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

31. Chapter 31: The New LINK VRAINS

Chapter 31: The New LINK VRAINS

Reminder: I'm releasing this chapter and Chapter 32 at the same time so I can delete the reader poll. I'm not sure, but I believe you won't be able to post a review of this chapter because the story technically already has 31 chapters because of that poll and this will be Chapter 31. If you wish to post a review and find you cannot, please either use a guest account, or combine said review with anything you have to say about Chapter 32.

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Announcement

I made a small change in the previous chapter. Instead of forcing Hellsworn to log out, the man in blue deleted his account. I feel this makes him more villainous. That said, please enjoy my complete opening.

---

The sky appears, full of clouds. Playmaker races through the clouds on his D-Board, followed by Morningstar in a new avatar, 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 with her eyes closed 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. Go Onizuka is shown in NEW LINK VRAINS in his new avatar, riding his D-Board with Kenmochi and Yoroizaka on either side. Behind them, a man in a gray jumpsuit with silver armor on his left arm, chest, and head, and a short green-haired girl in a black jacket and shorts with a see-through visor over her eyes fly on their own D-Boards. As they pass under a ledge, Blue Angel, Galahad, and Persephone, with the latter two having new avatars, are shown looking down at Go with sad and disappointed looks.

Kusanagi is then shown sitting at a picnic bench with Cam, both drinking from cans and laughing. Flame and Ai are shown arguing in Café Nagi, while Cypher looks at the two of them with exasperation and mild contempt. Akira Zaizen and Hayami are then shown standing next to Queen, who is sitting in a pool chair, adjusting 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 eyeholes glowing blue. Behind them are two dragons, shrouded in shadow. One of the dragons has four thin wings, while the other has six thin wings.

Morningstar and Playmaker ride their D-Boards next to each other, with Cyberse Witch and Cyberse Magician in front of Playmaker, and Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary and a skeleton monster in samurai armor in front of Morningstar. The two are chased by the man in silver armor and the girl in a black jacket. The man directs a blue and silver metal dragon to fire at Morningstar while the girl commands a red and purple dragon to attack Playmaker. The two are hit with energy attacks but emerge from the smoke unharmed.

The Knights of Hanoi are then shown, with Terminus standing apart from them. Motor Worm Spreader Queen, Helixx Necro Darwin, and Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps appear, with Sunavalon Dryanome behind them. Borreload Savage Dragon then rises from behind Dryanome and roars.

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 white 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 wings.

Morningstar, Playmaker, and Soulburner are then shown back-to-back, with their hands glowing purple, blue, and red respectively. The three face off against Bohman and Trident Hydradrive Lord, Blood Shepard and Battledrone General, and the man in blue and gold, who raises his arm as a pillar of energy appears behind him. A six-winged dragon emerges from the pillar and roars.

Cyspirts Angelic Avenger, Idealistic Idol, Pied Pikeman, Rapid Revolutionary, and Winning Wrestler are then shown in the air, with Neo Nova racing past them. The five Cyspirit monsters then glow with golden light and merge to form Superior Seraphim, whose light spreads across NEW LINK VRAINS.

Cam, Sachi, Yasutake, Takeru, Kusanagi, and Yusaku are all 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 watches television on Yasutake's tablet. Aoi, Akira, and Emma are in the background, walking past them and smiling at the table.

Yasutake, Cam, and Sachi walk down the street, with Cam having his arms around the other two. All three are smiling. The scene then switches to NEW LINK VRAINS, with Morningstar, Playmaker, and Soulburner sitting on a ledge and smiling into the distance.

---

Yasutake sighed as he put up the "Closed" sign on Café Junpei. He and Cam usually didn't close this early – except on Morningstar business – but the lack of customers and the owner's absence had made this easier. After receiving permission from Cam, Yasutake had decided to close down for the day so he could work on other things, most of which had to do with Sachi and the rest was because of Cypher.

"Well this is disappointing."

Yasutake turned at the voice. It was Aoi Zaizen, wearing a white blouse and light blue coat over a dark blue skirt. He noticed she was carrying a coffee and what he recognized as a bag from Café Nagi. Interesting.

"I was hoping to get a few muffins. And to see Sachi." Aoi walked up to stand beside Yasutake. "Is she in?"

Yasutake shook his head. "She went out with Cam and a friend," he explained. "I was left in charge of the store, but we haven't had many customers today, and there is other work to do, so Cam said I could close down early."

"I see." Aoi looked truly disappointed at that. After meeting each other two months ago, Aoi had ran into Sachi and Yasutake a few more times before she and Sachi exchanged email addresses. The two had quickly become very good friends, with Aoi visiting Café Junpei once or twice a week and Sachi visiting Aoi's place a few times. It had gotten to the point where Sachi had told Aoi she was her second-best friend (The first being Yasutake. Cam had been rather comically upset he wasn't on that list because he was Sachi's brother and therefore didn't count). For her part, Aoi really enjoyed spending time with Sachi. Her personality was very different from her childhood friend Miyu's, but she was just as much fun to hang out with.

Yasutake frowned at the bag in Aoi's hand. "I didn't know you frequented Café Nagi."

Aoi raised an eyebrow. "You know it?"

"I've been there a few times."

"I see. Well, I don't; I was just passing through when I saw someone I recognized." Aoi changed the subject at that point. "You said you were closing because you have other work. Anything I can help with?"

"No but thank you. It's just prep work mostly; Sachi will finish it once she gets back."

"Oh." Aoi's eyes widened as she smiled. "So she got in?"

Yasutake smiled and nodded. "Yep. Starting tomorrow, Sachi Junpei will be a freshman at Den Academy." He and Cam had been very happy when they heard the news. Cam hadn't stopped crying until Cypher showed him the first episode of some anime called Goblin Slayer (Yasutake still didn't know whether Cypher did that for attention or because he wanted to see Cam's reaction). Then Sachi and Yasutake had to restrain Cam from attempting to crush Yasutake's Duel Disk with a frying pan while he shouted at Cypher for "ruining the moment."

Aoi's smile widened. "That's great! I look forward to having her as a classmate." She then frowned in suspicion. "You aren't involving her in your… extracurricular activities, are you?"

Yasutake shook his head. "I stopped those when the Tower fell. And even if I hadn't, I wouldn't involve her. It's too dangerous, and she's too out of practice."

Yasutake had meant it when he told Bishop he was retiring from bounty hunting. He hadn't entered LINK VRAINS since his duel with Playmaker. Granted, he couldn't for a while because it was being remodeled, but he had no intention of dueling for money again. Unless an emergency came up, he didn't see himself logging into LINK VRAINS.

As for Sachi, she had brought up the possibility of going to LINK VRAINS, but Cam had vetoed it immediately. After what happened three months ago, he didn't want Sachi anywhere near LINK VRAINS, and Yasutake shared his trepidation, though not to the same degree. There was also the fact that Sachi wasn't too good of a duelist, another side effect of her ten-year coma. She and Yasutake had dueled with cards and a mat in the real world a few times and she had always lost. Granted, she improved each time, and Yasutake believed her to be better than Naoki, but she was still far from Yasutake's, or Yusaku's, skill level.

"Speaking of extracurricular activities, you have your own to get to, don't you?"

"Ah. Yes, I do. I almost forgot." Aoi started walking down the sidewalk away from Café Junpei. "See you at school tomorrow, Narahiko."

"Bye." Yasutake went back into the store and locked the door after saying that. He then headed into the back room, where the remaining paperwork for Sachi's transfer was. And the only other talking being in the house.

"Ah, about time," Cypher said, looking around from the screen. "Everything's closed up?"

"Yep. What about you? Find anything?"

Cypher lowered his head and shook it. "No. Nothing. I would have thought I'd find something, but there are no indications where any of the others went."

Yasutake frowned. Several weeks ago, he had caught Cypher hacking into the SOL Technology servers. Before he could berate the AI, they had discovered an interesting report: the Cyberse World had been found. And it had been deserted and destroyed.

Cypher hadn't received any news from Ai or the other Ignis. He had briefly considered finding Cyberse World to see for himself, but Cam and Yasutake had dissuaded him of that notion. As Yasutake had argued, they didn't know if the report was real or fabricated, but if it was then whoever destroyed Cyberse World could still be watching it and might try to trap Cypher, and until they heard anything about the Ignis themselves, it would be safer for Cypher to stay with them.

Yasutake had suspected the Knights of Hanoi initially, but if the report wasn't fake, then the timeline didn't work out: the report suggested the Cyberse World had been attacked and abandoned about the same time as the Tower of Hanoi incident. Meaning that another group was responsible – assuming the report was right. And Yasutake had learned a long time ago to always assume the worst.

"Well, keep looking. Cam and Sachi went with Kusanagi to visit his brother, so they'll be back late. Until they do, I'll work on Sachi's prep work for Den Academy." Yasutake narrowed his eyes. "And stay off YouTube, Crunchyroll, and sites like them this time. If I catch you watching anime when you should be working, I'm cutting your subscription."

"Killjoy," Cypher muttered, rolling his eyes. "Fine. It's better that I don't have distractions anyway." He turned to the screens, then turned back. "Oh, before I forget, I finished your new avatar."

"What?" Yasutake said, blinking as an image came up on the monitors. It was his Morningstar avatar, but it had changed. He was now wearing a jet-black jumpsuit with a silver belt, dark silver knee-high boots and shoulder pads, and dark blue gloves with dark silver eight-pointed stars on the backs. His right forearm was covered a silver band, while his left arm wielded his Duel Disk. Silver lines ran up his legs before crossing over his stomach, going straight up his chest, and then crossing again at his collarbone before going down his arms. Rotating the avatar, Yasutake saw he now had a drawing of silver wings on his back. His hair and eyes had also been changed, with the former now divided into three backwards-jutting spikes that were colored dark silver and dark blue bangs that framed his face, and the latter the same shade as his bangs.

"…When did you make this?" Yasutake asked Cypher.

"I've been working on it the past few weeks. Honestly, I thought your previous design was too similar to Playmaker's, so I decided to make yours more unique. What do you think?"

Yasutake looked over the avatar and nodded. "I think it looks good. I'll have to tell Cam about this, of course."

"Naturally." Cypher exited out of the picture. "Now, back to the search. Where are you, my fellow Ignis?"

---

Katsumi Kurosaki suppressed her yawn as she walked across the campus of Den University. She hadn't gotten much sleep the last few weeks; between her exams, dealing with clubs, and spending whatever time she had left with Takeshi and Eiji, sleep had become a tertiary concern.

But that's going to change soon, Katsumi thought, smiling to herself. Exams are over, and all club activities are done for the week. Now I can go back to LINK VRAINS with Takeshi.

Katsumi had taken a small break from LINK VRAINS because of her real-life challenges, but with those done, she could go back. In the end, Hanoi's attack had done her a favor, as it kept LINK VRAINS offline for a while so she could focus on the real world. And now LINK VRAINS was back up and running.

There's also an event later today, Katsumi thought as she frowned. An event involving the Top 5 Charisma Duelists. Takeshi and I will log in together, and then once the event is over, we'll have the rest of the day to ourselves.

Unfortunately, before that event, she had one more challenge to overcome. Katsumi narrowed her eyes as she approached the front gate, where she saw Takeshi being accosted by one of her classmates. By one of her female classmates.

"You're a senior in high school, right?" the girl asked Takeshi, who looked a little uncomfortable as she leaned in closer. "Are you here to check out the university? If you want, I can give you a tour."

"Ah, thank you for the offer, but I'm just waiting for a friend."

"Oh? Well, while you're waiting, why don't I give you a private tour? I'm sure you have a lot of questions about Den University, and I'm sure I can answer them quite effectively." The girl got even closer, entering his personal space.

Takeshi took a step back, sweating a little bit at the emphasis on "answer." Girls had flirted with him before, but he wasn't used to them being this aggressive. "I, uh, I… appreciate the offer, but my friend will be here soon. Uh, actually she's my girlfriend."

"Really? Well, I'm sure that if you and I got to know each other better, I could change your mind…" While Katsumi couldn't see the girl's face, it wasn't hard to imagine her smiling and winking at Takeshi.

Katsumi felt her eye twitch as she did her best to suppress the spike of jealousy that stabbed her heart. She understood Takeshi was good looking, intelligent, and nice, and that made him attractive to girls. Katsumi also knew that she didn't have to worry about him being unfaithful; his sense of loyalty was greater than anyone she'd ever met. He was certainly more loyal than her first and last boyfriend had been. And her mother.

That did not stop her from feeling jealous whenever another girl flirted with Takeshi or talked to him for a long period. In her head, she knew it was an irrational reaction based on the unreasonable fear that Takeshi would get stolen away from her. Her heart didn't care that much.

"Excuse me," Katsumi said, her voice extremely stiff. Those words drew Takeshi's and the girl's attention as Katsumi looked at her with a fake smile. "What is happening here?"

"Oh, Katsumi," Takeshi said, looking relieved. "I was just waiting for you and, uh…"

The girl groaned as she glared at Katsumi. "So she's your girlfriend? The prodigy ice queen? I wouldn't have guessed it. I was expecting someone a little more… sociable."

Katsumi's fake smile grew wider. "I can see why you'd think that, but perhaps Mr. Akino just happens to prefer women with a little more dignity."

Her opponent gave her a smile as fake as Katsumi's. "Oh, I'm sure he does. Dignity is a good thing to have, but there are other aspects men find much more pleasant. Washboard."

Takeshi stiffened as Katsumi's smile suddenly became very, very dangerous. Takeshi didn't know why Katsumi was sensitive about her… lack of assets. Maybe it was because she was so good at so many things that any perceived flaw or weakness bothered her more than it should. Maybe some teasing she'd received had dug itself too deep into her skin. Or maybe it was because that when her first boyfriend broke up with her and left her for another woman, he had explicitly listed "a lack of assets" as one of the reasons for the breakup.

Whatever it was, and Takeshi wasn't brave enough to ask which, Katsumi tended to get a little upset if she was called something like "washboard."

"We need to get going," Takeshi said before Katsumi could erupt. He grabbed her hand and quickly started dragging her off campus. "We have a date. It was nice to meet you!" he called over his shoulder, not giving the girl or Katsumi any time to speak.

It wasn't until they turned the corner that Takeshi stopped and let go of Katsumi's hand. "Sorry about that," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I was just waiting for you at the gate, and then she stopped to talk to me and-."

Katsumi sighed. "It wasn't your fault, Takeshi; it was hers. Still, to think I let her get under my skin. And just because she flirted with you…" She said the last part in a near mutter.

Takeshi laughed a little. "Honestly, I don't mind you being clingy. I kind of like it sometimes."

Katsumi pouted. "You really shouldn't say things like that; that'll just encourage me to do it more." She then sighed. "Well, putting that aside, the event's in an hour, yes? Should we get something to eat before heading to your place?"

Takeshi nodded. "Yeah. There's this new burger place that just opened up I want to try…"

As the two teenagers walked down the streets, Takeshi couldn't help but think about the last three months. After Eiji got out of the hospital, Takeshi had told his brother that he was Galahad, which had left Eiji stunned. His exact words had been "My goofball of a brother is a famous Charisma Duelist? I guess my teacher was right about fate favoring fools."

After Katsumi had stopped laughing and Takeshi had stopped groaning about how mean his little brother was, Eiji had insisted on helping Takeshi design a new avatar, because as he pointed out, LINK VRAINS was being redesigned, so he should use this opportunity to look even cooler. Katsumi had agreed and even changed her own avatar as well.

Not long after that, Katsumi and Takeshi had gone public about their relationship, mostly because they were sick of lying to their friends, but also because both had become very uncomfortable watching the other getting hit on. This was especially true for Katsumi.

Takeshi had been telling the truth; he didn't mind when Katsumi got jealous. He didn't intentionally try to bring that side out, but it didn't bother him too much. For one, having a beautiful girl like her claim him as hers stoked his male ego… which he would never admit out loud because he knew what Katsumi's response would be.

But more importantly, he knew that Katsumi had abandonment issues. She had had a boyfriend when she was fifteen, but he left her for another girl. And before that, her mother left when she was twelve. Those two events, along with an inattentive father, had made Katsumi somewhat possessive of the people she loved, Takeshi and Eiji included. Katsumi knew this wasn't exactly a healthy outlook, but she couldn't help it, and Takeshi couldn't blame her for it considering his own parental issues and determination to keep Eiji with him.

"Hey, Takeshi," Katsumi said, interrupting her boyfriend's thoughts. "You haven't met the new #5 duelist yet, have you?"

Takeshi shook his head. "No. All I know is his name: Vahngo."

"I haven't met him either," Katsumi said, frowning. "I heard he likes painting, but beyond that, nothing. Though he must be skilled if he can join the Top 5…" Katsumi's frown became sadder. Realizing what she was thinking, Takeshi wrapped his arm around her shoulder and squeezed.

"I know," he whispered. "I miss him too. But if Go felt like that was the path he had to take, there's nothing we can do. We have to respect his choice."

"…I know," she replied, leaning her head on his shoulder. "That doesn't make it easier though. Especially not for you."

"…No. It doesn't."

After the Tower of Hanoi fell, SOL Technologies had announced a public bounty on Playmaker. Takeshi and Katsumi had no interest in it, but Go did, to the point where he left the Charisma Duelists to become a bounty hunter. Takeshi hadn't been happy with Go, but the last time they talked, he started to understand.

Go has lived his life in the limelight for much longer than any of us, Takeshi thought. More than that, he was the only Charisma Duelist in the Top 10 whose real identity was common knowledge. That secrecy has shielded me, Persephone, Fatumare, and Blue Angel from most of the media's attention. Because of that…

Takeshi knew that Go was a good person at heart, but being a celebrity, always being told you were the greatest at something, and then having someone upstage you like Playmaker to the point where people only wanted to talk about them and considered you a sidekick… As a prideful duelist himself, Takeshi could understand why Go felt he needed to defeat Playmaker.

A part of Takeshi had wanted to join Go as a bounty hunter; not to duel Playmaker or for the money, but to make sure Go didn't lose himself. But he knew that he couldn't do that. If he left the Charisma Duelists, then Katsumi would also leave them to look after him, and he couldn't do that to her. And after seeing Eiji's face when Takeshi had told him who he really was, he couldn't disappoint his brother.

Of course, Go leaving had unintentional effects on the rankings; Blue Angel was now considered #1, while Persephone and Galahad were #2 and #3 respectively. Fatumare had regained his place at #4 while #5 had been contested for a while before Vahngo claimed it. SOL had also decided to simplify the Top 10 into the Top 5, which was why the event for later would be for the Top 5.

Takeshi shook his head to clear it and leaned against Katsumi. "Never mind Go for now. I don't want to ruin today. Let's go eat, then we can log in back at my place. Eiji's looking forward to it."

Katsumi stared at Takeshi for a bit, then smiled. "Sure. Let's give him a good show!"

---

Hana Adachi took in a deep breath. "Mom!" she shouted. "I'm going into LINK VRAINS!"

"Alright, sweetie!" her mom yelled from downstairs. "I'll have dinner ready when you get back!"

Hana closed the door to her room and sat down on her bed, across from a mirror. Hana always thought she looked unremarkable: dark brown hair that went slightly past her shoulders, light brown eyes, a rather slim figure…

But it won't matter how I look there, she thought with glee as she activated her blue Duel Disk. "Into the VRAINS!" she said. Her Duel Disk glowed, creating a blue sphere around her as her vision blurred.

When Hana's sight cleared, she gasped. She was in a massive city, with a large central tower going up into the sky. She was surrounded by people, many in casual clothes, others in costumes, along with a few children with balloons. Fireworks went off in the sky as Hana looked all around her.

"This is the new LINK VRAINS," she whispered. "Amazing!" She started walking through the crowd, looking over everything. So many people, she thought. So many events! She looked over a few shops selling cards, items, and D-Boards and even saw restaurants. Hana didn't understand why a virtual world would sell food, but maybe it was just for the experience of eating if nothing else.

As she passed a window, Hana caught her reflection and smiled. Now she had midnight-black hair that was tied into a ponytail with a few strands of silver and white throughout. She wore a black vest with small white dots over a plain white shirt and black skirt, with a small black cape attached to her shoulders. Black leggings with white dots covered her legs, and her feet were covered by casual black and white shoes.

Deep silver eyes crinkled back at her as she thought, I'm not Hana here. In LINK VRAINS, I am Nebula, aspiring Charisma Duelist! Though to be truthful, that goal was far from becoming real. Nebula had only joined LINK VRAINS a week ago, but she believed she could fulfill her dream. After all, she had a powerful Deck with an awesome ace monster!

Resuming her walk, Nebula noticed a stage surrounded by a large crowd and stopped next to a guy in blue armor. As she watched, the lights on the stage went out and lightning struck, causing a bright flash. When the flash faded, Blue Angel was standing on the stage, holding a microphone.

"Blue Angel!" the guy in blue shouted excitedly. Nebula had to restrain herself from joining in.

"Everyone! Are you enjoying the new LINK VRAINS?" Blue Angel asked. "There are a lot of events today!"

The guy next to Nebula screamed in joy. "I'll have fun too!" Nebula again had to restrain herself.

"But perhaps the most important event today is the one that will take place in the Event Area in an hour!" Blue Angel continued. "All Top 5 Charisma Duelists will be there, and we'll accept challenges from anyone! It will be so exciting!" The crowd cheered at that, Nebula especially. A chance to face the Top 5 duelists in all of LINK VRAINS? How could she say no to that?

This will be my chance! Nebula thought. If I defeat one of the best duelists in LINK VRAINS, I'll become a Charisma Duelist for sure!

---

Akira Zaizen looked down at his boss – a woman with short blue and green hair wearing a swimsuit and short shorts under a dress – as she relaxed in a deckchair. "Queen, why must we search for Playmaker?" he asked, confused.

Queen's expression didn't change. "Ever since you were reinstated as security manager, you've become quite bold," she commented, picking up her drink. "Your former staff were reassigned. You think you're free to do what you like?" Akira grit his teeth at her question. "The Knights of Hanoi have been destroyed, and the Cyberse World has been found. But the Ignis weren't there. Even if Morningstar was telling the truth and Playmaker released his Ignis, it may come back to him, so it is only natural to search for him."

"But-." Akira tried to interject, but Queen cut him off.

"If the Ignis aren't found, our company's operations won't improve." Queen finished her drink and put it down. She then stood up from her deckchair. "Zaizen, I'm putting you in charge of the bounty hunter team."

"Bounty hunter team?" Akira repeated, surprised.

Queen walked up to him. Despite being shorter than him, her force of presence made up for it. "A special search team to capture Playmaker and the Ignis." Queen pulled her sunglasses down, revealing blue eyes. "Use them to capture the Ignis, whatever it takes. If you can't, you'll end up like your former staff." After saying that, Queen departed and the virtual resort around Akira changed back to his office. Akira grit his teeth, frustrated.

Having to fight against Playmaker after he saved me and Aoi… he thought. And no doubt Morningstar will become involved even if he has retired. What do I do?

---

Half an hour later, the door to Akira's office opened. A woman with wavy brown hair and green eyes said, "Mr. Onizuka's team has arrived. Please enter." She stepped to the side, letting Go Onizuka – now wearing dark green armor – and two other young men – one with spiky brown hair and another with a pink afro – walk past her into Akira's office.

Once Go reached his desk, Akira stood up. "Thanks for coming, Mr. Onizuka." He held out his hand but Go didn't take it.

"Akira Zaizen… I never thought you would be my boss," Go said.

Putting his hand down, Akira replied, "I can say the same, Mr. Onizuka. I never thought you'd accept being my company's bounty hunter."

"Everyone has their own reasons," Go said, closing his eyes. "Even if you're my boss, don't invade my privacy." Akira crossed his arms and frowned at Go, who didn't care. "I heard there were a few other bounty hunters. Where are they?"

"They haven't-." Akira's assistant started to answer, but then the door behind her opened.

"Yo! Sorry we're late!" Everyone in the room turned to stare at the young man who entered. "For some reason, your receptionist didn't believe we were bounty hunters." He was about Go's age but a little shorter, with short slicked-back brown hair, a prominent widow's peak, and blue eyes. He wore a plain white button-up shirt with the top buttons unbuttoned under a black blazer. From the waist down, he wore a black belt and slacks with distinct white shoes. A golden chain hung from his belt and he had small black stones embedded in his ears.

As he stood in the entrance and rubbed the back of his head, everyone stared at him. "Huh? What are you all-? Oh right!" He saluted, a serious look on his face. "Yukaro Saiba, codename Techbane reporting, Mr. Zaizen!"

"You're Techbane?" Akira asked, raising an eyebrow. "I received your request to join, but I wasn't expecting you to arrive till tomorrow."

"Are you kidding me? When I heard about this, I had to rush here as fast as I could. No way am I missing out!"

"You said 'we' earlier," Go interrupted. "Is someone else with you?"

"Huh?" Yukaro said, blinking. "Oh right! She's- OOOFF!" That last part was from being karate chopped in the back and falling over, revealing a girl behind him.

She was a young girl with short black hair that covered her right eye. She wore a black sweatshirt and blue jeans with large headphones wrapped around her neck. She was also the shortest person in the room, clocking in at one-and-a-half meters. Her visible green eye looked over the room before walking in.

"It's rude to block the door, Mr. Saiba," she said, walking over her prostrate companion. There was very little emotion in her voice and her expression was of constant boredom. She stopped in front of Go Onizuka and looked up at him. "I'm Shizuka Midori. Sylphid."

Go narrowed his eyes. "Aren't you a little young to be a bounty hunter?"

"Aren't you a little too famous?" Shizuka countered, making Go grit his teeth. "I'm sixteen. And I have my reasons. Which I'm not sharing."

"I think that's fair," Yukaro said, standing up while holding his shoulder. "I for one, am more than happy to share my reasons. So, Zaizen, when is Morningstar coming?"

Akira raised an eyebrow again. "Morningstar?"

"Yeah! I mean, the bounty on Playmaker is the largest in Den City! Of course Morningstar would be part of this."

"I'm afraid Morningstar retired a few months ago," Akira said.

"Eh? Really? But I was hoping to meet him."

"I'm sorry. We have attempted to contact Morningstar and convince him to resume the hunt, but we have been unsuccessful. He even changed his contact information."

"It doesn't matter if Morningstar aids us or not," Go interjected. "We'll be just fine without him." Go turned to look at Hayami. "Is this everyone?"

"No. There's still one hunter who hasn't arrived yet."

"Oh? What duelist would dare to keep me waiting?"

Akira closed his eyes. "He's a pro among pros. Second only to Morningstar. And perhaps even more dangerous." He opened his eyes and glared at Go, determined that he get the message. "He hunts his prey without mercy."

---

Nebula rode the escalator up, still high on the excitement of the Blue Angel event. There's a half hour until the Charisma Duelist event, she thought. Until then, I think I'll hang out at Central Station. She got off the escalator and looked up at the building in front of her. It was a dome with doors all around it. Walking in, she saw that there were booths everywhere in the building. Most of them were shops but at the center was an information booth, with another booth listing events.

"It looks like this is the place I want to go to for information," Nebula whispered, looking around.

"Out of the way!" Nebula looked over at that voice and saw two penguins – one blue with black hair and one purple with pink hair – harassing several tables.

"Move!"

"This is our spot!" The penguins forced the people at the table to vacate it, with the purple one even hitting one of them. "That's right! It's a nice spot, bro."

"…And of course LINK VRAINS has delinquents too," Nebula whispered, feeling disappointed. "It wouldn't feel right without them."

"Hey! You move too!" The purple penguin said that to a person in a purple cape that hadn't moved. The penguin smacked him, but he didn't react. The penguin turned back to the other one. "Bro! He's not moving!"

"Leave this to me!" The blue penguin popped over to purple's side.

"Violence can't be performed in LINK VRAINS, but that doesn't apply to us," the purple penguin boasted.

The blue one raised his right flipper as blue electricity flickered over it. "We modded ourselves using illegal programs," he explained. Is that something you should admit to in Central Station? Nebula silently wondered. "Take this! Penguin Punch!"

The blue penguin tried to punch the man in a cape, but the man suddenly reached out and grabbed him by the head. Nebula gasped. Now that she had a good look at him, the man's body was completely covered in a black coat, blue shirt, black pants and boots, and a purple and green hat. The man wore a red and blue mask with pink eyes in the center, and unless Nebula was mistaken, his right arm was prosthetic with a gun barrel just above the wrist.

The man stood up as the penguin cried, "Let me go, punk!"

"I can also kill players," the man said, his voice quiet but carrying. Blue lightning flickered across the man's right hand as the penguin twitched and then stopped moving before disintegrating into red data.

"Bro!" the purple penguin shouted, distraught. He wasn't the only one who reacted. Everyone who had seen it was in shock.

"He disappeared!" "He's a bounty hunter!"

Looking up at the man, the purple penguin panicked and ran out the door, screaming, "You'll regret this!"

Nebula watched the penguin run, then turned back to the man in a cape. So he's a bounty hunter? she thought. I thought all hunters were like Morningstar; cool and heroic. I guess he's the minority.

"You haven't changed, Blood Shepherd." The man turned to look at the pink-and-gray-haired woman in a white, black, and dark blue shorts and undershirt.

"Ghost Girl," Blood Shepherd said, naming the woman.

"I heard SOL Technologies hired you as a bounty hunter."

"Didn't they call you too?"

Ghost Girl nodded. "But I don't intend to accept. I owe Playmaker."

"Owe or owed, you're too soft as usual," Blood Shepherd mocked. "Just like Morningstar."

Ghost Girl narrowed her eyes. "Unlike you, he and I don't make all our decisions based on money."

"That's what makes me a pro," Blood Shepherd countered. "And what makes you and Morningstar second-rate. But whatever. Just don't interfere with me. I won't show mercy, even for you."

Ghost Girl smirked at him. "Well, I don't think I'll need to worry. If Morningstar couldn't finish the bounty, you won't."

Blood Shepherd clenched his fists. "Morningstar is weak and focuses too much on honor," Blood Shepherd said, venom dripping from his voice. "I'll finish what he couldn't. And pay him back for last year."

---

The purple penguin raced down the escalator and into a nearby alley, panting from the exertion. "Bro…" he muttered, distraught for the loss of his brother's account. The penguin growled. "I need to get that guy back, but I can't do it alone! I need someone strong, someone…"

He then noticed that he wasn't alone in the alley. A very tall person in a black cloak was also there, out of sight of the main road, leaning against the wall and looking upwards at the sky.

"Who's this guy?" the penguin wondered aloud. "Oh! If he's separated from everyone else, maybe he's a mercenary? I can pay him to deal with that guy!" He waddled up to the man in a cloak and said, "Hey, you! I have a proposition for you!"

The man either didn't hear him or ignored him and continued staring up at the sky. "Oi! I'm talking to you!" The man refused to acknowledge the penguin, which irked him greatly. "Fine then! I'll have to make do with another! But first I'll punish you for ignoring me!" Blue lightning flickered across the penguin's flipper as he pulled it back. "Take this! Penguin Punch!" He punched with all his might and connected with the cloak, and upon contact the blue lightning… fizzled out.

The penguin stood there for a moment in shock. The man meanwhile finally turned his head to look down at the penguin. "Was that supposed to do something?" he asked. His voice was deep and cold, and something in the tone filled the penguin with dread.

"P-Penguin Punch!" The penguin called up the program and punched the guy again, but the lightning fizzled out again. Panicking, he punched the guy's cloak again and again, but nothing happened. Nothing until the man reached down with a black gloved hand with red claws and grabbed the penguin by the head.

The man lifted the penguin up to eye level. Looking at him, the penguin saw two bright red eyes set deep in the cloak. "L-Let me go!" the penguin begged. In response, the man tightened his grip, digging his claws further into the penguin's skull and making him cry out in pain. "P-Please!"

"…No," the man said, his voice filled with boredom and contempt. After saying that, red lightning danced across his hand and down the penguin's body. The penguin screamed in agony before going limp. His body then disintegrated into red data, leaving the man empty-handed.

As he lowered his hand, he sighed. "This place is full of nothing but weaklings. At least Morningstar and Playmaker would make things interesting. When am I going to see something worth my time?" he wondered aloud.

"Suggestion: Perhaps you should watch the Top 5 event, master."

The man turned as a machine walked over. It was a rust-colored skeletal humanoid with a thick chassis and roughly square head with glowing red eyes.

"Commentary: The Charisma Duelists are perceived by the meatbag media as the best duelists in LINK VRAINS. Perhaps you will see someone worth fighting?"

The man sighed again. "Doubtful, HK-70," he said. "But I suppose it's better than nothing. Certainly better than deleting the accounts of cretins like that one."

---

Galahad took a deep breath. "Oh man. I never get used to these kinds of events."

Next to him, Persephone smiled. "I think that's a good thing. It keeps us humble."

"That's one way of looking at it." Galahad looked Persephone up and down. "Huh. I hadn't seen your new avatar in person before. It looks good."

Persephone blushed at the compliment. She had changed her look from a long black dress and armor to a form-fitting purple jumpsuit (with a few extra curves to her body) with black sections on her sides, the outsides of her legs, and her upper arms. Above the jumpsuit was purple armor with gold designs on the edges covering her chest, stomach, lower legs and lower arms. On her feet she wore dark purple high-heeled shoes that were tied with black string and on her hands, she wore black fingerless gloves with purple backs. Her hair was still black, but it was much longer and wavier, going down to her mid-back and topped with a dark silver circlet. Her lips and nails were painted amethyst, the same color as her eyes.

Persephone chuckled a bit. "I think of the two of us, you're the one people will be looking at. Your new design is very… regal."

Galahad frowned. "Is that bad?" Galahad's new avatar was similar to his old one: a dark green jumpsuit with silver gauntlets, knee-high boots, shoulder pads, belt, and a breastplate that wrapped around his upper torso. However, he had added a dark green cape embroidered with gold on the edges, which he hung to the side over his left arm. His eyes and hair were the same color – gray and blonde – but his hair was much shorter and was now thinner on the sides and thicker on top.

"No, no. It makes you look serious and in charge. Kind of makes me think you should be #1 instead of Blue Angel."

Galahad frowned. "To me, there's only one #1. And none of us could take his place without facing him." Persephone frowned, then nodded in understanding.

"Galahad! Persephone!" The two Charisma Duelists turned as Fatumare walked up to them. Unlike them, he hadn't changed his avatar and still went around shirtless in pants, boots, and shoulder pads made of fish scales. "I'm glad to see you two are here. Know where Blue Angel and the new guy are?"

"Blue Angel is announcing the event," Galahad said, jerking his head to the side. The three of them were standing behind a curtain on a stage in the Event Area, waiting for the Top 5 event to begin. "As for Vahngo, I haven't seen him. Or met him yet. What about you?"

"Yeah, I met him once. He's…"

"What?" Galahad said, raising an eyebrow at Fatumare's hesitant expression. "Is there something wrong?"

"Well…"

"Ah, so you must be my new friends among the Top 5."

Galahad and Persephone jumped a bit and turned around. A young man, even younger than Galahad, was standing behind them. He wore a white smock and baggy gray pants, both of which had several splotches of paint all over them. A red beret rested on top of his purple and red-violet hair and a paint brush was nestled in his waistband. Galahad noticed that he wore a new-model Duel Disk, segmented into eight different sections, seven of which were the colors of the rainbow, while the last segment was white.

The young man regarded them with blue-green eyes. "Ah, but where are my manners?" He took a deep bow. "A pleasure to make your acquaintances; I am Vahngo, the new #5 Charisma Duelist. Among many, I am known as the Artist of LINK VRAINS, though I don't think a handsome man such as yourself need be so formal." He said the last part while winking at Galahad.

Galahad blinked in confusion and rubbed the back of his head. "Uh… nice to meet you?" Behind his back, Persephone furiously glared at Vahngo, who caught sight of her expression.

"Ah, such a fearsome expression, milady," he said. "I can see that purple is indeed the right color for you, as it is a color of grace, but is also related to red, a very fierce color. And who else but the great Persephone can combine such fierceness and grace?"

Persephone's expression didn't change. "Don't flirt with Galahad, pretty boy," she said. She'd already had to deal with that girl this morning, she was not going to deal with a new Charisma Duelist hitting on her boyfriend. Galahad blinked, this time in surprise, as he realized what Persephone just said. Vahngo, on the other hand, either ignored or didn't notice the hostility in her voice and bowed.

"Thank you for the compliment, fair lady. I had hoped my avatar would be as attractive as my real self. By your words, I'd say I succeeded."

Galahad, Fatumare, and Persephone all sweat-dropped. Okay, this guy is a bit weird, Galahad thought. Nice, but weird.

"Everyone! Are you ready?"

The four blinked as they turned towards the curtain. That had been Blue Angel. The event was starting. "Today, we have a special treat for all of you. To celebrate the reopening of LINK VRAINS, the Top 5 Charisma Duelists will accept any challenges to duel today for the next hour. We won't be having Challenge Duels, so there will be no changes in ranks, but why should that stop you? First, let us introduce the remainder of the Top 5!"

The curtain pulled back, revealing the four Charisma Duelists. The crowd went wild as they all struck poses.

"Oh, Fatumare! The Mariner is so cool!"

"That's Persephone! She's so elegant and mature!"

"Isn't that the newest Top 5 member, Vahngo? Oh, you can tell how much he loves art from his avatar."

"Who's that guy standing between Persephone and Fatumare?"

On hearing that last question, Galahad face-faulted as Persephone and Fatumare turned their heads, trying not to laugh.

"WHO SAID THAT!?" Galahad shouted as he got back on his feet. "Whoever did so, I'm Galahad, #3! I know I changed my avatar, but so did Persephone! How can you recognize her, but not me!?" His outburst set the crowd laughing. "Hey! Don't laugh at me! I'm being serious here!"

Blue Angel giggled as she moved to stand in front of the others. "Looks like Galahad decided to jump the gun. Still, I have to do formal introductions, don't I? Let's start with the newest and youngest member of the Top 5: Vahngo the Artist!" Said young man stepped forward and bowed to the audience.

"It is a great pleasure to meet all of you," he said, his voice carrying over the crowd. "If only I had a canvas with me, I would immortalize this moment in a painting." He sighed forlornly, making the other Charisma Duelists sweatdrop.

"M-Moving on, we have the oldest member of the Top 5, but all that means is he has more experience than the rest of us. Give it up for Fatumare the Mariner!" Said man stepped forward and flexed his very impressive muscles, making the crowd go wild. He didn't say anything, for which Galahad was secretly grateful.

"And now we have one of the heroes who fought to save LINK VRAINS from the Knights of Hanoi! As he said himself, he is #3! Galahad the Knight!" Galahad stepped forward and waved to the crowd, ignoring the few people whispering in the back, likely asking each other who he was.

"And next up is #2! The most graceful member of the Top 5 and widely regarded as a queen by her fans, allow me to introduce Persephone the Traveler!" Persephone stepped forward and curtsied to the crowd with an elegant smile, making the crowd go wild. Galahad had to fight off the urge to glare at several men in the crowd who were looking at Persephone with more than admiration in their eyes. This was not the place for that.

"And while I'm sure I don't need to introduce myself, I am Blue Angel the Idol!" Blue Angel, waving at the crowd and making them go wild. "So, let's get this event started! Before we invite all of you to challenge us, why don't we have something really interesting?" Blue Angel turned and pointed at one of her fellow Charisma Duelists. "Vahngo! I challenge you to a duel!"

The crowd gasped as Vahngo raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I thought only the audience members could issue a challenge. Or did I misunderstand the nature of this event?"

"Well, since we're participating, it makes sense we can challenge anyone. And as the new #1 Charisma Duelist, I want to see what our newest member can do." Blue Angel adorably pouted. "Is that a no? You don't want to duel me?"

Vahngo dramatically sighed. "Oh, how can I turn down a fair maiden such as yourself? Very well, I accept your challenge, Blue Angel! Let us put brush to canvas and create a painting this audience will remember forever!"

"Please tell me that wasn't a euphemism," Galahad whispered to Persephone.

"Considering earlier, I'm pretty sure it was just a metaphor," she whispered back.

Blue Angel and Vahngo stood at opposite ends of the stage. Out in the crowd, Nebula restrained herself from bouncing up and down. This will be so cool! she thought.

"Duel!"

Blue Angel: 4000 LP

Vahngo: 4000 LP

"Blue Angel, would you allow me the honor of putting the first touches on our duel?" Vahngo asked.

"Go ahead. I challenged you after all."

"Excellent. Well my first stroke will be to send the Hecatrice in my hand to the Graveyard. By doing so, I can add a certain Spell Card from my Deck to my hand." A seven-colored ring appeared around his Duel Disk as he added the card to his hand. After taking it, Vahngo's smile grew. "And now I'll play that Spell Card. The Continuous Spell Card: Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen! With this card in play, I can Special Summon a Fairy monster from my hand so long as I control no monsters. My first artist will now join us. Come, The Weather Painter Rain!" A small girl with long blue hair in a blue dress carrying a marker pen appeared in Attack Position.

The Weather Painter Rain ATK 1200 DEF 1400 LVL: 3

"Painter Rain's monster effect! When she is Special Summoned, I can place one 'The Weather' Spell or Trap Card from my hand face-up in my Spell & Trap Zone." Vahngo's smile widened. "It is time to add to the background of our painting. I activate the Continuous Trap Card: The Weather Auroral Canvas! But it's too soon for me to unveil my new canvas' effects. Before that, I'll add a new artist. I summon The Weather Painter Snow!" An even smaller girl than Rain with much shorter light blue hair and a blue and white dress appeared, carrying a small brush.

The Weather Painter Snow ATK 0 DEF 2200 LVL: 3

He Summoned a Level 3 monster with 0 attack points in Attack Position? Galahad thought, crossing his arms. He must have something planned.

"Alas, our newest artist will have to depart," Vahngo said forlornly. "Painter Snow's monster effect! When she is Normal Summoned, I can place one 'The Weather' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck face-up in my Spell & Trap Zone. Let my next canvas be unveiled! The Continuous Spell Card: The Weather Snowy Canvas!" Vahngo's smile became more of a smirk. "And now that the background is ready, I can start painting seriously. Because my Canvas are not just for show, no, no; each of them gives an effect to a 'The Weather' monster in the same column as it as well as the adjacent columns."

Persephone's eyes widened. His Continuous Spell and Trap Cards give effects to his monsters? I haven't faced a strategy like that before.

"I now activate the effect that my Painter Snow gained from Snowy Canvas! By banishing it, I can add a 'The Weather' card from my Deck to my hand, but I cannot add anymore cards from my Deck to my hand for the rest of the turn." Snow disappeared in a flurry as Vahngo took a card from his Deck. "I add a new canvas to my hand: The Weather Thundery Canvas. I Set one card and end my turn." Vahngo made a small bow to Blue Angel. "I have created the background for our masterpiece, dear Blue Angel. I shall leave it to you to create the foreground."

Blue Angel smiled. "Alright, Vahngo. My turn! Draw!"

"Ah, but before you start it, my artist's effect activates!" her opponent declared. "You see, during the Standby Phase of the turn after it is banished to activate a "The Weather" card's effect, Painter Snow's effect Special Summons itself!" The little girl reappeared, this time in Defense Position.

The Weather Painter Snow ATK 0 DEF 2200 LVL: 3

"So I have to deal with two monsters instead of one? No matter. I activate the Field Spell Card: Trickstar Light Stage! When this card is activated, I can add a 'Trickstar' monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Trickstar Candina to my hand."

"Ah, Candina. She is a most powerful performer. A pity she won't be joining us."

"Eh?" Blue Angel gasped in surprise.

"I activate the effect of Painter Rain that it gained from Auroral Canvas!" Vahngo declared. "When a card is added to a player's hand, I banish Rain to banish that card." Rain vanished in a flash of light, as did Candina. "Do not despair for your lost companion, however. Because Auroral Canvas's effect now lets you draw a card."

Blue Angel smiled. "Well, that's very generous of you, Vahngo. Alright, draw!" She looked at her card, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Trickstar Vision! This card lets me Special Summon a 'Trickstar' monster from my hand with its attack points halved and its effects negated. Come, Trickstar Lilybell!" A young girl in a red dress with pink hair carrying a large bell appeared in Attack Position.

Trickstar Lilybell ATK 800→400 DEF 2000 LVL: 2

"Trickstar Vision then allows both of us to draw a card."

"You are allowing me a draw? Is this perchance a 'thank you' for the card I let you draw?"

"You can think of it that way. But mostly it's just to get Lilybell on the field." Blue Angel gestured to her field. "I activate the effect of Trickstar Lycoris in my hand! By returning a 'Trickstar' monster on my field to my hand, I can Special Summon her! Lilybell returns to me and Lycoris takes her place!" The little girl disappeared as a teenage girl with long brown hair in a red and pink dress carrying a sword appeared in Attack Position.

Trickstar Lycoris ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"Lilybell's monster effect! If she is added to my hand outside of a draw, I can Special Summon her! Return to me, Lilybell!" The little girl reappeared in Attack Position.

Trickstar Lilybell ATK 800 DEF 2000 LVL: 2

"Come out, the circuit of dreams and hope!" Blue Angel's hand glowed blue as the Link portal appeared above her. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Level 3 or lower 'Trickstar' monsters. I set Lilybell and Lycoris in the Link Markers!" Her monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the bottom-left and bottom arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Trickstar Divaridis!" A woman with long blonde hair in an elegant green and white dress emerged from the portal, summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone.

Trickstar Divaridis ATK 1800 LINK-2 ↙↓

"Divaridis's monster effect! When she's Special Summoned, you take 200 points of damage!"

"Eh?" Vahngo said, surprised. "Damage just from being summoned?" Yellow lights surrounded Vahngo and made him wince.

Vahngo: 4000→3800 LP

"Light Stage's effect activates! When a 'Trickstar' monster inflicts damage to you, it inflicts another 200 points of damage!"

Vahngo: 3800→3600 LP

"Our show's just getting started! I send Light Stage to the Graveyard and activate the Field Spell Card: Trickstar Live Stage!"

"When this card activates," Blue Angel's AI said. "You can add a 'Trickstar' monster in your Graveyard to your hand."

"Lycoris returns to my hand." Blue Angel smiled on gaining her card back. "Live Stage's additional effect activates! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Trickstar Token to a 'Trickstar' Link Monster's Link Marker in Defense Position!" A little red heart with wings and a tail appeared at Divaridis's bottom-left Link Marker.

Trickstar Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I Tribute my Token to Tribute Summon Trickstar Birdhelm!" The token disintegrated as a woman in a black dress with a silver helmet covering her long dark blue hair and carrying a sword appeared.

Trickstar Birdhelm ATK 0 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

A 0-attack point monster in Attack Position? Fatumare wondered.

"Birdhelm's monster effect! When she is Normal Summoned, you take 200 points of damage and I draw one card!" Vahngo winced from the yellow lights again.

Vahngo: 3600→3400 LP

Blue Angel drew, then said, "Unfortunately, the cost for Birdhelm's effect is I can't conduct my Battle Phase this turn. But I think I can live with that. I return Birdhelm to my hand and Special Summon Lycoris again!" The woman in the helmet disintegrated as the girl in the red dress appeared in Attack Position at Divaridis's bottom-left Link Marker.

Trickstar Lycoris ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"I activate Birdhelm's effect from my hand and equip her to a 'Trickstar' Link Monster!" Birdhelm's helmet reappeared and attached itself to Divaridis's head.

She summoned Lycoris to take advantage of its draw damage effect, Galahad thought, narrowing his eyes. But why did she equip Birdhelm to Divaridis?

"I activate Live Stage's final effect!" Blue Angel declared. "Once per turn, since you control a Set card in your Spell & Trap Zone, I can Special Summon a Trickstar Token!" Another little heart appeared in Defense Position.

Trickstar Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"The effect of the equipped Birdhelm activates! When I Special Summon a 'Trickstar' monster, you take 200 points of damage!" Vahngo winced again.

Vahngo: 3400→3200 LP

"So that's the reason why," Galahad muttered, his confusion clearing.

"I Set one card," Blue Angel said. "I end my turn." Blue Angel smiled. "So Vahngo, do you like my Trickstar Deck?"

"Yes, I do," Vahngo said earnestly. "With my artists and your singers, I can tell we'll put on a spectacular show for our audience. My turn! Draw!" His eyes widened on seeing his card, but before he could say anything, Blue Angel spoke up.

"Lycoris's monster effect! When you draw a card, she inflicts 200 points of damage!' Lycoris shot a bolt of light at Vahngo, making him wince.

Vahngo: 3200→3000 LP

"Your singers are very hurtful, Blue Angel," Vahngo said, frowning. "But they cannot erase the pleasure of my artist returning. Come back, The Weather Painter Rain!" The girl with a giant marker reappeared in Attack Position.

The Weather Painter Rain ATK 1200 DEF 1400 LVL: 3

"I see," Blue Angel nodded. "So it's not just Snow; Rain can Special Summon herself after being banished. I assume your other Weather Painters have the same effect?"

"Of course. A true artist cannot abandon their canvas for long."

"That may be true, but it will hurt you," Blue Angel said before gesturing to her field. "Divaridis's monster effect! Each time you Normal or Special Summon a monster, you take 200 points of damage!" Vahngo winced as sparkles of light struck him.

Vahngo: 3000→2800 LP

"My, oh my, that feeling is somewhat unpleasant," Vahngo said, shaking his head. "I can't say I look forward to facing that. But!" he said, suddenly standing erect. "An artist must overcome adversity! Only then can we create a truly spectacular painting! Of course…" He then smiled. "The same is true of singers. If the show doesn't go the way they intend, how will they respond?"

"Eh?" Blue Angel said, blinking in surprise.

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Chicken Game!" Vahngo declared. "While this card is active, the player with the lowest Life Points takes no damage!"

The crowd gasped at hearing that, as did Galahad and Persephone. With that card, he's effectively nullified Blue Angel's burn strategy! Galahad thought.

"Since my Life Points are lower than yours, that means I can't be damaged by Divaridis or Lycoris anymore," Vahngo said before gesturing to his field. "I activate Chicken Game's additional effect! During the Main Phase, the turn player can pay 1000 Life Points to activate one of three effects. The one I choose to activate is to draw a card!"

Vahngo: 2800→1800 LP

"Normally, Lycoris would inflict damage to me since I drew, but because of Chicken Game, she can't," Vahngo said, shaking his head. "And since that also means Divaridis's effect won't work, I can bring out a new artist! Come, The Weather Painter Thunder!" A young red-haired boy in a yellow coat carrying a large crayon appeared.

The Weather Painter Thunder ATK 1700 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"Painter Thunder's monster effect! Once per turn, I can send a face-up Continuous Spell or Trap Card I control to the Graveyard, then place a 'The Weather' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck face-up in my Spell & Trap Zone. I send Valhalla to the Graveyard and activate the Continuous Spell Card: The Weather Cloudy Canvas." Vahngo then gestured to his field. "Continuous Trap activate! The Weather Thundery Canvas!" He smiled and said, "Now I have four of my canvas on the field. I may only have three painters, but they can handle the workload just fine. I switch Painter Snow to Attack Position."

"Eh?" In the crowd, Nebula blinked. "Why would he do that?" she wondered. "It has 0 attack points."

"Battle!" Vahngo declared. "Painter Snow, attack Lycoris!"

"EH!?" The entire crowd reacted with surprise as the little blue-haired girl charged Lycoris. "I assume you have a plan, Vahngo?" Blue Angel asked him, which made him smile.

"Of course I do. A true artist always sees the bigger picture." Vahngo then gestured to his field. "I activate the effect Painter Snow gained from Thundery Canvas! By banishing Painter Snow, the monster it is battling is returned to the opponent's hand!" Blue Angel gasped. "So your Lycoris returns to your hand!" Lycoris and Painter Snow both disappeared in a bolt of lightning.

"I would have preferred returning Divaridis to your hand," Vahngo said, noting Blue Angel's surprised reaction. "However, your Birdhelm prevents me from targeting itself or the equipped Divaridis with card effects." Vahngo then gestured to a different monster. "I activate the effect of Painter Rain it gained from Cloudy Canvas! By banishing Rain, one monster's attack points are halved. I halve Painter Thunder's attack points!" Rain was surrounded by mist before it disappeared while Thunder glowed.

The Weather Painter Thunder ATK 1700→850

"Eh?" Blue Angel said again. "Why would you halve your monster's attack points?"

"Because Cloudy Canvas's also allows that monster to attack directly this turn," Vahngo explained, making Blue Angel gasp. "Battle! Painter Thunder, attack Blue Angel directly!" Thunder hefted his crayon above his shoulder and shot a bolt of lightning at Blue Angel, making her wince.

Blue Angel: 4000→3150 LP

"Alas, my final artist must bid adieu," Vahngo said as Blue Angel recovered. "I activate the effect Thunder gained from Snowy Canvas! I banish Thunder to add The Weather Painter Aurora from my Deck to my hand."

"Vahngo has less Life Points than Blue Angel, but with that Field Spell Card in play, he has the advantage," Galahad noted.

"Not necessarily," Persephone said. Galahad turned to her as she said, "Chicken Game is a useful card against Trickstars, but it has one weakness. Blue Angel can also use its effects, and one of those effects allows her to destroy it." Persephone narrowed her eyes. "Though I suspect Vahngo has already thought of that."

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Field Barrier!" Vahngo declared. "While this card is active, Field Spell Cards cannot be destroyed, and no new Field Spell Cards can be activated."

Looks like she was right, Galahad thought as he narrowed his eyes. With Field Barrier in play, Blue Angel can't destroy Chicken Game with its own effect. Or her own cards, for that matter.

"With that, I end my turn," Vahngo said. He smiled and made an offering gesture to Blue Angel. "Our painting is very well along, dear Blue Angel. Please, continue to add your colors to it."

Blue Angel smiled back. "My turn! Draw!" She looked at her card as Vahngo gestured to his field.

"Before you make it, the effects of my painters activate! Each of them is now Special Summoned to my field! Return, my artists!" Painters Rain, Snow, and Thunder all reappeared on Vahngo's field in Defense Position.

The Weather Painter Rain ATK 1200 DEF 1400 LVL: 3

The Weather Painter Snow ATK 0 DEF 2200 LVL: 3

The Weather Painter Thunder ATK 1700 DEF 0 LVL: 3

Blue Angel looked at her hand, then at Vahngo's Field Spell. Chicken Game encourages a certain type of playstyle, she thought. She couldn't help but smirk. Alright then – if that's the game Vahngo wants to play, then I'll play.

"I activate the effect of Chicken Game!' she declared. "By paying 1000 Life Points, I increase your Life Points by 1000!" Vahngo's eyes widened as both of them glowed.

Blue Angel: 3150→2150 LP

Vahngo: 1800→2800 LP

Galahad blinked then smiled. "Looks like she reversed it rather easily."

"Yes," Persephone said, also smiling. Chicken Game is all about the players forcing themselves to lower their own Life Points so they can damage their opponents. Blue Angel usually tries to keep her Life Points high, but that strategy won't work here.

"Now that my Life Points are lower than yours, you can take damage," Blue Angel pointed out to Vahngo, who chuckled at Blue Angel's words. "I summon Trickstar Nightshade!" A rose-haired girl in a red and green dress appeared, holding a baton.

Trickstar Nightshade ATK 100 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I activate Lycoris's effect from my hand! By returning Nightshade, I Special Summon her!" Nightshade disintegrated as the girl with a sword reappeared in Attack Position at Divaridis's bottom-left Link Marker.

Trickstar Lycoris ATK 1600 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"Birdhelm's effect activates! Since I Special Summoned a 'Trickstar' monster, you take 200 points of damage!" Vahngo winced from the yellow sparks that appeared.

Vahngo: 2800→2600 LP

"Come out, the circuit of dreams and hope!" The Link portal appeared above Blue Angel. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one Level 2 or lower 'Trickstar' monster. I set Trickstar Token in the Link Marker!" Her Token entered the bottom arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Trickstar Bloom!" A young girl with orange pigtails in a green dress appeared, wielding a staff that was shaped like a flower on top, summoned to Divaridis's bottom Link Marker.

Trickstar Bloom ATK 100 LINK-1 ↓

"Birdhelm's effect activates!"

Vahngo: 2600→2400 LP

"Bloom's monster effect! When she is Link Summoned, you draw one card!"

"Oh? Well, it would be rude of me to decline such a generous gift." Vahngo drew, which made Blue Angel gesture to her field.

"Lycoris's effect activates! Since you drew a card, she inflicts 200 points of damage!" Lycoris shot a bolt of light at Vahngo, making him wince again.

Vahngo: 2400→2200 LP

"Trap activate! Trickstar Maribold! Since I Link Summoned, I return a 'Trickstar' monster from my Graveyard to my hand, and then I can Normal Summon a 'Trickstar' monster. I return Lilybell to my hand." Blue Angel then smirked. "And since Lilybell was added to my hand outside of a draw, she Special Summons herself!" The girl carrying a bell reappeared in Attack Position.

Trickstar Lilybell ATK 800 DEF 2000 LVL: 2

"Birdhelm's effect activates!"

Vahngo: 2200→2000 LP

"Those were very impressive brushstrokes, Blue Angel," Vahngo said, recovering from the repeated blows. "But since my Life Points are now lower than yours again, Chicken Game's effect prevents me from taking damage again."

"For now," Blue Angel said. "Thanks to Maribold, I Normal Summon Nightshade again!"

Trickstar Nightshade ATK 100 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Shine again, the circuit of dreams and hope!" The Link portal appeared above Blue Angel for a third time. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two 'Trickstar' monsters. I set Bloom and Nightshade in the Link Markers!" Her two monsters entered the left and right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Trickstar Black Catbat!" A young woman with black hair with white stripes in it and two tails appeared. She wore a black dress and wielded a two-pronged scepter. Black Catbat winked at the audience from Divaridis's bottom Link Marker.

Trickstar Black Catbat ATK 2000 LINK-2 ←→

"Nightshade's monster effect! When she is used to Link Summon a 'Trickstar' monster, I can Special Summon her!" The rose-haired girl reappeared at Black Catbat's right Link Marker in Attack Position.

Trickstar Nightshade ATK 100 DEF 0 LVL: 1

Vahngo applauded Blue Angel. "Impressive. You have four monsters on the field. I assume now you'll Link Summon again?"

"Not yet," Blue Angel said before she gestured to her field. "Battle! Nightshade, attack Painter Thunder!"

"Eh!?" Vahngo said, surprised as the audience for once. Oh no! he thought. Thunder's in Defense Position and it has 0 defense points!

"I activate the effect Painter Thunder gained from Snowy Canvas!" he declared. "I banish Thunder to add The Weather Painter Ice to my hand!" Thunder disappeared in a small blizzard, which burst as Nightshade's energy blast went through it.

"Since Thunder was banished, a replay occurs," Blue Angel said, now pointing to a different monster on Vahngo's field. "Nightshade, attack Painter Rain!"

"Huh!?" the crowd collectively said, stunned as Vahngo. "Why would she attack with Nightshade?" Nebula wondered aloud.

Vahngo was wondering the same thing, but then it hit him too late. Or rather, Nightshade's attack hit Rain, but didn't do anything as Rain shot a burst of water from her marker at Blue Angel, who winced.

Blue Angel: 2150→850 LP

Galahad gasped. "That clever girl!" he said. "She lowered her Life Points on purpose so she could inflict damage!" Persephone couldn't help but smile as the audience caught on and cheered for Blue Angel.

Vahngo chuckled. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting you to intentionally damage yourself like that."

"It's true that my tactics usually focus on maintaining a Life Point advantage," Blue Angel acknowledged. "But a friend once taught me that if I truly want to become stronger, then I have to adapt. So I'll play this game. And I'll win." Blue Angel gestured to her field. "Lilybell's effect allows her to attack you directly!" Lilybell sent out sonic blasts with her bell, but Vahngo gestured to his field.

"I activate the effect Painter Rain gained from Cloudy Canvas! I banish Rain to halve Lilybell's attack points and allow her to attack directly!" Rain disappeared in a burst of fog.

Trickstar Lilybell ATK 800→400

"Lilybell's attack continues!" Vahngo winced as the sonic blasts hit him.

Vahngo: 2000→1600 LP

"Lilybell's monster effect! When she inflicts battle damage, I can add a 'Trickstar' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Bloom to my Extra Deck." Blue Angel then smiled. "I'll end this now, Vahngo! Shine once more, the circuit of dreams and hope!" The Link portal appeared above her. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more Fairy monsters. I set Lilybell, Lycoris, and Nightshade in the Link Markers!" Her three monsters entered the left, top, and right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Trickstar Foxywitch!" A green haired woman in a pink dress and hat wielding a pink wand emerged from the portal, summoned to Divaridis's bottom-left Link Marker.

Trickstar Foxywitch ATK 2200 LINK-3 ←↑→

"Foxywitch's effect activates! When she is Special Summoned, you take 200 points of damage for each card you control!" Vahngo gasped. "You control seven, so you take 1400 points of damage!" Blue Angel then gestured to a different card. "But first, Birdhelm's effect activates! Since a 'Trickstar' monster was Special Summoned, Birdhelm inflicts 200 points of damage!"

"Birdhelm will reduce Vahngo to 1400 Life Points, then Foxywitch will reduce him to 0," Persephone said, smiling. "As expected of Blue Angel."

"Go, Birdhelm! Foxywitch!" Divaridis's helmet glowed as it and Foxywitch sent golden sparkles at Vahngo, who selected a card from his hand.

"I activate the effect of The Weather Painter Ice in my hand!" he declared. "By discarding it, all effect damage I take in this chain is halved!" A young woman with dark blue hair wearing deep blue robes and carrying a palette and paint brush briefly appeared as the sparkles passed through her, making Vahngo wince.

Vahngo: 1600→1500→800 LP

Vahngo couldn't help but laugh. "A very good try, Blue Angel," he said. "If not for Ice, I would have lost. But my painting is not yet done, and an unfinished painting is just too sad to leave be."

Blue Angel frowned, but said, "I Set two cards and end my turn. So, show me what you've got, Artist of LINK VRAINS!"

"Of course! My turn! Draw!" Vahngo looked at his card, smiled, then gestured to his field. "It is time for my artists to return! Come back, Rain and Thunder!" His two painters reappeared, both summoned in Attack Position.

The Weather Painter Rain ATK 1200 DEF 1400 LVL: 3

The Weather Painter Thunder ATK 1700 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"Painter Thunder's monster effect! I send Field Barrier to the Graveyard and activate the Continuous Spell Card: The Weather Rainy Canvas from my Deck!" In a flash of lightning, Field Barrier was replaced with a new Canvas card. "I activate the effect of Painter Ice in my Graveyard! By banishing her, I can Special Summon a 'The Weather' monster from my Deck in Defense Position. Come, The Weather Painter Sun!" A short fat man with a brown mustache wearing red robes and carrying an artist's palette and paintbrush with orange paint appeared.

The Weather Painter Sun ATK 1600 DEF 400 LVL: 3

Vahngo smiled as he pulled his paintbrush from his waistband. He drew the paintbrush across his Duel Disk, creating a multi-colored ring above it. "Come forth! The seven-colored circuit!" Vahngo pointed upwards with his paintbrush, which glowed blue as the Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are three 'The Weather' monsters. I set Painter Rain, Painter Sun, and Painter Snow in the Link Markers!" His three monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! The Weather Painter Rainbow!" A beautiful woman with strands of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and purple in her blonde hair emerged from the portal. She wore a simple white blouse with dark brown shoulder pads and carried an artist's tray in her right hand. Seven tubes of paint – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and purple in color – appeared alongside the woman as she was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

The Weather Painter Rainbow ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

Blue Angel narrowed her eyes. "So this is your ace monster…" she muttered. In the crowd, Nebula's eyes were wide with stars. She's so pretty!

Vahngo returned his paintbrush to his waistband and then snapped his fingers. "My main artist has finally arrived! But first, she needs some backup, otherwise her painting will not truly show her heart. I activate the effect of The Weather Painter Sun in my Graveyard! By sending a Continuous Spell or Trap Card I control to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon Sun in Defense Position! I send Auroral Canvas to the Graveyard." The short man reappeared at Rainbow's bottom-right Link Marker.

The Weather Painter Sun ATK 1600 DEF 400 LVL: 3

"The second part of Sun's effect now activates, and I must place a 'The Weather' Spell or Trap Card from my hand face-up in my Spell & Trap Zone. I place The Weather Sunny Canvas on my field." Vahngo smiled. "Although truthfully, this one is merely adding to the background of my larger painting. But my last artist is not! I Tribute Sun to Tribute Summon The Weather Painter Aurora!" The short man disintegrated as a tall green-haired woman in a light green dress wielding a paint roller appeared at Rainbow's bottom-right Link Marker.

The Weather Painter Aurora ATK 2200 DEF 2000 LVL: 6

"I sincerely hope you weren't planning to either destroy or target my canvas," Vahngo said. "Because while Painter Aurora is on the field, you cannot target or destroy my 'The Weather' Spell and Trap Cards with your card effects." Blue Angel narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything. Vahngo then gestured to his field. "I activate Painter Thunder's effect it gained from Cloudy Canvas! By banishing Thunder, Painter Rainbow's attack points are halved, and it can attack directly!" Thunder disappeared in a cloud of mist while Rainbow glowed.

The Weather Painter Rainbow ATK 2400→1200

Galahad gasped. "Wait, Blue Angel has 850 Life Points."

"And since her Life Points are higher than Vahngo's, Chicken Game won't protect her," Persephone said, her eyes wide. "That means-."

"Our painting is finally complete! Time for the finishing touches! Battle! Painter Rainbow, attack Blue Angel directly!" All seven of Rainbow's tubes turned to face Blue Angel and blasted her with colored lights.

Blue Angel gestured to her field. "Trap activate! Trickstar Cascade! I return a 'Trickstar' card to my hand and negate your attack. I return Live Stage to my hand!" Her Field Spell Card left the field as Vahngo smiled.

"I'm afraid that won't work, Blue Angel," he said before gesturing to his own field. "For you see, my canvas are not the only cards that grant my monsters effects. Painter Rainbow also grants an effect to the monsters she points to!" Blue Angel gasped. "I activate Aurora's effect that she gained from Rainbow! By banishing it, I negate the activation of a card or effect, then destroy that card!" Aurora disappeared into multi-colored light as Cascade shattered. "The attack continues!"

"But now Painter Rainbow doesn't point to any monsters!" Blue Angel reminded him. "Trap activate! Trickstar Barrier!" The card showed Black Catbat behind a blue energy shield. "Since I control a 'Trickstar' monster, all battle damage I take this turn is halved!" Vahngo gasped as the streams hit Blue Angel, pushing her back, but she remained standing.

Blue Angel: 850→250 LP

Vahngo smiled and sighed. "Honestly. I was thinking of the perfect climax to finish our painting with, and you had to ruin it. Oh well. I can always finish my painting on my next turn. I end my turn, and Painter Rainbow's attack points return to normal."

The Weather Painter Rainbow ATK 1200→2400

"And at the end of your Battle Phase, Trickstar Barrier's cost activates," Blue Angel said. "And I must Tribute a 'Trickstar' monster I control. I Tribute Black Catbat." Said monster disintegrated into light, leaving Divaridis and Foxywitch.

Blue Angel smiled. "I have to admit, I'm having more fun than I thought I would today. That said… you're wrong, Vahngo." When her opponent raised an eyebrow, she said, "You won't be finishing your painting. I will be!"

"Oh? Well, in that case, I would love to see what brushstrokes you produce."

"Oh, I'll show you right now! My turn! Draw!"

"The effects of the banished Aurora and Thunder activate!" Vahngo reminded her. "I Special Summon both of them in Attack Position!" His two monsters reappeared at Painter Rainbow's bottom-left and bottom-right Link Markers respectively.

The Weather Painter Aurora ATK 2200 DEF 2000 LVL: 6

The Weather Painter Thunder ATK 1700 DEF 0 LVL: 3

Blue Angel smiled again as she played a card. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Trickstar Live Stage! When this card is activated, I can add a 'Trickstar' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Trickstar Lilybell!"

Vahngo gasped. Lilybell could attack directly, and with his Life Points at 800…

"I won't let you!" he declared, gesturing to his field. "I activate the effect Painter Thunder gained from Rainbow! I banish Thunder to negate Live Stage's activation and destroy it!" Thunder disappeared in a burst of multiple lights as Live Stage shattered.

Blue Angel looked undeterred as she played the other card in her hand. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Trickstar Magicorolla! This card Special Summons a 'Trickstar' monster from my Graveyard and equips itself to it!"

Vahngo gestured to his field again. "I activate the effect Painter Aurora gained from the Rainbow! I banish Aurora to negate Magicorolla's activation and destroy it!" Aurora disappeared in a flash of light as Blue Angel's card shattered.

Vahngo smiled. "It would appear you're out of moves, Blue Angel. You could Link Summon using Divaridis and Foxywitch, but you should know that I can send Painter Rainbow herself to the Graveyard to negate that Summon and destroy your monster. Do you still believe you can finish our painting this turn?"

"Of course I do," Blue Angel said, her smile unwavering. "After all, you've just given me the key to victory!"

"What?" Vahngo said, looking surprised.

"Battle!" Blue Angel declared. "Foxywitch, attack Painter Rainbow!" The entire audience was stunned as Foxywitch winked and shot a beam of light at Painter Rainbow.

"I'm not sure what you're hoping for, Blue Angel," Vahngo said. "Painter Rainbow is stronger than Foxywitch, after all!" Sure enough, Rainbow fired her tubes of paint at Foxywitch. The two attacks met before the paint overpowered the light and destroyed Foxywitch. "And now you've lost your strongest monster. Granted, you didn't take damage because of Chicken Game, but still… was that what you were aiming for?"

"Of course," Blue Angel said, surprising everyone again. "Since the Link Summoned Foxywitch was destroyed by battle, her effect activates! I can now Special Summon a Link-2 or lower 'Trickstar' monster from my Extra Deck. I summon Holly Angel!" A blonde woman in a blue dress carrying a flail appeared, summoned to Divaridis's bottom-left Link Marker.

Trickstar Holly Angel ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Holly Angel isn't strong enough to defeat Rainbow," Vahngo reminded Blue Angel.

"I know. I don't expect her to. But after Foxywitch Special Summons a 'Trickstar' Link Monster, she then inflicts 200 points of damage to you for each card you control!"

"What!?" Vahngo said, surprised.

"Vahngo controls seven cards…" Galahad said. "That means…"

"It's over," Persephone said, finishing his thought.

"Go, Foxywitch!" Foxywitch's spirit reappeared on Blue Angel's field and blasted Vahngo with white light, knocking him off his feet.

Vahngo: 800→0 LP

Persephone smiled as she walked forward. "The Duel is over!" she declared. "The winner is Blue Angel!" Said duelist waved at the crowd as they cheered for her.

"Everyone! Did you enjoy the duel?" Blue Angel asked them as Vahngo stood up. She turned to him and asked, "What about you, Vahngo? Did you have fun?"

The boy was silent but then laughed. "Yes, I did! I got to create a magnificent painting with the #1 Charisma Duelist! Even if I lost, it is the art itself that matters, not the victor." He reached out his hand. "I look forward to the next time we duel, Blue Angel."

Blue Angel shook his hand. "Yes. So do I, Vahngo." She then turned to the audience. "Now, let's get the rest of the event underway! Who would like to challenge one of us to a duel?"

As Vahngo headed back to stand next to the other Charisma Duelists, about half the crowd raised their hands high, Nebula included. Blue Angel looked over the crowd. "Wow, so many people want to duel. How about… you!" She said, pointing into the crowd. "The girl with black, silver, and white hair."

Nebula quickly shut down a squeal. She picked me! She picked me! Nebula fought her way through the crowd and ran up on stage to stand next to Blue Angel.

"What's your name?" Blue Angel asked, giving an encouraging smile.

"N-Nebula," she answered, suddenly feeling nervous.

"And do you want to duel?"

"Yes!" Nebula responded, nodding vigorously. "I… I want to be a Charisma Duelist! Like you!"

Blue Angel's smile widened. "Well as your senior, I wish you luck. Now, which of us would you like to duel?"

Nebula paused, her confidence going down again. Who did she want to duel? Well, a Charisma Duelist should prioritize the crowd above all else, right? And since they'd already seen Blue Angel and Vahngo duel, that meant it would be proper to duel one of the other three.

Nebula looked over at them and felt even more nervous. Fatumare was a nice guy, but he was so tall, and with that physique… Nebula couldn't help but be intimidated. And while Galahad was funny, he had fought against Hanoi to save LINK VRAINS. He was a hero! How could she face him and not feel scared? And Persephone was revered like a queen by her fans. If Nebula challenged her, it could make those fans think that Nebula felt she was better than Persephone.

Before she could make up her mind, Persephone stepped forward. "I am aware this is your choice," she said, giving a smile even more encouraging than Blue Angel's. "But would you mind if I dueled you?"

"Eh?" Nebula said, her eyes wide. "Y-You would, Miss. Persephone?"

"Of course. That's what we're here for," Persephone said easily. "And more importantly… I recognize that look in your eyes. It is the same look I had when I first aspired to become a Charisma Duelist."

"R-Really?" Nebula asked.

"Yes. So, will you accept my challenge, Nebula?"

"Y-Yes! I will, Miss. Persephone!"

"Just Persephone is fine." She then moved to stand to one side of the stage as Nebula raced to the other. Blue Angel, meanwhile, headed to stand next to Galahad.

"Are both duelists ready?" Blue Angel asked. Persephone nodded as she raised a purple and black Duel Disk. Nebula nodded, only much faster, and readied her standard Duel Disk. "Then begin!"

"Duel!" they shouted.

Persephone: 4000 LP

Nebula: 4000 LP

Both duelists waved their hands in front of themselves. Nebula gasped and widened her eyes on seeing what she had. With this, she could…

"Mi-, I mean, Persephone, could I go first?"

"Of course," Persephone said with a nod. "Please, show me the strength you possess."

"R-Right. I Special Summon Photon Thrasher!" A blue and silver armored warrior with glowing blue arms wielding a sword appeared in Attack Position.

Photon Thrasher ATK 2100 DEF 0 LVL: 4

Persephone raised an eyebrow, impressed, while Galahad gasped, surprised. Photon? they both thought. No way…

"I can Special Summon Photon Thrasher when I control no monsters," Nebula continued. "And since I control a 'Photon' monster, I can also Special Summon Photon Vanisher!" A silver armored gunman with blue arms, legs, and stomach appeared in Attack Position.

Photon Vanisher ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Vanisher's monster effect! When Vanisher is Special Summoned, I can add Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon from my Deck to my hand." Nebula did so, then gestured to her field. "And now, by Tributing my two monsters with 2000 or more attack points, I can Special Summon this monster!" Both monsters became orbs of light and collided, creating a spiral of energy that gathered around them.

"The galaxy that lurks in the darkness. Become the light of hope and my very servant. The embodiment of light, now descend! Appear, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" The light took on the form of a massive light blue dragon with dark blue armor on its tail, upper legs, chest, stomach, and neck. The dragon with galaxies in its eyes roared as it was summoned in Attack Position.

Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ATK 3000 DEF 2500 LVL: 8

"Woah!" the entire crowd was awed at Nebula's summoning, as were the Charisma Duelists.

"Now there's something you don't see every day," Galahad muttered. "I wasn't expecting to see such a legendary monster in the flesh at this event." Blue Angel nodded in agreement.

"Very impressive, Nebula," Persephone said, smiling in approval.

"It's too soon to be impressed!" Nebula declared, internally giggling in delight. She'd always wanted to say that line! "I can go even further! I activate the Field Spell Card: Mausoleum of the Emperor!" Galahad and Persephone gasped. Was she about to…? "With this card, I can Normal Summon any monster, so long as I pay Life Points equal to the number of required Tributes times 1000. I pay 2000 Life Points to Normal Summon Photon Caesar!" A large warrior in blue and gold armor wielding a sword and shield appeared on Nebula's field.

Nebula: 4000→2000 LP

Photon Caesar ATK 2000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"Photon Caesar's monster effect! When he is Normal or Flip Summoned, I can Special Summon another Photon Caesar from my Deck!" A second warrior appeared in Attack Position.

Photon Caesar ATK 2000 DEF 2800 LVL: 8

"If she's about to do what I think she is, then I'm really impressed," Galahad commented before narrowing his eyes. "But paying 2000 Life Points for that was a big cost, and it may hurt her in the long run." Blue Angel didn't respond as Nebula gestured to her field.

"The time is here! I overlay my Level 8 Photon Caesars and Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" Nebula placed her hands in front of her as her Duel Disk glowed. A bolt of blue energy broke out of her Duel Disk and traveled into the air behind her. The bolt created a massive portal behind her – a blue X with four red dots at the sides. "With these three monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" All three monsters broke apart into blue particles and entered the red dots on the side and top, making them glow and causing a red circle to appear around the portal. The four points of the X lit up and fired lasers, creating a swirling galaxy in front of Nebula. The galaxy exploded with energy as Nebula chanted.

"Radiant galaxy, here and now become the striking light, and show yourself! Xyz Summon!" A stream of DNA appeared, then broke apart before reforming into a sphere. "Descend! Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" The sphere then reformed itself into a massive red dragon with three heads. The dragon roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position as three yellow lights circled behind it.

Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ATK 4500 DEF 3000 RNK: 8 OU: 3

"I did it!" Nebula cheered along with the crowd. "I summoned my most powerful monster on my first turn!"

Persephone had been stunned on seeing a 4500-attack-point monster, but then she smiled. "Indeed, you should be proud of your achievement," she said. "Summoning a monster as powerful as this one is no easy task. But…" Persephone frowned at Nebula. "Perhaps you should have waited until a later turn?"

"Huh?" Nebula blinked, confused. Then she watched in surprise as Neo Galaxy-Eyes released a powerful roar and made her Field Spell go dark. "Eh? What's happening?"

"When Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon is Xyz Summoned using Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon," Nebula's AI explained. "The effects of all other face-up cards on the field are negated."

"Indeed," Persephone nodded. "But since I don't have any cards on the field right now, the only card that was negated was Mausoleum of the Emperor."

"Oh," Nebula said, feeling dejected. She'd been so excited to summon her ace monster that she had forgotten about its effect. But-! "E-Even so, Neo Galaxy-Eyes has 4500 attack points!" she pointed out. "Even if I can't attack, there aren't many monsters that can match that. I Set one card and end my turn."

And even if Persephone summons a monster with higher attack points, Nebula thought. My Set Magic Cylinder will negate her attack and inflict her monster's attack points as damage. I'll win!

Persephone smiled as she placed her hand above her Duel Disk. "My turn! Draw!" Looking at her card, Persephone's smile became sad. "As I said, I was impressed you managed to summon such a powerful monster on your first turn, Nebula. But please, as your senior, let me give you some advice."

"Y-Yes, Persephone?"

"A monster's strength is relative," she said. "What is most important isn't a monster's strength, but how the duelist uses it. If the duelist is clever enough, a weak monster can overcome a powerful monster with ease."

"Eh?" Nebula blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Allow me to show you." Persephone activated a card from her hand. "I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss!"

"A Ritual Spell!?" Nebula said, surprised.

"With Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss," Persephone's AI said. "You must Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the stated Ritual Monster in your hand."

"I Tribute Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to Ritual Summon!" Persephone declared as she gestured upwards, the screen of her Duel Disk and its black sections glowing blue. A dark blue magic circle appeared on Persephone's field, along with six flames. Two monsters appeared on either side of the circle. One was a demonic centaur with bat wings and four horns on its head while the other was a masked demon with a long tail and wings for arms. Both monsters soon disintegrated into light and entered the center of the circle.

"The contract has been made," Persephone chanted. "The demon that guards the fifth circle inherits these two souls! Ritual Summon! Rise, Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss!" A pillar of dark blue light erupted from the circle as the flames went wild. When the light faded, a large red-skinned demon with blue armor had appeared. It had large dark blue wings, a tail that ended in a dragon's head, and carried two swords – one blue and one red. Malacoda roared from his mouth, along with the dragon's mouth, as it was Ritual Summoned in Attack Position.

Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss ATK 2700 DEF 2200 LVL: 6

"A-Amazing!" Nebula gushed. "Persephone's ace monster!" She wasn't the only one who was excited; the entire crowd went wild for Malacoda.

Persephone smiled and closed her eyes. "I'm glad your excited, but you should also be aware that Malacoda isn't your primary concern."

"Eh?"

"Burning Abyss monsters, except for Malacoda and their Extra Deck monsters, all have two common effects," Persephone explained. "Do you know what they are?"

Nebula nodded. "Yes. They can be Special Summoned if you control no Spell or Trap Cards, and when they go to the Graveyard, they…" Nebula's eyes widened. "Oh no."

Persephone opened her eyes and nodded. "I just sent two 'Burning Abyss' monsters to the Graveyard. So their effects now activate. The first is Calcab! When it is sent to the Graveyard, I can return 1 Spell or Trap Card on the field to the owner's hand. I return your Set card to your hand." Nebula gasped as her Magic Cylinder disappeared and then reappeared in her hand. "And now Farfa's effect activates! When it is sent to the Graveyard, one monster is banished until the End Phase!"

"What!?" Nebula's eyes went wider as Neo Galaxy-Eyes disappeared, leaving her defenseless.

"As I told you, if a weak monster is used correctly, it can overcome a strong monster," Persephone said. "What truly matters is the strength of the duelist. And while I can tell you have potential, you still have a ways to go before you reach my level." Persephone gestured to her field. "Battle! Malacoda attacks you directly! Abyssal Slash!" Malacoda's swords burst on fire as it charged Nebula. Malacoda's slashes made Nebula cry out as she fell onto her back.

Nebula: 2000→0 LP

"We have a winner!" Blue Angel declared. "Persephone the Traveler defends her title!"

As expected for a duelist of her strength, Galahad thought, pride in his smile.

Nebula was feeling depressed as she pushed herself up to a sitting position. She blinked when she realized there was a hand in front of her. Looking up, she saw the hand belonged to Persephone, who was smiling at her.

"You did really good," she said. "Summoning a monster as powerful as you did is not easy, especially on the first turn. If you had taken the second turn, you would have dealt me serious damage."

"…But I didn't. I lost."

"So what?" Nebula looked confusedly at Persephone. "Everyone loses now and then. No one is automatically a dueling prodigy. They become as good as they are over time, through practice and experience. I didn't get to be #2 by chance; I earned it by working for it. If you wish to become a Charisma Duelist, then you must work for it. Are you willing to do that?"

"…Yes!" Nebula said, taking Persephone's hand and letting her pull her up. The crowd cheered as the two young women turned and waved to the crowd. Behind them, Galahad smiled.

Persephone is half-right, he thought. She is a genius and prodigy, but she also worked hard to reach those heights. I imagine Morningstar and Playmaker did the same. Galahad's smile turned into a frown as he looked up into the sky. One day, I hope I'll have worked hard enough to reach you, Go.

---

Standing atop a building overlooking the plaza, HK-70 turned to his cloaked companion and said, "Query: What did you think of the Charisma Duelists' performances, Master? I thought the meatbag named Blue Angel was rather strong."

"For them, she is," the cloaked man said. "But compared to me and the others, there's no contest. She isn't worth my time."

"Query: What of the meatbag Persephone?"

"…Hard to say," he responded, mulling over his words. "She didn't show too much of her strength, but there is something interesting about her. I doubt she could challenge me, but she might prove fun to watch."

---

Sachi watched as the nurse led a boy with purple hair to the railing by the ocean.

"Recently, he goes outside more." Sachi turned to look at the doctor who said that. He was standing between Cam and Kusanagi, while Sachi was standing next to Cam. "Since his brother comes to visit, he's heading in a good direction."

"It's because the incident that threatened him has ended," Kusanagi replied.

"That info may have calmed him," the doctor agreed.

But he still needs time, doesn't he? Sachi thought. I did. I still do. Sachi was aware she had recovered extremely fast over the last three months, but she knew she wasn't completely healed. Neither was Yasutake. The two did still have nightmares, but they were coming very infrequently. Her last one had been a week ago, and his had been thirteen days ago.

"Thank you for coming, Cam, Sachi," Kusanagi said, glancing at the two of them as the doctor walked over to another patient. "I thought it would be good for Jin to meet mine and Yusaku's friends."

"We're glad to be here," Cam said, smiling back. "I'm sorry Yasu couldn't be here, but someone had to take care of the shop. And there's still prep work to do."

"I heard." Kusanagi turned from Cam to Sachi. "You were accepted into Den Academy. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Mr. Kusanagi," Sachi said, smiling with Cam. "I'm still nervous, but Yasu, Aoi, and Fujiki will be there, so I'm sure I'll be fine."

"You can call him Yusaku if you want, you know," Kusanagi said. "I know he doesn't mind it."

"I-I don't think we know each other well enough for that," Sachi said, glancing to the side. "And Yasu still calls him Fujiki." While she hadn't met Yusaku as often as she had Aoi, the two still got along really well. She wasn't sure if she would call him a friend, especially compared to Aoi and Yasutake, but she trusted him and knew she could rely on him if she ever needed him.

The three of them watched as the nurse and doctor led Jin back into the resort, with the three then following them. The nurse led Jin to a seating area, where Kusanagi joined him. Cam and Sachi, not wanting to intrude on the brothers, waited outside.

"This is a nice place," Sachi said, looking around. "The staff are invested, the patients are recovering, and the food is actually decent."

"Are you wishing I put you up in a place like this rather than Café Junpei?" Cam asked her, an eyebrow raised.

Sachi smiled and shook her head. "If you did that, I wouldn't have recovered like I did. I'm glad you kept me close to you and Yasu."

"…So am I, Sachi. So am I." Cam wrapped an arm around his sister, who leaned into him and closed her eyes.

The peaceful moment didn't last long, as they suddenly heard a smashing sound from the room. "What the-?" Cam quickly opened the door and gaped. Sachi looked through and her eyes widened in shock.

A golden figure was standing in the room with its hands on Jin's shoulders, purple whirlwinds connecting the two. Kusanagi had grabbed his brother and was trying to pull him away.

"Get off him, asshole!" Cam shouted as he charged the figure. To his and Sachi's surprise, he fell right through him and landed on a nearby table that collapsed under his weight.

"Cam!" Sachi screamed as she raced to her brother's side. Cam soon sat up, wincing a bit as the two watched Kusanagi finally wrench his brother away from the figure. Or rather, the figure let go and then somehow retreated into the television.

"Jin! Jin!" Kusanagi cried, shaking his brother, who was unresponsive. Cam sat up straighter, checking his body and wincing from the hurt muscles in his chest. Sachi left the room, racing to get the doctor. Seeing Kusanagi pull out a cellphone, Cam did the same.

---

Yasutake blinked as his cellphone started ringing. Glancing at the screen, he said, "It's Cam."

"Maybe they're done visiting Jin Kusanagi?" Cypher suggested.

Ignoring the Ignis, Yasutake answered the call. "Hey, Cam, I closed down the store like-…. WHAT!?" Cypher jumped as Yasutake stood up, his eyes wide. "Kusanagi's brother was attacked!?"

"Yeah, and the attacker escaped into LINK VRAINS," Cam said over the phone. "Kusanagi's calling Fujiki, but he might need help."

"Understood," Yasutake said, ending the call.

"What happened?" Cypher asked as Yasutake grabbed his Duel Disk.

"Kusanagi's brother was attacked by a 'golden man' who climbed out of a television and escaped into LINK VRAINS," Yasutake explained.

"What?" Cypher said. "Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"…You know what, I'm bored, and this sounds interesting. Let's help Playmaker catch this guy!"

Yasutake ignored Cypher as he put his Duel Disk on and entered the sealed room. He pulled his Deck out and inserted it into the Duel Disk. "Deck set! Into the VRAINS!"

---

Blue Angel vs. Vahngo

This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.

Turn 1: Vahngo

Vahngo activates the effect of Hecatrice in his hand, discarding it to add Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen from his Deck to his hand. He activates the Continuous Spell Card Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen. Since he controls no monsters, Vahngo activates the effect of Valhalla to Special Summon 1 Fairy monster from his hand. He Special Summons The Weather Painter Rain (1200/1400/3) in Attack Position. Because Rain was Special Summoned, Vahngo can place 1 "The Weather" Spell/Trap Card from his hand face-up in his Spell & Trap Zone. He places the Continuous Trap Card The Weather Auroral Canvas in his Spell & Trap Zone. Vahngo Normal Summons The Weather Painter Snow (0/2200/3). Since Snow was Normal Summoned, Vahngo can place 1 "The Weather" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck face-up in his Spell & Trap Zone. He places the Continuous Spell Card The Weather Snowy Canvas in his Spell & Trap Zone. Vahngo activates the effect of Snow it gained from Snowy Canvas, banishing it to add 1 "The Weather" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds The Weather Thundery Canvas to his hand. Vahngo Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Blue Angel

Blue Angel draws. During her Standby Phase, the effect of Snow Special Summons itself to Vahngo's field (0/2200/3) in Defense Position. Blue Angel activates the Field Spell Card Trickstar Light Stage. When Light Stage is activated, she can add 1 "Trickstar" monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds Trickstar Candina from her Deck to her hand. Vahngo activates the effect of Rain it gained from Auroral Canvas. As Blue Angel added a card to her hand, he banishes Rain to banish that card, then Blue Angel can draw 1 card. Blue Angel activates the Spell Card Trickstar Vision, which lets her Special Summon 1 "Trickstar" monster from her hand with its ATK halved and effects negated. She Special Summons Trickstar Lilybell (800→400/2000/2) in Attack Position. Trickstar Vision's 2nd effect lets both players draw 1 card. Blue Angel activates the effect of Trickstar Lycoris in her hand, revealing it and returning Lilybell to her hand to Special Summon Lycoris (1600/1200/3) in Attack Position. As Lilybell was added to her hand outside of drawing it, Blue Angel Special Summons Lilybell (800/2000/2) in Attack Position. Blue Angel uses Lilybell and Lycoris to Link Summon Trickstar Divaridis (1800/2/↙↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Because it was Special Summoned, Divaridis's effect inflicts 200 damage to Vahngo (Vahngo: 4000→3800 LP). As a "Trickstar" monster inflicted damage to Vahngo, Light Stage's effect activates, inflicting 200 damage to Vahngo (Vahngo: 3800→3600 LP). Blue Angel activates the Field Spell Card Trickstar Live Stage, sending Light Stage to the GY. As Live Stage was activated, Blue Angel can add 1 "Trickstar" monster from her GY to her hand. She adds Lycoris to her hand. Blue Angel activates the effect of Live Stage, Special Summoning a Trickstar Token (0/0/1) to Divaridis's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position. Blue Angel Tributes Trickstar Token to Tribute Summon Trickstar Birdhelm (0/1800/5). As Birdhelm was Normal Summoned, it inflicts 200 damage to Vahngo and Blue Angel can draw 1 card (Vahngo: 3600→3400 LP). Blue Angel cannot conduct her Battle Phase the turn Birdhelm is Normal Summoned. Blue Angel activates the effect of Lycoris in her hand, returning Birdhelm to her hand and Special Summoning Lycoris (1600/1200/3) to Divaridis's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. Blue Angel activates the effect of Birdhelm, equipping it to Divaridis. While Birdhelm is equipped to Divaridis, Vahngo cannot target Divardis with card effects. As Vahngo controls a Set Spell/Trap Card, Blue Angel activates Live Stage's effect to Special Summon 1 Trickstar Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. As she Special Summoned a "Trickstar" monster, the effect of the equipped Birdhelm inflicts 200 damage to Vahngo (Vahngo: 3400→3200 LP). Blue Angel Sets 1 card. She ends her turn.

Turn 3: Vahngo.

Vahngo draws. As he added a card to his hand, Lycoris's effect inflicts 200 damage (Vahngo: 3200→3000 LP). During his Standby Phase, the effect of Rain Special Summons itself (1200/1400/3) in Attack Position. As he Normal or Special Summoned a monster, Divaridis inflicts 200 damage to Vahngo (Vahngo: 3000→2800 LP). Vahngo activates the Field Spell Card Chicken Game. While Chicken Game is in play, the player with the lowest LP takes no damage. Vahngo activates Chicken Game's effect, paying 1000 LP to draw 1 card (Vahngo: 2800→1800 LP). Vahngo Normal Summons The Weather Painter Thunder (1700/0/3). He activates its effect, sending Valhalla to the GY to place 1 "The Weather" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck face-up in his Spell & Trap Zone. He activates the Continuous Spell Card The Weather Cloudy Canvas. Vahngo then activates his Set Continuous Trap Card The Weather Thundery Canvas. He switches Snow to Attack Position.

Snow attacks Lycoris. Vahngo activates the effect Snow gained from Thundery Canvas, banishing it to return Lycoris to Blue Angel's hand. Vahngo activates the effect of Rain it gained from Cloudy Canvas, banishing it and targeting Thunder. Thunder's ATK is halved, but it can attack directly this turn (Thunder: 1700→850). Thunder attacks Blue Angel directly (Blue Angel: 4000→3150 LP). Vanhngo activates the effect of Thunder it gained from Snowy Canvas, banishing it and adding 1 "The Weather" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds The Weather Painter Aurora to his hand. Vahngo activates the Continuous Spell Card Field Barrier, which prevents Field Spell Cards from being destroyed. Vahngo ends his turn.

Turn 4: Blue Angel

Blue Angel draws. During her Standby Phase, the effects of Rain, Snow, and Thunder all Special Summon themselves to Vahngo's field in Defense Position (1200/1400/3) (0/2200/3) (1700/0/3). Blue Angel activates the effect of Chicken Game, paying 1000 LP to increase Vahngo's LP by 1000 (Blue Angel: 3150→2150 LP) (Vahngo: 1800→2800 LP). Blue Angel Normal Summons Trickstar Nightshade (100/0/1). Blue Angel activates Lycoris's effect, returning Nightshade to her hand and Special Summoning Lycoris (1600/1200/3) to Divardis's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. As a "Trickstar" monster was Special Summoned, Birdhelm's effect activates (Vahngo: 2800→2600 LP). Blue Angel uses her Trickstar Token to Link Summon Trickstar Bloom (100/1/↓) to Divaridis's bottom Link Marker. Birdhelm's effect activates (Vahngo: 2600→2400 LP). As Bloom was Link Summoned, Vahngo draws 1 card. Lycoris's effect activates (Vahngo: 2400→2200 LP). Blue Angel activates her Set Trap Card Trickstar Maribold. As she Link Summoned, she can return 1 "Trickstar" monster from her GY to her hand, and then Normal Summon 1 "Trickstar" monster. She adds Lilybell to her hand. As Lilybell was added to her hand outside of drawing it, Blue Angel Special Summons Lilybell (800/2000/2) in Attack Position. Birdhelm's effect activates (Vahngo: 2200→2000 LP). Blue Angel Normal Summons Trickstar Nightshade (100/0/1). Blue Angel uses Bloom and Nightshade to Link Summon Trickstar Black Catbat (2000/2/←→) to Divaridis's bottom Link Marker. As Nightshade was used to Link Summon Black Catbat, Blue Angel Special Summons it to Black Catbat's right Link Marker in Attack Position (100/0/1).

Nightshade attacks Thunder, but Vahngo activates the effect Thunder gained from Snowy Canvas, banishing it to add The Weather Painter Ice from his Deck to his hand. A replay occurs, and Nightshade attacks Rain. Rain is not destroyed (Blue Angel: 2150→850 LP). Lilybell attacks Vahngo directly, but Vahngo activates the effect of Rain it gained from Cloudy Canvas, banishing it to halve Lilybell's ATK for the rest of the turn but let it attack directly (Lilybell: 800→400) (Vahngo: 2000→1600 LP). As Lilybell inflicted battle damage, Blue Angel can add 1 "Trickstar" monster from her GY to her hand. She returns Bloom to her Extra Deck. Blue Angel uses Lilybell, Lycoris, and Nightshade to Link Summon Trickstar Foxywitch (2200/3/←↑→) to Divaridis's bottom-left Link Marker. As it was Special Summoned, Foxywitch's effect activates, inflicting 200 damage to Vahngo for each card he controls. Birdhelm's effect chains to Foxywitch's. but Vahngo activates the effect of The Weather Painter Ice in his hand, discarding it to halve all effect damage he takes in this chain (Vahngo: 1600→1500→800 LP). Blue Angel Sets 2 cards. She ends her turn.

Turn 5: Vahngo

Vahngo draws. During his Standby Phase, the effects of Rain and Thunder Special Summon themselves in Attack Position (1200/1400/3) (1700/0/3). Vahngo activates Thunder's effect, sending Field Barrier from his field to the GY to activate the Continuous Spell Card The Weather Rainy Canvas from his Deck. Vahngo activates the effect of Ice in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "The Weather" monster from his Deck in Defense Position. He Special Summons The Weather Painter Sun (1600/400/3). Vahngo uses Rain, Sun, and Snow to Link Summon The Weather Painter Rainbow (2400/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Vahngo activates the effect of Sun in his GY, sending Auroral Canvas to the GY to Special Summon Sun (1600/400/3) in Defense Position to Rainbow's bottom-right Link Marker and placing The Weather Sunny Canvas from his hand in his Spell & Trap Zone. Vahngo Tributes Sun to Tribute Summon The Weather Painter Aurora (2200/2000/6) to Rainbow's bottom-right Link Marker. Vahngo activates the effect of Thunder it gained from Cloudy Canvas, banishing it and targeting Rainbow. Rainbow's ATK is halved but it can attack directly until the end of the turn (Rainbow: 2400→1200).

Rainbow attacks directly. Blue Angel activates her Set Trap Card Trickstar Cascade, which lets her return 1 "Triclstar" card she controls to her hand to negate the attack. She returns Live Stage to her hand. As Blue Angel activated a card effect, Vahngo activates the effect of Aurora it gained from Rainbow, banishing it to negate Cascade's activation and destroy it. Blue Angel activates her Set Trap Card Trickstar Barrier, which halves all battle damage she takes this turn, but at the end of the Battle Phase, Blue Angel must Tribute 1 "Trickstar" monster she controls. The attack continues (Blue Angel: 850→250 LP). At the end of the Battle Phase, Blue Angel Tributes Black Catbat. Vahngo ends his turn, and the effect of Cloudy Canvas ends (Rainbow: 1200→2400).

Turn 6: Blue Angel

Blue Angel draws. During her Standby Phase, the effects of Aurora and Thunder Special Summons themselves (2200/2000/6) (1700/0/3) to Rainbow's bottom-left and bottom-right Link Markers respectively in Attack Position. Blue Angel activates the Field Spell Card Trickstar Live Stage. As Blue Angel activated a card or effect, Vahngo activates the effect of Thunder it gained from Rainbow, banishing Thunder to negate the activation of Live Stage and destroying it. Blue Angel activates the Equip Spell Card Trickstar Magicorolla, which lets her Special Summon 1 "Trickstar" monster from her GY and equip Magicorolla to it. Vahngo activates the effect of Aurora it gained from Rainbow, banishing Aurora to negate the activation of Magicorolla and destroy it.

Foxywitch attacks Rainbow. Foxywitch is destroyed. Since the Link Summoned Foxywtich was destroyed by battle, Blue Angel activates its effect to Special Summon 1 Link-2 or lower "Trickstar" monster from her Extra Deck, then inflict 200 damage to Vahngo for every card he controls. Blue Angel Special Summons Trickstar Holly Angel (2000/2/↙↘) to Divaridis's bottom-left Link Marker (Vahngo: 800→0 LP). Blue Angel wins.

---

Persephone vs. Nebula

This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.

Turn 1: Nebula

As Nebula controls no monsters, she Special Summons Photon Thrasher (2100/0/4) in Attack Position. As she controls a "Photon" monster, Nebula Special Summons Photon Vanisher (2000/0/4) in Attack Position. As Vanisher was Special Summoned, Nebula adds Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon from her Deck to her hand. Nebula Tributes Thrasher and Vanisher to Special Summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon (3000/2500/8) in Attack Position via its effect. Nebula activates the Field Spell Card Mausoleum of the Emperor, which lets both players pay multiples of 1000 LP times the number of monsters needed for a Tribute Summon in order to Normal Summon without Tributing. She pays 2000 LP (Nebula: 4000→2000 LP) to Normal Summon Photon Caesar (2000/2800/8). Since Caesar was Normal Summoned, Nebula can Special Summon a 2nd Photon Caesar from her Deck in Attack Position (2000/2800/8). Nebula overlays her three Level 8 monsters to Xyz Summon Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon (4500/3000/8) in Attack Position to her right Extra Monster Zone. Since Neo Galaxy-Eyes was Xyz Summoned using Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon, the effects of all other face-up cards are negated. Nebula Sets 1 card. She ends her turn.

Turn 2: Persephone

Persephone draws. She activates the Ritual Spell Card Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss, Tributing the Level 3 Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and the Level 3 Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss in her hand to Ritual Summon Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss (2700/2200/6) in Attack Position. As Calcab was sent to the GY, its effect activates, letting Persephone return 1 Set Spell/Trap Card to the owner's hand. She returns Nebula's Set card to her hand. As Farfa was sent to the GY, its effect activates, letting Persephone banish 1 monster from the field until the End Phase. She banishes Neo Galaxy-Eyes.

Malacoda attacks Nebula directly (Nebula: 2000→0 LP). Persephone wins.

---

The Weather Painter Ice
Attribute: WATER Type: [Fairy/Effect] ATK 1600 DEF 800 Level: 3
If you would take effect damage, you can send this card from your hand to the GY; halve all effect damage you take in this chain. You can banish this card from your GY; Special Summon 1 Level 3 "The Weather" monsters from your Deck in Defense Position. Monsters Special Summoned by this effect cannot be banished the turn they are Summoned. You can only use 1 effect of "The Weather Painter Ice" per turn, and only once per turn. Once per turn, during the Standby Phase of the turn after this card was banished from the field to activate a "The Weather" card's effect: You can Special Summon this banished card.

Trickstar Barrier Normal Trap Card
If an opponent's monster declares an attack: Halve all battle damage you take during this Battle Phase. At the end of the Battle Phase, Tribute 1 "Trickstar" monster you control. During your Main Phase: If you control no monsters, you can banish this card from your GY and target 1 "Trickstar" monster in your GY; Special Summon that monster in Defense Position. You cannot activate this effect the turn "Trickstar Barrier" is sent to the GY.

---

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 32 – Heaven's Gate. Chasing after Playmaker, Morningstar is challenged by the bounty hunter Techbane. Pushed into a corner by his surprising tactics, Morningstar unleashes the power of his and Cypher's Skill…

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Question of the Chapter – I added these to my ARC-V fanfic and thought I'd do it here, too

What do you think of Morningstar's, Galahad's, and Persephone's new avatars?

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Responses to Reviews & Author's Notes

Thank you to guardian of the aura Aurasoul, ZarcEternal, D3lph0xL0v3r, HunterHQ, JaneValentine007, ThePLOThand, Lindia Fullmoon, Guest, Ethan Kironus, Lyrissa Artemick, G57steve, Guest, Vrains Fan, Yasutake Fan, Nirvash Neo, Crossing, Phantom Flame-98, and jdkeller2000 for reviewing Chapter 30 of Hidden Memories.

D3lph0xL0v3r: I assume the ending of this chapter answered your questions relating Cypher and Morningstar working with Playmaker and Soulburner.

Ethan Kironus: As I've said, I ship Aoi x Yusaku.

G57Steve: I do appreciate the monster, but if I do use it, I'll have to rename it. While I've only said this in terms of Cyspirit Link Monsters, all the advanced Cyspirit monsters – Link, Ritual, and any other Extra Deck types Morningstar gains – have alliterative names. If I use this monster, I'll have to rename it to something like Nebulous Nova or Overlay Overlord. Otherwise it doesn't fit the pattern of the Cyspirits.

Nirvash Neo: Of course Galahad will use it. It's just a matter of when. And we'll see the Gold Ignis after we meet Windy.

Crossing: Just so we're clear, Aoi knows Morningstar's identity; she does not know Playmaker's. And Morningstar won't be telling her, because that's Playmaker's choice.

Phantom Flame-98: You'll have to wait and see.

Credit to bladeWriter3 for the character of Vahngo. Vahngo will also be appearing in bladeWriter3's story Beyond the Pendulum. I ran both the duel and Vahngo's characterization past bladeWriter3, and he approved. That said, I don't know if Vahngo will be a recurring character, partly because I honestly don't like writing The Weather duels; keeping track of which cards are where is even harder for them than it is for Mekk-Knights.

Also, credit to JaneValentine007 for the character of Shizuka Midori, or Sylphid, one of the OC bounty hunters. We won't get to see her duel for a bit, but I hope you'll like her Deck, along with Yukaro Saiba's, also known as Techbane. And finally, credit to ThePLOThand for Techbane's real world name. Thank you.

We also finally saw Persephone duel, even if it was only a glimpse. As many people suspected, she uses a Burning Abyss Deck. I'm still working on her Skill and her Link chant, so suggestions are welcome. We also have more backstory and characterization for her, which is always good. As for Nebula, she will be returning to duel in a later chapter, and she will get a better showing that time.

There was also more of the black-cloaked man who watched Morningstar and Playmaker. And the introduction of his AI companion HK-70, who is based off the KOTOR character HK-47. He won't fatally shoot anyone, but he will duel and refer to all humans as "meatbags."

Thank you for reading Chapter 31. I hope I did new LINK VRAINS justice. Please post a review, and if you find you cannot because of the reason I gave at the start of the chapter, please either use a guest account, or combine your review with your thoughts on Chapter 32.