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Yusei and I received a ten minute break before we dueled. I was still exhausted after using my power during Yusei and Akiza's duel and the emotional aftermath.

We were both in the lounge with Tanner, Leo and Luna. They were worried about us.

"That was really reckless of you to run onto the arena, Estelle!" Tanner scolded me. "The Black Rose could have hurt you?!"

I drank a can of juice before replying with a angry expression on my face. "First of all, Tanner; her name is Akiza, not Black Rose. Secondly her power wouldn't affect me."

"What do you mean, Estelle?" Leo asked me.

Luna and Yusei remained silent in the background.

"Remember when we first encountered Akiza in the Daimon Area?" I reminded them. "When she used her power, it didn't affect me at all. I wasn't pushed away when she used the card that created the beacon of light."

Leo crossed his arms as he pondered that day before he gasped in realization. "Hey, that's right! I remember it now! You were the only one still standing!"

I nodded as I took my deck out of my Duel Disk and looked at the cards. I had customized it after the last duel, so I thought it would do well against Yusei.

"So...you two are going up against each other." Tanner changed the topic. "Are you two going to use your ace dragons?"

Yusei and I exchanged a glance before I turned back to Tanner.

"I'll try to Synchro summon it if Yusei brings out Stardust Dragon." I said.

"I'll only Synchro summon Stardust if the situation becomes complicated." Yusei added.

"Wow! I can't wait to see Estelle's secret dragon! I bet it's gonna be totally cool!" Leo shouted excitedly.

Tanner raised a eyebrow. "You mean, you two haven't seen it yet?"

"No, because Estelle wants to keep it a secret." Luna explained.

Tanner laughed heartily. "You really like to keep surprises, don't you, gal?"

I smiled gently. "Yep."

Tanner looked at Yusei. "You think you're ready to face her surprises, Yusei?"

Yusei smirked. "We'll see."

Tanner and the twins left, but not before Luna cast a worried glance at us. I gave her a small smile, assuring her that we would be fine out there in the arena.

I put my deck back in the Duel Disk and strapped the device to my arm as Yusei adjusted his own. "Ready, Yusei?"

Yusei smiled. "Ready when you are."

XXXXXXXXXX

I was under the stage and waited to be elevated up while I heard the MC shouting excitedly.

"Yeah! It's finally here! The duel to decide who faces Jack Atlas! Now, entering the arena, a unknown woman that shines like a star, New Domino City's Shining Star! Estelle Malmstrom!"

I was elevated up to the stage as some new fans of mine shouted encouraging words at me. I waved to the audience with a smile.

"And challenging her is the Shooting Star from the Satellite Sector! Yusei Fudo!"

Yusei was elevated up to the stage on the other side of the arena. We both shared a smile as we waited for the MC's command.

"And now, get ready for the duel!"

"Let's do this!" Yusei and I shouted as we both drew the top five cards from our decks.

Estelle: 4000 LP

Yusei: 4000 LP

"Ladies first." Yusei said.

"Thank you, you're such a gentleman." I teased, drawing a card.

XXXXXXXXXX - Normal POV

Goodwin was contacted by a excited Zigzix.

"Director Goodwin, my detector has caught another signal coming from the female duelist right after the duel with the Black Rose!"

"Only at the end again? Not during the duel?" Goodwin raised a eyebrow.

"Strangely, no. It's like Estelle's hidden power is only activated when she's extremely emotional."

"Then could you explain what those two auras were, when the Black Rose's Rose Tentacles was about to throw Yusei onto the stage?" Goodwin questioned.

"I'm...not entirely sure yet, Director, I'm still working on uncovering that mysterious energy."

"What about Yusei Fudo during the second semifinal duel? Did you detect anything?" Lazar interrupted, stepping up next to Goodwin.

A huge smile formed on Zigzix's face. "Ah yes! I almost forgot about it! Not only did I detect the power of the Crimson Dragon coming from Akiza Inzinski, but also Yusei Fudo!"

"Excellent, that means four down and one to go, or should I say two to go?" Lazar chuckled.

Jack wasn't focusing on the conversation. He had his eyes on the duel between his old friend and the female duelist. He had to admit; Estelle seemed to be a great duelist, but he hoped she would do what he asked and lose to Yusei on purpose.

Just then, Yusei's Stardust Dragon appeared in the arena, roaring happily to be by his master's side.

XXXXXXXXXX - Estelle's POV

Yusei had Synchro summoned Stardust Dragon sooner than expected. So far, we had mostly been 'fooling around', but I guess it was time to turn the heat up a little.

"I place one card face down and end my turn." Yusei said.

Estelle: 2600 LP

Yusei: 2900 LP

The field looked like this; Yusei had two face down cards, including the one he just set, and Stardust Dragon. I had three face downs; Divine Wrath, Dark Bribe and Dust Tornado, with Star Seraph Sword, which I managed to keep on the field for a few turns, since I was low on monsters.

"My turn then." I drew a card.

I checked my hand which contained Ego Boost, Raigeki Break, Gallis the Star Beast and the card I had just drawn; Galaxy Serpent.

"I summon the tuner monster Galaxy Serpent." I played said card.

A beautiful blue light appeared in front of me as it flew around me before it materialized into the dragon made from the light of every galaxy in the universe.

Galaxy Serpent, Level 2, Tuner: ATK 1000

Galaxy Serpent cooed as she rubbed her muzzle against my cheek, making me smile and giggle with the affection, before she flew next to Star Seraph Sword.

"I guess you're going for a synchro summon?" Yusei asked with a small smile on his face.

"How did you know, mister?" I said with a joking voice. "I tune Galaxy Serpent with Star Seraph Sword."

Galaxy Serpent started to glow brighter as she and Star Seraph shot up into the sky before merging into my fourth dragon Synchro monster.

"Come forth, the guardian of the Asian gods...Orient Dragon!"

A green tornado appeared in the middle of the stage with a curled up shadow inside it. The dragon's eyes opened and glowed green before it roared and the wind in the tornado was cut. Orient Dragon spread his wings and roared proudly.

Orient Dragon, Level 6: ATK 2300

"Is someone else getting deja vu, cause I feel like the real action will happen soon." The MC said, a bit worried.

I saw Yusei glance at Orient Dragon with a raised eyebrow, wondering if Orient Dragon was my ace monster. "That's not my ace dragon in case you're wondering." The young man looked surprised. "My strongest monster is a bit difficult to synchro summon, and I didn't have any other choice but to synchro summon this dragon."

"It's okay, but I've never seen this dragon before." Yusei confessed.

"Then get ready for Orient Dragon's special ability." I warned him. "When Orient Dragon is Synchro summoned, I can target one of my opponent's Synchro monsters and remove it from play."

Orient Dragon controlled the wind and sent a tornado towards Stardust Dragon. The silvery dragon was trapped in the middle before shattering into pieces.

"This means I can't bring Stardust Dragon back with his special ability." Yusei mumbled.

"Sorry about that." I apologized. "But I thought it was time to turn up the heat, since you Synchro summoned Stardust Dragon."

Yusei's shocked expression turned into a slightly playful one. "That's true, and I can tell you things are far from over."

"I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got planned yourself." I smiled. "I hope you're ready for my next trick. I reveal Gallis the Star Beast in my hand to activate his special ability." I held up said card to show it to Yusei. "Now, I get to send the top card of my deck to the graveyard and if it's a monster, I can inflict damage to you equal to that monster's level multiplied by 200 and then special summon Gallis from my hand. If the top card is not a monster, I have to send Gallis the Star Beast to the graveyard." I put Gallis the Star Beast back in my hand to draw the top card of my deck and look at the card. "I hate to say this, but today might be your unlucky day, Yusei, because the top card is Luster Dragon." I showed him the card before discarding it. "This means I can special summon Gallis the Star Beast and inflict 800 points of direct damage, since Luster Dragon is a level 4 monster."

Gallis the Star Beast appeared on the field as soon as I played it and he released a shock wave towards Yusei who looked quite calm.

Gallis the Star Beast, Level 3: ATK 800

"I activate my face down Card Defense!" Yusei flipped up said trap card. "By discarding a card from my hand, I can negate your monster's attack and then draw a new card to replace the one that was sent to the graveyard!"

"I counter back by activating my second face down Dark Bribe!" I flipped up said trap card. "Your trap card's effect is negated and it's destroyed, but you get to draw a card."

I could see Yusei glaring at me as he drew a card from his deck. The shield that had been around Yusei was gone and Gallis' roar reached him to deal 800 points of direct damage.

Estelle: 2600 LP

Yusei: 2900 LP - 2100 LP

"Whoa! Talk about a heated fight, and we're still in the first Main Phase!" The MC commented.

"I must say you're really strong for having so many simple spell and traps and yet you can create such a powerful defense." Yusei said.

"Thank you." I smiled at the compliment. "That's how I prefer my own deck; simple yet strong. And now I activate my third and final face down Dust Tornado!" I flipped up the trap card. "I can target one of your face downs and destroy it."

A tornado came out of my trap card and hit Yusei's other face down, revealing the trap card Descending Lost Star.

I sighed in relief. "I'm sorry about doing this to you, Yusei, but I guess it's the end now. Orient Dragon, attack with Aura Sphere!"

Orient Dragon flew up into the air and copied Lucario's pose whenever that Pokemon used Aura Sphere. A green ball appeared between my dragon's claws and he roared when he threw it at Yusei. The young man shielded his face with his right arm as the Aura Sphere hit him and caused his life points to drop to zero.

Estelle: 2600 LP

Yusei: 2100 LP - 0 LP

"It's over! We have the challenger who will face Jack Atlas in the final duel! Estelle Malmstrom!" The MC shouted.

To tell the truth, I was surprised that I defeated Yusei, but going up against Jack...was beyond my wildest imagination.

Orient Dragon roared in victory before dissipating when my Duel Disk went offline. I saw that Yusei had a disappointed expression on his face as I walked towards him.

"Yusei?" I called out, worried.

Said man looked at me with a assuring smile. "I guess I can't save my friends now."

"Don't say that." I told him. "You can still talk to Goodwin and threaten him to release your friends."

Yusei nodded. "That's true."

I smiled warmly. "By the way...think you can give me some advice about how to counter Jack's strategy?"

"From what I remember, he relies on power." Yusei replied. "Get rid of that and you might have a chance to win the duel."

I nodded. "I'll remember that." I held out my right hand. "And thank you for the duel we just had."

Yusei smiled before grabbing my hand. "Likewise."

"Nicely done." A new voice said, congratulating us for the duel.

The figure's appearance left us speechless. It was a dragon's head on a man's body with a pair of wings on their back.

"If you're wondering why I look like this, I'm able to shift my body parts into those of a dragon or turn into one." They explained.

"You can even sprout wings and a tail?" Yusei raised a eyebrow.

"Yeah." The figure then introduced himself. "Name's Drake, by the way."

We smiled at each other as I tried to calm my rapidly-beating heart down before we heard footsteps. We turned around, releasing each other's hands, to see that we were surrounded by men in black suits.

"Miss Malmstrom, Director Goodwin wants to see you." One of them said.

I blinked in confusion. "What for?"

None of the men replied to my question. Instead, the biggest one grabbed my right wrist and started to pull me away.

I was about to protest when I realized where this was going. I turned around to see Yusei trying to reach me, but the other men in black suits blocked his path.

"Yusei, get the others out of here!" I shouted.

"But-" Yusei began.

"I'll be fine! Save yourself and the others!"

Yusei must have heard the desperation in my voice because he nodded and ran to the stands. I watched him run up the stairs when I was dragged back to the corridor to get to the Ivory Tower.

XXXXXXXXXX - Normal POV

Yusei wanted to save Estelle, but after hearing her tone telling him to get the others out of the Kaiba Dome he had no choice but to listen to the young woman.

"Guys!" Yusei shouted at his friends. "Listen, you have to get Luna out of here!"

"Yusei, Luna's got a Mark! She's a Signer just like you!" Yanagi gasped.

"That's why you need to get her out of here, like now!" Yusei replied. "I'm thinking it's dangerous for all us Signers to be near each other. Look at what happened during my duel with Akiza." He gestured to the destroyed seats close to the group.

"Yusei, do you know what's going on here?" Luna asked in a scared tone.

"I'll tell you what I find out after I see Goodwin, but for now head to Blister's place. And don't stop for anyone!" With that said, Yusei ran down the stairs to help Estelle, leaving the others to handle the situation on their own.

Yanagi noticed that the children looked really worried. "I'm sure everything's going to be okay. We better do what he says, kids. Follow me and stay close behind."

The group went to the halls where they were stopped by other men in black suits.

"Stop right there!"

Leo, Luna and Dexter hugged each other for comfort as Lazar walked up to the group.

"You weren't planning to leave, were you?" The clown asked them.

"And what if we were?" Tanner shouted.

"Well, Director Goodwin would like you to stay and enjoy the rest of the tournament." Lazar said, laughing.

"Well, you tell Goodwin that we're sick of him telling people what to do!" Tanner retorted angrily as he grabbed the collar of Lazar's coat.

"Say, did you know that Yusei has friends back in the Satellite Sector?" Lazar asked, making Tanner gape in surprise before he released the little man. "I heard that they went missing a few days ago. I hope nothing bad happened to them. So I think it would be best if you returned to your seats now."

XXXXXXXXXX - Estelle's POV

The man in the black suit let go of my wrist and let me walk with another man behind me, watching over me in case I wanted to run. But I didn't. I needed to speak with Goodwin and Jack, to give the egotistical man a piece of my mind.

We stepped inside the elevator and went up to the Ivory Tower where Goodwin was expecting me. When the doors opened, we walked in and then the men in black suits went back to the elevator when Goodwin dismissed them. Jack was standing and looking out the big windows, with his back turned to me as the director walked over to me. Surprisingly, Mina was also there, giving Jack some refreshments.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Miss Malmstrom." Goodwin greeted me with a smile, which I could tell was fake. "I'd like to congratulate you for your glorious victory and winning the chance to face Jack Atlas."

Jack just snorted, not even glancing at me. Mina looked at me with a worried expression. I noticed that and gave her a small, assuring smile.

I turned to Goodwin with a poker face. "But I think you have another reason for bringing me here besides congratulating me. What is it?"

Before Goodwin could reply, we heard the elevator doors open and someone stepped into the tower. I turned around to see Officer Trudge walk over to Goodwin. He gave me a side glance before bowing to the director.

"Director, look sir, there's something I've gotta say." Trudge said, getting Goodwin's attention. "It's my official position that you need to stop this tournament."

"I thought your official position was mall security." Goodwin commented.

"Very funny, but I feel this tournament is cursed or something." Trudge added. "You witnessed the damage during the duel between that Satellite scum and the Black Rose. I'm concerned things are gonna get worse!"

I glared at the officer when he referred to my two friends by those nicknames. He could have used their real names instead.

"Officer, I don't pay you to be concerned." Goodwin retorted.

"But, sir-"

"I pay you to do what I say. And as for what you think, if I was going to pay someone to do some thinking, it most certainly would not be you. Langley, please escort Officer Trudge out."

"Is Langley one of the guys guarding the door?" A new voice wondered.

We all turned around to see Yusei standing by the elevator with a serious expression on his face.

"Yusei!" Trudge gasped in shock.

"Cause he's...napping." Yusei said.

Trudge glared at the young man. "What're you doing up here, punk?!"

"That's enough." Goodwin said as two bodyguards appeared out of nowhere. "How can I help you, Yusei?"

"Before I say, weren't you gonna throw him out?" Yusei referred to the officer.

Trudge grabbed Yusei's jacket and was on the verge of punching him before the guards grabbed him and pulled him towards the elevator.

"That's it, Goodwin!" Trudge shouted furiously. "I'm gonna figure out what you're up to! You're going down! You're gonna-"

The elevator doors closed with a ding, as the whole room became uncomfortably silent.

I couldn't help but hold back my laughter at the scene. It was even harder to resist than in the anime. But, fortunately, I gathered my composure before anyone noticed.

"Time to talk." Yusei got straight to the point. "You forced me into this tournament. You threatened me and you locked up my friends." Mina looked shocked after hearing what Yusei said while I stepped forward to stand next to him. "I want to know the truth. I'm not letting Estelle duel Jack until you tell me why you've done this!"

That last sentence caused me to look at Yusei, surprised. But then again, he wasn't the one facing Jack.

"Hah!" Jack snorted, causing all of us to look at him. "Are you dense, Yusei?" He pulled his glove off and showed us his Mark. "It's because of this! This Mark!"

Yusei gasped. "So I wasn't seeing things before!"

"He wants the Crimson Dragon's power. So he's been trying to gather everyone with it's Mark, and he also wanted to see if Miss who's-not-supposed-to-exist here has a connection to the Signers." Jack explained. "He got me here by lying to me by buttering me up and manipulating me."

"Oh, come on." Goodwin said with a grin. "You're making me sound so devious. Jack, you wanted to be the Turbo Duel champion."

Jack glared at the director. "Yeah, but I wanted to earn that title. At this point, I'm starting to think that you've been rigging everything. I think your little plan involves setting me up as bait for Yusei." That made Yusei glare at the blonde-haired man. "Goodwin knew you would come after me if I did everything he asked me to. Isn't that right, Director?"

"Don't be ridiculous." Goodwin retorted. "I didn't even know about Yusei until you dueled him that night in the arena."

"Do you honestly expect me to believe that it was all some big coincidence?" Jack retorted. "You needed to verify that Yusei had a Mark, so you needed him and I to duel with passion. So you created a situation where the stakes would be as high as possible."

Jack then began to explain everything from the very beginning. How Rally owed him for saving his life two years ago, and how he met Lazar who said that Goodwin could offer him great things, and how he kidnapped Rally in order to steal Yusei's old Duel Runner and Stardust Dragon.

I never commented while listening to the story, but I still felt this burning fire to make the egotistical man open his eyes and heart to see everything he had overlooked because of his selfish desires.

"Goodwin would never have made you the same offer because you would never leave your friends behind." Jack glanced at Yusei. "Not for fame and fortune anyway. I on the other hand, walked right into it, and by tricking me into taking your card, he gave you a reason to come after me. And I think that brings us all up to speed more or less." He put his glove back on and turned to Goodwin. "I have a demand to make. You got what you wanted. He's here, right? Let his friends go. He doesn't need to be coerced. I want this duel to be legit. No threats, no gimmicks, just us."

Goodwin still had his creepy smile on his lips. "If that is what my champion wants, then so be it."

Jack nodded before turning to Yusei. "By the way, Yusei, I think we made a personal deal before, right? If you win, you'd keep your Stardust Dragon. But you actually lost, so you can hand your dragon over now."

I stepped in front of Yusei, blocking Jack's view. I glared at Jack, feeling the anger burn even hotter in my heart.

"You've let your egotistical side take over, Jack." I growled. "You let your stupid pride take over and push your closest friends away. Just like my half-brother who pushed our mother away. What do you know about feelings? How do you think Yusei felt when you stole Stardust Dragon?" Jack raised a eyebrow. "You think Yusei just sees Stardust as a valuable card? No, Stardust Dragon is part of him, just like how Red Dragon Archfiend is part of you, Jack Atlas! And Black Rose Dragon is part of Akiza. The dragons represent their masters! How would you feel if someone stole Red Dragon Archfiend from you!" Jack's eyes widened at that question. "You'd feel devastated and think you're weak because you always rely on your dragon."

I turned around and walked to the elevator, holding my arm out to guide the silent Yusei. I felt Jack's heated glare drilling holes in my back, but I ignored it. Once we were inside the elevator, I looked over my shoulder and glared at Jack, feeling my eyes burn a little.

"I'm warning you, Jack. I will make you open your eyes and heart during our duel and make you realize the mistakes you made with your friends."

That was the last thing I said when the elevator doors closed with a ding.