Hikaru's turn arrived. The usual draw. Aiwass, as usual, began slowly crumbling in the pristine world.
BOOM.
Perhaps like Infinite Impermanence, Aiwass was destined never to survive to its moment.
Of course, there was another reason, the main one: it was WIND Attribute.
Tierra knew this too, so she didn't tease Hikaru about blowing up this interestingly designed demon, instead watching him continue.
As usual, Hikaru sent Drosophyllum Hydra from his Deck to the Graveyard, then placed a Predator Counter on Clear Vicious Knight.
Yusuke watched every move.
After all, this was the third time he'd seen this sequence. But this time, Yusuke was prepared.
His dueling wasn't a human's duel. Or rather, the concept of dueling held special significance for any being.
Dueling was power, a symbol of will.
As someone who had abandoned his past, memories, and existence, who chose oblivion and disappearance to escape sorrow, who joined Darkness and became the Mr. T's leader, he naturally followed Darkness's rules.
Methodical, standard dueling.
And "Card of Demise" literally meant "betting one's life."
It represented thoughts that stood apart from the collective.
Of course, since all of Darkness's agents, humans, and followers obeyed Darkness's "leadership" and pursued optimal card effects, using Card of Demise wasn't particularly problematic. At least the Mr. T's had never objected.
"Then, I add Banksiogre from my Deck to my hand."
What comes next?
Normal Summon Sundew Kingii, or Tribute Clear Vicious Knight to Special Summon Banksiogre?
He contemplated his responses.
"I activate a card effect from my Graveyard."
!??
What...
"Drosophyllum Hydra's effects can each be used once per turn. Its first effect activates when sent to the Graveyard: add one Predaplant other than Drosophyllum Hydra from the Deck to hand. Its second effect: when a monster on the field has a Predator Counter, I can activate this.
I Special Summon this card from the Graveyard. Of course, if this card Special Summoned by this effect leaves the field, it's banished."
It had another effect!
From Hikaru's Graveyard, a wasp with a flower bud buzzed to life beside him.
"That monster had another effect? Why didn't he use it before..."
This effect required a countered monster on the field. But in previous iterations, Hikaru had dealt with Clear Vicious Knight before using it, preventing this effect from activating.
Normally, shouldn't this have been the first move?
"Why didn't I use it? Because I don't like unnecessary moves." Hikaru shrugged. "I Tribute your Clear Vicious Knight! Special Summon: Banksiogre!"
With Infinite Impermanence, Dark Ruler No More, what if he even had Nibiru, the Primal Being?
Hikaru didn't know Yusuke's hand. He wouldn't make extra moves.
But this time was different.
With two more Set cards on the opponent's field, Hikaru had to consider more possibilities. Naturally, he would prioritize Fusion without using his Normal Summon.
Now it was Yusuke's turn to think.
Should he activate a card?
Clearly, Hikaru's strategy was to use Special Summoned monsters to probe before Yusuke played Traps, preventing another high-level Clear monster from appearing.
"Flip Set card: Continuous Trap, Call of the Haunted!"
"I target one monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it in Attack Position. When this card leaves the field, that monster is destroyed. When that monster is destroyed, this card is destroyed."
"I revive Clear Vicious Knight!"
An enormous transparent crystal plummeted from the sky, slamming into the earth with a boom.
Clear Vicious Knight. Level 7, DARK Attribute, Warrior-Type. ATK: 2300 → 4300.
"Clear Vicious Knight... is back again." Chazz frowned at the monster.
He didn't know why he said "again." It just came out instinctively.
"This person is like a fallen knight, blindly following his lord's orders." Adrian shook his head.
"But the revived Clear Vicious Knight wasn't Tribute Summoned, so Hikaru can use Special Summoned monsters' effects." Atticus, face full of worry for Hikaru, helped analyze the situation.
Beyond analyzing, he began thinking ahead. "At first glance, Hikaru can't use Spells again. But it's actually not a problem. He just needs to Normal Summon Sundew Kingii, fuse a monster, then use Predapractice's Graveyard effect to destroy the Continuous Spell.
Even if he doesn't destroy the Field Spell, it should work..."
Just take it step by step.
"Wait, Atticus, you know Predapractice's effect?" Chazz was surprised.
Atticus looked at Chazz quizzically. Of course, didn't they just see it?
No, wait...
A chill ran through his body. He finally grasped the problem.
He finally understood how he and Alexis had lost!
Time reversal?
This was bad. Without solving this problem, defeating Yusuke was impossible!
"If I let Predapractice's effect resolve, it might become very hard to defeat you. So I activate a card effect from my hand."
"Again?" Tierra was exasperated.
Weren't duels supposed to use field cards? Why was he always using hand cards?
"D.D. Crow. During either player's turn: I discard this card from my hand to the Graveyard, targeting one card in my opponent's Graveyard. That card is banished.
I banish your Predapractice!"
A crow flew from Yusuke's hand, swooped beside Hikaru's Graveyard, bit down on a Trap, and sneaked away.
"This is bad. He can't use the DARK Fusion effect to destroy field cards anymore." Atticus's expression shifted.
"No, it's fine." Chazz analyzed from the side. "Although he can't destroy monsters now, Chimerafflesia fused by Sundew Kingii is also Level 7, same as Clear Vicious Knight. He can use Chimerafflesia's effect to banish a lower-Level monster, which would still deal with the knight."
"But..." Adrian countered. "Without being able to destroy cards, Clear World's effects will prevent Hikaru from entering the Battle Phase, force him to lose cards, take damage, and destroy monsters. Over time, he'll fall behind regardless."
So if victory was possible, it was best to finish quickly.
Dragging things out would only worsen his position.
Yusuke could hear their discussion. Listening, he chuckled.
True, Clear Vicious Knight was Level 7 and could be banished by Chimerafflesia's effect. But he had a Set Trap: Safe Zone!
Once Safe Zone was equipped to Clear Vicious Knight, it couldn't be targeted by opponent's effects, couldn't be destroyed by battle, and couldn't be destroyed by opponent's effects!
With that protection, plus Clear Vicious Knight's infinitely scaling ATK, plus Hikaru being unable to attack, his advantage would be absolute!
"Normal Summon: Predaplant Sundew Kingii. I activate its effect to fuse Banksiogre and itself on the field."
"Then I chain your effect! Safe Zone! I target Clear Vicious Knight. While Safe Zone is on the field, Clear Vicious Knight can't be targeted by effects, can't be destroyed by battle, and can't be destroyed by opponent's effects."
"This is bad."
The spectators cried out simultaneously.
If Clear Vicious Knight couldn't be banished, Hikaru couldn't use Spells and would suffer all of Clear World's other penalties!
"I Fusion Summon: Predaplant Chimerafflesia."
Hikaru didn't mind. He fused Chimerafflesia as normal.
The enormous flower rose from the ground, standing guard behind Hikaru.
Predaplant Chimerafflesia. Level 7, DARK Attribute, Plant-Type. ATK 2500.
"Hmph, that flower again? But this time, it can't bring you victory." Yusuke spoke.
"Is that so?"
?
"The effect of Banksiogre, which was sent to the Graveyard, activates!"
What? This one too?!
"When Banksiogre is sent from the field to the Graveyard: I place one Predator Counter on every face-up monster on my opponent's field."
"Ah..." The spectators gasped, then broke into knowing smiles.
"Predator Counters...!!!" Beneath Yusuke's mask, his face contorted.
"That's right. Predator Counters' effect: Level 2 or higher monsters become Level 1."
Clear Vicious Knight, Predator Counter: 1. Clear Vicious Knight, Level 7 → 1.
"Nice! He can use Spell Cards again!"
"So that Banksiogre wasn't chosen randomly! It had a supporting effect too!"
The three spectators cheered excitedly, while the expressionless Mr. T's began looking troubled.
"Why... how can there be so many variations..." Yusuke felt like he was losing his mind.
Even using resources beyond what he normally employed, he still couldn't take down Hikaru, still getting locked down by Hikaru's Predaplants.
No. Stay calm.
He hadn't lost yet.
Even with Spells unlocked, it didn't matter much. Hikaru's field monsters were DARK. That couldn't be changed. Clear World would always prevent Hikaru from attacking.
"I activate the Spell Card: Fusion Substitute! I fuse Drosophyllum Hydra and Predaplant Chimerafflesia on my field!"
"Fusion conditions: two DARK monsters on the field!"
This was...
"O great wings that pursue Fusion, now spread wide and embrace all Fusion!"
Both DARK monsters became streaks of purple light, rising into the sky's blue flames, then turning purple.
"Fusion Summon! My wings!"
"Level 8!"
"Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!"
The exotic, beautiful dragon beat its purple wings, slowly and elegantly materializing behind Hikaru. Its wings erupted with endless purple, dyeing the entire pristine world violet.
Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. Level 8, DARK Attribute, Dragon-Type. ATK 2800!
"Fusion Dragon!"
"Long time no see."
"But... even fused, it's still DARK, right?"
The spectators discussed Fusion Dragon's effects. "Fusion Dragon can copy one opponent's monster's effect. If it copies Clear Vicious Knight's effect, it could bypass Clear World.
But Clear Vicious Knight has Safe Zone. Hikaru can't target it, right?"
True.
Although Fusion Dragon could copy effects, without being able to target, even Fusion Dragon couldn't copy.
"Fusion Dragon's effect. When this card is Fusion Summoned: this card gains ATK equal to one opponent's Special Summoned monster's ATK until the end of the turn.
Clear Vicious Knight's ATK is 2300 plus Fusion Dragon's 2800, so it's 5100. Fusion Dragon gains 5100, making its ATK 7900!"
"7900!"
"Hiss, that's almost on par with Zane's Power Bond Cyber End Dragon."
"But he still can't attack..."
Right. No matter how high the ATK, if you can't attack, you can't attack...
"7900? Impressive ATK. But Hikaru, that ATK is useless." Yusuke crossed his arms confidently, looking completely at ease. "Why not abandon your so-called Fusion and join Darkness?"
"Yusuke!" Atticus, seeing Yusuke's attitude, flared up. "You're underestimating him! Hikaru is Duel Academy's greatest pride, our pride, and the absolute Fusion master. Don't think he'll give up!
Don't you dare insult Hikaru!"
Yusuke froze, staring at Atticus in disbelief.
The friend from his memories would say something like that to him?!
Atticus actually blamed himself somewhat.
He hadn't reached the school in time. As an upperclassman, he hadn't helped his juniors. Instead, Hikaru had to come find him. He resented himself for not discovering Darkness's secret sooner, resulting in so many juniors falling unconscious. He couldn't accept that despite having faint memories of Yusuke, he hadn't saved him, and now Yusuke was dueling Hikaru.
All of this was because he wasn't good enough as a senior.
And now Hikaru was stuck in a difficult fight because of it.
"Don't worry, Atticus." Hikaru sensed Atticus's emotional shift. He knew Atticus wasn't easily angered. Scolding even a former close friend showed how deep his sadness ran.
"No matter what difficulty, obstacle, or threat, I won't flinch. I will walk my path of Fusion to the end."
Then he smiled, as if to encourage his classmates and seniors.
"After all...
Fusion is the most noble summoning method!"
That single sentence swept away the darkness in Atticus's heart.
Hearing it, even Adrian, who had never witnessed Hikaru say this firsthand, couldn't help wearing an "everyone knows" smile.
Only Yusuke didn't understand. He dismissed it entirely. "What do you mean 'Fusion is the most noble summoning method'? At this point, there's nothing you can do..."
"No. I still have options." Hikaru cut him off directly.
"Watch closely. The future I choose, the possibilities I choose.
I activate Fusion Substitute's Graveyard effect: I return Invoked Mechaba from my Graveyard to the Deck, banish this card, and draw one card."
Hikaru placed his right hand above his Deck. A card, faintly glowing, appeared in his hand.
Oh.
This?
Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
"Flip Set card!"
Set card...
Set card?!
Yusuke looked at Hikaru's other Set card.
There was still one. What was this card for?!
"Trap Card: Fusion Reserve! I reveal one Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck. I add one Fusion Material monster whose name is specifically listed on that card from my Deck to my hand. Then, I can add one Polymerization from my Graveyard to my hand.
Of course, I currently have no Polymerization in my Graveyard.
I reveal the Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck... Dual Avatar - Empowered Mitsu-Jaku!"
Who?
At Hikaru's side, a warrior brimming with Chinese martial spirit shimmered into existence.
"I add its Fusion Material, Dual Avatar Feet - Kokoku, to my hand!" Hikaru raised his hand. A card automatically flew from his Deck into his hand.
"Then, Spell Card: Dual Avatar Invitation!
I discard one card to Special Summon as many Dual Avatar Spirit Tokens as possible: LIGHT, Warrior, Level 2, ATK/DEF 0. This turn, I can only Special Summon Fusion Monsters from the Extra Deck, and my Tokens can't be Tributed and are destroyed during the End Phase.
After summoning these Tokens, I can apply this effect up to twice: I send Fusion Materials listed on a Dual Avatar Fusion Monster Card from my hand and field to the Graveyard, then Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck!"
"Huh?"
One card serving as both Fusion Material and Fusion Spell.
"I discard Aleister the Invoker! Come, summon the power of the Dual Avatars!"
With Hikaru's motion, countless stars fell from the sky into the pristine world, becoming blue and purple spirit bodies.
"I fuse the two Dual Avatar Spirit Tokens! Fusion Summon: Dual Avatar Fists - Armored Ah-Gyo!"
"Hyah!" A red warrior donned arm guards and threw a punch forward, projecting a beast's shadow.
Dual Avatar Fists - Armored Ah-Gyo. Level 6, LIGHT Attribute, Warrior-Type. ATK 2100.
"Not done! I fuse the other two Dual Avatar Spirit Tokens on my field with Dual Avatar Feet - Kokoku from my hand!"
"Fusion conditions: Dual Avatar Feet - Kokoku plus two Dual Avatar monsters!"
"Come, the divine general from the stars!"
"Fusion Summon!"
Hikaru took a deep breath, pressed his palms together before him.
"Level 7!"
"Dual Avatar - Empowered Mitsu-Jaku!"
Dual Avatar - Empowered Mitsu-Jaku. Level 7, LIGHT Attribute, Warrior-Type. ATK 2000.
"Hah!" A silver-white general landed, performed a spinning kick, then formed a fist with the left hand and an open palm with the right, bowing in greeting to Hikaru.
"He Fusion Summoned two monsters at once..."
"Their ATK is decent too."
"But," Yusuke interrupted the spectators, "he still can't attack."
He spread both arms. "No matter what, you cannot overcome this..."
"No." Hikaru held up his hand, shaking it gently. "The thing is, Field Barrier's effect only prevents Field Spell destruction while it's face-up.
It doesn't mean other effects can't deal with your Field Spell."
"What do you mean?"
"Dual Avatar - Empowered Mitsu-Jaku's effect! Once per turn during my Main Phase: I return all Spells and Traps my opponent controls to the hand!"
Yusuke's eyes widened.
This is bad!!!!
Mitsu-Jaku flicked its right hand, crouched on its left leg, leapt high, extended its right leg, and kicked toward Yusuke's field.
BOOM!
One kick.
The pristine world, Call of the Haunted, Safe Zone, and the Field Barrier, all crumbled to nothing!
"No, wait. I still have methods. I can fine-tune the duel..." Yusuke muttered curses. Time reversal wasn't an innate ability. Even for Darkness, time wasn't something easily manipulated. He had talent for it, so he could use it. But nothing was free. Each use had a cost. If his power exceeded its limit, he wouldn't just "disappear from memories" but "disappear from history."
In the sky, the shattered world began flowing backward, as if everything would reset. Yusuke felt his own form flickering. At this rate, his individual "existence" alone wasn't enough to rewind time. But he believed that to defeat Hikaru, Darkness would accept losing some of its power and life. After all... it was worth it!
"Damn... has that guy no shame?" By now, Chazz had figured out the situation and couldn't help swearing.
"Yusuke, stop this!!" Atticus screamed desperately.
But they couldn't stop Yusuke.
He still refused to accept this outcome.
But...
The rewinding time suddenly froze.
"I asked you, didn't I? Whether you'd have any more regrets." Hikaru's eyes blazed with blue flames and purple light. His expression showed neither joy nor sorrow. "I pursue the ultimate Fusion... and Fusion embraces all things. Naturally, that includes time!"
CLICK CLICK CLICK.
Tick, tick, tick...
At some point, in this pure white, pristine world, a beam of pure white light illuminated everything. Then boundless darkness split all things in two.
An enormous mechanical being appeared beneath the sky.
Azure flames consumed the entire world.
A massive figure, familiar or recognizable to everyone present, materialized behind Hikaru.
Her arms were composed of machinery, gears and bearings forming boundless hands.
Her body was infinite, her terrible serpentine tail seemingly wrapping the entire world.
This colossal deity held both hands before her, high above the dueling field. Between her hands, a fractured crystal absorbed everything, all power, reversing everything.
"Ah... what is this?" Yusuke stared blankly at the giant deity in the sky.
Meanwhile, the visions in Hikaru's eyes had faded. Only the card hanging on his chest still glowed with strange light.
Under the eerie blue flames, his expression was perfectly serene, simply watching Yusuke without a trace of emotion. In this world, dueling was the principle of all things. Whether you read minds or used other tricks, whether rewinding time or physical attacks, one fact was undeniable: as long as you were in a duel, if the duel's content and energy were high enough, no power could surpass the duel itself! So forget time reversal. Even reality-altering "Numeron" power couldn't defy the concept of dueling!
But Yusuke still wouldn't give up.
He wanted one more try.
So he raised his hand. The two Mr. T's flanking him detonated into dark cards, fusing into his body, providing energy for another time adjustment.
CRACK... CRACK.
His mask began to shatter.
This meant his Darkness power had reached its limit.
Even so, in the struggle against Tierra for control, he had no room to maneuver.
"D-damn..."
He cursed under his breath.
And at that moment.
"Enough."
An eerie voice echoed in everyone's ears.
BOOM!
The massive crystal exploded into powder, absorbed into Tierra's body.
A bizarre entity draped in an enormous black cloak materialized behind Yusuke.
"Darkness..." Yusuke stared in disbelief. He hadn't expected it to appear in person!
"Darkness..." The spectators also looked grave.
"You've already lost. Stop forcibly denying the duel's outcome."
"I... this..."
Yusuke's mask shattered, revealing a young, helpless, lost face underneath. His complexion was deathly pale, as though all life had drained away.
With the Field Spell gone, Hikaru could attack. With Call of the Haunted gone, Clear Vicious Knight exploded.
Hikaru frowned slightly, pointing at Yusuke. "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, direct attack."
"Fusion Destruction Stream!"
Starving Venom Fusion Dragon inhaled deeply. Its wings erupted with staggering purple light. Then it blasted a stream of purple energy at Yusuke. Amid screams, his LP dropped to zero.
Yusuke Fujiwara, LP: 4000 → 0.
Then, just like those Mr. T's, after a muffled groan, he dissolved into black mist and countless cards.