Dreamscape

Lance found himself standing next to the familiar demonic, chained door as he watched Yuma walk across the narrow strip of crumbing land. Once again, he kept quiet as Yuma joined him, and the two of them turned their attention to the door once more.

"Whomever can open this door shall gain a great power but know that with such power comes equal risk. Have either of you the courage to open this door?" A deep voice asked.

"Great risk…" Yuma contemplated as he looked at his key, but it could not hide the fear of the unknown. "I just… I don't know." He looked to Lance. "Lance, what should I do?"

Lance sighed, "Yuma, I don't know. Why don't you decide for yourself man?"

"I don't know either." Yuma confessed.

The ground collapsed sending both middle schoolers into the abyss below.

Hogan Residence:Lance's Room, Morning…

Lance bolted awake and immediately rubbed his eyes. "Uh, seriously why do I keep having that dream? Scratch that. Why do Yuma and I continue to have this dream together? I mean, I like the guy, but just as a best friend."

That was the truth on both ends, but any further thought was cut off as Lance noticed the time on his alarm clock and reacted with utter shock. "No! I'm running late!" He suddenly realized something. "Where's the water?"

He started moving about the room getting dressed in his year one, middle school, uniform which consisted of a white shirt with red-lined sleeves and collar, a red tie, blue pants, and brown shoes. He then grabbed all his gear and booked it downstairs.

"Mom! Grampa! Are you here?" Lance shouted.

He ran into the kitchen only to find a note on the fridge.

'Lance,

A last-minute tournament came up after you went to bed last night and your grandpa's coming with me. We had to leave early. Listen to your father and know that you are free to sleep over with Yuma and vice versa. Be good and get to school on time.

Love,

Mom

P.S. I mean it Lance. Get to school on time while I'm gone or you're getting a lecture.'

"I'm off to a great start on that mom." Lance absolutely loved his mother, but not enough to sit through another one of her lectures. "I got to get going."

He grabbed his school bag before running outside to his forest green bike with blue trim and pegs on the back for his friends. Usually, the only one that rode with him was Yuma.

Lance turned on his duel gazer to check the time and breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, if I book it, I can pick Yuma up and get us to school on time." He started pedaling hard down the street. "Legs don't fail me now!"

Tsukumo Residence: Attic, Same Time…

Yuma, dressed in a white and red shirt with gray sweats, fell out of his hammock. "Weird dream." He was in the attic with his deck laid out before a picture of his parents. "Oh well, at least I'm up now." The clock started going off getting Yuma to his feet. "I'm late!"

He climbed down to his room and quickly got dressed before heading down to find Kari working on various stories. "I love a good lead in the morning." She looked at the Sentai Ranger and sighed. "Now if only your identity were easier to track down."

"What gives Kari?" Yuma ran in place. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"Because I'm a news reporter, not your babysitter." Kari took a drink of her coffee. "You're in middle school little bro. Act like it."

Yuma made a face before running outside to find his grandma sweeping away. She was smaller than him and had grey hair. Her attire consisted of salmon robes and socks with Japanese style sandals.

Yuma closed the door as he put his shoes on. "Bye grandma!"

"But Yuma, what about a good-bye kiss?" Haru asked.

Yuma began to run past her. "No time!" Haru moved with more grace and precision than one would expect from someone her age as she used the handle of the broom to catch Yuma by his shirt and hold him up high by his collar. "Grandma! What are you doing?"

"Either you give your grandma a kiss goodbye or you get a grand slobbering." Haru threatened.

Streets of Heartland City, Some Time Later…

Yuma was stuffing a rice ball in his mouth before jumping over one of the many litterbots in his way.

Lance yelled behind him. "Get ready, Yuma!"

Yuma looked back and smiled upon seeing his friend ridding up behind him. "Got it Lance!"

Lance sped on by grabbing Yuma's right arm and lifting him up. The Syllable duelist then swung around until he could plant his feet on the pegs. From there, Yuma rested his hands on his best friend's shoulders.

The Heroic duelist then picked up speed taking them clear over the stairs. Lance landed safely, and any speed they may have lost was easily made up for as he pumped his legs. Soon, the two boys were weaving through the people ahead.

"Right on time as always Lance." Yuma happily declared.

"Did you expect anything less?" Lance smirked. "Now hang on because I'm getting us to school in record time."

Train

A young girl with green hair and orange eyes rode the train watching Lance and Yuma speed off down the road. She wore their school's 1st years girls uniform which consisted of a sleeveless white uniform with pink trim and a skirt.

A girl with red hair noticed the boys. "You know, sometimes I can't imagine how those two became best friends. They're just so different. Almost like opposites."

The girl with green hair slightly blushed but spoke calmly. "I think Yuma has a lot of good points and I'm certain Lance sees those in him."

"I guess you'd know Tori." The girl shrugged. "Personally, I think Yuma should try a little harder to stay friends with Lance. For instance, he should get a better deck since Lance must get bored winning all their duels."

Gym Class, Later in the Day…

Lance slapped the 20th vault box. "Alright, that's 20 Yuma. Clear this and you'll set a new school record."

All the first years were dressed in white gym clothes with red trim.

Yuma excitedly said, "That record's going down because I'm about to high five the sky!"

He ran to the spring and jumped on it only to crash into the boxes resulting in their classmates laughing at him except for Tori and Lance.

"Are you okay Yuma?" Tori asked.

"Yeah, ground's not that hard." Yuma stated sounding a little disoriented.

Lance helped him to his feet. "Alright buddy, good try."

Pool

All the male first years wore blue trunks with red trim while girls wore one piece white and pink swimwear mirroring their uniforms.

"Go Yuma!" Tori cheered as Yuma dove into the water.

Lance nodded. "He may actually do it this time provided he keeps his mouth closed."

Girls, besides Tori, were looking at Lance, but he ignored them. He didn't really care for fan girls like most would assume upon first impression.

"Hold my breath for a lap?" Yuma thought before opening his mouth. "No problem."

He then took in water. Lance jumped in and brought his friend out of the pool before he could take too much in. The rest of the class laughed while Tori stood by concerned.

English Class

Yuma and Tori sat in the back middle while Lance sat on the right side, across the aisle, from them.

"So, why do you do it Yuma?" Tori asked getting his attention.

"Those dares?" Yuma asked. "Why not? It's all good fun."

"It's fun to turn green coughing up pool water?" Tori asked.

Yuma smiled. "No, but that's the price you pay. To be great, you got to take chances, so I take lots because I want to be the greatest" He grabbed his golden key. "With this key, someday I will be."

Lance chimed in. "You got to beat me first Tsukumo."

Yuma looked at him determined as Lance stared straight ahead with a noticeable smirk.

Tori looked at the pendent. "So, that's the key your parents brought back from one of their expeditions, right?"

Yuma nodded. "Yep, and you know what it unlocks? Potential. Isn't that cool?"

"Really? Think it could work on me?" Tori asked.

Yuma plainly said, "Nope."

That caused Tori to fall onto her desk before looking at him. "Why?"

"Because this key is part of me. With it, I'm good to go." Yuma could no longer contain his excitement. "With it, I feel the flow!"

That got their teacher's attention who cleared her throat.

Dueling Period

Lance walked out into the wide-open area used for dueling having gone on ahead of Yuma and Tori. He loved them both as his friends, but not enough to miss out on a second of dueling period. Now he was looking around for his first opponent.

He was approached by a regular opponent of his. A young man who was a year older than him. Shark. He had dark blue eyes, pale skin, and dark purple hair resembling tentacles. A grey, shark tooth-shaped locket was around his neck.

He also had two grey rings on his right hand. Shark has a grey and green duel gazer with a red lens as well as a blue D-Pad. His school attire consists of a white shirt with green-lined sleeves, tie and collar indicating that he was a second year.

"Alright Hogan, it's time we had another duel, and this time I'm claiming your deck." Shark declared.

Lance smirked. "I'm always up for a duel, especially with second best in the school, but don't expect this time to be any different than the duels of the past. Anyways, where are we dueling?"

Shark pointed at the top of the steps. "Up there."

The boys moved to the top of the stairs before facing off.

D-pad go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Lance 4000/Shark 4000)

"Get ready Shark because I'm coming out of the gates hard." Lance declared. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Double Lance(LV 4/1700/900)." A warrior in white and light blue armor appeared wielding two lances.

"As long as I'm using him for an Xyz summon of a Heroic Champion monster, he counts as two monsters. So, I build the overlay network to Xyz summon Heroic Champion-Gandiva(R 4/O 1/2100/1800). I'll end my turn by setting two cards."

"You think that's going to protect you?" Shark scoffed. "If so, you better think again. I summon my Big Jaws(LV 3/1800/300)." A small shark with large teeth appeared. "Since Big Jaws is a fish, I can special summon Shark Stickers(LV 3/200/1000)." A long, blue fish appeared.

Lance cut in. "I activate Gandiva's effect. By removing one overlay unit, I can destroy a LV 4 or lower monster that was special summoned to your side of the field. Say goodbye to your Shark Stickers."

Shark took a card from his hand. "You destroyed my monster, but he won't be gone for long. I activate Surface which allows me to special summon Shark Stickers(LV 3/200/1000) back to the field.

Now with two Level three monsters, I build the overlay network and Xyz summon Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 2/1900/1000). Then, I can detach one of its overlay units to deal 400 life points per card in my hand.

Since I have three, you take 1200 damage (Lance 2800/Shark 4000). "Now, I activate Aqua Jet equipping it to my shark and granting him 1000 extra ATK." Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R3/O 1/2900/1000 effect). "That's more than enough power to destroy Gandiva."

"I activate my Heroic Retribution Sword. I can equip this trap to any Heroic monster I control and make us both take all battle damage when the equipped monster is involved (Lance 2000/Shark 3200)." Both monsters blew up. "Additionally, any monster that does battle with the equipped monster is destroyed."

"I'll set two cards and end my turn." Shark declared.

"Alright, it's time to bring out my ace." Lance drew. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000)." A warrior decks out in golden armor appeared. "I then activate my face down Copy Knight.

Since I summoned a level four or lower monster, I get to copy its level and attack giving me two monsters to build the overlay network. Let's go, Xyz summon Heroic Champion Excalibur(R 4/O 2/2000/2000)." A large warrior decked out in red armor and holding a blade appeared.

Shark smiled. "I was waiting to see him because I have a special card up my sleeve just for you. I activate one of my face downs Splash Capture. By banishing two Fish monsters from my grave, I can take control of an Xyz monster you summoned."

"I'm impressed Shark. You've upgraded your deck from the last time we dueled. That said, it's not the end. Since you control a monster, and I no longer control one of my own, I can special summon Heroic Challenger-Assault Halberd(1800/200)." A warrior in black armor appeared. "I'll then set one card ending my turn."

Shark drew. "I activate Excalubur's effect. By removing two Xyz units, this card gains double its original attack." Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 0/4000/2000). "That's more than enough to wipe out your Halberd and remaining life points!"

Lance smirked. "I activate my Battleguard Howling trap. Since you targeted a warrior on my field, I get to choose a monster on your field and make you take life point damage equal to that monster's original attack. You only got Excalibur (Lance 2000/Shark 1200). In addition, that monster returns to the hand. or in this case, my extra deck."

Shark grit his teeth. "I end my turn."

Lance drew. "Looks like this is the end Shark. I summon another Double Lance(LV 4/1700/900). As you recall, he can count as two monsters when summoning a Heroic Champion. That means I have three materials.

I build the overlay network with my three monsters to Xyz summon Heroic Champion-Kusanagi(2500/2400)." A warrior decked on out in orange and red armor appeared wielding a glowing orange blade.

"Damn it!" Shark shouted.

With Yuma and Tori

Yuma ran out to the duel field feeling just as excited as he always does with Tori walking out to stand with him. "Alright, it's finally time to duel!" He took out his duel gazer. "Let's get to it."

Tori and Yuma put their gazers on and activated them allowing them to see the duels that were going on in Augmented Reality.

Yuma walked down and looked around. "Now, who to duel today?"

"You mean who to lose to today." Tori quipped.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Yuma stumbled. "Sure, I've lost 20 straight duels, but so what?"

Tori noticed Lance and Shark dueling, so she pointed it out. "Yuma look."

Yuma did and they both saw Kusanagi's summoning.

They ran over as Shark shouted. "Damn it!"

"That is so cool!" Yuma was marveling at Kusanagi. "Someday, I'll get some Xyz monsters."

"Alright Kusanagi, attack Shark directly." Lance smiled. "You can activate that face down, but it won't do any good in the end."

Shark knew Kusanagi effect about as well as Lance since they dueled that often, so he took the hit (Lance 2000/Shark 0). Lance was the winner.

"That was a great duel Shark." The heroic user walked up and held out his hand to the shark user. "You're by far the most challenging opponent I've found."

"Just you wait." Shark scoffed before taking the offered hand. "Someday, I'll claim your deck."

"You can try." Lance chuckled. "I don't know why you insist on such an ante, but if your opponent agrees willingly, I'm cool with it."

Shark had, at one point, forced people into these duels, but Lance had stepped in putting his deck on the line to stop Shark's bullying. Now, the guy could no longer force people into the ante, but if they accepted, there was nothing Lance could do.

These days, the two dueled often with Shark always putting forth the ante and Lance accepting. After all, why should he fear losing when he's never lost to anyone save his grandfather. Come on, that was only to be expected.

Yuma could no longer contain himself as he ran to stand at the side of the two of them. "Alright, I'm next Shark. Let's duel right now!"

"Please Yuma." Shark scoffed and waved him off. "Everyone knows you're the worst duelist in the school. There'd be no point. Even claiming your deck doesn't appeal because everyone knows it's trash."

Shark didn't even use the decks he claimed, so the fact that he didn't even want Yuma's deck as a trophy was that much more insulting.

"Come on, we don't have to duel for my deck." Yuma complained. "Why can't you ever just accept my challenge for fun?"

Shark stuck his hands in his pockets. "It's just not my style to duel your way."

Lance jumped in. "Then how about you duel Yuma for my deck." Everyone looked at him. "I mean it. You duel Yuma for my deck, but if he wins you can never claim another deck in a duel."

Yuma was surprised as he turned to Lance. "Are you sure?"

Lance nodded. "I think you're more than capable of beating Shark."

Shark laughed. "Since you're sure, I suppose I can spare a few minutes to take Yuma down, but not here." He walked away. "We'll duel at Station Square, Sunday afternoon. If Yuma doesn't show, I'll come looking."

Streets of Heartland City, After School…

Lance, Tori, and Yuma walked along the streets having just gotten out of school.

"Are you really sure you want to do this Lance?" Tori questioned. "You know Yuma always loses."

Yuma looked back at her. "I don't always lose Tori." He then turned to Lance. "I also want to know if you're sure about this. I'm not certain how I feel about wagering your deck."

"It's fine Yuma. I trust in you to win." Lance threw his best friend a card. "Of course, I'm also aware how tough Shark is, and I realize how dumb it'd be if you went in unprepared. That's why you should consider that an early birthday present."

Yuma looked at the card and was utterly shocked. "This is an Xyz card!"

Tori looked at it. "Zubaba General?"

The card depicted a warrior in white and gold armor with a red cape and black sword.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to have this?" Yuma asked.

Lance looked back at him with a smile. "I just told you I planned for that to be your birthday present, and I already have a slew of awesome warrior Xyz's at my command. It's yours."

Yuma smiled while excitedly jumping up and down. "Alright, I got an Xyz monster! I got to try this out?" He looked at Lance. "Let's duel right now. He looked over at the harbor. "Let's duel there."

Tori smiled and shook her head. "Yuma, you know exactly how this is going to end even with an Xyz, yet you still insist on going ahead with it."

"Sure." Lance chuckled. "I'm always up for kicking your butt."

Harbor

Yuma smiled as he activated his D-pad and gazer. "Alright, I'm feeling the flow!"

Lance smirked as he did the same. "Feel the flow all you want because it won't help you win."

Tori stood off to the side as she activated her gazer to watch.

D-pad go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Lance 4000/Yuma 4000)

"Get ready Lance because I'm going to show how much I've improved!" Yuma declared. "I play Achacha Archer(1200/600) in attack mode." An archer in light armor appeared. "When he's summoned, you're dealt 500 life points (Lance 3500/Yuma 4000)." Yuma was ecstatic. "Alright, I took the first life points! I'll end my turn."

Tori sighed and shook her head. "Yuma…"

Lance chuckled. "You forgot about placing your traps; however, I'm not sure you had one, so let's focus on the fact that Achacha Archer can activate it's effect upon flipping. Meaning you could have set it and still dealt first blow even if I had summoned my Assault Halberd."

"Oh, I knew I was forgetting something!" Yuma shouted.

"This is a duel, so we can't go back." Lance drew. "That said, I'm not going to punish your blunder too bad. I summon Heroic Challenger- Thousand Blades(LV 4/1300/1100)." He smiled. "Instead of activating his effect, I'll have him destroy your Archer (Lance 3500/Yuma 3900). With that, I end my turn."

"Okay, think Yuma." Yuma drew and looked at his hand. "What cards do you have that could help you?" He then saw a possible combination. "Alright, I'll start by summoning my Goblindbergh(LV 4/1400/0) while activating his effect."

A goblin, dressed as an aviator, flew onto the field carrying a metal cage. "When he is normal summoned, I can special summon a level 4 or lower monster from my hand. I choose Ganbara Knight(LV 4/0/2000)."

A knight in red and yellow armor with twin shields appeared making Yuma even more excited. "Alright, it's time to build the overlay network with my LV 4 Ganbara knight and Goblindbergh to Xyz summon Zubaba General(2000/1000)."

The warrior decked out in white and gold armor with a huge blade appeared. "I'll have him attack your Thousand Blade (Lance 2800/Yuma 3900)." Yuma was ecstatic once more. "Alright, I finally Xyz summoned!"

"Yuma, did you forget Zubaba General's effect!?" Tori angrily shouted. "Did you even bother reading it in the first place!?"

Yuma looked from Tori to his card. "Zubaba General has an effect?"

"Come on Yuma." Lance sighed. "I didn't think I'd have to remind you that Xyz's tend to come with effects." He drew. "Anyways, it's officially my turn." He looked at his hand. "I had a different play in mind, but this should work better." He nodded.

"I summon Heroic Challenger-Ambush Soldier(LV 1/0/0)." A warrior in silver armor and with a sword on their left hand appeared. "I then activate his ability to tribute him in exchange for two Heroic Challengers from my grave or hand.

I'll choose to summon two Heroic Challenger-Thousand Blade(LV 4/ATK 1300/DEF 1100). One from the grave and the other my hand. Now I overlay both to Xyz summon Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 2/2000/2000)."

The warrior in red with a large blade appeared. "I activate his effect by removing both overlay units to doubles his original attack until your next end phase." Heroic Challenger Excalibur(R 4/O 0/4000/2000 effect)

Yuma was shocked. "4000 ATK!?"

"I think your mistaken because I'm activating my Magnum Shield." Lance smirked. "This equip spell can only be equipped to a warrior, and works differently depending on what position said warrior is in. Since Excalibur is in attack mode, he gains ATK equal to his DEF."

Heroic Challenger Excalibur(R 4/O 0/6000/2000 effect)

Yuma's shock only grew. "6000ATK!?"

Tori was impressed. "Wow, I don't remember Lance having that card before."

"No one would Tori. This was one of a few cards I only recently acquired to power up my deck." Lance pointed at Zubaba General. "Now, Excalibur destroy his General!"

(Lance 2800/Yuma 0)

Lance walked over to Yuma with a smirk. "You managed to shave off a few 100 more of my life points this time around." He nodded. "Not bad."

Yuma smiled. "Just you wait because I'm going to win our next duel."

Lance rolled his eyes. "Only in your dreams Yuma."

The two of them laughed.

Tori smiled. "To others, their friendship may not make sense; however, stick around long enough, and you'll see that they're not so different."

With Shark

Shark had just left Heartland Hospital and was walking up to his bike when he noticed a blank card beside it. "A card?"

He knelt and picked it up only to hear a deep, dark voice speaking to him as dark energy entered his being. "Yes Shark. Let the Number take hold."

Shark let out a primal scream as the power coursed through him and the number 17 appeared on the back of his left hand. He smirked as he put the card in his extra deck and got on his motorcycle. Oh, he was looking forward to Sunday.

Guard0077:I am unsure about Yuma using fusion and Ritual, but I would be open to Tori becoming a duelist and shaping her character a little different than the anime. So, if anyone knows of an archetype, that uses Xyz monsters and isn't used by anyone in the series, then tell me. I'll take a look and see if they can work for her.