Yay! Another Episode! Prepare yourselves for…Episode 31!!!

Crow was polishing up his Duel Runner outside as storm clouds were floating slowly over the Satellite. Etsuo carefully walked out to see what he was doing, trying not to put to much pressure on his ankle.

"Say, are you planning to go out for a ride? It's not safe you know."

"I'm going after the Dark Signers. Why sit around and wait for Yusei if I can take care of some of them before they even get here?" He started to put on his helmet on when Etsuo put a hand on his shoulder.

"I would advise against it, Crow. It ain't some rival gang. The Dark Signers are more powerful than you can ever imagine. I saw what they did while they had me imprisoned. They're monsters…"

"You don't know the half of it." Crow growled, remembering Kiryu.

"You think just because I'm old I turn a blind eye and a deaf ear? After everything that's happened to me in my life, if someone told me aliens were going to invade tomorrow…I might be concerned at the very least."

Crow laughed, knowing that the old man was just exaggerating.

"Besides…I don't want my grandbaby to lose a friend." He admitted.

Crow looked down at the ground.

"I'm not just doing this to help my friends…I'm doing this for her, too."

Etsuo shook his head.

"I admire your guts, I'll give you that. But, as much as I'd like to assist you in ripping their heads off, I know that revenge is never a good motivator."

Crow shuddered, grinding his teeth.

"This is about justice. Do you have any idea what happened to her, old man?"

Just then, Etsuo grasped the seam of Crow's jacket.

"You think I'd turn a blind eye and a deaf ear, boy? …No way…I can only imagine the horror that my grandbaby endured because I was locked up…"

He quickly let go. Crow tightened his grip on his helmet as he took a deep breath.

"The truth is, it doesn't matter how she was hurt. What matters is who did it and that they even dared to lay their filthy hands on her. Let me tell you something, Crow.

They better pray your friends find them before I do. I'm not always the merciful type."

Crow nodded and jumped on his Runner. Etsuo put a hand on his shoulder.

"At least take some time to mull it over before you go running off."

Crow sighed as he got off.

"Alright. You seem to be a bit more than I gave you credit for. But, I'm pretty sure I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning."

Etsuo laughed. Crow is such a stubborn boy, he thought.

"Oh, is that so? You might change you mind."

"Perhaps."

Etsuo walked back inside as Crow followed behind him. Perhaps he would mull it over after all, he thought.

…

The soft seats in the back of the limo were cold as Sidney cautiously took a seat. Goodwin rolled down the window up in front and gave her a sideways glance. The sun streamed down from the clouds outside as the vehicle drove down the road.

"You gave us quite the scare, Sidney." Goodwin remarked in an unusually cold manner, even for himself. Sidney folded her arms and kept her mouth shut. He looked ahead at the road away from her as he sat next to the driver.

"Twice you have run off into a dangerous situation without my consent! Three if you count your Shadow Duel at the Honors Dinner."

"I didn't think I NEEDED your permission… Besides, aren't I suppose to help the Signers against the Dark Signers?" Sidney had an angry current in her speech. Goodwin ignored her admonitory tone.

"Yes, of course. I heard you did well in your duel, according to Lazar. But, you are not a high caliber duelist and your powers are still developing!"

"I'm a decent duelist, though! And I'm learning to control my powers! I'm not a little kid that needs a babysitter, Mr. Goodwin!" Surprisingly, her statement didn't get him upset or angry with her. Instead, he continued to look away as he replied. It was as if he was hiding something.

"Ordinarily, I would largely agree with that statement. However, you are the Star Princess. You need to be protected from anyone who might come after you, especially the Dark Signers. Do you have any idea what would happen if they got a hold of you?"

Sidney fell silent.

"You would prefer not to think about it, I take it? Good. Because I can't afford to have another Princess captured."

Sidney's eyes widened. Another Princess? What did he mean by that?

"Princess Cassandra, the popular singer who sang at the Honors Dinner, as you recall, was almost abducted by a Shadow Drone until you intervened. Unfortunately, the Dark Signers then came and abducted her from her home. My guess is they are now holding her deep beneath the Satellite, and she is a hostage."

"I had no idea, Mr. Goodwin…" Sidney looked down at her feet, feeling somewhat crestfallen. It would account for some things, she thought.

"Since all of you are heading to the Satellite tomorrow at noon, I can't really punish you for your actions. However, as your foster father, I believe what you did was reckless and could have been jeopardizing to our mission."

Sidney twiddled her thumbs. Just then, Goodwin smirked.

"On the other hand, I have some good news. I am reconsidering your engagement to Jack Atlas." Sidney perked up. She knew there was something up, but was relieved to hear him say it none the less.

"I'm afraid he will probably be very disappointed when he hears the news, but I believe more suitable arrangements can be made. I can't give you the exact details yet, however, as they have not been fully discussed yet. You will know, however, by tomorrow before you leave."

Sidney wanted to jump up and down. But, she restrained herself and quietly giggled to herself. She looked out the window to see they had arrived and everyone in the other limo had gotten out and went inside the fancy safe house.

She peered up at the roof and saw it had a landing pad, and saw a red shape on top. A closer look as she got out revealed it was Yusei's Duel Runner.

"Yusei's Runner was delivered here not too long ago." Goodwin commented. Sidney nodded as she went inside. Luna, Akiza, and Midori were sitting together on the couch chatting in the living room while Leo was harassing Yanagi with his friend Dexter in the dining room. Over by the kitchen, Laura had stopped by for a minute as Tanner was writing her the autograph she had pined for. Laura quickly waved at Sidney and glared at Goodwin as the two of the walked along and went up a flight of stairs.

Goodwin bid Sidney follow him as they walked down the hall where all the other Signers rooms would be for the night. As they walked up to the second floor, they passed the rooms of Yanagi, Dexter, Tanner, and Leo, whose room was directly above Luna's.

"There's another floor before we reach the roof." Goodwin said.

"Why are we heading to the roof?" Sidney asked.

"I believe Jack and Yusei are there. I wish to speak with the two of them."

Sidney nodded. As they went up to the third floor he quickly pointed out her room to her. She briefly glanced into it, seeing that it was painted a light red and had ordinary furnishings. Sidney quickly looked back as they went up the final flight of stairs. By now she was a little flustered. Didn't the place have an elevator?

As they came up onto a platform with the door leading out to the roof, Goodwin turned around. Sidney stopped as she got up onto the platform.

"I want you to stay here. I will call you later."

He went outside and shut the door behind him. Sidney crept up to the door to see if she could hear anything. Luckily, the door wasn't very thick, so she could actually hear quite a bit.

Outside, Yusei sat on the edge of the roof next to Jack. The wind blew as the late afternoon sun was just beginning to dip under the horizon and turn to evening.

Jack and Yusei were finishing a conversation about Kiryu and Yusei had gradually got his confidence back. He was still a little afraid, but it wasn't because he and Kiryu had been friends anymore. As Jack stood up to turn and leave, he saw Goodwin walking up to them. Yusei turned his head and stood up as well.

"Yusei, I never finished speaking with you earlier. I wish to do so now."

Yusei nodded. "You said there was a catch to if I could 'prove myself'. What is it?" Yusei was very distrusting. Jack realized what they were talking about and immediately tried to come to his own defense.

"Wait? You're going to break off my engagement to Sidney, aren't you!?"

Yusei gave Jack a concerned expression. Jack replied with an angry look.

"I know its hard Jack. However, this is in everyone's best interest. I was informed you were not treating Sidney very well and I needed to take action."

"You didn't care before this! Why does it matter now? I'm more than capable of protecting her from the Dark Signers!" Jack said, avoiding his real motivation for being angry with Goodwin. Yusei glanced over at Jack. Jack scowled at him.

"I know what you're thinking, Yusei. And don't try to tell me I'm wrong. Sidney put you up to this! And you agreed to it because you want her for yourself!"

"It's true that I told Sidney I would talk to Goodwin about this. But I did it because I wasn't going to stand by and let you abuse her. She's a friend and I can't let my friends get treated this way."

Jack laughed mockingly. Goodwin took a moment before stepping in.

"Listen to yourself, Yusei! You sound like someone from the Coalition of Battered Women! This isn't the same kind of thing."

"It is if you think you think you can force yourself on her, Jack." Yusei said flatly.

"You want to see force, Yusei?" Jack clenched his fists. Goodwin was about ready to slap him. But, the expression he gave Jack was enough.

"Jack, I'm disappointed in you. I was hoping you would act more maturely about this. However, I want you to stay and hear this."

Jack stood still, reluctantly waiting. Goodwin turned his attention to Yusei.

"To answer your question earlier, the catch is that you must replace Jack. Sidney will be engaged to you instead."

Jack remained silent. Yusei could sense him seething away. Meanwhile, Sidney gasped as she heard the news from behind the doorway. Goodwin wasn't going to break the engagement at all. He was just changing who it was.

Sidney fell to her knees, not sure whether to be happy that she wouldn't have to marry Jack anymore, or be angry that Yusei would be forced to marry her. He couldn't agree to that. She would be too much of a burden to him, she thought. He called her a friend; it wasn't like he was in love with her, right? What about Akiza?

Yusei looked up at Goodwin.

"Alright. But only if she's ok with it. She should get a choice."

Sidney whimpered. He said yes? How could he? She liked the idea of Yusei protecting her, and the two of them being able to be together. But, like that? It seemed to make no sense at all to her. She started to panic and tear up as she ran down the stairs to the third floor and sealed herself shut in her bedroom.

In the meantime, Jack stormed off as he slammed the door behind him and went downstairs to his room. He wasn't going to let this just slip out of his fingers, he thought.

Yusei was worried. Jack was his friend, and he didn't want to cause a fight. But, he also wondered how Sidney would react to it once she got the news.

Goodwin opened the door leading downstairs and realized Sidney had left. Yusei walked up to him, seeing his frustration beginning to build.

"That girl… she must have been eavesdropping." He muttered to himself.

Looking downstairs, Yusei noticed there was a closed door that hadn't been closed before. He guessed it was Sidney's room for the night. He glanced at Goodwin with a warning expression before walking down the stairs and approaching the door.

…

Kiryu leaned against the wall of the dark corridor leading outside. Night was beginning to grace the Satellite as he felt the negative energy swirling down below. His trance was broken when he saw Cassandra walking past him.

"Where do you think you're going, Princess?" He hissed. Cassandra gulped.

"Rudger thought it would be good for me to get some fresh air. Besides, I think I could use it after spending most of my time here underground." She admitted. Kiryu sighed. He was tired of Rudger's charade.

Kiryu noticed Cassandra had changed into a long black dress under a hooded cloak with violet decoration and a purple spider sewn into the back. Her blonde hair was now tied back by a purple ribbon.

"I still can't believe I have to stay here with the others and babysit you. Why can't Rudger just make Carly or Misty look after you?"

Cassandra ignored him and kept walking along. But, as she went outside, she heard him muttering to himself.

"Soon, I will have my revenge on Yusei," He paused to laugh, "…And I will have the little mouse all to myself again. I wonder if she will taste just as sweet…"

"Knock it off, Kiryu. Don't you have work to do with Demak?" Cassandra peered around from the corridor entrance to see Misty slap Kiryu on the cheek. He skulked off like a little boy who had been told to go to his room. Misty looked up at Cassandra and smiled. However, Cassandra questioned its sincerity.

"Don't worry about him. He's just anxious to recapture the Oracle of Twilight."

Cassandra winced. Just then, a girl emerged from the shadows, dressed in a black robe with orange trim. Her hair was a long storm black and a red triangle mark rested under her blackened neon eyes.

"Carly, why don't you also go outside? You look like you need it, too."

Carly nodded and went on ahead. However, Cassandra's curiosity caused her to stay a moment. She wondered if Misty would answer any of her questions.

"Misty? Midori…I mean the Oracle…"

"We're not really supposed to talk about it with you," Misty explained, lowering her voice, "But, we want her visions in order to pinpoint the weaknesses of the Signers to bring them down more easily. Sadly, she escaped the first time the Dark Signers got a hold of her…"

Cassandra nodded. "Ok…But Kiryu…I heard him say…"

"Look, I don't know what went on during the first time the Oracle was captured. But, I know that Kiryu was put in charge of watching her. He sometimes babbles about wanting to hear her scream again…honestly, I think it's sick.

But, the best thing to do is not to think about it. Preferably, I would rather not know about what went on when he was put in charge of her until she managed to escape."

Cassandra started to feel sick to her stomach.

"You probably shouldn't think about it either. But, I can assure you he won't do the same thing to you that he did to her. Rudger would soon send him to the Netherworld than let that happen. Quite frankly, I would, too."

Cassandra quickly thanked Misty before heading outside. She smiled at the last thing she had said. Rudger wouldn't let something bad happen to her. Perhaps she could use it to her advantage if she needed to…

Outside, Carly sat on a bare slab of rock, watching the starless night as the clouds began to swirl. Cassandra looked curiously at her. It almost seemed as if Carly were about to cry; he face was sorrowful and seemed full of confusion and fear.

"Are you ok?" Cassandra asked. Carly looked up at her.

"Why do you want to know?"

"You look sad." She said. Carly looked away.

"I finally figured out why the Immortals chose me to become a Dark Signer. And now my heart is breaking…I was chosen…because…because of my attachment to Jack Atlas. I said that I wanted a whole bunch of things back…that I wanted my heart back."

Carly started sobbing. Cassandra gave her a look of sympathy.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked.

"Only if you care enough to listen…" Carly whimpered.

To be continued! Sadly, due to a busy schedule, I am being forced to take a short hiatus from my fanfictions. I will remove this notice when I post the next episode. In the meantime, tell people you know to read and review this fanfiction! And check out Yuki Shiro and the Five Dragons, as well as A Futuristic Fairytale by my friend Coke head, who illustrates my fic on DA under the username oO-Kai-Oo. See ya!