D-pad go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Hunter 4000/Shark 4000)

"Try to keep up Shark because I'm going all out." Hunter declared. "It starts with Heroic Challenger-Thousand Blades(LV 4/1300/1100)." A warrior in silver armor and blades strapped to his back appeared.

"I activate his effect to discard a Heroic Challenger and special summon one from my deck. I choose Heroic Challenger-Night Watchman(LV 4/1200/300)." A warrior in light, leather armor appeared. "This switches Thousand Blades to defense. I'll then set two cards."

"Why didn't he Xyz summon?" Caswell asked.

"Hunter is planning something." Yuto assured.

Shark drew. "I activate the effect of Panther Shark(LV 5/1100/2000) from my hand. Since you control two monsters, I'm allowed to special summon him." A yellow and purple shark appeared. "I then activate Eagle Shark(LV 5/1000/1800)."

"Since I control Panther Shark, I can special summon him." A purple and pink shark/eagle hybrid appeared. "Now, I tribute them to summon Big Whale(LV 9/1000/3000)." A huge whale with various machine parts appeared.

"That is a large whale, but it doesn't have much ATK." Tori commented surprised.

Caswell said, "That monster must have quite the ability for Shark of all people to include it in his deck."

"I activate Big Whale's special ability. Since he was tribute summoned, I can tribute him to special summon 3 level three monsters from my deck. I choose Big Jaws(LV 3/1800/300), Drill Barnacle(LV 3/300/0), and Skull Kraken(LV 3/600/1600)."

A blue shark with many teeth, a barnacle with drills, and a black kraken with a skull appeared in that order. "That's not all because I can special summon Shark Stickers(LV 3/200/1000)." A long, blue fish appeared.

"Now I construct the overlay network twice. Once with Big Jaws and Drill Barnacle, and the second with Skull Kraken and Shark Stickers. Xyz summon Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 2/1900/1000) and Black Ray Lancer(R 3/O 2/2100/600).

Twin sharks held together by orange equipment appeared alongside a black beast with a trident. "I detach one unit from Aero Shark to deal you 400 life points per card in my hand." Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 1/1900/1000). "I got two."

(Hunter 3200/Shark 4000).

Hunter interjected. "I activate my Heroic Change allowing me to tribute Thousand Blades and summon the monster I discarded before known as Heroic Challenger-Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000)." A warrior in white and gold armor appeared.

"I know that monster's effect Hunter, so I'll detach Lancer's overlay unit meaning I can negate your Spartan's effect. My Lancer will then attack Night Watchman." Shark declared.

"You may have prevented Spartan's effect, but I got Heroic Advance face down. This doubles Spartan's ATK and changes your Lancer's target to him (Hunter 3200/Shark 2900). Fortunately for you, no monsters are destroyed in this exchange and my monster's ATK returns to normal."

Shark grit his teeth. "Aero Shark will destroy Night Watchman (Hunter 2500/Shark 2900)."

Hunter smiled. "That's fine because Heroic Challenger-Thousand Blade(LV 4/1300/1100) kicks in. Since I took damage, he's summoned back from the grave."

Caswell was impressed. "It feels like I'm watching a duel between pros."

Yuma nodded. "No kidding."

"I set two cards." Shark declared. "You're move Hunter."

Hunter drew. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Double Lancer(LV 4/1700/900)." A white and light blue warrior with twin lances appeared. "When I Xyz a Heroic Champion, he can count as two monsters. This means I to can build the overlay network twice.

First with Double Lance. Xyz summon Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 1/2000/2000)." The warrior in red armor and wielding the legendary blade appeared. "Then, with Thousand Blades and Night Watchman. Xyz summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)."

Yuto's ferocious black and purple dragon appeared. "I now activate Overlay Regain granting my Excalibur another overlay unit." Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 2/2000/2000). "Then, I activate Excalibur's effect granting him double his ATK until the end of your next turn."

Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 0/4000/2000 effect)

"I also detach an overlay unit from Dark Rebellion and target Aero Shark halving his ATK. That lost ATK is then granted to him until the end of the turn." Hunter continued.

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 1/950/1000 effect)

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 1/3450/2000 effect)

"I'll use that effect again by targeting your Black Ray Lancer."

Black Ray Lancer(R 3/O 1/1050/600 effect)

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 0/4500/2000 effect)

"Who have we been going to school with?" Caswell asked. "Those two are insane!"

"I'm starting to think my status as second best in school is in question." Yuto stated.

"Now, Dark Rebellion will attack Black Ray Lancer with Lightning Revolt Disobey." Hunter declared.

"I activate my first face down Zeus' Breath." Shark interjected. "This trap negates that ATK and deals you 800 life points since I control a Water type monster (Hunter 1700/Shark 2900)."

"Then Excalibur shall destroy Lancer." Hunter declared.

"I activate my face down Poseidon Wave." Shark countered. "Like Zeus' Breathe, your attack is negated. Unlike Zeus' Breath, you take 800 life points of damage for every fish, sea serpent, or Aqua monster I control. That said Aero is the only viable monster (Hunter 900/Shark 2900)

"I'll end my turn with one set card." Hunter declared.

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 1/1900/1000)

Black Ray Lancer(R 3/O 1/2100/600)

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 0/2500/2000)

Shark drew. "I detach Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 0/1900/1000)'s remaining overlay unit to deal you 400 life points due to the card in my hand (Hunter 400/Shark 2900). Then, I activate Aqua Jet granting my Shark 1000 more ATK."

Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 0/2900/1000 effect). "So, it all comes down to this Hunter. I'm banking everything on this next attack. Go Aero Shark and put an end to this duel by taking of Dark Rebellion."

"I activate Final Xyz." Hunter countered. "When an attack is declared involving my Xyz monster battling a monster special summoned from the extra deck, we both take damage equal to their combined ATK (Hunter 0/Shark 0)."

Both duelists were blasted ending up on their backs.

"Wow, Shark has stepped up his game." Caswell stated.

Yuma was just shocked. "They both have."

Shark got up and dusted himself off as Hunter did the same. Without a word, the Shark user walked back to his vehicle.

Hunter ran over. "Wait, Shark! I know we didn't bet, and what's more we tied; however, you still shouldn't hang out with those thugs anymore. Please."

Shark looked at him. "I just need to think things over."

He started up his motorcycle and sped away.

Hunter yelled. "Shark, you may feel like they're all you have, but that's not true! I'm your rival and friend!" Shark was gone. "This isn't over. I'll move to take down The Pack!" He gave his bro back his card before running off. "Sorry guys, but I have to go."

Heartland Academy: Next Day, Well After School…

Yuma and Yuto were currently engaged in their 20th duel that day while Tori and Caswell were off to the side watching.

"Sometimes Yuma confounds me. If I had suffered such a loss to Shark, I'd at least take a few days to recover." Caswell stated. "Not immediately jump into duel after duel."

(Hunter 4000/Yuma 1500)

Yuto's Field

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (R 4/O 0/5350/2000 effecct)

Yuma's Field

Gogogo Golem(LV 4/450/1500 effect)

"Now, Dark Rebellion will destroy your Golem with Lightning Revolt Disobey (Hunter 4000/Yuma 0)." Yuto declared.

"There's loss number 20." Caswell stated.

"That was great Yuto." Yuma smiled. "Come on, one more duel."

"I've indulged you long enough Yuma." Yuto walked away.

Yuma watched Yuto leave with a frown. "Yuto…"

"What's wrong?" Tori had ran after him, but Yuto merely stopped without turning to look at her. "If this is about Yuma using Numbers…"

"That's not it!" Yuto clenched his fist. "I don't like who Yuma is turning into. I know what was at stake, but Yuma broke his word. A man is only as good as his word Tori."

With his peace said, Yuto walked away.

Arcade

One of the gang members were talking to the leaders. "I'm telling you, boss; the new fish hasn't been in all day."

"That doesn't matter Weasel." The tanked top guy showed an Xyz card. "Not now that we have these Numbers."

The casual suited guy said, "With these, it's only a matter of time until we rule this city."

A yellow number 69 appeared on tank top's right shoulder while a green 19 appeared on casual suit's left forearm.

Streets of Heartland

"Man, Yuto is really mad at me." Yuma thought sadly.

Astral appeared. "You know, how you are acting does not coincide with how you'd normally act given the situation at hand."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Yuma questioned.

"Your duel with Shark, and subsequent display of both his and Hunter's dueling potential, has rattled you to your core. The Yuma I know, one who has realized he's made a mistake, would endeavor to fix it." Astral stated.

"You're right Astral. I got to fix this." Yuma started running. "I think I know where to start."

Hospital

Shark sat in a chair beside a girl who had pale skin and dark blue hair with light blue bangs. This was his sister who often rested, but sometimes she was awake. Shark could talk to her. Unfortunately, this wasn't one of those times, and he wasn't about to wake her.

He sighed. "Rio, what would you do after dueling Yuma and Hunter? After what Hunter said?" He stood and clenched his fist. "I at least know what you'd say to me. You'd scold me for remaining inactive since I know what Hunter is going to do. Damn it, you'd be right."

He walked out of the room knowing exactly where he needed to be and what needed to be done. Rio had a small smile on her face.

Heartland Academy

Tori had been thinking over everything that happened. She knew what Hunter and Yuma were going to do. Even though she knew now more than ever what the Heroic duelist was capable of, she could not shake the feeling that they were going to need help.

When she spotted Caswell, she got an idea. "Caswell, I need your help…"

Bad Part of Heartland, Night…

Hunter was running along the streets, heading for the arcade, only to stop as a large group of thugs from the arcade blocked the way with duel disk at the ready. The 'leader' of this group was a man with a bald head.

"Let me take a shot in the dark." Hunter stated. "Your real leaders are back at the alleyway, and they've sent you guys out to stop me."

"That's right." The bald man stepped forward. "We're here to drag you in which can be done the easy way or the hard way. The choice is yours."

Before Hunter could speak, Yuma ran onto the scene. "If those are the terms, then Yuma Tsukumo is here to duel."

Hunter looked at his friend in shock. "What are you doing here?"

"Hunter, I already messed up with one friend." Yuma looked at the Heroic duelist. "I just couldn't stand to lose. In the end, I lost the duel and a piece of myself. I never want to make that mistake again. That's why you go on ahead and help Shark while I'll stay behind to duel."

"I'll help guide him in taking them down." Astral added. "Do not worry because I won't let him loose."

"Thank you, Yuma and Astral." Hunter stated before booking it down an alleyway.

Before some men could give chase, Yuto stepped up to Yuma's side. "Hold on a moment." He inserted his deck into his D-pad. "None of you should leave since Yuma's not alone."

Yuma was shocked. "Yuto!?"

"I heard everything you said Yuma." Yuto smiled. "Now, you're acting more like a man; however, you should know it's not just me."

Tori stepped forward. "After what Hunter said, I figured you'd come after him. I also figured you might need some help."

Caswell stepped up next to her. "Judging by the sheer numbers, you need all our help."

Nelson stepped up last. "What matters now is that we help you deal with this."

"One or five, it doesn't matter." The bald man declared. "We'll wipe the floor with you."

Arcade

Hunter walked into the building to find tank top and casual suit waiting. "You had people looking out for me." He chuckled. "I'm flattered because you must perceive me as a serious threat."

"More like someone we didn't want to waste our time on, isn't that right Chills?" Tank top asked.

"You know it Scorch." Chills replied. "Seeing as you're here, and we've recently gotten our hands on some powerful cards, what's say we settle this with a duel?"

"Just so you're aware, it'll be a 2 on 1." Scorch informed.

Before Hunter could speak, Shark walked into the arcade. "Actually, it's going to be a 2 on 2."

The Heroic duelist looked at the Shark user. "Shark?"

"Don't get the wrong idea." Shark looked at Scorch and Chills. "I'm just not a big fan of these guys."

"The feelings mutual." Chills returned.

"See Shark, we had this plan to go after a rare and expensive deck." Scorch informed. "If we got caught, we'd see to it you took the fall."

"Any plan you may have had is officially thrown out the window because Shark and I are going to take you down." Hunter declared.

D-pad go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Hunter & Shark 4000 each/Scorch & Chills 4000 each)

"What do you say we get this duel started?" Scorch drew. "I place a monster face down in defense mode and set two cards."

"I'll be taking the first turn" Hunter drew. "Since you control a monster, and I do not, I can special summon Heroic Challenger-Assault Halberd(LV 4/1800/200)." A warrior in purple armor and wielding a halberd appeared.

"I'll then summon Heroic Challenger-Thousand Blades(LV 4/1300/1100)." The warrior in steel colored armor and with many blades on his back appeared. "I'll then set two cards before ending my turn."

"It's my turn." Chills drew. "I summon Pompadour Blizzardon(LV 4/1400/1400)." A black dino with an ice spike on his head appeared. "Then, I place two cards face down ending my turn. Once this train gets started, it doesn't stop."

"You're going to wish you'd stayed in bed kids." Scorch stated.

"You're going to wish you'd stayed out of the water." Shark drew. "I summon Hammer Shark(LV 4/1700/1500)." A blue shark with a hammer for a head appeared. "By lowering his level by one, I can special summon a Water monster from my hand.

Come on out Big Jaws(LV 3/1800/300)." A dark and light blue shark with a huge jaw filled with teeth appeared. "I overlay Hammer Shark and Big Jaws to build the overlay network. Xyz summon Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 4/O 2/1900/1000)."

The sharks bound together with an orange piece of equipment appeared. "Now I use one of Aero Shark's overlay units to deal 400 points of damage for every card in my hand. 4 cards equals 1600 hundred damage to Scorch(2400)."

"We were hoping you'd do that." Scorch stated as he looked to his brother.

Chills chuckled. "I activate Blizzard Egg LV 5. When a special ability deals damage, Blizzard Egg enables the one who took damage to summon a Level 5 monster from their hand. If he has no monster to summon, they take 500 damage."

"Let's see." Scorch smiled. "I summon Baggy Pants Lavasaurus(LV 5/2100/1300)." A bipedal dino with varying shades of red appeared. "Now to really heat things up. I activate Flame Egg LV 5. When I take damage from a special ability, Flame Egg grants my teammate the ability the summon a Level 5 monster from their hand. If he can't, he'll take 500 points of damage."

"You're about to learn why nobody messes with us." Chills declared. "I summon Icebergdon(LV 5/1300/2100) in defense mode." A huge dino with an even larger chunk of ice appeared.

"Something is fishy about this." Hunter thought.

Shark thought. "I smell a rat."

"Now for our big finale." Scorch stated. "Glare Level 5. Thanks to the power of this trap, you take 500 points of damage for every Level 5 monster on our field. We got two, so Shark will take 1000 life points of damage Shark(3000). That'll teach you traitor."

"I place two cards face down and end my turn," Shark declared.

(Hunter 4000 & Shark 3000/Scorch 2400 & Chills 4000)

"Now, the fun really begins." Scorch drew. "First, I switch my face down monster to ATK mode. Here comes Flamesaurus(LV 4/1800/1200)." A black and red dino appeared. "When he's flipped, his level increases by one. I construct the overlay network with my monsters.

Xyz summon Number 61:Volcasaurus(R 5/O 2/2500/1000)." A large, bipedal black and red dino with spikes jutting out at various places appeared. "I detach one of Volcasaurus' overlay units to activate his ability.

He now destroys your Aero Shark, and you take damage equal to its ATK (Shark 1100)." He laughed. "Don't you know who we are Shark? No one betrays The Pack. Now, I'm using Volcasaurus' attack to destroy Thousand Blades."

"Not so fast." Shark interjected. "I activate Zeus' Breath putting a stop to your attack."

Hunter gave Shark a thumbs up. "Thanks."

Shark simply nodded.

"You two may think yourselves safe, but you're just delaying the inevitable." Scorch stated. "I'll set two more cards."

Hunter drew. "You played your Number, so it's only fitting I do the same. I summon Heroic Challenger-Clasp Sword(LV 1/300/100)." A warrior in silver armor and with a sword over his left arm appeared. "I then activate two copies of the trap Copy Knight.

This duplicates a Level four or below monster only their ATK and DEF are zero. That's fine because I only need the levels. I now overlay my monsters to Xyz summon Number 54: Lion Heart(R 1/O 3/100/100)." A mighty humanoid lion appeared.

Shark took note of the monster. "So, Hunter has Numbers as well."

"Oh, so there are more Numbers out there." Chills commented. "Scorch, think we should relieve the kid of his?"

"You kidding?" Scorch chuckled. "That monster is weak. We don't have a need for it."

"I assure you Lion Heart is one powerful monster, but his power can wait until I've summoned another. I construct the overlay network once more with the two level four monster on my field. Xyz summon Number 86: Heroic Champion – Rhongomyniad(/R 4/O 2/3000/3000 effect)." The white and gold warrior with a Hunter appeared. "His effects are based on his overlay units. With a total of two, his ATK and Def become 3000. In addition, he can't be destroyed by battle."

"Now that is a Number worth using my face down on." Chills declared. "I activate Avalanche which prevents your monster from attacking and makes him lose 500 ATK." Number 86: Heroic Champion – Rhongomyniad(R 4/O 2/2500/3000 effect)."

"That's inconvenient; however, you picked the wrong Number." Hunter declared with a smile. "Lion Heart attack Volcasaurus with Pouncing Punch."

"Seems as though you want to lose." Scorch stated.

"You couldn't be further from the truth." Hunter declared. "I detach an overlay unit from Number 54: Lion Heart(R 1/O 2/100/100). By doing that, my opponent takes all battle damage I'd have taken, and this monster can't be destroyed by battle even without that."

"What!?" Scorch and Chills exclaimed together.

"I activate Volcanic Ash allowing me to place Chills' Pompadour in DEF mode." Scorch exclaimed before the damage was dealt (Scorch 0).

"I'll finish by setting one card." Hunter declared. "Since this is the end phase, Number 86 loses an overlay unit meaning he can now be destroyed by battle with another Number."

Scorch was laid out on his back-leaving Chills as the last one standing. "You." He angrily glared at Hunter. "No one messes with Scorch and gets away with it!" He drew. "Thanks to Scorch, I can activate the power of Ice Cave.

This spell increases the level of a defense monster by one giving me the two monsters to build the overlay network. I Xyz summon Number 19:Freezadon(R 4/O 2/2000/2500)." A large, ice blue dino appeared.

"I'll then use Monster Reborn to special summon Number 61:Volcasarus(R 4/O 0/2500/200) from Scorch's grave." Chills started to glow with energy as the number 61 appeared on his arm. "I activate Overlay Capture. This spell allows me to take every overlay unit from Lion Heart."

Number 54: Lion Heart(R 1/O 0/100/100). "I'm then able to make this spell card an overlay unit for Number 61:Volcasarus(R 4/O 1/2500/200). I'm going to detach that unit to use 61's effect and destroy Number 86." Number 61:Volcasarus(R 4/O 0/2500/200)

"I activate my face down Life Regeneration." Shark countered. "This trap takes any effect damage and turns it into life points for the affected (Hunter 5700)."

Chills grit his teeth. "Then, Freezadon will destroy Lion Heart."

"I activate Battleguard Howling." Hunter countered. "If an opponent's monster declares an attack, I can deal them damage equal to the attacking monster's ATK (Chills 2000). On top of that, the attacking monster is returned to the hand." Hunter declared.

"Volcasaurus will destroy Lion Heart (Hunter 3300)." Chills declared. "I'll end my turn."

Shark drew. "I summon Double Shark(LV 4/1200/1600) and outfit him with Aqua Jet increasing his ATK by 1000." Double Shark(LV 4/2200/1600 effect) "I then add the spell Deep Sea Attack allowing my monster to ATK you directly ending this duel (Chills 0)."

(Hunter 3300 & Shark 3000/Scorch & Chills 0 each)

Both numbers floated up before entering Hunter's pendent. Almost immediately after, the doors to the arcade opened and the police streamed. They were followed by Yuma, Yuto, Tori, Caswell, and Nelson. By the smile Caswell gave, this was his doing.

Heartland Streets, Some Time Later…

Hunter stood with Shark before his motorcycle. "Thanks Shark."

Shark gave a small smile. "I was in the neighborhood and knew an idiot just stupid enough to take on some thugs."

Hunter chuckled. "If I'm an idiot, what does that make you?"

"Smarter than you." Shark held out a fist. "See you around Hunter."

Hunter smiled and bumped the fist. "Yeah, see you around."

Shark rode off as the Heroic duelist walked back to his other friends. "I'm grateful you all came out here to help."

"You kidding?" Yuma put an arm around him in a friendly manner. "You and I have been through tougher situations than this."

"Of course, I came." Yuto smirked. "Who else would look out for you idiots."

Nelson smiled. "What are friends for."

"As class representative, it'd look bad for two students to disappear." Caswell held up a finger. "It's only natural I'd help."

Tori nodded. "It's only natural I'd come in to help my friends."

Hunter smiled as he and his friends left the scene together.


Before I get to the reviews, I have something to say. In this rewrite, prior chapters have been relatively easy to rewrite. There's been changes here and there, changed duels, and some new cards that weren't used before. At the time of writing this chapter, the next one is already done, and I have been working on Training Days. That is getting majorly reconstructed to the point that I'm not even halfway done with everything I'm not covering within that section of the story.

What I'm saying is, Number Hunters, provided no real-world complications, will come out the day after tomorrow; however, Training Days will likely still be under revision.


Martin: I will say that Hunter will eventually get his own duel runner; however, I'm thinking of big changes to come when I get to the Barians.