Chapter 22

Photon Finex: Whoop whoop! The final battle is FINALLY here! Party time!

Astral: What is this "party time?"

Kurai: It's when you like, get to chill out and stuff. Heck, I'd rather-

Yuma: HEY! Get your own introduction! *punches Kurai* You're giving away spoilers!

Edit: Shark now has a line in Chapter 21.


Darkness shrouded Kurai's entire body. That was all anyone could see in Kurai: The true evil inside the Numbers. The door to Kurai's heart was sealed because of the strength of the negative energy inside the boy's heart.

On the other side of the field, Yuma stared in shock at Kurai. He could sense that so much hate was filled inside of Kurai. Yet, you would know why because Kurai had a terrible early life. That still didn't mean that Kurai had to take his anger out on everyone else!

Astral looked straight into Kurai's body. Numbers 2 and 96's powers possessed most of Kurai's body, which was NOT a good sign. "Yuma! If Numbers 2 and 96's energies increase in Kurai, there is a chance that he will become too dangerous and violent... He will kill everyone he sees..." he said solemnly.

"No... That can't be true!" cried Yuma.

Astral sighed, "I'm sorry, Yuma, but it's too dangerous to be possessed by two or more Numbers! Kurai has to be stopped at all costs! It's now or never!"

"Astral..."

Yuma then gazed into Kurai's eyes. He looked even determined/angrier than before. "Stop this, Kurai! This is just what the Numbers want from you! Don't you get that you're only being used, again? Get it through your head!" he shrieked

The boy cringed, more darkness shrouding his body. He spoke, but his voice became slightly warped. "Kurai can no longer hear you. He is now a part of us, Numbers 2 and 96. Together, with two Numbers and a human, you can't stop us!" snarled a possessed Kurai.

"I don't care what you say! I know that deep down, Kurai is really a good person! How do I know? Because... Kurai is... My friend..." cried Yuma.

"D-did he say... Friend?" wondered Kurai.

"Do not listen to that inconsistent boy, Kurai! He is only trying to trick you!" snapped Number 96.

"96, leave the boy out of this! He has nothing to do with this!" retaliated Number 2.

"SHUT UP AND LET ME DUEL!" yelled Kurai. He turned towards Yuma, pointing. "I already ended my turn, so... Make your move, maggot."

YUMA: 900

KURAI: 1800

"Heh, I'm glad you even told me it IS my turn! I draw!" called Yuma. "First, I'll summon Gagaga Magician in Attack Mode!"

A man clad in blue armor with orange touch-ups generated into Yuma's side of the field. He looked like Dark Magician, but a lot younger. Most of his face was covered except for his right eye. A tuft of hair covered his left eye.

Gagaga Magician

ATK: 1500 ; DEF: 1000

"Gagaga Magician? You've got to be kidding me! It only has 1500 Attack Points!" pointed out Kurai.

Yuma cringed, "I know that, genius! I activate my Spell Card, Monster Reborn! Come on back, Gogogo Giant!"

A purple mana-like circle appeared into the field emitting a dark light. A gigantic pair of stony hands came out of the rift and grasped the roof of Heartland Tower tightly, it left dent marks. Then, a towering stone giant pulled itself out of the graveyard. Once it was free from the dead, Gogogo Giant stomped next to Gagaga Magician.

Gogogo Giant

ATK: 2000; DEF: 0

Yuma smiled, "Since I have two level 4 monsters, I will Overlay Gagaga Magician and Gogogo Giant!"

Gagaga Magician and Gogogo Giant turned into colorful wisps as they flew into the sky. Both monsters went into the portal opening in the field below. Sparks flew out of the rift as the two monsters can together.

"With these monsters, I Xyz Summon! Come, Number 39: Aspiring Emperor Hope!" called Yuma.

Yuma's Ace Monster first appeared in a cone shape, but then he shifted parts around. He then appeared as the valiant Number 39.

"Yuma, I will help you and Astral at all costs to defeat Kurai! No more hiding! I am through with running away!" proclaimed Hope. He slid his ginormous swords out of the sword holders at his sides. Each sword was positioned over Hope's shoulders to show his toughness. "Let's hunt those Numbers, Yuma!" clamored Hope.

"Yeah! Get ready for the duel of your life, Kurai, 'cause we're going to take your Numbers!" jeered Yuma. "I can overlay Hope with his own Overlay Units! Then, I can Chaos Xyz Summon!"

"Chaos Xyz Summon?" shouted Kurai.

"Now you're getting it!" mocked Yuma sarcastically. "I overlay Number 39: Aspiring Emperor Hope with his own Overlay Units!"

Hope shifted back into a cone shape along with his Overlay Units. Together, the trio of monsters descended inside the purple rift on Yuma's side of the field.

"My comrades, the time has come... To unleash our true power! Are you with me?" spoke Hope.

"Yeah! Let's do it!" cheered Gagaga Magician and Gogogo Golem.

Yuma pulled out a Xyz Monster card from his extra deck. "Come! Chaos Number 39: Hope Ray, Warrior of the light, banisher of the darkness!"

A darkened armored version of Hope emerged from the rift, but some of his appearance differed greatly. His armor was mostly charcoal black (not the same shade of black as Demon Tyrant Kaos), complete with ruby red optics, gigantic black wings, and a purple 39 on his right shoulder armor. The mighty monster was now more powerful than ever!

"Yuma, I can feel the power of our bond flowing inside me!" said Hope Ray in astonishment.

"The time has come... I will build the Overlay Network with myself and my friend, Astral!" shouted Yuma.

In an instant, Yuma's body became covered in a red wisp as he flew into the sky.

"Yuma, you're not going alone!" added Astral. "I am done running!" His body became shrouded in a blue light as both human and alien met face-to-face in the dark sky. Astral looked down at Kurai through his shroud. The boy was full of darkness and torment. He could sense that the boy was suffering from pain. It was about time they set Kurai free!

"Yuma! Let's do it!" shouted Astral.

"KATTOBINGU DA, ORE!" shouted Yuma.

Yuma and Astral's bodies met as their wisps fused together. As they met face-to-face, the two could feel each other's energies becoming one. Astral's body overlayed with Yuma as they combined into one being. Light emitted from the two as their bodies met, it was so bright, all of Heartland City could see the light.

Down below on the ground, a Number possessed Kurai looked at the action in awe. He covered his eyes, looking at the activity above.

"What is going on?" he demanded.

Kotori peered through her force field prison. She watched with amazement when Yuma and Astral fused together. "Yuma... Save Kurai, please! He is suffering from the darkness!" she cried.


Inside Heartland Tower...

Anna noticed the bright light emitting from the roof of the tower. She rose from the grassy ground as she hurries towards the window to gaze outside. "Oh my god! Yuma!" she cried.

Behind the bush patch, Shark, Takashi, Tokunosuke, and Tetsuo stared in awe. "What's going on?" they all shouted in sync.


The light shimmered as the silhouette showed himself to the world. Armor generated onto his body, D-Gazer over one eye, and golden hair with red spikes made up the silhouette's figure. What was peculiar was that he had two different eye colors, one was gold while the other eye was red. At last, the sillhouette showed himself to everyone. His armor shone so brightly in the starry sky, he could be seen all around Heartland City.

Down below on Heartland Tower, Kurai covered his eyes from looking at the light. "W-what is this?" he said in shock.

The armored Duelist hovered back onto his side of the field, crossing his arms. He analyzed his opponent via D-Gazer Darkness filled Kurai's heart, and the two Numbers showed it. Numbers 02 and 96 shimmered in both of Kurai's eyes, indicating their prescence.

"When two distant souls meet, they become one! ZEXAL!" declared both human and Astral Being.

Yuma reached into his D-Pad, touching a golden card. "Only one card can save us all!"

"Do it, Yuma!" said Astral.

"SHINING DRAW!" shouted Yuma.

"I summon Zexal Weapon: Dragon Lance!" yelled Zexal Yuma.

A golden dragon that resembled a European dragon generated onto the field. It's golden horns and slender body was decorated in armor that resembled a warrior dragon's. The great dragon roared into the sky indicating it's presence.

"ROOAARR!" screeched Dragon Lance.

ZW: Dragon Lance

Rank 4

ATK: 2100 DEF: 0

"Now, I'll equip Dragon Lance to Hope Ray!" declared Zexal Yuma.

The Zexal Weapon roared as it began to morph. The dragon changed shape and size as it went under metamorphosis. Light surrounded it during the process. Soon, the light dimmed as the gold creature had transformed into a golden spear. Hope Ray snagged the Zexal Weapon into his hands, along with his mighty sword. He could feel Dragon Lance's power fuse with his own.

C39: Hope Ray

ATK: 4600; DEF: 2000

Kurai laughed insanely. "4600 attack points? That won't do a thing to BioDragon!"

Number 02: BioDragon

ATK: 5220; DEF: 2000

"That's what you think! Hope Ray's effect activates! One Overlay unit can be sent to the graveyard and Hope Ray will gain 500 attack points!"

"You're bluffing!" said Kurai.

Hope Ray released one Overlay unit to send to the graveyard. He raised his sword as power flowed inside of him.

C39: Hope Ray

ATK: 5100; DEF: 2000

"I activate my Spell Card, Blistering Winds! Hope Ray gains 1000 additional attack points until the end of my turn!"

C39: Hope Ray

ATK: 6100; DEF: 2000

"6100 ATTACK?" shouted an exasperated Kurai.

Yuma scowled back at his enemy, crossing his arms. "There's more to Hope Ray's effect you don't know! One monster YOU control loses 1000 attack points until the End Phase! Since I have less than 1000 life points, I can use this effect! Face it, Kurai! Your reign as a tyrant is over!"

Number 2: BioDragon

ATK: 4220; DEF: 2000

Hope Ray grunted as he fused ZW Dragon Lance with his sword, fusing into a gigantic golden sword. More power flowed into his body even more.

"Number 02, your time has come! Perish into the darkness! " roared Hope Ray.

"Number 39, I have underestimated you. You're a worthy opponent... Until we meet again..." said BioDragon.

"Go, Hope Ray! RISING HEAVENLY WAVE!"

Hope Ray swung his golden sword at BioDragon, emitting a wave of light. It beamed like a wave, moving up and down in a fast motion. BioDragon's optics registered that a light was approaching, but he couldn't do anything due to him being frozen in fear.

CLASH!

Hope Ray's sword energy struck the Number's oxygen tank. When the energy hit the tank, a crack spread through the center of it. It fell apart, shattering into many pieces.

BioDragon shrieked in pain soon as the oxygen tank began to fall apart, oxygen stopped flowing through the pipes. Then, the vile Number started to lose its breath as he slowly shut down. Finally, the tank exploded and the oxygen spilled from the sides. As a result, BioDragon collapsed into the ground and disintegrated into yellow pixels.

Kurai fell backwards from the impact, knocking him into the ground. He felt his power decreasing after BioDragon had been destroyed. "No... No... NO00! HOW COULD I LOSE TO SOMEONE LIKE YOU? I HAD THE PERFECT MONSTER!"

With that, all of Kurai's life points dropped to zero.

YUMA: 900 LP- Win

KURAI: 0 LP- Lose


Photon Finex: I can't believe it... YUMA WON! HALLELUJAH! This was my first time writing a duel. I apologize deeply if I made any mistakes, or if I made Hope Ray's attack too high (unless there is a monster with an attack that high). Overall, I am very proud of Yuma! This story is almost over, only a few chapters left!

Yuma: Thanks! Come on, Astral! We still have more work to do!