Chapter 7: Showdown
It was Monday again. The weekend had been quite eventful with Yuma now gaining another Number, 83 to be exact, and also a new friend in the form of Cathy. She was a shy girl that had a strange obsession with cats and had caused her to gain the nickname, Cat. Lennox had also spent a while explaining to Yuma about what happened with Shark, still not explaining about the Number he had. This lead Ruby to question him on the way to school.
"Why haven't you told the others yet?" She asked Lennox. Lennox took a sip of his apple juice he had before explaining.
"I just don't feel now would be a suitable time," he told Ruby as they walked down the stairs that entered the school. "Besides, it would just make things more complicated right now."
"I suppose your right" Ruby sighed as they entered the classroom. "But you got to tell him sooner or…" Ruby went to continue, but stopped at the sight of the class out of their seats and chatting to each other.
"Huh? I guess Professor Uyko is running late" Lennox mused.
He and Ruby then made their way over to Yuma and the others, who were talking to Takashi. "Hey guys," Lennox said with a small wave. "What's going on?"
"Takashi here thinks Yuma is a terrible duelist because he relies on Number monsters" Kotori explained.
"It's true," Takashi said as he turned towards Lennox and Ruby. "All of Yuma's victories so far have included him winning with a Number card. To summarise, He cannot win without them." Lennox scoffed at Takashi's attitude. The guy was so insensitive, no wonder Lennox didn't like him.
"So, what? You're just so proud of your victory against Yuma that you had to come over here and brag, didn't you?" Lennox huffed as he and Takashi looked each other in the eyes. "Nobody cares, so quit being rude and buzz off." The others looked concerned as Lennox and Takashi then began to glare at each other.
"Yeah? Well my point still stands strong. Yuma cannot win without a Number" Takashi said firmly. Lennox had finally had enough.
"Ok, how's this for a point smart ass? In all of Yuma's victories, his opponent also used a Number. So, logically, it only seems fair that Yuma uses one too. Now that you've heard my point, go take your opinion, and tell someone who actually gives a toss."
Takashi just huffed.
"Well, that may be true, but we've never seen Yuma win without another have we? I propose a bet." Takashi said.
"…Go on" Lennox replied.
"Yuma…" Takashi said as he turned towards said person. "I assume you want to prove me wrong too?"
"Hell yes!" Yuma answered. "I won't let you insult my skills. I could have definitely beaten Shark and Tokunosuke without Numbers!"
"Fine then. If you want to prove it then go and duel Shark again without your Numbers" Takashi said. He then turned to Lennox. "Lennox, my bet is simple. If Yuma wins without using his Numbers, then your point is correct. If he loses or uses a Number card, then My point is correct." He then held out his hand "Deal?" Lennox looked at Yuma.
"Only if Yuma is ok with it." He said.
"Yeah, I'm totally cool with it. I'll be able to prove to everyone that that victory was no fluke!" Lennox smiled and shook Takashi's hand firmly.
"Then it's a bet!" Lennox declared as he shook Takashi's hand.
"Excellent. We will find Shark tonight and have Yuma duel him straight away" Takashi said.
"Easier said than done" Kyoya chimed in. Everyone looked at him. "Since Shark has disappeared for the past few days, he's gonna be difficult to find."
"True," Lennox said as everyone began to think of a way to find out Shark's whereabouts.
"Wait, I have an idea," Ruby said.
"You do?" Yuma asked.
"Yep. Although, it's kinda a stupid one" Ruby said while scratching the back of her head.
"Please, it can't be that stupid," Lennox said encouragingly.
"This is extremely stupid," Lennox said as he and the rest of the group trekked towards dockyard 7.
"Well, I figured that this Fuma guy probably knows where The Pack is since Shark is looking for them" Ruby explained.
"To be honest, that's actually kinda smart instead of stupid" Tetsuo pointed out. The group soon reached the warehouse, which was still trashed slightly from Friday. They could see no one there except for a lone gang member preparing to get on his motorbike.
"Hey!" Ruby called out to him. The gang member cursed as he saw the group and tried frantically to start his bike. "Wait!" Ruby called as she and the others ran over, blocking the man's escape.
"Piss off!" The man yelled as he continued to try and start his bike.
"Wait, we just want to talk to you!" Ruby told him.
"As if! I ain't talking to you freaks after what happened!" The man retorted. Just then, his bike started.
The man was about to leave when Tetsuo pushed him off the bike.
"That was a little too extreme," Lennox told him.
"Yeah? Well, he's our only chance to find Shark. Sometimes you need to be extreme" Tetsuo said. The man rubbed his head before looking up at all the teen staring at him.
"Listen, we just want to talk," Lennox said.
"As if!" The man yelled. "After what you did to the boss, there's no way I'm staying around with freaks like you!"
"No, really" Ruby protested. "We don't want to hurt you, well, it's a little late for that after what Tetsuo did, but we just want to ask you something."
"Oh yeah? And what is it?" The man huffed.
"We want to know where Shark is" Kyoya spoke.
"He was the one who duelled your boss. He mentioned something about 'The Pack'" Lennox spoke next.
The man thought for a moment.
"Hmm…The Pack huh? Yeah, I know where they are. We're long-time rivals with them, constantly fighting for territory" he explained. "But why should I tell you where they are?"
"Because we'll leave you alone if you do," Ruby said.
"Fine" the man huffed, seeing there was no way out of this. "They're mainly around the south-east of the city, in the slightly run-down area. You should go to an alleyway on Brigemire Street. That's all I know so far" the man explained as he got up and on to his bike. He started up the engine and took off in a cloud of dust. The group coughed as the dust began to settle.
"Well, he was quick to leave," Yuma said.
"Let's just get this over with," Lennox said. "It's getting late and I don't want to be around the rough area of Heartland at night."
"Y-Yeah" Kotori said, slightly nervous at the thought of that.
The sun was now beginning to set as the group walked around heartland's rough area.
"Brigemire street, Brigemire street" Lennox muttered to himself as he looked for the street sign. Many members of the group felt as if they were being watched. They soon found the street and looked around for the alleyway. Astral had appeared out of Yuma's key by now but had said nothing so far. Yuma had filled him in on what had happened.
"There it is!" Kyoya pointed out as the group then saw it.
"Are you sure this is wise?" Takashi asked with fear in his voice.
"Hey! You started this stupid debate, so it's only fair you stay until the end" Lennox said annoyed.
"He does have a point," Kotori said while Takashi just sighed.
The group was walking down the alleyway, searching for the entrance to The Pack's lair.
"Yuma! Wait!" Astral suddenly called out.
"What is it Astral?" Yuma asked.
"Look. This part of the wall, it looks slightly different from the rest of it" Astral explained.
"Oh yeah, it does!" Yuma said before he called out to the others.
"Hey! It's back here guys!" The group turned and walked back to Yuma who was now facing the wall.
"This is it?" Tetsuo asked.
"Yeah. Astral found it. he said this part of the wall is different" Yuma explained.
"I have to admit, that so-called duel spirit you have is right," Kyoya said. "The walls look different." The part of the wall that everyone was looking at seemed to be a slightly different shade of colour than the rest of the building's walls and was also a rectangular shape.
"Maybe it's a door?" Ruby questioned.
"Well…there's only one way to find out," Lennox said as he stepped towards the 'door'. Lennox ran his fingers along the 'door' until he found a gap running down the middle of the wallpaper. Lennox pulled it open like a pair of curtains which revealed a door on the other side. The door slid open automatically, revealing a staircase that went down into the building. "Well, whaddya know? It is a door. I guess they use it to hide the entrance" Lennox said as he stepped in. The others then followed.
"Careful not to damage the wallpaper. We don't want anyone knowing we're here" Kyoya said. Tetsuo gently closed the wallpaper curtains behind him as he was the last one in, and the group walked down the dark staircase. The group continued down the staircase for some time until it came into an open space with the entrance of what looked like a trashed underground bar. The windows were smashed, and the neon sign was busted, hanging down at an angle and several letters were broken.
"This place is a dump" Kyoya commented.
"I second that," Ruby said as she glanced at the trash bags outside the door.
"Do you guys really think Shark is here though?" Takashi asked.
"Well, this is our best chance at finding him," Yuma said and turned towards the door. It didn't take long to find Shark, as when the door opened, he was standing on the other side with his back turned.
"Sh-Shark?!" Yuma exclaimed surprised. The two were so close to each other that Shark could have felt Yuma breathing on his neck. Shark whirled around, a look of surprise on his face.
"The hell?! What are you guys doing here?" He asked shocked.
"Looking for you, that's what," Lennox told Shark.
"Wha-?" Shark began, but stopped and closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose between his eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. He then shook his head and looked back at the group. "You can't be here, it's dangerous." Shark then turned and walked back into the bar.
"Shark, wait!" Yuma called out and followed him in. The rest of the group followed suit. What they saw next shocked them.
The hideout of The Pack which was some old bar was even worse on the inside. Rubbish and debris lay everywhere. Tables were snapped, monitors cracked, the bar top smashed and covered with broken glass, arcade machines broken and busted, the list went on.
"This is The Pack's hideout?" Ruby asked shocked. She had never seen a place more ruined.
"Observation Number 15: Different Humans have different living standards" Astral commented.
"You got that right" Yuma added. "This place is a dump!"
"Yes, now leave," Shark told him.
"We're not leaving without you," Yuma said firmly.
"Oh yeah? Why's that?" Shark asked him as he turned back to face Yuma.
"Because I want a rematch," Yuma told him. Shark chuckled.
"You want a rematch?" He asked.
"Hell yes!" Yuma replied with a yell and was about to continue when he heard footsteps and voices outside.
"Shit!" Shark hissed as he and the others heard the footsteps too.
"What is it?" Lennox asked with worry.
"The Pack," Shark said grimly. "They'll kill us if they find us here."
"K-Kill us?" Takashi asked with fear.
"Yeah, now hide!" Everyone wasted no time in darting behind the cover of the ruined furniture and debris. Kotori and Kyoya hid behind the bar top whilst Yuma, Ruby and Tetsuo – and Astral by extent – hid behind some rubble from the ceiling that was thankfully large enough to conceal all three of them. Astral was invisible to everyone but Yuma, so he didn't have a problem. Shark, Lennox and Takashi hid behind a table near a dark hallway. The table was facing the door and had a small gap in it, so someone could see from behind it. The doors opened, and several thuggish looking men walked in, led by two other men who seemed to be in charge.
The first was a black-haired man in a white shirt that was rolled up to his elbows, white trousers and shoes. The shirt had a red collar to give him some colour other than white. The second man was much larger than the man in white. He was tall and muscular with dreadlocks and wore a black tank top with baggy green trousers that had a chain attached to them, as well as several chains wrapped around his wrist. All of them walked in laughing as they clutched several heavy bags.
"Oh man! That was so fucking easy!" Laughed the man in white as he dumped his bag on the ground.
"You got that right Chills," The man with dreadlocks said as he turned to his partner. "With these rare cards, we'll be the strongest gang in Heartland." This earned a round of cheers from the group of thugs.
"What do we do?" Lennox asked in a whisper.
"You see that hallway back there?" Shark asked as he pointed his thumb behind him. Lennox and Takashi looked and saw a dark hallway not too far from their hiding spot.
"Yeah? What about it?" Lennox asked.
"There's another entrance I used to get in. If we sneak there quietly, then we can get out of this mess" Shark explained to him.
"I say we do it. We've got no other options" Takashi said.
"Ok then," Lennox said with a nod. "But we need to tell the others."
"So? What's the next plan boss?" A small gang member wearing a sleeveless top with the letters R and K on them asked.
"Next?" The man with dreadlocks said. "Next we raid the museum for that rare deck. I heard it belonged to a former champion."
"Yeah" the man in white continued. "With that kind of power, not even the authorities could stop us." Whilst the men chuckled, the group began to move behind them, making their escape. Lennox and Takashi had notified Yuma, Tetsuo and Ruby of their escape route. The main problem was telling Kotori and Kyoya due to how close they were to The Pack members. The two had retreated further into the bar top as the members had walked closer. Thankfully, The Pack hadn't seen the others, who were now out of sight and down the hallway.
"What do we do?" Asked Lennox.
"Yeah! We can't leave Kotori and Kyoya back there!" Protested Yuma.
"I say we divert The Pack's attention and allow Kotori and Kyoya to escape" Takashi came up with.
"But then we'll be seen!" Yuma exclaimed quietly.
"It's our best option" Shark cut in. "If not, then the pair of them are dead meat."
"Then let's do it," Lennox said.
Kyoya watched carefully as The Pack unloaded their prizes which were several rare cards. Many members had moved into another room opposite them, but some still remained by the entrance, talking and smoking.
"Ok Kotori, I'm sure the others are waiting for us. I need to you stay as close to the rubble as possible. Can you do that?" Kyoya asked. Kotori nodded. She was completely scared out of her wits. "Ok, go now," Kyoya told her. Kotori got on all fours and began to slowly crawl out of the bar top. She spotted and a piece of rubble and waited. At this point, Kyoya tossed a stone across the room. The stone hit a fuse box on the other side of the room with a loud CLANG!
"The hell?" One thug said and walked over to the fuse box.
"Don't bother with it, it's busted, remember?" Another said as the rest followed. Kotori then took this chance creep across the floor, aiming to find another place to hide. Kyoya then went to follow.
Lennox, Shark and Yuma had just arrived, Yuma and Shark hiding behind a vending machine near the entrance to the hallway while Lennox hid in a doorway directly opposite them. From the angle he was at, Lennox could see Kotori creeping along the floor while Yuma and Shark could only the Thugs inspecting the fuse box.
"I see her!" Lennox yelled in a hushed voice.
"They must have distracted them somehow," Shark said. Lennox waved his hand at Kotori who noticed this. Kotori and began to move towards him. Kyoya noticed this too and had almost left the bar. It was at this point that Kotori decided to sneeze loudly. All the thugs turned around to see Kotori, the man with dreadlocks now walking into the room.
"The hell? How did she get in here?" One thug asked.
"Oh shit! Run Kotori!" Lennox called.
"Idiot!" Shark yelled at him, as The Pack would now hear them. Kotori wasted no time and sprinted towards Lennox. The dreadlocked man was about to move when Kyoya called out to him.
"Oi! Jackass!" Kyoya yelled as he threw a glass cup he had gotten from the bar.
"Why you little!" The dreadlocked man yelled as he avoided the cup and rushed Kyoya. Kyoya darted out the way at the last second, leaving the dreadlocked man to crash into the wall.
"Fuck!" He yelled in anger as he turned towards his lackeys. "Don't just stand there like idiots! After them!" The thugs nodded and took off after Kyoya.
Kyoya was now running down the hallway with the others, but the thugs were catching up. He then passed something that caught his eye and stopped.
"Guys!" He called, Lennox and Shark stopping as they were the ones at the back of the group. They then saw Kyoya behind a large vending machine. The two instantly knew what to do and got behind it. "One! Two! Three! Heave!" The trio heaved as hard as they could when the thugs approached, pushing the vending machine over.
"GAAAH!" The front thug cried as he was crushed by the machine, as well as the thug behind him. The trio turned and continued to run down the hallway while the third thug tried to get his friends out from under the vending machine. When he looked up, all he saw was the empty hallway with Kyoya, Lennox and Shark nowhere to be seen.
Half an hour had passed, and the group was now by a set of newly developed warehouses by the ocean. A new highway was being built nearby to expand the city but had fallen behind schedule due to complications. The workmen had left the site for the evening, allowing the group to sneak in undetected.
"My god, that was terrifying" Takashi sighed.
"I know" Ruby replied. "We were so dead when they found you guys."
"Yeah, that was stupid" Shark huffed. "Why the hell did you even follow me there?!" He yelled. The group recoiled from Shark's outburst, but Yuma then spoke up.
"Because I want to have a rematch with you!" He yelled back.
"Hmph! I have no interest in duelling you" Shark huffed and turned around to walk away. "Besides…I have other business to attend to."
"About that!" Yuma called out to him. Shark stopped. "I know why you're getting involved with those thugs. It's about revenge isn't it."
"So?" Shark said without turning around.
"So, what I'm saying is that it's wrong to duel for revenge," Yuma told him. Shark gritted his teeth angrily.
"Yuma's right Shark" Lennox joined in. "Revenge won't bring Rio back, it would only hurt you more." Shark clenched his fists so hard that his palms had markings where his fingernails dug into his skin.
"And what do you know?!" Shark yelled suddenly, whirling around with a look of anger on his face. "Why the hell are you so concerned about me?!"
"Because we're friends!" Yuma yelled back. Shark looked at him surprised. "Everyone I duel is my friend. We all share a connection with each other when we duel. You, me, Rio, Lennox, all of us Shark. Didn't you feel that too?" For a second, Yuma could have sworn he saw the old Shark's eyes he knew when he was younger, but they disappeared.
"We are not friends. Nor will we ever be" Shark said defiantly. He was not falling for this.
"Yes, we are Ryoga!" Protested Yuma. "What happened to the Ryoga we all knew when we were kids!" This statement shocked Shark. Yuma was actually using his real name. Yuma had only ever called him Ryoga once when he was kids.
Flashback
A young Yuma was on the ground crying as three larger boys towered over him.
"Ha! You can't beat us! You're just a loser" the largest one of the three said.
"Yeah, with skills like yours, you would never become a duelist," another said.
"Hey!" A voice called out. The three boys turned around to see a young Ryoga standing there. "Leave him alone" he barked.
"And who's gonna make us? You?" the largest one teased.
"I'm thinking about it" Ryoga snapped back.
15 minutes later and the large boy was on the ground with cards scattered everywhere.
"I…lost?" The boy said in disbelief.
"Yeah! Now leave before I tell the teacher!" Ryoga yelled at him. The boy recoiled in fright and ran off with his two friends. Ryoga turned back to Yuma who was by the table that Ryoga had just duelled on. "You ok?" Ryoga asked.
"I am now! That was awesome!" Yuma exclaimed. "I'm Yuma."
"I'm Ryoga" Ryoga answered.
"Ryoga? That sounds silly" Yuma said.
"Hey!" Ryoga yelled in annoyance.
"How about I call you… 'Shark'?" Yuma concluded.
"Shark?" Asked Ryoga confused. "Why that?"
"Because of all your awesome Shark monsters in your deck, their so cool" Yuma explained.
"Shark huh?" Ryoga asked. He had to admit, he kinda liked it.
"Well? Whaddya say?" Yuma asked him.
"Ok, You can call me that" Ryoya, or rather Shark answered.
Flashback End
Shark shook his head after the memory finished playing in his head.
"The past is the past Yuma. I only care about the future" Shark told Yuma.
"Screw that! The past is important too!" Yuma yelled.
"Shark, at least tell me this" Lennox began. "If we're not friends, then why did you save me? You didn't have too, but you did." Shark had to actually think for a moment before finally replying.
"Because I felt as if I owed you guys. Yuma saved me from the Number, so the least I could do was save one of you" he explained. Lennox smiled.
"I think your lying Shark. I think you still care."
"Yeah! So let me duel you then Shark! If I win, then you have to give up this revenge of yours" Yuma said. Shark then sighed.
"It looks like you won't give up easily, so I'll humour you. But what are you going to bet?" Shark said. Yuma looked down at the Emperor's Key before holding it up.
"I bet this" Yuma said as he showed it to Shark. Astral looked at Yuma in alarm.
"Yuma! That's-!"
"You shut up" Yuma interrupted. Shark smiled.
"Fine. But you'll regret it" he said ominously.
A few minutes later, Yuma and Shark were stood opposite each other on the newly developed highway. The rest of the group stood nearby, anxious for the upcoming duel.
"Man, I wonder if Yuma can really pull it off," Tetsuo said.
"No offence, but I doubt it. Shark made it all the way to the National Finals a few years back. And if Yuma is not using these Number thingies, then he's going to be in for a rough one" Kyoya stated.
"Well, we'll have to wait and see," Ruby said. There was a brief moment of silence before someone spoke again.
"Lennox, remember, our original bet still stands," Takashi said. Lennox looked at him.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I remember" Lennox said before turning back to the duel.
"Yuma, don't screw this up."
Yuma couldn't say he wasn't nervous, but he couldn't shake this awful feeling in his stomach that something bad was going to happen.
"Yuma," A voice said. Yuma turned to see Astral floating next to him. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I already told you that this duel has nothing to do with you," Yuma told the astral being. "I won't be using Numbers in this duel, and I need to make Shark remember why we're friends." Astral looked at him slightly confused.
"Why use no Numbers?" Astral asked.
"Because Numbers can only be destroyed by other Numbers. If I used them it wouldn't be fair against Shark since he has none" Yuma explained.
"But wouldn't it make it easier to beat him using them?" Astral asked. Yuma growled in annoyance.
"You don't get it," he said with a raised voice. "This duel isn't about winning or losing, it's about honour. If I used Numbers in this duel then I would be going back on my word to Takashi, that's why I can't." Astral started at Yuma before finally replying.
"I see, then I will only spectate," he said, and floated back a bit to give Yuma some room.
Shark stared at his opponent's confident smile. He hated it. How was Yuma so confident? Shark could easily slaughter him in only a few turns. If the Numbers didn't show up, he would have won their last duel. so why didn't he?
Utopia.
Shark eagerly wanted to destroy that Number for causing his loss. He still remembered it. Yuma negating his own attack, using Double Or Nothing and attacking Nightmare Shark with a 5000 attack point Utopia. Maybe he really wanted this? Maybe it was a good idea to accept Yuma's rematch. It might give him some peace.
"You see troubled" A voice bellowed. Shark instantly recognised this voice.
"I'm fine Leviathan Dragon" Shark simply said.
"Why do you push them away?" The 17th Number asked. This question caught Shark off guard.
"Because…I don't need them" Shark answered.
"I don't think so, I think you're afraid of losing them like your sister. That's why you push them away, so they won't get hurt" Leviathan Dragon said. Shark let out a small gasp but regained his composure.
"Hmph, that's your opinion" Shark huffed as he got out his D-Pad.
"Duel Disk, set!" Yuma and Shark yelled as they tossed their D-Pads into the air. Both D-Pads then transformed and changed into duel disks. The duel disks clacked onto the duelist's wrists as they got out their D-Gazers. "D-Gazer, set!" Both then placed their D-Gazer on their left eyes as the AR vision soon surrounded them.
AR VISION LINK ESTABLISHED
The rest of the group placed on their D-Gazers whilst Ruby's eye glowed as it connected to the system.
DUEL!
Yuma: 4000
Hand: 5
VS
Shark: 4000
Hand: 5
"Let's go! My turn! Draw!" Yuma called out as he drew his first card.
TURN: 1
Yuma: 4000
Hand: 6
"I summon Gogogo Golem!" Announced Yuma as the ground cracked open to allow one of his most signature monsters to climb out. It was a large green robot with a single red eye. Funnily enough, it looked like a walking grenade with large blue arms and feet.
Gogogo Golem: Level 4/EARTH/Rock/1800 ATK/1500 DEF
"Be careful Yuma, he uses very strong monsters" Astral advised, remembering Big Jaws and Jawsman from Yuma's previous duel against Shark.
"I got it already," Yuma said dismissingly. He already knew that and had the perfect countermeasure. "I set one card facedown," Yuma said as the set card appeared. "I can't attack the first turn, so, turn end!" Yuma concluded. He then looked at his set card. "My set card is Battle Break. This card can destroy one attacking monster and end the battle phase. So come at me Shark! I'm ready for you!"
The rest of the group looked on in anxiousness. The first move had been made.
"I wonder why he put it in attack mode?" Takashi wondered. "Gogogo Golem may have high attack power, but its true strength lies in its defensive ability. To summarize, it is best played in defence mode."
"Maybe Yuma has a plan with that set card of his?" Lennox suggested. While it wasn't out of the ordinary for Yuma to make a play like this, the fact that he had gotten better and now understood most of the effects of his monsters should have meant that he would have played Gogogo Golem in defence mode. This move, however, made Yuma unpredictable.
"Maybe he's just trying to confuse Shark by being unpredictable?" Kotori suggested.
"Or maybe he's still an idiot," Kyoya said heartlessly.
Lennox looked at him angrily.
"Kyoya!" He yelled, angry at the fact Kyoya, who was supposed to be Yuma's friend, had just insulted the latter.
"What?" Kyoya asked with raised eyebrows. "You know I'm right. Yuma may be a nice guy and all, but when it comes to duelling, he's an idiot."
"I hate to say it, but Kyoya's right" Tetsuo sighed. "But Yuma has defiantly improved, so we don't know for sure."
"I hope you're right," Lennox said to himself as he turned back to the duel.
Yuma: 4000
Hand: 4
"My turn! Draw!" Shark announced as he began his turn.
TURN: 2
Shark: 4000
Hand: 6
"I summon Friller Rabca!" Called Shark as a small yellow frilled shot out from a column of water that had come from the sea beneath the highway.
Friller Rabca: Level 3/WATER/Fish/700 ATK/1500 DEF
"Friller Rabca…700 attack points. What is he planning?" Astral murmured to himself.
"Next I special summon Shark Stickers!" Shark announced. Another column of water rose out the sea and another figure flew out of it. This time it was a small blue Shark with suction cups on the top of its head that appeared to be a cross between a shark and a remora.
Shark Stickers: Level 3/WATER/Fish/200 ATK/1000 DEF
"Since I summoned a Fish type monster, I can special summon this card from my hand" Shark explained.
"There are two level 3 monsters," Astral said in wonder. Yuma's eyes went wide with shock.
"Don't tell me…" he began in disbelief.
"I overlay my level 3 Friller Rabca and Shark Stickers!" Shark announced as both monsters turned fully blue and shot up into the air as streams of energy. "With these two monsters, I build the overlay network!" Shark announced as a red spiral portal opened up in front of him and the two monsters flew in. "Xyz summon! Come forth! Submersible Carrier Aero Shark!" The monster burst through the portal was a pair of sharks attached to an orange frame with sets of wings on it that enabled it to fly, and a black compartment under each wing that held the monster's missiles.
Submersible Carrier Aero Shark: Rank 3/WATER/Fish/Xyz/1900 ATK/1000 DEF/Overlay Units: 2
"Woah, a first turn Xyz summon," Tetsuo said in awe.
"That's nothing," Lennox told him. "Me and Ruby have seen Shark duel at full power and it's not pretty" He grimaced as he remembered when Shark duelled Fuma.
"I guess Yuma's in for a rough time then" Kyoya mused. Meanwhile, Yuma stared at Shark's new monster in slight fear.
"1900 attack points, higher than Gogogo Golem" he gasped as he checked the monster's stats. "But my trap card will stop Shark's attack."
"I activate Aero Shark's effect!" Declared Shark as the monster absorbed one of its circling overlay units, sending a shower of light down at Shark.
Aero Shark Overlay Units: 1
"Once per turn, I can use one overlay unit to inflict 400 points of damage to my opponent for every card in my hand." Shark then held up his hand. "I'm holding four cards currently so that 1600 points of damage!"
"What?!" Cried Yuma as Aero Shark let out a roar before firing 4 small pods at Yuma. Each pod then burst open which revealed 4 small gold missiles inside. The four missiles then rocketed towards Yuma, exploding as they impacted the ground. Yuma braced himself as the explosions hit him, sporting a determined look on his face. There was no way he was giving up this easily!
Yuma: 4000 – 1600 = 2400
The rest of the group looked on with concern as they watched Yuma's life drop, worried for their friend after he had taken such a large hit.
"Next I activate the spell Mystical Space Typhoon!" Shark yelled as he activated the card. "This card can destroy one spell or trap card on the field" Shark explained as a tornado suddenly blew across the field.
"Ah! My trap was…" Yuma said despairingly as he reached out to his trap, only to see it get crushed by the gale force winds of the Mystical Space Typhoon. He had no way to defend himself.
"Go, Aero Shark! Attack Gogogo Golem!" The giant flying Shark followed its master's order as it flew down at Gogogo Golem at an alarming speed and swept it up off its feet, destroying it. Yuma cried out in pain as the resulting force sent him flying off his feet.
Yuma: 2400 – 100 = 2300
"I end my turn with that" Shark said as he watched Yuma struggle to get up off the ground.
Shark: 4000
Hand: 3
"Woah, he dropped Yuma's life all the way to 2300 in a single turn," Takashi said in awe.
"Man, Shark is impossibly strong after all!" Tetsuo said.
"On top of that, he wiped out Yuma's entire field too" Ruby added.
"Come on Yuma, pull through" Lennox murmured. Shark was unimpressed. This was going even worse than his first duel with Yuma. Granted he could have dealt more damage with Aqua Jet in his hand, he couldn't use it yet. He needed Yuma to call out his Numbers.
"What's wrong?" He taunted. Maybe taunting Yuma would get him to bring out his Numbers. "I thought you wanted to show me the true meaning of duelling? All you've done is shown me how weak you are" Shark continued. Yuma finally stood up and stared at Shark. "You know you can't win at this rate, so summon your Numbers!" Yuma looked at Shark in confusion. Why did Shark want to face the Numbers? He didn't have one, so he would be at a huge disadvantage.
"What's Shark doing? He knows that Numbers can only beat other Numbers? So why is he bating Yuma to summon one?" Tetsuo asked.
"Because" Lennox began, gaining everyone's attention. "Shark has found the Numbers weakness."
"Come one! Summon one of them! Did you really think you could beat me without your Numbers?" Shark called out to Yuma. Yuma closed his eyes in frustration and growled. What should he do? He then opened them. No! He had to stay true to his promise.
"No! I said I wouldn't be using a Number in this duel and I still don't intend to!" Yuma yelled as he then drew his next card.
TURN: 3
Yuma: 2300
Hand: 5
Yuma's eyes widened as he saw the card he drew.
"This is…" he thought before picking out another card.
"I summon Gagaga Magician!" Yuma's second monster was his signature chain bound magician. The magician had white hair and wore black robes with a flame pattern and the Gagaga crest on his back. He also had a chain that wrapped around his body and held his gold plate that acted as a belt in place.
Gagaga Magician: Level 4/DARK/Spellcaster/1500 ATK/1000 DEF
"Gagaga Magician's effect lets me change its level from 1 to 8 each turn. Also, I have bound wand in my hand. This lets me increase the attack points of one Spellcaster monster I control by its level times 100. With this, I can start a comeback!" Yuma though as he went to put his plan into action.
"Now I activate the equip spell, Bound Wand!" A black wand with a small skull on it and a red gem attached on top then materialised onto the field which Gagaga Magician took hold of. "This card increases the equipped monster's attack power by its level times 100!" Then the end of the wand then changed so that it became a sword which Gagaga Magician swung around.
Gagaga Magician ATK: 1500 + 400 = 1900
"1900 attack points," said Shark. "Are you planning on crashing?"
"Hardly!" Retorted Yuma. "I activate Gagaga Magician's effect! Once a turn, I can change its level from 1 to 8. I make Gagaga Magician level 8!"
Gagaga Magician Level: 4 – 8
"And now because of Bound Wand, Gagaga Magician's attack power goes up!"
Gagaga Magician ATK: 1900 + 400 = 2300
"Now Gagaga Magician! Attack Aero Shark!" Ordered Yuma. Gagaga Magician then charged directly at the war machine, raising the blade of his wand up high.
"I could negate this attack with Friller Rabca" Shark thought as he reached for his graveyard. "But…I need to weaken Utopia." With great force, the magician brought the blade down on the shark, destroying it, and knocking Shark back.
Shark: 4000 – 400 = 3600
"I end my turn with that!" Announced Yuma with the wave of his hand.
"Don't forget" Shark began as he recovered. "Gagaga Magician's effect ends. So its level returns to 4, and its attack reverts back to 1900." A red aura briefly surrounded Gagaga Magician before disappearing, signalling its decrease in power.
Gagaga Magician Level: 8 – 4
Gagaga Magican ATK: 2300 – 400 = 1900
Yuma: 2300
Hand: 3
"Not bad" commented Kyoya. "He managed to get rid of Aero Shark and deal some damage too."
"Yeah, but it's going to be difficult for him to even things up with his life points being much lower than Shark's," Takashi said.
"Yuma will find a way, I know it," Lennox told the others.
"How are you certain?" Takashi asked.
"I just have a hunch," Lennox said. Meanwhile, Yuma was smiling at his accomplishment.
"You see Shark! I can beat you without a Number! And this proves it!" Shark then began to laugh.
"Are you kidding? 400 points of damage is no skin off my teeth! I can counter that with my eyes closed!" Shark retorted as he drew his next card.
TURN: 4
Shark: 3600
Hand: 4
"I summon Big Jaws!" Shark announced as a vortex of water began to swirl around on the field. Out of the vortex soon came Shark's signature steel-jawed shark that let out a ferocious roar upon its arrival.
Big Jaws: Level 3/WATER/Fish/1800 ATK/300 DEF
"1800 attack points…" breathed Yuma as he stared at the new arrival. "But it can't beat my Gagaga Magician!" He then declared boldly. Shark let out a small chuckle.
"Yuma, did you forget about my spell combo?" He asked.
"Spell combo?" Yuma said in wonder. His eyes then widened in horror as it dawned on him what Shark meant. "Oh no!"
"Oh yes!" Yelled Shark as he slapped another card onto his duel disk. "I activate Aqua Jet! Which will give my Big Jaws a boost by 1000!" Just like in their first duel, the two turbine engines attached themselves to Big Jaws and upped its attack power.
Big Jaws ATK: 1800 + 1000 = 2800
"Big Jaws! Attack Gagaga Magician! Big Mouth!" Shark orders. The two turbine engines propelled Big Jaws high into the air before it came crashing back down, tunnelling underground. Gagaga Magician gave a horrified look when he saw Big Jaws' bladed fin creeping towards him. With the ferocity of a great white shark, Big Jaws erupted out of the ground, it's jaws crushing Gagaga Magician.
Yuma: 2300 – 900 = 1400
Astral couldn't watch this any longer, he had to do something.
"Yuma! Use Bound Wand's effect!" He suddenly said.
"Huh? What?" Yuma asked.
"It is obvious that you cannot defeat Shark alone, and with the key, at stake, I cannot afford you to lose, so let me help you" Astral explained.
"I told you I don't need you to help me, but I'll use the tip anyway" Yuma huffed. "I use Bound Wand's effect! Which is… what?" Astral facepalmed at this.
"To revive the equipped monster. Honestly, you really need to read all the effects of your cards" he said.
"Oh, ok. I revive Gagaga Magician!" The magician soon rose out of the graveyard portal with the mighty cry of 'Gagaga'.
Gagaga Magician: Level 4/DARK/Spellcaster/1500 ATK/1000 DEF
"So you brought back your monster? Then you did listen to me. You're planning on summoning a Number next turn" Shark said with a smile.
"You're wrong!" Protested Yuma. "I gave my word to Takashi that I wouldn't summon a Number and I intend on keeping it!" Shark laughed.
"Are you serious? Wake up Yuma! You can't win against me or anyone without a Number! Besides, a victory against you would mean something if I defeated your Number!" Shark argued back. Yuma looked torn at what to do. Was Shark really right? Could he not win without Utopia?
"Yuma," a voice said. Yuma turned towards its source which was Astral. "I know you said that using Numbers in this duel would go against your honour, but that is not important right now. The most important thing is to protect the Emperor's Key. So you must win at all costs. And to do that is to summon the Numbers."
"I end my turn" declared Shark.
Shark: 3600
Hand: 2
Yuma was hesitant to draw. He had no idea of what to do. To use or not to use Utopia was the question in his head. The others looked on with concern.
"Yuma…" Kotori said with concern.
"Man, he's really struggling out there," Tetsuo said.
"Yeah, he doesn't know what to do," Lennox said. "He can't decide to use a Number or not." Back at the duel, Shark was beginning to get impatient.
"What's wrong? It's your turn! So draw you card and summon your Number! Summon it!" He roared. Yuma began to buckle under the pressure.
"Yuma-" Astral began, by Yuma.
"Fine! You want my Number so bad?! Then I'll do it! Draw!" He yelled angrily.
TURN: 5
Yuma: 1400
Hand: 4
Yuma looked at the card he drew before placing it on his duel disk.
"I summon Ganbara Knight!" A warrior clad in a brown armour with yellow lining and carrying two enormous shields on both arms came crashing down from the sky, causing a large crater to form.
Ganbara Knight: Level 4/EARTH/Warrior/0 ATK/1800 DEF
Astral was very surprised by this move.
"Wait! Yuma-"
"Shut up!" Yuma yelled at the astral being. "I'll summon Utopia if it will shut your yap! I know protecting the key is important."
"No that's not what I-" Astral went to say, but was cut off by Yuma yet again.
"I overlay my level 4 Gagaga Magician and Ganbara Knight!" The two monsters glowed their attribute colours, being black and orange respectively, and flew up into the air as streams of energy. Lennox's eyes widened.
"No Yuma! Don't do it!" He called. His pleas fell on deaf ears as the infamous golden galactic portal opened up at Yuma's feet.
"With these two monsters, I build the overlay network!" Yuma declared as the two monsters sailed in, followed a burst of golden light. "Xyz summon! Come forth! Number 39: Utopia!" The Number 39 appeared and flashed red before the Number's sealed for rose out the portal. Its sealed form was a glowing orb encased in a strange sword-like structure that was covered by a pair of folded metal wings. The entire structure oddly resembled Yuma's key slightly. The wings then opened up and straightened out whilst the strange structure began to form a body. The arms extended out and shoulder pads formed, with the red 39 being on the monsters left shoulder pad. The gold armour opened up to reveal the monster's stomach with the glowing orb now fittingly being placed in the centre of the monster's chest. The face mask then parted as two horns were produced on the monster's head. The final result of the transformation was a knight covered in white and gold armour with two curved swords attached to his hips and white wings attached to his back. Along with that, it had a glass orb in the middle of its chest and a red 39 on its left shoulder pad. It gave a loud battle cry as it took the field with two yellow overlay units orbiting it.
Number 39: Utopia: Rank 4/LIGHT/Warrior/Xyz/2500 ATK/2000 DEF/Overlay Units: 2
Everyone was too stunned to say a word on the appearance of the majestic warrior. Finally, Kotori spoke up.
"Yuma summoned a Number?"
"But he promised he wouldn't use one…" Tetsuo trailed off.
"To summarize, I was right, Yuma is still relying on Numbers in his duels," Takashi said. Lennox hung his head in defeat.
"Ugh! I lost the bet. Yuma, why did you have to go and do that?" He said. Unbeknownst to him, Dawn Sword had materialised behind him and stared at Utopia. The 39th Number noticed this and gave a quick glance at Dawn Sword who only nodded in response before fading away.
"Finally, it's here. The Number I've been waiting for" Shark said. "I'm actually getting fired up now."
"Go Utopia! Attack Big Jaws!" Yuma commanded. His ace followed the command almost instantly with raising an eyebrow under his face mask. Utopia drew his sword from its scabbard which disappeared after Utopia touched the blade's handle. He then tossed the blade high up into the air before catching the handle.
"Your attacking when my Big Jaws has higher points? You must have lost it" Shark said.
"Actually, I'm playing a quick-play spell!" Announced Yuma as he held up the card in question. "Ego Boost increases Utopia's attack points by 1000 since it declared an attack!" A huge shadow of Utopia appeared behind himself as he caught the blade he had tossed earlier.
Utopia ATK: 2500 + 1000 = 3500
"Rising Sun Slash!" Yelled Yuma as Utopia raised his sword high, a bright glow coming from it.
"Naïve!" Yelled Shark as he moved his arm to his side. "I activate Friller Rabca's effect from the graveyard! By banishing it, I can negate an attack on a Fish, Sea Serpent, or Aqua type monster I control!" The graveyard portal opened up and a stream of blue energy shot out of it, impacting Utopia as it attempted to bring its sword down on Big Jaws.
"What?!" Cried Yuma as his attack was stopped instantly.
"Now the attacking monster loses 500 attack points" Shark continued. Utopia groaned in pain as his power then dropped.
Utopia ATK: 3500 – 500 = 3000
Yuma stared open mouthed at what had just transpired.
"Unbelievable. This human managed to stop me" Utopia said as he looked at Shark.
"Shark managed to stop my attack cold," Yuma said with a hollow voice. "And on top of that, lower Utopia's attack power. I can't do anything."
"Remember, your Ego Boost only works until the end of the battle phase. Now since its over, Utopia's attack points drop down to 2000" Shark said as Utopia's shadow disappeared.
Utopia ATK: 3000 – 1000 = 2000
"No way. Shark managed to stop Utopia cold" Tetsuo said in disbelief.
"And on top of that, he now has a stronger monster than Yuma's Number" Lennox added.
"That's typical Shark for you, always being one step ahead," Kyoya said.
"Interesting, he's been waiting for this moment," Astral said. Yuma looked at him.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Shark detached Friller Rabca on his first turn using Aero Shark's effect. He could have protected it from Gagaga Magician's attack but didn't" Astral explained whilst Yuma's eyes widened. "On top of that, I've been observing his hand as well" Astral continued. "He didn't draw Aqua Jet last turn, he had it in his hand from the beginning."
"From the beginning?" Yuma repeated before it all came crashing down on him. "He was holding back."
"Exactly" Astral simply said. He wanted to tell Yuma of his mistake but decided to wait to see how the duel played out first. Yuma turned to Shark. "You were waiting for this weren't you!" He yelled. Shark looked at him slightly confused. "Not stopping my attack and purposely not using Aqua Jet on Aero Shark. You just wanted me to summon Utopia just to destroy it and get back at me! Right?!" Shark then chuckled.
"That's right. I held back on purpose to lure your Number out. I'd only get satisfaction from this if I beat Utopia! And judging by this, you played right into my hands!" Shark then explained.
"Then that means…" Kotori began.
"This entire time…" Ruby continued.
"Shark has been in control of the entire duel from his first turn," Lennox said. He clenched his fists. This proved that Shark was not just stronger than Yuma, he was the strongest of them all. He had defeated the Duel Blood when Lennox couldn't, wielded two Numbers and had found their weakness.
"This is unreal. How can someone be so powerful?" Kyoya said. "I knew Shark was good, but this is too much."
"No kidding" Takashi said. Back at the duel, Yuma was slightly stuck on what to do, but he tried to keep himself calm.
"You may have been holding back earlier, but I still have a chance. You can't beat Utopia without a Number, and with Utopia's Moon Barrier ability, I can block all your attacks remember" Yuma said confidently. This was good, Utopia wasn't just a strong attacker. He was a good defensive monster too. Yuma was confident that he could hold off Shark's next assault.
"Master, I wouldn't be so sure," Utopia said. "Granted I'm an almost impenetrable shield, this Human has more skill than I have seen in a long time. You must be wary."
"I got it Utopia," Yuma said and turned back to Shark.
"Ha! I wouldn't get so confident Yuma. I can easily get around your Utopia's defences, just watch!" Shark said with a grin.
"Fine! With this, I end my turn!" Yuma announced.
Yuma: 1400
Hand: 3
"My turn! I draw!" Shark announced.
TURN: 6
Shark: 3600
Hand: 3
"I summon Drill Barnacle!" The ground cracked open to pave way for Shark's familiar direct attacker, a large barnacle with purple drills inside it.
Drill Barnacle: Level 3/WATER/Aqua/300 ATK/0 DEF
"Why would Shark use that?" Tetsuo wondered. "Granted it can attack directly, Utopia can just negate its attack as well as Big Jaws' attack." Lennox the noticed something.
"Shark, don't tell me you're going to summon that monster." The others looked at him.
"I overlay my level 3 Big Jaws and Drill Barnacle!" Shark declared as the two monsters turned fully blue and shot up into the air as energy spirals.
"Eh?! He's trading in Big Jaws?!" Ruby cried in confusion.
"No way!" Cried Yuma as the red Xyz portal opened in front of Shark.
"With these two monsters, I build the overlay network!" Shark yelled as the two monsters flew in. "Xyz summon! Rise! Black Ray Lancer!" A purple stream of energy shot out of the portal before dispersing to reveal Shark's ace. A black scaled merman warrior with large amphibious wings and black armour with a twin-bladed spear.
Black Ray Lancer: Rank 3/DARK/Beast-Warrior/2100 ATK/600 DEF/Overlay Units: 2
"Interesting. How does he plan to battle Utopia with this" Astral said to himself.
"I play Xyz Treasure!" Shark called. "I now draw one card for every Xyz monster on the field. There's two, so I draw two!" Shark then drew two and smirked. "Utopia is finished with this! I activate Black Ray Lancer's effect. By using one overlay unit, the effects of one monster are negated!"
"What?!" Cried Yuma as Black Ray Lancer absorbed one of its circling overlay units into its spear.
"Paralyzing Lance!" Black Ray Lancer's wings crackled with purple electricity before it shot the electricity at Utopia, causing him to weaken.
"Impossible, he found out how to defeat me!" Utopia cried in disbelief.
"Even if Numbers can't be destroyed by other Numbers, it is only a mere card effect and can be negated easily! Allowing the Number to be destroyed!" Shark explained. Utopia's body crackled with electricity as its effects were lost.
"How…How could this be? Utopia's Number effect was negated?" Yuma said in disbelief.
"Go! Black Ray Lancer! Black Spear!" Black Ray Lancer's spear glowed purple as the merman warrior swung it around before hurling it towards Utopia, striking the winged warrior dead centre in his chest.
"Forgive me…my masters" Utopia said weakly before bursting into gold particles.
"UTOPIA!" Cried Yuma as he watched his strongest monster disappear, not caring one bit about his lifepoints.
Yuma: 1400 – 100 = 1300
Yuma fell to his knees in defeat.
"Utopia…was defeated…" he said weakly.
"This boy…he has discovered the Numbers weakness," Astral said to himself.
"I activate Xyz Blast!" Shark yelled as he activated the quick-play spell. "Since I destroyed a Xyz monster, you take 800 points of damage!" An explosion then sent Yuma hurtling back and crashing down on the asphalt hard.
Yuma: 1300 – 800 = 500
"I end my turn with that" Shark said. He had finally done it. He had defeated the monster that had caused him so much pain over the past few days, he couldn't stop thinking about it. Now that Utopia had been vanquished, Shark could finally have some peace.
Shark: 3600
Hand: 2
Yuma couldn't believe it. After how hard he tried, he was going to lose. All of this was for nothing.
"I can't win," he said. "Shark is too powerful. I only beat him because the Number possessed him." He looked at his hand. "Have I improved at all?" He asked. Astral, at this point, decided to help his partner.
"You have improved," he said. Yuma looked at him. "While you still have several flaws, you are slowly correcting them, and you are far stronger than when I first met you. This duel will teach you this too."
"But how?" Asked Yuma.
"Continue and find out" Astral simply said. Yuma looked back at his hand.
"I don't think I can," he said and shut his eyes in remorse.
"Don't give up Yuma!" A voice suddenly called out. Yuma's eyes shot open and he turned towards the source and saw it was Lennox who yelled.
"Lennox…" he breathed.
"You have to keep fighting! For your sake and your friend 'Astral'!" Lennox continued. Shark had now turned his attention to Lennox, interested in what the boy had to say. "After watching this duel, I understand what Shark's words meant" Lennox began, thinking back to his conversation with Shark after the Duel Blood's defeat. "This duel reminds me of the one I almost lost and seeing you almost give up hurts me. You of all people should know not when to give up." He then turned to Shark. "And neither should I. What use is it for us to give up fighting for the ones we care about? That's why I've decided now…I can't give up again! And neither should you!"
Everyone stared in silence at Lennox's speech, even Shark was surprised. Lennox, of all people, said that. He then let out a small chuckle.
"So he finally gets it? Good, my debt to Yuma for saving me has been repaid" he thought.
"He's right," Yuma said. The words caught Shark's attention. "I can't give up. I have to keep going! And kattobingu!" Astral smiled.
"It appears your fire of passion has been reignited. Come Yuma! Let us win this duel!" He said.
"Yeah!" Answered Yuma as he reached for the top card of his deck. "My turn! Draw!"
TURN: 7
Yuma: 500
Hand: 4
Yuma stared at the card he drew. Monster Reborn.
"Thank you, my deck. You haven't given up on me either" he thought.
"I activate Monster Reborn!" Yuma announced. "This allows me to summon one monster from the graveyard! And I think you can guess who? Return! Utopia!" The graveyard portal opened up and the winged warrior rose out of it, letting out a loud battle cry as he took the field.
Number 39: Utopia: Rank 4/LIGHT/Warrior/Xyz/2500 ATK/2000 DEF/Overlay Units: 0
"Thank you for allowing me another chance my master," the Number said.
"No problem!" Yuma replied with a smile. "Now attack Black Ray Lancer!"
"With pleasure master!" Utopia replied with equal enthusiasm as he tossed one of his twin swords high into the air. Utopia then caught the blade and held it up high as he charged at Black Ray Lancer. With a single sword swipe, the merman warrior was vanquished, and honour had returned to the Utopia.
Shark: 3600 – 400 = 3200
"I end my turn!" Yuma declared. He was confident now that with Utopia on his field, he couldn't lose.
"It's my turn now! Draw!" Announced Shark.
TURN: 8
Shark: 3200
Hand: 3
Shark studied his hand and then looked at Yuma. "It's over Yuma, I win," he said. Yuma was surprised.
"Huh? Whaddya mean you win?" He asked.
"Just watch!" Shark called as he placed a card onto his duel disk. "I summon Needle Sunfish!" Lennox and Ruby immediately recognised the blue sunfish that was armed with hundreds of needles that were hidden away by its jaws.
Needle Sunfish: Level 3/WATER/Fish/1500 ATK/500 DEF
"Now I activate the spell Surface! This lets me summon a level 3 fish, sea serpent or aqua monster back to the field in defence mode! Return! Big Jaws!" The graveyard portal opened up to let a vortex of water rise out of it with Big Jaws inside. The shark let out a roar as it prepared for battle.
Big Jaws: Level 3/WATER/Fish/1800 ATK/300 DEF
"Woah! Shark's got two level 3 monsters again!" Exclaimed Tetsuo.
"It can't be!" Exclaimed Kyoya. Yuma just prepared himself for the worst.
"I overlay my level 3 Big Jaws and Needle Sunfish!" Shark declared as the two monsters turned blue and shot up into the air as streams of energy. Yuma felt his jaw drop when he saw the golden galaxy portal open at Shark's feet. Astral was even surprised at this. The group, spare Ruby and Lennox, looked on in shock as Shark went to Xyz summon a Number card. "With these two monsters, I build the overlay network!" The two monsters then flew into the portal. "Xyz summon! Come! Number 17: Leviathan Dragon!" Shark yelled as a yellow 17 pulsed on his right hand. There was a burst of golden light, followed by the flash of the number 17 before the monster's sealed form rose out the portal. A cloud of purple fog had gathered as the coil wires began to unravel. Slowly but surely, the coil wires transformed into the monster's serpentine body while the six scythes on top of the structure had become six large wings. The red jewel that was in the middle of the structure became the dragon's head with six horns and the number 17 on one of them. With a high-pitched roar, Number 17 had arrived.
Number 17: Leviathan Dragon: Rank 3/WATER/Dragon/Xyz/2000 ATK/0 DEF/Overlay Units: 2
"Shark…has a Number?" Was all Yuma managed to get out as he was still in a state of shock.
"I never thought that this boy would be able to find and wield another Number," Astral said, clearly just as surprised as Yuma was.
"But…I thought Shark didn't have another Number" Takashi said.
"He did have another, he got it recently during a duel with some gang leader he knew" Lennox explained. "The gang leader had a Number, but Shark summoned this one and beat him."
"And where is that Number now?" Kyoya asked.
"Shark has it" Ruby answered.
"Wait! You mean Shark has two of them?" Kotori asked.
"Yep. I guess Shark wanted to try and beat Yuma's Numbers with his own strength, but couldn't" Lennox said. Back in the duel, Utopia eyed down Leviathan Dragon.
"I see this is the form you have taken Number 17" Utopia spoke.
"Yes, I believe it is fitting for a Number of my power" Leviathan Dragon replied. He then scoffed at Utopia's form. "It's a pity you're still trying to show off that Shield of Astral World title you have. You could have had a more powerful form."
"At least I'm doing my job unlike the rest of you. The first chance you got, and you all jumped free of the seal. Now it's up to me and Dawn Sword to put you all back into place" Utopia huffed. The 17th Number growled.
"Hey! Was it my fault that we were released?! No, it wasn't! so don't try and pin the blame on us! We just needed to feed! That's all!"
"Hey! A little less arguing, and a little more duelling!" Shark yelled annoyed.
"Right, sorry" Leviathan Dragon apologised. Utopia raised an eyebrow behind his face mask.
"Wait, you aren't controlling him?" He asked.
"No! The Human's will is stronger than I thought. I can't control him for long enough" Leviathan Dragon explained.
"Then Shark is fine?" Asked Yuma.
"Yes, he's doing this all on his free will. I have no say in this" Leviathan Dragon told Yuma.
"Observation Number 16: Some Humans possess a will strong enough to prevent a Number's control. But just how many Numbers can they control?" Astral murmured to himself.
"Let's just get this over with!" Yelled Shark as he raised his hand. "I activate Leviathan Dragon's effect! By using an Overlay Unit, I can increase his attack power by 500 points!"
Leviathan Dragon Overlay Units: 1
Leviathan Dragon ATK: 2000 + 500 = 2500
"Now its attack power is equal to Utopia's," Yuma said.
"Not for long!" Called Shark as the graveyard portal opened. "I activate Needle Sunfish's effect from the graveyard! Since it was sent there, Utopia loses 500 attack points!" A barrage of needles suddenly flew out the portal and hit Utopia. Each needle let out an explosion on contact, lowering Utopia's attack points.
"Utopia!" Cried Yuma.
Utopia ATK: 2500 – 500 = 2000
"Now Utopia's attack points are back to 2000," Kyoya said.
"And Leviathan Dragon gained 500 attack points" Ruby added.
"Now there's a difference of 500 between them, which is all Yuma has left. To summarize, he loses" Takashi finished. Yuma stared at Leviathan Dragon's intimidating form of defeat. He had lost. After all his hard work he still couldn't win.
"Leviathan Dragon! End this now! Vice Stream!" Leviathan Dragon let out a swirling blue energy beam which slammed into Utopia.
"Sorry Utopia, but it looks like I'm the better Number" Leviathan Dragon boasted. Utopia could only look at Leviathan Dragon from inside the energy beam as he was thrown back. Then nothing.
"Utopia!" Yuma cried as he watched his ace monster explode before being thrown back by the explosion.
Yuma: 500 – 500 = 0
Yuma: LOSE
"That was easy," Shark said as he took off his D-Gazer, letting the augmented reality vanish.
"To summarize, it was a one-sided battle. Shark had full control" Takashi said.
"Poor Yuma. Even after that slight comeback, Shark still won" Lennox said.
"You're kidding me," Yuma said quietly. "I tried so hard but still I couldn't win."
"Actually…you could have" Astral said. Yuma looked at him. "You only lost because you rushed to summon Utopia, thinking it was the best solution to the situation. You should have looked at all the other options you have at your arsenal" Astral explained.
"Oh yeah? Well, how would you have done it?!" Yuma yelled angrily.
"Simple, I would have used another Number" Astral stated. Yuma was about to retort when he realised what Astral meant.
"Instead of summoning Ganbara Knight, you should have summoned Zubaba Knight instead." Yuma's eyes widened. He did have Zubaba Knight in his hand. "You could have then used Gagaga Magician's effect to make it level 3, and then Xyz summoned Nightmare Shark. Using its effect with Ego Boost, you could have dealt a large amount of damage to Shark's lifepoints, all while avoiding Friller Rabca." Yuma then began to realise what Astral was saying. He did rush ahead with summoning Utopia.
"But Shark would have summoned Black Ray Lancer and defeat Nightmare Shark, so what's the point?" He asked the Astral being.
"Then he would have played right into your hands. Shark would have had to summon Black Ray Lancer or his Number to defeat Nightmare Shark. If he didn't, then you would have won on the next turn with Nightmare Shark's effect" Astral explained. "Your next card was Monster Reborn, wasn't it? You could have used that to revive Gagaga Magician and then overlay it with Ganbara Knight in your hand to summon Utopia, whom you could have used to defeat Black Ray Lancer or stall against Leviathan Dragon, depending on the situation. Now, look at your next card." Yuma drew the top card of the deck and his eyes widened when he saw it.
Double Or Nothing
"Wait, don't tell me I could have…" He trailed off after thinking of what he could have done next.
"Exactly, you could have pulled off the same combo you did in your last duel and won. I didn't help you as I wanted to see how you would fare on your own" Astral explained. Yuma knelt down and punched the ground.
"Damn it! After all, that's happened I still can't win by myself!" He yelled to himself.
"Use this as a learning experience. Think about the mistakes you have made today and learn from them for the future" Astral advised. Shark walked over to Yuma.
"Tch! Losing to a duelist like you and almost giving up on everything…" Shark began. "How laughable" he finished as he yanked the key from Yuma's neck. "As promised, I'll be taking this" Shark said as he tossed the key up once and turned to walk off. He stopped after taking a few steps, thinking of Leviathan Dragon's earlier words. "This thing…its not even worth destroying," Shark said as he tossed the key over his shoulder, causing it to land in front of Yuma with a loud clang.
Shark resumed walking when he was stopped by Yuma calling out his name.
"Wait for Shark! Why are you doing this?" Shark turned back towards Yuma and looked at him with a serious glare.
"Because I need peace Yuma. Once I pay those assholes back for what they did to Rio, I can finally move on with my life" Shark explained. The others looked on with concern. "At least you and Lennox took a page out of my book and kept on going, striving to never give up. That was my debt to you for saving me from that Number. I'd help you two find your determination again" Shark explained, his eyes now turning to Lennox. "But stay out of my way. That was my one and only favour to you for saving me." Shark turned and continued to walk. "And if you get in my way…" he trailed off ominously. "…I'll crush you both." All Lennox and Yuma could do was to watch Shark walk away in the setting evening sun.
Author Made Cards
Xyz Blast
Quick-Play Spell
Effect: Activate at the end of your battle phase if you destroyed a Xyz monster by battle this turn. Inflict 800 points of damage to your opponent for every Xyz monster destroyed by battle this turn.
Phew! Glad I got this done. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a great New Year because I sure did. I wanted to get this out before Christmas, but visiting family ended up happening and I ended up playing Zelda on my new Nintendo Switch and then watching My Hero Academia for the rest of the holiday. I actually got something planned for My Hero Academia which I will write at a later date, but for now, I'd like to stick to this and my VRAINS fic which I'm dying to update. Problem is that I'm trying to think of character designs.
I've got one already and a canon character that appears recently got theirs. I'll leave you to guess who it is. Other than that, I've 3 more to do and then the main group is done. I've got most of their deck done to so it only a matter of time . Also, OPfan, I know how much you love exact victories and I could help but do it again this chapter for you. That's the whole reason I made Xyz Blast. I originally planned for Shark to bet Yuma with Hyper Armoured Xyz, but I did that last chapter and I didn't think it would be too appealing. Anyway! Enough rambling from me! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and if you did, leave a review why. Other than that, I'll see you all in the next update.
Bye!
