Hi again! If you're still reading this thanks so much for bearing with me!

To clarify, the events of my story take place after the battle with Zone in the storyline, but before the ending episodes when everyone parts ways. It's my way of giving the characters we grew to love a little more story, which I know I wanted for them.

Also, if you read the last chapter, you'll see the duelists in this world use cards which aren't ones known in our world or the 5D's world. Don't worry, I'll be giving new toys to our 5D's gang too, but of course for now they only have their own cards from their world.

And without further rambling, back into the story!

"What do you mean? Who… are you?" Yusei cried out as Soran accelerated past him. In his shock he had lost the lead. Soran simply laughed and turned a sharp corner. Yusei made to follow him, but stopped short. The other boy had turned down a crowded street and was even now dodging full speed against oncoming traffic and startled pedestrians.

Looking over his shoulder and noticing his opponent wasn't following, Soran called back "What's the matter, Yusei Fudou? Stop your D-Wheel and I'll win, then you lose your chance to learn anything!"

Grimacing, Yusei accelerated to follow. They were understandably drawing a lot of attention. Two motorcycles racing up a crowded street would have been bad enough, the solid vision holograms of duel monsters floating above their heads didn't help matters in the slightest. Ahead, Soran recklessly plowed on, nearly knocking over an old lady with her shopping.

"Soran! Stop this or someone's going to get hurt!" Yusei yelled angrily.

Soran cackled. "Sorry, Yusei Fudou. My orders are to show you the extent of the difference between our worlds!"

"Orders? And what do you mean by your world and mine…?" Yusei swerved sharply to avoid an oncoming car and nearly sideswiped a light pole. It was taking all his driving skills to try and keep up with the other boy, who seemed to be enjoying his reckless game of dodge car.

"If you want to find that out, or even try to stop me, you'd better hurry and beat me!" Soran called over his shoulder, as a threat he swung his D-Wheel dangerously close to a group on pedestrians who scrambled back in shock. "Speaking of, are you ever going to take your turn?"

Yusei glared back at the boy. Whatever he had thought about enjoying the duel with him moments before was forgotten. He still wasn't sure if the other teen was an enemy, but he was clearly taking orders from someone else, and his reckless behavior had to be stopped. "My turn!"

Yusei laid his hand on his deck and asked it to respond to his will. He silently focused on the feelings of his friends, their bonds which had strengthened him so many times before. Strangely, he didn't feel the familiar surge of power and hope as their wishes met with his… he barely had to think about it to call on the power usually. He hadn't noticed, but he couldn't even feel the usual connection to his friends, even though he knew they should be watching the duel through the wireless transmission to Crow's duel runner. He stared down at his mark of the dragon, but it remained dark and silent.

With an ominous feeling, Yusei declared "Draw!" Glancing at the drawn card, Yusei was relieved to see one of his favorite and most reliable cards. And with the current situation, it would let him… Yusei grinned and called "I summon in attack position, the tuner Junk Synchron!"

Junk Synchron Level 3 Tuner 1300 atk When summoned, you can revive a level 2 or lower monster in defense position.

"Oh?" Soran looked back as if amused at the little orange scarf clad warrior. "I heard you used synchrons. How… familiar."

Ignoring the other boy, Yusei declared Junk Synchron's effect. "With Junk Synchron, I revive a level 2 or lower monster: Roadrunner returns to me in defense position!" The tiny running bird appeared with another cute squawk.

"Cute, but what will you…" Soran looked over his shoulder and as the wind swept a blue highlighted strand of hair across his face, he met Yusei's determined gaze. "You're calling it out, aren't you? Your guardian…"

Yusei answered him declaring "Synchro summon!" Junk Synchron gave it's rallying cry before the tuner dissipated into rings of light. Max Warrior and Roadrunner's level stars glowed within their bodies as they jumped into the rings of light. ""Clustering wishes will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Take flight," A flash of light and a fierce shook the area. The onlookers pointed and several passing cars slowed to watch as the dragon descended. "Stardust Dragon!" Yusei finished his summoning chant as the blue and white dragon appeared overhead.

Junk Synchron (3) + Max Warrior (4) + Road Runner (1) = Stardust Dragon (8)

Stardust Dragon Level 8 2500 Atk Can sacrifice self to negate a destruction effect, revived at the end of the turn this effect activates.

"Stardust…" Soran said softly, staring at the creature in fascination. "You were really able to call it out…"

Choosing to ignore the boy's strange comments again, Yusei assessed his opponent's field. His monsters were troublesome in that they stayed on the field, but he could still inflict damage. Right now, there was Myrmidon and Mage. Neither monster was a tuner according to the display, but he didn't know what other effects they might have. Myrmidon's points were lower, and he would take damage from the equipped Electric Aura if he attacked Mage anyway. It was the obvious choice. "Stardust Dragon, attack Azurite Myrmidon! Shooting Sonic!"

Stardust unleashed a blast that knocked the blue clad monster to its knees. It managed to survive the blow again, but a larger chunk of its armor chipped away, revealing a blue tunic below. It's attack points decreased to 500 as a result of its effect again.

To his surprise, Yusei saw Soran didn't even swerve or even seem to pay attention as his life points were reduced by the significant amount of damage to 1200.

2500 atk Stardust – 900 atk Myrmidon = 1600 damage.

2800 life – 1600 damage = 1200

He was still seemingly fixated on Stardust and talking to himself. "It shouldn't have been possible… It must be because the D-Wheel was brought from his world, that's the only way… the system wouldn't have recognized it without that…"

Feeling a mix of frustration and confusion at his opponent, Yusei was about to end his turn when he saw the danger. "Look out!" He cried out! They were rapidly approaching a red light, and a large construction vehicle had moved and blocked their path. Staring backwards at Stardust in rapt attention, Soran had seemingly not noticed the yellow monstrosity he was yards away from crashing into. At these speeds, the crash would be severe or even fatal.

With an annoyed glance in front of him at the imposing vehicle, Soran almost lazily lifted his right arm into the air again. Yusei caught another glimpse of the glowing yellow on the boy's arm again before there was a flash right as he would have smashed headfirst into the vehicle. Honking horns proved others were just as alarmed and confused as Yusei was, because after the flash, there was suddenly no Soran, no D-Wheel, no monsters, no nothing.

In confusion, Yusei started to pull to a stop at the red light himself. Had his opponent abandoned the duel? And how had he just vanished…

"Come now, Yusei Fudou, not stopping so soon are we?" The voice snapped him out of his thoughts, but it wasn't in front of him but coming up behind him on the right? Looking around, Yusei was shocked to see Soran driving his D-Wheel across the edge of the roof of the low shop on their right.

The scene wasn't at all helping them to avoid attention. Now several of the onlookers had cell phones out, giving Yusei bleak thoughts of explaining this duel to Security. Not that he was exactly hopeful it would be the familiar face of Ushio or Mikage if he did have a run in with security in this city. Soran raced past him on the rooftop above as he started to come to a rolling stop. "How…" he started to ask

"All in due time!" The other boy grinned annoyingly. "Now, are you ever going to end your turn?" Alarmingly, Soran reached the end of the roof and had his D-Wheel jump the edge. He landed in the middle of the intersection just as the light turned green, nearly running a couple in a sedan off the road. Laughing, he accelerated up the road once more.

Cursing under his breath, Yusei sped back up to follow. The duelist he was following seemed to be driving even more recklessly than ever, even swerving on to the sidewalks to avoid slowing down when both lanes were blocked. Yusei tried to avoid taking out a mailbox as he set two cards face down and ended his turn.

"Excellent, excellent! And now that Stardust is out, things are even better! Start of turn! Draw!" Yusei didn't quite understand the boy's glee when he was in such a disadvantageous situation in the duel, but it slightly worried him. "You've hurt my monsters quite a bit, so let's return the favor, Yusei Fudou! I'll cast the spell Armor Break!" Soran's Azurite Myrmidon jumped in front of Stardust Dragon and began to glow.

Armor Break Normal Spell Destroy 1 of your Azurite monsters that has had its points lowered by its own effect, then destroy 1 of your opponent's monsters that battled with that monster

"Myrmidon will sacrifice himself, and with the magic power in what remains of his armor, take down any monster that he's done battle with! Myrmidon, go! Destroy Stardust Dragon!" True to his word, the monster's fractured armor grew brighter and exploded, the shards flying toward Stardust.

"Stardust Dragon's monster effect: Victim Sanctuary!" Yusei declared. Stardust Dragon cried out, then abruptly dissipated into shimmering sparkles of light. The shrapnel met with them and faded from existence. "Victim Sanctuary, Stardust can sacrifice itself to negate a destruction effect, but it returns to the field at the end of the turn. Armor Break is negated!"

"Yes, I believe they said it had an annoying effect like that…" Soran pondered

"Who is they? Soran who are you working with?" Yusei demanded again.

"I believe I'll said that information will require you to win this duel!" Soran turned quickly and raced down an alleyway.

Relieved that they were leaving the crowded street, Yusei followed. To his chagrin, the alley opened up onto an open market area, more crowded than the street they had left. Soran raced through the thoroughfare, darting side to side dodging shocked shoppers. Yusei sighed and wove his way carefully after his foe.

"Stardust returns during the end phase, I believe you said, but for now, your field is free to attack. Azurite Mage, direct attack upon the player!" Soran flipped his D-Wheel backwards as the Mage leapt forward to strike Yusei.

"I figured you would do that. Stardust can actually return to me sooner, with the right help. Reverse card open, Stardust Flash!"

Stardust Flash Normal Trap During the turn Stardust Dragon has activated its effect, special summon Stardust Dragon from your graveyard

A glowing circle appeared on the ground in front of Yusei, which Stardust rose out of, blocking the Mage's path to Yusei.

"Tch." Soran looked annoyed, having to call off his monster's attack. He flipped his D-Wheel forward again, much to Yusei's relief, as he had nearly plowed down three passers-by who almost hadn't noticed the backwards facing motorcycle barreling towards them in time. "Set two cards. End of turn." The images of two cards appeared beside his D-Wheel before fading from view.

"My turn, draw!" Yusei declared. This time two face down cards, only one monster. He had the advantage currently, but he still had to be careful. Soran may have been a reckless driver, but Yusei had the distinct feeling his dueling was much more calculated. The effects of those Azurite monsters were the main problem currently, but Yusei had an idea as to how to deal with those, he just had to test their limitations. "For that I need" Yusei selected a card from his hand "another monster. I summon Dash Warrior in attack position!"

Dash Warrior Level 3 600 atk When this monster attacks, it gains 1200 attack power.

The red clad skating warrior appeared beside Yusei. "Next I'll activate the reversed card Miracle Locus! With its effect, my opponent will draw one card."

Miracle Locus Normal Trap Your opponent draws a card, 1 of your monsters gains 1000 attack power and can attack twice this turn, but it causes no battle damage to your opponent.

"Thank you?" Soran glanced back quizzically as he took his card.

"Next, Stardust will gain 1000 attack and be able to attack twice this turn!" Both the trap card and Stardust glowed and the display changed Stardust's points to 3500. "Unfortunately-"

"It can't inflict damage this turn." Soran finished for him. "Yes, I'm quite familiar with the card, but for what purpose? Would it not have been better to leave Stardust with lower points but able to finish me off?"

"Because I'm fairly sure one of those face downs would have kept you alive anyway. Besides, now I have three attacks, and I don't think your monster can take all three." Yusei said confidently.

"So you saw through that limitation?" Soran looked impressed. "Yes, that would be true. If you attacked, my monster's effect would lower it's attack to 700, then 300, but then it couldn't be lowered again and would be destroyed. Go ahead and try it then, if you think it will be that simple." The boy accelerated and skidded around a group of gawking teenage girls who shrieked in surprise.

Yusei nodded. Whether Soran was bluffing or not, the only way to find out was an attack. Himself skirting around groups of pedestrians, he declared. "I'll start with Dash Warrior, attack Azurite Mage. Dash Warrior's effect will make its attack power 1800!" The monster's display changed its points appropriately as it skated forward and lashed out with a kick.

"Trap card, Armor Reforging!" Soran declared. Suddenly, his monster's blue armor began to glow and repair itself, though his life points decreased to 800.

Azurite Reforging Normal Trap Restore an Azurite monster to its original points. Take life point damage equal to the amount restored.

1200 life – 400 damage from Armor Reforging = 800 life remaining

Azurite Mage looked reinvigorated as it appeared uninjured again and its points displayed 1500 again. It blocked Dash Warrior's kick with its staff. "I'll give up my life points to restore the same amount of points to my weakened Azurite monster." Soran explained. At that point, Dash Warrior knocked back the Mage, and cracks appeared in its armor once again. His life points decreased by another 300 to 500 from the battle damage.

1800 atk Dash Warrior – 1500 atk Azurite Mage = 300 damage

800 life – 300 damage = 500 life remaining

"But you still take the damage from that attack" Yusei added

"True enough, but Azurite Mage will lose 400 points of armor instead of being destroyed. And at this time, you'll take the effect damage of the Electric Aura equipped to my monster."

Azurite Mage glowed and Dash Warrior emitted sparks as it returned to Yusei. He grimaced as his life reduced to 2800.

3100 life – 300 effect damage = 2800 life remaining

"But I still have two attacks left with Stardust!" Yusei declared. It wasn't enough to defeat the monster now, but it would weaken it so it couldn't protect itself again. "Stardust Dragon attacks! Shooting Sonic!"

"Stand strong, my mage!" Soran ordered, as the blast hit his monster. Azurite Mage staggered as more of the shining blue armor broke off of its robes, but it stood back up. It's point display now read 700. "And now you'll take the effect of Electric Aura again!"

Once more electricity flared, this time circuiting from Mage to Stardust to Yusei. Yusei tried to hold his D-Wheel as steady as possible so the virtual impact didn't send him into any innocent bystanders.

2800 life – 300 effect damage = 2500 life remaining

"Stardust attacks once more, strike Azurite Mage with Shooting Sonic!"

This time the attack knocked Azurite Mage down. When it stood back up, displayed at 300 points, it's armor had nearly crumbled completely off, revealing the arcane design on its robes. Electricity flared monster to monster to duelist as Soran announced "Electric Aura activates once more!"

Yusei nodded as his life decreased to 2200.

2500 life – 300 effect damage = 2200 life remaining

He had taken 900 damage this turn, but he still had a strong lead in points, and he had managed to figure out the trick to his opponent's monsters. "I set one card, and end my turn!" Stardust's points went back down to 2500 now that the effect of Locus was over.

"Begin turn and draw!" Soran, to Yusei's surprise, slowed down enough to let Yusei catch up and ride alongside him. Looking sidelong at the other boy, Yusei was surprised to see an apologetic expression.

"Yusei Fudou, despite everything, I'm glad to get to duel you. I wish circumstances had been different but…"

"Soran, what's going on, why are you doing this?"

"I have to," he answered with a determined expression. "But I truly hope that one day we get to fight… without restrictions." He accelerated, veering to the right at an intersection down yet another busy street. A driver he cut off honked in irritation.

"Restrictions?" Yusei wondered, following the boy yet again.

"I carry on with my turn." Soran announced, getting back to the duel. "I summon my Azurite Guard. It is switched to defense mode with its effect." Another monster clad in the same blue material, this one wielding a large emblazoned shield, appeared in front of him, crouching in a defensive stance. "And now Yusei Fudou…"

Azurite Guard Level 4 1700 defense Azurite effect This monster is switched to defense position when summoned, you may negate any effect that would change its battle position

"Soran?" Yusei hesitated, but when the boy looked back he was glaring angrily, at Stardust Dragon.

"To oppose your dragon, the symbol of your powers, allow me to show you mine! Synchro summon!"

"What?" Yusei started, looking at the display. He hadn't noticed guard being a tuner either. But for some reason, the display showed that the tuner his opponent controlled was Azurite Mage, even though he was sure it hadn't been one earlier. He looked up at the monster. Without it's armor, the arcane markings on Azurite Mage made it look very different. "Mage's effect…" Yusei guessed

"Of course. Thank you for helping me to unleash its real power. When Mage is lowered to 500 or less attack, it can become a tuner monster with its ability."

Azurite Mage Level 4 1500 attack Azurite effect When this monster's points are 500 or lower, it is treated as a tuner monster.

Mage glowed and dispersed into four rings of light. The newly summoned Guard leapt up into them, its own four level stars shining within its body. "The indestructible will of the past carries us into the present! Become the bridge that will carry us into the future! Synchro Summon!" A flash of light made the onlookers they drove by gasp "Come forth, Azure Edge Dragon!"

Level 4 Mage + Level 4 Guard = Level 8 Azure Edge Dragon

Out of the light a large dragon appeared. It's body was a rich blue, it's horns and claws pitch black. It unfurled its powerful and sharp looking wings and roared at Stardust Dragon. Stardust responded with its own cry and Yusei felt an echoing pain in his Mark of the Dragon. It now glowed a faint crimson, but he still felt no power from it. His opponent on the other hand…

As Yusei looked up, he saw Soran holding up the white card of Azure Edge Dragon in his right hand. More interesting though, was the bright glow emanating from that same arm, a rich golden color. He almost seemed to radiate with power. Yusei wondered at this, as he was fairly certain his Mark of the Dragon should be acting in a similar way. "Soran, what are-"

"Battle!" Soran declared, ignoring Yusei's question again. He swerved around another turn, jumping the curb and flipping his D-Wheel to face Yusei again, even as a car had to swerve to avoid him. Yusei had to wonder if the boy had a destination in mind or if he was making random turns. He hoped it was the latter, but if he trusted his gut, the boy's driving seemed similar to his dueling. The actions seemed random, but like how he had led Yusei to reduce his Mage to activate its effect, they might be part of a plan to lead him somewhere.

"Azure Edge Dragon will attack Stardust Dragon!"

"But their points are the same!" Yusei objected. It was true, according to his display Azure Edge Dragon had 2500 attack, the same as Stardust.

"Maybe, but you have already had a chance to show off your dragon's powers." Soran grinned Now witness mine. Azure Edge Dragon's effect: Paradigm Mirror!" Azure Edge dragon's image began to grow blurry, as if the hologram were going out of focus, but that couldn't be it… When the monster suddenly came back into view, Yusei was surprised to see it had gained a set of large sparkling blue armor, just like the rest of Soran's monsters wore.

"What is this?" Yusei wondered.

"Paradigm Mirror: Azure Edge can gain the abilities of any of the monsters that was used to Synchro summon it! I choose Azurite Mage, and empower my dragon with its skills. Behold, Azure Edge Dragon armored form!" His armored dragon roared in response. "And now I continue my attack on Stardust! Azure Lightning!" The monster gathered power in its jaws and launched a bolt of blue lightning at Stardust.

"Counterattack!" Yusei ordered. Stardust launched a burst back at the opposing dragon, and the beams collided in the air in an explosion. This resulted in a chorus of car horns and squeals from vehicles nearby.

"You remember what the ability of the Azurite armor is though, right, Yusei?" Soran taunted. Sure enough, when the smoke cleared, Stardust was gone, but Azure End Dragon, with slightly cracked body armor, stood roaring on Soran's field.

Azure Edge Dragon Synchro Level 8 2500 attack When this card is synchro summoned, select one of its synchro material monsters. This card gains all effects of that monster, and its name may be treated as that monster's. ?

The boy cackled and flipped his D-Wheel forward to take off again.

Yusei flipped open his D-Wheel to full throttle and took off. He was now completely, overly, and thoroughly pissed. With all he had had to deal with, the random terrorist attacks, this insanely annoying and cryptic mystery duelist, a world that didn't make sense, a duel that had almost run over around 33 pedestrians and almost caused at least 15 wrecks, Signer mark mystery problems, now Stardust being destroyed by this guy and his infuriating monsters, he was through. All he had wanted to do, his only goal for today, had been to hang out with Aki. This… was… enough…

"Soran!" Yusei cried out, overtaking the boy in a curve. He was through being led, he was taking charge now.

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed!

Be sure to join us next time for the conclusion of this duel and more fun as we get back to Jack and the others!