Aster: I think my Destiny Heroes have roughed you up enough for now, so I'll let you go.
Jaden: Talk about a landslide. I guess I've got a lot to learn about my new deck. For one, Aqua Neos has a serious weakness: he only sticks around for one turn. Wish I knew that a few minutes ago.
Aster: Once you lose this duel, you will see the light!
Jaden: Alright, I draw! And I special summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman in attack mode!
Level 4/Water/Warrior
ATK 800/DEF 1200
Jaden: Due to Bubbleman's special ability, when he's the only card in my hand, I can special summon him, and then since he's the only card on my field, his other special ability activates, letting me draw 2 cards. And I'm gonna play one of them: Pot of Greed, so I draw 2 more.
Aster: How lucky can he get?
Jaden: Lucky me, I just drew my Bubble Blaster, which means Bubbleman gains 800 attack points.
Bubbleman: 800-1600 ATK
Jaden: And now I summon Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird in attack mode!
Level 3/Wind/Winged Beast
ATK 800/DEF 600
Syrus: Another Neo-Spacian!
Jaden: Yep, and he's got a pretty cool special ability. Go, Honey Suck!
Aster's cards glowed and a giant flower bloomed at his feet for each of them, Air Hummingbird drinking nectar from each of them.
Jaden: You see, once each turn Air Hummingbird lets me gain 500 life points for every card in your hand.
Jaden: 1700 LP
Aster: No way!
Jaden: Yes way. Now Bubbleman, attack Captain Tenacious with Bubble Shot!
Bubbleman fired a sphere of water from his cannon that struck Tenacious dead-on, destroying him.
Aster: 1500 LP
Jaden: Now Air Hummingbird, attack Doom Lord with Slaughtering Swoop!
Air Hummingbird dove into Doom Lord, annihilating him on the spot.
Aster: 1300 LP
Jaden: I'll throw a card face-down and give you a shot.
Alexis: What a comeback!
Lily: You can say that again. He was about to lose, but now he's got the advantage over Aster.
Bastion: With those Neo-Spacians of his, there's no telling what Jaden has in store for Aster.
Syrus: Let him have it Jay!
Hassleberry: Keep up the pressure serge!
Aster: I draw! No matter what kind of monsters you found, nothing you have can surpass the Destiny Heroes. I activate the field spell Dark City! While this card is in play, if a Destiny Hero attacks a stronger monster, the Destiny Hero gains 1000 attack points during the battle.
Jaden: So that's the Destiny Hero version of Skyscraper? Pretty cool.
Aster: And now I'm sacrificing Diamond Dude to summon Destiny Hero Double Dude in attack mode!
Level 6/Dark/Warrior
ATK & DEF 1000
Aster: Now, attack Bubbleman!
Double Dude: 1000-2000 ATK
Double Dude leapt at Bubbleman and tried to strike him with his cane, but Bubbleman blocked the attack with his blaster, causing it to be destroyed.
Jaden: Since Bubbleman was equipped with Bubble Blaster, it took the hit for Bubbleman and my life points.
Aster: Maybe, but due to Double Dude's special ability, he can attack twice each battle phase, so attack Air Hummingbird with Overlapping Doom!
Double Dude's muscles swelled and tore his shirt before he delivered a powerful punch to Air Hummingbird, destroying him.
Jaden: My Air Hummingbird!
Jaden: 1500 LP
Aster: I'll toss this down and give you a break.
Jaden: I draw. And I play the spell Graceful Charity, so I draw 3 cards, but then I have to discard 2.
Syrus: Even with that, he still only has a single card in his hand.
Jaden: Not for long, because now I activate the Disgraceful Charity trap card, so all cards that were discarded through the effect of a spell card this turn are returned to our hands.
Bastion: A brilliant move!
Jaden: Now I play the Common Soul continuous spell. This lets me pick a monster on the field, like my Bubbleman, and then I can summon a Neo-Spacian monster from my hand to that monster's side of the field. Come on out, Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab!
Level 3/Fire/Insect
ATK & DEF 500
Aster: Another Neo-Spacian?
Jaden: Yep, and he's hot stuff. And there are even more cool heroes like him out there.
Aster: Are you that desperate to show them off? I don't acknowledge heroes who don't bear the weight of destiny!
Jaden: Aster, I'm sorry about what happened to your dad. But isn't the idea of meeting new heroes exciting? I bet you've felt the same way Aster.
Aster: Meeting new heroes?
Jaden: I bet your dad felt the same way. He didn't want you to suffer when you looked at the Destiny Heroes, I bet he wanted you to feel happy.
Suddenly Aster could remember when he was a child and his father created the Destiny Heroes, the memories of his excitement flowing back.
Aster: But then, why does my heart ache when I see these cards?
He felt a sharp pain run through his mind and he clutched the sides of his head as he cried out.
Jaden: Aster? What's wrong?
Michael: His mind is at war with itself.
Jaden: Michael, what are you doing here?
Michael: I'll catch you up later. Right now, I'm more concerned about Aster. He shouldn't have his Destiny Heroes, because he forfeited them to me after he lost our duel.
Jaden: What? When did you two duel?
Michael: While you were gone. And since the Destiny Heroes were never released, that means the cards he's using are counterfeits.
Everyone: What?!
Bastion: Hold on, if he's using fake cards, that means he's disqualified.
Bonaparte: Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't allow that.
Lily: But that's not fair!
Bonaparte: Neither is being 4 feet tall.
Syrus: Man, how low will this guy stoop to get rid of our dorm?
Hassleberry: Hang on, if Aster cares about his dad's cards so much, why would he duel with fake copies?
Michael: My guess is he didn't have a choice. I can see that he's being controlled by the light. Jaden, maybe if you beat him, he'll snap out of it.
Jaden: Alright then, losing isn't an option.
Suddenly a white aura surrounded Aster and his hair turned bleach white.
Aster: You will see the light Jaden, now get on with it.
Jaden: Alright then. Due to Flare Scarab's special ability, he gains 400 attack points for every spell and trap on your field.
Scarab: 500-1300 ATK
Jaden: And due to Common Soul's effect, Bubbleman gains attack equal to Flare Scarab's attack.
Bubbleman: 800-2100 ATK
Jaden: Now Bubbleman, take down his Double Dude!
Bubbleman launched a stream of water at Double Dude, tearing right through him.
Aster: 200 LP
Alexis: One more attack and Jaden wins!
Aster: I play the trap Destiny Signal! Since one of my monsters was destroyed in battle, I can summon a level 4 or lower Destiny Hero from my deck, so I summon Destiny Hero Defender in defense mode!
Level 4/Dark/Warrior
ATK 100/DEF 2700
Jaden: 2700 defense points?
Aster: Unfortunately, to balance his defense, you draw a card during your standby phase if he's in defense mode.
Jaden: I end my turn.
Aster: My draw! And during my standby phase, Double Dude's effect activates. Since you destroyed him, he gives me two Double Dude Tokens.
Level 4/Dark/Warrior
ATK & DEF 1000
Aster: Next, I play the Mystical Space Typhoon spell to destroy your Common Soul card.
Jaden: When Common Soul is destroyed, Flare Scarab returns to my hand.
Aster: Which also means your Bubbleman loses his point bonus.
Bubbleman: 1700-800 ATK
Aster: Now I'll have one of my tokens attack your Bubbleman!
Jaden: 1300 LP
Aster: And now my second token attacks you directly!
Jaden: 300 LP
Aster: I end my turn.
Syrus: This isn't good.
Hassleberry: All he's got is his Flare Scarab.
Jaden: My move. And since your Defender is in defense mode, I can draw another card during my standby phase. Now I play the spell The Shallow Grave! This card lets us both summon a monster from our graveyard in defense mode, and I choose my Hero Kid!
Level 2/Earth/Warrior
ATK 500/DEF 600
Jaden: And due to his special ability, since he was special summoned, I can bring out his friends, two more Hero Kids.
Aster: Think I'll summon something stronger, like my Destiny Hero Dreadmaster!
Level 8/Dark/Warrior
ATK & DEF ?
Aster: When he's summoned, all monsters on my field that aren't Destiny Heroes are destroyed, so my tokens are destroyed. Of course, they won't be missed, because now I can summon two Destiny Heroes from my graveyard, like my Diamond Dude and Captain Tenacious, in defense mode!
Diamond
Level 4/Dark/Warrior
ATK 1400/DEF 1600
Tenacious
Level 3/Dark/Warrior
ATK 800/DEF 600
Aster: And Dreadmaster's attack and defense are equal to the total attack of my other Destiny Heroes.
Dreadmaster: ?-2300 ATK/DEF
Jaden: What a coincidence, I'm about to summon an old friend as well: my Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab! And since you still have your field spell out, he gains 400 attack points!
Scarab: 500-900 ATK
Jaden: Now attack Captain Tenacious with Flaming Arrow!
Flare Scarab launched a blast of fire at Captain Tenacious, destroying him in one shot.
Dreadmaster: 2300-1500 ATK/DEF
Jaden: Next, I'll place two cards face-down and end my turn.
Aster: My move. And I play Pot of Greed, letting me draw 2 cards. Now I sacrifice all three of my monsters to summon Destiny Hero Dogma in attack mode!
Level 8/Dark/Warrior
ATK 3400/DEF 2400
Bastion: It's the monster he played against Michael!
Lily: Except Jaden doesn't have any god cards up his sleeve.
Michael: Well, he better have something up there, because if Aster attacks Flare Scarab,
Syrus: Jaden loses!
Hassleberry: And we lose the red dorm!
Alexis: Not to mention Jaden could be brainwashed by the Light of Destruction!
Aster: Dogma, attack Flare Scarab!
Dogma flew up in the air before firing a blast of energy at Flare Scarab.
Jaden: Don't think so. I play the trap Kid Guard! This trap lets me sacrifice a Hero Kid to not only cancel your attack, but also add an Elemental Hero to my hand.
One of the Hero Kids flew in front of Flare Scarab, blocking the attack.
Scarab: Your sacrifice will not have been in vain. Jaden, it is time to call upon the power of Neos.
Jaden: Alright. I add Elemental Hero Neos to my hand.
Aster: Fine. I'll place one card face-down and end my turn.
Scarab: 900-1300 ATK
Jaden: My turn, I draw!
Aster: During your standby phase, Dogma's effect activates!
A purple beam of energy came from Dogma and struck Jaden.
Jaden: 150 LP
Jaden: What was that?
Aster: Due to Dogma's special ability, during each of your standby phases, you lose half your life points.
Bastion: The next strike will most likely decide the duel.
Lily: The only question is, who lands the next blow?
Jaden: Not bad, but I've still got some fight left in me.
Aster: There's not a card in your whole deck that can save you.
Jaden: Maybe not in my old deck, but this one is a different story. In fact, why don't I show you? I play the field spell Neo Space!
Aster: Neo Space?
Dark City was destroyed and the whole field was covered in a multi-colored veil.
Jaden: While this card is in play, Elemental Hero Neos and fusion monsters that use him as fusion material gain 500 attack points. And now I sacrifice my two Hero Kids to summon Elemental Hero Neos!
Level 7/Light/Warrior
ATK 2500-3000/DEF 2000
Aster: You may have powered him up, but he's still weaker than my Dogma.
Jaden: Maybe not, but now it's time to show off Neos' true potential. I join Neos and Flare Scarab with contact fusion.
Aster: Contact fusion?
Jaden: Fusions that use Neos and Neo-Spacians as material don't need Polymerization. Now, come forth, Elemental Hero Flare Neos!
Level 7/Fire/Warrior
ATK 2500/DEF 2000
Aster: This light… that's right! Once, a long time ago, the appearance of a new hero got my heart racing too. Then, this is your new hero Jaden!
Michael: Looks like Jaden is getting through to him.
Jaden: That's right Aster. This is Neos' new power, Flare Neos. And thanks to his power, he gains 400 attack points for every spell and trap on the field. There are three spells and traps on the field, and combined with Neo Space's effect, they give him a total of-
Flare Neos: 2500-4200 ATK
Aster: 4200 attack points?
Jaden: Now attack Dogma with Flare Storm!
Neos created a fireball in his hand before throwing it at Dogma.
Aster: I play the trap D-Shield! This changes Dogma to defense mode and then equips onto him, keeping him from being destroyed in battle!
Hassleberry: Almost had him.
Jaden: Your move.
Aster: Thanks, I draw!
He watched Neos, expecting him to disappear, but nothing happened.
Aster: I'm guessing your field spell keeps your monster from leaving the field?
Jaden: Yep. With it out, Neos can stay as long as he wants.
Aster: As nice as that sounds, I'm afraid he's worn out his welcome. I switch Dogma to attack mode and equip him with Heavy Storm Blade.
Jaden: Playing another spell boosts Neos' attack by another 400 points, so why use it?
Neos: 4200-4600 ATK
Aster: Let's go Jaden! This is the last attack that will settle things between us! Go, Dogma!
Syrus: What's he doing?
Bastion: As things currently stand, this attack will deplete all of Aster's life points.
Aster: Heavy Storm Blade's effect activates! When a monster equipped with this card attacks, all other spells and traps on the field are destroyed!
Jaden: What?
Dogma's blade spun rapidly, generating a cyclone that destroyed all the other spells and traps on the field.
Michael: With those other cards gone, Neos loses attack points!
Neos: 4600-2900 ATK
Aster: You lose Jaden!
Dogma struck Neos with his blade, but it didn't harm him and began to crack.
Aster: What? That's impossible!
Jaden: Sorry Aster, but you lose.
Aster: How?
Jaden: The face-down card you destroyed was this, Spell Calling. And since it was destroyed by an effect, I got to set two spells from my deck.
Neos: 2900-3700 ATK
Aster: But that means Jaden wins. But Sartorius said I was destined to win this duel. Does that mean Jaden is more powerful than destiny?
Dogma's body began to crack, and he exploded.
Aster: 0 LP
Winner: Jaden
Jaden: That's game, and a sweet one too.
Suddenly, Aster dropped to his knees and a white mist seeped off his body before dissipating, his hair returning to its normal color.
Aster: What happened?
Lily: He doesn't remember?
Jaden: Aster, what happened?
Aster: It's still a little fuzzy, but I remember going into my manager's office. He said he wanted me to duel, and he handed me a deck of fake Destiny Hero cards. After that, I don't remember much.
Michael: Aster, your manager is a dangerous man, and he's been using you for his own benefit.
Aster: I may not remember much right now, but I know that these fakes shouldn't exist.
He removed the cards from his duel disk and began to rip them up.
Michael: I think now you get what your father intended these cards for, and I think he'd want you to take them back.
Aster: Thanks Michael, but I can't take them back. Not yet at least.
Jaden: You sure?
Aster: Yeah. I did some bad things with those cards, and I insulted my father more using those counterfeits. Someday I'll take them back, but for now, promise me you'll keep them safe.
Michael: You have my word.
Aster: Thanks. And thank you Jaden, for helping me see the truth.
Jaden: No problem.
Bonaparte: I've been duped. I mean a pro who can't even beat a Slifer?
His moping was short lived as Aster walked up to the man.
Aster: You know, I kinda like it here. Think I'll stay for a while. That's not a problem, is it?
Bonaparte: Not at all.
Aster walked outside and tried to call Sartorius, but he didn't get an answer.
Aster: He always picks up when I call him. This proves something is off. What have you been up to Sartorius? And what are you planning?