"Embrace the darkness and together we can destroy Barian World and everything that stands in our way!" Dark Mist shouted, making Astral cry out as his body then changed.

The markings on his body turned dark.

His body was circled in an aura full of evil, and most of his skin was now black. Showing that the old Astral was gone.

Meanwhile, Yuma let out a small groan as he came too. With Dark Mist's power no longer attached to him, he could see clearly and think for himself once more.

However, as Yuma arose, he was shocked to see Astral's new form.

"Astral?" Yuma asked in concern, getting the attention of Dark Mist and Astral.

"Hello Yuma." Astral replied in a surprisingly dark tone. "Astral, what has happened to you?" Yuma had to ask, only instead of a reply, Astral flew over to Yuma, picking him up by his shirt and gazing wickedly into Yuma's panic filled eyes.

"Astral, what's going on? What has Dark Mist done to you?!" Yuma managed to say, which made Astral smirk darkly.

"He has given me more power than I could possibly imagine!" Astral announced wickedly, before he stated. "And it's all thanks to you."

Hearing that, Yuma asked in a confused tone. "Me?"

Dark Mist smirked and then replied, walking up to the struggling boy. "It was thanks to your lies and deception that allowed me to fill Astral's heart with my power. While Astral tried to resist, the darkness within his heart allowed my power to consume him."

Confused, Yuma asked. "What are you talking about?" "Vector told me everything. How you were foolish enough to place your faith in a Barian. How you kept secrets from Astral and how you drove Astral into the welcoming embrace of darkness."

Hearing that left Yuma in shock.

"Vector told you that stuff?" He asked, making Dark Mist nod.

"So I thank you again Yuma." Dark Mist replied, before he exclaimed. "Now say goodbye!"However, a bright light suddenly engulfed Astral, causing him to drop Yuma.

"What's happening?" Dark Mist questioned in demand as he shielded his eyes from the light with his right arm, along with Astral.

But while the light was blinding Dark Mist and Astral, it showed Yuma he had a chance to save Astral. As Number 39 materialized in his right hand.

"What's happening? I've got a chance to save Astral, and I'm not backing down!" Yuma stated.

"Please, you're in no position to challenge either of us." Dark Mist commented as the light died down. "You don't have Astral. You don't have the Numbers. You have nothing."

Yuma smirked. "Not all the Numbers." Yuma said, showing he was holding Utopia, shocking Dark Mist."I'm not sure how you got that Number, but don't get to attached to it because Astral's gonna take it from you." Dark Mist stated.

However, Yuma was filled with determination to save Astral and replied. "We'll just see about that. Get ready Astral, because I am so feeling the flow!"

With that, Yuma readied his duel disc and duel gazer. "Duel Disc, go! Duel Gazer, let's roll." While Yuma's duel disc and duel gazers were activated, a black version of Astral's fuel disc appeared on his arm, in which the pair called out. "Let's Duel!"

Starting Scores

Corrupt Astral: 4000

Yuma: 4000

"I'll make the first move." Astral said, before he called out, drawing the sixth card from his deck. "I draw!"

"I summon Gagaga Magician!" (1500/1000) Astral announced as the masked magician appeared before his summoner.

"Next I activate Gagaga Mirror. Now you're in for double the trouble, because all Gagaga monsters I summon are counted as two monsters when I Xyz summon!" Astral explained the effect of his spell card, causing a mirrored version of Gagaga Magician to appear beside the original.

"And lastly, I activate Gagaga Magician's special ability! Once per turn I can change his Level to a level I desire. So I change Gagaga Magician level 4, to level 7."

"This can't be good." Yuma said nervously.

"You've got that right! Because with this one monster I build the Overlay Network and Xyz summon, Number 6: Chronomaly Atlandis!" (2600/3000)

It was then Gagaga Magician and the mirrored copy were engulfed in lights of dark purple energy. The pair shot off into the air, twisting around each other, as a portal opened up in front of Astral, before both lights then shot into the portal creating a massive explosion of energy as the ancient goliath appeared on the field, towering behind Astral.

"Now feel what the power of true darkness can do Yuma! I activate Atlandis' special ability! By using one Overlay Unit, you lose half your life points! Go Orichalcum Gate!" Astral exclaimed, in which Atlandis then absorbed the single Overlay Unit that was floating around it into its chest, before the ancient goliath slammed its massive fist into Yuma, causing him to cry out in pain as he was thrown back from the sheer force and power of Atlandis' ability.

But being Yuma, his combination of determination and stubbornness made him rise to his feet as he prepared to make his move.

Current Scores:

Corrupt Astral: 4000

Yuma: 2000

Starting off at a major disadvantage, Yuma placed his faith in his deck as he drew and then made his comeback.

"Since I have no monsters, that allows me to summon this, come on out Toy Knight!" (200/1200) Yuma called out, placing the monster card on his duel disc.

"Next, I summon Ganbara Knight!" (0/1800) Yuma announced as his second knight monster appeared, making Astral ask. "Let me guess, now you're going to summon Utopia?"

"Guess again." Yuma replied, confusing Astral, until Yuma then exclaimed. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay network and I Xyz summon, Heroic Champion – Excalibur!" (2000/2000)

Both Toy Knight and Ganbara Knight were then engulfed in a bright yellow light, just like Gagaga Magician.

And just like Gagaga Magician, the pair shot off into the air, twisting around each other, as a portal opened up in front of Yuma. Before both lights then shot into the portal, creating a massive explosion of energy as the monster, which once belonged to Nistro, appeared on the field.

"Now that I have Excalibur on the field, it's time to take Atlandis down!" Yuma stated, which only made Astral chuckle. "And how do you think you can do that?" He asked.

"By activating Excalibur's special ability!" Yuma replied, before he explained. "By using both Overlay Ynits, Excalibur's attack is doubled until my next turn!" (2000 → 4000)

Now with Excalibur powered up, Yuma called out in a strong tone. "Now Heroic Champion Excalibur, attack Atlandis!"

As the Heroic Champion withdrew his blade and charged forward, preparing to strike Atlandid down, Astral laughed. "Did you forget that only Number can destroy a Number?" He asked.

"That's what you think." Yuma replied. Before he suddenly called out, displaying a quick-play spell card. "That's why I activate Flash Effect!"

"Now Atlandis gains 800 attack points but it loses all its special abilities. (2600 → 3400) "Yuma explained, before saying. "So you can kiss your Number bye bye."

While Atlandis' attack rose to 3400, Atlandis was then struck by Excalibur's blade, causing it to fall apart as it exploded and was destroyed. Dealing Astral 600 points of damage.

"How's that?" Yuma asked, only for Astral to smirk at him, making Yuma then demand. "What's so funny?"

"What's funny is you actually think you can win this duel." Astral replied. "While you did destroy my Number, I still have many more tricks up my sleeve."

"Yeah, well so do I." Yuma snapped back, before calling out. "Like this, I play Reservation Reward! Now if I show you a spell card in my hand, I can place it on the field." Yuma explained, showing Astral the quick-play spell, Stop Hammer, which only made Astral state. "Whatever you're up to it won't work."

"We'll just see about that, now won't we?" Yuma asked, placing another card face down, ending his turn.

Current Scores:

Corrupt Astral: 3400

Yuma: 2000

"I Summon Gogogo Ghost!" (1900/0) Astral called out, before announcing. "But don't think he's coming alone, because I now summon Doggy Diver (1000/1000) and Kagetokage!" (1100/1500) "And now to call another Number to my field!" Astral announced.

"I Overlay my three level 4 monsters. With these three monsters I build the Overlay Network and Xyz

summon, appear Number 16: Shock Master!" (2300/1600) Astral exclaimed manically as all three of his monsters were were engulfed in lights of dark purple energy, the darkness shot off into the air, twisting around one another, as another portal opened up, before the forms of dark energy then shot into the portal, creating a massive explosion of energy as Number 16 appeared before it's summoner. "Not you again!" Yuma called out in a panic filled tone.

"I now activate Shock Master's special ability! One per turn I can negate the effect of any card type of my choice. And I choose to negate your monster effects!" Astral announced, in which Shock Master fired a large spike through Excalibur's chest, causing Yuma's monster to lower it's arms and droop down as it's power decreased. (4000 → 2000) "Shock Master, destroy Excalibur!" Astral commanded.

Watching in amusement as Shock Master slammed into Excalibur, destroying it. As well as knocking Yuma to the ground. "Do you care to give up now, or shall I continue to make you suffer?" Astral asked in a dark tone, watching as Yuma struggled to get up.

"I won't give up, not unit I save you!" Yuma stated as he rose to his feet.

"Suit yourself Yuma." Astral replied, placing a card face down. "I end my turn."

Current Scores

Corrupt Astral: 3400

Yuma: 1700

"I activate Xyz Reborn!" Yuma called out, revealing his trap card, as he then told Astral how it worked. "With this I can bring back one Xyz monster from my graveyard. So choose Excalibur!"

The black void that is the graveyard then opened up before Yuma, in which Excalibur then leapt out, standing proudly before Yuma.

"Now Xyz Reborn becomes Excalibur's Overlay Unit." Yuma added.

However, Astral pointed out. "You might've gotten back your monster, but he's useless! Shock Master's ability is still active, which means you can't use any special abilities."

"I know." Yuma replied, before calling out. "That's why I play Xyz Treasure! Now I get to draw one card for every Xyz monster on the field, and I count two."

"Draw all you like, nothing can stop me." Astral stated arrogantly.

"We'll see about that!" Yuma said back, before drawing the top two cards from his deck, which made him smile and think. 'Perfect.'

"I activate Xyz Shift!" Yuma called out as he activated his spell card and said. "Now by sending Excalibur back to the graveyard, I can summon any Xyz monster, so long as it's Rank is the same as Excalibur's."

"And I know just the monster." Yuma said, watching as Excalibur was consumed by light and faded, making room for his signature monster. "I summon Utopia!(2500/2000) And now that Utopia's here, it's time for me to win this duel!" Yuma stated.

"I equip Utopia with Magnum Shield. Now his attack points get boosted by his by his defense points!" (2500 → 4500)

"Not bad, but not good enough to beat me." Astral said, before stating. "You'll need more than that to defeat me and my power."

"Utopia, attack Shock Master!" Yuma commanded, in which Utopia with drew his blades and leapt into the air.

"But now I'm going to put a stop to that attack." Yuma then said, making Astral reply cruelly. "And how are you going to do that? Shock Master's effect applies to all your monsters."

"Who said I would use a special ability to stop Utopia's Attack?" Yuma asked back as a sly smile appeared on his face.

"I activate Stop Hammer! Now by lowering Utopia's attack by 500, I can stop his attack." Yuma announced, in which a giant hammer that had 'STOP' printed on it slammed into Utopia, preventing him from striking Shock Master and reducing his attack by 500 Points. (4500 → 4000)

"And now Reservation Reward kicks in, meaning Utopia can attack again, only this time he has double the attack power!" Yuma explained as Utopia's attack rose drastically. (4000 → 8000)

"Go, Utopia attack Shock Master with Rising Sun Slash!" Yuma exclaimed in all his might, watching as Utopia obeyed slicing right through Shock Master and causing Astral's side of the field to erupt in a massive explosion due to Utopia's

power.

"I did it." Yuma said, before it sunk in and he cheered. "I beat Astral!"

However his victory was short lived, as he heard dark laughter emitting from the explosion.

After the dust from the blast settled. Astral was still standing, still filled with darkness. While his life points were reduced to 550.

"But how?!" Yuma asked, making Astral smirk and then reply. "It's simple, I activated my face down Reverse Glasses just as Shock Master was attacked. And with my trap, it halved the attack of both our monsters and reduced the damage I took."

Yuma groaned in frustration, but knew he had to keep a level head. In which he set a face down to protect Utopia and then ended his turn, in which Utopia's attack dropped back to 4000.

Current Scores

Corrupt Astral: 550

Yuma: 1700

"My move Yuma." Astral said, drawing the top card from his deck, before he smirked.

"I must confess, you did far better than I expected. But I already know how this duel would turn out." Astral said. "What do you mean by that?" Yuma questioned.

"I'll show you." Astral replied, before he called out. "I activate Monster Reborn to bring back Gagaga Magician!"

With the magic of Monster Reborn, the graveyard opened up once more and Gagaga Magician reappeared before Astral.

"Next I use the power of my Gagaga Mirror again to create another Gagaga Magician." Astral said as another mirrored version of Gagaga Magician appeared beside the original.

"And now I change Gagaga Magician's level, from level 4 to level 7." Astral then told Yuma, watching as the stars on Gagaga Magician's belt increased from 4 to 7.

"And now, with my Gagaga Magicians, I build the Overlay Network to Xyz summon Number 11: Big Eye!" (2600/2000)

Gagaga Magician and the mirrored copy were engulfed in lights of dark purple energy that shot off into the air, twisting around each other, as a portal opened up in front of Astral, before both lights then shot into the portal, creating a massive explosion of energy as Number 11 appeared on the field, glaring down at Yuma.

"You know what happens now, right?" Astral asked, before saying. "By using one Overlay Unit, Big Eye can take control of your monster!"

"Go Temptation Glance!" Astral called out, watching as Big Eye's Overlay Unit was absorbed into it's eye, allowing it to glow and consume Utopia, pulling him over to Astral's side of the field.

"A fitting end, don't you think Yuma?" Astral asked, before he commanded. "Utopia, attack Yuma directly!" Unable to disobey, Utopia brought out his right blade and slashed down, striking Yuma down too. As he was inflicted with 4000 points of damage, wiping him out and the chance to save Astral from Dark Mist and his evil.

Ending Scores

Corrupt Astral: 550

Yuma: 0

To Be Continued...

What will happen to Yuma now that he's be defeated by his corrupted friend? Find out in the next chapter