"Fusion is the noblest summoning method?"
"That slogan… I've heard it before."
"Isn't that what the Fusion Army used?"
"Eh...what!?"
Reactions rippled through the crowd at Amagi Hikaru's declaration.
Some remembered his dazzling showings in the X- and S-Dimensions; others tensed, wary of anything tied to the Fusion Army. Even so, there were no boos. Most of the spectators here were students or Duel Spirits, and those who had actually lived through the Fusion Army's infiltration at Duel Academy could tell, Hikaru wasn't them. After the Dark World incursion and duel after duel on this very stage, that much had become clear.
Hikaru just drew his opening hand.
He studied his cards, thumb brushing his chin, then lifted one with quiet resolve. "I activate the Spell Card, Polymerization."
His first duel on this stage, and he began with the most iconic Spell of all.
One of the most famous Spells in the world. One of the most common. One that KaibaCorp had pushed hard over the last year. Thanks to Polymerization, people in this Dimension no longer felt small beside the others. Thanks to Polymerization, many had chased their dreams.
But, because of Fusion, and because of the Fusion Army's invasions, a shadow had fallen too. Countless Duelists changed decks. Many abandoned the cards they loved.
It was both the origin and the foundation.
"I fuse Elemental HERO Avian and Elemental HERO Burstinatrix from my hand!"
"Avian and Burstinatrix!?" Interest spiked immediately.
Both cards were household names, even if their raw stats weren't impressive, they were the face of the beloved HERO strategy. Their classic Fusion, Elemental HERO Flame Wingman, was adored in this Dimension.
"Burstinatrix and Avian, it's gotta be Wingman!" Jaden sprang to his feet, shouting at Tyranno and Syrus flanking him.
The two, who'd skipped entering the tournament to watch with Jaden, leaned in at once.
"No way, bro, maybe Phoenix Enforcer," Tyaranno needled.
"Impossible! At worst it's Evil HERO Inferno Wing!" Syrus protested, and then winced. "N-no, wait, this isn't Dark Fusion…"
High above, in the Society of Light tower, Aster Phoenix and the Sartorius siblings watched the stream as well; Aster muttered that Phoenix Enforcer would be a sturdier opener, after all, it couldn't be destroyed by battle.
"Surely not Great Tornado or Nova Master…?"
Both HERO duelists had the same thought.
"As expected of Amagi Hikaru," his opponent, Chen Lue, said with a faint smile. "Even with Fusion's reputation frayed, you play it head-on. So… what are you making? Avian and Burstinatrix can become several different monsters."
"Heh…" Hikaru slowly raised two fingers. "The Fusion Materials are two Warrior monsters with different Attributes."
"What?"
Chen Lue froze for a beat.
"Two Warrior monsters with different Attributes!?"
"Not an Elemental HERO?"
Similar exclamations fired off all over the arena and across the stream.
Not Wingman. Not Phoenix Enforcer.
"Fusion Summon! The steel-clad warrior who wields a mighty axe..."
"Level 8, Gilti-Gearfried the Magical Steel Knight!"
At Hikaru's call, a caped juggernaut of metal descended. Its face was hidden behind a mask, but the heft of the axe in its hands said everything about its power.
[Gilti-Gearfried the Magical Steel Knight] — Level 8 | LIGHT | Warrior | Fusion | 2700 ATK / 2200 DEF
"W-whoa!?"
"A totally different Fusion! I've never seen that live!"
"I thought those two only made Flame Wingman!"
They'd already witnessed plenty of unusual tech this tournament, but seeing Hikaru reveal yet another branch from the same pair sent the crowd's buzz up another notch.
"Oooh!" Jaden practically sprang out of his seat. "Avian, you can fuse into that, too? Why didn't you ever tell me?"
Winged Kuriboh could only sweat nervously.
Hikaru glanced at his Fusion with a small smile. One of the many LIGHT Fusions bestowed by the Light's power, its materials, Attribute spread, and effect were all tailor-made for this world. He liked it. A lot.
"'Magical Steel Knight'… the evolved form of that old Fusion, Giltia the D. Knight," Chen Lue said, eyes narrowing. "Didn't think you'd choose it over Flame Swordsman."
Both Giltia and Flame Swordsman, once used by the legendary Joey Wheeler, were iconic.
"Same materials, different outcomes, that's Fusion," Hikaru said softly. He Set a card. "I Set one and end my turn."
"As expected of Amagi Hikaru, a Duelist devoted to Fusion's peak." Chen Lue nodded, then drew, and his eyes sharpened.
"Fusion is endlessly versatile. Some rush to copy other Dimensions before they've even grasped their own, then turn around and deride what's ours. The Fusion Army can do as it pleases, but a Duelist rejecting a summoning method just because of public opinion? Ridiculous."
"With you across from me, I don't have to think about 'public' anything. Perfect."
He raised a card. A tight cone of light dropped onto his Monster Zone like a stage lamp and flared to life.
Hikaru's brow ticked up. He knew that glow.
"I discard Vision HERO Poisoner to Special Summon—Vision HERO Faris!"
The light pulsed, and a pink-armored HERO stepped out of the shadows.
[Vision HERO Faris] — Level 5 | DARK | Warrior | 1600 ATK