Yuma turned within his soft bed, stilled for a moment and turned again. Deep in his sleep, Yuma was completely obvious to the shadows twisting and turning under his bed. Dark hands sneaked up from the shadows. Slowly they inched toward the resting boy and….
Pulled up his blanket and tucked it over him.
"Take care of him for me." Gentle whispers echo throughout the room. One of the hand moved up and pushed away a stray strand of hair on Yuma's face.
[-.-]
Number F17: Ancient Forbidden One
Number F12: Dream Weaver
And Number F0…..
Three 'Numbers' and some memories returned to him. Fragments for now, which filled him with more questions. And greater determination.
Yuma had a family, a grandmother and sister. He also had parents but he was a bit unsure where they were. What little scenery he saw outside of his 'home' was much more colorful than Maiami. Perhaps the other Numbers could provided him with answers, perhaps he should skip his first day-
The car jolted as it came to a stop. Looking out the window, Yuma was greeted with the sight of Maiami Prep School.
"Ready for your first day?" Solomon asked. His smile on the rearview mirror kicked any plans of skipping school out of his mind.
"Yep!" Yuma tucked uncomfortably at the long sleeve of the uniform."I've got a great feeling about today."
Solomon fretted for a few minutes, asking if Yuma remembered his lunch and if he got enough notebooks.
"I'll be fine…grandpa." Yuma reassured him. Still a bit shy about the last part.
Finally S-Grandpa let him join his schoolmate.
Curiosity fluttered in his stomach as he waited outside of the classroom. Gripping the timetable in one hand, Yuma glances through the classroom window at the rows of students. He wondered if any of them had a Number ? He could see a few of them have deck boxes clipped to their belt just like him.
"You can come in now." The teacher called out, finally allowing Yuma to step. Standing in front of class C, Yuma was pushed to introduce himself.
"I'm Yuma Tsukumo." The gleeful taste of the name rolled off his tongue. Yuma gave the class a little bow. "It's very nice to meet you all."
He looked through his fellow classmates again. Eyes darting through a sea of uninterested faces. The teacher placed him near the back of the class, behind a boy with wild black hair, thankfully by the window giving Yuma the full view of the sky.
He didn't pay much attention to the lesson, opted instead to take advantage of his seat and stared out the window. Numbers and words blurred on the chalkboard.
Safe to say, class ended before he knew it.
When recess rolled around, his classmates poured out of the room and formed into little pairs or groups. Leaving him to linger in the back of the room. Yuma ended up exploring the empty hallway alone. Occasionally looking down at the student mingling within the school yard. He was following a particularly interesting duel when something hard suddenly slammed right into him.
"OOF!"
"WOAH!"
The force sent him tumbling to his but. Rubbing his forehead, he looked and saw what exactly he had bumped into. The other boy looked about as surprised as Yuma was, he ran his hand through soft green and red hair. Red eyes meet each other and in one fluid motion the boy flipped himself up to a standing position.
Yuma copied him, but unlike the boy's graceful landing Yuma tumbled for a bit.
"Sorry about that." The other boy apologized.
"No, I should've paid more attention."
"Still-"
"Yuya!" A pink haired girl called from the staircase. "Come one Gongenzaka is waiting for us."
The boy gave Yuma a small wave before heading off.
Sliding out the Numbers card from his deck box, Yuma held them toward the path Yuya had taken. It felt silly, hoping that the fact they bumped into each other was some sign of fate. Maybe it'll point him to another number.
Nothing happened.
Yuma shrugged, disappointed but not too bothered and put the card away. Completely missing the set of eyes that was caught on his precious card.
[-.-]
His second day of school was as boring as his first with his still irritating uniform (the sleeves' size was driving him crazy). Yuma yawned as school ended and was about to rush back to the game shop when he was approached by two of his classmates.
One of the boys wore a pair of round glasses while the other wore a red beanie with strands of purple hair peeking out of it. Both shared these big smiles on their face.
Yuma thought they were showing too much teeth,
"Hey, new kid." The glasses boy began. "We notice that you're a bit lonely. What do you say about a ….little friendly duel ?"
The beanie boy nodded along. "Promised we'll make it fun."
"Sure!" Yuma replied before he could think about the offer. "But, uh what are your names?"
The two laughed. " The names Rex." The beanie boy introduced before pointing to his friend. "That's Weevil. Trust me, you're not going to forget us anytime soon."
Weevil and Rex led him up to the top of the school. Placing his bag by the fence, Yuma pulls out his brand new Duel Disk.
He dueled a few times after he got the thing but apparently Grandpa wasn't supposed to be dueling with hologram for a while due to heart problems.
Yuma winced at the implication. Thank god the old man was fine after the first duel.
Loading his deck, Yuma was surprise to find out that both Weevil and Rex decided to tag team against him.
" Don't worry. It's a Maiami tradition." Rex reassured him, drawing out his words."Speaking of tradition, how about we made the duel a bit more interesting?"
Yuma blinked. "Interesting? How?"
"You show us your rarest cards if we win, we show you ours." Weevil explained.
It sounded reasonable enough so Yuma nodded. And with that the duel started.
Rex's LP: 4000
Weevil's LP: 4000
Yuma's LP: 4000
"I'll take the lead!" Rex declared, putting a spell card into his duel disk. " I play Extinction Fusion, this allows me to summon a monster using two dinosaurs in my hand! Rise Serenosaurus!"
[Serenosaurus/EARTH/Lv6/Dinosaur/DEF:2000]
A pink ceratosaurus-esque creature stampeded into the field before laying down on the black tiles. Yuma gasped at the summoning. "Woah, a fusion summon. This is my first time seeing one!"
Faintly he could feel a familiar power radiating from the two boys, but that did little to curb his excitement.
"Really?" Rex smirked. "Then let me show you what a fusion monster can do. By tributing itself, Serensaurus can inflict damage equal to it's DEF points. Spirious Peace!"
Rex's monster let off an ear piercing growl before shattering and immediately Yuma's life points were cut in half.
"Now Extinction Fusion's second effect takes place. Bringing back the dino I used for Serenosaurus, welcome back Frostosaurus." The two dinosaurs marched out of the summon portal in tandem. "But these guys aren't sticking around for long."
The thumping of energy rose with the beat of Yuma's heart and he knew what was coming next.
"I overlay my two level 6 Frostosaurus to form the overlay network. Blacken liquid shaped into a ferocious beast! Xyz summon! Number F3: TARrasque!"
[Number F3: TARrasque/FIRE/Rank 6/Dinosaur/ATK: 2350]
Dark viscous slime bubbled out of the galaxy portal before suddenly erupting, from the liquid hardened scale showed itself one by one until finally a giant monstrosity of a dinosaur showed itself. Spikes protruding off his back, as sharp as the teeth littering its maw. Its claw pierced the roof's tiles, cracking it with the solidness that came with every Number.
"Unfortunately, I can't show you what this baby can do just yet." Rex smirked as he placed face down. "Good thing there's always the next turn."
Rex's LP: 4000
Weevil's LP: 4000
Yuma's LP: 4000-2000
"I'll take the next turn!" Weevil laughed as he drew before Yuma could make a move. " And I'll start with Maypole Cocoon and with it I can call out two level 2 or slower insects from my deck to my field."
[Maypole Cocoon/EARTH/Lv4/Insect/ATK:200]
[Fragmented Cocoon/EARTH/Lv2/Insect/DEF:100]
[Fragmented Cocoon/EARTH/Lv2/Insect/DEF:100]
A trio of white pods thing popped on Weevil's field, one had a ring of white spikes around it while the other two shined like crystal.
" Next, get a load of this Combine Level! With this, all monsters I control change level to the total levels between them."
[Maypole Cocoon/EARTH/ Lv4Lv7/Insect/ATK:200]
[Fragmented Cocoon/EARTH/Lv2Lv7/Insect/DEF:100]
[Fragmented Cocoon/EARTH/Lv2Lv7/Insect/DEF:100]
"But that's not all, when there are two Fragmented Cocoons in my field I can call out a third Fragmented Cocoon! But don't worry about it because you're gonna be in more trouble than this little cocoon." Energy picked up and Yuma's eyes widened. Two Numbers at once?!
"I overlay my three level 7 insects to call on a ruler of insects! Rise mother of moths! Number F20: Ultimately Brilliant Moth Queen!"
Said insect was as big as the dinosaur next to it. And Yuma didn't know much about insects but he was pretty sure moths weren't supposed to have a porcelain mask for a face.
[Number F20: Ultimately Brilliant Moth Queen/EARTH/Rank 7/ Insect/ATK:2800]
"I'll skip straight to my End Phase, activation Ultimately Brilliant Moth Queen's effect. Transforming my Fragmented Cocoon into her overlay unit."
Rex's LP: 4000
Weevil's LP: 4000
Yuma's LP: 2000
Yuma hummed and bounced his feet as he surveyed the field, two Numbers and a face-down…How exciting!
"Finally," He cheered. "It's my turn."
His deck supplied him with [Gagaga Sister] as his sixth card, just the monster he needed. "Alright, I'll kick off my turn with Gagaga Academy Emergency Network. Since you both each control a monster and I don't, I get to call out a 'Gagaga' monster from my deck. Join us, Gagaga Magician!'
[Gagaga Magician/DARK/Lv4-Lv1/Spellcaster/ATK:1500]
The ever reliable magician stepped onto the field, heavy chains whipped around him. His eyes soften as he turns to face Yuma.
"Next up, I summon Gagaga Sister. When summon, she allows me to add a Gagaga spell or trap from my deck into my hand."
[Gagaga Sister/ DARK/ Lv2/Spellcaster/ATK:200]
The little witch bounced next to Gagaga Magician, she pouted when she saw that Weevil and Rex snickered at her appearance. With a huff, she waved her wand making a card fly from Yuma's deck into his hand.
"Thank you." Yuma said cheerfully. "This will come in handy later. But for now, how about you show them what else you can do Gagaga Sister?"
Gagaga Sister nodded and shot a ball of light into the sky which burst and showered both the Gagaga monster and raised both of their level to 6.
[Gagaga Magician/DARK/Lv4-Lv6/Spellcaster/ATK:1500]
[Gagaga Sister/ DARK/ Lv2-Lv6/Spellcaster/ATK:200]
"With two level 6 monsters on my side, I can now form the Overlay Network!" Starry void swirled beneath his feet while his two spellcasters changed into beams of light. "Now here's a monster pack with power, Gauntlet Launcher!"
[Gauntlet Launcher/EARTH/Rank 6/Warrior/ATK:2400]
A giant robot with a red metal coat slammed down on the field. Towering over Yuma, it stands ready to attack.
"Since you guys each have an Xyz monster on the field so how about I even it. With Gagagawind, Gagaga Mancer can now glide into the field!"
[Gagaga Mancer/DARK/Lv4/Spellcaster/ATK:100]
Gracefully, Gagaga Mancer rode the blustering wind with blue petals fluttering around her. She gave a bow as she landed.
"Time for some necromancin', let's get Gagaga Magician dancin' once again Gagaga Mancer!"
Flipping her cape, Gagaga Mancer stabbed her sword into the ground. Opening a portal to the Graveyard and allowing Gagaga Magician to come back. She offered her hand to him as he stood up. Rolling his eye, Gagaga Magician took it.
[Gagaga Magician/DARK/Lv4/Spellcaster/ATK:1500]
" You know what came next. I overlay level 4 Gagaga Magician and level 4 Gagaga Mancer to build the Overlay Network. Behold, the most noble of knight! Heroic Champion - Excalibur!"
[Heroic Champion -Excalibur/LIGHT/Rank 4/Warrior/ATK: 2000]
An equally intimating warrior stood by Gauntlet Launcher. The knight brandished his sword, its metal gleamed under the setting sun.
"That's some tough guys you have there." Rex commented before bursting out laughing. "Too bad my TARrasque is gonna gobble them up. Spell card, Dino Ramp up! This card increases all my dino's power up by 500 every battle phase!"
[Number F3: TARrasque/FIRE/Rank 6/Dinosaur/ATK: 2350-2850]
But Yuma wasn't deterred. "Then it's a good thing it's not a battle phase yet. Sides you guys haven't seen what my monsters can do yet. Gauntlet Launcher, do you stuff."
Gauntlet Launcher raised his hand, aiming it at TARrasque. An overlay flew into its hand, giving the hand all the power it needed to launch off. The rocket hand slammed right into the dinosaur. When the smoke died down the Number was nowhere to be found.
"Huh?" Rex screamed in shock. "What did you do with my Dino?!"
"Gauntlet Launcher's power allows it to destroy one monster on the field by using one of his Xyz materials." Yuma explained cheerfully.
Weevil just shook his head. "So what, Ultimately Brilliant Moth Queen is still here. She'll finish you off next turn."
"About that, Gauntlet Launcher can use its effect as many times in a turn so long as it has Xyz material." Yuma pointed at the lone floating sphere around Gauntlet Launcher. "And would you look at that?"
Gauntlet Launcher's hand went off before Weevil could wail for his insect monster and in a blink of an eye Weevil's field too was empty.
"Now, let's test out this new card Grandpa gave me." Yuma picked out one of the last two card in his hand. "I equip Gauntlet Launcher with teh spell card United We Stand. Empowering him with 800 ATK for every monster on my field!"
[Gauntlet Launcher/EARTH/Rank 6/Warrior/ATK:2400-4000]
Gauntlet Launcher's hand reformed with the metal now glowing gold.
"And Excalibur isn't about to be left out of the fun. By consuming both his Xyz materials, Excalibur can double his ATK points."
[Heroic Champion -Excalibur/LIGHT/Rank 4/Warrior/ATK: 2000-4000]
"Now that's everything's in order, there's only one thing left to do." Yuma smirked as he pointed at the shaking Rex and Weevil. "Attack!"
Rex's LP: 4000-0000
Weevil's LP: 4000-0000
Yuma's LP: 2000
[-.-]
On school ground below, a lone Maiami student paused in his leisure walk out of the school to look up at the explosion up on the building's rooftop. He blinked before shrugging and decided to check it out.
[-.-]
'Kattobingu !"
"Huh?"
"It means to never give up and always strive for your goal. You decide who you want to be and then you go out and you be that person. Don't you have any dream Yuma?"
"Well, yeah! My dream is to become a duel champion!"
.
.
.
'I mean do you feel kind of lonely ?'
'What do you mean by lonely ?'
'Lonely means that, you're feeling pain from being alone by yourself.'
…..'Somehow, I can understand that feeling.'
'You….'
"Hey! Are you okay?" Someone called out, pulling Yuma out of his memories. He stuffed the new numbers in his deck box before turning to greet another student coming over.
"Oh, I'm good." Yuma reassured, vaguely recognized the new boy as one of his other classmates.
The boy eyed Weevil and Rex groaning on the ground, still recovering from the Number possession, and rolled his eyes at them. "They tried to take your card?"
Yuma shook his head. "Not at all, it was a pretty fun duel."
The other guy blinked and tilted his head. Once he was sure that Yuma was truly okay, he shrugged. "Cool. But you should be careful Rex'd and Weevil'd been on a mean streak lately. You have no idea how many cards they've taken from people."
That was new. Yuma wasn't too worried since he'd won. Still though this situation reminded him of Tokunosuke.
"I'm Mokuba Tsuda. You're the new kid, Yuma right?" Mokuba offered him his hand.
Yuma took it in a firm shake. "Yuma Tsukumo, that's me."
Next thing he knew, Mokuba was tugging him away from the school roof and out the building. "Come on, let's ditch those losers. There's this game shop not far from here that you have to check out."
"Wait, which game shop?"