They were flying towards the Satellite, and a thunder storm was raging outside.
Alex: Lightning Golem, can you make sure the lightning doesn't strike the helicopter?
Golem: I'll do my best.
Alex: The sooner we arrive, the sooner I can get my revenge on Misty.
Yubel: Alex, you need to calm down.
Alex: Don't worry, I won't let my anger cloud my judgement.
Yubel looked at Alex with concern before disappearing. Meanwhile, Mina was telling everyone about the Zero Reverse Incident, and how Yusei's father was in charge of the Ener-D Reactor project.
Trudge: Wait, why did they put some nobody from Satellite in charge of such an important project?
Jack: Yusei and his father were born in Domino City.
Trudge: So you're saying this Satellite reject isn't actually a Satellite reject?
Jack: I was born in the Satellite Trudge. Got a problem with that?
Trudge: Uh no, of course not.
Jack: That's what I thought.
Trudge: Does anyone else feel uncomfortable about this lightning? One strike and we're done for. I think we should turn around.
Mina: Our primary directive is to reach the Satellite.
Alex: We'll be fine Trudge.
Yusei walked up and tapped Trudge on the shoulder to get his attention.
Yusei: Land next to that building in the park.
Mina: Do what he says Trudge.
Trudge did as ordered and landed where Yusei told him.
Alex: I told you we'd be fine.
Trudge: And just how did you know that?
Alex: You wouldn't believe me if I told you.
They all walked out and were met by Yusei, Jack, and Crow's childhood caretaker Martha, who ran up to Jack.
Martha: Look at you Jacky boy.
Jack: Hi Martha.
Martha: I can't believe how big you've gotten.
Jack: Well, it has been quite a while since I left you know.
All the kids ran out to see Yusei.
Child 1: Welcome back Yusei.
Child 2: Wow, it's Jack Atlas!
Leo: Wow, I thought everyone from the Satellite would be creepy and sad.
Luna: Yeah I know, they seem so friendly.
Alex: These kids deserve a better life than this.
Trudge: That's how they trick you. They're all just liars and thieves.
Alex: Yubel, you want to knock him down a peg?
Yubel: Like you need to ask.
Trudge took a step forward but was tripped up by a rose vine that Yubel caused to sprout up in front of his foot, causing him to land flat on his face. One of the kids ran up to Trudge.
Taka: Are you okay mister?
Trudge stood up and dusted himself off.
Trudge: I'm fine, now what do you want?
Taka: You're from Sector Security aren't you?
Trudge: Yeah, what about it?
Taka: That's so cool. I wanna be part of Sector Security some day.
Trudge: Do you now? Well, play your cards right, and you just might someday.
Yusei: So Martha, things sure seem quiet around here.
Martha: That's because the fog's taken everyone.
She lead everyone inside and they sat down around a large table.
Martha:: Yesterday, a strange black fog appeared out of nowhere and descended on the downtown area of Satellite, and when it cleared, everyone who was caught in the fog was gone.
Yusei: What do you mean?
Martha: They just vanished. Fortunately, the fog didn't come here, so we were safe, but I'm afraid everyone else-
Blister: We haven't seen or heard from Rally, Tank, Nervin, Blitz, or Crow since this happened.
Yusei: Are you serious?!
Martha: I'm afraid so Yusei.
Leo: Who are they? Are they your friends Yusei?
Yusei: Yeah.
Alex: I've heard enough.
He got up from the table and started walking out of the room.
Yusei: Alex, where are you going?
Alex: I'm tired of sitting here and doing nothing. I'm going to go do something productive.
Martha: He sure is an impatient one isn't he?
Yusei: I'm worried about him. He's almost obsessed with facing them again.
Martha: Facing who, Yusei?
Yusei: The Dark Signers. They're the ones responsible for everyone's disappearance.
Martha: But then why is Alex so determined to fight them?
Akiza: Because one of them took his parents from him.
Martha: I see. So he wants revenge on them.
Yusei: Yeah, and that's what worries me. If Alex lets his anger get the best of him, then he may end up losing to them.
Jack got up and left the room as well.
Mina: Wait up Jack!
She ran after him, but when she caught up to him, he was leaning against the playground equipment outside.
Mina: Jack, what's wrong?
Jack just stood there silently.
Mina: It's about Carly isn't it?
Jack noticeably flinched, showing Mina she hit the nail on the head.
Mina: Jack, there's something I should tell you. I care about you.
Jack: I know you do Mina, but right now my only concern is Carly. Whatever happened to her was because of me. Carly was dragged into this because of me, so it's my fault. I have to find her.
Trudge had been watching the whole ordeal from around the corner and was heartbroken after hearing Mina's declaration to Jack. Martha walked up behind him and grabbed him by the ear, dragging him back inside into the kitchen.
Trudge: What are you doing?
Martha: I'm getting dinner ready, and you're gonna help.
Trudge: You're putting me to work? I'm a guest.
Martha: Here, wear this.
She handed him an apron and had him chop the vegetables. She looked over his shoulder and saw he was cutting the pieces too big. She bonked on the back of the head with a ladle.
Martha: You need to cut them into smaller pieces.
Trudge: Ow. Alright, alright, you don't have to hit me.
She then had Trudge get to work on cleaning the bathroom.
Trudge: What does cleaning the bathroom have to do with making dinner?
Martha bonked him on the head with a plunger before answering his question.
Martha: Nothing, but it needed a good scrubbing
Taka: I can help you.
Trudge: Thanks kid.
Taka grabbed a broom from the closet and started sweeping one of the stalls.
Trudge: He's a good kid. As for you lady, do you treat all your guests this way?
Martha: Hasn't being active and helping someone else taken your mind off of things officer?
Trudge realized she was right and that he had stopped thinking about Mina.
Martha: The best way to deal with a broken heart is to stop dwelling, get out of your head, and make yourself useful. You see, here in Satellite we've had to become very good at coping with sadness and loss. Take Taka for example.
Trudge: The kid? What about him?
Martha: When he was younger, he lost his home to a fire, but he was so grateful to the security officers who did everything they could to help that he never forgot their kindness. He decided he wanted to grow up and become a Sector Security officer himself. That's how he deals with his sadness, by trying to be helpful.
Trudge: So that's why he keeps following me around. But Martha, the law says that people from the Satellite can't become security officers.
Martha: In this crazy world of ours, nothing is impossible, don't you think so?
Taka: One down.
Trudge: I hope she's right. He's such a good kid, he doesn't deserve to live like this.
Soon, dinner was served and everyone was in the dining room. Everyone except one person, that person being Alex.
Martha: Alex knows dinner is served doesn't he?
Luna: He said he wasn't hungry.
Martha: I see. Well, I'll be sure to save him some in case he's hungry later.
Child 1: This is delicious.
Taka: The cool guy from security made it.
Everyone at the table looked at Trudge, some of them looking fairly shocked. Trudge's face turned red from the attention.
Trudge: Well, uh,
Child 2: Thanks mister.
Trudge lifted a spoonful to his mouth before swallowing. His eyes bugged out and he raised his glass to his mouth, draining the whole thing in a couple of seconds.
Trudge: It's too spicy!
Everyone else laughed at his reaction.
Yusei: Hey kids, if we're able to win this battle, Goodwin's going to finish the bridge connecting Satellite to New Domino City. That bridge will bring people together, and will signal the beginning of a new era. One where you guys can grow up to be anything.
Taka: I sure hope you're right!
Trudge: If they win this war, and society does change, then Taka can grow up and join Sector Security.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck the ground nearby and shattered one of the windows.
Yusei: What was that?
Martha: Is everyone okay?
They looked out the window and saw two figures standing outside. Upon closer inspection, one of them was revealed to be Alex.
Alex: It took you long enough to find me.
?: Well, I never imagined you would return to the Satellite, Alex.
Alex: I had a good reason to come back Roman.
Yusei: Wait, that's Roman?
Alex: Where's Misty?
Roman: What, am I not good enough of an opponent for you?
Alex: I want payback on Misty for what she did to me and my parents. Now you can either tell me where she is or I can force it out of you in a duel.
Roman: If you wish to duel me so badly, so be it.
Alex: Not here. I won't let you take the spirits of the people here for your Earthbound Immortal.
Roman: Very well. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, you may choose the location of the duel.
Alex: Fine.
He snapped his fingers and his duel runner drove out of the shadow of the building.
Roman: Impressive trick.
Alex: Meet me downtown.
Yusei: Jack, you stay here with Martha and everyone else, I'm going to follow them.
Jack: Alright, be careful.
Akiza: I'm going with you.
Yusei: Alright, put this on and hang on.
She put the helmet on and got on the back of Yusei's duel runner.
Yusei: Hang on tight.
They arrived downtown and saw Alex and Roman were about to start dueling.
Roman: It's time to begin.
Both: Let's duel!
Alex: 4000 LP
Roman: 4000 LP
Purple flames sprouted in the streets, forming the spider geoglyph.
Alex: If you think this is going to scare me, you can think again Roman.
He heard footsteps behind him and saw Yusei and Akiza approaching.
Roman: I see we have spectators.
Alex: You should be focusing on me and not bystanders.
Roman's mark, along with Yusei's, Akiza's, Jack's, and Luna's marks all lit up.
Jack: The duel is starting.
Luna: I'm scared.
Martha walked up to a door and opened it.
Martha: Come on everyone, in here.
Child 1: But Taka's not here.
Child 2: Neither are John and Mitch.
Martha: What? Where are they?
The answer to her question then dawned on her. She rushed outside, Jack following behind her. When she got outside, she looked up and saw the spider geoglyph in the sky. She ran in that direction, with Jack calling out for her.
Trudge: I'm on it.
Back downtown, Alex and Roman's duel was just starting.
Alex: I'm going first Roman. I summon Evil HERO Stone Guardian in defense mode.
Level 4/Earth/Fiend
ATK 800/DEF 2000
Alex: I end my turn. Stone Guardian gives me a strong defense, and next turn I can snag Dark Fusion from my deck.
Roman: Interesting. It's my move, and I play the field spell Spider Web.
The field was covered in a giant spiderweb.
Alex: I never did like spiders.
Roman: A reasonable fear. Spiders can be quite dangerous. And I'll prove it by summoning my Dark Tuner Spider Cocoon.
Level 5/Dark/Insect
ATK & DEF 0
Roman: I can special summon this monster when there are monsters on your field but none on mine. And now I summon Dark Spider.
Level 1/Dark/Insect
ATK & DEF 0
Alex: And me without my bug spray.
Roman: You can make all the jokes you want, but you won't be laughing once I activate the effect of my Dark Spider. Once each turn, I can raise the level of an insect type monster on field by 2 until the end of this turn, so I raise Spider Cocoon's level by 2.
Spider Cocoon: LV 5-7
Roman: And now I tune my Dark Tuner Spider Cocoon with my Dark Spider! When the dark overlaps with the dark, the web of the Netherworld prepares itself to bind its prey. Dark Synchro! Appear, Underground Arachnid!
Level -6/Earth/Insect
ATK 2400/DEF 1200
Alex: But even if your monster's attack is higher, Guardian can't be destroyed in battle once each turn.
Roman: Who says I have to battle it? I activate Underground Arachnid's special ability!
His monster shot a web at Alex's monster, wrapping around him before dragging him to Roman's field.
Alex: What did you do to my monster?
Roman: Once every turn, Underground Arachnid can equip one of your monsters to herself.
Alex: Oh great.
Roman: And now that your monster's gone, Underground Arachnid can attack you directly!
His monster launched another net of threads, but this time it struck Alex in the chest, knocking him onto his back.
Alex: 1600 LP
Akiza: Alex, are you okay?!
Alex: I'll be fine.
Yusei: He lost more than half his life points in one turn. Things aren't looking good.
Roman: I place one card face-down and end my turn
Alex: I draw. I play the Fiendish Fusion spell card. Now I can summon an Evil HERO fusion monster by using monsters in my deck as material.
Akiza: Alright, now Alex can summon a powerful monster!
Alex: I fuse Evil HERO Wave Rider, Voltage, and Sky Slash in order to summon Evil HERO Raging Tornado!
Level 8/Wind/Fiend
ATK & DEF 2800
Yusei: Now that's a strong monster.
Alex: Now Raging Tornado, put your foot down on Roman's Underground Arachnid! Attack with Furious Twister Strike!
Raging Tornado created a cyclone around himself and charged Roman's monster, stirring up a cloud of dust in the process.
Roman: 3600 LP
Akiza: Way to go Alex!
The dust cleared and Underground Arachnid was still standing, but Stone Guardian was gone.
Alex: What in the world?
Roman: Underground Arachnid can save herself from being destroyed by sacrificing one of the monsters it took from you.
Yusei: No way!
Roman: And there's more. Due to the effect of my field spell, if your non-insect monster attacks, it's changed to defense mode and can't be changed to attack mode until your next turn
Threads came up form the ground, pulling Raging Tornado down.
Roman: If Underground Arachnid takes your monster next turn, she'll be able to attack you directly, and you'll lose this duel.
Alex: That's only if she's still here.
Roman: What are you talking about?
Alex: Since you sacrificed my Guardian, he's now in my graveyard, which is exactly where I need him to do this. I play Dark Calling to banish Guardian and Voltage from my graveyard to summon my Evil HERO Lightning Golem.
Level 6/Light/Fiend
ATK 2400/DEF 1500
Roman: But unfortunately for you, he can't attack this turn.
Alex: He doesn't have to. I activate his special ability! Once every turn, Lightning Golem can destroy any monster on the field.
Akiza: Alright, since there aren't any monsters equipped to it, Underground Arachnid can't save itself!
Alex: Lightning Golem, make like a bug zapper and fry Underground Arachnid with Voltic Ball!
Lightning Golem launched a black sphere at Underground Arachnid, destroying her.
Akiza: Alright! He did it!
?: Over there!
Everyone turned towards the voice and saw John and Mitch running towards them.
John: Hey Yusei!
Yusei: No!
Akiza: Oh no, what are they doing here?
Alex: You both need to run!
Roman: It's too late for them. I activate Altar of the Bound Deity! During each of my standby phases, this card will gain one Earthbound Immortal counter for every monster on the field in defense mode. And if I sacrifice it when it has four counters, I can summon an Earthbound Immortal from my deck.
Alex: What?!
Martha and Trudge were running through the streets, trying to find the three boys.
Alex: If I don't end this duel before those counters add up, it's curtains for John and Mitch, and quite possibly myself.
Hey everyone. So after a week, I finally have power back, but I'm under winter storm advisory for about 6 hours as of posting this, so I may lose power again, so we'll see what happens. I decided to have Alex switch places with Yusei for the first time Roman duels. In case any of you are wondering why I decided to change Alex's duel runner, before the blackout, I had been watching digimon, and I remembered how much I loved Beelzemon from Tamers, so I thought it would be interesting to have Alex use his motorcycle. Just gonna say now that this is probably the only reference to digimon I'm gonna make in this series. I hope you all are having a great day and are staying safe.