Fortune Ladies Ride Again
Chapter 1: The King on the Rise
The large duel stadium was filled with cheering fans who were captivated by the match that was being played out in front of them. Jack Atlas was forging his way back up through the ranks to one day become the world king of turbo duels. Maxwell Wheeler was just one more opponent that he had to defeat to achieve his ultimate goal.
On Jack's side of the field were Mad Archfiend (LV4 ATK1800/DEF0), Synchro Soldier (LV1 ATK0/DEF0) and one facedown card, while Maxwell had Aqua Madoor (LV4 ATK1200/DEF2000) and a one facedown.
After analyzing the field, Jack was beginning to see his path to another victory. "You're a fool if you thought you could ever beat me. I'll show you and the entire crowd that this duel is set. It's my turn!"
(Jack SPC 8 LP1100 Max SPC 5 LP800)
Jack smirked as he saw what he had drawn. "I summon the tuner monster Dark Resonator. Now, I tune the level 4 Mad Archfiend, level 1 Synchro Soldier and level 3 Dark Resonator to synchro summon my ultimate monster!" Jack felt an all to familiar rush while he chanted his ace monster onto the field. "The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Take witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Dragon Archfiend (LV8 ATK 3000/DEF2000)!"
The dragon's power rippled through the stadium. The crowd roared as Red Dragon Archfiend flew across the sky. Maxwell looked up and gasped at the might of the dragon. "That thing is even bigger in person." He was beginning to worry. There was only one chance for him to combat Red Dragon Archfiend's power and turn the duel in his favor.
"Now, Red Dragon Archfiend attack his Aqua Madoor. Go Scorching Crimson Flare!" Jack commanded as his dragon prepared to attack.
"Hold it right there!" Maxwell yelled back, looking smug. Here was his chance. "I activate my trap, Negate Attack. This is going to put a stop to your dragon's assault."
"I don't think so." Jack immediately countered without hesitation. "You've just activated my trap. Go Trap Stun! Now Red Dragon Archfiend can continue his attack and wipe out the rest of your life points." Jack explained as red Dragon Archfiend shot his flames at Maxwell and his monster.
(Jack LP1100 Max LP0)
Maxwell screamed as he was covered in flames and his duel runner skidded to a halt. The crowd cheered as Jack sped by his defeated opponent and took his victory lap. "That's right! I'll always be the true master of faster. No one can beat the king, Jack Atlas!" Jack chanted to the crowd as he pulled into his pit. Another duel for the history books.
"Well done, Jack." Said a happy voice as Jack dismounted from the Wheel of Fortune.
"Thanks, Marco. Although, I do wish that duel would have been more of a challenge." Jack admitted with a quick glance at the losing duelist who was just now pulling into his own pit.
"Well not every duelists you face is going to be at your level."
Jack could not agree more with his assistant's statement. Jack had become much stronger in the three years since Team 5ds went their separate ways and since he started his own journey to become world turbo dueling king. It was not very often he faced opponents that actually gave him a challenge.
"Come on." Marco said. "I have a few things to go over with you on the way to the showers."
Jack nodded and proceed to walk along side Marco, while the Wheel of Fortune was rolled back into the garage by stadium workers.
"I cancelled the interview planned for next week and had it moved to the following week. I assumed you didn't want to deal with any reporters when you had three duels to prepare for." Marco began to relay the important information to Jack. "Four more sponsorship opportunities have opened up for you, if you want to look them over later."
Jack glanced at Marco for a quick second. To think five years ago, Marco was working every odd job he could find to support his family through debt. That was until Jack Atlas came along and took down the man who was taking advantage of Marco's family. Jack promised the boy that the two of them would turbo duel someday, since that was Marco's dream. Unfortunately, he was having a difficult time getting his foot in the turbo dueling door. So Jack, being a man of his word, brought Marco on as his assistant to introduce him to the world of turbo dueling.
"Also, you've been asked to make a guest appearance at an all female turbo dueling tournament."
This got Jack's attention. "An all female turbo dueling tournament?"
"Yea. First I've heard of." Marco stated. "I would have figured it'd happen a whole lot sooner."
Jack smirked. "I agree. At first, I was a bit hesitant about letting women duel along side us because of how other men would treat them. It's about time we get to see great duelists of any background find a way to present their skills."
"You're one to talk, Satellite. So, I'll take it you'll be attending?"
Jack thought for a second. "Why not? I'd like to see what these girls bring to the table. Do you think you can get me the details on the tournament?"
"I sure can."
The following day, Marco sent Jack the information about the female turbo duel tournament upon his request. Jack did not tell Marco the real reason why he wanted to know the details about the tournament. It was mainly for someone else.
Jack sat down at his desk with his laptop opened in front of him and began typing out a message.
Hey Akiza. I hope school is going well. I wanted to see if you'd be interested in participating in an all female turbo dueling tournament coming up next month. When I was asked to make a guest appearance, I immediately thought of you. I figure that dueling hasn't been your main priority since starting medical school, but I thought you might really enjoy dueling again. I can send you more details if you would like. Hope to hear from you soon.
Jack reread the message and sent it off. After closing his laptop, Jack threw himself on his bed and quickly fell asleep. The next morning, Jack awoke and began to start his day as normal. After finishing up in the bathroom, Jack opened his laptop and saw a new message from Akiza.
Hi Jack! It's good to hear from you. Although I have seen a lot of you recently online and on television. We're all so proud. About the turbo dueling tournament you mentioned, I genuinely wish I could attend. I have missed turbo dueling, but my exams for school are coming up and I really need to prepare. Best of luck.
Jack sighed then sent Akiza another message saying that he understood her decision and wished her luck on her exams.
Later that evening after doing some maintenance on the Wheel of Fortune, Jack returned to his room and saw another new message on his laptop. It was from Akiza. At first he did not think much of it, until he started reading the message.
Hey Jack. I ended up looking into that turbo duel tournament you told me about and saw that Carly Carmine was registered. Is that the same Carly you were friends with back in Domino? The reporter girl?
Jack was dumbfounded. He had not had spoken to Carly Carmine in almost a year. The last time he had heard from her was when she was looking into relocating and getting a new job. Where was all this coming from? Was Akiza trying to pull one over on him? Carly knew how to turbo duel?
Carly did turbo duel once...against Jack...when she was a Dark Signer. Carly did not remember her time as a Dark Signer and rarely dueled. When did she start turbo dueling?
Jack went to look up the tournament information for himself, immediately searching for the current participates. Lo and behold, a C. Carmine had registered. Jack clicked on the name and was stunned to see Carly's picture, without her glasses.
"I can't believe this." He muttered to himself. Jack immediately picked up his phone and went to Carly's number. He was about call the number, but suddenly stopped.
Something in his gut told Jack to wait until the tournament and approach her there. He wanted to see for himself what kind of a turbo duelist Carly was turning out to be and why she chose this path. Jack typed out a new message for her.
Hello Carly. I know it has been awhile since the last time we talked, but I wanted to know if you were free anytime soon. I would really like to catch up with you and see how your life has been going. Hope to see you again.
AN: All thanks to Charm99 with helping me write the duels for this story.