Aurasoul hugging Ai tightly: Hello everyone and welcome to Vrains! I give a shout out to 0713MM for helping me type this story along with letting me use his OC Glacies and I don't own Vrains just my OCs.

Miho: So we're in season 2 now.

Aurasoul: Yup! So please enjoy everyone!


Chapter 15

Rai sat on his computer typing on his log as he sipped a mug of tea. It's been 3 months since the Tower of Hanoi incident and things have been back to a normal pace. Miho still works in SOL Technologies, considering the pay is good and it's been more easy after Akira got his original position back, and they've been busy with the creation of the new LINK VRAINS. Which should be opening to the public today. Touma has been getting more work from Aunt Mitsuru lately. Seems Kage Corp has been extra busy. Well it could be the same for my card shop. Thankfully, Yukiko has been willing to help me out as a part timer. Luckily her recovering in the hospital had been well and she was allowed to leave. And during her time, Miho even introduced her to Aoi and Glacies; who hit it off instantly. Soon Yukiko will be attending Den City High School and live a normal life like the rest of us. Yusaku, Miho, and I don't have any plans in returning to LINK VRAINS. We all accomplished what we needed to do. And with no news from Ai or of the Knights of Hanoi, all we can do is live our lives normally. Rai hummed as he set down his mug.

"But is the fight truly over? After all, there are still the other Ignis to think about." He frowned. "Plus."

He closed his log and clicked on a file. "There's still the matter of these documents…"


Akira walked down the hall after his discussion with Queen. He sighed before he then heard voices.

"Togliti da dietro di me!"

"I told you I don't know Italian!"

"And I told you to get a dictionary!" Akira blinked, walking into the computer room to see Miho and Hayami glaring at one another. Miho's hair had grown longer and some was braided back, while Hayami was holding what looked to be a bouquet of blue flowers. Their coworkers watching in amusement or still working; used to the 2 arguing.

"Why must you be so stubborn about this?" Miho demanded.

"Why can't you be considerate about this?" Hayami countered.

"How does boss put up with you?" Miho muttered, annoyed.

"I put up with you don't I?" He remarked lightly, walking to the 2. They jumped looking up at him shocked before Miho gave a thoughtful look.

"Ok yeah that's fair." She admitted.

"So why are you two arguing over?" He questioned. "And where did this bouquet come from?"

"Another admirer." Miho muttered.

This he understood Miho had many admirers within SOL Technologies many who leave small tokens for her which he knew she found annoying and would always turn down their advances. "And Hayami here is insistent on me keeping this one." Miho scowled.

"Because they put a lot of thought into this one you could at least accept it!" Hayami insisted.

"What kind of flowers are they?" He asked curiously.

"Their chinese bellflowers." Hayami smiled.

"Why are you making such a big deal out of this Hayami? You never say anything when I turn down these kinds of things before." Miho scowled.

"But this one is special!" Hayami insisted.

"You know you can accept one gift Miho it's not like you're in a relationship." Akira remarked. Miho twitched she had never told anyone outside her family group of her relationship with Ryoken not even to Akira, Glacies, and Aoi only her brother and Touma knew. And maybe Yukiko I'm pretty sure either Touma, Ryoken, or even the other Knights told her. And now that I think about it we never told Yusaku yet knowing him he probably figured it out. Miho thought, before she sighed. "I just don't want to give them the wrong idea."

"But you'll seem rude otherwise." Hayami frowned.

Miho gave a pleading look to Akira who helplessly shrugged which made her sigh. "Ok if I accept the flowers. Will you get off my back?" She asked Hayami.

"Absolutely!" Hayami smiled, handing Miho the bouquet.

Miho took the bouquet with a frown which deepened when she looked at it. "There's no card. Who was it from?" She questioned.

"Don't know the deliverer only said that it was for you." Hayami replied.

"And you still took them." Miho sighed, used to Hayami's antics as she placed the bouquet on her desk.

"What makes the flower special?" Akira asked curiously.

"It's what it symbolizes." Hayami said cheerfully. "Endless love and honesty."

Miho nearly fell off her seat hiding her face knowing it was burning red groaning lowly. "It shows you're truthfully loved!" Hayami smiled. "It's romantic."

"Boss a warning as a friend." Miho muttered. "Get her out of here or you'll have to call the hospital."

Akira nodded giving Miho a sympathetic smile as he led Hayami away she watched them go before looking at the chinese bellflowers picking one up. "Truthfully loved, huh?" She muttered to herself. "Ryoken..."

She only sighed, placing the flower down before getting back to work.


Yusaku was in cafe naegi cooking with a frown when a familiar amused voice spoke up.

"You know if you keep frowning like that you'll scare customers, Yu-kun~"

Yusaku looked up feeling himself give a small smile upon seeing Yukiko her silvery blue eyes shone brightly behind white framed glasses and her black and white tipped dark gray hair brushing past her shoulders. She wore a blue dress that brushed her knee and had turquoise teardrop designs, short black boots, a white scarf, and an ice shard pendant necklace similar to her siblings' necklaces. "I thought I told you not to call me that." He half scolded her, as he cooked.

"Ah come on it's alright if it's just the two of us." She giggled, looking in the truck. "Kusanagi-san not here?"

"He's visiting his brother and he asked me to watch the truck." Yusaku replied.

"Ah Jin-san." She nodded. "I hope he's doing well."

"You can ask Kusanagi-san once he gets back." Yusaku said, looking at her. "How are you feeling though?"

She smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry I'm fine doctors say that my recovery is doing great and I'll be able to go to school." She told him happily.

"That's good news." He smiled.

"Thanks." She said happily.

He smiled at her and he couldn't help but recall Rai's words.

"Hey if you want to date her, we'll approve."

He lightly flushed quickly going back to cooking as he spoke. "So you're not with the Zaizen sisters?" He asked.

"Huh? Oh I was but I may have given them the slip." She admitted sheepishly. "We were shopping since there aren't a lot of people around with the new LINK VRAINS opening. Miho even mentioned there would be new events, stores, and a D-Board shop you guys made Speed Dueling really popular now to the point the ban was lifted."

"That must be what's making Miho so busy." He remarked.

"Yeah, she's been helping Akira so she's been pulling all nighters." Yukiko sighed. "Though I think she's just using the work to keep her mind busy."

"Something bothering her?" He asked with a frown.

"Not just her but Rai too they almost seem on edge lately." She sighed. "Which doesn't make sense since they decided not to go to Vrains anymore like you."

"We completed our goals so there's no need for us to go back again." He shrugged.

"Which makes their attitude suspicious." She frowned.

"Has Touma said anything about it?" Yusaku asked.

"Only said that I shouldn't be worried, this coming from the man who joined the Knights for my safety." She scoffed. "With them you have to worry."

Yusaku was about to comment when his phone rang surprising them as he picked up.

"Oh hey, Kusanagi-san the store is fine." He began, before he frowned as he listened. "What?... Ok I'll go now."

"Yusaku? What's wrong?" She asked worried.

"Someone stole Kusanagi-san's brother's conscious and they're in Link Vrains." He frowned. "I'm going after them."

"What?!" She gasped, before she frowned. "Then let me come with you."

"No." Yusaku frowned. "You're still recovering; it's too dangerous for you to go into VRAINS. I can handle whoever stole Kusanagi-san's brother's conscious."

"I told you like I told everyone I'm perfectly fine and I want to help Kusanagi-san! He's been very kind to me and his brother doesn't deserve this." She scowled. Yusaku sighed.

"Fine. But please don't get yourself hurt after you just recovered." Yusaku told her, reluctance in his voice. "I'm still handling whoever stole Kusanagi-san's brother's conscious regardless."

"Deal." She smiled. "Now let me in the truck I already got my duel disk."

He opened the door for her and was shocked to see her duel disk was an old fashioned one like his own with a blue orb outlined by a gray circle with a red side and white body.

"Is something wrong Yusaku?" She asked.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Yusaku-no, Playmaker, asked.

"Well you looked at my duel disk and seemed surprised for a moment." She replied.

"I just didn't think you'd have an old fashioned duel disk." Playmaker remarked. "Now let's go!"

"Right!" She nodded, getting out her deck.

"Into the VRAINS!"


Playmaker appeared looking to the new Link VRAINS before getting on his new D-Board.

"Wait up Playmaker!" Playmaker looked to see a young girl catching up to him on her own D-Board having braided icy blue hair, gold eyes, wearing a gray dragon scale bodysuit with heeled gray boots, white gloves, dark white belt, and tattered icy blue wing like ribbons.

"What do you think? Not bad huh?" She smiled. Playmaker stared at her for a few moments before coughing to regain his composure.

"So uh, what's your VRAINS account name?" Playmaker asked her.

"Shard Dragon but you can call me Shard for short." She winked with a grin. "Since my brother and sister are dragons too."

"Ha, yeah I know." Playmaker replied. "I worked with them awhile back."

"Yeah they told me too saying they've known you since you started coming here." She replied. "But let's save that for another time right now we have to find that guy."

"Once we find him, I'm taking him on." Playmaker told her.

"Got it but we would have to find him first." She said, as they rode the Data Stream. "And I don't see anyone suspicious."

"Hold it right there Playmaker!" Playmaker turned halfway to see a cowboy-like avatar with red eyes, and a white machine arm riding a D-Board; chasing the 2. "Hand over your Ignis!"
"If you mean Ai, I don't-" Playmaker began, only for Ai to rise out of his duel disk. "Ai?! What are you doing here?"

"So that's Ai?!" Shard gasped surprised.

"Yeah." Playmaker nodded as he looked down at the Dark Ignis. "What are you doing here?"
"Cyberse World was destroyed when I came back to it." Ai told Playmaker, sadness evident in his voice. "But! I found Linkuriboh! My friend! Oh! I also gave you new cards too."

"Cyberse World? Does he mean his home?" She asked, looking at Ai sympathetically.

"Ye-Oi! You're Playmaker-sama's friend?" Ai questioned as he looked up at Shard.

"Oh! Yes that's me here I go by Shard Dragon but you can call me Shard." She smiled. "Nice to finally meet you Ai."

"Nice to meet you too!" AI's yellow eyes formed a grin, then a frown as he saw a golden figure riding a D-Board not far ahead of them. "Is that the guy Playmaker?"

"Yeah." Playmaker nodded. "Let's-!" Suddenly, a shot from the obvious bounty hunter's right arm whizzed past the 2.

"I got you now!"

"Blood Shepherd!" The cowboy-like avatared man looked and tched at the sight of the long bluish-white-haired female, with bluish-white eyes, and wearing a dress made up of data snow. Several gems, jewels, and amulets on her body.

"You're-!" Playmaker began. "Ice Queen!" Ice Queen glanced down at Shard and Playmaker and waved.

"Hey Playmaker!" She smiled.

"What are ya doing here?" Ai questioned.

"No time Ai!" Ice Queen remarked as she raised her right arm up and blasted an ice beam at Blood Shepherd, who made it explode with his bullets. "I'll give dear old Blood Shepherd busy! You two keep going!"

"Glacies…!" Blood Shepherd grit his teeth. "Get out of the way!"

"I'd like to see you try, Kengo." Ice Queen smirked, winking with her left eye.

"She learned from Ghost Girl." Ai sweat-dropped after listening to Ice Queen and Blood Shepherd's banter.

"Wait did he just call her Glacies?" Shard began with a blink.

"He did." Playmaker replied as the two continued to fly off towards the golden figure.

"I have a lot of questions but I'll save them later." She sighed. "Take that guy down Playmaker!"

"Ask me one real quick." Playmaker told her as he approached the golden figure. "Oi! You! You have something of my acquaintances'! And I'd like it back!" The figure only turned to face him raising his fist.

"Looks like he wants to duel." She remarked.

"Good. That's why I'm here." Playmaker retorted as he activated his duel disk. "If I win, give me back the consciousness data of my acquaintances' brother!" The golden figure only nodded and sped off.

"He accepts go get him." She smiled. "And watch Playmaker's back for me Ai."

"Will do!" Ai assured, before grinning up at Playmaker. "Well isn't she sweet~"

"Shut up." Playmaker told Ai.

"SPEED DUEL!" Both Playmaker and the golden figure declared.


As the duel progressed they were shocked by not only the golden figure using Cyberse monsters called Hydradrive but of the Link Magic card. "Judgement Arrows?!" Shard gaped shocked. "I never heard of a Link Magic card!"

"Neither have I." Playmaker frowned deeply.

"But it just means he might have something to do with Cyberse World's destruction!" Ai yelled.

"All the more reason to beat him." She frowned. "We can get a clue on what happened."

The duel continued with Playmaker performing a Ritual Summon to Summon Cyberse Magician and deal damage to the golden figure whose appearance changed to his real appearance much to their surprise and even more so as he went on not knowing who he was before speaking with someone of their memories before he continued with the duel.

"Umm, ?" Ai questioned.

"Just who is this guy?" Shard frowned, feeling uneasy. Because of Covered Hydradrive's effect their attacks won't get through unless both it and Coolant are destroyed but not only that Covered Hydradrive has another effect that forces Playmaker to only attack with one monster this turn cornering him… Which means that would be their only resort.

"Ai let's do that." Playmaker replied.

"I was waiting for you to say that!" Ai spoke with a thumbs up.

"Shard stand back." Playmaker told her.

"Way ahead of you!" She called, moving back.

Shard watched as Ai summoned the Data Storm and Playmaker activating his skill Storm Access to gain a new Link Monster Shootingcode Talker which he then summoned in order to defeat Bohman the last attack hitting him and sending him crashing to the ground the two going to land.

"You beat him." She spoke relieved.

"Yeah." Playmaker nodded as he turned to her. "Now, you said had several questions for me? I'll answer a couple as we chase that boy and Bohman."

"Like I said they can wait." She replied, the two getting back on their D-Boards as they went after them. "Look there are people blocking us." Playmaker glanced over and frowned.

"Looks like some AIs." Playmaker spoke. "I don't have time for them. Can you take care of them please?"

"Leave them to me." She assured with a smile, speeding forward. "Ok you two I'll be your opponent!"

"Hoh? A girl is challenging us?" The green AI noted.

"Seems so." The red AI spoke nonchalantly.

"This girl has a name and it's Shard." She smirked. "And I'll freeze you both!"

"Ha! Doubtful!" The green AI laughed. "Right Bit?"
"Right Boot." The red AI, Bit, told the green AI, Boot.

"Oi! 2 vs 1 isn't very fair now is it?"

"Who said that?!" Both Bit and Boot snapped. They looked up, shocked as flames spiraled down from the sky to show another duelist flying on his D-Board zooming past Bit and Boot to fly next to Shard who looked at him stunned. "You… Who are you?" She questioned.

"Me?" The orange and blue-wearing male with orange eyes pointed at himself when she asked him that question. "The name's Soulburner."

"Soulburner…" She remarked.

"Yup! That's me!" He grinned. "Now, what do ya say we kick these guys butts?"

She blinked surprised yet looking at him she couldn't help but smile and nodded. "Yeah! Playmaker, Ai go after Bohman hurry!" She called.

"Yeah!" Playmaker nodded as he sped off after Bohman.

"Hope to work well with you Soulburner." She spoke politely. "I'm Shard."

"Nice to meet you, Shard." Soulburner told her.

"And allow me to introduce myself." Shard blinked by another voice and gasped to see a red being come out of Soulburner's duel disk.

"I am Flame." He spoke.

"Another Ignis?!" She gaped, glancing at Soulburner. "So then you're!"

"Yeah." Soulburner nodded, knowing full well what Shard was talking about.

"Boot that's!" Bit began.

"Yeah. An Ignis." Boot nodded. "The Fire Ignis has shown himself."

"Change of plans then we shall retrieve the Fire Ignis." Bit replied.

Shard glanced at the two before looking at Soulburner and Flame.

"I'm just meeting a ton of new people today." She remarked, before smiling. "Nice to meet you both Soulburner, Flame. Let's start beating these guys!"

"Right!" Soulburner grinned.


"Chief Zaizen!" Hayami gasped. "Is that?"

"Yes there's no doubt. It's an Ignis." Akira nodded. Miho looked at the screen though showing her surprise on the outside she was slightly panicking on the inside.

Yukiko what are you thinking?! You only just recovered from the hospital! She thought with a swallow. Please be careful!


"I'll admit I am surprised you're willing to trust us so quickly." Flame remarked to Shard.

"You're helping Playmaker and I so it shows you're on our side plus." She smiled. "I have a feeling I can trust you both."

"Hmph. You two are no match between the two of us." Boot remarked.

"Agreed." Bit nodded.

"We'll see about that!" Soulburner declared.

"Let's do this!" Shard called.

"SPEED DUEL!"

"I'll go first my turn!" Shard voiced up. "I activate the Field spell Hollow Spiral Tower! Form frozen tower of the Hollow Dragon!" Cold winds blew strongly around them even within the data stream. "With this WATER attribute monsters gain 400 ATK and once per turn I can either banish a Hollow Spirit monster or Special Summon a banished Hollow Spirit monster on my field." Shard added. "Next I Normal Summon Hollow Spirit Siren Maiden!" And appearing was a wipsy ghostly beautiful woman with long white hair, hollow blue eyes, pale skin, wearing a long icy white dress, and ice on the hem of her dress. (Hollow Spirit Siren Maiden Level: 4, Attribute: WATER, Type: Cyberse/Effect, ATK/DEF: 2000 (Originally: 1600)/1000. Shard's hand: 2 cards. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Bit's hand: 4 cards. Boot's hand: 4 cards. Shard's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000. Bit's LP: 4000. Boot's LP: 4000.)

"Boot, that card." Bit began.

"Indeed it is." Boot agreed.

"Cyberse?!" Flame gaped before he looked up at Soulburner. "Just like you because of me."

"Right." Soulburner nodded as he glanced at Shard, then back at Flame. "That means she could be like me. A victim of the Lost Incident."

"Now I activate Siren Maiden's effect when she's Summoned, I can banish Hollow Spirit Shatter Heart from my hand." Shard continued. "Now I activate Shattered Heart's effect! When banished, I can Special Summon her to the field in DEF Mode!" And appearing next to Siren was a woman made of crystal ice with hollow like crystal blue eyes a hole in her chest. (Hollow Spirit Shattered Heart Level: 2, Attribute: WATER, Type: Cyberse/Effect, ATK/DEF: 900 (Originally: 500)/1000. Shard's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Bit's hand: 4 cards. Boot's hand: 4 cards. Shard's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000. Bit's LP: 4000. Boot's LP: 4000.)

"Appear circuit of the frozen hollow!" Shard called, cold winds blowing to form her circuit. "Summoning conditions are 2 Hollow Spirit monsters! I set Hollow Spirits Siren Maiden and Shattered Heart in the Link Markers! Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear Link 2! Hollow Spirit Yuki Onna!" The two monsters became light blue cyclones to go in the link arrows and to appear was a beautiful icy blue haired woman with gold eyes, wearing a white kimono with icy blue snowflake designs on the hem. (Hollow Spirit Yuki Onna, Link: 2, Attribute: WATER, Types: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Link Arrows: Up, Down, ATK: 2200 (Originally: 1800. Shard's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Bit's hand: 4 cards. Boot's hand: 4 cards. Shard's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000. Bit's LP: 4000. Boot's LP: 4000.)

"Hollow Spiral Tower's effect! I banish Siren Maiden from my GY! Then comes Yuki Onna's effect! When she's Link Summoned, I can Special Summon a banished Hollow Spirit! So come back Siren Maiden!" Shard called, as the ghost like monster appeared on the field once again. "I then place a card face-down and end my turn." (Shard's hand: 0 card. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Bit's hand: 4 cards. Boot's hand: 4 cards. Shard's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000. Bit's LP: 4000. Boot's LP: 4000.)

"So her deck is focused on Banishment." Soulburner remarked.

"And it's obvious she's very skilled with it as well." Flame added.
"So she also has a Cyberse Deck." Bit remarked.

"Which means her retrieval is also a priority." Boot agreed. "Let us use our special strategy."

They nodded in agreement arms out. "Combining sequence." Bit began.

"Begin!" Boot finished.

Shard and Soulburner gasped as they watched them combined into one. "Combination complete. We are Bit. We are Boot. Combined BitBoot!" They yelled.

"They fused into one!" Soulburner gaped.

"Just makes it easier for us two in one to beat." Shard smirked.

"We Summon D-Scale Sabre Sardine from our hand." Bit spoke, as the small blue fish monster appeared. (D-Scale Sabre Sardine, Level: 2, Attribute: WATER, Types: Cyberse/Effect, ATK/DEF: 600/300. Shard's hand: 0 card. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. BitBoot's hand: 4 cards. Shard's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000. BitBoot's LP: 4000.)

"Sabre Sardine's effect activates." Boot voiced. "We pay 500 LP to Special Summon a D-Scale Token." Sabre Sardine flailed as the token appeared next to it. (D-Scale Token, Level: 1, Attribute: WATER, Types: Cyberse/Token, ATK/DEF: 100/100. BitBoot's LP: 4000 - 3500. Shard's hand: 0 card. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. BitBoot's hand: 4 cards. Shard's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000. BitBoot's LP: 3500.)

"Appear our circuit!" Bitboot called, as their circuit formed. "The Summoning conditions are two D-Scales. We set D-Scale Token and Sabre Sardine in the link markers! Link Summon! Appear Link 2 D-Scale Battle Coela!" The purple fish link monster swam to the field flashing its lights. (D-Scale Battle Coela, Link: 2, Attribute: WATER, Link Arrows: L,B, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, ATK: 1800. Shard's hand: 0 card. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. BitBoot's hand: 4 cards. Shard's LP: 4000. Soulburner's LP: 4000. BitBoot's LP: 3500.)

"From our hand we activate the equip spell card D-Scale Torpedo! We equip it to Battle Coela!" Bitboot continued, as the torpedo launcher attached onto Battle Coela. "D-Scale Battle Coela's effect activates. Once per turn, Battle Coela moves to the Main Monster Zone it points to."

"They moved their Link Monster." Flame remarked.

"Wait then in that position!" Shard gasped.

"Activate Skill, Marker's Portal! Once during the duel when our LP are equal or lower than our original points we select one Link Spell in our deck and activate it!" Bitboot yelled. "Three arrows, shine! Fire at the enemy who blocks our way! The Link Spell Judgement Arrows! When the Link Monster linked to this card battles, its ATK points are doubled. But if Judgement Arrows leaves the field, all monsters next to its link are destroyed."

"Like I thought. They use Judgement Arrows too. Just like Bohman." Shard frowned.

"Not only them but also the enemies that destroyed my homeworld." Flame replied.

"Eh? People who used Judgement Arrows were the ones who destroyed Cyberse World?!" Shard said shocked.

"Not only that but use Cyberse-Type cards as well." Flame nodded.

"So then in other words if we defeat them we'll be able to get some info." Soulburner remarked.

"All the more reason to beat them." Shard nodded.

"Next, Battle Coela's effect activates." Bit spoke. "Once per turn, Battle Coela can move next to the link of a card it's linked to. Battle Coela moved next to Judgement Arrows's link."

"They moved it again." Flame remarked.

"Now for you to quake in fear." Bit began.

"We'll show you a wondrous combo." Boot finished.

"D-Scale Torpedo, equipped to Battle Coela, activates its effect!" Bitboot yelled. "Every time the equipped monster moved this turn, you take 800 points of damage."

"What?!" Shard gaped.

"A card that changes movement into damage?" Soulburner gaped shocked.

"Battle Coela moved twice, Shard Dragon you shall take 1600 points of damage!" Bitboot yelled.

Shard gasped as Battle Coela launched two missiles she quickly moved but they exploded near her nearly sending her flying as she shrieked. (Shard's LPs: 4000 - 2400)

"Shard! You ok?!" Soulburner called.

"Yeah I'm fine." She quickly assured.

"Battle Coela, Torpedo, and Judgement Arrows form the mightiest combo." Bitboot replied. "We named it 'Voyage to Hell'. Whenever Battle Coela moves, quake in fear. We end our turn."

"Hmph quake in fear? Hardly, but this is bad for us." Shard frowned.

"Agreed if they moved their monster any more it'll be over for us." Flame replied.

"Yeah. But don't worry, I got a plan to stop their combo." Soulburner smiled.

Shard looked at him but smiled and nodded.

"Ok got it. You're up Soulburner." She told him.

"Right." Soulburner grinned. "Draw!" After he drew, Flame looked at Soulburner's hand.

"With this hand…" Flame began.

"I know." Soulburner nodded. "It's time we burned these guys!"

"Hoh? And how will you do that?" Bit questioned.
"So long as we possess Judgement Arrows, you can't defeat us." Boot added.

"Are you sure about that?" Soulburner grinned as he pulled a card from his hand. "I Normal Summon Salamangreat Foxy to my field!" The bluish colored fox appeared onto Soulburner's field. (Salamangreat Foxy, Level 3 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1000.)

"Another Cyberse Deck." Bit frowned.

"Foxy effect!" Soulburner announced. "Upon Normal Summon, I can look at the top 3 cards of my Deck, then I can add 1 Salamangreat card among them to my hand. The remaining cards are then shuffled into my Deck." He drew the top 3 cards and looked at them. "I choose this one." After that, he put the other 2 on top of his Deck; thus it shuffled. He then revealed the card he selected. "Salamangreat Meer's effect! Since it was added to my hand outside of drawing, I can Special Summon him!" A small flaming meerkat appeared next to the blue fox. (Salamangreat Meer, Level 2 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 800/600.)
"Everything is set Soulburner." Flame told his partner. "Go for it!"
"Yeah!" Soulburner nodded as he raised his right arm upward. "Appear! The circuit that changes the future!" The dark blue circuit appeared above Soulburner "The Summoning Condition is 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster! I set Meer into the Link Marker! Appear Link 1! Salamangreat Babelynx!" Out of the circuit came forth a fiery baby lynx. (Salamangreat Babelynx, attribute: FIRE, type: Cyberse/Link, Link Rating: 1, Link Arrow: B. ATK: 500.)

"How adorable!" Shard cooed.

"Eh heh…" Soulburner chuckled. "Anyways, I use Babelynx's effect to add Salamangreat Sanctuary from my Deck to my hand since I Link Summoned it." A card ejected out of Soulburner's Deck; thus adding it to his hand.

"A field spell too." Shard remarked.

"Which I activate!" Soulburner announced as the field spell card appeared.

"Humph. A field spell." Bit noted.

"Like that's gonna help." Boot agreed.

"Oh but it will." Flame grinned. "Show them, Soulburner!"

"I know!" Soulburner retorted as he raised his right arm upwards again. "Appear for the 2nd time! The circuit that changes the future!" The dark blue circuit appeared above Soulburner for a second time. "The Summoning Conditions is 2 FIRE Effect Monsters! I set Salamangreat Foxy and Link 1 Babelynx into the Link Markers! Link Summon! Come forth! Link 2! Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf!" Appearing out the link circuit was a flaming wolf. (Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf, attribute: FIRE, type: Cyberse/Link, Link Rating: 2, Link Arrows: T/B, ATK: 1800.)

"Now Link 2." Shard remarked.

"Salamangreat Gazelle's effect in my hand!" Soulburner announced. "When a Salamangreat monster(s) is sent to my Graveyard, except during the Damage Step, I can Special Summon from my hand!" Appearing under Wolf's Bottom Link Marker was a flaming gazelle. (Salamangreat Gazelle, Level 3 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1500/1000.) Just as it appeared, Wolf began to glow a bright red aura.

"An effect?" Shard gasped.

"Yeah." Soulburner nodded. "See, when a monster is Normal or Special Summoned to a zone Sunlight Wolf points to, I can add 1 FIRE monster from my Graveyard to my hand. On top of that, Gazelle also sends 1 Salamangreat card from my Deck to the Graveyard." He pulled a card from his Deck and sent it to his Graveyard. After that, he pulled Foxy out of his Graveyard and added it back to his hand. "But that's not all! Appear for the 3rd time! The dark blue circuit appeared above Soulburner for a third time. "The Summoning Conditions is at least 2 FIRE Effect Monsters! I set Salamangreat Gazelle and the Link 2 Sunlight Wolf! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Salamangreat Heatleo!" Out of the circuit came forth a flaming lion. (Salamangreat Heatleo, attribute: FIRE, type: Cyberse/Link, Link Rating: 3, Link Arrows: T/BL/BR, ATK: 2300.)

"Woah!" Shard gasped. "So that's your ace monster!"

"Oh yeah!" Flame smiled. "These guys are toast!" At his terrible pun, Soulburner sweatdropped.

"Seriously?" Soulburner sighed before he shook his head. "Never mind! Heatleo effect! Upon being Link Summoned, I can shuffle away one of your Spell/Trap Cards!"
"What?!" BitBoot gaped.

"Resounding Roar!" Soulburner declared as Heatleo roared; its sound-wave heading towards Judgement Arrows.

"And once Judgement Arrows is gone, Battle Coela will be destroyed and their field will be wide open." Shard smiled. Judgement Arrows vanished; thus BitBoot's Link monster shattered. Soulburner turned to Shard.

"Mind if I finish these guys off?" Soulburner asked Shard.

"Be my guest. Then we can hurry to Playmaker." Shard nodded.

"Then allow us to use your monster." Flame told Shard.

"Sure." She grinned.

"Thanks." Soulburner nodded as he thrusted his right hand forward. "Battle! Yuki Onna, Heatleo, direct attack!" Both monsters fired fire and ice beams at the combined AI; thus making them cry out as their LP fell from 4000 to 0 instantly.

"You did it!" Shard smiled.

"Thanks." Soulburner remarked. "Now let's go catch up to Playmaker."

"Right!" She nodded.


They quickly flew off to then see Bohman and Haru escape through the restricted area before Playmaker could reach them.

"Playmaker!" Shard called, as they caught up. Playmaker glanced at Soulburner and Shard.

"Shard." He spoke.

"They got away." Shard frowned shocked.

"How did they get through the restricted area?" Soulburner questioned.

"Not sure." Playmaker admitted.

"They could've hacked into it." Shard frowned, taking a look at the wall. "Maybe…" But before she could try anything, an earpiece materialized in her hand to her surprise. She blinked, taking it.

"Huh? What-"

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Touma's angry scream made Shard yelp nearly dropping the earpiece. "You just got out of the hospital! And don't you dare try to use your ability either!"

"Oh I'm in trouble." Shard groaned. At that moment, Ice Queen showed up next to Playmaker.

"Playmaker, Shard," She began and glanced at Soulburner. "And...Soulburner right?" She paused, then added. "You 3 best to log out immediately. SOL has sent some security drones this way. I'll hold them off as long as I can. Once you 3 log out, I'll follow."

"Th-Thanks Ice Queen. We owe you." Shard began.

"And don't think you're not in trouble either Playmaker! I don't care how smitten you are with her!" Touma shout. At once Shard covered the earpiece to muffle his voice a light flush on her face. "I-I should probably log out first." She quickly said.

"Yeah." Playmaker nodded, outright ignoring Touma's angry yelling.

"I'll follow." Soulburner nodded. They nodded and they all logged out just as the drones appeared. Ice Queen got in a ready stance to fend them off.


Yukiko slowly opened her eyes wincing slightly before her vision cleared. "Phew first time logging in after 3 months and it went ok." She muttered, relieved.

She looked to her side to see Yusaku his eyes still closed before she gave a soft smile. "Him smitten? Heh should be the other way around." Shortly after she said that, Yusaku's eyes opened up. He blinked several times before his vision returned.

"Did you 2 have fun in there?" Shoichi asked the 2, a grin on his lips while he focused on the keyboard for his computer.

"K-Kusanagi-san!" Yukio squeaked, standing with a flushed face.

Oh I hope he didn't hear me say that!

"Sorry Kusanagi-san, I didn't get your brother's conscious back." Yusaku told his friend as he stood up and exited the room to enter VRAINS.

"Yeah sorry." Yukiko frowned.

"It's fine." Kusanagi told the 2 before he himself frowned. "But I just saw a public announcement from SOL, and to why the bounty hunters are out and about more than ever. Check this out." He pulled up the bounty page for the 2 to see. On top of the list was Playmaker. Followed by Soulburner, Shard, and Ice Queen. "Seems SOL wants to gain profit off of your defeats/captures. Or whatever they plan to do with people they get through these bounties."

"Even if I have a bounty on my head, I won't let that stop me from helping you Kusanagi." Yusaku retorted coolly.

"That goes double for me." Yukiko smiled, before sweatdropping. "Although Miho, Rai, and Touma are not going to like me having a bounty."

"Especially Touma." Kusanagi frowned. "I was able to hack that earpiece of yours. And I heard his angry yelling." He chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry for that. Oh! But here's something else." He minimized the bounty page to show a screen, where Ice Queen was fighting off the security drones, along with other bounty hunters that reached the restricted area to kick her out. "I'm guessing this was her selfless doing, no?"

"Yeah it was. I hope she'll be ok." Yukiko frowned, worried.

"Don't worry about Ice Queen." Yusaku's lips formed a small smile. "She'll be fine. She was able to get a draw Revolver 6 months ago. If she can do that, then I think she can fend against multiple opponents. Just watch." True to Yusaku's words, Ice Queen destroyed the security drones, and defeated the remaining bounty hunters. All by herself. Shortly after she defeated the last bounty hunter, her avatar turned blue; thus signifying that she logged out.

"Woah! You weren't kidding." Yukiko blinked, stunned.

"She has survival instinct." Yusaku remarked. "Mostly due to her...well, I think it's best you talk to her about her past. I would tell you, but it's not my story to tell."

"Y-Yeah of course." Yukiko nodded. "Well I should get home before Touma blows a fuse. I'll see you 2 later."


With that, she left the truck, waving goodbye before walking off.

Soulburner is no doubt one of the victims of the Lost Incident. Just like Yusaku… Yukiko thought with a frown as she walked. That must mean he had suffered on that day as well…

She sighed shaking her head as she walked.


Aurasoul: Sorry in advance about this duel here I just wanted to get it over with.

Takeru: Now I'm finally in it!

Aurasoul: Indeed you are you pure sweet kid! So until then everyone read and review!