Warning: Contains mild yaoi. =)

.

.

Part 8: Good and Bad Fortune

Rex Godwin, Chief of the Public Security Maintenance Bureau, had something that Divine wanted. A few years prior he had acquired a youth answering to the name of Jack Atlas and who ever since had been at the center of everyone's attention. A brilliant duelist and a skilled D-Wheeler he had outmatched every opponent with ease.

But that alone was not what held the masses enthralled. No, Jack Atlas' charisma was of a different nature. Pretty much useless on a single person but on a stadium filled to the brim with spectators it made them love him fiercely, adore him, become his devoted fans. A form of preternatural manipulation.

The people of Neo Domino City loved Jack Atlas, their self proclaimed king, and since he sided with Godwin his grip on the city was secure. It was a power Divine wouldn't mind commanding himself.

*

Yusei had never met anyone who carried himself with as much confidence as Jack did. It seemed oddly out of place in a seventeen year old, a mere year older than himself, but if his powers were really what Divine had described then he had probably known nothing but devotion from others throughout his life which in turn would explain the self-assuredness in all his words and actions.

Jack was rarely alone, Godwin or one of his security officers were with him constantly, supposedly to ensure the safety of their 'king'. The only time he was on his own was during duels, even in between matches it was Godwin or his secretary who kept him company.

There really was no one else Divine could have sent; no one else was as passionate about dueling, not to mention the fact that he had built his very own D-Wheel.

When a tournament called the Fortune Cup came around, Divine decided to have both Yusei and Aki enter. Yusei's prime task would be to evaluate Jack; Aki on the other hand was to become the symbol of the Arcadia Movement when they finally made their big entrance into the world. For her to be at the center of attention wasn't an easy thing to do and she clung to the Black Rose Witch mask more than ever.

*

Aki was surprised how much Yusei seemed to enjoy the tournament. He seemed to love the challenge and had an unexpected affection for that D-Wheel of his. She wondered whether his powers gave him an advantage during duels. Surely knowing what your opponent felt could be useful?

To her the whole thing was a cruel reminder of why the Arcadia Movement was so important and why she needed to do this for Divine. The people had no love for her and made it abundantly clear that she was nothing short of evil to them.

She kept telling herself that it did not matter.

Divine loved her.

He cared for her.

When the masses became one voice of hatred she hoped that once Divine took the Arcadia Movement to the next level they would all receive their just reward. She wanted to see them punished for all the pain they put her through.

With these thoughts it was almost easy to sick her roses on her opponents. They deserved every bit of it.

*

"So. You are this Fudo Yusei."

Yusei turned around at the booming voice that was so free of modesty it could belong only to one.

"You don't look like much.", Jack Atlas concluded after looking him over for a moment, "And I never saw you in a tournament before."

Yusei put his helmet down on his D-Wheel. "This is my first time."

An arrogantly raised eyebrow. "Is that so? I shall be gentle then.", he said ambiguously and Yusei was glad for his composure that prevented a blush.

"Do you know how?", he asked instead, "You don't seem like the subtle type."

Jack grinned, stepping up to Yusei as if the concept of personal space didn't apply to him. "I'm not.", and with that he grabbed the hair at the back of Yusei's head and pressed a hard kiss to his mouth.

The moment it took for Yusei to react was longer than the kiss lasted. Jack let go of him abruptly, pleased beyond reason at the confused expression on Yusei's face, before he turned and left, his white coat trailing after him.

And he was a little bewildered, truth to be told. He hadn't expected those lips to be so soft.

*

Jack was a formidable opponent, Yusei had to give it to him, he knew how to duel. The audience chanted his name like a spell, not even the motors of their D-Wheels could entirely drown out their voices.

Yusei thought it didn't take an empath to see how Jack practically fed on their attention. He played a strong, relentless game, concentrating on damage either through piercing damage or effects, an interesting counterpart to his own defensive, speed-orientated deck.

He was honestly angry at his loss when his D-Wheel came to a screaching halt and Jack thundered past him, proclaiming proudly that "There is only one King, and that is me!". He didn't expect Jack to stop next to him after just one round of basking in his followers' praise.

For a moment he looked down at him, then he said, "You can't win a duel with just monsters. Nor will only magic or trap cards do.", raising his hand to point at his heart he added, "A true duelist has all it takes though, right here.", and smirked before returning to the light show that took place in his honor. The stadium was going crazy over his victory.

Yusei wondered what exactly Jack had meant, and also whether he'd remember the slight moment of fear before he drew the card that turned the duel in his favor.