Yugioh [408-410] (Patreon)

Chapter 408: The Beloved Monster

Terra descends!

The white giant landed, setting off a towering cloud of dust, its huge form stretching up into the sky!

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500]

"Jaden summoned both of Koyo's ace cards in one go!" Mokuba couldn't help but exclaim, "Impressive!"

Midori looked at Jaden on the stage. For a moment, she almost saw Koyo's silhouette overlapping with that boy, and she lost herself in thought.

"So this is what you want to pass on through dueling, Koyo…" she murmured.

"It's not over yet! Elemental HERO Terra Firma's effect activates! By tributing 'Elemental HERO Absolute Zero,' Terra can absorb its ATK and DEF values!

EARTH BURN!!!"

At Jaden's command, Absolute Zero transformed into pure energy and merged with Terra. Terra's snowy-white body instantly turned scorching hot, like molten lava pouring from its body, glowing red as if it were a brand heated in a forge.

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500 → 5000]

"Five thousand attack points…"

The Arbiter looked up at Terra, as if staring straight at the spirit of Koyo.

"Trying to decide it all with a single blow?"

"It's still not over! At this moment, 'Elemental HERO Absolute Zero's' new ability activates—

—Absolute Zero!!!"

"What!?" The crowd gasped.

Even Kaiba looked visibly unsettled this time.

"Did this kid just evolve his monster mid-duel using the power of a duelist?"

It wasn't without precedent—after all, the "Dragon Master Knight" that Yugi and Kaiba fused was born under similar circumstances. But such occurrences were so rare as to be almost nonexistent.

It required not only a duelist's powerful destiny, but also an extraordinary bond with one's monster—what many called a "bond."

Only in extremely specific circumstances, when a duelist and their monster resonated to a high degree, could a monster evolve on its own during a duel.

This is what's known as card imprinting.

Just like Jaden now, awakening a hidden power in his ace card—originally Koyo's—"Elemental HERO Absolute Zero."

Though it lasted only a moment, the Arbiter clearly saw a flash of gold in the boy's eyes.

A burning, awe-inspiring golden gaze.

But it was only for a split-second, then his eyes returned to normal.

"Heh, I knew I wasn't wrong about him." The Arbiter smiled.

He really is an interesting kid.

"Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, new effect! When this card leaves the field, destroy all monsters on your opponent's field!"

"Such a strong effect!?"

Mokuba was shocked.

Absolute freezing, as if the whole field's temperature dropped to absolute zero. No ordinary creature could survive such an arctic hell—Arbiter's Dark Armed Dragon, Flame Wingman, and Helpoemer—all monsters were instantly frozen and shattered into glittering crystals in seconds.

"Interesting… very interesting."

The Arbiter grew even more interested.

"Battle! The final strike!" Jaden declared. "Terra's attack will end this duel!"

First, the ultimate chill. Then, the fury of molten lava. With 5000 attack points, Terra absorbed all that molten energy, forming a flaming sword of destruction in its hand!

Even the audience held their breath.

Will he win?

"Not bad, you've managed to draw out a bit of your true power. But it's still not enough."

The Arbiter spoke calmly.

"It seems I'll have to force you to face your past. Only then will that sleeping soul awaken."

"What did you say?" Jaden frowned.

"Doma's resources cover the world. We know everything that's ever happened. Since you've forgotten, let me help you remember."

The Arbiter continued, quietly.

"That year, you'd just learned about Duel Monsters. Your father returned from a business trip and brought you that rare card—the monster you truly loved, a card with special meaning to you."

Jaden froze.

That distant voice echoed in his mind again.

"Jaden… Jaden…"

There it was again, that voice.

His heart pounded, his mind grew foggy. Jaden clutched his head, stumbling.

What is it? What have I forgotten, something so important…

No, I can't lose my rhythm. I have to finish this duel first.

"Elemental HERO Terra Firma!" Jaden shouted. "Direct attack!"

As the flaming blade was drawn, his headache worsened.

He staggered, almost losing his balance.

But the command went through. Terra leaped across the frozen field, its heat melting all ice and snow. The earth blade struck, 5000 attack points slashing right for the Arbiter.

"Trap activate."

The Arbiter flicked his hand.

"Trap Card: 'Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert.' When your opponent declares an attack, Special Summon a monster from your hand, and your opponent's monster must attack that monster instead." (Anime effect)

Jaden's headache peaked.

Something important was coming, something that mattered deeply to him—

"Special Summon from my hand—meet your old friend—"

The Arbiter calmly flipped a card.

"—Yubel, summoned!"

Thorny vines burst from the ground, swirling. Within them, the shadow of a demon took shape, cloaked in black bone wings.

Then suddenly, the wings unfurled, and a demon with a feminine form slowly raised her head, her heterochromatic eyes opening coldly to look at Jaden.

[Yubel, ATK 0]

Even Kira was surprised now.

Yubel!?

Could she have been intercepted by Doma on her way back from space? Given Doma's global reach and power, it wouldn't be difficult.

But looking more closely, Kira saw this card wasn't a spirit.

So perhaps, while Yubel's card is rare, it's not unique. Only the one Jaden had as a child contained the spirit with a deep bond to him.

This one was just a rare monster card, nothing special. With the Arbiter's resources, getting it was easy.

Jaden stared wide-eyed at the monster across from him. Suddenly, memories pieced themselves together in his mind.

The card he loved most, his first spirit, the monster with the most special meaning to him…

"Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert's effect—Terra must attack Yubel," the Arbiter said.

"But Yubel's attack is only 0!" Mokuba shouted.

Kaiba frowned: "No, that monster's special effect—"

"Yubel cannot be destroyed by battle, and you take no battle damage from battles involving her. Moreover," the Arbiter added calmly, "the damage is reflected back to your opponent."

"What!?" Mokuba gasped, "That's broken!"

Terra's 5000-point slash struck Yubel, but did nothing. Instead, Yubel's vines absorbed all the molten energy, striking back at Jaden like lightning!

Jaden was pierced through the chest, staggering backward, but kept staring at the monster that dealt the final blow.

"Y-Yubel…"

[Jaden, LP 1200 → 0]

Chapter 409: The Road to the Final Duel

"Jaden!"

Midori was the first to rush onto the stage after the duel. Jaden was wobbling, half-kneeling, head down, looking half-dead.

But when she helped him up, he turned to her with a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, sensei, I'm fine. Sorry… I still lost."

Only then did Midori relax, breathing a sigh of relief. She ruffled Jaden's hair. "It's okay, you did great. As long as you're safe."

Yet she was a bit puzzled, glancing at the Arbiter.

Midori now clearly understood how terrifying a Shadow Duel was. Usually, losers ended up soulless and unconscious.

Her brother, Koyo, had just fallen into a coma after losing to this very man.

But Jaden seemed fine.

She realized the Arbiter hadn't used that ominous "Seal of Orichalcos" this duel. Supposedly, those who lose inside it have their souls taken.

Why?

She didn't believe for a second it was because the Arbiter was afraid he'd lose. Even she could tell he was a duelist beyond normal limits.

Throughout the duel, he'd been completely calm. As much as she hated to admit it, it seemed he'd been in control from the start, both with Koyo and Jaden.

So why spare Jaden?

"Do you want his other soul?" Kira spoke up as the Arbiter stepped down from the stage.

The Arbiter paused, squinting at Kira.

"Oh?" he said. "Fujiki Kira, you're becoming more and more interesting. How much do you know?"

They stared at each other for a few seconds.

"You guessed right," the Arbiter nodded, glancing at Jaden.

"This boy is only halfway there. Even if I beat him now, I'd only get a decent duelist's soul. But I don't really need more souls like that."

He spoke calmly.

"In fact, if I did that, I'd lose the connection to the powerful soul I really want. That would be a waste."

As Kira suspected, his real target was the Supreme King.

The Seal of Orichalcos only takes a single soul, like when Atem lost and Yugi offered himself in his place.

The Arbiter must have decided that even if he won here, it'd only net him Jaden's soul—not worth it. He was after the Supreme King.

But…

"What do you mean, a connection to the powerful soul?" Kira asked.

Logically, the Supreme King should be inside Jaden, albeit deeply asleep, like an inner personality. If the Arbiter beat Jaden now, wouldn't that awaken the inner personality? Then he could duel and defeat the Supreme King, and claim that power.

But he said otherwise: that beating Jaden now would cut off the connection.

So does that mean the Supreme King isn't actually inside Jaden?

The Arbiter didn't explain, just gave a strange laugh.

"Well, who knows?"

He walked past Kira, pausing briefly behind him.

"But if I were you, I wouldn't have the time to worry about others right now."

Half his body cloaked in shadow, he spoke coldly.

"Soon, it'll be your turn. Once I collect all the Sealing Device you possess…"

He chuckled darkly, then walked away.

Kira: "…"

As the Arbiter left, a tall figure stepped in front of him.

Seto Kaiba.

"You needn't worry about that," Kaiba said coolly.

"Because I'll be the one to defeat him in the end."

Kira understood.

The semifinals' first match—Jaden vs the Arbiter—was over. Now, only he and Kaiba remained.

If he lost to Kaiba, he'd have nothing to do with the final. Saving the world and all that would be Kaiba's job.

In the past, he might have thought that a good deal.

"…I understand," Kira said to Kaiba, "but I won't go easy on you, President."

"Hmph."

Kaiba's lips curled in a slight, approving smile.

"That's more like it. In half an hour, right here. Don't keep me waiting."

He turned to leave, then paused and looked at Jaden on stage.

"Your friend… he's a proud duelist too. One day, he'll stand at the top of the world. Don't get left behind."

"I know," Kira nodded.

Kaiba left without another word.

Kira finally walked onto the field, approaching Jaden.

"How're you feeling?"

"My head still hurts."

Jaden lay on the ground, sighing.

"Ah, it's so frustrating to lose."

"I warned you," Kira shrugged.

"But… it was a great duel."

Jaden sat up, suddenly lost in thought.

"More importantly, what the Arbiter said… I think he was right."

"What do you mean?"

"About forgetting something important." Jaden paused. "Now I remember. She was my first spirit, my favorite monster.

But later… for reasons I couldn't help, she was launched into space. I don't know where she is now…"

Kira patted his shoulder. "Either way, you remembered now, right? As long as you have a bond with your monsters, you'll meet again someday."

"…Yeah, you're right. Okay!"

Jaden slapped his cheeks and perked up.

"Before that, I have to become a more reliable duelist."

He sprang to his feet.

"Now, it's time to cheer for Kira! Your opponent is Seto Kaiba—so jealous, I never got that chance…"

"…"

Chapter 410: The Final Qualifier

Koyo lay in a hospital bed, eyes closed, hooked up to life-support and monitoring devices.

"Sorry, Mr. Koyo," Jaden said at the bedside, scratching his head. "Looks like I lost after all."

"As I said, you did more than enough," Midori replied softly. "If Koyo knew, he'd be proud."

Kira thought, of course—Jaden literally imprinted a new effect onto a card. After that duel, Absolute Zero is now epic-level, a huge upgrade for Elemental HEROes.

If Jaden keeps pushing himself and triggering those power plays, all HERO duelists worldwide will benefit.

What a walking, living card printer!

But Kira had something else on his mind.

Though it was just a brief moment, he was sure he'd seen it—Jaden's eyes flashed dangerously gold for an instant, the mark of the Supreme King.

But when he asked Jaden, the boy was clueless.

"Nope, didn't feel anything," Jaden said. "If anything, I remember feeling frustrated, wanting to put everything into that duel. Everything after that was just instinct."

As Kira suspected, even the person himself couldn't explain it.

But Kira had a bold theory.

Though Jaden is the Supreme King's reincarnation, there was no hint of it in the early anime—it was clearly a late addition by the writers and felt abrupt.

So maybe, although he's the reincarnation, the Supreme King wasn't actually inside him all along?

Otherwise, why didn't he awaken during all Jaden's early crises, even after losing to Aster with the power of the Light of Destruction?

And when Jaden went to the alternate dimension to save Jesse, the spirits there already knew the Supreme King.

Combining this with the Arbiter's words, Kira suspected:

Jaden is closely linked to the Supreme King, but perhaps the Supreme King wasn't dormant inside him, but in the Spirit World—one of the twelve dimensions from the anime.

Still, the Supreme King's on-screen duels were few and ambiguous. He seemed strong, but Kira couldn't judge his true strength.

After all, the Supreme King only had one win and one draw.

Even against Jim, the Supreme King actually lost at first, but the writers miscounted by 100 life points, so he survived with 50 and made a comeback. In the DVD version, this was corrected by lowering Jim's monster's ATK to 1200.

That's also why the real card has 1200 ATK.

But anime win rates aren't everything. Plenty of bosses lost to the main characters. Even Dartz never actually won, except a tag duel against Kaiba.

The real MVP was Yubel. She wasn't just a one-shot boss—she dueled again and again, and always in quality matches.

She faced Hell Kaiser Zane in rage mode, Adrian who sacrificed his lover to unlock the Dark Magician, and even took on Jaden and Jesse together. She faced Jaden three times, including a 2v1 and a duel after the Supreme King was unsealed. She never lost, giving up her only draw intentionally to steal Super Polymerization.

Ignoring power scaling, Yubel has by far the most glorious record of any boss in Yu-Gi-Oh.

Kira figured, now that he'd found a way to the Spirit World, he could visit those twelve dimensions someday and see if the Supreme King was there.

But first, the tournament.

…

Twenty minutes left.

Kira returned to his room for final deck adjustments.

"It's finally here. My opponent—Seto Kaiba…"

The world's top duelist, and Kira's best chance yet to test himself.

His spirits seemed excited too.

"Seto Kaiba, the strongest duelist…" Jinzo crossed his arms, calm as ever. "No matter. I'll do my part."

"Hehehe…" Shadow Monarch snickered.

Jinzo frowned. "What's funny?"

"Don't make me laugh. You bully weaklings, but against Blue-Eyes, what good are you? Block our own backrow?"

It's true. President Kaiba is a balanced duelist, but relies less on traps than Kira. Against him, Jinzo's skills are less useful.

Jinzo was speechless, then snapped, "Then what good are you? He's all LIGHT monsters, your DARK-killer effect is useless!"

Shadow Monarch retorted, "At least I can banish, even banish myself for damage! Can you?"

They were about to argue more when the Silent Magician's white staff extended between them. She glared, ready to fight.

Both spirits instantly fell silent, glaring at each other but saying nothing.

"However you choose to attack," Black Luster Soldier floated behind, "my sword is always at your side."

He had no choice—he does what his master asks. Even as the legendary warrior, if the master wanted him to run a burn loop, he'd obey.

"Alright, let's go."

Kira put away his deck, slotted it into his duel disk, and stood up.

"Can't keep the President waiting, right?"