I'm still accepting OC 'Heroic' cards from you guys.

it needs to stick with the theme of the deck when it comes to monsters. Mosnters are usually named after tactics (Ambush Soldier), people that fought wars (Spartan), or weapons (Double Lance). XYZ's are named after mythical weapons (Excalibur or Gandiva). Anyone that makes a card will be credited with it's creation in the chapter it first appears.

Train Station, Evening…

Yuma had been out dueling at a park and was walking home only for a guy with brown hair, eyes, and 1st year uniform to get in his way.

"Yuma Tsukumo, I challenge you to a duel." He showed his deck as red number 50 appeared on the back of his right hand. "I will prove that there's no way a useless duelist like you could have beaten Shark."

"If you want to duel, then I'm all for it." Yuma smiled. "I'm feeling the flow."

Astral appeared. "You must have seen the number Yuma so do exercise caution."

Duel Disk go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Yuma 4000/Brown 4000)

"Alright, I summon Achacha Archer(LV 3/1200/600)." An archer in light, yellow armor appeared. "When he's summoned, you take 500 life points (Yuma 4000/Brown 3500). I then set one card."

"My move." Brown drew. "I summon Rescue Rabbit(LV 4/300/100)." A white and black rabbit appeared. "I then activate his effect allowing me to banish him and summon two normal monsters from my deck as long as they are the same.

Those monsters will be destroyed during the end phase. I choose two Gene-Warped Warwolf(LV 4/2000/100)." Two bipedal white wolves with four arms appeared. "I'll use them to construct the overlay network.

Come forth Number 50:Blackship of Corn(R 4/O 2/2100/1500)." A large ship appeared. "I then activate Monster Reborn allowing me to return a Gene-Warped Warwolf(2000/100) from the grave to the field."

"That isn't good." Yuma stated.

Astral said, "Activate your face down when he ATK's with his Warwolf."

Now I detach one overlay unit from my Blackship allowing me to destroy a monster on your field with less than or equal ATK to this monsters. Your Archer fits the bill which means you also take 1000 life points due to that same effect (Yuma 3000/Brown 3500). The down side is that he can't ATK. Warwolf can."

"Do it now Yuma!" Astral declared.

"Right." Yuma nodded. "I activate Battle Break destroying your Attacking monster and ending your battle phase."

"I end my turn." Brown stated.

Yuma drew. "I now summon Gogogo Golem(LV 4/1800/1500)." A green and blue golem appeared. "This in turn allows me to special summon Kagetokage(LV 4/1100/1500) from my hand." The shadow of a lizard appeared in the ground.

"I will then construct the Overlay Network with my two level fours to bring about Number 39: Utopia(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)." A white and gold monster appeared. "I'll have him destroy number 50 (Yuma 3000/Brown 3100)."

"No!" Brown sated. "I refuse to lose to you of all people Yuma Tsukumo. I will not lose!" He drew. "I activate Soul Charge. Now I can special summon my two Gene-Warped Warwolf(LV/2000/100) at the cost of 1000 life points apiece (Yuma 3000/Brown 1100)."

This caused the number 85 to appear on his left hand.

"Astral?" Yuma questioned worriedly.

"I see it Yuma." Astral stated. "This one has two numbers."

"Now, I build the overlay network once more with two level four monsters. Come forth Number 85: Crazy Box(R 4/O 2/3000/300)." A large, light black box with a single eye appeared. "This monster is prohibited from attacking, but I don't need it when I can use his effect.

By detaching an overlay unit, a six-sided dice is rolled." Brown declared. There is an effect for every number." A die rolled and landed on 1. "A one means your life points are cut in halve (Yuma 1500/Brown 1100).

"That is some number." Yuma stated.

Astral nodded. "Indeed; however, he has lost this duel. You have just what you need in your hand regardless of what you draw."

Yuma nodded. "You're right Astral." He drew. "Alright, I'm seriously feeling the flow. I'll have Utopia ATK your Box only to activate his ability stopping the ATK in its tracks."

Brown laughed. "What a useless move."

"You'd think so until I activate Double or Nothing. Since Utopia's ATK was stopped, he gets to try again at double the strength." Yuma declared. "That means you've lost (Yuma 1500/Brown 0)."

Brown was knocked onto his back as Astral held out his hand collecting both numbers.

"I did it!" Yuma celebrated. "I managed to beat two numbers!"

Astral looked at Yuma with a hand on his chin. "Observation number 9, Yuma is starting to come into the role of a proper duelist, but he still has a ways to go."

Shark sat in his parked bike a fair distance away having observed the entire duel minus Astral. He removed his duel gazer and sped away from the scene.

Streets of Heartland

Lance waited at the crosswalk for the signal to bike over. Once it turned green, he started pedaling only to notice Shark sitting atop a motorcycle in traffic. They locked eyes until Lance made it to the other side. That's when the light turned green and the Water duelist sped off.

The Heroic duelist watched him go. "Shark… I haven't seen him since that Friday he accepted Yuma's challenge. Has he not been in school all this time? That would explain why we haven't dueled. Could the duel with Yuma be the only reason? Yuma did say Shark complimented him."

That got Lance thinking about the fact that he never really learned anything about Shark. I mean, they dueled plenty, but Shark wasn't one of those guys who shared. The Heroic duelist basically knew what most people did. Shark was once a National duelist until he wasn't.

As Lance peddled home he thought about it some more. "I think it's about time I do a little research. I mean Shark is my rival. He certainly got closer than most to beating me until the Numbers, people improved their decks, and new people joined the school."

Hogan Residence: Lance's Workshop, Night…

Lance was in what used to be his secret base. Of course, with his identity known, it became a workshop. His body suit was still up, but he'd officially dismantled the helmet. He was currently sat at his table looking up information on Shark.

He had been scanning through news stories of his rival's time in Nationals for a while until he came upon a much early story. "What's this?" He looked at the story closer. "Reginald and Rio Kastle pronounced dead in a care accident alongside their parents.

Then they were revived. It was a true miracle." He knew from the other stories what Shark's true name was, but he certainly found this article interesting for multiple reasons. "So, Shark has a sister. What happened to her?"

The Heroic duelist quickly found a follow up story. "Rio Kastle was saved from a bizarre fire thanks to Quatro. That's the Pro-Duelist. The Kastle siblings have experienced great tragedy in their short lives." The next article he found only hammered that point home

"Disgraced contender, Reginald Kastle, was disqualified in the finals when it was revealed that he had secretly looked at his opponents' deck in violation of tournament rules. That doesn't sound like the Shark I know.

Sure, he once took decks, but he always took care of them. Shark has honor. If this article is true, then I'm certain he had a reason to do what he did." He leaned back in his seat. "Man, I had no idea all this stuff happened to Shark."

Come to think of it, I never saw him hang out with anyone. Just because I view him as a rival, doesn't mean I couldn't also view him as a friend." Lance stood up. "Now more than ever, he may need a friend. I'll ask around tomorrow and see if anyone knows where he is now."

Lance yawned and decided to turn in for the night.

Inside Yuma's Key

Astral looked around at all the various gears moving due to the recovery of the Numbers. "This gear puzzle seems to move one step closer to completion with each Number obtained, but why? Does it have to do with my memory loss? What do Lance and Yuma have to do with this?"

Streets of Heartland, Morning…

Lance was peddling himself and Yuma to school, as usual, and decided to bring up Shark with him. "Hey Yuma, I saw Shark briefly yesterday. Do you recall seeing at any time since your duel with him?"

Yuma blinked. "Now that you mention it, no."

"I'm going to ask around and see if anyone knows where he is. You want to help?" Lance asked.

"Yeah. Sounds like a plan." Yuma stated.

Lance sped up the pace.

Class

Yuma and Lance entered class only to be confronted by Tori, Caswell, and Nelson

"Hey guys, what's going on?" Lance questioned.

Yuma nodded. "Yeah, did we not make it on time? I could have sworn Lance made great time today."

"You two are certainly late." Caswell stated.

He then moved to touch their decks and extra decks only for Lance to grab his wrists. "Whoa man, touching another's deck without permission is not cool."

Nelson nodded. "I have to agree." He looked at Lance and Yuma. "I'm sorry. Caswell merely said he wanted to ask you about your numbers."

Lance let go of Caswell took out his. "You only have to ask, but Yuma can't produce his." The Heroic duelist kept ahold of them as he spread his Numbers out for them to see. "Astral isn't here, so only I have access to my numbers."

"Oh, is that so?" Caswell asked as he observed the cards. "What's the deal with these Numbers? I've certainly never heard of them."

"What' with the third-degree Caswell?" Yuma asked.

Lance put his cards away as Caswell approached them. "I'm not certain that I buy this excuse you two seem to have." He looked at the Heroic duelist. "Lance, you're off the hook since everyone knows you're skilled enough to duel without these Numbers."

He turned his attention to the Syllable duelist. "Yuma, you only started winning matches because of these Number. I think the only reason you're hiding them, unlike Lance, is because you don't want to lose your secret weapons."

"That's not true at all!" Yuma declared. "I may have some good cards, but the reason I win is because I'm a good duelist."

Lance looked at Yuma. "I don't argue that you can be a great duelist Yuma but using Numbers against those without them is unfair. Even if the duelists you face have ways to work around them, you shouldn't use them unless the opponent wants you to."

"Whose side are you on Lance!?" Yuma asked.

"I'm just stating facts Yuma. Numbers are different from other cards produced. Even if the chance is slim, others can get them. Numbers only have one. There's only one Utopia, one Lion Heart, and so on. You've only won duels using Numbers."

Yuma became determined. "Oh yeah, well I'll prove you all wrong. I'll beat anyone without using any of my Numbers. Just name an opponent."

"Yuma." Tori worriedly stated.

"Really?" Caswell smirked. "Alright, then take on your old foe Shark."

Yuma smiled. "No problem. I promise I'll beat Shark without my Numbers." He walked off. "I'm going to start asking around until I find out where he is."

Somewhere in Heartland, After School…

Lance walked with Yuma to the supposed location where they could find Shark. "Why can't anyone understand. It's the duelist that makes the card. Not the other way around."

"Yuma, I get it. That doesn't mean it's fair to use the Numbers against people unprepared to deal with them. Plus, you're starting to become too reliant on them. I'm not saying that because I want you to use Zubaba General. Get more Xyz monsters. Expand the arsenal." Lance stated.

Astral appeared. "Lance does make some good points."

"No, he doesn't." Yuma looked at Astral. "Since you're here, I don't want you helping in this duel against Shark. I'll take him down myself."

They descended some stairs into an old, run down arcade.

Inside

The inside was about what one would expect when entering a decaying arcade. Barely functioning machines and glowing lights coming from the machines that still worked. It was also rather filthy. Lance heard rustling chains.

The Heroic Duelist pushed the Syllable duelist out of the way. "Yuma stay behind me."

"Hey, what was…" Yuma began before noticing the muscular guy who had tried to grab him.

The guy was of a slightly darker complexion with a black tank top and matching pants as well as crazy black hair. "Looks like the Sentai Ranger has finally come calling boys."

He was joined by a man with short black hair and white causal suit. "If we take him out, then no one would mess with the pack." He looked at Yuma. "Look, he's even brought a side kick."

Lance looked around at the large group and even though he was trained to defend himself, this was an unfavorable situation. Though maybe they'd be willing to duel. He has had to fight before, but often criminals respected the art of dueling.

Before he could say anything, Shark appeared. "Leave the brats. Can't you see by his attire. The Sentai Ranger didn't come here expecting a fight and taking out a kid in a school uniform wouldn't look all that impressive even if his face is known."

The muscular guy looked at him. "You know these two?"

"Sure do." Shark replied.

The suited man said, "Guess it's your lucky day."

The gang left, and Shark walked past them. "You two shouldn't have come here."

"I came because I have business with you Shark." You declared making Shark stop. "I'm here to duel."

The Aqua duelist laughed. "I can't duel you. I quit dueling." That shocked both Lance and Yuma. "I've moved on."

He walked outside but Lance wasn't about to let him just walk away.

The Heroic duelist ran after him. "Shark!"

Shark stopped and turned to him. "You don't need to shout. I'm right here."

"You can't have quit dueling." Lance stated. "You just couldn't have."

"Really? I was under the impression that it was my choice weather or not I quit. Not yours." Shark stated.

Yuma walked outside, and Lance continued. "Shark, I've dueled you more enough times to know that that you love to duel. Your deck means the world to you as any true duelist's deck should." He pointed back at the building. "This place isn't the place for you.

You have honor and pride as a duelist. These guys don't. They've destroyed any deck they claim and don't use themselves. You never did Shark. You took care of every deck and returned them after your duel with Yuma."

"What makes you think you have the right to lecture me? What makes you think you're even right? After all, you're just some guy I dueled. You don't understand anything." Shark stated.

Yuma chimed in. "Shark, it's only naturally he'd say these things. I'd say something similar. It's because Lance and I are you friends."

Shark became angry. "We are not friends. What would make you think that anyways?"

"We dueled Shark. That's why Lance could say what he said earlier, and it's why I can say you should dump these thugs you're hanging around."

Shark had gained some control. "It's none of your business who I hang out with."

"I'll make it my business then." Yuma declared. "I beat you in a duel, and you leave these losers."

"What do I get if I beat you?" Shark questioned.

Yuma grabbed the key around his neck. "You can have this."

Shark smirked. "You have yourself a deal." He walked away. "Meat me at the harbor in an hour."

Harbor

Lance stood off to the side as Tori and Caswell joined him. Yuma wanted Caswell there to prove he'd won without Numbers and had thought to call Tori as well. The three of them watched as Yuma and Shark faced off.

Astral looked at him. "Yuma are you absolutely sure about this?"

"I told you Astral." Yuma hadn't taken his eyes off Shark. "I don't want your help during this duel. That goes for all those number cards as well."

"What do you mean?" Astral questioned.

Yuma firmly said, "I want to prove that the duelist makes the cards. Not the other way around." He looked at Lance. "Plus, it's not fair to use Numbers against Shark." He turned back to Aqua duelist. "My opponent doesn't have any." He smiled. "Hey, now I've even got a noble cause. Shark shouldn't be hanging with those jerks."

"Alright then." Astral floated back a bit. "Consider me a spectator."

Shark was staring Yuma down. "I haven't forgotten our last duel Yuma. If I'm going to come out of retirement, then I can think of no better reason than to beat you."

Duel Disk go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Yuma 4000/Shark 4000)

"Let's do this!"

"You're going down Yuma." Shark declared. "I summon Hammer Shark(LV 4/1700/1500)." A blue shark with a hammer for a face appeared. "I then activate his ability allowing me to decrease is level by one to special summon a level 3 or lower monster from my hand.

I choose Big Jaws(LV 3/1800/300)." A blue shark with lots of teeth appeared. "Now I overlay LV 3 Big Jaws and Hammer Shark to Xyz summoner Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 2/1900/1000)." Two Sharks bound by an orange piece of equipment appeared.

Yuma was shocked as he remembered that monster. "This isn't good."

"How right you are Yuma." Shark declared. "I activate Aero Shark's ability. By removing an overlay unit, you take 400 points of damage for every card in my hand. Three cards equate to 1200 damage (Yuma 2800/Shark 4000). I then set one card. It's you're move."

"Unbelievable. Shark almost wiped out half of Yuma's life points before he even gets a turn." Caswell stated.

"Shark is one of the best duelist I know." Lance stated.

Yuma drew. "Alright, I summon Goblindbergh(LV 4/1400/0)." A goblin in a red airplane appeared. "He doesn't come alone because his ability allows me to special summon Gogogo Golem(LV 4/1800/1500)." A green and blue golem appeared.

"Two LV 4's. The only question is, are you bringing out that Number or General?" Shark thought.

"I now build the overlay network with my level four Golem and Goblin to Xyz summon Zubaba General(R 4/O 2/2000/1000)." The gold and white warrior with a black blade appeared. "By detaching one unit, I can equip him with a warrior in my hand. I choose Zubaba Knight granting my monster 1600 more ATK. I'll use all of it to destroy your Aero Shark (Yuma 2800/Shark 2300)."

"I activate Torrential Reborn. Since you just destroyed Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 0/1900/1000), I can resummon it to my field. You then take 500 points of damage (Yuma 2300/Shark 2300)."

Yuma grit his teeth. "I end my turn with a face down."

"If you won't use your number, then I'll just have to force it out." Shark drew. "I activate Underwater Snow Prison. I target a monster on the field and banish it. Your General is the prime target. A plus to me is that your monster isn't a water type, so I take no backlash damage."

Yuma shouted. "No way!"

"It doesn't stop there because now my Aero Shark will ATK you directly (Yuma 400/Shark 2300). I'll then set one card, but before you go, I want to say something." Yuma looked at Shark. "I want to use your number."

That shocked everyone involved.

"Has Shark lost his mind!" Caswell shouted.

"Numbers are insanely difficult to beat." Tori stated.

"Difficult but not impossible. There are always ways to work around them." Lance crossed his arms. "Don't do it Yuma."

"We're all waiting for it Yuma. You know playing it is the only way you'll be able to beat me. Then again, maybe that number isn't enough. Maybe the only reason I agreed to a duel was to prove I could take it down." Shark declared.

Astral decided to speak up. "Yuma, if the duelist really makes the card, then it should not matter if the card in question is weak or strong. Besides all that, what you have really set out to do is not boost your ego but to help your friend."

"I almost forgot. I got to beat him, so he'll lose those loser friends of his." Yuma drew. "To make that happen, I'll do whatever it takes." He looked at Shark. "Alright, first I'm activating my face down Secret Barrel.

This deals you 200 damage for each card in your hand and in your control. With three cards, that's 600 damage (Yuma 400/Shark 1700). Next, I'm summoning Gagaga Magician(LV 4/1500/1000)." The spellcaster in brown and blue robes appeared.

"With his summoning, I'm allowed to bring out Kagetokage(LV 4/1100/1500)." The shadow of a lizard appeared in the ground. I overlay my two level fours to summon Number 39: Utopia(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)." A gold and white warrior appeared.

"Yuma just summoned a Number card." Tori stated shocked.

Lance grit his teeth. "Damn it, Yuma!"

"It's just as I said." Caswell stated. "Yuma needs Numbers to win. I knew I was right."

Shark grinned. "I activate Full Armored Xyz. Since Aero Shark was special summoned, I'm allowed to summon another Xyz monster from my deck and equip Aero Shark to him. I choose Black Ray Lance(R 3/O 0/4000/600)." A black Beast-Warrior appeared.

"Utopia attack his Black Ray Lancer; however, I will the activate his ability by detaching an overlay unit which allows me to use Double or Nothing giving Utopia another chance to ATK at double strength. You're Lancer is done (Yuma 400/Shark 700)." He was shocked to find that Black Ray Lancer(R 4/O 0/2100/600) survived. "What gives? I destroyed your monster."

Shark smirked. "You don't think I planned for that move Yuma. Full Armored Xyz was more than a buff. Any time the Xyz is threatened, I can send the equipped monster to the grave sparing my monster."

"I end my turn." Yuma declared.

Shark drew and smirked. "This duel is finished Yuma. I activate Armored Xyz. This spell allows me to equip Black Ray Lance(R 3/O 0/2100/600) with Aero Shark which changes his name and ATK to that of the equipped monster. I then equip him with Aqua Jet increasing his ATK to 2900 ATK. I'll have him ATK Utopia."

"I still have one more overlay unit meaning I can negate that ATK." Yuma declared.

"Perfect." Shark smirked. "Armored Xyz has another effect allowing me to send the equipped monster to the grave granting my Lancer another chance to ATK only with 3100 ATK this time. Now Lancer destroy Utopia!"

"Utopia (Yuma 0/Shark 700)!" Yuma shouted.

"I suppose now I can tell you the reason that I stopped dueling Yuma." Shark walked up to the Syllable duelist. "I was crushed after you beat me, but I feel better now." He took the key. "This is the cherry on top."

After a moment, he threw it to Yuma. "Then again, keep it as a reminder of today." He then looked at Lance firmly. "Now it's your turn Lance. It's time we settle the score. Get over here and duel me."

"If it's a duel you want, I'm willing to oblige." Lance stated.

The two stared each other down.

Running Tally of Numbers:

Lance's Numbers:

Number 52: Diamond Grab King

Number 54: Lion Heart

Number 57: Tri-Head Dust Dragon

Number 83: Galaxy Queen

Number 86: Heroic Champion – Rhongomyniad

Yuma's Numbers:

Number 13: Embodiment of Crime

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon

Number 31: Embodiment of Punishment

Number 34: Terror-Bite

Number 39: Utopia

Number 50: Blackship of Corn

Number 85: Crazy Box