Train Station, Evening…
Yuma had been out dueling at a park and was walking home only for a guy with brown hair and eyes, in a 2nd year uniform, to get in his way. "Yuma Tsukumo, I challenge you to a duel. I will prove that there's no way a useless duelist like you could have beaten Shark."
"If you want to duel, then I'm for it." Yuma smiled. "I'm feeling the flow."
Astral appeared. "Exercise caution Yuma. He's radiating the power of a Number. His desire to beat you must be strong."
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Yuma 4000/Brown 4000)
"Alright, I summon Achacha Archer(LV 3/1200/600)." An archer in light, yellow armor appeared. "When he's summoned, you take 500 life points (Yuma 4000/Student 3500). I then set one card."
"My move." Student drew. "I summon Rescue Rabbit(LV 4/300/100)." A white and black rabbit appeared. "I then activate his effect allowing me to banish him and summon two normal monsters from my deck as long as they are the same.
Those monsters will be destroyed during the end phase. I choose two Gene-Warped Warwolf(LV 4/2000/100)." Two bipedal white wolves with four arms appeared. "I'll use them to construct the overlay network.
Come forth Number 50:Blackship of Corn(R 4/O 2/2100/1500)." A large ship appeared. "I then activate Monster Reborn allowing me to return a Gene-Warped Warwolf(2000/100) from the grave to the field."
"That isn't good." Yuma stated.
Astral said, "Activate your face down when he attacks with Warwolf."
Now I detach one overlay unit from my Blackship allowing me to destroy a monster on your field with less or equal ATK to Blackship. Your Archer fits the bill which means you also take 1000 life points due to that same effect (Yuma 3000/Brown 3500). The downside is he can't attack but Warwolf can."
"Do it now Yuma!" Astral declared.
"Right." Yuma nodded. "I activate Battle Break destroying your attacking monster and ending your battle phase."
"I end my turn." Brown stated.
Yuma drew. "I now summon Gogogo Golem(LV 4/1800/1500)." A green and blue golem appeared. "This in turn allows me to special summon Kagetokage(LV 4/1100/1500) from my hand." The shadow of a lizard appeared in the ground.
"I will them construct the Overlay Network with my two level fours to bring about Number 39: Utopia(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)." A white and gold warrior appeared. "I'll have him destroy number 50 (Yuma 3000/Brown 3100)."
"No!" Brown sated. "I refuse to lose to you of all people Yuma Tsukumo. I will not lose!" He drew. "I activate Soul Charge. Now I can special summon my two Gene-Warped Warwolf(LV/2000/100) at the cost of 1000 life points apiece (Yuma 3000/Brown 1100)."
This caused the number 85 to appear on his left hand.
"Astral?" Yuma questioned worriedly.
"I see it Yuma." Astral stated. "This one has two numbers."
"Now, I build the overlay network with my two level four monsters to Xyz summon Number 85: Crazy Box(R 4/O 2/3000/300)." A large, light black box with a single eye appeared. "This monster is prohibited from attacking, but I don't need it when I can use his effect.
By detaching an overlay unit, a six-sided dice is rolled." Brown declared. "There is an effect for every number." A die rolled and landed on 1. "A one means your life points are cut in halve (Yuma 1500/Brown 1100).
"That is some Number." Yuma stated.
Astral nodded. "Indeed; however, he has lost this duel. You have what you need in your hand regardless of what you draw."
"You're right Astral." Yuma drew. "Alright, I'm seriously feeling the flow. I'll have Utopia attack your Box only to activate his ability stopping the ATK in its tracks."
Brown laughed. "What a useless move."
"You'd think so until I activate Double or Nothing. Since Utopia's ATK was stopped, he gets to try again at double the strength." Yuma declared. "That means you've lost (Yuma 1500/Brown 0)."
Brown was knocked onto his back as Astral held out his hand collecting both numbers.
"I did it!" Yuma celebrated. "I managed to beat two Numbers!"
Astral looked at Yuma with a hand on his chin. "Observation number 9: Yuma is starting to come into the role of a proper duelist, but he still has some distance to go."
Shark sat in his parked bike a fair distance away having observed the duel. He removed his duel gazer and sped away from the scene.
Streets of Heartland
Lance waited at the crosswalk for the signal to bike over. Once it turned green, he started pedaling only to notice Shark sitting atop a motorcycle in traffic. They locked eyes until Lance made it to the other side. That's when the light turned green and the Shark user sped off.
The Heroic duelist watched him go. "Shark… I haven't seen him since he accepted Yuma's challenge. Has he not been in school all this time? That would explain why we haven't dueled. Could the duel with Yuma be the only reason? Yuma did say Shark complimented him."
That got Lance thinking about the fact that he never really learned anything about Shark. They dueled plenty, but Shark wasn't one of those guys who shared. The Heroic duelist basically knew what most people did. Shark was once a National duelist until he wasn't.
As Lance peddled home, he thought about it some more. "I think it's about time I do a little research. After all, Shark is my rival, and he was the closest to beating me until the Numbers appeared, people improved their decks, and new people joined the school."
Hogan Residence: Lance's Workshop, Night…
Lance was in what used to be his secret base. Of course, with his identity known, it became a workshop. His body suit was still up, but he'd officially dismantled the helmet. The Heroic user was currently at his table looking up information on Shark.
He had been scanning through news stories of his rival's time in Nationals for a while until he came upon an earlier story. "What's this?" He looked at the story closer. "Reginald and Rio Kastle pronounced dead in a car accident alongside their parents.
Shortly after, they miraculously returned to life." He knew from the other stories what Shark's true name was, but he certainly found this article interesting for multiple reasons. "So, Shark has a sister. What happened to her?"
The Heroic duelist quickly found a follow up story. "Rio Kastle was saved from a bizarre fire thanks to Quatro. That's the Pro-Duelist. The Kastle siblings have experienced great tragedy in their short lives." The next article he found only hammered that point home.
"Disgraced contender, Reginald Kastle, was disqualified in the finals when it was revealed that he had looked at his opponent's deck in violation of tournament rules. That doesn't sound like the Shark I know.
Sure, he once took decks, but he always took care of them. Shark has honor. If this article is true, I'm certain he had a reason to do what he did." He leaned back in his seat. "Man, I had no idea all this stuff happened to Shark."
Come to think of it, I never saw him hang out with anyone. Just because I view him as a rival, doesn't mean I couldn't also view him as a friend." Lance stood up. "Now more than ever, he may need a friend. I'll ask around tomorrow and see if anyone knows where he is."
Lance yawned and decided to turn in for the night.
Inside Yuma's Key
Astral looked around at all the various gears moving due to the recovery of the Numbers. "This gear puzzle seems to move one step closer to completion with each Number obtained, but why? Does it have to do with my memory loss? What do Lance and Yuma have to do with this?"
Streets of Heartland, Morning…
Lance was peddling himself and Yuma to school when he decided to bring up Shark. "Hey Yuma, I saw Shark briefly yesterday. Do you recall seeing him, at any time, since your duel?"
Yuma blinked. "Now that you mention it, no."
"I'm going to ask around and see if anyone knows where he is. You want to help?" Lance asked.
"Sounds like a plan." Yuma stated.
Class
Yuma and Lance entered class only to be confronted by Tori, Caswell, and Nelson.
"Hey guys, what's going on?" Lance questioned.
"Did we not make it on time?" Yuma asked. "I could have sworn Lance made great time today."
"You two are certainly late." Caswell stated.
He then moved to touch their decks and extra decks only for Lance to grab his wrists. "Whoa man, touching another's deck without permission is not cool."
"I have to agree." Nelson looked at Lance and Yuma. "I'm sorry. Caswell merely said he wanted to ask you about your numbers."
Lance let go of Caswell and took out his extra deck. "You only had to ask, but Yuma can't produce his." The Heroic duelist kept ahold of them as he spread his Numbers out for them to see. "Astral isn't here, so only I have access to my Numbers."
"Oh, is that so?" Caswell asked as he observed the cards. "What's the deal with these Numbers? I've certainly never heard of them."
"What's with the third-degree Caswell?" Yuma asked.
Lance put his cards away as Caswell approached them. "I'm not certain that I buy this excuse you two seem to have." He looked at the Heroic duelist. "Lance, you're off the hook since everyone knows you're skilled enough to duel without Numbers."
He turned his attention to the Syllable duelist. "Yuma, you only started winning matches because of these Numbers. I think the only reason you're hiding them, unlike Lance, is because you don't want to lose your secret weapons."
"That's not true at all!" Yuma declared. "I may have some good cards, but the reason I win is because I'm a good duelist."
Lance looked at Yuma. "I don't argue that you can be a great duelist Yuma but using Numbers against those without them is unfair. Even if the duelists you face have ways to work around them, you shouldn't use them unless the opponent wants you to."
"Whose side are you on Lance?" Yuma asked.
"I'm just stating facts Yuma." Lance stated. "Numbers are different from other cards produced in that there is only one. There's only one Utopia, one Lion Heart, and so on. You've only won duels using Numbers."
"Oh yeah, well I'll prove you all wrong." Yuma became determined. "I'll beat anyone without using my Numbers. Just name an opponent."
"Yuma." Tori worriedly stated.
"Really?" Caswell smirked. "Alright, then take on your old foe Shark."
"No problem. I promise I'll beat Shark without Numbers." Yuma walked off. "I'm going to start asking around until I find out where he is."
Somewhere in Heartland, After School…
Lance walked with Yuma to the supposed location where they could find Shark. "Why can't anyone understand that it's the duelist who makes the card. Not the other way around."
"Yuma, I get it. That doesn't mean it's fair to use Numbers against people unprepared to deal with them. Plus, you're starting to become too reliant on them. I'm not saying that because I want you to use Zubaba General. Get more Xyz monsters. Expand the arsenal." Lance stated.
Astral appeared. "Lance does make some good points."
"No, he doesn't." Yuma looked at Astral. "Since you're here, I don't want you helping in this duel against Shark. I'll take him down myself."
They descended some stairs into an old, run down arcade.
Inside
The inside was about what one would expect when entering a decaying arcade. Barely functioning machines and glowing lights coming from the machines that still worked. It was also rather filthy. Lance heard rustling chains.
The Heroic duelist pushed the Syllable duelist behind him. "Yuma stay behind me."
"Hey, what was…" Yuma began before noticing the muscular guy who had tried to grab him.
The guy was of a slightly darker complexion with a black tank top and matching pants as well as crazy black hair. "Looks like the Sentai Ranger has finally come calling boys."
He was joined by a man with short black hair and white causal suit. "If we take him out, no one will mess with The Pack." He looked at Yuma. "Look, he's even brought a side kick."
Lance looked at the large group and, even though he was trained to defend himself, this was an unfavorable situation. Though maybe they'd be willing to duel.
Before he could say anything, Shark appeared. "Leave the brats. Can't you see his attire. The Sentai Ranger didn't come here expecting a fight and taking out a kid in a school uniform wouldn't look all that impressive even if his face is known."
The muscular guy looked at him. "You know these two?"
"Sure do." Shark replied.
The suited man said, "Guess it's your lucky day."
Once the gang was gone, Shark walked past them. "You two shouldn't have come here."
"I came because I have business with you Shark." Yuma declared. "I'm here to duel."
The Shark user laughed. "I can't duel you. I quit dueling." That shocked both Lance and Yuma. "I've moved on."
He walked outside, but Lance was determined not to let him go that easy.
Outside
"Shark!" Lance called out.
"You don't need to shout." Shark stopped and turned to him. "I'm right here."
"You can't have quit dueling." Lance stated. "You just couldn't have."
"Really? I was under the impression that it was my choice. Not yours." Shark stated.
Yuma joined them while Lance continued. "Shark, I've dueled you more than enough to know you love to duel. Your deck means the world to you as any true duelist's deck should." He pointed back at the building. "This place isn't the place for you.
You have honor and pride as a duelist. These guys don't. They've destroyed any deck they claim and don't use themselves. You never did Shark. You took care of every deck and returned them after your duel with Yuma."
"What makes you think you have the right to lecture me? What makes you think you're even right? After all, you're just some guy I dueled. You don't understand anything." Shark stated.
Yuma chimed in. "Shark, it's only naturally he'd say these things. I'd say something similar. It's because Lance and I are your friends."
Shark became angry. "We are not friends. What would make you think that anyways?"
"We dueled Shark. That's why Lance could say what he said earlier, and it's why I can say you should dump these thugs you're hanging around."
Shark had gained some control. "It's none of your business who I hang out with."
"I'll make it my business then." Yuma declared. "I beat you in a duel, and you leave these losers."
"What do I get if I beat you?" Shark questioned.
Yuma grabbed the key around his neck. "You can have this."
"You have yourself a deal." Shark walked away. "Meet me at the harbor in an hour."
Harbor
Lance stood off to the side as Tori and Caswell joined him. Yuma wanted Caswell there to prove he'd won without Numbers and had thought to call Tori as well. The three of them watched as Yuma and Shark faced off.
Astral looked at him. "Yuma are you absolutely sure about this?"
"I told you Astral." Yuma hadn't taken his eyes off Shark. "I don't want your help during this duel. That goes for all those Number cards as well."
"What do you mean?" Astral questioned.
Yuma firmly said, "I want to prove that the duelist makes the cards. Not the other way around." He looked at Lance. "Plus, it's not fair to use Numbers against Shark." He turned back to the Shark user. "My opponent doesn't have any." He smiled. "Hey, now I've even got a noble cause. Shark shouldn't be hanging with those jerks."
"Alright." Astral floated back a bit. "Consider me a spectator."
Shark was staring Yuma down. "I haven't forgotten our last duel Yuma. If I'm going to come out of retirement, I can think of no better reason than to beat you."
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Yuma 4000/Shark 4000)
"You're going down Yuma." Shark declared. "I summon Hammer Shark(LV 4/1700/1500)." A blue shark with a hammer for a face appeared. "I then activate his ability allowing me to decrease his level by one to special summon a level 3 or lower monster from my hand.
I choose Big Jaws(LV 3/1800/300)." A blue shark with lots of teeth appeared. "Now I overlay LV 3 Big Jaws and Hammer Shark to Xyz summoner Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 2/1900/1000)." Two Sharks bound by an orange piece of equipment appeared.
Yuma was shocked as he remembered that monster. "This isn't good."
"How right you are Yuma." Shark declared. "I activate Aero Shark's ability. By removing an overlay unit, you take 400 life points for every card in my hand. Three cards equals1200 damage (Yuma 2800/Shark 4000). I then set one card."
"Unbelievable." Caswell stated. "Shark almost wiped-out half of Yuma's life points before he even gets a turn."
"Shark is one of the best duelists I know." Lance stated.
Yuma drew. "I summon Goblindbergh(LV 4/1400/0)." A goblin in a red airplane appeared. "He doesn't come alone because his ability allows me to special summon Gogogo Golem(LV 4/1800/1500)." A green and blue golem appeared.
"The only question is, are you bringing out that Number or General?" Shark thought.
"I now build the overlay network with my level four monsters to Xyz summon Zubaba General(R 4/O 2/2000/1000)." The gold and white warrior with a black blade appeared. "By detaching one unit, I can equip him with a warrior in my hand. I choose Zubaba Knight." Zubaba General(R 4/O 1/3600/1000 effect). "Now, General will destroy Aero Shark (Yuma 2800/Shark 2300)."
"I activate Torrential Reborn. Since you just destroyed Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 0/1900/1000), I can resummon it to my field. You then take 500 points of damage (Yuma 2300/Shark 2300)."
Yuma grit his teeth. "I end my turn with a face down."
"If you won't use your Number, I'll force it out." Shark drew. "I activate Underwater Snow Prison. I target a monster on the field and banish it. Your General is the prime target. A plus to me is that your monster isn't a water type, so I take no backlash damage."
Yuma shouted, "No way!"
"It doesn't stop there because Aero Shark will attack you directly (Yuma 400/Shark 2300). I'll then set one card, but before you go, I want to say something." Yuma looked at Shark. "Use your Number."
That shocked everyone involved.
"Has Shark lost his mind!?" Caswell shouted.
"Numbers are insanely difficult to beat." Tori added.
"Difficult but not impossible. There are always ways to work around them." Lance crossed his arms. "Don't do it Yuma."
"We're all waiting Yuma. You know playing it is the only way you'll be able to beat me. Then again, maybe that Number isn't enough. Maybe the only reason I agreed to a duel was to prove I could take it down." Shark declared.
Astral decided to speak up. "Yuma, if the duelist really makes the card, then it should not matter if the card in question is weak or strong. Besides all that, what you have really set out to do is not boost your ego but to help your friend."
"I almost forgot. I got to beat him, so he'll lose those loser friends of his." Yuma drew. "To make that happen, I'll do whatever it takes." He looked at Shark. "Alright, first I'm activating my face down Secret Barrel.
This deals you 200 damage for each card in your hand and in your control. With three cards, that's 600 damage (Yuma 400/Shark 1700). Next, I'm summoning Gagaga Magician(LV 4/1500/1000)." The spellcaster in brown and blue robes appeared.
"With his summoning, I'm allowed to bring out Kagetokage(LV 4/1100/1500)." The shadow of a lizard appeared in the ground. "I overlay my two level fours to summon Number 39: Utopia(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)." A gold and white warrior appeared.
"Yuma just summoned a Number card." Tori stated shocked.
Lance grit his teeth. "Damn it, Yuma!"
"It's just as I said." Caswell stated. "Yuma needs Numbers to win. I knew I was right."
Shark grinned. "I activate Full Armored Xyz. Since Aero Shark was special summoned, I'm allowed to summon another Xyz monster from my deck and equip Aero Shark to him. I choose Black Ray Lance(R 3/O 0/4000/600)." A black Beast-Warrior appeared.
"Utopia attack Black Ray Lancer; however, I will activate his ability by detaching an overlay to negate the attack." Number 39: Utopia(R 4/O 1/2500/2000). "Since Utopia's attack was stopped, I can activate Double or Nothing.
This gives Utopia another chance to ATK at double his ATK." Number 39: Utopia(R 4/O 1/5000/2000 effect). "You're Lancer is done (Yuma 400/Shark 700)." He was shocked to find that Black Ray Lancer(R 4/O 0/2100/600) survived. "What gives? I destroyed your monster."
Shark smirked. "You don't think I planned for that move Yuma. Full Armored Xyz was more than a buff. Any time the Xyz is threatened, I can send the equipped monster to the grave sparing my monster."
"I end my turn." Yuma declared reluctantly.
Shark drew. "I activate Xyz Crown and equip it to my Black Ray Lance(LV 3/O 0/2100/600 effect). This causes his effect to be treated as a level, and for the purposes of an Xyz summon, he can count as two materials.
I overlay my monster to Xyz summon Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/1800/2000)." A purple, menacing shark appeared. "By detaching his overlay unit I can place a shark counter on this card." Shark Caesar(R 3/O 0/1800/2000 SC: 1).
"I'm lost." Yuma admitted. "What does all that achieve when my Utopia is stronger?"
"It's only natural that you'd be lost Yuma, so allow me to enlighten you." Shark stated. "I activate Armored Xyz which allows me to target Black Ray Lancer in my grave and equip it to Shark Caesar." Black Ray Lancer(R 3/O 0/2100/2000 SC: 1)."
"Whoa, what just happened to your monster?" Yuma questioned.
"It's the effect of Armored Xyz." Shark declared. "This not only changed Shark Caesar's name to Black Ray Lancer, but it also grants him the ATK of Lancer as well. Now, Black Ray Lancer will attack, and during the damage step he gains 1000 ATK for every Shark Counter on him."
Black Ray Lancer(R 3/O 0/3100/2000 SC: 1)
"Since I let it get all the way to the damage step, I can stop the attack with Utopia's effect." Yuma's eyes went wide. "Utopia!" Shark Caesar tore through Utopia (Yuma 0/Shark 700).
"I suppose now I can tell you the reason that I stopped dueling Yuma." Shark walked up to the Syllable duelist. "I was crushed after you beat me, but I feel better now." He took the key. "This is the cherry on top."
After a moment, he threw it to Yuma. "Then again, keep it as a reminder of today." He then looked at Lance firmly. "Now it's your turn Lance. It's time we settle the score. Get over here and duel me."
"If it's a duel you want, I'm willing to oblige." Lance stated seriously.
The two stared each other down.
Yuma joined Caswell and Tori as Lance faced off with Shark. "Are you ready to lose Lance."
"Losing now is not an option." Lance declared. "I refuse to let you return to those thugs when I know you're better than that. Those thugs don't care about you. They're only using you."
"How do you know I'm not using them?" Shark smirked. "Either way, I'm where I belong."
"Shark… no, Reginald." Lance firmly stated causing Shark to react with shock. "I owe you an apology. We've dueled a lot ever since I entered Heartland Academy, yet I never once got to know you. I never once stopped to think that you were alone.
For it may be worth, I'm sorry. The truth is that you are my rival and always have been. You're also my friend, yet I never acted as such. That's why I'm going to make up for the mistakes of the past and defeat you."
For once, Shark was calm. "Prove it."
Lance nodded. "I will."
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Lance 4000/Shark 4000)
"Try to keep up Shark because I'm going all out." Lance 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.
Tori replied, "Lance is planning something."
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 their 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 (Lance 3200/Shark 4000).
Lance 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 Lance, 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 (Lance 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 can still ATK, so he'll take down Night Watchman (Lance 2500/Shark 2900)."
Lance 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 Lance."
Lance drew. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Double Lance(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)."
The 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). "Now, 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)
"Then, I detach an overlay unit from Dark Rebellion and target Aero Shark halving his ATK. That lost ATK is then granted to my dragon until the end of the turn." Lance 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 Lance."
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!"
Tori nodded seriously impressed. "Lance and Shark are something else and Yuma is starting to get better. Even if he did break his promise, I can't deny his skills." She looked at her own deck box. "I think I need to learn more, or I risk being left behind."
"Now, Dark Rebellion will attack Black Ray Lancer with Lightning Revolt Disobey." Lance 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 (Lance 1700/Shark 2900)."
"Then Excalibur shall destroy Lancer." Lance declared.
"I activate my face down Poseidon Wave." Shark countered. "Like Zeus' breathe, your attack his 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 (Lance 900/Shark 2900)
"I'll end my turn with one set card." Lance declared.
Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O 1/1900/1000)
Black Ray Lancer(R 3/O 1/1050/600)
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 (Lance 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 Lance. 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." Lance countered. "When an attack is declared involving my Xyz monster battling another Xyz monster, we both take damage equal to their combined ATK (Lance 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."
Tori looked at her deck once more. "I really need to find someone that can train me to become a better duelist. I just don't think I can keep up at this rate." She looked at Lance. "What about Zeera? She's a Synchro duelist. With that fading, it may be the edge I need."
Shark got up and dusted himself off as Lance did the same. Without a word, the Shark user walked back to his vehicle.
Lance 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.
Lance 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 ran past his friends. "Sorry guys, but I have to prepare."
The Heroic duelist jumped on his bike and pedaled home before they could stop him.
Heartland Academy: Next Day, Well After School…
Yuma and Lance were currently engaged in their 20th duel that day. 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."
(Lance 4000/Yuma 1500)
Lance's Field
Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 0/4000/2000)
Yuma's Field
Gogogo Golem(LV 4/1800/1500)
"Now, Excalibur will destroy your Golem (Lance 4000/Yuma 0)." Lance declared.
"There's loss number 20." Caswell stated.
"That was great Lance." Yuma smiled. "Come on, one more duel."
"I've indulged you long enough Yuma." Lance walked away. "Now, I have to prepare for tonight because I refuse to let Shark stay with The Pack."
Yuma watched Lance leave with a frown. "Lance…"
Tori ran after him. "What's wrong?"
Lance didn't turn to face her. "I don't like who Yuma is turning into. I know what was at stake with Shark, but Yuma broke his promise. A man is only as good as his word Tori." He walked away once more. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a friend who needs my help."
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. Not right now. Shark is certainly worth a lot, but there's no way that Sentai Ranger can resist coming back soon." The tanked top guy stated before showing a card.
The casual suited guy said, "When he shows, we'll be ready." He produced his own card. "With these babies, we can't lose."
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, Lance is really mad at me." Yuma thought sadly.
Astral appeared. "You know, how you are acting now 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 Lance'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.
Yuma looked at the sky before sighing. "You're right Astral. I got to fix this." He started running. "I think I know where to start."
Hospital
Shark sat in a chair beside a woman 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 Lance? After what Lance 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 Lance 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, and she knew what Lance 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…"