Chapter 5: Dark Pasts
The Numbers Hunt was progressing well. Yuma had reportedly obtained Numbers 11 and 16, and very recently Number 96. Noda meanwhile had found the brother Numbers 13 and 31, meaning combined they now had a quarter of the 100 Numbers.
At the same time, Rio Kamishiro was out wandering around, talking with the spirit of Number 94.
"So you can't sense Numbers like 78 can?" Rio asked.
"No." The regal transparent Number said. "78 is unique for a Number. She put it upon herself to try and keep all the others in check when we were all together."
"And you all together can really grant a wish?"
"We have the power to do so, yes."
Conversations like this had been going on for a while now. Rio found great joy in talking to someone who didn't display any idiocy like Yuma, her brother or Noda. Well, she supposed that was a bit harsh...
"You are very warm underneath all that ice, Rio. I know the feeling well."
"Hey, I have a reputation to keep up." Rio laughed lightly. "They don't call me the Ice Queen for nothing. I froze over anyone who Dueled me, including Noda when we were younger."
"Why did you never go pro like your brother?"
"Never really interested. Well that, and I couldn't beat him. Even after Dueling countless times." She huffed. "He's always had the tough edge to him. Wonder why Number 73 seems blindly loyal to him."
"73 has his reasons, I'm sure." 94 said. With a hint of knowing. "Noda has been informing you of their progress in gathering Numbers. Did you still want to participate?"
"Of course. The fact that Ryoga practically forbid me just gives me another reason to do so." She smirked. "Still, finding 100 cards is a bit more difficult then it seems."
"I suppose your brother does have a reason to worry. It is not a simple Duel after all."
"Oh, he's always been like that ever since..." The fire. In the end, nothing traumatic happened, but she still tensed up whenever she thought about it.
"Say no more." 94 nodded in understanding.
Rio also nodded. Someday she'd get over it. Right?
"Number 94."
At that, the pair stopped. A woman with icy blue hair and an equally cold stare stood opposite them, dressed in a business suit and skirt.
Rio narrowed her eyes. "That voice sounded like a-"
"Number 21." 94 answered.
The image of a woman with snow white hair and a matching dress wielding a rapier of ice appeared over the woman. "Of course you would be the first I find, 94. We are so similar after all. But as we know, you're a bit too fragile in comparison to me."
"I'd say you're far too cold." 94 retorted. "Why do you have such control over this human?"
"Her spirit has been battered and buried by the business life." 21 explained. "It was child's play to completely take her over. She was practically accepting of it."
"So you're the first Number I face, hm?" Rio adopted her icy demeanour. "How fitting. Time to test my own mettle against you all."
"How brazen! Let's see if all that confidence is for show or not! And if so, you're mine, 94!" 21 declared, as her host got out a standard model D-Pad and Duel Gazer.
"Duel Disk, set! D-Gazer, set!"
"AR Vision - Link Established."
"DUEL!"
Rio vs. Number 21 LP: 4000
"Brother, it would appear that he is cooking."
"Indeed, my brother. I wish I had a nose so I could smell."
"It smells really, really, good!"
Noda meanwhile was at home, tentatively cooking eggs. His new Numbers, 13 and 31, were watching him with 63.
"You guys are missing out, not being able to eat." Noda told them.
"We can if we have mouths!" 63 declared.
"Such a strong human doing such frivolous things is strange, brother." 13 said.
"I agree, brother. Does a warrior not need to only fight?" 31 said.
"Slow down, I'm not a warrior. Just a Duelist." Noda said as he began plating up eggs on toast for lunch. Just on the other side of the door he could hear his mum selling packs to customers. "And I've picked up on a lot of simple things. It's how you enjoy life better."
"I quite like these simple things." 57 agreed.
"Hey, 57, didn't 78 tell you the rules?"
"Sorry, sorry." 78 appeared. "Only three of us at a time, 57. It's gotten to the point where if all of us were out at once, we'd be a crowd."
"Why are you so courteous to us Numbers?" 57 questioned. "We are weapons."
"You're clearly not." Noda said as he sat at the table. "So I just treat you how I want to be treated. Doesn't matter if you're a card or not."
"I wanna try some!" 63 cried.
"Go on then." Nodaoffered, as 63 stabbed some egg white with one of his chopsticks before stuffing it in his mouth. "But, I have noticed Numbers only really talk when you're around 78."
"We can always talk. It just depends on who lets us, and who listens." 78 explained.
Noda seemed to accept that, and was about to eat when his D-Gazer rang. He turned it on to see Ryoga on his screen. "Hello Ryoga. How's Kyoji doing?"
"Really good, we're sending him off tomorrow." Ryoga nodded, but then blinked and frowned. "Don't do that. Is Rio with you?"
"Rio? No, why?"
"She said she was going to yours. I can't go out with her 'cause I'm keeping an eye on Kyoji. Can you-"
"I'll go look for her." He said, stuffing the egg-topped toast in his mouth, much to 63's disappointment. "I'll fell fer oo fent ee."
"Oh, thanks. And don't talk with your mouth full." He somehow said that both sincerely and sarcastically, before cutting the connection.
"Guess we're heading out, everyone." He told his Extra Deck, going through the door. "I'm heading out to meet Rio, mum! See you later!"
"Okay! Bye, sweetie!" She waved him out.
Concurrently, Yuma, Kotori and Tetsuo were all walking home together, the sun beginning to set.
"You really are on a roll with Number Hunting, Yuma." Kotori beamed.
"I know! And to think, Hope gained a new form!" Yuma recalled how Utopia had evolved into Hope Ray.
"Numbers get more mysterious by the minute." Astral agreed.
"Say, that new Number we got, 96, hasn't appeared at all." Yuma said. "Think we should get Noda on that?"
"I do not think that is wise." Hope's spirit then appeared. "Number 96 has always been...difficult."
"What does that mean?" Astral thought aloud.
"He's an egocentric creep!" 55 declared.
"Always belittling us supposed comrades." 86 agreed.
"Woah, that bad?" Yuma gasped.
"Talking to all your invisible friends, Yuma?" Tetsuo half-joked.
"They're saying this latest Number is nasty." Yuma said.
"What? But it was so easy for you to beat!" Tetsuo argued.
"The Numbers are all sentient, right?" Kotori spoke up. "What if that one had...a plan, or something?"
"A plan?" Yuma echoed in confusion.
"That is indeed a troubling thought." Astral admitted. "A moment, Yuma." He then disappeared into the Emperor's Key.
The inside for Astral was a vast, light blue desert, with a golden structure floating in the middle where Astral kept the Numbers. Lights always seemed to flicker up into a starry night sky as well.
"Ahoy, Astral!" 50 called, riding through the sands like an actual pirate ship. It had certainly taken to its surroundings after being traded from Noda.
Astral floated into the ark, and looked at the wall where all the Numbers floated. There in the middle was Number 96: Dark Mist.
"I was correct. It had a completely different appearance when we Dueled it in comparison to the card art." Astral mused. "What is your aim, Number 96?"
He closed his eyes and remembered. The memory he had gotten from 96. One of destruction. Of an entire city being destroyed. Yet he could not recall the city's appearance. Why did he have such a horrible memory?
"It's to remind you, Astral!"
Astral's eyes snapped open, as black tentacles suddenly emerged from the card and bound him.
"Astral!" Number 55 immediately appeared, followed by 39. "Let him go, Number 96!"
"You've ALL forgotten our purpose!" 96 yelled, as its card form emerged in front of them. "It is...DESTRUCTION!"
And suddenly, everything went black.
Yuma suddenly stopped. The Emperor's Key was vibrating. "Huh?"
"What's up, Yuma?" Tetsuo asked.
"The Key, it's-"
Suddenly, a black aura burst out of it, sending Yuma flying to the ground as it rose up and twisted together, forming into a black copy of Astral.
"Is that Astral!?" Kotori gasped, having recalled what he looked like when he briefly appeared upon Number C39's summon.
"No way!" Tetsuo couldn't believe that.
"How observant of you!" He laughed as he floated next to the floored Yuma. "I am Number 96! The strongest Number!"
"Number 96!?" Both of them gasped.
"At last, I have both Astral and the holder of the Emperor's Key under my control!" 96 laughed as Yuma was lifted to his feet, bound by 96's snake-like lower half.
"Let go of me!" Yuma tried to thrash around, but to no avail. "What did you do with Astral and the Numbers?"
"They're all under lock and key, now." 96 cackled. "Astral has been weakened enough for me to copy his power, and the other Numbers spirits are powerless before my darkness! I just needed Astral to get close enough to latch onto him!"
"Yuma!" Tetsuo called to him.
"I'm afraid Yuma will be my puppet for the foreseeable future." 96 laughed at Yuma's struggle. "With his help, I'll be collecting all the other Numbers!"
"I won't let you!" Tetsuo declared.
"Oh really?" 96 challenged. "Do you really think you can defeat ME without a Number? Do you understand how powerful we are?"
Tetsuo flinched. Because he did know, and what they could do. And something about those memories, what Number 14 made him felt, caused him to freeze up in the presence of this one.
"I didn't think so!" 96 laughed. "So if you'll excuse me-"
"Wait!"
Everyone stopped, and turned to the source of the voice.
"I'll Duel you!" Kotori declared.
"You!?" 96 howled. "You must be joking! You don't even have a Number!"
"I'm not going to just stand by and let you take Yuma!" Kotori challenged. "Or are you scared you'll lose?"
96 frowned deeply at that. "Scared? Me? Now you've done it, little girl!"
"Wait! Kotori!" Yuma called. "This guy's really dangerous! Please-"
"That's enough out of you, Yuma." Yuma's eyes suddenly blanked out, and he slumped over, yet still moved by 96's will. "And you, girl, are going to seriously regret that!"
"Duel Disk, set! D-Gazer, set!" The unconscious Yuma donned his own gear, whilst Kotori's was a light green D-Pad with a rounded red D-Gazer with a yellow lens.
"AR Vision - Link Established."
"DUEL!"
Number 96 vs. Kotori LP: 4000
"Since you had the gall to challenge me, ladies first." 96 grinned.
"My turn then. Draw." Kotori drew and studied her hand. She had to call upon everything she had learned, otherwise Yuma would be Number 96's puppet! "I Normal Summon Achacha Archer!" A man wielding a bow and arrow and wearing a metal mask with a red plume appeared with a cry of 'Achacha!' and 1200 ATK.
"Achacha Archer!? Isn't that one of Yuma's cards!?" Tetsuo gasped.
"Yes, Yuma gave it to me. And its effect now activates!" Kotori declared. "When Achacha Archer is Normal Summoned, my opponent takes 500 damage!" Achacha Archer drew an arrow that lit up with fire, before firing it straight into the chest of Number 96 instead of Yuma.
Number 96's LP: 3500
"Then, I equip Achacha Archer with United we Stand, giving him 800 attack for every monster I control!" The monsters ATK rose to 2000 from its Equip. "I end my turn at that."
"Giving a weak monster like that such a powerful Equip? Seems to me like you got a bad hand." 96 taunted, and Kotori's wince confirmed it. She couldn't let this Number get under her skin, Yuma was counting on her, and it was evident from how his lifeless body drew the card for 96. "My turn!"
"I Normal Summon Gagaga Magician!"The staple Gagaga appeared. "Then, as I control a Gagaga, I Special Summon Gagaga Child from my hand!" A young boy dressed in similar attire to Magician appeared, holding a light blue popsicle with a cheeky grin and 800 ATK. "As long as I do not activate its Level changing effect, I will not be barred from my Battle Phase!"
"It knows all of Yuma's cards!?" Tetsuo gasped.
"And again, as I control a Gagaga, I Special Summon Gagaga Clerk from my hand!" This Gagaga seemed completely different from the other two, dressed in a white coat with orange pigtails, carrying a book with her. "And I activate Gagaga Magician's effect to change it to a Level 2!"
"3 Level 2 monsters." Kotori remembered this.
"I overlay the Level 2 Gagaga's Magician, Child and Clerk!" The three monsters became two purple and one orange streams of energy that twisted into the portal. "With these three monsters, I construct the overlay network! Xyz Summon!"
"Appear, my other self! Number 96! Dark Mist!"
The sealed form of the monster was like a liquid black candle flame. But then it writhed and morphed, as white claws burst out of it with spindly legs, and flames for eyes erupted forth whilst a maw filled with fangs appeared on its chest, creating a menacing monster with only 100 ATK.
"That's Dark Mist!? It looks completely different then before!" Tetsuo cried.
"Of course! It was all to fall into Astral's hands so that I could take over him and his Numbers!" 96 revealed. "Now I shall show you my TRUE power! Black Mist shall attack Achacha Archer!"
"But he has 2000 attack!" Kotori stated.
"At this moment, I activate my other self's effect! By detaching an overlay unit, your monsters attack is halved, and Dark Mist gains that lost amount permanently! Shadow Gain!" One of the monsters purple overlay units vanished on where its number was; its forehead, before a black miasma suddenly whipped out from its mouth and enveloped the archer, halving its ATK to 1000 whilst Black Mist's rose to 1100.
"Now destroy Achacha Archer! Black Mirage Whip!" The monsters claws suddenly extended out like whips that stabbed into Achacha Archer, destroying it and making Kotori flinch.
Kotori's LP: 3900
"I end my turn at that." 96 chuckled. "Understand now what you've gotten yourself into, girl?"
"I-I've only lost 100 Life Points!" Kotori tried and failed to sound confident, making 96 laugh. "I'm not giving up! My turn!" She looked at her new card and nodded, a plan forming.
"I activate the Spell, the Warrior Returning Alive, to add Achacha Archer back to my hand, and Normal Summon him!" Once again the archer appeared, and knocked a flaming arrow. "His effect inflicts another 500 damage, which allows me to Special Summon Achacha Chanbara from my hand!" This time a swordsman wearing a kabuki mask appeared with 1400 ATK. "And you'll take an additional 400 damage!" As Archer shot its arrow, Chanbara swung its swords and sent sparks cascading over 96.
Number 96's LP: 3000-2600
"Is poking me all you know how to do?" 96 questioned, burying frustration.
"I'll show you now! I overlay my Level 3 Achacha's Archer and Chanbara!" The monsters became bright red energy that flew into the matching portal. "With these two monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon!"
"Drumroll please! It's Temtempo the Percussion Djinn!" What appeared was a cute little imp carrying several sets of red drums with a symbol of a fiendish music note on them, drumming a beat as it appeared with 1000 DEF.
"In defence? You're afraid of my effect." 96 once again taunted. "You can't stand up to me because you don't have a Number."
"I'm not done yet!" Kotori cried, but without any fire behind it. "I activate Temtempo's effect! By detaching an overlay unit, I detach another from an Xyz Monster you control, and all my Djinn Xyz Monsters gain 500 attack!"
"What!?" 96 could only watch as one of its monster self's comets was absorbed into Temtempo's left drum whilst its own went into the right drum. The monster banged on its set in joy as its attack rose to 2200.
"Nice, Kotori! If it doesn't have any overlay units, it can't use its effect!" Tetsuo cheered.
"I set a card and end my turn." Kotori finished. "Now you're going to lose your last overlay unit either through your own effect, or Temtempo's next turn."
"Think you're so clever, do you?" 96's frown was replaced by a smirk. "But in case you forgot, dear little Yuma here has several Numbers! Why do you think I waited until now to let myself get 'caught'!? My turn! I Normal Summon Dododo Witch!" A female dressed in Viking attire carrying a bird sceptre emerged from a magical portal with 1200 ATK. "And when it is Summoned, I Special Summon a Dododo from my hand! Appear, Dododo Driver!" A male Viking pulling a metal battle carriage thundered onto the field from the distance with 1800 ATK.
"Now battle! My other self shall attack Temtempo the Percussion Djinn!" 96 pointed. "Since it has only 1000 DEF, 1100 is enough to finish it, and allow Driver and Witch to attack directly!"
"I activate my Trap, Xyz Coat!" Kotori countered. "Temtempo cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects for the rest of the turn!" Temtempo donned a red cloak which it used to shield itself from Black Mist's whips.
"So you dodged that, but my real aim is this! If Dododo Driver is Special Summoned by the effect of a Dododo, twice per turn I can increase or decrease a Dododo's Level! I'll use it to increase both Witch and Driver to Level 5!" Witch took a seat in Driver's carriage as he aggressively jogged on the spot, raising both of their Levels.
"I overlay the Level 5 Dododo's Driver and Witch! With these two monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon! Serve me! Number 19! Freezadon!" What looked like a spear made of ice appeared, before it began breaking apart, and reforming into a muscular ice dinosaur with 2500 DEF.
"Number 96 you bastard!" The Number spoke in, surprisingly, the voice of a female bodybuilder. "How dare you use me like this!"
"19 can substitute her own overlay units as cost for other monsters." 96 snickered. "That means, I have more overlay units to use now, even if you get rid of all my own! There goes your strategy of getting rid of my effect!"
"Then...I'll just have to try another!" Kotori tried to retort.
"Ha! Even so, you're avoiding the real problem here; we cannot be destroyed by battle since you do not have a Number!" 96 laughed, much to 19's chagrin. "I set a card and end my turn!"
Kotori looked at the two cards in her hand; Feedback Warrior and Djinn Orchestra. Her plan had been to get rid of Dark Mist's last overlay unit, then reduce its ATK to 0 with Orchestra so Temtempo could finish him off, but now with Freezadon, that wouldn't work!
'Calm down...remember to calm down.' Kotori thought as she took deep breaths, but was still trembling. 'Remember, there's no use getting worked up. All I can do, is draw and keep playing.' But as she stared down Number 96, her resolve shook. 'It's a completely different feeling doing it yourself though...'
"I go first!" Several minutes prior to 96's plan, Number 21 drew her card using her host. "I activate the Continuous Spell, Water Hazard! Since I control no monsters, I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower WATER monster from my hand! I Special Summon Aquaactress Guppy!" A pink fish with a cane and matching bowler hat appeared in a flashy burst of bubbles with 600 DEF.
"I then activate Aquaactress Guppy's effect to Special Summon an Aquaactress from my hand. Aquaactress Arowana!" A seemingly older, violet and dark pink fish appeared dressed in pearls and jewellery and carrying a fan whilst 'smoking' a pipe of bubbles appeared with 2000 ATK. "Aquaactress Arowana's effect allows me to add another Aquaactress from my Deck to my hand. I add another Arowana, then tribute Guppy to summon it!" An identical Arowana appeared next to the first. "And I shall use this Arowana's effect to add Aquaactress Tetra to my hand."
"What a vain archetype." Rio muttered.
"I actually agree." 21 said. "But it has helped me gather two Level 6 Aquaactress Arowana's, which I will overlay!" The two fish became blue energy that swirled together. "With these two monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon!"
"I am here! Number 21! Frozen Lady of Justice!" Her spirit disappeared and reappeared as a solid monster on the field with 500 ATK. "For every overlay unit attached to myself, I gain 1000 ATK!" Her attack rose to 2500. "So naturally, I shall activate the Overlay Regen in my hand to give me another!" Now three blue comets orbited 21, raising her ATK to 3500. "I set a card and end my turn."
"As expected, she summoned herself straight away." Rio said.
"You have a plan, Rio?" 94 asked.
"Of course! My turn!" She drew. "First, I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Set card!" The staple Spell whipped up and destroyed the Set Aqua Story - Urashima. "Then I Normal Summon Blizzard Falcon!" Her staple Winged Beast appeared atop its icicle and screeched. "I then equip it with Wings of Silence to give it 300 ATK, and allowing me to activate its effect! Since its attack is higher then its original, I inflict 1500 damage to you!" The bird took flight and created four sharp icicles under its wings which it fired at 21's host, actually impacting the ground around her and throwing her back.
Number 21's LP: 2500
"Effect damage is a cheap shot." 21 hissed.
"It worked, didn't it?" Rio snapped back. "Now I activate the Spell, Star Changer, giving Blizzard Falcon an extra Level, and subsequently Blizzard Vision! By targeting a WATER monster, Blizzard Vision is Special Summoned as a monster with the same Type, Attribute and Level!" An identical monster appeared.
'Two Level 5's. Number 94 is appearing!' 21 thought.
"I overlay my Level 5 Blizzard Falcon's! With these two monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon!" The two blue energies created a blizzard as they combined.
"Please appear! Ice Princess Zereort!" What appeared from a cracking iceberg was a humanoid monster covered in armour of ice, wielding a golden sceptre with 2500 ATK.
"It's not 94!?" 21 gasped.
"This one will take you down instantly." Rio declared. "I activate Zereort's effect! By detaching an overlay unit, your attack becomes 0 until the end of the turn!" The monster absorbed one of its comets into its weapon before unleashing a blizzard that completely froze over Number 21, reducing her attack to nothing.
"So...easily!?" 21 managed to say whilst frozen.
"Ice Princess Zereort attacks Number 21! Arm Freezing!" The monster froze its own weapon over, creating a scythe made of ice which it use to strike Number 21, not destroying it, but shattering the ice around it and making both her and her Duelist crash to the ground.
Number 21's LP: 0
Rio: WIN!
"That was almost disappointing." Rio scoffed as she flicked her hair. "So that means we get Number 21 now, right?"
"Indeed." 94 agreed, so Rio walked over and found the card, picking it up.
"How humiliating." 21 lamented. "To lose so easily."
"It just means you're on a winning side now." Rio let herself giggle as she put the card in her Extra Deck.
"Nice job."
"Noda!" She gasped as he walked over. "When did you get here?"
"Right when she finished her turn. Didn't want to interrupt." He smiled. "Your brother sent me by the way."
"Honestly." She groaned in frustration. "Of course he did."
"Is that Number 78?" 21 asked.
"21, as cold as ever I see." Said Number joked.
"I didn't want to interrupt, and seriously, great as always." He nodded.
"Yeah, yeah, don't try to butter me up Mr. Number Hunter." Rio scoffed.
78 just laughed. "Welcome to the club, Rio! Actually, Dennis did mention about forming a Numbers Clu-" She suddenly paused.
"What's wrong?" Noda could now tell whenever 78 was bothered by something.
"I just got a horrible, familiar feeling." 78 narrowed her eyes in a certain direction. "Noda, this could be bad. We must investigate."
"Okay." He nodded. "You coming, Rio?"
"You kidding? I'm not going back to Ryoga just like that!" She smirked as the two headed off.
"My turn!" Kotori drew. "I activate Temtempo's effect to take your last overlay unit, 96!" Once again the two comets flew into the drums, making the monsters ATK rise to 2700.
"All you've done is given me more power to steal!" 96 sneered.
"I then set a monster...and end my turn." She finished.
"I draw! I'll start by switching Freezadon to attack position!" The monster got into a battle stance, much to its chagrin, with 2000 ATK. "And by making its original attack 1800, I Normal Summon Dododo Warrior without Tributing!" A big bulky Viking wielding an axe and shield burst out of the ground with a battle cry.
"Now to crush your defences! First, my other self will attack Temtempo again, and I activate my effect by detaching one of Freezadon's overlay units! Shadow Gain!" One of Freezadon's overlay units flew into Dark Mist, before it once again unleashed darkness that halved Temtempo to 1350 ATK and boosted its own to 2450. "Black Mirage Whip!" This time, the opposing Xyz was successfully skewered.
"Temtempo!" Kotori gasped.
"It's not over yet! Dododo Warrior will attack your set monster!" A motorbike rider flipped up on her field with 1400 DEF before being cut down by Dododo Warrior.
"Since Dododo Warrior battled Rai Rider, it can no longer attack!" She hurriedly explained.
"Is that really the best you can do?" 96 pointed at her. "Freezadon! Attack her directly!"
"Damn you, 96!" She roared before she was forced to breathe a blizzard over Kotori, knocking her down.
Kotori's LP: 1900
"But I'm not done! I activate my Trap, Call of the Haunted, to revive Dododo Driver!" The monster pulled itself up out of the GY portal, still carrying its carriage. "Now, another direct attack!" The monster charged forward and rammed Kotori, knocking her down.
Kotori's LP: 100
"Kotori!" Tetsuo cried.
"I'll end my turn at that." 96 snickered, now having 4 monsters on his field. "Are you starting to realise it yet? Our declarations aren't founded on empty words, idiot! We are Numbers! Created to destroy and win! Made specifically for war! Mere humans cannot truly grasp our potential!"
Kotori struggled back to her feet. This was really, really, bad. She didn't have much left, and she was facing down such a horrible situation. Yuma was out, Tetsuo was scared, and so was she. She didn't know if-
"Kotori." She blinked, then turned to see Noda and Rio standing there. "You okay?"
"Noda...Rio..." She breathed.
"Noda! I know all about you." 96 called to him. "Which means...are you listening, 78!?"
"Of course its you, 96." 78 had actual hatred in her voice, which was new for Noda. "How awful to see you again."
"Great, now Noda's party is here to see my humiliation!" Freezadon growled. "To think 96 became this corrupt...!"
"Ah yes, always afraid to see me, aren't you? Your greatest shame!" 96 cackled amusingly. "Just wait your turn. After I'm done with this little girl, I'll be taking all of you!"
Noda and Rio, meanwhile, were completely uninterested, instead, grouping around Kotori. Rio said "Are you alright?"
"No." Kotori whimpered, on the verge of tears. "I...Rio, Noda, I don't know if I can do this! But he has Yuma and I...I just wanted to..."
"The Duel isn't over yet, Kotori." Noda told her. "Remember, this is Duel Monsters. Every drawn card is a chance for a comeback. Giving up before you know you've lost completely means giving up your chance. All you can do is continue until the end."
"He may seem intimidating, but he's just another monster." Rio added. "And every monster has a weakness that you can overcome!"
"Confident, aren't we?" 96 listened in and commented. "Making such claims against the strongest of all Numbers!"
"Strongest?" Noda echoed, using his D-Gazer to check the field. "With just a simple attack gaining effect, no protection, removal, or even secondary effects? I can think of several Numbers better then you."
"What did you just say!?" 96 instantly exploded with anger. "How dare you!?"
"Sounds like someone has an inferiority complex." Rio taunted him.
"Inferiority!? Don't bullshit me! I've overpowered every Number in the Emperor's Key!"
"But that's because you leeched off of Astral, isn't it?" 78 challenged him, making him grit his teeth even harder. "Ever since that time, you've always been so up your own ass, 96."
"Shut up! SHUT UP! I don't want to hear that coming from you!" 96 roared.
"See? He's not that tough." Noda chuckled. "Just draw your card and go from there, Kotori."
Kotori sniffled, then wiped her eyes. "Okay...yes!" She turned back to Number 96. "I have to remember it, too! Kattobingu! I draw!" Her eyes widened instantly as she saw the card, then planned in her head. "I can do it! "
"What are you saying!?" 96 demanded in rage.
"Go for it." Rio prompted.
"I Normal Summon Crane Crane!" A mechanical bird descended onto Kotori's field. "With its effect, I revive the Level 3 Rai Rider!" The monsters head extended down into the GY portal and pulled out the monster, motorbike and all. "I overlay the Level 3 Crane Crane and Rai Rider! With these two monsters, I build the overlay network! Xyz Summon!"
"Our backing pianist! It's Humhumming the Key Djinn!" What appeared was a little female imp with purple pigtails playing a piano with 1100 ATK. "When Humhumming is Special Summoned, I can revive a Djinn Xyz Monster from the Graveyard, so come back, Temtempo!" With a drumroll, the other Djinn returned next to Humhumming. "Then I can attach up to two cards from my hand to it as overlay units, so I'll attach the Feedback Warrior in my hand." An orange comet once again orbited Temtempo.
"So now I can activate Temtempo's effect, to detach an overlay unit, take Freezadon's, and increase all my Djinn's attacks by 500!" Once more the drummer played frantically, boosting itself to 2200 and Humhumming to 1600.
"So it can attack directly, bypassing the Numbers." 96 mumbled as he read Humhumming's effect. "But I'll still have Life left!"
"Actually, my plan is this." Kotori revealed the last card in her hand. "I activate the Spell, Djinn Orchestra! All monsters you control have their attack reduced by the combined attack of my Djinn Xyz Monsters until the End Phase!" Suddenly, multiple copies of Temtempo and Humhumming all appeared behind them. "Play out! Djinn Orchestra!" All of the copies began playing together, making everyone cover their ears as the ATK of all of 96's monsters were reduced to 0.
"This...can't...!" 96 shook with fear and disbelief. "I can't lose! I CAN'T!"
"Temtempo attacks Dark Mist! Drumming Sonic!" The monster banged its drums loudly, creating shockwaves that battered Dark Mist, and even though it wasn't destroyed, Number 96 screamed in pain from its other self being hit.
Number 96's LP: 400
"And Humhumming also attacks Dark Mist! Key Stream!" The monster played its piano beautifully, creating a wave of sound that shot straight into the monster, and caused the spirit to get sent flying back and into the dirt.
Number 96's LP: 0
Kotori: WIN!
"You did it, Kotori!" Noda clapped.
"I...did it...I DID IT!" She cheered loudly.
"Woah...when did Kotori get so strong?" Tetsuo stared in bafflement.
"Oh! Yuma!" She suddenly realised as she ran over to him, now free from 96's control. "Are you okay!?"
"...Mmmmm." Yuma mumbled, then he suddenly shot up. "Kotori! You did amazing!"
"R-Really!?" She suddenly became red and flustered from Yuma being so close to her.
"I could, like, feel the whole thing happening! You Dueled so awesome!" It was as if Yuma had just woken from a nap, and not from being controlled. "Thank you, Kotori!"
"How do you feel, Yuma?" Tetsuo asked.
"Like waking up from a bad dream." He admitted, then he jumped up. "Wait! Astral!"
"I am here, Yuma." The spirit materialised. "I was also trapped. But Kotori managed to free us."
"At least you weren't being used like some puppet!" Freezadon's spirit spat. "Brought back ugly memories. And not a word, Volca!"
"I wasn't going to say anything, Freeza."
"Damnit...!" All attention was now drawn to the spirit of 96, writhing on the ground. "How could...a little girl beat me!?"
"Seems like you're not as strong as you think you are." Rio said.
"Kotori was way stronger then you!" Yuma backed her up.
"Fine! I'll admit...she was strong...very strong...meaning she is perfect for me!" 96 suddenly lashed out at her.
"That is NOT happening!" Suddenly, the dark Number was pushed back with a hiss, as the spirits of Numbers 78, 39, 19, 55, 37 and 77 all stood to appose him.
"You are certainly devilish as ever, Number 96." Hope spoke sternly with folded arms, like that of disappointment.
"Not cool, ya asshole!" 55 compained.
"You all...! You're just denying the inevitable! Rejecting what you were MADE for!" 96 growled.
"No." Astral spoke up. "If there is something I have learned, it is that the Numbers are NOT just weapons! 96, you are going back into the Emperor's Key, and being locked away!"
"Like hell I'll let you put me back!" 96 suddenly dissolved into a shadow, and slithered away with shocking speed. "I'll get you all for this! Mark my words!"
"Wait!" Yuma tried to give chase.
"It is no use, Yuma." 78 told him. "He has a knack for slipping away into the shadows. Since Kotori was not a Number Holder, he wasn't weakened enough."
"So we're supposed to just let him run free in Heartland!?" Yuma gasped.
"She is right, Yuma." Astral agreed. "There is no doubt we will face Number 96 again. And it will be the deciding factor."
"To think there is a Number like that..." Noda thought aloud.
"He was always the bad egg among us." 78 sighed. "I feel like I never should have-"
"Given him sentience, yes?" They all turned to Astral. "The memory I gained from Numbers 11 and 16 was that of using the Numbers like tools, ergo there was a time when they weren't alive. That was your doing, yes?"
"How smart of you, Astral." 78 snarked. "I am the Number Archive, it is my job to govern the other Numbers. So when I gained such a power, I had to share it with my fellows."
"In a way, I am glad you did." Astral remarked, making 78 look at him. "Now we feel we have so many on our side, it is quite comforting. Having them be just weapons now feels, unjustified."
78 blinked at him, then finally admitted. "You've changed, Astral..."
"Woah! You got a Number too, Shark sis?" Yuma gasped.
"It's Rio!" She snapped coldly. "And yes, I'm helping you out. Be thankful and REMEMBER MY NAME."
"The Numbers Club is doing good work." Noda said.
"Yeah, Dennis did mention that." Kotori nodded.
"Guess that makes it official, then?" Tetsuo asked.
Noda blinked. "Oh, I thought it already was."
Rio just sighed.
"Well let's do it now then! Dennis and Cathy can join in later!" Yuma grinned with his usual headstrong attitude, as they all put their hands in. "To hunting down 96, and all the other Numbers!"
"Numbers Club!" They all cheered.
Numbers Count
Yuma: 11, 12, 16, 17, 19, 34, 39, 50, 55, 61, 86, 91
Noda: 13, 14, 22, 31, 35, 37, 57, 70, 72, 77, 78, 84
Rio: 21, 94
Shark: 73