It's the next episode, ah! Run for your life, and review while you're at it!

Etsuo now had all of his life points, and Dante was at 2700. But, Dante's Maelstrom Dragon managed to put Etsuo in a tight corner. It had 4000 attack points, and nothing Etsuo had could stand against it. His only protection was his Gravity Bind Trap Card that prevented monsters level four and above from attacking.

All of that changed with the draw of Etsuo's next card. Everyone could see in his face that he had just turned the tables back on his opponent.

"I can now smite your Maelstrom Dragon with the Power of my Hammer Shot Spell Card!" The elderly man inserted the card into his disk. A giant wooden hammer materialized above the roaring beast. Its storm-like structure seemed to dull as it saw its immanent doom floating above its head.

"With this card, I destroy the monster with the highest attack power on the field. And my two Lavaborn creatures don't even come close to the might of your dragon. But I guess its true…The bigger they come, the harder they fall."

The hammer slammed down on the dragon, squishing it under a thundering blow. The creature wailed as an explosion of smoke erupted from the collision. When it cleared, Maelstrom Dragon was no more. Dante gasped.
"You can't do that! I just summoned that card! I JUST NOW got a foothold in this duel, and you managed to step on me!"

Etsuo chuckled. "How do you like them apples? I'm a pretty lucky son of a gun, aren't I? Now that your dragon is out of the way…I think I'll perform an old-fashioned Tribute Summon. It's not that I don't have Synchro Monsters….but let's say such a flashy tool isn't necessary to take down a rascal like you."

The wolf and panther transformed into balls of fire that melded together like bonding molecules. The fire formed a new monster. It looked like a monstrous black Pegasus; its wings and eyes were made of blazing fire and its hooves were also ablaze, and it was clad it burning armory.

"Behold my Lavaborn Knightmare!"

(Lavaborn Knightmare is a level eight Fire attributed Winged Beast Type monster with 3100 attack points and 2200 defense points.)

"My Knightmare has a nice bonus too. If I used at least one Lavaborn monster to summon it, than it is unaffected by trap cards." Etsuo smiled. Dante stepped back. He knew he was done for.

The Pegasus exhaled flame as it galloped over Dante and stomped him to the ground, taking out his remaining life points. The thug struggled to get up as the Duel Disks deactivated. Etsuo marched over and grabbed him by the shirt collar.

"You were just leaving, right?" Etsuo asked. He nodded. The old man tossed him down; he scampered away with Ko following behind. They were gone in a matter of seconds. Crow applauded.

"I had no idea! You've got some game there!"

"Well, I have been around the block more than my fair share. So what do you say we saddle up and head back to Martha's before they start to wonder where we went."

Crow rolled his eyes. "It may be too late for that."

Etsuo laughed. He grabbed the helmet slung around the Runner and threw himself on. He engaged the motor. Crow ran down to grab his, with Etsuo slowly following behind him. As soon as Crow got on his Runner, the two of them rode away back to Martha's District.

However, after the two rode for awhile, they were riding in the downtown district. The two of them stopped on a hill where they say a small man in a burgundy coat staring into a large crater.

"Hey, is that a Dark Signer? He sure fits the part." Crow wondered. Etsuo was doubtful. He knew what the Dark Signers looked like. Despite his creepy factor, the little fellow was probably not one of them. But he was curious to know what a stranger like him was doing around there.

"Well, the Dark Signers live underground, and that's the way down there. But I think we should get a better look." Etsuo revved his engine as sparks flew from his exhaust pipes. Crow shot after him as they approached the little man.

Lazar looked down the hole with a longing look in his eyes.

"Well, after furtively surveying the area… now I know that they haven't done anything to Cassandra….yet. I suppose they'll keep her until Mr. Goodwin comes to rescue her…That qualifies as good news, I suppose. Now I can return to New Domino…"

He heard an engine snuff behind him and turned around. Etsuo dismounted his bike and attempted to approach him. Lazar didn't want to interact, but he saw Crow following suit to the tall, gruff elderly man.

"I'm sorry gentlemen, but I have no time to spare. I must make a hasty withdrawal to New Domino City."

"Can you at least tell me who you are and what your business is here? I trust it was under the Ordinance of Director Goodwin." Etsuo had run-ins with Sector Security and knew it was best to act as intelligent as possible when interacting with them. Having overheard him, he figured he was somehow associated with them.

"That is on a need-to-know basis, and you don't need…"

Etsuo scoffed at him. "Are you aware of the threat of the Dark Signers? I suspect they are just as much of a threat to New Domino City as they are to the Satellite. More than just the life of this 'Cassandra' is at stake here."

"Don't go throwing her name around in such a tone. Cassandra is a prominent figure in New Domino City and happens to be under the guardianship of Director Goodwin!" Lazar scolded him. Crow perked up.

"Oh, I see now. This Cassandra is important. Say, I happen to know that my granddaughter is in his custody as well. Midori Tsukino, in case you don't know." Etsuo glared at him. Lazar pulled out a device that looked like a flat digital hologram projector. He opened it up and searched the database.

Midori's file appeared, with Etsuo's alongside it.

"So you're the grandfather of The Oracle of Twilight? It says you have a history here of coming into a few situations with Security. A member of the old Vigilante group, Fire Patrol?" Lazar smirked.

"That's right. So you know about her psychic powers then?"

"That's precisely why she's in our custody. We believe her insight into the past can save the future. But I am sure you are aware of her capabilities," He glanced over at Crow, "And what about you?"

He pulled up Crow's file. "Oh, I see. You're an old friend of Yusei Fudo and Jack Atlas. So I take it the two of you have teamed up?"

"Etsuo, are you sure he isn't a Dark Signer? He's rather suspicious to me."

Lazar grimaced. He shut his computer with anger in his fist.

"You dare associate me with those fiends who took Cassandra? I am appalled by the sheer insolence of you …Crow was it?"

"May I assume the two of you are trying to help your friends and family with taking out the Dark Signers? Well, you are both way in over your heads. I just got done spying on them, and let me tell you something… they are much more dangerous than you know. I doubt either of you will be of any use to us."

Crow stamped his foot and readied his Duel Disk.

"Oh yeah? Well maybe a duel with me would change your tune, you circus freak!" Etsuo put a hand in front of Crow.

"We don't need to prove anything to him…we know we are strong. But, he may indeed have a point. None of us have really come face-to-face with these people. They could be better duelists than either of us put together."
"What are you saying? I think this clown should know what we're made of!" Crow charged at him, but Lazar quickly jumped to higher ground. He skipped away towards an empty warehouse. Crow followed behind him, with Etsuo chasing him.

"Stop! Crow!" Etsuo called after him. Crow ignored his call as he rushed into the decrepit warehouse. Lazar seemingly vanished; but then he heard his voice echoing in the rafters.

"A bird brain like you should go back to your nest and wait until the storm blows over. I'm only telling you this for your own good."

"Well, it's my nest I'm protecting by fighting! So don't go telling me what to do. Say, why don't you return to the circus?"

He caught Lazar standing on a sky hook swinging above him. Etsuo managed to catch up to them, having jumped on his Runner. Crow's Runner was not to far off.

Etsuo shook his head at the two of them.

"Alright. Let's go, whoever you are."

"The name is Lazar, Deputy Lazar!" Lazar was tired of Crow's insolence and armed his own Duel Disk. He was sure this would be a quick fight. However, there was a sudden tremor in the earth that forced Lazar to jump down from the sky hook.

"What was that? An earthquake?" Crow turned from side to side. Another tremor shook the ground. Lazar panicked and dashed outside.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"It's the Dark Signers, Crow! We all need to get out of here!"

"What about our duel, huh?" Crow growled. Etsuo yanked him by the collar of his jacket and pulled him back to his Runner before quickly mounting his. Lazar pushed a button on his watch to engage the yellow escape balloon and started to flee into the air for New Domino City.

"Sorry, but I can't stick around. Should we ever meet again, I'll be happy to crush you. Now, tah-tah!" Lazar floated away as Crow and Etsuo made a speedy getaway from the warehouse, hastily riding towards Martha's place.

A dark energy began to emit from the crater downtown and swirls of purple energy festered in the hole. After a few moments, A black fog began pouring out and immersing the Satellite in its dark embrace.

"First it was clowns, and now its clouds? What a day!" Crow exclaimed. The two of them were trying to outrun it, but Etsuo saw it gaining on them and realized it would be futile. He came to a halt and grabbed Crow, trying to pull them to safety even though his ankle was still healing. He noticed a large nearby Fridge. He figured it could fit both of them inside and jumped in with Crow in tow before the fog passed over them, taking any living thing that was left in the area. The darkness blanketed the Satellite.

…

Laura strapped on her Duel Disk and her wrist watch before getting into her car. As she was about to leave, Shinju race up on his Harley and flipped us his helmet.

"Laura, are you still going with Sidney?" He asked.

"Of course, she's my best friend. I want to give her my support. Don't you remember what I told you last night?"

"Well, you said last night that you would prefer that I stay here and take care of my uncle and your parents. But…Who's going to give you support? I mean, I know Sidney will be there…"

Laura laughed. "Shinju, I'm a big girl! I understand how you feel, though. I can assure there are plenty of people coming for this, and I know you'll be with me in spirit and…" She stopped and looked down at a small pile of cards wrapped in paper that Shinju handed to her with one hand. His expression was stern and solemn.

"I want you and Sidney to use some of the cards in this. They're mine, but I think you guys will put better use to them. After all, if I'm not going…The point is…I want to help as much as I can…"

Laura leaned out of her car. She slipped the cards from his hand and kissed him.

She looked at the cards. He smiled.

"But Shinju… these are some of your best cards!"

"I know. It'll take the best of us to bring those hooded freaks down! I'd be letting you all down if I didn't give you the best."

She kissed him again. "You're always so sweet, Shinju!"

His faced turned red. "Oh jeez. Just promise me you'll be careful. The Satellite is a rough place. The paper the cards are in is a map. Just in case."

"Thanks. I'm sure we'll need it." Laura started up her card. Shinju kissed her head farewell and shot down the road. Laura was in a momentary daze of bliss, but it was shattered when she turned to see a black could off in the distance.

Shinju had stopped his Harley for a moment and took notice.

"The cloud is over the Satellite!" He realized. Laura thought she needed to get to Sidney and the others and warn them.

"What is going on?" She wondered. The white Jaguar rode away down the street. Shinju went the other way, hoping the people in the Satellite where ok.

…

When Sidney had readied herself and came down the stairs, she realized everyone at the Safe House was gone. But, it came to her relief when she found Blitz, Tank, and Nervin sitting around the table in the living room.

"Hey, have any of you seen Yusei or the others?" She asked.

"They left for the Science Building not too long ago. But your friend stopped by a couple of minute ago and is waiting for you outside." Blitz told her.

"Laura! Thank Goodness! I hope they don't leave without me!"

"I wouldn't be too worried about it." Said Tank. Nervin twiddled his thumbs. He looked up and nodded sheepishly. Tank tried to cheer him up.

"Good luck." He muttered. Sidney thanked them before dashing out the door, greeted by the sight of Laura and her Jaguar.

"It's about time you got out of there! Let me guess…you slept in late, didn't you?" Laura gave her a cocky smile. Sidney nodded regretfully. Laura handed her a Tupperware container with a breakfast sandwich inside, as well a small thermos of Tea.

"You tend to sleep in when you're all stressed out, because you spend most of the night awake. I've known you long enough to figure that out. So, on the chance you did, I made you breakfast, since you'd be 'scrambling' out the door." Laura started the car and drove in the direction of the Science Building.

Sidney took a bite of her Sandwich.

"Do you really think they'd leave without me, Laura?"

Laura giggled. "Of course not, silly! Now eat your breakfast."

Sidney sipped her Tea and took another bite. Laura sighed.

"You'll have enough to worry about when we get there."

Sidney stopped and swallowed. She had the feeling that something wasn't right. There was a brief moment of silence between them.

"Why? What happened?"

"Well, there's Jack, number one. Number two, there's something freaky happening to the Satellite." Laura explained. Sidney blinked.

"Oh, Laura! I forgot to call you last night! I don't have to marry Jack Atlas anymore! I still have to be engaged, but Goodwin was persuaded to change it to someone else. It's a miracle!"

Laura grinned devilishly. "Awesome. Serves that jerk right, I'd say. Although, you know it's apart of a hidden agenda, right? Anyways, from the sound of your voice, its sounds like the 'someone else' is someone you like…"

"Oh yes." Sidney smiled dreamily.

"Well, well…I think it isn't necessary to tell me. At least now I don't have to go through the whole revenge scheme… But, I could be wrong."

Sidney wolfed down the rest of her breakfast so she could talk to Laura.

"So, what's the freaky thing happening to the Satellite? Did the Dark Signers turn everyone into mindless minion zombies or something?"

"No, not exactly. I think it's something different. I'm sure we'll get the full detail when we arrive," Laura figured, "Now, even though…"

"You want to know, don't you?" Sidney sipped her Tea some more.

"Maybe…" Laura hinted. Sidney hinted back by sighing in a blissful manner.

"Oh, I see. Are you deeply attracted to this man?" Laura changed her voice to seem facetious. Sidney replied yes. Laura giggled.

"Have I met him before? Would I approve of this new fiancé?"

Laura gave her the eyebrows. Sidney rolled her eyes.

"You just love messing with me, don't you?"

"It's in the contract. It's the way I show affection to my BFF." There was uproarious laughter afterwards, followed by a period of uneasy silence before they arrived. Sidney looked up at the building as they parked with courage.

"Alright, let's do this."

To be continued. Please join us next time for the next episode! Remember to review, and be here or be square. But you know that by now! Have a nice day.