At the edge of the kingdom of ZEXAL, a dull wooden carriage stopped at the border between the kingdom and the infinite forest. Two figures, heavily clad in thick brown cloaks, dismounted, carrying a bag each containing only the most essential of items.

"If you continue east for about a week you should reach the kingdom of 5DS," The one driving the carriage said to them, as the fourth member of the party exited the carriage.

"Thanks, Shark," One of the cloaked figure's said to Shark, the one acting as the driver, and if necessary, protector.

"Here," the fourth person said, handing a letter to the other two. A pair of dainty, smooth hands reached out and took it, before tossing their bag to the floor and slipping it inside. "When you arrive take this to the castle and give them the letter, they'll be able to help you."

"Thank you, Astral." The one who'd taken the letter said, slinging the bag back over their shoulder.

"No problem, we wish you luck," Astral said, returning to the carriage. The other two said their farewells and disappeared into the forest.

"Are you sure they'll be okay?" Shark asked.

"Honestly… I don't know. All we can do now is hope." Astral replied. He then shut the door and the two returned to the palace.

Meanwhile, when the two cloaked figures had made it deep enough into the forest, they removed their hoods to reveal the faces of Yuya and Zuzu.

"Do you think Ali, Tate and Fredrick will be okay?" Yuya asked.

"Of course, with people like Yuma, Shark, Astral, Kite and everyone taking care of them. They'll be just fine." Zuzu replied. "Besides, that healer of theirs, Dextra, will be able to cure them and then they'll be human again."

She smiled happily at the thought; it was such an infectious smile Yuya couldn't help but return it. He was glad she was safe. When Bakura had thrown that spell at them he was terrified they'd both be killed. What happened, though, wasn't much better…

Yuya covered his face with his hands in a desperate form of protection. He squeezed his eyes shut waiting for the impact, but it never came. After a while, when the lack of searing pain was starting to confuse him, he cracked his eyes open. What he saw made them snap wide open in horror. Zuzu was in front of him, facing the attackers, smoke hovering from her chest. She suddenly began falling sideways and Yuya rushed to catch her. She fell into his arms, her eyes were shut and horrible burns now covered the front of her body. Tears instantly formed in Yuya's eyes as he assumed the worst.

The two broke through the thick trees and into a clearing.

"This looks like a good place to set up camp, don't you agree?" Said Zuzu.

"Yes," Yuya nodded, pulling the blanket he had out of his bag and laying it down. "I'll go get us some firewood." He took off into the woods, gathering some sticks and dry leaves as he went.

"Damn b****." Bakura growled, "I was hoping to destroy both of them."

Yuya placed Zuzu on the ground, rising slowly to his feet. His bangs covered his eyes but it was obvious from the way he bit his lip and clenched his fists that he was unimaginably angry at this point.

"You hurt my friend." He whispered. His voice was so dark and threatening even Bakura and Marik were somewhat unnerved by it. Astral and Nash stood in the doorway still, staring open-mouthed at the scene in front of them. Yuya raised his head, showing cold, compassionless eyes. "I won't forgive you for that."

"I'm back." He cried, running into the clearing. While he was gone Zuzu had laid out their blankets and fashioned a small fire pit in the middle of them with some stones. She'd also taken out the tins of meat and spaghetti they'd been given to make dinner. Yuya placed the firewood in the pit and used some of his magic to light it. Zuzu placed a pot on top of it, being careful not to let it fall, then added the food and waited for it to cook, stirring it ever so often. The two sat in silence throughout the cooking process, both focused on not letting their dinner spill or burn. Once they were settled and munching on their food, Zuzu finally spoke.

"You know; I've been wondering…" She began, pausing for Yuya to properly focus on what she was saying. "Why is it you're so scared of using your powers?"

Yuya stiffened, however, Zuzu wasn't looking at him so she hadn't noticed.

"Why would your master not want you to use your magic, it's really amazing." She turned and smiled at him, silently awaiting his answer. Unfortunately, he didn't know what it was yet. His magic was a touchy subject… He was scared of using it because the punishment he'd received for using it that one time still haunted him to this day, but also because he believed it to be dangerous. That was the whole reason he'd been forbidden from using it, because having light and dark magic was unnatural. It was like another deformity, only unlike his wings and skin colour, he could actually conceal this one. That was why he'd only used light magic in front of people up until this point, he couldn't risk people seeing he had dark magic as well. So to answer Zuzu's question he told her the story of being whipped for using magic. By the end of his tale, she was embracing him in an offer of comfort and had totally forgotten the issue of his powers. For the time being…

Pure bright energy surrounded Yuya. Though they wouldn't admit it, Marik and Bakura were beginning to feel scared. Marik moved his arms to cast a destruction spell and sent it at Yuya in a stream of dark energy that should have ripped him apart. However, to everyone's surprise, he absorbed the blast without even flinching. Marik and Bakura gasped, taking a step back in shock and fear. Yuya raised his hand and sent out a stream of energy so powerful it blasted the two criminals right through the wall of the tower, sending them plummeting to their deaths. They probably would have screamed had they not been fried unconscious by his magic. Yuya just stared emotionlessly at the gaping hole he'd created in the wall.

"She's alive!" Shark cried. Yuya's eyes widened and he turned around to see Shark holding Zuzu with his fingers pressed on her neck, clearly feeling for her pulse.

"Take her to Dextra," Astral ordered. Shark nodded, picking her up and leaving. Yuya made to follow them but Astral raised his hand, signalling him to stay. "I think you should go rest, after what just happened." Yuya was confused at first, before the memory of blasting those evil sorcerers through the wall hit him. He seemed to only just realise what he'd actually done and fell to his knees in shock.

The ashes from the fire were what woke Yuya the next morning. A random gust of wind blew them into his face causing him to cough and splutter. He rubbed them and the sleep from his eyes as he sat up. He stood, stretching his arms with a groan as the tiredness left his body. It wasn't hard for Yuya, he'd had many rough nights and early mornings when living with his master, his body was more than use to instant wake ups and unusual sleeping patterns at this point. In no time at all he was wide awake and gathering some fruits from the nearby trees for himself and Zuzu to eat for breakfast.

"I think it would be best if the two of you were to leave us," Astral said to the two thirteen year old's stood before him in the throne room.

"Leave?" Yuya asked. Astral nodded.

"The attack yesterday proved that you are not safe here. Your master, Don Thousand, knows you are here, and as long as he knows that he will keep attacking until he gets to you. Therefore, it would be safer for you to leave."

Yuya looked at Zuzu next to him as he remembered yesterday. She looked the picture of health right now. Thanks to the spell their healer had used all her wounds had simply vanished as though they'd never even existed, and thanks to the new clothes she'd been given, a simple yet clean white dress, there were no signs of her street life left either. She looked… For lack of a better term, normal.

"Where do you suggest we go?" Zuzu asked.

"I have thought about it and the safest place for you now would probably be the kingdom of 5DS."

"The kingdom of 5DS?" The two gasped. Both knew of the kingdom, of course, it was famous for its Turbo Duels.

"It would be for the best," Kite added.

"Okay then…" Yuya said, understanding their logic. "When do we leave?"

Yuya heard a yawn and looked over to see Zuzu sitting up and stretching her arms. He held out the dish full of food he'd gather for her and she took it gratefully.

"Thanks, Yuya," she said with a smile. He smiled back and the two began eating in silence. It was a comfortable silence at first but after a while both felt the need to strike up conversation.

"So um—"

What do you—"

Both tried to speak at the same time, then broke off to chuckle.

"You first." Yuya offered. Zuzu smiled and happily accepted.

"Well, I was just wondering… What are your interests?"

"What?" Yuya gasped, the question caught him off guard.

"Well you must have something in the world that interests you, especially being locked up for so long, there must have been something you wanted to get out for right?" She laughed nervously. "Sorry, I wasn't sure how to make conversation."

"No, no, it's fine," Yuya assured, "it's just, I don't think anyone's ever asked me about myself before…"

It was true. In his entire life, not even Ali, Fredrick or Tate had asked him about what he wanted or enjoyed. Don Thousand didn't care, and it never really crossed the minds of the three small animals; understandable given their situation.

"I dreamed of leaving sure," he told her, "I always dreamed of having a real family when I was kid; parents to watch over and care about me; to tuck me in at night and tell me stories; to embarrass me by kissing me goodbye on my first day of school; to yell at me when I sneak out of the house to hang out with my friends." He stopped and laughed sheepishly. "That sounds really silly doesn't it."

"Not at all…" Zuzu reassured him. His answer felt so bittersweet to her. Those were all simple things that most people complain about, but that most people still have. What Yuya was really saying, was that he wanted to be normal…

"Of course, I always wanted to be an entertainer." He said suddenly. Zuzu looked up from her thoughts to stare at him. "I use to read the books in the library at my master's castle, my favourite characters were always the ones who brought smiles to people, by performing and stuff you know?" He waved his arms around for emphasis making Zuzu giggle.

"What about you?" Yuya asked. "What are your interests?"

"Well, I always wanted to be a musician." She replied shyly. "When I was really down or feeling especially lonely I use to sing to myself… Sometimes I would even sing on the streets for money but while people would often stop and listen only a few ever gave me anything… Usually just a few coins. My dream… Is to be a professional singer."

She looked up at the sky wistfully, her mind fully wrapped in her dreams. Yuya watched her silently, thinking about what she'd said.

"Zuzu…" He mumbled, unsure if he was being too bold with what he was about to ask.

"Yes?"

"Can… Can I hear you sing?" He asked nervously. Zuzu's eyes widened, taken aback by the request.

"Well… Um… Sure." She stammered. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her beating heart. She'd sung to crowds before but it was different singing to Yuya. They had been strangers; he was her friend. To her, it actually mattered what he thought. What if he thought she sounded awful?

"Um…" Yuya said, noticing how distressed she looked. "If you don't want to that's okay, I was just… That is…"

Zuzu laughed again.

"It's okay."

She relaxed, Yuya was a good friend, he wouldn't say anything bad about her. She shut her eyes and opened her mouth. Within seconds the world around her had faded as she allowed the song to take over. She could hear the entire orchestra in her mind as she sang, the music blending together around her like magic.

Yuya sat frozen as he listened. She sounded like an angel, surely he was dreaming…

When she finished, she paused before opening her eyes, still held up in the emotion she was feeling.

"Wow…" She heard Yuya whisper. She opened her eyes to see him looking at her in awe. "You have the most amazing voice ever."

She blushed and smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah! Zuzu… I know that dream of yours is gonna come true someday."

He grinned at her prompting her to grin also.

"I bet things will work out for both of us." She said.

"Yeah." Yuya nodded. "Better get moving then."

"Mm."

They began to gather up their things.

"It's true isn't it?" Kite said, as soon as Yuya and Zuzu had left. "He's the missing prince."

"There's nothing to say for certain…" Astral began, "but at this point, I'm almost 90% sure he is."

"Why didn't you tell them?"

"The fewer people that know who he is the safer he'll be. Think about it, if they don't know, they won't be able to tell anyone."

Kite nodded, understanding his logic. Astral got up to leave.

"Where are you going?" Kite asked.

"To write Yusei a letter, I'll have to explain things if he's to help them. After all, we can only delay Don Thousand's attack. Sooner or later he'll find Yuya again and when he does, Yuya'll need to be ready."

Kite nodded and turned away as Astral left, letting the door click softly shut behind him.

"Are we going the right way?" Yuya asked, following Zuzu. She had her map out and was constantly observing their surroundings.

"Definitely, we keep on this course for about another five days and we'll reach the kingdom of 5DS."

"Awesome!" Yuya said, smiling. They kept walking, weaving through the trees and over the small rocks and mounds of the forest. Things were so nice and peaceful this morning. Birds chirped and fluttered around in the trees above and the sun cut perfect rays through the leaves of the trees, making the whole forest shine a brilliant green.

Suddenly, the tranquillity was broken by the clattering of wood and metal, accompanied by voices. Another group of people was clearly up ahead. The question was, were they friendly? Zuzu and Yuya headed towards the noise and came to some bushes marking the boarder of a large glade. The sounds were very loud now, just behind the wall of sticks and leaves. Crouching down and keeping absolutely silent, so as not to draw attention, the two pulled back the branches.