jack, I remember when you were a boy, you used to run around pretending you were a Prince…could you do your little Prince routine for me? Please?" Martha asked him with a smile.

Laura nudged Sidney. "This is going to be gold."

Shinju pulled out a pocket-sized Digital Camera from inside his pocket from inside his pants pocket, turning the flash off and stepping behind Laura, so he wouldn't be noticed. Laura was still planning her revenge, and thought he could find ways to contribute to it.

Jack kneeled down in a quasi-regal manner. Laura's face started turning red from trying to contain her laughter.

"I bid thee greetings, oh fairest of maidens! May I kiss you hand?" Just as Jack was about to kiss Martha's hand, he saw Shinju with his camera behind Laura, and quickly stood up after a split second peck. Jack quickly stood up and confronted Laura.

Laura had Shinju quickly put away the camera. Neither of them said a word to each other. Nobody could tell really what was going on.

Martha could feel tension in the air and decided things needed to cool down. Midori could also sense it and started walking towards the aircraft, with Crow following behind her.

"Well, we should probably get back to the city as soon as possible." Lazar sighed.

His mind seemed to be elsewhere. Jack agreed to his statement and got back on the craft. Laura and Shinju helped board her car into the other where her parents were. Sidney helped Yusei in when she got on herself, although his Runner had to go in Mr. Shinoda's craft.

Lazar allowed Laura to ride with Jack, Yusei, Sidney, Mina, Midori and himself in the craft the Security pilot flew. However, before they left, Midori opened the window and blew a kiss out to Crow.

"I'll be back soon, Crow!" She called to him. Crow's face turned bright red as he waved to her. The two air vehicles lifted off and started to fly back towards the city.

Martha looked at Crow as she saw him still waving, his face still flushed red.

"You must really like that girl, don't you, Crow?"

He blinked rapidly. "Well, it's sort of like this…she went through a lot and…oh heck. I do like her a lot. She's really a sweet girl…I hope she does come back soon…"

…

Meanwhile, Yusei sat across from Jack in the mundane aircraft. Sidney sat in the back, with Laura beside her. Lazar sat at the front next to the pilot. Jack glanced over at Laura while she gave him a dirty look. Sidney had her head down as she was in deep thought. Yusei's gave was focused on the Satellite as it grew smaller behind them.

Just as everything seemed to grow quiet, Jack smirked at Laura.

"I'm impressed with the maneuver you and your boyfriend tried to pull on me. However, it will take a lot more than blackmail to persuade me to change my mind about anything." Mina was sitting not to far away when she perked up. She could start to feel tension rising in the air.

Jack then looked at Yusei as he allowed himself to lean slightly towards Sidney.

"Yusei, I suppose since you were in the Satellite that you missed the big news about me and Sidney…"

Sidney perked up and tried to inch closer to Laura. Her friend gave Jack a warning glare. Yusei's expression was calm, almost blank looking.

"Jack, there's more to this than Goodwin is telling you or anyone else." Lazar heard this and began to feel anxious. Yusei continued.

"Goodwin shouldn't be forcing either you or Sidney to be doing this."

Jack hid a cocky smile. "You're still quite dense there."

Yusei remembered the expression Jack had when he saw them at the Honors Dinner on television at Crow's place. He had almost forgotten it. The look on his face had told Yusei that Jack knew at least something about the arranged marriage before Sidney or anyone else did.

"I wanted it…I agreed to it, Yusei. Some people are just not quite comfortable with the idea just yet." Laura scowled when Jack said this. Mina had a sad look on her face as she sat behind Lazar and looked back at Jack. Sidney felt Jack now lightly grasping her hand and pulled her hand back into her lap.

"Think of it as a trade off, Yusei. You get to keep the title and be the hero. But, I get the girl as compensation. Consider any score between us settled."

"Sidney isn't some trophy or a bargaining chip, Jack." Laura hissed.

"We were already even when I defeated you at the Fortune Cup. Sidney has nothing to do with what's between me and you. If you really care, than you would leave it that way. We need to forgive and forget and move on if all of us are going to take on the Dark Signers as a team." Yusei was to the point. Laura nodded approvingly, and poked Sidney gently, encouraging her to speak up.

Jack said nothing, but gave Sidney an intimidating expression.

"Leave her alone, Jack." Laura warned him.

Just then, Lazar's cell phone rang. It was Goodwin.

"Has the mission been successful?" He asked Lazar.

"Yes, Yusei was injured and needs to be on bed rest a few days, but other than that everything has gone as planned. The Oracle of Twilight is in our possession and the Star Princess has returned safely from the Satellite." Lazar reported.

"Good. I was concerned when I found her missing last night. But, I figured she had gone off to the Satellite with you and Jack. I was relieved when you confirmed my suspicions." He replied. Lazar could here a soft voice in the background.

"Is Cassandra with you, Mr. Goodwin? Is she doing alright?"

"She's fine." Said Goodwin, "Anyways, I want you to put me up on video screen; I want to address everyone."

Lazar connected his phone to a socket which lit up the video screen hanging where the group was sitting. Goodwin was now in his office, with Cassandra hovering in the background with a curious expression.

"I am glad all of you have returned, and I wish to bid a warm welcome to our newest member, the Oracle of Twilight."

Midori shot up and stare blankly at the screen, her gaze fixated on Cassandra. The fifteen year old's face twisted into an expression of sorrow and sympathy.

"I guess many of us here have our share of heavy memories." Her soft, timid voice seemed somewhat distant. Cassandra approached the screen behind Goodwin.

"Who are you?" She asked Midori curiously. Midori seemed to be in one of her blackouts, but her eyes seemed less dulled and she seemed more aware of what she was saying, despite being distant.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Midori. You must be the Singer I saw on TV not too long ago…you have a really lovely voice."

"Thank you." Cassandra said. She peered in to see Midori's bandages.

"Is she ok, Mr. Goodwin?"

"I suppose there was more damage than just Yusei's injuries." Goodwin closed his eyes as if in pensive thought.

"No, theses are…from something else." Midori sat down and leaned against her seat. Cassandra gave her a sympathetic look.

Jack sat in the background, with nothing to say until Yusei stood and gave Goodwin a defiant expression.

"Is something wrong, Yusei?" Goodwin asked, somewhat unsuprised.

"We need to talk, Goodwin!"

"I see. Why don't you come by my office after the carrier lands and we can talk then. As for now, I wish not to cause a disturbance."

Jack stood up. "If this is about Sidney, why don't we settle this right here and now? Or… are you afraid?"

"That's enough, Jack," Goodwin scolded him; "This will be just between me and Yusei, and ONLY me and Yusei. This is regardless of the subject matter."

Jack sat back down. Laura smirked.

"You know, I'm still here. Why can't I say anything about this?" Sidney chimed in, feeling somewhat anxious. Goodwin nodded.

"Of course. I had a feeling you would wish to speak with me. Why don't you wait until you get home and change into some different clothes? Your dress is in need of repair, anyway."

Sidney crossed her arms. "No. I want to say something now. I want you to call this whole thing off."

"I'm afraid I can't do that. This is for your own good, Sidney. This is for your protection. We can't afford to have the Dark Signers capture, kill you, or defeat you in a Shadow Duel." Goodwin stated.

"How is this protecting me? It's only been a day and it's already making my life…"Before she could continued a gust a wind blew and distorted the connection for a second or two. Suddenly, Lazar looked out the window and gawked at two giant purple glowing figures in the shape of a hummingbird and a lizard.

"Dark Signs? In New Domino City? But I thought the Dark Signers were only in the Satellite!" Lazar gasped. Goodwin sighed.

"The army of shadows must be recruiting more members. And from the looks of it, they have found two."

In a split second or two, the marks vanished from the sky in a flash of lavender light. They seemed to shoot down into the city, like lightening rushing down a lightening rod. It was as if they were being drawn to their new masters, whoever they were.

Sidney's marks started glowing for a brief moment, which triggered Jack and Yusei's marks to glow. But, they soon dimmed as the energy from the Dark Signs was diminished.

"This isn't good." Laura said.

"Yusei…I will see you shortly." Goodwin said. Cassandra tried to catch Sidney's gaze, and for a moment Sidney noticed her and started to raise her hand to wave at her. Laura remembered that the singer was there rushed over to ask for an autograph.

"You are so awesome! My name is Laura… Ummm….would you be bothered now if I asked you for an autograph, Cassandra?"

Cassandra laughed a little a Laura's enthusiasm. But, before she could say anything, Goodwin bid them farewell and hung up on them. Laura hung her head, disappointed that she was so close, and yet so far away from getting Cassandra's autograph. But, at least she had something to tell her boyfriend when she got off, she thought.

Sidney put her hand only to find Jack standing right behind her. Before she could yelp to get everyone's attention, he breathed in her ear, trying to feel his way up her waist and wrap himself around her, purposely to intimidate her and to make Yusei jealous, should he happen to look around. Sidney started whimpering.

Yusei heard her and turned around and saw Jack. Yusei gave him a scolding look and mouthed his name warningly. Jack looked at him, unimpressed. He backed up and returned to his seat. It wasn't the reaction he wanted, but it sufficed.

Sidney sat by Yusei for the short distance left back to New Domino, with Midori on her other side, and Laura sitting next to Jack, and Mina at the end still by Lazar and the pilot.

Mina hadn't seen what had happened. But, she was frustrated with Jack. She hoped if anyone could convince Goodwin to change his mind about Jack and Sidney, Yusei could do it. She cared too much about Jack to let him have what he wanted at the expense of having to hurt somebody else.

Wow…I'm finally moving on. This is good. Anyways, be sure to tune in for the next installment of this fanfiction. Tell everyone you know to read it, and the fanfictions by Coke Head, my good friend who illustrates for me. Be there or be square. Reviews are love, so please review! :D