Author's Note: I came pretty close to not getting this chapter up today. Let's just say I haven't been having the greatest day. Or the greatest week, for that matter. Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed last time. I'm glad everyone's liking the story so far.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, and the character of Raven is the creation of sammycrusinix.
Chapter 3: Rival From the Past
Despite being an island full of crumbling buildings and recycling plants, Satellite was known for its famed landmarks. One such landmark that was considered a legend by the people of the island was a narrow bridge on the shore that extended a few feet out over the water, the Daedalus Bridge. After the Zero Reverse, the people of Satellite were for whatever reason shunned by the city, and by extension the rest of the world who either didn't know about Satellite's plight or simply didn't care. Satellite was practically cut off from the rest of the world. But according to the legend of the bridge, there was one man who was not content to simply accept this destiny and decided to change it.
In the beginning, this man would stand silently at the shore and stare across the water at the city. Then he took action and set to work building a bridge that would connect the island to the city. At first the man's efforts were ignored by the people of Satellite and considered futile. But over time, many others joined the man and helped in his task. It was not long though before the security force got wind of the bridge and immediately set about putting an end to its construction. Rather than be taken prisoner, the mysterious man took off over the unfinished bridge at full speed on a D-Wheel. At first it seemed to those watching the incident that the man would plummet to a watery grave, but the man had activated a set of wings that had been built into the motorcycle and took off to parts unknown. Thus both the Daedalus Bridge and the D-Wheel had become symbols of freedom to the people of Satellite.
It was at this unfinished bridge where Yusei and the others waited for the boat that the Skeleton Knight had told them would come and take them to the city. They had arrived at the bridge about ten minutes before midnight with only their D-Wheels and a few bags. It wasn't until five minutes after midnight when the group spied a fairly large boat resembling a trash barge approaching the shore. Slowly, the boat backed up and lowered a large ramp.
Standing at the top of the ramp was a scruffy bearded man in a yellow raincoat smoking a cigarette. "You the punks I'm supposed to pick up?"
"Yeah." Yusei confirmed. "Who sent you anyway?"
"Look kid, all I know is some guy is paying me big bucks to haul you pieces of trash to the city." The boatman told him as he threw away his cigarette. "So just shut up and get on board!"
Without any further discussion, Yusei and the others moved their D-Wheels onto the boat. Once they were all aboard, the boat was off towards the city at a slow pace. There was hardly any conversation during the slow boat ride. The twins had fallen asleep in a corner of the boat with an old blanket draped over them. Meanwhile Bruno was at work performing checks on all the D-Wheels. Kiryu on the other hand simply sat in silence against the wall of the boat with Sect, while Yusei and Aki were at the head of the boat looking out towards Neo Domino. This left Crow and Raven trying to get some sleep, but both were having very little luck in that department.
"You okay?" Crow asked.
"…I almost lost you today." She reminded him. "You could've been seriously hurt, or worse."
"Yeah, I know. Sorry for making you worry like that." Crow replied. "But hey, it wasn't like I really had a choice. That bonehead just showed up."
"Still, the way you tried to rush that duel…" Raven pointed out.
"You're right. That was stupid." Crow agreed. "I should've known he'd have something up his sleeve. If I'm gonna end up facing that guy again, I'll need to get stronger. Hey, maybe you could teach me that Primal Synchro thing you used to beat Jose."
"Well, I guess I could try. But it's not as easy as it looks." Raven warned. "How 'bout we talk about it more in the morning, okay?"
"Yeah, okay." Crow agreed. "We'll probably need our rest for tomorrow."
Jack entered the dining room of the Goodwin mansion being beckoned by the scent of his usual morning cup of coffee. He needed that cup after the night he had. Jack had another dream where he was the dancing monkey. Only it was a bit different than the one from the night before. This time he was in a cage at the zoo and people who's faces he couldn't make out were throwing peanuts at him. And at the back of the crowd Jack could see his dark counterpart laughing at him. Jack didn't know why he was having those strange dreams, but he dismissed them as dreams and nothing more.
As he took his first sip of coffee, Mikage walked in and sat down at her usual seat at the table. "Good morning, Mr. Atlas."
"So what little events do I have planed for today?" Jack asked.
"Actually I just heard from Director Goodwin." Mikage revealed. "Your schedule for today has been cleared. A special match has just been arranged for you."
"So who am I up against this time? Another hic tournament winner?" Jack asked.
"Well, it could be anyone actually." Mikage revealed. "This event is being called the Fortune Challenge. Basically anyone who has a deck can challenge you to a duel."
"Let me get this straight," an outraged Jack began as he slammed his cup onto its saucer and stood up, "you're saying that any idiot off the street can challenge me for my title? What sort of joke is Goodwin trying to pull?"
"Look, I'm as surprised by all this as you are." Mikage admitted as she stood up to face Jack. "But apparently the reason for this event is because it seems you've lost touch with the public. So what could it hurt to play along?"
"…Fine." Jack grudgingly agreed as he sat back down. "But the whole thing's a waste of time."
Upon docking at Neo Domino Harbor, the barge operator directed Yusei and the others to a nearby warehouse where they could lay low for a little while. The old warehouse was largely vacant, save for a few boxes and crates. But at the very least it provided temporary shelter while the group figured out its next move.
"Well, we're finally in Neo Domino. But now what?" Crow asked. "We hardly even know where to start looking for the Skeleton Knight."
"I think we should find Jack first." Yusei suggested.
"Yeah, like he'd be a big help." Crow sarcastically scoffed. "Besides Yusei, now isn't exactly the best time for settling old scores. In case you've forgotten, all our friends have been captured."
"Which is even more a reason why we need Jack's help." Yusei argued. "He is supposed to be a Signer like most of us are. And if settling an old score is the only way to get Jack to help us, then that's what I'll do."
"Yusei does have a point. Jack would probably be more helpful after beating some sense into him." Kiryu agreed.
"Yeah, well I still say we're a lot better off without him." Crow argued.
Before the debate could go any further, Leo ran into the warehouse with a poster of some kind in his hand after taking a short stroll outside. "Hey Yusei! Check this out."
Yusei took the poster from Leo and read it. "It's for something called the Fortune Cup Challenge. According to this poster, anyone who has at least a deck can challenge Jack to a duel. It also says the event is being held today at Neo Domino Stadium at noon."
"That's forty-five minutes from now." Aki realized.
"You're not thinking of going there, are you?" Crow asked.
"What do you think?" Yusei replied calmly as he headed over to his D-Wheel.
"Oh come on! Asking Jack for help is one thing, but doing it in broad daylight?" Crow protested. "In case you've forgotten, we're not exactly welcome citizens here in the city."
"This might be the best chance we have to confront Jack." Yusei pointed out before revving up the engine. "I'm going to the stadium. The rest of you can stay here if you want. I'll be back later."
"Wait Yusei. I'm going too." Aki told him.
"Me too." Bruno added. "Right now, you're the best hope of saving the city from Z-one. So I can't afford to let anything bad happen to you."
"Luna and I are coming too." Leo decided.
"I'm in too." Sect agreed. "It's better than just sitting on my butt here."
"I'll go too." Kiryu agreed.
As the others were starting up their D-Wheels, Raven looked at Crow with her hands on her hips. "Well honey?"
"…Oh fine! I guess Raven and I will come too." Crow relented. "I guess it would be nice to see Jack get his ass handed to him."
Many people had turned out to see the sudden Fortune Challenge event that almost seemed to have been thrown together at the last minute. Carly had managed to get a seat in the front row. After spending most of the night before coming up with ideas with the Fortune Fairies, Carly had finally come up with a plan to get an interview with Jack. After the event, Carly would quickly sneak into Jack's dressing room and ambush him. The smarter move probably would've been to sneak into the dressing room before or during the event. But Carly couldn't resist another chance to see Jack live and in action. Plus the whole event was too interesting to pass up. Jack was going to be up against an opponent that even he didn't know anything about, even if that opponent was just some random guy off the street.
A small stage had been set up in the middle of the stadium floor. Jack was sitting in a folding chair with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. Mikage sat in another chair next to him. After a few minutes, Rex came onto a stage and stepped up to a podium that had been set up.
"Welcome one and all, to a very exciting new event that has been arranged for your pleasure." Rex greeted into the microphone. "For today only, our champion will take on anyone who wishes to challenge him, not matter the challenger's age or level of skill. So anyone that wishes to challenge our king, please step forward now."
For the first few moments, it seemed like nobody was going to step up. Then almost as if on cue, a red D-Wheel suddenly burst in through the stadium floor and pulled up before the small stage. Even Jack was surprised by the arrival of this mysterious rider.
Yusei took off his helmet and glared at Jack. "Jack, I've come to challenge you right here and now!"
Many of the people in the audience were stunned. Especially when the holographic sphere that served as the stadium's jumbo screen showed a close-up of Yusei's face. The yellow criminal mark on his cheek was as clear as day to everyone. Much of the audience was quickly becoming outraged that someone who was a criminal, and most likely an escapee from Satellite had come into the stadium. But Rex quickly raised his hand and the crowd fell silent.
"People of Neo Domino! While it is clear that this young man has a colored past, that does not matter here in this stadium." Rex told them. "If he has truly come to challenge Jack, than he will not be turned away."
"Well, I never in a million years imagined that I'd see you here, Yusei." Jack grinned as he got up.
Almost on cue, Aki and the others arrived in the stadium and pulled up near Yusei. The riders removed their helmets to glare up at Jack.
"This certainly is turning into quite the reunion." Jack chuckled. "I see that buffoon Crow is here too. And even Kiryu. You even somehow managed to bring that Izayoi girl that you've pinned over for years."
"Nice to see you too, Jack." Crow greeted sarcastically.
"I don't recognize the rest of your little entourage, but it doesn't really matter." Jack went on. "So Yusei, I take it you've come all the way here to pay me back for our last duel."
"That's not my only reason. But we do have a score to settle." Yusei told him. "So why don't we do that right now?"
"Fine with me." Jack gladly agreed. "I have to admit, Yusei. You'd be a nice change from a lot of the other opponents I've faced these last few years. You should provide me with the most amusement I've had in a long time."
"Don't think I'll be so easy to beat." Yusei told him. "This duel won't go anything like our last one."
"You certainly haven't lost your confidence." Jack chuckled. "But I can tell you this, Yusei. This duel will be your funeral!"
Author's Note: Sorry that this chapter ended up being a little short. It's partly because I decided to cut a scene. I was originally planing to show another of Jack's nightmares. But I was having a hard time getting it started, and in the end I sort of felt like I'd just be repeating the nightmare from the first chapter.
Please review and let me know what you think.