Nistro: You can't protect your monster anymore since you have no more cards in your hand.
Yuma: Wait, that's it! I activate the effect of Tasuke Knight in my graveyard! Since there are no cards in my hand, your attack is negated, and the battle phase ends! And as a bonus, I also get to summon Tasuke Knight back from the graveyard.
Nistro: He blocked the attack?!
Tori: Way to think on your feet Yuma!
Yuma: It's gonna take more than that to beat med.
Nistro: You got lucky kid.
Yuma: With two level 4 monsters out, I'll be able to summon Utopia on my next turn.
He looked at his extra deck and saw that all his numbers were gone.
Yuma: Yo Astral, where are ya?!
Nistro: Hey! Quit stalling Yuma!
Troy: Astral isn't around? That's weird. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Number 96 since the duel started.
In the Emperor's Key, Utopia was still fighting against Dark Mist, and they were evenly matched. Suddenly, Astral could sense that Yuma was in danger.
96: Give it up Astral! Your power is no match for mine, especially now that I have some new friends to join me!
Astral: What?
Suddenly, Shadow Lich and Malevolent Sin appeared next to Dark Mist.
96: Troy has collected quite a few numbers of his own, and they will help me take all of Yuma's.
Astral: I cannot believe Troy would do this.
96: Troy has nothing to do with this. He's too stuck in his foolish parents' teachings for his own good.
Astral: Troy is an honorable and good person, unlike you.
96: You have no idea what Troy is capable of or the things he's done, but I do. It's time for him to move on from his past and realize his full potential, and I'm going to make sure he does just that. But first, I'll be taking all your power and the numbers you've collected.
Back in the real world, it was Yuma's turn.
Yuma: I'll just have to win without Utopia, I draw. Tasuke Knight, attack Morpho Butterspy with Power Push! And since Troy's Wicked Trample is still in play, the damage from this attack is doubled.
Dextra: 3000 LP
Nistro: That's the best you've got for us? If it weren't for Troy, you'd have only landed 500 points of damage by this point. A mosquito could do more damage than you.
Inside the Emperor's Key, things were going poorly for Astral and Utopia. Dark Mist and Malevolent Sin had Utopia pinned down, and Shadow Lich was closing in on Astral. Suddenly, a bright flash appeared, and Leviathan Dragon appeared and put itself between Astral and Shadow Lich while Freezadon and Volcasaurus freed Utopia.
Astral: Utopia, act quickly, and go to Yuma!
Utopia nodded and flew off.
96: Utopia may have gotten away, but you will not be so lucky.
Nistro: Stop stalling and end your turn so I can crush ya! You can either do that or forfeit the duel, because at this rate, you won't be winning.
Yuma: Fine, I'll place a card face-down and,
Before he could end his turn, the Emperor's Key glowed brightly.
Yuma: What in the world?
A beam of light shot out of the key and into Yuma's extra deck. Yuma looked into his extra deck and saw a familiar card.
Yuma: Utopia? But since the card appeared, shouldn't Astral be around too? Astral are you there? Where are you Astral? If Utopia came without Astral, then something must be seriously wrong.
Back in the Emperor's Key, 96 was still fighting against Astral and Yuma's numbers.
96: Let me ask you something Astral? Why do you continue to side with Yuma? You know that without your help, he would've never collected all these number cards, whereas Troy has collected just as many on his own.
Astral: I side with Yuma because we share a bond that someone like you could never understand.
96: Oh, and what bond would that be?
Astral: The bond of friendship. Yuma is my friend, and I trust him with my life.
96: How very touching, I think I'm going to be sick.
Nistro: If the light show is over kid, let's get back to dueling.
Dextra: There's something weird going on Nistro. Be careful.
Flip: I hope Yuma finds a way to flip this duel around.
Yuma: Could it be that Astral is also battling, somewhere far from here? He must've made a huge sacrifice to send this to me, so I can't waste this chance. Now let's go! I overlay Gagaga Gardna and Tasuke Knight! I xyz summon Number 39: Utopia in defense mode!
Rank 4/Light/Warrior
ATK 2500/DEF 2000
Troy: It's about time.
Nistro: Unbelievable! This twerp has a number card?! And it's one of the most amazing ones I've ever seen!
Dextra: It is spectacular.
Yuma: Alright, we're set to take them on Utopia. There's no way they can defeat us now. I end my turn.
Nistro: I'm gonna subtract that number from his deck.
Dextra: Not yet Nistro, you have to wait for me. I'm summoning Moonlit Papillion.
Level 4/Light/Insect
ATK 1200/DEF 1600
Nistro: Oh come on Dextra, this is the first time in ages I've had a decent challenge.
Dextra: You'll wait your turn. Now that we know he has a number card, this isn't a game anymore. We're doing this by the book Nistro.
Nistro: I hate by the book.
Dextra: And next I play the spell card Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Troy's Wicked Trample. With that card gone, I overlay Swallowtail Butterspy and Moonlit Papillion in order to build the overlay network, and xyz summon Photon Papilloperative.
Rank 4/Light/Warrior
ATK 2100/DEF 1800
Flip: That's one mean looking butterfly.
Yuma: Wait, they're using Photon monsters, just like the ones Kite used before.
Nistro: What'd you say?
Dextra: So, you've dueled Kite before, have you?
Yuma: Yeah, we dueled a while ago, but we ended in a draw.
Nistro: A draw? You'd have to be incredibly skilled.
Dextra: Either that, or he's partnered with the envoy from Astral World.
Nistro: Are you suggesting this kid's playing host to the visitor from Astral World?!
Troy: You mean Astral?
Dextra: You know him?
Troy: Yeah, I encountered him on my first day of school.
Nistro: And you didn't think to tell us this before?
Troy: Both you and Mr. Heartland neglected to tell me about it, so how was I supposed to know?
Dextra: Wait, you've seen the envoy from Astral World?
Troy: Yeah, but don't ask me why I can see him, because I don't know.
Dextra: Strange. Only people with a connection to the Astral World are supposed to be able to see the envoy. And now that I think about it, Kite did say that Troy was immune to the numbers' influence before joining us. Troy, what kind of person are you?
She decided to wait until later to figure things out and focused on the duel.
Dextra: I activate Photon Papilloperative's special ability. By using one overlay unit, your Utopia changes to attack mode, and loses 600 attack points.
Utopia: 2500-1900 ATK
Dextra: And I'll add to your troubles using my Berserk Scales spell card, which will raise the attack points of my monster by 1000.
Papilloperative: 2100-3100 ATK
Yuma: That monster is way stronger than mine.
Dextra: By 1200 points to be exact Yuma. And even though number cards can only be destroyed by other numbers, you'll still take the damage.
Flip: If Yuma takes that damage, he'll lose the duel!
Dextra: Go Photon Papilloperative, attack with Vivid Swarm!
Yuma: I activate Utopia's special ability. By using one overlay unit, I can negate your attack, go Light Wing Shield!
Utopia extended his wing, blocking Papilloperative's attack.
Yuma: I'm safe.
Dextra: Yes, and unfortunately for me, since I played Berserk Scales, my Photon Papilloperative loses 2000 attack points at the end of the turn, but at least we now know Utopia's special ability. I place a card face-down and end my turn.
Papilloperative: 3100-1100 ATK
Troy: My move, I draw. I don't have any cards in my hand that are much help, and since Cursed Ring is still equipped onto my monster, it can't destroy any of their monsters in battle, but I can still deal damage. Alright, Gaia Dragon, attack Photon Papilloperative with Spiral Lance!
Dextra: I play my trap card Draining Shield! This will negate your attack and restore my life points by its attack points.
Dextra: 5600 LP
Troy: Rats. I end my turn.
Nistro: My turn, I draw! I tribute Blade Bounzer so I can summon my level 6 Phantom Bounzer.
Level 6/Dark/Warrior
ATK 2400/DEF 1200
Yuma: I hope he's not gonna do what I think he's gonna do.
Nistro: I am. I overlay my level 6 Phantom and Hammer Bounzers in order to build the overlay network and xyz summon Photon Strike Bounzer!
Rank 6/Light/Warrior
ATK 2700/DEF 2000
Yuma: 2700 attack points?!
Nistro: Yeah and get ready to see 'em in action. Go Photon Strike Bounzer, attack Utopia with Strike Streak!
Yuma: I activate Utopia's special ability, go Light Wing Shield!
Troy: Idiot!
Yuma: What?
Nistro: I activate Strike Bounzer's special ability! When you activate an xyz monster's effect, I can use one overlay unit to negate that effect and slam you for 1000 points of damage.
Yuma: I activate the trap Damage Diet, which will halve all effect damage I take this turn!
Yuma: 500 LP
Nistro: Go ahead. Since you only have 500 life points left, this attack will finish you off.
Yuma: No chance, I play the trap Half Unbreak! This card keeps my monster from being destroyed by battle and also halves the battle damage.
Yuma: 100 LP
Nistro: He's still in this thing, but just barely.
Dextra: The kid is finished. Utopia is out of overlay units. On top of that, he has no cards in his hand and no face-down cards left, and if he changes Utopia into defense mode, Papilloperative's effect will change it into attack mode. If he can't turn this duel around in one turn, he's done.
Yuma: I won't ever give up, now let's get on with the duel.
Nistro: Fine, if you wanna drag out this farce, go ahead. I set a card face-down and end my turn.
Yuma: It's my move, and I draw. Double or Nothing! If I use it, I can double Utopia's attack points! But Utopia is out of overlay units, and even if he had any, with Strike Bounzer out, I'd take 1000 points of damage and lose. No, I gotta think. There's always a way, I've just gotta figure out how to pull this off.
Troy: If I had to guess, Yuma just drew Double or Nothing, but without overlay units for Utopia, he can't use it. Or maybe he can. If he has his Overlay Eater in his graveyard, with my trap card I have set, we can win.
Meanwhile in the Emperor's Key, Troy's numbers had managed to subdue Yuma's, and 96 was in the process of absorbing Astral.
96: Looks like Yuma has failed you, just like I said he would. And now look at the state you're in. It didn't have to come to this Astral, all you had to do was accept my offer.
Back in the real world, Yuma was on his hands and knees.
Yuma: I'm sorry Astral, I couldn't do it.
Flip: Don't give up Yuma! You never quit, remember?
Tori: Flip is right. No matter how hopeless things get, you always get right back up and keep fighting, because that's who you are.
Yuma: Tori is right. Astral is depending on me. I'll keep dueling, and I'm gonna win too, because I am so feelin' the flow!
In the Emperor's Key, a bright light struck Astral, breaking 96's hold on him.
96: Grr, we will settle this another time Astral.
A bright light emerged from the Emperor's Key, and Astral appeared in front of everyone for a brief moment before turning to Yuma.
Yuma: It's about time, what's been keeping you?
Astral: It is nice to see you as well.
Nistro: What is that?
Tori: Astral's back!
Flip: And just when we needed him.
Dextra: That must be the envoy who came from Astral World.
Yuma: I guess you came because you think I'm desperate for your help.
Astral looked at Yuma and saw that he was fairly beaten up from the duel before looking at the field.
Yuma: Well for your information, I was doing just fine all by myself. I don't need you making a dramatic entrance at the last minute to tell me what to do, so you can just go back to goofing off wherever you came from, and let me handle these guys.
Astral: So, this is a tag duel, you have done well Yuma, and I sense that all the pieces are in place for victory, provided Troy is willing to cooperate.
Troy: Well, I've stuck with him for this long, I guess I can help you win. And if Yuma has what I think he does, I'll get you both started by playing this, the Ambush Shield trap card, so by sacrificing Slacker Magician, her 2100 defense points are added onto Utopia's attack points this turn.
Utopia: 1900-4000 ATK
Yuma: Now I activate Overlay Eater's ability from the graveyard, so by banishing it, I can take your Strike Bounzer's overlay unit, and give it to Utopia.
Nistro: Even though that move was clever, you still won't win!
Yuma & Astral: Utopia, attack Photon Papilloperative with Rising Sun Slash!
Dextra: It won't be enough, and since the effect of Ambush Shield wears off at the end of this turn, once it's Nistro's turn, you'll lose the duel.
Yuma: I activate Utopia's special ability! By using an overlay unit, I can negate the attack.
Dextra: Why would you stop your own attack?
Yuma: Because now I can play the spell Double or Nothing, which will double Utopia's attack points and allow him to attack again.
Utopia: 4000-8000 ATK
Dextra: I think we can start panicking now.
Nistro: That's for sure.
Astral: Are you ready Yuma?
Yuma: You better believe it. Go Rising Sun Slash!
Nistro: I play the trap Bounzer Guard! This card will redirect your attack to Photon Strike Bounzer.
Nistro: 0 LP
Winners: Yuma and Troy
Tori: You and Troy did it! See, I told you not to give up.
Flip: For a minute there, I thought we were doomed, but then Astral showed up to save the day.
Dextra: Why did you take that hit for me?
Nistro: I don't know. It just felt right. Hey Yuma. We're gonna give your friend a second chance like we agreed, but I can promise you this: if Flip cheats again, we're not gonna be as forgiving. And one more thing, the next time we duel, I'm taking you and the original number down.
Yuma: You're on. I'll duel you anytime, anywhere.
Nistro: If you'll excuse us, we've gotta get the jump on some more cheaters.
Yuma: Thanks for your help Troy, I'm not sure I could've beaten them without your help. Wait, where did he go?
Tori: He must've taken off after the duel.
Flip: I could've easily beaten those bullies by myself of course, but it all worked out anyway.
Boy: There he is!
The three of them turned to the side to see everyone Flip tricked standing there.
Boy: We want our Heart Pieces back, right now.
Meanwhile, Dextra and Nistro were moving through Heartland Tower.
Nistro: Dextra, I think we should keep our run-in with Yuma a secret form Mr. Heartland.
Dextra: But why?
Nistro: Because I'm gonna defeat the original number, and I don't want Kite interfering.
Dextra: Alright, but I also think we should keep Troy's knowledge of the original number a secret. If Heartland learns that Troy can see him, he'll want to strap him to a lab table to run experiments on him.
Nistro: What, you worried about the kid?
Dextra: Nistro, he's a human being, not a lab rat. Not to mention he's suffered enough in his life.
Nistro: Okay, I'll keep a lid on things.
So something I forgot to mention: I'm aware that Nistro and Dextra were 19 in the official series, but for the sake of events I have planned later in the story, they're in their 30's in this series. I'm not going to explain why and instead leave it to your imaginations for now.