Alex opened his eyes and saw he was floating in a dark void.

Alex: Where am I?

?: In between worlds.

Alex turned to voice the person who spoke to him and saw a cloaked skeletal figure.

Alex: Nightshroud.

Nightshroud: I see your father told you about me.

Alex: Why am I here? And what do you want from me?

Nightshroud: You are here because at the moment you fell, you also fell into the abyss of pain and despair, allowing me to bring you here. And as for what I want, I have a proposition to make.

Alex: And what would that be?

Nightshroud: I'm sure your father told you of what I attempted to do years ago.

Alex: That you tried to bring everyone on Earth to your world. If you want me to help you, then forget it.

Nightshroud: You are quick to cast judgement, when you do not understand the truth of the World of Darkness. Allow me to show what it is truly like to live in that world.

Nightshround extended his hand towards Alex, waiting for an answer. Alex decided he may as well listen to him and grabbed his hand. Nightshroud showed Alex a vision of his world. It was much like Earth, except darker, like a moonlit night. Alex saw people laughing and playing together. He saw his friends and parents sitting together smiling. They looked over at him and called out for him to join them. He could feel it himself, he was happy, and he could feel that everyone was happy. Everyone in the whole world was sharing in this feeling of joy. Everyone in the whole world was at peace. After a minute, Alex released his grip and pulled his hand back.

Alex: That's what it's really like in your world?

Nightshroud: Yes. And I showed you your parents for a reason. We could bring them back. And is not the sanctity of my world better than what will become of the Earth after the Dark Signers are done with it?

Alex: What happens to the Earth if the Dark Signers win?

Nightshroud stretched his hand out again and showed Alex a vision of the future.

Alex: Is this New Domino City?

Nightshroud: Indeed.

The world Alex saw before him was nothing but a barren wasteland, devoid of any life.

Alex: I don't believe it. Roman thinks this is a better world?

Nightshroud ended the vision and brought himself and Alex back to where they were before.

Alex: Why do you want my help?

Nightshroud: I do not have the strength to manifest myself in your world. I require a vessel to inhabit.

Alex: So you just wanna possess me like you did my uncle and Fujiwara?

Nightshroud: No. Simple possession has proven to be insufficient in the past, and you understand the truth of my world.

Alex: So then what do we do?

Nightshroud: The same thing your father did with his guardian spirit Yubel.

Alex: You mean you want to combine our souls?

Nightshroud: Indeed. We will become one being. You will remain in control of yourself, and will have access to all of my powers.

Alex: I need a minute to think about this.

Nightshroud: I understand. Just know that if you merge with me, there is no going back.

Alex walked away from him and began thinking to himself.

Alex: I'm sure Yusei and the others can defeat the Dark Signers. But what if they don't, and the world is destroyed? And even if they do succeed, how many people will be sacrificed? How many children like me forced to go on without their parents or loved ones? I could end everyone's suffering. All the pain, misery, and loss. No one would ever have to feel it again. We could give the entire world peace and happiness forever.

He walked back up to Nightshroud.

Nightshroud: What is your answer?

Alex: I'll do it. I'll merge with you and bring everyone on Earth to the World of Darkness, then I will eliminate the Dark Signers.

Nightshroud: A wise decision. Are you ready to receive my power and become one with me?

Alex: Yes.

Nightshroud: Then we can begin

He waved his hand and a card that Alex recognized rose up out of the darkness.

Alex: Super Polymerization.

Nightshroud: Indeed. The very card that bound your father to Yubel shall now bind us together.

They both used their powers and sent streams of darkness to Super Polymerization, activating the card and beginning the fusion. They began to float towards each other before Super Polymerization let out a bright light, enveloping them both in it. When the light faded away, only Alex was left. He breathed out and opened his eyes.

Alex: It's complete, we are now one.

Alex didn't realize it, but the fusion had slightly distorted his mind, and he believed that everything he was about to do was right, and that he was truly doing what was best for humanity. He looked at his clothes and realized they had changed. His outfit was now grey, he was wearing a long sleeve jacket with red and gold trim, and his shirt had the same design that had been on the front of Nightshroud's cloak.

Alex: It's time to return to Earth.

He wrapped himself in a ball of darkness and teleporting away, arriving in New Domino City in the middle of the night on the site of where was was left of the Arcadia Movement stood. He waved his hand and a mass of pure darkness rose up, before forming the shape of a castle in front of the Arcadia Movement.

Alex: And now for my army.

He pulled out 4 cards and tossed them to the ground. He pointed his finger at the cards, sending a wave of darkness at them. The monsters on the card then appeared before Alex as fully formed duel spirits. The monsters he had summoned were Jinzo, Dark Crusader, Vampire Lord, and Lord of Dragons.

Alex: You four shall be my generals.

Generals: We live to serve, my lord.

Alex: Good. Your first task is to build our army.

Crusader: Yes my lord, and once that is complete?

Alex: Then we begin our true mission. To bring the people of Earth to the World of Darkness. Then we defeat the Dark Signers once and for all.

Generals: It shall be done. All hail the King of Darkness!

They then headed into the castle to prepare to carry out their mission. The night passed and it was soon the morning. Alex was sitting in a chair in his room, overlooking the city. He heard a knock at his door.

Alex: You may enter.

Dark Crusader walked in and stood in front of Alex.

Crusader: My lord, your army is ready.

Alex: Good, have the army await my command.

Crusader: As you wish my lord.

Alex got up and used his powers to envelop himself in a suit of armor. It was similar to the armor he wore when Alastor was in control, but the gems on the on the armor were red instead of purple, the chest plate had the design that was on the front of Nightshroud's cloak on it, and his helmet was in the shape of Nightshroud's skull. The armor also extended from his body, making him about as tall as Yusei.

He covered his armor in a cloak that was the same as Nightshoud's, but still left his helmet exposed under the hood. Alex entered the hall his army was in and stood on a balcony that overlooked them. When they all saw him, they started chanting "All hail the King of Darkness!" repeatedly. Alex raised his hand to silence them.

Alex: My loyal soldiers. Today we liberate the people of New Domino City from their shackles of suffering and despair. Duel valiantly, and end their suffering swiftly.

He lead them to the front gate, but was met by a woman with a microphone when the door opened.

Angela: My name is Angela Raines, and I'm a reporter for the Daily Duel. Who are you? Could you tell us what happened here last night? Where did this castle come from? And could we get a shot of you without the helmet?

Alex's generals walked forward and stood behind him.

L.O.D.: Shall we dispose of this woman my lord?

Alex: No, I'll handle this. Is this feed live?

Angela: Yes, we're broadcasting to the entire city right now.

Alex: Good, I have a message for the people.

The cameraman turned the camera towards Alex.

Alex: People of New Domino City. I am Nightshroud. You are all in danger. A great evil threatens to harm everyone in the city. An evil that the director of Sector Security, Rex Goodwin, has kept hidden from you in the hopes of avoiding a panic. But you all have the right to know the truth. Last night's events and the disappearance of the people were caused by a group known as the Dark Signers, who will stop at nothing to achieve their goal.

Meanwhile in the hospital, all of Alex's friends were watching the news broadcast in Akiza's hospital room.

Jack: Who is this guy?

Yubel: It can't be!

Luna: What is it Yubel?

Yubel: Luna, I have to warn everyone.

Luna: Okay.

She placed Yubel's card on her duel disk and the spirit appeared.

Yubel: Don't be afraid. I have to warn you.

Jack: You know, not too long ago, I'd have assumed I was crazy right now, but after all we've seen, this is surprisingly normal.

Yubel: That man is a spirit that Jaden faced years ago. He was defeated and sent back to his world. He shouldn't be strong enough to manifest himself in our world though.

Yusei: So what are we up against?

Yubel: Something even more powerful than the Dark Signers.

Jack: Are you serious?

Yubel: Absolutely.

Akiza: Wait, he's not done talking.

Angela: So what do you plan to do to help?

Alex: I give the people of New Domino City an asylum. A place safe from the Dark Signers. Anyone who wishes to leave the city need only find me or my army, and we shall send you to a place where everyone will be safe.

Angela: And what place would that be?

Alex: The place I am from, the World of Darkness.

Angela: The World of Darkness?

Alex: It is a world where no suffering or pain exists. A world where everyone shares in a feeling of joy and peace. A world where the greatest victories can be obtained without fighting. A truly ideal world.

Angela started to back away from Alex, thinking he was full blown crazy.

Alex: You believe I am insane. But once you learn the truth of the World of Darkness, you shall realize that it is ultimately the best fate for mankind. Allow me to send you to that world first.

He stretched his hand out, sending a wave of darkness washing over Angela and her cameraman. When it faded away, all that was left was the microphone and camera, which was still broadcasting.

Alex: Jinzo, redirect the camera to me.

Jinzo: Yes my lord.

Alex: People of New Domino City. I assure you that you have nothing to fear. You will understand why I do this once you enter the World of Darkness.

Yusei: We have to stop him.

Blister: Yusei, you should let us take care of this.

Yusei: What are you talking about Blister?

Yanagi: You have to face the Dark Signers, so we can't risk you guys dueling with him and losing.

Yusei: Fine, but I'm still going.

Jack: And that goes double for me.

Akiza: Same here.

Tanner: Fine, I'll take the first crack at him.

They all rushed to face him, but when they got there, he was in the middle of a duel with someone.

Alex: Darkness Destroyer, attack him directly and end this duel.

His monster slashed the young duelist with his claws, eliminating the last of his life points.

Alex: Do not fear, you shall now enter a world of peace.

His opponent collapsed and dissolved into shadows.

Yusei: What did you do to him?!

Alex: I simply sent him to a better world. And soon everyone in New Domino, followed by the whole world shall join him.

Jack: Not if we stop you!

Alex turned his head and saw Yubel.

Alex: It's nice to see you again Yubel.

Yubel: The feeling isn't mutual Nightshroud.

Alex: That's hardly how I'd thought you'd greet someone who you've known since the day he was born.

Yubel: What are you talking about?

Alex: In fact, it's nice to see all of you again.

His mind might've be warped, but it was still intact enough to remember they were his friends.

Yusei: What are you talking about?

Alex: Well, I guess you don't recognize me. I'll show you the truth, starting with who I really am.

Akiza: Who you really are?

Alex grabbed his cloak and threw it to the side, revealing his armor.

Yusei: That armor. Alex is that you?

Alex lifted the faceplate of his helmet to reveal his face.

Alex: Indeed. I have returned to bring the people of Earth into the World of Darkness.

Akiza: What happened to you Alex? I watched you fall.

Alex: After what happened to my parents, I fell into the depths of despair and hopelessness. Nightshroud saved me and offered me a deal. He would give me his power and I would use it to ensure no one endured the same suffering that I did.

Luna: Alex, you're being possessed!

Alex: Wrong. I have his powers, but I am in total control.

Yusei: What are you talking about?

Alex: Nightshroud knew that simply possessing my body would result in failure like it had all those years ago with my uncle and Fujiwara Yusuke, so we did the same thing my father did with Yubel.

Yubel: Alex, you didn't.

Yusei: What did you do Alex?

Alex: Nightshroud's and my soul have fused together. We are now a single being, body, mind, and soul.

Jack: Alex, how could you do this?

Alex: You could never understand the depth of my grief. I had to watch as my parents were ripped away right before my eyes, powerless to anything as I failed to protect my loved ones. I made this deal of my own free will, because I want to make sure no child has to endure the same pain and misery as I did, or anyone for that matter. I'll bring everyone to a world where no one will ever suffer again. A world where everyone can exist together in peace and happiness, and no one has to say goodbye to the people they love. Doesn't that sound like a better world?

Luna: Alex, you're not thinking right! Fusing with Nightshroud must've messed with your mind!

Alex: I understand your hesitation. I felt the same way at first, but then I saw the truth of the World of Darkness. It's paradise. It's a perfect world that you could only dream of. A world without pain or misery, where the greatest victories can be obtained without fighting, where all feelings of joy and happiness are shared by everyone. You should join me, and share in that perfect world.

Yusei: Alex, I'm sorry you lost your parents, but for the sake of everyone, we will defeat you.

Alex: Then I have no choice. I will force you into my world after I defeat you in a duel.

Tanner: I'll duel you first Alex.

Tanner activated his duel disk, while Alex created five black feathered wings behind his back.

Tanner: That's your duel disk?

Alex: You shall receive my judgment, and enter my world.

Both: Let's duel.

Alex: 4000 LP

Tanner: 4000 LP

Tanner drew his hand while large cards formed out of darkness in front of Alex.

Alex: I shall take the first move. I activate the field spell Darkness. When this card is activated, 5 traps are set from my hand or deck face-down in my spell and trap zone randomly.

Tanner: He used up his entire spell and trap zone in one turn?

Alex: Now I summon Darkness Eye in attack mode.

Level 1/Dark/Fiend

ATK 0/DEF 1000

Alex: I end my turn.

Tanner: It's my turn, I draw. I play the Cost Down spell card. By discarding one card, the levels of all the monsters in my hand drop by 2 during this turn. And now that it's a level 4 monster, I summon Ushi Oni in attack mode.

Level 6-4/Dark/Fiend

ATK 2150/DEF 1950

Tanner: And now I sacrifice my Ushi Oni to special summon Giant Ushi Oni in attack mode.

Level 8-6/Dark/Fiend

ATK 2600/DEF 2100

Tanner: And due to his special ability, when he destroys your monster in battle, he can attack again.

Leo: Awesome! Since his Darkness Eye has no attack points, if both of Tanner's attacks go through, he wins!

Tanner: Giant Ushi Oni, attack Darkness Eye with Specter Bite!

Alex: I activate my face-down card, the continuous trap Zero.

Tanner: What does that do?

Alex: It allows to me to activate another one of my face-downs. Reveal yourself, Infinity. When Zero and Infinity are both played while Darkness is active, every card between them is forcibly activated.

Tanner: Say what?

Alex: Zero and Infinity, what lies between them is Darkness. I activate the continuous trap Darkness 1. When this card is played, one of your cards is instantly destroyed.

Tanner: No way!

Alex: Destroy Giant Ushi Oni.

A blast of energy shot from Alex's trap and hit Tanner's monster, destroying it.

Leo: Oh man, Tanner almost had him!

Jack: But look at Alex, he's been calm this entire time. It's like he knows Tanner can't beat him.

Tanner: I play Monster Reborn to summon back my Giant Ushi Oni! I place one card face-down and end my turn.

Alex: At this moment, the effect of the Darkness field spell activates. At the end of each player's turn, all the face-up trap cards on my field are set back face-down on my field, and are randomly rearranged.

Luna: But that means he'll be able to use his traps again!

Alex: I draw. And due to the effect of Darkness Eye, if it happens to be in attack mode during my standby phase, I can summon one high level monster without tributing this turn.

Tanner: What?

Alex: I summon Darkness Destroyer in attack mode.

Level 7/Dark/Fiend

ATK 2300/DEF 1800

Akiza: But it has less attack points than Tanner's monster, so why would Alex play it?

Leo: Maybe he doesn't have a better move he can make?

Alex: I play my face-down card, the continuous trap Zero.

Luna: What, how is he finding it every time?

Yubel: It's the effect of Darkness Eye.

Luna: What do you mean Yubel?

Yubel: While Alex normally wouldn't know which card is which, Darkness Eye lets him look at his face-down cards whenever he wants.

Luna: Tanner, you have to destroy his Darkness Eye! Then he won't be able to use his traps!

Alex: So Yubel told you about Darkness Eye's special ability. It doesn't matter, for this is Tanner's last turn. Due to the effect of Zero, I know activate the continuous trap Infinity using its effect.

His traps were on opposite ends of the field.

Tanner: And they're in the worst possible position.

Alex: I activate the effect of Darkness 2. Since this was the first card activated between Zero and Infinity, Darkness Destroyer gains 1000 attack points this turn, plus an additional 1000 points for every Darkness trap activated after Darkness 2, so he gains a total of 3000 attack points this turn.

Darkness Destroyer: 2300-5300 ATK

Tanner: It has over 5000 attack points?!

Alex: Attack Giant Ushi Oni.

Tanner: I play the trap Magic Cylinder! Now your monster's attack is cancelled, and you take damage equal to his attack points.

Leo: Yes! Alex will take 5300 points of damage and lose!

Alex: From my hand, I activate the effect of the Judgement of Darkness counter trap. Since the Darkness field spell is active, I can discard this card to activate its effect, which will negate your trap and destroy it.

Tanner: No way!

A blast of black energy shot from Alex's trap at Tanner's, shattering it. Darkness Destroyer continued his attack and brought his hand down on Tanner's monster.

Tanner: 1300 LP

Tanner: I still... have life points Alex. Looks like... I'll survive this turn after all.

Alex: I'm afraid that's where you're wrong.

Jack: What are you talking about? Darkness Destroyer is the only monster on your field with any attack points, and he already attacked this turn.

Alex: But due to his special ability, Darkness Destroyer can attack twice each turn.

Tanner: Which means that,

Alex: That this duel is over. Darkness Destroyer, attack Tanner directly.

Darkness Destroyer raised his hand up before bringing it down on Tanner, knocking him onto his back.

Tanner: 0 LP

Winner: Alex

Yusei: I don't believe it, Tanner lost.

Jack: He couldn't even damage Alex.

Alex: You dueled valiantly, and have nothing to be ashamed of. I know grant you entry to the World of Darkness.

Tanner was enveloped in shadows and disappeared.

Luna: He's gone.

Alex: Just know that I don't want to forcibly send you all to my world. I shall take my leave for today. You know where I'll be. When you've made your decision about whether you will try to fight, or willingly enter my world, seek me out.

Luna: I can't believe it. Alex really just did that to Tanner. Is there anything we can do to stop him and bring him back?

Yusei: I don't know Luna. For now we need to regroup and figure out a strategy.

Hey everyone. For everyone who is confused about the new character, Nightshroud, or Darkness as he was called in the original Japanese version, was the primary antagonist of season 4 of GX, but since the dub ended prematurely, he never made it into the dub. I'm honestly not entirely sure what compelled me to add him to the story, other than I thought it would make things interesting. I do have plans for another member of the original GX cast to show up in a couple chapters, and I think it'll be quite an interesting surprise for you all. I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far, and I'll see you all around.