The Missing Barian Numbers

by Golden Flare

Chapter 4: The Eyes of Jealousy (By Darksoul85)

Once the craziness a couple days back was over, a few things happened while we were clamoring for higher ranks in the system: Photo Finish and her assistants were constantly harassing the other students by taking their pictures, even Vice Principal Luna, then Sandalwood, Micro Chips, and Flash Sentry were fighting over making the perfect banner for the Friendship Games, and lastly, Sunset was testing to see how Equestrian Magic worked in this world aside from Equestria...with rather, disastrous results. Oh! There was one other thing! We all got together one day to figure out some things about the "Barian Numbers" as they called themselves, and why they were appearing so sporadically, but sadly, in the end, we could only speculate, I couldn't even get any sort of reaction from the Number 64 that was given to me.

So after endless Dueling from numerous Duelists on campus, Vice Principal Luna finally posted the Top 12 students playing for CHS at the Friendship Games. We all got a look at the list, and this is what was written:

Top 12 Friendship Games Competitors

1. Sunset Shimmer
2. Rainbow Dash
3. Applejack
4. Pinkie Pie
5. Rarity
6. Fluttershy
7. Lyra Heartstrings
8. Sweetie "Bon Bon" Drops
9. Flash Sentry
10. Sandalwood
11. Golden Flare
12. Astral Flare

Honestly, I'm almost surprised that I was one rank higher than Astral after our last Duel, then again he hasn't had time for Dueling since he said he was building a new deck. I just hope he finishes it before the Friendship Games.

"Can't believe Dash got one rank higher than me..." Applejack grumbled.

"Eh, I wouldn't worry about it too much, Applejack," I said to her, "look on the bright side, at least you made the team."

"Yeah...Ah guess."

"By the way, didn't you say you had family coming in today?"

"Oh yeah! Ah almost forgot!" Applejack grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me to the school's exit, "C'mon, the others are waitin' fer us!"

"WHOOOOOOOA!!" I shouted over the wind rushing in my ears, damn this girl's strong.

Big Mac was able to drive us all over to the Apple Family farm, where we waited for this cousin of Applejack's.

"So, Applejack," I began, "what's your cousin like?"

"Well, he ain't family by blood, he was adopted by Braeburn's parents, but he's two years older than Apple Bloom, he's a quiet kinda guy, pretty smart fer his age, and he works pretty dern hard when it comes down to it."

"Wowie!" Pinkie exclaimed, "He almost sounds like you, Goldie!...Hee-hee, that rhymed."

I chuckled a bit myself, "Yeah. Sounds like he's a good guy. What's his name?"

"Dusk Apple." Applejack answered, "But everybody jus' calls 'im Dusk."

The local city bus was driving over to the farm and stopped in front of the driveway to let its passenger off as the doors opened.

"Here we are, youngster. The Apple Family Farm." the bus driver called through the vehicle.

A young boy stepped out, but not before paying the driver and saying "thank you" along the way, that's when we got a good look at him; his skin color was ink black, had red hair and yellow eyes, wearing a white t-shirt, with a leather vest over it, denim blue jean shorts, dark red sneakers, and a fedora hat on his head. Honestly? He looked both casual and cool at the same time.

"Well, howdy there, Dusk!" Applejack greeted with a smile, "It's been a while, hasn't it? Welcome ta Sweet Apple Acres!"

"...H-Hello, Applejack...who are...t-they...?" Dusk muttered.

"These are ma friends! Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Golden Flare, Rarity, and...wait. Where'd Pinkie go?"

"I think I..." Dusk gulped, "f-f-found her..."

"HI! I'm Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie introduced herself before going off on a tangent about random topics, until Sunset covered her mouth; she, unsurprisingly, continued to ramble through her hand.

"Sorry about her, she's a little...excitable. It's nice to meet you, Dusk!" Sunset said.

Dusk nodded to them all, but when he laid eyes upon Rarity, he froze. Dusk didn't just see a beautiful girl, no, in his eyes, he saw a goddess in human form; her curled hair, her flittering eyelashes, her wonderful face, Dusk was completely captivated by her.

"Uhh...dude?" Rainbow waved her hand in his face, "You alive over there?"

"Huh?" Dusk seemed to snap out of it, "O-Oh! S-Sorry! I was, uh...distracted by something!"

"Or someone..." Golden mumbled to himself with a smirk.

"Well, c'mon, Dusk!" Applejack started lead him to the farm, "I'll show ya ta yer room fer the week!"

Golden and the others began to follow, giggling at Dusk's obvious crush on Rarity, whom of which seems to be completely unaware.

Night had fallen after a long while of showing me what had changed on the farm as well as my temporary living quarters for the week, but even so, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't shake that human goddess from my mind. Rarity. Even her name spoke volumes about her. I wanted...no, NEEDED to make her mine, then I would treat her like the goddess she truly is.

But how?

I eventually fell asleep after hours of brainstorming...

Another day, another learning session at CHS, and the Friendship Games are on their way soon, no less. I was on my way to lunch after the bell rang when I saw a guy chatting it up with Rarity, I snuck into a shady hallway to hear what they were talking about; it sounded like this guy, Thunderlane, wanted to go on a date with Rarity, but she gently turned him down, making him wander off, dejectedly. Honestly, Rarity could do better than him; Thunderlane isn't exactly a bad guy, but I heard that he was a total womanizer a lot of the time.

I walked to the cafeteria trying to pretend I didn't see or hear a thing, not noticing Dusk run away from the scene with tears in his eyes.

My cousin Applejack was showing me around the school, for now it was going to be where I would catch up with my schooling until I head back to Appleloosa, but I was hardly paying attention since I was still brainstorming ideas on how to make Rarity my beloved.

"Uhh, Dusk? You okay there, partner?"

Applejack roused me from my thoughts as I stammered an excuse, "Ah, ah, ah, yeah! Yes, of course I am! Hehehe, why wouldn't I be?"

My cousin looked far from amused, "...This is 'bout yer lil' crush on Rarity, ain't it?"

I blushed so hard I swear I felt steam coming out of my ears, comically, "...Uhh..."

Applejack sighed, "Look, Dusk, Ah know Rarity is quite a fetchin' gal, but...don't ya think you should go fer someone yer own age?"

"B-B-B-But-"

"Sorry, Dusk, but Ah don't think Rarity likes ya the same way."

Applejack wandered off, leaving me with my now-formed doubting thoughts: Rarity? Not like me the same way? But...I would treat her like a goddess! I'm sure she would appreciate me for that, maybe even date me! Yeah! There's no way Applejack's words could have THAT much merit-

...No way.

I just turned a corner and saw some RANDOM MOHAWK SHMUCK TALKING TO MY GODDESS?!?! I didn't stay to hear the whole exchange, I just ran with tears in my eyes...

I rushed into an empty classroom and slammed the door, not caring if I'm disturbing the next door classes, I was too busy crying my eyes out over the massive disappointment that was my love life. Rarity, MY goddess, was talking to some loser, who was more than likely asking her out before I could! I wish I could show her, show ALL OF THEM, that Rarity was MY beloved, that she is MY queen, and that I would protect her no matter what!

Before I could continue my train of thought, a card fell off the door frame and landed on my head, stopping my crying fit, I plucked it off my fedora and saw...a blank Duel Monsters card?

"What in the..."

Suddenly, a dark aura surrounded my entire body, my mind running a mile a minute to make my body try and get the dangerous substance off of me!

"Yes, Dusk Apple, let the Barian Number take hold!" a deep, almost demonic voice spoke in my head.

"A WHAT NUMBER!!...A...A..."

In mere moments, the aura stopped and seeped into my body...I felt myself smile most unpleasantly.

"I will...protect my queen...my goddess..."

I walked out of the classroom with a plan in mind, unaware of the number 70 marking my left forearm...

School was finally over as the girls and I made our way to CHS's Duel Fields to enjoy some after school Duels since we don't have to worry about our ranks anymore. The only downside is that I haven't seen Dusk anywhere after lunch ended, and I'm beginning to get worried.

"Whoo!" Rainbow cheered, "No more rank-building! We're in the Friendship Games! Now we can kick back, relax, and DUEL!!"

"Hmm..." I hum worriedly.

"Something wrong, Goldie?" Pinkie asked.

I blush slightly at the nickname from my crush, but recompose myself, "It's just...I haven't seen Dusk since this morning...and I'm getting to be more than a little worried..."

"You don't think..." Sunset began to wonder.

Suddenly, all of our eyes widened, and we ran back into the school to look for Dusk, all of us with one thought flooding our minds: Barian Number.

Just as we open the front entrance, who do you think we run into? Not Dusk, but...

He clapped his hands once, "Ah, Golden Flare and the Rainbooms! Nice to see you all again! You're looking lively!"

Yup, Enix.

Again.

"You just don't give up, do you?" Rainbow asked, rather annoyed, "C'mon, pretty boy, move it, we got an emergency!"

"Is a family member in trouble? Or an ill friend?" Enix asked, shocking us, most of all Applejack.

"H-How do ya-"

"Do not underestimate my advanced Barian Number tracking technology." Enix replied, his tone devoid of humor, "I came here to retrieve it."

"Yeah, yeah, 'rebellion' this, 'saving dimensions' that, we don't have time for you right now! The jokes are getting old!"

"Me? I don't tell no jokes, I only entertain people by solving cases regarding my situation...and theirs."

"Jus' ignore 'im, guys," Applejack interjected, trying to get to Dusk A.S.A.P., "that feller's a couple hammers short of a tool chest. Let's go!"

We all ran past him, trying to find Dusk before someone got hurt.

"...Hm...they need my help, so I say..." Enix activated his the lights on his suit, "Why the hell not...?" he then activated his Duel Disk and his version of the Duel Gazer, which he calls the Augma, clamped itself closed around his eyes and ran after them.

Golden and the girls ran all throughout the halls, calling Dusk's name over and over again, but no success in finding him. It wasn't until they hear Rarity shriek that they found him; they ran towards the gym and saw Rarity tied up to a makeshift throne on the stage.

"What the hell is this?"

"Enix?!" they shouted.

"Our Barian Number Keeper should be here."

SLAM!!

The gym doors slammed shut and locked tight, even the windows were shielded by some dark aura-like force.

Enix reached for his earpiece communicator, "Shinkokuna! What's going on here?!"

//Somebody's hacked into the school's security system and put the gym on lockdown!//

"Then override the system and get the doors open!"

//Even if I could, my scans tell me that the power from the Barian Number is keeping the doors and windows shut! I can't get you guys out even if I hacked the school's entire mainframe!//

"Okay, plan B: search for a backdoor in the gym's system and do it that way, we'll try and find our elusive Barian Number Keeper."

//Got it!//

"Alright! Whoever you are, come out right now!" Enix called out, "I WILL use force if necessary!" he turned to Golden and the girls, "Golden! Rainbooms! Get your Duel Pads out and be ready for anything!"

They all readied their own Dueling gear and got ready for a fight.

"...You..."

"Who's there!" Enix barked.

"All of you...you want to...to steal my queen...my goddess..."

"Queen...?" Golden uttered.

"Goddess?" Enix asked, confused.

"Rarity...she is mine...mine...and I WON'T...I will NEVER LET YOU TAKE HER FROM ME!!!"

A wave of dark energy swept past them and almost knocked them off their feet. The lights suddenly came on, and there was something that shocked them to their very core...

Thunderlane. On the floor. With one nasty-looking wound on his belly, and seems to be getting worse.

And over his defeated body was Dusk, his smile radiating malice and sinister intent.

Then, on his left arm, was a red 70 marked on him.

"Barian Number confirmed." Enix said, preparing himself while tossing a red chain at Golden's Duel Pad.

"What the-!"

//Duel Mode engaged. Augmented Reality Vision Link established.//

They all hastily put on their Duel Gazers as Enix spoke again, "This time, you'll be Dueling WITH me, Golden. Time to fight. And don't get in my way."

"In YOUR way?! You're the one who threw a stinking chain at me!" Golden yelled.

"To link our Duel. You won't stand a chance against him on your own."

Dusk activated his own Duel Pad and Duel Gazer.

"Let's Duel!" Golden, Enix, and Dusk declared.

Golden Flare: 8,000 LP
Enix: 8,000 LP
Dusk Apple: 8,000 LP

Turn 1: Enix - Hand: 5

"This is a family/friend quarrel, so I'll go first. I draw!" Enix surveyed his hand, "First, I'll summon Elemental HERO Sparkman in attack mode!" a humanoid wearing blue and gold electrical armor appeared on the field (1600/1400), "I'll throw two face-downs and call it a turn."

Turn 2: Golden Flare - Hand: 5

"Then it's my turn, I draw!" Golden looked his own hand, "Not a bad lineup, but it could be better...even so, I summon Glyde.EXE in attack mode!" a man wearing yellow and brown armor with wings on his back appeared with a charming smile (1700/1700), "Then I equip him with Battle Chip - HeroSwrd!" Glyde's right hand becomes a massive blade, granting him greater power (Glyde.EXE ATK: 1700 + 2000 = 3700), "But since Enix and I are teaming up, neither of us can attack, so I'll end my turn with a face-down of my own."

Turn 3: Dusk Apple - Hand: 5

"My turn. I draw!"

"Glyde's effect activates! I get a new 'Battle Chip' Equip Spell from my deck to my hand! I choose Battle Chip - WideSwrd!" Golden declared.

Dusk ignored this and gazed at his hand and smirked, "Okay, I may have what I need. Since I control no monsters, I Special Summon Linkslayer in attack mode!" a man wearing beast-like armor and blades on his wrists appeared to battle.

Linkslayer
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 5
Type: Cyberse/Effect
ATK: 2000
DEF: 600
Effect: If you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). Once per turn: You can discard up to 2 cards, then target that many Spells/Traps on the field; destroy them.

"Hmm...what are you playing at?" Enix asked him.

"More importantly, what's this 'Cyberse' type? I've never heard of it before." Golden wondered out loud.

"My guess, Cyberse is the type of deck he uses."

"Correct!" Dusk replied, "And just to make sure you guys don't try anything, I play Nightmare's Steelcage!" a cage made of steel (shocker) surrounded Dusk and his monster.

Nightmare's Steelcage
Normal Spell Card
Effect: This card remains on the field for 2 of your opponent's turns. While this card is face-up on the field, no monsters can attack.

"Now with this, neither of us can attack for two of your turns!" Dusk declared confidently.

...

......

"Uhh...you do realize that since Enix and I are tag teaming against you, my turn plus his turn makes two, right?" Golden pointed out.

Dusk's eyes widened as he realized his folly...and promptly facepalmed.

"Wooow, not bad for a Duelist who keeps simping over a girl who's, like, almost twice your age." Enix commented, not at all amused.

"Eh, whatever!" Dusk's smirk returned, "No skin off my bones! I've still got plenty of tricks! Now, where was I...? Oh, yes! If I control a Cyberse-Type monster, I can Special Summon Backup Secretary from my hand!" A purple woman wearing a cyber-like short dress with cyber armor came up next to Dusk's field.

Backup Secretary
Attribute: LIGHT
Level: 3
Type: Cyberse/Effect
ATK: 1200
DEF: 800
Effect: If you control a Cyberse monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can only Special Summon "Backup Secretary" once per turn this way.

"But guess what? I've still got my Normal Summon! I now summon Cliant in attack mode!" now a cyber, LED ant makes an appearance for Dusk.

Cliant
Attribute: LIGHT
Level: 3
Type: Cyberse/Effect
ATK: 1500
DEF: 1500
Effect: While this Normal Summoned/Set card is face-up on the field, all Cyberse monsters you control gain 500 ATK/DEF during your turn only. If this card on the field would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can destroy 1 Cyberse monster in your hand or face-up field instead.

"When Cliant is Normal Summoned, all Cyberse monsters I control gain 500 attack and defense points!" Cliant and the other two Cyberse monsters glowed as new power was imbued in them (Linkslayer ATK: 2000 + 500 = 2500 / DEF: 600 + 500 = 1100) (Backup Secretary ATK: 1200 + 500 = 1700 / DEF: 800 + 500 = 1300) (Cliant ATK: 1500 + 500 = 2000 / DEF 1500 + 500 = 2000).

"Oh, boy..." Enix groaned, knowing all too well what was about to happen.

"What?" Golden asked him.

"He's got two Level 3 monsters out already! I think it's pretty obvious!"

"I now overlay my Backup Secretary and Cliant to build the Overlay Network!" the two aforementioned monsters turned into yellow swirling lights and flew into a galaxy portal as it exploded, "Mighty red guardian with massive fists! Tunnel your way through your enemies and protect your birthright Master Emerald! Come forth! Rank 3! Number 70: Knuckles the Echidna!" a short red echidna with REALLY BIG white gloved fists with two spikes on each hand landed to the floor with a mighty thud, two lights orbiting around it.

Number 70: Knuckles the Echidna
Attribute: EARTH
Rank: 3
Type: Beast/Xyz/Effect
ATK: 3000
DEF: 1500
Effect: 2 Level 3 monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle except with "Number" monsters. Once per turn, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card: Draw 1 card.

"And since my Nightmare's Steelcage is in effect, I can't attack right now, but I can still do this! By using one Overlay Unit, Number 70 allows me to draw an extra card!" one of the echidna's lights flew into one of his fists as it glowed, making Dusk draw from his deck, "I guess that's all I can do. I end it there."

Turn 4: Enix - Hand: 3

"My draw!"

"Glyde's effect activates again! I get Battle Chip - FireSwrd!" Golden calls out.

Enix looked at his hand and newly drawn card, "First, I activate the Spell Card, Pendulum Call! By discarding one card, I can add two Pendulum 'Magician' monsters from my deck to my hand!" his Duel Disk's auto-shuffler spat out two cards, which he grabbed, "Then, I set the Pendulum Scale with Scale 1 Dragonpulse Magician and Scale 8 Dragonpit Magician!" Enix placed his Pendulum Cards in their appropriate zones, creating an ethereal PENDULUM as the two magicians floated up in pillars of light, revealing their numbered scales (Pendulum Scale: 1-8), "Now I can Special Summon monsters from Level 2 through 7 all at the same time! I Pendulum Summon! This hero! Elemental HERO Bubbleman, in defense mode!" a man with blue armor, a white cape, and bubble shooters attached to his wrist with aqua tanks on his back appeared with a smile (800/1200), Enix looked at Golden, "The pieces are in place. I'm borrowing your monster, Golden!"

"Wait, what?!" Golden asked, then began to consider, "Well, all Glyde could do now is deal damage through the Barian Number, he can't destroy it, so...go for it!"

"I now overlay my two heroes with Glyde.EXE to build the Overlay Network!" the HERO monsters and .EXE monster turned into swirling lights and flew into another galaxy portal, then it exploded, "Warrior that imitates the gilded hero, rise up from the darkness of obscurity and make yourself known! I Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Number 12: Eiji, The False Black Swordsman!" the black coated warrior from Golden and Enix's last Duel returns with a vengeance (2600/2700), "But I'm not done! I'm giving my Number a little power boost! I reveal my Set card: Common Soul!"

Common Soul
Continuous Spell Card
Effect: Select 1 face-up monster on the field to activate this card. Special Summon 1 "Neo-Spacian" monster from your hand to the same side of the field as the selected monster. The selected monster gains ATK equal to the ATK of the monster that was Special Summoned by this effect. When this card is removed from the field, return the monster that was Special Summoned by this card's effect to the hand.

"It lets me Special Summon 1 'Neo-Spacian' monster from my hand to the field! So, fly! Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird!" a humanoid bird man swooped down to the field and put his hands on his hips.

Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 3
Type: Winged Beast/Effect
ATK: 800
DEF: 600
Effect: Once per turn: You can gain 500 LP for each card in your opponent's hand.

"With that done, Eiji gains Hummingbird's ATK thanks to Common Soul!" Eiji felt his power strengthen slightly (Number 12: Eiji, The False Black Swordsman ATK: 2600 + 800 = 3400), "I activate Air Hummingbird's special ability!" Enix declared as a tall flower came from each of the cards in Dusk's hand, "For every card in your hand, I gain 500 Life Points! Go, Honey Suck!" Air Hummingbird flew over and sucked the nectar from the flowers, boosting Enix's Life Point count (Enix: 8,000 + 1,500 = 9,500 LP), "And then I end my turn. Think you can handle things from here, Golden?"

Turn 5: Golden Flare - Hand: 5

"I can try!" Golden drew, "I summon out NumberMan.EXE in attack mode!" the humanoid lightbulb robot appears on Golden's field (900/900), "I activate his effect! Go, Doom Dice!" NumberMan conjured and threw an oversized die, which rolled and landed on 4, "It's not much, but it'll do!" the die exploded, dealing Dusk some damage (Dusk Apple: 8,000 - 400 = 7,600 LP), "Then, I play the Spell, Double Summon! Now I'm allowed to Normal Summon again! And I choose my MegaMan.EXE in attack mode as well!" the little blue powerhouse returns for another Duel (1900/1500), "I now activate the effect of a monster in my Extra Deck! I can Fusion Summon without any need for a Polymerization card, as long as I return the Fusion Materials to my deck! Double Soul Fusion!" MegaMan and NumberMan leapt towards each other and swirled into a Fusion Portal, "By merging the mighty warrior of blue with the machine of calculations, I can create a digital warrior that can solve the greatest of algorithms! I Fusion Summon! Level 5! MegaMan.EXE - Number Soul! And I'll play him in defense mode!" MegaMan came out of the portal, but different; the upper portion of his head had become like NumberMan's blinking lights and his armor greatly resembles him.

MegaMan.EXE - Number Soul
Attribute: LIGHT
Level: 5
Type: Warrior/Fusion/Effect
ATK: 2000
DEF: 2400
Effect: "MegaMan.EXE" + "NumberMan.EXE"
This card can only be Special Summoned from your Extra Deck by returning the above cards you control to the Deck. (You do not use "Polymerization".) Once per turn, during either player's turn; roll a six-sided die thrice: Deal damage to your opponent equal to the results x 100.

"That's a new one." Rainbow commented.

"I now activate MegaMan.EXE - Number Soul's effect!" MegaMan threw three dice at Dusk, "It's the same as NumberMan's effect, except I can use it during either player's turn AND MegaMan can throw three instead of one! Go, Triple Doom Dice!" the first die landed on 3, "Three..." the second landed on 2, "Two, which makes five..." and the third and last one landed on... "Five, that makes ten! And altogether that makes 1,000 points of direct damage!" the dice exploded all at once, dishing out a good sized dent in Dusk's Life Points (Dusk Apple: 7,600 - 1,000 = 6,600 LP), "With that, I end my turn. Which also means your Nightmare's Steelcage is gone, too!" just as Golden said that, the cage has indeed vanished into particles of light.

Enix looked at Golden with a deadpan expression, "...The two monsters you used. Throw dice?"

"It's a very damaging effect-" Golden was interrupted.

"Yeah, if someone STEPS on them!!"

Turn 6: Dusk Apple - Hand: 3

Dusk drew from his deck, "Shame the only effect you'll be witnessing is my monster's! I activate Number 70's effect once more! I draw another new card!" Knuckle's fist absorbed another Overlay Unit, allowing Dusk to draw an additional card, and he smirked, "Perfect. I play the Continuous Spell, The Dark Door!" Dusk played his card, which conjured a green, swirling door-like portal in front of all three Duelists.

The Dark Door
Continuous Spell Card
Effect: Only 1 monster can attack during each Battle Phase.

"But before you do anything else," Golden stopped him, "I activate MegaMan.EXE - Number Soul's effect! Triple Doom Dice!" MegaMan threw three dice again, "Five...six...and two! 1,300 points of damage for you!" the dice exploded again, dealing more damage to Dusk (Dusk Apple: 6,600 - 1,300 = 5,300 LP).

"Regardless," Dusk continued on, "I can't leave a monster that overpowered in play! Number 70, attack Number Soul!" Knuckles brought forth a pair of weird-looking claws to put over his hands, "Shovel Claw Strike!" Knuckles dug his shovel claws into MegaMan's gut, making him explode in shards of light, "I'll end my turn with a face-down."

Turn 7: Enix - Hand: 0

"I draw!" Enix looked at the lone card in his hand, Odd-Eyes...Number 70's ATK is 3,000, and Odd-Eyes' is 2,500. I remembered my friends gave me this card, to only use it when the situation is dire...even if it's for her... "Golden."

"Hmm?"

"You're just in luck. What I have in my hand is our game-changer. So in that regard, this card's a special gift from someone dear to me."

"And...?"

Enix smirked, "...Sunny's gonna be real happy that I have this."

"'Sunny'?"

"Maybe it's best if I just show you. I activate Dragonpulse Magician's Pendulum ability! As long as I have a 'Magician' in my Pendulum Zone, by discarding 1 Pendulum monster in my hand, I can destroy 1 monster on the field! I take Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon from my hand and send it to the Graveyard to destroy Number 70!"

"WHAT! NOOOOOO!!!" Dusk shrieked.

Knuckles shimmered in a strange light before completely shattering.

"And now, Eiji! Attack Dusk directly! False Gilded Slash!" Eiji charged forward, sword in hand and raised to strike.

Enraged, Dusk pushed a button on his Duel Pad, "Activate Continuous Trap, Mirror Wall!!" a wall of crystalized mirrors appeared in front of Eiji as he attacked.

Mirror Wall
Continuous Trap Card
Effect: Halve the ATK of your opponent's attacking monsters. Once per turn, during your Standby Phase, pay 2000 LP or destroy this card.

As Eiji passed through the wall, he felt his strength dwindle (Number 12: Eiji, The False Black Swordsman ATK: 3400 - 1700 = 1700), but attacked Dusk anyway, not even bothering to put his full strength into his slash (Dusk Apple: 5,300 - 1,700 = 3,600 LP).

"I activate Air Hummingbird's special ability! Honey Suck!" the flowers appeared on Dusk's cards again as Hummingbird sucks the nectar out of the flowers again (Enix: 9,500 + 1,500 = 11,000 LP).

"That birdbrain of yours is really starting to ruffle my feathers!!" Dusk shouted in frustration.

"Don't hate the bird, hate his owner!" Enix smirked, "I end my turn. It's all you, Golden."

Turn 8: Golden Flare - Hand: 3

"Alright, I draw!" Golden looked at his newly drawn card and his hand, "I don't have much to work with...but I gotta try. I summon ProtoMan.EXE in Attack Mode!" The red NetNavi with the dark visor over his eyes appeared on Golden's field (1900/1700).

"Golden." Enix gained his attention, "My cards are your cards."

Golden nods and reveals GutsMan.EXE in his hand, "In that case, I activate Enix's Dragonpit Magician's Pendulum Ability! As long as there's a 'Magician' monster in the other Pendulum Zone, I can discard a Pendulum Monster from my hand to destroy a Spell or Trap card on your field! And I choose Mirror Wall!"

"N-No way!" Dusk was becoming afraid now as the mirrors shattered before him when Golden discarded his Pendulum Monster, "Y-Y-You won't beat me! Your Proto Guy doesn't have enough Attack Points to beat me! So next turn, I'll...!"

"Sorry, but you're not getting another turn!" Golden interrupted, "I equip ProtoMan.EXE with TWO Battle Chip Equip Spells! FireSwrd and WideSwrd!" ProtoMan's right hand became a fiery blade while his left became a sword with a wide tip, "With them both together, ProtoMan.EXE gain 1,000 Attack Points from FireSwrd and 500 for WideSwrd, also WideSwrd allows him to attack three times in the same Battle Phase!" ProtoMan began to feel the aforementioned boost in his power output (ProtoMan.EXE ATK: 1900 + 1000 + 500 = 3400).

"No...!" Dusk began to feel the hopelessness flow through him.

"Thankfully, I'm only gonna need two of those attacks for this Duel! ProtoMan.EXE! Attack Dusk directly! Wide Fire Slash!" ProtoMan charged forward to deal the final two blows.

"But...my goddess..." Dusk felt himself tumble backwards as his Life Points dropped to nothing (Dusk Apple: 3,600 - 3,400 - 3,400 = 0 LP).

Golden breathed a sigh of relief once he saw Dusk pass out, "Finally...it's over..."

"Not quite."

Golden looked at Enix and saw the red chain STILL hooked to his Duel Pad, "What the?!"

"The Duel's still going. You're here, I'm here, and Dusk is out. I'm at 11,000 Life Points while yours is at its usual 8,000, we've both spent all the cards in our hands, and with my turn coming up, I COULD draw the card I need to turn this around." Golden tensed up, "But, I'm not gonna do it." Enix pressed a button on his Duel Disk, making the red chain shatter.

//Duel Pad Override deactivated.//

WINNERS: Golden Flare and Enix

The Duel came to an end as everyone took off their Duel Gazers, "Full disclosure: I could've done that any time." Enix revealed.

"You realize we could've just Dueled together WITHOUT the stinkin' chain?!"

"And what? Let you miss out on a lesson on team collaboration? What kind of person do you think I am?"

"...Loco in the coco?" Pinkie asked.

"That's YOUR department, Miss Pie."

Sunset took charge of the conversation as Golden retrieved the Number, "Okay, there was something you said in the middle of the Duel: Who's 'Sunny'?"

Enix suddenly looked uneasy as he answered, "...Sunny...was my...beloved."

"You mean, your girlfriend?"

"...Yes."

Enix began to recall his story about him and Sunny as the Rainbooms were helping Rarity, Thunderlane, and Dusk back on their feet; apparently they were arranged to be married, until an accident happened that put her in a hospital deep in a coma. Enix discovered that her hospitalization was no accident, and became a detective to find the ones responsible for putting her in her comatose state.

Enix showed them the two cards he used in his previous Duel with Golden: Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, "These two cards were entrusted to me by her, that I swore that I would put my life on the line for her. Even if it kills me."

"Aww!" Pinkie gushed, "That's so sweet! Right, Rarity?"

"Actually, Pinkie," Rarity began, shivering from the ordeal she just went through, "I think I'm going to take a break from romance for a while..."

Still the same as ever. Enix thought, "Golden. That Number you have."

"Yeah?"

"...Keep it."

Golden went wide-eyed, "You sure?" he then deadpanned, "'Cause you got a bad habit of stealing my Numbers these days."

"Seeing this school, and your friends and family...I used to transfer here once," this shocked the others.

"You transferred to--!" Enix interrupted Golden by hoding his palm out to him.

"That's enough for now, Golden. Besides, you guys should seriously consider getting Thunderlane to a hospital right now, that gash is looking pretty nasty."

"Oh, shoot, we forgot about that!"

"Before we go, who were you when you were at this school?" Rainbow asked Enix.

"...'The Pendulum Hero'. A swordsman, nothing more." Enix walked out of the gym as the others ran to the hospital to get their fellow students some much needed medical attention.

After we got the three of them to the hospital, they were well treated and released in the next couple of days, though Thunderlane might not be doing anything strenuous for a while. When we talked with Dusk Apple, we explained to him that everything he did was not of his own will; the Barian Number was influencing and controlling him and his actions. We managed to calm him down, but I don't think he and Rarity will look at each other the same way for quite a long time, heck, we barely managed to stop Thunderlane and his family from pressing charges against the Apple Family.

This Barian Number business is starting to get out of control, I might have to resort to asking for help.

Even so...

I wonder who else has a Barian Number...and who else is suffering because of it...?

"Come in. I have a location on the Gate Number card we're looking for."

//Good...but you failed to get the Number card.//

"I know. It won't happen again."

//You DO know the reason why I kept you hidden in this dimension, do you?//

"Yeah...I haven't forgotten."

//Good. An SUI Unit is participating in the Friendship Games. We have confirmed her ID. And she HAS a Number card.//

"Who is it?"

//Her name is...//

//We now take you live to the scene where a piece of Dueling history has been stolen from the Manehattan Dueling Museum mere moments ago. Police are trying to apprehend this individual, but it seems he is able to greatly out-Duel the Dueling Division of the Manehattan Police Department.//

"It's over, you're surrounded and outnumbered! Now hand over Yugi Moto's first Deck!"

The unknown thief tossed the cards to the policeman, "Here!"

The policeman caught them and immediately noticed something different about them, "They're made of wood?"

"Because they remind me of you!"

"Aw, thanks--hey, wait a minute!"

The thief pulled a deck of cards out of his hat, "The real cards are right here!" but before the officers could make a move towards him, he pulled out a stick of gum and began chewing on it, then blew a large bubble, which, surprisingly, lifted him into the air as he declared, "I'm Lucky Clover, of course!"

As the news continued its broadcast, Golden, the Rainbooms, and even Enix were walking past a store with a TV in its display window, showing the newscast in Manehattan.

"No...way...this has to be a joke..." Enix uttered.

Golden eyes became half-lidded, "...You have got to be freaking kidding me."