Dawn of the Herald

She was sleeping, or at least she thinks she was. All she could see was darkness, a pitch black veil that shrouded her entire vision, and a pair of glowing slits that glared at her very existence with seething hatred.

A battle locked against the darkness of space, valiant effort in fighting against the burning land. Shining white feathers managed to push back against the darkness and vanquished them.

And from a distant star, she heard a voice. 

"...up…ke…wa…up."

Vague and broken, the voice did not manage to form words properly. The distance that they took to travel left them jumbled and incorrigible for anyone to hear.

But it kept repeating, and with every repetition, they became more and more clear.

"...up…wake…wa…up…ase…ple…" The voice, one unheard of repeated over and over, until it became clear. "Wake up, please."

Then she woke up.

Ruri Kurosaki came to consciousness with a start. Immediately rising into a seating position as soon as she awoke, and startling someone who had been calling her to wake up.

"Whoa!" The red hat wearing girl shouted in surprise as she saw her immediately sit up as soon as she woke up, and she then groaned as she placed a hand on her head as a headache came towards her from the sudden movement that she made.

"Oh, uh, you're awake now. That's great." The red hat wearing person said as she walked away from her to give her space, standing a step or two away from her.

"Huh? You're…" She spoke out, one eye closed by her hand while the other narrowed as she tried to push away the grogginess. Slowly taking note of her current situation as she looked around her.

Finding that she had apparently been brought into a bench to sleep on, which explained the crick that she had on her neck, and the fact that she was far from where she should be should have made her wary.

And it does, but what came to her first was of course the fact that she recognized the person that was in front of her. She let out a gasp as she placed a hand on her mouth . "you're-! Serena and Mei's-!"

The very moment the pair's name left her the girl's silvery purple eyes locked in onto her, and she felt her entire body freeze under her gaze. The girl's eyes seemed to look deep within her soul before she slowly let out a sigh, shaking her head as the intensity of her gaze disappeared.

"Haaah, I guess it was bound to happen at one point. Is it good luck or bad luck that I haven't met someone that knew those two." The red hat wearing girl spoke aloud, and she felt herself somewhat relax at her casual tone.

"Oh, um, I-uh." She stuttered as she tried to find the right words, before deciding to start by nodding her head. "Y-yes. Its-Mei saw you in the announcement earlier today and told me about you. I-I also didn't think that I would meet you today."

"Well it's a surprise for both of us then. Isn't that nice." The girl said with a small snort. Letting out another sigh as she gestured towards her. "Well you probably knew a little bit about me but I guess I might as well introduce myself."

The tall red garbed girl took off her red hat, letting her long crimson hair flow behind her. "The names Yuuna. A pleasure to meet you." She said, properly introducing herself with a blinding smile.

And for a single moment, maybe more, she was star struck at the girl's appearance. From the way that she dresses in a plain shirt and jacket and to her mannerisms, she could see hints of how Mei conducts herself, most likely following the girl in front of her. 

"I see! I'm Ruri. Kurosaki Ruri." She said with a short bow as she introduced herself. "It's nice to meet you Yuuna-san."

"The pleasure is mine, though I certainly wished that we met under better circumstances." The taller girl nodded as she then hefted the unconscious boy over her shoulders, seemingly done without much effort. 

"Um, what's going to happen to him?" She dared to ask the red garbed duelist, to which she gave her answer a moment of thought. 

"Him? Well I'm just going to leave him somewhere that the authorities would care for and then leave him be." She said with a shrug. "After that? Well who knows. I don't really care much either way."

A short glance towards the unconscious teen made her bite her lip, even if what he had done was terrible, he certainly did not seem sane while doing so. "U-um. I-isn't that a bit too harsh?"

Yuuna seemed to give her words some thought, then immediately shrug her shoulders. "Well I'd say no for what he's probably done. I'd say it's a fitting punishment, even if he was technically under influence in doing it, the Numbers does just amplify the base instinct."

After a brief glance from under her red rimmed hat, she continued. "That, and he wasn't the nicest person from the start anyway."

"Oh, I see…" She said, trailing off as she met eyes with the older(?) girl. "So I guess you're going now then?"

"Ah, I probably should. But before that." The girl reached into her back pocket with her free hand, and taking out a handful of cards then she then presented towards her. "Here, take these."

"H-huh?" She let out a confused noise as she took the cards and glanced down towards them, eyes widening as her head snapped up towards the older girl. "Th-these are-!"

"I'd usually have people pay for them, but you can think of it as a gift for handling this little mess." Yuuna said as she moved her shoulder, making the unconscious boy resting on it move ever so slightly.

Then even as her face was hidd n under her red cap, she could tell that the girl was downcast as she spoke again. "And an apology. I already fought this idiot earlier but because I didn't take care of him properly he went and found you… I'm sorry." She said and ending with bowing her head. 

"No, no! It's fine. Everything ended just fine so you shouldn't apologise!" She hurriedly spoke, waving her hands in panic at her friends' older sister figure bowing her head to apologise. 

"It was a bit scary but… thanks to it I understood what Yuto-kun meant by the Number cards being dangerous."

"Knight-kun mentioned them? I guess that makes sense." The older girl in red muttered while raising her head. "Well anyway, we both should get going. I'm sure that you still need to gather points for the tournament don't you?"

Hearing those words made her eyes go wide. "Ah! The tournament! I completely forgot about that!" A glance down to her duel risk and her saw how much time she had spent unconscious. She gasped as she hurriedly fiddled with the new cards that were given to her, mind flashing back to the instance when she joined the tournament. 

"About these cards-"

"You should be fine if you add them to your deck for the tournament, if you will that is." The older girl answered before eshe could even get the question out. "The whole deck information thing is all about finding whoever had Number cards anyway… which is absolutely insane but everyone follows the banlists and aren't registering with illegal cards so who am I to judge?"

"Oh I see! Thank you again for your help." She said as she bowed her head to the older girl. 

"You're welcome." She said with a chuckle. "And thank you as well, for helping my two problematic siblings."

Hearing that, however, made her chuckle a little. "It's been my pleasure. They are great friends, and I'm glad to have been able to help."

"Is that so?" The red clad duelist said with a small smile, and even with her other features hidden under her hat, she could feel the warmth that radiated from her. "Then you best be on your way, and stay out of trouble will you?"

"Of course. Thank you once again." And with a final goodbye, she turned and took off in search of another opponent. 

For a brief moment, she glanced back to see the red clad girl leaving. With the unconscious teenager still hanging off of her shoulder. 

She briefly wondered about challenging her, of dueling against someone who she knew for sure was the strongest contender for the tournament. 

But she also knew that the outcome for that duel would not go in her favour. If the handful of stories that she got from Mei and Serena were true, then Yuuna must be an incredibly strong duelist. She'd have to have held that much points in the tournament. 

And as much as she had stoked the competitive flames inside of her, she also made a promise with her friends. And she doesn't want to lose all of her chances for the tournament just yet. 

-

"I finally found you!"

That was the first thing that she shouted as soon as she met the asshole delinquent that had beaten her little brother and friends in what felt like a whole lifetime ago. Before they even got into this whole Numbers mess with Yuuna at the helm of it all. 

Even with a more important goal and possible threats to the city however, she was never a girl that could let go of a grudge easily. She was a Kozuki for goodness sake! And to them, family and friends was as important as staying true to their desires. 

And the admittedly strong duelist that was Shark (a stupid name in her opinion, why would anyone name themselves after a fish?) was unforgivable. 

Especially as she watched him leave his latest and newest opponent groaning on the pavement without a single care. Even letting out a scoff as he turned off his duel disk. Well she could at least make an excuse that he's part of this whole Numbers thing. 

"The runaway train huh?" He said as he turned from his beaten opponent and towards her, calling her that nickname that everyone seemed too know her for. 

"It's Anna you idiot!" She hissed out as she walked closer, but made sure that the distance between the two of them was just right to start a duel. "And I'm here for payback for what you did to Allen, Sayaka and Myu!"

Shark's face remained impassive as his mouth twitched into a small scowl. "Those three? If you're talking about the trashing that they got recently then I had nothing to do with it."

His comment made her eyes twitch at the reminder of how her little brother came back groaning about how a pretty boy duel idol or whatever was apparently also involved with this whole Numbers business. "I'll deal with that guy later! After I'm done with you!"

With that roar, she raised her left hand and brought her duel disk to life. Bracing it right in front of her as she glared daggers at her future opponent. 

And Shark clicked his tongue. "Tch. How annoying." Yet nonetheless he readied himself, activating his deep blue duel blade with a flick of his wrist. 

"I'll make this qui-" The dark blue haired teen stopped himself before he could finish, his head snapping as fast as humanly possible to his right. And immediately his entire body shifted, the casual aloofness that he seemed to exude changing in a single moment.

Into one of barely contained rage, as he gnashed his teeth towards her with eyes filled with anger. "You-! I have no time for you!" And he immediately lashed out his left hand outwards, turning his duel disk off as he then ran off.

"Wha-! Get back here!" She shouted as she followed suit. "Shark!"

"I said I don't have time for you!" The dark blue haired delinquent roared back as he kept running away from her, head facing forward as he ran to chase whatever it was that he saw. "You're not getting away this time IV!"

The infamous Heartland Dueling School delinquent rounded right around a corner and stopped. And seeing him do so made her stop as well. "Finally! What the hell are you-!"

"Fufufu, you really are easy to rile up aren't you? Ryoga-kun."

The words that were about to leave her mouth stopped right as she heard the voice of a young boy, and as she panned her vision past the opponent that she wanted to defeat, she saw what made him stop right in his tracks.

That being a short young boy with pale blonde hair with a braid that hung from the right side of his head, dressed in one of those fancy dresses in bright blue. His yellow gold eye shone with mischief and something else as he smiled at both her and Shark.

And she definitely though eye, because most of his face barring his left eye and half of his mouth was hidden by a giant metal mask. With a crown-like groove at the top and crimson blood red visor that hid his right eye.

"Who the heck are you?" The dark blue haired teen said with barely contained anger. In contrast, voicing out the question that she was about to ask herself. And the small pale blonde haired boy merely kept his even smile, and that made Shark scowl as his head turned left and right in search of something. "Get out of the way brat. Where the heck did-"

"Fufu. Still looking for IV are you?" The small boy said with an even tone, smile ever present as Shark's head snapped right towards him, glaring at the boy as he gained his full attention. "Ah you truly are quite simple. Just saying his name your awareness of everything else fades."

"What the heck are you talking about." The dark blue haired teen said as his shoulders straightened. "And you haven't answered my question. Who the heck are you." He demanded, voice filled with barely restrained anger as he met the boy's calm smile with a scowl.

"Fufu. Then allow me to introduce myself then." To which the young boy merely giggled, placing a hand on his heart as he lowered his head in a mock bow. "I am Tron. you can say that I have a special relationship with the duelist that you're searching for."

"You-! You lured me here!" And immediately the dark haired delinquent went on alert, fist clenched as he warily eyed the boy who remained smiling calmly.

She knew that she was definitely missing something. But from the way that Shark mentioned the name IV- "You, you're connected to the guy that beat up my friends?" She butted right into the conversation, following Shark's lead as she sent her glare down the alley and towards the young boy that blocked their path.

"You-!"

"If you say that this has nothing to do with me, then I'm going to sock you in your face." She stopped whatever it was that Shark was about to say as she walked past him, ignoring that she bumped into his shoulder, and stared the young boy down.

Tron's one visible eye narrowed as he placed a hand on chin, tilting his head to a side as the smile that he had turned into a genuine confused frown. "Hm? And who might you be, young lady?"

"Young lady!? Who're you calling young lady!?" She shouted as her eyes twitched in annoyance at the boy's switch in attitude. "I want to know where that damn pretty boy is too! I've got a bone to pick with him!"

"Pretty boy? Ah! You must be talking about IV as well!" The boy said, eye and face brightening in realization as he placed a fist onto his palm. Only for him to then sigh as he rested his head on an open palm. "That boy sure is popular. It's gotten to the point where it is really getting problematic."

"What the heck are you talking about?"

"Ah well, I do apologize then young lady, because I do have a prior appointment with Ryoga right here." He said with a sigh, smile returning to his face as he gestured to the fuming teen behind her. "So, what do you say Ryoga-kun? I can tell you of IV's whereabouts if you want me to?"

"Where is he." Shark demanded, not even bothering to ask as he shouldered past her, ignoring her shout as he glared down at the shorter boy who met it with his even smile. "Tell me where IV is."

"My, my, you truly are impatient aren't you Ryoga-kun." The boy preened as he continued to smile coyly, tilting his head as he stared at him with his one visible eye. "But did you truly think that I would give out that information for free? Hm?" 

"You! If you aren't going to talk then I'm going to make you!" The dark blue haired teen shouted as he took a step back to make space, and brandished his hand to activate his duel disk.

"My oh my not even bothering to try and negotiate!" The small boy clasped his gloved hands in glee. "But if you truly do want to duel then I suppose it can't be helped!" And Tron raised his left hand as a fan shaped duel blade glowed from his duel disk.

"Hey Shark!" She shouted out his name and grabbed him by the shoulder. "You're supposed to duel me first! You-!"

"Shut up! I'll deal with you later!" The dark blue haired teen roared as he glanced back to glare at her, voice laced with enough vitriol that it made her let go of his shoulder and step back in surprise. "I'll beat this brat, and then I'll fight you if that's what you want! So shut up and just watch!"

"While I certainly don't mind if you were to watch." The young boy interjected, making her turn towards him. "I do think that Ryoga-kun would have a problem if you interfered. So how about you sit this one out young lady?" 

She grit her teeth as she saw Tron's ever serene knowing smile, but relented as she lowered her hand. Clicking her tongue as she stepped back and simply watched.

And so Anna watches as both begin the duel.

""DUEL!!""

Shark: 4000LP

Tron: 4000LP

"How about you go first?" The boy with a metal mask said with a smile, and the declaration brought both of their thoughts to a halt.

"What?" Shark asked, almost growling the words out of his mouth at the absurdity of what his opponent had just said.

"I'm saying that you can go first, Ryoga-kun." The masked child said with a condescending smile, gesturing towards him with his open hand. "Go ahead. Take your turn." He said, allowing the blue haired delinquent to take the first turn.

"Are you so confident that you'll win!?" The blue haired delinquent roared out, face contorting in rage as he bared his teeth to his opponent. "Fine then! I'll prove you wrong! My turn!" And as his opponent wanted, took the first turn for himself.

"I will normal summon Hammer Shark!" And immediately snatching a card from his five starting card hand, slamming it onto his glowing duel blade as the holographic projection appeared before him, taking the form of a gigantic hammer headed shark, in a literal sense.

Hammer Shark - Water/Fish/Level 4/Effect: 1700/1500

"And I will activate its effect!" Shark immediately declared as he swiped his hand outwards. "Once per turn, I can reduce this card's Level by 1, and if I do, I can special summon one Level 3 or lower Water monster from my hand!"

The giant hammer headed shark let out a roar as it trashed around, a blue glow emitting from its body as its Level was lowered while Shark chose a monster from the cards in his hand.

Hammer Shark - Water/Fish/Level 3/Effect: 1700/1500

"Appear! Friller Rabca!" Said monster being one that took the form of a frilled shark. The monster opening its maws as it let out a hiss, swinging its tail as it swam in the air as if it was swimming in water.

Friller Rabca - Water/Fish/Level 3/Effect: 700/1500

"Two Level 3 monsters already huh." She muttered as she watched Shark summon the two monsters, while his opponent merely hummed as he kept his small smile.

"I'll take the now Level 3 Hammer Shark and the Level 3 Friller Rabca, and overlay them!" The dark blue haired teen shouted as he swiped his hand upwards. The two Water monsters on his side of the field then let out their respective cries, turning into two motes of dark blue light and crisscrossing with one another. "I'll take these two monsters, and make an overlay network with them!"

And with that declaration, a galactical spiral of black and gold appeared in the middle of the field, and the two glowing dark blue orbs entered it as it appeared. "XYZ Summon!" Shark brought his hand down, and the vortex then exploded into a glowing light.

"Come! Number 17!" He shouted as he XYZ Summoned a monster, and a strange heart shaped blue monster appeared, and it started to uncoil itself at Shark's behest. "Leviathan Dragon!"

And the now revealed serpentine dragon appeared, uncurling its six wings and letting out an ear ripping scream as the monster was summoned by its proper owner, staring at the both of them menacingly as the mark on its right horn shone.

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon - Water/XYZ/Dragon/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/0 OV: 2

"That XYZ!" Anna shouted, gritting her teeth as she saw the monster descending onto the field. Its wings spread wide as it stood in front of its master.

"Hm. So you can easily summon one on your first turn." Tron merely hummed, still unperturbed even as he saw his opponent summoned out his Number XYZ Monster. "How nice."

The condescending comment clearly irked Shark, as he ground his teeth. "You-!" He growled out. "I will activate Leviathan Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can detach one material from this card, and have it gain 500 attack!"

The giant blue dragon roared as it spread both of its wings, trashing in the air as it chomped down upon one of the two overlay materials that it possessed in order to activate its own effect.

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon - Water/XYZ/Dragon/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/0 OV: 1

And a dark blue aura encompassed the dragon, as through its own effect, its attack points increased.

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon - Water/XYZ/Dragon/Rank 3/Effect: 2500/0 OV: 1

"I will set two cards face-down! And end my turn." Shark said as he placed two of the remaining cards in his hand onto his duel blade, holographic projections of the face-down cards appearing behind his XYZ Monster as he then ended his turn. Passing with an XYZ Monster on his field, a pair of set cards, and a singular card meaning in his hand.

"Hm, I see. So is that how your turn goes then?" The pale haired teen hummed, completely unmoved from the plays that his opponent had done for his first turn. "Then I suppose I would take my first turn then?"

With a smile, the small boy placed a hand on top of his duel disk, where his deck was placed on, and drew for turn. "Then I guess it is my turn then. I draw." He said calmly, taking his first turn of the duel as he began with six cards in his hand.

The boy glanced at the six cards in his hand very briefly, before deciding on his first play of the turn. "I will start by activating the effect of Heraldic Beast Amphisbaena in my hand." Trin said, revealing in his hand.

"Heraldic Beast Amphisbaena allows me to discard one other 'Heraldic Beast' monster, to special summon this card from my hand." The boy said, explaining the monster card's effect in his hand.

Tron then revealed another card, the one that he would discard as the cost of activating the monster's effect. "I will discard Heraldic Beast Leo from my hand, and special summon Heraldic Beast Amphisbaena in attack position."

The boy discarded the monster card from his hand, and placed the monster card onto his glowing duel blade. And a giant dragonic monster appeared onto his field, the monster letting out a screeching roar as it grounded itself, facing against the serpentlike dragon on the opposing field.

Heraldic Beast Amphisbaena - Wind/Dragon/Level 4/Effect: 1700/1100

"And I will then activate the effect of Heraldic Beast Leo." Tron declared, activating the effect of the monster that he had discarded. "When Heraldic Beast Leo is sent to the graveyard, I can add one 'Heraldic Beast' monster from my hand, except another 'Heraldic Beast Leo'."

"A searcher!" Anna shouted, noting the card's ability to essentially search any other monster of Tron's archetype of choice. "And it's one that activates when it's sent to the graveyard too!"

The fact that it was a when effect that would not miss timing certainly went over the pink haired girl's head. Yet she still managed to understand that the card itself was an incredible tool of consistency for Tron's deck.

The pale blonde haired teen smiled as he then took a card from his deck, revealing it to his opponent. "I will add Heraldic Beast Twin-Headed Eagle from my deck to my hand." He said, adding the monster card to his hand.

"And I will normal summon it." Then the boy immediately placed the monster card that he had added onto his duel blade. And the purple and orange winged beast appeared, flapping its wings as both its heads let out screeches as it descended.

Heraldic Beast Twin-Headed Eagle - Wind/Winged Beast/Level 4/Effect: 1200/1400

"Two Level 4s!" Shark growled as he prepared himself for the upcoming XYZ Summon that his opponent would no doubt perform. And to that, his opponent smiled.

And as expected, Tron then began to chant. "Now! I will take the Level 4 Heraldic Beast Amphisbaena and the Level 4 Heraldic Beast Twin-Headed Eagle, and overlay them!" The metal masked young boy grinned as he raised his hand, and both monsters let out their respective cries as they turned into glowing green pillars of light.

All while a galactical black and gold vortex appeared before him, to which the two pillars of light circled around. "With these two monsters, I shall construct the overlay network!" And both green lights entered, creating a chaotic explosion of light.

"XYZ Summon!" Tron shouted with glee as he threw his right hand forward, balling it onto a fist as a shining purple crest appeared on the back of his gloves. "Appear! Number 8!" And from the giant vortex emerged a new monster. One that took the form similar to that of a giant blank mask with glowing red eyes shining behind black curved slits, with a head of glossy pale blonde hair attached onto it.

"That's! A Number!" She hissed out as her eyes narrowed. "So the suspicious kid does have one of them!" While the boy's opponent growled as the newly summoned XYZ Monster's form then morphed. 

Two pairs of stalk-like legs emerged under it, its hair twisting and morphing at the side of its head and behind it, and an equine-like body coloured blue and orange took form in flashes of glowing light. The numeral 8 shone in purplish energy from the monster's mask. 

"Heraldic King Genom-Heritage!" Tron declared the monster's name as it let out a monstrous neigh, raising both of its front legs as its hair was swept with the wind. Two shining golden overlay units orbiting around the newly summoned Number Monster.

Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2400/1800 OV: 2

"So that's your Number Monster." The dark blue haired teen said evenly with narrowed eyes, watching the monster that was shining with an odd blue aura closely, scrutinising every single part of its body.

"Fufu, were you surprised? You sure don't look you are." The masked youth spoke with a small giggle, his smile ever present on his face. "Now then, let us begin shall we?" Tron spoke aloud as he then waved his hand outwards.

"And I shall activate Genom-Heritage's effect!" The metal masked boy declared with a swipe of his hand. "Once per turn, I can target one face-up XYZ Monster that my opponent controls, and have Genome-Heritage's name, original attack, and effect become that monster's!"

"What!? It's effect doesn't use an overlay unit?!" Shark shouted in surprise as he heard the effect being explained. "You're going to take Leviathan Dragon's effect?! But if its attack becomes the same then both monsters would be destroyed!"

"Ah that's because that's not all Ryoga-kun!" Tron hummed with an ever present smile. "Because that targeted monster' attack would become 0, and its effects are negated! All these effects would last until the end of this turn! Heraldry Flash!"

"What!?" And this time his eyes widened as much as they physically could, and he watched as the masked XYZ Monster shone with a crimson aura, before it's tendril-like hair moved and pointed all of its ends towards the serpentine dragon, shooting a transparent crimson beam that engulfed the monster. Taking the monster's important characteristics for itself.

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon - Water/XYZ/Dragon/Rank 3/Effect: 0/0 OV: 1

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 2

"Tch! Leviathan Dragon!" 

"And I suppose I would use its effect too now." The pale blonde boy spoke with a giggle, waving his hand towards his XYZ Monster. "I will activate the effect of my Leviathan Dragon! I will detach one material from it, to increase its attack by 500 points!"

The masked XYZ Monster then absorbed one of its overlay units, the golden orb melting into the monster as it impacted its own mask. Its effect copying that of Shark's XYZ Monster.

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 3000/1800 OV: 1

"3000 attack!" The dark blue haired delinquent growled, watching as the monster's attack point was increased.

"Now then, let's move to the Battle Phase! I will attack your Leviathan Dragon with Genom-Heritage!" With the declaration the monster in question let out its cry, galloping up in the air as it readied its attack. "Flash Impact!" And charged a golden beam of energy from its hair-like tendrils, aimed towards the weakened serpentine monster.

"Then I will use the effect of Friller Rabca in my graveyard!" The dark blue haired teen shouted, waving his hand outwards before the attack could hit. "I can banish Friller Rabca from my graveyard, to negate an opponent's monstre attack, and if I do, that target loses 500 attack until the end of the next turn!" 

"What?" The metal masked boy's singular visible eye widened as he saw the translucent ghostly form of Friller Rabca return onto the field with a splash, biting onto the attacking Genom-Heritage as it neighed in pain. Forcing it to halt its attack as a dark blue glow showed its lowered status.

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2500/1800 OV: 1

"I see." Tron said as his visible eye narrowed and the left crimson glowing visor on his metal mask shining. "So that was the monster that you detached off of Leviathan Dragon. How devious."

Hearing his opponent's reluctant praise, a grin formed on Shark's face. "Heh. Bet you're regretting letting me go first now aren't you." He spoke, before raising his right hand and pointing towards his opponent. "Well get ready! Because on the next turn, that XYZ Monster of yours is going off into the deep end!" 

"We'll see about that. I will follow your lead and set two cards face-down, and end my turn." Tron said as he threw two cards onto his unique duel blade, the two holographic projections shining briefly behind his XYZ Monster as he then ended his turn with a board that was similar to that of Shark's own, along with two cards that remained in his hand.

"And at the end of the turn, the effect of Genom-Heritage would disappear." The masked young boy said aloud, as a wave of energy rolled off of both XYZ Monsters, as they all returned to their original state. Though Tron's own XYZ Monster was weakened thanks to the effect of Friller Rabca.

Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 1900/1800 OV: 2

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon - Water/XYZ/Dragon/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/0 OV: 1

"Ha! Then it's my turn again! I draw!" Shark shouted as he drew a card at the beginning of his turn, starting off with a pair of cards in his possession. Glancing briefly at the newly drawn card before he waved his right hand outwards as he made a declaration.

"I will activate the effect of Leviathan Dragon again! Detaching its last material, to give it a 500 attack point boost!" He declared as he balled his hand into fist, his monster spreading its wings as it let out a roar that shook the very air around the Number Monster, chomping on its one overlay material to activate its effect for the final time.

Number 17: Leviathan Dragon - Water/XYZ/Dragon/Rank 3/Effect: 2000/0 OV: 1

"If it hadn't been negated by that monster of yours it would have had 3000 attack, but that's fine!" The water themed duelist shouted aloud as he then showed a card in his hand. "But that won't matter! I will normal summon Right-Hand Shark!"

And then proceeded to slam the card onto his blue duel blade, and a small giant headed shark appeared onto the field. Its golden jaws snapping open as it spun. Its many fins making the monster in question resembling a right hand as its namesake implied.

Right-Hand Shark - Water/Fish/Level 4/Effect: 1500/1300

"And I will activate its effect!" Shark declared with a wave of his hand. "When Right-Hand Shark is normal summoned, I can add one 'Left-Hand Shark' from my deck to my hand!" He spoke aloud, and took out a card from his deck to reveal to his opponent. The card of course being none other than the Left-Hand Shark in question.

"Then I will activate the effect of White Stingray in my hand!" The dark blue haired teen shouted as he revealed the other unknown card that he still had in his hand. "I can special summon this card from my hand by discarding a Water monster from my hand!"

And of course, with him just adding it a moment earlier, they all knew what card he would discard for the monster's cost. "I will discard Left-Hand Shark, to summon White Stingray!" He shouted as he slotted the card into his duel disk's graveyard slot, and a majestic white stingray manifested right before him.

White Stingray - Water/Fish/Level 4/Effect: 1400/1000

"Oho? Not a shark I see. Are you perhaps branching out on your choice of cards?" Tron hummed as he tilted his head upon seeing the monster card that Shark summoned, to which the teen delinquent eloquently ignored.

Instead, he waved his right hand outwards yet again. "Then I will activate the effect of Left-Hand Shark in my graveyard!" He declared. "If I control 'Right-Hand Shark' and this card is in my hand or graveyard, I can special summon Left-Hand Shark onto the field!"

Shark took out the monster card that he had just discarded from his graveyard with a fluid motion of his hand, placing it onto his duel blade with quick succession. "Come! Left-Hand Shark!" And with his shout, a mirrored image of the monster that he had normal summoned this turn appeared with a splash. Its light blue markings contrasting its counterpart's orange.

Left-Hand Shark - Water/Fish/Level 3/Effect: 1500/1300

"Another monster!" She shouted as she watched the duel continue on, still on the fence on who to root for. "But its Level is different from the other monsters, why did he-?"

"And if its summoned from the graveyard, Left-Hand Shark's Level becomes 4!" Was the immediate answer to the question that the pink haired girl was just about to voice out. A blue glow enveloped the monster as its level was increased through its own effect. 

Left-Hand Shark - Water/Fish/Level 4/Effect: 1500/1300

"Three Level 4 monsters hm?" Yet seeing his opponent assemble a menagerie of monsters didn't perturb the metal masked boy as he simply hummed. "Are you perhaps going to summon that other Number Monster of yours Ryoga-kun?"

Tron raised a hand in front of his face and giggled into his fist. "But I would say, if you were planning to do so then you maybe shouldn't have used Leviathan Dragon's effect then. After all, without any overlay materials, that monster can't attack directly."

The pale blonde boy shook his head as he held both of his hands raised just above his shoulders. "If you hadn't done that, then you might have won if you attacked right into my Genom-Heritage with that other Number Monster that you have."

"As if I need to listen to you!" The dark blue haired teen growled as he raised his hand upwards. "I will take the Level 4 Right-Hand Shark, White Stingray and Left-Hand Shark, and overlay all of them!" 

They watched as Shark shouted and took all three Level 4 monsters that he had on his field and all three of them turned into dark blue motes of lights that criss-crossed one another as they entered the black and golden galactical vortex that appeared in the center of the field.

"I'll make another overlay network with all three of these monsters! XYZ Summon!" And with that declaration as the three motes of lights completely entered the galactical vortex, erupting into a blinding golden explosion of light.

"Deep sea emperor who holds the greatest power! Bite everything into pieces with your fangs!" The teen shouted out his chant, and brought down his raised hand as he then completed said chant.

"Come forth, Number 32!" Shark shouted once again, and a different marking shone on the back of his right hand, one similar to that of the number 32. "Marine Biting Dragon - Shark Drake!"

And from the depths of the galactical black and golden vortex came a new XYZ Monster, one taking the form of a monstrous bipedal sea creature with giant wing-like fins on its back, and sharp long claws. The number 32 shone on the monster's left chest as its maw opened to let out a ground shaking roar.

Number 32: Shark Drake - Water/XYZ/Sea Serpent/Rank 4/Effect: 2800/2100 OV: 3

"That's!" Anna hissed as she saw the monster that had just been summoned. "The XYZ Monster that Allen told about!"

"Well now! So you still decided to summon it anyway!" The pale blonde haired boy spoke as his one visible eye went wide. With a hand on his side while the other tapping his chin, he asked. "But still, why are you doing this I wonder? I am quite sure that you understand, with Leviathan Dragon not able to attack directly, you can't defeat me this turn."

"That's what you think." The dark blue haired teen said with a small smirk.

"What?" And for the first time, Tron seemed to lose a bit of his composure.

"An XYZ Monster that was summoned using only Water monsters as material including Right-Hand Shark makes it so that it cannot be destroyed by battle! And the same applies with Left-Hand Shark for destruction by card effects!" Shark spoke aloud.

"What?!" The declaration made the pale blonde young boy shout in surprise.

"Which means that my Shark Drake can't be destroyed by battle at all! Even against a Number Monster! And can't be destroyed by card effects too!" The delinquent shouted with a grin, and the gigantic red scaled monstrous shark roared out in front of him.

But he wasn't done with his turn just like that. The dark blue haired teen then waved his arm towards the side, not letting his opponent get even a moment to regain his composure as he opened his mouth to speak once more. 

"I'll take the Rank 3 Number 17: Leviathan Dragon, and overlay it!" He shouted aloud, and the giant dragonic serpent roared as its body glowed and turned back to its inert state.

"Wha-! You're using a Number Monster for an XYZ Summon?!" Tron shouted as his visible eye widened as he watched Shark raise his right hand upwards.

"I'll reconstruct the overlay network using Leviathan Dragon!" He shouted aloud as the dark blue orb that was Leviathan Dragon once again re-entered the vortex of black and gold, and exploded into a pillar of light.

"Full Armor XYZ! Dress for battle! Full Armored Black Ray Lancer!" And with a raised hand and a shout, a whole new monster appeared from the galactical vortex. Taking the form of a black armor clad monster with large wing-like pauldrons, the monster stood proudly in front of its master.

Full Armored Black Ray Lancer - Water/XYZ/Beast-Warrior/Rank 4/Effect: 2100/600 OV: 1

"That monster-!" Tron gaped as he saw the monster that was summoned into the field. Mouth slightly hanging open as he saw his opponent using his now 'useless' XYZ Monster for a new XYZ Summon.

"Full Armored Black Ray Lancer can be XYZ Summoned using a Rank 3 Water XYZ Monster that I control that has no XYZ Material." The dark blue haired teen said, explaining the XYZ Monster's alternate summoning condition. 

"And Full Armored Black Ray Lancer's effect!" Shark declared aloud. "This card gains 200 attack for each material attached to it!" The boy said, explaining the monster's attack boosting effect, and the armored monster was then surrounded by a dark blue hue as its attack point was raised.

Full Armored Black Ray Lancer - Water/XYZ/Beast-Warrior/Rank 4/Effect: 2300/600 OV: 1

"This duel ends this turn! Battle!" The shark themed duelist shouted as he raised his hand, and brought it down to point towards his opponent's singular monster. "Attack Genom-Heritage, Shark Drake! Depth Bite!" And sent out his newly summoned Number XYZ Monster onto the battlefield.

The crimson giant monster roared as it spread its fins wide, swiping them towards Tron's monster as it conjured a whirlpool right under it. 

"As if I'll let you! I'll activate my set card!" The metal masked boy shouted as he threw his right hand forwards, and one of the two set cards that he possessed flipped face-up. "Heraldry Change!" And shone with a bright light.

"When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I can special summon one 'Heraldic Beast' monster from my hand, then end the Battle Phase!" The metal masked young boy shouted, declaring the effect of his Trap Card.

"It ends the Battle Phase!?" Anna said in shock as she watched from the sidelines. Hearing the effect of the card be played with wide eyes as Tron placed a hand on one of the two cards that he still had remaining, choosing a monster to summon with the effect. 

"I will-"

"You won't be doing anything! I will activate my own set card!" And in response, Shark roared as he threw a hand up towards the sky, flipping his own set card. "The Counter Trap, Sea King's Verdict!"

"What!?" And Tron took a step back in shock as his eye went wide, the set card that was behind Shark's XYZ Monster shone as it was activated.

"When you activate a Trap Card during the Battle Phase, Sea King's Verdict will negate its activation, and destroy it!" From the Counter Trap, a gigantic figure wielding a golden trident emerged, throwing said weapon as it pierced the masked boy's own Trap card.

Which, of course, was negated as its holographic projection lost all of its colour as it broke apart like glass. Tron snapping his head from his negated and destroyed Trap card and towards the vortex of water that continued to consume his monster.

"Go! Shark Drake!" Shark roared out again, punching forward in tandem with his monster's roar. "Depth Bite!"

And the crimson shark then rushed forwards, slicing through the gigantic whirlpool that it had summoned, along with the enemy monster that was inside of it. Creating a giant explosion and a cloud of dust in its wake.

"Alright!" The well known delinquent of Heartland Dueling School shouted with grin, pumping his fist "And since a monster was destroyed by battle Shark Drake will-" Only to stop as his head snapped towards the crimson XYZ Monster, growling towards where his opponent was, still consumed in a giant cloud of dust.

One that slowly disappeared. "What!?" The dark blue haired teen shouted as he saw the quadrupedal XYZ Monster still standing on the field, not being destroyed even after battling against a stronger Number monster. "How!?" Shark shouted as he gritted his teeth, his head snapping to the source of glowing light behind the monster that he had just attacked.

"The Continuous Trap, Heraldry Protection." The metal masked boy spoke, his smile gone as his lips formed into a thin line, his tone of voice losing any mirth that he held at the start of the duel. 

"This Continuous Trap allows me to target one monster on the field, and have it lose 800 points of attack. But it is destroyed when the targeted monster leaves the field." He explained, reading out the card's effect. "But it cannot be destroyed by battle. So that means you won't be able to activate Shark Drake's effect."

As he said that, both Shark and her head turned towards the monster who was shining with a glowing purple crest. One that protected it from battle even against other Number monsters at the cost of lowering its attack points.

Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 1100/1800 OV: 1

Which too meant that the pale haired boy had taken more battle damage from the attack, though in doing so had prevented him from being defeated on this very turn.

Tron: 2300LP

"Tch!" The dark blue haired teen gritted his teeth and balled his fist, seething in anger as his strategy to finish this very duel here and now failing right in front of him. "How annoying! But even if it can't be destroyed by battle, you will still take the damage! Attack, Black Ray Lancer! Black Bright Spear!"

The black armored XYZ Monster heeded the command, hefting its giant spear as the monster thrusted it forwards, dashing along with it as it struck the equine-like Genom-Heritage.

"Gagh!" And the force of the attack brough Tron to his knees, the metal masked boy glaring towards his opponent as he placed a hand over his chest. His duel disk let out a chime as his Life Points indeed lowered even as his monster was not destroyed by the battle.

Tron: 1100LP

Seeing that his opponent slowly rising to stand back up made the dark blue haired teenage delinquent growl, clicking his tongue as he spoke. "I end my turn." And as he had no other cards that he could play, Shark proceeded to end his turn. A pair of XYZ Monsters, and a singular set cards that he had set on his previous turn onboard, while no cards remained in his grip as he ended his turn.

"I will admit, I didn't expect that you would be able to do this much damage to me, Ryoga-kun." The metal masked boy spoke, his tone flat and emotionless as his one visible eye locked onto the shark duelist.

"I'm impressed. Really I am. I guess I should have expected this from someone that IV has his eyes on. " He said as he raised his left hand and waved it to his side, while his other hand slowly raised to hide his face. "But at the same time…"

From the gaps between his fingers, his lone golden eye shone ominously. Sending shivers down both Anna and Shark's spines. "You have really, really made me quite angry." And the words were no longer emotionless, the barest hint of restrained anger could even be felt for the cherry haired girl who was watching from the sidelines.

"My turn! I draw!" The boy roared as he threw his hand outwards, and then drew a card in his Draw Phase. Beginning his second turn of the game with three cards in his hand. "I will activate the effect of Genom-Heritage!" 

And begin by immediately using his XYZ Monster's effect, waving his hand forwards as he roared aloud. "With its effect, I will target your Full Armor Black Ray Lancer, Negate its effect, reduce its attack, and steal its name! Heraldry Flash!"

Once again the stalk legged XYZ Monster neighed as it slammed its front legs into the ground, crimson energy enveloping it and its target, the armored black monster letting a groan as it went down to one knee. Genom-Heritage's effect once again being activated as it stole the armored XYZ Monsters's name, attack power and capabilities. Even as its stolen attack points were immediately lowered thanks to the Continuous Trap that it was equipped with.

Full Armored Black Ray Lancer - Water/XYZ/Beast-Warrior/Rank 4/Effect:0/600 OV: 1

Full Armored Black Ray Lancer - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 1300/1800 OV: 1

"Tch!" Shark clicked his tongue as he saw his own monster having its effect negated, which in turn also meant that its ability to protect itself would be unable to be used.

Yet the choice confused their singular spectator. "Why did he choose Full Armored Black Ray Lancer?" The cherry haired girl mused as her brows knit together. "His monster still has material to use, and since it negates effects too, it would get rid of Shark Drake's protection completely. So why…"

"And as it gains the effect of Full Armored Black Ray Lancer, its attack would increase by 200 for the one overlay material that it has." tron spoke as his eye kept locking to Shark, the Heraldic XYZ Monster shining briefly as its attack points were raised ever so slightly.

Full Armored Black Ray Lancer - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 1500/1800 OV: 1

"But that won't truly matter." The metal masked boy spoke, as he then took a card from his hand and revealed it to his opponent. "Because I will activate the Spell, Seven Store." He said as he played the card directly from his hand, and its holographic projection shone.

"This card allows me to tribute one face-up XYZ Monster that I control, to allow me to draw one card, then draw an additional card for each XYZ Material that the tributed monster had." The pale blonde boy spoke as he pointed towards his own XYZ Monster.

"I will tribute Genom-Heritage!" The equine XYZ Monster let out a last and final neigh as it transformed into particles of light that flew towards Tron's unique duel disk. "And draw two cards!" And the boy then took the top two cards of his deck and drew them. Getting the 

additional draw thanks to the singular overlay unit that Genom-Heritage still possessed.

"And since Genom-Heritage left the field, Heraldry Protection would be destroyed." He said, as the Continuous Trap that he had equipped the monster to disappeared along with it. 

"You tribute your Number Monster!?" Shark shouted with shock clear in both his face and voice. Widened eyes immediately narrowed as he leaned forwards and growled. "What are you planning!"

"I'm sure you're surprised. But we're only just beginning, Ryoga-kun." Tron said ominously, as he then took another card from his now four card hand. "Because I will activate another Spell! XYZ Revenge!"

And yet again, the card that he activated appeared right before him. The Spell Card's holographic projection shining as the pale blonde haired boy explained its effects. "If my opponent controls a face-up XYZ Monster that has XYZ Material, I can target one XYZ Monster in my graveyard, special summon it, then detach one XYZ Material from a monster that you control and attach it to that monster as an XYZ Material!"

With that lengthy explanation done with, the metal masked boy then took a card out of his duel disk's graveyard slot, and revealed it for all to see. "I will target Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage in my graveyard, and special summon it again!"

He raised his right hand, card between his fingers, and shouted. "Return! Genom-Heritage!" And swiftly placed it onto his medieval styled duel blade, the giant four legged XYZ Monster letting out a neigh as it returned onto the battlefield.

Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2400/1800 OV: 0

"So it returned!" Shark hissed, finally understanding that returning the monster was no doubt the masked young boy's plan all along.

Then the effect of the Spell continued, with Tron swiping his hand again to point towards Shark's crimson Ace Monster. "I will then detach one XYZ Material from your Shark Drake, and attach it to Genom-Heritage!"

A spark of energy then appeared from the Spell Card that was still on the field, shooting a golden chain of energy that latched onto one of Shark Drake's three overlay materials. Snatching it and attaching itself onto Tron's own revived XYZ Monster.

Number 32: Shark Drake - Water/XYZ/Sea Serpent/Rank 4/Effect: 2800/2100 OV: 2

Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2400/1800 OV: 1

"Now that, with that out of the way," Tron said as he closed his eyes for a brief moment, before they snapped open again as he waved his hand forward once more. "I will activate the effect of Heraldic King Genom-Heritage one more!"

"What!?" And to the activation of the monster's effect, Shark shouted as his eyes went as wide as dinner plates. "But you've already used that monster's effect already!"

"Fufu, why yes indeed." And seeing Shark's shocked look brought a smile to Tron's face. "After all, the effect of Heraldic King Genom-Heritage is a once per turn, but it is only a once per turn for each copy of the card."

And with that over simplified explanation, the metal masked boy snapped his fingers as he pointed towards Shark's Ace Monster. "So this time, I will target Shark Drake! Heraldry Flash!" And with the command given, the golden hairs of Genom-Heritage moved to point towards Shark Drake, shooting beams of energy that enveloped itself towards the crimson scaled shark.

In doing so, stealing the monster's name, attack points, and effects just like it had done a meare minute earlier.

Number 32: Shark Drake - Water/XYZ/Sea Serpent/Rank 4/Effect: 0/2100 OV: 2

Number 32: Shark Drake - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2800/1800 OV: 1

"Tch!" Shark hissed out as he grit his teeth, his mind racing as he thought of a way to make the best of his current situation.

"With this, the effect of that Right-Hand and Left-Hand Shark of your is no longer applied." The pale haired boy said with a smile. "Which means that Shark Drake is now completely vulnerable!" And declared so with glee clearly shown even with half his face obscured by his metal mask.

"Now then, I suppose I will normal summon Heraldic Beast Basilisk." And placed a monster card onto his duel blade, using his normal summon for the turn to summon a dark purple skinned beast. Its wings flapping and tails slapping the ground as it roared upon arrival.

Heraldic Beast Basilisk - Earth/Beast/Level 4/EffectL 1000/1400

"Now then, shall we move to the Battle Phase?" The pale blonde haired boy spoke with a wide grin, fiddling with his braid before he swiped his hand forwards in an arc. "I will start by attacking your Full Armored Black Ray Lancer with Heraldic Beast Basilisk!"

And the first attack goes to the newly summoned Heraldic Beast. The winged basilisk letting out a roar as it flew towards the black armored XYZ Monster. Slamming its head and destroying the weakened monster in single combat. 

"Tch!" Shark hissed as he held a hand in front of him to protect himself from the effect of the resulting clash. His Life Points lowering due to how weak his XYZ Monster had been thanks to the effect of Genom-Heritage.

Shark: 3000LP

"Now next! I will attack your Shark Drake with Heraldic King Genom-Heritage!" And soon the order of the second attack was given, and the resummoned XYZ Monster let out its battle cry. "Flash Impact!"

The four legged monster lept and leapt, walking in the air before it shot a yellow flash of energy towards its target. And unlike before, with no battle tricks to save it like its predecessor, the crimson scaled Number Monster was hit with the attack directly, resulting in its destruction as it let out a death cry. 

One shared by its summoner as the resulting battle threw him off of his feet and into the air. "Guaaaagh!" Shark shouted as he was launched up, before landing harshly onto the ground and skidding to a halt. Groaning as his Life Points barely remained from the attack.

Shark: 200LP

"Shark!" Anna cried out the teen's name. Though she still had a grudge to settle against him, seeing him being thrown around like that-!

"Ahahahaha! Why you certainly let out a good scream Ryoga-kun!" In complete contrast, Tron laughed as he saw the pain that his opponent seemed to have endured thanks to his actions. "But of course we're not done yer." He said with a crooked smile.

Snapping his fingers, the pale blonde haired boy raised his hand and shouted aloud the activation of his monster's effect. "Because now, I will use the effect of Shark Drake that Genom-Heritage copied!" 

The equine-like XYZ Monster let out another neigh as it raised both of its front legs, the translucent silhouette of Shark's crimson XYZ Monster briefly overlapping with its true form. "Once per turn, when this attacking card destroys an opponent's monster and sends it to the graveyard, I can detach one XYZ Material from this card, to special summoned the destroyed monster to your field in attack position!"

With Tron finished explaining what Shark's own card could do, the pale blonde haired boy waved his hand outwards as his XYZ Monster used the one overlay material that it had stolen from its opponent.

Number 32: Shark Drake - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2800/1800 OV: 0

"Now, why don't you return back? Shark Drake!" And then he raised his hand, acting as if he was a conductor of sort as the crimson scaled shark once again returned onto the field. Forcefully brought back against its own wishes at the whims of its opponent.

Number 32: Shark Drake - Water/XYZ/Sea Serpent/Rank 4/Effect: 2800/2100 OV: 0

"The summoned monster, of course, loses 1000 attack points." Tron did not forget to add, as a dark blue aura enveloped the revived Shark Drake as its attack points were reduced by a thousand points.

Number 32: Shark Drake - Water/XYZ/Sea Serpent/Rank 4/Effect: 1800/2100 OV: 0

Even as it all unfolded before him, Shark did his best to keep a calm facade. Hiding the fact that he was biting his lips with beads of sweat coming down from his forehead as he exerted himself to keep standing straight.

"And then, my own monster can make a second attack during this Battle Phase!" Then Tron finally finished explaining the stolen effect that Genom-Heritage possessed. Dragging out its explanation to enjoy the look on his opponent's face.

"Fufufu. It certainly doesn't feel great losing to your own monster's effect is it, Ryoga-kun?" Tron said as his eyes curved, silently laughing at the deadly glare that his opponent was sending him. "Now attack once more! Genom-Heritage! Flash Impact!" 

As the words left his lips his monster performed its attack yet again, charging its yellow beam and releasing it towards the revived and weakened Shark Drake, intending to finish the duel here and now.

"As if I'll let you!" Shark roared out as he swiped his hand outwards as fast as he could physically do. "I'll activate the Trap Hide and Shark!!" And flipped the last set card that he had.

"When your monster declares an attack while I have 2000 or less Life Points, by paying half of it, I can banish one 'Shark' monster that I control and end the Battle Phase!" The dark blue haired teen hastily explained through gritted teeth, thrusting his right hand towards his one and only monster.

"What!?" Tron was once more surprised, as he had unknowingly filled the Trap Card's activation condition for his opponent. Both by lowering Shark's Life Points enough, and to provide him with a monster to banish. "Ryoga!" He hissed his name.

"Kuh!" Yet first of all, Shark had to of course pay for the Trap Card's activation. What meagre amount of Life Points that he had disappeared even more. The delinquent swaying slightly as electricity sparked over his left hand.

Shark: 100LP

Regaining his footing, Shark then banished the monster that his opponent had brought back onto the field. "I will banish Shark Drake, and end the Battle Phase!" And the crimson scaled giant shark let out a cry as it disappeared in a flash of light. Being banished thanks to the effect of Shark's Trap Card.

"Tch!" The metal mask wearing boy clicked his tongue in annoyance as his opponent thwarted his plans to end this duel.

But the Trap Card's effect wasn't even finished, much to Tron's dismay. "And at the end of the Battle Phase, the monster is returned onto the field." And with a sway of his hand, Shark resummoned forth his Ace Monster. And Shark Drake returned from the banishment back onto the field,

Number 32: Shark Drake - Water/XYZ/Sea Serpent/Rank 4/Effect: 2800/2100 OV: 0

"Ah! Since it was banished its attack returns to normal!" Their singular spectator pointed out as her eyes went wide, noting that as it had been removed from the field, the attack lowering effect that Genom Heritage had inflicted upon it had disappeared.

"Then Shark Drake gains attack equal to the amount of Life Points paid to activate Hide and Shark." The infamous delinquent of Heartland Dueling School said through harsh breaths, a glowing blue light enveloping the monster as it was strengthened ever so slightly.

Number 32: Shark Drake - Water/XYZ/Sea Serpent/Rank 4/Effect: 2900/2100 OV: 0

"Ryoga-kun." The pale blonde haired boy started, the crimson lens on his metal mask shining ominously as he glared towards him. "You truly, truly do know how to infuriate someone don't you?"

With a huff filled with barely restrained frustration, the pale haired metal mask wearing boy waved his right hand to the side. "I will activate the effect of Heraldic Beast Twin-Headed Eagle in my graveyard." He declared.

"I can banish Heraldic Beast Twin-Headed Eagle from my graveyard to target one face-up XYZ Monster that I control with no XYZ Materials and two 'Heraldic Beast' monsters in my graveyard, and attach those monsters from the graveyard to that face-up XYZ Monster, as XYZ Materials." The masked young boy spoke, explaining the monster's graveyard effect.

Tron then took out a pair of cards that were still in his graveyard, the pair of cards that he had used to gather the materials needed to summon the XYZ Monster properly in the first place. "I will attach Heraldic Beast Leo and Heraldic Beast Amphisbaena to Heraldic King Genom-Heritage as material."

With a wave, the ghostly forms of both monsters briefly appeared beside the Heraldic XYZ Monster. Dancing around the monster before both transformed into glowing golden orbs of light that began to orbit the monster.

Number 32: Shark Drake - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2800/1800 OV: 2

"I will set two cards face-down." Then proceeded to set two of the three cards that he had in his hand. "And I will end my turn." And then proceeded to finish his turn. Ending with his XYZ Monster fully rejuvenated with overlay materials, a pair of brand new set cards in his Spell and Trap zone, and a single card remaining in his hand.

"And at the end of the turn, the effect of Genom-Heritage would disappear." So he said as the visage of Shark Drake that hung above the equine XYZ Monster disappeared. Its name, attack points and effect returned to what it originally once was.

Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2400/1800 OV: 2

"Tch! Kuh!" The dark blue haired shark duelist hissed and winced as he almost stumbled before even beginning his turn. His breaths heavy and audible as he gritted his teeth and placed a hand at his duel disk.

"My turn! I draw!" He roared out as loud as he could as he drew a card for turn, beginning with but a single card in his hand before immediately raising his hand up. "I'll take Number 32: Shark Drake, and overlay it!" Shark declared loudly with a wave of his hand, and the giant crimson Sea Serpent roared as it returned to its inert state, and once more entered the spiral of black and gold that appeared in the middle of the field.

"Here it comes." Tron muttered, unheard by his opponent.

"I'll take Shark Drake, and rebuild the overlay network! Chaos XYZ Change!" He shouted aloud, the galactical vortex exploding into a large blinding pillar of dark chaotic light. "Swim from the depth of the abyss! Show yourself! Chaos Number 32!"

The monster that emerged was undoubtedly that of Shark Drake, its form changed and becoming stronger, its main colouring changing from that of blood red into pure white, with accents of purple and shining chaotic bright red energy coursing through the monster, the mark numbering 32 shone on the monster's torso.

"Shark Drake Veiss!" And as Shark shouted his name, the gigantic white monster gave an earth shaking roar. With a singular glowing dark blue orb orbiting the monster as its lone overlay unit.

Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss - Water/XYZ/Sea Serpent/Rank 4/Effect: 2800/2100 OV: 1

"So you finally decided to use it." The metal masked boy spoke aloud, his visible eye narrowing upon the newly summoned XYZ Monster. "Chaos Number."

"And I'll use the effect of Shark Drake Veiss!" The blue haired teen screamed aloud, using the monster's effect. "As a Quick Effect I can detach one material from this card and banish one monster card from my graveyard then target one monster on the field and turn its attack and defence to zero!"

And he then pointed his hand towards his opponent's own XYZ Monster. "I will target your Heraldic King Genom-Heritage!" And the white gigantic shark roared loudly as it bit into its one XYZ Material, using it as a cost to activate the effect..

Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss - Water/XYZ/Sea Serpent/Rank 4/Effect: 2800/2100 OV: 0

"Haha! You're still putting up quite a fight aren't you!" The pale blonde haired boy laughed with a smile. "But it's too bad, I will activate the Counter Trap! Heraldry Record!" And in response to his opponent's XYZ Monster activating its effect, he activated one of his own set cards.

The Counter Trap Card shone as Tron began to explain its effect. "When an effect of my opponent's XYZ Monster is activated by detaching its own XYZ Material, Heraldry Record will negate the activation, and if I do, destroy it!"

"What!?" And seeing the metal mask wearing boy activate his own Counter Trap was most certainly not something that Shark had expected, and the dark blue haired delinquent could only watch in horror as his monster was struck by a lance of blue and yellow light from the Counter Trap's holographic projection. Negating its effect and destroying it in an explosion of light.

"No!" He shouted as he extended his hand towards the monster, only to pull it back and bringing both of his hands right in front of himself to defend against the explosion of dust that it had formed. 

"Haha! It seems that there's nothing else that you can do can't you Ryoga?" And with his monster being destroyed, Tron began to laugh at his opponent. A cruel smile on his face as he saw his opponent's face contorting through the emotional spectrum.

Only for it to end in rage and anger of course, the one that Tron was facing was Shark after all. "You-!" And though he winced in pain, the teen managed to let out a roar as he continued his turn. "I will activate the effect of Right-Hand Shark!"

Waving his hand forwards, he read its effect aloud. "If this card is in my graveyard and I control no monsters, I can special summon Right-Hand Shark, but it is banished when it leaves the field!"

Taking out the monster card from his duel disk's graveyard slot, Shark slammed it onto his duel blade. "Return! Right-Hand Shark!" And with it the giant shark whose form resembled a right hand reappeared onto the field.

Right-Hand Shark - Water/Fish/Level 4/Effect: 1500/1300

"And I will activate Left-Hand Shark's effect! Summoning it from the graveyard too!!" And with his shout, a mirrored image of the monster returned onto the field. With its summoning condition fulfilled, the orange lined shark formed onto the field.

Left-Hand Shark - Water/Fish/Level 3/Effect: 1500/1300

And as it was summoned from the graveyard, the monster's Level too was increased.

Left-Hand Shark - Water/Fish/Level 4/Effect: 1500/1300

"Ah right. Because it was used as an XYZ Material earlier it wasn't banished when it technically left the field. Tron drolled out as his visible eye rolled at the monster's appearance. "So then, what will you do with those monsters Ryoga? Are you planning to make another Number Monster?"

"Shut up! I will normal summon Saber Shark!" And played the card that he had just drawn for the turn. And the blade headed shark appeared as it bared its jaws towards its enemies.

Saber Shark - Water/Fish/Level 4/Effect: 1600/1200

"And I will use Saber Shark's effect!" He declared as loud as he possibly could. "Twice per turn, I can target one fish monster on the field, and increase or reduce its Level by one! But I can't special summon monsters but water monsters for the turn!"

"Which certainly wouldn't harm your deck I'm sure." Tron coyly spoke aloud, to which Shark ignored in favour of pointing towards his other monster. 

"I will target Right-Hand Shark, and increase its Level!" The saber headed shark let out a cry as it swam around the right hand-like shark, its level increasing by one from its effect.

Right-Hand Shark - Water/Fish/Level 5/Effect: 1500/1300

"Level 5?" Tron said, the lighthearted tone of his previous voice suddenly more subdued. "You're certainly diversifying your range aren't you Ryoga-kun?"

"And again! Targeting Left-Hand Shark!" And Shark activated his monster's effect again, this time targeting his other monster as he increased its Level by one.

Left-Hand Shark - Water/Fish/Level 5/Effect: 1500/1300

"I'll take the now Level 5 Right-Hand and Left-Hand Shark, and overlay them!" The dark blue haired teen shouted as he swiped his hand upwards. And the two of the three sharks on his side of the field then let out their respective cries, turning into twin motes of dark blue light and crisscrossing with one another. 

"I'll take these two monsters, and make an overlay network with them!" And once more a galactical spiral of black and gold appeared in the middle of the field, and the two glowing dark blue orbs entered it as it appeared. "XYZ Summon!" Shark brought his hand down, and the vortex then exploded into a glowing light.

"Appear, Numbers 73!" And the shark duelist called forth yet another Number XYZ Monster. "The holy drop falls into chaos. It shows its power, purifying the chaos! Descend! God of Roaring Waterfalls - Abyss Splash!"

And the monster that appeared took the form of a blue giant clad in golden armor, with shining blue gems adorning said armor. In his hand was a giant golden trident that was pointed towards its enemy. All while a pair of signing blue orbs orbited the monster.

Number 73: Abyss Splash - Water/XYZ/ Warrior/Rank 5/Effect: 2400/1400 OV: 2

"A new Number Monster I see." The metal masked boy said with a hum as his visible eye narrowed towards the giant warrior of water that he now faced. "And you seem confident that it could face against my Heraldic King Genom-Heritage?"

"Of course it can! Battle!" Shark roared, swiping his hand out towards his XYZ Monster. "Attack! Abyss Splash! Final Blow!" And send giant warrior of water raised its golden trident, a torrent of water rising from it, charging its attack that it would soon launch against Tron's XYZ Monster.

"And I will activate the effect of Abyss Splash!" Before the attack could land, the dark blue haired teen declared aloud the activation of the monster's effect. "Once per turn, as a Quick Effect, I can detach one material from this card, to double this card's attack until the end of your turn! But any battle damage that you take this turn is halved!"

With water still gathering into its trident, the monster swung its golden weapon and sliced towards one of the shining blue orbs that orbited around itself. Absorbing it into its weapon to empower it even more.

Number 73: Abyss Splash - Water/XYZ/ Warrior/Rank 5/Effect: 2400/1400 OV: 1

"Hm. So that's the effect that it has is it? That's too bad, Ryoga-kun." Tron giggled, taking amusement in watching Shark use his monster's effect, and waved his hand upwards as he flipped his last set card. "I will use a Trap Card! Waboku!"

"What!?" Shark exclaimed as he saw the Trap Card's image shining right in front of him, and Tron began to explain the card's effect.

"With Waboku activated, for this turn, I take no battle damage, and my monster cannot be destroyed by battle this turn!"

"That's-!" The dark blue haired teen shouted in surprise, and from Tron's Trap Card, and a light blue robe wearing woman appeared, holding an emblem in her hand to which she raised as it emitted a glow that enveloped all the monsters in his field, along with the metal masked boy himself.

While the chain of effects then resolved, and Shark's own XYZ Monster had its attack points completely doubled, shown by a blue glow that enveloped the monster. With the downside of halving the damage that his opponent would take for the rest of the turn.

Number 73: Abyss Splash - Water/XYZ/ Warrior/Rank 5/Effect: 4800/1400 OV: 1

And so the attack struck, a torrent of water hitting the giant equine-like XYZ Monster. Only for the attack to hit and do nothing against the monster who was protected by a golden aura. Neither destroying it, nor did it deal any sort of damage to his opponent.

"This is-! No-!" And as his XYZ Monster lowered its golden trident, Shark swayed back and forth and unconsciously took a step back as his face became drenched in sweat and horror dawned on him that he was about to lose this duel.

Gritting his teeth and curling his fists, the dark blue haired shark duelist could only say one simple thing. "I-I end my turn." So does his turn end, with a monster that he had normal summoned for the turn and his new XYZ Monster, no cards left in his Spell and Trap zone and in his hand as he finished taking actions for the turn.

"Fufu, and at the end of the turn, Abyss Splash's attack points will return to normal." Tron pointed out as the blue glow that the monster had slowly faded away.

Number 73: Abyss Splash - Water/XYZ/ Warrior/Rank 5/Effect: 2400/1400 OV: 1

"Now then, why don't we start the final turn then? My turn! I draw!" With that bold declaration, the pale blonde haired boy drew a card to start off his turn, beginning with the one card in hand, yet knowing that he would not need to use it as he already has all the tools needed to end the duel on his field.

Tron did, however, take a brief pause. As he swiped his hand to his side and spoke with a tone of authority. "Stop."

"Guh!" And their one and only spectator was frozen like stone as something took a hold of her. Her movement stopped just as she was about to activate her own duel disk. "W-what is this-!"

"My, my, you're an eager one aren't you? And here I thought that she disliked you Ryoga-kun!" The boy said with glee as he giggled into his hand, eye narrowing. "You were planning to intervene by using the tournament's mechanic weren't you? Well I'm sorry to say that I can't have you do that."

And lowered his hand before giving the cherry haired duelist a menacing smile. "Do wait for your turn, we're just about to finish after all." And continued to play within his turn as he waved his hand forwards.

"Now I will activate the effect of Genom Heritage! And I will target your new XYZ Monster Ryoga-kun!" And with that declaration, the small metal masked wearing boy swiped his hand, and the equine-like XYZ Monster then once again unleashed a yellow blast of energy towards the abyssal warrior, draining it of its powers and bringing it to its knees.

Number 73: Abyss Splash - Water/XYZ/ Warrior/Rank 5/Effect: 0/1400 OV: 1

Number 73: Abyss Splash - Light/Psychic/XYZ/Rank 4/Effect: 2400/1800 OV: 2

"Now then, let's end this shall we?" Tron said with a smile from ear to ear as he then threw his hand forwards. "Now then, let's end this shall we? Battle!" And once more entered into the Battle Phase.

"Finish it Genom-Heritage!" The metal masked boy shouted as the monster's pale blonde mane swayed from side to side, leaping up into the air as energy coalesced around its body "Flash Impact!"

And released it towards the weakened abyssal warrior, who attempted to fight against the blow with a torrent of surging water. Yet with its attack points now nonexistent, its efforts was futile as the golden beam of energy easily overpowered its attack, striking right into the giant warrior, destroying it in a grand explosion.

One that struck his opponent, and threw him into the air as he screamed in pain. "GUAAAAAAAGH!" And the dark blue haired teen landed harshly into the ground, bouncing and skidding into the brick floor as he groaned in pain. All while his duel disk announced his defeat as his Life Points reached zero.

Shark: 0LP

"I do hope that you are satisfied with this result Ryoga-kun." The metal masked boy said with a self satisfied smile as he deactivated his duel disk, hands crossed behind his back as he stepped ever so slowly to stand right before his defeated opponent to look down towards him.

And Shark slowly raised his head, his eyes half lidded and blurry as he spent what remaining energy he had to glare at the boy. "You… bastard…" He rasped out making Tron laugh.

"Haha! My, my, you truly are an energetic one aren't you. Kids these days sure are something aren't they." The metal masked boy said while he shook his head, before once more settling on the unconscious boy with a small yet ominous smile.

"Oh but don't worry Ryoga-kun. I'm going to make sure that you are going to get that wish that you want. Don't worry about that."

With that piece said, the metal masked boy then pressed both of his hands together in front of him, dusting off his white gloves and cleaning them of anything that might have dirtied them during his duel.

"Now then." The pale blonde haired teen said as he turned his head towards the still frozen cherry haired girl.

"You wanted to be next, didn't you?"

-

"I'm sorry that I'm late!" The raven haired girl said as she stopped right in front her two friends, taking deep breaths to calm down her rapidly beating heart.

"Ruri, you made it." Serena greeted the girl as she stood right in front her other friend, a hand on her hips while the other freely on her side. And seeing her arrive, Mei stood from the bench that she was sitting from.

"Hey Ruri. Glad that you could make it." The purple haired girl called with a wave, before both walked to come closer towards her.

"So how did your day go, Ruri?" The smaller of the pair asked. "I would like to say that I did well today but…" The purple twintails haired girl trailed off, her green eyes glancing towards Serena.

And the ponytailed girl nodded her head with a small frown. "I won almost all of my duels, but like Mei here I also lost at one point." She said with a click of her tongue, huffing as she crossed her arms in front of her. "Tch. darned burn deck. I could have definitely won if I could use-ow." And she stopped as Mei elbowed her side.

"Yeah so we both lost once, sadly. Serena to a deck that walled up and used card effects that burns and I lost to a stun-I mean deck that uses a lot of trap cards that banished my cards." She sighed. "If I could have found my Spell and Trap removal I could have definitely gotten rid of that Dimensional Prison before my monster attacked. And if I have better XYZ Monsters then maybe… I guess we're both still not used to XYZ Monsters." She grumbled.

"I see… did-did you both have fun then?" She asked as she regained her breath, nervously asking both of them. Mei and Serena shared a look between one another before the ponytailed girl sighed as she scratched the back of her head.

"Well, that one loss was definitely frustrating, but yeah." She huffed out, and the girl with the same face as herself flashed her a small smile. "It was quite fun. The variety of XYZ Monsters that people use are definitely fascinating."

"Yeah right!" And her smaller companion nodded her head. "It's definitely better than dueling back uh-back home where people would just use that one deck all the time." Mei said as she agreed with Serena.

But for her, that was something that caught her attention. "People played the same deck from where you two came from?" She asked, tilting her head slightly as she caught to the slight hint of history that the purple haired girl said.

"Huh? Ah, uh, yeah." Mei said nervously, glancing towards Serena who met her green eyes with her own. "Well, most of the people that we knew were from this one orphanage that a uh, dueling school sponsor. And since this one school is well known for its, let's say uniformity, most of the people there play this one deck."

"Huh. Is that so?" She said as she placed a hand in front of her in thought. "That's certainly something. I know that Heartland Dueling School also supports the orphanage in Heartland City and allows free schooling, but I didn't think that there was another dueling school that does something like it."

"Huh, that's the first time I've heard that." Serena hummed.

"Well, it doesn't really come into conversations normally does it?" She giggled as she saw her doppelganger's nonchalant response. "I think that it's a pretty neat system. It's why Yuto is a student at the Heartland Dueling School after all."

"Really?" The purple twin tailed girl said as her eyes slightly widened. "I didn't know that." The shortest of their group said, a hint of amazement in her voice.

"Well yes. Otou-san and oka-san would have been fine with paying for his tuition, but Yuto managed to get scouted by the school after they saw that he had potential for being a great duelist." She said while nodding her head.

"Good for him, I guess." Serena said, moving to place a hand on her hips as she then spoke aloud. "So, I'm guessing that you want to duel now then?"

"Serena!" Mei hissed as she snapped at the ponytailed girl.

"Hey, there's no use hiding it." The girl said with a shrug. "She basically challenged us when this whole thing began after all. Though we might not give the most points since we lost basically all that we made yesterday, we still got a pretty good amount earlier."

Mei sighed as she shook her head at her friend's antics, and turning towards her. "But yeah,"

"I-I didn't duel as many as the two of you most likely, so I still have all of my points." She said, admitting that she hadn't lost a single game of the tournament. "There was… a really close one earlier, and I had to take a break for a good hour after that, so I couldn't get as many points today." She said as she held her right hand close to her chest, the memory of dueling against that black haired boy flashing at the front of her mind.

"I see. That's good then." The purple haired girl said with a nod. "In that case… then maybe if we pool all of our points together then one of us could possibly pass for the finals."

"I guess that makes sense." Serena said with a nod. "The way this whole tournament works is annoying since I'm more used to ones that are actually tournaments, but since we both already lost our chances at going to the finals are shot quite a bit."

"Yeah, and our points are far from what Yuuna had when Mr. Heartland made that announcement earlier too." Mei said with a sigh, even as she still had a small smile. "She's really not holding back on this tournament I guess."

"Right. Your sister." She said with a nod.

"Yeah. I would love to go to the finals and meet her but…" The smaller girl said before she raised her head, green eyes meeting her's. "Well, we won't be holding back Ruri. We all have our reasons to go as far as we can in this tournament, so don't hold anything back too." So the girl said as she took a step back, placing her duel disk onto her left hand and Serena doing the same.

"Right." She said with a nod, taking her duel disk into her hand before taking a moment to stop. "I- well, there's something that I have to tell you both. But for later. After the duel."

Mei raised an eyebrow at that. Glancing back towards Serena who simply shrugged her shoulders. "Alright then. After this duel then." The twin tailed girl said as she activated her duel disk, and Serena nodded her head as well as she did the same.

"Right!" She nodded her head as she followed suit. Bracing her left hand forwards as she activated her down duel disk, purple duel blade shining as she faced her two friends.

And a duel to decide which of them would go further soon begins.

"""DUEL!!!"""

-

"LADIIIIIES AND GENTLEMEEEEEN! WITH THIS THE PRELIMINARIES OF THE WORLD DUEL CARNIVAL IS OFFICIALLY OVER!"

The voice of the most famous man of Heartland City resounded throughout the city of the future. His face appeared in any and all forms of electrical media that was capable of projecting him and his distinct appearance.

"WITH DUELIST FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD COMPETING, MANY DUELS WERE HAD! MANY VICTORIES WERE ACHIEVED! MANY LOSES WERE HAD! BUT THE WORLD DUEL CARNIVAL RAGES ON!"

The man himself did not stop for a single moment, keeping his momentum going as he continued with as much charisma as he could muster.

"BUT IN THE END, ONLY EIGHT DISTINCT DUELISTS COULD GET THE CHANCE TO BECOME THE WINNER!"

And all waited with bated breath for his next few words, even if they all already knew what it would be.

"NOW, BE READY BECAUSE TOMORROW-"

For the day after-

"THE WORLD DUEL CARNIVAL FINALS WILL COMMENCE!"

The fate of Heartland City will be decided.