The defining trait of Dark Fusion was that monsters Fusion Summoned with it couldn't be destroyed by card effects the turn they were summoned.
Jaden had noticed Golden Captain adding a card to his hand—and immediately readied himself.
He wasn't the same Duelist he was six months ago. After traveling across dimensions, dueling alongside his classmates, witnessing Kaiser's tactical prowess, and experiencing high-stakes Shadow Duels—Jaden had developed a new understanding of Dueling.
He remembered Dark Fusion's effect clearly.
So, naturally, the next move would be—
"I Normal Summon Elemental HERO Stratos," said Golden Captain.
That threw both Duelists off.
"Stratos!?"
"Stratos!?"
Each was shocked for a different reason.
Jaden's jaw dropped—he'd never even seen this card before.
Hikaru Amagi, meanwhile, was mentally screaming—Stratos! Anyone who had three of this card would absolutely want to become a HERO!
"When Elemental HERO Stratos is Normal or Special Summoned, I can activate one of two effects," Golden Captain declared. "I choose the second: I add 1 'HERO' monster from my Deck to my hand."
"I add... another copy of myself—Elemental HERO Golden Captain."
"Wait, what!?" Jaden nearly fell over. "That effect's insane! You can search any 'HERO'?! Even Evil HEROes!?"
"Hmm," Golden Captain allowed himself a small smile. Then raised another card. "Field Spell—Fusion Gate."
In the middle of the glowing city skyline, a massive grid-like wormhole opened.
"Skyscraper," Avian quipped, pointing at the swirling vortex. "If we're talking card effects, then Captain here's already self-destructed."
That somehow made Hikaru burst into laughter.
Golden Captain's original card had an effect where, without Skyscraper on the field, he would auto-destroy. He was literally a "die if I can't flex" kind of monster.
Then Hikaru snapped back to focus. "Wait a minute—Jaden, Evil HERO Fusions can only be summoned with Dark Fusion. So—"
"Right!" Jaden's face lit up in realization.
"Using Fusion Gate, I fuse Stratos on the field with the other me in my hand," Golden Captain continued. "Fusion materials: any 'Elemental HERO' monster and a LIGHT-Attribute monster."
"Fusion Summon—shine with holy brilliance...!"
Elemental HERO The Shining!
Clad in shimmering white armor, masked and regal, The Shining descended from the sky like a god. As he landed, radiant rings of light—like halos forged from sunlight and steel—rose behind him, blinding and divine.
Elemental HERO The Shining – Level 8, LIGHT, Warrior-Type, ATK 2600.
"Huh... My Clay Guardian still wins." Jaden smirked. "2800 DEF beats 2600 ATK."
"Jaden, he has an effect," Hikaru reminded.
"Oh! Right!"
"The Shining gains 300 ATK for each of your banished 'Elemental HERO' monsters."
"It's like Flare Wingman's effect!" Jaden exclaimed. "Wait, the Fusion conditions are also similar to Tempest! I get it now—you've evolved your deck even further in another dimension, haven't you?"
"Correct." The Shining, standing on the field, folded his arms like a mirror image of Golden Captain himself. "Battle—The Shining attacks and destroys Clay Guardian."
Sunlight exploded across the field as Clay Guardian shattered under the divine assault. Jaden shielded his face from the blast, then triggered his trap.
"I activate Hero Signal! When one of my monsters is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Elemental HERO' from my hand or Deck!"
Instead of choosing immediately, he turned and shouted, "Hikaru! Got a preference?"
"Anything's fine—preferably a Normal Monster."
"OK then—your turn, Avian!"
"I'm on it!" Avian shouted, leaping into play from the sidelines.
"Oh?" Golden Captain paused, slightly taken aback. Though he loved his dramatic poses, he and Avian had always been very different spirits. Seeing Jaden adapt his strategy made him reflect.
Jaden had once been isolated by the overwhelming dark force inside him, lacking friends to truly connect with. Back then, his HERO cards were all he had—his trusted companions, his family. His playstyle reflected that bond.
But now... now he was asking for help. He was cooperating. A sign of growth.
Of course, maybe it was also because Hikaru Amagi was strong enough to earn his trust.
"I Set two cards and end my turn," Golden Captain declared.
As he did, Hikaru eyed Golden Idol carefully. "So that's it…"
Golden Idol tilted its head. "...?"
Not understanding, it crossed its arms and posed just like Golden Captain.
"My draw," Hikaru said, drawing a card as he spoke. "Golden Captain discarded himself to add Dark Fusion... but instead of using Stratos to search something else, he searched another himself."
"Why? Simple—he wanted to leave you a copy for your play, didn't he?"
Golden Idol's countless golden eyes fluttered wildly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Hikaru smirked. "They didn't talk—but they're working together seamlessly. Jaden, be careful. This won't be like that Gaia tag duel."
"Yeah, I got it!"
Avian glared sideways. "...Did you just imply I was the problem again!?"
"I Normal Summon Ancient Gear Knight!" Hikaru declared.
Then held up a Spell. "I activate Fusion Tag! This lets one monster on my field be treated as a specific Fusion Material."
"I target Ancient Gear Knight, and reveal my Extra Deck—Fullmetalfoes Alkahest"
"Then, I activate Metalfoes Fusion! A Fusion Spell I never thought I'd actually play for real."
"Oh-hoh! Is it finally my time!?" Alkahest cheered.
Time to go toe-to-toe with golden Duel Spirits!
"Fusion materials are one 'Alchemic' monster and one Normal Monster!"
"Fuse the base with the catalyst! Let it be the prime alchemical product—capable of dissolving all!"
Fusion Summon! Fullmetalfoes Alkahest
Level 1, FIRE, Psychic-Type, ATK 0 / DEF 0.
"In Defense Position."
"Psychic-Type?" Golden Captain murmured in surprise.
"Level 1... zero ATK and DEF..." Golden Idol visibly flinched, eyes twitching. The moment Alkahest peered over the top of his red shades like he was ogling a goddess, Golden Idol began sweating.
"I activate Alchemic Fusion's graveyard effect!" Hikaru continued. "I return it to the Deck, then draw one card."
He glanced at the card drawn. "Lucky me. Instant Fusion!"
"I pay 1000 Life Points to summon Thousand-Eyes Restrict!"
Team Students LP: 8000 → 7000.
As the grotesque creature appeared on the field, Golden Captain's smile faltered.
Golden Idol swiped a trembling hand across his brow.
This guy... he keeps using the exact same cards I was about to play!
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For this week I will do more release depending on the power stones !
100 Power Stones = 1 chapter (in addition to the daily update)
So give stones if you want mooooar !