004 :: rivalry.
Featuring: Jack
Rating: K+
Genre(s): General, Friendship
Spoilers: none
"Rivalry adds so much to the charms of one's conquests."
― Louisa May Alcott
After purchasing his last cup of Blue Eyes Mountain coffee in Japan, Jack was enjoying luxury as his personal private jet was preparing for flight. It was a beautiful day for takeoff. There was not a cloud to be seen for kilometres around; just the pale blue sky and lots of wind blowing in the right direction. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, signalling a new day. A new beginning.
His D-Wheel, the peerless Wheel of Fortune, had already shipped off to America where it planned to awe and conquer in a brand new adventure. A journey where its master could feel alive again, like he used to.
Jack clearly remembered that fateful day, the day that ultimately changed his perspective.
He lost his first duel in front of millions. Jack Atlas never lost a duel, let alone to someone who just came out from the slums. The reality slammed onto his pride, creating a huge dent that could take a lifetime to fix. It was incredibly difficult to accept it. Granted Yūsei was his friend and foster brother, but he couldn't help but feel vengeful for casually moving in and stripping him of the title that belonged to him alone. Right in front of everyone who had trusted and believed in him. Everyone. When you had everything laid out in front of you just to have someone step on it, what would you do? How would you cope?
Perhaps it was karma for betraying his friends. He fully understood the consequences, but he decided to take the chance anyway. And of course, it came back to bite him. Where it hurt the most.
If Carly hadn't instilled faith back into his broken self, he would have been unsure of his future. Regardless, he rose and got back in the game. It was like nothing had really happened.
But it wasn't the same as long as Yūsei stood in his path.
There was no doubt he respected Yūsei and acknowledged him as his one true rival. Even after fate tore them apart, they were still best buddies, although their feelings were occasionally expressed. They shared similar traits and both were blessed with exceptional dueling skill. They read each other well, but to Jack, Yūsei possessed an enigmatic quality he simply could not understand. How he was able to keep his head level-headed on the brink of defeat? How did he manage to maintain his luck in every duel? To always draw the card he needed? Could the cards actually "answer" him every time? He hated to admit it was out of Jack Atlas' comprehension.
But it didn't matter. He no longer cared for Yūsei's plans with his life. That guy could stay in Neo Domino forever if he wanted to. Jack Atlas had his life to live and his world to bow at his feet. People would admire him for as long as he was at the top. This time, no one would be there to throw him off. It would only be the invincible Jack Atlas.
Yet Jack knew his rivalry would always linger in the back of his mind. It wasn't something he could easily erase, but he fully embraced it. It only motivated him to the maximum and he felt ambition surge through his veins like never before. He furrowed his eyebrows and clenched his fists.
Someday I shall rightfully reclaim my throne as King, Yūsei.
