bopdog111: Now we get to see Aster's real skills.
Ulrich362: True, unlike against Jaden this time he'll be showing what he can really do.
bopdog111: Yeah since it isn't like what we thought.
bopdog111: So what has he hid away?
Ulrich362: Only one way to find out, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX or Persona but we own the OCs!
The members of the Investigation Team, Syrus, Alexis, Chazz, and Atticus were sitting in the stadium watching as Jaden dueled Bastion. During it Syrus had explained to the team what happened with Rise.
"That's... never happened before." Yosuke mentioned.
"Can the Charm wear off?" Syrus asked them.
"We don't know, we've never gone through something with that." Yu admitted before glancing over to notice Rise was walking off.
Chie ran off to her saying, "Hiranya."
The item did it's magic making Rise's eyes losing the glow.
"Huh, what?" Rise blinked in confusion. "Chie-sempai what did you just do?"
"You were charmed by something." Chie answered.
Rise's eyes widened before she frowned. "Oh... that explains everything."
Chie patted her back as they walked back to their seats to see Jaden won by using Shining Flare Wingman on Water Dragon.
"Guys... I think I'm going back to the dorm." Rise told them quietly before walking off.
(A/N (Ulrich362): Rise was affected by the Charm before they got out of the water, it had faded after Syrus's reaction but her eyes still were pink because that's when he noticed but her slapping him and walking off weren't because of Charm.)
"Rise." Syrus called to her.
She just ignored him.
"Just give her some time." Yosuke told him which made Syrus nodded.
"Hey soldiers!" Hassleberry burst in, "We're gonna see Zane dueling tonight!"
"Huh?" Yukiko asked. "Really?"
"Yeah, and it's against Mr. Phoenix!" Hassleberry told them.
"Mr. Phoenix?" Naoto inquired before pausing. "Wait, Aster Phoenix the same man Jaden tied with?"
"Yeah if you count that suit, and hair of his." Hassleberry answered.
"Well we have time before the match... what should we do until then?" Teddie asked.
"Find Rise a gift to apologize with I think." Syrus admitted.
"That's probably a good idea." Alexis nodded. "Teddie and I can see if Jasmine has any suggestions for you."
"Thanks Alexis." Syrus nodded.
"Either way what do you guys think Aster's real Deck will be?" Jaden asked as he, and Bastion walked over.
"I don't know." Yu admitted. "Something powerful if he's a pro."
"Well we shouldn't worry about Zane right?" Belowski asked them, "He is Duel Academy's top duelist so Aster doesn't have a chance."
"He was the top duelist, he graduated so... actually who would be the top duelist?" Teddie asked curiously. "I don't think you count him anymore."
"In all honestly Jaden, and Yu." Bastion admitted, "They were unpredictable duelists with strong cards. Jaden with his heart, and Yu with his connections to Personas."
"Don't underestimate yourself Bastion, you're a great strategist and if it was a one-on-one duel back then you'd have been in the school duel." Yosuke pointed out.
"Big grades, and good smarts doesn't make a top duelist." Bastion told him.
"It doesn't hurt, and technically if you want to make that argument Naoto should be one of the best duelists since she and Yu had the same score as Zane." Yosuke mentioned.
"Maybe but let's not forget Jaden is one of the strongest duelists we have." Alexis said to him.
"Hey I'm the top duelist you hear!?" Chazz asked more then irritated.
"We could have a mini tournament and figure it out that way." Atticus suggested. "Why don't we talk with Dr. Crowler and see what he thinks?"
"It's worth a try I guess." Alexis mentioned before getting up. "Come on Ted, Jasmine should still be at the dorm."
Teddie nodded before the two of them walked off.
"Until then we should think if Zane can manage." Syrus told them.
"I wouldn't worry, Zane should be fine." Atticus smiled. "It would take a lot to beat him... you saw his skills firsthand during the Graduation Duel."
They nodded hearing that with Syrus looking at his deck. Jaden grinned. "If you ask me Sy, you're a great duelist and could definitely be one of the best."
Jaden just smiled.
"Besides you seen that match Zane had me beat." Syrus told him.
"He beat you that time, but by the time we're ready to graduate I wouldn't doubt for a second you could take Zane on and win." Jaden smiled. "You matched his Cyber End Dragon that has to count for something."
Syrus turned to the others for what they think.
"It's possible." Atticus admitted. "If you work hard enough I could see you beating Zane one day."
"Though for now we gotta see how far Zane can do." Kanji admitted.
"Yeah, you're right." Chie nodded.
Meanwhile at the Obelisk Blue Girl's Dorm...
Jasmine was working on her Deck before noticing Teddie, and Alexis as she smiled, "Teddy-Bear! How is my favorite grizzly?"
She hugged him close to her. Teddie smiled. "I'm ok Jazzy-chan."
"Actually, we were wondering if you could help with something." Alexis mentioned.
"What is it?" Jasmine asked curiously.
"Well..." Alexis started before explaining the situation to her.
"Oh." Jasmine said cupping her chin, "Well in most things... I would see a box of chocolates, and a card. Or is that for Valentine's?"
"That's probably Valentine's." Alexis mentioned. "Then again it couldn't hurt. Especially homemade."
She nodded hearing that.
"Should we suggest it so Syrus?" Teddie asked.
"Yeah." Jasmine nodded as they walked out.
Teddie smiled before offering his hand to her. Jasmine smiled back taking his hand. Alexis just smiled seeing that as they walked off. They find Syrus who looked over.
"Huh, oh hi you guys." Syrus mentioned.
"We had talked it over, and came up with a box of chocolates with a card." Alexis told him.
That made Syrus blinked, "That's a Valentine's thing isn't it?"
"Well yeah, but it's also something sweet for someone you care about. You do still care about her right?" Jasmine asked.
"Of course I do." Syrus said nodding.
"Then it's worth a try, and maybe you can give them to her before the match tonight." Alexis suggested.
Syrus smiled as they walked off to get to work.
Later...
Syrus having on an apron, and a bit covered in coco powder had just taken out something from the freezer, "Thanks again Mrs. Dorothy."
"Anytime." she smiled.
With it after placing it in the box he walked out to where the match will be shown on screen. Everyone had gotten together to watch.
"Hey there Sy, we saved you a seat." Jaden grinned.
Syrus nodded seeing Rise, and hand her the box, and card. Rise blinked taking them.
"Something to make you better." Syrus explained.
Rise blinked before opening the box as her eyes widened before she read the card and started tearing up.
"From the moment I met you my life has changed. I never would've met anyone like you who can change my life around. I love you, and I will be with you." what was the original writing in the card before Syrus wrote, "I want you happy Rise. I love you, Syrus."
Rise's eyes widened. "Syrus... I thought you hated me."
"Of course not." Syrus said shaking his head.
Rise looked down before smiling and embracing him. "Something like that won't ever happen again, I promise."
Syrus hugged her back before they heard Yuzu calling, "Attention Duel Academy!"
They all turned to her.
"Thanks a sponsor we're able to see our previous Golden Student, Zane Truesdale going up against the best professional you all know as Aster Phoenix!" Yuzu called, "So let's see if Zane can show how tough Duel Academy can be!"
The students all cheered at that. With that they dim the lights as the screen light up showing the Kaibadome as two people rose up showing it's both Zane who has his blazer made with a gold star at the collar, and new gloves with Aster who looked serious.
"Wait we've seen him before!" Yukiko realized. "At the inn!"
"What?" Jaden asked, "You met Aster?"
"Oh yeah, you guys went to the hot springs so you didn't see it. Aster was dueling someone and we saw it on TV at the Amagi Inn." Chie explained.
They nodded as they looked over.
"So your Zane from Duel Academy." Aster said seeing him.
"That's right." Zane nodded.
"Well I'll tell you, I'm nothing like your classmates so you better know your gonna lose." Aster told him.
Zane frowned at that. "I somehow doubt that."
"Aster seems sure about it." Yosuke admitted.
"He's a pro duelist, he should be confident." Bastion noted. "Then again, Zane is incredibly skilled so it's hard to say how this will go."
Soon both Duelists armed each other's duel disks.
"DUEL!"
(Dueling Theme: Strega Theme)
Zane: 4000
Aster: 4000
Let the duel begin!
Aster 1st Turn:
"Age before beauty!" Aster called drawing, "And I'll activate the spell, Future Fusion!"
Future Fusion
Continuous Spell Card
During your 1st Standby Phase after this card's activation: Show 1 Fusion Monster in your Extra Deck and send the Fusion Materials listed on it from your Main Deck to the GY. During your 2nd Standby Phase after this card's activation: Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck with the same name as the monster you showed, and target it with this card. When this card leaves the field, destroy that target. When that target is destroyed, destroy this card.
"We'll get to what this does in a minute. Next I'll down a monster, and 2 cards down. That's it." Aster ended his turn.
Zane 1st Turn:
"Interesting start, as for me I'll summon Cyber Dragon Core in attack mode." Zane stated as a small metallic dragon appeared.
Cyber Dragon Core
Light Type
Level 2
Machine
ATK: 400
DEF: 1500
When this card is Normal Summoned: Add 1 "Cyber" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand. If only your opponent controls a monster: You can banish this card from your GY; Special Summon 1 "Cyber Dragon" monster from your Deck. You can only use 1 "Cyber Dragon Core" effect per turn, and only once that turn. This card's name becomes "Cyber Dragon" while on the field or in the GY.
"When Core is summoned I can add a Cyber spell or trap card to my hand. Now I'll set three cards and end my move."
Zane: 4000
Aster: 4000
Aster 2nd Turn:
"Very well my go!" Aster called drawing before saying, "And now since it's been 1 turn since it's activation Future Fusion's effect activates! I take a Fusion Monster in my Extra Deck, and show it to you then send the monsters needed from my deck to the graveyard. And then I can summon that monster during my next Standby Phase."
"I'm familiar with the spell, I have a copy of it myself." Zane mentioned.
"Well not the card here." Aster said taking a card showing of a dark warrior, "The card I pick is Destiny HERO - Dominance!"
"Destiny HERO?" Zane asked.
"Huh, is that anything like your Elemental HERO cards Jaden?" Yosuke asked.
"No. I never heard of them." Jaden admitted.
Aster then send three cards, "Dominance requires three Destiny HEROs to be summoned so I'll send Disk Commander, Dark Angel, and Malicious to the graveyard. Then I'll up the breaks with the summon of Destiny HERO - Decider!"
At that a dark warrior appeared.
Destiny HERO - Decider
Dark Type
Level 4
Warrior
ATK: 1600
DEF: 1000
Level 6 or higher monsters your opponent controls cannot target this card for attacks. You can only use each of the following effects of "Destiny HERO - Decider" once per Duel.
● If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 "HERO" monster from your GY to your hand during the End Phase of this turn.
● When a card or effect is activated that would inflict damage to you, while this card is in your GY (Quick Effect): Return this card to your hand, and if you do, make that effect damage to you 0.
Zane just nodded calmly.
"With Decider's ability I can add a Destiny HERO from my graveyard to my hand from the graveyard during this end phase." Aster said to him, "But first I'll use Malicious' ability! With it by banishing it, I can summon a second Malicious!"
A fiend warrior appeared with a D on his chest.
Destiny Hero - Malicious
Dark Type
Level 6
Warrior
ATK: 800
DEF: 800
You can banish this card from your Graveyard; Special Summon 1 "Destiny HERO - Malicious" from your Deck.
Zane nodded calmly.
"And next I activate the trap, D-Fusion!" Aster called.
D-Fusion
Normal Trap Card
Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters you control as Fusion Material, and if you do, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn. Only "Destiny HERO" monsters can be used as Fusion Materials for a Fusion Summon using this card's effect.
"With it I can Fusion Summon a monster as long as it's Destiny HEROs!" Aster called as Malicious, and Decider flew up fusing, "That way I can Fusion Summon this guy! Destiny HERO - Dangerous!"
At that a purple dark warrior appeared.
Destiny HERO - Dangerous
Dark Type
Level 6
Warrior/Fusion
ATK: 2000
DEF: 2600
1 "Destiny HERO" monster + 1 DARK Effect Monster
(Quick Effect): You can discard 1 card; send 1 "Destiny HERO" monster from your hand or Deck to the GY, and if you do, "Destiny HERO" monsters you control gain 200 ATK for each "Destiny HERO" monster in your GY until the end of this turn. You can only use this effect of "Destiny HERO - Dangerous" once per turn.
"A Fusion Trap?" Zane questioned. "Interesting idea, in that case I'll use Waboku."
Waboku
Normal Trap Card
You take no battle damage from your opponent's monsters this turn. Your monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn.
"Good move. With that Zane can protect his monsters, and himself." Bastion explained.
"Yeah." Syrus nodded in agreement.
"I'll activate Dangerous' ability! I discard this card, and a Destiny HERO from my deck to allow all Destiny HEROs to gain 200 points for each Destiny HERO in the graveyard." Aster said discarding two cards.
Dangerous: (ATK: 2000 + (200 * 6) = 3200)
"Interesting." Zane noted.
"And now I'll place a face-down, and now due to Decider's special effect I add the hero I tossed from my Deck to my hand from the graveyard." Aster said adding the card as Rise felt something strong from the card.
"Something's wrong you guys." Rise told them. "I think Zane might be in a lot of trouble."
"Your go." Aster told him.
Zane 2nd Turn:
Zane drew his card. "I'll start with my Pot of Greed, this allows me to draw two cards from my deck."
Pot of Greed
Normal Spell Card
Draw 2 cards.
He drew two cards at this.
"Future Fusion is a powerful card, but it has a fatal flaw." Zane stated. "I can destroy it right now with Mystical Space Typhoon and your Fusion Monster won't be summoned to the field."
Mystical Space Typhoon
Quick-Play Spell Card
Target 1 Spell/Trap on the field; destroy that target.
"Yeah not so much." Aster smirked saying, "I activate the trap, Dark Bribe!"
Dark Bribe
Counter Trap Card
When an opponent's Spell/Trap Card is activated: Your opponent draws 1 card, also negate the Spell/Trap activation, and if you do, destroy it.
"With this your Spell Card turns into a harmless breeze. But in exchange you can draw." Aster told him.
Zane frowned drawing his card. "In that case I'll use a different strategy and merge Cyber Dragon Core together with a Cyber Dragon in my hand using my Polymerization card."
Polymerization
Normal Spell Card
Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Material.
"This allows me to summon Chimeratech Rampage Dragon!" Zane called as the monster appeared.
Chimeratech Rampage Dragon
Dark Type
Level 5
Machine/Fusion
ATK: 2100
DEF: 1600
2+ "Cyber Dragon" monsters
A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done with the above Fusion Materials. When this card is Fusion Summoned: You can target Spells/Traps on the field, up to the number of Fusion Materials used for its Fusion Summon; destroy them. Once per turn: You can send up to 2 LIGHT Machine monsters from your Deck to the GY, and if you do, for each monster sent to the GY, this card gains 1 additional attack during each Battle Phase this turn.
"When this monster is summoned I can destroy spell and trap cards up to the number of monsters I used to summon him, which means your facedown card and Future Fusion are both destroyed."
The dragon aimed to fire at the cards.
"Well I'll be activating De-Fusion!" Aster called.
De-Fusion
Quick-Play Spell Card
Target 1 Fusion Monster on the field; return that target to the Extra Deck, then, if all the Fusion Materials that were used for its Fusion Summon are in your GY, you can Special Summon all of them.
"So by sending Dangerous back to my Extra Deck, I can summon it's materials to the field." Aster said as it split, "And my choices are Decider, and Malicious!"
Malicious appeared along with Decider guarding Aster as Future Fusion shattered.
Zane smirked. "There's something you should know Aster, Rampage Dragon has another ability."
"And what ability is that?" Aster asked him.
"By sending Cyber Dragon Zwei and Cyber Dragon Drei from my deck to the graveyard my Chimeratech Rampage Dragon gets two more attacks this turn." Zane answered sending the cards. "Now, first attack Destiny HERO - Malicious!"
Chimeratech Rampage attacked Malicious destroying it.
"The second attack will destroy Destiny HERO - Decider!" Zane continued.
The monster shattered.
"When D-Cubed is destroyed, I can send a Destiny HERO to the graveyard." Aster said discarding a card.
"I set two cards and end my turn." Zane stated.
Zane: 4000
Aster: 4000
Aster 3rd Turn:
Aster drew before saying, "I activate Card of Demise!"
Card of Demise
Normal Spell Card
Draw cards until you have 5 cards in your hand. During your 5th Standby Phase after activation, send all cards in your hand to the Graveyard.
"So I draw until I have five cards." Aster said drawing, "And next I summon another D Cubed!"
A mechanical dog appeared.
D Cubed
Dark Type
Level 1
Machine
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
If this card is Normal Summoned: It is also treated as a "Destiny HERO" monster while face-up on the field. You can only use each of the following effects of "D Cubed" once per turn.
● You can discard up to 2 cards; Special Summon "D Cubed" from your hand, Deck, and/or GY, equal to the number discarded, also for the rest of this turn, you cannot Normal or Special Summon other monsters, except "Destiny HERO" monsters.
● If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can send 1 "Destiny HERO" monster from your Deck to the GY.
"Since this guy is Normal Summoned, it's treated as a Destiny HERO while in play." Aster told him.
Zane nodded calmly.
"Next by discarding 2 cards, 2 D Cubed join it!" Aster as reducing his hand to 2 as two copies of D Cubed appeared.
"Three monsters." Zane frowned.
"So now I'll sacrifice them all to summon this guy." Aster said holding up a card before Rise felt the same surge from before.
"That... no way!" Rise cried in shock.
The three D Cubed erupted in tornadoes.
"Let us welcome! Destiny HERO - Dogma!" Aster called as the darkened warrior known as Dogma appeared prepared.
Destiny HERO - Dogma
Dark Type
Level 8
Warrior
ATK: 3400
DEF: 2400
(This card is treated as a "Persona" card.)
Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by Tributing 3 monsters, including at least 1 "Destiny HERO" monster. Once per turn, if you still control this face-up card during your opponent's next Standby Phase after you Special Summoned it this way: Halve your opponent's LP.
"That monster!" Yosuke cried in disbelief. "Aster Phoenix is a Persona User!"
"Wait what?" Jaden asked in shock hearing that.
"And now Dogma attack Chimeratech Rampage Dragon with Gigantic Fist!" Aster called as Dogma charged in to attack.
"I reveal Battle Fusion!" Zane countered. "This spell increases Rampage Dragon's attack points by the attack points of your Dogma."
Battle Fusion
Quick-Play Spell Card
When an attack is declared involving a Fusion Monster you control and an opponent's monster: That monster you control gains ATK equal to the ATK of the opponent's monster, until the end of the Damage Step. You can only activate 1 "Battle Fusion" per turn.
Chimeratech Rampage Dragon: (ATK: 2100 + 3400 = 5500)
Aster smirked, "Don't expect I didn't know you had a counter in place."
Dogma struck a barrier that isn't damaging both him, and Aster.
"What?" Zane questioned.
Wincing a little Aster answered, "I activated this guy's effect in the graveyard."
It shows of a small warrior with a red d on his face.
Destiny HERO - Dreamer
Dark Type
Level 1
Warrior
ATK: 0
DEF: 600
During damage calculation, if your "Destiny HERO" monster battles and this card is in your GY: You can Special Summon this card, and if you do, your monster cannot be destroyed by that battle, also, you take no battle damage from that battle. If Summoned this way, banish this card when it leaves the field. You can only use this effect of "Destiny HERO - Dreamer" once per turn.
"Thanks to Dreamer I can summon him whenever a Destiny HERO battles. And thanks to that my Destiny HEROs can be protected for this one turn nor do I take any damage." Aster smirked.
"Only for one attack." Zane pointed out.
"Ya but you know that I don't got anymore attacks." Aster said to him, "I place a card down, and I activate Celastial's ability in the graveyard."
"What ability?" Zane asked.
"I banish this card, and a Destiny HERO like Malicious from the graveyard to draw 2 new additional cards." Aster said drawing twice, "Then two face-downs ends this turn."
Zane 4th Turn:
Zane drew his card only to pause. "I banish every light Machine monster in my graveyard and on my field."
Aster raise an eyebrow hearing that, "Well before that, Dogma's ability activates! Hell's Judgement!"
Dogma glowed as Zane cried out from the attack.
"If Dogma is still around when I summon him then your Life Points will be halved during your Standby Phase." Aster explained.
Zane winced.
(Zane: 2000)
Suddenly his eyes widened and he clutched his chest. "What... what just happened?"
"Now what is your move with you banishing your cards?" Aster smirked.
"I summon Cyber Eltanin!" Zane called. "For every banished monster Eltanin gains 500 and defense points."
Cyber Eltanin
Light Type
Level 10
Machine
ATK: ?
DEF: ?
Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing all LIGHT Machine monsters from your field and GY. This card's ATK/DEF become the number of monsters banished for its Special Summon x 500. If this card is Special Summoned: Send all other face-up monsters on the field to the GY.
Cyber Eltanin: (ATK: 2000/DEF: 2000)
"Next all other face-up monsters are sent to the graveyard."
"It would work in theory but I'll use the trap, D - Barrier!" Aster called.
D - Barrier
Normal Trap Card
Target 1 "Destiny HERO" monster you control: It cannot be effected to other card effects this turn.
"With this Dogma can't be effected to other effects." Aster smirked.
Zane frowned. "I reveal Reckless Greed!"
Reckless Greed
Normal Trap Card
Draw 2 cards and skip your next 2 Draw Phases.
Zane drew his cards and smiled.
"I activate Monster Reborn and bring Rampage Dragon back from my graveyard."
Monster Reborn
Normal Spell Card
Target 1 monster in either GY; Special Summon it.
"Next I send two Cyber Dragons to my graveyard to give Rampage Dragon three attacks, and end with Limiter Removal."
Limiter Removal
Quick-Play Spell Card
Double the ATK of all Machine monsters you currently control, until the end of this turn. During the End Phase of this turn, destroy those monsters.
Cyber Eltanin: (ATK: 2000 * 2 = 4000)
Chimeratech Rampage Dragon: (ATK: 2100 * 2 = 4200)
"Trust me Zane. That's a bad idea." Aster said seeing this.
'It's the only option I have left.' Zane frowned. "Cyber Eltanin attack Destiny HERO - Dogma!"
Eltanin charged only to instantly shatter.
"What?" Zane asked in shock. "How?"
"D - Counter." Aster answered.
D - Counter
Normal Trap Card
When a "Destiny HERO" monster you control is targeted for an attack: Destroy the attacking monster.
"I still have Rampage Dragon with three attacks, so the first one will destroy Dogma!" Zane called.
Rampage Dragon charged in. (ATK: 4200 / 2 = 2100)
Zane's eyes widened in shock. "That's impossible, you don't have any cards in play!"
"I have three face-downs, and I only used two. And now this is my final one." Aster smirked.
Zane just stared at the card.
Shrink
Quick-Play Spell Card
Target 1 face-up monster on the field; its original ATK becomes halved until the end of this turn.
Zane could only watch as his last monster shattered.
(Zane: 0700)
"I... end my turn."
Zane: 0700
Aster: 4000
Aster 4th Turn:
"I told you that I'll win, and that is true right now." Aster said ordering Dogma to attack.
"Zane!" Syrus cried out as the attack hit only for Zane to look badly hurt as he coughed up blood before collapsing to the ground unconscious.
Zane: 0000
Aster: 4000
Aster wins the duel!
Aster looked on before walking off. As he walked off people started calling for Zane to get medical attention as the broadcast turned off.
"Oh my..." Yuzu trailed off in shock.
Ulrich362: And... Aster nearly killed Zane. Just goes to show how careful Persona Users have to be not to injure other people in duels.
bopdog111: Well Jaden will have a chance to avenge Zane.
Ulrich362: Unfortunately... we all know how that match will end up.
bopdog111: Will be safe to say Jaden did his best.
Ulrich362: Agreed. Well, see you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!