Sakura, Ino, Sasuke, and Naruto were gathered in her bedroom. Sasuke and Naruto were in the corner dueling each other.
"And we're holed up in here because?" Ino asked.
"Sakura's mad at her father," Sasuke said, placing down a card silently. Naruto glared at it and cursed under his breath, placing cards in his graveyard.
"What else is new?" Sakura said with a sigh.
"What's it for this time," Naruto said, flipping over a card. Sasuke smirked and flipped one over himself. "I really fucking hate you, you bastard."
"I win," Sasuke said.
"Okay, that's Sasuke 8, Naruto 1," Ino said, making a tally in her notebook.
"It's nothing to worry about," Sakura told them. "You know, I've never seen two people duel so silently." Sakura watched them gather their cards.
"They've been dueling for years," Ino said, dismissing her. "They know each other's decks in and out. The only time you'll ever hear them talking is when they get a new deck. Then one of them is cursing the other out. After that they steal the deck and memorize it."
"That seems like it would get boring," Sakura said.
"It just proves how good friends they are," Ino said.
"Sakura-chan, do you have a deck?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah," Sakura nodded. She reached for her backpack and pulled it onto her lap. She got out a deck of cards.
"Wanna duel?" Sasuke asked.
"I was gonna ask her that!" Naruto shouted.
"Um, I don't actually duel," Sakura said, catching their attention.
"But you have a deck," Sasuke said, looking at the deck.
"Yeah, for emergencies," Sakura said. "Sometimes you gotta duel to survive in the Satellite. I needed one to stay safe. That doesn't mean I'm actually a duelist."
There was a knock on the door. "You have mail, miss." A maid said.
"You've got mail?" Naruto asked in shock.
"Does anyone even know you're here?" Ino asked.
"Not anyone I would know," Sakura said.
"Unless it's Jack," Inner said. Sakura flinched and got up, opening the door. The maid handed her an envelope before bowing and leaving.
"Who's it from?" Naruto asked excitedly.
"It doesn't say." Sakura sat down on her bed and carefully opened it. She pulled out a decorative ticket. "Someone sent me tickets."
"Is there a note?" Sasuke asked. Sakura put the tickets down and looked inside. She nodded and took out a letter, reading it.
"What are the tickets for?" Ino asked, picking them up.
"No way!" Naruto gasped. "You've got VIP tickets to the Fortune Cup!"
"Impressive," Sasuke said. "That tournament's been sold out for months. Itachi couldn't even get tickets fast enough."
"What's the Fortune Cup?" Ino asked.
"How could you not know?" Naruto asked in disbelief.
"Um, hello! I'm not a duelist!" Ino shouted.
"That doesn't give you an excuse," Naruto yelled back.
"The Fortune Cup is a tournament of 8 randomly selected duelists," Sasuke explained. "They battle tournament style and the winner gets a chance to duel Jack Atlas."
"So who sent them?" Ino asked. They looked at Sakura, who was staring at the letter in shock.
"Jack sent them," Sakura said quietly.
"Jack Atlas sent you tickets to the Fortune Cup?" Naruto asked in shock.
"Is there an extra one? I wanna go!" Ino said excitedly.
"You don't know anything about dueling," Sasuke pointed out.
"But Jack Atlas is hot! And who knows who else is competing! I could find someone I really like," Ino said. Naruto and Sasuke both rolled their eyes.
"That's not his handwriting," Inner said. Sakura nodded hesitantly. She reread the letter.
It's your only chance to see Yūsei. Hope you're not scared of heights.
-Jack Atlas
"What does he mean by that?" Inner asked.
"Can I see those tickets?" Sakura asked. Ino nodded and handed them back to her. Sakura looked them over. "These are tickets for Watchtower seating."
"That means you'll be sitting with Jack and Goodwin," Sasuke said.
"And let me guess, Watchtower, means it's really high up," Sakura said.
"You got it," Sasuke nodded. "You scared of heights."
"No, just falling," Sakura said with a sigh.
Yūsei looked back at the elevator and sighed. He lowered his visor and climbed onto his runner. He took a piece of paper out of his pocket and stared at the address. "I've got to get back to Sakura." He revved his runner and sped out of the Tops. He gasped as a runner slid in front of him. Trudge looked back at him and smirked.
"And here I was, thinking you didn't like me!" Trudge said, skidding to a stop. Yūsei growled and stopped as well. "I'm bringing you in, Yūsei." Yūsei stayed quiet and glared at Trudge.
"Are you gonna come quietly or not?" Trudge asked. Yūsei hardened his eyes and revved his runner. "I was hopping that would be your answer." Before either of them could speed off, brights lights turned on. They watched as a short man with purple hair exited the car.
"Officer Trudge, isn't this a surprise? Shouldn't you be busy guarding the Candle and Calender kiosk at the Outer Rim mall?"
"I didn't catch your name, short stack," Trudge growled.
"Special Deputy Lazar." He took out his badge, smirking. "I work for the Director General. And, sorry to burst your bubble, but I outrank you." Lazar laughed at Trudge as he got angry
"Well I've never heard of you," Trudge growled out.
"I'm here on official business," Lazar said. "I would advise you to leave the area at once."
"But this punk is a menace! He stole that runner from the Impound Center!" Trudge shouted.
"Officer!" Lazar said harshly, a large grin on his face. "This city doesn't have room for some lowly street cop who doesn't know their place or when to shut their mouths."
"So what official business are you on?" Yūsei asked.
"Delivery, for one Yūsei Fudō," Lazar said, walking up to it. He held out an envelope. Yūsei narrowed his eyes and took the envelope. He gasped as there were two pictures as well. One was of the four friends he had left in the Satellite. Rally. Blitz. Nervin. Tank. They looked like they were having fun, unaware that the photo was taken. The one below it was of Sakura. She was inside a house, standing next to Jack. Yūsei looked up at him and glared.
"We would like for you to participate in the Fortune cup. If you don't, those in the photographs will pay dearly for the rogue actions you took in stealing that runner," Lazar said. "And don't even think about warning her, as you can see, we're watching her closely. Have a good evening Mr. Fudō." Lazar laughed as he went back to his car.
"Wow," Ino muttered, looking at her laptop. "People will believe anything."
"What's up?" Sakura asked.
"The Black Rose," Ino said.
"I thought you didn't like dueling," Naruto said.
"I don't, but all the girls at school are talking about her," Ino said.
"Who's the Black Rose?" Sasuke asked. "She a duelist?"
"A psychic duelist," Ino said. Sakura looked up from her book.
"A...psychic?" She asked. She glanced at Inner, who was over by Sasuke and Naruto, watching them duel again. Inner looked over at her and smirked.
"Yeah, apparently there are some rumors that she's gonna appear at some street duel today," Ino said, shaking her head. "Like I said, people will believe anything."
"I thought she was just some legend," Naruto said.
"She's a legend alright," Sasuke said.
"What makes her special?" Sakura asked.
"When she duels her monsters become real, and when she takes someone's life points, they actually feel pain," Sasuke said. "Anyone who duels her is at risk of losing their life."
"That sounds familiar," Inner said.
"Why the sudden interest?" Ino asked.
"N-No reason," Sakura said.
"So are you going?" Naruto asked.
"To what? The street duels?" Sakura asked.
"Well, that too I guess," Naruto said. "But I was talking about the Fortune Cup." Sakura looked over to her dresser, where the ticket rested.
"I don't know," Sakura said with a sigh.
"Well you better decide soon," Ino said. "Because you can't go on this date wearing just any old thing." The three looked at her in disbelief and shock.
"This is not a date," Sakura said firmly.
"I'm sorry, did you or did you not kiss him?" Ino asked. "Or was Naruto just lying?"
"N-No, but-" Ino held up her hand, cutting Sakura off.
"Then that means it's a date, you need to wear something nice, especially if you're going to be with Jack Atlas," Ino said.
"I don't think Jack would care about what you wore," Inner said.
"There's no stopping her," Sakura said with a sigh. "Any excuse to go shopping."
Yūsei hummed and placed the handle of his small soldering iron in his mouth. He messed with a few wires on his runner.
"So, what'd that purple haired shrimp want from you last night?" Blister asked. "What'd he say to make you agree to dueling in the Fortune Cup?" Blister. Blister was a great help. Thanks to a tip from Bolt Tanner, a friend Yūsei made at the Facility, Yūsei was able to find Blister. Blister had hacked into the city system and found his duel runner within the Impound Center. Blister did as much as he could to help Yūsei get it back, even crashing in to save the day when he was being pursued by Trudge. He was even letting him crash at his place until the Fortune Cup.
Yūsei looked up at him and took the soldering iron out of his mouth and put it down. "It's not what he said, but it's what he showed me." Yūsei picked up his jacket and fished out the envelope. He handed it to Blister. Blister opened it and looked at the first pictures.
"These your friends?" he asked.
"There's one more," Yūsei said. Blister moved the photo, looking at the one of a pink haired girl.
"Who's the chick with Jack Atlas?" Blister asked.
"That's Sakura," Yūsei said.
Noticing that he wasn't going to explain anything else Blister decided to move on. "So, let me guess, these photos don't mean anything good, do they?" Blister said.
"No, they don't," Yūsei confirmed. "If I don't duel in the Fortune Cup they're gonna pay the price."
"Sounds right," Blister said. "If it's not a bribe it's a threat. That sounds like Goodwin. So are these guys in the Satellite?"
"All but Sakura," Yūsei said.
"And where's she?" Blister asked.
"Somewhere in this city," Yūsei told him. "We were separated before I went to the Facility. I haven't seen her since."
"That's rough," Blister said.
"I already have her address, I looked in the phone book," Yūsei said with a huff. "But if I tell her about this, who knows what Goodwin will do." He groaned and rubbed his face.
"Let me help you out a little," Blister said. "I'll go check on your friends in the Satellite."
"You can get to the Satellite?" Yūsei asked in shock.
"I can get anywhere," Blister said with a smirk. He set the envelope down and walked towards the door.
"What about Sakura?" Yūsei said.
"I'll check on her while I'm making plans," Blister said. "Don't worry, you'll see your friends again." Yūsei looked away as Blister left.
"If Goodwin ever lets me see them again," He huffed. He walked over to the pictures and picked up the one of Sakura and Jack.
Sakura looked up at the building before her and narrowed her eyes.
"So this is where the famous Jack Atlas lives," Ino hummed. Sakura's eyebrow twitched and she looked back at the three people behind her.
"Did you guys really have to follow me?" She shouted at them.
"Takeno wants us to keep an eye on you," Sasuke said simply.
"Yeah, he doesn't want you to run away again," Naruto said with a smile.
"You can tell him not to worry, I'm not going anywhere," Sakura said with a sigh. "Not yet anyway," she muttered under her breath.
"And she's here because?" Inner trailed off, looking at Ino. Sakura looked at Ino pointedly.
"I wanna know what dress Jack likes best! I have to make you look good!" Ino said, holding up shopping bags. Sakura groaned, her shoulders slumping.
"Let's just get this over with," Inner said. "We have to find out what he's planning." Sakura nodded and entered the building. She walked up to the reception desk. The receptionist looked up at her entrance.
"Hey, I need to see Jack Atlas," Sakura said.
"Name?" She asked.
"Sakura Haruno." The receptionist nodded and typed on her keyboard.
"I'm sorry but you can't go up there," she said.
"Look, do we really need to do this again?" Sakura asked in irritation. "Just call Jack."
"This order comes from Mr. Atlas," the receptionist asked. Sakura paused and her and her friends exchanged a confused look.
"Can you, run that by me again?" Sakura asked.
"Mr. Atlas has told us not to let you up to his house under any circumstances," the receptionist said.
"Okay, what the hell is he planning?" Inner growled.
"Did Mr. Atlas tell you this himself?" Ino asked.
"No, Mr. Goodwin did," she answered.
"So call Mr. Atlas, just to double check," Ino said. "It's possible that these orders came from Mr. Goodwin instead."
"It doesn't matter who the orders came from," the receptionist said firmly.
"But what if Jack really wants to see her?" Ino asked.
"Do I need to call security?" the receptionist huffed.
"Ino, that's enough," Sakura said. Ino crossed her arms and pouted. "Can you at least tell him I stopped by?"
"I'll be sure to do that," she said.
"Thanks," Sakura said. She grabbed Ino's arm and dragged her out of the building.
"I can't believe it!" Ino shouted angrily, pacing in front of the building.
"What the hell did you do to that guy?" Sasuke asked.
"Nothing!" Sakura exclaimed. "I did nothing!"
"Unless it has anything to do with you touching his mark," Inner said. Sakura gasped, remembering those incidents.
"That must be it," Sakura said.
"What's it?" Naruto asked.
"Nothing, I was just talking to myself," Sakura said. "I guess I have no choice, I'll just have to wait until the Fortune Cup."
"This tournament is gonna be fun," Inner said with a grin full of mischief.