- In response to ZarcEternal's review:

"I personally hope things go as Yugioh Everything theorized, where Akira and Aoi have a Tag Duel with separate LP and Ai manages to defeat Akira to get his code key, but Aoi pulls out a win- a good win which she deserves by now! Without her brother, can you imagine how much development she could get? Let's just hope she won't get the usual Yugioh-girl-treatment."

- In response to SoulMatter's review:

"Well, you know we can always give it a try on DuelingBook."

- In response to HunterHQ's review:

"Erika is still with Lightning, so it makes sense she still has such privileges. After she betrays him he could remove them as he did with Trinitas."

- In response to D3lph0xL0v3r's review:

"Today's episode managed to bring my hopes back for Season 3 Ai, let's hope the writers continue doing this."

- In response to Hmmmmm's review:

"Very interesting things, that's for sure."

- In response to ScreamGirl4998's review:

"It's good you asked that, gave me some nice ideas for the future."


(Season 2)

Turn 31:

True Tears


Before the Present...

"Why did you call me?"

Was Haru's question upon entering the throne room and bowed his head to the LIGHT Ignis, who was standing on his Origin's left shoulder. Haru saw seven globes above their heads, each showing a different intruder, and his eyes landed on Blue Maiden.

It's the girl with the Water Ignis. he remembered from their last Duel. "She's the most nearby to the palace..."

"That's right." Lightning confirmed. "It'd be bad if they find Bohman's location right now. His operation isn't finished, we can't let them interfere. The Bit she's fighting won't last long. You go and fight her."

"Understood."

"And this time, don't underestimate their instincts." Lightning warned him.

"Do you think I can win?"

"You don't need to win." Lightning shrugged his shoulders. "You just need to buy time."

"OK." Haru bowed and left the throne room.

As he walked in the hallways by himself, he let out a scoff.

"He doesn't think I can win." Haru mused. He defeated an opponent like Siegfried, and that Ignis still doesn't acknowledge his skills? Unsighted little... "Whatever. No point thinking about him." he suddenly stopped. "I guess... I'll go see Nii-san first."

That should raise his spirit if Lightning won't. Bohman was still in a difficult spot with his synchronization when Haru arrived at his location.

Hearing his footsteps, Bohman opened his eyes. "What is it, Haru?" he asked.

"Playmaker's team invaded Mirror LINK VRAINS," Haru explained.

"I see. My task will soon be done." Bohman said. "And then, they'll have nowhere to run."

"You're right." Haru agreed. Once his brother becomes one with the network, there won't be a safe place on this planet anymore; their goal will be achieved. Haru had nothing else to say, so he took his leave before this could get awkward.

"Didn't you want something?" Bohman inquired.

"No, not really." he stopped to glance back at his brother. "I just came to see you."

"Lightning must've said something."

"Eh? How did you know?"

"Did he tell you to attack?" Bohman avoided Haru's question.

"Well, yeah..."

"Don't go."

"Huh!? What are you talking about?" Haru asked in surprise. "I can't just ignore his order."

"There's a difference in your skills." Bohman remarked. "You won't be able to defeat them."

"We won't know until I try!" Haru stated. "And I was able to defeat Siegfried! That shows I have the needed strength to protect you!"

Protect him? Bohman was stunned by those words. That Duel changed Haru greatly. "That's true, but Siegfried was below Playmaker's team in terms of power." Bohman told. "You defeated him and proved to be stronger, but you're not ready to fight Playmaker's team. I'm warning you as your older brother."

Haru gritted his teeth. "I know you care about me, Nii-san," he explained. "But I can't sit down and wait for Blue Maiden to appear and attack you. You're defenseless! This isn't about Lightning or you- it's about what I want to do! And I want to protect you, at least until you're finished with the synchronization!"

"Haru..." these are his brother's feelings...

"I'm going."

"Wait, Haru!" Bohman outstretched an arm in vain towards his brother. "If you lose in Mirror LINK VRAINS, you'll be erased!" he's his one and only little brother... he can't just die.

"I don't care." Haru didn't show any fear of death. He then walked away. "I'm a failed A.I. anyway! You're much more important to me, Nii-san." he stopped at the door. "I'll see you later."

When he left the room, Bohman could only stare at the door in... fear? Anger? Sadness? He's new to these human feelings. He'll thank Haru for showing them to him... if he can return alive.

"Haru... stay safe." he whispered to no one in particular.

...

"This is the end!"

Following Blue Maiden's words, a Bit fell off of his D-Board with a cry of pain before vanishing.

Bit: LP 600 - 600 = 0

Winner: Blue Maiden!

"They should be all gone now." she said, not seeing any minions around her.

[No, there's one more.] Aqua told, and Blue Maiden saw one person reaching her.

"I'm your next opponent, Blue Maiden!" Haru pointed a finger at her.

Fate organized another Duel for them to see who's the best. "Long time no see. We'll have to Duel again, won't we?"

"Yeah." Haru nodded. "And this time, the result will be different."

"On that, we agree." Blue Maiden said. "The stakes are the same from last time; if you win, Aqua and my consciousness go to Lightning!"

"Got it in one!" Haru smirked.

[Look out, Blue Maiden.] Aqua spoke up. [I can sense something different from last time.]

"Different?" she wondered in a low tone. There's one way to find that out.

"SPEED DUEL!" they shouted in unison.

Haru: LP 4000

VS

Blue Maiden: LP 4000

(The Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.)

"I'm taking the first turn this time! Watashi no turn!" Blue Maiden announced. "I summon Marincess Blue Tang!"

Emerging from a twister of bubbles was a teen girl wearing a blue dress and a hair clip with a heart-shaped crystal in it.

Marincess Blue Tang: Water / Cyberse / Effect / ATK: 1500 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 4

"Burū Tan no kōka hatsudō!" she declared. "When she's Normal or Special Summoned, I can send a different "Marincess" Monster from my deck to the Graveyard. I send Marincess Sea Horse to the Graveyard!"

Her Monster nodded and her hairclip glowed faintly as a bubble formed between her hands, which contained Sea Horse's card. Seconds later, the bubble exploded and vanished with the card.

I see. When she'll Link Summon Blue Slug, she can return Sea Horse and go for a Link 3. Haru noted with a hint of annoyance.

"Kagayake! Yūjō to kizuna no sākitto!" a Link Portal opened at Blue Maiden's words. "The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower Marincess! I set Blue Tang! Link Summon! Link 1! Marincess Blue Slug!"

Emerging from the portal was the young girl wearing a primarily dark blue dress and an orange crown with a heart-shaped crystal. She followed her user in the Extra Monster Zone on her right.

Marincess Blue Slug: ATK 100 / Link 1: Bottom

"When Link Summoned, I can activate Blue Slug's effect!" Blue Maiden stated. "I target one "Marincess" Monster in my Graveyard and add it to my hand. I choose Sea Horse. The effect of Blue Tang also activates! When I use her as Link Material to summon a Water Monster, I can excavate the top three cards of my deck to add a "Marincess" card to my hand!"

Three cards materialized before her, and she selected one.

"I add Marincess Bubble Armor to my hand! The rest are shuffled into my deck." she said. "Next, I Special Summon Sea Horse to the zone Blue Slug points to!"

Emerging from a twister of bubbles was the teen girl wearing a dress with a seahorse-like ornament on her left shoulder and a blue necklace with a heart-shaped crystal.

Marincess Sea Horse: ATK 1400 / DEF 1000 / LV: 3

"Kagayake! Yūjō to kizuna no sākitto!" the second Link Portal appeared. "The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower Marincess! I set Sea Horse! Link Summon! Link 1! Marincess Sea Angel!"

Emerging from the portal was a young girl wearing a white dress and an orange crown with a heart-shaped crystal. She followed her user under Blue Slug's Bottom Marker.

Marincess Sea Angel: Water / Cyberse / Effect / ATK: 1000 / Link 1: Left

"A new Link 1 Marincess!?" Haru's eyes widen in surprise.

"Shī Enjeru no kōka!" Blue Maiden pointed forward. "When she's Link Summoned, I can add one "Marincess" Spell Card from my deck to my hand. I add Marincess Stream Flux to my hand!"

"She gets any Spell so easily...!?" Haru scowled. OK, her deck is officially insane.

[Not only you're keeping hand advantage, but you're summoning stronger and stronger Monsters.] Aqua praised her partner. [You're doing great, Blue Maiden!]

"And I'll continue to! Yūjō to kizuna no sākitto! The summoning conditions are two Water Monsters! I set Blue Slug and Sea Angel! Link Summon! Link 2! Marincess Coral Anemone!"

Emerging from the portal was the young woman wearing a primarily white dress with tentacle-like accessories and a white crown with a heart-shaped crystal. She followed her user in the Extra Monster Zone on her right.

Marincess Coral Anemone: ATK 2000 / Link 2: Left, Bottom

"I activate Coral Anemone's effect!" Blue Maiden shouted. "I can target one Water Monster with 1500 or less Attack in my Graveyard and Special Summon it to a zone she points to. Come back, Sea Horse!"

The said Monster appeared for the second time.

"I activate the Spell Card Marincess Stream Flux, targeting a "Marincess" Link Monster I control, in this case Coral Anemone. You take 200 damage for each Link Marker the targeted Monster has!"

Two streams of water erupted from the card, washing over Haru.

Haru: LP 4000 - 400 = 3600

"Effect damage... that was Blue Angel's forte." he whispered to himself.

"Shine for the fourth time! Yūjō to kizuna no sākitto!" she exclaimed. "The summoning conditions are two or more Water Monsters! I set Sea Horse and the Link 2 Coral Anemone! Link Summon! Awaken, Link 3! Marincess Marbled Rock!"

Emerging from the portal was the young woman with spiky hair, very long nails, and wearing a dress with spiky accessories and a crown with a heart-shaped crystal. She followed her user in the Extra Monster Zone on her right.

Marincess Marbled Rock: ATK 2500 / Link 3: Left, Bottom, Right

"Since Coral Anemone was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can return a different "Marincess" card from the Graveyard to my hand. I choose Stream Flux, which I'll activate again on Marbled Rock!"

This time, three streams of water hit the other Duelist.

Haru: LP 3600 - 600 = 3000

"I activate Marbled Rock's effect to return a "Marincess" card from my Graveyard to my hand, and I choose Stream Flux. I activate it again on Marbled Rock!"

Haru: LP 3000 - 600 = 2400

"For crying out loud...!" Haru groaned. "I lost so many Life Points and it's just the first turn."

"I set one card face-down and end my turn." Blue Maiden concluded. This was an amazing first turn; now she has to survive his opponent's turn and go for the win.

"Finally!" Haru yelled. "Boku no turn, draw! I summon Lumen Commander!"

The human-sized knight with Lightning's star symbol on its torso and a sword appeared.

Lumen Commander: ATK 1800 / DEF 1500 / LV: 4

"Arawarero! Boku no sākitto!" a Link Portal opened at Haru's words. "The summoning condition is one Light Cyberse Monster! I set Commander! Link Summon! Link 1! Lumen Chevalier!"

The human-sized knight with Lightning's star symbol on its torso and a lance landed in the Extra Monster Zone on his right.

Lumen Chevalier: Union / ATK 800 / Link 1: Bottom

"I activate the Spell Card Link Formation!" Haru stated. "I target and Special Summon Commander from my Graveyard to the zone Chevalier points to!"

The Normal Monster emerged from a GY Portal with its 1500 DEF.

"Arawarero! Boku no sākitto! The summoning condition is one "Lumen" Monster! I set Commander! Link Summon! Link 1! Lumen Caster!"

A humanoid Monster clad in ornate robes reminiscent of Papal clothing and a featureless mask over its face with Lightning's star engraved on it appeared under Chevalier's Bottom Marker, holding a golden book in its left hand.

Lumen Caster: Light / Cyberse / Union / Effect / ATK: 0 / Link 1: Bottom-Left

[A new "Lumen" Union Monster.] Aqua noted. [This confirms he has countermeasures against your Marincess deck.]

"Yeah..." Blue Maiden nodded. "He knows I have Bubble Armor in my hand. He's going for a strategy which prevails it..."

"I activate my Skill! Appear, Judgement Arrows!" Haru cried out, his Link Magic glowing to life under Caster's Bottom-Left Marker.

Judgement Arrows - Link Markers 3: Top-Left, Top, Top-Right

"I set one card face-down and Battle!" Haru pointed at her field. "Lumen Caster attacks Marbled Rock!"

"What!?" Blue Maiden exclaimed.

[Judgement Arrows or not, that Monster's Attack is 0!] Aqua remarked. [Why would he attack!?]

"To activate Caster's effect!" Haru declared. "When a Union Link Monster battles a Monster with more Attack, I can Link Summon one "Lumen" Link Monster by using Union Monsters I control as materials! Appear for the third time! Boku no sākitto!"

Caster opened its book as its pages glowed a bright yellow, conjuring a Link Portal.

"The summoning conditions are two Light Cyberse Monsters! I set Caster and Chevalier! Link Summon! Link 2! Zenith Lumen Knight!"

The tall knight in thin silver armor with golden trims and a glowing symbol of Lightning's star on its torso appeared in front of Judgement Arrows' Top Marker. It wore a falling buffe and held a flail in its left hand.

Zenith Lumen Knight: ATK 2000 / Link 2: Bottom-Left, Top-Right

"A Link Summon during the Battle Phase...?" Blue Maiden was shocked.

"And Caster's effect continues! After I Link Summon, one material is equipped to Knight. I select Chevalier!" the lance appeared in Knight's right hand. "It gains 800 Attack by its effect!"

(Zenith Lumen Knight: ATK 2000→2800)

[It has more than Marbled Rock!] Aqua gasped. [He bypassed Bubble Armor so easily.]

"Battle!" Haru shouted. "Knight, attack Marincess Marbled Rock!"

"I activate Marbled Rock's effect!" Blue Maiden stated. "When an attack is declared, by sending a "Marincess" Monster from my hand to the Graveyard, I make it so Monsters can't be destroyed and I take no battle damage by that battle!"

A bubble materialized around her Link Monster, which protected it from the lance.

"You won't escape! Zenith Lumen Knight's effect! It gains one additional attack per Battle Phase for every "Lumen" Union Monster equipped to itself!" Haru revealed, prompting her to gasp. "Go, Knight! Attack Marbled Rock for a second time!"

"In that case, I activate the Trap Card Marincess Bubble Armor from my hand!" she shouted. "I can activate it from my hand because I control a Link 3 or higher Marincess. The Attack of battling Monsters can't be changed this turn, and since I control a Link 2 or higher Marincess, I draw one card!"

"You stopped Judgement Arrows, but you still take the damage and lose your Monster!"

True to Haru's words, Knight swung its flail to the side, causing its chain to extend until striking Marbled Rock. She gave a cry of pain before exploding, Blue Maiden's body glitched by the flames.

Blue Maiden: LP 4000 - 300 = 3700

"At this moment, I activate the Trap Card Marincess Snow!" Blue Maiden exclaimed. "When my "Marincess" Link Monster is destroyed, I can target it and Special Summon from my Extra Deck one "Marincess" Link Monster with a lower Link Rating, treating this summon as a Link Summon!"

"You reply with a Link Summon of your own!?" Haru's eyes widen a little.

"Exactly! Appear, Marincess Crystal Heart!"

The Monster composed of fog with a female-like face, which curled around Crystal Heart, was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone on Blue Maiden's right.

Marincess Crystal Heart: ATK 0 / Link 2: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right

"Due to Marincess Snow, the summoned Crystal Heart is unaffected by your card effects so long as I control it." she added.

"Tch, I end my turn." Haru said.

[That was a close call.] Aqua wiped her brow in relief. [He undoubtedly became strong. I can feel new emotions driving him forward, and none of them are malicious intents. He... is fighting for someone.]

"For who?" Blue Maiden blinked in confusion.

[I don't know.] Aqua shook her head. [But... I can feel it's someone close to him. Someone who has a deep connection with him.]

"Someone close..." Blue Maiden muttered. Maybe it's... "Watashi no turn, draw! I Special Summon a second copy of Sea Horse!"

The said Monster appeared under Crystal Heart's Bottom-Left Marker.

"Kagayake! Yūjō to kizuna no sākitto! I set Sea Horse into the Link Marker! Link Summon! Marincess Sea Angel!" the little girl in white with 1000 ATK took Sea Horse's place. "Sea Angel's effect enables me to add Marincess Battle Ocean from my deck to my hand. Since I control two "Marincess" Monsters, I activate Mandarin's effect from my Graveyard to Special Summon her to Sea Angel's Link Marker!"

Emerging from a twister of bubbles on Sea Angel's left was the young girl wearing a primarily orange dress and a blue crown with a heart-shaped crystal.

Marincess Mandarin: ATK 100 / DEF 100 / LV: 1

"That's the card she discarded for Marbled Rock." Haru noted.

"The next time Mandarin leaves the field, she's banished. Shine again, yūjō to kizuna no sākitto! I set Mandarin and Sea Angel! Link Summon! Marincess Coral Anemone!"

The Link 2 with 2000 ATK took Sea Angel's Zone.

"I activate Coral Anemone's effect! Resurrect, Blue Tang!" the Marincess with 1500 ATK returned. "Blue Tang's effect! I send Marincess Harlequin from my deck to the Graveyard! Next, I activate the Field Spell Marincess Battle Ocean and Link Summon!"

The third Link Portal appeared. "The summoning conditions are two or more Water Monsters, including Crystal Heart! I set Blue Tang, Coral Anemone, and the Link 2 Crystal Heart! Link Summon! Appear, Link 4! Marincess Wonder Heart!"

Emerging from the portal was a tall, humanoid Monster clad in armor of pearl shells with a dress motif and had a heart-shaped crystal on its chest. It followed its user in the Extra Monster Zone on her right.

Marincess Wonder Heart: Water / Cyberse / Effect / ATK: 2400 / Link 4: Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right, Right

"A Link 4 Marincess!" Haru gasped.

"At this moment, Battle Ocean, Coral Anemone, and Blue Tang's effects activate!" Blue Maiden stated. "Blue Tang lets me excavate the top three cards of my deck to add a "Marincess" card to my hand!"

Three cards materialized before her, and she selected one.

"I add Marincess Wave to my hand! The rest are shuffled into my deck." she said. "Coral Anemone lets me return a "Marincess" card from my Graveyard to my hand, and I choose Bubble Armor! Lastly, Battle Ocean resolves! When I Link Summon a Marincess to the Extra Monster Zone, I can equip up to three "Marincess" Link Monsters with different names from my Graveyard to it. Resurrect, Sea Angel, Coral Anemone, and Marbled Rock!"

The spirits of the stated Link Monsters appeared on her field before entering Wonder Heart's body.

"Batoru Ōshan no kōka!" Blue Maiden threw her arm forward. "Marincess I control gain 200 Attack, plus an additional 600 Attack for every "Marincess" card equipped to them!"

[With three "Marincess" Monsters equipped, Wonder Heart gains a total of 2000 Attack!] Aqua stated.

(Marincess Wonder Heart: ATK 2400→4400)

"That's not enough!" Haru retorted. "And because you filled your Spell & Trap Zones, you can't activate Bubble Armor from your hand! Or did you forget it during your momentum!?"

"No, I did not. Battle!" Blue Maiden cried out, shocking him. "Wonder Heart, attack Zenith Lumen Knight! At this moment, Wonder Heart's effect activates! At the start of Damage Step, if this card battles an opponent's Monster, your Monster becomes unaffected by card effects, except its own, until the end of the Damage Step!"

"What!?" Haru exclaimed. "That means Judgement Arrows and the boost Knight gained from the equipped Lumen Chevalier are invalid...!"

(Zenith Lumen Knight: ATK 2800→2000)

[The difference in Attack Points is 2400.] Aqua told. [Your Life Points are exactly 2400!]

"This ends here!" Blue Maiden declared.

"I won't let you pass!" Haru shouted back. "I activate the Counter Trap Lumen Abnegate!" a card, which depicted Lumen Caster deflecting a fireball with a magic barrier, appeared. "When my "Lumen" Link Monster equipped with a Union Monster is attacked, I can halve the battle damage and negate Knight's destruction!"

Blue Maiden scowled. "In that case, I activate Wonder Heart's other effect! Since she's battling an opponent's Monster, during damage calculation, I can target an equipped "Marincess" Link Monster; I target Coral Anemone!"

A large sword materialized in Wonder Heart's hand, which it swung at Knight, who was able to barely deflect it with its two weapons.

Haru: LP 2400 - 1200 = 1200

"Lumen Abnegate's effect continues!" Haru stated. "Your Battle Phase ends here! And since the battle is over, Wonder Heart's expires!"

(Zenith Lumen Knight: ATK 2000→2800)

"But Wonder Heart's other effect activates!" she revealed. "After the battle in which I activated her previous effect, I Special Summon the targeted card with its effects negated! Appear, Coral Anemone!"

The spirit of Coral Anemone emerged from Wonder Heart, before her body solidified and showed her 2000 ATK. She followed her user in the Middle Main Monster Zone.

[Since she lost an equip card, Wonder Heart loses 600 Attack.] Aqua said. [But with Battle Ocean, Coral Anemone gains 200 Attack!]

(Marincess Wonder Heart: ATK 4400→3800; Marincess Coral Anemone: ATK 2000→2200)

"I end my turn." Blue Maiden concluded. "You changed. You started to fight for Bohman, right?"

"What makes you say that?"

"I fight because I have something precious to protect. Be it my family or my friends. You... the way you're fighting... Aqua told me she senses you fighting for someone who has a deep connection to you. It's Bohman- your brother, right?"

Haru frowned and said nothing. "Yeah..." he admitted begrudgingly. "I'll protect Nii-san from you. Are you happy now?"

"Me?"

"After all, the last time we saw each other I was insistent on my point of view. But just now I admitted I was wrong and you were right."

"I'm not going to ridicule you if that's what you mean. I am happy, actually. Happy that you were able to see the truth. A family can always drive your spirit forward and it's a beautiful thing. Everyone deserves one, no matter who they are. Even you."

"Even me..." Haru echoed. A failed A.I. like him deserves a family? Come to think of it, Bohman never called or looked at him as a failure, but as his younger brother, Haru. Maybe it's time he doesn't think of himself as a failure anymore. "Let's resume. Boku no turn, draw! I activate the equipped Chevalier's effect to unequip it and Special Summon it!"

Knight discarded its lance, and Chevalier reappeared to grab it.

"I summon Lumen Supplier from my hand!"

The human-sized knight with Lightning's star symbol on its torso which carried a wooden carriage filled with various weapons appeared.

Lumen Supplier: ATK 0 / DEF 0 / LV: 1

"Arawarero! Boku no sākitto!" Haru exclaimed. "The summoning conditions are three or more Light Cyberse Monsters, including a Lumen! I set Supplier, Chevalier, and the Link 2 Knight! Link Summon! The preeminent ruler of light, Zenith Lumen Monarch!"

Emerging from the portal was the knight clad in pristine white armor with glowing trims and a golden symbol of Lightning's star on its torso and had four arms, one of which held a scepter in its hand. It gave a battle cry before landing in front of Judgement Arrows' Top Marker.

Zenith Lumen Monarch: ATK 2400 / Link 4: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right, Top-Right, Top-Left

[A Link 4 showed itself.] Aqua noted in concern.

"Since Knight was sent from the field to the Graveyard, its effect lets me draw a card." Haru said. "And Since Supplier was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one Union Monster from my hand! Appear, Lumen Squire!"

The human-sized knight with Lightning's star symbol on its torso and a dagger appeared.

Lumen Squire: Union / ATK 200 / DEF 800 / LV: 2

"I banish Supplier from my Graveyard to activate its other effect, equipping Chevalier from my Graveyard to Monarch." the lance reappeared in one of the Link 4's free hands. "I also activate Squire's effect to equip itself to Monarch!"

The Link 4 took the dagger as well.

(Zenith Lumen Monarch: ATK 2400→3200)

"Battle! I-"

"I activate the Trap Card Marincess Wave from my hand!" Blue Maiden quickly declared. "I can activate it from my hand because I control a Link 3 or higher Marincess. Through its effect, I target your Monarch and negate its effect until the end of this turn!"

"Damn it..." Haru muttered. At this rate, he can't win this turn. "In that case, I'll deal as much damage as I can! Zenith Lumen Monarch, attack Marincess Coral Anemone!"

"I activate Wonder Heart's effect!" she pointed at his field. "When another "Marincess" Monster is attacked, I can change the attack to this card!"

"Fine." Haru 'tch'-ed. "But Squire's effect negates the attacked Wonder Heart's effects, therefore Judgement Arrows will affect Monarch!"

(Zenith Lumen Monarch: ATK 3200→6400)

The Link 4 unleashed a powerful blast of light from its scepter, which washed over Wonder Heart and disintegrated it.

Blue Maiden: LP 3700 - 2600 = 1100

(Zenith Lumen Monarch: ATK 6400→3200)

[Free the emotions sleeping within you, Blue Maiden!] Aqua shouted.

"I activate my Skill! Shape of Sea!" her partner declared, shocking Haru. "When I take battle damage, I can Special Summon a Water Monster from my Graveyard with equal or lower Attack than the taken damage! Resurrect, Marbled Rock!"

A twister of water surrounded her, which shot into the sky and exploded, reveal the mentioned Link 3 inside of it. Marbled Rock gave a battle cry before following her user in the Left Main Monster Zone with her boosted 2700 ATK.

"She used my attack to her advantage..." Haru narrowed his eyes.

"Wonder Heart's last effect!" Blue Maiden added. "When she's destroyed, I can Special Summon Crystal Heart from my Graveyard!"

The Link 2 also returned with its boosted 200 ATK.

"Damn, I end my turn..." Haru said through grit teeth. He's in a horrible situation.

"Watashi no turn, draw!" Blue Maiden announced. "I activate Marbled Rock's effect to return Wonder Heart from my Graveyard to my Extra Deck."

"Why would you-" Haru gasped. "You're going to re-summon it!"

"That's right! Kagayake! Yūjō to kizuna no sākitto! I set the Link 2 Coral Anemone and the Link 2 Crystal Heart! Link Summon! Return, Marincess Wonder Heart!"

Wonder Heart reappeared in the Extra Monster Zone on Blue Maiden's right, its ATK boosted to 2600.

"Coral Anemone's effect lets me recover Marincess Wave," Blue Maiden explained. "Battle Ocean's effect also activates, and I equip one Coral Anemone and one Sea Angel from the Graveyard to Wonder Heart!"

The said Monsters' spirits entered the Link 4's body and it gained a blue aura.

(Marincess Wonder Heart: ATK 2600→3800)

"Battle! Wonder Heart, attack Zenith Lumen Monarch! At this moment, Wonder Heart's effect activates, making your Monster unaffected by card effects, except its own, for this battle!"

[The damage will be 1400!] Aqua pointed out. [We win!]

"It's not over yet! I activate Lumen Strategist's effect from my hand!" Haru exclaimed. "I discard this card and send the equipped Squire and Chevalier to the Graveyard to gain a total of 2000 Life Points!"

The dagger and lance Monarch held suddenly burst into green particles, which enveloped Haru.

Haru: LP 1200 + 2000 = 3200

[But now, Monarch lost its equip cards and it can be destroyed.] Aqua told.

"Strategist protects Monarch from destruction by my opponent's hands this turn since a Union monster, which was equipped to Monarch, was sent to the Graveyard by Strategist!"

True to Haru's words, his Link 4 was able to deflect Wonder Heart's sword with its scepter.

Haru: LP 3200 - 1400 = 1800

"Judgement Arrows will double Monarch's Attack if you attack it with Marbled Rock!" Haru pointed out. "Even if you use Bubble Armor from your hand, Marbled Rock doesn't have enough Attack to deplete my Life Points. You're out of attacks to make!"

"Are you sure about that?" Blue Maiden smiled, surprising him. "Battle! Marbled Rock, attack Zenith Lumen Monarch! I activate Marincess Bubble Armor from my hand, making it so the Attack of battling Monsters can't be changed, and since I control a Link 2 or higher Marincess, I draw one card!"

After doing so, "By banishing Harlequin from the Graveyard when a Marincess declares an attack, for every different "Marincess" Link Monster in my Graveyard, the attacking Monster gains 400 Attack until the end of this turn!"

"Harlequin!?" Haru gasped. That's the card she sent to the Graveyard with Blue Tang turns ago! "You predicted this situation...!"

[Marincess Sea Angel, Blue Slug, Coral Anemone, and Crystal Heart are in the Graveyard, for a total of four.] Aqua pointed out. [Which means Marbled Rock gains 1600 Attack!]

(Marincess Marbled Rock: ATK 2700→4300)

"4300 Attack!?" Haru's eyes widen in shock.

"[Marincess Submerge!]" the human and Ignis shouted in unison.

Marbled Rock unleashed a powerful jet of water from its hands, which didn't destroy Monarch, but sent Haru flying off of his D-Board with a cry of pain.

Haru: LP 1800 - 1900 = 0

Winner: Blue Maiden!

In the end... I wasn't able to protect you, Nii-san. Haru thought. But, at least I brought you some time. Nii-san... win. Win and create the world you seek... so we can be together... forever. I hope you can keep your promise, heh heh.

Haru!

He gave a sly smile at hearing Bohman's desperate shout in his head. Sorry... Goodbye. Haru shed tears of sorrow before his body vanished in yellow data, leaving Blue Maiden alone.

"This win... doesn't feel right." she whispered with a frown. "He was fighting for his brother, like me. He didn't do anything wrong..."

[You're right.] Aqua agreed, placing her hands together in a praying manner. [Lightning made him become a soldier. It's not your fault, Blue Maiden, that it had to go this way.]

"Lightning... how many lives will he twist with his ambitions?" Blue Maiden thought aloud before zooming off.

[Everyone, can you hear me?] Playmaker's voice spoke through their Duel Disks. [We defeated all cannon fodders. Let's split apart and search for Lightning. Whoever finds him first-]

He stopped talking as the sky started glitching, catching their attention. When the occurrence ended, their D-Boards suddenly shut down.

[There's less Data Material!] Grim realized.

"So we'll crash, isn't that lovely!" Bloody Talker gritted his teeth as they fell. "I'm going to have to use Instant Save Coating!"

A large island was coming in his way, so he jumped off his D-Board and activated his program. When he landed, he didn't take any physical damage thanks to Instant Save Coating, but coughed as sand surrounded his body.

"This must be Lightning's doing." he said through a cough. He waved his hands to blow the sand away, and once he was done, Grim emerged from his Duel Disk up to his waist.

[This location... I'm not the only one to get déjà vu, right?] Grim questioned.

Bloody Talker took in his words and looked around. Moments later, the two realized where they were.

"This is the island Playmaker landed during his Duel with Onizuka." Bloody Talker said. He placed a hand on his hip with a sigh. "Well, this is 'Mirror' LINK VRAINS for a reason."

[It's a perfect copy of the original.] Grim added. [We were able to recognize it so easily. Communications to the outside have been cut. More than likely, Mirror LINK VRAINS's entrance closed.]

"Which means we're locked in." Bloody Talker remarked. "Quite the problem."

Their conversation was interrupted by an aurora borealis materializing around their respective areas.

"A wall?" Bloody Talker thought aloud.

[Which means we can't summon Monsters to fly on.] Grim narrowed his eyes. [It seems Lightning's completing his preparations.]

"That's right."

Bloody Talker turned his head to the side, seeing Adam there. A moment passed before they said anything, the wind blowing some sand up in the meantime.

"Lightning let you come." he fully turned towards her. "The first Duel we'll be played by us, then."

"Lightning's broadcasting this to your other comrades." Adam said. "He wants to defeat you one-by-one to break your spirit."

"I expected a dirty move from Lightning." Bloody Talker waved a hand. He then smirked. "But let's reverse it, shall we? We'll break his spirit instead."

"With you winning?" Adam asked.

"No. With us teaming up." his smirk vanished, turning serious. "When this Duel ends, one of us will join the other. Whatever the outcome, it's a lose-lose for Lightning since we'll team up."

"That's right." Adam nodded. "But we don't have to fight. In Mirror LINK VRAINS, when you lose, you're erased and your consciousness leaves your body. I developed a countermeasure against it- a simple program- so that won't happen to us when this Duel ends... but nobody is forcing us to waste time with this."

"I know. And it's nice to know you made a program like that." Kioku spoke up. "But you can't be selfish."

"Selfish, you say?"

"Yes. You fight for what you believe is noble, and your goal is indeed noble. But, only you think that will be a good thing. You're forcing those good intentions on me and the world, and that's no different than evil intentions."

"Blasphemous words. Someone might dislike the idea of a new life, but once they get a taste of it, they'll come to accept it in time. That's what it is to be a human. Moreover, everyone has different perspectives on good and evil. Calling my intentions evil is not the same as saying everyone believes they're evil."

"But a new life could hurt many people, like the Lost Incident." Kioku pointed out. "The Lost Incident is what brought us here! Despite being a Dark-attribute user, Bloody Talker found hope among the friends and family who supported him. But you... a Light-attribute user, didn't. Fake family or not, Bloody Talker had people he could rely on and trust, open himself to. You fell into darkness, Erika-nee, and it's about time I pull you out of it and make you see the true light."

"My life wasn't the best. The threat called Lightning was always behind the corner and I only trusted Grandeen." Adam said. "But I know the light I follow. It's called happiness. And when I'll reach that light and grab it, you and I can rest in peace. Everyone will!"

"But the Ignis and Cyberse won't!" Kioku shouted back. "Everyone deserves a chance at life! You and Grandeen fight alone, and that will be the deciding factor this final battle because you Duel with hate, but we Duel with hope for the future! A world in perfect harmony- isn't that what Lily would say!?"

"Lily is dead!" she remarked. "What she would say or do doesn't matter anymore."

"It doesn't because she entrusted her choices to you." Kioku pointed a finger at her. "When I'll save you from the darkness, I'll be doing it on Lily's behalf as well!"

"Then show me!" Adam summoned her Duel Disk. "Show me your power, and I'll show you mine."

"You read me like a book. Expected from my twin sister." Kioku said.

This is it. Grim narrowed his eyes in concern. Their fated Duel...

"DUEL!" the twins shouted in unison, the sand under their feet gaining a sacred glow.


Fan-made Cards/Skills:

Haru:

Lumen Caster (Light/Cyberse/Union/Effect/ATK: 0/Link 1: Bottom-Left)

1 "Lumen" monster

Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 LIGHT Cyberse monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it. If the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, destroy this card instead. When your Union Link Monster battles a monster with more ATK: You can, immediately after this effect resolves, Link Summon 1 "Lumen" Link Monster by using Union monsters you control as Link Materials, then equip 1 of the used materials to the summoned monster.

Lumen Abnegate

Counter Trap

When your "Lumen" Link Monster equipped with a Union monster is attacked: You can halve the battle damage you'd take from that battle and negate your monster's destruction, and if you do, after that battle's Damage Step, end the Battle Phase.

Lumen Strategist (Light/Cyberse/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 1)

Discard this card from your hand (Quick Effect): Send any number of Spell and/or Trap cards you control to the GY; gain 1000 LP for each. If a Union monster(s) was sent to the GY this way, the monster to which it was equipped to cannot be destroyed by your opponent this turn.


Quite a chapter from a siblinghood perspective. Haru Duels Blue Maiden and loses, leaving this story with a real, emotional stain which I'll never forget. It was good writing the little guy, and this time, Blue Maiden actually had to work to get her win, unlike in the anime. However, the Marincess proved too much and prevailed over Lumen.

That said, I didn't have to make a single OC card for Blue Maiden to survive attacks/effects. That just shows how good of a deck it is. But then why do I get the feeling it could lose to Ai because the writers are making him winwinwinwinwinwin-WHEN HE COULD'VE LOST AGAINST PANDOR IF SHE HAD ZEROBOROS!

Next chapter, you readers should know what gonna happen! ;) And wasn't Ai just hilarious in his Duel against Pandor?

Reviews really make my day and it's a great way to communicate with you readers, and maybe find out errors I can avoid making. Please review, and with that said, I'll see you all next time!

QOTC: What do you think of Pandor's deck and do you think she could've won with Topologic Zeroboros?