Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories

by scififan599

10 years ago, 8 children were kidnapped. One of them was Yasutake Narahiko, who today works as Morningstar, a bounty hunter in LINK VRAINS hunting criminals and hackers for companies like SOL Technologies. One day, he fights the Knights of Hanoi and encounters Playmaker, who was involved in the same incident. Follow him as he must decide whether to be Playmaker's ally, or his enemy

22. Chapter 22: Angel's Wrath

Chapter 22: Angel's Wrath

Ten years ago…

Thunder boomed as rain fell from the sky. It was nighttime, and in the alley, a trashcan lid fell on the ground, its clanging overshadowed by the thunder.

The boy who removed the lid reaches into the can. Breaking open one of the bags, he pulls out a half-eaten bagel. The starving child stuffed it into his mouth, chewing as fast as he could.

It had always been like this, as far as he knew. He would run through the alleys, finding leftover food in alleys, often in trashcans. Almost every adult who caught him chased him away. Other adults would sometimes find him and try to drag him somewhere, but he always escaped in the end. He didn't trust them. Why should he? They were strangers.

When it rained like tonight, he would often find cover under canopies or doorways. If he was lucky, he would find an abandoned building to spend the night in. But he never stayed for long. He had learned it was better to stay on the move.

But tonight would turn out to be different to all those previous nights. As he reached into the trashcan again, a light suddenly pierced through the rain. The boy turned around and saw the door of a nearby building had opened, spilling light into the alley. A figure stepped out of the light and towards him…

---

Present day…

"You can't defeat me now, Morningstar," Spectre said, smirking at the hunter. "My mother tree Sunavalon, the captured Lilith and Zaizen, and that lame sense of justice you and Playmaker share. As long as those exist, you can't defeat me, and Playmaker can't defeat Terminus's toy! Not even by a long shot."

"Shut up," Lilith said, scowling at Spectre. "If I wasn't in here, I'd duel and defeat you myself, you dirty coward."

Spectre laughed. "Strong words from a common bounty hunter," he said, turning his smirk to her. "Unlike Morningstar and Playmaker, there's nothing special about you. The Lost Incident doesn't drive you insane like it does them, or inspire you like it does me."

Lilith gasped. The Lost Incident? Did that mean-?

Morningstar growled as he looked over the field.

Morningstar: 700 LP

Spectre: 4000 LP

The only cards Morningstar had on the field were his Set card, the Field Spell Cyspirit Monastery, which increased the attack points of all his Cyspirit Link Monsters by 500, and Cyspirit Winning Wrestler in the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Winning Wrestler ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

Spectre, on the other hand, had a full field. He had Sunavalon Dryanome in his Extra Monster Zone, Sunvine Thrasher equipped with Sunvine Power at its bottom-right Link Marker, and Sunavalon Daphne at its bottom-left. Two of Spectre's zones – the ones that Daphne pointed too – were red-colored, showing that they couldn't be used.

Sunavalon Dryanome ATK 0 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

Sunavalon Daphne ATK 0 LINK-2 ←→

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 2400 LINK-1 ↓

In Spectre's Spell & Trap Zones, he had the aforementioned Sunvine Power, as well as the Continuous Spell Card Sunvine Shrine and the Continuous Trap Cards Sunavalon Force and Sunavalon Glorious Growth. The situation was definitely not in Morningstar's favor.

"I Set one card and end my turn," Spectre said. He spread his arms and mockingly smirked at Morningstar. "Will you try to deal me damage next turn by forsaking her?"

"You loathsome cheater!" Lilith shouted.

"Cheater?" Spectre repeated. "That's a wonderful word of praise. Instead of being misled by a dumb sense of justice, it's more wonderful to do dirty tricks to fulfill my goal." Spectre's smirk widened. "Yes. Everything I do is for Master Revolver."

"Don't worry, Yasu," Cam said into Morningstar's earpiece. "I'm trying to adapt the LVSS emergency escape to work on the cage. Kusanagi's doing the same thing for Zaizen. We'll get them free in no time."

Morningstar didn't respond. He just narrowed his eyes and placed his hand on his Deck. It was time to resume the duel.

---

"I must admit I am uncomfortable with this."

Terminus turned to look at Revolver and Dr. Kogami. The three of them were watching Spectre's duel with Morningstar and Playmaker's duel with Prototype HAI-C.

"I understand the reasoning behind keeping Akira Zaizen and Lilith hostage," Terminus continued. "But it is very unfair to drag them into this. We should at least allow Lilith the chance to go down fighting."

"In most situations, I would agree," Revolver said, keeping his eyes on the screens. "But we are desperate right now. The Ignis must be destroyed by any means necessary. If holding them hostage achieves that, then we'll do it." He then turned to glance at Terminus. "And if your theory is right, we need to obtain Morningstar's Cyspirit cards to verify it. Necessity trumps fair play in this case."

Terminus scowled and turned to Dr. Kogami. "There is something I want to know," he said to the doctor. "If HAI-C does win and acquires the Ignis, will you shut down the Tower? We won't need it if we have the Ignis."

"If I can obtain the whereabouts of the Cyberse World from that Ignis, yes," Dr. Kogami answered. "But there's a fair chance that I won't be able to in time." Dr. Kogami frowned. "Do you regret working on the project ten years ago with me, Kenshin?"

Terminus's scowl softened. "I regret the actions we took," he said. "I do not regret working with you. Or my brother. I just wish…"

"That you got to see him again before his death," Dr. Kogami finished, giving Terminus a sympathetic look. "I understand. Ryoken brought me back from death, but we couldn't do the same for Hitomu. But we can bring justice to his killers."

Terminus's gaze hardened. His brother, his sister-in-law, his niece… they had all died eight years ago. His niece's body hadn't been found, but after eight years, he could only assume she was dead. What else could he do but punish the people responsible?

The Knight of Hanoi turned from Dr. Kogami to the screens. As invested as he was in Morningstar's duel, it looked like Playmaker was up next.

---

Playmaker looked at the support beams of the bridge as they snapped. The bridge didn't shift as they broke however.

"It looks like Morningstar's stabilization program is keeping the bridge from collapsing," Playmaker commented.

"Yeah. Neat trick of his," Ai said. "More importantly, HOW ARE WE LOSING TO A STUPID AI!?"

Playmaker looked over the field between him and the Hanoi AI duelist called HAI-C.

Playmaker: 2000 LP

Prototype HAI-C: 2800 LP

Playmaker had more monsters on his field, with Multi Sledgehammer, Binary Sorceress, and Binary Blader all co-linked with each other.

Multi Sledgehammer ATK 1000 LINK-2 ↓→

Binary Sorceress ATK 1600 LINK-2 ←→

Binary Blader ATK 1800 LINK-2 ←→

HAI-C however, had more Spell and Trap Cards. It had the Field Spell Vendread Nights, the Continuous Trap Card Call of the Haunted, and the Continuous Spell Card Vendread Nightmare active, as well as a Set card. On the field, it had Revendread Slayer and Vendread Core, both in Attack Position.

Revendread Slayer ATK 3000 DEF 0 LVL: 6

Vendread Core ATK 0 DEF 500 LVL: 1

Playmaker then looked over at Morningstar and scowled. "Morningstar's in the same situation we're in," he said, causing Ai to look over.

"That's Lilith!" Ai said, surprised. "Oh wait, she's a bounty hunter. Maybe's she's faking being a hostage?"

"If she was to betray us, it would be more efficient for her to duel me instead of this AI duelist," Playmaker reminded Ai.

"Oh, right."

Playmaker then looked behind him and frowned. That Frog and Pigeon duo were here, hovering between the two bridges so they could broadcast both of them.

Kusanagi can likely see that Lilith and Zaizen have been captured, Playmaker thought. I can't do anything for Zaizen, but Kusanagi likely can. I'll just have to hold out until he does it.

"Resume the duel, Playmaker," HAI-C said, interrupting Playmaker's thoughts. "It is your turn. Stalling will not benefit you."

Playmaker scowled at the AI. "My turn! Draw!" Playmaker looked at the two cards in his hand, but before he could make a move, Akira interrupted his thoughts.

"Playmaker! Forget about me!" Akira shouted at him. "Or Aoi's sacrifice would be for nothing!" Playmaker's eyes narrowed. He understood where Akira was coming from, but he couldn't sacrifice him just to win. Not without giving Kusanagi a chance.

Ai didn't know that, however. "Listen to him!" Ai pleaded. "That stupid AI duelist left Vendread Core in Attack Position! If we attack it with Binary Blader and activate its effect, we can win!"

That was true. Binary Blader could attack twice at the cost of being unable to destroy its target. If Binary Blader attacked the 0-attack point Core, Playmaker could deal HAI-C 3600 points of damage and win. But that would mean…

"I Set one card," Playmaker said, doing so. "I end my turn."

"Oi! Oi!" Ai screeched. "You could have won and ended this, but you didn't! Have you forgotten why we're here?" Ai pointed to the tower, which now had two rings complete, with the third about half-done. "If you lose, that tower will be completed! I don't want to die along with Zaizen!"

"My turn. Draw." HAI-C drew, then said, "I activate the Spell Card: Balancing Act." The card showed a duel field, with five cards on one side and three on the other. Two of the five cards were shattering. "As I control more cards than you, I can destroy cards I control until I control the same number of cards as you. And then I draw one card for each destroyed card."

"Eh?" Ai said, momentarily distracted from his frustration with Playmaker. "Why would it destroy its own cards?"

"You control four cards and I control six cards," HAI-C continued. "That means I destroy two cards. I destroy Call of the Haunted and Vendread Nights." Its Field Spell and Continuous Trap Card disintegrated. "As two cards were destroyed, I draw two cards."

HAI-C drew again, then said, "Call of the Haunted's effect activates. As it left the field, the monster Special Summoned by its effect is destroyed." Vendread Core shattered into pieces.

"Why would it destroy its own cards?" Ai wondered, confused. "Doesn't its Field Spell benefit it more on the field?" Playmaker only narrowed his eyes.

"Trap activate!" HAI-C declared. "Vendread Daybreak!" Playmaker gasped as the card revealed itself. This was bad. "As my opponent controls more cards than I do, I can select one 'Vendread' Ritual Monster I control. Then, all cards on the field except the chosen monster are destroyed."

"What!?" Ai screeched. "That's why it destroyed its own cards? So it would have fewer than ours!?"

The Trap Card shone and released a bright light. Playmaker braced himself as his three monsters, Set card, and HAI-C's Continuous Spell Card all exploded. When the light dimmed and the smoke cleared, Revendread Slayer was the only monster standing.

"This isn't good!" Ai screamed. "If that Slayer attacks, we're done!"

"It can't," Playmaker said, startling Ai. "The monster targeted by Daybreak cannot attack directly while it's on the field."

"Eh? Really?" Ai said, momentarily hopeful, but then his shoulders slumped. "That doesn't stop that stupid AI from summoning something else, though."

Ai was right. HAI-C took a card from its hand and played it. "I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Revendread Origin! I Tribute monsters from my hand and field whose total Level equals or surpasses the 'Vendread' Ritual Monster I'm Ritual Summoning from my hand. Alternatively, I can banish Zombie monsters from my Graveyard."

"That's not good," Ai said unnecessarily as a dark blue circle with seven blue flames appeared on HAI-C's field.

"I Tribute the Level 6 Revendread Slayer and banish the Level 1 Vendread Core from my Graveyard!" Core briefly reappeared on HAI-C's field. The resummoned Core and Slayer disintegrated into blue lights, which gathered in the center of the circle. A pillar of blue light burst from the center.

"The contract has been made. The last warlord of the deepest night inherits these two souls! Ritual Summon! Rise! Level 7! Vendread Battlelord!"

The pillar disappeared as a massive figure emerged. It was covered in grey armor and had horns on its head, shoulders, and knees. It swung a massive sword as it was Ritual Summoned in Attack Position.

Vendread Battlelord ATK 2700 DEF 0 LVL: 7

"Ah! It's upgraded its monster!" Ai said, cowering in fear of the massive monster. Playmaker only narrowed his eyes.

"Revendread Slayer's effect activates," HAI-C said. "When it is Ritual Summoned and then sent to the Graveyard, I can add one Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand, then send one 'Vendread' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I add Revendread Evolution to my hand and send Vendread Anima to the Graveyard."

After doing so, HAI-C gestured to its field. "I activate Vendread Battlelord's effect! Once per turn, I can banish one 'Vendread' card from my Graveyard and declare either Monster, Spell, or Trap Cards. And until the end of the turn, my opponent cannot activate cards or effects of the declared type."

"Oh, that's not good," Ai said, cowering even further.

"I banish Revendread Slayer from my Graveyard and declare Monster Cards," HAI-C said.

"Eh? Why Monster Cards?"

"There is 50% probability that Playmaker will prevent an attack with the card in his hand," HAI-C explained. "Lockout Gardna is the greatest possibility, but not the only one." Playmaker's expression didn't change on hearing HAI-C's words. "Monster Cards are therefore the best to declare."

"Good reasoning," Ai said begrudgingly. "But why banish Slayer? Isn't it the strongest monster in its Graveyard?"

"This AI duelist is a very calculating opponent," Playmaker said, narrowing his eyes. "There is undoubtedly a reason for its action."

"I activate the effect of the Vendread Anima in the Graveyard!" HAI-C declared, gesturing to its field again. "By banishing it, I can Special Summon one banished 'Vendread' monster besides itself. Return, Revendread Slayer!" The humanoid in black and gold armor reappeared in Attack Position.

Revendread Slayer ATK 2400 DEF 0 LVL: 6

"Sometimes I hate it when you're right, Playmaker," Ai complained, looking at the two powerful monsters.

"Battle!" HAI-C declared. "Vendread Battlelord, attack Playmaker directly!" Battlelord hefted its massive sword and charged Playmaker, who calmly gestured to his field.

"I activate the effect of Transaction Rollback in the Graveyard!" he declared. "By paying half my Life Points and banishing it, I can target a Normal Trap Card in either of our Graveyards and activate its effect! I choose to activate Waboku from your Graveyard!" Playmaker winced as his Life Points decreased.

Playmaker: 2000→1000 LP

"Waboku prevents my monsters from being destroyed by battle this turn," Playmaker reminded HAI-C. "And more importantly, it also prevents all battle damage I would take!" Battlelord swung its sword, but it missed and hit the ground next to the hacker. Ai flinched from the close blow, but Playmaker didn't react.

"I Set one card," HAI-C said. "I end my turn. During the End Phase of the turn Balancing Act is activated, the top card of my Deck is sent to the Graveyard." HAI-C took said card and placed it in its Graveyard.

"Whew, that was too close," Ai said. He then turned to Playmaker to berate him. "But that wouldn't have been needed if you had attacked last turn and won! You need to forget about Zaizen! If we lose, the Tower will be completed, and the entire world will be in chaos! Listen to me, Playmaker!"

Playmaker ignored Ai and placed his hand on his Deck. "My turn. Draw!" Playmaker looked at his card, then played it. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cynet Repeated Process!" The card showed multiple red hexagons with beams of light hitting one and then bouncing on to the others. "Once per turn, if I control no monsters, I can excavate the top card of my Deck. And if that card is a Cyberse monster, that monster is Special Summoned in Attack Position. If not, then I place it on the bottom of my Deck."

Playmaker placed his hand on his Deck again. It all comes down to this, Playmaker thought. He drew the card, looked at it, and narrowed his eyes. This card will do.

"I summon Unique System Buster!" A humanoid monster covered in black metal armor appeared on Playmaker's field. Two blasters shaped like USB ports were attached to its wrists, and two more functioned as boosters on its back.

Unique System Buster ATK 1900 DEF 1100 LVL: 6

"Yes! We drew a monster!" Ai cheered. Then he remembered the situation. "Oh, but it only has 1900 attack points. Against Battlelord and Slayer, it won't last long."

"Cynet Repeated Process has one more effect," Playmaker said, glancing at the Ignis. "If one of my opponent's monsters attacks a Special Summoned Cyberse monster, I can negate that attack. And I can do this up to twice per turn."

"Really!?" Ai said, perking up. He turned to face the AI duelist. "Ha ha! You only have two monsters! That means you can't touch us!"

"Pointless," HAI-C said, surprising Ai. "Such an action only delays the inevitable. As long as I have 'Vendread' cards in my Graveyard, Battlelord can negate your card's effect. Your defeat is certain."

"…That's surprising," Ai commented. He would have frowned if he could. "Kitamura's AI duelists didn't have a taunt function. Did Terminus give it one?"

Playmaker ignored Ai's query and said, "I Set one card face-down. I end my turn."

"My turn. Draw!" HAI-C looked at its new card and then played it. "I summon Vendread Revenants." A trio of blue-skinned blue-eyes zombies appeared, each with rather large claws.

Vendread Revenants ATK 1800 DEF 200 LVL: 4

"Well that's ugly," Ai commented, narrowing his eyes at Revenants. "But it isn't strong enough to destroy Unique System Buster. Oh! Don't tell me-."

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Revendread Evolution!" HAI-C declared. "I now Tribute monsters from my hand or field to Ritual Summon a Ritual Monster from my hand or Graveyard, so long as their combined Levels equal the Ritual Monster's Level. In addition, I can send one 'Vendread' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard."

"From the Deck? That's not fair!" Ai complained.

The dark blue circle appeared again on HAI-C's field. This time, eight blue flames burned on its edges. "I Tribute the Level 4 Vendread Revenants on my field and send a second Level 4 Vendread Revenants from my Deck to the Graveyard!" HAI-C announced. A second zombie appeared, and along with its predecessor, disintegrated into blue energy that gathered in the circle's center. A pillar of light appeared.

"The contract has been made. The ultimate heroic fiend of the deepest night inherits these two souls! Ritual Summon! Rise! Level 8! Revendread Executor!"

Another humanoid emerged from the pillar. This one wore primarily grey skeletal armor, with dashes of red on its arms and legs. Massive bones emerged from its back and curved over its shoulders. A blue scarf wrapped around its neck fluttered in the breeze as it roared in Attack Position.

Revendread Executor ATK 3000 DEF 0 LVL: 8

"3000 attack points!?" Ai shouted.

"This must be the AI's ace monster," Playmaker muttered, narrowing his eyes as he glared at the hulking monster.

"The monster that is Ritual Summoned by the effect of Revendread Evolution is destroyed during the End Phase of the next turn," HAI-C informed Playmaker. "But that is of little consequence right now." HAI-C gestured to its field. "Revendread Executor's monster effect! Because it was Ritual Summoned using Vendread Revenants, it can banish one Special Summoned monster my opponent controls!"

"Eh!? Banish!?" Ai repeated.

"I banish Unique System Buster with Revendread Executor's effect!" Executor's shoulder spikes glowed with red energy, which it shot at Playmaker's monster. But Playmaker only gestured to his field.

"I activate Unique System Buster's effect! By Tributing it, I can Special Summon one 'Code Talker' monster from my Graveyard!" Unique System Buster dropped into a purple hole beneath it, dodging the red lightning. "Return to me, Encode Talker!" The white-and-gold armored warrior carrying a shield emerged from the purple circle in Unique System Buster's place.

Encode Talker ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↑↓↘

"The monster Special Summoned by Unique System Buster's effect has its effects negated," Playmaker continued. "And until the End Phase, all monsters on the field are treated as Cyberse monsters!" Battlelord, Executor, and Slayer all glowed to indicate their change in Type.

"Since Executor's target left the field, its effect resolves," Ai said. "And you can only activate that effect once per turn, right?"

HAI-C didn't answer Ai's query. Instead it gestured to its field. "Vendread Battlelord's monster effect! I banish one of the Vendread Revenants in my Graveyard and declare Spell Cards! Until the end of the turn, you cannot activate the effects of Spell Cards."

"Encode Talker is stronger than Unique System Buster, but it is still too weak to stop his monsters," Ai noted. "And we can't activate Repeated Process's effect now, either. This is still bad, Playmaker." Playmaker didn't respond to Ai's statement.

"Battle! Revendread Slayer attacks Encode Talker!" The said monster charged at Encode Talker, but Playmaker only smirked.

"I was waiting for this!" he announced. "Trap activate! Cynet Refresh!" His face-down card flipped face-up and glowed. "When a Cyberse monster attacks, all monsters in the Main Monster Zones are destroyed!"

"Yes!" Ai cheered as Battlelord, Executor, Slayer, and Encode Talker all disintegrated. "Since Ritual Monsters aren't summoned from the Extra Deck, they can only be in the Main Monster Zones! And thanks to Unique System Buster, they were all Cyberse monsters! Now that AI duelist has no monsters to attack us with!"

"This was only a delaying tactic," HAI-C said, surprising Ai. "When the Ritual Summoned Vendread Battlelord is sent to the Graveyard, I can add one Ritual Monster from my Deck to my hand and then send one 'Vendread' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I add another Revendread Executor from my Deck to my hand and send Vendread Anima to the Graveyard."

After doing so, HAI-C said, "The effect of the Ritual Summoned Revendread Executor activates as well! If it is destroyed by battle or by my opponent's card effect, I can add one 'Vendread' card from my Deck to my hand. I add Vendread Union to my hand."

"So it gets new cards," Ai said. "Big whoop. It still can't attack us without monsters on the field."

"That's not all it's doing," Playmaker said, surprising Ai. "You forget; it still has a card on the field."

"Eh?" Ai turned back to HAI-C and saw its face-down card. "Oh! I forget about that. But what is it?"

"Trap activate! Vendread Reunion!" HAI-C declared. "First, I reveal a 'Vendread' Ritual Monster in my hand. I reveal the Revendread Executor I just added. Then, I Special Summon banished 'Vendread' monsters whose total Levels equal Executor's Level in face-down Defense Position. Then I Tribute those monsters to Ritual Summon Revendread Executor!"

"Eh!?" Ai said, shocked. "It's Ritual Summoning with a Trap Card!?"

"I Special Summon the banished Vendread Chimera and Vendread Houndhorde in face-down Defense Position!" HAI-C continued. Two Set cards appeared on its field. "And now I Tribute the Level 3 Vendread Houndhorde and the Level 5 Vendread Chimera!"

The circle appeared on HAI-C's field, with eight blue flames on the edges. The face-down cards disintegrated into blue light and entered the center, creating a pillar of light.

"The contract has been made! The ultimate heroic fiend of the darkest night inherits these two souls! Ritual Summon! Rise! Level 8! Revendread Executor!" Another Executor appeared on HAI-C's field in Attack Position.

Revendread Executor ATK 3000 DEF 0 LVL: 8

"AAAAHHHH!" Ai screamed. "It got its monster back! And we can't stop it!"

"The only card on Playmaker's field is Cynet Repeated Process," HAI-C said. "It can negate an attack, but only against a Cyberse monster. With no monsters on the field, it is useless. Playmaker also has no cards in his hand, so the possibility of Lockout Gardna is 0%. Playmaker has 1000 Life Points, while Revendread Executor has 3000 attack points. This is the end."

HAI-C gestured to its field. "Battle! Revendread Executor, attack Playmaker directly!" Executor charged Playmaker, red lightning gathering on its spikes, but Playmaker only gestured to his field.

"I activate the effect of Unique System Buster in the Graveyard!" he declared. "If your monster attacks me directly, I can banish Unique System Buster to negate that attack!" His monster reappeared on the field and blocked Executor's attack. Playmaker stood firm against the shockwaves from the blow.

"After the attack is negated, the Battle Phase is ended!" Playmaker continued.

"Whew," Ai breathed a sigh of relief. "That was too close. And even with a 3000 attack point monster, Cynet Refresh will-."

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Vendread Union!" HAI-C interrupted. The card showed Executor and Slayer doing a mutual fist pump. "As long as Union is in play, 'Vendread' monsters cannot be destroyed by card effects, and their battle positions cannot be changed by card effects."

"Eh? Seriously?"

"And during my Standby Phase," HAI-C continued. "I can banish one 'Vendread' Ritual Monster from my Graveyard to inflict damage to you equal to its attack points."

Playmaker and Ai both gasped. They had just sent three Vendread Ritual Monsters to the Graveyard. Which meant this next turn would be their last.

"I end my turn," HAI-C said.

Playmaker grit his teeth but said, "During the End Phase of the turn Cynet Refresh is activated, any Cyberse Link Monsters that were destroyed by its effect are Special Summoned to their owner's field. Return, Encode Talker!" His Link Monster reappeared on his field again.

Encode Talker ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↑↓↘

"We might have Encode Talker back, but if you don't do something, we'll lose!" Ai berated Playmaker. "This situation is why you should have forsaken Zaizen!"

Suddenly, Zaizen flickered and gasped. "What's this?" he said.

Playmaker glanced over at Zaizen and gasped. "It's Kusanagi," he whispered to Ai.

"Well done for him!" Ai cheered, happy at this development. If Kusanagi freed Akira, then Playmaker could duel without issues and win!

Unfortunately, there was a problem. Lightning sparked across the cage and Akira gasped again as his body solidified.

"That system was designed by the most brilliant minds of the Knights of Hanoi," HAI-C said. "It is impossible to destroy it." Playmaker growled. "Akira Zaizen cannot be freed by you, or your allies."

"Playmaker!"

The hacker and two AIs turned to look at Akira as he spoke up.

"If you're stuck in doubt, it'll only lead to more victims!" Akira said, frowning. "Or else, my sister did everything for nothing. Have conviction, Playmaker! Don't lose track of the big picture!" Playmaker's eyes widened in realization. "Even if sacrifices must be made along the way, carry that burden and keep going!"

Playmaker gasped. "Go! Transform that conviction into strength!" Akira smiled after saying that.

"Don't do it!" Playmaker shouted, panicking.

Akira closed his eyes, then opened them again as he reached out and grabbed the bars of the cage. As lightning arced across the cage, Akira screamed in pain.

"What?" Ai said, shocked. "He did it to himself?"

As Akira's body flickered again, he managed a brief smile. "Aoi… I'm coming to you. Let's go home together." As his eyes started to close, he said, "Playmaker, I leave the rest to you…"

Akira and the cage finally shattered.

"Seriously?" Ai said in a small voice, horrified and shocked at what he had seen.

"…How interesting," HAI-C said. "There was nothing to suggest Akira Zaizen would take such an action. But it changes nothing. Ultimately, you cannot win."

"…Cannot win?" Playmaker repeated, his head low as he clenched his fists. "You have the wrong idea." Playmaker raised his head and glared at the AI. "My dueling always wins. And Zaizen gave me the opportunity to escape my doubt! I'll live up to his wishes by winning! My turn! Draw!"

Playmaker drew, looked at his card, then said, "As I control a monster during my Standby Phase, the effect of Cynet Repeated Process destroys itself!" His Continuous Spell Card shattered, leaving Encode Talker the only card on his field. "I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure Ticket! This card lets me draw cards equal to my Link Monster's Link Rating, so long as I send the same number of cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard. Encode Talker is Link-3, so I draw three cards!"

Playmaker drew, then sent three cards from his Deck to the Graveyard. He then gestured to his field. "Dotscaper's effect activates! When it is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it!" A blue and white monster made of little blocks appeared on Playmaker's field in Attack Position.

Dotscaper ATK 0 DEF 2100 LVL: 1

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Cynet Universe!" Playmaker declared. "With this card in play, all my Link Monsters gain 300 attack points!"

Encode Talker ATK 2300→2600

"Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" The Link portal appeared above Playmaker's head. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more monsters!"

"Eh?" Ai said, surprised. "Don't tell me you're-."

"I set Dotscaper and the Link-3 Encode Talker in the Link Markers!" Playmaker continued, ignoring Ai. His two monsters became whirlwinds of energy, with Encode Talker splitting into three. The whirlwinds entered the left, top, bottom, and right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 4! Firewall Dragon!" The white and blue mechanical dragon appeared on Playmaker's field and roared in the Extra Monster Zone.

Firewall Dragon ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

"Monster identified," HAI-C said. "Firewall Dragon. Playmaker's strongest monster."

"Due to Cynet Universe's effect, Firewall Dragon gains 300 attack points!"

Firewall Dragon ATK 2500→2800

"I activate the effect of Cynet Universe!" Playmaker declared. "Once per turn, I can return one monster in the Graveyard to the Deck. I return Link Devotee from my Graveyard to my Extra Deck!" Playmaker took the card from his Graveyard and placed it in his Extra Deck. He then took a card from his hand and played it. "I summon Balancer Lord!" A knight in blue and white mechanical armor carrying a yellow sword and blue shield appeared on Playmaker's field.

Balancer Lord ATK 1700 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Appear once more, the circuit that leads to the future!" The Link portal appeared above Playmaker again. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster. I set Balancer Lord in the Link Marker!" His monster became a whirlwind of energy that entered the top arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Link Devotee!" The dark blue mechanical monster surrounded by a circle appeared, summoned to Firewall Dragon's bottom Link Marker and with increased attack points courtesy of Cynet Universe.

Link Devotee ATK 500→800 LINK-1 ↑

"We can't Link Summon Link-3 or higher after Link Devotee is Link Summoned," Ai told HAI-C. "But we don't really need to with Firewall Dragon here."

"Firewall Dragon's monster effect!" Playmaker declared. "For every monster that's co-linked with it, I can return a monster on our fields or in our Graveyards to our hands once!"

"Vendread Union might keep us from destroying Revendread Executor with card effects," Ai gloated. "But it says nothing about targeting it or removing it from the field another way!"

"Firewall Dragon is co-linked with Link Devotee!" Playmaker said. "Emergency Escape!" Blue lightning gathered on Firewall Dragon's head, which it released at Revendread Executor.

"With Firewall Dragon's effect, I return Revendread Executor to your hand!" Playmaker declared as Executor screamed with pain and disintegrated. A card appeared floating in front of HAI-C.

"And now you have no monsters to protect you!" Ai said.

Playmaker gestured to his field, but before he could say anything, he suddenly felt a great pressure and gasped. He turned to the left bridge. "What is this?" he said, surprised.

"Eh? What's wrong, Playmaker?" Ai turned to look at Morningstar's duel and screamed as a massive pillar of fire erupted from the bridge.

---

"My turn! Draw!" Morningstar drew and looked at his card.

"So you'll attack me?" Spectre asked, a wide smirk on his face. "Please do so!"

"Attack him, Morningstar!" Lilith urged from her cage. "Getting past him is more important than saving me!"

Morningstar ignored her and made his move. "I Set a card and end my turn."

"Huh?" Spectre asked, looking mockingly confused. "You won't do anything? I was prepared to take your attack." His frown turned into a smirk. "Then I'll do whatever I like. My turn! Draw!"

Spectre gestured to his field. "Battle! Sunvine Thrasher attacks Winning Wrestler!" Thrasher charged Winning Wrestler. "Sunvine Power's effect activates! Since the equipped Thrasher is attacking a Link Monster, Thrasher gains 800 attack points until the end of the Damage Step!"

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 2400→3200

Lilith grit her teeth. Morningstar has 700 Life Points left, she thought. Thrasher destroying Winning Wrestler won't end the duel, but he'll lose one of his best monsters.

"Morningstar!" Spectre shouted. "Your fate – and your life – are over!"

Morningstar only narrowed his eyes and gestured to his field. "Trap activate! Cyspirit Illusion! When a 'Cyspirit' monster is attacked, I can excavate the top card of my Deck. And if that card is a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can send that card to the Graveyard, and 'Cyspirit' monsters cannot be destroyed in battle this turn! If it is not, then it is placed on the bottom of my Deck."

"Ha!" Spectre laughed. "A pointless gamble."

"We'll see," Morningstar said, drawing his card and looking at it. "I drew Cyspirit Battler! Thus, Battler is sent to the Graveyard and Winning Wrestler cannot be destroyed this turn!"

The spirit of Cyspirit Battler appeared in front of Winning Wrestler and took Thrasher's blow. Morningstar winced from the damage, but Winning Wrestler stayed on the field.

Morningstar: 700→500 LP

"Hmm," Spectre said, smirking. "As the Damage Step has ended, Sunvine Thrasher's attack points return to normal."

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 3200→2400

Spectre laughed and shook his head. "I can't watch this. Your useless last stand?" He shrugged. "Do whatever you want. But don't forget that damaging me brings her end closer." Spectre laughed.

Lilith grit her teeth. This was bad. Morningstar wouldn't attack because of her, leaving Spectre to do what he wanted. But what Spectre had said earlier… about the Lost Incident inspiring him…

"I must admit, your sense of justice is first-rate," Spectre said. "But as a duelist, you're second-rate. I end my turn. And soon it will be the end of you."

"My end will not come from you," Morningstar said, placing his hand on his Deck. "My turn! Draw!" He drew, then played his card.

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cyspirit Lockdown Link!" The card showed Cyspirit Bombastic Bombardier on top of a hill, laughing as a purple barrier appeared between it and a horde of monsters. "To activate this card, I shuffle one 'Cyspirit' Link Monster in my Graveyard back into my Extra Deck and select one 'Cyspirit' Link Monster on my field. And while Lockdown Link is in play, Link Monsters with equal or fewer Link Markers and other monsters cannot attack."

"What?" Spectre said, surprised.

"I shuffle Cacophonic Caller into my Extra Deck," Morningstar continued. "And I select the Link-3 Cyspirit Winning Wrestler!" Winning Wrestler, Dryanome, Daphne, and Thrasher all glowed purple. "Lockdown Link will be destroyed in two turns after it was activated."

Lilith smirked. All of Spectre's monsters are Link-3 or lower, she thought. He can avoid destruction and battle damage, but now he can't deal damage either.

"Pointless," Spectre said, annoyed. "Since you can't damage me, everything you do is pointless. It's hard to watch."

"I end my turn."

"Not much longer, Yasu," Cam said into the earpiece. "I just need ten more minutes at the least."

Spectre laughed. "This charade has become pathetic. Allow me to end this. My turn! Draw!" Spectre drew, then spread his arms. "Appear! The future circuit that lights up our path!"

The Link portal appeared beneath Dryanome. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are at least two Plant Link Monsters! I set Link 1 Sunvine Thrasher and Link 3 Sunavalon Dryanome in the Link Markers!" Thrasher became a whirlwind of energy while Dryanome released three tentacles that became whirlwinds. The whirlwinds entered the bottom-left, top, bottom, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 4! Sunavalon Dryatrentiay!"

Spectre's tree became even larger, to the point where he was just a speck in front of it. Its leaves had become purple flowers and multiple roots and tentacles extended outwards from it. The female being in the center of the tree was the same one as the previous Sunavalon monster.

Sunavalon Dryatrentiay ATK 0 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↘

A Link-4 monster, Morningstar thought, narrowing his eyes. That means it isn't affected by Lockdown Link. But with 0 attack points…

"Dryatrentiay's effect activates!" Spectre declared. "Once per turn, by Tributing a Plant Link Monster next to her Link Marker, for every Link Marker she has, a face-up Spell or Trap Card on your field is destroyed! I Tribute Link-2 Sunavalon Daphne!" Daphne disintegrated at Spectre's words. "I destroy Cyspirit Lockdown Link and Cyspirit Monastery!" Two of Dryatrentiay's tentacles lashed out and piercing the named cards, making them disintegrate.

Morningstar grit his teeth. "Because Cyspirit Monastery left the field, Winning Wrestler's attack points return to normal."

Cyspirit Winning Wrestler ATK 3000→2500

"The Continuous Spell Card: Sunvine Shrine's effect activates! Once per turn, I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Plant Normal Monster from the Graveyard. Come, Sunseed Genius Loci!" The statue of a contained seed reappeared in Attack Position.

Sunseed Genius Loci ATK 0 DEF 600 LVL: 1

Spectre spread his arms wide. "Appear again! The future circuit that lights up our path!" The Link portal appeared again beneath Spectre's Sunavalon monster. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one Plant Normal Monster. I set Genius Loci in the Link Marker!" The seed became a whirlwind of energy that entered the bottom arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Sunvine Thrasher!" Another copy of Thrasher appeared, summoned to Dryatrentiay's bottom-right Link Marker.

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 800 LINK-1 ↓

"Thrasher's effect activates! Since it's linked to Dryatrentiay, it gains 800 attack points for each of Dryatrentiay's Link Markers. Dryatrentiay is Link-4. So it gains 3200 attack points!"

Sunvine Thrasher ATK 800→4000

"4000 attack points?" Lilith said, surprised. "If that monster attacks…"

"But when Dryatrentiay's effect destroys your cards," Spectre said, knowing Lilith's train of thought. "Monsters in my Main Monster Zone can't attack that turn."

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "That isn't the end of your move," he said. "You wouldn't summon a monster that couldn't attack and raise its attack points for no reason."

Spectre smirked. "No wonder you're a veteran, Morningstar. Impressive! Of course I have a reason! I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Sunavalon Bloom!" His last face-down flipped up, raising his total of Continuous Spell and Trap Cards to four. "When this card is activated, your monsters' effects are negated."

"That doesn't harm me," Morningstar reminded Spectre. "Winning Wrestler only gains effects when it points to monsters. And the effect that sealed off two of your Main Monster Zones was not Winning Wrestler's to begin with. It only remains in effect because Winning Wrestler is on the field."

"True," Spectre said, smirking. "But that doesn't matter now. You have 500 Life Points left. My giant mother tree will deal the final strike."

"Large as it is, your tree has 0 attack points," Morningstar said. Then his eyes widened. "Unless-."

"It seems you've realized it, Morningstar," Spectre said. "Battle! Sunavalon Dryatrentiay attacks Cyspirit Winning Wrestler!" Dryatrentiay released two of its tentacles and lashed out at Winning Wrestler.

"Sunavalon Bloom's effect activates! When Dryatrentiay battles, she gains attack points equal to the combined attack points of all monsters she points to!" Morningstar gasped. "She gains Thrasher's 4000 attack points!"

Sunavalon Dryatrentiay ATK 0→4000

"Morningstar!" Lilith cried out.

"This is the finale!" Spectre shouted.

Morningstar only smirked. "I was waiting for this," he said.

"What?" Spectre said, surprised.

"Trap activate!" Morningstar declared. "Cyspirit Power Surge!" The card showed Neo Nova glowing with power as Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary shone beneath it. "When my 'Cyspirit' Link Monster battles a Link Monster with a higher Link Rating, I can banish a non-Link 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard! And my 'Cyspirit' Link Monster gains attack points equal to the banished monster's attack points!"

Spectre gasped. "I banish Cyspirit Battler from my Graveyard to grant its 1500 attack points to Winning Wrestler!"

Cyspirit Winning Wrestler ATK 2500→4000

Spectre laughed. "Such a final pointless move! You could have banished Cyspirit Wanderer and made it strong enough to survive. But now you'll still lose Winning Wrestler! And if I use Sunavalon's Force's effect, you take 400 points of damage!"

Dryatrentiay's tentacles pierced Winning Wrestler's stomach, making it cry out in pain. But it growled as its fists glowed with power. It struck both tentacles with its fists, causing bolts of energy to travel down them straight to Dryatrentiay's center trunk. When the attack reached Spectre's monster, it created a massive explosion, destroying both monsters.

Morningstar winced from the damage. And more importantly, from Winning Wrestler's destruction. I'm sorry, Cam, he thought.

Morningstar: 500→100 LP

"You dodged defeat, but you only have 100 Life Points left," Spectre said. "No matter what you try next turn-." His statement was interrupted by the bridge shaking. Looking behind himself, Spectre gasped in shock. Dryatrentiay slowly tilted to the side and then disintegrated.

Spectre stared in shock and then grit his teeth and clenched his fists. Not caring about the change in Spectre's behavior, Morningstar said, "Since Dryatrentiay is destroyed, your cards' effects destroy themselves!" As he pointed at Spectre's field, Bloom, Force, Glorious Growth, Shrine, and Thrasher all disintegrated.

Lilith gasped. "He… he destroyed all of Spectre's cards…" she said in wonderment. And he did it without damaging him…

"Your 'Sunavalon' monsters can't be attacked," Morningstar said, ignoring Spectre's shaking shoulders. "It was nearly impossible for me to destroy your impenetrable combo. But if you're the one who attacks, it's a different story."

"Yes!" Lilith cheered, smiling. "Now Morningstar can launch a comeback and-."

"How dare you!" Spectre turned around and shouted, a demented expression on his face. "My sacred mother tree!" Lilith gasped while Morningstar only raised an eyebrow.

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Sunavalon Cursed Reborn! I Special Summon a 'Sunavalon' Link Monster from the Graveyard by negating its effects! Resurrect, Dryatrentiay!" Two tentacles appeared from over the edge of the bridge and planted themselves behind Spectre. The tentacles pulled Dryatrentiay out from the sea and it then landed behind Spectre.

Sunavalon Dryatrentiay ATK 0 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↘

"Due to Cursed Reborn's additional effect, Dryatrentiay gains 1000 attack points for each of her Link Markers!" Spectre continued. "Dryatrentiay has four Link Markers. Therefore, it gains 4000 attack points!" As Dryatrentiay glowed red from the power increase, the female form in the center broke free of its shell and peeled most of its skin, leaving a wild-haired humanoid with a long tongue in the center of the tree.

Sunavalon Dryatrentiay ATK 0→4000

"Well that's ugly," Lilith muttered, scowling at the tree.

"Cursed Reborn has another effect," Spectre told Morningstar. "If I take battle or effect damage, you take the same amount!" He then looked at the last card in his hand, then said, "But why stop there? I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Sunvine Protection!" The card showed a massive dark and twisted tree with a blue light circling it.

"While Sunvine Protection is on the field, you cannot target 'Sunavalon' Spell or Trap Cards with card effects!" Spectre told Morningstar. "That means you cannot get rid of Cursed Reborn! I end my turn. And during my End Phase, since I control a Link-4 'Sunavalon' Link Monster, I can activate Sunvine Protection's effect! Your Life Points are halved!"

Morningstar gasped as Dryatrentiay sent out a tentacle and lashed him from the front. He cried out in pain and took a step back.

Morningstar: 100→50 LP

Morningstar growled and clutched his chest. That had hurt. He glared at Spectre as he laughed. "Morningstar, your defeat is assured!" Spectre gloated. "Between Cursed Reborn and Protection, you have no hope!"

"Cam," Morningstar whispered into his earpiece. "Are you done?"

"Almost," Cam said. "I just need a few more minutes."

"I don't have a few minutes," Morningstar grumbled. While he contemplated his options, Lilith spoke up.

"Spectre!" she said, glaring at the Knight of Hanoi and surprising the two duelists. "Tell me something. You said the Lost Incident inspired you. What do you mean by that?"

"Ha!" Spectre laughed. "A stupid bounty hunter like you can't understand," he said. "Especially one who doesn't know what they're talking about."

"I know about the Lost Incident," Lilith said, surprising him again. "I know about the children and what they were put through. How the hell could you find that inspiring? Are you really that twisted?"

"Twisted?" Spectre repeated, confused. "I really think I'm not. After all, that incident was the first time I felt needed. I had a rather pointless life before it." He turned to look at Morningstar. "This foolish hunter went through the incident too. For him to come out believing in a stupid sense of justice… he must have had a rather happy life before it."

Lilith gasped. Morningstar had been part of her father's experiment, too? But that would mean…

"Happy?" Morningstar repeated, surprising Lilith and Spectre. "You honestly think I had a good life? That that's the only reason I could view the incident as the hell it was?" He scowled at the Knight of Hanoi.

"My life before the incident was anything but happy. To be honest, I might have ended up the same as you if not for the person who saved me."

"Oh?" Spectre said, interested despite himself. "The great Morningstar had a rough childhood? How sad. But if you had it so bad, then why are you fighting against me? If you saw the world the same way I did, then you would be fighting alongside me and Master Revolver!"

"…Because unlike you, I was shown kindness," Morningstar said, frowning at Spectre. He hadn't been planning on telling anyone this, but Cam needed more time to work the emergency escape program. And he didn't have any better ideas. "And unlike you, I learned what the difference between good and evil was."

---

Ten years ago…

You say you were alone, but you at least had people looking after you. People who provided food and a place to sleep. I grew up on the streets. Every night was spent running around the city, looking for food wherever I could find it or sleeping wherever I could.

When it rained I would sleep in abandoned buildings, doorways, anywhere to escape the downpour. Sometimes I would run into adults who would try to drag me somewhere. I know now they were trying to take me to an orphanage, but I didn't trust them.

I imagine it wasn't always like that; a baby would not survive being left on the street. I suspect someone took care of me for a couple years and then abandoned me in the alleys. It doesn't matter in the end; I have no memory of them.

I lived on the streets until I was six, when I was shown my first act of true kindness…

The boy watched as the man stepped out of the building, which he would later find out was called a "church."

"Hello, young one," the man said. He was old, at least in his seventies, not that the boy could tell. He wore black robes and his head was balding. His brown eyes crinkled with warmth and smile lines as he smiled at the boy. "What are you doing out here all alone?"

The boy didn't answer. He was too busy trembling. The rain was coming down harder, soaking him to the bones. Noticing the boy shaking, the old man frowned in concern and held out a hand.

"Why don't you come inside with me?" he asked, his voice exuding nothing but warmth. "It's nice, warm, and dry, and I can give you a proper meal.

The boy stared at the hand. He didn't fully understand the man's words, but he understood his intentions. He wanted him to come with him, like all the others.

…But… something was different this time. The old man didn't make him uneasy or afraid. He felt he could trust him.

The boy slowly reached out and took the man's hand. The old man smiled at the child.

"That's a good boy," he said. "I'm Father Narahiko. Let's get you inside before you catch hypothermia."

It was some time before I realized he was a priest. He lived in a building near the church he found me behind. He took me inside, fed me, and made sure I was looked after. He didn't send me to the orphanage. I don't know why. Maybe he thought I was still too weak to go to one. Or maybe he realized I didn't want to go to one.

What I do know is he saved my life. And for the next month, I lived with the old priest. But my life wasn't the only gift he gave me.

"B-Book," the boy said, reading the word. Father Narahiko smiled with pride.

"That's right," he said, putting the Bible down. "This is a book. A very special book. Some people believe that it is a guide to how someone should lead their life. Others think it is the most important thing in the world."

"…Do you?" the boy asked. The priest had been teaching him to read and write, which he'd never done before. Evidently, he was a fast learner.

The priest thought for a moment, then said, "I think everyone has the right to decide for themselves what is most important to them. That includes you."

The priest taught me to read and write. He gave me a home, looked after me. For the first time in my life, someone cared about what happened to me. And then he gave me the greatest gift of all.

"Which one would you like?" the priest asked, holding out a tablet to the boy. The boy took it and looked down the list it showed. Swiping his hand across it, he looked over the words. They were very specific words. Eventually, the boy found one he liked and smiled, pointing to it. The priest took the tablet back, and seeing what the child had pointed to, smiled.

"Very well," Father Narahiko said. "From now on, your name is Yasutake. It means 'peaceful warrior.'"

"Peaceful warrior?" the boy asked, frowning. "Isn't that… conflicted?"

"Hardly," the priest said, shaking his head. "The best warriors are those who can live without fighting, or who look for alternatives to it." He smiled again at the child. "I can tell you will be a proud warrior one day. And you will help a great many people."

The priest gave me a name, an identity. I had never had one before; if I was given one when I was born, I do not know it. Having that name… it made me feel as if I mattered, as if I was actually part of the world. And being part of that world meant understanding good and evil.

The boy frowned at the painting on the wall. "Father Narahiko," he asked. "Who is this?"

The priest looked up from his desk and smiled. "That's Lucifer Morningstar, my boy," he said, looking at the picture. "And his fall from Heaven."

"Why did he fall?"

Father Narahiko shrugged. "Not everyone agrees on why. Some say he led a rebellion against God and was cast out. Others say he left Heaven of his own accord. But many sources agree that Lucifer Morningstar, a fallen angel, became Satan, otherwise known as the Devil."

The boy frowned. "Isn't the Devil a bad person? Why do you have a picture of him?"

The priest frowned, considering. "I don't believe it is as simple as that," he finally said. "It is easy to look at the world in only black and white; in only good and evil. But the world is far more complicated than that."

"I… don't understand."

The priest smiled again. "I don't expect you to; you're only a child after all. But one day you will. As for Lucifer… he has his own role to play in the grand scheme of things. If I had to simplify him – which is almost impossible – I would say that the Devil is a punisher. Someone who takes people who did bad things and makes them suffer for it."

"Really?" the boy said, his eyes wide. "So… the devil brings justice?"

"That's one way to look at it," the priest agreed. "Others think the Devil is a corrupter, but I don't think humans need help in that regard." His eyes narrowed as he focused on the boy. "If you take away one thing about the Devil, remember this: good cannot exist without evil. And sometimes that evil is necessary for good to flourish."

I lived with that priest for a month, and it was the best month of my life. And then… the incident happened. I was taken to a white room and forced to duel for six months. And all that time, I only wanted to return to that church. The one place I felt safe. The one place I could call home. But when the incident ended… I discovered I could never call that place home again…

---

Present day…

Morningstar looked up and glared at Spectre, who was uncharacteristically silent. "You said that when you came back to the orphanage, your mother tree was cut down. Mine was too. During the six months I was held hostage, the priest suffered a heart attack. He died. I still remember the feeling I had when I found out… An emptiness. Like nothing else mattered. Like the world had stopped turning."

They stood in silence for a while before Spectre broke it. "You really were like me," he said with a smile. "Abandoned by the people who are supposed to love you unconditionally, you lost the one thing in this world that mattered to you. So… why?" Spectre suddenly scowled and glared at Morningstar. "Why are you opposing me? How can you stand in front of me with anything close to hope and tell me humanity doesn't deserve its fate!?"

Morningstar gave a small smile. "Because I found something else to believe in," he said. "I told you before that the incident ruined the lives of two people. They took me in after the incident when I had nowhere else to go. Because of them, I found hope again. I understood that kindness could come from more than one source. And I learned that fighting to protect something… that is what real power is."

While Cam typed on his keyboard, he couldn't help but smile as his eyes watered. Yasutake had told him all of this a long time ago, but it still made him so sad to hear it. And so proud to know how much he had been influenced by Cam and Sachi.

Terminus frowned at the screen. That story… He remembered the boy with black and red hair from the incident. How he cried for his father. So he had been crying for a priest, not his biological father, then?

That thought aside, Terminus believed this was something he felt he needed to know. He needed to know the price that had been paid for the Hanoi Project. And just how damaged all the victims were. Then he could find atonement.

Lilith stared in shock at Morningstar. It wasn't just his story that shocked her. It was the fact that she had heard it before.

I didn't grow up in an orphanage like some kids did. I grew up on the streets. My first memory is knocking over a trashcan to get at the food inside.

It was the same story Yasutake Narahiko had told her. That felt like so long ago. He hadn't said anything about a priest, but she had caught him staring at a church. No… it couldn't be… Morningstar couldn't be…

Spectre stopped scowling and finally smirked. "An interesting story," he said. "But it ultimately doesn't matter, does it? And you've stalled long enough! Against my 4000 attack point Dryatrentiay, Cursed Reborn, and Protection, you have no chance!"

"Alright!" Morningstar's eyes widened on hearing Cam's voice. "This is it!"

Lilith gasped and looked down at herself as her avatar fizzled. "This is-?"

Morningstar looked at Lilith and smiled. "Well done, Cam."

Spectre only smirked. "You think that'll work?" Lightning suddenly darted across the cage, making Lilith gasp as her body solidified. The escape program had failed.

"Damn it!" Cam shouted, scowling. "The emergency escape program failed! Kusanagi said it was imperfect, but-."

Spectre laughed. "It's impossible to destroy that system! Victory and her fate are in my hands!"

"You're wrong, Spectre!" The Knight of Hanoi turned to look at Lilith as she glared at him.

"My fate is in my hands," she said. "It always has been. What's more, you were wrong before. About how I have nothing to do with the Lost Incident."

Morningstar's and Spectre's eyes widened. "Oh? Are you one of the children, too?" Spectre asked, genuinely curious.

Lilith shook her head. "No," she said. "I am the daughter of Dr. Hitomu Hirai, lead research assistant of the Hanoi Project!" Spectre and Morningstar gasped in surprise.

---

"WHAT!?" Terminus said, his eyes wide, his entire body shaking. He… he had to have misheard Lilith, right? She couldn't be… she couldn't be Masako…

Terminus gasped. He remembered that day. The day Yasutake Narahiko came to Hirai Shoten. He had come with a girl named Masako Himura. A girl with black and purple hair, just like his brother and his wife. He had thought she looked familiar, but… was it really possible…?

Terminus turned to Dr. Kogami, who along with Revolver, was staring at the screen with wide, shocked eyes. "Release Lilith," he said. "Now, Dr. Kogami."

Dr. Kogami started and turned to Terminus. "She… she has to be lying," he said. "I told her about Hitomu when we spoke. She has to be lying."

"She isn't!" Terminus said desperately. "I met a girl named Masako over a week ago. She looked just like my brother's wife but with black hair! That's my niece in the cage. Release her!"

Revolver turned to look at Terminus. "Terminus-." Before he could say anything more, their attention was drawn to the other screen. They watched with shock as Akira Zaizen grabbed the bars of his cage and disintegrated.

"He infected himself with the virus?" Dr. Kogami said with surprise.

Terminus's eyes widened with realization. "She's going to do it, too," he said. "Dr. Kogami, release her before she can!"

Dr. Kogami pulled up a screen and pressed some buttons, scowling. "I need a few minutes," he said. "This program is complex even for me."

---

Back at the duel, Lilith said, "I know all about the Incident. I know what my father did, what Dr. Kogami did. And my father paid for his crimes." She turned to Morningstar. "Don't hold back, Morningstar!" she shouted. "Make the rest of them answer for what they did! Hold onto that conviction you carry and punish them for their actions."

She then smiled. "And… Morningstar… thank you. For making me feel real."

Morningstar gasped. You… you are the first boy I've met in a long time who hasn't looked at me like that. You don't look at me like I'm an object to desire. You look at me like I'm a real person.

"Masako," he whispered. "Don't do it!" he shouted frantically.

"Little girl, don't do it!" Tagoma shouted at Lilith. Lilith ignored the voice over her earpiece and grabbed the bars. She screamed in pain as electricity arced over the cage.

"No way!" Spectre said, shocked. Morningstar could only stare in shock.

"NO!" Terminus shouted as he stared at the screen. His exposed eye started to water. "No… no…"

As the pain increased and Lilith's avatar started to flicker, she managed a small smile. "I'm sorry, Tagoma," she said. "The second time in a month… You must be so disappointed in me."

"No," Tagoma said immediately. "No. I've never been disappointed in you, Masako."

Lilith chuckled as her eyes closed. "Morningstar… thank you…"

The cage, along with its occupant disintegrated, leaving Morningstar to stare at where it had stood.

"DAMN!" Cam shouted, pounding the desk. "Damn it… I… I couldn't…"

Terminus fell to his knees, an expression of utmost shock on his face as tears fell down his face. "No…" he whispered. "No… not again… not again…" Revolver and Dr. Kogami looked at the man with pity and sorrow.

Spectre started laughing. "What a complete fool!" he said. "Siding with someone who can't win. She really was a stupid bounty hunter!"

"…Shut up…" Morningstar whispered, his body shaking, but Spectre didn't hear him.

"Perhaps that's why she trusted you," Spectre mused as he laughed. "An idiotic girl like her would only trust a weakling like-."

"SHUT UP!"

Spectre stopped talking and stared at Morningstar in shock. The hunter was shaking from head to toe, his rage rising higher by the minute.

"How dare you…" Morningstar said. "Lilith sacrificed herself to give me a chance to win. She was my friend, and because of you, she is gone. I'll pay back her sacrifice, along with Blue Angel's, by defeating you and sending you to the same place you sent them!"

Spectre gasped and took a step back. This feeling… was he… afraid?

Morningstar placed his hand on his Deck. "You said I don't have it in me to be cruel? Let me show you just why I'm called the Devil of LINK VRAINS! My turn! Draw!"

Morningstar looked at his card, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyberse Call! This adds a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Cyspirit Sorceress, which I'll summon!" The skeleton in a black dress and wielding a metal staff appeared on the field.

Cyspirit Sorceress ATK 1400 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Sorceress's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or below 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard," Morningstar continued. "Resurrect, Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke!" The dwarf skeleton with a large head and a crank drill reappeared, summoned in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke ATK 200 DEF 500 LVL: 2

"Tunnel Tyke's monster effect!" Morningstar declared. "By sending it to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Link-2 or lower 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard." Tunnel Tyke disintegrated as a purple circle appeared on the ground. "Return to me, Cyspirit Vivacious Vixen!" The fox skeleton in red and silver armor appeared and yipped at Spectre.

Cyspirit Vivacious Vixen ATK 1200 LINK-1 →

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" Morningstar declared, gesturing to the sky as his hand glowed. The Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Sorceress in the Link Marker!" Sorceress became a whirlwind of energy and entered the bottom arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller!" The suited skeleton appeared again, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓

I don't need Cacophonic Caller's effect, Morningstar thought. I just need its Link Marker.

Out loud, he said, "I activate the effect of Cyspirit Wanderer in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard, but that monster cannot attack this turn. Return, Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler!" The skeleton with a drill for an arm appeared on Morningstar's field.

Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler ATK 1600 LINK-2 ←→

Masako, Morningstar thought, closing his eyes. I'll defeat Spectre with one of the cards you gave me.

He gestured to the field in front of him. "Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" His hand glowed blue as the Link portal appeared, this time on the ground in front of him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters! I set Vivacious Vixen and the Link 2 Thrilled Tunneler in the Link Markers!" As he pointed upwards, his two monsters became whirlwinds of energy that traveled high in the sky. They dove downwards, with one of them splitting in two, and entered the left, top, and right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine!" As Morningstar shouted that, a massive pillar of fire suddenly erupted from the Link portal. Spectre shouted and covered his face, trying to protect himself from the immense heat.

On the other bridge, Playmaker and Ai covered their own faces.

"W-What is that?" Ai shouted. "I'm not sure I've ever felt a power like this before!" Playmaker only grit his teeth and watched as the pillar of fire reached the sky.

Hovering between the bridges, Frog and Pigeon backed up as quickly as they could.

"What is this force, Yamamoto?" Pigeon asked. "I've seen crazy summonings, but none quite like this!"

"Don't use my real name!" Frog shouted back. "And I don't know!"

Morningstar was the only one unaffected by the heat of his summon. "The heaven's wrath that strikes down all opposition!" he chanted. "Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyspirit Angelic Avenger!"

Massive metal wings emerged from the sides of the pillar. Fire dripped from them as they gleamed silver. The fire suddenly dissipated, revealing the rest of the figure. It was a metal skeleton warrior, roughly the same size as Winning Wrestler. It wore elaborate red and gold armor, which seemed to glow and radiate heat, as did the greaves on its legs and the gauntlets on its arms. Two swords in sheaths were strapped to either side of its hips. Long blonde hair that seemed to be made of fire wreathed its face. The face itself only had one blue eye, one red eye, and a nose. Its mouth was nonexistent, with the lower half of its face just tapering off. Despite the lack of a mouth, it somehow roared as it was summoned to Cacophonic Caller's Link Marker.

Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 2700 LINK-3 ←↑→

"…What?" Spectre said, his eyes wide as he took a step back. "What kind of monster is this?"

"AAHHHH!" Ai screamed. "That monster's terrifying!"

Playmaker stared at Angelic Avenger. Appearance-wise, it was intimidating, yes, but there was more to it than that. He could feel an incredible pressure coming from it, just like Idealistic Idol, Neo Nova, and Winning Wrestler. And the emotions from it…

"That monster is angry," Playmaker said, drawing Ai's attention. "I can feel nothing but rage from it." It was almost suffocating in its intensity.

Morningstar could feel the same rage from Angelic Avenger. If he was a weaker duelist, it would be too much for him to handle. But he wasn't a weaker duelist. He was the Devil of LINK VRAINS.

Revolver's eyes widened with shock at the monster Spectre was facing. "I've never seen a monster like this before," he said. He turned to his father, who was looking at an energy reader. "Is this…?"

Dr. Kogami looked at his son and nodded. "Yes. This monster has the same code that the other three did. And its energy shows it; it's putting out more power than many Link-4 monsters."

Terminus didn't hear them. He was still kneeling on the ground, dealing with his shock.

Spectre stared at Angelic Avenger in shock, but then he started shakily laughing. "Impressive monster," he said, his voice cracking. "But it's too weak to defeat Dryatrentiay! My mother tree will not fall to that!"

"It will," Morningstar said. "And so will you." He gestured to his field. "Angelic Avenger's monster effect! Once per turn, if it points to at least one monster, I can add one 'Cyspirit' Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand! I will add Cyspirit Monastery from my Graveyard to my hand, and then I'll activate it! With my Field Spell in play, all 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters gain 500 attack points!" Angelic Avenger and Cacophonic Caller both glowed as their power increased.

Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 2700→3200

Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500→1000

"That's still not good enough!" Spectre said, attempting a smirk. Morningstar ignored him and gestured to his field again.

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Teleporter in the Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a Level 3 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Cyspirit Swordsman!" The warrior in blue armor appeared, summoned to Angelic Avenger's left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Swordsman ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"I activate the effect of Cyberse Call in my Graveyard!" Morningstar continued. "By banishing it, I Special Summon a Cyberse monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Tunnel Tyke!" The dwarf skeleton appeared again, summoned to Angelic Avenger's right Link Marker in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke ATK 200 DEF 500 LVL: 2

Spectre's eyes widened. Angelic Avenger now pointed to three monsters. He put on a brave smirk. "Oh? So what if your monster can use all its abilities now? None of them can save you!"

"Are you sure about that?" Morningstar asked, making Spectre gasp. Morningstar gestured upwards to where Angelic Avenger was hovering in the sky. "Angelic Avenger's monster effect! Once per turn, if it points to three monsters, I can return all monsters it points at to the owners' hands!" Angelic Avenger's wings unfurled and shone with immense light as Cacophonic Caller, Swordsman, and Tunnel Tyke all disintegrated. Morningstar returned Swordsman and Tunnel Tyke to his hand and Cacophonic Caller to his Extra Deck.

"And then the effects of all face-up Link Monsters besides Angelic Avenger are negated!" Morningstar continued. "And their attack points become equal to their original attack points!" Spectre's eyes widened as he gasp. But… that would mean-.

"Go! Holy Revision!" The light from Angelic Avenger's wings shone even brighter as Dryatrentiay cried out in pain. Spectre turned to look as the woman in the center receded back into the bark, which covered her body again.

Sunavalon Dryatrentiay ATK 4000→0

"How dare you!?" Spectre shouted, turning back to Morningstar in hatred. "How dare you hurt my sacred mother tree!"

"I'm going to do more than that," Morningstar said, narrowing his eyes at Spectre.

Spectre grit his teeth, but then he smirked. "Even with Dryatrentiay weakened, your monster isn't strong enough to end this before Cursed Reborn ends you."

"We'll see," Morningstar said, gesturing to his field.

"Playmaker!" Ai shouted, getting Playmaker's attention. "I want to see Spectre lose as much as you, but we're not done yet, remember?"

Playmaker's eyes widened in realization. The summoning of Angelic Avenger had made him forget about the duel with HAI-C. He turned back to the AI duelist and gestured to the field.

"Battle!" Playmaker declared. "Firewall Dragon, attack HAI-C directly! Tempest Attack!" Firewall Dragon's wings transformed and formed a circle of red energy behind Firewall Dragon. It gathered red energy in its mouth, which it blasted at HAI-C.

"Battle!" Morningstar declared. "Angelic Avenger attacks Sunavalon Dryatrentiay!" Angelic Avenger flew higher into the sky, its wings and armor shining with light. Once it reached a high enough point, it pulled one of its swords out of its scabbard. It swung the sword to the right, where it held it as it burst into flames. Angelic Avenger dived, heading straight for Dryatrentiay.

"Fine!" Spectre shouted, smirking. "With Cursed Reborn's effect, you'll never get to Master Revolver or Terminus! I accomplished my goal!"

"You're wrong. Your goal is gone," Morningstar said.

"What?" Spectre said, surprised.

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Power Surge in my Graveyard!" Morningstar declared. "If a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster that points to no monsters attacks, I can banish Power Surge and another Link Monster from my Graveyard. And Angelic Avenger gains attack points equal to that monster's attack points!"

"WHAT!?" Spectre said, shocked at what he'd just heard.

"I banish Power Surge and Winning Wrestler! That means Angelic Avenger gains 2500 attack points!" Winning Wrestler's spirit appeared around Angelic Avenger and roared as Angelic Avenger gained its strength. In response, Angelic Avenger's flames became even larger and encased its entire body.

Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 3200→5700

"B-But how?" Spectre said, his eyes wide with shock. "How… where did I go wrong!?"

"You did three things wrong," Morningstar told him. "One: you challenged me to a duel for revenge. Two: you underestimated your opponent, allowing me to gain the advantage. And three…" Morningstar's eyes narrowed as he thought of Aoi Zaizen, Emma Bessho, and Masako Himura. "You hurt my friends."

Morningstar looked up as Angelic Avenger dive-bombed Dryatrentiay. "This is the end! Go, Angelic Avenger! Heaven's Wrath!" His eyes narrowed further as he added, "Cut down that tree!"

Angelic Avenger slashed through Dryatrentiay, creating a massive explosion as the monster was destroyed. At the same time, Firewall Dragon's attack hit HAI-C directly. Spectre screamed from the shockwave of Angelic Avenger's attack and fell to the ground, face-down, while HAI-C disintegrated from the force of Playmaker's attack.

Prototype HAI-C: 2800→0 LP

Spectre: 4000→0 LP

"Damn it," Revolver said, clenching his fist. "They both survived. And they'll come here." He narrowed his eyes as he thought, Spectre. Your sacrifice will not be in vain.

"…Morningstar…"

Revolver and his father turned to look at Terminus, who finally looked up and glared at the screens.

"Because of you, I've lost my family again," he said in a low voice. "When you come to the Tower… I will make you answer for it."

"Run, Playmaker!" Ai shouted. "Morningstar's stabilization program won't last forever!"

"Right!" Playmaker said, nodding as he started running for the other end.

Morningstar, meanwhile, approached the fallen Spectre, a look of disgust on his face.

Spectre couldn't help but laugh. "I can't believe I lost to you again. But… I was wrong. There is cruelty in your heart." As he struggled to stand up, he smirked at Morningstar. "You didn't need to bring your Field Spell Card back to defeat me; you only brought it back to make the damage I would take greater. So your attack would hurt more. A rather wicked act, wouldn't you say?"

"That was nothing compared to what you've done," Morningstar said, glaring at the Knight of Hanoi with revulsion. "Aoi Zaizen… Akira Zaizen… Lilith… you don't even care what happened to them, do you?"

Spectre laughed again as he got up to his knees. "You… you're right. I don't regret a thing. But what about you, Morningstar? Do you regret the sacrifices you've had to make to get here? Would that priest of yours be proud of you for sacrificing Lilith?"

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "That was her choice," he said. "She sacrificed herself so that I could go forward with my convictions. And I will. I'll go against Revolver and Terminus without a shred of doubt in my heart."

Spectre chuckled at that. "Doubt and regret may be different things," he said. He finally stood up straight, and turned around, laughing the whole time.

"Yasu!" Cam shouted in Morningstar's ear. "The stabilization program!" Morningstar glanced to the right and his eyes widened. The program was failing. He had to run now!

As he ran, fires started spreading to the wires of the bridge and the bridge shook. The hunter ran past Spectre, who kept laughing with his eyes closed.

"Master Revolver," he said. "I'm sorry for being incompetent." As he opened his eyes, he gasped.

His mother tree was in front of him, and it was burning. Burning from the fires of Angelic Avenger. Those same fires were spreading to the wires of the bridge and weakening it. But Spectre didn't care about that.

He approached the blazing tree, not seeing anything else but it. As tears gathered in his eyes, he thought back to his past; how a heartless woman abandoned him at the base of his real mother, how it looked so tall and strong in the sunlight, how he would climb it all day long, and sleep among its roots when he was tired. How he would feel peace just from being near it.

He finally stopped in front of the tree and stared at the woman in the center. How her face was gone and burning away. He reached out to the woman, desperate for her.

"Mother…"

The tree finally broke apart and fell on top of Spectre. Once it finally disappeared, so had he.

As Morningstar and Playmaker ran down their respective bridges, the stabilization program finally faded. And it could not have come at a worse time. The wires on Playmaker's bridge finally broke from the pressure while the fires from Dryatrentiay's destruction snapped the wires on Morningstar's bridge.

"The bridges!" Pigeon shouted.

"Hurry, Playmaker! Morningstar!" Frog shouted. "The bridges are falling!"

If either of them heard the duo, they didn't show it. But right when they were near the end-.

The ground beneath the two duelists collapsed. Morningstar, Playmaker, and Ai all screamed as they began to plummet into the sea.

---

Playmaker vs. Prototype HAI-C

Playmaker has 2000 LP, 1 card in his hand, Multi Sledgehammer (1000/2/↓→), Binary Sorceress (1600/2/←→), and Binary Blader (1800/2/←→) on his field. Prototype HAI-C has 2800 LP, 1 card in its hand (Revendread Origin), the Field Spell Card Vendread Nights in its Field Zone, Call of the Haunted, Vendread Nightmare, and 1 Set card in its Spell & Trap Zones, and Revendread Slayer (3000/0/6) and Vendread Core (0/500/1) in Attack Position.

Turn 6: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 7: Prototype HAI-C

HAI-C draws. It activates the Spell Card Balancing Act. It can now destroy cards it controls until it has the same number of cards on the field as Playmaker, and then for every destroyed card, HAI-C draws 1 card. It destroys Call of the Haunted and Vendread Nights. It draws 2 cards. Because Call of the Haunted left the field, Vendread Core is destroyed. HAI-C activates its face-down Trap Card Vendread Daybreak. Since Playmaker controls more cards than HAI-C, it can choose 1 "Vendread" Ritual Monster it controls, and then destroy all cards on the field besides the chosen monster, but that monster cannot attack directly while it is face-up on the field. HAI-C chooses Revendread Slayer. Binary Blader, Binary Sorceress, Multi Sledgehammer, Playmaker's Set card, and Vendread Nightmare are destroyed. HAI-C activates the Ritual Spell Card Revendread Origin, Tributing the Level 6 Slayer on its field and banishing the Level 1 Core from its GY to Ritual Summon the Level 7 Vendread Battlelord (2700/0/7) from its hand in Attack Position. Since the Ritual Summoned Slayer was sent to the GY, HAI-C can add 1 Ritual Spell Card from its Deck to its hand and then send 1 "Vendread" monster from its Deck to the GY. It adds Revendread Evolution from its Deck to its hand and sends Vendread Anima from its Deck to the GY. HAI-C activates the effect of Battlelord, banishing Slayer from its GY and declaring Monster Cards. Now Playmaker cannot activate the effects of Monster Cards for the rest of the turn. HAI-C activates the effect of Anima in its GY, banishing it to Special Summon the banished Revendread Slayer (2400/0/6) in Attack Position.

Battlelord attacks Playmaker directly, but Playmaker activates the effect of the Trap Card Transaction Rollback in his GY, paying half his LP (Playmaker: 2000→1000 LP) and banishing it to target a Normal Trap Card in either player's GY and activate its effect. He targets Waboku in HAI-C's GY and takes no battle damage from his opponent's monsters this turn. HAI-C Sets 1 card. It ends its turn. During the End Phase, the effect of Balancing Act sends the top card of HAI-C's Deck to the GY. It sends Revendread Executor to the GY.

Turn 8: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He activates the Continuous Spell Card Cynet Repeated Process. Since he controls no monsters, he can excavate the top card of his Deck, and if it is a Cyberse monster, he can Special Summon it to his field in Attack Position. If not, then it is placed on the bottom of his Deck. Playmaker activates its effect and excavates Unique System Buster, which he Special Summons (1900/1100/6). Due to Cynet Repeated Process's effect, if HAI-C's monsters attack a Special Summoned Cyberse monster, Playmaker can negate that attack twice per turn. Playmaker Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 9: Prototype HAI-C

HAI-C draws. It Normal Summons Vendread Revenants (1800/200/4). It activates the Ritual Spell Card Revendread Evolution, Tributing the Level 4 Revenants on its field and sending a 2nd Level 4 Revenants from its Deck to the GY to Ritual Summon the Level 8 Revendread Executor (3000/0/8) from the GY in Attack Position. The monster Ritual Summoned by Revendread Evolution will be destroyed during the End Phase of the next turn. HAI-C activates the effect of Executor. As it was Ritual Summoned using Revenants on the field, HAI-C can target and banish 1 Special Summoned monster Playmaker controls. HAI-C targets Unique System Buster. Playmaker activates the effect of Unique System Buster, Tributing it to Special Summon Encode Talker (2300/3/↑↓↘) from the GY with its effects negated. Since Unique System Buster's effect was activated, all face-up monsters are treated as Cyberse monsters until the End Phase. HAI-C activates the effect of Battlelord, banishing 1 Revenants from its GY and declaring Spell Cards. Now Playmaker cannot activate the effects of Spell Cards for the rest of the turn.

Slayer attacks Encode Talker. As a Cyberse monster declared an attack, Playmaker activates his face-down Trap Card Cynet Refresh, destroying all monsters in the Main Monster Zones. Encode Talker, Battlelord, Executor, and Slayer are destroyed. As the Ritual Summoned Battlelord left the field, HAI-C can add 1 Ritual Monster from its Deck to its hand, then send 1 "Vendread" monster from its Deck to its GY. It adds a 2nd Executor to its hand and sends Vendread Anima from its Deck to its GY. As the Ritual Summoned Executor was destroyed by Playmaker's card effect, HAI-C can add 1 "Vendread" card from its Deck to its hand. It adds Vendread Union from its Deck to its hand. HAI-C activates its face-down Trap Card Vendread Reunion, revealing the Revendread Executor in its hand. It can then Special Summon banished "Vendread" monsters in face-down Defense Position whose total Levels equal Executor's Level, then Tribute them to Ritual Summon Executor. HAI-C Special Summons Vendread Chimera and Vendread Houndhorde in face-down Defense Position. It Tributes the Level 5 Chimera and the Level 3 Houndhorde to Ritual Summon Revendread Executor (3000/0/8) in Attack Position. Executor attacks Playmaker directly, but Playmaker activates the effect of Unique System Buster in his GY, banishing it to negate the attack and end the Battle Phase. HAI-C activates the Continuous Spell Card Vendread Union. As long as Union is face-up on the field, the battle positions of "Vendread" monsters cannot be changed, and they cannot be destroyed by card effects. During HAI-C's Standby Phase, it can banish 1 "Vendread" Ritual Monster from its GY to inflict damage to Playmaker equal to that monster's ATK. HAI-C ends its turn. During the End Phase, the effect of Cynet Refresh Special Summons all Cyberse Link Monsters that were destroyed by its effect to their owners' field. Encode Talker is Special Summoned (2300/3/↑↓↘) to Playmaker's field.

Turn 10: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. During his Standby Phase, the effect of Cynet Repeated Process destroys itself as Playmaker controls a monster. He activates the Spell Card Link Treasure Ticket, targeting Encode Talker. Since Encode Talker is Link-3, he draws 3 cards, then sends the top 3 cards of his Deck to the GY (Alert Lancer, Cyberse Gadget, and Dotscaper). Since Dotscaper was sent to the GY, Playmaker can Special Summon it (0/2100/1) in Attack Position. Playmaker activates the Field Spell Card Cynet Universe, increasing the ATK of all Link Monsters he controls by 300 (Encode Talker: 2300→2600). Playmaker uses Dotscaper and Encode Talker to Link Summon Firewall Dragon (2500→2800/4/←↑↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. Playmaker activates the effect of Cynet Universe to return a monster in his GY to his Deck. Playmaker returns Link Devotee to his Extra Deck. Playmaker Normal Summons Balancer Lord (1700/1200/4). Playmaker uses Balancer Lord to Link Summon Link Devotee 500→800/1/↑) to Firewall Dragon's bottom Link Marker. Since Link Devotee was Special Summoned, Playmaker cannot Link Summon Link-3 or higher Link Monsters for the rest of the turn. Playmaker activates the effect of Firewall Dragon to return monsters on the field or in either player's GY to the hand, up to the number of monsters co-linked with Firewall Dragon. He returns Revendread Executor to HAI-C's hand.

Firewall Dragon attacks directly (HAI-C: 2800→0 LP). Playmaker wins.

---

Morningstar vs. Spectre

Morningstar has 700 LP, no cards in his hand, 1 Set card, the Field Spell Card Cyspirit Monastery in his Field Zone, and Cyspirit Winning Wrestler (3000/3/↙↓↘) in the Extra Monster Zone. Spectre has 4000 LP, 1 card in his hand, the Continuous Spell Card Sunvine Shrine active, the Continuous Trap Cards Sunavalon Force and Sunavalon Glorious Growth active, Sunavalon Dryanome (0/3/↙↓↘) in the Extra Monster Zone, Sunvine Thrasher (2400/1/↓) at Dryanome's bottom-right Link Marker equipped with the Equip Spell Card Sunvine Power, and Sunavalon Daphne (0/2/←→) at Dryanome's bottom-left Link Marker.

Turn 5: Spectre

Spectre Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 6: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. He Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 7: Spectre

Spectre draws. Sunvine Thrasher attacks Winning Wrestler. Since it is attacking a Link Monster, the equipped Sunvine Power increases Thrasher's ATK by 800 until the end of the Damage Step (Thrasher: 2400→3200). Since Spectre's monster attacked a "Cyspirit" monster, Morningstar activates his face-down Trap Card Cyspirit Illusion. He can then excavate the top card of his Deck, and if it is a "Cyspirit" monster, then it is sent to the GY and "Cyspirit" monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn. If it is not, it is placed on the bottom of Morningstar's Deck. Morningstar excavates and reveals Cyspirit Battler. Battler is sent to the GY. The attack continues, but Winning Wrestler is not destroyed (Morningstar: 700→500 LP) (Thrasher: 3200→2400). Spectre ends his turn.

Turn 8: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. He activates the Continuous Spell Card Cyspirit Lockdown Link, shuffling the Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller in his GY back into his Extra Deck and targeting Winning Wrestler. So long as Lockdown Link is on the field, Link Monsters with a Link Rating equal to or lower than Winning Wrestler's cannot attack. During the 2nd Standby phase after activation, Lockdown Link is destroyed. Winning Wrestler is Link-3, so all Link-3 and below Link Monsters cannot attack. Morningstar ends his turn.

Turn 9: Spectre

Spectre draws. He uses Thrasher and the Link 3 Dryanome to Link Summon Sunavalon Dryatrentiay (0/4/↙↑↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Spectre activates the effect of Dryatrentiay, Tributing a Plant Link Monster it points to, then destroying face-up Spell/Trap Cards Morningstar controls up to the Link Rating of the Tributed monster, but monsters in Spectre's Main Monster Zone cannot attack the turn this effect is activated. Spectre Tributes the Link-2 Daphne and destroys Cyspirit Lockdown Link and Cyspirit Monastery (Winning Wrestler: 3000→2500). Spectre activates the effect of Sunvine Shrine to Special Summon Sunseed Genius Loci (0/600/1) from his GY in Attack Position. Spectre uses Genius Loci to Link Summon Sunvine Thrasher (800/1/↓) to Dryatrentiay's bottom-right Link Marker. Spectre activates the effect of Thrasher, which lets him increase its ATK by 800 for every Link Marker a "Sunavalon" Link Monster that points to it has, in this case four (Thrasher: 800→4000). Spectre activates his face-down Continuous Trap Card Sunavalon Bloom to negate the effects of Morningstar's monsters. The effects of Winning Wrestler are negated.

Dryatrentiay attacks Winning Wrestler. As Dryatrentiay is battling, the effect of Sunavalon Bloom activates, increasing its ATK by amount equal to the combined ATK of all monsters it points to (Dryatrentiay: 0→4000) during damage calculation. As a "Cyspirit" Link Monster Morningstar controls is battling a Link Monster with a higher Link Rating, he activates his face-down Trap Card Cyspirit Power Surge, banishing 1 non-Link "Cyspirit" monster from his GY to increase the ATK of that monster he controls by the banished monster's ATK. Morningstar banishes Cyspirit Battler from his GY to increase the ATK of Winning Wrestler (Winning Wrestler: 2500→4000). The attack continues and both monsters are destroyed. As Morningstar's monster was destroyed by battle, Spectre activates the effect of Sunavalon Force, inflicting 100 damage to Morningstar for every Link Marker the Link Monster with the highest Link Rating on the field has, in this case, four (Morningstar: 500→100 LP). As there are no "Sunavalon" monsters on the field, Bloom, Glorious Growth, Shrine, and Force are destroyed by their own effects. As there is no "Sunavalon" monster that points to Thrasher, it is destroyed by its own effect. Spectre activates the Continuous Spell Card Sunavalon Cursed Reborn to Special Summon a "Sunavalon" Link Monster from his GY with its effects negated and increasing its ATK by its Link Rating x 1000. He Special Summons Dryatrentiay (0→4000/4/↙↑↓↘). If Spectre takes battle or effect damage, he can send Sunavalon Cursed Reborn to the GY to inflict damage to Morningstar equal to the damage he took. Spectre activates the Continuous Spell Card Sunvine Protection. So long as Sunvine Protection is on the field, "Sunavalon" Spell/Trap Cards cannot be targeted by Morningstar's card effects. Spectre ends his turn and activates the effect of Sunvine Protection. Since he controls a Link-4 "Sunavalon" Link Monster, Morningstar's LP is halved (Morningstar: 100→50 LP).

Turn 10: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. He activates the Spell Card Cyberse Call to add 1 Level 4 or below Cyberse monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Sorceress from his Deck to his hand. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Sorceress (1400/400/4). Since Sorceress was Normal Summoned, Morningstar can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or below "Cyspirit" monster from his GY in Attack Position. He Special Summons Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke (200/500/2). Morningstar activates the effect of Tunnel Tyke, sending it to the GY to Special Summon 1 Link-2 or lower "Cyspirit" Link Monster from his GY. He Special Summons Cyspirit Vivacious Vixen (1200/1/→). Morningstar uses Sorceress to Link Summon Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller (500/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Wanderer in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler (1600/2/←→), but it cannot declare an attack this turn. Morningstar uses the Link 2 Thrilled Tunneler and Vivacious Vixen to Link Summon Cyspirit Angelic Avenger (2700/3/←↑→) to Cacophonic Caller's bottom Link Marker.

Since it points to at least 1 monster, Morningstar activates Angelic Avenger's effect to add 1 "Cyspirit" Spell/Trap Card from his GY to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Monastery from his GY to his hand, and then activates it. Monastery increases the ATK of "Cyspirit" Link Monsters by 500 (Angelic Avenger: 2700→3200) (Cacophonic Caller: 500→1000). Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Teleporter in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon Cyspirit Swordsman (1200/900/3) from his GY to Angelic Avenger's left Link Marker in Attack Position. Morningstar activates the effect of Cyberse Call in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon Cyspirit Tunnel Tyke (200/500/2) from his GY to Angelic Avenger's right Link Marker in Attack Position. Since it points to 3 monsters, Morningstar activates the effect of Angelic Avenger. All monsters it points to are returned to the owner's hand, and then the effects of all face-up Link Monsters except Angelic Avenger are negated and their ATK becomes equal to their original ATK. Morningstar returns Swordsman and Tunnel Tyke to his hand and Cacophonic Caller to his Extra Deck (Dryatrentiay: 4000→0).

Angelic Avenger attacks Dryatrentiay. Since a "Cyspirit" Link Monster that points to no monsters declared an attack, Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Power Surge in his GY, banishing it and Winning Wrestler to increase Angelic Avenger's ATK by Winning Wrestler's ATK until the End Phase (Angelic Avenger: 3200→5700). Dryatrentiay is destroyed (Spectre: 4000→0 LP). Morningstar wins.

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Unique System Buster
Attribute: DARK Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1900 DEF 1100 Level: 6
You can Tribute this Special Summoned card you control (Quick Effect); Special Summon 1 "Code Talker" monster from your GY with its effects negated, and if you do, all face-up monsters on the field become Cyberse monsters until the End Phase. If your opponent's monster declares a direct attack, you can banish this card from your GY; negate the attack and end the Battle Phase. You can only active each effect of "Unique System Buster" once per turn.

Cyspirit Angelic Avenger
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2700 LINK-3 ←↑→
2+ "Cyspirit" Link Monsters
This Link Summoned card gains these effects depending on the number of monsters it points to.
-1 or more: Once per turn: You can target 1 "Cyspirit" Spell/Trap Card in your GY; add it to your hand.
-2 or more: If a "Cyspirit" card is destroyed, either by battle or card effect: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent.
-3: Once per turn: You can return all monsters this card points to to the owner's hand(s); negate the effects of all face-up Link Monsters on the field, except this card, and make their ATK equal to their original ATK. The turn you activate this effect, only this card can declare an attack.

Balancing Act Normal Spell Card
Activate this card if you control more cards than your opponent. Destroy cards you control until you control the same number of cards as your opponent, then draw 1 card for every card destroyed by this effect. During the End Phase: Send the top card of your Deck to the GY. You can only activate "Balancing Act" once per turn.

Cynet Repeated Process Continuous Spell Card
Once per turn, if you control no monsters: You can excavate the top card of your Deck; if the excavated card is a Cyberse monster, you can Special Summon it to your field in Attack Position. If not, place it on the bottom of your Deck. You cannot Normal Summon the turn you activate this effect. Up to twice per turn, if your opponent's monster attacks a Special Summoned Cyberse monster: you can negate that attack. During your Standby Phase, if you control a monster: Destroy this card.

Vendread Union Continuous Spell Card
"Vendread" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects, and their battle positions cannot be changed by card effects. During your Standby Phase, you can banish 1 "Vendread" Ritual Monster from your GY; inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's ATK.

Cyspirit Lockdown Link Continuous Spell Card
Destroy this card during your 2nd Standby Phase after activation. Activate this card by shuffling 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster in your GY back into your Extra Deck and targeting 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster you control; while this card is face-up on the field, Link Monsters with a Link Rating lower than or equal to that target's cannot attack. When that monster leaves the field, destroy this card.

Cyspirit Power Surge Normal Trap Card
When your "Cyspirit" Link Monster that points to no monsters battles an opponent's Link Monster with a higher Link Rating, during damage calculation: Banish 1 "Cyspirit" monster from your GY; your monster gains ATK equal to the banished monster's ATK, during damage calculation only. You cannot banish a "Cyspirit" Link Monster with this effect. If a "Cyspirit" Link Monster you control that points to no monsters declares an attack, you can banish this card and 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster from your GY; the attacking "Cyspirit" monster gains ATK equal to the banished monster's ATK until the End Phase.

Sunvine Protection Continuous Spell Card
Your opponent cannot target "Sunavalon" Spell/Trap Cards you control with card effects. During the End Phase of your turn, if you control a Link-4 "Sunavalon" Link Monster: you can halve your opponent's LP. You can only activate this effect once while this card is face-up on the field. If there are no "Sunavalon" monsters on the field, destroy this card.

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Chapter Preview

Next Time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 23 – Knightrise. While Go confronts Revolver, Galahad challenges Terminus, eager to pay him back for using him. As the two exchange blows, Galahad unveils a shocking strategy that cripples Terminus…

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Responses to Reviews & Author's Notes

Thank you to ZarcEternal, Ryujomaru15, D3lph0xL0v3r, HunterHQ, GreenD109, Guest, Lindia Fullmoon, Yasutake Fan, framfrit, Ethan Kironus, thirdegree101, EH-01, ThePLOThand, and for reviewing Chapter 21.

To answer GreenD109, Lindia Fullmoon, and Yasutake Fan, I'm undecided if Morningstar will get a Cyspirit Ritual Monster. It's an interesting idea, but I can't say when it will happen. Even if it does, I won't say anything. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, would I? As for the Cydemon and Cyangels, again, spoilers.

To comment on Guest's review of Morningstar using the escape program – which I assume is the anti-purge program – he did not use it here. Why? I want to believe that Lilith doing that to herself was so shocking to him that he didn't even realize he could use it. And in any event, it wouldn't help. I believe the cage wouldn't have disintegrated until she did, meaning it would have been wasted. Sorry.

To answer Yasutake Fan's question about the Cyspirit Link Monster materials, I'm not sure because your wording is a little weird for me, but I'll try to answer. A Link-1 Cyspirit uses only 1 material. A Link-2 Cyspirit will always require exactly 2 materials. A Link-3 will usually require 2 or more materials, or 3 materials. The same is true of Link-4. For example: you can use the Link-1 Cacophonic Caller and Link-1 Egregious Electrician to Link Summon the Link-2 Thrilled Tunneler, but you cannot Link Summon Thrilled Tunneler by using the Link-2 Mad Mongrel, because it is technically not two materials. Also, thank you for the monster suggestions.

To answer thirdegree101 on me changing my mind about Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz Cyspirit monsters… I'm honestly on the fence about it. I was thinking instead of introducing a new archetype for Morningstar to use in season 2 that consisted of non-Link Cyberse Extra Deck monsters. Right now, the Cyspirits are purely Link Monsters in the Extra Deck, but that can change.

ThePLOThand: I was thinking that facing Ritual monsters might inspire Playmaker to add his own. And in the anime at least, I think deckout and Exodia actually cause the opponent's Life Points to go to 0, so I'm not sure those would work around the cage program.

Thank you to sanedimentio for coming up with the name for Unique System Buster and the first two effects of Angelic Avenger, as well as providing feedback for its attack/effect names and its appearance.

Damn, this chapter was tough to write. It's shorter than the last one, but I had some difficulty with it. The duels are a bit less complicated in this half, but I felt they ended well. I'm sorry if Playmaker's duel feels kind of lacking, but the Morningstar vs. Spectre duel was meant to be the main focus. And it gave me a chance to put Firewall Dragon back in the spotlight. Playmaker needs to use it more often!

To me, the most important parts of this chapter were the revelation of Morningstar's background, Terminus and Morningstar both learning the truth about Lilith, and the appearance of Cyspirit Angelic Avenger. On the first, I based Father Narahiko off of the bishop from Les Miserables. I hope I managed to show just how Yasutake obtained his views on the devil, and just how, despite being similar to Spectre, he ended up going the opposite direction. On the second, this was very important to me. I thought this was the best time for Terminus to learn that his niece was alive. How will it affect him going on? I'm afraid you'll have to wait to find out.

And third, there was the appearance of the first of the Cyspirit Link Monsters that Lilith gave Morningstar: Cyspirit Angelic Avenger. I came up with the name while bouncing ideas off of sanedimentio, and I thought it an appropriate name considering what happened to Blue Angel and Ghost Girl. And its last effect is something I'm very proud of. And its summoning, attack, and effects are all things I am very proud of. I would really appreciate feedback as to what you all thought of Angelic Avenger.

Finally, I have a very important announcement to make. Two in fact. First: I am sad to say that I will not be making a redux version of Academy of Chaos. My reason for this is twofold: the storyline of Academy of Chaos is incredibly convoluted and following all that is rather difficult, even for me. Do not worry about Hidden Memories, though; I fully intend to finish Hidden Memories. I will definitely see this fanfic through to the end.

My second announcement: To replace Academy of Chaos, I will be starting a new ARC-V fanfiction, called Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: The Fifth Dimension. It will follow the ARC-V storyline with the addition of the Link Dimension to the mix. If you wish for more information about it, please see my profile page. I will say this though: the main character's VRAINS avatar name right now is set as Kingmaker – meant to homage Playmaker and Zarc – but if anyone believes they have a better name suggestion, I will gladly take them. As for when it comes out… I don't have a set release date, but I do plan to release the next two chapters of Hidden Memories first. And in case anyone is worried that the Fifth Dimension will overshadow Hidden Memories, don't be; between the two, Hidden Memories will always have priority.

Thank you for reading Chapter 22 of Hidden Memories. Please tell me in a review what your favorite moment was. Mine was Morningstar telling Angelic Avenger to "cut down that tree!" That felt like such an awesome line in context.