Heroic Spirit Deck in Yu-Gi-Oh!

[Malefic Paradox Dragon – Destroyed]

Hoshino smirked. "Musashi's second attack deals half battle damage, so you'll only lose 250 Life Points."

[Paradox LP: 4000 → 3750]

Paradox sneered. "You had the audacity to attack, knowing I have Malefic Paradigm Shift set? I won't hold back—Trap Card, activate! [Malefic Paradigm Shift]! When the Malefic Paradox Dragon is destroyed, I pay half my Life Points to Special Summon—[Malefic Truth Dragon]!"

[Paradox LP: 3750 → 1875]

"Descend, [Malefic Truth Dragon]!"

[Malefic Truth Dragon ★★★★★★★★★★ (Level 12)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 5000/DEF 5000]

A dark vortex erupted on Paradox's field as the colossal Malefic Truth Dragon emerged, its eyes gleaming with an overwhelming, oppressive aura.

Yet, despite the monstrous presence before her, Hoshino remained unfazed. "Boring~. If that's all you've got, you'd better prepare yourself to lose."

Paradox scoffed. "Lose? You'll be the one facing defeat! With [Malefic Truth Dragon]'s attack power far exceeding Musashi's, your next turn will be your last!"

Hoshino's smirk widened. "That's only if you survive this turn! I activate the Graveyard effect of [Meltryllis Lily]!"

[If this card is in the Graveyard: You can discard 1 card; Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.]

"I discard Marie Antoinette to Special Summon [Meltryllis Lily]! And since Marie was sent to the Graveyard, her effect activates—adding [Heroic Spirit – Arash] to my hand!"

[Heroic Spirit – Meltryllis Lily ★ (Level 1)][DARK] [Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]

A delicate yet energetic figure twirled onto the battlefield Meltryllis Lily had arrived.

"For my Normal Summon—come forth, [Heroic Spirit – Arash]!"

The towering warrior materialized beside Lily, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

[Heroic Spirit – Arash ★★ (Level 2)][LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect][ATK 300/DEF 300]

Arash chuckled. "Master, am I going to self-destruct again?"

Hoshino gave him an innocent smile. "Arash, what are you saying? As a kind and gentle Master, how could I ever do something so cruel?"

The Heroic Spirits on her field collectively shuddered.

"Don't worry! This time, you won't need to self-destruct! I tune Arash with Meltryllis Lily—Synchro Summon!"

Paradox narrowed his eyes. "A Synchro Monster?"

"—Come forth, [Heroic Spirit – Summer Robin Hood]!"

[Heroic Spirit – Summer Robin Hood ★★ (Level 2)][WATER][Warrior/Synchro/Tuner/Effect][ATK 1600/DEF 1200]

The laid-back archer emerged from the Synchro light, a cigarette dangling lazily from his lips. "Yeah, yeah, time for work. Let's get this over with."

Paradox scoffed. "Summoning weaklings on top of weaklings, only to bring out another weakling—that's typical of you."

Hoshino's eyes gleamed. "We'll see who's weak! Robin Hood is both a Synchro Monster and a Tuner! And monsters that combine those two properties often hold the key to unlocking ultimate power!"

She raised two cards from her Duel Disk—Summer Robin Hood and...Musashi.

"I tune Level 2 Summer Robin Hood with Level 8 Musashi Kam—Synchro Summon!"

The Evil God watching from the sidelines murmured, "She's even using Musashi as Synchro Material...?"

"Watch closely!" Hoshino declared as brilliant light engulfed the field, turning the underground tunnel into a dazzling expanse of pure white.

"Synchro Summon—[Heroic Spirit – Shi Huang Di]!"

A divine emperor descended onto the battlefield, his presence exuding absolute authority and regal beauty.

[Heroic Spirit – Shi Huang Di ★★★★★★★★★★ (Level 10)][LIGHT][Dragon/Synchro/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]

[1 Tuner Synchro + 1+ non-Tuner [Heroic Spirit] monsters]

The first Emperor of China stood tall, his eyes scanning the field with a mixture of nostalgia and solemnity. "It has been some time, my people." His gaze landed on Hoshino, his expression unreadable. "Have you already concluded your battles and entrusted the future to others?"

"No..." For the first time, Hoshino faltered under his overwhelming presence. "That's not..."

"It matters not." Shi Huang Di's voice carried undeniable authority. "From this point onward, I shall once again oversee the path you must tread. Therefore—express your gratitude to me."

Hoshino, regaining her composure, grinned. "Yes! I activate Shi Huang Di's effect!"

Shi Huang Di raised a hand, his voice echoing through the cavern. "I am the Emperor who surpasses the Three Sovereigns and the Five Emperors. None can defy Qin Shi Huang—that is me!"

[When this card is Synchro Summoned: This card gains ATK equal to half the combined ATK of the Synchro Materials used for its Summon. Also, all monsters your opponent controls have their ATK reduced to 0.]

[Heroic Spirit – Shi Huang Di ATK: 0 → 3050]

"Bow before me!"

An immense force swept across the battlefield. Malefic Truth Dragon, which had stood as an indomitable colossus, suddenly faltered as its power was stripped away.

[Malefic Truth Dragon ATK: 5000 → 0]

Even the Evil God shuddered. "Such a terrifying monster... Bringing such an unreasonable force into this time—can that really be allowed?"

Hoshino sneered. "Paradox, tell me—whose monster is the real weakling now?"

Paradox clenched his fists, glaring at Shi Huang Di with disbelief. "Even if Malefic Truth Dragon is reduced to zero attack, you already ended your Battle Phase! You can't attack again this turn!"

Shi Huang Di, still composed, merely tapped his forehead with amusement. The Duelists' Graveyards began to glow ominously.

"Between Heaven and Earth, mortals persist. Now, I enact a new order—!"

[Once per turn, during your Main Phase: Banish all monsters from each Graveyard, and if you do, inflict 200 damage to your opponent for each card banished.]

An unseen force swept through both Graveyards, purging every lingering soul from existence.

Shi Huang Di's eyes gleamed. "An Emperor's power knows no bounds—even after the Battle Phase, I still attack!"

The weight of absolute authority bore down on Paradox.

"This is the end for you!"

The Duel Disks' Graveyard Zones glowed as all monster cards were ejected.

"A total of 11 monsters!" Hoshino declared. "That means you'll take 2200 points of effect damage! And after paying half your Life Points to summon Malefic Truth Dragon, you're down to just 1875!"

Behind Shi Huang Di, Hoshino pointed triumphantly at Paradox.

"Your strongest Malefic monster didn't turn the tide—it ended up being the final straw that breaks you!"

The Evil God let out a satisfied chuckle. "Well done, girl. Now we can get that bike!"

Shi Huang Di lowered his glowing hand and laughed.

"Hahaha! Amusing! Even against My attack, you still choose to resist? How uninteresting!"

Paradox smirked as a shimmering barrier materialized, refracting the Emperor's golden light.

"You think this is over? I won't be defeated here! I activate my face-down Trap—[Damage Polarizer]!"

[Damage Polarizer – Trap Card Effect: Activate only when an effect that inflicts damage is activated. Negate its activation and effect, and each player draws 1 card.]

A dome of energy expanded, nullifying Shi Huang Di's ability.

"Because of my Trap, your effect damage is negated, meaning the monsters in the Graveyard won't be banished! And as a bonus, we both draw one card!" Hidden behind his shield, Paradox let out a quiet breath of relief.

"Tch! What a shame—I was hoping to end things in style!" Hoshino clicked her tongue in frustration.

Shi Huang Di chuckled. "Hahaha, no need to rush~" His gaze settled on her with warmth.

"This way, you can spend a bit more time with Me. Or... do you not want to?"

"Of course not!" Hoshino declared, puffing her chest. "I spent seven hundred Saint Quartz to get you! How could I not want to spend time with you?"

Shi Huang Di's amused smile twitched slightly.

"…I don't understand what you're talking about, but you're always so entertaining~"

Hoshino raised her Duel Disk.

"I'll draw one card!"

The moment she saw it, her breath hitched.

This wasn't one of the white-haired girl's cards. It was one she had received from Hoshino-Sensei…

(***)

"Chiyuki-chan, I can't go with you, but take this card. It might come in handy when you need it most!"

"Wait, is this… Illya's card?"

"Of course not~"

(***)

Hoshino smirked, her momentary hesitation vanishing.

"Of course, I know myself best! This card came at the perfect time!" Without hesitation, she slid it into her Duel Disk.

"I set one card and end my turn!"

[Hoshino: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]

Paradox's eyes sharpened. "My turn—draw!"

Now, with only a single Malefic Truth Dragon at 0 ATK and two cards in hand, he glanced at his new draw.

"Hoshino Chiyuki…" He exhaled slowly. "I'll admit it. You weren't fighting at full strength when I first defeated you. But—"

He held up his card, and Malefic Truth Dragon shattered into black fragments.

"That doesn't mean even at full power, you can defeat me! This is my final trump card! By offering Malefic Truth Dragon as a tribute, I Tribute Summon—"

"You still have another play?" Hoshino groaned. "A person who refuse to give up are so annoying!"

The shattered remains of Malefic Truth Dragon dissipated into darkness, and from within, a massive silhouette emerged. Its oppressive presence rivaled even that of Shi Huang Di.

"—[Great Maju Garzett]!!"

A monstrous fiend stepped forward, its enormous arms crossing as it loomed over the battlefield.

[Great Maju Garzett ★★★★★★ (Level 6)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]

"Attack and defense points are both zero…?" Hoshino muttered, suddenly uneasy. Her own Shi Huang Di also had 0 ATK and DEF, yet this new monster gave her a bad feeling.

"Great Maju Garzett's effect activates!" Paradox declared. "Its ATK becomes twice the original ATK of the monster used for its Tribute Summon!"

Malefic Truth Dragon's dark essence surged into the fiend, its power being completely devoured.

"The final ATK of the Great Maju Garzett is—"

[Great Maju Garzett ATK: 0 → 10,000]

"10,000 ATK?!" Hoshino gulped. "That's your trump card? Careful—it's not healthy to gorge yourself on such a big dragon!"

Paradox's eyes gleamed. "You've still got time to joke? Let me show you—absolute power is the key to ultimate victory!"

Great Maju Garzett raised a single clawed finger, condensing a massive sphere of pure destruction.

"Great Maju Garzett, attack—Lightning Catastrophe!"

A thunderous blast erupted toward Shi Huang Di.

"Trap Card—Activate!" Hoshino shouted, raising her arm.

One of her set cards flipped open.

"—[Garden of Avalon]!"

[Garden of Avalon – Trap Card Effect: For the rest of this turn, all damage you take becomes 0. Afterward, add 1 [Altria] monster from your Graveyard to your hand.]

A golden field of flowers materialized, absorbing the massive attack completely.

Paradox's eyes widened. "That card—!"

Hoshino smirked. "Déjà vu, huh? Looks familiar, doesn't it?"

The devastating energy dissipated harmlessly into the air.

"Once again, your attack is stopped by this very card!" She pressed the resolved Trap against her forehead, taking a deep breath.

Hoshino-Sensei had known exactly what she needed to win this duel.

(With this card, I can give myself an extra layer of defense when I'm at low LP…)

She lowered the Trap and pointed directly at Paradox.

"Paradox, the deck you're facing contains the combined will of three different timelines! A bond that spans across time will always forge the true future!"

Paradox's grip tightened around the last card in his hand.

"Even if the damage is negated… your ace monster was still destroyed by Great Maju Garzett!"

Hoshino's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"That's exactly what I was waiting for!" She grinned. "Now, witness the true form of Shi Huang Di!"

Her final set card flipped open.

"Trap Card—[Emerald Float]—Activate!"

[Emerald Float – Trap Card Effect: When a Synchro Monster you control is destroyed by battle: Banish that monster; Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit" Synchro Monster from your Extra Deck with the same Type as the banished monster, but 2 Levels higher, in Defense Position.]

"I banish Shi Huang Di to Synchro Summon—[Heroic Spirit – Lostbelt King Qin Shi Huang]!"

A brilliant light engulfed the field as a new ruler descended.

(*****)

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