Yugioh [766-768] (Patreon)

Chapter 766: Past Lives

"Evil HERO Malicious Bane—direct attack!"

At the Supreme King's command, the Evil HERO Malicious Bane seemed to burst into mad laughter. A boundless darkness surged out of its body like a raging ocean storm, stripping the new space of light and color until only pure, suffocating black remained.

In the instant Jaden was swallowed by that darkness, what reached his ears felt like the twisting and shattering of space itself, as if time and space trembled under that razor edge.

Even the strongest will would be dissolved by such a terrifying force; even the sturdiest walls would fall to pieces. That erupting darkness felt to him like a train charging at full speed, smashing through his defenses, shaking his skin, his muscles, even his bones.

It was as if his very life force was being washed away by that dark current, ebbing rapidly; the unprecedented pain nearly made him faint.

But it wasn't just physical pain—it was also a shock to the mind. In that moment, Jaden felt as if he saw countless familiar yet unfamiliar scenes: faces of spirits he'd encountered on his countless journeys across dimensions, those who had suffered misfortune; all the people ravaged by the Supreme King's wars.

And even more scenes—farther away, seemingly no longer belonging to him, yet somehow like memories.

He saw a battlefield choked with smoke.

He saw partings of life and death, saw his best comrades die before his eyes, and even crueller—doubt, even betrayal, from his closest friends.

"What… what's going on!?"

Jaden fell to his knees, clutching his head.

Fragments of memory, as if from countless reincarnations and many different lives. He saw unfamiliar faces in those scenes, yet the feelings that welled up were like those he'd have for friends with whom he had faced life and death countless times.

Even the bone-deep agony of losing those friends on various battlefields—or being betrayed by them—felt so real.

But the feeling came quickly and passed just as fast. Soon Jaden felt the world spinning; as if he were churned countless times in the dark void and then hurled out, crashing to the ground.

Jaden gulped the cold air, stood up, and looked at the Supreme King in disbelief.

Just now… could that have been

this guy's memories?

No—maybe they were his own…

He suddenly remembered what Kira had told him about that whole "past and present lives" setup. However absurd it sounded, he'd always been half-skeptical.

Could those truly be his—or rather, his and the Supreme King's—past lives?

Kira said the Supreme King was his inner darkness, so just how many lives of pain and betrayal had they endured to gestate such a persona?

Jaden stood, panting.

"The Continuous Spell 'Damage Off Zone.' While this card is on the field, all battle damage both players take is halved."

The Supreme King said, "Evil HERO Malicious Bane's ATK is 3200 now. Even halved, you'll still take 1600 battle damage."

[Jaden, LP 2300 → LP 700]

Jaden barely kept his footing.

This much he could endure.

"Do you understand now? The weak have no right to speak of justice."

The Supreme King's icy voice rang out again.

"Without power, no matter how pretty your words are, they're hollow. In the end, you're nothing but an unnecessary shadow of me."

Jaden looked up, his expression complicated as he glanced at his counterpart again. For some reason, looking at this mirror image of himself now, he didn't find him as detestable as before.

"Evil HERO Malicious Bane cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects—it's a fiend with absolute destruction resistance." The Supreme King paused. "Even so, you've still got a card in your hand that can threaten it."

His golden eyes narrowed slightly.

Neo-Spacian Grand Mole—that insidious little rat had already left a deep impression on the Supreme King with its brief appearance last turn. He couldn't be careless.

But it was fine—he already had a countermeasure.

"Spell Card 'Card Destruction.'" The Supreme King played the spell. "Both players discard their entire hands, then draw the same number!"

"Discard my hand…"

Jaden glanced at his hand. The Mole's spirit drifted out, sighed in annoyance: "Damn, the guy called it. Then I'll have to leave the rest to you. I'm out for now, Jaden."

"Mm-hm."

Jaden nodded, discarded Mr. Mole along with the rest, then redrew.

"I set two cards and end my turn," the Supreme King said.

"…My turn. Draw."

Jaden drew, then played from his hand.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Monster Reborn'!"

The classic spell's ancient green resurrection sigil appeared in the air above Jaden's field, like a bridge linking the living world and the underworld.

"I can revive a monster from the Graveyard to the field. The one I'm reviving is, of course—"

Golden light surged from his Graveyard; before the card even emerged, the spirit leapt out brimming with energy.

"Neo-Spacian Grand Mole!"

Mr. Mole returned to the field, hands on hips, laughing loudly.

Didn't see that coming, did you? The Mole is back!

Even the arrogant Malicious Bane's expression faltered at the Mole's return, sneaking a glance at the Supreme King.

Do something, boss. I can't handle this mole…

The Supreme King snorted heavily.

Can't keep quiet even after I tossed your hand… but this much was within expectations.

"Ridiculous. Such trifles have no place before a king's power," the Supreme King said coolly. "I activate my set card, the Trap Card 'Call of the Grave.'

"This card can only be activated when the opponent activates 'Monster Reborn.' Negate 'Monster Reborn's' effect."

Jaden: "?"

Huh? That targeted?

Printed on the spot?

For a moment he felt like walking over to check whether the ink on that card was still wet… (LOL)

But the resurrection sigil on his field was indeed erased immediately, and Monster Reborn's magic was swallowed by darkness and vanished.

All he could say was, on-the-fly printing gods are terrifying. Having always relied on destiny hacks to bully opponents, Jaden was finally getting the victim's perspective today…

But it was still fine.

"Then I Normal Summon 'Neo Space Connector'!"

A tiny Neo Space Connector appeared, with markings similar to Neos and a prominent crystal like an Ultraman color timer—like a chibi, mini Ultraman.

"Neo Space Connector's effect: when this card is Summoned, I can Special Summon 'Elemental HERO Neos' from my hand or Deck."

Jaden raised his fist high; the background seemed to transform into the cosmos and starry rivers.

"Come forth! From the distant Neo Space, the miraculous Elemental HERO—

—Elemental HERO Neos, Summon!"

Chapter 767: Lend Me the Power of Earth

With Jaden's call, the Neo Space scenery shifted again. In the boundless depths of the universe, beyond the galaxy, the ancient, mysterious heart of the cosmos seemed to exhale gently, awakening a symphony of light and dark.

In the instant the silence shattered, a dazzling beam streaked down like a meteor, a waterfall of light cascading onto the field. Infinite light particles within seemed to be given life, fluttering and dancing, interweaving and condensing into a tall, white figure, radiating a gentle yet undeniable glow—like a snowy peak under the first dawn. Red markings were etched upon its white body, and a brilliant blue crystal shone at its chest.

From the far side of the universe, the miraculous Elemental HERO—Elemental HERO Neos—has been summoned!

[Elemental HERO Neos, DEF 2000]

"From the cosmos… so this is your new power," the Supreme King said.

"I can feel it's a monster with special power. But this level still can't compare to Malicious Bane."

"It's not over yet," Jaden said. "Neo Space Connector has another effect!

By tributing the Neo Space Connector on the field, I can Special Summon a 'Neo-Spacian' monster or 'Elemental HERO Neos' from the Graveyard in Defense Position!

I tribute Neo Space Connector to call back a partner of Neo Space from the Graveyard…"

Neo Space Connector scattered into golden light; that light gathered again, reshaping into the drill-mole form that had just disappeared.

Supreme King: "!"

It again—this damned mole.

Grand Mole stood with confidence, hands on hips.

Didn't expect this, did you? I'm back again!

Even Malicious Bane's expression grew awkward at the sight of Mr. Mole.

However—

[Neo-Spacian Grand Mole, DEF 300]

"Even Grand Mole has to battle to trigger its effect," the Supreme King said gravely. "In Defense Position, it can't activate."

Though with Grand Mole on the field he couldn't attack recklessly, it was still fine. Next turn, he'd use Malicious Bane's board-wipe effect to blow it away.

In Defense Position, even Mr. Mole posed no threat.

"Is that really so?"

Jaden struck a stylish pose.

"Nani?"

"Neos is an Elemental HERO with infinite evolutionary potential—a hero of miracles," Jaden said. "Faced with different situations and foes, he can evolve almost without limit! I'll show you now…"

Jaden lifted his arm high.

"I return 'Elemental HERO Neos' and 'Neo-Spacian Grand Mole' from the field to the Deck—Contact Fusion!"

"Contact Fusion?" The concept even surprised the Supreme King.

At this point, the Supreme King and Jaden had virtually no overlap in their early lives; their memories didn't sync, their experiences were separate. Thus this newly gained Neo power was quite novel to the Supreme King.

"Grand Mole, lend me your power!" Jaden cried. "Earth drill, pierce the heavens! Contact Fusion—

—Elemental HERO Grand Neos!"

"Leave it to me!"

Grand Mole shouted with confidence; his body blurred, turning into golden energy that flashed toward Neos, his form seemingly overlaying with Neos.

Neos spread his arms as if feeling the power from deep within the earth. The blue crystal at his chest began to gleam brightly; golden motes condensed around him, forming heavy green armor that radiated the earth's steadiness and resilience.

Golden light gathered in his palm, coalescing into a massive, rapidly spinning drill that wrapped his entire right arm, as if it could penetrate any obstacle.

Elemental HERO Grand Neos, Summoned!

[Elemental HERO Grand Neos, ATK 2500]

"Contact Fusion? It's a new form empowered by that mole?" The Supreme King felt a bad premonition.

"Neos fusion monsters get an extra 500 ATK while Neo Space is on the field!" Jaden said.

[Elemental HERO Grand Neos, ATK 2500 → 3000]

"But last turn your Air Hummingbird was destroyed by effect, so Malicious Bane's ATK rose to 3200," the Supreme King said coldly. "And even without that, Malicious Bane can't be destroyed…"

"So what?"

"What?"

"Elemental HERO Grand Neos inherits Grand Mole's power!" Jaden declared. "Once per turn, this card can target one monster your opponent controls and return it to the hand!"

Supreme King: "!"

Not destruction—bounce to hand…

Damn it!

"Nebula Hollow!" Jaden shouted.

Grand Neos's drill spun, blurring into a white afterimage. It didn't just pierce the sky—it pierced dimensions. A rift tore open before Malicious Bane; the irresistible pull warped even the fiend's powerful body, flattening it like a sheet of paper as it was sucked in helplessly.

The fiend's face looked resigned as it was swallowed, as if to say, See? I knew nothing good would happen with that mole around…

"Malicious Bane is a Fusion Monster, so it can't return to the hand—it goes straight back to the Extra Deck!" Jaden said.

Supreme King: "…"

"Elemental HERO Grand Neos—attack directly!"

Grand Neos roared; the spinning drill shone with golden light, turning into a piercing laser that lanced toward the Supreme King!

"I activate my set card," the Supreme King said coolly. "Trap Card 'Draining Shield'—"

"The opponent's monster's attack is negated, and I recover LP equal to that monster's ATK."

Jaden: "!"

A rainbow-hued water shield formed before the Supreme King. Grand Neos's full-force strike slammed into it, the energy fully absorbed and converted into life.

[Supreme King, LP 2400 → LP 5400]

Neos retreated, a bit dejected.

"Sorry, Jaden. My attack only replenished his Life…"

"No, this is fine," Jaden shook his head.

Traps must be sprung; life points mean little if you can't land the finishing blow. Having traveled with Kira so long, he'd picked up some of that mindset.

Originally, Neos fusion monsters were forced to return to the Extra Deck at the end of the turn—likely an homage to Ultraman only being able to stay on Earth for three minutes.

Ultraman fights on Earth for three minutes; Neos can only remain on the field for one turn—fair enough.

But with the Field Spell "Neo Space" present, that drawback is nullified, letting the player choose whether to return Neos.

So naturally, Jaden chose not to return him.

"I equip 'Instant Neo Space' to Elemental HERO Grand Neos!" Jaden said.

An equipped Neos fusion doesn't return to the Extra Deck during the End Phase. But since Neo Space was already out, returning wasn't an issue anyway; Jaden was aiming for the other effect.

When the equipped monster leaves the field, you can Special Summon Elemental HERO Neos from your hand, Deck, or Graveyard.

"I set one card and end my turn."

Chapter 768: A Future of Light

"My turn. Draw."

The Supreme King drew and immediately revealed a card.

"Spell Card 'Card of Sanctity.' Both players draw until they have six cards in hand."

Jaden drew alongside him.

"Then I activate the Spell Card 'Foolish Burial'!" the Supreme King said. "I send one monster from my Deck to the Graveyard.

I send 'Evil HERO Sinister Necrom' from my Deck to the Grave."

He revealed the searched card and sent it to the Grave.

"Sinister Necrom…" Jaden caught the brief glimpse and quickly understood. "The evil counterpart of Necroshade?"

"A stronger, superior version!" the Supreme King said. "Just as I am stronger than you!

Sinister Necrom's effect: banish this card from the Graveyard to Special Summon an 'Evil HERO' other than 'Sinister Necrom' from the hand or Deck!

I Special Summon 'Evil HERO Infernal Rider'!"

[Evil HERO Infernal Rider, ATK 2100]

"Infernal Rider's effect: when this card is Summoned, add one 'Dark Fusion' from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand."

The Supreme King retrieved a spell from the Grave.

"I return the Spell Card 'Dark Fusion' from the Graveyard to my hand."

"Next, I activate 'Dark Fusion' again!" the Supreme King declared. "I send 'Evil HERO Infernal Rider' on the field and 'Evil HERO Malicious Bane' in my hand to the Graveyard for a Dark Fusion!

Descend once more—

—Evil HERO Malicious Bane!!!"

Once again, fusion. Infernal Rider and Malicious Bane were shredded in the vortex; the vast darkness took form anew, and the strongest fiend HERO returned!

[Evil HERO Malicious Bane, ATK 3000]

"Back again, huh," Jaden murmured.

"Yes. Just like the darkness in your heart," the Supreme King said. "Not only strong, but no matter how many times it's struck down, it returns—impossible to erase forever!"

But this time, Jaden didn't refute him; he only looked at him.

Even his gaze wasn't as sharp as before; instead, it held a hint of… pity.

"It must've been hard for you for so long, hasn't it?" he said softly.

"What?" The Supreme King froze.

"In the instant I took your Malicious Bane's attack, I think I remembered a little," Jaden said. "Our past lives—so much pain and betrayal, so much torment…

Yet before now, I remembered none of it. You were the one who bore it all, weren't you?

I can't imagine how much you carried to become what you are now."

The Supreme King hesitated.

But quickly regained himself. "I don't understand your nonsense. I never show mercy in a duel!

Evil HERO Malicious Bane's effect!

Destroy all monsters your opponent controls with lower ATK than this card!"

The dark wave from Malicious Bane swept out again. Even Grand Neos couldn't withstand it and was swallowed by the darkness.

"But the Equip Spell 'Instant Neo Space'!" Jaden said. "When Grand Neos leaves the field, I Special Summon 'Elemental HERO Neos' from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard!"

A beam descended from beyond the stars once more, manifesting the form of the Neo hero!

[Elemental HERO Neos, DEF 2000]

"Pointless struggle," the Supreme King said coldly. "Evil HERO Malicious Bane—attack 'Elemental HERO Neos'!"

As Malicious Bane lunged, the Supreme King played another card from his hand.

"Quick-Play Spell 'Trap Booster'!" He discarded one card and revealed another.

"By discarding a card, Trap Booster lets me activate a Trap from my hand.

I activate the Trap Card 'Meteorain'! This turn, when my monsters attack Defense Position monsters, inflict piercing damage equal to the difference between ATK and DEF!"

[Evil HERO Malicious Bane, ATK 3200]

[Elemental HERO Neos, DEF 2000]

"I activate my set card, the Trap Card 'Hero's Guard'!" Jaden said. "When an opponent's monster attacks, one 'HERO' monster I control cannot be destroyed by that battle!"

"But battle damage is still calculated," the Supreme King said.

"Right, but I also have the Continuous Spell 'Damage Off Zone,'" Jaden said. "While this card is on the field, all battle damage both players take is halved!

Also, 'Hero's Guard' has another effect—during the damage calculation of this battle, I can banish a 'HERO' monster from my Graveyard to halve the damage I take again, then draw a card!"

Jaden revealed a card in his Graveyard.

"I banish 'Elemental HERO Thunder Giant' from my Graveyard! Halve the damage again, and draw one card!"

The Continuous Spell and Trap defense formed two buffers before Jaden. Halved, then halved again—by the time the impact reached him, it was much weaker.

[Jaden, LP 700 → LP 400]

"Clinging to life," the Supreme King said. "I set one card and end my turn."

"Whew—too close."

Jaden exhaled, patting his chest.

"Almost died there."

"Even so, your LP is a candle in the wind," the Supreme King said icily. "I have 5400 LP and the unbeatable supreme evil, 'Malicious Bane.'

Even if you drag this out another turn, what can you do?"

Jaden pondered for a moment.

Then he looked up at the Supreme King.

"Before I came here, before facing you, I was afraid. I was afraid to face you, and I was angry at what you'd done.

But now, those feelings aren't so strong anymore.

Right now, I feel lucky."

"What?" The Supreme King frowned.

"Lucky that in this life I met such a reliable partner," Jaden said softly. "I've run into huge troubles, thorny enemies, more than once. Every time, he was there, stepping forward at the right moment.

He's the most reliable person I've met. He can resolve anything, turn even the trickiest situations around.

Sometimes it even makes me feel like I'm a bit unnecessary, ahaha…"

Jaden scratched his head sheepishly.

The Supreme King's face darkened; he said nothing.

So you're humblebragging now?

Does a teammate like that even exist?

The Supreme King refused to believe it.

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm thinking… maybe you just didn't have the luck I did. Or maybe you took on all the darkness for me.

Maybe because you were there, I could grow into who I am today."

The Supreme King's ever-placid golden eyes seemed to flicker slightly.

But only slightly.

"Say whatever you want," he said coldly. "Soon you'll disappear, and I will become stronger than ever, truly complete!"

Jaden shook his head with a smile.

"No, I won't fall. Because like I said, your power is hollow—power that isn't needed," he said. "And I've already found what I want to protect, my reason to fight. More importantly, the partner waiting for me to return.

But I promise you this: even if I can't do it today, one day—sooner or later—I will show you that future full of light, a future worth fighting for."