Jack Atlas was always a prideful man.

That fact would come as no surprise to anyone who knows him - even to those who interact with him for a few minutes. Certainly, his mannerism, overly flashy attire and occasional habit to refer himself in third person would tip anyone off that former Duel King still held great value of oneself.

He always held himself to a certain standard that he did his very best to uphold; excluding his initial conflict with Yusei over two years ago that by all accounts made him act as a hypocrite. That incident made him grow as a person and as a duelist and from that day onwards he managed to hold himself to genuine honorable conduct.

Looking back at it, deep down, he knew his tenure as a King was odious even before Dragan came about and told him that their first match was fixed by Goodwin. Jack felt that he matured from those days of him being a clown that lied about his identity as he paraded around as a King. It is because of the growth he had undergone since the conclusion of the Fortune Cup that Jack never wanted to have things handed to him - especially something that he doesn't deserve.

That's the first reason he elected to venture off on his own and join Ride Ace. To finally test his strenght against the world and become the one true King with his own merit.

Of course, his emotional growth didn't expand to all aspect of his life and people that are in it. Testament to that are his constant skirmishes with Crow over his living expenses and refusal to pitch in as their roomate. While it might've been seen as selfish and puerile, Jack never gave it much thought. He did so because he knew they would eventually win the tournament. There is no way that a team that has him as a member would lose! Even his debt was paid back and then some when Team 5D's won WRGP and hefty monetary prize that came with it.

Despite their occasional disputes, Jack is well aware that he owns a lot to his friends. To Yusei, who opened his eyes to his own self-important attitude, showed him the strenght of bonds and accepted him back as his friend. To Crow who, while outrageously annoying with his constant nagging, still would've risked his neck out for him. To Aki that always was by their side and constantly tried to improve herself for Team 5D's sake. To twins: Rua and Ruka that still looked at him with great deal of admiration even when Jack himself felt unworthy of it.

Looking back on it, he had felt unworthy of many good things that happended to him. It's something he's been pondering ever since their final battle with Yliaster six months ago.

When faced with imminent death, people often say that your life flashes before your eyes. Everything that has happened to you; good and bad is relived in span of a second, leaving you to contemplate about everything you managed to accomplish in your life and regrets that came with it.

Jack knew that wasn't the case - at least not entirely. A person does not remember their entire life when faced with death. They remember only the most important things that made that life worth living.

He should know that much as he has been close to death many times in his young life: a lot more than a twenty one year old is allowed to be exposed in this day and age. Whether it be his battle with Dark Signers, robot built by Yliaster in image of his arrogant past self, D-Wheel crash or his duel against Aporia... Team 5D's was present admist those memories, but there always was one stronger constant.

She was always there.

No matter how much a person abandons, they will never be alone. Jack Atlas learned that lesson from his friends from Satellite and, as of relatively recently, from one woman's love. When he lost his way and didn't know how to proceed after all of his ambitions were crushed, she was there. Even when his name was dragged through the mud after his robotic faker began attacking D-Wheelers and forced them to crash, Carly stood up to her boss who was pushing for an article that would make him look like a criminal.

Jack never wanted to admit it, but he was tempted to accept Carly's unusual offer to go with him. As he gazed upon her right now, he couldn't help but let a hint of a smile adorn his face. With those swirly glasses and an innocent smile while wearing a bow on her head and wrapped as a gift while she tried to, for a lack of a better term, smuggle herself in a truck with all other presents his fans gave him...

"Honestly... Who does that?" Jack thought, but that same smile still never left his face.

Who indeed, especially after less than decent way he treated her. He tried to push her away, gave her numerous hints, but the girl stubbornly returned and clinged to him. Former King was at well aware that he was at fault here as, unlike with Mikage and Stephanie, Jack constantly spent time with her. In the same manner, unlike with those two other women, his relationship with Carly deserves to be handled with a lot more respect.

They went to get coffe together, occasional lunch and he even helped her track down Garome's shady dealings and shut him down. Jack actively accepted her advances and did nothing to stop it. He feels like he strung her along.

As such, the Signer was stumped at what to do. He mused about coldy rejecting her once and for all, but found no strenght to say it. Carly doesn't deserve such treatment.

She deserves better - the best. That was something that he couldn't offer her. Not with the way he is now. That was the second reason for his journey into the Pro League.

After few more minutes of contemplating his next course of actions, young man ignored the usual bickering of Carly, Mikage and Stephanie, suddenly realizing that both other women are deserving of a proper rejection.

"Mikage, Stephanie..." Jack stood up from his table at Cafe la Geen, light from the sundown noticable from his peripheral. Two woman looked at him attentively and he locked eyes with both in order to convey his message better. "I appriciate everything you did for me. But I can never return your feelings."

Lull followed for a few steady beats, the only noise present at the plaza was that of water running from the fountain nearby. Despite an awkward situation that he caused, Jack's demeanor remained stoic as it could possible get in order to convey the seriousness of the situation.

Slowly, after a minute or so, the expected reactions came about. Mikage and Stephanie were fundementally very different people and that contrast clearly showed itself with the way they took the news. One was a former Chief of Special Investigations at, now disbanded Public Security Maintenance Bureau and developed a certain edge that came with that job. One cannot maintain order of all law enforcers of huge metropolis and apprehend most notorious criminals if she was weak-willed.

"Atlas-sama." Mikage stood tall, trying to remain strong and maintain some sense of self-respect. Her body went rigid, long nails digging into palm of her hand as she clenched it. And even if she was evidently hurt by his somewhat callous statement, she stayed composed throughout the aftermath. After exhaling once, she nodded her head in reluctant acceptance, something that Jack appriciated.

Stephanie on the other hand...

"Jack..." Young waitress eyes were glazed over, her face adopting a red hue as he entire figure shook ever so slightly. The poor girl was hugging herself in order to get her body under control, but it is clear how much the rejection impacted her.

With a sigh, Jack turned towards Carly, who was still sitting on the back of the truck amongst all other presents, her visage somewhat nervous.

"Carly!" Jack's voice called out, young reporter straighting herself due to the tone of naturally commanding voice. As a result, the wrapping paper in which she was enveloped broke, the noise making woman blush in embarrassment. Jack ignored it and walked up to the truck and offered her his hand in order for her to exit it. She accepted it and once she was on the solid ground, Jack's gentle hands took her by the shoulders, causing her to blush despite the context of the situation.

Will he also reject her after everything they've been through?

Carly's memories were practically nonexistent after she became Dark Signer. Try as she may, she could never decipher mystery of that time, even if she could through hazy fog get some weird flashes of memories, but nothing concrete. Then there was inexplicable sadness and regret she felt when she looked at Jack.

That's where the truth lies: she knew that Jack and others were well aware of what happened. Rua, being somewhat of a blabber mouth let out an important detail during one of their friendly outings at the mall. He said that he was grateful that Dark Signer he and his sister faced was not personally connected to them like it was case with Yusei and the rest.

Rua immediately slapped a hand over his mouth after being on receiving ends of numerous glares from Ruka, Crow, Aki and her Jack. After she asked him to clarify what he meant by that, the boy refused to answer and the topic was quickly switched after Crow pushed them to taiyaki stands.

To Carly that was more than enough to confirm her already growing suspicions about those dark times. Dark haired woman might be ditzy and playful, but she wasn't stupid. Investigating and unraveling the truth was her job as a reporter. People may have overlooked it due to plethora of things that happened during that time, but she she was present during first duel of that fated clash: Jack, Yusei and Crow's friend, Kiryu, targeted Yusei because he hated him due to their dispute when they were in Satellite. Adding onto that, Rua's statement and Team 5D's and specifically, Jack's aversion to the topic, the picture became vividly clear.

And it broke her heart.

Carly realized what she had done to the one she loves. She tried to breach the topic with Jack, but the man tried to avoid it constantly and Carly herself never bothered growing a spine and confronting him about it. To tell him how sorry she is and to continue their relationship.

She was too indecisive in her approach and as a result, she will be brushed aside like those two were.

"I'm sorry Carly, but we cannot be together..." Despite gentle way he said it, Jack's words hurt more than the pain she felt when her spine broke after Divine threw her from Arcadia Movement building. Her throat clenched and young woman was glad she wore glasses to camouflage tears she knew are approaching.

Fortunately, that time never came as Jack proceeded to say something she will remember until the end of her days.

"...Because, I don't deserve you!" Jack declared passionately, the intensity with which he expressed his belief comparable to the times he summoned Red Daemon's Dragon.

.

.

.

.

"Huh?"

"What?"

"WHAT?!"

Carly, Stephanie and Mikage all exclaimed so, the reaction of latter two, Mikage's especially was appalled. However, no other sound came after due to astonishment of it all.

After few moments, silence descended upon Fountain Plaza once again, each occupant remaining stumped by uncharacteristic way former King expressed his reasons. From corner of her eyes Carly could even see Stephanie's boss peeking from the entrance door of his caffe, slack-jawed at bold declaration. However, Mikage and Stephanie's continued reaction eclipsed his by a wide margin. After expressing their evident surprise, both women remained shell shocked, their body frozen in place and their visage pale as they let out some incoherent mumbles.

Carly never paid them mind, as the unshed tears of sadness turned to those of happiness. The heat that was present on her face unberable all of the sudden even if it was a warm prevening.

"Jack.."

"I've been thinking recently about everyone who's important to me." He interrupted her and tenderly took off her glasses, his purple eyes deeply looking into her grey ones.

"While I would like nothing more than for you to come with me, this is something I must do by myself." Jack grasped her hands and slowly pulled her towards him. "Bringing you now would be selfish on my part. I need to journey alone in order to finally become the King I always desired to be and to be deserving of woman who saved me with her compassion when I wanted to give up."

Carly felt lightheaded and she was really glad that Jack was holding her so close. She doubted her wobbly legs would be able to support her weight at the moment.

It has nothing to do with the close proximity of their bodies... Honest.

"But Jack, that doesn't matter." She shook her head wildy, her hair swishing about as she realized how her statement might be interpreted. "I never wanted you to think of yourself less just because you weren't King. I cheered you on because I wanted you to feel proud about yourself. That title doesn't change how I feel about you."

"But it changes the way I feel about my own worthiness to be with you." Jack said resolutely. "You shouldn't accept anything less than you deserve, Carly."

Said woman blushed deeply, her eyes finding the ground pretty interesting at the moment.

"You shouldn't place me on a pedestal, especially after Dark Signers..." She trailed off, not trusting her already trembling voice to continue. Nevertheless she couldn't help but let a few stray tears go as a sob soon followed. "I-I'm sorry."

The declaration left Jack stunned, his eyes widening as he slowly took her by the chin and looked her into the teary eyes.

"You remembered?"

Carly shook her head. "No, but I figured it out. It's kinda what I do."

"Then you should know that it wasn't your fault." He assured her as he adopted a sombre expression. "You were controlled. I can't and won't hold that against you."

He let out a sigh, his posture still rigid, but his voice softer. "I should be the one to apologize. For not being upfront with you from the beginning; before and after Dark Signers. That's a mistake that I'll atone for the rest of my life, starting with my venture at the title of a true King."

Blond's heart began beating rapidly due to sudden anxiety he felt about the next thing he was about to say. He didn't want to utter it - even think it. He wanted ti perish those thoughts as far away as possible. But once again, Jack does not want to be with her if she doesn't think that he deserves her.

With a heavy heart he took a deep breath and said the words that felt like thousand knives stabbing him in the heart.

"However, if you desire so, I will respect your decision to move on."

They stared at each other, both of their eyes conveying love they've always felt. Jack knew that was her answer and following kiss she initiated only solidfied it.

Their eyes were closed, lips locked it a passionate kiss as their bodies were practically mushed together. Carly needed to be on her toes and Jack need to lower his head for them to do it, but that didn't bother them at all.

Nor did the odd noise that simultaneously happened. Carly could hear a sound that was similar to one that would be produced by two unconcious bodies falling on the floor; no doubt belonging to Mikage and Stephanie. Poor girls couldn't handle the sight of their years long crush kissing another woman, so their body simply gave out.

They separated after half a minute, staring into each other's eyes as they still held hands. Slowly, they let go of each other and Jack hurried off to his D-Wheel to get away as soon as possible, not trusting his resolve after that display of affection.

After mounting his Wheel of Fortune, Jack placed on his helmet and with a press of a button, lowered the green visor. He turned his head to Carly who approached him in the meantime.

"I will come back for you when I'm ruler of the world." He focused on controls and looked ahead. "Farewell."

With a twist of his handlebar and a sound of revving engine, Jack Atlas was off to his hotel in order to make final preparations for his final meeting with Team 5D's.

"Bye Jack!" He could hear Carly yelling at him. Quick glance at his wing mirror showed her waving at him. "Good luck!"

As he departed Fountain Plaza and Inland Region of Neo Domino as a whole, Jack took in his surroundings, knowing that he won't ride on these roads for quite some time. After he was done feeling nostalgic, he opened a small compartment on his D-Wheel that contained a single card.

Not unique, or one of a kind. She made a lot of copies of it. It can't even be used in a duel, but it's a card that is still precious to him almost like Red Daemon's . When he felt lost, she ran around entire city in hopes of finding a card designer that could make it. Just so that she could tell his fortune and make him feel better. She even managed to dig up a photo of him for a card when he visited an orphanage at the beginning of his tenure as a fake king.

But even if his picture on the card was from darker times when he was a fraud, the faces of smilling children as he embraced them and Carly's hopes for his future were always real.

Everyone's King

A foolish king once forsook his land and friends, but his scarred soul was saved by a compassionate heart.

He who has determined to live his own destiny shall save the world and become the true king, giver of happiness and loved by all.

As he placed the card back in its original place, Jack Atlas swore that he'll make that a reality for her.

Finally done. A little project that I've been working on for three months. I wanted it to be done on March 30 to coincide with anniversary of 5D's ending, but life happened...

And I was lazy...

Jack and Carly had a great romance in the first half of the show. Jack's whole reason that he managed to pull himself up after Yusei defeated him was Carly. She saved him and he wanted to return the favour which is why he went to fight Dark Signers in the first place. He didn't want her to die alone and wanted to die with her in that final turn.

I don't know about you all, but that's love.

I think I gave a better reason why Jack ignored her. Obviously, not perfect since I suck writing romance and I wanted it to be set in the final episode to prove that, yes, writers could've salvaged their relationship if they gave a damn. But hey, this is Yu-Gi-Oh. Romance always suck.

Basically, Carly is best girl and Jack realizes that he isn't worthy of her so he treats him winning title of King as equivalent of becoming a better man. Because Carly deserves the best.

I hope you liked it!. Until next time...