Chapter 14

Malins trip was totally boring. For anyone else, it might have been very exciting, since they were flying across a wonderful, to some people maybe, landscape and were seeing much of the world they were currently residing in. But Malin didn't give a single thought about what happened underneath him. He was bothering his head about the Rank-Up-Magics Telgu gave them. He must have had them all the time, so why did he wait so long to give it to them? If they had them back in the Barian World, they would have already defeated the Astral World. So why did he hold them back? The only answer for this question that Malin could come up with was that Telgu was afraid of the power behind this card.

So if Malin managed to use his copy properly... '…you are stronger than him,' his internal voice finished the dialogue. Being stronger than Telgu would be like a dream came true. But for that, he needed an opponent. Luckily, he was currently traveling towards one. A formidable one, as he hoped.

Once they reached their destination, which turned out to be a deserted castle, he was already anticipating the duel and the trying of his new card. "You stay here," he said nonchalant to the three soldiers that accompanied him, before trudging off inside.

The interior of the castle seemed like it once was the home of wealthy people, although they seemed to be gone for ages. Though, various dirty carpets and broken chandeliers were telling stories of balls and receptions with royalty in these halls. Somehow, they were familiar to Malin, although he was unsure about it.

'Don't talk shit. You are a Barian, you've never been to this world.'

His internal voice was right. This place was nothing for him, he has never been here. Sometimes, he heard this voice coming out of his head. It was what his subconscious brain was trying to say to him. He somehow liked the voice, because it was usually saying just was he needed.

"It's about time, you arrive."

Malin quickly turned his head, to see an gray-haired middle-aged man coming down from the staircase leading up to the first floor. He was wearing a noble suit, that looked like one of those from one of the various old pictures that were still hanging in the hall they were standing in. He also seemed to wear some kind of shoulder plate and a sword, with a sheath decorated with gems, was hanging on his waist.

"I'm Malin," he spoke up, "and here to challenge the Number Guardian. And I won't accept a loss."

"How delightfully amusing. Have you ever had an issue with irony?" The man replied, before chuckling lightly. "Well, nevermind. My name is Darius and I'm indeed the Number Guardian of this ruin. And unfaithfully, I won't accept a loss either."

Without any clear sign, both players readied their D-Pads, Malins being a shiny golden shield, Darius' being of a similar shape but a brown color.

Malin: 4000 LP

Darius: 4000 LP

"You are the old man," Malin started, "Take the first turn."

"Draw. A nice move of yours, but unfaithfully, very counterproductive. I start by Normal Summoning a Monster," he took one card out of his hand and placed it on his D-Pad, "I Normal Summon 'Overlay Traitor Knight' in Attack Position." A Knight in chain-mail and a brown armor appeared on Darius' side of the field.

Overlay Traitor Knight / Effect / Level 6 / DARK / Warrior-Type / 1700 ATK / 2600 DEF

"You may wonder why I could Normal Summon him without paying a Tribute, well, I can, as long as you have at least six more cards in your Extra Deck than me," Darius paused a second, giving Malin the time to check his Extra Deck. It consisted of fifteen cards, as usual, before his opponent continued: "I only have one card in my Extra Deck. And I think you know what that card is."

Of course Malin knew. It was the Legendary Number, the card he was after. However, it confused him that it was the only Xyz Monster that Darius ran. Some of his comrades also had the habit of running less Extra Deck Monsters they were allowed to, although Malin never understood this.

"I end my turn by setting three cards. Then I pass the baton to you, young one." His three face-down cards materialized right behind his Warrior.

"I draw," Malin declared, before taking a short look at his hand. Sadly, 'Rank-Up-Magic Barian's Force' was not among it, but enough cards to put some serious pressure upon his opponent.

"I activate 'Foolish Burial'. By using this card, I can send one Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I choose 'Satellarknight Vega'." With this words, he exited that card from the deck and inserted it into his Graveyard.

"Then, I Normal Summon 'Satellarknight Altair'!" A Warrior in a strange, blue uniform appeared on Malin's side of the field. It had wings and a golden ring cycled around it.

Satellarknight Altair / Effect / Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 1700 ATK / 1300 DEF

"His effect allows me to bring back the 'Satellarknight Vega' from earlier this turn." Next to Altair, the Graveyard-Portal opened, where he reached in and pulled another Warrior out of it. This one wore a purple and white uniform, with strange golden ornaments. Again, a ring orbited around it.

Satellarknight Vega / Effect / Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 1200 ATK / 1600 DEF

"I activate Vegas effect and Summon 'Satellarknight Unukalhai' straight out of my hand." A third warrior appeared on Malins field, with a dark purple body and an armor resembling some kind of lizard.

Satellarknight Unukalhai / Effect / Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 1800 ATK / 1000 DEF

"Again, his effect activates and I send 'Satellarknight Deneb' from my Deck to the Graveyard. And now, see what I gathered these three LIGHT Monsters on the field for!"

Malins recently summoned Knights all turned fully yellow and shot into a galaxy-shaped portal. "I use my Level 4 'Altair', 'Vega' and 'Unukalhai' to construct the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon, 'Number 106'! The dazzling light of uncountable stars illuminates the cosmos and now their keeper shall appear right in front of you! 'Starry Knight Sky'!"

The portal exploded in a fountain of blinding light, blinding everyone around the scene for a few seconds. When they were able to see again, they would see a Knight standing on Malins side of the field, with a dark blue body, partly covered by shining golden pieces of armor, that were sparkling just like if stars were trapped inside of it. His weapon of choice seemed to be a spear, with a star-shaped blade at the top. Three yellow Xyz Materials cycled around it.

Number 106: Starry Knight Sky / Xyz / Rank 4 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 2500 ATK / 1900 DEF / 3 Xyz Materials

Malins opponent, however, sighted, as if he would be disappointed by Malins choice: "All that expenditure for a Xyz Summon. I would've expected something... smarter from you, young one. I activate my face-down 'Avalanche'." His face-down Trap Card was revealed and unleashed an icy storm towards Malins Number, freezing it solid.

"Through my cards effect," Darius continued, "Your Monster cannot attack. Also, if it activates an effect, you take 500 Life Points Damage."

"Okay," Malin simply responded, before he set another card face-down and ended his turn.

"My turn, I draw." Darius added the card to his hand, "During my Standby Phase, the effect of 'Overlay Traitor Knight' activates. Since you control a face-up Xyz Monster, I can Special Summon another copy of it from my Deck." His Monster started to glow and was about to multiply.

"In chain, I activate the effect of 'Number 106: Starry Knight Sky'," Although Malin would be taking Damage due to this move, he couldn't let Darius gather two Monsters on the field at once, so he could summon his Legendary Number. "By detaching one Xyz Material from my Monster, I can negate your Monster Effect while my Monster also gains 500 ATK." One of his Numbers Xyz Materials flew into the tip of the frozen Monsters lance, causing Darius Knight to be enveloped by a veil of small stars, which let the glow surrounding it subside.

Number 106: Starry Knight Sky: 3 Xyz Materials → 2 Xyz Materials

Number 106: Starry Knight Sky: 2500 ATK → 3000 ATK

After this, another icy blow came from Darius' Trap Card, striking Malin.

Malin: 4000 LP → 3500 LP

"Are you finished wasting your resources?" Darius asked unimpressed, before continuing his turn: "I Normal Summon 'Overlay Traitor Assassin' without Tribute since you have more cards in your Extra Deck than me." A human, completely covered in gray fabric, wielding a dagger appeared on Darius' side of the field.

Overlay Traitor Assassin / Effect / Level 6 / DARK / Warrior-Type / 1900 ATK / 2000 DEF

"You are here for the Legendary Number, aren't you? Well, you shall receive. I overlay my Level 6 'Overlay Traitor Knight' and 'Overlay Traitor Assassin'! I use those two Monsters to construct the Overlay Network!" His two Monsters turned purple and shot into a galaxy-shaped portal. "Xyz Summon, 'Number 24'! To combat the overwhelming power of Xyz Monsters, I have an ally within their own forces! Arise, 'Punishment'!"

With these words, the portal exploded and a glowing purple orb descended from it, resembling the Overlay Unit of a DARK Monster. When it reached the ground next to Darius, two glowing red eyes opened up on the upper half of the orb, while it turned visibly darker. Two purple Overlay Units orbited around the circular creature.

Number 24: Punishment / Xyz / Rank 6 / DARK / Fiend-Type / 2600 ATK / 2000 DEF / 2 Xyz Materials

Malin had to restrain himself from taking a step back. This Legendary Number was scary indeed, but what scared him the most was Darius' Summon chant. 'To combat the power of Xyz Monsters...' Malins Deck was entirely based on Xyz Summoning, if this Monster was some kind of Anti-Xyz card, he was pretty screwed.

'Don't worry. A mere normal Xyz Monster cannot combat … the power of Rank-Up.'

His internal voice was right. If he drew his Rank-Up-Magic, he could Summon a more powerful Xyz Monster than the Legendary Number.

"I activate the effect of Number 24. Luckily, you wasted your Monsters negation effect on a pointless move this turn, so I think my turn will go uninterupted." Darius ripped Malin out of his thoughts. He was only partly right, with Malins face-down card, 'Battleguard Howling', anything that would target 'Starry Knight Sky' would be negated, while itself was also unaffected by Monster effects of any kind. "I can detach one Xyz Material to inflict 100 Life Points Damage to you, for each card in your Extra Deck. Even without your Number, you still have 14." Burn Damage. He wasn't prepared for that.

Number 24: Punishment: 2 Xyz Materials → 1 Xyz Material

One of the Numbers Xyz Materials broke orbit, shooting towards Malin. Malin was thinking about stepping out of his way, but decided against it. It would be a cowards move. So the Overlay Unit ended up crashing into Malin and pushing him on his back, while his Life Point Counter fell.

Malin: 3500 → 2100

While he was trying to get up, Malins vision started to blur, what was wondering him, since it wasn't a particularly strong hit.

'Stay awake. You are in the middle of a duel. Don't pass out now, coward.'

These words of his internal voice did it for Malin and he somehow managed to get back onto his feet. "Are you finished?"

"Well, your Monster is stronger than mine," Darius admitted, "I have no point in attacking it, so I end my turn."

"Then, it is my turn again. Draw!" Malin looked at the card he drew and added it to his hand, before taking another one out of it. "I activate 'Reinforcements of the Army' and I use it to add 'Satellarknight Vega' from my Deck to my hand, which I subsequently Normal Summon." Another copy of the Monster Malin used earlier in this duel appeared on the field.

Satellarknight Vega / Effect / Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 1200 ATK / 1600 DEF

"You might still remember its effect. I can Special Summon 'Satellarknight Alsahm' from my hand, which, in turn, inflicts 1000 Life Points Damage to you." Another Monster appeared on Malins side of the field, notably smaller this time, with two golden wing-like ornaments. It immediately fired a blast towards Darius, that sparkled like starlight.

Satellarknight Alsahm / Effect / Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 1400 ATK / 1800 DEF

Darius: 4000 LP → 3000 LP

"I overlay my Level 4 'Vega' and 'Alsahm'. I use those two Monsters to construct the Overlay Network!" His two Monsters turned fully yellow and shot into a red spiraling portal. "Xyz Summon, 'Gagaga Cowboy'!" The portal exploded and revealed a blue haired human with a long coat. Two orange Xyz Materials cycled it.

Gagaga Cowboy / Xyz / Rank 4 / EARTH / Warrior-Type / 1500 ATK / 2400 DEF / 2 Xyz Materials

"Bad mistake," Darius said, "I use the effect of 'Punishment'. When an Xyz Monster is Xyz Summoned, my Number absorbs all of its Xyz Materials and renders it unable to attack." The two Materials attached to Cowboy, seemed to be drawn towards the opposing Number.

"Bad mistake," Malin quoted his opponent, "I don't think you forgot my Number, right? I use the effect of 'Number 106: Starry Knight Sky' to negate your Monsters effect and raise its own ATK." Once again, the frozen Number absorbed one of its Xyz Materials, causing the Legendary Number to be coated in a veil of Stars.

Number 106: Starry Knight Sky: 2 Xyz Materials → 1 Xyz Materials

Number 106: Starry Knight Sky: 3000 ATK → 3500 ATK

At the same time, 'Avalanche' released a wave of icy wind onto Malin.

Malin: 2100 LP → 1600 LP

"And so," Malin continued, "I can use 'Gagaga Cowboys' effect. I detach one Xyz Material from it, so it will gain 1000 ATK whenever it attacks, while your Monster will lose 500."

Gagaga Cowboy: 2 Xyz Materials → 1 Xyz Materials

Although it would not destroy the Monster, since Malins cowboy wasn't a Number, it would still make enough impact, so the effect of 'Battleguard Howling' could finish Darius off the next turn.

"Gagaga Cowboy, attack 'Number 24: Punishment'!" The Monster had already aimed its gun at the opposing Number, when Darius activated one of his face-down cards: "I activate 'Overlay Theft'! This card negates your attack and attaches all of your Monsters Xyz Materials to mine instead." A speechless Malin watched as his Monster lowered the gun again and its lone leftover Material was drawn into the orbit of Darius' Monster.

Gagaga Cowboy: 1 Xyz Materials → 0 Xyz Materials

Number 24: Punishment: 1 Xyz Materials → 2 Xyz Materials

"Stupid boy," Darius said with a bit of disgust in his voice, "You saw that I was using multiple cards to counter Xyz Monsters, yet you tried to use an Xyz Monster to combat me? You are a shame. I thought I raised you better than this. I must have failed as a father."

Author-made cards:

Overlay Traitor Knight / Effect / Level 6 / DARK / Warrior-Type / 1700 ATK / 2600 DEF
If your opponent has at least 6 cards more in their Extra Deck than you, you can Normal Summon this card without Tribute. If you have no cards in your Extra Deck, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand) instead. You can only Summon "Overlay Traitor Knight" once per turn this way. During your Standby Phase, if your opponent controls a face-up Xyz Monster, you can Special Summon 1 "Overlay Traitor Knight" from your Deck. Its effects are negated. This card cannot be used as Xyz Material, except for the Xyz Summon of "Number 24: Punishment".

Overlay Traitor Assassin / Effect / Level 6 / DARK / Warrior-Type / 1900 ATK / 2000 DEF
If your opponent has at least 6 cards more in their Extra Deck than you, you can Normal Summon this card without Tribute. If you have no cards in your Extra Deck, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand) instead. You can only Summon "Overlay Traitor Assassin" once per turn this way. During your Standby Phase, if your opponent controls a face-up Xyz Monster, you can banish 1 card they control. This card cannot be used as Xyz Material, except for the Xyz Summon of "Number 24: Punishment".

Number 106: Starry Knight Sky / Xyz / Rank 4 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 2500 ATK / 1900 DEF
3 Level 4 LIGHT Monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle, except with a "Number" Monster. This card is unaffected by Monster effects, except by its own effect. Once per turn, during either players turn, if a Monster Effect is activated, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to negate that effect. If you do, this card gains 500 ATK.

Number 24: Punishment / Xyz / Rank 6 / DARK / Fiend-Type / 2600 ATK / 2000 DEF
2 Level 6 Monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle, except with a "Number" Monster. Cannot be destroyed by battle with Xyz Monster, also, this card is unaffected by the effects of Xyz Monsters. Once per turn, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to inflict 100 Life Points Damage to your opponent for each card in their Extra Deck. If your opponent Xyz Summons a Xyz Monster(s), detach all Xyz Material(s) from those Monster(s) and attach them to this card, also, they cannot attack.

Overlay Theft / Normal Trap Card
If an Xyz Monster declares an attack: You can negate that attack and if you do, detach all Xyz Materials from the attacking Monster and attach them to a face-up Xyz Monster you control, if possible.

Malins Deck was originally intended to be a random LIGHT Warrior-Type Deck, but then Satellarknights came out and they suited Malin so much, that I decided to use them instead. And I am very happy that I finally wrote this down. Malins Number Hunt and backstory underwent so many changes over time, it literally did a 270° flip. And, before I start changing things again...

It was surprisingly difficult finding cards for Darius to use. The whole series of Zexal was devoted to Xyz Summoning, yet there are so little cards that are actually Anti-Xyz cards.