Chapter 21: The Search for Answers

Akiza cringed as the nurses applied the bandages to her arms. While she hadn't been seriously hurt from the duel with Hunter Pace, the Security Officers who came to investigate their duel insisted on taking her to the hospital. She wasn't badly burned, but the nurses insisted on wrapping her up just to be safe.

"There, all set. Now take it easy for a few days."

"Thank you."

"By the way, you have visitors."

Before Akiza could ask who, Yusei popped in, a bunch of flowers in his hand.

"Hey, beautiful."

Akiza smiled, and accepted his kiss.

"Hey, yourself. How are you?"

"Better than you, it looks like."

Akiza rolled her eyes.

"The nurses insisted. I think they're just afraid I'll make a break for it."

Yusei laughed, but then his face turned serious.

"Did your guy use those weird Synchro Monsters as well?"

"Dark Synchros? Yeah, he did. Dark Tuners? Negative levels? Something tells me we're not dealing with your typical street gang."

Yusei nodded grimly.

"We need answers, and there's only one person who can give them to us."

"Goodwin?"

"Exactly."

"But how are we going to get to him? I doubt the director of Sector Security will let just anyone come to see him."

"Something tells me he'll make an exception for us. But just to be safe…"

"ALRIGHT, YOU TWO! HURRY UP AND GET DOWN HERE!"

Akiza groaned, recognizing that shrill voice anywhere. Sure enough, Trudge was waiting for them, bullhorn in hand.

"Seriously?"

"I'm not happy about it either, but he's our best bet at getting to Goodwin."

Akiza pouted, but conceded that this was their only option, so followed Ash out.

Trudge drove them to Sector Security headquarters before shoving them into a waiting room.

"Wait here. The Director will be with you shortly."

Turns out that short wait was more like two hours. Akiza paced the room impatiently.

"Akiza, sit down."

"I can't! I need answers, Yusei!"

"So do I, but making a rut in the carpet isn't going to get them."

"Well, I need to do something, otherwise I'll go crazy!"

Just then, the door opened, but to their dismay it was just Trudge.

"Looking for something to do, huh? How about you and I have that rematch?"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Trudge. Unless you want yet another embarrassment on your record."

The one who spoke was Lazar, who ignored Trudge's spluttering to address Yusei and Akiza.

"My sincere apologies for the wait. Director Goodwin is ready to see you now."

Surprisingly, Lazar led them not to an office, but outside to the docks. There, they found the director staring off into the distance towards Satellite.

"Akiza and Yusei are here to see you, sir."

"Thank you, Lazar. You may go."

Lazar bowed and took his leave. Goodwin then turned to face the two.

"Welcome. Congratulations on your win, Yusei."

"Cut the pleasantries, Goodwin!" Akiza snapped. "You owe us answers!"

"What was with those weird guys with the spider marks last night?"

Goodwin nodded in understanding.

"Yes, of course. Tell me, what do you know about Zero Reverse?"

"All I know is that it split Domino City into Satellite and New Domino City," Akiza said.

Goodwin nodded before he continued.

"Yes, but there's so much more. It unleashed an evil sealed thousands of years ago."

Yusei and Akiza's eyes went wide.

"Long ago, a great evil from deep within the Earth attacked the Inca people. Many lost their lives in futile attempts to drive it back, until one day five brave soldiers prayed to the Dragon Star for help. And their prayers were answered."

"The people in our vision!" Yusei gasped.

"The people of the stars. With the aid of the Crimson Dragon and its vassals, they repelled the evil back into the Earth, and sealed it away. They thought that would be the end of it, until the destruction of the old Ener-D reactor opened the gate once more."

Goodwin allowed them to take in the information before continuing.

"And sadly, Satellite is right in the middle of a catacomb of evil."

"So why not get everybody out of there?"

Goodwin sadly shook his head.

"I'm afraid its not that simple. Despite the gateway being open for nearly 20 years now, no major catastrophes have occurred. We can only assume that they are too weak to make a move, but their power must be growing. And if the Satellite and New Domino City were too mingle while they still exist…"

Yusei and Akiza nodded grimly.

"That's why I need your help. To combat this evil, and make sure what almost happened millenia ago doesn't happen now!"

"But why go through all of this trouble? Why kidnap our friends and force us into your tournament?"

"Because I needed all of the signers together for this. You all are great duelists, but you can't defeat this evil alone. So I implore you, will you help save the world?"

Yusei and Akiza shared a glance before nodding.

"I'm in."

"So am I, but on one condition. Once this is all finished, you finish Daedalus Bridge and connect New Domino and Satellite."

Goodwin nodded.

"Very well."