Forever ZEXAL

(Some nights ago, Yuma was sitting on the roof of his house with Astral next to him)

Yuma: Know what, Astral? I'm really glad I started dueling. Cause when I'm dueling, I don't care that I was late for school, or that I flunked today's math test, but uh... don't tell Kari and grandma. I can forget my problems and just have fun! That's what I love about it most. ...hey, Astral? What are you gonna do after you get all the Numbers?

Astral: I will fulfill my mission and then return to Astral World.

Yuma: I know... I get that. But I mean, after that!

Astral: After...? I have not yet considered it.

Yuma: You haven't thought about your future?

(Yuma gets up but almost stumbles)

Yuma: Wha-hah-uh...! The future is the best part! That's where you can do anything you want, and anything can happen!

(Yuma gazes at the stars)

Yuma: I know you're leaving... so you won't be here with me to see it.

Astral: Sadly... I will not.

Yuma: ...hey! I bet you're thinking that I'm gonna break down and cry when you go away.

(Astral smiles)

Yuma: You'll see! When you leave, my eyes are gonna be bone-dry! But before that, we'll have one last duel, where I'll beat you so bad that you'll be the one who's crying, while I laugh all the way home!

(End flashback. In the present, Yuma just took a direct hit during his duel against Astral. Yuma is on 300 LP)

(Intro)

Tori: Yuma's really in trouble!

Bronk: He's down to three hundred Life Points.

Anna: And he has no monsters!

Nistro: The kid's in a tight spot, for sure!

Dextra: Tight doesn't even begin to describe it.

Trey: Come on, Yuma! You've gotten out of worse than this!

Quattro: I don't think so. Face it! When it's over, it's over.

(Yuma gets up)

Yuma: What's Astral trying to tell me...

(Flashback)

Astral: I hope to remind you of what you have lost, but the way you are dueling, it was not meant to be!

(End flashback)

Yuma: Well, what have I lost...?

Astral: Figure it out. ...I activate Overlay Excel's effect, and use one Overlay Unit to allow Utopia Roots to attack again!

(Yuma is staring down the Overlay Unit being used)

Astral: Perhaps this will remind you to examine the roots of your problem. ...attack Yuma! This is quite fun!

Yuma: Ah! That's what I've been missing.

(Flashback)

Yuma: (voiceover) I've been shedding so many tears that I forgot dueling is supposed to be fun!

(End flashback)

Yuma: That's what I've lost. I forgot to have fun...! Thanks for the reminder, Astral. Go, Danger Draw! Since your attacking monster has more attack points than my life points, I get to draw a card! And if I draw a Trap Card, not only can I stop your attack, but I get to activate the trap, too! ...are you enjoying this duel? Because I'm having tons of fun, Astral.

Astral: Yuma...

Yuma: Yo, duel-lovin' Yuma is back! And I'm gonna win. But most importantly, Astral, I'm gonna have fun while I'm doin' it! Yah!

(Everyone watching gasps. It's Yuma's trademark Kattobingu! But there's more)

Yuma: A truly powerful duelist can shape the outcome of a duel. He can even generate the very card that he needs to draw! Go, Shining Draw!

Astral: Yuma, you can Shining Draw?!

Yuma: And guess what I drew. A Trap Card! So that stops Utopia Roots' attack! And I activate my trap, Halfway to Forever! I can Xyz Summon using two monsters in my Graveyard. Get set to get decked! I overlay Gagaga Cowboy and Gagaga Samurai to Xyz Summon! Forge the path of destiny! Future Number Zero: Utopic Future!

(Long summoning animation of 0 ATK monster)

Trey: Yuma summoned his own Number!

(Yuma's closest friends gasp)

Bronk: Utopic Future...?

Tori: 😃 Yuma, that's amazing!

Astral: Quite impressive, Yuma.

Yuma: I learned from the best.

Astral: Then allow me to witness what you have learned.

Yuma: Okay, you asked for it! I... draw! Utopic Future, attack Utopia Roots!

Astral: Utopic Future has zero attack points! So why would you attack my monster? ...is this another trick, Yuma?

Yuma: You'll see!

Astral: ...Roots! Use your special ability! I shall be cautious, and lower Utopia Roots' attack points by giving your monster one Overlay Unit. ...I will spare you from the equations needed to calculate Roots' attack points, because you struggle with basic arithmetic. In essence, Utopia Roots' attack points drop to three hundred.

Yuma: My monster's got a special ability too! Utopic Future can't be destroyed in battle, plus I don't take any damage! And here's the cherry on top, I take control of your monster until the end of the turn!

Astral: Oh no!

Yuma: Utopic Future! Attack with Rising Sun Future Slash!

(Utopic Future destroys Utopia Roots)

Yuma: Now Utopia Roots joins the winning team! Go, Utopia Roots! Attack Astral directly!

(Astral takes 300 damage, leaving him at 550 LP)

Astral: Not bad, Yuma.

Yuma: Hhh... I place one card face-down and end my turn!

(As Utopia Roots returns to Astral's control)

Astral: Your renewed love for dueling has made you a fiercer foe!

Yuma: You bet! Now that I've got my groove back, there's nothing you can do that I can't handle!

Astral: Oh, Yuma. Do not forget that everything you have learned, you learned from me! A master duelist can read his own destiny, and will his exact card into existence!

(A card materializes from the top of Astral's deck)

Astral: Go, Cosmic Shining Draw! ...Behold! I activate Hyper Rank-Up-Magic Ultimate Force!

Yuma: Ahh...!

Astral: The moment is at hand. I will rank up Utopia into its highest form of existence! Hyper Xyz Evolution! Witness the pinnacle of prominence! Number 99: Utopic Dragon!

Yuma: Utopic Dragon? How am I gonna beat that thing?!

Astral: You cannot. That was the whole point of summoning this monster. Furthermore, Utopic Dragon can resurrect one number from my Graveyard. Return to me! Number 39: Utopia Beyond!

Yuma: Unghh, not again!

Astral: Utopic Dragon, attack Utopic Future!

Yuma: Oh please! You couldn't destroy Utopic Future last time, and you're also gonna fail, this time! That's fine with me because I get to take control of your dragon!

Astral: I think not. Due to Utopic Dragon's additional special ability, he uses one Overlay Unit to avoid destruction. Then it destroys all other monsters on the field!

Yuma: Oh, great. Ahh...!

(The sky darkens and a wind blows. The spectators shield themselves. Utopic Dragon's thunderbolt blasts onto Utopic Future)

Yuma: Uh. Nice try. But you won't destroy my monster! By using one Overlay Unit, Utopic Future isn't destroyed!

(Yuma points at Astral)

Yuma: Too bad, Astral. But I foiled your plans!

Astral: That was never my plan.

Yuma: What?

Astral: My plan was to destroy my own monster! Because you now take damage equal to Utopia Beyond's attack points!

Yuma: Agh...!

(Everyone else gasps)

Tori: Oh no!

Trey: Utopia Beyond has three thousand attack points! This is gonna wipe Yuma out!

(Yuma is hit, and blown off his feet)

Yuma: Aaaa-aaagh!

Tori: Yuma...!

Yuma: I activate Utopic Future's special ability!

(Yuma lands on the ground, but manages to reach out a hand)

Yuma: Use one Overlay Unit! By doing so, I take no damage.

Astral: ...I end my turn. You survived...

Yuma: Heh! This is our last duel together... I don't want it to end...

(Yuma backflips several times)

Yuma: It's my turn!

(Yuma lands and runs forward)

Yuma: I'm feeling the flow! I draw! Yaaah! Utopic Future, attack Utopic Dragon! Now I gain control of your monster.

Astral: Not once! Utopic Dragon refuses to fall under your command, because its special ability destroys Utopic Future!

Yuma: I'm not gonna let that happen. Utopic Future uses one Overlay Unit to avoid being destroyed!

(Utopic Future blocks Utopic Dragon's blast with its twin swords)

Yuma: Yes! And I'm not done yet! I activate the trap, Hi-Five the Sky! Utopic Future loses all its special abilities, but it gets to attack again!

(His friends aren't so sure)

Bronk: ...but without its special abilities, he'll be destroyed!

Cathy: That will be catastrophic!

Yuma: Next I'll play, the trap Memories of Courage! Utopic Future gains five hundred attack points for every Number in our Graveyards! Since there are eight numbers, Utopic Future powers up to a whopping four thousand attack points!

(Astral smiles contently)

Yuma: Memories of Courage has another effect! Even though Utopic Future and Utopic Dragon have the same number of attack points, my monster can't be destroyed when they battle!

(Utopic Future and Utopic Dragon clash)

Yuma: And if I destroy your monster but don't deal you any damage, Utopic Future can attack again!

(Utopic Dragon is destroyed)

Yuma: (thinks) This is it, if my next attack succeeds, I win! (shouts) Let's do this! Attack Astral directly!

Astral: That would not work. I activate the trap, The Door of Destiny!

Yuma: The door of destiny?!

(Memories come flooding back to Yuma)

Yuma: Uhh... That's the door that started it all!

Astral: We have come full circle, Yuma. The door has not only stopped your attack, but you will take five hundred points of damage for every number that I banish from my Graveyard. Therefore if you fail to destroy this door right now, Yuma, you will lose this duel.

Yuma: Destroy the door? I can't do that! How can I destroy something that represents everything that happened between us?

Astral: Because, Yuma, it is your destiny!

Door: Whoever can open this door will gain a great new power, but know that with such a reward comes great risk. You would lose that which is most valuable to you.

Yuma: But then... That means... What's valuable to me... is you... It's you, Astral... Right now it's you. I have to lose you too?!

Astral: You will never lose me, Yuma. Play your card...

(Close up of the card Yuma is holding, face-down)

Astral: Play it, Yuma. For your future...

Yuma: But if I do, if I beat you, you'll be gone from my life forever!

Astral: But how can I be gone when I live on in your heart?

Yuma: Astral... I'll do it. I activate the spell, Double or Nothing! Utopic Future doubles its attack points and it can attack again! This is it, my final move!

(Utopic Future absorbs itself into Yuma and begins to attack)

Yuma: Astral!

(As memories flash back again)

Yuma: (voiceover) ...I'll never forget you, Astral. You made me cry, you made me laugh, you made me the best that I could be! I loved every moment of it.

(End flashbacks)

Yuma: Now, our future's waiting for us! A future without you... Utopic Future, attack! Rising Sun Future Slash!

(Utopic Future slashes the door, destroying it. Astral is knocked back and his LP reach zero. He smiles contently as he lands back-first on the ground. As everyone watching continues to look, Astral gets up. Tori has already taken off her AR gazer. Yuma goes forward and offers a hand)

Yuma: Astral.

(Yuma helps Astral stand again)

Astral: Nicely done, Yuma.

Yuma: Thanks, pal. (looks further ahead) It's the Numeron Code...!

(Everyone else watching gasps)

Astral: It is time for us to part, Yuma.

Yuma: I know...

Astral: Thank you.

Yuma: Don't worry, I won't cry.

Astral: I have always enjoyed seeing your smile. I will remember it, always.

(Astral's hand lets go and he starts to float backwards, towards the Numeron Code)

Yuma: Huh?

Astral: Goodbye...

(Yuma runs ahead as everyone else smiles)

Yuma: Astral...! No matter how many times I fall, no matter how many times I get laughed at, I promise to keep trying to high-five the sky. Cause when you're feeling the flow, there's no goin' back!

(Tori is moved to tears)

Tori: 😥 Astral... we'll miss you!

(The light begins to brighten. Yuma closes his eyes as he cries again)

Yuma: Thanks, Astral. Thanks for everything. (opens his eyes) We're friends forever!

(Astral is also crying as he moves into the Numeron Code)

Astral: Likewise, Yuma. Friends until the end of time!

(Astral is sealed in the Numeron Code)

Yuma: Bye, Astral...!

(The Numeron Code begins to disappear in a bright light)

Astral: My final observation. Even galaxies apart, friendship is forever.

(Another busy day and Yuma's racing Bronk to school)

Yuma: I'm gonna beat you this time, Bronk! It'd help if you slowed down a bit, though!

(Bronk is on a skateboard. Unfair advantage?)

Bronk: Here's some advice. Try lightenin' your load.

(Yuma eats the rice ball he's holding)

Yuma: All right, Bronk! Here I come! And remember, loser has to do whatever the other one says!

(At school, to no one's surprise...)

Yuma: Bronk's... so... fast... Can't believe that I... lost!

(Yuma falls on his face)

Rio: Well, believe it, Yuma! Or should I say, Rainbow Kuriboh?!

(All of the known school students appear behind Rio, including newly-enrolled Barians Mizar, Girag, Alito and Dumon. Tori is with friends Summer and Jen. Cathy is just behind Rio. Anna Kaboom has also returned as a first-year student, as well as Trey. Also seen are Carlyle Chesteron, Spencer, Art Stanley, Lotus Hanazoe and Yata-Garasu)

Yuma: Rainbow Kuriboh?! What are you talking about, Rio?!

(Rio is brandishing a misconduct card, as the new student disciplinarian)

Rio: 💢 Bronk won your race, and he's letting me decide your fate! And I say, you have to dress as Rainbow Kuriboh for a week.

Yuma: You know you'd think since my pal Astral used the Numeron Code to turn you and the other Emperors human again, you'd go easier on me!

Rio: Would you rather dress as *Gagaga Girl*?!

Yuma: Uh, never mind!

(Shark, the ex-Nash, is watching from an upper walkway)

Shark: He's the best dweeb... A friend could ask for.

(Yuma's parents are on another expedition again)

Kazuma: Mira, I hope Astral knows how thankful we are.

Mira: Of course he does, Kazuma.

Kazuma: What he did, bringing us back home...

(As Quattro wins another duel tournament)

Kazuma: (voiceover) And all of Yuma's friends... is truly remarkable.

(Quinton is with Kite, Hart and newly-reformed Dr. Faker)

Kite: Orbital, power up your processors and set your servos on high. You and your family have some data to digest.

Orbital: Yes, sir!

(Orbital and Lillybot "are married and have children")

Children: 🤖 Yes, sir.

Orbital: Gigakids, get your gears going!

Hart: I'll work with Byron, sir.

(Vetrix, real name Byron Arclight, has also joined the crew)

Kite: All right, then, let's dissect some dimensions.

(Montage of Yuma's life)

Yuma: (voiceover) Yep, things are back to normal. Studying hard, watching what I eat, sharing with my sis, helpin' out, beatin' Bronk, high-fivin' the sky! Everything's just like it was, except one thing... Astral.

(In the present, the sun is setting. Tori is with Yuma and sighs because Yuma looks gloomy. Suddenly, the Emperor's Key glows)

Yuma: My key, what's it trying to tell me?

Shark: Yuma!

Yuma: Ah...!

(Yuma and Tori turn around to see Shark and his Barian crew along with Kite, Orbital and the Arclight family)

Yuma: What are you all doin' here? Since when did you all become besties?

Shark: Sorry to interrupt your little date, but, we got trouble.

Kite: There's something out there that wants your buddy's home to go bye bye.

Yuma: Astral's... in trouble?!

(The light of the Emperor's Key envelops Yuma and everyone around him. Meanwhile, lightning strikes at Astral World.)

Eliphas: An evil is gathering, strengthening its forces. It is a power unlike anything I have ever witnessed before.

Ena: I fear a dangerous new battle lies before us.

Eliphas: Will you fight?

(Astral is behind Eliphas and Enna)

Astral: Yes, but not alone...

(And suddenly, Yuma and the people around him are able to hover Astral-style above the Earth. The Season 1 theme plays)

Tori: (holding Yuma's hand) We're really doing this? We're going to Astral World?!

Shark: Yeah, Astral totally needs our help.

Rio: He helped all of us, and now we can return the favor.

Kite: Your boosters better not fail or I'm trading you in!

Orbital: Aye aye, Master K-K-K-Kite!

Quinton: I hope you brought your A game, Quattro!

Quattro: Like I'd have anything but an A game. Get real!

Trey: Dad, do you think the four of us have what it'll take to win?

Vetrix: You boys have not even begun to tap into your true powers!

Dumon: The battle ahead may be the toughest ever. We must expect the unexpected!

Mizar: You have a Galaxy-Eyes master on your side. How can we lose?

Alito: I'm ready to go the distance, and K-O, the competition!

Girag: Yeah, I'm lookin' forward to havin' a really good brawl!

Yuma: We can do this!

Ray: Um, you sure?

(Ray, ex-Vector, floats in, seemingly having settled his feud with Shark)

Ray: There's no way you can get this job done without me.

Yuma: Vector?!

Rio: You're not planning to double, triple or quadruple-cross us, are you?

Ray: Don't worry! Just trust in the Ray Way and we'll be fine.

Yuma: Yeah, as long as you don't mind guard dogs and rose bushes!

(Astral takes flight from inside his world too)

Astral: I do not know what the future holds, but if the past is my guide to tomorrow, I do not fear the unknown, for the friendships I have forged have shown me that high-fiving the sky can overcome any obstacles that get in one's way.

(The crew on Earth are edging towards a hole in the sky. Suddenly)

Tori: Yuma? I just wanted you to know... that I'm Gagaga over you!

Yuma: 😳?!

(Tori's hand grips Yuma's as a mark of their new relationship)

Tori: You ready to help Astral?

Yuma: Yeah!

(Meanwhile...)

Astral: I am ready to high-five the sky!

(Astral shoots into the hand-shaped cloud in Astral World. Back on the Earth sky)

Yuma: You don't have to feel scared, or alone, Astral!

Everyone: Cause we're feeling the...!

Yuma: Flow!

🎵: ...take a breath, my heart will lead the way, take a chance, I'll take a chance in today!