FicWad

I let out a sigh as I entered the lounge, feeling a bit exhausted after my duel with the Professor. Shira was gone, but Yusei, Ash and Greiger were still sitting on the couch. Something told me that Shira went to talk to Lazar about the upcoming Turbo Duel. I headed over to a locker and opened it before removing my Duel Disk and putting it in there. I removed my deck from the device and put it inside my satchel to keep it safe. I closed the locker and turned around, only to come face to face with Yusei.

"Eep!" I exclaimed in surprise, blushing a bit from the close contact. "Yusei, don't sneak up on me like that!"

Yusei cracked a amused smile. "Sorry, Estelle. But I need to get my stuff for my Turbo Duel. Congrats on winning the duel."

My lips curved into a smile as my cheeks burned up. "Thank you."

I stepped to the side, allowing my heart to calm down, as Yusei opened the locker and took out his helmet and a small, portable toolbox. He then closed the locker and turned around, ready to head to the garage where his Duel Runner was.

"You wanna come with me and check on my Duel Runner?" Yusei asked me.

I blinked, surprised by the offer. "Eh, I don't know that much about Duel Runners, but if all you want is my company, then sure I'll go with you."

Yusei smiled softly and I returned it before we walked out of the lounge and went to the garage. We met up with Tanner who wanted to give Yusei some advice and a warning about Shira. I knew that Hunter Pace was going to sneak up on him and take his place, but I didn't say a word. I crouched down next to Yusei as he did some final adjustments to his Duel Runner, giving him the tools he asked for. I had learned a lot about Duel Runners and engineering ever since I came to this dimension, so I had some knowledge regarding it.

"What do you know about Shira?" Yusei asked Tanner after he finished tinkering with his Duel Runner and stood up straight.

Tanner crossed his arms while leaning back against a crate. "A couple fellas I know had a run-in with the guy a few years back in the underground duels. According to them, he wasn't a fan of playin' nice. Back then, he was calling himself the Shadow Reaper. Apparently, he never takes those creepy robes of his off. You plannin' on usin' Stardust Dragon?"

"I'm saving Stardust for my duel against Jack." Yusei replied as he narrowed his eyes before placing his deck into his Wrist Dealer. "And when I face him, he's gonna wish he never gave it back to me."

"You won't use Stardust Dragon against me if we end up dueling each other at some point during the tournament?" I asked Yusei as I stood up straight.

Yusei turned to me with a small smile. "I might make a exception for you, Estelle. I'm curious about your Clear Wing Synchro Dragon."

"Yeah, me too." Tanner nodded. "That's a monster I've never heard of before. Where did you get it?"

I looked to the side while trying to come up with a reasonable excuse. "I randomly found in a card shop and felt attached to it."

"Is that dragon your ace Synchro monster?" Yusei wondered as he put his helmet on.

"Would you be surprised if I said no?" I asked, looking at the two men.

"That's not your best monster?" Tanner raised a eyebrow. "Well, which monster is your best?"

I smirked lightly. "You'll have to wait and see."

Tanner started laughing heartily. "Soon you'll say your best Synchro monster is a ancient relic, just like grandpa! You sure you two aren't related?"

I laughed at the joke, amused while Yusei just smiled. He got on his Duel Runner and turned on the engine, making the Runner purr with a smooth sound.

"Good luck out there, Yusei." I told him. "And be careful."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Yusei nodded as he lowered the visor.

I stepped away from the Duel Runner before Yusei drove off to the entrance where he would wait for his turn to drive out to the Duel Runner course. For a second, I couldn't help but worry a bit. Some things have changed and didn't play out like they did in the anime, so I hoped Yusei would face Hunter and win.

"You wanna join me, grandpa and the kids, Estelle?" Tanner asked. "The kids are excited and want to talk to you about your duel, especially how you managed to pull off that combo and Synchro summon twice in a single turn."

"I think I'll stay in the lounge." I replied calmly. "I'm not a fan of crowds and extremely loud voices."

"Sensitive to sounds?" Tanner questioned.

"You could say that." I nodded. "The time I was on the duel field was more than enough, but if I'm among a loud crowd...I feel like my head will explode."

"That's harsh." Tanner said before shrugging his shoulders. "But if you're bad with crowds, I won't force you to join us. We'll see you when Yusei wins his duel, alright?"

"Of course." I nodded with a small smile.

I grabbed Yusei's portable toolbox and walked out of the garage with Tanner. We split up as he returned to the stands while I walked back to the lounge. Greiger and Ash were the only ones present when I got back. Akiza had vanished after her duel, but I had a feeling she left with Sayer now that she no longer had to duel today.

I went to the locker and opened it to put the toolbox next to my satchel. When that was done, I walked over to the couch and sat down across from Greiger who's eyes were on the television screen before he turned to me.

"You were in quite a pinch against the Professor, Estelle." He noted. "I'm surprised you managed to defeat him." A small smile formed on his lips. "Well done."

"Thank you, Greiger." I nodded with a smile before turning to the television. "I hope Yusei defeats Shira."

"I'm curious about what kind of duelist Yusei is." Greiger nodded. "He must be special if Goodwin invited a Satellite citizen to the Fortune Cup. Not that status matters, but he must have some great skills."

"You have no idea." Ash stated.

XXXXXXXXXX

I was relieved to see that the Turbo Duel ended the same way it did in the anime. Hunter Pace took Shira's place and tried to win the duel with hyper speed, but Yusei used his slow speed strategy and won. As soon as Yusei was declared the winner, the camera turned to the MC.

"We have a special announcement!" The MC shouted. "Yeees! The rumors you heard were true! Listen up, first round losers, don't head to the exits just yet! Rex Goodwin, our master of ceremonies, has set up a loser's bracket for the first round! That means if you lost, grab your deck because you might get a second chance to duel!"

"That was unexpected." Greiger commented. "But very generous of Goodwin to give losers a second chance."

"Yeah." I nodded slowly.

"He's up to something." Ash noted.

Greiger got up and walked past me. "I'll be back before they announce the lucky duelists."

I looked over my shoulder and watched Greiger walk out of the lounge. I turned back to the television and saw the cameras show the Kaiba Dome while everyone waited for the next announcement of the loser's bracket. I was getting worried. Luna and the Professor were going to face each other.

"You are worried, are you not, Estelle?" The Crimson Dragon asked me telepathically.

"Yeah." I whispered, answering the dragon god's question. "I'm worried that something will go wrong and Luna will be by herself in the Duel Monsters Spirit World." I shut my eyes and looked to the side, feeling a bit frustrated. "But I don't want to interfere and make things worse."

"You are afraid your actions will change the outcome?"

I nodded slowly as I opened my eyes and looked down at my lap. "I...I want to help, but."

"Just because your dimension had a story line that was similar to this one doesn't mean you shouldn't interfere. You should not feel trapped and avoid events that are meant to happen."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, you should follow your heart. I believe in the actions you wish to take. If you want to intervene, then do so. I trust that you will make the right decision. After all, you are my Signers' Crimson Star Priestess. They will need your guidance."

I sensed that the Crimson Dragon left me alone to think about the conversation we just had. He said that it was okay for me to intervene and help the Signers, but did it mean I had his approval to "mess" with the story line? I guess I kinda already changed it with my presence in this dimension, so...what harm could I do? As long as I was careful, maybe I could help out.

But what did he mean when he said the Signers needed my guidance? And how? I wasn't exactly the leader type. I was more the type who followed others instead.

I looked over my shoulder after hearing a locker close. Yusei had come back into the lounge after his Turbo Duel just as Luna was announced as one of the two duelists who would compete in the loser's bracket.

"Luna's dueling?" Yusei questioned out loud after seeing Luna's picture on the screen.

Greiger had just finished his business and returned to the lounge, sitting down next to Yusei with his hands on his hips. "I'm guessing they finally got the right kid, huh?" He must have been informed that Leo and Luna were twins by Lazar. "You know, by the end of our duel, I don't think the boy was half-bad. I can't wait to see what his sister can do."

I remained silent as the two took a seat on the couches without saying a word. I saw Yusei stare at the television, the screen showing Luna getting ready to duel.

"Yusei." I said, getting his attention. "Congratulations on winning that Turbo Duel. I guess none of us expected Hunter to sneak in and take Shira's place."

Yusei grinned softly. "Thanks, Estelle. Hunter almost had me there, but Turbo Duels are about more than speed. Still, it was a great duel."

"Then I guess we're going to face each other in a Turbo Duel tomorrow, if we meet in the semi-finals." Greiger said before looking at me. "And you might duel the Witch or the winner of the loser's bracket, Estelle."

"That's assuming it doesn't end in a draw." Ash pointed out.

I nodded in agreement before looking at the television, seeing the Professor head to the duel field. He had the same creepy smile on his face from our duel, but this time his aura was a lot more vicious while his eyes were blank. This duel could become really dangerous and might be too much for Luna to handle.

XXXXXXXXXX

The duel progressed just like it did in the anime. What surprised me is that the Professor used the exact same cards he did in our duel and in the same order. Did he manipulate his deck and put the cards in the same order after he shuffled it? Wasn't that cheating?

After Luna activated the Ancient Forest field spell, I noticed that her eyes became hazy. This made me realize that her spirit had left her body and gone to the Duel Monsters Spirit World, and the Professor was pleased to see this.

"Is it just me, or is something wrong with Luna?" Greiger asked, noticing something weird was going on.

"She seems scared." I muttered, worried.

Things only got worse when the Professor tribute summoned Ido the Supreme Magical Force. Shortly after he was summoned, I felt my right arm throb. I could also sense fear. It made my heart beat faster. Was this my cue to try and help Luna, or should I wait a little longer?

No, I couldn't wait anymore! I had to go to the Duel Monsters Spirit World!

"Have you decided, Little One? Will you go?" The Crimson Dragon asked me.

"Yes." I whispered so lowly none of the three guys could hear me.

"Very well."

XXXXXXXXXX - Normal POV

Estelle's eyes became hazy just like Luna's before she closed her eyes. Her body leaned against Yusei's left side, getting his attention.

"Estelle?" The raven-haired young man asked in slight surprise as he saw the brunette's head lean against his shoulder.

When Yusei didn't get a response, he grabbed Estelle's shoulder and started to shake her body, trying to get a reaction from her. "Estelle? Wake up."

"What's wrong?" Greiger asked when he turned to the two, seeing that Estelle had fainted. "Is she okay?"

"I don't know." Yusei shook his head after he stopped shaking the woman's body. "She just fainted without warning."

"I think I might have a idea about what just happened." Ash stated. "Set her down on the couch for now."

Yusei nodded before he moved Estelle's body so she could lie down on the couch, but her head was resting on his lap.

"Now that she's comfortable, I'm going to share what I feel is going on." Ash told Yusei and Greiger.

"Which is?" The raven-haired young man raised a eyebrow.

"Her spirit probably left her body." Ash explained. "That's likely also what happened to Luna."

XXXXXXXXXX - Estelle's POV

I opened my eyes and was greeted by a emerald green forest around me. The air was fresh and sweet, and it's aura emitted a pure power, but I could sense evil power. There were no Duel Monsters as far as the eye could see. Had they going into hiding because of the Earthbound Immortals?

"Ar jag I Spiritvarlden? (Am I in the Spirit World?)" I asked as I looked around.

I didn't receive a answer, but it didn't matter. I knew I was in the Duel Monsters Spirit World and in the Ancient Forest. I started to walk forward, hoping to find Luna before she got hurt. It didn't take long for me to hear a roar echo in the forest.

"NOOO!" Luna cried out.

"Luna!" I shouted before dashing towards her.

The trees seemed to form a path for me as I spotted Luna, Kuribon, and Sunlight Unicorn, and sadly the Professor's ace monster, Ido the Supreme Magical Force was leaning over Luna and her Duel Monsters, growling as if he was hungry and ready to eat.

I ran past Luna and stood in front of her and her Duel Monsters, arms stretched out, while glaring at the fiend monster. "Get away from her!"

"Estelle?" Luna gasped in disbelief. "Why are you here? How did you even get to this place?"

I looked over my shoulder and smiled warmly at the girl. "I came here to protect you, Luna. To make sure you don't get hurt while dueling the Professor."

Ido the Supreme Magical Force didn't seem to like that I was standing in his way because he roared to the sky and stomped on the ground, causing it to rumble beneath my feet.

"Luna, Priestess..." Ancient Fairy Dragon's voice suddenly spoke around us. "Escape on Sunlight Unicorn."

Sunlight Unicorn moved so she was standing next to me and Luna. I picked the little girl up and put her on the unicorn monster's back before I climbed up and sat behind her, wrapping my arms around her to keep her safe. Kuribon, who was equipped with Gestalt Trap and Immortal Homeostasis, flew into Luna's arms for safety and to make sure that we didn't leave her behind. Sunlight Unicorn neighed before dashing forward, leaving Ido the Supreme Magical Force behind in the Ancient Forest.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw that the fiend Duel Monster wasn't even bothering to pursue us. I let out a sigh of relief and looked forward, only for the scenery to change in the blink of the eye. The emerald green forest had suddenly withered and looked like Ground Zero with bare trees and a ominous purple sky.

Luna looked around after noticing that the Ancient Forest looked dead. "What happened to all the trees? What's going on?"

"A evil force is attempting to cross the void and access the Spirit World." Ancient Fairy Dragon explained. "It yearns to corrupt and twist this place to harness it's power for malicious purposes."

"Malicious purposes? A evil force?" Luna asked. "That's scary."

Sunlight Unicorn came to a halt in front of a dried up lake. I jumped off the Duel Monster's back before helping Luna down. Kuribon proceeded to fly out of her arms. Once Luna was on the ground, we turned to the dried up lake. There was a huge block with a fossilized dragon engraved into it on the other side of the lake.

"Hello?" Luna called out nervously.

"I'm here, Luna, sealed away in this prison. I've been waiting for you to return."

"I don't get it. What do you want from me?" Luna asked before taking a closer look at the block. "That dragon...hang on a sec! That dragon looks familiar!" She gaped in realization. "It's you! It's...Ancient Fairy Dragon!"

"We meet again. It's time to fulfill your promise, or your brother's spirit will be lost here forever."

Water suddenly flowed into the dried up lake until it's light shined on us. The weird part was, it didn't blind me, so I watched as the lake was turned into a colorful area with green grass, flowers of all shapes and colors, crystal blue water in the lake and several small Duel Monsters playing with a younger Luna while Ancient Fairy Dragon watched over them. I realized it was a memory of Luna in a coma and spending a month in the Duel Monsters Spirit World when she was three years old.

"Where's my brother?" Luna asked while standing next to me, holding my right hand for comfort.

"Trapped between your world and ours. Now, allow me to take you back to when you first came here. To help you remember the promise you made that will save this world and your brother's spirit."

Luna and I watched the toddler Luna playing with the Duel Monsters and making flower crowns for them. Ancient Fairy Dragon then proceeded to tell Luna about the threat that was coming to the Spirit World. The Signer Dragon coaxed her to stay with her and the Duel Monsters since she knew Luna felt very lonely deep down, despite having her twin brother by her side.

"I remember now." Luna said. "I-I came here several years ago and I made a promise. I said that I'd protect you. But then..."

The flashback then showed a toddler Leo cry out desperately for Luna, causing her to snap out of it. Luna shouted for her brother before she got to her feet and ran as fast as she could. The Duel Monsters cried out for Luna to come back. Ancient Fairy Dragon shook her head as the toddler's body glowed for a moment before she left the Duel Monsters Spirit World.

"But then...I heard Leo's voice calling for me and..." Luna dropped down on her knees with tears in her eyes. I quickly knelled down beside her and put a arm around her shoulders to comfort her.

"I heard him shouting my name, and then I...I just started running as fast as I could. I said that...my brother was calling out for me, but I think I had been calling out to him somehow." Luna huddled closer to me, resting her head on my chest as I caressed her hair. "I was scared. I was afraid I wasn't able to protect you by myself, so I just ran. After that, I tried so hard to forget about you. I locked you all out, and then I-"

A growl forced us to stop viewing the memories. Luna and I got to our feet and turned around to see a ominous shadow a few feet behind us, glowing in the same colors as the Professor's fiend monster. Sunlight Unicorn and Kuribon stayed behind us, but I could feel the unicorn monster's breath on my neck as she neighed aggressively. Kuribon cooed in a scary tone as the shadow turned into Ido the Supreme Magical Force. Luna held onto my jacket, shaking in fear as a smaller shadow appeared in front of the giant fiend monster and turned into the Professor.

"I cannot believe that I actually crossed over. I've finally left my body behind." The Professor chuckled before opening his eyes, revealing the facial expression of a madman. "I have entered the Spirit World!"

"What do you want?" Luna asked, nervously.

"You are a lot more important than you know, my dear." The Professor said before he noticed me, acquiring a confused expression. "You? What are you doing here?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I retorted before glaring at the Professor. "Get out of here!"

The Professor glared back at me, but there was a amused smirk on his lips. "So you are also connected to the Spirit World and the Crimson Dragon? Very interesting."

"You are, Estelle?" Luna asked.

I didn't answer her, but I placed a hand on top of her head to assure her that I wouldn't leave her alone.

"Now, be good girls and act as my guides. Use your Signer power and reveal to me the secrets of this wonderful realm, Luna. Lend me your power." The Professor demanded.

The ground beneath his feet turned black as shadows spread out around him, hunting to devour the remains of the dead Ancient Forest. The shadows crawled toward the dead trees and reduced them to ashes.

"I have no idea what you want from me, but you're need to leave!" Luna shouted at the madman. "You're not welcome here!"

"You heard her! Get out of here right now, Professor!" I shouted aggressively.

"Leave this world alone!" Luna cried out.

Several shadows that resembled arms approached us and seemed ready to rip us apart. Luna whimpered in fear and hid underneath my left arm. I glared at the Professor, fed up with this.

"Forsvinn harifran! (Go away!)" I shouted furiously before stomping the ground with my right foot.

Just as I stomped on the ground, a bright crimson light shined around me and Luna before it was replaced by flames. The two of us and Luna's Duel Monsters were unharmed, but the shadowy arms retreated when they bounced off the flames like they had been burned.

The Professor blinked in confusion before his mad expression returned. "So, you are something other than a Signer, Estelle. I figured as much because you weren't hypnotized during our duel. I did notice that you seemed to communicate with your Duel Monsters. Who are you?"

"Just a woman who happens to be connected to the Signers." I retorted as I adjusted my glasses. "And to look after Luna while she defeats you and protects the Spirit World!"

"No!" Luna cried out, tugging on my jacket. "I can't do this! I can't protect the Spirit World! I'm scared and...I wanna go home now! Can't you defeat him, Estelle?"

"I can't." I shook my head as I turned to Luna. "You and the Professor are still dueling in your bodies, so I can't interfere. And if you leave now, Leo's spirit will be trapped here forever."

"Luna...I hear you." Leo's voice suddenly echoed around us.

"That's Leo!" Luna exclaimed in disbelief as she looked around. "Leo, where are you? Come get us out of here! Please, Leo, I'm scared! Stop messing around!"

"Luna...Luna."

"Do something, Leo! Hurry!"

I felt something wet next to my left foot, causing me to look down and see a small puddle. "Luna, look down."

"Luna, down here."

Luna let go of my jacket as the two of us crouched down in front of the puddle. "Leo, is that you?"

Leo's image appeared on the surface of the puddle. "It's me...I'm here."

"Leo, are you okay?" I asked him.

"Come on! Get me out of this place, quick!" Luna begged.

"I can't...I can't bring you back...but I heard your promise to the spirits."

"I was three!"

"I know, but you're connected to the spirits now. Don't worry. Know that I am by your side along with Estelle. I'll protect you so you can protect them."

"Leo...!"

Leo's image faded when the dark sky began to rumble. The boulder containing the fossilized Ancient Fairy Dragon began to crumble as blocks fell down and crashed into the dried out lake.

"We are under attack, Luna. Now, it's time for you to defend us!" Ancient Fairy Dragon declared.

"I don't know if I can." Luna admitted.

I straightened up and picked Luna up bridal style, catching her off guard. I ran to the edge of the dried up lake and jumped down to get some distance from the Professor. I had to talk to her with his interference. Kuribon and Sunlight Unicorn followed me until we were in the middle of the lake.

"Estelle?" Luna whimpered in fear.

I placed her down on the ground and knelled down to her eye level, gently placing my hands on her shoulders. "Luna, I know you're scared, but think about it. If you ended up in the Spirit World eight years ago, it means you're the chosen one. You have the power to protect this realm, unlike other humans who were born with no powers. You are special. You are strong, but you need to believe in yourself and your Duel Monsters who are right here by your side. Know that you are not alone. Kuribon, Sunlight Unicorn, Leo, Ancient Fairy Dragon and I are here for you. We believe in you."

Luna looked at me with wide eyes before she looked at her Duel Monsters. Kuribon was happy while Sunlight Unicorn had a smile on her face. The young Signer closed her eyes to think before she opened them with a determined glance.

"I'll do it!" Luna declared as she turned to the fossilized Signer Dragon. "I won't let you down, Estelle! Ancient Fairy Dragon! I will fight to protect the Spirit World and save my brother's spirit!"

Evil laughter echoed around us as the Professor appeared in front of us with Ido the Supreme Magical Force behind him. He still had his insane expression, but he couldn't scare us now. Luna raised her right arm before a light appeared and turned into her Duel Disk. The cards she had set and used during the duel appeared in front of her as Sunlight Unicorn and Kuribon took their positions on the duel field. Ido the Supreme Magical Force joined them along with the Professor's two activated spell and trap cards.

"I'm staying with you until the very end, Luna." I told the little girl as I took a few steps back to let her duel. "Show the Professor that the light will always win!"

"I will!" Luna replied with determination.

XXXXXXXXXX

The duel ended the same way it did in the anime; a draw. The hurricane produced by Luna's trap card returned hers, the Professor's, and my spirit back to our bodies, leaving the Spirit World for now.

My eyes opened when my spirit returned with a bang, causing me to immediately sit up and pant before I calmed down.

"You're awake." A voice spoke up.

I put a hand above my heart and let out a sigh of relief before turning to the source of the voice. Greiger stood up from the couch across from me and walked over to me. I looked around and saw that I was back in the lounge, with only Greiger and Ash still there.

"Where's Yusei?" I asked.

"He headed to the duel field." Ash answered.

I then looked up at the television.

The screen showed that the Professor collapsed after the duel, lying on his back unconscious. Luna was about to collapse as well, but Yusei grabbed her before that happened. He then picked her up bridal style and walked away from the duel field, never casting a glance at the fallen madman. The MC announced that the duel ended in a draw, so Luna and the Professor weren't advancing to the semi-finals.

I got up and walked out of the lounge to meet up with Yusei and Luna. I had to see if the little girl was okay after that and also if Leo was awake. I met up with the two in the corridor. Luna was walking by herself now, but she had tears in her eyes.

"Luna!" I called out.

She snapped her head up and smiled when she saw me.

"Estelle!" She ran towards me and wrapped her arms around my waist, burying her face into my abdomen. "I did it."

I smiled warmly as I gently pushed her away and then knelled down to her eye level, softly cupping her cheeks. "Yes, you did it, Luna. I'm very proud of you."

Luna gave me a teary smile as she put her hands above mine. "I was scared...but I knew that you, Leo and everyone else was by my side. You helped me win."

"It's okay to be scared, Luna." I told her. "But you were able to suppress that fear and face the enemy head-on. It shows what a strong girl you are deep down in your heart."

Luna giggled softly before the two of us leaned our heads forward and rested our foreheads against each other. It only felt natural. Was it because of the secret bond between the Signer and Priestess, or was it because of the natural bond that was formed when we were in the Spirit World? It didn't really matter as long as we trusted each other.