With Jaden's call, the Neo Space scenery shifted again. In the boundless depths of the universe, beyond the galaxy, the ancient, mysterious heart of the cosmos seemed to exhale gently, awakening a symphony of light and dark.
In the instant the silence shattered, a dazzling beam streaked down like a meteor, a waterfall of light cascading onto the field. Infinite light particles within seemed to be given life, fluttering and dancing, interweaving and condensing into a tall, white figure, radiating a gentle yet undeniable glow—like a snowy peak under the first dawn. Red markings were etched upon its white body, and a brilliant blue crystal shone at its chest.
From the far side of the universe, the miraculous Elemental HERO—Elemental HERO Neos—has been summoned!
[Elemental HERO Neos, DEF 2000]
"From the cosmos… so this is your new power," the Supreme King said.
"I can feel it's a monster with special power. But this level still can't compare to Malicious Bane."
"It's not over yet," Jaden said. "Neo Space Connector has another effect!
By tributing the Neo Space Connector on the field, I can Special Summon a 'Neo-Spacian' monster or 'Elemental HERO Neos' from the Graveyard in Defense Position!
I tribute Neo Space Connector to call back a partner of Neo Space from the Graveyard…"
Neo Space Connector scattered into golden light; that light gathered again, reshaping into the drill-mole form that had just disappeared.
Supreme King: "!"
It again—this damned mole.
Grand Mole stood with confidence, hands on hips.
Didn't expect this, did you? I'm back again!
Even Malicious Bane's expression grew awkward at the sight of Mr. Mole.
However—
[Neo-Spacian Grand Mole, DEF 300]
"Even Grand Mole has to battle to trigger its effect," the Supreme King said gravely. "In Defense Position, it can't activate."
Though with Grand Mole on the field he couldn't attack recklessly, it was still fine. Next turn, he'd use Malicious Bane's board-wipe effect to blow it away.
In Defense Position, even Mr. Mole posed no threat.
"Is that really so?"
Jaden struck a stylish pose.
"Nani?"
"Neos is an Elemental HERO with infinite evolutionary potential—a hero of miracles," Jaden said. "Faced with different situations and foes, he can evolve almost without limit! I'll show you now…"
Jaden lifted his arm high.
"I return 'Elemental HERO Neos' and 'Neo-Spacian Grand Mole' from the field to the Deck—Contact Fusion!"
"Contact Fusion?" The concept even surprised the Supreme King.
At this point, the Supreme King and Jaden had virtually no overlap in their early lives; their memories didn't sync, their experiences were separate. Thus this newly gained Neo power was quite novel to the Supreme King.
"Grand Mole, lend me your power!" Jaden cried. "Earth drill, pierce the heavens! Contact Fusion—
—Elemental HERO Grand Neos!"
"Leave it to me!"
Grand Mole shouted with confidence; his body blurred, turning into golden energy that flashed toward Neos, his form seemingly overlaying with Neos.
Neos spread his arms as if feeling the power from deep within the earth. The blue crystal at his chest began to gleam brightly; golden motes condensed around him, forming heavy green armor that radiated the earth's steadiness and resilience.
Golden light gathered in his palm, coalescing into a massive, rapidly spinning drill that wrapped his entire right arm, as if it could penetrate any obstacle.
Elemental HERO Grand Neos, Summoned!
[Elemental HERO Grand Neos, ATK 2500]
"Contact Fusion? It's a new form empowered by that mole?" The Supreme King felt a bad premonition.
"Neos fusion monsters get an extra 500 ATK while Neo Space is on the field!" Jaden said.
[Elemental HERO Grand Neos, ATK 2500 → 3000]
"But last turn your Air Hummingbird was destroyed by effect, so Malicious Bane's ATK rose to 3200," the Supreme King said coldly. "And even without that, Malicious Bane can't be destroyed…"
"So what?"
"What?"
"Elemental HERO Grand Neos inherits Grand Mole's power!" Jaden declared. "Once per turn, this card can target one monster your opponent controls and return it to the hand!"
Supreme King: "!"
Not destruction—bounce to hand…
Damn it!
"Nebula Hollow!" Jaden shouted.
Grand Neos's drill spun, blurring into a white afterimage. It didn't just pierce the sky—it pierced dimensions. A rift tore open before Malicious Bane; the irresistible pull warped even the fiend's powerful body, flattening it like a sheet of paper as it was sucked in helplessly.
The fiend's face looked resigned as it was swallowed, as if to say, See? I knew nothing good would happen with that mole around…
"Malicious Bane is a Fusion Monster, so it can't return to the hand—it goes straight back to the Extra Deck!" Jaden said.
Supreme King: "…"
"Elemental HERO Grand Neos—attack directly!"
Grand Neos roared; the spinning drill shone with golden light, turning into a piercing laser that lanced toward the Supreme King!
"I activate my set card," the Supreme King said coolly. "Trap Card 'Draining Shield'—"
"The opponent's monster's attack is negated, and I recover LP equal to that monster's ATK."
Jaden: "!"
A rainbow-hued water shield formed before the Supreme King. Grand Neos's full-force strike slammed into it, the energy fully absorbed and converted into life.
[Supreme King, LP 2400 → LP 5400]
Neos retreated, a bit dejected.
"Sorry, Jaden. My attack only replenished his Life…"
"No, this is fine," Jaden shook his head.
Traps must be sprung; life points mean little if you can't land the finishing blow. Having traveled with Kira so long, he'd picked up some of that mindset.
Originally, Neos fusion monsters were forced to return to the Extra Deck at the end of the turn—likely an homage to Ultraman only being able to stay on Earth for three minutes.
Ultraman fights on Earth for three minutes; Neos can only remain on the field for one turn—fair enough.
But with the Field Spell "Neo Space" present, that drawback is nullified, letting the player choose whether to return Neos.
So naturally, Jaden chose not to return him.
"I equip 'Instant Neo Space' to Elemental HERO Grand Neos!" Jaden said.
An equipped Neos fusion doesn't return to the Extra Deck during the End Phase. But since Neo Space was already out, returning wasn't an issue anyway; Jaden was aiming for the other effect.
When the equipped monster leaves the field, you can Special Summon Elemental HERO Neos from your hand, Deck, or Graveyard.
"I set one card and end my turn."