Introduction: One of the big things that prevented me from starting the 5D's Alternative series for so long was deciding whether or not to do it as multiple stories or just one big story. I really wanted to do a story about Yusei and Aki that featured Aporia as the villain. But at the same time I also wanted to do a story about Jack and a certain nerdy reporter that we all know and love. It all seemed so big for just one story, so in the end I decided to just do a trilogy. So without further delay, here's Book 2.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's. Also, the character of Raven (who will appear later in the story) is the creation of sammycrusinix.

Prologue

Jack Atlas sat alone in a dull grey rectangular interrogation room for what seemed like two hours. He could not be certain how much time had passed since the guards escorted him in there. There was no clock on any of the walls in the room. At the very least, the room was a slight improvement over the cramped holding cell he had been placed in. What Jack didn't understand though was why he was brought back into interrogation. The trial was over and he and the rest of his Duel Gang had already been sentenced.

Not very long ago, Jack and his three friends, Yusei Fudo, Crow Hogan, and Kiryu Kyosuki, had formed their own Duel Gang, Team Satisfaction. It was Kiryu's idea to form the gang. Together they fought all the other gangs on Satellite and eventually conquered them all. But then Kiryu went mad with power. With no other Duel Gangs to fight, Kiryu decided to take on Security. And on a rainy night during such an attempt, Kiryu ended up killing a guard.

All of Team Satisfaction had been arrested that night. It was a speedy trial. Kiryu of course got the worst sentence out of the four of them. He was to be sent to the lowest level of the worst prison known in Satellite, the Pit. It was said by many that being sent to the bottom of the Pit was practically a death sentence. Crow on the other hand got off fairly easy. For some reason beyond Jack's understanding, Crow was to be sent to a minimum-security prison, where he would spend only a few short months. Jack and Yusei on the other hand were being sent to the Pit as well. Only unlike Kiryu, they were being placed in the middle level where they would only spend a few years. Though for Jack, it was a few years too many.

Ever since that night they had all been arrested, Jack had been kicking himself a bit for trying to help Kiryu and Yusei. At the first sign of Kiryu's descent into madness, Jack and Crow had enough sense to leave the team. But when they both heard that Kiryu was in trouble, they both went back to help. At the time it seemed like the right thing to do. After all, the four of them did grow up together. They were practically brothers. But what did Jack have to show for trying to help these two brothers? He had been sentenced to years in prison, and very soon he was probably going to be branded with a criminal mark on his perfect face. Jack wasn't sure which of those two things he disliked more.

At long last, the door to the room opened and a man walked in. He had very pale skin and long silvery-white hair, and wore a light-grey suit with an off-white shirt that showed a black bird-like design on the front. The man's hands were folded behind his back. To Jack, the gentleman didn't look like any sort of Security officer or detective he'd ever seen before. He looked more like a politician, or at the very least someone who had a good deal of wealth. From the way the man's hair looked, Jack assumed that he used some sort of imported European shampoo that cost almost as much as a small car.

The man sat down across the table from Jack. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Atlas. My name is Rex Goodwin, and I am the director of Neo Domino Security."

"Why is some big shot from the city interrogating me?" Jack asked with crossed arms.

"This isn't an interrogation Jack." Rex told him. "This room seemed like the most suitable place for us to make a deal."

"What sort of deal?" Jack asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I'll be blunt." Rex began as he propped his chin on his white-gloved hands. "You've landed yourself in a very dismal situation. But there is a way out. Those sentenced to the middle level of what you call the Pit can duel for their early release. A prisoner who wins a hundred straight duels has his sentence lifted."

"So you're saying I can get out early by beating a hundred opponents?" Jack asked. "Seems like a piece of cake."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple." Rex continued. "The hundredth duel is always against a special prisoner called an eliminator. And anyone who duels an eliminator always lose."

"Well none of these eliminators have ever faced me." Jack confidently pointed out.

"True. I'm sure there isn't one eliminator down in the Pit who could match your skill." Rex agreed. "But I'm here to tell you that it would be more beneficial for you to become an eliminator yourself."

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"I said before that eliminators are special prisoners in the Pit." Rex reminded him. "Eliminators who win fifty duels in a row are rewarded with early release from the prison."

"So you're saying that by becoming one of these eliminators, I could get out in half the time." Jack realized.

"Correct." Rex confirmed. "But in your case you would be winning much more than that. Upon your victory you would be brought to Neo Domino, where you would have a shot at becoming the city's duel champion."

"And just what would you be getting out of all this?" Jack asked with a suspicious eye. "Why pick me out of all the others being dumped in that hell hole?"

"I'm simply the type of person who hates seeing such good talent go to waste." Rex smiled. "I've read your file and am well aware of your level of dueling skill. The fact is that the city needs a champion like you to inspire its people. But the choice is yours. You can either take the fast track to glory, or struggle your way down the slow track to a continued life in Satellite."

Jack didn't exactly buy Goodwin's reason for offering this deal to him. He seemed like the type of person who was always hiding something. On the other hand, Jack had nothing to lose and it was a very promising offer. Not only would he be getting out of the pit early, he'd have a life in the city and a shot at becoming the undisputed king of dueling. Jack liked the sound of that. The more he thought about it, the choice seemed obvious. But there was just one more thing Jack had to ask.

"Tell me something, Goodwin. If I agreed to this offer of yours, would my face be marked like any other prisoner?" Jack asked.

"Don't be silly, Jack. It wouldn't be proper for our city's champion to look like a common criminal." Rex assured him.

"Then in that case, I'm in." Jack finally agreed.

"Excellent. Then accept this card as a sign of our agreement." Rex replied as he took a Duel Monsters card from his pocket.

Jack took the card. It was a Synchro monster depicting a black and red dragon with three tan horns on its head. The two horns on the sides of its head curved forward, while the third horn went straight back.

Jack read the name of the card. "Red Dragon Archfiend?"

"That card will serve you well." Rex assured him. "Let it be a symbol of your power."

"Well, 3000 ATK points are quite good." Jack admitted. "I think I'm going to like using this card."

"I'm glad you approve. I feel I should tell you one thing though. Chances are you might end up facing your friend, Yusei Fudo, down in the Pit." Rex pointed out. "I hope that will not pose a problem for you."

"It's because of Yusei and Kiryu that I ended up in this mess in the first place." Jack reminded him. "Yusei can rot in hell, for all I care. Besides, I don't care who I have to face to become king."

Chapter one is already up, so go on ahead. And of you like, review and let me know what you think.