Chapter 8: Welcome to the Duel Carnival
It was a quiet morning in Heartland City. A calm before the storm almost. For today was the day the World Duel Carnival was beginning. This was the event so many had been waiting for, where so many plans would be put into motion and dream of coming to fruition after waiting for so long. This was to decide the fate of the Numbers.
As such, there was a crackling of energy, as a red and purple portal opened up in an alleyway, and two figures stepped out before it closed behind them.
"So this is Heartland, huh?" One of them said.
"Where the World Duel Carnival will be. Where the Numbers will be." The other nodded.
Then they looked at each other.
And screamed.
"A-Alito!?"
"Girag!?"
"Why the hell do you look like a human!?"
"So do you! Are these the 'restrictions' Durbe was talking about!?"
"Well if he did, he could've been a bit clearer! I mean, you look so scrawny!"
"And look at your nose! And those lips!"
The two just stared at each other in bewilderment. Both had tanned skin, but very different builds. The shorter one wore a dark red collared shirt with white bottoms and golden rings on his fingers, whilst the taller, bulkier one wore a fitting Heartland second year uniform with golden braces that had wings on its back, with accentuated lips and a green mohawk.
"Wow, humans can be ugly." Girag, the big one, mumbled.
"You're telling me!" Alito, the small one, said. "Man, I feel so weak! Guess it's true, we can't use most of our power here...guess you're gonna be dead weight, buddy."
"Ha ha." Girag huffed. "At least we'll blend in now. I guess."
Alito looked out the alleyway and saw nobody around, so they both stepped out. "You remember the plan, right?"
"What do you take me for?" Girag complained. "Enter the WDC and get all of the Numbers from it, right?"
"Just checking. Durbe made sure to wait until this moment. Looks like Vector actually contributed something after all, with all the info he got from Dr. Faker." Alito mused.
"I don't trust Vector as far as I can throw him." Girag mumbled.
"None of us do." Alito frowned. "Gotta do what we gotta do, though. And what we're gonna do is win this thing and get the Numbers!"
"Right. Let's go get signed up, then split up and get to the next round." Girag nodded, as they both began walking.
"La la la la~ Lalalalalala~"
Noda, 63 and 29 listened peacefully to the playing of Number 76, Harmoniser Gradielle as she played on her keyboard sword. The Duelist was rebuilding his Deck in preparation for the WDC whilst listening.
"Woooooo!" 63 clapped. "You're amazing, 76!"
She giggled. "It's the least I could do for freeing me from Kaito's hold."
"Nyah, that was not a fun time." 29, Mannequin Cat agreed as Noda stroked her behind the ears.
"Arguably though, Kaito didn't know about it." He whispered to them. It didn't excuse things but still...
29 then tagged out for Number 10, Illumiknight. "What matters right now, Noda, is that the World Duel Carnival shall be beginning today!"
"Yeah..." Now that school was on break, the WDC was beginning, and after some thought, there was no doubt that Kaito was right. This was what was going to draw all the Numbers together. It was likely this was some kind of plan by Heartland to round them all up.
"Breakfast is served!" Frieda declared as she plated him up some bacon, beans and chips, which was what 63 was waiting for as Noda cut off small slices of each to give to the hungry little Number, as he had gotten used to doing. "Soooo, I hear you're going to be entering the WDC starting today, hm?"
"Yep. Did Rio tell you?"
"Actually, it was Yuma! Said you were all entering together! I think that's lovely!" She beamed. "I'm sure Honey will keep an eye out for you."
"Mm." Noda agreed with a full mouth, as a satisfied 63 tagged out for 20.
"We're gonna win!" 20 spoke in a skittish manner, clicking its mandibles. "And beat Astral and Kaito!"
"Hopefully." Noda whispered again as his mum was now busy with something else as usual.
"How realist." 10 scoffed.
"Registration is at Heartland Tower, correct?" 76 mused.
"Yeah. We're all going to head over there as a group to get signed up." He explained in between bites.
"The Numbers will be all ours! Oursoursours!" Number 56, Gold Rat also chimed in.
"Ignore him." 10 dismissed the greedy Number.
"Well, let's go see, shall we?" Noda smiled lightly as he stood up. "After we wash up of course."
A lot of the Numbers moaned at that.
Ryoga sat in his bed. Just, lying there. The hospital had discharged him very quickly for his miraculous recovery, but he only had one thing on his mind right now.
He had lost. So easily. After boasting to himself about protecting everyone too. Kaito didn't even have to put in much effort to finish him. And Rio, Noda, and Yuma had to come to HIS rescue. It made him feel shameful.
The WDC was starting today. Rio had already said she was entering. Was he? He should, for her sake, get back out there. But a part of him was unsure. His anti-Number strategy had failed when it had really counted, and there was no doubt there would be more Number users participating. Could he match up to them? Or was his power just...not enough?
At that moment, his D-Gazer rang. He picked it up. "Hello?"
"Hey, Ryoga. It's me."
"Kyoji. How are you feeling?"
"Better, thanks. With the WDC happening everybody has high spirits over here. We're setting up little mock tournaments with each other and the kids. It's getting my spirits in a good mood at least."
"That's great, Kyoji."
"What about you, Ryoga? Are you entering the WDC?"
"I..." He sat up. "I don't know, Kyoji. I don't know if it's...for me." That was a lie.
"Seriously? You gotta join!" Kyoji insisted. "You're the strongest Duelist I know! I reckon you're a shoe in to win!"
Ryoga clenched his free fist. He wasn't strong. "I don't know, Kyoji..."
"If nothing else, it'll be great to test yourself, and become even better. I reckon things have changed since you were a Pro Duelist." Kyoji mused. "I did what you suggested and looked into Pro Dueling, and it's a ton different then what you said. But c'mon! If anybody can adapt to Dueling, it's Shark, right?"
Ryoga thought about that. Adapting. Right...he had been so stubborn in his own Dueling, that he had rejected the Numbers outright, and that had caused him to lose. Whereas Noda, Yuma and even Rio had used Numbers, and managed to defeat Kaito. Was that his fault? Was he too deep rooted in his own strength he had refused to change and accept new forms of it? Did he...need Numbers?
"Well, I hope to see you on TV at least." Kyoji chuckled. "I gotta get going, still got stuff to set up. You take care too, okay, Ryoga?"
"I will. Thanks, Kyoji." Ryoga said as he ended the call.
He sat there for a moment. Then he took out Number 73. which Rio had given back to him.
"Hey. You there?" He asked the card.
"Always, Ryoga." The spirit appeared before him. "What is it you wish?"
"I...need power." He admitted. "Power to protect Rio, not the other way around. Power to find Thomas. Power to win! I-" He swallowed his pride. "I need your power. The power of the Numbers."
"I have been waiting for you to say that." He said. "You have my power, of course. Our Number Hunt now begins." The spirit then vanished.
"Yes..." Shark stood up, a look in his eyes. "Time for my Number Hunt."
"Heeeeeeeeey! Noda! Rio!" Yuma and the group of Kotori, Tetsuo, Dennis and Cathy waved to them as the two headed over.
"Morning, Numbers Club." Rio greeted them.
"Where's Shark?" Yuma wondered.
"Who knows?" Rio muttered. "After we got back from the hospital he's kept to himself. And I'm not gonna go poking him if he's sulking about it. He misses entering? That's his problem."
"Who IS entering, then?" Noda asked.
"Me, obviously!" Yuma grinned.
"I shall be performing too." Dennis bowed. "Hopefully, I'll be able to make my televised debut with this!"
"I'm having a crack at it, too. Don't know how good I'll be though." Tetsuo admitted.
"Same here." Kotori said. "I'm still new at this, but I figured, I can't cheer you guys on if I'm not Duelling right there beside you!"
"As everyone else was entering, I decided to give it a try as well." Cathy mumbled.
"Guess that decides that, then." Rio figured. "Come on then, let's all go get registered."
As the six participants all signed their names at the desk, they were each given a golden bangle in the shape of a heart, as well as a red crystal.
"That is a Heart Piece." The woman at the desk explained. "When you defeat another Duelist in the Carnival, you take one of their Heart Pieces. When you have a complete heart, you qualify for the final rounds."
"How unique!" Dennis approved, fitting his piece into it.
"So just get enough pieces to make a heart, then." Noda said as they all held up their heart frames.
"Let's all do our best to reach the finals!" Yuma nodded to them all.
"Right. Let's go, Numbers Club!" Dennis announced, making them all cheer.
"I'm gonna find somebody to Duel right now!" Yuma announced as he ran off.
"Wait, Yuma!" Kotori cried as she, Tetsuo and Cathy gave chase.
"You not going as well?" Rio asked Dennis.
"I'm a bit of a solo performer when it comes to my own Dueling." Dennis sheepishly admitted. "Though I wouldn't mind accompanying you two just on the first day? We have three days after all."
Noda looked at Rio to get her approval, making her roll her eyes. "Sure, why not."
"Marvellous! Shall we go, then?" Dennis beamed as he led the way out.
"Alright!" Yuma cried as he leapt forward. Already Duelists around him were competing with each other, and it was getting him pumped! "Who should I Duel first? There's too many people to choose from!"
"You're really excited, huh, Yuma?" Cathy said, sporting a sharp smile.
"He's in his element, here." Tetsuo laughed.
"If you have difficulty deciding, Yuma, perhaps we should seek out a Number Holder?" Astral suggested.
"But that could take forever, finding them is so tricky." Yuma mumbled, when suddenly something caught his eye. "Hey, what's going on over there?"
The group was immediately drawn to a Duel already in progress. Putting on their D-Gazers, they checked the current conditions.
Turn 2
Shobee LP: 4000
Hand: 0
Field: Digvorzhak, King of Heavy Industry, ATK Position.
Alito's LP: 800
Hand: 3
Field: Empty.
"How do you like the overwhelming power of my Heavy Machinery Deck?" Shobee, the boy with spiked up yellow hair boasted.
"I'll admit you pack quite a punch." Alito, the young man with black hair similar to Shark's covering one eye grinned, despite just taking a heavy hit. "Now let me show you mine!"
"He's not in a good position." Astral noted.
"Are you interested in this Duel, Yuma?" Kotori asked him.
"Yeah! This looks like a good one!" Yuma smiled. Something about seeing such a high ATK monster really flared him up.
"My turn!" Alito drew. "I Normal Summon Battlin' Boxer Switchitter!" A cyborg boxer with a metal right hook appeared on his field, with some practice jabs. "When Switchitter is Normal Summoned, I can revive a Battlin' Boxer! So he's coming back into the ring! Battlin' Boxer Headgeared!" A boxer with red gloves and a matching head protector appeared with 1000 ATK.
"I overlay my Level 4 Battlin' Boxers Headgeared and Switchitter!" The two monsters became fiery red energy that dove into the matching portal. "Xyz Summon! Introducing! Battlin' Boxer Lead Yoke!" What appeared was a barbarian completely bound in heavy metal and wooden equipment, limiting its strength to an original ATK of 2200.
"Now, by detaching an overlay unit from Lead Yoke, I can Special Summon Battlin' Boxer Shadow from my hand!" What looked like a ninja boxer appeared next to Lead Yoke, leaping up and punching one of its red comets, destroying it, almost instantly before standing on the field. "And here's the best part. Whenever Lead Yoke loses overlay units, he gains 800 ATK!" Suddenly, the monster shattered one of its bindings with pure strength alone, boosting it to 3000 ATK.
"Even so, none of your monsters can defeat Digvorzhak in terms of attack!" Shobee boasted.
"Think so?" Alito grinned. "I activate the Spell, Oni-Gami Combo! By detaching all of Lead Yoke's overlay units, he can attack twice this turn! And since he lost another overlay unit, he gets another 800 attack!" As the monsters second comet vanished, Lead Yoke shattered all of its bindings, flexing its doubled muscles as it roared with 3800 ATK.
"N-No way!" Shobee gasped.
"Go, Lead Yoke! Give Digvorzhak your right hook!" The monster charged forward and delivered a devastating punch, instantly destroying the giant heavy machinery monster.
Shobee's LP: 3400
"And now for the left hook! Direct attack!" The monster instantly swung with its other fist, punching Shobee right in the gut and sending him literally flying across the ground.
Shobee's LP: 0
Alito: WIN!
"Looks like I win this round." Alito said as he took off his D-Gazer.
"Wow, he's good." Cathy marvelled.
"That was awesome!" Yuma cheered. Just watching that Duel had got him all fired up.
"I can't believe I'm out instantly..." Shobee complained as he handed over his only Heart Piece.
"Sorry, kid. You got the power part down, but you still need some strategy." Alito told him.
"Hey!" He was suddenly caught off guard as he turned to see Yuma pointing at him. "I've decided! You're gonna be my first opponent!"
"...And who are you?" Alito asked in confusion.
"I'm Yuma Tsukumo!" He pointed at himself with a smile. "And I wanna Duel you!"
'Yuma Tsukumo!?' Alito thought. THAT Yuma Tsukumo!? But no doubt, that was the Emperor's Key around his neck! To think he'd run into him this soon! This was either very lucky or very unlucky!
"Uh...you okay?" Yuma asked as Alito just looked shock.
"Ah! Sorry, you just kinda caught me off guard! And that's rare for me!" Alito laughed. "I'm Alito. Why do you wanna challenge me?"
"I just watched your Duel, and your monsters got me all pumped up!" Yuma admitted. "I just feel like I wanna Duel you!"
'What a straightforward honest kid.' Alito laughed in his head. 'How can someone like this be the Astral World's chosen one? Then again...' He glanced around for any signs of Astral, but found none. 'If Astral is working with him, there's a chance-'
"Hold it! I'M going to be Yuma's first opponent!"
"Cathy!?" Yuma gasped at the cat girl as she suddenly leapt in front of him. "You wanna Duel?"
"Yes, Yuma!" She insisted. "I've decided that I'm going to Duel you first, got it!?"
Alito actually frowned at that. "Hey kid, actually we're-"
"I accept!" Alito now looked bewildered at Yuma, who then rubbed the back of his head, sheepishly. "Heh, heh, sorry, Alito. I know I said I'd Duel you...but if she wants to Duel me, I can't turn that down. Besides, she's a friend." Cathy seemed to fume at being called Yuma's friend.
"Oh, never back down from a challenge, huh?" Alito found himself smirking at that. "I get it. How about I watch, then after we can Duel?"
"Sounds great! Yuma agreed.
'This way, I can see his strategies, and figure out a way to beat him.' Alito thought. Maybe it was a bit too underhanded for his tastes, but the fate of his world was on the line here.
"Okay then, let's have a fun Duel, Cathy!" Yuma declared.
"D-Gazer, set! Duel Disk, set!"
"AR Vision - Link established."
"DUEL!"
Yuma vs. Cathy LP: 4000
Dennis, Rio and Noda were also looking for Duelists to challenge.
"Why not just ask anyone? there's plenty to choose from." Rio pointed out.
"Rio!" Dennis cried, as if offended. "Your first Duel in a tournament is also an important one! It is your declaration that you are here! You must truly make an impact! Show a Duel that screams 'I am here, world'!"
"...Sure." She gave up.
"Hey, look at that one over there." Noda spoke up, pointing to a Duel.
"Are there Numbers?" 70 wondered.
"Just looks interesting." Noda figured, as they all put on their lenses to analyse it.
Turn 1
Yasai's LP: 4000
Hand: 1
Field: Tomato King in ATK Position with 3200 ATK, Tamatopult Continuous Spell, Tamato Paradise Field Spell
III's LP: 2800
Hand: 5
Field: Empty
"What's with all the tomatoes?" Rio wondered, looking at the field of floating tomatoes.
"He must really love them." Noda figured.
"I end my turn." The round man with a sun hat, Yasai, said.
"Good work. My turn, now." III, the opponent dressed in regal red and white clothes with soft orange hair drew.
"Doesn't look too impressive." Rio said.
"Ah, let us see." Dennis also became interested.
"First, as you control monsters and I do not, I Special Summon Chronomaly Crystal Bones from my hand." A headless skeleton made entirely of blue crystal rose up out of the ground. "Then I can Special Summon a Chronomaly from my hand or Graveyard, like my Chronomaly Cabrera Trebuchet from my hand." This time what looked like a stone anvil of orbs with three arms appeared.
"Chronomaly?" Rio thought. "I remember that from somewhere..."
Noda checked his Duel Disk, using his internet search feature. "They're a collection of artefacts that theoretically shouldn't exist because of technology at the time, but do."
"My my, what kind of Duelist uses such cards?" Dennis mused.
"I activate Cabrera Trebuchet's effect. By tributing Crystal Bones, I reduce the attack of Tomato King to 0 until the End Phase." The arms of the device grabbed Crystal Bones and crushed it into a ball, before launching it at the Xyz Monster, making the giant red tomato monster shrink down to a cute little monster made out of joined tomatoes.
"I then banish Crystal Bones to activate the Spell Chronomaly Technology, looking at the top 2 cards of my Deck, then adding one to my hand whilst sending the other to my Graveyard." III drew and revealed them. "I shall send Chronomaly Tula Guardian to my Graveyard, and add Chronomaly Golden Jet to my hand, which I shall now Normal Summon." This time an odd ancient shuttle flew down, completely made of gold. "With Golden Jet's effect, I increase the Levels of my Chronomaly monsters by 1." Both Trebuchet and Golden Jet became Level 5.
"I overlay my Level 5 Chronomaly's Cabrera Trebuchet and Golden Jet. Xyz Summon! Reveal yourself! Chronomaly Vimana!"
For a moment, the field was empty. Then Noda looked up, and tapped Rio's shoulder, causing his friends to follow suit. Floating in the sky of Tomato Paradise was a giant, literal city lifted by propellers with glowing golden energy seemingly making it hover.
"That's a big monster." Rio stated.
"Quite the impression indeed." Dennis agreed.
"With Vimana's effect, I can increase its attack by half the attack of a Chronomaly in my Graveyard, then attach that Chronomaly to it as an overlay unit. I choose the 1800 attack Tula Guardian. Will Chariot!" The city glowed golden as it gained a third golden comet, and its power became 3200 as Tula Guardian appeared inside of the hole atop its palace, as if it were powering it.. "I then activate the Continuous Spell, Chronomaly Pyramid Eye Tablet, giving my Chronomaly's an additional 800 ATK." Now its power was a perfect 4000.
"Battle! Chronomaly Vimana shall attack Tomato King! Century of Ingenuity!" The floating castle glowed golden for a moment, before a giant stalactite fell from it and pierced right through the tomato, making it explode into sauce.
Yasai's LP: 0
III: WIN!
"Aw, shucks, I lost! And on my first Duel too!" Yasai sighed, handing over his Heart Piece.
"Maybe your WDC journey has ended, but your dream hasn't." III praised him. "I'm sure you'll be able to make your Tomatopia vision a reality."
Yasai smiled at that. "Thanks, III. You ain't that bad. So make sure ya keep winning, y'hear?"
"I hear." He smiled as he waved him off.
"How kind." Dennis smiled, as Noda went over.
"Hello." Naoki called to III. "We were watching your Duel. That was pretty impressive. "
"Oh, really? How embarrassing." III giggled. "But thank you, that's very kind of you. You may call me III."
"Noda." He didn't question it as they shook hands. "These are my friends Rio and Dennis."
"Your monsters were a marvel to watch." Dennis complimented.
"I like your attack affecting strategies." Rio said. "And...um...your hair?" She was not good at small talk.
"Oh, thank you." III smiled. "Are you three also competing?"
"Yes!" Dennis exclaimed. "We have only just begun, though."
"I see. Well, I wouldn't want to challenge you if you only had one Heart Piece. I feel bad enough winning that Duel just now." III admitted. "I'm entering the tournament as well! With my family! My father, and us three brothers."
'...Brothers?' All three of them thought in unison.
"You thought I was a girl, didn't you?" III giggled.
"W-Well...you're a very pretty boy." Rio huffed, flustered.
"Thank you!" III's eyes seemed to sparkle. "You're all so nice. Perhaps we could all make it to the finals."
"That would be nice." Noda nodded. "Maybe you could join us for a bit, III?"
"Really? I wouldn't be too much trouble, would I?" He asked.
"Not at all!" Dennis agreed.
"Rio?" Noda prompted.
"Sure, what's one more?" She agreed. No use going against Noda's puppy eyes if Ryoga crumbled under him.
"Thank you so much!" III smiled. "If you want, I know a place where several Duelists are planning to gather in order to Duel each other. I can lead the way!"
"Thank you, III." Noda agreed, as the four set off.
"I'll go first!" Cathy declared. "First, I activate the Spell, Inviting Cat, to add Stray Cat from my Deck to my hand, which I'll Normal Summon!" What appeared was a simple white cat facing away from Yuma, wagging it's tail with 100 ATK. "When Stray Cat is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon another one from my hand!" A second Stray Cat, this time grey, appeared. "I end my turn there."
"My turn! Draw!" Yuma drew, as Astral appeared.
"Our first Duel in the Carnival is certainly an interesting one." Astral said, looking at his friend/opponent.
'There you are, Astral!' Alito thought, glaring. 'So then, let's see how you act with him at your side, Tsukumo!'
"Definitely." Yuma laughed, looking at Cathy. "But that doesn't mean I'm gonna hold back!"
"Of course. We certainly cannot afford to lose the first Duel." Astral agreed. "Do you need my assistance?"
"I wanna make my own moves to start off." Yuma told him. "I'm Dueling in a big event now, so I gotta go at it myself to start with!" Astral nodded at that, choosing to watch for now. "I Normal Summon Zubaba Knight!" The golden knight emerged with a cry of 'Zubaba!' and 1600 ATK.
Yuma then began to strain. He was SO tempted to battle immediately! But Cathy summoning 2 monsters with 100 ATK was fishy. He needed to think about this. They could summon another copy...and other monsters couldn't be targeted for attacks...so that meant...SO THAT MEANT...!
"I can't attack!" Yuma declared victoriously.
'...Did he just take half a minute to figure that out!?' Alito cried in his head. THIS kid was so dangerous!?
"So...then...I equip Axe of Fools to Stray Cat! It gains 1000 attack, but it loses its effects!" The silver axe embedded itself in the ground next to the grey cay, boosting it to 1100 ATK. "Now I can attack! AND during my Standby Phase, you'll take 500 damage!" Yuma looked quite proud of himself for the strategy.
"Let's battle! Zubaba Knight attacks the other Stray Cat! Zubaba Sword!" The knight slashed with both of its swords, making a Z-shaped slash that destroyed the cat, that hissed with a demonic face at being destroyed.
Cathy's LP: 2500
"Alright!" Yuma cheered at his tactics paying off.
"When Stray Cat is destroyed..." Cathy interrupted him. "I can Special Summon Monster Cat from my Deck." Replacing the small cat was a giant vision of a purple monstrous beast with 0 ATK. "And since it was Special Summoned by Stray Cat's effect, all your Level 4 or lower monsters are destroyed, and you take 800 damage for each!"
"What!?" Yuma gasped as the cat roared, destroying Zubaba Knight.
Yuma's LP: 3200
"Man, I didn't see that coming..." Yuma admitted.
"To be fair, you remembered you can equip Axe of Fools to your opponents monster this time." Astral offered.
"Not helping!" Yuma cried exasperated at him, looking back to his hand. "I set a card and end my turn!"
"He's got more guts then brains." Alito said, despite having a small smile on his face.
"That's Yuma to a T." Tetsuo chuckled.
Alito nodded. "Now it's round 2."
"My turn!" Cathy drew. "First, I activate Monster Cat's effect to add Stray Cat from my Graveyard to my hand, which I will Normal Summon, allowing me to Special Summon my third Stray Cat from my hand!" The white cat returned, followed by a ginger cat. "Then I activate the Spell Double Summon, allowing me to Normal Summon Stray Cat Girl!" This time, a small neko girl dressed in a yellow raincoat appeared wielding a red umbrella with 600 ATK.
"That's a lot of cats." Kotori noted, staring at the full five field.
"None are very tough, though." Tetsuo noted.
"Well, I think we know what comes next." Alito mumbled.
"I activate the Spell, Harmonic Waves, making Monster Cat become a Level 4. Now it can begin." Cathy licked her lips, as a yellow 59 appeared on her forehead. "I overlay the Level 4 Monster Cat and Stray Cat Girl! Xyz Summon! Number 59! Crooked Cook!" The sealed form of the monster was a metallic bronze chefs hat, before it unfolded like a curtain and the body of the monster, which just looked like a chef wielding dangerous flaming equipment, emerged from, and wore the now shrunken sealed form with the yellow 59 on its head.
"A Number!?" Yuma gasped. "Cathy's possessed!?"
'A Number now!?' Alito thought. Maybe he should jump in and try to snatch it...but that wouldn't look good...
"So, you're first on the menu." 59 said.
"59!" Hope appeared. "To think you would possess our friend! For shame!"
"Tch, bland as always, 39." 59 tutted. "I am helping this girl. She suffers from shyness in front of your wielder. With my help, however, she has overcome all her fears, and now is even able to Duel in the WDC! With me, we shall win against you!"
"Oh, quit trying to justify yourself, you pretentious chef!" 16 chided. "All you care about is causing destruction! You just shaped yourself how you want then found someone close to Yuma to sneak close and win against him!"
"Yuma, this Duel just became much more serious." Astral stated, though Yuma argued it was already serious given it was his friend being controlled, and his first WDC Duel.
"I activate the effect of Crooked Cook!" Cathy declared. "By detaching an overlay unit, all other cards I control are destroyed!"
"Destroying her own field? Such madness!" Astral gasped.
"Infernal Flambé!" 59 declared, as it suddenly began cooking the three Stray Cats in its frying pan, burning them up.
"And for every monster destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, 59 gains 300 attack until the End Phase!" The monsters ATK rose to 3200 as it gained a fiery aura and burning eyes.
"Such a selfish effect. Typical of 59." 39 disapproved.
"Shut up you muppet!" 59 yelled.
"This will end you in one go, Yuma." Cathy giggled. "Crooked Cook attacks you directly!" The monster aimed its flamethrower and launched a burst of fire towards him.
"I activate my Trap! Damage Diet! This halves all damage I take this turn!" The flipped card blocked the flames, making them swerve around, yet dangerously close to Yuma.
Yuma's LP: 1600
"I end my turn." Cathy finished, as Crooked Cook's ATK returned to normal.
"That was close!" Yuma gasped.
"Yuma, since Crooked Cook is the only card Cathy controls, it is unaffected by all other card effects." Astral informed him.
"Seriously!?" Yuma gasped, then paused. "Wait! It's only got 2300 attack! If I can Summon Hope, we can still destroy it!"
Alito's eyes were glued to the Duel. 'Let's see how you counter...'
"Please gimme a monster, please gimme a monster, please gimme a monster!" Yuma begged as he drew, and he did get a monster-! Except... "I can't Special Summon anything!" Despite having a hand full of monsters, he could only bring out one.
Astral spoke to him. "Remember Yuma, hanging on is part of Dueling too."
"Right, right. I set a monster and end my turn."
"My turn!" Cathy drew. "I Normal Summon Cat Girl! When she's Normal Summoned, I can revive Stray Cat Girl!" What appeared was what looked like a girl in an orange and black cat costume. She held out her paws as Stray Cat Girl leapt from the Graveyard Portal, floating down next to her.
"Cat Girl and Stray Cat Girl have a total attack of 1800." Tetsuo winced. "If she destroys his monster with Crooked Cook, then attacks directly with them both, she wins."
"Yuma won't go down that easy, I know he won't!" Kotori assured him. Alito took note of her trust.
"Battle! Crooked Cook! Attack Yuma's Set monster!" The Number blasted its flames over the card as it flipped up.
"My monster is Gogogo Golem! It can't be destroyed by battle once per turn whilst its in defence!" The rock golem, turned brown with 1500 DEF, stood firm against the attack as smoke drifted off of its body.
Cathy bared her fangs at being foiled again. "You donkey! I end my turn!"
"My turn!" Better late then never he supposed. "I Normal Summon Gogogo Gigas! And as I Normal Summoned a Level 4 monster, I can Special Summon Kagetokage from my hand!" Rising up was a golem made of brown rectangular blocks, as from its shadow crawled a flat creature shaped like a lizard. if Yuma Summoned Hope, he could destroy Crooked Cook and attack with Gogogo Golem as well!
Then he paused though. "Astral, can we beat Crooked Cook with Hope?"
"Not currently." Astral informed him. "Crooked Cook's effect is Quick. It would destroy the Cat Girl monsters to boost its attack power to 2900. And it would be too late to activate Hope's effect to stop our own attack, leaving us unable to bait out the effect and make him waste it."
That was a bit much for Yuma to comprehend, but he accepted it. "Got it. What should we do, then?"
"There is another strategy available to us using these three monsters."
"...Yeah." Yuma nodded after a moment. "I overlay my Level 4 Gogogo Golem, Gogogo Gigas, and Kagetokage!" The three monsters became orange and purple energy that dived into the portal. "Xyz Summon! Number 91! Thunder Spark Dragon!"
"Hell yeah!" The blue serpentine dragon spoke with too much energy. "Let's fry 'em, Yuma!"
"I activate Thunder Spark Dragon's effect! By detaching three overlay units, all your monsters are destroyed! Thunder Spark Bolt!" His monster unleashed bolts from the blue at Cathy's monsters.
"I activate Crooked Cook's effect! Infernal Flambé!" Cathy chained her Number's effect, cooking the cat girls alive and boosting his ATK to 2900, before the lightning bounced off of him.
"Now you've got no more overlay units! I end!" Yuma declared as Crooked Cook's ATK returned to normal.
His partner nodded. "Yuma, you've put us in an advantageous position."
"Astral's right! She's got 1 card left in her hand and I overpower 59 in terms of original attack!" 91 declared. "Even if she draws a monster, he's run out of overlay units!"
"My turn!" Cathy drew, grinning at her card. "I immediately battle! Crooked Cook attacks Thunder Spark Dragon!"
"She's attacking even though Crooked Cook is weaker!?" Astral gasped.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Ego Boost! Crooked Cook gains 1000 attack until the end of the Battle Phase!" The Number's ATK rose to 3300 before it cooked its opponent.
Yuma's LP: 700
"I end my turn there." Cathy said, her monsters attack returning to normal.
"Not good...it's unaffected again!" Yuma gasped.
"Perhaps...but we already know his weakness!" Astral said.
"We do?" Yuma echoed.
"Yes, Yuma. 59 has made Cathy's Deck to revolve around him, to make himself as powerful as possible." The spirit looked at his partner. "Whereas your Deck is much more flexible, and can adapt to the situation! Therefore, our formula for victory has already been completed!"
"You cocky dumbass, Astral! Look who's winning here!" 59 pointed out.
"Then I'll draw something that will definitely turn things around!" Yuma declared. "Kattobingu! Draw!" Yuma checked his card and smiled. "I Normal Summon Ganbara Knight!" The warrior wielding twin shields fell from the sky onto Yuma's field. "Then I activate the Spell card, Monster Slots!" At that, a mix between a green monster and a slot machine appeared. Its lever pulled itself as three images of spinning slots appeared. "With this card, I target a monster I control, banish a monster with the same Level from my Graveyard, and draw! And if it's a monster with the same Level, I can Special Summon it!"
Alito was baffled. 'A luck based card!? Someone on the side of Astral World would never use a card like that! Just who is this guy!?'
"So of course, I target Ganbara Knight..." The first slot stopped, showing said monster. "And I'll banish Gogogo Golem..." The second slot stopped and showed the banished golem. "To draw!"
He drew dramatically, and the third slot slowed. It looked like it would land on Dododo Warrior, but instead stopped on Gagaga Magician. "Alright! I got a Level 4! So come on out, Gagaga Magician!" The Spellcaster appeared next to Golem.
"I overlay my Level 4 Gagaga Magician and Ganbara Knight! Xyz Summon! Rise up! Number 39! King of Wishes, Hope!" Yuma's first Number unsealed itself and drew its blades, ready for battle with 2500 ATK.
'So it's here! Hope!' Alito regarded it with wide eyes. 'To pull off such a counter is impressive, especially given the luck, but it's not enough.'
"You utter idiot! Even if you attack me, Cathy will still have Life left!" 59 declared.
"Let's see." Yuma smirked. "Go, Hope! Attack Crooked Cook! Hope Sword Slash!" The monster drew one of its blades and swung. "At this moment, I activate Hope's effect to detach an overlay unit and negate its own attack! Moon Barrier!" As Hope swung, its blade suddenly vanished.
"What was the point of that?" Cathy asked.
"This! Here comes my favourite combo! Double or Nothing!" Yuma cried. "When a monsters attack is negated, it can attack again with double attack!" Hope's swords suddenly both appeared in his hands with a golden light, boosted to 5000 ATK.
"That's incredible!" Alito actually stood up. "It's like a fake out cross-counter!"
"Go, Hope! Hope Sword Double Slash!" Number 39 slashed with both of its swords against Number 59.
"It's...It's...RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!" He roared as he was destroyed.
Cathy's LP: 0
Yuma: WIN!
"Alright!" Yuma cheered as Astral took Number 59.
"You did it, Yuma!" Kotori cheered.
'I didn't expect that!' Alito found himself grinning. Something about Yuma had ignited his fighting spirit. Not for survival as he remembered it, but instead excitement, the idea of Duelling Yuma seemed to burn within him.
"Meowch, that smarts." Cathy winced as she blinked. "I feel all funny."
"Nice going, 59." 55 muttered.
"Cathy! You okay?" Yuma asked.
"M-Me? Y-Yes, I think so." She stammered, standing quickly.
"Hey." Alito walked over now. "Yuma beat you in a Duel, so now you gotta give him your Heart Piece."
"That's a bit harsh, Alito." Kotori pointed out, trying not to give the game of Number possession.
"Don't worry about it." Yuma smiled lightly, surprising Alito. "I'd feel bad taking your only Heart Piece in that situation."
"But that means that Duel was pointless. You'd still be do-or-die in the tournament." Alito pointed out.
"Feels like I've had a lot of do-or-die Duels." Yuma chuckled. "Besides, taking risks is what makes a challenge, and I always wanna keep challenging myself! That's part of my Kattobingu too!" Alito couldn't hide his shock. Such a chaotic spirit...he was nothing like what Alito was expecting! And that got him pumped!
"No." Everyone turned to Cathy, as she was holding out her Heart Piece. "I lost, so it's only fair. Yuma, I'll give my Heart Piece to you."
"But Cathy, it wasn't really fair..." Yuma began.
"Even so, I don't think I could have beaten you anyway." She mumbled, almost nervously. "I'd be happy, if you got my Heart Piece. Please take it."
Yuma stared at her, then smiled and took the Heart Piece (As Kotori fumed in the background). "Okay. Thanks, Cathy!"
Cathy smiled and blushed slightly. "But that means you've got to go all the way, okay?"
"You can count on it!" Yuma nodded.
Cathy then skipped back over to Tetsuo and Kotori, who was pouting at her giddy smile.
Yuma then turned to Alito. "Sorry about that, Alito. So, you wanted to Duel, right?"
Alito's heart swelled. The thought of Dueling him made his blood burn with passion. But at the same time...he knew this was the chosen one of the Astral World. Shouldn't he be fighting as a Barian? Aiming to crush him for the sake of his world? Something about that left a really bad taste in his mouth. Should he Duel for the thrill of it? Or fight as he is supposed to?
"You okay?" Yuma asked with genuine concern.
Alito looked at him. He didn't expect his feelings to get so complicated. But he had never felt this way about that the thought of facing an opponent before. It felt like he would spoil the feeling if he went into it with all these conflicting thoughts in his head. He needed time to work this out. So he quickly devised a plan.
"Yeah, I really wanna Duel you, Yuma." Alito admitted. "But...I wanna be Dueling you in the next round! When we've both gotten through, and there's only a few of us left! Then, our Duel will truly make an impact!"
Yuma blinked, but then grinned. "You're saying you're gonna make it through to the next round?"
"I know I will!" Alito flashed the same kind of grin. "You?"
"'Course I will!" Yuma declared. "Because then you and I are gonna Duel, right!?"
"Right!"
Kotori and Tetsuo just watched as fire seemed to burn around the two Duelists. "Like two peas in a pod." He sighed.
"Yuma looks really excited, though." Kotori beamed. Yuma was once again attracting people to him.
"Then it's settled!" Alito declared. "We're both gonna make it through!"
"So, I've gotta go Duel some more!" Yuma declared. "You wanna come with, Alito?"
"Eh? Seriously?" He gasped. "You want me to tag along?"
"Definitely! I wanna see more of your Duels!" Yuma smiled. "And you can watch more of mine, too."
Alito perked up at that. "Sounds good, then!"
"Come on, Kotori! Tetsuo! Cathy!" Yuma waved to them, as the two now began running off in search of a new challenge.
Astral noted: "Observation Number 29: A Duelist's passion burns ever greater when it finds a rival to feed it."
Number Count
Noda: 10, 13, 14, 20, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31, 35, 37, 42, 56, 57, 63, 67, 70, 72, 76, 77, 78, 84
Yuma: 11, 12, 16, 17, 19, 34, 39, 50, 55, 59, 61, 86, 91
Kaito: 38, 62, 90
Rio: 21, 94
Shark: 73