Yusei: So Alex is doing this out of sadness from losing his parents?

Yubel: Indeed. I was able to look inside Alex's heart and mind while he was asleep, and the only thing I could see was sorrow. He's doing this because he doesn't want anyone else to feel like he does right now.

Yusei: I can't imagine how Alex must feel after seeing that happen to his parents right in front of him, especially at such a young age.

Yubel: And fusing with Nightshroud didn't help his mental state either.

Jack: What are you talking about?

Yubel: It seems that fusing with Nightshroud warped Alex's mind, similar to what happened to me when I was exposed to the Light of Destruction years ago.

Akiza: So how do we get the real Alex back?

?: I think I can help with that.

The group turned to face the man who spoke, and were surprised to see who it was.

Yubel: Atticus?

Atticus: Long time no see Yubel.

Jack: Who is this guy?

Yubel: This is Atticus Rhodes, the former pro duelist and Alex's uncle.

Atticus: That's right. I saw the news report where Alex made his announcement and rushed to New Domino City. I saw his duel with your friend yesterday. I'm sorry.

Yusei: So what did you mean when you said you could help?

Atticus: Right now Alex thinks he's alone, and there's no one left who cares about him. We need to show him that he's wrong.

Luna: And that's why you're here?

Atticus: Yes. As it stands, I'm Alex's only remaining family. If I can beat him in a duel, I should be able to bring him back to his old self, and then all the people who have been sent to the World of Darkness should return.

Leo: Are you sure you can beat him?

Atticus: If there's a chance I can get my nephew back, I'm going to take it.

That's when a group of people burst into the hospital, and they looked fairly beaten up.

Yusei: What happened to you all?

?: We were just attacked by Nightshroud's army. A bunch of the citizens joined together to form a resistance and made a base in the stadium, but his army attacked and rounded up most of our members. They then had to duel against Nightshroud one by one. They all lost and disappeared. We barely managed to escape.

Yusei: That's horrible.

?: And it gets worse. As we were escaping, we heard one of the soldiers say they were going to attack the hospital tomorrow.

Jack: What? Why would they attack here?

Akiza: They must have found out we were here.

Leo: So what do we do?

Atticus: We go on the offensive. I'm going to duel him, today.

?: That's crazy, you don't stand a chance against him. He's in a league all his own. I've never seen a duelist so skilled. The most terrifying thing about him isn't even his skills, it's his lack of emotions. It's like facing down a machine. He's cold, heartless, and unfeeling.

Atticus couldn't believe they had just described his nephew.

Atticus: Alex, I promise I'm going to bring you back, no matter what it takes. I'm going.

He began to leave but stopped when he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to see Yusei.

Yusei: Not without us you're not.

Atticus: Then let's go.

They all headed to Alex's castle and arrived just as his army was returning. They spotted Alex and his generals at the back of the army, with Alex having summoned the duel spirit Breaker the Magical Warrior to replace Vampire Lord after his defeat. Once the army had entered the castle, Atticus called out to Alex.

Atticus: Alex!

Alex: I know that voice, Atticus?

He looked behind him and saw that it was in fact his uncle.

Atticus: Alex, I heard what happened to your parents. I know you must feel like you're alone, but you're not! I'm right here! We can fix everything. Return everyone you've sent to Nightshroud's world and we can face the Dark Signers and get your parents back!

Alex: No, I can't do that. I will fulfill my goal. I will give everyone on Earth the peace that is the world Nightshroud and I created. I will defeat the Dark Signers, and I will get my parents back, and then they too will become a part of that world.

Atticus: Alex you're not thinking clearly. Merging with Nightshroud has warped your mind! You have to snap out of it!

Alex: You're wrong. For the first time in my life, I can see everything clearly. This world is corrupt, unfair, and unjust. It is beyond saving, so I will bring everyone to a better world, my world. I will show everyone on Earth a better existence. One free of misery and strife. A world where everyone shares in a collective feeling of joy and happiness. If you really want to help me, then join me. Help me bring everyone on Earth to a better place.

Atticus: No Alex. You may think you're doing what's best for everyone, but you're wrong. I'll defeat you, and I'll bring you back from the dark place you've entered.

Alex: If you want to face me in a duel, so be it. Once I win, I'll send you to my world, and you'll see that it is the best possible fate for everyone.

Atticus: I guess it'll take more than just words to bring you back. Fine, I'll duel you, and I'll get the real you back!

Both: Let's duel!

Alex: 4000 LP

Atticus: 4000 LP

Atticus: I'll go first. And I play Black Dragon's Chick in attack mode.

Level 1/Dark/Dragon

ATK 800/DEF 500

Atticus: And now I play his special ability, so by sending him to my graveyard, I can summon Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my hand.

Level 7/Dark/Dragon

ATK 2400/DEF 2000

Atticus: Alex, you really think there's no other path for you, don't you? I'll show you that you can still do the right thing. From my hand I play the Inferno Fire Blast spell card! With it, you take damage equal to Red-Eyes' original attack points, for a total of 2400 points of damage.

Red-Eyes launched a fireball at Alex that exploded on contact. When the smoke cleared, Alex seemed to be fine, and there was a monster on his field.

Level 3/Dark/Spellcaster

ATK 600/DEF 1200

Alex: 4000 LP

Jack: What? Why didn't his life points drop? And where did that monster come from?

Alex: When the blast hit, I activated the effect of Damage Mage in my hand, which summoned her to my field and allowed me to regain the life points I lost.

Atticus: I end my turn.

Alex: I draw. And I sacrifice Damage Mage to summon Evil HERO Malicious Edge in attack mode.

Level 7/Earth/Fiend

ATK 2600/DEF 1800

Atticus: Not good.

Alex: Attack Red-Eyes with Needle Burst.

Atticus: 3800 LP

Alex: I end my turn.

Atticus: I draw. I play Swing of Memories to bring back my Red-Eyes.

Leo: But it can't beat Alex's Malicious Edge.

Atticus: Which is why I'm doing this. I play the spell card Polymerization. I fuse Red-Eyes with the Meteor Dragon in my hand to summon Meteor Black Dragon!

Level 8/Fire/Dragon

ATK 3500/DEF 2000

Yusei: That's the same monster Alex played against Trudge.

Atticus: Who do you think he got it from? Now attack with Dark Meteor Impact!

His monster charged a purple fireball in his mouth before launching it at Malicious Edge, destroying him.

Alex: 3100 LP

Atticus: Next I play Graceful Charity, so I draw 3 cards and discard 2. Now I activate Super Rejuvenation, so at the end of this turn, I draw a number of cards equal to the total number of dragon type monsters that I tributed or discarded this turn. I end my turn, and due to my spell's effect, since I discarded 2 dragons this turn, I draw 2 cards.

Alex: I draw. And I activate Dark Fusion. I fuse Evil HERO Spiritual Soldier and Evil HERO Necro Charmer in order to summon Evil HERO Necro Commander in attack mode.

Level 6/Dark/Fiend

ATK 1900/DEF 1800

Alex: And now his special ability activates. When he's summoned, he can send one of your monsters to the graveyard, and then he can revive a monster from either of our graves onto my field, but it can neither use its effects nor attack directly this turn.

Atticus: Say what?

Alex: Send Meteor Black Dragon to the grave.

A black portal opened up underneath Meteor Black Dragon before hands made of shadows grabbed him and pulled him into the vortex as it closed.

Alex: And now I'll use my monster's effect to make your dragon my servant.

The same vortex appeared on Alex's field and Meteor Black Dragon rose up out of it.

Alex: Now Necro Commander attacks you directly. Infernal Scythe Slash.

Necro Commander slashed his scythe towards Atticus, sending a crescent shaped blast of black energy flying at him, knocking him onto his back.

Atticus: 1900 LP

Alex: And now I play the quick-play spell Sebek's Blessing. Now I gain life points equal to the damage my monster just inflicted.

Alex: 5000 LP

Luna: No way, Alex's life points are more than twice as much as Atticus' now!

Akiza: If Atticus can't turn this around on his next turn, he'll lose.

Alex: I set one card face-down and end my turn.

Atticus was still lying on his back, trying to get back on his feet.

Dark Crusader: This duel is over, there's no way he can defeat the king.

Jinzo: Indeed. No duelist can defeat our lord.

Yusei: For our sake, I hope they're wrong about Atticus.

To be continued...

Hey everyone, sorry if this chapter is kind of short, but I thought it would be good to build up the tension a bit. Well, now you all know who the other character I was talking about is. Can Atticus turn the duel around and defeat Alex? Or is he destined to lose and be sent to the World of Darkness? Find out next time. I hope you all have a great day and stay safe. Things are starting to look better, we just have to keep going.