Let the Duels Begin!

(Evening. Yuma is jogging on the spot outside his house)

Yuma: Uhh... Come on, come on, come on! Uhh! What could be taking him so long...

Astral: What would be taking who so long?

Yuma: The deliverer. Our dreams! And of hope!

Astral: That does not help.

Yuma: Hmph!

(Toot toot.)

Yuma: Yeah! He's here!

(The deliverer on a moped approaches from a distance)

Yuma: Yeah!

(The deliverer scoots by...)

Yuma: Huh? Hold on... Hey! Wait up!

(Yuma sprints in line with the moped)

Yuma: Don't you have a letter in your postbag for me?!

(Yuma sprints in front of the moped and hold out his hand. The deliverer stops)

Yuma: The name's Yuma Tsukumo!

Deliverer: Yuma, huh? Let's see...

(The deliverer searches out his errand list on a hologram)

Deliverer: Okay, right. Here we go...

Yuma: 🤩

Deliverer: Just double check this, and... Nope.

Yuma: ?!

Deliverer: There is no mail for Yuma Tsukumo... Have a nice day.

(The deliverer scoots away. Yuma falls to his knees as Astral looks on with his arms crossed.)

(Intro)

(The next morning at a classroom in Heartland Academy...)

Bronk: Good mornin' to you, my blue-headed bud!

(Bronk is hugging Caswell, more like "strangling" though)

Caswell: It was pretty good until you showed up...

Tori: Looks like you woke up on the right side of the bed today!

Bronk: 😁 Every side's the right one this mornin'! And this here is why!

(Bronk flips out a tablet)

Bronk: It's startin'! The World Duel Carnival!

Tori: That explains it!

Bronk: Yeah, you bet it does, Tori! This is gonna be the best duel tournament ever thrown!

Caswell: Due in no small part to what the duelists could win. Not only will the winner be immortalised as a Champion for all of time, but they get a free lifetime pass to Heartland!

Flip: And you'll really flip when you hear the next part. Mr Heartland himself has promised to grant the tournament winner one wish, and make it come true no matter what it takes!

Tori: 😃 Really?

Flip: I already know my wish, it's gonna be the wish for a hundred more wishes! How smart is that?

Bronk: 😬

Caswell: Maybe you should just wish for a less goofy hat.

Cathy: I know what I wish for... A date with Yuma... Mmm-mmm-hmm! 😸

Tori: So, who here's competing?

Flip: Better believe I am, see?

Tori: What's that thing?

Flip: It's a Heart Piece. It's what you need to gain entry into the Duel Carnival. I got mine in the mail just this week!

Caswell: Me too!

Bronk: Me three!

Tori: So everyone's in this!

Yuma: Not everyone...

(Yuma appears at the doorway with a 😓 face)

Caswell: Huh? What do you mean? Surely you're competing?

Yuma: Who, me? I'm passing.

Tori: Since when do you pass on dueling?

Yuma: It's... 😭 today! When the postman rode right past my house without giving me that Heart Piece! Now the only flow I'm feeling is the flow of tears! Ah-hah-hah...

Astral: Yuma, please. You are embarrassing me and I'm invisible.

Yuma: 😭 That's how I feel, invisible to the world!

Tori: I don't get it. Why would you be the only one left out?

Bronk: Yeah.

Tori: Does Astral have any idea what might have happened?

Astral: They probably require all entrants to have some skill.

Yuma: Kick a guy while he's down, why don'tcha! Will someone please give me a hug! 😭

Caswell: Yuma, you did apply for the event, right?

Yuma: 😯 Apply?

Caswell: Yeah, you know. Fill out the online app for entry?

Yuma: 😯 Online app?

Caswell: Like, this one here on the website?

(Caswell shows Yuma the website on Bronk's tablet)

Caswell: Don't you see the giant icon to apply?

Yuma: 😯 Is... that what that's for? I could've thought it was just a cool little picture.

Bronk: It is. A picture showin' you how to apply for the tournament!

Tori: It... could've happened to anyone. Actually, no. This would only happen to you, Yuma.

Astral: At least now you will not have to embarrass yourself.

Yuma: ?!

Tori: Yuma, quit moping. Just apply right now!

Yuma: Ohh! Good thinking! It just wants my name, and my address, and, voila!

(Yuma presses the "Click Now" button on the app)

Yuma: I'm all set!

Mr. Heartland: (app) Thank you for applying, but registration is closed.

Yuma: What?!

Mr. Heartland: (app) Snooze you lose! Try again next year.

Yuma: 😱 Waaa-aaaaa-aaaa-aaaa-aahhhh!

(Yuma runs out of Heartland Academy with the speed of a Road Runner. His friends tail very far behind, while Astral catches up to him)

Tori: Yuma, what are you doing?

Yuma: Running from my problems! Aaaa-aaaaa-aaaa-aaaa-aahhhh!

(Shark rides ahead on his motorbike and stops abruptly in front of Yuma. Yuma screeches to a halt, still carrying the 😱 face)

Shark: Yuma. What in the world are you doing?

Yuma: What does it look like I'm doing, I'm totally freaking out!

Shark: Let me guess. This has to do with the tournament?

Yuma: 🙂 Yeah, you wouldn't happen to have an extra one of those Heart Pieces, would ya?

Shark: Fraid not. In fact, I don't even have one for me!

Yuma: What?

Shark: The only person I duel for now, Yuma, is myself.

Yuma: Cool!

Shark: Later.

Yuma: Later, Shark!

(Shark speeds off. Yuma's friends catch up to him at last)

Tori: Yuma?

(His friends see Shark speeding off on his motorbike)

Tori: Shark...?

Yuma: That's right.

(Shark catches a Mirror Force card thrown at him while riding, and he brakes. He sees a shadow on a high floor of a building. He dismounts from his bike and climbs up to that floor. He gets to the edge of a platform jutting out of the building, surrounded by a rail and a hanging rope, when a voice behind him...)

???: Long time no see, Reginald. I'm sorry, everyone calls you Shark now, don't they?

Shark: That's right. What's the duel card supposed to mean?

???: I simply thought it might come in handy, in the duel carnival.

Shark: I'm not entering the tournament.

???: Oh, my. You're still holding on to that old burden, aren't you.

Shark: What burden?

???: Perhaps a story will jog your memory. It takes place during the finals of a duel tournament, when you spied on your opponent's deck and were then disqualified. You do remember your opponent, don't you? It was me!

Shark: So?

???: So there was more to your spying than just wanting to win, correct?

(Flashback, to hospital where Shark is looking over someone in a bed. Someone very close to Shark)

A girl's voice: Reginald... In the finals... promise me... that you'll win... win for me... you need to...

???: (voiceover) I don't blame you. You wanted to win so badly for her. How could you resist my conveniently placed duel deck?

(End flashback)

???: Why, it's almost though that deck was left out on purpose.

Shark: You mean...? You set me up!

(Shark drops the Mirror Force card)

Shark: Why you?!

???: What's done is done. Hmhm. And that includes your duel career. Because ever since that day you've been a no-name nobody, whereas I have been winning trophy after trophy on the duel circuit. That must make you feel like... a loser.

Shark: No! I'm not!

???: So then prove it, Reginald. Face me in the World Duel Carnival!

(Shark catches a Heart Piece thrown at him)

???: If you dare.

(The unnamed person leaves, laughing)

Shark: Oh, I dare all right.

(At a hotel room, someone is watching several cartoons at once, laughing. The same person who encountered Shark earlier enters)

???: Reginald will be participating in the World Duel Carnival just as you wished.

??? #2: Excellent! I knew you wouldn't let me down.

(That person is joined by two others)

???: Of course, but I still must ask. Does he really matter? He's but an empty shell now!

(That someone, who wears a half-mask, is still laughing)

??? #2: Perhaps, but he still has a part to play! All will become clear once I've gathered the Numbers. You'll see!

???: Very well. Until then, I'll just enjoy putting Shark through the wringer again.

(The two laugh together. Meanwhile, at the door to Heartland, Yuma is talking to a female receptionist through a hologram)

Yuma: Please, I'm begging you! You have no idea what this means to me! You have to let me in the tournament!

Reception: I'm afraid there's nothing I can do, young man. But thank you for stopping by.

Yuma: No! You don't understand! This is a matter of life and, and, and me being so heartbroken I can't go on!

Reception: 😮?!

(Yuma feigns a heart attack)

Yuma: Yep! Uh-oh, here it comes! My vitals are slowing! My body can't take it!

(Yuma collapses)

Reception: 🙂 Alright, then. Have a very nice day!

(The receptionist cuts off her feed. Yuma gets up and only just notices)

Yuma: Nice day?! (bangs the door) How can I have a nice day if I'm not in the duel carnival?! Come on, give me a Heart Piece! Please...

Caswell: You certainly have to give him points for perseverance.

(Meanwhile, at Heartland Airport)

Announcement: Welcome, to all duel carnival travelers! Baggage claim is on the lower level and all ground transportation can be found in Terminal A. Please enjoy your stay here in our fair city, and good luck in the tournament!

(Shots of several tournament participants, including a soccer player, a rocket launcher carrier and fruit & veg farmer. Meanwhile, at a monitoring office)

Monitor: 🤖 Our planned city population has increased by one hundred and fifty eight percent, and continues to increase, every hour.

Nistro: Did you hear that? Duelists are coming in by the droves! This is better than we hoped! Ho ho ho! Hnhnh!

Dextra: Are all city systems online?

Monitor: 🤖 Security systems are online and operational. Network transmissions are online and operational. All service pods are online and operational.

Nistro: You hear that?! We're all good!

Dextra: All of us except for you, Nistro.

Nistro: What?!

Dextra: Just because things are running smoothly now, doesn't mean they'll stay that way. You must stay sharp.

Nistro: Hmph! I'm as sharp as they come. But you! You're the dullest knife in the drawer! You're lucky I'm here to pick up your slack, Dextra!

Dextra: Oh, please.

Mr. Heartland: That's enough, the both of you. If this is going to work, we need to work together!

(Someone arrives from the floor below)

Mr. Heartland: Ah, Kite! I've been waiting for you!

Kite: Why'd you call me here, Heartland? I have things to do!

Mr. Heartland: Yes, I know you're busy. But not so busy that you can't behold the spectacle, the glory that is the World Duel Carnival! Look at them all, so happy, so excited and so completely and utterly clueless. They have no idea the only reason we've assembled them here is to snatch their Number cards. And when I say we, I mean you, after all, you're the one that Dr. Faker is counting on most, you know. Don't let him down. After all, there are many powerful duelists competing.

Nistro: Well, you know what I say? Bring 'em on! Whatever Numbers Kite here can't take, I'll be more than happy to nab!

Kite: Appreciate the offer, but I got this.

Nistro: See? He's full of confidence, just like me!

Dextra: Cause he's earned it.

Nistro: Ohh...

(A World Duel Carnival steward appears on a hologram)

Steward: Mr. Heartland? There's a young duelist without a Heart Piece who wants to compete.

Mr. Heartland: And I should care why?

Steward: Because... He's been at the city gate since quite early this morning, and I don't think he's going anywhere, anytime soon.

(Hologram switches to Yuma clinging onto a steward's legs, "begging")

Yuma: Please! I'll give you my entire life savings for a Heart Piece! That's almost seventy-five cents!

(Kite recognizes the boy)

Kite: (thinks) It's him...!

Mr. Heartland: Send in more security, take him away.

Steward: Right!

Kite: Hold it. Let's let the little rat participate.

Mr. Heartland: You know him?

Kite: 😑 No. But you never know who might have a Number card these days.

Mr. Heartland: I say... Are you sure you're not hiding something, Kite? The other day, there was a mysterious explosion at a Heartland facility.

Kite: I don't know anything about that. All I care about is gathering Numbers. Now please excuse me, I have to go and prepare for the tournament.

Mr. Heartland: You're excused.

(As Kite leaves with his robot companion)

Orbital: Master Ki-Kite! Why didn't you report that you were involved with that bla-blast?

Kite: Quiet, or I'll power you down permanently.

Orbital: Sir! Quieting now...

Kite: (thinks) The only one I'm focused on... is Astral...! And I will have my revenge on him-

Orbital: Uh, you're not still talking about me, are you?

Kite: As for Yuma, he is harmless.

Orbital: Really? Harmless?

Kite: Except to himself.

(Well, Yuma is still struggling with the stewards outside Heartland!)

Yuma: I am not leaving here until someone gives me a Heart Piece! I'm not kidding, I'm a kid-

Tori: 🙄 Wow, several hours and Yuma's still going strong!

Bronk: 🙄 Yeah... Huh?

(The door to Heartland is reacting)

Yuma: Aah...!

(Yuma and the stewards fall to the floor. The heart shape on the door begins to glow)

Yuma: Whoa... what's this?!

(The door opens. Mr. Heartland, Dextra and Nistro are paraded on a heart-shaped platform through the door by an army of trumpeting Litterbots. The stewards get in line quickly)

Tori: Whoa. No way!

Caswell: Is that Mr. Heartland?

Flip: It just can't be!

(Mr. Heartland holds up his hands, admiring his glorious entrance!)

Yuma: Hey, dude!

Mr. Heartland: 🙄 "Hey, dude?!"

Tori: Not a good start.

Steward #1: Mister. It's Mister Heartland!

Yuma: Mister? Then what do they call his dad?

Steward #2: Say it.

Yuma: Fine... Hey, Mrs. Heartland-

Steward #1: Mis-ter!

Yuma: Oh, right, sorry. Mister. It's just when I... look at the color of that suit I think Mrs- No offense! Hahah. Anyway, now that I got you here, I was wondering if maybe you could hook me up with a Heart Piece, pretty please?

Caswell: 😩 Yuma should really pick his words more carefully!

Bronk: I agree. It's just that he doesn't have that many to choose from.

Mr. Heartland: My dear boy. I have heard your plight, which is why I've decided to come here personally and give you...

(Nistro hands over something to Mr. Heartland)

Mr. Heartland: This small gift. Heads up!

(Yuma catches the thing that Mr. Heartland drops)

Yuma: Ah! A Heart Piece! I finally got one! Now I get to compete. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

(Mr. Heartland notices the Emperor's Key on Yuma)

Mr. Heartland: What is that pendant there...?

Yuma: What, this?

Mr. Heartland: It has a unique shape!

Yuma: I guess. It was a gift from my mom and dad.

Mr. Heartland: Was it... (thinks) There is something special about this boy after all...

(Yuma looks at his Heart Piece and grins. His friends are all happy for him too! In the evening, Yuma and Tori are on a bridge)

Tori: You must be excited, Yuma. This is what you've always dreamt of. A chance to finally become a real-life duel champion!

Yuma: Yeah.

Astral: Yuma. There is more to it than just that. This is a very big tournament you are in. And a big tournament means there will be a lot of duelists, which means there could be a lot of Number cards.

Yuma: Right, and with each one we get, you get back a memory. And to tell you the truth, that's the real reason that I wanted this Heart Piece so bad.

Astral: What do you mean, Yuma? I thought this was all about you wanting to become a duel champion for your father.

Yuma: Yeah, and it still kind of is. But when I think about my dad, and all the things he said, I think it would mean more to him if I dueled for something else, for an even bigger cause. If I dueled for something meaningful, like a bond!

Astral: A bond...

Yuma: Yeah, like the bond we have, Astral. Like the bond I felt with every duelist I've ever faced. See, it's not about whether you win or lose, dueling's about something more precious than that. Something on a whole other level.

Astral: That is not true, Yuma.

Yuma: What you mean?

Astral: I mean Kite. Losing is not an option for him. And he does not give second chances.

Yuma: Yeah, he wins, I lose, and instead of dueling I end up drooling like a mindless zombie. But don't you worry, Astral. I'm not afraid of going head-to-head with him, cause I can always-

Astral: Yuma.

Yuma: Huh? (turns around) What's up?

Tori: Yuma... If anything bad happens to you I'll... I'll...

Yuma: Hey, don't cry. I'm gonna be just fine! Like I'd be scared of someone named Kite! Please, I'll make him beg like a dog. Aroooo...!

Tori: Okay, relax! I don't care what his name is, or if you make him beg. I really just care about one thing.

(Tori presses Yuma on his forehead)

Tori: That you beat him, and get out of this tournament in one piece. Understand? Otherwise, you'll have me to deal with.

(Later on, inside the Emperor's Key)

Astral: Interesting... Dueling is about something more precious than winning or losing. Something on a whole other level... But what, Yuma? What...?

(At night, Yuma is in his room sorting out his Deck)

Yuma: Choices, choices... Man, it's hard to build a Deck. And I got a hunch, not just for me...

(Meanwhile, Flip, Caswell, Cathy and Bronk are also building their Decks for the World Duel Carnival. Kite is tending to his brother at his bed; photos of their past on the frame behind his head)

Kite: Little brother, I promise you. Things will be as they were.

(The next day, the World Duel Carnival gets underway. Spectators are watching an air show)

Spectator: Check it out!

Spectator #2: What a festival.

Spectator #3: They must have joined in light speed!

(The fighter jets form heart shapes with their contrails)

Spectator #4: Look at all those hearts.

Spectator #5: Wonderful!

(Some other spectators are awed as "Welcome to Heartland" is displayed around the Heartland Tower, with fireworks in broad daylight. Yuma and friends get to the front of the crowd, wearing their AR gazers)

Tori: I can't believe it's finally here!

Yuma: Yeah!

(Shark is somewhere else at the site)

Mr. Heartland: (announcing) Welcome, duelists, to Heartland City. Welcome to the World Duel Carnival! Now, then. Here are the rules. The field of play is the entire city. And the first phase of this tournament will last three days! During these three days, if you are challenged to a duel you must accept that challenge. How do you accept a challenge? Simple, you'll wager your Heart Piece. Lose your Heart Piece, and you'll lose your spot either. But if you win, you win a Heart Piece! Assemble all five pieces and you'll have won a spot in the tournament finals. If you have further questions about the rules, well, that's just too bad! Because I'm sure like our viewers at home, I can't wait another second to get started. So let the duels begin!

(With that, Heartland City is surrounded by virtual hearts which then disappear)

Bronk: Ha ha, yeah! It's every duelist for himself now! (runs off)

Flip: See you in the finals! Heheheh. (runs off)

Tori: Wonder who'll make the first move?

Yuma: Yeah, and who that person's gonna challenge-

(A gasp is heard from the other side)

???: Out of my way. Move it!

(The soccer player from earlier is dribbling a ball past a crowd)

???: Since winning this tournament is my goal, I'll let my soccer ball pick my opponent.

(The player kicks the ball, it hits Yuma square in the face)

Tori: That looks like it... hurt.

(Tori looks to the soccer player who has located Yuma)

Tori: What's your problem?! This is a duel tournament, not a soccer match!

???: For me, they're one and the same. Now then, get up, ball boy, cause we're dueling.

Yuma: Ah...? So I'm first?!