Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-OH! ZeXaL or its cards as they rightfully belong to Kazuki Takahashi, Shin Yoshida, Studio Gallop and TV Tokyo while Cardfight! Vangaurd is owned by Tatsuhiko Urahata, TV Tokyo and TMS Entertainment. I only own my OC, Masaru Hikari and the Yu-Gi-Oh Custom made cards of the Cardfight! Cards except for their images.
Chapter II
Flames of Kagero! What are the Numbers?
-Heartland Middle School-
I stretched my arms and legs out, today was the second day of school for me as yesterday, to Mom's surprise, I made friends so quickly and she said she was proud of me for doing so, even winning my first Duel with my Royal Paladin Deck, but I could not help but worry about Yuma since this morning as tomorrow, Yuma will duel Shark for Tetsuo's Deck and he wasn't being all energetic today.
"Yuma, are you going to jump twenty blocks again?" Kotori asked him and Yuma shook his head. "No not today Kotori…" He said to her, the same thing happened at the Pool when another student asked if he was going to attempt the underwater lap but Yuma declined again and Kotori was trying to cheer him up by splashing him, unfortunately, it was in vain and now, it's after school hours.
I was about to talk to Yuma until Tetsuo skated up. "Are you going to duel Shark tomorrow?" he asked him and Yuma stared at him. "I don't know yet." He merely responds as Tetsuo continued, in a concerned tone. "Yuma, you'll lose, Shark isn't your average everyday Duelist!" He said and Yuma stared at him.
"How do you know?" He asked him as he continued. "He duelled at Nationals last year! Look, it's my fault and I don't want you to suffer on my behalf." He argued and Yuma spoke. "I'm not doing this for you, but to teach Shark a lesson, he can't just bully people around and even if he did make it Nationals, I don't care about that because someday, I'll get there too." He finished, leaving an impression on me.
"Yuma's got some good motives… Wow." I thought to myself as Tetsuo spoke. "Fine it's up to you what you do." He said and tossed Yuma the half of the Key that Shark had thrown away. "But how?" he asked and Tetsuo responded. "I looked for it." and skated away from the three of us.
"We're going to be there with you Yuma." I stated to him and Yuma looked at me and Kotori. "And don't bother turning us away either, if you say you're going to teach this Shark a lesson, we have nothing to fear right?" I asked him as Kotori smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, go with the flow, Yuma!" She said cheerfully as he smiled back at us. "Thanks a lot…" He said sincerely as we all headed home.
-The Next Day, Heartland Park-
Me, Yuma, Kotori and Tetsuo stood in the park, facing Shark's lackeys as Shark spoke. "There's been a change of plans; one of my pals wants a Duel with the new kid.." He said as Yuma spoke. "Shark, we never agreed to this!" He protested as the lackey had red wavy hair while wearing a grey jacket with a red shirt underneath and jeans with trainers, his eyes were a rather surprising azure green as he got off a bench and had hands in his pockets. "It's merely a test, after I've seen his duel with that Hino, there's no ante offer for his deck, just a test of strength."
"I admit, even I'm curious as to how the new kid plays, our Duel will continue, if he doesn't comply well, I can't very well promise that loser's deck will be alright." Shark said with a smirk.
"Damn you Shark, Masaru's not a part of it!" Yuma protested again as I held up an arm to stop Yuma charging at Shark right there. "Just a test of strength, so even if I lose, Tetsuo's deck will still be anted in Yuma's Duel correct?" I asked and Shark gave a slight nod.
"Then I'll do it, but… it would help if I knew your name." I said to him as the lackey pulled out a deck and slotted into his Duel Disk. "Koji Satoru." He said in response as Yuma was concerned. "Masaru, why?" he asked as I answered. "We got no choice in this matter, a person's deck is their life, and if Tetsuo's gets destroyed cause of me not taking part, I'll regret it." I spoke with finality.
Yuma nodded and spoke. "Alright! Do your best Masaru!" as me and Koji activated our D-Gazers as did everyone else and then our Duel Disks, Koji's being somewhat a dark crimson colour with yellow trims as Kotori blinked. "He's really going through this this?" She asked and Tetsuo spoke. "Looks like it." Tetsuo answered as we both draw five cards.
"I'll go first! First off, I'll summon Little Sage, Marron in ATK mode! (1500/1200)" I declared, placing the car don my Disk and the familiar bespectacled mage appeared before me. "Next I activate Marron's effect! I Special Summon Knight Squire, Allen! (1100/1500)" A warrior wearing silver armour stood beside Marron wielding a rather large blue sword with yellow traces on its blue edge, brandishing it ready for battle.
"I'll end my turn with one card facedown." I stated, placing a card in the Spell/Trap Zone, an image of the cards back enlarged behind Marron.
"My turn, I draw." Koji simply stated and looked at his hand. "I summon Embodiment of Armor, Bahr (1800/1600)." A most unusual monster appeared, with it somewhat alien with a curved sword, donned in red armour while his skin seemed to be blue and a demonic looking face. I send him to attack your Allen." Bahr leapt forward with his sword and went to strike Allen and he went to protect himself by bringing his sword up to guard but instead, shattered into pixels.
Koji: 4000
Masaru: 3300
"I end my turn there." He simply answered, arms crossed as Yuma spoke. "He's only got one monster with nothing to protect him!" he said with confidence as I drawn my fourth card. "Maybe so Yuma, but I'm not going to underestimate his Deck, he's probably a part of Shark's gang for a reason." I thought to myself and looked at my hand.
"I summon Starlight Unicorn!" I declared as a white horse galloped into the field in a brilliant flash of light however, it's mane and tail were in rainbow colours as well as a horn adorning its head (1000/500).
"It's so cute!" Kotori said when she saw it, her expression turning to one of love as Tetsuo gave a confused look at her. "You know it's just a horse right?" he asked and Kotori glared at him. "It's a Unicorn, not a horse!" She yelled at him as Tetsuo leant back to get away from her.
"Starlight Unicorn, time to activate your effect! I give Marron 500 ATK points!" I declared as Marron's attack power went from 1500 to 2000. "Now Marron, counterattack!" I declared as Marron opened his book and chanted a spell which lightning struck upon Bahr, destroying him and giving Koji 200 Damage. "Now Starlight Unicorn, charge him!" I continued as a beam of rainbow energy shot out from its horn and connected with Koji, causing smoke to emerge from the impact but Koji merely skidded backwards a little.
Koji: 2800
Masaru: 3300"I end my turn!" I finished as it passed over to Koji. "That's all you have?" He asked and drawn his card, making his hand five. "You'll need more than that to beat me, I summon Iron Tail Dragon in ATK mode." He simply answered as a red dragon appeared in a flash of light from its card state (1600/1300). "I activate Dragon's Calling, with this, I can Special Summon 1 FIRE-Type monster from my Deck, however it must be Level 4 or lower, so I call upon Embodiment of Spear, Tahr." He stated as he removed his deck, searched through it and then a young man appeared wearing a turban and clothes that looked like he lived in a desert with a standard spear. (500/1000)
"Next I overlay my two monsters." He said as Iron Tail Dragon and Tahr glowed red to symbolize their FIRE attribute. "I create the Overlay network between these two Monsters… Xyz Summon! Stand Up, Dragon Knight, Nehalem!" the two monsters entered the network and a explosion occurred as now, stood a deep crimson coloured dragon, looking rather menacing but riding it, was black knight wielding a red shield with a gold symbol and wielding a sword as two red Overlay Units surrounded the monster. (2100/1900)
"I activate Nehalem's effect, by detaching two Overlay Units, he can make a second attack this turn., rend his monster's asunder!" He pointed at as Nehalem's dragon swallowed an Overlay Unit started to unleash his attack.
"Activate Trap Card! Vanguard Representation! I target Marron, now if I take any damage from Marron, I gain a Damage Counter!" I quickly acted as Nehalem's attack was about to connect and an explosion occurred, pushing me back from the force of the explosion as Marron cried out. "There's still the second attack, attack the Unicorn." He simply continued as Starlight Unicorn shattered into pieces when a fire blast connected with it and I was sent flying onto the ground.
Koji: 2800
Masaru: 1600 – Damage Counter: 1"I end with one facedown." He stated his hand at three.
"Whoa, Koji's not letting up is he?" One of Shark's lackeys asked and the other laughed. "What do you expect? It's not like anyone's beaten him yet with his strong monsters." He said as Shark watched, arms crossed.
"Come on Masaru, get up!" Yuma called out as I forced myself to sit up and get back to my feet. "He's strong… is this what people of Shark's duelling class is like?" I asked myself in my thoughts and drawn my card, making it four once again and was surprised at what I saw. "I summon Flogal in attack mode!" I called out as the familiar pink dog appeared (800/800). "I use her effect, I increase her Level to 4 and overlay both Marron and Flogal, let's go!" I cried out as the two monsters turned to spheres of white and entered the Overlay Network.
"I create the overlay network between my two monsters, Xyz Summon!" I cried out and brought out a card from my Extra Deck and smiled before placing it on the disk. "Stand up, my avatar! Blaster Blade!" I called out as the explosion occurred and in front of me, my favourite monster swung his blade and stabbed it down into the ground as two Overlay Units surrounded him (2500/2100).
"Oh yeah, there's Blaster Blade!" Yuma cheered as Kotori nodded in response and Tetsuo blinked. "What on earth does he mean, his avatar?" He asked
"So, that's your signature monster?" Koji asked his eyebrow raised and I nodded. "Uh huh, now Blaster Blade, let's send Nehalem packing! Royal Submission!" I said and Blaster Blade nodded, both Overlay units entering his red gemstone and he raised his sword only stab it back down, a crackle of electricity blasting through the earth towards Nehalem.
"You got a lot to learn, I activate Kagero's Soul, by targeting 1 Monster I control and reducing his ATK by half, he cannot be destroyed by card effects or battle this turn." Koji stated as a Trap card appeared and a fiery outlined aura surrounded Nehalem and the Electrical attack barely affected him.
"Then I'll attack with Blaster Blade! Go!" I declared as he nodded and leapt up at Nehalem, swiping his sword across the Dragon and landing on the ground, leaping back to his side.
Koji: 1350 "
Masaru: 1600
"I summon out another Bahr from my hand." He stated. "Now I'll create the Overlay network with all three of my level 4 Monsters!" He called out as the three monsters turned to spheres of red and entered the Overlay Network. "Burn everything to ashes with your apocalyptic flames! Xyz Summon! Dragonic Overlord!" he called out as an explosion occurred and before everyone a mighty dragon appeared with flames emerging from his mouth and quite possibly one of the scariest, especially with its ATK points (3000/1500).
"3-3000 Attack!?" Yuma said in surprise and Tetsuo was surprised as well. "But that's way too much!" He gasped as I stared at the monstrous Dragon.
"I'm not finished, I activate Crowded Field, this card forces my opponent to Special Summon all the monsters in his Graveyard in DEF Mode." He stated as I gasped. "What?!" before a flash of light appeared my Graveyard and on the field was Flogal, Marron, Allen and Starlight Unicorn in DEF Mode.
"The trade-off however, is I had to pay halve of my LP for the monsters you Special Summoned remain on the field after my turn ends, I have to pay 500 LP for each one, however, for each of them destroyed, you take 200 points of damage, now, I attack with Dragonic Overlord, attack Starlight Unicorn!" he declared as it swiped the four legged beast, shattering it and causing my LP to be reduced to 1400.
"Why bother, that just means Masaru will get a chance to Xyz Summon with his remaining monsters." Tetsuo said and Koji gave a small smile. "Now, I activate my Overlord's effect, after he battled, he switches to DEF mode, but when I detach all three Overlay Units, I can force him to ATK mode and attack again until your Monsters are gone, so he'll take out all of your other monsters, stand up once more, Dragonic Overlord!"
The drgaon stood again, roaring and everyone was surprised at this as it attacked Marron and switched to DEF Mode only to rise up and repeat the same process with Flogal and Allen and reducing Masaru's LP by a further 600.
"The final attack, Strike down Blaster Blade with Eternal Flame!" Koji declared .
"Masaru!" Tetsuo, Yuma and Kotori called out and I grimaced and activate one of my face downs. "I activate Flash Shield Isuelt's effect in my hand, I Special Summon her to the field in DEF Mode and block your attack by discarding 1 card in my hand! I end the battle phase!" I said as I sent my last card to the Graveyard as a woman appeared before Blaster Blade and formed a shield of blue light to block Dragonic Overlord's Attack "Then my turn ends with one facedown." Koji stated with a hand of zero now.
Koji: 675
Masaru: 800
I breathed a sigh of relief as did Yuma and the others. "That was too lucky… if I didn't have that, I'd be a goner… but can I hope to survive another attack like that?" I questioned myself, I have no card sin my hand, Blaster Blade, one facedown while Koji had the same, but just higher attack on his side.
"Masaru, don't give up!" Yuma called out and I was snapped out of my thoughts and looked at them. "Yeah, don't give up, you've got this Masaru!" Kotori cheered and Tetsuo nodded. "So go and slay that dragon!"
I smiled at my friends and looked at Koji, a serious expression upon my face. "I draw!" I declared, drawing my only card and looked at it. "I activate the spell card, Damage Charge! I remove 1 Damage counter to give 1 monster I control 500 ATK!" I stated as my lone Damage Counter disappeared from my Trap and Blaster Blade glowed blue as his ATK boosted up to 3000.
"Blaster Blade, attack Dragonic Overlord!" I cried out as the warrior leapt into the air, Drongic Overlord, preparing to fire his flames as Koji activated his face down. "I activate the Quick-Play, Dragon's Roar, I cans elect 1 face-up Dragon I control and give it 300 extra attack points and who better than my Dragonic Overlord!" he stated, it's ATK at 3300.
"Not so fast, I activate my own face down Quick-Play! Bravery of the Warrior! By banishing 1 Warrior monster in my graveyard, Blaster Blade gains it's ATK points, so I remove Allen!" I called out as Blaster Blade's ATK increased to 4100 as Koji's eyes widened as Blaster Blade was engulfed in Dragonic Overlord's flames only to emerge unscathed and struck upon him, causing it to disappear ina mighty explosion as Blaster Blade leapt back, Koji taking 800 damage
Koji: 0
Masaru: 800
Masaru Wins!
The holographic images disappeared as the D-gazers were removed and Koji closed his eyes and turned around and started walking off, pausing. "You did well." He said and continued on as Shark's lackeys called out after him. "Where ya going!? We're not finished with you!"
Koji spoke. "I only duelled to test his deck, I don't recall joining your group." He simply answered and continued as Shark raised his hand to stop his lackey's following him. "Forget it, we'll just get him later, I've got a Duel to win." He said and stood to take his place as I approached Yuma and the others. "Good job there Masaru, now, I'm all pumped up to duel Shark!" Yuma said energetically as he took his place without listening as the D-gazers and Disks were activated once again.
Yuma: 4000
Shark: 4000
I watched the Duel, apparently Yuma didn't follow what I did with my Duel, such as declaring he sets a Trap but the most surprising was Yuma's key somehow repairing itself after being stomped on and Shark's Overlay network with Shark Kraken and Big Jaws creating a Xyz I never even heard of before, Number 17: Leviathan Dragon, apparently, even Tetsuo knew this as he was expecting Aero Carrier.
"Numbers? I never heard of those." I said and Kotori was confused and Tetsuo nodded. "Same here." he answered as Shark sued it's effect to boost it by 500 ATK, making ti 2500 and forcing Yuma down to 1000 LP and it seemed Yuma lost his mind, saying there was a being named Astral and when he tried to take down Number 17 with Gogogo Golem boosted by Blustering Winds, it remained on the field, despite no Trap being played and Shark's explanation of a Numbers.
"That sounds like my Vanguard Representation." I said without realising it and Kotori nodded in response as it continued, Shark's irritation coming toa front, and Yuma telling this Astral person he was imagining his name and finally the unexpected revelation as Yuma overlaid his Ganbara Knight and Gagaga Magician to create another Number, this time, it was 39 and called Utopia.
"Another one?" I thought in confusion as the Duel kept on, Yuma using Utopia's effect to apparently block an attack and with Bye Bye Damage and on Yuma's final turn, he used Double or Nothing to give him the win and Shark left without a word and we approached.
"That was a surprising Duel there Yuma." I said and he nodded and handed Tetsuo back his Deck and a conversation was taking place, one question on my mind. "Numbers? I don't recall hearing that archetype anywhere, I might have to ask Dad and see if there is anything like that."-+-Cards Used-+-
Name: Flash Shield Iseult Name: Knight Squire, Allen Name: Starlight Unicorn Name: Name: Embodiment of Spear, Tahr Name: Drgaon Knight, Nehalem Name: Dragonic Overlord Name: Bravery of the Warrior Name: Kagero's Soul Name: Dragon's Calling Name: Crowded Field Name: Dragon's Roar
Attribute: LIGHT
Level: 1
Type: Warrior
Effect: When a monster you control is targeted for an attack, Discard 1 LIGHT Attribute monster from your hand and Special Summon this card to the field to negate the attack, however, after that battle, send this card to the Graveyard.
ATK/DEF: 0/0
Attribute: LIGHT
Level: 4
Type: Warrior
Effect: Remove 1 Damage Counter and this card gains 1000 ATK until the End Phase
ATK/DEF: 1100/1500
Attribute: LIGHT
Level: 3
Type: Beast
Effect: When this card is Normal Summoned, choose another face-up monster on your side of the field and that monsters gets 500 ATK until the end of your turn.
ATK/DEF: 1000/500
Attribute: FIRE
Level: 4
Type: Warrior
Effect: N/A
ATK/DEF: 1800/1600
Name: Iron Tail Dragon
Attribute: FIRE
Level: 3
Type: Dragon
Effect: Remove 1 Kagero Counter, this card gains 1000 ATK until the End Phase
ATK/DEF: 1600/1300
Attribute: FIRE
Level: 3
Type: Warrior
Effect: N/A
ATK/DEF: 500/1300
Attribute: FIRE
Rank: 3
Type: Dragon
Effect:
'2 Level 3 Monsters'
You can detach 2 Overlay Units for this card to attack twice.
ATK/DEF: 2100/1900
Attribute: FIRE
Rank: 3
Type: Dragon
Effect:
'3 Level 3 Monsters'
When this card attacks, switch it to DEF Mode after that batte. You may detach 3 Overlay Units from this card after it attacks and switch this card to ATK and attack again, this effect can be used more than once.
ATK/DEF: 3000/1500
Card Type: Counter Trap
Effect: Banish 1 Warrior monster in your Graveyard and target 1 monster you control, that monster gains ATK equal to the banished monster's until the End Phase.
Card Type: Normal Trap
Effect: Target 1 FIRE monster you control, that monster cannot be destroyed in battle or by card effects.
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Special Summon 1 FIRE-Type Level 4 or lower monster from the Deck, that monster cannot conduct an attack the turn it's Special Summoned.
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Pay half of your LP to Special Summon as many monsters from your opponent's Graveyard in face-up DEF, if any of the Special Summoned monsters remain after you end your turn, you take 500 Damage for each one.
Card Type: Normal Trap
Effect: Target 1 of your Dragon-Type monsters, that monster gains 300 ATK.