Goodwin and Jack were watching the repair crews continue to work on the duel arena and the turbo duel track.
Goodwin: Well Jack, it looks like you'll get to duel Yusei in the final match after all.
Jack: Good. Now I can prove what happened before was just a mistake.
Trudge: Director Goodwin sir, there's something I need to say.
Goodwin: And what would that be?
Trudge: It's my official position that you should stop the tournament.
Goodwin: Funny, I thought your official position was mall security.
Trudge: Very funny. Sir, I think that continuing this tournament is a bad idea. You've witnessed the damage done in the last duels. I'm concerned that things will get worse and people will get hurt.
Goodwin: Officer, I don't pay you to be concerned.
Trudge: But sir-
Goodwin: I pay you to do as I say. And as for what you think, if I was going to pay someone to think, it certainly wouldn't be you, now I suggest you leave before I have you fired.
That's when Yusei came in the room.
Yusei: Goodwin, I want answers from you.
Trudge would've said something to Yusei, but seeing as he was standing on thin ice with Goodwin, he thought it would be best to leave.
Goodwin: Now, what can I do for you Yusei?
Yusei: It's time you gave me some answers Goodwin. You forced me into this tournament, threatened me, locked up my friends, and on top of that, you unleashed Alastor from Alex's subconscious. If I hadn't beaten him, he'd still be running around putting people in danger. I want the truth, and I'm not dueling Jack until you tell me why you've done all this.
Jack: Are you dense Yusei?
He pulled off his glove, revealing his Signer Mark.
Jack: It's because of this. The Mark of the Crimson Dragon. Goodwin wants to harness the power of the Crimson Dragon, so he's been trying to gather everyone who has a mark.
Yusei: But that still doesn't explain why Alex was brought into this tournament. If he was a Singer, his mark would've shown up when he dueled me or Akiza.
Goodwin: While Alex may not be a Signer, he does hold a great power. One that for the sake of the world, we had to test the full strength of. And since most of his power had been locked away, we had to see to Alastor's release so we could see his full power.
Yusei: What do you mean "for the sake of the world"?
Goodwin: For now, it's better if you don't know. I'll tell you more after you duel Jack.
Jack: I have a demand to make Goodwin.
Goodwin: And what would that be?
Jack: I want you to release Yusei's friends. He doesn't need to be coerced into dueling anymore. I want this to be a clean duel: no threats, no tricks, just us.
Goodwin: If that is what you want, so be it.
Yusei walked off to get ready for the duel, and Leo and Luna came running up to him in the hallway.
Luna: Yusei, look what appeared on my arm during Alex and Akiza's duel.
She rolled up her sleeve to reveal a red mark in the shape of a dragon claw.
Yusei: You're a Signer?
Luna: It looks like it.
Yusei: Make sure to keep your mark hidden, and stay with everyone else, alright?
Luna: Okay.
Timeskip to duel
MC: The time has come. The final showdown is about to begin. Satellite's very own Yusei Fudo has won the chance to take on Jack Atlas.
Sayer was watching the duel field from one of the side halls in the arena.
Sayer: So you're gonna try and summon the Crimson Dragon? This should be interesting.
Down at the duel track, Yusei and Jack had pulled up to the starting line.
Jack: This is it Yusei, I'm finally gonna show you that you don't have what it takes to be the best, you never have.
Yusei: Are you sure we should be doing this right now Jack? There's still a lot we don't know about the Crimson Dragon.
Jack: This is exactly what I'm talking about Yusei, you don't have any guts. You never wanna take any risks. Don't you wanna reveal the fifth Signer?
Yusei: That's right, Yanagi said there were 5 marks of the dragon. There's me, Jack, Luna, and Akiza. And if Jack's right, then there's gotta be one more Signer in the arena. But who is it?
MC: Alright, it's time to activate the Speed World field spell. This is the moment. Will Jack Atlas continue to reign as the king of turbo duels? Or will he be dethroned by Satellite's Shooting Star Yusei Fudo? It's time to find out.
Yusei and Jack: Let's duel!
Yusei: 4000 LP
Jack: 4000 LP
Jack: Admit it Yusei, the roar of the crowd is more appealing than the scamper of the rats.
Yusei: Let's just duel. I summon Shield Wing in defense mode.
Level 2/Wind/Winged-Beast
ATK 0/DEF 900
Yusei: I place two cards face-down and end my turn.
Jack: Then it's my move.
Yusei: 1 SPC
Jack: 1 SPC
Jack: I summon Twin-Sword Marauder in attack mode.
Level 4/Dark/Warrior
ATK 1600/DEF 1000
Jack: And now Twin-Sword Marauder attacks your Shield Wing, and due to his special ability, when he attacks a monster in defense mode, he inflicts piercing damage.
Jack's monster tried to drive its blade into Shield Wing, but it crossed its wings in front of itself to block it.
Yusei: 3300 LP
Yusei: Due to Shield Wing's effect, it can't be destroyed in battle twice each turn.
Jack: I'm well aware of that, but due to Twin-Sword Marauder's effect, if he attacks a monster in defense mode, he can make a second attack that turn, so attack his Shield Wing again!
Yusei: 2600 LP
Jack: I place one card face-down and end my turn.
Yusei: It's my turn.
Jack: 2 SPC
Yusei: 2 SPC
Yusei: I summon Junk Synchron in attack mode.
Level 3/Dark/Warrior
ATK 1300/DEF 500
Yusei: And now level 3 Junk Synchron tunes with level 2 Shield Wing, in order to synchro summon Junk Warrior!
Level 5/Dark/Warrior
ATK 2300/DEF 1300
Yusei: And next I play my continuous trap Synchro Blast, so now when a synchro monster on my field attacks one of your monsters, you take 500 points of damage. Now Junk Warrior, attack Jack's monster with Scrap Fist!
Junk Warrior raised his fist and drove into Marauder's chest, destroying it.
Jack: 3300 LP
Yusei: And next the effect of Synchro Blast activates, so you take 500 points of damage.
Jack: 2800 LP
Yusei: I end my turn.
Jack: Now you're dueling Yusei, but you won't be for long. It's my turn!
Yusei: 3 SPC
Jack: 3 SPC
Jack: From my hand, I summon the tuner monster Dark Tinker.
Level 3/Dark/Fiend
ATK 1000/DEF 1300
Jack: And now I play the trap Powerful Rebirth. This will allow me to summon my Marauder back with 100 more attack and defense points and its level raised by one, which means I can tune him with level 3 Dark Tinker to synchro summon Red Dragon Archfiend!
Level 8/Dark/Dragon
ATK 3000/DEF 2000
Jack: And now attack Junk Warrior with Scorching Crimson Fire!
Red Dragon Archfiend cloaked his fist in fire before driving it into Junk Warrior's stomach, destroying him.
Yusei: 1900 LP
Jack: I place 3 cards face-down and end my turn.
Meanwhile, storm clouds started to gather overhead. Goodwin and Lazar watched the clouds roll in.
Goodwin: It's the sign we've been waiting for. Soon the Crimson Dragon will awaken from its long slumber.
Lazar: Um, just one question about all that. I thought we needed 5 Signers for that, and at this point, we only have 4. And are we even sure we can control its power? I mean what if Trudge had a point?
Goodwin: Don't you trust me Lazar? And besides, I know who the fifth signer is.
Lazar: That's good, if you know who the fifth signer is, I'll just relax and watch this match. Wait, you know?! Who is it, are they here?! How exciting! Then that means we can unlock the dragon's power!
Goodwin: That's right Lazar. But first we must see if we can harness the power the Crimson Dragon's summoning will create.
Back at the duel, Yusei was about to start his turn.
Yusei: It's my move Jack.
Jack: 4 SPC
Yuse: 4 SPC
Yusei: I play the trap Descending Lost Star. With it, I can summon Junk Warrior in defense mode, but his effects are negated, his defense becomes 0, and his level is reduced by 1. And now that he's back, I summon the tuner monster Hyper Synchron.
Level 4/Light/Machine
ATK 1600/DEF 800
Yusei: And now level 4 Hyper Synchron tunes level 4 Junk Warrior, in order to synchro summon Stardust Dragon!
Level 8/Wind/Dragon
ATK 2500/DEF 2000
Jack: Welcome to the party, Stardust.
MC: This is the moment we've been waiting for, so get ready, because these 2 beasts are about to battle it out.
Yusei: Since Hyper Synchron was used to summon Stardust Dragon, he gains 800 attack points and can't be destroyed in battle.
Stardust Dragon: 2500-3300 ATK
Jack: I play the trap card Tuner Capture! Since you synchro summoned a monster, I get to summon the tuner monster you used to summon it to my side of the field.
Yusei: Stardust, attack Red Dragon Archfiend with Cosmic Flare!
Jack: You're so predictable Yusei. I play the trap card Tuner's Mind. With it, Red Dragon Archfiend returns to my extra deck and the monsters I used to summon him are revived, and then you're forced to attack the tuner monster revived by this effect.
Stardust's attack was launched at Dark Tinker, destroying it.
Yusei: Due to Synchro Blast's effect, you take 500 points of damage.
Jack: 2300 LP
Jack: Maybe, but due to Dark Tinker's effect, since Stardust destroyed it, I can draw 1 card from my deck.
Yusei: I end my turn.
Jack: It's my turn.
Yusei: 5 SPC
Jack: 5 SPC
Jack: I tune Hyper Synchron with Twin-Sword Marauder, in order to synchro summon Red Dragon Archfiend again, and since I used Hyper Synchron to summon him, he gains 800 attack points.
Red Dragon Archfiend: 3000-3800 ATK
Yusei: Bring it on Jack.
Jack: Consider it brought. Red Dragon Archfiend, attack with Scorching Crimson Fire!
Red Dragon Archfiend cloaked his fist in flames before trying to deliver a punch to Stardust, but Stardust blocked the punch with his arm and pushed Red Dragon Archfiend's fist away.
Yusei: 1400 LP
Yusei: Don't forget, since Stardust Dragon used Hyper Synchron as material, he can't be destroyed in battle.
Jack: Which is why I play the trap Fiend's Cannon. With it, if I attack your monster, but it's not destroyed, you take 500 points of damage.
Yusei: 900 LP
Suddenly, the clouds overhead began to swirl, and red lightning started flashing in the sky before running through the arena. The bolts of lightning then joined together into the form of a dragon. Everyone in the audience watched in shock of the enormous dragon that had appeared.
Sayer: It can't be. They actually awakened the Crimson Dragon?
Meanwhile in the infirmary, Alex was groaning and squirming in his sleep.
Alexis: Alex? Hey, wake up.
She began shaking him gently in an attempt to wake him up, but her attempts were futile as Alex remained asleep. Darkness then began to roll off of Alex in waves.
Jaden: Alexis, stand back.
She backed away and let Jaden walk up to him.
Alexis: What's happening to him?
Jaden: I don't know. It looks like his powers are responding to his dreams.
He began to shake Alex, trying to get him to wake up.
Jaden: Alex, come on, you need to wake up.
As Alex's powers continue to run wild, a purple symbol of a spider appeared in the air above Alex's chest.
Jaden: What in the world is that?
Alex's powers then surged, pushing Jaden back and wrapping Alex in a sphere of darkness before it disappeared. Meanwhile at the duel field, the Crimson Dragon rose up in the air, stirring up a whirlwind, and transported Luna, Akiza, Jack, and Yusei away from the arena. Suddenly, Yusei and Jack were riding their duel runners on a road made of light and could see the stars overhead.
Yusei: Where are we?
Jack: Beats me.
Then, two red orbs, holding Luna and Akiza in them, appeared and flew up to Yusei and Jack.
Luna: What happened to the stadium?
She turned her head to the side and saw Akiza in the other orb.
Luna: What's going on?
Akiza: I don't know.
She then saw Yusei and called out to him. They then looked ahead and saw they were approaching a large monument with people kneeling at the base of it. They looked at the top of the temple and saw 5 people wearing robes with their hands raised to the sky.
Jack: Yusei, those people look exactly like the people of the stars.
Yusei: What are they doing here?
As Yusei and Jack drove past them, they saw that the people on top of the temple had Signer marks just like them.
Yusei: Jack, they're all Signers.
Jack: Like us. Goodwin told me about these people. He said somehow we're all linked to the Crimson Dragon.
They passed the temple and drove over the Satellite. Suddenly, purple fire started springing up in the Satellite, destroying everything it touched.
Luna: What's happening?
The fire continued to spread, before it formed the outline of a spider, exactly the same as the one that had appeared over Alex.
Akiza: Is that a giant spider surrounding the Satellite?
Yusei: I can't believe this is happening, we have to stop it.
Jack: It can't be real. Maybe we're seeing a vision of the future.
Yusei: Well if that's the future we'd better stop this duel right now. We gotta get home.
Jack: We will, once we finish this duel.
Yusei: What? Jack, have you lost your mind?
Jack: Yusei, this is a duel. The Crimson Dragon won't let either of us go back until one of us wins.
Yusei: Are you insane?
Jack: Don't you get it? Dueling is what brought us here, and dueling is what's gonna bring us back home. And whoever wins will show the Crimson Dragon they deserve the power to save the world, and I'm gonna be that person. I place 2 cards face-down and end my turn.
Yusei: You're nuts, but if you wanna keep dueling, you'll get more than you bargained for Jack.
Jack: 6 SPC
Yusei: 6 SPC
Yusei: I play Speed Spell - Silver Contrails. This will give Stardust 1000 more attack points until the end of this turn.
Stardust Dragon: 3300-4300 ATK
Yusei: Stardust, attack Red Dragon Archfiend with Cosmic Flare!
Jack: 1800 LP
Jack: That attack, I could feel it. It was real. I guess the Crimson Dragon wants Yusei and I to play for keeps. Well that's fine by me.
Yusei: Next I activate the effect of Synchro Blast, which means you take 500 points of damage.
Jack: 1300 LP
Jack: And you thought I had short memory. Since Hyper Synchron was used to summon both our monsters, neither can be destroyed in battle.
Yusei: I place three cards face-down and end my turn.
Jack: Three face-downs? Looks like Yusei is making his big move. Too bad it's too late. It's my turn!
Yusei: 7 SPC
Jack: 7 SPC
Jack: I may not be able to destroy Stardust, but I can still inflict damage. Red Dragon Archfiend, attack!
Yusei: 400 LP
Red Dragon Archfiend struck Stardust, causing Yusei's duel runner to shake.
Luna: Yusei!
Akiza: He's really hurt. It's just like when Alex and I duel people.
Yusei: What was that? I could actually feel his attack.
Jack: That's right Yusei, this duel is winner take all.
Yusei: I play the trap Cross-Line Counter. Since I took battle damage on your turn, Stardust gains attack points equal to twice that damage, and now he and Red Dragon Archfiend have to battle again.
Stardust Dragon: 3300-4300 ATK
Jack: Not a bad move Yusei.
Yusei: Let's not keep him waiting Stardust. Let him have it.
Jack: 800 LP
Jack: I play the Speed Spell - Overboost, and with it, I get 4 more Speed Counters, giving me a total of 11.
Yusei: With that kind of power, there's no telling what he'll play next.
Jack: That's right. Now get ready for me to call on one of my favorites. I play Speed Spell - The End of the Storm! Now all monsters are destroyed, and we both take 300 damage for each of our monsters that was destroyed.
Yusei: I activate Stardust Dragon's special ability! By sacrificing himself, your card is negated and destroyed!
Jack: As expected. I play the continuous trap Sneak Exploder. This card can only be played when you have no monsters on the field. Now, by sending this card to the graveyard during your next standby phase, you'll take 500 damage for every monster on my field, so with Red Dragon Archfiend out, you'll take 500 points of damage and lose.
Yusei: At the end of this turn, Stardust Dragon will revive due to his special ability.
ATK 2500/DEF 2000
Yusei: And now I play the trap card Meteor Stream! Since Stardust sacrificed himself and was then brought back, you take 1000 points of damage.
Jack: I was waiting for that. I play the trap card Crimson Fire! Not only is your trap card negated, but you take damage equal to twice the amount of damage I would have taken.
Akiza: If Yusei takes that damage, he'll lose the duel.
Luna: Yusei!
Yusei: I play the trap Shining Silver Force! With it, your trap is negated and all your spells and traps are destroyed!
Jack: You're still as annoying as ever.
Yusei: I never was one to give up, and since your speed counters are about to drop to 1 due to Overboost's effect, I don't plan on starting now.
Jack's speed counters dropped and Yusei pulled ahead of him.
Yusei: How's the new view?
Jack just glared at him as he passed.
Yusei: Time to get us home. I draw!
Jack: 2 SPC
Yusei: 8 SPC
Yusei: I play Speed Spell - Final Attack! Since I have 8 speed counters, Stardust Dragon gets his attack points doubled.
Stardust Dragon: 2500-5000 ATK
Jack: 5000 attack points? But my Red Dragon Archfiend only has 3800, which means-
Yusei: Which means I win this duel. Stardust Dragon, end this duel with Cosmic Flare!
Stardust Dragon's attack washed over Red Dragon Archfiend and Jack. They all returned to the arena, and Jack fell off his duel runner before it crashed. Yusei stopped his duel runner, panting heavily. Meanwhile, Stardust Dragon and Red Dragon Archfiend had gone back to being holograms, but were frozen in place.
MC: Ladies and gentlemen, we seem to be experiencing some technical difficulties at the moment, your patience is appreciated as we try to sort this matter out.
Then, the holograms of the 2 dragons disappeared.
Tanner: What just happened?
Yanagi: First they were dueling, then they disappeared, now they're back, but their dragons are gone!
Leo: Look there! Check out Jack's life points! They've hit 0!
Luna: Yusei won, he's the champion now.
Yanagi and Leo just looked at her with their mouths hanging open in shock. Meanwhile, Lazar and Goodwin were watching the scene, and Lazar was having what could be described as a panic attack.
Lazar: Jack lost!
Yusei ran over to check on Jack.
Yusei: Jack, are you okay?
Jack: You beat me Yusei. I don't know how you did it, but you're the new champ.
Yusei: If that vision was true, none of this matters, because it looks like we all might lose. We're in danger and our cities might be destroyed, and we have to unite to stop that from happening.
Jack: You always wanted to be a hero, now here's your chance.
MC: Has anyone heard from the director?
A screen then appeared next to the man with Goodwin on it.
Goodwin: The duel is over. The winner is Yusei, tell them all.
MC: It's over! Yusei is our winner! From the refuge of refuse he rose, from the slums of Satellite he now reigns supreme! I now present New Domino City's newest hero, Yusei Fudo!
It was then that Jaden burst into the room Goodwin was in, with some of the security guards following close behind him.
Jaden: Where's my son, Goodwin?!
Goodwin: What are you talking about? Didn't Yusei bring him to the infirmary?
Jaden: He's disappeared, check the footage of the infirmary!
Goodwin pulled up a screen and watched the footage of what happened, only to recoil in shock. He then called in the security guards and ordered them to mount a full scale search of the building. In the meantime, he broadcast screens into the arena.
Goodwin: Can I have everyone's attention please? Alexander Yuki has gone missing. We ask everyone to remain where they are as we conduct a search of the building for him. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Anyone attempting to leave the building will be viewed as a suspect and will be arrested.
Yusei: What?! Alex is gone?!
He ran up to the stands to check on everyone else.
Yusei: Is everyone alright?
Luna: Yeah, but what happened to Alex?
Yusei: I don't know, but we're going to find out.
Jaden: Yusei!
Yusei: Jaden! What happened to Alex?
Jaden: I don't know. He started groaning in his sleep in the infirmary, then a glowing purple spider mark appeared above his chest before he was concealed in a ball of darkness and disappeared.
Yusei: Wait, did you say a spider mark?
Jaden: Yes, why?
Luna: Yusei, in the vision we saw, there was a spider mark over the city.
Jaden: What vision?
Yusei and Luna explained what happened during Yusei and Jack's duel.
Jaden: This isn't good, there's no telling where he is by now.
Yusei: Don't worry, I'm sure they'll find him.
15 minutes passed, and there was no update on the search. Suddenly screens appeared throughout the arena.
Goodwin: Attention everyone, Alexander Yuki has not been found. Anyone with information on the boy's whereabouts are encouraged to come forth. Everyone now has permission to leave the arena.
Jaden: No, they didn't find him.
Yusei: It's okay, I'm sure Goodwin will have the entire police force out looking for him.
Lazar: So you think the boy was taken by the Dark Signers?
Goodwin: Undoubtedly. We must figure out where they are holding the boy. Send word to the police station to have all available officers search the city for Alex. The longer we wait, the more time they have to turn him against us.
Lazar: Right away sir.
Hey everyone. So Alex has been taken by the Dark Signers. What do they have planned for him? Stay tuned to find out. Hope you all are enjoying the story so far, and I'll see you all in the next chapter.