Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL - Episode 012

"The Combo of Hope! Armored Xyz Activate!" is the twelfth episode of the Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL anime. It first aired in Japan on June 27, 2011.

Summary
Yuma and Shark are down to 2400 and 1100 Life Points, respectively in their Tag-Team Duel against Rikuo and Kaio. Yuma says that at this rate they'll be in trouble, but Shark points out that "Number 61: Volcasaurus" has no more Overlay Units, so its effect can no longer be used. Yuma is now excited, saying the battle is just beginning. Rikuo tells them they'll be done soon no matter what and that Shark will be the first to go. "Volcasaurus" attacks directly, but Shark activates his face-down "Zeus's Breath" to negate the attack. Rikuo is surprised and Yuma is relieved. Rikuo says that their fields are still empty - they'll be finished next turn. Rikuo Sets two cards and ends his turn. Yuma draws and then Normal Summons "Goblindbergh", which activates its effect. He Special Summons "Gagaga Magician" from his hand in Attack Position. Shark comments that he has two Level 4 monsters and Astral tells Yuma to wait. Yuma overlays his two monsters to Xyz Summon "Number 39: Utopia" in Attack Position. Tori is happy to see "Utopia", but Bronk says it doesn't matter - Yuma is still relying on "Numbers". The eyes of Rikuo and Kaio glow red as they say they've been waiting for this. Kaio activates his face-down "Avalanche", which covers "Utopia" in ice. This prevents it from attacking and Yuma will take 500 damage should he activate any of its effects. Shark comments its a Trap Card specifically designed to counter Xyz Monsters and Astral calls Yuma's move a careless Summon.

Yuma Sets two cards to end his turn. Rikuo believes that as long as the "Numbers" is frozen, they have the Duel won and tells Kaio to finish them in one shot. Kaio begins his turn and switches "Menchi Icebergdon" to Attack Position. He tells Shark this is the end and attacks him directly. Shark braces for the impact, but Yuma declares he is activating the effect of "Utopia" - he can negate an attack by detaching an Overlay Unit. Shark says that's impossible and asks if he forgot the effect of "Avalanche". Yuma says he told him before - they are friends. Utopia negates the attack with "Moon Barrier" and Yuma's Life Points drop to 1900 as he's lifted off the ground by icy winds. Tori screams Yuma's name and Bronk speculates that Yuma Summoned "Utopia" to protect Shark. Shark is a bit perturbed, saying Yuma always does unnecessary things. Kaio taunts that that was a touching display of friendship. He says another attack is coming and attacks Shark directly with "Regent Blizzardon". Yuma uses "Moon Barrier" to negate the attack again, dropping his Life Points to 1400 and dropping him back to the ground. Yuma curses and Shark asks what's wrong - at the rate they're going, Yuma may as well keep sleeping on the ground. Yuma tells him to be quiet and says he was just resting a bit - and that the game is just beginning. Kaio and Rikuo say that they still don't realize just how powerful they are. Rikuo activates his face-down "Volcash", switching "Regent Blizzardon" to Defense Position. Yuma questions what the point of that was and Kaio thanks Rikuo. With that, he can activate "The Alert Ice Cave", which increases the Level of one Defense Position monster by 1. Therefore "Regent Blizzardon" becomes Level 5 and Kaio overlays it with "Menchi Icebergdon" to Xyz Summon "Number 19: Freezerdon", who initially appears as a giant, spear-tipped ice block before moving to its Dinosaur form.

Yuma says that's the second "Numbers" and Kaio activates the effect of "Freezerdon". By detaching an Overlay Unit, it brings back the Overlay Units for another Xyz Monster. The two Units of "Volcasaurus" return. Yuma and Astral are shocked, as this means they can use "Mag-Max" again. Kaio Sets two cards as he and Rikuo laugh, saying that no one has ever beaten them in a Tag Duel. Astral says that something isn't right here and Shark tells him it's as expected - Rikuo and Kaio are cheating. Yuma and Kaio both ask what he means and Shark tells Kaio not to play dumb. They're been using one cheap trick after another. Astral asks Yuma what cheating means, he says that means they're fighting dirty. Astral asks if this means the Duel is unfair and Shark says he expected nothing less from them. From the beginning, they knew what cards the other would draw and in what order. He speculates that they rigged the auto-shuffle function of their Duel Disks. Yuma says that makes sense, - that's how they both knew the other had a Level 5 monster in their hands. Astral adds that the combo with "The Alert Ice Cave" falls under the same category. He says that Rikuo and Kaio cannot truly call themselves Duelists. Shark says that a true Duelist would never cheat like that. Kaio tells him to stop speculating and Rikuo adds that Shark himself cheated at the National Championships. He add that "Champion candidate" was never a good term to describe Shark, he was nothing but a cheat that spied on his opponent's Deck in the waiting room.

Flashbacks to the event are shown. Spectators fill the stands as an announcer states that at last the finals of the Duel Monsters National Championship will begin. The Champion candidate is well on his way to victory. In the waiting room, Shark mutters to himself that he must win. Another man leaves the room and Shark hears cards hit the floor. He looks over where he heard the noise and sees his opponent's Deck on the ground. Four cards are face-up - "Necrovalley", "Skill Drain", "Mirror Force" and "Gravekeeper's Descendant". At the finals, the crowd cheers Shark's name. The announcer says they are at last at the climax of the championship Duel. Shark has "Big Jaws" on the field and again mutters that he must win. His opponent Sets a card, and Shark wonders if it's "Mirror Force". He has a counter for that, so he'll win. As he is about to begin his turn, red crosses adorned with the word "STOP" cover the field. The commentator announces that Shark has been disqualified for foul play as he unfairly checked his opponent's Deck. Rikuo says that because of that, Shark was forever exiled from the Dueling stage. Shark mutters that he's afraid of losing and Kaio laughs as he and Rikuo both taunt him. Yuma yells for them to stop and asks what's so funny about being afraid of losing. Yuma says he's scared too. Whenever he thinks of losing, he's paralyzed with fear. That's why he used "Numbers" against Shark. He lied, it was not to save Shark. But that is why he decided he would never lie in a Duel again. He says it must be the same for Shark and that that is what makes Shark a true Duelist. No matter what dirty tricks their opponents use, he and Shark will fight fair and square for victory. Kaio says they sure talk big, but Rikuo reminds them have nothing on the field but a frozen "Number", which will do them no good. Shark tells Yuma that they will win this Duel.

Shark activates "Xyz Gift", drawing two cards as there are two or more Xyz Monsters on the field. He Normal Summons "Needle Sunfish" and activates "Surface", Special Summoning "Big Jaws" from his Graveyard in Defense Position. Yuma realizes what Shark will do and Shark overlays his two monsters to Xyz Summon "Black Ray Lancer" in Attack Position. Shark activates its effect, detaching the overlaid "Needle Sunfish" to negate the effects of "Volcasaurus" until the End Phase. Yuma is excited, as now they can destroy the "Numbers". Rikuo points out that "Volcasaurus" still has 2500 ATK and Shark calls him naive. He reveals that when "Needle Sunfish" is sent to the Graveyard, it decreases the ATK of one monster by 500. "Needle Sunfish" appears and launches spiked missiles from its mouth, which hit "Volcasaurus", reducing its ATK to 2000. Astral is surprised that Shark made a comeback int his sort of situation. "Black Ray Lancer" attacks "Volcasaurus" with "Black Spear", but Kaio activates his face-down "Compensation Exchange", negating the attack but inflicting the ATK of "Volcasaurus" to himself in exchange. Yuma thinks it's odd that Kaio took the hit and Rikou says that he'll attack, while Kaio will defend. Kaio says that that is their fighting style. Rikuo activates his face-down "The Scorching Depths - Volca Abyss", checking Yuma's hand. He may return a monster in it to Yuma's Deck. Yuma wonders why he's do this and Astral says it is to prevent him from Summoning a monster on his next turn. His hand contains "Monster Reborn" and "Gogogo Golem"; both cards appear as holograms in front of all players, and Shark takes note what Yuma's hand contains. Rikou believes that Yuma will not be able to use "Monster Reborn" effectively and "Gogogo Golem" returns to the Deck. Shark Sets a card.

Rikuo says this turn will be their end and draws. He says Shark will be first and activates the effect of "Volcasaurus", detaching an Overlay Unit to destroy a monster and inflict damage to its controller equal to its ATK. Yuma yells Shark's name as Rikuo declares the effect, "Mag-Max". "Black Ray Lancer" is destroyed, but Yuma activates his face-down "Damage Diet", which halves all damage they take this turn. Shark's Life Points fall to 50. Shark activates his face-down "Icy Crevasse", declaring "Volcasaurus" as the target. This will destroy it and inflict damage to Rikuo equal to its ATK. The ground around "Volcasaurus" cracks open and it begins to fall. Kaio activates his face-down "Compulsory Change", changing the target of "Icy Crevasse" to "Freezerdon". It falls through the ground as Kaio's Life Points fall to 0 and Rikuo screams his name. Rikuo is livid, asking how they dare do that to his little brother. Saying there's no turning back now, he activates "Mag-Max" again, destroying "Utopia", "Damage Diet" halving the damage, leaving Yuma with 150 Life Points. Rikou declares it as a useless trick and attacks Shark directly with "Volcasaurus". Shark activates his face-down "Last Entrust", ending the Battle Phase and giving an opponent one card from his hand. He tosses a card from his hand to Yuma, who is surprised to find he's considered an opponent in terms of the card effect. Rikuo calls it a useless struggle and activates "Twin Volcano". During his Standby Phase, it will inflict 500 damage. He may also send it to the Graveyard to inflict another 500 damage. Astral says that this means that if Rikuo gets another turn, both their Life Points will be 0. Kaio taunts that it will be their victory and Rikuo tells them to prepare themselves. Shark tells Yuma not to give up - they still have a chance to win.

Yuma draws and examines his hand, wondering how they can win. Shark believes that Yuma will see what it is. Astral wonders if Yuma will realize what he needs to do. Yuma sees as his only move as activating "Monster Reborn" to revive "Utopia", but then sees the "Armored Xyz" that Shark gave him. He remembers when Astral told him that "Monster Reborn" can revive monsters from the opponent's Graveyard as well. Yuma activates "Monster Reborn" and Bronk wonders if he'll Special Summon "Utopia". Yuma Special Summons the "Black Ray Lancer" from Shark's Graveyard in Attack Position. Rikuo asks why he'd choose that monster, it has lower ATK than "Utopia" - an amateur move. Shark tells him not to be so sure of that and Yuma plays "Armored Xyz". This equips an Xyz Monster from Yuma's Graveyard to "Black Ray Lancer". The two monsters combine, giving "Black Ray Lancer" 2500 ATK. Rikuo says it matters not, only a "Number" can defeat another "Number". Shark says this card can defeat a "Number" as "Black Ray Lancer" will gain all the effects of "Utopia", with Yuma adding that it becomes a "pseudo-Number" of sorts. "Black Ray Lancer" destroys "Volcasaurus" and Rikuo's Life Points drop to 1900. Shark and Yuma reveal that by sending "Utopia" to the Graveyard, "Black Ray Lancer" can attack again. It attacks directly with "Black Spear", defeating Rikuo, blasting both him and Kaio backwards onto the ground. Bronk and Kotori excitedly jump and Astral declares his twelfth observation as he absorbs the two "Numbers" - "this is your way of Dueling". Astral's memories are the Astral World being hit by numerous explosions as the unseen inhabitants scream. Rikuo and Kaio groggily awake and Kaio questions why they'd steal cards. When they see Shark, they leap to their feet and run away. Tori yells for them to never come back again. Yuma turns to Bronk and apologizes for lying. With a bit of urging from Tori, Bronk accepts the apology and asks Yuma to Duel him. Yuma says that sounds great and sees Shark has turned to go. Yuma moves to return "Armored Xyz" to him, but Shark tells him to keep it, as he's grown a bit from being a "no-good Duelist". Shark tells Yuma he'll see him later and walks to his motorcycle as Yuma smiles.

Featured Duel: Yuma Tsukumo and Ryoga Kamishiro vs. Rikuo and Kaio
Duel continues from the previous episode.

Turn 5: Rikuo

Rikuo uses "Number 61: Volcasaurus" to attack Shark directly, but Shark activates his face-down "Zeus's Breath", negating the attack. Rikuo Sets two cards.

Turn 6: Yuma

Yuma Normal Summons "Goblindbergh" (1400/0). Its effect activates, Special Summoning the Level 4 "Gagaga Magician" (1500/1000) from his hand in Attack Position. He overlays his two monsters to Xyz Summon "Number 39: Utopia" (2500/2000) in Attack Position. Kaio activates his face-down "Avalanche", preventing "Utopia" from attacking as long as "Avalanche" is face-up and inflicting 500 damage to Yuma each time "Utopia" activates an effect. Yuma Sets two cards.

Turn 7: Kaio

Kaio switches "Menchi Icebergdon" to Attack Position and attacks Shark directly, but Yuma activates the effect of "Utopia", detaching an Overlay Unit to negate the attack. "Avalanche" inflicts 500 damage to Yuma (Yuma 2400 → 1900). Kaio attacks directly with "Regent Blizzardon", but Yuma activates the effect of "Utopia", detaching the other Overlay Unit to negate the attack. "Avalanche" inflicts 500 damage to Yuma (Yuma 1900 → 1400). Rikuo activates his face-down "Volcash", switching "Regent Blizzardon" to Defense Position. Kaio activates "The Alert Ice Cave", changing the Level of "Regent Blizzardon" to 5. Kaio overlays his two monsters to Xyz Summon "Number 19: Freezerdon" (2000/2500) in Defense Position. Kaio activates the effect of "Freezerdon", detaching an Overlay Unit to return the two Overlay Units of "Volcasaurus" to it. Kaio Sets two cards.

Turn 8: Shark

Shark activates "Xyz Gift", drawing two cards as there are two or more Xyz Monsters on the field. He Normal Summons "Needle Sunfish" (1500/100). Shark activates "Surface", Special Summoning "Big Jaws" (1800/300) from his Graveyard in Defense Position. He overlays his two monsters to Xyz Summon "Black Ray Lancer" (2100/600) in Attack Position. Shark detaches the overlaid "Needle Sunfish" to negate the effects of "Volcasaurus" until the End Phase. The effect of "Needle Sunfish" activates, decreasing the ATK of "Volcasaurus" by 500 as it was sent to the Graveyard. "Black Ray Lancer" attacks "Volcasaurus", but Kaio activates his face-down "Compensation Exchange", negating the attack and inflicting the ATK of "Volcasaurus" to himself as damage (Kaio 4000 → 2000). Rikuo activates his face-down "The Scorching Depths - Volca Abyss", letting him look at Yuma's hand and return a Monster Card from it to the Deck. Yuma's hand contains "Gogogo Golem" and "Monster Reborn", so the former card is returned to Yuma's Deck. Shark Sets a card.

Turn 9: Rikuo

Rikuo activates the effect of "Volcasaurus", detaching an Overlay Unit to destroy "Black Ray Lancer" and inflict damage to Shark equal to its ATK. Yuma activates his face-down "Damage Diet", halving the damage (Shark 1100 → 50). Shark activates his face-down "Icy Crevasse" to destroy "Volcasaurus" and inflict damage to Rikuo equal to its ATK, but Kaio activates his face-down "Compulsory Change", changing the target to "Freezerdon", which is destroyed, inflicting damage to Kaio equal to its ATK (Kaio 2000 → 0). Rikuo activates the effect of "Volcasaurus", detaching the other Overlay Unit to destroy "Utopia" and inflict damage to Yuma equal to its ATK. "Damage Diet" halves the damage (Yuma 1400 → 150). Rikuo attacks directly with "Volcasaurus", but Shark activates his face-down "Last Entrust", ending the Battle Phase and adding the "Armored Xyz" from his hand to Yuma's hand. Rikuo activates "Twin Volcano", which will inflict 500 damage to an opponent during each of his Standby Phases. He may also send it to the Graveyard to inflict 500 damage.

Turn 10: Yuma

Yuma's hand contains "Armored Xyz", "Monster Reborn" and "Asleep at the Switch". Yuma activates "Monster Reborn", Special Summoning "Black Ray Lancer" from Shark's Graveyard (2100/600) in Attack Position. He activates "Armored Xyz", equipping "Utopia" from his Graveyard to "Black Ray Lancer". This allows "Black Ray Lancer" to treat its name, ATK, DEF and effect as those of "Utopia". "Black Ray Lancer" attacks and destroys "Volcasaurus" (Rikuo 2400 → 1900). Yuma uses the effect of "Armored Xyz" to send "Utopia" to the Graveyard and allow "Black Ray Lancer" to attack again. It attacks Rikuo directly (1900 → 0).

Featured cards
The following cards appeared in this episode. Cards in italics debuted here.

Trivia
The Set Trap Cards featured in the one-point lesson were used by the protagonists of the three older Yu-Gi-Oh series. "Mirror Force" was used by both Yugi and Jaden, "Hero Barrier" by Jaden and "Scrap-Iron Scarecrow" by Yusei.