Act I: The Stalkers and the Chasers

Chapter 2: The Dark Mist Returns

Time before Prologue: One Week

Number 39: Utopia (Jake) and Number 96: Dark Mist lock against each other in combat. Number 96: Dark Mist was just summon by Astral's dark counterpart, Number 96, in order to destroy Number 39: Utopia from protecting Astral, Yuma's companion. Utopia is trying to figure out how Dark Mist survived his decapitated demise.

Dark Mist, how did you survive? Utopia mentally said as he knows Dark Mist will hear and answer it.

You foolish boy, Dark Mist mentally says back, You think I would just die from one measly decapitation cut? I am darkness! As long your light lives, so will my darkness!

Utopia dodges a couple claw attacks from Dark Mist and counters one of Dark Mist attacks with the only sword he is carrying. But the biggest surprise comes from you! Utopia's successor is a Ordinary! Dark Mist mentally says to Utopia.

Correction. Was an Ordinary. Utopia replied.

It doesn't matter, Dark Mist responded, it is my sworn duty, being evil or regrettably good, to kill all Ordinaries that come into Extraordinary territory. That means you!

"Seize Astral, Dark Mist!" Number 96 said as Dark Mist followed the command and about to strike Astral. But Utopia blocks the attack from Dark Mist and holds his ground.

"Give up!" taunted Number 96, "We will absorb you!"

Astral sense something and turns to Utopia. "Quickly, Utopia! You must leave me and help Yuma." Astral commanded.

Utopia turns to Astral. He knows it might be a bad choice to leave Astral here with the Dark Astral and the walking goo but he has to admit, he can sense Yuma is in danger too. He was given a job by Kazuma that he would watch his son. That he is going to do. But if anything happen to Astral, he would not forgive himself.

I hope you know what are you doing, Astral, Utopia thought as he pushes back Dark Mist and flies away.

"Don't let him escape!" Number 96 ordered as he knows what's going on. Dark Mist follow the order and fire a blast from his mouth. The blast hits Utopia. Utopia was hit at the back as he drops his sword. Dark Mist tied Utopia by using his tail.

"Dark Mist, destroy Number 39!" Number 96 ordered.

This may not be our world but let this be practice before the real thing. Dark Mist mentally says as he is about to strike Utopia with his claw, Any last words before I wake you up?

Yeah just one. Utopia mentally says to Dark Mist, Are you keeping track of how many swords I was carrying in this fight?

You used one sword in this fight. Why are you bringing it…. Dark Mist mentally says as his eyes went wide in shock, Wait, you own two swords!

Thats right! Utopia thought as he grabs his other sword and slashes Dark Mist's tail. Utopia once again flies away again grabbing his other sword along the way.

"No, he is getting away!" Number 96 yelled as Utopia starts to disappear.

This ain't over, you Ordinary scum! Dark Mist mentally yells at Utopia, I will get you and your meddling friends as well. And when I get my claws on Mana, I'll kill her slowly!

Utopia arrives to Yuma in card form. Yuma summons as usual Utopia. When he is summoned he sees Yuma is dueling against two people, a woman and a man. Utopia looks at the man very closely. That look, Utopia thought, That man looks exactly like Excalibur with his helmet off.

During the man's and woman's individual turns, Utopia has been weaken but not out. But judging by the monsters that the duo summoned, Photon Papilloperative and Photon Strike Bounzer, he suspected that these people are link to the other person that summons the Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon. Utopia then feels a presence besides Yuma. It was Astral! Astral, you beat Dark Mist's summoner! Utopia thought.

Yuma and Astral order Utopia to attack Photon Papilloperative but to activated his special "effect" to negate his own attack. Then they activate two spell cards, "Double or Nothing!" and "Double Tension". He knows he feels stronger after feeling the power of "Double or Nothing!" but when the "Double Tension" kick in, he feels stronger. His armor turn to white and yellow to black and red. His swords and and wings glowed and burn with red-orange light. Yuma and Astral orders Utopia to attack once more on Photon Papilloperative but the man that looks like Excalibur activates a trap that redirects Utopia's assault to Photon Bounzer.

The strangest part was how the trap was "acted". Photon Strike Bounzer push Papilloperative out of the way and takes the hit from Utopia. Before Strike Bounzer was destroyed, it turns its head to Yuma and Utopia. Why did you do it? Why did you protect her? Utopia mentally says to Strike Bounzer, There is the reason besides the trap.

Screw you, Number. Strike Bounzer mentally replies You, of all Numbers, wouldn't know love even if it hits you in the…..Before Strike Bounzer could finish the thought, he was destroyed. When Strike Bounzer was destroyed by Utopia, the duel ended with Yuma and Astral as the victors. Utopia disappears and ends up in a dark room.

"Now what?" Utopia said as he reverts to his human form. Jake walks straight forward considering what happen in his dream. Dark Mist is alive and he knows he is an Ordinary. Another thing,which puzzles him the most, is Strike Bounzer's act. It reminds him when he protected Mana from the Dark World fiends and Dragon Troops. But can he risk his life to save one he holds dear. He can protect but could he sacrifice himself to save someone?

"Wake up, Jake!" said a off-world voice, "It's morning."

"Maybe we could pour cold water on his head." said another voice.

Jake turns to the direction of the voices. Oh crap! It's morning! Jake thought as he start running to the source of the voices, I can't let the guys prank on me while I am asleep!

Time before Prologue: 6 days

Jake wakes in time to see Zubaba General got his helmet full of water while Gigo signal him to stay back. "Really mature guys." Jake said as he got up, "Really mature."

"You wouldn't wake up for a while, so we decide to wake you up by force." Gigo said as Zubaba General empties his helmet of the water.

Jake looks around to see that the only ones here are Gigo, Zubaba General, Kisara, and Winged Kuriboh. Jake looks around for the others and says, "Where are the others?"

"They found something strange and decide to check it." Zubaba General said.

"Brron?" Jake asked.

"I don't know." Gigo said, "There's one way to find out."

The five walk until they see Excalibur, Skill Gainer, Gagaga Cowboy, Gauntlet Launcher, and Flip hiding and looking at something.

When will I tell Excalibur that there is somebody like him in the other world? Jake thought as the group joins together.

"So what do you guys find." Zubaba General said as he yawns due to his night shift.

"Dark Mist, Back from the dead." Excalibur said as he shows the findings, "And he is not alone."

The rest of the group sees a dark, floating pirate ship with the boat's texture like corn. On the sail,, there is a number 50 imprinting. Right near a ship, a group of seven beings stand gather and talked. One of the beings of the group, Jake and co. can recognize very well.

"Dark Mist. He is alive." Zubaba General said.

"I bet one decapitation cut doesn't finish something like him." Gauntlet Launcher said as he turns to Jake, who is not surprised. "Hey, why aren't you surprise like the rest of us?" Gauntlet Launcher asked.

"Why do you think I slept in?" Jake said.

"So, you fought him?" Excalibur asked.

"Yeah." Jake replied, "But worse thing of all, he knows what I am."

The rest of the group looks at Jake before turning to Dark Mist's party. "We are so screwed." Zubaba General said.

39/96

Number 96: Dark Mist looks around the terrain. He swore he saw something there. Could it be? He wasn't sure. Ever since learning Jake was a Ordinary, he gathered up a group of Numbers with help from Number 82: Heartlandraco. He told him about Utopia's successor and they agreed to help end Jake's life. He was mad today because of his failure to get back at Jake(Utopia) in the dreamworld.

"What's bothering you?" said one of the beings, a man wearing a dark blue, light green suit and jester hat. The man carries a cane with a Number 07 on the tip. The being's name: Number 7: Lucky Straight.

"I thought I saw something up there." Dark Mist says.

"You are too focus in this Ordinary Number 39 hunt for two weeks now." said another, who looks a floating body without limbs. The floating body is surrounded by two chakrams with a shogi rook pieces (japanese chess rooks) on the chakrams. There is a number 72 tattoo on the left side of the chest. The being's name: Number 72: Shogi Rook. "It's making you insane." Shogi Rook said.

"I'm not going insane!" Dark Mist roared as he turns to a obese dragon with wind-up key on its belly as well as a number 82 tattoo, "Any traces of their camps?"

"We're still searching for their latest camps." the obese dragon, Number 82: Heartlandraco, replies, "Maybe if you didn't call us right now during this morning's search, it could be found already!"

Dark Mist angrily grabs Heartlandraco by the throat and yells, "Do you think I can take some of your criticism right now!?"

"Calculating." said the giant, dark pink 20's camera in the group. The camera floats and has a couple of lenses at the sides that acts like mini cannons. A number 25 imprinting is imprinted at the biggest lens at the camera's front. The camera's name: Number 25: Focus Force. "Calculations done: Kill Heartlandraco and our hunting possy power will be reduce slightly."

"Shut up….you oversize tin can!" Heartlandraco coughs as Dark Mist chokes him.

"Killing Heartlandraco doesn't bring no good to our cause, Dark Mist." Lucky Straight said, "Nor will find Utopia's Ordinary successor. The dragon just wastes your energy."

"You're right, Lucky Straight." Dark Mist says as regrettably let goes Heartlandraco, "It wouldn't bring us a step closer of ridding the world of the now Ordinary Number 39."

"Number 39…" the biggest of the group heavily says. The being has a cowl that covering it's face as well as bright, yellow eyes. The being is strong and has number 22 imprinting on the lower left side of the cowl. The being's name: Number 22: Zombiestien. "Number 22…..kills…...Ordinary….39!" Zombiestien heavily says as he aggressively hits a giant rock causing it to break.

"Don't worry, Zombiestien." Dark Mist says, "You will soon fill your thirst for battle."

"And in our way to our next battle, can we get something to eat?" said a blue crab with a big diamond shard on its shell said. It has a number 52 tattoo on its left arm and it's name: Number 52: Diamond Crab King. "We haven't ate for days." Diamond Crab King said.

"That I agree with Crab King there." Heartlandraco said, "I'm hungry and if it continues, I wouldn't continue to have my usual appearance."

Dark Mist scoffs before saying, "Fine. We'll grab a quick bite. I'm kind of hungry myself. On Blackship now!"

The group get on the pirate ship aka Number 50: Blackship of Corn. Dark Mist stops and looks around the area. If Jake is around here, he wouldn't have the nerve to come and face him. Oh don't worry my boy. Dark Mist thought, You'll soon get it. Trust me. Dark Mist gets on the ship as Blackship of Corn flies out of the terrain.

96/39

The group watches as the ship flies away.

"So Dark Mist gathers another party to take us out." Gauntlet Launcher said, "Now its double night duty for everyone to keep out Dark Shit and Crazy Brron out of camp."

"Hold on, fellas." Gagaga Cowboy said, "Dark Mist and his brunch is heading away from us. So that means we should calm a little."

"But still." Skill Gainer said, "Don't expect the enemy to be gone just because he or she walks or flies away."

"I agree with Skill Gainer." Jake said, "Dark Mist and his gang knows what I am. They won't rest until I and all of you are dead."

"Then lets keep them guessing." Excalibur said as he starts heading out. The group soon follows with Jake behind them.

Dark Mist,Jake thought, You wouldn't succeed in your quest of vengeance. I will stand in your way and win in the end. But what does Photon Strike Bounzer mean about love?

As the group walks away, they didn't notice a group of five beings watching them from a far on a cliff.

"The kid and his men are marching once more." said one of the beings in a robotic voice.

"Why are we watching this brat, Gansley?" said another being. The being is the tallest of the group and speaks in a echoed, southern accent. "I thought we are done with him?"

"Because in business, we all have to look in all ends." one of the beings, Gansley, said, "You all know what happened last time."

"I agree….wah!" said the smallest of the beings, "We got beat by a bunch of brats last time. Theres no way another one brat and his pals will beat us again….wah!"

"But why this one?" the tall being said once more.

"Look him." said the only being who didn't spoke yet, "Look how close he's getting to the castle's hidden gate. In any time, it will be a slam dunk in their case."

"He's doing anything in his power to save that dear friend of his. But don't worry, my associates." Gansley said as he pulls out a spear weapon, "They will never reach the gate. And,we, the Big Five will see to that."

"What about the other opponents, Brron and the one called Dark Mist?" the robotic voiced being said.

"Then I say, let them share with the boy's fate if they get close." Gansley said he slam his lance on the floor."Besides we got orders from our leader to kill anyone near his fort. We need to keep our's and the leader's 'guest' safe from interference." The group watches Jake and his comrades, waiting on their strike in the next two days.