Aurasoul hugging Ai tightly: Hello everyone and welcome to Vrains! I give a shout out to 0713MM for helping me type this story along with letting me use his OC Glacies.
Yusaku: Aurasoul you're going to have to let Ai go.
Aurasoul: After the last episode you can forget it Playmaker.
Miho: Let it go Yusaku she's been a wreck.
Rai: Indeed so as such she doesn't own Vrains only her OCs except Glacies so please enjoy.
Chapter 7
"Miho are you ok?" Miho jumped, looking at a worried Glacies and gave a weak smile.
"Sorry Glacies. Guess I was in deep thought." She apologized, sipping her drink.
"Boyfriend issues?" Glacies questioned, making Miho choke on her drink.
"I let it slip I'm seeing someone, and you never let me live it down." Miho muttered, making Glacies smiled lightly. Miho was sitting at a cafe with Glacies the two deciding to catch up on their activities as of late.
"Sorry to bring this up Miho, but I didn't know my brother was demoted." Glacies spoke up. "At least, not until he came back from VRAINS with a blue shard crystal thing." She paused for a moment before adding. "I asked Akira what was in the blue shard, but he wouldn't tell me." Miho stiffened at the mention of the crystal but spoke up.
"Oh yeah. He got demoted because he went against his superiors' orders on helping Aoi. He told me when I visited her at the hospital." She said.
"Oh." Glacies spoke softly. "I guess that makes sense. Even though Akira's belief in that family is more important than all else stuck. And I say good for him. Protecting Aoi is more important in the end." She paused again for another moment, then continued. "Although, I think Akira might be going a little too far with protecting Aoi."
"I agree. I mean he can get a little overboard. She's 16 and can take care of herself." Miho nodded, sipping her drink. "How is Aoi by the way? I haven't seen her much since she was discharged from the hospital." Glacies lowered her head, then raised it back up and took a sip of her drink before replying.
"It's as I've said. Akira has been very overprotective of Aoi." Glacies replied. So much in fact, that Aoi isn't even allowed to leave the house. Not even if I go with her. I tried to compromise with Akira on letting Aoi get out of the house, even if was just for school, or hanging out with me and you Miho. He wouldn't budge."
Miho blinked, stunned and sweatdropped.
"Ok even, I know that's over the top. Tell you what, why not I try talking to him. Maybe I can get him to budge. I am one of the few people he trusts with you and Aoi." She said.
"You can try if you want." Glacies told her. She put her right hand to her chin. "Then again, I can understand why Akira holds this overprotective nature over me and Aoi."
"Yeah. Considering what happened to their parents and such." Miho nodded.
And with me… Glacies thought.
"And of course, you too." Miho added without thinking. That snapped Glacies out of her thoughts and she nearly knocked her drink over in surprise at Miho's words. Luckily, she managed to stop the drink from spilling onto the table, and possibly her clothes.
"What about me?" Glacies questioned, her expression turned to that of slight skepticism. "Did Akira tell you about my past?" Miho stiffened.
Shit! I forgot he told me this as Flare Dragon, not me! She thought.
"Er no. I'm just saying in general since he sees you as his little sister as much as Aoi. So of course, he would get worried about you too." She quickly said. Glacies raised her eyebrow at that, as if saying "Is that so?", but decided not to further press the matter. Miho gave an inward sigh of relief.
I'm a terrible liar, but luckily that can cover it up. At least, I hope. She thought.
"Moving on to another topic." Glacies began. "I don't know if Akira has told you or not, but I also have a VRAINS account. I don't use it often, considering I'm more of a nature person. Alas, I do use it on occasion."
"Oh yeah. He mentioned it once at work a while back. Ice Queen right?" Miho asked. Glacies nodded with an icy smile on her lips, along with her light blue eyes gleaming.
"Correct." Glacies remarked.
"Well, I have to say it suits you." Miho chuckled. "One of these days, we should duel in Link VRAINS. Once the whole Knights of Hanoi mess is over."
"I agree." Glacies smiled, then her smile turned into a frown. "Knights of Hanoi? You mean that cyber terrorist group in VRAINS? Akira mentioned them a couple of times."
"Yeah. They've been causing havoc in LINK VRAINS; turning duelists into Anothers." Miho frowned. "Playmaker, Go Onizuka, Flare, and Spark Dragon have been fighting them off so far."
"Well that's good." Glacies remarked.
"People have been wondering when Blue Angel would join in the fight as well, but there hasn't been sight of her." Miho added, sipping her drink.
"Need me to fill in for Blue Angel?" Glacies asked, sipping her drink as well. "If not, I understand."
"Why are you asking me? It's not like I'm one of them fighting the Knights. But even though the sentiment is kind of you, I think it's best not. Your brother might go off the deep end if he sees you fighting them." Miho said with a slight smile.
"Fair enough." Glacies remarked.
"So back to a more lighter topic. I'll talk with Akira and maybe persuade him on the 3 of us having a nice outing. Just us girls." Miho smiled.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Glacies smiled. Miho smiled, yet couldn't help but think back to seeing Aso and Kyoko in VRAINS with Beelzebub.
This just doesn't make any sense anymore. Why are they in the Knights of Hanoi and what reason could they have to stealing Yukiko? It doesn't add up. She thought with a frown. And worse yet… Does Ryoken know?
"Miho?" Glacies spoke up, worried again. Miho gasped softly before giving an apologetic smile.
"Shoot. Sorry Glacies. Deep thought again." She apologized.
"It's alright Miho." Glacies replied. "But are you alright?"
"Yeah. Just a lot is happening, and I guess it's getting to me." Miho said with a sheepish smile.
"Woah! It's Blue Angel!" Miho turned her head and nearly spit out her drink; shocked to see Blue Angel on the screen riding next to Baira. "She hadn't shown up recently, so rumors said she retired, but she's back!" The MC announced. "We're counting on you Blue Angel! Defeat the Knights of Hanoi who are threatening the peace of Link VRAINS!" Glacies watched the screen with a concerned expression on her face.
"Akira is not gonna be happy to see this." Glacies muttered.
"Oh, dear lord. This is not good; not good at all." Miho muttered to herself. Then Miho's phone rang as she picked up, hearing her brother's voice.
"Please tell me you're watching Live on VRAINS." Rai spoke.
"And see Blue Angel about to duel? Yeah I'm seeing it too." Miho frowned, speaking lowly so Glacies wouldn't hear. "Where's Yusaku?"
"He and Kusanagi found a lead on who was the one who created the Another Virus and hoping to find them soon." Rai told her.
"I see. We're going in then ourselves. Looks like we got another one to question." Miho frowned.
"On it. I'll see you home." Rai answered, before hanging up. Miho put away her phone as she faced Glacies.
"Sorry Glacies. I have to head home now." She said quickly.
"Oh." Glacies remarked, a slightly disappointed expression on her face. However, the disappointed expression vanished, and it went to slight skepticism. "Lemme guess, you're gonna go into VRAINS to stop Blue Angel from dueling that Knight of Hanoi or something?"
"Wh-What?! Oh, come on why would I step in? I'm not even fighting the Knights." Miho said quickly before thinking. Dammit am I that easy to read?!
"You're easy to read, Miho." Glacies spoke. "When you're lying for the most part. The reason I didn't press earlier when I asked about what Akira told you is because I didn't want to talk about it. As for you going into VRAINS to stop Blue Angel, that was just a lucky guess. I would go into VRAINS myself and stop Blue Angel, but it's as you said earlier, Akira being worried over his 2 sisters would be disastrous." Miho sweatdropped.
"I really am a terrible liar." She muttered. "So how much have you already figured out?"
"Firstly, I figured out that Akira told you my past, or at least the pieces I've told him myself when I had gotten comfortable living with him and Aoi." Glacies replied. "Secondly, when you replied too quickly about you entering VRAINS, that gave that part of you away. I just don't know your VRAINS avatar is. Which is best to be hidden until you're comfortable with telling me." Glacies raised her right index and middle finger to represent 2 things she figured out. She then raised her right ring finger. "Thirdly, based on what you said regarding not going into VRAINS to stop Blue Angel from the dueling the Knight gave away that intention." Miho couldn't help but facepalm with a groan.
"Gosh darn it. I am a horrible liar and bluffer." She muttered.
"Haha. If you want to be a really good liar, you must first learn to bear little to no emotions on your face." Glacies told her. "And speaking too quickly should be dropped." She paused, realizing what she was saying. "Wait… Why am I giving you advice on how to be a good liar?" She mentally facepalmed. "Regardless, I will not stop you from stopping Blue Angel from dueling that Knight of Hanoi."
"Well you'll figure out who I am there soon enough. And thanks for the advice but won't work for me. I can't lie to save my life. Ask my brother." Miho said with a chuckle, patting Glacies's shoulder. "And don't worry, I'll try to be back quick."
With that, Miho quickly ran off to head to her home. Yet, couldn't help but think to Glacies words for a moment.
The way she listed out how she knew I was lying… It's the same as Yusaku listing three things. Could it be that Glacies is… Miho shook her head. I can't think on that now. I gotta hurry to Link VRAINS and get answers from Baira.
Miho ran into the card shop; going to her home and rushing in the computer room to see Touma and Rai.
"Finally made it." Touma remarked, tossing Miho her duel disk.
"What's the status?" Miho questioned, catching and putting on her duel disk.
"Right now Blue Angel is already hitting Baira with effect damage of her Field Spell and Holly Angel's effect. Now it's Baira's turn." Rai said, as the two walked to the other room.
"Kusanagi is keeping tabs of their progress on finding the creator of the Another virus too." Touma added.
"Though with who Blue Angel is dueling, it's a no brainer who was the one who made the virus." Miho frowned, as she and Rai went in the room.
"Into the VRAINS!"
Flare and Sparks jumped over some buildings in VRAINS before jumping and riding their D-Boards.
"There they are!" Sparks said. They saw Baira having already Summoned Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps.
"She already has her ace out." Flare scowled. "Blue Angel!" Blue Angel gasped as she and Baira looked to see the two. Baira gasped in horror upon seeing them.
"You two?!" Blue Angel spoke, surprised.
"Blue Angel, stop the duel now." Flare said urgently.
"Ehhh? Stop the duel?" Blue Angel repeated. "Now why on earth would I do that?"
"That woman isn't someone you can beat Blue Angel! She's not like the grunts of the Knights of Hanoi." Sparks warned.
"No way!" Blue Angel retorted. "If I give up now, then this Another virus will continue!" The two grew wide eyed before looking at Baira.
"So then it really is you. You created the Another virus." Flare spoke.
"That's right." Baira remarked.
"How could you?! To do something like this! I can't believe…!" Flare began, betrayal and anger written on her face. Baira glanced up at Sparks and Flare. She closed her right grey eye, then reopened it again.
"Look, I didn't want to do this, but considering our goal to eliminate the Ignis, I had little to no choice in the matter." Baira replied solemnly.
"Don't you shit with us Baira! Then you might as well say it's the same for taking her away from us too!" Flare yelled angrily. Baira gaped at that, then she looked away.
"...You're acting as if I enjoy putting the lives of others in danger….." Baira replied softly. She turned back to face Flare, slight anger upon her facial features. "Well I don't! I'm not some psychopath! In fact, it pains me to use the Another virus to lure out Playmaker! All we want is the Ignis! And if that means using unethical methods, then I have to follow the orders given, despite me not liking one bit of it!"
"Even going as far as causing these victims and taking away our little sister?" Sparks demanded with a frown.
"Little sister?" Blue Angel questioned, shocked.
"Genome had told us that she was needed in order to truly kill the Ignis before he was purged. You claim that you had to go that far just to do so?" Sparks questioned. Baira gave a frown but turned away and nodded.
"Yes, that's right." She said. Sparks gave a sad sigh.
"I see." He spoke, turning to Blue Angel. "Then in that case, we'll leave it to you Blue Angel."
"Please tell me you're joking." Flare hissed.
"It's obvious Blue Angel wishes to do this. Plus, I don't think now is the time for us to duel at the moment." Sparks frowned. Flare glared at Sparks, but knew he was right and gave a nod while Sparks looked at Blue Angel.
"You better not lose Blue Angel." He spoke.
"I won't." Blue Angel nodded, facing Baira. "Let's continue the duel!"
"I agree!" Baira remarked.
The 2 watched as Baira began to corner Blue Angel with her virus combos; leaving her with only 100 LP.
"Blue Angel only has 100 LP, 1 card in her hand, and Holly Angel on her field." Flare frowned. "And thanks to Baira's Root Ransom Virus, Holly Angel's ATK is 0."
"Not only that, but thanks to Dark Mummy Infuser, not only is Forceps unaffected by trap cards, including Root Ransom Virus. But thanks to Forceps' effect, her ATK is still at 3000." Sparks added.
"Tch. She's at the end of her rope." Flare scowled.
"Maybe but." Sparks said, looking with a smirk. "It seems Blue Angel isn't giving up hope."
"I activate my Skill! Trickstar Fraud!" Blue Angel spoke, as she began to glow pink.
"Hoh? A Skill now?" Baira wondered.
"Once per Duel, I can discard a Trickstar card during your turn and you must draw until you have 3 cards in your hand." Blue Angel explained. "And at the end of the turn you have to banish a card from your hand for every Trickstar in my graveyard."
"She's risking it. If Baira draws even 1 trap card, Forceps will deal effect damage to Blue Angel and it'll be all over." Flare said, worried.
"But she's obviously willing to take the risk." Sparks frowned, watching as Baira began to draw the 1st card. Baira's 1st card showed a spell card.
"If I draw even 1 trap card, I win." Baira told Blue Angel. "I draw the 2nd card!"
The 2nd card revealed as a monster card.
"One more card." Flare muttered.
"Next is the final card." Baira spoke. "I draw the third card!" They held their breaths for a moment as Baira checked her card to reveal a spell card. "No trap cards." She answered.
"Alright!" Blue Angel smiled.
"Thank god." Flare sighed, relieved.
"Looks like there's still hope." Sparks grinned.
Yusaku managed to sneak in the apartment of Kyoko Taiki with help from Kusanagi and Ai. Quietly checking rooms before reaching one room to see a computer room with many screens. Kyoko sitting in the chair still logged in VRAINS.
"Bingo!" Ai said.
"Kusanagi-san, she's currently logged into Link VRAINS." Yusaku reported, pressing on his earpiece. "She's the Knight of Hanoi dueling Blue Angel."
"I knew it." Kusanagi remarked. Yusaku took a step, then noticed a framed picture on Kyoko's desk he looked and saw her smiling together with a slightly younger Miho and Rai; both smiling in the picture.
"Eh?! Those two know her too?!" Ai spoke in shock, seeing the photo.
"Seems so." Yusaku remarked nonchalantly.
"What is up with those dragons knowing members of the Knights of Hanoi?! Makes me think they're members too." Ai muttered lowly.
"If they really were members of Hanoi, they would have dueled me the moment we met." Yusaku replied.
"I guess that's true." Ai remarked lightly. "But you gotta admit, the fact that they seem to know these guys is pretty weird and suspicious."
Flare and Sparks watched as Blue Angel Summoned her Link 4 ace, Trickstar Bella Madonna, using Mandrake's effect to destroy Dark Mummy Infuser and Bella Madonna's effect to deal Baira damage.
"With this, once Blue Angel attacks she'll win." Sparks said.
"Go for it Blue Angel!" Flare yelled.
How could this happen?! Baira thought, thinking of the course of the duel. Is it because she didn't lose hope? Her desire to keep fighting has created a miracle.
"Battle! Trickstar Bella Madonna, attack Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps!" Blue Angel yelled. "Shining Espoir!"
This is the power of believing! Baira thought, watching the blast come to attack.
Then Flare and Sparks noticed Baira formed a keyboard of sorts; typing quickly before it disappeared, and she was hit by the after-effect of the attack; sending her flying as her LP dropped to 0.
"Excellent! Blue Angel made a huge comeback with only 100 LP!" The MC yelled. Baira allowed herself to fall before she felt someone catch her. She looked up surprised to see Flare who had caught her as Flare flew to a building landing on top of it and setting Baira down.
"Flare you." Baira began. Flare was only silent as Sparks and Blue Angel flew over to stand with them on the building.
"So you're back then Blue Angel." Flare remarked.
"No. All I did was defeat her to get my revenge." Blue Angel said, motioning to Baira as she said this. "I was only fighting for myself and so Blue Angel is back only for today." Flare gave a light hum at that as Baira smiled, taking off her mask. "Blue Angel look up at the sky." She said. "You too Flare, Sparks." The three looked up to see gold lights raining down on Link VRAINS.
"This is." Sparks began, touching one of the lights.
"The removal program?" Flare said, shocked.
"But why?" Blue Angel questioned.
"You changed my heart." Baira smiled, making Blue Angel look at her surprised. "You may have fought for yourself, but that can change those around you. If you carry the hopes of others, you're fighting for everyone."
"For everyone?" Blue Angel asked.
I used to be like that. Baira thought, thinking back. When I was young, I believed in my potential and ran without fear. I immersed myself in my research to build a better world and a brighter future… I wonder when I changed… Baira glanced to face Flare and Sparks, who looked at her, not speaking a word.
"I know you two will never be able to forgive me for being a part of this, but I still wish to say, I am sorry." She said. With that, Baira left. Flare clutched her hand tightly while Sparks gave a deep frown.
Yusaku, Ai, and Kusanagi watched the screen before Kusanagi spoke. "Alright when she wakes up, let's ask her about the Knights of Hanoi." He said.
"Then let's tie her up!" Ai voiced.
"Something's wrong." Yusaku suddenly frowned. "She's not in Link VRAINS, but she hasn't logged out."
"What's going on?" Ai questioned. Then there was an image on one of the screens.
"Yusaku look." Kusanagi said. They looked at the screen to see Revolver with Beelzebub. Beelzebub pointed his gun forward but Revolver shook his head at him and reached causing the screen to go black.
"The Hanoi purged her?" Kusanagi questioned.
"She knew this would happen if she released the program, but she accepted the consequences." Yusaku frowned.
"She felt guilty." Kusanagi concluded.
"Felt guilty?" Ai questioned, confused.
"You don't need to understand." Yusaku told him.
"I'll call an ambulance." Kusanagi said, standing and leaving.
Beelzebub sighed, standing with Revolver, looking at the still bodies of Genome and Baira.
"Well this is just lovely. Two of them down and the Another virus is down." Beelzebub remarked. "Things are getting more difficult. You know that right?"
"Yeah." Revolver replied.
"I talked with Faust, and he said that we would deal with Flare and Sparks." Beelzebub added.
"Very well." Revolver spoke. "Besides, those 2 have been causing problems for us for longer than Playmaker has."
"Your old man's fault for having to kidnap her few years too early." Beelzebub scowled. "He should've realized those two wouldn't stand for it, and now look where we're at."
"I know." Revolver retorted. "Which means we have to work quicker than ever before."
"And how long have I been telling you people that?" Beelzebub snapped.
"Yeah yeah; I know!" Revolver shot back.
"Are you two arguing again?" They turned to see the girl, who bore a stern scowl on her face, hands on her hips. "Honestly, this is the fourth time this week." She sighed.
"Not my fault he's insufferable." Beelzebub scoffed. "And shouldn't you be resting? You'll need all the rest you can get before the operation begins." Revolver glared at Beelzebub regarding the comment about him being insufferable, but then his glare faded and turned into that of concern.
"Don't worry; I'll be fine. Spectre made sure I had plenty of rest." She assured. She walked to where Baira and Genome laid, a sad look on her face as she took their hands in hers. "Both gone...I can't believe it…" She whispered sadly.
"Genome defeated by Go Onizuka and Baira defeated by Blue Angel." Revolver frowned.
"And if Faust isn't careful, he'll be next by either those two or Playmaker." Beelzebub scowled. "Time is running out."
"... I'll talk with Uncle on speeding up the process." She said. The two looked at her shocked. "Woah! Let's not go crazy now. Just the simple process causes a strain on you. If things go too far." Beelzebub began.
"Don't worry; I can take it. Everything has been riding up to this point." She said, turning to face them. "It's now time we try to get it underway." She then gave a confident smile. "Don't worry. My body can handle it. I have after all these years. So, no worries."
"With you, we can't help but worry." Beelzebub frowned. "Right, Revolver?" Revolver glanced at Beelzebub and nodded.
"That's right." He replied.
"Honestly when it's me, then you two can agree." She sighed. "Well I'm going to find Uncle. No fighting you two." And with that, she walked off as they watched her.
"She's hurting inside, yet hides it for our sake." Beelzebub sighed. "Not just her, no doubt Miho and Rai are hurting as well. This must end soon Revolver. I hope you know this."
"I know." Revolver remarked.
"Then I'm leaving. And fair warning Miho might be emotional if you call her." Beelzebub warned, as he left.
Aurasoul still hugging Ai: And that's that.
Miho: You're not letting him go are you?
Aurasoul: Nope so everyone please read and review.
