"This turn, I'll release the Ultimate Hero's power!"
The D. first slapped down a monster.
"Normal Summon 'Phantom Skyblaster' in Attack Position!"
A red-eyed little devil appeared, with small demonic wings. Small in stature, but vicious in mien.
[Phantom Skyblaster, ATK 1100]
"Phantom Skyblaster's effect: upon Summon, Special Summon up to the number of monsters you control in 'Skyblaster Token.'
I currently control one monster—Phantom Skyblaster—so I Special Summon one 'Skyblaster Token'!"
[Skyblaster Token, DEF 500]
"Next, from my hand, activate the Spell 'Fiend's Sanctuary,' Special Summoning a 'Metal Fiend Token' to my field."
A strange summoning seal spread across the ground, and a metal doll emerged within it, a mirror-smooth body reflecting the opponent duelist's image.
[Metal Fiend Token, ATK 0]
"The conditions are met. It's coming," Kira frowned.
"Correct!"
The D. shouted grandly.
"Now I release the ultimate power, and the mightiest hero descends!
I tribute 'Metal Fiend Token,' 'Skyblaster Token,' and 'Phantom Skyblaster' to bring bloodstained terror to this world and reduce all to nothing—
—Destiny HERO – Plasma, descend!!!"
The three tributed monsters corroded and melted into rolling blood, pooling into a sinister blood-pond.
From the churning crimson rose a terrifying being.
A warrior clad in a ghastly blood-red armor, bone-wings dripping gore, a right-hand component like a dragon's head. He wore a half-mask; his eyes were manic red, his mouth roaring in fury.
[Destiny HERO – Plasma, ATK 1900]
The fabled Ultimate D, once a vessel for the Light of Destruction—no, different from the original. Even now Kira could feel the surging light power boiling within this spirit.
Perhaps the Light of Destruction bonded to this card had transferred to Sartorius back then, but powerful light still clung to this spirit now. That was the source of The D.'s current strength.
Someone gasped in the darkness.
Both duelists glanced toward the sound. There, a silver-haired youth in a white suit stood, staring fixated at the freshly summoned Plasma.
It was Aster Phoenix.
He'd found The D.'s cruise ship and had been here for a while. Seeing Kira dueling his foster father—two of the absolute top players alive—he'd stayed hidden to witness it in silence.
Until Plasma appeared—he couldn't help but cry out.
"The D.—"
Shock and confusion were written across his face.
"The Ultimate D—why… why is it in your hands?"
"Aster."
Confronted outright, The D. spared him a glance, unruffled, pushing his glasses.
"Well, it's as you see. That's the truth."
"What!?"
Aster had guessed already, but instinct rejected belief.
The D. didn't shy away, nor showed an ounce of remorse. He said calmly, "Ten years ago, I killed your father and took Plasma.
The culprit you've been chasing for ten years—is me."
Aster felt a thunderbolt split his mind, his sky collapsing again.
The last time he'd felt this was ten years ago, the night his father died. Pain, despair, that abyssal helplessness—all returned, searing into his bones.
"Why?"
After a long time, he forced out the question.
"Why? Why else? For power. For victory," The D. said matter-of-factly. "Without this card, how would I have climbed to world champion so easily? How would I be this strong now?"
Aster clenched his fists, veins bulging. "Just for that?"
"For that?"
The D. laughed.
"I've watched you all these years, Aster. And I've seen no growth. Still so naive. This is a world of the strong devouring the weak. For a duelist, only those ruthless enough survive.
I saw an opening and took it. That's why I have everything now and will climb higher still. You, mired in the past, frozen on that night? You'll never be like me."
"The D.!" Aster's doubts and fragile hopes finally shattered, replaced by unbridled rage. "You scum!"
"Perhaps. But a scum with power."
The D. barked:
"Since you're here, watch closely, Aster—your late father's greatest masterpiece: the power of the Ultimate Hero!
Plasma's effect activates! Once per turn, absorb one monster on your opponent's field and equip it to Plasma as an Equip Card. Plasma gains ATK equal to half that monster's ATK, and gains its effects!" The D.'s eyes were blood-red, his laugh unhinged. "Legendary Black Luster Soldier—serve as the finest nourishment for Plasma!"
Plasma roared, bone-wings unfurled, and countless blood-red tendrils shot out, binding BLS's limbs. Irresistible force dragged the swordsman into Plasma's wings, as if becoming part of him.
[Destiny HERO – Plasma, ATK 1900 → ATK 3400]
"Thus Plasma gains BLS's abilities! He can banish monsters, attack multiple times, and randomly banish a hand card!"
"Sure," Kira shrugged. "But I have no monsters on the field and no cards left in hand."
"True, a pity I can't try the strongest power—yet it's enough."
The D. shouted:
"Plasma, direct attack! The Duel King's legend ends here!"
Plasma soared, bone-wings launching a storm of blood-arrows, a hail of scarlet darts sweeping toward Kira!
"Mr. Kira!" Aster couldn't help but cry out in concern.
"Counter Trap 'Negate Attack,'" Kira said. "Negate an attack and end the Battle Phase."
A transparent vortex gusted from the flipped trap. Plasma's assault was swallowed by the storm, and Plasma retreated to his position for now.
"You've survived for the moment, I see. No matter. Plasma is at peak power now—I've grasped victory for certain!"
The D. declared.
"I set one card and end my turn."