"Vision HERO?"
"I've never seen that HERO before!"
"A new HERO line?"
Inside the Society of Light's tower, Sartorius and his sister traded a look. Aster Phoenix folded his arms, thinking aloud. "My father once considered designing a 'Vision HERO' line distinct from Destiny HERO, but in the end he chose D–HERO. I didn't expect to see someone actually using them. He must've gotten them from another Dimension."
Down on the field, Amagi Hikaru was wondering much the same. "Vision HERO…? Where did you pick those up?"
Chen Lue nodded. "The 'Vision HERO' line is something I ran into during a Dimension exploration internship."
He lifted a card. A tight cone of light, like a stage lamp, blinked on and drifted down toward him.
"Vision HEROes are the shadow-side heroes. They rescue people lost in the dark, victims who slip through the cracks. They become images, change shape across different spaces. They don't keep a fixed base, if there's a camera and a light, they might be there, quietly guarding humans and spirits alike."
"That's… honestly heroic," Hikaru said.
"Right? Unsung guardians," Chen Lue agreed, and let his gaze sharpen. "And if I'm bringing them out today, there's only one goal."
Hikaru smiled. "To beat me with Fusion."
"Exactly, Amagi Hikaru." Chen Lue drew himself up. "You're a favorite for the title, and like me, you've specialized in Fusion, kept using it even when public opinion turned on it. I respect that. Against a Duelist like you, the Vision HEROes deserve the spotlight."
"Faris's effect, when he's Special Summoned, I place 1 'Vision HERO' from my Deck in my Spell & Trap Zone as a Continuous Trap. I set Vision HERO Increase!"
A searchlight icon winked on in Chen Lue's back row.
"Ohhh!"
"He's using a monster as a Trap!?"
"That engine is wild…"
Hikaru tapped his chin. No D–HERO Malicious or Shadow Mist, so he's on the pure Vision line. If he takes Increase…
Chen Lue snapped his fingers. "Now Increase, while it's in the Spell & Trap Zone, I Tribute 1 'HERO' I control to Special Summon it." The searchlight cut out; the silhouette on the card leapt free and hit the field in a crouch. "I Tribute Faris to Special Summon Vision HERO Increase!"
[Vision HERO Increase] — Level 3 | DARK | Warrior | 900 ATK
"And when Increase is Special Summoned: I Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower 'Vision HERO' from my Deck. Hit the stage, Vision HERO Vyon!"
A violet–lined figure assembled out of hard light, sleek and mechanical.
[Vision HERO Vyon] — Level 4 | DARK | Warrior | 1000 ATK
"Vyon's effect on Summon: I send 1 'HERO' from my Deck to the GY. I send Elemental HERO Necroshade."
"But it doesn't stop," Chen Lue said, pointing to his Graveyard. "Vyon, once per turn, I banish 1 'HERO' from my GY to add Polymerization from my Deck to my hand. I banish Vision HERO Poisoner."
He flipped through his Deck and calmly added a Fusion Spell to his hand.
"Whoa… brand-new HERO cards?"
"Hss...those effects are strong."
The crowd, watching the chain play out, could only trade gasps. Even Jaden, fresh off a dozen HERO mirrors, didn't cheer first this time; he started mapping the lines.
"Wait, Faris places Increase, Increase Tributes into itself, Increase brings out Vyon… it cycles the whole starter package in, like, two clicks." He rubbed his chin, nodding. "Search, dump a HERO, then guarantee Polymerization, this engine's the real deal."
"I activate the Spell, Polymerization!" Chen Lue slid the card into his Duel Disk. "Hikaru, let me show you my Fusion!"
"I Fusion Summon using the two 'HERO' monsters on my field!"
"The materials are 2 'HERO' monsters!"
"What?!"
"Hold up, did he just say any 'HERO' monsters?!"
The arena stirred. If it wasn't locked to "Vision HERO," that meant, if he wanted, he could have even used Hikaru's Burstinatrix or Avian.
"Heroes that work in the shadows, guarding the weak… take form, and take your ovation!"
"Fusion Summon!"
"Vision HERO Adoration!"
Searchlights all swung to center. A rag-wrapped HERO with arms folded stepped out of the glare.
[Vision HERO Adoration] — Level 8 | DARK | Warrior | 2800 ATK / 2100 DEF
"2800 ATK!"
"Higher than Giltia...uh, Gilti-Gearfried!"
Even spectators who'd never piloted HERO started to get it, Vision HERO wasn't just cute flavor; it slotted cleanly into any HERO build.
"And it's not over! In the GY, Elemental HERO Necroshade, once, while it's there, I can Normal Summon a Level 5+ 'Elemental HERO' without Tributing!"
"I Normal Summon—Elemental HERO Bladedge!"
Steel rang. A golden swordsman vaulted into view.
[Elemental HERO Bladedge] — Level 7 | EARTH | Warrior | 2600 ATK / 1800 DEF
"Another high-level Hero monster!"
"So Vyon dumping Necroshade set this up, nice."
Down on the floor, Jaden fist-pumped. "That means I can Normal Summon Neos for free!"
Hikaru took it in and nodded. Without Destinies or Masks, this was the cleanest, most honest line Vision HERO offered.
"Hikaru," Chen Lue said, "I don't know what other Fusions you've got prepped. But I entered this event to win, and to show the world the Vision HEROes and the people who work quietly out of frame. So I'm going all out!"
"Adoration, effect! Once per turn: I target your Gilti-Gearfried the Magical Steel Knight, and my other 'HERO', Bladedge. Gilti-Gearfried loses ATK/DEF equal to Bladedge's ATK until the end of the turn!"
Adoration's floodlights washed over Gilti-Gearfried, projecting Bladedge's silhouette across its mirrored armor.
"What?"
"Bladedge is 2600."
"Gilti-Gearfried's 2700!"
"So it drops to 100… then 2600 + 2800 = 5400 damage! That's lethal!"
"Is he about to OTK Hikaru on turn one?!"
"Nope!" Hikaru snapped, and the knight's polished armor flashed like a mirror.
"Gilti-Gearfried the Magical Steel Knight, Quick Effect! When a Spell/Trap, or monster effect, is activated that targets this card: negate that activation; then destroy 1 card on the field!"
"What!?"
Hikaru pointed straight at Adoration. Gilti-Gearfried hurled its axe; the blade smashed through the lighting rig, and Adoration pixelated, then vanished.
Chen Lue stared, stunned.
"Dude…"
"That effect is cracked."
"Not just 2700 ATK, it protects itself, too?"
A beat of sympathy passed through the crowd. If Chen Lue hadn't pushed for the OTK and just attacked, 2800 would have cleanly beaten 2700. Even without ending it right there, two bosses to one would've been a commanding start.
Chen Lue inhaled slowly and checked his hand.
He still had an answer.
"I Set 1 card and end my turn."
"My turn. Draw."
Hikaru glanced at the topdeck and smiled faintly. "I discard Evil HERO Adusted Gold to the GY; Adusted Gold adds Dark Fusion from my Deck to my hand."
"Next, I play Fusion Recovery, I target Polymerization and Elemental HERO Burstinatrix in my GY and add them both to my hand."
He slid another Spell forward. "Then I activate Fusion Deployment. I reveal Evil HERO Infernal Wing in my Extra Deck; since it specifically lists its materials, I Special Summon one of them from my Deck."
He fanned his Extra Deck for the cameras. Evil HERO Infernal Wing, materials: Elemental HERO Avian + Elemental HERO Burstinatrix.
"I Special Summon, Elemental HERO Avian!"
The emerald-armored HERO dove in with a gleam.
[Elemental HERO Avian] — Level 3 | WIND | Warrior | 1000 ATK / 1000 DEF
"Whoa, Hikaru's actually assembling Fusion Materials and Spells the honest way today?"
"I thought he'd keep doing Deck-Fusion tricks."
"He didn't even pull out Flame Swordsman with Fusion Deployment!"
Students whispered in the stands.
Down in the lounge, Jaden, Aster, and the other finalists had already gone quiet.
"Spell Card, Polymerization!" Amagi Hikaru snapped his card onto the Disk.
This time, he wasn't using anything on loan from the "light" side of his patrons.
"I fuse Elemental HERO Burstinatrix from my hand with Elemental HERO Avian on the field!"
"What?"
"It's those two again!?"
Heads turned. Chen Lue, across the field, raised an eyebrow. So he's finally going to make Flame Wingman and push damage.
"The Fusion Materials are 2 Normal Monsters!"
"What!?"
"No way!"
"Another brand-new Fusion!"
The arena popped. Hikaru was showing off a favorite theme of the day, turning the same pair of cards every which way.
"Fusion Summon! Level 9—First of the Dragons!"
The two heroes melted into an ancient tablet. A colossal dragon tore out of the stone, bellowing to the rafters.
[First of the Dragons] — Level 9 | DARK | Dragon | 2700 ATK / 2000 DEF
Fusion Materials: 2 Normal Monsters
"This guy…" Zane leaned forward, eyes bright.
"Hss… another Fusion, and still off those two!"
"Heh. Show-off," Chazz said, smiling despite himself. "Guess he wanted to announce his 'return' in round one."
Chen Lue felt it, too, the intent behind the spectacle. He smiled. "So that's it. You've been wanting to say this to the whole world, haven't you?"
"I'm tired of waiting," Hikaru said, looking straight into the broadcast lens, as if he could see every Duelist watching back. "Because of the Fusion Army, students have been catching heat for months. I bet all over the world, people get mocked, or suspected, just for playing Fusion."
"All Duelists, everywhere, hear me." He clenched a fist. "Fusion is the noblest Summoning method. You don't all have to agree, or like it, or play it. But at least admit this: Fusion is inclusive and ever-changing."
"Even with the same materials, you can summon different heroes. And the people who use Fusion, there are all kinds. I'm chasing the ultimate form of Fusion, and I'll study every path I can. That has nothing to do with 'good' or 'evil.'"
"So whether you quietly love Fusion, just want to win with it, or only like a few specific Fusions, that's all fine."
"But don't brand everyone who plays Fusion with the Fusion Army's crimes."
"If you need someone to brand, start with me."
In the waiting hall, friends who knew Hikaru all rubbed their foreheads at once, and smiled. Of course he'd say that. Of course he'd mean it.
Chen Lue watched him, a little stunned.
"Sorry, Chen. Today I'm going all out, I want the cleanest, flashiest win possible."
"I flip my Set: Trap Card, Necro Fusion!"
"By banishing Fusion Materials from my GY, I Fusion Summon!"
"Again!?"
Hikaru's GY held exactly two HERO normals, Avian and Burstinatrix.
"I banish Elemental HERO Avian and Elemental HERO Burstinatrix from my GY, Fusion Summon!"
"Burn bright, Elemental HERO Nova Master!"
The crimson-armored hero burst from a ring of flame, sword sweeping a trail of sparks.
[Elemental HERO Nova Master] — Level 8 | FIRE | Warrior | 2600 ATK / 2100 DEF
"Battle Phase!" Hikaru lifted a hand.
"Monsters Summoned by Necro Fusion can't attack this turn," Chen Lue said evenly. "If you'd just swung, you might have closed it, but now I live a turn. I activate my Set, Call of the Haunted! I Special Summon, from the GY, Vision HERO Adoration!"
The rag-wrapped HERO strode back onto the field, arms folded.
"Adoration, huh…" Hikaru's eyes narrowed. "Right, normally, between Adoration and Increase looping back next turn, you'd rebuild and keep tutoring forever. But.."
"You even know that?" Chen Lue blinked.
"Of course. I'm a Duelist of ultimate Fusion, so… here's my full power."
"Quick-Play Spell, Form Change!"
Gasps rippled through the stands. Jaden straight-up shouted: "Form Change?!"
"Target 1 'HERO' Fusion Monster you control; return it to the Extra Deck, then Special Summon from your Extra Deck 1 'Masked HERO' with the same Level but a different name, ignoring its Summoning conditions, treated as 'Mask Change'."
The spectators cried out in surprise.
"Masked HERO Koga!"
Clap, clap, clap!
Spotlights converged on Hikaru. In the strobing beams, a fully armored HERO, face hidden behind a gleaming mask, appeared at his side.
[Masked HERO Koga] — Level 8 | LIGHT | Warrior | 2500 ATK
"Masked… a Masked HERO!?"
"So cool!"
Unlike the HEROes everyone knew, this one carried a different kind of swagger, and more importantly, it was another Extra Deck monster that didn't need Polymerization to hit the field.
"That guy…" Chazz snorted a laugh.
"Heh. After playing it straight with orthodox Fusion for so long, he finally snapped back to his usual 'any Fusion goes'," Zane said, a faint smile on his lips.
This was the Hikaru they knew.
All-encompassing Fusion. Never boxed into a single path. A Duelist who would chase Fusion to the ends of the earth.
"Koga gains 500 ATK for each monster on your field."
"Kinda bad for me…"
Koga — ATK: 2500 → 3500 (2 opponent monsters).
"And once per turn, Koga can banish a 'HERO' from my GY, then target a face-up monster on the field; that monster loses ATK equal to the banished monster's ATK until the end of the turn, this can also be used on the opponent's turn."
"It's similar to Vision HERO Adoration's debuff!"
"Phantom and Masked, both 'masked' HEROes hiding in the light and the dark!"
"In that case…!"
"I banish Elemental HERO Burstinatrix from my GY," Hikaru declared.
Twin blades flashed on Koga's gauntlets as he pointed at Elemental HERO Bladedge.
Bladedge — ATK: 2600 → 1400.
"Battle! Koga attacks Bladedge!"
Koga lunged, then feinted back, springing high to deliver a snapping heel kick that crushed the golden blade-wielder.
Chen Lue — LP: 4000 → 1900
"At this moment, my Vision HERO effects in the GY trigger. When I take battle or effect damage, I can place them to my Spell & Trap Zone as Continuous Traps, Vision HERO Increase!"
A spotlight speared down and fixed on his back row. Whether he could convert it next turn was another question, but if Hikaru's monsters somehow couldn't attack directly, it might matter.
Hikaru only shook his head.
"Then Gilti-Gearfried the Magical Steel Knight attacks Bladedge, no, with Bladedge gone, change of plans: target Vision HERO Adoration!"
He cut himself off, recalculating in a breath.
"Gilti-Gearfried attacks Bladedge would've been redundant. We're past that. First of the Dragons, stand by. Gilti-Gearfried, attack Bladedge's empty slot? No. Go for the remaining monster!"
Hikaru flicked two fingers. "Gilti-Gearfried, strike Adoration!"
[Gilti-Gearfried the Magical Steel Knight] — Level 8 | LIGHT | Warrior | 2700 ATK / 1600 DEF
The steel knight cleaved through the shadow-wrapped HERO, scattering pixels of light.
Chen Lue — LP: 1900→ 1200
"Finish it, First of the Dragons, direct attack!"
The primordial dragon beat its wings, riding a spiraling gale straight through Chen Lue's last defenses and wiping out the remainder.
Winner: Amagi Hikaru.