Ok, now I am back from hiatus. Hope you all are ready for more! Enjoy!

Luna rubbed her eyes as she staggered to get up. The wind swirled around her as she saw the giant stone where Ancient Fairy Dragon was sealed. The creature looked almost like a skeleton sealed in its earthen prison. Worriedly looking around, she spotted Sidney lying on the ground in front of the stone.

"Sidney!" She cried as she ran over and knelt down. Sidney stirred and opened her eyes, feeling woozy. Luna sighed with relief.

"Luna? Where are we?" Sidney saw tree surrounding them in every direction, with gray clouds blanketing the sky. The sweet smell of grass drifted up from the ground beneath her as she stood up, wobbly. Gazing up at the dragon in awe, she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Ancient Fairy Dragon…"

Luna saw that Sidney marks were still glowing, but just barely. Then, Ancient Fairy Dragon's voice echoed in their ears as she spoke.

"Luna…you have returned. And Star Princess, you have come here at last."

Luna walked up to the stone as she explained things to Sidney.

"We're in the Duel Monster's spirit world now. All the monsters in our decks live here. Ancient Fairy Dragon is the protector of this world…But a curse has bound her to this rock and she can't break free. I'm supposed to find her servant, a creature named Regulus, and break the curse on Ancient Fairy Dragon in order to save the spirit world."

Sidney blinked. "Seriously? All by yourself, at your age? That's pretty heavy."

"Well, I was hoping my brother Leo could help me…somehow…" Luna sighed.

"I could help you, too." Sidney offered. Luna nodded. Ancient Fairy Dragon cut into the conversation. Luna and Sidney looked up at her.

"I have a favor to ask of you, Luna. I want you to bring the Star Princess to the Lake of Secrets, as I have said previous. The Crimson Dragon wishes to speak with her."

Luna gasped. "The Crimson Dragon?"

"Yes. All five dragons exist in this world, though I am its guardian. The Crimson Dragon is a being combined of the will of all of us. We believe some knowledge needs to be passed onto the Star Princess. Some of it may even help you in your quest to set me free Luna!"

Sidney raised an eyebrow. "What kind of knowledge are we talking about?"

"You will know soon enough. In the meantime, Luna can show you the way. You two will need each other in order to get there safe. There is a powerful monster that guards the entrance to the lake, and it will take both of you to defeat it."

Luna and Sidney looked at one another and nodded.

"If we need this to help defeat the Dark Signers and set you free, then we're all for it." Ancient Fairy Dragon bid them farewell as she turned them to the east, in the direction where the lake would be.

…

Meanwhile, back in the human world, Yusei watched Luna and Sidney with care as they were in their unconscious state, their marks shining. Akiza sat beside him, worried for him. Leo was also near by. But they had told the others to not worry for now and they left, reluctantly returning to previous business.

Jack was walking past when he saw them. He gasped when he saw Sidney in her state and dashed over to her side. Yusei tried to tell him what was happening, but Jack pushed in back. Akiza caught him.

"Sidney! Yusei, what in the name of…what's happening?"

"Jack…her soul is in the spirit world. Both she and Luna are there." Yusei explained. Jack glared at him, as if it were somehow Yusei's fault. However, even though he did have some genuine concern, he was mostly frustrated that his plans with Sidney were delayed by this inconvenience.

"Jack, please. Be calm." Akiza urged him. He grunted in reply and looked down at Sidney. Yusei huffed. Akiza approached Jack, but he jerked away.

"Leave me alone, Akiza."

He shook his head and walked over to the other end of the room, and walked out to lean against the door and sulk. Leo cocked his head, perplexed by the whole thing, but not entirely without understanding.

"When do you think they will be back?" He asked worriedly. Akiza shrugged her shoulders. Yusei gazed at Sidney anxiously as he sat back down at her side.

"We don't know, Leo. All we can hope is that they'll be back soon." Akiza took a place beside Yusei. She attempted to comfort him.

"I'm just as worried about her, Yusei. But, if it's any conciliation, I know she's ok. She's not as fragile as she might seem."

Yusei peered over. "I know, Akiza. I just…"

"It's ok. You don't have to justify yourself to me. I'm your friend!"

Yusei took a deep breath. "You're right."

"So, did you manage to change Goodwin's mind about Sidney?" Akiza asked. Yusei perked up. She smiled at him reassuringly.

"Yes, he did, but not so readily. How did you know?"

"I've been with you guys long enough; I don't live under a rock."

Yusei nodded and looked back at Sidney. Akiza gazed at him with sympathy. She understood that Yusei really felt strongly about her; he stood up for her and took care of her. He never gave up in trying to be Akiza's friend, and he had taken a risk before when dueling her. But, she saw how Yusei had risked his life to protect Sidney when her Black Rose Dragon went berserk at the hospital, and when Sayer had kidnapped Sidney earlier. It was sort of like what he did for her, but she sensed it was different. Whether he admitted to it or not, he loved her. It didn't bother her because she was happy now. She had friends and a placed where she belonged.

Sidney also was one of her first true friends; she had saved her life when it put her own life in danger. She gave her sympathy and tried to reach out to her, even when she felt unreachable. They were her friends. Now she would stand by them, as they did with her. Akiza now hoped that Sidney would return safely from the spirit world.

…

Etsuo stood on the roof as the night sky was descending on the Satellite. The aroma of hot vegetable soup rose up from the kitchen below and tickled his nose. He sighed happily; Martha's cooking reminded him of when his son and his wife lived with him when she was still pregnant with Midori. The last he had heard was they were both doing fairly well for people staying long term in the Facility, and there was a chance that they might someday be released. But, it felt unfair either way.

As he waded through his memories, he heard a thump. Crow hopped onto the roof and lay down; his body sprawled out to feel the wind blow over him. Etsuo adjusted his glasses as the air blew the tail of his coat around.

Everything seemed too peaceful. Etsuo sensed it as the calm before the storm. But in that calm there was a fleeting darkness, waiting to creep in.

"What's up? You see something?" Crow asked as the old man stared blankly onward. He suddenly blinked and turned to Crow, shaking his head.

"No, no. It's nothing, Crow." He said. But he knew better. Just beyond the trees was the faint sound of a Duel Runner, the engine revving. It reminded the old man of his days as a biker.

"Are you sure?" Crow asked.

"Of course I'm sure! Now, let's go see if supper is ready yet. That soup sure smells mighty good!"

…

Luna and Sidney found themselves walking for what seemed to be a long time. The forest seemed to go on forever, and they were starting to feel tired.

"At this rate it will take too long to reach the lake." Sidney panted. She felt around and pulled out her deck from her pocket. Luna perked up as Sidney drew a card from her deck and called out Lunar Solstice Dragon.

The sinuous beast appeared instantly. Sidney got on and pulled Luna up in front of her. The dragon roared as it rose into the sky above the trees.

"We should have thought of this earlier." Luna sighed. Sidney nodded.

They held on tight as Lunar Solstice Dragon spun through the air as it flew forward. Things seemed to be rushing by them much faster now. As Luna looked down below, she saw they passed a village, which seemed largely deserted. Up ahead, they could see a faint glimmer.

"The lake?" Sidney wondered aloud.

"Why weren't there very many people in the village below us? What happened to all the Duel Spirit?" Luna worried. Down below, there were purple staffs scattered across the landscape, with golden Us and a red sphere atop them, with black clock-hands at a straight angle. Both girls were curious as to what they were, but the dragon kept on going. Luna's mind lingered with the thought that the darkness that threatened the spirit world was somehow connected to the staffs, as they emitted a dark energy that made the creatures in her deck and in Sidney's uncomfortable.

"Ancient Fairy Dragon talked about a shadow hanging over the spirit world…did this shadow somehow make those staffs appear? What are they for?"

A flock of birds swirled around past them with almost mach speed. Sidney and Luna recognized them as a flock of Blackwing: Blizzard of the Far North. The white, chubby birds almost knocked them off the dragon when they held on by the creature's mane. They pulled themselves back on as one of the birds swooped down and greeted them in a musical voice.

"Travelers! I see you head for the lake! You must turn back, for your journey is in vain! A terrible sorceress protects the lake with a barrier and must be defeated in order to break it…but she's so powerful! Turn back! Turn back!"

"We have no choice! We must go there!" Sidney muttered.

"Turn back! Turn back! Turn back!" It cried.

"Luna? What kind of sorceress are they talking about? Do you know?" Sidney inquired of Luna. Luna shook her head, just as unsure. The dragon seemed more vigilant as they slowed down. The bird still flew alongside them.

"You two are crazy! Who are you anyway?" The bird looked down at Sidney's marks, and glanced over at Luna as she rolled up her sleeves.

"We're Signers." Sidney explained. The bird seemed flustered.

"My greatest apologies! However, you signers should still consider turning back. The Faceless Mage is a powerful sorceress. She has the power to see into your heart and trap you in your greatest fears or your deepest desires. Beware of her power…"

The bird drifted away, rejoining its flock. Luna got a worried look on her face. Sidney was also unsettled. The two looked at one another.

"The Faceless Mage…it sounds like…" Sidney thought aloud.

"Illusionist Faceless Mage…it's a monster. It's not strong on attack, but it's got a decent defense. I remember seeing someone use it on TV once." Luna recalled.

"It sounds like The Faceless Mage is stronger than the card, though. I know it was never a popular card…or very useful, especially after the advanced rules were instated."

The lake started to grow closer and closer, becoming more brilliant and blue. Sidney recognized it as the lake from her dreams. Now it seemed to make more sense to her. It was like a meeting ground where she could talk to the Crimson Dragon, she figured. What message did the Dragon need to deliver in person?

"Sidney! We should land!" Luna cried. Sidney looked up to see a blue energy barrier surrounding the shores of the lake. This was the barrier the bird spoke of, she figured. The dragon gracefully made a descent into the trees and allowed the two girls to get off safely, not too far from the barrier.

"How are we going to defeat the Faceless Mage?" Luna wondered. Sidney wasn't sure either. Luna answered her own question when a thought occurred to her.

"Well, we can assume the barrier will disappear if we do…Maybe we should use our monsters, the same way we would in a duel?"

"That sounds like it would work, but we don't know…I suppose we just have to try. So, are we ready?" Sidney asked. Luna nodded calmly. The eleven year old swiped a card from her deck, summoning a White Unicorn to their side. It looked like a magnificent stallion with a blue mane and a incredible horn.

"Sunlight Unicorn can help us get closer on the ground." Luna hopped on, Sidney got on after her as the horse cautiously went on its way. Sidney used her free hand to pull a card from her deck.

"Big-Tusked Mammoth and Fog Dragon! Come out and guide us!" Sidney's mammoth emerged, with its tusks sharp and its thick purple fur glimmering in the sun. On the opposite side of Sunlight Unicorn, there was a puff of smoke.

A dragon made of a think white and gray gaseous substance emerged from the smoke, resembling a small oolong dragon, with a long, snake-like body, whiskers, and claws. Its eyes were a smoky red. The dragon slithered in the air above the Unicorn as Big-Tusked Mammoth trudged ahead. Sunlight Unicorn skittishly followed them as it made muffled snorts.

"I think Sunlight Unicorn senses something." Luna muttered. Sidney looked around but could see nothing. They traveled for what seemed like a good fifteen minutes without a disturbance.

Suddenly, there was rustling in the trees. Luna and Sidney were up in arms, and Sunlight Unicorn started digging its hooves into the ground. However, Sidney's monsters seemed strangely undisturbed as they stopped with them. Why?

The noise grow closer and louder. Now Big-Tusked Mammoth grew anxious as it wailed in anticipation. Fog Dragon surrounded Sidney and Luna protectively.

A bush in front of them seemed to jump and jive. Sidney raised her hand. But, both she and Luna were briefly caught off guard when they recognized the person emerging from the bushes.

"…Yusei?" Sidney gasped. Indeed, she recognized whoever it was as Yusei. His expression was blank, not much different from his usual state, but something seemed unnatural about it to Luna. She tried to warn Sidney not to move, but Sidney ignored her as she jumped off the Unicorn and briskly approached him. Fog Dragon followed behind, trying to hide its contempt hissing.

"Sidney, wait!" Luna tried to call her back. But, Sidney seemed to ignore her. As she approached him, she seemed to fall into a hypnotic state, unable to do anything else and be aware of anything else around her.

The wind seemed to stand still and the forest suddenly grew quiet, as if time around them was standing still. Luna jumped off of Sunlight Unicorn.

"Sidney! Stop! That's not Yusei! Sidney!!!"

Sidney halted a foot short of the person. She struggled to control herself, fighting between the urge to embrace him and the instinct to grab Luna and run. Part of her knew Yusei was still back in the human world, waiting for her. But something inside of her tugged at her, it was something beyond her conscious thinking.

Fog Dragon wrapped tightly around Sidney to help restrain her. Why did it feel like her mind and body were somehow conflicting? Or was it all in her head? Was this the work of The Faceless Mage?

Luna gasped as she saw Yusei's eyes start to dim and turn black, his irises glowing neon. The yellow marking on his face seemed to trickle blood that stained it red. When Sidney saw it too, she couldn't believe it.

"He looks like a Dark Signer!" She exclaimed.

He spread out his arms, his palms flat against the air. Then, he let out an unearthly screech that sounded like nails scratching against a chalkboard. A dark hole opened up under Sidney feet and started sucking her and Fog Dragon in. Another hole appeared around Luna, Sunlight Unicorn, and Big-Tusked Mammoth.

As the Signers were seemingly dragged down into the darkness, the creature resembling Yusei disappeared in a cloud of gray dust. Luna cried for help and Sidney tried to reach for her. She also screamed in desperation. There had to be some way out, she thought. There has to be a way to fight this. They needed to think of it fast or they might be trapped. Fog Dragon squeezed hard to Sidney's waist as it was pulled down with her. The other monsters seemed to vanish into the darkness as Luna was ripped away by an unseen force.

"Sidney! Help!" Luna cried.

"Luna! No!!!"

But Sidney's attempt to reach her proved to be fruitless. Still, as Luna was vanishing from her sight, she tried to reach her, with Fog Dragon crawling across her arm, acting as an extension. They couldn't be separated, she thought. Not now.

At last the episode draws to a close! Sorry it took so long. Even with things as they are, be sure to be back here for the next exciting episode! Be here or be square!