Streets of Heartland

Caswell had been silent throughout the entire match because it had simply amazed him at how well Lance had done in his duel with Cat. It may have cost him life points, but the gamble had obviously paid off.

"That was something else Lance." Caswell stated.

"Thanks Caswell, but honestly I had no idea if I'd have been able to win." Lance shook his head. "At least this proves we can beat back Pendulum Summoning when we face it again. Though it does worry me that we're seeing such a powerful method."

"You think we'll have to face it again?" Caswell asked.

"Cat has them as does Nelson." Lance stated. "Both got them from Organization. Same guy that controlled Cat here."

At that moment, Yuma, Tori, and Shark joined them.

"Alright, you did it, Lance!" Yuma exclaimed.

Shark put his hands in his pockets and continued walking into the abandoned area to retrieve his motorcycle. "Since the trouble is dealt with, I'll be on my way. I still have heart pieces to collect. Lance, I'll let that Astral you told me about absorb the Numbers the night before the finals."

"Wait Shark." Yuma firmly stated. "You're dueling for all the wrong reasons."

Shark didn't even turn to look at him. "Really, what are the right reasons?"

"Dueling is supposed to be about fun. We're not supposed to go out and hurt each other." Yuma stated firmly. "We're all cut from the same cloth. A family."

Shark angrily turned to Yuma. "I'm just supposed to forgive Quatro after everything he's done? That man has the gull to claim he was a savior to Rio. While it's true he got her out of the fire, my sister said he was one to start it. He was the one who put her in that coma."

"All I know is that dueling isn't about this." Yuma stated firmly. "Rio's fine…"

Shark grabbed Yuma's shirt. "She lost months of her life Yuma. If she weren't a great student, she'd have been placed in your year when she came back. What you're suggesting is I forget about Quatro because I beat him once when that accomplishes nothing."

Lance came forward and pried the two apart before holding them away. "You two need to calm down." He looked at Yuma. "Yuma, there are many reasons people choose to duel. Having fun is important, but there are equally as important values.

You best believe I wouldn't let someone who hurt those I care about walk free." He then turned to Shark. "Shark, I get where you're coming from, but being consumed by revenge isn't the answer." He looked forward. "I don't know the right answer but fighting each other isn't it."

Tori decided to get in on it. "Now you two apologize. If there's one thing I know, it's that friends aren't supposed to fight like this." She looked at Shark who was looking away. "If you don't, I'll tell Rio what you've been up to."

Yuma chuckled until Lance looked at him. "You're not out of the clear young man. I'll talk to Kari about you unless you apologize as well."

Both boys grumbled.

Yuma looked at Shark. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry to." Shark stated.

Lance nodded. "Good, you're free to go Shark." Shark began to walk away. "Seriously man, chill it with the revenge a little. All you're going to do is worry Rio. Honestly, I'm already starting to worry about you."

Shark continued walking. "See you around Lance."

Cat now approached the group and held out her heart container to Lance. "Here, you won these fair and square."

Lance looked at her in surprise. "What? No, you weren't in your right mind Cat. You…"

She pressed it into his palm. "I may not remember my loss, but it happened." She shook her head. "If you don't take the container, I'll throw it down a storm drain."

Lance nodded and tucked the container away. "Well, these two pieces should complete my heart container." He looked at Yuma with a smile. "looks like someone's starting to fall behind."

This was an attempt to bring some levity to what just happened, and it kind of worked.

Yuma blinked and gulped. "I only have four Heart Pieces." He took out his container which displayed his, Striker's, Tombo's, and Cody's pieces. "I got to get moving." At this point, he was missing the middle bit. "See you guys."

Caswell chuckled. "What do the rest of us do now?"

"My suggestion would be you two working on your decks and stay safe." Lance looked at them. "This tournament is hectic, and I'm beginning to think that problems won't vanish by beating everyone in this tournament."

"That's a good idea." Cat stated. "You and Tori should also prepare. Just because you have complete heart containers, doesn't mean you can slack off." She smiled. "You hear?"

Tori and Lance nodded. "Don't worry

Suburbs

Shane had all five of his required pieces to get into the finals and was merely returning to his home when another boy stood in his way. This boy wore a red and blue vest suit with a red hat and medium length blue hair.

"What do you want?" Shane asked.

The boy smiled maliciously. "Hello, my name is Cameron, and I couldn't help but notice your last duel. You were using a Number, right?"

"You're after my Numbers." Shane looked at him. "What a coincidence because I'm after the very same."

"Isn't that funny." Cameron stated.

D-pad go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Shane 4000/Cameron 4000)

Cameron began taking pictures of Shane as his camera also functions as the D-pad.

"What's this?" Shane asked.

"It's what I do to all my opponents." Cameron stated. "Taking your photo to reveal the future." He showed them off. "As you can see, victory will be mine as will your Number. You may as well just hand it over now."

"Funny thing about the future, it's not set in stone. For instance, these pictures show me going first, so I'll relent to let you have the first turn." Shane declared.

"You can't do that!" Cameron shouted.

"There's nothing in the rules saying I can't since you didn't make the offer before me. You were so consumed by your pictures that you failed to do so." Shane stated. "Now, take your turn or end it."

Cameron grit his teeth. "Fine, I summon Cameraclops(LV 4/1400/1600)." A warrior with a camera for a head appeared. "I now activate Telescopic Lens from my hand granting my monster 400 ATK x the number of cards in my hand. With three cards, that's 2600 ATK."

"That's cute but allow me to show you one of my Numbers." Shane declared. "I summon Malicevorous Chop Sticks(LV 2/300/200)." A small fiend in dark purple armor appeared wielding two large chop sticks.

"Since I control a Malicevorous monster, I can special summon Malicevorous Plate(LV 2/300300)." A fiend in purple armor and carrying a plate as big as its body appeared. "Chop sticks can count as two monsters when used for an Xyz summon.

"This means I can now overly both Chop Sticks and Plate to Xyz summon Number 96: Dark Mist(R 2/O 2/100/1000)." A truly fiendish, monstrous figure appeared with razor sharp claws and blazing fire eyes.

Dark Mist, which looked like a darker Astral, appeared as well. "I thought you were going to keep your Numbers hidden until the finals. Especially me. Why summon me now?"

"After getting that last heart piece, there's no reason to hide." Shane declared. "On that note, I believe you're due for an upgrade partner."

Dark Mist smiled. "What are you waiting for?"

Cameron was just laughing at the monster. "You call that a Number? That thing is weak compared to the Number I have."

Shane shook his head. "I assure you this isn't any old Number. It is the ultimate Number; however, you can consider yourself lucky for I have decided to show you this Number's true strength. I activate Rank-Up-Magic Barian's Force. With this I can rebuild the overlay network using Dark Mist and Xyz summon Number C96: Dark Storm(R 3/O 3/1000/1000)."

A more feral looking Dark Mist appeared. Not only that, but this was the first time Dark Storm has come into existence meaning the Astral look alike was going through a change of his own. He gained a Barian Emblem on his forehead, an eye on his abdomen, and a pair of wings with red jewels. His muscle mass grew considerably and became more pronounced.

When Dark Mist spoke, it was with a deeper voice. "I can feel the power! With this, Astral, Yuma, and Lance will fall before me."

"You still with me or is Don Thousand's influence seeping back in?" Shane asked.

"Relax partner. Barian is still among my enemies. I simply feel more slighted by the three prior to them." Dark Mist stated.

"Stop ignoring me and finish your turn already." Cameron exclaimed as he slapped his photos. "We have a future to get to."

"Please, when will you realize that the future has already changed?" Shane questioned. "Don't answer that because it's now. I equip Dark Storm with Snatch Claw. Now any time my monster destroys one of yours, I can special summon them to my field with their effects negated.

Dark Storm attack Cameraclops. Before you say anything, I activate Dark Storm's ability. Since they have Number 96 as an overlay unit, I can detach one overlay unit by detaching one overlay unit to reduce your monster's ATK to 0.

Then, Number C96 gains that ATK." Number C96:Dark Storm(R 3/O 2/3600/1000 effect) and Cameraclops(LV 4/0/1600 effect). "With all that power, Dark Storm will destroy your Cameraclops (Shane 4000/Cameron 400)."

"This isn't happening." Cameron was utterly stunned. "This isn't what was predicted."

"At this moment, the future has changed from what you predicted. You've lost." Shane declared. "As I explained earlier, Snatch Claw grants Cameraclops(LV 4/1400/1600) to my field. He will attack you directly (Shane 4000/Cameron 0)."

Cameron was blown onto his back, and Dark Mist held out his hand absorbing the Number.

Shane himself walked over to Cameron. "I'm going to be honest with you Cameron. My employer has gotten all the information on you ever since you met that Number. I was assigned to hunt you down. You thought your shots average, so this card brought about your desire.

You created the future for objects and got shots any photography would be lucky to get once in their lifetime. Humans are harder to dictate. As such, you used phycology to mess with the mind. The pictures were a possible future you lead people to believe.

What you should do is go where your talents lie. Not the papers, but with the people. A lot of families and duel champions would be willing to pay for your work if you put your heart and soul into it.

In the end, it's a better path than injuring people. Hey, that's chalked up to the Number not you. Consider yourself lucky, or I'd be drag you to the police." He walked by. "Also consider yourself lucky that I stopped you before it got worse."

Cameron was staring at the sky. "Thank you for freeing me from the Number's control."

Shane didn't stop as Dark Mist, now in his new form, appeared. "What's next?"

"We lay low… for now." Shane explained. "We'll be in a location where Yuma, Lance, and/or Human/Barians can see you. You'll be free to come out whenever. Once we hit the party, you'll need to lay low. Then, you'll no longer have to hide because we'll be making our move to take the Numbers and protect earth."

Dark Mist smiled. "Yes, the time will soon come. Soon, I will show my power as the ultimate Number."

Streets of Heartland

Yuma rested his chin on the table seeming genuinely down. "How can so many people already have lost their heart pieces?"

"It's not too far out of the realm of possibility considering all the duelist we've met." Astral stated. "I can imagine some of them continuing to duel in an effort to thin the herd, look for Numbers, or both."

"Yuma!" Yuma rose his head and saw the smiling face of Nelson approach; however, it quickly turned to shock. "That's the blue haze I see hanging around you and Lance." He was pointing at Astral. "So, I wasn't going crazy."

Yuma and Astral looked at each other in shock.

"You can see him!" Yuma yelled.

Astral yelled. "You can see me! Does this have to do with the power Organization unlocked!?"

Café, Some Time Later…

Yuma had explained Astral to Nelson while Nelson has explained the rare occasions, he saw the blurry outline of Astral. "I honestly thought I was going crazy or not getting enough sleep." He breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad that's not the case."

Yuma looked at Astral. "You think Shark saw you? You think Rio can see you?"

"I don't think so." Astral crossed his arms. "At least, not yet. Let's assume it is the same power the three of them have. Nelson must have been slowly awakening it without Organization's interference while Rio and Shark's laid dormant.

In this case, Nelson's body could very well have been more suited to utilize his power while Shark and Rio's are still adjusting to a more sudden change. As a result, it may take time until they can see."

"As great as it is having another, and potentially more, that can be annoyed by Astral, this doesn't solve my current problem." Yuma sighed. "I need to get one more heart piece!"

Nelson looked at him. "I'm in the same boat." He took out his own container. "I need one more piece as well, but everyone I try to challenge doesn't have any. When I asked them about who beat them, I get descriptions fitting certain people we've run into, especial you and Lance."

"You mean Kite and Shay?" Yuma asked.

Nelson sighed. "Not just them, but from what I hear, those two are tearing through opponents. There's also Quatro and others dressed like him, many I couldn't place, and Zeera Henderson, Lance's mom."

"Hey Astral, you think any of them are still looking for heart pieces?" Yuma questioned.

"Doubtful." Astral stated. "It's likely they're taking down duelist in an effort to keep people out of the finals."

Yuma yelled. "That's so unfair! They should just back off and let others have a chance to get heart pieces!" The Syllable duelist's stomach loudly growled, and his head fell to the table. "So hungry."

"I could do with some food myself." Nelson chuckled good naturedly. "I'll go inside and get some pastries."

A Few Feet Away

Nistro, Dextra, and Kala were walking along the streets.

Nistro sighed. "I swear, none of these duelists provide a challenge."

"That's what we want Nistro." Dextra stated. "It's allowed us to fill our heart pieces and take care of duelist that wouldn't be worth Kite or Shay's time."

"Personally, I agree somewhat with Dextra." Kala stated. "The sooner we blow through these duelists, the sooner I can have my rematch with Shay."

"I'd much rather have a…" Nistro stopped.

He looked at the café and more specifically Yuma.

"Do you know that kid?" Dextra asked.

Nistro grinned and walked over to the café forcing Dextra and Kala to do the same.

Café

Yuma, in between stuffing his face, happily said, "Thanks for the grub Nelson. This will give me the energy I need to continue looking for opponents."

Nelson smiled. "Don't mention it."

"Hey kid!" Nistro shouted.

Yuma turned to Nistro followed by Dextra and Kala. "Uh, what do you want?"

"My name is Nistro." Nistro stated. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're Yuma Tsukumo, right?"

"That's me." Yuma stated. "How do you know that?"

"Ah, are you a Number Hunter like my student Lance?" Nistro asked.

"Student?" Yuma asked. "You're that Nistro!"

Dextra and Kala were both shocked because Nistro had known about a Number Hunter and didn't tell anyone.

"Hold on Nistro, you think this kid's a Number Hunter?" Dextra asked.

"Not only that, but the student you taught is also a Number Hunter?" Kala asked.

"That's just like you two." Nistro stated meaning no ill will by his words. "You condemn me for keeping things from you, yet Shay and Kite have known all along that those two are Number Hunters."

"Yeah because they've…" Dextra began.

Nistro smirked. "If those two had beaten Lance and/or Yuma then they would have said so." He looked back at them. "Face it, they aren't as great as you make them out to be."

"Yuma, should we run or what?" Nelson asked.

When the three people who were after Numbers got into an argument like this, it didn't inspire much fear. These three may even be great duelist, but Shay and Kite clearly had them beat when it came to intimidation.

"Uh, hold on." Yuma stated. "Hey, you three got heart pieces for our containers?"

Both boys removed their containers which showed the pieces they need.

"If that's your way to challenging me to a duel, I'll gladly take you both on." Nistro stated. "If you somehow win, I can provide the pieces needed."

"Hold on Nistro, you've clearly failed in your duty to take Numbers before." Dextra stated. "Kala and I will be their opponents."

Kala began cracking her knuckles. "We'll beat them down and take whatever Numbers they got."

"Hold on a minute, by the rules I was the first to issue a challenge." Nistro firmly stated. "I at least get to take on one of them. I'll even be generous and say you two can have the other one."

"Uh, I'd personally only want to take on one person." Nelson spoke up.

"If that's the case, why don't I cut in." Zeera stated as she walked up to the group. "I mean, I do have a bone to pick with all three of you considering this talk of Number Hunters." She looked at Nistro. "Nistro less so. After all, hid job only happens to conflict with his role as teacher."

"Mrs. Hogan, what are you doing here?" Yuma asked.

"It's good to see you Yuma." Zeera smiled. "I was walking by and overheard things." She looked at the Number Hunters. "Three of us and three of you. I'll take one and two of you can stay behind to duel Nelson and Yuma. Sound fair?"

"You got any Numbers?" Dextra asked.

Zeera smiled. "My son has Numbers, but you'll only get answers out of me through a duel."

Dextra said, "I will take you on. Nistro and Kala, you got the kids?"

"Heh, as long as I get some action, I could care less what type of duel we do." Nistro happily proclaimed. "Let's do this."

"As you wish, Dextra." Kala stated.

Zeera walked on by. "Come along Dextra. Let's go somewhere with a little more space."

Dextra and Zeera walked off as Nelson, Yuma, Nistro, and Kala moved onto the street.

Zeera vs Dextra, Far from the Café…

"You know, I've been searching long and hard for any signs of Shay and Kite, yet I always seem to arrive too late." Zeera smiled genuinely. "Glad to see that isn't what happened this time. Prepare yourself Number Hunter because I will win."

"Most would likely underestimate you; however, I am completely aware of who you are Zeera Henderson." Dextra stated. "I will not make that mistake; furthermore, you will fall before you ever get near Kite."

D-pad go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Zeera 4000/Dextra 4000)

"I'll be going first." Zeera declared. "I normal summon Speedroid Gum Prize(LV 1/0/800)." A small robot with a metal pack of gum on its back appeared. "When I control a Wind monster, I can special summon Speedroid Taketomborg(LV 3/600/1200)."

A small blue and yellow robot appeared. "Now I'll use Gum Prize to give Taketomborg a tune up to Synchro for 4. Synchro summon Hi-Speedroid Puzzle(LV 4/1300/1600)." A larger blue and green robot appeared. "I shall end my turn with a face down."

Dextra drew. "I summon Photon Chargeman(LV 4/1000/1000)." A blue body suited warrior with silver armor over top appeared. "When I normal summon a warrior, I can special summon Blue Mountain Butterspy(LV 4/0/1700)." A blue butterfly appeared.

Since I control a Photon monster, I can special summon Photon Vanisher(LV 4/2000/0)." A silver and light, glowing blue soldier with a riffle appeared. "Now I overlay my three level 4 monsters to Xyz summon Night Papilloperative(R 4/O 3/2600/2000)."

A female warrior in dark blue armor with matching wings appeared. "By detaching one overlay unit, she gains 300 ATK for every overlay unit a monster has. Since she's the only choice, that's 600 more ATK. She will attack Hi-Speedroid Puzzle."

"Since my monster is battling a special summoned monster, his attack doubles all the way to 2600 severely weakening the damage I'd take (Zeera 3400/Dextra 4000)." Zeera countered.

Dextra grunted. "I set one card ending my turn."

Zeera drew. "On the Stand-By Phase, I can special summon Speedroid Skull Marble(LV 7/0/3000)." A long green and yellow train appeared. "I then normal summon Speedroid Double Yoyo(LV 4/1400/1400)." Two green yoyo appeared.

"When this card is normal summoned, I can special summon a level 3 or lower Speedroid from my grave to the field. Welcome back Speedroid Taketomborg(LV 3/600/1200). I'll then activate my trap Space Dragster(LV 1/0/1800)." A yellow robot, car hybrid appeared.

Now I'll use my Dragster to give Taketomborg and Yoyo a tune up to Synchro for 7. Synchro summon Clear wing Synchro Dragon(LV 7/2500/2000)." The white, blue, and green dragon appeared. "Now Skull Marble will attack your Night Papilloperative."

"What?" Dextra was shocked. "Your monster has no attack points."

Zeera smiled, "I'm aware, but once per turn my Skull Marble takes any battle damage I'd have taken and shoots it right back at my opponent as effect damage (Zeera 3400/Dextra 1400). Skull also isn't destroyed by battle. I'll end my turn with another face down."

Dextra drew. "I activate Xyz Energy. By detaching one overlay unit from Night Papilloperative, I can destroy one face up monster you control, and I choose Skull Marble. I'll then activate Photon Sanctuary. This spell grants me two Photon Tokens(LV 4/2000/0)."

Twin, glowing blue spheres appeared. "I'll normal summon Morpho Butterspy(LV 4/1200/1600)." A warrior butterfly with two shades of blue and one shade of black appeared. "I'll then activate my face down Call of the Haunted.

Come back to the field Blue Mountain Butterspy(LV 4/0/1700). Now, everything is in place as I build the overlay network twice. I overlay my two Photon Tokens followed by my two Butterspy.

Xyz summon Photon Papilloperative(R 4/O 2/2100/1800) and Photon Alexandra Queen(R 4/O 2/2400/1200)." A female warrior with pink and black wings appeared followed by a female butterfly with colorful pink, blue, and orange wings.

Zeera looked at the three Xyz monsters. "Most impressive." She looked at Dextra. "If you weren't caught up with those Number Hunters, Shay and Kite, I'd recommend going Pro with skills like this."

"I'm proud to be where I am." Dextra declared. "Now prepare because this duel is over. I detach my Night Papilloperative to target Photon Papilloperative. That Xyz still has two units meaning Night returns to 3200 ATK.

She'll use it to destroy your dragon (Zeera 2800/Dextra 1400). Speaking of Photon Papilloperative, she'll attack you directly (Zeera 700/Dextra 1400). Finally, Alexandra Queen will finish this with a direct attack."

"I activate my face down Defense Draw." Zeera countered. "This reduces the battle damage from this battle to 0 and I draw one card."

Dextra grit her teeth. "I end my turn."

Zeera drew. "I normal summoned Speedroid Horse Stilts(LV 4/1100/1100)." The top half of a mechanical white and green horse with blue stilts for legs appeared. "When this card is normal summoned, I can special summon a level 4 or lower Speedroid from my hand.

I choose Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice(LV 1/100/100)." A single dice with red eyes where the dots usually is appeared. "Now my Red-Eyed Dice will give my Horse Stilts a tune up to Synchro for 5. Synchro summon Hi-Speedroid Chanbara(LV 5/2000/1000)."

A large, red and silver toy sword appeared. "I then activate Limiter Removal doubling Hi-Speedroid Chanbara(LV 5/4000/1000 effect) ATK, but he is destroyed at the end of this turn." She smiled. "Chambara destroy Photon Papilloperative (Zeera 700/Dextra 0)."

Dextra was blown onto her back by the resulting attack.

Zeera put her hands in her trench coat and approached the downed Number Hunter. "You can tell your two friends back at the café, as well as Shay and Kite, that they've drawn Zeera Henderson's attention. I'm here to protect my son and Yuma. My boys."

She then walked away, but Dextra got to her feet. "Where are you going? One of 'your boys' are back that way."

Zeera looked at her. "As I said, I wish to protect my boys; however, as much as I wish I could, I've learned you can't shield them from the world. I also have faith in Yuma. Together, with Nelson, he will defeat your friends." She walked off. "See you in the finals."