Yu-Gi-Oh Vrains: Advent of New Beginnings

by donkeyboy100

Sequel to Circuit of Smiles. Months have passed since Yuji, Ena, along with their counterparts, Yuya and Zuzu put a stop to Roget's plans and saved LINK VRAINS. However, a new mysterious group has come along that plans to eliminate LINK VRAINS Top 10 to take control of SOL Technologies. Can Storm Rider and his friends stop this new enemy without the aid of their counterparts?

40. Surprise Attack

In the real world, at the Den City Cemetery...

The bus stopped at the bus stop before its doors opened, allowing a small young boy to get off it before walking down the sidewalk. He wore a green jacket over a light green shirt with long sleeves, khaki sweatpants, yellow socks, green and white strapped tennis shoes, and a green hat with a blue gemstone in its center. He held a bouquet. The leaves on the trees surrounding him had just begun to turn a crisp golden color, though a few trees had begun to lose their foliage. As such, numerous leaves, already fading and becoming pale white, littered the ground. The air was chilly, forcing the boy to tug on his jacket.

The graves seemed so empty and aged by time, but the groundskeeper had taken great care of each one. Quite a few looked recently cleaned as water lingered on the stone, dripping down to the foot of the grave. The headstones varied in shape and size, some partially cracked and others looking relatively new, though these were merely the lucky ones. Den Cemetery was known to have vandals come by, either causing mischief or vandalizing the property.

The boy scowled slightly at the thought of one grave, particularly, being tainted by graffiti. If someone dared to do it, they would be on his warpath. After walking for a few minutes in silence, the young boy soon reached the two gravestones. The boy looked sad as he stared at the names "Mr. and Mrs. Brave" on the tombstone. The grave he had come to visit rested at the very end of the cemetery grounds. It stood a bit away from the rest of the graves and appeared to be a somewhat new addition as there were fewer chips in the stone than the older ones. It was also recently cleaned, as the water was still fresh. He smiled, seeing no sign of damage or vandalizing anywhere. To his surprise, he also saw that someone had already visited. Sticks were already lit, meaning he had just missed them, and a bouquet of blue roses sat at the foot of the grave.

"Who left these…?" The boy wondered before she shook her head and knelt, gently placing his bouquet down on the grave. Tenderly, he touched the headstone. It was cold, much colder than the winter air.

"…!" The young boy was silent, with his eyes glued down on the tombstones before kneeling on his right knee and smiling sadly. "Hey, Mom and Dad, it's been a while. It's me, Leo." He said to the tombstone as he clapped his hands together in a prayer pose and bowed his head respectfully. "I'm sorry I haven't visited you two the last few weeks until now. The truth is I've had a lot on my plate recently. I'm sorry, and I hope to make it up to you both by coming to pay my respects more often now." he said with a sad voice, his sadness seeping out from his mouth.

He tilted his head up and looked at the two tombstones. "A lot has happened since I moved in with Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Ryan. I…finally got to go into LINK VRAINS like I'd always wanted, but my first time experiencing it wasn't exactly as good as you two had hoped. Out of nowhere, people inside LINK VRAINS began falling into comas individually by a mysterious group of invaders known as the Syndicate. I was being hunted along with a few other people I had befriended by a soldier who trapped us in an alley. I surely believed I was a goner until the Top 10 arrived, stopped the invaders and helped restore the coma-induced victims. However… that was only the beginning of the Syndicate's assault. They resorted to nasty tactics, such as using other duelists as their pawns and even creating cybernetic dueling soldiers. But no matter what the Syndicate throws, the Top 10 has always succeeded in thwarting their plans. Hopefully, the Syndicate will realize their actions are wrong and meaningless. And if not, then they will fall by the Top 10's hands".

Suddenly, Leo's expression lightened up. "But…believe it or not, the Top 10's heroism has affected me. For many years, I was a victim of bullying, and instead of standing up for myself, I always ended up cowardly in fear. But after witnessing what the Top 10 did with my own eyes, it ignited a dormant flame inside me."

Leo's expression then fell again as he looked down at the ground. "After explaining my plan to Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Ryan, they…didn't take it very well." He stated. "I told them I planned to aid the Top 10 in their battle against the Syndicate and end their evil plans. However, they quickly shot it down and put parental controls on my account so they could see and know what I was doing whenever I was in LINK VRAINS. But I wasn't going to let that stop me."

His hand then dropped to the ground, and his eyes were soon filled with guilt. "From a young age, I was always interested in your jobs as computer engineers. Because of that, you taught me everything you know so I could continue your legacy." His frown deepened. "However, all those teachings went down the drain. I…went behind Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Ryan's backs, disabled the parental controls, and replaced them with one I could control. I did it to help the Top 10, but if you were still here, you would say my actions were still wrong. Regardless, I knew I couldn't go to the Top 10 directly, so I had to devise a way to prove I was a worthy ally. Since the Syndicate is SOL's main focus, many criminals and thugs in LINK VRAINS are getting away with various crimes. That's when I decided to take it upon myself to stop them whenever I was alone. She came after me with some of her friends and made it toward me. Thanks to my actions, I caught the Top 10's attention. Better yet, I got to duel my favorite Top 10 member: George Gore. Even so, I'm sorry for whatever future dangers I encounter, but I won't stop. I made this choice, and I can't turn back. After all, you guys taught me that whenever someone makes a decision, they must live with it and not have regrets. I love you both and hope that one day, we'll see each other again. Goodbye".

The young boy finished as she stood up from the ground and gave one last respectful bow. At that moment, a gust of wind blew by and pushed away some of the leaves covering the foot of the grave, where the nameplate was.

Written on the plaque were the following:

RIP
Alex and Sandra. Brave
1989-2023
Loving Mother & Father of Leo Brave
They Will Be Dearly Missed

Meanwhile, at Kolter's apartment…

"This is quite the amount of videos to watch..."

Kolter said with a weary expression as he and Yusaku looked at the recordings they got from Yuji, all of which contained Triton, Hornet, Xander, Zoey and Kid Fate's duels. At school, Yuji and the others decided to send them recordings of their recently acquired allies' duels to analyze their opponents' strategies and help strengthen one another's skills.

"Let's start," Yusaku stated, selecting the first video.

"Triton excels in Xyz Summoning, and in his duel against the Syndicate soldier, he used a card that equips an Xyz Monster onto another, making it more powerful," Kolter stated as the recording of Triton's duel ended. "Having different weapons at your disposal if the enemy uses anti-Link strategies always comes in handy."

"I agree," Yusaku said. "But that can also be seen as a weakness?"

"A weakness?" Kolter repeated. "What do you mean?"

"It makes your moves predictable," Yusaku answered. "Sure, Triton has showcased his growth since his duel against Gore, but remember that the Syndicate can still gather data on us, which can help come up with counterstrategies against us."

"Even so, they should be smart enough not to underestimate you." Kolter pointed out. "Heck, you're the same guy who stopped the Knights of Hanoi, Lightning and Bohman!"

"For now..." Yusaku said. "When going into battle, you should always be prepared and expect the unexpected."

"Ah... yeah, that's true..." Kolter admitted. "Anyways, let's continue looking over these recordings. We need to have these finished before Yuji and Ena return home."

"Speaking of which, where are they?" Yusaku asked. "It's 30 minutes passed the time they should've gotten out from school."

"Around lunchtime, Yuji received a text from Scarlett, saying she and her friends needed some hands at the Orphanage they visited not that long enough," Kolter answered. "Hopefully, they should be back before the sun sets."

Elsewhere, at SOL Technologies...

A man entered SOL Technologies, having been invited here by Akira's request. The man had fair skin, light-blue eyes, and white hair spiked backward at the sides with purple-blue highlights. He wore a pink V-neck shirt underneath a light grey suit jacket with black trousers and white shoes. The man had wondered how Zaizen could even get through the days without snapping. It was his duty to the people that kept him going. Or perhaps it was to keep his sister safe. But one way or the other, Akira swore to keep the public and the people dear to him safe.

The man walked over to the receptionist's desk and saw Hayami chatting with the receptionist.

"So make sure the business partners on this list are contacted," Hayami told the receptionist, who nodded in confirmation before getting to work.

"Pardon me for interrupting. Are you Akira's assistant, Hayami, by any chance?" The man interrupted, which got Hayami's attention upon seeing him.

"Yup! That's me!" Hayami confirmed before she extended her right hand, which the man reciprocated with a handshake. "I assume you're Mr. Wilson, right? Zaizen told me you'd be arriving soon, so he sent me to wait until you came. If you like, I can direct you to his office."

"I'd appreciate that very much, thank you." The man complied before he and Hayami took a right from the receptionist's desk and headed to the elevator. From there, the duo went up a few floors before exiting it and turning left. After walking down the hallway, they reached Akira's office, where Hayami knocked on the door.

"Sorry to interrupt, sir, but Mr. Wilson's here," Hayami stated, which got Akira's attention as he looked up to see her and the white-haired youth.

"Thank you, Hayami. I'll take it from here." Akira responded, which caused Hayami to leave the room while Greg entered. "Glad you could make it, Mr. Wilson. Or should I say Varis?"

"Good to be here as well. But while we're here in the real world, I'd prefer to be called Ryoken," he replied before Akira gestured for him to take a seat, which he did. "As per your phone call, you wanted me to update you regarding the virus implanted in your company's main server that disabled the use of Action Fields in LINK VRAINS. Is that right?"

Akira grimly nodded. "That's correct. Per my knowledge, I've received several messages from the people of Den City stating that they're unable to conduct an Action Duel and asked if it's the Syndicate doing. Unfortunately, I fibbed and said it was a tech problem, and we're working day and night to fix it." Akira narrowed his eyes. "Please tell me if you and Playmaker have successfully destroyed the virus.

Ryokan shook his head. "I'm afraid not," he stated, upsetting Akira. "However, we did manage to weaken its security, so it shouldn't take long for us to fully erase it."

"I guess that's progress…" Akira admitted with a sigh. "But I can't help but feel frustrated with my lack of progress. Compared to you and Playmaker, my hacking skills seem woefully inadequate…"

"You said it, not me," Ryoken said. "Did you report the incident to your shareholders when this happened?"

Akira shook his head. "I did, but they insisted on keeping the truth hidden from the public to prevent the city from panicking. Even though I disagree with their choice, I believe it is the best option for now."

"And you're letting this happen?!" Ryoken hissed.

"I may be the CEO of SOL Technologies, Ryoken, but I have only so much power," Akira replied.

Ryoken scoffed at Zaizen's comment. "Though you're CEO, you don't realize how much more power you have than when you were Security Chief."

Akira narrowed his eyes. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You're pathetic." Ryoken furiously enunciated. "Even after all of this time, you're still hesitant to do what's right. I've had no experience of running a company like this, so I'd be in your shoes in the same situation. Still, you need to act now lest it's too late."

"HOW DARE YOU!" Akira snarled back. "You think I have a choice on what I can do?! There's only so much power-!"

"You see? That word you said there, choice. That's what's making you hesitate, hasn't it?!" Ryoken correctly deduced loudly, which made Akira shut his mouth out of surprise. "You've been choosing not to take action out of fear of your self-benefit! "As CEO of a massive company like SOL Technologies, you have more power than you realize, Zaizen. More power than when you were security chief, am I not correct?"

Akira couldn't respond to that comment. Was Ryoken right about him? Even after all of this time, was Akira still afraid of what could happen should he not do what's ultimately right in the end?

"I apologize for the harsh reminder, but you need to remember that you're the CEO now, which means you have the power of the higher-ups you've feared so much," Ryoken said before grabbing a USB stick from his pocket and inserting it into Zaizen's desk computer. It generated images that depicted a large black tower with a large number of red dots surrounding it.

"Alright, I'll bite." Akira, who didn't understand what was going on, said. "What are we looking at here?"

"This is a map showcasing the location of Syndicate's base," Ryokan said, shocking Zaizen. "Unbeknownst to the Syndicate, trackers were secretly installed into their Duel Disks when they invaded the Hanoi's base. At first, we couldn't receive a signal due to their strong security, but with some help inside, we weakened it, allowing us complete access to their databases and servers."

"Help inside?" Akira repeated before widening his eyes in realization. "You mean…?

"That's right. Ghost Gal and The Shepherd," Ryokan confirmed. "It was their plan all along. Get captured and have easy access to the Syndicate's fortress."

"I see," Akira said. "Did they manage to find out what the Syndicate's main goal is?"

"Not yet," Ryoken replied. "But they're doing everything they can to find out. As for now, according to these schematics, a full frontal assault is out of the question. With the current members present, we'll eventually break through the Syndicate's defensive formation but lose valuable time. And superior numbers won't help us against their strongest members, especially the ones who specialize in guerilla warfare. Inside the narrow corridors of the tower, they can slow a large group of people down long enough for us to free Ghost Gal and Shepherd, as well as learn what their master plan is. As such, our only option is to have a few members infiltrate the building while the bulk of our forces keep the soldiers busy."

When Ryoken reached the door of Akira's office, he turned back to face him. "Rest assured, the Hanoi and I will do what we can to free Ghost Gal and the Shepherd, but in the meanwhile, you should amass your forces. For a war's coming, and if you're not prepared, then there will be far worse consequences compared to the battle against the Light Ignis and Bohman. Ciao."

As Ryoken left the room, Akira sat back down on his desk before taking several deep breaths, having been stressed out with what was going on. How can he contribute towards ultimately stopping the Syndicate before all of LINK VRAINS is destroyed, and very likely preventing something worse from happening in the process?

Meanwhile, in LINK VRAINS, at the Syndicate's base...

Galerius land Dr. Willow looked at the several thousand Syndicate soldiers Queen Priscilla provided him, counting each to ensure she kept her word. With the thousand Syndicate soldiers, Astro, Glacia, Marionette, and Enoch at his beck and call, he will surely regain his title as the third strongest member of the Syndicate. No matter how many people need to get injured or have their consciousness data taken for that to happen.

The best part was that Queen Priscilla planned to divert their enemies long enough for Enoch to complete the task she assigned him. Simply put, he will ensure they won't be able to help their other allies in the coming attack. Anyone who resists will lose their consciousness data and be eliminated from the program Priscilla gave all of them. When Galerius asked what would happen to that consciousness data, Priscilla said she would use it to turn people into mindless cybernetic soldiers to strengthen her army, which the former saw as sufficient.

"That's one thousand soldiers, Galerius. Just as her holiness said, there would be." Dr. Willow commented.

"I'm aware of that. It's only fair to double-check, don't you agree?" Galerius countered, with the doctor in agreement. Soon, Astro entered the room, with Glacia following right behind him.

"Looks like you're all ready to go," Astro said. "We're glad you included us in this mission. Glacia and I have been dying to have our revenge, especially with Sancutm, who forced me to end our duel in a draw.

"Same here," Glacia added."I'll make sure Blue Maiden rues the day she defeated me."

"Yes. Use that anger to fuel you," Dr. Willow said with a wicked smile. "I assume you added the cards I gave to your Decks?"

"We have," Astro confirmed with a smirk. "Storm Rider and his friends won't know what them."

Seconds later, Enoch and Mrionette appeared and exited from a dark portal that dissipated within moments.

"Ah, there you guys are!" Marionette cheerfully said. "I trust we're ready for the festivities?"

"We are, Marionette," Galerius confirmed.

"And at perfect timing, too." Queen Priscilla as she walked into the room. He then snapped his fingers, which caused footage to pop up before it showed Gore and Kid Fate's duel from last night. "It looks like the top 10 have acquired a new ally. One who specializes in Fusion Summoning."

"Let me guess. You want us to kidnap this new ally of theirs and brainwash him into joining us, right?" Enoch recalled remembering how Queen Priscilla wanted to use Triton and Hornet as puppets to inflict psychological and emotional damage.

"Yes," Priscilla confirmed with a grin. "I also want you to capture Triton and Hornet. Oh, and don't hold back. I want the top 10's newly acquired allies to witness the true devasting strength of the Syndicate."

"Now that's clever," Marionette admitted, having put her hand on her chin. By eliminating Triton, Hornet, and Kid Fate, the Syndicate will eliminate three opponents, gather reinforcements, and put fear in their enemies.

"That is all for now." Queen Priscilla said. "Farewell and good luck on your mission. I expect results once you come back."

As Queen Priscilla left the room, a portal appeared nearby, where Galerius, Marionette, Enoch, Astro, Glacia, and Dr. Willow entered before the one thousand cybernetic soldiers followed after the group.

Meanwhile, at Clover City's orphanage…

"Here you go. I hope today's meal is to your liking."

Scarlett smiled as she handed a steaming bowl to a young boy, who gratefully accepted it with a small smile. Next to Scarlett, Ena also handed meals to the children scattered throughout the room.

Due to the large influx of liberated orphans that had arrived at the orphanage a few days back, the owners, Scarlett and her friends had their hands full while trying to care for the malnourished and injured children. Thankfully, their efforts had borne fruit since they met Yuji and the others. Thanks to them and the help of Ena's cousin, Xander and his friend Zoey, the children had started looking somewhat healthier than before. Still, it was too soon for them to participate in any long-term, strenuous activities, putting their plans for launching a counter-offensive against the Syndicate on hold.

"Alright, with that, our rounds are over for today," Scarlett said as she wiped her brow. "Thanks for volunteering to help me out, Ena."

"Don't mention it." Ena let out a small smile and then sighed. "It's the least we could do after all the mess Robin made in the kitchen…"

"Ahahaha, that sure was a disaster of epic proportions…."

Scarlett and Ena let out nervous chuckles upon remembering the incident that had transpired not too long ago. It all started when, upon seeing Robin sulking in a corner, Xander approached her and asked her what was the matter, only to receive a surprising answer as Xander had responded that the store that carries the ingredients she uses to make her homemade brand of hot sauce ran out. Taking pity on her due to her dismal state, Xander suggested that she use the kitchen to recreate her favorite delicacy. Shortly after that scene, the fire alarms started sounding throughout the orphanage, startling everyone. As the owners, Yuju, Ena and everyone else rushed to the kitchen, they found Xander passed out on the floor from the fumes amid a colossal mess, while Robin was cackling like a mad scientist as he gazed at a container holding something resembling radioactive material.

"Fufufu, the marvelous spicy taste has evolved once more!" Robin had exclaimed with a beatific smile on his face. "Truly, the potential of mankind is limitless!"

"I wish you'd use that limitless potential for something other than wrecking our kitchen, Robin…" Hayato sighed while rubbing his temples at the sight of the ruined kitchen. "How on Earth will we clean this up before lunchtime?"

Fortunately, thanks to everyone's efforts, they managed to fix most of the damages caused to the kitchen and serve lunch with only a minor delay. As for Robin, she was currently being scolded by Otaha for her recklessness, although Scarlett and Ena doubted that anything the co-owner of this orphanage was saying got to her since she was still wearing an idiotic grin on her face even while she was being reprimanded.

"It's too bad we can't weaponize her hot sauce," Ena said with a smirk. "We'd have a weapon of mass destruction on our hands that could potentially end this war within a week or less."

"After seeing what the smell alone did to your cousin, I can't refute that," Scarlett said with a small chuckle. "And this might be a shocker: Yuji has also become a fan of Robin's hot sauce."

"He has?" Ena asked. "Since when?"

"Since the night we dueled each other," Scarlett revealed. "Before you guys left, Yuji approached Robin and asked to borrow her hot sauce to strengthen his pain tolerance and stomach. Yuji must have a lot of pride and courage if he's willing to use Robin's concoction."

"Indeed." Ena let out a small smile. "But more importantly, this is the first time you and I are alone. It seems like we met each other for the first time yesterday, and now we're close friends."

"I know," Scarlett said. "If I were still as shy as I was when I was little, then we probably wouldn't have ended up becoming friends. But after spending time together with you…I realized that you're an entirely different person than the girls I go to school with. While most of them are gentle and well-mannered ladies, you act more like a tomboy, Ena."

"I don't know how I should respond to that…" Ena had a confused expression on her face. "I'll just say it's good that you see me for who I am and leave it at that."

"By the way…I've meant to ask you this for some time…but it's embarrassing…" Scarlett started fidgeting. "You and Yuji…what is the relationship between you two? I'm just curious…if you two are boyfriend and girlfriend. You don't need to answer if you feel I'm too intrusive. It's just that the two of you seem close for mere friends."

Ena's face turned red as a tomato at these words.

"A-An item, you s-say?" She said with a stutter. "No, no, our relationship is nothing like t-that…"

Yeah, for some reason, I'm not convinced.

"Okay, if you say so," Scarlett said. "But have you ever dated before? I'm sure you've been asked out at least once or twice."

"I would say yes, but I wouldn't say I've asked out once or twice." Ena reasoned. "If I recall, I've been asked out by twenty different guys throughout my life. From 5th grade to my freshman year of high school?"

"Twenty guys, you say?" Scarlett said with a shocked tone. "Lucky you. I've only been asked out three times. But this isn't about me. So, did you go on dates with any of those guys?"

"Not really," Ena answered. "I declined their invitations because I was either busy or had already made plans with Yuji. Though there were a few moments where I was free, but rejected them since I could tell they were sleazeballs or jerks."

"You don't say…" Scarlett whispered under her breath before speaking. "Seeing as you have mostly been around Yuji your whole life, was there ever a moment when you saw him as more than a simple friend, Ena? Judging from the way you look at him…I can't help but wonder if you have feelings of…of love towards him…"

"Feelings…of love…" Ena repeated. "I should've known you would ask me that. Throughout my whole life, I've been asked by everyone around me, "Do you like Yuji?" "When's Yuji going to ask you out on a date?" Are you and Yuji a couple now?" she sighed. "I haven't heard those questions for the last three years. However, it was only a matter of time before they started popping up again."

"Sounds both exhausting and annoying," Scarlett chuckled. "Honestly, I'm not experienced with such things. Nina would have more knowledge of this than me, so I don't know if I can put it into words very well. But you and I both know being in love with someone means cherishing that person above everyone else, to the point where you would risk your life for them, always having them in your thoughts and wanting to be next to them for the rest of your life…"

"I agree with what you're saying, but how do I know that Yuji's the guy I meant to spend the rest of my life with…?" Ena said, sounding somewhat awkward. "Truth be told, I never experienced falling or being in love with someone like Yuji or anyone else for that matter… What about you, Scarlett? Have you ever encountered such a person?"

"No, I haven't…" Scarlett spoke with a crestfallen expression. "And besides…who would want to form a relationship with a girl like me who mostly scares guys off due to her tough personality? Even if Nina and Robin think it's my most charming feature, I—"

"What are you talking about? You're a catch!" Ena said. "Sure, I've been asked out more than you, but at least you can provide those guys a fun time better than me."

"That's so sweet of you to say," Scarlett blushed before hearing her name being called. "Looks like someone needs my help. Hope we can continue this conversation later."

After saying that with a wide smile, Scarlett exited the room in an apparent hurry, leaving Ena behind.

"Could she be right?" Ena asked herself. "Could or do I see Yuji…as more than a friend?"

Thinking back to her conversation with Scarlett about the complex emotions one felt when they were in love, Ena grabbed her chest as her thoughts turned to the cyan-haired youth that occupied her attention so much lately. It was true that whenever she thought of Yuji, her heart felt constricted for some reason, but that feeling wasn't entirely unpleasant. Quite the opposite.

Elsewhere, at SOL Technologies' headquarters...

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Hayami couldn't believe what she saw on the screens. Many Syndicate soldiers were attacking the central area of LINK VRAINS, using their monsters to attack innocent civilians and damage property. As for the other screens, there were multiple explosions in different places, each showing the authorities confronting the attackers.

"The entire network is being damaged by those..." one staff member began speaking.

"This isn't good." Hayami quietly muttered.

"What should we do, miss?" another staff member asked.

"Initiate the network's emergency protocols!" Hayami ordered. "Have everyone log out as soon as possible."

"That's a good idea, but you do realize it'll leave the entire network defenseless, right?" a familiar voice pointed out as its owner, Akira Zaizen, entered the room.

"Mr. Zaizen!" Hayami exclaimed.

"Where exactly are these invaders heading towards, Hayami?" Akira asked.

Akira gathered his thoughts as he looked at the screens in front of him, and after a few moments, he got an answer. "They're going after the central station, sir."

Akira froze in horror upon hearing that answer. The Central Station? That wasn't good at all. It was where it was located, and if those soldiers or any other member of the Syndicate made it, it wouldn't be good for SOL Technologies.

"Hayami, I want you to contact all the Celebrity Duelists. Have them protect the Central Station at all costs!" Akira ordered.

"And what about the people your sister and her friends acquired?" Hayami asked.

"Have her contact them," Akira replied. "I'll make the required phone calls immediately." After he gestured for his staff to begin the task, he left the room and walked down the hallway.

"If the data in the dark vault gets destroyed or stolen, the Kings will be furious," Akira muttered. "For now, I should set up some contingencies should things go south."

With that, Zaizen continued walking down the hallway, intent on completing his task.

Meanwhile…

"You're kidding me! The Syndicate are attacking LINK VRAINS!?"

Yuji asked tremblingly, his words accurately reflecting everyone's mental state following Skye's shocking announcement. Luckily, she took them outside to ensure no one could hear their conversation.

"I believe I was quite clear, no?" Skye said. "I received a message from my brother stating that the Syndicate is back in LINK VRAINS and is seriously damaging it."

"But if the Syndicate's attacking LINK VRAINS, wouldn't our Duel Disks notify us of their presence?" Robin pointed out. "The cameras or the sensors you had us installed should have alerted us."

"It's probably because the Syndicate must have used some sort of cloaking program to shield their presence," Theodore deduced.

"Regardless of how they accomplished this feat, it doesn't change what we must do," Lily said. "I bet Gore has already contacted Kid Fate. And I bet Triton and Hornet are already aware of the situation. Once we're in LINK VRAINS, we should pair in groups split up to cover more ground."

"Then what are we standing here for?" Ena said. "Let's get a move on."

[Right!]

A half-hour later, in LINK VRAINS...

Gore, Brawler, Seraph, Chevalier, Charmcaster, Kid Fate, Triton, and Hornet stood side by side, having guarded the front entrance to the Central Station of LINK VRAINS. Nearby were Magnum and Faris, who had also joined them per Storm Rider and Sanctum's command. All of the Celebrity Duelists were informed that should it go down, LINK VRAINS' operations would shut down, thus leading to more casualties.

"I still don't understand what the Syndicate has against LINK VRAINs," Hornet said. "We didn't do anything wrong."

"That may be the case, but whoever or whatever the Syndicate is, they don't care about us or LINK VRAINS," Triton stated.

"Well, whoever they are, they're about to experience a world of hurt!" Magnum exclaimed as he smashed his fists against one another.

"Yeah! They won't know what hit them!" Faris agreed.

Goree, on the other hand, sighed. While violence was sometimes not the answer, there was a need to fight back against enemies should it be required. Still, if there were a way they could negotiate with the attackers and convince them to stand down, they could end this without further harm.

"Hey, Gore. How are you feeling?" Kid Fate asked him, which got his attention. Gore tried to convince Kid Fate to stay back and not participate in this fight. However, the boy made a good case, and Gore allowed him to defend the network despite his protests.

"Scared, Kid Ftae. Scared that more harm will be lost should we fail." Gore admitted.

"But we won't let that happen! I mean, we have the Celebrity Duelists on our side!" Faris assured him.

"The lady is right, Gore," Magnum said in agreement. "Regardless of who these people are, they won't be able to defeat some of the most powerful duelists in the network."

"That doesn't mean you should be arrogant," Charmcaster told him. "You haven't dealt with enemies like these before, so caution is recommended."

"Oh, stop your talking, and prepare for pain," a voice interjected as a portal opened, which caused multiple Syndicate soldiers to walk outside before it closed behind them. Within moments, more soldiers rode their duel boards and jumped down on them before joining their comrades. Materializing in front of them was none other than Galerius.

"Okay, that's a lot of enemies," Chevalier admitted.

"Perhaps. But we can't show weakness." Seraph stated

Gore stepped forward before everyone else to face the Syndicate soldiers. "I am The Gore, the number five Celebrity duelist in LINK VRAINS. I'll give you a warning and one warning only. Leave now and cease your actions immediately! If you refuse, then you'll suffer the consequences!"

"Never! Not until we see the destruction of you and SOL Technologies," Galerius answered, which made Gore gasp. "The time has come for a new dawn. Prepare yourself!"

Within seconds, The Wicked Eraser appeared behind the soldiers before firing a stream of dark purple flames at Gore and his comrades, which caused Gore to summon Gouki The Solid Ogre before the latter shielded them using his armguards. Galerius then walked past the soldiers and unsheathed his sword before pointing it at the group.

"Attack!" Galerius ordered the soldiers, which caused them to charge forward as the Celebrity Duelists and their comrades responded in kind by summoning their ace monsters and taking their enemies on in separate duels. As chaos spread around the area, the Celebrity Duelists got separated, forcing them to split up and take on a different amount of Syndicate soldiers each.

Chevalier jumped on the back of Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion, before commanding it to fire down at some soldiers, which eviscerated them in a stream of flames. Triton and Horent summoned Mermail Abyssgaios and Battlewasp – Hama the Conquering Bow, both of them proceeding to send several soldiers flying.

"Get them, ABC-Dragon Buster!" Magnum as ABC-Dragon Buster unleashed an energy blast from its maw at several Syndicate soldiers.

"Chomp them down, King T-Wrextle!" Brawler exclaimed as the Dinowrestler Link Monster proceeded to swallow several soldiers that were in his way.

"Show them how we do it, boys!" Kid Fate declared as Destiny HERO – Dogma and Destiny HERO – Plasma smashed a few soldiers to the ground.

"Freeze them solid, Invoked Cocytus!" Krystal commanded as the Invoked Fusion Monster unleashed a wave of freezing ice that froze several Syndicate soldiers.

"Unleash a wave of destruction, Leviath!" Faris stated as Leviath, Dreadnought Fur Hire, released a wave of water from its sword, washing away a few soldiers.

"Eradicate them all in a blazing light, Archlord Zerato!" Seraph ordered as Zerato fired down a massive fire of light that incinerated numerous soldiers.

"Destroy them, Gouki The Great Ogre!" Gore shouted as Great Ogre sliced several soldiers down with its axe.

Nearby, Pyrrha, Na'amah and Ginger logged into the network atop a separate tower, having witnessed the chaos from above.

"Curse the Syndicate..." Pyrrha muttered under her breath.

"Don't worry. As long as we're together, we can stop this madness," Ginger assured her.

"Yes, I know that. Though I wonder where are Storm Rider and the others." Pyrrha retorted.

"They did say they were going to split into groups. Maybe they're pursuing the one responsible for launching the attack." Na'amah hypothesized, which got Pyrrha's attention. That was a likely explanation, as if you removed the leadership, the forces would have to either retreat, surrender, or die fighting.

"Yes, that's a good point." Ginger agreed. Summoning Madolche Queen Tiaramisu, Fabled Leviathan, and Metalfoes Crimsonite, Ginger, Na'amah, and Pyrrha leaped down from the building in a mighty crash, rocking the battlefield.

"Targets spotted: allies of the top 10 have arrived!" Several soldiers noted as a large fireball conjured by Leviathan vaporized some of them.

Queen Tiaramisu then charged forward and blasted several soldiers with a rainbow-colored energy radiance from its wand while Pyrrha and Crimsote proceeded to burn down a few of them. Seeing Na'amah overpowered, they ran forward and burned them to a crisp.

"Thanks for having my back, girl," Na'mah commented as Pyrrha approached her with a smile.

"Of course. I'm not letting these enemies get away with what they've done!" Pyrrha agreed."Distract them for me, will yeah?"

Nodding back, Na'amah had Fabled Leviathan distract some soldiers while Pyrrha and Crimsonite charged forward and eliminated them in a large wave of flames. Nodding back, Na'amah had

Meanwhile, in another area of the main area in LINK VRAINS…

"Send them flying, Tiaramisu Dragon! Don't leave a single one of them standing!"

Ginger shouted as her ace Monster, a long-necked, four-pedal dragon with brown scales and long eyelashes, signaling it was a female, with two wide wings decorated with tied ribbons, short silver hair, and wearing orange clothing over its back, blasted a ray of golden energy from its mouth, sending three Syndicate soldiers flying in the process.

"Yeah, that's the spirit, Tiramisu Dragon!" Ginger praised her monster. However, a Duel Anchor shot out of nowhere and wrapped itself around her Duel Disk, which caused her to fall off the Madolche Xyz Monster. However, she did a roll and propped herself up on her feet within seconds as Tiaramisu Dragon turned into particles that returned to her Duel Disk.

"Finally, this little girl got duel locked!" A soldier said, a grin evident on his face.

"So the predator has finally decided to come out and play," Ginger said. "Thank God. I was tired of hunting you guys down one by one."

"Why you little- wait, how dare you!" the soldier gritted his teeth. "I'll have you know that if you lose this duel, you lose your consciousness data!"

"What?" Ginger gasped. She didn't expect to hear that at all today. The fact that Ginger was risking her consciousness data scared her. However, she wouldn't let that faze her one bit. "You'll be the one losing, that I can guarantee!"

"Big words from a little girl! Let's see if you can back them up!" The Sergent responded as both duelists activated their Duel Disks.

"Let's duel!" they declared.

Ginger: 4000 LP

Syndicate Soldier: 4000 LP

"I shall take the first turn," the Soldier declared. "I activate the Spell Card: Allure of Darkness! This card lets me draw two cards from my Deck, and afterward, I must banish one Dark monster from my hand!"

The Soldier drew two cards before selecting one, causing it to vanish.

"Next, I summon Inzektor Centipede!"

A man wearing pink armor resembling a carapace and two gauntlets with sharpened prongs appeared on his field.

Inzektor Centipede ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

Inzektor? Ginger thought, raising an eyebrow. She wasn't too familiar with that archetype. It was an insect one, but other than that, she knew nothing about it. This duel should be more exciting than she anticipated.

"I activate Centipede's effect! Once per turn, I can equip one "Inzektor" monster from my hand or Graveyard to Centipede!"

"Equip a monster?" Ginger said, her eyes widening. "That's not something you see every day!"

"No, it isn't," the Soldier said. "I equip Inzektor Hornet from my hand to Centipede!"

A humanoid warrior cladded in yellow armor and wings with a laser machine in its right hand appeared. Suddenly, the warrior's body dissipated, leaving the armor as it equipped onto Centipede's body in addition to his pink armor, with his left hand grabbing Hornet's weapon.

"And when Hornet is equipped to a monster, that monster's Level is increased by three and gains Hornet's attack and defense points."

Inzektor Centipede ATK 1600→2100 DEF 1200→1400 LVL: 3→6

"My Centipede is going to become even more powerful!" The Soldier stated, taking a third card from his hand. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Inzektor Sword – Zektkaliber!" A short sword appeared and attached it to the ends of Centipede's laser gun. "This card grants Centipede 800 more attack and defense points!"

Inzektor Centipede ATK 2100→2900 DEF 1400→2200

"But that's just the tip of the iceberg because when Hornet's equipped to a monster, I can send it to the Graveyard to destroy a card on the field," the Soldier explained. "I destroy my Zektkaliber!"

Hornet's yellow armor parts immediately broke off Centipede's body and became yellow energy, infusing themselves into the spike on the end of his weapon. Centipede pointed and shot, destroying its sword while losing its power boost simultaneously.

Inzektor Centipede ATK 2900→1600 DEF 2200→1200 LVL: 6→3

Ginger raised an eyebrow. "Why would you destroy your own card?" she asked.

"To do this," the Soldier answered. "Centipede's additional effect! Since an Equip Card equipped to Centipede was sent to the Graveyard, I can add an "Inzektor" card from my Deck to my hand. Since two cards left the field, I can add Inzektor Dragonfly and a second copy of Inzektor Centipede. Furthermore, when Zektkaliber is sent to the Graveyard while face-up, I can add an "Inzektor" monster from my Graveyard to my hand!" He took a card from his Graveyard. "I return Inzektor Hornet!"

"He replenished his resources like it was nothing…" Ginger muttered. "Looks like I shouldn't underestimate this guy."

"Next, I activate Inzektor Giga-Mantis's effect from my hand to equip it onto Dragonfly!" The Soldier continued as a new monster appeared, larger than Centipede, with dark green armor, no wings, and two massive blades held by handles. The monster disassembled and equipped itself onto Dragonfly's body, as Dragonfly dropped her rifle and grabbed hold of the blades. "While equipped with Giga-Mantis, Centipede's original attack points become 2400!"

Inzektor Centipede ATK 1600→2400

"With that, I end my turn." the Soldier concluded. "Now, make your move."

"It's my turn!" Ginger announced. "I draw! First, I summon Madolche Magileine!"

A small girl with purple hair wearing a purple dress with green patterns and a witch hat, holding a fork in her hand, appeared on Ginger's field in Attack Position. She was floating above a chocolate-covered sponge cake platform.

Madolche Magileine ATK 1400 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Magileine's effect activates! When she's summoned, I can add a "Madolche" monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Madolche Messengelato to my hand. Then, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Wonder Wand and equip it to Magileine!"

A long, dark silver staff with a large round emerald at its end materialized in the woman's hand.

"Through its effect, the equipped monster's attack points are increased by 500!"

Madolche Magileine ATK 1400→1900

"Following that, I activate the Spell Card: Blustering Winds!" Ginger continued. "This card lets me increase the attack points of one monster I control by 1000 until my next Standby Phase. I select Madolche Magileine!"

Madolche Magileine ATK 1900→2900

"Time for battle!" Ginger declared. "Madolche Magileine, attack Inzektor Centipede!"

A beam of energy erupted from Magileine's wand, obliterating Centipede and making the Soldier wince.

Syndicate Soldier: 4000→3500 LP

"I activate Wonder Wand's second effect!" Ginger announced. "I can draw two cards by sending it and the equipped monster to the Graveyard. Finally, I place three cards face-down and end my turn. Now, let's see what you've got, Syndicate."

"It's my turn!" The Soldier announced. "I draw! As per request, I'll be serious from here on out. First, I activate the Spell Card: Pot of Greed! Now I draw two cards!" He drew and smirked. "I activate the Spell Card: Akashic Record! Thanks to it, I get to draw two cards! And if they're cards I haven't used, I get to keep them!" She drew her cards and smiled at the find. "Since the cards I've drawn haven't been used, I can keep them."

Man. Is this guy's turn ever going to end? Ginger wondered.

"I summon Inzektor Dragonfly!"

A humanoid in red armor with four wings on the back and carrying a gun.

Inzektor Dragonfly ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LVL: 3

"From there, I activate the Spell Card: Double Summon!" the Soldier continued. "With this, I can perform a second Normal Summon this turn. I summon Inzektor Fly!"

A man holding a futuristic handgun and wearing a gray fly-themed suit with an orange visor covering his eyes and orange insect-like wings extending from its back appeared.

Inzektor Fly ATK 900 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"Fly's effect activates! When summoned, I'm allowed to Special Summon an "Inzektor" monster from my hand," the Soldier explained. "Come on out, Inzektor Ant!"

A man in a black and blue bodysuit appeared. His helmet had a red visor and silver pincers near the opening that showed his mouth. In his right hand, the warrior wielded a large gun-like blade.

Inzektor Ant ATK 200 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"Next, I activate Dragonfly's effect, which can equip an "Inzektor" monster from my hand or Graveyard to it," the Soldier told Ginger. "I'll equip Inzektor Hornet from my hand to Dragonfly.

A yellow and black hydraulic spear appeared and replaced Dragonfly's gun.

Inzektor Dragonfly ATK 1000→1500 DEF 1800→2000 LVL: 3→6

"Then, I activate Hornet's to destroy your middle Set card!"

Following the soldier's words, Dragonfly pointed and fired the yellow energy missile that destroyed Ginger's face-down card.

"Since Dragonfly's no longer equipped with Hornet, its stats return to normal."

Inzektor Dragonfly ATK 1500→1000 DEF 2000→1800 LVL: 6→3

"But that now triggers Dragonfly's other effect!" the soldier exclaimed. "I can Special Summon an "Inzektor" monster from my Deck! So say hello to Inzektor Giga-Cricket!"

A monster with armor that resembled a mole cricket appeared on the soldier's field. He had yellow eyes, a gray faceplate over his mouth, a helmet with yellow mandibles, long antennae, and tiny red drills. He wore a bulky set of dark gray armor, with large shoulder pads with yellow orbs, long spikes sticking out of his elbows, and legs covered in gray armor with spikes on either side of the knees. But the biggest attention-getters were his weapons, large hand-like gauntlets with five finger-like drills on them.

Inzektor Giga-Cricket ATK 2000 DEF 1300 LVL: 5

"Appear! The circuit of infestation!" the soldier declared as the Link Portal appeared. "Link Arrows authorized! The summoning conditions are two Insect monsters! I set Inzektor Fly and Ant in the Link Arrows!"

The two monsters became whirlwinds of purple energy as they shot into the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows.

"I Link Summon! Appear, Link-2! Inzektor Picofalena!"

A butterfly-like female humanoid wielding a long pink ribbon appeared, twirling it around herself.

Inzektor Picofalena ATK 1000 LINK-2 ↙↘

"A Link Monster…?" Ginger muttered in shock. "Looks like this duel is about to go from hard to even harder."

"I activate Picofalena's effect!" The soldier declared. "By discarding Cards of Compensation from my hand, I can equip Inzektor Dragonfly with Inzektor Hopper from my Deck!"

Dragonfly's armor suddenly turned green, gaining a pair of folded yellow insect wings like a grasshopper on its back. A long, narrow sword replaced the gun it was carrying.

"Since I sent Cards of Compensation to the Graveyard, its effect lets me draw two cards," the soldier stated. "Furthermore, Dragonfly's attack and defense points increase by 500, and it gains Inzektor Hopper's stats!"

Inzektor Dragonfly ATK 1000→3200 DEF 1800→3700 LVL: 3→7

"Time to eliminate you!" The soldier exclaimed. "Bettle Inzektor Dragonfly! Attack her directly with Stinging Sword Slash!"

Ginger gritted her teeth before gesturing to her left face-down card. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Hyper Refresh! Since I control no monsters while the combined attack points of your monsters exceed my Life Points, my Life Points are doubled!"

Within seconds, a purple aura surrounded Ginger's body.

Ginger: 4000→8000 LP

Dragonfly dashed forward and slashed Ginge with its sword, forcing her to her knees.

Ginger: 8000→4800 LP

"Time for the second attack!" The soldier declared. "Picofalena attacks you directly!"

Picofalena swung its whip at Ginger and struck her squarely in her chest, causing a hiss of pain to escape from her mouth.

Ginger: 4800→3800 LP

"Finally, Giga-Cricket will attack you directly!"

In response, Giga-Cricket dashed forward and struck Ginger with its drills, sending her skidding back as she fell to her knees.

Ginger: 3800→1800 LP

The soldier laughed. So, this is all the strength that you have to offer? I expect more from you.

"That…was certainly merciless…." Ginger said as she got up. "However, I activate the Trap Card: Shock Draw! Through its effect, It lets me draw a card for every 1000 points of damage I took this turn! I took over 6000 points of damage, meaning I can draw six cards!"

The Sergeant gritted his teeth. "You planned for this, didn't you?"

"Sometimes you have to take damage to gain the advantage," Ginger replied.

"Regardless, I will activate Picofalena's other effect!" The soldier said. "By targeting Inzektor Centipede, Firefly, and Ant in my Graveyard, I can shuffle them back into my Deck and draw a card. With that, I end my turn. Now, let's see you top that, Miss Ginger."

"I accept your challenge!" Ginger let out a confident smile. "My turn! I draw! First, I summon Madolche Mewfeuille!"

A pink stuffed kitten doll with blue eyes and wore a purple vest. It sat on layers of vanilla custard pastries, shaped like a puzzle piece.

Madolche Mewfeuille ATK 500 DEF 300 LVL: 3

"Then the effect of my sweet little kitty activates!" Ginger continued. "When summoned, I can Special Summon a "Madolche" monster from my hand. Come, Madolche Messengelato!"

A postman with turquoise-colored hair and fair skin, wearing a brown suit under a Bordeaux-colored jacket and having a green bag over his shoulder filled with letters, appeared next to Mewfuille following Ginger's words. He was standing on a puzzle piece made from an ice cream sandwich with a mailbox beside him.

Madolche Messengelato ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"When Special Summoned while I control a Beast-type "Madolche" monster, I can activate Messengelato's effect," Ginger said. "I add one "Madolche" Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand, like my Madolche Chateau, which I'll activate!"

The area behind her took the shape of her Field Spell's artwork, a giant castle made entirely of delicious and eye-captivating sweets. Seconds later, the area returned to normal.

"When activated, this card lets me shuffle all "Madolche" monsters in my Graveyard into my Deck," Ginger explained, shuffling Magieinne from the Graveyard into her Deck. "Furthermore, all "Madolche" monsters I control gain 500 attack and defense points!"

Madolche Mewfeuille ATK 500→1000 DEF 300→800

Madolche Messengelato ATK 1600→2100 DEF 1000→1500

"Next, I activate the effect of Madolche Custguard from my hand!" Ginger continued. "If I control a Fairy, Beast, or Spellcaster "Madolche" monster, I can pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon this card."

A fair-skinned knight with wavy cream-colored hair and brown bangs clad in silver armor, holding a sword in his hand, appeared in Attack Position.

Ginger: 1800→1300 LP

Madolche Custguard ATK 1500→2000 DEF 1500→2000 LVL: 4

"Moving on, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Star Changer! This card lets me increase or decrease a monster's Level by one. I increase Madolche Mewfeuille's Level!"

Madolche Mewfeuille LVL: 3→4

Ginger gestured to her field. "Now I overlay the Level 4 Mewfeuille and Custguard!"

Following Ginger's declaration, a bolt of orange light erupted from her Duel Disk and shot behind her, conjuring an X-shaped portal with four red points at its sides. The two monsters exploded in orange particles and entered the red points on the left and right, causing them to glow. A red circle appeared behind the X, firing four beams from its edges that opened a swirling galaxy portal.

"Peerless marksman with the eye of the hawk, whose shots find their mark no matter the distance, the king calls for your services!"

The galaxy exploded after the chant, and a stream of DNA appeared before breaking apart and taking the form of a monster.

"I Xyz Summon! Come, Rank 4! Castel, The Skyblaster Musketeer!"

Emerging onto Ginger's field was a humanoid avian cladded in a blue 18th-century musketeer outfit wielding a large military musket rifle. It let out a screech before pointing its weapon at the Syndicate soldier. Two green Overlay Units circled it.

Castel, The Skyblaster Musketeer ATK 2000 DEF 1500 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"I activate one of Castel's effects!" Ginger exclaimed. "By detaching two Overlay Units, I can target a monster on the field and send it back to the hand!"

At the command, Castel grabbed the two light orbs hovering around him, loaded them into his rifle like bullets, and aimed at the soldier's field.

Castel, The Skyblaster Musketeer OU: 2→0

"I target your Dragonfly, sending it back to your hand!"

The two shining bullets pierced through the air and found their mark right between the eyes of each head. The armored warrior yelped in surprise as it was reformed into an orb of light, flying back into its owner's hand.

"Following that, I activate the Equip Spell Card: Xyz Unit! Catsel now gains 200 attack points multiplied by its Rank! Since its Rank is 4, it gains 800 attack points!"

Castel, The Skyblaster Musketeer ATK 2000→2800

"Now, let's battle!" Ginger declared. "Castel, attack Inzektor Giga-Crciket! Avian Artillery!"

The birdman fired an explosive shot from its rifle, sending it toward Giga-Cricket at lightning speed. The bullet struck the Inzektor monster point blank, destroying it and pushing the Syndicate soldier back several feet.

Syndicate Soldier: 3500→2700 LP

"Next up, I'll have Messengelato attack Picofalena!"

Messengelato threw many envelopes forward, which pierced the Inzektor Link Monster's body in several spots and caused it to explode, with the shockwave causing the soldier to wince.

Syndicate Soldier: 2700→1600 LP

"That should do for now," Ginger said. "I place three cards face-down and end my turn."

"Then, it's my turn!" The soldier announced. "I draw! I commend you for that daring earlier move. However, I will have to strike back even harder. First, I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity, which allows me to draw three cards from my Deck and discard two. And since one of the cards I discarded was another copy of Cards of Compensation, its effect activates, allowing me to draw two cards. Next, by discarding Inzektor Ladybug from my hand, I can Special Summon Inzektor Moth!"

A woman was holding a futuristic sniper rifle and wearing a dark purple moth-themed suit with a white visor covering her eyes and white insect-like wings extending from its back.

Inzektor Moth ATK 1500 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"I'll follow that up by summoning out Inzektor Centipede!"

Inzektor Centipede ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"I activate Centipede's effect!" The soldier continued. "I equip Inzektor Ladybug from my Graveyard to it!"

A female dressed in red armor with several disk-like weapons attached appeared above Inzektor Centipede and transformed into what appeared to be a disk launcher, which landed gracefully in Centipede's arms.

Inzektor Centipede ATK 1600→2100 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 3→5

"But Ladybug won't be on the field for long because by sending it to the Graveyard, Centipede's Level permanently increases by 2!"

Ladybug disassembled itself from Centipede, causing its stats, except its Level, to decrease.

Inzektor Centipede ATK 2100→1600 DEF 1500→1200

"Since a card equipped to Centipede left the field, its effect activates," The soldier said. "I add a second Inzektor Giga-Mantis from my Deck to my hand. Next, I activate Moth's effect to equip itself with Ladybug!"

Ladybug reappeared and transformed into a disk launcher as Moth grabbed it.

Inzektor Moth ATK 1500→2000 DEF 0→300 LVL: 3→5

"Now he has two monsters with the same level," Ginger muttered. "I'm pretty sure I can guess what's coming next."

"I overlay my Level 5 Inzektor Centipede and Moth!"

Following the soldier's declaration, his two monsters transformed into purple streaks of light. As they began swirling into a red portal, a colorful explosion resulted.

"Here comes the malicious beetle in shimmering silver armor with sharp blades that will tear through any evil that stands before it! Armor up, Inzektor Exa-Stag!"

Out of the portal stepped a hulking figure in blue and silver armor. It had curved horns on its head, broad shoulders, metal wings on its back, and most noticeably, two-pronged wrist blades similar to the mandibles of a stag beetle, and circling it were two purple balls of light.

Inzektor Exa-Stag ATK 800 DEF 800 RNK: 5 OU: 2

"Hoh, an Xyz Monster?" Ginger let out a small smirk. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy crushing you even more than I thought."

"The only one who will get crushed here is you." The soldier stated. "I activate the effect of Exa-Stag! Once per turn, I can detach one Xyz Material to equip a monster on your field to Exa-Stag!"

"What?" Ginger gasped.

"I equip your Castel to Exa-Stag!" The soldier declared, pointing to the Xyz Monster, who broke into lights as Exa-Stag glowed. "Exa-Stag now gains attack and defense points equal half to Augustus' original attack and defense."

Inzektor Exa-Stag ATK 800→1800 DEF 800→1550

"Next, I activate the effect of Giga-Mantis in my hand and equip it to Exa-Stag! Giga-Mantis's effect changes Exa-Stag's original attack points to 2400! Add to that the equipped Augustus's attack points, and, well…"

Inzektor Exa-Stag ATK 1800→3400

"Sheesh," Ginger said. "That's one powerful bug."

"Battle!" The soldier exclaimed. "Exa-Stag, attack Madolche Messengelato and finish this! Chitin Chopper!"

"You won't get rid of me that easily!" Ginger stated. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Emergency Provisions, whose effect allows me to send any number of Spell or Trap Cards I control to the Graveyard and gain 1000 Life Points for every sent card. I will send one of my remaining face-down cards to the Graveyard to gain 1000 Life Points."

Ginger: 1300→2300 LP

Exa-Stag swung its axe as it slashed through Messengelato before curving right back into its hand.

Ginger: 2300→1000 LP

"Since Messengelato was destroyed, its effect shuffles itself back into my Deck," Ginger said. "But thanks to Madolche Chateau's effect additional effect, I get to add it to my hand instead."

The soldier frowned. "You're persistent. I'll give you that. I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Ginger announced. "I draw!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Dust Tornado!" The soldier abruptly declared. "

This card destroys one Spell or Trap Card you control! I choose your Madolche Chateau!"

A gust of wind blew away Ginger's Field Spell.

"Tch. Not my Field Spell." Ginger clicked her tongue. "No problem. I can still win without it. I summon Madolche Messengelato!"

The young blue-haired mailboy reappeared.

Madolche Messengelato ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Next, I activate the Trap Card: Copy Knight!" Ginger continued. "When I Normal Summon a Level 4 or lower Warrior-Type monster to my Field, I can Special Summon this as a Normal Monster with the same name and Level as that monster!"

A humanoid knight in silver armor appeared before transforming into a darker version of Enchanted Scepter.

Copy Knight ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 4

The soldier narrowed his eyes at the two monsters. "Those monsters are both Level 4!"

Ginger smirked as she gestured to her field. "I overlay Level 4 Madolche Messengelato and Copy Knight!"

A bolt of orange lightning was released from Ginger's Duel Disk, striking the sky and creating the Xyz cross. Both monsters disintegrated into data bits and entered the dots. The ends of the cross lit up and fired beams, creating a miniature galaxy. The galaxy exploded with energy as a monster formed within it.

"Mind filled with great potential!" Ginger chanted. "Become our mighty ruler! I Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Madolche Queen Tiaramisu!"

A young woman with fair skin, silver hair with a crown on the top of her head, and a royal brown and orange dress. She held a scepter tightly in her left hand. She sat on a throne perched on a puzzle piece made out of tiramisu. Two Overlay Units circled behind her.

Madolche Queen Tiaramisu 2200 DEF 2100 RNK: 4 OU: 2

Ginger gestured to Tiaramisu. "I activate Tiaramisu's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can return up to two "Madolche" cards from my Graveyard to my Deck, target the same number of monsters on your field, and shuffle them into your Deck! I will return Chateau and Mewfieulle to the Deck and Exa-Stag and your face-down card on the left to yours!"

Madolche Queen Tiaramisu OU: 2→1

Tiaramisu aimed her staff at the Syndicate soldier's cards and fired the energy from the embedded crystals, enveloping the designated cards in a rainbow aura and causing them to vanish from the field.

"Now, it's time for this duel to end!" Ginger exclaimed. "Queen Tiaramisu, attack him directly!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Threatening Roar!" The soldier abruptly shouted. "Through its effect, your monsters cannot declare an attack for this turn! As such, I'm afraid you won't be able to finish me off as you'd hoped!"

"So close…" Ginger grimaced. "I place three cards face-down and end my turn."

"In that case, it's my turn!" The soldier announced. "I draw!"

A dark expression appeared on Zekt's face as he checked his drawn card, causing Maestra to feel chills going down her spine due to her opponent's sudden change in demeanor.

"While this duel has been quite amusing, I think it's about time for the kid gloves to come off." The soldier glowered at Ginger. "I've already wasted enough time indulging myself. So, I'll end this duel right now! I activate the Spell Card: Card Of Demise! It lets me draw until I have five cards in my hand. But I must send my entire hand to the Graveyard during my fifth Standby Phase after activating this card."

Ginger narrowed her eyes. "What an annoying card."

"Don't worry, this duel will be over before five turns have passed," The soldier mentioned as he drew three cards, looked at them, and then took one. "I summon Inzektor Dragonfly!"

The red-armored Inzektor reappeared in Attack Position.

Inzektor Dragonfly ATK 1000 DEF 1800 LVL: 3

"At this moment, I activate the Trap Card: Breakthrough Skill!" Ginger abruptly declared. "With this card, Dragonfly's effects are negated!"

"So you knew I would try to use Dragonly's effect to equip itself with Hornet and use it to destroy your monster?" The soldier said. "Even so, I still have plenty of moves to assure my victory. I activate Inzektor Giga Hercules's effect from my hand to equip it onto Dragonfly!"

A humanoid monster clad in a dark blue Hercules beetle-themed metal suit appeared next to Dragonfly. It had small spikes here and there, glowing with crimson energy, with one on its head and a smaller one on its chin, both pointing upwards. Suddenly, it disassembled itself, and its armor attached itself directly to Dragonfly.

"Dragonfly's Level, along with its ATK, change to match Giga-Hercules," Zekt added.

Inzektor Dragonfly ATK 1000→1900 LVL: 3→5

"Moving on, I activate the Equip Spell, Living Fossil, whose effect allows me to Special Summon a Monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated, and its attack points are reduced by 1000. Resurrect, Inzektor Giga-Weevil!"

A wide crack appeared on the ground following Zekt's words, out of which emerged a large monster similar to Giga-Mantis. It was more heavily armored than any of the Inzektors, having purple armor, an odd helmet, and a small axe on its left hand. It crossed its huge "wings" (which were more armor, connected to its shoulders) in front of itself, shielding it.

Inzektor Giga-Weevil ATK 0 DEF 2600 LVL: 6

Ginger narrowed her eyes. "That must've been the card he discarded through Graceful Charity during his last turn."

"Now I activate the Spell Card: Resonance Device!" The soldier continued. "Through its effect, it changes Dragonfly's Level to match Giga-Weevil's since they share the same Type and Attribute!" Zekt stated.

Inzektor Dragonfly LVL: 5→6

Ginger gasped. "Two Level 6s? Uh oh…"

"That's right! I overlay the Level 6 Inzektor Dragonfly and Inzektor Giga-Weevil!"

Both monsters became purple streaks of light that swirled into a red portal, releasing a large explosion of light.

"Here comes the malicious beetle in gleaming gold armor with a powerful horn that will pierce the heart of villainy! Armor up, Inzektor Exa-Beetle!"

A giant monster emerged, having the same black body as the Inzektors, though it was adorned with brilliant gold armor. A large golden horn was on top of its head, and its weapon was a large, double-ended, golden conical lance with two purple Overlay Units circling it.

Inzektor Exa-Beetle ATK 1000 DEF 1000 RNK: 6 OU: 2

"I activate Exa-Beetle's effect! When this card is Xyz Summoned, I can equip a monster from either of our Graveyards! I equip the Giga-Mantis in my Graveyard to Exa-Beetle, and then Exa-Beetle gains half of the equipped monster's original attack and defense points! And since it is Giga-Cricket, Exa-Beetle's original attack points become 2000!"

Inzektor Exa-Beetle ATK 1000→2400→3400

"Powerful bug," Ginger muttered.

"I activate the Equip Spell Card Inzektor Axe – Zektahawk!" The soldierproclaimed. "And equip it to Exa-Beetle!" A two-ended axe appeared in Exa-Beetle's right hand. "This card increases my Exa-Beetle's attack by 1000, and when it declares an attack, you cannot activate any Spell or Trap Cards!"

Inzektor Exa-Beetle ATK 3400→4400

"If that's the case, I'll ensure my survival!" Ginger exclaimed. "I activate the Trap Card: Two-Fold Barrier! Thanks to its effect, I can pay half my Life Points to reduce all damage I receive during this turn to 0!"

Ginger: 1000→500 LP

"If I can't deal damage, I can't win…" The soldier frowned. "This doesn't bode well. However, I can still destroy your monster. Exa-Beetle attacks Queen Tiaramisu!"

Exa-Beetle charged the Madolche Xyz Monster and pierced it with its lance, destroying it in an explosion.

"You may have survived this turn, but against my strongest formation, your chances of victory are rather slim." The soldier said. "I end my turn with this."

"My turn!" Ginger announced. "I draw! First, I activate the Trap Card: Xyz Reborn! Through this card's effect, I will Special Summon Queen Tiaramisu and attach this card as an Overlay Unit!"

A portal appeared on Ginger's field, with the Madolche Xyz Monster emerging.

Madolche Queen Tiaramisu ATK 2200 DEF 2100 RNK: 4 OU: 1

Ginger gestured to her monster. "By targeting the Rank 4 Madolche Queen Tiaramisu, I rebuild the Overlay Network!"

Following her words, the X-shaped portal reappeared, creating a swirling galaxy portal.

"Mind filled with developed potential and newfound power! Become a roar that breaks your kingdom's sadness! Go, Rank-Up Xyz Evolution!"

The galaxy exploded after the chant, and a stream of DNA appeared before breaking apart and taking the form of her Xyz Monster.

"Appear, Rank 5! Madolche Tiaramisu Dragon!"

Appearing on Ginger's field was a long-necked, four-pedal dragon with brown scales and long eyelashes, signaling it was a female, with two wide wings decorated with tied ribbons, short silver hair, and wearing orange clothing over its back reminiscent of Madolche Queen Tiaramisu's dress. The dragon stood with its head raised high and ready to battle.

Madolche Tiaramisu Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 1800 RNK: 5 OU: 2

"Rank-Up without a Rank-Up-Magic?" The soldier gasped.

"I activate Tiaramisu Dragon's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can shuffle two "Madolche" cards from my Graveyard into the Deck and shuffle one card from my opponent's field or Graveyard to their Deck, or two if Tiaramisu Dragon has Queen Tiaramisu attached to it as an Overlay Unit!"

Madolche Tiaramisu Dragon OU: 2→1

"I shuffle Madolche Chateau and Madolche Custguard into my Deck to use my dragon's effect!" Ginger exclaimed. "I shuffle Exa-Beetle back to your Extra Deck!"

Tiaramisu Dragon blasted a ray of golden energy from its mouth, striking the Inzektor Xyz Monster and the Syndicate soldier's Duel Disk as it glowed, and Exa-Beetle flew into the soldier's Deck before it auto-shuffled.

"This will settle the match!" Ginger exclaimed. "Tiaramisu Dragon attacks you directly! Sweet Puissance!"

The dragon fired a stream of energy from its maw that struck the soldier, enveloping him in a massive explosion.

"Impossible!" The soldier cried out as his body started turning into vapor and vanishing. "I…am being defeated…by a low-class duelist such as you!?"

The soldier extended his hand toward Ginger with a hate-filled expression as he slowly moved toward her. However, at that moment, his body completely broke apart into wisps of smoke that promptly vanished into thin air.

Syndicate Soldier: 1600→0 LP

Ginger wiped the sweat off with her right forearm, slightly exhausted by that duel. Even though she could defeat the soldier, he was still an efficient duelist. "Alright. Let's go help the others." After summoning Tiaramisu Dragon, Ginger jumped on the dragon's back before the duo proceeded to help the others defeat the soldiers.

Elsewhere, in another area of LINK VRAINS...

"Humph, so you are to be my opponent? That is a huge waste of time that could be spent better planning our mission to stop your assault. Oh well, since it can't be helped, I'll have to ensure this ends as quickly as possible."

Na'amah spoke as she gazed at a male Syndicate Sergeant before her, prompting him to bristle.

"Looks like the top 10's new allies have quite the haughty attitude." The Sergeant remarked. "Tell you what, if you get out of our way, we promise not to hurt or leave you alone. Although you're an enemy, bullying a girl doesn't feel right. So, what do you say?"

"I…am an ally of the Top 10!" Na'amah resolutely declared as she activated her Duel Disk. "I will not retreat from the enemy, especially when they are weaklings like you."

"OK, now you're starting to get on my nerves big time, lady." The Sergeant spoke with a dark expression as he activated his Duel Disk. "Fine then, have it your way. Since you insist on standing in our way, I'll forcefully remove you! Lament your foolishness for not knowing what's best for you! Now, let's do this!"

"Duel!"

Syndicate Sergeant: 4000 LP

Na'amah: 4000 LP

"The first turn takes the advantage!" The Sergeant announced. "I summon Ally of Justice Core Destroyer!"

A four-legged mechanical monster clad in white, black, and gold armor appeared in Attack Position.

Ally of Justice Core Destroyer ATK 1200 DEF 200 LVL: 3

"I place one card face-down and end my turn!" The Sergeant concluded.

"An Ally of Justice deck, huh?" Na'amah bit her bottom lip in frustration. "How annoying... that archetype is an anti-Light deck... it seems this duel will be more of a challenge than anticipated. My turn! I draw! First, by discarding a card, I can Special Summon Fabled Marcosia from my hand!"

An avian demon wearing a green mask with long claws, brown-feathered wings and black robes appeared on Na'amah's field in Attack position.

Fabled Marcosia ATK 1700 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"And since I discarded The Fabled Cerburrel, I can revive it!"

A red, three-headed puppy appeared on the field, rather cute. It had a black imp with green eyes attached to it on a chain, grinning mischievously.

The Fabled Cerburrel ATK 1000 DEF 400 LVL: 2

"Now I shall tune together Level 2 Cerburrel with the Level 4 Marcosia!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Na'amah as the world greyed out, and her two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, one pink and one yellow, appeared before turning blue and merging. Five blue rings stacked in a tower appeared as a screen displayed "2 + 4". The screen changed to "6" as light surged through the rings.

"Demon of the unrelenting maelstrom!" Na'amah chanted. "Cleave your enemies to pieces with your unstoppable winds! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Fabled Andwraith!"

A white-haired, white-skinned fiend appeared, wearing blue and gold armor. Two long, black-feathered wings spread as wide as the tall field. Long black claws emerged from under the armor, with long blue claws emerging from the black, like overly long nails. The demon was holding onto a long black sword with a golden hilt.

Fabled Andwraith ATK 2400 DEF 1900 LVL: 6

"With Fabled Andwraith's effect, when Special Summoned, I can draw two cards and discard a card," Na'mah stated. "However, you can send a card from your hand to the graveyard to negate this effect."

The Sergeant narrowed his eyes. It would benefit her opponent either way. He knew the "Fabled" archetype thrived off of being discarded.

"I will choose to discard a card," he said, selecting a card in his hand before sending it to the Graveyard.

"Figures you wouldn't let me get a few extra cards…" Na'amah grimaced. "Nevertheless, I'll keep pushing forward. I activate the Equip Spell Cards: Junk Barrage and Rainbow Veil, equipping them to Andwraith! Now, time for battle! Fabled Andwraith attacks Ally of Justice Core Destroyer!"

"I activate Core Destoryer's effect!" The Sergeant exclaimed. "When it battles a Light Attribute monster, it auto-"

"It's no use." Na'amah cut off her opponent. "When Andwraith attacks while equipped with Rainbow Veil, the attack target's effects are negated!"

Following Na'amah's words, Andwraith swung its weapon, unleashing a dark-colored gust of wind that destroyed Core Destroyer.

Syndicate Soldier: 4000→2800 LP

"At this moment, I activate Junk Barrage's effect!" Na'amah stated. "When the equipped monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you take damage equal to half the destroyed monster's attack points!"

Andwraith's sword glowed, creating a shockwave that struck the sergeant and sent him skidding back.

Syndicate Sergeant: 2800→2200 LP

"I activate my Trap Card!" The Sergeant abruptly shouted. "Infesting Darkness! When the opponent destroys a monster I control, I can banish one Light Monster from my opponent's Graveyard to Special Summon one Level 3 or lower Dark Monster from my Deck! I banish Fabled Marcosia from your Graveyard to Special Summon Ally of Justice Cyclone Creator from my Deck in Defense Position!"

A mechanical eagle monster clad in crimson armor appeared on the field with a screech.

Ally of Justice Cyclone Creator ATK 1400 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"That monster's a Tuner," Na'amah muttered as she narrowed her eyes. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" The Sergeant announced. "I draw! First, I activate Cyclone Creator's effect! By discarding one card from my hand, I can return Spell or Trap Cards on the field to its owner's hand equal to the number of Tuner Monsters I control. Since I only have Cyclone Creator, your face-down card on the right returns to your hand!"

Furious gusts of wind were generated from Cyclone Creator's fans attached to its wings, causing one of Na'amah's face-down cards to disappear.

"Next, I activate the effect of Cards of Compenation in my Graveyard, which I discarded through Cyclone Creator," the sergeant explained. "It lets me draw two cards! Then, I summon Ally of Justice Mad Steward!"

Ally of Justice Mad Steward ATK 1500 DEF 400 LVL: 4

A mechanical monster with a tube-shaped body, clad in orange armor and having several wires attached to its lower half, appeared in Attack Position.

"Mad Steward's effect activates!" The sergeant continued. "When it's summoned while my opponent controls a Light Attribute monster, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower "Ally of Justice" monster from my Deck in Defense Position! Appear, Ally of Justice - Unlimiter!"

A mechanical monster with an oval body, a long needle attached to its front, and two purple orbs as eyes emerged from Mad Steward's tube.

Ally of Justice Unlimiter ATK 600 DEF 200 LVL: 2

The sergeant grinned. "I tune the Level 3 Cyclone Creator with the Level 4 Mad Steward!"

A bolt of green lightning struck the sergeant as the world greyed out, and his two monsters turned into particles. Two rings, one yellow and one red, appeared before turning blue and merging. Seven blue rings stacked in a tower appeared as a screen displayed "3 + 4" in front of them. The screen changed to "7" as light surged through the rings.

"With the hammer of justice, nobody will stand before your might! I Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 7! Ally of Justice Crimson General!"

A large mechanical monster clad in white armor, having four arms and oversized fists, appeared in Attack Position.

Ally of Justice Crimson General ATK 2600 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"By Tributing Unlimiter and targeting Crimson General, I activate the former's effect!" the sergeant stated. "Until my End Phase, the targeted monster's original attack points are doubled until the End Phase!"

Ally of Justice Crimson General ATK 2600→5200

"Battle! Crimson General, destroy Fabled Andwraith!"

"Not so fast!" Na'amah said, interrupting the attack. "I activate my Trap Card: Half or Nothing! When this card is activated, you can choose one of two effects. You either end the Battle Phase immediately or have the attack points of all monsters you control become halved until the end of your Battle Phase."

"Tch, such petty tricks…" The sergeant clicked his tongue in irritation. "In that case, I choose to halve my monster's attack points to resume my attack!"

Ally of Justice Crimson General ATK 5200→2600

"Take down her monster, Crimson General! Rage Hammer!"

Crimson General slammed its four fists into Andwraith's body, destroying it, with the ensuing shockwave causing Na'amah to wince.

Na'amah: 4000→3800 LP

"At this moment, Crimson General's second effect activates!" the sergeant stated. "When a Light Attribute monster my opponent controls is destroyed by battle, they take 1000 damage! Take this!"

Crimson beams of light erupted from Crimson General's eyes, striking Na'amah and making her hiss in pain.

Na'amah: 3800→2800 LP

"I place one card face-down and end my turn." the sergeant concluded.

"Then, it's my turn!" Na'amah announced. "I draw! First, I place a card face-down. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Foresight Draw. Through its effect, I can guess what type of card is the top card of my Deck. If I'm correct, I get to draw five cards from my Deck. If not, I'll have to send five cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard and skip my next Draw Phase. Now, let's do this! I declare that my top card is a Monster Card!"

Na'amah drew her top card and revealed it to her opponent.

"Since my guess was correct, I can draw five cards from my Deck. Then, I summon Fabled Raven!"

A humanoid monster clad in black robes and having blade-like wings attached to its arms and legs appeared.

Fabled Raven ATK 1300 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"I activate Fabled Raven's effect! I can discard as many cards as possible to increase this card's Level by 1 and its attack by 400. I discard two cards to increase Fabled Raven's attack points by 800 and Level by 2."

The Fabled Ganashia ATK 1300→2100 LVL: 2→4

"Then, the effects of Fabled Lurrie and Fabled Kahn activate!" Na'amah continued. "When discarded, I'm allowed to Special Summon them from the Graveyard!"

Two monsters, a small pink-skinned fiend with a mask and bat wings and a small green-skinned griffon, appeared on Na'amah's field.

Fabled Lurrie ATK 200 DEF 400 LVL: 1

Fabled Khan ATK 900 DEF 1100 LVL: 2

"I activate the Spell Card: Tuner's High! By discarding a monster from my hand, I can Special Summon a Tuner Monster with the same Type and Attribute as the discarded monster." Na'amah stated. "I discard Fabled Topi to Special Summon Fabled Miztoji!"

A short-winged demon resembling an old man holding a cane appeared, chuckling.

Fabled Miztoji ATK 400 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Now I shall tune together Level 2 Khan with Level 2 Miztoji!"

A bolt of green lightning struck Na'amah as the world greyed out, and her two monsters disappeared into particles. Two rings, one green and one yellow, appeared before turning blue and merging. Four blue rings stacked in a tower appeared as a screen displayed "2 + 2". The screen changed to "4" as light surged through the rings.

"Myth of light, blessed in the dark." Na'amah chanted. "Reveal yourself and defend the fables! I Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 4! The Fabled Chimeru!"

A monstrous hybrid beast consisting of a golden lion with a white goat head protruding from its back and a green snake acting as a tail appeared on Na'amah's field in Attack Position. All three beasts had black cloth draped over their eyes as each had a little white devil with green beedy eyes riding on them with a saddle. It also wore black armor around the legs and the mane around the goat head.

The Fabled Chimeru ATK 2400 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Chimeru's effect activates!" Na'amah declared. "When Synchro Summoned, I'm forced to discard my entire hand. But with only one card in my hand, that hardly matters." She discarded her sole card. "Next, I tune my Level 1 Lurrie with my Level 4 Raven!"

The world greyed out again as Lurrie and Raven formed into two rings that turned blue. A screen that displayed "1 + 4" appeared before changing to "5" as a light surged through the rings.

"Rebellious angel who fell from heaven's grace." Na'amah chanted. "Indulge yourself in this world's pleasures! I Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 5! Fabled Ragin!"

A demonic humanoid clad in ornate black and gold armor with red lines and bat-like wings emerged from the light onto Na'amah's field in Attack Position. Two imps, one blue and one black, floated around him. A sword in its scabbard was strapped to his waist, letting him draw it.

Fabled Ragin ATK 2300 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

"Two Synchro Summons in a single turn!?" The sergeant gasped.

"That's right." Na'amah grinned. "And they're about to wreak havoc on you. But first, Ragin's effect activates! When Synchro Summoned while I have less than two cards in my hand, I can draw until I have two cards in my hand." She drew, then said, "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Solidarity! Since I have only Fiend monsters in my Graveyard, all of my Fiend monsters on the field gain 800 attack points!"

The Fabled Chimeru ATK 2400→3200

Fabled Ragin ATK 2300→3100

"I place a card face-down," Na'amah said. "Time for battle! Fabled Chimeru attacks Crimson General! And at this moment, Chimeru's effect activates! Since my hand's cardless, you can't activate any cards or effects whenever it battles!"

Chimeru's central mouth shot a wave of flames, incinerating Crimson General's body and creating a large explosion that sent the sergeant skidding back.

Syndicate Sergeant: 2200→1600 LP

"This is the end!" Na'amah exclaimed. "Fabled Ragin attacks you directly!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Defense Draw!" the sergeant shouted as a transparent barrier protected him from Ragin's. "The damage I would take is reduced to 0, and I can draw one card!"

"Tch, you're no fun…" Na'amah frowned. "Well, expecting you to lose that easily wouldn't satisfy me. I end my turn with this."

"My turn!" The sergeant announced. "I draw! Since my opponent controls two or more Monsters, including a Light one, I can Special Summon this card from my hand! Come forth, Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway!"

A giant mechanical gateway materialized on the field as it cracked with electricity.

Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway ATK 2400 DEF 1200 LVL: 8

"From there, I activate the Spell Card: Precious Metal of Justice, whose effect allows me to draw three cards if I control an "Ally of Justice" monster while you control two or more Light Attribute monsters," the sergeant explained. "Next, I activate the Spell Card Iron Call! Since I control a Machine-type monster, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Machine-type monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Revive, Mad Steward!"

Mad Steward reappeared on the field from a portal on the ground.

Ally of Justice Mad Steward ATK 1500 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"However, it doesn't end there. By Tributing Mad Steward, I perform a Tribute Summon!" The sergeant yelled as the said Monster vanished from the field. "Come forth, Ally of Justice Void Golem!"

A grotesque monster resembling a cross between a human brain and a mechanical golem emerged beside Cosmic Gateway.

Ally of Justice Void Golem ATK 2300 DEF 0 LVL: 6

"As long as Void Golem is face-up on the field, the effects of all Light Monsters my opponent controls are negated!" Na'amah gritted her teeth as her monsters greyed out. "Next, I can activate the Spell Card: Harpie's Feather Duster! Thanks to its effect, I can destroy all Spell and Trap Cards you control!"

A hurricane erupted on Na'amah's field, destroying all her Spell and Trap Cards.

Na'amah frowned. "Since Solidarity left the field, Ragin and Chimeru now lose their attack boost."

The Fabled Chimeru ATK 3200→2400

Fabled Ragin ATK 3100→2300

But then she smirked. "Since one of the cards you destroyed was Dummy Marker, I can draw two cards through its effect. In addition, I activate the effect of the Trap Card: Reverse Engineering that you just destroyed! By banishing it, I can Set a Trap Card that was destroyed this turn. In addition, I can activate that card this turn. I Set Sonic Stun!"

The sergeant narrowed his eyes as he took a card from his hand. "Moving on, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Burden of the Mighty! All your face-up monsters lose attack points equal to their Levels times 100!"

The Fabled Chimeru ATK 2400→2000

Fabled Ragin ATK 2300→1500

"Battle! Ally of Justice, attack Fabled Ragin! Darkness Crush!"

Void Golem punched Ragin, piercing its body, causing it to explode and making Na'amah wince.

Na'amah: 2800→2000 LP

"When Void Golem destroys an opponent's Light Attribute monster by battle, it can attack another monster an additional time!" The sergeant stated with a sinister smile. "Battle! Void Golem, attack Chimeru next! Darkness Crush!"

Following its master's command, Void Golem punched Chimeru in the face, destroying it and making Na'amah wince again.

Na'amah: 2000→1700 LP

"This is the end for you!"The sergeant pointed forward. "Battle! Ally of Justice Cosmic Gateway, attack her directly! Accept your punishment for challenging the Syndicate!"

"Look who's hasty now." Na'amah calmly said. "This Duel is far from over. I activate the Trap Card: Sonic Stun!" A crack of shrill sound ripped through the air, halting Cosmic Gateway's attack. "Thanks to this card's effect, your attack is negated, and I'm allowed to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Tuner monster from my hand or Deck. Come from my Deck, Fabled Oltro!"

A pink-skinned comical baby in a carriage appeared.

Fabled Oltro ATK 800→600 DEF 500 LVL: 2

The sergeant gritted his teeth, "Your skills are not to be underestimated." he remarked. "I place one card face-down and end my turn. Can you overcome the obstacle that stands in your way? Or is this your limit? Because that appears to be the case to me."

"You know what they say." Na'amah let out a confident smile. "Limits are meant to be surpassed. It's my turn! I draw! I summon The Fabled Ganashia!"

A blue humanoid elephant wearing a vest appeared in Attack Position.

The Fabled Ganashia ATK 1600→1300 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

Na'amah gestured to her field. "I tune Level 2 Abanc with the Level 3 Ganashia!"

The world grayed out as green energy gathered around Na'amah before blasting upwards. Her monsters disintegrated into data that reformed into two rings. The rings turned blue and merged before reforming into five blue rings in a tower. "2 + 3" before shifting to "5". A beam of light shot through the rings.

"When the flame of the darkened cuts open a road, the demonic riders appear!" Na'amah chanted. "I Synchro Summon! Appear, Stygian Sergeants!"

A twin-headed muscular demonic humanoid lizard cladded in a black biker with two long leathery wings appeared on Na'amah's field in Attack Position. It was sitting on a large motorcycle.

Stygian Sergeants ATK 2200→1700 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

The sergeant scoffed. "Nice monster. But not good enough to take down mine."

"I beg to differ," Na'amah countered. "I activate the effect of Skill Successor in my Graveyard! By banishing it during my turn, I can increase Stygian Sergeant's attack points by 800 until the End Phase!"

Stygian Sergeant ATK 1700→2500

"Battle! Stygian Sergeant attacks Void Golem!"

Na'amah's monster took its right hand off the handle, pulled a gun from its holster, and fired multiple bullets into the Void Golem, destroying it in an explosion.

Syndicate Sergeant: 1600→1400 LP

"And since Stygian Sergeants destroyed a monster by battle, it gains 800 attack points and can perform a second attack this turn."

"What?" The sergeant gasped.

Stygian Sergeant ATK 2500→3300

"Destroy his monster, Sergeants!"

Following Na'amah's words, Sergeants tore through Cosmic Gateway with the wheels on its motorcycle and destroyed it, sending the sergeant tumbling back.

Syndicate Sergeant: 1400→500 LP

"I place a card face-down and end my turn," Na'amah concluded. "Since it's the End Phase, both Stygian Sergeant's and Skill Successor's effects end."

Stygian Sergeant ATK 3300→1700

Na'amah smirked. "It seems victory shifted back to my side. Your Deck may be strong against mine, but that doesn't mean you won the moment this Duel started. I advise you to step up your game or surrender."

"Don't get too cocky, you scum." the sergeant snarled. "It's time one of my Aces to take the field! My turn! I draw! From my Graveyard, I activate the effect of Ally of Justice Crimson General, banishing it to Special Summon one of the Synchro Materials used for its summon from the Graveyard by negating its effect! Revive, Cyclone Creator!"

Cyclone Creator emerged from a portal that opened in front of the sergeant.

Ally of Justice Cyclone Creator ATK 1400 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"I activate the Spell Card: Junk Dealer!" The sergeant continued. "Thanks to its effect, I Special Summon two Machine monsters from my Graveyard in Attack Position by halving their attack points! Revive, Core Destroyer and Mad Steward!"

Two portals appeared on the sergeant's field, with his two monsters emerging from them.

Ally of Justice Core Destroyer ATK 1200→600 DEF 200 LVL: 3

Ally of Justice Mad Steward ATK 1500→750 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Next, I tune Ally of Justice Cyclone Creator to my other two Allies of Justice to summon my most powerful creature!"

A bolt of blue lightning struck behind the sergeant as the world grayed out. His three monsters disintegrated into particles of green data that reformed into three circles, one being red and composed of three concentric rings, while the other two were yellow and purple and composed of two concentric rings. The circles turned blue before merging, forming ten rings stacked in a tower, circled by blue-green rectangles. A screen displayed "3 + 4 + 4" appeared before changing to "10." A light surged through the rings.

"The forces of darkness unite!" The sergeant chanted. "May the combined might of these three monsters destroy the light of destruction and restore the land to peace! I Synchro Summon! Appear now, Level 10! Ally of Justice Decisive Armor!"

A black and golden colossus machine emerged from the light with two enormous crackling energy cannons for its arms and one larger one on its back. Located in the center of its chest appeared its head, a blue semi-circle with a shining golden eye gazing out toward its prey.

Ally of Justice Decisive Armor ATK 3300 DEF 3300 LVL: 10

"Ally of Justice Decisive Armor…?" Na'amah narrowed her eyes at the sight of the new monster. "Is this the ace he was talking about?"

"You put up a good fight, but all good things must end," the sergeant said wickedly. "Batlle! Ally of Justice Decisive Armor, attack and Stygian Sergeants! Infinity Cannon!"

Ally of Justice Decisive Armor turned its cannons and aimed at Stygian Sergeants. They crackled as energy began to build up inside them. Then its eye flashed, and all three cannons fired at once, sending out enormous energy blasts that roared across the field and annihilated Na'amah's monster, with the ensuing shockwave, sending her tumbling back.

Na'amah: 1700→100 LP

"That was a half-decent attack," Na'amah said as she got up and dusted herself off. "However, I'm still standing."

"Not for long," the sergeant said. "I activate the Trap Card: Desperate Battle! By lowering Decisive Armo's attack points by 1000, it gets to attack again!"

Ally of Justice Decisive Armor ATK 3300→2300

"With this next attack, you're finished!" The sergeant stated. "Ally of Justice Decisive Armor, attack her directly and end this! Infinity Cannon!"

"I activate the Trap Card: Transaction Rollback!" Na'amah abruptly stated. "By paying half my Life Points, I target one Normal Trap Card in my opponent's Graveyard and have this card gain that target's effects! I choose Defense Draw, reducing the battle damage to 0 and letting me draw one card!"

Na'amah: 100→50 LP

Decisive Armor's energy blasts struck a semi-transparent barrier that appeared around Na'amah, preventing the attack from going through.

"You survived by the skin of your teeth, but you're only a step away from demise." The sergeant remarked. "I place one card face-down and end my turn with this."

"That's right. This Duel will end...in your defeat." Na'amah stated. "My turn! I draw!

"If my words can't dissuade you, then perhaps another demonstration of the overwhelming difference in power will!" The sergeant declared. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Level Cannon! Now, each time a monster is summoned, its controller will take damage equal to its Level multiplied by 200!"

"So you intend to use Level Cannon to finish me off, eh?" Na'amah noted. "Clever move. But it will fail miserably. From my hand, I activate the Spell Card: Foolish Burial! I will send Damage Eater from my Deck to the Graveyard through its effect. Now, I activate the Spell Card: Equivalent Exchange, discarding Synchro Cracker to add Mirror World Synchro to my hand. Then, I activate Mirror World Synchro. Through its effect, by banishing the necessary materials from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck. I banish Fabled Ragin, Chimeru, Lurrie and Raven to bring Synchro Summon!"

Ghostly images of the four monsters appeared before becoming particles that reformed into four red circles. The circles turned blue before merging, forming twelve rings stacked in a tower, circled by blue-green rectangles. A screen displaying "2 + 1 + 4 + 5" appeared before changing to "12."

"Spread your twelve dark wings and guide the lost souls of the forgotten to their eternal doom! I Synchro Summon! Manifest now, Level 12! Fabled Azrael!"

A humanoid fiend clad in gold and purple armor with twelve black angel wings protruding from its back, which held a large scythe, appeared on Na'amah's field.

Fabled Azrael ATK 3500 DEF 2800 LVL: 12

"This time, it's a Level 12 Synchro, eh?" The sergeant remarked. "And since its attack points weren't changed due to Burden of the Mighty's effect, I assume it's unaffected by card effects. However, with this, you've sealed your fate! Level Cannon's effect activates since you summoned a monster! Receive 2400 points of damage and perish!"

"No, I don't think I will," Na'amah smirked. "When I'm about to receive effect damage, I can banish Damage Eater from my Graveyard to change that effect into one that increases my Life Points by the same amount. Therefore, I now gain 2400 Life Points."

A barrage of lasers that erupted from Level Cannon was consumed by the ghostly figure of a small yellow demon that appeared on Na'amah's field. Then, the demon turned to Na'amah, releasing a golden wave from its mouth that enveloped her.

Na'amah: 50→2450 LP

"You slippery little minx…" The sergeant spat out through gritted teeth. "To think that you had such a trick up your sleeve…"

A truly skilled Duelist knows to be prepared for most situations by adjusting their Deck accordingly." Na'amah stated. "And I'm not finished just yet. Fabled Azrael's effect activates! When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can return up to three "Fabled" monsters from my Graveyard to my Deck. I choose Cerburrel. Then, I can destroy one card on your field for every monster I return to my Deck!" The sergeant's eyes widened in fear. "Through Azrael's effect, I will destroy Ally of Justice Decisive Armor!"

Following Na'amah's words, Azrael shot a bolt of dark energy from its wings, destroying the opponent's Synchro Monster.

"Since you have no monsters left, you're wide open!" Na'amah shouted. "Take this and lose! Attack him directly! Soul Harvester!"

Fabled Azrael brandished its large scythe, charged at the Syndicate Sergeant, and slashed him with it, sending him crashing into a wall before slumping into the ground unconscious.

Syndicate Sergeant: 500→0 LP

"You thought you had this duel in the bag when you activated Level Cannon," Na'amah said. "I already had a plan to counter it, idiot. Now that he's done, I guess I can go and assist the others."

"You won't get the chance to!"

A couple of soldiers shouted in unison as they jumped from a nearby building, landing in front of Na'amh.

"More lap dogs, huh...?" Na'amah frowned as she raised her Duel Disk again. "Very well. I'll defeat all of you and move forward. Come at me!"