Aurasoul: 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.

Shard: Why do you do this to us? Just why?

Aurasoul: Cause I can and cause the writers made Vrains pretty dark from start to finish so enjoy everybody!


Chapter 24

"Resistance is futile." Shard spoke robotically.

"Oh yeah?" Ai retorted. He glanced up at Playmaker before continuing. "Let's go, Playmaker-sama!"

"Right." Playmaker agreed before activating his duel disk. "You want Ai, Shard? Then you have to defeat me in a duel first!"

"Challenge accepted." Shard spoke, looking up. Shard sung out a high note as a Data Storm suddenly began to glow.

"What?!" Soulburner gasped.

"She's using her voice to call a Data Storm!" Flame gasped. At the appearance of the Data Storm, Revolver mentally face-palmed.

"Oh, but of course she uses that skill!" Revolver scowled. "I'm the one who gave that to her when she helped the Knights of Hanoi out with our Tower of Hanoi plan."

"You gave her that skill?!" Flare and Sparks yelled at him.

"Revolver, I swear when we get out of here, I am so gonna let you have it!" Flare hissed.

"In all honesty, I kinda deserve it." Revolver chuckled softly.

"Kinda?" Sparks repeated with a raised eyebrow. Shard jumped as her duel board appeared and got on, riding the Data Storm. "Commence operation." She spoke.

"Playmaker, we leave Shard to you. Get her back!" Flare yelled. Playmaker jumped up and his own duel board appeared; thus he got on it. He glanced down at Flare and nodded.

"I will get her back to normal." Playmaker vowed. They watched Playmaker follow as Flare and Sparks looked at one another.

"We can trust Playmaker to save her." Sparks said.

"Yeah. He is her best friend after all." Flare nodded with a smile. "Besides, we both know he'd do anything for her."

Playmaker caught up with Shard as they rode on the Data Storm. "We gotta be careful Playmaker, her Hollow Spirits are no pushovers and it'll be extra dangerous on the Data Storm." Ai told Playmaker.

"I know." Playmaker remarked.

"Though I am surprised. All this time she was a victim like you, and Aqua's partner at that!" Ai remarked.

"Speaking of Aqua, where is she?" Playmaker wondered. "I would think she'd be with Shard. But if that's true, Aqua too would have been reprogrammed by Lightning."

"Lightning did say Aqua left before what had happened to Cyberse World." Ai spoke thoughtfully. "But if I had to guess, knowing her maybe… She didn't want to go to Shard yet because she doesn't want her to remember the incident."

"Seems reasonable on her part." Playmaker remarked.

"Well we can find Aqua once we save your girlfriend." Ai said determined. At the word "girlfriend" to describe Shard, Playmaker's cheeks turned bright red.

"She's not my girlfriend." Playmaker replied. "She's just a friend."

"That's a girl." Ai grinned. At Ai's response. Playmaker sighed.

"Ok fine! Yes! She's my girlfriend! So what?" Playmaker spoke in exasperation.

"Just wanted you to admit it." Ai remarked deviously.

"I hope you're satisfied now." Playmaker deadpanned.

"Oh I am." Ai grinned.

"What are they arguing about this time?" Sparks questioned, watching the two.

"Knowing Ai, probably teasing Playmaker on his relationship with Shard again." Flare smirked.

"It's time to begin Playmaker." Shard spoke emotionlessly, turning her head to face him.

"Yeah." Playmaker retorted. "And I'll save you, Shard!"

"Save me? I am Lightning-sama's Hollow One and I serve him." Shard retorted, almost robotically. "I shall defeat you and gain the Dark Ignis."

"We'll see about that." Playmaker retorted.

"SPEED DUEL!"

"My turn." Shard spoke. "I activate the Field Spell, Hollow Spiral Tower. Form frozen tower of the Hollow Dragon." A freezing wind blew with the Data Storm, causing Playmaker to almost lose his balance.

"Aaah! She already has her Field Spell!" Ai panicked.

"With this Field Spell, all WATER Attribute monsters gain 400 ATK. And once per turn, I can either banish a Hollow Spirit monster or Special Summon a banished Hollow Spirit monster." Shard explained in her emotionless tone. "I then Normal Summon Hollow Spirit Siren Maiden." In a cold wind, the Cyberse Hollow Spirit monster appeared, opening her empty blue eyes. (Hollow Spirit Siren Maiden, Attribute: Water, Type: Cyberse/Effect, Level: 4, Atk/Def: 2000 (originally: 1600)/1000. Shard's hand: 2 cards.)

"Siren Maiden's effect. When she is Summoned, I can banish a Hollow Spirit card from my hand. I banish Hollow Spirit Shattered Heart." Shard spoke emotionlessly. "Then there is Shattered Heart's effect. When banished, I can Special Summon it in DEF mode." The ice woman with a hole in her chest appeared next to Siren Maiden, opening her hollow eyes. (Hollow Spirit Shattered Heart, Attribute: Water, Types: Cyberse/Effect, Level: 2 Atk/Def: 900 (originally: 500)/1000.)

"She's already got 2 monsters on her field." Ai noted in a worried tone.

"Now open the frozen hollow circuit." Shard spoke, her hands glowing an icy color, forming the circuit. "Arrowheads confirmed. Summoning conditions are two Hollow Spirit monsters. I set Hollow Spirit Siren Maiden and Shattered Heart in the Link Marker." Siren Maiden and Shattered Heart became blue tornadoes as they went to the Arrowhead. "Circuit combine. Link Summon. Appear Link 2, Hollow Spirit Yuki Onna." The Link 2 Hollow Spirit woman appeared out of the Circuit two arrows surrounded her as she did. (Hollow Spirit Yuki Onna, Attribute: Water, Types: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Link Arrows: Up, down, Atk/Link: 2200 (Originally 1800)/2)

"I then use my field spell's effect to banish a Hollow Spirit monster. I banish Shattered Heart from my graveyard." Shard said. "Then there is Yuki Onna's effect. When she is Link Summoned, I can Special Summon a banished Hollow Spirit monster next to her Link Arrow. Come back Shattered Heart."

Shattered Heart appeared on the field next to Yuki Onna's arrow.

"She formed a chain with her field spell and Yuki Onna's effect in order to Summon another monster onto her field." Flare frowned.

"Open once again circuit of the Frozen Hollow." Shard spoke emotionlessly.

"Another Link summon!" Ai gasped.

"Arrowhead confirmed. Summoning conditions are at least two effect monsters. I set Link 2 Yuki Onna and Shattered Heart." Shard spoke monotonously. Shattered Heart became a blue tornado and Yuki Onna became two going in the Link Arrows. "Circuit combine. Link Summon. Wuji Dragon was born in the hollow of ice, Hollow Spirit Dragon Hero, Kyu." And to fly out of the Circuit was an icy blue-gray haired women with gold eyes wearing a sleeveless smokey gray dragon like armor, mid arm white gloves, wielding a bow of ice, and flying with tattered icy blue dragon wings.

(Hollow Spirit Dragon Hero, Kyu, Attribute: Water, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, Link Arrows: Up, down, bottom right, Atk/Link: 2800 (Originally: 2400)/3)

"She's here!" Ai panicked.

"Kyu." Sparks frowned.

"As expected from Shard." Playmaker noted with a slight frown.

"I set a card face-down. Turn end. Preparation complete." Shard finished. (Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's hand: 4 cards.) Playmaker put his right hand on top of this deck. Instead of drawing his card however, he looked back at Shard.

"You used all the cards in your hand just to get a Link 3 out." Playmaker told Shard. "I'm not saying that's bad, but that took a lot of resources from your hand to do so." Shard was silent before speaking.

"My resources are unlimited. For my power is of banishment. So long as I can banish, I can fight. For that is my power of the Hollow." She retorted emotionlessly as more cold winds blew around them and the area itself.

"Cold!" Soulburner gasped.

"You can practically feel it in your real body." Flare hissed.

"Commence your turn, Playmaker." Shard told him.

"I will." Playmaker retorted. "Draw!" (Playmaker's hand: 5 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards.)

"I hope you have a plan, Playmaker. Gonna provoke her like Revolver did with Flare?" Ai asked.

"No." Playmaker retorted while shaking his head. "If I do that, it'll be a last resort."

"So then how will you get through to her?" Ai asked curiously.

"Revolver tried words on Flare first before dueling her. That didn't work. So he talked to her through his cards. I'll try to do the same for Shard."

"Oh yes. Cause with you two, it's all about duels. You 2 were made for each other." Ai sighed.

"Is that sarcasm Ai?" Playmaker questioned jokingly.

"No, I'm just being honest. Ever since she came back to your life, she's been a good influence on you." Ai remarked, a smirk on his invisible lips.

"Yeah yeah." Playmaker told his Ignis partner with an eye roll. "Now let me do my turn so we can get Shard back."

"Of course. Don't want to see your girlfriend like that is understandable." Ai nodded, glancing at Shard. "I don't blame you. Seeing her like that is wrong."

"Agreed." Playmaker nodded. "I better destroy that monster before it can do much damage to us and our plays. I'll start with this! Cynet Mining!" The spell card appeared on the field. "By sending 1 Cyberse monster from my hand to the Graveyard, I can add 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand." Playmaker discarded Dotscaper to add Cyberse Gadget from his Deck to his hand.

"Playmaker has to get rid of Kyu. If anything, she's Shard's ace and makes things difficult." Flare frowned.

"Something tells me Shard won't make it easy." Sparks frowned. Shard watched Playmaker play his turn, her face void of emotion. (Playmaker's hand: 4 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's LP: 4000. Shard's LP: 4000.)

"Then I summon Cyberse Gadget!" Playmaker said, as the Cyberse monster appeared onto the field. (Cyberse Gadget, Attribute: LIGHT, Level: 4, Type: Cyberse/Effect, ATK/DEF: 1400/300. Playmaker's hand: 3 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's LP: 4000. Shard's LP: 4000.)

"Cyberse Gadget's effect activates!" Playmaker voiced. "When it's summoned, I Special Summon a Level 2 or lower monster from my GY in defense mode. Resurrect, Dotscaper!" (Dotscaper, Attribute: EARTH, Level: 1, Type: Cyberse/Effect, ATK/DEF: 0/2100. Playmaker's hand: 3 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's LP: 4000. Shard's LP: 4000.)

"Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" Playmaker yelled, as Dotscaper glowed. "The Summoning condition is one Level 1 monster! Link Summon! Appear Link 1 Linkuriboh!" (Linkuriboh, Attribute: DARK, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, ATK/Link Rating: 300/1, Link Arrow: Down. Playmaker's hand: 3 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's LP: 4000. Shard's LP: 4000.)

"Dotscaper's effect now activates from the GY! When it's sent to the GY, it Special Summons itself!" Playmaker continued, as Dotscaper returned to the field.

"Appear! The Circuit that leads to the future!"

Once again Playmaker formed his Link Portal as Linkuriboh and Cyberse Gadget glowed. "The summoning conditions are 2 Cyberses! I set Cyberse Gadget and Linkuriboh in the Link Markers!" Playmaker said. "Link Summon! Appear, Link 2 Cyberse Witch!" (Cyberse Witch, Attribute: DARK, Type: Cyberse/Link/Effect, ATK/Link Rating: 800/2, Link Arrows: Bottom-Left, Bottom. Playmaker's hand: 3 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's LP: 4000. Shard's LP: 4000.)

"Cyberse Gadget's effect activates from my GY! When it's sent from the field to the GY, I can Special Summon a Gadget Token." Playmaker said, as the token appeared. (Gadget Token, Attribute: LIGHT, Level: 2, Type: Cyberse, ATK/DEF: 0/0. Playmaker's hand: 3 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's LP: 4000. Shard's LP: 4000.)

"Next Cyberse Witch's effect!" Playmaker yelled. "When a monster is Special Summoned next to her link, I banish a spell card from my GY and add a Cyberse Ritual Monster and Ritual Spell from my Deck to my hand. I banish Cynet Mining! I then add Cyberse Magician and Cynet Ritual to my hand!"

"So he's going for Ritual Summoning for this course." Sparks remarked.

"Cyberse Magician would be the best option considering the circumstances." Flame nodded.

"Go for it Playmaker!" Soulburner grinned.

"Then Cyberse Witch's effect!" Playmaker continued. "I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my GY! Resurrect, Cyberse Gadget!" Cyberse Gadget reappeared onto the field next to Dotscaper.

"I activate the Ritual Spell, Cynet Ritual! I tribute Level 2 Gadget Token, Level 4 Cyberse Gadget, and Level 1 Dotscaper!" Playmaker yelled, his suit glowing dark blue as the magic circle appeared flames lit as the 3 monsters disappeared in the light. "The contract has been made. The sage who wields dark power inherits these two souls! Ritual Summon, rise Cyberse Magician!" The Magician Ritual monster appeared as the light became his scepter. (Cyberse Magician, Attribute: DARK, Level: 7, Type: Cyberse/Ritual/Effect, ATK/DEF: 2500/2000. Playmaker's hand: 3 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's LP: 4000. Shard's LP: 4000.)

"Perfect! And with Cyberse Magician's effect, once he battles Kyu, he'll have enough ATK power to beat her!" Ai cheered. Playmaker could only nod as he looked at Shard, her cold emotionless eyes reminding him of years ago when they were children.

Flashback…

Yusaku was happily going off to the park after his mother dropped him off but was surprised to hear whistling. Turning the corner to the park he softly gasped to see a young girl at his age on the swings as she whistled. She wore a petite yet pretty gray dress with dark blue boots and an ice shard pendant, her white and black tipped gray hair flowing as she swung but what caught his attention were her eyes. Blue with a silvery tint that held no real emotion while she whistled on the swing. Curious and awed he slowly walked to her listening to her song before she stopped as she stopped swinging.

"Do you want to swing?" She suddenly asked, making him jump surprised.

"S-Sorry. I didn't mean to bother you." He spoke apologetically. She looked at him with her emotionless expression, shaking her head.

"You were not bothering me. You're just easy to notice." She stated. He smiled sheepishly before having an idea and put out her hand to him.

"Hey wanna play together?" He suggested.

"...With me?" She asked, blinking.

"Yeah." Yusaku replied. She tilted her head slightly looking at his hand before she slowly took it.

"...Ok." She nodded. Yusaku grinned as she led her in the park as she followed a glint of surprise on her face.

End of Flashback…

I was able to reach out to you then. And now I'll do it again. He thought. "I set a face-down. Cyberse Magician, attack Dragon Hero Kyu! Cyberse Magic!" Cyberse Magician raised his scepter to charge his magic.

"Cyberse Magician's effect! When battling a Link Monster, he gains an additional 1000 ATK!" Playmaker yelled, as Cyberse Magician glowed red by its ATK power increase. (Cyberse Magician ATK: 2500 - 3500)

"Yes! Now we got her!" Ai cheered.

"...Trap card activate. Cold Legion." Shard spoke. "With this trap, I can Special Summon a Hollow Spirit Link monster from my GY and deal its ATK as damage to you. Return Yuki Onna." With a blow of icy winds Yuki Onna appeared onto the field behind Kyu.

"Yuki Onna has 1800 ATK. So you shall take 1800 points of damage." Shard said as Yuki Onna blew a freezing wind, causing Playmaker to shudder.

"Cyberse Magician's effect! Any damage is halved! Cyberse Architect!" Playmaker yelled, as Cyberse Magician put on his vizor to launch a beam at the winds to weaken them. (Playmaker's LP: 4000 - 900 = 3100. Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's LP: 3100. Shard's LP: 4000.)

"And Kyu is still destroyed." Playmaker continued. Cyberse Magician launched the attack for Kyu, but to their shock a freezing wind blew around Kyu, blocking the attack.

"What?" Playmaker gasped.

"Boundary." Shard spoke. "When Dragon Hero, Kyu is co-linked with a monster, she cannot be destroyed in battle."

"What?!" Ai yelled, shocked.

"But you still take the damage." Playmaker pointed out. Shard was unfazed as the shockwave of the attack hit her. (Shard's LP: 4000 - 1100 = 2900. Playmaker's hand: 3 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's LP: 3100. Shard's LP: 2900.)

"Boundary. So that's what Shard had in mind." Flare frowned.

"She planned out Playmaker's attack. And so long as Kyu is co-linked with Yuki Onna, he can't destroy Kyu." Sparks frowned.

"Well so long as he can survive the turn with Cyberse Magician, he can easily destroy Yuki Onna." Soulburner pointed out.

"Hmph. It won't be as easy as you think." Revolver frowned.

"I end my turn. And Cyberse Magician's ATK returns to normal." Playmaker frowned. (Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 0 cards. Playmaker's LP: 3100. Shard's LP: 2900.)

"My turn. Draw." Shard spoke. (Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 1 cards. Playmaker's LP: 3100. Shard's LP: 2900.)

"I activate the Spell Card Cyberse Cache. When I control a Cyberse Monster whose ATK is different from its original ATK is different I draw 2 cards." Shard said.

"Thanks to Shard's Hollow Spirit Tower all her monsters have increased ATK." Ai groaned.

"Draw." Shard spoke, drawing her 2 cards. (Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 2 cards. Playmaker's LP: 3100. Shard's LP: 2900.)

"I activate the spell Hollow Grave. By halving my LP I choose 3 Cards from my Deck, one I add to my Hand, one goes to the GY, and one is Banished." Shard said, as 3 cards slipped out from her Deck. "I choose Hollow Spirit Dark Karma, Hollow Spirit Light Karma, and Cynet Fusion."

Cynet Fusion? But Shard doesn't possess any Fusion Monsters. Playmaker thought shocked.

"Uh oh…" Ai yelped.

"Ai?" Playmaker frowned.

"I add Cynet Fusion to my hand, sent Light Karma to the GY, and banish Dark Karma." Shard said, putting each card away as her LP were halved. (Shard's LPs: 2900 - 1450. Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 2 cards. Playmaker's LP: 3100. Shard's LP: 1450.)

"Hollow Spirit Dark Karma's effect. When this card is banished by paying 500 of my LP a card on the field is destroyed." Shard said, pointing forward as her shoulder blackened. "Cyberse Magician, shatter within black ice." Instantly Cyberse Magician was frozen by black colored ice before shattering right before their eyes. (Shard's LPs: 1450 - 950. Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 2 cards. Playmaker's LP: 3100. Shard's LP: 950.)

"Oh no! Now she has everything she needs!" Ai panicked.

"Calm down even if she can use Storm Access now it won't change anything." Playmaker frowned.

"But that might not be her skill now." Ai spoke nervously.

"So? We've overcome a lot of obstacles." Playmaker pointed out.

"Not this one." Ai muttered.

"Come Data Storm." Shard commanded in her emotionless tone, singing her hymen. The Data Storm swirled violently toward them as she flew within it, her ribbons and eyes glowing brightly.

"When I have 1000 LP or less, I am able to obtain 1 Random Cyberse Monster to my Extra Deck." Shard spoke, thrusting her hand in the Data Storm as the wind turned cold. "Skill activate. Neo Storm Access."

"What?!" Soulburner gaped.

"Neo Storm Access?!" Flare gasped. Shard grabbed the newly formed card before flying out of the Data Storm unfazed as it disappeared around her.

"An evolved form of Storm Access without an Ignis?" Flame questioned. "Unless…!"

"Ai." Playmaker frowned.

"She was helping me make it! I asked her to test it for me before giving it to you!" Ai panicked.

Flashback…

"Oh Yuki-chan~" Yukiko looked at Ai who came to her Duel Disk while she was doing homework.

"Ai? Does Yusaku know you're here?" She asked.

"No, because I was hoping to ask a favor." He replied.

"A favor?" She asked curiously.

"Yeah! With Bohman around and the ones who destroyed Cyberse World, we need to be prepared for anything, right?" He asked.

"Well yeah." She frowned, confused.

"Right! So we need to up our game! Which is why I'm making this!" He cheered. He went in her Duel Disk to show her a screen for her to read.

"A program? Is this for a new Skill?" She asked, surprised.

"Yup! It's a newer version of Storm Access but I'm still fine tuning it." He told her. "I was hoping you can help me out with it."

"Me? But I'm not much of a Hacker or Tech person like the rest." She stated with a frown.

"You don't have to be, you'll help me test it! Thanks to your ability to control the Data Storm it'll be easy for you." He said cheerfully. "So will you help me? Please?!"

She blinked by his begging before she rubbed her head giving a defeated smile. "Oh alright I'll help in any way I can." She said.

"Yes! Thanks Yuki-chan you're the best!" He cheered happily.

End of Flashback…

"Today was meant to be the last test run." Ai groaned.

"Well it seems to work perfectly." Playmaker frowned.

"I'm sorry!" Ai yelled.

"Preparation complete. I activate the Spell card Cynet Fusion." Shard spoke. "I send Fusion Material monsters from my field and hand, to the GY to Fusion Summon. I fuse Dragon Hero, Kyu and Yuki Onna." Kyu became blue snow while Yuki Onna became white snow swirling together in a blue glow.

"Wuji hollow dragon reborn in your ice to awaken onto your stage against your enemies for eternity." Shard chanted. "Fusion Summon, Level 8 Hollow Spirit Dragon Idol, Kyu." Flying down from the light was Kyu wearing a sleeveless silver armor like dress, white tipped silver boots, a mid arm white glow on her left arm with an ice bow attached to her wrist, her hair tied in a high ponytail, and her wing tips white. (Hollow Spirit Dragon Idol, Kyu, Attribute: WATER, Level: 8, Type: Cyberse/Fusion/Effect, ATK/DEF: 2700/2300. Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 1 card. Playmaker's LP: 3100. Shard's LP: 950.)

"Dragon Idol Kyu's effect. When she is Fusion Summoned I can banish as many Hollow Spirit cards in my GY for each one she gains 500 ATK until the End Phase." Shard said. "What?!" Ai gaped.

"I banish Dragon Hero Kyu, Yuki Onna, Siren Maiden, and Light Karma." Shard spoke. "Dragon Idol Kyu's ATK raises by 2000." (Hollow Spirit Dragon Idol, Kyu ATK: 2700 - 4700)

"Cyberse Witch only has 800 ATK. If Kyu attacks her, the Playmaker will lose." Flame spoke grimly.

"He'll be fine." Soulburner remarked.

"Dragon Idol Kyu attack Cyberse Witch. Glacier Curtain." Shard commanded. Kyu pulled the string of her ice bow as ice arrows formed before firing to launch a curtain of sharp ice; piercing Cyberse Witch.

"Trap activate! Extra Ration!" Playmaker yelled. "If there are 2 or more monsters from the Extra Deck on the field, I gain 1000 LP. After that, I get to Special Summon an Extra Ration Token to my field."

"But you will still take damage." Shard stated. Cyberse Witch cried out before she froze and was destroyed in an explosion Playmaker grunted as his avatar body fizzled blue shielding himself from the shockwave. (Playmaker's LP: 3100 + 1000 - 3900 = 200. Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 1 card. Playmaker's LP: 200. Shard's LP: 950.)

"I end my turn. And Kyu's ATK returns to normal." Shard finished, as Kyu's ATK returned to its normal 2700.

"And because of Extra Ration I Summon my Extra Ration Token." Playmaker spoke, as the Token appeared on his field. (Extra Ration Token, Level 3 LIGHT Cyberse-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1000. Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 1 card. Playmaker's LP: 200. Shard's LP: 950.)

"You cannot avoid defeat. Your loss is inevitable and the Dark Ignis will go to Lightning-sama." Shard stated emotionlessly. Despite her words, Playmaker's lips formed a smile.

"Are you sure about that?" Playmaker grinned. "If your monster had 200 more ATK, then you'd be right."

"Only a minor miscalculation. There is nothing you can do." Shard replied.

"You seem to forget that Ai is my partner." Playmaker remarked. "And because he is, I have Neo Storm Access too."

"Right! I made you another copy of the skill since I was gonna let Shard keep the original as thanks!" Ai grinned. "Let's do this Playmaker-sama and get back the girlfriend you know and love!"

"She's not my-never mind." Playmaker groaned. "My turn, draw!" (Playmaker's hand: 3 cards. Shard's hand: 1 card. Playmaker's LP: 200. Shard's LP: 950.) Playmaker looked at the card he drew.

This is…..! He thought.

"Ai. Let's do it." He told his Ignis partner.

"With you all the way, partner!" Ai nodded. "Come Data Storm!" Once again the Data Storm rose in a flurry causing Shard to quickly fly away as Playmaker sped past her; Ai glowing within his Duel Disk.

"Skill activate! Neo Storm Access!" Playmaker yelled, thrusting his hand within the Data Storm. The light shined brightly as the card formed in his before he grabbed it flying out of the Data Storm.

"Now, Playmaker used his Skill." Sparks frowned.

"But what card could he have gotten?" Flare wondered.

"We're about to find out." Soulburner spoke.

"Humph." Revolver grunted.

"Pointless. Nothing you Summon shall save you." Shard spoke robotically.

"Says the one that used the same Skill a turn ago." Playmaker remarked coolly. "This duel is already over. And to prove it, I Summon the Tuner monster, Cyberse Synchron!" A small cybernetic monster with light blue eyes appeared next to the Token. (Cyberse Synchron, Level 1 DARK Cyberse-type Tuner monster, ATK/DEF: 100. Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 1 card. Playmaker's LP: 200. Shard's LP: 950.)

"A Tuner…!" Flame grew wide eyed in surprise.

"So the card he got…!" Flare gasped.

"Was a Synchro monster." Soulburner finished.

"Cyberse Synchron's effect activates! I target 1 Level 4 or lower monster on my field, and double its Level." Playmaker explained. "So my Level 3 Extra Ration Token becomes Level 6!"

"And you know what that means!" Ai cheered.

"I tune my Level 1 Cyberse Synchron with my now Level 6 Extra Ration Token!" Playmaker yelled, he glowed green as his 2 monsters disappeared to become 2 rings that turned to 7. "Flash of lightning! The unknown power transforms into a soaring dragon! Synchro Summon! Descend Cyberse Quantum Dragon!" The new Synchro Dragon monster appeared onto the field spreading its bluish silver wings before letting out a ferocious roar. (Cyberse Quantum Dragon, Level 7 DARK Cyberse-type Synchro monster, ATK/DEF: 2500/2000. Playmaker's hand: 2 cards. Shard's hand: 1 card. Playmaker's LP: 200. Shard's LP: 950.)

"No time like the present, so battle!" Playmaker declared. "Cyberse Quantum Dragon, attack Idol Kyu!"

"With my field spell, Kyu has an attack of 3100." Shard retorted. "You're self destructing."

"Cyberse Quantum Dragon's effect! When it battles your monster, your monster returns to your hand!" Playmaker countered. "Driveback Shot!"

Shard grew wide eyed as Cyberse Quantum Dragon slammed against Kyu causing her to disappear in blue sparkles going to her Duel Disk. "Cyberse Quantum Dragon's additional effect! When Driveback Shot succeeds, Quantum Dragon can attack again!" Playmaker yelled.

"Impossible…!" Shard gasped.

"Quantum Encryption!" Quantum Dragon launched the dark beam hitting Shard square on the chest as she was sent flying off her D-Board. (Shard's LP: 950 - 2500 = 0.)

"Shard!" Flare and Sparks yelled. Playmaker quickly flew down before catching Shard bridal style making them sigh in relief. Playmaker got off his D-Board looking at Shard worried for a moment before she groaned, opening her eyes that once again held light.

"Play… Playmaker?" She blinked.

"Yeah." Playmaker nodded.

"Ugh my head feels groggy…" Shard winced, before she gasped. "Right Windy rushed the programming and then-! You're not hurt are you?!"

"It doesn't matter if I am or not." Playmaker remarked. "I've been through worse."

"But still…" She frowned, worried, as she set her down and held her.

"Shard-chan!" Ai cried, rushing to hug her face. "Thank goodness you're ok now!"

"I said it's fine." Playmaker told her. She looked at him then at Ai before giving a small smile gently petting Ai.

"Fine. Thanks for saving me." She smiled. "Both of you." She leaned up to kiss Playmaker's cheek.

"Pfffffft!" Soulburner laughed, while Revolver just humphed. Playmaker flushed while Ai cooed.

"Aww aren't you 2 adorable." He snickered.

"Be quiet Ai." Playmaker told him.

"Aw come on! I can say you and your girlfriend are adorable." Ai cooed.

"She's not my-Ugh!" Playmaker groaned in irritation. Shard was blushing, yet giggled at the 2.

"Now that all 3 of you are freed, I think we should log out." Revolver spoke.

"Uh guys. There's still Ice Queen and that Miroku guy!" Soulburner spoke up.

"Humph. You lot can go check on Ice Queen if you'd like." Revolver remarked coolly. "I'm out of here." And just like that, Revolver logged out.

"How are you dating that guy?" Soulburner questioned Flare.

"When did you guys start dating? And why wasn't I told?!" Shard demanded.

"Look let's save those questions until we-" Before Flare could finish, there was a loud bang much to their shock.

"What was that?!" Ai yelped.

"A gunshot?" Sparks frowned.

"Ice Queen!" Soulburner yelled, running out. They quickly followed Soulburner out of the building and were shocked to not only see an injured Ice Queen and Beelzebub holding his shotgun, but Miroku smirking wickedly, a hole to his chest.

"You haven't changed at all, Fallen Angel." Miroku smirked.

"What's going on here?!" Ai yelped.


Aurasoul: And that's that!

Miho: Just what are you planning?!

Aurasoul: Oh wouldn't you like to know. So until next time everyone please read and review!