Vile: And I've made it to Chapter 4. I'm doing better on this story than I have in the past. Maybe my idea flow is finally coming back.

Kotori: Or maybe it's because you just really wanted to write something for us, and people are enjoying it based on the reviews.

Vile: Or that. ^^ At any rate, a few reviews will be pleased with this chapter, and an OC pops up here.

Shark: *blushes*

Yuma: Looks like he knows who. *smirks*

Vile: Yep. Well, let's not keep everyone waiting. I don't think I need to say anything about the disclaimer this time, so we'll get right into this. Enjoy!

39 & 13 means Love

Chapter 4

The spiky-haired teen turned to the source of the voice, and his smirk turned into a grin. He was correct in his assumption of the source, as he saw the familiar purple hair, blue eyes, and confident smirk of his friend/rival, Ryoga. "Glad to see you remember me."

"It's been a while, Shark." Yuma said walking over with an outstretched hand. Ryoga took the hint and walked over as well, meeting Yuma's hand with a high-five. "How's life been treatin' you after we took out Rikuo and Kaio?"

"Way better than before, man." Shark replied. "I'm off the criminal beat, and my Deck's off the dusty shelf." He held up his D-Pad as proof. "So, what brings you and Kotori here? You come for the action, too?"

"We didn't even know this was happening until we got here." Kotori explained. "It was originally just gonna be me and Yuma going around the city."

"On a date, huh?" The former holder of Number 17 mused, causing Yuma and Kotori to slightly blush. "Well, truth be told, you guys came here at the right time. Take a look around." Yuma and Kotori scanned the area and noticed several groups that appeared to be couples, a few of them even sharing a kiss which made Kotori blush more, wishing it was her and Yuma. They even caught notice of Tokunosuke Dueling someone, a girl with short blonde hair cheering him on.

Yuma couldn't help but sweatdrop. "Man, did Valentine's Day come early?" All three shared a short laugh at that. "Hey Shark, I gotta ask: with all of this going on, is there someone here with you?" Ryoga was about to answer, but was stopped when they all heard something.

"Shark-kun!" A cheerful voice rang out. It was female, and Shark must've recognized it, as a slight blush crept onto his face. Then, seemingly from nowhere, he was glomped from behind, causing Yuma to burst out laughing.

Ryoga was blushing madly, but smiling. "Jeez Ariel, even in front of people?"

The girl giggled. "I can't help it! You might be a shark, but you're just so huggable!" Ryoga couldn't help but laugh. Ariel was such a clown sometimes.

Yuma finally calmed down and got a look at who had glomped Ryoga. The girl, apparently named Ariel, was around their age with medium-length light blue hair and identically colored eyes. She was wearing a dark blue tank top with a bubble pattern, a silver jacket over top of it, purple shorts and black shoes. Her D-Pad and Deck were attached to her left hip, and a small mirror-like object could be seen hanging from the right side of her shorts. Her appearance struck an odd cord with Yuma.

Kotori noticed Yuma studying her with a scrutinizing eye. "Is something wrong, Yuma?"

"Haven't we seen her before?" Yuma asked, pointing at Ariel. Kotori scanned her as well, but couldn't place a name.

"Stumped?" Ariel asked them, letting go of Ryoga and snapping them out of their stupor. "If you were curious about why I look so familiar, take a look!" She pulled out her Deck and sifted through it, pulling out a single card: Ritua Erial. She held the card next to her face, allowing them to compare.

"Oh, now I get it! She looks just like the girl in the card!" Yuma realized. "…Creepy."

"It's not creepy! My dad made the Ritua series, and he modeled one of the cards after me!" Ariel chirped a little too enthusiastically. "He's the best!" Ryoga could not help but roll his eyes.

"Getting a little out of hand there, Ariel." He candidly noted.

Ariel's eyes widened and she blushed, scratching the back of her head. "Whoops! Eh heh heh, I really need to cut down on my sugar. Did I creep you guys out?"

"Eh… kinda." Yuma and Kotori said at the same time.

"Sorry." Ariel apologized.

"Hey, don't worry about it." Kotori told her. "Nice to meet you, Ariel. Kotori Mizuki." She held out a hand which Ariel shook.

"And if you're Kotori Mizuki…" Ariel paused, moving a pointed finger from her to Yuma. "…Then from what Shark told me, you're Yuma Tsukumo, right?"

"Yep, that's me!" Yuma chirped, holding out a hand, which Ariel shook. Yuma then looked at Ryoga and grinned. "So Shark, when did you get a girlfriend?"

Ryoga's pale skin lit up. "Uh… well…"

Ariel giggled. "We met around a week and a half ago. I've gotta admit, his past was kinda harsh, but he's made a big turnaround thanks to Yuma. I've gotta thank you, Yuma. If you hadn't beaten him the first time, Shark would've still been a big jerk… and I probably never would've met him." Yuma, Kotori, and Ryoga smiled.

Ryoga then looked at Yuma, and his confident smirk appeared on his face. "Well then Yuma… since you and Kotori aren't together, I think it's time we helped you two connect."

"Eh? What do you mean, Shark?" Yuma asked.

"You and I became friends because we managed to work together in a Tag Duel against Rikuo and Kaio." Shark explained. "So I have a plan to bring you two closer together." He looked at Ariel, who nodded, then he looked back at Yuma and Kotori and pointed at them. "We challenge you two to a Tag Duel!"

"A Tag Duel?" Kotori asked.

"Yep! Duelists connect when facing each other, but even more so when they work together!" Ariel chirped. "Ya think you two can beat us?"

Yuma grinned. "I'm all for it!" He looked at his green-haired companion. "How about you, Kotori? It's up to you."

After hearing Shark and Ariel talk about how Duelists connect better by working together, she already knew her answer. 'If I work together with Yuma… maybe he'll figure out how strong my feelings are!' A confident smile appeared on her face. "Let's do it, Yuma!"

"All right!" Yuma shouted, turning back to Shark. "You guys are on!"

Shark grinned. "That's what I like to hear!" The four Duelists took a position in a clear spot within the Square.

"I'm all fired up!" Yuma chirped. "Kattobingu daze, ore!" Kotori smiled, and Shark and Ariel smirked.

All four Duelists made the Duel preparations. "Duel Disk, set! D-Gazer, set!" Ariel's D-Gazer was blue with a white vizor and a seashell motif, and her D-Pad was light blue. However, as Kotori put on her Extra Deck slot, the blank card in her pocket went with it. The D-Gazers activated, creating the augmented reality around them. All four drew their cards, and the game was on. "DUEL!"

Yuma LP:4000

Kotori LP:4000

Ryoga LP:4000

Ariel LP:4000

Vile: Yep, Shark and Ariel enter the story, and a Tag Duel is about to begin!

Takashi: A little heads-up for you viewers: Vile will be using Japanese terms for some of the game mechanics, such as "shoukan" instead of "summon," as well as for some of the card names, like Number 39 will be Aspiring Emperor Hope instead of Utopia.

Yuma: *frowns* I personally think that was a stupid name change.

Vile: Agreed. Aspiring Emperor Hope is way better. Now then, leave some reviews everyone, as I also have two questions: 1) Should I call it "Exceed Shoukan" or "Xyz Shoukan"? and 2) Should I use "Ritua" (the OCG name) or "Gishki" (the TCG name) for the Archetype? Leave answers in the reviews you give me.

Cathy: Make sure to leave lots of 'em! Can't have Vile being confused. *licks lips*

Vile: Thank you for that, Cathy. And with that, I'll see you guys next chapter!

Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.