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 and I don't own Vrains just my OCs.

Yukiko: So who is Takeru going to be set up with here?

Aurasoul: I am glad you asked Yukiko for it will be shown in this chapter! So please enjoy everyone!


Chapter 17

Miho walked to the park, looking around to see the gazebo. She walked to it, seeing Aoi, Glacies, and a pretty woman there.

"Hey Aoi, Glacies." She called. Both sisters looked up and took notice of Miho. Glacies waved to her while Aoi gestured to Miho to come to them. Miho walked over to them, facing the woman.

"Hello. I'm Miho Tokufuji." She spoke. The pink-haired woman with pink eyes averted her attention from the 2 Zaizens to Miho.

"Emma Bessho." She replied coolly. She paused for a moment, then added. "So, you're Flare Dragon from VRAINS, eh?"

"Haha. As expected from you Ghost Girl." Miho smirked.

"My my!" Emma grinned. "No wonder Aoi and Glacies speak so highly of you. Your hacking skills are impressive. As for how I knew you were Flare Dragon, Glacies told me."

"Seriously?" Miho deadpanned at Glacies.

"I couldn't help it, ok?" Glacies laughed lightly.

"Ah whatever. I don't mind. After all, I do technically owe Ghost Girl for helping us out on the info for the tower, so I don't mind her knowing." Miho smiled lightly. "Plus Sparks trusts her. That's enough for me."

"And that's good enough for me as well." Emma added.

"So you girls were called here by boss, right?" Miho asked them.

"If you mean Nii-san, then yes." Glacies replied.

"Got any reason why? He didn't tell me much when he told me." Miho replied.

"Nii-san wants us to obtain the Ignis before SOL does." Aoi remarked. "That's all I know."

"And I'm here to help these 2 wonderful sisters of Akira out in this endeavor." Emma added.

"That's right." They looked to see Akira walking to them. "Thank you for waiting." He told them.

"Why the interest on the Ignis boss?" Miho frowned suspiciously. Akira turned to Miho and frowned for a moment.

"I think you know why, Miho." Akira spoke. "I cannot allow SOL's higher-ups to get the Ignis. I want to see if it's possible that the Ignis will see reason and not think all humans are bad. Ai and the Fire Ignis believe there's a possibility for co-existence. So if we manage to find the others, us as a group can discuss the topic peacefully." He paused, then added. "Hopefully."

"Flame." Miho replied. "The Fire Ignis goes by Flame."

"Is that so?" Akira wondered aloud. "Well regardless, we have 2 Ignis on our side on this matter."

"So you want your sisters and Emma here to confront Ai and Flame?" Miho questioned.

"Not just them." Akira started. "But all the Ignis. If we manage to find the others."

"And you want me to support?" Miho questioned.

"I do not want you in VRAINS for support." Akira told her sternly. "Queen is already slowly figuring out what I'm planning. If she finds out everything, me, my 2 sisters, you Miho, along with your siblings, and Touma, will be in danger." He put a hand to his face. "All because of my actions…"

"Oi! Don't think it's on you." Miho scowled before she sighed. "She's had suspicion on me for a long while."

"If you're talking about Queen, ugh." Emma groaned with disgust. "Hate that woman. Sure she gives me good money if I take her job offers, but I do not like her at all. She's less trustworthy than I am. I remember one job I took from her, she only paid me a 3rd of the amount that she offered to me. Dishonorable woman she is."

"Well I don't know about that." Miho sweatdropped before frowning. "But I can understand what you mean. I've known her since I was young and she always gave me shudders."

"That just proves my point Miho." Emma frowned deeply.

"Can we please stop talking about her?" Akira frowned deeply. "I may not like her, but she's still my boss. I can't be badmouthing her behind her back. If I get caught doing so, adios to my job."

"Hey she's my boss too, but I'm not hesitating." Miho shrugged.

"You've known her that long Miho?" Aoi frowned.

"She's… A family acquaintance. She knew my parents before they died." Miho shrugged.

Well, I hope I never meet her in person." Glacies frowned deeply before her lips formed a small smile. "But enough about that crap, let's go into VRAINS and find the other 4 Ignis! Right Aoi?"

"Right." Aoi nodded.

"If you say so. But remember about the Bounty Hunters." Miho frowned.

"Relax. We will be fine." Glacies's smile didn't falter. "I know Blood Shepherd, he's persistent, but not a big deal. I'll deal with him if I have to."

"How do you-You know what, not even gonna ask." Emma spoke.

"Yeah it's best not. I learned that the hard way." Miho smirked. "Now come on boss, we don't want Hayami to get on our cases."

"Right." Akira sighed. "Emma, take care of them while you're in VRAINS. Alright?"

"Of course." Emma replied. "But you owe me triple the usual amount this time."

"How expensive." Miho laughed.

"...Fine." Akira deadpanned. "Expect the money in your account by the end of this week."

"I should hope so." Emma winked, then added. "Otherwise, these 2 get it." Gestures to Aoi and Glacies. Akira didn't say anything, and Emma laughed. "I'm kidding silly! I would never harm your sisters."

"Yeah. Otherwise you'll have a hellhound and three dragons on your tail." Miho smirked.


Playmaker, Soulburner, and Shard flew down the tower within LINK VRAINS heading for the locked restricted area using the debris to hide from surveillance cameras.

"So far so good." Shard muttered, pressing on her earpiece. "Can you guys hear me? Touma, Rai, Kusanagi-san?"

"Loud and clear." Kusanagi assured.

"Stable here too." Rai replied.

"Fine on all ends." Touma spoke.

"And I'm transmitting to them so they'll see what I see." Ai replied.

"Good so we're all set." Shard smiled.

*Flashback*

"So long as the restriction is there we won't be able to cross to where Bohman got away." Kusanagi said, showing them the map.

"So then how can we make it across?" Takeru questioned.

"Well there is one way." Rai began.

"I swear Rai." Touma scowled, both him and Rai on the screen of the computer to communicate.

"Using my program?" Yukiko guessed her brother's idea.

"Yeah. Your Hollow Program should be able to neutralize the restriction so long as you have enough control over it to not delete it." Rai said.

"Piece of cake." Yukiko assured with a grin.

"You kids…" Touma muttered.

"Hollow Program?" Flame questioned.

"Yeah, Yukiko has a special deletion program on he. It can delete just about anything." Ai told his fellow Ignis.

"Can you manage it Yukiko?" Yusaku questioned.

"Of course." Shard nodded.

"The hospital did gave you a clean bill, but make sure not to be reckless." Touma warned her.

"No problem. I'll get us through." Yukiko promised.

*End of flashback*

Shard flew forward to the restriction area, taking a deep breath; putting out her hand as it glowed her eyes empty. Concentrate on one point. Focus. And then!

She launched a single beam of ice, piercing the red wall as it began to slowly freeze and crack before glowing blue.

"Let's go!" She told them.

"Right!" Soulburner called. Playmaker nodded as they swiftly flew through the blue space with ease Shard turn to see the wall become red once again making her sigh in relief.

"We went through!" Ai cheered.

"That was amazing Shard." Soulburner grinned.

"I agree." Playmaker nodded. Shard smiled playfully, courtesy.

"Pleased to be of service." She grinned. "Now let's hurry on to the gate."

"Right." Playmaker nodded, a small smile on his lips.


They then quickly flew onward, making few turns by the instructions of Kusanagi and the rest to them reached an empty cyberspace.

"What is this place?" Ai gasped.

"Empty cyberspace? No wait." Shard frowned, looking ahead. "I see a light I think it's an opening."

"That must be the gate." Flame remarked. They flew straight in to be suddenly hit by a fierce gust of wind.

"Aah!" Shard shrieked.

"You alright Shard?!" Playmaker called out to her over the loudness of the wind.
"Yeah! I'm fine Playmaker!" Shard assured.

"These winds are dangerous!" Ai yelled.

"Are you scared?" Flame wondered.

"I'm fine!" Ai snapped.

"Either way, you 3 must stay focused. You'll be hurt if you crash into those cliffs." Flame warned.

"Thanks." Soulburner told his Ignis partner.

"Even so, these winds are very strong." Shard frowned.

"It's only a matter of time till we fall!" Ai agreed. "Flame it's up to us!"

"Seems so. Shard please get behind of Playmaker!" Flame called.

"Eh?" Shard spoke, surprised, but nodded. "Ok." Shard moved to fly behind Playmaker as Ai and Flame quickly formed the Data Storm to block the winds.

"Using the Data Storm to negate the winds." Playmaker remarked.

"And so long as Shard stays close behind us, she'll be safe too." Ai added.

"Good idea you 2." Shard smiled.

"Well I can't have Playmaker's girlfriend get hurt~" Ai teased.

"Ai!" Shard shrieked, blushing.

Soon they made it out of the winds to see a temple above within the cliffs. "What is that?" Soulburner wondered.

"A temple?" Shard questioned. They flew up to it before landing on the ground as they looked up.

"It's quiet." Soulburner remarked.

"Yeah. Too quiet." Playmaker agreed as they walked up the stairs. They walked to reach the forest like part before Playmaker looked up.

"Someone's here!" He spoke. Then appearing from out of the trees was a large one eyed monster that roared, causing Ai to scream in panic as the other gasped, shocked.

"That monster!" Flame gasped. "The monster that destroyed Cyberse World!"

"That thing?!" Ai yelled. The monster then began to glow looking about to attack. Playmaker shielding Shard until they suddenly heard laughter.

"Hahaha! I tricked you! I'm so happy!" They grew wide eyed to see a laughing green Ignis flying down in front of the monster to their shock.

"You're ok?!" Ai gaped, shocked.

"Yeah." The Ignis replied.

"Ai, is that your friend?" Playmaker questioned.

"It's the Wind Ignis." Ai told him.

"The Wind Ignis?" Shard blinked, surprised.

"That's me." The green colored Ignis responded. "Echo, you can come back." The monster disappeared into data before becoming an avatar, which the Wind Ignis floated to. "Well? Was my Ignis joke funny?"

"You went too far!" Ai scolded.

"And shouldn't you be looking for your Lost Incident partner?" Flame added.

"Why should I be?" The Wind Ignis scowled. "I have no reason to do so. I can't trust humans like you can. Especially when the one who nearly deleted us is right here." Shard flinched at the statement, looking down; feeling guilty. The Wind Ignis took notice of her flinch, and deep down, he was smiling. But it couldn't be shown due to Ignis's not having mouths. "Didn't like that being brought up, huh."

"Eh? What is he talking about?" Soulburner questioned.

"I'll tell you human." The Wind Ignis remarked. "While you were enjoying yourself after the Lost Incident, this girl was helping the ones aiming to destroy us! How low!" Shard flinched again, while Soulburner and Flame looked shocked by this.

"The Knights of Hanoi, right?" Flame inquired.

"Correct." The Wind Ignis replied. "Who in there right mind would help them? They're hypocrites if you ask me. They go out of there way to create us 6 Ignis, then Dr. Kogami feared us, so he aimed to destroy us."

"So he had me be the core of the Tower of Hanoi in order to use my program to delete the Ignis." Shard replied, her voice void of emotion, yet her eyes showed extreme guilt. "He had told me it would be for the sake for humanity to protect it. But I realize that there's a chance he could be wrong after knowing about Ai." She then faced the 3 Ignis.

"I should've realized it sooner. And even if you won't accept, I do want to say I am sorry for being part of the Tower." She apologized with a bow.

"Shard…" Ai blinked, stunned.

"I forgive you." Flame told her. "Sure it's not easy, but I have."

"Humph." The Wind Ignis grunted. "I'll think about forgiving you girl." He then turned his attention back to Ai and Flame. "Say, why don't you 2 forget your Origins and come help me rebuild Cyberse World?"

"Rebuilding Cyberse World is a top priority, but also to find the culprits who had destroyed it in the first place." Flame replied.

"Yeah. We met this person named Bohman who used the same card that was involved in the destruction of Cyberse World." Ai said.

"He is also the one who stole my aquaintence's brother's consciousness data." Playmaker chimed in.

"Humph." The Wind Ignis grunted. "So that's what you're trying to find out, eh? Well, he did pass through here awhile ago. But I dunno where he went exactly."

"How far does your world go out, Wind Ignis?" Shard questioned, before she frowned. "And is there a name we can call you? Calling you Wind Ignis seems like a mouthful."

"Hmm… You humans can't pronounce our real names, and calling us by code ID seems weird too, so…" The Wind Ignis put a hand to his chin in deep thought. Eventually, he snapped his fingers in realization. "How about Windy?"

"Windy?" Ai cocked his head to the side. "Isn't that a little uncreative?"

"Ai, your name is from a pun; you can't talk." Shard sighed.

"How did you know?!" Ai yelped.

"Flare and Sparks told me." Shard replied.

"It doesn't matter." Playmaker remarked as he turned back to Windy. "So, will you help us?"

"Fine." Windy sighed. "But! You have to do something for me first."

"Do something for you?" Soulburner questioned.

"Yeah." Windy remarked as he snapped his fingers. Upon doing so, a monitor appeared, showing Ghost Girl, Blue Girl, and Ice Queen riding through the area. "I need those 3 kicked out of here before I tell you anything." He paused, then turned to Shard and added coldly. "Thanks for that by the way. It'll take who knows how to put that wall back up. And who knows who else will enter here." Shard flinched again, clutching her arm tightly.

"Leave her alone Windy. We didn't know we were followed." Ai scowled.

"Just kick them out please?" Windy scoffed. "I'll lower the wind speed for you so you can get to them without being blown everywhere."

"We're on good terms with them, so we can talk with them." Playmaker nodded.


The 3 walked before jumping on their D-Boards and flew.

"Hey Shard, sorry about Windy." Ai began.

"Nothing to apologize over." Shard cut him off, eyes forward. "After all, the Ignis have every right to hate me, or at the very least, be suspicious of me considering I was part of the Tower of Hanoi. No matter what I do, that fact won't ever change. I know that."

"Shard…" Playmaker frowned.

"I see them up ahead, let's go." Shard voiced, speeding forward. Playmaker and Soulburner glanced at each other, then followed Shard. Soon they caught up to the 3 as they looked to see them.

"Long time no see Playmaker." Blue Girl smiled.

"Long time no see?" Playmaker questioned.

"I owe you for the Tower of Hanoi, but I'll pay you back someday." Blue Girl replied.

"No way! Blue Angel?!" Playmaker replied, surprised.

"You changed your avatar." Ai remarked, surprised.

"Hello again Ice Queen." Shard smiled.

"Hello Shard, Playmaker, Soulburner." Ice Queen greeted the 3 with a smile in return.

"And you must be Ghost Girl." Shard remarked, looking at the other woman. "Sparks has told me a lot about you."

"Oh has he?" Ghost Girl grinned. "I should hope it's good things."

"Very good." Shard assured with a giggle. "So what brings you 3 here?"

"For the Ignis." Blue Girl replied.

"Sorry to say." Ghost Girl admitted.

"So SOL Technologies are after the Ignis." Soulburner frowned.

"Sadly." Ice Queen spoke.

"Which is why we will defeat you 2!" Blue Girl pointed her right index finger at Playmaker, then at Soulburner.

"Aoi wait!" Ice Queen told her sister. "While that is true, we don't know Soulburner's full strength yet. Playmaker's we have a very good idea on, but even he's too strong."
"Are you saying that I can't handle this?!" Blue Girl snapped.

"N-No, it's just-" Ice Queen began.

"Fine. I'll take Shard on instead." Blue Girl interjected.

"Guess that means I'm taking on Playmaker." Ghost lightly laughed.

"Which means I'll be taking on Soulburner." Ice Queen added.

"Do we even get a say in this?" Shard sweatdropped.

"Sorry dear, but no." Ghost Girl grinned.

"Guess we have no choice." Ai groaned. "And here I thought we could talk our way through this."

"It was a long shot." Shard sighed, glancing at Soulburner. "Soulburner you think-!" Shard blinked to see Soulburner's face flushed light pink looking at Ice Queen, at once sweatdropping. "Oi! Soulburner!" She called.

"H-Huh?!" Soulburner snapped out of his thoughts. "What is it Shard?"

"I know that look! Don't you start fawning now!" Shard scowled, hands on her hips.

"She is right partner." Flame told Soulburner. "If you fawn over how pretty Ice Queen's avatar is, and perhaps her in real life, you'll lose your focus real fast."

"Sorry!" Soulburner apologized.

"Oooooh! Such a sweet compliment from you Soulburner!" Ice Queen giggled.

"Don't make it worse for the guy." Shard groaned.

"Hey, this is what girls do sometimes." Ice Queen admitted. "But enough chatter! Ready, Soulburner? I shall wash you away in this duel!"

"Oh yeah? Then try it!" Soulburner shot back.

"Well at least he's focused enough." Shard muttered to herself. "I swear he's almost as bad as Ryoken…"

"SPEED DUEL!" Soulburner and Ice Queen declared.

"I'll start Soulburner!" Ice Queen declared as she looked at her hand. "Time to show off my new Deck! I activate the effect of Oceanic Sea Turtle from my hand! By discarding him, I can Special Summon 2 Level 4 or lower Oceanic monsters from either my Deck or Graveyard! There effects are negated and they're destroyed during the End Phase, however." 2 cards ejected out of her Deck and she grabbed them. "Come out! Oceanic Octopus and Oceanic Starfish!" 2 sea creatures came out of a sea-like portal and onto Ice Queen's field. The 8-legged blue-skinned octopus, and the 5-finned blue-skinned starfish. (Oceanic Starfish, attribute: WATER, type: Cyberse, Level 4, ATK/DEF: 1050/2100. Oceanic Octopus, attribute: WATER, type: Cyberse, Level 4, ATK/DEF: 1600/1400. Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"Ehh? Oceanic?" Ai gaped in surprise. "What happened to your Polagerie Deck?"

"I put it in a safe Ai." Ice Queen replied. "That WATER Cyberse Deck is quite powerful, but it represents my past." She clenched her right hand into a fist, but it wasn't out of anger. It was happiness. "So I created a new WATER Cyberse Deck with my own 2 hands to show my growth from a cold-hearted girl to someone that deeply cares about her friends and family." She laughed, then added. "To be honest, it was Nii-san who came up with the name for this new Deck. I did everything else. The coding for the cards, the effects for them, a brand new skill to correspond with this Deck, you name it."

"But that Deck, it's Cyberse." Flame remarked.

"Yeah. Only an Ignis should be able to make Cyberse cards." Playmaker added. "So how did you-"

"I used the coding from the Polagerie cards as a base to help me make this new Deck." Ice Queen finished. "Anyone can do it if they put the time and effort into it."

"But then aren't you like us?" Soulburner questioned.

"You mean a Lost Incident victim?" Ice Queen inquired before she shrugged. "Who knows? Nii-san might know, but he hasn't told me anything."

"But then how would Shard…?" Flame wondered.

"Yeah." Ai agreed with Flame. "It's odd for certain."

"Wait, you know Shard has a Cyberse Deck?" Flame questioned.

"Duh." Ai remarked. "Or do you not remember teaming up with Shard in her duel against Bit and Boot?"

"But you were with Playmaker chasing after Bohman." Flame pointed out.

"Kusanagi was watching that duel." Ai replied. "He told me and Playmaker."

"And I'm not a Lost Incident child either." Shard voiced.

"We don't know that yet." Flame pointed out as Ice Queen raised her right arm upwards.

"Appear! The circuit of the sea!" Ice Queen declared as a dark blue circuit appeared above her. "Arrowheads confirmed! The Summoning Conditions are 2 WATER monsters! I set my Oceanic Octopus and Starfish into the Link Markers!" Both monsters turned into blue tornadoes that soared into the Left and Bottom Link Markers. "Link Summon! Come out! Link 2 Oceanic Seal!" Out of the circuit came out a shy, yet playful seal. It made somewhat of a chirping sound as it appeared in one of the two Extra Monster Zones. (Oceanic Seal, attribute: WATER, type: Cyberse/Link, Link Rating: 2, Link Arrows: B/L, ATK: 2000. Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"Oceanic Seal and Starfish's effects activate!" Ice Queen announced. "First Starfish's effect! Since it was used as Material for the Summon of a WATER Extra Deck monster, I get to draw 2 cards!" She put her right hand on top of her Deck and drew 2 cards. "Now for Seal's effect! Since he was Special Summoned, I can Special Summon 1 WATER monster from either my hand or Deck to a zone he points to!" A card ejected out of her Deck; thus she placed the monster card onto her Duel Disk. "Come out! Oceanic Mermaid!" The female fish-humanoid sea creature appeared in Oceanic Seal's Bottom Link Marker pointed Zone. (Oceanic Mermaid, attribute: WATER, type: Cyberse, Level 4, ATK/DEF: 1500/1000. Ice Queen's hand: 5 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"Now if she wants to, she can go for a Link 3." Shard remarked.

"That's precisely what I'm gonna do Shard!" Ice Queen grinned as she raised her right arm upwards. "Appear for the 2nd time! The circuit of the sea!" The circuit appeared again. "Arrowheads confirmed! The Summoning Conditions are at least 2 WATER monsters! I set the Link 2 Oceanic Seal with my Oceanic Mermaid into the Link Markers!" The 2 monsters became blue tornados that soared into the Bottom-Left, Bottom, and Bottom-Right Link Markers!" Link Summon! Rise up! Link 3! Oceanic Manta Ray!" Out of the circuit came forth a blue-skinned manta ray fish. It took Oceanic Seal's place in the Extra Monster Zone. (Oceanic Manta Ray, attribute: WATER, type: Cyberse/Link, Link Rating: 3, Link Arrows: BL/B/BR, ATK: 2500. Ice Queen's hand: 5 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"Now it's a manta ray?!" Ai gaped. Ice Queen raised 2 fingers on her right hand.

"First up is Mermaid's effect!" Ice Queen announced. "Since she was used as Material for the Summon of a WATER Extra Deck monster, I can add 1 Spell/Trap from either my Deck or Graveyard to my hand!" A card ejected out of her Deck and she added it to her hand. "I add Eisbahn from my Deck to my hand. But wait, there's more! Oceanic Seal's additional effect! Since he was sent to the GY, I now choose 3 cards from my Deck. After that, you must choose 1 to add to my hand The other 2 are shuffled back into my Deck." Ice Queen pressed a few buttons on her Duel Disk and her Deck appeared in front of her. After that, she pressed the 3 cards she wanted to show. Once that was done, the screen vanished and she held 3 cards in her hand and turned them around to show to Soulburner. "Now pick a card!"

"Wait that card!" Soulburner gaped.

"Fusion of Water?" Flame remarked, surprised. "It's like our Fusion of Fire!"

"That's not all." Soulburner continued, his eyes twitching in surprise. "Rank-Up-Magic Ice Force, Oceanic Penguin. An Xyz and Synchro oriented cards… But how…?!"

"Fusion, Xyz, and Synchro?!" Shard gasped. "Wait don't tell me she taught you how to Synchro Summon!"

"Who?" Ice Queen cocked her head to the side before she shrugged. "I dunno what you're talking about Shard, but alas, I have Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, and Link Summoning now."

"This could be a problem." Ai remarked.

"No joke." Playmaker agreed.

"No matter which card Soulburner, picks he'll be in trouble." Shard frowned.

"I'll pick Oceanic Penguin." Soulburner spoke.

"Very well." Ice Queen spoke. "With it in my hand, the other 2 are shuffled into my Deck." The other 2 cards vanished, while the 3rd one went to Ice Queen's hand. (Ice Queen's hand: 7 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"Since he chose the Penguin, that means he'll have to deal with a Synchro…" Ai gulped.

"Which means he'll have to be careful on his turn." Shard nodded.

"Since I haven't Normal Summoned yet, I shall Normal Summon Oceanic Penguin to my field!" Ice Queen continued. A blue and white-skinned penguin appeared onto Ice Queen's field in 1 of the 3 Zones Oceanic Manta Ray pointed to. (Oceanic Penguin, attribute: WATER, type: Cyberse/Tuner, Level 2, ATK/DEF: 1200/1000. Ice Queen's hand: 6 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) After the penguin appeared, Ice Queen gestured to it.

"Oceanic Penguin effect!" Ice Queen announced. "Upon his Summon, I can Special Summon 1 Oceanic Main Deck monster from my Graveyard. After that, I declare a Level between 2 and 8. Once I do, the Special Summoned monster's Level becomes that declared Level." She pulled a card from her Graveyard and placed it back onto her duel disk. "Return, Oceanic Starfish!" The blue starfish reappeared onto her field. "As for its Level, I declare Level 6!" The Level of Oceanic Starfish rose by 2; thus putting it at Level 6.

"With that, the added Levels is now 8." Shard frowned. After Shard spoke, Ice Queen spread her arms out; the lines on her avatar glowed green.

"I tune my Level 2 Oceanic Penguin with my now Level 6 Oceanic Starfish!" Ice Queen announced. As soon as she did, her 2 monsters turned into blue data. 8 rings appeared in place of the 2 monsters, along their respective Levels appearing side by side before combining into Level 8. "Great whale slumbering in the abyss, awaken in the deep between life and death! Synchro Summon! Rise from the depths of the ocean! Level 8! White Aura Whale!" A small sized ocean appeared in front of Ice Queen. Leaping out of it was the White Aura Whale. (White Aura Whale, Level 8 WATER Fish-type Synchro monster, ATK/DEF: 2800/2000. Ice Queen's hand: 6 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"It's huge!" Ai yelped.

"Yeah." Playmaker nodded.

"I place 3 cards face-down and end my turn." Ice Queen concluded. (Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) "Your turn now Soulburner. But remember, any monster you Summon will instantly lose 800 ATK because White Aura Whale is linked to Oceanic Manta Ray."

"Which won't be good for him." Ai groaned.

"My turn! Draw!" Soulburner declared as he drew his card. (Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 5 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) Soulburner looked at his hand and smiled. "Yus! I activate Heavy Storm! Say goodbye to your 3 set cards!" Ice Queen watched as her 3 set cards flipped face-up before they shattered.

"Knew she'd set Eisbahn." Flame noted. "Now that her backrow is gone, you have a clear shot for her monsters and LP."

"Right partner." Soulburner nodded as he grabbed another card from his hand. "I Summon Salamangreat Foxy!" The flaming and blue-furred fox appeared onto Soulburner's field. (Salamangreat Foxy, Level 3 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 200/400 (originally 1000/1200). Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"Foxy effect!" Soulburner continued. "Due to its effect, I can look at the top 3 cards of my Deck. If there's a Salamangreat card among the 3, I can add it to my hand, while the other 2 are shuffled into my Deck."
'Then go ahead." Ice Queen beckoned.

"I will." Soulburner spoke as he grabbed the top 3 cards of his Deck. He chose one, then put the other 2 back into his Deck, which autoshuffled. Immediately afterwards, he revealed the card he picked. "I activate Salamangreat Meer's effect in my hand! Since it was added to my outside of the Draw Phase, I can Special Summon it!" The flaming meerkat appeared next to Foxy. (Salamangreat Meer, Level 2 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 0 (originally 800/600). Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) After that, Soulburner raised his right arm upward. "Appear! The circuit that changes the future!" The dark blue circuit appeared. "The Summoning Condition is 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster! Link Summon! Come out! Link 1! Salamangreat Babelynx!" Out of the circuit came forth the baby lynx. (Salamangreat Babelynx, attribute: FIRE, type: Cyberse/Link, Link Rating: 1, Link Arrow: B, ATK: 0 (originally 500). Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 3 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"And with Babelynx, he can add his Field Spell to his hand." Shard smiled.

"That's true Shard, but before I do that, I Special Summon Salamangreat Fowl from my hand because a Salamangreat monster was Summoned." Soulburner announced as he placed the monster card onto his duel disk. (Salamangreat Fowl, Level 4 FIRE Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1000/0. (originally 1800/200.) "Now I shall add my Field Spell to my hand!" A card ejected out of his Deck; thus he added it to his hand.

I could Link away for Sunlight Wolf, then into Heatleo, but I have a better idea. Soulburner thought as he raised his right hand upwards again.

"Appear for the 2nd time! The circuit that changes the future!" Soulburner declared. "The Summoning Conditions are at least 2 FIRE monsters! I set Fowl, Meer, and my Link 1 Salamangreat Babelynx into the Link Markers!" The Top, Bottom-Left, and Bottom-Right Link Markers flashes red as the 3 monsters went into said Markers. "Link Summon! Appear Link 3! Salamangreat Heatleo!" The flaming lion emerged into the other Extra Monster Zone; roaring. (Salamangreat Heatleo, attribute: FIRE, type: Cyberse/Link, Link Rating: 3, Link Arrows; T/BL/BR, ATK: 1500 (originally 2300). Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 4 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"Salamangreat Heatleo…" Ice Queen spoke softly as she read its card text. "I see your plan now. You plan to activate your Field Spell, then Reincarnation Link Summon into a 2nd Heatleo. Then you'll use the Reincarnated Heatleo's effect to make one of my monster's ATK 500."

"She read right through us." Flame frowned.

"I know." Soulburner nodded. "But it's fine. She has no set cards to stop us from attacking. Which means I'll activate Salamangreat Sanctuary and Reincarnation Link Summon!" Heatleo soared into the circular portal that was created via the Field Spell. "Be reborn, Salamangreat Heatleo!" The flaming lion cyberse monster emerged onto the field.

"Reincarnation Link Summon…!" Shard gasped, awed.

"Amazing." Playmaker noted.

"That's Flame for ya!" Ai grinned.

"Now I'm gonna play a new card." Soulburner continued. "I activate Fusion of Fire!"

"Now he's Fusion Summoning?!" Ai gaped.

"Fusion of Fire huh?" Ice Queen mused. "So you're gonna dial up the temperature of this duel, aren't you?"
"You bet!" Soulburner grinned.

"Oh, feel free to do that, Soulburner." Ice Queen winked at him, much to Shard and Playmaker's surprise.

"Did he not realize she was flirting just now?" Shard muttered with a sweatdrop.

"I guess not." Playmaker added, sweatdropping as well.

"I fuse your Oceanic Manta Ray on the field with Salamangreat Jack Jaguar in my hand!" Soulburner grinned. At this, Ice Queen was officially taken by surprise.

"Wh-What?!" Ice Queen gasped.

"Great! This way his monsters won't lose any ATK power." Shard grinned.

"And Ice Queen will be down a monster!" Ai added. The 2 monster swirled into blue and red cyber data that formed a portal.

"The origin of a crazy soul! The magical beast whose flesh gathers the weapons of evil beasts! Show yourself! Level 8! Salamangreat Violet Chimera!" The violet-skinned chimera appeared in the Bottom-Right Link Marker zone that Heatleo pointed to. (Salamangreat Heatleo, Level 8 FIRE Cyberse-type Fusion monster, ATK/DEF: 4950 (originally 2800)/2000. Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 4000. Soulburner's hand: 1 card. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"A Fusion monster with 4950 ATK due to its own effect…" Ice Queen spoke softly. "Simply amazing…"

"That's incredible!" Shard gasped.

"With that Fusion monster, Soulburner can defeat Ice Queen this turn." Playmaker spoke as he read Violet Chimera's card text via his duel disk.

"Yus!" Ai pumped his fist. "Ekay, Soulburner!"

"I activate Salamangreat Spinny's effect in my hand!" Soulburner announced. "By discarding him, I can increase the ATK of 1 monster on the field by 500! I choose Heatleo!" Heatleo glowed red as his ATK rose to 2800. "But that's not all! Now I use Heatleo's Reincarnation Link effect! By targeting Babelynx, your White Aura Whale's ATK becomes the same as Babelnyx's! In this case, 500! Flame Possession!" A fire tornado overtook the whale and reduced its ATK to 500. After that, Soulburner thrusted his right hand forward. "Battle! Salamangreat Violet Chimera, attack White Aura Whale!" The chimera charged towards the whale after unleashing a sort of battle cry. "Violet Chimera's effect! Since it's battling a monster with ATK different from its original ATK, Violet Chimera's ATK doubles!" Violet Chimera roared as he glowed red; thus his ATK rose from 4950 to 9900. Ice Queen gasped at the sight of the ATK value, as did Blue Girl.

"9900 ATK points?!" Both Ice Queen and Blue Girl cried out in utter shock.

"Ice Queen!" Ghost Girl called out to her as an explosion overtook her side of the field.

"Did that do it?!" Shard gasped. A few moments of silence. However, as the smoke began to clear, they could hear chuckling through the smoke. Soon after, the smoke cleared to reveal Ice Queen unharmed; her 4000 LP had not dropped at all.

"What?!" Soulburner gaped. "But how?! You should have 9400 points of damage!"

"Should have." Ice Queen remarked coolly. "But I'd suggest you'd take a close look at your monster."

"Huh? What do you-?" Soulburner began as he turned around. As soon as he did, he gasped. "What happened to my Violet Chimera?! It has 0 ATK and DEF!"

"Yes it does!" Ice Queen grinned. "All thanks to my Oceanic Octopus! Not only did he reduce your monster's ATK/DEF to 0, he also negated Violet Chimera's attack earlier."

"Tch….!" Soulburner grunted. "No matter! Salamangreat Heatleo, attack White Aura Whale!" The flaming lion unleashed a barrage of fire at the whale. The whale cried out as it evaporated into steam. Ice Queen grunted as her D-Board went upwards. Her avatar fizzled blue as she took the damage. (Ice Queen's LP: 4000 - 2300 = 1700. Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 1700. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"Yus!" Ai grinned. "Now she has no monsters to-" He paused as he saw the smoke clear. Ice Queen was smiling, and her Whale was back at full power of 2800. "-defend her… What?!"

"I banished a WATER monster from my Graveyard to revive my White Aura Whale Ai." Ice Queen explained. "Specifically my Oceanic Penguin. And because I have, my Whale revives and is treated as a Tuner monster."

"Now her Whale is a Tuner too?!" Shard gasped.

"Ugh! I have no choice but to end my turn." Soulburner grunted.

"I must say Soulburner, that last attack was burning." Ice Queen grinned. "It's just too bad you won't be able to steam me! My turn, draw!" (Ice Queen's hand: 4 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 1700. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.) Ice Queen looked at the card she drew and she smiled. "Oooh! Lucky me! I just drew 1 of the cards I showed you on my last turn."

"And what card would that be?" Soulburner questioned.

"So it's either her Rank-Up-Magic Ice Force, or Fusion of Water." Flame remembered.

"How perceptive of you Flame." Ice Queen remarked.

"And both can be bad news for Soulburner." Ai gulped.

"Yeah." Playmaker agreed with a frown.

"I Normal Summon Oceanic Seahorse!" Ice Queen announced. A yellow-skinned seahorse appeared onto Ice Queen's field. (Oceanic Seahorse, attribute: WATER, type: Cyberse, Level 4, ATK/DEF: 1800/1200. Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 1700. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"Oceanic Seahorse effect!" Ice Queen declared. "Upon its Summon, I can Special Summon 1 Oceanic monster from either my hand or Graveyard. I choose to revive my Sea Turtle!" The sea turtle appeared next to the Seahorse. (Oceanic Sea Turtle, attribute: WATER, type: Cyberse, Level 4, ATK/DEF: 1500/1800. Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 1700. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"2 Level 4 monsters! Which means…!" Shard gasped.

"An Xyz Summon…!" Playmaker noted, surprised. Ice Queen raised her right arm upwards.

"I overlay my Level 4 Oceanic Seahorse and Oceanic Sea Turtle!" Ice Queen announced. Ice Queen's avatar glowed purple as a galactic portal opened up and sucked her 2 monsters into it. "Witch of the deep sea rise and unleash your spells of the abyss! Xyz Summon! Appear Rank 4! Oceanic Witch!" Out of the watery galactic portal came forth the sea tunic-dressed witch. (Oceanic Witch, attribute: WATER, type: Cyberse/Xyz, Rank 4, ATK/DEF: 2000/2200. Xyz Materials: 2. Ice Queen's hand: 3 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 1700. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"She Xyz Summoned, which means the next card she'll play is!" Ai panicked.

"Her Rank-Up-Magic Spell." Playmaker frowned deeply.

"Correct Playmaker and Ai!" Ice Queen grinned as she inserted the card into her duel disk. "With the power of Rank-Up-Magic Ice Force, I shall rank up my Witch by 2 Ranks! I rebuild the Overlay Network with Rank 4 Oceanic Witch!"

"If it's 2 Ranks, then a Rank 6 is coming!" Shard gasped.

"Right you are Shard!" Ice Queen grinned as the monster and her Xyz Materials went into the new galactic portal. "Clad in armor of the sea elegant warrior dance across the battlefield! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Arise Rank 6! Oceanic Valkyrie!" The ocean armored cyberse-looking fairy monster appeared onto Ice Queen's field in the zone Heatleo pointed to. (Oceanic Valkyrie, attribute: WATER, type: Cyberse/Xyz, Rank 6, ATK/DEF: 2800/2400. Xyz Materials: 3. Ice Queen's hand: 2 cards. Ice Queen's LP: 1700. Soulburner's hand: 0 cards. Soulburner's LP: 4000.)

"Aaaah! She actually brought out a Rank 6!" Ai gulped. Playmaker remained silent as Ice Queen thrusted her right hand forward and clenched it into a fist.

"Oceanic Valkyrie effect! Upon its Special Summon, it gains ATK equal to the total ATK of all Special Summoned monsters my opponent controls until the End Phase!"

"What?!" Soulburner gaped.

"The Special Summoned monsters on Soulburner's field are Heatleo with 2300 ATK and Violet Chimera whose original ATK was 2800." Shard frowned.

"But due to her Oceanic Octopus, Violet Chimera's ATK is 0." Playmaker pointed out. "So her Valkyrie only gains Heatleo's ATK."

"But that's just enough!" Ice Queen grinned as her Valkyrie made a battle cry-like sound as her ATK rose from 2800 to 5100.

"5100 ATK?! If she attacks the 0 ATK Violet Chimera!" Ai began.

"Soulburner will lose." Shard frowned.

"Dammit…!" Soulburner cursed. "Did she really think this far ahead? Or was I too blind to see her strategy?..."

"Battle!" Ice Queen declared. "Oceanic Valkyrie, attack the 0 ATK Salamangreat Violet Chimera!" The Valkyrie twirled her staff before launching an ice beam attack at the chimera. The beam connected; thus freezing Violet Chimera before he shattered into millions of ice-fire particles. The shockwave of the attack launched Soulburner flying backwards. Luckily, he did not slam into a rock wall. But his cursing in anger could be heard as he went flying backwards. (Soulburner's LP: 4000 - 5100 = 0.)

"Soulburner!" Shard gasped, flying to him. "Are you alright?!"

"Dammit Dammit Dammit!" Soulburner growled angrily. "I lost!" He looked up to see Ice Queen on her D-Board above him. "What do you want?! Gonna gloat?!"

"Gloat? Me?" Ice Queen repeated. "No. I have no reason to. But you do remember our deal, yes?"

"Flame!" Ai yelled.

"No!" Soulburner clutched his duel disk. "I won't let you take Flame!"

"So you'd rather be dishonorable by not fulfilling a deal?" Ice Queen raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised at you, Soulburner." She raised her right hand up and stretched it out towards Soulburner's duel disk. "If you're worried about harm coming to Flame, I give you my word that nothing, and I mean nothing, will harm Flame." Shard glanced at Soulburner, slowly flying to him and gently touching his shoulder.

"She's telling the truth Soulburner. You can trust her. You and Flame." Shard told him gently. Soulburner humphed, then removed his hand from his duel disk to reveal Flame coming out of it.

"You have to honor your word Soulburner." Flame scolded gently. "And I trust Shard's and Ice Queen's words."

"Fine…." Soulburner spoke reluctantly. Ice Queen nodded, then her right hand began to glow a bright blue, as did Flame. He began to turn into reddish-blue particles that soared into Ice Queen's hand. After that, she put the particles into her duel disk and Flame reformed inside her duel disk.

"Soulburner…" Shard looked at him, a worried expression on her face. Soulburner growled, then looked away.

"Go on without me…" He spoke. "I'm logging out."

"But." She began.

"I said go!" Soulburner snapped. Before Playmaker, Ai, or anyone else present could say anything, Soulburner logged out. Shard winced by the snap, sighing softly. "Shard are you ok?" Ai asked, worried. Shard looked up with a smile.

"I'm fine Ai." She assured, facing Blue Girl. "Alright it's our turn now!"

"Right!" Blue Girl grinned.

"SPEED DUEL!"


Aurasoul: And that's it for this chapter!

Yukiko: So now I'm dueling Blue Girl?

Aurasoul: That's right so please everyone read and review!