Crossroad, High

"Alright, it's my turn. Draw!"

Jaden draw a card, making a beautiful arc.

[This is it!!]

His eyes lit up showing a red fiery determination when he saw the card he draws, and a grin naturally plastered on his face.

TAP! Shing~

Spell card Polymerization activated! I fusion summon Elemental HERO Sparkman on my field and Elemental HERO Clayman on my hand"

A whirlpool of blue and green energy appears behind Jadeb, Two HERO sucked into the vortex and disappear.

Then, from the center of the whirlpool, appear a giant hand, followed by shoulder, head, then gradually revealing his entire body.

Tall like a towering cedar tree, a spherical marble etched on his chest, containing the raging thunder inside.

Blue suit, and Yellow armor to represent Thunder and Lightning.

The towering HERO with the power of electricity had arrived.

E•HERO Thunder Giant (LV. 6)

ATK 2400 DEF 1500

"Thunder Giant's effect activate!! When Thunder Giant is Fusion Summoned, I can select and destroy 1 monster on the field with less attack than Thunder Giant!

Go forth! Thunder Giant, destroy Cyber Tutu, Vapor Spark!"

The Thunder Giant lunge toward Cyber Tutu,

STAK!

The little girl looking at the HERO who's just arrived, his towering body cast a huge shadow over her and her master.

The duel monster Cyber Tutu can't help but to trembling in front of him.

The Thunder Giant extends his hand toward her, showing his big palm like behemoth.

Then, without of further ado, The Thunder Giant launch a raging thunder from his palm to Cyber Tutu.

Cyber Tutu: Uaaarggghh!!!

Some believe that being electrocuted is like your muscle being set on fire, but that is not true.

The feeling of electrocuted is like your entire flesh being sculpted by a very cold and sharp dagger, while your heart inflated from being injected by huge volume of water.

Cyber Tutu's eyes can't be closed, tears flows from the corners of her eyes, mouth gaping open, letting out the air that escape from her lungs.

It's fortunate that Kaiba Corp didn't add blood effect, and an audio to simulate a monster voice if not, the peoples presents would hear her anguish and agonizing screams.

Because hearing someone dying from electrocuted would be a nightmare material.

Cyber Tutu, destroyed.

E•HERO Thunder Giant: Mission accomplished!

Talaya, Princess of Cherry Blossom: Dear God... is this what a HERO do?! Torturing a little girl?!!!

"Now, Thunder Giant! Attack Alexis directly, Voltic Thunder" shout Jaden, as he waved his hand ordering The Thunder Giant.

Alexis clicked her tongue, and push the button on The Duel Disk to activate her trap card.

But-

"Activate trap card, Fiendish Chain"

Before Alexus activate hers, Sakura already do it one step ahead.

From the big holographic image of the trap card, appears multiple golden chain. Like a missile, the chains launch and automatically searched for the target.

The E•HERO Thunder Giant were caught, and bonded by the chains. Like a pride lion he tries to resist, but it was useless to no avail.

"Ahhhh, my Thunder Giant!!" Jaden shocked to see his HERO bonded.

He can't help to see the similarity between Sakura and a certain dual colored haired guy.

"As an apology for before" tell her softly, and to the point.

Akezis glance at Sakura with complicated emotion, because of her usual expressionless face, she didn't know if it was a genuine or not.

Besides that, "Can you do it a little earlier?" Think her, as she saw she didn't have any monster on her field.

Back to Jaden, "I set a card, turn... end"

Now is Alexis turn, she's take a breath deeply before she draws.

"Draw" tell her, as she looked at her newly draws card.

"I set up a monster in face down defense position, turn over"

This is what she can do best currently, because right now she didn't even have any cards in her hand.

As you all know, next is Yuji's turn.

"Draw" say Yuji, creating a beautiful arch.

Yuji's pupils expand as he saw the newly drawn card, "I activate spell card Pot of Greed, let me draw two cards"

[Yosh, I got him]

"Then, I summon Elemental HERO Blazeman in attack position!"

A fire tornado appears from the ground, revealing a new HERO in a black and white suit wearing an orange armor and helmet, and six mechanical limbs like spider legs.

Like its namesake, some part of Blazeman's body covered in fire, especially his hair that fluttering like a raging bonfire.

"Uoohhh!! What a handsome HERO!" Shout Jaden excited.

"Jay, you're already seeing him a couple of times" whisper Yuji.

E•HERO Blazeman (Lv.4)

ATK 1200 DEF 1800

"Whenever Blazeman is normal or special summon, I can add Polymerization from my deck to my hand. Come on! Blazeman, Blazing road!!"

The Duel Disk automatically search, then ejected the targeted card from his mounted deck, and Yuji received it.

With the current technology, The Duel Disk automatically shuffle the mounted deck.

After Yuji received it-

"Now, I activate my trap card... Mind Crush" say Sakura, as the big holographic image of the face down card reveal itself.

Mind Crush's effect: Declare 1 card name; if that card is in your opponent's hand, they must discard all copies of it, otherwise you discard 1 random card.

"I declare... Polymerization"

"..." Yuji narrowed his eyes, and casually tossed the Polymerization in his hand into the Graveyard.

The other also dumbfounded and shocked seeing what Sakura's do.

Especially Jaden, who also a HERO user. "That's mean... Yuji can no longer fusion summon his HERO?!"

Jaden can't help but to look at Sakura, he thought that Yuji were a little malicious in his usage of trap.

But, it seems he was wrong. There are some duelists who are more malicious than Yuji.

Besides, Yuji never negate his fusion summoning.

Alexis narrowed her eyes when seeing the holographic image of the trap card.

[With just one card, she managed to disrupt the opponent's gameplay and key combo... Sakura Isshiki, as I thought... she's really strong!] think her.

As they knew, Elemental HERO deck is a deck with heavy focus on fusion.

Naturally, they also need the spell card Polymerization as the core to function properly.

Without it, it can be said that what Sakura do is crippled Yuji's deck.

Sakura continue, "I said before the duel... I want to have a revenge match against you... Yuji"

"So, this is the strategy you've comes up with? ... Very good" nod Yuji, complimenting Sakura's effort.

Yuji continue, "I set a card, turn end"

"My turn, draw" say Sakura, "I activate spell card Pot of Greed, then draw two cards"

She continues, "Then, I summon Botanical Lion"

On her field appears a lion with body made from wood and rose for its mane.

Botanical Lion (LV.4)

ATK 1600 DEF 2000

"Botanical Lion's effect. This guy gains 300 attack power for each plant type monster on my field"

"Don't tell me-" say Yuji, realizing something.

"Yes, it's also including him too"

Botanical Lion (LV.4)

ATK 1600>2200 DEF 2000

Sakura continue, "Lion attack Yuji"

Yuji saw the lion runs toward Blazeman, and when he gets close enough-

"Trap activate! Mirror Wall, with this all the opponent attacking monsters would lose their attack point by half!"

Botanical Lion (LV.4)

ATK 2200>1100 DEF 2000

Talaya, Princess of Cherry Blossom

(LV.8) ATK 2800>1400 DEF 1200

"Do it, Blazeman!" Order Yuji.

Blazeman clenched his fist, flames engulf his entire hand, his sight lock on to the coming Botanical Lion.

Yuji: "Blazing Hammer!"

E•HERO Blazeman: Blazing Hammer!!

Blazeman punch forward, releasing a giant fist made from fire, the fire hit the lion, engulf and burning it.

"..."

Sakura |LP 1200>1100|

"Cool!! Blazing Hammer... maybe I should give my HERO a new name for its attack" say Jaden, eyes glittering like jewels.

"Then... Talaya! Sakura Gaeshi!" Tell her calmly.

Talaya then swing her fan, creating three crescent shape attack from the countless cherry blossom petals.

Even her attack power been halved, she still stronger than Blazeman.

Yuji |LP 1400>1200|

Yuji wave his hand, revealing a trap card, "Now, Hero Signal! When my monster destroyed by battle, I can special summon level 4 or lower Elemental HERO from my hand or deck to the field"

He continues, "What I want to call is... Elemental HERO Stratos from the deck"

A card ejected from his mounted deck, Yuji grabs it then put it on his Duel Disk's plate.

"Stratos's special effect activated! Whenever he normally summoned or special summoned, I can choose between two effect option.

One! Destroy many spell or trap my opponent control up to the number of HERO monster I control, except Stratos himself.

Or Two! I can add a HERO monster from my deck to my hand, and of course... I choose number two!

The HERO I want to add is Elemental HERO Flash. Come on! Stratos, Air Signal!"

Yuji received the card, and The Duel Disk automatically shuffle his deck.

[Yuji... I'll get you next time]

"I end my turn"

Jaden's turn, "Here I go! Draw"

"Spell card activate! Mystical Space Typhoon, destroys Sakura's fiendish chain!" The moment he put the spell card, Sakura's trap card destroyed into countless light.

The golden chains become transparent, and disappear, freeing the bounded Thunder Giant.

"With this, my Thunder Giant is free, but my move's not over yet! Go! Elemental HERO Wildheart!!"

A new hero with tanned muscular body came. His appearance is like a tribal warrior, complete with the menacing Tattoos and big blade resting on his back.

E•HERO Wildheart (LV.6)

ATK1500 DEF1600

The corner of hus mouth curled up, "Get set! Elemental HERO Thunder Giant, attack Alexis' monster! Voltic Thunder!!"

The HERO Thunder Giant dash toward the set card with his big fist that engulf with electricity.

The set card open, revealing a woman with blonde hair, wearing a white mask.

Cyber Gymnast (LV.4)

ATK 800 DEF 1800

The fist of The Thunder Giant get through her defense, launching her far, and destroyed her.

"Not over yer! Wildheart, attack Alexis directly!!"

The Tribal HERO rush wielding his big sword toward her.

"Trap card activate, Call of The Haunted! Come back Blade Skater"

Now on Akexis' field appears a bald skater woman with sharp blade etched on her arms.

The Tribal HERO swing his sword, and the blade skater raise her arms to guard him.

"It's futile!" Shout Judai, as he saw the blade on Asuka's monster cracked then destroyed, failed to guard Wildheart's attack.

Alexis |LP 4000>3900|

"I end my turn" announce Jaden.

Seeing their friend's life points finally down, Jasmine and Mindy keep shouting louder and louder to cheer her up.

"Alexis, GANBARE!!!" Cheer Mindy.

"Beat 'em boys, Alexis!!!" Cheer Jasmine

Alexus hearing her friend's cheers, making her more revv up.

Even there's no more cards on her hands now, but with this draw she believed that she can make a breakthrough.

"Here I go! Draw"

Somebody said that luck is indispensable when it comes to dueling, on the contrary somebody also sneers that when it comes to dueling, strategy and cards synergy is more important things.

[Sakuretsu armor...]

Say Alexis, as she saw the card. Depending on the situation, the trap card can be a break through, or a savior to her.

If that's when in normal 1vs1 duel, but on Cross duel? She herself didn't know.

But she was a duelist, no matter what happens and risk, she must get through it.

"I set a card, Kusanagi it's your turn now" say Alexis softly.

"Okay then" Yuji draws a card, then he speaks, "During the standby phase to maintain Mirror Wall I must pay 2000 or this card would be destroyed... and so I choose not to pay"

[Well, how can I maintain the cost? My LP is below 2000 for Pete's sake]

Yuji grab the card and send it to the graveyard.

After that, he glares at his newly drawn card, his gaze fluttering between the card and his opponents.

"I activate spell card, Card of Sanctity!"

Card of Sanctity effect: Each player draws until they have 6 cards in their hand (anime effect).

Yuji then draws more card until there are six cards in his hand, and later followed by the others.

Having a card that can speed up your draw is very powerful. Not only it can help you get the resources need for the combo, but also help you when you're in a pinch like your hand is zero (no card).

It seems that more than Yuji, the one that benefit most of the card of sanctity's effect is actually Alexus.

Because with just one card, she goes from zero to plus six in a single go.

Talking about Alexis, when she's look at her hands, her pupils expanded.

[This- this is great! If I can survive til my next turn, I can make a break through while also put on an advan-]

"Battle! Stratos, attack Alexis!!"

Before she finished speaking, Yuji immediately goes for an offense.

"Kuh, trap card activate!"

Alexis' trap card revealed. It was Sakuretsu with an effect to target one attacking monster, and destroys it.

Cracks appear on Stratos body, like broken glass, he turned into multiple piece fragments.

"... I set three cards, turn end"

Yuji ended his turn, now is Sakura turn.

Asuka's looking at her empty field, then toward the others. Unlike her empty field, Sakura and Jaden still had one monster with huge attack points, while Yuji had plenty of cards on his back row.

"Then, draw" Sakura calmly look at her new drawn card and the cards she previously drew by the effect of Yuji's Card of Sanctity.

She glances at her opponents, then back to her cards. Then, she let out a grin.

"Let's heat things up a bit, shall we? ♡" tell her grinning.

Unlike Jaden, Alexis was confused by her sudden smile, because as she knew, Sakura is always expressionless.

While Yuji raises his guard up.

Like a maiden that been intoxicated by the fragrance of alcohol, Sakura summons a monster while smiling happily.

"I summon evil thorn ♡" on her field appears a plant with one white bellflower on the right branch, and a dark corn shape fruit with various sharp spike.

Evil Thorn (LV. 1)

ATK 100 DEF 300

"Evil thorn's effect activate ♡ I can tribute this card then inflict 300 damage to my opponents, then I can special summon two more of Evil thorn from my deck.

So... take that!"

Jaden |LP 4000>3700|

Alexis |LP 3900>3600|

Yuji |LP 1200>900|

Not over yet, "Then, I use spell card..." she takes a card from her hand, and show the back of the card to everyone, prompting for everyone to guess what is it.

Sakura deliberately pause her sentence, making the other wonder, or/and excited about what she's going to do.

Except Yuji who eyes widened as to realized what act she's going to commit.

She smiled, "Polymerization!!" Shout her, as her pupils change resembling to that of a snake.

"I fuse the two Evil Thorn on the field!" Say Sakura rather menacingly, as she put the card to the Duel Disk's plate rather hard.

The two Evil Thorn plant grew so exponentially, and tangled together like a lover hugging each other.

She then raised her hand higher.

"O' dragon born from one of the greatest sin of humanity"

From the center of the tangled stem, appears one giant luminescence of a flower bud.

Pale white petal, resembling the shinning moon.

"With the power of my beautiful flowers and its lovely fragrance, be reborn into this world!"

Yuji inadvertently take a step back, sweat begin to flow from his cheek.

When looking at a luminescent flower bud, Jaden and Alexis also feel a strange yet menacing power emanates from it.

Both can't help but to feel intimidated!

"Fusion Summon!"

The luminescent flower bud slowly blooms.

"Come! My beautiful ace with his venomous fangs"

Revealing the incarnation of terror, beneath the beautiful petals.

"Starving Venom Fusion Dragon!!!"