Well, it might have taken less time than I expected for this episode to get up. I can't do that for every episode, but, be thankful that this one is now here for you to read and review. ^_^

Kiryu rode across the empty landscape as he searched for any sign of Midori or Signers. He had been traveling for hours, not being able to feel her energy. As the hours past by, he longed even more to sense her presence, and to feel her fear of him.

"Where have you gone to, little mouse?" He muttered to himself. Kiryu remembered that she had been with Yusei and Crow. He saw the aircrafts hovering over the Satellite two hours earlier. The Dark Signer slammed on his brakes and cursed, frustrated that he didn't figure out earlier that she was no longer in the Satellite at all.

Then a thought occurred to him. His lips curled into a smile.

"She'll be back. After all, her dear grandpa is still missing." He laughed to himself. Not even he knew where Etsuo Tsukino was. The old man, despite his normal passive nature, was a tough fighter, as he had been a biker in his youth. He managed to escape from them and avoid being absorbed as a part of the power source for the Earthbound Immortals.

Midori, however, had no idea. Kiryu discovered he could use this to his advantage, and rode back towards the underground, where Demak was carefully minding things in Rudger's absence. In his mind, he wouldn't have to worry about tasting her flesh again.

…

Meanwhile, Blister had arrived at Martha's and was helping around and assisting in taking care of the kids. Crow was sitting by his Runner, surrounded by children as he regaled them with stories of his days as a little kid and urban legends passed from person to person in the Satellite.

Martha had just come outside to call everyone in when she saw a figured limping towards the house. Blister was inside, looking after the older kids who were helping out with household tasks.

The figure was strongly built, very tall and sturdy looking, like a big hulk. As it got closer, Crow turned around and saw it was a person. A few small faces perked up and watched from behind his Runner. Martha walked out towards the person.

When the two were close enough to get a good look at each other, her eyes widened and some of the children gasped.

The man seemed that he was in his mid to late sixties, standing just barely over six and a half feet. He had had thick cloud-gray hair with lighter gray sideburns that was tied back into a shoulder length ponytail, and he had a big furry mustache. His face was somewhat gaunt as he looked tired.

The stranger had thick eyebrows and his forest green eyes were covered by a set of ordinary glasses. He wore a black leather trench coat over his blue-violet shirt that possessed the kanji for "Strength" in gold printing, and a pair of worn black denim pants.

Many of the children popped back down when they saw him coming, as he looked truly fearsome from their perspective. But, a couple noticed him limping, and that he had made a makeshift bandage around his ankle.

He opened his mouth, and the children were surprised that he had a very pleasant, but powerful bass voice.

"Pardon me, ma'am. Do you know where I can see a doctor?"

Martha nodded. "Dr. Schmidt is inside. May I ask what happened?"

"Ma'am, you wouldn't believe me if I told you." He replied courteously.

One of the kids ran over and stood behind Martha as he peered up at the man.

"Were you in a big fight mister?" He asked.
The man kneeled down and grinned at the little kid, his mustache seeming to curl with his smile. The kid backed up a little, slightly intimidated.

"Well, kid, I may look bog and scary, but I don't get into any tussles unless it's in self-defense or I'm protecting someone else. I was running away from some scary people and sprained my ankle real good."

The kid smiled. "Ok. The doctor can get you some real bandages and some ice for that." The kid walked off. The man gave a big belly-laugh.

"Boy, I sure hope he can! Because it sure hurts like the burning blazes!"

"You seem to be taking it rather well." Martha remarked.

"I'm the kind of guy who can roll with the punches." He was still grinning.

Crow approached it, curious about this strange man.

"So, you got a name, or do we have to call you 'the stranger'?" Some of the kids laughed, remembering a story Crow had told about the man who started building the bridge between New Domino and the Satellite. They had called him 'the stranger' since his name had been forgotten. And, the story was often referred to as 'the bridge to nowhere' since the real bridge was never finished.

The man laughed, as he also seemed to be familiar with the story.

"Good one. No, I can't take credit for that. I just plant flowers 'n' trees and make the Satellite look nice is all." He squinted at Crow, and gave him a look of approval.

"The name is Tsukino. Etsuo Tsukino."

Crow's jaw dropped as he recognized the last name.

"Are you Midori's grandpa!?" He asked excitedly. Etsuo's eyes narrowed, he leaned down and stared Crow straight in the eyes. He looked cold and serious.

"You know my grandbaby? Did she also escape those wang-doodled hooligans?" Some of the children laughed at the use of his words, even though everyone knew was being completely serious.

Crow hung his head. "She did, but…"

Etuso perked up. "Oh, thank the Lord! I thought those scumbags were keeping her locked up, which is why I let them take me in the first place. I escaped because I heard they were going out to search for her. May I see her?"

"Ummm…well…she's not exactly here." Etsuo picked up Crow by the collar and shook him, but not too hard.

"Then where is she!?"

"Mr. Tsukino, you're granddaughter is in New Domino City." Martha put a hand on his arm. He set Crow down and balled his fists.

"It must have been that crafty fat-cat Sayer from the Arcadia Movement! He's come to our door once every six months to ask for her. I've never let them take her…I never even told her about the visits, except the one time she was there when she was eleven years old…

I figured he'd pull something like this."

"No, Mr. Goodwin has taken her under his protection…if you can call it that." Martha explained, trying to calm him down. He did take a deep breath, but he was still seething with rage.

"Well, that's even worse now, isn't it? I've got an even fatter cat with Midori in his claws. What have I done to deserve this? Argh!" He breathed slowly, trying to ease himself and keep a level head.

Crow's eyes widened. "You don't need to worry. I've got friends who are there. There are others that Goodwin has…taken into custody. I know she'll be fine as long as their around…I know it!"

Etsuo's eyes narrowed. "Is that so? Say… you look an awful lot like one of the guys that was apart of that group years ago…Team Satisfaction, I think it was called."

Crow gulped. Etsuo chuckled.

"No need to get your underwear in a knot! I was a supporter until your leader decided to go A.W.O.L. and declare an all-out war with Sector Security…that was just plain stupidity right there. I can't blame the whole group if only one person screwed it up." Etsuo explained himself. Crow sighed with relief. But, he couldn't help but feeling somewhat bad since Kiryu had been his friend…and Etuso would probably find out what he did to Midori, too.

"Well, he's back, and he's one of the Dark Signers. In case you didn't already know that." Crow told him. Etsuo nodded.

"I did in fact see him a couple of times. It turned my stomach." He admitted, "Anyways, it's good to know that Midori is safe with your friends...I suppose I can trust you. But, don't think this means I don't have my eye on you, …ummm…"

"Crow. My name is Crow."

Etsuo shook his hand. Martha smiled. He bowed gentlemanly to her, while biting his lip in pain from his ankle.

"I never got YOUR name, Ma'am." He said.

"I'm Martha, I run the orphanage here. Anyways, you should go in and have Doctor Schmidt look at that."

"I reckon I will… thank you Martha." Etsuo walked inside with a few curious children following behind him. He laughed, feeling a bit embarrassed.

…

The aircrafts landed on a landing pad not too far from Goodwin's office. Sidney helped Yusei off as Shinju and Kuro unloaded his Runner. Laura's parents unloaded her car before taking off to bring their craft back to the science building where it came from.

Jack's Runner was waiting for him, and he didn't bother to stay around long as he quickly took off. Mina rode in the same direction in her Jeep, with Lazar in tow, whom she was dropping off at Goodwin's office.

"I can bring your Runner into the shop. It'll be safe there until you get better." Shinju offered. Yusei paused.

"You really don't need to…"

"Hey, we owe you one. And besides, a little help never hurt anyone." Shinju said coolly. Laura giggled as she let Sidney sit in the back of the car with Yusei and Midori sat in the passenger's seat. Kuro had taken a ride with Laura's parents.

Shinju got into Yusei's Runner and rode off in the direction of the shop before Laura finally took off with the rest.

"So…where are we going, exactly?" Sidney asked.

"Goodwin's office first. Yusei is going to talk to him, in case you don't remember." Laura tittered. Midori blinked, somewhat confused.

"I'm not that forgetful." Sidney said defensively.

"Calm down. You know I didn't mean it that way." Laura reassured her,

"Anyways, I'm going to drop off Midori at the safe house where everyone else is after this. I thought we'd stop by and say hey to everyone before I took you home, to Goodwin's, I mean."

Sidney looked down. She didn't want to back there after what she went through in the past twenty-four hours. But, she needed to change, and thought she didn't really have a choice in the matter.

It was only about five minutes or so before Yusei pulled up at the skyscraper where Goodwin's office was. Sidney helped Yusei get out, but as he got onto the sidewalk he reassured her that he'd be ok the rest of the way.

"They have elevators. I think I'll manage."

"But what if security won't let you in?" Sidney asked worriedly.

Yusei saw a woman at the reception counter who seemed to recognize him when she looked up. Sidney cocked her head, unsure what to make out of it.

"I get the feeling that he's willing to see me."

Sidney nodded and gave him a stern look. He laughed.

"It's ok." He said. She gave him a skeptical look. He responded by putting his hand over her head. Her face flushed pink. He managed to make her smile as she wrapped her hand over his and removed it from her head slowly.

"I'll see you later, then." She told him hopefully. He nodded before walking inside. She got back in the car, but as she looked back she could see him gently waving at her, which made her giggle.

"Ah! This is even better than what I was planning to do."

Sidney leaned over in the backseat as the Jaguar started up and they began driving away. Midori sat quietly, rummaging through her thoughts.

"What were you planning to do exactly?"

"Oh… you know Sid…I was thinking of something along the lines of turning Jack into a girl with a pair of scissors…or maybe locking him in an empty room and just leaving him there...you know…revenge!!!"

"You seem to be somewhat violent." Midori commented.

"Oh no, I just like to talk like I'm violent. It helps me get my feelings out there, you know?" Laura grinned.

"Laura, what is the word about kidnapping?" Sidney asked with whimsy in her tone. Laura giggled.

"It's illegal and just plain rude." Laura sighed jokingly in a hill-billy accent.

"Inside joke." Sidney explained to Midori. She nodded.

"My grandpa and I had a ton of them. I totally get it."

"It's from the 6th grade. I pranked a kid at school by pretending to be a hobo kidnapping his stuffed animal and asking for a ransom." Laura explained.

"Why'd you do that?" Midori asked.

"The kid's name was Sasuke and he took Sidney's lunch money…and mine. And he was convinced he was a demon ninja. I had to knock some sense into that kid, seriously." Laura smiled. Sidney didn't remember it quite that way, but it was true that even though Sidney was often bullied more than other kids at school, Laura had her share of it as well. Midori couldn't help but laugh at Laura's story. She had actually told it on purpose to try and life Midori's spirits.

They got to the safe house, and when they got inside, everyone was sitting around the dining room table with worried looks. Tanner was upstairs in his room contacting Blister, but there was Leo, Luna, Yanagi, Rally, Blitz, Tank, and Nervin. But, Sidney and Laura had the feeling that someone was missing.

"Does anyone know where Aki went?" Sidney asked.

"She just vanished off the face of the earth!" Yanagi exclaimed.

Luna shook her head. Everyone looked at her, since she had a look on her face that said she did know. She breathed a heavy sigh.

"Akiza told me that she was going back to the Arcadia Movement to check on Sayer. I was going to come with because she said if she brought me and Leo pretending to be trying to recruit me, he might not get mad at her for leaving.

She said my powers could be considered Psychic, and Sayer had me on file and had taken an interest in a while ago, but was more intrigued after what happened in my duel against Professor Frank in the Fortune Cup.

But, then we saw these freaky lights in the sky and our marks started glowing. She told me it might not be safe for me and Leo to come. So, she went by herself. It hasn't been an hour yet, but I'm worried."

Midori perked up. "Maybe Sidney and I could check and make sure she's ok. After all, Sidney's the Star Princess and I'm a psychic, so we might be welcomed there…" Before Midori could continue, Laura got a worried look on her face.

"Oh no…Sidney, remember what Sayer said after we rescued you from being kidnapped by him? He said you signed your own death warrant! It means if you go back or if he comes after you again…he'll most likely… try to kill you!"

Midori gasped. "Oh…I'm so sorry, I had no idea! I never got a chance to see into your recent past that much. I promise…"

"You don't need to apologize, Midori." Sidney assured her.

"Well, they have nothing against me. Maybe I can still go." Midori offered.

"Do you think you can do it? I'm not sure you're up to this. And, you don't really know any of the other signers that well." Sidney supposed. But, then a thought occurred to her.

"You know what? It doesn't matter if they've put a bounty on my head. You shouldn't go alone Midori, especially if there are Dark Signers running around loose." Sidney declared.

"…Ok then. But, you should probably change." Laura told her.

Sidney sighed. "I suppose you're right."

"Just promise you'll all come back ok." Yanagi made them promise.

"Don't worry, I'll be with them. After all…I'm technically an adult here." She grinned. Everyone shook there heads.

"Will you be ok, Luna?" Midori asked, seeing Luna lost deep in worrisome thought. Luna looked up and shook her head.

"I'll be fine. My mind is just really busy is all."

So, Midori got back in the car with Sidney and Laura as they made a quick stop at Goodwin's house for Sidney to drop off her dress so it could be taken to be repaired, and she could change into a fresh set of clothes before heading off to search for Akiza.

Ok. So…just when things seemed to be quieting down, it starts to get louder again. You know the drill. Also, a note to people whom I have promised to read and review their work: I will get to it, I promise. See you back here for episode 27. Be there or be square! Have a nice day.