Alex still couldn't believe he was going to participate in the Fortune Cup. If he won, it could help set him on the path to becoming a pro duelist like his dad. When he told Leo and Luna about it, they congratulated him and wished him the best of luck for the tournament. He was currently talking with Leo over a video chat.
Leo: Hey Alex, Dexter said that he thinks the Black Rose is going to appear at the street duels, wanna join us?
Alex: Sure, I'll be right up and we can leave together.
He hung up and headed downstaris.
Alex: Hey mom, I'm going to hang out with Leo and Luna.
Alexis: Okay, just don't stay out too late.
Alex: Okay mom.
He met up with Leo and went to the street duels. On the way, they met up with Dexter, who said he'd remade his deck to beat the Black Rose. When they got there, Alex spotted Yusei with some other people and called out to him.
Alex: Hey Yusei!
Yusei: Alex?
Tanner: You know this kid Yusei?
Yusei: Yeah, he and I dueled the other day and he won.
Tanner: No way, this kid beat you in a duel?
Yusei: Alex, this is Tanner, Yanagi, and Blister.
Alex: It's nice to meet you all.
Tanner: So how did this grade school squirt beat ya?
Alex: Hey! I'll have you know my father is Jaden Yuki!
Oops. He wished he hadn't said that.
Yanagi: What? You mean your father is the same man who defeated the Sacred Beasts and the Light of Destruction?
Alex: Uh, yeah. I usually don't bring it up, but I just blurted it out to defend myself.
Tanner: Ok, now I see how this kid beat you.
Yusei: He did more than beat me, I couldn't even damage him.
Blister: What? He beat you without taking any damage?
Yusei: Yep. I have no doubt this kid is gonna as big a pro as his dad was.
Alex: Thanks Yusei. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, I got an invitation to the Fortune Cup.
Yusei: You got an invite too?
Alex: Wait, you were also invited?
Yusei: Yeah, but if I don't enter my friends are gonna be in trouble.
AleX: I'm sorry to hear that.
He then sensed a powerful spirit coming from Yusei's deck.
Alex: Yusei, did you get Stardust Dragon back?
Yusei: Huh? How did you know?
Alex: I can sense him in your deck.
Tanner: Wait, what do you mean you can sense it? And how do you know about Stardust Dragon?
Alex: I can see and talk to duel spirits.
Blister: Well, you're just full of surprises aren't you kid?
Alex: More than you know.
Suddenly, Yusei fell to one knee and clutched his arm.
Alex: What's wrong Yusei?
Yusei: It's my arm, it's hurting just like when the Crimson Dragon first appeared.
Just then, black vines rose up from the ground and lashed out at the surrounding buildings. Alex pulled out his duel disk and grabbed a card.
Alex: Yubel!
His eyes glowed golden as Yubel appeared as a real being and used her vines to protect them.
Dexter: No way, did Alex just bring that card to life?
Alex knew he'd have questions to answer later. For now, he followed the black vines back to their source, which turned out to be an enormous dragon. Yusei pulled up his sleeve to reveal a glowing mark.
Tanner: That's no tattoo.
Yanagi: You're right Tanner, that's the mark of the Crimson Dragon.
Then, a cloaked figure appeared in front of the dragon, and Alex and Yusei ran in the figure's direction.
Alex: Hey, are you the Black Rose?
Black Rose: So what if I am?
She then looked at Yusei and saw his Signer Mark.
Black Rose: You have a mark as well.
Yusei: As well? She must be a signer.
Yusei began to walk towards her, but she pulled out a card and used it, disappearing in a flash of light.
Alex: She's gone.
He turned back to his friends and could tell they had questions.
Dexter: How did you make that monster come to life? Are you like the Black Rose?
Alex: Well, I guess I do owe you all an explanation, but you can't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you.
They all agreed to keep it to themselves.
Alex: The truth is, I inherited the power of the Gentle Darkness from my father. I can use it to make duel monsters become real. I used to not be able to control it very well, and actually wound up hurting people, but my dad trained me to use it properly.
Tanner: I see, but why is it so important to keep it a secret?
Alex: Because there may be people who would want to use the power for themselves. My dad said I could be in danger if anyone found out I had inherited it from him.
Blister: I see, well you have our word to keep it a secret.
Alex: Thank you.
He was thankful that they were all accepting of him and not fearful like he had been worried they would be. The week passed and the day of the Fortune Cup arrived. Alex's parents drove him there, wanting to watch him duel.
Alexis: I know you can do it.
Alex: Thanks mom.
Jaden: Go get 'em son.
Alex: I will dad.
Jaden and Alexis left him to head for the stands while Alex headed to the waiting room where he joined up with Yusei.
Alex: Hey Yusei.
Yusei: Hey Alex, you ready for this?
Alex: You bet I am.
Hey everyone. So first chapter without a duel. Gotta be honest, felt a little weird not writing a duel. Well, the Fortune Cup starts in the next chapter, so look forward to seeing Alex duel some more. By the way, I realize I hadn't brought this up in the chapter, but Luna didn't receive an invitation to the Fortune Cup, but she's still a Signer in the series. I'm going to be skipping a few duels, but you'll still see some good ones. Also, the name of Alex's Supreme King persona has been decided, but I'm keeping it to myself until he's revealed in the story. Hope you all enjoy, and I'll see you all in the next chapter.