Vile: With time on my hands, I finished Chapter 1 of my newest Numbershot, which a lot of you wanted!

Tetsuo: Who's the star of this one?

Vile: You, Tetsuo. I haven't given you enough screentime, I think. I'm not sure what people will think of this one, though.

Tetsuo: Even if it isn't spectacular, I'm pretty sure you've got a good Duel for it!

Vile: That I do! I always do! ^_^ You know the drill with the disclaimer, and any bolded cards are mine. Enjoy, everyone! Story Routine, Set!

Computer Voice: Execute!

Numbershot 31: The Iron Will

Chapter 1

Kotori LP:2100

Opponent LP:1100

Kotori's field: Number 13: Devoted Empress Love, Love Shield Spell active

Opponent's field: Number 86: Ejection Cannon, no facedown

Number 13: Devoted Empress Love: Rank 4 LIGHT Spellcaster/Xyz ATK:2400/DEF:1800 1 Overlay Unit (Attack Mode)

Number 86: Ejection Cannon: Rank 3 EARTH Machine/Xyz ATK:0/DEF:2500 0 Overlay Units (Attack Mode)

"Suki Joou Love, attack Ejection Cannon! Love Staff Blast!" Kotori declared. Her female Number twirled her staff before firing a beam of amethyst energy at her opponent, a large gray structure with a powerful cannon pointed at her, a green "86" located on the barrel. The beam of energy tore through the cannon like it was nothing, making the cannon explode violently, sending its wielder flying and landing on the ground.

Kotori LP:2100

Opponent LP:0 – LOSER

"Yatta!" Kotori cheered as the buzzer blared, the Augmented Reality vanished. Mia stuck out her hand, pulling Number 86 from its owner.

"Way to go, Kotori!" Yuma chirped as he rushed out, high-fiving her before kissing her. Nearby were Tetsuo and Yamoto.

"Hard to believe that only a few months ago, Kotori couldn't do a thing, huh?" Tetsuo mused.

"She couldn't?" Yamoto asked, surprised.

"Nope. Last I checked, she didn't even Duel before Yuma bought her that Deck." Tetsuo replied.

"Huh." Yamoto mused, looking at Kotori. "I never would have guessed. She's become powerful enough to be as good a Number Hunter as Yuma-kun."

Tetsuo dropped his smile when Yamoto said that. 'Yeah… she became Yuma's strongest friend… while I've got nothing.'

*Later That Day*

Yamoto had left the group to head home, leaving just Yuma, Kotori, and Tetsuo to whatever they wanted to do. While Kotori was still feeling giddy over her victory, she and Yuma noticed that Tetsuo was uncharacteristically silent. This worried Yuma. "Tetsuo, you feeling all right?"

Tetsuo noticed Yuma talking to him. "Huh? Eh, I'm fine, I guess." He said, unconvincingly.

"Don't lie to us, Tetsuo. What's wrong?" Kotori said sternly.

Tetsuo sighed. "Fine. I'll be honest. When it comes to the Numbers, I feel useless."

"Why? You've been able to hold your own in a Duel, Tetsuo." Yuma told him.

"Not by much." Tetsuo said, crossing his arms and looking away with annoyance. "The only reason I beat Black Mist that time was because you threw me Hope, Yamoto was the one who defeated Sei and Sachi, and when I took on Marcus, both Inchou and I got slaughtered! And don't bring up when I Dueled Honto, either. I got Titanium Titan literally two days before then, and if I hadn't, I would've been screwed."

Yuma and Kotori looked at him with sympathy for a moment, then Yuma crossed his arms. "This isn't like you, Tetsuo. You have more confidence than I do most of the time! What's bringing all this up?"

"The fact that I'm outnumbered and outclassed in this fight." Tetsuo said, looking at Yuma sternly. "You, Kotori, Shark, Kaito, Yamoto. Aside from Kotori, I was your top supporter in everything that happened when this whole thing started. Now look at me: Demoted to the backup squad while more heroes show up. I bet if there was a sixth person with a way to beat the Numbers, you'd have picked them against the Terminal Gang." He was then slugged by Yuma. "Oi! What was that for?!"

"Quit acting like you're some weakling, Tetsuo!" Yuma told him. "Honestly, it's like you're not even the same dude who used to beat me all the time, and can STILL beat me! Think about that: Even with all the Numbers I have, you can still manage to beat me in a Duel. Does that sound like someone who's outclassed? I think not."

"Even if you haven't done much, you're still as important to Yuma as any of us." Kotori said, holding Yuma's hand. "You've helped Yuma regain his confidence many times in the past. Don't start losing your own heart."

Tetsuo sighed. "It's easier to preach something than to practice it." He said. "I'll try to keep my head up, but I can't make any promises. I'm heading home. See ya." He walked off toward his house, leaving Yuma and Kotori alone.

"Tetsuo…" Yuma breathed, having a stern yet concerned look.

*With Tetsuo*

Tetsuo had his hands in his pockets as he walked home, kicking a can along the way. 'How am I supposed to feel better about myself? Waltz up to a random Number holder and challenge him to a Duel? Win or lose, it's not like I can collect Numbers in any way, or even actually defeat them. Effect negation was never my thing.' He groaned out-loud. 'Maybe I'm over-thinking this. Maybe it's better that I'm not too involved. Those guys basically risk their lives against the Numbers. Yuma's actually died once because of it! That could've been me! Yuma's probably right. Maybe I shouldn't be so down about this.'

As he continued his thoughts, something whipped across the air in front of his face, startling him. "Whoa!" Hearing the object land to his left with a "THUNK", he whipped his head to the side to see. An eerie glow came from the object, and as he got closer, he saw that it was a card. The glowing blank front made it clear as to what it was. "Numbers…" He was about to reach out and grab it, but jerked his hand back. "If I touch that card, it'll try to possess me. But if I don't pick it up now, someone else might take it…" His mind flashed back to the day he battled Black Mist to "free" Yuma, when even Yuma's Hope tried to take him over. However, Tetsuo shook off the possession so he could focus. Coupled with his desire to not feel worthless, Tetsuo steeled himself. "I don't know what you are… but I won't let you take me!" Quickly, Tetsuo shot his hand forward, grabbed hold of the card, and pulled back, bracing himself for the incoming darkness.

…It never came.

"…Eh…?" Tetsuo breathed, opening his eyes slowly. No rush of dark energy occurred. Nothing tried to take him over. "Huh?" Tetsuo looked back and forth before inspecting himself. He then looked at the card. Not only did no dark aura appear, but the card was still completely blank. "Why didn't it do anything? Is it busted?" He wondered, scratching his head. He then shrugged. "Whatever the case, I'd better get this card to Yuma." He pulled out his D-Gazer and dialed.

Author-Made Cards

Number 13: Devoted Empress Love
Rank 4 LIGHT Spellcaster/Xyz
ATK:2400/DEF:1800
2 Level 4 monsters
When the effect of a face-up "Number 39: Utopia" on your side of the field activates: you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card instead. If a face-up "Number 39: Utopia" you control has no Xyz Materials: you can equip this card to that monster as an Equip Card. If this card has any Xyz Materials when you activate this effect: attach those Xyz Materials to the equipped monster. While the equipped monster is equipped with this card: its effects are negated, it cannot be destroyed by battle, and its control cannot switch.

Number 86: Ejection Cannon
Rank 3 EARTH Machine/Xyz
ATK:0/DEF:2500
3 Level 3 monsters
Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to target 1 monster on the field: Return it to its owner's hand. If this card is attacked while it has Xyz Materials: You can Tribute 1 monster you control: This card cannot be destroyed by battle, and you take no Battle Damage.

Love Shield Spell (TCG: Paradise Shield)
Continuous Trap Card
Activate only while you control a "Number 13: Paradise". When any player's monster declares an attack: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from a monster you control; negate the attack.

Vile: The Number hasn't done a thing, even with contact from Tetsuo. What could be the deal with this odd Number?

Tetsuo: Why do I have a bad feeling about this thing?

Vile: You always have a bad feeling when I bring in a new Number. But keep in your seat until the Duel actually happens.

Tetsuo: *rolls eyes*

Vile: Anyhoo, if you guys liked this chapter, leave a review for me! I should be able to get this story out quicker, so stay tuned! JNFN: Ja ne for now!

Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.