Chapter 21

Infiltration

Yu and Tom were in class as usual, like any other normal days. Unfortunately, Emoti-chan wasn't present today due to sickness, so it was only them (and Yusaku, if you include him).

The bell rang to start lunchtime. Everyone went and get something to eat while Yu and Tom went to the library to talk privately from potential prying eyes since nobody come to the library during lunch. They sat at the table in the far corner of the school library.

"Wow, it's quiet in here," Yu said.

"Well, of course. It's library," Tom said.

Duh.

"Anyway, let's discuss while we have the time to how to infiltrate the data vault." Tom opened his laptop and when its lid opened, the map of the SOL Tech's core appeared on the screen.

"Wow! It looks like a maze!" Yu's eyes twinkled like a star.

"Ssssh! Yu, we're in a library. Let's keep our voice down, ok?" Tom warned him. "Now, this is SOL Tech's inner network. The copy of the backdoor program for it that you got from Ghost Girl also contained this map. According to it, the data vault is in the center right here."

A blinker appeared in the center. "That's where you will go to, tonight."

"Right," Yu nodded.

"However…" Suddenly, Rossy popped out of Yu's pocket into her robot form. "According to my calculation, SOL Tech's core network is at 100% secured at all time, 24/7. Getting inside and navigating through the maze is much more difficult."

"Right, but as long as I keep an eye while Morse navigates through the maze in the network, we'll be able to get to the core network, but there is another obstacle," Tom said.

"What's that?" Morse asked.

"This." Tom pressed a single button on his laptop, which then the screen showed a floating green diamond. "This is the security program. There are multiple copies of them floating inside the SOL Tech's network. Even just one slight touch of this, it would set the entire place an alarm and you can get deleted."

"Yikes!" Yu gasped loudly.

"Ssssssssssshhh!" A random librarian who just popped out of nowhere shushed at them.

"Sorry," Yu apologized while scratching his head.

"Anyway," Tom sighed. "As long as you, Morse, don't touch this or let it touch you, you'll be fine."

"And if any of those programs get anywhere close to me, I have Rossy to do the job for me," Yu said as he eyed on his AI partner.

"So, that's that. Let's do this," Tom declared as he held his hand out.

"Yeah, let's….do it," Morse said in a whispering, quieter tone as he held his hand out. Together, they gave a low team cheer.

-Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS Codes of Secrets-

Later that night, Tom was at his computer desk, near his monitors while Morse was logged in as his VR alias, Codebreaker with Rossy as now a hovercraft program, like the one that a scuba diver uses, swimming through the maze tunnel of the SOL Tech's private network.

"It sure is like a maze here," Codebreaker commented.

"Yeah, it really is a labyrinth," Tom added. "Go to your left, Morse."

"Got it," he nodded as he turned left. As he continued "swimming", he noticed something ahead.

"I see something coming toward me," he said.

"I know. It's the security program. Watch out and don't let any of it touches you," Tom stated.

"Rossy, keep an eye," Yu commanded.

"Yes, Master. Understood," Rossy replied.

The single "eye" lens on Rossy's front shot a laser beam to any of the security bots that came anywhere close to her human master.

"Good. Now just keep going straight until you see the fourth entranceway on your right," Tom said.

"Got it!" Codebreaker nodded as he continued.

"So far, so good," Tom thought until he then saw something detected on his monitor. "Morse!"

"What is it, Tom?" He asked.

"The sensor detects something around the corner…and it is coming right to your direction!" He exclaimed.

"Say what?" Both he and Rossy gasped.

"The sensor doesn't say it is a security program, but it classifies as unknown. Just watch out!" Tom warned.

Codebreaker decided to hide at the corner as he peeked a little. The unknown thing came closer and closer until Codebreaker could recognize what it is…or rather who it is.

"Oh, hey!" Codebreaker came out and greeted very casually.

"WHHHHAAAAA! A ghost!" AI screamed.

"No, it's not, idiot. It's Codebreaker and his AI partner," Playmaker corrected.

"Um, I knew that." Ai returned to his normal composure. "But, wait a second. What are you guys doing?"

"Good question though," Playmaker agreed. "What are you doing here, Morse?"

"Wow! That Ghost Girl was right! You guys are also here, too," Codebreaker said.

"Ghost Girl? So, she gave you a copy of the backdoor program, too?" He asked.

"Um, yeah and she said that you got one from her, too, right?" Codebreaker asked.

"Well, this is a coincidence, but why would Ghost Girl give you a copy of the backdoor program, too?" Ai asked as he looked at Codebreaker and Rossy suspiciously.

"Never mind about that," Playmaker said. "We got to reach the core."

"Playmaker's right, Morse. We too also need to get to the core," Tom said.

"True, but now that we are together, why don't we work as a team?" Morse suggested.

"A team? No, thanks," Playmaker replied coldly.

"Huh? Working with you two. I am not sure…" Ai said suspiciously.

"Wait, Yusaku…" A voice on Playmaker's com-line said, who was really Kusanagi. "I think it is best to work together for now. It is smarter and stronger as a group."

"Very well," he complied before he turned to Codebreaker. "Listen, Morse. We will work together for now."

"Sweets!" Codebreaker beamed as he made a fist-pumped.

"But, you have to explain to me your reason to be here," he demanded.

"Sure thing!" He exclaimed so casually. "I will explain it on our way."

"…I see," Playmaker said as he heard Codebreaker's whole story.

"Yup," Codebreaker nodded.

"That Ghost Girl sure is a mysterious female human. It seems strange to me," Ai said.

While Ai was thinking, they all noticed that Rossy started beeping. "Master Yu, I detect that we are 80% percent closer to the core."

"Sweets! We're almost there," he cheered.

As they swam closer and closer, something strange happened.

"Master Yu, I detect 100% of high abnormality of data ahead," Rossy stated.

"What do you mean, Rossy?" He asked.

When they got closer to the core, they felt a breeze and then, suddenly, a strong wind.

"What the!? There is a Data Storm here!" Ai exclaimed.

Suddenly, they saw a security program coming their way.

"Watch out for that!" Ai screamed.

"I got it," Playmaker replied as he quickly dodged it.

"Phew, that was close," Ai relieved.

However, the security program hit his data rope instead, setting off the alarm.

"Oh…. crap!" Ai cursed.

At the same time the alarm went off, the security center at SOL Tech responded as quickly as the alarm went off.

"What's going on!?" Kitamura yelled.

"Sir, the system detects intruders in the core network!" one of the workers stated.

"Say what!?" Kitamura shook in fear. "Wh…Who is it?"

"We'll get a visual soon!" said the other worker as they all started typing quickly. The visual came up very soon, showing the intruders.

"The intruders detected to be Playmaker and Codebreaker, sir!" said one of the workers.

"Playmaker and Codebreaker?!" Kitamura gasped as he then expressed anger. "Why the hell are they doing here?! Well, it doesn't matter now that I must get rid of these two! Send out Prototypes A, B, C, and D!"

"All four, sir?" One of the workers asked.

"Just do it and listen to my order, fools or I'll cut your salary in half!" Kitamura yelled.

Just then, the door to the room opened, indicating someone coming in.

"Well, well, well. This is happening. How exciting," said a voice.

"Kigen? What are you doing here?!" Kitamura noticed the man.

Oh, this guy! …Who was he again? I think he was from Chapter 3 or something…I can't remember.

"Good evening, Kitamura-san," Kigen greeted politely.

"Oh, well, good evening to you, too…is not the time for that!" Kitamura scolded. "What are you want?"

"Well, I was just wondering what you are up to, so I came for a little visit," he explained before he turned to the screens. "And I see that we have visitors."

"They're intruders, Kigen! And I'm gonna stop them!" Kitamura stated.

"I see, I see. I'm looking forward to what your AI Duelist program can do. After all, I am from R&D." Kigen chuckled excitedly.

"Fine, fine! You can stay and watch as long as you don't get in my way!" Kitamura stated.

"You got it, dude." He agreed with a thumbs-up.

Did he just make a reference to Full House?

Back to Link VRAINS, Playmaker and Codebreaker were now detected and instead of swimming, they were now surfing on the wind of the Data Storm.

"Can't believe that the data storm mess us up and we were so close to the core!" Ai moaned.

"According to my calculation, we were about 89.5% close to the core," Rossy stated.

"Hey, I think somebody is coming behind us," Codebreaker pointed as they turned over to their shoulders to see who the people were.

Four irregular-looking humanoid figures on D-Boards approached over the two VR Duelists.

"Who or what are these guys?" Tom questioned as he saw them on the screen back at his place.

"I don't know, but I doubt they're friendly," Codebreaker commented.

"Yusaku, watch out! Those are the AI Duelist program that Kitamura had been working on!" Shoichi warned.

"Got it," he nodded.

"Playmaker and Codebreaker, you are now hereby under the termination for infiltrating SOL Technology's private network," Prototype Ai-A said.

"Yup, they're not friendly alright," Codebreaker emphasized.

"If you don't stop now, we will terminate you both," Prototype Ai-C said. This one was a blue one, and Ai-D was yellow.

"There are four of us and four of them, so we can take them down!" Ai stated.

"Four of us?" Codebreaker asked.

"You call yourself a programmer and you can't count?" Ai said as he rolled his eyes. "There's you, me, Playmaker-sama here, and your own AI partner."

"However, according to my calculation, it is Playmaker and my master, Codebreaker who would be dueling at 100% at a time and we are just their support," Rossy said.

"However, according to my calculation, it is Playmaker and my master, Codebreaker who would be dueling…ni, ni, ni!" Ai mimicked Rossy. "Can't you say something more humane than just 'According to my calculation'?"

"I do not have such program to express perfect emotion and if I had one, I would say that was very rude of you to mimic how I speak, and it is 100% rude, according to my calculation," Rossy responded.

"Stop arguing with her!" Playmaker scolded. "We have a much bigger problem to handle."

"Yes, sir!" Ai saluted.

"Alright! Let's break some codes and duel!" Codebreaker declared.

"But even with both of your combined power, you can't win against four AI Duelists with Playmaker! It's near 100% impossible!" Rossy stated.

"Don't worry, Rossy. There is always a solution to every problem!" He assured. "And in this case, the solution is teamwork…"

"Codebreaker," Playmaker interrupted. "You take the blue and yellow ones while I take the green and the orange."

"Huh? Wait for a second, dude!" Codebreaker stated. "Aren't we going to work together as a team?"

"There are three reasons. One, that is there are four opponents and two of us. Two, even if we manage to take down one of them, we'll have to deal with three more. Three, I work better alone," he said.

"But, teamwork is the solution for this kind of problem, Playmaker! You're really not serious that you can actually handle two of them at the same time?" Codebreaker asked arguably.

"That's Playmaker's way of doing things. He is a lone wolf," Ai commented.

Back at the control monitor room, the SOL Tech security employees were typing input for the Prototypes Ai programs.

"All four Prototypes are ready to initiate combat, sir!" announced one of the workers.

"No! Just capture both while we have the chance!" Kitamura ordered as he schemed something in his mind. "Although they are formidable duelists, now that they're arguing whatever, I can use that as a chance to make my Ai's catch them and then I will report it to the higher-up, so I can be promoted! Oh ho, Kitamura, you're going to be at the top of the games!"

Two of the four Prototype Ai's went up ahead, blocking Playmaker and Codebreaker in front.

"Oh no! They're blocking us and intending to trap us!" Rossy warned.

"Quick! We got to split!" Ai yelled.

However, it was too late as the other two Prototype Ai's trapped them completely with no rooms to escape.

"Dang it! While we were arguing, we got trapped!" Codebreaker stated.

"This is not good!" Shoichi said.

"Oh, no! Morse is in trouble!" Tom exclaimed. "If only someone could…!"

Tom then realized what someone or what he could do. He jumped off from his chair and got his Duel Disk and put it on his wrist.

"In, Into the VRAINS!" He shouted hesitantly at first.

Meanwhile, in Link VRAINS, Playmaker and Codebreaker were trapped by Kitamura's Prototype Ai programs.

"You are now trapped. Surrender now and give up the Ignis!" Prototype Ai-B stated.

"No, please! Have mercy!" Ai screamed over-dramatically.

Prototype Ai-C made its move first, but when it did, something stopped it. A mysterious blue whip tangled on the Prototype's arm and pulled it off from its D-Board.

"What the?" Ai said.

"Look over there!" Rossy pointed.

Playmaker and Codebreaker looked up and saw a familiar face. "Blue Angel!"

"Hey, gentlemen AI! What are you all doing with my rivals?" Blue Angel stated strongly.

"Say what!?" Kitamura gasped. "What is Blue Angel doing here!?"

"Well, this is getting more interesting," Kigen said, enjoying himself, like watching at a movie theater.

"Hey, Blue Angel, what's up," Codebreaker greeted.

"You're really casual despite the situation we're in." Ai looked at him distraughtly.

"That's my master for you," Rossy added.

"The one who'll defeat Playmaker and Codebreaker is me and only me!" Blue Angel proclaimed.

"Cool! Now that's Blue Angel is here to help us, there are three of us!" Codebreaker exclaimed.

"But, Master, there are still four of us, even if Blue Angel joins us! The chance of winning is still slim by 50% to 60%," Rossy said.

"I agree with your AI, Codebreaker," Playmaker admitted. "Just us three would only leave 1 left unattended."

"No worry about that!" Blue Angel stated. "I can handle two of them at a time and you boys handle the other two."

"I rather handle it by myself," Playmaker replied.

Meanwhile, Kitamura was having a bit of panic inside his mind. "Why is this happening?! Why Blue Angel got to be involved now?! If the higher-up finds out about this, I'm screwed!"

"Say, Kitamura," Kigen spoke up.

"Waaaaah!" He screamed. "Wha, what is it?!"

"Shouldn't you command your Prototype AI to handle with the new visitor or rather an intruder?" He asked.

"Huh? Oh! Of course, I will! I am the freaking security director! Don't tell me how to do my job!" Kitamura yelled. "Anyway, ah-hem! Get to work, you Slifer Slackers!"

"Yes, sir!" All his workers responded.

Hey! Even a real Slifer Slackers get more respect than that!

"Shut up!" Kitamura yelled at yours truly, but it made him look like he's going nut in everyone else's eyes.

Prototype Ai-C and D began attacking at Blue Angel. Blue Angel responded by dodging the ramming of the Ai, but they kept doing it.

"Hey! How rude!" Blue Angel almost got hit by an inch.

"Hey! We're supposed to duel, not to hit a dude or duded's D-Board with your own D-Board!" Codebreaker stated.

Just then, one of the SOL Tech security agents detected something on his screen. "Sir, Sir!"

"What is it this time?" Kitamura asked.

"Fourth intruder has detected and whoever it is, he or she is approaching the location of the other three intruders currently!"

"Oh, really, is that all, all, allllllll!" Kitamura panicked.

"Oh, my! How intriguing!" Kigen beamed excitedly. "Who could it be this time? Do you know?"

"Um, well, Director Kigen, we do not know the identity of this fourth intruder, but he's approaching as we speak!" The agent stated.

Back to the Link VRAINS, the Prototype Ai's stopped what they were doing as they also detected a new intruder.

"Look! Someone else is here, too!" Ai pointed.

"Who could it be this time?" Playmaker wondered as everyone turned over to their shoulder.

"In the name of justice and all things good, no villain shall do their evil deed and get away with it! It is I!" A strong, heroic voice spoke up. "Cyber Man has returned!"

"Wha, what, whhaaaaaattt?!" Ai gasped.

"Huh?" Blue Angel looked confused.

"WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY!?" Kitamura gasped the loudest.

"Woah! Cyber Man! You're actually here, too?" Codebreaker thought aloud.

"That's right, my friend! I, Cyber Man, is here to aid you and your friends!" Cyber Man stated. "Another reason is that I won't let anyone, whether an AI or a real person to harm the innocent, especially a lovely lady, like Blue Angel here!"

"Excuse me?" She asked.

"I won't let any damsel in distress be in peril by the evil hands of an AI!" Cyber Man declared.

"I'm not a damsel in distress! I am perfectly fine to handle it by myself," she huffed, but her voice was deaf to his ears as he continued on.

"For I, Cyber Man, cannot accept that to happen, so I will aid in this duel, too!" Cyber Man decided.

"With Cyber Man joining us, the chance of winning is about 90%," Rossy said.

"I'm really confused about what's happening here, but more the merrier now that we have some extra help," Ai stated. "So, let's get on with this!"

"Hold it, guys!" Codebreaker shouted.

"Wait, don't tell me!" Ai stated. "Go Onizuka is also here, too?"

"No, but there's a fork pathway up ahead!" Codebreaker pointed.

Playmaker and everyone else noticed. He decided to go to the path on the right with Prototype Ai-A following him. Codebreaker took the middle path, followed by Prototype Ai-B. On the other hand, Blue Angel and Cyber Man went to the left path as C and D followed them.

"Sir, the Prototypes are now in pursuit of each Duelist. Prototype A is targeting on Playmaker, B on Codebreaker, and C and Do on Blue Angel and new intruder, identified as Cyber Man," said one of the female agents.

"OK, OK! Just stop them, no matter what!" Kitamura said. "Initiate duel mode!"

Hello, guys and girls! By the time I upload this, it is past midnight, but I wanted to get this out even though I was procrastinating (curse you, YouTube...).

Anyway, this chapter marks the beginning for the "Infiltration Arc"! This chapter is mostly just a remake version of the original anime episode during the time when Playmaker intrudes the SOL Tech's server.

I also have a big news! A good friend of mine and I have talked in the past about creating some new OCs for the story, and after reading another, different friend of mine's story here at this awesome website (it's called Yu-Gi-Oh Cross-VRAINS, FYI), I decided to hold a little contest. This contest will allow you guys to create new original characters for my VRAINS story. This one will be for a new OC who is a member of the Top 10 Charisma Duelists! The following is the "submission sheet" and you must absolutely follow it:

1. Character's Name: This can be simple (but not too generic, like Bob or Joe Bob) or have a special meaning.

2. Gender: Male or Female

3. Personality: I think what makes an original character unique is their personality. This can determine their goal, perspective, or whatever that makes them who they are.

4. Goal: Speaking of the devil, this is another important point. So far in the anime, Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS, every major character has a goal if you have noticed. Playmaker wants to get revenge, Blue Angel wants to prove herself to be a better person in real life and even as her persona, Go Onizuka wants to make a better, brighter future for kids, Revolver wants to end the existence of Ignis, you get it want I mean. Be creative on this as much as you can.

5. Appearance: This one got to be two-parts. The first part is the physical appearance of the OC in real life or outside of Link VRAINS. The second part is the appearance in Link VRAINS.

6. Archetype: In other words, the type of Deck he or she uses. It can be based on the real Archetype in the Yu-Gi-Oh TCG/OCG or something original that you made up.

7. Background: This is what I think the most important one and that relates with all other points above. Make up a short story about this OC. Why is he or she seeking his/her goal? What is his or her motive? Did he or she experience some kind tragedy in the past (However, if you are going to make the OC have some kind of tragedy, be original about it; don't say the OC you make is one of the lost kidnapped children, like Yusaku or Spectre). Be original and creative about this one, too, and have fun with it!

I think that should wrap up. If one or more point is missing, then I won't accept it. Only the lucky three winners will be selected and you can only submit one OC! If you have already submitted an OC, then you cannot submit another one, anymore. The way to submit your OC submission form is either PM or review.

With all that said, I will see you guys soon and since it is getting late for me, I won't show preview for the next chapter this time. Until the next chapter, stay well and INTO THE VRAINS!