Vile: Man, this one came quick! Here we are: the end of Numbershot 71!

Astral: One thing is odd to me. Why have all Numbershots so far been six Chapters long?

Vile: I... don't really know, eheheh. ^^'

Yuma: I guess six must be his lucky number. Who knows? I just wanna see how this ends!

Vile: You'll be pleased with the results, Yuma. It may be long, but I had solve the problems and make it epic! Disclaimer's on the first page, all bolded cards are mine. Enjoy!

Numbershot 71: The Hunter Reborn

Chapter 6

Kaito was a loss for what he could do. His faithful companion had been absorbed by one of the Numbers, and now its power was being used by it. "Are you done with your turn yet…?" Haruto said. "I do not have all day. I must progress with my mission."

Kaito looked at his hand. He had no cards that could combat Number 71 at this point. He could only do one thing. "I place one card facedown. …Turn end."

"Kaito-san/Kaito-sama…" Jenaveve and Orbital breathed.

'Come on Kaito… don't lose hope. You can still win this!' Yuma thought.

"Boku no turn. Draw!" Haruto drew his card. "Asteroader, Shoukan!" His monster was a small humanoid that appeared to be driving a brown racing car, with asteroids around it.

Asteroader: Lv.4 DARK Rock ATK:600/DEF:200

"Asteroader's effect activates! By banishing this face-up card I control, I can destroy up to two Spell or Trap Cards controlled by my opponent!" Kaito gasped as two asteroids lined up in front of the small car. All of a sudden, Asteroader slammed on the gas, rushing forward and impacting the rocks, exploding and sending them directly at Kaito's facedowns, piercing and destroying them. "With your field empty, you will face true power… the power of the Numbers! Black Hole Gate, attack Kaito directly!" The lightning around the gate crackled fiercely, and the gate swirled much faster. All of a sudden, the mass within was fired out as a laser beam, surrounded by the red, blue, and black lightning.

Kaito stood dead still as the beam approached him. He knew there was nothing he could do… and the beam impacted him, sending him flying back. "GWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" He yelled in pain before impacting the floor, inches from the edge.

Kaito LP:1000

"KAITO!" Jenaveve and Yuma cried.

"Kaito-sama, please get up!" Orbital cried.

Kaito struggled, but fell back to the ground. "That's good. Stay there. You belong on the ground." Haruto said emotionlessly. "I place one card facedown. Turn end."

Kaito moaned. "It's hopeless… Galaxy-Eyes is gone… That being has its power…" He groaned. A tear fell from its eyes. "I… I failed… to save Haruto…"

"Cut that crap, Kaito!" Yuma suddenly yelled, making Kaito's eyes widen. "Are you really gonna give up on Haruto? I didn't see you giving up the first time you tried to rescue him!" Kaito gasped. Yuma was right. "Haruto didn't give up on you! He gave you what was left of his power so you could defeat III and IV, and he had the Number even then! Regardless of what Number 71 is making him say, Haruto is still in there! You just have to save him!"

"Yuma's right, Kaito-sama!" Orbital told him. "You've worked so hard to save Haruto-sama! Don't let all your hard work go to waste because of this!"

"Stand and fight, Kaito-san!" Jenaveve cried. "Even though we're not helping you in the Duel… we've still got your back, no matter what! …You can't let anything stop you!"

"Stand and fight!" All three yelled.

'Nii-san!' A voice called in Kaito's head.

Kaito gasped, recognizing the voice. 'H… Haruto…?'

'Nii-san, listen to them!' Haruto's voice said. It sounded like the old Haruto he knew… before Number 71 got to him. 'You never gave up in the darkest situations. Not just for me, but for those you cared about! No matter what… me, Nee-chan, Orbital… and now Yuma… we're always here for you!'

The Hunter suddenly felt a rush of power go through him, and his white coat glowed brightly. 'Everyone… I feel everyone's strength cheering me on!' He thought, feeling the strength flow into him. 'I can't… I can't give up! Not in this situation, or any other! Whatever comes my way… I will not give in!' Strength restored, Kaito slowly got to his feet, feeling the power grow stronger. 'This power…! I feel stronger than ever before!' Then, he heard a roar in his head. 'My friend… Let us use the power they have given us!' Then, Kaito let out a loud yell from the power he was given, wind starting to blow around him.

"What the hell?" The Distributor cried. All of a sudden, the white glow coming from Kaito flashed into a bright red… a familiar red.

"That glow!" Yuma and Orbital cried.

"Kaito…?" Jenaveve breathed.

Then, Kaito's closed eyes shot open. "Everyone is supporting me to the very end! I will not let any of them down!" He said confidently, the top of his Deck glowing red. "Ore no turn… Draw!" His voice echoed as he drew his card. It was a new card: One that he needed. "Excellent! Since I control no monsters, Photon Thrasher, Tokushu Shoukan!" His monster was a humanoid monster with blue-and-orange armor, the limbs made of blue light, and a light blue radiating sword.

Photon Thrasher: Lv.4 LIGHT Warrior ATK:2100/DEF:0

"Now, Magic Card, Photon Quantum Vector Fusion, activate! This card allows me to send Photon monsters from my hand or Deck in order to Summon a Photon Fusion Monster!" 3 cards slid out from his Deck. "I fuse my three Photon Lizards together!" All three cards melded together. "Yuugou Shoukan! Arawareyo… Triple Photon Lizard!" From a stormcloud, a new monster flapped its wings to join the fight. It looked exactly like Twin Photon Lizard: heads, wings, body, and tail, but instead of an empty middle slot, there was a third head, colored blue.

Triple Photon Lizard: Lv.8 LIGHT Dragon/Fusion ATK:3000/DEF:2500

"A Fusion Monster?" Mr. Heartland mused.

"Magic Card, Level Cross, activate!" Kaito wasn't done yet. "By sending one card from my hand to the Graveyard, I can double the Level of one Level 4 or below monster I control! Photon Thrasher, become Level 8!" The armored monster grew larger.

Photon Thrasher: Lv.8

"Finally, Galaxy Egg, Shoukan!" His monster was a light blue glowing egg, printed with some galaxy-like markings.

Galaxy Egg: Lv.1 LIGHT Dragon ATK:0/DEF:100

"Galaxy Egg?" Mr. Heartland cried. "That card was never given to Kaito!"

"This card came from my own power… a power that was only boosted by everyone I care about!" Kaito declared. "Galaxy Egg's effect activates! By banishing this card from the field, I can Special Summon my comrade from my Graveyard or Banished Zone!" The egg suddenly grew, pulsated, and crackled. "Come back to me, my friend! Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" The egg shattered, revealing the dragon of the galaxy.

Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon: Lv.8 LIGHT Dragon ATK:3000/DEF:2500

"The support that everyone gave me… and the unwillingness to give in… has once again given me my ultimate power!" Kaito said. "I've heard a phrase for this situation… and it's finally my time to say it!" He thrust his arm upward. "Kattobingu daze, ore!"

Yuma grinned. "Finish it, Kaito!"

"Ore wa Reberu Hachi no Galaxy-Eyes, Photon Thrasher, Triple Photon Lizard… OBAREI!" All three monsters turned fully yellow before spiraling into the air, Galaxy-Eyes retaining its wings. What appeared to be a red portal carved itself in the sky, but it then changed to look more like a black hole. "San tai no monsuta de, Obarei Netwaaku kochiku!" All three monsters entered the portal, and a bright flash of light occurred. "Ekushiizu Shoukan!" Kaito held out his hand, and a two-pronged instrument formed, which he grabbed. "Radiant galaxy, become the striking light! All you need to do is arise!" Kaito took aim and chucked the instrument into the portal, which closed and let out an explosion of light. "Descend now… our combined soul!" A bright fiery explosion occurred in space, creating a cloud of embers. A loud roar was heard from within, and two large red wings extended themselves. Two heads that were part of the wings growled fiercely. The enormous being extended its claws, its body glowing red with black scales. "Neo Galaxy-Eyes… Photon Dragon!" Finally, the head rose up, eyes glowing while yet shining with the power of a dark galaxy, as the colossus thrust its arms outward, revealing itself in its full glory and power.

Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon: Rank 8 LIGHT Dragon/Xyz ATK:4500/DEF:3000

"There it is!" Yuma cried.

"Galaxy-Eyes… evolved!" Jenaveve breathed. Haruto looked at the dragon in fear.

"Bakana! What is this?" The Distributor cried in a mix of fear and anger.

"I had no idea Galaxy-Eyes was capable of such power…!" Mr. Heartland declared, awed.

"Neo Galaxy-Eyes's effect activates! As Galaxy-Eyes was used as Material for it, the effects of all other monsters are negated!" Suddenly, Black Hole Gate started to malfunction. The gateway within ceased to continue, and the power it had gained was lost.

Black Hole Gate ATK:0

"NANI?" Haruto cried.

"Mr. Heartland!" Kaito shouted to the man. "Give this message to Dr. Faker: We're done with you, both me AND Haruto! Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" The dragon roared in response. "Attack Black Hole Gate! Ultimate Photon… STREAM!" The dragon's three heads let out a combined blast of red energy, which completely tore through the mechanism, causing every drone that formed it to explode violently.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Haruto screamed as the impact threw him into the air.

"Haruto-sama!" Orbital thought quick, rushing onto the field and extended his arms, catching the boy in mid-air and bringing him to their side. The boy fell unconscious after this.

Kaito LP:1000

Haruto LP:0 – LOSER

Kaito's face appeared with the word WIN and a buzzer, and the Augmented Reality faded. The red glow dissipated from Kaito, and his coat returned to normal, his D-Gazer vanishing. He let out a breath. "It's over…"

"Not on your life… KAITO!" The Distributor's yell came out of nowhere before Kaito suddenly felt something pierce his body, and he let out a yell. He struggled and saw a dark hand within him, coming from the Distributor. "Since you're done working with us, I'll just be taking back those Numbers!" He pulled on the hand, but Kaito activated Photon Hand and grappled the dark hand.

"…Never! I won't let you use these Numbers for evil!" He declared, pulling back. A tug-of-war raged between the two hands, before both grips were lost and both flew back. Kaito looked at saw that he had but ten Numbers in his hand. He looked and saw that the Distributor had the last eight.

"Almost half… that's good enough for me." The man said. Then, an alarm blared, and a few explosions were heard. "What was that?"

"The combination of Neo Galaxy-Eyes and Black Hole Gate's power had caused an energy overload in this area!" Mr. Heartland cried. "Let's get out of here!" The man quickly fled the room.

The Distributor went to follow, but shot one last glare at the group. "This isn't over, twerps!" He growled before leaving.

"Come on Kaito, we gotta get out of here!" Jenaveve cried. Kaito and Orbital quickly followed her and Yuma out of the room, Haruto in Orbital's arms. But soon after they got out, an explosion erupted from the floor, blocking Yuma from the rest and knocking Haruto out of Orbital's arms.

"Haruto!" Kaito cried.

Thankfully, Yuma was right by Haruto, and he picked him up. "I'll get Haruto out of here! You guys find another way out! Hurry!" Kaito looked at him uneasily. "Trust me, Kaito. I'll get him to safety!"

Kaito hesitated, then nodded. "Orbital, go with Yuma and help him!" Orbital nodded and followed Yuma. "Let's go!" Kaito and Jenaveve quickly ran down another hallway.

*With Yuma and Orbital*

Yuma raced down the hallways with Haruto in tow, Orbital next to him. "Kaito… don't go dyin' on me!" He said.

"Yuma, this way!" Orbital suddenly called. Yuma saw Orbital by a path, and quickly followed him.

*With Kaito and Jenaveve*

Kaito and Jenaveve went down another path to find a way out when Kaito noticed something. "Look! That elevator's still working! It goes to the entrance!" Kaito quickly pressed the Down button, and the elevator opened.

"B-But this is a one-person elevator! We can't go together on this!" Jenaveve said.

"If not… then it's better you than me!" Kaito suddenly said, pushing Jenaveve into the elevator.

"Kaito-san, no!" She cried, but the elevator suddenly shut. She could heard banging on the door as it began to descend.

"Sorry, Jenaveve… but if one of us would end up dead, I'd rather it be me." Kaito said solemnly before running to find another way out.

In the elevator, Jenaveve's fists were laying on the elevator door, and her head was down. Sobs could be heard from her. 'Kaito-san… no…' She thought. The elevator finally stopped, and Jenaveve reluctantly rushed out when it opened, heading for the door.

"Hurry up, Jenaveve-sama!" She heard someone call. She saw that Yuma, Orbital, and Haruto had made it out safely.

"Where's Kaito?" Yuma cried.

"I… I don't know…" Jenaveve sobbed. Then, more explosions could be heard from the building. The group watched in horror as a large explosion took out a large part of Heartland Tower. Jenaveve was rigid, her eyes in tears. "No… KAITO-SAN!" She fell to her knees and began crying. Yuma and Orbital didn't know what to do.

Then, one of Orbital's sensors went off. "Eh?" He checked it and gasped. "K-Kaito-sama!" Yuma and Jenaveve gasped. "This way!" Orbital led them to a side of the building. The signal they were following stopped them in front of a dumpster. "The signal stops here… but where's Kaito-sama?"

Then, they heard rustling in the dumpster behind them, making them turn around. A bit of garbage rustled, then Kaito's head popped out of the trash, coughing. "Talk about a nasty landing." He noticed everyone there and smiled, more so when he saw Haruto all right.

"Kaito-san…" Jenaveve breathed, her eyes still teary, before closing them with a smile.

*Later* *Back At Jenaveve's House*

Haruto been laid down on the couch in Jenaveve's living room (after Kaito took a brief shower to get the garbage stink off him). Kaito walked up to his brother and held out the Photon Hand. "Forgive me, Haruto…" He said, but Jenaveve placed her hand on his. Her hand glowed pink, and the Photon Hand suddenly turned pink. Kaito smiled, knowing Jenaveve had imbued it with her power, and extended it towards Haruto. When he pulled back, however, there was no soul. Only the card. Haruto's features also didn't change. "But… how?"

"Let me see it." Jenaveve said, taking the card. Using her power, she caused the card to radiate darkness before dispelling it, and a blue orb rose from the card. "So… his soul wasn't just corrupted by the card…"

"It was sealed in it…" Kaito breathed. "To think the Numbers had that much control…" Jenaveve sent Haruto's soul back to him, making him glow blue briefly. Then, the boy's eyes shook, and he groaned. "Haruto…?"

The boy's eyes slowly opened, making out the figure in front of him. "Nii-san…?" Kaito saw his eyes; They had regained the sparkle they once had. Haruto was back. Kaito smiled, his eyes starting to tear. When Haruto realized who he was looking at, he lit up. "Nii-san!" The boy quickly sat up and leapt to his brother, laughing and hugging him with all he had.

"Haruto…" Kaito sobbed, unable to contain his tears of joy as he hugged him, hearing Haruto genuinely laugh after so long. He finally had his brother back. Jenaveve, who was watching, couldn't help herself and joined in the hug, happily welcomed by the brothers.

If Orbital could cry, he would be. "*sniffles* I haven't seen Kaito-sama or Haruto-sama this happy in years…" A crying sound came from the robot. Yuma merely watched the scene with a warm smile. It was clear by the look on Kaito's face that this was quite possibly the best day of his life.

The Tenjo brothers were reunited at last.

*Later, at around 9:00*

Kaito stood on the roof of Jenaveve's house, gazing up at Heartland Tower. Repair crews had already been called, but the damage and smoke could still be seen. He heard someone come onto the roof, and looked to see that it was Yuma. "I thought you had left." Kaito said.

"I will in a bit." Yuma replied, looking up at the tower, his gaze joined by Kaito's. "Looks like we have a common enemy now."

"What do you mean?" Kaito asked.

"The man who controlled Haruto, the Number Distributor… he's caused problems for me and my friends." Yuma told him. "He's an evil man who gives Numbers to unsuspecting people, instantly corrupting them with their darkness. If he's working for Mr. Heartland… then I know who I'm after."

"You're right. Mr. Heartland and Dr. Faker betrayed me and used to gain the Numbers for them." Kaito said. "But if they want the Numbers… why is the Distributor giving them away?"

"Possibly to make more Hunters." Yuma mused. "They'll need 'em now that they've lost you." Kaito nodded. Yuma turned to him. "You may not be interested in this, Kaito, but here's my suggestion: We work together from here on in." Kaito looked at him with wide eyes. "No more anger or malice between us. We'll be friends, allies, helping each other when we need it. With our combined power, Mr. Heartland doesn't stand a chance." He held out a hand. "You in?"

Kaito stared at Yuma's hand for a moment. "Me be friends with you?" He asked. Yuma nodded. Kaito looked away for a moment, then smirked. "I'm in. You've proved yourself as a good person, and you've earned my trust." Kaito shook Yuma's hand, and Yuma smirked. "But get this: Next time we Duel… you're going down."

Yuma grinned. "We'll see about that, Kaito!" He said confidently, locking a heated gaze with the other Hunter.

*Meanwhile*

The Number Distributor stamped his feet as he paced. "Curses! Our plans are ruined!" He growled. Mr. Heartland merely chuckled, making the Distributor angrier. "How are you so passive about this?"

"Calm yourself, my friend. Everything is going according to plan." The green-haired man said, leaving his brunette associate confused. "Everything will be clear soon enough… Mhm hmm hmm hmm hmm heh heh heh heh heh heh…"

*11:00*

Two people were seen on the roof of a certain house, holding each other tightly. One had hair sticking straight up. The other had hair that came down to the legs. Their faces moved close under the moonlight, until they locked together, becoming one.

Author-Made Cards

Asteroader
Level 4 DARK Rock
ATK:600/DEF:200
You can banish this face-up card you control: Destroy up to 2 Spell or Trap Cards your opponent controls.

Galaxy Egg
Level 1 LIGHT Dragon
ATK:0/DEF:100
You can banish this face-up card you control: Special Summon 1 "Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon" from your Graveyard or Banished Zone.

Triple Photon Lizard
Level 8 LIGHT Dragon/Fusion
ATK:3000/DEF:2500
"Photon Lizard" + "Photon Lizard" + "Photon Lizard" (TCG/OCG: 3 "Photon" monsters)
You can Tribute this face-up card: Special Summon all of the Fusion Material Monsters used to Fusion Summon this card from your Graveyard.

Photon Quantum Vector Fusion (made by YRPOtaku169)
Quick-Play Spell Card
Send "Photon" monsters from your hand or Deck to the Graveyard listed as the Fusion Material Monsters on a "Photon" Fusion Monster; Special Summon the Fusion Monster (The Special Summon by the effect of this card is treated as a Fusion Summon). Then, search your opponent's Extra Deck: target 1 Xyz Monster; Special Summon that target and attach this card to that target as an Xyz Material (The Special Summon by the effect of this card is treated as an Xyz Summon). (Note: Haruto had no Xyz Monsters in his Deck aside from Number 71, so this effect was not activated.)

Vile: The happy ending everyone wanted! Haruto's back to normal, and Kaito's on the good side now!

Kaito: But now the Distributor's got eight of my Numbers!

Vile: Oh, you guys'll get 'em back eventually. ^^

Yuma: So what's next on the agenda?

Vile: I don't know yet. Maybe the next Numbershot, maybe some Decks-hibition, or maybe something different. Who knows? If you guys liked this chapter, leave a review for me! See ya when I get the next idea!

Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.