Phantom Factor

[Quillion9000]

Yuto Pharos has lost his parents, his mother's will oddly including a clause specifically giving him permission to live alone in Heartland City rather than their countryside home. Not long after he arrives and starts attending Heartland Academy, the phantasmal figure known as Astral comes to a student one grade lower, Yuma Tsukumo, and brings with him the Numbers. [YutoxRioxRuri]

 

[Quillion9000]

Japanese Countryside: Home, Dawn…
A six year old Yuto yawned as he walked past pictures of him, his parents, and them together. He had grey eyes with two toned black in the back and light purple in the front hair that was swept towards the right. He currently wore pajamas.

Yuto noticed light coming from the living room, along with two figures silhouetted by lamp light. "Mommy and Daddy?"

Yuto peeked around the corner, seeing his father and mother sitting on the couch. His father was a broad shouldered guy who had medium length dark red hair with a matching beard and hazel eyes. He wore a green shirt with brown cargo pants and had on a cast over his right leg.

The crutches he'd been using were sat nearby. His mother was lean in contrast with long black hair in a ponytail and blue eyes. Her attire consisted of a white tank top with black pants. She also had a towel around her shoulder, indicating she'd showered recently.

"Come on." Father put an arm around his wife, his voice reassuring. "You know this is my kind of job, and it pays pretty well to boot."

"I know." Mother sighed. "Look, I've said my piece."

"Admit it." Father gently elbowed her with a smile. "You're just thinking I'll look ridiculous without this awesome beard."

Despite how she felt, Mother couldn't help herself from laughing. "Sure, let's go with that." All too quickly, her prior feelings resurfaced as tears came to her eyes. "I'm just worried."

"Hey, hey." Father wrapped an arm around her. "Look, I promise I'll be careful." He then noticed Yuto, who ended up coming into the living room. "Oh, hey there kiddo."

"Why is Mommy crying?" Yuto questioned, concerned.

"She's…just a bit worried I'll get hurt again." Upon hearing that, Yuto couldn't help himself from glancing at the cast. "That's all."

Yuto thought about it before getting an idea. "I know! You can just find a different job." That had his parents looking at one another. "One that's less dangerous."

"That's a good idea." Father ruffled his hair. "Still, someone has to do this job." He leaned forward. "When I see someone in danger, and I have the ability to save them, I would reach out. Even if I put myself at risk, I'd feel it's the right thing to do. Ya know?"

Heartland: Home, 8 Years Later…
Yuto had woken with his alarm and spent the morning getting ready for school. It was a middle school which required a uniform, slightly different for each year. As a second year, his consisted of a white shirt with green-lined sleeves, tie, and collar alongside blue jeans.

With today being his start at a new school, there was only two things more he had to do before heading out. Yuto headed on downstairs and entered a small room containing a shrine which held two pictures, one for each of his parents.

Yuto knelt and clasped his hands. "Can't say I understand why mother's will specified I live here, but I'll make the most of it. Even if that is my intention, I still wish you two were here."

Yuto gave it a few extra moments before departing from the room and hitting the kitchen. He snatched a granola bar and bottle of apple juice before heading out.

Heartland Academy
Heartland Academy was a larger school compared to where Yuto attended previously. Many more floors and buildings, all on a far greater acreage. He had studied a map received upon being accepted, seeing him reach the staff room after a minor delay due to a wrong turn.

Entering the room saw him welcomed by his new homeroom and history teacher, Erin Stein. She was a woman with shoulder length brown hair and amber eyes. She wore a long black skirt with a white blouse and black tie.

"Ah, Mr. Pharos." Ms. Stein gave a sincere smile. "You've arrived promptly and dressed properly for your first day." She nodded. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you to my classroom."

Yuto nodded. "Right, ma'am."

Homeroom
"Good morning, class." Ms. Stein voiced. "Today, the new transfer student I've told you about shall be joining us." She looked to the door. "Please, come in." Yuto opened the door and walked in to stand beside the teacher's desk. "Would you introduce yourself?"

Yuto turned to face his classmates. "Hey, I am Yuto Pharos."

"Is that all you wish to say?" Ms. Stein questioned.

He should have figured just his name wouldn't cut it.

"I suppose you could say I'm aiming for the top of the dueling world." Yuto stated. "In actuality, aiming for that is what helps me fulfill my real goal. Something I've constantly been checking off. To put it simply, I want to get into as many duels as possible.

Preferably, I'd like to be challenged by them, but this does not mean I dislike duels where I am not. I picked up a deck because there is nothing else in this world I'd rather be than a duelist. Whether I reach the top or not, a duelist I will still be."

"Very good, Mr. Pharos." Ms. Stein nodded. "Please, take any open seat for today." Yuto made his way to his new desk. "Before I forget, Reginald, would you show him around school later?"

Reginald was a boy with dark blue eyes, pale skin, and dark purple hair which resembled tentacles hanging down. He also had a light blue 'crown' in the front of his forehead.

"Why me?" Reginald questioned.

"Unless something has changed that I haven't been made aware of, you aren't part of any club and often leave the second school concludes." Ms. Stein noted. "That certainly frees you up to spend a little time giving our new student a tour."

Reginald sighed in resignation. "Alright, I'll do it."

"Good." Ms. Stein smiled. "Now, let us begin the day proper…"

After School…
"You, follow me." Reginald voiced as he approached the new student. "Let's get this over with."

Yuto stood. "Lead the way, Reginald."

"Call me Shark." Shark returned, leading the way out of their last class. "More people call me that than my actual name."

"Why would people call you that?" Yuto asked, curiously.

"It's because a majority of my deck consists of sharks." Shark responded, annoyed. "Got a problem with it?"

"Nah, I'm actually interested in seeing what a deck like that can do." Yuto replied. "How about a duel?"

"I just want to get this tour over with." Shark retorted. "Besides, a loser like you wouldn't stand a chance."

"I didn't think I was that intimidating." Yuto retorted.

"What did you say?" Shark asked, slightly offended.

"It's all I can figure as your reason given you haven't seen me duel." Yuto replied.

"Alright loser, you're on." Shark declared. "Just remember, you asked for this."

Heartland Academy
The two of them now stood across from one another.

"I hope you put up a challenge." Yuto stated.

"You're sure of yourself." Shark returned. "We'll see if you still are once I'm through with you."

"Let's Duel!"

(Yuto 4000/Shark 4000)

"I'll take the first move!" Yuto drew. "It may not seem like much, but all I'll do is set two cards."

"That's one way to start." Shark drew. "As for me, I'll summon Saber Shark(LV 4/1600/1200)." A purple shark with a saber atop its head appeared. "Since I control a water attributed monster, I can special summon Silent Angler(LV 4/800/1400)." An angler fish appeared.

"Two level four monsters…" Yuto noted.

"Not where this is going." Shark retorted, knowing where his opponent's mind was. "Up to twice per turn, Saber lets me target any fish type monsters on my field to increase or decrease their levels by one. I'm opting to decrease each of their levels by one."

Saber Shark(LV 3/1600/1200 effect)
Silent Angler(LV 3/800/1400 effect)

"Does this mean his extra deck is full of rank 3 monsters, or are those monsters merely the better option in this circumstance?" Yuto contemplated.

"Now, I overlay my two level 3 monsters." Shark continued. "Xyz summon Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 2/1900/1000)." Twin sharks bound by orange metal appeared. "By detaching one overlay unit, you take 400 points of damage for every card in my hand."

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 1/1900/1000).

"Since I have four cards in hand, that's 1600 life points worth of damage." Shark declared, seeing Yuto bombarded by torpedoes (Yuto 2400/Shark 4000). "I'll then leave you with barely anything through a direct attack."

"You've activated my first face down, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring(LV 2/0/0)." Yuto countered. "This trap negates any one attack before summoning itself as a monster to the field." A copper ring radiating blue energy appeared.

"A pseudo trap." Shark looked to his hand. "With my attack negated, I'll set two face downs."

"I draw!" Yuto looked to his hand. "I activate my second face down, The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace(LV 2/600/0). I now target my The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring. If it had any ATK, it'd have lost 600. If its level were more than 2, it'd be set to 2.

"Neither of those are true, so what exactly is the point?" Shark questioned.

"The point is those effects last until the end of this turn, along with the fact any of my The Phantom Knights monsters can't be destroyed by battle this turn." Yuto replied. "Beyond that, this trap summons itself as a level 2 monster." A black vambrace full of blue energy appeared.

"I now use my level 2 Lost Vambrace and Wrong Magnetring to construct the Overlay Network. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 2/1600/0)." A skeletal warrior with a javelin appeared. "I won't settle for that.

I summon The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak(LV 3/800/1000)." Blue energy cloaked in purple attire appeared. "If this monster is in ATK position, I can swap it to defense. Through this, any one dark attributed monster on the field gains 800 ATK/DEF until the end of this turn.

I select my The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 2/2400/800 effect). Since I control a The Phantom Knights monster, I can special summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots(LV 3/200/1200)."

Blue energy contained within brown attire appeared. "I now use my level 3 Ancient Cloak and Silent Boots to construct the overlay network once more. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 2/2000/1000)." A black suit of armor atop a black steed appeared.

"I get it now." Shark noted. "He utilizes pseudo traps and monsters in tandem to get out Xyz monsters faster than your average duelist."

"Now, I set one card." Yuto voiced. "With that, the pieces have been assembled. First, I detach 1 material from The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 1/2000/1000) to target your face down on the left and my one face down. Both are now destroyed.

Yuto's set Shrink and Shark's set Zeus' Breath were revealed before shattering. "Next, I'll detach one overlay unit from The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin(R 2/O 1/2400/800 effect). I now target Aero Shark, negating its effects and zeroing out its ATK until the end of this turn."

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 1/0/1000 effect).

"I'll have Cursed Javelin destroy Aero Shark." Yuto declared.

Javelin hurled his weapon at Aero Shark, tearing through it (Yuto 2400/Shark 1600).

"You destroyed some protection and wiped out my monster; however, you're not about to win like this." Shark declared. "I activate my remaining face down, Torrential Reborn. With it, I can return any water attributed monsters that were just destroyed back to my field.

In this case, it'll be my Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 0/1900/1000) in defense mode. Then, you're going to take 500 life points of damage since a monster was brought back through this effect."

Water fell over the Phantom Knights user (Yuto 1900/Shark 1600).

"In that case, I'll destroy Aero Shark once more with Break Sword." On Yuto's command, Break Sword strode forward atop his steed and sliced the opposing monster. "That concludes my turn."

The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 1/1600/0)

"My move!" Shark drew. "First, I activate Underwater Snow Prison to banish Javelin." Javelin fell into a wormhole. "Next, I summon Needle Sunfish(LV 3/1500/100)." A fish with lots of teeth appeared. "Summoning Sunfish lets me special summon Shark Stickers(LV 3/200/1000)."

A long, blue fish appeared. I now use my level 3 Shark Stickers and Needle Sunfish to construct the overlay network. Xyz Summon Shark Caesar(R 3/O 2/1800/2000)." A purple and gold shark appeared. "Once per turn, I can detach one overlay unit to place 1 shark counter on it."

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/1800/2000/1SC).

"The monster I detached was Needle Sunfish." Shark continued. "When it goes to the grave, one monster you control loses 500 ATK, and you only control the one."

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 1/1500/1000 effect)

"Now, Shark Caesar will tear your Break Sword apart." Shark declared. "Whenever Caesar is involved in a battle while having shark counters, he gains 1000 ATK for each of them."

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/2800/2000/1SC effect)

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword was devoured (Yuto 600/Shark 1600).

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/1800/2000/1SC)

"Whenever Break Sword is destroyed, I can summon 2 The Phantom Knights monsters with the same level from my grave, and increase their levels by one. Return, The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak(LV 4/800/1000) and The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots(LV 4/200/1200)."

"Does he have a Rank 4 monster as well?" Shark smirked. "Not bad, keeping your field stocked with monsters. I end my turn."

"I got to say, you are good yourself." Yuto voiced. "While I necessarily don't care whether I win or lose, I never do enter a duel wanting to loose. With the cards I have on field, I do believe that desire will be met!"

"Really, you can get out something that overpowers Caesar Shark?" Shark crossed his arms. "Do I need to remind you this monster gains 1000 ATK for each shark counter during battle and currently has one to his name?"

"Just watch." Yuto voiced. "I use my level 4 Silent Book and Ancient Cloak to construct the overlay network. Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous of dragons. Xyz summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)."

A purple and black dragon appeared. "I now activate the effect of my dragon, detaching one overlay unit to cut the ATK of your Shark Caesar in half." Dark Rebellion fired off purple lightning, which restricted Shark's monster. "Then, that lost ATK goes to my dragon."

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/900/2000/1SC effect)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 1/3400/2000 effect)

"These changes last until the end of the turn." Yuto declared. "While that isn't uncommon, what would be is the fact Dark Rebellion can utilize this effect as many times a turn as the number of overlay units he holds. I wouldn't bring this up if I didn't intend to use it again!"

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/450/2000/1SC effect)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 0/3850/2000 effect)

Shark stared at the dragon, wide-eyed.

"Time for the finishing blow!" Yuto exclaimed. "Dark Rebellion, destroy that shark with Mauling Mandible Charge!"

"We'll meet you head on." Shark firmed himself. "Shark Caesar, go!"

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/1450/2000/1SC effect)

The two monsters charged at one another with Dark Rebellion biting clean through the opposing Caesar Shark, his maw sparking. Shark was flung back, hitting the ground as his life points were depleted (Yuto 600/Shark 0).

Yuto approached his opponent. "That was a good game."

"Yeah." Shark got up from the ground. "Guess I shouldn't have called you a loser."

"I hope we can duel again sometime." Yuto said.

"Count on it." Shark smirked. "After all, I got to pay you back for beating me."

"For an opponent like you, I'm game." Yuto replied. "Since I look for skilled opponents, is there anyone better than you here?"

"Only one person has shown themselves to be more skilled than me." Shark nodded. "I'm looking at him."

"Guess that just means we'll have to rematch soon." Yuto voiced.

"We will, sometime." Shark said. "For now, should we continue the tour?"

"Sure, lead the way pal." Yuto stated.

"Pal, huh?" Shark stared at him for a good moment before turning. "Just, come on."

Next Day…
As Yuto walked onto academy grounds, he was suddenly surrounded by students from all grades.

"Hey, is it true you beat Shark?"

"Yeah, just yesterday after school." Yuto replied.

"Don't lie! Shark would never lose to someone like you."

"Yeah, she's right."

"You must have cheated."

"Leave him alone." Shark broke through the crowd, coming to stand next to the phantom knights user. "The new guy beat me fair and square, which is something you losers could only dream of."

"So, it is true?"

"If you want to see my skills, I'll take you on any time." Yuto pushed through the crowd. "Right now, I got to get to homeroom." Shark joined him, prompting the phantom knights user to look his way. "Thanks for that, Shark."

"Whatever." Shark returned. "Just know, I'll eventually challenge you to reclaim the top spot."

"I'll accept that challenge, any time." Yuto replied.

Shark smirked as he walked into the academy alongside the phantom knights user.

---

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon/Dark/Rank 4/Dragon/Xyz/ATK 2500/DEF 2000

2 Level 4 monsters

You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; its ATK becomes half its current ATK, and if it does, this card gains that lost ATK. These changes last until the End Phase.

Text to be added: This card can destroy "Number" Monsters

 

[Quillion9000]

???
A tan skinned, red-eyed guy with black and red hair pointing upwards walked along a crumbling path. The only thing around it was empty darkness. Around his neck sat the Emperor's Key. His attire consisted of a red vest, blue sleeveless shirt, and white pants. This was Yuma Tsukumo.

"Whoever can open this door will gain a great, new power, but know that with such a reward comes great risk. Have you the courage to unlock this power?"

Yuma had come up to metal door with yellow eyes and sharp toothed face of a demon. "Great risk? Let me think about it." He stepped back. "Don't think sooooooo…"

As he put his foot down, the ground crumbled and sent him plummeting.

Tsukumo Residence: Morning…
Yuma fell out of his hammock within the attic. "Ugh, weird dream." He sat up. "Oh well, at least I'm up now." The nearby clock went off, catching his attention and seeing him leap to his feet. "Oh man, I'm running late!"

He scrambled to collect his deck. "What am I forgetting?" He lept down to his bedroom. "What am I forgetting!?" The onomat user realized he was still wearing his pajamas. "Oh, I got to get dressed."

Yuma put on the first year uniform before rushing downstairs. His older sister, Kari, was using several monitors to search for her next big 'scoop'. She had dark pink hair tied in a ponytail, fair skin, and grey eyes. She wore a blue shirt with an orange and black jumper.

"What gives Kari?" Yuma questioned, flustered.

"Because I'm a news reporter, not your babysitter." Kari held up a mug of coffee. "You're in middle school now little bro, act like it."

She took a drink while Yuma made a face. The onomat user then ran out of the house while putting his shoes on in the process. His grandmother was busy sweeping the pavement outside.

"Bye Grandma." Yuma voiced quickly.

"What about my goodbye kiss?" Haru asked.

"No time!" Yuma attempted to rush past her, only for Haru's eyes to flash in anger before she used the handle of her broom to catch Yuma's collar and lift him off the ground. "Grandma!" He flailed about. "What are you doing?"

"Either you give me a goodbye kiss, or there will be trouble." Haru threatened.

Yuma relented, giving his grandmother a kiss on the cheek before running onward.

Heartland City
Yuma was running through the city, rice ball shoved in his mouth. On his way, he managed to leapfrog over a litterbot, which caused it to spin wildly out of control. Litterbots were large, white robots that had a small, circular face, four wheels, and two thin mechanical arms.

"Thanks for the lift!" Yuma shouted.

Monorail
"There goes Yuma, bout to be late as usual."

Hearing that caught the attention of a young girl with dark green hair in a bun and orange eyes. She wore the first year's female version of the Heartland Academy uniform with a pink collar and skirt. This was Tori Meadows, who looked out the window of the monorail to see Yuma.

"Maybe one day he'll actually make it to school on time."

Heartland Academy
While Yuma was late to first period, that wasn't unusual and simply led into the rest of his day. Come second period, gym, a classmate challenged him to jump over twenty blocks and set the school record.

"That record is going down because I'm about to high five the sky!" Yuma shouted.

He ran up to the springboard and vaulted into the air, only to end up crashing into the boxes.

"Are you alright, Yuma?" Tori asked in concern while the rest of the class burst into laughter.

"Yeah, the ground isn't that hard." Yuma mumbled.

The class then went to the swimming pool, after changing into their swimsuits, where another classmate challenged Yuma to swim an entire lap underwater and in one breath.

"Good luck, Yuma!" Tori called out.

"Heh, there's no way he'll do it."

After a few seconds, several bubbles started to appear on top of the water before Yuma surfaced. He was spitting out pool water while his face was a tad green. The rest of the class laughed while Tori looked on worriedly. The bell soon rang which signified an end to gym.

It was onto English where Tori leaned over to the onomat user. "Why do you do it, Yuma?"

"Those dares?" Yuma glanced at her. "Why not? It's good fun."

"It's good fun to turn green coughing up pool water?" Tori asked. incredulously.

"No, but that's the price you pay." Yuma replied. "If you're going to be great, you got to take chances. That's why I take lots because I want to be the greatest." He then held up his Emperor's Key. "With this golden key, one day I will be."

"That's the key your parents gave you, right?" Tori questioned. "That they found on one of their expeditions?"

"Yep." Yuma answered. "This key here unlocks potential. Isn't that cool?"

"Really?" Tori questioned, interested. "Think it could work on me?"

"Nope." Yuma answered instantly.

Tori fell forward at that. "Why?"

"It's because this key is part of me." Yuma grinned. "With it, I'm good to go." He stood. "With it, I feel the flow!" The class looked at him while the teacher had made her way over and cleared her throat. "Sorry."

The bell rang not long after, meaning it was duel period.

Duel Field
Tori headed out to the duel field with a sigh. She should have realized Yuma's passion would see him act like that, even in class. What she knew of the onomat user had been disregarded out of concern for him. She didn't feel bad for bringing out Yuma's passion, not in the slightest.

What Tori felt bad about was bringing it out of him during class to the point the teacher asked him to hang back and dismissed her when she tried to stay. The only bright spot in this was the fact Yuma hadn't held it against her.

Wanting to wait for Yuma before dueling, Tori walked around the field and watched other people duel. In her distracted state, someone saw an opportunity. It was a shorter first year guy with round, green glasses and brown hair. Alongside the uniform, he wore a blue and black hat.

This was Flip Turner, who managed to position himself within Tori's path. When she bumped into him, he knocked her deck box loose from her belt. The girl's fairy cards fell out and scattered along the ground.

Despite recognizing Flip, knowing what he was about, Tori believed this was on her. "Sorry, Flip."

She then sunk to the floor, working to collect her scattered cards. Without a word in the moment, Flip joined her, moving rapidly as he did and managing to push record on his duel pad. Between the two of them, the pair seemingly had every card.

Flip passed his pile back to her. "Here you go, Tori."

"Wow." Tori voiced, surprised. "Thanks for helping me collect my deck."

Flip ran his hand over his duel pad, ceasing the recording while pulling out a card he managed to slip past her. "For my services, I believe I'll be keeping this card in particular."

Tori looked at the card, only to widen her eyes in anger. "Hey, you can't just take my Master Hyperion!" She moved towards him, reaching out to snatch the card. "That's…"

Flip stepped back before holding up his duel pad, which displayed the recently recorded video paused on the grateful look she gave him. "Now Tori, you got your deck back. While you may have lost your Master Hyperion, that is no excuse to rob me of mine."

"I let my guard down…" Tori recognized.

"Everything and everyone has its flip side." Flip chuckled, knowing he had her. "With this card as good as mine, I can get her into a position where I get what I really want." He smirked. "Of course, this card does me little good as is."

"What is it you want, Flip?" Tori questioned, reluctantly.

"You and I will duel." Flip voiced. "If you win, I'll give you MY Master Hyperion to complete your deck. If I win, you will hand your entire deck to me. Deal?"

Tori recognized how high the stakes of this duel were. She spent years putting this deck of hers together, did plenty of chores to raise the money. Out of every card she got, Hyperion had taken the longest to find. It was too the point she could spend years trying to find another.

"Fine." Tori sighed. "Deal."

Flip smirked, tucking the card away. "Then, let us begin."

With Yuma
Yuma ran onto the duel field. "Alright, finally out for duel period!" There were duels happening all over, though you wouldn't see it without a duel gazer like the one he now wore. "Let's get to it! Question is, who should I duel?"

He was on the lookout for Tori, but that didn't mean he couldn't look for an opponent. Who he found first was a potential opponent, spotting Shark at a bench with some guy he couldn't recall having seen before.

Granted, he doesn't know everyone in Heartland Academy by name. "Still, certain I haven't seen someone like him around."

"Finally taking a break I see." Shark commented.

"I think it's more that people have been warned off since I got here." Yuto waved a hand. "From what I overhear in the halls, they're thinking twice before jumping straight into a duel with me."

Since his first day when he dueled Shark, Yuto has been challenged by other students to the point he's lost count. While none of them challenged him like the shark user, that didn't mean there hadn't been any challenging duels to speak of.

Aside from the fact Shark was his most challenging duel since arriving, what seemed to set him apart was his passion for the game. He wasn't an emotional sort, kind of like Yuto himself, but he had a love for the game the phantom knights user hasn't seen in anyone else here.

"Hey, new guy!" Yuma called out, catching the older pair's attention.

"If there's one idiot at this school who hasn't heard of you, he would be it." Shark muttered.

Yuma hadn't heard the shark user as he approached and paid him minimal mind now as his gaze zeroed in on the phantom knights user. "I don't know why you're sitting around when there's dueling to be had." He grinned. "Come on, let's duel."

"You wouldn't even stand a chance going toe to toe with me." Shark voiced dismissively before the phantom knights user could respond. "Forget competing with the only other duelist in this school whose skills are better than mine."

"If that's your way of saying I got to take you down before I duel him, we can duel first." Yuma declared, a little peeved at being talked down to.

"Dueling you would be a waste of time." Shark waved him off. "If Yuto wants to have it out with you, I'm not his keeper."

While this back and forth was interesting in its own way, Yuto decided to interject as he stood. "I think this is where I step in." He looked to the onomat user. "You challenged me to a duel, and I haven't turned down a challenge yet. By the way, name's Yuto Pharos."

"Alright, I'm Yuma Tsukumo." Yuma was fired up, turning his attention to the phantom knights user. "Get set to get decked!"

The two of them parted before facing off. Just from this short interaction, Yuto could tell Yuma had passion, optimism, and energy to spare. Someone like this couldn't be nearly as bad at the game as Shark had been hinting at, right?"

(Yuto 4000/Yuma 4000)

"The first move is mine!" Yuma drew. "I summon Zubaba Buster(LV 3/1800/600)." A blue armored warrior with an orange cape appeared. "I'll then play Blustering Winds, giving him 1000 ATK/DEF."

Zubaba Buster (LV 3/2800/1600 effect).

"With that being all, let's see you beat it." Yuma declared, confidently.

"You got a monster with all that attack yet can't even utilize it for anything." Shark scoffed, drawing the onomat user's eye.

"It's better for me to control the field with a strong monster." Yuma argued.

"That may be a good point most times; however, you took the first turn." Yuto interjected. "If all you planned for is a monster with high ATK, it's not much to look at. After all, you can't do a thing with all those ATK points nor did you set something in the backrow."

"Getting a strong monster out alone might be risky, but that's how I duel." Yuma retorted.

"You got a good attitude, though lack the idea." Yuto drew. "Allow me to demonstrate. Since you control a monster where I do not, I can special summon The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 4/500/1500)." A suit of armor containing blue energy and wearing a crown appeared.

With my normal summon, I'll bring out The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves(LV 3/1000/500)." Light blue energy wearing worn gloves appeared. "I'll then utilize Night Crown's second effect, declaring a level of four and making my two Phantom Knights that level."

The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 4/0/0)
The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves(LV 4/1000/500)

"Two monsters of the same level…" Yuma voiced in awe.

"Good, you know what this means." Yuto declared. "I build the overlay network with level 4 Night Crown and Ragged Gloves. Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous of dragons.

Xyz summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)." A purple and black dragon appeared. "Since Ragged Gloves was used as material, this dark attributed monster gains one thousand extra ATK."

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 2/3500/2000 effect).

"That's more than my Buster!" Yuma exclaimed.

"The gap is only going to widen." Yuto declared. "I now activate the effect of my dragon, detaching one overlay unit to cut the ATK of your Buster in half." Dark Rebellion fired off purple lightning, which restricted Yuma's monster. "Then, that lost ATK goes to my dragon."

Zubaba Buster (LV 3/1400/1600 effect)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 1/4900/2000 effect)

"Though these changes last until the end of the turn, my dragon's only restriction on how many times this effect can be used a turn would be down to how many overlay units he has." Yuto continued. "Since I have one more, it's one more time I shall use this effect."

Zubaba Buster (LV 3/700/1600 effect)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 0/5600/2000 effect)

"Even with my Buster's current ATK, I'll still take over 4000 life points of damage." Yuma stared at the dragon, wide-eyed. "All my life points, just like that!?"

"Sorry, Yuma." Yuto stated. "Dark Rebellion, destroy Zubaba Buster with Mauling Mandible Charge!"

Dark Rebellion bit clean through Zubaba Buster, his maw sparking with electricity. Yuma was knocked off his feet as his life points were depleted (Yuto 4000/Yuma 0).

"That dragon of yours can be a problem." Shark noted, walking up to the phantom knights user.

"Only in instances were my opponent's defense is light." Yuto retorted.

Dark Rebellion was a fine ace, unquestionably Yuto's favorite monster, but he wasn't blind to what other monsters could provide him in a duel.

"Man, another loss." Yuma groaned as he stood, only to touch his neck area and panic. "MY EMPEROR'S KEY!"

He dropped to his hands and knees, feeling all around the ground for his missing item.

Yuto spotted it a few feet away, seeing him going over and retrieving it. "It's just over here."

"Thank you!" Yuma declared, scrambling to his feet.

He rushed over to the phantom knights user, who handed the item over. Once given his Emperor's Key, Yuma put it back around his neck and adjusted the string to better secure it.

"Given how obsessed you seem to be with dueling, hard to believe you'd freak out over some necklace." Shark dismissed.

"It's not just a necklace!" Yuma argued, offended. "It's a key, the Emperor's Key. The day my father gave it and his deck to me, he said it'd help unlock my potential."

Shark looked away, but Yuto noted, if only slightly, a look of shame crossing his face. On the phantom knights user's end, he recognized a sense of loss in both these guys. Perhaps they held the same loss as him. Though going there now wasn't appropriate, he could still go somewhere.

"I understand the value of having something special from your parents." Yuto voiced, drawing the attention of both guys. "My mother was the one who helped me settle on the phantom knights as my deck while my father gave me an Xyz monster he acquired at one point."

He opened his extra deck, slotting out the Xyz monster in question. Said card depicted a blue and red scaled dragon whose wings radiated color.

"Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon…" Yuma read.

"Even with your The Phantom Knights of Night Crown assumedly letting you get the materials to the right level for this Rank 8, that monster doesn't seem to fit your deck." Shark noted.

"Aesthetically, you'd be right." Yuto nodded. "I tend to disregard that as it fits my deck simply because it was a gift from my father. It even has a slightly cool backstory. See, my dad was requested to travel with this expedition, as their doctor, to the Temple of Draghos within China.

One of the nights he was there, it was a full moon. Up at the courtyard of the temple, as the moon shone down, he happened to spot Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon. After confirming it was seemingly no one's, he claimed and gave it to me."

"Well, I think both those Xyz monsters of yours are cool." Yuma grinned. "Speaking of them, you got to show me how to pull off what you did with Dark Rebellion. If I could pull off a move like that, I'd be invincible!"

"For starters, you need an Xyz Monster with a similar effect." Yuto began.

Shark crossed his arms and muttered, "You also need your opponent to play like an idiot."

Yuto elbowed the shark user, making him glare.

"Problem with getting any Xyz monsters is the fact my big sister cut off my allowance." Yuma grumbled. "She thinks I should be studying more rather than dueling. I don't know if I'll get any new cards, let alone Xyz monsters with how expensive they can get."

Yuto felt a little bad for the younger boy upon hearing that. While he could understand Yuma's older sister wanting him to get his grades up, he'd like to assume she made this decision out of familial love, he understood the first year's love of the game and desire for an Xyz monster.

"If you bring me to a duelist who can offer a challenge, I'll get you an Xyz monster your deck can use." Yuto offered.

Yuma looked at him in awe. "You'd really give me an Xyz monster!?"

Shark raised an eyebrow, though far be it for him to tell the guy what he does with his money.

"On my word, provided the duelist you have in mind can challenge me." Yuto returned.

"Alright!" Yuma grinned, his mind immediately turning to Tori. "I know someone whose always tripping me up with the way her deck works." He started moving. "We just have to find her somewhere on this duel field."

"If you're doing this, count me out." Shark walked off with his hands in his pockets. "I've spent enough time around Yuma as is."

Yuto just gave the guy a small smile before heading off after the onomat user.

With Tori: Same Time…
Flip and Tori put distance between them before turning to face one another.

"Let's duel!"

(Tori 4000/Flip 4000)

"Since you're challenging me for MY Master Hyperion…" Flip voiced smugly, slightly frustrating his opponent. "…it's only fair I go first." He drew. "I'll set one monster face down, along with one backrow before calling my turn there."

"Flip utilizes flip effect monsters, meaning there could be any manner of effects awaiting me down there." Tori recognized. "It's either I trigger them on my turn or let him have full run of the duel. Before I get to that, I got to put this duel in my hands."

"Alright, my move!" Tori drew. "I'll discard Zeradias, Hearld of Heaven to add the field spell Sanctuary of the Sky from my deck to my hand." As the field spell slotted out, she snagged it. "I'll follow up by playing it, giving my fairy type monsters the home field advantage."

Their immediate field shifted to the sanctuary floating through the sky, the two duelists appearing within its courtyard. "Then, I'll summon Meltiel, Sage of the Sky(LV 4/1600/1200)." A white and orange armored fairy appeared. "Meltiel shall destroy your face down monster."

Meltiel sent out a wave of light which nailed the face down monster, flipping it up to reveal Aroma Jar(LV 1/500/400). The jar filled with a red, white, blue, and yellow candle effortlessly withstood the attack.

"Nice try." Flip chuckled. "I'm afraid the flip side of this card is the fact it can no longer be destroyed by battle upon being flipped face up."

"All I can do now is set one card to end my turn." Tori stated.

"Thus activates Aroma Jar's secondary effect." Flip smiled. "So long as this card remains face up on the field, I shall gain 500 life points every one of our End Phases."

The colored aroma washed over the flip effect user (Tori 4000/Flip 4500).

"If a card like that were to go unchecked, things would quickly get out of hand." Tori recognized.

"Now that I've sent you up into the air, which side shall you land on?" Flip smirked. "If you ask me, I'm almost certain this will be enough to secure me the duel."

"It's a little early to go saying that." Tori retorted.

"Perhaps it is." Flip drew. "Allow me to make it all but certain with this next turn. I'll activate Swords of Revealing Light, preventing you from attacking for three turns as I build up a board you'll have no hope of overcoming!"

"Since I have Sanctuary in the Sky active, Divine Punishment can counter this strategy." Tori declared as dark clouds rolled in below before spewing red lightning which struck the spell card. "This counter trap negates the activation of any one backrow or monster effect and destroys it."

"No, my swords!" Flip exclaimed.

"Since I have Meltiel on the field as a counter trap resolved, I now gain one thousand life points." She was sprinkled with holy light (Tori 5000/Flip 4500). "If that effect goes off while Sanctuary is on the field, Meltiel can destroy a card like your Jar."

Meltiel produced light which blasted the Jar off the field.

"You may have staved off my set up and cleared my field; however, this is still my turn!" Flip exclaimed. "I'll use it to set another monster. Now, make your move."

"Every bit of defense I whittle down is one more layer you lose and one step further I take towards reclaiming Master Hyperion." Tori drew. "With this next monster, I'm about to take several steps more towards that goal.

I release my Meltiel to summon Airknight Parshath(LV5/1900/1400)." A four legged centaur angel wearing blue and gold armor appeared. "I'll have him attack your face down monster. Just so you're aware, one of my Airknight's effects is that he deals piercing battle damage."

"Er, this is going to hurt." Flip muttered.

Airknight surged forward, piercing his blade clean through the face down monster. It flipped face up to reveal Man-Eater Bug(LV 2/450/600), which saw the residual energy washing over the flip monster user (Tori 5000/Flip 3200).

"You may have found your way to deal damage, but it still flipped my monster in the process." Flip retorted. "When Man-Eater Bug is flipped, even if it is destroyed, his effect lets me destroy any one monster on your field. This means you Airknight shall be joining him in the grave."

A transparent Man-Eater Bug appeared to lunge at Airknight, destroying him.

"My Airknight may have fallen, but whenever he deals damage, I can draw one card." Tori drew. "He's left me Monster Reborn, which I'll use to return Airknight Parshath(LV5/1900/1400) to the field. Then, I'll set one card. Your move, Flip."

---

I've removed Bronk Stone, which has nothing to do with the fact I'll be adding more characters. It's more that Yuma's friend group was a little too large without any of them contributing to the plot beyond being support. While being support is fine, I enjoy characters like Tea and Tristan, I feel his friend group was a little too much of that. You may say Bronk beat Dark Mist, but it wouldn't have been a problem if he wasn't mad at Yuma for being reckless.

Quite frankly, I don't even know why the guy was mad. Even when Yuma gets better, he still takes risk. Bronk was also mad at Yuma for using a Number monster in that one duel against Shark. To an extent, I get where he is coming from given Yuma said he would not use a Number. Circumstances changed. This isn't just a duel against Shark anymore. The shark user would, at the time, stick with this gang and have his life go down the drain. I get it, they are kids.

At the end of the day, everything falls on Yuma being at fault. Bottom line, I've removed Bronk as Yuma's best friend, but this does not mean he won't ever appear. It'll just be more in a role as a one-off duelist. With Bronk not here, essentially making it Yuma and Tori at the beginning, I decided to make her a duelist. While there are decks I could have given her, I selected Sanctuary in the Sky to give her something that functions initially without an extra deck.

---

The Phantom Knights of Night Crown/Dark/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 500/DEF 1500
If only your opponent controls a monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can declare a Level from 1 to 8, then target 2 face-up "The Phantom Knights" monsters you control; they become that Level. When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack while this card is in your Graveyard: You can Special Summon this card in Defense Position. If Summoned this way, banish this card when it leaves the field. You can only use each effect of "The Phantom Knights of Night Crown" once per turn.

 

[Quillion9000]

Duel Field
(Tori 5000/Flip 3200)

Tori's Field
2 cards in hand
1 set card

Flip's Field
3 cards in hand
1 set card

"Lost control can easily be regained!" Flip drew. "I set one monster before activating Book of Taiyou to flip it into face up attack position. Say hello to Slate Warrior(LV 4/1900/400)." A blue fiend in orange attire appeared. "By being flipped face up, he gains 500 ATK and DEF."

Slate Warrior(LV 4/2400/900 effect)

"He'll now wipe your Airknight off the field."

"I'll chain my face down quick-play, Forbidden Dress." Tori countered. "I can now target your Slate Warrior(LV 4/1800/900 effect) and reduce his ATK by 600. While you'll gain protection from targeting and destruction from card effects, battle is still a valid form of destruction."

Slate Warrior clashed with Airknight Parshath.

"I'll chain my own face down, Battle Rush." Flip countered right back. "When my monster does battle with one of your monsters, this trap prevents his destruction and deals any battle damage I may have taken to you."

Both monsters were repelled, returning to their respective duelists' side.

"That battle damage you wanted to give me won't go through thanks to Sanctuary in the Sky." Tori retorted. "This field's only effect is that any battle damage done to the wielder of a fairy type monster is reduced to zero."

"All I can do now is activate my quick-play Book of Moon, which shall allow me to flip Slate Warrior back into face-down defense position." Flip declared. "I end my turn there."

"He flipped Slate Warrior face down even knowing what Airknight can do." For all the faults Flip had, Tori recognized making mistakes like this wasn't one of them. "None of the cards he's played should have graveyard effects, meaning he must be relying on that card in his hand.

That means I either need to make him discard it or attempt to build a board that can match whatever he's planning." Tori drew before nodding as she got something. "By releasing Airknight Parshath, I can special summon Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin(LV 7/2300/2000)."

A white being with gold and blue armor appeared. "With Sanctuary in the Sky active and my life points higher than yours, Neo-Parshath gains ATK/DEF equal to that difference." Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin(LV 7/4100/3800 effect). "I'll attack your face down Slate Warrior."

"During the Battle Phase, I can release one face-down monster to special summon this monster from my hand face-down." Flip declared, sending Slate Warrior to the grave and resetting the field with the unknown monster. "Now, what way shall you land upon being flipped?"

A question like that was enough to give Tori pause. "Whatever that monster is, it's got to have a flip effect of some sort given who my opponent is. I'm inclined to believe it's something beyond mere destruction given he has monsters like Man-Eater Bug."

This left her with the conundrum of whether she should attempt to destroy whatever this was now or end her Battle Phase to let Flip have control over what happens next. Tori closed her eyes, trying to think what was best.

"If you're going to be great, you got to take chances."

"Yuma…" Tori smiled as she opened her eyes. "The potential target may have changed, yet my decision remains. Neo-Parshath shall destroy your face down monster. Just to let you know, this Parshath also lets me draw a card if he deals battle damage."

Neo-Parshath blasted the face down monster, revealing Conbirdable(LV 8/1400/2800) which was a bipedal bird in warrior attire. The residual light then washed over the flip effect user (Tori 5000/Flip 1900) and saw Tori able to draw one card.

Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin(LV 7/5400/5100 effect)

"While Conbirdable was destroyed, his flip effect is still live." Flip declared. "I can special summon any other level 5 or higher flip effect monster face-down from my deck." As the card slotted out, he snagged it. "I select this one."

"I'll just have to deal with whatever he's selected." Tori recognized. "I haven't used my normal summon, so I'll set a monster of my own before calling my turn there."

"Now, is the time to flip the board!" Flip drew. "Perfect. I'll flip summon my Pot of the Forbidden(LV 9/2000/3000)." He flipped his monster to reveal a large pot containing a creature with one eye and pointy teeth.

"Pot of the Forbidden…" Tori muttered, looking at the massive creature.

"Due to having flipped him, I can now activate one of two effects." Flip laughed. "The one I choose is to destroy all monsters you control." Tori went wide eyes as the ground was torn up beneath her monsters, destroying them.

"It gets worse since the card I drew was Megamorph. Thanks to you, my life points are lower than yours, which sees this equip spell making my Pot of the Forbidden(LV 9/4000/3000 effect)'s current ATK double its original."

"Four thousand ATK…" Tori voiced, stunned.

"All four thousand will come out of your life points with a direct attack!" Tori went wide eyed as the ground beneath her was torn up, knocking the girl off her feet (Tori 1000/Flip 1900). "This duel is as good as mine!"

"It's not over yet." Tori voiced, slowly rising to her feet. "Don't forget, Megamorph now makes your monster's current ATK half its original since my life points are less than yours."

Pot of the Forbidden(LV 9/1000/3000 effect)

"Big deal." Flip scoffed. "To my knowledge, that deck of yours doesn't contain a card with enough ATK to win on your next turn." He smirked. "Even as you may come close with your destruction effects, I'll still get a turn after to flip things back in my favor."

"We'll see." Tori declared, drawing.

"Tori, you okay!?" Yuma called out, having arrived with Yuto.

"I'm just fine Yuma." Tori smiled. "In fact, you've arrived in time to see me end this."

"You're bluffing." Flip retorted. "As I said, that deck of yours has no card that can reduce my life points to zero. Even with the cards which could destroy my Pot, they fall short of ending this."

"You're not taking into account the fact I may have acquired a new card or two." Tori retorted. "I summon Warrior of Zera(LV 4/1600/1600)." A muscular man wearing green armor appeared.

"Warrior of Zera?" Flip shook his head. "That's no fairy, not even a light attribute monster. Why would you possibly put such a monster in your deck?"

"While that guy is right to an extent, Warrior of Zera alone is hardly the full picture." Yuto thought, interested. "Given he mentioned light attribute and fairy type, I can picture where Tori is going with this."

"Warrior of Zera is actually where Zeradias began his journey, with plenty of others like or beyond it able to claim the same." Tori informed. "On the path my deck takes, Zeradias is by no means the end of this particular journey.

Zera discovered the Sanctuary in the Sky to become Zeradias, and when the time was right, he was promoted. This can be achieved in duel by releasing Zera himself to special summon him. I call upon Archlord Zerato(LV 8/2800/2300)." A taller Zera with wings appeared.

"Whoa, that is something else." Yuma marveled.

"Big deal." Flip scoffed. "That monster is one hundred points shy of winning you this duel."

"Archlord Zerato can only be special summoned off of Zera if I control Sanctuary in the Sky." Tori retorted. "Beyond that, having the field spell in play with this monster grants it the ability to destroy all monsters on your field if I discard a light attributed monster."

"What!?" Flip exclaimed, as his opponent pitched a card from her hand to see Zerato hurl a silver blade through his Pot. "This wasn't supposed to happen!"

"Archlord Zerato, finish this duel with a direct attack!" Tori declared. "Power Rending!"

Zerato surged forward, slashing through Flip and knocking him off his feet (Tori 1000/Flip 0).

"Now, I want Master Hyperion back." Tori voiced, approaching Flip firmly while Yuma and Yuto looked their way. "I don't even know why you went through all this trouble since my deck doesn't contain a single flip effect monster to begin with."

"Your deck was merely the one I targeted to help acquire more flip effect monsters." Flip replied. "It's only natural I'd want more of the perfect monster. After all, they reflect how the world works. Every aspect of life has a hidden side. You can either exploit it or fall victim to it."

"That sounds like a sad way to live." Yuma commented, feeling pity for Flip even after hearing what he did. "Come on, you can't be happy living this way."

The flip effect user glared at Yuma, only for that anger to disperse as it was replaced by a rather innocent smile. "You're right, Yuma. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried scamming your friend." He reached into his deck box. "Here, have a gift as thanks for making me see the error of my ways."

He took out a card, seeing Yuma beam as he spotted the black outline of the duel monster card. "Is that an Xyz Monster!?"

"Baby Tiragon." Flip confirmed. "It is all yours. Now, what do you say we let bygones be bygones? Then, we can test that card out in a duel?"

"Yuma, don't take that card!" Tori shouted.

"Why not?" Yuma whined.

"Did you really think you could do this while I'm here?" Tori turned to Flip, frustrated. "You're trying to give him Baby Tiragon, so you can goad him into using it. You have an Ultra C card in your deck which will turn the duel in your favor if your opponent summons Baby Tiragon."

"How can you be sure?" Yuto inquired.

Just this short interaction clued the phantom knights user into the fact Tori was likely a reliable source of information. His question was more to become informed over any form of disbelief.

"A kid in our year has been talking." Tori informed. "Flip pulled the same trick on him."

"Sounds to me like you've been a real problem." Yuto voiced, looking to the flip effect user. "You took this girl's Hyperion and somehow utilized it to force her into a duel for her deck. Then, you were just now trying to trick Yuma into wagering his."

"So what?" Flip shrugged. "If people are too stupid to realize what I'm up to, it's their fault for being naive. Smart people understand nobody gives anything without a hidden cost."

"If you truly believe everyone has a hidden side, you must live one lonely existence." Yuto retorted. "After all, can't really spend time around people if you're always wondering what they're trying to get out of you."

"He makes a good point." Yuma nodded. "Come on, Flip. If you keep this up, everybody in school is going to hate you. If you had just asked me to duel, I would have said yes. Then, regardless of the outcome, we could have been friends."

"I used to believe in the same slop as you three, had so called 'friends' of my own." Flip grumbled bitterly. "Then, I found out we were only friends because I had rare cards they wanted. Nice to your face, mean to your back. There's always a flip side."

"You just got involved with the wrong crowd." Yuma extended his hand. "Come on. I'll give you another chance. You can return Tori's Master Hyperion, like you promised. Then, we'll forget what happened and start over."

Flip stared at Yuma's hand, his eyes full of cynicism and spite. "What's the catch?"

"There is no catch." Yuma gave a warm, genuine smiled. "I just want to put this all behind us."

Despite his intention, it had the opposite effect.

"You must think I'm stupid, don't you?" Flip spat. "Why would you offer to be friends after everything I've done? Are you trying to humiliate me?"

"I would never!" Yuma declared. "I just don't like making enemies. Some people might say I'm too forgiving, but that's who I am. My dad always said dueling was meant to bring out the best in people, so that's how I duel."

As Yuma continued to extend an olive branch, more resentment built up within Flip until his gaze locked onto the Emperor's Key dangling from Yuma's neck. Without warning, the flip effect user lost his temper. He snatched the key, tugging on it until the string broke.

"THIS IS WHAT I THINK OF BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN SOMEBODY!" Flip yelled.

He threw the key on the ground. Yuma and Tori were frozen in shock while Yuto managed to rush forward. Just as the phantom knights user got a grip on the flip effect user's shirt, Flip stomped down on the key. When Yuma heard it break in half, his heart broke with it.

Yuto lifted Flip off the ground. "Do you have any idea what that meant to…"

Flip swung his feet into Yuto's stomach with all his might, winding the phantom knights user and forcing him to let go. Tori reached down to comfort Yuma as he picked up the broken pieces of his key while Flip fell to the ground.

"You're not…getting away." Yuto managed.

Flip took a desperate leap off the nearby railing, landing on the ground and rushing off. "That's what you get for being naive, Yuma!" He raced off. "Maybe now you'll see I was right!"

"The nerve." Yuto had recovered. "Next time, he won't get away."

"My key…" Yuma was inconsolable.

He barely acknowledged anyone else as he clutched the broken halves of his father's keepsake, the falling tears in his eyes soaking the metal. Tori helped him back to his feet, though the onomat user barely acknowledged her.

"I want to go home." Yuma muttered, walking off.

"Yuma…" Tori voiced, looking after him worriedly before shifting her gaze firmly in the direction Flip ran off in. "This isn't over, Flip. You still have my Hyperion, and you won't get away with doing something like this to Yuma."

Yuma's Dream
"Whoever can open this door will gain a great, new power, but know that with such a reward comes great risk. Have you the courage to unlock this power?"

Yuma had fallen asleep the minute he got home, skipping dinner much to the concern of his grandmother and older sister. It wasn't long until he awoke within the all too familiar void, staring at the all too familiar face.

"I thought I had the courage." Yuma voiced sadly. "Now, I'm not sure. I thought feeling the flow would be enough to help me overcome any challenge, but I got a wakeup call today. I have a lot to learn, and I need more time to grow before I'm ready to unlock anything."

"Time? What time do you think you have?" The door replied, catching Yuma off guard. "If you believe your spirit can be broken as easily as a piece of metal, perhaps you are right. You are not ready. Look down at your hand and tell me what you see."

A golden glow drew Yuma's attention to the palm of his right hand, and he saw his key restored.

"A key is always functional if its owner is willing to use it." The door continued. "The time to decide is now, Yuma Tsukumo. Should you walk away, you will not get another chance, but should you unlock this door, there will be no turning back. What is your choice?"

Yesterday had been one of Yuma's worst days. It gave him a rude awakening as doubt entered his heart. He now thought back to Flip's sneering grin as he broke the key. All too quickly, that was replaced by others. He saw Tori, Kari, and Grandma. They were followed by Mom and Dad.

"They will come back one day."

He always told himself that when he looked at their family photo on his bedside. Even if they weren't with him, he could feel them through the key. He could almost hear his Dad's voice, encouraging him to keep moving forward.

"What am I doing?" Yuma shook his head. "No matter how many times I fall, no matter how many times I am laughed at, I'll keep trying to hi-five the sky." He stared at the door once more, feeling the fire within him light back up. "I'm going to open that door!" He raced towards the door, key in hand as he lept. "I'm feeling the flow!"

Yuma shoved the key into the lock. There was a surge of energy, knocking him on his back. The onomat user sat up just in time to see the door split vertically down the middle and open. He was met with a radiant, white light before seeing a transparent, male figure.

His body was blue with green markings and blue gems all over. He had blue hair that curled up in a mohawk and pointed ears which were pierced. He also had heterochromatic eyes, the left being luminous gold while the right was a clear white.

Yuto's Home: Night…
Yuto was sat at his computer where he had been researching various jewelry shops for hours after finishing his homework. The phantom knights user eventually zeroed in on one specializing in repairing damaged and broken jewelry. His gaze then fell on his deck he'd set nearby.

"Something irreplaceable…" Yuto sighed.

No matter how much his deck has and will change, Yuto would always utilize the phantom knights. He had too many good memories associated with the archetype. Days spent with his mother figuring out what deck suited him.

No matter what Xyz monsters he utilized, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon would be included. Cipher Dragon was a gift from his father, something he'd always arrange his deck to have the chance of utilizing.

As for Dark Rebellion, Yuto's parents confirmed that card had been with him from the second they found him as a baby. His deck and extra deck were priceless to him, like how Yuma's own key and deck were priceless to him. From that understanding came the desire to help.

"I'll have to run this by Yuma tomorrow." Yuto closed his eyes. "If he agrees, hopefully this shop can restore his key."

???
When Yuto opened his eyes, he was suddenly floating in the sky. It was a cloudless night with a full moon which shone on three distinct lands of varying sizes. One could draw lines between each one and have it form a triangle.

From smallest to biggest in terms of landmass: Heartland City, a more advanced city, and several islands connected via bridges. The several islands looked like they were centuries behind, regardless of which city you compared it to.

Between where Yuto floated and those landmasses were various dragons flying through the air. He could only determine two of the dragons as being Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon. Every other one was represented as differently colored energy.

"What…is this?" Yuto questioned, confused.

Suddenly, there was a purple glow which became visible as words before him.

"From one to another, the task falls to you."

Upon those words appearing, he could hear every dragon roaring. Despite the differences within the roars, all of them conveyed a sense of protectiveness. Yuto didn't understand what exactly these various dragons wanted to protect him from.

"If that's every dragon roaring, does that mean this has nothing to do with what I saw prior to these words appearing?" Yuto contemplated.

Suddenly, the words shimmered before fading into an image of a perfectly circular island. For just a split second, an archaic looking black seal appeared over top it. Then, Yuto's eyes were drawn to just below his neck. Upon looking, he was blinded by a purple light.

Yuto's Home
As the purple light died down, Yuto could now see he was back in his home. He was tempted to write what he'd seen off as some form of delusion, only to recognize something had to have happened given he now wore a simple black pendant with a purple stone around his neck.

"What was that?" Yuto contemplated.

His gaze was drawn to his deck box as it gave off a faint, purple glow. He opened it and retrieved Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, seeing it was the source of the glow. Specifically, it was within the card's effect as something had been added.

"This card is able to destroy 'Number' monsters by battle…" Yuto stared at his ace. "What is a Number monster? What does this and everything I've seen mean?"

Part of Yuto told him everything that happened was real and of importance, he just had no frame of reference for why he would be feeling this way. Even without that, all of Yuto was saying something big was coming or perhaps was already here.

Tsukumo Residence: Attic, Morning…
Yuma's awakening was abrupt and painful. He fell out of his hammock and hit the floor with a thud for the second day in a row. From his place on the ground, something golden caught his attention. At first, his heart sank knowing his key was only fixed in his dream.

When he took a closer look, Yuma was shocked. "It's…fixed?" He lept to his feet. "OH MY GOD, IT'S FIXED!" The onomat user picked the key up. "How is this possible? Keys don't just fix…" He then noticed the time. "OH NO, I'M LATE FOR SCHOOL! NOT AGAIN!"

Having no more time to think about the key, a panicked Yuma raced down the stairs. He was completely oblivious to the fact he wasn't alone as a glowing, white presence followed.

Heartland Academy: After School…
The day passed by in a blur for Yuma. He barely paid attention under normal circumstances. Now, all his thoughts were on last night's dream, and the mystery of his key. When the school day finally ended, he was still in a daze.

The onomat user was confused yet grateful. The repairing of his key had to be a sign to not give up on his way of life. To keep pushing and dueling no matter what. Maybe it was even a sign his parents were still out there, encouraging him to do just that.

"Hey, Yuma." Yuto called out. "I wanted to see if you're…" Whatever he was going to say caught in his throat the moment Yuma turned around. "Your key is fixed?"

"Yeah." Yuma nodded. "I went to sleep and had a weird dream about a creepy door. When I woke up, my key was fixed."

"You saw a door in your dreams last night?" Yuto questioned.

"Yeah, I've been dreaming of it for a while." Yuma realized something. "Wait, do you see the door to?"

"No, I actually had a different experience last night…" Yuto began, proceeding to then fill the onomat user in on what happened to him.

With Tori
Tori had been on the lookout for Flip all day, wanting her Master Hyperion back and getting him to somehow fix what he did to Yuma's key. Despite all that time, it was only now she found the shorter first year. His back was turned to her.

"I've finally found you, Flip!" Tori called out.

Flip laughed upon hearing her voice. Rather than the mischievous tone he typically had, this time he sounded malicious. A red tattoo of the Number 24 appeared on the back of his right hand as his laughing only increased in volume. Tori was, even if just a little, shaken by this.

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland Academy
"I know why you're looking for me." Flip's laughter petered out as he turned to face the fairy user. "Rather than talk, the two of us shall duel again. If you win, I will return Hyperion and make things right with Yuma."

"I already beat you, Flip." Tori returned firmly. "That's why you'll return my Hyperion and make things right with Yuma."

"Right or wrong?" Flip grinned maliciously. "In the end, it doesn't matter as history is written by the victor. Of course, the victor can't rewrite history with contradictory proof existing." He showed his duel pad, the paused video of Tori thanking him visible. "I still hold this."

Tori grit her teeth. "Flip…"

"This is why you shall duel me for all the marbles." Flip voiced. "The second the duel starts, the video will be deleted as you'll be locked in with the stakes apparent. Your deck up for grabs once more. Deny me, and we'll see how our principal decides to handle things with my proof in play."

"I defeated you yesterday, and I'll do it again!" Tori declared, firmly.

"Let's Duel!"

(Tori 4000/Flip 4000)

"I challenged you, so I shall once again take the first move!" Flip drew, showing his duel pad as he deleted the video. "Now, I activate the continuous spell Sunset Beat. If a monster I control is changed to face-down defense, I can destroy one card on the field.

If a flip monster is flipped face-up, you'll be taking damage equal to 200 multiplied by their level. Both effects are ones which can be utilized once every turn. I'll then follow it up with one set monster before calling my turn there."

"He's attempting to counter the ways my deck can gain life points." Tori recognized. "Given what he knows of my deck, was that a card he had in our duel yesterday or something he found between duels?" She drew. "I'm taking us back to the Sanctuary in the Sky."

The pair were now back within the courtyard of the sanctuary, floating through the sky. Tori's deck did not lack ways to get this field spell out, though it was nice to have it in your starting hand or even draw into it every once in a while.

"I'll then summon Nova Summoner(LV 4/1500/1000)." An orange ring of energy wrapped by green metal with angel wings appeared. "This monster will destroy your face down monster."

Nova Summoner fired a beam of light at the face down monster, which flipped face up briefly to reveal a young man wearing orange robes with yellow arrows all over before being destroyed.

"The monster you destroyed was Flip Wizard(LV 3/500/1200)." Flip informed. "Upon being flipped face-up, I am permitted to special summon any other Flip Wizard from my deck or grave in face-up or face-down defense position."

As the card slotted out of his deck, Flip set the second copy of his monster.

"That means if he's running up to three copies, it becomes hard to overcome his field and deal damage through most means." Tori recognized, though knowing she had said means within her deck. "Since he knows my deck, just what is his end game?"

"Don't forget, you flipped a monster of mine face up." Flip smirked as he continued. "That means you now take 600 life points worth of damage since that monster had a level of 3."

Sunlight washed over the fairy user (Tori 3400/Flip 4000).

"Beyond what I've done, there isn't much more I could do." Tori voiced. "Your move, Flip."

"I draw!" Flip looked at his hand. "First, I'll flip my second Flip Wizard(LV 3/500/1200), utilizing its effect to summon the third Flip Wizard(LV 3/500/1200) from my deck in face-up defense position." As the card slotted out, he summoned it. "Sunset Beat activates once more."

Sunlight washed over the fairy user again (Tori 2800/Flip 4000).

"Face-up defense as opposed to face-down." Tori noted. "Two monsters of the same level."

"Right mind set, though thinking a bit too small." Flip sneered. "I activate the Flip Wizard on the right. Since I control one other monster with a flip effect, I can declare a level from 1-3. Then, all monsters I control gain levels equivalent to the number declared. I declare 3."

Flip Wizard(LV 6/500/1200)x2

"Two level 6 monsters!" Tori exclaimed.

"That's right." Flip declared. "I now overlay my two level 6 Flip Wizards to build the overlay network. Xyz summon Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon (R 6/O 2/2400/2800)." A black and white wyrm with scarlet wings appeared.

With the summon of this monster, various students gathered as they took an interest in the duel. Some of them even began sending messages to tell classmates about the strange Xyz monster Flip was using.

"Where did Flip get a card like that?" Tori trembled. "Wherever he found it, that monster looks scarier than his Pot of the Forbidden."

"Vampiric Dragon, attack Nova Summoner with Sanguine Storm!" Flip commanded.

Vampiric Dragon unleashed a blast of blood red flames, striking Nova Summoner.

"Don't forget, that was a battle which included a fairy type monster, so any battle damage I may have taken is reduced to 0 thanks to my Sanctuary." Tori declared. "Additionally, the destruction of Nova Summoner triggers his effect.

Normally, I could summon any light attributed fairy monster with 1500 ATK or less from my deck. Due to having Sanctuary active, it now targets Airknight Parshath(LV5/1900/1400)." A four-legged centaur angel wearing blue and gold armor appeared.

"Bring out as many fairy monsters as you wish, for they are nothing in the face of my new monster." Flip declared. "That said, all I've done is special summon this turn, so I'll set one monster before ending my turn."

"That Number must have some form of interaction with Flip's flip monsters; otherwise, he'd have never put it in his extra deck." Tori recognized. "If I want to regain control of this duel, I need to clear the field." She drew. "Alright Flip, here I come!

First, I'll summon The Agent of Miracles – Jupiter(LV 4/1800/1000)." A buff figure wearing white and red robe bottoms appeared. "I then activate the continuous spell, Vingolf's Blessing. Upon activation, I can send any one light attributed fairy from my deck to the grave."

As the card slotted out, she pitched it. "What this does long term is grant 100 ATK to all fairies I control for every fairy on my field and in my grave. I have Nova Summoner and the monster I just sent in the grave, coupled with the two monsters on my field, so that's 400 extra ATK."

Airknight Parshath(LV5/2300/1400 effect)
The Agent of Miracles – Jupiter(LV 4/2200/1000 effect)

"Your monsters fall a little short." Flip called out.

"Clearly, you didn't take the time to learn all my old cards, just as you failed previously to think I might find new cards to power up my deck." Tori retorted. "I activate the effect of Jupiter, banishing The Agent of Creation – Venus I sent there for my continuous spell."

Airknight Parshath(LV5/2200/1400 effect)
The Agent of Miracles – Jupiter(LV 4/2100/1000 effect)

"Having done that, I can now grant any light attributed fairy monster I control 800 extra ATK until the end of this turn." Tori continued. "I choose Parshath."

Airknight Parshath(LV5/3000/1400 effect)

"That's not all." Tori proceeded. "Since I control Sanctuary in the Sky, I can discard a fairy from my hand to special summon any one banished light attributed fairy to my field. Come on out, The Agent of Creation – Venus(LV 3/1600/0)." A woman in a green and white dress appeared.

"Three monsters…" Flip noted, surprised.

"Don't forget this now adds one monster to the field and one monster to the grave, between both there is a total of 5." Tori declared. "That means every monster on my field has 500 extra ATK added to their original, alongside the eight hundred given to Airknight this turn."

Airknight Parshath(LV5/3200/1400 effect)
The Agent of Miracles – Jupiter(LV 4/2300/1000 effect)
The Agent of Creation – Venus(LV 3/2100/0 effect)

"Now, let's clear your field." Tori declared. "First, I'll have Airknight destroy Number 24." Airknight surged forward, slashing into the dragon and generating a massive explosion (Tori 2800/Flip 3200). "What exactly was that Xyz monster meant to do?"

"Oh, you'll find out in due time given he's still on the field!" Flip replied.

The debris cleared to reveal Flip's Xyz monster was left unharmed.

Tori went wide eyed. "What!?"

"As I always say, everything has a hidden side." Flip chuckled. "The hidden twist of this applies to all Numbers. You see, they can only be destroyed in battle by another Number."

"Even if he still takes the damage, that monster will remain on the field unless I can destroy it another way." Tori clenched her teeth as while she had other ways to do it, nothing on her field could manage it currently. "Parshath still dealt damage, so I now get to draw one card."

She drew. "This one doesn't manage the destruction of that Number, but what this card can do is bring me close to ending this." She added the card to her hand. "Jupiter shall now destroy that face down monster of yours."

A figure covered by a black cloak was revealed before being destroyed.

"That was my Night Assailant(LV 3/200/500), whose flip effect allows for the destruction of any one monster you control." Flip informed. "Additionally, that's another 600 life points of damage due to her level passing through Sunset Beat. Say good-bye to your Parshath."

A transparent Night Assailant cut down Parshath while Tori was once again awash by sunlight (Tori 2200/Flip 3200).

"Out of my Battle Phase, I'll utilize the effect of Venus." Tori called out. "At the cost of 500 life points, this monster can special summon 1 Mystical Shine Ball from my hand or deck. There is no turn restriction, so I'll pay 1500 life points to summon all three in defense position."

As the three Mystical Shine Ball(LV 2/500/500) slotted out of her deck, Tori played them in face-up defense position (Tori 700/Flip 3200) bringing her field to five monsters.

"That's another 300 ATK for all my monsters." Tori voiced.

The Agent of Miracles – Jupiter(LV 4/2600/1000 effect)
The Agent of Creation – Venus(LV 3/2400/0 effect)
Mystical Shine Ball(LV 2/1300/500 effect)(3)

"I'll then finish out my turn with one set card." Tori declared.

"With this turn, I'm bringing this duel to an end!" Flip declared as he drew.

"Not so fast!" Tori called out. "I now reveal my face down, Solar Ray. You take 600 life points worth of damage for every light attributed monster on my field. With the three I summoned off Venus, plus her and Jupiter, I got a full field of five for 3000 life points!"

A golden statue ascended until the sun was at its back, at which point it released a rainbow that washed over Flip and knocked him flat on his back (Tori 700/Flip 200).

Seconds after the trap ceased, Flip laughed as he slowly stood. "This is still my victory!"

With Yuma & Yuto
After Yuto filled Yuma in on what he experienced last night, the two of them went over their respective experiences to see if there was any similarities. Beyond the fact both experiences happened last night, there didn't seem to be a correlation.

"Apparently, Flip has lost it!"

The boys were drawn out of their conversation upon hearing mention of Flip from some fellow students who were running by.

"Yeah, he's challenged Tori to a rematch and has some sort of strange Xyz monster."

Yuma and Yuto reached a silent agreement to put this on hold as they ran after those two.

With Tori
"To begin your end, I activate the effect of Vampiric Dragon." Flip declared. "By detaching one overlay unit, I can target any one monster who was special summoned from the extra deck and change them to face-down defense position.

The only monster like that on the field is Vampiric Dragon." Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon(R 6/O 1/2400/2800). "Since a face-up monster I control was changed to face-down defense position, Sunset Beat lets me destroy any card on the field.

I choose your Sanctuary!" Tori stared wide eyed as her field spell vanished. "I'll follow it up with the Book of Taiyou, allowing me to flip any one face-down monster into face-up attack position. I choose my Vampiric Dragon.

While a monster with ranks means Sunset Beat's other effect won't activate, a second effect of Number 24's will in allowing me to send any 1 card on the field to the grave due to him being flipped face-up. I choose Vingolf's Blessing."

The Agent of Miracles – Jupiter(LV 4/1800/1000)
The Agent of Creation – Venus(LV 3/1600/0)
Mystical Shine Ball(LV 2/500/500)(3)

"With my field full, I can't use its last effect." Tori turned her gaze to Flip's Number, stunned. "No…"

"As I said, this is the end!" Flip declared. "Vampiric Dragon, wipe The Agent of Creation off the field with Sanguine Storm!"

Yuto and Yuma arrived with a few other students just in time to see a malicious looking dragon destroy Tori's fairy with a scarlet fireball and send her falling to the ground in a heap (Tori 0/Flip 200).

"To the victor go the spoils." Flip declared.

He approached Tori, laying claim to her deck and adding Master Hyperion back to it.

"Sorry Yuma." Tori spotted the onomat user, looking at his sorrowful face. "He's gotten at least one new card, an Xyz. It was too much."

"Why did he even duel her?" Yuto questioned.

"That's quite simple." Flip gave a malicious grin. "She was the first of you three I am paying back for humiliating me yesterday. That card you saw is the key. With it at my disposal, nobody shall humiliate me again!"

"If you want to duel, you've got one." Yuto declared.

"Not so fast, new guy." Flip pointed at the holder of the Emperor Key. "Yuma is my next victim. It's time you pay."

"What did I do?" Yuma replied, incredulously. "You're the one who stepped on my key."

"You tried to trick me with that fake offer of friendship, but I saw through you." Flip declared. "There is only one truth in this world, and it's that power is the key to getting what you want."

"You're crazy." Yuto called out. "Yuma was trying to help you."

The flip effect user ignored him as he pulled his Xyz card out to stare at it. "With this card, I'm invincible. I don't even need Tori's deck to get more cards, so I'll probably burn it."

"DON'T YOU DARE!" Yuma shouted. "If you want to duel me, I'll wager my own deck to win Tori's back."

"Yuma, you can't!" Tori cried, managing to rise to her feet. "Don't risk your dad's cards."

Yuto approached the girl, putting a hand gently on her shoulder. "I've only known Yuma for such a short time now, but nothing you say will deter him from doing this. If it comes down to it, I'll put my deck on the line two times over just to win both yours back."

"Winning your dad's cards will be easy." Flip chuckled. "Once I have them, I'll make you watch as I have a nice bonfire."

"The only thing you're going to earn is a butt kicking." Yuma returned. "Get set to get decked!"

"Let's Duel!"

(Yuma 4000/Flip 4000)

"The first turn is mine!" Flip drew. "I set one monster and one backrow. Now, are you brave enough to attack and see what my monster is capable of?"

"Oh, I'm brave enough!" Yuma drew. "I summon Zubaba Knight(LV 3/1600/900)." A golden armored knight with a red cape appeared. "This monster will cut yours to pieces."

"Yuma, no!" Tori knew what the onomat user's intention was, though he had forgotten something crucial. "Zubaba Knight's effect to automatically destroy a defense position monster only works if the card is in face-up defense position."

Yuma looked down at his duel disk to check if Tori was right.

Sure enough, she was which led to the onomat user panicking. "Zubaba Knight, stop!"

He couldn't take back his attack declaration, leading to Zubaba Knight slicing the card in half and revealing an all too familiar brown insect.

"You've attacked into Man-Eater Bug(LV 2/450/600)." Flip announced. "When this monster is flipped face-up, it automatically destroys one monster on the field!"

A transparent Man-Eater Bug appeared before leaping at Zubaba Knight and destroying him. Yuma couldn't believe he messed up like that. Screwing up during a regular duel was one thing because he could always try again; however, this was different.

This was a duel with stakes where one bad move could see him lose not only his deck but Tori's to. He'd be letting his friend down. Even beyond that, he was fairly certain Tori was only in this situation because of him.

All Yuma could do now was hope his opponent didn't have a monster strong enough to wipe his life points. "I end my turn."

"My turn!" Flip drew. "I'll activate the card I set last turn, Subterror Succession. With this, my deck can do one of two things. The only one that matters now is my ability to send 1 monster from my hand to the grave. I choose the water attributed Cystal Seer.

Now, I add any one flip monster from my deck to my hand provided it has the same attribute yet a different name from the discarded monster. I select Flip Wizard. I'll then set one monster and activate Book of Taiyou to flip the Flip Wizard(LV 3/500/1200) I just set into attack position."

A young man wearing orange robes with yellow arrows all over it appeared, which saw Tori pale. "Upon being flipped face-up, I am permitted to special summon any other Flip Wizard(LV 3/500/1200) from my deck or grave in face-up or face-down defense position."

As the card slotted out of his deck, Flip summoned the second Flip Wizard. "I then activate the Flip Wizard on the right. Since I control one other monster with a flip effect, I can declare a level from 1-3. Then, all monsters I control gain levels equivalent to the number declared. I declare 3."

Flip Wizard(LV 6/500/1200)x2

"Oh no." Tori groaned. "I was hoping Yuma would make more progress before this happened."

"What exactly can Flip do with those two level six monsters?" Yuto questioned, though he could wager a good guess it was the summon of that monster which beat the younger girl.

"With those two monsters, Flip can summon a deceptively strong Xyz monster." Tori replied. "I have no idea where he even found a monster like it, but it paved the way to his victory over me."

"I overlay my two level 6 Flip Wizards to build the overlay network. Xyz summon Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon(R 6/O 2/2400/2800)." A black and white wyrm with scarlet wings appeared.

"A Number monster!?" Yuto thought, his mind turning to the text added to his Dark Rebellion.

"Now, say goodbye to more than half your life points!" Flip shouted. "Vampiric Dragon, attack Yuma directly with Sanguine Storm!"

The dragon unleashed a blast of blood red flames, striking Yuma in the chest and sending him crashing to the ground (Yuma 1600/Flip 4000).

"Yuma!" Tori called out in worry.

The onomat user was laid out on his back, staring up at this monster. He wanted to call forth his fiery spirit, yell that he was feeling the flow, and fight back. He was held back by just how he could defeat this Number.

"Yuto's Dark Rebellion has text that says it can destroy a Number by battle, so that likely means no average monster can do the job." Yuma muttered. "What can I do against a monster like that?"

"Rise." A voice commanded.

It wasn't his friends telling him to get up. The voice was an echoing monotone, alien to anything he's heard before. Yuma looked up and gasped. He didn't believe in ghosts, but unless he was hallucinating from the dragon's attack, that was exactly what the figure floating next to him was.

The spirit's transparent body was blue with green markings and blue gems all over. He had blue hair that curled up in a mohawk and pointed, pierced ears. He also had heterochromatic eyes, the left being luminous gold while the right was a clear white.

"Who are you?" Yuma questioned.

The figure stared stoically off into space before finally replying. "Astral, if I recall."

"If you recall?" Yuma lept to his feet. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I am uncertain." Astral replied. "I cannot seem to recall much of anything. All I know is my name, and I was sent here to fulfill a great purpose; however, it seems something went wrong. Now, I am stuck here with no memory of who I am or what my purpose was. This is troubling."

"Well, how important could it be if you forgot?" Yuma asked.

At this point, he was growing more annoyed than scared of the transparent alien creature.

"Yuma, who are you talking to?" Tori's voiced.

That snapped Yuma back to reality, seeing him turn to his friends.

"You don't see the figure floating next to him?" Yuto questioned, having seen Astral the moment he appeared before noticing everyone else around them seemed just as confused as the fairy user was. "Are only Yuma and I able to see him?"

"Yeah Tori, you can't see the floating blue guy?" Yuma asked, pointing at him.

He then noted what Yuto had in that everyone but the two of them were confused.

"Whether you can see him or not, is it really hard to believe the two of us do?" Yuto questioned. "After all, Yuma's got a golden key that magically fixed itself while Flip is using a monster that changed his personality and seemingly gave him a glowing tattoo.

To top it off, I'm not in a stressful situation like Yuma, yet I'm seeing the same figure. All I'm saying is something weird is going on, has been since last night and likely longer if what Yuma has told me is any indication. At this point, anything is possible."

Tori had to admit Yuto had a point, especially since it sounded like there was a lot she hadn't been made privy to. If there really was a ghost floating next to Yuma, what did it want? Yuma merely sighed in relief that he likely wasn't going crazy.

"While it's funny to watch you lose touch with reality, it is still my turn." Flip sneered, reminding everybody he was still here. "With my Battle Phase over, I shall use my dragon's effect. By detaching one overlay unit, I can flip one monster summoned from the extra deck face-down.

Since the only monster fitting that criteria is my dragon, he shall be my target." Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon(R 6/O 1/2400/2800). "With that, I end my turn. Now, Yuma, are you going to stand around making up stories about ghosts, or continue the duel?"

Astral, who had been stiff as a statue since making his presence known, heard the words of Yuma's opponent. With their conclusion, there was a flicker of curiosity behind his eyes.

"Duel?" That word resonated with Astral. "Pardon me, but did that human say the two of you are in the middle of a duel?"

"Of course we are!" Yum exclaimed. "What does it look like we're doing? Playing twenty questions?"

"That word is familiar." Astral voiced. "Yes, I understand now. I may not remember my purpose or where I am from; however, I can duel."

Yuma could sense the passion underneath Astral's monotone, but he didn't believe a word the spirit said. "Of course you do, and I just so happen to tap dance."

"I most certainly can duel." Astral declared. "Observe! I draw!"

"Hold on, that's my line!" Yuma exclaimed. "I draw."

He took the top card of his deck, only for Astral to ignore him. "I will set one monster before…"

"Quit interrupting!" Yuma yelled. "I summon Achacha Archer(LV 3/1200/600), which I'm SUMMONING in attack mode." An archer in a yellow tunic appeared. "You might actually like this monster Flip. After all, it deals 500 life points of damage if I normal or flip summon him."

"It does what?" Flip questioned.

Archer fired off a few arrows at, bypassing his set Number (Yuma 1600/Flip 3500).

"That's not all." Yuma declared. "Since an effect was activated that inflicts damage, I can now special summon Achacha Chanbara(LV 3/1400/400)." A kabuki warrior decked out in red robes appeared. "When he's special summoned this way, you take 400 life points of damage."

Chanbara lept passed the face-down Number to strike with twin, flaming blades (Yuma 1600/Flip 3100).

"Way to go Yuma!" Tori cheered.

"Too bad he doesn't have an extra deck that can take advantage of having these two level 3 monsters out." Yuto noted. "Additionally, Flip seems to have recovered from being stunned over taking some damage."

"Alright, looks like I'm still in this!" Yuma declared.

"Enjoy whatever damage you get in because it's not going to matter." Flip declared. "Everything has a hidden side, and the hidden twist of this duel applies to all Number Monsters. You see, a Number can only be destroyed in battle by ANOTHER Number."

Yuma's heart sank. "That text added to Dark Rebellion really did mean something?"

"Chip away at my life points all you like, you're out of luck." Flip taunted. "Not that you had much to begin with. Now, end your turn and allow me to display the other side of my Number."

"Observation one." Astral muttered. "Humans seem to have below average dueling skills. This particular human's skills are lacking, but there is potential for growth if he is willing to listen."

"I'm doing the best I can!" Yuma argued, frustrated.

"While it is true you are on the backfoot, you are not without options." Astral argued. "Pay close attention to your hand. Place the two traps you have face down."

Yuma saw he did have two traps in hand but was too proud to admit he forgot them. "Why should I trust you? You seem to enjoy mocking me. What if you just want to watch me fail?"

"Do you want to win this duel or not?" Astral questioned with a straight face.

"FINE!" Yuma shouted. "I set two cards and end my turn."

"My move!" Flip drew. "First, I set one monster before flipping my Vampiric Dragon face-up, which activates his secondary effect. I can now automatically send any one card on your field to the grave. I choose your face-down on the left.

Go, Crimson Curse!" Vampiric Dragon's eyes flashed, seeing Yuma's left face-down revealed to be Mirror Mail before it crumbled to dust. "Now, Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon shall attack Achacha Archer with Sanguine Storm!"

"Activate your remaining trap!" Astral commanded.

"Yeah, Yeah, I'm on it." Yuma retorted. "I activate the trap card, Battle Rush. With our two monster's clashing, my Archer won't be destroyed while you take the damage I would have received from this battle."

Vampiric Dragon fired on Achacha Archer, who staved off the attack by blocking with his bow. The residual damage then washed over the flip effect user (Yuma 1600/Flip 1900).

"Alright, Yuma managed to keep both his monsters while avoiding a lot of damage in the process!" Tori celebrated.

"It's certainly less of an uphill battle now." Yuto commented.

"You staved off my Number, but I'm not without options." Flip scowled. "I activate the effect of Vampiric Dragon, utilizing his last overlay unit to flip him face-down." Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon(R 6/O 0/2400/2800). "Then, I activate the quick-play Sol and Luna.

Through its power, I target my Vampiric Dragon and your Chanbara. Whatever their current battle position, they adopt the inverse. Face-up attack for my monster and face-down defense for yours. While his effect is once per turn, the capability of attacking has reset.

He'll once again attack your Acher. Go, Sanguine Storm!" Vampiric Dragon fired on Archer, this time he was unable to withstand the attack and was wiped out by the scarlet blast (Yuma 400/Flip 1900). "With that, I end my turn."

"Oh dear." Astral noticed his body was flickering.

Despite not having a positive first impression of this strange spirit, Yuma grew concerned. "Hey, what's happening to you?"

"I feel strange…" Astral whispered. "When your life points decreased, I suddenly felt weak." He then looked back at Dragulas. "The Numbers…" Clarity crossed his mind. "I understand now. They are the key to restoring my memory and are even pieces of my very life force."

Yuma scratched his head. "You've lost me."

"If we win this duel, I shall be able to acquire that Number and perhaps restore a piece of my memory." Astral informed. "I'm afraid if you run out of life points, I will run out of life force, and I think you know what that means."

For a brief moment, Yuma feared for the spirit's safety before quickly burying it underneath his ego. "This is just great. It's bad enough Tori and I's decks are on the line. Now somebody's life is in my hands too."

He looked at the remaining cards in his hand, Gagaga Magician and Double or Nothing. "Neither of these can beat Number 24 next turn, let alone win the duel. Come to think of it, there's nothing in my deck stronger than that Number without set up I don't have."

"There may be nothing in your main deck, but what of that Xyz monster within your extra deck?" Astral commented.

Yuma glanced down and saw a faint light emanating from the deck box strapped to his waste. He looked inside and saw a single card, its black border filling the onomat user with excitement.

"Is that an Xyz Monster!?" For a brief second, Yuma assumed he was hallucinating, but the card was real. "It is an Xyz Monster, but I can't make out which one."

"It is not just a Xyz Monster." Astral replied. "It is Number 39: Utopia, one hundred ATK stronger than Number 24 and has the ability to stop any attack at the cost of one overlay unit."

"Stop any attack?" Yuma looked at his hand, zeroing in on Double or Nothing. "If I can manage to bust this out, its ability in conjunction with my Double or Nothing can finish this."

"In order to reach that point, your next draw must not only be a second level 4 monster to go with Gagaga Magician." Astral informed. "It must also have the ability to somehow get both monsters on the field; otherwise, you will be unable to summon Utopia."

"I must trust my deck not to let me down." Yuma readied to draw. "It's my turn!" He took the top card and looked at it. "I got just the card!" He looked at the flip effect user. "Get ready Flip because I'm feeling the flow!"

"Feeling the flow?" Astral questioned.

"Feeling the flow is my motto, meaning doing what can't be done." Yuma looked to Flip. "Now, I summon Gagaga Magician(LV 4/1500/1000)!" A spellcaster in dark blue robes with chains wrapped loosely around his body appeared.

"Through the normal summon of a level 4 monster, I can special summon Kagetokage(LV 4/1100/1500)." The shadow of a lizard appeared. "I then overlay my two level 4 monsters. Xyz summon Number 39: Utopia(R4/O 2/2500/2000)." A gold knight with wings appeared.

"See what I mean about things going on?" Yuto questioned. "You've clearly known Yuma longer than I have, but just yesterday he confirmed he didn't have an Xyz monster. Now, here he is with one suddenly appearing out of the blue."

"I just hope it doesn't make him go crazy, like Flip." Tori voiced worriedly. "What if every Number card is like that?"

"I think he looks okay." Yuto replied. "Perhaps owed to the fact he has Astral."

"You seem invigorated by having a Number, but it changes nothing!" Flip snarled. "My face-down monster is Self-Destruct Ant. Meaning even after you destroy my Number and deal 100 damage, I'll flip him next turn to hit us both with 1000 life points. Only I will survive!"

"Then, it's a good thing my intention is to win this turn." Yuma declared. "Utopia, attack Vampiric Dragon with Rising Sun Slash! I then activate his effect, detaching one overlay unit to negate any one attack. Go, Lightwing Shield!"

Number 39: Utopia(R4/O 1/2500/2000) charged with his sword drawn, only to absorb an overlay unit and cease his own attack.

"You're even dumber than I thought!" The move baffled everybody, none more so than Yuma's opponent. "Why would you waste your monster's ability by stopping your own attack?"

"I'm not wasting anything, Flip!" Yuma retorted, his smile widening in triumph. "I'm winning! I activate the last card in my hand, Double or Nothing! Since my monster's attack was negated, this spell doubles Utopia's ATK and lets him try again!"

Number 39: Utopia(R4/O 1/5000/2000 effect)

"Five Thousand ATK!" Flip stepped back. "It can't be!"

"Yes, it can!" Yuma retorted. "Utopia, destroy Vampiric Dragon with Rising Sun Slash!"

Spreading his wings wide, Utopia drew both his blades and brought them down on the opposing Number. Flip could only stare on in shock as his precious dragon shattered, and he was flung off his feet (Yuma 400/Flip 0). The flip effect user was rendered unconscious.

"Did I just…win?" Yuma whispered in amazement.

Like Yuma, nearly every spectator was stunned by what they witnessed.

Yuto crossed his arms. "How about that…"

Those three words sent Tori into a joyful frenzy as she rushed Yuma, the two of them jumping for joy together. Yuto simply hung back and watched the celebration with a small smile. While the humans were focused on Yuma's victory, Astral was focused on the Number.

Extending his hand, he claimed his prize as the card floated away from its user and into him. The Number mark vanished from Flip's hand in the process. As Astral held the Number, he felt the fog in his mind clear slightly.

"Yes, it is as I suspected." Astral thought. "This Number contains a piece of my fragmented memories. If I want my memory to return in full, I must collect the now remaining 98 Numbers."

"Did you see how awesome I was?" Yuma's eyes beamed with pride. "My very first Xyz Monster, and I used it to win! I'm going to be unstoppable now!" He looked to the phantom knights user. "Maybe I'll even beat you the next time we duel, Yuto."

"Keep in mind, I'm not defenseless in the face of your Number." Yuto walked over to join the younger students. "Even excluding my Dark Rebellion, I'm already thinking of other ways one could overcome these Numbers."

"Uh, guys?" Tori voiced, getting the boys to turn where she was looking.

Their gaze turned to Flip. Gone was the wicked sneer and malice as he simply looked crestfallen.

"You beat me, fair and square." Flip approached the onomat user while retrieving Tori's deck and holding it out to him. "We had a deal. Tori's entire deck, with every card accounted for."

"Thank you, for keeping your word." Yuma accepted the deck.

"I don't get it." Flip looked away in shame. "I thought with that card people would finally take me seriously as a duelist, yet I still lost. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a duelist."

"Are you kidding?" Yuma replied. "You had me pressed that entire duel."

"Even without a Number, your deck is pretty strong." Tori added, recalling their first duel. "Perhaps if you practice and turn your attitude around, you'll do better next time."

Flip took off his glasses and hid his face as he wiped away some growing moisture. He expected once he lost, Yuma and Tori would twist the knife. What he got instead was genuine kindness he didn't deserve.

"I'm sorry…for everything." Flip started to walk away, recognizing he had some thinking to do.

"Hey Flip!" Yuma called out, getting the flip effect user to stop. "Maybe we can duel again sometime, only we'll forget putting anything on the line and have it out for nothing more than fun. That's the best way to feel the flow."

"Perhaps you have something there." Flip replied without looking back.

The flip effect user then took his leave. Once he was gone, Yuto looked from Astral to Yuma in contemplation. Despite all that had happened, there were only more questions than answers.

"What was made clear here today is whatever happened with me last night has something to do with these Numbers." Yuto shifted his gaze to his pendant. "To what extent is unclear."

---

New section: This will appear any time Numbers change hands to keep track of who has what Numbers.

Numbers: 2/100

Yuma: 24, 39

I may also divide these into group, just to keep clear who is working with whom.

---

Flip's OC card-

Flip Wizard/Water/Level 3/Spellcaster/Flip/ATK 500/DEF 1200

FLIP: You can Special Summon 1 "Flip Wizard" from your Deck or GY in face-up or face-down Defense Position. During your Main Phase: If you control another monster with a "FLIP" effect, you can declare a level between 1-3; all monsters you control increase their level by the declared.

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland Streets; Evening…
Yuto ended up leaving Heartland Academy with Yuma and Tori, the three of them now walking together. Being around Yuma apparently meant they were around Astral as he floated along after the onomat user with his arms crossed. While Yuto and Yuma saw him, Tori still could not.

"Didn't I tell you to get lost, Astral." Yuma voiced, frustrated.

His earlier win over Flip hadn't endeared the guy to the strange being.

"You did, though I do not understand what you mean." Astral replied. "How can one consciously get lost? If I go somewhere, I will know where I am."

"It's a figure of speech, something humans are rather adapt at." Yuto informed. "Basically, Yuma is requesting you go somewhere else, and I assume he wouldn't want you to come back."

"I can't leave until he's collected the Numbers." Astral replied.

Yuto felt a desire to offer his help in this endeavor, though he would admit it wasn't purely altruistic. He could sympathize with Astral's loss of memory, though these Numbers were clearly something different from your average Xyz monster.

That didn't even scratch the surface of just what this being was meant to do, his mission. A degree of caution almost felt necessary before throwing your weight behind a task like this. There was also consideration needed in what a Number might do to him.

"If what happened to me last night is any indication, in theory Numbers should hold no sway over me." Yuto thought. "There is still the possibility I lose myself, like Flip. Even recognizing that, these Numbers do offer a challenge."

"What do I have to do with anything!?" Yuma exclaimed. "Why do I have to collect your dumb Numbers!?"

Tori looked to Yuto. "There really is an invisible duelist around Yuma?"

Even after what Yuto told her, the fairy user was having a difficult time believing it.

"Beyond the fact I can still see and hear Astral, strange stuff has been going down these past two days." Yuto shrugged. "Whether or not you believe Yuma is on you."

"…Forget this!" Yuma yelled before storming off.

Astral still followed. "Observation two: When asked to do something, humans behave erratically."

They had reached the Tsukumo residence when Yuma turned to the being. "Stop using such big words!" Suddenly, everyone heard an anguished scream. "That's my sister!"

Tsukumo Residence
The group rushed inside and up to Kari's room. Every one of her computer screens were red with 'ERROR' written on them.

"What's going on Kari?" Yuma asked, concerned.

"My research…my transcripts…my big scoop." Kari informed, dismayed. "Some kind of bug just wiped my computer."

"Okay, let's try to stay calm." Yuma voiced, anxiously.

"Hearing that isn't exactly comforting in this situation." Yuto muttered.

"My deadline is tomorrow." Kari cried.

"Mount Kari is about to blow." Yuma admitted.

"We might want to get out of here." Tori voiced.

The boys agreed, the group of three beating a hasty retreat.

"Yuma, find me another scoop or else!" Kari roared.

Heartland
"Perhaps my assessment about her taking away Yuma's allowance was wrong." Yuto crossed his arms. "Just from that brief meeting, she seems free to do something she loves, enough to the point she's devastated over losing her scoop, yet Yuma can't do what he loves freely."

"How does Kari expect me to find her a scoop?" Yuma questioned. "Also, why hasn't traffic moved for like ten minutes?"

Yuto was pulled out of his thoughts to see the streets were clogged with traffic.

"Nothing's moving!" Tori exclaimed.

"Yeah, something is definitely up." Yuto noted.

A nearby vending machine started to spill out juices and snacks. Yuma seized the opportunity, collecting everything the machine ended up dispensing into his arms.

"Yuma, put those back!" Tori exclaimed. "You didn't pay for them!"

"I can't exactly blame him." Yuto noted, drawing the fairy user's attention. "Without an allowance, how exactly is he supposed to pay for those?"

Tori had admittedly forgotten that little tidbit in the moment.

Before the conversation could go any further, a litterbot suddenly approached the onomat user. "Trash identified."

It opened itself up and reached out its mechanical arms towards Yuma, only for Yuto to pull him out reach. "I don't know what's going on with the tech, but we're going somewhere there's less of it for the time being."

Tsukumo Residence: Night…
Eventually, night would come which prompted the three students to part ways. Yuma ended up taking a shower, finishing up by the time dinner was done. As he sat at the table with his sister and grandma, the local news came on.

"In other news, multiple people started to file reports…" The anchor woman announced.

Kari turned the TV off, still depressed at the loss of her scoop. "I don't want to hear about people filing reports."

"Thanks for the grub, Grandma." Yuma chirped before picking up his chopsticks.

"Why did my computer trash my report?" Kari moaned.

"Speaking of trash, one of those litterbots attempted to scoop me up today." Yuma announced.

"The same thing happened to me, though I was actually scooped up." Haru replied.

Kari lifted her head up at that piece of news, her eyes filled with tears. "Wait, what?"

"Downtown was crazy today." Yuma explained. "Traffic lights kept flickering, the monorail was stopped, and the vending machines spat out free food."

Haru smiled. "Thankfully, the radio said everything went back to normal."

"So, I'm not the only one whose computer got wiped?" Kari asked.

Yuma shrugged. "Guess not."

"Something stinks." Kari voiced, seeing Haru and Yuma sniff themselves. "Not you two! I smell a good story brewing! I've got to replenish my energy and get cracking!"

Rather than pick up her food, Kari snatched Yuma's fish.

"Hey, that's mine!" Yuma exclaimed, having been given the biggest piece.

Kari didn't respond as she nibbled the piece down to bone before throwing it down and taking off. Yuma just sighed in frustration before claiming her food and eating it with what he had left.

"So, this is how humans replenish their energy." Astral muttered.

Some Time Later…
Once everybody finished dinner, Yuma went to the bathroom with Astral just outside the door. "So, why can't I come inside the room while you're in there?"

"If you see me 'releasing' energy, I'll die!" Yuma exclaimed.

"Interesting." Not knowing any better, Astral took that as fact for the moment. "Observation three: Humans must eat and release energy in an endless cycle; however, they will die the moment anyone sees them doing this."

"Stop observing!" Yuma yelled.

"One more thing." Astral returned. "You seem to be such a complex, functional being yet malfunction when dueling."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Yuma asked, peeved.

He then flushed the toilet and went about washing his hands.

"Your dueling is broken and erroneous." Astral replied.

"Go away!" Yuma yelled, emerging from the bathroom. "Nobody is perfect, don't you get that!? Mistakes are what define us!"

"I do not understand." Astral voiced, his face serious. "Failure is not an option for me."

"Er, you won't ever achieve anything if you're afraid to fail!" Yuma covered his face with his hands. "My Dad says that. He's awesome so there." The onomat user then stormed off. "Also, leave me alone, you floating flashlight!"

Later…
Yuma was asleep within the attic hammock while Astral floated nearby, observing him.

"I cannot shake the thought I was sent to this world on an important mission. Perhaps to fulfill it, I was meant to take over Yuma. Upon my arrival, something went wrong and saw my essence shattered into 99 Number cards.

With these piece of me seemingly able to take over these humans, it must have been a power I had. If this is the case, why would taking over Yuma be part of my mission? More importantly, were this to be the case, what went wrong?"

Astral's gaze fell to the Emperor's Key, seeing him extend a hand out to it. This resulted in him being dragged within said object.

Inside the Emperor's Key
"What happened?" Astral was now looking at a large, cylindrical object out in the middle of a blue sanded desert with blue sky far as the eye could see. "Where am I?"

Yuto's Home
Yuto felt a need to do something in relation to this whole Number business, but his computer wasn't operational. That meant he couldn't see about finding a lead or perhaps even learning something more than he already knew about them.

"Even if I did find something, it's not like I'd go off into the night hunting down whatever lead I found." Yuto recognized. "Perhaps Flip was just the initial incident, given Numbers appeared literally the day after Yuma and I had our respective experiences the night prior."

Even if he found something and decided to check it out tomorrow, Yuto didn't think he could put his full trust in Astral. It wasn't down to any bad feelings he got from the guy, more that there was no telling what this mission of his was.

It assumedly had something to do with these Numbers, though that wasn't a comforting piece of information given what one of those did to someone like Flip. Yuto recognized if it were possible he wasn't affected by these Numbers, it might be best to work with Astral.

In the long run, should he prove immune to these seemingly negative consequences of holding a Number, it would likely do him well to hold onto a few as a precaution. Not to mention having someone definitively backing him up.

"Despite Yuma's current reluctance to work with Astral, they are seemingly bound together while Tori is friends with the onomat user." Yuto recognized. "That really only leaves me with the first person I dueled here in Heartland."

For the time being, Yuto would hope for the best out of Astral while preparing for the worst. He wasn't about to treat the being poorly, just attempt to put plans in place should something negative be on the horizon.

Tsukumo Residence
Yuma fell out of his hammock, seeing him look around. "Looks like Astral finally took the hint." He then saw the clock. "Oh no, I'm running late again!"

He lept to his feet and scrambled to get ready.

Heartland Academy
Yuma rushed into math class and took his seat next to Tori, relieved he arrived on time despite the late start. All of the computers had red screens with the word 'ERROR' on them. Even though a lot had been fixed throughout Heartland, the virus was still affecting computer systems.

"Today we were going to learn about the quadratic equation, and I know you were all looking forward to that; however, our system is still down due to yesterday's virus." Mr. Kay informed. "Extra credit to anybody who can find out the source…"

He hadn't finished his sentence when Caswell shot his hand up. He was a boy with blue hair in a bowl cut, fair skin, and green eyes.

"Excuse me, Mr. Kay…" Caswell got up and walked to the front. "…but I can take this one."

"You know I was being sarcastic, right Caswell?" Mr. Kay questioned.

Caswell ignored that as he stopped beside the teacher. "Pay attention simpletons because some of this may go over your heads. Yesterday's incident was caused by a virus planted in the city's grid by a hacker, but…"

"Hey!" Yuma suddenly stood. "Instead of talking about mathy stuff, let's have duels!"

"Well, that's not on the curriculum, but I'll allow it." Mr. Kay smiled.

"Alright Mr. Kay!" Yuma lept with joy. "I'm so feeling the flow!"

Everyone, with the exception of Caswell, joined in on the excitement. "That upstart stole my spotlight." He pointed at the onomat user. "Yuma, I challenge you to a duel here and now!"

"Alright, get set to get decked." Yuma returned happily.

Everyone else moved to the sides of the room and put their duel gazers on as the pair faced off.

"Let's do this!"

(Yuma 4000/Caswell 4000)

"Show him what you're made of Yuma!" Tori cheered.

"Just what are you made of Yuma?" Caswell jeered. "I've heard you beat Flip yesterday after he acquired some rare card, utilizing a rare card of your own in the process."

Yuma couldn't help but grin at that statement. "Well, you heard right."

"I don't believe you." Caswell was annoyed.

"Believe it Caswell because I was there, among the crowd." Tori stated. "Too many people saw what Yuma did for it to be anything but true."

"Then, Yuma should have no problem utilizing that rare card in this duel." Caswell chuckled.

"No problem." Yuma opened his extra deck. "My awesome Num…" He saw his extra deck was devoid of both Numbers, seeing the onomat user freak out. "Where did my Numbers go!?"

"What's the matter?" Caswell drew, deciding to take the first turn. "Are you feeling the pressure already?"

"Wait a second!" Yuma wailed. "I'm not ready!"

"Ready or not, the duel has begun." Caswell retorted. "I summon Shell Knight(LV 4/0/2000)." A monster comprised of shells appeared before taking a knee. "Upon being normal summoned, this monster can be switched to defense.

Then, you take 500 life points of damage." Shell Knight pointed its right arm at Yuma, firing off a spray of water at him (Yuma 3500/Caswell 4000). "The final piece to my first turn shall be setting this one card. Your move, Yuma."

"Alright, here I go." Yuma drew, moving past his lack of Xyz monsters to duel with his whole heart. "Since you control a monster while I don't, I can special summon Gillagillancer(LV 6/2200/800)." A red and silver armored short warrior appeared. "He'll destroy Shell Knight."

Gillagillancer charged forward and thrust the lance through the defense position monster.

"Why thank you, Yuma." Caswell smirked. "Whenever Shell Knight is sent to my grave, I can add any level 8 rock type monster from my deck to my hand."

As the card he wanted slotted out, Caswell took it.

"It doesn't matter what you add with a sweet monster like mine on the field." Yuma declared. "Now, I end my turn." As he declared that, his own monster suddenly turned on him. "Wait, what? Gillagillancer, what are you doing?"

"Yuma, your Gillagillancer deals you 500 life points of damage so long as its face-up on your field every End Phase!" Tori reminded him.

"Oh, yeah." Yuma remembered.

His own monster threw its lance, pushing the onomat user back (Yuma 3000/Caswell 4000). Given his blunder, nearly the entire class laughed. The only exceptions were Tori and Mr. Kay.

"Allow me to demonstrate how a proper turn should go." Caswell drew. "During any Main Phase, I can discard the Ritual monster Megalith Aratron to conduct a Ritual summon of any Megalith monster from my hand."

"Wait, Ritual monsters must utilize a Ritual spell to be summoned." Tori interjected.

"If that's true, you misplayed Caswell." Yuma declared.

"No misplay on my end as the Megalith archetype is one with no real Ritual spell to speak of." Caswell retorted smugly. "Observe as I offer up my Level 4 The Rock Spirit and Lost Guardian from my hand.

I call upon a miraculous ritual. Ritual summon, Megalith Bethor(LV 8/1500/2600)." A statue of a black and dull golden dragon appeared. "Before you spout off about how his ATK is lower than your monsters, just know this ritual has an effect."

"Oh yeah, what would that be?" Yuma questioned.

Casewell smirked. "Upon being Ritual summoned, Bethor can target cards you control up to the number of Ritual monsters with unique names which reside within my grave. Aratron is the only one, as well as all that is needed given you only have Gillagillancer on your field."

Yellow lightning discharged from the statue, tearing through Yuma's monster like it was nothing.

"No, Gillagillancer!" Yuma exclaimed.

"I still have my normal summon." Caswell informed. "I use it now, tributing Bethor for Great Maju Garzett(LV 6/0/0)." A fiendish blue monster with dark red platting on its body appeared.

"You just sacrificed your monster for something without ATK?" Yuma questioned.

"More often than not, a monster with no ATK is one to be wary of." Caswell chuckled. "In this case, my monster's ATK becomes double the original ATK of the monster tributed to summon him. Since you often struggle with math, I'll supply the answers. That's 3000 ATK, Yuma!"

Great Maju Garzett(LV 6/3000/0 effect)

"3000 ATK!" Yuma stared at the fiend type monster. "That's all my life points!"

"That exactly why I went with this." Caswell declared. "Maju Garzett, attack Yuma directly."

The fiend held up his hands to form a sphere of dark energy before throwing it into Yuma, knocking him back first into the wall behind him (Yuma 0/Caswell 4000).

"What happened?" Yuma groaned, as he slid down to his butt.

Tori covered her face at that.

"I bested you without even losing one life point!" Caswell gloated. "In the end, somebody as inexperienced as you never stood a chance against a brilliant strategist like me!"

"What did you just say?" Yuma growled.

"There's no need to boast, Caswell." Mr. Kay announced as he walked over. "Dueling is a lot like life. Sometimes things go as we planned. Other times, we make mistakes and get frustrated. When that happens, you just need to feed your frustrations to Crashbug."

He pulled out the card. "You guys know the story of Crashbug, right? It's said if he is seen in his full moon appearance, everybody who sees him will forever live in happiness. Its fine you lost Yuma, as long as you learn from your mistakes."

"Don't worry Mr. Kay because I'll never give up." Yuma agreed.

Academy Roof: Just Before Duel Period…
"…Get real, Yuto." Shark dismissed, having heard the phantom knights user out. "That Flip guy people are talking about must have just snapped while Yuma got lucky."

"I get how it sounds." Yuto returned. "You got to admit, in the short time you've known me, I'm not the type to pull pranks or lie."

"I suppose." Shark crossed his arms. "If we really want to settle this, let's find Yuma. If he has these two Numbers like you say, perhaps there's something to what you've just told me."

"I'm not sure he'll have them." Yuto noted. "The few times I've seen Yuma today, Astral hasn't been around. Those cards could be solely Yuma's or Astral's, so they are potentially gone with the latter's disappearance.

I'd rather not put stock in you seeing these Numbers until he's returned." He then opened his extra deck and slotted out Dark Rebellion. "What I can show you is Dark Rebellion. You've seen him before so look now."

Shark did look at the Xyz monster. "This card can destroy 'Number'' monsters by battle…" He glanced at Yuto, knowing for a fact he wouldn't dream of having a counterfeit card. "I'll admit that's something, though I'm not exactly sure what you want me to do."

"I haven't dueled the whole school, but you are the best duelist I've met thus far alongside the fact you're the person I know best." Yuto voiced. "Look, I'm not saying Astral is a bad guy, but even good people can be given terrible missions. I just hope you'll have my back if I need it."

Shark put his hands in his pockets as he walked past Yuto without a word.

"Guess I must do this alone…" Yuto thought.

"Sounds like you don't have much to go on in terms of what you want to do beyond this point." Shark voiced, looking back at him. "If something does come up, give me a call." The phantom knights user gave a small smile at that, something Shark returned before leaving. "Later."

The shark user didn't know what to make of this, but he could continue sharpening his skills at least. After his loss to Yuto, there were plenty of people stupid enough to think they had a shot at taking him down.

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland Academy: Dueling Period…
Yuma rushed out to the duel field, feeling pumped at the idea of dueling more.

Tori trailed after him, smiling. "You sure seem excited, more than usual in fact."

"How could I not be?" Yuma returned, grinning. "Mr. Kay's words during first period have me more motivated than ever to reach the top of the dueling world. One day, I'll be someone like him in the field I'm passionate about."

"Hey, Yuma." Yuto voiced, coming up behind the two first years. "I've overheard you just now, knowing you're excited to duel. Though, I'm wondering if you and I couldn't have a word?"

"Yeah, sure." Yuma stated. "What do you want to talk about?'

With his agreement, Yuto had them move away from the entrance with Tori following.

"You're aiming to be the best duelist in the world, right?" Yuto asked.

Yuma grinned. "You bet."

"With a goal like that, coupled with the potential danger these Number present, I've decided I'd like to extend you some help with your dueling." Yuto offered.

Yuma's smile fell, as this reminded him of Astral. "You think I need help?"

"Everyone needs help to learn duel monsters, just to varying degrees." Yuto voiced. "No one can simply pick up a deck and suddenly play without understanding a thing about the game."

"Thanks for the offer, Yuto." Yuma crossed his arms. "I think I'm doing fine as a duelist without people like you and Astral trying to tell me what to do."

Yuto decided to tackle this from a new angle as he held out his hand. "Yuma, mind letting me have a look at your deck?"

Fortunately, he hadn't offended Yuma to the point the onomat user would refuse this request. "Sure, I guess."

It also helped the request seemingly came from left field, the onomat user unable to draw a line from what Yuto had been saying to this. The phantom knights user shuffled the deck before drawing a card off the top of it.

"Yuma, what is Gogo Golem's effect?" Yuto asked.

"Uh…" Yuma was blanking.

Yuto drew again. "What does the spell Tribute Ticket do?"

Yuma was starting to sweat now. "It lets you…tribute a monster?"

"That's part of it." Yuto replied.

"There's more?" Yuma asked.

"It's the first turn of the duel and prior to your draw the opponent discarded a card whose effect forced you to discard three cards." Yuto drew again. "Your hand is now three cards: Gogogo Golem, Tribute Ticket, and Half Unbreak, that last one being a trap card. What is your move?"

"I'd summon Gogogo Golem in attack mode and end my turn." Yuma declared confidently.

"That opens you up to defeat, in ways you've already encountered." Yuto retorted. "As a duel begins, it's often unwise to just summon a monster or summon something while increasing its ATK. If a deck is built well, odds are high your starting hand will have a good spread of cards.

Your Gogogo Golem has an effect that it can't be destroyed in battle once per turn if it's been played in defense. Let's say you did play it in attack position, setting Half Unbreak would be a good backup plan. If your opponent gets out a stronger monster, you could activate this trap.

By targeting Golem, it can no longer be destroyed by battle and any battle damage you'd take is halved." He drew again. "Come your next turn, you'd draw Dododo Swordsman. Utilizing Tribute Ticket, you tribute Gogogo Golem and this spell now counts as two tributes.

That's just what Dododo Swordsman needs. With its ATK of 0 and DEF of 3000, you'd want to set this monster. Hopefully, the opponent attacks it come their next turn. When Swordsman is flipped, two effects go off. First, it gains 3500 ATK.

Secondly, you can target up to two face-up monsters on your opponent's field and destroy them. If everything has gone right, you now have a 3500 ATK monster. You could even work to ensure it if you'd set Gogogo Golem your first turn and reserved Half Unbreak."

"Yuto worked all that out just from drawing those cards…" Tori thought, impressed.

"I don't recall asking you for a lecture on my deck." Yuma voiced, frustrated as he snatched his cards back and reshuffled his deck.

"You have the desire to be great and an unquestionable passion for the game." Yuto retorted. "That's not going to be enough if you don't learn from the mistakes you've made and actually take a second to read what your cards do."

"Guess I should let Astral and you call the shots." Yuma muttered angrily. "Forget dueling for myself, like I'm supposed to."

"You know what, forget I said anything." Yuto shook his head as he turned away from the onomat user. "If you're not going to have respect enough for your deck to use it right, you'd be better off putting it away and dueling with 40 non-effect monsters."

Yuto had the capability to help, he reached out. In the end, Yuma wasn't willing to take his hand. The phantom knights user supposed he'd just have to step in when the onomat user inevitably got in over his head. It really was a matter of when over if, unless he actually improved.

Heartland Streets: After School…
"Where does Yuto get off talking down my dueling?" Yuma voiced in frustration as he walked with Tori. "I'm doing fine as a duelist without all these people butting in."

"To an extent, I understand your gripes with Astral." Tori voiced. "Even then, it was only his intervention that prevented our decks from being taken."

Yuma stopped at that. "You think I need help too?"

"Everyone needs help sometimes, Yuma." Tori put on a sincere smile. "I mean, just look at my deck. It can be a touch difficult to learn given some of my cards have quite a few effects. Lately, I've noticed people are starting to really widen the gap when it comes to…"

"I don't need anyone telling me how to duel!" Yuma shouted.

He was fed up with how people suddenly had an opinion on his dueling. First there was Shark, who degraded him when he challenged Yuto. Then came Flip, who was eager to put him down. Next was Astral, who constantly put his two cents in.

Yuto just had to say everything he did before seemingly brushing him off. Finally, there was Tori. He never expected her to chime in and agree with people who were against him. Now, here he was with people only giving him some credit for any growth he has had as a duelist.

"Yuma…" Tori stated sadly.

Tori understood how the onomat user wanted to duel for himself; however, no one handed a deck knew how to play it without learning what their cards did. Tori had faced a Number, seen how someone impacted by them acted. Despite seeing the same, Yuma was dismissive.

Yuma blinked, his expression softening as he saw the hurt in his friend's gaze. "Tori, I…"

The onomat user hadn't wanted to hurt his friend, especially over something like this. Yeah, dueling was important to him, but Yuma recognized, in this moment, how he had approached this went against what he believed as a duelist.

Suddenly, the fairy user clenched her fists and closed her eyes. "You're too stubborn for your own good, to the point it's only going to hurt you in the long run as you push away anyone who genuinely wants to help you!"

She then turned on her heels and ran. Yuma wanted to go after her, only for a car he recognized to suddenly pull over and draw his gaze. This was formerly his father's car, but now it belonged to his sister.

The driver's window slid down as Kari allowed herself to be seen. "Hey, Doofus, what's up?"

Yuma instantly knew Kari was up to something. "What do you want, Sis?"

"Hop in the car." Kari commanded. "Let's go for a drive."

The way she spoke clued Yuma in she wouldn't take no for an answer. As the onomat user glanced back down the sidewalk, he could no longer see Tori.

Car
Yuma now sat in the passenger seat as Kari drove them around town. "It's a good thing yesterday's virus only spread to a few, remote servers."

"Why?" Yuma asked in confusion. "What would've happened if it spread to more of these remote control serving thingies."

"The entire city would've been thrown into chaos." Kari replied. "Forget traffic lights and litterbots. Bank data would've vanished. People would've lost their money. Hospitals would've lost medical records and been unable to effectively help people. It would've been a disaster."

"Are you serious?" Yuma questioned, genuinely baffled. "Who would pull a stunt like that?"

"I have no idea, but I do know the virus was transmitted from your school's library." Kari revealed, which only served to increase Yuma's dismay.

Heartland Academy
"So, here's what we're going to do." Kari dropped Yuma of back at his academy. "I'm going to chase a few more leads while you stakeout the library."

"Why did I get hungry when you said that?" Yuma questioned.

"You're always hungry." Kari replied, a bit ticked Yuma was thinking about food at a time like this. "Don't let your appetite distract you. I want to track this hacker down and make him pay for messing with my big scoop."

"Can I have my allowance back if I do this?" Yuma questioned, crossing his arms.

"We'll talk about it." Kari returned. "For now, do as I say."

Yuma wasn't exactly in the mood for this, given what happened prior to her arrival. Ultimately, the onomat user knew Kari wouldn't let him off the hook, so he decided to go along with it.

Library: Evening…
It has been hours since Yuma arrived at the library. With the sun now setting, the onomat user was just about to call it quits when he saw Caswell looking quite suspicious. Yuma ran up to his class rep just as he inserted a flash drive into one of the computers.

Caswell began panicking as the computer became full of Crashbug images, but Yuma couldn't have cared less as he proceeded to grab the megalith user by the collar of his shirt. "I caught you red-handed. What do you have to say for yourself, you criminal lowlife?"

"Unhand me!" Caswell tried to shrug Yuma off. "I'm no lowlife!"

"That's what they all say." Yuma retorted. "Now, start talking."

"Please Yuma, you have to believe me." Caswell pleaded. "I'm being used."

"Being used?" Yuma proceeded to let go because the class rep sounded sincere enough, seeing the megalith user sit down and type things into the computer. "What do you mean being used?

"Exactly what it sounds like." Caswell voiced, his fingers moving from key to key. "I'm not the culprit." He had tears in his eyes, not wanting to be blamed for this. "If I can pinpoint where this machine was accessed from, we'll know where the criminal is hiding!

Oh no! This is not good. I just found an encrypted data packet that led me to believe I could access a file on this computer and learn who the criminal is; however, it turns out the file was a detonator for some sort of computer virus. Wait, I found it. There's our location."

Yuma and Caswell recognized the place, the two of them sharing a nod before proceeding to run.

Heartland Streets
Yuma had called Kari while they ran, filling her in on what's been going on.

"Your friend triggered a literal virus bomb!" Kari exclaimed.

"That would be the easiest way to put it." Yuma answered. "I've had Caswell send you the access stuff, so try to stop it. We're on our way now to take this guy down."

"Yuma, this could be dangerous!" Kari exclaimed, worried.

"Don't worry, Sis." Yuma assured. "I'll be fine."

He then ended the call as the two of them neared the location. By now, the sky had darkened as the full moon was visible above.

Tower: Early Night…
The first years entered the tower, making their way up some stairs.

"Maybe you were wrong about this place, Caswell." Yuma noted.

"Have I ever been wrong?" Caswell questioned.

"Who released a literal virus bomb?" Yuma retorted.

The class rep sweated at that as they entered through a doorway at the top of the tower.

"You finally put the pieces together." Both boys were stunned to see the culprit was none other than Mr. Kay. "Took you longer than I thought."

"Mr. Kay, what are you doing here?" Yuma questioned in disbelief.

"Don't you get it?" Caswell grit his teeth, feeling frustration at his favorite teacher's actions. "Mr. Kay is the criminal mastermind behind the malicious virus!"

"What gives, teach?" Yuma needed to know why he was doing this. "Why would you put our city in jeopardy?"

"I'm aiming to finish my masterpiece!" The math teacher laughed like a madman, not caring in the slightest that he had disappointed his students.

"I thought of you as my role model…" Yuma muttered, as today just kept getting worse.

"I must say Caswell, I couldn't have done this without you." Mr. Kay turned to the class rep. "After all, the virus bomb you uploaded is expected to go off in 30 minutes."

"That virus bomb was some sort of activation key…" Caswell went wide eyed. "That would mean, I'm an accomplice!"

"Correct." Mr. Kay took off his glasses and loosened his tie. "Now, witness what you've helped me create!"

He was enveloped in a dark violet aura only Yuma could see, followed by a tattoo of the Number 34 which proceeded to glow on the teacher's neck.

"The mark of a Number!" Yuma exclaimed.

Within the Emperor's Key
Astral floated through the massive, spiral-shaped structure in the sky.

"Observation four: This world, like Yuma, is a complex machine yet not as annoying. It is complicated in design, like a puzzle." Astral was interrupted by a blinking red light above. "What is that? Could it be a Number?"

Tower
"Yuma, please do something because I don't want to take the fall!" Caswell pleaded, terrified of what could happen to him.

Before he could respond, Yuma's key reacted as Astral manifested. "That human bears the mark of a Number."

"Aw, I thought you went back to Saturn or something!" Yuma exclaimed.

"That would be incorrect." Astral responded.

Of course, all Caswell could see was Yuma freaking out at nothing. "My only hope for salvation is talking to himself…I'm doomed!"

"Forget it. I'm just going to ignore you." Yuma turned his attention to his teacher. "Listen up, Mr. Kay!" He pointed, seeing the teacher lower in his seat. "You and I are going to duel. If I win, you'll stop this virus."

"You wish to duel me?" Mr. Kay smiled as he stood. "By all means, let's do this. Though I must ask, what chance do you really stand?"

"I stand a chance because I'm feeling the flow!" Yuma declared.

They activated their respective gear.

"Let's Duel!"

(Yuma 4000/Mr. Kay 4000)

"Crazy or not, I didn't think to have my deck on me!" Caswell clasped his hands firmly. "That means I'm pulling for you Yuma because you're my only hope!"

"The first move is mine!" Mr. Kay drew. "I set a monster face-down."

"Great, more face-down monsters." Yuma lamented.

Despite how things ended with Flip, that duel had given him enough face-down monsters to last a life time.

"Does that mean you won't bother attacking?" Mr. Kay called out.

"Don't go getting your hopes up!" Yuma drew. "I summon Zubaba Buster(LV 3/1800/600)." A blue armored warrior with an orange cape appeared. "He'll be striking your monster."

Buster rushed forward, swinging his metal staff with spiked spheres on the end into the facedown monster and revealing Crashbug X(LV 3/0/2000). A virus head atop a human body appeared, surrounding itself with a cage that blocked the coming monster (Yuma 3800/Mr. Kay 4000).

"Er, I end my turn." Yuma stated.

"That means it's my turn." Mr. Kay drew. "First, I summon Crashbug Y(LV 3/1400/1600)." A rotund monster with the face of a Crashbug appeared. "With that done, I activate the Crashbug Road spell card from my hand!

Now, we can both target one level 4 or lower monster we control and special summon one monster from our hand with a level equal to what we targeted. Both my monsters are Level 3, so welcome Crashbug Z(LV 3/0/1500)!" A lanky creature with the Crashbug head appeared.

"On the field is my Level 3 Zubaba Buster, meaning my only choice would be Zubaba Knight." Yuma noted.

"If you're planning to do that, I suggest you play him in defense position." Astral noted.

"If I wanted advice from an annoying ghost, I'd have gone to a haunted house." Yuma retorted. "I summon Zubaba Knight(LV 3/1600/900)." A golden armored knight appeared. "How do you like that, Mr. Kay?"

"I like how this leads to a teachable moment, Yuma." Mr. Kay smirked. "I overlay Crashbugs X, Y, and Z to perfect the overlay network. Prepare to meet your defeat. Xyz summon Number 34: Terror-byte(R 3/O 3/0/2900) in defense mode."

Caswell was in awe of his teacher's monster. "It appears to be a rhino merged with data chips, but what is the significance of a Number?"

The monster looked as Caswell described, with its body being navy blue and bright yellow. Seeing this got Yuma thinking, so he opened his extra deck to see both his Numbers were back. Even though he couldn't exactly summon either right now, he was still glad to see them.

"I'm now activating Terror-byte's special ability, allowing me to detach one overlay unit to gain control of a Level 4 or below monster on your field until the end of this turn." Number 34: Terror-byte(R 3/O 2/0/2900). "Hand over Zubaba Buster!"

Terror-byte fired a rope of blue lightning which ensnared Zubaba Buster. The monster was forcefully dematerialized before then appearing on the opposing field.

"Now Zubaba Buster, destroy Zubaba Knight!" Mr. Kay ordered.

Buster flailed his weapon into Knight, destroying him (Yuma 3600/Mr. Kay 4000).

"No, Zubaba Knight!" Yuma exclaimed.

Tsukumo Residence
Kari was typing away on her keyboard as she managed to access the program hosting the virus bomb thanks to the files her little brother sent. "Where is the deactivation code?" She suddenly entered a digital dungeon, quickly figuring out it was safeguarding the code. "I will find it!"

Tower
"You'll never defeat me, Yuma." Mr. Kay voiced. "Your dueling is simply too imperfect."

"My dad used to say imperfection is what makes us awesome." Yuma retorted.

"Perfection is everything." Mr. Kay returned. "I teach math because it is the pursuit of absolute perfection. The only reason your father ever told you differently was to prevent you from feeling bad for being a failure."

"Oh man, Mr. Kay is really laying it out there." Yuma couldn't deny how sharp those words were. "It stings."

"Tell me where it stings." Astral voiced.

"It stings in my heart." Yuma snapped.

"Observation five: Words can hurt a human's heart." Astral noted. "I will remember that."

"I can't let what he's saying get to me." Yuma firmed himself up. "I got to try and be strong."

"Try being strong all you like, it won't matter because your defeat is inevitable." Mr. Kay retorted. "Until that time, I'll set this one card and conclude my turn."

With the end of his turn, Zubaba Buster phased back to Yuma's field.

"It is my turn." Astral declared.

"I can do this myself, Astral!" Yuma yelled.

Despite how things went down with Tori, that didn't mean he was going to accept being bossed around. There had to be another way things could be good between them again. Caswell could only look on in concern as Yuma just kept seemingly talking to himself.

"I draw!" Yuma took the top card off his deck.

"You should use that Monster Reborn you drew to bring back Zubaba Knight." Astral voiced, its effect to destroy a face-up defense position monster being just what they need.

"Go away already and find your own duel!" Yuma exclaimed.

"A Number card is on the line, Yuma." Astral retorted. "If we lose, I may just fade away."

"Stop talking!" Yuma shouted. "I refuse to do anything you say. If you tell me to go right, I'll break left. You say I should use Monster Reborn, so I'll tribute Zubaba Buster for Chachaka Archer(LV 6/1200/1800)." A warrior in green and blue robes appeared wielding twin crossbows.

"Check this out Mr. Kay. So long as Archer is on the field, you'll lose a spell/trap you've set every one of my turns. Fire!" Chachaka Archer fired one of his bolts, piercing the face down to reveal Damage Vaccine Ω MAX before it shattered. "See that? I just sniped his face-down."

"Given what that face down was, you made a bad move…"Astral commented, knowing now they could have gotten Number 34 off the field.

"What was that?" Yuma questioned.

"That trap of his does nothing to protect Number 34." Astral informed. "While Numbers can only be destroyed in battle with other Numbers, Zubaba Knight's effect to automatically destroy any face-up defense position monster in battle would have done the job.

Then, you'd still have Zubaba Buster to attack with, damaging your opponent and forcing him to use that trap. Its effect is to restore life points by what damage you do once. While your opponent would be at full life points, you'd be in the superior position."

"I…I hadn't thought about that." Just how different the field could have looked had Yuma unable to grandstand. "Maybe this is what Yuto was trying to…"

The onomat user grit his teeth and shook his head, unwilling to admit he'd been wrong.

"You've messed with my perfection." Mr. Kay voiced, as even one card of his destroyed like that was a slight to him. "Even then, it's fruitless on your end for my life points shall remain intact. Now, is your turn over?"

"Yeah, I end my turn." Yuma voiced, reluctantly. "At least he can't do anything with my Chachaka Archer since his level is 6."

"I see my future now." Caswell began to panic. "I'm going to jail for life because they'll think I was part of this! Yuma won't be able to win, forget about doing it in the next 17 minutes!"

"Your accomplishments mean nothing!" Mr. Kay drew. "I now activate the spell Harmonic Waves, letting me target any monster on the field and grant them a level of 4." He pointed at Yuma's field. "I choose Chachaka Archer(LV 4/1200/1800 effect)."

Yuma went wide eyed at that. "That's not good."

"Indeed, it is not." Mr. Kay smirked. "Now that your monster is Level 4, I detach another unit from Terror-byte to snatch him." Number 34: Terror-byte(R 3/O 1/0/2900) absorbed another unit, phasing Chachaka Archer to Mr. Kay's side. "Next, I'll activate Extra Boost.

This spell gives Chachaka Archer(LV 4/2100/1800 effect) an ATK boost equal to half its DEF. With nothing on your field, he can attack you directly!" Chachaka Archer fired both shots into Yuma, knocking him clean off his feet (Yuma 1500/Mr. Kay 4000).

"Don't think you'll be getting Chachaka Archer back as the spell I used sends him straight to the grave come my End Phase. I'll be heading there right after I set one card." Archer shattered upon the turn ending. "What do you think of that, Yuma?"

Yuma managed to rise to all fours. "I think it stinks." He then looked to see Astral fading, like he had during his duel against Flip. "What's going on? Why are you more see through than before?"

"Every time you lose life points, I can feel my life force fading." Astral informed. "As I told you before, failure is not an option for me."

Yuma looked down since he hadn't grasped what Astral had meant prior. Now he understood Astral's existence would rest on him come every duel involving a Number. This led him to further reflection as he looked at Mr. Kay, seeing the influence of a Number.

"Astral's existence…Tori was genuinely worried…Yuto only wanted to help me." Yuma thought.

"Yuma!" Caswell shouted from the sidelines, seeing the onomat user turning towards the class rep who was making an awkward pose. "Stop feeling down, and be like the phoenix! You need to rise from the ashes.

Actually, forget the phoenix! There's a giant dragon dwelling within your heart, Yuma. A giant, sleeping dragon of hope! In the end, what I'm trying to say is, you're sure to win if you could simply tap into your true potential!"

"I got to worry about making it through this for Caswell, Astral, and I before I think about making things right." Yuma smiled. "Caswell, thanks." He turned back to Mr. Kay. "Your words got me back to feeling the flow!"

"Observation six: Praise motivates humans." Astral muttered before he floated closer to the onomat user. "Yuma, I also have something to say."

"What Astral?" Yuma questioned, more genuine than he would have been prior.

"You are illogical and anger easily." Astral began. "You are clumsy, lacking in athletic ability, and stubborn to boot; however, these are all excellent traits. So, when I said you were inexperienced earlier, I meant to say you were incredible."

…

"DON'T YOU EVER GIVE ME A PEP TALK AGAIN!" Yuma yelled, angered.

Despite the epiphany Yuma had, he wasn't about to let Astral bring up his flaws like that. Suddenly, the room they were in started to shake and move upwards.

"Why is the room moving?" Yuma questioned.

Tsukumo Residence
"Bingo!" Kari declared. "The viral code should be just beyond this door!" She had her avatar enter the room only to find a Crashbug Avatar inside. "You want a piece of me, do you? Bring it on!" She sent her digital avatar, who donned a karate gi, to combat the Crashbug Avatar. "You're about to learn a valuable lesson. Never underestimate a black belt in code-breaking!"

Tower
The floor they were on had been elevated to the top of the tower.

"From up here we'll have front row seats to witness the results of my masterpiece." Mr. Kay smiled. "Now Yuma, do proceed with taking your turn."

"If Yuma loses this duel, I shall fade away." Astral thought, unaware of the onomat user's epiphany. "How can I get him to listen to me?" He then recalled what Yuma said about doing the opposite of what he wanted, realizing he could somehow use his defiant acts to his advantage.

"Alright, it's my turn." Yuma drew. "I'll activate Monster Reborn, bringing my Zubaba Knight(LV 3/1600/900) back to the field."

"Now, this is what I call a promising development." Caswell finally felt hopeful upon seeing the level three monster back. "With an effect like his in play, Number 34 will finally be removed."

"My Knight may not seem like much, but he's got a sweet effect." Yuma declared. "By having him do battle with Number 34, he automatically destroys your face-up defense position monster before damage is applied."

Zubaba Knight rushed forward, cutting the Number down.

"You won't get rid of my Number that easy because I can just bring it back similarly to how you brought back your Knight!" Mr. Kay declared. "I reveal my trap, Call of the Haunted. Now, I revive Number 34: Terror-byte(R 3/O 0/0/2900) in attack position."

"Listen Yuma, do not lay down that trap card in your hand as you are not skilled enough to use it." Astral voiced.

"I'll show you." Yuma might have actually taken the advice if Astral hadn't added that last bit. "I set one face-down before turning things over to you, teach."

Tsukumo Residence
Kari was having the time of her life hammering blow after blow into the Crashbug Avatar. "You deleted my entire hard drive and erased my scoop!"

Her avatar knocked her foe to the ground with 50 LP, whereas she had 1000 left. She also noted there was roughly seven minutes left before the virus bomb would activate. The Crashbug Avatar then stood up again.

Tower
"It's my turn now!" Mr. Kay drew. "What I've just drawn is my trump card!"

"Your trump card?" Yuma was confused since he thought Terror-byte was it.

"Since Crashbugs X, Y, and Z are in my grave, I can banish them to special summon Super Crashbug(LV 4/0/3000) in face-up defense position." A giant, black-green Crashbug appeared. "Super Crashbug sees all monsters in face-up attack position have their ATK and DEF switched."

"Are you serious?" Yuma questioned, stunned.

Zubaba Knight(LV 3/900/1600 effect)
Number 34: Terror-byte(R 3/O 0/2900/0 effect)

"Now, Terro-byte shall destroy Zubaba Knight!" Mr. Kay smirked. "With your current life points, this is the end!"

Terro-byte charged Zubaba Knight, his horn sparking with electricity.

"You should let this attack go through." Astral voiced. "Don't use that trap and let the duel conclude in his victory."

"Losing would mean Astral fades away, so why would…" Yuma remembered what he said earlier, clueing him into what this was. "It's not over Mr. Kay because I'm activating Half Unbreak. By targeting my Knight, this turn he can't be destroyed by battle and any damage I might take in battles involving him is halved."

Zubaba Knight crossed his blades, managing to withstand the attack as residual damage washed over the onomat user (Yuma 500/Mr. Kay 4000)

"Er, you've managed to hold on." Mr. Kay growled. "Even then, all you've done is buy yourself one turn more."

"You never know what one more turn can bring, especially when I'm feeling the flow!" Yuma drew, seeing the card was Tribute Ticket. "Among the four cards in my hand now, two of them are Dododo Swordsman and Tribute Ticket.

He knew exactly what these two cards could do, especially with a monster on the field. "I didn't show it then Yuto but thanks. If I make it through this, I'll make things right with you and Tori." He then looked to the blue being next to him. "Hey Astral?"

"Yes, Yuma?" Astral asked.

"I may not be the smartest kid in my class, but I realized you gave me bad advice on purpose knowing I'd do the opposite." Yuma voiced. "I just wanted to say, thanks."

"I'm merely doing whatever I can to ensure we acquire that Number." Astral returned coolly.

"Yeah, yeah." Yuma gave a small smile. "This time, I know what to do." He turned back to Mr. Kay. "I activate the continuous spell Tribute Ticket. To do this I must tribute one monster I control, such as my Zubaba Knight."

The level three monster turned into golden particles which flowed into the spell card. "Now, this card counts as two monsters for the purpose of a tribute summon. I'll utilize that, releasing this spell to set one monster face down. That's all from me."

"Whatever that monster is, it won't help you." Mr. Kay drew. "I switch Super Crashbug(LV 4/3000/0 effect) to attack position, swapping its DEF to its ATK and throwing that all into your face down monster."

As Crashbug punched the face down monster, it flipped face up to reveal a warrior wearing red and white with silver armor. He withdrew his blade, managing to stalemate the opposing monster.

"What!?" Mr. Kay exclaimed.

"You may have thought this monster wouldn't help, but you were wrong." Yuma grinned. "This is the ultimate monster of my father's deck, Dododo Swordsman(LV 8/0/3000). With a DEF on par with Super Crashbug's current ATK, he survives this clash.

That's not all. Since you've flipped Dododo Swordsman(LV 8/3500/3000 effect) he now gains 3500 ATK and can target any two monsters on your field to destroy them. Say goodbye to Terror-byte and Super Crashbug."

"NO!" Mr. Kay exclaimed, as both his monsters were cut down in an instant.

"What a move!" Caswell thought, in awe.

"Er, all I can do is set one card." Mr. Kay declared.

"I think I know what that card is." Astral thought.

"It's my move!" Yuma drew.

Given Yuma's earlier admittance, Astral decided to be straight with him. "With that card you just drew, all you must do is swap Dododo Swordsman into attack position, declare your attack, and utilize it to win this duel."

"Alright." Yuma nodded. "I switch Dododo Swordsman to attack and launch a direct attack."

Dododo Swordsman drew his blade and surged forward.

"This will be a big hit, but with my second copy of Damage Vaccine Ω MAX face down, it'll amount to nothing more than a minor inconvenience to my perfect victory." Mr. Kay thought, confident he could draw something next turn to swing this duel back in his favor

"Since a monster has declared an attack, I activate the quick-play spell Ego Boost." Yuma declared, taking the card from his hand. "I can now target my Swordsman and grant him 1000 extra ATK until the end of this Battle Phase!"

"No, that's too much!" Mr. Kay yelled.

Dododo Swordsman(LV 8/4500/3000 effect)'s blade glowed with golden energy as he swung it into Mr. Kay, the blow sending him sliding across the ground (Yuma 500/Mr. Kay 0).

"A miraculous come from behind victory!" Caswell was crying tears of relief as he ran out and hugged Yuma. "Thank you, Yuma! Thank you!"

"Gah, Caswell let go of me!" Yuma exclaimed.

As the onomat user dealt with that, Astral held out his hand to force Number 34 out of Mr. Kay's soul. He collected the card, adding it to their ranks.

"Like all other Numbers, this one was once a part of my memory. I remember the place where I came from. A different galaxy. Astral World!" Astral saw a galaxy with blue and pink colors inside his mind. "That is sadly all I can remember from this one."

Yuma soon reminded Caswell this wasn't over, seeing the boys rushing over to their teacher. After shoving him around for a bit, he groaned.

"You need to hurry and stop the virus, Mr. Kay!" Yuma exclaimed.

Mr. Kay was confused as to why two of his students were here with him. "What are you guys doing here? As for the viral countdown, it's way beyond my control now. I can't stop it."

Tsukumo Residence
Kari finally managed to defeat the Crashbug Avatar with only ten seconds to spare. "I did it." She then realized something, quelling her celebration. "The timer isn't stopping!"

It was too late for her to figure that out as said timer reached 0.

Tower
"WE'RE DOOMED!" Caswell exclaimed.

"It's all over!" Yuma added.

Mr. Kay couldn't understand why they were freaking out. "What are you worrying about?"

"Your virus!" Yuma exclaimed. "Weren't you trying to crash the city's systems?"

"Why would I do something like that?" Mr. Kay frowned. "I'll admit, during my preparations I accidentally caused some trouble…" Just then, a building with it lights off turned on. "There we are. You two want to know what I did, put your duel gazers on and look to the sky."

"Honestly, this is getting weirder and weirder." Yuma put his duel gazer on, as did Caswell.

"There's a giant Crashbug in the sky!" Both boys yelled.

Mr. Kay put a hand on their shoulders with a smile. "I was looking at the pattern in the city's lights and noticed they seemed to form an incredibly complex matrix code. With my Duel Gazer, I scanned the pattern and realized it was one optimal fragment away from being an exact replica of the Crashbug q code, and I realized the museum's dome isn't normally lit up at night."

"Are you telling us all of this was just you trying to turn on that light and make one overgrown Crashbug appear in the sky?" Yuma questioned.

"Yeah, you got it." Mr. Kay replied.

Both boys fell to the ground in disbelief. The math teacher took out his Crashbug, as the one now seen throughout the city threw bombs that exploded into fireworks.

"It's a monster which eats the bugs in our lives, negative emotions." Mr. Kay reminded. "No bug is too big for Crashbug. If you see it on the night of a full moon, you're brought good luck."

As they looked out over the city, Astral looked to them. "Observation seven: Number cards affect people. They change them. They seem to amplify their individual wants and desires, almost to the point they take over."

---

Numbers: 3/100

Yuma: 24, 34, 39

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland Academy: After School…
Yuto spotted Yuma leaving the academy with Tori, the onomat user's mood clearly still soured by what happened during duel period. The phantom knights user paid him no more mind given everything had been said. Yuto was just about to leave when he overheard two students.

"Did you hear about the underground duel arena?"

"Yeah, apparently there are duelists there no one can beat."

"Since you know, the two of us should check it out."

"You're talking nonsense again. If we lost, they'd take our decks."

"Yeah, you're right. I wasn't thinking straight."

"Let's just go to the arcade instead."

Yuto, intrigued by what he heard, called out to them. "Hey, you two, wait for a second!"

"What do you want?"

"Dude, shut up!" The second student elbowed his friend. "Remember, this is the guy who beat Shark and has been on the war path ever since."

The first student paled upon hearing that. Despite the fact Yuto hadn't needed to look for duels, there were people salty enough to spread the rumor he was the one to challenge every opponent he faced. Essentially, they were making him out to be some duel obsessed fiend.

While a majority of his prior opponents were actually working to dismiss this rumor out of respect for him as a duelist, it was clear said rumor was still in circulation for the time being. The phantom knights user didn't necessarily mind since he had a solid pal anyways.

"What can we do for you?"

"I overheard you talking about an underground arena and want to know where it is." Yuto replied.

"Could I ask why?"

"I'm always on the lookout for a challenge." Yuto replied. "Though part of me would like to know how true it is there are people running something that sees them take decks. So, can you tell me where I need to be?"

"It's Warehouse 5 down at the docks, only opens in the evening from what I've heard."

"Thank you." Yuto voiced before leaving.

"Why did you tell him?"

"If he loses, he loses his deck, and we'll have one less obstacle to the top."

Docks: Evening…
The phantom knights user had reached the docks. Yuto hasn't really gone out beyond going to the academy, been too busy settling into this new normal followed by the past few days' oddities. As such, he tended to stick with the school uniform.

Before he left his home this evening, the phantom knights user changed. He now wore a black shirt underneath a cream vest with black jeans. Yuto soon came to stand in front of Warehouse 5 before casting his gaze around.

"I'm not sure how this works but shouldn't there be people posted outside?" Yuto contemplated. "Perhaps I should give Shark a call, but we only really talked about him having my back in matters concerning Numbers."

The phantom knights user didn't know if any of those cards were involved here. There was also the caveat that Yuto didn't want Shark thinking he was using him. Ultimately, he decided to go in while exercising a bit more caution.

Warehouse 5
Yuto opened the doors to the warehouse, catching the attention of the people inside. Most looked like spectators while two girls, who looked roughly his age, sat atop twin thrones. They shared a face, though differences in appearance led Yuto to assume they were fraternal twins.

The girl on the left had back length, wild looking black hair with crimson red eyes. She wore a sleeveless red shirt with matching pants underneath a full-body, open black trench coat with boots and black fingerless gloves.

The girl on the right had back length, ponytailed white hair with darker yellow eyes behind spectacles. She wore a white, double-breasted coat with darker yellow buttons over a white, pleated full skirt. She also wore a pair of white, thigh-high boots with darker yellow heels.

"Who are you, and why have you come here?" The ponytailed girl questioned, her tone cold.

"Yuto Pharos." Yuto walked in. "I'm a duelist who's come looking for a challenge."

Upon saying that, the two girls stood from their thrones to approach him.

"I like the confidence in this one's eyes, Sis." The wild haired girl commented with a smile. "Makes him seem kind of a cute. Maybe we should have this one join us. Since he'd be the new guy, we could have him work under us."

"Not again." The ponytailed girl shook her head with an exasperated sigh. "You literally just met this guy. Please tell me you haven't developed another crush."

"I can't help it!" The wild haired girl responded.

Given everything that happened prior to being moved into Heartland, Yuto hadn't really had anyone interested in him that way. He certainly understood it, having been given the talk, just hadn't had such a thing happen. That said, he didn't quite like the implication here.

"I'm not here to join you." Yuto voiced. "Like I said, I'm a duelist who's come looking for a challenge. I'm assuming you two are it, given you got the thrones. So, do you accept?"

"If you wish to challenge us, you must first understand what is at stake." The ponytailed girl voiced. "You're at a disadvantage, us two against you. Whoever wins shall have earned the right to take something from their opponent. Do you understand?"

"Hold up!" The wild haired girl intervened before the phantom knights user could speak. "I want him to join us if we beat him."

"You won't drop this, huh?" The ponytailed girl asked, receiving a nod from her twin in return. "Alright." She looked to the phantom knights user. "We'll duel under the following ante. If we win, you shall join us. If you win, you can have anything you want."

"If you agree, you can't go backing out." The wild haired girl added.

Yuto noted these two seemed to be working under someone by what they seemed to say. That meant dueling them now and aiming for victory seemed like the fastest way to achieve two things he wanted. Shutting this place down and figuring out who was behind it.

"I'll agree, under the condition you tell me your names." Yuto voiced.

"Me first!" Wild haired girl pointed her thumb at herself. "I'm Nera, and I can't wait to have you working under us."

"My name is Elena." Ponytailed girl introduced. "I shall attempt to keep my sister in line after we've recruited you."

"You two are looking ahead a little too far." Yuto voiced.

"It's only natural we would as our Numbers are unbeatable!" Nera exclaimed.

"Numbers." Yuto looked at the twins upon hearing that, the way in which he did was something Elena noted. "These two seem a touch eccentric, though neither seem to be acting as Flip had."

"You know about Numbers." Elena noted, catching the phantom knights user's attention. "Looks like I've found my incentive for recruiting you. Once you have been, you will tell us everything you know."

Yuto didn't like how Elena suddenly grew intense. "Looks like I've found another reason why I got to win." He nodded. "Rather than keep talking about what we get out of it, we should duel."

"Nera, ready yourself!" Elena ordered.

"Right." Nera added.

"Get ready to lose!" The sisters declared simultaneously.

"Who comes out the victory is to be determined." Yuto retorted.

"Let's duel!"

(Yuto 4000/Elena & Nera 8000)

"Both have their own fields, ten zones total between them with the potential to freely utilize whatever the other sets." Yuto quickly analyzed, staring at his duel pad. "Shared graves and life points to boot. At least I get two turns per rotation."

"Ladies first." Elena drew. "I activate the quick-play spell, Hand Destruction. Every player is now forced to send 2 cards from their hand to the grave before then drawing 2 cards."

Yuto: (2) The Phantom Knights of Shadow Veil
Elena: (2) Skull Servant
Nera: (2) Skull Servant

"Next, I summon King of the Skull Servants(LV 1/?/0)." Elena continued, summoning forth a tall skeleton in purple robes. "His ATK is 1000 multiplied by the number of King of the Skull Servants and Skull Servants in our grave.

We have 4 Skull Servants in there currently, so King of the Skull Servants' ATK is 4000." King of the Skull Servants(LV 1/4000/0 effect). "I suppose the potential to get a monster like this out is why one cannot attack on their first turn, so I'll set one card."

"My move!" Yuto drew. "I summon The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak(LV 3/1000/500)." Blue energy within a tattered, purple cloak appeared. "By controlling a phantom knight monster, I can special summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots(LV 3/200/1200)."

Blue energy within brown attire appeared. "I now build the overlay network with both monsters. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 2/2000/1000)." Black armor atop a black steed appeared. "I'll then set three cards before detaching 1 of Break Sword's materials."

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 1/2000/1000).

"Through his effect, I target one card I control and one card you control for destruction." Yuto continued. "I select my face down on the left alongside your King of the Skull Servants." Both cards shattered. "Next, Break Sword will launch a direct attack."

Break Sword surged forward.

"Not happening!" Elena declared. "I activate the effect of Battle Fader(LV 1/0/0)." A fiendish monster appeared. "When my opponent declares a direct attack, I can special summon this monster from my hand and end the Battle Phase."

"There's nothing more I can do, so I'll end my turn." Yuto finished.

"I'm up!" Nera drew. "I'll summon Skull Servant(LV 1/300/200)." A shorter skeleton in purple robes appeared. "Using my sister's Level 1 Battle Fader alongside my Skull Servant, I now construct the overlay network.

It's time you were punished for opposing us. Xyz summon Number 31: Embodiment of Punishment(R 1/O 2/500/500)." An orange, triangularly shaped fiend wrapped in chains which ended in a spiked sphere appeared.

Yuto looked at Nera. "She hasn't changed upon summoning that Number, seemingly in control like Yuma. Just like with him as opposed to Flip, I'm not seeing a Number tattoo. I'm also not seeing someone like Astral around these two either."

Yuto went under the assumption Numbers should impact average people as they had Flip, though perhaps he was wrong. If he were right, it'd mean there was more to his opponents than he could see at present.

"Well, I didn't know I'd managed to catch your eye." Nera commented.

"Assume what you will." Yuto returned.

"I wouldn't say there'll be much of an assumption once you're working with us." Nera returned. "For now, I'll set one card before calling an end to my turn."

"My turn." Yuto drew. "According to the new effect given to Dark Rebellion, alongside Tori's recounting of her duel against Flip, Break Sword can't destroy a Number by battle. By all accounts, effects should do the job." He nodded. "I detach Break Swords' last overlay unit."

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 0/2000/1000).

"My targets shall be my face-down on the right and Number 31." Yuto declared

"I activate my face-down quick-play, Forbidden Chalice." Elena informed. "Your monster is now gifted with four hundred ATK for this turn in exchange for the negation of his effects."

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 0/2400/1000 effect)

"With that face-down, her Number and my face-down aren't destroyed." Yuto noted. "With that being her set card, Nera likely has interaction for battle I should trip up now rather than it coming back to bite me later." He nodded. "Break Sword, attack Number 31!"

"Sorry, my Number can only be destroyed by other Numbers." Nera laughed. "I'll also activate my face down, Waboku. Now, I take no battle damage. Additionally, were your monster a Number, this trap would have prevented my Number's destruction from this battle anyways."

"I end my turn." Yuto voiced.

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 0/2000/1000)

"It is time to bring about our unbeatable combo." Elena drew. "I summon Skull Servant(LV 1/300/200). Next, I activate Silent Doom which allows for the return of 1 Normal Monster from the grave to my field in defense position. I select one of the Skull Servants(LV 1/300/200).

I now overlay the two Level 1 Skull Servants. It's almost criminal how long you've lasted. Xyz summon Number 13: Embodiment of Crime(R 1/O 2/500/500)." An orange, triangularly shaped fiend wrapped in chains which ended in a spiked disc appeared.

"Twin Numbers." Yuto recognized. "How fitting."

"I activate the spell, Second Attack." Elena continued. "By gifting this to your Break Sword, he can attack twice per turn."

"Why would you use that on my monster?" Yuto questioned.

"Just watch." Elena voiced. "I activate the effect of Number 13 by detaching one material." Number 13: Embodiment of Crime(R 1/O 1/500/500). "When this is activated, all monsters you control are forced into attack and must attack this card if able.

That's just this monster's effect alone. With Number 13 and 31 on the field at the same time, both garner additional effects. They cannot be destroyed in battle with other Numbers and any battle damage we might have taken is redirected to you."

"Ah, I understand now." Yuto thought.

"Your Break Sword shall attack Number 13!" Elena declared.

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword was wrapped by the fiend's chains and forced to swing his sword into it, seeing the residual damage wash over the phantom knight's user (Yuto 2500/Elena & Nera 8000).

"The effects of these Numbers are ones which can be activated on any turn." Nera informed. "I activate the effect of my Number 31 by detaching 1 material." Number 31: Embodiment of Punishment(R 1/O 1/500/500). "That means your monster next attacks mine."

As soon as Break Sword was released by one fiend, he was wrapped by the other and forced into attacking Number 31. Just as with the prior attack, the residual damage washed over the phantom knight's user (Yuto 1000/Elena & Nera 8000).

"I now end my turn." Elena pushed her glasses up. "Come your turn, we need only utilize one of our Numbers during your Battle Phase. Then, you'll be recruited and telling us all you know."

"You're getting ahead of yourself." Yuto drew. "I now banish Ancient Cloak, letting me add any The Phantom Knights card I want from my deck to my hand. I'll chain the banishment of my Silent Boots to add any Phantom Knights spell or trap I want from my deck to my hand."

As the cards slotted out, he snagged them.

"Those two monsters you used to make Break Sword have graveyard effects?" Nera questioned.

"Real handy ones since I now have what I need." Yuto retorted. "I'll first activate The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace(LV 2/600/0). With it, I target The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (LV 2/O 0/1400/1000 effect). It loses 600 ATK and has its Rank changed to a Level of 2.

Since a The Phantom Knights monster was special summoned, I can summon The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves(LV 3/1200/600)." A suit of gray armor containing blue energy appeared. "By being special summoned through its effect, I can raise his Level by 1."

The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves(LV 4/1200/600 effect). "With my normal summon, I'll bring out The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm(LV 4/1500/500)." A helmet and metal gloves containing blue energy appeared.

"He summoned three monsters while modulating levels to set up for two Xyz summons of different Ranks!" Nera exclaimed, stunned.

"Given the difference in our life points, I got to step it up." Yuto returned. "I construct the overlay network with Level 2 Break Sword and Lost Vambrace. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 2/1600/0)." A skeletal warrior with a javelin appeared.

"I then construct the network with Level 4 Stained Greaves and Cloven Helm. Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous of dragons. Xyz summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)." A purple and black dragon appeared.

"It doesn't matter how strong your monsters are when ours have their effects." Nera declared.

"My Cursed Javelin takes care of that." Yuto declared. "By detaching one overlay unit, I can negate the effects of any one monster and reduce their ATK to 0 until the end of this turn."

The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 1/1600/0).

"I choose Number 31." Yuto declared.

Number 31: Embodiment of Punishment(R 1/O 2/0/500 effect)

"I activate the effect of my Number 13: Embodiment of Crime(R 1/O 0/500/500)." Elena countered. "Now, all of your monsters are switched to attack and must attack my Number."

"Figured as much." Yuto voiced. "Dark Rebellion, destroy Number 13 with Mauling Mandible Charge!"

"In case you've forgotten, only a Number may destroy another Number." Nera reminded.

The twins soon went wide eyed as Dark Rebellion bit clean through the Number, his maw sparking with electricity (Yuto 1000/Elena & Nera 6000).

"How did that dragon destroy our Number?" Elena demanded.

"My dragon has the ability to destroy Numbers through battle." Yuto informed.

"That means our unbeatable combo has been beaten." Nera voiced in disbelief.

"Nothing is unbeatable." Yuto declared. "Now, Cursed Javelin will destroy Number 31."

Cursed Javelin hurled its namesake through the negated Number, destroying it (Yuto 1000/Elena & Nera 4400).

"I finish my turn with one set card." Yuto declared.

"Guess it's up to me!" Nera drew. "I'll start with Fissure, destroying your Cursed Javelin as it is the monster you control with the lowest ATK. Then, I summon King of the Skull Servants(LV 1/?/0). With 5 Skull Servants and 1 King of the Skull Servants in grave, this one's ATK is 6000!"

King of the Skull Servants(LV 1/6000/0 effect).

"King of the Skull Servants shall destroy Dark Rebellion and end this duel!" Nera declared.

"Not quite." Yuto retorted. "I activate the face-down I set last turn, The Phantom Knights' Round Blaze. This quick-play works during the Battle Phase, seeing me banish any 2 The Phantom Knights cards from my grave. I choose two The Phantom Knights of Shadow Veil.

They are the very ones your twin had me discard with Hand Destruction. Now, every monster on the field is destroyed and the Battle Phase ends with each of us taking 800 life points worth of damage for every one of our own monsters that were just destroyed."

A wormhole opened up which shattered Dark Rebellion and King, turning them into a wave of blue fire which washed over the field (Yuto 200/Elena & Nera 3600).

"I end my turn." Nera said.

"My move!" Yuto drew. "I activate my last face-down, The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield(LV 3/0/0) to special summon it to my field." A black shield radiating blue energy appeared. "I then normal summon The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 4/0/0)."

A suit of armor containing blue energy and wearing a crown appeared. "I'll utilize Night Crown's second effect, declaring a level of eight and making my two Phantom Knights on the field that level."

The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 8/0/0)
The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield(LV 8/0/0)

"You're going for a Rank 8 monster?" Elena questioned.

"Exactly." Yuto declared. "I construct the overlay network with my Level 8 Night Crown and Tomb Shield. Cosmic energy flows and creates a galaxy which illuminates all. Xyz summon Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon(R 8/O 2/3000/2500)." A blue and red scaled dragon whose wings radiated color appeared.

"While that is one impressive dragon, we'll still have 600 life points." Elena informed.

"That's no problem as I activate the quick-play spell, Concentrating Current." Yuto declared. "By targeting my dragon, I can grant her ATK equal to her DEF until the end of this turn in exchange for her being the only monster of mine that can attack."

Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon(R 8/O 2/5500/2500 effect) sparked with electricity as she roared.

"5500 ATK!" The twins exclaimed.

"All of that is coming your way!" Yuto declared. "Go, Cipher Stream of Eradication!"

Cipher Dragon blasted the two girls, knocking them off their feet (Yuto 200/Elena & Nera 0). As they were laid out, their Numbers left them and entered Yuto's pendant. He then opened his extra deck to see they were part of it now.

"I don't feel any different." Yuto closed it before looking to the twins. "Is what happened to Flip a rare instance, or are the three of us protected like Yuma is with Astral?" He might just get those answers as he approached the twins. "Time to uphold your end of the bargain."

"Yeah, alright." Nera voiced, as she and her sister stood.

"Before we do, why don't you take our Numbers?" Elena offered.

"I already did." Yuto replied, taking the cards out.

"When did you take them?" Nera questioned, as her twin checked her extra deck.

"Not how this works." Yuto retorted. "There's no recruitment to your cause since I won, meaning you two will answer me. We'll start with what you were trying to bring me into."

Just then, golden spider webs appeared before the twins and audience. In a bright light, the webbing vanished.

This left the phantom knights user alone within the warehouse. "What just happened?"

???
The twins appeared within the foyer of a mansion. Before them stood a guy around Yuto's age whose eyes were light brown with vertical pupils. He had raised light blue hair with one wick of green while wearing extravagant clothing with embroidery shaped like a spider.

"It would seem the trap failed to attract who we wanted." The guy voiced.

"He certainly didn't have Astral, though I think Yuto has presented himself as someone to keep an eye on." Elena noted.

"Yeah, he wasn't fazed by the Numbers and managed to collect them too." Nera noted.

"Valid points, though what caught my eye were his unusual dragons." The guy noted. "The aura they exuded matched your Over 100 Number, Nera."

"They were that strong, huh?" Nera noted. "Acquiring my Over 100 Number hadn't been easy, given I'm no emperor." She smiled. "You're not too shabby to look at and turning out to be quite interesting to boot, Yuto."

"While not the target we were after, what does this mean, Kyoji?" Elena asked.

"He'll either prove useful in our goals or be our greatest obstacle." Kyoji answered.

Yuto's Home: Night…
Yuto spent an hour trying to find those twins, only to determine whatever brought about those golden spider webs had taken them somewhere he couldn't reach. It meant all he got were a couple of Numbers. In the long run, whatever information those two had seemed more valuable.

Yuto stepped onto his property with a sigh, only to be draw to the sound of laughter. He looked around to see a family, their child pointing to the sky. The phantom knights user looked where the kid pointed yet saw nothing. He then noticed the whole family were wearing Duel Gazers.

Yuto decided to activate his and saw what had the family in a good mood. There was a giant Crashbug in the sky throwing bombs that exploded into fireworks. Even though Yuto has some serious stuff on his mind, a small smile crossed his face.

"You know, maybe today ended alright after all."

He leaned against his front door and stared into the night sky, watching Crashbug alongside countless other residents across Heartland.

---

Numbers: 5/100

Yuma: 24, 34, 39

Yuto: 13, 31

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland Academy
"Oh, Yuma…" Tori sighed as she walked onto academy grounds.

Her expression was saddened. After yelling at the onomat user and leaving him yesterday, everything that's happened recently kept playing through her mind. She didn't understand it. No one who'd been involved on any level seemed to. Still, things were more dangerous now.

If Yuma was meant to be at the center of it by being paired up with this Astral, she knew it wouldn't be in his nature to avoid whatever came his way. While she'd never want Yuma to change who he was as a person, improving his dueling was a necessity.

"TORI!" Yuma cried out.

The fairy user blinked in surprise as she turned to see the very boy on her mind sprinting towards her. As the onomat user stopped across from her, various students glanced at the pair as they walked by or stopped to stare. Her expression morphed into one of frustration.

"What do you want, Yuma?" Tori asked.

Even if the fairy user wanted everything to be good between them, she refused to pretend he was in the right. Standing by him at a time like this might feel good in the moment, but she'd only regret it later if someone were to hurt him.

"Tori…" Yuma didn't fully understand his friend's feelings, he was no mind reader, though he had the general idea. "Even though I didn't know it at the time, I've been lying to myself. I let my pride and ego lead me to believe no one could ever help in achieving my dream.

I conflated standing atop the dueling world with a solo journey, one where no one could possibly know better than me in dueling with my deck. That led to me letting everything build up until I let it all out on the people who never deserved it." He bowed deep. "I'm sorry I snapped at you!"

This was unexpected, though Tori knew the onomat user was genuine in his words. Still, she held off from immediately accepting. As tempting as it was to forgive him, she had to know if he'd take the steps needed to improve.

"Does this mean you're not going to be stubborn when it comes to taking advice?" Tori asked.

"I am willing and plan to speak with Yuto about his offer of help after I apologize to him." Yuma voiced sincerely. "I still want to be at the top of the dueling world, but I realized that will never happen if I'm stuck in my ways."

At that moment, Yuto walked out of the crowd. "If you're serious…" The two first years looked at him in surprise. "…my first piece of advice is that you actually read every card in your deck and extra deck." He walked by them. "Once you know what all your cards do, come find me."

"Yuto!" Yuma called out.

"I heard what you said to Tori, no need to repeat yourself." Yuto waved back without stopping or turning back. "Rather than an apology, let your actions speak for you. Like I said, come find me once you know what your cards do."

Yuma put a determined smile on his face. "Alright, I'll find you once I've done just that!"

Tori smiled at this development as she walked up to the onomat user. "Hey, Yuma, what do you say we get to class since you're actually on time for once?"

Yuma saw her smile, now knowing things were alright between them. "Yeah, let's go!" Suddenly, Astral appeared which drew the onomat user's attention, and he saw the blue being was looking after the phantom knights user. "Astral?"

Tori stopped upon hearing that and looked back, still unable to see him. "Astral's back?"

"Yuto has acquired at least one Number since last I saw him." Astral commented, stunning the onomat user. "He seems perfectly in control, just as you are with the Numbers you have. Even then, I need those Numbers."

"We'll talk with him at duel period." Yuma voiced, reasoning the two of them were back on talking terms. "Right now, Tori and I got to get to class."

"What's happening?" Tori questioned.

"I'll explain in class." Yuma replied.

Academy Roof: Just Before Duel Period…
"Though I follow how you came to such a conclusion, what you decided was uncharacteristically stupid." Shark voiced plainly, having heard what Yuto got up to yesterday coupled with seeing the twin Numbers he acquired. "That's even with things working out in the end."

"Yuma wouldn't have been in the mood to do me any favors yesterday." Yuto defended, knowing why the shark user said that. "I've also only known him and Tori a few days, not like I could have asked them to back me up. That's even excluding what happened between Yuma and me.

As for you, the Numbers didn't come into the equation until I'd pretty much accepted the challenge. Despite that, I had contemplated contacting you. Ultimately, I didn't want you to think I was using you given we've only known each marginally longer than I've known Yuma."

"When you put it that way, it sounds slightly less stupid yet still wasn't smart." Shark crossed his arms. "Still, I get where your head was at. It's because of that I see you need someone who has your back in anything dangerous; otherwise, you're liable to get in over your head."

Yuto recognized going to that warehouse alone was the most dangerous thing he's done. Almost any other oddity he's been involved in presented no danger to him, with Flip going off the deep end being the only other time. Even then, Yuma had stopped him.

"What I'm trying to say is, we'll extend what you asked me to include any dangerous situations that might crop up." Shark continued, uncrossing his arms. "Since we're adding to something you asked for, something I've agreed to, I don't want to hear any further excuses.

The only times it would be acceptable for you not to call is if the danger popped up suddenly or I'm indisposed. What I'm saying is, it'd do to have someone who at minimum knows you're in a potentially dangerous situation. Are we clear?"

"Yeah, I hear you." Yuto nodded. "Thanks, Shark."

Dueling Period
Yuto managed to get in a couple of duels before taking a seat on a bench. There he was approached by Yuma and Tori, with Astral appearing as well.

"Yuma, I get your passion for the game yet highly doubt it led to you learning what your cards do in mere hours." Yuto voiced. "If you've been spending all your time reading them during class, don't do that to your education."

"That's not what this is about." Yuma voiced.

"According to Yuma, Astral sensed you had at least one Number this morning." Tori added.

"Not only that." Astral voiced. "I can sense they are not in control of you, the difference stark compared to Frip and Mr. Kay."

"Hold on, Mr. Kay?" Yuto questioned. "Yuma, you dueled our math teacher, and he acted as unhinged as Flip?"

"It sounds like you both have something to tell the other." Tori voiced, having heard from Yuma what happened with Mr. Kay.

Both boys acknowledged she was right before going on to explain what happened to them after school. Either one would tell Tori what Astral had to say on any matter. The only thing Yuto omitted in the moment was that he had Shark backing him up.

"Given recent frictions, I think it's best I keep that close to my chest." Yuto thought. "Still though, to hear of another example like Flip…"

"How is Yuto capable of acquiring Numbers?" Astral muttered. "Furthermore, to think there'd be three others who aren't controlled by them."

"At this point, all I can do is theorize how it's possible I can take Numbers and not have them control me." Yuto shook his head. "I got even less to go off of when it comes to those twins I dueled."

Tori reasoned what Astral had said, given Yuto's response, before posing a question herself. "Why didn't you think to tell Yuma and Astral this yourself?"

"Yeah, that's a good point." Yuma realized.

"Did I really owe such an explanation?" Yuto question. "To my knowledge, Astral was still gone on top of the fact Yuma and I had friction after the events of yesterday's duel period. If I'm not mistaken, it's Astral who needs the Numbers."

Yuto had pretty much decided Astral was alright, even though he still didn't trust this mission the being had been sent on. Given the phantom knights user's ability to fight Numbers, he would feel alright giving what he had to Atral and simply preparing should he need to step in.

"If Astral needs the Numbers, coupled with the want for transparency given recent events, why not let Yuto help." Tori voiced.

"I wouldn't be opposed." Yuto noted, figuring this would keep him in the loop going forward. "Dark Rebellion can destroy them himself, every Number I collect would help in this endeavor, and I have the ability to acquire them from those I defeat."

"They raise a good point." Astral admitted. "Having help would be appreciated. Given what I've heard, Yuto far out paces you as a duelist Yuma."

"That's not cool, Astral!'' Yuma snapped.

Even if he's lost to Yuto, Astral didn't have to go saying that.

"Yuma's outburst withstanding, it seems we are in agreement." Yuto voiced. "From here on out, we'll keep each other updated any time we managed to collect Numbers or something happens in relation to that. In the spirit of transparency, you should know I've been confiding in Shark."

"You've been telling Shark everything!?" Yuma questioned.

"Yuma, you haven't strove for anonymity with Astral around." Yuto reminded. "Most people just write off what you say because they can't see him and conclude you got a screw loose. Even then, you confide in Tori, and you'll likely confide in anyone else you make friends with."

"Fair point…" Yuma relented.

"I would also like to say it should make sense why I would trust him more." Yuto shrugged. "Haven't been here a month, yet that doesn't change the fact I've known Shark longer than you three. He's rough around the edges but alright once you get to know him."

Yuto had overheard how people talked about the shark user prior to his arrival. His pal was a bully, someone who would force people to ante up their decks and seemingly had a worse rep than Flip. The phantom knights user didn't disbelieve it, but that wasn't who Shark was now.

Shark didn't own up to doing it, but people had received their decks back. Anything bad people had to say about him was old news or in relation to the fact they were salty he beat them in a duel. Just as with Yuto, those rumors were being shut down.

"Once you've read through all your cards, you should try challenging Shark." Yuto stood, putting his hands in his pockets as he walked off. "Dueling him will help you understand the shark user better than my words ever could."

"It's kind of strange to think Yuto is friends with Shark." Tori noted. "Even if the two of them are stoic, they just seem different in how they approach it."

"I think I get it." Yuma smiled, as Tori and Astral looked at him. "Remember, I dueled briefly with Yuto. From that, I can tell he's got the heart of a true duelist. Him speaking on Shark's behalf like this, I think it means he's got that same heart."

Heartland Central Park: After School…
Yuto was passing the park on his way home, only to stop upon hearing something of importance.

"Number 74: Master of Blades shall end this with a direct attack! Go, Psionic Blades!"

Yuto turned to see the conclusion of a duel. A duel monster wearing blue middle eastern styled garbs summoned forth blades with psychic energy and hurled them into a young child. He was knocked off his feet and sent skidding along the ground harshly.

"You're far too weak, kid." The kid's opponent voiced, dismissively. "Get lost."

The opponent was a third year male student, wearing the appropriate uniform. His hair was purple while his eyes were brown. The child he defeated ran away with tears falling.

This saw the third year scoff. "I swear, not a single decent challenge to be had."

"Did you ever think that's because you're going around picking on children?" Yuto questioned, as he sent a message to Shark.

"If it isn't our academy's new Number 1, Yuto Pharos." The third year noted before shrugging. "It's not my fault they're unskilled. If they were better duelists, it wouldn't turn out like this."

"As their seniors in this game, we should encourage rather than tear them down." Yuto retorted.

"If this turns the children I've beaten away from the game, they were never meant to be duelists to begin with." The third year retorted.

"This likely means he's been using that Number to beat down on more than just that one kid." Yuto shook his head. "You should step up to someone your own size rather than making yourself feel big by beating down on kids."

"Is that a challenge I hear?" The third year questioned, his tone hopeful for the affirmative. "Do you want to be my next victim?"

"You're overconfident for someone who's been beating down on children." Yuto retorted.

"No, this new card of mine gives me the right level of confidence." The guy voiced. "With it, the one who shall dethrone you is Theo!"

"Let's duel!"

(Yuto 4000/Theo 4000)

"I'll make the first move!" Yuto drew. "I summon The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves(LV 3/1000/500)." Light blue energy wearing worn gloves appeared. "Since I control a phantom knights monster, I can summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots(LV 3/200/1200)."

Blue energy contained within brown attire appeared. "Since a phantom knights monster was special summoned, I can summon The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves(LV 3/1200/600)." A suit of gray armor containing blue energy appeared.

"I now construct the overlay network with level 3 Ragged Gloves, Silent Boots, and Stained Greaves. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche(R 3/O 3/2100/500)." A suit of black armor with purple accents appeared.

"Three materials, only for the monster to not even break 2500 ATK?" Theo questioned, unimpressed.

"It's the effect that matters, though the baseline of most monsters I Xyz summon can always be adjusted if they use the right material." Yuto retorted. "Since Ragged Gloves was one such material for this summon, Rusty Bardiche gains 1000 ATK upon his summon."

The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche(R 3/O 3/3100/500 effect)

"As for his effect, I can detach one material to do one of two things." Yuto continued. "The only viable one now is to send any one phantom knights card from my deck to the grave."

The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche(R 3/O 2/3100/500 effect).

"I'll finish out my turn by setting three cards." Yuto declared.

"My turn!" Theo drew. "Since I control no monsters, I can special summon Beast of Talwar - The Sword Summit(LV 7/2400/2150)." A green winged monster wearing blue armor appeared. "Next, I'll normal summon Fusilier Dragon, the Dual-Mode Beast(LV 7/1400/1000 effect)."

A red and white machine dragon on treads appeared. "Since I've normal summoned him without tribute, his ATK/DEF is halved. That hardly matters as I construct the overlay network with my two level 7 monsters."

"The ease with which he got out two Level 7 monsters for presumedly his Number…Can't really recall hearing about this guy around school, meaning he must have changed his deck to facilitate the Number born from his desires." Yuto reasoned

Theo began to laugh as a blue Number 74 appeared on his right cheek and glowed. "I Xyz Summon Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 2/2700/2300)." The male figure wearing blue middle eastern styled garbs appeared.

"I'll be shutting your Number down for the time being with my first face-down, Phantom Knights' Fog Blade." Yuto interjected. "By targeting Number 74, I can no longer attack it while it can no longer attack, and its effects shall be negated."

"That trap of yours is worthless in the face of Number 74." Theo retorted. "Due to you targeting him with an effect, I can detach one material to negate it and destroy the card behind that effect. Then, I can destroy one card more. I select Rusty Bardiche. Go, Psionic Double!"

Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 1/2700/2300) summoned forth two of its blades with his psychic energy before sending them thrusting through Fog Blade and Rusty Bardiche.

"With your field clear of monsters, I'll attack with Psionic Blades!" Theo declared.

Master of Blades then summoned forth more blades, sending them at the phantom knights user.

"You destroyed Rusty Bardiche, but that was after I used his effect to put The Phantom Knights of Shadow Veil(LV 4/0/300) in my grave." Yuto declared. "This trap can special summon itself as a monster, since you've declared a direct attack, in face-up defense position."

A knight comprised of blue energy appeared atop a black steed, steeling itself as the blades pierced through and destroyed him. "The only caveat to this is that Shadow Veil is now banished due to having left the field."

"Alright, I set two cards to end my turn." Theo declared.

"My move!" Yuto drew. "I'll banish Phantom Knight's Fog Blade from my grave to revive The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves(LV 3/1200/600), but it'll be banished upon leaving the field. I'll then activate The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield(LV 3/0/0) to special summon it."

A black shield radiating blue energy appeared. "I now use my level 3 Stained Greaves and Tomb Shield to construct the overlay network once more. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 2/2000/1000)." A black suit of armor atop a black steed appeared.

"I now detach 1 material from The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 1/2000/1000) to target 1 card you control and 1 card I control, both will be destroyed. I choose your face down on the left and my remaining face down."

"I'll chain the activation of my face down on the right, Xyz Block." Theo countered. "Since you've activated a monster effect, I can now detach Master of Blade's remaining overlay unit to negate your Break Sword and destroy him."

Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 0/2700/2300)

"I'll utilize the effect of the Tomb Shield I detached from Break Sword." Yuto countered. "By banishing this trap, I can negate the effects of one face-up trap you control."

Since Xyz Block wouldn't be sticking around, it sparked red before shattering. Yuto's face-down Copy Knight and Theo's face-down Xyz Reborn were revealed before being shattered.

"Time to finish my board." Yuto declared. "First, I'll banish The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from my grave to add any one phantom knights spell or trap I want from my deck to my hand." As the card slotted out, he snagged it. "Now, I set one trap before activating it."

"You can't activate a trap after you've just set it!" Theo declared.

"You'll find I can activate The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine(LV 4/0/300) the turn I set it if no other traps are in my grave. Given I've banished what was there, I special summon this trap as a monster in defense position." A chest piece containing blue energy appeared.

"Throughout this turn, I haven't once normal summoned, so I'll correct that now. Come forth, The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor(LV 4/1000/2000)." Purple armor containing blue energy appeared. Now, I construct the overlay network with my two level monsters.

Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous of dragons. Xyz summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)." A purple and black dragon appeared. "I now detach one overlay unit to cut the ATK of your Master of Blades in half."

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 1/2500/2000) fired off purple lightning, which restricted Theo's monster. "Don't worry since that lost ATK goes to my dragon."

"I don't think so." Theo retorted. "Since this is still your Main Phase, I discard Effect Veiler to target your Dark Rebellion and negate its effects until the End Phase."

"He couldn't have been clued in on Dark Rebellion destroying Numbers, but that hardly matters when I'd have enough ATK between my two monsters to end it." Yuto nodded. "I end my turn."

"My draw!" Theo took the top card off his deck, only to laugh at what he got. "I'll take a mulligan through Magic Mallet, shuffling it and the other card in my hand back into my deck. Then, I get to draw two new cards."

Upon taking the top two cards from the top of his deck, he grinned. "These are perfect. First, I activate Raigeki to destroy all monsters you control." Storm clouds gathered overhead before both of Yuto's monsters were struck by lightning, destroying them.

"None of the monsters I have within my grave share a level, so I can't use Break Swords' effect to special summon two monsters." Yuto noted to himself.

"That's not all." Theo declared. "This last card in my hand is Axe of Despair, which I'll gift to Master of Blades and grant him 1000 extra ATK."

Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 0/3700/2300 effect).

"All that is coming your way." Theo stated. "Go, Psionic Axe!"

The Axe of Despair was coated in Master of Blades' energy before he let it go. The weapon then flew at Yuto, hitting him head on and knocking the phantom knights user clean off his feet (Yuto 300/Theo 4000).

"With that, my turn is over." Theo declared. "At this rate, you might as well give up because everything is against you. I got a monster that can't be destroyed by battle, his ATK is over 3000, and you got roughly a handful of life points left with no field to speak of."

Just then, Shark arrived. "Yuto, stand up."

Yuto rose to one knee and looked back. "Shark?"

"If it isn't the former Number 1." Theo laughed. "You might as well stick around because this won't last much longer. I'd just love to cement my status as the new Number 1 by beating you once I'm done with Yuto."

"You're not currently looking like the guy who managed to beat me." Shark paid the third year no mind as he looked at Yuto. "Don't let some nobody wash you like this. All that'll do is embarrass the both of us."

"Can't go having that, can I?" Yuto gave a small smile as he stood and turned to his opponent. "You have a great deal of advantage on your side, Theo; however, my deck isn't done." He drew. "I'm about to prove it."

"By all means, try to overcome my Number." Theo laughed, unwilling to believe he could do a thing to beat him now.

"First, I'll banish The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves from my grave to send any Phantom Knights card I want from my deck to the grave." Yuto declared. "The card I sent was my The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak, which I'll banish to use his effect.

I can now take any Phantom Knights card I want, except another Ancient Cloak, and add it to my hand." As the card slotted out, he took it to bring his current hand up to 2. "Now I banish The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor and discard one card to draw once more.

Since you control a monster while I control none, I can special summon The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 4/500/1500)." A suit of armor containing blue energy and wearing a crown appeared.

"I then summon a second The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves(LV 3/1000/500). I'll now utilize Night Crown's second effect, declaring a level of two and making my two Phantom Knights on the field that level."

The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 2/500/1500 effect)
The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves(LV 2/1000/500 effect)

"With my Level 2 Night Crown and Ragged Gloves, I construct the overlay network. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 2/1600/0)." A skeletal warrior with a javelin appeared. "Since Ragged Gloves was used, this dark attributed Xyz gains 1000 ATK."

The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 2/2600/0 effect)

"All that banishment, drawing, and expending of your hand to bring out a monster 1100 ATK shy of my Number." Theo laughed. "Even if Master of Blades had 0 ATK, you couldn't end this duel with that sorry excuse of an Xyz monster."

"Cursed Javelin is why I'll win this, though first I banish the Phantom Knights' Wing I discarded earlier this turn. Like Fog Blade, I can now revive any The Phantom Knights monster I want from grave with the understanding it'll be banished if it leaves the field.

With all the ones I've banished prior, I really only have two options; however, either are more than enough. For this duel, I 'll select my The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche(R 3/O 0/2100/500)."

"I still fail to see how you could hope to overcome my Master of Blades, let alone have any hope of victory." Theo retorted.

Shark crossed his arms. "That's because you're one of the students who care more about Yuto's flashy monsters, to the point you've ignored what his seemingly less flashy ones can do."

"Allow me to educate you with the final piece of this turn's puzzle." Yuto declared. "By detaching one overlay unit from The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin(R 2/O 1/2600/0). I target your Master of Blades to negate its effects and zero out its ATK until the end of this turn."

Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 0/0/2300 effect)

Theo was finally shocked. "It's over for me..."

"It is." Yuto declared. "Cursed Javelin, destroy Number 74. Then, end this duel with a direct attack Rusty Bardiche."

Javelin threw its namesake at Number 74, piercing him and seeing the residual damage sending Theo skidding back (Yuto 300/Theo 1400). Rusty Bardiche then surged forward, swinging his weapon into the opposing duelist's gut and knocking him off his feet (Yuto 300/Theo 0).

As Theo lay there, Number 74 left him and entered Yuto's pendant, seeing Shark nod. "After seeing that, guess I got no room left to doubt him." He approached the phantom knights user. "Come on, I'll give you a ride home."

"I'd appreciate it." Yuto returned, following the shark user.

Both knew they didn't have to comment on what Shark had done for the phantom knights user. The two of them merely walked off together, leaving Theo behind.

---

I've turned the link monster, Rusty Bardiche, into an Xyz monster.

The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche/Dark/Rank 3/Warrior/Xyz/ATK 2100/DEF 500

3 Level 3 monsters

You can detach 1 material from this card to activate one of the following effects:

• Send 1 "The Phantom Knights" card from your Deck to the GY.
• Target 1 card on the field and destroy it.

---

Numbers: 6/100

Yuma: 24, 34, 39

Yuto: 13, 31, 74

 

[Quillion9000]

Tsukumo Residence: Night…
A few days have passed since Yuma patched things up with Tori and Yuto. Currently, the onomat user was doing as the phantom knights user said by reading through the effects contained within his deck. He's done this a few times now, though figured he should make sure he has them down.

As for Astral, the blue being was watching a television program called The Sparrow. He didn't initially understand it, but eventually became engrossed with the show. Galaxy Queen was the villainess who held some side character intruders down with her powers.

Suddenly, the show's main character came charging through the glass ceiling. It was a boy, around Yuma's age, with lime-green eyes and silver hair. He wore a white spandex body suit with matching boots. He also donned a crimson mask, blue cloak, and belt with brown stripes in gold.

"I have journeyed through time and space, all to fight the forces of evil and bring justice to the galaxy." The hero declared. "I am the Sparrow!"

"How were you able to escape?" Galaxy Queen questioned. "Furious Max sealed you away in another dimension!"

The Sparrow smirked. "I escaped."

"Well, things have changed since you were sealed." Galaxy Queen declared. "Furious Max now rules over the entire galaxy."

"His reign is about to come to an end." Sparrow leapt towards her, his right fist extended. "Go, Mega Punch Surprise!" He caught sight of a figure in one of the crystals. "It can't be! Is that who I think it is?"

"Fool!" Galaxy Queen emitted power from her staff, using it to send him crashing to the ground. "Nobody can stop the Dark Emperor's curse. Now, you're my puppet like your precious Puma."

As she laughed, Astral turned towards the onomat user. "Yuma, this Sparrow is from a different dimension, like me."

That got Yuma to look from his cards to the blue being in confusion before remembering he didn't know much about this world. "It's just a show, Astral." He went back to looking at his cards. "None of it is real."

Astral didn't look convinced as he turned back to the TV.

Heartland Academy: After School…
"Man, I thought class would never end." As the bell rang, Yuma rushed out of his last class.

"We must now return to your house immediately." Astral voiced impatiently.

Yuma looked at him weirdly. "What for?"

"I must watch as the Sparrow's destiny continues to unfold." Astral informed, to the dismay of the onomat user. "The Sparrow is from a different realm, so he may have some clues I could use to figure out my past."

"I already told you that show isn't reality." Yuma groaned.

"Hey, Yuma, have you heard?" Tori questioned as she came out of the classroom.

"Heard what?" Yuma questioned.

"The Sparrow is down by the sea port." Tori explained. "They're building a set to shoot some scenes." She blushed and fangirled. "Point is, we must go meet him. Sparrow could save my day any day."

"Yeah, still got to read through my deck again." Yuma tried to walk away.

"You're coming with me." Tori declared, grabbing the onomat user by the back of his collar and dragging him.

Seaside Port
The port had plenty of people already there, with fangirls squealing. Tori joined in almost immediately, seeing Yuma facepalm over his friend's antics while Astral was curiously looking around for any sign of the Sparrow.

"What's the point of coming down here if we're never going to see the Sparrow?" Yuma muttered, grabbing his friend by the back of the shirt and dragging her off.

Yuma may not have wanted to come down here, but now that he was here, the onomat user wanted to at least see the guy from the show.

"Oh, I wish we could get in there to see him to!" Tori exclaimed, still in fan girl mode.

Yuma recognized this was likely why he was getting away with dragging her. He ended up bringing Tori around to the back of the building, only to see the guard stationed there sprinting in the opposite direction. He was in a hurry, likely meaning that crowd out front was getting rowdy.

"Yuma." Tori gasped. "This is our chance."

Yuma decided to go with it. "Alright, let's make a break for it."

The two of them silently rushed by behind the guard.

The Sparrow Stage
As they walked down the hallway, Yuma was starting to regret agreeing to this since Tori was fangirling more than she ever has. "Maybe I can slip away for a bit…"

Just before he could try, both students heard a familiar voice. "You lowly minions think you can beat me? Think again!"

The pair's eyes widened in surprise.

That's him!" Tori squealed. "It's Sparrow!"

The pair rushed into the room and hid by some costumes before staring out into a throne room set. It was brightly colored with blue crystals for added customization. The Sparrow was there, practicing with his whip.

"Oh, I need to get his autograph." Tori whispered excitedly.

"Dark Emperor, Furious Max!" The Sparow pointed. "Your reign of terror has come to an end!"

"Dark Emperor, Furious Max." Astral muttered. "Could he be who I was sent here to battle?" He then noticed something behind the onomat user. "Yuma, look out! One of the lowly minions is about to grab you!"

"You mean this?" Yuma gestured to the costume. "This is just a costume."

"Costume?" Astral had no clue what that was.

"If we're going to be partners, I clearly need to put more work in on that lack of knowledge about our world." Yuma noted, a touch exasperated as he moved the costume slightly.

He ended up moving the costume into a button, seeing it lift off the ground by a hook. In the moment, with his arms around it, Yuma ended up holding on at the sudden movement. This saw him clinging on as he was taken for a ride.

"Yuma, no!" Tori called out in worry.

Sparrow heard her and turned to see what the commotion was about.

"What's this?" Astral floated up to the onomat user. "How could you not tell me about your ability to fly?"

Yuma was far too concerned with his current predicament to correct him. "Get me off this thing!"

The onomat user was trying to hang on, but the costume started swinging which caused his deck to fall out of its holder. All of his cards landed on the floor near Sparrow, who was amazed to see them. Yuma ended up riding the costume towards a wall, crashing into and breaking it.

The commotion was enough to bring in a guard, who proceeded to reprimanded the two students. "You kids are trespassing on a closed set! We're now going to the security room where we'll be contacting your parents!"

The guard then began to escort the pair out, only for the Sparrow to suddenly land behind Yuma. "Not you. You're coming with me."

The Sparrow grabbed Yuma by the shoulder and used his whip to take them away.

The Sparrow's Dressing Room
Yuma and Astral found themselves in a dressing room surrounded by flowers and posters of the Sparrow.

Said guy's voice caught their attention as he held out Yuma's deck. "I believe this is yours."

"Nah, mine is here in this bag." Yuma checked, only to not feel his deck container within. "On second thought, those are mine." He accepted the container. "Guess I dropped it back when I was flying around."

"The heart and soul of a duelist, only for you to drop it." Astral voiced, disappointed. "Unbelievable."

Yuma ignored him. "Thanks, Sparrow!"

"No need to thank me." Sparrow replied, genuinely. "Though, I do have a request."

"What is it?" Yuma asked.

"I would love to challenge you to a lavish duel." Sparrow replied.

"You're a duelist?" Yuma asked, pleasantly surprised.

"When I'm not saving the universe, dueling is my passion." The Sparrow declared.

"Alright, I accept your challenge!" Yuma declared.

"You mean it?" The Sparrow sounded like an excited kid before he coughed and corrected his voice. "I mean, are you sure you want to do this?"

"Of course." Yuma pointed his thumb at himself. "By the way, I'm Yuma Tsukumo."

"We have more important matters to address." Astral voiced. "Find out what he may know of me."

"How many times do I have to tell you that show is fake?" Yuma whispered, frustrated.

In that moment, in front of the Sparrow, a tiny spider crawled down its web. "AAAAAAAAA!" He rushed to a corner of the room where he coward. "Please, get rid of that for me!"

"Come on, don't tell me you're afraid of a spider as small as this one." Yuma voiced.

"I have a case of arachnophobia." The Sparrow stated. "Just get rid of it for me."

Yuma grabbed the spider and threw it out the window. "It's gone now."

The Sparrow looked around to confirm whether or not the spider was gone.

He couldn't see it, making him sigh in relief. "Thanks for helping me out."

Yuma noticed him blushing and looking at the floor. "I wouldn't worry about it because even heroes are allowed to be afraid of something."

"I'm only a hero on TV." The Sparrow took off his mask with a sorrowful smile. "I'm actually just some middle school kid who likes video games, pizza, and dueling. The Sparrow is the intergalactic freedom fighter while I can't even talk to girls without getting nervous.

It's all about keeping the fans interested 24/7, so I have to keep up the act at all times. I mean, let's be honest. I doubt there's anyone who would want to know the real me when they could get to know the Sparrow instead."

"That's a real bummer since I think there are plenty of people who would like to know the real you." Yuma voiced confidently.

"You think so?" The Sparrow approached and shook his hand genuinely. "Thank you! No one has ever said that to me. Okay, wait, hang on. I should properly introduce myself. My name is Nelson Andrews, it's nice to meet you."

Astral was befuddled by this. "What is a Nelson?"

"That wasn't too hard, right?" Yuma smiled. "Now, what do you say to a duel to get to know each other better?"

Nelson was ecstatic and nodded.

Just then, the door to the dressing room swung open. "There you are!" Yuma, Astral, and Nelson turned to see a purple-haired woman wearing a blue dress standing in front of the open door with a frown. "I demand to know who this boy next to you is, Nelson!"

"Mom!" Nelson knew this was bad as his mother didn't like strangers snooping around.

Yuma's eyes widened in surprise since he could practically see no resemblance between these two. "That lady is your mom?"

While Nelson's mother was glaring at the boys, Astral saw her and the image of Galaxy Queen overlapping. "She's the Galaxy Queen."

"You know you're not to speak to anyone except authorized personnel." Nelson's mother swept the few strands of her hair covering her eyes.

"I know Mom, but I..." Nelson tried.

"But nothing." She cut him off. "The illusion of the Sparrow would be tarnished if people found out what kind of a kid you really are." Nelson widened his eyes before he stared at the floor in sadness. "It's not just about you.

Many people are depending on you being the Sparrow. I've worked so hard for us to get this far ever since we suffered the loss of your father. You're part of something bigger than yourself, Nelson. This is a sacrifice you must make for me, yourself, and the rest!"

"Why would you say something that?" Yuma questioned. "Nelson's life is his own!"

Nelson's mother was irked by his feeble attempt to reason with her. "I'm afraid I must ask you to leave, and if you tell anyone you met Nelson, I will make sure you never duel in this town again." She pushed Yuma out. "Get lost and never come back!"

"Forgive me, Yuma!" Nelson ran up to the door. "I didn't mean for things to turn out this way."

"Don't worry, Nelson!" Yuma declared, determined. "You and I are going to have a duel someday. Before that, you got to stop letting other people tell you who to be."

"I can't." Nelson shook his head as he looked away. "Nelson Andrews doesn't matter, only the Sparrow does."

His words made Yuma frown while Nelson's mother closed the door.

Heartland: Evening…
Yuma had walked out of the movie studio in frustration before punching a lamp-post. He hoped it would help him calm down because he wanted to stop replaying the words Nelson had said.

"Nelson Andrews doesn't matter, only the Sparrow does."

"I can understand what losing someone can do to you, but that's all the reason why those you have left should matter more." Yuma stated, frustrated.

Even knowing what missing someone could do to you, Yuma couldn't excuse what that woman was doing. She was no mother, not even close. Memories of the good times he had with his mother started flooding in his mind, making him smile.

Astral couldn't quite fathom what this was all about, though he could at least tell Yuma was in slightly better spirits. "Yuma, why was the Sparrow referring to himself as Nelson?"

"I'm going to try explaining this one more time." Yuma sighed. "The Sparrow is just a role Nelson plays in a fictional show. The space hero isn't real while Nelson is the real deal. It's as simple as that."

"So then, he does not know anything about me." Astral stated, disappointment in his voice.

"Sorry, you were constantly hitting up against a dead end." Yuma confirmed. "Still, it's not the end of the world. Yuto and I are on the case to collect these Numbers. I'm sure you'll remember who you are sooner than you think."

At that, Astral stared off into the distance with Yuma joining him. A long silence stretched between them.

…

"Yuma, would it be possible to help him?"

"Huh?" Yuma questioned, surprised since he never expected to hear this.

"He may not be the Sparrow or know anything about me; however, I can relate to him." Astral stated.

"Really?" Yuma inquired.

"Nelson feels he does not know who he is, yet is pressured to do what is expected of him." Astral replied. "I too have no idea who I really am, yet I am under a great deal of pressure to collect the Numbers. That is why I was wondering if we could help him."

"Honestly, I don't know if we can." Yuma sighed.

"Is there truly nothing we can do?" Astral asked.

"Perhaps we've helped him already." Yuma tried his best to sound optimistic. "We're likely the first ones to see the real Nelson in a long time. Maybe he'll feel more confident in showing the world who he is now that he knows he's got at least one real friend."

Andrews Residence: Night…
Nelson was out on a balcony, starring sorrowfully at the stars above. Currently, he was dressed casually in white trousers, brown shoes, and a grey long-sleeve shirt. Stargazing was something he always loved and would usually be out here for longer doing.

Given what happened today, he figured it was better to turn in early. Just before he could head back in, Nelson spotted a card on the floor. He picked it up and saw it was blank. Then, his eyes went blank as a soft, feminine voice called out to him.

"Nelson, I see what you desire." The blank card manifested, revealing Galaxy Queen. "After all, I'm your mother who loves you more than anything."

Initially, Nelson wanted to resist the hold this card had on him. Then, he heard the seemingly genuine affection, serving to remind him of simpler times as his eyes watered.

He couldn't fight the card any longer as the tears fell. "Mom…"

Heartland Academy: Next Day…
In their classroom, Yuma and Tori were watching the news from the onomat user's handheld computer. Reports were coming in that the Sparrow was assailing people. The press were questioning Nelson's mother, who denied all the accusations.

"This is awful." Tori voiced. "Someone's out there trying to make Sparrow look bad."

Yuma could only stare at his handheld computer, his grip tightening on the device.

Heartland Streets: Night…
Yuma, Astral, and Tori were roaming around Heartland in search of Sparrow's whereabouts. They didn't have to wait long before a scream could be heard ahead. The group ran up some stairs where they found a man tied to a lamp post.

"What happened here?" Tori asked, as she moved to help him.

"Some oddball wearing a cape came out of nowhere and assaulted me!" The man answered.

Astral managed to spot Nelson from the corner of his eye. "Yuma, he's over there!"

Yuma looked where the being indicated, just managing to catch sight of the Sparrow's outfit as he turned a corner. The onomat user sprinted after him until they reached a dead end. Before the actor could leap up the nearby wall, Yuma grabbed and turned him around.

"Nelson, I know it's you!" Yuma declared. "Why are you doing this?"

The Sparrow forced Yuma's arm off of him but kept hold of it before flipping the onomat user into the ground. "It's better for both of us if you don't get involved with me, Yuma."

Sparrow then jumped over the wall, leaving the onomat user in utter confusion.

"Yuma!" Tori rushed into the alley, noting her friend's current state and helping him up. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Yuma ignored her questions as he stared at the wall his friend jumped over.

Heartland Academy: Next Day, Evening…
As the sun set, Yuma and Astral were on top of the roof of the school's main building.

"Nelson is acting like Flip or Mr. Kay when it came to their innermost desires." Yuma noted, having recognized a pattern and unable to believe the guy would act like this without that influence. "He must have come across a Number sometime after I was forced out."

"If that is the case, I think you should keep the promise you made." Astral encouraged, getting Yuma to focus on him. "You pledged to face Nelson in a duel. As a duelist, honor that promise."

"Yeah, you're right." Yuma smirked as he looked to the sky. "Let's bring him back to his senses."

Seaside Port: Night…
An unmasked Nelson, wearing his Sparrow attire, was walking up the stairs in the throne room. He wanted to pick up his mask resting on the throne; however, he didn't expect the lights to be turned on the moment he picked it up.

He turned around to see Yuma. "Nelson, I won't let you lose yourself to your misery."

"Lose myself?" Nelson questioned. "Are you insinuating I don't know who I am, Yuma!? I warned you not to get involved with me any longer than you have. Now go. I have people to save as that's what mother expects from me."

"Your mother is the reason you ended up being this way!" Yuma yelled. "Do I have to knock some sense into you!?"

"Cease your lies or prepare for the consequences!" Nelson called out.

"I'm not going anywhere until we've dueled." Yuma grit his teeth. "Through it, I'll make you realize the truth."

"It appears Furious Max has control of you!" Nelson retorted. "Don't worry for I, the Sparrow, shall break his spell!" He put on his mask and activated his duel pad, prompting Yuma to do the same with his duel pad. "You can never stop a hero from saving others!"

"Let's duel!"

(Yuma 4000/Nelson 4000)

"Right, let's do this." Nelson drew, surrounded by a purple aura as a light-green-colored Number 83 glowed on his right wrist. "I summon Beast-Warrior Puma(LV 4/1600/1000)." A humanoid black panther appeared.

"It would appear his deck is based around characters from the show." Astral noted.

"I end my turn by playing one card face-down." The Sparrow concluded.

"My move!" Yuma drew.

Astral looked through Yuma's hand, quickly figuring it wasn't ideal though they were not without options. "There isn't much we can do with our current hand. You can summon Gogogo Golem but be cautious of his face-down."

"You got it, Astral." Yuma smirked. "I summon Gogogo Golem(LV 4/1800/1500)." A rotund, earthy golem appeared. "I'll have him attack Puma."

"You've walked into my trap!" Nelson declared. "I activate Trion Barrier. Since I have three Triple Star Trions in hand, I can force your Golem into defense. Then, I special summon all three Triple Star Trion(LV 1/100/100)!" Tiny figures wearing blue, green, and red appeared.

"Three cards at once!" Yuma exclaimed before firming his expression. "I set one card."

"My turn!" Nelson drew. "First, I'll release two Trions to summon D.D. Esper Star Sparrow(LV 10/3000/1500)." This new monster resembled him in appearance, though looked more mysterious.

"Great, that thing has 500 less ATK than Dododo Swordsman after he's been flipped, and I don't even have him in hand." Yuma groaned.

"Things only get worse from here." Nelson declared. "I activate my two Triple Star Trion(LV 1/100/100). When they're used for a Tribute summon, I can revive them to my field with their effects negated. Next, I'll play Space Ration to draw twice since I control Esper Star Sparrow."

He drew his top two cards. "With that, I overlay my three Level 1 Star Trions to build the overlay network. I Xyz Summon! Kneel before Number 83: Galaxy Queen(R 1/O 3/500/500)!"A tall woman wearing a deep-blue and violet gown appeared.

"You just summoned…your mom." Yuma voiced in dismay.

Sparrow chose not to respond to that, opting to continue. "Now, I detach one overlay unit from Galaxy Queen."

Number 83: Galaxy Queen(R 1/O 2/500/500)

"All monsters I control can't be destroyed by battle or card effect until my next Standby Phase." Sparrow declared. "Also, they deal piercing damage."

Galaxy Queen shot sparkles into the air which showered down on herself, Puma, and Star Sparrow.

"This isn't good." Yuma muttered.

"Beast-Warrior Puma, attack!" Nelson commanded.

Puma stabbed at the golem (Yuma 3900/Nelson 4000).

"Since Gogogo Golem is in defense position, he doesn't get destroyed by battle the first time!" Yuma informed.

"Then, Esper Star Sparrow shall finish what Puma started." Nelson declared. "I hope you enjoy his Mega Punch Surprise!"

Esper Star Sparrow flew across the field, fist at the ready.

"I'll protect my Golem once more with my face down Battle Rush." Yuma declared. "Not only does this trap prevent his destruction from battle, but you take any damage I would have."

As he landed a devasting punch on Gogogo Golem, the rock monster held his ground as the residual damage blew back at the actor (Yuma 3900/Nelson 2500). Nelson was knocked off his feet, ending up flat on his stomach.

"Er, you'll pay for that." Nelson voiced as he slowly rose. "No matter how you push, the Sparrow will not be beaten. This card I set shall make sure of it."

"Man, I don't think Flip or Mr. Kay were this delusional." Yuma noted, his mind turned to what happened days earlier. "It's because she's what this is all about. That Number wouldn't be messing with him like this were it not for his mom."

That gave him an idea.

Meadow's Residence
Tori's duel gazer was ringing, and upon seeing who it was, she answered it. "Do you have any idea what time it is, Yuma?"

"Tori, you got to listen." Yuma voiced. "You know that scary lady who produces the Sparrow's show, she's the mom of the main actor, Nelson Andrews. I'm currently in the middle of a duel with him at the set, and she needs to see this."

"Okay, Yuma." Tori may not have known what was going on, but she knew the onomat user well enough to agree. "I'll find her and see you soon."

Seaside Port
With Yuma's call having ended, Astral spoke up. "With Nelson's field steadily growing, Golem isn't going to cut it. What you need is Utopia."

"Good thing between my field and hand I can bring him out!" Yuma drew. "I summon Gagaga Magician(LV 4/1500/1000)!" A spellcaster in dark blue robes with maroon shoulder plates and chains wrapped loosely around his body appeared.

"Now, I overlay my level 4 Gagaga Magician and Gogogo Golem to build the overlay network. Xyz Summon Number 39: Utopia(R4/O 2/2500/2000)." A knight in shining armor with metallic angel wings appeared. "I'll attack Number 83. Go, Rising Sun Slash!"

"Not good enough because I play my Wings of Unity trap!" Nelson declared. "Since I control an Esper Star Sparrow, I can put a stop to your attack. It also lets me summon Phoenix Beast Gairuda(LV 6/2500/1200) from my Deck!" A large phoenix appeared.

"Er, that Gairuda looks like trouble." Yuma voiced.

"When Gairuda is Normal or Special Summoned, I get to draw one card!" Sparrow took the top card of his deck.

"Yuma, shore up your defenses before ending your turn." Astral voiced.

"I think I know what to do." Yuma nodded. "Since you control at least three monsters, I can activate the continuous spell Attraffc Control. With this in play, you can't declare an attack."

"Yuma, why must you stand in my way!?" Sparrow yelled in frustration.

"It's because I'm going to bring you back to your senses!" Yuma exclaimed. "To that end, I set one card before turning things over to you."

"It's my turn!" Nelson drew. "Since I have Esper, Gairuda, and Puma on the field, I can special summon another friend. Come on out, Ironhammer the Giant(LV 8/900/3500)!" A massive, towering robot with a bulky, industrial design appeared.

"Yuma!" Tori called out, making him turn to see his friend had arrived with Ms. Andrews. "I brought Ms. Andrews, though she's not exactly happy about it."

"What is going on?" Mrs. Andrews questioned while looking around, only to spot her son. "Nelson, what are you doing here past your bedtime?"

"Are you talking to me?" Nelson questioned, coldly.

Ms. Andrews frowned. "I hardly think that's an appropriate tone to take with your mother."

"I think you may be confused as my mother is here!" Nelson declared, gesturing to the Number.

"Nelson, have you forgotten the promises we made since it was just the two of us?" Ms. Andrews asked, hurt.

"My name isn't Nelson." The actor retorted. "I'm the one and only Sparrow!"

"I'm not playing, Nelson!" Ms. Andrews shouted.

Yuma grit his teeth, starting to think he'd been wrong to waste Tori's time on this. "Just how blind can you be?" Nelson's mother looked at him. "Can't you see your kid has been suffering? He's so lost he actually thinks he's the Sparrow."

"That is preposterous." Ms. Andrews looked away, not wanting to believe her son was harming innocent civilians. "There is no way Nelson would…"

"It's not too late." Yuma voiced. "We can save him, but you need to be the loving mother he expects you to be."

Those words struck a chord with her.

Flashback: 7 years ago…
Nelson was sitting on the window seal of his old bedroom where he cried while holding a picture of his father giving a cheesy grin just outside his big rig.

His mother entered with a sorrowful expression as she saw her son was still in pain. "Nelson."

"Mom, why did the world have to take him away?" Nelson cried.

"Oh, Nelson." She approached her son, wrapping him in her arms and pulling him into the room. "The world can be cruel and unfair; however, you're going to be okay. Just remember, your dad loved you to no end. Often, you were all he'd ever talk about."

"Mom, promise me you won't ever leave." Nelson hugged her. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you."

"For that to happen, you must do as I say from now on." Ms. Andrews reasoned. "It'll keep you safe, always."

"Okay, Mom." Nelson held onto her tighter. "I just wish Dad was still with us."

"I wish the same, Sweetie." Mrs. Andrews let him cry into her stomach. "What matters is we still have each other."

Seaside Port: Present…
"I didn't mean to control him like this." Ms. Andrews stared at the floor sadly. "Oh, Nelson…I've failed where I only wanted to ensure your safety.

Yuma felt sorry for her, but he couldn't worry about that right now. "Listen, I'm going to win and bring him back. Then, it will be up to you on what happens next."

"Let's us continue." Sparrow declared. "I'm activating the spell, Galaxy Queen's Light. It allows me to pick one monster on my field, and all other monsters I control will become the same level. I pick my Level 10, Esper Star Sparrow!"

Beast-Warrior Puma(LV 10/1600/1000)
Phoenix Beast Gairuda(LV 10/2500/1200)
Ironhammer the Giant(LV 10/900/3500)

"Four level 10 monsters!" Tori looked from them to the onomat user. "Yuma, stay on guard!"

"Now, I overlay my level 10 Beast-Warrior Puma, Esper Star Sparrow, and Ironhammer the Giant." Nelson laughed darkly as the three monsters converged within the network. "A colossus of destruction descends from beyond the galaxies.

Engines of annihilation, activate and obliterate all! Xyz summon Super Dimensional Robot Galaxy Destroyer(R 10/O 3/5000/2000)!" A massive, mechanical giant that was designed for domination on a galactic scale appeared.

"5000 ATK!" Yuma was shocked. "This is going to get rough."

"If you're shocked by how powerful he looks, just see what his special ability does!" Nelson declared. "By detaching one overlay unit, my Galaxy Destroyer can destroy all spell/traps you control while denying your ability to respond with those very cards. Go, Galaxy Break!"

Super Dimensional Robot Galaxy Destroyer(R 10/O 2/5000/2000) unleashed a wide, powerful red beam that annihilated Yuma's continuous spell and face-down, which was Courageous Heart.

"Nelson, that's enough!" Mrs. Andrews called out. "I'm sorry for everything. You don't have to be Sparrow. Let's just go home and get some ice cream."

"Silence!" Nelson yelled. "I must be the Sparrow because people are depending on me!" A dark aura enveloped him. "Now, I'll activate Galaxy Queen's effect. By detaching an overlay unit, my monsters are indestructible and can deal piercing damage.

Number 83: Galaxy Queen(R 1/O 1/500/500) once more shot sparkles into the air which then rained down on herself, Galaxy Destroyer, and Gairuda.

Now Galaxy Destroyer, I command you to attack Utopia!" Nelson commanded.

Galaxy Destroyer slowly lumbered towards Utopia while raising his right arm.

"By detaching one overlay unit from Number 39: Utopia(R4/O 1/2500/2000), he can negate your attack!" Yuma countered. "Go, Light Wing Shield!"

"I'll chain Furious Max's Curse." Nelson countered. "Whenever my opponent activates an effect, I can tribute one monster I control to negate every effect of that card until the end of the turn. I obviously tribute my Gairuda."

"Utopia!" Yuma shouted.

Utopia's wings retracted as he was afflicted by a purple aura before being obliterated (Yuma 1400/Nelson 2500). The onomat user was knocked off his feet, landing flat on his back.

"Now, Galaxy Queen shall attack you directly." Nelson declared.

Galaxy Queen pointed her staff at Yuma and fired energy, sending him skidding (Yuma 900/Nelson 2500). With his life points this low, Astral was starting to fade in and out.

"This is not good." Yuma noted, slowly rising to his feet.

"Agreed." Astral stated. "Come your next turn we must aim for victory, or I fear this is the end."

"As I now head into the End Phase, I'll activate the graveyard effect of Furious Max's Curse." Nelson declared. "By banishing it, I switch the battle position of any one monster I control, and I select my Galaxy Queen."

Number 83's attire changed to white as she knelt.

"Alright, it's all or nothing now!" Yuma drew. "This is it! First, I'll activate Monster Reborn to return Number 39: Utopia(R4/O 0/2500/2000) to my field. Then, I'll summon Ganbara Knight(LV 4/0/1800)." A red and yellow armored warrior wielding two shields appeared.

"Neither of those monsters can get over Galaxy Destroyer!" Nelson declared.

"Not as they are, but that's where this last card comes in." Yuma declared. "I activate the spell Mini-Guts. By tributing a monster I control, such as Ganbara Knight, I can target your Galaxy Destroyer and zero out his ATK until the End Phase."

Ganbara Knight turned transparent as he flew through Super Dimensional Robot Galaxy Destroyer(R 10/O 2/0/2000 effect).

"No, this cannot be!" Nelson shouted.

"It can!" Yuma and Astral declared as one. "Utopia, destroy Galaxy Destroyer with Rising Sun Slash!"

Utopia withdrew his blade, using it to cut the massive monster down the middle. While it weathered the attack due to Galaxy Queen, Nelson still took the damage (Yuma 900/Nelson 0). He was sent flying, his mask falling off before he crashed to the ground.

"Nelson!" Mrs. Andrews called out in concern.

Astral held his right hand out, extracting the Number and regaining a piece of his memory.

Ms. Andrews walked up the stairs and stopped next to her son's defeated form. "Nelson."

She kneeled and caressed his face, rousing the boy who stared at her in confusion. "Mom? I don't know what happened to me."

"Don't worry about that because it's over now." Ms. Andrews enveloped her son in a hug as her eyes watered. "I want you to be you, not the Sparrow."

Yuma couldn't help but think of his mom in that moment before smiling. "Ah, I'm getting all teary eyed!"

"Observation eight: The bond between a human parent and a human child is strong…very strong." Atral looked from Yuma to the mother/son pair. "The memory I've received is of my birth where I was entrusted with the future of my world…wherever and whatever it may be."

Heartland
Following his duel with Nelson, Yuma and Tori were now heading home.

"Man, I can't wait to crawl into my hammock." Yuma voiced, content with the results of tonight.

"Yuma, if you knew the truth of those attacks, why didn't you tell me sooner?" Tori asked.

"I figured finding out the truth would have made you sad." Yuma returned.

"Aww." Tori blushed slightly. "You care about my feelings that much?"

"What? No way!" Yuma exclaimed. "You're just annoying when your sad."

"I'm annoying?" Tori grew angry. "You should try talking to yourself, Yuma. Besides, when have you ever seen me sad?"

"Are you serious?" Yuma questioned, dismayed. "What about that time you tried to give Aston Williams that Valentines card, only for him to turn it down?"

"Ugh, let's just go!" Tori exclaimed, frustrated.

Heartland Academy: Days Later…
Yuma walked into his homeroom feeling rather cheerful. Last night, he saw the latest episode of the Sparrow where he resisted the Galaxy Queen's power and saved her. He quickly found himself stunned as standing next to Mr. Kay was Nelson wearing the first year's uniform.

The former actor smiled brightly at the onomat user. "Hey, Yuma!"

"Guess his mom is putting in the effort to let him be normal." Yuma smiled. "Yo, Nelson!"

---

I've decided to have Nelson join Heartland Academy and fulfill the 'best friend' role for Yuma given I've tossed out Bronk from that role. While you could say Tori fulfills that role here, I do think every guy needs at least one fellow guy they can connect with. While Caswell might seem like an option, I personally couldn't see him in the 'best friend' role. I also need Yuma to have at least three friends for something I'm planning.

---

Changed Furious Max's Curse, as this was an equip in the anime.

Furious Max's Curse/Quick-Play

Tribute 1 monster you control; you can then target 1 card your opponent controls and negate their effects until the End Phase. You can banish this card from your GY to change the battle postion of 1 monster you control.

---

Numbers: 7/100

Yuma: 24, 34, 39, 83

Yuto: 13, 31, 74

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland Academy: After School…
"I've been hearing rumors about the docks."

Yuto walked out of the academy with Shark, informing him of what he's overheard recently. The fact that nearly a week after his duel there was something happening back there of note, it was a touch suspicious in his opinion.

"Is it those twins you dueled?" Shark asked.

"They might be involved, given how recently that underground arena shutdown." Yuto replied, the place having gone quiet after his victory. "What I've overheard is some fishermen have been making noise, with two of them reported to have Numbers."

Given Yuto acquired Numbers himself, Shark wouldn't mind seeing how he stacked up. "Right, let's check it out."

Docks
Nearly the moment the pair entered the docks, they were surrounded by fishermen.

"What do you lot want?" Shark questioned.

"We want you two to tell us what you're doing here."

"We're here to have a look around." Yuto answered.

That was technically true, given he decided they should observe and see if they could spot anyone acting like past examples of people possessed by Numbers. If they didn't note anything like that, it'd be time to take a more direct approach.

"So long as we're here, this is our turf. Quite frankly, your reasons mean nothing in the face of that. You can leave your best cards, and we'll let you go. If you decide to make this difficult, we'll beat you both and claim your entire decks."

"No one is laying claim to any of my cards." Shark retorted.

"Same here." Yuto agreed.

"All of you need to stand down!" A gruff, older voice ordered. "These boys are right. You aren't laying claim to their decks or beating them up merely for stepping foot on the docks."

An older, broad shouldered man with gray hair yet bright blue eyes stepped through the crowd. His expression was one which conveyed absolute command. His attire was a captain's uniform with the matching hat.

"Captain, I just wanted…"

"…to claim more cards in the vain hope you'll acquire a Number like me?" The captain asked.

That caught the two second year's attentions.

"Well, I thought…"

"All of you, return to the ship and get cleaning." The captain pointed at the man who instigated this. "You will spend your time at the toilets, which I want spotless, before then recleaning the entire ship. Do something like this again, you're fired. Understood?"

"Yes captain!"

His men then ran to the nearby ship, hustling aboard.

"Sorry about them." The captain had turned to the boys. "I was called in recently to helm this crew, and their prior captain was a real piece of work. Doesn't help they're jealous of a couple of cards my boy and I happened to acquire recently."

"From what you said to them, those would be Numbers?" Shark questioned.

"Yeah, my boy and I happened upon them not long ago." Drake informed.

"Then, I have a proposition." Yuto removed his three Numbers, fanning them out to show the captain. "Shark and I will duel you and your son, each of us putting up two Numbers. I'll also put up my third Number in return for answers to some questions."

"You got a deal." Drake turned to the ship. "Francis, get out here!"

A boy disembarked, looking unmistakably like his father. Though his hair was black, and his attire was that of the other sailors.

"What do you need, Dad?" The boy asked, joining his father.

"We got a tag duel, with our Numbers on the line." The captain informed.

"They both seem in control of themselves." Yuto thought. "What is the thing keeping them from acting like the others who've held Numbers?" He shook his head before looking to the shark user. "You did agree to help me Shark, though I should still ask…"

"Quit saying stupid things." Shark interrupted. "It's beneath you."

Yuto chuckled. "Yes, I suppose it is"

"You two seem ready, so let us begin." Drake declared.

"Let's duel!"

(Yuto & Shark 4000 each/Drake & Francis 4000 each)

"I'll start!" Yuto drew. "I set three cards before calling my turn there."

"Just three set cards?" Francis asked.

"All decks are different, Boy." Drake reminded. "Don't get complacent."

"Of course." Francis returned.

"Now, my move." Drake drew. "I'll activate Water Hazard. Since I control no monsters, I can summon any one level 4 or lower monster from my hand. I choose Granadora(LV 4/1900/700)." An ugly reptile appeared. "Summoning it gives me1000 life points."

(Drake: 5000)

"The caveat is I'd take 2000 life points were this monster destroyed." Drake continued. "I'll circumvent that by sacrificing him to summon Shark Cruiser(LV 5/1800/2200). "A large blue and white shark with mini sharks under its fins appeared. "I'll end my turn with one set card."

"You're in my territory." Shark drew. "I summon Hammer Shark(LV 4/1700/1500)." A blue shark with a hammer head appeared. "I can reduce his level by one to special summon any level 3 or lower water attributed monster from my hand."

Hammer Shark(LV 3/1700/1500)

"I'll select Friller Rabca(LV 3/700/1500)." Shark declared, summoning a long, yellow monster. "Now, I overlay Level 3 Hammer Shark and Friller Rabca. Xyz summon Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O2/1900/1000)." Twin sharks bound by orange metal appeared. "By removing one overlay unit, an opponent takes 400 damage for every card in my hand."

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O1/1900/1000).

"I have four, so that's 1600 life points coming your way, captain." Shark voiced, seeing the sailor was bombarded by torpedoes (Drake: 3400). "So much for those life points you got last turn, with a little extra taken for good measure. With that, I'll end my turn."

"My turn!" Francis drew. "I summon Lost Blue Breaker(LV 3/1400/0)." A twin headed, crustacean appeared. "I then discard Cartorhyn the Hidden Gem of the Seafront, allowing for the additional normal summon of a water or earth attributed monster.

I choose Atlantean Marksman(LV 3/1400/0)." A bipedal green fishman with a trident appeared. "Now, I construct the overlay network with my level 3 Marksman and Breaker. Xyz summon Number 17: Leviathan Dragon(R 3/O 2/2000/0)." A three winged blue dragon appeared.

"You got your Number out, though only for mere seconds as I activate Compulsory Evacuation Device." Yuto countered, flipping his first trap. "This card lets me target your Leviathan Dragon, returning it to the hand. As that is an extra deck monster, that's where it'll return."

"That device has happened upon rough seas." Drake countered. "I chain Xyz Reflect. Whenever an effect targets a face-up Xyz monster, this trap negates and destroys it. Then, my opponent loses 800 life points. I'll send that Shark's way, damaging him as he damaged me."

Leviathan Dragon glowed blue, only for that aura to be pushed off him and launched into the shark user, who was sent skidding back (Shark: 3200).

"As the one who activated that card in the first place, you can join your friend in the same boat." Francis declared. "I activate the spell Poison of the Old Man. This quick-play could give me 1200 life points, but it can also deal you the same damage Shark just took. That is my decision."

An old man appeared holding two beakers, green and purple. The green one faded away as the purple one remained before it was thrown over Yuto. He was sent skidding back to Shark's side as his life points fell (Yuto 3200).

"I then activate Sea Lord's Amulet." Francis continued. "This continuous spell sticks around until three of your End Phases pass, and protects my water attributed monsters from effect destruction. To end my turn, I'll detach one overlay from my dragon to boost his ATK by 500."

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon(R 3/O 1/2500/0 effect)

(Yuto & Shark 3200 each/Drake 3400 & Francis 4000)

"My move!" Yuto drew. "I'll activate my face-down The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield(LV 3/0/0), special summoning it to my field." A black shield radiating blue energy appeared. "Since I special summoned a phantom knight, I can follow it up with one more.

To be specific, it's The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves(LV 3/1200/600)." A suit of gray armor containing blue energy appeared. "I now use my level 3 Tomb Shield and Stained Greaves to construct the overlay network.

Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 2/2000/1000)." A black suit of armor atop a black steed appeared. "I'll detach 1 material from The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 1/2000/1000) to target and destroy 1 card you control and 1 card I control."

"Just remember, you can't use that effect on my Leviathan Dragon." Francis called out. "I mean, you could, but you'd only end up only destroying one of your own cards."

"I'm well aware, though your field isn't what I'm looking at." Yuto retorted. "I choose to destroy my remaining face down alongside your father's Shark Cruiser."

Break Sword raised his blade as a purple light consumed the selected cards. Yuto's set Emergency Provisions and Drake's Shark Cruiser shattered.

"You'd have been better off attacking." Drake called out. "Since you did destroy Shark Cruiser by card effect, I can special summon any 2 level 4 or lower water attributed monsters I want from my deck, and I'll summon what I have in mind in defense position."

As the cards slotted out, he took and played them. "I choose Atlantean Dragoons(LV 4/1800/0) and Stream, Dragon Ruler of Droplets(LV 4/1600/2000)." Fishmen atop sea steeds and a small, blue dragon appeared.

"So, that's what he was getting at with his last turn." Yuto noted.

"Not much to do now beyond not letting him keep two materials for his next turn." Shark voiced.

Yuto nodded before looking to the captain. "With both those monsters of yours in defense position, my Break Sword's only viable target is that Dragoon of yours." Break Sword lunged forward, slashing through the monster. "That ends my turn."

"Thing about your last turn, all I really needed was one level four monster on field come my next turn." Drake drew. "From there, I can build my board to bring about a devastating denizen of the deep. It all starts with Aspischool(LV 4/300/300)." A school of goofy looking fish appeared.

When I normal summon this monster, I can special summon any level 6 or lower fish type monster from my hand in defense position. I choose Minairuka(LV 4/1500/500)." A small, purple dolphin appeared.

"Three level 4 monsters." Yuto noted.

"It's clear to see where he's going." Shark added.

"Even if you know where I'm going, it's the result that counts." Drake declared. "I build the overlay network with level 4 Stream, Aspischool, and Minairuka. I Xyz summon Number 32: Shark Drake(R 4/O 3/2800/2100)."

A large, red shark with four fins appeared. "He'll destroy Aero Shark with Deep Sea Destruction." Shark Drake blasted Aero Shark, tearing him apart (Shark 2300). "I then activate Shark Drake's ability."

Number 32: Shark Drake(R 4/O 2/2800/2100).

"After it's destroyed a monster by battle, I can detach one material to summon that monster back to your field with 1000 less ATK." Drake stated.

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 0/900/1000 effect).

"Then, Shark Drake can battle that monster again. Go, Deep Sea Destruction." Drake declared.

Aero Shark was once again blasted, the energy tearing him apart (Shark: 400). Whereas Shark stood his ground after the prior attack, this one launched him off his feet.

Yuto looked back at the shark user, concerned. "Shark!"

"Don't worry about me." Shark slowly rose back to his feet. "Just focus on the duel."

"You managed to get back up, though it really matters what happens after you do." Drake commented. "I end my turn by setting this last card from my hand."

"I'll show you what I'll do!" Shark drew. "I summon Armored Shark(LV 3/500/2000)." A red and gold armored shark appeared. "Through this card, I can send a water attributed Xyz monster from my extra deck to the grave. Then, I can special summon a fish type monster from my grave.

It's level merely needed to equal the rank of whatever monster I send. I'll send the Rank 3 Xyz Armor Torpedo to return my fish type Friller Rabca(LV 3/700/1500) to the field. I now overlay my level 3 Armored Shark and Friller Rabca.

Xyz summon Black Ray Lancer(R 3/O 2/2100/600)." A black sea dweller appeared. "I'll then detach one overlay unit from Black Ray Lancer(R 3/O 1/2100/600). Now, I can shut down all of Leviathan Dragon's effects this turn."

Black Ray Lancer fired purple energy, nailing Number 17: Leviathan Dragon(R 3/O 1/2000/0 effect).

"Shutting down every effect…" Francis looked at his Number. "That means any monster can destroy it by battle now."

"That's just what Black Ray Lancer will do with Shimmering Spear Slash!" Shark declared.

"I'll shield my son's Number with my face-down, Ice Barrier." Drake declared. "Since an attack involves your monster, this trap will zero out its ATK. You also won't be using that beast's effects or changing battle positions so long as it is on the field."

"I'll chain a trap from my grave, Tomb Shield." Yuto countered. "By banishing it, that trap you just played face-up is negated this turn." He looked to the shark user. "I got your back, Shark!"

"You herd him Lancer." Shark smirked. "Destroy that Number!" Lancer thrust his weapon through the opposing extra deck monster, destroying it as the trap Drake activated sparked red and shattered (Francis: 3900). "I'll end my turn with one set card."

"My move!" Francis drew. "I'll start by returning Number 17: Leviathan Dragon(R 3/O 0/2000/0 ) to the field through Monster Reborn. Then, I'll activate Fissure which destroys the monster my opponent controls with the lowest ATK. In this case, it's Break Sword."

A hole opened beneath the monster, sending him plummeting to his demise. "With your field cleared, Leviathan Dragon will bring your life points close to your friend's once more. Attack Yuto directly with Shock Stream Blast!"

The phantom knights user was blasted off his feet (Yuto: 1200), Shark glancing back as his body hit the ground.

"Your failure to beat him this turn means you've already lost." Shark voiced, drawing the pair's attention. "Between the two of us, I'm confident every piece is now in place."

"You're putting a lot of faith in someone with no field to speak of." Francis noted.

"Correction, we're both putting a lot of faith in one another." Yuto voiced, slowly rising to his feet. "After all, I don't know what my pal has planned. Still, doesn't mean I don't believe in what he said."

"Boy, end your turn." Drake crossed his arms. "Let's see what these two can do."

"Alright." Francis nodded. "My turn is over."

(Yuto 1200 & Shark 400/Drake 3400 & Francis 3900)

"I draw!" Yuto took the top card of his deck. "I'll begin by summoning The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor(LV 4/1000/2000)." Worn, purple armor containing blue energy appeared. "Then, I'll banish The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves from my grave.

It lets me special summon The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak(LV 3/800/1000)." Blue energy cloaked in purple attire appeared. "Stained Greaves then allows me to increase its level by 1." The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak(LV 4/800/1000 effect).

"I use my level 4 Fragile Armor and Ancient Cloak to construct the overlay network. Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous of dragons. Xyz summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)." A purple and black dragon appeared.

"With the materials you had to work with, it's no wonder you didn't summon a Number." Francis voiced. "This does mean you can't destroy either of ours, nor can you come close to winning with an ATK that low."

"Both of those problems are sorted by my dragon's effects." Yuto informed.

"Before using them, I request my partner activate the spell I set last turn." Shark called out.

Even in a tag duel, no duelist could utilize another's hand. Once a card hit the field, they were fair game with people typically just leaving the activation of cards up to the individual duelist. Still though, activating them was well within your partner's reach.

"I'll activate Shark's face-down spell." Yuto called out.

"It's my Armored Xyz, which lets Yuto target his face-up Dark Rebellion and equip him with any Xyz monster from our graveyard." Shark informed.

"Keeping with the armored theme, let's go with that Xyz you sent for Armored Shark's effect." Yuto declared.

"That's my Xyz Armor Torpedo." Shark informed.

A transparent figure wearing a black body suit underneath red, gold, and white armor appeared. Said armor then left his body and became tangible before forming around Dark Rebellion.

"Armor Torpedo itself grants the equipped monster two effects. As Dark Rebellion is a Xyz monster, neither of you can target it with effects. If he does battle, neither of you can activate cards in response until the end of the damage step.

The spell itself bestows a few more effects. Dark Rebellion shall now have its ATK changed to Torpedo's along with taking on the water attribute. The last effect allows Yuto to send the equipped monster to the grave at the end of the damage step to attack once more.

"Even with all that card offers, your dragon still isn't enough to end this." Drake pointed out.

"That's because my dragon's effects haven't been revealed." Yuto declared. "First, he's able to destroy Numbers by battle. Secondly, I can detach one material to cut the attack of any monster in half and grant that lost attack to my dragon. I'll use this ability on both your Numbers once."

Dark Rebellion fired off purple lightning, which restricted the two water attributed Numbers.

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon(R 3/O 0/1000/0 effect)
Number 32: Shark Drake(R 4/O 2/1400/2100 effect)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 0/4900/2000 effect)

"That's just enough to beat me and one hundred more than is needed to beat Dad." Francis voiced, stunned as he saw the combo they'd put together.

"That's exactly why this is the end." Yuto declared. "Dark Rebellion, start with Number 32. Go, Mauling Armored Charge!"

Dark Rebellion surged forward, the armor he wore sparking with electricity which coalesced within his maw. He bit clean through the opposing monster, the resulting damage knocking Drake off his feet as his life points fell (Drake: 0).

"Dad!" Francis yelled.

"As established, you'll be joining him due to the effect of Armored Xyz." Shark declared. "By Yuto removing the equipped monster, his Dark Rebellion can attack again. Since the equipped monster's ATK was equal to Dark Rebellion's, losing Torpedo won't lessen what comes."

Yuto did exactly as Shark voiced before pointing at Number 17. "Dark Rebellion, finish this by attacking Number 17. Go, Mauling Mandible Charge!"

Dark rebellion lost the armor as he turned on the remaining Number and bit clean through it with his sparking maw. Francis was flung back to his father's side as his life points fell (Francis: 0)

(Yuto 1200 & Shark 400/Drake & Francis 0 each)

With the duel's conclusion, the two water attributed Numbers floated free of their prior users. Only one of them ended up floating towards Yuto as Shark ended up subconsciously extending his right hand, from which shot forth a red colored hand that snatched one of the Numbers.

Yuma looked at Shark, having seen what happened. Rather than the Number appear within the shark user's extra deck, like they did for him and Yuma, the shark user held Number 17: Leviathan Dragon in the palm of his hand. He stared at it, now aware of what he'd done.

"Shark, are you okay?" Yuto asked.

Questioning how Shark did that was second far as the phantom knights user was concerned. His immediate concern was ascertaining whether the Number was now overwhelming him with his desire.

"I'm fine." Shark voiced, looking to the phantom knights user. "I don't feel different, which does go for what happened with that red hand thing." He looked back at the hand holding the Number, confusion etched on his face. "It felt natural, like it's something I could always do."

"The number of people who can use these Numbers without giving into their desires just keeps growing." Yuto contemplated. "Astral is solely connected to Yuma, meaning he only accounts for his usage of Numbers while the rest of us are just unexplained."

At this point, Yuto couldn't ignore the fact he was missing far too many pieces. Without them, he couldn't possibly figure out the mysteries brought on by all these subsequent days since the Numbers appeared.

"A deal is a deal." Just then, Drake approached with his son. "You two won the duel, meaning our Numbers belong to you now alongside answers to any questions you might have."

The two of them were reaching into their extra decks, only for Yuto to speak up. "My friend and I already have them."

The father/son pair realized their Numbers were in fact gone.

"How did you two manage that?" Francis asked, almost certain these two couldn't have approached them in the time they were down.

"We have our ways." Yuto alluded. "What I want to know is how were you two in control of your Numbers? It's not a strange thing, given certain people I've met. Still, there are those who've gone off the deep end, we'll say, upon finding them."

"That does ring a bell." Drake crossed his arms upon hearing that. "It's fuzzy, thought it was a dream actually, but I can confirm my son and I weren't exactly in our right mind upon first finding the Numbers. I was ready to come back to the ship and whip these boys into shape."

"Yeah, I think I remember that." Francis nodded. "You were talking unlike yourself. You can be a taskmaster; however, some of what you were saying sounded inhumane. For whatever reason, I was willing to go along with doing it alongside the crew."

"That's not who we dueled today." Shark pointed out.

"On our way back to the docks, there was this blue light that cleared our minds." Drake replied.

"Did you see anything after this light?" Yuto questioned.

"Now that you mention it, there was this girl around our age." Francis noted. "Her face portrayed a cold demeanor. Her white hair was in a pony tail while her yellow eyes were behind spectacles, and she dressed well."

"Elena." Yuto recognized.

"Are you asking because you think this Elena has something to do with why we weren't affected by the Numbers?" Drake questioned.

"Can't exactly say one way or another." Yuto returned. "The light could just be happenstance with her being in the area. Regardless of the answer, I think this is all I can really get from you two. Come on, Shark. Let's get out of here."

The two second years took their leave, the father/son pair letting them go given they hardly understood what was going on. What this conversation revealed did leave them relieved to be rid of the Numbers. On the students' front, coming down here had provided potential answers.

With various pieces still missing, it was hard to tell what had truly been answered. Not to mention further questions had been raised as well. Even though Yuto didn't understand how Shark was able to hold Numbers, he still reached into his extra deck before pulling out 32.

"Hey, Shark?"

"What is it?"

"Here." Yuto passed the Number to him. "You're deck is water attributed and mostly shark themed. Almost seems like this one was made for you, so you can hang onto Number 32."

"You're giving me the other Number?" Shark asked, stunned.

These Numbers, despite the ways in which a duelist could overcome them, were still rather powerful. Number 32 itself, in his opinion, was even the better Number between it and 17. For Yuto to just give it to him with no hesitation…

"Like I said, it's a card that fits you." Yuto voiced. "You've agreed to have my back, showed you do many times. If you're going to keep helping me with this whole Number business, you might as well have the one that'll likely fit you best out of the one hundred Numbers out there."

Shark looked at the Number before smirking as he slipped it into his extra deck. "Alright, I'll be sure to pay this back once I've acquired a different Number."

"Given your skills, I imagine it won't be long until you make good on that." Yuto returned.

---

Numbers: 9/100

Yuma: 24, 34, 39, 83

Yuto: 13, 31, 74

Shark: 17, 32

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland Hospital: After School…
Shark entered the hospital and walked up to the woman behind the reception desk. Unlike the prior times he's come in, this was someone new.

"Hello there. May I ask, who are you visiting?"

"Rio Kastle." Shark answered simply, signing his my name in the nearby book.

"Ah, you must be Reginald. Yes, looking over the former receptionist's notes, I saw you stopped in often to visit your sister. Rest assured, I'll recognize you from here on out."

She passed him a hospital pass, with Shark merely nodding before taking an elevator up. Upon arriving on his sister's floor, the shark user was greeted by her doctor. She was a woman in her thirty's with long brown hair done in a ponytail and matching eyes.

"Ah, hello Reginald." The doctor greeted. "You're visiting at a good time since Rio's improved recently. We managed to remove more of her bandages, and her hair has grown to its original length. She's still not too talkative and has been resting a lot lately."

Shark smiled slightly "It's still good to hear of any improvements, Doctor Kai."

"You're looking more positive since last you were here." Kai patted his shoulder. "From what little Rio has had to say, whether she's awake now or not, I'm certain she'll notice."

"Whatever." Shark returned, walking by her. "I guess I am reclaiming a little of who I was before everything went wrong…"

Flashback
"Weeks of watching duelists crush each other's dreams have led to this!"

"That's right Ron. The National Duel Finals are here, and the excitement…"

"I'm just one step more from making good on my promise." The words of those announcers faded as Shark became lost in thought. "If I win here, I'll have won like Rio wanted and can afford better care."

The door out of the waiting room opened, catching the shark user's attention. He was just able to see his opponent leaving before the door closed. This was followed by the sound of cards falling, drawing his attention next door where a deck had scattered on the neighboring table.

"Quatro's deck!" Shark was wide-eyed before he stood and walked over to the potted bush separating their areas.

Not too long after, their duel had commenced. Quatro had spiky maroon and yellow hair with red eyes. He had a purple duel gazer tattoo while his D-Pad has the appearance of a red blade on a gauntlet which separated into three sections.

(Shark 1700/Quatro 1500)

Quatro's Field
2 cards in hand

Shark's Field
2 cards in hand
Big Jaws(LV 3/1800/300)

The crowd was cheering Shark's name after he managed to destroy the only monster Quatro managed to get out with his set card.

"I got this." Shark muttered to himself. "Just one more turn."

"I place one card face-down and end my turn." Quatro declared.

"A face-down." Shark thought. "This late into the duel, it's got to be that card I saw. Mirror Force!" He looked at his hand. "I got Mystical Space typhoon in hand, meaning this duel is mine!" He prepared to draw. "My turn!"

Suddenly, an alarm blared as misconduct signs popped up across the duel field.

"Whoa, hold on ladies and gentlemen because Reginald Kastle has been disqualified! Security caught sight of the champion hopeful looking at his opponent's deck minutes before this duel!"

Heartland Hospital: Present…
"I was disqualified from that duel before then being banned from the duel circuits." Shark arrived at the door to his sister's room, catching his reflection in the glass section of it. "Things only spiraled from there."

Shark recognized his life had seen an upswing recently. While he couldn't reenter the duel circuit, the shark user had found someone who challenged him like those opponents had. It was with this in mind he finally opened the door.

Upon entering the room, Shark couldn't help but smile slightly. Rio was still laid out in the bed wearing the hospital gown but only her eyes were covered as opposed to most of her body. Her dark blue hair with light blue bangs were back as well.

Shark pulled up a chair, having a seat. "Hey Rio." He took his sister's hand into his own. "I've heard you've been improving lately, but not a day goes by that I haven't wished you weren't in here to begin with."

"Reginald…" Shark's head snapped up upon hearing his sister's voice, weak as it was, followed by feeling her grasp his hand. "…stay."

"Rio…" Shark grasped her one hand with both of his. "I won't go anywhere today, promise."

Unlike when gave his word to her in the past concerning nationals, this time he would not let her down. Shark eventually tracked down Doctor Kai, telling her he was staying the night. He was given blankets, which the shark user utilized while sleeping in the chair.

Early Morning…
Shark awoke when the sun was barely rising, seeing him rub his eyes. His gaze then turned to Rio, who was sleeping peacefully. The shark user proceeded to get up quietly, folding his blanket and setting it in the chair.

"I'll be back after school today, Rio." Shark whispered. "This time with a friend."

"Bye…Reginald." Rio voiced weakly.

Shark smiled before taking his leave.

Within the Emperor's Key
Astral found another part of the ship that had the Number '83' on it. He held out his right hand as a black portal appeared with the number '83' coming out of it, unleashing a golden wave that activated a little more of the ship.

"This gear puzzle appears to move every time I collect one of the Numbers." Astral pondered. "Could solving this also solve my amnesia?" He looked to the sky. "Why is something like this within Yuma's key?"

Heartland City: Morning…
Even though Yuma seemed to have his act together for a time, he was currently running late for school again. At this moment, he was waiting at a crosswalk for the lights to change.

"I'm going to be late for school!" Yuma cried. "Why do I have to run late at a crosswalk!?"

Just then, the traffic lights changed. With it being safe to cross, Yuma smirked as he dashed. He was nearing the other sidewalk, only to spot Shark sitting at the light aboard a red motorcycle. The shark user paid him no mind, even as he ended up tripping over his own feet.

Yuma was sent tumbling onto the sidewalk he was aiming for while Shark drove off with the flow of traffic as the lights changed once more. While the onomat user was dazed, someone ended up plucking him off the ground while riding by on a skateboard.

"What are you doing laid out on the ground, Yuma?" Nelson questioned, managing to plop him down behind him. "Is that something most normal kids do before school?"

"Well, not exactly." Yuma scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed. "Forget about that. I didn't know you could ride a skateboard."

"You pick up all kinds of things on the show I was part of." Nelson smiled. "From what I've gleamed, some of it is useful in your average kid's life. That said, are you going to help me out here? My mom has eased up, but I don't think she'll like hearing from the staff I was late."

"Right!" Yuma grinned. "Let's double time it!"


The two of them propelled the board forward, sending it right to the academy.

Heartland Academy
Yuma and Nelson made it to class with time to spare, only for Caswell to approach. "Yuma, let me look at your deck." The class rep took out the onomat user's deck, checking it out from his main deck to the currently vacant extra deck. "Where are the Numbers?"

"They're only here when Astral is." Yuma retorted, snatching his deck back.

"Who is Astral?" Caswell questioned.

"Astral is Yuma's friend, who only he and Yuto Pharos can see." Tori replied, joining them.

"I don't get why you're grilling Yuma." Nelson shrugged. "Even without the Numbers, his main deck has some decent cards."

"Yeah, why are you grilling me?" Yuma questioned, firmly. "I won that duel with Mr. Kay not too long ago using my main deck's boss monster, which you were there to see."

"Don't assume what my words mean." Caswell retorted. "I just wanted to take a look at them." He crossed his arms. "If you're this quick in leaping to a conclusion, maybe you only got lucky against anyone you've beaten lately."

"For your information, Yuto started helping me out not long ago." Yuma retorted, eyes narrowing. "Thanks to him, I've got a better understanding of my cards."

"Oh really?" None of this was Caswell's intention, but he considered this too deep to back out now. "If you got such an understanding of your deck, let's put it to the test. You'll duel someone of my choosing who you haven't dueled prior."

"I'll take on anyone." Yuma retorted instantly.

"Anyone, you say?" Caswell smirked. "Would you still agree if your opponent had to be Shark?"

"No problem." Yuma shuffled his deck before storing it. "Come duel period, we'll find him, and you'll see how much better I've gotten."

"Who exactly is Shark?" Nelson questioned.

"He used to be the best duelist in the school and a delinquent before Yuto Pharos started going here." Tori explained. "After losing to him, Shark's been a lot better and plenty have tried challenging both. Neither have been beaten, cementing themselves as number 1 & 2."

"I already thought Yuma was a good duelist but to hear these two have been on a dueling tear to cement their positions…" Nelson thought, now wanting to take a shot at the best duelists himself. "I'm still working on my new deck, so that'll have to wait."

Heartland Academy Roof: Duel Period…
"This is different…"

The past two times they've been up here, Yuto had been responsible, and it was just prior to duel period. Seems Shark had decided to take a page out of his book, bringing the phantom knights user up here for a talk. Well, the shark user hasn't actually talked since they got up here.

"He's just been staring at those two rings of his." Yuto noted, though opting not to say a thing since he figured it should be his friend who speaks first now.

…

"Yuto?" Shark eventually looked at him. "Your parents, they're not around anymore?"

"Which ones?" Yuto questioned, surprising his friend. "I don't know who my biological parents are. My mom and dad found me in a basket with Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon beside me. The two of them tried to look into it but nothing came of it.

Can't say I never wondered where I came from, but I wouldn't trade the parents who raised me for them. As for the two of them…Dad traveled quite a bit on expeditions that needed a doctor while mom stayed home. When he wasn't traveling, he worked at a local clinic.

My mom went to surprise him around lunch time, only for an electrical fire to break out. Their bodies were found in different parts of the clinic. Dad was in the children's wing, which would explain why there weren't any of them among the casualties. Mom was found in the cafeteria."

Shark looked down. "I'm sorry."

"I won't say it's alright, but I am doing okay." Yuto shrugged. "I assume you ask because it's something similar for you."

"My twin sister and I, we were initially pronounced dead within the hospital like our parents after getting into a car crash." Shark shook his head. "Upon waking, we couldn't remember anything prior to that moment."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Yuto shook his head. "What happened to your sister? If she's your twin, shouldn't she be here in our grade?"

"She's been in the hospital, recovering for quite some time after being pulled out of a fire at this factory." Shark replied. "I didn't bring any of this up out of the blue. Everything I've told you was to ask if you'd come with me to visit her after school today?"

Shark felt even more confident in asking this given Yuto could now empathize with him over merely sympathizing like he'd initially assumed.

The phantom knights user gave a small smile. "You could have just asked straight out, though I've learned it's good to talk about these things. Point is, I'll come with you to visit her."

Just then, the door to the roof was thrown open which drew the pair's attention. Yuma was behind the deed, walking out onto the roof with Nelson, Caswell, and Tori following.

When the onomat user spotted the shark user, he pointed. "There you are!"

"You're pointing at the wrong guy." Shark scoffed as he nodded towards the phantom knights user. "The guy taking time to mentor you is next to me."

"I wasn't looking for him, but since he's here, I can confirm I now know what every card in my deck does." Yuma grinned. "While it wasn't my intention to duel Shark today, I got something more to prove beyond that through a duel with you."

"You've just now figured out what your cards do?" Shark laughed. "Man, I kind of figured given how bad your loss to Yuto was." He shrugged. "To think you'd go around proudly announcing it when even kids who get new cards at least read them."

"Did you really just now read your cards, Yuma?" Nelson questioned, surprised.

That flustered the onomat user. "I was overconfident, but I'm better now!"

"I don't know about that, given we're here now." Caswell muttered.

Tori heard that, leading to her elbowing him. "We're here now because you presented this as a challenge." The class rep rubbed his side. "You have no room to be talking."

"Come on, Shark." Yuto gave a slight smile. "Even if you don't see Yuma as a challenge, you might still get the chance to test out one of your Numbers."

Aside from Shark and Yuto, Yuma was the only one to understand the full picture. That said, all four first years were stunned. Tori and Yuma even looked to Shark, only to recognize he was as himself as one would expect.

"Shark has Numbers?" Yuma questioned.

"Shark and I partook in a tag duel the other day, with both Numbers being a fit for him over me." Yuto replied.

He said it simply since it wasn't his place to fill in Yuma's friends.

"Yuto makes a good point." Shark smirked. "I can at least see about trying out my Numbers if you actually make me use either of them, Yuma."

"Use whatever you got Shark because I can handle it." Yuma retorted, having recovered.

With that, everyone else moved to one side of the roof while Yuma faced off with Shark.

Just then, Astral appeared and stared at Shark. "Yuma, there's at least one Number in Shark's possession now, yet he seems in control. What is going on now?"

To see another person in control of themselves where others had not been was contradictory to what he had assumed.

"We'll talk about this later, Astral." Yuma promised. "Right now, I have a point to prove." He looked to his partner. "To prove it, I can't have your help in this duel. No Numbers are truly on the line, meaning it shouldn't be a problem."

"Yuma…" Tori was unaware just how much Caswell had gotten to him until now.

"Alright, consider me a spectator." Astral voiced, backing away.

"If you really have improved, even a little from that duel you had with Yuto, I'm not about to underestimate you." Shark thought.

"Let's do this!"

(Yuma 4000/Shark 4000)

"Alright, I am feeling the flow!" Yuma drew. "I'll start by summoning Achacha Archer(LV 3/1200/600)." An archer in a yellow tunic appeared. "Upon being normal or flipped summoned, this guy deals you 500 life points worth of damage."

Archer fired off a few arrows at the opposing duelist (Yuma 4000/Shark 3500).

"That's not all." Yuma declared. "Since an effect was activated that inflicts damage, I can now special summon Achacha Chanbara(LV 3/1400/400)." A kabuki warrior decked out in red robes appeared. "When he's special summoned this way, you take 400 life points of damage."

Chanbara lept at the opposing duelist with twin, flaming blades (Yuma 4000/Shark 3100).

"I'll then set two cards to end my turn." Yuma finished.

"Look at you, coming up with a decent turn." Shark drew. "Let me show you mine. I summon Saber Shark(LV 4/1600/1200)." A purple shark with a saber atop its head appeared. "Since I now control a fish type monster, Shark Stickers(LV 3/200/1000) gets to come out!''

A long, blue fish appeared. "Up to twice per turn, Saber Shark can increase or decrease the level of any fish type monsters on my field by one up to twice per turn. I'm opting to decrease the level of Saber Shark by one."

Saber Shark(LV 3/1600/1200 effect)

"Two level 3 monsters." Astral thought, knowing what came next.

"That's Shark for you." Yuto commented.

The three first years looked towards him.

"What does that mean?" Nelson questioned.

Yuto gave a sly smile. "Just watch."

"I overlay my level 3 Saber Shark and Shark Stickers!" Shark declared. "Xyz summon Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O2/1900/1000)." Twin sharks bound by orange metal appeared. "By removing one overlay unit from this monster, I'll pay you back for that last turn."

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O1/1900/1000)

"You're now going to take 400 damage for every card in my hand." Shark continued. "Since I have four, that's 1600 life points of damage coming your way."

Yuma was bombarded to the point of being knocked off his feet (Yuma 2400/Shark 3100).

"Next, I'll activate Mystical Space Typhoon and use it to destroy that face down on the right." Shark continued, seeing a vortex reveal the card was Battle Break before it shattered. "With that out of the way, my Aero Shark will attack your Archer!"

Aero Shark took aim at Achacha Archer.

"I reveal my remaining face down, Guts Guard." Yuma countered. "This allows me to swap your attack to my Chanbara, and while I'll still take the damage, the power of this trap prevents his destruction from this battle."

Chanbara crossed his blades as Aero Shark was forced to strike him, wreathing the barrage as the residual debris hit his duelist (Yuma 1900/Shark 3100).

"I'll set one card to end my turn." Shark declared.

"I draw!" Yuma took the top card from his deck. "I'll now sacrifice the two monsters on my field to set this one monster from my hand. "Simple as it may be, that's all I'll do this turn."

"My turn now!" Shark drew. "Since you didn't get rid of Aero Shark last turn, I'll detach his remaining overlay unit to use his effect once more. With three cards in my hand this time, that's 1200 more life points coming your way."

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 0/1900/1000)

Yuma was bombarded, once again being knocked off his feet (Yuma 700/Shark 3100).

"Yuma's down to 700 life points in mere turns!" Caswell exclaimed, even as he knew what monster the onomat user had to have set.

"That is what happens when you don't neutralize a monster like Aero Shark, though I suspect Yuma just didn't have any way to do that." Nelson stated.

"Now, let's see you keep up with this." Shark declared. "I summon Armored Shark(LV 3/500/2000)." A red and gold armored shark appeared. "Through this card, I can send a water attributed Xyz monster from my extra deck to the grave.

Then, I can special summon a fish type monster from my grave whose level equals the rank of whatever monster I send. I'll send the Rank 4 Abyss Dweller to return my fish type Saber Shark(LV 4/1600/1200). I'll use his effect to increase the level of Armored Shark by one."

Armored Shark(LV 4/500/2000)

"Two level 4 monsters." Yuma noted. "Does this mean you're going to summon your Number?"

"With two level 3 monsters, I could summon one of the two I hold." Shark smirked. "I decided against that in favor of the one that fits my deck best. I just need one more monster, and I can special summon that out since I control at least one water attributed monster.

Special summon Silent Angler(LV 4/800/1400)." An angler fish appeared. "With these three level 4 monsters, I construct the overlay network. Xyz summon Number 32: Shark Drake(R 4/O 3/2800/2100)." A large, red shark with four fins appeared.

"That Number has 2800 ATK and three overlay unit!" Tori exclaimed.

"With at least two Xyz monsters on the field, I can activate Xyz Gift to draw 2 cards." Shark declared. "Now, I'll have Shark Drake attack that face down monster. Go, Deep Sea Destruction!"

As Shark Drake blasted the face down monster, it flipped face up to reveal a warrior wearing red and white with silver armor. He withdrew his blade, managing to stalemate the opposing monster and reflect bits of water back at the shark user (Yuma 700/Shark 2900).

"What!?" Shark exclaimed.

"You ran into the ultimate monster from my main deck, Dododo Swordsman(LV 8/0/3000)." Yuma grinned. "Upon being flipped Dododo Swordsman(LV 8/3500/3000 effect) gains 3500 ATK and can destroy two monsters on your field. You only have Shark Drake and Aero Shark."

Swordsman lunged forward, cutting down both of the shark user's monsters.

"You've only cleared my field for the moment." Shark declared. "I'll fix that now through Monster Reborn to return Number 32: Shark Drake(R 4/O 0/2800/2100) to the field, though in defense position this time. That's all for this turn."

"For as strong as Swordsman is, he can't conventionally destroy a Number." Yuma drew, knowing what he had to do. "I activate Dodododraw, sending Swordsman to the grave to draw two cards. I then summon Goblindbergh(LV 4/1400/0)." A goblin riding in a plane appeared.

"When Goblindbergh is normal summoned, I can special summon a level 4 monster from my hand. I'll choose Gagaga Magician(LV 4/1500/1000)." A spellcaster in dark blue robes with maroon shoulder plates and chains wrapped loosely around his body appeared.

"Now, I overlay my level 4 Goblindbergh and Gagaga Magician to build the overlay network. Xyz Summon Number 39: Utopia(R4/O 2/2500/2000)." A knight in shining armor with metallic angel wings appeared.

"I activate Splash Capture!" Shark countered. "Since you Xyz summoned, I can banish two fish type monsters from my grave to take control of that Xyz monster. I'll banish Silent Angler and Saber Shark."

Yuma went wide-eyed as his first Number shattered into yellow particles. "Utopia…"

"Don't worry, I'm not out to keep any of your Numbers long terms." The monster then reformed himself on Shark's field. "Since you summoned it, I might as well get my use out of him." He smirked upon looking at the effect. "I think I'll get plenty of use out of this guy."

"Shark is showing exactly why only one other person in this school has managed to beat him." Caswell voiced, stunned.

Tori looked to the onomat user worriedly. "Yuma…"

"Come on, Yuma!" Nelson cheered. "You still got two cards left in your hand, so there must be something more you can do."

"Nelson…" Yuma looked to his hand, though found himself blanking hard with the loss of Utopia. "I do have two cards, but what do I do with them?"

Seeing this, while accounting for Yuma's prior wishes, Astral decided to throw him a hint. "You still have three other Numbers in your extra deck, with only one of them being a viable solution. Fortunately for you, the cards in your hand are just what you need to bring it out."

"I can summon something like that?" Yuma took a good look at his hand one more time before seeing it. "Well, Shark, I'll admit you got me by taking what's quickly become my favorite card, but that doesn't mean I'm out of options. In fact, it's you who opened this path by taking him."

"Really, you can actually pull something off without normal summoning?" Shark questioned.

"Just watch." Yuma grinned. "Since you control a monster while I no longer do, I can special summon Gillagillancer(LV 6/2200/800)." A short red and silver armored warrior appeared. "Then, I'm taking a page out of your book by using Monster Reborn.

The monster I'll revive is my Gagaga Magician(LV 4/1500/1000). He has an effect I haven't used this turn. By declaring a level from one to eight, this monster takes that level on until the end of this turn. I'll declare six."

Gagaga Magician(LV 6/1500/1000)

"Now, I overlay my Level 6 Gillagillancer and Gagaga Magician." Yuma declared. "Xyz summon Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon (R 6/O 2/2400/2800)." A black and white wyrm with scarlet wings appeared.

"That's the Number Yuma won off Flip." Tori recognized.

"Yuma is still rough around the edges, but this is impressive growth." Yuto thought.

"You actually did manage something; however, have you forgotten I'm now the one in control of Utopia?" Shark question.

"Checking Utopia's effect is exactly what this Number can do, provided I detach one overlay unit." Yuma retorted.

Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon (R 6/O 1/2400/2800)

"I can now flip one monster summoned from the extra deck face-down." Yuma continued. "Even though Number 32 was revived from the grave, that leaves two viable targets. I choose to flip Utopia. Now, Dragulas will attack Utopia. Go, Sanguine Storm!"

Vampiric Dragon unleashed a blast of blood red flames, which washed over the face down monster to destroy him.

"With no further moves, that's the end of my turn." Yuma finished.

"I draw!" Shark took the top card off his deck before smirking. "Unless you got something in your grave, this is the final turn."

"How can you be sure?" Yuma questioned.

"It's all thanks to my Underwater Snow Prison, letting me banish your Vampiric Dragon." Shark retorted. "Don't try using its ability to evade because this quick-play doesn't care what way your monster faces."

"Even if I were to use Dragulas' effect on Shark Drake, Shark could just flip him faceup!" Yuma recognized, as a wormhole opened beneath his Number to leave him defenseless. "Nooooooo!"

"Try to refute it all you want, you're wide open." Shark declared. "I switch my Shark Drake to attack before launching a direct attack at you. Go, Deep Sea Destruction."

Shark Drake blasted Yuma, sending him flying (Yuma 0/Shark 2900).

"Even with his best combos, Yuma lost." Caswell noted, stunned.

"He was trounced." Nelson corrected, surprised.

Tori frowned. "Poor guy."

"I wouldn't necessarily say that." Yuto smiled slightly. "Yuma came up with a few good combos that really pushed Shark. He couldn't have done anything like this a few weeks back."

Shark stuck his hands in the pockets of his jacket before proceeding to walk over to Yuto. "Let's get out of here."

"Right." Yuto nodded before the two of them started walking towards the roof entrance. "We still on for after school?"

"Nothing here changed those plans, wouldn't have even if I lost." Shark replied.

"Yuto!" Yuma called out, getting the phantom knights user to look his way. "What am I supposed to do now?"

"That's right, he needs new instruction." Yuto recognized. "Take the next step by plotting out combos. Can't predict what hand you get, so start mapping what you can do with different cards. Also, in a roundabout way, you did provide me with a challenge."

He proceeded to count out some money, bunching it up and setting it on the roof. "I'll make good on my word by leaving this here. Take it and get yourself an Xyz monster." He waved it off. "Depending on what catches your eye and potential deals, maybe you can stretch it into more."

Yuto then walked into the academy alongside Shark.

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland Hospital: Lobby, After School…
Yuto walked in with Shark, staying back as the shark user stepped up to the receptionist desk.

"Welcome back, Shark." The receptionist smiled. "I must say, your sister is quite lucky to have a brother who visits often."

"I just hope she gets better." Shark replied, signing in at the nearby book.

"I hope so too." As the shark user took his pass and started walking towards the elevators, the receptionist looked towards the phantom knights user. "Now, who are you here to visit?"

"I'm here…" Yuto began.

"He's with me." Shark interrupted.

"I don't recall my predecessor leaving a note that you've come with someone before." The receptionist noted.

"First time for everything." Shark replied.

"Have a nice day." Yuto voiced, moving to join his friend.

Once they were in the elevator, Shark pushed the third floor button.

"So, what is your sister like?" Yuto asked.

"Currently, she doesn't talk much." Shark replied. "Prior to the fire, she had well-earned pride in herself since everything she became was through hard work. While Rio could be a bit childish, as well as me being thankful she's still here, I've missed who my sister was in her entirety."

"Sounds to me she's too stubborn not to recover eventually." Yuto assured.

Shark smiled slightly at that as stubbornness was another way you could describe her. The elevator opened soon after, seeing Shark step out with Yuto following.

Room 303
Shark stopped at the door to his sister's room, eyes widening upon staring through the glass.

"Shark?" Yuto questioned, concerned.

Shark suddenly threw open the door and rushed in. "Where is Rio?"

Yuto entered after him, now seeing what his friend saw. The bed was vacant while the nearby bathroom was unoccupied.

"Maybe she was taken somewhere for something urgent." Yuto suggested.

"No, I get everything sent to me if something like that is happening!" Shark shouted, distressed.

"Okay, wait here while I go ask the receptionist." Yuto voiced, rushing out of the room.

Lobby
Once the elevator doors opened, Yuto ran up to the receptionist.

"Hm, you seem to be in a rush." The receptionist voiced.

"I am." Yuto replied. "I went with Shark to the room where his sister was supposed to be, only to find no one there."

"Is that so?" The receptionist questioning, her face contorting into a malicious grin.

This was followed by the Number 28 appearing on her left cheek alongside a purple crest, which reminded Yuto of fire, showing up on the back of her right hand.

"A Number, with another difference." Yuto recognized.

"If you want to know where Rio Kastle is, you must beat me in a duel." The receptionist informed, standing.

"Shark is liable to turn this hospital upside down searching for Rio if I don't return soon." Yuto nodded. "Alright, I'll duel."

The receptionist walked past him. "Follow me to the parking lot."

Room 303
Shark was scouring the room for anything he might have missed, a clue as to where his sister might be. "Where is she?"

"Reginald." Doctor Kai greeted as she entered the room.

In the instance before he would speak, Shark noted Kai sounded a little too friendly. She was a good doctor who cared for her patients and the wellbeing of their loved ones; however, just the way she said his named sounded gentle in a level he hadn't come to expect.

Quite frankly, Shark could care less about this. "Where is my sister, Dr. Kai?"

"Oh, I moved her." Kai smiled. "While I could tell you, I think a duel to get that information from me is what's going to happen. Unless you don't want the information."

The Number 14 then appeared on her forehead while a green crest resembling a flower appeared on her left hand.

"She must be out of her mind right now with whatever this desire is." Shark stared at her. "Fine, I'll duel you for the information."

"Then, come with me to the roof." Kai replied, walking off.

Parking Lot
"Let's get started!" Yuto declared.

"Let me see what you can do." The receptionist replied.

"Let's Duel!"

(Yuto 4000/Receptionist 4000)

"The first move it mine!" The receptionist drew. "I'll set one monster and one card."

"My turn!" Yuto drew. "I'll start by activating Hand Destruction. Now, we each discard two cards before then drawing two new cards."

Yuto: The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak & The Phantom Knights of Torn Coat
The Receptionist: Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth & Ultimate Insect LV7

"I'll now set one card before activating it immediately due to having no other traps in my grave." Yuto declared. "Say hello to The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine(LV 4/0/300), which summons itself as a monster." An astral being within a brigandine appeared.

"I'll then summon The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 4/0/0)." An astral being wearing a black crown appeared. "By declaring a level of seven, both my Phantom Knights currently on the field become that level."

The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine(LV 7/0/300)
The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 7/0/0)

"I overlay my Level 7 Shade Brigandine and Night Crown." Yuto continued.

"I chain my face down, Overlay Deterioration." The receptionist countered. "Your Xyz summon goes through uninterrupted; however, every material attached to the monster at the time of its summon shall be sent to the grave."

"Er, my monster rendered nearly effectless before he hits the field." Still, Yuto pressed on. "I Xyz summon Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 0/2700/2300)." A male figure wearing blue middle eastern garbs appeared. "Number 74 will attack your set monster. Go, Psionic Blades!"

Using his psychic energy, Number 74 flung his swords into the face down monster. It flipped face up to reveal a ladybug with a skull mark on its back before it was destroyed.

"You just destroy my Skull-Mark Ladybug(LV 4/500/1500)." The receptionist informed. "When it is sent to the grave, I gain 1000 life points."

Green energy flowed into the receptionist (Yuto 4000/Receptionist 5000).

"I set one card to end my turn." Yuto finished.

Roof
Shark faced off with Kai atop the roof. "This is your last chance to tell me where Rio is."

"Don't fool yourself, Reginald." Kai smiled. "You won't win against me."

"Let's Duel!"

(Shark 4000/Kai 4000)

"The first move is mine!" Kai drew. "I'll summon Elementsaber Makani(LV 2/1300/1200)." A boy with purple hair who wore green armor appeared. "By discarding an Elementsaber, Makani lets me add any one Elementsaber or Lord from my deck to my hand." The card she selected slotted out for her to snag. "I'll now end my turn with one set card.

"I'll end this duel quick!" Shark drew. "I summon Hammer Shark(LV 4/1700/1500)." A blue shark with a hammer for a head appeared. "I can reduce his level by one to special summon any Level 3 water attributed monster from my hand."

Hammer Shark(LV 3/1700/1500)

"I'll summon my Butterfly Fish(LV 3/700/400)." A bipedal blue and white fish with large fins appeared. "I'll follow up with the activation of Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy that one set card of yours."

A typhoon ran through the field, forcing Kai's set card to flip and reveal Mirror Force before it was swept away.

"With that card out of the way, Hammer Shark will destroy Makani." Shark voiced.

The shark rammed into the opposing monster (Shark 4000/Kai 3600).

"Butterfly Fish will compound on that damage with a direct attack." Shark ordered.

Butterfly Fish soared into Kai's gut, sending her stumbling back (Shark 4000/Kai 2900).

"I'll now build the overlay network with my Level 3 Hammer Shark and Butterfly Fish!" Shark declared. "Xyz summon Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 2/1900/1000)." The twin sharks bound by an orange flying contraption appeared.

"I now activate Aero Shark's effect!" Shark declared. "I can detach 1 material from this card to inflict 400 points of damage to my opponent for each card in my hand. Since I have three cards, you take 1200 points of damage."

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 1/1900/1000) let loose three torpedoes that nailed the doctor with a barrage of explosions (Shark 4000/Kai 1700).

"I'll then set one card to end my turn." Shark stared his opponent down. "Just a tip for the future, don't go quitting your day job to be a duelist."

Parking Lot
(Yuto 4000/Receptionist 5000)

"I draw!" The receptionist took the top card off her deck. "Since I control no monsters, I can special summon Primitive Butterfly(LV 5/1200/900)." A butterfly with six-wings appeared. "Next, I activate Phantom Scales.

I now target Primitive Butterfly(LV 5/1200/900) to special summon a second one from my deck. I then activate the effect of both Primitive Butterflies, each one a soft once per turn that increases the level of all insect monsters on my field by one. It means both end up level 7."

Primitive Butterfly(LV 7/1200/900)x2

"I now overlay my two Level 7 Butterflies." The receptionist declared. "Xyz summon Number 28: Titanic Moth(R 7/O 2/2400/2200)." A giant moth with four wings and two arms appeared.

"So, this is her Number." Yuto sighed. "Why can't there be one that suits my Deck?"

"Since you asked such a question, you wouldn't mind me taking your Number." The receptionist retorted.

"Huh?" Yuto questioned.

"I activate Crest of Control!" The receptionist declared. "This can only equip itself to monsters my opponent controls, and you currently have just Number 74. Now, I get to take control of your monster, but I must discard a card from my hand during each of your Standby Phases."

"What!?" Yuto exclaimed.

A crest, similar to the one the receptionist had, appeared on the forehead of Number 74 seeing it walk over to her side. A Number 74 then appeared on the forehead of the receptionist as well.

"Now, Number 74 will attack you directly." The receptionist declared. "Go, Psionic Blades!"

Using his psychic energy, he coated his blades before hurling them at the phantom knights user.


"I activate The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 4/0/0), summoning forth this monster from my grave to the field in defense position under the caveat it'll be banished upon leaving the field." Yuto countered.

"Then, Number 74 will destroy it." The receptionist stated.

The blades tore through Night Crown, destroying it.

"Next, Number 28 will attack you!" The receptionist declared.

Number 28 unleashed a fire tornado at Yuto.

"I reveal my face down, The Phantom Knights of Cracked Shield!" Yuto declared. "Any battle damage I take this turn is halved!"

Fragments of a shield appeared before Yuto, blocking the fire tornado to the point only the force of the attack got through and pushed him back (Yuto 2800/Receptionist 5000).

"Next, the effect of Number 28 activates!" The receptionist exclaimed. "When this monster inflicts battle damage to my opponent, I can detach 1 material from her to inflict 500 life points of damage to you for every card in your hand."

Number 28: Titanic Moth(R 7/O 2/2400/2200)

"I have two cards, so that means I take 1000 points of damage!" Yuto exclaimed.

The receptionist smiled. "Exactly."

Fire exploded around the phantom knights user (Yuto 1800/Receptionist 5000).

After the smoke cleared, Yuto could be seen kneeling on the ground.

"Already on your knees, I see." The receptionist smirked. "I set one card before ending my turn."

Yuto slowly rose to his feet, drawing the top card from his deck. "My turn!"

The receptionist discarded one card, her smirk turning to a look of confusion. "Why don't you panic in a situation like this?"

"Partially because I'm having fun, though mostly due to the fact this duel is for a friend who I refuse to let down!" Yuto retorted. "First, I activate Pot of Greed to draw 2 cards. Then, I banish The Phantom Knights of Torn Coat from my grave, letting me discard 2 cards to draw 2 cards.

Next, I banish The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak from my grave to add 1 The Phantom Knights card from my deck to my hand, except another of itself." As the card he wanted slotted out, he snagged it. "I now summon The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves(LV 3/1000/500)."

An astral being wearing two gloves appeared. "Since I now control a The Phantom Knights monster, I can special summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots(LV 3/200/1200." An astral being wearing boots appeared.

"I overlay my Level 3 Silent Boots and Ragged Gloves. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Break Sword(R 3/O 2/2000/1000)." An astral being wearing armor and riding a horse of steel appeared. "Since Ragged Gloves was used in this summon, Break Sword gains 1000 ATK."

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword(R 3/O 2/3000/1000 effect)

"I guess you really don't rely on Numbers." The receptionist stated. "Master won't like this."

"Master?" Yuto questioned. "What Master?"

"I said too much!" The receptionist exclaimed before covering her mouth.

"Tell me, who is this Master?" Yuto asked.

"I won't tell you!" The receptionist retorted.

"Then, I'll make you!" Yuto declared. "I set two cards before activating the effect of Break Sword. I can detach 1 material to target 1 card I control and 1 card you control, both will be destroyed. I target one of my face-downs and my Number 74 currently on your field!"

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword(R 3/O 1/3000/1000 effect) held his blade aloft to project purple energy outward which shattered both cards.

"Now, I attack Number 28 with Break Sword." Yuto declared. "Ordinarily, I can't destroy your Number with this monster, but by banishing Phantom Knights' Magic Circle from the grave, I can target one face-up effect monster you control and negate their effects this turn."

A purple circle appeared around Number 28, graying it out before Break sword came in swinging his sword through it (Yuto 1800/Receptionist 4400).

"My Number!" The receptionist exclaimed.

"With that, my turn is over." Yuto finished.

Roof
(Shark 4000/Kai 1700)

"It's too early for you to think you've won, don't you think?" Kai asked.

"You believe you stand a chance?" Shark questioned.

"Observe how much of a chance I stand." Kai drew. "First, my level 4 and lower Elementsabers house the ability to modulate their attributes while in the grave. The only one I'll have use said effect is the one I discarded last turn. Elementsaber Aina goes from earth attribute to fire.

Now, I banish the fire attribute Aina and wind attribute Makani to fulfill the requirements for the special summon of Loud Cloud Serpent(LV 5/2000/0)." A contained storm formed from which emerged a dark serpent with purple eyes.

I'll follow it up with the normal summon of Elementsaber Molehu(LV 4/1900/0)." A man in purple and gold armor appeared. "Now is the time for battle. My Loud Cloud Serpent will destroy Submersible Carrier Aero Shark!"

"I activate my face-down, Zeus' Breath!" Shark countered. "When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I can negate it. Since I control a water attributed monster during the activation of this trap, you take 800 life points worth of damage."

A god-like figure with glowing red eyes waved his staff to generate wind, pushing the monster back and sending the good doctor skidding (Shark 4000/Kai 1200).

"You have me on the backfoot now, but that'll change with the summon of my Number." Kai declared. "First, I activate Star Changer. By now targeting Molehu, I can raise or lower his level by one. I choose to raise it."

Elementsaber Molehu(LV 5/1900/0)

"I now overlay my Level 5 Serpent and Molhu." Kai continued. "Xyz summon Number 14: Greedy Sarameya(R 5/O 2/2500/1500)." A three-headed wolf-like creature with a burning mane appeared. "I now set two cards to end my turn."

"So, what if you have your Number on the field?" Shark drew. "You seem to have forgotten about my Aero Shark. I now detach his last material to deal you 1200 life points worth of damage since I have three cards in my hand."

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 0/1900/1000) let loose three torpedoes, only for them to turn and hit Shark resulting in him being thrown back (Shark 2800/Kai 1200)."

"What happened?" Shark asked, shocked.

"It's one of my Number's effects." Kai replied. "With it on the field, you take any effect damage that would be dealt to me."

"Damn, I wanted to end this quickly to find Rio." Shark stated.

"Don't worry for she's in good hands." Kai replied.

"Like I buy that." Shark retorted. "I switch Aero Shark to defense and set one card."

Parking Lot
(Yuto 1800/Receptionist 4400)

"My move!" The receptionist drew. "I'll start with my Pot of Greed to draw two cards. I'll then draw one card more through banishing Crest of Control from my grave. Now, I reveal my face-down, Xyz Reborn. With its power, I can revive Number 28: Titanic Moth(R 7/O 0/2400/2200) and give it this trap as an overlay unit."

Number 28: Titanic Moth(R 7/O 1/2400/2200)

"Since I now control no other monsters, Titanic Moth can attack directly, but the damage inflicted through this will be halved." The receptionist declared.

The Number unleashed a fire tornado that bypassed Break Sword to hit the phantom knights user (Yuto 600/Receptionist 4400)

"I once again active the effect of Number 28." The receptionist exclaimed. "Since he inflicted battle damage to you, I detach his overlay unit and inflict 500 life points of damage for that one card resting in your hand."

Number 28: Titanic Moth(R 7/O 0/2400/2200)

Fire exploded around Yuto (Yuto 100/Receptionist 4400).

After the smoke cleared, Yuto could be seen laid out flat on his back.

"I couldn't quite finish you this turn, though I'm certain these three cards I'm setting will keep you from managing anything on your next turn."

"We'll just see about that." Yuto drew as he slowly rose to his feet, determined to keep going no matter the odds. "I activate The Phantom Knights of Break Sword to destroy my remaining face-down and your Number 28 once again!"

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword(R 3/O 0/3000/1000 effect)

"I don't think so!" The receptionist exclaimed. "I chain my quick-play, My Body as a Shield! Since you've activated an effect that would destroy a monster of mine, I can pay 1500 life points to negate it and destroy the card responsible.

The receptionist was struck by lightning, right alongside Break Sword who shattered into pieces (Yuto 100/Receptionist 2900).

The receptionist then gave a mocking grin. "What are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to utilize the second effect of Break Sword." Yuto retorted. "If he is destroyed, I can target 2 The Phantom Knights monsters with the same level in my graveyard and special summon them with one level more."

"You could do that, were it not for Soul Drain." The receptionist countered. "At the cost of 1000 life points, monsters within the banished zone and graveyard can't activate their effects."

Red particles spewed forth from the receptionist, wafting through the field as Yuto's duel pad sparked red (Yuto 100/Receptionist 1900).

"That makes many of my cards useless!" Yuto exclaimed.

"Since I already knew how your deck worked, it was only logical to put in a card like this." The receptionist stated.

"Figures this duel wasn't mere coincidence." Yuto thought. "Does this mean she works for whoever those twins I faced prior work for, or is this someone else pulling the strings?" He looked to his hand. "Beyond that, what should I do now?

With everything I can still play, I could get out Dark Rebellion or Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon. Depending on who exactly is behind this, the receptionist could have something face down to prevent either of them from hitting the field."

"Remember…"

???
Yuto Suddenly found himself on a balcony of a castle-like building wearing some kind of black armor. In front of him stood a girl with pale skin and dark blue hair with light blue bangs. She wore a long hood, white heeled sandals, a white dress, and three gold rings on her legs.

This girl was giving him a card with a dragon on it, a sincere smile on her face. "This card is a representation of our bond."

Parking Lot
Yuto found himself back at the duel. "What just happened?" Suddenly he heard a roar coming from his extra deck, followed by the visage of a dragon in front of him. "You want to help me?" Once more, he heard a dragon's roar. "Alright, let's do it!"

"If you would be kind enough to continue your turn, I have a job to get back to." the receptionist pointed out.

"Don't worry, I'll continue." Yuto replied. "I activate my face-down, Return from the Different Dimension. By paying half my life points, I can special summon up to as many of my banished monsters as possible. During the End Phase, monsters summoned with this effect are banished."

(Yuto 50/Receptionist 1900)

"Return, The Phantom Knights of Torn Coat(LV 3/500/500) and The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak(LV 3/800/1000." Astral beings within a torn black coat and purple cloak, respectively, appeared.

"Seems you intend to Xyz summon." The receptionist pointed out.

"You're right." Yuto replied.

"Then, I must disappoint you!" The receptionist retorted. "I activate my remaining face down, the continuous trap Rank Blockade. So long as this card remains on the field, no one may Xyz summon a monster whose rank is lower than the lowest ranked Xyz monster on the field."

"That means I can't summon an Xyz monster below Rank 7." Yuto noted.

"You're right." The receptionist smirked maliciously. "As far as I know, your only monster with a rank high enough was the first monster you summoned."

"Whoever this person's master is can't be in cahoots with those twins because I summoned my Cipher Dragon, one rank over the current limit." Yuto smirked. "You're wrong. I have two monsters with a high enough rank."

"You do?" The receptionist asked, shocked.

"Indeed, I do." Yuto replied.

"Even then, you must summon it and didn't opt to bring out Night Crown." The receptionist pointed out. "Without it, I don't see how you'll summon either of those supposed monsters you have with two level 3 monsters."

"If you think I'd remain stagnant, with only one option to get out higher ranked monsters, then perhaps your master concerned themselves with only half the equation that is my dueling." Yuto declared. "I activate Phantom Wave, letting me target an Xyz monster in my extra deck.

I select my new Level 7 dragon. Then, I can change the levels of up to two Phantom Knights on the field to have their levels mirror that rank. I change my The Phantom Knights of Torn Coat and The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak."

The Phantom Knights of Torn Coat(LV 7/500/500)
The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak(LV 7/800/1000

"With this, the conditions have been met." Yuto voiced. "I construct the overlay network with the Level 7 The Phantom Knights of Torn Coat and The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak. Blue dragon formed through the bond between two people.

Descend now to protect what is most important! Xyz summon Absolute Xyz Dragon(R 7/O 2/2800/2500)." A dragon with armor and four wings made of ice that together formed an X appeared on the field with a loud roar.

The receptionist was rendered speechless.

"Absolute Xyz Dragon will destroy your Moth!" Yuto commanded. "Go, Absolute Devastation!"

Absolute Xyz Dragon let loose a barrage of ice spikes that pierced the Number while ice that chipped off hit the duelist beyond (Yuto 50/Receptionist 1500).

"Before you call foul, this dragon shares the effect with my Dark Rebellion in that she can destroy Numbers through battle."

"What!?" The receptionist exclaimed as her Moth shattered.

"That's all for this turn." Yuto declared, smiling at his new dragon.

Roof
(Shark 2800/Kai 1200)

"My turn!" Kai drew. "I'll activate my left face-down, Force Xyz. I can now target an Xyz monster and force the activation of its effect without needing to detach a material. I activate your Aero Shark. Since my Number is still here, the 800 life points of damage I'd take is all yours."

Aero Shark lets loose two torpedoes, which turned midair and went straight for the shark user before exploding (Shark 2000/Kai 1200).

"Damn it!" Shark cursed.

"I now summon my Samurai Sword Baron(LV 4/1600/1200)." Kai continued, bringing forth a warrior in black robes with a green haori. "Through his effect, I swap your Aero Shark from defense to attack. "Now my Number will rip your Shark apart."

Number 14: Greedy Sarameya ran towards Aero Shark before all three of its heads bit into him, with residual flames from their carnage licking at the shark user (Shark 1400/Kai 1200).

"My Sword Baron will end you with a direct attack." Kai declared.

Sword Baron drew his blade before rushing down the shark user.

"There's nothing in my hand or grave that can stop this." Shark looked to his face-down, though knowing it couldn't do anything either. "Escape Lure doesn't do a thing for me, not now nor when I only have one monster on the field. I can't win…"

Suddenly, the world changed for Shark alone.

???
Shark found himself standing atop a balcony, looking down at a crowd wearing ancient clothing. He then looked at himself to see he wore golden armor, gauze on his left arm, silver pants, a blue cape, and a pendant. He then turned around to see two people behind him.

The first was his sister, only she wore a long hood on her head, white heeled sandals, a white dress, and three gold rings on her legs. The next person was Yuto, wearing armor similar to his just in all black with purple highlights and no cape. A matching sword was sheathed at his side.

"Rio? Yuto?" Shark asked.

Once Shark said the names he knew them by, each of them held out a Number towards him followed by the shark user suddenly holding a small pile of cards in his right hand.

Roof
Shark was back to reality, still being attacked. Suddenly, the card he had laid face-down began to glow alongside his extra deck, and he knew what to do.

"I activate my face-down, Barian Shield!" Shark declared. "At the cost of half my life points, I no longer take battle damage for the rest of this turn. Then, I get to add one Barian card from my deck to my hand, provided I banish this trap rather than send it to the grave."

Red energy flowed from Shark, generating a stylized blue fleur-de-lis with a cross-section that enclosed a red diamond-shaped gem at the center to repel the coming monster (Shark 700/Kai 1200). When the card he wanted slotted out of his deck, he snagged it.

Shark looked at the card he added to his hand. "What was that, and what are these cards?"

"I end my turn." Kai declared, reluctant though having no further cards to play.

"My turn!" Shark drew, deciding to worry about what happened later as he had a duel to win now. "I summon Big Jaws(LV 3/1800/300)." A blue shark with a large mouth full of teeth appeared. "Since I've summoned a fish, I can special summon Shark Stickers(LV 3/200/1000).

A shark with suckers on his head appeared. "Now, I overlay my level 3 Big Jaws and Shark Stickers. Xyz summon Number 47: Nightmare Shark(R 3/O 2/2000/2000)." A giant Shark with no eyes, wings, and blades for arms appeared.

"You have more than 2 Numbers!?" Kai exclaimed.

Shark decided to file that tidbit of information away rather than ask about it, given it wasn't impossible for anyone to know he had Numbers. It's been a while since they arrived in general, and he's had the two prior to this one for a little while now.

"That I do, with the intention to activate this one's effect now." Shark stated. "I detach 1 material from Nightmare to target himself. Now, no other monster I controlled could have attacked while this one gets to attack you directly this turn."

Number 47: Nightmare Shark(R 3/O 1/2000/2000)

"My Nightmare Shark will make your worst nightmares come true!" Shark declared.

The shark surged towards the good doctor.

"I reveal my face down, Fiendish Chain." Kai countered. "By targeting your Nightmare Shark, I can negate his effects, and he can no longer attack."

Dull gold chains caught Nightmare Shark, restraining and graying him out.

Shark grimaced. "Er, all I can do is set one card to conclude my turn."

Parking Lot
(Yuto 50/Receptionist 1500)

"I won't lose!" The receptionist drew. "I activate Monster Reborn to revive Number 28: Titanic Moth(R 7/O 0/2400/2200). This time, you have no traps that will save you. My Titanic Moth will attack you directly, through her effect, and finish you off!"

The Number once again unleashed a fire tornado, shooting it towards Yuto.

"I activate the effect of my Absolute Xyz Dragon." Yuto countered. "When any player's monster declares an attack, I can detach 1 material from him to negate it. Go, Absolute Defense!"

Absolute Xyz Dragon(R 7/O 1/2800/2500)

A wall of ice appeared in front of Yuto, protecting him from the flame tornado.

"Then, I can special summon any Phantom Knight from my hand or residing in my grave." Yuto continued. "Return to the field, The Phantom Knights of Break Sword(R 3/O 0/2000/1000).

"I can't do anything else…" The receptionist stated in disbelief. "I end my turn."

"My turn!" Yuto drew. "Absolute XYZ Dragon, it time to destroy that Titanic Moth for good. Go, Absolute Devastation!"

Absolute XYZ Dragon once again let loose a barrage of Ice Spikes that pierced the Number, chips of ice hitting the receptionist beyond (Yuto 50/Receptionist 1100).

"Break Sword will bring this duel to an end with a direct attack!" Yuto declared.

Break Sword rode forward, slashing his blade into the receptionist (Yuto 50/Receptionist 0).

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!" The receptionist exclaimed, flying back.

"Thank you." Yuto voiced, looking to his new dragon.

Absolute roared in response as she faded.

"Ugh, where am I?" The receptionist asked, slowly sitting up.

"Hey, tell me which room Rio Kastle is in." Yuto demanded.

"Uh, Rio Kastle was moved to Room 203, but…"

She didn't get to finish her sentence because Yuto was sprinting the second he heard the room number.

Roof
(Shark 700/Kai 1200)

"I draw!" Kai took the top card off her deck. "Greedy Sarameya will destroy your Number."

Just like with Aero Shark, Greedy Sarameya ripped Nightmare Shark into pieces with a few flames hitting the shark user (Shark 200/Kai 1200).

"Now, my Samurai Sword baron will end this with a direct attack!" Kai declared.

Sword Baron surged forward while drawing his blade.

"I reveal my face-down, Chosen Barian!" Shark countered. "I'm permitted to target an Xyz monster within my extra deck and special summon it. I choose Number 71: Rebarian Shark(R 3/O 0/0/2000) in defense mode." A long, blue dragon with that red jewel in his chest appeared. "Then, Chosen Barian becomes an overlay unit for the monster summoned through it."

Number 71: Rebarian Shark(R 3/O 1/0/2000)

"You got lucky, but you won't be next turn." Kai retorted.

"There won't be a next turn." Shark drew. "Since Rebarian Shark has material, I can revive any other Number that might be in my grave and transfer one of its material to it. The monster I choose is Number 47: Nightmare Shark(R 3/O 0/2000/2000)."

Number 71: Rebarian Shark(R 3/O 0/0/2000)
Number 47: Nightmare Shark(R 3/O 1/2000/2000)

"That means Number 47 can activate its effect once again!" Kai shouted, shocked.

"I'm immediately activating it, with itself as the target once more." Shark declared.

Number 47: Nightmare Shark(R 3/O 0/2000/2000)

"Nightmare Shark, finish this with a direct attack!" Shark ordered.

Nightmare Shark bypassed Kai's monster to bite her, depleting her remaining life points (Shark 200/Kai 0).

Number 14 then flew to Shark, who caught and put it away before moving to pick Kai up by her collar. "Now, where is my sister!?"

"Ugh, where am I?" Kai questioned, puzzled.

"Answer my question." Shark demanded. "Where is Rio?"

"Reginald, I thought you were getting better." Kai retorted.

"You were the one who dragged me onto the roof to a duel!" Shark retorted.

"I did?" Kai asked, surprised.

"You did, but that's not what matters." Shark stated. "I want to know where my sister is, now!"

"She was moved to Room 203." Kai replied.

Shark ran towards the door into the hospital without saying another word.

Room 203
Yuto and Shark arrived at the door to Room 203 at the same time. They looked at each other before the shark user threw it open to let them both rush in. Laying on the bed was a girl who looked identical to the one Yuto saw in his vision, except for the clothes.

"She is alright." Shark voiced, relieved.

Yuto patted his friend's back. "Glad everything worked out."

Shark turned to him. "Sorry, I dragged you into this."

"It's already establish that you would do the same." Yuto replied.

Shark nodded. "I know I invited you to come with me to visit her…"

"You want some alone time with your sister." Yuto nodded. "I get it. We'll talk later about everything that happened, and I'll see you at school tomorrow."

As Yuto closed the door to the room and started walking, he wondered what that vision was alongside why Shark's sister was in it. He hadn't seen her until just now and never knew anyone prior who looked remotely close.

On Shark's end, he was now sitting by his sister's bed with his mind turning to his own vision. Something like it has never happened to him. Then, there was the question of where these Barian cards and those two Numbers came from.

---

Numbers: 13/100
Yuma: 24, 34, 39, 83

Yuto: 13, 28, 31, 74

Shark: 14, 17, 32, 47, 71

---

OC Cards:
Absolute Xyz Dragon/Water/Rank 7/Dragon/Xyz/ATK 2800/DEF 2500
2 Level 7 Monsters
When any player's monster declares an attack: You can detach 1 material from this card; negate the attack, then you can Special Summon 1 "The Phantom Knights" monster from your hand or GY. If this Xyz Summoned card is sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 "Xyz Dragon" monster from your Extra Deck, except "Absolute Xyz Dragon". You can only use each effect of "Absolute XYZ Dragon" once per turn. This card is able to destroy Number Cards.

The Phantom Knights of Torn Coat/Dark/Level 3/Warrior/Effect/ATK 500/DEF 500
If you control a Dark attribute monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can only Special Summon "The Phantom Knights of Torn Coat" once per turn this way. You can banish this card from your GY; sends2 cards from your hand to the GY, then draws 2 cards.

Crest of Control/Equip Spell
Equip only to a monster your opponent controls. Take control of the equipped monster. During each of your opponent's Standby Phases: You must discard one card from your hand if you can't this card gets destroyed. You can banish this card from your GY; draw 1 card.

The Phantom Knights of Cracked Shield/Normal Trap
Halve all Battle Damage you take this turn. When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack while this card is in your Graveyard: You can Special Summon this card in Defense Position as a Normal Monster (Dark/Warrior/ATK 0/DEF 200/LV: 2). (This card is NOT treated as a Trap Card.) If Summoned this way, banish this card when it leaves the field.

Phantom Knights' Magic Circle/Continuous Spell
Each time your opponent activates a card or effect, inflict 200 damage to your opponent immediately after it resolves. You can banish this card from your Graveyard, then target 1 face-up Effect Monster your opponent controls; that target has its effects negated until the end of this turn.

Overlay Deterioration/Counter Trap
When your opponent initiates an Xyz summon: All materials that would be attached to that Xyz summoned monster are sent to the grave instead.

Rank Blockade/Continuous Trap
As long as this card remains on the field, no player can summon an Xyz monster with a lower Rank than the lowest Ranked Xyz monster currently on the field.

Phantom Wave/Norma Spell
(This card is always treated as a "Phantom Knights" card)
Target an Xyz monster in your extra deck, then target up to 2 face-up monsters on the field; their levels become the same as the targeted Xyz monster's rank.

Force Xyz/Normal Trap
Target 1 Xyz monster on the field; activate its effect (if the effect targets a monster you get to choose it) without the need of an XYZ Material.

Barian Shield/Normal Trap
Pay half your Life Points. During this turn, Battle Damage done to you from battle is reduced to 0. You can then banish this card instead of sending it the grave: Add 1 "Barian' card from your deck to your hand.

Chosen Barian/Normal Trap
Target 1 Xyz Monster in your Extra Deck; Special Summon it ignoring it summoning conditions, and if you do, attach this card to it as material.

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland City: Day…
"Finally, I've got some Xyz monsters!"

Even though he did have the Numbers now, Yuma still held the three cards he recently bought aloft with a huge grin. The onomat user had managed to stretch what money Yuto left him on that roof into these monsters he's had his eye on practically since his dad left him this deck.

Nelson sat across from his friend at the table they ended up taking a break at, working to compile his latest additions into the new deck he was building. A smile graced his face as going out to buy cards with a friend was something he'd never been able to do until now.

"What do you say, Nelson?" Yuma turned to his friend, catching his attention. "Want to have a duel where we try our new cards?"

"While that shop had quite a few of the cards I was missing, my deck is still incomplete." Nelson rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, Yuma."

"Well, what about your prior deck?" Yuma questioned.

"That deck was property of the studio, which they ended up donating to a museum alongside my costume." Nelson replied, tucking his deck away.

"Ah, man." Yuma lamented, slotting the Xyz monsters into his extra deck.

He didn't notice Astral appear, the being looking off to the right and gazing upwards towards the top of a building where some girl currently stood wielding a massive pink cannon. This girl was the same age as the two boys.

She has short red and orange hair, yellow eyes, and clear white skin. She wore a pink and white shirt, a black and red right fingerless glove, a wrist guard on the left hand, black compression shorts, and a pair of boots in the same color as her shirt.

She also had a white and light purple D-Gazer on her left eye, which locked onto the onomat user. "Good-bye Yuma!"

She fired on the onomat user, the sound of it going off catching the attention of Yuma, Nelson and Astral.

"Yuma!" Nelson exclaimed.

Astral flew into the air while Nelson lept over the table, tackling his friend to the ground just in time. The cannon shot hit right behind where they were a moment ago and caused an explosion on impact. Both teens shut their eyes as the force of the explosion hit them.

The unknown girl slightly lowered her cannon, irritation evident on her face as Yuma and Nelson were unharmed. "Er, just missed him."

"This augmented reality is getting a little too real if you ask me." Yuma commented.

"Yuma, neither of us are wearing duel gazers." Nelson retorted, to the shock of his friend. "I'm fairly certain this is real."

The unknown girl lifted her cannon, taking aim at Yuma. "One more time!"

She fired three shots rapidly, the pair noticing this just as they got back to their feet.

"This way!" Yuma exclaimed.

He booked it with Nelson immediately running alongside him. They were just fast enough to get out of the three cannon shots safely.

"Stay still, would ya!?" The unknown girl hissed, slightly lowering her cannon for a moment before taking aim again and firing.

"Astral, what do you see!?" Yuma exclaimed.

At this point, Nelson was hoping this Astral Yuma sometimes spoke with was real because neither of them were going to risk looking back.

"From what I can tell, you are under attack." Astral responded.

"What did I do to deserve this!?" Yuma exclaimed, exasperated.

"I take it he wasn't very helpful." Nelson thought, sweat dropping.

Just then, a single shot went off right behind them. The resulting small explosion had the pair stopping in their tracks as their hair blew widely from the wind pressure.

Once the wind pressure died down, Yuma turned to his fiend. "This way, Nelson!"

The onomat user took off to his left.

"Right behind you!" Nelson responded, following.

They turned a corner and continued running in hopes they've escaped their unknown attacker.

Speaking of who, the girl's D-Gazer kept track of Yuma even as he rounded the corner. "Don't underestimate me." The unknown girl lifted her cannon from her shoulder before kneeling and placing it on the rooftop. "You can't escape."

She lifted her right leg before placing it down on her cannon, hitting a switch in the process that saw hovercraft wings come out. The girl hopped onto her hovercraft cannon which let out a sound as it released a gust of wind and started to rise into the air slowly.

"We have lift off!" The girl declared.

It then went out of control, with her screaming in panic. The hovercraft flew back before going forward, only to start falling upon going past the rooftop's edge. Luckily for the young girl ridding atop it, her hovercraft pulled up just before falling into the lake.

The girl continued screaming, placing her legs in the stirrups as she tried to control her hovercraft. She was focused on regaining control to the point she didn't notice her hovercraft slowly rising nor the light post in her way until she slammed face first into it.

She then took hold of the joystick with both hands, taking control as she flew after her target. She came right up to a random building, but stopped herself from crashing by placing her right foot against it. She dug her foot in before pushing off with a battle cry, flying after the pair.

In no time at all, she was on their tail. "There is no escape!"

"This girl is more relentless than my former fan girls!" Nelson exclaimed. "What did you do to tick her off, Yuma!?"

"I've got no idea!" Yuma yelled.

Astral took that moment to float down to Yuma's left, facing the unknown girl's direction with both arms crossed. "I would suggest running faster."

This earned him an annoyed frown from the onomat user.

"I've got you now!" The girl screamed, firing another shot at the pair.

The force of it sent her hovercraft spiraling out of control, with her screaming in panic.

"Watch out!" Yuma exclaimed, grabbing Nelson before jumping out of the way.

They escaped in the nick of time as the cannon shot exploded where they were a second ago. Still, it didn't end there for the pair as the unknown girl continued chasing and trying to blast them. This was regardless of where they went.

They went to a shopping mall, only for her to find them. They went underground in a sewer, only to be found. They tried going up high in a building via an elevator, only to get spotted again. They tried blending in with a crowd of people on a rollercoaster, but that failed as well.

A Tower:Hours Later…
Even though both boys were fit, this was getting exhausting. Right now, the pair found themselves on a random tower with multiple levels and what seemed like multiple railways leading to other parts of the city. The two were currently climbing up a ladder.

"This is not how I thought today would go." Yuma let out a groan. "I just wanted to buy some cards and get in a duel, not be chased around by some girl with a cannon."

"You can say that again." Nelson agreed. "Do you have any idea who that was?"

"I'm pretty sure I'd remember ticking off someone with a cannon." Yuma answered upon them reaching the top. "Anyways, we should be safe since there's no chance she'll find us here."

The onomat user came to a stop before placing both hands on his knees and keeling over. Nelson soon tapped his friend on the shoulder, getting his attention before pointing to the sky wordlessly. Slowly starting to pale, Yuma looked up where he pointed.

Much to his dread, the unknown girl was there atop her hovercraft with both fists pressed against her hips . "Any last words because now's the time…"

The girl stopped as she lost her balance, letting out panicked cries and flailing before ultimately falling alongside her vehicle. Fortunately for the girl, she and her cannon fell to the tower's top. Yuma and Nelson stared at the unknown girl in silence while she didn't move in the slightest.

…

Eventually, Yuma broke the silence. "Uh, you okay?"

As quick as a flash, the girl grabbed hold of her cannon, got back up, and turned to face the pair. "Quiet, I'm taking you out!"

Yuma and Nelson finally got the chance to get a good look at the girl.

Nelson blinked, taking in how lean yet muscular this girl was. "Jeez, this girl is more muscular than I think any of my former fan girls were."

Yuma blinked at the sight of the girl, feeling like she looked familiar yet nothing came to mind.

He then shook his head a little to focus on the fact this girl was pointing a cannon at him. "Why are you trying to blast me!?" He lifted his right fist up slightly. "What did I ever do to you!?"

The unknown girl smirked, taking off her gazer and standing fully while lowering her cannon. "You're still clueless as always, aren't you Yuma Tsukumo!?"

With the girl's D-Gazer off, Yuma got a good look at her face. "Wait a second…" He blinked. "Aren't you that girl, Anna Kaboom?"

"Anna?" Nelson was taken aback. "You do know this girl?"

"Well, I wouldn't say I know her that well." Yuma replied. "She was in our former school a couple years ago before transferring." He turned back to Anna, who had a stern look. "Tori knew her better, but I remember what kind of reputation she had back then.

Anna would beat up bullies and protect bullying victims. You could say she was known for being the girl that stopped bullying." Anna grew a small blush on her face at hearing Yuma say those words. "She was also known for being a tomboy, with some kids thinking she had no appeal."

"No appeal?" The blush on Anna's face disappeared. "I have plenty of appeal!"

Yuma was taken aback, to the point he lost his footing and fell to his butt. He then paled upon seeing Anna standing in front of him, pointing her cannon at him.

"I didn't say I agreed!" Yuma panicked. "Anyways, what I meant to say was you were a hero to all the kids that got bullied!"

Hearing Yuma's change of tune, Anna lowered her cannon.

Off to the side, Nelson watched with a confused look. "This still doesn't explain why she was trying to blast us these past few hours."

Anna looked to him. "It's to get my revenge!"

This took the pair aback. "Revenge?"

"Got that right!" She started blushing while turning away. "Yuma Tsukumo, don't you know I..."

She started mumbling to herself, it being low enough that neither of them could hear what she was saying.

Yuma let out a confused, "Huh?"

That had Anna glaring. "I said, don't you know I…"

She turned away once more, blushing as she mumbled.

Growing more confused, Yuma let out an, "Eh?"

Anna was irritated again. "Whatever!"

She closed both eyes and frowned while Yuma instinctively clenched his teeth in confusion.

Watching all of this, Nelson realized what this was. "I think I know what's going on."

"You…You never noticed me." Anna blurted.

"What do you mean!?" Yuma exclaimed. "Why should I have noticed you!?"

"That's why I glued your shoes." She remembered watching a younger Yuma try to pull his shoes out of a locker, unaware that they had been glued. "I scribbled all over your D-Pad." Another memory where Yuma was looking over his scribbled on red D-Pad.

"I cut holes in your swim trunks." She remembered back to a swim class where a hole opened in the back of Yuma's swim trucks. "I even hid rocks in your Duel Fuel." Another memory where she watched Yuma crying with a tooth broken off from a rock in his mouth.

"Is this what normally happens when someone likes you?" Nelson contemplated, crossing his arms. "I guess some of my fan girls did similar, not that I ever had the courage to find out what any of it meant. I didn't even think about girls like that a few years back."

"You did all those things to me?" Yuma looked off to the side, confused. "You'd really think I'd remember."

"You're telling me." Anna blushed. "I'd fallen head over heels for you, which is why I asked you to meet me before I transferred." Her eyes conveyed such sadness. "I waited there for you, just to finally confess; however, you didn't come."

Her eyes started to water as that day ran through her mind. How she stood in a white dress, waiting for Yuma to meet her. Anna remembered perfectly, clutching her dress as her heart felt a suffocating pain at the realization Yuma wasn't coming to meet her.

Coming back to reality, Anna grew an enraged look. "You will pay for this!"

Anna reared her right fist back and thrust it into the ground beside Yuma's head, leaving a sizable crack in the roof. The onomat user inhaled in pure terror, his pupils staring at Anna's fist.

"Get ready Yuma Tsukumo because I'm here to collect." Anna declared, lifting her fist from the crack before holding her cannon up with both hands.

A shiver went down Yuma's spine at Anna's words, along with his terror increasing. Acting a bit on fear, Yuma placed both hands on the ground behind his head and started back flipping away to 5 feet before stopping.

"Just hold on a sec!" Yuma exclaimed. "I understand you're ticked off, but if you want revenge, let's have a duel!"

"A duel, huh?" Anna grinned, closing both eyes as she seemingly pondered the idea for a good 3 seconds. "Fine. I'll take you on." She let go of her cannon, letting it drop to the ground on her right. "Knowing you, I thought this might happen. If I win, I get to have you, cool?"

"No way you'll win, so that's fine by me." Yuma returned confidently.

The two of them then faced off.

"Let's Duel!"

(Yuma 4000/Anna 4000)

"Human love is such a peculiar thing." Astral muttered, shaking his head. "It also packs such serious firepower."

"Ladies first!" Anna drew. "For my first move, I summon Rocket Arrow Express(LV 10/5000/0)." A large locomotive fit with a rocket ship on top appeared.

"Gah, it's got 5000 ATK!" Yuma exclaimed, stunned.

"How is Anna able to summon such a strong monster as her first move?" Astral questioned.

"This card can only be summoned when I have no other cards on my field." Anna declared. "If I want to keep this monster around, I'll need to send whatever the current number of cards in my hand is to the grave during my Standby Phases."

"You're entire hand, every turn?" Yuma's eyes widened in disbelief. "Gah, I don't know what you're up to; however, I don't like it!"

"I also can't attack the turn Rocket Arrow Express was summoned, and while it's on the field, I can't put any other card face-down." Anna declared. "So, I end my turn! You're up, Yuma. Bring it on!"

"Right!" Yuma drew.

"Yuma." Astral voiced, getting his attention. "Rocket Arrow is too powerful to attack this turn."

"In that case, I'll set the stage for later." Yuma looked to his opponent once more. "I'll play one monster in face-down defense position before following it up with one set card. That's it from me, so it's your move!"

Anna made a sound of annoyance at her opponent seemingly holding back, though she was quick to shrug it off with a smile. "Playing hard to get, are ya? I'll fix that. I Draw!" She took the top card off her deck. "I choose not to discard my hand, which means Rocket Arrow's wrecked."

The massive locomotive exploded, much to Astral's mild surprise. "Oh my..."

"Next, I'll place five cards face-down before ending my turn." Anna finished.

"What!?" Yuma was dismayed. "Why did you get rid of that super powerful monster!?"

"I guess love does work in mysterious ways…" Astral muttered.

"I got a plan, which you don't need to concern yourself with beyond giving me your very best." Anna retorted

"If you want it, you got it!" Yuma drew. "First, I'll normal summon Dododo Warrior(LV 6/2300/900)." A red and black armored warrior wielding an axe and shield appeared. "I can summon him without tribute under the condition his original ATK becomes 1800."

Dododo Warrior(LV 6/1800/900 effect)

"Now, I'll launch a direct attack." Yuma declared.

"Wait, Yuma, what about the five face-downs!?" Astral questioned.

"I destroy all face-down cards on my field!" Anna declared. "Go on, get lost!"

"What!?" Astral was perplexed.

"Next, I'll summon Snow Plow Hustle Russel(LV 10/2500/3000)." Anna declared, summoning forth a red snow plow. "I'm allowed to summon it when you attack me directly, simply by destroying all my set backrow."

"That monster is 700 ATK more than my Warrior." Yuma noted. "I'll call off my attack."

"You're not getting off that easy, Yuma." Anna smirked. "Snow Plow Hustle Russel, I'm activating your special ability. Now, you take 200 points of damage for every Spell or Trap Card I destroyed in order to summon it."

"With five cards destroyed, that's 1000 points of damage!" Yuma exclaimed.

The train plowed through all five of the cards to gather power before sending a swirling snowstorm towards Yuma, who flinched back from the bitter cold (Yuma 3000/Anna 4000).

"Yuma!" Nelson called out, concerned.

Anna felt pumped. "1000 down, 3000 to go!"

"Anna planned this move from the very beginning?" Yuma questioned.

"That does seem to be the case." Astral noted. "You must be careful, Yuma. I have a hunch Anna is planning something far bigger."

"Yeah, can't deny that." Yuma looked to his hand. "The question is, what do we do?"

"Come on, Yuma!" Nelson cheered, getting his friend's attention. "I don't remember it too well, but I believed you when you talked about beating the deck I used as the Sparrow. You overcome my high level monsters, even my Rank 10. If you won that duel, you could win this one!"

"Nelson…" Yuma grinned. "Of course I can because I'm feeling the flow!"

"Moving on…" Anna brought their attention back to the action. "My draw!" She took the top card off her deck. "Just the card I was hoping for. Go, Special Schedule!" A railway stoplight appeared before switching from red to green.

"Thanks to this spell, I have the green light to summon one machine-type monster with 3000 or more Attack Points from my gin defense position. So, all aboard because Rocket Arrow Express(LV 10/5000/0) is back!"

"Two level ten monsters." Astral noted. "This is not good."

"In years past, I could never get your attention, but I have a hunch this next move will." Anna stated. "I overlay level ten Rocket Arrow and Hustle Russel. Xyz summon Superdreadnought Rail Cannon(R 10/O 2/3000/3000)!" A massive locomotive on three tracks appeared.

"Three thousand ATK!" Yuma exclaimed.

"So, this is what she's been angling for!" Astral noted.

"The best part of this locomotive is the change it undergoes when I activate its ability!" Anna declared. "By detaching one overlay unit, you take 2000 life points worth of damage."

Superdreadnought Rail Cannon(R 10/O 1/3000/3000) moved its bricks out of the way to reveal a cannon pointing at the onomat user.

"That is one cool Xyz monster, though it'd be cooler were it not pointing at me." Yuma noted.

"Go, Cataclysmic Cannon!" Anna exclaimed.

The cannon unleashed a powerful laser beam, nailing Yuma and sending him flying backwards (Yuma 1000/Anna 4000).

Anna was ecstatic. "Yeah, yippee! I'm winning, I'm winning, I'm winning! You're just 1000 points away from losing, Yuma. Once you lose, you're all mine! So whadda ya say, handsome? Let's make that dream come true! Go, Superdreadnought. Attack Dododo Warrior to finish this!"

The massive cannon-train began rolling forward with the intent of mowing down the golem.

"I reveal my face down, Guardraw." Yuma countered. "By now shifting Warrior into defense, this trap lets me draw one card."

While Warrior was still ran over, the change in position kept Yuma from losing more life points.

"Clever move, Yuma." Anna complimented. "You survive this turn, but I promise you won't survive the next."

"Were she to get a next turn, you'd lose." Astral noted, drawing the onomat user's attention. "I'm fairly certain she has no cards to stop you while your hand is brimming. If I were you, I'd consider what your new cards have to offer in conjunction with the old."

"My new cards…" Yuma looked to his hand. "I get what you're saying." He looked to his opponent. "Get ready Anna because I'm hi-fiving the sky!" He drew. "I summon Ganbara Knight(LV 4/0/1800)." A red and yellow armored warrior wielding two shields appeared.

"Then, I'll flip my face down Gogogo Golem(LV 4/1800/1500) into attack mode." The green golem appeared. "Now, I overlay my level 4 Gogogo Golem and Ganbara Knight. Xyz summon Gagaga Samurai(R 4/O 2/1900/1600)." A samurai in red and black attire appeared.

"Ha!" Anna crossed her arms. "He's only got 1900 ATK while my Rail Cannon has 3000!"

"Those are problems easily solved through a few effects strung together." Yuma declared. "First, I detach one overlay unit from Gagaga Samurai(R 4/O 1/1900/1600). Now I could choose any Gagaga monster on my field, and it'll get two attacks during the Battle Phase.

"Samurai is my only monster who fits the bill." Samurai crossed his blades as he glowed with a blue aura. "Then, I activate the spell Blustering Winds to raise his ATK and DEF by 1000 until my next Standby Phase."

Gagaga Samurai(R 4/O 1/2900/2600 effect) grew, nearly matching the opposing monster.

"You're one hundred shy from just tying Rail Cannon, Yuma!" Anna called out.

"That's because I have one final card to play before the Battle Phase." Yuma grinned. "The final piece to my winning combo. I activate the equip spell, Giant Hunter." Samurai was now awash with a red aura. "With this in effect, you couldn't activate spells/traps during the Battle Phase.

That's inconsequential to what happens during that phase when my life points are lower than yours. Through this card, by now attacking your Rail Cannon, its ATK is halved until the end of the Battle Phase."

"What!?" Anna exclaimed.

Superdreadnought Rail Cannon(R 10/O 1/1500/3000 effect) acquired the same red aura as it was reduced to halve its usual size before Samurai came in slicing it down the middle. The shockwaves had Anna skidding back (Yuma 1000/Anna 2600)

"You destroyed my Rail Cannon, but I'm still standing!" Anna exclaimed.

"You already forgot." Yuma smiled. "I used Samurai's effect, allowing him two attacks this turn. With him still powered up by Blustering Wind, he's three hundred more than is required!"

Anna's eyes widened. "No way…"

"Yes way!" Yuma declared. "Gagaga Samurai, wrap this up with a direct attack!"

Samurai surged forward before slashing into Anna, sending her flying back until she crashed down upon the top of the tower back first (Yuma 1000/Anna 0).

"That's the way, Yuma!" Nelson cheered.

"N-No way." Anna sat up from the ground, her face displaying disbelief. "I lost...BUT HOW!?"

"You played well, don't doubt that." Yuma voiced as he approached.

"Yeah, those cards of yours are something else." Nelson shrugged. "You simply couldn't account for Yuma having cards that contended with your own."

"I could have!" Anna exclaimed. "I've known Yuma more than anyone else possibly could have! For instance, I know he's afraid of heights."

"What are you talking about." That confused Yuma. "I'm not afraid of heights."

"Maybe not now, but you were two years ago." Anna retorted. "I know because of that time I took your card and told you to come get it back from me. You kept going about how you were afraid of climbing the tree because of your fear of heights."

"Even if Yuma got over his fear of heights, I'm almost certain there would have been something indicating he once was." Nelson thought. "With all those high ump challenges he does at school, I highly doubt he was afraid of heights…At least to the extent she implies."

Yuma was just as confused since his dad took him to all sorts of high places. Yeah, there was some fear there; however, nothing like how Anna was describing. Even if it were the case, he overcame any fear of heights he had well before starting school.

"The only person I could think of that was afraid of heights 2 years ago was…" Yuma sweat dropped. "Anna, did you mix me up with Kumo Tsuyuma?"

Nelson turned to his friend with a confused look while Anna blinked as her face formed into a look of realization and shock.

"Kumo Tsuyuma?" Nelson questioned. "His name sounds a bit like yours, but what does he got to do with this?"

"He was a kid in the same class as me, Tori, and Anna two years ago." Yuma replied. "The guy was a crybaby. I seem to recall Anna picked on him a lot for reasons I didn't know. After this, I think he was the one she liked."

"That would mean this all happened because Anna forgot the name of the boy she actually liked." Nelson noted, his expression stupefied.

The friends stared at each other in silence for a good 10 seconds before looking down at Anna, who was blushing in embarrassment. The faces of both Yuma and Nelson fell, both mentally exhausted after realizing this whole thing was a misunderstanding.

Anna's blush of embarrassment grew, only for her to stubbornly look away. "I-it is your for having a similar name!"

Yuma sighed before walking up to and taking a knee before the girl, getting her to face him. "Look Anna, I won't say this is all water under the bridge; however, what Kumo did or didn't do was terrible. Even if he was afraid, he should have had the courage to face you.

You had the courage to confess, but he turned out not to be as strong as you." The onomat user placed a hand on Anna's shoulder, a sign of comfort. "I don't really get all this feelings stuff, so I probably don't have the right to be saying any of this.

Still, you should forget Kumo and move on. Someone like him, who doesn't have the courage to face you, isn't worth your time. You're a strong person, and I'm sure you'll find the right person for you someday."

Yuma then dropped his hand. After listening to everything Yuma just said, Anna grew a healthy blush on her face directed his way.

"Oh boy…" Nelson thought, fairly certain this blush was actually meant for his friend.

"M-mind your own business!" Anna stuttered nervously.

She stood and turned away from him before walking back to her hovercraft. Upon boarding, she grabbed the joystick and took off. Yuma, Nelson, and Astral just watched her go.

"Well, this has been quite the adventure." Nelson looked to his friend. "I've come to recognize you aren't as normal as I first thought, Yuma. Given how you treated Anna at the end there, maybe you're even more abnormal than I'm currently thinking."

"What's that supposed to mean!?" Yuma exclaimed.

"Maybe you'll figure it out." Nelson started to walk away. "Anyways, all that running has me hungry. Let's get off this tower and find where we can order the largest pizza available."

"Nelson, explain what you mean!?" Yuma yelled, walking after his friend.

Astral shook his head at his partner.

Heartland
Flying through the air on her cannon/hovercraft, Anna blankly stared ahead while her thoughts were on the onomat user. "Yuma Tsukumo…"

She closed both eyes and grew a smile like a high school girl that just met her first love. This meant Anna wasn't looking where she was going and ended up flying into the bottom of one of the many high roads of Heartland City.

Anna let out a startled and pain filled cry, opening her eyes while gritting her teeth in anger. "That's was your fault, Yuma Tsukumo!"

Heartland Academy: Morning…
Yuma and Nelson both sighed as they walked with Tori towards the entrance to the academy.

"Was yesterday busy at the card shops or something?" Tori questioned, having not heard of any sales or promotions going on that would have brought in people.

"Yesterday was hectic." Yuma voiced.

Nelson shook his head. "It had nothing to do with shopping for cards."

Before either of them could explain, a familiar voice spoke up with an angry tone.

"There you are, Yuma Tsukumo!"

Yuma and Nelson looked at each other, their eyes widening.

"That voice sounds familiar." Tori noted.

They all turned to see Anna wearing the first year girl's uniform for Heartland academy.

"Anna, you're going here!?" Yuma exclaimed.

"Not important." Anna stormed up to the onomat user, pointing at him. "What is would be the fact I hit my head because you wormed your way into my thoughts."

"You can't blame me for that!" Yuma retorted.

"Yes I can, and I demand you make it up to me!" Anna retorted.

'What happening here?" Tori asked, uncertain.

"From what Yuma had to say, that's Anna Kaboom who you two went to school with two years ago." Nelson explained. "It's a whole mess but the short of it is Yuma dueled with her yesterday over some grudge. I also guess she's transferred back here."

That would explain what this girl was doing back in Heartland to being with.

"He did." Tori blushed slightly as she looked at the onomat user, a tad peeved. "Yuma, you didn't tell me about this."

"You're mad at me as well." Yuma tossed his arms up before walking over to Nelson. "Come on, we're leaving."

"I'm right there with you." Nelson agreed, not wanting to be alone with two angry girls.

"Yuma!" Tori and Anna yelled at the same time.

That only got the onomat user running with Nelson following, resulting in both girls running after him.

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland Academy: Morning…
"Two different crests, neither necessarily granting control. It's more their desires were directed to target us. If we take into account what we heard from Drake and his son at the docks, applying what happened to be something the twins did, it is unlikely they're behind this."

Yuto was walking alongside Shark, the two of them conversing about the strange behavior of the doctor and receptionist. Despite seeing each other that next day, with Shark giving Number 14 to Yuto, they decided to hold off until the weekend passed to get their heads straight on everything.

"They seem to have been watching us, given your opponent had cards in an attempt to counter your plays while Doctor Kai mentioned the number of Numbers I had." Shark added. "We know it's not an immediate response given we both acquired new cards mid-duel that surprised them."

"Think that's a response to those crests being in play?" Yuto questioned.

"We can't rule it out." The shark shook his head. "I'm inclined to since I feel we would have seen something to do with those crests just prior to acquiring what new cards we did. Regardless, it looks like we have more to look into."

"We need to redouble our efforts into finding answers, given it's likely we now have two groups of Number Hunters to worry about." Yuto stated. "One potentially targeting both of us if they started watching me after our encounter."

"The other has been watching both of us for some time now." Shark nodded. "We still have to get through today; however, we can start looking for clues after school."

"We should each head out alone after school today." Yuto stated. "We'll look for Numbers in general, though pay close attention to those marked with a crest or in control of themselves. I'll also find Yuma some time today, tell him enough just to have the guy on the lookout."

"You want to split up and get Yuma in on this?" Shark questioned, incredulously.

"No matter what you think of Yuma, he was one of the first involved in this long term if we assume he was one of the first to get a Number." Yuto reminded me. "While not confirmed, he's likely a target too. As for splitting up, we're good enough to deal with almost any opponent."

"I guess we would cover more ground." Shark sighed. "Fine, to both points you brought up." Just then, the first bell rang. "Right now, we should head to our homeroom. No point risking trouble that'll cut into our time for finding answers."

Duel Period…
"Finally, some alone time!"

It's not like Yuma had anything against Nelson or Caswell, it's more he was relieved to be away from Tori and Anna after this morning. He still couldn't believe the latter blamed him when she hit her head while having no idea why the former was suddenly angry with him.

"It's a shame you are seemingly on the outs with those two, Yuma." Astral appeared, arms crossed. "After all, those who duel for love seem to duel with great passion."

"Keep your theories to yourself, Astral." Yuma was dismissed.

"Good, Astral is around." Yuto came up behind the onomat user, resting a hand on his shoulder. "We need to talk."

Yuma looked back at the phantom knights user.

Roof
"...You mean to tell us there is potentially another group after the Numbers?" Astral questioned.

Yuto had brought the onomat user to the roof, which meant the ethereal being was here by default. The only other place Astral could really be was within the key, which Yuto would have found slightly inconvenient.

"Potentially." Yuto replied. "Under the assumption the captain and his son were already affected by a minor encounter with one of the twins, it seems unlikely they'd be the master behind this crest. Whoever this master is, they know the game well."

Despite telling Yuma and Astral what happened, there were certain factors the phantom knights user was omitting. Primarily anything having to do with Rio alongside the sudden appearance of new cards. Even though two Numbers did appear within Shark's extra deck, it felt need to know.

"Like they'll be able to get a read on my deck." Yuma voiced, confidently.

"I'm not going to sugar coat this, Yuma." Yuto crossed his arms. "The twins were skilled enough, but whoever this master is appears to potentially be on another level. Quite frankly, I'm uncertain if they're going to bother trying to counter your deck."

"What do you mean?" Yuma questioned.

"You know what I mean." Yuto retorted firmly, seeing the onomat user look down. "There's proving to be little time for hurt feelings. The potential number of skilled duelists entering this hunt is on the rise, and you must be ready."

"What am I supposed to do?" Yuma questioned.

"Learn your deck in its entirety, continue ascertaining what combos are possible, and start drawing test hands as you play out faux duels." Yuto declared. "You can also look into every card you want and make a list. When you've made one, give it to me."

"You'd buy me more cards?" Yuma questioned.

"It's not like your deck is bad as is, but there are improvements which could be made to see you stand a better chance." Yuto shook his head. "I won't let your lack of an allowance be the reason you fall." He then started to walk away. "Oh, keep an eye out moving forward."

Yuma was a mixed bag of emotions, currently. He liked the sound of potential new cards, though still disliked being talked down to about his dueling. That latter emotion was dulled since he had been faced with the truth of it in ways he couldn't deny.

Even still, part of him was excited at the prospect of dueling a seemingly ever growing number of people hunting Numbers like he was. Astral, by contrast, was concerned. They had yet to encounter any Number Hunters, which meant they were likely overdue.

Heartland: Harbor, After School…
With school having ended, Yuto decided to begin his search where he's run into Number holders two times prior. As he was walking through said harbor, the phantom knights user was about to make that three times as he noticed everyone he could see was no longer moving.

"Given what I've seen since these Numbers appeared, this sort of thing tracks." Yuto noted.

For a brief moment, the phantom knights user wondered what it said about him that he was okay with time suddenly stopping. That thought was interrupted by the distant screech of a bird, one louder than anything naturally residing within Heartland could make.

"That has to be a duel monster." Yuto thought, running towards the sound.

The screech came from the other side of the harbor. Upon his arrival, Yuto found two people engaged in a duel. One of them was a mere street thug, though he had a Number as evident by the 52 imprinted on his neck. The thug's opponent was some tall guy.

He had straight, blueish-black hair that fell to his chin with light green bangs in the shape of a wing partially tucked under some strands on the left. His eyes were yellow-green. He wore a blue trenchcoat that was belted shut, grey pants, and brown shoes.

(Shun 2000/Thug 1500)

Shun's Field
2 cards in hand
Raidraptor - Force Strix(R 4/O 1/100/2000) defense position

Thug's Field
1 card in hand
Number 52: Diamond Crab King(R 4/O 1/0/3000) defense position
Fairy Meteor Crush(equipped to Number 52)

"Time for you to throw in the towel, hot shot." The thug declared. "With my Number on the field, you cannot beat me."

"All of you rely too much on those Numbers, making it easy to break them!" Shun drew. "I summon Raidraptor - Necro Vulture(LV 4/1000/1600)." A purple armored vulture exuding darkness appeared. "I'll then tribute him."

"Why would you do that?" The thug asked.

"By tributing 1 raidraptor, I can add 1 Rank-Up-Magic from my grave to my hand." Shun explained, seeing the thug slightly flinch. "I'll now activate the Rank-Up-Magic Raid Force I returned to my hand. With it, I can target my Force Strix to rebuild the overlay network.

I call upon the predator of blazing force with wings that slash and talons that tear. Go, Rank-Up Xyz Evolution. Descend, Raidraptor - Blaze Falcon(R 5/O 2/1000/2000)." A red and black armored falcon took to the field."

"To think, I was worried." The thug laughed. "That monster is nothing."

"Allow me to show you how right you were to be worried." Shun retorted. "Since Blaze Falcon has material, he can launch a direct attack."

The thug was blasted, though managed to remain standing (Unknown 2000/Thug 500).

"If that is all you can do, you won't beat me!" The thug exclaimed.

"Since Blaze Falcon dealt battle damage, he could destroy that Number of yours." Shun had narrowed his eyes. "Rather than utilize that effect, I'll move out of the Battle Phase and instead detach one overlay unit."

Raidraptor - Blaze Falcon(R 5/O 1/1000/2000)

"What is more important than destroying my Number?" The thug confidently asked.

"Destoying that number with the added 500 effect damage you're about to take because Xyz monsters also count as Special summoned monsters." Shun retorted, stunning his opponent. "In short, that Number is your downfall!"

Number 52 was blasted off the field, the residual shockwave enough to knock the thug off his feet (Unknown 2000/Thug 0).

"To the hunter go the spoils." Shun declared.

A glowing hand shot forth from the boy to enter the Number holder's chest. The latter groaned as the Number 52 on his neck burst into light. A wave of light pulsed past Shun, who now cradled a sphere of light in his hand.

Upon squeezing it, the sphere turned into Number 52. The boy looked to a nearby roof, seeing Yuto glance that way too. A relatively large, metallic white and black falcon was perched there with glowing red eyes.

"A successful hunt, Flacon." The boy stated.

Falcon's red eyes dulled as he screeched. Yuto then looked back at the thug, seeing he had quickly aged. His brown hair had gone white while his face was wrinkled and sunken. The phantom knights user knew this guy probably wasn't a good one. Still, this wasn't right.

"What did you do to him?" Yuto asked, stepping out of hiding.

Falcon turned its head towards him, screeching while the raidraptor user looked his way.

"If you're moving through slowed time, it means my hunt isn't over." Shun began to move across from the phantom knights user. "I'll be taking your Number, just as I did his."

"Is that all you took, his Number?" Yuto questioned firmly.

"No." Shun shook his head. "I capture the souls of my opponents when I defeat them."

"How could anyone do such a thing?" Yuto questioned, angered.

"That's none of your concern." Shun retorted.

"You made it my concern the second I saw you do it." Yuto readied his duel disk. "I'll stop you, here and now."

Before Shun could respond, Falcon swooped down from the nearby roof with a screech. The machine falcon then hovered beside his master as his eyes briefly glowed red, seeing the radraptor user's duel pad beep.

"Er, not enough power to keep time frozen for another duel." Shun looked Yuto's way. "Looks like today is your lucky day, but your time will come." He then looked at the metallic falcon. "Let's go, Falcon!"

Falcon attached himself to Shun's back before taking off into the sunset, casting a bird-like shadow as time resumed.

"I'm not sure if he works alone, for someone I know, or someone I don't; however, I'll put a stop to him." Yuto thought, staring after the retreating radiator user. "In the meantime, I should get help for his victim."

Heartland Shopping Mall
"We're here at the city's shopping centre where an unknown individual has blocked all access to the top floor." A news woman was on the scene, covering this event.

"Trash identified! Trash identi-'' A litterbot called out as it was pushed over the edge of the top floor and sent plummeting to the ground floor, landing in front of Yuma, Nelson, and Shark.

While Yuto was off at the harbor, Shark had ended up at the mall around the same time as Yuma and Nelson. The onomat user had been hanging out with his new friend, having been thankful for the distraction after having iced out the girls the rest of the day.

He was still unwilling to entertain their supposed nonsense, having been unwilling to even listen when both tried to speak with him. That had been pushed from his mind for the moment as all three boys were now among the crowd who were taking this situation in.

Speaking of said situation, a young adult male was on the top floor from which he glared down angrily at the litterbot while holding a baseball bat in his right hand. "Now you're trash, dumb Litterbot!''

Down at the bottom floor, the Litterbot's face was spinning. "Don't forget to recycle."

"Hey, watch it up there!" Yuma exclaimed.

"For once, I actually agree with something you've said." Shark commented.

The onomat user sent a glare the shark user's way while Nelson looked worried. Back at the top floor, there was a hostage situation going on. The same young adult that sent the litterbot over the edge had blockaded all access to the top floor and taken hostages.

"For the last time, make good on my demands or the hostages are gonna get it!'' The adult thug waved his bat, scaring the hostages. "I'm warning ya, I mean business! The clock's ticking!''

Back at the bottom floor, Yuma, Nelson, and Shark continued to watch as the standoff continued.

"I hope those people don't get hurt." Nelson voiced in concern.

Yuma then received a call from his D-Gazer, answering it revealed it was his sister.

"Yuma, Are you at the shopping mall right now!?" Kari questioned, looking a little angry.

"I am, actually." Yuma knew it'd be no use trying to get out of this. "I'm with a few friends. How do you even know about it?"

"Well, Yuma, it's because I'm seeing you live on television." Kari retorted.

That had all three boys looking up to see they were being filmed.

"Didn't expect to be on television so soon after leaving my show." Nelson muttered. "Something tells me mom won't be happy seeing me on this program."

"This is such a pain." Shark grumbled, having never liked the paparazzi.

"NOW, GO FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING SO I GET A SCOOP!'' Kari shouted, hurting the boy's ears before hanging up.

"What do you know, the first time I've felt bad for you too." Shark remarked, half genuinely. "For as annoying as Rio could be, I think I'm now more grateful for who she was."

Despite recognizing Shark had been half nice, it was drowned out by what his sister asked of him. "Why do I always have to help her with what she loves to do, yet she actively stands in the way of what I love to do?"

Yuma sighed as he put his gazer away before looking towards the screen. At the same time as the onomat user, Shark noticed the Number 56 imprinted on the guy's left muscle.

"Looks like there's something to this madness." The shark began pushing through the crowd, heading towards the top floor. "I'm putting a stop to this."

Yuma's Emperor Key glowed before Astral appeared. "Yuma, you should go after him."

"I was just thinking that." Yuma chased after the shark user.

This prompted Nelson to follow him. "Yuma, wait!"

Atop a Skyscrapper
Two figures stood atop a skyscraper near the mall with robot partners of their own. One was male while the other was a female. The male had light blue-grey eyes, pale skin, and blonde hair that curled up in a point with a dark green spiked front.

His attire consisted of a black trench coat with a high collar over a grey shirt, a finger-less black glove on his right hand, and white pants with black boots. He also has a belt with two purple deck boxes for his cards.

The female wore a brown cloak with a hood that covered her body. Behind the two were their robots, Orbital 7 and Orbital 8. Orbital 7 was a small white robot while Orbital 8 was a pink version of him.

"Number card confirmed." The male stated.

"Time to spread our wings, you two." The hooded figure voiced to the two robots.

"As you wish, Mistress." Orbital 8 returned with a salute, her voice feminine.

Both figures jumped off the building, falling to the ground with the two robots falling after them. Then, Orbital 7 and 8 changed into glider mode and attached to their respective person's back.

"Let the hunt begin!'' The male called out as they flew towards the mall.

Heartland Shopping Mall
Shark was currently running up one of the stopped escalators, with Yuma and Nelson chasing after him while Astral floated after them. Just then, multiple people were calling out something above, which drew their attention as well.

"Hey look up there!"

"It looks like some gliders or something!"

"Hey, time's up!" The thug called out. "Where's my helicopter!?"

Suddenly, the male and female smashed through the skylight of the mall while everything froze. The young man landed with a white robot by his side before walking towards the thug as he whistled. The hooded girl landed next to him with Orbital 8 changing back to normal.

Back with Yuma, Astral, and Shark, everything and everyone had frozen.

"What's going on?" Yuma looked at Nelson, who was frozen all the same. "Nearly everyone is frozen."

"No, time is frozen." Astral corrected.

"Whatever is going on, up there is where the answers are." Shark voiced, certain of it.

Yuma and Astral looked up toward the shattered skylight alongside the shark user while all three heard the whistling. Back on the top floor, the thug was just as surprised as Yuma.

"What the hell's going on!? How come nobody's moving!?'' The thug focused his attention on the male and female. "So, you are behind this!"

He pointed his bat at the pair, who stopped a few feet away from him.

"Such questions are irrelevant, you little punk." The young man retorted. "What is relevant would be what we do, and that's hunting numbers."

"So, you're some kind of accountant?" The thug asked in confusion.

"You thickheaded thug!" The young man called out. "Why don't I just demonstrate?"

Something caught Orbital 7's attention, seeing him extend his neck to look at the fallen Litterbot the thug bashed over the edge.

"This lowlife has no respect for machines." Orbital 7 commented. "D-Demonstrate all over the hothead!'' All his words got was Kite looking over his shoulder at him, firmly. "I-If that's what you want, Master Kite."

Kite smirked. "Oh, I want…"

The young woman placed her left hand on his shoulder. "I'll deal with this simpleton. Kite. You shouldn't waste your time on a common thug."

Kite looked at the female for a few seconds before nodding. "Very well." He stepped back. "Do as you wish, Luna."

Luna threw off her cloak. She had long hair that was pink closer to her head and purple further from it with green eyes and pale skin. She wore a white, sleeveless top with a skirt, elbow length gloves, and knee length stockings. A silver necklace with a green gem was around her neck.

"Prepare to duel!" Luna called out, placing her right hand on her hip.

"Are you serious girlie?" The thug questioned.

"Deadly serious." Luna smirked. "Once I defeat you, I'll be taking your Number."

"Well, come and get it because I got one right here!" The thug exclaimed, holding up Number 56: Gold Rat as he tossed his bat to the ground. "I'm sure you two have a few of your own, Luna and Kite. Whaddaya say you put one on the line too!?"

"Fine by me because I won't lose to the likes of you." Luna looked over her shoulder to her robot partner. "Orbital 8, prepare my duel pad."

"As you wish, Mistress Luna." Orbital 8 fired a duel pad into the air.

A white duel tattoo appeared over Luna's left eye as the duel pad landed in her left arm before expanding into a crescent moon shape. Back with Yuma and Shark, as the former had to leave Nelson behind, they were currently having trouble getting past two women on the escalator.

"This is the problem with stopping time." The shark grumbled.

"Well, looks like it's my turn to go on ahead!" Yuma called out.

He grabbed the edge of the escalator and swung himself over the two women before taking off.

Back with the duel, the criminal was on his butt as he trembled in fear.

(Luna 3500/Thug 1200)

Luna's Field
3 cards in hand
Lunar Hunter Artemis(R 7/O 2/2600/2100)

Thug's Field
2 card in hand
Number 56: Gold Rat(R 1/O 2/500/600)

The thug had out his Number, a large golden rat. Across from him stood Luna who had out a womanly figure whose features were obscured as the sunlight hit her just right to shadow her.

"No, this duel can't be over!" The thug exclaimed, fear evident in his voice. "P-Please spare me!"

"You agreed to this duel, so you forfeit mercy." Luna looked at her monster. "Aretemis, destroy his Number with the Lunar Light Arrow!" The woman shadowed by the light summoned a bow. "Even if your Number had a better effect, it's negated when I initiate an attack with her."

The woman nocked her bow before releasing an arrow made of pure light which pierced through the opposing monster, seeing the thug sent flying (Luna 3500/Thug 0).

"I'll be claiming my prize now!" Luna called out.

She held out her right hand, releasing an energy hand that went to the thug. He cried out in pain as the Number marking disappeared. The energy hand returned to Luna in the form of a sphere, which she crushed to reveal Number 56: Gold Rat.

"This hunt is a success." Luna informed me.

"Great job, little sister." Kite praised genuinely.

"Mistress." Orbital 8 addressed as she approached Luna, holding her cloak out to her.

"Thank you, Orbital 8." Luna voiced, taking the cloak and putting it on.

Back with Yuma, he made it to the top floor and ran past the blockade, only to gasp in shock upon seeing the thug now looked like he aged into an old man.

"What happened to you!?" Yuma asked, with Astral left just as shocked.

"The…Number…Hunters…" The thug managed.

"Number Hunters?" Yuma questioned. "Could this be one of the groups Yuto warned me about?"

Astral held out his hand, only for no Number to emerge. "His Number was taken!" It was one thing to hear about other groups going after Numbers, but to now be confronted by someone who lost a Number to another. "Dear me…"

Yuma looked up, seeing the two figures flying away with the help of their robot partners. Time then unfroze, which saw shattered glass rain down upon the onomat user who moved to avoid getting cut.

"Freeze!''

Yuma's eyes widened upon remembering what had been going on, his gaze turning to the police.

"Don't move a muscle kid!"

"Arrest that boy at once!"

The policemen charged.

"Get him!"

"Don't let him get away!"

"Close all the exits!"

"You're under arrest!"

???
Shun was leaning against the wall close to a door leading inside a room while Falcon stood beside him, his metal wings tucked in at his sides. Just then, Kite, Luna and the Orbital twins approached. The three humans merely nodded at one another before walking into the room.

Said room was full of computer screens while a green haired man wearing a matching business outfit and orange glasses sat at a chair. "Did you three retrieve the two Numbers?''

The three humans stopped a few feet away from the man, standing beside one another while their respective, robotic companions did the same behind them.

"This Number holder at least knew how to combine his Number with a decent spell, though there was nothing truly noteworthy." Shun informed me.

Luna sighed in disappointment. "At least your opponent could manage that much."

"Don't worry because there are plenty of Numbers still out there." The business man turned in his chair to face the Number Hunters with a smile, though one could see the fear in his eyes were they to look closely enough. "By the way, how many Numbers do you three currently have?"

"Orbital." Kite called, crossing his arms.

"Accounting for all Numbers currently in the possession of Shun, Luna, and Master Kite, they have 21." Orbital 7 informed, his left eye glowing as he created a screen that showed their slots lit up against the remaining 79.

These were just the cards the three of them kept for insurance, as a comparatively smaller number had been handed over and dispersed among others who happened to work for Heartland.

"Wonderful!" The man called out in amazement. "Combined with the eight cards we have spread around, that's 29 total, in mere weeks, between the three of you."

"If we're done with our report, we'd like to unwind as we see fit, Mr. Heartland." Luna voiced.

"Of course!" Heartland nodded. "You three can have the rest of the day to yourselves but remember what's at stake if you fail to acquire the Numbers."

"You would do well to remember the three people who nearly brought this tower down." Shun reminded, affixing the man with a glare that had him stepping back.

Kite, Luna, and Shay then left the room with their respective robotic partners following.

"Did you see the look in his eyes?" Luna smiled. "Very much like prey hoping to escape the raptor's ire."

"That's an apt description of Shun, dear sister." Kite chuckled.

"Heartland has been forgetting his place, to the extent we may need to remind him." Shun noted.

"You three took everyone down once already." Orbital 8 remarked. "If you must do it again, I suspect the new talent they've added to their ranks will only ensure this place is actually brought down should it come to it."

There came a point when an elder sibling could no longer take what was happening to their younger sibling. With the three of them being the most skilled in this tower and having bonded as fellow elder siblings, it was a recipe for disaster…were you against them.

The three of them had stormed the tower as a unified front, taking everyone down before getting their respective younger siblings. Both sets of siblings wanted to live how they once had. Dr, Faker, biological father to Kite and Hart and adoptive father to Luna, convinced them to stop.

That the three of them had to continue hunting Numbers to cure Hart and Ruri. While they had agreed, their assault left nearly everyone within Heartland Tower, even Dr. Faker, afraid of them. Only four people, two of which being their siblings, weren't."

"I'm going to head out and buy some treats for Hart." Luna informed me.

"Right, I'll be training if you need me." Kite looked at Shun. "Care to join me?"

Shun took out a money clip. "Only if Luna will pick up some of that tea my sister loves while she's out."

Luna smiled, taking the money clip. "Of course, Shun."

Tsukumo Household: Night…
Yuma was with Kari in her work room. Nelson had to return home, especially after such an incident, while Shark left since everything was handled as far as he was concerned. The older sister was looking at a screen which showed her brother getting captured by Heartland police.

"You were supposed to get the scoop, not be the scoop." Kari lamented, turning to her brother.

Yuma was left utterly dismayed. Even though a Number was involved, what had his sister thought would happen telling him to 'get her the scoop.' Were the police meant to be okay with that like they were okay with him getting in there during time being stopped?

"How else was I supposed to get the scoop?" Yuma questioned.

He was a touch more angry than he'd usually be given this was just another girl in his life having negative feelings towards him for reasons he failed to understand. It exacerbated how she got to be disappointed in him for messing up her dream yet he never got to show his disappointment.

"You shouldn't have done anything that would lose me the scoop." Kari retorted.

"You know what Kari, I'm done." Yuma stormed towards the door.

"Yuma…?" Kari began.

"No!" Yuma shouted, stopping in the doorway. "You're always asking me to help you with your journalism and yelling when I hesitate to do what you want. When I fail, you're disappointed. To some extent, I get it. You love journalism, and I always come around.

I do that because I understand what it means to love something. You do the exact opposite since I love dueling yet can't even bring it up around you. At the mere sign I might be mixed up in some dueling drama, you grill me. It got to the point you took away my allowance.

Even when grandma tries to repay me with the biggest piece of dinner, you more often than not take from me whenever a scoop comes along. Well, I'm done!" He ran out of the room. "I'm done with you restricting me from dueling!"

Kari blinked as she looked at the door before sighing and looking down. "That could have gone…"

Her head snapped up upon hearing the front door slam open, leading her to run out of her work space and down the stairs. Just as she heard, the door out had been thrown wide open with no sign of her brother.

Kari ran outside and frantically looked around in worry. "Yuma!"

Yuma heard his sister; however, he kept running without a care where he ended up tonight. All the onomat user knew was he couldn't stay there with his sister. He also knew he couldn't go to Tori. She might be his friend, but she was also just another angry girl in his life.

"I don't think it is wise to be out at this hour with Number Hunters about." Astral noted, appearing to float alongside him.

"I'll keep my guard up for them, but I can't go back tonight, Astral." Yuma shook his head. "Kari will just scold me for everything I said, and I don't need that."

---

Numbers: 34/100

Academy Hunters:

Numbers: 13/100

Yuma: 24, 34, 39, 83

Yuto: 13, 14, 28, 31, 74

Shark: 17, 32, 47, 71

Faker's Hunters:

Numbers: 21/100

Kite: 10, 20, 30, 42, 55, 60, 89

Shun: 27, 45, 52, 57, 68, 75, 78

Luna: 41, 51, 56, 63, 72, 76, 87

The other 8 Numbers Kite, Shun, and Luna collected currently lie with other Number Hunters associated with Heartland. Given these three don't currently have them, they are not represented here among those these three hold. Though, just note this does mean there are actually 42 Numbers accounted for in story, at this time.