Chapter 25: Beginning of the End
"It's time to settle this, Terminus," Morningstar said as he stood across from the Knight of Hanoi, the wind speed picking up around them. "While Playmaker faces Revolver, I'll face you."
"As it should be, Morningstar," Terminus responded, smirking. "We'll settle it in a duel. Follow me!" The Knight jumped up and landed on his D-Board. Widening his eyes, Morningstar likewise jumped up and landed on his own D-Board. He followed after Terminus as the latter ascended the Tower.
Out of the corner of his eye, Morningstar watched as Playmaker and Revolver likewise rode their D-Boards higher. Eventually, all four duelists reached the core of the Tower. As Playmaker and Revolver rode the Data Storm on one side of the Tower, Morningstar and Terminus rode across from them. The hunter also noticed that Frog and Pigeon were flying some distance away, recording what was happening.
Cam gasped as the broadcast returned. He watched as all four duelists rode around the Tower's fifth ring.
"This is the end," he whispered. "Blue Angel, Go Onizuka, Lilith, Spectre, Galahad… they're all gone now. Only Yasu, Playmaker, Revolver, and Terminus are left." He narrowed his eyes. "It's all up to you two now. To bring an end to the incident. And bring peace to those who suffered from it."
Morningstar grit his teeth as he rode through the debris. This is not an ideal field, he thought. But it's the one we're dueling in. I'll have to make do.
"Cam, can you still here me?" he whispered into his earpiece.
"Barely. There's a lot of static," Cam responded. Indeed, Morningstar could barely hear Cam's voice over the interference. "The Tower's part of it, but that Data Storm is more severe than your usual kind. You'll have to be careful, otherwise I'll lose you completely."
"Good to know." Morningstar finally caught up to Terminus and turned to the Knight. "Tell me something, Terminus. Revolver said that Hanoi's only goal was to kill the Ignis. And to do that, you're willing to shut down the entire network, plunge the world into chaos, and kill countless people. Is something like this really necessary?"
Terminus frowned. "I don't know," he answered honestly. "But it was the only plan available to us. And we have no intention to stop it. Not until the plan is complete."
"In that case, I'll stop you," Morningstar said. "Not just for the world's sake. No. I have selfish reasons for fighting you. For Blue Angel, Ghost Girl, Lilith, Go Onizuka, Akira Zaizen… For their sake, to bring them back, I will defeat you, Terminus!"
Terminus smirked. "Bold words, Morningstar," he responded. "So why don't you put those words into practice?"
"Speed Duel!" they shouted.
Morningstar: 4000 LP
Terminus: 4000 LP
"I'll take the first turn," Morningstar said, taking his cards from his Deck. Looking at them, he chose one. "I summon Cyspirit Illusionist!" The skeleton in a tuxedo and top hat appeared in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Illusionist ATK 2400 DEF 1000 LVL: 6
"Illusionist can be Special Summoned when there are no monsters on the field," Morningstar explained to Terminus. "But in exchange, its attack points become 1800."
Cyspirit Illusionist ATK 2400→1800
"When Illusionist is Special Summoned by its effect, I can then add one 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand," Morningstar continued, taking another card from his Deck. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cyberse Infinite Coding!" Terminus narrowed his eyes. He remembered that card from Morningstar's duel with Spectre.
"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" As Morningstar hand glowed blue, the Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Illusionist in the Link marker!" Illusionist became a whirlwind of energy that entered the bottom arrow, turning it red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller!" The skeleton in a business suit carrying a cellphone and handheld radio appeared, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.
Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓
"Infinite Coding's effect! When a Cyberse Link Monster is Link Summoned, it gains one Cyberse Counter!"
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC
"And since there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Prisoner. Come!" The skeleton in a blue and white uniform appeared, summoned in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5
Morningstar gestured to his field. "Cacophonic Caller's monster effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck! But that monster cannot attack and is destroyed during the End Phase. Come, Cyspirit Dancer!" A skeleton in a leotard appeared in Attack Position, summoned to Cacophonic Caller's Link Marker.
Cyspirit Dancer ATK 1000 DEF 200 LVL: 2
"Appear once more, the circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared above Morningstar again. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyspirit' monsters! I set Cacophonic Caller, Dancer, and Prisoner in the Link Markers!" His three monsters became whirlwinds of energy that entered the bottom-left, top, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyspirit Quixotic Queen!" A skeleton in a black and gold frilly dress appeared on Morningstar's field, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone. It wore a gold circlet atop its blonde hair and waved its scepter to the right.
Cyspirit Quixotic Queen ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↘
Terminus grit his teeth. He remembered this monster from Morningstar's duel with HAI-B. It had an effect to destroy Defense Position monsters without conducting damage calculation. That meant he could destroy them before they flipped face-up. A troublesome card for Terminus to overcome. But not an impossible one.
"Because I used Dancer to Link Summon Quixotic Queen, it gains 600 attack points!" Morningstar declared. "And as a Cyberse Link Monster was Link Summoned again, Infinite Coding gains another Cyberse Counter!"
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC
Cyspirit Quixotic Queen ATK 2300→2900
"Prisoner's effect activates! As I used it to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, I can add one 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand." Morningstar took a card from his Deck and looked at it. Cyspirit Spearman, he thought. This will let me get rid of Terminus's Set monsters on my next turn.
"I activate Infinite Coding's effect!" Morningstar declared. "By removing two Cyberse Counters, I can draw one card!"
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 2 CC→0 CC
Morningstar looked at the card he drew, then placed it on his Duel Disk. "I Set one card. I end my turn."
Morningstar stole an aside glance and saw Playmaker had brought out Decode Talker. Not a bad start.
"Morningstar! Above you!"
Morningstar looked up at Terminus's words and gasped as a piece of debris plummeted towards him. He swerved to the side, avoiding it, much to his and Cam's relief.
The hunter turned towards the Knight. "Why did you warn me about that debris?" he asked. "If I got erased here, it would make your job easier."
"I have no interest in defeating you in such a crude manner," Terminus responded, scowling. "I would have you answer to me personally for dragging my family into this."
"Your family?" Morningstar repeated, then gasped in realization.
"I am the daughter of Dr. Hitomu Hirai, lead research assistant of the Hanoi Project!"
Morningstar turned to Terminus, a serious expression on his face. "Your real name is Kenshin Hirai," he said. "Dr. Hitomu Hirai was your brother, wasn't he?"
"Indeed, he was," Terminus said, a solemn look in his eyes. "And his daughter Masako was my niece. I thought she was killed with him eight years ago like Hitomu, but I was mistaken."
"Killed?" Morningstar said, surprised. He then remembered Masako mentioning that. And how she didn't know who did it. "Do you know who was responsible?"
"I have no concrete evidence, but I know SOL Technologies was responsible," Terminus replied. "My brother stole from them right before his death. And I will punish them for it."
SOL killed him? Morningstar thought, shocked. He knew that Bishop and the other higher-ups engaged in shady business deals in the past, but murder…? That seemed beyond them. Or maybe he was just naïve.
Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "So that's what this is really about," he said. "You want vengeance against SOL for your brother's death."
"I will not deny that. But ruining SOL is only a byproduct of our mission." Terminus narrowed his own eyes at Morningstar. "Our main goal is to kill the Ignis. Which brings me to a question I have for you: How much do you know about the Ignis Playmaker is carrying? Or about the Ignis in general?"
Morningstar raised an eyebrow. "Admittedly little," he said. "I know they are connected to the Cyberse somehow, but not the connection itself. And I know they supposedly have free will."
Terminus grunted and smiled. "Not bad, Morningstar. You are right on all counts. But here is something you don't know: The Hanoi Project was responsible for creating the Ignis. And there are eight, with each based off of one of the children. In fact, that Ignis that Playmaker is using is rather special."
The Knight turned to face the hunter. "It's Control ID is IGN006. It was linked to the sixth test subject of the Hanoi Project. And based off of how well Playmaker has taken to Storm Access, I can only assume that it was modeled after Playmaker himself."
"What?" Morningstar said with surprise.
"While the eight kidnapped children were forced to duel in virtual reality, behind the scenes, those duels were used to create eight AI with free will. And as I said, that was the true goal of the Hanoi Project. The Ignis were created by observing and analyzing the children, yourself included."
Myself? Morningstar thought. Does that mean that out there, there's an Ignis based off of me? And one off of Sachi?
"Dr. Kogami intended for the Ignis to save humanity," Terminus continued, not noticing Morningstar's contemplation. "But they grew quicker than we humans could imagine. They created their own world, the Cyberse. Revolver attempted to destroy the Cyberse World, but Playmaker's Ignis hid it somewhere in the network beyond our reach." Terminus narrowed his eyes. "The Ignis have evolved quickly, to the point where they can tell lies and manipulate humans easily. Even if I have my doubts about Revolver's plan, I can see all too clearly that the Ignis are a threat to humanity. That is why the Knights of Hanoi were formed to destroy the Ignis. As for yourself…"
Terminus placed his hand on his Deck. "While I have my personal reasons to duel you, Morningstar, you are only an annoyance in Revolver's eyes. A dangerous one, but still only that. So I'll remove that annoyance from his sight. My turn! Draw!"
As Terminus looked at his cards, the two duelists swerved to avoid more debris. "Yasu, above you!"
Morningstar looked up at Cam's words as a large chunk of debris clashed with another, sending shrapnel towards him. He managed to avoid most of them but winced when one hit his shoulder. His avatar quickly healed itself, but Morningstar grimaced.
Like I thought, this environment is dangerous. I'll have to be more aware of my surroundings than usual.
"I activate the Field Spell: The Hidden City!" Terminus declared. "When this card is activated, I can add one 'Subterror' monster from my Deck to my hand." He took a card from his Deck, glanced at it, then added it to his hand. "I activate the Spell Card: Foolish Burial! This card sends a Monster Card from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Subterror Behemoth Umastryx to the Graveyard."
Morningstar narrowed his eyes at Terminus's words. He's sending one of his best monsters to the Graveyard? Is he planning to Special Summon it?
"Next, I activate the Spell Card: The Shallow Grave!" Morningstar's eyes widened in surprise. "This card allows each of us to Special Summon a monster from our Graveyards in face-down Defense Position. Return to me, Umastryx!" A face-down card appeared on Terminus's field.
Morningstar took a card from his Graveyard. "I summon Illusionist." A Set card appeared at Quixotic Queen's bottom-left Link Marker.
"The Hidden City's effect activates!" Terminus declared. "Once per turn, I can change a Set 'Subterror' monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position. I change the Set Umastryx to face-up Attack Position!" His card flipped up, causing a burst of light. Morningstar grit his teeth as the massive black and blue skinned behemoth appeared on Terminus's field.
Subterror Behemoth Umastryx 2000 ATK 2700 DEF 7
The hunter then gasped as Umastryx stood out in front of him and Terminus, blocking the debris and keeping it from hitting them.
"I told you I would defeat you with my own hands," Terminus reminded Morningstar. "I won't let a chunk of rock do it for me!" Terminus gestured to his field. "Umastryx's Flip Effect activates! I can banish one monster from your field! I banish your Quixotic Queen!"
Morningstar grit his teeth as Umastryx's drill struck Quixotic Queen, making it disappear. So much for that.
"I summon Subterror Nemesis Archer," Terminus continued. A blonde woman carrying a massive bow appeared on Terminus's field.
Subterror Nemesis Archer ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 3
"I Set one card," Terminus said, then gestured to his field again. "Battle! Nemesis Archer, attack Morningstar's Set monster!" Terminus smirked. "I think you know what happens next."
"Yes," Morningstar said, scowling. "If Nemesis Archer attacks a Set monster while you control another 'Subterror' monster, that monster is shuffled back into the Deck."
"Indeed. Terminal Break!" Nemesis Archer's arrow struck the Set Illusionist, making it disappear. "Continue the battle! Umastryx, attack Morningstar directly!" Umastryx charged Morningstar, its drill nose rotating at high speeds.
Morningstar took a card from his hand and played it. "I activate the effect of the Cyspirit Battler in my hand! Since I'm being attacked directly, I can summon Battler in Attack Position!" A skeleton in shorts, a tank top, and boxing gloves appeared on Morningstar's field.
Cyspirit Battler ATK 1500 DEF 700 LVL: 4
Terminus grit his teeth. "A lucky move. Umastryx, destroy Battler!" Umastryx resumed its charge, but this time it struck Battler, which cried out as it was destroyed. Morningstar winced from the damage of the attack.
Morningstar: 4000→3500 LP
"Battler's effect activates!" Morningstar declared. "When it is destroyed by battle, I can add a 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard to my hand!" He took Cyspirit Prisoner out of his Graveyard and added it to his hand. "But that's not the only effect I can activate."
Morningstar gestured to his field, his bangs and the line on his jumpsuit glowing silver. "I activate my Skill! Cyberse Revolution! I Special Summon a Cyberse monster from my Deck whose Level is lower than the destroyed monster's. I summon Cyspirit Kid!" A dwarf skeleton in a t-shirt appeared on Morningstar's field in Defense Position.
Cyspirit Kid ATK 300 DEF 200 LVL: 1
Terminus smirked. "I should have known you would make the most of your situation," he said. "I end my turn."
"My turn! Draw!" Morningstar drew a card and looked at it. Before he could make a move however, a bright light started shining from the other side of the Tower.
Terminus's smirk widened. "Looks like Playmaker fell into the same trap as Go Onizuka."
Morningstar turned and watched as Playmaker's Decode Talker and two other monsters he controlled were destroyed by Revolver's Trap Card. The hunter grit his teeth in consternation, but returned to his own duel.
"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared above Morningstar. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one Level 2 or below 'Cyspirit' monster! I set Kid in the Link Marker!" Kid became a whirlwind of energy and entered the bottom-left arrow, turning it red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Cyspirit Egregious Electrician!" A skeleton in overalls carrying a power box was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.
Cyspirit Egregious Electrician ATK 600 LINK-1 ↙
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC
"Kid's monster effect!" Morningstar continued. "When it is used to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, one face-up card on the field is destroyed! I'll destroy The Hidden City!" Terminus winced as his Field Spell was destroyed. "And since there's a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Prisoner!" The skeleton in a prisoner's uniform reappeared, summoned to Egregious Electrician's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5
Morningstar gestured to his field. "Egregious Electrician's monster effect! Once per turn, I can move a monster it points at to another zone, and then Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' monster from my hand to that zone! I move Prisoner to my right Main Monster Zone and Special Summon Cyspirit Lancer!" A skeleton warrior carrying a lance and shield took Prisoner's place as Prisoner moved.
Cyspirit Lancer ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4
"Lancer's monster effect! While it is in Attack Position, all 'Cyspirit' monsters gain 300 attack points! Digital Charge!"
Cyspirit Egregious Electrician ATK 600→900
Cyspirit Lancer ATK 1800→2100
Cyspirit Prisoner ATK 1600→1900
Morningstar looked up at Umastryx. Terminus's massive monster was shielding the two duelists from most of the debris. He ran the risk of getting hit if he destroyed it, but he was willing to take that risk.
"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared above Morningstar again. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyspirit' monsters! I set Egregious Electrician, Lancer, and Prisoner in the Link Markers!" All three monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the bottom-left, top, and bottom arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary!" The skeleton in a blue trench coat and silver tricorne hat carrying two futuristic pistols appeared, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.
Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary ATK 2200 LINK-3 ↙↑↓
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC
Terminus narrowed his eyes. "Morningstar's ace monster…" he muttered. Of all of Morningstar's Link Monsters Hanoi had seen, this one had been the most prominent.
"Since I used Prisoner to Link Summon Rapid Revolutionary, its effect activates again!" Morningstar reminded Terminus, taking a card from his Deck. He then gestured to his field. "I activate Infinite Coding's effect! I remove two Cyberse Counters to draw a card!"
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 2 CC→0 CC
After drawing, Morningstar played the card he added to his hand with Prisoner's effect. "I activate the Field Spell: Cyspirit Monastery. With this card in play, all my 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters gain 500 attack points."
Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary ATK 2200→2700
"Monastery has another effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' monster from my hand to a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster's Link Marker! Come to me, Cyspirit Wanderer!" The skeleton in a poncho appeared, summoned to Rapid Revolutionary's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Wanderer ATK 1900 DEF 200 LVL: 5
"Wanderer's monster effect! If it is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Cyspirit' card, one monster you control loses 800 attack points! I'll target Umastryx! Digital Drain!" Terminus grit his teeth as Umastryx glowed.
Subterror Behemoth Umastryx ATK 2000→1200
"I Set one card," Morningstar said, then he gestured to his field. "Battle! Rapid Revolutionary, attack Umastryx!" Rapid Revolutionary hefted both its pistols and started charging. "Rapid Revolutionary's monster effect! When it points to at least one monster and battles a non-Link Monster, it gains 500 attack points until the end of the Damage Step!"
Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary ATK 2700→3200
Terminus smirked and gestured to his field. "Trap activate! Subterror Final Battle! I choose the third effect to make Umastryx's attack and defense points equal to its combined attack and defense points!"
Morningstar smirked back at the Knight, surprising him. "Did you think that would work on me like it did Galahad and Lilith?" he asked before gesturing to his own field. "Counter Trap activate! Cyspirit Shutdown!" The card showed Mad Mongrel being trapped in a net, electricity coursing over it and missile launchers sparking. "Since I control a 'Cyspirit' monster, the activation of your Trap Card is negated, and that card is banished!"
Terminus gasped as Final Battle disappeared. "Not only that, but so long as Final Battle is banished, you cannot activate any cards of the same name! Continue your attack, Rapid Revolutionary! Revolution Shot!" Both of Rapid Revolutionary's pistols released their built-up energy, which struck Umastryx with massive force. The behemoth cried out as it was destroyed, while Terminus shouted in pain from the shockwave of the attack and from being hit with a few pieces of debris.
Terminus: 4000→2000 LP
Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary ATK 3200→2700
Terminus grit his teeth in pain, but he managed to gesture to his field as his mask glowed yellow. "I activate my Skill! Whispering Terror! Since my Flip monster was destroyed by battle, I can Set one 'Subterror' monster directly from my Deck. I set Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist!"
Morningstar's eyes narrowed on seeing a new Set card on Terminus's field. His gaze shifted to Wanderer. With its 1900 attack points, he could destroy Nemesis Archer and inflict 300 damage to Terminus, but that would just give Terminus another monster thanks to Nemesis Archer's effect. And there was no way Morningstar could leave Terminus with a monster as powerful as Speleogeist.
"Battle!" Morningstar declared. "Wanderer, attack Terminus's Set monster! Lonesome Blast!" Wanderer pulled a pistol out from under its poncho and fired at the Set card, which disappeared and was replaced by a massive blue and yellow fiend.
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11
Wanderer's shot pierced Speleogeist's skin, causing a massive explosion. Terminus frowned as his monster was destroyed, but then he gestured to Morningstar's field. "Speleogeist's Flip Effect activates! The attack points of one monster on the field becomes 0! I'll target Rapid Revolutionary!" Rapid Revolutionary cried out in pain as it was bathed in blue flames.
Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary ATK 2700→0
Morningstar scowled. It wasn't good that Rapid Revolutionary now had no attack points, but at least Speleogeist had been destroyed. "I end my turn."
"My turn! Draw! I activate the Field Spell: The Hidden Colony!" The card showed a massive cavern with a spread-out city and multiple paths around it. "When this card is activated, I can add one 'Subterror' monster from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I'll return the Speleogeist in my Graveyard to my hand."
Morningstar grit his teeth. That was bad. "Next, I activate the Spell Card: Subterror Cave Drawings." The card showed a cave wall with drawings on it in the shape of Behemoth Fiendess and Nemesis Warrior. "This card requires that I discard a 'Subterror' monster, and depending on that monster's Level, I draw a number of cards. I discard the Level 11 Speleogeist to draw three cards!"
Terminus drew and smirked. "I Tribute Nemesis Archer to summon Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken!" A monster that resembled an ancient shark with four horns appeared as Nemesis Archer disappeared.
Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken ATK 1400 DEF 2600 LVL: 5
"I activate Stygokraken's monster effect to flip it face-down!" Stygokraken disappeared and a Set card appeared. "And because a monster I control was flipped face-down and I control no face-up monsters, I can Special Summon this monster. Come, Subterror Behemoth Ultramafus!" Morningstar grit his teeth as a giant lizard made of rock and lava appeared in Defense Position.
Subterror Behemoth Ultramafus ATK 3000 DEF 1800 LVL: 12
"I Set one card. And now I activate the effect of The Hidden Colony! Once per turn, I can change one Set 'Subterror' monster to face-up Defense Position. I Flip Summon Stygokraken!" The giant shark reappeared.
Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken ATK 1400 DEF 2600 LVL: 5
"Stygokraken's Flip Effect activates! I can now destroy Set cards on the field equal to the number of 'Subterror Behemoth' monsters I control. I destroy your Set card and mine!" Morningstar winced as his face-down card and Terminus's both shattered. "And since my destroyed card was Dummy Marker and it was destroyed by a card effect, I can draw one card!"
Terminus looked at his card, then played it. "I Set one card." He gestured to the air above him. "Appear! Our future circuit!" The Link portal appeared above Terminus's head. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Flip monsters. I set Stygokraken and Ultramafus in the Link Markers!" His monsters became whirlwinds of energy that entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Subterror Behemoth Fiendess!" A large purple dragon with black and pink wings emerged from the portal. It shook its mane of purple hair and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↘
Morningstar narrowed his eyes as Terminus continued. "Behemoth Fiendess's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned, it gains attack points equal to the combined Levels of the 'Subterror' monsters used to Link Summon it. Stygokraken and Ultramafus were Levels 5 and 12 respectively, so Behemoth Fiendess gains 1700 attack points!"
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 2000→3700
"This is the end, Morningstar!" Terminus declared. "Battle! Behemoth Fiendess, attack Rapid Revolutionary! Final Extinction!" Blue flames gathered in Behemoth Fiendess's mouth, which it fired at Rapid Revolutionary. Morningstar only glared at Terminus's monster and gestured to his field.
"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Half-Guard in my Graveyard!" he declared, the card Terminus destroyed earlier reappearing on his field. "I banish it and discard a 'Cyspirit' monster to halve the battle damage!" The blast hit Rapid Revolutionary, destroying it. Morningstar cried out in pain, both from the shockwaves of his monster's destruction and from several shards of shrapnel striking his body.
Morningstar: 3500→1650 LP
"Yasu! Hold on!"
"I'm fine, Cam," Morningstar muttered back, holding his side. He then glared at Terminus. "Since the Battle Phase ended, Half-Guard lets me draw one card for every monster of yours that battled this turn."
Terminus narrowed his eyes as Morningstar drew one card. "I end my turn."
"My turn! Draw!" Morningstar looked at his card, frowned, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Emblem!" The card showed a crest with silver bones mixed in the middle and one red and one blue orb at each top corner. "By sending a 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, I can then Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck in Attack Position, so long as it has the same Level as the sent monster. I send the Level 1 Cyspirit Changer to the Graveyard to Special Summon Cyspirit Coder!" A skeleton in a lab coat appeared on its field. It carried a laptop under one arm and had small pieces of armor on its shoulders and lower legs. A single blue eye glinted out of its skull as it stared at Terminus.
Cyspirit Coder ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1
"Coder's monster effect!" Morningstar continued. "When this monster is Summoned, I can add one 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand, but then I must send a card from my hand, Deck, or field to the Graveyard." Morningstar took two cards from his Deck. He added one to his hand and sent the other, Cyspirit Restoration, to the Graveyard.
Morningstar gestured to the air above him. "Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set Coder and Wanderer in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Cyspirit Jubilant Jester!" A skeleton in a black and gold jester's outfit appeared and posed with its staff from the Extra Monster Zone.
Cyspirit Jubilant Jester ATK 1800→2300 LINK-2 ↙↘
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC
"I activate the effect of the Wanderer in my Graveyard! By shuffling it back into my Deck, I can Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard. Return to me, Rapid Revolutionary!" The skeleton in a trench coat reappeared, summoned to Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker.
Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary ATK 2200→2700 LINK-3 ↙↑↓
"Wanderer's effect prevents Rapid Revolutionary from attacking this turn," Morningstar told Terminus. The hunter then gestured to his other Link Monster. "Jubilant Jester's monster effect! When it points to at least one monster, all 'Cyspirit' monsters I control gain 400 attack and defense points. Digital Jubilance!"
Cyspirit Jubilant Jester ATK 2300→2700
Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary ATK 2700→3100
Neither of them is strong enough to take on Behemoth Fiendess, Terminus thought, narrowing his eyes. What are you planning, Morningstar?
"I summon Cyspirit Sorceress!" A skeleton in a black dress carrying a metal staff appeared on the hunter's field.
Cyspirit Sorceress ATK 1400 DEF 400 LVL: 4
"When Sorceress is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard," Morningstar continued. "Return, Cyspirit Dancer!" The skeleton in a leotard reappeared, summoned in Attack Position.
Cyspirit Dancer ATK 1000 DEF 200 LVL: 2
Terminus's eyes widened. 3 monsters? That means…
Only one of my monsters is strong enough to defeat Behemoth Fiendess, Morningstar thought as he gestured to the sky. "Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" His hand glowed blue as the Link portal appeared. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are three or more 'Cyspirit' monsters! I set Dancer, Sorceress, and the Link-3 Rapid Revolutionary in the Link Markers!" His monsters became whirlwinds of energy, with Rapid Revolutionary splitting into two, and entered the top-left, left, top-right, and right arrows, turning them red. Terminus narrowed his eyes.
"Circuit combine! The galaxy's rage that breaks all limitations! Take flight! Link 4! Cyspirit Neo Nova!" A black dragon with dark silver armor emerged from the portal. It spread its midnight black wings and roared, creating powerful gusts of wind and blowing away several pieces of debris. Like Rapid Revolutionary before it, it was summoned to Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker.
Cyspirit Neo Nova ATK 2500→3400 LINK-4 ←↖↗→
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC
Cam smirked. Yes! With Neo Nova's effect, Morningstar could end this here and now!
Terminus grit his teeth. "This monster again…" The Knight then smirked. "Lucky I'm prepared."
"Because Dancer was used to Link Summon Neo Nova, it gains 600 attack points!"
Cyspirit Neo Nova ATK 3400→4000
"Neo Nova's monster effect!" Morningstar declared. "Once-."
"It's not happening, Morningstar," Terminus interrupted, shocking the hunter. "Continuous Trap activate! Subterror Subletting!" His card showed Nemesis Warrior opening a door, with Speleogeist's head on the other side of the door. Nemesis Warrior was sweatdropping. "Since you Link Summoned while I controlled a 'Subterror' Link Monster, that monster's effects are negated!"
Morningstar gasped then grit his teeth. That was annoying. That meant he couldn't draw any new cards. Not from Neo Nova's effect, at least. "I activate Infinite Coding's effect! I remove two Cyberse Counters and draw one card."
Cyberse Infinite Coding: 2 CC→0 CC
Morningstar looked at his card and his eyes widened. This card… "I Set one card," he said. "Battle! Neo Nova, attack Behemoth Fiendess! Cosmic Cannon!" Neo Nova gathered white energy in its mouth which it blasted at Behemoth Fiendess. Morningstar's plan was simple: Destroy Behemoth Fiendess with Neo Nova, then attack directly with Jubilant Jester.
A pity it wouldn't have worked. "I activate the effect of Subterror Subletting!" Terminus declared. "When my 'Subterror' Link Monster is attacked, I can Special Summon a 'Subterror' monster from my Graveyard to that monster's Link Marker. Come back, Umastryx!" Morningstar's eyes widened as the black and blue lizard reappeared, summoned to Behemoth Fiendess's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position.
Subterrror Behemoth Umastryx ATK 2000 DEF 2700 LVL: 9
"Due to the second half of Subterror Subletting's effect, Neo Nova must now attack Umastryx," Terminus continued. Morningstar watched as the white energy changed directions towards Umastryx and Terminus gestured to his field again. "I activate the effect of The Hidden Colony! Once per turn, if you attack, I can flip a face-up monster I control face-down to negate your attack!"
Morningstar's eyes widened further than before as Umastryx became a Set card and Neo Nova's attack went right over the card.
Damn it, Morningstar thought. I can't defeat Behemoth Fiendess with Jubilant Jester, and its attack points are equal to Umastryx's defense points. He looked at the single card in his hand. Good thing I have this.
"I discard the Cyspirit Ninja in my hand to activate its effect!" Morningstar declared. "I can now target a Link-3 or below 'Cyspirit' Link Monster and allow it to attack you directly."
"What?" Terminus said, his eyes wide with surprise.
"I target Jubilant Jester!" A transparent skeleton in all-black clothes appeared in front of Jubilant Jester. It carried a sheathed sword on its back and a dagger in each hand. Its single red eye glinted as it jumped backwards, merging with Jubilant Jester.
"The battle damage you'll take will be halved by Ninja's effect," Morningstar said. "But that won't stop me! Go, Jubilant Jester! Attack Terminus directly!" Jubilant Jester gathered golden energy into its staff, which it fired at Terminus. The Knight of Hanoi cried out in pain from the force of the attack.
Terminus: 2000→650 LP
"Ninja's effect activates!" Morningstar declared, surprising the wounded Knight. "When Jubilant Jester inflicts battle damage, I can send a monster from your field to the Graveyard and then Special Summon a monster with a lower Level to your field in Defense Position!" Unfortunately, I can't target a Link or Xyz Monster with this effect.
"I send the Set Umastryx to your Graveyard!" Terminus winced again as his Set card disintegrated. "And then I summon Subterror Nemesis Archer from your Graveyard." The blonde woman reappeared on Terminus's field in Defense Position.
Subterror Nemesis Archer ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 3
"I end my turn."
Terminus smirked. "You couldn't finish me off this turn," he called out to Morningstar, who remained silent. "In that case, I'll end this soon. My turn! Draw!"
He looked at his card, then said, "I activate-!"
That was as far as he got before everything suddenly stopped. Both duelists gasped and looked around them. The Tower, the Data Storm, even the debris in the air; everything had paused where it was, with a faint grey tinge to everything.
"Everything stopped?" Morningstar whispered. "Is this a bug of some kind? Or something else?"
"It couldn't be," Terminus whispered. "He couldn't be…"
"Revolver."
Morningstar and Terminus turned to the voice. A figure outlined in gold had appeared near the center of the Tower, right next to the core. He was facing Revolver, who was missing the lower part of his right arm.
Morningstar's eyes widened in shock and recognition. "Isn't that-?"
"Dr. Kogami!?" Cam shouted over the earpiece, making Morningstar wince. "He's still alive!?"
With everything quiet, the two duelists could hear Revolver speak. "Why are you here?"
"Ryoken… I never did a single fatherly thing for you," Dr. Kogami answered. "I only made you suffer. But you didn't complain even once. You were a great son."
Morningstar gasped. Ryoken? Son? Didn't that mean-?
"Believe me, I never wanted to involve you in this. But without you, the world couldn't be saved from destruction."
"I know," Revolver replied.
"You can't lose here. I'll give you my final strength."
"Final strength? But if you do that…"
"Dr. Kogami!" Terminus suddenly shouted, his eyes wide with realization. Morningstar turned to look at the Knight, then back to Dr. Kogami, long enough for him to look at Terminus with a friendly smile before he turned back to Revolver.
"I don't care. Protect humanity's future in my place. You and Terminus are my final and only hope." Dr. Kogami reached out his hand and disintegrated into golden data. The data enveloped Revolver and his D-Board. Morningstar watched as Revolver's right arm reformed, but his gaze turned to what Dr. Kogami had left.
It was a path of blue light, with white light in the center. If Morningstar had to describe it, it looked like starlight on water. The path traveled outwards from Revolver to the Data Storm. A path straight to the core of the Data Storm.
Morningstar suddenly gasped as the Data Storm resumed. He quickly reoriented himself and avoided a nasty chunk of debris.
"What was that?" he whispered. "That looked like-."
"Morningstar!"
The hunter turned to face Terminus, who had a worried expression on his face. "I'm ending things this turn!" he declared. "Revolver and I are out of time!"
"Out of time?" Morningstar repeated. "Out of time for what?"
Terminus ignored Morningstar's question and played the card he drew. "I activate the Spell Card: Link Bounty!" The card showed a bulletin board with pictures of Decode Talker and Gouki the Great Ogre, each with a price next to their picture. "This card negates the effects of a Link Monster on my field and lowers its attack points by 1000 until the end of the turn."
Subterror Behemoth Fiendess ATK 3700→2700
"In exchange, I can Special Summon monsters from the Graveyard up to my Link Monster's Link Rating. Return to me, Umastryx and Speleogeist!" The black-and-blue lizard and the blue-and-yellow fiend reappeared, both summoned in face-up Defense Position.
Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist ATK 3000 DEF 1400 LVL: 11
Subterror Behemoth Umastryx ATK 2000 DEF 2700 LVL: 7
I have to end this quickly, Terminus thought urgently. "The turn I activate Link Bounty, only Link Monsters can declare an attack, and if any of the monsters I summoned with Link Bounty remain on the field, I take 1000 points of damage for each one during the End Phase." He then gestured to one of his monsters. "I activate Umastryx's effect! I change it to face-down Defense Position!" The lizard disappeared as a Set card took its place. "I activate The Hidden Colony's effect to flip Umastryx face-up!" Just as quickly, the Set card disappeared and Umastryx reappeared in Attack Position.
Subterror Behemoth Umastryx ATK 2000 DEF 2700 LVL: 7
"Umastryx's Flip Effect! One of your monsters is banished! I banish Neo Nova!" Morningstar gasped as his most powerful monster disappeared. "Subterror Subletting's effect activates! Since the monster it was targeting left the field, my Trap Card is sent to the Graveyard and you take 1000 points of damage!"
"What?" Morningstar said in surprise. Terminus's Trap Card blasted the hunter with yellow energy, making him cry out in pain again.
Morningstar: 1650→650 LP
"Their Life Points are equal now," Cam whispered.
Terminus gestured to the air above him. "Appear, our future circuit!" Blue electricity crackled from his hand as the Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Subterror' monsters! I set Nemesis Archer, Speleogeist, and Umastryx in the Link Markers!" Morningstar watched with trepidation as Terminus's monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the left, top, and right arrows, turning them red.
"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Subterror Nemesis Champion!"
A human monster emerged from the portal. It was male, with long blonde hair with red highlights near the top. It wore brown armor with green and white sections, carried a massive sword in its right hand and a large circular shield in its left. If that wasn't enough, a large bow was propped on its back and it carried a hammer at its waist. The warrior roared as it was summoned to Behemoth Fiendess's bottom-left Link Marker.
Subterror Nemesis Champion ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↑→
"Another new 'Subterror' Link Monster!" Morningstar said, his eyes wide with surprise. This one wasn't as large as Behemoth Guru, but he suspected it was just as strong.
"I activate the effect of Subterror Cave Drawings in my Graveyard!" Terminus continued. "By banishing it, I can Special Summon a 'Subterror' monster in face-down Defense Position to my field, but that monster cannot be flipped face-up this turn. I Special Summon Nemesis Archer!" A Set card appeared at Nemesis Champion's right Link Marker.
Now or never. "Battle!" Terminus declared. "Nemesis Champion attack Jubilant Jester!"
"What?" Morningstar said, surprised as the warrior charged his jester. "But Jubilant Jester has more attack points! Unless-!"
"Nemesis Champion's monster effect!" Terminus declared. Nemesis Champion struck Jubilant Jester in the chest with its sword, which began emitting a blue light. "As it was Link Summoned using Nemesis Archer as material, when it attacks an opponent's monster while pointing to a Set monster, that monster is shuffled back into your Deck! Terminal Retreat!"
Morningstar watched as Nemesis Champion withdrew its sword from Jubilant Jester, but a blue light was left. The light sucked Jubilant Jester inwards, acting as a black hole that consumed Morningstar's monster, leaving his field empty.
"This is the end!" Terminus declared. "Behemoth Fiendess, attack Morningstar directly! Final Extinction!" Behemoth Fiendess gathered blue flames in its mouth, which it then fired at Morningstar. But the hunter was unafraid.
"This duel is far from over!" he declared, gesturing to his field. "Trap activate!" His Set card revealed itself, creating a massive burst of light. Terminus briefly shielded his eyes, but when the light dimmed a bit, he looked at the card and gasped. It showed a single monster, outlined in light. The monster had four massive wings and held a staff as tall as it was in its right hand.
"Cyspirit Creation Link!" Morningstar declared, naming his card. "Since I control no monsters and have no cards in my hand, your direct attack is negated!" A barrier briefly appeared, deflecting Behemoth Fiendess's flames. Terminus grit his teeth in annoyance. "But that is only Creation Link's first effect! It then lets me Special Summon as many Cyspirit Link Monsters from my Graveyard as possible with their effects negated!"
"What?" Terminus said, surprised at such an effect.
"Return to me, Cacophonic Caller, Egregious Electrician, and Rapid Revolutionary!" The skeleton in a suit, the one in overalls, and the skeleton in a trench coat all reappeared on Morningstar's field.
Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500→1000 LINK-1 ↓
Cyspirit Egregious Electrician ATK 600→1100 LINK-1 ↙
Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary ATK 2200→2700 LINK-3 ↙↑↓
"I then must use all the monsters Special Summoned by Creation Link's effect to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster," Morningstar explained. "And then your Behemoth Fiendess must attack that monster!"
While Terminus's eyes widened as he mulled over the effect of Creation Link in his head, Morningstar thought, Terminus has 650 Life Points left. I could Link Summon Datastorm Dragon. Its 2800 attack points, combined with the 500 attack point boost from Cyspirit Monastery, would drop him down to 50 Life Points. But…
Morningstar's eyes narrowed. Creation Link has a costly price for its power. During the End Phase of this turn, I'll take 4000 points of damage. Which means I have to end this duel right now. Which means…
I can't tell you where I got them, but I figure these will help you defeat Terminus.
He remembered Lilith's words when she gave him the last two Cyspirit Link Monsters. No, Masako's words. He didn't know where or how she obtained them, but the first card, Angelic Avenger, had allowed him to defeat Spectre. And now the second card would let him defeat Terminus.
"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" As Morningstar's hand glowed blue, the Link portal appeared above him. But to his and Terminus's surprise, this portal was much larger than the usual portals. At least six times bigger.
Putting his surprise aside, Morningstar said, "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are three or more 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters! I set Cacophonic Caller, Egregious Electrician, and the Link-3 Rapid Revolutionary in the Link Markers!" All three monsters became whirlwinds of energy, with Rapid Revolutionary splitting into three. Cacophonic Caller's and Egregious Electrician's whirlwinds entered the top-left and top-right arrows, while Rapid Revolutionary's entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. All five arrows turned red at the contact.
Terminus's eyes widened even further as his surprise deepened. "Link 5!?" he said. He didn't follow professional dueling, but he'd never seen a Link 5 being summoned.
"Circuit com-!"
That was as far as Morningstar got. At that point, blue lightning suddenly shot out of the circuit, striking everything around the hunter and knight. The two swerved to avoid the blasts and managed to stay on their boards.
"What the-?" Morningstar clung to his D-Board as the wind increased and the lightning became more intense. "Cam, what's going on?"
"I-I don't know! There's some kind of malfunction in the system. It's like the circuit isn't processing!"
Resisting the winds, Terminus quickly checked his energy reader. On seeing the graphics, his eyes widened. "That's impossible," he muttered. "The energy that summoning is putting out is through the roof. The readings are all at maximum and…" Terminus's eyes widened further in realization. He knew what was happening now.
"You fool, Morningstar!" he shouted over the wind and lightning, drawing the hunter's attention. "That monster you're trying to summon is too powerful! The Data Storm can't process it safely! Any second, it will-!"
Terminus's words were lost as the circuit exploded. Said explosion produced shockwaves that finally knocked the two duelists off their D-Boards.
"Yasu!" Cam shouted over the earpiece, panicking at not seeing what was happening.
As Morningstar fell, he didn't notice that the screen of his Duel Disk was glowing silver. Or that binary code had appeared over it.
01000001 01101100 01101101 01101111 01110011 01110100 00101110 00101110 00101110
01000001 01101100 01101101 01101111 01110011 01110100 00101110 00101110 00101110
01000001 01101100 01101101 01101111 01110011 01110100 00101110 00101110 00101110
Broken glass.
That was all there was. After all the pain and suffering. After everything that had occurred, that was all the mind contained.
Whatever had been there before had been shattered. Images of family, friends, of happy times gone by. All of it, gone, swallowed by unbearable pain pressing on a mind that couldn't handle it.
And so it had remained. For ten years the mind had been silent, wallowing in its own pain, incapable of seeing more than that. But something was different now.
Now, there was a voice reaching out. A familiar voice. One that promised safety. One that promised strength.
Now, the pieces started to come together again.
Morningstar vs. Terminus
This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.
Turn 1: Morningstar
As there are no monsters on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Illusionist (2400/1000/6) in Attack Position via its own effect, but its ATK becomes 1800 (Illusionist: 2400→1800). Since Illusionist was Special Summoned by its own effect, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Prisoner from his Deck to his hand. Morningstar activates the Continuous Spell Card Cyberse Infinite Coding. Now each time a Cyberse Link Monster is Link Summoned, he can place 1 Cyberse Counter on it. Morningstar uses Illusionist to Link Summon Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller (500/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone (Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC). As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Prisoner (1600/2100/5) in Attack Position via its own effect. Morningstar activates the effect of Cacophonic Caller to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to its Link Marker. He Special Summons Cyspirit Dancer (1000/200/2) in Attack Position. Dancer cannot attack, and it is destroyed during the End Phase. Morningstar uses Cacophonic Caller, Dancer, and Prisoner to Link Summon Cyspirit Quixotic Queen (2300/3/↙↑↘) to the Extra Monster Zone (Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC). As Dancer was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, that monster gains 600 ATK (Quixotic Queen: 2300→2900). As Prisoner was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Spearman from his Deck to his hand. Morningstar activates the effect of Infinite Coding, removing 2 Cyberse Counters to draw 1 card (Infinite Coding: 2 CC→0 CC). Morningstar Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 2: Terminus
Terminus draws. He activates the Field Spell Card The Hidden City. Since it was activated, The Hidden City lets Terminus add 1 "Subterror" monster from his Deck to his hand. Terminus adds Subterror Nemesis Archer to his hand. Terminus activates the Spell Card Foolish Burial, letting him send a monster from his Deck to the GY. He sends Subterror Behemoth Umastryx to the GY. Terminus activates the Spell Card The Shallow Grave, letting each player Special Summon a monster from the GY in face-down Defense Position. Terminus Special Summons Umastryx and Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Illusionist to Quixotic Queen's bottom-left Link Marker. Terminus activates the effect of The Hidden City to change the Set Umastryx to face-up Attack Position (2000/2700/7). Since Umastryx was Flip Summoned, Terminus can banish 1 monster Morningstar controls. He targets and banishes Quixotic Queen. Terminus Normal Summons Subterror Nemesis Archer (1600/1400/3). Terminus Sets 1 card.
Nemesis Archer attacks the Set Illusionist. Since Nemesis Archer attacked a Set monster while Terminus controls another "Subterror" monster, Terminus activates Nemesis Archer's effect to shuffle Illusionist back into Morningstar's Deck. Umastryx attacks Morningstar directly, but Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Battler in his hand, Special Summoning it in Attack Position (1500/700/4). Umastryx attacks and destroys Battler (Morningstar: 4000→3500 LP). Since Battler was destroyed by battle, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" monster from his GY to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Prisoner from his GY to his hand. Since a Cyberse monster he controls was destroyed, Morningstar activates his Skill, Cyberse Revolution, to Special Summon 1 Cyberse monster whose Level is lower than the destroyed monster's. Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Kid (300/200/1) in Defense Position. Terminus ends his turn.
Turn 3: Morningstar
Morningstar draws. He uses Cyspirit Kid to Link Summon Cyspirit Egregious Electrician (600/1/↙) to the Extra Monster Zone (Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC). Since Kid was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar activates its effect to destroy 1 face-up card Terminus controls. Morningstar destroys The Hidden City. As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Prisoner (1600/2100/5) to Egregious Electrician's Link Marker in Attack Position. Morningstar activates Egregious Electrician's effect, moving Prisoner to his right Main Monster Zone to Special Summon Cyspirit Lancer (1800/0/4) to its Link Marker in Attack Position. Since Lancer is in Attack Position, all "Cyspirit" monsters gain 300 ATK (Egregious Electrician: 600→900) (Lancer: 1800→2100) (Prisoner: 1600→1900). Morningstar uses Egregious Electrician, Lancer, and Prisoner to Link Summon Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary (2200/3/↙↑↓) to the Extra Monster Zone (Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC). As Prisoner was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Monastery from his Deck to his hand. Morningstar activates the effect of Infinite Coding, removing 2 Cyberse Counters to draw 1 card (Infinite Coding: 2 CC→0 CC). Morningstar activates the Field Spell Card Cyspirit Monastery, which increases the ATK of all "Cyspirit" Link Monsters by 500 (Rapid Revolutionary: 2200→2700). Morningstar activates the effect of Monastery to Special Summon a "Cyspirit" monster from his hand to a zone a "Cyspirit" Link Monster points to. He Special Summons Cyspirit Wanderer (1900/200/5) to Rapid Revolutionary's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. Since Wanderer was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Cyspirit" card, Morningstar can lower the ATK of 1 monster Terminus controls by 800. He targets Umastryx (Umastryx: 2000→1200). Morningstar Sets 1 card.
Rapid Revolutionary attacks Umastryx. As Rapid Revolutionary points to 1 monster and is battling a non-Link Monster, it gains 500 ATK during the Damage Step (Rapid Revolutionary: 2700→3200). Terminus activates his face-down Trap Card Subterror Final Battle, choosing to activate the 3rd effect. Umastryx's ATK/DEF becomes equal to its combined original ATK/DEF. As his opponent activated a Trap Card while he controls a "Cyspirit" monster, Morningstar activates the Counter Trap Card Cyspirit Shutdown. The activation of Final Battle is negated, and Final Battle is banished. In addition, Terminus cannot activate a card or effect with the same original name as Final Battle while it is banished. The attack continues and Umastryx is destroyed (Terminus: 4000→2000 LP) (Rapid Revolutionary: 3200→2700). Because a Flip monster was destroyed by battle, Terminus activates his Skill, Whispering Terror, to Set 1 "Subterror" monster directly from his Deck. He Sets Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist. Wanderer attacks the Set Speleogeist, flipping it face-up (3000/1400/11). Wanderer destroys Speleogeist, but its Flip Effect activates. Terminus can now target 1 monster on the field, change it to Attack Position if it is in Defense Position, and change its ATK to 0. He targets Rapid Revolutionary (Rapid Revolutionary: 2700→0). Morningstar ends his turn.
Turn 4: Terminus
Terminus draws. He activates the Field Spell Card The Hidden Colony. As The Hidden Colony was activated, Terminus can add 1 "Subterror" monster from his Deck or GY to his hand. He adds Subterror Behemoth Speleogeist from his GY to his hand. Terminus activates the Spell Card Subterror Cave Drawings, which lets him discard a "Subterror" monster, then draw cards depending on its Level. His discards the Level 11 Speleogeist to draw 3 cards. Terminus Tributes Nemesis Archer to Tribute Summon Subterror Behemoth Stygokraken (1400/2600/5). Terminus activates Stygokraken's effect to change it to face-down Defense Position. Because a monster was flipped face-down and he controls no face-up monsters, Terminus Special Summons Subterror Behemoth Ultramafus (3000/1800/12) in Defense Position. Terminus Sets 1 card. He activates the effect of The Hidden Colony to change 1 face-down Defense Position "Subterror" monster to face-up Defense Position. Terminus Flip Summons Stygokraken (1400/2600/5). Stygokraken's Flip Effect activates, letting Terminus target Set cards on the field, equal to the number of "Subterror Behemoth" monsters he controls, and destroy them. He targets and destroys his and Morningstar's Set cards. Since it was destroyed by a card effect, Terminus's Trap Card Dummy Marker lets him draw 1 card. Terminus Sets 1 card. He uses Stygokraken and Ultramafus to Link Summon Subterror Behemoth Fiendess (2000/2/↙↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Behemoth Fiendess gains ATK equal to the combined Levels of the "Subterror" monsters used to Link Summon it x 100 (Behemoth Fiendess: 2000→3700).
Behemoth Fiendess attacks Rapid Revolutionary. Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Half-Guard in his GY, banishing it and discarding Cyspirit Spearman in his hand to halve all battle damage Morningstar takes this turn. Rapid Revolutionary is destroyed (Morningstar: 3500→1650 LP). At the end of the Battle Phase, Half-Guard lets Morningstar draw 1 card for each of Terminus's monsters that battled this turn. Morningstar draws 1 card. Terminus ends his turn.
Turn 5: Morningstar
Morningstar draws. He activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Emblem, which lets him send a "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to the GY, then Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" monster with a Level equal to the sent monster's Level from his Deck in Attack Position. He sends Cyspirit Changer to the GY and Special Summons Cyspirit Coder (0/0/1). Since Coder was Summoned, its effect lets Morningstar add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand then send 1 card from his hand, field, or Deck to the GY. He adds Cyspirit Sorceress from his Deck to his hand and sends Cyspirit Restoration from his Deck to the GY. Morningstar uses Coder and Wanderer to Link Summon Cyspirit Jubilant Jester (1800→2300/2/↙↘) to the Extra Monster Zone (Infinite Coding: 0 CC→1 CC). Morningstar activates the effect of Wanderer, shuffling it into his Deck to Special Summon Rapid Revolutionary (2200→2700/3/↙↑↓) to Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker, but Rapid Revolutionary cannot declare an attack this turn. Since Jubilant Jester points to at least 1 monster, all "Cyspirit" monsters Morningstar controls gain 400 ATK/DEF (Jubilant Jester: 2300→2700) (Rapid Revolutionary: 2700→3100). Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Sorceress (1400/400/4). Since Sorceress was Normal Summoned, Morningstar can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his GY. He Special Summons Cyspirit Dancer (1000/200/2) in Attack Position. Morningstar uses Dancer, Sorceress, and the Link-3 Rapid Revolutionary to Link Summon Cyspirit Neo Nova (2500→3400/4/←↖↗→) to Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker (Infinite Coding: 1 CC→2 CC). Since Dancer was used to Link Summon Neo Nova, it gains 600 ATK (Neo Nova: 3400→4000). Terminus activates his face-down Continuous Trap Card Subterror Subletting, targeting Neo Nova with its effect. As he controls a "Subterror" Link Monster, Neo Nova's effects are negated. Morningstar activates the effect of Infinite Coding (Infinite Coding: 2 CC→0 CC) to draw 1 card. Morningstar Sets 1 card.
Neo Nova attacks Behemoth Fiendess. As a "Subterror" Link Monster is being attacked, Terminus activates the effect of Subterror Subletting to Special Summon a "Subterror" monster from his GY to a zone Behemoth Fiendess points to and make it the target of the attack. Terminus Special Summons Umastryx (2000/2700/9) in Defense Position to Behemoth Fiendess's bottom-left Link Marker. Neo Nova's attack is redirected to Umastryx. As an opponent's monster declared an attack, Terminus activates the effect of The Hidden Colony to flip Umastryx face-down and negate the attack. Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Ninja in his hand, sending it to the GY and targeting Jubilant Jester. Jubilant Jester can attack Terminus directly this turn, but all battle damage he takes is halved. Jubilant Jester attacks directly (Terminus: 2000→650 LP). Since Jubilant Jester inflicted battle damage, the effect of Ninja lets Morningstar send 1 monster Terminus controls to the GY, but he cannot target a Link or Xyz Monster, and then Special Summon a monster with a lower Level than the sent monster's Level to Terminus's field. Morningstar sends the Set Umastryx to the GY and Special Summons Nemesis Archer (1600/1400/3) in Defense Position. Morningstar ends his turn.
Turn 6: Terminus
Terminus draws. He activates the Spell Card Link Bounty, targeting Behemoth Fiendess with its effect. Behemoth Fiendess's effects are negated and its ATK is lowered by 1000 (Behemoth Fiendess: 3700→2700). Terminus can then Special Summon monsters from his GY, up to Behemoth Fiendess's Link Rating, but only Link Monsters can declare an attack this turn. He Special Summons Umastryx (2000/2700/7) and Speleogeist (3000/1400/11) in face-up Defense Position. If the monsters Special Summoned by Link Bounty are on the field during the End Phase, Terminus takes 1000 damage for each card. Terminus activates Umastryx's effect, changing it to face-down Defense Position. He then activates the effect of The Hidden Colony to change the face-down Umastryx to face-up Attack Position (2000/2700/7). Since Umastryx was Flip Summoned, its effect activates, letting Terminus banish 1 monster Morningstar controls. He targets and banishes Neo Nova. Since the monster targeted by Subterror Subletting left the field, Subterror Subletting is sent to the GY and Morningstar takes 1000 damage (Morningstar: 1650→650 LP). Terminus uses Nemesis Archer, Speleogeist, and Umastryx to Link Summon Subterror Nemesis Champion (2500/3/←↑→) to Behemoth Fiendess's bottom-left Link Marker. Terminus activates the effect of Subterror Cave Drawings in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon Nemesis Archer in face-down Defense Position to Nemesis Champion's right Link Marker.
Nemesis Champion attacks Jubilant Jester. Since Nemesis Champion was Link Summoned by using Nemesis Archer, points to a Set monster, and is attacking an opponent's monster, Terminus activates its effect. Jubilant Jester is shuffled back into Morningstar's Deck at the start of the Damage Step. Behemoth Fiendess attacks Morningstar directly. Since he has no monsters on the field or cards in his hand, Morningstar activates his face-down Trap Card Cyspirit Creation Link. Behemoth Fiendess's attack is negated, and then Morningstar Special Summons as many "Cyspirit" Link Monsters from the GY as possible with their effects negated. He Special Summons Cacophonic Caller (500→1000/1/↓), Egregious Electrician (600→1100/1/↙), and Rapid Revolutionary (2200→2700/3/↙↑↓). Morningstar must then Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster using the monsters Special Summoned by Creation Link and then have Behemoth Fiendess attack that monster, but during the End Phase he'll take 4000 damage.
Morningstar attempts to use Cacophonic Caller, Egregious Electrician, and the Link-3 Rapid Revolutionary to Link Summon a Link-5 monster, but the monster's energy is too great for the Data Storm to handle. It causes a backlash that ends the duel with no result.
Cyspirit Coder
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 0 DEF 0 Level: 1
If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from your Deck to your hand, then send 1 card from your hand, field or Deck to the GY. If your opponent activates a card effect that targets a "Cyspirit" monster you control: You can send this card from your hand or field to the GY; negate that card's effect and destroy it. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster you control; treat it as pointing to a number of monsters equal to its Link Rating until the end of this turn. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyspirit Coder" per turn, and only once per turn.
Cyspirit Ninja
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 2200 DEF 600 Level: 6
This card can attack your opponent directly, but all battle damage your opponent takes this turn is halved. You can send this card from your hand to the GY and target 1 Link-3 or lower "Cyspirit" Link Monster you control (Quick Effect); this turn, that monster can attack your opponent directly, but battle damage is halved. If the targeted monster inflicts battle damage to your opponent: Send 1 monster your opponent controls to the GY, then Special Summon 1 monster with a lower Level than the sent monster from your opponent's GY to their field in Defense Position. You cannot target a Link or Xyz Monster with this effect.
Subterror Nemesis Champion
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Warrior/Link/Effect] ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↑→
2+ "Subterror" monsters
If this Link Summoned card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from your Deck in face-down Defense Position. This Link Summoned card gains these effects, depending on the monsters used to Link Summon it.
-"Subterror Nemesis Archer": At the start of the Damage Step, if this card points to a Set monster and it attacks an opponent's monster: You can shuffle that opponent's monster into the Deck.
-"Subterror Nemesis Defender": Set monsters this card points to cannot be targeted by, or destroyed by your opponent's card effects.
-"Subterror Nemesis Warrior": Once per turn: You can send 1 "Subterror" monster from your Deck to the GY; Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster with a different Level than the sent monster from your GY to a zone this card points to.
Unknown Cyspirit Link Monster
Attribute: ? Type: [?/Link/Effect] ATK ? LINK-5 ↖↙↓↘↗
3+ "Cyspirit" Link Monsters
Effects unknown
Cyspirit Shutdown Counter Trap Card
When your opponent activates a Trap Card while you control a "Cyspirit" monster: Negate that activation, and if you do, banish it, and if you do that, while that card is banished, your opponent cannot activate a card or effect with the same original name as the card banished by this effect. You can only activate 1 "Cyspirit Shutdown" per Duel.
The Hidden Colony Field Spell Card
When this card is activated: You can add 1 "Subterror" monster from your Deck or GY to your hand. Once per turn, when an opponent's monster declares an attack: You can change 1 face-up "Subterror" monster you control to face-down Defense Position, then you can negate the attack. You can activate 1 of the following effects once per turn:
-Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from your hand or GY in face-up Defense Position with its effects negated.
-Change 1 face-down Defense Position "Subterror" monster you control to face-up Attack or Defense Position.
You can only activate 1 "The Hidden Colony" per turn.
Subterror Cave Drawings Normal Spell Card
Send 1 "Subterror" monster from your hand to the GY, then apply 1 of the following effects depending on the Level of the sent monster:
-1-4: Draw 1 card.
-5-8: Draw 2 cards.
-9-12: Draw 3 cards.
You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 "Subterror" monster in your GY; Special Summon it to your field in face-down Defense Position. The monster Special Summoned by this effect cannot be flipped face-up the turn it is Special Summoned. You can only activate 1 effect of "Subterror Cave Drawings" per turn, and only once per turn.
Cyspirit Emblem Normal Spell Card
Send 1 "Cyspirit" monster from your Deck to the GY; Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" monster with the same Level as the sent monster from your Deck in Attack Position. You can banish this card and 1 "Cyspirit" monster from your GY; Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" monster from your GY whose Level is equal to, or 1 higher or 1 lower than, the banished monster's. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyspirit Emblem" per turn, and only once per turn.
Subterror Subletting Continuous Trap Card
If your opponent Link Summons a Link Monster while you control a "Subterror" Link Monster: Target that monster and negate its effects. If that monster leaves the field, send this card to the GY and inflict 1000 damage to your opponent. Once per turn: If a "Subterror" Link Monster you control is targeted for an attack: You can Special Summon 1 "Subterror" monster from your GY in Attack Position to a zone that monster points to, then make that card the attack target.
Link Bounty Normal Spell Card
Target 1 Link Monster you control; negate its effects and lower its ATK by 1000 until the end of the turn, then Special Summon monster(s) from the GY, up to the targeted monster's Link Rating. The turn you activate this card, only Link Monsters can declare an attack. During the End Phase, if you control monster(s) with the same name(s) as the monster(s) Special Summoned by this card's effect, take 1000 damage for each card. You can only activate "Link Bounty" once per turn.
Cyspirit Creation Link Normal Trap Card
If your opponent's monster declares an attack while you have no cards in your hand and control no monsters: Negate the attack, then Special Summon as many "Cyspirit" Link Monsters from your GY as possible with their effects negated. Immediately after this effect resolves, Link Summon 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster from your Extra Deck, using all monsters Special Summoned by this card's effect. Your opponent's attacking monster must then attack again in a row, on the monster Link Summoned by this effect. During the End Phase of the turn you activate this card: Take 4000 damage.
Chapter Preview
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 26 – Truth of the Incident. Forced out of LINK VRAINS, Yasutake and Yusaku locate and confront Revolver and Terminus in real life. After finding out the truth of their pain, the two duelists face their rivals in LINK VRAINS to bring the Lost Incident to a close…
Responses to Reviews & Author's Notes
Thank you to Nirvash Neo, HunterHQ, D3lph0xL0v3r, Guest, Yasutake Fan, Lindia Fullmoon, Ethan Kironus, Tiny Pink Kitten, Lyrissa Artemick, Guest, Vrains Fan, and ThePLOThand for reviewing Chapter 24 of Hidden Memories.
Credit to Yasutake Fan for the creation of Cyspirit Coder and Cyspirit Emblem. On a side note, for future monsters, could you also please provide a physical description? It makes putting them in the story easier.
Nirvash Neo: I had not thought of creating Code Talkers that represent Yasutake and Sachi, but that is an interesting idea. You'll have to wait and see. Also, that idea of Morningstar doing an Extra Link with those 5 monsters? I had not originally planned that, and it was only after you brought it up that I even realized it was possible. Though given the summoning conditions, it might be a little tricky.
HunterHQ: In the Morningstar v. Playmaker duel, there will be no Cynet Ritual or Cynet Fusion. My own interpretation is that he obtained those cards from Ai when he returned from the Cyberse World. That also means he won't be using any Link Monsters that first appeared in season 2 as well. Sorry.
Yasutake Fan: If you are asking whether I am going to use the Master Duel rules from ARC-V or VRAINS, I'm going to use both. You'll have to wait and see to find out how.
Lyrissa Artemick: I can definitely say that Galahad will not follow Go's path. For now, I think he will remain a Charisma Duelist, but we'll have to wait for season 2 to finish to be sure.
Guest: There are 25 chapters because one is a Reader Poll. I originally planned to delete it, but when I tried I found out the reviews for it stuck, so people could not review the new chapter. I suppose I could fix that by releasing two chapters at the same time, but who wants to wait a full month?
Vrains Fan: I would not say Terminus is obsessed with Morningstar. I would say he is aware of how dangerous an opponent he is, and because he is a child of the Lost Incident, he wants to learn as much about him as possible. Okay, that does make him sound obsessed. My point is he observed Morningstar in order to learn how to best defeat him.
Okay, as ThePLOThand mentioned in their review, I told them that I would not release this chapter until they posted their review so I could acknowledge it. So this is my new policy: I will do my best to release the next chapter after ThePLOThand's review, or the next two-three episodes of VRAINS, whichever comes second. In the specific case of Chapter 26, I won't release it until the week of Episode 64 at the minimum.
As for the chapter itself, I am very pleased with how the duel went. As for the end result… I would understand if people are confused by what happened or thinking it doesn't work, so I'll say this: the monster Morningstar tried to summon is not an illegal card. There is a reason it can't be used in a Speed Duel, and that will be elaborated on later. For now, let's just say that that particular card is so powerful that the Data Storm cannot properly process it. But don't worry: We'll get to see that card eventually. And as of now, it is the most powerful Cyspirit monster to exist, and I am looking forward to revealing it fully.
And in case anyone is wondering about the reveal of all 26 Cyspirit Link Monsters, that won't happen in season 1. I plan to reveal at least two more before the season ends, but there will be a few that won't show up until season 2. I do plan to unveil all of them by the end of season 2, however.
Thank you for reading Chapter 25 of Hidden Memories. Please tell me what you thought of the ending of the chapter, as that is the part I am admittedly most invested in.