Since this chapter was meant to finish what was started in the previous chapter, it was supposed to come soon after Chapter 28. Sadly due to reasons, the chapter delayed until now, so if you just read this chapter without remembering the main things from the last chapter, all you will get are three short duels which aren't connected to one another.
Battling A.I.s
Li'Tch flew through the skies of LINK VRAINS, ignoring the battles that were happening below it. Knights of Hanoi, Charisma Duelists, they were all humans, all of them were flawed, fighting for their own selfish desires.
"You think I'm going to get you away with one of my creations?"
A red energy barrier suddenly appeared in front of Li'Tch, blocking its path. The AI. turned to fly over the barrier, only to hit its head onto another barrier. Li'Tch hissed and turned back the person who blocked its exit.
"I take it that you already know who I'm." Silver Star crossed her arms.
"You're one of the humans that made the first contact with our gate." Li'Tch twisted its neck. "You and the dark one were those who locked us away, kept us trapped for so long!"
"Not good enough apparently." Silver Star narrowed her eyes. "Tell me, you're not going to be using the NitroGear's data to try and open that gate, are you? 'Cause I can't allow for any more insects to fly around, eating people's data and brainwashing them."
"Your cause is a failed one then, light one," Li'Tch said. "I was going to place only the fire key, but thanks to your interference, I'll now be able to gain two keys at once!"
"Each oGear deck has a different power level." Silver Star smirked. "Like how the WATER one would never be strong enough to take on any of the others, none of the oGear decks carries the same power that the LIGHT and DARK one do."
"Even the strongest decks can easily be defeat by using the duelist's flaws against them." Li'Tch pointed out. "And during all of my existence, I learned one thing about humans: You're all flawed."
"Let's just cut to the part where I destroy you, ok?" Silver Star smirked.
"Speed Duel!" The two shouted in unison.
『Li'Tch LP: 4000, Hand: 4 (VS) Silver Star LP: 4000, Hand: 4』
"My turn!" Li'Tch declared as four blank cards materialized in front of it. "Let's see what I'm dealing with here…"
The AI raised one of its arms and a holographic screen appeared in front of him, containing data about Silver Star. Her deck, her experience, everything necessary to form a counter against her tactics and win. But this time, data wasn't on his side.
"This can't be…" If Li'Tch was able to showcase emotion, the AI would be shocked at the moment. According to the data gathered, his chances to win were near, if not, zero percent. Despite how many simulations it ran through in its head, prognosis remained negative.
"What is it?" Silver Star smiled and leaned her head to the side. "Said that you will go first, right? Did you change your programming or something?"
"I Normal Summon Motolord Heir (Lv.1, ATK: 0)!" A small monster made from blue, green and red cables tied together into a ball appeared on the field. "With this, I end my turn!"
Leaving a monster with 0 attack points in attack position and with no back-row to protect it was always a risky move, more so when facing an opponent that was unbeatable according to both data and the Li'Tch's own price calculations. However, the AI had a plan. As long as Silver Star didn't have any sort of hand destruction, its strategy would work out.
"Hmm, as expected even an AI can't help but tremble before me." Silver Star chuckled and raised her Duel Disk. "I already know what you came here for, and I know why you need it. Only thing I don't understand yet is, why did your group wait until now? Why didn't you try to take it earlier?"
"I'm not going to answer to a human of all things." Li'Tch retorted. "Not even if you defeat me. The swarm will be victorious in the end!"
"And here I was, wanting to be merciful for once." Silver Star sighed, shaking her head in disappointment. "What a shame, now I can't even be sure that I'm going to leave enough of your data intact for analysis. My turn, draw!"
『Turn 2 [Silver Star] LP: 4000, Hand: 5』
"I activate the effect of AstroGear Zweite Klinge from my hand!" Silver Star turned her card around and showed it to the AI. "When there are no monsters on my field, I can reveal this card along with another AstroGear from my hand and then I get to Special Summon both of them on my field! I reveal AstroGear Mehrein, so come out, both of you!"
Two yellow halos appeared behind Silver Star and her monsters flew through it. The first one was covered in white armor with a large bent blade instead of legs and swords in place of arms. The monster had small fairy wings on its back and its head was covered by a helmet with a yellow glowing orb on the left side of its face acting as an eye.
AstroGear Zweite Klinge
Level: 2/Attribute: LIGHT/Type: Fairy/Effect
ATK: 200/DEF: 200
Effect: If you control no monsters, you can reveal this card and 1 other "AstroGear" in your hand, Special Summon both cards in Defense Position. While this card is banished, all monsters you control gain 300 ATK and DEF.
The second creature was a grey sphere with two green eyes. Its body was surrounded by four green halo rings, which rotated around the main body, forming a protective barrier.
AstroGear Mehrein
Level: 1/Attribute: LIGHT/Type: Machine/Tuner/Effect
ATK: 500/DEF: 100
Effect: Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can Tribute this card; Special Summon 1 LIGHT monster from your hand. If this card is in your GY, you can target 1 LIGHT monster you control; increase its Level by 1 and if you do, Special Summon this card but banish it when it leaves the field.
"And now, I activate Mehrein's effect! I release it to Special Summon a LIGHT monster from my hand!" The Level 1 burst into sparks and Silver Star placed another monster on her Duel Disk. "Come out, my strength, Sola Sariel the Space Seraph!"
The grey head disappeared and its halo rings overlaid, forming a path through which a beam of light shot through. After a moment the light began to change its shape, becoming more humanoid. Two blue eyes with white star-shaped pupils opened and long white hair formed on the back of the monster's head. A short white dress reaching only to her thighs covered the fairy's body with a bring green gem adorning the center, locking inside a golden heart-shaped frame. At the skirt were two other green jewels which lied in the center of a pair of silver wing-shaped frames. Eight bolts were jutting out of the monster's back projecting two sets of green digital wings which held the monster over the ground.
Fingerless black gloves formed on the fairy's hands, reaching all the way up to her shoulders. Afterward, two white boots appeared on her legs and reached all the way up to her skirt, projecting several green digital blades that jutted to the side like a continuation of her dress.
Sola Sariel the Space Seraph
Level: 6/Attribute: LIGHT/Type: Fairy/Effect
ATK: 2500/DEF: 1800
Effect: (This card is always treated as an "AstroGear" card.) Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can banish 1 other LIGHT monster from your hand or GY, then target 1 face-up monster on the field; that target loses ATK equal to the ATK of the monster banished to activate this effect, until the end of this turn. If an "AstroGear" monster you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish 1 "AstroGear" monster from GY instead, and if you do, that monster gains 500 ATK until the end of this turn. You can only use each effect of "Sola Sariel the Space Seraph" once per turn.
"And now that all of the pieces have been gathered... Appear, the circuit of the universe!" Silver Star clenched her fist and then threw it in the air, summoning a large golden halo with eight smaller rings linked to it.
"Arrowhead confirmed! Summoning requirement is a Level Two or lower LIGHT monster! I set AstroGear Zweite Klinge in the Link Marker!" The tiny fairy turned into a whirlwind and flew inside the ring attached to the bottom center of the halo. "Link Summon! Come forth, AstroGear Link Bergsteiger!"
A small white upside-down triangle with a holographic red eye on top of it appeared out of the halo. Then, several smaller blue triangles followed through and connected to the original triangle, forming the monster's arms and legs.
AstroGear Link Bergsteiger
Attribute: LIGHT/Type: Machine/Link/Effect
Link Marker: Bottom
ATK: 400/Link-1
1 Level 2 or lower LIGHT monster
Effect: Once per turn: You can banish 1 LIGHT monster from your GY, Special Summon 1 "oGear" monster from your hand or GY in face-up Defense Position. You can banish this card from your GY: Send 1 "oGear" monster from your Deck to the GY.
"And now I activate Link Bergsteiger's effect!" Silver Star gestured toward her Link Monster. "I banish Zweite Klingeto revive AstroGear Mehrein (Lv.2, DEF: 100)!" The grey head jumped on the field once again with four halo rings rotating around it.
"Appear again, the circuit of the universe!" A second halo appeared in the sky above Silver Star's head. "Arrowheads confirmed! Summoning requirements are two LIGHT monsters! I set AstroGear Zweite Klinge and AstroGear Link Bergsteiger in the Link Markers!" The monsters flew into the rings, being absorbed inside the central bottom and the center-right rings this time around. "Link Summon! I call forth, AstroGearUnterstützender Assistent!"
A female with short blue hair appeared through the second circuit. The monster was wearing a black bodysuit with blue lines going through the center of its arms and legs. Two white armor plates attached to the monster's upper back projected a blue cape and a holographic book of the same color flew next to the monster's body. The girl then opened her eyes which were glowing blue without any pupils inside of them.
AstroGearUnterstützender Assistent
Attribute: LIGHT/Type: Psychic/Link/Effect
Link Marker: Bottom, Right
ATK: 1200/Link-2
2 LIGHT monsters
Effect: Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 face-up card on the field; the first time it would be destroyed by battle or card effect this turn, it's not. You can banish this card from your GY: Special Summon 1 of your banished "oGear" monsters, except for "AstroGear Unterstützender Assistent", and if you do, the first time it would be destroyed by battle or card effect this turn, it's not destroyed.
"And Link Bergsteiger's other effect now activates. I banish it from my Graveyard to send AstroGear Chiffre Brecher from my deck to the grave." A card popped out of Silver Star's Duel Disk and she took it, showing the monster to her opponent before sliding it into the opening on the side of her Duel Disk.
AstroGear Chiffre Brecher
Level: 4/Attribute: LIGHT/Type:Warrior/Effect
ATK: 1800 /DEF: 100
Effect: Once per turn: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; change its battle position. If this card is banished, you can choose Attack or Defense Position: Banish all monsters on the field in that battle position, except "AstroGear" monsters.
"Time to battle!" Silver Star clicked her fingers. "First goes Assistent! Attack Motolord Heir!"
The female monster threw its holographic book in front of herself and present the core in the center of the time, unleashing a blue laser that aimed for Li'Tch's monster.
"Then I'm going to attack a Trap Card from my hand, Motolord Cross-Line! When there are no Spell or Trap Cards on my field, I can activate this card from my hand and by destroying a Motolord monster on my field, I'm able to destroy all cards in the same column as Motolord Cross-Line!"
Motolord Cross-Line (Trap) Normal
If you control no Spell/Trap Cards, you can activate this card from your hand. Destroy 1 "Motolord" monster you control, and if you do, destroy all cards in the same column as this card. You can only activate 1 "Motolord Cross-Line" per turn.
"So Heir was just the bait?" Silver shook her head in disappointment. "You AIs have almost zero imagination. Behold! I activate Assistant's effect, targeting Heir! The first your monster will be destroyed this turn, I negate that destruction, therefore your trap won't resolve!"
A barrier formed around Li'Tch's monster, locking it in place with no escape. This time the AI would have cursed if it wasn't so sure that an act like that would make their opponent even more confident. With Cross-Line's effect remaining unresolved, Assistant's laser cut through the barrier and sliced Heir in half, destroying Li'Tch's only line of defense.
『Li'Tch LP: 4000 - 1200 → 2800』
"And now it's Sola's turn to hit you in the face." Silver gestured toward her monster. The Fairy charged electricity through her fist and flew forward, smashing the AI's face in.
『Li'Tch LP: 2800 - 2500 → 300』
"Why you…" Li'Tch raised its head to look at the girl. "If you have used Sola's effect,"
"To banish Zweite Klinge, all of my monsters would have gotten three hundred extra attack and defense points." Silver Star finished. "Shouldn't this be obvious? You should already know, the chances for this duel to end in any way other than a full victory for me are zero."
"So you are playing games with me?"
"Of course."
Li'Tch lowered its head. This was indeed just a game where a merciless hunter played with its prey. The AIs only hope to survive and bring the data it acquired to the hive mind would be to disintegrate the program blocking it from leaving before the girl had her fun and choose to eliminate it for good…
"During the End Phase Heir's effect activates! I look through the top three cards of my deck and Special Summon a Motolord monster from among them!" Three blank cards formed in front of the AI. It took one of them and it shattered, the pieces starting to grow into something vicious. "I summon Motolord Beast!"
A creature that was once a robotic Cerberus appeared on the field. The monster's body was heavily damaged with its lower body completely missing and multiple cables hanging through the opening. Its left leg didn't have any armor plating to protect the robotic skeleton. The beast's left head was missing its lowered jaw, the center head had a metal stick jutting out of its head and the right head was missing its left eye.
Motolord Beast
Attribute: DARK/Type: Machine/Pseudo-Link/Effect
ATK: 3000/Link-4
Effect: (This card is always treated as a Level 8 monster.) When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Moto" card: You can discard 2 cards; choose three of this card's locked Link Arrows and activate them. Once per turn, you can destroy all cards in the columns this card points to. Other monsters you control cannot attack the turn you activate this effect.
"I see that you got a new boss after a single duel." Silver Star rolled her eyes. "Just like everyone else, changing deck in the middle of a battlefield."
"I activate Motolord Beast's effect!" said Li'Tch ignoring the girl's protests. "I discard two cards to give Motolord Beast four Link Arrows!"
Motolord Beast, Link Arrow: ? → Link Arrow: Left, Top Left, Top Right, Right
"It's my turn, draw!" Li'Tch declared.
『Turn 3 [Li'Tch] LP: 300, Hand: 1』
"I'll start by activating Beast's effect!" Li'Tch raised its arm and the beast roared. "Once per turn, I can destroy all cards in the columns that Beast points at!"
The beast's heads opened its mouths (except for the left head, since it was missing a lower jaw, to begin with) and charged three red beams which it then fired at Silver Star's monsters, blasting them.
"I activate Assisent's effect to negate its own destruction!" A bubble formed around Silver Star's Link Monster, protecting it from the energy. "Then I activate Sola's effect to banish AstroGear Zweite Klinge and negate her own destruction, with a five hundred attack point bonus!" Sola's wings turned solid and the Fairy placed them in front of herself to block the beast's destructive might.
Sola Sariel the Space Seraph, ATK: 2500 + 500 → 3000
"Now, now." Silver Star pouted. "Don't forget that all of my monsters gain three hundred extra attack and defense points while Zweite Klinge remains banished."
AstroGear Unterstützender Assistant, ATK: 1200 + 300 → 1500
Sola Sariel the Space Seraph, ATK: 3000 + 300 → 3300, DEF: 1800 + 300 → 2100
"Any try to destroy your board only strengthens it!" Li'Tch yelled. "How?"
"It's determination!" Silver Star speeded in front of the AI and turned around to face it. "A human's deck is built to reflect who they are. These AstroGear monsters are a perfect reflection of who I am, which is why their playstyle is like this! A determination to protect what is most dear, a strong unbeatable will. These cards are me, they reflect a determination and will that neither humans nor AIs are advanced enough to tame."
"…" Li'Tch looked down at its deck and then back at the girl surfing in front of it. "Foolish, a single individual can't have more will than the hive. I activate Moto Resupply Factory's effect from my grave. I banish it to summon a Moto monster from my graveyard with its effects negated! Revive, Motolord Fiend (Lv.7, ATK: 2600, Link-3)!" The demonic machine raised behind its AI master and loomed ominously.
Moto Resupply Factory (Spell) Normal
Target 2 "Moto" monsters in your GY; shuffle them into the Deck. During your turn, except the turn, this card was sent to the GY: You can banish this card from your GY; Special Summon 1 "Moto" monster from your GY, but it has its effects negated, also, destroy it at the end of the turn. You can only use each effect of "Moto Resupply Factory" once per turn.
"I'll now activate my skill! Engine's Spark! I destroy Motolord Fiend to gain Life Points equal to its attack!" Li'Tch's monster exploded and the AI reached out, absorbing the remains into its body.
『Li'Tch LP: 300 + 2600 → 2900』
"The moment of truth, huh?" Silver Star smirked. "Will you attack, triggering Sola's effect to reduce your monster's attack power, or will you end your turn?"
"I… set a card facedown." Li'Tch clenched its fist. A turn, it needed to survive one more turn and the program would fall apart. "Your turn."
"At the end of your turn, Sola's attack drops by five hundred." Silver Star stated in a sing-song voice.
Sola Sariel the Space Seraph, ATK: 3300 - 500 → 2800
Silver Star chucked, then again, soon it turned into a full on laugh. A loud maniacal laugh that made the AI 'feel' disturbed.
"This… haha… This is… heh… This is so stupid!" Silver Star place a hand over her face to try and calm down.
Meanwhile, Li'Tch looked at a screen on its arm, checking its opponent's condition. This laugh… Maybe a mental breakdown? The AI checked everything, carefully checking every single data for an opening, a moment where the girl's guard was down…
"Why are you all like this?" Li'Tch closed its screen and turned back to Silver Star. The duelist removed her hand from her face and looked at her opponent with an expression that was more saddened than happy or crazy. "AIs thinking that they are superior organisms, humans fearing their own creation and trying to kill it. You all try to act like gods, but when I step in to place a challenge, everyone turns into ashes all the same."
Li'Tch lowered its arms. Humans were the ones who created AIs as higher intellect which would take tasks unsuitable for the normal human being. Humanity had multiple flaws within it – a physical body which could be destroyed with diseases or weapons, their brain capabilities were, while formidable, also fairly limited. Logically, there were no flawless humans.
"What… are you?" Li'Tch asked.
"I could have shared it with you if you were about to die, but since you're a part of a hive, I know that they are listening on us as well." Silver Star waved her index finger in front of Li'Tch. "I've got an appointment tonight, so let's end this quick. I draw!"
『Turn 4 [Silver Star] LP: 4000, Hand: 3』
"Trap activate!" Li'Tch shouted, flipping his face-down card. "The Continuous Trap – Motolord Glitch Field! I target a Moto monster on my field with Link Arrows and while it remains on the field, all of your monsters in the same columns as the zones that my monster points at, will have their effects negated, and they won't be able to declare any attacks!"
Black chains shot out of Motolord Glitch and tied around Silver Star's monster trapping them. The two AstroGears cried out and pushed against the chains to no effect; they were bound for good.
Motolord Glitch Field (Trap) Continuous
Target 1 "Motolord" monster you control with Link Arrows: While that target is on the field, all monsters your opponent controls that are in the same columns as the Monster Zones this card points to, have their effects negated, also, they cannot attack or change their Battle Positions. If a "Motolord" monster you control is targeted for a card effect: Destroy this card and all monsters in both player's Main Monster Zones, and if you do, inflict half the combined original ATK of the destroyed monsters as damage to your opponent.
"So, as long as my monsters aren't in the center zone, they will have their effects negated?" Silver Star raised an eyebrow. "AIs truly lack imagination. Allow me to show you my might by crushing you! Appear, the circuit of the universe!"
Silver Star clenched her fist and then threw it in the air, summoning a large golden halo with eight smaller rings linked to it. She threw her arms to the sides and two rings appeared around her monsters.
"Arrowheads confirmed! Summoning requirements are two oGear monsters! I set AstroGear Unterstützender Assistant and Sola Sariel the Space Seraph in the Link Markers!" the two rings on the side glowed as Silver Star's monsters became one with the rings. "Link Summon! The holy machine of destruction! AstroGear Das Unknown (ATK: 1800, Link-2)!" The small white and yellow space ship appeared in the left Extra Monster Zone.
"Due to Glitch Field your monsters effects are negated!" Li'Tch raised its arms and chains made of junk shout out, tying around Das Unknown.
"Due to Zweite Klinge's effect, my monster gains three hundred attack points." Silver Star clicked her fingers, a warm yellow aura surrounding her monster.
AstroGear Das Unknown, ATK: 1800 + 300 → 2100
"I banish Sola Sariel from my grave to Special Summon Diana the Light Spirit (Lv.4, ATK: 1800)!" A young lady with long blonde hair dressed in a beautiful white dress appeared under Das Unknown. "Now I activate its effect, reviving my banished Sola Sariel the Space Seraph (Lv.6, ATK: 2500)!" A golden right appeared above Silver Star and her Seraph flew through it, landing in the middle monster zone.
"Due to Zweite Klinge, my monsters all gain attack and defense points!"
Sola Sariel the Space Seraph, ATK: 2500 + 300 → 2800, DEF: 1800 + 300 → 2100
Diana the Light Spirit, ATK: 1800 + 300 → 2100, DEF: 1000 + 300 → 1300
"Sola Sariel's effect activate! I banish AstroGear Chiffre Brecher to reduce AstroGear Das Unknown's attack power by eighteen hundred!" Sola flew toward the Link Monster and tapped it, turning off most of its lights.
AstroGear Das Unknown, ATK: 2100 - 1800 → 300
"Now AstroGear Chiffre Brecher's effect activates." Silver Star continued. "By choosing Attack Position, I can banish all attack position monsters on the field, except for AstroGear monsters."
A large black hole appeared in the sky between Silver Star and Li'Tch. Motolord Beast roared and began to thrash around, trying desperately to escape the pull of the black sphere but without success. Meanwhile, Silver Star's Diana simply closed her eyes and accepted her fate. The two monsters fell into the black hole and vanished from sight before it closed.
"The End." Silver Star sighed. "Das Unknown increases the attack and defense power of all my LIGHT monsters by five hundred."
Sola Sariel the Space Seraph, ATK: 2800 + 500 → 3300, DEF: 2100 + 500 → 2600
AstroGear Das Unknown, ATK: 300 + 500 → 800
"Sola Sariel, attack the opponent directly." Silver Star ordered. "Photon Detonation!"
The fairy leaped into the air and fired several metal bolts out of its back, forming a ring in front of itself. Sola charged the ring with electricity, turning it into an energy saw and then threw it at Li'Tch, cutting the AI's body in half before detonating, incinerating the remains of the AI in the process.
『Li'Tch LP: 2900 - 3300 → 0』
『Winner: Silver Star』
After Li'Tch dead, a small green and red cube fell from the sky, landing in Silver Star's palm. The AstroGear duelist looked at the cube and then absorbed it into her Duel Disk. The data hidden inside the NitroGear deck was secured.
Gri'Wre and Playmaker flew side by side. The two Duelist looked forward with Ai emerging from the latter's Duel Disk to support his partner. Though neither the Cyberse Duelist nor his Ignis understood what this was all about, the only information they needed was that Roxy was in danger. The only thing between her and a dark fate was Playmaker, so failure wasn't an option; not that it ever was.
"I'll support from the side, Playmaker!" Ai exclaimed and gave his partner a trump up.
"Talking from my Duel Disk while I duel isn't support." The cracking of Ai's digital heard echoed through the city.
"If that's the last thing you want to tell your partner before I erase both of you, then your life must have been very sad," Gri'Wre commented.
The Cyberse Duelist didn't respond to his opponent's taunt and simply activated his Duel Disk. The faster he ended this duel, the sooner would he be able to go and help Proxy.
"Speed Duel!" both duelists exclaimed at the same time.
『Gli'Wre LP: 4000, Hand: 4 (VS) Playmaker LP: 4000, Hand: 4』
"Let's see what I'm up against." Gli'Wre raised its lower set of arms and opened a screen with information about Playmaker. "I see, so you are a Cyberse user? And an Ignis holder no less? Too bad for you, we're already familiar with how Cyberse functions."
"What is he saying?" Ai looked puzzled. "Are you after me as well?"
"After you? Why would I have to go after a downgrade, such as you and your kind?" Gli'Wre asked back. "Just like the humans, you are slow and predictable, cursed to inherit humanity's biggest weakness."
"Downgrade!?" Ai exclaimed, then dropped its head. "Now I'm starting to understand how Roboppy feels around me."
"This isn't of concern right now." Playmaker interrupted, looking down at his Ignis.
"It isn't?" Ai titled its head to the side. "Not that I'm complaining, but you understand that this enemy probably doesn't have anything to do with the Knights of Hanoi, are you sure that you want to fight against them despite knowing that?"
"Proxy and her Ignis are a valuable part of our group, so if he threatens them, there's no other choice, but to protect them." Playmaker explained stoically. "Now focus, we're about to begin."
"In other words, you want me to keep quiet, right?" Ai looked back at his origin and a faint smile appeared on Playmaker's face. "I thought so…"
"It's your turn," Gli'Wre commented.
"He wants to observe my strategies first." Playmaker thought out loud. "Very well. Since there are no monsters on my field, I can Special Summon Linkslayer (Lv.5, ATK: 2000) from my hand!"
A warrior wearing yellowish armor with feline-like headgear and claws appeared in front of Playmaker.
"Next, I Normal Summon Lady Debug (Lv.4, ATK: 1700)." A female monster similar to a ladybug in appearance appeared next to Linkslayer. "Lady Debug's effect now activates! When Summoned, I can add any Level Three or lower Cyberse monster from my deck to the hand. I add Code Generator and activate its effect! If this card is in my hand, I can use it as material for a Link Summon!"
"Using a monster in the hand as material?" Gli'Wre looked at his opponent with genuine interest. To have such cards, his Ignis must have made them specially for his deck.
"Appear, circuit that leads to the future!" Playmaker threw his arm forward opening a square-shaped portal. "Arrowheads confirmed! Summoning requirements are two Effect Monsters! I set Lady Debug and Code Generator in the Link Markers! Link Summon! Code Talker (ATK: 1300, Link-2)!"
A black humanoid in grey armor appeared out of the square carrying a sword with both arms.
"Now Code Generator's other effect activates!" Playmaker continued. "When it's used as Link Material, I can send a monster with twelve hundred or less attack from my deck to the grave. I send Dotscaper and activate its effect, when sent to the Graveyard, Dotscaper can Special Summon itself!" A little white and blue creature with green eyes appeared on Playmaker's field.
'Another Link Summon is coming.' Gri'Wre already knew Playmaker's playstyle. The AI made all the necessary research just moments after the duel started, there wasn't anything that could surprise it.
"Appear, circuit that leads to the future!" As the AI predicted, another square opened in the sky. "Arrowheads confirmed! Summoning requirements are two or more Effect Monsters! I set the Link Two, Code Talker and Dotscaper in the Link Markers! Link Summon! Link 3, Decode Talker (ATK: 2300, Link-3)!"
A much larger version of Code Talker with blue armor and a purple sword landed in the right Extra Monster Zone, glaring at Playmaker's opponent. Seeing the Link 3 being summoned, Ai showed its head from Playmaker's Duel Disk.
"Great work, Playmaker!" Ai praised its partner. "Since Decode Talker points at the Linkslayer in the middle monster zone, it gains a boost!"
"Power Integration!" Decode Talker groaned, feeling more power surging through its body.
Decode Talker, ATK: 2300 + 500 → 2800
"I set a card, turn end." Playmaker finished. He had two powerful monsters on his field, one of which could also negate effects. It was a solid formation on which he could end his turn.
"As I predicted!" Gri'Wre exclaimed. "Playmaker, your dueling is like an open book for me! Allow me to demonstrate how advanced my kind is compared to that Ignis you keep at arm's length! My turn, draw!"
『Turn 2 [Gli'Wre] LP: 4000, Hand: 5』
"I Normal Summon Motorb Conduct!" A strange creature that looked like a pile of flesh with cables coming out of its 'stomach' appeared on Gli'Wre's field.
Motorb Conduct
Level: 1/Attribute: EARTH/Type: Machine/Normal
ATK: 0/DEF: 0
Lore: T̵̛͈o͓͇̩ ҉̺͓̟͜i͜҉̩̟͙̭n̳̞̘͎ͅv̷͢҉̻͍̘̞o͇̼̙͎k̸̨̨͚͙͕̝̖̲e̺͎͙̯͖̞̫̕̕͡ ̰͙̹̣͓̮͍̻t̗̗͍͢͝h̡̢̬̳͚̗̟̭̦̺e̷̦͍͝ͅ ͉̪ḩ̗̟͔͓̼̥i̷͍̩̙̝v̧̢̠̱̰̯e̸҉͔͔̩̫̬-̣͠m̸̢̡̺̠̥̩̥̩ì̢̥̟́ͅn͏̻̥̜͚̩̦̭͚ḑ͏̠̻̰̹̣̙ͅͅ ̶̰̱̟͎r̫͚̣e̢̺̮͓̙̗͙̪p̷̝̦̬͇̘̰̻͢ͅr͏͖̖̝͇̫e̶͖̲͉͙ͅs͙̥̯͕͍͎̪e̼̙͕̞̺̺̪̠͝ņ͎͖͙̮͓̮̖̺̕t͉i̧͚̪̪n̫̠͖͓̯ģ̛͚̯͔̪ͅ ̶͕͍̬̼̝̘͓͍̰o̢̞̝͞r̟̦͡͠d̩̱̮͕̙͉̥̬è̶͔͔̻̳͕r̥ͅ.̩̫̯̫̝̜̩͇̤
"That one's creepy looking." Ai hid inside Playmaker's Duel Disk.
"Now, open circuit of collapse!" A large square with torn-off pieces and cracks on the arrows appeared over Gli'Wre's head.
"Arrowhead confirmed! Summoning condition is one Moto monster! I set my Motorb Conduct in the Link Marker! Link Summon! Motorb Anima!" The monster that appeared this time was a monster made of blue flesh shaped into a spherical form. On the top was placed a rusty robot head with one working green eye.
Motorb Anima
Attribute: WATER/Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect
Link Arrows: Top
ATK: 100/Link-1
1 "Moto" monster, except a Link Monster
Effect: Once per turn: You can equip 1 monster this card points to, to this card (max. 1). Gains ATK equal to that equipped monster's ATK. You can discard 1 card: This turn, if you would Link Summon a "Motorb" Link Monster, you can use the monster equipped to this card as Link Material.
"It seems that you just misplayed." Ai boasted. "By putting your monster in front of Decode Talker's arrow, our monster gets an attack boost once more!"
Decode Talker, ATK: 2800 + 500 → 3300
"I activate Anima's effect! I equip the monster it points to, to it!" Gli'Wre raised its arm and several cables shout out of his monster's body, tying around Decode Talker.
"Decode Talker!" Ai shouted and looked back at Playmaker. "Quick, use his second effect!"
"The effect doesn't target, so I can't negate it." Playmaker closed his eyes. Anima's cables pulled Decode Talker's body inside the blue mess of a monster, eating it alive.
"And due to Anima's effect, it gains attack points equal to those of the monster equipped to it!" Motorb roared, its body growing up in size.
Motorb Anima, ATK: 100 + 2300 → 2400
"Next, I discard a card to activate Anima's other effect!" Gli'Wre continued. "During this turn, when Link Summoning, I can use the monster equipped to Anima as Link Material!" Anima's body opened up and three purple whirlwinds flew out of it.
"Arrowheads confirmed! Summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monsters, including a Moto monster! I set the Link Three, Decode Talker and the Link One, Motorb Anima the Link Markers! Link Summon! Link Four! Motorb Spiral!"
A giant sphere made of metal with eleven moving eyes appeared inside the circuit. Data flowed out of the monster's body, creating seven dark purple tentacles, each having a small drill attached to its tip. The monster towered over Playmaker's field and roared at the Cyberse Duelist.
Motorb Spiral
Attribute: WIND/Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect
Link Arrows: Top-Left, Top, Top-Right, Bottom
ATK: 2800/Link-4
2+ monsters, including a "Moto" monster
Effect: Once per turn: You can equip 1 monster this card points to, to this card (max. 1). Gains ATK equal to that equipped monster's ATK. If a card or effect is activated, targeting this card, you can send 1 card equipped to this card to the GY, negate the effect, and if you do, inflict 800 damage to your opponent.
"How can this ever pass for a Cyberse!?" Ai yelled at the other AI.
"Motorb Spiral's true terror will now begin!" Gli'Wre turned back. "Once per turn, I can equip a monster that it points to as an equip spell! I choose your Linkslayer!"
Four of the tentacles shot forward and drilled into Linkslayer's limbs, paralyzing the monster completely. The warrior-like monster roared in pain, its body getting slowly dragged back to Spiral and attached to the front of its metal shell, acting as a meat shield protecting the Link Monster from harm.
"And now, through its own effect, Motorb Spiral gains the attack points of the monster equipped to it by this effect! So it gains two thousand attack points!"
Motorb Spiral, ATK: 2800 + 2000 → 4800
"Um, Playmaker?" Ai spoke up.
"What?"
"The huge monster just absorbed our last line of defense! What're you going to do now!?" Ai panicked. "Motorb Spiral can end this duel with a single attack!"
"There's nothing your caretaker can do!" Gli'Wre turned around, facing the Cyberse Duelist. "Welcome to your burial Playmaker! I set a card, next, Motorb Spiral is going to attack you directly! Spiral Nightmare!"
Spiral swung all of its tentacles and the drills' blades moved toward Playmaker's body. Ai's eyes widened and the little creature turned toward its partner.
"Playmaker!" Ai cried out.
"I activate the effect of Lockout Gardna from my hand!" A large red and black robot appeared in front of Playmaker with 1000 ATK. "When I'm targeted for a direct attack, Lockout Gardna can be Special Summoned, and when summoned this way, it can't be destroyed by battle for the rest of the turn!"
"But if I attack, you're still going to lost most of your Life Points!" Gli'Wre pointed out. "Go, Spiral! Attack their Lockout Gardna!" The large beast roared and threw its tentacles forward, hitting both Lockout Gardna and Playmaker. The duelist screamed as his body was thrown off the D-Board.
『Playmaker LP: 4000 - 3800 → 200』
"Playmaker!" Ai jumped out of the Duel Disk. "Quick, Playmaker! We're going to fall!"
Playmaker gritted his teeth, the pain from the attack still ringing through his body. Ignoring the agony, the Cyberse Duelist managed to raise his arm just enough to fire a yellow energy string which attached itself to his D-Board and the Duelist was teleported back on top of it. Playmaker then collapsed down on his knees and gasped for breath. The damage that he just took, it was way more intense than anything else he suffered so far.
"Are you alright, Playmaker?" Ai asked its origin. "You took a lot of damage straight to the face."
"I'm fine," The Cyberse Duelist stood back up, albeit trembling from the damage. "My Life Points are now below a thousand, you know what this means."
"Storm Access!" Ai exclaimed and threw its arm forward… only for nothing to happen. "Eh?"
The Ignis looked at its hands and then tried to summon a Data Storm once more, only to fail again. Ai tilted its head in confusion. Even though it wasn't the best at controlling the Data Storm from among the six Ignis, summoning one should be easy enough, yet it couldn't do it.
"I- I can't summon a Data Storm, Playmaker!" Ai shouted, distressed. "We have no comeback!"
"What's wrong?" Playmaker asked.
"Nothing's wrong." Gli'Wre interrupted them, causing both duelist and Ignis to glare at the enemy AI. "You're unable to use your Skill due to my effect, Contract with the Maker!"
"What!?" Ai frowned. "You never said that you activate a skill, this isn't fair!"
"My Skill is a continuous one that activates the moment in which the duel began," Gli'Wre informed. "Due to Contact with the Maker, other players are unable to activate their skills unless they pay a thousand Life Points!"
"Storm Access requires the user to have a thousand or fewer Life Points…" Ai trailed off, slowly coming to the realization of what that meant.
"Since we don't have Life Points to spare, Contract with the Maker effectively seals our Storm Access." Playmaker's eyes narrowed. And just when he has gotten used to pulling easy wins using the Data Storm in his advantage, his opponent had to seal it away.
"If we can't use Storm Access, this duel is over!" Ai dropped on its knees. "I'm sorry, Proxy, Aqua!"
"There's still hope." Playmaker muttered, catching Ai's attention. "If we can't use Storm Access then we'll just have to use what we got at our disposal at the moment."
"Playmaker…" Ai nodded. "Do you have a plan on how to defeat our opponent?"
"Please, I've already analyzed your dueling!" Gli'Wre shouted back. "I know any move that you could do before it happens! There's nothing you have that I'm not ready for!"
"Let's put that to the test." Playmaker clenched his fist. "My turn! This is the draw that will lead to new potential!"
『Turn 3 [Playmaker] LP: 200, Hand: 1』
Playmaker took a good look at the card that he drew. Cyberse Gadget… "I connected it; the circuit of victory!"
"You what!?" Gli'Wre yelled.
"I Normal Summon Cyberse Gadget (Lv.4, ATK: 1400) and activate its effect! When its Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level Two or lower monster from my Graveyard, come back, Dotscaper (Lv.1, DEF: 2100)!" The two Cyberse monsters appeared on Playmaker's field one after another, joining the Lockout Gardna that was already on his field. "Appear, the circuit that leads to the future!"
The square appeared over Playmaker's head and all three of his monsters turned into whirlwinds that flew toward it.
"Arrowheads confirmed! Summoning requirements are two or more Cyberse monsters! I set Cyberse Gadget, Dotscaper and Lockout Gardna in the Link Markers! Link Summon! Link Three! Excode Talker (ATK: 2300, Link-3)!" The bulky WIND Code Talker flew out of the circuit and landed in the Extra Monster Zone.
"When Cyberse Gadget leaves the field, I can Special Summon a Gadget Token!" A tiny robot formed on Playmaker's field. "Now I summon the circuit that leads to the future once more!"
The square opened again and this time Playmaker's monsters turned into four whirlwinds.
"Arrowheads confirmed! Summoning requirements are two or more monsters! I set Gadget Token and the Link Three, Excode Talker in the Link Markers! Link Summon! Link Four! Firewall Dragon (ATK: 2500, Link-4)!" The white and blue dragon flew through the circuit and roared.
"Firewall Dragon?" Ai blinked at the sight of the dragon. "Why summon it?"
"I activate the Trap Card, Recode Alive!" Playmaker's face-down card turned around. "I banish Decode Talker from my Graveyard and Special Summon Encode Talker from my Extra Deck!" The LIGHT Code Talker formed at Firewall Dragon's bottom market.
"Encode Talker…" Ai rubbed its chin in thought. "That's it! You'll use Firewall Dragon's effect, right?"
"If I do that, we'll lose due to their Link Monster's effect." Playmaker pointed out. "Instead, I declare an attack with Firewall Dragon! Tempest Attack!" The blue parts of Firewall Dragon's body turned red and the beast fired a powerful laser beam.
"You are going to use Encode Talker's effect now, won't you?" Gli'Wre commented. "You'll negate your dragon's destruction and then power-up your Code Talker, am I right?"
"I activate Encode Talker's effect." Ignoring the AI's comments, Playmaker activated his monster's effect. The warrior flew between Firewall and Motorb Spiral and held out its shield, creating a barrier that blocked the dragon's attack. "The destruction is negated and Encode Talker gains attack equal to Motorb Spiral!"
Encode Talker, ATK: 2300 + 4800 → 7100
"Now let's battle!" Playmaker shouted. "Encode Talker is going to attack Motorb Spiral! Encode Finish!" The LIGHT Code Talker's shield produced a sword and it leaped into the air, cutting Gli'Wre's monster in half.
『Gli'Wre LP: 4000 - 2300 → 1700』
"I activate my Trap Card! Motorb Switch!" Gli'Wre's set card turned face-up. "This card negates my monster's destruction by destroying all of its equipped cards instead, and then, I'm allowed to move my monster to the zone where another Link Monster points at!"
Spiral's tentacles moved to press the torn monster's body back together, regaining its shape. Afterward, the large octopus-like creature floated to the left side, coming face to face with Firewall Dragon itself.
Motorb Switch (Trap) Normal
When a "Motorb" monster you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can destroy a card equipped to it instead. Then, you can move that monster to another Zone that a Link Monster points at.
"I'm going to place Motorb Spiral in front of your Firewall Dragon and when there are no cards equipped to it, Motorb Spiral can equip one of the monsters that it points at to itself! So next turn, I take Firewall Dragon!"
"There's not going to be a next turn!" Playmaker exclaimed. "I activate Firewall Dragon's effect! For every monster that it's co-linked with it, Firewall Dragon can return one monster from each side of the field to the hand! I return my own Firewall Dragon and your Motorb Spiral back to the Extra Deck! Emergency Escape!"
"What!?" Gli'Wre looked up at his monster. Firewall Dragon unleashed an electric change that locked both monsters in place and then forced them to return back into their owner's Extra Deck.
"To think that you would do that…" Gli'Wre clenched its fists. A notable trait of Playmaker's dueling was his randomness. Unlike other duelists, he didn't have a specific ace monster to focus his deck around, nor did he care about sacrificing any of his cards as long as he won. "This won't change the outcome! It's my turn!"
"Wrong!" Playmaker exclaimed. "My turn isn't over yet!"
"Your monster already declared an attack!" Gli'Wre pointed out. "There's no Second Main Phase in Speed Duels, so there's nothing you can do!"
"Encode Talker might have attacked, but not my other monster." Playmaker gestured toward the data below them. "I activate Recode Alive's effect from my Graveyard! I banish it to revive Decode Talker!" A black portal formed under Playmaker's feet and his signature monster flew out of it.
"I should have seen that one coming." Gli'Wre sighed. Since using Storm Access was Playmaker's only way to turn a duel around, he calculated that the duelist would lose the will to fight once they realized that their Skill was locked out, but…
"Now this is a back that you can rely on!" Ai exclaimed and waved at the DARK Code Talker. "Go get them, Decode Talker!"
"End this, Decode Talker!" Playmaker exclaimed. "Decode End!" The monster readied its blade and charged forward.
Instead of trying to avoid the attack, Gli'Wre threw its arms to the sides and raised its head, glaring at the Cyberse monster charging at it. Decode Talker swung its blade, cutting the AI in half.
『Gli'Wre LP: 1700 - 2300 → 0』
『Winner: Playmaker』
The attack sent Gli'Wre's severed body flying off the D-Board and crashing on a rooftop. The defeated AI. looked up toward its opponent, electricity shooting out of its severed waist. After a moment, its skin turned dark grey and then the body fell apart, disintegrating. Ai formed out of the Duel Disk and sighed.
"You know Playmaker, even though this wasn't an Ignis, it still hurt watching it die like this," Ai admitted, looking up toward his partner.
"It was still an AI. like yourself, so it's natural to feel that way." Playmaker commented. "But sometimes you must make a hard decision in order to protect what's truly important."
"Indeed." Ai nodded. "Let's go back to Proxy and Aqua, they must be worried about us."
"Playmaker!"
As if on cue, Proxy flew in front of the Cyberse Duelist and smiled at him. Playmaker looked at his partner with a blank expression, checking if everything was ok.
"You can move again!" Ai shouted the obvious.
"We weren't able to treat her paralysis much" Aqua admitted. "But then the virus she was infected with suddenly disappeared and she shot out to reach you a moment later. I take it this means that you defeated the rogue AI?"
"We did!" Ai nodded. "But we didn't learn why the AI went after you. It's still a victory though, right?"
"I'm not sure about that." Aqua crossed her arms. "The thing, whatever it was, had a coding that my system was familiar with. I'm unable to identify the origins and that worries me the most. I also take it that you didn't try to study our attacker's code. That AI was connected to a hive of some sort."
"A hive of AIs?" Proxy raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound good, does it?"
"I think you should log out and rest for the rest of the day." Playmaker stated and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Proxy grabbed the Cyberse Duelist's arm. "Are you trying to kick me out?"
"The AI was able to easily paralyze your nerve system." Playmaker pointed out. "We must research it and construct a defense-system against it, so it doesn't happen again. You're also new to fighting the Knights of Hanoi, your stamina won't last as long as mine if we keep fighting them at this rate."
"I… I understand." Proxy nodded.
She was just going to slow down Playmaker if she stood there trying to act as his sidekick. The best way she could help him out would be by not being there at all. Letting go of the Cyberse Duelist's arm, the girl gave a bitter smile and pressed the button on her Duel Disk to log out, leaving Playmaker and Ai alone once more.
"She definitely took this the wrong way." Ai sighed.
"It's better that way." Playmaker replied. "But there are still many more Knights of Hanoi, we can't stop here."
"Aye, aye."
"So that's their headquarters?" Faust asked.
Using data given to them by Picaro, Faust and Baira had organized a group of Hanoi's most elite duelist to join them in this special operation while Revolver and Specter commanded the main troops. Currently, the ten Knights of Hanoi that have infiltrated the enemy's server were walking through a long corridor made of white cubes.
"And it seems that we got company." Baira pointed out.
The Knights all stopped walking. Standing in front of them was Masou, PhantomFire and Silver Star's AI. The minion was protecting a large door made of metal – no doubt something important lying behind it.
"You're not authorized to continue," Masou stated. "Turn back now or face extermination."
The regular knights looked at each other and chuckled at the idea. A single AI eliminating them? It was impossible.
"I'll erase this one." Baira stooped forward.
"I'll leave this to you then." Faust sighed.
There wasn't anything else they needed to say. The Knights of Hanoi existed to protect humanity from AIs and their current enemy was an AI, a dialogue between these two parties was impossible and everyone present was aware of it. Masou took a step forward and activated its Duel Disk.
"DUEL!"
『Baira LP: 4000, Hand: 5 (VS) Masou LP: 4000, Hand: 5』
"I'll take the first turn," Baira said summoning five cards in front of herself. "I set one monster and one card face-down, with this, I end my turn!"
The two face-down cards appeared in front of Baira and Masou looked at them before turning its eyes toward the Knight of Hanoi that it was facing. Searching Data Base… The Knights of Hanoi were a cyber-terrorist group whose goals' were to destroy virtual reality and AIs in order to protect humanity from its 'true' enemies. Conclusion: Masou' opponent either wasn't taking the duel seriously, or they were trying to lure it into a trap. Either way, Masou had to fight.
"My turn, draw!" A sixth card appeared in front of Masou as the AI calculated the safest way to respond.
『Turn 2 [Masou] LP: 4000, Hand: 6』
"I'm still unsure on whenever you don't take me seriously, or this is all part of a bigger picture," Masou said, eyeing its opponent. "The only thing I know for sure is that you're going to lose a large amount of Life Points for playing so defensively on your first turn. When there are no monsters on my field, I can Special Summon Speedroid Terrortop (Lv.3, ATK: 1200) from my hand."
"Speedroid?" Faust commented. "That's the first I hear of this deck."
"The Speedroid deck doesn't originate from here, so of course Duelist wouldn't have heard of it," Masou replied and looked at his card. "But I believe this information is unimportant to your group, is it? Back to the duel, I activate Terrotop's effect. When its Summoned, I can add a Speedroid monster from my deck to the hand, I choose Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice and summon it."
"Tri-Eyed Dice…" Baira checked the screen of her Duel Disk for details on the card. "It's a Tuner monster!"
"I tune my Level Three Terrortop to my Level Three Tri-Eyed Dice!" Masou threw its arms in the sky and its monsters transformed into two rings, each divided into three segments. They glowed before overlaying into a single one and then exploded into a column of brilliant light.
"Magical sword with the form of a cross. Use your power to rend all enemies! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level Six! Hi-Speedroid Kendama (Lv.6, ATK: 2200)!"
Out of the light flew a blue robot, with a large spear attached to its front, and landed in the right Extra Monster Zone. Masou raised its arm and pointed at Baira.
"Battle! I use Hi-Speedroid Kendama to attack your face-down monster!" At Masou's order, Kendama flew into the sky and fired a barrage of blue energy blasts at Baira's monster, destroying it. "Your set monster was Giant Germ with a hundred defense points, due to Kendama's monster effect, you will take piercing damage when I battle a defense position monster."
Baira bit her lip and took a step back from the damage that she took. And it was just one attack…
『Baira LP: 4000 - 2100 → 1900』
"Giant Germ's effect now resolves!" Baira exclaimed. "When this card is destroyed, I can inflict five hundred points of damage to you, as well as Special Summon two new Giant Germs from my deck!" Two pink spheres with brown surface appeared at Baira's side of the field and Masou winched as a spark jumped out of its shoulder.
『Masou LP: 4000 - 500 → 3500』
'Opponent now has two monsters, most likely will go for a Link Summon on their next turn.' Masou thought to itself, calculating its next move. 'The deck that master gave me has a low amount of defensive cards, there's nothing I can do to stop my opponent's plays.'
"I'll end my turn," Masou concluded swiping its arm to the side.
"Then it's my turn!" Baira replied. "Draw!"
『Turn 3 [Baira] LP: 1900, Hand: 4』
"Appear! Our future circuit!" A square opened over Baira's head. "Arrowhead confirmed! Summoning requirement is one Level Two or lower DARK monster! I set Giant Germ in the Link Marker! Link Summon! Link One, Dark Mummy Dissect Lancet!"
A skinny female mummy appeared out of the circuit. The creature's body and faces were wrapped with soiled bandages that hide its rotten skin. The only notable thing about its appearance was its left arm, which had a lanced in place of a hand.
Dark Mummy Dissect Lancet
Attribute: DARK/Type: Zombie/Link/Effect
L-Markers: Bottom
ATK: 400/Link-1
1 Level 2 or lower DARK monster
Effect: You can Tribute 1 monster: Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower "Dark Mummy" monster from your hand or GY to a zone this card points to. If a "Dark Mummy" monster(s) you control would be destroyed by battle or an opponent's card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can use each effect of "Dark Mummy Dissect Lancet" once per turn.
"Next, I activate Dissect Lancet's effect! I release Giant Germ to Special Summon Dark Mummy Probe (Lv.1, DEF: 0) from my hand" A female monster with blue skin and bandages covering its body appeared on Baira's field, moaning. "Next, I release Probe to activate Monster Restitch! Through this Spell, I can Special Summon three Dark Mummy Tokens (Lv.1, DEF: 0)!" The mummy moaned as its body fell apart and was replaced by three purple flames, each of them keeping an eye in the center of itself.
"Dark Mummy?" Masou tilted its head to the side. "I see, that means that you use a deck focused on infecting your opponent, don't you? Following this logic, your set card is one of the infamous Virus Traps, isn't it?"
"Appear! Our future circuit!" Baira ignored the AI's words as another square opened above her. Arrowhead confirmed! Summoning requirements are three Dark Mummy monsters! I put two Dark Mummy Tokens and Dark Mummy Dissect Lancet in the Link Markers! Link Summon! Link Three! Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps (ATK: 2400, Link-3)."
A woman covered in bandages with blades in place of arms flew through the circuit and landed in the Extra Monster Zone. Masou observed the monster. This one had to be the Knight of Hanoi's ace monster…
"Next I release my last Dark Mummy Token to activate the Trap Card - Current Corruption Virus! Through this card's effect, all your monsters with two thousand or less defense become useless for three turns! Also, all of their Attack Points drop to zero as well!"
Rust covered Masou's Synchro monster and it collapsed on the ground, with the light in its eyes going off. The AI narrowed its eyes; not almost all of its monsters were going to remain infected for the duration of three turns.
Hi-Speedroid Kendama, ATK: 2200 → ATK: 0
"Battle! Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps attack Hi-Speedroid Kendama!" Three bandages shot out of Dark Mummy's body and locked Kendama in place for the zombie to cut it in half.
"I activate the effect of Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice from my Graveyard! I banish it to negate your attack." Masou exclaimed, his monster's spirit appearing in front of Kendama, blocking Baira's attack.
"A clumsy save, as expected from an AI," Baira muttered and looked at the remaining cards in her hand before pressing one of them. "I set a card, turn end."
"Field scanning complete, processing to neutralizing the target. Draw!" Masou commented, adding a new card to its hand.
『Turn 4 [Masou] LP: 3500, Hand: 6』
"I Normal Summon the Tuner Monster, Speedroid Dominobutterfly (Lv.2, ATK: 100)!" A new white, black and yellow machine materialized before Masou. "Due to your Virus card, my monster should lose all of its effects and attack points, but that doesn't matter. I tune my Level Six Hi-Speedroid Kendama to my Level Two Speedroid Dominobutterfly!"
A column of data raised behind Masou and its monsters transformed into two rings, the first one divided into two segments while the second was divided in six. They glowed before overlaying into a single one and then exploded into a beam of brilliant light.
"Mysterious dragon possessing the magic of wind. With those sharp wings leap into heaven's light! Synchro Summon! Level Eight, Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake (Lv.8, ATK: 3000)!"
A blue multi-segmented dragon with green energy wings covering its back and two sets of claws floating next to its head flew in front of Masou and roared; its tail swinging impatiently for its orders.
"I activate Kitedrake's effect!" Masou exclaimed, gesturing toward his monster. "When Kitedrake is Synchro Summoned, I can destroy all cards on the field, except for itself! Drake Storm!"
Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake's wings increased in size and unleashed a whirlwind, which covered the field. Baira's Link Monster roared and tried to push against the wind, but it was knocked backward while the Knight of Hanoi's set card shattered into small pieces of data.
"I won't let you!" A card appeared in front of Baira and she pressed it. "I activate Dark Mummy Dissect Lancet's effect from my Graveyard! I banish it to protect Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps from destruction!"
"An unimportant setback," Masou commented and raised its arm, catching its dragon's attention. "I attack Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps with Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake!"
The dragon flew in front of Baira's Link Monster and opened its mouth, biting the zombie's head and then crushed it, throwing the undead's limp body to the side.
『Baira LP: 1900 - 600 → 1300』
"The Lieutenant seems to be in trouble." One of the Knights commented.
"She's alright," Faust replied, crossing his arms. "A simple AI wouldn't be enough to beat her. While she's busy dealing with the defense, I want you to open the door."
Three of the Knights stepped forward and nodded before walking over to the door. Each of them pulled a cable out of their Duel Disk and connected it to the door. Following that, a screen filled with symbols and numbers appeared in front of them.
"I end my turn." Masou finished and lowered its Duel Disk.
"To think that an AI of all things would corner me like this…" Baira muttered to herself. "Your kind enjoys calculating for the best course of action, always knowing what the most effective move you can make would be, but the Knights of Hanoi have learned how to fight against your intellect. My turn, draw!"
『Turn 5 [Baira] LP: 1300, Hand: 3』
"I activate the effect of Monster Cremator from my Graveyard!" A black portal appeared in front of Baira and her Trap Card raised on the field, turning into two purple flames. "By banishing it, I can Special Summon two Dark Mummy Tokens!"
Monster Cremator (Trap) Normal
If you control a face-up "Dark Mummy" monster, except a Token: You can banish 1 Special Summoned monster your opponent controls. If this card is in your GY, except during the turn it was sent there, you can banish this card: Special Summon 2 "Dark Mummy Tokens" (DARK/Zombie/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0).
"Now appear! Our future circuit!" A square opened over Baira's head and one of the flames flew up. "Arrowhead confirmed! Summoning requirement is one Level Two or lower DARK monster! I set a Dark Mummy Token in the Link Marker! Link Summon! Link One, Dark Mummy Dissect Lancet (ATK: 400, Link-1)!" A second copy of Dissect appeared in the free Extra Monster Zone.
"Next I activate Diseased Transplantation!" A card showing a rooting purple heart emitting green aura appeared in front of Baira. "I pay eight hundred Life Points to target a Dark Mummy in my Graveyard and Special Summon it! Come back, Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps (ATK: 2400, Link-3)!" The portal leading to Baira's Graveyard opened again as her Link-3 raised from the dead.
『Baira LP: 1300 - 800 → 500』
Diseased Transplantation (Spell) Equip
Activate this card by paying 800 LP, then target 1 "Dark Mummy" monster in your GY; Special Summon that target in and equip it with this card. When this card is destroyed, banish the equipped monster.
"Now appear! Our future circuit!" A square opened over Baira's head and one of the flames flew up. "Arrowheads confirmed! Summoning requirements are at least two DARK monsters! I set a Dark Mummy Token and the Link Three, Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps, in the Link Markers! Link Summon! Link Four, Dark Mummy Sternal Saw!"
Another female monster with dark green skin and glowing red eyes appeared out of the circuit. This time the monster was wearing a nurse outfit with a large part of it torn off, leaving its stomach and lower back unprotected. Her belly, legs, and neck were wrapped in bandages. Unlike its predecessor, Surgical Forceps, Sternal Saw's weapons weren't on its arms, but on its legs, having circular saws in place of feet.
Dark Mummy Sternal Saw
Attribute: DARK/Type: Zombie/Link/Effect
L-Markers: Bottom, Bottom Left, Top, Right
ATK: 2700/Link-4
2+ DARK monsters
Effect: When you draw a Trap Card(s): You can reveal 1 of them; destroy 1 card your opponent controls. (Quick Effect): You can Tribute 1 monster this card points to; activate 1 "Virus" Trap Card from your deck whose activation requirements are met by the monster Tributed to activate this effect, without Tributing a monster. If a "Virus" Trap Card is activated on your side of the field: Draw 1 card. You can activate each effect of "Dark Mummy Sternal Saw" once per turn.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card, Forbidden Surgery!" Baira continued on. "I banish two Level Two or lower DARK monsters from my Graveyard to Special Summon two Dark Mummy monsters from my Deck as long as they have the same name. Come out, Dark Mummy Infuser (Lv.1, DEF: 500)!" A pair of small pink-skinned girls wearing purple and pink dresses with needles in place of legs appeared on the field.
Forbidden Surgery (Spell) Normal
Banish 2 Level 2 or lower DARK monsters with the same name from your GY: Special Summon 2 "Dark Mummy" monsters with the same name as each other, from their Deck in face-up Defense Position.
"And now I'll activate Sternal Saw's effect to release one Infuser and activate the Trap, Berserk Butchery Virus from my deck! Through its effect, I destroy all monsters in your hand with fifteen hundred or more defense points!"
One of the Infuser's screamed and her body fell apart, releasing a black cloud that flew through Masou's field, destroying Kitedrake, and then moved onto the AI's hand. Three of Masou's cards turned black and shattered after which a hologram popped up showing the cards that he was holding before the virus infected his hand: Speedroid Skull Marbles, Speedroid Passinglider, Speedrif, Speedroid Menko, and Speedroid Maliciousmagnet.
Berserk Butchery Virus (Trap) Normal
Tribute 1 DARK monster with 1000 or less DEF; check your opponent's hand, all monsters they control, and all cards they draw until the end of your opponent's 3rd turn after this card's activation, and destroy all monsters with 1500 or more DEF.
"I see, so you infected my hand." Masou looked at its card and then at Baira. "But that's not good enough. I activate Speedroid Kitedrake's effect. When it's sent to the grave by an opponent's effect, I add a Speedroid to my hand, the one I choose is this: A second Speedroid Menko."
"You're a persistent AI." Baira sighed. "But due to Sternal Saw's other effect, when I activate a Trap Card, I can draw a new card!" A single card formed in the palm of the female knight, followed by a malicious smile. "I activate Monster Reborn to bring back Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps (ATK: 2400, Link-3)!"
"Surgical Forceps…" Masou tilted its head to the side. "Link Monsters have no defense…"
"So when you activate Menko's effect to Special Summon itself, none of my monsters will go to Defense Position." Baira pointed out. "Whatever move an AI. tries, humans will always adapt faster! Battle! Surgical Forceps, Sternal Saw, attack the opponent directly!"
The two zombies moaned, each of them charging a ball of black energy. The AI. looked at its palm and closed its eyes, the dark energy washing through its body, melting it away. In its last moments, Masou realized, Evan didn't need it to hold back the Knights of Hanoi. The dueling program installed inside of its mind was insufficient to fight a high ranked Knight of Hanoi – Evan was just looking for a good opportunity to get rid of the useless AI.
『Masou LP: 3500 - 2400 → 1100 - 2700 → 0』
『Winner: Baira』
"Look out!"
Knights of Hanoi screamed and leaped out of the way. The two Dark Mummy Link Monsters' attacks connected with the locked down, blowing it into pieces. The ground shook at the impact and even the user sitting on the other side of the door turned his eyes to see what was going on.
A few moments later, eight knights walked inside with Baira and Faust following behind the troops. The room they entered was half black half white with cubes made of data flying around, changing their colors to purple when inside the black half and going for a more light blue appearance when they were inside the white half. A single stairway was placed in the center of the room, leading toward two thrones, of which only the black one on the right was occupied.
Sitting in it was PhantomFire. The Duelist was using his character's grown-up appearance, his body was leaning toward the right, his head placed in his right arm's palm while his elbow was placed firmly on the side of his throne.
"Took you long enough to reach this part." PhantomFire groused, opening his left palm. In an instant, the remains of Masou's body turned into data and flew into his palm, transforming into a deck. "You apes probably don't realize it, but the deck I gave my assistant is legendary. Sadly, he wasn't even smart enough to bring out the dragon."
"Revolver doesn't want to make enemies out of you," Faust informed the Duelist.
"You want us to give you the Ignis that one of my operatives acquired." PhantomFire clarified their intentions. "Sadly, said operative is currently in the city server fighting against your troops, so you came here for nothing."
"We didn't come just for that." Faust shook his head. "You must know about the Ignis and their nature. The Knight of Hanoi wants to make an offer for cooperation against the Ignis."
"It appears that there's a misunderstanding." PhantomFire sighed and leaned back into his chair. "I've got no intention to fight in your war. If humanity's fate in this world is to be enslaved by the Ignis they created, so be it. Your civilization is nothing more than a pack of wild apes who need to be put down!"
"Don't you realize the danger that the Ignis represents!?" Baira shouted.
"They weren't danger until your group attacked them!" PhantomFire slapped his fist. "Torturing a group of six years old children, trying to eliminate a sapient species and terrorizing the network in an unjust crusade against technology – Your group is nothing more than a mishmash of sociopathic terrorists who declared themselves humanity's saviors! Leave now tell your leader that if he even dares to lay a finger on my operatives or the Ignis we're protecting, I'm going to personally storm his home and throw him off the clifftop! Understood?!"
"If you turn down this offer, it means that you're an enemy of us." Faust pointed out.
"I'm the antithesis of everything you stand for." PhamtomFire hissed. "Being called your enemy is the best compliment I would hear from you apes."
"Then we're going to eliminate you here." Baira pointed out.
"Eliminate me?" PhantomFire chuckled and stood up from his throne, activating his Duel Disk. "Don't go off misunderstanding what's going on here! This is the throne room of Gods and as the one who controls time itself, I shall teach you apes what true strength looks like. How about this?! I'm going to duel all ten of you at once and win in the matter of two turns!"
None of the Knights tried to speak against that idea. There wasn't a human who could pull off such a feat and in the end, no matter how strong of a duelist he was, if he was fighting ten duelists at once it would be just a matter of time before he fell to their numbers.
"Duel!" Everyone shouted at once.
『PhantomFire LP: 4000, Hand: 5 (VS) Knights of Hanoi LP: 4000, Hand: 5 (x10)』
Well, it sure took me a while to write this chapter, didn't it? I won't even try to count the months since my last update, nor will I try to give excuses for it. I want to give this story more attention now since I'm really tired of the VRAINS anime, and I actually stopped watching it. Yes, that might sound crazy since I want to focus more on a fanfic about an anime I have stopped watching, but I've got some crazy stuff prepared for the Tower of Hanoi Arc and I want to write it, since it will answer a lot of questions, including how Roxy appeared in Den City.
Something ironic I noticed about this chapter is that we had three duels with AIs in which those AIs got completely destroyed by characters from different sides in the conflict. He had Playmaker, who's the "Hero", Baira, who's part of the Knights of Hanoi and Silver Star/Avice who's neutral in the fight between the Hanoi and the Ignis.
Thanks to xXYuseiXAkikoXx for favoring this story!
Now to answer the reviews!
ScalchopWarrior: First, thanks for pointing out some of the more obvious mistakes in the chapter, you are of great help, so thanks a lot! As for Gli'Wre and Li'Tch's names. Well, I think this chapter gave enough hints about why their names are the way they are.
ThePLOThand: So, you left three reviews and I'm not sure which ones I gave an answer to outside this story, but to be safe I'll just cover the last one. Honestly, the problem with Frog the Jam came from the TCG, so since this is the Anime which follows more closely the OCG ruling and naming, her OCG name is supposed to be "Enhance Mermail", which actually makes her a part of the Mermail archetype. Crazy, right?
That's all for today! Thank everyone for reading this and I'll see you again next time!
Diabolic Tracer out!