"Release ultimate power—Quick-Play Spell Card, [Super Polymerization]!"
The Shadow Duelist's final Set card flipped open—revealing the strongest Fusion card hidden within her heart of darkness. The sky trembled as dimensional waves of energy erupted, shaking reality itself.
The surge was so immense that even Miles and the others near the Magic Stone Tower felt the shock.
Compared to the energy unleashed by Majestic Star Dragon and the Three Polar Gods, this was on an equal—if not greater—scale.
"M-Mr. Miles? Could that be…"
"Please… don't let anything happen to her, Ren!"
[Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation. Discard 1 card; Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from either side of the field as Fusion Material.]
Using one of the cards drawn by [D - Boost] as the cost, the Shadow Duelist activated the ultimate Fusion. Unable to be chained to by any other effects, it could even use monsters from both sides of the field as Fusion Material.
"Super Polymerization?! There's a Fusion like that?!" Ren gasped.
Shining Neos Wingman's finishing strike was stopped midair, twisted by the overwhelming power of dimensional fusion. The unleashed might of [Super Polymerization] swept across both fields.
"I'll fuse the mightiest D-HERO with the mightiest E-HERO—through Super Polymerization!"
Choosing her own [Destiny HERO - Plasma] and Ren's [Elemental HERO Shining Neos Wingman] as materials, the strongest D and E merged into one under the force of ultimate fusion.
Just centimeters from the decisive clash, the two ultimate HEROes were instead drawn into the brilliant vortex of Fusion Summoning, their contact becoming the very moment of creation.
A second later, an undying phoenix flame erupted skyward, forming a dark crimson whirlwind of destruction.
From the fusion of the two greatest HEROes was born a new being.
"Transcending the boundaries of Destiny and Element, reborn beyond the veil—The Immortal HERO of Destruction! Super Polymerization! Fusion Summon—[Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer]!"
[Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer] Level 8│DARK│Warrior │2500 ATK / 2100 DEF
Fusion Materials: 1 Level 6 or higher "HERO" monster + 1 "Destiny HERO" monster
Clad in crimson armor that blazed like living fire, the immortal HERO of destruction descended.
By fusing [Destiny HERO - Plasma] with the Level 6 or higher HERO [Elemental HERO Shining Neos Wingman], the Phoenix blurred the line between Elemental and Destiny HEROes.
"This monster…"
From the moment [Super Polymerization] was activated to the appearance of [Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer], dread began to take hold of Korys. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to her knees.
"No… Ren, run! That monster… it really will bring destruction!"
Within the phoenix's flames of ruin, the future vision from the Millennium Necklace—Ren's Life Points burning away—played out vividly before Korys' eyes.
"I… will lose… to that monster?"
Understanding Korys' warning, Ren realized this was the very monster the Millennium Necklace had foretold would defeat her.
But she didn't yet know what kind of power, effect, or fighting style it possessed.
She only knew that [Super Polymerization] had taken her strongest monster, [Elemental HERO Shining Neos Wingman], and made it her opponent's Fusion Material.
"To think such a Fusion Summon could even exist… Is this what Miles meant by 'the ultimate secret of Fusion'?"
The ultimate secret of Fusion—using your opponent's monsters as materials. A technique that could instantly overturn the balance of any duel.
"Miles…"
Her last hope, Shining Neos Wingman, had been taken by her opponent's Super Polymerization. Ren felt a pang of guilt toward Miles' trust in her.
Glancing at the cards remaining in her hand, she understood… the future of destiny had been decided. Humanity was powerless to resist.
"I…"
"'Please… don't let anything happen to her, Ren!'"
"!!"
In the face of crushing despair, Ren suddenly heard Miles' voice in her heart.
"Miles!"
"Miles?" The unfamiliar name made the Shadow Duelist frown beneath her hood.
"Who's that supposed to be?"
"My HERO!"
Just a spark of hope was enough to fill the HEROic girl with resolve once more.
"If it were you, Miles… how would you fight in a situation like this?!"
Ren looked at her remaining cards—one of them chosen by Miles himself when he helped her tune her Side Deck.
Think differently. Think like Miles.
"I Set two cards and end my turn!"
From her three remaining cards, Ren chose two to Set, forming a trio of face-downs alongside the one from before.
This was exactly the kind of strategy Miles would use.
"At the end of your turn," the Shadow Duelist said coldly, raising her pale arm again, "I activate [Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer]'s effect!"
[Quick Effect: You can destroy 1 card you control and 1 card on the field.]
A destruction effect that could activate on either player's turn. The Shadow Duelist's choice was clear.
"I destroy my own [Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer] and the middle card you Set—Flames of Destiny!!"
"What—?! You destroyed your own monster?!" Ren gasped.
Targeting itself for destruction, the Phoenix burst into burning flames of destiny, detonating alongside Ren's Set card.
[Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer destroyed]
[Trap Card – Dimension Wall destroyed]
It was a Trap that reflected any battle damage back to the opponent.
"You tried to stop me with that? Such naïve card play, Ren Austin!"
"But your [Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer] is gone too!"
Now, only the giant [Earthbound Immortal] remained on the Shadow Duelist's field.
That said, since it had been Special Summoned through [Revival of the Immortals], it couldn't inflict battle damage.
And with [D - Force] placed on top of her Deck, she couldn't draw either.
Having destroyed her own [Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer], the Shadow Duelist was left with only one unknown card in hand.
That was what Ren couldn't comprehend the most.
"Watch closely—this is the power of the immortal [Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer]!"
Her turn began. Skipping her Draw Phase, the Shadow Duelist went straight into her Standby Phase.
Rising from the Graveyard, the flames of destiny that had just detonated alongside Ren's Set cards reignited upon the Shadow Duelist's field.
"I activate [Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer]'s effect in the Graveyard!"
[If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can activate this effect; during your next Standby Phase, Special Summon 1 "Destiny HERO" monster from your Graveyard.]
"I choose the 'Destiny HERO' in my Graveyard—[Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer], reborn! Behold, the immortal HERO!"
Destroying itself with its own effect, only to rise again through its own effect—it truly was like an endlessly reborn phoenix, a HERO with an undying soul.
In the end, the only thing that had been lost was one of Ren's Set cards.
"It's finally over—this Duel bound tightly by fate!"
The Shadow Duelist declared the start of the Battle Phase. Ren's field was empty, her remaining Life Points only 500, and the Enforcer's Attack stood at 2500.
"It's… the same," Korys trembled where she sat on the floor. "Exactly like the vision shown by the Millennium Necklace!"
Ren's Life Points burning away within the phoenix's flames… that had been the final scene Korys had seen of this Duel.
And now, the current situation was unfolding exactly as that prophecy foretold.
"Ren!"
"It's not over yet!"
Even with one of her three Set cards destroyed by the Enforcer, Ren hadn't given up on her chosen path of battle.
"I activate my Set card—Trap Card, [Favorite Contact]!"
[Special Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck that lists a "HERO" monster as material, ignoring its Summoning conditions, by placing its Fusion Materials on the bottom of the Deck in any order, from your hand, field, GY, and/or your banished cards.]
A Trap that used every available zone except the Deck itself—[Favorite Contact] allowed Fusion Summoning from the hand, field, Graveyard, or even the Banished Zone.
"I choose [Elemental HERO Flame Wingman] from my Banished Zone and [Elemental HERO Sparkman] from my Graveyard! Favorite Contact!"
Among Ren's HEROes, aside from Shining Neos Wingman, this was the strongest she could summon.
"Let flames evolve into light—let radiant wings shine upon the burning future of destiny! Favorite Contact Summon—[Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman]!"
[Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman] Level 8│LIGHT│Warrior│ 2500 ATK / 2100 DEF
Fusion Materials: "Elemental HERO Flame Wingman" + "Elemental HERO Sparkman"
Wings of light tore through the special effect of Favorite Contact as the second-strongest Elemental HERO descended before the fate awaiting her.
"Inherit the will of the HEROes in my Graveyard! [Shining Flare Wingman] gains 300 Attack for each 'Elemental HERO' in the Graveyard!"
In her Graveyard remained three: Blazeman, Nova Master, and Shining Neos Wingman.
[Shining Flare Wingman, ATK: 2500 → 3400]
The Shadow Duelist raised her hand. "Then I'll activate [Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer]'s effect—to reduce your power by the will of the HEROes in my Graveyard!"
[All monsters your opponent controls lose 200 ATK for each "HERO" card in your Graveyard.]
In her Graveyard were two HEROes—Plasma and Malicious—since Drawhand had been banished after its revival effect.
[Shining Flare Wingman, ATK: 3400 → 3000]
Light and flames collided—the power of the Graveyard HEROes strengthened and weakened them both equally, bringing Shining Flare Wingman's Attack to match that of the towering [Earthbound Immortal].
At least for now, the [Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer], which had already declared an attack, couldn't overpower the 3000 Attack of Shining Flare Wingman.
If she chose to withdraw her attack here, the Shadow Duelist would deal no damage this turn… and Ren's fate of being burned away by the phoenix's flames would be delayed.
"Ren…" Korys whispered, watching the red-haired girl fight against destiny with all her strength.
Amid the blazing light effects, the HERO-user looked dazzling even in despair.
"Nothing can be changed… nothing at all!"
The Shadow Duelist's hoarse voice grew more fervent.
"In the face of a fate already decided, human struggle can never alter the outcome! [Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer]'s effect, activate!"
[Quick Effect: You can destroy 1 card you control and 1 card on the field.]
"I'll destroy my [Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu] and your [Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman] together!"
Even sacrificing her own Earthbound Immortal, the Shadow Duelist would ignite the flames of destiny that paved her way to victory this turn.
"But it can be changed! Both destruction and fate… I'll change them all with this one card!"
Amid the phoenix flames, Ren flipped her final Set card—the very card she'd swapped into her Side Deck under Miles's advice before the Duel began.
"Miles… if it were you, this is how you'd fight!"
At that moment, as Ren revealed her face-down, it was as though Miles himself were guiding her.
"—Trap Card, [Grave Robber], activate!"
[Target 1 Spell or Trap in your opponent's Graveyard; this card gains that card's effect as its own.]
The Shadow Duelist's crimson eyes widened in shock. "Grave Robber?! You brought that card?!"
"I choose the Quick-Play Spell in your Graveyard—[Super Polymerization] and copy its effect!" Ren declared.
The ultimate Fusion to fight the ultimate Fusion.
Discarding her final hand card as the cost, Ren unleashed the raging power of [Super Polymerization] across her field.
"Ultimate power, right? Then I'll fuse my [Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman] with your [Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer]—Super Polymerization!"
From the force of that ultimate fusion, the new HERO was born once more.
"With destiny crossing destiny, reborn beyond the veil, the undying HERO! Super Polymerization Summon—[Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer]!"
...
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