Episode 1 - Challenge From The Silent Courtyard
Yuma Tsukumo was slow to awake at the crack of dawn. He brushes off Monster Slots, Zubaba Knight, and Double Or Nothing. He fumbles around for his things. As he gets them on the Emperor's Key falls to the ground. "Woah, too clumsy! I mustn't let this fall to the floor! The exact opposite... I'm going to 'High Five the Sky!" he says doing a little high five into the air and then shoves the Emperor's Key back into his backpack's pocket. Kari Tsukumo asks what's taking him so long. "I just had to put something away, is all." Kari responds 'Well, you're going to be late!'
The boy almost explodes out of the door. "It's dueling day at school, and I don't want to miss it!" Kari responds 'Well, don't forget your-' She retraction-points at Yuma's Duel Gazer. "Gee thanks!" and Yuma quickly goes back in the house to take and bolts out. Yuma also nearly falls over the gate as he leaves. "Sorry about that also!" Kari says 'Just go already!' Yuma states "Okay sis!" and zips off.
Along the way Yuma sees a building. An old building with burnt out windows, mold, and plants growing wildly on the property. "Woah, that's that old building again. I wonder what made me notice it today?!" When Yuma looks at the door, that negative effect happens with the heartbeat takes place. We see another shot of the door then something very bizarre happens. Yuma is taken to anothe dimension apparently in his mind where it's just a stone bridge high above and the door is square in front of him now, but instead of the specific door he was directly looking at, it's The Door, the main force behind the scenes for Yuma and the Emperor's Key. "Woah, what in the world?!" 'YUMA TSUKUMO... UNLOCK ME WITH THE EMPEROR'S KEY - THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE.' Yuma: "Uhh, oh! So this happens to be a literal key?" The Door responds 'CORRECT.' Yuma still is not ready and is in awe of what he sees. "W-well..." and takes some nervous steps backwards. He apparently is about to agree when the ground beneath his foot breaks and he falls through the edge of the rocky bridge and screams along his way down.
He wakes up running in fear. As he runs, Yuma takes out his deck. "That weird vision almost makes me lose site of dueling today!" Suddenly, the voice of Astral rings out only to him. 'You're not going to defeat your greatest opponents if that's your deck - it's missing cards.' Yuma freezes in fear. "Huh? Who said that?!" while putting his pinkie finger in his ear to clear out any wax. The Emperor's Key is shown to the camera at this point. There is no reply, just silence. Yuma temporarily gets flustered and tells himself he needs to go and leaves that spot quickly.
Coming up from behind Yuma is his friend Tori Meadows. Yuma asks her "Did you say anything?" Tori responds 'Did I say what?' Yuma: "Did you make a comment about my cards and dueling?" Tori: 'What are you talking about?' Yuma: "You know..." Tori: 'No I don't know.' The bell rings from school. 'C'mon Yuma, we're going to be late for class!' Tori stamps forward. Yuma: "B-b-but my opponents; You were saying something about them?!" Yuma comes from off the screen from her waist 'Come on, Yuma!' She takes him by the ear and drags him off screen to school.
Yuma goes through a normal school day.
Yuma is exhausted at his desk. "Awww, when is the day over so I can get to due-" the final bell rings and Yuma is allowed to leave for dueling. "Awww yeah! I am feeling the flow!" Yuma puts on his Duel Gazer and races outside. There's a large crowd of duelists. Yuma loudly says "Awww yeah, time to duel!" The crowd of duelists invite him in. Just then Yuma's pendant shines and a voice eminates from it. 'Yuma - it is not in your interest to duel now.' Yuma freezes in his tracks. The duelists continue to look but eventually go about their business again. Yuma asks "What is your problem? Why don't you want me to duel?!" The voice responds 'You can no longer duel for fun with what you're facing next.' Yuma says "And what am I facing next?!" The voice goes silent. Yuma gets angry. "Okay, I know what I'm going to be doing with you now" Yuma says "I'll put the Emperor Key in the locker and get back to dueling without that weird voice nitpicking me." The crowd is very large and loud yet Yuma still says "Okay guys, wait for me, I'll be right back! Heh-heh!" Nobody hears Yuma and he slinks off.
As Yuma touches the door knob of the school, he experiences another out of body experience in front of The Door. 'YUMA TSUKUMO. FOR ASTRAL TO TRULY BE YOUR ALLY, YOU MUST UNLOCK ME.' Yuma thinks and remembers what he was about to do earlier. "Oh yeah, you have to be unlocked for things to work out or something?" Yuma takes the Emperor's Key looks at the door again, puts aside any nervousness he may have and extands his arm out with the Emperor's Key in his clutched hand. He then starts running nervously but meets where the keyhole is supposed to be with the Emperor's Key. 'YUMA, YOU HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING.' "Uhh, okay? I just want some sort of answers now?!" Light fills the area and Yuma wakes up hitting a wall and embarassing himself with Tori and other friends seeing this in the background. "Arrgh! This is so frustrating!"
Yuma stomps through school angrily. "I just know the Emperor Key is behind all this weird stuff that's been taking place. It's time to put it into my locker for a little while, even though it's from my missing father and get back to dueling!" Yuma throws the Emperor's Key into his locker too fast and when he closes the door the pendant sticks out. Yuma fixes this problem and leaves. Yuma gets back to the school's courtyard area but is surprised to find nobody there. "What is going on?! There were lots of people here a few minutes ago and then, upon returning, they all are gone without a trace?! This is really weird!" Yuma looks around. "Hello? Hello out there?! Are there any duelists left? It's me, fellow duelist Yuma Tsukumo, and I'm going to wipe the place clean with yous! Anybody there?! I'm waiting!" Nobody replies. "Ulgh! I bet this has something to do with putting my pendant in the locker! It probably wants to get back at me for throwing it in there! Well, if it will get the crowd of duelists back, I guess I'll let it back out again. I'm positive it's the key's fault that this happened, so I should get it out now."
Yuma gets the Emperor's Key out of his locker and returns. "Aww, still nobody is there!" A laugh is heard from above. Yuma looks up. "What is going on up there?!" A helicopter comes down from above. 'So THIS is the Emperor Key's current holder - Yuma Tsukumo!' Yuma loudly says "That's right and who are you?!" The helicopter hovers over to the other side. 'It is me, Nistro.' "Nistro?" Yuma says. Nistro continues 'Correct, and I must have your Emperor Key and Number Monsters, both of which I can only get through dueling for them.' Yuma says "Well, this thing may be causing me some problems but I don't trust you and I can't let you have it!" Nistro says 'If that's the case then the duel is on, and I'll have you defeated shortly - I don't even think you have any Number Monsters to speak of, so I should be defeating you shortly!' Yuma says "Yeah I don't know what they are." Nistro says 'Then let me show you!'
Yuma Tsukumo vs. Nistro.
Yuma Tsukumo
** Ham & Tease - During either player's Battle Step, while an attack or effect is occurring: You can banish this card from your Graveyard; negate an attack or effect against you. You can only use the effect of "Ham & Tease" once per Duel.
Atk: 900 / Def: 800 | Attr: Dark / Type: Zombie.
A large zombie pig.
* Acorno - During your Main Phase: You can send 1 "Pinecono" from your hand to the Graveyard, and Special Summon this card from the hand.
Atk: 200 / Def: 400 | Attr: Earth / Type: Plant.
! Double Or Nothing - When a monster's attack is negated: Target that monster; during this Battle Phase, it can attack once again, and if it does, its ATK is doubled during the Damage Step only.
# Half Unbreak - Target 1 monster you control; that monster cannot be destroyed by battle, also halve any battle damage either player takes from battles involving that monster. These changes last until the end of this turn.
! Steady Stride - Select 1 Monster from your Hand to the Field. It's Star Level gets doubled. If this card's Effect gets used successfully, Special Summon 1 monster
Orange and purple swirled colors are on the top left area while a shiny star effect is on the bottom right.
Nistro
**** Heroic Challenger - Rigid Strike - The turn it comes to the field it may not attack.
Atk: 1,200 / Def: 400 | Attr: Light / Type: Warrior.
A brown stony knight monster.
**** Heroic Challenger - Assault Guard - Negate any opponent monster to attack this card. This effect may be used once per turn.
Atk: 800 / Def: 200 | Attr: Dark / Type: Warrior.
A knight monster holding multiple swords, shields, and a mace. It's barely visible through these.
! Heroic Challenge - Special Summon all Heroic Challenger Monsters in your Hand to the Field.
A white brick castle looking seen from below at an angle.
! One Day Of Peace - Each player draws 1 card, and neither player takes damage until the end of the opponent's next turn.
* Heroic Challenger - Power Titan - Banish Up to 3 Heroic Challenger Monsters from your Main Deck. This Duel Monster gains 1 Star Level for each monster Banished.
Atk: 700 / Def: 600 | Attr: Earth / Type: Warrior.
A kneeling armored character. It's fists are in the air, also.
Nistro goes first - Life Points at 4,000.
Draw: ! Introduction To Gallantry - Activate only when your opponent has 5 or more cards in their hand. Your opponent discards 1 random card.
Nistro grins. "Time to show you what a Number Monster is!" Yuma shouts 'Okay, bring it on!' Nistro says: "Okay! I Summo Heroic Champion - Power Titan to the field." Power Titan comes to the field as stated. "Now, I use it's effect and Banish 3 Heroic Champion Monsters from my Deck! I choose 2 **** Heroic Champion - Rebounder - Whenever this card is taken out of play without being attacked, bring this card to your field in Attack Mode. Atk: 1,000 / Def: 500 | Attr: Wind / Type: Warrior. A taller version of Heroic Challenger - Power Titan. and 1 * Heroic Challenger - Clasp Sword - When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Heroic Challenger" monster: You can add 1 "Heroic Challenger" monster from your Deck to your hand. You can only use the effect of "Heroic Challenger - Clasp Sword" once per turn. Atk: 300 / Def: 100 | Attr: Earth / Type: Warrior." The 3 monsters appear in front of Nistro and explode into tiny sparks. "Due to Heroic Champion - Rebounder's Effect, both of those monsters come onto my side of the field again for being taken out of play without being attacked." Rebounder comes onto Nistro's side of the field as stated. "Now I play the Spell Card Heroic Challenge, which allows me to summon all of the rest of the Heroic Challenger Monsters still in my Hand." This Spell Card gets played and brings Heroic Challengers Rigid Strike and Assault Guard to the field. "With these 5 Monsters, I build the Overlay Network (these monsters go in as bolts of energy that match their Attribute) and bring out **** Number 86: Heroic Champion Rhongomiant" - During each of your opponent's End Phases: Detach 1 Xyz Material from this card. This card gains the following effects based on the number of Xyz Materials attached to it.
● 1 or more: This card cannot be destroyed by battle.
● 2 or more: This card gains 1500 ATK and DEF.
● 3 or more: This card is unaffected by other card effects.
● 4 or more: Your opponent cannot Normal/Special Summon.
● 5 or more: Once per turn: You can destroy all cards your opponent controls. Atk: 1,500 / Def: 1,500 | Attr: Dark / Type: Warrior. Yuma cannot believe what he sees. Nistro says: "So, do you give up now?!" Yuma: 'No, I have only just begun!' Nistro: "Then try your best shot!" Yuma responds: 'I don't need to give it my best shot - that monster is only at 1,500 Attack Points. It's an easy target to take down!' Nistro: "Oh, is that so? Well let's see - I end my turn."
Yuma goes next - Life Points at 4,000.
Draw: ! XYZ's Blizzard - Your opponent's monsters cannot use XYZ Material effects. The next effect is to nullify your opponent's XYZ Materials and Special Summon a monster whose Star Level is the same as how many XYZ Materials were depleted. This card cannot be used as a Synchro Material Monster. Yuma thinks "How am I going to do this?! That monster is huge!" Yuma shakes his head quickly. "No, wait, like I said before, that thing is very vulnerable in terms of Attack Points, now summon something that can do the job now!" Yuma: "Okay, Nistro, I hope you're ready because I am feeling the flow!" Nistro goes 'Hurumph!' to himself. Yuma says "First I play the Spell Card Steady Stride; With it I can summon Acorno with double it's Star Levels." Acorno comes out as stated and it's Star Level goes from 1 to 2. "Now Steady Stride will allow me to Special Summon another monster from my Hand, so out comes Ham & Tease!" Ham & Tease comes to the field near Acorno. "I now use Acorno and Ham & Tease to XYZ Summon Shining Elf. Do it, you two!" The 2 monsters bring forth ** Shining Elf - When your opponent Normal or Special Summons a monster(s) (except during the Damage Step): You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; that monster(s) loses 500 ATK Atk: 1,600 / Def: 1,000 | Attr: Wind / Type: Spellcaster. to Yuma's side of the field. "Now, Shining Elf, attack Number 86 Rhongomiant!" Shining Elf goes in for an attack on Rhongomiant with a large leap. Nistro yells: 'No, that's not going to work, despite the Attack Point difference!" Rhongomiant is surrounded by a light yellow light. Shining Elf's attack fails to destroy the monster but does take 100 Life Points off. Yuma, idiotically says "Okay, Shining Elf, great going out there!" Nistro interrupts 'If you would take a moment to look at the field, your monster's attack FAILED to destroy my monster. Sorry.' Yuma: "But how could that be?" Nistro says: 'Number Monsters cannot be destroyed by non-Number Monsters, you see.' Yuma: "Uhhm- I place 1 Trap Card on the field (Half Unbreak) and end my turn.
Nistro uses 1 of Rhongomiant's XYZ Materials during Yuma's End Phase.
Nistro goes next - Life Points at 3,900.
Draw: # Strike Block - Negate an attack. A dusty battlefield with supplies on the ground is in this card's artwork. Nistro says "Alright!" about the card he received. Nistro then says "I place 1 Trap Card on the field (Strike Block) and order Rhongomiant to initiate it's 5th Variable Effect, destroying all of your cards on the field!" Yuma readies himself to use the effect of Ham & Tease when suddenly the Emperor's Key starts to act up again. Yuma: 'Woah, what's going on now?!' A being appears before Yuma. 'Yuma, is it not?' Yuma says 'Y-yeah, h-how did you know that?' Astral responds 'I am the inhabitant of the Emperor's Key, and also the voice that has been calling out for you recently.' Yuma replies: 'Yeah, I heard your voice before!' Astral: Yes, and the most important time to hear it is now. You need to stop this opponent or we'll be devestated.' Yuma says: 'Yeah, I know that.' Astral replies: 'Well, remember to save Ham & Tease's effect for a little bit later.' Yuma goes 'I-if you insist, I guess.' Rhongomiant's Effect takes place. All of Yuma's cards on the field get destroyed, meaning his trap card and Shining Elf. Yuma says to himself 'Gosh, I hope that spirit knows what's up here!' Nistro then says "Now, Rhongomiant, attack Yuma directly!" Rhongomiant goes in for a strike. Yuma then says "I activate the Effect of Ham & Tease by banishing it from from the Graveyard!" An image of Ham & Tease comes onto the field and makes a flash, then disappears after that. It cancelled Rhongomiant's attack. Nistro proclaims "Why you- I end my turn."
Yuma goes next - Life Points at 4,000.
Yuma says to himself and Astral, who is currently back in the Emperor's Key "Okay, Astral, I'm glad for your help that time, but remain helpfull, because I am going to need more assistance in this duel, so let's see what's next?!
Draw: **** Gagaga Magician - Once per turn: You can declare a Level from 1 to 8; this card becomes that Level until the End Phase. You can only control 1 "Gagaga Magician". Yuma says "Okay, this will work!" and with Astral with me, it's all forward from here, I think!" Then Yuma loudly says to Nistro: "Alright, here I go! I use the Spell Card XYZ's Blizzard to freeze away your Fusion Materials." The XYZ Materials on Rhongomiant freeze and fall off of the monster. "Now I can Summon a Monster that's the same Star Level as the XYZ Materials that went down! Say hello to **** Kagetokage!" - Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. When you Normal Summon a Level 4 monster: You can Special Summon this card from your hand. Atk: 1,100 / 1,500 | Attr: Dark / Type: Reptile. "Now I play Gagaga Magician!" Gagaga Magician comes to the field. "I Overlay the 2 monsters to Summon **** CoCoCo Colossus - It can only be on the field for 3 turns. Atk: 3,000 / Def: 1,000 | Attr: Earth / Type: Warrior. A giant with a helmet on him. He comes to the field. "Cococo Colossus, attack Rhongomiant!" Cococo Colossus goes in for an attack. Nistro: 'I play the Trap Card Strike Block, negating this attack in it's tracks.' Yuma: "I play ! Double Or Nothing, which will not only let me attack again but will double it's Attack Points at this moment!" Cococo Colossus' Attack Points Double and it attacks again. While not destroying Rhongomiant, Nistro's Life Points hit 0 and Nistro loses the duel.
Winner: Yuma Tsukumo.
Nistro: 'Not only have I lost the duel, but you get the Number Monsters that were played in the duel.' Nistro's Number Monster card itself flies to Astral. 'You'll pay for this! I'll make sure of this!' A ladder descends and Nistro gets back into the helicopter. Yuma runs towards him. "Hey, get the people in this courtyard back now, Nistro!" Nistro responds 'They'll return shortly after I leave.' Nistro's helicopter goes off. A bunch of numbers go off vertically and Yuma sees them return. "Few, it's great to have things back to normal - or are things back to normal?" Astral appears and says 'No, they're not. We need to find all the other Number Monsters before I can say things will be back to normal for you and your world.' Yuma says "How many other Number Monsters are there?" Astral replies '100 of them.' Yuma then says:"'Well, we better get cracking, right, Astral?" Astral says 'I'm afraid so.'
