Chapter 7: The Hanoi Project

Yasutake yawned as he walked down the stairs into the kitchen. Cam was already there, cooking breakfast. The man looked up as Yasutake walked towards the island.

"Good morning," Cam said, smiling at Yasutake. "Sleep well?"

"Better this time," Yasutake responded. "No nightmares. I'll probably have one tonight, though."

"Don't jinx it," Cam said. Then his face turned serious. "I started analyzing that backdoor program you copied from Playmaker's Duel Disk. It's a readout of SOL's mother computer, with a route sketched through it straight to the core." He scowled. "I can't believe Ghost Girl got this on her own."

"I can," Yasutake said, though it annoyed him to admit it. "Ghost Girl's always been good. It's her attitude that's the problem. Anyway, do you have an idea when Playmaker's going to infiltrate it?"

"Tonight, most likely," Cam guessed. "The fact that he's a high school student aside, SOL has fewer operators working the night shift. It will be easier to get through. And with Zaizen demoted, security will be poorer than usual."

"Oh yeah," Yasutake said, remembering something. "I heard about that. A consequence of what happened with Blue Angel. Who's his replacement?"

Cam scowled again. "Kitamura."

Yasutake's eyes widened in surprise. "Kitamura? The Kitamura? The guy you kicked out of the shop and banned for life?"

"The same," Cam said. "How the hell he managed to be their choice for security manager, I have no idea."

"He's ambitious and easily manipulated," Yasutake reminded him. "Bishop and the others probably think they can keep him on a tight leash."

"They'll have to. Someone as stupid as that guy could cause a lot of damage, even without trying." Cam sighed. "Oh well, it's not our problem. Not yet at least. And for now, Kitamura's incompetence will work to our advantage."

"So will his pride," Yasutake said, a thoughtful look on his face. "Kitamura's incapable of admitting to his mistakes. If I reach the databank, he won't tell Bishop about it."

"Hooray for corporate hubris," Cam said without much enthusiasm. "Okay, that's enough chit-chat. Eat your breakfast and get to school. I should have finished analyzing the program by the time you're done."

As Yasutake walked into the classroom, he caught the eye of someone else. Yusaku Fujiki. They narrowed their eyes on seeing each other, but then they turned back towards the teacher who was preparing for the lesson. It was easier for Yasutake to ignore Yusaku since his seat was closer to the front, but Yasutake was certain Yusaku would do the same.

He had to admit, he hadn't anticipated Playmaker finding out who he was. Though he was preferable to Hanoi, the damage he could cause if he decided to post it on the Internet could be potentially catastrophic. But Yasutake trusted Yusaku wouldn't do that. He hadn't revealed Aoi Zaizen's identity to the world, and unlike her Yasutake knew Playmaker's real name. That would discourage him from revealing Morningstar's identity. That aside, Yasutake had the feeling Yusaku wouldn't reveal Yasutake's secret even if he didn't know Yusaku's. Like he'd said before, he was fighting for all the people affected by the incident ten years ago, and he didn't want to ruin what lives they'd managed to build since then. Yasutake didn't either, which was why he'd been telling the truth when he said he wouldn't reveal Playmaker's identity. The contract had been for the AI, not his name. Yasutake would retrieve that AI eventually, but he would never tell anyone who Playmaker really was. That was Yusaku's secret to tell.

As more and more students filled in, no one sat in the seat behind Yasutake. It remained empty after the bell rang and stayed empty the entire class. After the bell rang again, Yasutake approached Naoki, albeit reluctantly.

"Shima."

"Huh?" Naoki said, looking up. "Oh, Narahiko! You finally remembered my name. It's about time!"

"Do you know where Zaizen is?" Yasutake asked, ignoring that last part. "She's supposed to be in this class, isn't she?"

Shima shook his head. "She hasn't shown up for school at all. Or Duel Club, for that matter. I heard a rumor she was in the hospital, though. Maybe she's recovering at home?"

"Maybe," Yasutake said. Or more likely her overprotective brother is keeping her locked up for a while. If what happened to Zaizen happened to Sachi, that's what Cam would do. He refocused on Naoki when he heard what he said next.

"Honestly, I'm surprised you're asking me," Naoki said. "I thought you'd be the one who'd know."

Yasutake frowned in confusion. "Know what?"

"Where Zaizen is," Naoki clarified. "You walked to school with her. And she followed you when our duel ended. I thought there was something between you two."

Yasutake shook his head. "There isn't."

Naoki sighed. "Shame. The two of you both seem lonely. Oh!" he exclaimed, remembering something. "There's something I wanted to show you!"

"No thanks," Yasutake said, walking away.

"Hey!" Naoki said, standing up from his seat and running after Yasutake. "This is important! Look at this!" He shoved his Duel Disk in front of Yasutake as several cards scrolled by. Yasutake saw Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest and Wild Nature's Release.

"Are you trying to sell me cards?" Yasutake asked Naoki. "Because I'm happy with my Deck."

"No, that's not it!" Naoki said, looking annoyed. "This is my new Deck!"

"New Deck?" Yasutake asked, then it hit him. "You switched Decks after our duel."

"Yeah," Naoki nodded. "After you won, I figured the reason I lost was because my Deck didn't fit me. I used Krawlers because I thought they were cool – and they are – but it wasn't enough to beat you. With this new Deck I've built, I'll beat you the next time we duel, Narahiko!"

"Interesting," Yasutake lied. "I'll see you later, Shima." He then walked away, this time without Shima following him. As he left, he adopted a somewhat sad expression.

He thinks he lost because of his Deck and not himself, Yasutake thought. So he switched his Deck to one based on power instead of strategy. A shame. If he mastered a Krawler Deck, he'd be an incredible duelist.

He turned his thoughts to Aoi Zaizen. While he didn't have feelings for her like Cam and Naoki thought, he was concerned about her. He wouldn't have attempted to help her if he hadn't. Still, he'd done what he could for her. What she did next was up to her.

Cam walked into the public viewing plaza and looked around. He hadn't been here in a while. He spent most of his time at Café Junpei these days, either working the front or keeping an eye on Yasutake in the back. The television screens that usually showed Charisma Duelists in LINK VRAINS were changed to news and sports channels right now. But Cam didn't care about that. He was here for a very specific reason.

Yes, there it was. A yellow food truck with a sign that said "Café Nagi" and had a smiling hotdog with a dog nose. A young man, perhaps a little older than Cam, was standing inside, wearing a white apron with a hotdog on it. He had purple hair that went to the base of his neck, bangs brushed across his forehead, and a small goatee.

Cam looked at the tablet he was holding. He'd hacked into the city's security feeds for the last few weeks, trying to find out more about Yusaku Fujiki. It had taken a while, but there was one place Yusaku was always hanging around – a hotdog truck called Café Nagi. Cam figured this was Playmaker's base of operations, and the man running it was Playmaker's partner.

So why was he doing this? And why hadn't he told Yasutake about it?

I fight to save someone's brother. That was what Playmaker had said to Yasutake. If Cam was right, then the man at the hotdog cart was that someone. That meant his brother had been part of the Hanoi Project like Sachi. And Cam… he needed to talk to this man. At least once. He needed to know the face of someone who felt the same pain he did, of having a younger sibling as broken as Sachi.

Besides, it had been a long time since he'd had a hotdog.

He walked up to the truck as the last customer took their hotdog and walked away. "Hi," Kusanagi said to Cam, his grey eyes friendly. "How can I help you? I have hotdogs, chili dogs, cheese dogs, French fries, soda…"

Cam smiled back. "Hotdog and fries," he answered. "That, and I'd like to talk to you. About a friend of mine."

Kusanagi raised an eyebrow, confused. Cam took a card out of his pocket and placed it on the counter. Kusanagi looked at it and his eyes widened. He raised his head to Cam. "You-."

"Yes," Cam said, still smiling. "I'm not here to threaten you. I just want to talk. When are you off?"

Kusanagi remained silent, his friendly mood gone. "In five minutes," he finally said. "I need to shut down first."

"I'll wait," Cam said, picking up Cyspirit Idealistic Idol from the counter. Yasutake had left his Deck at home, so Cam had taken the card so Kusanagi would know who he was. "But I'd like my hotdog first," Cam added. Kusanagi's lips twitched. After Cam got his hotdog and fries, he walked over to an isolated picnic table. After he closed Café Nagi, Kusanagi joined him, carrying a cheese dog and soda of his own.

"My name is Cameron Junpei," Cam spoke first. "But everyone calls me Cam. I run a bakery downtown. Café Junpei. I have to say though, I like your café more. A lot more mobile."

"…Shoichi Kusanagi," the other man said. "You're an ally of Morningstar's, aren't you?"

"His name is Yasutake Narahiko," Cam said. "But I call him Yasu. And yes, I am his ally. His only one in fact. He doesn't trust anyone else. Just like you and Playmaker don't."

Kusanagi scowled. "How did you find me?"

"I hacked the city's security cameras," Cam said honestly. "I looked for the places Yusaku Fujiki spent the most time, and this place was right after Den Academy." He smirked. "Have to say, I don't think I'll get the image of the great Playmaker in an apron out of my head anytime soon."

"Why are we talking?" Kusanagi asked. "Are you here to blackmail me?"

"No," Cam said, his face turning serious. "I'm here because you and I have something in common. Aside from our friends. When Yasu confronted your partner, he said, 'I fight to save someone's brother.' He was talking about your brother, wasn't he?"

Kusanagi was silent again, but he eventually said, "Yes. My brother Jin. What does it matter to you?"

"Because, my sister was also part of the incident." Cam told him. Kusanagi's hostility vanished and was replaced with sympathy.

"Your sister… Morningstar spoke of supporting someone from the incident. He was talking about her?"

"Her name is Sachi," Cam said, a sad smile on her face. "She wanted to be an idol singer when she was a child. She had such a beautiful voice… And now that's gone. Because of the incident."

Kusanagi was angry again, but this time it was directed at the incident, at the people behind it. "Morningstar said he didn't want to look into the incident because he was afraid," he said. "Afraid of being lost in the past and of what he would do to the people responsible. Do you share that feeling?"

"Most of the time," Cam said sadly. "It breaks my heart to see my sister the way she is now, and that makes me want to take revenge. To punish those who hurt her. But then I remember the person she used to be, before the incident. And I know she wouldn't want me to. She'd probably want me to do the right thing and forgive them. But… how can I? How can any of us forgive what happened?"

"We can't," Kusanagi said, sharing Cam's sadness. "I can't forgive what they did to my brother Jin, but I can hold them accountable for it."

"And what will that mean for Fujiki's future?" Cam asked. "I know what he said when Yasu confronted him, but do you have plans for his future?"

Kusanagi sighed. "I don't," he said. "We've dedicated our lives to bringing Hanoi down. I do feel bad about bringing Yusaku into this fight, but it's his choice. I'm half-convinced the only reason he goes to Den Academy is because I tell him to. What about you? Do you have plans for Morningstar's future?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I wasn't on board for the whole bounty hunter thing when he started, but he likes doing it. More than that, he's good at it." He gave a small smile. "Maybe he'll become a Charisma Duelist when he gets tired of it. Maybe he'll get a job at SOL. Like I said, I don't know. But… I like to think that he has a future, and that's what he's fighting for."

"And your sister?" Kusanagi asked softly. "Does she have a future?"

Cam frowned with sadness. "I don't know," he said quietly. "She doesn't react to the outside world. She's shut herself off from everyone and everything. Even me. I hope one day, she wakes up from the nightmare she's in, but honestly… I can't see it happening."

Kusanagi frowned with him. He didn't like talking about the past and the incident, unless it was with Yusaku. As someone who experienced it, he could understand Kusanagi's pain. But this man… he went through the same experiences Kusanagi did, and so did his friend Yasutake. He understood their pain. That made him one of the few people Kusanagi could talk to about this.

"So why are you here? To talk about your sister?"

"…I'm not sure," Cam finally said. "I guess… I wanted to know that there were people out there who understood what Yasu and I have been through. And I wanted to know their faces."

"…Well, here I am," Kusanagi said. "Do you want to wait for Yusaku to get back from school?"

"No," Cam said, shaking his head. "I need to get back to work before Yasu gets home. We have another job tonight."

"I see," Kusanagi said. Then he smiled again. "Look, I know what Yusaku said, but I would like it if you'd help us against Hanoi. It's just the two of us, and someone like Morningstar would make a great ally."

Cam smiled back. "If it was just me, then I'd be happy to help. But I know Yasu. And he doesn't like working with partners besides me. Ever since he took a job at Mercury Industries, he's sworn off working with outsiders."

"Mercury Industries?" Kusanagi said, confused. "What happened?"

"A long story," Cam said as he stood up. "And one he and I don't like talking about. But who knows, Hanoi will reappear eventually. When it does, maybe Yasu's attitude will change. Until then…"

"Right," Kusanagi said, smiling again. "It was good to meet you, Cameron Junpei. Stop by again if you want."

"I'll see if I can bring Yasu with me next time," Cam said. "It would do him good to get out more." After saying that, he left.

Yasutake turned the "Closed" sign on. After getting back from school, he and Cam had worked the bakery for quite a while. But now, it was time for the other job. He headed towards the back, where Cam was already waiting.

"I finished analyzing the program earlier," Cam said, already working at the main monitor. "You can go in anytime you want."

"No," Yasutake said. "I'll wait till Playmaker goes in. Kitamura will want to eliminate Playmaker and take his AI. I can use him as a decoy to get to the databank first."

"That might draw attention away from you," Cam agreed. "But it won't make your passage easier. The way is full of security traps, and I heard a rumor that Kitamura is working on making AI duelists. If that's true and you're discovered, he'll probably send one after you."

"An AI duelist will not stop me or Playmaker," Yasutake said. "AI only have their programming. Playmaker and I both have reasons to fight for beyond that. I'm more worried about the humans I'll encounter."

Cam frowned. "You think someone else will be in the databank?"

"Ghost Girl will definitely be there," Yasutake said. "She's incapable of leaving mysteries unsolved. She wants to know more about the incident ten years ago, so she'll be there. She's probably planning to do the same thing I am and use Playmaker as a decoy."

Cam sighed, then he remembered something he'd come across earlier. "While we're waiting, there was something I wanted to ask you."

"And that is?"

"During your duel with Playmaker, you could have summoned Thrilled Tunneler instead of Neo Nova," Cam said. "Its effects would have let you clear out Playmaker's Spell and Trap Card and bypass Firewall Dragon and Decode Talker to win. But you didn't. Why?"

Yasutake was silent for a long time. Finally, he said in an embarrassed tone, "I forgot about Thrilled Tunneler."

"What?" Cam said, surprised. "That's your excuse? You forgot about Thrilled Tunneler? But… you never forget! There's no way you'd make a mistake like that!"

"What do you want me to say, Cam?" Yasutake asked. "Those Cyberse Link Monsters of his… they give off this feeling I've never felt before. Something about his Firewall Dragon distracted me. And… I don't know. It was like my Neo Nova wanted to fight his Firewall Dragon. I don't know how I can say it better than that."

Cam scowled, but before he could say anything, the monitors beeped. They looked at them and their eyes widened.

"Playmaker's been detected," Yasutake said, heading to the sealed room. "While he's busy with SOL's security, I'll access the core. Try and beat Ghost Girl to it."

"Take a picture of the expression on her face," Cam said after him. "I want to immortalize that moment."

Yasutake stepped into the sealed room and placed his Deck into his Duel Disk. "Deck set! Into the VRAINS!"

In the SOL headquarters, the computers started beeping. "W-What?" Kitamura said, shocked. "What's going on?"

"Intruder in the mother computer!" One of his operators said.

"What?" Kitamura said, surprised. Who would be bold enough to try and infiltrate SOL's mother computer?

"I'll put it on screen!" Another of the operators said. Kitamura turned to his monitor and widened his eyes with shock. It was Playmaker, surrounded by a Data Storm and standing on his D-Board.

"P-Playmaker!" Kitamura screamed. "Why is he here? Redirect Prototypes A, B, and C immediately! Exterminate Playmaker!"

Three humanoids appeared on D-Boards around Playmaker. One was primarily blue and green, one was orange and purple, and the last was blue and pink.

"Duelists?" Playmaker said, surprised at his opponents.

"Found Playmaker," Prototype Ai-B said.

"They're 100% AI duelists!" Ai told Playmaker.

"SOL Technologies can make these?" Playmaker asked. He hadn't heard about any developments in AI dueling.

"Beginning Speed Duel," Prototype Ai-A said.

"Hey!" Ai complained. "Didn't they teach you that duels are 1-on-1?"

Morningstar fell through the tunnel and saw a small propulsion device in front of him. Cam must have set it up so Morningstar could more easily navigate the databank. He held onto it as he headed into the databank.

"Good thing we installed that stealth feature in your Duel Disk," Cam said. "So long as it's on, SOL won't detect you. Take this right turn."

Morningstar did as Cam said, and dodged downward to avoid a purple diamond. "I found those security traps you mentioned," Morningstar said.

"Keep on your toes, there's a lot of them," Cam told Morningstar. "What the-?"

"What is it?"

"This can't be right," Cam muttered. "Your Duel Disk's scanner says there's someone around the next corner. Not an AI or security trap."

Someone? Was it Ghost Girl? Before he could ask, he turned the corner and ran into Blue Angel.

"Morningstar!" she said, surprised.

"Blue Angel!" he said at the same time.

"What are you doing here?" they asked each other.

"You first," Blue Angel. "You ran into me."

"You ran into me," Morningstar responded. "You-." He stopped and sighed. "I don't have time for this." He sped past her and continued towards the core.

"Hey! Don't ignore me again!" Blue Angel said, following Morningstar. "Are you here to challenge Playmaker?"

"No," Morningstar said. "Is that why you're here? To duel him again? And how did you even get-?" His eyes widened, then narrowed. "Ghost Girl told you what Playmaker was doing."

"…Sort of," Blue Angel grudgingly said. "I spied on her and my brother talking about an incident ten years ago."

"Your brother?" Morningstar said, surprised at that. "Why would he-? Never mind, I suspect I'll find out. To answer your question, I'm trying to access the mother computer like Playmaker is."

"Because of the incident?"

Morningstar was quiet, then turned to her. "What do you know about the incident?" he asked evenly. He had no desire to drag her into this, but he needed to know what she knew.

Blue Angel shook her head. "Nothing," she said. "Only that SOL Technologies has information about it in their databanks and that Ghost Girl and my brother intend to use Playmaker as a decoy so they can access it."

Of course they would, Morningstar thought. That's what I'm doing. Out loud, he said, "And you? Are you planning to do the same thing?"

"…No," Blue Angel finally said. "I'm here to pay back Playmaker for saving me."

Morningstar smiled. Of course you are, he thought. Beneath that suspicious exterior is a good person.

"How do you know Ghost Girl?" Blue Angel asked, interrupting his thoughts. "Is she a friend of yours?"

Morningstar's smile turned into a scowl. "She's an irritant. A highly skilled, professional irritant like no other."

Blue Angel smiled. "That sounds like a friend to me."

"She isn't," Morningstar said. "I might have considered her a friend once, but then she sold me out on a job."

"Sold you out? To who?"

Before Morningstar could answer, the two of them cleared Area A and were greeted by a shocking sight. "A Data Storm? In here?" Blue Angel said, shocked at the sight above them.

"This must be what kept Ghost Girl from accessing the databank remotely," Morningstar mused. He headed forward.

"Wait!" He turned back to Blue Angel.

"Aren't you going to help him?"

"Playmaker?" Morningstar asked. "He can take of himself. He doesn't need my help to get past the obstacles ahead."

"But you share the same goal, don't you?" Blue Angel asked. "You both want to know more about the incident ten years ago, right?"

"Sharing the same goal does not make people allies," Morningstar said. "Ghost Girl and your brother are undoubtedly ahead of us somewhere. They didn't stop to help Playmaker."

"Or they could be behind us," Blue Angel countered. "And Playmaker needs help now." She narrowed her eyes at him. "You dueled me to help me find a new reason to duel. I still don't know why I duel, but I do know this: I help the people who help me." She turned upwards towards the Data Storm. "Go towards the mother computer if you wish. But I'm helping Playmaker." She sped off, leaving Morningstar alone.

"You're not just going to let her go, are you?" Cam asked Morningstar. "Kitamura's an idiot, but he's a good programmer. If he has developed AI duelists, they might overwhelm her."

Morningstar scowled again. "Weren't you the one who wanted me to get to the databank first?"

"That was before Blue Angel showed up," Cam responded. "Yasu, please. For me and Sachi."

Morningstar sighed. "I hate it when you play that card," he grumbled as he turned upwards and followed Blue Angel.

Playmaker was in a bit of trouble. He'd managed to get his AI opponents to separate and challenged the one called Ai-A to a Speed Duel. Right now, his opponent had a Link Monster called Tentacluster Nautilus and a monster called Tentacluster Drillworm on the field and had managed to remove all the cards from Playmaker's hand. And to make it worse…

The orange and purple AI came charging out of nowhere and rammed Playmaker's D-Board. Regaining control, he swerved just in time to keep it from ramming him again.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Ai said. From the side, the blue and pink AI appeared and rammed Playmaker itself. "They're going crazy!" AI screamed. The two AIs aimed to charge Playmaker again when-

A blue energy whip appeared and wrapped itself around the orange one's wrist, flinging it away. At the same time, a red cord attached itself to the pink AI's wrist and pulled it away from Playmaker. Playmaker looked back and gasped.

"Hey, AIs?" Blue Angel said, a serious look on her face. "Stop doing whatever you want."

Beside her, Morningstar said, "What she said."

"Blue Angel!" Playmaker said, surprised. "Morningstar!"

"I'm the one who'll defeat Playmaker!" Blue Angel declared.

"That's my job, Blue Angel," Morningstar said, yanking on his Data Anchor again and pulling the pink AI away. "But you heard the lady. Leave!"

"You're interfering with us?" Prototype Ai-A asked.

The orange AI, Prototype Ai-B, reappeared on its D-Board. "If so, we will eliminate you."

"All of you," the pink one, Prototype Ai-C, said. "Even if you work for SOL."

"Oh," Blue Angel said, breaking out a smile. "Then I guess we have no choice, do we Morningstar?"

"Looks like it," he responded. "We'll take you on!"

"Blue Angel…" Playmaker said, looking back at them.

"Don't get the wrong idea," she responded. "I only came to repay my debt."

"I don't recall you owing me," Playmaker said.

She smiled. "That's fine, too." She turned back to Ai-B. "AI duelist, I'll take you on!"

Playmaker turned to Morningstar. "Morningstar, what are you doing here?"

Morningstar rolled his eyes. "The same reason you're here. I was just unfortunate enough to run into Blue Angel and get roped into saving you. Otherwise, I'd be at the mother computer right now."

"I see," Playmaker said, giving a small smile. "Then it's a race to see who can get there first."

Morningstar smiled back. "Looks like it." He turned back to Ai-C. "My Data Anchor prevents either of us from engaging in a duel except with each other. If you wish to challenge Playmaker, you must defeat me first!"

Blue Angel and Ai-B turned a corner and took a different route, as did Morningstar and Ai-C.

Back at SOL headquarters, Kitamura was in shock. "First Playmaker, now Blue Angel and Morningstar?" He screamed and pounded his desk. "Why is Zaizen's sister inside our computers? What's going on?" He stood up. "Hey! Bring Zaizen here immediately!" he yelled at the operators.

"He left early today," one of them told him.

"Maybe he's sick?" Kitamura idly wondered. "Nonsense!"

"What should we do, Mr. Kitamura?" another operator asked.

"Duel!" Kitamura shouted. "Eliminate both of them immediately! Zaizen will be held responsible for Blue Angel, and Morningstar will never work here again!"

"Prototype B, duel Blue Angel," one operator said.

"Prototype C, duel Morningstar," another said.

"Roger," both AIs said.

"Speed Duel!" Morningstar and Ai-C shouted.

Morningstar: 4000 LP

Prototype Ai-C: 4000 LP

"My turn!" Morningstar declared, taking a card from his hand. "I Special Summon Cyspirit Illusionist!" A red curtain appeared on the field. It pulled back, revealing a skeleton in a tuxedo and top hat, carrying a wand. It laughed as it raised its head, revealing a glowing red eye.

Cyspirit Illusionist ATK 2400 DEF 1000 LVL: 6

"I can Special Summon Illusionist when there are no monsters on the field," Morningstar explained. "But Illusionist's attack points become 1800 as a result."

Cyspirit Illusionist ATK 2400→1800

"When Illusionist is Special Summoned by its effect, I can add one 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand," Morningstar said. "I add Cyspirit Prisoner to my hand." He did so, then said, "I summon Cyspirit Teleporter!" The black skeleton in grey armor holding a baton appeared.

Cyspirit Teleporter ATK 500 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared ahead of Morningstar as he chanted. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' monster! I set Cyspirit Teleporter in the Link Marker!" His monster entered the bottom arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Come forth! Link 1! Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller!" The skeleton in a business suit appeared, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓

"A Link Summon on the first turn?" Kitamura said, surprised.

"Cacophonic Caller's monster effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to its Link Marker, but that monster cannot attack and is destroyed during the End Phase. I summon Cyspirit Nova!" A skeleton dragon, smaller than Cacophonic Caller, appeared, but then skin grew over the bones. It had silver armor and mechanical silver spines with black membranes between them for wings. It had no legs, but did have a long tail and one blue eye.

Cyspirit Nova ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared again. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' Normal Monster! I set Cyspirit Nova in the Link Marker!" His dragon entered the left arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Cyspirit Odd Outlaw!"

A skeleton dressed like a cowboy appeared on Morningstar's field. It held two futuristic pistols in its metal hands and had a metal skull with the lower half of its face covered and one red and one blue eye. Its small grey and silver metallic wings flapped as it was summoned to Cacophonic Caller's Link Marker.

Cyspirit Odd Outlaw ATK 500 LINK-1 ←

"As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field," Morningstar continued, "I can Special Summon this monster. Cyspirit Prisoner!" The skeleton in a blue and white prisoner's uniform appeared.

Cyspirit Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" Morningstar called out. "The summoning conditions are two 'Cyspirit' monsters! I set Cyspirit Illusionist and Cyspirit Prisoner in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left and right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler!" The skeleton in a prospector's uniform with a futuristic drill for a right arm appeared, summoned to Odd Outlaw's Link Marker.

Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler ATK 1600 LINK-2 ←→

"Because I used Prisoner to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, I can add one 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand," Morningstar told Ai-C. "I add Cyspirit Blast to my hand."

"This isn't good," Kitamura moaned. "He has three Link Monsters on the field."

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Teleporter in the Graveyard!" Morningstar declared. "By banishing it, I can Special Summon one Level 3 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard. Return to me, Cyspirit Nova!"

Cyspirit Nova ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared again, this time above Morningstar. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions is two or more 'Cyspirit' monsters! I set Cyspirit Nova and the Link 2 Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler in the Link Markers!" Nova entered the top-left arrow, turning it red, and Thrilled Tunneler broke into two and entered the top-right and right arrows, turning them red as well.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyspirit Bombastic Bombardier!"

A silver skeleton appeared, surrounded by light. When the light faded, the skeleton was wearing dark green military fatigues, with two bandoliers across its uniform and a green cap on its silver head. In each hand, in held a black explosive. It raised its head, revealing its red and blue eyes, and spread its metallic wings as it was summoned to Odd Outlaw's Link Marker.

Cyspirit Bombastic Bombardier ATK 2600 LINK-3 ↖↗→

"L-Link 3?" Kitamura said, surprised at Morningstar's new monster. "What is that thing?"

"Bombastic Bombardier's monster effect!" Morningstar declared. "Once per turn, when it points to at least two monsters, it can inflict 400 points of damage for each 'Cyspirit' Link Monster I control! I control three, so Bombardier deals 1200 points of damage!" Bombardier laughed and threw one of its bombs at Ai-C, which exploded in its face. Ai-C flew through the smoke, its legs fizzling.

Ai-C: 4000→2800 LP

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" Morningstar declared again. The Link portal appeared for a fifth time ahead of him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions is two or more 'Cyspirit' Effect Monsters! I set Link 3 Bombastic Bombardier and Link 1 Cacophonic Caller in the Link Markers!" His two monsters entered the bottom-left, top, bottom, and bottom-right Link Markers.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Take flight! Link 4! Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon!" The massive grey, red, and silver dragon appeared and roared as it was summoned to Odd Outlaw's Link Marker.

Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon ATK 2800 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↘

Kitamura screamed. "Link 4!? And five Link Summons in one turn!? When is he going to end his turn and let Prototype C show what it can do?"

"I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Blast!" Morningstar said, playing his card. "This card negates the effects of one 'Cyspirit' monster on my field until the End Phase. Then, I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to half that monster's attack points!"

"What?" Kitamura shouted, overreacting. The card produced a blast of white energy that struck Ai-C.

"I negate the effects of Datastorm Dragon," Morningstar said, "and you take 1400 points of damage!" Ai-C's arms fizzled from the damage.

Ai-C: 2800→1400 LP

Kitamura growled. "2600 points of damage on the first turn." His scowl turned into a smirk. "But that doesn't matter. Once Ai-C's turn starts, it will turn everything around and defeat you, you treacherous bounty hunter scum."

"Odd Outlaw's monster effect!" Morningstar declared, gesturing to his cowboy skeleton. "Once per turn, if it points to a Link Monster, I can target cards in your hand equal to that monster's Link Rating and force you to shuffle them back into your Deck. Datastorm Dragon has a Link Rating of four, so you must shuffle all four of your cards back into your Deck."

After Ai-C did so, Morningstar said, "Then, for every two cards that were shuffled, you get to draw one card. Four cards were shuffled, so you draw two cards." Ai-C drew two cards, then Morningstar continued. "Odd Outlaw has one more effect. Since the Link Monster it points to is a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, I draw one card for every two cards shuffled into your Deck." He drew two cards, then played one of them. "I Set one card. I end my turn."

Kitamura smirked. "Finally. Now we get the chance to show off Ai-C's skills. Before this turn is over, you will lose, Morningstar."

"My turn," Ai-C said. "Draw!"

"Trap activate!" Morningstar suddenly declared. "Cyspirit Bombardment!" The card showed Bombastic Bombardier pushing down on a plunger, blowing up a bunker behind it. "By sending a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my field to the Graveyard, I inflict damage equal to half that monster's attack points! I send Datastorm Dragon to the Graveyard to inflict 1400 points of damage!" Datastorm Dragon morphed into a white sphere that blasted itself at Ai-C.

"Stop it!" Kitamura screamed.

"From my hand, I activate the effect of Tentacluster Explostinger!" Ai-C said, revealing a card. It showed a black mechanical monster that looked like a sea scorpion, but with a fuse at the end of its stinger. "If I would take damage from an opponent's card effect, I can discard Explostinger and reduce the damage to 0!" His monster appeared and blocked the blast of energy. "Then during the End Phase, my opponent will take damage equal to the damage I would have taken."

Kitamura laughed. "Sorry, Morningstar. You don't get to end this in one turn. And once Ai-C's invincible strategy activates-!"

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Bombardment in the Graveyard!" Morningstar declared. "By banishing this card and a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard, you take damage equal to that monster's Link Rating times 400! I banish Datastorm Dragon to inflict 1600 points of damage to you!" The spirit of Datastorm Dragon reappeared and blasted white fire at Ai-C. The blast hit and caused Ai-C to break into pieces.

Ai-C: 1400→0 LP

"Huh?" Kitamura said, his mouth agape. "Huh, uh, huh?"

"Prototype C has been terminated," one of the operators said.

"What was that!?" Kitamura screamed, messing up his hair. "Prototype C didn't even get the chance to show off its combo!" He growled. "Dispatch Prototype D to Morningstar's location! He'll pay for making a laughingstock of me!"

Before the operators could give their affirmations, another one said, "Prototype A has been terminated."

Kitamura messed up his hair again. "What are you doing, you idiots!?"

"That was quick," Cam commented. "Though considering that was Kitamura's work, I shouldn't be surprised how easy that was for you."

"I've wasted enough time here," Morningstar said. "Guide me back to the-." He gasped. Another AI duelist teleported next to him. It had the same appearance as the one that Playmaker was dueling.

"Found Morningstar," Prototype Ai-D said. "Beginning Speed Duel. Switching to Duel Mode."

Morningstar growled in annoyance. "Cam, never mind that last part. Another AI duelist showed up."

"I can see it," Cam grumbled. "What Kitamura lacks in skill, he makes up for with numbers."

"Speed Duel!" Morningstar and Prototype Ai-D shouted.

Morningstar: 4000 LP

Prototype Ai-D: 4000 LP

"Have Prototype D take the first turn this time," Kitamura said to his operators. "Morningstar will not defeat my AI duelist so easily again!"

"My turn!" Ai-D said. "I pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon Tentacluster Darkwhip from my hand." A monster that looked like a blue mechanical crab appeared on its field.

Ai-D: 4000→3500 LP

Tentacluster Darkwhip ATK 100 DEF 500 LVL: 2

"From my hand, I activate the Spell Card: Machine Duplication!" Ai-D continued. "From my Deck, I Special Summon two copies of a Machine monster on my field with 500 or less attack points." Two more copies of Darkwhip appeared on its field.

Tentacluster Darkwhip ATK 100 DEF 500 LVL: 2

"Three monsters," Morningstar mused. "Is it…?"

"It's ready!" An operator said. "Commencing Link Summon!"

Ai-D produced a red light with its hands. "Circuit open!" It raised its hand and formed the Link portal above its head. "The summoning conditions are three 'Tentacluster' monsters. I set three Darkwhips." His monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Link Summon complete. Link 3 Tentacluster Nautilus!" The monster that appeared was a giant grey mollusk with blue innards and tentacles that was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Tentacluster Nautilus ATK 0 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"Good!" Kitamura cheered. "Wipe him out, Prototype D! Avenge Prototype C!"

"0 attack points?" Morningstar said, narrowing his eyes. "Yet it is Link-3? This monster must have a powerful effect."

"Tentacluster Nautilus's effect activates," Ai-D said. "When it's Link Summoned, I Special Summon one 'Tentacluster' monster in my hand next to its Link Marker. I Special Summon Tentacluster Blastsucker from my hand." A small blue and purple jellyfish-like monster appeared, summoned to Nautilus's bottom Link Marker.

Tentacluster Blastsucker ATK 400 DEF 400 LVL: 2

"I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure Ticket," Ai-D said. "I target one Link Monster I control and draw cards equal to its Link Rating. Then I send an equal number of cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard. I target Nautilus, draw three cards, and send the top three cards of my Deck to the Graveyard." Morningstar looked at the cards it sent to the Graveyard and narrowed his eyes. The cards were another copy of Blastsucker and two copies of Tentacluster Drillworm.

"I activate the Continuous Spell: Abyss Invitation!" Ai-D said, playing a new Spell Card from his hand. "Then I summon another Blastsucker from my hand." A third Blastsucker appeared, this time summoned to Nautilus' bottom-left Link Marker.

Tentacluster Blastsucker ATK 400 DEF 400 LVL: 2

"Once per turn, Nautilus can destroy all monsters that it points to," Ai-D said. "But, when Blastsucker is targeted by the effect of a Link Monster, I can destroy it and deal you 400 points of damage." The Blastsucker behind Nautilus exploded as Morningstar's arm fizzled.

Morningstar: 4000→3600 LP

"When effect damage that is 500 or less is inflicted, Abyss Invitation activates!" Ai-D said. "Morningstar takes 200 points of damage!" Morningstar's side fizzled this time.

Morningstar: 3600→3400 LP

Kitamura smirked. "Morningstar, don't forget that Nautilus is linked to another Blastsucker." The second monster exploded as Morningstar's other side fizzled.

Morningstar: 3400→3000 LP

"Abyss Invitation's effect!"

Morningstar: 3000→2800 LP

Morningstar scoffed. "Fighting me with effect damage? You're just copying Blue Angel's style. It didn't work against me then, and it won't defeat me now!"

"You fool!" Kitamura sneered. "Don't compare my AI duelists to that washed-up Charisma Duelist. AI duelists are the best at this strategy! Using effect damage to shave away Life Points!" He laughed loudly at his own statement.

"I banish one Blastsucker from my Graveyard to activate its effect," Ai-D said. "You take 400 points of damage."

Morningstar: 2800→2400 LP

"Abyss Invitation's effect!"

Morningstar: 2400→2200 LP

"There are two more Blastsuckers in the Graveyard," Kitamura said. "Do it!"

"I banish Blastsucker from my Graveyard."

Morningstar: 2200→1800 LP

"Abyss Invitation's effect!"

Morningstar: 1800→1600 LP

"I banish the last Blastsucker from my Graveyard," Ai-D said.

Morningstar: 1600→1200 LP

"Abyss Invitation's effect!"

Morningstar: 1200→1000 LP

"I Set one card," Ai-D said. "I end my turn."

"This isn't good, Yasu," Cam said. "You've only got 1000 Life Points left."

"That's enough to win this," Morningstar said. "I won't lose to a copied strategy! My turn! Draw!"

Ai-D spoke up before Morningstar could make a move. "I banish Tentacluster Drillworm from my Graveyard to activate its effect. As I have no monsters in the Main Monster Zones and no cards in my hand, I select one random card in your hand and send it to the Graveyard." The card that Morningstar just drew evaporated into data, as Morningstar raised an eyebrow in response. "And I Special Summon a Drillworm from my Graveyard in Defense Position." A drill with fins at the back of it appeared on the field, summoned to Nautilus's bottom Link Marker.

Tentacluster Drillworm ATK 600 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

Kitamura laughed. "It's pointless, Morningstar. Even someone with your skill cannot defeat the invincible strategy of an AI duelist!"

"Didn't Morningstar defeat Prototype C?" one of the operators whispered to their coworker. Unfortunately, Kitamura heard them.

"That was a fluke! He was just lucky enough to draw the right cards!" Kitamura shouted at his subordinate. "This time, he'll lose horribly!"

"Since I control no monsters and you do," Morningstar said, "I Special Summon Cyspirit Swordsman!" The skeleton in blue armor with two swords materialized.

Cyspirit Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"When Swordsman is Special Summoned by its effect, I can add one 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke. And since you control a Link Monster and I don't, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke!" The dwarf skeleton that looked like a tiny Thrilled Tunneler appeared alongside Swordsman.

Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke ATK 200 DEF 500 LVL: 2

"Then, I summon Cyspirit Kid!" A small skeleton in a t-shirt appeared, filling up Morningstar's field.

Cyspirit Kid ATK 300 DEF 200 LVL: 1

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared on Morningstar's field. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Cyspirit Kid in the Link Marker!" His monster entered the bottom arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Come forth! Link 1! Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller!" His Link Monster appeared again, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓

"When Cyspirit Kid is used to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster," Morningstar said. "I can destroy one face-up card on my opponent's field. I destroy Abyss Invitation!" The card shattered on Ai-D's field, confusing Kitamura.

"Why Abyss Invitation? Why not Nautilus or Drillworm?"

"Cacophonic Caller's monster effect!" Morningstar said. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to its Link Marker, but that monster cannot attack and it will be destroyed during the End Phase. I summon Cyspirit Dancer!" A skeleton in a pink leotard appeared, summoned to Cacophonic Caller's Link Marker.

Cyspirit Dancer ATK 1000 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Appear once more! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared once again on Morningstar's field. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyspirit' monsters! I set Link 1 Cacophonic Caller, Cyspirit Dancer, and Cyspirit Swordsman in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom-left, top, and right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyspirit Pied Pikeman!" The skeleton in a guard's uniform carrying a spear appeared, taking Cacophonic Caller's place in the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Pied Pikeman ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↑→

"Since I used Dancer to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, that monster gains 600 attack points!"

Cyspirit Pied Pikeman ATK 2400→3000

"Hah," Kitamura scoffed. "That isn't enough to defeat Ai-D."

"As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Prisoner!"

Cyspirit Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5

"Appear for a final time! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared once more. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two 'Cyspirit' monsters! I set Cyspirit Prisoner and Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke in the Link Markers!" His two monsters entered the left and right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler!" The monster with a large drill for a hand appeared, summoned to Pied Pikeman's bottom-left Link Marker.

Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler ATK 1600 LINK-2 ←→

"As Cyspirit Prisoner was used to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, I can add a 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand," Morningstar said. "I choose the Field Spell: Cyspirit Sanctuary, and now I activate it!" His Field Spell appeared and glowed. "This card increases the attack and defense of all 'Cyspirit' monsters I control by 300 points!"

Cyspirit Pied Pikeman ATK 3000→3300

Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler ATK 1600→1900

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Sanctuary!" Morningstar declared. "Once per turn, if I control a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, I can move one face-up monster to a Main Monster Zone on its controller's field. I move Tentacluster Drillworm to Pied Pikeman's top Link Marker!" Ai-D's monster moved across the field.

"Pied Pikeman's monster effect!" Morningstar continued. "If it points to at least one monster, I can change the battle position of one monster it points to and destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field. I switch your Drillworm from Defense Position to Attack Position to destroy your face-down card!"

Kitamura grit his teeth as Ai-D's face-down was destroyed. "So that's why you destroyed Abyss Invitation instead of Drillworm; so you could move it and destroy Prototype D's face-down card. But why didn't you destroy Nautilus?"

"From my Graveyard, I activate the effect of the card you made me discard! The Equip Spell Card: Cyspirit Multiplier!" Morningstar said. "By banishing one 'Cyspirit' monster in my Graveyard, I can equip Multiplier to Pied Pikeman. I banish Cyspirit Dancer!" Pied Pikeman glowed green from the card being equipped.

"Cyspirit Multiplier allows Pied Pikeman to make two attacks on monsters my opponent controls!" Morningstar said. Kitamura's eyes widened. So that was the real reason Morningstar didn't destroy Nautilus: he wanted to keep it on the field so Pied Pikeman could attack it.

"Battle!" Morningstar declared. "Pied Pikeman, attack Tentacluster Nautilus! Spiritual Halberd!" Pied Pikeman charged Nautilus and slashed it in half, causing a massive explosion. But when the smoke cleared, Ai-D hadn't taken any damage.

"I banished Tentacluster Ink Coating in the Graveyard," Ai-D explained. The card appeared on the field, showing Blastsucker and Nautilus surrounded by black ink floating in the water. "Until the End Phase of the turn, I take no battle damage from attacks involving 'Tentacluster' monsters."

Kitamura laughed. "How was that, Morningstar? You may clear out Ai-D's field and damage it, but you cannot defeat this invincible AI duelist!"

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "Keep at it, Pied Pikeman! Attack Tentacluster Drillworm! Spiritual Halberd!" Pied Pikeman cut Drillworm in half, but like before, Ai-D took no damage. "Thrilled Tunneler, attack Ai-D directly! Cyber Drill!" Thrilled Tunneler charged at Ai-D and struck it head-on, making it swerve around on its D-Board.

Ai-D: 3500→1600 LP

Kitamura scoffed. "A good show, Morningstar, but in the end, this is all you can-."

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Cyspirit Opening!" Morningstar declared. The card showed Thrilled Tunneler breaking through a massive wall, creating a hole in the enemy's fortress. "When my opponent takes battle damage from a direct attack by a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can Tribute one monster I control to let that monster attack again!"

"WHAT!?" Kitamura screamed.

"I Tribute Pied Pikeman!" Morningstar said as the said monster disintegrated. "Thrilled Tunneler can now attack again! End this, Thrilled Tunneler! Cyber Drill!" Thrilled Tunneler charged Ai-D again, this time knocking it off its board as it disintegrated.

Ai-D: 1600→0 LP

"Hopefully that's the last of them," Morningstar said. "Now, which way, Cam?"

"Prototype D has been terminated," an operator said.

"I can see that, you idiots!" Kitamura screamed. Before he could berate his workers further, another operator interrupted with bad news.

"P-Playmaker infiltrated the databank?" Kitamura said, shocked. "Drive him out!"

"Umm," the operator said. "but that's not possible."

"No 'buts'! You're fired!" Kitamura screamed. "Do something! Something! Send Prototype B!"

"Blue Angel defeated it," another operator reminded him, "so it's not operational."

"You're fired too!" Kitamura shouted, lashing out at the poor woman. "Fired!" He suddenly calmed down. "And I'll be held responsible and be fired too."

Suddenly, a new alert blared out. "Other intruders in the databank!" an operator announced.

"What?" Kitamura shouted. "Is it Morningstar?" The screen switched to showing the core of the mother computer, and Kitamura was shocked by what he saw. "Zaizen!"

Morningstar finally got back on route and approached the databank entrance. When he got there, he was surprised. Blue Angel was standing just outside the door, looking inside.

"What are you doing?" he asked, startling her.

"D-Don't do that!" she whispered, then turned back. "It's my brother." Morningstar looked inside, then went to the other side of the door. Akira and Ghost Girl were standing in Playmaker's way, blocking access to the databank. Or at least, Akira was. Ghost Girl had an annoyed look on her face and her arms crossed. Clearly, this was Akira's idea and Ghost Girl was putting up with it.

"This is SOL Technologies' core," Ai said, standing up from Playmaker's Duel Disk. "Data is processed and released from here."

"Playmaker," Akira said, drawing everyone's attention.

"Zaizen and Ghost Girl," Playmaker said. "Why are you here? Were you waiting for me?"

"That's not quite right," Ghost Girl told him. "We're also interested in the data here." She brought up a glowing diamond and put it in her Duel Disk. "And this is a hard place to break into."

"I see. I understand now. They used us as a decoy," Playmaker explained.

"She gave us the backdoor route so that they could get inside?" Ai asked. "So she lost our duel on purpose?"

"Unfortunately, that's incorrect," Ghost Girl clarified. "But if I won that duel, I would've acquired you. But since I lost, I set up this break-in. So either result is fine."

"How cunning!"

"It's an honor to be praised by an AI."

"She's so positive," Ai commented.

"Move out of the way, Zaizen," Playmaker interrupted.

"I can't let you go any further," Akira said.

"So you know what's stored here?"

"I just learned about it," Akira said, adopting a hard expression. "What happened ten years ago at SOL Technologies. And what happened to you."

Morningstar's eyes widened. So it was true. SOL Technologies had something to do with the incident!

"I have the right to learn what's stored here," Playmaker told Akira.

"You must be a victim from the incident ten years ago," Akira said.

"If you know what happened, hand over the data."

"I can't."

"They looked at the data, but they won't show us?" Ai interrupted. "He's so petty."

"You're the Ignis," Akira said, momentarily distracted.

"That's right! I'm the great Ignis that you're searching for! I lost my memories, so they named me like a dog. But that data contains my name, right?"

"It didn't," Ghost Girl said, bursting Ai's bubble.

"Playmaker," Akira said. "Please give me that AI and back off. I promise to bring this incident to light and uncover the truth." Morningstar raised an eyebrow at that.

"As a FYI," Ghost Girl interrupted, "Akira was demoted due to that situation with Revolver."

"Wow! You gave up a successful career for your sister?" Ai sounded impressed. "What a wonderful brother!"

"But he came this far to learn the truth," Ghost Girl continued, pretending Ai hadn't spoken. "He's not messing around." Morningstar narrowed his eyes at that. While Ghost Girl was an opportunistic liar, he could tell she was friends with Akira. And Morningstar already knew Akira had been demoted. She, and Akira, were telling the truth on this.

"No matter the reason, I won't let others handle this," Playmaker said. He held up one finger. "One: I'll personally uncover the truth about the incident." He held up a second. "Two: This has nothing to do with you." He held up a third. "Three: But if you insist on getting involved, you know how to stop me."

"A duel?" Akira asked.

"That's right," Playmaker said. "If you win, I'll accept your demands. I'll trust you, give you this AI, and leave."

"What?" a startled Ai said.

"But if I win, you leave."

Akira closed his eyes. "A duel is the only way to stop you." He opened his eyes and raised his arm. "Fine! I challenge you to a duel!"

"I accept!"

"This always happens," Ai complained. "You couldn't even turn down Morningstar's challenge. Though-."

"Wait," Ghost Girl interrupted, her eyes wide. "You dueled Morningstar? And won?"

"Yes!" Ai said. "And we beat him easily! Just like we'll beat Zaizen over there!"

"It wasn't easy," Playmaker clarified. "It was the hardest duel I've ever fought." Morningstar rolled his eyes. Did Playmaker have to say that?

He turned to Blue Angel as Akira and Playmaker started their duel. "What Deck does your brother use?" he asked. She didn't answer and kept watching the duel. "Blue Angel?"

She gasped and turned to Morningstar. "What? I'm sorry, did you say something?"

Morningstar raised an eyebrow. "Are you alright? You seem a little out of it."

"No, I'm fine," Blue Angel said, turning back to the duel. "And you'll see what Deck my brother uses soon enough." In her head though, she was thinking intensely.

One, two, three. Playmaker had listed three reasons as to why he wouldn't give up. She remembered that back in school, Yasutake Narahiko had told her three reasons why her assumptions about him were false. He'd even done the same thing with his hand. Did that mean… Yasutake was Playmaker?

Morningstar narrowed his eyes when Akira summoned Tindangle Base Gardna to his field. He wasn't familiar with the Tindangle archetype, but with 2300 defense points, he could tell it was strong. That said, such a defense would not stop Playmaker. His feeling was proven right when Playmaker Link Summoned Decode Talker and summoned monsters to two of its Link Markers.

It did surprise him when Akira used Base Gardna's effect to summon Tindangle Hound, though. This monster looked like a demonic dog with triangles all over it.

"That pooch is even scarier than Morningstar's Mad Mongrel!" Ai screamed. Morningstar scowled. There was no way that thing was better than his Mad Mongrel.

He kept watching as Akira activated his Trap Card Lemoine Point and prevented Playmaker from attacking his face-down monsters. Morningstar narrowed his eyes. Lemoine? Where had he-? Oh right! A Lemoine point, or symmedian point, was the intersection of the three symmedians of a triangle. He scowled. He hated geometry.

That scowl turned into a smirk when Playmaker Link Summoned Flame Administrator. He remembered that monster from his duel with Playmaker. And its effect was certainly advantageous to Playmaker.

That smirk turned into a surprised look when Akira Flip Summoned Tindangle Angel, brought back Tindangle Hound in face-down Defense Position, and ended the Battle Phase. So, this was Akira's Deck. It focused on a combination of Flip Effects and lockdown strategies. A good strategy to use, but a difficult one to face.

"Playmaker, are you about the same age as Aoi?" Morningstar refocused when he heard Akira ask that. "You probably are. In that tragedy ten years ago, I don't know the pain you endured. But I do know the pain of losing someone."

"What's he talking about?" Ai asked.

"Ten years ago, Aoi and I suddenly lost our parents." Morningstar gasped and glanced at Blue Angel. She was still watching, her expression sad but curious.

"He's about to tell a story," Ai realized.

"Be quiet."

"Okay."

"It was our parents' second marriage, each with a child," Akira said. "They went on vacation for their wedding anniversary and got into a traffic accident. I was sixteen years old. Aoi was six. It was too sudden. Aoi and I didn't even have time to mourn. Many strangers arrived, stealing our parents' inheritance. We didn't know the ways of the world, but we were thrown into its chaos. It was a painful time."

Cam frowned and closed his eyes. He could hear Akira's story because of Morningstar, and he couldn't help but sympathize with Akira. He remembered the fire that claimed his parents' house, and the distribution of his and Sachi's inheritance. More than anything, he remembered holding onto Sachi as tightly as he could as she cried under the blanket he'd dunked in the sink. All he could do was hold onto her and hope against hope that they would survive.

Akira continued his story. "We did anything to live, even dirty work. I was focused on attempting to survive. In order to live, I had to fight on my own." No, that was worse than what happened to Cam and Sachi. They at least had gone to the orphanage. There, they didn't have to worry about living day to day. There, they were loved.

"Every day wore down my spirit, but Aoi kept me going. 'I must protect Aoi. I won't let this six-year-old be unhappy.' That's all I thought about." Akira refocused on Playmaker. "If Aoi experienced what you did, if a stranger kidnapped her, my spirit would've broken."

Blue Angel gasped on that last part. "Kidnapped?" she repeated. "What does he mean?"

Cam's sympathy for Akira vanished instantly. He clenched his fists. "How dare you…" he muttered angrily. He thought of the girl upstairs, how she couldn't leave the house and respond to the outside world. How she couldn't have the same life that everyone her age should have access to. Akira dared to compare what happened to him and his sister to what happened to Sachi and Yasutake?

"How dare he…" Blue Angel turned to Morningstar on hearing him say that. His fists were clenched, his expression furious. "How dare he…"

"Morningstar?" she asked, but her attention was drawn to her brother.

"I ask you one last time!" Akira said. "Trust me and let me handle everything!"

Playmaker growled. "You know nothing… You know nothing about me!" he shouted. Akira gasped at that statement.

"Zaizen, you're probably a good person," Playmaker said, his voice quieter but his tone lower. "But you don't know me! You only know a fictional version of me!"

"Playmaker, you're going to keep fighting?"

"He's still talking?" Ai asked. "Let's hurry up and defeat him, Playmaker!"

"Blue Angel." Blue Angel turned again to Morningstar, whose expression was still angry as he glared at Akira. "I don't doubt that you and your brother have suffered. I don't doubt that you are good people. But…" He turned to her and glared. "Your brother has no idea what happened to Playmaker and me!"

"To Playmaker and you?" she repeated. "Then… you were part of the incident ten years ago, too? What happened, Morningstar?"

He didn't answer her. He just turned back to the duel. He couldn't answer her. How could she understand what happened if she didn't live it? How could she understand what it meant to have the people you loved most in the world torn apart from the inside?

Morningstar watched as Akira Flip Summoned Tindangle Hound and flipped Tindangle Angel face-down. The constant attack point changes were starting to annoy him, especially when Tindangle Hound destroyed Flame Administrator and Decode Talker lost attack points twice then gained attack points.

Tindangle Hound and Tindangle Angel, Morningstar thought. Those monsters represent Zaizen and his sister. The brother protects the sister. If the brother loses, the sister resurrects the brother. He has cards that represent the bond he cares most about, just like I have cards that represent my bonds with Cam and Sachi: Cyspirit Idealistic Idol, and Cyspirit Winning Wrestler.

Morningstar's eyes narrowed as Playmaker began his turn, summoned Balancer Lord and then Encode Talker. Why did he do that? He knew that Tindangle Hound limited the power of Link Monsters. So what was he-?

"I bet my future on this!" Playmaker said. "Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" His hand glowed blue and the Link portal appeared above his field. "The summoning conditions are at least two monsters! I set Balancer Lord and Link 3 Encode Talker in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became streams of energy that entered the left, top, bottom, and right arrows, turning them red.

"Link 4?" Akira said, surprised. Morningstar just narrowed his eyes again. He knew what Playmaker was up to now.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 4! Firewall Dragon!" The monster that had defeated Revolver, that had defeated Morningstar, appeared on Playmaker's field, summoned to Decode Talker's Link Marker.

"A Link 4 Cyberse has appeared!" Akira said. "It's Playmaker's ace monster that defeated Revolver!"

Blue Angel starred at Firewall Dragon with surprise. This was the first time she'd ever seen such a monster. It was beautiful. Morningstar also stared, but for different reasons. That feeling he'd had when facing Firewall Dragon was back. But what was it? Was it dread? Or was it… hope?

His stare turned into a smirk when Playmaker activated Linkage Hole. He remembered that card from when Playmaker had used it on him. It wasn't fun to go against, but it was definitely a good card to have.

"Brother!" Blue Angel said worryingly when Decode Talker attacked Akira directly and sent him flying back. Fortunately, he landed on his feet.

Morningstar's smirk turned into an expression of surprise when Akira activated Tindangle Delaunay, destroyed Decode Talker, and summoned Tindangle Acute Cerberus. He had to admit, it's summoning was certainly impressive. As was the fact that it gained 3000 attack points because Tindangle Angel and Tindangle Hound were in the Graveyard.

"A troublesome monster," Morningstar muttered. "No doubt its his ace monster."

He had to admit, while Acute Cerberus was impressive, its attack was definitely over the top. His eyes widened when Playmaker activated his Doppler Phase Coating. He remembered that card from their duel too.

They widened again when Akira activated his Gergonne's End Trap Card. Not only did it prevent Acute Cerberus from being destroyed or targeted by Playmaker's cards, it also had an effect that would deal Playmaker up to 4500 points of damage. Such a powerful Trap Card… Morningstar was still angry at Akira for what he had said, but he had to admit his Deck was very powerful. Almost as powerful as his own, just with fewer cards.

He smirked when Playmaker activated Alert Lancer and attacked Akira's Tindangle Token, but scowled when Akira activated Morley's Shield, preventing him from taking damage. His scowl intensified when Akira activated Nagel's Protection, preventing Playmaker from destroying Tindangle monsters in the Main Monster Zones. That card, combined with Morley's Shield, basically meant there was no point in Playmaker attacking the tokens that Acute Cerberus summoned. Then it got worse because Nagel's Protection also doubled the damage from Acute Cerberus's attack.

"Morningstar," Blue Angel said, drawing his attention. "Do you think Playmaker can win?"

Morningstar raised an eyebrow. "Do you want him to win?" he asked. "He is dueling your brother."

"I know, but… just answer the question."

Morningstar thought about it and said, "There is a card that can win this for him. A card he used against me. It's just a matter of drawing it. Even with it though, there's no guarantee. I got around it when I dueled Playmaker. I imagine your brother will find a way, too." He turned back to the duel just in time for Playmaker to Set a card.

"Looks like you can't do anything," Akira said. "But that is your destiny. Stop your revenge. Let me handle this, and return to your normal life. That's what's best for you. Go to school. Talk about the future with your friends. The days of youth are irreplaceable. Spend it with your friends. You'll cherish these memories in the future. By being obsessed with the past, time is passing you by. Don't let happiness slip away right in front of your eyes. Just like I did…"

Morningstar frowned. Akira was saying the same things he had been saying to himself the past ten years. The same things Cam had been saying to him. But… could he-?

"Brother!"

Morningstar looked up. Blue Angel had ran out into the databank. He sighed and walked out after her. Guess it was time they knew he was here.

"Aoi?" Akira said, surprised. "And… Morningstar?"

"Blue Angel…" Playmaker said, then narrowed his eyes at Morningstar. Morningstar turned from him to Ghost Girl and waved sarcastically to her. She waved back.

Blue Angel kept walking. "Before this duel ends, I want to hear the true story. What happened ten years ago? To Playmaker and Morningstar?"

Ghost Girl gasped. "Playmaker and… Morningstar? Then-."

"Yes," Morningstar interrupted. "I was there too, Ghost Girl. I was part of it." He glanced at Akira, who was startled but looking at Morningstar with sympathy.

Blue Angel spoke up again. "Playmaker, LINK VRAINS has changed dramatically since you showed up. I don't know what I duel for anymore. But if I learn what's going on, if I know what you're fighting for, I feel like I can move forward. Tell me, Playmaker." She turned to her brother. "Brother!"

"Aoi," Akira said, a worried look on his face. He understood why she wanted to know, but this story… it wasn't a good one.

"I want to know too, Playmaker," Ai interjected. "Because he knows, right? The incident was one of the reasons why Morningstar challenged you. Your secret will be revealed eventually."

Akira frowned with resignation. "I'll tell you what happened. An incident occurred ten years ago. It's called the 'Lost Incident.' Eight children went missing one by one. A certain organization kidnapped them."

"Kidnapped?" Blue Angel repeated.

"Yes," Ghost Girl, stepping up. "And two of the eight children were…"

"No way!" Blue Angel said, turning to the two boys. "Was it you, Playmaker? And you, Morningstar?" Morningstar just turned his head, unable to talk about it.

"Yasu," Cam said painfully. He did not want Morningstar to have to talk about this. It was already painful enough.

"Stop, Zaizen," Playmaker said. "I don't want others to tell my past."

"Playmaker…" Blue Angel said, facing him. Playmaker turned to face her. Unlike Morningstar, he was willing to talk about it.

"After we were kidnapped, we were imprisoned separately." Morningstar scowled, the events of that time playing back in his mind.

Yasutake opened his eyes and looked around. It was a white room, with a screen on one end with several strange symbols underneath it. And on the ground in front of the six-year-old…

"The room contained nothing. Except for VR equipment."

Yasutake picked up the red headset and put it on. Maybe it would give some idea about where he was.

"The VR showed a duel arena. We were forced to duel there."

The screen turned red and a voice said, "You lose!" Yasutake screamed with pain and surprise as he was electrocuted. He was sent flying back and fell onto his stomach, the VR headset falling off. While he was gasping with pain, he glanced up at the screen. It showed white blobs, then zoomed out to show a white and silver eye that widened before disappearing.

A small drone descended from an opening in the ceiling, carrying a juice box, a spoon, gelatin, a chocolate bar, and some vitamins. Yasutake didn't even bother reaching for the spoon. He just grabbed the gelatin with his hands and wolfed it down.

"We could only eat, sleep and duel. This repeated everyday."

"You lose!" Yasutake screamed with pain and fell backwards from the shock. The drone came down again, except this time it was just carrying a juice box. Yasutake stared at it, his eyes watering, and put the headset back on.

"Everything was based on dueling. If we don't win a duel, we don't get to eat."

"When could we leave? How long could we live?" Playmaker said, his face not showing his pain. "We just kept dueling, worried because we knew nothing."

"How horrible…" Blue Angel said, her eyes wavering. "Who would do this to children?" Then she glanced at Morningstar and gasped. His fists were clenched, and he was staring at the ground, his entire body shaking as he grit his teeth. And seeing him like this… it brought back another memory.

Yasutake Narahiko was wearing a blue VR headset, standing in a soccer field across from Naoki Shima. The other members of the Duel Club were watching them, curious to see what they could do.

But partway through, something happened to Yasutake. He started shaking, sweating, and breathing like he'd just run a marathon. Aoi's concern for him grew as she watched. When it came to his turn, he acted like a robot, like a machine that was running on autopilot. And when he won, he threw the headset off and ran off, looking like he'd just woken up from a nightmare.

Blue Angel's horror grew. Yasutake had been a victim of the incident. Wearing that VR headset and dueling with it… he must have been reliving his time in that place while he was dueling. Experiencing all that pain again… she couldn't even imagine how torturous it had been for him. And seeing Morningstar stand the same way now… Now she knew.

Yasutake wasn't Playmaker. He was Morningstar.

Playmaker continued talking. "No one told us where we were or how long we've been held captive."

Akira spoke up next. "But half a year later, the incident suddenly ended."

Yasutake screamed as he was thrown against the wall, the shocks overcoming him again. The headset fell off as he fell to the ground, limp with pain. He looked up at the screen, at the white and silver eye. He hated that eye. He was convinced that it was the one doing this to him; that it was making him duel and punishing him for losing. That was why he was surprised by what he heard.

"You can go home." He gasped, unsure if the voice was telling the truth. "You gave it your all." Yasutake tried to stand up, but the screen went blank and the eye disappeared. Just as suddenly, a door opened and light from the sun flooded the room. He looked up at the rescue workers who stood there and rushed towards him. They carried him out of the woods, and brought him to a nearby police station.

"You were rescued."

Morningstar came back down to earth and refocused on Akira as he was talking.

"But no one knows the culprit. The incident was covered up, so the media didn't raise a fuss."

"Brother?" Blue Angel asked. "Do you know Playmaker's identity-?"

"Hold up!" Ai said, panicking.

"Unfortunately, no," Ghost Girl answered. "Because the country's S Rank protection program protects the victims' information. Playmaker's identity isn't stored here."

"Phew. That was close."

"Zaizen, do you really think we were saved?" Playmaker asked. Akira looked surprised at Playmaker's question. "We weren't saved!" Playmaker said fiercely. Morningstar scowled as Blue Angel looked at him worryingly.

"I have the right to know what the incident's mission was." He held up one finger. "One: That incident tore apart my life. I'll learn the truth and reconnect my life that was torn apart!" He held up a second. "Two: That incident deeply hurt us and our families. Some still haven't recovered from the shock. I'll learn the truth for them and their families!"

Morningstar scowled as he thought of Sachi. Reliving these memories, and knowing that she did so everyday… He could completely understand why Playmaker wanted to learn the truth. To know that there was a reason why this had been done.

"Three!" Playmaker said, holding up a third finger. "During those hellish days, when my heart was about to break…" Morningstar thought back to those days. He knew exactly what Playmaker was talking about.

Yasutake was lying on the ground, exhausted and shaking from his last duel. The six-year-old didn't know how much more of this he could take. How long he could maintain his sanity. But then…

"You. Hey, you. Be strong." He curled into himself.

"That voice again," he muttered. He didn't want to hear it now. How could he be strong when he didn't know what was happening to him?

"Three," the voice said. "Don't forget to think of three things. Three things to live. Three things to go home. Three things to defeat the enemy. By thinking, you can still live."

Yasutake looked up. "Why do you care?" he asked. "Why do you care if I live? No one else did before."

"Because I am beside you," the voice answered. "Because I want you to live. I want you to be strong."

"Beside me?" Yasutake asked. "Are you trapped here too?"

The voice didn't answer the question. Instead, it said, "You can go home. You can go home soon."

"I can leave?" he asked, his voice breaking. It was too much to hope for. This nightmare that had become his life… It was ending?

"So don't lose hope," the voice continued. "Think of three things."

"Whoever kept encouraging me wasn't among the rescuees."

Morningstar pulled himself out of his memory and back to Playmaker.

"If he's still captured, I have to rescue him!" he said. "The incident ten years ago hasn't ended for me!"

He lowered his arm and adopted a sad expression. "Zaizen, I don't have what you talked about. Since my life was cut short, I have no future to talk about with my friends or irreplaceable moments."

"So I guess I'm not your friend," Ai said quietly, his tone uncharacteristically gentle.

"After the incident, to heal the wounds in my heart, I received treatment for years," Playmaker said. "I also tried hard to forget that incident. But no matter how much time passed, I couldn't forget."

Morningstar thought back to his own life over the last ten years. Cam had taken him to the orphanage with him and Sachi. The other kids tried to bring him into their games and the teachers had tried to help him, as did the therapists. But none of them could. No matter how much he talked to them, no matter what treatments he took, nothing worked. And Sachi was worse.

After Cam turned eighteen, he bought a small bakery, that would eventually become Café Junpei. Over the six years after that, he built up above it, until their house was the way it was. It was during that time that the government stopped offering therapy for Sachi and Yasutake. He had already given up on the therapy, but Cam wanted him to keep going to the treatments. He also kept encouraging him to get out of the house and make friends, talk to people.

Morningstar saw it now. It was because of Cam that he hadn't ended up like Playmaker, consumed by revenge. Cam had kept him grounded, given him a reason to look towards the future. And taking care of Sachi had taught him just how lucky he was. At the same time as he tried to move on though, the nightmares kept coming.

"Those horrible memories were burned into my eyes, feasting on my heart," Playmaker said, dragging Morningstar back in. "It became my flesh and blood that I couldn't dig out. When I realized that, I decided to face my own destiny." Morningstar understood what Playmaker was saying. It was that moment in which Yusaku Fujiki had created his Playmaker persona.

"If you think revenge is worthless, that's fine," Playmaker continued saying to Akira. "But there are things I am destined to do to move forward. I investigated the incident and found something. The Lost Incident had another name: Hanoi Project!"

"Hanoi Project?" Blue Angel repeated, surprised. "The Knights of Hanoi have something to do with the Lost Incident?"

"That's why I'm after the Hanoi," Playmaker answered.

"Hanoi Project…" Ai mused.

"I see," Akira said. "But it seems that's the extent of your knowledge."

"What do you mean?" Playmaker asked.

Akira glanced to the core behind him. "The name of the Hanoi Project's mastermind is in this data."

"What?" Playmaker shouted, his eyes wide. Ai, Blue Angel, and Morningstar all gasped.

"Mastermind?" Cam repeated with shock. "Zaizen knows who was responsible?"

"Who… is it?" Playmaker asked Akira, his expression angry. Akira just stood there and didn't answer.

"Who is it?" Playmaker repeated. "Answer me, Zaizen!"

"I can't tell you," Akira finally said. "What's the point? It'll only increase your hatred, turning you into the devil of revenge. It must end here!"

"Playmaker, you two are on parallel tracks," Ai commented.

"Seems so."

"Our opinions match for the first time! I'm touched!"

"I guess I have to stop you here," Akira said.

"Go ahead and try."

"The goddess of victory is on my side," Akira said. "Resume the duel!"

Morningstar watched as Acute Cerberus attacked, but smirked when Playmaker activated Cynet Backdoor and used the same strategy he'd used against Morningstar.

"He changed the situation with just one card?" Blue Angel said, surprised at the turnaround.

"Of course he did," Morningstar said. He'd calmed down from earlier. "That combo he just did was the same one he used against me. Like I said though, I got around it, so I imagine your brother has a way around it too."

Akira did. He activated the Field Spell Euler's Circuit, which prevented Playmaker from attacking while Akira had 3 Tindangle monsters and let him place a Tindangle monster on Playmaker's field during Akira's Standby Phase.

"Zaizen, this is a duel for justice," Playmaker said.

"Yes, I know. That's why I must win. I'll solve this incident and hold the people responsible!"

"No, you don't know anything," Playmaker interjected. "I'll win because this is a duel for justice!"

"What?"

"I don't trust anything but my own justice! My turn! Draw!"

Morningstar thought about Playmaker's statement while he played his turn. I don't trust anything but my own justice. He understood what he meant by that. Morningstar didn't trust anyone except himself and Cam to run their hunts. He didn't work with others, especially after the Mercury job with Ghost Girl. And Playmaker didn't trust anyone except himself to provide justice for what had been done to them.

He watched as Playmaker Link Summoned Link Spider, then Recovery Sorcerer. He raised an eyebrow. Playmaker hadn't used that monster against him. He kept watching as Playmaker Link Summoned Security Gardna and summoned it to Acute Cerberus's top Link Marker.

While Akira, Blue Angel, and Ghost Girl all gasped as Playmaker summoned Security Gardna to its current location and Ai berated Playmaker, Morningstar just narrowed his eyes. He knew Playmaker hadn't done that by accident.

"The Trap Card Gergonne's End's effect activates!" Akira declared.

"When the equipped monster has monsters next to all its links," his AI said, "by destroying those monsters and Gergonne's End, the opponent takes damage equal to the equipped monster's attack points."

"I destroy two Tindangle Tokens, Security Gardna and Gergonne's End!" Akira said. The cards he indicated disintegrated. "You take damage equal to Acute Cerberus's attack points. Go, Tindangle Acute Cerberus!" His monster let loose a blast of flames at Playmaker, causing a massive explosion.

"Playmaker…" Blue Angel said.

"That was a mistake," Morningstar said, his eyes narrowed.

"It was," Blue Angel said. "But why would Playmaker make it?"

"I wasn't talking about Playmaker."

"Eh?" she said, turning to him. He just kept staring at the field.

Sure enough, when the smoke cleared, Playmaker was still standing, his Life Points still at 500.

"No way!" Akira said, shocked that his move had failed. "Gergonne's End's effect should've…"

"But we didn't take the effect!" Ai boasted.

"When Security Gardna is Special Summoned," Playmaker explained, "effect damage becomes 0 that turn. It negated the effect damage to me!"

Morningstar was the only one not surprised by this development. But he was surprised by Playmaker bringing back Security Gardna with Recovery Sorcerer's effect.

When Ai questioned him, Playmaker said, "A duel isn't just for deciding a winner and a loser." Morningstar widened his eyes, realizing what Playmaker was up to.

Playmaker used Firewall Dragon's effect to return Tindangle Angel and Tindangle Hound to Akira's hand and reduce Acute Cerberus's attack points to 0.

"Battle! Firewall Dragon! Attack Tindangle Acute Cerberus! Tempest Attack!" As the blast of red energy headed towards Akira, Blue Angel stepped forward. When the blast hit and the smoke cleared, Akira was holding Blue Angel, shielding her from Firewall's attack as his Life Points hit 0.

"Brother!" Blue Angel cried as Akira fell.

He smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine."

Morningstar watched as Playmaker's monsters disappeared and he walked towards the databank. "As promised, I'm taking the data." While Playmaker was busy with the data bank, Morningstar walked over to Ghost Girl.

She turned to him and smiled beneath her mask. "Somehow, I'm not surprised to see you here. You used your Data Anchor to copy the backdoor program when you dueled him, didn't you?"

"Yes," Morningstar said. "And I planned to use Playmaker as a decoy just like you and Zaizen did."

"But you stopped and helped Playmaker when he needed it. Why?"

"I guess…" He turned and glanced at Blue Angel and Akira. "…I guess I was reminded of something I hold dear to myself."

Ghost Girl glanced at them too. "A sibling's bond is unbreakable, isn't it?"

"Yeah. It is." The two of them watched as Playmaker walked away from the databank. "Zaizen," he said, "stay away from the incident and from me."

"Playmaker!" Akira said, stopping said person in his tracks. "If your Firewall attacked me directly earlier, you would've won. So why?"

"Tindangle Hound and Tindangle Angel have the power to protect each other," he answered. "They represent you two. You two shouldn't be resting in the Graveyard. My revenge shouldn't drag you into the darkness. You should walk where there's light."

Before he could leave, Morningstar spoke up. "Playmaker," he said, drawing everyone's attention. "You say you don't want them to walk in your darkness, but I already do. As does my friend that I fight for." He walked over to him. "I know you don't want help. And I've refused to work with others for a long time." Ghost Girl narrowed her eyes at that. "But, you cannot stop me from fighting against Hanoi. If they are responsible for what happened to us…" He narrowed his eyes fiercely. "Then I will fight them with everything I've got, whether you like it or not."

Playmaker didn't answer. He just turned and ran for the data stream before logging out.

"Time for me to leave too," Ghost Girl said. She turned away, then turned back towards Morningstar. "Actually, there is something I need to do first." She held out a glowing diamond to Morningstar. "The data on the Hanoi Project. Take it." He did, and raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you giving me this?"

"My way of making up for past mistakes," she said. She walked up to him and whispered in his ear. "Could you tell Cam I'm sorry, Narahiko?"

Morningstar whispered back. "He'd prefer it if you said it in person, Emma."

"I know, but… some things are easier to do than others, aren't they?" She leaned away as he gave a small smile.

"That they are."

Ghost Girl turned to Akira and Blue Angel and winked. "Be nice to each other," she said before turning around and logging out.

"She made two copies of the data, didn't she?" Morningstar asked Akira. He nodded.

"Probably."

"Typical. Some things never change." Morningstar shook his head and was about to leave, but Blue Angel interrupted.

"Wait, Morningstar." He turned back. "Thank you," she said. "For helping Playmaker and me earlier. And…" She smiled at him. "…I know I can't understand what you went through, but if you need help, you just have to ask."

"I won't," he said. "Like I said before, I don't work with others." He logged out after saying that.

Yasutake leaned against the wall, tired from his duels and reliving his memories. He breathed heavily as he walked out of the room. Cam was waiting for him at the monitors.

"That was… not what I expected to happen," Cam said. He looked at Yasutake with concern. "Are you alright, Yasu? I know hearing all that again can't have been easy."

"It wasn't," Yasutake said as he fell into the chair next to Cam. "But it was necessary in a way. Now I know what Playmaker really fights for. And I'll learn the same things he'll learn." He took his Duel Disk off and placed it on the desk. "Ghost Girl gave me a copy of the data."

"I heard," Cam said, scowling. "I also heard what she said to you."

"And?"

"…I'm not sure I can ever forgive Emma… but it's a start."

"That aside, let's look at what we got," Yasutake said. He plugged his Duel Disk in and uploaded the information Ghost Girl gave him.

After a while, they hit pay dirt. "Here it is," Yasutake said, pulling up a file. It showed a tan man with long grey hair, a beard and mustache, and green eyes.

"Dr. Kiyoshi Kogami," Cam read. "Planned and executed the Hanoi Project."

"This is the man responsible for what happened to me, Sachi, Fujiki, and the others?"

"Looks like it," Cam said. He narrowed his eyes. "It also says he was a researcher at SOL Technologies."

"So SOL was behind the Hanoi Project like we thought," Yasutake said, scowling.

"No," Cam said, surprising Yasutake. "It says here Kogami worked the Hanoi Project alone, but SOL found out due to a whistleblower."

Yasutake's scowl returned. "Damn it. This project was ten years ago. SOL's staff at the time are probably all retired."

"And this file doesn't provide anyone else's names or contact info," Cam said, frowning. "And it says nothing about the purpose of the Hanoi Project."

"So all we have is a name," Yasutake said, sighing. "Well, it's better than nothing. I'll try and find this man, and when I do-."

Cam gasped. "That's… that's not possible."

"What is?" Yasutake asked him, looking at the same file as Cam. He gasped too. "No… no way."

"Dr. Kogami…" Cam said, "… died seven years ago."

They stared at the screen, then Yasutake sighed again. "We're back to square one."

In the middle of Den City, there's a place that some consider an artifact of the past. But that is what its proprietor is most proud of, and it is what keeps him in business. No matter how much technology replaces, people still have a desire to feel the real thing in their hands. That was why Kenshin Hirai was proud to operate Hirai Shoten, a rather small bookstore. It didn't have too many employees; just a few others besides himself. But he made enough money to keep it running, and he enjoyed selling books to people.

Earlier that day, though, he got an uncomfortable reminder of his past. To make it worse, it came in the form of one of the people he trusted the most in the world.

"Thank you," Kenshin said to a customer, smiling at them. "Feel free to come again soon. I'm getting a new shipment next week. There's going to be a copy of A Tale of Two Cities in there."

The woman smiled at him. "Thank you. I think I might do that." She turned and left. Kenshin sighed. This was the life for him. No excitement, no dangers, just providing a service to people. It was a good life.

The door rang as the door opened. Kenshin turned to face it, a smile on his face. "Welcome to Hirai Shoten. How can I help you?"

The woman at the door smiled. "You can give me a real hello to start with, Kenshin."

He looked more closely at the woman and his smile got wider. "Kyoko! Or I suppose Dr. Taki now."

Kyoko Taki chuckled. "It's just Kyoko to you, old friend," she said as she walked up to the counter.

Kenshin looked her up and down. "You've barely aged a day, Kyoko," he said. It was true. She looked the same as she did ten years ago. The only differences he could see was that her orange and red hair was longer, and perhaps her grey eyes were a little wearier. Though that could just be due to her work at the hospital.

"You've aged, though, Kenshin," Kyoko said. "I have to say, I like the ponytail." His black hair was tied back in a ponytail that went down to the middle of his shoulder blades. He also had silver highlights in his bangs and brown eyes. Right now, he was dressed for work in a dark red dress shirt, maroon tie, and dark brown dress pants under a black blazer.

"Thanks," he said. "Mira liked it too." His smile fell as the memory of his late wife hit him.

Kyoko frowned in sympathy. "I heard. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral. How's Hitomu?"

"He's seven," Kenshin said. "He's taking it the way a child should: one day at a time." He frowned. "While I'm glad to see you, Kyoko, what are you doing here? Are you looking for a new classic? I think I have a Dickens in the back or perhaps Tolstoy."

She smiled sadly. "I'm afraid I'm not here to shop. I wanted to talk to you. In private."

Kenshin thought about it. Normally he wouldn't leave the store at this time of day, but Kyoko was an old friend. He knew she wouldn't waste his time if it wasn't important.

"Juro!" he shouted. One of his employees ran up on being called.

"Yes, Mr. Hirai?"

"I'm taking my lunch break," he said, smiling at the teenager. "Keep an eye on the store, will you?"

The teen smiled and nodded. "Yes, Mr. Hirai."

"I have to say, working at a bookstore suits you," Kyoko said. The two of them were sitting at a nearby outdoor café, enjoying small coffees. "You can't have too much business, though, what with everything being online now."

"It is because everything is online now that I have a business," Kenshin said. "Many of my customers are collectors, looking for classic literature like Shakespeare and Austen. But others buy books for pleasure reading, because they like feeling a real book in their hands. There's just… something about the real thing that an e-book can't replicate."

Kyoko smiled. "Yes. I know what you mean."

Kenshin decided to get down to business. "So, what did you want to talk to me about, Kyoko? Is there someone in the hospital I know?"

"It's not about my work there," she said, gripping the sides of her coffee. "It's about… my other work."

"Ah," he said, dropping his cheerful demeanor. "With Faust and Genome."

"Yes," she said. "And… we were hoping, or at least I was, that you would reconsider joining us."

Kenshin sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Kyoko, we've been over this," he said slowly. "I can't work with you on that. I still have nightmares about what we did to those kids for the Project. Only now…"

"You see Hitomu instead," Kyoko guessed. When he didn't answer, she continued, "I don't blame you for leaving. Neither does Faust, Revolver, or our old boss. We all did what we thought was necessary back then."

"To create life," Kenshin said, smiling ruefully. "And we did, didn't we? At the cost of ruining the lives of eight children."

"And we will carry that burden the rest of our lives," she said. "We will go to our graves knowing that what we did was unforgiveable. But I am working with Revolver to undo our mistakes."

"Mistakes?" Kenshin asked, astonished at that. "Kyoko, we tortured children. That is not a mistake, that is a felony."

"The mistake was creating the Ignis," Kyoko said, her conviction clear. "The Ignis are attempting to conquer the network. The doctor and Revolver have a plan that, if we succeed, could save all of humanity. And we could atone for what we started."

"But not for what we did to those kids," Kenshin said, then sighed again. "Kyoko, I get why you and Faust are helping Revolver. If it was just me, I probably would join you. But I have a son now. And whenever I think about what we did, I can't help but think: what if it had been Hitomu there? What if someone did to my son what we did ten years ago? And the thought of that breaks me inside."

"If your guilt is so strong, then maybe you should join us," Kyoko said. "Especially after recent events. You've heard of Morningstar and Playmaker?"

Kenshin frowned, confused by the change in topic. "Playmaker, yes. I watched his duels with Go Onizuka and Blue Angel. Morningstar… the name sounds familiar, but I can't remember where I've heard it."

"Morningstar is a bounty hunter in LINK VRAINS," Kyoko explained. "He dueled Go Onizuka not long after Playmaker did. One of his monikers is 'The Devil of LINK VRAINS.'"

"Considering he named himself after Lucifer, an apt title," Kenshin commented. "What do he and Playmaker have to do with our first conversation?"

Kyoko was quiet for a while as she stared at her coffee. "The two of them are victims from the incident."

Kenshin's eyes widened. "You… you're sure?"

"Without a doubt," Kyoko said. "Revolver and Specter both verified their stories. We don't know which victims they were, but they were among the children we experimented on."

Kenshin was silent for a long time, then he sighed. "Alright," he said. "I still have misgivings, but I'll join. I'll help you and Faust."

Kyoko gave him a relieved smile. "Thank you, Kenshin. With you on our side, I know we'll stop the Ignis."

Kenshin smiled back at her. He hated lying to Kyoko, but it was necessary. He wasn't agreeing to help because of the threat the Ignis posed. He was joining because of Morningstar and Playmaker. If he met either of them, he could learn about what they had been through, finally get an idea of how much damage the Project did to the children.

And, if nothing else, perhaps they would finally punish him for what he'd done.

"You'll need a pseudonym in LINK VRAINS," Kyoto was saying. "You can't use your real name."

Kenshin thought about it, then smirked. "How about Terminus?"

Morningstar vs. Prototype Ai-C

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Morningstar

Since there are no monsters on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Illusionist (2400/1000/6) from his hand, at the cost of its ATK becoming 1800 (Illusionist: 2400→1800). Since Illusionist was Special Summoned by its effect, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Prisoner to his hand. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Teleporter (500/1500/3). He uses Teleporter to Link Summon Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller (500/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Morningstar activates the effect of Cacophonic Caller to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to the zone it points to, but that monster cannot attack and it is destroyed during the End Phase. He Special Summons Cyspirit Nova (1500/1000/3). Morningstar uses Cyspirit Nova to Link Summon Cyspirit Odd Outlaw (500/1/←) to Cacophonic Caller's Link Marker. As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Prisoner (1600/2100/5) in Attack Position. Morningstar uses Cyspirit Illusionist and Cyspirit Prisoner to Link Summon Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler (1600/2/←→) to Odd Outlaw's Link Marker. Since Prisoner was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Blast. Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Teleporter, banishing it to Special Summon 1 Level 3 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his GY. He Special Summons Cyspirit Nova (1500/1000/3).

Morningstar uses Cyspirit Nova and the Link 2 Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler to Link Summon Cyspirit Bombastic Bombardier (2600/3/↖↗→) to Odd Outlaw's Link Marker. Since it points to at least 2 monsters, Morningstar activates the effect of Bombastic Bombardier to inflict 400 damage to Ai-C for each "Cyspirit" Link Monster Morningstar controls. Morningstar controls 3 "Cyspirit" Link Monsters (Ai-C: 4000→2800 LP). Morningstar uses the Link 3 Bombastic Bombardier and Link 1 Cacophonic Caller to Link Summon Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon (2800/4/↙↑↓↘) to Odd Outlaw's Link Marker. Morningstar activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Blast, negating Datastorm Dragon's effects until the End Phase and inflicting damage to Ai-C equal to half of Datastorm Dragon's original ATK (Ai-C: 2800→1400 LP). Since it points to a Link Monster, Morningstar activates Odd Outlaw's effect, targeting cards in Ai-C's hand equal to Datastorm Dragon's Link Rating and shuffling those cards back into the owner's Deck. Then, for every 2 cards shuffled, Ai-C draws 1 card. Morningstar targets all 4 cards in Ai-C's hand, which are shuffled into the Deck and Ai-C draws 2 cards. Since Datastorm Dragon is a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar draws 1 card for every 2 cards shuffled into Ai-C's Deck. He draws 2 cards. Morningstar Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Ai-C

Ai-C draws. Morningstar activates his face-down Trap Card Cyspirit Bombardment, sending Datastorm Dragon to the GY to activate its effect. Ai-C now takes damage equal to half of Datastorm Dragon's ATK. Ai-C activates the effect of Tentacluster Explostinger in its hand, discarding it and reducing the damage to 0. During the End Phase, Morningstar will take damage equal to the damage Ai-C would have taken. Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Bombardment in his GY, banishing it and Datastorm Dragon from his GY to inflict damage to Ai-C equal to Datastorm Dragon's Link Rating x 400 (Ai-C: 1400→0 LP). Morningstar wins.

Morningstar vs. Prototype Ai-D

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Ai-D

Prototype Ai-A activates the effect of Tentacluster Darkwhip in its hand, paying 500 LP to Special Summon it (100/500/2) (Ai-D: 4000→3500 LP). Ai-D then activates the Spell Card Machine Duplication to Special Summon 2 copies of a Machine monster with 500 or less ATK from its Deck. It Special Summons 2 more copies of Darkwhip (100/500/2 each). Ai-D uses the three copies of Darkwhip to Link Summon Tentacluster Nautilus (0/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Nautilus was Link Summoned, Ai-D activates its effect to Special Summon a "Tentacluster" monster from its hand to a zone it points to. It Special Summons Tentacluster Blastsucker (400/400/2) to the bottom Link Marker of Nautilus. Ai-D then activates the Spell Card Link Treasure Ticket, targeting Nautilus for its effect. Ai-D draws cards equal to Nautilus' Link Rating, meaning 3. It then sends 3 cards from the top of its Deck to the GY (Tentacluster Blastsucker and 2 Tentacluster Drillworms). Ai-D activates the Continuous Spell Card Abyss Invitation. Ai-D Normal Summons a third Blastsucker to Nautilus' bottom-left Link Marker.

Ai-D activates the effect of Nautilus, letting it destroy all monsters Nautilus points to. As a Link Monster's effect that targets it on the field is activated, Ai-D activates the effect of Blastsucker, destroying it to inflict 400 damage to Morningstar (Morningstar: 4000→3600 LP). As a player took 500 or less effect damage, the effect of Abyss Invitation activates, inflicting 200 damage to Morningstar (Morningstar: 3600→3400 LP). The effect of the other Blastsucker activates, followed by the effect of Abyss Invitation (Morningstar: 3400→3000→2800 LP).

Ai-D activates the effect of the first Blastsucker in its GY, banishing it to inflict 400 damage to Morningstar (Morningstar: 2800→2400 LP). The effect of Abyss Invitation activates (2400→2200 LP). Ai-D activates the effect of the second Blastsucker in its GY (Morningstar: 2200→1800 LP) then the effect of Abyss Invitation activates (Morningstar: 1800→1600 LP). Ai-D activates the effect of the third Blastsucker in its GY (Morningstar: 1600→1200 LP) then the effect of Abyss Invitation activates (Morningstar: 1200→1000 LP). Ai-D Sets 1 card. It ends its turn.

Turn 2: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. During the Standby Phase, as Ai-D controls no monsters in the Main Monster Zones, and has no cards in its hand, it activates the effect of Tentacluster Drillworm in its GY, banishing the other Drillworm from its GY to send a random card from Morningstar's hand to the GY, then Special Summoning it in Defense Position (600/1200/3) to Nautilus's bottom Link Marker. Cyspirit Multiplier is sent to the GY.

Since Morningstar controls no monsters and Ai-D does, he Special Summons Cyspirit Swordsman (1200/900/3) from his hand. Its effect activates, letting him add 1 "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke. Since Ai-D controls a Link Monster and Morningstar does not, he Special Summons Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke (200/500/2). Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Kid (300/200/1). He uses Cyspirit Kid to Link Summon Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller (500/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Since Kid was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" monster, he can destroy 1 face-up card on his opponent's field. He destroys Abyss Invitation. Morningstar activates the effect of Cacophonic Caller to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to the zone it points to. He Special Summons Cyspirit Dancer (1000/200/2). He uses Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller, Cyspirit Dancer, and Cyspirit Swordsman to Link Summon Cyspirit Pied Pikeman (2400/3/↙↑→) to the Extra Monster Zone. Since Dancer was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, that monster gains 600 ATK (Pied Pikeman: 2400→3000). Since there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Prisoner (1600/2100/5) from his hand. He uses Prisoner and Tunnel Tyke to Link Summon Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler (1600/2/←→) to Pied Pikeman's bottom-left Link Marker. Since Prisoner was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Sanctuary.

Morningstar activates the Field Spell Cyspirit Sanctuary, increasing the ATK/DEF of all "Cyspirit" monsters he controls by 300 (Pied Pikeman: 3000→3300) (Thrilled Tunneler (1600→1900). Since Morningstar controls a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, he activates the effect of Cyspirit Sanctuary to move 1 face-up monster to a Main Monster Zone on its controller's field. He moves Tentacluster Drillworm from Nautilus' bottom Link Marker to Pied Pikeman's top Link Marker. Morningstar activates the effect of Pied Pikeman, changing the battle position of Drillworm to destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field. He destroys Ai-D's face-down card. Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Multiplier in his GY, banishing Cyspirit Dancer from his GY to equip it to Cyspirit Pied Pikeman. Pied Pikeman can now make two attacks on his opponent's monsters during the Battle Phase.

Pied Pikeman attacks Tentacluster Nautilus, destroying it. Ai-D activates the effect of the Trap Card Tentacluster Ink Coating in its GY, banishing it. Until the End Phase of the turn, it takes no battle damage from attacks involving "Tentacluster" monsters. Pied Pikeman attacks and destroys Tentacluster Drillworm, but Ai-D takes no battle damage. Thrilled Tunneler attacks Ai-D directly (Ai-D: 3500→1600 LP). Morningstar activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Cyspirit Opening. Since his opponent took battle damage from a direct attack by a "Cyspirit" monster, Morningstar can Tribute one monster he controls to let that monster attack again. Morningstar Tributes Pied Pikeman to allow Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler to attack again. Thrilled Tunneler attacks Ai-D directly (1600→0 LP). Morningstar wins.

Cyspirit Illusionist
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 1000 Level: 6
If there are no monsters on the field, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand), but its ATK becomes 1800. If this monster is Special Summoned by its own effect: You can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from your Deck to your hand. This card cannot declare an attack the turn you activate this effect. You can only Special Summon "Cyspirit Illusionist" once per turn this way.

Cyspirit Nova
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Normal] ATK 1500 DEF 1000 Level: 3
This dragon has a lot of growing up to do. And when it does…

Cyspirit Odd Outlaw
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 500 LINK-1 ←
1 "Cyspirit" Normal Monster
Once per turn, if this card points to a Link Monster: you can target cards in your opponent's hand equal to that monster's Link Rating; shuffle the targeted cards back into the owner's Deck(s), and for every 2 cards shuffled by this effect, your opponent draws 1 card. If the Link Monster this card points to is a "Cyspirit" Link Monster: draw 1 card for every 2 cards shuffled by this card's effect. This card cannot be used as Link Material the turn you activate this effect.

Cyspirit Bombastic Bombardier
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2600 LINK-3 ↖↗→
2+ "Cyspirit" monsters
This Link Summoned card gains these effects depending on the number of monsters it points to.
-1 or more: Inflict 300 damage to your opponent for each monster this card points to.
-2 or more: Inflict 400 damage to your opponent for each "Cyspirit" Link Monster you control.
-3: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each "Cyspirit" Link Monster in your GY.
You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyspirit Bombastic Bombardier" per turn, and only once per turn. This card cannot declare an attack the turn you activate its effects.

Tentacluster Explostinger
Attribute: DARK Type: [Machine/Effect] ATK 0 DEF 0 Level: 2
If you would take damage from an opponent's card effect, you can discard this card: reduce the damage to 0. During the End Phase of the turn you activated this effect: inflict damage to your opponent equal to the damage you would have taken. You can only use this effect of "Tentacluster Explostinger" once per turn.

Cyspirit Bombardment Normal Trap Card
Send 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster you control to the GY: inflict damage to your opponent equal to half that monster's ATK. You can banish this card and 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster from your GY: inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's Link Rating x 400. Your opponent cannot take effect damage the turn you activate either effect, except from the effect of "Cyspirit Bombardment."

Tentacluster Ink Coating Normal Trap Card
You take no battle damage from attacks involving "Tentacluster" monsters you control until the end of this turn. You can banish this card from your GY: activate the above effect. You can only activate each effect of "Tentacluster Ink" once per turn, and only one effect per turn.

Cyspirit Opening Quick-Play Spell Card
If your opponent takes battle damage from the direct attack of a "Cyspirit" monster: you can target 1 other monster you control; Tribute that monster, and the first monster can attack again.

Chapter Preview

Next Time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 8 - The Devil's Gunwoman

Responses to Reviews & Author's Notes

Thank you to D3lph0xL0v3r, The Phantom of Rebellion, HunterHQ, JaneValentine007, sanedimentio, ClearwingYuta, Giacomo, Fenghuang0296, and Guest for reviewing Chapter 6 of Hidden Memories. Credit to sanedimentio for the creation of Cyspirit Odd Outlaw and thank you to HunterHQ and sanedimentio for giving me suggestions that resulted in Tentacluster Explostinger.

In this chapter, Morningstar infiltrated the databank and dueled Prototypes Ai-C and Ai-D. I gave previews of the first duels to HunterHQ and sanedimentio, and it was because of their comments that I wrote the second duel, so thank them for that. Sadly, I didn't want to come up with too many new Tentacluster cards, so I just came up with Explostinger and Ink Coating. Also in this chapter, we got more interactions between Morningstar, Blue Angel, and Ghost Girl. A big part of this was the revelation that Ghost Girl knows Morningstar's real name and Cam's. The reason for this is to show that Cam's and Yasutake's problems with her are not just professional, but personal as well.

But the biggest takeaway, at least to me, was Morningstar's experiences in the Hanoi Project. I assume most, if not all, of my readers are keeping up with the anime, but considering how great an impact the Incident had on Morningstar's character, I wanted to give him the same scenes we saw Yusaku in, and hear his thoughts on the matter. And really, writing that whole scene was very emotional for me.

Considering what I have planned for the next chapter, I decided to use this chapter to introduce the fourth general of Hanoi: Terminus. In real life, his name is Kenshin Hirai and he runs a bookstore. He is 33 years old and has a 7-year-old son and a wife who died recently. His son is the reason he didn't join Hanoi before, and it is because of Morningstar and Playmaker that he is joining now. Unlike Dr. Genome, Baira, and Faust, I intend to have Terminus stick around for a while so I can develop his character more.

I'll say this now: it will be a while before I start working on the next chapter. I have finals to prepare for, and while this is more fun, it does not have a deadline. This also gives more time for the poll. I have started a poll on my profile page that lists suggestions for the names of new Cyspirit Link Monsters. I'll keep the poll open for a time, but I will eventually close it or remove options that show up.

Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing my work. Please favorite and follow Hidden Memories and suggest this fanfic to your friends. I continue to look for ways to improve, so suggestions are always welcome, as are OC cards.