Math Class
The students and Mr. Kay moved off to the side as Yuma and Caswell faced off.
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Yuma 4000/Caswell 4000)
"Remember what you've been learning recently Yuma." Lance reminded.
Tori added, "Show him what you're made of Yuma."
"What are you made of Yuma?" Caswell looked at him. "I heard you beat Shark the other day."
Yuma happily said, "You've heard the truth."
"I don't believe you. Everyone knows Shark is the only one to ever give Lance a run for his money in a duel. It's why he's second best. Everyone also knows you've never given Lance so much as a challenge." Caswell stated.
"I was there and saw it happen." Tori informed.
Lance took out his deck displaying his Heroic Challengers for all to see. "I wasn't there, but the bet was over my deck. If Shark had won, I wouldn't have my Heroic Challengers."
Caswell smirked. "Then according to transitive property, beating you would place me in a prime position to take Lance down next."
"If you want me to wipe the floor with you again Caswell, you merely need to ask." Lance stated cockily. "No need to go challenging my friends to get my attention."
"Well, I'm not certain I buy that logic Caswell." Yuma stated before smiling. "Even so, that's not going to happen because I have an awesome number card." He opened his Extra Deck, but only saw Zubaba General. "Where'd my Numbers go? I had them yesterday."
Lance immediately pulled out his own Extra Deck to see that his Numbers were gone to. "Huh, so we can't use Numbers unless Astral is around."
"What's the matter Yuma? Are you already feeling the pressure?" Caswell asked.
"The only thing I ever feel is the flow Caswell." Yuma decided to focus on the duel.
"I'll take the first turn." Caswell firmly stated. "I'll set a monster and a card."
Yuma drew. "I summon Rai Rider(LV 3/1200/1400)." A biker appeared. "I'll have him attack your face down monster."
Caswell smirked as he flipped Wind-Up Magician(LV 4/600/1800). "Sorry Yuma, but your rider isn't penetrating my magician's defense (Yuma 3400/Caswell 4000)."
Yuma grit his teeth. "I set one card and end my turn."
Caswell drew. "I summon Wind-Up Warrior(LV 4/1200/1800)." A silver and orange metal warrior appeared. "Now I'll construct the overlay network using my Magician and Warrior to Xyz summon Wind-Up Zenmaister(R 4/O 2/2500/1500 effect)."
A blue, silver, and green machine warrior appeared. "For every Xyz unit he has, that's 300 more ATK. Now I activate Xyz Effect. Since I summoned an Xyz monster, I can destroy one card on your field, and that face down is a prime target."
"Not Bye Bye Damage!" Yuma shouted.
"With a direct sight on your monster, I go for the attack (Yuma 2100/Caswell 4000). I'll finish by setting one card." Caswell stated.
"Alright, I'm feeling the flow on this turn." Yuma drew. "I summon Ganbara Knight(LV 4/0/1800)." A red and yellow armored knight with two shields appeared. "Since I just normal summoned a level 4 monster, I'm allowed to special summon Kagetokage(LV 4/1100/1500)."
The shadow of a lizard appeared in the ground. "I then use my level 4 Knight and Kagetokage to build the overlay network. Xyz summon Zubaba General(R 4/O 2/2000/1000)." A warrior decked out in gold and white armor and wielding a black blade appeared.
Caswell chuckled. "I must commend you for actually getting an Xyz monster out, but it's still too weak to beat Zenmaister."
"Not for long." Yuma declared. "I remove one overlay unit from my general which allows me to equip him with the warrior Achacha Archer(1200/600)." Zubaba General(R 4/O 1/3200/1000 effect). "General gain ATK equal to the ATK of all warriors equipped to him. Zubaba General will attack Zenmaister."
Caswell was genuinely shocked that Yuma pulled such a move off, but he was still prepared thanks to his face down. "I had intended to finish the duel using this trap, but now I will use Overwind to double the ATK and DEF of Wind-Up Zenmaister(R 4/O 2/5000/3000)."
"Not good." Yuma held out his hand. "Zubaba General, halt that ATK." The General stopped in his tracks. "I end my turn."
"That means, due to Overwind's backlash, Zenmaister is returned to the hand or, in this case, my extra deck." Caswell stated.
"That means I still got Zubaba General as a defense." Yuma smiled. "I'm still in this."
Caswell drew. "You're wrong Yuma." he smirked. "This duel is finished, and it starts with Wind-Up Hunter(LV 4/1600/500)." A green and silver machine appeared. "When a monster is normal or special summoned, I can special summon Wind-Up Shark(LV 4/1500/130)."
A blue machine shark appeared. "I then build the overlay network once more using my Shark and Hunter. Come forth once more Wind-Up Zenmaister(R 4/O 2/2500/1500 effect). Then, I activate Xyz Energy.
By detaching one overly from Zenmaister, this spell can destroy your Zubaba General." Wind-Up Zenmaister(R 4/O 1/2200/1500 effect). "Now you are left open for direct attack. Go Zenmaister. Wipe of Yuma's life points (Yuma 0/Caswell 4000)."
"Yuma." Tori stated.
Lance shrugged. "I mean, he's getting better."
"Heh, I bested you without losing any life points." Caswell gloated. "In the end, there was no way an intellectually challenged amateur like you could defeat a brilliant strategist like me."
Lance came to stand in front of Yuma. "I'm fine with cockiness, but no one insults my friends." He stared Caswell down. "Before you comment, Shark is a different story."
Caswell smirked. "You're quick to step up and lose your tittle as the best in the school, aren't you Lance?"
"Please. My deck's more than a match for your fancy new toys." Lance activated his D-pad. "Allow me to prove it by moping the floor with ya."
Caswell laughed. "I start by taking spot number two from Yuma and immediately move into number one after defeating you. Come Lance. Give a wonderful duel or people won't believe my victory true."
Yuma had moved to stand by Tori and cheer with her for Lance.
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Lance 4000/Caswell 4000)
"I'll go first." Lance declared. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Thousand Blades(1300/1100)." A warrior decked out in silver armor with a thousand blades on his back appeared. "I'll end my turn there."
"Oh, is that the best you got Lance?" Caswell chuckled. "Looks like the best is already starting to wear himself out."
"Hey, stop mocking him!"
"Yeah, Lance is the best in the school!"
"You're just some poser."
Several girls had come to Lance's defense, but he merely held up his hands. "Ladies, I appreciate the effort on my part, but I do not date fan girls. I'd advise you look elsewhere."
"Look, he's attempting to spare our feelings."
Lance sighed. "Is this really just a taste of what Grandpa went through before entering Duel Academy? Whatever, that was my one attempt to let them down this week, so I'm free to ignore them as usual."
"You may have your fans Lance, but they shall soon be mine. It all starts with this turn. "Caswell drew. "I summon Wind-Up Soldier(LV 4/1800/1200)." A green and silver wind up, humanoid magnet appeared.
"Since I just summoned, I'm allowed to special summon Wind-Up Shark(LV 4/1500/1300) from my hand. Now I activate their abilities increasing their levels by one." Wind-Up Shark(LV 5/1500/1300) and Wind-Up Soldier(LV 5/2200/1200effect).
"I build the overlay network with my Shark and Soldier to Xyz summon Wind-Up Arsenal Zenmaioh(R 5/O2/2600/1900)." A red, blue, and silver machine with a drill on one hand and laser on the other appeared.
"A rank five Xyz monster." Yuma commented impressed.
Caswell smirked. "It doesn't stop there because I'm activating Xyz Unit and equipping it to Wind-Up Arsenal Zenmaioh(R 5/O 2/3600/1900 effect). This grants my monster 200 more ATK for every rank.
With 5 ranks, that's 1000 ATK total. I'll take everything and throw it at your Thousand Blades (Lance 1700/Caswell 4000). I'll then set one card ending my turn." He grinned cockily. "So, what did you think of my combo Lance?"
Lance laughed good naturedly. "I think you're getting a little too full of yourself Caswell." He shrugged. "After all, true cockiness is something you earn not something you get to display after one duel. I think it's time I knock you back down for everyone's sake."
He drew. "I activate Premature Burial (Lance 900/Caswell 4000). By paying 800 life points, I'm allowed to special summon Heroic Challenger-Thousand Blades(LV 4/1300/1100) from my grave. I'll then play Inferno Reckless Summon.
Since you control a monster, and I special summoned a monster of my own with 1500 or less ATK, I get to special summon two more Heroic Challenger-Thousand Blades(LV 4/1300/1100) from my deck. You could do the same, but I'm betting that's your only Zenmaioh.
Even still, that is not the end as I normal summon Heroic Challenger-Double Lance(LV 4/1700/900)." A warrior decked out in light blue and white armor wielding two lances appeared. "I now have everything needed to build multiple overlay networks."
Caswell was suddenly very worried as all his earlier cockiness had left him. "This isn't good."
"How right you are." Lance declared. "First I build the overlay network with one Thousand Blade and Double Lance which can count as two monsters for the Xyz summon of a Heroic Champion.
Xyz summon Heroic Champion-Kusanagi(R 4/O 2/2500/2400)." A samurai in dark red and orange armor wielding a flaming sword appeared. "I shall then build the overlay network with my remaining Thousand Blades.
Xyz summon Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 2/2000/2000)." A warrior decked out in red armor appeared. "I then detach two overlay units from Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 0/4000/2000 effect) allowing me to double his ATK until your next end phase. I'll then double his ATK by activating Heroic Chance."
Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 0/8000/2000 effect). "Of course, activating this spell made it impossible to attack you directly, but who needs that when there's a prime attack target on the field."
"I can't believe it." Caswell stepped back. "A monster with 8000 ATK."
"Allow me to show you it's authenticity." Lance stated. "Excalibur attack Zenmaioh."
"This isn't over Lance!" Caswell grit his teeth and stood his ground. "I activate Overwind, and like with Yuma, no matter what you do, your monsters won't be strong enough to defeat me this turn. I'll have a turn to shift things back in my favor."
Lance smirked. "I detach one overlay unit from Heroic Champion-Kusanagi(R 4/O 2/2500/2400) to activate his ability. Once per turn, I can negate and destroy any trap you play. Not that it matters, but Kusanagi gains 500 ATK. Excalibur end this!"
Excalibur cleaved Zenmaioh (Lance 900/Caswell 0). The entire class cheered for Lance's stunning move. A double Xyz summon with one covering the potential weakness of the other and an 8000 ATK monster that won the duel. Truly, it was a spectacular play.
"Way to go Lance!" Yuma cheered.
Tori added, "Those were some great moves."
Caswell fell to his butt utterly shocked. "I-I spent so much time and effort constructing this deck, but in the end, I still lost."
Lance walked forward. "You certainly did; however, I won't deny that you've improved." He offered a hand to his fellow student. "I wouldn't mind kicking your butt again in the future."
Caswell batted the hand away, stood up, and dusted himself off. Before he could walk away, Mr. Kay got involved hoping bring things to a better resolution.
"You know, dueling is a lot like life." Mr. kay began. "Sometimes things go as we planned. Other times, we make mistakes and get frustrated." Everyone looked to him as their teacher pulled out a Crashbug from his deck. When that happens, feed your frustrations to Crashbug.
You guys know the legend behind this card, right? He's a little, electrical spirit that likes to zap what he calls bugs. Bugs are those things that get in our way. Frustration. Doubt. Give those to Crashbug, and you can move past them. Succeed."
"That's ridiculous Mr. Kay." Caswell was utterly frustrated. "Crashbug doesn't actually exist."
"He exists. I've seen him." Mr. Kay put a hand on The Wind-Up duelist's shoulder. "So, what if you lost Caswell? The trick is to not let the frustration get to you. Learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward."
Caswell looked at the ground before sighing and walking up to Lance. "Those were some pretty great moves." He held out his hand. "I'd like to duel you again soon."
Lance shook the hand. "Any time."
After School…
As Lance, Tori, and Yuma walked out of the building, the Heroic duelist waved to his friends. "It's been another great day guys, but I'm afraid this is where I must part ways. Dad left me a message saying he wants a father-son night."
Tori nodded. "See you tomorrow Lance."
Yuma smiled. "Bye Lance."
Lance walked to his bike and sped off.
As the Heroic duelist rode on, he used his duel gazer to call his dad. "Hey Lance, I was wondering when you would call."
"Sorry dad. Been with Yuma since Heartland momentarily went down yesterday." Lance stated. "What are we dealing with?"
"Every report I've been handed states it was a virus uploaded into the system. It only spread to a few remote servers before the tech people of the city shut it down." Crow relayed.
"It's good to know the extent of the damage someone. Now, the only thing left is to track this hacker and take him down." Lance stated.
"I got my men started on the search. As for you Sentai Ranger, I'm sending the possible locations one could use to create a virus powerful enough to affect the city's systems. I don't think I need to tell you how important it is that this guy is found." Crow stated.
"Don't worry dad." Lance stated. "The Sentai Ranger is on the case."
"One more thing, the virus was transmitted from your school's library; however,…" Crow began.
"… The person behind this would have likely used that as the off-loading site. Got it dad. School is unlikely." Lance stated.
"Do be careful Lance. This person is a more serious threat than the run of the mill gang members you're used to." Crow worriedly stated.
Lance smirked. "I can take care of myself weather it come to blows or a duel. You, mom, and grandpa saw to that. I love you dad."
"Love you to son. Good luck." Crow hung up.
Tower under Construction, Night…
Lance, wearing his red and white body suit as well as helmet of the Sentai Ranger, approached a building reported to have some serious hardware. He hoped the place provided the perpetrator he sought as every location before this one was empty.
He was just about to walk in when he heard footsteps running his way. He turned and saw Tori, Yuma, and Caswell coming towards the building. They noticed him as well coming to a screeching halt.
"Whoa, it's the Sentai Ranger!" Yuma shouted excited.
Caswell said, "Indeed. He must be on the trail of the criminal master mind behind the malicious virus like us."
Lance spoke as his voice came out in its usual distortion. "Indeed children. I have gone through several locations before deciding to check this one. Are you to tell me that this is truly where the criminal is located?"
"That is what Caswell says." Yuma stated.
"Would you mind if we came with you Mr. Ranger?" Tori asked. "We want to make certain that whoever's behind this is stopped."
Caswell frantically shook his head remembering the trouble he's in if the criminal succeeds. "That's right. I'm being framed by whoever did this. Please, you got to let us come with you."
Lance turned towards the building. "I do not have a problem with bringing you three with me, but you must do as I say. We have no idea what this criminal has in store, and I can only do so much to keep you safe."
"You got it Sentai Ranger." Yuma agreed.
Inside the Tower
Sentai Ranger, Yuma, Tori, and Caswell walked into a room only for the door to seal shut behind them as Mr. Kay's voice spoke to them. "You finally put the pieces together. Honestly, it took you a lot longer than I thought it would. Especially you Sentai Ranger."
"What are you doing here Mr. Kay?" Yuma asked.
"Don't you get it?" Caswell asked. "Mr. Kay created the virus."
"That's one way of putting it." Mr. Kay stated.
"But I was saying early how awesome you were. I wanted to be just like you when I grew up." Yuma stated.
Mr. Kay scoffed. "Someone like you could never be like me."
"I have to say sir, this is disappointing." Caswell stated.
"Sorry students, but I wanted you here to witness the virus going viral. Catching Sentai Ranger in the mix is all the better." Mr. Kay then started laughing as a purple 34 appeared on his neck.
Yuma opened his eyes wide. "A Number!"
Lance was thinking the same thing.
At this moment, Astral decided to appear as he stared at Mr. Kay. "That human bears the mark of a Number."
Yuma reacted with shock. "I thought you went back to Saturn or something."
"That is incorrect." Astral simply stated.
That started Yuma off on Astral.
Caswell looked at Tori. "Why is he talking to himself like that?"
Tori smiled. "Yuma and Lance's invisible duelist friend must have appeared to help Yuma out."
Astral looked over at Lance who pretended not to notice him. "Yuma, why is Lance wearing that outfit?"
Yuma looked over at him confused. "Astral, that's the Sentai Ranger not Lance."
Lance spoke up addressing Yuma. "Lance?"
"See, he doesn't even know Lance." Yuma stated.
Astral put his hand to his chin. "He's not Lance? I can feel Lance's pendent on him."
Suddenly, Lance was lamenting the fact that he didn't think to remove his pendent, but it always came with him wherever he went.
Astral floated away from Yuma and over to Lance. "See, I could not get this far away from you if he were not Lance."
Yuma opened his mouth wide. "Lance is Sentai Ranger!"
Tori and Caswell looked form Yuma to Lance in shock.
Lance sighed and removed his helmet. "Damn it Astral."
"My best friend is a superhero!" Yuma declared.
"I know a superhero!" Tori shouted.
"I dueled a superhero earlier!" Caswell finished.
Mr. Kay chuckled as he rode down to them. "Isn't this quite the discovery."
Astral looked to the Syllable and Heroic duelist. "Yuma or Lance, one of you must take Mr. Kay on in a duel. The only way to reason with him is to break the Number's hold."
"I got this." Lance looked to Mr. Kay. "I challenge you to a duel. If I win, you put a stop to this virus of yours."
Mr. Kay happily said, "I'll take that challenge Lance, but I think you'll find I'm a tougher challenge than young Caswell or Shark ever were."
"We'll see." Lance stated.
"Let's Duel!"
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Lance 4000/Mr. Kay 4000)
"Since you are the Sentai Ranger, I believe twice as much that you can win!" Yuma shouted.
"Yeah, take him down Lance!" Tori shouted.
"Lance has to win, or everyone will think me some kind of criminal." Caswell hoped.
"I believe the first turn shall be mine." Mr. Kay stated. "I place a monster face down."
Lance drew. "I summon Elemental Hero Stratos(LV 4/1800/300)." A hero in a blue jumpsuit appeared. "His ability allows me to add a hero from my deck to my hand. He'll attack your face down."
Mr. Kay smirked. "Bad idea Lance for you attacked Crash Bug X(LV 3/0/2000)." The small, boyish monster appeared (Lance 3800/Mr. Kay 4000).
"Alright, then I shall set one card and end my turn." Lance declared.
Mr. Kay drew. "I summon Crashbug Y(LV 3/1400/1600)." A large red and pink Crashbug appeared. "With that done, I activate Crashbug Road. We now both choose a Level 4 or below monster on the field and summon a monster with the same level from our hands. I choose Crashbug Z(LV 3/0/1500)." A lanky Crashbug in blue clothing with light blue stripes appeared.
"I'll choose Elemental Hero Shadow Mist(LV 4/1000/1500)." A hero decked out in black appeared. "Since he was special summoned, I can add a Mask Change to my hand from my deck."
"You do that Lance because it is over." Mr. Kay declared. "I haves what I need for the perfect victory. I overlay Crashbugs X, Y, and Z to Xyz summon Number 34:Terrabyte(R 3/O 3/0/2900) in defense mode." A blue and gold machine monster appeared.
"So that is the Number." Astral commented.
Yuma was impressed. "An Xyz summon with three monsters."
"I activate Terabyte's special ability. By using an Overlay unit, I can take control of one of your monsters. Your Stratos is mine, and I'll use him to launch an ATK on Shadow Mist (Lance 3000/Mr. Kay 4000)." Mr. Kay declared.
"Shadow Mist!" Lance shouted.
"You'll never defeat me Lance. My deck is perfect whereas the deck you use as the Sentai Ranger is imperfect. A mash up of two architypes that could never hope to defeat my balanced deck." Mr. Kay stated.
"This deck is the deck of heroes Mr. Kay. Your math is certainly off if you think it'll lose to your deck. You aren't factoring the skill of the duelist or one's connection to their deck. This deck and I have been through some tough duels, and it'll see me through this one as well."
Caswell spoke up. "You tell him Lance! Don't give up, please!"
"Don't worry Caswell." Lance smiled. "A true hero never gives up until the last card is played."
"Well, it appears you are going to continue to struggle against the inevitable. Continue to do so as we wait for the clock to tick down. I set one card." Mr. Kay informed.
Lance noticed his extra deck glowing. "Alright Mr. Kay, allow me to show you what a true wieldier of Numbers can do." He drew. "I activate Call of the Haunted allowing me to return Elemental Hero Shadow Mist(LV 4/1000/1500) to the field.
I then get to add a Mask Change from my deck to my hand due to Shadow Mist being special summoned. Up next, I'll normal summon Elemental Hero Solid Soldier(LV 4/1300/1000)." A hero decked out in silver armor appeared.
"His ability allows me to special summon a hero from my hand. I choose Elemental Hero Ocean(LV 4/1500/1200)." A blue and white aquatic hero appeared. "Get ready because I'm about to display my true power.
I overlay Shadow Mist and Solid Soldier to Xyz summon Number 86: Heroic Champion – Rhongomyniad(R 4/O 2/3000/3000)." The white and silver warrior wielding a large spear appeared.
"His effects are determined by the number of Overlay units. With two, he can't be destroyed by battle and gains 1500 more ATK & DEF. My turn doesn't stop there. Thanks to Mr. Kay, I have monsters and Mask Changes to go around.
I'm using both on Stratos and Ocean respectively. I now fusion summon Masked Hero Divine Wind(2700/1900) and Masked Hero Acid(2600/2100)." A hero in green armor and a cape appeared followed by a hero in purple armor.
"He just summoned three extra deck monsters in one turn!" Caswell stated impressed.
"You can certainly see why the Sentai Ranger hasn't lost any duels." Tori added.
Yuma excitedly shouted. "Alright Lance!"
Mr. Kay was utterly shocked. "That's impossible."
"Nothing's impossible Mr. Kay. Now get ready because my turn isn't over yet. Acid's special ability destroys all spell and traps you have on the field and deals you 300 life points for each one (Lance 3000/Mr. Kay 3700).
Now, Rhongomyniad will destroy Terabyte since they are both numbers." Lance declared. "This leaves you wide open for a direct, combined attack from Divine Wind and Acid (Lance 3000/Mr. Kay 0)."
Mr. Kay screamed out in pain as the 34 began to vanish from his neck, but just before he collapsed, he pressed a button in his pocket. No one noticed it as they were focusing on Lance. Number 34 floated away from Mr. Kay and entered his pendent.
Astral got hit with a memory. "I remember the place I came from. A different galaxy. Astral World. That is where I'm from."
Everyone ran to Lance until the countdown suddenly accelerated.
"That's not good!" Caswell shouted worriedly.
Tori tried shaking the teacher awake. "Mr. Kay! Mr. Kay wake up!"
Their teacher opened his eyes groggily. "Uh, what are you kids doing here?"
"Mr. Kay, there isn't time. You said if I beat you, you'd stop the viral countdown. Now, it's accelerated." Lance quickly stated.
"The viral countdown? I can't. I only had a switch to accelerate it if I lost. A back up plan just in case." Mr. Kay informed.
"Are you serious?" Yuma asked. "The city's doomed!"
The countdown reached 0 frightening everyone involved as they moved to look out over the city.
"It's all over!" Tori shouted.
Mr. Kay joined them. "What are you all worried about?"
Yuma turned to him. "Your virus. Weren't you trying to crash the city's systems?"
"Why would you think I'd do something like that?" Mr. Kay was surprised. "I'll admit that during my preparations I accidently caused some problems, but it was never my intention."
"What was your intention then?" Caswell asked.
Just then, the museum light turned on causing Mr. Kay to smile. "There it is. If you want to know what I did, then put on your duel gazers and look to the sky." They saw a certain monster in the sky. "I was looking at the patterns in the city's lights.
Through that, I noticed they seemed to make an incredibly complex code. With my gazer, I scanned the pattern and realized it was just one fragment away from making a replica of the Crashbug QR code."
"So, all of this was you trying to turn on that light to make a giant Crashbug appear in the sky?" Yuma asked.
Yuma, Caswell, and Tori fell to the ground exasperated, but Lance smiled as he looked at the monster in the sky.
"What's got you so happy Lance?" Yuma asked.
"It's Mr. Kay." Lance chuckled. "He was never malicious. He just wanted everyone to have good luck because if you see a Crashbug on a full moon, you're blessed with it. At least, that's how the card description goes."
With that revelation, Caswell, Yuma, and Tori joined him in staring at the monster.
"Observation number 4: Number cards affect people. Change them. They seem to amplify their individual wants and desires. Almost to the point that they take over." Astral thought as he stared at the group. "I need to remember that."