Bad Developments I

TEASER

(Close-in on a camera lens; flash. Another camera flash comes from a back-alley somewhere in Heart Land City's suburbs. A random duelist winces from the bright light from three more camera flashes.) - Hey! (His opponent snaps another picture, and then speaks; his face is in shadow.) Cameron: Some say photos bring back memories of the past. But mine do the opposite. (The back of the panel that forms the card slots of his duel disk has a camera lens built into it, with a flash bulb on top. The photos print from a slot near his deck. He takes them from the duel disk and lifts them high.) Cameron: They bring forth the future! And the future shows that you'll be losing this duel. (The random duelist has two facedown cards, his opponent one.) - Whadda you know about the *future*, that camera a' yours, ain't even *digital*! (The photographer duelist is looking at one of his pictures, one which shows his opponent lying on the ground in a mess of scattered duel cards.) Cameron: I can sense the *fear* behind your voice. (The symbol of the Number 25 glows turquoise on the photographer's cheek.) Cameron: And you're right to be afraid, for you see the future has *now arrived*! - Aaaaaaahhhh! (The full moon shines in the sky above. The virtual field of the duel dissolves; it's over. The photographer's opponent now matches the picture, lying on the ground among scattered cards, including "Polymerization".) Cameron: I hope you remember what you *learned* here today. But if, when you wake up, it's at all fuzzy... (He tosses the photographs to the ground with the duelist's cards and goes on his way; they're images of everything that just happened-- the duelist lying on the ground with his scattered cards, him shouting out just before he lost, the photographer standing over him about to toss him these photographs, and the Number 25 glowing on the photographer's cheek.) Cameron: Take a trip down memory lane on *me*!

(Opening)

ACT 1 <<1:50>>

(The sky in Heart Land City is bright blue with puffy white clouds. Yuma is sitting on the steps by the river, with Astral floating nearby and Tori standing on the sidewalk below the steps.) Yuma: Ya know... things sure are *crazy* right now. Especially with Shark. Uugghhh...!

(Flashback. Yuma runs into Shark on the first night of the tournament.) FB Yuma: You're competing in the World Duel Carnival! FB Shark (bitterly): Only for as long as I need to. FB Yuma: Whaddaya mean? FB Shark: As soon as I do what I gotta do-- I'm out. FB Yuma: What're you *talking* about? FB Shark: The duelist I lost to in the Nationals is in the Carnival.

(Sub-Flashback. He finally remembers the face of the opponent who got him disqualified. Reginald Kastle stands beside a hospital bed, about to fight a duel he can't bear to lose.) FB Shark: I'm gonna settle the score. (End Sub-Flashback, End Flashback.)

Yuma: But it's not just him; there's *Quatro*, too.

(Flashback. Kazwell and Bronk lie wincing on the ground; neither has the strength to get up. Quatro looks truly insane.) FB Quatro: I won't be happy until all my fans get *exactly* what they deserve!! (Bronk and Kazwell sit up, groaning, looking anxious; is this the end?) FB Quatro: Hehehehehnhn! You two twerps-- are going down with a *big bang*! (Quatro's monster has a cannon that fires a huge red fireball; Bronk falls backward in a firestorm of red, cards scattering, lifepoints falling to 0; Kazwell is blown high into the air, lifepoints falling to 0, before he hits the ground with a moan. Both duelists lie still, teeth clenched.) FB Yuma: You *maniac*!! They looked up to you! Why did you do this to them?! FB Quatro: Hahahaheheheh, let's just say-- that I find it *highly entertaining*! (End Flashback.)

Yuma: It's like no one duels for the right reasons anymore!! Tori: Huh? Yuma: Everyone wants *revenge*, or to hurt someone! Don't these people *get it*? (Astral listens silently.) Yuma: We're all cut from the same cloth; we're a *family*. Tori: Mmm... (Tori hears a rumbling sound, and turns; a big airship painted with the WDC logo is taking off across town, cruising slowly over the skyline. It's designed along the lines of a jet plane, but the body of the craft is much thicker in height, designed for luxury. It's turquoise and dark blue, with a red, pointed nose.) Tori: Whoa, check it out, Yuma, it's an airship. That ship's flyin' high to commemorate the World Duel Carnival! How 'bout I get tickets for us? It could *really* help you take your mind off things! Yuma: Nahh, sounds lame. Tori: Ah, *come on*. Yuma (stands): No, Tori, *you* come on!! Tori: Huh? Yuma: My problems can't be solved by some *ride in the sky*! Tori: You know what? For someone who wants everyone to get along you sure are *rude* sometimes. Yuma: No, *you* are! (Tori gasps, surprised. Yuma groans and sits down on the steps again, holding his head in both hands.) Yuma: Ohh, sorry. Tori: Well yeah, you *should* be sorry, I was just trying to cheer up my friend! (Tori turns and walks away, nose in the air.) Tori: But *forget* it! Astral: I am curious, Yuma; do you plan to tick off anyone *else* today? Yuma: *Astral*! Mind your business, wouldja! Astral: Guess so. (Astral shatters into specks of light, leaving Yuma by himself moaning on the steps.) Yuma: Ohh, could this day get any *worse*?

ACT 2 <<4:02>>

(At the Tsukumo residence, in Kari's computer lair...) Kari: *What's* his name again? (Kari is video-conferencing with a somewhat worn-looking man with brown, choppy hair; the caption on her screen indicates that this is the 'Editor in chief'.) Editor: It's Cameron Clicks, he was some kid that was always coming in my office tryin' to get me to run his *boring photos*.

(Vision. The first photo shows the photographer from the alleyway, holding a camera not attached to a duel disk.) Editor (VO): Well he's not just some *kid* anymore, he's the most sought-after photojournalist there *is*. (The second photo shows water gushing out of a manhole in the street, straight up in the air, stopping traffic.) Editor (VO): Every shot 'e takes is *front-page material*! (Another photo might depict a ship crashing into a pier.) Editor (VO): I dunno *how he does it*. (Another photo shows a huge explosion.) Editor (VO): But I *do* know I want 'im for *our paper*.

Kari: So, just *hire him* then. (The editor coughs; he sounds sick.) Editor (VO): I *would*; *if* I could find 'im. That's where *you're* gonna come in, Kari. (Kari stands up at the desk.) Kari: What's that supposed to mean?!

(Next thing, Kari is on a motorcycle hitting the streets, her duel gazer on under her helmet visor.) Editor (VO): The word on the street is, this Cameron kid is big into dueling. So it stands to reason that he'd be at the Duel Carnival. I want you to *find him*, and get 'im to sign an exclusive with our paper! (Kari changes lanes, toggles her handgrip brake, then her gas pedal, zooming between the cars.) Kari (think): This kid *better* be as good as they say...

(At a construction site, a machine arm fits a nut onto a bolt where two huge metal beams join, and screws it on tight. The robot operating the metal arm is carried to the next bolt by a moving platform that slides along the metal beams. In the shadows nearby, Cameron is taking pictures with his activated duel disk. His opponent this time is a construction worker.) - Quit it with the *photos* an' *duel* already! (Kari rides past just as the camera flashes again. She stops.) Kari: Huh? Is that...? (Cameron and the construction guy are surrounded by holographic tags in the air, in the middle of a duel. The field is currently empty.) Cameron: These aren't *just* photos. These show your future. (Kari listens, halfway hidden behind a corner.) Cameron: Care to see? Kari: Huh? (Cameron holds up two photos, each the size of a card, a white glow obscuring their faces.) Cameron: Then again, you'll be seeing firsthand soon enough! (The robot working on the bolts is sparking, and slowing its motion; something's wrong. Then it explodes.) Kari: Huh! (Cameron's opponent looks up.) - Huh? Gah!! (Pieces of the robot, two red I-beams, and several metal pipes are falling down on top of him. He collapses under them in a big puff of dust. Cameron still holds the photos.) Cameron: I *warned* you, didn't I? Hmhmhmhmhmhm... (His eyes smolder with unnatural purple lights.) Cameron: All I have to do is *think and snap*, then whatever I've envisioned happens. No wonder I've *never lost a duel*! Kari: Never lost...? Cameron: And now, my *friend*, here's something for your *scrapbook*! (Cameron throws the two photos as though they were cards; they land on the random guy's chest. The virtual field is dissolving.) - Ugh... (Cameron takes off his gazer.) Cameron (aside): Too bad no Number card, though. (Cameron turns and walks away. Kari runs in.) Kari: Wait! (Cameron's gone. She turns next to his opponent, who isn't looking so good. He lies on the ground, eyes wide open, shaking.) Kari: Are you okay? - I... should've worn my... hard hat... (Then Kari sees the pictures, and gasps. One shows the construction guy lying on the ground with the two photos on his chest, the other shows him getting hit with the robot's broken torso.) Kari: *These* are the photos Cameron took... but... he took 'em *before* any of this actually *happened*! Could that mean... (stands) that Cameron... can think of a future and make it come true? (She stands gazing after where Cameron left the scene...)

(Yuma's still sitting on the steps by the river.) Kari (via phone): Look-- for the last time, Yuma, do you know him or not?! (Kari is back on her motorcycle; on Yuma's gazer-phone she has her helmet on and her hair is whipping in the wind.) Kari (via phone): His name's Cameron Clicks, *ring any bells*? Yuma (glumly): No. No bells. Kari (via phone): Are you sure? He's a duelist, just like you. Yuma: Sorry.

(Kari keeps riding.) Kari: Oh, and he's big into taking pictures. I just *know* he's competing in the Duel Carnival! Yuma (via phone): Look, maybe his *is* and maybe he *isn't*, why d'you even *care*? Kari: Because he's dangerous, Yuma, and someone needs to stop him!

(That got Yuma's attention.) Yuma: Dangerous? Whaddaya mean? (A guy in grey workout clothes jogs past Yuma along the riverbank.) Kari (via phone): I mean he has the power to *create the future*, and it's a future that's usually not so bright! Yuma: Create the future?

Kari: Yeah, I know, I wouldn't have believed it myself, Yuma, but... I *saw* it, with my very own two eyes!

Yuma: Okay, then. I'll be sure to look out for 'im. (Astral materializes, listening.) Kari (via phone): Thanks, bro. Just be careful, this Cameron kid said he's *never lost a duel*; and after seeing this power of his, I totally *believe him*.

(Kari keeps riding.)

Kari (via phone): Contact me the minute you see or hear anything, and I mean *anything*; Kari out! (She hangs up. Yuma looks even gloomier.) Yuma: Wow, that's *some trick*. Creating the future; I wonder how he *does it*? Astral: If what Kari is saying is *true*, I suspect... this young man has been possessed by a Number. Yuma: Ya think so? Astral: How *else* could he have such power? Yuma, let us go. We must find this Cameron at once. Yuma: Man! What is it, 'Boss Yuma Around Day'? Some manners, huh, Tor? ...Tor? (He looks around; they're alone.) Yuma: Tori? Where did she go? Astral: You were being mean and thoughtless; so she *left*. Yuma: Huh? Astral: Do you not *recall*? Yuma: Mean and thoughtless? I'm never like that! Tori? Huh? (Astral looks up at the sky, deep in thought, while Yuma keeps looking around for Tori.) Astral: Observation number seventeen. Sometimes individuals speak without listening to what they are saying. This is *dangerous* because words are extremely powerful. (aloud, murmurs) They can hurt... dear friends...

(Elsewhere in the city on this bright, sunny day, Tori is now standing in the shadow of the great big airship where it's moored on the ground. She gasps with awe and excitement, as innocently happy as any of the kids in the crowd around her with their parents. A voice speaks over a loudspeaker.) - Come one, come all!! Come onboard the Duel Carnival Airship, and experience the majesty of this great event at a *whole other level*! (The airship is docked on a platform in an egg-shaped sort of park, crisscrossed with concrete paths between grassy lawns with trees. There's a fountain in a circular plaza across from the airship platform which, when not used for the WDC airship, might serve as an event stage for concerts or similar. Tori giggles to herself as she regards the airship, excited, then scowls.) Tori: Ya know what? Yuma didn't *wanna* go for a ride; but that doesn't mean that *I* can't go for one! Cameron: Okay, everybody... Tori: Huh? (She looks; nearby in the park, Cameron the photographer is taking a picture of a group of kids posing for him.) Cameron: Say 'cheese'! (The little boys all make wacky faces.) Boys: Cheese! (The camera snaps.) Cameron: That's a keeper! (The boys chatter, overlapping.) - Send me a copy! - See you later! Tori (calls): Cameron? Cameron!! Is that *you*? (Cameron looks away from waving to the kids.) Cameron: Huh? (Tori waves, smiling brightly and laughing.) Cameron: *Tori*? (He smiles, incredulous.)

(They walk over to the fountain, which is shaped like a big, colorful mushroom.) Cameron: It's been *so long*, Tori! I think the last time I saw *you* was-- oh, I know-- when you let me take those portrait shots!

(Flashback. Tori poses in the crosshairs of a camera lens, wearing a white dress and smiling knowingly, the ocean sparking blue beyond a cliff behind her.) Tori (VO): Right! And you did such a good job with them, too. (The picture snaps, and the photo's framed on the wall, with a small plaque underneath for art gallery viewers.) Tori (VO): I still can't believe you exhibited them at that *art gallery festival*... (End Flashback.)

Tori (ruefully): I was so *embarrassed*! Cameron: Well you *shouldn't* be, you're a *natural* in front a' the camera. So um, d'you wanna go take some *more* shots? Maybe over there by the airship... whaddaya say? Tori: Sure!

(Birds fly around the fountain; Cameron and Tori stroll back toward the airship.) Tori: Are you certain you wanna do this, Cameron? I'm not dressed up or anything; maybe I should freshen up my makeup, or brush my hair, or... (Cameron stops walking, smiling and pulling out his camera.) Cameron: No *way*-- you look just great. *Trust* me on this. Tori: Well-- okay then! (The camera crosshairs focus around Tori as she stands in the plaza with the airship behind her, smiling. Cameron focuses his camera, intent on her; suddenly he doesn't look nearly so friendly, glowing with purple energy as a malicious look twists his face. Tori doesn't notice. The camera clicks. Cameron stops glowing and lowers the camera, smiling as benignly as before. Tori runs toward the airship, stops and waves to him, then keeps going.) Tori: See ya! (The picture prints from a slot on the camera; he takes it from the slot and looks at it; he looks concerned, then the Number-driven malice is back, staring at the image with vicious intensity.)

ACT 3 <<10:10>>

(Yuma and Astral wander down a sidewalk lined with WDC banners; a pair of litterbots trundle past.) Yuma: We've looked *everywhere* for this kid Cameron! And still *nothing*. 'Course we might have better luck if we knew what he looked like... probably should've asked... (The ground rumbles.) Yuma: Dah? Astral: It sounds as though a duel is in progress! We should check it out! (Astral floats away off to the side of the walkway, toward the sound. Yuma runs after.) Yuma: Ah? Wait up!

(They run into a darker alleyway; the metallic walls and pipes, including a few that expel smoke or steam, suggest some corner of an industrial area. They stop short when they see the duel.) Astral: My word...! (They're witnessing the appearance of a Number on the field, shaped like a giant black camera with multiple lenses. It clicks and flashes, and gleams with the symbol of the Number 25.) Astral: A Number! (The duelist nearest them, a random in an interesting-looking dark blue jacket, stumbles back a step; the two unfamiliar spectators standing near him look worried. The random duelist speaks.) - No *way*! The images in those photos you took-- they're now-- *coming true*! (Cameron replies with a thin razor of a grin. Yuma watches closely.) Cameron: Go, Projection of Pain! (Flashbulbs fire.) Yuma: Aah! (The random duelist is flung backward and hits the ground hard. The virtual field evaporates; Cameron has won. He holds up a handful of photos.) Cameron: I *tried* to warn you, but you wouldn't listen. No matter; after all, a picture's worth a *thousand words*-- especially when it's a picture *of the future*! (The Number 25 glows on his cheek, under his right eye.) Yuma: Ohh..! Cameron: Here ya go-- on the bright side, no red-eye. (The pictures scatter around the fallen duelist. One shows him exactly as he is right now, senseless on the ground.) Yuma: It's *really true*. This... kid... he *can* somehow create the future! (The duelist's friends run over to him.) - Oh no! - Don't worry; you're gonna be okay, pal! Astral: The power of this Number card is most concerning. Yuma: Then we better go and *get it*, Astral.

(A building in the city with a facade of blue-tinted windows slopes from a broad rooftop to a narrower base, with additional wings in purple built on to support the improbable design; it has a screen on the front bearing an animated WDC logo. Below it is a broad, circular park. Cameron is walking through the park when--) Yuma: Hey, wait up! (Cameron stops.) Yuma: Are you Cameron?! (Cameron looks surprised, but acts as though he doesn't hear.) Yuma: Fine; *don't* answer me. But I'll *tell you what*-- you *will* have to answer for what you've done. You've hurt a lot of people, Cameron-- I wanna know *why*! Cameron: Why? (turns) It's *quite simple*. I do it to acquire Number cards. Yuma: Hah...! Cameron: But, Numbers are rare; not all of my opponents have them, so, some end up the worse for wear. But that's not *my* problem. (Cameron's expression intensifies suddenly, and he no longer looks nearly so innocent.) Cameron: I'll do whatever I must to accomplish my goal-- to collect all the world's Number cards! And then, the power of my future photos will be even greater! And there'll be *no stopping me*! Huhahahahahahaha! Yuma: He's definitely possessed by the power of a Number card, Astral. Cameron: Oh, I see; you know about Number cards, do you? Does that mean you *have one*? Yuma: That's right; whatcha gonna do about it! Huh? (A motorcycle crashes over the bushes, scattering leaves and twigs, hops on its rear wheel, lands, drives between them, and swerves to a halt. Kari glares at Yuma through her helmet.) Kari: I *told you* to contact me when you found Cameron!! Yuma: Eh, Kari? Meet Cameron. (Kari takes off her helmet, glaring angrily at Cameron.) Kari (sarcastic): *Nice to meet you*, Cameron; I've been looking for you. Actually, it's really my *editor* who's been trying to track you down. You may remember him; you used to try and get 'im to run your photographs in the local paper, but, sadly, he always turned ya down. (Cameron grimaces, and the Number-fueled look of rage appears in his eyes.) Cameron: Hmph, oh yeah. I remember. He always told me that my photos were too *boring*. But my style has *changed* since then. Kari: I *know it has*, which is why he wanted me to offer you a job, Cameron. But hey, ya know what? I am going to personally see to it that you never get *that* job or *any* job, for any *paper* any*where*! (She clenches her fist.) Cameron: Let me guess why. Might it be, because you think my methods are a *tiny bit reckless*? Kari: I don't *know* how you do it; maybe you create the future or maybe you just twist it. But I *do* know one thing-- (She shows the picture of the construction worker that Cameron took before he lost his duel.) Kari: Enough people have been hurt by your dark ways; it ends, *now*! Cameron: No, it doesn't. You see it's *never* going to end. (Yuma and Astral look stricken.) Cameron: Because I *make* the future. Kari: Huh...? Astral: Seems our worst fears were correct, Yuma. Now the only question remaining is how do we put a stop to it all. Yuma: 'How', is right. Cameron: Tell you what, Kari, why don't I just go ahead and give you one of my photographs? Then you can leave me alone and go make your *editor* happy! Kari: Not a chance! Cameron: You're stating to get on my nerves. Can't you see I'm *busy*? Can't you see that I'm *about to duel someone*? Kari: Yuma-- there's *no way* you're dueling this guy, it's too dangerous! Cameron: Come on-- think about this like a journalist; after all, it *could* make for a *pretty good scoop*. But then-- there are scoops *wherever* *I* go. Take this snapshot I took earlier; it's *real headline news*. (He offers a photo to them; his spiteful glare says they won't like what they see. Yuma takes a step forward to stand next to Kari. She accepts it.) Cameron: Go on, don't be scared; have a look-see. (The photograph shows Tori sitting on the floor, holding a little girl in orange close to her; the little girl is crying, and Tori looks afraid. Around them, other people cling together in terror or try to do something; she's sitting in the middle of a big disaster.) Yuma: Tori! Cameron (innocently): Oh, d'you *know* her? *Such a shame* what happened-- or what's *about to*. (He looks straight up.) Cameron: I know *statistically* they say flying is the safest way to travel, but that's not true today! (He's looking at the huge WDC airship on its cruise among the city's rooftops. Yuma runs a few steps toward it.) Cameron: And for *Tori*, I'm afraid that's some *seriously bad news* indeed! But that's just the start; it only gets *worse* from there. After the crash... *chaos*! Heart Land City will be an utter shambles. Kari: You're a monster! Cameron: Oh please, you just *report* the news, I happen to *make it*. My offer still stands; if you take the photo now, I'm *sure* you can make the late edition. Kari: For the last time-- I want nothing to do with your photographs! Cameron: Then you're a fool! Yuma: Tori? Are you there? (Yuma's trying to call Tori on his duel gazer.) Yuma: Answer me! Tori (on phone): You better be calling to *apologize*, Yuma. Yuma: *Where are you* right now?

Tori: I'm on the *airship*; remember when I tried to *invite* you?

(The airship flies onward through the sky.) Yuma (on phone): Uh, no. (The airship's gold-painted starboard engine seems to be just fine...) Yuma (on phone): You have to get off! You have to get off *now*!

Tori: You're acting *weird*; what's wrong? Yuma (on phone): You tell *me*! (Tori's standing at the window among groups of tourists and random bystanders. The girl in orange is looking out the window with a friend the same age.) Tori: Uh, things are *fine* up here. The view of the city is *totally* amazing.

Yuma: Are you sure about that? There are no problems? Tori (on phone): *No*, none whatsoever. (Just then, there's a crashing sound in the background and the image wobbles.) Tori (on phone): Aaahhh! Yuma: Tori!!

(Tori looks around, knees braced to keep from falling if the floor shakes again. The other passengers are just starting to notice the alarm sirens blaring around them; several to Tori's left are watching the ominous plume of white smoke from the port-side engine. Then they recoil, screaming, when the engine outright explodes.) Tori: That's the left engine!

Yuma: Tori-- what's happening?! (The airship's flaming port-side engine can be seen from the ground, trailing dark smoke behind it. It explodes again, even more impressively.) Tori (on phone): Aaaaaaaaahhhh! Yuma: Hang on, Tor! (Kari turns from Yuma to the sinisterly-smiling Cameron.) Kari: That's enough! You put a *stop* to this, *right now*, Cameron! Cameron: Sorry; what's *done is done*, I'm afraid. Kari: No way! You control the future, you can change this! Cameron: But don't you see? This isn't the future anymore, it's now the *present*. And I never said I had any control over the *present*, now, *did* I? Kari: You little *twerp*!! Cameron: If you lay *one finger* on me you'll only make things worse. Now if I were you I'd quit wasting time and try to help those *people*. (Kari relaxes, disarmed by the threat.) Kari: Hey-- Yuma! Yuma: Huh? Kari: I'll figure out how to save the airship, *you* keep an eye on Cameron! (She throws on her helmet, gets back on her bike, and rides away.) Cameron: Ah, at last she's *gone*, which means *finally*, *we* can *duel*. Yuma: Astral... when a person possessed by a Number loses in a duel *and* loses their Number, they return to *normal*, right? Astral: Right. Yuma: So then there's a chance... that *everything around us*... will go back to normal, too. Astral (surprised): It is hard to say; maybe. Yuma: Then let's go-- 'cause I'm feelin'-- the flow!!! (Yuma's duel screen and gazer unfold themselves in midair; he puts on the arm piece that attaches to the duel screen and the screen snaps into place.) Yuma: Duel disk, go!! (The panels of his duel disk unfold. Yuma catches his duel gazer and puts it on.) Yuma: Duel gazer-- let's roll!! (Cameron's camera spins and unfolds itself, snapping out duel panels on either side. The entire apparatus snaps onto a fixture on his left arm. Green columns of numbers rain upward, painting the area in virtual space.) Computer: Authentic reality vision link established. Yuma: All right, then, let's *do* this, Cameron! (Cameron's camera flashes once, twice, then two more times; Yuma flinches from the flashbulbs.) Yuma: Hey, whaddaya doin'?! (The camera flashes again.) Cameron: The same thing I do to *all* my opponents. I'm *taking your photo*. (He takes the photos from the slot on the bottom of his duel disk.) Cameron: Here-- this is what you have to look *forward* to, Yuma. I will *warn* you, though, it's a bit of a *spoiler*. (A cross-field screen appears before Yuma, showing the photos Cameron has in his hand. The topmost one depicts Yuma, lying on the ground routed; Cameron stands over him, triumphant.) Cameron: As you can see, victory is mine-- and so is your Number card!

ACT 4 <<18:08>>

(The future photo depicts Yuma, lying on the ground routed; Cameron stands over him, triumphant.) Cameron: As you can see, my victory is assured-- and your Number card is as good as mine! In fact, you might as well hand it over to me *right now*. Yuma: Rrgghh-- *no way*! (Both duelists start with 4000 lifepoints.) Yuma: I'm not buying into your camera tricks! Yuma and Cameron: Let's duel! Yuma: I'll take the first move. Here goes-- *my* draw! First I place a monster facedown in defense mode. Then I'm just gonna place a card facedown and end my turn! Cameron (draw): Very well-- my turn! And I'm summoning out Cameraclops! (Cameron's monster is a humanoid with a camera for a head, dressed in lavender, orange, and navy combat gear with red bandoliers of film canisters across its chest.) [Cameraclops 1400//L4/] Astral (think): Yuma placed Gogogo Golem facedown in defense mode. It has fifteen hundred defense points. The monster *Cameron* played, Cameraclops, has just fourteen hundred attack points. That is *good news*. It means Yuma is safe for at least this *one* round. Cameron: I now activate the equip spell "Telescopic Lens" from my hand! And what better place to attach a lens, than a camera! (Cameraclops is equipped with a telescopic lens, the end of which is propped on a tripod.) Cameron: But this doesn't *just* mean a better *picture*. It means Cameraclops gains four hundred attack points for every card in my hand! I have four; so that's an additional sixteen hundred attack points! (That gives it 3000.) Yuma (think): That's still not enough to take down Golem! When it's in defense mode, its special ability prevents it from being destroyed in battle once per turn. Cameron: Next from my hand, I activate the spell card "Negative Image Inversion"! (Cameron and his card flash into inverted color for a moment.) Cameron: And it's *especially* negative for *you*, because now I can switch one of your facedown defense monsters, into a *face-up attack monster*! [Gogogo Golem 1800/1500/L4/] Cameron: And there's *another* development; your attack points now swap out with your defense points! (Gogogo Golem now has 1500 attack points and 1800 defense points. Yuma and Astral have the same shocked expression.) Yuma: What?! Cameron: Since I used Image Inversion, I now have one less card in my hand; so Cameraclops loses four hundred attack points. (Now it has 2600.) Cameron: But in the *big* picture, I think we *all* know that *you're* the one who's *really* losing! Now! Go, Cameraclops! Attack Gogogo Golem! (Cameraclops sights Gogogo through its camera lens and snaps picture after picture as Gogogo Golem braces for the attack with its big, rocky fists. A sparking bolt of white energy shoots out of the end of the telescopic lens and zaps Gogogo off the field; Yuma gets flung backward onto his back.) Yuma: Waaaaaaaaahhh-- ugh! (Yuma's lifepoints fall to 2900.) Cameron: Hnhnhnhnhnhnhnhn... Reporter (via screen): This is a special news bulletin! (Yuma looks up, then stands; the screen on the side of the blue tapering building is showing the airship with its flaming engine.) Reporter (via screen): An airship above Heart Land City is in grave danger!

(Onboard the airship, a cup of popcorn is dropped on the floor, scattering popcorn everywhere.) - Someone help us!! (A little kid cries loudly. A middle-aged couple sit together and comfort each other while other people run around in panic. The engine is still spouting new flames. Tori sits on the floor, her arms around the little girl in orange; it's the image from the picture.) Tori: Just relax, little girl, everything's going to be just fine-- (small voice) I hope.

Yuma: Don't you worry, Tori! I'm gonna make *sure* it's all okay! Cameron: But it's *not*! Like I told you before-- there's no changing what's already happened! And you'd better believe there's no changing your fate, either, Yuma! It's already been decided-- you'll summon Number Thirty Nine Utopia on turn five, then, on the following turn, you'll be defeated by my Number card! Yuma: Huh...? Cameron: You know, Yuma-- some say when a person snaps a *photo* of someone, their soul is doomed. Well, it turns out, they were *right*!! (Yuma and Cameron face off over the walkways above the park, and Cameron's vicious eyes seems to glare down on Yuma. To Be Continued...)

END <<21:29>>