Tick, tock.

Tick, tock.

The lounge room in Martha's small home was silent except for the wooden clock hanging on the wall. The two boys were sitting almost next to each other on the couch as Martha sat on the opposite end of the two. On the table between them are a glass of honey tea, belonging to the caretaker, a glass of milk that belonged to 'Satellite's Shooting Star', and a mug of hot chocolate whose brunette owner has already gulped down.

Yusei had just finished telling Martha what has happened the past couple weeks. He made sure to explain in full detail including answering any questions Martha had. Martha was awestruck to everything he has told her. Granted, she has seen her fair share of odd occurences ever since Yusei and his friends took part in the Signer war. It took a while for her to recover from that, but with knowing that she has orphans to look over she was able to get back on her feet.

"Judai Yuki," she says, looking at the Osiris Red character. Judai smiled at the corner of his mouth with a sheepish chuckle. The woman sighs with her own smile. "I remember my own family members talking about Duel Academy. None of my cousins were able to make it in, actually."

"Well, yeah, I guess it was a bit hard to enter through. I mean, I was able to get in just by defeating a highly acclaimed professor," Judai tells her.

Yusei takes up his glass of milk from the table. "Bottom line here is that he got to the future through the Crimson Dragon. I'm not exactly sure why."

With a heavy sigh, Martha shakes her head. "Yusei, my boy, you think too hard on things where sometimes you don't seem to think at all." The duelist stops before taking a sip of his beverage, curious as to what she means. Martha pushes herself up from her seat.

"Its obvious, right? You began to miss Judai shortly after that incident in Neo Domino. I'm pretty sure that Dragon felt it and he brought you what you were wanting."

Both boys felt a bit stunned. Did an ancient dragon really did do this for them? Perhaps the Crimson Dragon felt it was in debt to these two for what they did and wanted to grant them this wish they were both praying for across decades of time? Judai leans back more into the couch, letting out a heavy sigh. "I guess all that matters is that now I'm here and for who knows how long I'll be here I'll have to learn some stuff in the future, eh Yusei?"

Yusei loses track of thought and looks at Judai, simply nodding. "Guess so, yeah." Judai cocks an eyebrow, swinging an arm around the Synchro Duelist's shoulders. "Heeeeey man, its not like I'll be too much of a burden. I'm sure I can get use to some of the new gadgets. Maybe I can even learn how to Synchro Summon!" Judai's eyes began to light up. "Oh oh, maybe even get to learn how to ride a D-Wheel?" he asks excitedly, pulling Yusei towards him.

Yusei had a pretty bad feeling on that last part. "I-I don't think that's a good idea to rush into! I mean, yeah, you apparently got used to the speed and all, but have to consider on being able to duel and drive, not to mention to stay focused at all times." Judai scoffs.

"Oh, it can't be too hard. I'll probably just have trouble holding the cards while on those things!" This made Judai stop and think, putting an index finger on his chin. "Say, how the heck do you guys keep from losing your cards? Sticky gloves or something?"

"No, that just sounds surreal..." Yusei tells him.

"Are the cards magnetic then? Different kind of material?"

"Wouldn't be called cards if they're not made of cardboard."

"Then maybe the D-Wheels create some sort of energy barrier that keeps any of the cards flying away in the wind from hand or on the duel disk?"

"We're not that advanced, Judai."

While the two chatter up a storm with Judai's constant excitement, Martha giggles to herself as she turns around towards the kitchen to serve herself more tea. As she walks to the sink, she looks out the small window, thinking to herself.

Yusei, being around that boy is making you seem like your old self. I remember that curious boy who always had a smile on your face, she recalls.

Unfortunately, the memory of Yusei finding old newspaper articles in the attic about the city's destruction. He was too smart as he put two and two together that it was his dad who caused the catastrophe despite the official reports were saying it was all Mother Nature. From then on, Yusei never smiled the same again. He began to blame himself for what happened, seeing how Satellite became the way it is and realizing just how many people's lives were lost; how Jack and Crow were left without parents. He almost seemed to be drained of life as he kept to himself in his room, only really talking to with his two closest friends. When Kyosuke Kiryu came, Yusei had some glimmer of hope as he heard how the silver-haired boy went on and on about helping the people of the barren city be happy once more. It was the main reason he decided to join Team Satisfaction.

Crow had told her shortly after the ordeal with the Dark Signers when Yusei cried out against that horrible man, Rudger. What she suspected was true for nearly ten years. It just broke Martha's heart. The weight did seem to lighten off his shoulders though, but she can see that he seems to owe the people of Neo Domino a better future. The woman looks over her shoulder. Judai was ruffling his hands through his hair in confusion as Yusei was explaining how Riding Duel physics actually work, but with a smile. The kind of smile she hasn't seen for so many years.

Thank you, God, for finally having this boy smile again.