It had been a few days before Arisu was allowed to go back to school. This was mainly due to the doctor taking a few tests and reporting that she only needed minor changes in her medicine. Visiting the doctor always terrified her. Having a stranger put their hands on her. It was something she was still working on. If she could distract herself, then having another person Arisu didn't know well touch her was fine. Otherwise, she could remember the memories where she had full-blown panic attacks. It was something her medicine helped ease. That and all the other symptom that plagued her body.
A saving grace of the whole event was unable to be in Link VRAINS. For she saw something online that made her worry even more. That Nero guy was somehow an SOL employee and had leaked a bit of the Duel between himself and Rosebud. It was plastered all online, with Rosebud on full displayed. And this meant the floodgates were open to the public.
A proper reason itself for her to avoid going online like the plague. Rosebud defeating Nero was just a ploy; she should have thought so when he nearly crashed into her. He had challenged her for a reason. What good was it to expose herself now? She didn't dare want to be consumed by worry at the implications of this move. Now Siren and Rampage would surely want her head. And the others… would the Compendium be at risk too?
Even at school, Arisu could barely focus on the lecture. Feeling the weight of the Duel Disk hidden in her bag. Her brother wanted to clean her room after seeing the disgusting mess it was in. That meant hiding the Duel Disk in her backpack. He would never go through it. Morie made sure of that. So now she was dragging the thing around the school. Almost felt like a ticking time bomb. The gossip about Rosebud spread like wildfire as conspiracies rose up on forums. All were from being allies of Hanoi to be Playmaker 2.0. All of them making Arisu refuse to put out a statement as Rosebud.
She felt a bit bad, having to avoid Rass and the others. She loved them all, sure. This was just too much stress on her fragile mind. Yet there was something else on her mind. Nero kept in the video the comment about having an Ignis. Something she was sure wasn't in her Duel Disk. It would be easy to do it at home, but Habiki was taking the whole day off to clean her room. Rass lived in another city and well… she didn't want to suddenly find something in her Duel Disk that shouldn't be there. Arisu wanted to remain out of the conflict, but it appeared fate had it otherwise.
So instead of just heading back home after school, Arisu chooses to instead go through the photos on her camera. It was an easy way to be left alone. In the library, nobody would question why she was using a computer. She was also using it for another reason; something about her photos was feeling a bit off. As long as she didn't directly upload the photos, they could be viewed without worrying about a trace.
Arisu was doing so right now. For the most part, nothing out of the ordinary was found. Yet something was bugging her. She continued to go through days, mainly of those people or things she found interest outside of school. Then she came across the few images of Yusaku. Something about him stuck out. Arisu didn't know why, but it felt like they had a connection. Despite neither of them even really knowing each other. Not in the past or even now. Yet something drew her closer to him. She barely even had photos of him. One caught her eyes in particular. It was of Yusaku talking with the food truck guy. Though while they weren't what caught her eye. Something was poking out of his bag. Something quite literally stood out from the rest of the color spectrum. A purple object… an eye? Something about this thing made her nerves stand on end. Whatever was Yusaku keeping in his backpack? Not many people would notice it at first glance. Yet that color… surely Yusaku wasn't hiding something, was he?
Arisu decided to unplug her camera and make sure there were no traces before logging out. Perhaps she could get answers from him later.
"To think Yusaku might be hiding something… ugh, this feels too much like stalking." Arisu complained, sitting on a bench nearby the food truck after ordering a meal.
In theory, Arisu could post the photo online anonymously and had the public be the judge. However, seeing that made it feel personal. That, and the fact that Nero had stated that she was harboring an Ignis. A fact that couldn't truly be possible. She always kept tabs on her Duel Disk. There was no way an Ignis could have gotten in, right? While she was far away from Den High School, she kept her backpack close while messing with the camera. In the meantime, while waiting for Yusaku to arrive, she was taking photos of different things. Honestly, she enjoyed more of taking photos of things that weren't human. A nice sunset. Gentle leaves in the wind. The sun's rays going through a mirror to produce a rainbow of colors. It was a weird passion project of hers. That and the endless amount of music on her device. Easy way to drown out the world around her.
Her current subjects for toward were how the trees of the park stood in such contrast to the industrious buildings. The price of living by destroying Mother Nature, as some made said. Maybe that was why she choose to stick with an Aromage Plant Deck instead of the other common Decks. While it was definitely the freest to play and cheapest to have, she did have a soft spot for one other Deck. Though, that one was lost to the past because of the-!
She stopped herself there, choosing to focus and switching lenses for the tenth time. There was no need to think about that now. Why did that even come up again with her Deck-?
"Excuse me." Arisu jolted at hearing a voice louder than her low music. "Can I sit here?"
Arisu took off her headphones and looked up, a bit startled to see Yusaku over where she was. She quickly noticed all the other tables full and agreed to it. Not verbally of course. A nod sufficed enough while she moved her backpack closer to her.
It was a very awkward atmosphere between both students. Despite being both the same age, neither of them had enough social skills to make a conversation started. Though, Arisu knew it would be only a matter of time before she snaps. If Yusaku was here, then she took the chance. Maybe then she could figure out what was the purple thing in his bag.
"You… you go to Den High School right?" She decided to go with the safest question while they were both eating. "You have the… same uni… uniform as me."
"I do." A blunt answer didn't easily cut the tense air between them.
"I do as well… hey! I see you at this food truck often. His hot dogs are pretty good." She nervously laughed before taking a leap. Acting before thinking to avoid an awkward silence. "I am Arisu Chinen. I'm guessing… you're Yusaku Fujiki? We're in the same class!"
He seemed a bit startled. Arisu quickly blurted out an answer before he could respond. "Takumi told me about you; he can't just seem to shut up during Photography Club about the Duel Club or Link VRAINS."
"Takumi? He's in Yearbook as well?" She sighed in relief, deciding to press a bit further.
"Yeah, he won't shut up ever since he joined. He chooses to bug me about everything from Playmaker to Blue Angel. And this recent Rosebud business is the main reason why I opted out of the meeting today."
Something about Rosebud made Arisu notice a sudden interest. "The Rosebud business?"
This made Yusaku raise an eyebrow. "You haven't heard?"
"Rosebud… oh! You mean the footage Nero leaked right? About that girl with Aromage monsters… Yeah, Takumi told me as well. The rumors going around her have been crazy. At this rate, she might be on par with Playmaker and Solarflare. Especially if those stupid rumors about a second Ignis are true."
"Second Ignis?"
"Yeah, Nero said something like she had the property of SOL. An Ignis to be more precise. Which can't be possible since the only Playmaker has one. Don't know about Solarflare, but that guy is a fuc-fricking lunatic if you ask me. After what's he did breaking servers, I can't understand why people would flock to a near lookalike to Playmaker. At least he's got a bit more of a unique design with the Cyberse Deck of his."
"You sound almost exactly like Takumi."
"Like Takumi?! That idiot's been rubbing off on me too much. At this rate, I might just lose my very mind!" She caught herself raising her voice, before shrinking down. "Ugh, sorry… I didn't mean to raise my voice. I just… can't really vent this at home. Not with my brother being so restrictive on my interests of Link VRAINS. That and other things... If I had a chance, I'd just go on and have fun without a helicopter watching my every move."
She stood up, hands on the table. "Ugh, why am I telling you this? I can't stay out for long or else my sister is going to worry! The table's yours. To think I'd suspect you for a purple-eyed thing in your backpack." She grumbled the last bit under her breathe, cleaning up and quickly walking away.
Arisu was a mix of both embarrassed and furious. She didn't bother to look back and played some music in her headphone. The earbuds quickly put it. Even with a headache coming on by something going on online.
What she didn't realize was Yusaku watching her leave. That and a certain figure peeking out from his backpack. Yusaku winced, feeling his Link Sense spike up. As he watched her leave, his vision flickered to that of Link VRAINS. Arisu was replaced by another, one who stopped and took a glance back. Yusaku instantly recognized those colors and that face: Rosebud. Rosebud's worn Duel Disk was glowing a bit. Something stirred inside of it. Almost like an Ignis. The vision soon faded. He blinked once and found her gone; she had taken that chance to leave abruptly.
[Hey, did you sense that?] The voice inside the backpack asked.
Yusaku didn't respond. He instead finished his meal and slug his backpack over his bag. Guess Yusaku had something to do today. His Link Sense activating around Arisu Chinen couldn't be a coincidence. It couldn't possibly be she was a victim as well, was she? And even she was, was she truly Rosebud and harboring an Ignis like the Dark Ignis?
He would have to look into this.
"This stinks. Looks like Rosey can't come online today." Pastrybee pouted while freely kicking her legs on the chair. "There goes some of my plans today, again."
"Sorry Bee. Want me to go buy you some packs?" Cross Nine walked over carrying a few virtual packs of cards.
"Nah." She shook her head and looked toward some of the Duels being broadcasted around. "I'm pretty happy with my Deck. Unlike you, who is constantly spreading your cash on cards you already have."
Cross Nine nearly dropped some of the packs, knocking his chest dramatically. "Not cool Bee. Not cool."
"Seems like you have free time." Rass logged on, walking over to the other Duelists. "I see Rosey couldn't make it."
"Yeah, which sticks. I wanted to Duel her and show her a brand new combo I found out. With my Fairy Link-Monster, I could change the game entirely!" Pastrybee continued to look around. "Though it is a shame Blue Angel hasn't come back."
"She did have a complete mental breakdown. She'll need time to recover." Rass pulled a chair back before taking a seat. "At least this is giving the other Charisma Duelists a shot into the light."
"True. It is nice to see the other Charisma Duelists partaking in Duels. Not just a Gouki or Trickstar flood. Sigrun especially; she's been on the rise with that Crusadia Deck of hers." Cross Nine sat down at the table, at last, laying out his packs. "And then we got some other upcoming Duelists who might have a shot of becoming a Charisma Duelist. Just like you Bee."
The female blushes a bit but changes her attention to a Duel. "So many Duels are going on, which are the good ones to watch?"
"Hey, what about the new guy? You know, the one with the long-haired flying facing Sparrow?" Rass zoomed in on a screen, pulling it closer.
"Oh~ Sparrow's back from vacation? Sweet! I'd like to watch it." Pastrybee looked to the other two. "Oh! Even Siren and Rampage are going to commentate on the Duel! We have to watch this!"
"Sure. Just let me finish getting these packs done," Cross Nine opened up another back, only to find Normal Monsters. "Again!?"
In another part of the server, a Duel was getting started on the dangerous winds. It was a new and exciting way of Dueling and two opponents were already riding on D-Boards. The casters of the Duel were nearby, Siren and Rampage sitting down in a professional room as drones were sent out to watch the Duel.
"Welcome back all our dear viewers! It is the Siren and Rampage back casting a surprising Duel! For the everyone wondering what has gotten both of us excited, it is that Sparrow has returned for his extended vacation!" Siren happily introduced the viewers, petting her digital pet bird resting on the table by the microphone.
"Hell yeah, he is! After a two week break, Sparrow is making his grand return to the battlefield and has chosen today to do so!" Rampage shouted into the microphone. "And for those of you out of the loop, Sparrow is Link VRAINS Number 6th Duelist. He became a fan-favorite hit almost three years ago after he Dueled against Blue Angel!"
"Of course he lost at the time, but the idol herself stole his heart and he Duels to make a comeback against Blue Angel herself. Though Sparrow today is seemingly warming up with his opponent. He is a Duelist going by the name of Forecaster and just showing them side by side shows just the vast differences that make both of them unique just like our viewers!"
Siren and Rampage pulled up two profiles of the Duelists. Sparrow's profile displayed him as a young man with black hair wearing an orange bird-like mask over his face, making his eyes appear to be grey. His brown jumpsuit was fitted with red gloves and a red scarf tied around his next. Designed in lighter brown on his jumpsuit were feather-like patterns that went down to his black boots. Sparrow was even displayed with the Link Monster Folgo, Justice Fur Hire.
"Sparrow here is known for using a Fur Hire Deck and his ace monster being the Link 3 monster Folgo, Justice Fur Hire. While over time, the Fur Hire metagame caused a stigma to the community at large, Sparrow here managed to sway the opinion of the public to be more accepting of Fur Hires. Now with more cards being added into the mix, Fur Hires have since lost much of the initial hate. Though if you want to see the Fur Hire Deck at full strength, Sparrow is the guy to look forward to." Siren explained the notes she had. "And I have to admit, I would love to see the beautiful face Sparrow has underneath the mask."
The opponent's profile took up the screen next, appearing a teenager guy with light grey hair, tied into a long braid that flows freely in the wind. A buttoned white shirt was under a dark vest with matching fingerless gloves. His vest was darker than the pale blue pants leading into the blue shoes with white streaks in it. Trailing around his waist like a belt was a stream of dark clouds that dissipated as he was traveling. He was also displayed with The Weather Painter Rainbow.
"Sure you would Siren. Now let me introduce you to this new fellow facing Sparrow today. The teenager we have here goes by the name Forecaster, and he's only been online for about a year. However, he has been on the rise with his Deck of choose. That being of The Weather Painters with Rainbow being his obvious favorite." Rampage read off the notes.
"Truly a lovely sort of Deck. I mean, even his story that this belonged to his sister and he Duels in her honor sways my heart every time I hear it!" Siren gushed, little hearts flying out around her avatar as her bird chirped happily.
"Now it looks like our Duelists are ready to begin. How about we cut right on in and see what kind of trash talk they have!" Rampage pointed at the screen. "And we'll add our commentary during the match! So don't feel bad if we're not on the screen!"
The scene shifted to Sparrow and Forecaster with their Duel Disk out, coming up and around to a corner.
"It is an honor to Duel you at last Sparrow." Forecaster politely bowed respectfully. "I hope not to be a disappointment."
"It has been some time since I've partaken in a Duel. Try and make your Duel entertaining if you want a chance to win against me." Sparrow responded as the winds picked up. "Let us begin!"
"Speed Duel!"
{SPEED DUEL - START!}
Sparrow: 4000
Vs
Forecaster: 4000
"I will begin our match! I begin by Summoning Philo, Messenger Fur Hire to the field and activate her effect. During my Main Phase, I can Special Summon a Fur Hire from my hand. I choose to Special Summon Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire!" The first Fur Hire was joined by another Fur Hire in a defensive position. "Sagitta's monster effect activates! She inflicts 500 damage for each Fur Hire I control. Since I control both Philo, you take that damage directly!"
Philo, Messenger Fur Hire: Level 1 WIND Winged-Beast/Effect ATK: 0 DEF: 0
Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire: Level 5 WIND Winged-Beast/Effect ATK: 1200 DEF: 2400
The monster pointed its weapon and shot point-blank range at Forecaster. The avatar only sufficed minor damage from the attack.
Sparrow: 4000
Vs
Forecaster: 4000 - 500 = 3500
"Manifest before me! Circuits of evolution align! The Summoning Conditions are that I have two Fur Hire monsters. I Set Philo and Sagitta to the markers! Link Summon! Link-2 Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire!" Sparrow Link Summoned a monster, the Link 2 monster appearing on the field.
Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire appeared seemingly based on a light brown anthropomorphic sea turtle. It was wearing brown tunic and clothing while holding a white staff with a blue stone on it.
Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire: LINK-2 WATER Aqua/Link/Effect ATK: 1600 [MARKER(S): Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right]
Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire
LINK-2 Attribute WATER
Aqua/Link/Effect
ATK: 1600
[MARKER(S): Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right]
2 Fur Hire Monsters
If this card is Link Summoned: You can add 1 "Fur Hire" monster with a different Type from the 2 monsters used for the Link Summon, from your Deck to your hand. If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can add 1 "Fur Hire" Spell/Trap to your hand, then if you control 3 or more monsters "Fur Hire" with different names, you can Special Summon 1 "Fur Hire" monster from your Graveyard to a zone this card points to. You can only use each effect of "Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire" once per turn
"Lutle's monster effect upon being Special Summoned comes into play! I can add a Fur Hire monster from my Deck to hand that is a different typing than the monsters I used as Link Material. I add Seal, Strategist Fur Hire. Then I place two cards face down. That will end my turn." Sparrow held onto his monster card.
"Heh, not bad! I shouldn't have to hold back considering your skill. And I don't plan to lose! My turn! Draw!" Forecaster drew a card and smiled, before revealing the card to his opponent. "From my hand, I activate the Continuous Spell Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen! With this, I can Special Summon a 'Weather' monster from my hand. I choose to Special Summon The Weather Painter Rain to my right column and her effect activates! When she is Special Summoned, I can place a Continuous 'Weather' Spell or Trap face-up on my field from my Deck. The card I choose is The Weather Rainbowy Canvas!"
The Weather Painter Rain: Level 3 WATER Fairy/Effect ATK: 1200 DEF: 1400
"A Weather Deck? Haven't seen anyone so willing to use that Archetype in quite some time." Sparrow noted upon seeing the Fairy-Type monster. "That Deck isn't ideally built for Speed Duels."
"That might be true, but any Deck can evolve! Next I Normal Summon The Weather Painter Snow to the left-most column and activate her effect to place another 'Weather' Continuous Spell or Trap into my far left column. I place there The Weather Cloudy Canvas!"
The Weather Painter Snow: Level 3 EARTH Fairy/Effect ATK: 0 DEF: 2200
"Then I use the effect of The Weather Rainbowy Canvas' effect! While you control a monster, I can banish Rain to Special Summon another 'The Weather' monster from my Deck! With this, I Special Summon The Weather Painter Thunder to the middle column!" The small female was replaced by another young female. "And Thunder's effect activates! I send Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen to the Graveyard to place The Weather Thundery Canvas in the middle as well!"
The Weather Painter Thunder: Level 3 LIGHT Fairy/Effect ATK: 1700 DEF: 0
"Now I activate the new effect Snow gains thanks to Cloudy Canvas. I banish Snow and for the rest of your turn, Lutle has its attacked halved!" Snow vanished as a breeze of snow flew right over toward the Link Monster.
Lutle, Cleric Fur Hire: LINK-2 WATER Aqua/Link/Effect ATK: 1600 - 800 = 800 [MARKER(S): Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right]
"Now we battle! I attack your Link Monster with The Weather Painter Thunder!" The small female charged up her electrical attack.
The electrical powder was unleashed and shocked the Fur Hire monster. Some of it spread toward Sparrow until it stopped.
Sparrow: 4000 - 1100 = 2900
Vs
Forecaster: 3500
"You managed to set up your field, but I activate my Quick-Play Spell Mayhem Fur Hire to revive Philo from my Graveyard!" Sparrow's Winged-Beast monster returned to the field, fluttering around happily.
Philo, Messenger Fur Hire: Level 1 WIND Winged-Beast/Effect ATK: 0 DEF: 0
"...I end my turn there." Forecaster relinquished his turn.
"Not bad Forecaster. Never did I think of a combo as great as that. But that means I need to pull myself together to win! Draw!" Sparrow drew a card but noticed Rain and Snow returning to the field in defense mode. "Three monsters already?"
"My monsters return to the field is they are banished by a 'Weather' effect!" Forecaster explained.
"Okay, I begin using Philo's effect to Special Summon Seal from my hand! When a monster is Special Summoned, Philo can revive a Fur Hire from my GY in defense mode. I choose to revive Sagitta and her effect activates! Since I control two other Fur Hire monsters, she inflicts 1000 damage to you and Seal allows to me to return Lutle back into my Extra Deck!" The Winged-Beast monster aimed her sniper rifle and fired two shots.
Sparrow: 2900
Vs
Forecaster: 3500 - 1000 = 2500
"Next I Normal Summon Helmer, Helmsman Fur Hire. Manifest before me! Circuits of evolution align! The Summoning Conditions are that I have three monsters with different typings. I Set Philo, Seal, and Helmer to the markers! Link Summon! Esteemed warrior wielding your blade, slay your enemies in the name of justice! Link-3 Folgo, Justice Fur Hire!" A wolf wielding a longsword appeared, slicing through a storm of cherry blossom before howling into the air.
Folgo, Justice Fur Hire: LINK-3 DARK Beast/Link/Effect ATK: 2400 [MARKER(S): Top, Bottom-Left and Bottom-Right]
"Folgo's effect activates! I can Special Summon a 'Fur Hire' monster to my field that is a type different than the three monsters I used for his Link Summon. I choose to Special Summon Rafale, Champion Fur Hire!" A dragon appeared on the field, letting out a cry as it did.
Rafale, Champion Fur Hire: Level 8 LIGHT Dragon/Effect ATK: 2800 DEF: 2200
"Rafale's effect activates! When he is Special Summoned, I excavate cards from my Deck equal to the number of 'Fur Hire' monsters I control before adding 1 to my hand. Since I control Sagitta, Rafale, and Folgo, I get to excavate three!" Sparrow's top three cards were Recon, Metaverse and Fandora, the Flying Furtress. "I add Recon to my hand and shuffle back the rest."
Forecaster glanced down at the two monsters in his hand. He knew Fur Hire monsters could swarm the field, but Sparrow managed to bring out his signature three monsters. He wasn't dumb when it came to their effects. Folgo could refill his hand if any of Forecaster's cards were destroyed. Rafale could simply discard a Fur Hire and negate any of his Weather effects. Sagitta would block any card effects and redirect it to herself. All he needed to do was survive until his next turn. But if he could bait out the cards Sparrow has, he could manage to make it!
"I activate the effect of Rainbowy Canvas to banish Rain to Special Summon another 'The Weather' monster from my Deck!" Forecaster risked the play by banishing his weakest monster.
"Not so fast! I activate Rafale's effect. I discard Recon to negate the effect!" Sparrow discards the monster, only having 1 card is hand.
So it did work! Forecaster slightly smiled; he might be able to pull a victory. Besides, Rain was banished. During his Standby Phase, Rain will return and he could manage to prevent the destruction of his monsters. Rafale couldn't destroy his monsters, after all. Besides, he could at least minimize the damage from Sagitta.
"I also activate the effect of Cloudy Canvas and I banish Thunder to activate its effect to halve the attack of Sagitta!" The second monster vanished from the field.
"Are you seriously trying to do that again? I'm just going to negate it." Sparrow stated, discarding a Wiz from his hand. "You won't be able to survive this! Let us end this now! Folgo, destroy his Weather Painter Snow!"
His wolf charged forward and swung his blade, destroying the small fairy.
"Folgo's effect! When a monster is destroyed on your field, I can draw a card. Since I control at least Fur Hires, I can draw two additional cards." Sparrow refilled his hand with three cards. "Then Sagitta attacks your directly!"
Sparrow: 2900
Vs
Forecaster: 2500 - 1200 = 1300
Forecaster winced in pain, taking more damage and for the fact, Sparrow now could negate three more monster effects. Could he even win against Sparrow?
"Poor Forecaster, I don't think Weathers has a good enough counter to defeat Fur Hires. Not with Rafale out on the field." Pastrybee said. "But Sparrow's looking as sharp as ever."
Cross Nine nodded. "Especially since Philo makes Link Summoning so much easier than before. Combined with how Rafale is the only Link Monster not sharing a typing with any other Fur Hire, Rafale is just as strong as Wiz and Dyna in this current age. Which is why I find Fur Hire Duelists so annoying to play with."
"Cheer up Rass! Even is Forecaster surrenders, at least we don't have to deal with the public eye." Rass nudges his friend. "But sure looks like Rosebud has become quite a public figure."
"No kidding." The other two Duelists stated, right as Rass got a message on his Duel Disk.
"Hold on guys, I need to check this out. Be right back." Rass got up from his seat and walked a few feet away before opening the message.
[RASSS ;_; I WANNA DIE! Siren and Rampage were mean to me. - Rosey]
He knew exactly who this was from, even with the unknown number.
[I don't think either of them was mean to you. - Rass]
[BUT RASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS~~! - Rosey]
The man chuckled a bit before seeing her next message.
[Anyway, could you mind checking out my Duel Disk sometime? I'm not entirely wanting to believe what… 'HE' said but I want to make sure.
DX
UGH, THESE ARTICLES ARE GOING TO KILL ME! - Rosey]
"Hooray! Sparrow won the Duel!" Pastrybee shouted, jumping up from her seat. "Rass! You missed out the epic combo-breaker!"
[Relax.
I checked your Duel Disk already.
Got nothing wrong with it.
But if you want, I'll message you the next time I have free time. - Rass.]
Rass sent a quick message before shutting off the messaging system. Just before he was going to return to the others, a robin flying down with a branch in its beak. He knew who this was from; at least from the Nest. Reaching out, he received the branch as the robin flew off. Examining the branch revealed a hidden message. One that sent a chill down his spine.
[Bishop asserts that Rosebud has SOL property. They seem to want it back, but I think otherwise. Warn Rosebud ahead before she becomes a pawn. - Siren.]
"Whatever has gotten you so excited? I haven't seen you crack a smile during work." A young man was approached by another in white.
She had a similar kind of mask on her face. It only covered her right eye, using a red lens of sorts which was like his own. Her red and orange hair standing out against the white and grey of the uniform.
The other person inside the digital zone was the young man, wearing a very similar mask to her own. What made him stand out in the uniform was his short green and purple hair with a bright red eye.
Both of which were inside a digital landscape of sorts. One of green and nearly void of things other than screens. It was displaying the results of Sparrow and Forecaster's Duel. Alongside other pre-recordings of Duels, including Rosebud facing a trio of Hanoi Knights and defeating them. Even the Duel between Playmaker and Revolver were amongst the ones highlighted.
"Nothing in particular. I am just intrigued with some of the skills of Duelists. Most of them aren't even worth the time of day." He replied to the female. "But with that recently leaked footage of Rosebud's Duel against Nero, wasn't it odd how Nero didn't try and completely fight back?"
"What do you mean? Are you saying Nero was meant to lose?"
"Correct. With Nero status as a bounty hunter, he would have no reason to locate Rosebud. That is unless he was either following something or she had exactly what SOL wanted."
"The only thing SOL would want…!" Her eyes widen. "Wait! You couldn't possibly be implying-!"
"Hold it Baira. I have no solid evidence as of yet. Only a hypothesis. Kogami doesn't know of it yet, but if SOL really did send Nero to find what I think…" He paused for a few moments, eyes traveling to Playmaker's Duel and then to Rosebud's Duel. "...The only way to prove this is if I can get both of them to Duel. However, Playmaker is only targeting our faction unless SOL gets involved. Rosebud is a neutral party. She won't partake in a Duel unless we force her."
"Then is there any way we can get them to Duel? It isn't like we can just send a Knight of Hanoi to bait them out. Have you told the others yet?"
He shook his head. "Kogami has forbidden me from speaking to Revolver or nearly anyone else but you about this matter. He doesn't want to raise alarm if this theory is true. I have been trying to find a way to lure them into fighting… and I might have got one. However, it does require one factor I am not entirely interested in using."
"What would that be?"
"It is still in the early beta stages, but if I can get it properly working… we won't need to initiate the Duel ourselves."
"Then allow me to help." She walked over and pulled up a digital keyboard. "We are co-workers after all."
"...Thanks. I really owe you one Baira."
"You can compliment me all you want later Phantom. We have a job to do."
~ Next Time on ~
~ VRAINS - COMPENDIUM ~
With the deal between Rosebud and Ghost Girl finally finished, the Aromage Duelist finally acquires a backdoor program into SOL. Just as Rosebud is about to leave, she is suddenly cut off by a Duelist who wants the rumored Ignis. Solarflare issues the challenge! With no other options to escape, a Duel commences between the two!
Find out in Episode 8 - A Blossoming Supernova
What is this? Actually VRAINS Plot incoming!? Well, I feel like I've stalled quite a bit with getting into the actual plot. And I wanted to establish a few things beforehand. Despite the fact, I do have bits of filler going to come in later. Having Rosebud or her group follows Playmaker's actions until this point didn't feel right. Especially if they wanted to be a neutral party. That's why I waited for so long to get into the main plot.
In other news, I'm heading out on vacation after next week. So I'll make up for it by posting two chapters next week. But it might take me an extra week to post the following chapter. Hope you all understand; at least for this story, I have a good chunk of Season 1 prewritten. Just been having to go back and edit or add additional chapters to flesh things out.
And a quick thank you to everyone who reviewed. If you pointed out any errors in the preview Duels, I'll make sure fix them up shortly. They will most like be updated with or after I post this chapter. Make sure to check them again if you wish. With that, I'll also not address any errors in the reviews - at least this time. But here I'll respond to two people this time! And a quick thanks to shadowsharkds for the favorite!
HunterHQ -
Actually, I have an original incident happening five years ago actually. It wasn't referring to the Lost Incident or the destruction of Cyberse World. But with you mentioning that, it makes something a funny coincidence.
As for the whole SOL actually meaning, I defined it as Sol, the Latin word for Sun. And you got it half right with predicting the next chapter. I decided to have Weathery and Fur Hire in this Chapter. No Gladiator Beasts this time!
Lindia Fullmoon -
Oh don't worry; hopefully, the mystery of what is inside the Duel Disk will be answered soon. Been trying to keep a slow burn of sorts. Just to keep things from moving too fast. But rest assure one thing; the Compendium will have a proper introduction to the Knights of Hanoi and all things in the Canon VRAINS plot soon enough.
Rosebud's reaction to meeting Morningstar... let's see. I think she would have a bit of respect; being a bounty hunter does get a bit of respect from her. However, it would soon become resentment if she became a target. She would probably be on good terms with him all things considered. At least I believed so. That should be about it unless something else comes up.
Fun Facts
Arisu and Yusaku's first real conversation/interaction everyone! I tried to make it a bit… different(?) Mainly on Arisu's side simply because she couldn't just go up and be like: 'Hey, are you Playmaker? I just happened to take this photo by accident and it looks like the Ignis Playmaker uses.' Besides, what would she do afterward? At the moment, Arisu has no reason to confront him until she gets more evidence. But it was a good point to have them properly have a conversation. Instead of just exchanging glances.
I wanted to have commentators for a Duel, but I didn't want it to jump back and forth between their commentary and the Duel. There was also a thing where I didn't want to create too many characters. Too many would mean I would end up dropping characters. So I decided to drop Siren and Rampage as the casters; plus this plays well into future events! A win-win!
Speaking of Duels, I wonder what everyone is looking forward to in the coming chapters. With Rosebud and Solarflare going to Duel next chapter, I might see what you're all waiting for. Since Revolver vs Solarflare looks to be a popular choice. I don't mind hearing from you guys at all.
Until then, I'll see you all next time!