Heartland: We're down to our last four duelists as the World Duel Carnival nears its thrilling conclusion! But first we'll unveil the stadium's latest upgrade! Now, elevate the Duel Tower!
A large hole opened up in the ground and a large tower rose out of it, three large platforms attached to the side of it.
Heartland: Hope you're not afraid of heights, as you're about to witness some of the most dizzying dueling action ever, as Shark battles Yuma and Kite confronts Vetrix.
Bronk: Yuma's gonna take on Shark?
Caswell: He's dueled against Shark before, so it could give him a big advantage in this round. Yuma knows all of Shark's cards and moves, so he can use that knowledge to plan out his strategy.
Flip: But Shark knows the same things about Yuma too. Besides, we all know Yuma never plans a strategy, because then he has to use his brain.
Tori: It's true Yuma dueled Shark many times in the past, but he never had to battle a monster like the one Shark used against Quattro. I hope Yuma will be okay.
Heartland: The opening round of the semifinals will begin now!
One of the platforms on the Duel tower lowered onto the ground.
Heartland: Our first duelist was unknown when he took the World Duel Carnival by storm with a series of spectacular victories. He may look like pint-sized pipsqueak, but this kid has the heart of a giant. Give it up for Yuma Tsukumo!
Yuma ran out onto the field, waving to the spectators as he made his way to the platform.
Heartland: The last time we saw Yuma's challenger, he was banished from the dueling world in disgrace, but now he's back with a vengeance. No opponent is safe when this shark zeroes in on his prey. It's Reginald Kastle!
Shark walked into the arena and onto the platform, but he had a blank stare etched onto his face the whole time.
Yuma: What's up with Shark? Hey Shark, you alright?
Yuma waited, but Shark didn't say anything in response.
Yuma: Not even a sarcastic comeback, something has to be wrong.
Heartland: Before you start dueling, let's add a little altitude!
The platform shook for a moment before it began moving up the tower, carrying Yuma and Shark into the sky.
Heartland: Only one of these rivals will advance. Will it be Yuma, the dueling wonderkid, or will Shark complete his comeback? Our two duelists know they have to lay it all on the line. Are you ready to see the most epic duel ever waged? Let's go!
Yuma: Shark looks totally spaced out, kinda like I get in math class.
Astral: It is possible Shark has become possessed. As you surely remember, Shark summoned out a chaos number during his duel with Quattro. The darkness within that number was too much for Shark to control, and I believe it has overpowered him completely now.
Yuma: You mean it's like it zombified him? Poor Shark.
Vetrix: Shark versus Yuma, what an entertaining matchup. It should be a nail-biter with these two, even if I already know who the winner's going to be.
Yuma: Snap out of it Shark! Fight the number! Don't let it take over!
Astral: Yuma, this duel will be challenging. If the number is controlling Shark, his dueling abilities will be even sharper than they normally are. You must stay alert.
Yuma: Don't worry. I'll help Shark and rule this duel! Get set to get decked, Shark!
Augmented Reality Vision Link Established
Yuma: 4000 LP
Shark: 4000 LP
Yuma: I guess I'll get things rolling. I draw! First, I'll place a monster face-down in defense mode. Next, I'll place one card face-down and end my turn.
Astral: The monster Yuma set is Dododo Bot, and he also set the trap Impenetrable Attack. With this, Yuma has a solid defense, but we'll have to see how Shark responds.
Yuma: It's your move Shark.
Shark: I draw. I summon Spear Shark in attack mode.
Level 4/Water/Fish
ATK 1600/DEF 1400
Yuma: With only 1600 attack points, it's harmless.
Astral: Be cautious. Shark's dueling is never so simple.
Shark: Spear Shark, attack Yuma's face-down monster.
Astral: He is attacking without any precautions?
Spear Shark launched its spear at Yuma's monster, causing it to flip face up.
Dododo Bot
Level 4/Earth/Machine
ATK 1800/DEF 1900
Dododo Bot raised his shield and deflected Spear Shark's attack.
Shark: 3700 LP
Astral: I do not understand. To attack without knowing the opposing card's strength is foolish.
Heartland: Woah, that move is costing Reginald big time. He got careless, and now he's down for the count instead of Yuma.
Bronk: Shark made a rookie mistake.
Flip: I only expected something that pathetic to be done by Yuma.
Caswell: Maybe this is all part of Shark's game plan. Think about it. Yuma knows Shark's usual strategies inside and out, right? So what if Shark decided to change things up to throw Yuma off his game?
Bronk: Are you saying Shark took that damage on purpose?
Shark: I place one card face-down and end my turn.
Yuma: Shark's not acting like himself.
Astral: You have no way of knowing what is going through his mind. I believe the wisest move is to keep your guard up and prepare for surprises, and you must not grow overconfident.
Yuma: You got it. I draw! First, I switch Dododo Bot from defense mode to attack mode. Next up, I summon Gogogo Golem in attack mode!
Level 4/Earth/Rock
ATK 1800/DEF 1500
Yuma: Now Gogogo Golem, attack Spear Shark!
Golem charged forth and delivered a powerful uppercut to Spear Shark, destroying it.
Shark: 3500 LP
The recoil from the attack knocked Shark onto his back, but he quickly stood back up, the same blank expression etched onto his face.
Yuma: He's still out of it? Maybe a direct attack'll snap him out of it. Dododo Bot, attack with Thunder Sword!
Dododo Bot raised its sword before firing a bolt of lightning at Shark, knocking him onto his back again.
Shark: 1700 LP
Heartland: Woah, talk about electrifying! That shock just cost Shark 1800 life points! If he doesn't rise soon, he'll have to forfeit the duel completely.
Yuma: Get up Shark! You've gotta gut this duel out till the end!
Bronk: What's wrong? I know Shark isn't a quitter.
Yuma: Don't give up, Shark! Keep on battling! You're the fiercest duelist I've ever met, no doubt about it! You're supposed to duel like a shark, but I've seen guppies with more bite. I place one card face-down and end my turn. Aren't you at least gonna try?
Shark stirred and began to get to his feet.
Yuma: That's right, Shark! Get up and duel!
Shark: Yes, I must duel. That's why I'm here, but what am I fighting for? I know there's a reason, but I can't remember what it is. Try to remember: What's my reason for dueling?
Vetrix: Have you really forgotten?
Shark: Vetrix!
Vetrix: You know who I am, that's very good Shark. I'm relieved your memory has not been completely wiped out. Together we can rebuild what has been lost. If you trust me, I can help you remember everything. I know the reason you duel, and it's a very simple reason. You duel for me.
Shark: For you?
Vetrix: Exactly. That is your whole purpose. You are my puppet and you obey my commands, and now I command you to completely destroy your enemy!
Shark: My enemy must be destroyed…completely.
He clutched the sides of his head and began rolling around in pain.
Yuma: Shark? What's wrong?
Heartland: Looks like Shark's having a massive meltdown. The pressure of competing on the big stage must be getting to him.
Vetrix: What's the problem Shark? I told you what you have to do, so why are you resisting my commands? I told you before, I planted a dark seed in your heart, now use it to destroy your enemies. Let me remind you of who your enemies are and why you detest them. Think back on your own sister and what they did to her. You must get revenge on those responsible.
Shark: Rio. That's right, but who hurt my sister?
Vetrix: It was the notorious Dr. Faker and his minion Yuma Tsukumo. You must crush them, Shark.
Shark got back to his feet, seething with rage for his supposed enemy.
Yuma: Shark!
Shark: I'll never forgive you!
Yuam: Forgive me for what?
Shark: Don't play dumb. I'm going to crush you for what you did!
He clenched his fist as Vetrix's crest appeared on the back of his hand.
Astral: Yuma, the crest on his hand.
Yuma: I know. It belongs to Vetrix. Which means Shark isn't possessed by a number, he's possessed by Vetrix.
Vetrix: You almost have it right. To be precise, Shark's soul has been taken over by a number, but it is controlled by yours truly. Because of this, I also control Shark now. He is my puppet, and I will use him to destroy you, Yuma.
Shark: It's my turn. I draw! I summon Double Shark in attack mode!
Level 4/Water/Fish
ATK 1200/DEF 1600
Shark: Next I'll give him some extra bite by using my Aqua Jet spell card! This will raise his attack points by 1000 until the end of this turn!
Double Shark: 1200-2200 ATK
Shark: Now take a bite out of Gogogo Golem!
Astral: Yuma, activate your trap card!
Yuma: You got it. I play the trap Impenetrable Attack, so Gogogo Golem can't be destroyed in battle this turn!
Shark: Don't think so. I play the spell Shark Spark! This will negate your trap and destroy it!
Double Shark bit down on Gogogo Golem, tearing it in two.
Yuma: 3600 LP
Tori: Yuma!
Shark: I'm not done yet! Double Shark can attack twice each battle phase! Sink your teeth into Dododo Bot!
Yuma: 3200 LP
Heartland: For a second there, it really looked like Shark was throwing in the towel, but now he's going on the attack! What a duel!
Bronk: It's a total turn around!
Caswell: I wonder what woke him up?
Flip: Maybe he was faking it before.
Shark: I'm not done yet. I play the spell card Upswell! Since Double Shark destroyed your monster in battle, I can summon Spear Shark back from the graveyard by lowering its attack points by 1000!
Spear Shark: 1600-600 ATK
Shark: Now hit Yuma with a direct attack! This is for my sister, Rio!
Yuma: What?
Spear Shark launched its spear at Yuma, setting off an explosion at his feet.
Yuma: 2600 LP
Yuma: At least he's dueling like his normal self again.
Astral: It is far from normal. It is clear that Vetrix has intensified his control over Shark's mind. The rage that is growing inside Shark makes him a much more dangerous opponent.
Yuma: But why is he mad at me? Wait, he said "This is for my sister". He thinks I'm the one who hurt her! Vetrix must've altered Shark's memory.
Astral: By making Shark believe Yuma attacked his sister, Vetrix has unleashed his anger.
Shark: I'll place one card face-down and end my turn, which means the effect of Aqua Jet ends.
Double Shark: 2200-1200 ATK
Vetrix: Magnificent! Two monsters destroyed plus a direct attack on Yuma, all in a single turn. Shark has become a ruthless dueling machine! After this duel, I can unleash him on my archenemy Dr. Faker! Ahahahahahahaha!
Yuma: I've got to find a way to help Shark, but how can I stop Vetrix from controlling him?
Astral: The problem is not just Vetrix. A number is possessing him as well. And that number can evolve into a chaos number: Shark Drake Veiss. If Shark summons the number before you break Vetrix's hold on his mind, then it will be almost impossible to save Shark.
Yuma: It's not gonna happen. I'll do whatever it takes to win this duel. Hopefully that will restore Shark back to his normal self. I draw! I summon Gogogo Ghost in attack mode!
Level 4/Dark/Zombie
ATK 1900/DEF 0
Yuma: Now attack Spear Shark with Fear Strike!
Yuma's monster raised his sword and rushed at Shark's monster.
Shark: I don't think so! I play the trap Zeus' Breath! Not only does this card stop your attack, but it also deals you 800 points of damage since I control a water attribute monster!
A wave shot from Shark's trap, overpowering Yuma's monster before washing over him.
Yuma: 1800 LP
Bronk: If this keeps up, Yuma is a goner!
Caswell: I thought Yuma had this won, but now it's all Shark.
Cathy: Yeah, but Yuma's still got more life points.
Flip: And I bet he's gonna need every one of 'em.
Yuma: I place one card face-down and end my turn. You're up.
Shark: And you're going down, Yuma. I have a card that's gonna finish you off forever. I'll get revenge for what you did to Rio.
Yuma: You've got it all wrong. Vetrix is messing with your mind. What happened to your sister is his fault!
Shark: I don't believe you. We both know you'd say anything to save yourself, but it's too late Yuma, it's ending now! You're guilty and this is your judgment day! I'll finish you off using my own hands and my number!
Astral: This is bad. If Shark gets one more level 4 monster on the field, he'll be able to summon Shark Drake.
Shark: I draw! And I summon Shocktopus in attack mode!
Level 4/Water/Fish
ATK 1600/DEF 800
Shark: And now I overlay level 4 Shocktopus, Double Shark, and Spear Shark! With these three monsters, I build the overlay network and xyz summon Number 32: Shark Drake!
Rank 4/Water/Sea Serpent
ATK 2800/DEF 2100
Vetrix: Perfect. I am very pleased with you Shark. Now unleash your number and stomp out that pest once and for all.
To be continued…