"Destiny HERO..."

Yuji and Jaden widened their eyes, witnessing the new emergence of The New Destiny HERO, as they awed and terrified by its presence.

"Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer!!!"

Aster shouts The New Destiny HERO's name.

Pitch-black dark wings like endless night, dragon tail-like with flames pattern like it was dyed in a pool of blood, red gauntlets with claws attached to mimic a Phoenix's own talons, wearing raven colored combat-suit covered by the burning crimson armaments.

Rather than a HERO, an Angel of Destruction and Death suits him better.

D-HERO Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer

(LV.8) ATK/2500 DEF/2100

"This is... The Strongest Destiny HERO?", Jaden, who always praising how cool everyone's HERO is, letting out an awkward laugh.

"The current strongest (at my disposal)", replied Aster.

Even thought the appearance of Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer isn't monstrous or demonic looking like Malicious, and can be categorized as cool and fantastic, Jaden can't help but to feel intimidated by its presence.

"This is bad..."

Even Yuji can't shift his attention away from The HERO, as this is the second time he was terrified by a Monster beside Sakura's Starving Venom Fusion Dragon.

The corners of Aster's mouth curled up, feeling satisfied, looking at Yuji and Jaden's scared expression.

Jaden gulped his saliva, "Even so, Shining Flare Wingman's attack is higher!", told him full of confidence.

"Not for long. Besides, why don't you check his current attack?", said Aster, letting out a chuckle like an arrogant noble as he's pointing his index finger toward Shining Flare Wingman.

Hearing Aster's words, Jaden immediately shifted his gaze toward his strongest HERO.

E•HERO Shining Flare Wingman (LV.8)

ATK/52003400 DEF/2100

"3400... How?!", asked Jaden, full of shock.

"Destiny HERO Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer's effect. All monsters the opponents controls lose 200 attack for every HERO in my- pardon... OUR Cemetery!", explained Aster with amused expression.

But his move hasn't stopped yet.

"I normal summon Vyon in face-up defense position. Then, I activate his effect to sent Destiny HERO Denier from my deck to The Cemetery"

Another HERO with single lens on his helmet with an orb similar to a clear-like lens etched on various part of his armor appears.

V•HERO Vyon (LV.4)

ATK/1000 DEF/1200

His Duel Disk ejects one card, then he discards it to The Graveyard zone.

Due to Destiny HERO Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer's effect, E•HERO Shining Flare Wingman's attack decrease.

E•HERO Shining Flare Wingman (LV.8)

ATK/34003200 DEF/2100

"I set one card. At this moment, I activate D-HERO Celestial's effect in The Cemetery!"

"If I don't have any card in my hand. By banishing Celestial and one 'Destiny HERO' monster from The Cemetery, I can draw 2 more cards!", explained Aster as he quickly draws 2 cards.

Jaden snaps out from his daze, then looking at Aster, who points his index finger toward his HERO.

"This turn... I'm going to destroy Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman!", declares him.

Listening to his declaration, Jaden slightly grits his teeth, "Even so, my HERO's attack is higher than yours!"

"You sure about that?", asked him, sneering at Jaden.

To prove it to Jaden, Aster reveals the set card he had set this turn.

"D - Drag Hammer! Target one monster on the field, then by equipping it with Destiny HERO monster from my hand as equip card. That target... lost its attack equal to the equipped monster's attack"

Aster then took a card from his hand, then shows it to Jaden's face.

"I target Shining Flare Wingman with Destiny HERO Dogma as the equip card"

A HERO resembling a Demonic Knight with his great black wings emerges behind Shining Flare Wingman.

Then, The Destiny HERO melted into black tar that engulfed Shining Flare Wingman, turning his stellar white armor into a dirty and rusty black color, robbing him of his power over the light.

E•HERO Shining Flare Wingman (LV.8)

ATK/32003600600 DEF/2100

"No way!!", Jaden stunned, his face become paler as he saw Shining Flare Wingman's attack get decreased by 3000 points.

Hearing him, Aster let out a menacing laugh.

"Hahaha! See it, Jaden?! This is the power of Destiny HERO series!!"

He continues, "Let's head for a Battle! Vyon, strike Shining Flare Wingman!"

Jaden he grits his teeth, then he raised his left arm high, "Necro Gardna, negate the attack!"

"What?!", said Aster, surprised.

A masked warrior with long white hair emerges behind Jaden. With a snap of his fingers, multiple chain appeared from the ground chasing the Vision HERO, then forcefully brings him down to the ground, bounded.

Jaden rubs his nose as he's explaining, "Necro Gardna's effect, remove him from play and negate one attack from a monster (anime)"

"It's futile! Destiny HERO Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer, attack Shining Flare Wingman!", orders Aster.

Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer's spread his wings and flies high to the sky.

"Ultimate Phoenix Divider!", shouts Aster as he let out a punching gesture towards Shining Flare Wingman.

Jaden quickly pressed the button, "At this moment, I activate the trap card Mirror Gate!"

"That card... don't tell me you wanted to switch MY Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer with YOUR Shining Flare Wingman?!"

Aster slightly grits his teeth. As HERO user, he knew what kind of effect the card is capable of.

That's why it can be easily solved.

Jaden let out a grin, "With this, your Destroyer Phoenix will be mi-"

"That's not necessary", said Aster, as he let out a chuckle, cutting Jaden's speech.

He then waved his hand, "Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer, activate your effect! Once per turn, during either player's turn, I can destroy one card I control and one card on the field"

"Such a strong effect!!", shouted Jaden in disbelieve.

Cracks appears below V•HERO Vyon's feet and E•HERO Shining Flare Wingman.

"Go, Destruction Nocturne!", yells Aster.

Without a warning, spiraling blue flame pillars emerges in the place where the two HEROes is standing, shocking everyone, specifically Jaden.

The intensity of the flame is so strong that when it emerges, V•HERO Vyon and E•HERO Shining Flare Wingman were cremated in a mere second, without realizing they've been burned alive.

"Shining Flare Wingman!", shouted Jaden, as the burning image reflected on his eyes.

"I said to you, that this turn, I'm going to destroy your Shining Flare Wingman! Not only that, because he is no more, Mirror Gate's effect is invalid!", said Aster.

At first, after he founds out he would duel a Pro like Aster, Jaden felt so happy that he can't wait to start the duel then make him acknowledge him and how cool is his HEROes.

So that's why he's going All Out from the beginning, and even summoned his strongest Elemental HERO.

But, after witnessing The Power of Aster and his Destiny HERO series. Then, witnessing of how easy Aster destroyed his strongest HERO made Jaden wonders.

Did I really give everything I had?

And the answer is...

Jaden clenched his hand, and stares at Aster intensely.

"Next turn... I'm going to bring down your Destiny HERO Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer!!"

Declares Jaden, pointing his right fist toward Aster.

The answer is... YES!!!

Jaden already brings his all, but to defeat Aster he must go... beyond his current limit.

That's why... he declares he'll be the one who bring down Aster's strongest HERO.

He'll be The Iconoclast for Aster Phoenix!!!

Aster crossed his arms, slowly narrowed his eyes as he's staring at Jaden's figure attentively.

[This feeling...]

Even without the sixth sense, Aster noticed the change in Jaden's aura, and saw that his fighting spirit flared up more intense than before.

The corner of his mouth twitching.

"You're free to try", sneers him.

Aster then shifted his gaze from Jaden to Yuji.

"Then, I end my turn", announced him.

Next is Yuji's turn. But before he even draws, his right hand can't seem to stop the trembling.

With bated breath, Yuji orders his hand to stop the trembling.

Alas, it doesn't have any effect.

That's why, to calm it down... he bites his own hand!

"What... what is he doing?", wonders Misawa.

What Yuji does to himself is a shocking to everyone including Jaden, Aster, and Sakura.

But, thanks to him biting his own hand, the trembling have stopped.

Even so, his previous action made everyone dumbfounded.

"Sorry, it's... kinda itchy", said Yuji after noticing their confused expression.

Aster snorted, "Don't tell me you're already given up on this duel?"

Yuji slowly shakes his head, "Nah, my hand kinda itchy...", replied him smiling.

But what kind of smile is plastered on Yuji is the kind of smile when someone lied with the intention of covering their fear by acting strong.

Yuji let out a long deep sighs, then placed his fingers on top of the deck.

[Let's go, Me!]

"Draw!", Yuji draws a card, creating an arch in the air like a child stroke their first crayon on the paper.

Yuji scanned the cards in his hand for a while, after that he placed one of the card in his hand to The Duel Disk's blade.

"I activate Pot of Avarice. By returning five monsters from The Graveyard to The Deck, shuffle, then I can draw two cards"

He continues, "I return Solid Soldier, Stratos, Blazeman, Liquid Soldier, and Bubbleman to my deck"

After finishing the process of returning then shuffling, Yuji after that draw 2 cards.

With three cards in his hand, he wonders what is the best decision to start.

Even though a minute hasn't passed yet, his friends and opponents knew that Yuji was stuck.

Not because his hand were bricked.

But because he's afraid...

Like Aster (albeit weaker), Yuji has cultivated his dueling sense to the points he can gauge his opponent, and specifically their monster.

After watching Destiny HERO Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer, then witnessing his effects, he knew...

He instinctively knew... that there's another hidden strong ability in his arsenal that Aster hasn't unleashed yet.

Among the duelists he had fought, Aster, maybe the strongest person he has faced.

"Sorry, but your time is almost up. Are you going to end your turn without summoning or setting a card?!", asked Aster with a stern look like a Military captain who found out his subordinate is slacking.

Yuji turned his gaze to Aster, then waving his hand to apologize.

"Sorry! Hold on for a sec..."

Yuji then took a card from his hand, before he activated it he turned his head to Jaden.

"Jay... to use this card, I need to take out half of our Life Points, is that alright with you?"

Listening to him made Jaden smiles, "Ou! Go all out!!", replied him, giving Yuji a thumb up gesture.

Yuji let out a smirk, then he shows a card to Aster and Sakura, which at the same time explained the card's effect.

"If I control no face-up monster. By paying half of my Life Points, I can special summon one Level 4 or lower Elemental HERO directly from my deck!"

Aster clenched his arm tight, [Another good searcher ability...]

Beside him, Sakura just smiles watching Yuji who's going to start the counterattack.

[That's right... that expression suit you better]

Jaden-Yuji LP 1000500

Yuji's Duel Disk ejects a card, and he quickly placed it in The Monster zone.

"Come, Bubbleman!"

An Elemental HERO with blue and white theme costume, resembling a Bootleg Batman, appears.

E•HERO Bubbleman (LV.4)

ATK/ 800 DEF/1200

Yuji waved his hand, "Bubbleman's effect activate! If I control no other card beside him, I can draw 2 cards!"

After that, he turned his head toward Jaden.

"Jaden, I'm going to change the stage!", said Yuji.

"Umu, do what you think is the best!", replied Jaden.

Yuji nods, "Alright then, I activate the field spell card Fusion Gate!"

The buildings and the moon become transparent, then gradually disappears, leaving only the darkest night.

The dark space engulfs the entire room, then from the horizon appears a 3D Polygonal wave moving above the four duelists' head.

"Fusion Gate has the effect to fusion summon monsters without using Polymerization"

He continues, "Albeit the materials for the fusion summoning would be banished, instead of going to The Graveyard"

Aster smirks, "Just like I thought you would do fusion, but no matter what monster you're summoning, Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer will decrease its power or if not destroy it"

"... I know. But, as long I can bring your Life Points to zero, it'll be our win", replied Yuji.

Yuji raised his arm which have The Duel Disk attached to it.

"Fusion Gate's effect, activate! The materials are Bubbleman on the field and Woodsman in my hand"

Yuji raised his hand, and start to chant.

"The HERO of pitch-black alloy! Redirect the misguided power toward the enemy that disobeys us, and destroy them!!"

E•HERO Bubbleman and Woodsman do a fist bump, then swirls together in the space below 3D Polygonal wave projected by the field spell card Fusion Gate.

"Fusion Summon!", said Yuji as he claps his hands.

What appears next is a gigantic Elemental HERO with the same name as The Titan from Greek Mythology who roared so loudly that made the ground and the wall trembling, scaring some of the students.

"Lend me your strength, Elemental HERO... Gaia!"

Body as humongous as a mountain, pitch-black armor with golden lines that is so bulky that it can be mistaken as a heap of discarded iron with only the world's strongest person can wear it.

E•HERO Gaia (LV.6)

ATK/2200 DEF/2600

"Due to Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer's effect on the field, your HERO's attack is decreasing!", said Aster.

E•HERO Gaia (LV.6)

ATK/2200400 DEF/2600

Yuji let out a smirk, he already expected this outcome. That's why, rather than bring back E•HERO Absolute Zero, he opted for Gaia instead.

"When Gaia is fusion summoned, target one monster on the opponent's field, half their attack, then Gaia gained the equal amount of it!"

E•HERO Gaia slammed the floor, creating a stream of black lightning that slither on the ground like a snake toward Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer.

"Ardent... Grasp!"

The black lightning strikes Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer, electrocuted him until he falls on his knee.

E•HERO Gaia (LV.6)

ATK/22004001650 DEF/2600

D-HERO Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer

(LV.8) ATK/25001250 DEF/2100

"I see, by stealing Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer's attack, you can bypass the effect", nods Aster calmly.

"Yeah, but my move isn't over yet", replied Yuji.

He took a card from his hand, then placed it into The Duel Disk.

"I activate the equip spell card Favorite HERO to Elemental HERO Gaia!"

When Yuji activates the equip spell card, Aster's expression become solemn.

That's because he witnessed Gaia's attack increased almost three times the current attack.

E•HERO Gaia (LV.6)

ATK/16504250 DEF/2600

"What's that card?", asked Aster.

Rather than answering him, Yuji thinks it'll be better to goes for a straight conformation.

"Now, Battle!", shouts him.

Yuji then points his fingers like a Gun toward Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer.

"Unleash your power, Earth Hammer!"

Aster laughs, "Fine, I'll entertain you for a bit"

The body of D-HERO begin to immolate in blue flame, then turned into a giant bird made from flame like a Phoenix.

"Go, Destruction Nocturne!", yells Aster.

CAWK!!!

The Phoenix roared and flies toward E•HERO Gaia, crashing into him that creates a loud and blistering explosion. Destroying both monster.

[He bypasses Favorite HERO's protection ability?!, said Yuji in his mind, stunned.

"With this, your Elemental HERO is no more!", exclaimed Aster.

After he said that, Aster continues by waving his hand, "At this moment, Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer's effect is activated!"

"If Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer is destroyed either by battle or card's effect, I can special summon one Destiny HERO on the next standby phase", smirks him as he explained things.

Yuji and Sakura narrowed their eyes.

[Special summon one Destiny HERO... don't tell me!!!, Yuji gasped.

"That... is it including himself?", asked Yuji tried to prove his deduction.

Aster nods, "You're right senior... it is also including itself", answers him.

Yuji clicked his tongue.

[That's mean... no matter how much we destroyed him, he would come back eventually!]

Destiny HERO Phoenix Enforcer.

While on the field, decreasing monsters' attack; During either player's turn can blow up 2 cards on the field; Then, no matter if it by battle or card's effect, he can revive himself again and again.

"What an annoying ability... no ABILITIES!", shouts Yuji as he clenched his hands and grits his teeth.

On the spectator's seat...

"What kind of monster is that?! As long as Destroyer Phoenix is still on the field, all the monsters Yuji and Big Bro control, their attacks will decrease!", said Syrus scratching his thick hair.

"Not only that, but if it destroyed by battle or card's effect, it can revive itself repeatedly... just like... a Phoenix", said Alexis as he stares at Aster with eyes filled with fear.

Syrus then asked Misawa, "Hey... Misawa, do you know a way to defeat Aster's Destroyer Phoenix?"

Questioned by Syrus, Misawa grits his teeth.

"I... I don't know. Before I think about how to destroy Aster's Destroyer Phoenix, I imagined myself would be killed first before he even summoned it"

"It's not good...", sighs Syrus.

The upperclassman who sit three seats behind them appears to eaves drove about their conversation, laughs.

"Ku... kukukuh, actually there is a LOT of way to dealt with Destroy Phoenix Enforcer", grins Kei.

"How so?", asked Misawa.

Kei slightly tilted her head, "Wanna know?"

Misawa slowly nods.

Her smiles become wider. Even though her figure is resembling that of Elementary School, or Middle School Kid at best, but the way she carried herself resembling more of a crooked adult.

Even so, she is still Misawa's Club Leader, and as good senior she should answer.

"Like I tell you, Bob!!!", mocks her as she's sticking out her tongue.

The corner of Misawa's eyes twitched, even though she is his senior and Club Leader, but Misawa can't help but wanted to kick her in the rear.

[Maybe I should quit from Duel Research Society...]

Looking at Bob (Misawa)'s sour expression made Kei laughs.

Back to them...

Aster snorted, delighted to hears Yuji's comment, "Hmph. Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer activate your effect, Destined Revival!", told him.

"With this, your battle phase is over, you don't have any more monster to attack! With a single card, what can you do? Even if you set a trap card, as long Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer activate his effect, he'll revive in the next turn!!!", taunts Aster.

Yuji clenched his hand, he then looking at his last remaining card, worried if this single card can hold on until Jaden or his next turn.

[How do I stop him?!, thinks him as sweats begin dripping from his forehead.

"Ji...", a sound resounding, calling him.

[Even if I manage to destroy him, he'll revive next turn. Not only that, as long as he's still on the field, any we I summon, their attack would decreasing]

"Yuji...", a stronger sound is resounding, still calling fir him.

Yuji bit his lower lip.

[Is this card sufficient?!]

"Yuji", someone tried to call his name, but he had already lost in his though that the sound passing his ears like air.

[Is there any way to stops Destroyer Phoenix?!, thinks him as he pinched his nose bridge.

"Yuji!", someone calls his name, now with higher tone.

[Should I banish him? But, how can I do that?! I didn't have that card in my hand!]

Looking at his friend, Jaden took a deep breath, then shouts:

"Get over it! You damn SHORTY!!!"

Hearing the jeer, the corner of Yuji's left eye twitched, and bulging veins appears on his forehead resembling an X mark.

Yuji who still in the middle of thinking things become angry the moment he heard the word: SHORTY.

"How dare you calling me Shorty, you waste of brain cells!!", Yuji shouted toward Jaden with a stern look and irritated expression.

Jaden pouted, "Finally you hear me! I've been calling your name for a while"

"I was thinking! Beside... how dare you called me Shorty, you damn Imp!"

Jaden's eyelids slightly drop, "You don't mince your words, huh?"

Yuji sighs, "Sorry, what do you want?", apologized him.

"Yuji, How a duel should be played?", asked him.

"Hah?! You disturb me just to ask that? Of course, a duel should be fun! Whether it is fun to play and watch"

Jaden nods repeatedly, "Right, Right! A duel should be fun! But... your current face didn't reflect that feeling"

Yuji's pupils expands and mouth open agape, as he stares at Jaden.

"...", he wanted to talk, but the words kinda stuck in his throat.

Jaden continues.

"I know the feeling of facing a strong monster, but rather than overthinking it and become pessimistic in the process, isn't it better just to enjoy the duel?"

Yuji slowly narrows his eyes, "You know what's in it for us if we lost the duel, right?", asked him with serious tone.

Jaden paused, as he then clenched his hand, "Yeah, I know. If we lost, we must say goodbye to The Academy... and to our friends"

Before Yuji starts speaking again, Jaden cuts him, then he start speaking.

"Even so... it doesn't mean we can't be friend again, and it doesn't mean we can't go to Academy again!!"

He continues.

"You've said before that the world is vast, and maybe out there, there is a bunch of HERO series waiting to be discovered!"

Yuji scratches his hair, "So, what do you want to say?"

Jaden smiles, "Even if we get expelled from The Academy, we still have this vast world!"

"Isn't it interesting, Yuji? Discovering new decks, getting to know a new duelist and dueling them, and then-", Jaden still continues his talking.

Yuji become speechless, what Jaden said is almost like a chicken soup (and also cheesy), but somehow his words made Yuji want to believe and follows him.

"Do you want to explore the world with me if we get expelled?", asked Jaden, smiling.

Rattenfänger...

"Argh!! Blast it!!! I set one card!!", shouts Yuji.

He then turned his head to Jaden, "If we lost... I'm going to search for a way if we can go back to The Academy!"

After that, he points his finger at Jaden with irritated expression, "and You! You'll help me with it, and don't back down if the way I choose is wrong!"

Jaden nods, "Umu, No problem!"

Yuji then did a facepalm, "God damn it... the more time I spend with you, the more I lost more of my brain cells!"

Even so, somehow he became much more relaxed than before.

He slowly closed his eyes.

[Jaden's right! I already faced against scary opponent and their monster like Sakura and Starving Venom Dragon! Heck, I've already been expelled from school, and even experiencing death!! Why, just facing a younger duelist and his HERO made me afraid of him?! Ha! What a joke!!]

Said Yuji in his mind, as he is now smiling.

"You know Yuji? I like your smiling face more when you're having fun dueling", smiles Jaden as he crossed his arms.

But, hearing his words made Yuji shivers.

"You know... rather than me, you should tell that kind of words to a girl instead [But, thanks...]", told him with an awkward smile.

"Why?", asks Jaden as he tilts his head.

"That's...", Yuji scratched his head, confused of how to explain it.

So rather than to think how to answer his question, Yuji rather redirect the conversation to focus on the duel instead.

"I forgot! I end my turn..."

Yuji took a deep breath, then look at Jaden's face.

"The next turn, I leave it to you!"

Jaden slowly closed then opens his eyes, his gaze focused on Aster with the intention to beat him.

"Umu... leave it to me!"

Eleven turns has passed. Yuji, Aster, Jaden, and Sakura knew by instinct that the last phase has begun.