Chapter 4: Our Enemies
"Kaito?"
"Yeah..."
It was a new day at Heartland Academy, though things were serious as Noda, Yuma, Kotori, Tetsuo, Ryoga and Rio were all gathered together in a circle.
"He was...dangerous." Yuma spoke with uncharacteristic seriousness and...even fear. "He almost defeated us and took our Numbers. He's a Number Hunter, and he's really, really strong..."
"Yuma..." Kotori looked at him worriedly.
"We had to go to the Duel Lodge yesterday just to get his Dueling spirit back up again." Tetsuo said. "I'd never seen him so down."
"On the plus side, we got Number 12 out of it." Astral spoke up, to himself or those who could hear him, they didn't know.
"Master Astral, please do not remind me." The spirit of a red armoured ninja with gorgeous flowing ginger hair stated almost shamefully.
"So what you're saying is, those who have Numbers will be targeted." Rio said. Noda had been respectful and left it up to the Kamishiro's to tell the others of their own volition, or if they even wanted to.
"Yeah. I'm worried, Noda." The usually upbeat teenager admitted.
"Don't worry about me." He assured Yuma. "I can handle myself, okay?" Yuma didn't look sure.
"Hello, everyone!" At that moment they all looked up as Dennis, and a first year girl with glasses and...cat ears in her hair? Appeared.
"Dennis! Cathy!" Yuma waved.
"Who?" Ryoga questioned.
"This is Cathy. We Dueled and now we're friends!" Yuma smiled as if it was natural.
"Friends." Both Kotori and Cathy repeated with relief and depression respectfully, which everybody else instantly picked up on, and were baffled by. How on earth did Yuma of all people have two girls who had a crush on him?
"Everyone, listen! I have big news!" Dennis announced eagerly. "I want you all to come to Heartland Theme Park after school today, it's important."
"Heartland Theme Park? Why?" Tetsuo questioned.
"It's a surprise." Dennis winked, to everybody's confusion.
"No can do." Ryoga shook his head. "We're helping Kyoji get back on his feet mentally. Can't afford to leave him alone and go off to the funfair."
"I actually agree with Ryoga." Rio nodded. "Sorry, Dennis."
Noda raised a hand. "I can go."
"Of course you can." Ryoga sighed.
"The Theme Park, huh? Well, if you want me there, sure!" Yuma beamed.
'The Theme Park!?' Both Kotori and Cathy picked up on that, and thoughts of walking through the place with Yuma filled their heads. "I'll go too!" Both of them shouted, much to the others surprise.
"Uh...I think I've got stuff to do. Yeah." Tetsuo saw the situation with Kotori and Cathy, and decided he did not want to be in the middle of that.
"That's fine, that's fine." Dennis assured them. "I'll see you later, then!" He then waved as he walked off.
"Can never get a read on that guy." Ryoga muttered.
"Guess we're going to the theme park, then." Noda shrugged.
"Yuma, what is a theme park?" Astral inquired.
"Ah, you'll find out when we go." Yuma whispered.
Heartland Theme Park was as big, flashy and 'cutesy' as a theme park in a city called 'Heartland' could possibly be. Everywhere you looked there were candy coloured amusement park rides and attractions with stands for foods and balloons all over the place. One could almost say it was TOO extravagant.
"So this is a theme park?" Astral wondered.
Yuma, Noda, Kotori and Cathy had all changed into their casual clothes to go to the theme park, even if the girls looked a bit more dressed up then usual for some reason.
"Eeh, all these...very TALL and dizzying rides aren't for me." Noda looked queasy even saying that.
"I think it's a blast! You go on all these rides and get a whole lotta adrenaline!" Yuma cleverly (for him) gave his declaration to both his friends and as an answer for Astral.
"Adrenaline, hm?" Astral didn't know what to make of it.
"To think humans have such imagination for meaningless time wasting." 78 mused as she appeared. "They grow more fascinating still."
"Everything looks so FUN!" 63 screamed excitedly. "I wanna eat ALL the snacks!"
The group of four went further into the park. Whilst Noda and Yuma were there with a purpose, Kotori and Cathy tried to drag Yuma over to everything they could.
"Yuma! Check out this ride over here!" Kotori insisted.
"Look at that over there, Yuma!" Cathy tried to tug him in the other direction.
"Oh boy..." Noda muttered, watching Yuma get pulled around.
"Observation Number 13: Theme parks certainly get people 'invigorated'." Astral noted.
"Um, hey, where's Dennis!?" Yuma cried out in an attempt to free himself. "Shouldn't he have met up with us if it was so important!?"
"I found him!" 35 suddenly spoke up, tugging on Noda's collar and pointing with a leg.
Dennis was dressed in his casual clothes, an orange tuxedo with the right arm missing over a baby blue button-up and a purple tie, with black slacks and brown shoes. He seemed to be performing for a crowd of people, doing card tricks with actual Duel Monsters cards.
"Wow, he's really good!" Kotori marvelled at him.
"I wonder how he learnt how to do all that." Cathy wondered.
When Dennis' little show was over and he waved goodbye to the crowd, he finally noticed the group and beamed at them. "Ah! You're all here!"
"Dennis, you work here?" Yuma gasped.
"Ah, that's out of the bag. I work AND live here! Surprise!" Dennis chuckled. "This place is perfect for me, after all!"
"So, what did you call us here for?" Noda wondered.
"Ah, that." He seemed to grow serious. "Truth is, something funny's been going on, lately."
"Funny?" Kotori echoed.
"And not the kind that should be." Dennis joked with a straight face. "Lately, several of the park headliners; Captain Corn, Hishakaku, Gauche and Droite, all took leave, at the same time! On top of that, the remaining two; Thunder Spark and Cologne, have been acting very strange lately. Secretive. All they do is hide in their attractions. I think this has something to do with Numbers."
"Numbers!?" The four all gasped.
"It's the only explanation I can think of." Dennis admitted. "And I figured I should call on the experts to help."
"What do you think, Astral?" Yuma asked.
"If there is even a chance it is the work of Numbers, we cannot let this opportunity slip by us before Kaito makes a move." Astral still bristled when saying the Number Hunters name.
"It is imperative we look into it." 78 agreed.
"'Course we'll help, Dennis!" Yuma told him.
"Sure." Noda agreed.
Dennis clapped. "Great! I can do a little bit of sleight of hand and get you backstage into their attractions so that you can meet them."
He began leading them towards the attractions in the park, whilst at the same time pulling out a map from his pocket and showing their icons on the map and explaining them. Thunder Spark was the face of the 'Speed Field', a lightning themed attraction of rollercoasters, bumper cars and RC car racing. Whereas Cologne was the head of the 'House of Dolls', an attraction that focused on child friendly games, playpens and cuddly toys.
"The Speed Field sounds like the place for me!" Yuma declared. "I'll take on Thunder Spark!"
"I guess I'll take Cologne, then." Noda figured, looking at the girls. "What do you two wanna do?"
"Oh, um, I'll go to the Speed Field!" "Yes! Me too!" They exclaimed.
"Really?" Dennis seemed puzzled. "I would have thought you would be interested in the House of Dolls for-"
"Nope!" "Speed Field!" They silenced him.
"Humans are so strange." 77 mumbled.
They reached the Speed Field first, a giant blue dome with a lightning aesthetic given all the bolt designs painted everywhere. They went round the back as Dennis pulled out some keys and opened up the door.
"Be careful, Yuma." Dennis told him. "Kotori, Cathy, you can always stay out here."
"No way! I'll always be there for Yuma, especially after Kaito!" Kotori declared perhaps a bit too forcefully. She seemed a bit shaken by the incident too. She was there with Yuma when he had that Duel, but couldn't do anything to help him at the time, or even comfort him after. It was frustrating.
"Same here!" Cathy proclaimed, a tad bit more selfishly.
"Well, okay then. Good luck." Dennis said as the three entered.
They walked down a metal corridor until they went into a new room, a large one with several screens showing the different areas of the Speed Field, as well as a little toy slot cars track set up on the side. The rest of it was just couches, which overlooked the screens.
"Woah!" Yuma marvelled.
One of the walls of the room was just a glass window like that of a VIP section, looking out over a junior race car track. Though all the lights were off, making it seem less lively.
"That's so cool!" Yuma marvelled.
"Focus, Yuma. We must find Thunder Spark." Astral reminded him.
"You're Yuma Tsukumo."
The group quickly spun around to see a figure sitting on one of the couches. He was a pale person wearing a white and yellow riding suit with a lightning bolt belt buckle. His hair was a wild and frazzled electric blue hair, along with a yellow cape. He seemingly had no pupils, or even a mouth, just a blank slate for a face.
"He wasn't there before!" Kotori gasped while Cathy literally hissed like a cat.
"So are you Thunder Spark?" Yuma asked.
"I am." Thunder Spark spoke quickly, and with a slightly high pitched voice. "The owner of the Speed Field of Heartland Theme Park. How did you get in here?"
"Uh..." Yuma tried and failed to come up with an excuse to save Dennis, but couldn't, so he just jumped into it. "N-Never mind that! Do you have a Number, Thunder Spark?"
"Straight to the point. I like that." He nodded. "I do have a Number."
"Okay!" Yuma now had a goal. "So you know what happened to the other park workers, then?"
"If you Duel me with your Numbers on the line I'll tell you." Thunder Spark said.
"You got it!"
"Right into it then. I really like you."
Thunder Spark stood up and swept his arm out, suddenly causing all of the lights to come on. "This way." He literally sprinted out of the room by another door.
"Wha-!? Hey, wait up!" Yuma gave chase with Kotori and Cathy, until they were all in a room filled with spotlights, the air practically electrifying as neon symbols of bolts and cars illuminated them, Thunder Spark on one end, Yuma on the other.
"Let's Duel." Thunder Spark stated.
"Don't need to tell me twice! Kattobingu!" Yuma declared.
"Duel Disk, set! D-Gazer, set!" Thunder Spark had a yellow standard model Duel Disk, but with a yellow Duel-Gazer tattoo in the shape of a lightning bolt.
"AR Vision - Link Established."
"DUEL!"
Yuma vs. Thunder Spark LP: 4000
"I like your spark, so I'll let you start." Thunder Spark stated.
"Yuma." Astral appeared. "It would appear Thunder Spark has a penchant for quickness, so him not taking the first turn is worrying. It is most likely a trap."
"Yeah, well, I'll just have to start strong is all! Draw!" Yuma seemingly brushed aside Astral's statement.
"Yuma! You can do it!" Kotori called to him as reassuringly as she could. It seemed clear to her that Yuma still hadn't completely gotten over the shock of Dueling Kaito.
"Gotta defend..." Yuma mumbled to himself. "I Normal Summon Goblindbergh!" A green goblin piloting a red airplane flew onto the field with 1400 ATK. "When Goblindbergh is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower monster from my hand by changing it to defence position!" Two more Goblindbergh's appeared, carrying a metal hexagonal container of sorts. "Come on out! Gagaga Magician!" The metal container opened and Yuma's staple Spellcaster fell out and onto the battlefield.
"I overlay my Level 4 Goblindbergh and Gagaga Magician!" Immediately the monsters became orange and purple energy. "With these two monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon!" The spacial portal appeared as the energies dove into it.
"Rise on up! Number 39! King of Wishes, Hope!"
Yuma's first Number appeared in its sealed form, before emerging into a white and gold warrior with metallic 'wings', with two blades at its side, giving out a powerful cry of 'Hope!' as it appeared with 2500 ATK.
"I end my turn!" Yuma hurriedly finished.
"Yuma, bringing out Hope to defend yourself is a wise move, but..." Astral looked at him. "You made that play so hurriedly, were you thinking rashly again?"
"No! Hope can defend us with his effect, right? I know what I'm doing!" Yuma stated.
But Astral was not sure. Did Yuma summon Hope for that reason? Or was it because Yuma felt more reassured, more protected, with Hope on his field?
"Do not worry, Yuma." Hope spoke to him. "I am forever your sword and shield."
"Yeah! You're our hope!" Yuma agreed wholeheartedly.
'The Numbers always seem to become talkative when they have been around Noda. Or is it Number 78?' Astral thought.
"He got out Hope already!" Cathy cheered, but Kotori didn't look as sure.
"My turn!" Thunder Spark drew with a flash. "I Normal Summon Pahunder!" Appearing in a bolt of lightning was a man with literal electricity for untamed hair and sparking at his hands with 1300 ATK. "With its effect, I can Normal Summon an additional Level 4 LIGHT Thunder monster other then itself! Mahunder!" A female version of Pahunder sparked to life with 1400 ATK. "Her effect is the same, so I Normal Summon Brohunder!" This time a child with the same sparking hair and hands appeared from electricity with 900 ATK. "When it is Summoned, I add another Level 4 LIGHT Thunder from Deck to hand; Sishunder."
"Three monsters so quickly!?" Yuma gasped.
"Here it comes, Yuma!" Astral warned.
"I overlay the Level 4 Pa, Ma and Bro Hunders!" The three monsters became yellow bolts of energy that zapped around the field, dancing off of the lights. "With these three monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon!" The three bolts eventually all zapped into the portal in a flood of light.
"Flash! Number 91! Thunder Spark Dragon!"
What looked like a blue and gold electrical engine appeared, before a long tail extended out of it and the body became a head that roared loudly whilst two yellow fins extended out from its head. Sparks of lightning flashed across the field as the monster was revealed with 2400 ATK.
"It's his Number!" Kotori gasped.
Meanwhile, Dennis had led Noda to the back of the House of Dolls, which seemed to be a giant toy castle that had all manner of stuffed dolls surrounding it.
"This should lead you to Cologne's room." Dennis explained as he opened the door. "Be careful, Noda. Cologne likes to hang around the...gothic lolita part of the attraction."
"What does THAT mean?" He questioned.
"Well...let's just say there's a part of the attraction that isn't for little kids. Unless you want them to have nightmares." Dennis gave a worried laugh.
Noda just went in, following the corridor until he exited into a room that was very different from the exterior. It looked dark, and was designed after an old-style mansion.
"I am not a fan of this." 37 stated.
It's so creeeeepyyyyy!" 84 wailed, staring at some of the dead-eyed dolls sitting on shelves above them, almost like they were looking down on them, spying.
"No need to be scared." Noda assured them. "We've got each other for company."
"What is with that attitude of yours?" 14 growled.
"I've just learned to take things as they've come, and not question things. I've led a mostly happy life thanks to it." Noda smiled softly. "If you panic, or get angry, you lose your rational mind. And that's a deciding factor in a Duel, or life." He became silent.
"You said that very knowingly." 77 spoke.
Noda blinked at the spirits of the Numbers surrounding him. Honestly, he found it impossible to feel lonely or scared right now. He had spent a good two weeks with 78 and 37 at least. But...not just yet.
"It helps. Trust me. And if you are scared, I'm here at least." Noda told them.
The Numbers remained silent. 78 had certainly picked a fascinating one.
The group entered what looked like a play area, that was filled with more lifeless female dolls, all staring at them.
"...Okay, now I'm uncomfortable." He admitted.
35 looked at him. "You just said-!"
"Hey, I have my limits too." He shrugged.
"What, don't you like them?"
It was at this point he was aware of a girl, looking at him from a black armchair, sipping tea from a dainty little tea set. She was a little girl with flowing blonde hair, dressed in the same doll-like clothing all the other ones wore.
"Are you Cologne?" Naoki asked.
"That's me. And you, Mr. Nosy, have broken into my home! During teatime as well!" She pouted with a puffed cheek.
"Oh, sorry."
"Well? What are you here for?"
"Do you have a Number?"
At that, she paused. "A Number Hunter, are you? I suppose it was only a matter of time."
"I can't sense any Numbers yet. They must be hiding." 78 theorised.
Cologne got out of her chair and walked to the other side of the room. But not before picking up a balloon with a silly face on it that floated next to her. "So then, you're here to Duel me for my Numbers?"
"Yes." He stated simply. "But also, what happened to all the other members of the park?"
"You're interested in that?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Well...I'll see how I feel."
"Can't argue with that, I guess." Noda agreed. "So then, shall we start?"
"Of course!" Suddenly, her seriousness took a complete 180 as she turned all happy and giggly. "It's time for the sweet Princess Cologne's Duel!"
"...Alright." Noda shrugged.
"D-Gazer, set!" Cologne's eye suddenly changed colour from blue to completely pink. "Duel Disk, set!" Surprisingly, her balloon popped open, revealing the monster zones and screen inside of it, yet it still floated.
"AR Vision - Link Established."
"DUEL!"
Noda vs. Cologne LP: 4000
"Since this is my home, the darling little Princess Cologne shall go first!" Cologne cheered as she pulled her balloon down in front of her and drew. "First, let's make the place a little more happy, hm? Cologne activates the Field Spell, Doll House!" The scenery began to change as the Field Spell took effect, a giant toy castle appeared on Cologne's side of the field, as she herself sat on the red carpeted stairway to the front door.
"There! Doesn't it feel more cosy already?" She cooed. "Cologne sets a monster, and cutely ends her turn!"
"That's it? A set monster?" 14 laughed.
"You can't get cocky, either." Noda referred back to his previous reasonings. "My turn, draw. I Normal Summon Sylvan Bladefender." His strongest Level 4 appeared from a twister of leaves with 1900 ATK. "I attack your set monster with Bladefender's Cutting Grass." Once again the monsters blades whipped forward as the card flipped up.
"Ta-dah! Cologne's set monster is Box of Friends!" Cologne happily declared as a pinkish box tied up with red ribbon appeared, shortly before it was stabbed through. "When Box of Friends is destroyed, Cologne can Special Summon her dear doll friends to the field!" The top of the destroyed monster popped open as two new monsters emerged from it.
"Come out to play! Doll Monster Bear-Bear! Doll Monster Mr. Dragon!" Two toy monsters with 0 stats appeared. The first was a big fluffy teddy bear with a heart stamp on its eye, whilst the second was a stuffed cartoony dragon toy.
"When Bladefender destroys a monster, I excavate a card." Noda did so. "It's Sylvan Lotuswain, who is sent to the Graveyard. This let's me Special Summon Sylvan Sagequoia from my hand via its own effect. Now Sagequoia attacks Mr. Dragon!" The regal tree grew next to Bladefender, launching its roots and tearing the doll apart in a burst of stuffing.
"With the Battle Phase over, I activate Sagequoia's once per turn excavation effect. I got Mount Sylvania, so it goes to the bottom of my Deck. I set a card and end my turn."
"Then it's once again the lovely Princess Cologne's turn to draw!" She declared. "And first of all, Cologne Normal Summons the cute little Doll Monster Miss Madchen!" A traditional little girl doll appeared in a puff of confetti. "Cologne's going to overlay her adorable Level 4 Doll Monsters Bear-Bear and Miss Madchen!" The monsters became lights that twirled into the air.
"Here comes her Number!" 37 yelled.
"With these two monsters, Cologne builds the overlay network! Xyz Summon!" But then-
"That's not the Numbers overlay network." Noda recognised the standard red as the energies whirled into it.
"Ta-dah! It's the cutest of all dolls! Yours truly! Princess Cologne!" An identical copy of Cologne, right down to her balloon, appeared in front of her, only with 2200 DEF and two yellow lights orbiting her.
"She summoned HERSELF!?" 70 cried. The similarity between monster and Duelist was uncanny.
"Cologne, who are you?" Noda wondered.
"Now that's a silly question!" She sang. "I'm the lovable Princess Cologne of course!"
Yuma had flinched from the summon of Number 91, but he quickly regained his confidence. "You might've used three monsters to Summon it, but that monster has less attack then Hope, so-"
"I activate Thunder Spark Dragon's effect." Thunder Spark interrupted. "By detaching 3 overlay units, all other face-up monsters on the field are destroyed!"
"What!?" All others present cried.
"Thunder Spark Bolt!" The dragon roared as it swallowed all three overlay units, before unleashing a storm of lightning bolts that crackled across the field, causing all the lights to flicker before the lightning struck Number 39 and destroyed it.
"Hope!" Yuma cried in horror and vain.
"Now Thunder Spark Dragon will attack you directly!" the dragon roared like thunder as a blast of lightning shot from its maw and struck Yuma, sending him flying onto his back, still shocked.
Yuma's LP: 1600
"I then activate the Spell, Recycling Batteries." Thunder Spark continued without missing a beat. "I add two Thunder monsters with 1500 or less attack from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Pahunder and Mahunder and end my turn."
Yuma just lay there in shock. His literal Hope, had been destroyed in an instant. At least with Kaito they had fought bravely together. But here, he had lost it so easily.
"Our Hope..." Yuma sat up, but didn't move, just stared. "It's my fault it...what do I do now?"
"Yuma." Astral spoke.
"I have to keep getting better! I have to!" Yuma cried desperately. "If I can't then...then..." He didn't want to think about what would happen if he lost. He would lose all the Numbers, and Astral. He couldn't afford to lose these, but it kept coming too close! As long as he had Hope, he felt invincible. But seeing Hope destroyed so easily made him realise the painful truth that Hope was just another monster, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't protect it from everything.
"Yuma, the Duel is not lost yet." Astral told him. "In the time I have known you, you have indeed improved. Nobody knows that better then I. And sometimes there are things we cannot predict. But there will always be a winning strategy, so long as you don't lose your Kattobingu!"
"Astral..." Yuma stared in shock at the fact it was Astral who was giving him a pep talk.
"He's right, y'know." The spirits of all of his other Numbers suddenly appeared, with 61 talking. "Plus, how do you think we feel? Just because you've lost 39 doesn't mean it's over! We're still here!"
"We're part of your Kattobingu too, Yuma!" 34 said.
"Yuma! Don't give up just like that!" Kotori suddenly called over to him.
"You can still do it!" Cathy also yelled.
Yuma's eyes widened. He had a lot of people on his side. And he didn't want to lose any of them! So, he WAS going to keep getting better! He was going to win! And he wasn't going to sit here feeling sorry for himself!
"Sorry, guys." He smirked as he jumped back up to his feet. "Guess I'm still a little bit hung up on Kaito. Next time we'll face him though, we'll be ready! So right now, we're gonna win! Kattbingou! Draw!"
"What an interesting person." Thunder Spark chuckled.
'I've still got other Numbers, comrades, I can use!' Yuma thought as he studied his hand. 'So...to do that...um...'
"Astral?" Yuma asked, and showed the spirit his hand.
Astral just smiled. Yuma was forever learning, and he was here to help. "Use Gagaga Academy Emergency Network to Summon Gagaga Caesar!"
"Right! I activate the Spell, Gagaga Academy Emergency Network! With this, I Special Summon a Gagaga from my Deck! And I choose Gagaga Caesar!" A man dressed in a white ringleaders outfit wielding a staff appeared with a flourish and 1800 ATK.
"And then...I can summon Zubaba Knight!" Yuma pieced the plan together as his golden knight with lightning bolt shaped swords and hair appeared with a cry of 'Zubaba!' and 1600 ATK.
"I approve." Thunder Spark nodded at the monster. "So you're going to bring out another Number?"
"You bet! I overlay my Level 3 Gagaga Caesar and Zubaba Knight! With these two monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 17! Leviathan Dragon!" This time a giant coiled purple egg appeared, before it unfolded into the serpentine, multi-winged form of Leviathan Dragon with 2000 ATK. "And I activate Leviathan Dragon's effect! By detaching an overlay unit, it gains 500 attack!" The dragon chomped on one of its overlay units, boosting it to 2500 ATK.
"Let's go, Yuma!" 17 screeched.
"Leviathan Dragon attacks your Thunder Spark Dragon! Vice Stream!" The two dragons both unleashed a stream of white energy from their mouths that clashed in a beam struggle, pressuring the Duelists and the spectators in a rush of wind, before Number 91 was overpowered and destroyed.
Thunder Spark's LP: 3900
"Alright! I set a card end my turn!" Yuma finished.
"Impressive, you destroyed Number 91." Thunder Spark acknowledged. "My turn!"
"He doesn't seem fazed at all!" Astral marvelled, albeit in confusion.
"I Normal Summon Pahunder, using his effect to summon Mahunder, then using her effect to summon Sishunder!" Instantly three monsters stormed onto his field, with the last being a female counterpart of Brohunder with electric pigtails. "When Sishunder is Normal Summoned, I banish a Hunder, in this case Brohunder, from my Graveyard, to add the banished monster to my hand during the End Phase! Now, I overlay my Level 4 Pa, Ma and Sis Hunders!" Once again three bolts of energy appeared.
"That's-!" 17 gasped.
"With these three monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon! Flash! Number 57! Tri-Head Dust Dragon!" This time what looked like a burning orange sun with spikes circling it that made it look cartoonish appeared, before the spikes were absorbed into it, creating an immense amount of sparkling dust, that formed into three dragon heads that all roared despite a meagre 100 ATK.
"He has another Number!?" Yuma gasped.
"So that means-!" Kotori gaped.
"That's correct. I'm a Number Hunter." Thunder Spark stated. "Just like Kaito."
"Kaito!?" Astral froze at the name.
"You know Kaito!?" Yuma asked.
"Not personally." Thunder Spark admitted. "We just have the same boss."
"Boss?" Cathy wondered.
"Let's not waste time. I activate Tri-Head Dust Dragon's effect!" Thunder Spark continued. "When it is Special Summoned, I target a monster you control, and have Tri-Head gain its current attack!" Tri-Head seemed to vacuum up all of the dust on Leviathan Dragon, somehow boosting its attack to 2600. "Then I activate Tri-Head's second effect! As you control more cards then me, I detach any number of overlay units to make an equal number of your zones unusable whilst I control it! I'll detach all three to make three of your monster zones useless!" All three heads ate a comet before breathing dust over three of Yuma's zones, making a red 'X' appear over them.
"Now battle! Tri-Head Dust Dragon attacks Leviathan Dragon! Hydra Heat Death!" The dragons three heads each breathed flames, resulting in another struggle that this time Leviathan Dragon lost.
Yuma's LP: 1500
"I activate another Recycling Batteries to return Pa and Ma Hunder to my hand again, then set a card and end my turn, with Sishunder's effect resolving and adding Brohunder to my hand." Thunder Spark finished.
"He destroyed Leviathan Dragon, too!" Yuma said. "And he keeps getting more monsters!"
"Do not panic, Yuma. We still have plenty more strategies." Astral assured him.
"Right. My turn." Yuma's confidence seemed unwavering now as he drew, but his lack of poker face was evident as he looked at his hand. "Now what?"
Astral meanwhile, widened his eyes. "Yuma, you have drawn the perfect card for a counterattack. Summon it!"
"Really? Okay! I Normal Summon Gagaga Girl!" A female Gagaga appeared, wearing the usual Gagaga delinquent clothes and carrying a cell phone in her hand.
"Now activate Gagagarevenge!"
"Right! I activate the Spell, Gagagarevenge! I revive Gagaga Magician and equip it with this card!" A red and gold coffin burst out of the ground, out of which broke Gagaga Magician, who Girl greeted with an affectionate 'Master!'.
"Alright! Now we can Summon Volcasaurus!" Yuma cheered.
"Wrong!" 61's spirit yelled. "If you summon me and use my effect, I can't attack directly! And I'd only deal 100 damage!"
"He's right, Yuma. We must play more defensively against Thunder Spark." Astral hinted.
"Y-Yeah." Yuma frowned, then his eyes widened in realisation. "I activate Gagaga Magician's effect! Once per turn, I can change his Level to any number from 1 to 8! I'll make him Level 5! And then, Gagaga Girl's effect allows her to copy Magician's Level!" Both Gagaga's became Level 5.
"I overlay my Level 5 Gagaga Magician and Girl! With these two monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 12! Crimson Shadow Armor Ninja!" A giant red shuriken appeared, before it quickly unfolded and rearranged itself like origami into the form of the warrior with flowing hair and 2400 ATK.
"And since the monster equipped with Gagagarevenge was used as Xyz Material, all your Xyz monsters gain 300 attack." Astral reminded him as Number 12's ATK rose to 2700. "Plus..."
"Gagaga Girl's effect activates!" Yuma went on. "Since she was used to Xyz Summon a monster with another Gagaga, your monsters attack becomes zero! Zero Zero Call!" The spirit of Gagaga Girl appeared and typed something on her phone, before showing it to Number 57, who shrieked as it shrank back down into the tiny sun at its core for 0 ATK.
"0!?" Thunder Spark looked shocked despite not having a discernible face.
"Battle! Number 12 attacks Number 57! Moon Shadow Crimson Slice!" The ninja drew its blade and sliced the sun to pieces, completely destroying it and sending Thunder Spark staggering.
Thunder Spark's LP: 1200
"I'll end my turn with that!" Yuma smirked.
"So you defeated 57 as well...my turn!" Thunder Spark hurried along as usual. "I Normal Summon Pa, then Ma, then finally Bro Hunder!" All three Hunders appeared immediately. "Brohunder's effect adds Sishunder to my hand!"
"It's like he's getting faster every time!" Cathy meowed.
"I activate the Spell, Double Summon to Normal Summon Sishunder!" All members of the Hunder family were now gathered on the field. "And as I control four Hunder monsters, I Special Summon Otonari Thunder directly from my Deck!" This time a being made completely of electrical energy dressed in baggy lightning themed clothes appeared, with a cyber cyclops eye and 500 ATK.
"5 Level 4 monsters!?" Kotori cried.
"Is he really gonna summon an Xyz Monster with five monsters!?" Yuma gasped.
"I activate my Continuous Trap, DNA Surgery! With this, all monsters on the field become the Type I declare! I choose Warrior!" All of the Hunders suddenly lost the electrical parts of their bodies, turning them into regular fighters.
"Why would he make such a move?" Astral wondered, narrowing his eyes. "Unless the monster he is summoning requires Warriors!"
"I overlay my Level 4 Hunders! Pa! Ma! Bro! Sis! Otonari!" The electricity in the air practically flared to life at the five monsters becoming pure energy. "With these 5 monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon!" The portal appeared, and the five streams all crowded downward into it like a mad vacuum, as it exploded with power.
"Flash! Number 86! Heroic Champion - Rhongomyniad!"
What appeared was a giant, bulky warrior dressed in brilliant white, black and gold armour, its Number in red on its left leg, as it wielded a giant golden trident that it pointed at Yuma threateningly, with 1500 ATK.
"A monster that has five overlay units!" Astral gasped, as all the humans watching stared at the new Number in awe and fear.
"Now Princess Cologne's lovely effect activates!" Cologne continued. "When Cologne is Xyz Summoned, she can revive Box of Friends!" Once more the little gift box appeared. "Now Cologne activates the Continuous Spell, Doll Happiness! When it's activated, she can add the monster, Grandpa Demetto, to her hand! Plus, by destroying a monster, she can send a Doll Monster from her Deck to the Graveyard! Cologne will destroy Box of Friends and send Doll Monster Rob Robot!" The box began to bulge out, as if it would explode.
"And when Box of Friends is destroyed..." Noda began.
"Cologne can Special Summon her second Doll Monster Bear-Bear, and second Doll Monster Rob Robot!" The box opened and revealed the same two Normal Monsters before bursting. Rob Robot was a wind-up robot toy with big eyes and 0 ATK.
"Now Cologne overlays the Level 4 Doll Monsters Bear-Bear and Rob Robot!" Once again two monsters became energy, but this time, what appeared was the Numbers portal. "With these two monsters, Cologne builds the overlay network! Xyz Summon!"
"Ta-dah! It's Number 50! Black Ship of Corn!" Well, she wasn't lying. A giant, black corn on the cob appeared, before half of it folded away as a ship formed on the rest of it, the red 50 appearing on its sails with 2100 ATK.
"50!?" The other Numbers gasped.
"Yargh! That be yee, Number 78!?" The Number called out. "Been a mighty fine while since this old sea dogs set his eyes on yar!"
"Old sea...what?" 78 seemed baffled.
"Well, 50's taking his roleplaying to new heights." 35 muttered.
"More importantly, his form doesn't match her at all." 77 said, which everyone agreed on.
"What the-?" Cologne's demeanour dropped for a moment seeing her Number talk, but she quickly composed herself. "Cologne activates the effect of little Number 50! By detaching an overlay unit, Cologne sends a monster you have with less attack then Blackship to the Graveyard, and then BAM! 1000 damage!"
"Hahah! Load the cannons with the landlubber!" 50 called out as it absorbed a comet, before it sucked up Bladefender into one of its cannons. "FIRE!" They then blasted the monster out as a cannonball that exploded at Noda's feet.
Noda's LP: 3000
"Hooray! Now Cologne activates the effect of the wonderful Doll House! Cologne targets a Normal Monster with 0 attack or defence in her Graveyard, like poor little Mr. Dragon, and Special Summons another copy from her Deck as a Level 6 DARK monster! Oh! But since Cologne is on the field, she targets 2 monsters instead, like Rob Robot! So let's all welcome another lovely Mr. Dragon and Rob Robot!"
The doors of the toy castle opened and the monsters appeared. But, these copies of he monsters were changed. They looked like they had broken parts of Miss Madchen and Bear-Bear stitched onto them, mouths and legs, wings and tails, those big bulbous eyes, making them looked deformed and sinister.
"Creepy!" 84 ironically shrieked.
"Cologne will now overlay the Level 6 Mr. Dragon and Rob Robot!" She declared as the monsters were now purple energy.
"Wait, again!?" 37 cried.
"With these two monsters, Cologne builds the overlay network! Xyz Summon! Ta-dah! It's Number 72! Shogi Rook!" What appeared this time was a giant 'Dragon King' Shogi piece, before it split up into two different, lower ranked shogi pieces that had spiked wheels spinning around them, as a golden and royal purple spear for a body with tassels on it's lower end now floated in the air with 2500 ATK.
"72 as well?" 78 gasped.
"So, the enemy approaches!" 72 spoke in practically archaic Japanese with a thick accent. "Beset us with thy best moves, thou cannot overcome our stratagems!"
"Cologne, you're a Number Hunter." Noda stated.
"Correct!" She replied all too cheerfully. "But you're a teensy-weensy bit early, Noda. After all, Cologne has one more friend to show you!"
"A third?" 70 did not like the sound of that.
"First though, we have to activate Number 72's effect!" She practically cheered. Both of Shogi Rook's overlay units were absorbed into the pieces floating at its sides, causing the spiked wheels to begin spinning quickly, turning them into buzzsaws. "By detaching both overlay units from Number 72, we can destroy one of your monsters and one of your set cards! So, bye bye, both your cards! Rolling Crush!"
"Face my ultimate advance!" Shogi Rook declared as it effortlessly cut through both Sagequoia and the set Mirror Force, destroying them.
"This is bad, 72 wiped his field!" 35 said, though Noda's expression didn't change.
"Wowie this is bad! We don't have any cards on the field!" 63 stated with unfitting joviality.
"Shogi Rook will attack you directly!" The two spinning blades were launched again, drilling into the ground in front of him and shooting sharp debris that made him shield himself with his arms.
Noda's LP: 1750
"Boo! Damage is halved this turn from Shogi Rook's effect! Oh well! Now Princess Cologne attacks directly!" She cheered as her mirror image bopped Noda with her balloon.
Noda's LP: 1500
"Hooray! Hooray!" She pouted. "Cologne will set a card and end her turn."
"We are getting chewed up here. She has two Numbers against us." 14 snarled.
"But, if you summon me with 78's effect, I can wipe them all out." 77 told him.
"Hold it, 77." 78 interrupted. "My effect is random. Even I cannot tell what Number I will summon."
"Haven't got much choice right now." Noda admitted, looking at his hand. "I activate the Spell, Sylvan Charity! I draw 3 cards, then have to place 2, including a Sylvan, on top of my Deck in any order. I choose to place Fengli the Soldrapom, then Sylvan Cherubsprout, on top of my Deck. Now, I Normal Summon Sylvan Peaskeeper!" The peapod popped open, the three peas all looking around and calling out. "Peaskeeper's excavation activates upon Summon, leting me mill Cherubsprout, whose effect Special Summons a second Cherubsprout from my Deck." The angelic sprout appeared in a flash next to Peaskeeper, the two monsters seemingly happy to see each other.
"Cherubsprout excavates 2 cards upon Special Summon, being Fengli, as well as Sylvan Komushroomo. With Komushroomo's effect, I destroy Doll Happiness, and with Fengli the Soldrapom's effect, I revive him, and halve Shogi Rook's attack." As flames engulfed and destroyed the Spell, Fengli appeared in DEF, and spat pineapple juice over the Number, making him sputter as he was reduced to 1250.
"Blegh! Dishonourable! Cheater! Biological warfare is too advanced!" He sputtered.
"I overlay 2 Level 1 Sylvan's Peaskeeper and Cherubsprout." The two LIGHT and WIND energies both fell into the portal. "With these two monsters, I build the overlay network. Xyz Summon. Appear, Number 78, Number Archive." The giant golden cylinder of books appeared. "I activate Number 78's effect. By detaching an overlay unit, I use it to summon a random Number from my Extra Deck." As 78 turned into energy, he picked the card in his Extra Deck that was glowing.
"The Number I got is...Number 14, Greedy Sarameya!" The flaming cerberus monster leapt out from its sealed form onto the field, growling at its opponents.
"Nooooo! Wrong one!" 70 cried.
"I can HEAR you, 70!" The monster growled.
"This is fine! Battle! Greedy Sarameya attacks Shogi Rook!" Greedy Sarameya roared and pounced on Shogi Rook, biting down and destroying it.
Cologne's LP: 2750
"I then activate his effect, detaching an overlay unit to destroy all monsters with less attack!" It ate one comet with one of its heads, as its other 2 breathed flames that incinerated Blackship of Corn and Princess Cologne, as well as itself.
"Why would you do that!?" She cried, when she blinked. "Huh!? Why is Fengli still there!?"
"Once per turn, when Fengli would be destroyed, I can send a Plant from my Deck to the Graveyard instead. I sent Spore to prevent its destruction." Noda explained. "And by banishing a Cherubsprout, I revive Spore as a Level 2." The puffball floated out of the Graveyard in DEF.
"No fair!" Cologne pouted childishly. "Cologne activates Xyz Reborn! So she can bring back the lovely Princess Cologne, and attach it to her as an overlay unit!" Her monster doppelganger reappeared in DEF, as the Trap orbited her as a unit.
"I set 2 cards and end my turn." Noda finished.
"Cologne's turn!" She drew. "I Normal Summon the friend to all dolls! Grandpa Demetto!" In a flash of cartoony stars appeared an old grandpa doll with 0 stats appeared, tending to a broken doll by stitching it back together. "Grandpa Demetto is so lovely, and his effect matches that! By detaching an overlay unit from me-oops! I mean Princess Cologne, 2 Doll monsters are revived as Level 8 DARK Monsters! Come back, Bear-Bear and Miss Madchen!"
As Princess Cologne's comet vanished, Grandpa Demetto got to work fixing dolls, causing 2 Graveyard portals to open up as the 'customised' monsters returned, having parts of Mr. Dragon and Rob Robot attached to them.
"Cologne overlays her Level 8 DARK Doll Monsters Bear-Bear and Miss Madchen! Xyz Summon!" The 2 purple energies instead shot into the doors of Doll House, where a cosmic portal waited, before the doors closed.
"Here comes Cologne's absolute favourite monster! Number 22! Zombiestein!"
As the doors of Doll House opened, a gigantic arm reached out, pulling out the body of a massive muscular being that should not have been possible to squeeze through the doors, now standing as tall as the Field itself, looming over everything.
"4500 attack!?" 84 shrieked in terror.
"I...protect...Cologne..." 22 groaned, trying to sound chivalrous.
"Let Cologne show you Zombiestein's effect! By detaching an overlay unit, switching him to defence, and discarding a card, I negate Fengli's effect!" Zombiestein took a knee as Cologne discarded, and fired a red beam from its eye that hit Fengli. "Then, Grandpa Demetto's effect activates, since Zombiestein detached a Normal Monster! I destroy your monster, and inflict damage to you equal to Zombiestein's Rank times 300! That's 2400 damage!" Grandpa Demetto suddenly threw needles that pierced straight through Fengli and headed for Noda.
"Trap card, Nature's Reflection!" Noda countered as a monolith rose up and absorbed the needles. "With this, you'll take all the effect damage I would have taken!" The needles then shot back out and at Cologne, stabbing into her body.
Cologne's LP: 350
"Ouch! That hurt you...you...meanie!" It almost seemed like she was holding back something much more vulgar, considering her strained face. "I-! I mean Cologne, activates the Spell Foolish Burial Goods! She sends Xyz Bento from the Deck to the Graveyard! And by banishing it, Zombiestein switches to attack position!" The giant behemoth lumbered back up to its feet.
"Battle! Zombiestein! Attack Spore! Fran-Ken!"
"Yes...Cologne..." He pulled back his fist and delivered a punch that shook the entire House of Dolls, crushing the poor little ball into nothing.
"And Princess Cologne attacks directly!" The Princess bopped him on the head with her balloon.
Noda's LP: 1000
"Cologne Sets a card and ends her turn!"
"This is difficult..." Noda admitted, staring up at Zombiestein. "Zombiestein's Quick Effect can negate any card." He then looked at Grandpa Demetto, sat on the stairs. "And with Depetto's effect, it would destroy a monster, and burn me for 2400, Zombiestein's Rank multiplied by 300." He looked at the only card in his hand; Sylvan Flowerknight. "The moment I summon a monster, I lose."
35 looked at him with her big eye. "You've got a plan, though, right?"
"Yep. My turn." He drew.
There was a pause.
"Something up?" Cologne asked, trying to hide her impatience.
Noda looked at her. "You really love it here, don't you?"
"...Huh?" She blinked in confusion. "Where did that come from!?"
"You look and talk like Princess Cologne, sure, but it's more then that. You like being Cologne, don't you?"
She blinked at him. "Um...okay. Yeah, I do, congratulations?"
37 would raise an eyebrow if it had one. "What are you doing?"
"Appealing to her." He stated openly. "You're doing the Cologne personality even though this is a private Duel, so I figured you actually liked it. I just wondered how you got roped into Number Hunting."
She giggled. "Oh, so that's it, huh?" She twirled some of her hair with a finger, staring at her own golden locks. "I do love working here, being Cologne, yeah. Number Hunting? Not as much."
Noda blinked at that. There was some sadness behind it. "Cologne...how did you get those Numbers?"
She stared at him for a moment, as if searching for something in his eyes. Then sighed. "It wasn't pretty."
"Number 86 gains additional effects depending on the number of overlay units attached to it!" Thunder Spark explained as he held up fingers one after another to demonstrate. "With one, it cannot be destroyed by battle! Two, it gains 1500 attack and defence!" The monsters body glowed as its stats doubled to 3000. "Three! It is completely unaffected by other card effects! Four! You cannot Normal or Special Summon monsters! And five! Once per turn, it can destroy all cards you control!"
"That's crazy!" Yuma yelled.
"With all five overlay units, it is invincible, we cannot summon monsters, and it can wipe our field clean." Astral stared at the monster in shock. "Such a powerful Number!"
"This is the kind of power a Number can reach! As it has five overlay units, I activate Number 86's effect, to destroy all your cards!" The Number held its golden trident up high as its five overlay units circled around it, creating a blinding light.
"Yuma! Use Number 12's effect now!" Astral gasped.
"I activate Crimson Shadow's effect!" Yuma hurriedly obliged. "By detaching an overlay unit, Ninja monsters cannot be destroyed by battle or effects this turn!" The monster cut one of its overlay units to protect itself, but Yuma's set card Damage Diet was destroyed.
"Now I will battle! Number 86 will attack Number 12! Decree of the King!" The monsters trident glowed with overflowing power, as it and Number 12 clashed.
"Why are you so silent, 86?" 12 grunted, struggling against its opponent. "Where is your usual valour?"
But the opponent said nothing as the two broke away from their clash, sending sparks that hit Yuma.
Yuma's LP: 1200
"I shall end my turn with that." Thunder Spark said.
"Yuma..." Kotori and Cathy both looked on in worry. Even they could tell this new Number was immensely powerful.
"That thing's...really strong!" Yuma hissed in pain.
"Perhaps. But it has a weakness, Yuma!" Astral declared. "Every one of our End Phases, it must lose an overlay unit. Therefore, it will keep losing effects, we must simply hold out."
"Master Yuma, my effect will save me once more next turn." Number 12 explained. "Then you can summon again and counterattack."
Yuma blinked, then smirked. "Heck yeah! We can do this! My turn!" Yuma drew and couldn't help but frown seeing it was a monster. That, and, something was on his mind.
"Hey, Thunder Spark!" Yuma called to him. "Those Numbers, 57 and 86, who'd you get them from?"
"I'm not one for idle conversation." Thunder Spark mumbled.
"Did ya get them from the other people who worked here? The ones that went missing?" Yuma insisted.
"...What's it to you?"
"Yuma, an answer like that means 'yes'!" Cathy called to him.
"That means that almost all headliners of the park had a Number card at one point." Astral figured.
"Woah, really!?" Yuma cried. "So then, why'd you go and Duel them? Weren't they your friends!?"
"Friends?" For the first time since meeting him, Thunder Spark seemed to slow down, and become thoughtful. "If we were, I wasn't a very good friend."
Yuma became curious. "What do you mean?"
"Because I selfishly sacrificed them."
"We all worked under Mr. Heartland." Cologne explained. "Me, Thunder Spark, Captain Corn, Gauche, Droite, Hishakaku. We were just headliners for the park is all. But several days ago, we each found a Number card, and everything changed."
"Heartland suddenly pitted the six of us against each other in a Duel Battle Royal." Thunder Spark continued. "He said it was, to weed out the weaklings among us and create the strongest, by absorbing the Numbers of the losers, and creating two Number Hunters from the winners. In the end, the only two left were Cologne-"
"-and Thunder Spark." Cologne looked on the verge of tears. "We were forced to take down our friends or be taken down ourselves. I got Number 50 from Captain Corn and Number 72 from Hishakaku-"
"-and I got Number 57 from Droite and Number 86 from Gauche. You remind me a lot of him, actually, with that spirit of yours." Thunder Spark's face hid his emotion, but they could all tell he was sad. "We don't know what happened to them after they lost. After that, Heartland said he would call on us when needed. So in the meantime-"
"-we've just stayed in our attractions. Ashamed." Cologne admitted. "Do you understand now? What the Number War has done to us? And even still, Heartland trusts Kaito more then the both of us combined! Like we're nothing more then toys to him!"
'Kaito...' Noda picked up on the name, but didn't comment on it.
"I didn't want any of that! I just wanted to be Princess Cologne of Heartlad Theme Park...not Heartland's puppet!" She sniffled angrily.
"Cologne...you...upset her!" Zombiestein roared.
"I'm sorry..." Noda stated.
Cologne frantically wiped her eyes. "That's why I don't want to lose, for the sake of my friends!"
"I understand. But I don't want to lose my friends either." Noda stated. "We'll both have to give it everything we've got, then!"
"Agreed!" She stated, as Noda looked at his hand.
"I set a card...and end."
"That's all?" Cologne questioned as she drew.
"Yeah." He nodded. "And it's going to make us win."
Yuma just stared at Thunder Spark after he told his tale. "Mr. Heartland did that to you?"
"Yes. He is anything other then what his name implies. He is hunting the Numbers, and is Kaito's employer."
"Kaito works for Mr. Heartland." Astral mused on this.
"Now, Yuma, you understand my motivation for winning, because I have no choice otherwise!" Thunder Spark declared. "You must understand it by now, a Numbers Duel is about eliminating the other, else you yourself die!"
Yuma stared at Astral. It was true, if he lost this Duel, he would lose so much. But this was different. Thunder Spark felt this way because of what Heartland had done to him, because he was forcefully thrown into it and not given the choice to fight for his friends like he had.
"Dueling shouldn't be about that!" Yuma argued. "Through Dueling, you can learn more about people, and enjoy it together! I've learned a lot about you through this Duel, Thunder Spark! And I reckon a guy whose job it is to entertain kids doesn't want to be fighting Duels like this!"
"Perhaps you're right." Thunder Spark cryptically admitted. "But now is not the time to think on that, now is the time to fight!"
Yuma flinched, it seemed in order to get him to slow down, he'd have to win. But the card he had just drawn was a monster, so he couldn't do anything else.
"Yuma." Astral spoke up. "You cannot Summon, but you can still Set."
"Y-Yeah! Obviously!" Yuma spoke up hurriedly, despite the unsure tone. "I set a monster, and switch Crimson Shadow to defence position and end my turn!"
"At this point, I must detach an overlay unit from 86." One of its comets vanished, making the Number lose its destruction effect, before Thunder Spark drew, then instantly pointing. "Rhongomyniad attacks Crimson Shadow!"
Yuma was startled by the instant assault. "I-I activate Crimson Shadow's effect! And since he's in defence, you can't hurt me!" His Number used its last comet as the weapons clashed in a stalemate.
"I end." Thunder Spark instantly finished.
"Crimson Shadow has no more overlay units..." Yuma mumbled.
"Do not fret, Master Yuma." The card assured him. "My stance has bought us invaluable time."
Yuma frowned slightly at that. These Numbers really were facing death for him. It reminded him of the lessons he learned at the Duel Lodge; that his monsters were his friends, and he couldn't let them down! The Numbers being alive, this only added fuel to his fire! He wasn't going to fail them! If they could hold on, so could he!
"My turn!" Yuma drew and looked at the card.
"Mirror Force." Astral stated. "Yuma, if you survive until the end of your next turn, Number 86 will be susceptible to it."
"...Susceptible?"
"...It will be able to de destroyed by it."
"I knew that!" Yuma frowned. "So if we can just last until then...okay! I end my turn! Rhongomi...uh, your Number loses another overlay unit! I can Summon again!...Right?"
"Correct." Astral nodded as Rhongomyniad was reduced to 3.
"Turn. Attack the set monster!" Thunder Spark instantly commanded, destroying the Set Dododo Bot. "End."
"My turn!" Right, if Yuma was thinking this right, the Number would lose its third overlay unit this turn, and Mirror Force would destroy it! "I set a monster and a card and end!" Number 86 lost its third comet, meaning it was no longer unaffected by other effects.
Astral nodded. Their patience had payed off and the trap was in place. Against a swarming player like Thunder Spark, Mirror Force was devastating.
"Turn!" Yuma hoped that Thunder Spark would continue his instant plays, but he actually slowed for a moment. "First, I Normal Summon Brohunder, using his effect to add Thunder Sea Horse to my hand, and discarding it to add my other 2 Pahunder's from my Deck to my hand. Then, I activate the Continuous Spell, Spirit Converter!" At that, a mechanical floating device that looked like a sun appeared on Thunder Spark's field.
"With Spirit Converter's effect, once per turn, I can attach a LIGHT Level 4 to my Xyz Monster as an overlay unit! With this, Rhongomyniad once more has 3 overlay units, and is unaffected by other card effects! I attach Brohunder to it as an overlay unit!" The monster, despite losing its electricity from DNA Surgery, became a bolt of lighting that surged into the machine. It then spun with a heavy CLANK like a clock, before shooting out a yellow overlay unit that orbited 86.
"It has 3 overlay units again!" Yuma cried.
"Rhongomyniad attacks your Set monster!" The monster thrust its spear, skewering the Set Gagaga Clerk. "End."
"Then...my turn!" Yuma hesitantly drew. "This is bad, what do we do, Astral?...Astral?"
But Astral was just staring at Thunder Spark's field in shock, with wide eyes.
"Yuma...it is perfect." Astral stated. "Every turn, he will attach a monster to Number 86, making it invincible. His Deck is designed for multiple Normal Summons, so he will have no issues with lack of monsters to call forth."
It was that feeling again. Fear. That horrible sensation that gripped Astral, made him freeze up, inhibited his rational mind and thoughts. The same thing he had felt when he stared down Kaito's Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon. Now faced with this combo that maintained an indestructible, unaffected monster, he felt hopeless.
"Astral? Astral!?" Yuma called to him, but Astral was completely frozen. "Are you really...?" Fear was now creeping into Yuma. If even Astral, who he hated to admit was a better Duelist then him, could see no way out of this, maybe they really couldn't win at all...
"Yuma!"
He snapped out of it, and turned to Kotori.
"Sometimes a Duel isn't about striking back, it's about staying strong and holding on!" Kotori recalled all the knowledge she'd gained from her lessons, and from watching everyone else Duel, to stoke Yuma's fire. "If you can't win right now, you can still endure until you can! Because that's part of Kattobingu too!"
Yuma's eyes widened. Kotori was right. Kattobingu was also about never giving up! And he couldn't give up again! Maybe he didn't have a way out right now, but he DID have a way to hold on!
"Thanks Kotori!" He smiled at her, much to her joy and Cathy's displeasure, before looking at Astral, still gripped with fear. "Astral, we're going to win this!" The spirit said nothing. Now Yuma had to keep that promise, to get the spirit to snap out of it! "Thunder Spark! I'm gonna break through Number 86! I set a monster and end my turn!"
Thunder Spark laughed. "How brazen! You really are like him. My turn! I activate the effect of my second Thunder Sea Horse! I discard it to add 2 Mahunder's to my hand, then summon my second Pahunder! Who summons my second Mahunder! And with Spirit Converter, I attach Pahunder to Number 86!" Once more his monster became a bolt that entered the machine, before emerging as an overlay unit. "I also activate my Spell, Shield Crush! This destroys your Set monster!" Yuma gasped in horror as Gogogo Golem was shattered into pieces.
"Battle! Rhongomyniad attacks Crimson Shadow!" The 2 Numbers once again clashed, except this time, the ninja was struck down.
"Master Yuma, I am honoured to have defended you for so long..." Number 12 solemnly spoke before vanishing.
"Crimson Shadow..." Yuma mumbled in disbelief.
"This is it! Mahunder attacks directly!" Thunder Spark declared as the monster charged.
"I activate my Trap, Mirror Force!" Yuma cried desperately as the card flipped up and rays of light obliterated Mahunder, but bounced off of the Number.
"A desperate play." Thunder Spark acknowledged, holding up the card in his hand that was Pahunder. "Can you keep that up, though? I'll be blunt, I'm not a fan of delaying the inevitable. I respect your passion a lot, Yuma, but you must learn admit when it ends."
Yuma looked at the 1 card in his hand. If he drew a monster, he would lose. If he drew a destruction Trap, he'd lose.
"Thanks for the concern, Thunder Spark." Yuma forced a smile on his face. "But I DON'T admit defeat! No matter how many times it takes! Even if it takes a hundred turns, I'll not give up!"
The girls cheered at Yuma's spirit, despite the fact he would Deck Out before it even got that far.
"Here goes nothing..." A shaky Yuma admittted. "Kattobingu! Draw!" He drew and looked at the card.
It was a monster.
'No...think!' Yuma pleaded with his inexperienced head. 'There must be some way...to keep going with this...!'
She tried to study his face. 2 Set cards. With Zombiestein, she can negate one of them. The cards in her hand were Mr. Dragon and Overlay Rebirth, she could replenish Zombiestein's overlay units. This was in the bag. And yet...something about this boy, screamed complete and utter confidence in this desperate defence.
She pointed forward. "Zombiestein! Attack Noda directly! Fran-Ken!" Zombiestein once more pulled back its gigantic fist, only this time aimed at Noda.
"Trap card! Back to the Front! I revive Cherubsprout!" The little angel floated out, face to face with Zombiestein's halted attack. "With its effect, I excavate 2 cards."
Cologne froze. Was he really betting it all on this? The chance of a turnaround from 2 cards!? But then again, if he did mill a Sylvan that could destroy Zombiestein, she wouldn't be able to negate it!
That fear...that horrible fear was creeping into her heart, as he reached for his Deck. This anticipation was killing her! She couldn't let this happen! She wouldn't!
"I activate Zombiestein's effect!" Cologne countered, as Zombiestein took a knee, she discarded Mr. Dragon, and the red beam hit Cherubsprout. "Grandpa Demetto's effect activates! Cherubsprout is destroyed, and you'll take 2400 damage!" Demetto threw its needles again, piercing Cherubsprout and heading to Noda.
"Second Trap! Xyz Reborn!" Noda continued. "I revive Greedy Sarameya, and attach this card to him as an overlay unit!" The cerberus leapt out of the Graveyard with a growl. "And he bounces back all effect damage!"
The Number breathed flames that incinerated the needles, and charged towards Cologne.
'...I lost.' She admitted, as she accepted her fate.
"Stop, Greedy Sarameya!"
But the flames fizzled out before they could burn her.
Cologne's LP: 0
Noda: WIN!
As the field and monsters all faded away, 78 absorbed Numbers 50, 72 and 22 into her book.
"I...lost." She trembled. "After everything...I still lost..."
"Cologne...it's true I don't understand what it is like to fight against your friends unwillingly. But I do understand what it means to be placed in a terrible situation with your life on the line." Noda told her.
"What are you talking about?" She snapped.
"One day, a friend of mine was led away by another Duelist." Noda remembered. "I saw it happen and got worried. I phoned her brother and trailed them. He led her to an abandoned building. And somehow, in the middle of their Duel, it suddenly burst into flames."
Noda turned sombre from the memory. "Both of them were panicking. I managed to remain calm, and went in to save her. The fire was so hot and the smoke was choking, but all I could think of was saving her, if she stayed there, she could die. Everything kept collapsing around us...I was so, so scared, but I had to be like I always was to reassure her. In the end, we barely escaped with our lives."
He then showed an emotion very, very rare for him; frustration. "I admit though, for a moment, I thought of just abandoning her and saving myself. Like you and Thunder Spark were forced to do. I can picture the guilt I would've felt if I had done that. It's heart-breaking."
There was a heavy silence, contrasting with the cute appearance of the room, and the warm, small fire still burning in the hearth.
"Why...would you tell me that?" Cologne breathed.
"Just...thought I should." He sheepishly admitted.
Cologne stared at him for a moment, then smiled, stood up and dusted herself down.
"I wasn't cut out for the Numbers War anyway. I'm sure Heartland suspected as much." Cologne admitted. "After all, I'm just a doll that Dr. Faker created to work here. Still, I enjoy my time here, making all the children happy and scaring all the adults. I've missed that, being all alone in here."
"Cologne?" Noda questioned.
"You told me a secret of yours, I'm just returning the favour." She stated. "Be sure to keep it, okay? Mr. Nosy."
"Promise." He agreed, as the spirits of the Numbers smiled.
"Yuma."
Said Duelist stopped, and turned to see Astral looking at him.
"Even in such a dire situation, you managed to hold on, even when I could not comprehend victory." He then looked away. "I was...afraid. Of Thunder Spark, and Kaito. And that impeded my skills as your mentor. I'm sorry."
"No worries." Yuma didn't miss a beat. "Everyone gets scared. It's a lot easier to face when you're with friends though, right? Besides, I needed some help too." He waved to Kotori and Cathy, who waved back.
Astral just smiled. "Let us win this Duel!"
"We can!?" Yuma gasped.
"Indeed. Summon the monster you just drew!"
"You got it! Come on out, Gogogo Giant!" From the card erupted a towering stone golem with 2000 ATK.
"When Gogogo Giant is Summoned, it can revive a Gogogo by switching to defence." Astral explained.
"So I can bring back Gogogo Golem!" The golem formed a defensive stance as a stocky, bulkier golem pulled itself out of the Graveyard next to it. "But even if we Xyz Summon, no Number can beat it!"
"No, we do not need a Number." Astral explained. "Xyz Summon, Yuma!"
Yuma looked confused as always for a moment, but then his face lit up. "Okay! I get it! With these two monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon!"
"Come on out! My new friend! Zubaba General!" A giant general wearing white and gold armour, wielding a giant broadsword and a red cape, rose up on Yuma's field with an intimidating presence, and 2000 ATK.
"A non-Number!?" Thunder Spark kept getting baffled by Yuma.
"I activate Zubaba General's effect! Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I equip a Warrior from my hand to it as an Equip Spell! And Zubaba General gains the combined attack of all the monsters equipped to it thanks to his effect! I'm equipping Dododo Warrior from my hand, who has 2300 attack!" Zubaba General wielded its sword with one hand, as Dododo Warrior's shield appeared on its sword arm whilst it now wielded its axe in its other hand, raising its ATK to 4300.
"Go, Zubaba General! Attack Number 86! To Arms!" The two knight monsters clashed with a furious spark of weaponry and exceptional mastery, striking at each other again and again, until General held its two weapons aloft and unleashed a bolt of lightning that electrocuted both Number 86 and Thunder Spark.
Thunder Spark's LP: 0
Yuma: WIN!
"We did it!" Yuma whooped for joy.
Astral held his hand out and absorbed Number 91, 57 and 86 from Thunder Spark. As he did, memories of a beautiful world filled his mind, one he called home. Astral World.
"Hey, Thunder Spark." Yuma offered his opponent a hand. "Great Duel."
Thunder Spark looked up at him, then tightened his rubber gloves around his hands, and accepted the help up, giving him a handshake in the process. "It was. Your spirit was so familiar, yet so undying, Yuma. I'm glad to have met you."
"Same." Yuma smiled happily, as Kotori and Cathy ran over to congratulate him. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without all of you!"
Astral meanwhile, was looking at Thunder Spark, and now with new memories, he seemed to recall something.
"Your glow feels...familiar." Astral noted.
"I suppose it should." Thunder Spark...answered!?
"Wait, you can see Astral!?" Yuma gasped.
"Just barely, and his voice sounds like whisperings." Thunder Spark admitted. "For you see, Dr. Faker infused me with power he leeched from Astral World."
"Dr. Faker? Astral World?" Yuma and the girls were lost, but Astral was listening intently.
"I offered myself up to the Doctor, having an incurable disease, and he did an experiment, that turned me into Thunder Spark." He mused. "Sadly, the results were not what he was hoping for in his own work, but he left me with Heartland, and that is how I ended up here."
"Are you gonna be okay? With Heartland?" Yuma sounded concerned.
"In all honesty? He has probably left us, now." Thunder Spark sighed. "Although, I suppose this means I should get back to doing my job. That Duel got me itching to get out again."
"That's great!" Yuma smiled. "So, you think I could try those bumper cars?"
"I'd like to give them a go as well!" Kotori added.
"Me too!" Cathy chimed in.
Thunder Spark blinked, then laughed heartily. "Sure! Why not?"
"I don't know how you guys did it, but thank you!"
The sun was now setting on Heartland Theme Park, and Cologne and Thunder Spark were out greeting guests.
"No problem at all, Dennis!" Yuma nodded. "It was a great time!"
"I suppose it was, in a way." Noda figured.
"Seriously, you guys have my VIP Pass for a year!" Dennis actually bowed. "Things are much happier around here now. Though, if what you told me is true, we've lost a good many faces here..." Everything turned sombre for a moment, until Dennis perked up. "But you still got two of them back!"
"We hope that will be enough..." Cathy mewled.
"For now though, it's getting late." Kotori lightly lectured the group. "We'd better get going."
"Let us know if anything else happens, Dennis." Yuma said.
"Will do! Thanks again you all!" Dennis waved to them as they left.
"So...Mr. Heartland." Noda spoke up.
"Who would've thought the mayor was in on this?" Kotori whispered, as if she was being overheard.
"I can't believe he'd do that to Thunder Spark and Cologne." Yuma frowned. "Or that Kaito's working for him!"
"Do you think you two will have to face HIM someday!?" Cathy gasped.
"Who knows? For now, I've gotta get some sleep." Noda figured.
"Same, actually." Yuma admitted.
Astral meanwhile stared at the passing water. 'Astral World...what does that mean for me?'
"Yargh!" All of a sudden, Number 50's spirit popped up. "I be liking this lads spirit! Much more hearty then yee, Noda!"
"Oh, is that you, 50?" 57 spoke in three sets of whispers. "You're certainly with such a calm and quite character...must be nice."
"Well, hey, if you like the other so much, why don't we trade?" Noda offered.
"Trade our cards?" Yuma questioned.
"I mean, if they wanna go with the other, why not?" Noda figured.
"Yuma, is this wise?" Astral immediately chimed in. "I have retrieved my memory from Number 57, but still, to give it up..."
"It's not giving it up, we're working together, remember?" Yuma reasoned. "And we're gonna have to if we're taking on Heartland!"
"As long as the Numbers are fine with it." Noda shrugged.
Astral pondered for a moment. "Very well. After today, I trust you, Yuma."
And just like that, the two exchanged Numbers, the spirits already looking happier with their new holders. It was a small gesture, but one that would later return to decide the outcome of the Number War.
Numbers Count
Yuma: 12, 17, 19, 34, 39, 50, 55, 61, 86, 91
Noda: 14, 22, 35, 37, 57, 70, 72, 77, 78, 84
Shark: 73
Rio: 94
