Jaden and Neos ignored Yubel's jealous outburst, letting her fume. Jaden continued, "Next, Neo Space Connector's second effect:
"I can tribute this card to Special Summon a 'Neo-Spacian' or 'Elemental HERO Neos' from my graveyard in Defense Position!"
Earlier, Jaden had already sent two Neo-Spacians to the grave with Convert Contact.
"I revive 'Neo-Spacian Dark Panther' from the grave!"
With the summon, a mass of black, sludge-like material appeared, slowly forming limbs and crouching as a fierce black panther.
[Neo-Spacian Dark Panther, DEF 500]
"Leave it to me, Jaden!" the black panther promised. "I'll help bring back your important partner!"
Yubel grew even angrier. "So now you have all these loyal spirits by your side. Looks like you don't need me at all, huh?"
Jaden said, "I return 'Elemental HERO Neos' and 'Neo-Spacian Dark Panther' from my field to the deck—Contact Fusion!"
Neos and Dark Panther soared into the sky, accelerating until they became twin meteors, merging into the stars.
"Dark Panther's power, lend it to me—
—Elemental HERO Dark Neos, come forth!"
Transformed by the Panther's power, Neos became pitch black, wings spread like a cape. The blue crystal on his chest gleamed, his streamlined body striped black and white.
[Elemental HERO Dark Neos, ATK 2500]
In the anime, Jaden didn't fully recall Yubel's monster effects and suffered for it. But now, remembering everything, he knew that facing Yubel head-on was disadvantageous. Summoning stronger monsters would only increase the backlash.
Yubel was the kind of opponent you couldn't simply overpower; specific strategies were needed.
For example—Dark Neos.
"Elemental HERO Dark Neos's effect: Choose one Effect Monster on the field. As long as Dark Neos remains, that monster's effects are permanently negated!"
Dark Neos thrust out his right hand, and a dominating force exploded from his palm, as if invisible shackles bound Yubel.
Yubel's expression changed. "My monster's effect—negated?"
She realized this dark form of Neos was indeed her nemesis. Without effects, Yubel was just a 0 ATK vanilla—an easy target, unable to even act as a wall.
"I'll make you wake up, Yubel!" Jaden shouted. "Elemental HERO Dark Neos, attack 'Yubel'!"
Dark Neos charged like a panther, claws slashing through the darkness at Yubel.
"Trying to take my Jaden is not so easy!" Yubel snapped. "I activate my set card—Trap Card: 'Ballista Squad'!
Tribute one monster on my field, destroy any card on the field.
I tribute myself—'Yubel'!"
A giant crossbow appeared, with goblins frantically operating it. Yubel leaped onto the bow, and the goblins launched her like an arrow straight at Dark Neos.
Mutual destruction!
But Jaden had no intention of going down with her. "Quick-Play Spell: 'Contact Out!'
I de-fuse my Contact Fusion monster! Return it to the Extra Deck, and Special Summon the original Fusion Materials from my deck if possible!"
Just before impact, Dark Neos split in two, becoming Neos and Dark Panther again. Yubel's shot went wide, passing between them.
Yubel clicked her tongue. "Cunning Neos…"
"Contact Out is a Quick-Play Spell, and can be used during the Battle Phase," Jaden explained. "So the monsters summoned this way—'Elemental HERO Neos' and 'Neo-Spacian Dark Panther'—can still attack!"
[Elemental HERO Neos, ATK 2500]
[Neo-Spacian Dark Panther, ATK 1000]
Jaden now had two monsters, and Yubel's field was empty after tributing herself. Having already paid 1000 LP for Mausoleum, she was at 3000—if both attacks landed, it would be a one-turn KO!
Jaden waved his hand.
"Elemental HERO Neos, direct attack!"
Neos charged, hand chopping down at Yubel.
"Trying to take me out so quickly? Not that easy," Yubel sneered. "I activate my set card—Continuous Trap: 'Limit Reverse'!
Special Summon a monster with 1000 or less ATK from my graveyard!"
Jaden tensed. "Yubel's ATK is only 0..."
"That's right!" Yubel said. "It's not so easy to get rid of me.
Limit Reverse's effect: revive myself—Yubel—in Attack Position!"
The trap activated; Yubel, wings wrapped around her, rose from the ground, blocking the field again.
[Yubel, ATK 0]
This time, revived from the grave, her state was refreshed, and without Dark Neos on the field, Yubel's effect was active again. Attacking her would deal no damage, and the harm would rebound onto the attacker.
"Since the number of monsters on your opponent's field changed during the Battle Phase, the battle rewinds. I cancel Neos's attack," Jaden said.
Neos withdrew to Jaden's side.
"Set one card face-down. Turn end."
Neos and Dark Panther stood firmly at Jaden's sides.
Yubel, seeing such loyal spirits flanking Jaden, grew even more jealous and furious.
"Very good. You have so many powerful spirits now—guess you don't need me at all. Fine…"
Her voice grew lower and lower, until her heterochromatic eyes were almost swallowed by darkness.
"Then this turn, I'll show you—after enduring even more pain, my next evolved form!"