Heartland Academy, Morning…
Lance rode up to the bike stands where both him and Yuma jumped off. Now that they were here, with a little time before class, Lance decided to breech the topic of the Numbers.
"Yuma, can we talk?" Lance asked.
Yuma looked at him. "Yeah, what's up?"
"I've been thinking, and I want to tell our friends about the Numbers. Beyond that, I want to form an unofficial Numbers Investigation Club. This way, they can be informed of the Numbers and help us gather the rest of them." Lance explained.
"I don't think it's a good idea." Yuma stated shocking Lance. "They've already been involved enough as it is. From here on out, the two of us should deal with the Numbers ourselves."
Lance shook his head. "Yuma! You just said it. They're already involved, so they have a right to know what they've been dueling against. Nelson beat a Number user yesterday and most of our friends have been possessed by Numbers at some points.
Not to mention, almost everyone helped you defeat that butler with Titanic Moth and Caswell and Shane defended Astral without being fully aware what was at stake. They're the only reason something bad didn't happen to him."
Astral spoke up. "He is speaking sense Yuma. Several of your friends are great duelist."
"Look, they've been involved enough. I don't want them to get involved with Kite and Shay. We both know they're in a league of their own." Yuma firmly stated. "The less they know, the better."
"It should be their choice to get involved." Lance firmly stated. "They've been curious lately, and I don't think we can keep this from them any longer."
They both looked to the right and saw Cat. "Hi Yuma. Lance. What are you two arguing about, and what were you briefly looking at?"
Yuma walked past Lance. "It's nothing Cat."
Cat blushed. "He remembered my name."
Lance put a hand on the Syllable duelist's shoulder. "Don't just walk away."
Yuma shrugged him off. "We are done talking about this; furthermore, we're keeping the others out." He walked on. "That's final."
Lance grit his teeth and clenched his fist as Yuma walked away. The Heroic Duelist then stormed off in the opposite direct. If Yuma thought this was the end, he had another thing coming.
This left Cat alone. "That was weird."
Toshiro stood at the gate, so he couldn't hear anything they said; however, Dark Mist was a different story. "The time will soon be at hand Toshiro. Keep watch, don't get caught, and don't screw up."
After Class
"Bye Lance!" Yuma ran out of class. "I'll see you later."
"Yuma!" Lance chased after him. "We are talking about this weather you like it or not!"
"Sorry, but I have to do some shopping for grandma!" Yuma shouted.
"That's a lame excuse, and you know it!" Lance exclaimed.
Caswell, Tori, Shane, and Nelson had observed the two run off.
"Looks like whatever Lance had to discuss with Yuma isn't going well." Nelson stated.
Tori looked to Caswell and Shane. "Yuma didn't say anything about the Numbers when you asked him?"
"We tried, but Mr. Tsukumo is keeping quiet." Shane explained.
Caswell shook his head. "He wouldn't tell us anything."
Streets of Heartland
Yuma wouldn't deny that Lance was faster than him, but the Syllable duelist could be wiry when he put his mind to it. He'd dipped into a few alleyways and managed to lose The Heroic duelist. Now, he was trying to make it home only to bump into Toshiro.
"Sorry about that." Yuma stated.
Toshiro put on a fake smiled. "It's quite alright. I-I was distracted looking for an opponent to duel. Say, y-you look like a duelist. Want to duel?"
Astral appeared. "Something seems off about this young man."
Yuma smiled. "Oh yeah, I'm feeling the flow! Let's duel man."
From within Toshiro, Dark Mist was laughing.
Some Time Later…
Lance had been searching for a bit when he noticed Yuma dueling some guy. He stood back and observed the duel for now.
Status of the Duel
(Yuma 4000/Toshiro 2400)
Yuma's Field:
Number 39: Utopia(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)
Toshiro's Field:
Giant Germ(LV 2/1000/100)x3
"My turn." Toshiro drew. "I overlay my three Giant Germs to construct the overlay network and summon Number 96: Dark Mist(Rank 2/O 2/100/1000)." A truly fiendish, monstrous figure appeared with razor sharp claws and blazing fire eyes. "I end my turn."
"A Number with only 100 ATK? He also ended his turn. It must have a powerful effect." Lance thought.
"Play this as carefully as possible Yuma." Astral declared.
"I'll try Astral." Yuma drew. "Alright Utopia let's see what effect that monster is hiding. Take it down." The attack went off without a hitch (Yuma 4000/Toshiro 0). "I won!"
Astral held out his hand and collected the Number only to get a startling memory. The earth was being ensnared by purple energy before exploding. The guy on the ground was unmoving, so Lance ran on over and checked for a pulse. The guy was resting, but it was a disturbed sleep.
The multi-deck user also noticed the bags under the young man's eyes. "Something is seriously wrong here."
Yuma was attempting to sneak away, but Lance stood up. "Yuma, you can't keep running. Our friends deserve to know the truth. They can help."
"I keep telling you no." Yuma grit his teeth. "We can't involve them any further."
Lance walked over and grabbed Yuma by his shirt. "What happens if they run into Kite or Shay by accident? Then, they won't know what they're up against because you wanted to keep this our secret."
Yuma smacked his hands away. "Drop it Lance. We aren't talking about this anymore." He walked away. "I'm going home."
"Yuma don't be an idiot!" Lance shouted.
The Syllable duelist left.
Lance sighed angrily before taking another look at Tashiro. "He really looks to be in bad shape. The bags, pale, and malnourished. I should stay with him and call an ambulance."
Heartland Academy, Next Day…
Lance arrived at Heartland Academy, alone, and rode up to the bike stand.
Tori found this odd, so she approached him. "Where's Yuma?"
Lance looked at her. "I'm not talking to that jerk; furthermore, as far as I'm concerned, I'm done looking out for him. He can be late to school just as he used to."
Lance walked into the school leaving Tori concerned.
Math Class, Later…
Yuma ran into the room panting as Mr. Kay was giving a lecture. "Yuma, how nice of you to join us."
Yuma looked at him. "Sorry Mr. Kay." He glared at Lance. "I overslept today."
Lance glared back.
"Well, you haven't been late since starting middle school, so I'll overlook it for today." Mr. Kay informed. "Take your seat."
Yuma walked to his seat as both he and Lance continued to glare at each other. Once the Syllable duelist sat down, both boys huffed and turned away from each other causing Tori to sigh sadly.
Roof: Three Days Later, After School…
Lance stood on the roof looking out over the school.
"I finally found you." Rio stated.
Lance turned around surprised to see the Dragunity user. "Rio? What are you doing here?"
Rio walked over and joined him. "It's obvious. I'm worried because you seem angry, and I've had enough of this waiting around until you get better." She leaned against the railing. "So, what's on your mind? Is it that guy you don't seem to like?"
Lance sighed and looked out over the school yard once more. "That's Yuma. Yuma Tsukumo."
"The only other one whose beaten my brother." Rio stated. "What's the matter?"
"He's my best friend, but we aren't talking. Haven't for three days now." Lance stated.
"You know, people seem to think you're different, and from what I've seen, they're right. Yuma's more exuberant while your reserved to a certain point. I am curious, how are you two friends? How did it begin?" Rio asked.
Lance continued to stare outward. "Believe it or not, but there was a time I wouldn't have made friends with Yuma. Not because I hated him or anything. I was just such a coward when I was younger."
Rio was shocked. "You? A coward?"
Lance nodded. "I feared Yuma because of all his energy. In fact, I didn't have a single friend. I did have a bully until she moved away, but that's getting off topic. Anyways, one day my older siblings vanished without a trace.
I was sad for the longest time. I didn't even go to school for three whole months and had to be home schooled. I looked up to them. My sister was outgoing, but less excitable than Yuma. My brother was the epitome of cool and confident.
I decided to be them. I took on their personalities and made it my own act. It worked. I even fooled myself into believing I was confident, cool, and outgoing. In the end, I guess it stopped me from being that coward.
Maybe it worked a little too well since I was overconfident for the longest time. Anyways, this confidence allowed me to start winning duels, overcoming fears, and much more. Once we entered third grade, Yuma went off spouting how he wanted to be a duel champion.
That's my dream as well." He chuckled. "Yuma never won in those days, but he ended up challenging me to a duel. Since I no longer feared his personality, I was able to see something special about him. It's why I didn't and don't laugh at his dream.
Of course, I wiped the floor with him, but the next day, he challenged me again. That was the start of duel after duel. I never once turned him down. How could I when he was so determined to keep at it? It began to admire that determination and drive.
Before I knew it, I had grown my first, genuine bond outside of my family. After losing my siblings, I began to see Yuma as not only my best friend but a brother. I started teaching him how to duel, but my method of teaching only went so far."
Rio said, "You two sound close, so this argument must be pretty serious to divide you."
"It's the Numbers. I want to tell you guys all about them. What we've been going through and are facing. To give you all the chance to decide for yourselves if you want to fight." Lance sighed. "He doesn't seem to understand that."
"Well, after hearing your story, I think you should try talking to him again." Rio stated. "You two sound close, so it'd be a shame to end your friendship over one argument."
Lance stared out over the school yard. "Maybe." He looked at Rio and gave her a small smile. "Thanks Rio."
Rio nodded. "Anytime."
Dueling Park, Evening…
Lance had received a message from Tori telling him this is where Yuma would be, and that he should come. So, he did with the intention of properly talking things through. When the Heroic duelist arrived, he saw Tori and Yuma.
"Why should I apologize?" Yuma asked.
Tori had her hands on her hips. "One of you has to be the bigger man, and neither of you will reach that conclusion yourselves. That's why I'm making the decision and saying it's you."
"Lance is much taller than me, so it'll have to be him." Yuma stated.
Astral floated down in front of him. "Yuma, Lance is your best friend, so why won't you talk to him?"
"I'll tell you why." Yuma pointed behind him. "I had a big lunch and I'm not hungry." He was pointing at Lance who turned right around and started to walk away. "Hold up Lance!"
The Syllable duelist put a hand on Lance's back, but the Heroic duelist wasn't in the mood. He whirled around with the intent of smacking away Yuma's hand but hit his key. It was knocked clean off and clattered to the ground sending Yuma to his butt. This shocked all three of them.
Lance decided to double down. "Just leave me alone Yuma. I don't want to talk with someone who isn't willing to do so himself."
Suddenly, black sludge moved on its own from Yuma's extra deck and infected Astral. "What is happening?"
Blue electricity coursed through the otherworldly being.
"What is that!?" Tori shouted shocked as she saw Astral.
Lance took a step back before looking at the Emperor Key. "Hold on, I'll fix this."
He ran over and collected it.
Astral struggled against the sludge. "Number 96 is trying to take control."
"What do you mean trying to take control?" Yuma asked.
"He means that when your 'good friend' knocked that key away, it allowed me to escape. Now that I'm free, I can take control."Dark Mist stated.
Astral was shocked further as black tentacles shot forward ensnaring Yuma.
"Put him down!" Lance and Tori shouted.
Dark Mist was almost fully in control. He appeared similar to Astral, but with a jet-black body instead of light blue. Unlike Astral, whose right eye has a white sclera, Number 96 has a black sclera.
Astral managed to speak. "Yuma, you must toss every Number to Lance, and Lance you must defeat 96 because Yuma is incapable of doing so in this current situation."
Yuma struggled with all his might to do as Astral said and chucked the box to Lance. Not a moment later, Astral was sealed into darkness with his screams of pain being the last they heard.
Lance caught the deck box, but both Yuma and he stared at Dark Mist in shock. "Astral, no!"
Dark Mist chuckled. "I predicted this would happen, but those Number won't be out of my possession for long." He looked at Lance. "If you want to save your friend, you're going to have to duel me."
Lance stood firm. "If it's a duel you want, I'll give it to you."
Tori came to stand next to him. "I'll help."
Lance looked at Tori. "Tori, this could go south real fast. We need duelist just in case I fall. Get everyone. Caswell, Cat, Shane. Shark, and Rio. Everyone. This situation just went dire."
Tori nodded. "Right."
She ran leaving Lance with Dark Mist.
He put Yuma's key around his neck with his own pendent. "Alright, Dark Mist you're going down. You hurt my friend and that's unforgivable."
"Lance, you should just run!" Yuma shouted. "Forget me and save yourself!"
"I can't do that!" Lance shouted. "We may be fighting, but you're still my best friend."
Yuma was shocked. "I am?"
Dark Mist chuckled as he pushed Yuma behind him. "How touching." He formed a black D-pad from his arm. "I hope you are prepared boy because I certainly am."
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Lance 4000/Dark Mist 4000)
"Alright you creep, get ready because I'm going first." Lance declared. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Extra Sword(LV 4/1000/1000)." A warrior in silver, green, and gold armor wielding two blades appeared. "I'll end my turn."
Dark Mist chuckled. "To easy. Far too easy. I must have been overestimating you." He drew. "I summon Malicevorous Skewer(LV 2/300/300)." A purple armored demon with a skewer for a weapon appeared.
"Malicevorous monsters. That does make sense considering his Number." Lance thought.
"When Skewer is summoned, I can special summon a Malicevorous monster from my hand. I choose Malicevorous Knife(LV 2/600/100)." A fiend in purple armor and wielding a red knife appeared.
"When a Malicevorous monster with a different name is summoned, I can special summon Malicevorous Spoon(LV 2/100/500)." A small fiend in purple armor and wielding a spoon appeared. "I'm far from done.
I'll overlay all three level 2 monsters to Xyz summon a copy of myself Number 96: Dark Mist(R 2/O 3/100/1000)." A truly fiendish, monstrous figure appeared with razor sharp claws and blazing fire eyes. "Dark Mist attack Extra Sword."
"Your monster must have an effect similar to Number 54." Lance declared.
Dark Mist chuckled. "I am far superior to 54. I'm far superior to all Numbers! I activate Dark Mist's ability. By detaching one overlay unit, Number 96 can steal half your monster's ATK."
Number 96:Dark Mist(R 2/O 2/600/1000 effect)
Heroic Challenger-Extra Sword(LV 4/500/1000 effect)
"Now, 96 will destroy Extra sword (Lance 3900/Dark Mist 4000)." Dark Mist declared. "I end my turn."
"Just you wait Dark Mist because I will win." Lance drew. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000)." A warrior in gold and red armor with a cape, spear, and shield appeared. "I attack Number 96 with Spartan (Lance 3900/Dark Mist 3000).I then set a card."
Dark Mist smiled. "You must be better than that if you want to beat me." He drew. "I activate Snatch Claw and equip it to Dark Mist. Now, when he destroys a monster, I can special summon it to my field; however, it's effects will be negated. I'll then activate 96's effect again.
Number 96:Dark Mist(R 2/O 1/1400/1000effect)
Heroic Challenger-Spartan(LV 4/800/1000 effect).
Now Dark Mist will attack Spartan (Lance 3300/Dark Mist 3000)." Dark Mist declared. "Then, Snatch Claw special summons Heroic Challenger-Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000) to my field. He'll attack you directly (Lance 1700/Dark Mist 3000). I'll end my turn with two face downs."
Lance smirked.
Yuma smiled. "You're finished Dark Mist."
Dark Mist looked back at him. "How do you figure?"
"It's written on Lance's face." Yuma declared. "When he smirks or smiles, especially after taking a massive hit, he's got just the card or cards to beat you. You've lost."
Dark Mist looked at Lance. "You are wrong. The strongest Number will not lose to a Human. I observed his duels and deemed him unimpressive."
Lance chuckled. "You don't think I'd have noticed that guy hanging around after finding out you were his card. Please, my memory's sharp. I just don't care because you can observe me as many times as you want. It's not going to give you victory."
"Just take your turn, so I can wipe you out already." Dark Mist declared.
Lance drew. "I summon Heroic Challenger-Double Lance(LV 4/1700/900)." A warrior decked out in white and light blue armor appeared. "His effect allows him to count as two monsters for the Xyz summon of a Heroic Champion.
I'll do just that using Double Lance to build the overlay network and Xyz summon Heroic Champion-Clarent(R 4/O 1/2500/1700)." A champion in light blue and orange armor appeared. "I'll equip him with Magnum Shield.
Since he's in ATK mode, he'll gain a boost in ATK equal to his original DEF." Heroic Champion Clarent(R 4/O 1/4200/1700). "I'll follow up with the spell Overlay Capture. This removes all of Dark Mist's overlay units before becoming an overlay unit for my monster."
Heroic Champion-Clarent(R 4/O 2/4200/1700 spell). "I'll now activate Clarent's special ability. By detaching one overlay unit, I can destroy all spell and trap cards on your field leaving you defenseless."
Heroic Champion-Clarent(R 4/O 1/4200/1700 spell)
Dark Mist frowned. "You… You still don't have enough ATK to win this duel."
Lance confidently said. "You'd be right if it weren't for this last card in my hand and my face down. I activate Karma Cut. By discarding this last card, I can banish Number 96 leaving you wide open for a direct ATK."
Dark Mist grit his teeth angrily. "Impossible! I cannot lose! I am the strongest Number! I can't lose to the likes of you!"
"Nothing is impossible Dark Mist. Now, leave my best friend alone." Lance declared firmly. "Clarent attack Dark Mist directly (Lance 1700/Dark Mist 0)."
"Nooooooo!" Dark Mist declared as he flew back, and his tentacles unwrapped themselves from Yuma.
Lance took the Emperors Key from around his neck. "Yuma, catch!"
He threw both the key and his best friend's deck box back to him. Yuma caught them, and Astral remerged from the key as he positioned his hand towards Dark Mist.
Dark Mist could feel himself slowly being pulled back into Astral. "I am not being imprisoned again Astral. I refuse!" He held out his own hand and summoned a sphere of red energy before chucking it at Astral. Unlike everyday stuff, it nailed Astral in the chest knocking him down.
Dark Mist made his escape leaving the three of them with these final words. "You three will suffer. Mark my words. Especially you Astral. You will fall, and those Numbers will be mine!"
Yuma worriedly looked at Astral. "Are you okay?"
Astral floated back up. "I will be fine Yuma." He turned to them. "Lance did well, but I don't want either of you to let your guard down. Yuma always keep your key on you. Lance, you may be safe since he seemed intent on dueling you but do the same."
They both nodded. "Right."
Yuma held out his fist. "You did it, Lance."
"I had to." Lance gave his best friend a fist bump. "I couldn't let Number 96 have his way."
"Yuma! Lance!" Tori worriedly shouted.
They both turned to see Tori approaching with everyone. Even Shark had come.
"So…" Lance began.
Yuma nodded. "We'll tell them." Lance looked at him. "Not knowing about Number 96, Shay, Kite, and the Numbers in general… you were right Lance. If they don't know, they could be seriously hurt. I see that now, and I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry to Yuma." Lance returned. "I got far too worked up over this and caused a major problem because of it."
"Forgive each other?" Yuma asked.
"Agreed." Lance nodded. "Let's tell them tomorrow. I think we could both use some rest."
The group reached them and began checking to make sure they were okay.
Alleyway
Dark Mist landed in an alleyway and collapsed to his knees. "Damn, there were no host nearby, and I'm already starting to weaken. I need to hurry before I completely fade away. Lance, Astral, and Yuma. You three will pay."
Suddenly, he felt much better and noticed that he was trapped in a light blue sphere.
"What trickery is this?" Dark Mist asked.
"This is no trickery Number 96." A feminine voice stated firmly. "This is your cleansing."
He noticed a woman with a white mask over her face walk into the sphere. She had shoulder length white hair with a second layer of light blue. Her attire consisted of light blue, no sleeved shirt underneath a white trench coat with light blue trim.
"Perfect. A host." Dark Mist thought.
At this point, he was more concerned with that than what was happening or what she said. He shot forward only to be met with a dark blue shield that burned him.
Number 96 recoiled in pain. "What was that?" He looked at the woman. "Who are you?"
"My name is Dos, and I have many roles. I am a sibling within two families and an Xyz Defender for Declan Akaba. Above all, I am an agent of the Fusion Dimension." She activated her D-pad.
"This is your cleansing Number 96. A victory in here will grant me the ability to remove your darkness. If you win, I will become your host. In the end, you can't escape until a duel is played. This sphere won't allow it.
Dark Mist summoned his D-Pad. "You will regret facing the ultimate Number."
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Dos 4000/Dark Mist 4000)
"I will take the first turn." Dark Mist declared. "I discard a fiend monster from my hand to special summon Malicevorous Fork(LV 2/400/400)." A small fiend in purple armor wielding a large fork appeared.
"The card I discarded was Malicevorous Bowl(LV 2/100/600) which can be special summoned from the grave if I control a Malicevorous monster." A small fiend in purple armor appeared using a large bowl as a shield. "I then summon Malicevorous Cup(LV 2/600/400)."
A small fiend in purple armor wielding a large, clear glass appeared. "Now I overlay my three level 2 monsters to Xyz summon Number 96: Dark Mist(R 2/O 3/100/1000)." A truly fiendish, monstrous figure appeared with razor sharp claws and blazing fire eyes.
"I now use Overlay Reward allowing me to choose an Xyz monster, Like Number 96, and draw cards equal to his number of overlay units. Since 96 has three units, I draw three cards. I'll then set one card."
Dos drew. "I activate Fang of Critias. This spell is a Polymerization for my traps, so I'm combining it with Mirror force to fusion summon Mirror Force Dragon(LV 8/2800/1200)." A light black dragon with four wings appeared."
Dark Mist was shocked. "That should be impossible."
"Nothing is impossible." Dos looked at the deck in her duel disk. "I've learned, seen, and believe in that." She focused on her opponent. "I'll set one card ending my turn."
Dark Mist drew. "I activate Number 96 to steal halve your dragon's ATK and gain it for myself."
"I counter with Mirror Force Dragon's ability. When you target my dragon, he destroys all monsters you control." Mirror Force Dragon(LV 8/1400/1200 effect). "I may lose ATK, but you gain nothing from it." Dos declared.
Dark Mist grit his teeth. "This duel isn't over."
"I believe it is because Number 96 is the only Extra deck monster you have. If you somehow bring him back, my face down or Mirror Force Dragon will deal with it again. By that look on your face, I can tell you have nothing to defeat me, so you should just surrender."
"The ultimate Number never surrenders!" Dark Mist declared. "I end my turn."
"I can at least respect that." Dos drew. "I summon Lord of D.(LV 4/1200/1100)." A tan man in dragon bone armor with a blue cape appeared. "With him on the field, dragon type monsters cannot be targeted by effect.
Now I reveal a Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand to special summon Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon(LV 8/3000/2500)." A large, blue-eyed white dragon appeared. "Alternative and Mirror Force will attack you directly (Dos 4000/Dark Mist 0)."
Dark Mist was flung back into the wall before falling to his stomach. "I lost again."
That was all he could say before the sphere rapidly shrunk, moving past Dos, and touching Dark Mist. This time, it moved through him casting him in a light blue aura. Dark Mist screamed in pain as a crimson red, black tinted energy was ejected from his body.
The energy moved towards Dos, but she didn't move an inch as the sphere, now the size of a baseball, flew at the energy entrapping it within. Both energies dissipated mere inches from Dos' face. With it gone, she approached Dark Mist who was shakily getting to his feet.
Number 96 touched his head and began flickering like Astral. "What did you do to me?"
Dos replied, "I freed you from Don Thousand. Soon, you shall become like any other Number. Of course, that is one option. Another is to join Academia. If you accept, we can stabilize your current form and make it impossible for Astral to absorb you.
The stabilization will only last only so long without a partner for you. Fortunately, we have the perfect partner in mind, so join us. Help the Fusion Dimension create a Utopia. Lend us your strength and prove it to everyone. Your choice."
Dark Mist looked at his arm. "Don Thousand succeeded in putting the ultimate Number under his control, and I still have a desire to defeat Astral. I do not care what happens to him. I would certainly like to be free even if I must work with a partner as he does." He nodded. "I accept."
Dos nodded and pointed her D-Pad at Dark Mist. "Then let us be off."
Dos touched the screen a few times before she and Dark Mist vanished in light blue particles.
1: Reiji is stacking his Xyz Defenders in his favor as much as possible.