"Hey, check it out; it's that Solarflare guy!" "He's so handsome." "Isn't he so cool~?" "He can have my children if he wants!" "Look at his dragons! I totally want one of them."
Arisu wasn't sure what to make of things. Not with the sudden collective that had gathered in the courtyard. All with phones out, displaying some sort of match. At least it wasn't Playmaker. That guy was seriously getting more and more press. For some reason. She was thankful that Rosebud was but a rumor. If Rosebud got as popular as Playmaker, she might just die from sheer exposure.
"Yo Arisu!" Takumi greeted her, walking on over. "Something catches your eye?"
"Uh, yeah. Has anything been going on… on Link VRAINS?" She pointed to the collective, she started to squeal and shout more obscene things.
"Oh… right. Kind of didn't think they'd come outside of forums. For you see, there's a new guy on the block. He goes by the username Solarflare and, well." Both teenagers flinched as the noises got louder, the group of girls never ceasing to quiet down. "Let's say Playmaker has a run for his money."
"Solarflare… huh," Taking out of her phone, she quickly found a photo of the user in question. "Are they seriously… swooning over a Playmaker lookalike?"
"Have my babies Solarflare!" The duo jolted back at one of the girls screaming it.
"Do you think Solarflare and Playmaker are crime-fighting brothers?" "I sure hope so, or maybe they are boyfriends!"
"Does that answer your question?" Takumi chuckled a bit while Arisu rolled her eyes.
"I think I would rather have Playmaker be in the spotlight. Just so I don't have to deal horny teenage girls." Arisu put her phone away, knowing that a teacher or staff would come to quell the group.
"But aren't you a teenage girl yourself?" It took everything in Arisu to not just whack Takumi over the head.
"I'm heading to class." A quick heel turned and she was already leaving the area.
"Hey-! Arisu wait!" Takumi shouted as the female was already speeding off.
Arisu was quick to plug her headphones in and drown out the noises of the outside world. A quick library shuffle and she was gone. Away from reality for a brief time. Scrolling through her messages, one caught her attention. It was sent from a user with a small bird emoji. She flinched, knowing who the sender was. Clicking it revealed a small gif. A bird flying into a tree.
Guess she knew what she had to do today after school.
Rosebud logged into a new server, one that was seemingly built high up in a mountain range. The clouds were below her, snow faithfully recreated to be on the mountain path. Data Storm winds were picking up, Duelist riding on them and participating in Duels. Built securely on a cliff was a lodging, one where lights were radiating heat. She ran off toward the lodging, making it inside and seeing a multitude of hackers hanging out. One of which waved at her upon her arrival. He was an older-looking guy dressed like a barbarian, having body paint and fake dinosaur bones as accessories.
"Hey! Nice seeing you join us Rosebud!" The man welcomed her as she walked over to the table. "Thought you wouldn't show up without your bodyguard."
"Rass is not my bodyguard. We are just business partners Rampage." She corrected the man as she took her seat at the table. "And I don't need him escorting me everywhere I go. Now, can we just get to the main reason we are here?"
"Indeed." A woman nodded to the right, her bright green hair was long and spiky over her loose attire. "I cannot just skip getting paychecks without good reasons Rampage."
"Don't we all Siren? Now, to why I called us here. The Knights of Hanoi are becoming a problem. Not just for damages, but for our very own business. I need not say any more about that, should I?" He gave both females a look, to which neither of them verbally responded. "Good. Because at this rate, I got intel that some of our clients are getting offers from companies, mainly SOL into exposing us."
"What!? You have to be kidding!" Siren slammed her fist onto the table. "You are saying that the Knights are willing to put down my very own Nest!? I can't just abandon my girls like that!"
"It won't just be our three groups: Nest, Compendium and Wolfpack are three of the main targets SOL is going after. If they succeed in obtaining our information and blackmailing us, this side of Link VRAINS will exist no longer with their jurisdiction."
"Is SOL getting desperate on stopping Hanoi and Playmaker?" Rosebud pondered.
"That appears to be the case. And they might be planning to break over from the public to private servers. Thus, our free private servers will all be controlled by SOL directly. Which was against the terms of creating private servers during the first few years. So, I wanted to inform you so we were all on the same page. We cannot afford us becoming tools that SOL will send out to deal with problems that aren't our own."
"What about the sudden rise of Hanoi? Surely we can't just simply ignore them." Siren twirled a card in hand. "I can not afford to leave my Nest in danger if they continue to run amok. Not to mention Playmaker; he's endangering our own liveliness. Being a lone wolf himself doesn't help either."
"What about the whole Ignis deal? You know, the weird thingy Playmaker has that both SOL and the Hanoi want?" Rosebud asked.
"As much as I would love to deal with Playmaker himself, getting us into the mix would be anything but desirable Little Rose," Siren responded, returning the card back into her virtual Deck. "For now, until he enters our domain, we leave him be. Those Knights, on the other hand, are fair game if they try to enter my Nest. What say you, Rampage?"
"I have to agree. Playmaker is indeed a point of contention for most of our business on these private servers. However, if any of us lay a finger or get directly involved, we're then going to become plastered as 'Playmaker's sidekick.'" Rampage nodded. "So let us end this meeting with one agreement. We pull back on operations until it blows over. That or SOL decides to crash the party."
"Indeed. I can keep my chicks safe in the nest and you pull back your men. Rosebud, I trust the Compendium can acquire intel from the other side to keep us update?" Siren glanced over toward the young teenager.
"Of course. Not like I can refuse." Rosebud bit her tongue, refusing to vent out her thoughts to the adults.
"Oh, and one last thing. That newcomer Solarflare. He has certainly been running rampant. Rampage, can I entrust your group to deal with him?"
"Don't worry. My team has got him down. It is only a matter of time before he falls. With that, I can take my leave. Thank you so much for coming." Rampage logged out there, but Siren stayed behind.
Siren got up from her seat, scanning Rosebud before saying something. "I heard Playmaker is supposed to be around your age. Wouldn't be nice to have another hacker your age?"
Rosebud pushed herself away from the table and stepped off the seat. Eyes downcasted and away from facing Siren. "Sure, yeah. Now can I go now? I don't like being a pet to any meetings."
Siren chuckled, reaching out to ruffle Rosebud's hair. However, the teenager flinched back and stepped away. The woman stopped and sighed, folding her arms.
"What can I say? You know how I love to tend to little fletchings like you. Though I wish you would have accepted my offer to become apart of my Nest. It would be a lot safer than hanging out with a bunch of criminals."
"Like we are doing anything better. I'm going for a quick ride." Rosebud couldn't handle the tense moment any longer and heel turned toward the patio.
The lodge's patio had an open bit for the Data Storm winds to run free and rampant. Many groups were already having a good time. Rosebud summoned her green and grey D-Bard and leaped onto it, riding the winds. It was a nice way to unwind. Besides, the recent resurgence of winds was a new enjoyable facet of many private servers. It didn't take anyone long to figure out how to recreate them. Thus the thrill of Speed Duels returned in a storm. A storm for the private servers and the gambling scene. It made things a bit more enjoyable for Rosebud. As much as the public servers had fun, the high-stakes thrills of the private servers were leagues better. Though quite a bit illegal with how risky Speed Duels were. Didn't stop Rosebud from at least learning how to balance on them.
The server had it free of charge, so Rosebud willingly jumped on the winds. She was enjoying herself. The fresh winds blowing by her. It was a nice sensation throughout her nerves. Then again, she was running low on time. Only should be about twenty minutes before she needed to log off. The Plant Duelist felt the freedom of the wind, her nerves tingling with joy at the freedom around her.
Oh, how Rosebud would love to be free.
Turning a corner, the thrilling sensation was roughly cut off as somebody cut her off. She barely had time to dodge it, unknowingly ignoring whatever else went by her. Regaining her balance, Rosebud turned back to see a male Duelist. He wasn't anyone she had seen before. The weird black and blue cyberpunk-outfit with a matching dark blue jacket. She couldn't exactly see his face - for the blue vizor he had. What really stood out was the bright white hair of the man.
"Huh? I wasn't expecting to find a hacker harboring an Ignis here." The man said directly to her.
"Excuse me?" Rosebud's confusion was clear. "You nearly ran into me! Watch where you're going."
"I should say the same to you; especially since that Ignis fled to you."
"Ignis? Fled!? Listen, dude, I don't know who you are, but you first nearly crash into me and now claiming I'm harboring an Ignis; I'm nothing like Playmaker."
"Oh really now? Then how about we Duel and find out?"
"Fine! You'll regret it Cyberboy."
"Cyberboy? My name is Nero!"
"Doesn't matter!"
"Speed Duel!"
[SPEED DUEL - START!]
Rosebud: 4000
Vs
Nero: 4000
"If you will allow me, I'll take the first turn!" Rosebud looked at her hand, scowling a bit at her hand. She didn't have a great opening hand, but she needed to play defensively. "I set a monster and play two facedown cards. Your move."
"A defensive playstyle? Okay then, now let's see if you can handle this! While I control no Spell or Trap Cards, I can Special Summon Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from my hand! Then I Summon Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. Form before me, the circuits of evolution! The Summoning conditions are that I control 2 Level 3 monsters. I set both Cagna and Graff to the points! Link Summon! Come forth! Link-2 Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss!" The fiend Link monster appeared on the field.
Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss: LINK-2 DARK Fairy/Link/Effect ATK: 500 [MARKER(S): Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right]
"At this moment, Graff's effect activates! When this is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Burning Abyss monster from my Deck. I Special Summon Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!"
Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss: Level 3 DARK Fiend/Effect ATK: 1700 DEF: 1000
A Burning Abyss Link Monster with 500 attack? Rosebud contemplated. There had to be more than meets the eye with the monster Nero has in his control.
"At this moment, I activate Cherubini's effect by sending a Burning Abyss monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. By sending Calcab, I return one of your Set Spell or Trap Cards on the field and Cherubini gains ATK equal to Calcab's original attack." He pointed to the set card on the left, Rosey taking it back as his Link monster gained power.
Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss: LINK-2 DARK Fairy/Link/Effect ATK: 500 + 1400 = 1900 [MARKER(S): Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right]
"Now we battle! I attack your facedown with Cherubini!" He declared the attack, his monster raising its sword.
The monster was flipped face-up, is a jar with aroma being released from it. "Aroma Jar's effect activates! When this card is flipped face-up, this monster cannot be destroyed by battle."
Aroma Jar: Level 1 WIND Rock/Flip/Effect ATK: 500 DEF: 400
"So that's why you played defensively. Neither of my monsters can destroy yours just yet. I end my turn. Cherubini's attack returns to normal." Nero yielded his attack.
"Wait! Because Aroma Jar is face-up on the field, I gain 500 LP during each End Phase." Rosebud interjected.
Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss: LINK-2 DARK Fairy/Link/Effect ATK: 1900 - 1400 = 500 [MARKER(S): Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right]
Rosebud: 4000 + 500 = 4500
Vs
Nero: 4000
"Okay, time to start my turn! I draw and I begin by revealing my facedown card Humid Winds! I can pay 1000 LP in order to add an Aromage card from my Deck to my hand. To this end, I pay the amount to add 'Aromage Jasmine' to my hand. Then I Summon Evil Thorn to the field." Lonefire Blossom appeared on the field.
Rosebud: 4500 - 1000 = 3500
Vs
Nero: 4000
Evil Thorn: Level 1 DARK Plant/Effect ATK: 100 DEF: 300
"Then I activate Evil Thorn's effect! I tribute this card to inflict 300 damage and Special Summon 2 more of them with their effects negated. But I won't need them for long. Manifest before me, roots of evolution! The Summoning conditions are that I control two Plant Monsters. I set both Evil Thorns to the Markers. Sprout your wings and take flight! Link Summon! Link 2, Aromaseraphy Jasmine!" The two plant monsters were replaced by a new Link Monster.
Rosebud: 3500
Vs
Nero: 4000 - 300 = 3700
Aromaseraphy Jasmine: LINK-2 LIGHT Plant/Link/Effect ATK: 1800 [MARKER(S): Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right]
It was too much of a risk to attack just yet. Aromsaseraphy Jasmine could finish off the Link Monster quickly, but how could she? Something about the monster was wrong. She needed to figure out what that was. Perhaps she could bait it out. Yes, that is what Rosebud decided to do. With Aroma Jar on the field and having lower LP, she couldn't rely on Jasmine's ability to protect herself and the monster from battle. That only meant one thing.
"I activate Aromaseraphy Jasmine's ability! I Tribute Aroma Jar to Special Summon a Plant monster from my Deck. I choose to bring out Chirubimé, Princess of Autumn Leaves!" The Aroma Jar was replaced by a Plant Princess in defense mode.
Chirubimé, Princess of Autumn Leaves: Level 8 EARTH Plant/Effect ATK: 1800 DEF: 2800
"I set one card before activating Humid Winds second effect! While my LP is lower than my opponent's I gain 500 LP! This also triggers Aromaseraphy Jasmine's effect for me to add a Plant from my Deck to my hand. I choose to add Kuribulb! We battle now. I attack your Cherubini with my Link Monster!" Rosebud declared, her monster preparing its attack.
Rosebud: 3500 + 500 = 4000
Vs
Nero: 3700
"Cherubini's effect activates! If this card would be destroyed by battle, I can send another Burning Abyss card I control to the Graveyard. I choose to send Barbar to the Graveyard instead!" Nero exclaimed as his other monster took the blow instead.
"Yes, but you take the damage still." Rosebud reminded him as a bit of his avatar displayed the damage for a few moments.
Rosebud: 4000
Vs
Nero: 3700 - 1300 = 2400
"My turn ends here." Rosebud looked down to the two monsters in her hand; this would set up nicely for the next turn.
"Not bad. The testimonies weren't kidding when they said Rosebud doesn't like to play around." Nero stated. "But to think you would be harboring an Ignis… you must truly be in league with Playmaker."
"Ignis? Playmaker? What are you talking about?" She turned to look back at her opponent.
"Don't play dumb with me. You are harboring property of SOL within in your Duel Disk while participating in illegal activity!" He pointed at her Duel Disk. "Now why don't just turn yourself in with the Ignis. SOL would be more than willing to let you go if you return the Ignis and becoming a member."
"Hell no! Your side of SOL doesn't give two shits anyway! I am not risking my own reputation and honor based on lies here. Now get on with your Duel. Otherwise, I will have to end things during my next turn."
"You're wrong about many things. Wrong about SOL, wrong about Playmaker and definitely wrong about your career choices. And I don't plan on losing here! My turn!" Nero drew his fourth card and glanced at it. "From my hand, I play the Ritual Spell Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss!"
"A Ritual Spell!?" Rosebud gasped. "You have access to the other Summoning Methods?"
"Surprised? I guess you thought these were only in your dark side of the servers. Working with SOL has its benefits, like this! I use Farfa and Alich in my hand as material! Ritual Summon! Come forth - Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss!" A burning circle appeared before the monster burst from the flames.
Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss: Level 6 DARK Fiend/Ritual/Effect ATK: 2700 DEF: 2200
"Since Farfa and Alich were sent to the Graveyard, their effects activate! I negate the effects of Aromaseraphy Jasmine and banish your Plant Princess for this turn!" The dark depths swallowed one monster while covering the other in a grey aura.
Rosebud grumbled, seeing her strategy destroyed in an instant.
"Your Plant Princess would have summoned a monster if she was sent to the Graveyard and both the Link Monster and Princess would have been protected thanks to possessing more LP than me. It would have been nearly impossible to get over that wall of defense if I only had Cherubini. The only other monster I could have possibly used would have been the Fusion Monster. Enough of that though, if you so desire this Duel to end quickly, then I will gladly do so! I activate Cherubini's effect and send a Burning Abyss monster from my Graveyard to increase its own attack. This time I send Cir to increase the ATK and activate Cir's effect to revive Barbar!"
Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss: LINK-2 DARK Fairy/Link/Effect ATK: 500 + 1600 = 2100 [MARKER(S): Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right]
Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss: Level 3 DARK Fiend/Effect ATK: 1700 DEF: 1000
"Next I use Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss' effect and by sending Draghig, your monster loses attack equal to Draghig's attack! And since I sent Draghig to the Graveyard, I can place a Burning Abyss card on the top of my Deck."
Aromaseraphy Jasmine: LINK-2 LIGHT Plant/Link/Effect ATK: 1800 - 1100 = 700 [MARKER(S): Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right]
"Now we battle, I attack first with Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss!" His Ritual Monster easily went through the Link-2 monster but managed to survive thanks to the higher LP.
Rosebud: 4000 - 2000 = 2000
Vs
Nero: 2400
"Cherubini! Destroy her Link 2 monster now!" It raised its sword, slicing through the Link Monster as it vanished into petals.
Rosebud: 2000 - 1400 = 600
Vs
Nero: 2400
"Barbar! Finish this now! Direct Attack!" His last monster rushed on ahead, about to strike Rosebud directly.
"I activate Kuribulb's effect from my hand! When a Plant Monster is destroyed and sent to my Graveyard, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand!" The little monster jumped up into the field, covered in leaves with its two eyes peeking out from.
Kuribulb
Level 1 Attribute EARTH
Plant/Effect
ATK: 0 DEF: 0
When your opponent destroys a Plant-Type monster you control: Negate that attack and Special Summon this card from your hand in attack position. Then, gain LP equal to that monster's attack. For the rest of the turn, any battle or effect damage you take instead restores your LP. Then, destroy this card during the End Phase a draw a card for every monster that attacked this card.
"You summoned your monster in attack position? Why would you ever do that!?" Nero said. "You'll still be taking Barbar's full ATK damage."
"Kuribulb's ability activates! For the rest of the turn, any damage I take instead restores my LP! Healing Bloom!" Kuribulb opened up its flower after absorbing the attack, flower petals flying off and around Rosebud before vanishing. "Then I activate my other Continuous Trap Dried Winds! When I gain LP, I can destroy 1 monster on the field. And since Cherubini protects monsters it points to with card effects, I'll destroy Barbar since it is not in a zone Cherubini points to!"
Rosebud: 600 + 1700 = 2300
Vs
Nero: 2400
"It takes more than a simple brute force attack to overwhelm me. Did you honestly expect something less from me? Since that ends your Battle Phase, Kuribulb is destroyed and I draw a card for every monster that attacked this card."
"I see. But that won't be able to stop my monsters. None of your monsters hold enough Attack to even overcome my combo. What kind of luck must you believe you have in order to defeat me?"
Rosebud pondered a bit, drawing her card and seeing that after the free monster in her hand that she drew a Spell. She had to win this Duel. Facing an SOL employee who had access to the other Summoning Methods meant she had to go out in full strength. All of it depended on starting it right now. She saw the Plant Princess return to the field, leaving her with at least something.
Chirubimé, Princess of Autumn Leaves: Level 8 EARTH Plant/Effect ATK: 1800 DEF: 2800
"Don't underestimate me. There is a lot of things your folk never understand. From my hand, I play the Spell One for One! I send a monster from my hand to Special Summon a Level 1 monster from my hand or Deck. I send Aromaseraphy Rose to Special Summon Aromaseraphy Angelica!" A small white female appears, fling with her golden wings.
Aromaseraphy Angelica: Level 1 LIGHT Plant/Tuner/Effect ATK: 0 DEF: 0
Rosebud looked at her Extra Deck. She wasn't exactly wanting to do this, but she had no other choice. "Here goes nothing! I Tune my Level 1 Angelica to my Level 8 Chirubimé! Blessings of nature adore your body! I call upon your aid on this battlefront! Synchro Summon! Let's go! Level 9, Aromaseraphy Bergamot!"
Emerging from the Tuning Rings came what could only be assumed was a more evolved and powerful version of the original Aromage Bergamot. The red-headed male had the signature golden wings, a bit more of the pristine white and golden of his uniform shimmering in the light. Something about his wooden weapon was different. More of the green leaves surrounded bits of it. The three lanterns glowing, more and more like the wings of the monster.
Aromaseraphy Bergamot: Level 9 FIRE Plant/Synchro/Effect ATK: 2100 DEF: 3000
Aromaseraphy Bergamot
Level 9 Attribute FIRE
Plant/Synchro/Effect
ATK: 2100 DEF: 3000
1 Tuner monster + 1 or more "Aromage" monsters
While your LP is higher than your opponent's, the effects of "Aroma" monsters you control cannot be negated. Once per turn, if you gain LP: gain one effect based on the original Attribute of any Synchro Material that was used to summon this card.
● LIGHT: Draw 2 cards, then shuffle 1 card from your hand into the Deck.
● EARTH: Return 1 monster your opponent controls to the hand whose ATK is less than this card's DEF.
● WATER: Change 1 monster on the field to face-down Defense Position or face-up Attack Position (Flip Effects are not activated).
● DARK: Set 1 "Aroma" Spell Card or 1 "Winds" Continuous Trap Card directly from your Deck.
● FIRE: Increase either the ATK or DEF of 1 monster you control by 1000 until the end of your opponent's turn.
You can only use this effect of "Aromaseraphy Bergamot" once per turn.
"An Aromaseraphy Synchro monster… so you do wield an unauthorized card in your Deck."
"Oh shut it. At this moment, I activate the effect of Humid Winds to increase my LP by 500 LP. And this activate Bergamot's effect! Once per turn, when I get LP, I can activate one of his effects depending on the Attribute's used to Synchro Summon him. I choose to activate the LIGHT Attribute effect! I draw 2 cards and shuffle one back into the Deck. Then I activate Aromaseraphy Rose's effect from my Graveyard: When I gain LP, I can Special Summon her from the Graveyard! Come bloom for us, Aromaseraphy Rose!" A small pink female emerged from a gale of petals, the tiny golden wings fluttered when she took flight.
Aromaseraphy Rose: Level 2 EARTH Plant/Tuner/Effect ATK: 300 DEF: 800
Aromaseraphy Rose
Level 2 Attribute EARTH
Plant/Tuner/Effect
ATK: 300 DEF: 800
During either player's turn, your LP are higher than your opponent and an "Aroma" effect would be negated (Quick Effect): You can discard this card, then if you do; negate that effect and gain 300 LP. Once per turn, if you gain LP: if you control an "Aroma" monster, and this card is in your Graveyard: You can Special Summon this card, but banish it when it leaves the field. You can only use each effect of "Aromaseraphy Rose" once per turn.
Rosebud: 2300 + 500 = 2800
Vs
Nero: 2400
"You might have regained your lead in Life Points, but your monsters still lack the attack to finish me off!" Nero declared, looking at her monsters. "You can't beat me like that!"
"True, but only on your field. From my hand, I play the Equip Spell Mark of the Rose! I banish Aromage Jasmine to activate its effect and equip it to one of your monsters! I choose to equip this to your very own Netherlord himself!" A marking soon appeared on the Ritual Monster, transferring it over to her side of the field. "Now you can't use an effect to protect your very own monster. Prepare yourself for this! I attack your own monster with your very own Netherlord himself! I start end with this beautiful betrayal!"
Rosebud: 3300
Vs
Nero: 2400 - 2200 = 200
"This will end you! Aromaseraphy Bergamot - Wildfire Shot!" The Synchro Monster aimed the staff at Nero. From it, burning spheres shot from the candles. There was no chance for Nero to survive that attack.
Rosebud: 3300
Vs
Nero: 200 - 2100 = 0
{WINNER - ROSEBUD!}
The Speed Duel ending, knocking Nero off his board as Rosebud continued to speed onward. All traces of the Duel were wiped clean as she pressed onward. Leaving Nero and deciding to find the log out button on her Duel Disk.
"Idiot. The nerve of that man." She scowled, taking a look at her Duel Disk. "I am nothing like Playmaker."
Rosebud quickly logged out, not wanting to deal with anything else today.
Arisu awoke up on her bed, stretching her limbs once the sequence was completed. Her Duel Disk was removed her from her wrist, but she kept it in her lap. It was turned off, inactive. She suddenly winced, her brain starting to ache and dull ringing rising in volume paired which excessive coughing. The Duel Disk nearly drops, Arisu frantically grabbed for her pill bottle. The pills were pulled out and swallowed before the symptoms got worse. The freshly opened water bottle was emptied in minutes. Throwing the bottle to the far edge of the room, she hid the Duel Disk behind her bed. Footsteps shuffling as her room was flung open.
"Arisu! Are you okay?" Habiki burst into the room, rushing over and kneeling at the side of the bed.
"...Symptoms." She choked out slightly, motioning from her throat to her chest. "Acted up again."
"Okay, you need to rest for today. Clearly, your body needs rest. You have bags under your eyes." He gently pushed her to stay in bed. "I'll call my manager and see if I can finish up things for work here."
"But isn't your… project…?" She tried to ask him.
"Don't worry about that. Your health means more than a stupid job. Call me if you need anything from the other room. Or text me. You are taking today off to recover. I'll inform school and let Morie know." Habiki walked to her door frame before looking back. "Text me if your voice won't work. I'll make you some broth in the meantime."
Arisu nodded, smiling slightly as Habiki left the room. The older brother sighed as he pulled out his phone. He scrolled down his recent numbers until he found an unknown number. A quick dial ensued as he waited to hear the familiar voice on the other end.
"Habiki~" Morie's cheery voice was on the other end. "How thoughtful of you to call. I was able to head in for an exhibition match. What's up?"
"Arisu's symptoms suddenly spiked up. I'm keeping her home from school today and I'm letting my manager know I'll be unable to come into work. Thought you should know before I inform the school."
An audible gasp from Morie could be heard. Habiki took the chance to continue on. "I don't think it was because she missed taking her pills. I fear that her body might be starting to grow immune to the medicine."
"That's not good. Which the current one she has, anything beyond that would hospitalize her again. I'll call the office and deal with setting up a doctor's appointment. Keep me updated Habiki."
He agreed and hung up the phone. He looked back to Arisu's room, slowly walking back. Almost like the floor was eggshells, he knew the slightest noise wouldn't do well for Arisu in her frail condition. Seeing his sister sleeping relieved him of much worry. The poor teenager usually had to sleep after an episode like that. For now, he had to play the role of Big Brother to keep her safe. It was the least he could do when not at work…
His phone vibrated, jolting him to check the caller ID. It was his manager, or so how they came to call each other while at work. He would have to explain the situation, but not by Arisu's room. She didn't need anymore on her plate.
As he left, nobody was aware of a faint glow coming from the hidden Duel Disk. One that quickly came and went when a bright eye looked around. It was only for a bit before shutting off.
~ Next Time on VRAINS - Compendium ~
Footage of Rosebud's Duel with SOL Technologies Admin Nero suddenly goes viral. Causing the private underside of Link VRAINS to get tense, being run by Bishop and Rook after all. Meanwhile, something begins to roll into motion...
Find out in Episode 5 - Of Sun and Moon
Something to mention here. I wasn't able to post for the past two-ish weeks because I had finals and I needed to pass both those classes. Finales kind of crept behind me and nearly killed me. But, lucky I think I salvaged both those classes so I at least passed. Not like anyone would care, but moving on… Second, I noticed by scanning through my past chapters and my already prepared future chapters about two major plot holes. They would be quite glaring and I went back and fixed them. Those couldn't stay and I'm glad I caught them when I was going back and re-reading these chapters. (Not having a beta stinks sometimes. Hopefully, this was for the last time. At least for the four previous chapters.)
To make up for this, I'll try and post two chapters to make up for this! I already got the next one prepped up and ready to go. But I'll put all of the extra author notes here.
Starting off with thanking those who have either favorited/followed this story! Hopefully, I didn't miss any, but thanks go to the following: NevarSparda2099, Twiphase, HunterHQ, spiderlord4, UsagiAngelRabbit, and Ancient-Knight.
And… wow, I didn't expect the sudden surge of reviews. Last time I checked I had about… four or six. And suddenly it shot up to twelve. Never expected to witness that sort of spike. Thank you, everyone. I'll try and address things below, except for anything changing in the previous four chapters, as I'll deal with errors in a formerly manner. But let's get onto the reviews (I'll keep them as spoiler-free as possible in regards to future events.)
SakushiRyu -
Thank you so much for the review! I'll try and fix the problem with that Duel. Then again, it might just go over my head sometimes. But that's for pointing that out. I tend to write Duels more for fun and sometimes I forget about how their effects function. But that should be the last change, maybe.
Speaking of which, I did prewrite chapters with Duels. Might have to check those and make sure things are good before I post them. Better be safe than sorry!
HunterHQ -
Thank you for your review! I really appreciate it. I'll be taking certain suggestions of yours into account for the future.
To your additional questions, I got some answers which should hopefully suffice.
Rosebud interaction with Blood Shepherd would be interesting. I think she would hostile at first, but time will have to tell. Now, as for the other OCS people have in their VRAINS fanfictions, I can definitely see how she wouldn't get along with them at all. It would take them a considerable amount of effort to get on her good side. Especially Fullcross; to her, he would be the one person she would absolutely hate and see no redeeming qualities. After all, he seems to her like a walking hypocrite who can never change. Bloody Talker might have a better shot at getting to Rosebud. Possibly. It would just matter on how their first impressions go. And as for Cross Nine, let's just say he managed to get past the first impression and prove his worth to Rosebud. He's more than what people think, that's for sure. (Also if any of those said authors have any opinions on how their OCs would react to Rosebud, feel free to share them!)
Ah, now as for Sigrún, while she does use a Crusadia Deck, she doesn't have access to the Cyberse part just yet. Expect to see how that goes in the future!
Solarflare versus Revolver. Now, that would be a match I'd be interested in writing in the future. Whenever they finally meet anyway.
I'm just taking a bit of time before hopping into the main anime VRAINS plot. I wanted to implement and introduce characters without shoving them into the main VRAINS plot. Simply because any other way would have felt forced. I hope you understand. Rest assured that we'll be getting to the main plot soon enough. I just need to set up things.
But that is all for this chapter. I'll try and have the next one up and running shortly! Thank you all for your time and I hope to see you next time.