(IMPORTANT NOTE: I went back to chapter 6 and changed what Kioku read on the files stolen from Hanoi. Reasons will be evident in this chapter.)
Wow, I can't believe I already finished another chapter... I'm on a roll with VRAINS!
Now, before any of you shout at me, I didn't forget my Arc-V story. Since we're near the end of Season 1, my brain just won't think of anything else but this story. At least, once this Season 1 is over, I can fully focus on the Arc-V.
I'm telling this now: once Season 1 is over, I won't start Season 2 until the canon's Season 2 is over. I don't want to make the same mistake I did with Season 1, not waiting until half of it.
I'll still update this story, little chapters with Kioku in the real world and deepening the bonds with his friends.
Thanks for all your reviews for the last chapters, and I'm really happy all of you liked it!
In response to HunterHQ's review:
- I agree with Blue Girl and Ghost Girl staying a little more. They had to do a lot to arrive there, it will be nice to see them get more character development. I also agree with what you said about Bohman. Windy... I think Windy will help a little, but by using the excuse of helping the Ignis which Playmaker or Soulburner has instead of the humans.
In response to Lindia Fullmoom's review:
- Well, I only made it a little obvious when Orion showed Spectre the recording in chapter 12. I was planning for that plot twist the moment I introduced Orion. Revolver could've activated the Trap Card because he still had Topologic Amygdala Dragon, a fan-made Cyberse Monster I gave him. But yeah, if he didn't have Amygdala, then Trisbaena was the only one who could've saved Revolver. Also yeah, Revolver and Bloody Talker will use the cards against each other.
In response to Tiny Pink Kitten's review:
- It's nice to know my favorite villain has a Goku button XD I agree with Siegfried having a bad effect if he uses Stardust, but who else could use it? I mean, I don't want to introduce a new character just for Stardust, Kioku or Playmaker having it in their decks doesn't really go well, so Siegfried is really the only option. Maybe he could use Stardust as a sign... of peace? I'll see what to do with it in the future, but Stardust will appear. Kioku and Ryoken will meet one more time in real life, and their reactions will be somewhat like that, hehe.
In response to Vrains Fan's review:
- Bloody Talker already has a corrupted version of Imbuk. It first made its appearance in chapter 3 and is used again in this chapter.
QUICK NOTE: My fan-made Opening is now complete! Read it and maybe compare it to the one in chapter 6 (which is the first chapter in which the OP appears) to see the things that changed.
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 Spectre. 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 Orion 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 Clustar Ofiuco loomed over them.
(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 14:
Guidance From Your Loved Ones
In Link VRAINS: Den City - Bridge...
Bloody Talker and Playmaker gritted their teeth as they run, the wires of the bridge starting to burn away.
"The bridge!" Pigeon gasped.
"Hurry guys!" Frog shouted. "The bridge is falling apart!"
"It would be lovely if you would help us instead of-!"
Before Bloody Talker could finish, the floor under them crumbled. They cried out as they fell into the darkness below.
[We're falling we're falling we're falling we're falling!] Ai cried out as he waved his hands.
"I can't summon my Monsters because of Hanoi's program!" Bloody Talker gasped, remembering the Tower of Hanoi stopped him from summoning his Monsters outside a Duel.
Suddenly, a strange yet familiar feeling crossed their heads, causing them to widen their eyes. A large amount of Data Storm emerged from the abyss, wrapping around Bloody Talker and Playmaker and lifting them towards the sky, letting the two jump onto the undestroyed floor.
"They made it!" Pigeon sighed in relief.
"Did you do this, Ai?" Playmaker asked, glancing at his partner.
[Huh? Of course not.] Ai shrugged.
"Then what was that feeling...?" Bloody Talker wondered.
[Guys, there are more important things to look out for.] Ai pointed out, gesturing to the Tower. [The third level is finished! We only have three hours remaining.]
"If the sixth is complete, it's over." Playmaker muttered. "We have to hurry. Let's go!"
Bloody Talker nodded, following Playmaker who ran ahead. After minutes of running, the two found themselves in the City Area once again, but most of the buildings there were destroyed, and sand materialized from the crumblings.
"All of this running is getting pretty annoying!" Bloody Talker complained, his breathing heavy from hours of running and Dueling.
"There is no other way to get to the Tower!" Playmaker pointed out. "We have no other choice but to use our feet!"
"Hey! Guys!"
The voice of Frog shouted, prompting the two hackers to stop and look at him and Pigeon, who descended from the sky.
"Somebody is Dueling there." Frog explained, pointing a finger at the direction.
[Seriously!?] Ai exclaimed as he emerged from the Duel Disk. [Who is Dueling?]
"It's too far." Pigeon told. "We cannot see anything from here!"
"Since Blue Angel and Spectre are gone, only Go Onizuka is left." Playmaker said. "But who is he Dueling? Can it be... Revolver?"
"The leader decided to enter the fray, it seems." Bloody Talker commented. "Or it could be Orion for that matter. We have to go and see. But more importantly..."
Bloody Talker glared in a childish way at the two cameramen, making them flinch.
"Why didn't you guys help us at the bridge!?" he asked. "I'm still mad at you because of that."
"U-Um, look!" Frog quickly shouted. "An explosion! It came from the direction someone is Dueling!"
"You're lying." Bloody Talker said, causing them to flinch again. "I guess we can leave this conversation for later. Playmaker, let's go."
The other youth nodded, and they left.
"That was close, Yamamoto-senpai..." Pigeon sighed.
"I know..." Frog did the same. "Hey! Don't use my real name! And don't just stand here! Go after them!"
"Yes, sir!" Pigeon shouted as they followed the two hackers.
Bloody Talker and Playmaker rushed to the direction Frog told them to, arriving at an area covered in sand, almost like a desert. And among that desert, where two Duelists: Revolver and Go.
[It's Mister Wrestler!] Ai cheered. [And look at his field! He's full of vigor!]
"Revolver..." Playmaker whispered as he narrowed his eyes.
"You're late, Playmaker, Bloody Talker!" Go grinned at them. "I'll be the one to defeat Revolver! Stay quiet and watch you two!"
"Distracted by bystanders when you're facing me?" Revolver remarked. "You must be very confident. Watashi no turn! Draw!"
The Hanoi leader wasn't playing around: he quickly and easily Link Summon a Link 3 Dragon, Three Burst Shot Dragon, and by using Go's Gouki Thunder Ogre's effect to his advantage, Revolver Link Summoned Topologic Bomber Dragon.
Using that dragon's effect, Full Overlap, Revolver destroyed the majority of Go's field, but since Thunder Ogre was in the Extra Monster Zone, it was spared from the dragon's effect. However, not even Thunder Ogre was able to escape from the dragon's attack.
Just as Revolver did, Go used Topologic Bomber Dragon's effect to his advantage, destroying the dragon with Gouki Shadow Ogre. But the Hanoi leader was unfazed, using the effect of Link Protection, he stopped Go from attacking unless he controls four Link Monsters.
This didn't wager Go's spirit. Using several effects of his Monsters and a Spell, he was able to gather four Link Monsters!
"Ho, not bad!" Bloody Talker commented with a grin. "He really is full of vigor today!"
[Now he has four Link Monsters!] Ai pointed out. [Which means Link Protection can't stop him from attacking! But why are you so depressed, Playmaker-sama?]
"Something's wrong here..." Playmaker said. "Revolver is being too confident as if he expected Go Onizuka to avoid Link Protection's effect..."
His eyes suddenly widen. "That must be it...!"
"I promised to protect Link VRAINS so the children would smile!" Go explained. "That's why I, Go Onizuka, will defeat you!"
Revolver only smirked in return. "I don't hate passionate people like you, rather, I love Dueling them. I think they can bring out the best that's within me, forcing me to use all I got in a Duel. However, that doesn't mean I can't be cold-hearted in a Duel."
"Well then, feel happy I was able to force you into a corner!" Go shouted. "Battle! Gouki The Great Ogre attacks you directly! Taste defeat, Revolver!"
"Don't be so sure!" Revolver yelled. "Sink in the abyss of bottomless despair!"
The last card on Revolver's field, a face-down in his Spell/Trap Zone, flipped up and glowed with an immense light, making everyone cover their eyes from its intensity.
"Playmaker..." Bloody Talker muttered. "Is that card...!?"
"Yes..." Playmaker nodded. "It's the card Ghost Girl warned us about!"
"Behold, Seinaru Baria - Mirror Force!" Revolver declared. "With this Trap Card, all Monsters my opponent controls in Attack Position are destroyed!"
The light enveloped Go's Monster, each one of them vaporized by the heat and exploded.
"W-What!?" Go gasped. The light finally died down, and the Mirror Force vanished from the field. "Impossible..." Go muttered in utter shock as he stared at the ground. "The terrifying card Playmaker mentioned was Mirror Force!?"
Revolver burst into laughter upon seeing Go's expression.
"Since Link Monsters can't be placed in Defense Position, they are the perfect prey for Mirror Force." Playmaker pointed out. "Link Protection's true goal was to destroy all Link Monsters Go would summon."
"That is truly a wonderful yet terrifying plan." Bloody Talker commented. "As expected from Revolver."
Go seemed to be loosing, but his spirit was actually burning more intensively now. In his Main Phase 2, he built up a solid formation from nothing and ended his turn.
Revolver took his turn, and using his "Vullet" Monsters, he was able to destroy all of Go's Monsters and attack him directly.
Once again, Go's spirit was unfazed, and during his turn, by using a combination of effects, he Link Summoned a new Link 4 Monster, Gouki The Giant Ogre. With its attack, Go was able to reduce Revolver's LP to 900 in one hit!
Even then, Revolver summoned a bunch of dragons in one go and tried to destroy The Giant Ogre, but the latter's effect blocked the leader's attempts.
[What is Revolver going to do?] Ai wondered, seeing Go had 1000 LP while Revolver 900. [With the last attack, their Life Points are about equal. Revolver has zero cards in his hand!]
"But look at his field." Playmaker pointed out.
"He has three Effect Monsters and a Link 2 Monster." Bloody Talker said. "The field is set for Varrelload Dragon. However..."
"Varrelload Dragon would be useless in this condition." Go thought, narrowing his eyes at the opponent's field. "The Giant Ogre is unaffected by the effects of Monster which have fewer Attack Points than itself. Varrelload has 3000 Attack, and even if Revolver uses its effect to lower my Monster's Attack, that's still not enough to take down The Giant Ogre. Victory is mine to take!"
"Kengen seyo, waga michi o terasu mirai kairo!"
A new Link Portal opened in front of Revolver. "Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning conditions are three or more Effect Monsters! I set Hibernation, Shellvullet, and the Link 2 Booster Dragon in the Link Markers!"
The three dragons morphed into four twisters of different colors, each entering the portal. "Circuit Combine! My gale that slices open the closed world! Link Summon! Appear, Link 4! Varrelsword Dragon (ATK: 3000/Link 4: Top, Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom)!"
The alternative form of Varrelload Dragon which had a sword attached to its head emerged from the portal with a roar.
[That looks tough!] Ai commented.
"It has the same Attack and almost exact appearance as Varrelload." Playmaker told. "But does it have a different effect for this situation?"
"Its aura is different from Varrelload..." Bloody Talker said. "I can sense a strong conviction coming from this dragon, almost like a blade which cuts through a raging storm in order to create a path to victory..."
"You had another Link 4 Monster under your sleeve...?" Go wondered as he stared at the new dragon.
"I can't believe I was forced to play Varrelsword." Revolver muttered. "But it's the end of the line for you! I don't agree with the lame idea to fight for others, or for myself. I just fight to carry out my goal, that's all! Battle! Varrelsword Dragon, attack Giant Ogre!"
"Counterattack, Giant Ogre!" Go shouted. "Ogre Sword!"
The two Link Monsters clashed fiercely, swinging their swords at each other. As the blades collided, massive waves of energy were created, even forcing back Frog and Pigeon, blowing them away.
"Varrelsword Dragon can't be destroyed by battle once per turn!" Revolver stated.
"Giant Ogre also isn't destroyed by this battle!" Go added.
"In that case, I activate Varrelsword's effect!" Revolver declared. "After damage calculation, this card gains half the Attack of a Monster it battled, while that Monster's Attack is cut in half!"
(Varrelsword: ATK 3000 = 4500; The Giant Ogre: ATK 3000 = 1500)
[Since Varrelsword had more Attack than Giant Ogre, its effect was able to affect Onizuka's Link Monster!] Ai cried out. [He's in a pinch!]
"Since Giant Ogre has 1500 Attack, Metalvullet Dragon which has 2000 Attack can now use its effect on Go's Link Monster." Bloody Talker pointed out. "Not bad, Revolver..."
"I activate Varrelsword Dragon's Quick Effect!" Revolver shouted. "Once per turn, I can target one face-up Monster on the field and change it to Defense Position! I target Matalvullet! But at this moment, Matalvullet's own effect activates and self-destructs!
Metalvullet Dragon turned into a sphere of blue energy which entered Varrelsword's chamber on its chest, causing it to activate and rotate at great speed.
"All cards in your zones vertical to Metalvullet Dragon are destroyed!" Revolver said. "Take this! Zero Bullet Fire!"
Opening its mouth wide as a cannon emerged from it, Varrelsword unleashed a beam of energy from it. Go and Giant Ogre cried out in pain as the beam washed over them, enveloping the field in smoke. As the smoke cleared, Go and Giant Ogre were standing there.
[He survived!] Ai gasped. [How!?]
"When Giant Ogre's Attack changes, it gains 1000 Attack until the turn's end." Go reminded, his Giant Ogre indeed had 2500 ATK. "That effect activated the moment your Varrelsword decreased its Attack! And since Giant Ogre had more Attack than Metalvullet, the latter's effect didn't affect it. Too bad for you!"
"I don't feel like winning so inelegantly." Revolver said with a smirk. "When I use Zero Bullet Fire during my turn, Varrelsword can attack again during the Battle Phase!"
"What!?" Go gasped. "Damn, even if I use the effect of Gouki Octostretch in my hand to halve the battle damage, I would still take 1000 damage, enough to deplete all my Life Points...!"
"This is the end." Revolver announced in a low and scary voice. "Go! Electric Varrel Sword Slash!"
The Giant Ogre tried to protect itself by using its sword, but Varrelsword deflected it by using its tail. Swinging the sword attached to its head, Varrelsword cut The Giant Ogre's body in half, causing a massive explosion which enveloped Go.
As the smoke cleared once again, it revealed Go standing, his head low.
[H-He survived again!] Ai cheered.
"No..." Playmaker gritted his teeth. "Go Onizuka's Life Points are already zero."
Go: LP 1000 - 2000 = 0
Winner: Revolver!
Go's body started dissolving in particles of red data. The Charisma Duelist looked up, smiling.
"This was the best I could do." he told the two hackers. "I leave the rest up to you guys!"
"Thanks to you, I was able to learn Revolver's strategies." Playmaker told. "Thank you, Go Onizuka."
Go chuckled. He was smiling, but his expression clearly showed sadness.
"Sorry, kids..." Go thought as he stared at the sky. "I wasn't strong enough in the end..."
The body of Go dissolved, its particles flying towards the giant Tower of Hanoi in front of our heroes.
"You finally arrived." Revolver spoke up. "Bloody Talker, Playmaker, we're the only Duelists left in Link VRAINS. It's time to bring this to an end."
"Yeah..." Playmaker muttered as he turned to glare at Revolver, his eyes burning with determination. "I won't let you have your way anymore!"
"Very well." Revolver smiled. "Let's settle this with a Duel. However... you are in two, while I'm alone. Was your final plan to take make this a two-on-one Duel and defeat me easily before the Tower could finish?"
"We already decided who will Duel you in the end, Revolver." Playmaker said as he stepped forward. "It will be-!"
Playmaker was caught off guard as a fist collided with his gut, hard. The youth gasped in pain as he fell to one knee, moving his gaze to the fist's owner.
"B-Bloody Talker..." he muttered, staring at the said person.
[P-P-Playmaker-sama!] Ai exclaimed in shock.
"The one to Duel you, Revolver, is me." Bloody Talker grinned as he stood in front of the injured Playmaker.
[Oi! What gives!] Ai snapped. [The ones to win the Duel between you and Playmaker was-!]
"You guys indeed." Bloody Talker glanced at them, an amused look on his face. "But who said I didn't want you to win?"
"W-What...?" Playmaker asked.
"I went easy on you in that Duel, Playmaker." Bloody Talker lowered his head until he was staring directly into the other's eyes. "Very easy, maybe too easy. Remember my first turn in that Duel? When I skipped my Battle Phase because of your Markers' Disaster's effect? Well, you know what I could've done then?"
With a wave of his hand, a holographic screen appeared beside Bloody Talker, showing a replay of the Duel.
"You controlled Flame Administrator and a set card which was Shield Handler." Bloody Talker explained. "I had Blooming Flame and Recepier-V. I could've used Blooming Flame's effect to destroy Recepier-V and deal you 800 damage. Recepier-V's effect would've activated, allowing me to add Corrupted Relic - Creeper Crown to my hand, a Monster which I had back then in my deck. Using Creeper Crown's effect to Special Summon itself, I would've used it and the Link 2 Blooming Flame to summon Lees. Creeper Crown would resurrect thanks to its effect, and with Lees, she would've destroyed it and banish Flame Administrator. Creeper Crown's last effect makes Lees gain 1000 Attack, putting her up to 3500 Attack. Lees is a Link 3, which means Markers' Disaster can't stop her from attacking you directly."
"My Life Points were 3200... and Lees had 3500 Attack..." Playmaker's eyes widen. "An OTK..."
[B-But we had Shield Handler!] Ai pointed out. [We could've used it to negate your Blooming Flame's effect!]
"Even if you did that, I still would've had Blooming Flame and Recepier-V." Bloody Talker pointed out. "Using them, I could've Link Summon any of my Link 3 Monsters, attack and destroy Flame Administrator. You had Markers' Charge in your hand if I remember correctly, meaning you had a card which you couldn't use. The other card in your hand could've been Balancer Lord or Foal Infra-wings, which maybe could've helped you, or the Equip Spell Code-Shield, totally useless. You were utterly defeated, Playmaker."
"Then why..." Playmaker asked as his stomach still hurt. "Why did you...choose to lose?"
"The winner of that Duel would've Dueled Revolver in the final battle." Bloody Talker reminded. "If I would've won, you could've done the same thing I did, punch me in the gut to take over the Duel. But if I were to lose... you would've lowered your guard, allowing me to stab you from behind. I wanted to assure myself I will be the one to Duel Revolver."
[You...! You two-face!] Ai fumed. [I thought we're all friends!]
"Oh, of course, we are!" Bloody Talker exclaimed. "But sometimes you have to shadow your bonds to achieve what you want. I did that, but I still see you two as friends. I hope you can understand me."
Bloody Talker turned around, staring at Revolver.
"Let's start already." he said, glancing at the Tower. "Your little toy completed its fourth disc already. I don't want to waste any more of my time."
"Very well." Revolver smiled wider. "Follow me, Bloody Talker!"
The Hanoi leader jumped into the air, his D-Board materializing under his feet. Bloody Talker did the same, the two dashing towards the sky where the Data Storm was intense.
[We can't see them from here!] Ai shouted. [What do we do!?]
"Log Out." Playmaker said as the pain slowly went away. "We'll see the Duel...from Kusanagi-san's computer."
[Roger!] Ai nodded as he activated the Log Out option, he and Playmaker vanishing.
In Real World: Shoichi's van (inside)...
"Yusaku!"
Shoichi gasped upon seeing the door to the secret room open, Yusaku holding his stomach in pain.
"What happened!?"
"I had to use the LVSS's emergency program...to Log Out." Yusaku explained as he sat down in a chair. "Bloody Talker...he backstabbed me and just started Dueling Revolver."
"What!?" Shoichi's eyes widen. "He lost on purpose in your last Duel with him?"
[Yes.] Ai answered as he emerged from the Duel Disk. [He punched Yusaku-chan in the gut quite hard and flew away with Revolver! I'm still mad at him!]
"Kusanagi-san, do you have visual over Link VR?" Yusaku asked.
"Yes. It just came back on, but there is no audio." Shoichi told, gesturing to the only computer screen on, which showed Bloody Talker and Revolver on their D-Boards. "Ten years after the incident, will this be the final Duel?"
Yusaku stayed silent as he watched.
In Link VRAINS: Tower of Hanoi - fourth disc...
Bloody Talker grunted in annoyance as he dodged another giant debris of a building, Revolver doing the same.
"Bloody Talker, allow me to create the perfect battle stage for our last Duel!" Revolver shouted as he moved his hand forward, which glowed brightly.
The Data Storm seemed to gather around them, creating a tunnel of wind for the two to ride in, the debris being deflected by the walls of the tunnel.
"Consider this a thank you." Revolver told. "For the card you gave me, Cyberse Redemption."
"Hoh? You actually used that card?" Bloody Talker grinned.
"Yes, and it did help me," Revolver explained. "To defeat Orion."
"That annoying Hanoi assassin?" Bloody Talker raised an eyebrow. "What happened? Did he make you snap?"
"He followed me and recorded our secret agreement." Revolver said, shocking the hacker. "But it didn't matter since I defeated and turned him into data."
"We should be more careful the next time, right?" Bloody Talker shrugged.
"I would agree, but there won't be a next time." Revolver sternly told. "Because the winner will be me, and the Tower will complete."
"During your Duel with Onizuka, you said you want to carry out your goal." Bloody Talker pointed out. "What's that goal? Kill the Ignis? However, to kill the one Ignis Playmaker has, you really have to threaten the entire world with this Tower!? That's crazy!"
"Say what you want." Revolver scoffed. "But all of this wouldn't have happened if Playmaker simply gave me the Ignis. I have no intention of stopping anymore. I lost too many people to arrive at this point! I will kill all the Ignises hiding inside the network!"
"In that case, I won't allow you to do that!" Bloody Talker argued. "If your plan manages to succeed, then my Ignis will also perish!"
"Your Ignis, you say?" Revolver narrowed his eyes. "Siegfried was the one to tell you there is an Ignis that behaves like you. Do you think that Ignis is yours?"
"I still don't know anything there is to the Ignis." Bloody Talker said. "But if that one Ignis, IGNF1, is really like me, that must mean something. It's a sign for me to follow!"
"IGNF1 is someone you don't want to let free." Revolver scoffed. "Leave him be in his prison and forget about him!"
"Prison?" Bloody Talker parroted. "What do you mean!?"
"Weren't you the one who didn't want to waste time?" Revolver asked with a sly smile.
"I don't care! Tell me!" Bloody Talker ordered.
"Well, since you came all the way here, I guess I could tell you." Revolver finally agreed. "In the Hanoi Project, or as you call it Lost Incident, a researcher from SOL Technology, Kogami Kiyoshi, forced six children to Duel... but! In reality, that's just a lie invented by SOL who put Dr. Kogami in a coma with a computer virus!"
"Lie...?" Bloody Talker whispered. "Computer virus...? What do you mean? In the data I retrieved from the Hanoi base-!"
"That was an article written by SOL to soften the incident!" Revolver revealed. "But in reality, not six, but eight children were captured!"
Bloody Talker almost fell off his D-Board from the shock. "Eight...you say...?"
"Two of the eight Ignises, IGNF1 and IGNF2, were initial tests." Revolver went on. "You and a little girl were the first experiments from which those two Ignises were born. 'IGNF' stays for 'Ignis Failure', because IGNF1 and IGNF2 were failures of the Ignises that Dr. Kogami tried to create. However, not even the incoming six Ignises were the ones Dr. Kogami wanted to achieve. After running billions of simulations, the only outcome he got was the end of humanity because of the Ignis! That's why the Knights of Hanoi want to eliminate them, to save humanity!"
"Especially IGNF1 and IGNF2. Those two were the most dangerous." Revolver added. "Those two were the first ones to create the Cyberse race! Dr. Kogami, in fear of what the two initial Ignises could do, locked them up in special prisons hidden in the network, where no living soul could find them. If the Tower of Hanoi activates, even those two will be destroyed!"
"...Running billions of simulations is useless!" Bloody Talker finally spoke up, still affected by what he just hurt. "There can always be an error in them!"
"I would agree if we would be talking about few tests." Revolver said. "But when I say billion, I really mean a billion. Kogami couldn't believe such an outcome himself, but in the end, he had no other choice but decide to kill the Ignis."
"But why exactly my Ignis had to be the failure!?" Bloody Talker asked. "Why couldn't it be Playmaker's!?"
"It was because of you, Bloody Talker." Revolver answered.
"Me? What did I do?"
"The Ignises aren't exact replicas of the children," Revolver explained. "They were born from the samples Dr. Kogami obtained from the eight children. IGNF1... seeing you constantly being hurt, used, and when he was sealed away by Dr. Kogami, the fear of IGNF1 of not being able to rescue you took the shape of a monster. You weren't there to see it, but I was. Believe me... the first time I saw IGNF1 snap... I still have nightmares from what I saw."
"Even then... it was Dr. Kogami who made the eight children suffer to start with!" Bloody Talker pointed out. "The Ignises aren't the problem, but humans!"
"That is exactly right." Revolver nodded. "Because humanity is foolish and greedy, the Ignis will see them as an enemy no matter what. However, it's too late to try and change the entire humanity, don't you think? Humanity will never be able to change. That's our fatal flaw. I think we talked enough. Let's start already."
"I won't let your plan succeed!" Bloody Talker vowed. "I'll discover the truth there is about the incident!"
"DUEL!" the two youths shouted, racing across the tunnel of Data Storm.
Revolver: LP 4000
VS
Bloody Talker: LP 4000
(The Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.)
"I will start our final Duel!" Revolver announced as four cards materialized in front of him. Upon seeing the one on his leftmost, he let out a sly grin. "Destiny says to crush you without mercy. From my hand, I normal summon Wyvern Glider (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 500/LV: 4)!"
A monster which resembled a wyvern, covered in silver-grey metal and kite wings colored the same way, appeared and flew beside its user.
"Then, I activate the Continous Spell Card Grief of the Dead!" Revolver stated. "With this card, both players cannot activate any Monster Effects from their Graveyards!"
"What!?" Bloody Talker gritted his teeth. "And anti-"Creeper" card?"
"That's right." Revolver confirmed. "Since the effects of your Creepers activate in the Graveyard, as long as I have Grief of the Dead, you cannot activate them. I set one card face-down and end my turn!"
"A Monster with 500 Attack and one set card..." Bloody Talker thought. "Could it be? Mirror Force? Either way, I already elaborated a plan to counter Revolver's Mirror Force while he finished his Duel with Go Onizuka. However, his Grief of the Dead is very troublesome... I have to destroy it somehow, but with my current hand... I can't get rid of his face-down and Grief of the Dead at the same time..."
"If you're thinking about destroying Grief of the Dead, I suggest you forget about it." Revolver spoke up. "My Wyvern Glider has an effect which by lowering its Defense by 500 points, I negate an effect which would make a face-up Spell or Trap Card I control leave the field."
"If that's the case, I know what to do. Wagahai no turn!" the hacker declared. "Draw! From my hand, I normal summon Creeper Dendrache (ATK: 1350/LV: 1)!"
The "Creeper" Monster with several mechanical legs attached to the end of its body, two giant grasshopper legs attached to its front, having a single red eye and right under that, a sphere of glass with a human heart dripping venom, appeared.
"Dendrache's effect!" Bloody Talker stated. "When it's Summoned, I can send any "Creeper" Monster from my deck to the Graveyard. I dump Creeper Axout-C!"
After doing so, the hacker threw his hand forward as light enveloped it.
"Arawarero, watashi no aite o korosu sākitto!"
A Link Portal materialized upon those words. "Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning condition is one "Creeper" Monster! I set Creeper Dendrache in the Link Marker!"
Said Monster screeched as it morphed into a purple twister and entered the portal, causing the Bottom Marker to lit up. "Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Come to me, Creeper Quaropsis (ATK: 50/Link 1: Bottom)!"
The "Creeper" Link Monster with a very long body and several wires acting as legs, three sets of insect wings attached to it, a sphere of glass with a human heart dripping venom instead of a head, and one eye attached to the end of its tail, emerged from the portal.
"I activate Quaropsis' effect when Link Summoned!" Bloody Talker stated. "I can resurrect a "Creeper" Monster from my Graveyard and summon it under Quaropsis' Bottom Link Marker by negating its effects! Revive, Creeper Axout-C! System Reboot!"
The Link 1 Monster screeched as its eye glowed, Axout-C emerging from a GY Portal which formed behind it.
"I activate the effect of Creeper Gliater in my hand, discarding it to revive Creeper Dendrache from my Graveyard!"
Following Bloody Talker's words, another GY Portal opened as Dendrache emerged from it. Revolver only glanced back with a smile, causing Bloody Talker to narrow his eyes.
"You seem very confident." the hacker commented. "You won't be for too long though! Arawarero, watashi no aite o korosu sākitto!"
Another Link Portal appeared. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two "Creeper" Monsters. I set Creeper Dendrache and Creeper Quaropsis in the Link Markers! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Manifest yourself, Jack Creeper of the Crimson Sky (ATK: 2150/Link 2: Bottom, Right)!"
The hacker's corrupted knight emerged from the portal with an ear-piercing battle cry.
"I activate my Crimson Sky's effect!" Bloody Talker went on. "By destroying Axout-C next to its link, I draw one card!"
Upon drawing, Bloody Talker glanced at it, his lips curving into a grin. "Perfect. The effect of Axout-C is negated by Grief of the Dead, but that won't be enough to stop me! I set two cards face-down and Battle! Crimson Sky, do it! Attack Wyvern Glider!"
"As you wish, I'll show it to you: the noble power of Hanoi!" Revolver declared as his set card flipped up, glowing with an immense light. "Seinaru Baria - Mirror Force, activate!"
"Thanks to Ghost Girl and Go Onizuka's sacrifices, I learned you have Mirror Force." Bloody Talker said. "And I'm ready to counter it! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Algorithm Break! When you activate a Spell or Trap Card during my turn and I control a Cyberse Link Monster, I can negate its activation and shuffle it back into your deck!"
"With the little time you had at your disposal, you were able to think of a way to counter Mirror Force." Revolver chuckled. "Impressive. However, not good enough! I activate Wyvern Glider's other effect! During the Battle Phase, when an effect which would negate the activation of my card is activated, by lowering Wyvern Glider's Attack by 500, that effect is negated!"
"What did you say!?" Bloody Talker's eyes widen.
(Wyvern Glider: ATK 500 = 0)
"Since Algorithm Break's effect was negated, Mirror Force goes through!" Revolver reminded. "All Monsters you control in Attack Position are destroyed!"
A beam was fired from the Trap Card, piercing Crimson Sky's body and destroying it. Bloody Talker was even blown back by the destruction.
"What destructive power..." he muttered.
"When an effect destroys a Monster on the field," Revolver explained as he tapped the last card in his hand. "I can Special Summon Overflow Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 3) from my hand in defense mode!"
A dragon with brown scales, covered in yellow, grey, and black armor, and without legs appeared. Its arms were tied to its shoulders along with its mouth. The dragon had six, black colored, blade-like wings attached to its back, flames burning on their tips.
"If at least two cards were destroyed, Overflow Dragon Special Summons one Overflow Token (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1) to my field, also in defense mode!"
Following Revolver's words, a monster which resembled a wyvern but without legs, made entirely of flames, appeared.
"He has three Monsters now..." Bloody Talker scoffed. "I end my turn."
"Watashi no turn!" Revolver cried out. "Draw! Arawarero, waga michi o terasu mirai kairo!"
A ray of light shot out his hand as a Link Portal opened before him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Dragon-Type Monsters. I set Overflow Dragon and Overflow Token in the Link Markers!"
Said monsters roared as they turned into twisters of yellow and orange wind respectively and entered the Bottom and Right Link Markers, making them glow red. "Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Appear, Link 2! Cannon Buster Dragon (ATK: 1800/Link 2: Bottom, Right)!"
The four-legged dragon with sand-colored scales, several dark-green armor plates attached to its legs, back, and head, and a giant cannon on its back, emerged from the Link Portal with a roar.
"Appear for the second time, waga michi o terasu mirai kairo!"
Another Link Portal materialized in front of Revolver as he spoke. "The summoning conditions are two or more non-Token Monsters. I set Wyvern Glider and the Link 2 Cannon Buster Dragon in the Link Markers!"
His two dragons morphed into three twisters of silver and dark-green wind respectively as they entered the portal. "Circuit Combine! Come forth, Link 3! Topologic Amygdala Dragon (ATK: 2500/Link 3: Bottom, Right, Top)!"
The bipedal dragon with a slim body that looked like it was made of dark-red 3-strand braids, two large gull airplane-wings attached to its back, three rocket exhausts attached to each of its legs, a chest with the form of a Seifert surface and a sphere of light in its center, its head covered by neon green glowing rectangular eyes, emerged from the portal with a grand roar, standing on the Extra Monster Zone.
"This is the end, Bloody Talker!" Revolver remarked. "Battle! Topologic Amygdala Dragon, attack him directly!"
"Continous Trap open!" Bloody Talker cried out. "Reborn Creepers Under the Star Relics! When activated, this card lets me Special Summon one "Creeper" Monster from my Graveyard!"
"It's no use! I activate the effect of Cartridge Belt Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 2100/LV: 5) in my hand!" Revolver shouted. "During the Battle Phase, I can Special Summon this card to a zone my DARK Link Monster points to! Come to me, in defense mode!"
Under Amygdala's Bottom Marker, a new dragon appeared. It was a bulky bipedal dragon with black scales and wearing light-blue and white armor, with several belts tied over its body. The belts had loops and pockets filled with bullets.
"At this moment, the effect of Topologic Amygdala Dagon activates and chains to your Trap Card's effect!" Revolver stated. "All cards from both player's Graveyards are banished so your Trap loses all of its targets! Do it, Dreams Corrosion!"
"I activate the other effect of Algorithm Break in my Graveyard!" Bloody Talker interjected. "By banishing this card, I target your Amygdala Dragon and negate its effects!"
"I activate Cartridge Belt Dragon's Quick Effect!" Revolver replied. "Once per turn, when a Link Monster which points to this card is targeted by an opponent's Spell Card's effect, that effect is negated!"
Bloody Talker gritted his teeth. Revolver was really limiting his options.
"In that case, I chain the other effect of Reborn Creepers Under the Star Relics!" Bloody Talker shouted. "I negate one instance of battle or effect damage!"
"I thought about that too." Revolver grinned. "When Cannon Buster Dragon is used as Link Material for the summon of a DARK Link Monster, that Monster gains the following effect: once while it's face-up on the field, when it attacks and the opponent activates a Spell or Trap Card's effect, that effect is negated and banished! The chain resolves!"
Amygdala roared, creating soundwaves of black energy which enveloped Reborn Creepers Under the Star Relics, causing it to explode in particles of blue light. The wings on Topologic Amygdala opened into two as a dark mist was left out. Two GY Portals appeared before the Duelists, the mist entering the portals and banishing all the cards in there.
"Topologic Amygdala Dragon's other effect activates!" Revolver yelled. "When it attacks, it gains 100 Attack for every banished card! There are a total of twelve banished cards, thus, my dragon gains 1200 Attack! Take this, Bloody Talker! Daunting Nightmare Cryptogram!"
(Amygdala: ATK 2500 = 3700)
The wings on the back of Topologic Amygdala started transforming into long blades which attached themselves to the dragon's hands. The three rocket exhausts on its legs went off, rocketing the dragon forward at great speed and allowing it to slash Bloody Talker's chest, making him cry in pain as he was blown back by the fierce assault.
Bloody Talker: LP 4000 - 3700 = 300
"I...activate...my set card!" Bloody Talker wheezed out. "Cybenet Cure! When I take 2000 or more damage, I can target one face-up Monster you control and I gain Life Points equal to its Attack. I choose Amygdala!"
A green light enveloped the hacker's body, healing his injuries.
Bloody Talker: LP 300 + 3700 = 4000
"Hmph, not bad." Revolver commented. "You took 3700 damage and recovered them immediately. Since a Monster Card from the Graveyard was banished, Grief of the Dead self-destructs due to its effect. I end my turn with this! Amygdala's effect expires, its Attack returns to normal."
Topologic Amygdala's body transformed back to its original form.
(Amygdala: ATK 3600 = 2500)
"He's already going for my throat... I better step up my game if I want to survive and win." Bloody Talker whispered to himself. "Wagahai no turn! Draw! I activate the Field Spell Card Creeping Seeds on the Star Relics! Through its effect, I select Corrupted Relic - Creeper Crown from my deck and Special Summon it to my field (DEF: 2250 = 2500/LV: 6)!"
The giant crown-shaped machine with glowing red eyes and purple accents glowing all over its body appeared.
"Arawarero, watashi no aite o korosu sākitto!" Bloody Talker shouted as a Link Portal opened. "The summoning condition is one "Creeper" Monster! I set Creeper Crown in the Link Marker!"
Said Monster screeched as it morphed into a purple twister and entered the portal, causing the Bottom Marker to lit up. "Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Come to me, Creeper Quaropsis (ATK: 50 = 300/Link 1: Bottom)!"
Another copy of Quatopsis emerged from the portal with a screech.
"You run two of those things?" Revolver raised an eyebrow.
"Three, actually." Bloody Talker corrected. "Quaropsis allows me to summon a Link 2 "Creeper" Monster with only one "Creeper" Monster. It's obvious I would run more than one. Once again, I activate Quaropsis' effect when Link Summoned! Revive, Creeper Crown!"
The Link 1 Monster's eye glowed, Crown emerging from a GY Portal which formed behind it.
"One more time! Arawarero, watashi no aite o korosu sākitto!" Bloody Talker cried out. "The summoning conditions are two "Creeper" Monsters! I set Creeper Crown and Quaropsis in the Link Marker! Link Summon! Manifest, Imduk, the Creeper Dragon (ATK: 850 = 1100/Link 2: Bottom, Top)!"
The four-legged dragon with two insect-like wings, purple veins across its dark-green scales, and a red visor across its head, emerged from the portal as it roared at the enemy dragons.
"That dragon... the only time you used it was during your Duel with Blue Angel." Revolver remembered. "Will you use its effect to destroy my Monster and deal me Effect Damage?"
"Not quite. I'm not done Link Summoning yet!" Bloody Talker told. "I activate the effect of Creeper Crown! By paying 1000 Life Points, I revive this Monster from the Graveyard when it's used as material for the summon of a "Creeper" Link Monster. However, the next time it's sent to the Graveyard, Crown will be banished."
Following those words, the giant crown reappeared and stood behind Imbuk's Bottom Marker.
Bloody Talker: LP 4000 - 1000 = 3000
"Appear for the third time!" Bloody Talker raised his hand forward. "Watashi no aite o korosu sākitto! The summoning conditions are two or more Non-Token Monsters! I set Creeper Crown and the Link 2 Imbuk, the Creeper Dragon in the Link Markers!"
The two Monsters turned into twisters of purple and dark-green winds respectively as they entered the portal. "Circuit Combine! Endless carousel of emotions, become the wings of the crying maiden and soar in this fictional world! Descend, Crying Child of Solitude - Fanatic Nightingale (ATK: 2000/Link 3: Bottom, Right, Top)!"
The female monster with a mechanical, featureless body, several rainbow-colored wings extending from its back, ocean-blue glowing eyes, stripes of green data flowing across its body, emerged from the portal. She followed its user on the Extra Monster Zone.
"The Link Monster which led Deirdre to her first defeat..." Revolver whispered. "Interesting."
"By targeting Fanatic Nightingale, I activate the Spell Card Markers' Maister!" Bloody Talker stated. "I can draw cards equal to the Link Rating the targeted Monster has. Fanatic Nightingale is a Link 3 Monster, therefore I draw three new cards! Next, I normal summon Creeper Recepier-V (ATK: 950 = 1200/LV: 2)!"
Recepier-V appeared under the Bottom Marker of the hacker's Link Monster.
"I activate Fanatic Nightingale's effect!" Bloody Talker continued. "By destroying Recepier-V which is linked to her, all other face-up monsters except Fanatic Nightingale have their effects negated and she gains 1000 Attack for each monster which's effects were negated! Dismal Oblation!"
"I activate Cartridge Belt Dragon's effect!" Revolver abruptly stated. "By tributing itself, I can draw two cards since a Link 3 or higher DARK Link Monster currently points to it!"
Recepier-V's body exploded in particles of light, which Fanatic Nightingale nudged with her wings towards Topologic Amygdala. The dragon roared in pain as the particles hit its body, its powers fading and the sphere of light in the middle of its chest stopped glowing.
(Fanatic: ATK 2000 = 3000)
"Since a "Creeper" Monster was destroyed by a card effect, the additional effect of my Field Spell activates!" Bloody Talker stated. "Your dragon loses 1000 of its Attack!"
(Amygdala: ATK 2500 = 1500)
"Since Recepier-V was destroyed by a Link Monster's effect, I can add Creeper Spinete-X from my deck to my hand! I set two cards face-down and Battle!" Bloody Talker pointed forward. "Fanatic Nightingale, attack his dragon! Lachrymose End!"
The winged-maiden opened its wings wide as feathers started raining down from them, striking Revolver and his dragon. Topologic Amygdala exploded, making the Hanoi leader grunt in pain and lose control of his D-Board for a second.
Revolver: LP 4000 - 1500 = 2500
"With this, I end my turn!" Bloody Talker concluded with a grin. "I was able to survive Mirror Force and Grief of the Dead, destroy all his Monsters, and reduce his Life Points almost to half. I'm back on track."
"This is really what I was waiting for... this rush of adrenaline... is what I waited to feel!"
Were Revolver words as he recovered from the last attack. He smirked and clenched his fists.
"The reason why I wanted to fight you and Playmaker was this!" the leader told. "The back and forths, the determination to win, my blood boiling when our turns start... only you and Playmaker make me feel this way! I push you into a corner, yet, that only drives you forward and you push me back! This is truly the extent of Dueling! This Duel is worthy of our final and decisive Duel!"
"Watashi no turn! DRAW!" Revolver declared as he drew. "I activate the Spell Card Dragon's Inheritance, whose effect allows me to draw two cards if I discard a Dragon Monster from my hand! Next, I activate the effect of Background Dragon which I just discarded! If this Monster is in my Graveyard whilst I control no Monsters, I can Special Summon itself and one Level 4 or lower Dragon Monster from my hand! Come forth, Background (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1800/LV: 5) and Sniffing Dragon (ATK: 800/LV: 2)!"
Sniffing Dragon accompanied by a bulky dragon, covered in large orange armor and having long brown claws, appeared.
"However, when Background which was Special Summoned by its effect leaves the field, it's banished." Revolver said. "The effect of Sniffing Dragon activates upon summon, letting me add another copy of it from my deck to my hand which I'll then Normal Summon!"
Another Sniffing Dragon appeared beside the other one.
"Arawarero, waga michi o terasu mirai kairo!" a Link Portal appeared in front of Revolver. "The summoning conditions are two Level 4 or lower non-Token Dragon Monsters. I set my two Sniffing Dragons in the Link Markers!"
His two dragons morphed into two twisters of red wind as they entered the portal. "Link Summon! Appear, Twin Triangle Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 1200/Link 2: Bottom, Right)!"
A bipedal dragon, covered in brown scales, having yellow accents over its body and two triangle-shaped objects attached to its arms, leaped out the portal and landed on Revolver's Extra Monster Zone.
"I activate Twin Triangle's effect!" Revolver stated. "By paying 500 Life Points, I Special Summon the Level 5 Cartridge Belt Dragon from my Graveyard next to Twin Triangle's Bottom Marker by negating its effects!"
Revolver: LP 2500 - 500 = 2000
A GY Portal materialized as the said dragon emerged from it with a roar.
"Two Monsters and a Link 2..." Bloody Talker chuckled. "These are bad news, but I can't help myself from smiling. This must be the feeling Revolver was talking about..."
"Kengen seyo, waga michi o terasu mirai kairo!" a new Link Portal opened before Revolver. "Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning conditions are three or more Effect Monsters! I set Background, Cartridge Belt, and the Link 2 Twin Triangle in the Link Markers!"
The three dragons morphed into four twisters of different colors, each entering the portal. "Circuit Combine! My wind that pierces through the closed world! Come forth, Varrelload Dragon (ATK: 3000/Link 4: Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right, and Right)
The bipedal dragon covered in red and black armor, a gun's chamber instead of a torso, green-glowing highlights all over its body and wings, emerged from the portal with a roar.
"One of your Aces." Bloody Talker remarked. "And the most powerful one to boot."
"I set one card face-down and Battle!" Revolver threw his arm to the side. "Varrelload Dragon will attack Fanatic Nightingale! At this moment, I activate my dragon's effect! When it attacks an opponent's Monster, at the start of Damage Step, I gain control of that Monster and place it to a zone Varrelload Dragon points to! Strange Trigger!"
The dragon unleashed a bullet from its mouth which struck Fanatic Nightingale, however, instead of destroying it, the Cyberse Link Monster started glitching until it vanished from the field and appeared under Varrelload Dragon's Bottom-Left Marker
"Goodbye, Bloody Talker!" Revolver shouted. "Fanatic Nightingale, put an end to your user!"
The hacker's lips curved into a big grin. "I was waiting for this moment! I activate my Trap Card Cybenet Refresh! When a Cyberse Monster declares an attack, all Monsters in both of our Main Monster Zones are destroyed!"
As the Trap Card revealed itself, Fanatic Nightingale's body started glitching for a second before exploding in particles of light.
"What!? Cybenet Refresh!?" Revolver was surprised. "That card... is the same Playmaker used to avoid Varrelload's stealing effect during our Master Duel!"
"That's right." Bloody Talker confirmed. "I took an example from him and added my own copy of Cybenet Refresh into my deck. This was I was assured I can dodge your Varrelload's effect at least once!"
"Hmph, a sneaky move but it did pay off." Revolver scoffed. "I end my turn!"
"During the End Phase, Cybenet Refresh's other effect activates!" Bloody Talker revealed. "All Cyberse Link Monsters which were destroyed by this card return to my field! Soar once again, Fanatic Nightingale!"
A GY Portal materialized above them as the winged monster flew out of it, landing on the Middle Monster Zone.
"Wagahai no turn! DRAW!" Bloody Talker cried out as he started his turn. "From my hand, I normal summon Creeper Spinete-X (ATK: 350 = 600/LV: 3)!"
Spinete-X formed on the field, beside Fanatic Nightingale's Right Marker.
"Once again, I activate Fanatic Nightingale's effect, destroying Spinete-X!" Bloody Talker stated. "Dismal Oblation!"
"I activate Varrelload's Quick Effect!" Revolver abruptly stated. "I target your Link Monster and reduce its Attack Points by 500! Take this, Anti-Enemy Vullet!"
Opening its mouth wide, a cannon emerged from the dragon's neck. Varrelload Dragon fired a giant bullet from it, striking Fanatic Nightingale and blowing her back.
(Fanatic: ATK 2000 = 1500)
The Cyberse Link Monster quickly got her revenge as she threw particles of light created by Spinete-X's body, washing over the enemy dragon and causing it to growl in pain.
(Fanatic: ATK 1500 = 2500)
"With this, your Link Monster still has less Attack Points than my dragon!" Revolver grinned.
"That's true, but its effects are now negated!" Bloody Talker pointed out. "Which means Monster Effects can now target it! I activate the effect of Spinete-X which was destroyed by a Link Monster's effect, targeting and destroying your dragon!"
"Don't be so sure about it! Counter Trap activate!" Revolver declared. "Eternal Redemption! This negates the activation of a card or effect which would destroy cards I control!"
A transparent barrier formed around Varrelload, protecting it from a beam fired by the ghostly image of Spinete-X.
"And thanks to Eternal Redemption's other effect," Revolver explained. "I can set Cyberse Redemption from my deck to my field, and I can activate it this turn ignoring its activation requirements!"
"What? A card that supports Cyberse Redemption?" Bloody Talker's eyes widen.
"Cyberse Redemption can be used to turn things around in a pinch." Revolver said. "I took the dignity in further powering up this Trap Card, making a powerful weapon. Now, no matter what Monster you summon, I can activate Cyberse Redemption whenever I want and weaken said Monster!"
"I'm flattered to see you like the card I gave you." Bloody Talker chuckled. "However, that card was given to you by me! You will never be able to defeat me by using a card I gave you! I set one card face-down and Battle! Fanatic Nightingale, do it!"
"You're attacking even if your Monster has less Attack?" Revolver glanced backwards with a confused look.
"During the Battle Phase only, I can activate this Trap Card!" Bloody Talker stated, and Revolver's eyes widen. "Rate-Up Emergency Force! By sending a Link Monster on my field to the Graveyard, I Link Summon a Link Monster from my Extra Deck with the same Attribute, Type, and one Link higher than the Monster I sent to the Graveyard!"
"Your set card was the card I gave you!?" Revolver gritted his teeth a little.
"Open up once again! Watashi no aite o korosu sākitto!" Bloody Talker announced as a Link portal re-opened. "Using the Link 3 Crying Child of Solitude - Fanatic Nightingale, I re-set the Link Markers!"
Go, Master! Win for all of us!
Were the Nightingale's words before she re-entered the portal, causing its markers to glow red. "Circuit Re-Combine! Link Summon! Manifest yourself, Link 4! Hex Welchia Dragon "Full Armor" (Dark/Cyberse/Effect/ATK: 3000/Link 4: Top-Left, Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom)!"
A new dragon resembling Hex Welchia Dragon, but covered in obsidian-black armor, two cannons attached to its back, its skin and wings colored black with constant flowing data which glowed light-brown, appeared on the Extra Monster Zone.
"An alternative version of your first Cyberse Dragon?" Revolver narrowed his eyes. "It has the same Attack, but it must have a different effect..."
"Battle!" Bloody Talker pointed forward. "Hex Welchia Dragon "Full Armor" will attack your Varrelload Dragon!"
"Mutual destruction?" Revolver wondered. "I don't know what your plan is, but I won't let it succeed! I activate Cyberse Redemption! This was your card, so I guess you know what it does, right? I send Topologic Bomber Dragon from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard in order to lower your dragon's Attack by 3000 points!"
"I activate Welchia's Quick Effect!" the hacker stated. "I can move my dragon to an unused Monster Zone! I choose my Middle Main Monster Zone!"
"What good will that do to you?"
"More than you know! I activate Welchia's other effect!" Bloody Talker grinned. "When this card battles, by destroying one Monster it points to, I can activate one of two effects. I choose the second one, making Welchia become unaffected by the opponent's card effects and gain 800 Attack until the End Phase!"
(Full Armor: ATK 3000 = 3800)
"What!?" Revolver gasped, seeing his opponent's dragon had its Top-Left Marker pointing at his own dragon. "That's why you moved it to a different zone...! In that case, I activate Eternal Redemption's other effect from my Graveyard! By banishing this card and Cyberse Redemption from my field, I negate my dragon's destruction by battle!"
"But you'll still take the damage." Bloody Talker pointed out. "Here we come! Full Armored Change!"
The armor attached to Hex Welchia's body suddenly moved. On the dragon's chest, arms, and legs, the armor connected and transformed into cannons. The two cannons attached to its back, on the other hand, united and positioned themselves on top of the dragon's head.
"Target, lock on!"
The dragon's eyes flashed red as all of its cannon pointed at Varrelload Dragon.
"Take this!" Bloody Talker threw his hand forward. "Ultimate Full Armored Burst!"
From each cannon, a beam of blinding light was fired. The beams twirled together, until becoming a massive ray of light that washed over Revolver and his dragon, and both cried out in pain as they were blown back by the attack.
Revolver: LP 2000 - 800 = 1200
"With this, I end my turn." Bloody Talker concluded as Hex Welchia's body returned to its original form.
(Full Armor: ATK 3800 = 3000)
"And since a "Creeper" Monster was destroyed by a card effect this turn," the hacker explained. "I can Special Summon Spinete-X (DEF: 2050 = 2300/LV: 3) from my Graveyard!"
"What fire-power..." Revolver muttered. "Moreover, you didn't activate your Field Spell's effect to reduce Varrelload's Attack by 1000 when you destroyed Spinete-X."
"I was being careful of your Skill." Bloody Talker said as he dashed past his opponent. "If I would've activated my Field Spell's effect, you would've had 200 Life Points remaining, thus you could've activated Storm Access next turn."
"This final Duel is the best I had in a long time." Revolver let out a sly grin. "It's ironic. In the past, I was the one to save you, and now here I am, trying to win and destroy you. Destiny is such a trivial and stupid thing."
"Save?" Bloody Talker raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Four words," Revolver explained. "Think of three things."
The hacker's heart skipped a beat as his breath was cut short.
"Shocking?" Revolver asked. "Well, it must be, and I understand you. Bloody Talker... no, Ketsueki Kioku! I was the one to save you during the incident, by telling you to think about three things!"
"The person who Playmaker and I want to save from Hanoi..." Bloody Talker's eyes widen. "Was you, Revolver!?"
"Yeah. As I said, destiny is a trivial and stupid thing." Revolver shook his head in exasperation. "I was the one to give you hope in the past, and I will be the one to give you despair! Kioku, the Tower of Hanoi is equipped with another special program: if you or Playmaker were to lose, all of you Cyberse Monsters will be deleted!"
Bloody Talker's further widen. "If I lose... they're deleted..."
"That's right!" Revolver shouted. "You pushed me into a corner, now I'll push you back! During the End Phase, Fanatic Nightingale's effect ends and Varrelload regains its effects! Watashi no turn! Draw! From my hand, I normal summon my last copy of Sniffing Dragon (ATK: 800/LV: 2)!"
The third and final Sniffing Dragon appeared.
"Arawarero, waga michi o terasu mirai kairo!" a Link Portal appeared in front of Revolver. "The summoning condition is one Dragon Monster! I set Sniffing Dragon in the Link Marker!"
His dragon morphed into a twister and entered the portal. "Link Summon! Appear, Square Shield Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 100/Link 1: Bottom)!"
A new bipedal dragon with red scales wearing medieval-like armor and holding an oversized square-shaped shield emerged from the portal.
"Square Shield Dragon's effect!" Revolver stated. "When it's Special Summoned, I can place one Shield Counter on this card (Square: Counter = 1)! I set one card face-down and let's Battle! Varrelload Dragon, attack his dragon and activate your effect! Strange Trigger!"
"I won't let you! I activate the effect of Hex Welchia Dragon "Full Armor"!" Bloody Talker abruptly stated. "I destroy Varrelload which Welchia points to in order to activate its second effect, making it become unaffected by my opponent's card effects and gain 800 Attack!"
"I activate Square Shield's effect!" Revolver interrupted. "By removing one Shield Counter from this card, I negate the destruction of a Dragon I control, and if I do, that Dragon gains 600 Attack until the End Phase!"
(Full Armor: ATK 3000 = 3800; Square Shield: Counter = 0; Varrelload: ATK 3000 = 3600)
"I also chain to your dragon's effect my Varrelload's other effect!" Revolver pointed forward, mimicking a gun. "Anti-Enemy Vullet!"
Varrelload fired a bullet from its mouth, striking Hex Welchia in the chest and making it growl in pain.
(Full Armor: ATK 3800 = 3300)
"Take this!" Revolver shouted. "Varrel Cannon of Lightning!"
The opposing dragon fired another bullet from its mouth, this one much bigger than the last one. It pierced through Hex Welchia's body, destroying it and causing an explosion. Bloody Talker gritted his teeth as his body glitched with pain.
Bloody Talker: LP 3000 - 300 = 2700
"I activate Square Shield Dragon's other effect!" Revolver declared. "By sealing this Monster from attacking this turn, another Dragon I control can attack an opponent's Monster again this turn! Moreover, piercing damage will be dealt! This is going to be enough to keep you above 1000 Life Points! Go!"
Varrelload fired another bullet, destroying Spinete-X this time.
Bloody Talker: LP 2700 - 1300 = 1400
"You can't use your Skill unless you have 1000 or less Life Points." Revolver smirked. "I end my turn! At this moment, my dragon's Attack returns no normal."
(Varrelload: ATK 3600 = 3000)
"...This Duel..." Bloody Talker whispered in a dangerous tone. "...Could've been so good if you didn't decide to delete all my Cyberse Monsters if I lose."
"Are you mad?" Revolver asked.
"Yeah... however," Bloody Talker's expression softened. "I understood your true goal, Revolver. No... Ryoken!"
Revolver's eyes slightly widen, but his smirk didn't wager. "So you finally realized my true identity..."
"When I met you in the shopping center, I was deeply confused by your aura, Ryoken," Bloody Talker explained. "I couldn't understand it. But now I do... you have another goal which isn't to fulfill somebody's wish, but to enjoy Dueling."
"What did you say?" Revolver suddenly frowned. "Of course I want to fulfill my fath-I mean somebody else's wishes! That's why this damn Tower is here to begin with!"
"That's right. I do feel an immense desire to accomplish that goal." the hacker nodded. "But your other goal, the desire to have a truly fun Duel is much more intense! That's why you really wanted to Duel me and Playmaker, to accomplish your own goal. However, your other goal is currently in control. You must have realized that fulfilling somebody else's wish is more important than your own."
"What are you trying to say?" Revolver inquired.
"There was once doubt in your heart." Bloody Talker said. "It's as if you had two personas, Revolver, the one who wants to accomplish else's wish, and Ryoken, somebody who wants to enjoy Dueling. But now, there's no doubt in your heart anymore. You have one single you want to accomplish, and that goal is Revolver's! Before I met Playmaker and this whole mess started, I also had doubt in my heart. I was just a kid who didn't know anything about himself or his past, but now, I don't have any doubt in my heart anymore!"
"And that's thanks to you as well, Ryoken." Bloody Talker clenched his fist. "It was your three-things-listing habit which helped me move forward until I met Playmaker! Everybody who I met until now, every Duel Monster which gave me a hand, all feelings I received from people... they cleared my heart of doubts!"
"In this situation of defeat, you're thanking me?" Revolver raised an eyebrow. "You really aren't sane, Kioku."
"Who knows." Bloody Talker chuckled. "Thank you, and sorry."
"Sorry?"
"Yeah." the hacker nodded. "Sorry because in this next turn... I'll show it to you. My Dueling when I am truly and truly serious. During your End Phase, I activate my Trap Card Link Revive to Special Summon Imbuk (ATK: 850 = 1100/Link 2: Bottom, Top) from my Graveyard!"
The corrupted dragon emerged from a GY Portal and stood on the Left Monster Zone.
"Imbuk?" Revolver scoffed. "Why did you waste such a card on that weak Monster?"
"You'll see in time! Wagahai no turn! Draw!" Bloody Talker announced. "I activate the additional effect of Cybenet Cure in my Graveyard! By banishing this card and paying Life Points equal to your Square Shield Dragon's Attack, I can destroy one card on the field! I choose to get rid of Varrelload!"
Bloody Talker: LP 1400 - 100 = 1300
Varrelload Dragon was suddenly pulled into a portal which opened underneath it, destroying the dragon inside it. Revolver frowned as his Ace was removed from the field very easily.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card Cyberse Memory, letting me draw one card since I control a Cyberse Monster!" he did so and showed it to his opponent. "Since the card I drew is a Cyberse Monster, I can draw one more time! Now, I normal summon my best partner, the one and only Protron (ATK: 100/LV: 1)!"
The hacker's partner appeared on his field with a cheerful 'Pro-Pro-Pro!' and a serious expression.
"It's that Monster..." Revolver narrowed his eyes.
"Arawarero, watashi no aite o korosu sākitto!" Bloody Talker shouted as a Link Portal opened. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one Protron! I set Protron in the Link Marker! Link Summon! Bow down before her, The Altergeist in Love - Pixiel (ATK: 100/Link 1: Bottom)!"
The alternative version of Pixiel, having long wings with web-shaped red accents, flew out the portal with a hunting chuckle.
"I activate Pixiel's effect upon Link Summon, letting me Special Summon Protron form the Graveyard next to her Bottom Link Marker!" Bloody Talker stated as his partner was on the field once more. "Pixiel is also treated as a Cyberse Monster while on the field! One more time! Kengen seyo, watashi no aite o korosu sākitto! The summoning condition is one Cyberse Monster! I set Pixiel in the Link Marker! Link Summon! Come forth, Link 1! Hex Scan Protokid (ATK: 100/Link 1: Bottom-Left)!"
The humanoid monster with long, red hair, wearing a black bodysuit and having random metallic-pieces across its body which were similar to dragon-features, emerged from the portal on the Extra Monster Zone where Pixiel was seconds ago.
"I activate Protokid's effect upon Link Summon!" Bloody Talker stated. "If my Life Points are 1000 or less I can Special Summon a Link 1 Monster from my Graveyard next to Protokid's Bottom-Left Link Marker! Revive, Pixiel (ATK: 100/Link 1: Bottom)!"
"Kengen seyo, watashi no aite o korosu sākitto!" Another Link Portal opened before the hacker as he spoke. "The summoning conditions are three or more Effect Monsters! At this moment, the other effect of Pixiel activates! When using this card together with Protron to perform a Link Summon, the Monster I'm about to summon gains a brand new effect in the Extra Deck!"
"Giving a new effect to a Monster in the Extra Deck..." Revolver gritted his teeth. "What an annoying effect to run into..."
"I'm planning on summoning Hex Welchia Dragon, so said dragon gains the effect to be Link Summoned with one less material!" Bloody Talker explained. "As such, I set Protron, Pixiel, and Protokid in the Link Markers! Link Summon! Appear, the original Hex Welchia Dragon (ATK 3000/Link 4: Top-Left, Top-Right, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right)!"
The hacker's Link 4 dragon soared out the portal with a roar.
"My dragon gained another effect from Pixiel!" Bloody Talker revealed with a grin. "After it's Link Summoned, Hex Welchia can revive Protron from my Graveyard under the condition of not being able to be used as material. Arise, my partner!"
Protron reappeared on the field under Hex Welchia's Bottom-Left Marker.
"I also activate Hex Scan Protokid's other effect!" Bloody Talker stated. "If this Monster is used as Link Material for the summon of a "Hex" Monster, I can choose to apply one of three effects. I choose the second one, giving Hex Welchia 2000 Attack! Next, I activate my dragon's own effect, destroying Protron next to its Link Marker so it becomes immune to all card effects until the End Phase of the next turn! Code Devouring!"
(Welchia: ATK 3000 = 5000)
"It has 5000 Attack and immune to card effects!?" Revolver exclaimed.
"And I'm not done yet!" Bloody Talker told. "I activate Hex Welchia's other effect, moving it from my Extra Monster Zone to my Middle Monster Zone!"
The dragon moved back, now standing beside Imbuk.
"I activate the Equip Spell Card Cybenet Defrag, whose effect allows me to Special Summon Protron from my Graveyard by equipping him with this card!" Bloody Talker said. "Revive for the third time, my partner!"
Protron reappeared on the field once again, flying on the Left Monster Zone.
"Appear for the fourth time, wagahai no sākitto!" Bloody Talker threw his arm forward, a Link Portal opening before him. "Arrowheads Confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more Monsters. I set Protron and the Link 2 Imbuk in the Link Markers!"
Said Monsters turned into twisters of wind as they entered the Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right, and Top Markers, causing them to light up. "Link Summon! Manifest yourself! The loudest heartbeat in this fictional world, Hex Gardnium Dragon (ATK: 2300/Link 3: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right, Top)!"
The four-legged dragon with four round-shaped wings levitating above its back, its neck, belly, and tail glowing with streaks of flowing red data, its back and four feet covered in vanilla-brown armor, a dark-blue helmet covering its head, two rectangular yellow eyes, and several red glowing wires were attached to its feet-armor and helmet, giving it an appearance similar to burning flames, emerged from the portal and stood on the Extra Monster Zone.
"I activate Link Revive's effect from my Graveyard, banishing it to Special Summon Imbuk (ATK: 850 = 1100/Link 2: Bottom, Top) from my Graveyard once again!"
Following Bloody Talker's words, Imbuk reappeared on the field.
"Then, by paying half my Life Points, I activate Cybenet Defrag's other effect from my Graveyard! I revive Protron once again and equip it with this Equip Spell!"
Bloody Talker: LP 1300 / 2 = 650
Protron was also revived, filling all the Monster Zones Bloody Talker had.
"You... what on Earth are you trying to pull off?" Revolver asked with a confused, yet somewhat anxious voice.
Bloody Talker turned his head to the left, seeing the giant storm, debris, and Tower outside the tunnel of Data Storm. He turned his D-Board in that direction, exiting the tunnel and going forward.
"You're going to use your Skill in there?" Revolver wondered. "You're going to destroy yourself!?"
Several tiny fragments shot past Bloody Talker, creating cuts on his body because of their high speed.
"This is the only way to defeat Revolver!" he thought to himself. Another fragment zoomed past him, creating a deep cut on his shoulder. The hacker gritted his teeth but continued onward.
After finally arriving at the storm's core, with more and more cuts over his body, Bloody Talker extended his hand backwards.
"Skill activate! Storm Access!"
He yelled as the lines over his avatar's body glowed red. He placed his hand into the core and cried in pain by the high-density of the storm. That wasn't enough to stop him though. The outline of a card started forming in his hand, and just before it finished, a wave of wind passed by, cutting the hacker's hand off.
"AAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!" Bloody Talker gasped in pain and was blown back, even falling off his D-Board by the shockwave.
"Am I...done for...?" he thought as he fell-!
Welchia!
-Bloody Talker suddenly landed into somebody arms. The hacker opened his eyes, seeing Hex Welchia Dragon holding him.
Gardnium!
Hex Gardnium Dragon appeared beside the other dragon, using its wings to cut every incoming debris into dust.
Imbuk!
The corrupted dragon, Imbuk appeared beside them next. His insect-wings glowed faintly, all of the cuts across Bloody Talker's body healing and his hand regenerated.
"E-Everyone..." the hacker whispered in surprise.
Go, Kioku! We believe in you! We'll become your shield!
Bloody Talker looked ahead, seeing Protron staring at him back, an expression so serious that he never thought his partner can have.
"Pr-Protron!?" his eyes widen. "You just... talked!?"
This is a one-time thing!
His partner told.
Now, go! Go before it's too late and you lose by default!
Bloody Talker slowly nodded, still taken back by Protron's seriousness. Hex Welchia continued to hold its user, Gardnium by one side, and Imbuk by the other, the five entered the massive core of wind.
Gardnium and Imbuk positioned themselves in front of Hex Welchia, and three dragons destroyed every debris that could hit Bloody Talker.
"Let's try it one more time!" Bloody Talker said to himself. "Storm Access!"
The lines over his avatar glowed again, and the hacker grunted as he tried to hold his hand in front of him. The winds tried to throw him back, but Bloody Talker's determination gave him the power to hold his hand on one place.
"I'm sure...that Ai...would say..." Bloody Talker let out a sly grin.
SEIZE THE WIND!
He and all of his Duel Monsters shouted in unison as the card materialized in the hacker's hand. With the help of his dragons, Bloody Talker was guided out the core and back into the tunnel created by Revolver.
"You managed to do Storm Access!?" Revolver's eyes widen.
"Thanks to my Monsters, yes!" Bloody Talker grinned as he jumped onto his D-Board that materialized under his feet. "Now, Revolver, behold! This is the power that surpasses the pinnacle of strength! Kengen seyo! My ultimate Circuit of power and bloodlust!"
A new Link Portal appeared, however, unlike any other Link Portal that was summoned during this Duel, intense shockwaves were being emitted from this one, even blowing Revolver back a little.
"A fifth Link Summon...!?" Revolver gritted his teeth.
"Arrowheads Confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse Monsters! I set Protron and the Link 2 Imbuk in the Link Markers once again!"
Said Monsters turned into twisters of wind as they entered the Bottom, Bottom-Right, and Top Markers, causing them to light up. "Circuit Combine!"
A blinding light, like the one Mirror Force emits, erupted from the portal, making Revolver shield his eyes.
"This condition...! Impossible!" the Hanoi leader gasped.
"Normally, a player is only allowed to use one of the Extra Monster Zones..." Bloody Talker grinned widely. "BUT! When the two Extra Monster Zones are mutually linked, a Monster can be Special Summoned in the other Extra Monster Zone! Manifest yourself! The cursed dragon which guards this fictional world, Hex Cryptorm Dragon (Dark/Cyberse/Effect/ATK: 2500/Link 3: Bottom, Bottom-Right, Top)!"
Emerging from the portal was a dragon with a long serpentine tail attached to its waist. It was covered in metallic dark-brown armor, six rectangular red eyes, and numerous purple glowing wires trashing from its back. The dragon had very long claws, its tail divided into three different tails and each of their tips were curved like scythes. The new Cyberse Dragon roared, emerged from the portal, and stood on the second Extra Monster Zone.
"BEHOLD!" Bloody Talker spread his arms wide. "EXTRA LINK!"
All three dragons roared in unison. Revolver was hardly believing what he was seeing: an Extra Link! And without using five Link Monsters to boot! Bloody Talker used his dragon's Bottom-Left, Top-Left, Top-Right, and Bottom-Right Markers to achieve an Extra Link!
"This is when..." Revolver gulped. "He's truly serious..."
"Hex Cryptorm Dragon's effect!" Bloody Talker stated. "As long as it is Extra Linked, all "Hex" Link Monsters I control can activate their effects without paying the cost!"
"What?" Revolver gritted his teeth.
"First, I activate Cryptorm's other effect!" the hacker said. "Twice per turn, by destroying one Monster next to Cryptorm's marker, I can activate one of two effects. Since I don't have to pay the cost, I'll activate both effects! All Cyberse Monsters I control gain 1000 Attack until the next End Phase, and all battle and effect damage you take is doubled this turn, Revolver! Because Welchia is unaffected by card effects, he won't be powered up, I'm afraid."
(Cryptorm: ATK 2500 = 3500; Gardnium: ATK 2300 = 3300)
"Battle!" Bloody Talker turned his D-Board sides to stare at Revolver behind him. "Gardnium will be the one to start us off! Attack his Square Shield Dragon! At this moment, without paying the cost, I activate Gardnium's effect, making its Attack become double its original Attack since he's battling an opponent's Monster!"
(Gardnium: ATK 3300 = 4600)
"You lose!"
"I activate the Counter Trap Dragon's Last Resort!" Revolver quickly stated. "By paying half my Life Points when a Dragon Monster I control is attacked, the Battle Phase is forced to end!"
Revolver: LP 1200 / 200 = 600
A large, transparent barrier formed in front of Square Shield Dragon, blocking the enemy dragon's attack dead in its tracks.
(Gardnium: ATK 4600 = 3300)
"Kuh, useless struggle." Bloody Talker shrugged. "Now that my Extra Link is complete, my victory is assured! I end my turn! At this moment, the effect of Hex Scan Protokid ends."
(Welchia: ATK 5000 = 3000)
"Don't underestimate me, Kioku." Revolver warned. "With that last attack, my Life Points are now below 1000! Watashi no turn! Draw! I activate Dragon's Last Resort's other effect from my Graveyard. By banishing this card, I Special Summon one Dragon from my Graveyard by cutting its Attack in half and by negating its effects! Revive, Varrelload Dragon!"
The Ace Monster of the Hanoi leader emerged from a GY Portal on the Middle Monster Zone.
(Varrelload: ATK 3000 = 1500)
"With my father's Data Material Control program, I can control any Data Storm, no matter its density or how strong the winds are." Revolver thought as he stared at his right hand. The then turned to the left, dashing out the tunnel of wind.
Upon arriving at the core, Revolver right hand glowed purple and his avatar's lines yellow. He stuck his hand into the storm but gasped as an electric wave shot his hand out.
"Tch, the density is too high!" he grunted. "But if Kioku can do it, so can I!"
After throwing his hand back into the storm, the same thing that happened with Bloody Talker occurred with Revolver. The outline of a card started forming in his hand, and just before it finished, a wave of wind passed by, cutting his hand off. Revolver was also thrown back but managed to land onto his D-Board.
"I cannot...afford to lose!" Revolver exclaimed, clenching his injured arm in immense pain. He gave a loud cry and drove back towards the core.
Suddenly, a loud wave of energy burst out the core, and everything froze.
"What!? What's going on!?" Revolver asked confused, seeing all the debris and winds froze as if time itself would've stopped.
"A bug?" Bloody Talker wondered.
"Revolver..."
The Hanoi leader's eyes shot open. "That voice!"
The silhouette of a person emerged from the giant core, revealing Dr. Kogami surrounded by a golden light.
"That's... Kogami Kiyoshi!" Bloody Talker realized. "He's alive...!?"
"Why...are you...here?" Revolver asked with an equally shocked voice.
"Revolver... no, Ryoken. I was never a good father to do." Kogami told. "I only made you suffer and left you alone all the time. But you didn't complain even once... you were a great son. Believe me, I never wanted to involve you in this. But without you, the world can't be saved from destruction"
"I know." Revolver said.
"Ryoken is... Dr. Kogami's son...?" Bloody Talker blinked twice.
"You can't lose here. I will give you my final strength."
"Final strength...!?" Revolver voice was filled with concern. "But if you do that-!"
"I don't care." Kogami cut him off, raising his hand towards his son. "Protect humanity's future in my place. You're my final and only hope, Ryoken!"
The golden radiance behind Dr. Kogami enveloped him as his body burst into particles of light, which then surrounded Revolver. The Hanoi leader's hand regenerated, and upon looking at the core-
Revolver gasped as he saw a long path leading to the core. "This radiance... is Stardust Road...!"
He remembered the first time he saw this view. He was eight years old then, maybe some days before his father started the Hanoi Project. Ryoken and Dr. Kogami were overseeing a beautiful view of Stardust Road from the latter's room. It was night, and it was one of those times when the ocean glowed with its mesmerizing blue colors.
The time suddenly moved again, and Revolver grunted as he had to keep control of his D-Board because of the strong winds that reappeared.
"Father..."
Were Revolver last words before he zoomed forward, using the new path to enter the storm. Once inside, his avatar's lines started glowing.
"Skill activated! Reside in my hand, Storm Access!"
The outline of a card easily formed in his hand, and Revolver wasted no time in grabbing it, obtaining his new Cyberse Monster. Using the path created by his father, Revolver exited the storm and returning into the tunnel, and flew beside Bloody Talker.
"Your Monsters helped you do Storm Access." Revolver told. "In my case, Stardust Road led me to it."
"Stardust Road?" Bloody Talker echoed, remembering the name from a magazine he once read some years ago, seeing a picture of Stardust Road, the infamous oceanside in Den City.
A loud beep resounded from Revolver's Duel Disk, and a screen popped up, showing a Heart Rate with the words 'Emergency Call' and 'DANGER' underneath it. The heart rate was constantly changing from 38 to 30 and vice versa.
"A heart rate?" Bloody Talker commented as he saw the screen. "Ryoken... did Dr. Kogami, your father just-"
"That's none of your business!" Revolver snapped as he sped forward. "Kengen seyo, waga michi o terasu mirai kairo! Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monster! I set Square Shield and the Link 4 Varrelload in the Link Marker!"
A new Link Portal appeared as Revolver's dragons turned into four twisters and entered the Link Markers. "Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Appear, Link 4! Topologic Gumblar Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 3000/Link 4: Top, Left, Bottom, Right)!"
A new "Topologic" dragon, this one with metallic blue, gray, and orange scales, green glowing accents, several eyes on its head, a serpentine tail attached to its waist, and spike-like objects emerging from its back, appeared with a roar in front of Hex Cryptorm Dragon's Top Marker.
The same screen from before materialized above Revolver's Duel Disk, this time the heart rate switching from 30 to 21. The Hanoi leader gritted his teeth.
"From my hand, I activate the Equip Spell Card Link Upswing!" Revolver stated. "I equip it to my Gumblar Dragon! Both players don't take battle damage involving the equipped Monster, and the equipped Monster can't be destroyed by battle! Whenever this effect is applied, Link Upswing gains one Upswing Counter! By banishing one Link Monster from my Graveyard, the equipped Monster can attack an opponent's Monster again during the Battle Phase!"
"Which means you can attack all my three Link Monsters." Bloody Talker realized. "During the Battle Phase's end, by sending Link Upswing to the Graveyard, I take 800 damage for each Upswing Counter that was on that card..."
"Exactly!" Revolver confirmed. "This is the end! Battle! Topol-!"
"Wait!" Bloody Talker suddenly shouted, cutting his opponent off.
"What is this!? I don't have much time at disposal so make it quick!"
"I surrender."
Revolver blinked twice. "E-Eh?"
"Continuing this Duel would be useless."
"What!? Why!?"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHY!?" Bloody Talker exclaimed in a serious. "Your father is about to die and you want to continue this Duel!? You moron, listen to me: I have three reasons why I surrender!"
Revolver's eyes widen a little as his opponent raised one finger.
"One! You won fair and square. There's nothing I can do to stop your Link Upswing from defeated me! So I'll drop the towel and let you go to your father!"
A second finger was raised. "Two! You have a family to save. Go and save it! I can't save my family anymore since I lost... but you can! You still have a chance to save your father!"
"Third!" Bloody Talker raised a third finger, and he smiled. "Thank you, Ryoken. For the help you gave me ten years ago, and this amazing Duel. This was the best Duel I ever had in my life! This is my way of thanking you for everything! Now, go! Keep your head high and move forward, Ryoken!"
"Kioku, wait!"
But it was too late. Bloody Talker pressed a button on his Duel Disk and a holographic screen showed his LP drop to zero. At the same time, all the remaining Monsters on the hacker's field exploded in light, and he was blown away by the blast.
Winner: Revolver!
"AGH!" Revolver gasped as the explosion even reached him, throwing him back. The shockwaves emitted by the blast were too powerful, and Revolver's Duel Disk automatically made him Log Out.
"In the end...I wasn't able to get revenge, huh?"
Bloody Talker talked to himself helplessly, his body laying on a large debris he fell on by the blast.
"I wasn't strong enough... just like when I was a kid during the incident..."
That's not true.
The voice of Protron told in his mind.
You were very strong! You are the best, Kioku! You're the best partner there is! And everybody else agrees with me on this point!
Bloody Talker could feel 'hmms' and growls of confirmation from his other Monsters, causing him to smile.
"But I wasn't able to win the most important Duel in my life. Now... you will all be... deleted."
The youth could feel tears boiling up inside, tears of sadness and frustration. "I wasn't able to protect my family...! I am... such an idiot...!"
You aren't an idiot, Master.
The voice of Fanatic Nightingale told.
You were truly a nice and delightful Master to have. I am really happy I was able to meet you.
I agree with Nightingale.
The Creeper Goddess Lees said next.
Seeing you open up to some people, meet new friends and create new bonds, was truly enjoyable. I don't regret my decision of choosing you as my Master.
The "Hex" Monsters were next to tell goodbye, each of them giving a loud roar.
"Why do you guys... have to make it so difficult... to bare?" Bloody Talker as he whipped away some tears. "You could've just said goodbye and that's it. This way it breaks my heart...!"
But we wanted to have you know how we really feel, Kioku. To have you know that, even on the verge of deletion, we're happy to have you as our Master.
Protron explained.
"Man, you guys..." Bloody Talker chuckled. "Are too good to me."
His body started dissolving in particles of red data.
"I'm also very happy to encounter you guys." Bloody Talker said. "You were the best Duel Monsters and family I ever asked for..."
Ketsueki Kioku, aka Bloody Talker, smiled as his body totally vanished in data, which was sucked into the Tower of Hanoi. His Monsters suffered the same fate, however, they were deleted, erased from the world for eternity...
In Real World: Den City, Stardust Road...
Ryoken's eyes shot open as he returned to the real world. He threw himself off the VR equipment, rushing to his father's room. "Save father!" he continued to repeat this phrase in his head.
He arrived to the bed containing his father, a computer screen showing his heart rate changing from 14 to 8.
"Father, stay with me!" Ryoken yelled, immediately beginning to type codes on the computer, trying to do anything he can to save his father. "I'll save you, father! I just need to-!"
BEEEEEEEEEP
Ryoken's body froze at the loud sound, staring at the computer.
[Heart Rate: 0]
The eighteen-year-old youth gritted his teeth, banging his fists against the computer.
"Damn it..." he whispered in a low tone, sinking to his knees. "Damn it!"
He continued to repeat over and over, throwing his fists against the computer. Kioku sacrificed himself so Ryoken could go and save his father... but... there was nothing to save anymore. The moment Dr. Kogami chose to give his last strength to Ryoken, the youth already knew it was over.
"Father..."
Ryoken sobbed, a single tear falling from his ocean-blue eyes.
...You were a great son...
"What type of great son am I... if I can't even save my father..." Ryoken whispered in anger, recalling what his father told during the Duel.
...I'm your father, but I won't be able to walk by your side for eternity. You have to learn to walk on your path alone...
"Father... from already then you knew... you will have to sacrifice yourself?" Ryoken asked, remembering the words his father told him after his Duel with Orion.
...I believe in you, my son... I'm sure mother would be proud of you...
...Now, go! Keep your head high and move forward, Ryoken!...
"You two were... trying to motivate me for this moment... father... Kioku..."
Ryoken whipped another tear from his eye, squeezing the hand of his father in his and moving closer to the bed.
"I'll keep moving forward and accomplish my goal..."
The youth raised his head, revealing his eyes burning with a sudden determination.
"...I promise it!"
In my opinion, this is by far the most emotional chapter and best Duel I ever wrote in my life.
*sheds a tear of sadness for Kioku who is dead and Ryoken who lost his father*
Ahem.
I'm sorry if any of you didn't like the way this EPIC battle ended, but I had no other choice. I could've made Revolver do something else, but he had to return to his father before he dies, so I had to cut it short.
I didn't want the Duel to end in a DRAW because Kioku had to lose so his Monsters are deleted. I didn't want to keep writing "Creepers" even in Season 2. It would've been boring for me. Instead, by doing like I did, Kioku will have to use all of his old Cyberse Monsters and newly acquired ones from the sewers!
I also don't intend on changing the final Duel between Revolver and Playmaker. OKAY, I will make some changes to it, but I think that Duel really takes the title of "Final Duel to decide humanity's future" and I'll keep it like that.
We learn from Revolver some new stuff. 8 children were captured overall, and Kioku and a girl (who will make an appearance in Season 2) gave 'birth' to the first ever Ignis, IGNF1 and IGNF2, who created the Cyberse race but were imprisoned by Kogami.
More about all of this will be revealed in the next chapter where Ryoken tells the whole truth. And yeah, Kioku and IGNF1 will reunite and work as a team in Season 2.
Well, that's all for today, hope you guys liked the chapter. Don't forget to review!
Fan-made Cards:
Revolver:
- Wyvern Glider (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 500/LV: 4)
(Quick Effect): Lower this card's DEF by 500 when your opponent activates a card or effect which would make a face-up Spell or Trap Card you control leave the field; That activation is negated. During the Battle Phase (Quick Effect): Lower this card's ATK by 500 when your opponent activates a card or effect which would negate the activation of a card you control; That opponent's card or effect is negated.
- Grief of the Dead
Continous Spell
Both players cannot activate Monster Effects from the GYs. When a Monster Card from a GY is banished, this card is destroyed. You can only activate one "Grief of the Dead" per Duel.
- Cartridge Belt Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 2100/LV: 5)
Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. During the Battle Phase, if you control a DARK Link Monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand) to a zone that Link Monster points to on your field. You can only Special Summon 1 "Cartridge Belt Dragon" per turn this way. Once per turn (Quick Effect): When a Link Monster which points to this card is targeted by an opponent's Spell Card, you can negate that Spell Card. Tribute this card if a Link 3 or higher DARK Link Monster points to it (Quick Effect): Draw 2 cards.
- Dragon's Inheritance
Normal Spell
Discard 1 Dragon Monster from your hand: Draw 2 cards. You can only activate 1 "Dragon's Inheritance" per turn.
- Eternal Redemption
Counter Trap
Negate the activation of a card or effect which would destroy a card(s) you control. Then, you can set 1 "Cyberse Redemption" from your deck into your Spell/Trap Zone. The set card can be activated this turn, ignoring its activation requirements. Banish this card from your GY and 1 "Cyberse Redemption" from your field (if it Set, then reveal it) to negate the destruction of a Monster you control by battle.
- Square Shield Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Effect/ATK: 100/Link 1: Bottom)
1 Dragon Monster
When this card is Special Summoned, you can place 1 Shield Counter on it. Remove 1 Shield Counter from this card (Quick Effect): Negate the destruction of a Dragon Monster you control and that Monster gains 600 ATK until the End Phase. During the Battle Phase, if this card did not declare an attack (Quick Effect): You can target 1 Dragon Monster you control; It can attack an opponent's Monster again this turn, also, piercing damage will be dealt by that attack.
- Dragon's Last Resort
Counter Trap
Pay half your LP when a Dragon Monster you control is attacked: End the Battle Phase. Banish this card from your GY and target 1 Dragon Monster in your GY: Special Summon, but its ATK is cut in half and its effects are negated. You can only use this effect of "Dragon's Last Resort" once per turn.
- Link Upswing
Equip Spell
Equip only to a Link Monster. Both players don't take battle damage involving the equipped Monster, also, it cannot be destroyed by battle. Whenever this effect is applied, place 1 Upswing Counter on this card. By banishing one Link Monster from your GY, the equipped Monster can attack an opponent's Monster again during that Battle Phase. At the end of the Battle Phase, send this card to the GY and inflict 800 damage to your opponent for every Upswing Counter which was on this card.
Bloody Talker:
- Markers' Maister
Normal Spell
Target 1 Link 3 or lower Link Monster you control: Draw cards equal to its Link Rating. During the End Phase of the turn you activated this card, banish all cards in your hand. You can only activate one "Markers' Maister" per turn.
- Hex Welchia Dragon "Full Armor" (Dark/Cyberse/Effect/ATK: 3000/Link 4: Top-Left, Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom)
3+ Effect Monsters
Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can move this card to an unoccupied Main Monster or Extra Monster Zone. Once per turn, when this card battles (Quick Effect): You can destroy 1 Monster this card points to and activate 1 of these effects.
[This card cannot be destroyed by battle and it gains 800 ATK until the End Phase.]
[This card is unaffected by the opponent's effects and it gains 800 ATK until the End Phase.]
The first time this card would leave the field by an effect each turn, it doesn't. When this card is destroyed, you can target another "Hex" Monster in your GY; Special Summon it.
- Hex Cryptorm Dragon (Dark/Cyberse/Effect/ATK: 2500/Link 3: Bottom, Bottom-Right, Top)
2+ Cyberse Monsters
Twice per turn: Destroy 1 Monster that this card points to; Activate 1 of these effects (each effect can only be activated once per turn).
[All Cyberse Monsters you currently control gain 1000 ATK until the next End Phase.]
[All battle and effect damage your opponent takes this turn is doubled.]
If this card is Extra Linked: All "Hex" Link Monsters you control can activate their effects without paying the cost.
- Trivia: This card's name is a combination between "Cryptosystem" and "Worm".