"You look upset." Aster never understood his friend's tastes in the occult. Sure, he always had a 100 percent accuracy in his fortunes, but would it kill the guy to lay off the lens flares? "I told you that you'd win the duel." Sartorius kept his composure as he spoke.
"Yeah, but you said nothing about the Chinese Chicken bit! Do you even hear what they're saying about me!?"
"I thought you liked Chinese?" Sartorius asked as he shuffled his Tarot cards.
"Not helping!"
The fortuneteller stopped and looked at his pacing friend. "Come now, Aster. You know how these Paparazzi are: give them an inch, and they'll run the whole country. This is just like that time they thought you were having a romantic affair in summer."
Aster grunted. "I was making it up to Allie. Hard to see that as romantic."
"... I distinctly recall you spending that summer complaining about a Ms. Speed mascot." Sartorius held a kind but joking tone.
"Because she was terrible at her job!" Aster shouted back. "All she did was harass me! If I didn't want my cover blown, I would have reported her to her superiors the first time I met her!"
Sartorius smiled the way friends did when they'd spot their other friend's BS. Well, Aster did complain and despised the mystery girl's company. But seeing as it was the only thing he talked about during the summer made it obvious he bonded with the masked stranger in a roundabout manner.
"As fun as this was," Sartorius returned to his cards. "I believe you're going to ask me about your duel with Jaden Yuki?"
"I already know I'm going to win, but it's always nice to hear you say it." Aster unfolded his arms. "I'm still confused, though. I could have sworn a former World Champion had that card. Why did a random student here have it?"
Sartorius stopped for a brief moment. "I do not know."
Aster never expected to hear that. "I thought you knew everything."
"The future. Yes. The past ironically eludes me. Perhaps Koyo Hibiki and Jaden Yuki have a history together. Either way, the card is in front of you. Although, Terra Firma is the only card not stolen from your father."
Aster knew that. However, "Look, if it was still with the former World Champ, I wouldn't have minded. But it's with some random kid who uses heroes like... like a brat! He doesn't deserve my father's card!"
"Yes. This Duel, I've seen from a long time ago. It's destined to be..." Sartorius trailed off.
"Yeah, you talked about something like that for a while. But you already told me that Destiny is on my side!"
"... Yes. Still, I would like to do a reading of your deck." As soon as he asked, Aster handed his cards over to his manager. Unbeknownst to Aster, Sartorius gathered bizarre energy down into his deck.
"So?"
"... Huh. Well, you don't need me to tell you the result of the next duel."
Aster wasn't surprised. However, he noticed the odd tone his friend used. "But?"
Sartorius put his hand on his chin. "Well, I decided to try to see anything like that Chinese Chicken incident. I don't know how to interpret what I saw: but..." Sartorius motioned towards his tarot cards but mistakenly knocked off the top card of the deck. He flipped it over, "The Lovers card. But the odd thing was that it was neither upright nor reversed."
"The Lovers?" Aster has been with Sartorius long enough to know what that card meant: love life. "You've got to be kidding me. I'm not interested in whatever hot gossip topic Hollywood's come up with again."
"I understand your aversion to "distracting" things." Sartorius understood how focused Aster's life was, not even counting his nightlife. "But as I said, it was... you know? In the grand scheme of things, this does not matter."
"I can always count on you for good news." Aster fixed his coat before leaving his friend.
As the grey-haired teen left, Sartorius turned to a corner of the room. "You can come out now."
A figure in white stepped out. "Of all people to pin your hopes on, you choose him?"
"Aster is more than capable. You mentioned his potential."
"I told you of the other." The figure interrupted. "He is not the only one. Though, it is clever of you to test them both. Yet neither will stand a chance at what is to come."
"That is," Sartorius hesitated again. "True. But you promised."
"We may have made a deal, but I will not compromise my duty for it. You have put far too many restraints on me while our enemies continue to grow. As such, I am rescinding one part of the deal."
Sartorius' eyes widened. He clenched his hands and almost bit his tongue to stop a shout. "What part?"
"Don't worry; I intend to honor the spirit of your deal. It's time to work on building the forces of Light."
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]
Light burned away until pervading darkness consumed everything around the unfortunate duelist. The man opened his mouth, but instead of a scream, empty air escaped before he collapsed on the cold cement.
Across from where the duelist stood, Bandit Keith took out the Wicked Eraser. "You've got to be () kidding me!? I've been dueling out here for a month, and we're not even halfway done!?"
An empty wind blew.
Bandith Keith looked at the card. "Don't give me your (BS) magic show! We've been dueling punks and bounty hunters for a month! How is that still not enough!?"
The dark wind blew harder.
"Tch! This is getting nowhere." Bandith Kieth looked up, specifically towards the Kaiba Tower. "Does that mean we have to **** go to..."
The dark wind decided to use a more mundane answer and slammed a newspaper into the American Duelist's face. "If I didn't need your power, I'd rip you apar—!" As soon as he pulled the newspaper off, the former champ noticed the headline.
"Seto Kaiba to open South American Kaiba Corp Branch!" Bandit Keith narrowed his eyes as he continued reading. Both Kaiba brothers were in South America, meaning that The Kaiba Tower had its usual security.
And that place always collapsed under pressure when both brothers were gone.
"Okay, we're getting somewhere." Bandit Keith said aloud. "But we still need a hack to duel in there."
The winds blew again: this time, it was like a warning. The American duelist threw the paper away and made his escape.
From the shadows, a female with fangs eyed the area and spotted a downed duelist with his scards scattered around. "What is this?"
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]
The apartment was small, but it was never meant for anything more than a front for powerful Duel Monster Spirits hunting down a madman. Still, that didn't mean it came with some necessities, such as a TV.
Yuki Judai watched the duel between Zane and Aster. "So... I am in the mood for Chinese food."
"Judai..." Yubel turned to her partner.
"Look, they brought it up! And it even matches Edo's name a bit too!" Judai tried to defend himself.
Many people would be impressed at the fact Yubel could narrow three eyes instead of two.
"Fine... I've never heard of Vision Heroes before. And apparently, Edo of this world is after me because of a card, not a deck."
"Do you want to step in?" Yubel asked.
"I want to. I really do." The older duelist sighed and leaned into his seat. "But it's necessary for this version of me. God, do you even hear me right now? If I was the old me, I'd probably try to save him." Being responsible was such a hassle, especially if the fate of the world hung in the balance.
"It sounds like your past self is about to go through a crucible." Yubel and Jaden turned to see Slayer walking out of a dimensional door. "It also sounds necessary despite the pain. Maybe we should refocus our efforts on finding this shrine maiden of yours to keep your mind off what's about to happen."
"I could have sworn she'd be here. Or at least her stewards. But it's odd I can't find any of them." Judai thought he'd try to find Sarina, Sartorius's sister. If he and the others could save her from her fate in his world, he'd be able to deal a blow to future enemies while bolstering his forces. The problem was the differences in the world have popped up. Places Judai thought Sarina would be turned out to be random buildings where temples should have been. Domino City was different aside from places such as Yugi's home and the Kaiba Tower. Tracking her stewards proved to be hard, even with magical assistance.
So here he was bumming around while trying to find clues. And honestly, it was annoying even for him. He wished a clue would just come right through the door.
That's when Camula kicked in the door, holding a downed man by his arm before tossing him to the floor.
Not what Judai expected, but he trusted Camula enough to know this wasn't her doing.
He hoped.
"This man's duel energy has been drained," Camula said as she folded her arms. "Get the witch."
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]
Midori Hibiki didn't know what she was expecting. But seeing a man drop from the sky in a parachute with a snowboard was not on that list.
"Rich people deal with trauma so differently." She mused aloud before the man landed not too far from the new Slifer Red headmaster in an admittedly cool but far too over-the-top manner.
"Are you one of the Duel Academy people? Whatever you want to say to me, you can say to my lawyer."
However, Midori Hibiki was no slouch to the egos of the pro dueling world. "I'm sure your lawyer wants to hear about Terra Firma's creator."
Aster stopped in his tracks and turned around with narrowed eyes. "How do you know about that?"
"Oh, you want to talk now?" The mature woman smirked before her face fell to something more serious. "My name is Midori Hibiki, Koyo Hibiki's sister."
"Koyo Hibi..." Aster's eyes widened before he regained his composure. "I'd heard he had family, but the former Hero Duelist was so private about his life that I wasn't even aware he had a sister. Did you come all the way here to meet me?"
"I work here, so it's more luck than anything." Aster was about to respond that he didn't believe in luck before the mature woman continued. "But if we're asking questions, it's only fair that I ask mine: why are you after Terra Firma?"
Aster narrowed his eyes. "I have my reasons."
Midori kept her gaze. "It doesn't take much to realize you are the son of that card designer. What I don't understand is why you're trying to take Terra Firma away from Jaden. He didn't steal it: Koyo gave it to him."
Aster narrowed his eyes. "Gave it? That punk is a poser! He has no idea the weight of those cards!"
"Koyo won that card fair and square. He can choose what to do with it."
"I'll give you that." Aster had nothing but respect for the first world champion. Too bad that they weren't talking about him right now. "But he handed it over to someone unworthy! Koyo earned that card; that punk didn't! And seeing it being used by him ticks me off!"
Aster stormed off, getting ready for his duel with Jaden. Yet he stopped. "If—and only "if"—he somehow manages to win, then I'll let him keep the card." Aster then continued to walk. "But we both know that's not going to happen, or you wouldn't have confronted me here."
The headmaster of Slifer Red sighed as she watched the future headache leave. "Poor kid. You're letting vengeance get the better of you."
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]
Normally, Jaden Yuki would be abnormally psyched about facing a pro duelist with a spectacular deck. But things were about to turn south for the Slifer Red.
"Ready to throw down, Aster!?" Jaden psyched himself as he stood across from the silver-haired teen.
"Not yet. There's a condition." Aster was serious: to the point that he didn't even show his cocky smile as he did in his duel with Zane. "I only want to duel you for a single card. If you accept this duel, and when you lose, I get to keep it."
Jaden has issues with the idea of him losing, but he focused on something else that caught his attention. "Wait? You're dueling me for a single card? I mean, can't ya just buy it? The Elemental Heroes aren't really that rare."
"Oh? You're willing to sell it?" Aster folded his arms as if he wasn't impressed with that answer. "Fine then, name your price for Terra Firma."
"What!? Terra Firma!?" Jaden flinched as he heard the name. "Okay, I'm not giving up that card. It was a gift!"
"And that's why you don't deserve it!" Aster shouted, stunning everyone else in the area. "The World Champion earned that card when he reached the top of the Pro Circuit. It's meant only for those that stand at the top! And there's no way a chump like you deserves to use it as if it was some action figure!"
"I'm not letting you have it!" No one expected Jaden to get angry over a card. "Koyo trusted it to me!"
"Then prove it! See if the world champ didn't make a mistake!"
With that, Aster activated his duel disk. Jaden, spurred on by insult, activated his duel disk as well.
Jaden: 4000 LP
Aster: 4000 LP
Turn 1.
"I move!" Jaden started first. "I summon Elemental Hero Clayman in defense mode and throwdown a facedown!"
Elemental Hero Clayman. [Type: Normal Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: EARTH/Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF: 2000]
"Then I end my turn!"
Turn 2: Aster. Cards: 5.
"He calls that a turn? He may as well kiss Terra Firma goodbye." Chazz was crass, but no one corrected him because he had a point. Jaden would need more than just a simple defense monster.
Aster felt the same way, but instead of talking about it, he decided to act on it. "I set two trap cards and sacrifice them to tribute summon Vision Hero Witch Raider!"
Vision Hero Witch Raider [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: DARK/Level: 8/ATK: 2700/DEF: 1900]
"Oh no! Not that monster!" Syrus cried out as he and everyone recognized the monster that pushed Zane on the backfoot.
"Good, so I don't have to explain this guy's reliable ability. But it's time to reveal this trick: when Witch Raider enters the field, I can destroy all cards in my opponent's spell and trap card zone! Go, Spell Sniper!" Witch Raider pointed his odd gun-lance at Jaden's set card. With expertise, it blasted the card into dust.
After Jaden braced himself, he looked up at Aster. "Wait, why didn't you activate that effect when you dueled Zane?!"
"Cause I felt bad for the guy, so I went easy on him." The confidence in how Aster said that made everyone start to panic. Aster was playing with Zane during their duel?! How could Jaden win against Aster if the pro duelist made a fool of the one duelist Jaden couldn't beat?
Aster narrowed his eyes. "But lucky you, I don't intend to go easy this time! Witch Raider, show that pile of mud how heroes really work!"
Witch Raider raced forth and used its weapon to cleave the earth giant in two. While he did have more attack points, it was still daunting to see the large Clayman broken apart as if he was made of brittle sand.
"Had enough? Make your next move!" Aster's cold voice shouted over to the brunette.
Turn 3: Jaden. Cards: 4.
Wilona wondered why Aster Phoenix suddenly sounded so familiar?
At the same time, Jaden picked up a card from his hand after his draw. "I summon Elemental Hero Liquid Soldier in defense mode!"
Elemental Hero Liquid Soldier [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: WATER/Level: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1300]
Jaden went on as the aqua warrior appeared. "When he's summoned, I can bring back a pal from the graveyard! Return, Clayman!" Jaden picked the card from the grave and put it in defense mode.
"You brought him back? I know they said you had lousy grades, but come on!" Aster scoffed. He, and the others, couldn't understand why Jaden would bring back the earth monster when it barely did anything on his first turn.
Jaden gripped his fist. "You won't be saying that as soon as I bust out Polymerization! I fuse Clayman and Liquid Soldier to bring out Elemental Hero Gaia!"
The two heroes flew up into the familiar swirl, their energies combining before shooting down into the ground. A hand the size of a tree shot up, reminiscent of whenever Wilona would summon Granmarg, the Rock Monarch. Yet the creature climbed from the ground, revealing itself to rival the size of Wilona's Mega Monarchs.
Elemental Hero Gaia. [Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: EARTH/Level: 6/ATK: 2200/DEF: 2600]
"Gaia's ability activates! He can steal half the attack points of one monster on your side of the field and add it to his own!" Jaden pointed a hand up. "Gaia, use Origin Absorption!"
The titan of a hero did so, using his giant hand over Witch Raider and seemingly stealing energy from the monster. (ATK: 2700→1350) (ATK: 2200→3550)
Jaden continued. "And thanks to Liquid Soldier, when he's used for a fusion summon, I can draw two cards and discard one! Now, Gaia, attack!"
The towering hero unleashed a war cry as it punched down on the Vision Hero, causing a massive dust cloud to appear on Aster's side.
"Did he get him?" Bastion leaned forward.
"He had to! Aster sacrificed his own set cards to bring that monster out, and now it bites him in the butt!" Hassleberry shouted.
Yet, as the dust settled, everyone could hear the sound of glass shattering. At first, many thought it was Gaia's attack connecting and destroying Witch Raider.
When the dust cleared, they saw Gaia lift his fist, revealing shards of Witch Raider's body. Yet, no one expected all of the shards to suddenly rise and reform into the monster. As if to add insult to injury, Witch Raider pulled out his hat and made a showy mock bow to everyone watching.
"What!?" Jaden cried out while everyone gasped. "How'd it survive?!"
"Because those trap cards I sacrificed? They're tailor-made to work with Witch Raider! Introducing my first trap: Visions and Glamour! This card can only be activated if it was used as a sacrifice for Witch Raider! First, I can prevent Witch Raider's destruction once. Then, if I was supposed to receive battle damage...well..." He shrugged his shoulders before pointing to Jaden. "How about I just show you? Witch Raider!?"
Aster snapped his fingers as his monster aimed his gun-lance right at Jaden. Before anyone else could react, the Vision Hero shot a blast that flew straight through Jaden's chest.
Jaden: 4000→1800 LP
Even though it was a hologram, Jaden felt an odd pressure that made him fall to his knees.
"Cool effect, huh?" Aster smirked as he saw Jaden fall. "Visions and Glamour can send battle damage against Witch Raider back to my opponent. Usually, his high attack points means I only do chip damage when I use this card, but you had to go and make him weaker."
"I'd be more impressed if my attack went through." The brunette stood back up before looking at the rest of his cards. "I'll put one card down and call it a turn."
(ATK: 1350→2700) (ATK: 3550→2200)
Turn 4: Aster. Cards: 3.
"This is bad. Aster is controlling the pace of this duel!" Alexis gripped her seat handles. Yet, it was hard to argue with Alexis' claim. Even with a fusion, it looked like Jaden was being played with.
After Aster drew his card, he placed a monster on his duel disk. "Now it's time to introduce Vision Hero Mirror Fox!"
The shadow of Witch Raider started to move outside of the warrior. It stood up, taking the form of a crystalline but toy-like fox with armor akin to the other Vision Heroes.
Vision Hero Fox. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Machine/Attribute: DARK/Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0]
"Don't let its abysmal stats fool you! This little guy can swap levels with any target I choose, and I'm looking right at your Gaia!"
(ATK: 1→6) (LV: 6→1)
"What's swapping levels going to do?" Hassleberry raised his brow. "Ah never saw a useless ability like that before!"
Aster pointed to his monster. "Now, if I happen to copy an even number level, I can divide my monster into two copies with half the level each!" At his call, the fox split into two pieces before forming copies of one another.
(Lv:3)(Lv:3)
"Wait," Blair's eyes widened as she saw the second effect. "Two level 3 monsters?!"
Aster acted as everyone started to understand how his new monster worked. "I set the overlay network!"
Everyone saw the clones fly into a galaxy. "Even for all-seeing vision, stewards must arm themselves to enforce its will of justice! Come forth, Vision Psuedo Dragon!"
As soon as the galaxy appeared, a snake-like creature coiled behind Aster. The being was the size of a small house, but many could recognize it as an oriental dragon that unfurled and lifted its head to roar at Jaden.
Vision Psuedo Dragon. [Type: XYZ/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: DARK/RANK: 3/ATK: 2000/DEF: 2000]
"Now, let's try this again!" Aster pointed to Jaden. "Witch Hunter, destroy his Gaia!"
"If this attack goes through, Jaden will be open to a direct attack!" Dimitri cried out. "He'll lose the duel!"
The monster aimed its bizarre bayonet at the towering titan before unleashing a concentrated bolt of energy. Before it could reach, Jaden pressed a button on his Duel Disk.
"I play Negate Attack!" Jaden's reliable old trap card erected a barrier to protect his fusion.
"This card stops your attack and ends the battle phase!" Jaden cried out.
Many in Jaden's corner sighed in relief. But the moment didn't last since Aster moved his hand again.
"I activate Pseudo Dragon's ability! By taking in one material," He cried out as his beast swallowed one of its orbiting spheres. "I can deal 1000 points of damage to my opponent!"
The robotic dragon unleashed a blast right toward Jaden, catching the Slifer Red off guard.
Jaden: 1800→800 LP
"Jaden!" Blair gasped as everyone else saw the attack. Wilona gripped her handrails tighter to the point of her knuckles getting white.
The dust settled until there Jaden was on his knees looking down. Aster narrowed his eyes. To Aster, Jaden didn't deserve the card...
Wait.
Was that? Was that laughing?
Jaden started to laugh fully before standing up and wiping under his nose. "Wow, you're amazing, Aster!"
The silver-themed teen found himself asking, "Did I hit you in the head or something?"
Jaden looked confused before he motioned to his head. "I don't think you did. But I gotta admit you're an amazing duelist! This duel is starting to get real fun!"
"... Fun?" Aster repeated the word in confusion before it started to settle in his mind.
Meanwhile, Jaden psyched himself up. "Yeah! The pro leagues are really something! It only means I gotta give it my all!"
Turn 5: Jaden. Cards: 3.
Jaden smiled as he spotted what he drew. "I play Fusion Recovery! I'm picking back Liquid Soldier and Polymerization! You know what that means: I'm gonna use them again! I fuse Liquid with Elemental Hero Avian to bring out Elemental Hero Absolute Zero!"
A blizzard stormed through the battlefield before forming what looked to be a white cape. With a flourish, the cape opened, and Absolute Zero revealed itself.
Elemental Hero Absolute Zero. [Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: WATER/Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000]
Aster narrowed his eyes as he saw the familiar monster. "I remember that monster. You may have monsters stronger than Psuedo Dragon, but not Witch Raider."
"Come on, don't tell me you forgot about Absolute Zero's ability?" Jaden smirked as he twirled a single card close to his face and smiled. "Now I summon Elemental Hero Ice Edge in attack mode!"
A small crystal appeared before it made a cartoonish explosion. A small hero appeared before looking up and seeing Absolute Zero. Ice Edge's eyes sparkled before huffing and attempting to copy the pose of the stronger monster.
Elemental Hero Ice Edge. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: WATER/Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF: 900]
Aster raised his brow. "And what's that useless monster going to..." His eyes widened as he realized something. "That's a water attribute monster!"
Jaden gripped his fist. "That's right! With Ice Edge, Absolute Zero gets his attack points increased!" (ATK: 2500→3000) "Now it's time for a counterattack! Absolute Zero, take down Witch Raider with Zero Blades!"
The ice hero dashed forward, summoning blades and quickly slashing down the trickster wizard.
Jaden: 800 LP
Aster: 4000→ 3700 LP
Jaden kept the momentum and shouted, "Now, Gaia, put down that overgrown lizard!"
Vision Psuedo Dragon roared and launched itself toward Absolute Zero as if to retaliate for the loss of its ally. Yet, Gaia intercepted and grabbed the creature from attacking his teammate. Gaia lifted the captured creature high before slamming the mythical beast down on the ground, shattering it into holographic pieces.
Jaden: 800 LP
Aster: 3700→ 3500 LP
"And finally, Ice Edge, show him no one underestimates you!" Jaden pointed forward as the young hero skated forward, attacking Aster with a punch.
Jaden: 800 LP
Aster: 3500→ 2700 LP
"Way to play, Jay!" Syrus shouted as others cheered at how Jaden turned that situation around.
Jaden wiped his nose. "Not bad, huh? I'll throw down a facedown and call it a turn."
Turn 6: Aster. Cards: 3
Aster raised his head with a snarl. "Not bad?" His eyes narrowed to a glare. "Not bad!? You don't get it, do you!?" Instead of explaining what he meant, he drew his next card.
"I activate Pseudo Dragon's ability! If he got sent to the graveyard, I can summon a Vision Hero monster level 3 or lower from my deck! I summon Vision Hero Increase in defense mode!"
Vision Hero Increase [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: DARK/Level: 3/ATK: 900/DEF: 1100]
As soon as the familiar monster appeared, Aster picked up another card. "I now play Greater Polymerization!"
"Greater Polymerization?" Hassleberry repeated. "What makes it so special from regular old Polymerization?"
No one was able to answer him as Aster continued with his turn. "I fuse Increase, Minimum Ray, and Multiply Guy in my hand to bring out Vision Hero Trinity!" As the three monsters fused together, Aster restarted his chant for the familiar hero. When he finished, a burst of light exploded. Everyone paled at the sight of the monster that defeated Zane and was now in front of Jaden.
Vision Hero Trinity [Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: DARK/Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000]
"Great Scott!" Bastion shouted as he leaned forward. "Jaden is in the same spot Zane was before he lost! He also has three monsters out on the field in vulnerable positions!"
"Oh no! Jaden!" Alexis cried out as everyone, but Bonaparte, panicked. (Said man looked elated that the Slifer Red looked like he was going to lose.)
"Everyone here knows that Trinity doubles his attack when he's fusion summoned!" (ATK: 2500→ 5000) "Trinity, destroy Absolute Zero!"
The cyclops hero rushed forward with uncanny speed, appearing in front of Absolute Zero. The water hero brought up his ice blades, but even they shattered at the touch of Trinity's incoming punch. The attack connected to Absolute Zero's chest, creating a shockwave throughout the arena.
"Finish this, Trinity!" Aster cried out before something caught the attention of his eyes: a raised trap card!
"Impenetrable attack!" Jaden shouted over the shockwaves. "This trap card has one of two effects during the battle phase: the one I choose is to stop all battle damage this turn!"
As Absolute Zero got engulfed by the energies, a barrier was erected to protect Jaden, saving him from losing the duel.
Jaden threw his hand out. "Now, if Absolute Zero leaves the field, I can destroy all monsters on my opponent's side of the field!"
A blizzard stormed into the duel arena, one powerful enough to flash-freeze Vision Hero Trinity into solid ice.
"Ha! With Trinity destroyed, Jaden can counterattack because of Aster's empty field and win the duel!" Syrus shouted out loud.
"Hold on," Wilona narrowed her eyes. "Something's not right."
Sharper duelists soon spotted what Wilona did: a low light coming from Trinity's Visor even though it was frozen. The light suddenly brightened, and the ice surrounding it cracked and cracked until the red Vision Hero freed itself from the icy prison.
"What!? How!?" Jaden cried out as he stepped back.
"Greater Polymerization has two effects after it summons a monster with three materials: the first is that it has a piercing effect, which is useless this turn because of your trap. The second one is always a fun one: it makes the monster immune to destruction effects. So Trinity here won't fall that easily." Aster narrowed his gaze. "And because he's free, I'll destroy the rest of your monsters!"
Trinity's mono light shined as it flew right through Gaia's chest before soaring through the air and smashing right down on Ice Edge. Jaden's life points were safe, but he still braced himself after the destruction of both his monsters.
"I'll let you off with this equipped spell, X-003 Trinity Core! It can only be equipped to Vision Hero Trinity! It allows my fusion to attack directly and keep its attack point boost!"
Turn 7: Jaden. Cards: 2.
Jaden had to do something. If he didn't summon a monster, Aster would attack directly. But if he put a monster in defense mode, Trinity could deal piercing damage with 5000 attack points! The brunette began to sweat as he drew his next card.
His eyes widened at what he saw. "I play Call of the Earth! I can send Elemental Heros Wood and Ocean to the graveyard to special summon this monster!"
In a burst of light, something crashed into the field, making a landing one would see in a movie. The light shone off the gems on Elemental Hero Terra Firma as he slowly rose to his full height.
Elemental Hero Terra Firma. [Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: EARTH/Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000]
"You wanted this monster? Well, here it is!" Jaden swiped his arm. "I remove Call of the Earth to give Terra Firma an extra 1000 attack points!" (ATK: 2500→ 3500)
Aster narrowed his eyes. "That's still not enough to touch Vision Hero Trinity!"
"That's 'cause I'm not done!" Jaden flipped over another card he picked up. "I play Monster Reborn, and I bring back Absolute Zero!"
As soon as he played the card, the water hero appeared again. Both heroes nodded at each other before turning to Vision Hero Trinity. Aster's eyes widened, which Jaden spotted.
"Looks like you also know what I'm planning, so let's get started! I activate Terra Firma's ability to get Absolute Zero's attack points!" The two heroes combined powers while Jaden kept talking. "Absolute Zero would destroy all monsters on the field when he leaves, but you already showed that your fusion spell prevents it from being destroyed by effects." He clenched his fist, "But it doesn't stop regular battle destruction! Terra Firma, destroy his Trinity!"
(ATK: 3500→ 6000) The two titanic heroes rushed toward each other. As they both reclined their fists back, everyone else watching braced themselves for impact.
It was a good thing they did too. The shockwave from the two clashings reached even beyond the duel arena. Yet Terra Firma powered through, breaking the stalemate and destroying the mighty Vision Hero.
Jaden: 800 LP
Aster: 2700→ 1700 LP
As the dust settled, Aster grunted and said, "When Trinity is destroyed, my Equip Card activates! I can draw one card!"
"How's that for a turn!?" Jaden cried out as Terra Firma returned to his field. (ATK: 6000→ 3500)
Turn 8: Aster. Cards: 1.
"Is this some kind of joke to you!?" Aster yelled, making everyone watching surprised.
"Why are you upset?" Jaden blinked in confusion. "Was the play not good enough?"
"This is why you don't deserve Terra Firma: you treat this as if this is all some kind of game!"
"But dueling is a game! It's a great one too!" Jaden yelled back.
"No, it isn't! You don't get how important these cards are! News Flash: My father made Terra Firma!"
Jaden and many others gasped when they heard that.
"Wait. Aster Phoenix is that guy's son?" Sora seemed shocked as he put a hand on his chin.
"My father created cards for Industrial illusions, some of the best they ever had! But some despicable monster killed him and stole nearly all of the cards from the Planet Series: cards based on the Solar System!"
Wilona suddenly felt weird. This was the first time she was hearing all of this, but why did it sound so familiar to her?
"I find the cards; I find the monster who killed my father! You using the only non-stolen card as if it's a toy is pissing me off! That's why I can't let you have it!" With that rant, Aster drew his next card.
Aster's eyes widened as he saw what he drew. "I'm going to show you another series my father created, one he made alongside the Planet Series! I summon DESTINY Hero, Doom Lord!"
As he placed the card on the duel disk, the air of the duel arena felt cold and oppressive. Yet the being that appeared did not look like a hero at all. Even the Vision Heroes, scary and robotic as they were, held some traces of heroic elements. But these Destiny Heroes looked more like villains.
Destiny Hero Doom Lord. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: DARK/Level: 3/ATK: 600/DEF: 800]
"Why'd you send him!? He's got abysmal attack points!?" Jaden cried out.
"You'd think that, wouldn't you? I activate Doom Lord's special ability! By sacrificing his attack, I can banish one monster on the field until my second standby phase after activation!" As soon as he called it out, the cloaked figure raced in, catching Terra Firma by surprise and sending the powerful hero away in a flash of black light.
Everyone gasped as one of Jaden's most powerful cards was defeated by a level 3 monster.
"I'll end my turn for now." Aster lowered his duel disk.
Turn 9: Jaden. Cards: 0.
Jaden knew he had to act fast. These new Destiny Heros gave him the chills. But something about the way Aster was playing with these cards his dad made unsettled the brunette.
"I draw! Sweet! I summon Elemental Hero Bubble Man in attack mode!"
At his call, the familiar water hero appeared on the field.
Elemental Hero Bubble Man [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: WATER/Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF: 1200]
"And you know what that means? I can draw two more cards when he's the only one on the field! ... Next, I play my own equip spell, Bubble Blaster!" Jaden slotted the card into his Duel disk, giving the water hero a new weapon. (ATK: 800→ 1600)
"Now, Bubbleman," Jaden pointed at the Destiny Hero. "Destroy Doom Lord!"
As the Bubble Beam sailed the air, Aster picked up his second card. "I don't think so! I play Destiny Hero, Ball Bot's effect! I can send this card from my hand to change the battle position of one monster and send one Destiny Hero from my deck to the grave, like my Destiny Hero Celestial!"
A small creature flew in, almost looking like a Kuriboh, and took the blow meant for Doom Lord. As it exploded, a strange energy wrapped itself around Bubbleman and forced it to take a knee.
"This doesn't look good!" Gloria shouted.
Turn 10: Aster. Cards: 0
Aster drew his card before lifting his duel disk. "Thanks to Celestial in my Graveyard, I can banish him and Ball Bot to draw two more cards!" Aster did so before eyeing what he drew.
"This is it! It's time to finally get my father's card back where it belongs! I activate Polymerization! I fuse Doom Lord and Destiny Hero Disc Commander from my hand to bring a true hero!"
The two Destiny Heroes melded together. In another explosion of light, a "hero" clad in an oppressive purple costume appeared on the field.
"Come out, Destiny Hero Dystopia!"
Destiny Hero Dystopia. [Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: DARK/Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2400]
"And here's his effect, I can choose one Destiny Hero monster in my graveyard, like my Doom Lord, and you take damage equal to its attack points!"
Jaden panicked as the new fusion fired a bolt of black energy right at him.
"Jaden!?" Everyone yelled as the attack made contact.
Jaden: 800 → 200 LP
Aster: 1700
"He only has 200 life points left!" Damon cried out.
"Now, Dystopia, destroy his Bubbleman!" Aster cried out as the Fusion dashed for the water hero.
Jaden opened his eyes after he heard that. "Bubble Blaster can take a blow for Bubble Man! The only thing you're destroying is my equip spell!"
Bubble Man raised his weapon to take the brunt of the attack. Even though he survived, Dystopia flew back and landed on Aster's side of the field.
Turn 11: Jaden. Cards: 1
Jaden felt pushed to the brink. No matter what he did, he couldn't break through Aster's offense. He looked to his deck and silently begged for something that could help.
He drew his card before seeing what it was. "I summon Elemental Hero Blazeman!"
Elemental Hero Blazeman [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: FIRE/Level: 4/ATK: 1200/DEF: 1800]
"With Blazeman, I can take a Polymerization from my deck! But that's not all: I can send a hero from my deck to the grave, and he can copy the stats and attributes! And I'm choosing Elemental Hero Stratos!" (FIRE → WIND/ATK: 1200 → 1800/DEF: 1800 → 300)
"Now, here comes Polymerization! I fuse Blazeman and Bubbleman to bring out Elemental Hero Tornado!"
Elemental Hero Torando. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Warrior/Attribute: FIRE/Level: 4/ATK: 1200/DEF: 1800]
The gales of the arena came together to form one of Jaden's trusty heroes. With him appearing, Jaden pointed forward. "With Torando's appearance, he can half your monster's attack!" (ATK: 2800 → 1400)
"In the meantime, I play my last card, H-Heated Heart! This gives Torandao an extra 500 attack points!" (ATK: 2800 → 3300)
"If this attack lands, Jaden will win the duel!" Alexis shouted as everyone else watched in anticipation.
Jaden also knew this as he punched forward. "Now, Torando, show him your own attack!"
Yet, up in the stands, Wilona spotted Aster smirk when Jaden started to call an attack.
"I activate Dystopia's effect!" Aster cried out. "When his attack points are changed, I can destroy one card on the field and return his attack points back to normal!"
Jaden gasped as Dystopia gathered dark orbs and countered Tornado's attempt to destroy the Destiny Hero fusion.
"Oh no!" Bastion cried out as Jaden's fusion failed to deliver a deciding blow.
Turn 12: Aster. Cards: 1
Aster drew his card, "It's my second Standby phase, so Terra Firma returns to your side of the field. And because it left the field, it doesn't keep those 1000 attack points boost from Call of the Earth."
As he said this, the familiar hero returned from when everyone last saw it: in attack mode. A 2500 attack point monster VS 2800 attack points while Jaden had only 200 life points left.
"Dystopia, end this farce!" Aster yelled as he pointed forward. The fusion hero dashed forward and destroyed Terra Firma. But no one noticed the dark aura coming off Dystopia the second before he launched his attack.
The force of the attack felt much more realistic, almost as if it was a shadow game. Yet, the impact was enough to send Jaden falling backward, with his entire deck scattering from the blow of the attack.
"YUKI!?" Wilona was first to move as she jumped off the rails and ran to the brunette.
Aster stayed still before he spotted Terra Firma's card slowly falling to him. He picked it from the air and turned his back on the downed duelist. "Now the card is back to its rightful owner."
"Yuki! Yuki!? Are you alright!?" Wilona cried out as she picked up the brunette.
"Wilona..." Honest's voice reached her eyes, but the girl didn't look away. "Where's Winged Kuriboh?"
That question made the girl glance at the scattered cards of Jaden's deck. Sure enough, she spotted Winged Kuriboh's card... but why?
Why was it empty without the monster?
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]
...
..
.
Apparently, after the duel with Aster, Jaden lost his ability to see Duel monster cards. Many couldn't believe it, but Jaden only saw white cards. It was devastating to see the once excitable and lively teen so... beaten and dour.
Time passed, and even after Atticus' and Crowler's attempt to make Alexis into a new Duel Idol that they called "Blue Angel", Jaden still couldn't see his cards.
By then, Jaden decided to leave Duel Academy.
It was the time of the plenilune when Jaden made his way toward the docks. He knew from before that there was a spare boat with keys left around for any student to pick up. The reasons why most couldn't be that they couldn't drive a boat and that only he and a few other students knew about this from Sheppard.
Jaden was about to make it to the speeding vehicle until a bright light shone on him. He made the mistake of turning to it—and regretting the action in the same move.
"Idiot." A soft click made the light go away. As Jaden's eyes readjusted to the darkness, his mind recognized the voice and the familiar colors of red and green returning to his sight. "Who looks directly into a flashlight?"
Whatever panic the two-tone brunette had melted away as he heard the haughty voice. "Wilona? How'd you know I'd be here?"
"Did you forget that you keep passing my dorm room?" Jaden didn't believe her this time since she looked dressed to travel as if she was waiting for him this whole time. He also made sure to stay away from Wilona's room. After a bit, he noticed something: what was she carrying with her? "It wasn't hard to follow after you. I wasn't expecting you to do the same thing Princeton did when he lost to Misawa. Then again, Princeton didn't lose his ability to see his most important passion."
Even though it was dark, the stars helped Jaden spot a softer smile on Wilona's face that he didn't see often.
"Wilona," Jaden began as the saves started to calm down. "I have to go. You can't stop me."
"I know."
"I need to go. I can't stay... what?" Jaden knows he wasn't eloquent in speeches, but the brunette wasn't expecting to ever convince Wilona that easy.
"I know that you need to go." She lifted the bag she carried and handed it to a confused Jaden. "That bag has packed lunches, a flare gun, a first aid kit, blankets, and a few of your favorite bars. If you're going to leave, at least have the decency to prepare properly."
She sighed. "Just..." She paused for a second. Jaden was surprised to see Wilona hold her hand over his when he reached for her bag. The green-haired girl held it tightly in a way that didn't hurt, and Jaden noticed how her eyes sparkled under the starry night. "Just wherever you are, be safe? Okay? And it's not your fault they're gone."
Jaden perked up at the mention of that. His cards were more than just his cards; they were his friends. He had grown to love them even before he met everyone in Duel Academy. And with Jaden no longer able to see or hear spirits? It was like losing his entire family in one tragic incident. He blamed himself for taking on Aster's challenge when he could have refused.
But Wilona? She understood why Jaden was doing this. Winged Kuriboh and the Hero monsters were precious to Jaden; they were more than cards to him. The brunette never expected Wilona to see right through him and tell him something he didn't know he needed to hear.
The two looked each other in the eye without blinking. The duo didn't notice that the sky cleared up, and one could see all the stars above them twinkling in mischief and hope.
Eventually, Jaden found his answer. "I will. I promise."
The stars were Jaden's witnesses.
Wilona scoffed. "You and your promises. You could have broken our first one, you know?" Her words were cold and uncaring, but the way she squeezed Jaden's hand told a different message: please mean what you say.
"I don't let down my friends," Jaden stated with a determination that he thought he lost after his defeat against Aster. He reciprocated as his hand squeezed hers to tell her it would be alright. He fought her for the world before, but right now? He felt like he'd fight the world for her. "And there's no way I was going to let you be doomed for the world."
The Slifer Ace swore Wilona was about to say something. Instead, she closed her mouth and shook her head. "Be safe, you idiot."
That...was not what she wanted to say. But Wilona let go of Jaden's hand and stepped back.
That was the sign, and Jaden soon started the boat.
Yet, before he stepped on the pedal, he made the mistake of looking back to see Wilona.
Jaden thought for a second. The usually reckless and impulsive Jaden Yuki gave a thought to just staying in Duel Academy. His friends were still all there; they were always there. But now? Jaden suddenly felt like he should just put off the boat and stay with his friends. Why was he feeling this way?
The stars knew. If they were alive, they'd list the days of Jaden Yuki thinking less of card games and epic duels and more of how to make a miserable girl happier with his favorite game. It was the same way that a dour young lady would make more of an effort to learn something she once despised if it meant seeing a smile that made her feel like she was home.
Maybe, Jaden could stay?
But Wilona was the clever one among the two. She sensed Jaden's hesitation and smiled wide...
Before she gave Jaden his signature "That's Game!" hand salute.
Jaden remembered why he did that. The salute for a great duel, win or lose. It was his way of expressing the love of a game that he could never thank for what it did for his life.
(Give it your all, and don't give up.)
Jaden got the message and returned the salute back to her.
He wouldn't give up, not when he had a friend—(something unknown inside him wanted something more than the word could give)—to inspire him again.
With that, he turned and pressed on the pedal, making the boat speed off into the sea.
...
As Jaden disappeared into the sea and darkness, both teens felt their smiles fade.
... They would admit... seeing the other leave their life... really, really hurt.
A shame that things would only get worse.
[Author Notes]
HAPPY Valentine's, guys! I've been waiting to write this chapter for almost as long as the Season 1 finale! I wasn't expecting the timing of this to be on the same day!
HUNNNNGGGGHHH. I want my pair to be a couple SO F-ING bad!? Because dang it! I think they're adorable together! (Of course, that's the writer's bias. I'm probably the only person who thinks that.)
I am also really happy. This is the end of the first arc/part of season 2. I have a lot of things planned. Since there's a bit of fluff before the GX tournament, we might stray away from things in Duel Academy for a bit.
But I am excited about the direction I'm going to take this story next. I hope I can pull it off and make it enjoyable for all of you. (Here's hoping I can.)
Anyway, a song once told me that if you want love, you gotta give it. So for this Valentine's Day, I'm giving ya'll this chapter. Peace out, readers!
{Made-up cards}
Call of the Earth: an original card I made based on Neos Fusion.
Visions and Glamour: Witch Raider caught my attention with its ability to sacrifice trap cards. It also looked like a mix of a magician and a musketeer, so I wanted to lean into the magic bit.
Vision Hero Mirror Fox: a Monster to help make a new XYZ monster.
Vision Psuedo Dragon: I wanted to give Aster a new XYZ monster, and I was re-watching clips of Kamen Rider Hyuuga. I wanted to see a robotic dragon.
X-003 Trinity Core: I made this to simply keep Trinity strong and give Aster some resources.
Destiny Hero Ball Bot: This is basically a Sphere Kuriboh flavored to help Aster with his Destiny Heroes. I originally wanted Dreamer here instead, but I somehow didn't see that his effect only activated from the grave and not the hand.