Hi, and welcome back!
Thanks for all your reviews for the last chapters, and in response to mekyaku's review:
- The reason why I changed Queen's appearance is that...well...she's a mother of an eighteen-year-old daughter. Let's say Cyndy was born when Queen was 20. Queen would be 38 in the present, and being as young as she was in canon wouldn't...really make sense, I guess. She would look too young for a 38 years old woman. That's my opinion. The deck Nova used was focused on the 'Galaxy' and 'Photon' archetypes, that's why I didn't have him use Cipher Projection. But I might have him use a 'Galaxy' and 'Cipher' deck in season 2, who knows. I haven't thought about it too much yet. The deck without Numbers is kinda limited, true. I don't think I'm going to add somebody using a pure "Red Dragon Archfiend" deck because I have other decks in mind I want to use in season 2.
In response to Tiny Pink Kitten's review:
- I'll consider the data anchor idea, thanks for pointing it out. I already have one-shot ideas with Kioku and other characters, but you'll have to wait for this season 1 to end.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS, its characters, or any of its cards, except my OCs and fan-made cards.
Opening:
The sun rose in Link VRAINS, illuminating its streets. The light arrived at the tallest building, where Playmaker, Bloody Talker, and Revolver had their backs against the sun. Playmaker had his arms crossed over his chest, Bloody Talker is dangling his feet over the edge, while Revolver had a hand placed on his waist.
Playmaker and Revolver narrowed their eyes, while Bloody Talker smirked wide as the camera turned to see what the three teens are looking at: the Tower of Hanoi in the distance, sucking data into it.
Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS Overdrive!
(Fly away, far away, over your own walls!)
Fujiki Yusaku appeared on the screen, with a hotdog in one hand, and his school bag in the other. He was staring at Den City's plaza screens. 'Yusaku' was written behind him in blue and pink, the 'A' in his name replaced with a star.
Ai dashed across the screen, winking at the viewers.
The screen now showed Playmaker with a serious expression, holding his cards in his hands. 'Playmaker' was written under him in yellow and red, the 'A' in his name replaced with stars. Decode Talker and Encode Talker stood behind him, with Firewall Dragon roaring between the two other monsters.
(Don't just have dreams, achieve them. Even if you're covered with wounds,)
The screen changed to Ketsueki Kioku sitting in class while looking at his table. 'Kioku' was written behind him in green and brown, the 'O' in his name replaced with a star.
Protron dashed across the screen, winking at the viewers, followed Altergeist Pixiel.
The screen now showed Bloody Talker with a hunting smirk on his face, his arms spread wide. 'Bloody Talker' was written under him in blue and red, the 'O' and 'A' in his name replaced with stars. Hex Welchia Dragon and Hex Gardnium Dragon roared behind him, with Crying Child of Solitude - Fanatic Nightingale flying between the two, its hands united in a praying manner.
(Don't give up. Go down the path you believe, the world you want, Dash!)
The screen changed to a Ryoken looking over Starlight Road with his eyes shadowed by the sun's light. 'Ryoken' was written above him in white and purple, the 'O' in his name replaced with a star.
Both Ai and Protron dashed across the screen, winking at the viewers again.
The screen now showed Revolver striking different poses. 'Revolver' was written under him in white and red, the 'O' in his name replaced with a star. Topologic Trisbaena, Topologic Bomber Dragon, and Varrelload Dragon roared behind him.
(Go forward! Dash!)
The screen moved upwards, revealing Dr. Kogami looking to the side, and the Tower of Hanoi behind him in the distance.
(My Life and My Way, day to day seem like an adventure.)
The screen changed to Cynthia and Ghost Girl, smiling and winking respectively at the viewers. 'Cynthia' and 'Ghost Girl' was written above them in black and red, purple and gray respectively, the 'O' and 'A' in their names replaced with stars. Under their feet, 'Cyndy' and 'Emma' were written in the same colors.
Cyber End Dragon and Altergeist Prime Banshee stood behind their respective owners.
(There is no right or wrong, yeah, it's all up to me. Let's make a special and original miracle happen.)
The screen changed to Zaizen Aoi and Akira, holding hands and smiling at each other. 'Aoi' and 'Akira' was written under them in blue and light blue, the 'O' and 'A' in their names replaced with stars. Tindangle Angel and Tindangle Hound stood behind Aoi and Akira respectively.
Ai and Protron jumped down, waving their hands and antennas to the viewers before the two flew away, escaping from Yusaku and Kioku and Altergeist Pixiel who chased them.
The screen now showed Blue Angel, smirking to the viewers. She blew a kiss before her name, 'Blue Angel', appeared under her feet, the 'A' in her name replaced with stars. Trickstar Holly Angel, Trickstar Lycoris, and Trickstar Candina flew above her.
(Stand up, again and again, no matter what.)
Go Onizuka appeared next, smirking triumphally at the viewers. 'GO Onizuka' was written behind him in yellow, the 'O' and 'A' in his name replaced with stars. Gouki The Great Ogre, Gouki The Thunder Ogre, and Gouki The Master Ogre stood behind him.
(Spreading VRAINS, believing in yourself.)
The screen changed to Topologic Trisbaena and Topologic Bomber Dragon unleashed rays of light from their eyes, aiming at an enemy.
(Continuing VRAINS, the circuit that draws out the future.)
The rays were blocked by Hex Welchia Dragon and Hex Gardnium Dragon's wings. Crying Child of Solitude - Fanatic Nightingale flew out from behind the two, spreading its wings wide as it released a shower of rainbow feathers.
(Let's grab it with these hands of ours, Yeah)
The attack was blocked by Firewall Dragon's wings. Encode and Excode Talker jumped out from behind the dragon, swinging their swords down, which were blocked by Varrelload Dragon's hands.
(Go Our Way! To get that bright future!)
Spectre, Baira, Faust, Genome, Deirdre, Andal, and Orion appeared on the screen, their names written under them. Millions of soldiers from the Knights of Hanoi stood behind them, 'Knights of Hanoi' written above them.
(No matter how deep the darkness, I'll shine a light through it with this hand!)
The screen now showed Playmaker, Bloody Talker, GO, Blue Angel, Cynthia, Akira, and Ghost Girl standing next to each other in a line. The group nodded to one and other, and they started running forward.
(Leap forth, into a world you've never seen!)
The screen changed to a smirking Dr. Genome Dueling against Dark GO Onizuka. The screen then revealed Baira fighting against Blue Angel, and Faust against Playmaker.
(I won't regret it, I'll make it through!)
The screen turned to show Bloody Talker together with Protron facing off different Knights of Hanoi. The camera moved forward, revealing Deirdre dueling Ghost Girl, and Andal fighting Cynthia.
(No matter the new time, nothing is impossible.)
The screen now showed a shadowed person looking down at Revolver who had his usual stoic expression. The two seemed to be in a dark room, Varrelload Dragon roaring behind Revolver, while a giant shadowed monster stood behind the other person.
(Aiming at a Hope beyond this, ride the wind and go!)
The screen now showed our heroes being at Café Nagi. Kusanagi Shoichi and GO were in the food truck cooking hotdogs.
Taki Kyoko and Aso were sitting at a table while Ryoken placed a plate with three hotdogs on the table as he joined the two.
Cyndy, Emma, and Akira were sitting at another table. Emma was laughing at a joke she made about Cyndy's breast size. Cyndy seemed to have an angered expression as she raised her hot coffee, wanting to drop it on Emma. Akira had a very shocked expression as he quickly grabbed Cyndy's arm before she could do anything else.
Yusaku, Aoi, and Kioku were sitting at the table next to theirs. Yusaku and Aoi were eating their hotdogs, while Kioku seemed to be choking on his drink from laughter as he saw what was happening at Akira's table.
Yusaku stopped eating. He turned around to look at the plaza's screens, seeing this fanfic's name written on every screen.
Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS Overdrive!
Turn 11:
Doorway to the Abyss
In real world: SOL Technology...
The doors to SOL's security H.Q. opened as Kitamura made his way in, smiling widely. Finally, the Goddess of luck was smiling upon him! Everything is according to plan, SOL will promote him!
"Kitamura-taichou!" A female employee shouted. "Something came up!"
"What is it? Please, feel free to tell me everything." Kitamura said. No matter what, his day can't be ruined!
"The A.I. duel squads are vanishing one after another!"
"...Eh...? W-What!?" Kitamura gasped. "The sensors must be malfunctioning, right!?"
"There are no malfunctions." The voice of Cyndy told, walking up to him, staring at the hologram-sphere which showed A.I. duelists vanishing. "The squads are being deleted."
"M-My career is being deleted!?" Kitamura cried out.
"All of our A.I. duelists are vanishing from Link VRAINS!" Another employee exclaimed.
"Q-Quick! Expel all normal duelists inside the servers!" Kitamura ordered.
"We can't! We lost control over Link VRAINS!"
"My promotion...is going away..." Kitamura sobbed as he fell to his knees. His eyes widen, and he shot up. "That's right! I still have an option! Masayoshi Cyndy, you-!"
Kitamura turned to her, however, Cyndy wasn't there.
"W-What!? Where did Masayoshi go at a time like this!?"
"She's going to Link VRAINS, sir!" An employee explained. "She said she's going to analyze the situation close up. We already sent a message to Queen telling her about this."
Kitamura's face paled. "No...th-the higher-ups..." he muttered, falling to his knees again. "They know about this problem...my promotion...GONE!"
Cyndy narrowed her eyes as she walked down the corridors.
"The A.I. squads weren't vanishing because Hanoi was defeating them in duels." she thought. "Moreover, Hanoi wasn't involved in this problem because no knights were detected in Link VRAINS since this morning. So, something else is causing this problem. But what...?"
Cyndy suddenly halted. She quickly took hold of her phone, calling the H.Q.. Now, she could just turn around and walk back, but she didn't want to waste precious time in listening to Kitamura's comment and sobs.
The moment somebody picked up, she asked. "What are the least patrolled areas in Link VRAINS?"
[T-The back area of Link VRAINS was last patrolled this morning. The other areas are under patrol the moment we speak. That only leaves the sewer area-]
"Understood." Cyndy nodded. "I will go to the sewer area. Contact my mother and Kitamura about this change in plans. If anything comes up, I will contact you again."
[Of course.]
"I can't believe it." she whispered. "Of course it would be the sewers. Hanoi must be hiding and pulling the strings from there...!"
In Link VRAINS: Hanoi H.Q...
"The die has been cast..."
Were Revolver's words as he and Spectre stared down at five coffins, each containing defeated Hanoi Lieutenants. Faust, Baira, Dr. Genome, Deirdre, and Andal.
"Losing these five is a serious blow. I lost them... because I was too focused on Playmaker... and Bloody Talker."
An emotion of sadness and anger pierced Revolver's heart like a dagger, but his avatar's face didn't wager.
"I have no time for sentimentality." he told Spectre, but more importantly, himself. "These five became the foundation to fulfill our plan."
"Yes, Revolver-sama." Spectre concurred with a nod. "But we still don't know Playmaker or Bloody Talker's identities. Is that fine with you? Once we begin our final operation, we can't turn back."
"This plan must succeed, even if it costs me my life." Revolver calmly and sternly said. "I'll eliminate anyone who interferes, no matter who! That includes SOL Technology, Go Onizuka, Blue Angel, Bloody Talker, and Playmaker. No-one will stop me."
"If that's the case, I'll aid you to the very end, Revolver-sama." Spectre said with a slight bow of respect. "I will not let anyone defeat us."
Revolver stayed silent before he looked at Spectre in the eyes.
"Very well. In that case, you're allowed to duel anybody who interferes. That includes Bloody Talker and Playmaker."
Spectre's eyes slightly widened at these words. "Revolver-sama... I thought you wanted to defeat them personally."
"That was the case... before we suffered continuous losses." Revolver explained as he stared at the dead corpses of the Lieutenants. "We arrived at a stage where I cannot let my wants get in the way. We have to win, no matter what."
A wide smile came to Spectre's face. "I understand. As you wish, I will deal with Bloody Talker and Playmaker if our paths cross. I will do anything I can to make you happy, Revolver-sama, and to accomplish Dr. Kogami's plans."
The smile on Spectre's face widens, taking the form of a scary grin.
In Link VRAINS: City Area (server set at night)...
"Where is he? Doesn't he know it's rude to make a lady wait?"
Ghost Girl sighed in irritation as she looked from left to right in search of Bloody Talker with whom she had a special appointment. In Akira's opinion, something is happening when nothing seems to be happening, the Knights of Hanoi working behind the scenes. Obviously, as Akira and SOL's special hunter, it's her job to find intel about this.
Although, they won't be getting it free, but that's another matter.
Ghost Girl thought it would be a good idea to go with somebody who could become a good distraction if she'd be cornered, and the first thing that crossed her mind was Bloody Talker. Like, C'mon, he and Playmaker are Hanoi's main enemies. It's obvious they would come in handy if needed.
The alluring treasure hunter checked her duel disk, seeing Bloody Talker made her wait for over five minutes past their appointment time. She sighed as she decided to do something useful instead of waiting.
"Now, let's analyze the situation..." Ghost Girl told herself, narrowing her eyes at Link VRAINS's City Area below the skyscraper she stood on. "...Everything seems normal, no abnormalities in sight, which means my target is invisible to naked eye. Good thing a cyber treasure hunter has various tools for situations like these."
She started pressing buttons on her duel disk, activating a special program. A sphere made of greenish yellow light emerged from her duel disk.
"Everyone, tell me if you find something." Ghost Girl told the sphere. She smiled warmly and chuckled. "Now, away you go!"
The sphere exploded in numerous light particles, flying away in the night sky like fireflies.
"Whoa...! That's a nice light-show you got there, Ghost Girl."
The voice of Bloody Talker gasped in amazement behind her. She knew he logged in near her from seconds ago because she had her other program activated, the one that let her know if an avatar was getting closer to her. Ghost Girl used that one to find Bloody Talker the first time they made a mission-appointment.
"You're late." Ghost Girl scolded the hacker.
"I'm sorry." Bloody Talker said in embarrassment. He walked up beside her. "I had to finish some homework and a math problem wasn't letting me go. It was very complex and it took like ten minutes to solve."
"I hope it won't happen again." Ghost Girl shot him a glare.
"Of course not!" the hacker shook his head. "But I never expected you to contact me, Ghost Girl. The last time we went on a mission, you said that was the first and last time I'm going to team-up with you."
"True." Ghost Girl nodded. "I was mad at you because you told me there weren't a large group of Hanoi goons in that base, therefore I didn't bring my usual deck since it was more a spy mission than an infiltration one. Well, since I won my duel against Deirdre, I let you off the hook. In fact, I said 'maybe we could do this again in the future', remember?"
"Ah, yeah, now I remember." Bloody Talker nodded.
"Hey, hey, now that the greetings are over, how's my Pixiel doing?" Ghost Girl asked.
On cue, Pixiel materialized in the air and waved one of her wires at her foster holder.
"The Altergeist in Love, heh?" Ghost Girl giggled. "You've earned quite an interesting name, Pixiel."
The Duel Monster giggled herself. That's when Protron appeared, happily floating around the treasure hunter.
"And here's the lucky one." Ghost Girl laughed as she patted Protron. "I hope you're being a good knight in shining armor for the little Pixiel over here, right?"
The Duel Monster nodded immediately, causing her to laugh again.
"This brings back good memories of our first mission." Bloody Talker commented.
"Yeah." Ghost Girl said as she checked her duel disk. "Oh! They found something!"
"Really!? What-!"
Before Bloody Talker could finish, a sharp pain stabbed through his head like a knife, causing him to gasp. He almost fell off the roof if it wasn't for Ghost Girl reflexes in grabbing him by the arm.
"What's wrong?" she asked concerned.
"...I...don't know." Bloody Talker shook his head, the pain gone. "From morning, this strange feeling keeps stabbing my head. This is the first time that it actually hurt..."
"Are you sure you want to continue the mission in this state?"
"Of course!" Bloody Talker smirked. "I won't let this get in my way."
Ghost Girl nodded. "If that's the case, follow me!"
The two jumped down, their D-Boards materializing under their feet. The two rode on the Data Storm while Pixiel and Protron followed them. After a minute or so, they arrived at their destination, finding two familiar faces staring at Ghost Girl's light particles.
Bloody Talker was the first to talk. "How nice to see you here, Playmaker, Ai!"
Indeed, Playmaker turned around after hearing his name, Ai out of the duel disk as well.
[Oh, you two again!] Ai exclaimed. [Ghost Girl! And Bloody Talker too!?]
The two jumped down, landing next to them.
"That's not a nice greeting." Ghost Girl told the A.I. "I could say the same thing to you."
"Why are you here?" Playmaker asked.
"I received a tip that something's happening in Link VRAINS." Ghost Girl explained. "And I invited Bloody Talker to tag along."
"A tip?" Playmaker questioned.
"If you're here...I guess that tip wasn't wrong Ghost Girl." Bloody Talker said.
The treasure hunter nodded. "Yeah." that's when her duel disk beeped red. "Oh, what's this? Somebody else is joining us, guys."
[EH!? Who!?] Ai asked.
"If Hanoi is behind it, finding you here is no surprise." a new voice said. The four looked up, seeing Cynthia jump down her D-Board and land next to them.
[It's lady-big-breasts!] Ai shouted.
"If you call me one more time lady-big-breasts, you won't live one second." Cynthia hissed at him. "I guess you're here because of Hanoi-matters?"
They nodded.
"If SOL's secret agent is also here, we're obviously on good tracks." Ghost Girl said.
"This place is the only entrance to Link VRAINS sewer area." Cynthia pointed out. "It seems I was right in thinking Hanoi's plotting stuff down there..."
"Up ahead is dangerous." Playmaker told. "You should log out."
"Not if you're planning on stealing my treasure." Ghost Girl chimed as she walked up to the spot her guides gathered. She pressed a button on her duel disk, a portal opening in front of her. "They say the greater the danger, the greater the rewards. Bloody, let's go."
With that, she jumped in, her fireflies following her.
"See you guys!" Bloody Talker chuckled as he did the same.
"I guess there's no other option but to go." Cynthia sighed as she jumped in.
[Okay, now let's stay here and let them investigate.] Ai said.
"Their and my objectives are different. We're going." Playmaker explained as followed them in the portal which closed after him.
The five found themselves in a sewer-like area, glowing data flowing beside their path, illuminating everything.
"I didn't know Link VRAINS had a sewer area." Playmaker pointed out.
"It's here for unnecessary data." Cynthia explained. "These data you see flowing go to one exact point, a data processing plant, where all other data is deleted from Link VRAINS. These sewers run below all the city's perimeters."
"You're well informed. Not bad, Cynthia-senpai!" Bloody Talker commented. "You're part of SOL Tech, so I guess that explains it."
"Don't have to call me Senpai." Cynthia scolded.
[Hey, Playmaker-sama, ask Bloody Talker about that strange feeling.] Ai said.
"I was just about to." Playmaker glanced at the hacker. "Bloody Talker, have you felt a... strange feeling at random moments of the day."
"...You too?" Bloody Talker's eyes narrowed. "Yes, I did."
"Is this strange feeling connected to Hanoi in some way...?" Playmaker wondered aloud.
The five stopped in their tracks, seeing their path dividing into three ways.
[What do we do now?] Ai questioned. [We go as a group in every direction once at a time?]
"That would take too much time..." Cynthia said.
Unknown to them, Ghost Girl checked her duel disk. "The fireflies went right..." she thought. "In that case, I have to de-route everyone to the center and left. As much as fun it is to work with Bloody, the treasure a cyber hunter finds is theirs alone if no-one knows about it."
"We have to split apart." Ghost Girl spoke up. "However, which way is the question at hand."
[I know!] Ai shouted. [Let's decide it with a game!]
"Good idea!" Ghost Girl clapped her hands. "That's why you're Playmaker's A.I.!"
[Um, I like receiving praise, but I have a name. It's Ai.]
"What a cute name." Ghost Girl said. "Ai because you're an A.I.?"
[T-That's too simple of a reason!] Ai waved his hands about, causing Bloody Talker to laugh at the comedy, while Playmaker and Cynthia only raised an eyebrow each.
"What about this..." Ghost Girl extracted a deck from a holder attached to her leg. "How about whoever draws the lovelier card from my deck gets to choose everybody else's paths?"
[Whoa, fine!] Ai puffed his chest out. [I'm super confident in my drawing skills! But, um... are you going to cheat?]
"Don't be silly!" Ghost Girl seemed hurt. "What's the point in doing that anyway?"
She then proceeded to shuffle the cards between her fingers, Playmaker and Cynthia staring at her, while Bloody Talker's eyes flashed in amazement how she handled them.
"Here you go."
Ghost Girl extended her hand forward, her shuffled deck in hand.
[Okay! Here I go!] Ai said with a dramatic pose. [My right arm in yearning to draw. It whispers to me it wants a card. Your deck will respond to this thirst, feeling, and desire! This is my special destiny dra-!]
"Draw!" Bloody Talker shouted over Ai, drawing a card from the deck before him.
[H-H-HEY! I was just about to draw!] Ai fumed in anger. [You ruined my moment!]
"Your long boasting was useless." Bloody Talker told, showing the card. "I drew Fake Trap. This is no cute."
[Well, you drew instead of me!] Ai pointed out. [It's obvious you got the bad card and not me!]
"Let's get this over with." Cynthia sighed, drawing her card, revealing Worm Ugly.
Playmaker did the same thing, drawing Plague Wolf.
[My turn!] Ai exclaimed happily, cracking his knuckles. [DRAW!]
He stared at it for seconds, before revealing Clown Zombie.
"Oh dear! You guys aren't lucky at all!" Ghost Girl giggled as she placed all the cards away. "All of you failed! Your results are so bad I don't even have to draw! Since I'm the winner, I get to decide. Let's see... Playmaker, you go to the center, while Cynthia and Bloody go down the left path. The right one is mine. Bye bye!"
With a wave of her hand, Ghost Girl ran off the right path.
[Man, I can't believe I drew such a bad card!] Ai whined.
"The deck was full of bad cards, idiot." Cynthia facepalmed.
[E-EH!?] Ai gasped. [She cheated!?]
"I mean, you guys dueled Ghost Girl once, yes?" Bloody Talker asked. "Didn't you notice she uses the newest type of duel disk? That model doesn't use physical cards, but Ghost Girl stated those cards made part of her deck. Moreover, who in the sweet name of God uses Fake Trap or any of those other cards?"
"She tricked you using the simplest trick." Playmaker said.
[I can't believe it...] Ai whispered shocked.
"However, that doesn't make a difference when running into danger." Playmaker pointed out. "Our objective is to find the cause of the abnormalities. I don't care about any treasure."
"Agreed." Cynthia nodded. "Now, Bloody Talker won't come with me."
"Eh!?" the hacker cried out. "Why!?"
"Cynthia, you two should go together." Playmaker suggested. "I can handle myself alone. You two together won't be exposed to danger as much if together."
"Are you stating I'm weak or something?" Cynthia raised an eyebrow.
"Of course not." Playmaker shook his head. "I don't what you two to possibly die at Hanoi's hands alone."
"Hey, you guys," Bloody Talker spoke up. "I have-"
"Fine." Cynthia eventually said, cutting off the hacker and making him puff his cheeks. "We're all fighting for the same goal, so I guess I can team-up this once. Let's get moving."
[Ciao!] Ai waved his hand as Playmaker walked down the center path, while Cynthia and Bloody Talker the left one.
"It's ironic how from enemies we became comrades." Bloody Talker abruptly told after some minutes of silence. "I mean, you were ordered to defeat me by Akira when Blue Angel was infected by Hanoi's virus, and now we're working together. Do you agree?"
"Yes." Cynthia nodded. "However, this moment of peace between us may not last. SOL could order me to defeat you again someday."
"Well, I'm most certainly waiting for that moment." Bloody Talker smirked. "Dueling you was very exciting."
The two continued to walk in silence, their footsteps and the flowing water of data making the only sounds. However... several spikes belonging to a monster emerged from the water and quickly dived back down.
"Cynthia-senpai..." Bloody Talker whispered.
"I saw it too." Cynthia said, the two continuing walking. "If it doesn't attack us first, we won't do as well. Maybe... it's docile?"
"Let's hope..." Bloody Talker nodded. "Maybe it's just analyzing us...? Do you know what it is?"
"I have no idea." Cynthia responded. "There was no data in SOL's files saying about a monster in the sewers..."
The strange monster didn't reappear again, prompting the two to feel at ease again.
"Oh! A dead end."
True to Bloody Talker's words, the two arrived at a large black wall and nothing else.
"No... this isn't a dead end." Cynthia crouched down beside the water. "This stream doesn't stop flowing. Moreover, it's going towards the direction we came from, which means there must be a source somewhere from where it comes. If you look closely enough, you can see water coming from underneath the wall."
"Wow! Cynthia-senpai, you're amazing!" Bloody Talker commented.
She shot him a glare. "We can't dive since there's that monster in the water..."
"Which means we need to destroy the wall." Bloody Talker finished for her. He extended his hand forward, his scythe materializing in it. The scythe's blade started glowing purple as the hacker slashed the wall, creating a giant cut in it. He did this again and again until creating a passage.
"Good work." Cynthia praised as the two entered after the hacker's scythe vanished.
"Thank you, Cynth-!" Bloody Talker tried to thank her, but the same sharp pain stabbed through his head like a knife, this time causing him to fall to one knee from the pain.
"Oi, are you alright!?" Cynthia called out.
"S-Somewhat..." Bloody Talker admitted as he stood up, the pain slowly fading.
"Is this that feeling Playmaker was talking about?" Cynthia assumed.
The hacker nodded. "Yeah... I'm okay though. We can continue."
Cynthia didn't seem certain but agreed. They walked through the created entrance and into a giant room with several tubes against the walls, each containing some sort of being submerged in water and unconscious. The room was lit up by the light emitting from inside each tube, and the two were standing on a glass platform under which the water of data continued to flow.
"What...is this place..." Cynthia whispered in confusion. "This surely wasn't in SOL's data...I better investigate."
She tapped something on her duel disk, activating a camera program, taking pictures of everything in the room.
"Done. Now I just need more information about this place. Where's a mainframe computer-"
Cynthia bumped into Bloody Talker, who froze in the middle of the room.
"Hey, what's wrong." the SOL agent shook him by the shoulder.
"I can hear their voices..." Bloody Talker whispered, walking up to a tube. He placed his hand on it, the being's eyes which was inside it flashed faintly.
...I want to help others...
The voice of the being said inside Bloody Talker's head through Link Sense. He walked forward, placing his hand on another tube.
...I didn't do anything wrong to be enslaved...
Bloody Talker continued.
...I just want to be free...
...I want to fight alongside a noble holder...
...Somebody...please...help me...
"Oi, Bloody Talker." Cynthia tried to get his attention but in vain. The hacker heard all the being's voices until walking up to the largest tube in the room. This one contained a large dragon-like monster.
Bloody Talker placed his hand on the glass, hearing its voice.
...I want to destroy everything...I...I...want to be loved by somebody...
"Yes...me too..." the hacker whispered, placing his forehead against the glass. "It hurts not being able to do that, right...?"
He could hear a faint growl of agreement. Bloody Talker grinned wide as he stepped back, moving his eyes across the room.
"I will help you." Bloody Talker shouted, addressing each being. "My name is Bloody Talker! I will save you all, at one cost: fight by my side and all your pleads are going to be answered by me!"
Every being's eyes started glowing brightly, causing the hacker to laugh. He gestured to the dragon's tube where a mainframe computer was. Pixiel materialized again as she connected her wires to the computer, starting a download.
"W-Wait!" Cynthia gasped. "What are you doing!?"
"It's obvious!" Bloody Talker chuckled, gesturing to all the tubes. "I'm setting them free! You can't hear their voices, can you? But I can, and I'm hearing pleads of sadness and anger coming from them. I understand them because I feel the same way as them!"
"I'm very sorry, dear Bloody Talker, but I can't let you have them." a new voice complained.
The two spun around, seeing Orion standing by the opening with his arms behind his back and his usual mocking smile.
"You..." Bloody Talker growled.
"Yes, it's me." Orion spread his arms in a welcoming manner. "Happy to see me?"
"We all know the answer to that, Hanoi." Cynthia snorted. "So you and your group were plotting something behind the scenes after all."
"Exactly, SOL's special agent, Masayoshi Cyndy." Orion said, earning a glare from her. "I was entrusted with patrolling the sewers, and it seems I caught two pests trying to bother Hanoi's plans."
"What were your plans with these monsters." Bloody Talker asked.
"These monsters are Duel Monsters, specifically, Cyberse monsters." Orion explained. "We found them hiding inside the network, trying to escape from us. Although, that didn't end well, and as you can see, they were captured. Hanoi planned on drawing data from them in order to find clues about the Cyberse World, but all in vain. The only purpose they serve now is to feed our plan's next step."
"Feed?" Cynthia parroted. "What do you mean?"
"When you'll see a giant tower gathering data, you'll know." Orion smirked. "Not like you'll survive until then. Now then...you're in two against me alone, so I better call for a friend, right?"
Orion snapped his fingers, and in the middle of the room, a giant figure emerged from the water, shattering the glass with its entrance. The figure was the same which Cynthia and Bloody Talker saw earlier with the spikes on its back. It was a tall, humanoid, lizard monster with spikes extending from its back, a mouth attached to its chest, a long tendril instead of a right hand, and a mask-object was attached to its face, its red eyes and accents over its body glowed brightly.
"This...is the thing we saw earlier...!" Cynthia gasped as she took a step back.
"This is a monster made entirely of data." Orion explained. "However, it wasn't Hanoi to create it. Since the amount of data inside the sewers increased abruptly these last weeks, that excess of data had to gather somewhere, right? That's where this monster was created, all that useless data merged together and formed this being."
The data monster roared in a menacing manner.
"There are two such monsters in the sewers." Orion continued. "This one attacked me one day, and I thought 'hey, why not use this to my advantage' and I implanted a program into its brain which lets me freely control it."
Cynthia slowly moved her hand towards her duel disk, but Orion saw this.
"It's useless, dear Cyndy." he interrupted. "Once you entered this room, you lost all connection with the outside world. You can't call SOL to back you up."
"Damn it..." Cynthia gritted her teeth. "In that case, all we have to do is defeat you!"
"Yes, but don't forget about my friend over here." Orion waved his hand at the data giant. "Attack and kill both of them. Now."
The monster roared again, marching forward. Bloody Talker summoned his scythe again.
"I'll hold it off." the hacker said. "In the meantime, you defeat Orion, Cynthia-senpai."
"Got it." Cynthia nodded. The two ran forward, Cynthia jumped over the data giant with a series of graceful maneuvers, while Bloody Talker leaped on it and stood on its shoulders.
"Let's play." Bloody Talker grinned, swinging its scythe into the monster's back, earning a roar of pain. The data giant tried to catch him, but the hacker quickly jumped back with his scythe and landed behind Pixiel.
"Continue the download." he told her. "Under any cost, I want all of them saved."
Pixiel nodded, continuing her work.
"You want to be the first one to fall at my hands?" Orion inquired. "Be my guest."
"We'll see who's going to fall, Hanoi." Cynthia remarked.
"DUEL!" the two shouted at the same time.
Orion: LP 4000
VS
Cynthia: LP 4000
(The Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.)
"I go first!" Cynthia declared as she swiped her hand to the side, making five cards appear. "I normal summon Cyber Dragon Drei (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1800/DEF: 800/LV: 4)!"
A machine which resembled a long-bodied dragon with yellow highlights appeared.
"The effect of Drei activates upon Normal Summon, but I chain the effect of Cyber Dragon Vier from my hand!" Cynthia stated. "Since a "Cyber Dragon" has been Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon Vier from my hand (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1100/DEF: 1600/LV: 4)!"
A monster which resembled Cyber Dragon Drei but with purple highlights appeared.
"Drei can be treated as "Cyber Dragon" while on the field or Graveyard." Cynthia explained. "That's why I was able to activate this effect. Now, Drei's effect resolves, making the Levels of all "Cyber Dragons" I control five. Cyber Dragon Vier can be also treated as "Cyber Dragon" while on the field and Graveyard, so both my monsters become Level five!"
(Drei: LV 4 = 5; Vier: LV 4 = 5)
"Using the Level five Drei and Vier, I build my Overlay Network!" Cynthia shouted as her two monsters entered a galaxy-like portal. "Dragon with knowledge of the vast cosmos, guide me to victory! Xyz Summon! Show yourself, Rank 5! Cyber Dragon Nova (Light/Machine/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 2100/RK: 5)!"
A serpentine machine dragon with two wings and a core attached to its body emerged from the portal.
"An Xyz Summon!" Orion whistled. "So you can use Link, Fusion, and Xyz Summon? Not bad, dear Cyndy."
"Call me that one more time and I swear your head won't be attached to your body anymore." Cynthia snapped. "Next, using the Rank five Cyber Dragon Nova as an Xyz Material, I rebuild my Overlay Network!"
Following her words, Cyber Dragon Nova re-entered the galaxy portal.
"Dragon blessed with eternal knowledge, guide mankind above and beyond infinity together with your power!" Cynthia chanted. "Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 6! Cyber Dragon Infinity (Light/Machine/Xyz/Effect/ATK: 2100/RK: 6)!"
An Xyz Monster which somewhat resembled Cyber Dragon Nova, but with dark armor plates attached to its body emerged from the portal with a loud roar.
"Whoa, not bad, Cynthia-senpai!" Bloody Talker shouted while he dodged an attack from the data giant.
"Infinity gains 200 Attack for every Overlay Unit attached to it." Cynthia stated. "There are three attached to it, so Infinity gains 600 Attack (ATK: 2100 = 2700). I set one card face-down and end my turn!"
"Ore no turn!" Orion announced. "Draw! From my hand, I normal summon Clustar Cancro (ATK: 1500/LV: 4)!"
The monster which resembled a crab with galaxy-patterned skin and golden exoskeleton appeared.
"I activate its Monster Effect!" Orion stated as the crab's skin started glowing brighter. "Once per turn, I can special summon a "Clustar" monster from my hand!"
"Not on my watch!" Cynthia interrupted. "I activate Infinity's Quick Effect! Once per turn, when a card or effect is activated, by detaching an Overlay Unit from Infinity (OVU: 3 = 2), I can negate that activation and destroy it! Potential Close!"
"I chain the effect of Clustar Ariete in my hand!" Orion shouted. "When the opponent activates a Monster Effect in response to the effect of a "Clustar" Monster I control, by revealing Ariete from my hand, I negate that Monster Effect! Then, I can Special Summon the Tuner Monster, Clustar Ariete from my hand (Light/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 1900/LV: 2)!"
One of the orbs flying around Infinity was sucked into its core and it started glowing brightly. However, a monster which resembled a ram with galaxy-patterned skin and golden wool appeared, its skin glowing brightly and Infinity's core lost its color.
"You negate my effect and summoned a Tuner Monster?" Cynthia gritted her teeth. "Just like Andal, you started using other summoning methods..."
"That's right." Orion grinned. "Since an Overlay Unit from Infinity has been removed, it loses 200 Attack (ATK: 2700 = 2500). Now, continuing with my turn, Cancro's effect resolves, letting me Special Summon Clustar Leone(Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 500/LV: 6) from my hand!"
A monster which resembled a lion with galaxy-patterned skin and golden mane appeared with a roar.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card Clustar Gathering, which lets me draw two cards since I control two or more "Clustar" Monsters with different names." Orion stated as he drew. "I activate Clustar Leone's effect, which is the same as Cancro's, letting me Special Summon Clustar Acquario (ATK: 1800/LV: 5) from my hand!"
The monster which was a human with a galaxy-patterned skin and holding a golden jar filled with water appeared next.
"He has four Monsters..." Cynthia narrowed her eyes. "And one of them is a Tuner... this doesn't look so good..."
"Ima tōjō! Watashi o shōri ni michibiku mirai no sākitto!"
Following Orion's words, a Link portal opened behind him. "Arrowheads Confirmed! The summoning conditions are two "Clustar" monsters! I set Clustar Cancro and Acquario in the Link Markers!"
Said monsters turned into beams of light as they entered the portal. "Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Appear, Link 2! Clustar Pesci (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1600/Link 2: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right)!"
From the portal, two fishes emerged, one with galaxy-patterned scales and one with golden scales, each bearing their sharp teeth at Cynthia in a menacing manner.
"When Clustar Pesci is Link Summoned, or a "Clustar" Monster is Special Summoned to a zone it points to, I gain 600 Life Points!" Orion explained. "Holy Water!"
Orion: LP 4000 + 600 = 4600
"Next, I tune the Level six Leone with the Level two Ariete!" Orion shouted as Ariete turned into two green rings which surrounded Leone. "Arrow shooting through the night sky, pierce the darkness with sacred light and defeat the opponents before me! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 8! Clustar Sagittario (Light/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2600/DEF: 1900/LV: 8)!"
A monster which resembled a centaur with a galaxy-patterned skin, holding a golden bow and arrow, appeared with a battle cry under Pesci's Bottom-Left marker.
"A Link Summon followed by a Synchro Summon?" Bloody Talker muttered while he swung his scythe into the data giant's shoulder. "Not bad, Hanoi bastard..."
"Ariete which was Special Summoned through its effect leaves the field, it's banished. Also, Pesci's effect activates again!" Orion stated. "Holy Water!"
Orion: LP 4600 + 600 = 5200
"Then, I activate Clustar Sagittario's effect!" Orion declared. "When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can inflict 200 damage to the opponent for every Level a material used for this card's summon had on the field. I choose the Level six Leone, thus, you take 1200 damage!"
Sagittario fired an arrow using its bow, which pierced Cynthia's body like a ghost but made her wince.
Cynthia: LP 4000 - 1200 = 2800
"He gained 1200 Life Points while I lost that many..." Cynthia muttered.
"And that's not all." Orion pointed out. "For every "Clustar" Monster next to Pesci's markers, all Monsters I control gain 400 Attack. With Sagittario, that's an extra 400 Attack to all my Monsters."
(Pesci: ATK 1600 = 2000; Sagittario: ATK 2600 = 3000)
"Battle!" Orion pointed forward. "Clustar Sagittario, attack Cyber Dragon Infinity! Sacred Arrow Shot!"
Sagittario fired another arrow using its bow, piercing Infinity's core and causing it to explode, sending Cynthia skidding back.
Cynthia: LP 2800 - 500 = 2300
"Trap Card open!" Cynthia abruptly stated. "Cyber Reboot! When a "Cyber" Monster I control is destroyed by the opponent, I can Special Summon one "Cyber" Monster from my deck, ignoring its summoning conditions! Appear, Cyber Dragon "Aegis" (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1600/DEF: 2100/LV: 5) in defense mode!"
A monster similar to the old Cyber Dragon, but with bulkier armor, appeared with a roar.
"So you had a shield ready to be used, huh?" Orion chuckled. "Not bad. However, my turn isn't over yet. Since a "Cluster" Monster destroyed an opponent's Monster by battle or by its effect, Sagittario's second effect activates, raising its and that Monster's Attack by 200 points."
(Pesci: ATK 2000 = 2200; Sagittario: ATK 3000 = 3200)
"Battle!" Orion declared. "Pesci, attack that dragon!"
"Cyber Dragon "Aegis" can't be destroyed by battle!" Cynthia revealed as Aegis's armor extended forward, forming a barrier which protected it from Pesci's attack.
"If that's the case, I end my Battle Phase and enter my Main Phase 2." Orion said. "Since two or more "Clustar" Monsters declared an attack this turn, by banishing Clustar Gathering from my Graveyard, I activate its other effect, letting me draw two new cards. Next, I activate the Spell Card Clustar Compass, whose effect lets me reveal Clustar Vergine in my hand to add Clustar Libra(Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 500/LV: 1) from my deck to my hand. I set two cards face-down and end my turn."
"Boku no turn!" Cynthia announced. "Draw! From my hand, I activate the Spell Card Cyber Revsystem, which lets me Special Summon Cyber Dragon Vier from my Graveyard! Then, I activate the Spell Card Polymerization, fusing together Aegis and Vier which can be both treated as Cyber Dragon!"
As her two monsters merged in a fusion vortex, Cynthia chanted.
"Minds filled with eternal knowledge, combine your two head here and now, and become a new hope of humans! Fusion Summon! Show yourself, Level 8! Cyber Twin Dragon (Light/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2800/LV: 8)!"
Another monster which resembled Cyber Dragon, but with two heads, emerged from the portal.
"Battle!" Cynthia declared. "Cyber Twin Dragon, attack Pesci! Also, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Cybernetic Overdrive, increasing my dragon's Attack by 500! Evolution Twin Burst!"
(Twin: ATK 2800 = 3300)
The two heads of the dragon each fired a beam of light, piercing both fishes and destroying them, sending Orion stumbling back by the shockwaves.
Orion: LP 5200 - 1100 = 4100
"Since the Monster powered up by Cybernetic Overdrive destroyed an opponent's monster, I can draw one card." Cynthia explained. "Cyber Twin Dragon can attack twice during the same Battle Phase! Go! Evolution Twin Burst!"
Sagittario was next, the two beams of Cyber Twin Dragon pulverizing its body.
Orion: LP 4100 - 100 = 4000
"Once again, I draw one card." Cynthia said. "Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card De-Fusion, returning Cyber Twin Dragon to my Extra Deck and Special Summon its Fusion Materials from the Graveyard! Revive, Aegis and Vier!"
The two dragons reappeared as Cyber Twin Dragon vanished from the field.
"Thanks to Vier's effect, all Cyber Dragons I control gain 500 Attack and Defence!" Cynthia stated. "Cybernetic Boost!"
(Aegis: ATK 1600 = 2100/DEF: 2100 = 2600; Vier: ATK 1100 = 1600/DEF: 1600 = 2100)
"You plan on attacking me with those two and diminish my Life Points down to 300 points?" Orion assumed. "Well, too bad that won't happen. Trap Card activate, Clustar Constellation! I can Special Summon one "Clustar" Monster from my Graveyard! Revive, Pesci (ATK: 1600/Link 2) in my Middle Monster Zone!"
"Idiot." Cynthia frowned. "My dragons have more Attack than your fish! Battle! Cyber Dragon "Aegis", attack Clustar Pesci!"
"I activate the effect of Clustar Libra in my hand!" Orion abruptly stated. "When a "Clustar" I control is attacked, I can Special Summon Libra in defense mode to negate that attack!"
A humanoid monster with a galaxy-patterned skin and holding a golden scale appeared beside Pesci. A transparent barrier formed around it, protecting Pesci from the attack.
Cynthia gritted her teeth. "Fine, but your Libra won't escape! Cyber Dragon Vier, attack his Libra!"
Vier unleashed a purple stream of light from its mouth, destroying Libra.
"Libra which was Special Summoned through its effect leaves the field, it's banished." Orion told.
"I end my Battle Phase and enter my Main Phase 2!" Cynthia stated. "By banishing Cyber Reboot from my Graveyard, I activate its other effect, changing all Cyber Dragons I control to Defense Position and draw one card for each, in this case, two. I set one card face-down and end my turn!"
"Ore no turn! Draw!" Orion declared as he drew. "By banishing Clustar Compass from my Graveyard, I activate its other effect, letting me return Clustar Cancro from the Graveyard to my hand. Then, I normal summon Cancro and activate its effect, letting me Special Summon Clustar Vergine (ATK: 1000/LV: 3) from my hand!"
Cancro, along with the female humanoid monster with a galaxy-patterned skin and golden angel wings, appeared beside Pesci.
"Vergine's effect activates when Special Summoned, inflicting 1000 damage to you!"
Following Orion's words, the monster's golden feathers started raining down on Cynthia, assaulting her with pain.
Cynthia: LP 2300 - 1000 = 1300
"I activate my Trap Card Cybernetic Back-Up!" Cynthia shouted. "When I take damage by a card effect, I can activate this card! Through its effect, I take no more effect damage until the turn's end, also, if I control Cyber Dragon, I can draw one card and gain 800 Life Points!"
Cynthia: LP 1300 + 800 = 2100
"Eeeeh?" Orion frowned. "And I had so many good plays to deal you pain. If that's the case, better go with plan B. Ima tōjō! Watashi o shōri ni michibiku mirai no sākitto! Arrowheads Confirmed! The summoning condition is one "Clustar" monster! I set Clustar Cancro in the Link Marker!"
Said monster turned into a beam of light as it entered the portal. "Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Appear, Link 1! Clustar Capricorno (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 100/Link 1: Bottom)!"
From the portal, a goat with a galaxy-patterned body and golden horns emerged from the portal.
"Capricorno's effect activates when Link Summoned!" Orion stated. "I Special Summon Clustar Cancro from my Graveyard with its effects negated next to its link! Also, once per duel, since a "Clustar" Monster was Special Summoned next to Capricorno's link, I can draw one card!"
"Appear for the second time! Watashi o shōri ni michibiku mirai no sākitto!"
Orion declared as another Link portal appeared.
"Arrowheads Confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more "Clustar" monsters! I set Clustar Cancro, Clustar Vergine, and Clustar Capricorno in the Link Markers!"
Said monsters turned into beams of light as they entered the Bottom, Bottom-Left, and Bottom-Right Markers, causing them to glow red. "Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Appear, Link 3! Clustar Bengt Wd1 (ATK: 2000/Link 3: Bottom, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right)!"
The giant starship with galaxy-patterned parts and cannons emerged from the portal.
"Since Bengt Wd1 was Link Summoned, its effect activates, dealing you 500 damage and it gains 200 Attack." Orion stated. "However, due to Cybernetic Back-Up, you won't take damage, but my Monster's Attack increases. Thanks to Bengt Wd1's other effect, if there's a "Clustar" Link Monster next to its link, itself and that Monster gain 1000 Attack!"
(Pesci: ATK 1600 = 2600; Bengt Wd1: ATK 2000 = 3200)
"I reveal and discard Clustar Scorpione (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1900/DEF: 400/LV: 5) from my hand to activate its effect. This turn, my "Clustar" Monsters can deal piercing damage!" Orion said, causing Cynthia to widen her eyes. "What a nice expression of despair you just pulled. Let me thank you for that! Battle! Bengt Wd1, attack her Vier!"
The cannons attached to the starship fired, leaving no trace of Vier behind. The strike hit Cynthia, causing her to gasp in pain as she stumbled back.
Cynthia: LP 2100 - 1100 = 1000
"Since Vier left your field, it's effect also vanishes." Orion pointed out as Aegis's stats returned to normal. "Battle! Clustar Pesci, attack Aegis! Your monster may not be destroyed, but you still take the damage!"
Pesci unleashed two jets of water from its mouths, striking Aegis which created a barrier to protect itself.
Cynthia: LP 1000 - 500 = 500
"She only has 500 Life Points..." Bloody Talker whispered as she dodged an attack of the data giant.
"Well, well, dear Cyndy." Orion teased. "You only have 500 Life Points remaining, while I still have 4000. You have to step up your game or you'll lose. I set a card face-down and end my turn."
"I...told you not to call me by that name!" Cynthia shouted. "Boku no turn! Draw! I normal summon Proto-Cyber Dragon (ATK: 1100/LV: 3)!"
The serpentine bodied machine with dark armor appeared.
"Detekuru! Mirai sekai no kairo!"
Following Cynthia's words, a Link portal opened behind her.
"Arrowheads Confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more Machine monsters, including one Cyber Dragon! I set Cyber Dragon "Aegis" and Proto-Cyber Dragon in the Link Markers!"
Said monsters turned into beams of light as they entered the portal, causing its markers to glow red. "Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Appear, Link 2! Cyber Dragon Zieger (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 2100/Link 2: Bottom, Left)!"
A dragon which resembled Cyber Dragon, but with blue highlights, emerged with a roar.
"Then, I activate the Spell Card Overload Fusion!" Cynthia stated. "By banishing Cyber Dragon "Aegis" and Cyber Dragon Nova from my Graveyard, I perform a Fusion Summon!"
As her two monsters merged in a fusion vortex, Cynthia chanted.
"Minds filled with eternal knowledge, combine your two head here and now, and become a new tyrant meant to rule over mankind! Fusion Summon! Show yourself, Level 5! Chimeratech Rampage Dragon (Dark/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2100/LV: 5)!"
A monster which seemed to be a cross between two Cyber Dragons emerged.
"I activate Rampage Dragon's effect!" Cynthia stated. "When Fusion Summoned, it can destroy Spell or Trap Cards you control up to the number of used materials! I used two, so your back-row is history!"
"In that case, I activate one of them!" Orion shouted. "Pitfall of Naraka! Since you Special Summoned a Monster which has 1500 or more Attack, this Trap destroys your Monster and banishes it!"
"I chain the effect of Cyber Dragon "Aegis"!" Cynthia said. "Since it was banished, I can target one Machine Fusion Monster I control and have it become immune to destruction for this turn! My choice is Rampage Dragon, which means your Trap can't destroy it!"
Orion gritted his teeth.
"I activate Rampage Dragon's other effect!" Cynthia told. "By sending two copies of Cyber Dragon from my deck to the Graveyard, Rampage can now attack two times in addition this turn! I enter my Battle Phase and activate Zieger's effect, raising the Attack and Defense of Rampage Dragon by 2100!"
"What!?" Orion took a step back.
(Rampage: ATK 2100 = 4200/DEF: 1600 = 3700)
"Battle!" Cynthia shouted. "Rampage Dragon, attack Bengt Wd1! Rampant Evolution Burst!"
The heads of the dragon each fired beams which sturk the starship and caused it to explode.
Orion: LP 4000 - 1000 = 3000
"Since Bengt Wd1 left your field, Pesci's Attack returns to 1600 points!" Cynthia pointed out. "Second Battle! Rampage Dragon, attack Pesci next! Rampant Evolution Burst!"
Just like with Bengt Wd1, Pesci was destroyed with ease and Orion was knocked to the ground.
Orion: LP 3000 - 2600 = 400
"This your end, Hanoi!" Cynthia declared. "Final Battle! Rampage Dragon, attack him directly! Rampant Evolution Burst!"
Before the attack could hit Orion, a transparent wall materialized in front of him and protected the Hanoi assassin.
"What happened!?" Cynthia asked confused.
The chuckles of Orion filled the air as he stood up and dusted himself off. "I activated the effect of Sacred Clustar Shield in my Graveyard. By banishing this card, I negated the battle damage I would've received. I admit your dragon's effects took me by surprise a little, but defeating me won't be that easy, dear Cyndy."
Cynthia gritted her teeth. "The turn I activate Zieger's effect, neither player takes battle damage from battles involving it. I set one card face-down and end my turn, Zieger's effect ends."
(Rampage: ATK 4200 = 2100/DEF: 3700 = 1600)
Bloody Talker narrowed his eyes at the field. Cynthia had one set card, Zieger and Rampage Dragon. Since Zieger's effect is a Quick Effect, the SOL agent can activate its effect even during Orion's turn when he declares an attack. Orion has no cards on his field and has two cards in his hand. Victory seems to be on Cynthia's side.
"Whoa!" Bloody Talker gasped as he managed to dodge an attack just in time. The data giant roared in frustration as it wasn't able to capture its prey.
Pro-Pro!
The voice of Protron shouted. Bloody Talker quickly glanced to the side, seeing Protron waving its antenna, mentioning to Pixiel who finishing the download.
However, the data giant heard the call, turning its head at Protron and Pixiel. Before the giant could move, a sharp pain pierced its neck.
"Turning your head away was a great mistake." Bloody Talker said, piercing a needle-like object into the giant's neck, sucking out data. The monster growled in pain before it fell to the ground, its body exploding in particles.
Bloody Talker grinned as he tossed the needle in his hands. "Your level of anger is amazing!" he commented at it. "All I need to do is create a proper program for you, and you can become a beautiful Cyberse Monster for me to use! Protron, Pixiel, good work!"
The two Duel Monsters nodded, the data of all the Cyberse Monsters in the tubes now inside Bloody Talker's duel disk. He wasted no time transmitting all the data he gathered to his computer's software. He turned to watch the duel.
"It was fun while it lasted, dear Cyndy, but it's time I get going. After all, I have another pest to defeat." Orion grinned wide. "Boku no turn! Draw! From my hand, I activate the Spell Card Resurrection of the Dead, letting me revive Clustar Bengt Wd1 from the Graveyard! Then, I normal summon Clustar Drago (Light/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1)!"
A monster which resembled a serpentine bodied dragon with galaxy-patterned scales and golden claws appeared.
"I activate Drago's effect!" Orion stated. "By targeting the "Clustar" Link Monster, Bengt Wd1, I can treat it as a Level 3 monster for every Link Marker it has and tune it with Drago!"
"What!? Giving a Link Monster Levels!?" Cynthia gasped.
"This is the new stepping stone for my deck, using Link Monsters to Synchro Summon!" Orion declared as Drago became one green right which surrounded the giant starship. "Great Queen of the cosmos, descend and bring forth authority to this foolish world! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 10! Clustar Nebula M16 (Light/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2300/LV: 10)!"
The monster that appeared had a female humanoid body with galaxy-patterns, however, instead of a blue-galaxy, its body was covered in a red-glowing galaxy. Nebula M16 had golden wings attached to it instead of arms, it wore a golden helmet with an eagle motif, and golden talons were attached to its feet.
"The effect of Nebula M16 activates!" Orion stated. "When Synchro Summoned using a Link Monster as a material, I can banish one card from your field, hand, or Graveyard! I choose to banish your Cyber Dragon Zieger!"
"No..." Bloody Talker's eyes widen. "Rampage Dragon has 2100 Attack, while Nebula M16 has 3000... as it stands, Cynthia-senpai will lose if Orion attacks..."
"Nebula M16's effect continues!" Orion said. "It gains 100 Attack and Defense for every "Clustar" Monster in my Graveyard. There are nine such Monsters there, so its stats increase by 900 points!"
Cynthia's face paled at this. "Even if I use my set card... I won't survive..."
(Nebula M16: ATK 3000 = 3900)
"AAAHHH, that's what I was waiting for! That look of utter shock on your face is intoxicating!" Orion laughed as he pointed forward. "Now, goodbye, dear Cyndy! It was a good duel and I'd like to prolong it, but as we all know, nothing is eternal! Battle! Nebula M16, attack! Ocypete Punishment!"
Nebula M16, like a lightning, zoomed across the field and pierced through Rampage Dragon's body, causing a massive explosion which blew Cynthia off her feet as she screamed in agony.
Cynthia: LP 500 - 1800 = 0
Winner: Orion!
"C-Cynthia-senpai!" Bloody Talker gasped as he rushed to the SOL agent who laid on the ground.
"...S-Sorry..." she whispered, wincing in pain. "I wasn't able...to do my part of the job..."
"Don't say that." Bloody Talker whispered to her. "You gave it your all."
"And it wasn't enough..." Cynthia muttered as her body started dissolving in red data. "I failed my mother...and you guys...Bloody Talker...look out...and save...Link VRAINS..."
And with that, she completely vanished.
Bloody Talker gritted his teeth as he clenched his fists. "Cynthia...what did you do to her, Orion?"
"She became the foundation to save this foolish world. She is gone for good." The assassin explained. "But man, that was a really sad moment! I almost cried!"
"Then I'll make you cry..." Bloody Talker whispered with a murderous intent as he stood up. He glared at Orion. "I'll make you cry in defeat before me!"
"You're kinda late for that." Orion said. The ground suddenly started shaking and the walls collapsed. "A new game already started." Orion chuckled as he logged out.
Bloody Talker growled in frustration and logged out himself, just before the walls broke apart and the room was no more.
In Real World: Kioku's apartment...
The moment Kioku returned to the real world, he ran to his computer and activated a visual over Link VRAINS.
"What!?"
He gasped upon seeing a giant beam of light shooting out of the ground and reaching the sky. Red tendrils shot out the ground next, enveloping the tower of light before it exploded. As the light died down, Kioku's eyes widen.
"...The heck is that thing...?"
Poor Cynthia is DEAD! I still feel sorry for making her die, but it was inevitable.
Before any of you ask, no, the Cyberse Monsters which Kioku saved in the sewers won't make an appearance, only in season 2.
Starting from the next chapter, the Tower of Hanoi arc begins!
Onto Season 2 matters!
As I thought, Bohman was being controlled by the evil star-group, and Haru was lying to him.
Takeru and Yusaku are a team now, and we discover Takeru is Go's fan.
I didn't expect Go using a new deck, but I guess the writers did that to showcase some new decks. Not that I mind. We also found out why Go chose to work for SOL, and in the next episode, we'll discover more of Takeru's past.
Well, that's all for today, hope you guys liked the chapter. Don't forget to review!
Fan-made Cards:
Orion:
- Clustar Ariete (Light/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 100/DEF: 1900/LV: 2)
(Quick Effect): When your opponent activates a Monster Effect in response to the activation of the effect of a "Cluster" Monster you control, you can reveal this card from your hand to negate that effect. Then, Special Summon this card (from your hand). When this card Special Summoned by this effect leaves the field, banish it.
- Clustar Leone (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 2000/DEF: 500/LV: 6)
Once per turn, you can Special Summon 1"Clustar" monster from your hand. Once per turn (Quick Effect): When a "Clustar" monster you control would leave the field; It doesn't.
- Clustar Pesci (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1600/Link 2: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right)
2 "Clustar" monster
When this card is Link Summoned, or a "Clustar" monster is special summoned to a zone this card points to: Gain 600 LP. For every "Clustar" Monster in a zone this card points to, all monsters you control gain 400 ATK.
- Clustar Sagittario (Light/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2600/DEF: 1900/LV: 8)
1 "Clustar" Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuners
When this card is Synchro Summoned, inflict 200 damage to your opponent for every Level a monster used for this card's summon had on the field. Whenever a "Clustar" monster you control destroys an opponent's monster by battle or by its effect, this card and that monster gain 200 ATK.
- Clustar Compass
Normal Spell
Reveal 1"Clustar" monster in your hand.Then add from your deck to your hand 1"Clustar" monster with a different namethan the revealed monster. Except the turn this card is sent to the GY, banish this card from your GY: Target 1 "Clustar" monster in your GY; Add that target to your hand.
- Clustar Libra (Light/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 500/LV: 1)
When a face-up "Clustar" monster you control is targeted for an attack: Special Summon this card from your hand or GY; Negate that attack but banish this card the next time it's sent to the GY. You can only use this effect once per turn.
- Clustar Constellation
Normal Trap
Target one "Clustar" Monster in your GY; Special Summon it. You can only activate one "Clustar Constellation" per turn.
- Clustar Capricorno (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 100/Link 1: Bottom)
1 "Clustar" monster
When this card is Link Summoned, target one "Clustar" Monster in your GY with a Level: Special Summon it to a zone this card points to with its effects negated. Once per Duel, when a "Clustar" monster is special summoned to a zone this card points to: Draw one card.
- Clustar Scorpione (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1900/DEF: 400/LV: 5)
Reveal and discard this card from your hand: This turn, when a "Clustar" Monster you control attacks an opponent's Defense Position monster, inflict piercing damage to them. All "Clustar" Monsters you control can deal piercing damage.
- Sacred Clustar Shield
Normal Trap
When you would take battle or effect damage while you control at least one "Clustar" Monster, negate that damage. Banish this card from your GY when you would take one instance of battle or effect damage to negate that damage.
- Clustar Drago (Light/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1)
(Quick Effect): Once per turn, you can target one "Clustar" Link Monster you control; For every Link Marker it has, treat it as a Level 3 Monster. After this effect resolves, Synchro Summon one "Clustar" Synchro Monster using monsters you control as materials.
- Clustar Nebula M16 (Light/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2300/LV: 10)
1 Machine Tuner + 1 or more "Clustar" non-Tuners
When this card is Synchro Summoned, you can destroy one card on the field. If this card was Synchro Summoned using a Link Monster as material, you can banish one card from your opponent's field, hand, or GY instead. This card gains 100 ATK and DEF for every "Clustar" in your GY. When this card is destroyed (by the opponent), you can target one "Clustar" Monster in your GY: Special Summon it.
- Trivia: This card is based on the Eagle Nebula (cataloged as Messier 16 or M16) which is a young open cluster of stars in the constellation Serpens.
Cyndy (Cynthia):
- Cyber Reboot
Normal Trap
When a "Cyber" Monster you control is destroyed by the opponent, you can Special Summon one "Cyber" Monster from your deck, ignoring its summoning conditions. During your Main Phase, you can banish this card from your GY to change all "Cyber Dragon" you control to Defense Position and draw one card for each.
- Cyber Dragon "Aegis" (Light/Machine/Effect/ATK: 1600/DEF: 2100/LV: 5)
You can Special Summon this card from your hand when your opponent declares a direct attack. This card cannot be destroyed by battle. If this card is banished: You can target 1 Machine Fusion Monster you control; it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn. This card's name becomes "Cyber Dragon" while on the field or in the GY.
- Cybernetic Overdrive
Quick-Play Spell
Target one "Cyber" Monster you control: Increase its ATK by 500, and whenever it destroys an opponent's monster by battle this turn, you can draw 1 card. During the End Phase of the turn you activate this card, destroy the targeted monster. You can only activate one "Cybernetic Overdrive" per turn.
- Cybernetic Back-Up
Counter Trap
Activate when you take damage by a card effect: You take no further effect damage this turn. Then, if you control at least one "Cyber Dragon", you can draw one card and gain 800 LP. You can only activate one "Cybernetic Back-Up" per turn.