Chapter 12: Fortune Cup (Part 2)

"Now I tune my level 4 Dharc and my level 3 Odd-Eyes Shade Dragon with my level 3 Divine Sage!" Dharc was soon free from the chains binding her, both her and Odd-eyes disappearing with the Divine Sage in a intense light. Storm clouds begun to gather before the light turned into a red orb and flew into the ominous clouds, the monster Rua summoned made itself known, the crowd gasping as lightning tore through the sky.

"W-When did Rua get that!?" Ruka and Luna were stunned as Jack and Yusei were when Carly asked that, Leo staring in awe as the monster in question glared at Professor Frank... And roared with it's lower mouth...

"The whole stadium was shocked as Yusei and Jack as a monstrous red dragon snaked from the clouds, its eyes glaring at Professor Frank with a growl from its dual length of the monster was astounding, coiling in and out of the storming clouds. "R-Rua...?" Leo asked with worry as the dragon roared at Frank.

"H-How did you summon Slifer!?" The Professor shouted.

Slifer the Sky Dragon

Divine

Level 10

Divine Beast/Synchro/Effect

X000/X000

(With Rex...)

Lazar was struck with shock and fear at the sight of such a monster, "I-Impossible! That boy...!" Rex chuckled as he looked down to notice the container glowing. "My my... The Crimson Dragon is even reacting to this. And he has a brother... This is quite perfect." He said as Zigzix laughed before speaking.

"Sire! This power is amazing! And I believe that isn't even a fraction of his power. I'm also getting readings of Crimson energy from him!" This perplexed Rex. 'That boy has some power of the Crimson Dragon as well? But... That's impossible...'

(At the arena...)

Rua stood across from Frank, irises glowing red with Slifer growling behind him, "That should be the least of your concerns! Slifer's attack and defense is determined by the number of cards I hold in my hand! And I have three!" [Slifer: 3000/3000] "Now, I attack Ido! Go Slifer!"

Frank panicked as Slifer opened his bottom mouth, electricity building into a ball before the dragon fired a blast at Ido, destroying him and catching the Professor, sending him into the wall hard! Jack and Yusei gasped, "Rua... This isn't like him." Yusei said, Leo looking at his brother in worry as a small heart shape appeared on his arm as well, the same appearing on Rua's with the red wing. [Frank: 2200- 1400]

Rua scoffed, "Your turn. Doubt it will do anything." Luna blinked, slowly stepping forward towards Rua as a mark appeared on her shoulder: a image of the moon as Ruka tried to call out to her while Frank struggled to his feet. (Hand 3)

"Stop it... Calm down...' She said quietly, Rua looking at her. "Who is that?" Carly said, noticing how much Luna looked like Leo and Rua. "Huh? Hey, get back!" Jack shouted as he picked her up and moved back as Slifer roared at them, but gazed into her eyes with Rua. Her eyes start to glow, Rua blinking as he held his head.

"Ngh..." The glow in her eyes faded before she passed out in Jack's arms, Rua coming to his senses and looking around, "Uhh... What's going on?"Leo felt the pain fade away, soon looking up at Rua, "Bro!" He said, perplexing Rua before he looked behind him and jumped as he looked at Slifer, "W-woah! Who summoned this!?" He shouted before Professor Frank growled, "You brat... I'll beat you, even with Slifer!" He shouted as he drew.

"Wait, I summoned Slifer?" Rua asked, confused before he looked up at at the God monster, whom seemed much more docile now. Though his focus returned to the duel as Frank, started his turn. "I play another Monster Reborn to bring back Ido!" The ghost returned to the field, creeping Rua out. "Next, I play Card Slash! Now you must discard a card from your hand!" Rua groaned as he discarded a card, soon realizing something. [Slifer: 3000/3000-2000/2000]

"Now, Ido! Destroy Slifer the Sky Dragon!" The ghost dragon flew towards Rua, but Rua smiled, "Not so fast! You forgot Slifer's effect! When a monster is summoned on your field, Slifer can reduce its attack by 2000!" Frank paled at that comment, "Oh no!" Slifer opened its second mouth and blasted Ido with a blue ball of lightning. [Ido: 2200-200] "Slifer! End this!" The Red dragon opened its first mouth before blasting Ido once more, destroying it and beating the Professor! [P. Frank:1400-0]

The announcer was stunned before he snapped out of it, "A-Amazing! Rua has defeated Professor Frank with such a powerful monster! He moves on to join Yusei in the next round!" The crowd cheered, shocking the young confused boy before he was tackled by Leo, "Rua! What happened to you?" He asked, Rua holding his head, "I don't know..." Jack stayed back as Yusei and the others gathered by Rua, Ruka walking up to Jack.

"Umm, mister Atlas? Is my sister OK?" She asked, Jack remembering that he was holding Luna, who passed out. Good thing was that she started to stir awake, holding her head as Ruka hugged her. "You OK Luna? You started walking toward that boy." She said, Luna looked at Rua and Leo, "...Let's go back Ruka..." She said, Ruka about to question why before deciding against it, following behind her.

Tenzen was amazed as he clapped, "Amazing! You summoned Slifer the Sky Dragon, one of the Egyptian Gods!" Rua was still confused, recalling the old man in that same desert. "Do you have the other two?" At this Rua checked his deck, only finding the Divine Sage.

"I don't think so... I don't even recall how I got these cards." Rua said with a bit of concern. Leo pat his brother on the back, "Who cares? You have the best chance of winning this tournament!" Rua looked at the card before Yusei got everyone's attention, "Before we continue this conversation, let's clear off the stage." Nodding, everyone made their way back, Jack already gone to talk with Goodwin.

(With Goodwin...)

The Director observed as the next match kicked off, Greiger vs Hunter Pace, Jack soon stepping in as Zigzix spoke, "Sire, that power was quite strong. We can harness that and the Crimson Dragon's energy once we tap into it's full power." He reported, Rex nodding.

"Then I'll shift gears for that purpose. The next duelist I have in mind for the other boy has already been instructed." He said, Jack gritting his teeth and stomping past a startled Mina. "Goodwin... Exactly what are you planning to do to Leo?" He glared at the Director, whom simply chuckled.

"Relax Jack. I have no ill intention with the boy. I intend to see if he has the same... Talents as his brother." Jack raised a eyebrow.

"Does it have to do with your Crimson Dragon?" He asked. Rex shrugged.

"That is uncertain. And that's what I would like to find out." Goodwin said, pondering something as Greiger turned things around in his duel.

Jack remained silent before sitting down, his mind drifting back to when he was in the Satellite...

(Flashback, 2 years ago...)

Rua ran as fast as his feet could carry him, Leo holding his hand as they fled from a bunch of thugs. "G-give it up! You aren't getting our cards!" Leo shouted back at the trio chasing them, his feet splashing in a puddle with his brother's until Rua tripped.

Leo tried to pull his brother up when the chubbiest thug grabbed him and put him into a headlock. The tallest grinned while Rua was pinned to the ground, struggling as he pulled their prized dragons out of their decks. "Heh, you brats don't deserve these cards. I think I'll make be-" He was cut off as a card hit his hand, knocking the other cards to the ground which Rua grabbed and held close.

"Who the hell...!?" The thug said before a fist sailed and sent him flying, the other two thugs letting the boys go to engage the stranger. It was a short fight, the three beaten thugs whimpering and running as Jack cracked his knuckles. "And don't you come back into my territory again!" He shouted as he walked over to pick up his Red Dragon Archfiend.

"Jack!" The two boys shouted happily and rushed to hug him, only he started walking away. The two tried to follow him, but he seemingly vanished, Rua whimpering as Leo held his hand to calm him down. "Come on, bro. Let's find Jack!" He said with a smile, Rua wiping his eyes as they started looking for their older brother.

It was a while before their search brought them to a torn down theater, the two gazing in awe before they noticed a rather fancy chair sitting on the center of the stage, as if it were a throne of some sort. "Wow, so cool!" They laughed as they ran over to climb the stairs to the throne, soon coming to a stop once a harsh voice called out to them.

"And what are you two doing all the way out here?" A familiar voice called to them from the rafters, the twins oldest brother leaping down before them. They looked like kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar, looking down.

"T-Thank you, Jack..." Rua said humbly, Leo nodding before Jack scoffed, "I didn't do that for you two. They trespassed into my territory." The boys looked down more, unable to look Jack in the eye before they suddenly find themselves scooped up into his arms and mercilessly tickled. 'And for messing with my little brothers!' He laughed as the boys turned into giggling messes, hugging Jack once it was over as he sat on his throne.

"We missed you Jack!" Leo giggled as he hugged his older brother even tighter with his twin. The trio sharing stories of what was going on while Leo and Rua showed off their decks to Jack. Jack was fairly impressed, "Yusei helped you, huh?" He asked, pulling some cards for the twins as they nod, "And Crow!" Rua agreed before they both gasped at the new cards. "Well, what brother would I be if I didn't help you as well?" He said, the trio talking about the future, of being champs and helping the Satellite get a new life.

...

Jack sat alone one night, the moonlight illuminating the theater as he looked at his arm, curious what the mysterious red mark on his right arm was before a chuckle caught his attention. "Who's there?" Jack demanded before Lazar soon made himself known, bowing. "Good evening, Mr. Atlas. I am Vice Director Lazar. Mr. Goodwin has sent me to offer you quite the opportunity."

Jack was skeptical of this, "And what is this 'opportunity' he offers?" He asked, Lazar grinning wider at him, "Why, Director Goodwin offers you the chance to be the King you deserve to be. To rise from these slums and ascend to greatness." Jack stared at Lazar for a moment.

"Pass. I'm not leaving here. Not without Leo and Rua..." He said firmly, Lazar chuckling.

"Oh dear... To decline such a offer from Mr. Goodwin? Looks like we'll have to do this the hard way." Jack scowled at him, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Lazar held up a photo, "I'll make this simple: There is a tunnel connecting Neo Domino. Come there tomorrow with the cards Red Dragon Archfiend and Stardust Dragon. If you don't..." He tossed the photo to Jack, "Those boys you are fond of will get a lovely visit from Sector Security, and I heard the Retention Center isn't a fun place to be for young boys like them." Jack growled as he looked up from the photo, finding Lazar gone with his laughter echoing in the theater.

...

Rua and Leo sprinted happily to Jack, hearing he had quite a plan to kick start their dueling careers. As they spotted their brother on the pier, they bounced eagerly before him. "Hey Jack!" Rua called out, "Whatcha call us out here for?" Jack held a soft smile, one that Rua could tell something was off...

"I have a way for us to get into Neo Domino without getting in trouble with Security." He said to them, Leo grinning at Jack before he started leading the boy further down the pier, frowning the whole time...

...

Yusei got word from Riley that Jack was looking for him, that the twins were missing! He sped down the pier in the prototype duel runner that everyone was working on, spotting Jack staring out into the sea. "Jack!" Yusei called out as he ran out to meet his friend. "Have you found them!?" He demanded.

Jack pointed out to the sea, Yusei soon spotting a raft drifting along the water. Both Leo and Rua were tied and knocked out cold, both rolling around. "How did they get out there!?" he asked Jack, whom looked at him in return of a hardened glare, "I sent them out there." He said flatly, Yusei quickly grabbing his shirt with a growl, 'Why would you do that!?"

Jack pushed him back, "There is a opportunity for us Yusei. The Director is expecting someone with both my Red Dragon and your Stardust. Either I can go, or you. But will you take it, or leave the boys out there to drown?" Yusei could be seen holding the urge to punch his childhood friend and brother, but shook it off as he dove into the water after the twins.

Jack watched him for a moment before he walked to the deck holder Yusei tossed aside, pulling out Stardust Dragon and preparing to leave before he stopped. He glanced at the boy's decks, walking over to pull Life Stream and Clear Wing out. Yusei soon reached the boys as they started waking up, soon becoming scared as they fell into the water, their brother diving to grabbing them both, undoing the rope and rising back to the surface.

The boys both start crying and clinging to Yusei before they watched Jack rev up the prototype runner and speeding off, Yusei calling out, "JAAACK!'

...

Jack opened his eyes, sighing as he recalled that day, feeling shame from doing that to his twin siblings and Yusei. Mina noticed the action, giving him a worrying look as Greiger summoned his SKY FIRE, burning away Hunter Pace's life points to 0.

"And with that exciting finish to a wonderful butt between two skilled burn decks, Greiger moves onto the next round! Be ready folks, because we'll move onto the next match after a brief intermission!" The MC shouted to the excited crowd.

(Back room...)

A short red head woman scoffed as she sat, watching the screen and Greiger's match, A man stood behind her, his thoughts still on the match before. "Sayer, why are we even here?" The man, Sayer, chuckled.

"Akiza, remember that we are here to scout potential recruits. And so far that boy seems like a perfect candidate." He chuckled. They were interrupted as the MC announced the next match, "And now folks, our next match! Its Akiza vs Ruka!" Akiza slowly stood walking out past Sayer. "So Goodwin... I'm curious what you are planning..."