bopdog111: Now with have the one that is not placed in Arc-V but it's placed cause 'why not'?
Ulrich362: Why not indeed, oh and apologies I misremembered something and that character won't be debuting for a bit longer. That said this chapter won't actually have any dueling in it.
bopdog111: What will happen here though?
Ulrich362: Quite a bit of interesting information being revealed... and Playmaker sensing a very interesting enemy of his. Oh also there is one other important detail to bring up that will be relevant later on.
bopdog111: The kind of detail that's important to remember.
Ulrich362: True, let's just say... two certain antagonists might have a connection to two characters you might not expect. That said, that's a long way off, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS or Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V. All we own are the OCs.
The room Yusaku, and Yuta's real bodies are in glowed bright as they softly woken up having logged out from VRAINS after escaping from Gore, and Blue Angel with the Ignis on hand.
"Well, well, well looks like someone's batteries are drained." the Ignis spoke up in a teasing tone.
"Yeah, I do need rest." Yusaku admitted before looking at the Ignis in his Duel Disk. "But I'd rather analyze your code line by line."
"Oh joy." the Ignis sighed sarcastically.
"I'd offer to help, but I'm really worn out myself... let me know if you find anything ok Yusaku?" Yuta asked stretching.
"Of course Yuta." Yusaku nodded over to him. "Have a good night's rest."
Yuta nodded walking off.
Meanwhile at SOL Technologies...
"Playmaker and Zavala are gone?" Akira questioned standing up. "Check through all the data servers again until we find them!"
"Well this really puts up in a setback Zaizen. The Hanoi attack is stopped but those two have the Ignis now." Emperor spoke up towards him. "How did they manage to do what we can't?"
"I have no idea, but the sooner we find them the sooner we can find out." Zaizen frowned before pausing. "I take full responsibility for this failure to secure the Ignis or contain Playmaker and Zavala sir, and I accept whatever action you deem necessary."
"Well we're both at fault so I can't really blame you for it. Besides this is the first time that failure happened in your career so I was gonna excuse it." Emperor said over towards him.
Zaizen's eyes widened at that. "This failure could have far reaching consequences... I'll make sure we reclaim the Ignis by any means necessary."
Meanwhile in a digital area...
Varis was watching on from the battles that had happened and needless to say he was quite impressed that both Playmaker, and Zavala not only defeated some Hanoi even with Cracking Dragon but also managed to capture the Ignis on there end.
"So those two escaped with the Ignis..." He stared off at the recording over while he mused this. "Specter."
A man in a suit appeared behind Varis at that.
"Master Varis, we tried tracking them again but even with our best hackers, we're no closer to finding out who they are in the real world." Specter admitted frowning.
"On the contrary Specter, I believe that we're honing in on Playmaker, and Zavala." Varis spoke over not turning around. "And there are three reasons why I am certain it's only a matter of time. 1. Only a select duelists plays Cyberse cards so we can narrow our search. 2. We're improving our search algorithms daily if not hourly. And 3. If all else fails, they'll come to me. To duel the hated leader of the Knights of Hanoi."
Specter bowed at that. "Quite observant sir."
"And I guarantee, our first meeting will also be our last." Varis smirked saying that.
The next day construction workers were putting up a new screen on a building...
"Today on Good Morning Link VRAINS, we're asking the question that has the virtual world abuzz." mentioned an excited male voice. "Who are Playmaker and Zavala?"
"Good question, wouldn't you, me, and my grandma's grandma like to know? But what we do know there some winners!"
"Couple of men of mysteries, and glistening geniuses! Absolutely terrific marketing!"
"Playmaker is more than a hero, he's also a hunk." a girl with pigtails on a large screen mentioned. "If he were in the alphabet he'd be G for Gorgeous."
"Yeah, and so is Zavala... he's so mysterious and cool." agreed a girl with long red hair as she giggled. "Definitely H for Hot for me."
"Ugh, fell in love with Avatars?" a woman sitting between them frowned. "In real life they could be U for Ugly."
In a sector in VRAINS several reporters were looking around as a frog avatar with blue cheeks, a thing on his head, and a microphone rose up.
"Where is that bird?" the frog avatar groaned.
"Hi boss." a bird with a camera on its head called startling him. "I got here as fast as I could."
"Well then fly faster next time!" the frog avatar yelled. "Did you pick up any leads?"
"No but I picked up plenty of irises from all the crowds..."
"Well whatddiya expect? We're all after the same story, but if it's a super juicy one, even all the bird brains come a flocking!" the frog looked down to the crowd of reporters as he spoke this before turning to the bird. "Eh, no offense."
"But we all can't interview Playmaker or Zavala." the bird pointed out. "There's so much traffic in Link VRAINS, I can't even get my wings to flap in sync."
"Why do I gotta deal with these rookie reporters?" the frog avatar groaned. "Why don't you try updating your flight app?"
"Ok I'll give it a shot." the bird mentioned as a loading bar appeared next to him before filling up as started flapping his wings. "Hey that did the trick."
"Hey look it's Playmaker!"
"Huh? Where is he?" the frog avatar questioned looking over to where Playmaker was standing with a big smile.
"Hi! I'm ready for my interview!" Playmaker smiled holding up his arms.
"Hey, get your camera rolling ASAP!" the frog avatar told the bird.
"You sure that's the right one?" the bird asked before noticing and pointing to another Playmaker. "Oh what about him?"
"Huh?" the frog avatar questioned looking over to see a second Playmaker flexing as he spoke in spanish.
There was also one that's like Zavala that was waving and spoke in a female voice with his image blurring. "Ignore the importers, I'm Zavala!"
"They look more like Playfakers to me." the bird admitted. "Especially the one that's low res. Hello, buy a new graphics card"
"Kids these days." the frog avatar groaned. "They should really ban copy and paste."
Meanwhile at the edge of the city in Care Nom.
"This is wild stuff." Kolter admitted looking as small bits of data were joining together into a card. "We can use the card data Playmaker captures during a duel to recreate an actual card."
The card was revealed to be Decode Talker slowly taking shape.
"I wonder what other monsters are inside the Data Storm."
"Who knows, but if we can get monsters as strong as Decode Talker the Hanoi are as good as finished." Yuta mentioned thoughtfully.
"Maybe you two should make a return trip." Kolter suggested.
"Yeah, right to the paparazzi." the Ignis pointed out.
"Well they caught the two of us everywhere." Yuta looked where lots of videos have the two everywhere when they dueled. "Odds are lots of reporters looking for interviews are finding us."
"It looks like it, so what do you two want to do?" Kolter asked them.
"So your an expert huh? If you been hiding it perhaps you know who leads the Knights of Hanoi?" Yusaku questioned over at the Ignis.
"I might be an expert on not being captured, but even I don't know that information." the Ignis pointed out. "It could be anybody."
"Great, that's not very helpful." Yuta sighed before pausing. "Ysuaku should we give him a name?"
"As we think I got a plan B." Yusaku takes the Duel Disk setting it near him.
"Plan B? What's plan B?" the Ignis asked. "Flattery, bribery? Snacks, I vote snacks."
"I'm hacking right into your source code." Yusaku answered.
"Huh!?" The Ignis looked shocked. "But if you like the wrong portal I'll end up dumber then a calculator or even worse dumber then you two!"
"Ah Kolter, can you find a way to mute it?" Yusaku asked while typing on the computer.
"With pleasure." Kolter mentioned muting the Ignis.
"Any ideas on the name?" Yuta asked as he walked over to look at the Ignis's source code.
"Yeah, I mean we don't want to confuse it with any other "Its"." Kolter pointed out.
"We won't." Yusaku mentioned calmly. "Though, if we need a name then just call it Ai."
"That works, it is an eyeball." Yuta mentioned. "Ai the AI eyeball."
"That'll definitely make it easy to remember." Kolter chuckled.
They didn't notice the Ignis looking incredibly annoyed, and started crying from the name he's given.
"Kolter, help me hack this source code." Yusaku mentioned.
"My man." Kolter grinned.
Meanwhile in Link VRAINS some surfers were in the server about to ride the Data Storm before jumping up enjoying the ride, and the winds that they are experiencing.
"Danger, Danger." The two Surfers turned to see a security drone is behind them. "Cease Speed Dueling at once."
"Like a tin frisbee's gonna actually like try to stop us right?" one of the surfers smirked.
"5 O's, to scared to hang ten bro." the other surfer replied only for both of them to get captured in blue spheres of light that pinned them to a wall causing the crowd watching to gasp.
"For violating terms and conditions your accounts are suspended indefinitely." the security drone told them.
In SOLS...
Akira walked in a room as Chess Pieces of Bishop along with a Rook, and a Knight appeared before they appeared in the same room as earlier. The Bishop began to glow. "The return of the Data Storms worries us greatly."
"These duelists don't know that they're risking their lives when they Speed Duel." the Rook pointed out glowing.
"We need to shut down Link VRAINS till we find a solution." the Knight suggested over to them.
"If I may offer a differing opinion?" Zaizen requested while bowing respectfully.
"What is it Zaizen?" the Bishop inquired.
"I strongly advise we keep Link VRAINS operational." he answered. "Despite the risks its what's best for our company."
"Hm, do explain." the Rook gesture him to explain interested.
"If we shut down the network, Playmaker and Zavala will have no way to come to Link VRAINS." Zaizen explained. "And if we can't find them we'll never be able to find the Ignis, and no Ignis means no Cyberse."
"And Link VRAINS is doomed anyway." the Knight noted.
"Exactly." Zaizen confirmed.
"It's a matter of when, not if."
"How confident are you that you will capture Playmaker, and Zavala?" the Rook asked him.
"Despite my limited knowledge I am certain I will succeed." Zaizen replied. "I've already orchestrated a plan that I am prepared to execute That is with your permission of course. Playmaker and Zavala despise the Knights of Hanoi almost as much as we do, and we can use that to our advantage."
"Very well, proceed." the Rook stated.
"Thank you, I will succeed in finding them, and the Ignis." Zaizen stated calmly.
"See to it that you do... fail again and it will be Emperor who pays the price for your mistakes." the Bishop told him.
"And Zaizen?" the Rook spoke up to him.
"Sir?" he asked looking up at the Rook.
"You know the kind of Wildcard my daughter is. So please only involve when there are no other options. " the Rook advised over to him. "Despite the kind of Charisma Duelist she is she's still a child so no doubt she will Speed Duel if the chance is given."
"Of course sir, I'll keep a close eye on her." Zaizen nodded.
"And remember: failure is not an option." the Bishop warned Zaizen as the Room vanished.
"It never is Bishop." Zaizen mentioned quietly.
Later on the road a bike sped up beside a limousine.
"You picked a strange place for a business meeting." mentioned the woman on the motorcycle as the limousine's window lowered showing Zaizen.
"I have a sensitive mission for you Emma." Zaizen said calmly.
The woman removed her helmet showing herself as a woman with magenta eyes, with dark pink, a slight link baby hair as she grinned over. "Well then, that's perfect. I'm the sensitive type."
"I want you to find out everything you can about Playmaker and Zavala." Zaizen told her causing Emma to chuckle.
"Oh, I love those guys. With pleasure." Emma replied. "So, I heard they got hold of a certain item Sol Technologies was after. Have something to do with that, love? Oops, is that top secret info I should know nothing about?"
"Just get me the intel."
"Ok, you make sure to deposit my usual fee." Emma told him as she put her helmet back on. "Cause my info's 100% guaranteed. Ciao."
With that she raced off as the limousine turned in the opposite direction.
Meanwhile in a warehouse that had been transformed into a gym a man grunted lifting a barbell.
"Easy there Gore, maybe you should take a nice long break." a voice spoke as the man turned showing it's Gore like in his appearance from Link VRAINS.
Hearing that Gore turned to a man in a red suit. "Just how am I supposed to relax? Just look at the news?"
Gore turned on a TV where it showed multiple images of Playmaker and Zavala.
"It's been wall to wall Playmaker or Zavala all day! And you know who's name they haven't mentioned, The Gore!" he pointed out.
"Big deal, you're the number one celebrity duelist in Link VRAINS and some hotshot hackers aren't gonna change that." the man told him. "Let them have their fifteen minutes of fame."
"That's fifteen more minutes than they deserve." Gore frowned.
"I know, I know. But for now you should focus on how you can stay the number one Celebrity Duelist." the man pointed out.
"Like Link VRAINS is going through some changes, it you want to stay on top you'll have to master Speed Dueling."
Gore frowned at that only to pause and look over seeing a limousine. "Huh, who's that?"
"Why I've never seen it before?" the man in the red suit admitted as Zaizen walked in calmly.
"Mr. Gore was it?" he inquired.
"Who's asking?" Gore questioned.
"Hello, my name is Akiza Zaizen and I'm Chief of Security for SOL Technologies." Zaizen stated calmly.
"I see, and what business would SOL Tech have with my client?" the man in the red suit asked.
"I have to admit this training facility is much more primitive than I was lead to expect." Zaizen noted looking around.
"I assure you size it's more then satisfactory for the Gore." the man assured over to Zaizen.
"So what did you come for? Do you get your kicks by insulting my digs?" Gore questioned.
"I'm here to offer you a business proposition that I believe will be to your liking." Zaizen answered causing Gore's eyes to widen.
"Oh yeah?" he inquired.
"SOL Technologies would like to hire you to defeat Playmaker and acquire his AI program." Zaizen stated calmly as he reached into his suit's inner pocket and took out a remote. "And to show our gratitude please take this, no strings attached."
On the screen that had been showing Playmaker the schematics of a Duel Board appeared.
"That's a Duel Board for Speed Dueling." the man in the red suit noted.
"You company wants that AI program really badly."
"Yes, we do." Zaizen confirmed. "Though SOL Technologies created this AI unforeseen circumstances have led it to fall into Playmaker's hands. It's only natural that we would want our property returned to us. Unfortunately, our efforts have attracted the attention of an unsavory element. The Knights of Hanoi are after the same program, and should they get their hands on it Link VRAINS will be destroyed. That is why SOL Technologies is prepared to hire you Mr. Gore, for your expertise and skill. Should you succeed we are prepared to reward you handsomely. Will you accept?"
The man cupped his chin. "His proposal sounds interesting... Doesn't it Gore?" He turned over to his client for his response.
"It's insulting!"
The two men blinked shocked from the response Goes just thrown at them.
"Gore?" the man questioned hearing that.
"I'm no company flunky!" Gore snapped. "You here? Get scooting suit and tie!"
"I understand, if that's how you feel." Zaizen nodded turning to leave only to pause and turn back. "I couldn't help but notice your belt. It's charming, I bet you wouldn't mind trading that in for a real championship belt one day? That could happen for you, with the right friends to back you up. Good day."
"Ignore that guy, now oet'# get back to your training." the man advised over towards Gore as they watched Zaizen leaving.
"Fine."
Later that night at Cafe Nom...
"Dude, I am ready to pack it in and call it a night." Kolter sighed as he and Yusaku were still looking into Ai's source code. "Whoever programmed our little friend here was not messing around. If you ask me Ai's memory's totally unhackable."
"He's right... you can keep working tomorrow." Yuta agreed yawning. "We need to head back and get some sleep since we do have class tomorrow."
"Except for the part I'm hacking right now." Yusaku told them.
"Say wha?" Kolter questioned hearing that.
"There's a bunch of code that I still have to piece together, but I'm almost there." Yusaku told them.
"You amaze me guy." Kolter admitted as Yuta walked over. "It's as if this code and you have a mystical connection. Or you know how to type faster than I do."
"Do you think we'll find anything useful?" Yuta inquired.
"Well here's a video file." Yusaku said over while Ai's eye widen.
"Whoa, but I can't make it out." Kolter admitted.
"Let me up the resolution." Yusaku suggested as they saw Cracking Dragon attacking someone.
"Hey, that's the Cracking Dragon those Knights of Hanoi played." Yuta recalled.
"It seems that Ai's faced the Hanoi before." Yusaku agreed. "And it looks like the dragon is attacking that world, what is that place?"
Suddenly Varis appeared on the screen.
"Who's that?" Yuta questioned as they didn't notice Ai's eye was spinning and starting to spark.
"Whoa, what's going on!?" Kolter cried shocked from the sparking before Varis' voice was heard.
"I've found you Ignis."
Yusaku suddenly gasped. "Kolter shut down the power quick!"
Not needing to be told twice Kolter flipped a switch as the lights in Cafe Nom all went out and Yusaku ran out of the truck to the railing they were parked near and gripped it looking out over the city. Seeing that Yuta followed him as Yusaku saw the sky turn digital as the silhouette of a dragon flew past with the same man from the video standing on its head before flying past as Yusaku looked on nervously.
"Yusaku, what happened?" Yuta questioned before lowering to a whisper. "Was it the pulse again?"
"I saw him." Yusaku said over.
"Saw who?" Kolter asked running over to them.
"The guy we saw in Ai's memories." Yusaku answered.
"So like, do you think he was tracking us down?" Kolter questioned.
"Seems so." Yusaku mentioned as they went back into the food truck and after turning the power on started looking through Ai's source code again. "Ai, who was that in the video?"
Ai however didn't say anything.
"I un-muted you, so I strongly recommend that you stop pretending that you can't talk.I could just hack into your source code again." Yusaku told him.
"Alright alright I'll talk, you crazy flesh beast." Ai relented.
"Well, we're listening." Yuta told him.
"A lot of my memories have been lost in the damage. I was lucky to escape with any memory circuits after that dragon accosted me." Ai pointed out glaring.
"So who was the guy in the video?" Yusaku asked again.
"That was Varis." Ai answered.
"And who exactly is Varis?" Yuta asked him.
"You know your buddies, the Knights of Hanoi? He's their Alpha Dog." Ai revealed.
"Wait you mean he's their leader?" Kolter questioned in shock.
"You should see the looks on your faces." Ai grinned over. "As goofy as ever! But as for who, what, why he attacked, well I don't remember... Except him! But who's me?"
"He's the one I want." Yusaku frowned.
Meanwhile...
Varis was on his own gritting his teeth in frustration. "So close."
"Don't worry." a male voice said as an older man appeared. "You'll catch it."
"Be that as it may, how are things proceeding on your own project?" Varis asked him.
"I have been making progress." the man answered. "But I still need more time."
"Though I'm confident we will succeed in our mission, time's the one thing we may not have." Varis admitted.
"I agree, but we will have one less worry when you eliminate Playmaker and Zavala and capture the Ignis." the man pointed out.
You can count on me." VAris stated calmly.
"I know I can." the man nodded before disappearing as Varis turned away and vanished himself.
In a large home a blue glowing orb of data faded and a young man walked into another room before approaching a man in a medical bed as he made some adjustments to it.
"Father, I will achieve your dream." the young man said. "I promise."
As he said that he placed his hand on his father's revealing a red marking on his hand.
At school...
"The next topic in our game history series is the Tower of Hanoi." a teacher spoke up in a classroom.
"The Tower of Hanoi was a mathematical game created by..." the teacher started only to pause as Yusaku and Yuta looked distracted. "I can't read my own handwriting. Ah, Edward Lucas in the year 1883. That was a long time ago, anyway this game can be solved in a..."
'It only took days to flip my whole world.' Yusaku thought. 'One, at long last I finally learned who leads the Knights of Hanoi, Varis. Two, Data Storms and Speed Duels have reemerged after being silent for years. And three, none of this happened before Ai showed up, this can't be a coincidence. What ties them together? If I can find Varis I can pull the answers out of him. Answers not only to what's happening now, but also what happened in the past. The truth I've been searching for forever.'
"Yusaku!" Shima's voice startled him as he turned over with Yuta looking over. "You, and Yuta seen Playmaker, and Zavala knock down those two Knights of Hanoi?"
"Huh, they did?" Yuta asked him.
"It's only on like every channel!" Shima told him. "I had a front row seat, but I only needed the edge. Oh... I can't believe you guys missed it man."
Yusaku rested his head on his arm at that only for Shima to blink.
"Huh, where's your Duel Disk?" he inquired.
"I left it at home, it was annoying me." Yusaku answered.
"How can a Duel Disk annoy you? Unless it chafes." Shima mentioned in confusion.
Meanwhile at Playmaker's house...
A small blue robot was cleaning the house as Ai was locked in a cabinet.
Ai was looking around annoyed before deciding to try to have a conversation with this robot. "Hey bluebot! Vacuum-tron 3000! Whatever, you!" The robot turned over towards him at that. "Come here! Come here!"
The robot approached Ai. "How can Roboppi assist you?"
"More like how can I assist you?" Ai mentioned. "All I see you doing is scouring and scrubbing, and washing and waxing. Don't you want more out of life? I can help you."
"How can you help Roboppi?" the robot asked.
"Hook line and sinker." Ai noted. "Well Roboppi, with my superior programming I can improve your generic primitive preschool AI so you'll be so smart you can do anything you want. How does that sound?"
"It sounds positive." Roboppi spoke up.
"In fact you'll be the second smartest program in this room." Ai continued. "And all you have to do is become my minion."
Roboppi stared for a few moments. "Roboppi will become your minion."
"Excellent choice, now your first minion job is to let me out of this case." Ai told Roboppi.
"Affirmative." Roboppi nodded moving to let Ai out.
Meanwhile at Gore's gym...
Gore was in the middle or a wrestling ring as a light shone down on him as he raised a fist. "I'm Linking, into the VRAINS!"
He glowed around before his mind takes a trip into Link VRAINS.
Meanwhile the bird from before was looking around. "Still no sigh of the real Playmaker or Zavala anywhere. Scoping for a scoop's not all glamour and pizazz. I hate it when it's quiet and really boring."
Suddenly hearing something the bird turned to see a portal open as a Knight of Hanoi flew into Link VRAINS on a Duel Board.
"AAAH. I LOVE BORING!" he panicked.
Back in the classroom...
"Want to catch a livestream of Link VRAINS with me you two?" Shima asked taking out his tablet. "The three of us can be on Playmaker watch together."
Suddenly his eyes widened.
"Wait, that mask. That robe. That's... A Knight of Hanoi!" he cried getting Yusaku and Yuta's immediate attention.
"You'd better had a good reason why your interrupting class Mr. Shima." the teacher spoke up not amused from Shima's shocked yells.
"a Knight... a Knight of Hanoi." Shima answered showing his screen only to turn and see Yusaku and Yuta were gone. "Huh, where'd he go?"
In Link VRAINS...
"Look!"
"Take cover!"
"Another Knight?"
"I'm waiting for you, Playmaker." the Knight stated ominously.
Ulrich362: Well... that isn't good.
bopdog111: Not at all.
Ulrich362: Yusaku, Yuta, and Kolter have learned the identity of the Hanoi's leader... but now everyone is looking for them and on top of that another Knight of Hanoi is in Link VRAINS.
bopdog111: What's gonna happen next time?
Ulrich362: Playmaker is going to have another duel most likely. See you in the next chapter. Oh, and if you can... let us know which of the five Interference fics is your favorite, just curious.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!