It was Alex's last day in the hospital, and Atticus had come to pick him up. Alex got in the back seat of his uncle's car and they drove home. When they arrived, Alex opened the front door and saw all the lights were off. He flipped the light switch and was met with a pleasant surprise.
"Surprise!" a collection of voices shouted. Yusei, Akiza, Leo, Luna, and even Jack were standing in Alex's living room with a banner behind them that read "Welcome Home Alex!" "What's all this for?" Alex asked. "Atticus told us you were being discharged from the hospital today, so we got everyone together to throw you a welcome home party," Luna answered.
Alex asked how they managed to rope Jack into this, to which he responded they wouldn't quit asking until he agreed, but Jack said "Welcome back" all the same. Alex was really moved that his friends had done this for him, but before he could express his gratitude, they heard a knock at the door.
Atticus answered the door and saw Mina standing in front of him. "Can I help you?" Atticus asked. "Yes. I'm looking for Yusei and everyone else," Mina answered, Jack hearing her voice. "Is that you Mina?" he asked, to which the woman responded "Yes". Jack told Atticus he could trust Mina and to let her in.
"Akiza, there's something I need to show you," Mina said as she pulled out a tablet. "What is it?" the psychic duelist asked. "We found these files in what was left of the Arcadia building. It appears Misty might have been telling the truth about her brother's disappearance," Mina informed, catching Akiza by surprise.
Mina allowed Akiza to calm herself before explaining. "It appears that a number of the people who came to the Arcadia Movement couldn't control their powers and wound up severely hurting themselves. When these incidents happened, Sayer sent them to secret facilities for treatment. Unfortunately, it looks like the file that lists the locations of these facilities was either lost or destroyed," Mina informed.
"So then maybe Misty was right. I wish Sayer were still here. Then he could help us find her brother," Akiza suggested. "There's another reason I'm here. Director Goodwin wanted to see all of you, including you, Alex," Mina continued. "If they're going to see Goodwin, I'm coming with them. I'm not about to let Alex out of my sight," Atticus said as he placed his hand on his nephew's shoulder.
"Alright. There's a car downstairs for the rest of you," Mina said before she left the room "What do you think Goodwin wants?" Alex asked as he turned to Yusei. "I don't know, but it would probably be a good idea to go and see him," Yusei admitted. Akiza asked Yusei how she could trust Goodwin after what he did to him and Alex, and Yusei responded that while he didn't trust the director, with everything that was on the line, he couldn't afford not to hear him out.
Akiza responded that she saw his point and agreed to go with him, the others agreeing as well. Having settled the matter, they got into the car downstairs while Alex got in Atticus' car and they all drove to Goodwin's estate. "Thank you all for coming," Goodwin greeted once they arrived. "Alright Goodwin, we all know you're not exactly the kind to make social calls, so why don't we skip the pleasantries and get to why you called us here?" Jack asked coldly.
"I see you are as impatient as ever, Jack. Follow me," Goodwin questioned as he walked inside. They all followed him to an elevator and went down. They arrived at the floor and the door opened, revealing a hallway that looked like something out of an ancient temple before Goodwin led them down the hallway. "Where are we going mister Goodwin?" Luna asked.
"To a very special room that holds the answers you seek," the director responded. "The last time I was here, I left with more questions than answers," Jack replied. They reached a large stone door and it opened to reveal a black room. Once they entered, the door closed behind them and a red light sprung up on the floor, lighting up the room like the night sky.
They looked in front of them and saw a massive stairway-like monument standing there. "Behold, the stairway of the Crimson Dragon," Goodwin proclaimed as they all gazed at the monument. They looked at the gate that stood in front of the stairway and saw a familiar symbol etched into it.
"That's the mark of the Crimson Dragon," Yusei pointed out. "Correct. It is the symbol that binds you all and defines you as Signers, protectors of the world," Goodwin confirmed. Just then, Yusei's, Luna's, Akiza's, and Jack's marks lit up and the Crimson Dragon then appeared in front of the stairway.
"That's the Crimson Dragon?" Alex asked, this being the first time he'd seen it. "Yes, and it has been influencing all of your lives, leading you to this very moment," Goodwin answered. "But then why am I here? I'm not one of the Signers," Alex pointed out. "To tell you the truth Alex, I do not know. But I can say for certain that you will play an important role in the battles to come, though what that role will be remains to be seen," Goodwin responded before turning to the group.
"You all fit an important role in this battle, even the smallest of you. I mean you Luna. Why don't you tell us about your gift?" Goodwin requested. "You mean her ability to see duel spirits?" Alex asked. "Yes, but it goes far beyond just that," Goodwin said before allowing Luna to speak.
"Sometimes when I duel, I get transported to a strange land. Some kind of spirit world where all the duel monsters are real," Luna informed. "For your sake I hope you never have to go to one of the more unpleasant spirit worlds," Alex said, remembering the stories about his father's time in Dark World.
"When I was there, I met the Ancient Fairy Dragon. She was in charge, like the head spirit I guess, and she said that the spirit world was in danger, and they needed my help or all the duel spirits would be destroyed. I didn't understand at the time, but she must've been one of the dragons that fought the army of shadows, and she chose me to help," Luna realized.
"You see, you all have gifts. Jack and Yusei were even able to glimpse into the past, they showed you the people of the stars, and the danger that awaits us all," Goodwin stated. "But Alex has no business in this war. He's been through enough already. You all can finish this without him," Atticus stated firmly.
"I don't seem to recall inviting you," Goodwin responded, not having taken much of Atticus until now. "As it stands, I'm Alex's only remaining family member, and as such, I'm responsible for him, and I won't allow him to be put in danger again," Atticus said. "I understand your concern, but you need to understand something as well. It is clear at this point that the Dark Signers will stop at nothing to take Alex's power for themselves, so Signer or not, he does have a role to play," Goodwin pointed out.
"I can keep him safe myself," Atticus assured. "But are you capable of defending him from the power of the army of shadows? Whether or not you choose to accept it, the safest place for Alex is with Yusei and the other Signers," Goodwin replied. Atticus was ready to keep the argument going, but Alex stopped him.
"He's right. They won't stop until they have my power on their side, so I'd be safer going with Yusei," Alex agreed. "Fine, but I'm not leaving him, even for a moment," Atticus said as he turned back to the director. "Goodwin, there's something I want to know," Alex added.
"What happens to the people who have been absorbed by the Earthbound Immortals? Are they gone forever?" he asked. "Until the army of shadows is defeated, they are lost, giving more power to our enemies," Goodwin answered. "So if we win, everyone will come back?" Alex asked, hopeful he was right.
"That is correct. But that is easier said than done. You have dueled the Dark Signers twice, so you should know this more than anyone," Goodwin pointed out. "I don't think I could forget those duels no matter how long I lived. But I won't back down. I'll come at them with everything I have, and I won't stop until I beat them," Alex resolved.
"Alex, I understand how you must feel, but you must control your emotions, lest you become one of the taken," Goodwin advised. Atticus put his hand on Alex's shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay bud. We're going to get everyone back," he promised. "But you must be cautious. The Dark Signers are unlike any duelists you have faced before. They have never lost," Goodwin warned.
"So what? Are you saying we've lost before the battle's even started?" Yusei asked. "I'm not saying there's no hope at all. But I wanted to be honest. There were three duels with true Dark Signers, and we nearly lost all of them thanks to the most powerful monsters ever," Goodwin said grimly as he considered his next words.
"We're talking about primal forces, pure darkness. A foe many would choose to run from, but I ask that you do not, for you must face them together. But even if we do beat them, I can't promise we'll all be standing here again. Every war has its casualties, and some of us may be lost to the Netherworld. I hope you all can look into your hearts and make the decision this world needs, but be quick, as I'm afraid we don't have much time," he concluded before leaving them all.
"What kind of a pep talk is that?" Leo asked once he was gone. "It's not a pep talk Leo, he's just telling the truth," Alex responded. "Alex, you've dueled against the Dark Signers, what kind of a chance do we have against them?" Yusei asked. "To be honest Yusei, I don't know. The truth is, Kalin and Misty were two of the strongest opponents I'd ever faced, you and Akiza included. And then there were their Earthbound Immortals," Alex responded, his blood running cold just from the thought of them.
"I remember. Jack and I were there when you dueled Kalin," Yusei said as he recalled Kalin's Earthbound Immortal. "Seeing one and facing one are two different things Yusei. I'd never been scared of a duel my whole life, but those monsters, they terrified me. I couldn't stop either of them. I barely tied against Kalin, and I did lose to Misty. If Nightshroud hadn't gotten to me, I'd probably be with the Dark Signers right now," Alex brought up.
"So do you think we can't win?" Akiza asked. "I'm not saying that, but Goodwin has a point. I can't guarantee everyone will walk out of this. But I don't care what my odds are. If there's even a 1% chance I can win, I'm going to duel with everything I have," Alex said.
"I'm right with you Alex," Yusei assured. The others nodded in agreement, ready to risk everything to stop the Dark Signers. "Don't worry mom and dad, I'm going to save you. Just wait for me please," Alex thought to himself.