"Fusion materials: one Elemental HERO monster plus one WIND monster. Break your chains, embrace the Spirit of the Wind, and become the true Hero that commands the storm! Fusion Summon—Roar forth, Elemental HERO Great Tornado!!!"
Elemental HERO Great Tornado… this was the advanced form of Elemental HERO Stratos from another parallel dimension, a name that only Stratos could bear after meeting the Spirit of the Wind and forsaking his reliance on technology to awaken his own true power: the Power of the Storm.
As Alicia's commanding voice echoed, the fusion vortex responded; Stratos's blue and white high-tech armor shattered piece by piece as his aura rose sharply. At the same time, a turquoise storm swirled around Slower Swallow as its own energy climbed to match.
Then, in that fleeting instant when their powers aligned perfectly, Stratos spread his arms wide—and Slower Swallow dove straight into his chest.
A soft yellow light enveloped Stratos, and then, a limitless storm began to converge upon him.
Gradually, armor of yellow, green, and black formed upon his body, and a flowing black cape draped across his shoulders.
Stratos... no, he was no longer Stratos.
He was the Hero who commanded the power of the storm itself—the one whose mere gesture could summon a tornado or hurricane—Elemental HERO Great Tornado!!
"Hah!!"
With a sharp cry, Great Tornado burst forth from the dark fusion vortex, carrying the winds of chaos with him.
The crowd could only watch as a pale yellow meteor descended from the darkness. At the same time, a new card automatically ejected itself from Alicia's Extra Deck. Seeing this, Alicia smiled in joy.
She knew… Stratos and Slower Swallow had succeeded. She had succeeded. She was going to win.
Alicia drew out the card and shouted, "Come forth—Elemental HERO Great Tornado!!"
The pale yellow meteor struck the field, unleashing a storm fierce enough to sweep people away. Yet, not a single gust harmed Alicia.
Why? Because she was his master.
The wind-clad Hero, wearing a black cape and a yellow-green mask, gazed at the golden-haired girl before him.
Placing one hand to his chest, he knelt respectfully. "Miss Alicia, Elemental HERO Great Tornado, reporting for duty!"
Alicia looked at her Hero. His gesture was exactly the same as when they had first met.
However, this time, she didn't correct his formal tone. It was part of who he was and she had no wish to change that.
She simply nodded gently. "Yes. Let's show our opponent your true power, Great Tornado!"
"As you command, my master!"
Great Tornado rose, taking his place on the field. A swirling, invisible windstorm encircled him.
[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK: 2800]
"It really worked!"
Outside the field, Claire was so astonished she could hardly form words. Everything she thought she knew about dueling seemed meaningless before this girl named Alicia.
But...
"2800 Attack Points... that's still not enough to beat Flare Neos!" Claire's brows knitted. That gap of just 100 points felt like an unbridgeable chasm between victory and defeat.
Just then, Yuui's quiet voice came from nearby. "It's fine. It's already over."
"Huh?"
Before Claire could process his words, Alicia raised her voice on the field. "Elemental HERO Great Tornado's effect activates! When this card is Fusion Summoned—halve the Attack and Defense of all monsters your opponent controls! Storm Cyclone!!"
As her words rang out, Great Tornado slowly raised his right arm. Instantly, a turquoise storm swept across Neos's field.
At first, Flare Neos stood firm against the gales, but as the storm gathered strength and twisted into a fierce green cyclone, even he could no longer resist its force.
[Elemental HERO Flare Neos, ATK: 2900 → 1450, Equipped: Instant Neo Space]
"1450 Attack Points! Dang, it's still not enough to end the duel in one blow! Can she summon another monster?" Claire called out anxiously.
But Alicia didn't summon again. Instead, she played another card.
"Equip Spell—Favorite HERO—activate! This card can only be equipped to a Level 5 or higher HERO monster! I equip it to Elemental HERO Great Tornado!"
[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK: 2800, Equipped: Favorite HERO]
"Favorite HERO, huh? Didn't expect you to have that card," Neos remarked, recognizing the familiar magic. Then he raised his hand. "According to Flare Neos's effect, for each Spell or Trap Card on the field, he gains 400 Attack! Since you now have another Spell Card, Flare Neos gains 400 more!"
[Elemental HERO Flare Neos, ATK: 1450 → 1850, Equipped: Instant Neo Space]
"It doesn't matter anymore!" Alicia commanded firmly. "Battle Phase! At the start of the Battle Phase, Favorite HERO's effect activates! From my hand or Deck, I can activate 1 Field Spell! I choose—Skyscraper!!"
Magical energy surged, transforming the rainbow realm into a dark cityscape. Black skyscrapers rose from the ground, a soft moon hung high above, and teal winds danced among the towers.
Now, Great Tornado stood atop the tallest building—mirroring the legendary Flame Wingman. The moonlight bathed his figure, enhancing his striking presence.
"Favorite HERO's other effect activates!" Alicia continued. "While a card exists in my Field Zone, the equipped monster gains Attack equal to its original Defense, and it cannot be targeted by card effects! Great Tornado's Defense is 2200, so his Attack increases by 2200!"
"A 2200-point boost... that means—" Claire's eyes widened with joy. "5000 Attack Points!"
At once, the winds gathered once more around Great Tornado, his aura flaring upward until it completely eclipsed Flare Neos.
[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK: 2800 → 5000, Equipped: Favorite HERO]
Neos didn't flinch at the sight of the 5000-point monster. Calmly, he said, "Since another Spell Card appeared on your field, Flare Neos's Attack increases by another 400!"
[Elemental HERO Flare Neos, ATK: 1850 → 2250, Equipped: Instant Neo Space]
"I told you—it's meaningless now!" Alicia's eyes burned with determination. "Go, Great Tornado! Attack Flare Neos! Storm Dragon Devour!"
Winds raged, forming a massive tornado that linked earth and sky. At its center stood its master—the Hero of the Storm.
At Alicia's command, Great Tornado swung his arm. A thunderous roar echoed as the colossal cyclone descended, its shape forming into a dragon's head made entirely of wind, jaws open wide to engulf Flare Neos.
Boom!!
With the dragon's jaw crashing down, the thunderous roar of the storm shook the field. The draconic winds devoured Flare Neos completely—then lunged straight toward Neos himself, overwhelming him in a blinding gale.
[Neos, LP: 2100 → 0]
...
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