Phantom Factor

[Quillion9000]

Yuto Pharos has lost his parents, his mother's will oddly including a clause specifically giving him permission to live alone in Heartland City rather than their countryside home. Not long after he arrives and starts attending Heartland Academy, the phantasmal figure known as Astral comes to a student one grade lower, Yuma Tsukumo, and brings with him the Numbers. [YutoxRioxRuri]

 

[Quillion9000]

Japanese Countryside: Home, Dawn…
A six year old Yuto yawned as he walked past pictures of him, his parents, and them together. He had grey eyes with two toned black in the back and light purple in the front hair that was swept towards the right. He currently wore pajamas.

Yuto noticed light coming from the living room, along with two figures silhouetted by lamp light. "Mommy and Daddy?"

Yuto peeked around the corner, seeing his father and mother sitting on the couch. His father was a broad shouldered guy who had medium length dark red hair with a matching beard and hazel eyes. He wore a green shirt with brown cargo pants and had on a cast over his right leg.

The crutches he'd been using were sat nearby. His mother was lean in contrast with long black hair in a ponytail and blue eyes. Her attire consisted of a white tank top with black pants. She also had a towel around her shoulder, indicating she'd showered recently.

"Come on." Father put an arm around his wife, his voice reassuring. "You know this is my kind of job, and it pays pretty well to boot."

"I know." Mother sighed. "Look, I've said my piece."

"Admit it." Father gently elbowed her. "You're just thinking I'll look ridiculous without this awesome beard of mine."

Despite how she felt, Mother couldn't help herself from laughing at that. "Sure, let's go with that." All too quickly, her prior feelings resurfaced as tears came to her eyes. "I'm just worried."

"Hey, hey." Father wrapped an arm around her. "Look, I promise I'll be careful." He then noticed Yuto, who ended up coming into the living room. "Oh, hey there kiddo."

"Why is Mommy crying?" Yuto questioned.

"She's…just a bit worried I'll get hurt again." Upon hearing that, Yuto couldn't help himself from glancing at the cast. "That's all."

Yuto thought about that before getting an idea. "I know! You can just find a different job." That had his parents looking at one another. "One that's less dangerous."

"That's a good idea." Father ruffled his hair. "Still, someone has to do this job." He leaned forward. "When I see someone in danger, and I have the ability to save them, I would reach out. Even if I put myself at risk, I'd feel it's the right thing to do. Ya know?"

Heartland: Home, 8 Years Later…
Yuto had woken with his alarm, spending the morning getting ready for school. It was a middle school which required a uniform, slightly different for each year. As a second year, his consisted of a white shirt with green-lined sleeves, tie, and collar alongside blue jeans.

With today being his start at a new school, there was only two things more he had to do before heading out. Yuto headed on downstairs and entered a small room containing a shrine which held two pictures, one for each of his parents. Yuto knelt and clasped his hands.

"Today, I start my next chapter. Can't say I understand why mother's will specified I live here, but I'll make the most of it. Even if that is my intention, I still wish you two were here with me."

Yuto gave it a few extra moments before departing from the room and hitting the kitchen. He snatched a granola bar and bottle of juice before heading out the door. Once he made sure the door was looked, Yuto was on his way.

Heartland Academy
Heartland Academy was a larger school compared to where Yuto attended previously. Many more floors and buildings, all on a far greater acreage. He had studied a map received upon being accepted, seeing him reach the staff room after a minor delay due to a wrong turn.

Entering the room saw him welcomed by his new homeroom and history teacher, Erin Stein. She was a woman with shoulder length brown hair and amber eyes. She wore a long black skirt with a white blouse and black tie.

"Ah, Yuto." Ms. Stein gave a sincere smile. "You've arrived promptly and dressed accordingly for your first day." She nodded. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you to my classroom."

Yuto nodded. "Right, ma'am."

Homeroom
"Good morning, class." Ms. Stein voiced. "Today, the new transfer student I've told you about shall be joining us." She looked to the door. "Please, come in." Yuto opened the door and walked in to stand beside the teacher's desk. "Would you introduce yourself?"

Yuto turned to face his classmates. "Hey, I am Yuto Pharos."

"Is that all you wish to say?" Ms. Stein questioned.

He should have figured just his name wouldn't cut it.

"I suppose you could say I'm aiming for the top of the dueling world." Yuto stated. "In actuality, aiming for that is what helps me fulfill my real goal. Something I've constantly been checking off. To put it simply, I want to get into as many duels as possible.

Preferably, I'd like to be challenged by them, but this does not mean I dislike duels where I am not. I picked up a deck because there is nothing else in this world I'd rather be than a duelist. Weather I reach the top or not, a duelist I will still be."

"Very good, Yuto." Ms. Stein nodded. "Please, take any open seat for today." Yuto made his way to his new desk. "Before I forget, Reginald, would you show him around school later?"

Reginald was a boy with dark blue eyes, pale skin, and dark purple hair which resembled tentacles hanging down. He also had a light blue 'crown' in the front of his forehead.

"Why me?" Reginald questioned.

"Unless something has changed that I haven't been made aware of, you aren't part of any club and often leave the second school concludes." Ms. Stein noted. "That certainly frees you up to at spend a little time giving our new student a tour."

Reginald sighed in resignation. "Alright, I'll do it."

"Good." Ms. Stein smiled. "Now, let us begin the day proper…"

After School
"You, follow me." Reginald voiced as he approached the new student. "Let's get this over with."

Yuto stood. "Lead the way, Reginald."

"Call me Shark." Shark returned, leading the way out of their last class. "More people call me that than my actual name."

"Why would people call you that?" Yuto asked, curiously.

"It's because a majority of my deck consists of sharks." Shark responded annoyed. "Got a problem with it?"

"Nah, I'm actually interested in seeing what a deck like that can do." Yuto replied. "How about a duel?"

"I just want to get this tour over with." Shark retorted. "Besides, a loser like you wouldn't stand a chance."

"I didn't think I was that intimidating a guy." Yuto commented.

"What did you say?" Shark asked, slightly offended at the insinuation.

"It's all I can figure as your reason given you haven't seen me duel." Yuto replied.

"Alright loser, you're on." Shark declared. "Just remember, you asked for this."

"I will." Yuto assured.

Heartland Academy
The two of them now stood across from one another.

"I hope you put up a challenge." Yuto stated.

"You're sure of yourself." Shark returned. "We'll see if you still are once I'm through with you."

"Let's Duel!"

(Yuto 4000/Shark 4000)

"I'll take the first move!" Yuto drew. "While it may not seem like much, all I'll do is set two cards and end my turn there."

"That's one way to start." Shark drew. "As for me, I'll summon Saber Shark(LV 4/1600/1200)." A purple shark with a saber atop its head appeared. "Since I control a water attributed monster, I can special summon Silent Angler(LV 4/800/1400)." An angler fish appeared.

"Two level four monsters…" Yuto noted.

"Not where this is going." Shark retorted, knowing where his opponent's mind was. "Up to twice per turn, Saber lets me target any fish type monsters on my field to increase or decrease their levels by one. I'm opting to decrease each of my monsters' levels by one."

Saber Shark(LV 3/1600/1200 effect)
Silent Angler(LV 3/800/1400 effect)

"Does this mean his extra deck is full of rank 3 monsters, or are those monsters merely the better option in this circumstance?" Yuto contemplated.

"Now, I overlay my level 3 Saber Shark and Silent Angler." Shark continued. "Xyz summon Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O2/1900/1000)." Twin sharks bound by orange metal appeared. "I'll use his ability." Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O1/1900/1000).

"By removing one overlay unit, you take 400 points of damage for every card in my hand. Since I have four, that adds up to 1600 life points worth of damage." Yuto was bombarded by missiles (Yuto 2400/Shark 4000). "I'll then leave you with barely anything by attacking."

"You've activated my first face down, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring(LV 2/0/0." Yuto countered. "This trap negates any one attack before summoning itself as a monster to the field." A copper ring radiating blue energy appeared.

"A pseudo trap!" Shark exclaimed before looking at his hand. "With my attack negated, I'll set two face downs to conclude my turn."

"My turn!" Yuto drew. "I activate my second face down, The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace(LV 2/600/0). I now target my The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring. If it had any ATK, it'd have lost 600. If its level were more than 2, it'd be set to 2.

"Neither of those are true, so what exactly is the point?" Shark questioned.

"The point is those effects last until the end of this turn, along with the fact any of my The Phantom Knights monsters can't be destroyed by battle this turn." Yuto replied. "Beyond that, this trap summons itself as a level 2 monster." A black vambrace full of blue energy appeared.

"I now use my level 2 Lost Vambrace and Wrong Magnetring to construct the Overlay Network. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 2/1600/0)." A skeletal warrior with a javelin appeared. "I won't settle for just that.

I summon The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak(LV 3/800/1000)." Blue energy cloaked in purple attire appeared. "If this monster is in ATK position, I can swap it to defense. Through this, any one dark attributed monster on the field gains 800 ATK/DEF until the end of this turn.

I select my The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 2/2400/800 effect). Since I control a The Phantom Knights monster, I can special summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots(LV 3/200/1200)."

Blue energy contained within brown attire appeared. "I now use my level 3 Ancient Cloak and Silent Boots to construct the overlay network once more. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 2/2000/1000)." A black suit of armor atop a black steed appeared.

"I get it now." Shark noted. "He utilizes pseudo traps and monsters in tandem to get out Xyz monsters faster than most average duelists could. I doubt that's all there is to those cards, just one thing they could do well."

"Now, I'll set one card." Yuto voiced. "With that, the pieces have been assembled to start clearing your field. First, I detach 1 material from The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 1/2000/1000) to target 1 card you control and 1 card I control, both will be destroyed.

I choose your face down on the left and my one face down." Yuto's set quick-play Shrink and Shark's set Zeus' Breath were revealed before being shattered. "Next, I'll detach one overlay unit from The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin(R 2/O 1/2400/800 effect).

I target your Aero Shark, negating its effects and zeroing out its ATK until the end of this turn." Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O1/0/1000 effect). "Now, it is as good as attacking directly, so I'll have Cursed Javelin destroy your Aero Shark."

Javelin hurled his weapon at Aero Shark, the javelin tearing through and destroying it (Yuto 2400/Shark 1600).

"You destroyed some protection and wiped out my monster; however, you're not about to win." Shark declared. "I activate my remaining face down, Torrential Reborn. With it, I can return any monsters that were just destroyed back to my field.

In this case, it'll be my Submersible Carrier Aero Shark(R 3/O0/1900/1000) in defense mode. Then, you're going to be taking 500 life points of damage since a monster was brought back through this effect."

Water fell on the Phantom Knights user (Yuto 1900/Shark 1600).

"In that case, I'll destroy your Aero Shark once more with Break Sword." On Yuto's command, Break Sword rode forward atop his steed and sliced the monster. "That shall conclude my turn."

"My move!" Shark drew. "First, I'll activate Underwater Snow Prison. With it, I can banish any one monster on the field, and I select Cursed Javelin." Javelin fell into a wormhole. "Next, I summon Needle Sunfish(LV 3/1500/100)." A fish with lots of teeth appeared.

Summoning Sunfish allows me to then special summon Shark Stickers(LV 3/200/1000)." A long, blue fish appeared. I now use my level 3 Shark Stickers and Needle Sunfish to construct the overlay network. Xyz Summon Shark Caesar(R 3/O 2/1800/2000)."

A purple and gold shark appeared. "Once per turn, I can detach one overlay unit to place 1 shark counter on it." Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/1800/2000/1SC). "The monster I detached was my Needle Sunfish. When it goes to the grave, one monster you control loses 500 ATK.

All you have is The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 1/1500/1000 effect). Now, Shark Caesar will tear your Break Sword apart. Whenever Caesar is involved in a battle while having shark counters, he gains 1000 ATK."

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/2800/2000/1SC effect)

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword was devoured (Yuto 600/Shark 1600).

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/1800/2000/1SC)

"Whenever Break Sword is destroyed, I can summon 2 The Phantom Knights monsters with the same level from my grave, and their levels will be increased by one. Return, The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak(LV 4/800/1000) and The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots(LV 4/200/1200)."

"Does he have a Rank 4 monster as well?" Shark smirked. "Not bad, keeping your field stocked with monsters like that. I end my turn."

"I got to say, you are good yourself." Yuto voiced. "While I necessarily don't care whether I win or lose, I never do enter into a duel wanting to loose. With the cards I have on field, I do believe that desire will be met!"

"Really, you can get out something that can overpower Caesar Shark?" Shark crossed his arms. "Do I need to remind you this monster gains 1000 ATK for each shark counter during battle and currently has one to his name?"

"Just watch." Yuto voiced. "I use my level 4 Silent Book and Ancient Cloak to construct the overlay network. Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous of dragons. Xyz summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)."

A purple and black dragon appeared. "I now activate the effect of my dragon, detaching one overlay unit to cut the ATK of your Shark Caesar in half." Dark Rebellion fired off purple lightning, which restricted Shark's monster. "Then, that lost ATK goes to my dragon."

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/900/2000/1SC effect)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 1/3400/2000 effect)

"These changes last until the end of the turn." Yuto declared. "While that isn't uncommon, what would be is the fact Dark Rebellion can utilize this effect as many times a turn as the number of overlay units he holds. I wouldn't bring this up if I didn't intend to use it again!"

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/450/2000/1SC effect)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 0/3850/2000 effect)

Shark stared at the dragon, wide-eyed.

"Time for the finishing blow!" Yuto exclaimed. "Dark Rebellion, destroy that shark with Mauling Mandible Charge!"

"We'll meet you head on." Shark's firmed himself up. "Shark Caesar, go!"

Shark Caesar(R 3/O 1/1450/2000/1SC effect)

The two monsters charged at one another with Dark Rebellion biting clean through the opposing monster, his maw sparking. Shark was flung back, hitting the ground as his life points were reduced (Yuto 600/Shark 0).

Yuto approached his opponent. "That was a good game."

"Yeah." Shark got up from the ground. "Guess I shouldn't have called you a loser."

"I hope we can duel again sometime." Yuto said.

"Count on it." Shark smirked. "After all, I got to pay you back for beating me now."

"For an opponent like you, I'm game." Yuto replied. "Since I look for skilled opponents, is there anyone better than you here?"

"Only one person has shown themselves to be more skilled than me." Shark nodded. "I'm looking at him, right now."

"Guess that just means we'll have to rematch soon." Yuto voiced.

"We will, sometime." Shark said. "For now, should we continue the tour?"

"Sure, lead the way pal." Yuto stated.

"Pal, huh?" Shark stared at him for a good moment before turning. "Just, come on."

Next Day…
As Yuto walked onto academy grounds, he was suddenly surrounded by students from all grades.

"Hey, is it true that you beat Shark?"

"Yeah, just yesterday after school." Yuto replied.

"Don't lie! Shark would never lose to someone like you."

"Yeah, she's right."

"You must have cheated."

"Leave him alone." Shark broke through the crowd, coming to stand next to Yuto. "The new guy beat me fair and square, which is something you losers could only ever dream of."

"So, it is true?"

"If you want to see my skills first hand, I'll take you on any time I'm free." Yuto pushed through the crowd. "Right now, I got to get to homeroom." Shark joined him, prompting the phantom knights user to look his way. "Thanks for that, Shark."

"Whatever." Shark returned. "Just know, I'll eventually come challenge you."

"I'll accept that challenge, any time I'm free." Yuto replied.

Shark simply smirked at that as he walked past the phantom knights user.