Judai and Neos ignored Yubel's jealousy, letting her fume on her own. Judai continued, "Next, the second effect of New Cosmic Connector activates.
Sacrifice this card to Special Summon from the graveyard one 'New Space Hero' monster or 'Elemental HERO Neos,' in Defense Position to the field!"
At the beginning of this turn, Judai had already sent two New Space Heroes to the graveyard using the Magic Card 'Transformation Contact.'
"I revive from the graveyard 'New Space Hero: Dark Panther'!"
As the monster was summoned, what appeared on Judai's field was a mass of black material resembling muddy slime. It slowly flowed and gathered, forming limbs, and crouched upon the ground, transforming into a fierce black panther.
[New Space Hero: Dark Panther, Defense Power 500]
"Leave it to me, Judai!" The black panther spoke human words, "I will help you bring back your important partners!"
Yubel's side, however, grew even more agitated, "Oh, it seems there are enough elves to replace me, aren't there?"
Judai said: "I return 'Elemental HERO Neos' and 'New Space Hero: Dark Panther,' the two monsters from the field to the Card Deck, and contact fuse!"
Neos and Dark Panther soared into the sky, accelerating until they transformed into two meteors, converging in the air and entering the cosmos.
"Lend me the power of the panther—
——Elemental HERO Dark Neos, Summon!"
Neos, enhanced by the power of the panther, transformed into a being entirely black in color, with wings spreading from its back like a wide cloak. A blue crystal shone on his chest, his body interwoven with streaks of black and white, presenting a streamlined design.
[Elemental HERO Dark Neos, Attack Power 2500]
In the animation, when Judai first met Yubel, his memory hadn't fully returned and he didn't remember Yubel's monster effect, thus suffered a significant loss. But now he had long recalled Yubel's effect characteristics, knowing that facing Yubel directly is disadvantageous; the stronger the monster summoned, the more severe the backlash he must endure.
Yubel is the kind of opponent who is difficult to confront with strong attacks, requiring specific strategy and measures to outmaneuver.
Like, for instance, Dark Neos.
"The effect of Elemental HERO Dark Neos." Judai said, "Choose an Effect Monster on the field, as long as Dark Neos is on the field, the chosen monster's... effect is nullified permanently!"
Dark Neos extended his right hand, his palm spinning abruptly. The powerful force erupted like an endless vortex from his hand, as if an invisible shackle seized Yubel.
Yubel's face changed slightly, "Nullify my monster effect?"
She immediately realized that this dark form of Neos was indeed her nemesis. Without monster effects, Yubel herself was just a 0 attack blank slate, essentially a target, with being attacked directly being no different than being overwhelmingly defeated, unable even to serve as a sacrificial wall with any value.
"I will definitely make you wake up, Yubel!" Judai said, "Elemental HERO Dark Neos, attack 'Yubel'!"
Dark Neos, agile like a leopard, launched into an attack, his sharp claws drawing a dark trajectory straight toward Yubel.
"Neos… You're attempting to take Judai from me, but it won't be that simple." Yubel shouted deeply, "Activate the Cover Card, Trap Card 'Crossbow Team'!
Sacrifice a monster on your field to destroy any card on the field.
I sacrifice myself as 'Yubel'!"
A huge crossbow appeared on the field, several green-skinned, pointy-eared goblins busily operated it alongside. Yubel leapt onto the crossbow, the goblins hollered and pulled it, launching Yubel transformed into a flying arrow headed straight for Dark Neos.
Perish together!
But Judai had no intention of perishing together with Neos: "Speed Attack Magic 'Contact Separation'!
Dispel the fusion of your Neo Fusion Monster on the field! Return the Fusion Monster to the Fusion Card Deck, and if the set of Fusion Materials used for the fusion is collected in the Card Deck, that set can then be Special Summoned onto the field!"
Yubel's form transformed into a projectile flying out, but just before impact, Dark Neos abruptly split into two, separating back into Neos and Dark Panther. Yubel barely missed, passing right through the gap between the two monsters.
Yubel clicked her tongue, "Cunning Neos…"
"Moreover, Contact Separation is Speed Attack Magic, activated during the battle phase." Judai said, "Therefore, through this effect, 'Elemental HERO Neos' and 'New Space Hero: Dark Panther' that are Special Summoned onto the field can proceed with attacks this turn!"
[Elemental HERO Neos, Attack Power 2500]
[New Space Hero: Dark Panther, Attack Power 1000]
Judai's field separated into two monsters, but Yubel's side had sacrificed herself, leaving the field empty. And earlier, Yubel had paid 1000 Life Points through Tomb of the Dead Emperor to summon herself, leaving her with remaining LP 3000, if Neos and Dark Panther's attacks go through, it will instantly be a one-turn kill!
With a wave of his hand, Judai commanded.
"Elemental HERO Neos, direct attack on Yubel!"
Neos led the charge, delivering a hand strike directly at Yubel's head.
"Trying to eliminate me so quickly, but it won't be that easy." Yubel scoffed, "Activate the Cover Card, Continuous Trap 'Restricted Revival'!
Revive from the graveyard a monster with Attack Power below 1000!"
Judai was resolute, "Attack Power below 1000...Yubel's own Attack Power is only 0."
"Exactly!" Yubel said, "It's not so easy to get rid of me.
The effect of Restricted Revival, revive myself, Yubel, once again in attack position from the graveyard!"
The revival trap activated, Yubel emerged from the ground, wings wrapping around her body, once again blocking the field.
[Yubel, Attack Power 0]
This time the revival from the graveyard refreshed the state, and with Dark Neos no longer on the field, Yubel's effects naturally became active again. Even if struck, no battle damage can be dealt, damage instead would be reflected back to the attacker itself.
"When the number of opponent monsters on the field changes during battle, the battle rewinds, I cancel Neos' attack." Judai said.
Neos retreated, returning to Judai's side.
Judai said: "Cover a card face-down, ending the turn."
Neos and Dark Panther stood on either side of Judai, prepared for what might come.
Yubel saw the loyalty of these two elves, jealousy welled in her heart, making her even more furious.
"Good, very good. Judai has now acquired so many powerful elves, each equally loyal, it seems he doesn't need me anymore. Very well..."
Her voice grew deeper as she spoke, until her eyes were nearly swallowed entirely by darkness.
"So this turn, let Judai see it well. After accepting further pain, my re-evolved form!"