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

29. Chapter 29: The Devil of LINK VRAINS

Chapter 29: The Devil of LINK VRAINS

"An Extra Link…" Cam breathed as he watched the duel between Morningstar and Playmaker. Because of Morningstar's Camouflage Dome, he, Sachi, and Kusanagi were the only ones watching the duel. "This isn't good."

Morningstar looked over the duel field.

Morningstar: 4000 LP

Playmaker: 4000 LP

On his side, he had three monsters – Cyspirit Legendary Legionnaire, Cyspirit Linker, and Cyspirit Zany Zealot, with both Link Monsters pointing to Linker and all empowered by Playmaker's Cynet Storm Field Spell Card – and one Set card.

Cyspirit Legendary Legionnaire ATK 2200 LINK-2 ↖←

Cyspirit Linker ATK 1700 DEF 1300 LVL: 4

Cyspirit Zany Zealot ATK 2800 LINK-2 ↗→

Playmaker's field was much fuller. He had the aforementioned Field Spell Card Cynet Storm active, which increased the attack and defense points of all linked monsters by 500. He controlled both Extra Monster Zones, with Firewall Dragon to his left and Encode Talker to his right. In his Main Monster Zones, he controlled Transcode Talker, Powercode Talker, and Excode Talker. The three monsters all pointed to each other and the monsters in the Extra Monster Zones, creating an Extra Link.

Firewall Dragon ATK 3500 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

Encode Talker ATK 3300 LINK-3 ↑↓↘

Transcode Talker ATK 3300 LINK-3 ↑↓→

Powercode Talker ATK 3800 LINK-3 ←↙→

Excode Talker ATK 2800 LINK-3 ←↑→

This situation was not optimal for Morningstar. To make matters worse, Excode Talker's effect was preventing him from using one of his Main Monster Zones, specifically the one that Encode Talker pointed to. That meant Morningstar could only Link Summon to Firewall Dragon's top Link Marker, where Linker currently was.

"A-Amazing, Playmaker!" Ai cheered. "You performed the same move Revolver did! Only in three turns instead of five!"

"An Extra Link…" Cypher mused, rubbing his chin with his eyes narrowed. He glanced at Morningstar, whose eyes were covered by his hair. "I think there's only one appropriate response to this situation. Don't you, Morningstar?"

Morningstar didn't answer. Instead, he smiled. Seeing that made Cypher chuckle.

"I thought so. It doesn't matter what we face, does it? We will overcome it!"

"Yeah right!" Ai shouted. "Playmaker and I have five monsters and we haven't battled yet!"

"If you're so confident, go ahead and attack."

"Not yet! Playmaker and I still have a move to make! Don't we, Playmaker?"

Playmaker didn't answer. Instead, he gestured to his field. "Firewall Dragon's monster effect! Once while on the field, I can return monsters on the field or Graveyard to the hand equal to the number of monsters co-linked with Firewall! Firewall Dragon is co-linked with one monster, so I'll return Zany Zealot to your Extra Deck! Emergency Escape!" Firewall Dragon blasted Zany Zealot with blue lightning from the circle on its head. Zany Zealot laughed in pain as it disintegrated.

"Eh, that's not good," Cypher admitted, narrowing his eyes.

"Battle!" Playmaker declared. "Excode Talker, attack Cyspirit Linker! Excode Close!" Excode talker extended green energy claws from its hands and charged Linker. Morningstar just took the only card in his hand and played it.

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Gardna in my hand!" he declared. "Since you attacked a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can Special Summon Gardna and make it the target of your attack." A skeleton in black armor carrying two large shield appeared, summoned in Defense Position.

Cyspirit Gardna ATK 1000 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

Excode Talker continued its charge and struck Gardna's shield, but they held firm. "Gardna cannot be destroyed by this battle, and for the rest of the turn, all battle damage I take is halved," Morningstar continued.

"Tch," Ai said. "That card means he'll survive the turn."

"Of course we would," Cypher gloated. "Did you really think we wouldn't?"

"I figured you had a way," Playmaker said, smiling to himself. "Still, you will take a great deal of damage this turn." The hacker gestured to his field again. "My Battle Phase continues! Encode Talker, attack Cyspirit Gardna! Final Encode!" A blade emerged from Encode Talker's shield as it charged Morningstar's monster. Gardna exploded as the blade passed through it.

"Transcode Talker attacks Legendary Legionnaire! Trans Fault!" A rifle popped out of Transcode Talker's back, which it grabbed with its right hand. The blaster charged and then fired at the skeleton in silver armor, destroying it. Morningstar flinched from the damage.

Morningstar: 4000→3450 LP

"The damage may have been halved because of Gardna's effect," Cypher reminded Morningstar. "But this will still hurt a lot."

"Yeah. I know."

"Powercode Talker attacks Cyspirit Linker! Power Termination Smash!" Powercode Talker launched a grapnel from its wrist, grabbed Linker with it, and then pulled. Linker was pulled towards Powercode Talker, which charged and punched said monster, destroying it. Morningstar winced again from the damage.

Morningstar: 3450→2650 LP

"Morningstar has no monsters anymore, and we have one more attack!" Ai cheered.

"Firewall Dragon, attack Morningstar directly! Tempest Attack!" Firewall Dragon's wings collapsed to form shards around it, creating several rings of energy as the blue in Firewall Dragon's skin changed to red. The dragon gathered red energy in its mouth, which it fired at Morningstar.

The hunter grit his teeth and raised his arms to protect himself. The blast hit, making the hunter scream in pain as he was pushed back several feet. When the attack abated, Morningstar fell to his knees, breathing hard.

Morningstar: 2650→900 LP

"Yes! Over 3000 Life Points in one turn!" Ai cheered.

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

As Morningstar panted, someone spoke up. "…Oi. Morningstar." The hunter looked down at Cypher, who glared at him. The Ignis' body was frazzled, with the tips of his head bent in different directions. "Did you have to protect yourself with your Duel Disk in front?"

"Oh… sorry."

"Sorry, my foot!" Cypher shouted. He shook his head, getting his head and body back into shape, then glared at Morningstar again. "Your avatar may not be your real body, but this is my real body! Show more care for my safety!"

Morningstar stared at his partner, and then started laughing. "Is this what Playmaker puts up with on a daily basis?" he wondered aloud. "Spending time with someone so ridiculous would make anyone grouchy."

"Are you implying that I am ridiculous?" Cypher asked, his eyes narrowed. "Well, you're right about Ai being ridiculous, and I am loathe to admit him being better than me at anything, but… hey, wait! That's not the point!"

Cypher shook his head and looked at Playmaker's field. "No matter how you look at it, our situation is not optimal: 900 Life Points, no cards in your hand, and one Set card we can't use."

"You aren't admitting defeat, are you?"

"Of course not! You have an amazing partner at your side! There is no way you will lose like this!" Cypher puffed out his little chest. "If you lose, it will be in the most epic way possible! No other kind of lose is acceptable to me!"

"…Congratulations. You've managed to outdo Ai at being ridiculous," Morningstar deadpanned. He then stood up straight. "But you're right about one thing: I won't lose like this. In fact, I will win." He put his hand on his Deck. "My turn! Draw!"

Morningstar drew, then played his card. "I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure! This lets me draw cards equal to the number of Link Monsters on the field. There are five, so I draw five cards!"

"Eh? He got five new cards just like that?" Ai panicked. "Not good!"

When he saw what he drew, Morningstar raised an eyebrow. "Hey, Cypher," he said, glancing at the Ignis. "I think it's time to show Playmaker my new cards, don't you?"

"Hmm?" Cypher turned to look at the cards Morningstar's hand. "Oh! Yes! Show those two the Cyspirits' new power!"

"I Special Summon Cyspirit Serpent!" A skeletal snake appeared, its one red eye glowing in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Serpent ATK 400 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I can Special Summon Serpent if it is added to my hand outside of my Draw Phase," Morningstar continued. "And now I summon Cyspirit Miner!" A skeleton in a prospector's uniform with a yellow safety hat atop its head and carrying a shovel appeared. Its single blue eye gleamed as it coughed.

Cyspirit Miner ATK 1700 DEF 100 LVL: 4

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" Morningstar's hand glowed blue as the Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one Level 4 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Miner in the Link Marker!" His monster became a whirlwind of energy and entered the top arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Cyspirit Hallowed Healer!" A skeleton in white robes with a red cross on front and back appeared. The halo above its head glowed as it was summoned to Firewall Dragon's top Link Marker.

Cyspirit Hallowed Healer ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↑

"And thanks to your Cynet Storm Field Spell, Hallowed Healer gains 500 attack points because Firewall Dragon points to it!"

Cyspirit Hallowed Healer ATK 1000→1500

Playmaker looked up Hallowed Healer's effect. "That monster can increase Morningstar's Life Points by half the attack points of a Link Monster it is co-linked with."

"Yeah, but that monster has to be a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster for that effect to work," Ai pointed out. "Firewall Dragon isn't one, so he must have summoned it for another reason."

"He summoned it to use as material," Playmaker realized.

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" Morningstar's hand glowed again as the Link portal appeared. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' Link Monster. I set Hallowed Healer in the Link Marker!" Hallowed Healer became a whirlwind of energy and entered the bottom-right arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Cyspirit Kooky Kommandant!"

A skeleton in a military uniform, specifically an officer's, emerged from the portal. It wore combat boots and black pants, and the uniform was silver with gold epaulets and medals all over it. Its blue and red eyes glowed as silver wings spread from its back. Like its predecessor, it was summoned to Firewall Dragon's top Link Marker.

Cyspirit Kooky Kommandant ATK 1000→1500 LINK-1 ↘

Despite the fact Morningstar's new Link Monster was much weaker than his monsters, Playmaker couldn't help but feel unsettled by Kooky Kommandant. Its jaw was lopsided, and its eyes seemed too big for its head, giving it an eccentric appearance.

"Kooky Kommandant's monster effect!" Morningstar declared. "If it is linked to a Cyberse Link Monster, I can Tribute Kooky Kommandant!" The monster disintegrated as he said that, confusing Playmaker.

Ai breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness that monster is gone. Something about it was unsettling."

"By Tributing Kooky Kommandant, I can then Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect, Cyspirit Linker!" The skeleton with black armor reappeared, summoned in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Linker ATK 1700 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"And then, I can add one Level 8 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster and one 'Cyspirit' Spell Card from my Deck to my hand," Morningstar continued, taking two cards from his Deck. He smirked on seeing what they were. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Reinforcements! Since I control two or more face-up 'Cyspirit' monsters, I can Special Summon a Level 6 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position. Return to me, Cyspirit Nova!" A silver legless dragon appeared and roared.

Cyspirit Nova ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"He has three monsters now," Ai commented, crossing his arms. "Is he planning to Link Summon?"

"Hmm. You really are limited," Cypher said.

"Eh? What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that there's more than one way to bring out powerful monsters." Cypher turned to his partner. "Let's go, Morningstar! Show them your new power!"

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Cyspirit Ritual!" Morningstar's declaration caught Ai and Playmaker by surprise. The card showed an octagonal vortex with silver flames at the bottom. On the sides stood statues of Pied Pikeman and Rapid Revolutionary. As he played the card, the silver stripe on Morningstar's avatar turned blue.

"A Ritual Spell?" Ai repeated, shocked. "Since when does he have that?"

"With this card, I Tribute monsters from my hand and field whose total Levels equal or surpass the Level of the 'Cyspirit' Ritual Monster that I'm Ritual Summoning from my hand! I Tribute Level 4 Linker, Level 3 Nova, and Level 1 Serpent!"

The light faded as a silver magic circle appeared in the center of Morningstar's field. Around the circle, eight silver flames sprung up. Morningstar's three monsters all disintegrated into silver light, which poured into the center of the circle.

"The contract has been made. The horseman who was born anew inherits these three souls! Ritual Summon! Rise! Cyspirit Digital Dragoon!"

A pillar of silver light erupted from the magic circle as the flames went wild. As the lights faded, a humanoid monster on a horse charged out of the pillar. Said humanoid was in fact a silver skeleton, wearing a silver and gold military officer's uniform, with silver shoulder pads and chest armor. It wore an intricate black helmet with a black feather on top of its head. Its mount was a silver skeleton horse, with its rider sitting on a black saddle. It also wore light gold armor on its flanks. The horse had blue and red eyes, as did its rider. The rider carried a cavalry saber in its right hand and had a blunderbuss strapped to its back. The horse whinnied as it and its rider were summoned to Firewall Dragon's top Link Marker in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Digital Dragoon ATK 2500→3000 DEF 2000 LVL: 8

"EH!?" Ai screeched. "A 'Cyspirit' Ritual Monster? He didn't have that before, did he?"

"He did not," Cypher answered. "I managed to create this monster in the three days before this duel. Morningstar drawing the means to summon it provided us the opportunity to show its power for the first time."

Morningstar remembered what Cypher had said when he'd shown Digital Dragoon to Morningstar. As strong as the Cyspirits are, their main weakness is that the Main Deck monsters lack strength; they rely almost entirely on Link Monsters for offensive power. And because I lack the resources to create new Extra Deck monsters for you, I figured a Ritual Monster would be a good start.

This Ignis may have an oversized ego, but he does know his cards, Morningstar thought.

"Battle!" Morningstar declared. "Digital Dragoon attacks Encode Talker!" Digital Dragoon's horse whinnied again as it charged Encode Talker.

"Eh? But Encode Talker's attack points are higher than Digital Dragoon!"

"When Digital Dragoon battles an opponent's Link Monster, that monster's attack points become 0 until the end of the turn!" Morningstar revealed, making Ai and Playmaker gasp. "Go! Process Shoot!" Digital Dragoon drew its blunderbuss and shot Encode Talker, spraying it with silver magma and making it cry out in pain.

Encode Talker ATK 3300→0

"Furthermore, if Digital Dragoon battles a monster in the Extra Monster Zone, that monster's effects are negated until the End Phase," Morningstar continued. "Continue, Digital Dragoon! Harbinger's Fury!" Digital Dragoon swung its saber at Encode Talker, but Playmaker gestured to his own field.

"Trap activate! Doppler Phase Coating! This card equips itself to a Cyberse monster I control. I equip it to Encode Talker!" Said monster glowed. "Doppler Phase Coating prevents Digital Dragoon from being destroyed by battle once per turn!"

"But you still take damage!" Morningstar reminded Playmaker. The blow struck, creating a powerful backlash of wind that struck Playmaker and pushed him back several feet.

Playmaker: 4000→1000 LP

"Seriously?" Ai whined. "First we brought him down to 900 Life Points, but now he's brought us down to 1000. Well, at least we managed to keep the Extra Link intact."

Playmaker gestured to his field again. "Since I took more than 2000 points of damage from this battle, Cynet Storm's effect activates! I can shuffle my Extra Deck and then excavate the top card. And if that card is a Cyberse Link Monster, I can Special Summon it!" Morningstar narrowed his eyes. The only place Playmaker could summon another Link Monster to was Excode Talker's right Link Marker.

Playmaker's Extra Deck shuffled, then it spat out a card. He took it, then summoned it. "I summon Link Spider!" A black mechanical spider with blue lines running over its body appeared, summoned to Excode Talker's right Link Marker.

Link Spider ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Due to Cynet Storm's effect, Link Spider gains 500 attack points. And because Excode Talker points to Link Spider, it gains 500 more attack points and cannot be destroyed by card effects."

Link Spider ATK 1000→2000

"Hmm. We dealt great damage to him, but he got a new Link Monster out of it," Cypher mused. "At least he can't use Link Spider's effect. That said…" Cypher narrowed his eyes. "We aren't in the clear yet."

"I Set one card," Morningstar said. "I end my turn. And because it is the End Phase, Digital Dragoon's effect ends, and Encode Talker's attack points and effects return to normal." The silver magma disappeared from Encode Talker's armor.

Encode Talker ATK 0→3300

"My turn! Draw!" Playmaker drew and looked at his card. He then glanced at Transcode Talker.

"You realized it too, didn't you, Playmaker?" The hacker looked at Ai. "Transcode Talker's effect protects itself and monsters it is co-linked with from being targeted by Morningstar's card effects. That means that Digital Dragoon's effect won't work on Firewall Dragon, Powercode, or Transcode."

"Yeah. That's true. But…" Playmaker looked at Morningstar's Set cards. "Morningstar likely has a means to either end the battle or raise his monster's attack points. I'll have to be careful. I summon Swap Cleric!" A blue and purple mechanical priest appeared on Playmaker's field.

"Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" A Link portal appeared above Playmaker as his hand glowed blue. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Effect monsters. I set Swap Cleric and Link Spider in the Link Markers!" Said monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the left and bottom arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Underclock Taker!" A purple tube with a white disc hovering above it emerged from the portal, summoned to Excode Talker's right Link Marker. It glowed as it gained attack points from Cynet Storm's and Excode Talker's effects.

Underclock Taker ATK 1000→2000 LINK-2 ←↓

"Swap Cleric's monster effect!" Playmaker continued. "When I use it to Link Summon, I can reduce that monster's attack points by 500 to draw one card!"

Underclock Taker ATK 2000→1500

Playmaker drew, then gestured to his field. "Underclock Taker's monster effect! Once per turn, I can target a monster it points to and a monster my opponent controls. Your monster then loses attack points equal to my monster's attack points until the end of the turn. I target Excode Talker and Digital Dragoon!" Morningstar's expression didn't change as Digital Dragoon weakened.

Cyspirit Digital Dragoon ATK 3000→200

"Yes! We can end it with this attack!" Ai cheered.

"Battle! Firewall Dragon, attack Digital Dragoon! Tempest Attack!" Rings of energy formed behind Firewall Dragon as it blasted Morningstar's monster with red energy.

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "So you realized that because of Transcode Talker, Digital Dragoon cannot use its effects against Firewall Dragon. Well played. Unfortunately, I'm one step ahead." The hunter gestured to his field. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mystical Space Typhoon! This card lets me destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field! I'll destroy Doppler Phase Coating!"

"Huh?" Ai asked as a whirlwind blasted the Trap Card, destroying it. "Why would he destroy Doppler Phase Coating? It's not Encode Talker that's attacking."

Playmaker grit his teeth as Morningstar smirked. "The effect of Doppler Phase Coating now activates! If it is sent to the Graveyard during the Battle Phase, the Battle Phase automatically ends!" The energy from Firewall Dragon's attack dissipated before it hit Digital Dragoon.

"Eh!? Seriously!?" Ai screeched.

Playmaker gave a reluctant smile. "You used my card's effect against me," he said begrudgingly. "Well played. I Set one card. I end my turn, and the effect of Underclock Taker ends."

Cyspirit Digital Dragoon ATK 200→3000

"My turn! Draw!" Morningstar looked at his card and his eyes widened. Another of Cypher's new cards, he thought. He glanced at Encode Talker. He could attack Encode Talker with Digital Dragoon again, but…

His gaze turned to Playmaker's Set card. Considering Playmaker's usual skill and luck, it seemed likely that his face-down card would either block Morningstar's attack or keep Encode Talker from losing attack points. Or it could possibly redirect the attack to a more powerful monster.

Looking at his drawn card again, Morningstar smirked. Yes. He had a way to end this duel now.

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Serpent in the Graveyard!" he declared. "By banishing it, I can take control of a Link-2 or lower Link Monster you control!"

"Eh? But the only Link-2 Link Monster we have is-!"

"Underclock Taker," Cypher said, interrupting Ai. Said monster disintegrated before reforming on Morningstar's field. "Unfortunately, we cannot activate Underclock Taker's effects the turn Serpent's effect is used, and since it is no longer linked to any monsters, and especially Excode Talker, it loses 1000 attack points."

Underclock Taker ATK 1500→500

"I summon Cyspirit Nurse!" A skeleton in a light pink nurse's outfit appeared, a single blue eye glowing.

Cyspirit Nurse ATK 1000 DEF 500 LVL: 3

"Nurse's monster effect! I Tribute it and a Link Monster I control, then I gain Life Points equal to that monster's Link Rating times 500 and a 'Cyspirit' monster I control gains attack points equal to that amount until the end of the turn. I Tribute Nurse and Underclock Taker!" Both monsters disintegrated. "Underclock Taker was Link-2, so I gain 1000 Life Points, and Digital Dragoon gains 1000 attack points!"

Morningstar: 900→1900 LP

Cyspirit Digital Dragoon ATK 3000→4000

"Unfortunately, you take no battle damage the turn Nurse's effect is activated," Morningstar continued, making Ai breath a sigh of relief. "However, that does not mean I have no moves to make." He took the last card in his hand and played it. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cyspirit Identity Crisis!" The card showed Decode Talker, with its skin changing and forming into Rapid Revolutionary. "I can only activate this card if a 'Cyspirit' monster was sent to my Graveyard by a card effect. Until the end of this turn, all Link Monsters on the field are treated as 'Cyspirit' monsters!"

"Eh!?" Ai said. All of Playmaker's monsters glowed as their eyes changed color to blue and red. "Umm, Playmaker? Why would he change our monsters to 'Cyspirit' monsters?"

"I suspect we're about to find out," his partner answered.

And indeed, they did find out. Morningstar gestured to his Ritual Monster and said, "Digital Dragoon's monster effect! At the beginning of the Battle Phase, if it is linked to a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, it can make a number of attacks up to that monster's Link Rating!"

"What!?"

"Firewall Dragon is linked to Digital Dragoon," Morningstar continued. "And due to Identity Crisis, it is treated as a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster. That means Digital Dragoon can attack four times this turn!"

"F-Four times?" Ai repeated. Playmaker shared his shock and was secretly glad that Nurse's effect prevented him from taking battle damage this turn.

At Morningstar's words, silver metal wings suddenly burst out from the sides of Digital Dragoon's mount. The horse whinnied as it galloped into the air and started circling the field. Digital Dragoon drew its blunderbuss and pointed it at Playmaker's field. The gun began charging with yellow energy.

"Digital Dragoon attacks Encode Talker, Excode Talker, Powercode Talker, and Transcode Talker!" Morningstar declared. "Go, Digital Dragoon! Imperium Siege!"

Digital Dragoon fired its gun, creating a massive beam of yellow energy. Halfway across the field, the beam split into four, each aimed at one of Playmaker's Code Talkers. Playmaker braced himself as the blasts hit his monsters, creating one massive explosion after the other.

Ai braced himself alongside the hacker. "We may not take any damage thanks to Nurse's effect, but…"

"I know," Playmaker said. The smoke soon cleared, revealing Playmaker's field. It was empty save for Firewall Dragon, Digital Dragoon's attack having destroyed all his other monsters.

"Yes!" Cam cheered. "He broke Playmaker's Extra Link! Just like he broke Terminus's!"

"I thought he broke that Extra Link by returning one of them to his Extra Deck," Sachi reminded Cam.

"Well, yeah, but… Oh, never mind."

"Because Excode Talker left the field, I can use my center-left Main Monster Zone again. And since Transcode Talker is no longer on the field, Firewall Dragon loses 500 attack points," Morningstar reminded Playmaker.

Firewall Dragon ATK 3500→3000

"Trap activate!" Morningstar declared. "Cyspirit Overdrive!" The card showed Angelic Avenger, with a massive silver clock behind it. The hands on the clock were moving at an incredible speed to the point they left blurs behind them. ""Since my 'Cyspirit' monster destroyed your monster by battle, and you control only one monster now, my monster can attack again, and if it destroys your monster, you take damage equal to that monster's attack points!" Playmaker gasped as his eyes widened. So that was what Morningstar was planning!

"Go, Digital Dragoon! Harbinger's Fury!" Digital Dragoon holstered its blunderbuss, drew its saber, and then charged Firewall Dragon. Playmaker grit his teeth and gestured to his field.

"Trap activate!" he declared. "Parallel Port Armor! This card equips itself to Firewall Dragon, and while Parallel Port Armor is equipped to Firewall, it cannot be destroyed by battle or targeted by your card effects!" Digital Dragoon's sword struck Firewall and made it cry out in pain, but it withstood the attack.

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "I see," he said. "Your Parallel Port Armor keeps my Digital Dragoon from using its effects against Firewall Dragon. You were planning to use it on Encode Talker to minimize the damage, but when I activated Digital Dragoon's multiple attack effect, you decided to save it for Firewall. And because of Nurse's effect, you took no battle damage this turn." Morningstar smiled. "Well played. Still, I did manage to break your Extra Link. And once my turn ends, our monsters will have the same attack points. That means your turn and your draw will determine the result of this duel. I end my turn. And during the End Phase, the effects of Nurse and Identity Crisis end." Firewall Dragon's eyes returned to normal as Digital Dragoon glowed.

Cyspirit Digital Dragoon ATK 4000→3000

Cam frowned at the screen. "At the rate they're going, they're pretty evenly matched."

Sachi frowned as well. "Isn't Yasu winning? His Life Points are higher."

"He does have more Life Points, but they each have one monster with 3000 attack points, Playmaker's monster is immune to Digital Dragoon's effect, and Yasu has no face-down cards. What happens next will depend entirely on Playmaker."

"My turn! Draw!" Playmaker drew, then smiled. Morningstar had been right and wrong at the same time; this turn was important, but not because of what he drew.

"I activate the effect of Dual Assembwurm in my Graveyard!" he declared. "By banishing Backup Secretary and Dotscaper, I can Special Summon it with its attack points halved." The red and blue dragon Playmaker summoned earlier reappeared on his field, summoned in Attack Position.

Dual Assembwurm ATK 2800→1400 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

"Dotscaper's monster effect!" Playmaker continued. "When it is banished, I can Special Summon it!" A white and green brick monster appeared in Attack Position.

Dotscaper ATK 0 DEF 2100 LVL: 1

Morningstar grit his teeth. He remembered this trick.

"Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" Playmaker hand glowed, causing the Link portal to appear above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters. I set Dotscaper and Dual Assembwurm in the Link Markers!" Said monsters became whirlwinds of energy that entered the left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Flame Administrator!" A large red humanoid machine monster emerged from the portal, summoned to Firewall Dragon's bottom Link Marker.

Flame Administrator ATK 1200→1700 LINK-2 ←↘

"Flame Administrator's monster effect! All Link Monsters I control gain 800 attack points!"

Firewall Dragon ATK 3000→3800

Flame Administrator ATK 1700→2500

"Yes!" Ai cheered. "Firewall Dragon is more powerful than Digital Dragoon! And thanks to Parallel Port Armor, Digital Dragoon can't change its attack points!" Morningstar grit his teeth as Cypher narrowed his eyes.

"Battle!" Playmaker declared. "Firewall Dragon, attack Digital Dragoon! Tempest Attack!" The rings of energy formed behind his monster as it blasted Digital Dragoon. Morningstar braced himself against the explosion the attack caused.

Morningstar: 1900→1100 LP

"Yes! We finally destroyed it!" Ai said. "Now, we just have to attack with Flame Administrator and-!"

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Ritual in the Graveyard!" Morningstar declared, interrupting Ai. "When my 'Cyspirit' Ritual Monster is destroyed by battle, I can banish it and Cyspirit Ritual from the Graveyard to Special Summon a Link-3 or lower 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Extra Deck!"

"Eh!?"

"Furthermore, this Special Summon is treated as a Link Summon," Morningstar continued. "Come to me, Cyspirit Angelic Avenger!" An octagonal portal appeared on the hunter's field, which a pillar of fire burst out of. Playmaker covered his eyes until the flames dissipated. When he uncovered his eyes, he saw a new monster had appeared. It was a skeleton in red and gold armor, with massive silver wings and long blonde hair made of fire. It roared from Firewall Dragon's top Link Marker.

Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 2700→3200 LINK-3 ←↑→

"Isn't that the monster that beat Spectre?" Ai asked Playmaker, who nodded grimly. This duel wasn't going to be getting easier. Then he frowned in confusion. He remembered that when he saw Angelic Avenger the first time, he had felt a massive swirl of emotions from it, primarily rage. But now… now he felt nothing from it. It felt just like other Cyberse monsters.

Setting those thoughts aside, Playmaker said, "I Set one card. I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!" Morningstar looked at his card and frowned. With the cards available to him, he could win this turn, but with Playmaker having a Set card, that seemed unlikely. The hunter then glanced at Playmaker.

Playmaker. You are one of the strongest and smartest opponents I've ever faced, Morningstar thought. For that reason, if you survive this turn, I'll have you face my most powerful monster.

Out loud, he said, "Angelic Avenger's monster effect! When it points to at least one monster, I can add one 'Cyspirit' Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Cyspirit Reinforcements to my hand." Morningstar took the card from his Graveyard, then played the card he drew. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Emblem! Now, I can send a 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard and then Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' monster with the same Level from my Deck in Attack Position. I send Cyspirit Kid to the Graveyard and Special Summon the Level 1 Cyspirit Coder!" A skeleton in a lab coat and armor appeared, summoned in Attack Position to Angelic Avenger's right Link Marker.

Cyspirit Coder ATK 0→500 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Coder's monster effect! When it is Summoned, I can add one 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand, then send one card from my hand, field, or Deck to the Graveyard." Morningstar took two cards from his Deck, added one to his hand, then sent the other to the Graveyard. He then played the card he added earlier with Angelic Avenger's effect. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Reinforcements. Since I control two or more face-up 'Cyspirit' monsters, I can Special Summon one Level 6 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position. Resurrect, Cyspirit Miner!" The skeleton in a prospector's uniform reappeared, summoned to Angelic Avenger's left Link Marker.

Cyspirit Miner ATK 1700→2200 DEF 100 LVL: 4

"Uh oh!" Ai said, his eyes wide. "His Link Monster points to three monsters!" Playmaker only narrowed his eyes.

"Angelic Avenger's monster effect!" Morningstar declared. "Once per turn, if it points to three monsters, I can return all monsters it points at to the owners' hands, and then negate the effects of all other Link Monsters and make their attack points equal to their original attack points. Go! Holy Revision!" Angelic Avenger's wings spread wide and shone with golden light. Firewall Dragon cried out as it glitched and disappeared alongside Coder and Miner, while Flame Administrator groaned.

Flame Administrator ATK 2500→1200

"AHHH! Firewall Dragon returned to the Extra Deck!" Ai cried. Playmaker grit his teeth. This was not an optimal situation.

"Because the equipped monster left the field, Parallel Port Armor is sent to the Graveyard," Playmaker said slowly as said card disintegrated.

Morningstar gestured to his field. "Battle! Angelic Avenger, attack Flame Administrator! Heaven's Wrath!" Angelic Avenger flew upwards and drew its swords. It then covered itself in flames and charged Flame Administrator.

"Do something, Playmaker!" Ai panicked. "If this attack hits, we're done for!"

"I know," Playmaker responded and gestured to his field. "Trap activate! Cynet Refresh!" Morningstar gasped. "When a Cyberse monster attacks, this card destroys all monsters in the Main Monster Zones!" Angelic Avenger and Flame Administrator both disintegrated at his words.

"Eh?" Cypher said, blinking. "He destroyed both monsters? Isn't that dangerous?"

"It would be," Morningstar said, narrowing his eyes. "If Cynet Refresh didn't also summon any Cyberse Link Monsters destroyed by its effect to the owners' fields during the End Phase."

"Oh, I see." Cypher's eyes narrowed. "Still, that benefits him more than us. Since it left the field, Flame Administrator will regain its effects when it returns. Whereas Angelic Avenger can only use its effects if its Link Summoned."

"I know," Morningstar responded as he took two cards from his hand. "I Set one monster and Set one card. I end my turn."

Playmaker gestured to his field. "Cynet Refresh's effect activates! During the End Phase, all Cyberse Link Monsters that were destroyed by its effect are Special Summoned to their owner's fields!" Angelic Avenger and Flame Administrator reappeared, summoned to Morningstar's and Playmaker's fields respectively.

Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 2700 LINK-3 ←↑→

Flame Administrator ATK 1200 LINK-2 ←↘

"Flame Administrator's monster effect! All Link Monsters I control gain 800 attack points!"

Flame Administrator ATK 1200→2000

"My turn! Draw!" Playmaker drew and stared at his card.

"You feel it too, don't you?"

Playmaker looked up at Morningstar, whose expression had turned melancholic. "This will be your last turn, won't it?"

"…Yes," Playmaker said. With the card in his hand and the cards in his Graveyard, he could end this duel this turn. And yet…

Morningstar smiled. "This was a good duel, wasn't it?"

"…Yeah," Playmaker said, smiling with the hunter. "This hasn't been like my other duels. This duel… I've enjoyed every second of it. It's a shame it has to end."

"…Yeah. It is." Morningstar raised his Duel Disk. "Then come at me, Playmaker!"

"With pleasure!" Playmaker played the card he drew. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Cynet Universe!" Cynet Storm disintegrated as the new Field Spell took effect. "This card increases the attack points of my Link Monsters by 300!"

Flame Administrator ATK 2000→2300

"I activate Cynet Universe's effect!" he continued. "Once per turn, I can shuffle a monster in the Graveyard back into the Deck. I shuffle Transcode Talker back into my Extra Deck." Morningstar narrowed his eyes. He could see Playmaker's thought process. "I activate the effect of Dual Assembwurm in the Graveyard! I banish Latency and ROM Cloudia to Special Summon it with its attack points halved!" The blue and red dragon emerged, summoned in Attack Position.

Dual Assembwurm ATK 2800→1400 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

"Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" The Link portal appeared in the air above Playmaker. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monsters! I set Dual Assembwurm and Link-2 Flame Administrator in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became whirlwinds of energy, with the latter splitting into two, and entered the top, bottom, and right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Transcode Talker!" The brown armored warrior appeared, summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone.

Transcode Talker ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↑↓→

"Cynet Universe's effect!"

Transcode Talker ATK 2300→2600

"Transcode Talker's monster effect!" Playmaker declared. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Link-3 or lower Cyberse Link Monster from my Graveyard to its Link Marker! Resurrect, Decode Talker!" The purple armored warrior armed with a sword appeared, summoned to Transcode Talker's bottom Link Marker.

Decode Talker ATK 2300→2600 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"Transcode Talker's additional effect! Itself and monsters it is co-linked with gain 500 attack points and cannot be targeted by your card effects."

Decode Talker ATK 2600→3100

Transcode Talker ATK 2600→3100

"Decode Talker's monster effect! It gains 500 attack points for every monster it points to! Power Integration!"

Decode Talker ATK 3100→3600

"Both of his monsters are strong, but not enough to reduce our Life Points to zero," Cypher commented. "If this is his last turn as you said it would be, he must have something else planned." Morningstar nodded in agreement.

"Battle!" Playmaker declared. "Decode Talker, attack Angelic Avenger! Decode End!" Decode Talker's sword elongated as it charged Angelic Avenger, who drew its own swords and charged to meet Decode Talker. Morningstar meanwhile gestured to his field.

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Half-Guard in the Graveyard!" he declared. Playmaker's eyes widened in surprise and realization; Half-Guard must have been the card sent to the Graveyard by Coder's effect. "By discarding a 'Cyspirit' monster, all battle damage I take this turn is halved." He revealed the card in his hand. "I send Cyspirit Coder to the Graveyard."

Their monsters' swords met, causing a backlash of wind. The two monsters roared at each other, but eventually Decode Talker overpowered Angelic Avenger, breaking both its swords and slashing it from head to toe. The Cyspirit exploded, pushing Morningstar back.

Morningstar: 1100→650 LP

"Transcode Talker attacks your Set monster!" Playmaker continued. "Trans Fault!" Transcode Talker drew its gun and fired at the face-down card, which flipped face-up to reveal Cyspirit Miner.

Cyspirit Miner ATK 1700 DEF 100 LVL: 4

The blast destroyed Miner, making Cypher flinch.

"Yes! This is it, Playmaker!" Ai cheered. Playmaker only gestured to his field.

"I activate the effect of Parallel Port Armor in my Graveyard!" he declared. "By banishing it and two Link Monsters from my Graveyard, one of my Link Monsters can make a second attack! I banish it, Encode Talker, and Excode Talker to allow Decode Talker to attack again!" Decode Talker's sword glowed gold with energy.

"This is the end!" Playmaker shouted. "Go, Decode Talker! Decode End!" Decode Talker leapt forward and charged Morningstar, its sword glowing at its side.

Morningstar only smiled. "I've been waiting for this!" he declared, surprising Playmaker and Ai. "Trap activate!" His face-down card flipped face-up and created a burst of light.

"What is this?" Ai asked, temporarily blinded. "Please tell me it isn't Mirror Force! I've had enough of that card already!" The light dimmed enough for the two to see the card, which made them gasp.

"Cyspirit Creation Link!" Morningstar announced. "This card negates your attack!" Decode Talker swung its sword, but it struck a barrier, stopping it in midair.

"Creation Link then allows us to Special Summon as many 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters from our Graveyard as possible," Cypher explained. "And we can then Link Summon using them as material and force your monster to attack that monster. But during the End Phase, we'll take 4000 points of damage."

"Eh!? 4000!? You're risking everything on one move!?" Ai shouted, looking at Cypher like he was crazy.

"That is simply who we are, Ai," Cypher said smugly. "Ready for this, partner?"

"Yes." Morningstar gestured to his field again. "Return to me, Angelic Avenger, Hallowed Healer, Kooky Kommandant, Legendary Legionnaire, and Pied Pikeman!" All five monsters reappeared on his field.

Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 2700 LINK-3 ←↑→

Cyspirit Hallowed Healer ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↑

Cyspirit Kooky Kommandant ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↘

Cyspirit Legendary Legionnaire ATK 1700 LINK-2 ↖←

Cyspirit Pied Pikeman ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↑→

"Five monsters at once?" Ai said. "Wait, that would mean-."

"Yes, it's time," Cypher said. "Time for you to witness the birth of the God I created!"

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" Morningstar's hand glowed with blue light as the Link portal appeared beneath the duelists. Playmaker gasped and stepped back as he stared at the portal that covered the entire field.

"Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are three or more 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters. I set Angelic Avenger, Hallowed Healer, Kooky Kommandant, Legendary Legionnaire, and Pied Pikeman in the Link Markers!" His five monsters became whirlwinds of energy and traveled upwards, reaching the top of the Camouflage Dome before diving into the arrows. They struck the top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red. The Link portal lit up with energy, further blinding Ai and Playmaker.

"Hey? What is this?" Ai gasped. "Wait! I recognize this power! This is-!"

"The monster Morningstar summoned to defeat Terminus," Playmaker finished.

The light dimmed enough so that Ai and Playmaker could see a pillar of light in the unoccupied Extra Monster Zone, with smaller lights floating in the air around the field. Morningstar and Cypher stood across from them, neither seemingly bothered by the light.

"Circuit combine!" Morningstar continued. "The supreme authority that reigns over the closed world! Link Summon! Appear! Link 5! Cyspirit Superior Seraphim!" Four massive golden wings burst from the sides of the pillar. The pillar itself then dissipated, revealing a massive monster, larger than anything Playmaker had seen. It was a golden skeleton wearing golden robes with silver lines and it carried a golden staff that was as tall as it was. Its blue eyes gleamed as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Superior Seraphim ATK 3300 LINK-5 ↖↙↓↘↗

"L-Link-5?" Ai said, feeling very, very small before Superior Seraphim. Playmaker was likewise awed by the monster, but he showed it more subtly. "T-That's not fair. Why does he get a Link-5 and we don't?"

"…I still feel something from it," Playmaker said quietly.

"Huh?" Ai said, looking at his partner. "What?"

"When Morningstar summoned Angelic Avenger, I didn't sense the emotions I felt when he dueled Spectre," Playmaker explained. "This monster must have been what I sensed before the Tower fell. And I still sense things from it, but they're… different from before. Something indescribable."

"Hmm…" Ai looked at the monster again. "Now that you mention it, I feel that too. It's different from before, but still present… Just what is this monster?" Louder, he said, "That monster really is surprising, but it's too weak! Decode Talker has 3600 attack points, which means it wins! And then Morningstar loses due to Creation Link's effect!"

"Hmm," Cypher grunted. "Even now, you are still slow."

"Eh?"

"Superior Seraphim is no ordinary monster," Cypher continued. "As I said, it is a God, and as such, its effects are more powerful than the other Cyspirits. Namely, it does not gain effects from the number of monsters it points to. Rather, it gains effects based on the number of monsters that were used to summon it."

"Eh!? But you used five monsters! Doesn't that mean-?"

"That it can use all its effects? Yes, it does."

"Superior Seraphim's first effect!" Morningstar declared, putting a stop to the Ignis' conversation. "When I Link Summon Superior Seraphim with five monsters, I can Special Summon up to three 'Cyspirit' monsters from the Graveyard to its Link Markers with their effects negated. Cyberse Resurrection! Resurrect, Angelic Avenger, Legendary Legionnaire, and Pied Pikeman!"

Superior Seraphim tapped its staff to the ground, creating three circles behind it. Angelic Avenger emerged from the center one, while Legendary Legionnaire appeared to its right and Pied Pikeman to its left.

Cyspirit Angelic Avenger ATK 2700 LINK-3 ←↑→

Cyspirit Legendary Legionnaire ATK 1700 LINK-2 ↖←

Cyspirit Pied Pikeman ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↑→

"Superior Seraphim's second effect!" Morningstar continued. "If Link Summoned using four or more monsters, the effects of all other face-up cards are negated, and the attack points of all other face-up monsters are returned to their original attack points!"

"What?" Ai screeched. Playmaker was also shocked. "Do something, Playmaker!"

"I activate the effect of Cynet Refresh in my Graveyard!" the hacker declared. "When you activate a monster effect, I can banish Cynet Refresh to make my Cyberse monsters unaffected by your card effects until the end of the turn!"

"You cannot!" Morningstar proclaimed, shocking Playmaker. "Superior Seraphim's effect prevents you from activating cards or effects in response to the activation of its effects!"

"NO!" Ai screamed.

"Go! Spiritual Supremacy!" Superior Seraphim tapped the ground with its staff as its eyes changed to red. A pulse of gold energy swept over the field, turning Decode Talker and Transcode Talker gray.

Decode Talker ATK 3600→2300

Transcode Talker ATK 3100→2300

"Superior Seraphim's third effect! For each monster it points to, it gains 500 attack points! Sacred Integration!" Superior Seraphim glowed as its eyes returned to blue.

Cyspirit Superior Seraphim ATK 3300→4800

"Creation Link's effect now activates!" Morningstar continued. "Decode Talker must now attack the monster that was Link Summoned by its effect!"

"Eh? B-But that means-."

"We have to attack Superior Seraphim," Playmaker finished grimly. He closed his eyes, then smiled and opened them. "Alright then! Decode Talker, attack Superior Seraphim! Decode End!"

Decode Talker charged Superior Seraphim, its sword glowing gold again. Morningstar also smiled and gestured to his field. "Battle! Superior Seraphim, respond to Decode Talker! Sacrament of the Closed World!"

Superior Seraphim blinked, changing one of its eyes to red. It tapped its staff on the ground then raised it high, creating a sphere of golden energy at the tip. Superior Seraphim brought the staff down, and the sphere of energy was released at Decode Talker.

Playmaker's monster roared as it struck the sphere with its sword, but the sphere didn't dissipate. Sparks flew before Decode Talker's sword broke against the orb. The blast continued onward, absorbing Decode Talker and headed towards Playmaker.

The hacker closed his eyes and smiled. "You win," was all he said.

The attack struck, creating a massive explosion. Morningstar and Cypher just watched as smoke filled the air. After a while, the smoke cleared, revealing Playmaker on his back. The hacker's eyes were still closed, and he was still smiling.

Playmaker: 1000→0 LP

"Yes!" Cam cheered as he stood up, his hands high in the air. "He won! Yasu won!"

Sachi smiled. "Well done, Yasu," she whispered. "I knew you would win."

Morningstar walked up to Playmaker, who Ai was looking over.

"Playmaker! Are you alright?" Ai asked, concerned for his partner.

"…Yeah. I am," Playmaker answered, opening his eyes. He looked up at Morningstar, who stood over him. "It's funny. I was certain that if I lost again, I would go back to that dark place I was trapped in, but…" Playmaker's smile grew. "For some reason, I don't mind losing to you."

Playmaker pushed himself up into a sitting position. He raised his Duel Disk. "A deal's a deal. Ai is yours."

"Hey, wait, Playmaker!" Ai turned to look at Morningstar, who was expressionless as he raised his Duel Disk. Cypher likewise was expressionless, waiting to see what his partner would do.

For ten seconds, Morningstar stood there, unmoving. Then he lowered his Duel Disk and closed his eyes. Playmaker gave a knowing smile.

"Eh?" Ai said, surprised. "You aren't going to capture me?"

"I already have an AI in my Duel Disk who won't stop talking," Morningstar said, looking at Ai through half-lidded eyes. "I don't need two."

"Yes. And at least I say interesting stuff," Cypher said, nodding. "Almost everything that comes out of your mouth is useless."

"Hey!" Ai shouted, glaring at his fellow Ignis. "My advice is very important to Playmaker! Without me, he'd be helpless!"

"Well, at least we have that in common," Cypher said. The two humans glared at the AIs. "Ai, I overheard Playmaker say he removed your lock. Are you leaving, then?"

"…I might as well," Ai said. "I have to go see my friends again after all. Do you want to come with me?"

"…No," Cypher said, surprising the other three. "I would like to see Cyberse World eventually, but I would like to stay with Morningstar for a while. See how the world has truly changed."

"So does that mean I'll have to get used to you living in my Duel Disk?" Morningstar asked.

"If you want, I can live in your computer," Cypher offered. "I can help you with your homework and make you the top student at school. That is the only designation deserving of my brilliance."

"…I'm certain that is cheating," Morningstar deadpanned. He looked up as Playmaker stood up fully. "Well, if you're leaving, then good luck, Ai."

"Thank you!" Ai said. He then turned to Playmaker. "I'm going to leave now, Playmaker. Umm, in the human world, at times like this, I'm supposed to say something profound, right?"

"Are you capable of that?" Playmaker asked.

"Ah!" Ai said. "One man's fault is another's lesson!"

Playmaker smiled and closed his eyes. "Nice words."

"Are they?" Cypher whispered to Morningstar, who shrugged.

"I'm awesome!" Ai boasted. "I'm leaving, Playmaker."

"Yeah. Be well."

"See ya." Ai waved at the three of them before disappearing into the Duel Disk. The screen then turned blank.

"Ai?" Playmaker asked. When there was no response, he said, "He's gone."

"Yes," Cypher said. "I felt his departure. Though, I imagine we'll all see him again." Cypher bowed to Playmaker. "It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Playmaker. I can see why Morningstar thinks so highly of you. If he wasn't my partner, I would have liked you to be mine."

"That's nice to say," Playmaker said, smiling before turning to Morningstar. "See you, Morningstar."

"Yeah. See you around." The two duelists logged out after saying that, with the Camouflage Dome disappearing with them.

---

Yasutake walked out of the sealed room.

"Well done, Yasu," Cam said, smiling at his roommate. Sachi nodded alongside him. Cam then frowned. "Still, you didn't take Ai. Bishop isn't going to be happy."

Yasutake closed his eyes and sighed before opening them. "Call him," he said. "We might as well get this over with." Cam nodded and began typing while Yasutake looked at Cypher. "Don't say anything during the call," he advised the Ignis. "If he hears you, Bishop may demand I hand you over. I don't want to make an enemy of SOL right now."

Cypher nodded in understanding as Cam made the call. Bishop answered after half a minute. "Ah, Morningstar," he said. "I assume you are calling to tell me you acquired Playmaker's AI?"

Yasutake closed his eyes. "…Not exactly." Bishop didn't respond, which Yasutake took to mean he was waiting for an explanation. "I dueled Playmaker and defeated him, but before he lost, he freed the AI. It abandoned his Duel Disk, and I lost track of it."

"…That is unfortunate," Bishop finally said. "After what happened at Mercury Industries, I assumed you would not fail a job. It appears I was mistaken. Still, defeating Playmaker is an impressive feat. I cannot offer you payment without the AI, but congratulations are in order for your victory."

"I am sorry for failing to deliver," Yasutake lied.

"No matter," Bishop said. "We will simply have to renew the hunt for Playmaker. Even if the AI left, it may return to him. I will contact you with a new contract-."

"No," Yasutake interrupted.

"…Pardon?"

"I am afraid that I will no longer participate in the hunt for Playmaker," Yasutake clarified. "Or any other hunts for that matter. I am retiring."

"Retiring? A hunter of your renown cannot-."

"I can," Yasutake interrupted again. "The reason for which I became a hunter has changed. I have no reason to remain one anymore."

"Morningstar-."

"It was a pleasure to work with you, Bishop." Yasutake ended the call after he said that.

"…So you were telling the truth," Cypher said. "Do you not intend to duel anymore? Perhaps you could join the Charisma Duelists."

Yasutake smiled. "Tempting, but no. For now, I think I'll try to live normally. How does that sound?"

"It sounds good to me," Cam said, reaching up and ruffling Yasutake's hair. "It'll be nice to have peace and quiet for once."

Yasutake's smile widened. "Yeah."

---

LINK VRAINS was empty. The last two residents had left and the Camouflage Dome that hung over them had faded. No one remained inside the cyberspace.

No one except one man. He stood atop a skyscraper, looking down at where Morningstar and Playmaker had been. The man was tall, at over two meters, and his features were obscured by a black cloak.

The man lifted his left arm, revealing a black metal gauntlet with red claws and knuckles. On his wrist was a black and red Duel Disk. He pressed a button, activating a communication function and calling someone.

"Yes?" The person at the other end had their voice scrambled. It was impossible to tell if they were male or female.

"The duel has ended," the man said, his voice deep and cold. "Morningstar was the victor."

"Did the hunter take the Dark Ignis?"

"He did not. It departed when the duel ended, but it did not go with Morningstar." The man paused, then said, "The Dark Ignis wasn't the only AI present; the Silver Ignis was with Morningstar."

"…I see. So it does still exist. With no sightings in eight years, we assumed Dr. Hirai had destroyed it after his project ended. I am glad to see we were wrong. Will you commence retrieval?"

The man didn't need to think about it. "No," he said. "Morningstar is too weak to warrant a duel. The same is true of Playmaker. They have potential to be interesting, but until they get stronger, they aren't worth my time."

"Understood. We would still like for you to observe them; information is valuable after all. When the time comes, we will send someone for retrieval."

"Alright." The man ended the call after that, then looked over LINK VRAINS again. "Morningstar…" he whispered. "The Devil of LINK VRAINS… One day, you'll learn what it really means to face a devil." Under the hood of the man's cloak, a pair of red eyes glowed.

---

Morningstar vs. Playmaker

Morningstar has 4000 LP, 1 card in his hand, 1 Set card, and Cyspirit Legendary Legionnaire (2200/2/↖←), Cyspirit Linker (2200/1300/4), and Cyspirit Zany Zealot (2800/2/↗→) in the Main Monster Zones, all in Attack Position, with Legendary Legionnaire and Zany Zealot both pointing to Linker. Playmaker has 4000 LP, 1 card in his hand, the Field Spell Card Cynet Storm in his Field Zone, Firewall Dragon (3500/4/←↑↓→) and Encode Talker (3300/3/↑↓↘) in the Extra Monster Zones and Transcode Talker (3300/3/↑↓→), Powercode Talker (3800/3/←↙→), and Excode Talker (2800/3/←↑→) in the Main Monster Zones. Morningstar's center-left Main Monster Zone is unusable, due to Excode Talker's effect.

Turn 3: Playmaker

Playmaker activates the effect of Firewall Dragon. As it is co-linked to 1 monster, he can target 1 monster on the field or in the GY and return it to the owner's hand. He targets and returns Zany Zealot to Morningstar's Extra Deck.

Excode Talker attacks Linker. As a "Cyspirit" monster he controls was attacked by an opponent's monster, Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Gardna in his hand, Special Summoning it in Defense Position (1000/2000/4) and making it the target of Excode Talker's attack. Due to Gardna's effect, it is not destroyed by this battle, and all battle damage Morningstar takes for the rest of the turn is halved. Encode Talker attacks and destroys Gardna. Transcode Talker attacks and destroys Legendary Legionnaire (Morningstar: 4000→3450 LP). Powercode Talker attacks and destroys Linker (Morningstar: 3450→2650 LP). Firewall Dragon attacks Morningstar directly (Morningstar: 2650→900 LP). Playmaker Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 4: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. He activates the Spell Card Link Treasure, letting him draw 1 card for each Link Monster on the field. He draws 5 cards. Because it was added to his hand outside of drawing it, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Serpent (400/0/1) in Attack Position. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Miner (1700/100/4). Morningstar uses Miner to Link Summon Cyspirit Hallowed Healer (1000→1500/1/↑) to Firewall Dragon's top Link Marker. Morningstar then uses Hallowed Healer to Link Summon Cyspirit Kooky Kommandant (1000→1500/1/↘) to Firewall Dragon's top Link Marker. As it is linked with a Cyberse Link Monster, Morningstar activates Kooky Kommandant's effect. He Tributes Kooky Kommandant to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his GY in Attack Position with its effects negated, then he can add 1 Level 8 or lower "Cyspirit" monster and 1 "Cyspirit" Spell Card from his Deck to his hand. He Special Summons Cyspirit Linker (1700/800/4) and adds Cyspirit Digital Dragoon and Cyspirit Reinforcements from his Deck to his hand. As he controls 2 face-up "Cyspirit" monsters, Morningstar activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Reinforcements, which lets him Special Summon 1 Level 6 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his GY in Attack Position. He Special Summons Cyspirit Nova (1500/1000/3). Morningstar activates the Ritual Spell Card Cyspirit Ritual, Tributing his Level 4 Linker, Level 3 Nova, and Level 1 Serpent to Ritual Summon Cyspirit Digital Dragoon (2500→3000/2000/8) in Attack Position to Firewall Dragon's top Link Marker.

Digital Dragoon attacks Encode Talker. As it is battling an opponent's Link Monster, Morningstar activates the effect of Digital Dragoon, reducing that monster's ATK to 0 until the end of the turn (Encode Talker: 3300→0), and as it is battling a monster in the Extra Monster Zone, that monster's effects are negated until the End Phase. Playmaker activates his face-down Trap Card Doppler Phase Coating, targeting Encode Talker and equipping it to it. The first time Encode Talker would be destroyed by battle this turn, it is not destroyed. The attack continues, but Encode Talker is not destroyed (Playmaker: 4000→1000 LP). As he took more than 2000 damage, Playmaker activates the effect of Cynet Storm, shuffling the face-down cards in his Extra Deck. He can then excavate the top card, and if it is a Cyberse Link Monster, he can Special Summon it. He excavates Link Spider, and Special Summons it to Excode Talker's right Link Marker (1000/1/↓). Link Spider's ATK increases due to Cynet Storm's and Excode Talker's effect (Link Spider: 1000→2000). Morningstar Sets 1 card. He ends his turn and Encode Talker's ATK returns to normal (Encode Talker: 0→3300).

Turn 5: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He Normal Summons Swap Cleric (500/1000/2). He uses Swap Cleric and Link Spider to Link Summon Underclock Taker (1000→2000/2/←↓) to Excode Talker's right Link Marker. As Swap Cleric was used to Link Summon, Playmaker activates its effect, reducing Underclock Taker's ATK by 500 to draw 1 card (Underclock Taker: 2000→1500). Playmaker activates Underclock Taker's effect, targeting Excode Talker and Digital Dragoon. Digital Dragoon loses ATK equal to Excode Talker's ATK until the end of the turn (Digital Dragoon: 3000→200).

Firewall Dragon attacks Digital Dragoon. Morningstar activates his face-down Quick-Play Spell Card Mystical Space Typhoon, targeting Doppler Phase Coating. Doppler Phase Coating is destroyed, and because it was sent from the field to the GY during the Battle Phase, the Battle Phase ends. Playmaker Sets 1 card. He ends his turn, and the effect of Underclock Taker ends (Digital Dragoon: 200→3000).

Turn 6: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. He activates the effect of the Cyspirit Serpent in his GY, banishing it to negate the effects of and take control of 1 Link-2 or lower Link Monster Playmaker controls. He takes control of Underclock Taker (Underclock Taker: 1500→500). He Normal Summons Cyspirit Nurse (1000/500/3). Morningstar activates Nurse's effect, Tributing itself and Underclock Taker and targeting Digital Dragoon. He then gains LP equal to Underclock Taker's Link Rating x 500, and Digital Dragoon gains the same amount of ATK until the end of the turn (Morningstar: 900→1900 LP) (Digital Dragoon: 3000→4000). The turn Nurse's effect is activated, Playmaker takes no battle damage. Since a "Cyspirit" monster was sent to the GY by a card effect, Morningstar activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Cyspirit Identity Crisis. Until the end of the turn, all Link Monsters on the field are treated as "Cyspirit" monsters.

At the beginning of the Battle Phase, Morningstar activates the effect of Digital Dragoon. Since it is linked to a "Cyspirit" Link Monster (Firewall Dragon treated as a "Cyspirit" monster by Identity Crisis's effect), it can make attacks against a number of Playmaker's monsters up to that monster's Link Rating, and other monsters Morningstar controls cannot attack this turn. Digital Dragoon attacks and destroys Encode Talker. It then attacks and destroys Excode Talker (Powercode Talker: 3800→3300). Digital Dragon attacks and destroys Powercode Talker. It then attacks and destroys Transcode Talker (Firewall Dragon: 3500→3000). As a "Cyspirit" monster he controls destroyed a monster by battle and Playmaker controls only 1 monster, Morningstar activates his face-down Trap Card Cyspirit Overdrive, letting that monster attack again, and if it destroys an opponent's monster by battle, Playmaker takes damage equal to that monster's ATK. Digital Dragoon attacks Firewall Dragon, but Playmaker activates his face-down Trap Card Parallel Port Armor, equipping it to Firewall Dragon. The equipped Firewall Dragon cannot be targeted by Morningstar's card effects and it cannot be destroyed by battle. Morningstar ends his turn, and the effects of Cyspirit Nurse and Identity Crisis come to an end (Digital Dragoon: 4000→3000).

Turn 7: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He activates the effect of Dual Assembwurm in his GY, banishing Backup Secretary and Dotscaper from his GY to Special Summon it in Attack Position with its ATK halved (2800→1400/1000/8). As Dotscaper was banished, Playmaker activates its effect, Special Summoning it in Defense Position (0/2100/1). Playmaker uses Dotscaper and Dual Assembwurm to Link Summon Flame Administrator (1200→1700/2/←↘) to Firewall Dragon's bottom Link Marker. Because Flame Administrator is on the field, all of Playmaker's Link Monsters gain 800 ATK (Firewall Dragon: 3000→3800) (Flame Administrator: 1700→2500).

Firewall Dragon attacks and destroys Digital Dragoon (Morningstar: 1900→1100 LP). As a "Cyspirit" Ritual Monster he controls was destroyed by battle, Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Ritual in his GY, banishing it and Digital Dragoon to Special Summon 1 Link-3 or lower "Cyspirit" Link Monster from his Extra Deck and treat it as having been Link Summoned. He Special Summons Cyspirit Angelic Avenger to Firewall Dragon's top Link Marker (2700→3200/3/←↑→). Playmaker Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 8: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. Since it points to at least 1 monster, he activates the effect of Angelic Avenger to add 1 "Cyspirit" Spell/Trap Card from his GY to his hand. He targets and adds Cyspirit Reinforcements from his GY to his hand. He then activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Emblem, which lets him send 1 "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to the GY and then Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" monster with the same Level as the sent monster from his Deck in Attack Position. He sends Cyspirit Kid to the GY and Special Summons Cyspirit Coder (0→500/0/1) to Angelic Avenger's right Link Marker. As Coder was Summoned, Morningstar activates its effect to 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 Creation Link from his Deck to his hand and sends Cyspirit Half-Guard to the GY. As he controls 2 or more face-up "Cyspirit" monsters, Morningstar activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Reinforcements, which lets him Special Summon 1 Level 6 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his GY in Attack Position. He Special Summons Cyspirit Miner (1700→2200/100/4) to Angelic Avenger's left Link Marker. Morningstar activates the effect of Angelic Avenger. As it points to 3 monsters, all monsters it points to are returned to the owners' hands, the effects of all Link Monsters except Angelic Avenger are negated, and the ATK of all other Link Monsters is made equal to their original ATK. Coder, Miner, and Firewall Dragon are returned to Morningstar's hand and Playmaker's Extra Deck, respectively (Flame Administrator: 2500→1200). Because the equipped monster left the field, Parallel Port Armor is sent to the GY.

Angelic Avenger attacks Flame Administrator, but Playmaker activates his face-down Trap Card Cynet Refresh. As a Cyberse monster declared an attack, all monsters in the Main Monster Zones are destroyed. Angelic Avenger and Flame Administrator are both destroyed. Morningstar Sets 1 card. He Sets 1 monster. He ends his turn, and the effect of Cynet Refresh Special Summons as many Cyberse Link Monsters among the destroyed monsters to the owners' fields. Angelic Avenger is Special Summoned to Morningstar's field (2700/3/←↑→) and Flame Administrator is Special Summoned to Playmaker's (1200/2/←↘). Flame Administrator's effect activates again (Flame Administrator: 1200→2000).

Turn 9: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He activates the Field Spell Card Cynet Universe, sending Cynet Storm to the GY. Cynet Universe increases the ATK of all of Playmaker's Link Monsters by 300 (Flame Administrator: 2000→2300). Playmaker activates the effect of Cynet Universe to return 1 monster in the GY to its owner's Deck. He targets and returns Transcode Talker to his Extra Deck. Playmaker activates the effect of Dual Assembwurm in his GY, banishing Latency and ROM Cloudia to Special Summon it in Attack Position with its ATK halved (2800→1400/1000/8). Playmaker uses Dual Assembwurm and Flame Administrator to Link Summon Transcode Talker (2300→2600/3/↑↓→) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Playmaker activates the effect of Transcode Talker to Special Summon 1 Link-3 or lower Cyberse Link Monster from his GY to his zone Transcode Talker points to. He Special Summons Decode Talker (2300→2600/3/↙↑↘) to Transcode Talker's bottom Link Marker. As Transcode is co-linked, it and the monster it is co-linked with gain 500 ATK and cannot be targeted by Morningstar's card effects (Transcode: 2600→3100) (Excode: 2600→3100). As Decode Talker points to Transcode Talker, it gains 500 ATK (Decode: 3100→3600).

Decode Talker attacks Angelic Avenger, but Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Half-Guard in his GY, banishing it to do so. He can discard 1 "Cyspirit" monster, then all battle damage he takes this turn is halved. Morningstar discards Cyspirit Coder. Decode Talker destroys Angelic Avenger (Morningstar: 1100→650 LP). Transcode Talker attacks and destroys the Set Cyspirit Miner (1700/100/4). Playmaker activates the effect of Parallel Port Armor in his GY, targeting Decode Talker for its effect. He banishes Parallel Port Armor, Encode Talker, and Excode Talker to let Decode Talker attack again. Decode Talker attacks Morningstar directly. As Morningstar controls no monsters and has no cards in his hand, he activates the Trap Card Cyspirit Creation Link, negating Decode Talker's attack. He can then Special Summon as many "Cyspirit" Link Monsters from the GY as possible with their effects negated, then use them to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster and have Decode Talker attack that monster, but during the End Phase, Morningstar will take 4000 damage.

Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Angelic Avenger (2700/3/←↑→), Cyspirit Hallowed Healer (1000/1/↑), Cyspirit Kooky Kommandant (1000/1/↘), Cyspirit Legendary Legionnaire (1700/2/↖←), and Cyspirit Pied Pikeman (2400/3/↙↑→). Morningstar uses Angelic Avenger, Hallowed Healer, Kooky Kommandant, Legendary Legionnaire, and Pied Pikeman to Link Summon Cyspirit Superior Seraphim (3300/5/↖↙↓↘↗) to the Extra Monster Zone. As it was Link Summoned using 5 monsters, Superior Seraphim's effect activates, letting Morningstar Special Summon up to 3 "Cyspirit" Link Monsters from his GY to zones it points to with their effects negated. He Special Summons Angelic Avenger (2700/3/←↑→) to Superior Seraphim's bottom Link Marker, Legendary Legionnaire (1700/2/↖←) to its bottom-right Link Marker, and Pied Pikeman (2400/3/↙↑→) to its bottom-left Link Marker. As Superior Seraphim was Link Summoned using more than 4 monsters, its effect negates the effects of all other face-up cards and makes the ATK of all other face-up monsters equal to their original ATK (Decode Talker: 3600→2300) (Transcode Talker: 3100→2300). Superior Seraphim gains 500 ATK for each monster it points to (Superior Seraphim: 3300→4800).

Due to Creation Link's effect, Decode Talker is forced to attack Superior Seraphim. Decode Talker is destroyed (Playmaker: 1000→0 LP). Morningstar wins.

---

Cyspirit Serpent
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 400 DEF 0 Level: 1
If this card is added to your hand, except by drawing it: You can Special Summon it from your hand. If you control a "Cyspirit" monster, you can banish this card from your GY and target 1 Link-2 or lower Link Monster your opponent controls; negate that monster's effects until the End Phase, then take control of that monster. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyspriit Serpent" per turn, and only once per turn.

Cyspirit Miner
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Normal] ATK 1700 DEF 100 Level: 4
This hard-working prospector works out his daily grind under the watchful eye of Thrilled Tunneler.

Cyspirit Kooky Kommandant
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↘
1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster
If this card is linked with a Cyberse Link Monster, you can Tribute this card; Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from your GY in Attack Position with its effects negated, then add 1 Level 8 or lower "Cyspirit" monster and 1 "Cyspirit" Spell Card from your Deck to your hand. You cannot Special Summon during the turn you activate this effect, except "Cyspirit" monsters. You can only activate this effect of "Cyspirit Kooky Kommandant" once per turn.

Cyspirit Digital Dragoon
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Ritual/Effect] ATK 2500 DEF 2000 Level: 8
You can Ritual Summon this card with "Cyspirit Ritual". Once per turn, if this card battles an opponent's Link Monster: You can reduce that monster's ATK to 0 until the end of the turn. If this card battles a monster in the Extra Monster Zone: You can negate that monster's effects until the End Phase. At the beginning of your Battle Phase, if this card is linked to a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, you can activate this effect (Quick Effect): This card can make a number of attacks against your opponent's monsters, up to the Link Rating of the linked "Cyspirit" Link Monster. The turn this effect is activated, other monsters you control cannot declare an attack, and all battle damage your opponent takes is halved.

Cyspirit Nurse
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1000 DEF 500 Level: 3
You can Tribute this card and 1 Link Monster you control, then target 1 "Cyspirit" monster you control; gain LP equal to the Tributed Link Monster's Link Rating x 500, then increase that "Cyspirit" monster's ATK by the same amount until the end of the turn. Your opponent takes no battle damage the turn you activate this effect. You can only activate this effect of "Cyspirit Nurse" once per turn.

Cyspirit Ritual Ritual Spell Card
This card can be used to Ritual Summon any "Cyspirit" Ritual Monster. You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of that Ritual Monster. If a "Cyspirit" Ritual Monster you control is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY, you can banish this card and that monster from your GY; Special Summon 1 Link-3 or lower "Cyspirit" Link Monster from your Extra Deck (This Special Summon is treated as a Link Summon).

Cyspirit Identity Crisis Quick-Play Spell Card
If a "Cyspirit" monster you control is sent to the GY by a card effect, you can activate this card; All Link Monsters on the field are treated as "Cyspirit" monsters until the end of the turn. You can only activate "Cyspirit Identity Crisis" once per turn.

Cyspirit Overdrive Normal Trap Card
If your "Cyspirit" monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle and your opponent only controls 1 monster: your "Cyspirit" monster can attack once again in a row. The turn this card is activated, if your "Cyspirit" monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster's original ATK. You can only activate "Cyspirit Overdrive" once per turn.

---

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 30 – Hunter's Origins. It has been a month since the Tower of Hanoi fell, and life has gone back to normal. Taking Sachi out for the first time, Yasutake visits Kusanagi and Yusaku and tells them how he started out as a bounty hunter and how he acquired the Cyspirit monsters.

---

Responses to Reviews & Author's Notes

Thank you to jdkeller2000, HunterHQ, TachyonDragonKing, thirdegree101, sanedimentio, Yasutake Fan, Ryujomaru15, D3lph0xL0v3r, giacomoX, ThePLOThand, Darknight7, Guest, Lindia Fullmoon, Ethan Kironus, Lyrissa Artemick, and tsukikami02 for reviewing Chapter 28 of Hidden Memories.

Credit to Yasutake Fan for the name, effects, and stats of Cyspirit Digital Dragoon. They originally suggested it as an Effect Monster, but I turned it into a Ritual Monster because I thought it would make more sense. It also makes it harder to summon, which considering its effects, it needs. Also, thank you to sanedimentio and OPFan37, who provided the attack and effect names for Digital Dragoon respectively. And another thank you to sanedimentio for the card text of Cyspirit Miner.

Now to answer reviews. jdkeller2000: For the first question, look below. For the second, you'll have to wait and see.

TachyonDragonKing: Sachi will duel at least once in Hidden Memories. I won't say when or who her opponent will be.

tsukikami02: Cypher technically splits the Divine Attribute with the Gold Ignis, but for gameplay reasons, he and she can each use three Attributes. Because of this, everyone will refer to them as the Silver and Gold Ignis.

Okay, this chapter was the true end of season 1. Like I said before, I won't start season 2 until the anime finishes season 2. But, after watching episodes 64 & 65, I decided I would do an interlude chapter where we explore Morningstar's past; in this case, we'll see his first hunt and how he acquired the Cyspirit cards. I am also doing this because I would like to start season 2 on an odd number. Blame my OCD.

As for this chapter, we saw the end of the duel between Morningstar and Playmaker, and Morningstar won, but decided to not take Ai. Some of you suggested this ending, and I did plan it. We also got to see new Cyspirit cards, including a Cyspirit Ritual Monster. If anyone would like to suggest additional OC Cyspirit cards, it would be appreciated.

We also have the first glance at a new threat for season 2. I'll let everyone speculate as to who or what this new threat is. All I'll say is that this person can see through Morningstar's Camouflage Dome without difficulty.

Now, two things on season 2: The first is OC cards. I have plans to introduce five new archetypes; two of these are the Cyangel and Cydemon archetypes, but there will be three others. Sadly, I have yet to come up with a name for one of these, which will be a Cyberse archetype. I would really appreciate it if anyone would like to offer a name.

The second thing about season 2: OCs from you. I have ideas for seven new duelists, one of which will be Katsumi Kurosaki, also known as Persephone. Of the other six, five already have names and Decks, while the last one only has a Deck, which is space-themed. If anyone would like to suggest a name for him, that would be nice. And if anyone would like to suggest their own OCs or archetypes, they are welcome to, but please do so in a PM.

One last thing on season 1: I'll be making a poll on my profile page, in which everyone can vote on who their favorite OC from season 1 was. The poll will remain open until I publish the first chapter of season 2.

Thank you for reading Chapter 29 of Hidden Memories. As always, please post a review of your favorite thing. But I also have something new this time: I've written a beta intro for season 2, and I would like everyone's opinions on it. So without further ado…

---

The sky appears, full of clouds. Playmaker races through the clouds on his D-Board, followed by Morningstar, and then Soulburner. The clouds part to reveal NEW LINK VRAINS. The Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS logo appears, and beneath it, the words "HIDDEN MEMORIES" appears.

Yasutake and Yusaku are walking down the street to school. Naoki runs past them on one side, a large smile on his face. Aoi walks past them on the other side, smiling lightly and blushing at Yusaku. Then Takeru walks up behind them and wraps one arm around Yusaku. He tries to wrap the other arm around Yaustake, who steps to the side and gives Takeru an annoyed look. Then someone wraps their arms around Yasutake's right arm. He glances to the side and sees Sachi wearing the Den Academy girls' uniform, smiling as she leans her head on his shoulder. Yasutake smiles back at her.

Masako is shown riding in the passenger side of a van, with the window showing an image of Lilith. In the sky above her, an image of Thaumiel appears, holding his hand over the van. Kenshin Hirai is then shown at a café, drinking coffee and reading a book, while an image of Hitomu Hirai appears in the sky facing the opposite direction. Takeshi is having a picnic with his brother Eiji and Katsumi. A dog then runs up and steals Takeshi's sandwich off his plate and runs off. Takeshi jumps up and chases after the dog, with his brother laughing at him and Katsumi shaking her head in amusement.

Go Onizuka is shown in a sweatshirt, leaving his old outfit and championship belt on the ropes of his wrestling ring. Galahad is shown overlooking NEW LINK VRAINS, with a dark-haired woman in a black dress and gold armor standing next to him. Kusanagi is then shown sitting at a picnic bench with Cam, both drinking from cans and laughing. Flame and Ai are shown arguing, while Cypher looks at the two of them with exasperation and mild contempt. Takeru, Yasutake, and Yusaku are all shown inserting their Decks into their Duel Disks.

Akira Zaizen is shown sitting in his office with Hayami, then Queen is shown looking over her glasses. A tall man in a blue jumpsuit and cape with golden shoulder pads, gloves, and blonde hair is then shown, with two people – a man and a woman – shown standing behind him, shrouded in shadow. The man-in-shadow's eyes glow red. The blonde man's face is hidden with a dark gold mask, with the left half trailing upwards above his head. Behind them are two dragons, shrouded in shadow. One of the dragons has four thin wings, while the other has six thin wings.

Playmaker is shown with Cyberse Magician and Cyberse Witch, evading Blood Shepard and his Drone monsters' missiles. Morningstar is then shown with a monster in samurai armor and Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary, evading energy attacks from a mechanical white and gold dragon. The dragon's owner wears a gray jumpsuit with silver armor on his left arm, chest, and head. The energy hits Morningstar, but the smoke fades, revealing him unharmed and annoyed.

Bohman is shown, screaming as he holds his head. He then activates Judgment Arrows. Haru is then shown facepalming. The Knights of Hanoi are then shown, with Spectre and Revolver above Baira, Dr. Genome, and Faust.

A split screen, showing two figures. The one on the right is a green outline of a short-haired woman wearing a dress and holding a card in her right hand. Behind her is a gold outline of a winged figure holding a sword. The left screen shows a red outline of a man wearing armor, with his right hand raised and the fingers curled. Behind him is a black outline of an armored monster with demonic/dragonic wings.

Playmaker is shown reaching into the Data Storm, while Soulburner's hand is covered in flames and Morningstar's hand glows purple. Go Onizuka is shown in his new avatar, standing next to the man in silver armor. Blue Girl and Ghost Girl are shown riding their D-Boards together, with Blue Girl drawing a card.

Cyspirts Angelic Avenger, Idealistic Idol, Pied Pikeman, Quixotic Queen, Rapid Revolutionary, and Winning Wrestler are then shown in the air, with Neo Nova racing past them. The six Cyspirits leap to the sides, revealing Superior Seraphim, whose staff releases gold light.

Pigeon is shown carrying Frog, both with goofy grins on their faces, then Brave Max is shown, a large smile on his face. Ghost Girl and Blue Girl are shown standing next to each other, then a picture of Kusanagi and his brother is shown alongside a picture of Cam and Sachi. Cam, Sachi, Yasutake, Takeru, Kusanagi, and Yusaku are all then shown at a picnic table, with them eating hot dogs, and Takeru and Cam are laughing. Three Duel Disks are shown on the table, with Flame lecturing Ai while Cypher glares at both of them.

Playmaker and Soulburner are finally shown on their D-Boards, flying through NEW LINK VRAINS. Yasutake is shown in the real world, walking down the street with Cam and Sachi. All three smile.