Note: Changed Barrel Dragon to Fusilier from the previous chapter, let me know if there are any corrections.
...
"Impossible!" Ansiel's eyes widened as his Continuous Trap disintegrated into shards of light. Skill Drain crumbled before him, the fragments scattering across the Duel Field.
"Why was Skill Drain destroyed?"
"What's happening? Wasn't Prismaura's effect negated?"
The audience erupted in confusion, voices overlapping in disbelief.
"It's simple." Hikaru raised one finger, addressing both Ansiel and the crowd. "I used Fusion Release to bypass Skill Drain. Remember, different cards negate in different ways.
Skill Drain only negates the effects of monsters while they remain face-up on the field."
Understanding dawned across Ansiel's face. "So that's it… Once Prismaura left the field with Fusion Release, it was no longer a valid target for Skill Drain's continuous negation. Its effect resolved as normal and destroyed my card. If Skill Drain had been worded as 'the activated effects of face-up monsters are negated,' then Prismaura would never have succeeded, even if it returned to the Extra Deck."
He laughed and clapped once in admiration. "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! I've Dueled countless players, and most only rely on generic backrow removal, cards like Mystical Space Typhoon, to deal with Skill Drain. But you? You used a Fusion technique itself to break through! As expected of Amagi Hikaru!"
From the sidelines, Tierra's expression shifted to thought. "So… this means my Infernoids could also…" She trailed off, already theorizing how the interaction applied to her Deck.
Meanwhile, Duelists in the waiting hall murmured in excitement. "Incredible… I always thought Hikaru's victories came from overwhelming Fusion Monsters alone, but this proves it. His real strength lies in understanding the rules, the nuances, the inclusiveness of Fusion itself. Just like he always says."
Ansiel raised a hand dramatically, regaining his showman's bravado. "But don't celebrate too soon! Skill Drain may be gone, but my Fusilier Dragon still stands at 2800 ATK. Your Gem-Knights can't overpower it!"
The Machine Dragon rumbled menacingly, twin cannons glowing as if to punctuate his claim.
"It's fine," Hikaru said with a confident smile. "Because I'll simply Fusion Summon again! I activate the Spell Card Polymerization Substitute!" He slid the card into his Duel Disk. "This card is treated as Polymerization. I fuse the Gem-Knight Crystal and Gem-Knight Yellow Sapphire on my field!"
"Fusion Summon again?!"
"Come forth, Captain, once more, join your comrades and shine together!" Hikaru shouted, his Duel Disk glowing with the light of Fusion.
"Fuse into the brilliance of light! Fusion Summon—
[Gem-Knight Prismaura] — Level 7 | EARTH | Thunder | Fusion | ATK 2450!"
"Hm…" Ansiel frowned as he looked at the field.
Hikaru raised another finger, explaining to the audience as much as to his opponent: "Gem-Knight Prismaura's effect is simple. Once per turn, by discarding one 'Gem-Knight' card, it can destroy a face-up card on the field.
But here's the important part, this effect isn't restricted by card name. That means if I control multiple Prismaura, each one can use its effect once per turn."
The crowd gasped.
"Then… doesn't that mean it can destroy Fusilier Dragon right now?"
"Unbelievable, Skill Drain's already gone, and now even Fusilier Dragon is in danger!"
Ansiel's expression wavered, though he quickly tried to regain composure. "But for Prismaura to use its effect, you still need to discard a Gem-Knight from your hand…"
"It doesn't matter," Hikaru interrupted with a calm smile, pointing toward his Graveyard. "Because the voice of Gem-Knight Fusion is still calling to me!"
The audience leaned forward.
"Gem-Knight Fusion's effect, if this card is in your Graveyard, you can banish one Gem-Knight monster from your Graveyard to add this card back to your hand."
Gasps followed.
"He can reload Prismaura's effect like that?"
"I banish Gem-Knight Yellow Sapphire from my Graveyard to return Gem-Knight Fusion to my hand! Then, I discard it again to activate Prismaura's effect, destroy Fusilier Dragon!"
Prismaura's silver armor shone as it steadied its stance. With fearless resolve, it thrust its spear forward. A beam of crystal energy erupted, tearing through Fusilier Dragon's cannons.
Boom!
The mechanical beast exploded in a shower of gears and plating.
"Captain, you're amazing!"
"Amazing, Captain!"
Fusion Department students cheered wildly, waving their Duel Disks in support.
Hikaru's voice rang out over the noise: "Now, with no monsters left to defend you, Battle Phase! Prismaura, attack directly!"
But Ansiel slammed a palm down on his Duel Disk. "Trap Card, activate! Continuous Trap, Gravity Bind!"
The hologram shifted, chains of green light wrapping around the field.
"As long as this card remains on the field, monsters Level 4 or higher cannot attack!"
The audience murmured at once.
Hikaru only raised his eyebrows. "So be it. Then I use Gem-Knight Fusion's effect once again, banishing Gem-Knight Crystal to return it to my hand. I end my turn."
Some in the stands sighed. The direct attack would not have ended the Duel outright, but it would have heavily pressured Ansiel. Still, most agreed Hikaru had gained the upper hand.
With Skill Drain gone and Prismaura on the field, it was only a matter of time. Next turn, Hikaru could simply discard Fusion again to destroy Gravity Bind.
Ansiel clearly knew it as well. Yet instead of panic, he raised his head with a flourish, voice booming like an entertainer on stage.
"Friends! Right now, I stand in danger. If I cannot find an answer this turn, next turn Hikaru will break my Trap and finish me. But tell me, do you think I can turn this around?"
The audience broke into murmurs.
"Maybe..."
"Who knows?"
"Anything can happen!"
Ansiel spread his arms wide. "That is the beauty of a Duel! The thrill of the unknown! And now, Hikaru, I will, Dark Contract!"
Hikaru chuckled lightly. Even his theatrics are entertaining.
"Alright then, let's see what you've contracted."
Ansiel glanced at his card, lips curling into a smile before quickly twisting his face in mock despair. "Noooooo!"
The crowd laughed at his performance. They knew from his reaction that whatever he drew wasn't the solution. Some even began sitting back down.
"Behold!" he shouted, holding the card high. "The Spell Card, Magic Planter!"
Holographic light displayed the card in full for the audience.
"Magic Planter: Send one face-up Continuous Trap you control to the Graveyard, then draw two cards!"
Gasps rippled again.
"If I send away Gravity Bind, I'll draw two cards. But if I keep it, I might stall long enough to survive. Why? Why did fate give me this card!?"
Some spirits watching chuckled. Others shook their heads, amused.
Ansiel lowered his hand dramatically, then straightened, voice firm. "But that's the spirit of Dueling, the unexpected, the unknown! Ladies and gentlemen, for the Duel, for you, for entertainment itself, I will… activate Magic Planter!"
The audience erupted once more, swept up by his sheer bravado.
"Ah!"
"Wow..."
"He's going all out!?"
"Good! Go for it!"
Although Ansiel's Deck leaned heavily on beatdown monsters and a wall of Trap Cards, hardly what most would call "entertaining," his dramatic performance drew murmurs of approval even from the Spirits watching overhead.
He wasn't a fiery, hot-blooded Duelist, but he had his own quirks and his own stubborn persistence.
"Yo, this human is pretty interesting," Tierra said with a smirk, pointing at Hikaru's opponent.
Hikaru gave a small nod.
Ansiel thrust a hand toward his field. "Send Gravity Bind to the Graveyard, Dark Contract two cards!"
Gasps followed as the Continuous Trap dissolved into shards of light. Ansiel drew two new cards and glanced at them, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
So Pegasus's gift really was "Dark Contract"…
He narrowed his eyes at Hikaru's field.
As expected of Amagi Hikaru. I didn't think he'd be able to destroy Skill Drain with a monster's effect, instead of relying on a simple Heavy Storm. If I'd only prepared more counters, Fusion Prohibition Area instead of just extra Skill Drains, I might have been able to keep him locked down.
Still, fleeing wasn't an option.
Ansiel cleared his throat, then raised his arm toward the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen! It seems the goddess of fate still smiles upon me!"
He squinted dramatically at Hikaru. "Well then, Hikaru, since things have come to this, I'll show you my burning muscles!"
"Huh?" Hikaru blinked.
"By banishing Panther Warrior from my hand and Fusilier Dragon from my Graveyard, I Special Summon this!"
The audience erupted.
"Special Summon without a chain?"
"And with that cost, could it be…?"
Ansiel spread his arms wide. "Come forth, the power of International Illusions! Special Summon, Beast Machine King Barbaros Ür!"
With a deafening clang, metallic fragments surged out of the Graveyard, swirling together. A towering lion-headed warrior emerged, clad in mechanized armor. A massive spear and shield formed around its body as steam hissed from its joints.
"Barbaros!?"
"Wait, that's one of Tenma's cards from Industrial Illusions!"
Even Hikaru raised an eyebrow. Barbaros in a Skill Drain deck… makes sense. But if Barbaros exists here, that means the Tenma brothers exist in this world too. Legendary Duelists in their own right…
The audience fell silent as the monster finished materializing.
[Beast Machine King Barbaros Ür] — Level 8 | EARTH | Beast-Warrior | ATK 3800
"ATK 3800!?"
"That's higher than Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
Ansiel explained proudly: "Beast Machine King can be Special Summoned by banishing one Beast-Warrior and one Machine from your hand, field, or Graveyard. But, beware! Any battle damage it inflicts becomes 0 unless Skill Drain is active. Remember that, viewers!"
The crowd roared.
"And now… I Normal Summon, Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei!"
A hulking warrior with bulging muscles leapt onto the field.
[Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei] — Level 4 | EARTH | Beast-Warrior | ATK 2300 | DEF 0
"Battle!" Ansiel shouted. "Barbaros Ür, attack Gem-Knight Prismaura!"
With a metallic roar, the Beast Machine King charged. Its armored club smashed down, shattering Prismaura in a burst of shards.
"Then, Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei attacks directly!"
The muscular fighter lunged at Hikaru, driving an elbow into his chest.
Hikaru, LP: 4000 → 1700.
"After attacking, Lei Lei switches to Defense Position."
The fighter crouched, fists raised, though its DEF was a mere 0.
"And finally," Ansiel continued, "I activate the Continuous Spell, Messenger of Peace!"
A white dove descended in a beam of light, landing gracefully on the field.
"As long as this card remains, monsters with 1500 or more ATK cannot declare attacks!"
The crowd groaned, some impressed, others disappointed. Hikaru only chuckled softly. 'This guy really knows how to drag out a Duel.'
Ansiel turned to the audience and waved theatrically. "Thank you, everyone! Your support gave me the strength to strike back this turn!"
Although the applause wasn't as thunderous as earlier, Ansiel's gamble, using Magic Planter to send away his own Trap and snatch back momentum, was still thrilling to watch. The audience respected his nerve in sacrificing protection for one desperate counter.
Some Duel Spirits that thrived on Trap synergy, or who resonated with [Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei] 's effect, cheered even louder.
"How about it, Hikaru? Can you break through?" Tierra asked softly.
She wasn't doubting him; she simply acknowledged that Ansiel had come prepared. After striking damage, he had locked the field down, and with [Beast Machine King Barbaros Ür] at 3800 ATK, the threat was real.
Hikaru's expression remained calm. "It's fine. This is still within expectations. I didn't account for Barbaros specifically, but I've known his deck's skeleton for a while."
He raised his hand. "And my counterplay is already set, my turn, Draw!"
Cameras across the stadium locked on him as the new card slid into his hand.
Ansiel spread his arms dramatically. "Such courage! To give everything just to push back, you honor this Duel, Amagi Hikaru! Then I too shall respond in kind. With my Fusion!"
Hikaru pointed to his Graveyard. "Effect of Fusion Substitute! By banishing it, I return one Fusion Monster from my Graveyard to the Extra Deck, then draw one card."
No one reacted much, this was routine recycling. But in a heartbeat, they realized what Hikaru had been aiming toward.
"I activate the Spell Card, Thunder Dragon Fusion!"
The Duel Hall buzzed.
"Thunder Dragon Fusion!?"
"But it can only make Thunder-Type Fusions…"
"Even so, is it worth it? A Superbolt won't survive long."
Zane's gaze sharpened. "No. That's not his target."
Chazz crossed his arms. "Exactly. Everyone praised Hikaru before for using the same materials to make different Fusions. But today, he's doing the opposite."
"The opposite?" Misawa gasped. "He's only making one?"
Thunderclouds rolled above, lightning flashing as Hikaru raised his voice. "Thunder Dragon Fusion returns materials from the field, Graveyard, or banished zone to the Deck to Fusion Summon a Thunder-Type Fusion Monster! I shuffle back [Gem-Knight Crystal] and [Gem-Knight Amber]!"
Lightning struck, and a familiar figure burst through the storm. "Fusion Summon! Once more, [Gem-Knight Prismaura]!"
The armored knight landed beside Hikaru, unchanging and resolute.
"Three Prismaura in a row!"
Serena jumped up in the stands, waving furiously. The Fusion Department roared in approval.
Ansiel grimaced. "You're not…"
"You remember Prismaura's effect," Hikaru said evenly. "Discard a 'Gem-' card to destroy one face-up card."
He held a card high. "I discard Gem-Knight Fusion! Prismaura, destroy [Beast Machine King Barbaros Ür]!"
The silver knight hurled its spear, skewering the massive machine and reducing it to scrap.
"And that's not all!" Hikaru's smile widened. "I activate the effect of Distributed Fusion on the field! If my opponent controls a monster, I can send Fusion Materials directly from my Deck to the Graveyard and Fusion Summon a Gem-Knight Fusion Monster that isn't Rock-Type!"
He searched through his Deck, plucked out the cards, and declared:
"I send Gem-Knight Emerald and Gem-Knight Crystal from my Deck to the Graveyard! Fusion Summon, come forth, Gem-Knight Aquamarine!"
A surge of water burst forth, shining with crystalline brilliance. From within, a knight clad in sapphire-blue armor emerged, carrying a massive shield that shimmered like the ocean's surface.
[Gem-Knight Aquamarine] — Level 6 | EARTH | Aqua | 1400 ATK.
"It's almost over." Hikaru chuckled softly. "I activate the effect of Gem-Knight Fusion in my Graveyard! By banishing Gem-Knight Emerald from the Graveyard, I add Gem-Knight Fusion back to my hand."
He calmly picked the Spell card up, sliding it into his hand.
At that moment, everyone felt it, an ominous premonition.
"It can't be..."
"Could it really…?"
Gasps spread. Many of the Fusion Department students shot to their feet.
"Don't tell me… it's that monster!"
"Activate the Spell Card, Gem-Knight Fusion!"
Hikaru spread out the cards in his hand and on his field.
"The Fusion requirement is three Gem-Knight monsters!"
"I fuse Gem-Knight Prismaura and Gem-Knight Aquamarine on my field, together with Gem-Knight Lapis from my hand!"
"Fusion Summon!"
"Ohhhh!"
"The absolute king who shines with resplendent brilliance!"
"Absorb the strength of all your comrades, and take on your truest form!"
"Fusion Summon! Come forth, Gem-Knight Master Diamond!"
Light exploded across the arena. The gems embedded in Hikaru's monsters radiated dazzling brilliance, merging into a knight clad in white armor. A greatsword glittering with diamonds was raised high, the weapon of a champion who had struck down countless injustices. The pure light of the diamond refracted, shining brighter than the sun itself.
[Gem-Knight Master Diamond] — Level 9 | EARTH | Rock | 2900 ATK / 2500 DEF.
The king of the Gem-Knights landed before Hikaru with solemn dignity, sword planted at his side.
"Ohhhhhh!" Jaden leapt up from the stands, unable to contain his excitement. "It's the Knight King! Long time no see!"
"It's really him…" Gloria of the Revival Duelist Hall clenched her fists.
"Master Diamond, huh…" Chazz curled his lip, memories surfacing from past duels.
Ansiel's voice dropped to a mutter. "The Knight King… you think too highly of me…"
"Master Diamond's ATK increases by 100 for each Gem-Knight in my Graveyard," Hikaru announced. "Right now, I have four: Master Diamond, Aquamarine, Prismaura, and Lapis."
ATK: 2900 → 3300.
"And don't forget Aquamarine's effect, when it was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can return one of your cards to your hand. I choose…" Hikaru glanced at Tierra. She gave a small pout, tilted her head, and pointed her chin toward Lei Lei.
"Return Lei Lei."
Master Diamond's greatsword gleamed with sapphire light, striking Lei Lei and forcing it back to Ansiel's hand.
"But in that case, you can't attack," Ansiel said cautiously. He couldn't help but keep talking, the mark of an entertainer even under pressure.
"Hah, true, but Master Diamond's other effect hasn't even begun!"
"Oh? And what might that be?" Ansiel asked, playing along.
The audience leaned forward. Those unfamiliar with Master Diamond were full of curiosity, while veterans like Gloria, Grace, and Chazz already knew what was coming.
"Gem-Knight Master Diamond's effect activates!" Hikaru raised his hand. A gleaming diamond floated up from his palm, turning slowly, each rotation flashing with different hues.
"Once per turn, I can banish 1 Level 7 or lower Gem-Knight Fusion Monster from my Graveyard. This card gains that monster's original name and effect until the end of the turn!"
"From the Graveyard… a Level 7 or lower Fusion?"
"Copy its name and effect…?"
"Ah!" Ansiel's eyes widened. "Gem-Knight Prism Aura!"
"That's right!" Hikaru grinned. "Master Diamond banishes Prism Aura and gains its name and effect!"
In the Graveyard, Prism Aura's form dissolved, its essence surging into the yellow gem on Master Diamond's sword. A spectral image of Prism Aura appeared behind the knight, mimicking its movements like a phantom.
Gem-Knight Master Diamond → Gem-Knight Prism Aura
ATK: 3300 → 3200.
"Ohhhh!!!"
Serena, watching from the stands, clapped with infectious excitement. "Master's been using Gem-Knight Prism Aura from start to finish! So cool!"
While most of the audience sat in shock, Serena's cheer cracked through the silence like a thunderclap.
In that moment, everyone finally understood Amagi Hikaru's strategy.
"Then, I activate the effect of Gem-Knight Fusion! I banish Gem-Knight Lapis from my Graveyard to add it back to my hand."
[Gem-Knight Master Diamond's ATK: 3200 → 3100.]
"Unbelievable…"
"He can still use Prism Aura's effect…"
"Oh my god, that means…"
From the very beginning, Hikaru had relied on different Fusion Spells to summon Gem-Knight Prism Aura again and again, and now that same monster was the key to victory.
"A brilliant Fusion." Even though a Continuous Spell still remained on the field, Ansiel couldn't help but applaud.
"Hah… thank you for the Duel." Hikaru smiled.
Despite Ansiel being a Trap-focused Duelist, a style Hikaru usually found suffocating, this match had been strangely exhilarating.
"A while ago, you demonstrated the inclusiveness and versatility of Fusion. So today, you wanted to prove Fusion's focus?" Ansiel asked.
"That's right," Hikaru nodded. "I believe that if you believe in Fusion, if you keep chasing it, if you stick to what you want, then anyone can achieve the results they're after. So… there's no reason to doubt Fusion."
In the stands, Duelists who had once been afraid to run Fusion decks because of popular opinion watched Hikaru summon Gem-Knight Prism Aura again and again, through every possible method. They remembered how he had once used Winged Kuriboh and Elemental HERO Burstinitrix to Fusion Summon different HERO monsters one after another. Their passion rekindled.
Yes.
There's no need to doubt Fusion. The fault lies with the Duelist, never the card!
Ansiel lowered his hand, then extended his fist toward Hikaru.
"Then, let's go!"
"Activate Gem-Knight Prism Aura's effect! Once per turn, by sending 1 Gem-Knight card from my hand to the Graveyard, I can destroy 1 face-up card on the field! I send Gem-Knight Fusion to the Graveyard and destroy Messenger of Peace!"
The hologram of the pacifying spell shattered into light.
"Now, Gem-Knight Prism Aura, direct attack!"
Master Diamond rotated its massive blade, and the phantom image of Prism Aura appeared behind it, spear poised. The spectral knight lunged forward, lightly tapping Ansiel's shoulder with its crystalline weapon.
Ansiel's LP: 3000 → 0.
"Winner: Amagi Hikaru!"