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. "You're just thinking I'll look ridiculous without this awesome beard of mine."

Despite how she felt, Mother couldn't help herself from laughing at that. "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.

"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 that 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, spending 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.

"Today, I start my next chapter. 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 with me."

Yuto gave it a few extra moments before departing from the room and hitting the kitchen. He snatched a granola bar and bottle of juice before heading out the door. Once he made sure the door was looked, Yuto was on his way.

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, Yuto." Ms. Stein gave a sincere smile. "You've arrived promptly and dressed accordingly 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, Yuto." 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 at 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 a guy." Yuto commented.

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

"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."

"I will." Yuto assured.

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. "While it may not seem like much, all I'll do is set two cards and end my turn there."

"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 my monsters' 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 level 3 Saber Shark and Silent Angler." Shark continued. "Xyz summon Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O2/1900/1000)." Twin sharks bound by orange metal appeared. "I'll use his ability." Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O1/1900/1000).

"By removing one overlay unit, you take 400 points of damage for every card in my hand. Since I have four, that adds up to 1600 life points worth of damage." Yuto was bombarded by missiles (Yuto 2400/Shark 4000). "I'll then leave you with barely anything by attacking."

"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 exclaimed before looking at his hand. "With my attack negated, I'll set two face downs to conclude my turn."

"My turn!" Yuto drew. "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 just 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 most average duelists could. I doubt that's all there is to those cards, just one thing they could do well."

"Now, I'll set one card." Yuto voiced. "With that, the pieces have been assembled to start clearing your field. First, I 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 one face down." Yuto's set quick-play Shrink and Shark's set Zeus' Breath were revealed before being shattered. "Next, I'll detach one overlay unit from The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin(R 2/O 1/2400/800 effect).

I target your Aero Shark, negating its effects and zeroing out its ATK until the end of this turn." Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O1/0/1000 effect). "Now, it is as good as attacking directly, so I'll have Cursed Javelin destroy your Aero Shark."

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

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

In this case, it'll be my Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O0/1900/1000) in defense mode. Then, you're going to be taking 500 life points of damage since a monster was brought back through this effect."

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

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

"My move!" Shark drew. "First, I'll activate Underwater Snow Prison. With it, I can banish any one monster on the field, and I select Cursed Javelin." Javelin fell into a wormhole. "Next, I summon Needle Sunfish(LV 3/1500/100)." A fish with lots of teeth appeared.

Summoning Sunfish allows me to then 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 my Needle Sunfish. When it goes to the grave, one monster you control loses 500 ATK.

All you have is The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 1/1500/1000 effect). Now, Shark Caesar will tear your Break Sword apart. Whenever Caesar is involved in a battle while having shark counters, he gains 1000 ATK."

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 their levels will be increased 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 like that. 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 into 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 can overpower 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's firmed himself up. "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 monster, his maw sparking. Shark was flung back, hitting the ground as his life points were reduced (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 now."

"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, right now."

"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 that 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 Yuto. "The new guy beat me fair and square, which is something you losers could only ever dream of."

"So, it is true?"

"If you want to see my skills first hand, I'll take you on any time I'm free." 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 come challenge you."

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

Shark simply smirked at that as he walked past the phantom knights user.

 

[Quillion9000]

???
A tan skinned, red-eyed guy with black and red hair pointing upwards walked along a crumbling path, the only thing around it being 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 yeah, I got to get dressed."

Yuma put on the first year uniform for Heartland before rushing downstairs. His older sister, Kari, was using several monitors to search for the 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, 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 exclaimed, rushing past her.

Haru's eyes flashed in anger before she used the handle of her broom to catch Yuma's collar and lift him off the ground.

"Grandma!" Yuma 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 outfit 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 as he ran up to the springboard and jumped.

He was vaulted into the air, only to end up crashing into the middle of 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. Soon enough, the bell rang which signified an end to gym.

It was onto English where Tori leaned over to the onomat user. "So, 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 dueling 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 in the moment out of concern for his wellbeing.

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 situation was the fact Yuma hadn't held it against her in the moment, and she knew he wouldn't hold this against her moving forward. 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 for the academy, he wore a blue and black hat which had a shooting star symbol on it.

This was Flip Turner, who managed to position himself within Tori's path. When she bumped into him, he managed to knock 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. "H-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.

She had been too caught up in the moment to remember just who this was. Flip would have never lifted a finger to help her unless he could get something out of it. In this moment, he saw his chance to snag her ace monster.

"Everything and everyone has its flip side." Flip chuckled, knowing he had her. "With this card as good as mine, I can now 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 on his person. "Then, let us begin."

With Yuma
Yuma ran on out to 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. What 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 replied. "From what I've overhear in the halls, they're thinking twice before jumping straight into a duel with me."

Since that 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 here, 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 until now, he would certainly 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 before the phantom knights user could respond. "Forget competing with the only other duelist in this school with skills 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 my 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, I'm 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 essentially 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). "Let's see you beat that."

"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 voiced.

"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 Glove was used as a material for this Dark attributed monster, he grants one thousand extra ATK to him." 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 just how many overlay units he has." Yuto continued. "Since I have one more, 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)

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

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

Dark Rebellion bit clean through Zubaba Buster, his maw sparking with electricity. Yuma was knocked clean off his feet as his life points were depleted in one, fell swoop (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, as well as Yuto's favorite monster. None of that saw him turn a blind eye to what other monsters could provide him in a duel.

"Man, another loss." Yuma groaned as he stood, only to touch his neck aera 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 from the onomat user, seeing him going over and retrieving it.

"It's just over here." Yuto informed.

"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 declared, genuinely 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, though 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 in the center of the courtyard. After confirming it was seemingly no one's, he got to claim it and gave it to me."

"Well, I think both those Xyz monsters 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 could understand the first year's love of the game and desire for a 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 just raised an eyebrow, though far be it for him to tell the guy what he does with his money. Given what little the shark user knew of the onomat user, it was likely this would end up amounting to nothing anyways.

"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 hand 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 effect 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."

"I'd say it's a little to 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 of defense you lose and one step further I take to reclaiming Master Hyperion." Tori drew. "With this next monster, I'm about to take several steps 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 the fact 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, dragging him to the grave.

"My Airknight may have fallen, but whenever he deals damage, I can draw one card." Tori drew. "He bequeathed me with 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."

---

One of the first things you may notice with this chapter is that I removed Bronk Stone. Quite frankly, this has nothing to do with the fact I'll be adding in 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 certainly 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 in that episode if he hadn't been mad at Yuma for being reckless and knocking his Emperor's Key off. Quite frankly, I don't even know why the guy was mad Yuma was reckless. Even when he gets better, Yuma takes the risk. Bronk was also mad at Yuma for using a Number monster in that one duel against Shark. To an extent, I get where Bronk is coming from given Yuma explicitly said he would not use a Number.

Circumstances changed. This isn't just a mere duel against Shark anymore. The shark user would, at the time, stick with this gang and have his life go down the drain. Not to mention the fact Shark wanted to face the Number. Without him saying that, Yuma would not have used a Number. I get it, they are kids. At the end of the day, everything falls on Yuma as 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. As for Shark in this chapter, we've seen how having a friend can mellow him. Without Yuto having a rep as a bad duelist, we get to that point sooner meaning someone else has be the antagonist.

 

[Quillion9000]

(Tori 5000/Flip 3200)

Tori's Field
2 cards in hand
1 set cards

Flip's Field
3 cards in hand
1 set card
Duel Field
"I may have lost some control over this duel, but it's easily regained with the monsters at my disposal!" Flip drew. "I set one monster before activating Book of Taiyou. This spell allows me to flip this set monster 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 use all that power to 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 like this?"

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 question of whether she should risk attempting to destroy whatever this was now or risk ending 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 high 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 and smirked. "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 into my favor."

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

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

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

"You're bluffing." Flip retorted assuredly. "As I said, that deck of yours has not a 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 now 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. "No, 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 simply 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 liable 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, then 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 normally, I would have said yes. Then, regardless of the outcome, we could have been friends."

"I used to believe in the same slop as your 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 cave 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 lock 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!" Flip yelled, racing off into the distance. "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 there 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 unlock this door will gain a great new power, but know that with such a reward, comes a terrible risk. Do you have 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. "Now, I'm not so 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 faint, golden glow appeared in the palm of Yuma's right hand. He looked down to see 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, followed by Mom and Dad.

They would 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 pushing him forward, encouraging him at every step.

"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 of the door. 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 curls up in a mohawk and pointed ears which are 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 help him 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 city that was more advanced, 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 three landmasses were various dragons flying through the air. The phantom knights user could only determine one of the dragons as being Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. Every other one was differently colored energy shaped into a dragon.

"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 just stared at his ace, having never heard of such a thing until just now. "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 again 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 in his room this morning. 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 was 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 of some kind, a sign not to 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 through the moment Yuma turned around. "Your key is fixed?"

"Yeah." Yuma nodded. "I just 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 now actually." 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.

---

I didn't include it last chapter, but he's the OC card Yuto used.

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.

Just a reminder this chapter, here is the effect of Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon within this story.

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. This card can destroy "Number" monsters by battle.

 

[Navrin]

Weather I reach the top or not, a duelist I will still be."

Click to shrink...

I am almost certain you want "whether" here rather than "weather".

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

Click to shrink...

Silly Yuto, you don't need people Shark believes to be better than him, just ones who're vaguely near him in skill. I believe Rio qualifies? Not very familiar with Zexal, though. After all, a lot of decks would have a better matchup against Yuto than Shark's deck.

"Oh yeah, I got to get dressed."

Click to shrink...

Nah, just get undressed. If you showed up naked it'd be fine. I think several of your classmates would enjoy the view.

Good on Yuto treating his duel against Yuma as a teaching duel. Those two have it rough, and need as much help as possible redeeming their genocidal villains (Astral, XYZ Dragon, and Z-Arc) so them being friendly with each other is definitely a good sign.

center of the courtyard. After confirming it was seemingly no ones, he got to claim it and gave it to me."

Click to shrink...

I believe this should be "no one's".

"Since your challenging me for MY Master Hyperion…"

Click to shrink...

Should be "you're" (Also, Flip Turner, you suck! You're nowhere near as awful as some of the other characters, but that bar is deep underground so no points there)

Request: Indicate that monsters are attacking to destroy monsters; when somebody declares that their monster destroys another monster I expect it to be by card effect, so that's been tripping me up.

shall gain 500 life points everyone of our End Phases."

Click to shrink...

"every one" instead of "everyone" I am almost certain.

"I'd say it's a little to earlier to go saying that." Tori retorted.

Click to shrink...

"little too early" I believe

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

I release my Meltiel to summon Airknight Parshath(LV5/1900/1400)."

Click to shrink...

I believe you should either combine these into one paragraph, or open the second with quotation marks to indicate that it's the same character speaking.

"I may have lost some control over this duel, but it's easily regained with the monsters at my disposal!" Flip drew. "I set one monster before activating Book of Taiyou. This spell allows me to flip this set monster into face up attack position.

Say hello to Slate Warrior(LV 4/1900/400)." A blue fiend in orange attire appeared.

Click to shrink...

Same deal here.

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 use all that power to wipe your Airknight off the field."

Click to shrink...

This seems like an error. IIUC, Man-Eater Bug destroyed Airknight last chapter and nothing happened to bring them back.

"Your bluffing." Flip retorted assuredly.

Click to shrink...

You're, btw.

where Troi is going with this."

Click to shrink...

Do you mean "Tori" rather than "Troi"?

"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.

Click to shrink...

Another case of somebody's speech being broken into two paragraphs without quotation marks at the start of the second to indicate continued speech.

contain a singly flip effect monster to begin with."

Click to shrink...

Fairly sure you want "single" here.

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

Click to shrink...

Wrong warning, Tori. You should have warned him against playing that card against Flip, not against accepting it. (Though does Yuma even have a reasonable way of playing it? Ruri would, but she'd also have very little reason to play it since her archetype provides a much better method of getting direct attacks out)

"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.

Click to shrink...

This is missing a closing quotation mark. (Not continued in the next paragraph, after all)

Sorry this isn't organized particularly well, and I hope you don't mind the suggestions.

Thank you for writing and sharing this story; I look forward to seeing where this goes.

Also, thank you for allowing Tori to be more relevant; Yugioh has a bad habit of not allowing female characters to do much. Also, starring the best of Z-Arc's incarnations and involves the second-best of Ray's! (Serena is my favourite)

 

[Quillion9000]

I am almost certain you want "whether" here rather than "weather".



Silly Yuto, you don't need people Shark believes to be better than him, just ones who're vaguely near him in skill. I believe Rio qualifies? Not very familiar with Zexal, though. After all, a lot of decks would have a better matchup against Yuto than Shark's deck.



Nah, just get undressed. If you showed up naked it'd be fine. I think several of your classmates would enjoy the view.

Good on Yuto treating his duel against Yuma as a teaching duel. Those two have it rough, and need as much help as possible redeeming their genocidal villains (Astral, XYZ Dragon, and Z-Arc) so them being friendly with each other is definitely a good sign.


I believe this should be "no one's".

Should be "you're" (Also, Flip Turner, you suck! You're nowhere near as awful as some of the other characters, but that bar is deep underground so no points there)

Request: Indicate that monsters are attacking to destroy monsters; when somebody declares that their monster destroys another monster I expect it to be by card effect, so that's been tripping me up.

"every one" instead of "everyone" I am almost certain.


"little too early" I believe


I believe you should either combine these into one paragraph, or open the second with quotation marks to indicate that it's the same character speaking.


Same deal here.


This seems like an error. IIUC, Man-Eater Bug destroyed Airknight last chapter and nothing happened to bring them back.



You're, btw.


Do you mean "Tori" rather than "Troi"?

Another case of somebody's speech being broken into two paragraphs without quotation marks at the start of the second to indicate continued speech.

Fairly sure you want "single" here.

Wrong warning, Tori. You should have warned him against playing that card against Flip, not against accepting it. (Though does Yuma even have a reasonable way of playing it? Ruri would, but she'd also have very little reason to play it since her archetype provides a much better method of getting direct attacks out)

This is missing a closing quotation mark. (Not continued in the next paragraph, after all)

Sorry this isn't organized particularly well, and I hope you don't mind the suggestions.

Thank you for writing and sharing this story; I look forward to seeing where this goes.

Also, thank you for allowing Tori to be more relevant; Yugioh has a bad habit of not allowing female characters to do much. Also, starring the best of Z-Arc's incarnations and involves the second-best of Ray's! (Serena is my favourite)

Click to shrink...

I don't think this picked up on everything contained within your reply, but I do thank you for every bit of it. The corrections were most helpful and should have been made. As for how decks stack up, this is based off the anime, so in theory anything can stand up to anything. Though, I do understand what you are saying. As for the comment with Yuma and getting dressed that statement is quite true for three ladies off the top of my head.

While I am portraying this Yuto as a tad stoic, his is more of that Yusei quality. Both because I think it fits him, and we already have the jerky stoicism of Shark on deck. Honestly, what Flip has done here is not too far off from what he would have done in canon prior to joining Yuma's friend group. He is very much a Weevil esc character. As for how Yuma could play Baby Tiragon, in the anime his initial deck is a bit more hodge podge.

He has various levels from 1-4 within it, though that tended to become more streamlined to summoning things from rank 4 and up as the series went on. Gagaga Magician is a card Yuma always utilizes, and it has level modulation from 1 to 8. The other Gagaga monsters tend to modulate their levels pretty fluidly to. Though in the case of this story, this yuma's starting deck actually wouldn't have been able to use it.

Given the influx of support some characters have received over the years, coupled with the characters from Arc-V I am using here, I've actually taken the liberty of upping the power of the base decks certain characters have. As for Tori, yeah, I thought she could use a little more love.

 

[Navrin]

I'm glad it was helpful.

Not sure how you'll fix the opening to Dawn of the Numbers since the game state as it developed currently relies on Tori having a moderately powerful monster on the field. Add another set card and have it be something to recur Airknight? Though it'd probably have needed to be set on the prior turn so she couldn't bring it back for a second attack after the Man-Eater killed it...

 

[Quillion9000]

I'm glad it was helpful.

Not sure how you'll fix the opening to Dawn of the Numbers since the game state as it developed currently relies on Tori having a moderately powerful monster on the field. Add another set card and have it be something to recur Airknight? Though it'd probably have needed to be set on the prior turn so she couldn't bring it back for a second attack after the Man-Eater killed it...

Click to shrink...

I had her use Monster Reborn at the end of the chapter prior to that and bring Airknight back.

 

[Navrin]

I had her use Monster Reborn at the end of the chapter prior to that and bring Airknight back.

Click to shrink...

Ah, missed that. Thank you. And bringing it back during Main Phase 2 like that means you need far fewer changes.

Nice to see she has such a card; it'll be very helpful to her in general, I think.

 

[Quillion9000]

Ah, missed that. Thank you. And bringing it back during Main Phase 2 like that means you need far fewer changes.

Nice to see she has such a card; it'll be very helpful to her in general, I think.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, it was a simple change that pretty much allows the duel to flow without there just suddenly being Airknight on the field after being destroyed by Man-Eater Bug. Her ace monster is actually Master Hyperion, but that's currently in the grubby hands of a certain flip effect user. Yeah, Tori has quite a few good fairy monsters within this deck of hers. Like Yuma, prior to suddenly getting Number 39, she lacks an extra deck as well in this universe.

 

[Navrin]

Are you running with Xyz monsters being the only known Extra Deck monsters? Or are there Fusions, Synchros, and maybe even Pendulums openly being used? Also, I'm hoping we get at least one good Ritual specialist.

 

[Quillion9000]

Are you running with Xyz monsters being the only known Extra Deck monsters? Or are there Fusions, Synchros, and maybe even Pendulums openly being used? Also, I'm hoping we get at least one good Ritual specialist.

Click to shrink...

In a way, this variation of Zexal does and does not connect to Arc-V. That is a story element that will be flushed out as the story progresses. As this is set more within Zexal, fusion, synchro, and rituals are cards which can show up. I will say Xyz summoning is going to be the main thing utilized, not exactly going to have people with abundant cards for their archetype branch into them, but they will show up.

I can at least confirm there will be a decently prominent Synchro specialist among the friend group. Maybe, just maybe, she's already been seen in these few chapters. As for Ritual, I make no guarantees mostly because I haven't fully planned out every deck profile. I tend to make those as characters will be introduced. This does mean it is possible I change someone to be about ritual.

 

[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 card."

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.

"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 negate 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 in ways to get this field spell out, though it was certainly 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 before chuckling. "First, I'll flip my second Flip Wizard(LV 3/500/1200), utilizing its power 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.

"Face-up defense as opposed to face-down, two monsters of the same level." Tori reasoned.

"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)(2)

"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 summoning of this monster, various students gathered around as they took an interest in the duel. Some of them even began sending out messages, telling 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 type 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 monster 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 battle, 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 condescendingly.

"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 3400/Flip 3200). "What exactly was that Xyz monster even meant to do?"

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

The debris left from the explosion cleared to reveal Flip's Xyz monster was still on the field without so much as a scratch. "What!?"

"As I always say, everything has a hidden side." Flip chuckled. "The hidden twist of this not only applies to my Number but 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 at that, 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 appeared briefly as the monster was flipped 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 his level passing through Sunset Beat. Say good-bye to your Parshath."

A transparent Night Assailant cut down Parshath as Tori was once again awash by sunlight (Tori 2800/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 all in face-up defense position (Tori 1300/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 1300/Flip 200).

Seconds after the trap ceased, Flip laughed maliciously as he slowly rose to his feet. "This duel still ends in 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 similarity. Beyond the fact both experiences happened just 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 coming from fellow students. A pair of them were currently running by.

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

Yuma and Yuto shared a look, the pair reaching 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 recognized. "Even though you've weakened my monsters, my Mystical Shine Balls are playing defense while my other two monsters are too strong for you to end this with your dragon."

"You'd be right, under normal circumstances." Flip grinned maliciously. "Thanks to the power of the quick-play spell Half Shut, I can target your The Agent of Creation – Venus(LV 3/800/0 effect). Now, she can't be destroyed and her ATK is halved until the end of this turn."

Tori turned her gaze to Flip's Number. "No…"

"As I said, this is the end!" Flip declared. "Vampiric Dragon, wipe The Agent of Creation of 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 friend falling to the ground in a heap (Tori 0/Flip 200).

"With my victory comes my prize." Flip declared.

The flip effect user 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 replied with 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 firmly.

"Not so fast, new guy." Flip pointed at the holder of the Emperor Key. "Yuma is my next victim. It's time to make 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, then I'll wager my own deck to win Tori's."

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

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 little bonfire with all the cards I'm about to earn."

"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 tell me, 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 right which led to the onomat user panicking. "Zubaba Knight, stop!"

He couldn't exactly 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 what happened last night as well as the new 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 from its mouth, 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 as the ocean and bathed in an aura of white light. Green stripes and blue gems decorated his body while silver earrings dangled down from his pointed elf like ears.

"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 about it?" 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 Yuma?" 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 as him. All I'm saying is something weird is going on here, has been since last night and likely longer if what Yuma has told me is any indication. At this point, anything is possible."

Yuto didn't think he would be a believer in the supernatural, but it was hard to deny things had happened in rather quick succession. Technically speaking, a lot has happened in less than twenty-four hours to the point he couldn't deny it.

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 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 stayed stiff as a statue since making his presence known, listened to the speech of Yuma's opponent. With its conclusion, he showed a flicker of emotion in his golden eyes in the form of curiosity.

"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 very familiar." Once again, Astral seemed to be talking to himself rather than acknowledging Yuma. "Yes, I understand now. I may not remember my purpose or where I came from, but I know what I am capable of. I am a duelist."

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 face-down 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 Flip, 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 at the flip effect user 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, jumping for joy.

"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 monster can only be destroyed in battle by ANOTHER Number Monster."

"For real…" Yuma's heart sank. "That text added to Yuto's Dark Rebellion really does mean something?"

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

"Observation Number 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 learn."

"I'm doing the best I can!" Yuma argued, frustrated. "While I could have guessed a Number was needed to even touch that dragon, it's not like I had anything that could scratch it to begin with. Doubly so with it face-down."

"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 the 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 battle 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 his 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 without Battle Rush 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 and growing dim.

Yuma noticed it too, and despite not having a positive first impression of the strange spirit, he 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 at least part 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, though 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 inside, its black border filling the onomat user with excitement.

"Is that an Xyz Monster!?" For a brief second, the onomat user thought 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."

"Right, I must trust my deck not to let me down." Yuma put his hand on his deck. "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, it's kind of my motto." Yuma answered. "It means doing what can't be done, like drawing this card needed to bust out Utopia." He looked to Flip. "Alright, 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. "Whenever I normal summon a level 4 monster, I can special summon Kagetokage(LV 4/1100/1500)."

The shadow of a lizard appeared within the ground. "Now, I overlay my level 4 Gagaga Magician and Kagetokage 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.

"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 down to the fact he has Astral by his side."

"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 where 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 forward with his sword, only to absorb his last overlay unit and stop his own attack. The move baffled everybody, none more so than Yuma's opponent who started laughing.

"You're even dumber than I thought!" Flip called out. "Why would you waste your monster's ability by stopping your own attack?"

"I'm not wasting anything, Flip!" Yuma replied, his smile widened 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 card doubles Utopia's ATK and lets him attack again!"

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

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

"Yes, it can!" Yum 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 other spectator was stunned by what they just 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 vanishing 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 for the better, 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 seemingly 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 after all."

"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 appearing now." Yuto shifted his gaze to his pendant. "To what extent is unclear."

---

Here's 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.

 

[Navrin]

"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."

Click to shrink...

"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)."

Click to shrink...

"Alright Flip, here I come!

First, I'll summon The Agent of Miracles – Jupiter(LV 4/1800/1000)."

Click to shrink...

"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."

Click to shrink...

"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!"

Click to shrink...

"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."

Click to shrink...

"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."

Click to shrink...

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 as him. All I'm saying is something weird is going on here, has been since last night and likely longer if what Yuma has told me is any indication. At this point, anything is possible."

Click to shrink...

"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."

Click to shrink...

"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!"

Click to shrink...

"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 his once per turn, the capability of attacking has reset.

He'll once again attack your Acher. Go, Sanguine Storm!"

Click to shrink...

You have more quotes split between two paragraphs with no opening quotation mark in the second. Is this a deliberate style choice you're making? Or a standard I am unfamiliar with, perhaps?

"That said, all I've done is normal summon this turn, so I'll set one monster before ending my turn."

Click to shrink...

I believe he means he's only special summoned this turn.

Mystical Shine Ball(LV 2/1300/500 effect)

Click to shrink...

The x 3 was replaced by a smiley here. I believe there's an option to turn off that transformation, or you can put a space between them or otherwise change the precise sequence. (Shows up more than once in the chapter)

"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."

Click to shrink...

People are so lucky Astral got beaten down and forgot his purpose and history. I doubt Yuma would have had anywhere near as much success redeeming him otherwise even if he otherwise had the opportunity. (And even then it still required an epic duel to prevent him from following through on his mission, IIUC)

"You don't see the figure floating next to Yuma."

Click to shrink...

Seems like this should be a question mark rather than a period.

"To what extent is unclear?"

Click to shrink...

Meanwhile, this seems like it should be a period rather than a question mark. (Or rephrased so it's a question, such as "To what extent, though?")

Edit: Opinion: Yuma's deck seems fairly lackluster, which is fitting. He spent three relatively specific cards to get a single 5000 attack out and then a 2500 monster with damage protection, a single material remaining, and a self-destruct effect that can be triggered if he loses the last one. Meanwhile, Dark Magic Curtain and Megamorph would have given a similar duel-ending move but been more flexible in general. And there are plenty of things that could be used instead of Dark Magic Curtain to get Dark Magician onto the field. (And, of course, several ways to deal with that Number rather than just hitting it with a big stick)

Edit2: Also, thank you for the chapter as usual.

 

[Quillion9000]

You have more quotes split between two paragraphs with no opening quotation mark in the second. Is this a deliberate style choice you're making? Or a standard I am unfamiliar with, perhaps?


I believe he means he's only special summoned this turn.


The x 3 was replaced by a smiley here. I believe there's an option to turn off that transformation, or you can put a space between them or otherwise change the precise sequence. (Shows up more than once in the chapter)


People are so lucky Astral got beaten down and forgot his purpose and history. I doubt Yuma would have had anywhere near as much success redeeming him otherwise even if he otherwise had the opportunity. (And even then it still required an epic duel to prevent him from following through on his mission, IIUC)


Seems like this should be a question mark rather than a period.


Meanwhile, this seems like it should be a period rather than a question mark. (Or rephrased so it's a question, such as "To what extent, though?")

Edit: Opinion: Yuma's deck seems fairly lackluster, which is fitting. He spent three relatively specific cards to get a single 5000 attack out and then a 2500 monster with damage protection, a single material remaining, and a self-destruct effect that can be triggered if he loses the last one. Meanwhile, Dark Magic Curtain and Megamorph would have given a similar duel-ending move but been more flexible in general. And there are plenty of things that could be used instead of Dark Magic Curtain to get Dark Magician onto the field. (And, of course, several ways to deal with that Number rather than just hitting it with a big stick)

Edit2: Also, thank you for the chapter as usual.

Click to shrink...

Thank you, the corrections have been made. As for how I do the whole speaking thing, that is the style I go with when I personally feel the paragraph is done. I tend to like keeping things to three lines max before hitting enter a couple times to then start a new line. A good number of times a character will have enough to say that it requires multiple paragraphs.

According to the anime, it was Kazuma who did that by apparently reprogramming Astral. Honestly, that part made no sense to me given Kazuma is an Archologist. Sure, he obviously knows people who are good with technology like Faker, but I do not think that means he should know technology. I personally like the explanation that Astral arriving just scattered the numbers, which in turn resulted in memory loss.

Yeah, Yuma has a lot to learn when it comes to dueling.