It had been two months after the final battle with the Dark Signers, and Alex was still gone. Greiger was sitting at a desk in his home looking through a book that spoke about the Earthbound Immortals, trying to find a way to break Alex's curse, but hadn't yet uncovered any useful information.
Greiger: I'm not giving up. If I have to spend the rest of my life searching for a way to bring Alex back, I will. I owe him that much after he saved my family and my people.
?: Hey big bro.
Greiger turned around to see his little brother standing there.
Greiger: Max? You should be in bed by now. Why are you still awake?
Max: I'm worried about you big bro. You keep staying up late looking through that book.
Greiger: I'm alright. Besides, this is important. I'm doing this for a friend.
Max: What friend?
Greiger: His name is Alex. A few months ago, he helped save me and the ones I care about. That's why I can't rest until I've found a way to help him.
Max: I see. Well, just don't stay up too late, okay?
Greiger: Don't worry, now you need to get some sleep.
Max nodded and went to his room. Greiger continued his research for a few more hours but eventually stopped when he became too tired to keep going. He put the bookmark in place and went to his room to try and get some sleep. In his dreams, Greiger was staring into a dark void when he heard a voice calling out.
?: Greiger.
Greiger: Who is it?
?: Greiger.
Greiger: Wait a minute, I know that voice. Alex?
Alex then appeared in front of him.
Greiger: Is it really you?
Alex: Yes, but I can't talk for long. I need Jack's help.
Greiger: What? Why?
Alex: I don't have much time to explain, but I need you to get Jack to meet you at the Temple of the Earthbound Immortals.
Greiger: I don't understand, why do you need us to meet you there? And why do you need Jack specifically?
Alex: I can't stay any longer, but I've managed to move your bookmark to the page that will explain everything. Please hurry!
The dream ended and Greiger woke up in a cold sweat. He went to his desk and saw that the bookmark had indeed been moved. He opened it to the page Alex designated and his blood ran cold when he read what was on the page. Greiger pulled out a sheet of paper and a pencil and began writing a letter to Yusei and Jack to tell them about what Alex had just told him.
Timeskip
Yusei, Jack, and Akiza were arriving at Greiger's hometown.
Jack: Remind me why you're here Akiza?
Akiza: If Alex is in danger, I want to help, or do want to have this argument again?
Jack: Not particularly.
Yusei: In any case, we had better find Greiger. Judging by the letter he sent, it's important.
They got directions from the locals to the temple Greiger spoke of in his letter. They arrived and found Greiger waiting for them.
Yusei: Long time no see Greiger.
Greiger: It's nice to see you again Yusei. I wish this were just a social call, but based on what Alex told me, we could all be in great danger.
Jack: So what exactly are we in danger from? And why did Alex say he needs my help?
Greiger: I don't know why he needs your help, but he was warning us about this.
He pulled out the book he had been studying and showed them the page Alex directed him to.
Akiza: Red Nova?
Greiger: Yes. An Earthbound Immortal that not even the Dark Signers dared to try and use because of how dangerous it is.
Yusei: But then why is it awakening now?
Greiger: I don't know. All I can say is that if it does, we're in big trouble. 10000 years ago, it single-handedly battled the Crimson Dragon to a standstill.
Akiza: How did they beat it?
Greiger: With the help of the Legendary Signer. He held a power called Blazing Soul and used it to seal Red Nova away into the serpent geoglyph.
Jack: So what do we do?
?: You duel.
They turned to the person who spoke and saw a being made entirely out of flames.
Jack: Who are you?
Red Familiar: I'm the servant of Red Nova, and we've been waiting for you, Jack Atlas.
Jack: Oh yeah? Well if it's a duel you want, then bring it on.
Red Familiar: So eager. Meet me inside the temple and the ritual will begin.
The spirit morphed into a ball of flames and flew into the temple.
Yusei: Jack, this is obviously a trap.
Jack: That doesn't matter. Alex needs my help, and I'm not gonna stand here twiddling my thumbs.
Greiger: We'd better go with him.
They all followed Jack inside and after walking for a few minutes, they reached a room with a large statue and the spirit from earlier was waiting for them.
Red Familiar: So glad you made it.
Jack: I'm here, now where's my friend?
Red Familiar: Oh you mean him? Why don't you come out now Alex?
Alex then walked out of the shadows and up next to Red Familiar.
Akiza: Alex!
Yusei: Alex, get away from him!
Alex didn't say or do anything in response, standing there like a statue.
Jack: Alex what's wrong?
He looked closer and saw that Alex's eyes had glazed over, like he was in a trance.
Jack: What have you done to him?
Red Familiar: I didn't do anything, but your little friend is under the control of my master. If you want to free him, you'll have to do it in a duel.
Jack: Very well, I accept!
Red Familiar: Wonderful! Oh, there are a few little details I forgot to mention. If you lose, both you and your little friend will be used to awaken my master.
Jack: Very well then. Prepare yourself to be flattened by the great Jack Atlas!
Red Familiar: Oh, there's one more thing: your little friend will be dueling in my place.
He turned into a ball of fire again and phased into Alex's body through his back causing Alex's eyes to glow red as stone slabs rained down from the ceiling.
Yusei: Jack, you have to be careful not to hurt Alex!
Jack: Right now, I'm just concerned with saving him.
Suddenly, most of the floor crumbled away, cutting Jack off from the others.
Both: Let's duel.
Alex: 4000 LP
Jack: 4000 LP
Alex: I'll go first. I summon Yomi Ghoul in defense mode.
Level 1/Dark/Fiend
ATK & DEF 0
Alex: I set a card face-down and end my turn.
Yusei: A monster with no attack or defense points? What could Alex be planning?
Jack: It's my turn. And since you have a monster out and I don't, I can summon Big Piece Golem without a sacrifice.
Level 5/Earth/Rock
ATK 2100/DEF 0
Jack: Now Big Piece Golem, attack Yomi Ghoul with Power Pressure!
Big Piece Golem struck Alex's monster, but it changed into an orb of light and struck Jack.
Jack: What was that?
Jack: 3200 LP
Alex: If Yomi Ghoul is destroyed, the opponent takes 800 points of damage.
Jack: I could feel that, which means this is a shadow duel, but then I should be expecting that by this point. I can't let this duel drag on, or one of us might get seriously hurt. I set a card face-down and end my turn.
Alex: I draw. I summon Yomi Boat Watchman in attack mode.
Level 1/Dark/Fiend
ATK & DEF 0
Akiza: Why would Alex play such a weak monster in attack mode?
Alex: The effect of Yomi Ghoul in my graveyard activates. As long as it's in my graveyard, all monsters on my field are destroyed.
Yomi Ghoul appeared behind Boat Watchman and stabbed it in the back, destroying it.
Alex: And like Yomi Ghoul, Boat Watchman inflicts 800 points of damage to my opponent when destroyed.
Jack: 2400 LP
Alex: I activate the continuous spell Spirit Wave Shield. If you attack me directly, the attack is negated and your monster is destroyed, but this card is destroyed during my third end phase. I end my turn.
Jack: A strategy that destroys his own monsters using the effects of monsters in the graveyard in order to deal effect damage. Even though Alex doesn't have any monsters, I can't attack him directly because of his Spirit Wave Shield. His deck counteracts mine entirely. Is he trying to lure me into attacking? My answer is already decided! I'll use all my strength and power to save my friend! I draw. And I summon Power Breaker in attack mode.
Level 4/Earth/Warrior
ATK 1900/DEF 0
Jack: Power Breaker, attack directly with Power Slash!
Alex: The effect of Spirit Wave Shield activates, so your attack is negated, and your monster is destroyed.
Wave Shield moved in front of Power Breaker, the monster striking it and causing itself to be destroyed.
Jack: But because Power Breaker was destroyed, I can destroy a face-up spell or trap card you control, so your Spirit Wave Shield is destroyed!
Alex just stood there while his spell card was destroyed.
Jack: Now you're wide open. Big Piece Golem, attack directly!
Alex: I activate the trap card Guidance of Yomi. If there are two Yomi monsters in my graveyard, I can summon a Yomi monster from my deck. I summon Yomi Frontier Guard in defense mode.
Level 1/Dark/Fiend
ATK & DEF 0
Alex: And due to the Yomi Ghoul in my graveyard, Frontier Guard is destroyed, which means you take 800 points of damage and the battle phase ends.
Jack: 1600 LP
Jack: I end my turn.
Alex: I draw. I end my turn.
Akiza: He's not going to do anything? But there's nothing on his field to protect him.
Yusei: It's gotta be some kind of trap.
Jack: I won't give in. I summon Dark Resonator in attack mode.
Level 3/Dark/Fiend
ATK 1300/DEF 300
Jack: And now I tune level 5 Big Piece Golem with level 3 Dark Resonator. The ruler's heartbeats will now flow through here! Bear witness to its creation shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Dragon Archfiend!
Level 8/Dark/Dragon
ATK 3000/DEF 2000
Akiza: Alright, he summoned Red Dragon Archfiend!
Jack: Red Dragon Archfiend, attack directly with Scorching Crimson Fire!
Alex: I activate the effect of Yomi Boat Watchman in my graveyard. When you attack, I can summon a Yomi monster from my graveyard, and I choose Yomi Frontier Guard.
Yusei: Oh no!
Alex: Yomi Ghoul's effect activates, destroying Frontier Guard, which means the battle phase ends and you take 800 points of damage.
Jack: 800 LP
Jack: I end my turn.
Alex: I draw. I end my turn.
Jack: I draw! Red Dragon Archfiend, attack directly!
Akiza: But if he does that, Alex's combo will start again.
Yusei: Jack!
Alex: I activate the effect of Yomi Boat Watchman to revive Frontier Guard in defense mode.
Jack: Since you special summoned a monster, I can summon Extra Veiler from my hand.
Level 2/Light/Warrior
ATK 600/DEF 200
Alex: Now the effect of Yomi Ghoul activates, destroying Yomi Frontier Guard, which activates its effect, ending the battle phase and dealing you 800 points of damage.
Jack: Extra Veiler's special ability activates! During the turn it summons itself, any damage I would take from your card effects is dealt back to you.
Alex: 3200 LP
Jack: I set a card face-down and end my turn, which means Extra Veiler is destroyed because it didn't attack.
Alex: I draw. I place one card face-down and end my turn.
Jack: Then it's my turn!
Alex: I play the trap Battle Mania. Red Dragon Archfiend can't change to defense mode this turn, and it has to attack.
Yusei: But if Jack attacks, then Alex's Yomi combo will activate again and he'll lose.
Jack: I summon Synchro Soldier in attack mode.
Level 1/Earth/Machine
ATK & DEF 0
Jack: And now I activate his special ability. By banishing Red Dragon Archfiend, you take 600 points of damage, but since I used this effect, I can't conduct my battle phase this turn. Feel the pulse of my very soul!
Alex: 2600 LP
Akiza: To think that Jack would willingly give up his Red Dragon Archfiend.
Jack: Not for long. Due to Synchro Soldier's effect, the monster I removed returns during my next standby phase. And now I play the trap card Nightmare Archfiend. By sacrificing my monster, three Nightmare Archfiend tokens are summoned onto your field.
Nightmare Token x 3
Level 6/Dark/Fiend
ATK & DEF 2000
Alex: Onto my field?
Jack: Due to their effects, when they're destroyed, their controller takes 800 points of damage.
Yusei: And due to Yomi Ghoul's effect, they're all destroyed!
The tokens exploded, and Alex was knocked back against the statue behind him before he collapsed onto the floor.
Alex: 200 LP
Jack: Alex!
Suddenly, Red Familiar came out of Alex's body.
Red Familiar: Any more of this, and not even Red Nova will forgive you! You'll be burned with the flames of rage! It's my turn. I banish Yomi Ghoul, Frontier Guard, and Boat Watchman in order to summon Wicked King of Yomi – Mictlancoatl!
Level 10/Dark/Fiend
ATK 3800/DEF 3000
Red Familiar: Feel the wrath of Red Nova! Soon my master will be revived!
The statue began to crack and part of the wall crumbled away to reveal a large yellow eye.
Red Familiar: Now attack him directly!
Jack: I play the continuous trap Red Screen! With it, monsters with 2000 or more attack points can't attack!
Red Familiar: In that case I end my battle phase and activate my monster's effect. With it, I can destroy a face-up card you control and deal you 600 points of damage, so I destroy your Red Screen.
Jack: 200 LP
Red Familiar: Then I activate the Magic Law continuous spell. By sending three monsters with the same name from my hand to the graveyard, you can't activate any spells on your next turn! I end my turn. The ritual is reaching its climax. It's time for my master to be revived!
More of the monster behind the statue began to break out of the wall, revealing Red Nova. Part of the stairs broke away and Yusei, Akiza, and Greiger had to move quickly to avoid falling.
Jack: Everyone!
Red Familiar: All of you will be sacrificed for the ritual anyway, so why not just stick around to witness the climax of a once in a lifetime show?
Jack: I won't let you! My friends and our irreplaceable bonds. As long as I'm standing here, even if my body is broken, I will protect them!
Red Familiar: The match has already been decided. Your body and soul will be taken by my master!
Jack: My soul won't be taken that easily! Don't forget, my soul will be returned soon!
Red Familiar: Red Dragon Archfiend… will return to the field during the standby phase.
Jack: Red Dragon Archfiend is the fire of my very soul. I can feel it, my fiery soul!
His hand became wrapped in flames.
Red Familiar: That's-
Jack: My undying spirit!
Jack has the power of Blazing Soul!
Jack: I draw!
Red Familiar: I won't let you!
PArt of the ceiling broke away and began falling towards Jack.
Yusei: Jack, look out!
Suddenly, Yusei's, Jack's, and Akiza's Singer marks began to glow, and the Crimson Dragon appeared and batted away the stone.
Akiza: It's the Crimson Dragon!
Greiger: Did it appear to protect us?
Jack: During my standby phase, Red Dragon Archfiend returns to the field. And since there's now a synchro monster on my field, I can special summon Creation Resonator!
Level 3/Wind/Fiend
ATK 800/DEF 600
Jack: Next I summon the tuner monster Attack Gainer!
Level 1/Earth/Tuner
ATK & DEF 0
Jack: And now I double tune Red Dragon Archfiend with Creation Resonator and Attack Gainer!
Akiza: Two tuner monsters?
Greiger: Does a monster like that even exist?
Yusei: The man with Blazing Soul can use the powers of the Crimson Dragon itself and create a miracle.
Jack: The undying spirit, with this power, once again Red Nova will be sealed!
His eyes glowed red and he raised his hand, creating a blank card in his palm.
Red Familiar: W-what's going on?
His master was turned into energy and absorbed into the card.
Jack: Red Nova, I will take all of your power!
Red Familiar: This can't be happening!
Jack: The king and the devil will become one with the wild soul and shake the heavens! Synchro Summon! Appear, Red Nova Dragon!
Level 12/Dark/Dragon
ATK 3500/DEF 3000
Red Familiar: You mean my master just united with Red Dragon Archfiend?
Yusei: That's amazing Jack!
Jack: Due to Red Nova Dragon's special ability, it gains 500 attack for every tuner in my graveyard, so with 3, it gains 1500 attack points.
Red Nova Dragon: 3500-5000 ATK
Red Familiar: How can this be?
Jack: Now Red Nova Dragon, attack his monster with Blazing Soul Strike!
Red Familiar: 0 LP
Winner: Jack
Suddenly, the temple began to crumble.
Jack: Everyone!
The Crimson Dragon enveloped them all in a bright light and they were safely transported outside.
Yusei: Is everyone okay?
Jack: I'm alright.
Greiger: Same here.
Yusei: Wait, where's Alex and Akiza?
Akiza: We're over here!
They ran over to them and saw Akiza hunched over Alex, who was still unconscious.
Akiza: He's still out cold, but he's okay. Oh Alex, I'm so glad to have you back.
Yusei: So Jack, did you really seal Red Nova into a card?
Jack: Yep. Here it is, the Red Nova Dragon.
Suddenly, the card floated out of his hand and towards Alex before being absorbed into his body.
Jcak: What in the world?
Yusei: I have no idea.
Greiger: If I had to guess, part of the Earthbound Immortals' power still exists in Alex, and that's why the card was drawn to him.
Yusei: I suppose that's possible. So do you think there's a chance the other Earthbound Immortals will return?
Greiger: No, they should be gone.
Yusei: Thanks for everything Greiger.
Greiger: No, I should be thanking you. And besides, after what Alex did for me and my village, this is least I could do to repay him.
Yusei: Come on guys, let's go home.
Hey everyone. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. It was the best way I could think of to bring Alex back without throwing things out of order too bad, especially since the dub never did this episode. I also used this episode because it bugged me how in the dub Jack just seemingly got Red Nova Dragon from nowhere. And the reason it went to Alex was so I could keep it from Jack until the point he was supposed to get it in season 2. Well, this marks the end of this story, but I'm far from done writing. I'll be uploading a new story starting this Friday. I hope you'll all take a look at it once it drops. Have a great day, stay safe, and I want to thank all of you for your support and giving this story over 10000 views.