It was another school day, and Yuma was rushing to beat the bell.
Girl 1: Hey, I heard three students from our school made the finals of the World Duel Carnival.
Girl 2: Really? Who are they?
Girl 3: Shark, Troy, and that really clumsy kid.
Girl 1: Oh, that's Yuma. Hey, how does his catchphrase go again? It's something like-
Yuma: Watch out because I'm feeling the flow!
He jumped off the bridge to the school, but faceplanted on the ground.
Yuma: Can I interest any of you in a finalist's autograph?
Summer: Isn't Yuma getting a little carried away?
Jen: More like a lot carried away.
Bronk: What a dope.
Caswell: In the end, I couldn't agree with you more.
Tori walked up and grabbed Yuma by the ear before pulling him away to the classroom.
Tori: You know, you've really let making the finals go to your head.
Yuma: Okay, maybe a got a little carried away when I started charging money for autographs, but you can't blame me. I mean check this out.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sealed envelope.
Yuma: It's an invitation to a party the night before the World Duel Carnival Finals.
Tori: Woah.
Caswell: I bet it'll be packed with celebrity duelists.
Cathy: I've got the cat's meow of an outfit.
Yuma: I think you're all forgetting that this is my invitation.
Flip: Yuma's going to the party of the year, but he's not the only one who's gonna stand in the spotlight.
Yuma: By the way guys, have any of you seen Troy?
Bronk: Come to think of it, I haven't seen him around school since your duel with Trey.
Yuma: I hope he's okay.
That afternoon, Vetrix had just left Trey's room when he was stopped by Quattro.
Quattro: Vetrix, wait! Please hear me out. I want to show you what I can do. Give me the same powers you entrusted to Trey.
Vetrix: And why should I do that Quattro? So you can squander them and fail me like your brother did?
Quattro: How can you be so cold and ruthless? Trey dueled the original number for you, and look at him now. What more do you want?
Vetrix: It's quite simple. I want results. And I've found someone who is more likely to deliver than you: Reginald Kastle. But you probably know him by his dueling moniker Shark.
Quattro: Give me a chance. Vetrix, please!
In Heartland Tower, Kite was having his body analyzed. The tests ended and he got ready to head out.
Orbital: Master Kite, please listen to me. If you continue to use Photon Transformation to win duels and collect numbers, the stress your body endures may-
Heartland: I do hope I'm not interrupting anything. Just checking to see if everything is alright.
Orbital: No it's not. Master Kite is physically-
Kite: I'm fine Heartland.
Heartland: That's the spirit Kite. Now that so many numbers have gathered in Heartland City, things are really heating up, so it goes without saying that I appreciate you doing this for me.
Kite: It's for Hart. I'm doing this for Hart, not you, understand?
Heartland: Pardon me, but does it really matter, just so long as you get all the numbers? That's what really matters, right Kite? It's been fun chatting, but I've gotta run to get ready for tonight's festivities. Hope to see you there.
Orbital: That Mister Heartland sure has a cheery disposition.
Kite: Orbital, can it before I can you.
Meanwhile, Troy had undergone a similar series of tests as Kite, and the physician who ran them was rather concerned.
Physician: Mr. Diablo, I have to caution you.
Troy: About what?
Physician: The numbers seem to be supercharging your body. From the tests we've been running lately, it seems the more numbers you collect, the more energy is pumped into your body.
Troy: So?
Physician: So, if you continue to collect numbers, the power may be too much for your body to handle, and you could destroy yourself.
Troy: I don't have time to worry about what-ifs. My only concern is making Vetrix pay for what he's done.
Physician: Don't say I didn't warn you. By the way, Mr. Heartland has requested your attendance at tonight's party.
Troy: Fine. Not like I had anything to do tonight anyway.
That night, everyone had turned out for the party.
Bronk: Look at all the people here for tonight's party.
Tori: I know, right? I'm glad I bought a new dress for the occasion.
Cathy: You know Tori, there aren't many people who can pull off a dress like that, but you almost did, and I do mean almost.
Tori: Almost huh?
Cathy: Yep.
Tori: How dare you, especially when you look like you pulled your outfit from the kitty litter!
Cathy: Kitty litter? *hissing*
Tori: You don't scare me.
Yuma: Tori, Cathy, would you two cool it, this is no place for a catfight.
Astral: Ah, Heartland. Built by Dr. Faker, Heartland is a mesmerizing paradise forged to delight and awe crowds of all ages, and to commemorate tonight's World Duel Carnival festivities, Mr. Heartland has transformed this already beautiful attraction into a truly jaw-dropping spectacle.
Yuma: You sound like a brochure.
Astral: It seems that a number I recovered from Trey held a memory fragment containing extensive information about this place known as Heartland.
Yuma: Great, and as if you weren't already enough of a know-it-all.
Bronk: Check it, the party's that way.
Caswell: Complete with a red carpet. I do hope I look my best.
Tori: Well what do ya say we get walking?
Bouncer: Get walking where? This is invitation only, so unless you have an invite, beat it.
Yuma: Not a problem, I've got it right here.
He reached into his pocket for the invite, except there was nothing there.
Yuma: Where is it?
Tori: You forgot it, didn't you?
The two bouncers looked at each other before shoving Yuma off.
Yuma: But I am one of the finalists.
Bouncer 2: Then make with the invite.
Troy: You can't stop getting into trouble, can you Yuma?
Yuma: Troy!
Bouncer: Oh, Mr. Shadows, you know this guy?
Troy: You could say that, and believe it or not, he is a finalist.
Bouncer 1: Are you sure?
Troy: You really want to question me on that?
Bouncer 1: No sir! Go right ahead sir!
Yuma: Thanks Troy.
Troy: I only did it because Heartland will be unbearable if his party doesn't go as planned. Just try and stay out of trouble, because I won't be there to bail you out a second time.
Yuma: Troy, wait! I need to talk to you!
Troy: I don't want to hear anything you have to say Yuma. I'm not your friend anymore. The first chance I get in the finals, I'm taking you down myself.
Having sorted out the problem, everyone went inside to enjoy the party.
Yuma: Woah, check it out.
Caswell: I know, I mean look at all the duelists. Over there is Pepe the Panther Perez, and over there is the Noble Lord Perseus.
Yuma: Wow, you really know your duelists Caswell.
Caswell: Yeah, and I just spotted three that'll be bad news for you in the tournament: the Triad of Terror, Coyote, Jackal, and their leader Wolfsbane. They're real bad news.
Yuma: Speaking of, where's Kite?
He took Caswell's binoculars and spotted him next to Quinton. Yuma gave Caswell back his binoculars and began to make his way towards them. While he was moving towards them, Kite grabbed Quinton by the collar, seething with rage.
Quinton: Now Kite, this isn't like you.
Kite: Don't you have any loyalty to your former pupils? How could you do that to my brother? Explain yourself, you owe me that.
Quinton: My brothers and I simply do as Vetrix wishes.
Kite: Vetrix? You mean that guy that attacked Troy's sister?
Quinton: You'll meet him soon enough.
Kite: Do you mean he's in the finals? What are you staring at?
Quinton: I sensed it earlier, but now I can even feel it. You're not well, are you? You should be careful who you challenge.
Meanwhile, Quattro was signing autographs by one of the windows.
Quattro: Okay, which one of you lovely ladies is next? When it comes to signing autographs, your wish is my command.
He gazed out the window and saw Shark outside.
Quattro: Out of the way.
He began to push through the crowd to get to Shark. He got outside and managed to catch up with him.
Quattro: Shark!
Shark: Quattro. I figured you'd be inside, signing autographs for your little fan club. Enjoy it while you can, because soon I'm going to make sure your fans know you're just a phony feeding them lies.
Back at the party, Dextra found Kite out on the terrace.
Dextra: I heard about you and Troy, Kite.
Kite: Heard about what Dextra?
Dextra: I know about the results of yours and Troy's tests. If you both keep hunting numbers, you'll destroy yourselves.
Kite: Vetrix is the one who hurt Hart, and he's in the finals. I have to face him. I wasn't able to protect Hart, so I have to do this.
Dextra: Kite.
In another part of the building, Heartland was talking with Dr. Faker.
Faker: You should be pleased Heartland, your party is a great success.
Heartland: Yes, everything is going according to plan.
Faker: Have all the guests arrived yet?
Heartland: Almost. There's only one who hasn't shown yet. Vetrix.
Faker: While we're on the subject of Vetrix, have you gathered any information on who he is?
Heartland: I'm afraid not. Well, I should really go attend to the party.
In the ballroom, Casswell was using his binoculars to try and find Flip.
Caswell: I don't see him anywhere.
Bronk: I'm sure he came in with us, so where did he go?
Tori: Probably off causing trouble.
Caswell: Oh my gosh, it's the pro duelist Count Crazy Fang!
He ran up to the duelist and asked for an autograph.
Bronk: Gee, who knew Caswell was such an autograph hound?
The duelist signed the notebook and handed it back to Caswell, but when he looked at it, it was just a random scribble. Just then, the room darkened, and Heartland stepped into the room.
Heartland: Are you ready? Make some noise! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome one and all to Heartland! Are you ready to get this party started?
Troy: He is so over the top.
Heartland: As you all know, the World Duel Carnival finals start tomorrow. So without further ado, meet our fabulous finalists! First is-
He was interrupted when his hologram flickered out. Suddenly, the sound of someone laughing filled the room.
Yuma: What's going on?
Troy: I know that laugh.
96: He's here.
The spotlights came on, revealing a short figure wearing a metal mask.
Troy: Vetrix.
Number 96: Restrain yourself Troy. Now is not the time to settle things.
Troy: Fine. It'll be more satisfying to crush him in the tournament anyway.
Vetrix walked down the carpet and up to Heartland.
Heartland: And you are?
Vetrix: I am Vetrix.
Heartland: Vetrix? So then you're our last finalist. We've been expecting you.
Vetrix: You can expect this as well: I will crush all the other finalists. And I'm a man of my word. I must say, this is quite the party you've put together, and I can't wait to get to know everybody. Or one of you at the very least.
He moved his gaze to the floor and locked eyes with Yuma and Astral.
Vetrix: I see you. Both of you.
Astral: He can see me?
The lights went out again, and when they came back on, Vetrix had disappeared.
Yuma: Who was that?
Troy: So Vetrix has an interest in Yuma? Too bad for him he won't get a chance to face Yuma in the finals. I'm going to make sure of it.
Just then a man burst through the doors and began looking around before his eyes locked on Count Crazy Fang.
Man: Imposter!
He rushed after the celebrity duelist, who began running from him, but as he was running, his outfit began falling off to reveal Flip on stilts. He, Yuma, and the rest of their friends ran outside, Yuma stopping when he saw Kite.
Yuma: Hey Kite. How's Hart?
Kite: I wouldn't worry about him. I'd worry about facing me in the finals.
Yuma: Bring it on Kite.
Kite: I will defeat you.
Yuma: We'll just see about that.
Kite: I wasn't talking to you, Yuma. You're not worth my time. I was talking to Astral.
Yuma: What?!
Kite didn't say another word and just walked off. Neither of them knew that Troy was standing behind a nearby tree or that he had overheard their conversation.
Troy: Kite, Yuma, I won't allow either of you to get in my way of crushing Vetrix.
He began walking away, but a sharp pain ran through his chest, forcing him to lean against one of the trees as he clutched his heart.
Troy: I won't let this pain stop me. I don't care what happens to myself, as long as Vetrix pays for what he did.
Meanwhile, Vetrix and Quinton were in a limo with the Triad of Terror.
Wolfsbane: So you want to hire us?
Quinton: Correct.
Wolfsbane: Well, we don't come cheap.
Quinton: I assure you, money is no object to us. Name any price you wish, and it's yours.
Wolfsbane: So, who's the target?
Quinton: A boy named Yuma Tsukomo.
Wolfsbane: You have a deal.