Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

Three new Space Ranger larvae with different attributes from those in the graveyard appeared in front of Jaden Yuki, their bodies covered by a protective cocoon, accompanied by light.

These three monsters represent the juvenile stages of the Sky Hummingbird, the Dark Panther, and the Radiant Moss, signifying their appearance shortly after birth.

Unlike their adult humanoid forms, they don't have any particularly striking effects now.

However, judging from their appearance, they generally exude a cute and approachable aura, enough to make young girls fall in love with them.

"What? Judai, are these cuties all you've got? Isn't that a bit too weak?"

John smiled, not being a little girl, and asked in a teasing tone.

"Ah, although they are still very weak now, through this card... their power can be unleashed all at once!"

As he said this, Jaden Yuki pulled out his hand and casually inserted the magic card into the back row of the Duel Disk: "...Magic Card [Contact] activated!"

"Based on this card's effect, I can send the 'Cocoon' monsters on the field to the Graveyard, and then Special Summon their corresponding 'Neo-Spacian' monsters... Come forth, my heroes!"

Three beams of light of different colors shot into the sky as the magic card was activated, enveloping the young beings in their bodies.

Amidst the dazzling, sun-like glow, the juvenile cocoon-like monsters gradually grew into the familiar form of the "New Spaceman".

【New Spaceman - Dark Panther】(Attack Power: 1000)

【New Space Ranger - Sky Hummingbird】(Defense: 600)

【New Space Knight - Radiant Moss】(Defense: 900)

John: "Wow~ You summoned three [New Spacemen] in one go?!"

John, having understood Judai's plan, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

This ability to make a monster evolve from its juvenile stage to its mature stage in an instant was beyond his imagination and comprehension, causing John to think in surprise, "Huh? There's such a thing?"

"Next, I activate the effect of my Sky Hummingbird in Defense Position on the field. Once per turn, I recover 500 Life Points for each card my opponent has in their hand."

John had two cards in his hand. As Jaden Yuki said this, the two cards transformed into two pink flowers, whose essence was taken away by a hummingbird that flew in with the scent.

Then, these spiritual energies were absorbed by Jaden Yuki and became part of his life force.

(Yujo Judai LP: 300→1300)

"...Next, I activate this card from my hand...equip the Equip Spell Card [New Energy] to my [Neo-Spacian Dark Panther] on the field!"

Jaden Yuki took out the Equip Spell Card from his hand and equipped it to the Dark Panther in Attack Position on the field.

A layer of azure light appeared on the surface of its body, and the dark panther, bathed in this light, had its attack power greatly enhanced.

(Dark Panther Attack Power: 1000 → 1800)

Just like the [New Universe Power] possessed by New Universe Hero, New Space Hero also has a corresponding equipment magic card that can increase his own attributes by 800 points.

"Battle has begun! [New Space Warrior - Dark Panther] (Attack Power: 1800) attacks [Jewel Beast - Amber Mammoth] (Attack Power: 1700)!"

Having received the equipment magic card boost, the Dark Panther, like the Jade Tiger before it, pounced straight towards the Amber Mammoth's location.

After a loud explosion, the Amber Mammoth's massive body collapsed like a mountain with an aura unbecoming of a 4-star monster. The Dark Panther, having completed its attack, used the momentum to leap back to its original position.

As before, after the smoke from the explosion cleared, an orange amber crystal appeared in front of John.

Holding his arm in front of him to shield himself from the explosion, John said in a deep voice, "Hmm... thanks to the effect of the Field Magic Card, all the damage I received was halved."

(John LP: 1650→1600)

John: "Hey... finally unleashing the true power of the new Spaceman!"

"Phew... I'll end my round like this."

With a wave of his hand, Judai Yuki ended his turn, clenched his fist, and smiled at John, saying, "Hey! Let me see, John, your ace monster—Rainbow Dragon!"

John: "..."

If it were that easy to summon, I wouldn't have to go through all this trouble.

Without uttering his thoughts aloud, John wiped his nose and placed his palm above the deck: "My turn, draw!"

John smirked as he looked at the card he had just drawn and placed it on top of the Duel Disk: "Come forth! [Jewel Beast - Jade Pegasus] (Attack Power: 1800)!"

The last of the seven precious beasts is the mythical Pegasus, or rather, a pure white unicorn with wings.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, John."

The Gem Beast, born from a blue-green gem, made a reliable declaration to John behind him as it appeared.

"At this moment, I activate the effect of the Jade Pegasus, Jade Telepathy!"

Raising its head, the single horn atop the Jade Pegasus's head shone with an extremely dazzling brilliance.

Guided by this light, a precious jade beast in the cemetery was automatically ejected from the cemetery and picked up by John.

"If Jade Pegasus is successfully Summoned or Special Summoned, you can add one [Crystal Beast] from your Graveyard to your Spell & Trap Zone."

"My chosen target is none other than the [Jade Beast - Red Jade Beast]... Come on, Ruby!"

A red glow, accompanied by irregularly shaped crystals, appeared in the area in front of John as he moved.

"Next, I will activate Ruby's (Ruby Beast) effect, which allows it to be Special Summoned when it is in a Magic/Trap Zone."

Jaden Yuki: "...Special Summon?!"

John: "It's too early to be surprised, Judai!"

A bright smile appeared on that almost feminine face.

Under Jaden Yuki's watchful gaze, John continued, "Ruby's effect has a follow-up... When it is Special Summoned, it can Special Summon as many Crystal Beasts as possible from the Spell & Trap Zone!"

The red gemstone burst open automatically, transforming into an adorable monster that resembled both a squirrel and a cat.

That was the figure of the companion spirit that Yusei and the others had seen before, the one that accompanied John.

"Go, Ruby, Ruby's Fortune!" John waved his arm at the Ruby Beast that appeared, activating its monster effect.

As John finished speaking, the Ruby Beast lay down and raised its tail, which was inlaid with red gems.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the tail of the Crimson Jade Beast suddenly lit up, dyeing everything around it a precious red.

Bathed in this light, the Blue Cobalt Eagle (Attack: 1400), Amethyst Cat (Attack: 1200), and Amber Mammoth (Attack: 1700), located in the Magic Trap Zone, broke free from the jewel's restraints, awoke from their slumber, and came to John's field.

"...If we were comparing the number of monsters summoned, this turn would be my victory, but unfortunately it isn't."

With a sigh of regret, John looked at the [Jade Beasts] standing in a row, occupying all five squares on his field, and lamented.

However, what John didn't know was that his actions had actually triggered the appearance conditions of a certain monster.

Fortunately, he was fighting against Jaden Yuki, not the stronger Yusei; otherwise, what awaited him at this moment would have been a meteorite falling from the sky...

The 669 census is coming.

Under the effect of [Sapphire Beast Ruby Beast], also known as Ruby's monster effect, the Sapphire Beasts that were previously destroyed by Jaden Yuki and turned into jade crystals and slumbered in the Magic Trap Zone have now been awakened again and have come to John's field in perfect condition.

Adding to the existing Gem Beasts on the field, John now has five Gem Beast monsters on his field, each with a distinct appearance and attribute: Gem Beast Ruby (ATK: 300), Gem Beast Blue Cobalt Eagle (ATK: 1400), Gem Beast Amethyst Cat (ATK: 1200), Gem Beast Amber Mammoth (ATK: 1700), and Gem Beast Blue Pegasus (ATK: 1800).

Various summoning light effects, at this moment, also highlighted the gorgeous appearance of the gem beasts, and sounded one after another on the field as if they were free, dyeing everything around them with neon-like colors.

The scene was magnificent.

"...I'll settle this matter, and then everyone can move on."

Releasing the aura of the undisputed leader of the Gem Beast group, the fantasy creature Jade Pegasus flapped its snow-white wings and swiftly rose from the ground, hovering in mid-air above the dueling arena.

His target was undoubtedly Jaden Yuki, whose attack power had reached 1800 points thanks to the Equip Spell Card bonus.

Once the monster is defeated, John's path to victory will be opened, and his companions will be able to use their unique abilities to inflict damage on the jellyfish-headed boy on the other side!

"Ah, team leader, I'm entrusting this to you!"

The Blue Cobalt Eagle, unable to control its mouth, immediately flapped its wings in response to the Jade Pegasus's voice.

The other precious beasts also assumed fighting stances, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

At this moment, the Jade Beasts, led by their eldest brother, the Azure Jade Pegasus, reached an unprecedented level of cohesion.

"Everyone... I feel your sentiments! Then... let's do it the way you want!"

Following the wishes of the Gem Beasts, John nodded and then issued the corresponding command: "[Gem Beast - Jade Pegasus] (Attack Power: 1800) Attack [New Space Warrior - Dark Panther] (Attack Power: 1800)!"

"Don't be afraid...attack it, Dark Panther!"

As John issued the attack command, Jaden Yuki also issued a corresponding command to the new Spaceman in front of him.

Thus, under everyone's watchful eyes, the Jade Pegasus in mid-air and the Dark Panther on the ground simultaneously pounced on each other with reckless ferocity.

The two monsters, with equal attack power, collided and caused a violent explosion in mid-air.

The dark panther transformed into golden specks of light and headed towards Jaden Yuki's grave.

The fragments of the Azure Jade Pegasus, which were also destroyed in the battle, reassembled into a sky-blue jade fragment and appeared in John's magic trap area.

"Next up, Amethyst Cat!"

"Alright... everyone, I'm going in!"

Having already made the necessary preparations, John stood solemnly on the path cleared by the Jade Pegasus, and then gave instructions to his second Gem Beast: "Amethyst Cat can temporarily halve its attack power to launch a direct attack on the opponent!"

"...Huh?! Not again?"

The pain from before hadn't subsided when, upon hearing John's new instructions, Jaden instinctively pressed his face to prevent it from being hurt again.

However, such actions are nothing more than futile and powerless resistance to wild beasts.

As before, the Amethyst Cat pounced on Jaden Yuki and knocked him to the ground, easily breaking through his defenses.

Then, Miss Cat played with her nails and gave Jaden Yuki, who looked embarrassed, a wicked smile: "...Jellyfish-headed brat, you who hurt John, you must have been prepared for the consequences, right?"

"Um... could you be a little gentler..."

Judai opened his mouth, then gave up resisting, looking at the amethyst cat in front of him with a wry smile, hoping that the cat lady would go easy on him for John's sake...

"Of course...no way!"

With another captivating smile, the Amethyst Cat swiftly swung its claws down.

"Uh ah ah ah..."

The standard tic-tac-toe pattern remained on Yuki Judai's face.