I'm now taking Oc cards, of every type, for Heroic, Predaplant, and The Phantom Kngihts cards. I'm looking for mainly Tuners and Synchros for the Heroic series and cards that help blend Predaplant and The Phantom Knights more cohesively. I will of course welcome any Oc cards you got through look them over. Thank you.

Heartland Academy, Morning…

Lance rode up to the bike stands where both him and Yuma jumped off, so he would secure his bike. Now that they were here, with a little time left before class, Lance decided to breech the topic of the Numbers.

"Yuma, can we talk?" Lance asked.

Yuma looked at him. "Yeah, what's up?"

"I've been thinking, and I want to tell our friends about the Number. Beyond that, I want to form an unofficial Numbers Investigation Club. This way, they can all be informed of the Numbers and help get the rest of them." Lance explained.

"I don't think it's a good idea." Yuma stated shocking Lance. "They've already been involved enough as it is. From here on out, the two of us should deal with the Numbers ourselves."

Lance shook his head. "Yuma! You just said it. They're already involved, so they have a right to know what they've been dueling against. Nelson beat a Number user yesterday and most of our friends have been possessed by Numbers at some points.

Not to mention, almost everyone helped you defeat that butler with Titanic Moth and Caswell and Shane defended Astral without being fully aware what was at stake. They're the only reason something bad didn't happen to him."

Astral spoke up. "He is making a lot of sense Yuma. Several of your friends are great duelist."

"Look, they've been involved enough. I don't want them to get involved with Kite and Shay. We both know they're in a league of their own." Yuma firmly stated. "The less they know, the better."

"It should be their choice to get involved." Lance firmly stated. "They've been curious lately, and I don't think we can keep this from them any longer."

They both looked to the right and saw Cat. "Hi Yuma. Lance. What are you two arguing about, and what were you briefly looking at?"

Yuma walked past Lance. "It's nothing Cat."

She blushed. "He remembered by name."

Lance put a hand on the Syllable duelist's shoulder. "Don't just walk away."

Yuma shrugged him off. "We are done talking about this; furthermore, we're keeping the others out." He walked on. "That's final."

Lance grit his teeth and clenched his fist as Yuma walked away. The Heroic Duelist then stormed off in the opposite direct. If Yuma thought this was the end, he had another thing coming.

This left Cat alone. "That was weird."

Toshiro stood at the gate, so he couldn't hear anything they said; however, Black Mist was a different story. "The Time will soon be at hand Toshiro. Keep watch, don't get caught, and don't screw up."

After Class

Yuma ran out of the class. "Bye Lance, I'll see you later."

Lance chased after him. "Yuma! We are talking about this weather you like it or not."

"Sorry, but I have to do some shopping for grandma!" Yuma shouted.

"That's a lame excuse, and you know it!" Lance exclaimed.

Caswell, Tori, Shane, and Nelson had observed the two run off.

"Looks like whatever Lance had to discuss with Yuma isn't going well." Nelson stated.

Tori looked to Caswell and Shane. "Yuma didn't say anything about the Numbers when you asked him?"

"We tried, but Mr. Tsukumo is keeping quiet." Shane explained.

Caswell shook his head. "He wouldn't tell us anything."

Streets of Heartland

Yuma wouldn't deny that Lance was faster than him, but the Syllable duelist could be wiry when he put his mind to it. He'd dipped into a few alleyways and managed to lose The Heroic duelist. Now, he was trying to make it home only to bump into Toshiro.

"Sorry about that." Yuma stated.

Toshiro put on a fake smiled. "It's quite alright. I-I was distracted looking for an opponent to duel. Say, y-you look like a duelist. Want to duel?"

Astral appeared. "Something seems off about this young man."

Yuma smiled. "Oh yeah, I'm feeling the flow! Let's duel man."

From within Toshiro, Black Mist was laughing.

Some Time Later…

Lance had been searching for a bit when he noticed Yuma dueling some guy. He stood back and observed the duel for now.

Status of the Duel

(Yuma 4000/Toshiro 2400)

Yuma's Field:

Number 39: Utopia(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)

Toshiro's Field:

Giant Germ(LV 2/1000/100)x3

"My turn." Toshiro drew. "I overlay my three Giant Germs to construct the overlay network and summon Number 96: Dark Mist(Rank 2/O 2/100/1000)." A truly fiendish, monstrous figure appeared with razor sharp claws and blazing fire eyes. "I end my turn."

"A Number with only 100 ATK? He also ended his turn? It must have a powerful effect." Lance thought.

"Play this as carefully as possible Yuma." Astral declared.

"I'll try Astral." Yuma drew. "Alright Utopia let's see what effect that monster is hiding. Take it down." The attack went off without a hitch (Yuma 4000/Toshiro 0). "I won!"

Astral held out his hand and collected the Number only to get a startling memory. The earth was being ensnared by purple energy before exploding. The guy on the ground was unmoving, so Lance ran and checked for a pulse. The guy was resting, but it was a disturbed sleep.

He also noticed the bags under the young man's eyes. "Something is seriously wrong here."

Yuma was attempting to sneak away, but Lance stood up. "Yuma, you can't keep running. Our friends deserve to know the truth. They can help."

Yuma grit his teeth. "Lance, I keep telling you no. We can't involve them any further."

Lance walked over and grabbed Yuma by his shirt. "What happens if they run into Kite or Shay by accident? Then they won't know what they're up against because you wanted to keep this our secret."

Yuma smacked his hands away. "Drop it Lance. We aren't talking about this anymore." He walked away. "Now I'm going home."

"Yuma don't be an idiot1" Lance shouted.

The Syllable duelist walked away.

Lance sighed angrily before taking another look at Tashiro. "He really looks to be in bad shape. The bags, pale, and malnourished. I should stay with him and call an ambulance."

Heartland Academy, Next Day…

Lance arrived at Heartland Academy alone and rode up to the bike stand.

Tori found this odd, so she approached him. "Where's Yuma?"

Lance looked at her. "I'm not talking to that jerk; furthermore, as far as I'm concerned, I'm done looking out for him. He can be late to school just as he used to."

Lance walked into the school leaving Tori concerned.

Class

Yuma ran into the room panting as Mr. Kay was giving a lecture. "Yuma, how nice of you to join us."

Yuma looked at him. "Sorry Mr. Kay." He glared at Lance. "I overslept today."

Lance glared back.

"Well, you haven't been late since starting middle school, so I'll overlook it for today." Mr. Kay informed. "Take your seat."

Yuma walked to his seat as both he and Lance continued to glare continued to glare. Once the Syllable duelist sat down, both boys huffed and turned away from each other causing Tori to sigh sadly.

Roof: Three Days Later, After School…

Lance stood on the roof looking out over the school.

"I finally found you." Rio stated.

Lance turned around surprised to see the Blackwing user. "Rio? What are you doing here?"

Rio walked over and joined him. "It's obvious. I'm worried because you seem angry, and I've had enough of this waiting around until you get better." She leaned against the railing. "So, what's on your mind? Is it that guy you don't seem to like?"

Lance sighed and looked out over the school yard once more. "That's Yuma. Yuma Tsukumo."

"The only other one whose beaten my brother." Rio stated. "What's the matter?"

"He's my best friend, but we aren't talking. Haven't for three days now." Lance stated.

"You know, people seem to think you're very different. From what I've seen, they're right. Yuma's more exuberant while your reserved to a certain point. I'm not certain if that's where the differences end. Though I am curious, how are you two friends? How did it begin?" Rio asked.

Lance continued to stare outward. "Believe it or not, but there was a time I wouldn't have made friends with Yuma. Not because I hated him or anything. I was just such a coward when I was younger."

Rio was shocked. "You? A coward?"

Lance nodded. "Yeah. I feared Yuma because of all his energy. In fact, I didn't have a single friend. I did have bully until she moved away, but that's getting off topic. Anyways, one day my older siblings up and vanished without a trace.

I was sad for the longest time. I didn't even go to school for three whole months. I had to be homes schooled. I looked up to them both. My sister was outgoing, but less excitable than Yuma. My brother was the epitome of cool and confident.

I decided to be them. I took on their personalities and made it my own act. It worked. I even fooled myself into believing I was confident, cool, and outgoing. Well, it's worked to well since I know I'm no longer that coward.

Maybe it worked a little too well since I was overconfident for the longest time. Anyway, this confidence allowed me to start winning duels, overcoming fears, and so much more. Once we entered third grade, Yuma went off spouting how he wanted to be a duel champion.

That's honestly my dream as well." He chuckled. "Yuma never won in those days, but he ended up challenging me to a duel. Since I no longer feared his personality, I was able to see something special about him. It's why I didn't and don't laugh at his dream.

Of course, I wiped the floor with Yuma, but the next day he challenged me again. That was the start of duel after duel. I never once turned him down. How could I when he was so determined to keep at it? It was that determination, drive, that I began to admire.

Before I knew it, I had grown my first, genuine bond outside of my family. After losing my family, I began to see Yuma as my best friends and brother. I started teaching him how to duel, but my method of teaching only went so far."

Rio said, "You two sound close, so this argument must be pretty serious to divide you."

"It's the Numbers. I want to tell you guys all about them. What we've been going through and facing. To give you all the chance to decide for yourselves if you want to fight." Lance sighed. "He doesn't seem to understand that."

"Well, after hearing your story, I think you should try talking to him again." Rio stated. "You two sound close, so it'd be a shame to end your friendship over one argument."

Lance stared out over the school yard. "Maybe…" He looked at Rio and gave a small smile. "Thanks Rio."

Rio nodded. "Anytime."

Dueling Park, Evening…

Lance had received a message from Tori telling him this is where Yuma would be, and that he should come. So, he did with the intention of properly talking things through. When the Heroic duelist arrived, he saw Tori and Yuma.

"Why should I apologize?" Yuma asked.

Tori had her hands on her hips. "One of you has to be the bigger man, and neither of you will reach that conclusion yourselves. That's why I'm making the decision and saying it's you."

"Lance is much taller than me, so it'll have to be him." Yuma stated.

Astral floated down in front of him. "Yuma, Lance is your best friend, so talk to him."

"I'll tell you why." Yuma pointed behind him. "I had a big lunch and I'm not hungry." He was pointing at Lance who turned right around and started to walk away. "Hold up Lance."

He put a hand on Lance's back, but the Heroic duelist wasn't in the mood. He whirled around with the intent of smacking away Yuma's hand only to hit his key. It was knocked clean off and clattered to the ground sending Yuma to his butt. This shocked all three of them.

Lance decided to double down. "Just leave me alone Yuma. I don't want to talk with someone who isn't willing to do so himself."

Suddenly, black sludge moved on its own from Yuma's extra deck and infected Astral. "What is happening?"

Blue electricity coursed through him.

"What is that!?" Tori shouted shocked as she saw Astral.

Lance took a step back before looking at the Emperor Key. "Hold on, I'll fix this."

He ran over and collected it.

Astral struggled against the sludge. "Number 96… It is trying to take control."

"What do you mean trying to take control?" Yuma asked.

"He means that when your 'good friend' knocked that key away, it allowed me to escape. Now that I'm free, I can take control."Black Mist stated.

Astral was shocked further as black tentacles shot forward ensnaring Yuma.

"Put him down!" Lance and Tori called out.

Black Mist was almost fully in control. He appeared very similar to Astral, but with a jet-black body instead of light blue. Unlike Astral, whose right eye has a white sclera, Number 96 has a black sclera.

Astral managed to speak. "Yuma, you must toss every Number to Lance, and Lance you must defeat 96 because Yuma is incapable of doing so in this current situation."

Yuma struggled with all his might to do as Astral said and chuckled the box to Lance. Not a moment later, Astral was sealed into darkness with his screams of pain being the last they heard.

Lance caught the deck box, but both Yuma and him stared at Black Mist in shock. "Astral, no!"

Black Mist chuckled. "I predicted this would happen, but those Number won't be out of my possession for long." He looked at Lance. "If you want to save your friend, you're going to have to duel me."

Lance stood firm. "If it's a duel you want, I'll give it to you."

Tori came to stand next to him. "I'll help."

Lance looked at Tori. "Tori, this could go south real fast. We need duelist just in case I fall. Get everyone. Caswell, Cat, Shane. Shark, and Rio. Everyone. This situation just went dire."

Tori nodded. "Right."

She ran leaving Lance with Black Mist.

He put Yuma's key around his neck with his own pendent. "Alright, Black Mist you're going down. You hurt my friends and that's unforgivable."

"Lance, you should just run! Forget me and save yourself." Yuma shouted.

"I can't do that!" Lance shouted. "We may be fighting, but you're still my best friend."

Yuma was shocked. "I am?"

Black Mist chuckled as he pushed Yuma behind him. "How touching." He formed a black D-pad from his arm. "I hope you are prepared boy because I certainly am."

Duel Disk Go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Lance 4000/Black Mist 4000)

"Alright you creep, get ready because I'm going first." Lance declared. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Extra Sword(LV 4/1000/1000)." A warrior in silver, green, and gold armor wielding two blades appeared. "I'll end my turn."

Black Mist chuckled. "To easy. Far too easy. I must have been overestimating you." He drew. "I summon Malicevorous Skewer(LV 2/300/300)." A purple armored demon with a skewer for a weapon appeared.

"Malicevorous monsters. That does make sense considering his Number." Lance thought.

"When Skewer is summoned, I can special summon a Malicevorous monster from my hand. I choose Malicevorous Knife(LV 2/600/100)." A fiend in purple armor and wielding a red knife appeared.

"When a Malicevorous monster with a different name is summoned, I can special summon Malicevorous Spoon(LV 2/100/500)." A small fiend in purple armor and wielding a spoon appeared. "I'm far from done.

I'll overlay all three level 2 monsters to Xyz summon a copy of myself Number 96: Black Mist(R 2/O 3/100/1000)." A truly fiendish, monstrous figure appeared with razor sharp claws and blazing fire eyes. "Black Mist attack Extra sword."

"Your monster must have an effect similar to Number 54." Lance declared.

Black Mist chuckled. "I am far superior to 54. I'm far superior to all Numbers! I activate Black Mist's ability. By detaching one overlay unit, Number 96 can steal half your monster's ATK." Number 96:Black Mist(R 2/O 2/1100/1000). "Let him have it (Lance 3900/Black Mist 4000)."

"Just you wait Black Mist. Soon you're going to lose." Lance drew. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000)." A warrior in gold and red armor with a cape, spear, and shield appeared. "I set one card."

Black Mist smiled. "You must try better than this if you want even a shred of hope in beating me." He drew. "I activate Snatch Claw and equip it to Black Mist. Now when he destroys a monster, I can special summon it to my field; however, it's effects will be negated.

Before that, I'll activate Number 96:Black Mist(R 2/O 1/1900/1000) once more on Heroic Challenger-Spartan(LV 4/800/1000)." Now Black Mist will attack Spartan (Lance 2800/Black Mist 4000), and I special summon Heroic Challenger-Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000). He'll attack you directly (Lance 1200/Black Mist 4000). I'll end my turn with two face downs."

Lance smirked.

Yuma smiled. "You're finished Black Mist."

Black Mist looked back at him. "How do you figure?"

"It's written on Lance's face." Yuma declared. "When he smirks or smiles, especially after taking a massive hit the last turn, he's got just the card or cards to beat you. You've lost."

Black Mist looked at Lance. "You are wrong. The strongest Number will not lose to a Human. I observed his duels and deemed it unimpressive."

Lance chuckled. "You don't think I'd have noticed that guy hanging around after finding out you were his card. Please, my memory's sharp. I just don't care because you can observe me as many times as you want. It's not going to give you a victory."

"Just take your turn so I can wipe you out already." Black Mist declared.

Lance drew. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Double Lance(LV 4/1700/900)." A warrior decked out in white and light blue armor appeared. "His effect allows him to count as two monsters for the Xyz summon of a Heroic Champion.

I'll do just that using Double Lance to build the overlay network and Xyz summon Heroic Champion-Clarent(R 4/O 1/2500/1700)." A champion in light blue and orange armor appeared. "I'll equip him with Magnum Shield.

Since he's in ATK mode, he'll gain a boost in ATK equal to his original DEF. I'll follow up with Overlay Capture spell. This spell removes all of Black Mist's overlay units and equips this spell to my monster as another overlay unit."

Heroic Champion-Clarent(R 4/O 2/4200/1700 spell). "I'll now activate Clarent's special ability. By detaching one overlay unit, I can destroy all spell and trap cards on your field leaving you defenseless."

Black Mist frowned. "You… You still don't have enough ATK to win this duel."

Lance confidently said. "You'd be right if it weren't for this last card in my hand and my face down. I activate Karma Cut. By discarding this last card, I can banish Number 96 leaving you wide open for a direct ATK."

Black Mist grit his teeth angrily. "Impossible! I cannot lose! I am the strongest and ultimate Number! I can't lose to the likes of you!"

"Nothing is impossible Black Mist. Now, leave my best friend alone." Lance declared. "Go Clarent attack Black Mist directly (Lance 1200/Black Mist 0)."

"Nooooooo!" Black Mist declared as he flew back and his tentacles unwrapped themselves from Yuma.

Lance took the Emperors Key from around his neck. "Yuma, catch!"

He threw both the key and his best friend's deck box back to him. Yuma caught them, and Astral remerged from the key as he positioned his hand directly at Black Mist.

Black Mist could feel himself slowly being pulled back into Astral. "I am not being imprisoned again Astral. I refuse!" He held out his own hand and summoned a sphere of red energy before chucking it at Astral. Unlike everyday stuff, it nailed Astral in the chest knocking him down.

Black Mist made his escape leaving the three of them with these final words. "You three will suffer. Mark my words. Especially you Astral. You will fall, and those Numbers will be mine!"

Yuma worriedly looked at Astral. "Are you okay?"

Astral floated back up. "I will be fine Yuma." He turned to both. "Lance, did well, but I don't want either of you to let your guards down. Yuma always keep your key on you. Lance, you may be safe since he seemed intent on dueling you but do the same."

They both nodded. "Right."

Yuma then smiled. "You did it Lance."

Yuma held out his hand and Lance took it as they shook in a comradery manner. "I had to. I couldn't let Number 96 have his way."

The laughed.

"Yuma! Lance!" Tori worriedly shouted.

They both turned and saw Tori approaching with everyone. Even Shark had come.

"So…" Lance began.

Yuma nodded. "We'll tell them." Lance looked at him. "Not knowing about Number 96, Shay, Kite, and the Numbers in general… you were right Lance. If they don't know, they could be seriously hurt. I see that now. I'm sorry."

Lance smiled. "I'm sorry to Yuma. I got far to worked up over this and caused a major problem because of it."

"Forgive each other?" Yuma asked.

"Agreed." Lance nodded. "Let's tell them tomorrow. I think we could both use some rest."

The group reached them and began checking to make sure they were okay.

Alleyway

Black Mist landed in an alleyway and collapsed to his knees. "Damn, there were no host nearby, and I'm already starting to weaken. I need to hurry before I completely fade away. Lance, Astral, and Yuma. You three will pay."

Suddenly, he felt much better and noticed that he was trapped in a light blue sphere.

"What trickery is this?" Black Mist asked.

"This is no trickery Number 96." A feminine voice stated firmly. "This is your cleansing."

He noticed a woman with a white mask over her face walk into the sphere. She had shoulder length white hair with a second layer of light blue and considerable assets. Her attire consisted of light blue, no sleeved shirt underneath a white trench coat with light blue trim.

"Perfect. A host." Black Mist thought.

At this point he was more concerned with that than what was happening or what she said. He shot forward only to be met with a dark blue shield that burned and kept him at bay.

He recoiled in pain. "What was that?" He looked at the woman. "Who are you?"

"My name is Dos, a Lancer for Declan Akaba." She activated her D-pad. "This is your cleansing Number 96. A victory in here will grant me the ability to remove your darkness. It will grant you what you currently seek. Me as a host. You can't back out.

Black Mist summoned his D-Pad. "Very well. You will regret facing the ultimate Number."

Duel Disk Go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Dos 4000/Black Mist 4000)

"I will take the first turn." Black Mist declared. "I discard a fiend monster from my hand to special summon Malicevorous Fork(LV 2/400/400)." A small fiend in purple armor wielding a large fork appeared.

"The card I discarded was Malicevorous Bowl(LV 2/100/600) which can special summoned from the grave if I control a Malicevorous monster." A small fiend in purple armor appeared using a large bowl as a shield. "I then summon Malicevorous Cup(LV 2/600/400)."

A small fiend in purple armor wielding a large, clear glass appeared. "Now I overlay my three level 2 monsters to Xyz summon Number 96: Black Mist(R 2/O 3/100/1000)." A truly fiendish, monstrous figure appeared with razor sharp laws and blazing fire eyes.

"I now use Overlay Reward allowing me to choose an Xyz monster, Like Number 96, and draw cards equal to the number of overlay units. Since 96 has three units, I draw three cards. "I'll then set one card."

Dos drew. "I activate Fang of Critias. This spell is a Polymerization for my traps, so I'm combining it with Mirror force to fusion summon Mirror Force Dragon(LV 8/2800/1200)." A light black dragon with four wings appeared."

Black Mist was shocked. "That should be impossible."

Dos replied. "Nothing is truly impossible in this world. This deck is a fine example because it belonged to a Kaiba. I'll set one card ending my turn."

Black Mist drew. "I activate Number 96 to steal halve your dragon's ATK and gain it for myself."

"I counter with Mirror Force Dragon's ability. When you target my dragon, he destroys all monsters you control." Mirror Force Dragon(LV 8/1400/1200). "I may lose ATK, but you gain nothing from it." Dos declared.

Black Mist grit his teeth. "This duel isn't over."

"I believe it is because Number 96 is the only Extra deck monster you have. If you somehow bring him back, my face down or Mirror Force Dragon will deal with it again. By that look on your face, I can tell you have nothing to defeat me. You should just surrender."

Black Mist declared. "The ultimate Number never surrenders. I end my turn."

"I can at least respect that." Dos drew. "I summon Lord of D.(LV 4/1200/1100)." A tan man in dragon bone armor with a blue cape appeared. "With him on the field, dragon type monsters cannot be targeted for attacks.

Now I reveal a Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand to special summon Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon(LV 8/3000/2500)." A large, blue-eyed white dragon appeared. "Now Alternative and Mirror Force will attack you directly (Dos 4000/Black Mist 0)."

Black Mist was flung back into the wall before falling to his back. "I lost again."

That was all he could say before the sphere rapidly shrunk, moving past Dos, and touching Black Mist. This time, it moved through him casting him in a light blue aura. Black Mist screamed out in pain as a crimson red, black tinted energy was ejected from his body.

The energy moved towards Dos, but she didn't move an inch as the sphere, now the size of a baseball, flew at the energy entrapping it within. Both energies dissipated mere inches from Dos' face. With it gone, she approached Black Mist who was now getting to his feet shakily.

He touched his head and began flickering in and out much like Astral. "What did you do to me?"

Dos replied, "I freed you from Don Thousand. Soon, you shall become like any other Number. Of course, that is one option. Declan Akaba would like you to join the Lancers If you accept, we can stabilize your current form.

We even have a way to make it impossible for Astral to absorb you; however, the stabilization will only last so ling. You'll need a partner, and we have the perfect one in mind. So, join us and help put an end both Barian and Astral or fade away. Your choice."

Black Mist honestly felt far saner now than a few minutes ago, but he was wary of this deal. "So, your group wishes to destroy Barian and Astral World. What happens to Numbers like me once you are done. After all, we are born of Astral himself."

"Nothing." Dos stated. "Declan is perfectly content to let the Numbers live as their existence does not interfere with Earth." Dos explained as Black Mist began flickering faster and longer. "It's your choice. We will not force this one you."

Black Mist looked at his arm. "Don Thousand succeeded in putting the Ultimate Number under his control and I still have a desire to defeat Astral. I do not care what happens to him. I would certainly like to be free even if I must work with a partner as he does." He nodded. "I accept."

Dos nodded and pointed her D-Pad at Black Mist. A white energy shot forth cloaking Black Mist and stabilizing him for the time being.

"Then, let us be off." Dos declared.

She messed with her D-pad for a moment. Finally, after touching the screen once more, both Dos and Black Mist vanished in light blue particles.

1:nice chapter , but i wonder what's vector doing with reiji⁉️, maybe a plot twist , well regardless thanks for the chapter and i also think about a lance x rio romance , that woud be nice

Quillion9000: Reiji is stacking his Lancers in his favor as much as possible.