Rikuo's LP: 4000
Kaio's LP: 4000
Naruto's LP: 2300
Luna yawned with boredom as she observed the duel unfolding in the vacant park. If she recalled correctly, this time, the cause of the conflict was a business dispute. She crossed her legs on the park bench, letting out a light sigh as she watched the sparks of hatred fly back and forth between the two opposing sides.
It was getting quite late in the night and she'd rather go home and sleep.
"I activate Number 61 Volcasaurus' effect!" Rikuo, a muscular man with dreadlocks, shouted as he pointed at his flaming dinosaur. "By detaching 1 Xyz Material, I will destroy Raidraptor - Vanishing Lanius and inflict 1300 points of damage to you!"
Naruto grunted as his monster exploded into pieces. (Naruto's LP: 2300→1000)
"How's that, Naruto?" Rikuo taunted as he stood beside his Number 61 Volcasaurus.
"You think you can just end your relationship with us that easily? My Number 19 Freezadon will make sure that doesn't happen! You will be working for us and making us money until the day you die!" Kaio, a lean man with a stylized buzzcut, added. By his side, stood a stocky, blue dinosaur with the number 19 printed on his right chest.
The two men exchanged smiles before Rikuo turned his attention back on Naruto. "I will end my turn! It's your move, punk!"
Naruto placed his hand atop his deck and drew. "It's my turn!"
T? Naruto's LP: 1000 H: 0-1
"I will summon Raidraptor - Retrofit Lanius!"
Raidraptor - Retrofit Lanius DARK LV 4 Winged Beast/Effect ATK: 800
On the field, a green mechanical bird with six, thin, arachnid-like limbs appeared on the field.
"When Raidraptor - Retrofit Lanius is used as Xyz Material for the summoning of a Raidraptor Xyz Monster, it can't be treated as two materials!"
Right in front of their eyes, Raidraptor - Retrofit Lanius split in two.
"I will now build the overlay network with Raidraptor - Retrofit Lanius!" Naruto declared as a galaxy-like portal opened up in front of him.
"Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Raidraptor - Guard Frozen Falcon!"
From a blinding flash of light, a machine bird with a blue body and crystalline wing emerged on the field. Around its body was one solitary spinning sphere of dim violet glow.
Raidraptor - Guard Frozen Falcon DARK R4 Winged Beast/Xyz/Effect ATK:1000 Xyz Material: 1
"If this card is Xyz Summoned and my opponent's Life Points are at least 3000 points higher, I can draw 1 card for every 1000 points of difference." Naruto drew three cards from his deck. He smirked as he saw what he drew.
"Then I will activate Quick Play Spell Raidraptor's Rank-Up-Magic Ascension from my hand!"
The second that Naruto's words fell in the air, a spell card spun into view— depicting a luminous bird rocketing through the stratosphere.
"Rank-Up-Magic?" Both of Rikuo and Kaio's eyes widened in shock.
Soon after, a bright, luminous light swallowed up the playground.
Once the light faded, Kaio and Rikuo were on the ground, their Life Points depleted to nothing.
Kaio's LP: 4000 - 0 -LOSE
Rikuo's LP: 4000 - 0 -LOSE
Naruto's LP: 1000 - WIN
Luna stood from her bench, dusted herself off, and skipped over to Naruto. She glanced over at the unconscious Kaio and Rikuo. "So that settles it then?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, I'm planning on never seeing either of them again. But I suppose I should be grateful that I got to test out my new Rank-Up strategy."
"Oh? You're leaving?" Luna asked as she saw Naruto turn to walk away.
"Yup." Naruto answered tersely.
"Well, I guess gotta catch up then." But before Luna joined Naruto, she extended her arm towards Rikuo and Kaio and drew out the cards of Volcasaurus and Freezadon.
She didn't know what these cards were doing on Earth, but she was certain that they came from the Astral World. Regardless of their purpose here, she thought it'd be best if she held on to them for safekeeping.
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`"Ahhhhhh…." Yuma stretched as he walked past the school gate. The sun was bright this afternoon, just the way that he liked it. "I'm glad that class is finally over."
"You weren't even awake during most over it." Kotori sighed as she followed along.
"It's the thought that counts!" Yuma insisted.
"If he's not sleeping, then he's not Yuma." Tetsuo chimed in as he rode on his skateboard.
"Well, I guess that's true!" Kotori laughed, with Tetsuo promptly joining in to make it a chorus.
"Hmph. Make fun of me all you want." Yuma pouted. "The future is in dueling! When I become the Duel Champion of the world, you guys won't be laughing anymore!"
"Yeah, yeah. Sorry, sorry." Kotori gave a facetious apology as she tamed her snickering. "Don't get mad, Yuma."
Yuma rolled his eyes. He then lifted up the collar of his school uniform and caught a whiff. "Yuck. I think it's about time I wash this. It's getting too smelly even for me."
"Yuma…" Kotori grimaced. "When was the last time that you washed it?"
"Uhhh…about two weeks ago…"
"Yuma…" A drop of sweat rolled down Tetsuo's face as he moved a bit farther from his friend. "That's gross…"
"Whatever!" Yuma cried, annoyed. "I'm going to be heading to the park anyway! Once I work up a sweat dueling, I will go home and toss this thing in the laundry basket."
"Dueling, again?" Kotori raised an eyebrow. "That's all you think about, isn't it?"
"Ever since I beat Naruto, I have been feeling unstoppable." Yuma closed his hands in determination. "Maybe this hot streak that I'm on is what's going to propel me all the way to the top!"
They eventually arrived at Heartland Park. As usual, it was filled with people playing Duel Monsters.
"Let's see…Who should I challenge today?" Yuma mused as he looked around his surroundings.
"Yuma!" A sudden and booming voice caught their attention.
That voice…. The alarms inside Yuma's head started to go off. It sounded familiar.
He whipped his head to the right and saw someone that he wasn't expecting to see.
Standing in the distance, atop a tiny hill of grass, was the man that he fought not too long ago.
"Naruto!" Yuma cried out.
At the sound of the name, Tetsuo and Kotori immediately tensed.
Naruto? They thought to themselves. What's he doing here?
Ever since Yuma and Naruto's duel, Naruto hadn't been coming to school. They had all thought that he finally got caught up in doing something illegal and was expelled.
As Naruto started to walk towards them, Tetsuo quickly jumped in front of Yuma to protect his friend.
"What are you doing here!" Tetsuo yelled. Yet, to Naruto, the chunky boy's words packed as much threat as the barks of a scared puppy. He made his disregard Tetsuo known by walking past him as if he was a mere ant.
"Duel me, Yuma! I challenge you to a rematch!" Naruto declared. He then smirked and looked up at the space several feet above Yuma's head. To Kotori and Tetsuo, Naruto was staring at nothing.
But to Naruto, he was staring at the person that he came to exterminate. Ever since he was exposed to the light of Luna's Rank-Up-Magic, he had been able to see all sorts of weird things around them.
Never did he think that his target would be hanging around Tsukumo Yuma, of all people. Though, he supposed this was what some people would consider "destiny".
"Astral is free to help you, of course…"
Yuma's eyes went wide with shock. "Astral? You can see Astral too?"
"Impossible… I can't believe there are others who can see me beside Yuma…" Astral gasped.
"That's right, Astral." A voice spoke up, this time it sounded like the voice of a woman. "We're here to execute you for your sins."
It was then that Yuma noticed the presence of someone else besides Naruto. It was a girl of a petite frame and piercing emerald eyes. Her attire seemed out of fashion, almost like those worn by an ancient tribe.
"Astral's sins?" Yuma repeated in disbelief. Although Astral could be insensitively blunt from time to time, Yuma had a hard time believing that someone like that could intentionally harm anyone.
"My sins?" Even Astral seemed shaken by that sudden accusations.
"That's right. On behalf of genocidal conspiracies, we will pass judgment upon you!"
The new girl's eyes beamed with hostility as she said those words.
The accusation sounded ridiculous to Yuma's ears. But from the girl's tone, Yuma could tell that she wasn't fooling around.
"I don't know what you guys are talking about." Frustration tore at the stableness of Yuma's voice. Naruto was acting so weird. The girl looked so scary. He was getting so confused.
Finally, he turned towards Kotori and Tetsuo and said the only viable choice of action that came to his mind. "Guys, we're leaving!"
"Wait, Yuma." Astral stopped him, clearly having a different idea. "Ever since I arrived in this world, I have been wondering about what my true purpose is. With this duel, I might be able to solve the mystery of my existence."
Yuma was still unsure, but the look of resolve on Astral's face made the boy unwilling to refuse. "Fine, I will accept your challenge!"
They both put on their D-Gazer. The moment they did, a virtual world unfurled around them.
"It's time to Duel, Yuma!" Naruto shouted as he extended an arm. His D-Pad unfolded in a series of soft clicks.
"Bring it on, Naruto!" Yuma shouted as his own D-Pad unfolded.
"I will take the first turn!" Naruto declared as he drew a card from his Deck. "I will summon Raidraptor- Napalm Dragonius!"
Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius DARK LV 4 Winged Beast/Effect ATK: 1000
Astral immediately narrowed his eyes at the mechanical beast with a dragon's tail that had appeared before them.
"A new Raidraptor!" Yuma exclaimed.
"Be on your guard, Yuma!" Astral warned.
"Raidraptor- Napalm Dragonius' effect activates! Once per turn, I can inflict 600 points of effect damage to your Life Points!"
Napalm Dragonius' opened its mouth and blasted forth a ball of flame that bit into Yuma. The Tsukumo boy yelped as he felt his Life Points drip away. (Yuma's LP: 4000-3400)
"As expected from Naruto…" Yuma wiped a drop of sweat from his head. "He shows no mercy…."
"Calm down Yuma!" Astral instructed. "We have beaten him once before. We can beat him again!"
"That's right." Yuma's hands balled into a fist of determination. "As long as we bring out Hope. Then I'm sure everything will be okay!"
"With this, I will end my turn." Naruto declared.
T2 Yuma H: 5-6 LP: 3400
"It's my turn! I draw! I will summon from my hand Gogogo Golem!"
Gogogo Golem LV 4 EARTH Rock/Effect ATK: 1800
From a crevice from the ground, the rocky golem rose, its singular red eye staring right at its enemy.
"I will attack Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius with Gogogo Golem!"
At Yuma's command, the golem charged forward and rammed its fist into Napalm Dragonius, blasting the avian creature into tiny chunks.
(Naruto's LP: 4000-3200)
Naruto kept a bored face as the remains of his monster flew past him. "If Raidraptor- Napalm Dragonius is destroyed, I can Special Summon one Raidraptor monster from my deck to the field. But, its effect will be negated!" Naruto grabbed a card from the top of his deck. "I will Special Summon to the field, Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius!"
Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius DARK Winged-Beast/Effect LV 4 ATK: 1000
"Right after I destroyed one, another comes to replace it…" Yuma scowled. "I end my turn."
T3 Naruto H:5-6 LP: 3200
Naruto slapped a card onto his D-Pad. "I will summon Raidraptor - Vanishing Lanius from my hand!"
Raidraptor - Vanishing Lanius DARK Winged-Beast/Effect LV 4 ATK: 1300
The blonde boy raised a hand to the sky. "I will now overlay the Level 4 Raidraptor - Vanishing Lanius and the Level 4 Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius to build the Overlay Network!"
"Formed from pitch-black darkness, to fight those foolish enough to oppose it with its treacherous fangs!"
From a cloudy void, a dark bident tail flickered to the sound and flash of lightning. The creature tightened its three-clawed arm, as electricity arched its way across its irregular wings. Its eyes shone with a golden light as it raised its head to the voice of its master, the curved blade attached to its jaw surged with a silver glint.
"Now, descend! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"
The dragon ascended from the portal with a spin, its tail lashing wildly at the air. As it spotted its opponent, it let loose an ear-piercing screech reminiscent of nails dragging across a chalkboard.
Yuma immediately covered his ears to protect himself from the dissonant sound.
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon DARK R4 Dragon/Xyz/Effect ATK: 2500 Xyz Materials: 2
"A new Xyz Monster!" Yuma called out in shock.
He had expected Naruto to summon the same low attack value Xyz monsters that he used during their first duel. But this monster that came out instead was as strong as Hope.
"It looks like he's changed up his tactics a bit." Astral pointed out as he floated closer to Yuma.
"I will detach 2 Xyz Material from Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and activate its effect! Dark Rebellion will now steal half of Gogogo Golem's power!"
"What?" Yuma's face twisted with panic. Yet, he could only watch helplessly as threads of lightning shot from Dark Rebellion's wings and wrapped around Gogogo Golem.
"Go, Treason Discharge!"
Gogogo Golem quickly collapsed to its knees as a sudden weakness overtook him.
Gogogo Golem EARTH LV4 Rock/Effect ATK: 1800-900
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon DARK R4 Dragon/Xyz/Effect ATK: 2500→3400 Xyz Material: 0
"Gogogo Golem!" Yuma cried out. Yet, a part of him knew that no matter how loud he shouted, his Golem would never stand again.
"It's now the Battle Phase! I will attack Gogogo Golem with Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon! Attack with Lightning Disobey of Rebellion!"
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon leaped forward, keeping a low angle with the ground as it streaked towards Gogogo Golem. Its bladed jaw dug into and destroyed the concrete below him, his irregular wings brimmed with zagged arcs of lightning.
Finally, the dragon caught up to Yuma's Golem and stabbed its jaw into his foe. Shortly after, Gogogo Golem exploded into dozens of irreparable rocks, and Yuma was flung roughly into the ground by the force of the explosion. (Yuma LP: 3400-900)
"Hmph." Naruto snorted at Yuma's pitiful state. "Dueling you is just as boring as I remembered! I will set two cards face-down and end my turn!"
Yet, despite how well the duel had been going for her side, Luna couldn't help but feel that something was amiss.
Astral, the emissary sent by Eliphas, was way weaker than she thought. Although the man wasn't dueling personally, she had expected him to coach his imbecile of a partner into making better plays.
"What's wrong, Astral? Feeling under the weather, today?" Luna taunted. "If you lose the duel, not only will you no longer be able to destroy the Barian World, I will also personally exterminate you."
Yuma gave Luna a fearful look. The woman was talking about things that he didn't understand again. But he knew better than to take her threats of killing Astral lightly.
Unable to handle the overwhelming pressure placed on him, he snapped.
"I have had no idea what you guys were talking about! You guys are all crazy! Astral would never hurt anyone. He's lost his memory! He doesn't even know why he's here!"
"Astral lost his memories?" Luna was surprised. She looked at the blue spirit floating above Yuma for a sign of confirmation.
"Yeah…" Astral nodded. "I don't know why I'm here or who sent me here."
"That's why we have been collecting Number monsters so that he can get his memories back!" Yuma added.
"Oh…" Luna took a moment to process everything that she just learned. Finally, she turned towards her partner. "Naruto, this changes nothing! Destroy them!"
Naruto shrugged out of indifference. "I was planning on doing that anyway."
T4 Yuma LP: 900 H:5-6
"Damn it…" Yuma cursed as he nearly lost his balance from the exhaustion of the duel. His hoodie was getting all dirty again. Without a doubt, his sister would scold him for being a slob. It wasn't like he woke up this morning thinking "'man, what can I do to make my sister mad today?" Sometimes, things just refuse to go his way.
"Yuma?" Astral floated over to him. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah…I'm fine…" The boy sucked in a deep breath and looked at the card that he drew.
He had drawn Gogogo Giant. A feeling of deja vu washed over him. This felt exactly like the duel where he first met Astral.
"Yuma, we need to summon Hope!"
Yuma nodded to Astral's familiar advice. "I will summon from my hand Gogogo Giant! When Gogogo Giant is Normal Summoned, I can revive Gogogo Golem from my Graveyard!"
Gogogo Giant EARTH LV 4 Rock/Effect ATK: 2000
The giant of rock reached into a dark portal that had emerged on the ground and pulled Gogogo Golem out from within.
Gogogo Golem EARTH LV 4 Rock/Effect DEF: 1500
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "So Hope is finally coming out…"
"I will build the overlay network with the Level 4 Gogogo Giant and the Level 4 Gogogo Golem!"
"Xyz Summon! Appear, Number 39 King of Wishes, Hope!"
No. 39 King of Wishes, Hope LIGHT R4 Warrior/Xyz/Effect ATK: 2500 Xyz Materials: 2
Just like the first time that he summoned Hope, a spiraling portal of light opened up in front of him. From within, an almost cylindrical object rose to the top and unfurled into a winged-warrior of light.
No. 39, King of Wishes, Hope R4 Warrior/Xyz/Effect ATK: 2500 Xyz Materials: 2
"I will attack Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon with Hope!"
The King of Wishes pulled the blades out of his waist scabbards and lunged towards the black dragon with his crescent blades raised high in the air.
Naruto's lips twitched with anger. He knew this pattern of attack. He knew it a bit too well.
"Then by detaching 1 Xyz material, I can negate Hope's attack!"
One of the luminous spheres around Hope vanished into a sprinkle of golden dust. The sword that Hope held in his hand shattered as well.
Yuma held out a card. "Then I activate Double or Nothing! Hope can attack again. But this time, its Attack Points will be doubled!"
As the effect of the Quick-Play Spell resolved, the large crescent blade re-emerged in Hope's hands. Except, this time, the blade had a glow that was much brighter than before – almost blinding.
Hope ATK: 2500-5000
"So it's the same combo as last time. But…" Naruto waved his hand, flipping open his Trap Card.
"This time things will go differently! I activate the card Mysterious Mirror! Monsters cannot be destroyed by battle, also you will receive any damage that I would have received during this battle!"
In an instant, a series of interlinked mirrors appeared in between the two monsters. The King of Wishes found himself looking at his own reflection.
"I will receive the damage!?" Yuma gasped out in horror. He quickly did the math in his head.
Dark Rebellion had 3400 Attack Points. If his 5000 Attack Points Hope attacked Dark Rebellion, then 1600 points of damage would be reflected right back to him…
Yuma peeked at the Life Points counter of his D-Pad. He only had a measly 900 Life Points left.
"Yuma!" Astral's voice broke the boy from his despairing chain of thought. "Use Hope's effect!"
"Oh right!" Yuma seemed to snap back to life. "I activate Hope's effect, by detaching 1 Xyz Material, I can cancel the battle!"
The last one of Hope's Xyz Materials disappeared into a cloud of dust. The crescent blade in his hand disappeared once more.
"Then, I activate Overlay Rebirth from my hand! Per its effect, I can reattach the Gogogo Golem and Gogogo Giant in my Graveyard back onto Hope!" Yuma said.
As soon as his words fell, two spheres of light flew out from underneath Hope and wrapped themselves around his body.
"So you have restored Hope's Xyz Materials," Naruto noted. "Not bad for an amateur."
"Yes!" Kotori cheered. "That means even if Naruto summons a super-powerful monster, Hope can detach an Xyz Material to negate the attack!"
"That's right!" Even Tetsuo seemed to get excited. "If Naruto can't attack, then Hope won't be destroyed!"
Luna observed Naruto, curiously to see his reaction. "That's a clever move." She spoke with a voice that was only audible to herself. "But will that be enough to stop you, I wonder?"
"I will set 2 cards face-down and end my turn!" Yuma declared.
"It's my turn!" Naruto swiped a card from his Deck. As he saw what he drew, his mind flashed back to the events of a few nights ago.
"So, you're basically a traitor to your own world?"
They were in the middle of an empty playground. The children had already left home with their parents a good couple of hours ago.
Naruto watched with a neutral face as Luna swayed back and forth on the playground swing. Judging from her excitement, he suspected that there were no swings in her homeland.
"It's not like I wanted to." Luna protested against the slandering of her name. "But it couldn't be helped. Our leader, Eliphas, refused to listen to reason and is deadset on destroying the Barian World."
"The Barian World?"
"Ummm…" She seemed to scramble for words to explain it. "They are people that Eliphas exiled from the Astral World…They possess the power of Chaos, which Eliphas deemed impure…"
"I see… so it's kind of like how the Devil became the King of Hell after God tossed him out of heaven?"
"Yes!" She then seemed to hesitate. "I mean that sounds about right. I'm not too familiar with human religion."
"Eliphas is quite stupid then. If I were him, I would have kept my enemies close."
"Shhh….If he could hear you right now, you would be dead!"
Naruto didn't seem to care. "So why are you so against Eliphas destroying Barian World. The Power of Chaos doesn't sound like anything that anyone would want to keep around."
"As with all things, I believe the world needs to have a balance. While there are bad things that Chaos can we bring, chaos can also be used for good."
"So it's like the same thing with bad bacteria and good bacteria."
"You…" Luna stared at him for a while before finishing her thoughts. "You're smarter than you look!"
"Did I look like an idiot to you?" Naruto gave her a pointed glare.
"Ummm…It's not important!" She handwaved the question. "Anyways, all you need to know is that we must not let the Barian World get destroyed!"
"But what does this have to with you wanting me to kill Astral? What does this Astral guy have to do with all of this?"
"He's an emissary sent by Eliphas to find the Numeron Code. With the Numeron Code, they will use it to destroy the Barian World."
Naruto immediately picked up on what was important to him. "And that's the same reality-manipulating Numeron Code that you wanted me to find?"
"Correct! As of now, only Astral knows where the Code is. That's why I must absorb him and access his memories."
"And I presume with the Numeron Code you plan on…" He stopped himself as he realized what Luna planned to do with the Numeron Code didn't really matter to him. "Nevermind. Just promise me that once we find the Code, you will allow me to make my wish."
"Of course!" She then reached into her back pocket and produced a wooden box. "Here's your deck. I have supplemented it with Astral World's technology."
Naruto accepted the box in his hands. He immediately opened it and started going through the contents. "It seems like you really did. You must be quite smart as well."
"Well, I am somewhat of a scientist in my homeworld."
"Hmm…a rogue scientist conspiring against her homeland. This sounds like something out of a novel."
"It's here!" Naruto's eyes reflected the card that he'd been waiting for.
T5 Naruto H:4-5 LP: 3200
"I activate from my hand the Quick-Play Spell Raidraptor's Rank-Up-Magic Ascension!"
On Naruto's field, the Rank-Up-Magic spun into view.
"Did you say Rank-Up-Magic?!" Yuma shouted. He looked towards Astral for guidance, only to see that Astral was just as bewildered as he was.
Luna smirked at the sight of her foes' confusion. "Raidraptor's Rank-Up-Magic Ascension…A passable imitation of Astral Force that allows the user to Rank-Up Dark-attribute Xyz Monsters by 1. What it lacks in range, it makes up for in its ability to attach itself to the new Xyz Monster as an extra Xyz Material… It's one of my finer works…"
She turned her attention back to Naruto and saw a large, ominous thundercloud had already gathered atop his head.
"Using this card and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon as materials, I will Xyz Summon a monster one Rank higher!" Naruto commanded as a bolt of lightning shot down from the black clouds and swallowed Dark Rebellion whole.
Yuma, Kotori, and Tetsuo quickly braced themselves as a sudden whirlwind rampaged through the area.
"What is happening here?! " Yuma asked in a panicked tone, but none of his allies were able to answer him.
A grimace cursed Astral's features. "This summoning energy… it's off the charts…"
"The black voracious dragon of unsatiable anger," Naruto chanted amidst the chaos. "Allow your rebellion to shake even the heavenly world!"
Within the beam of light, changes were happening to Dark Rebellion. The flesh of the dragon's back had ballooned up and was now jerking violently, almost like a living tumor. The armor on Dark Rebellion's arms, legs, and chest changed and became infused with cybernetics.
Finally, the ballooning mass on Dark Rebellion's back exploded to reveal a large steely pair of afterburner wings.
Naruto slammed a card into his D-Pad. "Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 5, Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"
The lightning faded, and the black dragon roared, the afterburner pipes on its wings blazed with blue flames. Around its draconian form, two orbs of darkness spun in an endless loop.
Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon DARK R5 Dragon/Xyz/Effect ATK: 3000 Xyz Materials: 2
Although she helped bring this moment to fruition, even Luna was awestruck by the thing that she was seeing. "It's almost as if he combined Raidraptor - Rise Falcon's power with Dark Rebellion…" Her voice trailed off in a stunned whisper.
"Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon's attack activates!" Naruto's voice boomed. "By detaching 1 Xyz Material, it gains the original attack of all other monsters on the field. Then if it still has a Dark Xyz monster as an Xyz Material, the effect of all other monsters on the field will be negated!"
Lightning shot from Arc Rebellion's wings and streaked towards Hope, shocking him until the gold of his armor started to melt off.
"What? Hoooooopppeeeeee!" Yuma called out in despair.
Arc Rebellion ATK: 3000+2500=5500
"And since I still have Dark Rebellion as an Xyz Material, Hope's effect is negated!"
Yuma and Astral ground their teeth as the graveness of the situation settled in their mind.
"I will now attack Hope with Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"
"Yuma!" Astral shouted.
"I know!" Yuma said as he jumped back into action, rapidly pressing the buttons on his D-Pad. "I activate both of my Trap Cards: Damage Diet and Half Unbreak! I will use Half Unbreak's effect to prevent Hope's battle destruction and halve the damage I would take. Then, Damage Diet halves the remaining damage again!"
"So he's only going to take a quarter of the 3000 battle damage he would have received," Luna calculated. "With 900 Life Points remaining, he will be able to survive the Battle Phase with 150 Life Points still remaining."
Naruto gave a closed-eye smile. "You're too naive, Yuma!"
"What?!"
"I activate my face-down card: Trap Stun! Until the end of this turn, the effects of all other Trap Cards are negated!"
"I-It can't be!" Yuma dropped to his knees. "He already had a Trap Card like that waiting for me?"
"Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon's attack continues!"
The black dragon slammed its bladed jaw right into the center of Hope's chest, unleashing an outpour of electricity that lanced through the gold-clad warrior.
Yuma was blasted high into the air as his Life Points took their final plummet. He crashed onto the ground and bounced along the pavement until he finally came to a painful stop. As the consequence of defeat sunk into his mind, his eyes widened with horror.
Yuma's LP: 900-0- LOSE
Naruto's LP: 3200 - WIN
"No…Astral…" He turned onto his stomach and searched for the blue alien spirit that he had gotten so used to in these past few weeks. He was relieved to see that Astral was still there.
But the sound of approaching footsteps quickly wiped that relief from him and replaced it with fear once more.
Yuma looked at the approaching Naruto and Luna.
They are going to take Astral! His mind shouted at him. Do something!
Yuma held out a feeble arm, placing it between him and the advancing predators. With a soft, and raspy voice, he pleaded for mercy. "D-Don't come. Please don't."
To Yuma's extreme discomfort, Luna remained stone-faced. Not even a shred of pity could be found on her face.
"Astral…" Luna spoke as she held out her own hand. A moon-shaped rune shone in the palm of her hand. "As I promised at the start of the Duel, I will now take your life."
Yuma felt his heart sink. With the last of his strength, he turned towards the last people that he could rely on. "Kotori! Tetsuo! Stop them!"
His friends seemed to snap back to reality at that moment as they both rushed to put themselves in front of Naruto and Luna. But they were quickly neutralized as Luna unleashed a concussive blast of air that knocked them off their feet.
"Astral…" Yuma groaned as he looked at the blue spirit. "Please…run away!"
Astral simply closed his eyes in resignation. He made no attempt to move. "We have lost fair and square. I'm willing to surrender myself to my fate."
"Honorable." Luna quipped. "But that won't change my mind! Prepare yourself, Astral!"
Suddenly, Naruto grabbed Luna's outstretched hand and shoved it towards the ground.
Luna sent her partner a cold, icy glare. "Don't tell me… You've let your human emotions get the better of you, Naruto? Have you let a loser's pleas derail you from your dreams?"
Naruto returned with an unyielding glare of his own and shook his head. "Astral doesn't have his memories. Even if you absorb him now, he's going to be useless to us. I think Yuma mentioned earlier that collecting Number is the key to recovering Astral's memories. "
Luna raised a brow. "What are you suggesting?"
"We let them go for now." Naruto proposed. "Let them go and let them help us recover the Number cards. With the power that you have given me, I'm confident that I can beat them at any time."
Luna seemed conflicted before giving in. "Fine." She sighed. "We will do it your way."
Naruto turned to leave. Before Luna followed him, she looked at Yuma and Astral one last time with the same unwavering cold gaze that she'd always treated them. "You heard what he said. Go collect the Number." Luna turned on her heels and gave them a dismissive wave as she walked away.
"It won't be long before we meet again." She warned.
Even after Naruto and Luna were long gone, Yuma still remained laying on the ground. He felt emotionally drained—both from the duel and from the defeat.
"Naruto…" He mumbled weakly, before losing consciousness.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who's followed this story. Special thanks to the guest commentator for the card ideas, although I'm not certain if they are the same person.
I ended up giving Naruto Arc Rebellion (and by extension Dark Rebellion) due to their connection with Raidraptor. As for who holds Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon, I guess we'll wait and see.