"To think you actually forced me to bring out Merlin… I don't think I've been in a situation like this for years."
This ace card—passed down from the future Hoshino ten years ahead, functioning almost like the "Magic Fridge" insurance card of old—had saved Hoshino countless times at critical moments.
But as Hoshino grew stronger and stronger, the chances to use this card had become fewer and fewer.
"I wonder how things are going in that other timeline… the one ten years ahead. Thinking about it now, it really is kind of nostalgic."
"Hey hey, why'd you suddenly get all sentimental? Don't tell me my powerful deck scared you or something?" Dark Magician Girl tilted her head and poked her own cheek in confusion.
"It is really strong. Even though he's been retired from Duel Monsters for so long, I can feel it clearly from this deck—Yugi is even trickier to deal with than before…"
Even from the deck Yugi had given Crowler for research and observation, it was obvious that Yugi's current strength far surpassed that of the Battle City era.
With less than three years left until Atem must return to the afterlife, Hoshino remembered Ishizu's words from back then—
"If the sword is not broken, the Pharaoh's spirit will not rest."
Three years later, someone must defeat the Pharaoh in a duel to grant Atem eternal peace.
"Yugi, do you even realize you're supposed to lose in three years? Could you rein it in a little?!"
Hoshino grumbled inwardly while flipping open her Graveyard. Since MHX Alter had been destroyed and sent there, Heroic Spirit Festive Wear: Marie Antoinette could activate her effect again, returning to the field like a stubborn survivor.
"Since a 'Heroic Spirit' monster on my field was sent to the Graveyard, I Special Summon from my Graveyard—Heroic Spirit Festive Wear: Marie Antoinette in Defense Position!"
[Marie – DEF 2000]
"Oh? Back from the Graveyard again? What an annoying monster—almost like a regenerating slime! But I'm not losing out either~"
Dark Magician Girl drew a card from the top of her Deck and slapped it onto her Duel Disk in Attack Position.
"Black Luster Soldier's effect—"
[If this card is destroyed by battle or an opponent's card effect and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 "Gaia the Fierce Knight" monster from your hand, Deck, or GY.]
"I Special Summon in Attack Position—Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight!"
[Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight – ATK 2300]
With the thunder of galloping hooves, the classic form of Gaia the Fierce Knight materialized on the battlefield during the Battle Phase.
"Since he was Special Summoned during the Battle Phase, Swift Gaia can still attack… but you won't be taking damage this turn, Hoshino. So attacking now doesn't really mean much."
Dark Magician Girl flipped her last set card from the previous turn, revealing three projected card silhouettes before her.
"I activate the Trap Card—Beginning of Heaven and Earth!"
[Beginning of Heaven and Earth – Trap Effect: Reveal 3 Warrior-Type monsters from your Deck, including at least 1 "Black Luster Soldier" monster or "Gaia The Fierce Knight" monster, and have your opponent randomly pick 1. If they picked a "Black Luster Soldier" monster or "Gaia The Fierce Knight" monster, add it to your hand and send the rest to the Graveyard. Otherwise, send them all to the Graveyard.]
After retrieving the cards, Dark Magician Girl winked at Hoshino.
"Go on, pick the one you like~"
"Honestly, I don't like any of them. Fine—the one in the middle."
"How cold~ I happen to like all three!"
Pouting, she added the selected card to her hand and sent the remaining two to the Graveyard.
"But even though you said that, Hoshino… you still picked my favorite one."
She flipped the card to reveal it with a triumphant smile.
"I activate the effect of the card you just gave me—Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning!"
[Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 1 LIGHT and 1 DARK monster from your GY.]
"I banish from my Graveyard—Cursed Dragon, the Cursed Dragon (DARK)
and the recently sent Beginning Knight (LIGHT).
Now awaken—the strongest soldier of chaos!"
[Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning ★★★★★★★★(Level 8)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]
Hoshino's eyes widened. She remembered it clearly—during Duelist Kingdom, Mai Valentine had been defeated by this exact card.
Its stats matched Blue-Eyes White Dragon, but with far easier summoning and brutally powerful effects.
Dark Magician Girl tapped the card proudly.
"Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning's effect—
Once per turn: target 1 monster on the field; banish it!"
A slash that split space itself—rending light and darkness—tore open a vortex. Marie was sucked into the rupture, and Hoshino's remaining monster zone was instantly emptied, cutting off all revival routes.
With the field wiped clean, Dark Magician Girl declared smugly:
"Now your Marie can't revive from the Graveyard anymore! Cute monsters? I only need myself~"
"Unexpectedly a bit black-bellied, aren't you?
I don't dislike that, honestly."
"Well I dislike your overly relaxed attitude! How long are you planning to keep that up, Hoshino!?"
She set one card and ended her turn.
[Dark Magician Girl: 1 Hand Card | 1 Set Card]
"Of course I'll keep it up until the moment I win.
My turn—draw!"
As Hoshino drew her card, she felt the long-awaited resolve sleeping within it.
"Yugi's deck is strong… but this is as far as it goes.
I activate the Spell Card—Okita × Nobu Fight!"
[Effect: Send 1 "Heroic Spirit – Oda Nobunaga" from your Deck to the GY; then Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit – Okita Soji" from your hand or GY.]
"As the price of Oda Nobunaga, I send her from my Deck to the Graveyard—and awaken my trump card from its slumber!"
Hoshino slammed her card onto the Duel Disk.
"Without the Chaos Soldier and without the might of Dark Magician, there's no way Yugi's deck can triumph over my ace!
I Special Summon—Heroic Spirit – Okita Soji!"
[Heroic Spirit – Okita Soji ★★★★★★★(Level 7)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 200]
"She's here—she's here! She's heeere, nyaaa!"
Professor Banner couldn't hold back his excitement:
"At last, Okita Soji appears at the very moment the true ace card of player Okita Soji herself! But, uh… why is she wearing a swimsuit, nya?"