Welcome back, everyone! It's SakushiRyu with a late Zarcmas gift for you readers!
Sorry for the long wait, but this chapter wasn't easy to write since it's packed with plot on top of the conclusion of Almark and King's epic Duel. I also got a little distracted by real-life-work and Genshin Impact, as well as the Star Relic lore we finally got, Kioku's "Kreeper" archetype, and the Twin Gods' deck. And Spectre's cards aren't exclusive to the anime anymore! Yay~!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter!
- In response to HunterHQ's 1st review:
"That wasn't a coincidence of course. You will find the answer to some of those questions in this answer, but regarding how the twins ended up in the Lost Incident, King took them there. You will discover more about the Star Relics and Kaiba in Season 4, though."
- In response to HunterHQ's 2nd review:
"By a lot, seeing how fast Ai killed the majority of our cast. Although I don't think that would've changed Lightning's actions, he would've made the simulations either way and the results would've been the same (as in him declaring war on humanity)."
- In response to scififan599's review:
"That's a good point I haven't thought about, but we can agree a Link 6 is a great way to raise the stakes and make the Star Relics dangerous opponents, as well as excite the readers. Imagine two Link 6s with crazy effects duking it out in a Duel! But yes, it has its risks."
- In response to (1st) Guest's review:
"They got delivered to the incident, quite literally. And yes, they were freed when the other six Lost Incident kids were saved. Erika doesn't know everything regarding King, she (and Kioku) only know what data their parents left behind."
- In response to Ambiguous's review:
"I'll see what I can do regarding that."
- In response to Noobmaster's review:
"That's another good mystery about VRAINS, and if I would have to guess, I'd say she (and the other Knights) erased their data so SOL won't spot them."
- In response to Haoh Ryu Z-ARC's review:
"First things first, I'd like to take a moment to appreciate the length of your reviews, which no surprise are long, but are also a joy to read, like the Cardcar D segment or you understanding why I called Proud Failure that way. Great minds think alike indeed. Regarding what you wrote for Chapter 13, I think every writer isn't fond of their first steps (Overdrive was the second story I started and still continue, so it's been with me since the beginning), and over the years I've changed a lot... for example, Unexpected Fusion and Link Holocaust... now that you pointed them out, yeah, I can see why their names aren't so bright, but at that time I wrote the first things that came to my mind without much research or effort. The same can be said about my horrible usage of Yen, or the Dschinn lock you pointed out: I knew it existed, but I didn't want to trouble myself so I just skipped past it. Also, writing while the anime was airing has its drawbacks, like the changes I had to make to the Sugisaki family. I admit I went hard on Season 1 when I was telling you about it, so sorry about that, and I'm glad you liked everything up until now! And that Skylldine idea is very much appreciated, heh heh... If you liked seeing a Knight demonstrate his Dueling power, wait until you get to Chapter 46, Colliding Minds! *cue to the writer's mischievous chuckle*"
- In response to SummerRoxx's review:
"Thank you, and to you as well!"
(Season 3)
Turn 4:
Intercept
"So, shall we continue?"
Almark playfully inquired from King, who looked ready to murder his opponent at any given moment. Well, Ai reasoned with himself, that was already his plan, but now his expression made it very clear, a reaction that was triggered by the debut of Almark's ultimate Monster—himself.
Current Duel status (from Almark's field perspective):
Almark - LP: 100
Hand: 1 card
Field: only controls Dilavni Ark Dragon "Eiqab" in the Right Extra Monster Zone
Dilavni Ark Dragon "Eiqab": ATK 3500 / DEF 3500 / GR: 10
King - LP: 2400
Hand: 1 card
Field: only controls Calix Sanguinis Sancti in the Left Extra Monster Zone
Consecrated Star Relic - Calix Sanguinis Sancti: ATK 5000 / Link 6: Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom, Bottom-Right, Right, Top
"But if you have an Overdrive form, too, then...!" Ai sounded incredulous. "You're a god, Almark-kun!?"
"Of course I'm not, Ai-kun!" the Star Ark giggled. "Overdrive Monsters aren't gods; they're strong Monsters with god-like qualities. Think of a Kuriboh with Obelisk the Tormentor's effects: the Monster wouldn't a god, but it would have god-like effects."
"Ah, I see..." Ai nodded twice after placing a hand to his chin.
"During an Overdrive Summon, Overdrive Materials are sent to the Charge Zone," Almark explained. "Therefore, I can activate the effect of Star Legacy Grace that was used as Overdrive Material! If this card is sent to my Charge Zone, I can draw one card."
After doing so, he let loose of a shark-like grin. "The time has finally come... I'm so excited I'm shaking. King, what I'm going to show you is the will of Master Mirg himself, and your punishment for betraying him and Ylil!" he adopted a crazed look as he bent forward, partly shadowing his face and making it look all the more menacing. "I'll make sure to engrave it on your mind! My continuous effect activates! Ability Invalidation: Lose What You Hold Dear, Sinful One!"
The two centipede-like appendages attached to Eiqab's back shot forward, wrapping around Calix Sanguinis Sancti's torso. The orbs embodied into their backs unleashed a wave of green electricity, causing the Link 6 Monster to helplessly squirm in the monstrous dragon's grip.
At the same time, King gripped his chest as his eyes widened and foam appeared at the corners of his mouth. He was about to fall on the floor face-first, but he was able to regain his footing at the last second, and he slapped a hand over his mouth so his foes won't hear his pained gasp. He won't give them the satisfaction of hearing it or kneeling in front of them!
"Fufu, hahahahahahaha!" Almark laughed, earning a deadly glare from his enemy. "Did you like my hug!? By that expression, I'd say yes!"
King didn't pay too much attention to his words, because he was thinking of something else: all the people he took control of using his Control Over...why couldn't he feel his grip over their minds anymore!?
"What..." King paused to wipe the foam from his mouth away while Eiqab's 'tentacles' retracted. "...Did you do?"
"Ability Invalidation is the bane of my brothers and sisters," Almark explained. "So long as I exist on the field, the effects of 'Star Relic' Monsters my opponent controls are negated, and they lose 1000 Attack and Defense."
(Calix Sanguinis Sancti: 5000→4000 ATK)
"Also!" the Dilavni user exclaimed. "This effect impacts your actual lives! Those whose effects are negated this way permanently lose their unique ability! This is why I'm the Star Relic Killer!"
"What did you say!?" King's eyes widened. So that's why...! He didn't even get the chance to use those people as hostages! He gritted his teeth in anger. "Curse you and those Twin Gods...!"
"That means...all the people he took control of are now free." Ai put two and two together. "And he won't be able to do it again for as long as he lives."
"That's right." Almark pushed up his spectacles. "You know, Ai-kun...when we seven Star Relics were born, it appeared that I had a flaw: I missed something that my brothers and sisters had. Would you like to guess what—"
"You didn't have an ability." King cut him off, prompting him to pout. "So why...? Why do you have an ability now?"
"It's not like I obtained it recently. I always had it." Almark revealed. "Nobody can hack a Star Relic's mind, not even other Star Relics. One of the reasons this unbreakable law was devised was to avoid the same atrocity Lightning did to Windy. But!" he chuckled. "There's another reason!"
"It was to hide your ability. From us." King's eyes widened in realization. If he knew he had such an ability, he would've killed him when he had the chance. "All this time...you were lying."
"Bingo!" Almark snapped his fingers. "It's true my ability doesn't let me access our data and that it only deletes the ability, but that's more than enough. Do you want to know when I discovered my ability, King? It was after you betrayed me." he looked at his hands, and then clenched them. "When I was at my weakest, Master Mirg showed me the way. A mission only I can fulfill! Ooh, I was so happy!"
He raised his head and glared at his opponent in glee. "Six Star Relics were created by Master Mirg and Ylil. Then, Master Mirg created the seventh, the one who'd judge the other six if they were to turn evil. That Star Relic is me, Almark Baskerville, the one loved by darkness himself, Master Mirg!"
Man, this entire "Star Relic and Twin Gods" ordeal is so complicated... Ai sweatdropped.
"Figures Mirg would doubt his own children...!" King spat. He was disgusted by his creator's—his father's mentality, and if it weren't for his hatred towards him, he would've felt pain, too. "So be it. You're the Star Relic Killer. I admit you took me by surprise, but this isn't enough to defeat me."
"Just because you have more Attack? Are you trying to amuse me?" Almark's grin returned. "Your punishment has just started, foolish king! I activate the Continuous Spell Star Legacy Records!"
A card, which depicted the inside of Star Relic - "Star Ark" with green 0s and 1s glowing on its walls, appeared.
"Upon activation, this card permits me to target 5 other 'Star Legacy' Continuous Spell and Trap Cards face-up on my field, in my Graveyard, and in my Charge Zone and shuffle them into the Deck to apply certain effects, depending on the number of shuffled cards. I target the two Star Legacy Ameliorates and Advanced Form in my Graveyard, as well as Grace and one Protection in my Charge Zone, and shuffle!"
After doing so, "Since I shuffled five cards, I can apply all the effects! You take 500 damage and I draw a total of three cards!"
A green beam shot out of the card, hitting King in the chest and making him groan.
King: LP 2400 - 500 = 1900
"Next, I activate the effect of The Ark's Recognition in my Graveyard. By sending this card to the Charge Zone, I can add the Quick-Play Spell Mammon's Greed from my Deck to my hand, which I activate!"
A card, which depicted Dilavni Ark Dragon inside a twister of various 'Dilavni' Monster's parts, appeared.
"I target one 'Ark Dragon' Overdrive Monster I control and send one card from my Charge Zone to the Graveyard in order to apply a certain effect until the End Phase, depending on the type of the card I sent to the Graveyard this way. In return, my target cannot attack directly this turn." Almark stated as his eyes flashed green. "Of course, I target myself, and sacrifice Dilavni Neon Condor!"
The spectral image of Neon Condor materialized in front of Eiqab, and its 'tentacles' crushed it in their grip.
"Since I sent a Monster Card to the Graveyard, I gain Attack equal to that Monster's Attack!" King's eyes widened at that.
"So he gains 2400 Attack." Ai's eyes, on the other hand, narrowed. "Making the difference in their Monsters' Attack Points the same as King's Life."
(Eiqab: 3500→5900 ATK)
"Taste defeat once more, King!" Almark cried out with his tongue hanging from his mouth. "Battle! Dilavni Ark Dragon "Eiqab" attacks Consecrated Star Relic - Calix Sanguinis Sancti! Mammon's Greed!"
"You...arrogant mongrels!" King burst out, extending an arm towards the ground before him. The spectral image of a Trap Card, which depicted a worried Star Chalice Guardragon next to an unconscious Jack-Knights Avram, appeared. It was watching Beckoned by the Star Chalice disappear over the horizon while wearing armor reminiscent of "Star Armor" and carrying a dead Priestess Who Drinks from the Star Chalice, one of Avram's swords, and a lance reminiscent of "Star Lance". "From my Graveyard, I banish Star Relic Treachery to activate its effect! I lower the Attack of the attacked Link Monster to 0 until the end of this turn so that any battle damage from this attack is inflicted to both players!"
"What did you say!?" Almark gasped.
"But if he does that, then—" Ai's eyes widened.
(Calix Sanguinis Sancti: 4000→0 ATK)
"I won't win, but I won't lose either." King declared. "Especially to the likes of you! Strike back, my avatar! Leviathan's Envy!"
The head of the main centipede that formed Eiqab's body unleashed a beam of green energy from the giant, futuristic cannon that was nestled between its forcipules, and Calix Sanguinis Sancti responded by unleashing a spiny bush viper-shaped beam of fire from its core. The two attacks met half-way, creating a massive explosion that covered the roof in smoke.
King: LP 1900 - 5900 = 0
Almark: LP 100 - 5900 = 0
Winner: DRAW!
When the smoke and cards on the field vanished with the Duel's conclusion, Almark was kneeling on the ground with a frown on his face and King was panting.
"To think after all that effort...!" Ai frowned, too. "It ended in a draw!"
"I didn't expect you to opt for a draw..." Almark admitted as he slowly stood back up. He then chuckled, unfazed by what had just happened. "A mistake from my part, I guess. But this was a wonderful Duel! Fufu, I was able to learn so many things about you, King... I'm thankful."
"On that, I agree, Almark-kun." those words were able to raise the DARK Ignis' morale. He walked up to the Star Ark, regarding the glaring King with a thoughtful expression. "Now that I know his deck even better, I can form a counterstrategy... He can't leave us, right?"
"Of course not." Almark confirmed. "Communications are being jammed and KaibaCorp has the entire street under control. Oh, and he isn't crazy enough to jump down the roof and sacrifice his IRL body."
"Thought so." Ai smirked and raised his left arm. "Then it's time for round two!"
"Don't leave me out of it!" Almark chuckled as he did the same. "I'm happy you left me to have my fun with him, Ai-kun, but this time, I want him dead for real."
"Yeah, me too." Ai nodded. "A Three-Way Duel it is. Did you hear that, King—"
The two shivered in unison as they felt a...nay, many malicious presences closing in on them. King, who felt the same thing, on the other hand, grinned, causing Almark's eyes to widen as he realized who were coming to their location.
"Ai-kun, catch him!" he quickly shouted. If they don't catch him now, then he'll escape!
"OK!" Ai fired his grapnel-hand in the Star Chalice's direction, but right when it crossed the center of the roof, a lightning bolt shot down from the sky, pulverizing it. "My hand!" he cried out in horror as he stared at his arm. "My beautiful hand!"
"Tch!" Almark gritted his teeth. "The one who can control lightning is...!" he looked up at the sky, seeing a giant Monster descend from among the clouds. "Hamon!"
True to his words, the god known as the Lord of Striking Thunder, followed by Raviel, Lord of Phantasms, appeared, with the latter carrying six people on its palms. Hamon got closer to the apartment that was next to the one where the Zaizens lived, where a Duel was underway.
"The enemy?" Shin wondered out loud while clenching his trembling fists. This Monster...without a shadow of a doubt it was strong...suffocating...evil. Starve Venom and Clear Wing roared at it. "I thought KaibaCorp had everything under control...?"
He frowned when he saw the expression Nina was making: shock. Another bad sign.
"If the Three Phantasms are here, then...which also means..." she thought out loud, narrowing her eyes at Hamon. "This could get in our way...big time, as that idiot would say."
"Thank you for stating the obvious!" Kisskill shouted as she and Deva leaped off the roof, grasping Hamon's hands.
"You chickened out, huh!?" Shun taunted in anger as the Lord of Striking Thunder started flying upwards and the cards on the fields vanished, except for the two dragons.
Winner: NO RESULT!
"It wounds my pride to leave the battlefield like this, but I hope you can understand we have no other choice," Deva calmly explained to them. "You've won this round, humans. Your alliance with the Dark Ignis caught us off guard."
"Why are you praising the enemy...? Unless it's my sweetheart, I don't see the point." Kisskill shot him an exasperated side-glance. She then looked back at their opponents. "Next time you'll see us, it won't end this way. Remember that."
"Hagihara-kun and Nina-kun... I'll remember your names, too." Deva did an exaggerated bow. "Until we meet again!"
Following those words, Hamon beat its wings, prompting Shin and Nina to shield their faces with their arms as the god flew back to where it came from.
(...At the same time, on the other rooftop...)
"My, my, this is quite the plot twist..." Almark muttered with a faint smirk as a bead of sweat ran down his forehead.
Standing on Raviel's left palm were a fair-skinned man in his forties with wrinkles on his face, short, black hair that started to turn gray, and an immaculate beard, clad in a black suit with round sunglasses on his head, a pale-skinned man with a light stubble and long, black hair, wearing a gray and red heavy coat over casual clothes, and a fair-skinned man with spiky, black hair that had a white, lightning bolt-shaped strand, wearing a punk-style outfit. On Raviel's left palm, on the other hand, stood three familiar Duelists.
"Hah! Jokes on you, because I don't know any of these people!" Ai defiantly snorted. He then turned to Almark with a confused face. "Seriously though, who are these guys...?"
"Those on the left are the 9th, 10th, and 4th ex-Charisma Duelists, Titan, Psychic Lord, and Keliphortress respectively. While those on the right..." Almark's smirk widened. "Are Kai, Ruka, and Kenji Trinitas."
"What?" Ai gasped. "They joined this bastard?"
"At first, they were being controlled by King. But now...I see they've become the Three Phantasms' and the Wicked Gods' Servants," Almark explained. "Well, they're still being controlled, just by somebody else."
"That's right." King spoke up. "I've lost SOL to the Dark Ignis, my ability to the Star Relic Killer, and my deck's power was revealed to both of you...but I believe that's a good cost for these Servants, the knowledge of Star Ark's ability and your decks. Oh, and that."
"What do you mean by 'that'?" Ai inquired.
"You'll find out once you get your hands on Data Bank." King scoffed. "That said...are you ready to fight three gods each in a Four-Way Duel? After all, you were so eager to Duel a couple of minutes ago."
The Star Ark and the DARK Ignis narrowed their eyes. They weren't stupid; taking on three gods at the same time was too dangerous. But, at this rate...
"Almark-kun."
"I know, Ai-kun."
They said to each other without exchanging glances. They raised their left arms in unison—and spun around, running away from their foes.
"NIGERUNDAYOOO!" they exclaimed in unison and jumped off the roof. Almark held his glasses to avoid losing them and waved at the six gods and King, while Ai flipped them the bird.
"Allow me." Titan spoke up in irritation and made a gesture with his hand, causing Uria, Lord of Searing Flames to descend from the sky and unleash a wave of fire at the two.
"Almark-san!" Grangadez's voice cried out before he and Grandeen, in their normal sizes, came to help them from behind. He parted the fire with his blade, and she caught them in her hands.
"Let them be. We're leaving." King told as he leaped onto Raviel's right palm, and the Three Phantasms left the area.
"It was fun while it lasted!" Ai addressed the Dilavni user with a grin. "See you guys later!"
"The same!" Almark nodded and Ai left the SOLtiS, which then collapsed.
"You didn't try to stop him?" Grandeen raised an eyebrow.
"You saw how he can just leave the stage." Almark told her. "It would've been of no use."
After she deposited them on the ground beside her user and the others, she and Grangadez returned to their chibi forms, followed by Shin and Nina and their own dragons.
"Ai?" Kioku's eyebrows knitted as he stared at the lifeless SOLtiS.
"He left." Erika shared his expression. "...He really turned his back to us."
"Ai did?" Aoi asked. "What do you mean?"
Almark turned to Kaiba. "I guess they aren't the only ones who should hear it."
KaibaCorp's CEO nodded. "We'll continue this conversation tomorrow," he explained. "Zaizen, Kioku, bring together the best players you know. I'm going to call Queen and let her know, but I'm sure she'll have no objections in using LINK VRAINS' Central Station as our assembly point."
"Queen, you say?" Akira's eyes widened a little. "She was freed from King's grasp?"
"Yes. Thanks to Masayoshi-san and Regalia-san." Hayami confirmed his suspicion.
"You're requesting the strongest Duelists and involving Queen, too... What disaster are we looking forward to?" Shin's joke betrayed his alarmed expression.
"We'll meet in the afternoon. Until then, make sure to rest." Kaiba avoided his question, much to his annoyance.
"Um..." Aoi warily spoke up. "All those giant Monsters that appeared in the Duel and just now... What will you tell the media? As the one who's responsible for evacuating the apartment and taking over the street, I'm sure people will want answers from you, Kaiba-san."
"Leave that to us, Aoi-san." Hayami smiled at her.
"We'll tell the media we were testing the limits of Duel Monster sizes or something like that." Kaiba stated. "As long as they're no victims, we won't have to fear a furious reaction."
"That's why you evacuated the apartment and secured the street. So you could easily cover it up." Akira realized. "Mr. Kaiba...thank you. For helping us...and the civilians."
"I'm not narrow-sighted. That's all." Kaiba replied simply. "That said, I've arranged for you and your sister an apartment close by. Give me two days, and I'll have this apartment put back together."
"Th-Thank you..." Aoi said in surprise.
"From the bottom of our hearts." Akira smiled before they bowed their heads.
"Please, after you pack your things, return here." Hayami told them. "We'll take you to your new apartment."
"I would hurry if I were you." Kioku teased Aoi to lighten the mood, much to her confusion. "It's already past midnight, and we need to get as much sleep as we can. You know what's going to happen today at school, yes?"
"Today's the second day of our final exams." Aoi's eyes widened. She facepalmed with a groan. "Couldn't this entire operation wait a couple of days...!?"
"I'm afraid it couldn't." Almark mischievously chuckled, prompting Nina to sigh.
"It will be your fault if they fail." she warned him.
"Eeeh!?" Almark exclaimed. "I believe in them! I know they'll succeed even without getting a good night's sleep!"
"Pardon me, Almark-san, but I believe that's easy for you to say." Grandeen hid her smile behind her hand.
"You're a Star Relic after all." Grangadez added. "I concur with that you've said, but they're still humans. And humans need rest."
"Mean!" Almark crossed his arms and pouted, turning his head away. "All of you!"
After bidding farewell to the Zaizens, Hayami, and Kaiba, the twins, Almark, Nina, and their dragons were about to get in one of KaibaCorp's vans when a voice stopped them.
"Bloody Talker, Eve." the twins turned to Shin, whose eyes narrowed. "I can't believe it... The infamous Cyberse user that gave so much trouble to SOL and saved the world twice and his sister who could be considered Kaiba's rival...really are kids. Another day full of surprises in my book."
"Is it that hard to believe kids can be strong, too?" Kioku chuckled.
"Oi, I never said kids were weak." Shin did the same. "In fact...you're the strongest."
"I have a feeling that, from now on, many of our battles will take place in the real world." Erika proclaimed, to which her brother and the Predator Plant user nodded in agreement. "It was a matter of time before we would meet like this. That said...I'm Ketsueki Erika."
"And I'm Ketsueki Kioku. You already know Bloody Talker."
"Hagihara Shin." his dragon curled around his neck as he said that. "I'm looking forward to working with you again. I heard you have exams later today; I won't keep you any longer."
"Thank you." Kioku nodded.
As Shin stared at the leaving van, his mind couldn't help but recall the pasts of some of those who'll be involved in this new battle, his own included, and his smile was replaced by a frown.
"This world..." he thought out loud. "Isn't kind at all to kids."
Time Skip: later that day, in the morning - IRL: Masayoshi residence
Queen, otherwise known as Masayoshi Aya, woke up with a groan and a terrible headache. She sat up while rubbing her temple, trying to get a hold of her surroundings. She was...at home, in her bed.
What...happened? The last things she remembered were the glowing hand and eyes of King before she fell unconscious. Then...ah, it's no use. She couldn't remember anything too clearly after that; it's like there's a fog over her memories. Or...was it all a dream?
"Mother?" Aya looked to the side, seeing her daughter standing by the door.
"Cyndy..." she said back. She gasped when Cyndy ran across the room and threw her arms around her.
"I've missed you." Cyndy whispered, shaking a little. This means...it wasn't a dream.
"Cyndy, dear..." Aya hugged her back and pat her head. "I'm back." they stayed like that for a minute before she spoke up. "I'm sorry...for making you worry."
"No, it's alright, Mother." Cyndy shook her head as they let go of each other. She wiped away some tears that had formed on the corners of her eyes. "Don't worry, it wasn't your fault—"
"No, it was." Aya interrupted her, much to her confusion. Her grip on the sheets tightened. "He was able to capture me without breaking a sweat... It's my own fault for being so powerless."
"Mother." the firm voice of her daughter made Aya blink in surprise. Cyndy placed a hand over her mother's and smiled wide. "As I said, it's alright. Don't be so harsh on yourself. Escaping King's ability at that time was impossible for you, and even me. But now...we aren't powerless anymore. It's a long story, but I'll make sure to explain it to you."
"Cyndy..." Aya gasped. There's no mistaking it. "You've grown." her daughter blinked in surprise. "Your eyes tell me everything. Ah...to think you would become such a strong, independent woman on your own. Not for nothing you're a Masayoshi."
"Haha, thank you, Mother." Cyndy avoided eye contact as she blushed.
"So it was really me who was holding you back, eh?" Cyndy's eyes widened at that. When she looked back at Aya, she saw her proud expression turned sad.
"My...message. You saw it."
"Yes. Right before King got me." Aya answered. That's one thing she remembered clearly. "I'm sorry...for that, too. It seems I'm only good at making mistakes—"
"That's not true." Cyndy intoned, causing Aya's eyes to widen. "If you saw that message, then you must know I said you weren't the one who chained my future. I myself did that. You did nothing wrong."
"I..." Aya finally smiled. "I understand. But if that's the case, what would you like to do?"
"Eh?"
"You said you overshadowed your own life because you wanted to protect me. Let's say the world becomes a safe place starting from tomorrow. If that were to happen...what would you do? Who would you become?"
"Ah...um..." Cyndy looked to the side again, this time outside the window. After a couple of seconds, she met her mother's gaze once more. "I've taken a liking to Duel Monsters. Maybe...I could aim to become a Duel Queen?"
"Hoh? A queen like me?" Aya teased, prompting both of them to laugh a little. They both missed times like these, where they could joke and laugh... Aya blinked twice as a good smell suddenly hit her. "This is...you were making breakfast?"
"W-Well..." Cyndy chuckled and scratched her cheek with a finger. "I guess it will be easier to just show you. Come on."
"OK..." Aya's eyebrows knitted. "In that case, give me a moment to change—"
"Oh, don't worry about that!" Cyndy said in desperation and dragged her mother to the kitchen by her hand.
"Cyndy, what's this rush about?" Aya raised an eyebrow, but when she saw who was in their kitchen, she did a double take.
Sitting at their table and playing on her phone was a petite, teenage girl with olive skin and long silver hair that reached the floor and had a large portion framing the left side of her face, leaving only her right eye visible, which had a light brown color. She wore a loose, black sweater with a white and orange zig-zag pattern on its chest, jeans, and white socks.
"You're...! Regalia!?" Aya asked in surprise. The person in question waved a hand at her without looking away from her phone. The second person, though, was even more confusing.
Making breakfast was a bewitching woman with fair skin, long, light brown hair tied into a ponytail near the end of her hair, and cyan eyes. Her nails were pink, and there was a golden ring on each of her fingers. She wore a burgundy polo neck top, black pants, and rimless glasses.
"Allure Queen LV7..." Aya said instinctively, earning a smile from her ace Monster. Wait, hers? Why did she think that? She sighed in exasperation. "There are a lot of things to talk about, right?"
Cyndy chuckled in confirmation. "A lot."
...
"Gochisousama deshita." the three girls thanked the Duel Monster when they finished eating and Cyndy explained to her mother everything that had happened after King took control of her. Allure, which was how they decided to address her, nodded in response.
"I didn't expect Duel Monsters to possess culinary skills." Aya admitted. "Existing in the real world thanks to a Blessing is already one thing, but to cook as well...I presume it depends on the Monster?"
Allure turned to Regalia for a couple of seconds, and the smaller girl nodded.
"She says you're correct," she explained to Aya. "When she was young and lived at her palace, her butler taught her how to cook."
"You two can understand each other?" Aya blinked in confusion. "Before that, Allure can talk?"
"We didn't hear a thing..." Cyndy remarked.
"Because unlike me, you can't communicate with Duel Spirits." Regalia stated.
"Duel Spirits...?" Aya's eyebrows furrowed.
"It's a legend regarding Duel Monsters." Cyndy said. "According to it, the Monsters that Duelists summon during a Duel are creatures of different worlds, primarily of the Duel Spirits World. The person who created the game was very convinced that was the case."
"I see..." Aya looked at Allure in amazement. "So...that really was the case." her ace's smile turned almost mischievous as she took a sip of her coffee.
The Queen of SOL Technologies sighed and stood up.
"Mother?" her daughter asked.
"While this is very nice, we can't relax forever." Aya pointed out. "I'm going to SOL. There are some things I need to clear up."
"In that case, don't leave me behind." Cyndy smiled as she stood up as well.
"You're coming with me? To SOL?" Aya inquired.
"Like in the good old days. Kaiba-san gave me the day off, so I'm free to come over today."
"I see. That's nice to hear." Aya nodded. That Kaiba...he purposely did this, didn't he? She then turned to the other girls. "And you?"
Allure told Regalia something. "She says she'll go with you." she said. "Kaiba also gave me the day off, but I'll head to KaibaCorp anyway. There are some things I need to take care of. Thank you for having me."
"Any time, Regalia." Cyndy chuckled.
After she left, "A new friend, I see." Aya noted with a smirk.
Cyndy nodded, "She may seem cold, but she's very kind and reliable." Aya hummed in response.
Meanwhile... - IRL: SOL Technologies
Akira's morning started...in an amusing way? He wasn't sure of it himself.
After he and Aoi calmed down and settled down in their new, albeit temporary, apartment, they were able to get some sleep in order to prepare for the day; Aoi couldn't miss out on her exams, and Akira couldn't abandon SOL at a moment like this. The fact Ai hacked their SOLtiS without them noticing was unnerving, too.
But when he woke up, he didn't expect to find Tindangle Hound sleeping at the foot of his bed like a dog guarding its owner. Luckily, they didn't wake up, because neither Akira nor Aoi would've known what to do. His sister promised him he'll ask Kioku about this phenomenon at school.
The young man was met with another surprise when he arrived at his office.
"Hayami?"
"Executive Vice President Zaizen...!" Hayami quickly placed down the sheets of paper and the stapler she was holding on his desk and bowed in his direction. "Good morning."
"To you as well." Akira nodded as he entered the office, allowing the auto door to close. Since he found out her secret, he thought she won't come to work at SOL anymore... "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Kaiba-san gave me the day off, but he didn't tell me anything...you know...regarding this job," she explained while gesturing at them. She lowered her gaze with a sigh. "I don't know why I came here, honestly. I guess...I was confused."
"I'm sure I would've been confused as well if I were in your shoes." Akira reassured her with a smile.
"But it's still awkward." Hayami remarked. "Talking with you when...you know why I'm truly here."
"Hayami..." Akira's eyes widened. Even after what he told her while she was escorting him and Aoi following King's attack, this matter still meant so much to her, huh? "If you wish, you can continue working for SOL, Hayami."
"Eh?"
"Spy or not, your service was genuine." he said. "For that, I'm grateful. And as such, I'd be happy if you stay here, by our side." Akira smiled again. "SOL...and I need you, Hayami Risa."
"Executive Vice President Zaizen..." the young woman whispered in shock. A smile graced her face seconds later. "In the beginning, I always came here because I had to, because I was ordered to. But..."
She placed a hand over her chest, "The bonds I've forged with my colleagues...they became important to me. So...yes. I want to continue working here, Executive Vice President Zaizen!"
"Very well." Akira nodded. "I'm looking forward to it."
"The same." Hayami giggled.
...
"Queen." Akira greeted his superior before he and Hayami bowed. They were in the lobby, and Aya was accompanied by Cyndy and Allure.
"Zaizen?" Aya asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
His eyebrows knitted at that, but then he realized why she made that question.
"Mrs. Masayoshi told you what happened."
"Yes." Aya replied. She side-glanced at Cyndy with a smile. "My daughter will join us today. And this," she gestured at her ace. "Is my Blessed Monster, Allure Queen LV7. You may call her Allure. I believe we can consider her my bodyguard."
"I believe so, too." Akira shook hands with Allure, followed by Hayami. "We're also happy to have a guest."
"Well, I'm still considered to be part of SOL, so feel free to come to me if you need a hand or two." Cyndy pointed out.
"I see, thank you." Akira looked back at Aya. "To answer your earlier question, I can't abandon my post because I didn't get enough sleep. I'm an Executive Vice President, and I must live up to this title, especially in these times of need."
Aya stared at him with a serious expression—before she cracked a smile.
"Man like you are godsent, you know that?" everybody else blinked in shock.
"Ah...uh..." Akira mumbled, unsure of what to say.
"Hahaha, I took you all by surprise, didn't I?" Aya's smile turned mischievous. "I have an important phone call to make, so I'll excuse myself." with that, she and Allure walked away from the group.
"...Your mother is in a very good mood." Akira noted after they were gone, and he looked at Cyndy. "Must be because of you."
"Yeah, more than probably." Cyndy chuckled.
"Um, Masayoshi-san," Hayami spoke up. "About that..."
"Ah, don't worry." Cyndy lowered her voice. "I didn't tell her you're a spy. Kaiba-san is the only one who may do that."
"Thank you." Hayami smiled, earning a wink from her.
"Well, I guess I'll go and greet everyone!" Cyndy declared with an excited expression and walked off, following by a chuckling Hayami and a smiling Akira.
Time Skip: after school - IRL: Den City High School
"I'm sure Tindangle Hound won't try anything funny, but call me if you need help."
"It's not like I would have any other choice." Aoi chuckled to Kioku's words. They were both exhausted, which wasn't a surprise when taking into account they didn't get much sleep last night and they had exams today. They'll have to take a nap, or else they might just fall asleep during their meeting with Kaiba and the others in the afternoon.
"Kioku!" Takeru's voice called out when they reached him and Yusaku. "Do you have a moment?"
"Of course." Kioku nodded. He then turned to Aoi. "See you later."
"Yes. Goodbye, Kioku, Fujiki-kun, Homura-kun." Aoi said before leaving them.
"U-Umm..." Takeru hesitantly spoke up. "W-Well...it's..."
"What is it?" Yusaku asked in a worried tone. "Is something wrong?"
"No, never mind." the spectacled youth shook his head with a smile.
"Are you sure?" Kioku raised an eyebrow. "Do you need help with the exams?"
"No, no." he chuckled. "Sorry, it's fine. It's nothing important." he paused before adding, "Why don't we go to Kusanagi-san? I've worked up an appetite after those exams."
"Sorry, but I'll have to decline." Kioku said right before a yawn escaped him. "I couldn't get much sleep yesterday, so I'll head home right away. But that said..." his face turned serious. "You guys will soon find out why because Kaiba and Akira want to meet us in VRAINS' Central Station."
"What?" Takeru gasped. "Kaiba and Zaizen... KaibaCorp and SOL will join hands?"
"I think so." Kioku confirmed. "It's about King...and Ai."
"Ai?" Yusaku's eyes widened. He sounded relieved. "He appeared?"
"Yes. But that's all I know. He and Almark tried to defeat King together, but failed, albeit they were able to damage him. Almark said he'll tell us more in detail at today's meeting."
"Got it." Yusaku nodded to Kioku's words.
"I'll let you know when to log in." the black and white haired youth reassured them. "It will be around afternoon."
"Thanks, Kioku." Takeru's smile returned. "See you then."
Time Skip: 2 hours later - IRL: SOL Technologies
The door to Aya's office opened as Akira walked in, which then closed on its own as well.
"Queen." he bowed his head when he stopped a couple of feet in front of Aya's desk.
"We have a lot of things to talk about." Aya proclaimed while intertwining her hands. "Which all involve SOL Technologies'...and our future."
"Yes." Akira agreed.
Once Aya concluded the important phone call she had to make, which ended up being quite the long call, she issued a meeting to elect the new CEO of their company now that King retired, which was what she lied together with the documents Almark forged for the occasion to prove she wasn't deceiving the other higher-ups or shareholders. As expected, Aya was elected, and she's already making preparation for the next battle.
"Mother, I'm calling him." Cyndy placed her phone on the desk and turned on the speaker.
[Moshi mo~shi!] Almark's voice cried out, followed by a faint and demanding 'Star Ark, my phone' in the background. [I know, I know!] there was a short pause, [OK, It's on speaker!]
[Shall we being?] Kaiba's voice greeted them next.
So this is the person Queen called. Akira thought while narrowing his eyes. This also meant she didn't know Hayami's a spy; if she knew that, then she would've summoned her as well, not just him. But he understands why Kaiba keeps it a secret, so he won't bring it up.
"Let's." Aya said. "Starting from our enemy, last night, we lost track of King."
"He and his comrades were riding those giant monsters and we still lost him?" Akira remarked in vexation.
[They would've killed any people or Monsters and destroyed any drones we sent after them on sight.] Kaiba told him, prompting the hair on the back of Akira's neck to stand up and Aya and Cyndy to frown. [And our satellites are useless as well: they're equipped with a stealth program Star Lance created, making them invisible in our recordings.]
[That's right, Allure!] Almark snapped his fingers, but then he paused. [Oh, right, you guys can't hear her. She said that's a rather troublesome program.]
"Indeed." Aya glanced at her ace, who nodded back. "We can only depend on our eyes. Moving on, King stole some...notable things from us."
"He wanted to leave a mark no matter what." Akira frowned. "What did we lose?"
"About ten SOLtiS, the documents on our high-performance Ignis..." Aya's eyes narrowed. "And the Earth Ignis' data."
"What?" Akira gasped.
[Earth, huh?] Almark thought out loud. [He was converted into source code, making it impossible to restore him. But...the fact he took the documents on the high-performance Ignis makes me think he wants to use them as a tutorial to create a new Earth Ignis.]
[Can he do it?] Kaiba inquired.
[Of course.] Almark immediately replied. [If it's a source code, then even a Star Relic can understand it. An Ignis could understand us if they had our source code, too. It might take a while, but I'm sure an Earth Ignis will join King's ranks sooner or later.]
"How dare he toy with a corpse's remains...!?" Cyndy seethed in a low tone. She then looked at her mother. "I heard rumors from the researchers, but I didn't know it was true. Mother, SOL was planning to create their own Ignis using the data we would've acquired from the Ignis, right?"
Aya avoided her daughter's gaze for a moment before she responded to it.
"Yes, Cyndy, that's right. Using the six Ignis' data, we wanted to create a high-performance Ignis to support LINK VRAINS and our company." she didn't want to get on her bad side, especially after they've reunited, but she didn't want to lie either...because Cyndy valued the Ignis as actual people. "I know you're angry at me...at SOL. You're free to insult us as much as you like."
"...King stole those documents and Earth's data." Cyndy reminded her. She won't hold a grudge, but she won't forget it either. "Consider that your punishment, Mother."
"...I will." Aya reassured her. She addressed Akira once more, "According to Baskerville, six of King's allies, namely the Three Phantasms- whose real forms were those monsters you saw- and the Wicked Gods, have made Titan, Psychic Lord, Keliphortress, and the Trinitas siblings their Servants."
"What did you say?" Akira balled up his fists. "Servants...what does that mean? Is it something similar to King's ability?"
[We'll explain this to everyone in our meeting this afternoon.] Kaiba said. [For now, prepare a lie we could use in case the Charisma Duelists' families or acquaintances try to contact them in vain. I have some of my men secretly guarding these people, but if they don't answer their calls, they might contact SOL if they know they were Charisma Duelists.]
"I understand. I'll think of something." Akira answered. "I assume we're going to work together like this from now on since our enemy is the same."
"Yes." Aya sighed in chagrin. "Kaiba may be a self-centered man sometimes, but we can't ignore an alliance when it's needed."
[Hmph.] Kaiba loudly scoffed. [Speaks the woman who's still angry at me for unleashing a god in LINK VRAINS.]
"Pardon me, but," Akira immediately spoke up before Aya could retort. "Is there a chance King returns and tries to retrieve ownership of SOL through court? If Almark was able to forge a resignation letter, then King can make something believable as well."
[Yes, that's a good point.] Almark noted. [However, he won't try it. He wasn't perturbed at all when the Duel ended, which means he doesn't need SOL to complete his plan. And knowing him, he won't mind his opponents destroying each other over something he doesn't need.]
"At least we won't have to worry about him for now." Cyndy pointed out. "That's one piece of good news."
"It is." her mother agreed. "Moving on, Zaizen, there's something else I'd like you to do. Regarding Playmaker, Bloody Talker, and Soulburner."
Akira's eyes narrowed. "What about them?"
"The reason we put a bounty on them was that they each had an Ignis." Aya reminded him. "However, the Ignis are now gone, except for the Dark Ignis that went rouge. Those three are strong, and King and the Dark Ignis are their enemy as well."
"We have no reasons to consider them our enemies anymore, so we should get on their good side, is what you're saying." Akira finished for her, and she nodded. "Of course, I'll remove the bounties. But that said...are the other higher-ups alright with these decisions?"
"Of course they weren't." Aya snorted. "That's why I had to fire them."
Akira blinked twice. "Rook, Knight, and Bishop...you fired them?"
[I don't see a problem with that.] Kaiba remarked, and of course, that wasn't a problem for him.
[So cold~!] Almark laughed, causing Cyndy to roll her eyes with a smile. [Four hours ago they voted for you to become the CEO, and you already fired them! In their face!]
"It's not like I had a choice." Aya stated. "They insisted we didn't need to ally with Kaiba or remove the bounties, so I told them to leave. I'm personally glad that was the case: if they were to find out we're working with Playmaker and his group, we wouldn't hear the end of it. Then they wanted to focus on capturing the Dark Ignis and reimagine the high-performance Ignis—"
She paused to rub her temple, "They don't know the truth about King and the gods, but even if they knew, they would just slow us down." she lowered her hand with a sigh. "That's all, Zaizen. Our afternoon meeting will take place at six p.m., contact as many capable Duelists as you can."
"In regards to that, I have a suggestion." Akira spoke up warily, something which didn't escape the CEO's notice.
"Which is?"
"There's one more group who wants to defeat King and the Dark Ignis...the Knights of Hanoi."
Aya's and Cyndy's eyes widened. [Oh, yeah...Hanoi.] Almark chuckled.
"Zaizen, you can't be serious." Aya glared at him.
"I'm well aware of our relationship with the Knights of Hanoi," Akira pressed on. "But, as you couldn't ignore an alliance with Mr. Kaiba, I feel the same way with Hanoi. We have many reasons to ask for their support...if it means killing the Ignis and King, I'm fairly positive they won't mind an alliance; they aren't unreasonable. Almark, King can't learn how the Ignis algorithm works from the Earth Ignis' source code, right?"
[He can't.] Almark confirmed his words.
Akira nodded. "Hanoi's programs are created by using an Ignis algorithm, which means King can't hack them. If we manage to befriend them, we can obtain leverage against King. This is a chance we can't miss."
"But still...!" Aya muttered.
[I concur with Zaizen.] Kaiba said. [Another detail we can't overlook is the fact Revolver Dueled King once, and he defeated him.] Aya's eyes widened again, and she looked at her daughter.
"S-Sorry, I forgot to mention that..." Cyndy admitted with a blush.
[Wouldn't you want somebody like that as your comrade, Queen?] Almark teased.
After a short pause followed by a sigh, Aya said, "The battles from now on will only get tougher; our opponents aren't humans, but Ignis, Star Relics, and even gods. We have to use every occasion to your advantage, and that includes fighting with people we don't consider allies. You may contact the Knights of Hanoi, Zaizen, but they shouldn't expect any payoffs."
"I'll let them know." Akira bowed one last time and left the office.
[Four factions are coming together...] Almark hummed in delight. [Aristotle was right: a common danger unites even the bitterest enemies.]
[Indeed.] Kaiba agreed.
"Kaiba-san, before we end this call, I have a request." the said person remained silent, so Cyndy continued. "I would like to fight by Mother's side once more."
"Cyndy, dear...!" Aya didn't expect that, but she couldn't lie a part of her was happy.
[Eeeh, you're leaving us!?] Almark whined. [Right after we became friends~!?]
"It's not like we won't aid each other anymore." Cyndy reasoned with a fond smile. "After all, SOL and KaibaCorp have joined hands. But...this is where I belong."
[...You were a good soldier.] Kaiba's comment caused Cyndy to gasp. [I'm glad you were able to spread your wings and grow, Masayoshi Cyndy. Queen, I trust you with her.]
"And I thank you for helping her." Aya smiled before ending the call.
Time Skip: at 6 p.m. - LINK VRAINS: Central Station
"So quiet...it's almost surreal."
Were Eve's words after she, her brother, Almark, and Ninlil had logged in. Queen, Cynthia, Akira, and Blue Maiden were already present, waiting for them.
"Yeah. Central Station was always the most crowded part of VRAINS." Bloody Talker said in a low tone. He then raised his voice when he addressed the CEO of SOL. "This is the first time we meet the queen in person. Is the throne of SOL Technologies comfy?"
"Bloody Talker, a good afternoon to you as well." Queen scoffed while crossing her arms under her chest. "Since we'll be working together for a while, may I ask you to refrain from making jokes when the situation is so dire?"
He shrugged in response, "You hate my humor just like Revolver. I hate playing by the book."
"You say that like you won't try to humor us anymore." Cynthia jokily snorted, causing her mother to blink twice. Since when was her daughter on so good terms with their enemy- ex-enemy now- to make jokes?
"Hooh, somebody knows me well." Bloody Talker chuckled.
"How did it go with Hound?" Eve addressed the Zaizen siblings.
"Nothing bad happened." Akira told them. "But it's strange...despite their appearance, they act just like a domestic dog."
[Tindangle Hound is your Blessed Monster. It will never bare its fangs at you.] Grandeen said from her user's Duel Disk.
Their conversation was interrupted by three people logging in, immediately followed by three more. It was Kaiba with Bast and Regalia standing behind him and Playmaker, Soulburner, and Unnamed.
"Everyone, thank you for coming." Akira said.
"SOL Technologies' Queen is also here...?" Unnamed remarked in a low tone so they wouldn't hear him.
So this is the man who provides support to Playmaker. Queen thought after a quick glance at Unnamed.
"What did you want to talk about?" Soulburner asked.
"Let's wait until everyone arrives." Queen replied.
"Others are coming?" Playmaker's eyes narrowed.
Right then, four people logged in, namely Blood Shepherd, Toxin, Ghost Girl, and Go.
"This is what I call a lineup." Almark pointed out with an excited voice. Even without the Knights of Hanoi, who they'll meet after this, they looked amazing. "Well, it makes sense considering our adversary."
"Star Ark, keep it short." Kaiba warned. "I don't wish to waste my entire afternoon here."
"I'll give it my best~!" Almark giggled. He then gasped as Ninlil poked his sides, and continued with a frown. "Alright, alright, I will. Did everyone see the news?"
"Around midnight, KaibaCorp did some tests using large-scaled Monsters." Blood Shepherd said, looking at Kaiba. "They even emptied an apartment and secured the street to make sure 'nothing would go wrong'. You put on quite the fracas; all the channels were talking about it this morning."
"That reminds me, wasn't that your apartment?" the Zaizen siblings nodded to Ghost Girl's question.
"That's what we had to lie." Kaiba revealed, shocking those who didn't know what had happened.
"In truth, our and King's factions clashed." Bast stated. "With the Dark Ignis aiding us."
"Ai did?" Playmaker stepped forward. "He also wants to defeat King? Does he want to avenge Earth?"
"That, too." Almark nodded.
"How did you contact him?" Unnamed asked. "We've completely lost track of him."
"As I told King, it wasn't easy. It pains me to say the method I used was unoriginal!" Almark shook his head with a sigh. "I lured him in with a crossword puzzle."
"A what!?" Soulburner exclaimed.
"That Ai..." Bloody Talker facepalmed. "Unbelievable."
"Was the prize of completing the crossword puzzle an Ai pin?" Unnamed asked with a desperate stare.
Almark raised three of his fingers, "Three, actually."
"He's too easy to read sometimes..." Soulburner groused.
"Yeah." Playmaker would've laughed if it wasn't for the situation. "So you talked with Ai? How is he?" he narrowed his eyes. "What does he plan on doing?"
"He's doing very well! But obviously, he didn't reveal me his schedule." Almark remarked. "However, we know what his next step is, considering what he wanted in exchange for a temporary alliance and the message he left us."
"Temporary..." Eve parroted. "I don't wish to jinx it, but...does Ai view us as his enemies?"
"Hoho, he does." Almark chuckled, causing some people to narrow their eyes in concern and others to gasp, one of which was Playmaker. "I asked him the same thing and he said 'yes!'"
"Enemies?" Soulburner inquired in confusion. "Why!?"
"He didn't tell me that, either." Almark raised his hands in defense. "And that, I cannot deduce. I'm afraid you'll have to ask him personally."
All eyes turned to Playmaker, who clenched his fists. Why would Ai...turn on them? It would be one thing if he wants revenge on the Knights of Hanoi or SOL Technologies, but this...this didn't make any sense.
"Playmaker." Unnamed placed a hand on his shoulder in concern.
"...The temporary alliance you forged." he finally said, prompting Unnamed to remove his hand. "What was it about?"
"King knew Ai-kun was hiding somewhere in the network, so he was searching for him, too," Almark explained. He sat down on a table and continued. "I know King like the back of my hand; I was sure he'll try to use Ai-kun to his own advantage. That's why I hastily reached out to him and suggested an alliance. Ai-kun immediately agreed to it."
"No surprise there." Ninlil spoke up.
"You also had the chance to talk with Ai?" Blue Maiden spoke up.
"No." Ninlil slightly shook her head. "Only Almark. My words were based on the naked truth."
"Eh?" Blue Maiden's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Since Star Ark suggested the alliance, the Dark Ignis was the dealer of the situation." Regalia told her. "He could call off the deal whenever he felt like it or ask for more."
"So?" Blood Shepherd impatiently cut in. "What did it ask for?"
"The deal was simple." Almark raised a hand. "Ai-kun will help me corner King and save Queen," he raised his other hand. "In exchange for Queen's Code Key, an authorization, and the blueprint of SOL's system."
"How bold to ask for all of those at once..." Queen muttered in anger.
"Quite disturbing." Ghost Girl commented.
"Wait." Soulburner looked confused. "Those things must be important, but...what are they? I'm clueless about these things."
"The Code Key, as its name suggests, is a key to our company's mainframe." Cynthia stated. "But it's split in two, held by our company's #2 and #3, namely Mother and Zaizen-san."
"It won't work unless you combine the two." Akira went on. "I still have mine, but if Ai were to steal mine as well, he can infiltrate SOL Technologies' central computer and completely take over the company."
"SOL Technologies has over 30% share of the network." Unnamed pointed out. "It plays a major role in society's infrastructure."
"So if it falls into his hands, Ai can destroy society's infrastructure." Go realized.
"That's not all." Queen said. "He can take over all the SOLtiS, which are now being sold."
"That would be a huge problem." Blue Maiden frowned.
"Yes." Bloody Talker nodded in agreement. "But why would Ai aim for that?"
"Ai..." Playmaker glared at the ground. He then looked at the male sitting on a table. "Why didn't you inform us of this? Ai was..." he gritted his teeth. No, until he didn't hear it from Ai's mouth, he won't accept the fact he wants to hurt humanity. "Is our comrade! And King's responsible for starting the Lost Incident! We're also involved."
Almark's eyes widened—before he broke out in laughter.
"Why are you laughing!?" Soulburner demanded.
"Oi, cut it out." Ninlil punched the top of Almark's head, causing him to stop.
"Ouch! That hurt!" he shouted at her.
"His reaction wasn't appropriate, but I think it speaks for itself." Toxin remarked.
"Toxin?" Ghost Girl said in surprise as she and her half-brother turned to him.
"Our opponents were Star Relics." everybody turned to Kaiba. "Unless you're Blessed or have a God Card, you're of no use to us. The only one in this room who's an exception to that rule is Playmaker, but even he isn't Blessed. The others now know which category they fall into, or do I have to spell it out for them?"
"But that's—" Soulburner's words were interrupted by Kaiba's sharp glare.
"No, no, he has a point." Almark said. "Moreover, being Blessed doesn't automatically mean you're stronger than a Star Relic."
"Exactly." Cynthia nodded. "In this mission, Regalia and I were tasked with rescuing Mother, but we ran into Tormentor. I have a Blessed Monster, yet our Duel ended in a draw."
"Which means having a Blessed Monster only brings you closer to their level of power." Toxin summarized. "What a pain... And if you have a God Card like Kaiba or the twins? Or a win condition like Exodia?"
"It's still not for granted you'll win, but your chances increase." Bast stated. "The Star Relics were created to fight gods...we shouldn't forget that."
"Toxin told me some things about these Star Relics...a technological race created by humans and two gods to preserve humanity. What a joke." Blood Shepherd growled. "They and the Ignis, which were created with the same motive, became humanity's enemy."
"That happened because we have free will." Almark pointed at the bounty hunter. "And it isn't my kin's fault you, humans, aren't perfect."
Blood Shepherd swiftly aimed his right palm at the Star Relic.
"Don't shift the blame on us." he warned with a dangerous tone.
"I wasn't~!" Almark shrugged. "I was simply stating facts."
"Both of you—" Ninlil punched Almark's head again.
"Cut it out." Toxin finished for her while lowering Blood Shepherd's arm.
"Something doesn't add up." Bloody Talker, who didn't pay much attention to the quarrel and instead sported a thoughtful expression, said. "Can't we swap out SOL's system's algorithm with a Star Relic algorithm while it's still under our control? This way, even if Ai steals it from us, he won't be able to use it since an Ignis doesn't understand the Star Relic algorithm."
"That's why he asked for the system's blueprint." Almark pointed out. "If he were to steal the system from us and notices its new algorithm, he would simply delete the entire thing and rebuild it in the blink of an eye with the blueprint."
"I see." Bloody Talker frowned. "Ai may act dumb, but he actually knows what he's doing."
"Oi, Bloody Talker, don't tell me you think we'll lose." Go inquired with a joking smirk.
"Of course not, Go." the youth grinned back. "I was just wondering. That said, what's an 'authorization'?"
"To access our company's mainframe, you would need the King's authorization." Akira told him.
"That means...the only thing Ai needs now is the second Code Key." Playmaker seethed.
"What happened in and after the Duel, Almark?" Eve stepped forward.
"Ah...in the end, our Duel was a draw, too." Almark sighed in irritation. He then grinned wide. "But it went brilliantly."
"Wasn't your aim to defeat him?" Soulburner raised an eyebrow. "As in, kill him?"
"Yes, but we expect him to escape in some shape or form." Kaiba placed a hand on his hip. "Killing him would've been a good bonus. What we were really aiming for was neutralizing him."
"Neutralize?" Ghost Girl echoed.
"I hope everybody present knows of the Star Relics and the fact they each have an otherworldly ability." a series of nods confirmed Almark's words. "Thank the gods, that saves us a lot of time. You see, my ability is the Star Relic Killer, designed to counter my own kin. My strongest Duel Monster form has an effect which negates the effects of 'Star Relic' Monsters, and those whose effects are negated this way permanently lose their ability in real life as well."
"King lost his Control Over?" Bloody Talker smiled wide. "Well done!"
"Yes." Eve agreed with a nod. "The Star Relics know of your ability now, but they suffered a huge loss."
"Don't think I'm not prepared for countermeasures against my ability." Almark chuckled.
"So it's like you deleted King's ability." Unnamed said. "Is this a type of program? Can we copy it and give it to our own Monsters?"
"Sadly, we can't." Almark shook his head. "Nobody can enter a Star Relic's mind, so we can't copy it. Also, it's impossible to recreate."
"Then how did you place it in a Monster?" Soulburner asked.
"Ah...that happened on its own, honestly." Almark shrugged. "When I created my strongest form, it automatically obtained my ability, which means it's a Duel-only ability."
"So many drawbacks." Blood Shepherd commented. "Do you even want to win?"
"Of course!" Almark answered. "But I didn't make myself, remember? Those who created me obviously took into consideration the chance of me turning evil, too, so they made sure I wasn't OP."
[Almark-san,] Grandeen suddenly spoke up. [That strongest Monster you speak of...]
[Is it an Overdrive Monster?] Grangadez finished for her.
"The summoning sequence gave it away, huh?" Almark laughed. "Yes, that's right."
Everybody except Ninlil and Kaiba gasped.
"Jyan-jyan~!" Almark cried out as he jumped off the table with his arms spread. "Was the big reveal of your liking?"
"But it's impossible to access an Overdrive Monster's data!" Bloody Talker remarked.
"Yes, you're perfectly right." Almark raised a finger. "But! You can so long as you meet one condition."
"The Overdrive Monsters were created by three, highly skilled programmers, two of which worked at my company," Kaiba explained. "And when they finished, the Twin Gods placed a lock on them, sealing them away. That lock is what disallows us from opening an Overdrive Monster's program."
"The Star Relics also have a lock, but not even our creators can lift that." Almark placed a hand on his chest. "That said, the Twin Gods gave me permission to open Grangadez's and Grandeen's programs, and along with the notes left behind by those three programmers, I created a new, Overdrive Monster!"
"...When exactly did you that, though?" Eve raised an eyebrow.
"Fufu, while you were all asleep of course!" Almark proudly declared.
"...As I expected." Eve sighed in resignation with a joking smirk. "A total freak."
"Oi!" Almark fumed.
[Wait a moment.] Grandeen cut them off.
[Three?] Grangadez asked in shock. [The two who worked at KaibaCorp were our Masters' parents. But...there was a third? Who was it?]
Ninlil closed her eyes before answering, "Dr. Kogami."
"What?" Eve's eyes widened.
"He helped our parents, too...!?" Bloody Talker whispered in shock. "We know they were friends. That much was stated on our father's computer and mother's journal. But they never mentioned this..."
"Dr. Kogami..." Queen's eyes narrowed. "He did such that behind our backs, too...? For how long did you want to keep it a secret?"
"There was no reason to tell you that up until now." Kaiba simply stated.
"Does that mean...!" Soulburner's expression looked enthusiastic. "You can make as many Overdrive Monsters as you want!? And like Grangadez and Grandeen, they will exist in the real world, too!?"
"Yes for the first question, depends for the second." Almark replied. "And even if I could create a hundred Overdrive Monsters, they take a considerate amount of time to finish. For example...if I were to make one as strong as the twins' Overdrive Monsters, it would take me around two weeks."
"That much, huh?" Ghost Girl placed a hand to her chin. "Considering their strength, that makes sense..."
"Moving onto my second answer, every person can only have one Blessed Monster," Almark explained. "And only that Blessed Monster can manifest in the real world. For example, the twins' Blessed Monsters are their Overdrives, which means they can't get a new IRL-partner."
"I see." Toxin crossed his arms. "And since you're the only one who can open an Overdrive's program, even if our cards are stolen from our foes, they can't learn how to make their own copies."
"I have a question." Cynthia raised her hand. "I've been wondering...if my Blessed Monster's card were to be stolen or damaged, would that affect the Monster itself?"
"It won't." Regalia said. "You only need your Blessed Monster's card to use it in a Duel. It's obvious you won't be able to Duel with it if it's stolen or torn in half, but that won't affect your partner in any way."
"Which means they can't be used as bargain chips against their user." Akira noted.
"So that's why Blessed Monsters have the power to block Control Over..." Blue Maiden suddenly realized. "All Star Relics got drawbacks in case they would turn evil. I presume King can't remake his ability, then?"
"There wouldn't be a meaning to my ability if he could do that." Almark confirmed her words.
"If it's possible to mass produce Overdrive Monsters, can we do the same for Divine-Beasts?" Playmaker spoke up.
"No. Divine-Beasts create themselves." Regalia said, prompting him to frown. "But it's possible to create anti-support cards for both Overdrive and Divine-Beast Monsters, using normal coding."
Almark clapped his hands to catch everyone's attention, "After this long derail, let's resume our initial topic." he suggested, to which they nodded. "King tried baiting out Ai-kun by having Queen attend a cruise ship to promote the SOLtiS, so we decided to use that to our advantage. Ai-kun met King, and as expected, the latter tried to recruit him."
"But he didn't accept." Playmaker guessed.
"Well, he played along with King, requesting both Code Keys in exchange." Almark corrected. "King gave him Queen's, and when he went to collect Akira's at his apartment, we ambushed him."
"That's why Mr. Kaiba emptied the apartment and secured the street." Akira pointed out. "To trap King."
"Exactly." Kaiba intoned. "While Star Ark and the Dark Ignis confronted Star Chalice, Cynthia and Regalia rescued Queen from the cruise ship and Dueled Star Lance. Both Duels ended in a draw, but we managed to obtain what we wanted."
"Ai-kun and I were about to Duel King two-on-one, but the Evil Gods intervened." Almark shook his head. "And ruined the party."
"Evil Gods is the collective codename we picked for the Three Phantasms and the Wicked Gods." Ninlil pointed out.
"So those three Monsters that appeared after the Duel were three of the Evil Gods." Bloody Talker grimaced. "Who are their users? I presume they aren't Star Relics."
"That's right. A god chooses who wields them, not the other way around." Almark gestured at his boss. "Like in Kaiba's case, Obelisk chose him as his user."
"Exodia chose me as his user, too." Bast remarked. "Exodia isn't a god, but as Bloody Talker's Grangadez and Eve's Grandeen, he wields god-like power, putting him on the same level as a god. But...that's one of the two ways a god can materialize in our world."
"The second...?" Soulburner gulped.
"Servant." all heads turned at Regalia, who was glaring at the ground. "A god has the power to possess a suitable vessel, fusing with their soul. This ability is somewhat similar to King's Control Over, but in this case, the consciousness of the vessel is still awake."
"It's literally a fusion..." Queen shivered at the thought.
"If you're telling us this...then..." Unnamed started with widened eyes.
"Yes. The Evil Gods made six humans their Servants." Almark finished for him. "And they are Titan, Psychic Lord, and Keliphortress for the Three Phantasms...and Nova, Agrat, and Siegfried for the Wicked Gods."
"What did you say!?" Eve cried out, while those who didn't know gasped. "Why them!? We lived together for ten years...during that time, the Evil Gods and the Star Relics never approached us!"
"You never questioned why?" Kaiba raised an eyebrow.
Eve's eyebrows knitted, but then she gasped and looked at her Duel Disk.
[Because I was there.] Grandeen also realized. [To protect you all...!]
"But then I left...!" her user gritted her teeth, so hard they threatened to crack.
"Eve..." Bloody Talker- and Kioku- whispered in concern as they placed a hand over her shoulder. That managed to calm her a little, but the anger and guilt didn't leave her expression.
"I have many agents in my company who safeguard you." Kaiba eyed all those present in the Central Station.
"I was wondering why these Evil Gods or the Star Relics didn't attack us once in all the past years." Blue Maiden admitted.
"But Eve," Kaiba's eyes landed on the said person. "When you left those three, King snuck in and took them away with Control Over. By the looks of things, in the last week, the Wicked Gods made them their Servants."
"By the looks of things..." Eve seethed.
"Couldn't they use our real identities as bargain chips?" Go made himself be known. "If King is another perpetrator of the Lost Incident, he should at least know its victim's real identities."
"True, but that would be a waste of time." Almark waved a hand. "KaibaCorp, and now SOL too, have them covered, remember?" he then looked at Akira. "That's all my team had to say. Time for Ai-kun's message."
Akira nodded. He then snapped his fingers, causing a holographic screen to appear next to him.
[Hi~!] a male with long hair, who was sitting in a throne, waved at them.
[Yay!] an androgynous child appeared on the left side of the screen, holding their hands up while making the V-sign with both. They then ran behind the throne with a large smile.
"They're SOLtiS..." Playmaker thought out loud when he noticed the diamond-shaped marks at their throat. He then narrowed his eyes at the male in the throne. "That must be..."
[I presume the o so generous Almark-kun already told you about me, but I'll reintroduce myself.] the male with long hair placed a hand to his chest. [I'm Ai.]
[I'm Roboppy!] the androgynous child exclaimed.
"Roboppy's there, too?" Playmaker gasped.
[Zaizen, I have Queen's Code Key, an authorization, and the blueprint of SOL's system in my hands,] Ai explained. [You know what that means, right? All I need now is—] he abruptly pointed at the screen. [Your Code Key.]
[That's right!] Roboppy chirped in.
[I'm coming for it three days from now. Sorry.] Ai chuckled. [Make sure to enjoy these three days! See you!]
[That's right!] Roboppy waved with her hands, and the message ended.
"Ai..." Playmaker muttered.
"Three days, huh...?" Unnamed looked at Akira. "Is that all the footage he left?"
"Yes." he nodded.
"We don't know what the Dark Ignis intends to do." Queen remarked. "But it's clear he's declaring war on our company."
"So he wants revenge on SOL, not just King." Ghost Girl said.
"He's an A.I.," Blood Shepherd scoffed. "He's become humanity's enemy. Playmaker, Almark, I bet you know where he is."
"Oi, you're accusing them!?" Soulburner growled.
"They're the ones who are friendliest with the Dark Ignis." Blood Shepherd reminded him.
"Stop it!" Akira scolded him. "Playmaker fought for humans and A.I.s to coexist. If he knew, he would have already acted!"
"That's true." Go agreed.
"Almark had the opportunity to join the Dark Ignis, but he didn't." Bast said. "Also, he may be unpredictable, but he isn't stupid; he would never betray Mirg."
"Very true." Ninlil confirmed, causing Blood Shepherd to scoff again.
"Playmaker," Cynthia stepped forward. "I know it will be tough to decide whether you want to fight or not. But we want you to help us."
"You know more about Ai than anyone." Akira added. "Please."
"...Give me some time." Playmaker said after a short silence.
"Of course." Akira nodded.
"That concludes this meeting." Queen informed everyone. "We'll contact you all once more when the battle will start. Until then...hone your skills. That's all."
Kaiba was the first to log out, followed by his team and Queen's. The others also started logging out.
"Guys." Soulburner called out to Playmaker, Bloody Talker, and Eve in a low tone. "Can we talk...?"
Bloody Talker nodded with a faint smile. "I know just the place."
LINK VRAINS: Bloody Talker's private server
"...I couldn't say this earlier, but I'm thinking of going back home."
Soulburner was the first to break the silence that had formed after the four hopped over to this server.
"I see." Playmaker didn't turn to him as he said that. "That's what you wanted to tell us after school."
"Yeah...but I've changed my mind. I want to meet Ai again." Soulburner looked at his hand, and clenched it. "If I learn what Ai is thinking, I might learn more about Flame. I'll help Zaizen."
"The same." Bloody Talker ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. "I want to find out what Ai plans to do. To become our enemy...with Roboppy..." his eyes narrowed. "What the Hell is he thinking?"
"What will you do...Yusaku?" Soulburner softly asked their friend.
"Ai was...smiling." he remarked with a vexed expression. "He was having fun. His actions are going to hurt people, but in his eyes, this is just a game. But I want to trust Ai." he returned their worried gazes and steeled his resolve. "I'll uncover the truth. Ai must have a reason!"
"Yusaku...!" Soulburner smiled at that. He then extended his fist, prompting Playmaker and Bloody Talker to do the same, and they all bumped fists. That's when they noticed there were only three fists.
"Erika-nee?" Kioku immediately surfaced, turning to his sister, who was glaring at the ground.
"Eh?" she blinked twice, looking at them in confusion. "A-Ah, I'm sorry...I..." she raised her gaze at the sky. "I was thinking. God punished me for my past deeds by letting me live...without Lily. But it looks like...He wasn't through with me yet; this is my second punishment."
"Was it necessary to involve the Trinitas like this, though?" Soulburner complained.
"...Maybe." Eve admitted. "Kai, Ruka, and Kenji...they haven't forgiven me. They hate me, and they have every right to do so. But nobody deserves to suffer because of another's actions. It's my fault they became Servants. So..."
She looked at her Duel Disk. "Grandeen, will you please help me take responsibility for what I've done?"
[My Mistress,] Grandeen's tone suggested she was smiling. [You're the reason why I live. As your Monster, you're free to use me as you please. But...I would've helped you either way, my Mistress or not. As you said, nobody deserves such a cruel fate. Maybe...they'll forgive you, too.]
"I doubt it." Eve chuckled. "Why would they? I only caused them pain... I won't act for forgiveness, but for justice, for what's right. I made a promise to you all and to myself: I'm going to change for the better."
"Oi, oi, don't leave us out of it!" Bloody Talker raised his Duel Disk.
[We'll help you as well, Erika-sama, Grandeen.] Grangadez was also smiling.
"Me, too!" Soulburner gave a thumbs up while Playmaker nodded.
Eve smiled. "...Thank you, everyone."
Meanwhile... - LINK VRAINS: Hanoi's H.Q.
"I didn't expect you to come alone...but did it really have to be him?"
"Oi!" Almark fumed at Revolver's words after he and Akira entered Hanoi's server.
"Queen insisted an escort and Mr. Kaiba suggested Almark." Akira answered. Although even he didn't understand why Kaiba chose Almark and didn't come himself...but knowing him, there should be a reason.
"It doesn't matter." Revolver reassured. "We've read the brief you've sent us, so let's get right to the point." his eyes met Almark's. "You were able to get in touch with the Dark Ignis and even forge a short alliance; color me impress."
"A compliment from Revolver-sama, eh?" Almark gloated. "I will gladly accept it—"
"But you let him get away." Revolver cut him off with a glare. "We're in this mess because of you, Star Relic."
"I-Is it a trend to scold me?" Almark whined in a low tone before addressing the leader of the Knights of Hanoi. "Ai-kun isn't the Ai-kun you knew anymore. By defeating Bohman, he obtained the essence of all the other Ignis and became a Divine Ignis. It's true I could've challenged him to a Duel, Star Relics were created to counter gods after all, but I thought it was more fitting to use him to our advantage."
"But you still let him escape." Revolver pressed. Almark was about to retort when Revolver raised a hand, stopping him. "However, it's useless to cry about it now. And you obtained positive results, so I'll close an eye this time."
"Humph!" the Star Ark pouted.
"There's also something I'd like to know." Revolver's eyes narrowed. "Is it really true my father helped Kyoya-san and Suiko-san create the Overdrive Monsters at KaibaCorp?"
He didn't know? Akira thought in surprise.
"Why would we lie about that?" Almark inquired. "It's true, of course. You probably didn't know because all the data regarding Overdrive Monsters, including their birth, are stored at KaibaCorp."
"I thought that was the case..." Revolver admitted. "I'd like to know more, but that's not why we gathered here. Did you find the Dark Ignis' location?"
"We're doing the best we can, but I doubt we'll be able to find him." Akira said.
"You're right. He's better at fleeing than we are." Revolver remarked. "He did hide from us in the network for five years."
"If we can't find him, my life will end in three days." Akira frowned.
"The Dark Ignis is a powerful foe, but I won't let that happen. I have a plan."
"That's easy to believe." Almark chuckled. "May we see it?"
Instead of answering, Revolver glanced backwards and snapped his fingers, prompting a humanoid A.I.-like woman to walk out of the shadows.
"Who is she?" Akira asked in confusion, while Almark rubbed his chin in thought.
"It's an A.I. we created to hunt the Ignis and Star Relics." Revolver stated.
"You? Create a new A.I.?" Almark smirked. "Moreover, to hunt my kin as well? I guess pigs will fly next."
"Why would pigs fly...?" the A.I. parroted in confusion. She slightly shook her head and placed a hand to her chest. "Nice to meet you. My name is Pandor."
"According to myth, Ignis was the fire taken from the world of gods to give humans knowledge." Akira remembered. "But that disgusted the gods, so they sent one woman to bring calamity to humans. That was Pandora."
"That's one version of Pandora's myth." Almark shrugged. "Your and Kiyoshi's way of naming things is impressive. I had your father in mind when I was giving names to my cards."
"I never thought you'd create an A.I. similar to the Ignis." Akira pointed out.
"It's inevitable that A.I. with free will will come into existence." Revolver said. "But I won't let them do whatever they like. This is how we're taking the initiative." he gestured at the A.I., "Pandor has a built-in program that limits free will. If it starts to view humans as the enemy, those thoughts will automatically be erased."
Almark whistled. "That kind of control is possible?" Akira asked.
"Imagine all the hardships you could've avoided if the Star Relics or the Ignis had that." Almark mused.
"Indeed." Revolver sighed. "Pandor."
"Yes." she nodded and multiplied into four, perfect copies of herself.
"Hoh!? Not even a Star Relic can't do that!" Almark exclaimed in amazement.
"We four are linked together," one of the Pandors explained. "If one battles an enemy, all data will be shared with the other three."
The one that was talking vanished at that. "Look at your Duel Disk." Revolver instructed.
Akira did so, and a small Pandor emerged from its screen.
"We're loaded will all Duel data up to present." another Pandor told. "We'll use it to help the Duelists by figuring out the enemy's intentions. We will protect you."
"I'm counting on you." Akira proclaimed.
"Zaizen, there's one more thing I want to discuss." Revolver revealed...
...
"When the battle will start, contact us." Akira nodded to Revolver's words and logged out. He then turned to Almark, whose expression clearly said 'I'm still not done with you'. "So? What is it that you want?"
"I was thinking of making a deal with you." Almark raised a finger. A card materialized on top of it, and when Revolver saw what it was, a silent gasp escaped his lips. "This, in exchange for knowledge of the Ignis algorithm."
"Star Relics cannot understand the Ignis algorithm, but they can learn how to." one of the Pandors noted. "So your aim is to free yourself from that weakness."
"Yeah." Almark chuckled. "Since we'll be comrades from now on, giving you a card like this would benefit both of us. The same can be said about me learning the Ignis algorithm, after all, Ai-kun is an Ignis and King has the Earth Ignis' data. So~? Don't be shy, Revolver-sama—"
"I refuse." Almark blinked twice at that.
"Eh? Why?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"Just because we have a common enemy doesn't mean I trust you." Revolver glared at him. "In the next battle, I'll see for myself if you're really my comrade or not. Until then, my answer is no."
"But, a Link—"
Revolver logged out without giving Almark a chance to finish, followed by the three Pandors. The Star Relic lowered his hand with a sigh, causing the card to disappear.
"...Well, I admit I like it when they play hard to get." Almark giggled in a low tone before leaving the server.
Fan-made Cards:
Almark:
Dilavni Ark Dragon "Eiqab" (Dark/Cyberse/Overdrive/Effect/ATK: 3500/DEF: 3500/GR: 10)
"Dilavni Ark Dragon" + 1 face-up Continuous Spell + 1 face-up Continuous Trap
The effects of "Star Relic" monsters your opponent controls are negated, also they lose 1000 ATK/DEF. Once per turn, if your opponent activates the effect of a "Star Relic" monster: You can negate the activation, and if you do, this card gains 1000 ATK/DEF. These previous effects ignore effects that would make a card be unaffected by them. If your opponent Summons a monster(s): You can send that many "Dilavni" monsters and/or "Star Legacy" Continuous Spells/Traps from your GY to the Charge Zone OR shuffle Overdrive Materials used for this card from your Charge Zone into the Deck; that monster(s) cannot attack and its effects are negated, then this card gains 500 ATK/DEF for each monster. You can only use this effect of "Dilavni Ark Dragon "Eiqab"" once per turn.
Star Legacy Records
Continuous Spell
If this card is activated: You can target up to 5 other "Star Legacy" Continuous Spells and/or Traps face-up on your field, GY, and/or Charge Zone; shuffle them into the Deck, and if you do, apply these effects, depending on the number of shuffled cards.
- 1+: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent.
- 3+: Draw 1 card.
- 5: Draw 2 cards.
You can only activate 1 "Star Legacy Records" per turn.
Mammon's Greed
Quick-Play Spell
Target 1 "Ark Dragon" Overdrive Monster you control, then send 1 card from your Charge Zone to the GY; apply an effect until the End Phase, depending on the type of the card sent to the GY this way (Monster, Spell, or Trap), but that target cannot attack directly this turn.
Monster: That target gains ATK equal to that monster's ATK or DEF, whichever is higher (your choice, if tied).
Spell: That target is unaffected by the effects of other cards, except this card or its own.
Trap: If that target attacks, until the end of the Damage Step, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects.
You can only activate 1 "Mammon's Greed" per turn.
King:
Consecrated Star Relic - Calix Sanguinis Sancti (Dark/Machine/Effect/ATK: 5000/Link 6: Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom, Bottom-Right, Right, Top)
(This card is also always treated as a "Star Chalice" card.)
3+ Link Monsters, including a "Star Chalice" monster
Your opponent cannot Tribute this card, it cannot leave your field by battle or your opponent's card effects, and neither player can target it with monster effects. Gains 1000 ATK for each card you control that is owned by your opponent. If your opponent would target a card(s) you control for an attack or with a card effect while you control this Link Summoned card, you choose that target(s) instead. At the start of the Damage Step, if this card attacks an opponent's monster: You can place that opponent's monster in a zone this card points to and take control of it, then during the End Phase, banish it and your opponent takes damage equal to its original ATK. You can only use this effect of "Consecrated Star Relic - Calix Sanguinis Sancti" once per turn.
It's finally doooooone! I hope all of you liked the ending to Almark and King's epic Duel~!
I believe you can see why it took me so long to finish this chapter. Not to mention, all the scenes at SOL weren't planned, I added them as I wrote. I could've leaped past them, but I felt like they were pretty important so I added them, but man, the meeting with SOL, Kaiba, and Almark was eating my life away for some reason! But I'm really proud of the results, so I have no regrets.
As you can see, in my story there's only one King and the shareholders aren't important characters. Then I addressed something we were all curious about, namely what the Hell happened to the three chess pieces; here, they're fired, so we won't have to worry about them in Season 3. But what about in Season 4...? *cue to the writer's ominous chuckle*
And Akira doesn't become a CEO. I'm sorry to all of those who were waiting for it, but since Cyndy is a thing and Queen was blessed, here Queen will take on a much bigger role than in the anime, so I can't just discard her. But I'm planning a promotion for Akira at the end of the season, namely the Chairman position, but with everything that's going on and seeing he was just promoted I thought about postponing it.
That said, I'm also ending the school semester for our heroes the day before Ai begins his attack, to ease their lives a little. It also gives me a good way to start Season 4, which would start after this semester or the second one, with Erika, Miyu, and even Jin onboard. Special thanks go to scififan599 for helping me with these things.
I hope all the information that appears in this chapter was able to clear your minds a little. We still have some details that weren't stated, but those will come later on, so fear not. The next chapter marks the start of Ai's attack!
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, here's the chapter's last scene!
Two cards appeared on the screen before turning around, revealing Tindangle Hound and Allure Queen LV7. They suddenly glowed, and Akira and Aya emerged from them respectively.
"Playmaker and his friends and the Knights of Hanoi..." Aya listed. "I still can't believe we're a team now...the same can't be said about you and my daughter. I guess that's because you are more familiar with them than I am."
"That's only natural. After all, she and I fought them countless times and they helped us save LINK VRAINS." Akira pointed out. "But you're used to Mr. Kaiba. You appear to know him like the back of your hand."
"Of course. We were allies, in the past." Aya mused. "I just hope he won't give me more headaches than I can bear."
"Considering our position, I'm positive he'll hold back." Akira smiled. "Shall we end it here? This was a long chapter; the readers must be tired."
"Very well." Aya nodded and turned at yours truly. "As usual, here's the Secret of the Chapter: Allure's clothing in this chapter was inspired by Rider Medusa's casual wear from Fate/stay night."
"Your Blessed Monster has good tastes." Akira commented.
"What about yours?" Aya asked with a smile.
"Well, mine..." he scratched the back of my neck with an embarrassed chuckle. "Likes it when I call them a 'good boy'."
The screen faded into black, followed by the words [To Be Continued...and Happy New Year!].
