Here's chapter 2. Now, I know I used an OC trap last chapter, I plan to include OC card specs in the AN after the duels are finished, so that'll be covered this chapter. No follows or favorites yet, I guess fair since the chapter was rather clunky even for me, plus at first glance the duel looks rigged right now. But Playmaker can win, the question is, will he?

Current Duel Status:

Playmaker-

LP: 4000

Decode Talker LNK: 3 ATK: 2800

Gadget Token LVL: 2 DEF: 0

Dotscaper LVL: 1 DEF: 2100

Odite-

LP: 3500

Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu LVL: 10 ATK: 3000

"What's a Dark Signer?" Ai stared at the glowing mark on Odite's arm. It looked familiar.

Odite grinned. "Long ago in ancient times, several demons tried to destroy the world." Ai blinked. Why tell some old legend? "They were monsters of incredible power. One civilization known as the People of the Stars called to their deity, the Crimson Dragon, for aid. In response he sent five dragons imbued with his power who defeated the demons and sealed them in the very bones of tge Earth, the only sign of their power being markings left in the soil that puzzled people for millenia."

Playmaker grunted. "The Nazca lines from South America?"

Odite chuckled. "Bingo, boyo. Decades ago the demons were finally freed from their prisons, though later it was all called an urban legend. The truth is, the demons were freed, and had a new title based upon their imprisonment. The Earthbound Immortals!"

Ai flipped out. "E-Eh?! Your monster tried to destroy the world once?! Wait, no way that's true. You're trying to trick us."

"He isn't." Ai stared at his partner in shock. "Look at him. True or false, he believes it."

"Yep! And when the Immortals were freed they gave their powers to a select few, whose bodies were marked by the Immortal who had granted them their favor. They called themselves Dark Signers. You see, each of the five dragons that were tied to the Crimson Dragon were also tied to one of the People of the Stars, who were also marked with the Crimson Dragon's favor. We Dark Signers are the enemy of the Signers who bear the marks of the Dragon." He cackled. "Good luck winning this Playmaker, you're finished! You can't defeat Ccapac Apu! His power rivals that of a god!"

He stopped laughing when he saw Playmaker was unfazed. "Your Immortal is powerful but not invincible! I activate the Quick Effect of Linkuriboh in the Graveyard, tributing Dotscaper to revive him!" The little Cyberse hopped up, glaring at Odite until it saw the giant Immortal and panicked, hiding behind Ai.

Odite smiled. "So you're as brave as they say. No fear left to feel after the Lost Incident?" Playmaker gasped. How did he know about it?! "You want to know what I know right? Then win. Ccapac Apu's effect, he can attack you directly!"

"What?!" Ai screamed. "That will put us at 1000 LP!"

"Don't bother, I know your Skill I just don't care." The giant clenched one fist, swinging at Playmaker.

"Linkuriboh's effect, I tribute him to reduce your monster's attack points to 0!" The little monster mustered his courage and leaped in front of the attack, vanishing and weakening the Immortal.

"Not bad. Sorry big guy, you'll get them next turn." He patted the giant's arm then grinned. "Your move."

"Draw!" Playmaker looked at the card he drew. "I summon Draconnet!" A small dragon looking Cyberse appeared. LVL: 3 ATK: 1400 "His effect lets me summon Bitron from my deck." Next came a rather plain looking white monster that looked like a flying Alegra pill.

"...Looks like my allergy medicine." The sheer randomness of the statement made Playmaker's jaw drop, an amusing expression on the normally calm and collected duelist.

"Anyway. Appear, our future circuit!" Odite sighed, that was really dragging things out. Of course him grumbling didn't stop Playmaker's summon. "Link 2 Honeybot!" What resembled an anthromorphisized queen bee popped out beside him. LNK: 2 ATK: 1900 "Once more! Appear, our future-"

"I am pressed for time you know."

Playmaker frowned. Really? He was the one who started this duel! "Fine. Using Link 2 Honeybot and Draconnet, Link Summon! Appear, Link 3 Transcode Talker!" A white and orange, somewhat blocky sniper appeared beside Playmaker. LNK: 3 ATK: 2300 "Transcode Talker's effect, I summon Honeybot from the Graveyard so they're co-Linked and both gain 500 attack points!" TC- ATK: 2800 HB- ATK: 2400 "Battle! Decode Talker, destroy his monster!" But to his shock the swordman Cyberse stayed put.

"Oopsie, forgot to tell you that you can't target Ccapac Apu for attacks, silly me!" Odite's wicked smirk made it clear it wasn't forgetfulness.

Yusaku frowned. "Turn end."

"Draw. I activate the Continuous spell Field Barrier, now Field Spells cannot be destroyed and new ones can't be activated. Now I play a spell, Final Sacrifice! I pay 1000 LP to use its second effect, I draw two cards!" The Dark Signer coughed as a black aura from his spell enveloped him. LP: 2500 "Draw! Now Ccapac Apu attack directly!" Again the giant reached for Playmaker, this time grabbing him and squeezing until the duelist cried out in pain, then releasing him. LP: 1000 "I end my turn there. Show me your Skill, Playmaker! Ccapac Apu!" The ancient demon drove its arm into the Data Storm they rode and sent its own paper, strengthening the storm. The sudden shift made Playmaker's hoverboard buck under him, tossing him off.

In the real world Takeru, Flame and Kusanagi all screamed Playmaker's name, as did numerous fans watching the duel. The screams died as Odite cried out to his ace, the giant catching Playmaker and holding him until he could get back on his board. Ai sighed in relief, then stared at the pair in confusion. "Oi! Why did you save us?"

For once the Dark Signer kept silent, only nodding at Playmaker, who returned the gesture as something became clear. Despite how he acted, the Signer meant no harm. But if they wanted explanations, they had to win! "Before you end your turn I play my set Quick-Play spell, Cynet Backdoor! I banish Transcode Talker and add a Cyberse with equal or fewer attack points to my hand. I choose Clock Wyvern!" As Transcode vanished Yusaku retrieved his chosen card, then drew. "Draw! During my Standby Phase Transcode Talker returns! Now!"

Ai got it loud and clear, and the already enhanced Data Storm surged again, a tornado of data moving towards them. "Seize the wind, Playmaker!"

Playmaker plunged his arm into the Storm, feeling the monsters who dwelt within and seeking the strongest as shadows passed through the data. Odite watched in awe, envying the Skill. Finally Playmaker felt what he was seeking and grasped it. "Storm Access!" The lines covering his avatar's suit were filled with light and the Storm finally calmed as a new monster joined Playmaker's deck. "I summon Clock Wyvern!" A metallic dragon swooped onto the field, roaring. "Appear, our future circuit!" He, Honeybot and Clock Wyvern vanished into the Link portal. "Arrowheads confirmed, conditions are at least two monsters, including a Link monster. I set Honeybot and Clock Wyvern in the Link Markers!" As the monsters entered the Arrows Odite braced himself, glancing at his trap. "Appear!" Playmaker burst from the portal, followed by a cybernetic woman with flowing blue hair. "Link 3 Network Jammer!" LNK: 3 ATK: 2200 "Network Jammer's effect, when she's Link Summoned a Network Token is summoned to your field, and any players who control a Token cannot activate traps!" Jammer waved a hand, a small satellite appearing on Odite's field. LVL: 1 DEF: 0 "Due to Cynet Backdoor's effect, Transcode Talker can attack directly!" Odite smiled, he had truly been outplayed. His recklessness with LP had cost him, though if he could play a trap that wouldn't be an issue. The sniper charged up his shot, aiming at Odite. "Transcode Finish!" Transcode pulled the trigger.

Odite- LP: 0

PLAYMAKER WINS

Ccapac Apu and the various Cyberse monsters vanished, leaving only Ai, Playmaker, and Odite, who fell onto a roof, clutching his gut for a moment where he'd been blasted. "Ow." As Playmaker also landed there the Dark Signer grinned. "You won. I'll keep my word." But to their shock, he logged out.

"That liar!" As Ai screamed threats and insults Playmaker clenched his fist. For a minute he'd thought he'd seen a true duelist in Odite. An honorable one. Had he been wrong? He sighed and logged out.

In the real world his allies greeted Yusaku and praised him for winning, though Takeru was clearly angry at Odite not keeping his word. "What kind of duelist makes a promise and bails when he loses?!"

Flame nodded. "Still, if Odite is hunting the Ignis, we'll see him again. That monster of his is formidable. I did some research. Several decades ago, the famous Nazca lines vanished one by one. Shortly after the marks began appearing in a place called New Domino City, and a number of strange, unexplained events occurred at the same time, such as disappearances of hundreds of people simultaneously, and widespread destruction. Though considered an urban legend, I actually found significant evidence proving Odite's story. He's dangerous. We need to find the other Ignis quickly and warn them."

Someone knocked on the cart. "Hey, you in there? We're pretty hungry." Kusanagi sighed and opened it.

"Sorry it'll take a minute." It was the man and his sister from yesterday. In response the young man pulled up his sleeve, and glowing purple lines appeared on his arm, making the hacker stiffen. "You're-!"

"I only break my word if I have a good reason. So, two hotdogs please. Mind if I pay in information? I kinda forgot my wallet, hehe..." The young man, AKA Odite, sweatdropped in embarrassment, his sister muttering he was so stupid sometimes. "Hey, I know it's true but still!"

Yusaku moved next to Kusanagi. "Yusaku, it's him." His eyes widened and he looked again, seeing the mark on his arm. Odite was in his class? And knew his identity as well.

"Od-" The Dark Signer shushed him, finally covering his mark again.

"The name's Aadyn, you know that. That name I gave you isn't even my actual username. Now, I made a promise, so you want answers right?" Yusaku nodded. "I imagine it'll be cramped in there if we come in. I can move a table, mind joining us?" Yusaku nodded again, walking out of the cart while Aadyn moved a table closer, so Kusanagi could hear without leaving. Takeru also exited, and the pair sat down while Aadyn and his sister did the same.

Yusaku started with his biggest question. "How are you connected to the Lost Incident?"

Aadyn smiled sadly. "I'm not a victim like you guys if that's what you mean. My dad was talented at psychological research. One day an older man visited, named Kogami." Both victims narrowed their eyes. "Yeah. He requested my dad's help in the Lost Incident. Bastard didn't think twice. His job was to keep an eye on your mental states and how it affected the Ignis." He growled, a sound that resembled a feral wolf, not a human. "All he cared about was his name in the history books and the generous pay Kogami provided. I saw as you suffered and were forced to duel or starve." He shook his head. "I was never given the chance to call the cops or anything. Bastard kept a close eye to make sure of that. When it was shut down, I was taken away and put in protective custody for a while. My old man was locked up, which made me smile more than I have before or since." He looked at the pair. "I went on with my life, and one day... I saw you, Yusaku, sitting in my class. I knew who you were instantly. The face of every victim had been seared into my mind years ago. I avoided you, knowing all me trying to connect would do is make you relive the past. Then you started to battle the Hanoi as Playmaker. Tip, next time have your avatar not look like you with hair dye and contacts. I was tempted to join you but I had my own issues, my dad getting out of prison."

"What?!" Takeru looked furious.

"Yeah. Sadly only Kogami got the metaphorical axe. Due to his high level of involvement my father was put away for a long time, but still got released. He was never skilled with programming, but based on what he learned during the Lost Incident, he built an AI with free will, though she's a robot really. With two hollow legs." He glared at his sister.

The Ignis and their partners flipped, and Kusanagi dropped the hot dog he was cooking on the ground. "She's an AI?!"

She nodded. "Yep! My proper name is Legacy 3 Version 1, or Levi."

"Weird name I know. Dad started seeing humans as the first level of evolution, then our legacy was the Ignis, the second level, and finally... Levi. He'd planned for her to be superior to even the Ignis. The third stage of evolution." The girl nodded. "I managed to get her away from him and got him locked back up, at which point he tried to contact the Hanoi with smuggled equipment. Luckily his consciousness was taken by the Tower, which traumatized him enough to get locked in a padded room."

Yusaku sighed. Aadyn had already answered most of his questions. Still. "Why did you want Ai if you won?"

"I didn't." The Dark Ignis fell to his knees as his pride died. "Way too annoying." He slumped even further. "In order to keep SOL off my back, I took a job as one of their bounty hunters, one of the reasons I chose to speak here. Too many unfriendly ears in VRAINS. They pay me to try and take you out, I help you in secret. Works pretty well."

"My big brother is good at manipulating people!"

"Not something to brag about, sis..."

Flame asked a question next. "Your Earthbound Immortal. I did some digging on them, why would you partner with such a monster?"

Aadyn sighed. "You explain partner." Before their eyes his eyes changed to completely black except for dark purple irises. "Very well. Greetings mortals."

Yusaku was the first to realize. "Ccapac Apu?!"

Aaaand cut! Hope you liked it, no promises I'll update so quick next time. Like I said, I'd love feedback. And as promised, the OC cards used in the duel. I noticed I got a good review as I wrote this too, nice!

Network Jammer

LINK-3/DARK/Cyberse/ATK:2200/LM: L,B,R/Link/Effect

2 monsters, including a Link Monster

When this card is Link Summoned: You can Special Summon one 'Network Token' to your opponent's side of the field in Defence Position (DARK/Cyberse/LVL:1/ATK:0/DEF:0). If a player controls a Token, they cannot activate Trap Cards or their effects.

Eternal Cycle

Continuous Trap

Once per turn, when your opponent targets a card you control with a monster effect, you can pay 500 LP to summon from your deck one card of the same type (Spell, Trap or monster).

Final Sacrifice

Spell

If you control a DARK monster, you can pay 1000 LP, and if you do, draw 2 cards. This effect can only be used once per turn.

There they are. Later!