"...It's my turn."
Actually, by now, Judai was also a bit exhausted, with fatigue surging like a tide.
But he knew he couldn't fall just yet.
This was the strongest enemy he had faced in his life so far, and also the heaviest responsibility he had ever borne, but it was also the first time his teacher allowed him to fight alongside him.
For Judai, dueling had always been joyful. Even when mired in darkness, even in duels where life was at stake and accompanied by pain, he never lost his passion for dueling.
And this was the first time in his life that he clearly felt unparalleled pressure and responsibility in a duel.
He would never allow himself to become a burden to his teacher.
"Draw!"
Judai's eyes were firm, without a trace of confusion.
Perhaps only a boy like Yuki Judai could bear so much expectation and carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.
As long as Dark Planet was present, any Magic Card would be negated, which was very unfriendly to his Elemental Hero and Cosmic system. It could be said that it had blocked most of his paths to unfold.
In this situation, to break through a four-thousand-point monster with resistance to all effects targeting is indeed quite difficult.
Judai glanced at his hand and didn't forget to check the cards Youyu teacher had piled into the graveyard last turn, quickly contemplating various ways to counterattack from this situation.
Now he had "Elemental Hero Liquidman" in his hand. If he used its effect to revive Blazeman from the graveyard, he could search "Fusion" Magic to his hand, which was a common counterattack strategy of his Elemental Heroes.
But now, as long as Dark Planet was present, Fusion couldn't be used.
It would be great if there were a powerful hero that could be summoned without a Magic Card, like Ed's Plasma...
Just as he thought of this, Judai suddenly noticed that one of his cards began to react slightly.
It was the "Philosopher's Stone" given by Teacher Daitokuji.
The rules for team battles and free-for-all battles differ; in team battles if cards like Reckless Greed or Card Destruction are used, only the duelist currently operating needs to accept the effect.
Therefore, Judai's "Philosopher's Stone" hadn't been discarded by Youyu's effect last turn.
Judai picked up the card, staring at it blankly as golden light flowed from the card. Then, right before his eyes, the card—originally a Magic Card—began to rewrite itself!
It was clearly a Magic Card but gradually transformed into a Monster Card, with text lines floating up and the card image changing alongside.
In the blink of an eye, the card switched to "Destiny Hero Plasma" that he had just thought of!
[Youyu x Judai, LP 800 → LP 400]
Noticing the change in Life Points, Youyu realized what had happened.
Sabatiel - The Philosopher's Stone, one of the strongest cards in the GX Series, appeared only once in the original, when Judai fought the Three Phantasm alone.
According to Daitokuji, this card, a miracle of Alchemy, could only be wielded by the "Ultimate Alchemist." In the hands of an Ultimate Alchemist, it could transform into any card imagined by the holder, at the cost of halving Life Points.
This ability could be used up to three times.
Since the Three Phantasm had been soloed by Youyu earlier, this card was passed down to Judai. Unexpectedly, it proved useful at this critical juncture.
With a slight upward curl of his lips, Youyu thought.
Yuki Judai... truly his most reliable apprentice.
Light of Destruction also noticed the change in Life Points, drawing his attention as well.
"I summon 'Elemental Hero Liquidman'!" Judai began his move.
[Elemental Hero Liquidman, ATK 1400]
"Liquidman's effect, upon summoning, can special summon a 'Hero' of level four or below from the graveyard in defense position!" Judai stated, "I special summon 'Elemental Hero Blazeman'!"
[Elemental Hero Blazeman, DEF 1800]
"Blazeman's effect, upon successful summon or special summon, adds a 'Fusion' Magic Card from the deck to the hand."
"But still, as long as 'Kozmo Dark Planet' is present, you can't Fusion Summon."
"I know!" Judai replied, "Youyu teacher, lend me your power once more! Activating the effect of 'Destiny Hero Malicious,' which teacher sent to the graveyard last turn!
Banish Malicious from the game, special summon a card with the same name from the deck!"
[Destiny Hero Malicious, DEF 800]
"Summoning more minions won't help," Light of Destruction remarked, "Even if many Heroes are summoned, you can't perform Fusion..."
"True, but I can summon this guy!"
Judai raised the card in his hand high.
Ed! Lend me your power!
"I tribute 'Elemental Hero Liquidman,' 'Elemental Hero Blazeman,' and 'Destiny Hero Malicious'!
The power of destruction brings the end of all fates, transforming into the ultimate hero—
—Destiny Hero Plasma!!!"
"What!?"
Seeing the dark hero rise from the bloody mire, stretching open those vast, terrifying bone wings, those familiar with Yuki Judai gasped aloud simultaneously.
Especially Ed.
"Judai... when did he get my Plasma!?" Ed exclaimed in shock, "Did Youyu teacher give it to him?"
Plasma made its entrance, raised its head, and roared fiercely, the blood-colored domain erupted, swiftly engulfing Light of Destruction's entire field!
Even the massive Death Star couldn't escape Plasma's domain, engines shutting down, with a sound of short-circuit explosions internally.
[Destiny Hero Plasma, ATK 1900]
"While Plasma is on the field, all opponent's Monster effects are negated!" Judai declared, "In this way, my Magic Cards can be used!
So I set a card face down on the field, activate from my hand the Magic Card 'Card of Demise', to draw cards until my hand has five cards. All cards in hand will be discarded in the Standby Phase after five turns."
He glanced at the drawn cards and immediately revealed one: "Magic Card 'Foolish Burial', sending a Monster Card from the deck to the graveyard.
I send 'Elemental Hero Neos' to the graveyard again!"
Judai then waved his hand broadly.
"Moreover, once per turn, Plasma can equip and absorb opponent Monster on the field!"
"Beautiful!" Ed clenched his fist, "Dark Planet cannot be targeted by effects, but if nullified by Plasma's ability..."
At this moment, a sense of pride welled up within Ed.
Although he didn't know why Judai had Plasma, he was using my monster to win!
Indeed, my Destiny Heroes are the strongest!
However...
"Flip Cover Card." Light of Destruction revealed a card from the backfield, "Counter Trap 'Divine Wrath'. Discard a hand card to negate and destroy the activation of Monster effects.
Although it's a powerful monster, it must leave."
Lightning fell, striking Plasma's form directly. The hero shuddered, groaned miserably, then exploded into fragments within the white light of the lightning.
Judai: "Ah, Plasma was..."
"I don't know what you did, but it was pointless," Light of Destruction commented, "The result of this duel, the fate of this world was already decided long ago.
You think you're resisting with your own will, but no one can defy destiny or the cosmic will..."
Judai ignored him.
He drew out "Sabatiel - The Philosopher's Stone" once more.
Indeed, after using it, the card hadn't vanished; it remained in his hand.
It was as if he had conjured "Destiny Hero Plasma" from thin air.
However, since the card hadn't disappeared, perhaps this ability... could still be used?