Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Obscured Truth

by DivadX

Yuhiro Furutani, one of 8 children kidnapped 10 years ago by an unknown group, now works as Raguel, an agent in LINK VRAINS' Black Market. One day, he fights the Knights of Hanoi and encounters Playmaker, who becomes his newest assignment. Follow Yuhiro as he now must decide who he wants to become: as both a duelist and as an individual.

54. Chapter 54: Attack of the Bounty Hunters

Update

I decided to make a change to Speedroid Grand Prix's second effect, as I realized that it enabled Slipstream to Special Summon any Wind Synchro monster from the Extra Deck and treat it as a Synchro Summon, such as Shooting Quasar Dragon. Now, when Speedroid Grand Prix is sent to the GY, Slipstream can Special Summon one Level 8 or lower Wind Synchro monster from his Extra Deck, and treat it as a Synchro Summon.

Response to Reviews

Thank you to HunterHQ, Noobmaster, Anonymous, Unnamed, Ambiguous, Unknown, Guest, Guest, Zeromk7, Kingdom Hearts Guy, E.T. 2000 and Guest for reviewing Chapter 53 of Obscured Truth.

Hey, everyone! As the summer comes to an end this year, I hope you're all well and healthy.

There isn't much to discuss aside from the update above, which means I can go straight to answering reviews:

HunterHQ: Yeah... Emma practically revealed that Akira sent her and Blue Girl to follow them. Expect Blood Shepherd to furiously confront Akira about this in Chapter 56. How that'll go down will be revealed at that chapter. It's obvious why he's so hellbent against AI's, as they put his mom in the hospital. Thanks for clarifying with me regarding ideas for Arashi, so you could say I'm putting something together for that. The Beta Branch's leader won't be a Granny Goodness type leader, but I can confirm that it's a female leader. I think Drone Force Ritual was the first Quick-Play Spell card that's ever been created on Fanfiction. Heck, even Herald broke the fourth wall by saying it was too powerful. The reason why it looks broken is because Blood Shepherd wanted an advantage against his opponents, no matter if it's broken or not. Hey, I did take some of your ideas into the duel. Of course Gil's more honest than the previous Abysstainer, and he obviously has more information than expected. So expect to see more of Gil in the future, as I can't wait to show you more aspects of his personality.

Noobmaster: Thanks for pointing out that little mistake, as I was finishing up putting little touches, and it was late on my end. Stregone met the original Abysstainer to obtain information from the Lost Incident, and you could say he was lured in by the charm the original Abysstainer used as a mask. Miles' mom married his dad because they were both in love with one another. Even though she learned the truth, she still loved him. You could say Blood Shepherd was so angry that Raguel nearly defeated him that he snapped, and intended to ensure he never interfered with him again. While the Hanoi are aware that Azrael freed Ace and Athaliah, they have more pressing matters to deal with. And no, Ace and Athaliah aren't likely to recruit former Hanoi grunts because by that point, they would have been arrested.

Anonymous: First off, it's Zeta Branch. Only Blood Shepherd has the program to look into someone's memories. If Azrael went after the old Abysstainer, he'd be screwed. If Azrael went after Gil, it's likely he'd struggle, as the Chains of Tragedy is one of Gil's most powerful weapons in his arsenal. Whoever's bound by the Chains of Tragedy will have a hard time breaking free from their cold embrace. The more traumatized their captive, the tighter the chains will hold them. Herald, Wraith, Ai, and Lightning all symbolize something different from one another, which'll all be revealed as the story goes on.

Unnamed: Glad you enjoyed seeing the Abyss Actors in action. Honestly, it's one of my favorite Pendulum archetypes. Gil's definitely going to have an impact not just in the Turf War, but on the entire story as well. If the Hanoi offered money and/or a special incentive, Blood Shepherd might consider their offer, but only if he gets something in return. Remember: He's a lone wolf. If Jericho made that offer, it's likely that Blood Shepherd would try to decipher what Jericho's real intentions are, similar to how he did it with SOL Technologies. Honestly, it would have been cool to see him go after SOL Technologies and the higher ups for lying to him. Roxy helped Emma find out Blood Shepherd's identity prior to their fallout, that I can confirm.

Ambiguous: That is literally the duels this chapter. For the future, please be careful not to give out spoilers, but all is forgiven. Like I said, I'll do Blood Shepherd's interaction with Akira in Chapter 56. As for the next branch, that'll be revealed in Chapter 57.

Unknown: Tsubaki will appear during the Turf War, that's for sure. Yuhiro would practically be infuriated with Emma if he had to seduce someone with his disguise. SengokuQueen works for Akira, and it's likely she would have known about the Hanoi's escape.

Guest: Azrael won't reveal the Hanoi's identities because he wants to crush them in the network. Of course everyone wants the money, but they have different goals to complete. For instance, Go wants to crush Playmaker at any cost. Blood Shepherd wants to destroy the Ignis. And so on.

Guest: The woman who took Gil in was a mercenary on the Black Market. Her death was before the start of Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS. She died on a mission for the Delta Branch, not in it. I doubt Roxy's crew would accept Ace's offer, as they would likely have honor among each other. The Hanoi know about Azrael, but because the Ignis takes higher priority, they have to deal with that first. But that'll intertwine with one another, and Azrael was under the radar for a very long time thanks to Wraith.

Zeromk7: That's one of the duels this chapter. Hope you enjoy it.

Kingdom Hearts Guy: Glad you enjoyed the duel. It's really simple to be a duel reader. All I do is send you the turns that happen in the duel, and you review it before giving me feedback, as well as the stamp of approval before posting.

E.T. 2000: Happy that you enjoyed the chapter. Drone Helicarrier isn't broken, as you can only use the counter removal effects once per turn. However, every 'Drone' monster summoned allows Blood Shepherd to give Drone Helicarrier power, thus giving him an advantage. Not all of Raguel's Cyreath cards support one another, as Dolos was designed to be a pain in the butt for those who inflict effect damage. Others would be Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. Gil's story is sad indeed, and you'll see him more throughout Season 2. The reason why Stregone's confronting Go is because he believes that if Go continues pursuing the path he's on, it'll lead to his undoing. As such, he's trying to stop him from something he'll regret down the road. I do plan for Blood Shepherd to use an Xyz Monster down the road, and I'd rather use Ariel as a name for Miyu's avatar because it's more of a female name than male. Also, what do you think of basing Miyu's avatar off of Artoria Pendragon Lily? You suggested this a while back, and I intend to use it.

Guest: Unfortunately, there's many instances in Yu-Gi-Oh! where there's complicated father and child relationships. From Kaiba to Akiza to Yusei's father to Dr. Faker to Vetrix and even to Leo Akaba, there's many instances of this showing up. Athaliah didn't experiment on herself because it was to avoid risks, while Dr. Kogami didn't experiment on his own son because he loved him.

Guest: In a way, Azrael instigating Raguel to come after him is almost similar to that of Jack Atlas making Yusei come after him. Its likely that Azrael knows about Project: Apotheosis. However, he'll need more information to confirm how it ties everything together. If Project: VII was successful the first time around, there'd be no Lost Incident because both portions of Project: VIII would already be completed.

Now that all reviews are answered and everything is already said, let's get to the chapter, shall we? Enjoy!

Chapter 54: Attack of the Bounty Hunters

The sky appears, full of clouds. Playmaker races through the clouds on his duel board, followed by Raguel, Soulburner, and Slipstream. Two swords then slice the clouds completely to reveal NEW LINK VRAINS. One of the swords, a katana with symbols inscribed on the blade, crosses downwards to the left. Crossing downwards to the right was a typical western sword, with a golden rain-guard and a blue grip. The sword also had symbols inscribed on the blade as well. The two swords made a shining X, causing the Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS! logo to appear, and underneath it, the words "OBSCURED TRUTH" ominously appear.

Yuhiro and Yusaku are walking down the street to school. Naoki runs past them, a large smile on his face. Aoi walks past them on the other side, smiling lightly and blushing at Yusaku. Then Takeru walks up behind them and wraps one arm around Yusaku. He then wraps the other arm around Yuhiro, surprising him for a few moments before being pulled to the side by Rachel, who's clearly happy to see him. Yuhiro smiles back at her.

Tsubaki and Hideki are shown boarding an airplane as they head to their destination. After sitting down next to each other in their respective seats, Tsubaki looks out in the window, which shows a reflection of Rosetta, while Hideki picks up the airplane guide and reads it. In the sky above them is Ace, a malicious sneer on his face.

Go Onizuka is shown wearing a hoodie as he leaves the waterfront for the last time. Outside of his home, he encounters Kenmochi and Yoroizaka, who are waiting for him. Smirking, the three of them raise their left arms into the air and enter NEW LINK VRAINS, with Go in his new avatar riding beside his new allies. Stregone crosses his arms as he looks down at them, a look of shock and disappointment on his face.

Kusanagi is then shown with Roxy at a nearby picnic table, both enjoying food and laughter while talking about technology. Flame and Ai are shown arguing in Café Nagi, while Herald ends up getting annoyed with their bickering. As a result, he snaps his fingers, causing Progleo to jump onto the desk and startle Ai and Flame.

At SOL Technologies, Akira Zaizen and Hayami are shown in Queen's office, with Queen handing them a signed order regarding Playmaker and Raguel. A look of hesitation appears on Akira's face, but he hides it just in time.

Azrael and Wraith are then shown with Ace and Athaliah standing behind them, shrouded in shadow along with their ace monsters Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed and El Shaddoll Construct. Standing behind Azrael and Wraith though, is a black, bipedal dragon with red sclera, white irises, and black pupils obscured in shadow. The dragon roars before disappearing with Zerrziel and El Shaddoll Construct. Jumping above Azrael and Wraith is Malf, sporting a demonic expression on his face. He then extends his right arm forward towards the screen, darkening it completely.

When the screen becomes clear, Playmaker and Raguel are shown riding their duel boards next to each other, with Cyberse Witch and Cyberse Magician in front of Playmaker, and Cyreath Hercules and Cyreath Medusa in front of Raguel. The two are chased by Blood Shepherd, who directs two copies of Battledrone Sergeant to fire at them. Although the two of them are hit by the explosions the missiles caused, they escape unharmed. Suddenly, Drachen orders Red-Eyes Black Dragon to fire at them. In response, Playmaker and Raguel are shown swerving left and right to avoid the consecutive fire blasts. Joining the young man in the hunt is Electrolyzer, who orders PSY-Framelord Omega to attack Playmaker, but Raguel turns his duel board around and activates a card, causing Hercules to glow a bright light before transforming into a colossal, statue-like man with long, shaggy black hair and elbow protrusions. His eyes glowing red, Hercules charged forward with his axe sword and clashed with PSY-Framelord Omega.

The screen then shifts to Slipstream watching the duel between Playmaker and an obscured Bohman, while Raguel duels Electrolyzer. Noticing Haru, who's also watching the duel between Playmaker and an obscured Bohman, Slipstream takes a card and summons Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, who roars at the boy. Haru, in response, takes a card and summons Hydradrive Nagini, who hissed at Clear Wing in the process.

Blue Angel and Rosetta are shown in NEW LINK VRAINS at a picnic table, laughing and enjoying each other's company. The two of them then turn their heads towards the duels going on in the sky, a look of concern on each of their faces.

Watchman's group is then shown, with Percival standing slightly apart from them as he makes a fist with his left hand. Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon appear before a massive, red-skinned demonic looking monster with golden elements, several eyeballs embedded on its body and four tentacles with bladed claws rises from behind them.

The Knights of Hanoi are shown summoning their monsters. Motor Worm Spread Queen, Helixx Necro Darwin, and Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps first appear before fading into the background. Next is Dark Magician, Berserker of the Tenyi, and Lucifer, Condemner of the Burning Abyss, with Sunavalon Dryanome behind them. Borreload Savage Dragon then rises from behind the four monsters and roars loudly.

Akira is shown at Green Park with Emma, Gekiryushi, and Aoi, giving them details on finding the Ignis. Emma proceeds to make a flirtatious gesture at Akira, making Gekiryushi facepalm and comment on how flirting can be useful at a time like this. The two women then begin to argue, with Akira and Aoi trying to break up the argument.

Yuhiro and Progleo are shown with Miyu at the Den City Hospital, trying to help her walk. Miyu, who's using the parallel bars, ends up slipping, only for Yuhiro to immediately catch her from behind and help her stand up. Roxy then runs out of nowhere and starts pummeling Yuhiro, causing Miyu to almost fall backwards again to their shock. Catching her this time though is Medusa, who appears behind her and smiles, much to everyone's relief. Miyu smiles back, grateful for Medusa's help. The screen then flips around before showing Yuhiro on his knees, clasping an unconscious Miyu's hand in sadness and rage.

Cyreaths Hercules, Medusa, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus are then shown in the air, with Turboblaze Dragon racing past them. The five of them prepare to attack alongside Turboblaze Dragon, who unleashes his Desolation Flare attack as well.

Raguel and Herald are then shown on top of a tower, facing off against Azrael and Wraith in a duel. Behind Raguel and Herald is Turboblaze Dragon, while behind Azrael and Wraith is the black, bipedal dragon from earlier in the opening. Both dragons roar at each other. Raguel reeves up his sword, while Azrael unsheathes his katana before the two of them and their dragons charge at each other.

Yuhiro, Roxy, Miyu, Kusanagi, Takeru, and Yusaku are all shown sitting outdoors at a picnic table near the Den City Hospital, all of them eating hot dogs, and Takeru, Kusanagi, and Roxy are laughing. Three duel disks are shown on the table, with Flame lecturing Ai while Herald plays a game on Yuhiro's tablet.

Yuhiro, Roxy, and Miyu are sitting down on a bench outside the Den City Hospital, with Medusa standing nearby them and Progleo on Roxy's lap. Miyu proceeds to rest her head on Yuhiro's shoulder, causing him to blush as she smiles. Yuhiro smiles back at her, while Roxy and Medusa both smile at them, happy they're able to find happiness with each other. The scene then switches to NEW LINK VRAINS, with Raguel, Playmaker, and Soulburner standing on a building and looking out into the radiant sky.

In LINK VRAINS...

The three remaining duelists continued to orbit the sphere on their respective duel boards.

"Just great." Roxy said through the comms. "To think that Blood Shepherd would trick us like that. Can't believe we fell for it. Like moths to a flame."

"We can't pout about it now, Roxy." Raguel told her. "Our priority is rescuing Soulburner and Flame from Blood Shepherd's trap."

"On it." Roxy began typing on the digital keyboard in Café Matsuo.

"Then let's find a way to get them out, pronto." Kusanagi decided as well, typing on the digital keyboard in Café Nagi. "Yusaku, do you see any openings?"

"I'm afraid I don't see an opening anywhere." Playmaker answered. "What are your scans picking up, Kusanagi? Any weaknesses we can exploit?"

"I don't know." Kusanagi admitted. "There's a lot of code to go through."

"Then shouldn't you start?" Ai questioned.

"Already did."

"Kusanagi's not the only one who started, Ai!" Roxy shouted over the comms, angered that Ai dared to push them to start, even though they already did.

"AAAAH!" Ai screeched, stretching up and placing his hands and head on Playmaker's face. "Playmaker, save me from Roxy! She can be scary at times."

"I HEARD THAT, Ai!" Roxy screamed at Ai, scaring the poor Ignis once again.

"You never learn, do you Ai?" Herald said, facepalming himself.

"I can help as well, guys." Slipstream offered, getting the other duelist's attention. "While your allies work in the real world, I can help from the network by creating a rescue program. If we all work together, we can free Soulburner from the cowboy's trap."

"I like how Slipstream thinks. It's like we have a young super genius on our side!" Roxy told the others. "Kusanagi and I will begin analyzing the code for weaknesses while Slipstream begins creating a rescue program. Once that's done, we'll join in as well."

"I can't take all the credit." Slipstream replied. "I have my family to thank for teaching me hacking and programming." He pressed a button on his duel disk, causing a green screen to pop up with digital keyboards. Once that was done, Slipstream began typing on it. "Initiating Pac-Man rescue program."

"So until we're done, just hang on for now." Kusanagi finished.

"Uh, hang on for how long?" Ai questioned. "Because we have guests, and not the nice ones!"

Playmaker, Raguel, and Slipstream turned before gasping upon seeing Kenmochi, Yoroizaka, Drachen, and Electrolyzer flying towards them.

"You see them?"

"I do." Playmaker answered. "SOL Technologies' Bounty Hunters."

"That's just great." Kusanagi sarcastically commented.

"Just when we're in the middle of something, they have to butt in." Roxy complained as well.

"Go Onizuka isn't with them though." Raguel pointed out. Usually, Go would join his allies in the hopes of defeating Playmaker. However, something was amiss. Did Go take a different route? Or was there something else he needed to take care of in the real world first?

"Even with Go's absence, we still have four bounty hunters to deal with." Herald said.

"And just as Playmaker said, we need to adapt to the situation at hand." Slipstream added. Playmaker nodded, agreeing with what Slipstream said. If they wanted to rescue Soulburner, the three of them had to deal with SOL Technologies' bounty hunters first. This way, they can buy time for Kusanagi and Roxy to analyze the code, while Slipstream can begin creating that rescue program.

"If the odds aren't even, then I'll even the odds with a data storm!" Ai announced, as he held a hand to his eye before pointing his right finger at the four bounty hunters. "The forecast calls for heavy winds and a one hundred percent chance of logging it!" A tornado of data appeared before Ai before speeding towards the four bounty hunters, which released powerful winds. It reached them, causing Kenmochi to move to the side while Yoroizaka was forced to log out due to the storm's intensity. Unfortunately, Electrolyzer fired green, electrical lightning at the tornado of data in response, causing it to dissipate immediately.

"Aw come on!" Ai complained. "I only managed to get one of them. So not fair!"

"But you did even the odds for us, Ai." Herald told him. "Now we can deal with the others first before taking out the last one afterwards."

The three remaining bounty hunters sped towards where the duelists were. In response, Playmaker, Slipstream, and Raguel sped away from the sphere, forcing the bounty hunters to pursue after them.

"Raguel!" Drachen shouted, getting his attention. "I want a rematch against you! So prepare to-!" But before Drachen could say anything else, he was given a small shock from Electrolyzer, who had a look of disgust on his face.

"Not only did you lose against him, but you cost Raguel his one chance to save someone he cared about." Electrolyzer reminded him, still mad with what happened earlier. "That's why I'm dueling him. In the meanwhile, you can take on Playmaker if you like."

"I'm here too, you know!" Kenmochi said, getting their attention. "I'll duel Playmaker and take care of him while you guys duel the others."

"If you suit yourself." Drachen replied, still slightly hurt from the shock Electrolyzer gave him. Although he was a 'hot head' like Ryoken said, he at least had the common sense to know that Playmaker would defeat Kenmochi with relative ease. He turned to Electrolyzer. "Fine. I'll duel Slipstream while you duel against Raguel." Drachen then sped over to where Slipstream was, intent on dueling him.

Seeing Drachen approach him from behind, Slipstream nodded with Playmaker and Raguel before turning his duel board and going in the opposite direction, with Drachen chasing after him. Meanwhile, Playmaker and Kenmochi continued going straight, while Raguel and Electrolyzer turned right. Eventually, Drachen caught up to Slipstream and rode parallel with him.

"Alright, Slipstream. I'm curious as to what tactics you used to defeat Electrolyzer." Drachen said.

"I'll show them to you firsthand!" Slipstream assured him, immediately accepting Drachen's challenge.

"Speed Duel!" both duelists declared.

Drachen: 4000 LP

Slipstream: 4000 LP

"If you don't mind, I want to go first." Slipstream said. Drachen didn't say anything in response, indicating that he complied with Slipstream's request. "I'll start by activating the Field Spell card, Speedroid Grand Prix. While this card's on the field, all 'Hi-Speedroid' and Wind Dragon Synchro monsters on my field gain 300 attack and defense points. Next, I activate the Spell card, Speedraw. This card lets me discard one 'Speedroid' monster from my hand, and by doing so, I can draw two cards from my deck." After discarding a card from his hand and sending it to his Graveyard, he drew the top two cards of his deck.

"Since I don't control a monster, I can Special Summon Speedroid Terrortop from my hand." A chain of red tops with blades attached to them appeared on Slipstream's field.

Speedroid Terrortop ATK: 1200 DEF: 600 LV: 3

"I summon Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice as well." Slipstream added, as yellow dice with a single red eye and six red electrodes orbiting around it also appeared on Slipstream's field.

Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice ATK: 100 DEF: 100 LV: 1

"Its time to rev it up! I tune the Level 1 Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice with the Level 3 Speedroid Terrortop!" A bolt of green lightning struck Slipstream as the world greyed out and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, one yellow and one red appeared before turning blue and merging. Four blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "1 + 3" in front of them. The screen changed to "4" as light surged through the rings.

"Thousand-face possessing shadow of the labyrinth. With that sharp blade, render chaotic darkness!" Slipstream chanted. "Synchro Summon! Come, Level 4! Hi-Speedroid Puzzle!" A humanoid blue and green machine monster that had a blade for a left hand and a cannon for a right hand, as well as a red scarf around its neck, appeared on Slipstream's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Hi-Speedroid Puzzle ATK: 1300 DEF: 1600 LV: 4

Hi-Speedroid Puzzle ATK: 1300 + 300 = 1600 DEF: 1600 + 300 = 1900

"I Set one card face-down and end my turn." Slipstream turned to Drachen before doing a boxing pose. "Alright, Drachen. Show me what you got."

"My turn! I draw!" Drachen said, drawing the top card of his deck. This guy could have summoned a stronger Synchro monster than this one. Why, he wondered, having watched Slipstream's duel against Electrolyzer. In that duel, Slipstream brought out multiple Synchro monsters that Electrolyzer overcame, only to lose against Kitedrake, one of his opponent's strongest Synchro monsters. If I learned anything as a duelist, it's to never underestimate my opponents, even if they bring out weak monsters. "I activate the Spell card, Red-Eyes Insight. By sending a 'Red-Eyes' monster from my hand or deck to my Graveyard, I can add one 'Red-Eyes' Spell or Trap card from my deck to my hand other than 'Red-Eyes Insight'". A card popped out of Drachen's deck, which he took and sent to his Graveyard. Once that was done, another card popped out of his deck, which he took and added to his hand. "Next, I activate the Spell card, Return of the Dragon Lords. This card lets me target one Level 7 or 8 Dragon monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it to my field. I target Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon and Special Summon it to my field!" A large, black dragon with red-colored eyes and four flaming wings then appeared on Drachen's field.

Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000 LV: 7

"I summon The Black Stone of Legend from my hand." A black stone with red cracks on it also appeared on Drachen's field.

The Black Stone of Legend ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"Next, I activate The Black Stone of Legend's effect! By tributing it, I can Special Summon one Level 7 or lower 'Red-Eyes' monster straight from my deck!" Drachen continued. "I tribute The Black Stone of Legend to Special Summon Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my deck!" The Black Stone of Legend broke apart and turned into particles, leaving the field. A large, black dragon with red-colored eyes then appeared on Drachen's field, roaring in the process.

Red-Eyes Black Dragon ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000 LV: 7

I know what he's gonna do, Slipstream realized. And I can't let him do it, or else I'll take massive damage. "Trap card, activate! Speedroid Dupligate! By banishing a Wind monster from my Graveyard, I can target one card you control and return it to your hand. I banish Terrortop and return Red-Eyes Black Dragon back to your hand!" A silver gate with green lines then appeared before blasting a burst of wind at Red-Eyes Black Dragon, returning him to Drachen's hand, much to his chagrin for a moment or two.

"I activate the Spell card, Red-Eyes Fusion." Drachen responded, regaining focus. "This card lets me Fusion Summon one Fusion monster that lists a 'Red-Eyes' monster as a Fusion Material from my Extra Deck, by using monsters from my hand, deck, or field as Fusion Materials."

"Say what?!" Slipstream exclaimed, having been caught off guard just now.

"There's more! The name of the Fusion monster summoned by Red-Eyes Fusion becomes 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon'. Also, I'm not allowed to Normal or Special Summon monsters the turn I activate this card. But that won't matter." A card popped out of Drachen's deck. "I use Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my hand and Meteor Dragon Red-Eyes Impact from my deck as Fusion Materials!" A silhouette of Red-Eyes Black Dragon then appeared, along with a silhouette of a small, red-eyed dragon that had meteor-hardened skin all over his body. Red lines were also carved throughout his body, and he had a medium-sized wingspan. Both monsters then disintegrated into red and blue particles respectively before swirling into a vortex. Two tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a white and yellow whirlwind.

"Mighty dragon of endless potential! Envelop yourself in volcanic ash and turn the world into a barren wasteland!" Drachen chanted. "Fusion Summon! Descend, Level 8! Meteor Black Comet Dragon!" A volcanic dragon cloaked in blazing fire appeared on Drachen's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Not only was his body made up of volcanic rock, he also had a dragon's head attached to his chest.

Meteor Black Comet Dragon ATK: 3500 DEF: 2000 LV: 8

"When Meteor Black Comet Dragon is Fusion Summoned, I can send one 'Red-Eyes' monster from my hand or deck to the Graveyard and inflict damage equal to half of the original attack points of that monster!" A card popped out of Drachen's deck, which he took and sent to his Graveyard. "The card I sent just now was the Level 6 Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning, which has 2500 attack points. That means you take 1250 points of damage. Meteor Storm!" The dragon's head attached to Meteor Black Comet Dragon's chest began gathering energy in his maw before firing it at Slipstream, causing him to weave left and right to regain his balance.

Slipstream: 4000 – 1250 = 2750 LP

"I Set one card face-down." Drachen added before thrusting his right hand out. "Battle! Meteor Black Comet Dragon, which has been rechristened as Red-Eyes Black Dragon thanks to Red-Eyes Fusion, will now attack Hi-Speedroid Puzzle! Volcanic Wildfire!" The blazing surrounding Meteor Black Comet Dragon began to heat up as he was enveloped in a fiery aura. Both the dragon's maw and the dragon's head on his chest began to generate energy in their mouths, preparing to unleash it all against Puzzle.

"After what you just did, I'm not letting this happen!" Slipstream interrupted. "I activate the effect of Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice from my Graveyard. By banishing it from my Graveyard, I can negate the attack!" A silhouette of Red-Eyed Dice appeared before spinning and forming a barrier, which protected Puzzle from the volcanic fire.

"I end my turn." Drachen concluded, disappointed that he couldn't deal more damage to Slipstream. "I have to ask. How in the world did you know I was going to Xyz Summon?"

"It's because I pay attention to detail whenever I duel against someone." Slipstream answered. "That, and I got a peak from your duel against Raguel, where you nearly defeated him with a monster that punished duelists for using card effects. So in a way, I have you and Raguel to thank for this information."

"...!" Drachen narrowed his eyes. Slipstream must be an efficient hacker for him to get this information. Combined with his ability to pay attention to detail in duels made him a strong duelist.

"My turn! I draw!" Slipstream drew the top card of his deck. Excellent, he thought. "I activate the effect of Dupligate from my Graveyard. By banishing it from my Graveyard and targeting a 'Speedroid' monster I control, I can reduce its Level by one to Special Summon this card as a Normal monster to my field. I target Puzzle!" A silver gate with green lines then appeared on Slipstream's field in defense position.

Hi-Speedroid Puzzle LV: 4 – 1 = 3

Speedroid Dupligate ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"From there, I activate the Continuous-Spell card, Speed Chain!" Slipstream continued. The card showed Speedroid Taketomborg and Marble Machine within three Synchro rings on a race track, increasing its speed in the process. "Since I control two or more 'Speedroid' monsters on my field upon activation, I can add one 'Speedroid' Tuner monster from my deck to my hand." A card popped out of his deck, which he added to his hand. "As I control a Wind monster, I can Special Summon Speedroid CarTurbo from my hand." A red and white card with a small engine with a blue battery on top appeared on Slipstream's field. Underneath the card were small engine parts, as well as a thin, blue box.

Speedroid CarTurbo ATK: 800 DEF: 1200 LV: 3

"It's time to rev it up! I tune the Level 3 Speedroid CarTurbo with the Level 3 Speedroid Puzzle!" A bolt of green lightning struck Slipstream as the world greyed out and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, one dark-blue and one white appeared before turning blue and merging. Six blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "3 + 3" in front of them. The screen changed to "6" as light surged through the rings.

"Magical sword with the form of a cross! Use your power to rend all enemies!" Slipstream chanted. "Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Hi-Speedroid Kendama!" A dark blue machine resembling a cross with a large sword attached to its center appeared on Slipstream's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Hi-Speedroid Kendama ATK: 2200 DEF: 1600 LV: 6

Hi-Speedroid Kendama ATK: 2200 + 300 = 2500 DEF: 1600 + 300 = 1900

"Speed Chain's second effect! Once per turn, when I Synchro Summon a 'Hi-Speedroid' or Wind Dragon Synchro monster, I can target one 'Speedroid' monster in my Graveyard and shuffle it into my deck. By doing so, I can draw one card from my deck. I target Red-Eyed Dice!" A card popped out of Slipstream's Graveyard, which he shuffled into his deck before drawing a card.

"Kendama's effect!" Slipstream continued. "Once per turn, I can banish a 'Speedroid' monster from my Graveyard to inflict 500 points of damage to you! I banish Puzzle!" Kendama blasted Drachen with a bolt of blue energy, making him slightly wobble before regaining balance on his duel board.

Drachen: 4000 – 500 = 3500 LP

"Battle!" Slipstream thrusted his right hand out. "Hi-Speedroid Kendama attacks Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon!" Kendama charged at Black Flare Dragon, intent on destroying him.

"I activate the effect of Return of the Dragon Lords from my Graveyard." Drachen said. "If a Dragon monster I control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, I can banish this card from my Graveyard instead!" A barrier surrounded Black Flare Dragon as Kendama generated energy, which hit the barrier upon impact.

Drachen: 3500 – 100 = 3400 LP

It's a good thing I baited him with Return of the Dragon Lords, Drachen thought. Otherwise, my options would have been limited. "You're not the only one that's clever, you know. I activate the Trap card, Red-Eyes Spirit! This card lets me target one 'Red-Eyes' monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it to my field. Return to the field, Red-Eyes Black Dragon!" For a second time, Red-Eyes Black Dragon appeared on his field.

Red-Eyes Black Dragon ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000 LV: 7

"It looks like there's nothing else you can do, so you might as well just end your turn now." Drachen stated.

"End my turn? Why would I do that?" Slipstream inquired with a grin, surprising Drachen. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Overspeed Tuning!" The card showed Slipstream on his duel runner riding on a shining road within Synchro rings. Above him was Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. "This card lets me Synchro Summon one 'Hi-Speedroid' or Wind Dragon Synchro monster using 'Speedroid' monsters on my field. I tune the Level 1 Speedroid Dupligate with the Level 6 Hi-Speedroid Kendama!" A bolt of green lightning struck Slipstream as the world greyed out and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, one dark-blue and one silver appeared before turning blue and merging. blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "6 + 1" in front of them. The screen changed to "7" as light surged through the rings.

"Spread those wondrous wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light!" Slipstream chanted. "Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" A white and black dragon covered in white, blue, and black armor appeared on Slipstream's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. She had neon green crystals attached to her body, which acted like wings that shone with bright light.

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK: 2500 DEF: 2000 LV: 7

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK: 2500 + 300 = 2800 DEF: 2000 + 300 = 2300

"Since Overspeed Tuning was used to Synchro Summon Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, the attack points of one monster you control are reduced to zero until the end of my turn. I target Meteor Black Comet Dragon!" Clear Wing roared as she charged towards Meteor Black Comet Dragon before returning to Slipstream's field, pushing him back with enough force to reduce his attack points to zero.

Meteor Black Comet Dragon ATK: 3500 – 3500 = 0

"The battle still continues!" Slipstream said. "Clear Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Meteor Black Comet Dragon! Spinstorm Sky Strike!" Clear Wing rose high into the sky before roaring and diving downwards, green winds whipping around her in the process.

"Like I'm letting you win!" Drachen exclaimed. "I activate my Skill: Red-Eyes Dominance! During either player's turn, I can target one Dark or Fire Dragon monster I control and increase its attack points equal to the attack points of one other Dark or Fire Dragon monster on my field! I target Meteor Black Comet Dragon, and have it gain Red-Eyes Black Dragon's 2400 attack points!" Meteor Black Comet Dragon was surrounded in a fiery aura as both him and Red-Eyes Black Dragon roared in unison.

Meteor Black Comet Dragon ATK: 0 + 2400 = 2400

"You'll survive, I'll give you that. But you'll still be losing your monster, that's for sure." Slipstream pointed out, as Clear Wing divebombed Meteor Black Comet Dragon and destroying him in an explosion that made Drachen slightly lose his balance before regaining it.

Drachen: 3400 – 400 = 3000 LP

"I activate Meteor Black Comet Dragon's second effect!" Drachen countered. "If he's sent from the Monster Zone to the Graveyard, I can target one Normal monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it to my Graveyard. I target Meteor Dragon Red-Eyes Impact!" A small dragon whose body consisted of a hardened volcanic rock appeared on Drachen's field in defense position. His small arms were attached to the middle sides of the volcanic rock. He also had medium-sized wings attached to his body as well. Lastly, Red-Eyes Impact's head was secured to his body, preventing him from moving his neck.

Meteor Dragon Red-Eyes Impact ATK: 1800 DEF: 2000 LV: 6

"I end my turn." Slipstream concluded. This guy is tough, that's for sure, he admitted. I can understand why Raguel had some trouble against him.

"My turn! I draw!" Drachen said, drawing the top card of his deck and looking at it. Yes, he thought. If this works, I can finish him off this turn. "I activate the Spell card, Cards of the Red Stone. By sending one Level 7 'Red-Eyes' monster from my hand to the Graveyard, I can draw two cards. Afterwards, I must send one Level 7 'Red-Eyes' monster from my deck to my Graveyard as well." After discarding a card from his hand, he drew two cards before a card popped out of his deck, which he took and sent to his Graveyard. Once Drachen looked at both cards, he grinned.

"I activate the Spell card, Necro Link!" The card showed a Link Portal above a graveyard, with Skelesaurus, Zombie Master, Doomking Balerdroch, and Zombie Mammoth emerging out of various graves, each one glowing with red energy. "This card lets me Link Summon one Link monster from my Extra Deck by banishing monsters in my Graveyard as Link Material. However, only the Link Summoned monster can attack while it's on my field." Slipstream's eyes widened, surprised by what he just heard. "Appear, the circuit of endless potential!" A Link Portal appeared above Drachen. "The summoning conditions are two or more effect monsters with the same type and attribute. I'll Set Meteor Black Comet Dragon, The Black Stone of Legend, and two copies of Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon into the Link Markers!" Four blasts of energy went out of Drachen's Graveyard and into the top, bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrowheads respectively.

"Link Summon! Black Dragon who reached the peak of evolution, surpass your limits and become stronger than ever! Link 4! Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel!" A large, black armored dragon with red-colored eyes appeared on Drachen's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. All over his body were volcanic lines that glowed with blazing energy. He also had large wings that were in the shape of three, large, curved blades.

Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel ATK: 2800 LINK-4 ↙️⬆️⬇️↘️

"A Link 4 monster..." Slipstream muttered. "That's something Raguel didn't face off against."

"If you're intimidated by Darkness Metal, there's plenty more to come!" Drachen told Slipstream. "I activate the Spell card, The Claw of Hermos! When I activate this card, I can send one monster from my hand or field to my Graveyard of the type listed on a Fusion monster that can be only Special Summoned with The Claw of Hermos. By doing so, I can Special Summon that Fusion monster from my Extra Deck. I send Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my field to my Graveyard!" A red, bipedal dragon with a spiked horn and a tusk at each side of his mouth appeared on Drachen's field. He had spikes going down from the back of his neck to the halfway point of his tail, which also ended in spikes. Lastly, he had spiked claws and feet, as well as yellow-amber eyes. Hermos and Red-Eyes Black Dragon disintegrated into blue and red particles of energy, which swirled into a vortex. Two tornadoes of energy then shot upwards and merged to form a white and yellow whirlwind.

"Appear, now! Level 7! Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword!" A black blade with four winged-spikes and red-eyes appeared on Drachen's field in the Main Monster Zone Darkness Metal pointed at. The long portion of the blade was curved upwards, while the smaller part was slightly curved to the right.

Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000 LV:7

"You have a dragon sword? That's so cool!" Slipstream exclaimed, actually starstruck with what he was seeing.

"I'm glad you really like it. Because it gets even cooler for me!" Drachen smirked. "I activate Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword's effect! If it was Special Summoned, I can target one other face-up monster on my field and equip it with this card. The equipped monster gains 1000 attack points, along with an additional 500 attack and defense points for every Dragon monster on the field and in the Graveyards!"

"Seriously?!" Slipstream's eyes widened behind his mask.

"Correct." Drachen confirmed. "I equip Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword onto Darkness Metal!" Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword went back to Drachen, who grabbed the sword before throwing it at Darkness Metal's back, hitting him upon impact before it melted into his body. Darkness Metal roared as his strength increased.

Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel ATK: 2800 + 1000 + (500 X 5) = 6300

"Darkness Metal's effect! I can target one monster that's banished or in my Graveyard and Special Summon it to a Main Monster Zone he points to in defense position. However, its effects are negated and I cannot Special Summon Link monsters for the rest of this turn. Also, that monster is placed in the bottom of my deck once it leaves my field. Return, Meteor Black Comet Dragon!" For a second time, Meteor Black Comet Dragon appeared on Drachen's field, only in defense position.

Meteor Black Comet Dragon ATK: 3500 DEF: 2000 LV: 8

Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel ATK: 6300 + 500 = 6800

"I switch Black Flare Dragon to defense mode." Drachen said, as Black Flare Dragon took a defensive stance. "Battle! Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel attacks Clear Wing Synchro Dragon! Darkness Metal Flare!" The volcanic lines all over Darkness Metal's body glowed as he charged up red, hot energy in his maw before firing it straight at Clear Wing.

"Oh crap! I'm screwed!" Slipstream panicked. "Wait a minute! I still have this! I activate my Skill! Speedy Drift! During either player's turn, when a Wind Synchro monster battles, that attack is negated!"

"You have got to be kidding me..." Drachen complained, as Clear Wing moved to the side and evaded Darkness Metal's attack.

"In addition, I get to roll a dice, and my Wind Synchro monster gains attack points equal to the result times 100." Slipstream added, as a green dice appeared in front of Slipstream. "Go, Dice Roll!" The dice then flung itself into the air and landed on the field. When it finished rolling, the dice landed on a five. "The dice lands on a five, which means Clear Wing gains 500 attack points." Clear Wing roared as her strength increased.

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK: 2800 + 500 = 3300

"I end my turn." Drachen grudgingly concluded. "You may have escaped the jaws of defeat, but on my next turn, you're toast!"

"Considering how your monsters unleash fire, I get the joke there." Slipstream responded before getting serious. "But enough talk. Let's finish this duel! My turn! I draw!" He closed his eyes before drawing the top card of his deck. Upon looking at it, he smiled. "It seems Lady Luck has blessed me once again. I activate the Spell card, Riryoku. This card lets me target two monsters on the field and cut the first monsters attack points in half. By doing so, I can add those lost attack points to the other monster, with these changes lasting until the end of my turn. I target Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel and Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

"This can't be!" Drachen exclaimed in shock.

"It actually is, sucker!" Slipstream retorted. "As I targeted Darkness Metal first, his attack points are halved, while Clear Wing gains those lost attack points." Darkness Metal roared in pain, while Clear Wing roared in delight.

Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel ATK: 6800 / 2 = 3400

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK: 3300 + 3400 = 6700

"Let's end this! Battle! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel! Spinstorm Sky Strike!" Clear Wing rose high into the sky before roaring and diving downwards, green winds whipping around her in the process. She divebombed Darkness Metal, destroying him and making Drachen fall of his duel board.

Drachen: 3000 – 3300 = 0

You're not like the other duelists Slipstream, Drachen thought. You have a unique gift of outsmarting duelists at a faster rate than the average human being. This information will definitely be useful in Revolver's theory, that's for sure. He then logged out afterwards.

"Glad that's over with." Slipstream commented. "Now I can continue working on my Pac-Man rescue program." A screen then popped up on his duel disk as he started typing. At the same time, another screen popped up. "Playmaker has defeated Noob One: Kenmochi. Two down, two more to go."

"Nice duel, Slipstream." Kusanagi said over the comms. "All the code has been analyzed. We can now assist you in creating your escape program."

"Sweet! I appreciate the help!" After closing the second screen, he sped off to the sphere, typing code onto the screen in the process.

At another area in LINK VRAINS...

Raguel flew over to an island nearby while Electrolyzer chased after him.

"Unlike Blood Shepherd and the others, I have my honor as a prince." Electrolyzer told him. "My offer still stands from before, Raguel. If you surrender your Ignis, I'll help you find your friend."

"I'm not giving up Herald." Raguel decided. "If it weren't for him and the friend I care about, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Someone who is able to see the bigger picture, someone who is able to reach out to others, and someone whose eyes are opened to new possibilities. That's the person who I am."

"Raguel..." Herald muttered, proud with how far his partner came since their first meeting.

"I understand." Electrolyzer replied, a smile on his face. "Honorable duelists are rare to come across in LINK VRAINS. Let us duel, Raguel, one honorable duelist to another."

Raguel smiled back. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Speed Duel!" Electrolyzer and Raguel declared in unison.

Electrolyzer: 4000 LP

Raguel: 4000 LP

"I'm going first." Electrolyzer immediately stated.

"Oh no. No, no, no." Herald responded. "You're deck works if you go first. If that happens, you'll spam Synchro Summons on our turn."

Electrolyzer pressed some buttons on his duel disk, causing a screen to pop up on both his and Raguel's duel disk. "We'll settle this with Rock, Paper Scissors," he told them. "On the count of three, click on one of the three images, and whoever wins gets to decide whether they go first or second."

"Very well." Raguel replied. "One, two,-."

"Three!" Both duelists pressed an image on their screens. Their results soon came up within a moment, with Raguel choosing Paper and Electrolyzer choosing Rock, resulting in a digital image of Paper covering Rock.

"Yes! We won!" Herald cheered. "We choose to go first."

"My turn!" Raguel said, looking at the four cards in his hand. "I summon Cyreath Witch from my hand." A sorceress with short purple hair and glowing pink eyes, as well as wearing a raggedy cape and skirt, joined Raguel's field. Her staff had a skull on it.

Cyreath Witch ATK: 1200 DEF: 0 LV: 4

"When Witch is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon 'Cyreath Skeleton' tokens to my field up to the number of cards in my hand. Since there's three cards in my hand, I can Special Summon up to three 'Cyreath Skeleton' tokens to my field. However, I have only two Main Monster Zones available, so I therefore Special Summon two 'Cyreath Skeleton' tokens!" Two small skeletons carrying short swords were raised from the dead, appearing on Raguel's field.

Cyreath Skeleton Token ATK: 500 DEF: 500 LV: 1

Cyreath Skeleton Token ATK: 500 DEF: 500 LV: 1

"I see you haven't used that card in a while, Raguel." Herald noted.

"It was in my hand, so I figured, why not use it?" Raguel replied. "Appear, the circuit showing the highest mountain!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are three 'Cyreath' monsters. I'll use Cyreath Witch and the two 'Cyreath Skeleton' tokens into the Link Markers!" Witch went into the top arrowhead, while the Skeleton tokens went into the left and right arrowheads, turning all of them red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyreath Galactic Squid!" A red-skinned octopus with a white underbelly and four tentacles was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone on Raguel's field. The squid had black eyes flashing yellow dots, and multiple rows of teeth within its maw.

Cyreath Galactic Squid ATK: 2300 LINK-3 ⬅️⬆️➡️

"When Galactic Squid is Link Summoned, I can-!"

"Not so fast!" Electrolyzer interrupted, suddenly knowing what was about come. "I activate the effect of PSY-Framegear Gamma from my hand. If you activate a monster effect while I control no monsters, I can Special Summon this card and one copy of 'PSY-Frame Driver' from my hand, deck, or Graveyard. Now, come! PSY-Framegear Gamma and PSY-Frame Driver from my deck!" Two monsters then immediately appeared on Electrolyzer's field.

The first monster was a mechanical mask with sharp protrusions on its sides, along with a layered belt extending out of it.

The second was a male, humanoid monster wearing a black and white suit that had electricity emitting from his wrists and head.

PSY-Framegear Gamma ATK: 1000 DEF: 0 LV: 2

PSY-Frame Driver ATK: 2500 DEF: 0 LV: 6

"Gamma's second effect also negates your monster's effect and destroys it!" Gamma then charged head on at Galactic Squid and destroyed it.

"That's just great. We lost one of our counters to the 'PSY-Frame' deck, Raguel." Herald sarcastically commented.

"In that case, I activate the Spell card, Cyreath Treasure." Raguel responded. "By discarding a 'Cyreath' monster from my hand, I can draw two cards from my deck." Raguel took a card in his hand and sent it to the Graveyard before drawing two cards from his deck. "Since you control a monster and I don't, I can Special Summon Cyreath Satyr from my hand." A creature with the upper body of a man and the horns and legs of a goat appeared on Raguel's field. The creature had bronze pieces of armor on its head, arms, and legs, as well as long claws on its hands.

Cyreath Satyr ATK: 2300 DEF: 1400 LV: 5

"Then I activate the effect of Cyreath Wandering Soul in my Graveyard. By banishing it from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Cyreath Wanderer' token to my field." A small ball of mist in the form of a ghost appeared on Raguel's field as well.

Cyreath Wanderer Token ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"Appear, for a second time! The circuit showing the highest mountain!" Raguel declared, as a second Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are one 'Cyreath' monster. I'll set the 'Cyreath Wanderer' token into the Link Markers!" The Wanderer token went into the bottom-left arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Cyreath Skull Wing!" A small skull with wings in the right Extra Monster Zone on Raguel's field.

Cyreath Skull Wing ATK: 300 LINK-1 ↙️

"Appear, for a third time! The circuit showing the highest mountain!" A third Link Portal appeared above Raguel. "The summoning conditions are two 'Cyreath' monsters. I'll Set Cyreath Skull Wing, which is a Link 1 monster, and Cyreath Satyr into the Link Markers!" Skull Wing went into the top arrowhead, while Satyr went into the bottom arrowhead, turning both of them red.

"Link Summon! Ride into battle! Link 2! Cyreath Chariot Commander!" A ghostly skeletal figure whose entire body was made up of blue flames appeared on Raguel's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. It wore a helmet with jagged, uneven horns, and had an outfit consisting of gauntlets, a pauldron over its left shoulder, a tattered gladiator's skirt, and broken-down metallic boots.

Cyreath Chariot Commander ATK: 2000 LINK-2 ⬆️⬇️

"Skull Wing's effect!" Raguel added. "Since it was used to Link Summon, you take 300 points of damage!" A silhouette of Skull Wing appeared and went through Electrolyzer, making him shiver in the process.

Electrolyzer: 4000 – 300 = 3700 LP

"I Set two cards and end my turn." Raguel turned to Electrolyzer. "You're up."

"Since it's the end of my turn, all the monsters summoned by Gamma's effect are banished." Electrolyzer informed Raguel, as Gamma and Driver dissipated into yellow particles. "My turn! I draw!" He looked at his cards momentarily before deciding what to do. "I activate the Spell card, Psychic Path. By paying 800 life points, I can target up to two Psychic monsters that are banished and add them back to my hand."

"...Tch!" Raguel grit his teeth, having not expected that to happen. Herald's eyes widened, also surprised by what he just heard as well.

"I return Gamma and Driver back to my hand!" A portal appeared beside Electrolyzer, with two cards popping out of it before he grabbed them and added each one to his hand. Then a red aura surrounded Electrolyzer, reducing his life points.

Electrolyzer: 3700 – 800 = 2900 LP

"I then activate the Field Spell card, PSY-Frame Circuit!" Electrolyzer continued, as electrical waves of energy blasted out of the card and surrounded the duel field before dissipating momentarily. "Next, I activate the Spell card, Pot of Grief." The card showed a grey pot with a wide smile that had gold handlebars. It only had one red eye, and the pot was about to explode. "By sending the top five cards of my deck to my Graveyard, I can draw two cards in exchange." After Electrolyzer discarded two cards, he drew three cards from the top of his deck.

"I summon Psychic Tracker from my hand." A small white and green machine with yoyos attached to it appeared on Electrolyzer's field as well.

Psychic Tracker ATK: 1600 DEF: 600 LV: 3

"I then activate the effect of Psychic Wheeleder from my hand." Electrolyzer added. "Since I control a monster other than this card, I can Special Summon it to my field in defense position." A white robot enclosed in a sphere appeared in defense position on Electrolyzer's field.

Psychic Wheeleder ATK: 600 DEF: 0 LV: 3

"Appear! The circuit of high voltage!" Electrolyzer fired a bolt of electricity from his hand ahead of him, which caused a Link Portal to appear. "The summoning conditions are two monsters, except tokens. I'll set Psychic Tracker and Psychic Wheeleder into the Link Markers!" Tracker went into the bottom-left arrowhead, while Wheeleder went into the bottom-right arrowhead, turning them red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! PSY-Framelord Lambda!" A female, humanoid monster clad in a blue and white suit with gold and black armor that had spikes on it appeared on Electrolyzer's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Electricity emitted from her wrists and armor.

PSY-Framelord Lambda ATK: 1700 LINK-2 ↙️↘️

"While Lambda is on my field, I'm allowed to activate the effects of 'PSY-Frame' monsters from my hand even if I control a monster." Electrolyzer explained, as Raguel narrowed his eyes. With Lambda on his field, he can now activate the effects of 'PSY-Framegear' monsters in his hand, even if he controlled a monster. But if he can Link Summon, so can he.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Cyreath Providence." Raguel said. "This card-!"

"Like I'll let you!" Electrolyzer interrupted. "I activate the effect of PSY-Framegear Delta from my hand. Since you activated a Spell card I can Special Summon this card and one copy of 'PSY-Frame Driver' from my hand, deck, or Graveyard. By doing so, I can negate and destroy your Spell card. Normally, I wouldn't be able to do this because I control a monster, but thanks to Lambda's effect, I can."

"That must be one of the cards Electrolyzer drew with Pot of Grief." Herald figured out. "I don't like this at all, Raguel."

"Neither do I." Raguel agreed with Herald.

"Now come! PSY-Framegear Delta and PSY-Frame Driver from my Graveyard!" Two monsters then immediately appeared on Electrolyzer's field.

The first monster was a pair of metallic gloves on his hands, which were attached to a tall, golden mechanical monster with a mask on it.

The second was Driver, who returned from Electrolyzer's Graveyard.

PSY-Framegear Delta ATK: 1200 DEF: 0 LV: 2

PSY-Frame Driver ATK: 2500 DEF: 0 LV: 6

"Circuit's first effect! When a 'PSY-Frame' monster is Special Summoned to my side of the field, I'm allowed to perform a Synchro Summon using only 'PSY-Frame' monsters I control. As such, I tune the Level 2 PSY-Framegear Delta with the Level 6 PSY-Frame Driver!" A bolt of green lightning struck Electrolyzer, as the world greyed out and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, which were colored green, appeared before turning blue and merging. Eight blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "2 + 6" in front of them. The screen then changed to "8" as light surged through the rings.

"The electric warrior shall unleash the full might of his armor, and strike down all who dare seize power over others!" Electrolyzer chanted. "Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 8! PSY-Framelord Omega!" A male, humanoid monster similar to that of Zeta appeared on Electrolyzer's field in the Main Monster Zone Lambda was pointing to. While Omega wore similar armor parts Zeta wore, he also wore a pair of metallic gloves on his hands, which were attached to a tall, golden mechanical monster with a mask on it. In addition, he was riding on Epsilon while gripping on Gamma like a handlebar, turning them into a vehicle similar to that of a scooter.

PSY-Framelord Omega ATK: 2800 DEF: 2200 LV: 8

"Battle!" Electrolyzer declared. "PSY-Framelord Omega attacks Cyreath Chariot Commander! I also activate Circuit's second effect! When a 'PSY-Frame' monster I control battles your monster, I can discard one 'PSY-Frame' monster from my hand to increase that monster's attack points equal to the discarded monster's attack points until the end of the turn. I discard Driver!" After discarding Driver from his hand to his Graveyard, Omega felt electricity surging through his body.

PSY-Framelord Omega ATK: 2800 + 2500 = 5300

"Electro Current Slam!" Omega sped forward at Chariot Commander, enveloping electricity around himself as he did so.

"Raguel, do something or we're gonna be in the red zone big time!" Herald exclaimed.

"I'm on it!" Raguel assured him. ""Trap card, activate! Cyreath Resolve! By banishing a 'Cyreath' monster from my Graveyard, my monster is not destroyed, and battle damage is cut in half. I banish Satyr from my Graveyard!" A brief veil surrounded Chariot Commander, protecting itself from Omega's attack. However, strands of electricity touched Raguel, causing him to wince as his life points dropped.

Raguel: 4000 – (3300 / 2) = 2350 LP

"That was a close one." Herald said, wiping the sweat on his forehead. "He was close to halving our life points."

"I end my turn, which means Circuit's second effect ends, and Omega's attack points return to normal." Electrolyzer concluded, as Omega's attack points dropped to his original amount.

PSY-Framelord Omega ATK: 5300 – 2500 = 2800

Electrolyzer smirked. "I knew a duelist as strong as yourself wouldn't go down without a fight, Raguel. Now show me how you'll surpass the ultimate Hand Trap deck!"

"Just watch and see!" Raguel said. "My turn! I draw!" He drew the top card of his deck before looking at it. Alright, he thought. Since Raguel knew that Electrolyzer only had Gamma in his hand, that meant he can play this card safely. "I activate the Spell card, Pandora's Box. This card lets me draw until I have five cards in my hand. However, I must discard a 'Cyreath' monster from my hand at the end of my turn, or I'll take 2000 points of damage." He then drew the top five cards from his deck.

"I know what you intend to do, which is why I won't let it happen!" Electrolyzer interrupted. "I activate Omega's effect! Once per turn, during either player's turn, I can banish this card to banish one random card from your hand until my next Standby Phase!"

"I'm aware of how this effect works." Raguel responded, having created a profile on Electrolyzer a while back.

"Then you understand what's to come!" Electrolyzer replied. Like Slipstream, Raguel proved to be a challenging opponent, which is something he liked. In a duel such as this, it'll only be decided by whichever duelist manages to outsmart the other tactfully. "Electric Dissipation!" Omega pointed a finger at one of Raguel's cards in his hand, before a burst of electricity was fired and hit the card, causing both Omega and the card to vanish into particles.

"Oh, that's not good." Herald stated, stretching over to look at the cards Raguel had remaining in his hand. "We really could have used that card."

"We still have other cards to use, though." Raguel told Herald. "Like this! I activate the effect of Cyreath Doppelganger from my hand. Since I control a 'Cyreath' monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand." A pale, shadowy man materialized itself on Raguel's field in the Main Monster Zone Chariot Commander pointed to.

Cyreath Doppelganger ATK: 500 DEF: 500 LV: 4

"Chariot Commander's effect! When a monster is summoned to a zone this card points to, I can-!"

"Don't think so!" Electrolyzer suddenly stated. "I activate Gamma's effect from my hand once again! If you activate a monster effect while I control no monsters, I can Special Summon this card and one copy of 'PSY-Frame Driver' from my hand, deck, or Graveyard. Come, once again! Gamma from my hand and Driver from my Graveyard!" Both Gamma and Driver reappeared on his field soon after.

PSY-Framegear Gamma ATK: 1000 DEF: 0 LV: 2

PSY-Frame Driver ATK: 2500 DEF: 0 LV: 6

"Circuit's first effect! When a 'PSY-Frame' monster is Special Summoned to my side of the field, I'm allowed to perform a Synchro Summon using only 'PSY-Frame' monsters I control. As such, I tune the Level 2 PSY-Framegear Gamma and the Level 6 PSY-Frame Driver!" A bolt of green lightning struck Electrolyzer, as the world greyed out and his two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, which were colored green, appeared before turning blue and merging. Eight blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "2 + 6" in front of them. The screen then changed to "8" as light surged through the rings.

"Demon born from black flames, emerge and destroy all my enemies!" Electrolyzer chanted. "Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 8! Thought Ruler Archfiend!" A massive, green-skinned demon with white bones on his chest and legs appeared on Electrolyzer's field in the Main Monster Zone Lambda pointed to. He had green wings with orange spines all over them, as well as orange nails on his fingers and toes. Lastly, there were orange braces evenly spread out on his tail.

Thought Ruler Archfiend ATK: 2700 DEF: 2300 LV: 8

"Okay, that's a new one..." Herald muttered.

"But it's a monster we can get across." Raguel assured Herald. "I activate the Spell card, Cyreath Reborn!" The card showed Cyreath Zeus, Lord of the Storm showering Cyreath Hercules with particles of light, enabling him to get back up on his feet. "This card lets me Special Summon one 'Cyreath' monster from my Graveyard. Return, Chariot Commander!" Soon, Chariot Commander reappeared on Raguel's field, only in the Main Monster Zone.

Cyreath Chariot Commander ATK: 2000 LINK-2 ⬆️⬇️

"Appear, the circuit showing the highest mountain!" A Link Portal appeared above Raguel. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyreath' monsters. I'll set Cyreath Doppelganger and Cyreath Chariot Commander, which is a Link 2 monster, into the Link Markers!" Doppelganger went into the top-left arrowhead, while Chariot Commander went into the top-left and top-right arrowheads, turning all three of them red respectively.

"Link Summon! The strongest warrior chosen by the gods leads the charge to victory! Link 3! Cyreath Hercules!" A tall, muscular warrior wearing a brown tunic around his waist appeared on Raguel's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. He wore shoulder guards resembling lion paws and a helmet resembling a lion's head with a plume forming a mane. He also carried a massive gauntlet with a lion face on each arm.

Cyreath Hercules ATK: 2500 LINK-3 ↖️⬇️↗️

"Hercules' effect! Monsters he points to lose 500 attack points!" Raguel added. "Nemean Roar!" Hercules let out a massive roar, which hit Thought Ruler Archfiend and decreased his strength, causing Electrolyzer to frown in the process.

Thought Ruler Archfiend ATK: 2700 – 500 = 2200

It's likely he'll use his Skill PSY-Frame Suit Upat this point, Raguel deduced, aware of how it worked. Which is why I luckily got this. "I activate the Equip Spell card, Aegis Shield, and equip it onto Hercules!" The card showed a golden shield with a silver rim, which circled around the entire shield. At the center of the shield was a silver, gorgon's head rolling its blue eyes. It also had golden-serpent like scales as well. Hercules dropped the gauntlets in his hands before picking up the shield and strapping it on his left arm. "If the monster equipped with this card battles a monster you control, that monster loses attack points equal to the 'Cyreath' Link monster's Link rating times 500 until the end of this turn!"

"What?!" Electrolyzer exclaimed in surprise, knowing which monster Raguel will likely attack with Hercules. If Hercules destroys a monster whose attack points are different than its original attack points, I'll take damage equal to half of that monster's original attack points. Thought Ruler Archfiend already has less attack points than his original amount. So if Raguel attacks that monster, I'll take 1800 points of damage along with an additional 1350 points of damage, which means I'll lose the duel. He narrowed his eyes. I planned on using my Skill on my next turn, but it seems I have no choice now.

"Battle!" Raguel declared. "Cyreath Hercules attacks Thought Ruler Archfiend! And since Hercules is a Link 3 monster, Thought Ruler Archfiend's attack points are decreased by 1500! Gorgon's Glare!" The blue eyes on the gorgon's head glowed at Thought Ruler Archfiend, petrifying him and decreasing his attack points.

Thought Ruler Archfiend ATK: 2200 – (500 X 3) = 700

"Aegis Slam!" Hercules charged forward, intent on slamming the shield at Thought Ruler Archfiend.

"I activate my Skill! PSY-Frame Suit Up!" Electrolyzer announced, as the yellow lines on Electrolyzer's coat cackled with electricity briefly before dissipating. "I can Special Summon one 'PSY-Frame' Tuner monster from my hand, deck, Graveyard, or banished zone to my field, ignoring its summoning conditions." A card popped out from his deck, which he immediately grabbed. "From my deck, I Special Summon PSY-Framegear Epsilon to my field." Soon, a golden, mechanical monster with a mask, as well as sharp protrusions on its sides appeared on Electrolyzer's field. Extending out from its small body were two, long golden-curved rods. The first one was longer than the other, and had one spike on each side. The second was split in half, with each half having two spikes and ending in a silver bolt.

PSY-Framegear Epsilon ATK: 1500 DEF: 0 LV: 2

"Also, if there's a Psychic Synchro monster on my field, it gains attack and defense points equal to the Special Summoned monster's attack and defense points. Therefore, Thought Ruler Archfiend gains 1500 attack points!" A green aura surrounded Thought Ruler Archfiend as he powered up.

Thought Ruler Archfiend ATK: 700 + 1500 = 2200 DEF: 2300 + 1500 = 3800

"You may survived this turn, but you're still taking battle damage." Raguel pointed out, as Hercules slammed the Aegis Shield into Thought Ruler Archfiend, destroying him and causing Electrolyzer to slightly wince before easily regaining his balance.

Electrolyzer: 2700 – 300 = 2500 LP

"Hercules's second effect! Since he destroyed a monster whose attack points are different from its original attack points, you take damage equal to half the destroyed monster's original attack points! Nemean Rage!" Hercules charged forward once again and hit Electrolyzer using the Aegis Shield, causing him to stagger for a second time before he regained his balance.

Electrolyzer: 2500 – (2700 / 2) = 1150 LP

"I end my turn, and since my turn is over, I discard Cyreath Orne from my hand to avoid the 2000 life point penalty for activating Pandora's Box." Raguel concluded, taking the last card in his hand and sending it to his Graveyard.

"And since you ended your turn, I can activate Lambda's second effect!" Electrolyzer informed Raguel. "When a Psychic monster is banished during either player's turn, I can add one 'PSY-Frame' card from my deck to my hand." A card popped out of Electrolyzer's deck, which he took and added to his hand. ""My turn! I draw!" Electrolyzer then drew the top card of his deck. "As it's now my Standby Phase, the effect of Omega ends, which means he returns to my field and you get your card back." Within moments, Omega reappeared on Electrolyzer's field, only in the Main Monster Zone. Yellow particles then formed into a card, which returned to Raguel's hand.

PSY-Framelord Omega ATK: 2800 DEF: 2200 LV: 8

"Yay, we got our card back!" Herald cheered.

"But only temporarily." Electrolyzer stated. "Omega's effect! Once per turn, during either player's turn, I can banish this card to banish one random card from your hand until my next Standby Phase! Electric Dissipation!" Omega pointed a finger at the last card in Raguel's hand, before a burst of electricity was fired and hit the card, causing both Omega and the card to vanish into particles.

"Not again!" Herald lamented. "We really needed that card!"

"I'm with you on that one, Herald." Raguel agreed. So long as Omega was on the field, Electrolyzer can use his effect to get rid of Raguel's cards, thus decreasing his options. In addition, he can use his effect every time he returns to his field. On top of that, Electrolyzer can use Lambda's effect to add more 'PSY-Frame' cards to his hand, enabling him to counter whatever strategies Raguel had.

"I activate the Spell card, Pot of Avarice!" Electrolyzer continued. "This card lets me target five monsters in my Graveyard, shuffle them into my deck, and then draw two cards. I target PSY-Framegear Gamma and Delta, PSY-Frame Driver, Psychic Tracker, and Psychic Wheeleder in my Graveyard to shuffle them into my deck." Five cards came out of his Graveyard, which he took and shuffled into his deck before drawing two cards. Upon looking at them, he smiled.

"I'm impressed you made it this far in our duel, Raguel. However, with this card, it'll come to an end." Electrolyzer then took one of the cards from his hand and said, "I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Miracle Synchro Fusion!"

"He has the same card Stregone has?!" Herald exclaimed in surprise. Miracle Synchro Fusion was a rare card to acquire because everyone used Link monsters these days and not the other summoning methods. Since Stregone was able to wield multiple summoning methods, he can fully utilize Miracle Synchro Fusion to his advantage. "It can only mean one thing..."

"A Fusion Summon..." Raguel finished for Herald.

"That's right!" Electrolyzer confirmed. "This card lets me perform a Fusion Summon by banishing monsters from my field or Graveyard that are listed on a Fusion monster in my Extra Deck! I banish Thought Ruler Archfiend in my Graveyard, and PSY-Framegear Epsilon on my field to Fusion Summon!" Epsilon disintegrated into red particles of energy, while Thought Ruler Archfiend emerged from Electrolyzer's Graveyard as blue particles of energy. The red and blue particles of energy then swirled into a vortex. Two tornadoes of energy shot upwards and merged to form a magenta whirlwind.

"Fallen demon born from black flames, absorb these energies and arise anew!" Electrolyzer chanted. "Fusion Summon! Emerge, Level 10! Ultimate Axon Kicker!" A massive, green-skinned demon with white and orange spines all over his body appeared on Electrolyzer's field in the Main Monster Zone Lambda pointed to. He had two sets of wings with orange spines all over them, including a long tail trailing behind him. Green lightning also crackled underneath Ultimate Axon Kicker's skin as well.

Ultimate Axon Kicker ATK: 2900 DEF: 1700 LV: 10

"Ultimate Axon Kicker can't be destroyed by card effects, and if he attacks a monster in defense position, you take piercing battle damage." Raguel narrowed his eyes at those effects. The bad news was that Ultimate Axon Kicker can't be destroyed by card effects. However, Raguel didn't have any monsters in defense position, which means the second effect was already dealt with. Luckily, he still had Hercules on his field.

"Hercules's effect! Monsters he points to lose 500 attack points!" Raguel reminded Electrolyzer, as Hercules roared for a second time, pushing back Ultimate Axon Kicker momentarily before his strength was decreased.

Ultimate Axon Kicker ATK: 2900 – 500 = 2400

"Even if you attack with Ultimate Axon Kicker, Aegis Shield will decrease your monster's attack points by 1500!" Herald pointed out. "Which means once you attack, you'll lose the duel!"

"Do you really think I wasn't aware of that?" Electrolyzer responded. "I activate the Equip Spell card, Psychic Energizer, and equip it onto Ultimate Axon Kicker!" The card showed Hyper Psychic Riser surrounded with cackling electricity as its entire body was supercharged. "A Psychic monster equipped with this card gains 1500 attack and defense points. Also, if the equipped Psychic monster battles, it's unaffected by the effects of your Spell and Trap cards until the end of my turn."

"Say what?!" Raguel said in shock, as Ultimate Axon Kicker was surrounded in an electrical aura, increasing his strength.

Ultimate Axon Kicker ATK: 2400 + 1500 = 3900 DEF: 1700 + 1500 = 3200

"If Ultimate Axon Kicker and Lambda's attacks succeed, we'll be done for!" Herald screeched.

"Raguel, you are a worthy opponent to face off against." Electrolyzer praised him. "Although all good things must come to an end, know that this duel will forever live on in my memories." He thrusted his right hand forward. "Battle! Ultimate Axon Kicker attacks Cyreath Hercules! Electric Breaker!" Ultimate Axon Kicker gathered green lightning in his hands before firing it at Hercules, which broke through the Aegis Shield and electrocuted him, causing an explosion that made Raguel slightly lose his balance.

Raguel: 2350 – 1400 = 950 LP

"Ultimate Axon Kicker's third effect! When he destroys your monster by battle and sends it to your Graveyard, I gain life points equal to its attack points! Surging Rejuvenation!" Cackling energy surrounded Electrolyzer as his life points increased. "Since Hercules and Aegis Shield are now gone, Ultimate Axon Kicker gains his lost strength back as well!" Ultimate Axon Kicker roared, regaining his lost strength in the process.

Electrolyzer: 1150 + 2500 = 3650 LP

Ultimate Axon Kicker ATK: 3900 + 500 = 4400

"Go, Lambda!" Electrolyzer said, pointing his right index finger at his opponent. "Attack Raguel directly and end this duel!" Lambda fired electricity from her fingers, which were headed straight towards Raguel!

"I activate the effect of Cyreath Orne from my Graveyard!" Raguel said. "By banishing this card and halving my life points, any damage I would take from that battle is reduced to zero!"

"What?!" Electrolyzer exclaimed, as a large skull with a horn protruding from either side of its head and jaw appeared on Raguel's field, which had a purple aura surrounding the bulk of its body. It opened its mouth, releasing multiple red and blue skulls that shredded the lightning. After the skulls returned to the large skull, it turned its gaze at Raguel before releasing the purple aura surrounding it, causing him to scream in pain as his life points dropped.

Raguel: 950 / 2 = 475 LP

"Yuhiro, are you alright there?" Roxy asked out of concern for him through the comms. "You're still exhausted from that previous duel, aren't you?"

"I definitely am." Raguel admitted. "It could be worse though. What's the status?"

"The code has been fully analyzed." Roxy replied. "At this moment, we're helping Slipstream create his escape program."

"Got it." Raguel then turned his attention back to the duel.

"I end my turn, which means I can activate Lambda's second effect. When a Psychic monster is banished during either player's turn, I can add one 'PSY-Frame' card from my deck to my hand." Electrolyzer concluded as a card popped out of his deck, which he took and added to his hand. "This will be your last chance to defeat me, Raguel. Make it count."

"My turn! I draw!" Raguel said, drawing the top card of his deck and looking at it. Cyreath Lava Hound, he thought. A monster that can be Special Summoned from my hand if my opponent controls a Link monster. If Lava Hound leaves the field, I can Special Summon two 'Cyreath Lava Pup' tokens to my field, which'll enable me to Link Summon a Link 3 monster. I could Link Summon Cyreath Stymphalian Bird and attack Electrolyzer directly by banishing a monster from my Graveyard. However, he'll likely have a copy of Gamma in his hand to negate that effect and destroy my monster. And even if I Link Summon Hades or Poseidon, it won't be enough to bring his life points to zero. That's because Electrolyzer will likely Special Summon Gamma and Driver in defense position, enabling him to protect his life points. Therefore, I need to summon a monster who'll be able to inflict at least 4000 points of damage to win. But how?

As his thoughts ran in that direction, a light shined in front of him, getting his attention. Hercules? The tall and muscular warrior was giving him a determined look, assuring Raguel that he will get through this duel.

As Raguel stared at him, a new image came to his mind. Of a new monster. Various cards then flew past him and connected with each other before disappearing into light.

And at the end of the tunnel, a warrior stood. He was a colossal, statue-like man with long, shaggy black hair and elbow protrusions. The warrior turned to Raguel and looked at him, the gleam of Mad Enhancement no longer in his eyes, which made him look like a regular person.

Raguel blinked, returning to reality. "I know how we'll win this duel."

"You do?" Herald turned to Raguel. "Well, whatever you're planning, I'm with you all the way!"

Raguel nodded before redirecting his attention to the duel. "I activate Doppelganger's effect from my Graveyard! By banishing a 'Cyreath' monster from my Graveyard, I can-!"

"I don't think so!" Electrolyzer interrupted. "I activate Gamma's effect from my hand once again! If you activate a monster effect while I control no monsters, I can Special Summon this card and one copy of 'PSY-Frame Driver' from my hand, deck, or Graveyard. And thanks to Lambda's first effect, I can activate Gamma's effect even if I control monsters. Come, PSY-Framegear Gamma and PSY-Frame Driver from my deck!" Both monsters then appeared on Electrolyzer's field, only in defense position.

PSY-Framegear Gamma ATK: 1000 DEF: 0 LV: 2

PSY-Frame Driver ATK: 2500 DEF: 0 LV: 6

At that moment, Raguel smirked. "I can't believe you fell for that move."

"What do you mean?" Electrolyzer inquired. It then hit him as he realized his mistake.

"The 'PSY-Frame' deck is one of the trickiest decks I ever faced off against due to how they can disrupt an opponent's moves." Raguel began. "However, even a deck like the 'PSY-Frame' deck has its limitations, with the major one being the reduced Main Monster Zones in a Speed Duel. So by baiting you with Doppelganger..."

"You can't activate the effects of your 'PSY-Framegears' from your hand!" Herald finished.

"...Tch!" Electrolyzer grit his teeth, shocked that he took the bait. With his Main Monster Zones now filled, he can no longer negate the effects of Raguel's cards!

"Since you control a Link monster, I can Special Summon Cyreath Lava Hound from my hand. However, if it's summoned using this effect, it can only attack Link monsters." Raguel explained, as an overweight, volcanic creature with small wings appeared on his field.

Cyreath Lava Hound ATK: 2200 DEF: 1700 LV: 6

"Appear, the circuit showing the highest mountain!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are one 'Cyreath' monster. I'll set Cyreath Lava Hound into the Link Markers!" Lava Hound went into the left arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Cyreath Plutus!" A six-armed fiend with dark-grey skin appeared on Raguel's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. His face resembled that of a grey demon with no teeth, replaced by patches of skin that connected the top and bottom portions of the mouth together. He wore golden armor pieces on his head, shoulders, and the lower section of his arms. He also had a blue tarp wrapped around his waist as well. In Plutus's right hand was a spear-like cleaver.

Cyreath Plutus ATK: 1200 LINK-1 ⬅️

"When Plutus is Link Summoned, I can target one Link monster he points to and place 'Greed' counters on him." Raguel explained. "Plutus is pointing to Lambda at the moment, which is a Link 2 monster. That means Plutus gains two 'Greed' counters." Two golden orbs appeared in the top set of Plutus's hands.

Cyreath Plutus GC: 0 + 2 = 2

"Lava Hound's second effect activates as well! Since it left the field, I can Special Summon two 'Cyreath Lava Pup' tokens to my field!" Immediately, two smaller pups resembling Lava Hound emerged into existence on Raguel's field in defense position.

Cyreath Lava Pup Token ATK: 800 DEF: 800 LV: 3

Cyreath Lava Pup Token ATK: 800 DEF: 800 LV: 3

"I activate Plutus's second effect!" Raguel continued. "I can remove 'Greed' counters from him to draw cards equal to the number of 'Greed' Counters removed. I remove two 'Greed' Counters to draw two cards." The golden orbs disappeared as Raguel drew two cards.

Cyreath Plutus GC: 2 -2 = 0

"Excellent!" Herald said, looking at the two cards. "Although we're missing one card, we'll be able to beat Electrolyzer for sure."

"Leave that to me." Raguel replied. "I activate the Spell card, Battle Cry of the Cyreaths!" The card showed the Cyreath Argo docked on land as Jason, Hercules, Atalanta, Castor & Pollux, Paris, and two other individuals ran down the ramp towards an army of soldiers, shouting a loud battle cry. "This card lets me Link Summon one 'Cyreath' Link monster from my Graveyard by using monsters on my field as Link material. I can then target the Link Summoned 'Cyreath' Link monster and negate face-up cards on your field equal to its Link rating!"

"What?!" Electrolyzer exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise. A Link Summon from the Graveyard combined with the negation of face-up cards? That was unexpected indeed.

"Appear, the circuit showing the highest mountain!" A Link Portal appeared above Raguel. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyreath' monsters. I'll Set Cyreath Plutus, which is a Link 1 monster, and both Cyreath Lava Pup tokens into the Link Markers!" Plutus went into the bottom arrowhead, while both Lava Pup tokens went into the top-left and top-right arrowheads respectively.

"Link Summon! The strongest warrior chosen by the gods leads the charge to victory! Link 3! Cyreath Hercules!" For a second time, Hercules appeared on Raguel's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cyreath Hercules ATK: 2500 LINK-3 ↖️⬇️↗️

"Hercules' effect! Monsters he points to lose 500 attack points!" Raguel reminded Electrolyzer, as Hercules roared a third time, pushing back Ultimate Axon Kicker momentarily before his strength was decreased.

Ultimate Axon Kicker ATK: 4400 – 500 = 3900

"Battle Cry of the Cyreaths' second effect now activates! I target Hercules, which is a Link 3 monster. That means I can negate three face-up cards on your field. I negate the effects of Psychic Energizer, Ultimate Axon Kicker, and Lambda!" Electrolyzer gasped as all three cards were greyed out, which caused Ultimate Axon Kicker and Lambda to groan in pain.

Ultimate Axon Kicker ATK: 3900 – 1500 = 2400 DEF: 3200 – 1500 = 1700

"It's time, Raguel!" Herald announced. "Are you ready?"

"Yes!" Raguel answered. "I activate my Skill! Godly Grandeur!" The silver armor on Raguel's body then began to shine, causing Electrolyzer to shield his eyes. "By returning one 'Cyreath' Link monster in my Graveyard back to my Extra Deck, I can draw the top card of my deck and reveal it to you before activating one of three effects. I return Skull Wing back into my Extra Deck and draw!" Raguel then drew the top card of his deck before looking at it briefly. "The card I drew is the Trap card, Alpha Mode Activate! Not only can I activate this card from my hand, you can't activate cards or effects in response to that card!"

"...!" Electrolyzer was shocked upon hearing this information. He looked at his field before looking at the card in his hand. Even if I could activate the effect of PSY-Framegear Epsilon in my hand, it'll be all for naught, he thought.

"From my hand, I activate the Trap card, Alpha Mode Activate!" The card showed Raguel holding a shining card in his right hand. Behind him was Cyreath Hercules, his helmet and gauntlets breaking as his strength increased. "By tributing one 'Cyreath' Link monster, I can Special Summon one "/Alpha Mode" Link monster whose name includes the tributed monster's name from my Extra Deck!"

"This is my answer to Soulburner's Reincarnation Link Summoning Strategy!" Herald proudly declared, as a massive portal that had the symbols of Olympus on it appeared above Raguel.

"I tribute Hercules!" Raguel declared, as Hercules jumped into the portal, causing it to glow a bright light.

"Alpha Mode Summon! Warrior consumed with madness, protect those you care about through the strength of your heart and iron will! Link 3! Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode!" A colossal, statue-like man with long, shaggy black hair and elbow protrusions appeared on Raguel's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. His body and yellow eyes turned red before letting out a massive roar, the Mad Enhancement having taken over him.

Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode ATK: 3000 LINK-3 ↖️⬇️↗️

"Alpha Mode..." Electrolyzer muttered. "As impressed as I am with this new summoning method, the original Hercules is no longer on your field, meaning Ultimate Axon Kicker regains his lost attack points." Ultimate Axon Kicker then roared, which indicated he got his strength back.

Ultimate Axon Kicker ATK: 2400 + 500 = 2900

"That may be, but let's see how you respond to this!" Raguel countered. "When Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode is Special Summoned using 'Alpha Mode Activate', I can target up to three 'Cyreath' Link monsters with different Link ratings in my Graveyard and place 'God Hand' counters on him equal to the combined amount. I target Plutus, Chariot Commander, and Galactic Squid, whose combined Link rating is six. Therefore, I can place six 'God Hand' counters on Hercules/Alpha Mode!" Six orbs of light went out of Raguel's Graveyard and went into Hercules/Alpha Mode, hardening his body in the process.

Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode GHC: 0 + 6 = 6

"I now activate the Equip Spell card, Nine Lives, and equip it onto Hercules/Alpha Mode!" A massive axe-sword then appeared on Raguel's field in front of Hercules, who picked it up. "When this card is equipped onto a 'Cyreath' monster, it gains 900 attack points." Hercules/Alpha Mode roared as his strength increased.

Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode ATK: 3000 + 900 = 3900

"Battle!" Raguel declared. "Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode attacks PSY-Framelord Lambda!" Hercules/Alpha Mode then charged forward to Lambda, intent on destroying her with multiple strikes.

"Even if my monster is destroyed, I'll still survive this turn!" Electrolyzer reminded Raguel.

"Nine Lives has another effect, you know." Raguel said. "If it's equipped to a 'Cyreath Hercules' monster, all damage inflicted is doubled!"

Electrolyzer's eyes widened in shock for a brief moment before returning to normal. "It seems I lost," he muttered, accepting the outcome of the duel.

"Finish this duel, Hercules/Alpha Mode! Nine Lives Blade Works!" Hercules/Alpha Mode struck Lambda multiple times with Nine Lives, causing nine explosions to occur before pushing Electrolyzer back. Surprisingly, he was still on his duel board, having fallen to his knee.

Electrolyzer: 3650 – (2200 X 2) = 0

"I didn't expect you to learn a summoning method that evolves Link monsters..." Electrolyzer admitted. "Though I lost, you are, and always will be a worthy opponent. Honestly, I wish we were allies."

"So do I." Raguel agreed. "You're not like the other bounty hunters. Unlike them, you have an ethical code, just like me. Perhaps one day, we may truly be allies in the future."

"I look forward to that." Electrolyzer genuinely smiled at Raguel. "I hope you find the friend you care about as well." He then logged out afterwards.

"Electrolyzer..." Raguel muttered, before turning to Herald. "Do you think he'll join our side in the future?"

"If I'm being honest, I hope so." Herald answered. "Having a strong duelist like him on our side will greatly help us in completing our goals." A screen then appeared in front of Herald. "It seems that Playmaker defeated Noob Two: Yoroizaka. Slipstream also defeated Drachen as well, which means all bounty hunters are defeated."

"Nice duel, Yuhiro." Roxy said to him over the comms. "We're currently helping Slipstream and the others with his escape program, so more hands on deck will speed up its completion."

"Don't worry, Roxy. I'm on it." Raguel promised, the screen then showing Slipstream's escape program. He and Herald then sped off to the sphere, typing code onto the screen in the process. By the time they made it to the sphere, they noticed Playmaker and Slipstream already there, the both of them typing code on their respective screens. "Glad to see you're all done with your duels."

"Playmaker totally squashed both of those noobs in one turn each!" Ai boasted, proud of Playmaker and himself.

"You and Playmaker may have took less time, but Raguel and I had difficulty against Electrolyzer." Herald replied, before turning to Slipstream. "What about you, Slipstream? Any difficulties against Drachen?"

"Let's see. He had a Fusion monster that was literally a sword, as well as a Link 4 monster." Drachen recapped.

"He didn't use that in our duel..." Raguel muttered. Just like Electrolyzer with his new Fusion monster, Drachen too has stepped up his game with new cards, he thought. "Any progress on your end, Playmaker?"

"My part's almost done." Playmaker answered. Soon, the three duelists completed their portions of Slipstream's escape program. "Kusanagi, are you and Roxy done with your portions of the escape program?"

"Just about, buddy." Kusanagi responded. "Okay, I'm all finished."

"Me as well!" Roxy added. "You can launch the escape program, Slipstream!"

"Alright! It's time to launch the Pac-Man escape program!" Slipstream announced to everyone with delight before putting his finger above the 'Enter' button on his screen. "Three! Two! One!" After the short countdown, he pressed the button, causing the program to begin running.

Elsewhere, inside the Sphere...

"Battle!" Soulburner declared. "Salamangreat Heatleo attacks you directly, Blood Shepherd! Inferno Strike!"

"You're finished!" Heatleo roared, as he charged forward, intent on ending the duel for Soulburner.

"You fool!" Blood Shepherd replied. "I activate-!"

CRASH!

The next thing both duelists knew, Pac-Man's of various sizes smashed through the wall, gobbling up pieces of the ground in the process.

"What in the world-?" Soulburner began, looking around the area. Heatleo and Blood Shepherd's face-down card disappeared a few moments after the Pac-Man's appeared.

"It appears our allies have freed us." Flame deduced. "Although I didn't expect them to do so in this particular manner."

"Get out of the way!" Blood Shepherd snarled, firing at each Pac-Man and turning them into particles. Unfortunately, it spawned more Pac-Man's, giving him a lot more trouble in the process. What's more, the ground started shaking, forcing Blood Shepherd on his knee.

"Those Pac-Man's are gobbling everything up!" Soulburner realized, looking around the area.

"Sir, you need to escape!" Blood Shepherd's Aid informed him. "If you don't, those programs will force a log out and prevent you from logging in for twenty four hours!"

"I'll get you next time, Soul-!" Blood Shepherd began, only for the Pac-Man's to cut him off mid-sentence. As a result, he was forced to escape, lest he be banned from the network for an entire day.

"Soulburner-!" Flame exclaimed, worried they'll meet the same fate.

"On it, Flame!" Soulburner replied, jumping onto each rock and evading each Pac-Man, managing to successfully escape the sphere.

In LINK VRAINS...

Soulburner emerged out of the sphere and landed on one of LINK VRAINS' floating islands, where he was forced to one knee upon impact. "Glad that's over with," he muttered.

"Soulburner!" Playmaker cried out.

"Playmaker!" Flame said, emerging from Soulburner's duel disk. "Raguel and Slipstream as well!"

Raguel, Playmaker, and Slipstream leapt down from where they were and landed to where Soulburner was.

"Aw man. I was just about to finish that joker off." Soulburner said, getting up on his feet. "Just one question. Who's idea was it to unleash an army of Pac-Man's in the first place?"

"That was my idea." Slipstream answered, a grin on his face. "Our combined effort enabled you to escape and made Blood Shepherd run away like a chicken."

"I like the name of your program." Herald commented. "It combines a classic video game character with a program that literally eats through the trap."

"Kusanagi. Slipstream's program worked." Playmaker informed him. "Soulburner's safe."

"Music to my ears." Kusanagi replied.

Soulburner then turned to Playmaker. "You think Slipstream passed the test or what?"

"He definitely did." Playmaker affirmed, a smile on his face.

"I second that as well." Raguel added. The three Ignis's also gave a thumbs up each in confirmation.

"Oh my gosh, thank you so very much!" Slipstream jumped with joy, happy he passed another test.

"There's still one more test you need to pass." Playmaker told him. "If you pass this one, you're officially a member on the team."

"I'll totally ace the next test, that's for sure!" Slipstream promised, still jumping for joy. "This calls for a victory selfie!" He grabbed Playmaker and Soulburner, as well as Raguel before putting his left arm in front of him and pressing a button. "Say cheese!" His duel disk then flashed before taking the picture. "I'm so saving this."

"Uh, could you mind explaining what that picture's for?" Ai asked.

"I have an awesome idea on how we can get the public to support us." Slipstream informed the others.

"Then let's log out and regroup for now." Raguel told everyone before turning to Slipstream. "We can discuss your idea once we're all back in the real world." After everyone else nodded, they all logged out. Moments after they logged out, Blood Shepherd walked over and looked down at the area they were at prior to logging out of LINK VRAINS.

"My trap's cannot be hacked," he said. "Without help, that is." At that moment, he noticed Ghost Girl behind him.

"Come on now. I saved you from a loss." Ghost Girl pointed out. "Besides, those Pac-Man's were definitely not my doing, that I can assure you."

Blood Shepherd grunted with annoyance. He had a face-down card ready to be used, and had the duel continued, his trap would've shut out Soulburner's final hope, enabling him to win and secure his Ignis. "While I can agree with you on that, I had Soulburner right where I wanted him."

Ghost Girl, on the other hand, wasn't so convinced, believing the boy would still have a trick up his sleeve should that happen. "Sure, Blood Shepherd. Whatever you say," she said sarcastically.

At that moment, Blood Shepherd spun around quickly, raising his arm at her and charging it up. "Yes, it is whatever I say, and I say you've interfered for the last time!" Just when he was about to fire, Ghost Girl quickly logged out to his frustration as the blast missed and instead blew up a nearby piece of floating debris.

"Hmph.." He scoffed in disgust, knowing he hesitated for just a brief moment when he should've fired on Ghost Girl without mercy. Having his prey escape him twice would surely damage his reputation as a pro bounty hunter. In Blood Shepherd's mind, he swore to never repeat that mistake again, especially since he knew Ghost Girls real identity. And now that he knew Soulburner's identity, it was only a matter of time before he connected the dots. "You may have got lucky today, but I'll ensure you and the rest of Zaizen's posse are dealt with once and for all!" Blood Shepherd then logged out, intent on keeping that promise the first change he got.

Unbeknownst to him, Azrael was watching the entire exchange on a floating island above it, his left hand holding the scabbard that held his katana inside.

"The trap has been fully scanned." Wraith said. "It appears the Light Ignis was wrong about that one. The way Blood Shepherd scanned Soulburner's memories with an Ignis Algorithm was quite impressive."

"While it is impressive, that program may be a detriment to us." Azrael pointed out. "For if he uses it on Ace, Athaliah, or Speckles, he'll gain intel from their memories. We'll need to take precautions to prevent that from happening, and lucky for us, I have one precaution prepared."

"Precaution?" Wraith turned to Azrael. "What do you-?" It then dawned on him. "Ah. I get what you mean."

"At the same time, the trap may be useful, especially when I duel Raguel." Azrael continued. "If we correct the flaws in that trap, we'll be able to use it more efficiently than Blood Shepherd."

"With that aside, what do you think of the duels that just occurred?" Wraith asked.

"Just like Saburo Inoue, the flunkies Playmaker dueled are nothing more than gnats for Malf to absorb." Azrael began. "The duel between Drachen and Slipstream was quite interesting, as the latter managed to outwit the former. I'll need to keep an eye on both duelists, as they piqued my interest. As for the duel between Raguel and Electrolyzer, Raguel managed to evolve his ace monster with a method I never seen before. This is a sign he's getting stronger."

"And Electrolyzer?"

"He's someone I need to keep an eye on as well." Azrael answered. At that moment, a screen popped up on his duel disk. It showed Stregone and Phoenix chasing after Go Onizuka. "It looks like another duel is about to begin."

"I see it as well." Wraith added, looking at the screen. "If I recall, Stregone's the number two Charisma Duelist in LINK VRAINS, while Go Onizuka is nothing more than a dog who takes orders. Do you think either of them will catch your attention?"

"We shall see, Wraith. We shall see." Azrael assured him, the both of them now paying attention to the upcoming duel.

A light shines and the letters spelling out VRAINS light up the screen before a network is formed and several cards are drawn in towards a pillar of light. Playmaker, Raguel, and Soulburner are shown with their respective Ignis and stats, along with real-life forms that across the backgrounds that match their Ignis' colors. The screen then shows each of them being shocked while wearing VR sets as kids, along with Arashi.

The screen gets swallowed with darkness at it reveals a young Yukage huddled up and crying, his shadow shrinking behind him before taking the form of Wraith and comforting him. Yukage looks up with a menacing and soul piercing glare before the darkness consumes him and he's replaced with an older version of himself. Azrael and Wraith are then shown in NEW LINK VRAINS, as they look out into the digital sky. The scene then shifts to Bohman standing tall above NEW LINK VRAINS and holding the earth in his hands with Haru by his side. Malf grins in the shadows behind them, his red eyes shining bright in the process.

A drop of light falls down, and as it explodes, it reveals Playmaker, Raguel, and Soulburner, standing on buildings watching over the network, along with Slipstream as well. Blood Shepherd is shown commanding a trio of Battledrone Sergeants before the screen shifts to Drachen, who is shown commanding Red-Eyes Black Dragon. The screen then shifts a third time to Electrolyzer, where above him was PSY-Frame Driver, with PSY-Framegears Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Zeta. The screen then shows Go Onizuka, Kenmochi, and Yoroizaka with Dinowrestler King T Wrextle, Gouki the Blade Ogre, and Gouki the Solid Ogre behind them ready for battle.

Blue Girl, Ghost Girl, Numera and SengokuQueen are then featured together riding their duel boards across the night sky with shooting stars flying across them. Trickstar Holly Angel was with Blue Angel, while Numera was with Geomathmech Final Sigma. Ghost Girl was with Altergeist Dragvirion, while SengokuQueen was with a male shinobi wearing grey robes and armor pads with neon-yellow lines running over them. The man had a red scarf around his neck, along with a face-mask and face visor on his head. He also had spiked-brown hair and a ponytail as well. In his right hand, he carried a Sai, while the brass knuckle on his left hand emitted four translucent blades.

The screen then changes to Raguel, Playmaker, and Soulburner riding on their duel boards with Cyreath Medusa and Cyreath Hercules in his new form, Cyberse Magician, Cyberse Witch, and Salamangreat Heatleo behind them. Following the trio is Slipstream and Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. The four of them join together with a fist bump and smile in the real world as the wind blows, with Kusanagi, Roxy, and Greg watching them from Kusanagi's truck. Rachel then runs toward the quartet, and more specifically, Yuhiro, a look of joy clearly on her face. Unbeknownst to everyone, they're watched from the shadows by a cloaked person who glares at them, biding his time.

Card Gallery

Raguel:

Cyreath Reborn (Normal Spell card)

Effect: Target 1 'Cyreath' monster in your GY; Special Summon it.

Battle Cry of the Cyreaths (Normal Spell card)

Effect: When this card is activated, you can: Immediately after this card resolves, Link Summon 1 'Cyreath' Link Monster from your GY using 'Cyreath' monsters you control, and if you do, you can target the Link Summoned 'Cyreath' Link Monster; negate the effects of face-up cards your opponent controls equal to its Link Rating. You can only use each effect of 'Battle Cry of the Cyreaths' once per turn.

Alpha Mode Activate (Normal Trap card)

Effect: Tribute 1 'Cyreath' Link Monster on your field; Special Summon 1 'Alpha/Mode' Link Monster whose name includes the tributed Monster's name from your Extra Deck.

Cyreath Plutus (LR: 1/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 1200/⬅️)

Effect: When this card is Link Summoned: You can target 1 Link Monster this card points to and place 'Greed' counters equal to that Link Monster's Link Rating. Once per turn: You can remove 'Greed' counters from this card; draw cards equal to the number of 'Greed' counters removed by this effect.

Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode (LR: 3/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 3000/↖️⬇️↗️)

Effect: Must be Special Summoned with 'Alpha Mode Activate', and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. If this card is Special Summoned using 'Alpha Mode/Activate': You can target up to 3 'Cyreath' Link Monsters with different Link Ratings; place 'God Hand' counters on this card equal to the combined amount. If this card would leave the field: You can remove 1 'God Hand' counter instead, and if you do, it gains 500 ATK. While this card is on the field, your opponent cannot target monsters you control for attacks or card effects, except this one.

Electrolyzer:

Pot of Grief (Normal Spell card)

Effect: Send the top 5 cards of your deck to your GY; draw 2 cards. You can only activate 1 'Pot of Grief' per turn.

Psychic Energizer (Equip Spell card)

Effect: Equip only to a Psychic monster. It gains 1500 ATK and DEF. If the equipped monster battles, it is unaffected by the effects of your opponent's Spell and Trap cards until the End Phase.

Slipstream:

Speed Chain (Continuous-Spell card)

Effect: When this card is activated and you control 2 or more 'Speedroid' monsters, you can add 1 'Speedroid' Tuner Monster from your deck to your hand. Once per turn, when you Synchro Summon a 'Hi-Speedroid' or Wind Dragon Synchro Monster: You can target 1 'Speedroid' monster in your GY; shuffle it into your deck, and if you do, draw 1 card.

Overspeed Tuning (Quick-Play Spell card)

Effect: When this card is activated, you can: Immediately after this card resolves, Synchro Summon 1 'Hi-Speedroid' or Wind Dragon monster from your Extra Deck using 'Speedroid' monsters you control, and if you do, you can target 1 monster your opponent controls; its ATK is reduced to 0 until the end of the turn.

Drachen:

Necro Link (Normal Spell card)

Effect: When this card is activated, you can: Immediately after this card resolves, Link Summon 1 Link Monster from your Extra Deck, by banishing monsters from your GY as Link Material. You can't attack with other monsters you control while the Link Monster Link Summoned with this effect is on your field.

QOTC

If you were to decide Dub or Sub VAs for my OCs, who would you choose? Ex. Yuhiro's Dub VA would be Johnny Yong Bosch, with his Sub VA being Kaito Ishikawa. Roxy's Dub VA would be Faye Kingslee and her Sub VA being Lynn.

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Obscured Truth. Chapter 55: A Friend in Need. Thanks to the information provided by Gil, Stregone and Phoenix pursue Go Onizuka, stopping him from joining up with the other bounty hunters. With hope in his heart, Stregone challenges Go to a duel, intent on helping him return to who he once was...

Author's Notes

Credit goes to HunterHQ for duel reading this chapter.

Aside from Playmaker OTKing two noobs each, the main focus of the chapter was the duels between Slipstream versus Drachen and Raguel versus Electrolyzer, which I'll touch on briefly. Once that's done, I'll go onto character development and then the conclusion.

The first duel was between Slipstream and Drachen. This duel is the first one where Drachen uses The Claw of Hermos, and almost succeeds in winning by using it. He also uses his Link 4 monster Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel as well. The overall duel was ultimately interesting, as both duelists either avoided battle damage, or took at least one instance of battle damage throughout the duel. Ultimately, Slipstream won through the luck of the draw, or as he likes to put it, Lady Luck has blessed him again.

The second duel was between Raguel and Electrolyzer, where the duelist who outsmarted the other would ultimately come out on top. This is one of many duels where Raguel was pushed as a duelist, as Electrolyzer was able to counter his moves and brought him down just below five hundred life points. He also used his Fusion monster Ultimate Axon Kicker, enabling him to deal massive damage and regain life points. It was here where Raguel responded by using a new summoning technique to bring out Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode and win the duel. You might be wondering: How does Alpha Mode Activate work? Allow me to answer that for you. It's similar to that of Assault Mode Activate, where both are Trap cards, both Special Summon a monster that includes the tributed monster's name, and the monster summoned by both effects can only be Special Summoned through this method, except through a card that lets you summon that type of monster and ignore its summoning conditions. However, Assault Mode Activate only summons Assault mode monsters from the deck, while Alpha Mode Activate summons Alpha Mode monsters from the Extra Deck. Also, Assault Mode monsters can't be tributed, while Alpha Mode monsters can't be summoned through regular Link Summoning. In addition, Assault Mode monsters bring back the original monster from the GY, while Alpha Mode Activate doesn't. Lastly, Hercules/Alpha Mode's appearance is based off of Hercules in his Berserker form from Fate/Stay Night for those of you wondering.

Now onto some character development. For Drachen, he once again demonstrates his impulsiveness by demanding a rematch from Raguel, only to be humbled by Electrolyzer, who's still disgusted by what he done earlier to Raguel. Although he's a 'hot-head' like Revolver described, he is able to maintain his cool during a duel, that's for sure. Another trait for Drachen is that he learns from his mistakes by using new cards such as Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel, as well as using The Claw of Hermos for the first time. He also puts his monsters in defense position to force his opponent to attack the strongest monster on his field as well. These traits show that Drachen's growing as a duelist by utilizing a strategy to either build up one monster's strength and intimidate the opponent while protecting his cards, or corner them using effects.

As for Electrolyzer, he still maintains his sense of honor as a prince, once again offering Raguel his assistance in finding Miyu in exchange for Herald. Through this exchange, he praises Raguel as an honorable duelist because he recognizes how Raguel's friends made him the person he is today. Also, Electrolyzer takes his loss against Raguel really well, showing that he's different from the other bounty hunters. What's more, he hopes that Raguel finds Miyu in the future. All these examples show that although Electrolyzer was traumatized by Project: Apotheosis, the one thing he didn't lose was his honor. The last exchange even has Electrolyzer hoping he and Raguel can become allies one day, with Raguel acknowledging that it could happen in the future. Do you think Electrolyzer may become an ally for Raguel and the others? Let me know what you think.

Aside from the events from the anime, there's a brief exchange between Azrael and Wraith, which ends with them preparing to watch the upcoming duel between Stregone and Go Onizuka.

Before we get onto the last portion of Author's Notes, I have an announcement to make. It's my last year of school, and like before, I'll have to balance my time between this story and schoolwork. That doesn't mean I'll abandon Obscured Truth. I'll still be writing, but chapters may sometimes take longer than expected. I hope you understand.

With that information out of the way, I want to thank everyone for reading Chapter 54 of Obscured Truth. As always, please let me know your thoughts about the chapters below in your reviews. Also, constructive criticism is appreciated, as your tips and advice helps make the story better. In addition, don't forget to favorite and follow the story. That way, you will get a notification once the next chapter is released.

What did you enjoy the most about this chapter? The duels? Slipstream using a Pac-Man rescue program to rescue Soulburner from Blood Shepherd's trap? Azrael and Wraith's conversation regarding Blood Shepherd and their contingencies? Or was it something else?

Lastly, I'm curious about your opinions regarding which DUB or SUB VA's should voice my OC's. In other words, surprise me.

That's all for now. Stay tuned, as the clash between sorcerers and dinosaurs occurs next chapter!