"It's Hikaru's turn." Jaden paid more attention to the duel. "Normally at this time, Chimerafflesia's effect should trigger. But now..."
Chazz nodded seriously. "That's right. Chimerafflesia can, during the Standby Phase after it's sent to the Graveyard, search a Spell Card with 'Fusion' in its name. But if before its effect triggers, that card is banished or returned to the Deck, then because it's no longer in the Graveyard, that effect can't activate."
Atticus Rhodes nodded helplessly.
This meant Hikaru's strongest searching means was gone!
Originally, with Chimerafflesia, even if it got negated by Infernoid Devyaty's effect, it could force out one of the opponent's negates, making things easier for the subsequent duel.
But now, Hikaru could only duel with his existing hand.
The good news was, Hikaru had searched Shaddoll Fusion, so at minimum he could force out one of Tierra's monster effects.
The bad news was, Tierra had Set Shaddoll Schism.
Given the current situation, as long as Hikaru Special Summoned, he'd definitely have Tierra Special Summon El Shaddoll Winda via Shaddoll Schism chain.
For Hikaru, this was extremely terrible!
Even quite a few watching spirit warriors and human duelists, just by placing themselves in Hikaru's position, felt their brains about to explode.
What had been played out in just one turn was, in these people's hearts, almost of insoluble difficulty!
Ask themselves honestly: put in Hikaru's position, they felt they could say the word "surrender" in one second!
"Tierra, actually... my heart is also full of doubts." Hikaru lightly tapped his forehead with his hand.
"...Is that so?" Tierra, listening to Hikaru's words, slowly spoke. "What are you thinking?"
"Is it a performance, or is this what I truly think? Am I purely disguising my extremeness before you to keep you from acting rashly, or... have I, while being with you, truly fallen in love with Fusion?"
"I believe you have absolute trust in and respect for Fusion."
"No... only today do I know that I'm still not enough."
Not enough?!
A large group of spirits who knew Hikaru got so frightened their forms even changed. Several close friends who'd lived with Hikaru for two years wore especially rich expressions. Serena, who had all along been taking Hikaru as her target, briefly lost the ability to think.
Huh?
Not enough?!
"I'm not sincere enough toward Fusion. Or rather, I'm not honest enough with you."
"So I'm going to get serious, Tierra!"
"My turn, discard one hand card!"
!!!
Tierra's pupils flickered as if from an earthquake.
Jaden and Chazz opened their mouths wide. Yubel was so frightened she directly fell to the ground.
Yusei slowly had a sudden realization, as if he'd thought of something. Crow stared blankly at the dueling arena.
Here it came.
Hikaru's turn.
First action!
"Quick-Play Spell Card!"
"Super Polymerization!"
"Release the ultimate power!"
Boom!
Boom!
Above the dueling arena, a terrifying black dense cloud appeared from thin air. Thunder howled within it. All things were drawn by its power.
On Tierra's field, Infernoid Onuncu and Infernoid Devyaty involuntarily flew into the sky. The two collided in the air with crackling sounds. Under the thunder, the two monsters spun and conducted a Fusion!
"The Fusion condition is two monsters with the same Attribute and Type but different names!"
"Hikaru, the very first card of your duel with me is Super Polymerization?!" Tierra was both angry and vexed, and yet inexplicably... pleased.
This was... treatment only she received!
"Su, Super Polymerization?" Crow stared at this card in slight bewilderment.
He hadn't been present at Hikaru's duel with Declan Akaba, but he had once, in a dream, heard Wiraqocha Rasca tell him about this card.
At that time, that ultimate Earthbound Immortal's evaluation of this card had been only two short words: Ultimate Power!
"Isn't it just a Spell Card? Is it necessary to be so shocked?" Jack asked in puzzlement.
Didn't Infernoid Onuncu have an effect to negate the opponent's Spell/Trap Card activations? Just negate it, right?
However exaggerated a card, in the end it was still a card. However amazing a Spell Card, what use was it? If it were him, at worst he could just use Hot Red Dragon Archfiend Abyss's effect to negate it.
Not only did he feel puzzled, but Akiza Izinski, Leo, and Luna nearby, seeing the "shock storm" this card's appearance had caused, also felt bewildered.
What was this exactly?
Very quickly, their doubts were answered by the surrounding Fusion Dimension people.
Atticus Rhodes, both sighing in emotion and exclaiming, said: "Super Polymerization is the strongest Fusion Spell Card."
"Its activation cannot be chained to by any card. No card's effect can be activated in response to Super Polymerization. And Hikaru's Fusion can fuse any monsters on the field, even if the Fusion Materials are on the opponent's field."
"Ah!?"
Several people were instantly stunned.
Jack, who had just confidently thought Super Polymerization was nothing much, almost instantly realized the "crisis."
His monsters were all Dragon-Type DARK Attribute!
If he ran into this himself, wouldn't it be over?
"I take Infernoid Devyaty and Infernoid Onuncu as Fusion Materials, Fusion Summon!"
"Wings of symbiosis, descend!"
"Fusion Summon, Level 6, Garura, Wings of Resonant Life!"
"Gaaah."
The two-headed avian beast spread both arms and slowly took to the air.
Garura, Wings of Resonant Life. Level 6, DARK Attribute, Winged Beast-Type. ATK 1500.
"Huh, this is my first time seeing this monster Fusion Summoned."
Several spirits from Hikaru's team discussed softly.
But some spirits more familiar with the inside story, like Flame Swordsman and Crystal, exchanged glances and saw the other's shock.
Garura, Wings of Resonant Life!
This card was precisely the one their lord had obtained after their lord's first joint duel with Her Excellency Tierra, after Fusion-Summoning Her Excellency Tierra, and relying on Her Excellency Tierra to beat the "ultimate Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca"!
"A beautiful response!"
Jaden cheered excitedly, throwing a punch in place.
Whether Infernoid Onuncu or Infernoid Devyaty, both monsters were very tough to handle. And with Miss Tierra having Set Shaddoll Schism, he couldn't just casually Special Summon, or he'd easily get countered by Winda.
Super Polymerization couldn't be chained to, so Miss Tierra absolutely couldn't chain Super Polymerization's activation with Shaddoll Schism, delaying Winda's strongest "Special Summon lockdown"!
"So that's it." Yusei slowly came to understand. "I was thinking last turn: Hikaru and Tierra use cards so similar, so he should have Garura too. Why didn't he discard it from the Extra Deck to draw? Turns out he was preparing to use Super Polymerization directly this turn!"
Hikaru's duel wasn't spur-of-the-moment. It was deeply considered. Even before the duel, he'd prepared to use Super Polymerization on the first turn!
Not just him. Others gradually realized this point too. Among the many, of course only one had realized it earliest, and it could only be the one currently dueling — Tierra.
She'd realized this early on, so she wasn't regretful about Onuncu and Devyaty's losses. On the contrary, her mood improved considerably.
At least in this moment, whatever talk of "Flame Swordsman being the deck Hikaru took most seriously" almost vanished in an instant. For Tierra, and even for anyone who knew the inside story, from now on, Hikaru had never had a more serious moment than today!
"However, Garura's ATK is only 1500 in the end..."
"Yes, so Hikaru must use other means too."
Jaden and Yusei spoke one after the other. As their voices fell, they exchanged glances and saw the excitement in each other's eyes. Then they hurriedly expressed their own views and looked even more excitedly at the duel.
This was truly a fascinating (meaningful) duel!
For the two of them, they cared more about the duel itself.
Those people and spirits who had originally been thinking about finding "supplementary value" outside the duel, after seeing this scene, couldn't help hurriedly putting away their thoughts.
This was a solemn, serious duel. Whatever the reason, this was a genuine duel extremely important and extremely intense for both dueling parties!
What was more terrifying:
Some people and spirits exclaimed inwardly.
Amid so many terrifying reversals, such thrilling cards, such absurd situations...
This was merely one turn of the two's duel!
Hikaru's turn hadn't even officially begun!
What else would happen next?
What more absurd things would come?
This anticipation was like river water someone craves while parched, making them itch to scratch their ears, restless with agitation.
What should be done next?
"Activate Spell Card, Frightfur Patchwork. Add Edge Imp Chain and Polymerization from my Deck to my hand!"
"Immediately after, Spell Card, Shaddoll Fusion!"
Hikaru shuffled his hand as he pleased, then activated the Spell Card he'd searched with Apkallone last turn.
"This card can send monsters from my hand or field to the Graveyard for a Shaddoll monster's Fusion. If the opponent's field has a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can send Fusion Materials from my Deck to the Graveyard for a Fusion Summon!"
"In this instant, I chain your activation. Activate Continuous Trap Card, Shaddoll Schism." Tierra lightly clapped her hands. Countless puppet strings surged out from all directions at her applause. These puppet strings swiftly transformed from illusions to substance, then from flesh to machine, and began combining at high speed.
"This card can be activated during my or the opponent's Main Phase. Banish Fusion Materials specified by a Shaddoll Fusion Monster card from my field or Graveyard, and Special Summon 1 Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck. After that, I can choose 1 monster on the opponent's field that has the same Attribute as the monster Special Summoned by this effect and send it to the Graveyard. Monsters Special Summoned by this effect cannot attack directly.
I banish Shaddoll Beast and Genex Controller in my Graveyard for the creation of a DARK Attribute El Shaddoll Fusion Monster."
Countless mechanical constructs slowly assembled a green humanoid life form. In no time at all, a green mechanical spellcaster appeared on the field.
"Fusion Summon, Level 5, El Shaddoll Winda."
El Shaddoll Winda. Level 5, DARK Attribute, Spellcaster-Type. ATK 2200.
Tierra looked at the field and pondered.
Because Garura, Wings of Resonant Life's Attribute was DARK, it could be sent to the Graveyard by Shaddoll Schism's effect.
But leaving Garura alone actually wouldn't matter much. On the contrary, sending it to the Graveyard would let Hikaru draw a card.
Garura's ATK was, after all, only 1500.
But if it stayed on the field, this monster would very likely become a Fusion Material Hikaru would use.
That wouldn't be good.
"Send Garura, Wings of Resonant Life to the Graveyard."
Hikaru nodded and continued: "Then, I send Shaddoll Dragon and LIGHT Attribute Thunder Dragonhawk from my Deck to the Graveyard."
"For the crafting of a LIGHT Attribute El Shaddoll!"
Hikaru pressed his hands together and slowly spoke: "Fusion Summon, Level 8, El Shaddoll Construct!"
Divine light flashed. The tall giant of light slowly manifested on the field, standing face-to-face with the pitch-black controller.
El Shaddoll Construct. Level 8, LIGHT Attribute, Fairy-Type. ATK 2800.
For the vast majority of people, this was the first time seeing Shaddoll versus Shaddoll. But for Tierra, this wasn't the first time.
She'd once watched Hikaru duel Construct, and had personally dueled Construct too. Facing Shaddolls was nothing novel.
But...
The scene of her herself dueling Hikaru while watching her own creations duel each other was truly her first.
She looked at El Shaddoll Winda beside her.
Recalling the past, it was precisely because of this card that Hikaru and Tierra had formed their bond. For them, this card held immense meaning.
Hikaru, looking at this card, also lightly smiled.
Winda...
Could the god's voice reach through?
"Begin chain. Shaddoll Dragon's effect. When this card is sent to the Graveyard by an effect, target 1 Spell or Trap Card on the field to activate. That card is destroyed. I destroy Shaddoll Schism.
Garura, Wings of Resonant Life's effect. When this card is sent to the Graveyard, draw 1 card.
El Shaddoll Construct's effect. When this card is Special Summoned, send 1 Shaddoll card from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Naelshaddoll Ariel to the Graveyard."
Hikaru's Deck automatically ejected a card, sending it to the Graveyard. Then he drew a card from his Deck.
In the distance, Shaddoll Dragon bit through the Fusion Trap Card.
Tierra, looking at the card sent to the Graveyard, couldn't help furrowing her brow.
"After processing this effect, next is Naelshaddoll Ariel's effect. When this card is sent to the Graveyard by an effect, target up to 3 cards in both Graveyards combined to activate. Those cards are banished.
I banish Shaddoll Schism, Shaddoll Fusion, and El Shaddoll Apkallone in your Graveyard."
"Clever!" Jaden shouted excitedly.
"As expected of Amagi..." Chazz followed. "When El Shaddoll Winda is sent to the Graveyard, it can recycle Shaddoll Spells or Traps from the Graveyard. Taking this opportunity to directly banish Miss Tierra's Shaddoll Spells in the Graveyard prevents Winda's recycle effect after being destroyed by battle!"
Playing to now, though the turn count of this duel was few, Chazz had clearly felt a strange "uncanniness."
The two understood each other too well. So every step was full of unspoken understanding, and full of "targeting." Though they hadn't deliberately prepared counter-cards, every step precisely grasped and struck at weaknesses. As for Apkallone, perhaps in Hikaru's heart, just like Tierra banishing Chimerafflesia, he too didn't want extraneous factors influencing his duel with Tierra.
Tierra banishing Chimerafflesia was like this. Hikaru banishing the Shaddoll Spells and Traps was like this too!
"Battle! El Shaddoll Construct attacks El Shaddoll Winda!"
"When Construct battles a Special Summoned monster, destroy the opponent without conducting damage calculation."
"But Winda can't be destroyed by effects."
"So you'll take battle damage."
The giant raised its right hand and lightly struck. After a rumbling sound, Winda vanished from the field.
Tierra, LP: 4000 → 3400.
Hikaru glanced at Tierra's enormous phantom, looked at his hand, and said: "Battle Phase ends. Enter Main Phase 2."
"Mr. Hikaru drew first blood!"
"But because of Winda, His Excellency Hikaru could only end his own Battle Phase, no way to press the advantage."
The spirits discussed the duel. Setting aside other factors, purely in terms of content, this duel was already very much worth watching. What was more, hidden within the duel were some Fusion concepts, some divine powers. The more they watched, the more excited and curious they became.
"Activate Fusion Substitute's effect in the Graveyard. Return Garura, Wings of Resonant Life to the Extra Deck, banish Fusion Substitute, draw 1 card."
Hikaru opened his Graveyard, took out a card, returned it to the Extra Deck, then drew a card.
"Wow... so romantic." Akiza Izinski couldn't help softly saying in a voice only she could hear.
Although this was a completely ordinary action, it had, intentionally or not, displayed something Tierra and Hikaru hadn't said out loud but had actually done.
When Tierra used Fusion Substitute, she'd instinctively recycled Garura, Wings of Resonant Life, not the Apkallone that could perhaps be fused.
Although Hikaru had done a Garura Fusion, before Garura left the field for the Graveyard, he hadn't used Fusion Substitute to recycle it either.
In their subconscious, they had already given "Garura, Wings of Resonant Life" a special meaning known only to them.
"Metalfoes Fusion's effect in the Graveyard. Return to the Deck, shuffle, then draw 1 card."
"Activate Spell Card, Polymerization."
Hikaru picked up the Spell Card, then placed Construct on the field and a card in his hand into the Graveyard.
"The Fusion condition is 1 monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck and 1 monster from the hand."
Tierra lightly raised an eyebrow.
"Destroy, recover, create, then cycle!"
"Fusion Summon, Level 8, Magnum the Reliever."
The ram-horned demon of light dazzlingly appeared under yellow lightning.
Magnum the Reliever. Level 8, LIGHT Attribute, Fiend-Type. ATK 2800.
The instant this monster appeared on the field, the people present faintly heard a burst of applause, as if someone was excitedly clapping.
"Magnum..." Tierra looked at this monster, seemingly recalling that time.
That day during the duel with Light Wave, in order to help Hikaru complete an on-field "Super Polymerization" for the return of the "immortal hero," she had entrusted her hard-accumulated energy to Hikaru.
Beyond Ruin Hikaru's "divine office" being contrary to hers, there was also that at that time, Tierra had already deeply appreciated Hikaru.
"Construct's effect. When this card is sent to the Graveyard, target 1 Shaddoll Spell or Trap Card in my Graveyard to activate. That card is added to my hand."
"I add Shaddoll Schism in my Graveyard to my hand."