Jaden took a deep breath and stood up.
All of the illusions vanished, and the scene returned to its original state—pitch black, tranquil, void of anything, with no sense of direction.
Jaden looked up to see Yubel hovering beside him, her expression somewhat complex.
"Jaden."
She hesitated for a moment, then closed her eyes and spoke softly.
"It seems you've experienced even more than I imagined over these years."
"It's our experiences that make us stronger."
Jaden stood, reaching out to gently touch the deck on his Duel Disk. It was as if, through the lingering power within his deck, he could still sense the will left behind by those who had departed.
Jaden looked up, resolute. "Even for my irreplaceable partners who are no longer here, I must keep moving forward."
Yubel smiled with relief. "With such determination, you're already an outstanding duelist, Jaden."
At that moment, ripples suddenly appeared in the tranquil darkness around them. The darkness gathered, forming an immense shadow in midair. Within the blurry outline, one could faintly make out sharp claws, a long tail, and a pair of eyes emitting an evil red glow.
"The Wicked God."
Jaden gazed up at the massive shadow and spoke.
"Let's end this charade—your tricks don't scare me, and I won't waver just because of a few words you plant in my mind.
I came here for one reason. We both know how this should end."
He shook the Duel Disk in his hand.
"In a duel, the way of duelists."
The giant shadow let out a series of indistinct sounds, like a heavy, angry exhale.
Then the darkness gathered beneath the shadow, becoming a humanoid figure. The figure had no distinct facial features, but it had eyes, and through them one could sense its irritation.
"So that's how it is. You really are a troublesome kid... There are still some tricky characters in this world after all."
He pondered for two seconds, then a Duel Disk materialized on his arm.
"Alright, as you wish. But I'll say this first—since you dared come to my domain, neither you nor that spirit of yours who barely escaped last time will leave here again."
Before Jaden could reply, Yubel let out a cold laugh.
"You're the one who doesn't understand what you're facing." Yubel said lightly. "Let this arrogant Wicked God see what he's up against, Jaden."
"Right!"
Jaden activated his Duel Disk as well.
"Duel!" x2
…
[Jaden, LP 4000]
[The Wicked Eraser, LP 4000]
…
"I'll go first. Draw!"
It was the second round, only this time Yubel had returned to Jaden's side from the Wicked Eraser's camp. This time, the Wicked Eraser took the first turn.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Take Over 5.' I send the top five cards of my deck to the Graveyard."
The Wicked Eraser drew five cards from the top of his deck and placed them on the Duel Disk, where they slid into the Graveyard one by one.
"I set a monster card face-down." The Wicked God said. "Then I set another card in my back row. My turn ends."
Jaden: "My turn, draw!"
Yubel: "Let him witness the power of a new HERO, Jaden."
"Alright."
Jaden played an Elemental HERO card with a flourish.
"Normal Summon 'Elemental HERO Solid Soldier'!"
A hero in white armor landed heavily on the field, the cold sheen reflecting off his silver armor. His forearms crossed before him like shields, forming a solid wall.
[Elemental HERO Solid Soldier, DEF 1100]
"Solid Soldier's effect: When summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'HERO' monster from my hand."
Jaden revealed another monster card in his hand.
"Special Summon 'Elemental HERO Stratos'!"
Stratos, a HERO rom Koyo Hibiki's deck, though back then its effect was only "halve its ATK to attack directly," making it a far cry from the version dueling fans know and love.
But now, with Jaden at full power, the true might of the Elemental HEROes was unleashed, and Stratos had evolved into his strongest form.
A transparent cyclone formed, materializing into sturdy armor. The dual turbines spun at full speed, lifting Stratos into the air, arms folded confidently, exuding an aura of dominance.
[Elemental HERO Stratos, ATK 1800]
Jaden declared: "Stratos's effect! When this card is summoned, I can add any 'HERO' monster from my deck to my hand!
I search my deck..."
His Duel Disk automatically searched, ejecting a card as if it had a will of its own. Jaden grabbed it.
"I add 'Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier' to my hand!"
The Wicked God scoffed: "Nothing but a bunch of weakling HEROes—endless and annoying."
Jaden ignored the taunt and continued: "Now I activate the Spell Card 'Polymerization!'
I fuse 'Elemental HERO Solid Soldier' on the field and the 'Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier' I just searched from my hand!"
A surge of blue water burst onto the field, forming the body of a new HERO. The water solidified into crystalline blue armor.
Liquid Soldier and Solid Soldier were swept into the fusion vortex, disappearing, followed by an explosion of energy. An icy whirlwind enveloped the field, freezing even the thick darkness.
Snowflakes fell from the sky. A white-caped HERO descended, arms folded, riding a transparent cyclone.
Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, summoned!
[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 2500]
The Wicked God commented: "At least that one looks a bit more impressive."
But then he sneered: "Still not even a snack for a god."
Jaden again ignored him: "Liquid Soldier's effect—when used as Fusion Material for a 'HERO' monster, I draw two cards, then discard one."
Jaden drew two, then discarded one card to the Graveyard.
"And Solid Soldier's other effect: If sent from the field to the Graveyard by a Spell effect, I can Special Summon a 'HERO' monster from the Graveyard in Defense Position."
Jaden pulled out another card.
"I Special Summon 'Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier' in Defense Position!"
[Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier, DEF 1300]
"Liquid Soldier is a WATER monster," Jaden continued, "and Absolute Zero's other effect: It gains 500 ATK for each other WATER monster on the field!"
[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 2500 → 3000]
"Battle!"
Jaden declared.
"Elemental HERO Stratos, attack the face-down monster!"
…
…
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