The Traits of Elemental HEROes

"Who's that guy?"

"Seems like a new student? Looks like he's here touring the island during the exchange event."

Jaden Yuki and Bastion Misawa had just returned to the Fusion Club, waving at Hikaru Amagi from afar before turning their attention to the duel brewing between Syrus Truesdale and the unfamiliar newcomer.

"Wait, did that guy ask Syrus to duel him?"

Jaden grinned.

"Syrus is way stronger than most people think, y'know!"

"Strange… why does that new guy feel so familiar?"

Bastion rubbed his chin, visibly trying to place him.

"Yeah, he looks really familiar..."

Even Chazz Princeton squinted at the figure, racking his brain.

"That's Aster Phoenix," Hikaru said flatly, hearing their guesses go nowhere.

"Aster... Phoenix?"

Chazz's eyes widened.

"Hold on. You mean that Aster? The pro duelist Aster!?"

"Wait, what!?"

"Not just a pro—he's a star in the pro circuit!"

The room shifted. The weight of the duel hanging in the air instantly changed.

Hikaru Amagi also began recalling the details.

Aster Phoenix, the deuteragonist in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. In a series where each arc had its own "number two," Aster was the one who matched and even surpassed Jaden in both skill and conviction during his arc.

First appearance: battling Jaden with cards bought on the spot.

Second: completely overwhelmed Zane Truesdale, Duel Academy's so-called unbeatable duelist, in just a few turns.

Third: a clean victory over the main character himself.

It wasn't until Jaden acquired his Neo-Spacians that he could turn the tide. Even then, Aster remained dominant, taking down powerful foes and teaming up with Jaden in duels that had the hero himself yelling things like, "Aster, you're insane!"

And from a real-world card meta? Aster had always been the savior of HERO decks.

From Destiny HEROes, to Vision HEROes, to Destroy Phoenix Enforcer—he was the source of their evolution. His ace, Destiny HERO – Plasma, was still a terrifying lockdown card even back in Hikaru's original world.

Only downside?

Ever since he got Plasma, he hadn't won a single duel.

Still, he was one of the few legacy characters to return in Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V...

So what would this world's version of Aster be like?

"I Set a monster in Defense Position and set a card face-down. Turn end!"

Syrus slammed his hand onto the Duel Disk with flair.

A bulky, cartoony truck monster appeared, spinning its wheels like fists.

Truckroid, Level 4, EARTH, Machine-Type, DEF 2000.

Syrus even flicked his cloak as he ended his turn. Ever since Shinzaki and Yamaguchi's defeats, Syrus had become the last respectable face of the Combination Club. Now he wore a grand, oversized robe over his uniform, with a random medal on his chest like he was some kind of general.

All eyes turned to Aster.

This wasn't just some exchange duel anymore.

This was a match against a pro duelist.

And Syrus was stepping up before Zane had even entered the pro leagues.

Curiosity buzzed in the air:

What Deck would Aster Phoenix, the icon, the legend, be using?

Aster looked at Syrus's setup and frowned.

This is it?

This is what gave Reiji Akaba a headache?

Was Sartorius conned…?

With visible confusion, he drew his card and announced:

"I activate the Spell Card—Emergency Call."

"Huh!?"

Jaden blinked, then lit up.

"It's a HERO deck!!"

"Wait, HEROES?!"

Chazz lowered his arms, startled.

"If it's a HERO Deck, maybe Syrus actually has a shot," Bastion commented thoughtfully.

"OHHH! A HERO deck, huh!?"

Syrus grinned wide.

"Heh, newbie—you picked the right guy to challenge. I know HEROES!"

He even gave a little smug nose-lift.

The truth?

Syrus had been thriving in the Combination Club.

He was still timid, sure—but no one bullied him anymore.

And when it came to dueling, he was light-years ahead of the average student.

Plus, as Jaden's protégé, he really did know HEROes inside and out.

Aster kept his head down, thumbing his Deck thoughtfully.

So… the intel checks out.

They do know their Fusion stuff.

"Emergency Call lets me add 1 Elemental HERO from my Deck to my hand. I choose—Elemental HERO Avian Skyman."

"WHOA!"

Jaden gasped.

"He picked Skyman!?"

"Is that one good?"

Chazz glanced at Bastion, who shook his head.

"It's not even in circulation…"

"I activate Polymerization! I fuse the Avian in my hand with Burstinatrix!"

Aster slammed both cards into the Graveyard.

"Fusion Summon—Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer!"

A flame-winged warrior—not the classic Flame Wingman—descended in a blaze of heat, eyes sharp and wings blazing.

Phoenix Enforcer, Level 6, FIRE, Warrior-Type, ATK 2100.

"Phoenix Enforcer?"

Chazz blinked.

"Shouldn't that be Flame Wingman?"

"Elemental HEROes can fuse into multiple different Fusion Monsters from the same materials," Bastion explained.

He turned to Jaden.

"Right?"

"Wait, seriously?"

"I thought you ran a HERO deck?"

Chazz glanced at Hikaru.

"Can you explain this?"

"Avian and Burstinatrix can fuse into lots of forms," Hikaru nodded.

"Besides Flame Wingman, there's Phoenix Enforcer—who can't be destroyed by battle, Inferno Wing—his corrupted evil form, Grand Tornado—a WIND-based counter, and even Nova Master, a FIRE attacker. Jaden, don't you have all of these already?"

"Whaaat!? I do!?"

If he could fuse, he'd always go for Flame Wingman first!

"So Phoenix Enforcer can't be destroyed by battle," Bastion noted.

"It doesn't deal damage like Flame Wingman, but defensively? It's way more reliable."

"No, no—guys, you're missing the point…"

Jaden cleared his throat dramatically.

"It's Skyman! That's the real shocker here!"