Aster's field: Mausoleum of the Emperor, Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude, Captain Tenacious, Doom Lord
Aster: 2300 LP
Jaden: 200 LP
"I think my Destiny Heroes have roughed you up enough for now, so I'll let you go," Aster said as he ended his turn. "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," Jaden thought to himself. "Alright, I draw! And I special summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman in attack mode!" he declared.
Level 4/Water/Warrior
ATK 800/DEF 1200
"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 two cards. And I'm gonna play one of them: Pot of Greed, so I draw two more. Lucky me, I just drew my Bubble Blaster, which means Bubbleman gains 800 attack points."
Bubbleman: 800-1600 ATK
"And now I summon Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird in attack mode!"
Level 3/Wind/Winged Beast
ATK 800/DEF 600
Syrus was surprised by the new Neo-Spacian, and Jaden said for Air Hummingbord to activate its effect. The cards in Aster's hand glowed and a giant flower bloomed at his feet for each of them, Air Hummingbird drinking nectar from each of them. "You see, once each turn Air Hummingbird lets me gain 500 life points for every card in your hand," Jaden explained as he was surrounded by a green aura.
Jaden: 1700 LP
"Now Bubbleman, attack Captain Tenacious with Bubble Shot!" Jaden ordered as Bubbleman fired a sphere of water from his cannon that struck Tenacious dead-on, destroying him.
Aster: 1500 LP
"Now Air Hummingbird, attack Doom Lord with Slaughtering Swoop!" he continued as Air Hummingbird dove into Doom Lord, annihilating him on the spot.
Aster: 1300 LP
Jaden then placed a card down and ended his turn, Alexis noting he made a great comeback. "You can say that again. He was about to lose, but now he's got the advantage over Aster," Lily noted, and Bastion said that with the Neo-Spacians, there was no telling what Jaden had in store for 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. And now I'm sacrificing Diamond Dude to summon Destiny Hero Double Dude in attack mode!" Aster declared.
Level 6/Dark/Warrior
ATK 1000/DEF 1000
Aster ordered Double Dude to attack Bubbleman, and his monster leapt at Bubbleman and tried to strike him with his cane, but Bubbleman blocked the attack with his blaster, causing it to be destroyed. "Since Bubbleman was equipped with Bubble Blaster, it took the hit for Bubbleman and my life points," Jaden explained.
"Maybe, but due to Double Dude's special ability, he can attack twice each battle phase, so attack Air Hummingbird with Overlapping Doom!" Aster shouted as Double Dude's muscles swelled and tore his shirt before he delivered a powerful punch to Air Hummingbird, destroying him.
Jaden: 1500 LP
Aster then placed a card down and ended his turn. "I draw. And I play the spell Graceful Charity, so I draw three cards, but then I have to discard two. And 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," Jaden explained as the cards he had just discarded were ejected from his graveyard, Bastion complimenting him on the move.
"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!" Jaden shouted.
Level 3/Fire/Insect
ATK 500/DEF 500
Aster was surprised Jaden had another Neo-Spacian, and Jaden asked if he thought Flare Scarab was cool, caying there are even more amazing heroes like him out there. "Are you that desperate to show them off? I don't acknowledge heroes who don't bear the weight of destiny!" Aster shouted.
"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. In fact, 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," Jaden said.
Suddenly Aster could remember when he was a child and his father created the Destiny Heroes, the memories of his excitement flowing back. Aster wondered to himself why his heart ached when he saw the cards he was using, and he felt a sharp pain run through his mind and he clutched the sides of his head as he cried out.
Jaden asked Aster what was wrong, and Michael said Aster's mind was at war with itself. Jaden asked Michael why he was there, and Michael said he would play catch-up later before asking how Aster was using Destiny Heroes when he surrendered his deck after he lost their duel. Jaden asked when the two of them had dueled, and Michael said it happened after Jaden had left, and since the Destiny Heroes were never publicly released, the cards Aster was using had to be counterfeits.
"Hold on, if he's using fake cards, that means he's disqualified," Bastion said, but Bonaparte said he wouldn't allow that. "Hang on, if Aster cares about his dad's cards so much, why would he duel with fake copies?" Hassleberry asked, and Michael said he likely 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," Michael suggested, and Jaden said that now losing definitely wasn't an option.
Suddenly a white aura surrounded Aster and his hair turned bleach white. "You will see the light Jaden, now get on with it," Aster demanded. "Alright then. Due to Flare Scarab's special ability, he gains 400 attack points for every spell and trap on your field," Jaden explained.
Scarab: 500-1300 ATK
"And due to Common Soul's effect, Bubbleman gains attack equal to Flare Scarab's attack points."
Bubbleman: 800-2100 ATK
"Now Bubbleman, take down his Double Dude!" Jaden ordered as Bubbleman launched a stream of water at Double Dude, tearing right through him.
Aster: 200 LP
"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!" Aster declared.
Level 4/Dark/Warrior
ATK 100/DEF 2700
Jaden was surprised it had so many defense points, and Aster explained that in order to balance those points, his opponent was allowed to draw a card during their standby phase if Defender was in defense mode at that time. Jaden ended his turn, and Aster informed him that during his standby phase, Double Dude's effect activates, giving Aster two Double Dude tokens since it was destroyed in battle.
Level 4/Dark/Warrior
ATK 1000/DEF 1000
"Next, I play the Mystical Space Typhoon spell to destroy your Common Soul card," he continued, and Jaden informed him that when Common Soul leaves the field, the monster summoned by its effect returns to his hand, causing Bubbleman to lose his point bonus.
Bubbleman: 1700-800 ATK
"Now I'll have one of my tokens attack your Bubbleman!" Aster ordered as one of his tokens ran forward and struck Bubbleman with its cane.
Jaden: 1300 LP
Aster then had his second token attack Jaden directly.
Jaden: 300 LP
Aster ended his turn, and Syrus said the siuation didn't look good for 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!" Jaden shouted.
Level 2/Earth/Warrior
ATK 500/DEF 600
"And due to his special ability, since he was special summoned, I can bring out his friends, two more Hero Kids," Jaden explained as two more of his monster appeared on the field. "Think I'll summon something stronger, like my Destiny Hero Dreadmaster!" Aster shouted.
Level 8/Dark/Warrior
ATK ?/DEF ?
"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 Dude
Level 4/Dark/Warrior
ATK 1400/DEF 1600
Captain Tenacious
Level 3/Dark/Warrior
ATK 800/DEF 600
"And Dreadmaster's attack and defense are equal to the total attack of my other Destiny Heroes."
Dreadmaster: ?-2300 ATK/DEF
"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!" Jaden exclaimed.
Scarab: 500-900 ATK
"Now attack Captain Tenacious with Flaming Arrow!" Jaden ordered as Flare Scarab launched a blast of fire at Captain Tenacious, destroying him in one shot.
Dreadmaster: 2300-1500 ATK/DEF
"Next, I'll place two cards face-down and end my turn," Jaden finished. "My move. And I play Pot of Greed, letting me draw two cards. Now I sacrifice all three of my monsters to summon Destiny Hero Dogma in attack mode!" Aster shouted.
Level 8/Dark/Warrior
ATK 3400/DEF 2400
Bastion realized it was the same monster Aster played against Michael, but Lily pointed out that Jaden didn't have any god cards up his sleeve. Michael said he'd better have something there, because if Aster attacked Flare Scarab, Jaden would lose. Aster ordered his monster to attack, and Dogma flew up in the air before firing a blast of energy at Flare Scarab.
"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," Jaden explained as one of the Hero Kids flew in front of Flare Scarab, blocking the attack. "Your sacrifice will not have been in vain. Jaden, it is time to call upon the power of Neos," Flare Scarab advised, and Jaden nodded before adding the monster to his hand. Aster then place a card face-down and ended his turn.
Scarab: 900-1300 ATK
Jaden started his turn, but during his standby phase, Aster activated Dogma's effect, explaining that as long as it was around, Jaden would lose half his life points during each of his standby phases.
Jaden: 150 LP
Bastion said the next strike would likely end the duel, but Lily just wondered who would land the blow first. "Not bad, but I've still got some fight left in me," Jaden assured, but Aster said there wasn't a single card in his deck that could save him. "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!" Jaden shouted as Dark City was destroyed and the whole field was covered in a multi-colored veil.
"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 pointed out that even with the power boost, Dogma was still stronger. "Maybe not, but now it's time to show off Neos' true potential. I join Neos and Flare Scarab with contact fusion. You see, fusions that use Neos and Neo-Spacians as material don't need Polymerization. Now, come forth, Elemental Hero Flare Neos!" Jaden shouted.
Level 7/Fire/Warrior
ATK 2500/DEF 2000
"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!" Aster exclaimed, and Michael said it looked like Jaden was getting through to him. "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, Neos gets a major boost," Jaden said as Neos' attack points shot up.
Flare Neos: 2500-4200 ATK
"Now attack Dogma with Flare Storm!" Jaden ordered as Neos created a fireball in his hand before throwing it at Dogma. "I play the trap D-Shield! This changes Dogma to defense mode and then equips onto him, keeping him from being destroyed in battle!" Aster explained as Dogma crossed his arms and withstood the attack.
Jaden ended his turn, and Aster watched Neos, expecting him to disappear, but nothing happened. Aster guessed that Neo Space kept Neos on the field, and Jaden confirmed it, saying as long as he had Neo Space, Neos can stay as long as he wants. "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," Aster said.
Neos: 4200-4600 ATK
"et's go Jaden! This is the last attack that will settle things between us! Go, Dogma!" Aster ordered. Syrus wondered what Aster was doing, and Aster activated Heavy Storm Blade's effect, explaining that when the equipped monster attacks, it destroys every spell and trap other than itself is destroyed. Dogma's blade spun rapidly, generating a cyclone that destroyed all the other spells and traps on the field.
Neos: 4600-2900 ATK
Aster said it was Jaden's loss, but when Dogma struck Neos with his blade, not only didn't it harm Neos, but Dogma's blade began to crack. "Sorry Aster, but you lose. 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," Jaden explained.
Neos: 2900-3700 ATK
"But that means Jaden wins. But Sartorius said I was destined to win this duel. Does that mean Jaden is more powerful than destiny?" Aster asked as himself as Dogma's body began to crack before he exploded.
Aster: 0 LP
Winner: Jaden
"That's game, and a sweet one too," Jaden congratulated, but suddenly, Aster dropped to his knees and a white mist seeped off his body before dissipating, his hair returning to its normal color. Aster asked what happened, and Lily asked if he didn't remember what happened. Jaden asked Aster what happened, and Aster said it was a little fuzzy, but he was starting to remember.
"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," Aster admitted, and Michael told him his manager was a dangerous man who had been using him for his own benefit.
"I may not remember much right now, but I know that these fakes shouldn't exist," Aster said as he removed the cards from his duel disk and began to rip them up. "I think now you get what your father intended these cards for, and I think he'd want you to take them back," Michael offered, but Aster said he couldn't take them back, at least not yet.
Jaden asked Aster if he was sure, and Aster said he was. "I did some bad things with those cards, and I insulted my father more by using those counterfeits. Someday I'll take them back, but for now, promise me you'll keep them safe," Aster asked, Michael promising to do so. Aster thanked Michael before turning to Jaden, thanking him for helping him see the truth.
"I've been duped. I mean a pro who can't even beat a Slifer?" Bonaparte lamented, but his moping was short-lived as Aster walked up to the man. "You know, I kinda like it here. Think I'll stay for a while. That's not a problem, is it?" Aster asked, and Bonaparte said it wasn't an issue. Aster walked outside and tried to call Sartorius, but he didn't get an answer. "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?" Aster wondered.