Yugioh [763-765] (Patreon)

Chapter 763: Heroes Don't Easily Give Up

Elemental HERO Thunder Giant, summon!
[Elemental HERO Thunder Giant, ATK 2400]

"Thunder Giant's effect!" Jaden said. "When this card is Fusion Summoned: choose 1 face-up monster on your opponent's field whose original ATK is lower than this card's. Destroy that monster!"

"Evil HERO Inferno Wing's original ATK is 2100," the Supreme King said coolly.

"Right. And Vicious Claw can only substitute destruction when the equipped monster is destroyed by battle—monster effects don't care," Jaden said. "Evil may look stronger for a moment, but in the end, the hero always wins! Thunder Giant—Voltic Thunder!"

Lightning gathered at the Thunder Giant's chest, flowed into both palms, and with a blaze like thousands of golden javelins, it pierced through Evil HERO Inferno Wing.

"Evil HERO Inferno Wing is destroyed, and the equipped Vicious Claw goes with it!" Jaden said. "Then Thunder Giant attacks directly! Let thunder pierce the darkness!

Voltic Thunder!"

Thunder Giant raised both hands; endless lightning roiled into his palms, then turned into a surging thunder-dragon that roared as it blasted out. The bolt crashed straight into the Supreme King like a falling thunderstrike, black smoke billowing and a massive crater torn in the ground. Yet the Supreme King's stance remained upright, unshaken like a stump; his expression didn't change at all, as if he felt none of the real damage behind Thunder Giant's full-force strike.

[Supreme King, LP 3200 → 800]

"How about it? Can you feel it a little now—the power of my heroes?" Jaden said. "That's the true power! A Duel should never be a tool to dominate or hurt others!"

The Supreme King slowly opened his eyes. The light from his golden pupils pierced the smoke; meeting his gaze sent a chill through the heart.

"Is that so? What I feel is… still weak," the Supreme King said flatly. "Power of that level has no 'right' to it."

"What did you say?" Jaden frowned.

"Activate set card," the Supreme King declared, flipping a back row. "Trap Card: Damage Gate.

You can only activate this card when you take battle damage. Special Summon 1 monster from your GY with ATK less than or equal to the damage you took."

He pulled a monster from his GY.

"I Special Summon Elemental HERO Clayman."

The stout-bodied Clayman returned to the field—this time on Jaden's opposite side, with a thuggish, dangerous glint in his eyes.

[Elemental HERO Clayman, DEF 2000]

Jaden grit his teeth.

This guy took that attack and didn't even flinch. Is he really a feelingless dueling machine? A monster?

"I set 1 card and end my turn," Jaden said.

"My turn. Draw."

The Supreme King drew, then casually revealed a Spell.

"I activate the Spell E — Emergency Call to add 1 Elemental HERO from my Deck to my hand.

I add Elemental HERO Sparkman."

A searched card flew from the Deck, twirled, and landed in the Supreme King's hand.

"Sparkman too, huh," Jaden murmured.

"Your heroes' feeble forms are almost unwatchable," the Supreme King said icily. "Let darkness liberate their true power! I activate the Spell Dark Fusion! I fuse the Sparkman in my hand with the Clayman on the field!"

A second Dark Fusion. Dark energy pulsed, then twisted into a horrific vortex—as if linked to all the gloom and despair across the twelve dimensions, devouring every light and hope.

The two heroes were dragged into the black void, and the resulting shockwave surged like a raging tide. The inky cyclone sketched the outline of a massive torso, then iron limbs, a head encased in a menacing helm; black lightning wove into a towering body, descending like a monstrous colossus.

"Fusion Summon—

—Evil HERO Lightning Golem!"

[Evil HERO Lightning Golem, ATK 2400]

"Lightning… Golem?"

Jaden was momentarily dazed.

This was the evil version of Thunder Giant.
He was more and more certain: the one facing him was undoubtedly the embodiment of his own inner darkness.

Like his opposite self, the beloved heroes he took pride in had fallen into darkness and become these grim visages. Evil—yet stronger, unrestrained, casting off every shackle. Just like…
Just like the "himself" in his nightmares sometimes.

Supreme King: "Then I play the Spell Legacy of a HERO. If there are 3 or more Level 4 or higher HERO monsters in my GY, I draw 3 cards." (Anime effect)

"Evil HERO Lightning Golem, effect activate!" the Supreme King barked. "Once per turn: destroy any 1 monster on the field.

Begone, you feeble trash! Destroy Elemental HERO Thunder Giant!"

The corrupted evil was an upgrade across the board—stronger and more oppressive than Thunder Giant. With a contemptuous glance at its mirror, Lightning Golem raised a single finger; a hook of jet-black lightning pierced Thunder Giant's body and exploded from within, blowing him to pieces.

"Gh—"

Jaden threw an arm up to shield himself from the blast and shrapnel.

"But my heroes won't go down that easily.

I activate my face-down—Trap Card, Elemental Mirage!"

The set card flipped, projecting a mirror-like structure on Jaden's field.

"Elemental Mirage can be activated when an Elemental HERO you control would be destroyed by a card effect," Jaden said. "Special Summon that destroyed Elemental HERO back to the field!" (Anime card)
In the real TCG this wouldn't work, since HERO Fusions like Thunder Giant say "Must be Fusion Summoned and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways."

But per the anime—given Jaden trying to revive Flame Wingman with Monster Reborn, etc.—HEROes there don't have that restriction. Once properly summoned, they can be revived by traps.

"Return, Thunder Giant!"

The mirror shattered in a burst of electricity, and Thunder Giant roared back through the broken reflection.

[Elemental HERO Thunder Giant, ATK 2400]

"I told you—heroes don't give up so easily!" Jaden said.

"More like refuse to let go," the Supreme King replied coolly. "Then I activate my set Trap—Slime Ball.

When a monster is Special Summoned: I gain LP equal to that monster's ATK, then destroy that monster."

Chapter 764: Power Is Justice

"Slime Ball's effect—destroy the Special Summoned monster!"

At the Supreme King's harsh words, Thunder Giant lost his footing and plunged into a dark hole. Countless slimes below became clawing hands, seized him, and dragged him down.

Thunder Giant struggled with all his might, but vanished into the pit amid the press of slimes and exploded into fragments with a boom.

"And I recover LP equal to Thunder Giant's ATK—2400," the Supreme King added.

[Supreme King, LP 800 → 3200]

Not only did Thunder Giant's revival fail, it even gave the opponent LP back. Jaden bit his lip.

"Do you see now? Your so-called heroic persistence is meaningless before power," the Supreme King said. "These twelve worlds have already submitted to me. I am the rules. I am the only justice.

If you insist on resisting, then the Supreme King himself will pass judgment!

Evil HERO Lightning Golem, direct attack!"

Dark lightning gathered in Lightning Golem's hands, becoming a raging torrent that crackled and exploded across Jaden's body.

A rending pain as if his body were run through by black thunder. For a moment, Jaden felt as light as a feather, whirled into the air, spinning several times—then as he fell, it was as if he'd become a thousand times heavier.

[Jaden, LP 3700 → 1300]

"Your struggle only makes it more painful," the Supreme King said coldly. "You may be deluding yourself that you'll become a hero—the savior of this world.

But you won't. You're this world's cancer.

Because I told you: I am justice. Without power, whatever you think or do is wrong. Even if you try to protect, you will only keep losing; even if you try to trust, you will only be betrayed."

The cold sovereign glanced at his right hand, eyes narrowing.

"The only thing you can trust—the only thing that won't betray you—is power. With power, you can become justice itself."

"That's not how it is."

Jaden, knocked to the ground, planted both hands, ignored the scream of bones that felt like they'd fall apart, ignored the black smoke rising from him, and slowly stood again.

"It's precisely what I believe in—what I want to protect—that gives me power. Power that's needed and wanted by others isn't the same as your empty power."

"Is that so." The Supreme King's tone was mild. "If so, try defeating me and prove your so-called power is real."

He drew another card.

"I set 1 card. Turn end."

"As you wish—watch closely."

Jaden looked down at his Deck.

"No matter what, I trust my Deck. I trust my HEROes.

My turn—draw!"

He immediately revealed the card he drew.

"Spell Card—Card of Adversity. If your opponent controls a Special Summoned monster and you control no monsters, draw 2 cards!" (Anime card)
Jaden drew two.

"Then I activate the Spell—Convert Contact!" Jaden said. "If you control no monsters: send 1 Neo-Spacian from your hand and 1 Neo-Spacian from your Deck to the GY, then draw 2 cards!"

He selected one Neo-Spacian from hand and one from Deck, showed them, then sent both to the GY.

"I send Neo-Spacian Dark Panther and Neo-Spacian Glow Moss, then draw 2."

"Neo-Spacians?" The Supreme King frowned slightly.

No longer the Elemental HEROes that mirrored his Evil HEROes, but a force more foreign to him.

"That's right—my irreplaceable friends from space!" Jaden said. "I then activate the Spell—Cocoon Party!
For each different 'Neo-Spacian' name in my GY, I Special Summon 1 'Neo-Spacian Cocoon' monster from my Deck!"

Two beams of golden light shot from Jaden's Deck.

"Come forth, Chrysalis Dolphin! And Chrysalis Mole!"

Two chibi forms nestled in cocoon-like suits—baby dolphin and baby mole—appeared, adorable as can be.

Cocoons are the Neo-Spacians' sub-line; their monsters are the Neo-Spacians' juvenile forms. After the young cocoons encountered a mysterious dark wave in Neo Space, they evolved into the adult Neo-Spacians.

[Chrysalis Dolphin, DEF 600]

[Chrysalis Mole, DEF 100]

The Supreme King: "What can such weak things do?"

Jaden ignored him. "I activate the Field Spell—Neo Space!"

A new field spread, and the Supreme King's dark domain was flooded with prismatic light, a sacred realm woven of auroras.

"In Neo Space, Cocoons evolve upon contact with the mysterious power!" Jaden said. "Chrysalis Dolphin and Chrysalis Mole—activate your effects!

While Neo Space is on the field, tribute yourselves to Special Summon the corresponding Neo-Spacians from hand or Deck.

I offer them both! From across the distant stars, answer the call of evolution—

Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin!

Neo-Spacian Grand Mole!"

Jaden's two favorite Neo-Spacians flew from the Deck and landed to his left and right.

[Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin, ATK 600]

[Neo-Spacian Grand Mole, ATK 900]

"Then I Normal Summon Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird."

White wings spread as the red hummingbird circled twice and landed confidently at Jaden's side.

[Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird, ATK 800]

"First, Air Hummingbird's effect. Once per turn: I gain 500 LP for each card in my opponent's hand!" Jaden said.

"My hand has two cards," the Supreme King replied coolly.

"Then I gain 1000 LP!"

A huge flower bloomed from the lone card in the Supreme King's hand; Hummingbird darted over and sipped, golden light flowing through him back into Jaden.

[Jaden, LP 1300 → 2300]

"Next, I activate the Spell—Space Gift!" Jaden said. "For each different 'Neo-Spacian' I control, I draw 1 card.

I control three different Neo-Spacians, so I draw three!"

Jaden drew three, then looked up, eyes unwavering.

"Now I'll show you the strength of my Neo-Spacian friends!"

Chapter 765: Ultimate Evil HERO

"Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin—effect activate!"

Jaden declared.

"Discard 1 card; look at your opponent's hand and choose 1 monster. If I control a monster with higher ATK than that monster's ATK, destroy it and inflict 500 damage."

"Destroy my hand, is it," the Supreme King said. "A troublesome effect indeed. I'll dispose of it quickly.

I activate my set Quick-Play—Effect Shut. Negate that monster effect's activation, then destroy that monster."

Aqua Dolphin cried out as currents bound him; after one electric torture sequence, he shattered into fragments.

"Aqua Dolphin…"

Jaden raised an arm to shield himself, gritting his teeth.

One of his Neo-Spacian big brothers, the Dolphin, was boxed before he could shine.

But that's fine—there's still the more reliable Mole.

"Then, battle!" Jaden said. "Neo-Spacian Grand Mole, attack Evil HERO Lightning Golem!"

The Supreme King clearly hadn't seen Mole's trick before and frowned. "Attacking with a lower-ATK monster?"

"Leave it to me!"

Grand Mole's confident voice was reassuring. His head-drill locked, and he burrowed into the ground with a rumble.

The ground beneath Lightning Golem split open; he stumbled and sank. Grand Mole burst out, drilling into Lightning Golem. One became golden light, the other dark current, each bouncing back to their controller's hand.

"What?" the Supreme King growled. "Lightning Golem, by a small fry like that—"

"Grand Mole's effect!" Jaden said. "At the start of the Damage Step when this card battles an opponent's monster: return both that monster and this card to their owners' hands; no damage calculation!"

The Supreme King snorted heavily, silent.

But inwardly he mused: first the Duel King, now even my mirror—indeed, that neighboring dimension is a devious place.

"Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird, direct attack!"

Hummingbird beat his wings, swept across the aurora-lit field, and pecked the Supreme King with a spear-like beak.

[Supreme King, LP 3200 → 2400]

"Then I activate the Continuous Spell—Damage Off Zone," Jaden said. "While this card remains on the field, both players halve any battle damage they take." (Anime card)
"My turn ends."

Jaden raised his voice.

"Well? Do you see it? My irreplaceable Neo-Spacian partners—the power of heroes needed by others! Different from someone like you!"

The Supreme King pondered.

Heroic power…
A hand-ripper Dolphin and a monster-bouncing Mole?
Admittedly, not to be underestimated.

"My turn. Draw," the Supreme King said.

"I also play the Spell—Spellbook from the Pot. Both players draw three cards."

The Supreme King drew three.

"Then I discard Evil HERO Adusted Gold from my hand to activate its effect," the Supreme King said coolly. "Add from my Deck to my hand 1 card that lists 'Dark Fusion' or 'Dark Fusion' itself, except Adusted Gold.

From my Deck, I add…"

He revealed the searched card.

"The Spell—Dark Calling."

Jaden watched the fleeting phantom of Adusted Gold on the field and muttered, "Even the Captain Gold got corrupted?"

"I activate the Spell—Dark Calling!"

The Supreme King raised the card high and shouted.

"Banish Fusion Material monsters from my hand or GY to Fusion Summon an Evil HERO!"

Jaden held his breath. "Even an evil version of Miracle Fusion…"

"I banish Evil HERO Infernal Wing and Evil HERO Adusted Gold from my GY to perform a dark fusion!

Fusion materials: 1 Evil HERO + any Level 5 or higher monster. Fusion Summon!
The ultimate darkness—the emblem of my power—

—Evil HERO Malicious Bane!!!"

A dark gale brewed, like the breath of the abyss, carrying an unspeakable dread that dimmed even the auroras of Neo Space.

As if darkness itself were given life, it spun and wove into a tornado that could shake the whole realm. Countless ink-black particles whipped in the storm, crazily condensing—through extreme compression and friction forming silver talons, a powerful long tail, grim heavy armor—every inch radiating hellish malice and madness.

The ultimate evil Hero—Evil HERO Malicious Bane—descended!
[Evil HERO Malicious Bane, ATK 3000]

Darkness itself had come, a terrifying storm threatening to overturn Neo Space. Jaden raised an arm and stared, aghast, at the great demon king that landed before him.

"This evil HERO… this power—what is it?"

Jaden instinctively pressed his chest.

It wasn't just the godlike aura of power. Simply looking at this demon king made his heart seize.

"This monster likely embodies a part of the Supreme King's avatar," a voice sounded by his ear.

Jaden turned—Elemental HERO Neos, hovered behind him like a guardian spirit.

"I see," Jaden murmured. "That's why it gives me such dread…"

He clenched his fist.

"Malicious Bane's effect," the Supreme King said. "Once per turn: destroy all monsters on your opponent's field with ATK less than or equal to this card's ATK."

"All of them?" Jaden was taken aback.

A board wipe. That made him even more certain of Neos's insight: this monster was part of the Supreme King's avatar. An overwhelming, sweeping power—fitting the Supreme King perfectly. The most suitable monster for him.

The poor Hummingbird could not withstand such crushing force. Buried beneath the tide of darkness, it was obliterated.

"And during this effect, Malicious Bane gains power," the Supreme King continued. "For each monster destroyed by this effect, Malicious Bane gains 200 ATK!"

[Evil HERO Malicious Bane, ATK 3000 → 3200]

"Not good, Jaden," Dolphin, already off the field, said as a ghostly afterimage. "The more he destroys, the stronger he gets. And in reverse, the higher the ATK threshold of what he can destroy next time!"

Malicious Bane can sweep all monsters with ATK lower than its own; the more it blows up, the higher its ATK climbs—a positive feedback loop.

"Indeed. Malicious Bane is the ultimate evil Hero—his power has no limit," the Supreme King said. "But you won't live to see him at his strongest.

Evil HERO Malicious Bane—direct attack!"