Chapter 32: The Heaven's Gate

Reminder: This is Chapter 32. I'm releasing it and Chapter 31 at the same time so I can delete the reader poll. Please see the previous chapter for more info. That said, please enjoy Chapter 32.

Good news, Chapter 31 came through!

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

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

Morningstar emerged into LINK VRAINS and landed on his D-Board. Looking down he said, "Looks like the upgrade worked." His new D-Board had a black center with silver sides and dark blue fins. An eight-pointed silver star was drawn in the center.

"It matches your new color scheme," Cypher said, remaining an eye in the Duel Disk. Rotating, he said, "Look, over there!" Morningstar turned in the direction Cypher indicated and saw Playmaker on his own new D-Board. He was looking around, ignoring the people staring at him.

"Playmaker!" The hacker looked over as Morningstar reached him.

"That ID… Morningstar?"

"Yeah. I changed my avatar."

"I take it Cam called you?"

"He did," Cypher answered for them. "Where's the guy he told us about?"

"That's who I'm looking-." Playmaker gasped and looked behind them. Morningstar followed his gaze and narrowed his eyes.

"Oh, not now," he muttered. They were being chased by an armored man in a cowboy hat and cloak.

"Found you, Playmaker," Blood Shepherd said as he pulled up closer to them. "Morningstar. You already failed the hunt. Playmaker is my prey now."

"Get lost, Blood Shepherd," Morningstar told him. "We don't have time for you."

"Friend of yours?" Cypher asked.

"No," they both responded. Blood Shepherd then gasped, looking at Morningstar's Duel Disk. "That voice…"

Cypher popped out of the Duel Disk and glared at Blood Shepherd. "I've heard of you. Morningstar's inferior. Go away, second-rate bounty hunter!"

"An Ignis. So you really did betray the hunt," Blood Shepherd muttered, ignoring Cypher's words. "In that case, I'll take you down as well, Morningstar."

"As well?" Playmaker repeated.

"There's a bounty on your head, Playmaker," Blood Shepherd answered.

"I no longer have an Ignis," Playmaker told him. "You don't need to chase me-."

"Then what's that?" Blood Shepherd interrupted, nodding at Playmaker's Duel Disk. The other two duelists glanced at Playmaker's Duel Disk and gasped as Ai popped out along with a small blue monster.

"Sorry, Playmaker. I came back." Ai then waved at Morningstar. "Morningstar! Cypher! Good to see you!"

"You too, Ai," Cypher said, looking relieved.

"Ai! Why are you here?" Playmaker asked.

"I'll give a brief explanation. So you see-."

"Save it for later!"

"Ah! These feelings are coming back!" Ai said, looking very happy.

"Playmaker!" Morningstar said, glancing forwards. Playmaker gasped on seeing the golden man in front of them.

"There he is!" Playmaker said.

"Who?" Ai asked.

"He stole Kusanagi's brother's consciousness data," Playmaker answered.

"And our ally called us to help," Morningstar added.

"Things are crazy here, too?" Ai wondered.

"Evidently," Cypher said before turning to Blood Shepherd. "But first, we have an unwanted guest."

"Oh!" Ai said, turning to look at the hunter. "Okay! Then let me show you this, Cypher! I've also updated! Ta-daa!" Ai held a hand to his eye, then pointed at Blood Shepherd. "Releasing the Data Storm!"

A tornado of data formed next to Blood Shepherd, releasing powerful winds. "What?" Blood Shepherd said, surprised.

"You're in danger," Blood Shepherd's AI said. "Logging out." Blood Shepherd then broke down into blue data.

"Can you do that?" Morningstar asked Cypher.

"No," Cypher said petulantly, then added, "But now that I've seen it, it won't take me long to copy it and make it more powerful!"

"So competitive," Ai mused. "More importantly, now's our chance!" The two duelists increased their speeds and pulled closer to the golden man.

"What will you do next?" Ai asked Playmaker.

"Challenge him to a duel," Playmaker responded. "In the new LINK VRAINS' duel rules, winners can make trades. If I defeat him in a duel, I can get his data."

"You're right," Ai said, nodding. Looking forward, they all noticed as the golden man clenched a fist in their direction.

"He seems to want to duel you, too," Cypher said.

Ai chuckled as he turned back to Playmaker. "I brought a gift," he said, gesturing to the monster he was sitting on. "I found this in my home world. Put it in your Deck!"

"Kuri kuri ku!" the creature said before going into the Duel Disk.

"I see. It's not a bad card."

"Right?"

"Linkuriboh? Ai found him?" Cypher said, blinking.

"You know that monster?" Morningstar asked him.

"Yeah. It used to follow Ai everywhere and get caught up in his jokes. I always felt a little sorry for it."

"Let's go!" Playmaker said, activating his Duel Disk.

"Speed Duel!" he and the golden man said.

"Morningstar! Playmaker!" the two duelists looked back at Cypher's words and gasped. They were being chased again, this time by two individuals on D-Boards. One was a man in a light gray jumpsuit with silver armor covering his chest and left arm, while the other was a girl in a black jacket and shorts.

"Damn it!" Ai said, looking annoyed. "My program is on a timer! I can't get rid of them using it!"

"And I haven't finished analyzing your program, so I can't use it, either," Cypher said.

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "Leave them to me," he told Playmaker. "They're likely bounty hunters like Blood Shepherd. I can handle them without issue." Playmaker nodded and turned back to face the golden man while Morningstar raced to intercept the hunters. On the way there, he released one of his drones and programmed it to follow and record Playmaker's duel.

Noticing he was going to hit them, the two hunters veered to the sides. Racing close to them, Morningstar saw that the man wore a silver helmet with a draconic design, his mouth uncovered, and his eyes covered by light blue lenses. His arm and chest were both covered in armor, while he wore dark gray leather knee-high boots and a black leather belt. The girl had dark green hair tied back in a ponytail that jutted upwards on the left side of her head and wore a short sleeve black jacket with green designs on the sleeves over a dark shirt that barred her midriff and black shorts. Her right eye was covered by her hair, and her exposed green eye was covered by a dark green visor, and she wore black fingerless gloves. The man rode a long gray D-Board with two red dots at the front while the girl rode a white D-Board with orange sides and a point like a spear attached to the front.

Quickly rotating, Morningstar settled between them and said, "Who are you two?"

"Bounty hunters from SOL Technologies," the man answered. "We've been hired to retrieve the Ignis from Playmaker. If you are his ally, we will eliminate you as well."

"Wait!" the girl said, an ID displayed on her visor. "Techbane, this guy's ID matches Morningstar's!"

"What?" the man, Techbane evidently, said, surprised. "Y-You're Morningstar? You changed your avatar?"

"I did," Morningstar replied. Techbane? he thought. I've heard that name before. A middling bounty hunter with only two years' experience. Never met him before, though.

"Oh sorry!" the guy said, bowing low. "Were you chasing Playmaker? We're sorry for interfering!"

"If you're sorry, then leave!" Cypher said, emerging from the Duel Disk. "Hunters like you aren't worth my time!"

"Eh?" Techbane said, looking up. "An Ignis? Then… you're on Playmaker's side, Morningstar?"

"I am," Morningstar nodded. "I retired from bounty hunting. Tell me, what are your names?"

"Sylphid," the girl answered, smiling and winking at Morningstar. "Nice to meet you!"

"Techbane," the man said, nodding. "I have to be honest, I know you're an enemy right now, but it's really awesome to meet you! I'm a huge fan!"

"…Good to know," Morningstar replied. "If you two are after Playmaker, then I can't let you interfere with his Duel."

"Eh? Then that means-."

"Duel us!" Cypher said. "I'm an Ignis, too! And honestly, I'm worth much more than Ai."

"You're awfully proud for an AI," Sylphid observed, smirking at Cypher. "What are you compensating for?"

"I have absolutely nothing to compensate for!"

"Except height."

"I'll have you know I'm one of the taller Ignis!"

"That's enough, Cypher," Morningstar said, shutting the AI down. Techbane, meanwhile was staring at Sylphid.

She's a lot more talkative in LINK VRAINS than in real life, he thought. Is one of them an act?

Out loud, Techbane said, "I'm a little upset we're enemies inside of allies, Morningstar, but a bounty hunter has a duty to perform. Nothing personal."

"Of course," Morningstar agreed. "The mission comes first. One day a hunter is a friend, the next they are an enemy. Understanding that, and accepting it, helps define you as a hunter."

"I'll face you first, Morningstar," Techbane said, pulling alongside him as Sylphid fell back.

"Speed Duel!" they shouted.

Morningstar: 4000 LP

Techbane: 4000 LP

"If you don't mind, I'd prefer to go second," Techbane said. Morningstar narrowed his eyes at that. The first turn usually allowed a player to set up a defense. That meant Techbane favored an offensive strategy.

"Alright. I'll go first then." Morningstar took a card from his hand and played it. "Since there are no cards on the field, I Special Summon Cyspirit Illusionist!" A skeleton in a tuxedo and top hat, holding a wand, appearing in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Illusionist ATK 2400 DEF 1000 LVL: 6

"If Illusionist is Special Summoned by its effect, its attack points become 1800."

Cyspirit Illusionist ATK 2400→1800

"In addition, I can add a 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand." Morningstar took a card from his Deck, then played it. "I summon Cyspirit Samurai!" A silver skeleton in red and black samurai armor and two swords attached to its hip appeared on his field. A blue eye glowed as it unsheathed a katana and swung it.

Cyspirit Samurai ATK 1800 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"I Set one card. I end my turn."

"You aren't going to Link Summon?" Cypher asked him.

"I don't know what Deck Techbane uses," Morningstar told him. "Better to hold back until I'm certain."

"I disagree, but you're doing the dueling. Just make sure you don't lose. I'll never live it down if my partner loses to some mid-rank bounty hunter."

"Glad to know you care, Cypher. That aside…" Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "Neither of them has an AI in their Duel Disk, do they?"

"Picked up on that? No, they don't. They probably removed them."

"My turn! Draw!" Techbane drew from his gray and black Duel Disk and looked at his card. He then selected a different card from his hand. "Since you control a monster and I don't, I can Special Summon Cyber Dragon!" A mechanical yellow-eyed dragon appeared and roared in Attack Position.

Cyber Dragon ATK 2100 DEF 1600 LVL: 5

"Cyber Dragon?" Cypher repeated, narrowing his eyes. "Isn't that one of the legendary Decks?"

"Yeah," Morningstar said, narrowing his own eyes. This was going to be harder than he thought.

"Next, I summon Cyber Dragon Core!" A smaller mechanical dragon without eyes and a red core in the center of its body appeared.

Cyber Dragon Core ATK 400 DEF 1500 LVL: 2

"Core's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can add one 'Cyber' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I add Cyber Revsystem from my Deck to my hand." Techbane did so, then gestured to the sky. "Appear, the circuit of mechanical evolution!" His hand glowed blue as the Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning conditions are two Machine monsters, one of which must be Cyber Dragon. I set Cyber Dragon and Core in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the left and bottom arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyber Dragon Sieger!" A mechanical white dragon with blue circles running over its body emerged from the portal and roared from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cyber Dragon Sieger ATK 2100 LINK-2 ←↓

"He Link Summoned…" Cypher said, narrowing his eyes further.

"I activate the Spell Card: Cyber Revsystem!" Techbane continued. "This card lets me Special Summon a Cyber Dragon from my hand or Graveyard. Resurrect, Cyber Dragon!" The machine dragon Techbane used to summon Sieger reappeared in Attack Position at Sieger's bottom Link Marker.

Cyber Dragon ATK 2100 DEF 1600 LVL: 5

Two monsters with 2100 attack points each, Morningstar thought.

"I Set one card." Techbane gestured to his field. "Battle! Cyber Dragon, attack Cyspirit Illusionist!" Cyber Dragon opened its mouth and began to charge its attack, but Samurai jumped in front of Illusionist, holding its blade outwards.

"While Samurai is face-up on the field, you cannot any other 'Cyspirit' monster!" Morningstar revealed.

"Is that so? Then Cyber Dragon will attack Samurai!" Techbane then gestured to a different monster. "Sieger's monster effect! During the Battle Phase, I can target a Machine monster with 2100 or more attack points and increase that monster's attack and defense points by 2100 for the rest of the turn. I target Cyber Dragon! Evolution Burst!" Cyber Dragon released its attack of blue energy as it glowed red.

Cyber Dragon ATK 2100→4200 DEF 1600→3700

"Trap activate!" Morningstar declared. "Cyspirit Half-Guard! By discarding Cyspirit Teleporter, all battle damage I take this turn is halved!" The blast struck, creating an explosion and making Morningstar wince.

Morningstar: 4000→2800 LP

"As expected of you, Morningstar," Techbane said. "But with your Samurai gone, you'll- What?" Techbane gasped as the smoke cleared and Samurai was revealed to still be standing.

"Samurai cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects once per turn," Morningstar explained.

Techbane chuckled. "I suppose that's to be expected as well. Alright then; Sieger, attack Samurai! Neo Evolution Burst!" Sieger released a blast of blue energy, striking Samurai and destroying it. "The turn Sieger uses its effect, neither of us takes battle damage from battles involving it. With that, I'll end my Battle Phase."

"And since the Battle Phase ended, Half-Guard's additional effect activates!" Morningstar declared. "I draw one card for each of your monsters that battled this turn. Two of your monsters battled, so I draw two cards!"

Morningstar drew as Techbane said, "I end my turn, and that means Sieger's effect ends and Cyber Dragon's attack points return to normal."

Cyber Dragon ATK 4200→2100 DEF 3700→1600

"That effect is a Quick Effect, isn't it?" Cypher asked Morningstar.

"Yes."

"That means he can use it during our Battle Phase, too. We'll have to find a way to counter it."

"My turn! Draw!" Looking at his card, Morningstar smirked. "This will do." He put the card in his hand and chose another. "I summon Cyspirit Dancer!" A skeleton in a pink leotard appeared, twirled, then curtsied to Techbane.

Cyspirit Dancer ATK 1000 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Dancer's monster effect! If it is Normal Summoned while I control a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my hand or Deck with its effects negated. From my Deck, I summon Cyspirit Coder!" A skeleton in a lab coat with armor attached to its shoulders and legs appeared in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Coder ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear, the circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared above Morningstar at his words. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one Level 2 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Coder in the Link Marker!" His monster became a whirlwind of energy and entered the bottom-left arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cyspirit Egregious Electrician!" A skeleton with overalls and a power box emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Egregious Electrician ATK 600 LINK-1 ↙

"He Link Summoned a Link-1 instead of a Link-3," Sylphid noted, narrowing her visible eye. "That means he's going for a Link-4."

"Egregious Electrician's monster effect! Once per turn, I can move a 'Cyspirit' monster it points at to another Main Monster Zone and Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' monster from my hand to its Link Marker. I move Dancer and Special Summon Cyspirit Mongrel!" A skeleton dog with silver armor on its shoulders and legs appeared. A single red eye glowed as it was summoned to Egregious Electrician's Link Marker in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Mongrel ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Mongrel's monster effect! Once per turn, I can target and negate the effects of a monster my opponent controls until the End Phase."

"What?" Techbane gasped.

"I target Sieger! Data Howling!" Mongrel howled, draining Sieger of its power.

"Appear again, the circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal appeared in the space in front of Morningstar. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyspirit' Effect Monsters. I set Dancer, Egregious Electrician, Illusionist, and Mongrel in the Link Markers!" Morningstar's four monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the top, bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon!" A large gray dragon with red and silver wings emerged from the portal and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

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

"One of Morningstar's ace monsters," Techbane muttered. "IT's really amazing to see it in person." And also a little terrifying, the way it's glaring at me, he thought.

"The effects of Dancer and Mongrel now activate! Since Dancer was used to Link Summon, Datastorm Dragon gains 600 attack points!"

Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon ATK 2800→3400

"And since Mongrel was used to Link Summon Datastorm Dragon, it can make two attacks on your monsters during the Battle Phase!" Techbane gasped as Morningstar gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Teleporter in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a Level 3 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Cyspirit Coder!" The lab coat wearing skeleton reappeared, summoned to Datastorm Dragon's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position.

Cyspirit Coder ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Coder's monster effect! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add a 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand, then send a card from my hand, field, or Deck to the Graveyard. I add Cyspirit Linker from my Deck to my hand and send Cyspirit Wanderer to the Graveyard."

"Coder's effect can only be activated once per turn," Cypher said. "We deemed it more prudent to use it here instead of earlier."

"And since I control a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Linker!" The skeleton with red arrows on its gauntlets appeared, summoned to Datastorm Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Linker ATK 1700 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Eh? Attack Position?" Cypher asked, looking at his partner. "Why Attack Position? Since Datastorm Dragon points to a monster, only Link Monsters can declare an attack."

"Maybe, but the ace monster of the Cyber Dragon Deck can inflict piercing battle damage," Morningstar reminded Cypher. "Better to be safe than sorry." Morningstar took the second-to-last card in his hand and played it. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Cyspirit Monastery! This card increases the attack points of 'Cyspirit' Link Monsters by 500!"

Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon ATK 3400→3900

Morningstar pointed to his field. "Battle!" he declared. "Datastorm Dragon, attack Cyber Dragon Sieger!"

"Mongrel's effect remains even if Mongrel itself leaves the field," Cypher told Techbane. "That means you can't increase your monster's attack points!" Techbane grit his teeth at that.

"Go, Datastorm Dragon! Data Flare!" Datastorm Dragon blasted Sieger with blue energy, destroying it.

"Since Datastorm Dragon points to two monsters, the battle damage is halved," Cypher said. "But that doesn't mean you get off scot-free!" Techbane winced from the shockwaves of Morningstar's attack.

Techbane: 4000→3100 LP

"Since Mongrel was used to Link Summon Datastorm Dragon, Datastorm Dragon can attack twice," Morningstar reminded Techbane. "Attack again, Datastorm Dragon! Attack Cyber Dragon! Data Flare!" Datastorm Dragon blasted Techbane's monster with blue energy, destroying it and making him wince, even if the damage was halved.

Techbane: 3100→2200 LP

"The Battle Phase is now over," Morningstar said before gesturing to his field. "Datastorm Dragon's monster effect! At the end of the Battle Phase, when it points to two monsters, it inflicts 500 points of damage for each monster it destroyed! Go! Digital Deletion!" Datastorm Dragon gathered energy in its mouth again, red this time, and then blasted Techbane.

"Yes!" Cypher cheered at the explosion. "We got him!"

"No, you didn't."

"Eh?" Cypher gasped as Techbane emerged from the smoke, undamaged. "What did you do?"

"I activated the Counter Trap Card Fusion Guard," Techbane answered. "It negates an activation of effect damage. But then I must send a random Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard." Techbane pulled a card from his Extra Deck, then scowled and showed it to Morningstar. "I send Cyber End Dragon to the Graveyard."

"That's the Cyber Dragon ace!" Cypher said, surprised. "That's a high cost to save 1000 Life Points." Morningstar just narrowed his eyes.

"I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!" Techbane drew, and smirked. "Morningstar! With this card, the duel is over!" Morningstar raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"First, I activate the Spell Card: Cyber Repair Plant! If I have at least one Cyber Dragon in my Graveyard, I can activate one of two effects. I can either add one Light Machine monster from my Deck to my hand, or I can target a Light Machine monster in my Graveyard and shuffle it into my Deck." Techbane's smirk widened. "However, if I have three or more Cyber Dragons in my Graveyard, I can activate both effects!"

"Eh?" Cypher said, confused. "You only have one Cyber Dragon in your Graveyard!"

"No," Morningstar said, narrowing his eyes. "He doesn't."

Techbane shuffled. "It seems you realized it, Morningstar. I have three monsters in the Graveyard: Cyber Dragon, Cyber Dragon Core, and Cyber Dragon Sieger. And while the latter two are on the field or in the Graveyard, they are treated as Cyber Dragon!"

"Eh!? That means he can use both effects!"

"Exactly! I'll use Cyber Repair Plant's first effect to add Cyber Dragon Nächster from my Deck to my hand, then I'll use its second effect to shuffle Sieger back into my Extra Deck." After doing so, Techbane gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Core in my Graveyard! Since you control a monster and I don't, I can banish Core to Special Summon a 'Cyber Dragon' monster from my Deck. I summon a second Cyber Dragon!" Another white mechanical dragon appeared on the field in Attack Position.

Cyber Dragon ATK 2100 DEF 1600 LVL: 5

"And now I summon Cyber Dragon Nächster!" This monster was a small white mechanical dragon with three-pronged wings on its back.

Cyber Dragon Nächster ATK 200 DEF 200 LVL: 1

Nächster's monster effect! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a Machine monster from my Graveyard with 2100 attack or defense points. Resurrect, Cyber Dragon!" The first mechanical dragon reappeared and roared in Attack Position.

Cyber Dragon ATK 2100 DEF 1600 LVL: 5

"Three monsters…" Morningstar muttered.

"You think he'll try to Fusion Summon Cyber End Dragon?" Cypher asked. "That Nächster's effect does treat it as Cyber Dragon while on the field."

Techbane chuckled as he pointed to the sky. "Appear! The circuit of mechanical evolution!" Techbane's hand glowed as the Link portal appeared. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Machine monsters, including Cyber Dragon. I set a Cyber Dragon and Nächster treated as Cyber Dragon in the Link Markers!" His two monsters became whirlwinds of energy and entered the left and bottom arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyber Dragon Sieger!" The mechanical white dragon with blue circles all over its body reappeared, roaring from the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyber Dragon Sieger ATK 2100 LINK-2 ←↓

"And now I'll call forth one of my most powerful monsters! With Sieger, Cyber Dragon, and your Datastorm Dragon, I'll perform a Fusion Summon!"

"What!?" Cypher said, surprised. "You can't use our monster to Fusion Summon!" Morningstar was just as surprised, but Cypher had beaten him to the punch.

"Normally, that's true. But this particular Fusion Monster can be Fusion Summoned by sending its materials to the Graveyard. And it's materials are Cyber Dragon and any monsters in the Extra Monster Zones."

And since it doesn't target, I can't use Coder's effect to negate it, Morningstar thought, a small frown on his face.

"I fuse Cyber Dragon, Cyber Dragon Sieger, and Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon!" At Techbane's declaration, all three monsters disintegrated into red, blue, and green particles respectively. The particles swirled together into a vortex before bursting forth as three whirlwinds of energy that combined to form a purple whirlwind as Techbane chanted.

"Draconian machine that transcends time itself. Spread your wings and command reality! Fusion Summon! Come out! Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon!" A massive silver metal dragon emerged from the whirlwind. Its body was a series of interconnected circles, and it had two large wings connected to a ring attached to its back. It roared from its mechanical mouth as it was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 10

"Tch. To think he could Fusion Summon using our monster…" Cypher muttered, his eyes narrowed. "This could be problematic."

"When Megafleet Dragon is summoned by its effect, its attack points become equal to the number of Fusion Materials times 1200."

Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon ATK 0→3600

"…There are times I hate it when I'm right."

But those times are overshadowed by the times you enjoy being right, Morningstar thought.

"As I said, this duel is over. I activate the Equip Spell Card Fairy Meteor Crush!" Morningstar narrowed his eyes. That card allowed Megafleet Dragon to inflict piercing battle damage. Against his Coder…

"I Set one card." Techbane gestured to the field. "Battle! Megafleet Dragon, attack Cyspirit Coder! Evolution Result Bombardment!" Blue lightning circulated through Megafleet's body before gathering in its mouth, which it released at Morningstar's monster. Morningstar only gestured to his field.

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Half-Guard in the Graveyard!" he declared, surprising Techbane. "By banishing it and discarding Cyspirit Engineer from my hand, all battle damage I take is halved!" The attack struck Coder, destroying it in an explosion. Morningstar cried out in pain and his D-Board wobbled, but he managed to stay upright.

Morningstar: 2800→1000 LP

"Heh," Techbane chuckled. "I forgot about Half-Guard. Looks like I was wrong to declare victory. Still, I won't leave you any resources to fall back on. I activate my Skill! Cyber Strike!" Techbane's blue lens glowed, as did the edges of the armor on his left arm. "Since my Level 8 or higher Machine monster inflicted battle damage, that monster can attack again!" Morningstar's eyes briefly widened. "Go, Megafleet Dragon! Attack Cyspirit Linker! Evolution Result Bombardment!" Megafleet Dragon released another burst of energy, destroying Linker and making Morningstar cry out again.

Morningstar: 1000→50 LP

"Looks like you were right to keep Linker in Attack Position," Cypher commented. "Though if the monster we were anticipating had showed up, we would have been in deeper trouble."

Morningstar ignored Cypher and said, "Since your Battle Phase ended, Half-Guard lets me draw one card for each of your monsters that battled this turn." Morningstar drew one card.

"I end my turn," Techbane sighed. "Honestly, I was expecting more from you, Morningstar. You've fought duelists like Playmaker, Go Onizuka, and Galahad, so I thought I wouldn't be able do this much. It's almost as if you're… holding back." The last two words were said suspiciously. Listening in, Sylphid gasped.

"Oops," Cypher said, turning to his partner. "Looks like he caught us."

"What!? You've really been going easy on me!?" Techbane asked, offended. "Are you taking pity on me?"

"I did not mean to insult you, Techbane. Truthfully, I would have taken it easy on Sylphid back there as well," Morningstar replied, making the girl narrow her eyes. "It is nothing personal and I meant no disrespect. But there is something that Cypher and I wanted to test, and in order to do that, we had to lower our Life Points."

"Lower your Life Points?" Techbane repeated. "What-?" He then gasped. "Wait, you can't mean-!"

"Not that. But you are on the right track," Cypher said before glancing at Morningstar. "Ready, partner?"

"Ready."

"Good. Come, Data Storm!" Cypher pointed upwards, generating a tornado of Data Material. He and Morningstar rode their D-Board upwards and broke into the storm. As they coursed through the purple data, Morningstar remembered what Cypher told him three months ago. Before their duel with Playmaker…

"Hurricane Heavensgate?" Yasutake said, blinking. "That's your Skill?"

"Yes. When your Life Points are 1000 or less, you can add a 'Cyspirit' monster from the Data Storm to the Extra Deck."

"…So it's Storm Access, but only for Cyspirit monsters."

"Not exactly," Cypher said, his eyes crinkling as if he were smirking. "Storm Access can only grant you Link Monsters. Hurricane Heavensgate lets you add any kind of monster to your Extra Deck."

Yasutake gasped in realization. "You mean… you can access Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz Monsters as well? Is that why you didn't make any?"

"No." Cypher's eyes changed to indicate a scowl. "Truthfully, I don't have the resources necessary to make any before your duel with Playmaker. And while I can make Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz Monsters for you, I can only make low-powered, support-based ones. If you want monsters that will win Duels, you'll need Hurricane Heavensgate."

"…So even someone with your attitude acknowledges limits."

"Hey! It's not my fault! I've been trapped in cards for the last eight years, not even conscious of what was happening in the outside world! If anything, this Skill should show you just how advanced I am compared to the other Ignis. After all, if Storm Access is as far as Ai got in ten years, how powerful do you think I would be if I hadn't been split into five pieces?"

"…Alright. Sorry. So, how exactly does this Skill work? What determines the strength of the monster I obtain?"

Cypher laughed. "There are two factors that decide that. But first, how do you think Storm Access works?"

"…Well, from what I understand, Cyberse monsters live in the Data Storm, and Storm Access lets Playmaker bring those monsters out."

"You are sort of right. Given that Ai was your only source, I can't blame you for that interpretation. But you're wrong about monsters 'living' in the Data Storm. No." Cypher narrowed his eyes, completely serious. "Storm Access, and by extension Hurricane Heavensgate, don't give you already existing monsters. What they do is shape the Data Storm according to your will and give you the monster you need the most."

"Shape the Data Storm to our will?"

"Yes. And this goes back to the two factors I mentioned. The first is easy: the strength of the Data Storm. The more powerful the Data Storm, the more powerful the monster you access tends to be. But that alone is no guarantee of a strong monster. The second factor, and the more important one, is Link Sense."

"Link Sense?"

"Is there an echo in here? Never mind. You must have noticed it by now; how you sometimes can sense things in the network that others cannot, or events in the network while you're in the real world."

Yasutake's eyes widened, but he didn't say anything. Indeed, he had noticed that. That sixth sense of his had come in handy while bounty hunting, as it helped him find his targets.

"That's what Link Sense is. And Playmaker and Ai have it too." Cypher's eyes narrowed further. "Truthfully, theirs' is much stronger than yours and mine. Their Link Sense is why Playmaker's Storm Access is so powerful."

"…I see. So Link Sense is tied to the Lost Incident."

"That's what I believe. And what Ai believes. While we Ignis were learning from you, you were also learning from us. But that's a theory for another day. My point is, Link Sense is a major part of the strength of the monster you create from the Data Storm. The stronger your Link Sense, the more control you can exert over the Data Storm and manipulate the monster that will emerge."

Yasutake frowned. "What about Revolver? Does he have Link Sense?"

"Hmm. I can't say for certain without having seen him in action personally, but from what I gather, he does not. I believe that what he has is instead a powerful program created by his father that functions similarly to a Link Sense. That program is what lets him manipulate the Data Storm, but it isn't as refined as the actual Link Sense you, Playmaker, Ai, and myself possess."

"…So how it is Hurricane Heavensgate is stronger than Storm Access? You said Playmaker's and Ai's Link Sense was stronger than ours."

"It is. But that's where my true special power comes in."

"Special power?"

Cypher laughed. "Each Ignis has something that makes them distinct. Something they can do that others either cannot, or that they do better than the others. Ai has the strongest Link Sense of us. The Wind Ignis has the greatest control over the Data Storm. My special advantage is that I'm the best at breaking down programs."

"Breaking down? You mean you're the best at destroying them?"

"Not destroy! I deconstruct, take apart, our programs. I can do it the fastest, and on a level none of the others can. And when I take apart a program, I see all its flaws. Then, I can make my own version of the program with those flaws corrected." Cypher laughed again. "Essentially, I take the work of the other Ignis, and I perfect it. Of course, there are limits and I usually need to add my own personal touch. That's why Hurricane Heavensgate restricts you to 'Cyspirit' monsters." Cypher narrowed his eyes. "And let me tell you, that's harder than you think. Do you know how hard it is to restrict access on a program? Especially when that program is attempting to take billions of data bits and form them into the shape you desire?"

"…No, I can't say I do."

"Well, it's hard. But that doesn't matter. Because with this Skill, we'll be stronger than Ai and Playmaker. And we'll continue to evolve even further beyond our limits!"

In the center of the Data Storm, Morningstar closed his eyes. He reached out with his right hand, feeling the particles of data pass through his fingers. Reaching out with his senses like Cypher taught him, he gasped.

Yes! He felt it! The power within the Data Storm. Morningstar had wondered why Cypher had named the Skill Hurricane Heavensgate, but now he understood. The Data Storm gave him a mental image of a gate. He was on one side, and on the other side were a multitude of monsters. They weren't real, not yet, but they were waiting for him to make them real. All he had to do was choose which of them to let through the gate. But they were blurry, their features non-distinct. He couldn't tell them apart, couldn't tell how powerful any of them were.

Focus, Morningstar thought. With his Link Sense active, he could feel Cypher reaching out with him, helping him find a monster that would win the duel. To Cypher, these monsters had faces, names. To him they were already real. They were just waiting to pass through the gate.

With Cypher's help, Morningstar finally saw the features of one of the monsters. That monster stepped forward and pushed against the gate opening it. And Morningstar saw its true self.

A silver skeleton. Black and silver ridged plate armor covering its entire body. A black helmet with a golden crest attached to the front. Two swords strapped to the back of its hip, both curved, and one longer than the other. Two eyes, red and blue, glaring at him, daring him to harness its power.

Opening his eyes, Morningstar stuck his hand deeper into the storm. "I activate my Skill!" he declared. "When my Life Points are 1000 or less, I can add a 'Cyspirit' monster from the Data Storm to my Extra Deck!" The data particles started to gather into his hand, creating a glowing purple card.

"Now!" Cypher shouted, back in eye form. "Open the gate of evolution, Morningstar!"

"HURRICANE HEAVENSGATE!" Morningstar shouted, the silver lines on his body glowing a soft purple as he pulled the card clear of the Data Storm. As the light faded, Morningstar saw the card had a violet background.

As Morningstar broke free of the Data Storm, Techbane gasped. "Impossible," he whispered, looking at the display his Duel Disk showed him. "He added a monster from the Data Storm to his hand!?"

Sylphid didn't say anything, but she did smile. You really are interesting, Morningstar, she thought.

"Observation: the meatbag Morningstar activated his Skill, master," HK-70 reported. He and the black-cloaked man were standing alone on an island, watching the two duels. HK's eyes glowed more than usual, having zoomed in to watch.

"What did it do?"

"Analysis: Hurricane Heavensgate. If the user's Life Points are 1000 or less, they can add a 'Cyspirit' Fusion, Link, Synchro, or Xyz Monster from the Data Storm to the Extra Deck."

"…How boring," the man sighed. "I was hoping Morningstar would show me something interesting after three months, but that's the best he can do? Honestly…"

"Heh heh. Only you would call a Skill like that 'boring.'"

The two turned as another cloaked figure – their cloak being dark blue instead of black – walked up to them. This one was tall, but not as tall as the first cloaked man.

'Of course, you are No. I," the man said, standing next to HK and turning to observe the duel. "To someone like you, this must be child's play."

"…What are you doing here, No. XIII?" the man in black asked. "I thought you had a mission overseas."

"I did. I finished it. And then I got called here by one of our masters." The man watched for a moment, then said, "So, he's the one who found the Cyspirit Deck. He must the Hunter kid Hellsworn talked about. Are you going to challenge him?"

"No. He's not strong enough to keep up with me. Not yet."

The man in blue sighed. "I understand we get a lot of leeway, but you could bother to drag your feet less. Still, does he have it?"

"No," the man in black said, shaking his head. "I haven't seen him use it."

"A shame. Still… this is a good opportunity to gauge the strength of the enemy. And see how they adapt." The man in blue gestured in front of him, causing a D-Board – a dark gold model with red fins and silver spear-like appendages attached to the fins – to appear in front of him. The man jumped onto the D-Board, then raced after Morningstar and Techbane.

"Query: are you going to follow him, master?" HK asked. The man in black shook his head.

"Jester would be upset if I got in his way," he replied. "And I don't want Morningstar to be aware of me. Yet."

"My turn! Draw!" Morningstar drew, then gestured to his field. "As I control no monsters, I activate the effect of Cyspirit Monastery! I Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect, Egregious Electrician!" The skeleton in overalls reemerged on Morningstar's field.

Cyspirit Egregious Electrician ATK 600 LINK-1 ↙

"And because of Monastery's effect, Egregious Electrician gains 500 attack points!"

Cyspirit Egregious Electrician ATK 600→1100

"Since there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, I can Special Summon this monster. Come, Cyspirit Prisoner!" A skeleton in a blue-and-white prisoner's uniform appeared in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5

"Appear, the circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal reappeared above Morningstar. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Prisoner in the Link Marker!" Prisoner became a whirlwind of energy and entered the bottom arrow, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller!" The skeleton in a business suit emerged from the portal, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500→1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Prisoner's monster effect! When Prisoner is used to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, I can add a 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand. I add Cyspirit Fusion to my hand."

Techbane gasped. "Did he just say-!?"

Morningstar gestured to his field. "Cacophonic Caller's monster effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to its Link Marker, but that monster cannot attack and is destroyed during the End Phase. Come, Cyspirit Kid!" A dwarf skeleton in a t-shirt appeared, summoned in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Kid ATK 300 DEF 200 LVL: 1

"Appear again, the circuit between light and darkness! Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set Cacophonic Caller and Kid in the Link Markers!" Cacophonic Caller and Kid became whirlwinds of energy and entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows, turning them red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyspirit Jubilant Jester!" A skeleton in a black-and-gold jester's outfit emerged from the portal and spun its staff from the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Jubilant Jester ATK 1800→2300 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Since it was used to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, Kid's effect activates!" Morningstar declared. "And one of your face-up cards is destroyed."

"The card is Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon!" Cypher declared, pointing to said monster as it exploded.

Techbane grit his teeth as he gestured to his field. "Trap activate! Cyber Reincarnation!" Morningstar raised an eyebrow at Techbane's card. It showed a monster Morningstar recognized as Cyber End Dragon breaking apart, with a new mechanical dragon emerging from its pieces. "Since my Machine Fusion Monster was sent to the Graveyard by my opponent's card, I can Special Summon a Machine Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, so long as its Level is equal to that of the sent monster. Megafleet Dragon was Level 10, so I Special Summon the Level 10 Cyber Eternity Dragon!" A portal appeared on Techbane's field, out of which a massive dragon emerged. The dragon was white and mechanical like its predecessors but was much longer and had green hexagons running down its body. The dragon roared from the Extra Monster Zone in Defense Position.

Cyber Eternity Dragon ATK 2800 DEF 4000 LVL: 10

"This Special Summon is also treated as a Fusion Summon."

"Hmm. 4000 defense points," Cypher noted. "We were expecting 4000 attack points, but this still works."

Morningstar gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Cyspirit Samurai in the Graveyard! Once per Duel, I can Special Summon it from the Graveyard to a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster's Link Marker. Resurrect, Samurai!" The skeleton in red and black armor reappeared, summoned to Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Samurai ATK 1800 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Samurai cannot attack the turn it is Special Summoned by its effect." Morningstar then pointed to a different monster. "Jubilant Jester's monster effect! Since it points to one monster, all 'Cyspirit' monsters I control gain 400 attack and defense points."

Cyspirit Egregious Electrician ATK 1100→1500

Cyspirit Jubilant Jester ATK 2300→2700

Cyspirit Samurai ATK 1800→2200

"I activate the effect of the Cyspirit Wander in my Graveyard. By shuffling it into my Deck, I can Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Datastorm Dragon!" The massive dragon reappeared and roared.

Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon ATK 2800→3700

"Looks like all the conditions are met, Morningstar," Cypher said.

"I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Fusion!" Morningstar declared, playing the second-to-last card in his hand.

Techbane gasped. "That's the card from earlier! A Fusion card!?" The card showed Datastorm Dragon colored red and Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary colored blue circling a silver light.

"With this card, I send Fusion Material monsters from my hand and field to the Graveyard to summon a 'Cyspirit' Fusion Monster! I fuse Cyspirit Samurai, Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon, Cyspirit Egregious Electrician, and Cyspirit Jubilant Jester!" His four monsters disintegrated into red, blue, green, and orange particles respectively. The particles swirled into a vortex of light before four whirlwinds burst forth. The whirlwinds then combined, forming a single violet whirlwind.

"The supreme blade that cleaves the wind! Resurrect the ancient legend!" Morningstar chanted as he gestured to his field, the lines on his suit, the stars on his hands, and the wings on his back glowing a soft purple. "Fusion Summon! Come out! Cyspirit Savage Shogun!"

A silver katana split the whirlwind, revealing the monster inside. It was a large skeleton wearing black and silver ridged plate armor over a black shitagi and hakama. A black helmet with a golden crest shaped like a crescent moon topped its head, and two silver swords hung from the back of its hip. Red and blue eyes glowed as it sheathed the katana and silver wings sprouted from its back. Like Jubilant Jester, Savage Shogun was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 2800 DEF 2300 LVL: 8

"A 'Cyspirit' Fusion Monster…" Techbane muttered. "No way…"

"That must be the monster he obtained with his Skill," Sylphid whispered. "No doubt it's strong."

"That's very impressive, Morningstar," Techbane said. "However, my Cyber Eternity Dragon has 4000 defense points. You'll need more than this to defeat it."

"I'm aware of that." Morningstar took the last card in his hand and played it. "I summon Cyspirit Lancer!" The skeleton in white armor carrying a lance and shield appeared.

Cyspirit Lancer ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"While Lancer is in Attack Position, all 'Cyspirit' monsters gain 300 attack points. Digital Charge!"

Cyspirit Lancer ATK 1800→2100

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 2800→3100

"Battle!" Morningstar declared. "Savage Shogun attacks Cyber Eternity Dragon!"

"What!?" Techbane gasped. Savage Shogun unsheathed its katana, clasped it in both hands, then charged Cyber Eternity Dragon. "Have you lost your mind? Cyber Eternity Dragon has 4000 defense points and your monster only has 3100 attack points!"

"You think we don't know that?" Cypher asked. "If Savage Shogun battles a monster that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, it gains 1000 attack points during damage calculation! And it inflicts piercing battle damage!" Techbane gasped again as Savage Shogun glowed.

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 3100→4100

"Go, Savage Shogun!" Morningstar shouted. "True Termination Slash!" Savage Shogun's sword glowed silver as it swung the sword to its left side. In the blink of an eye, Savage Shogun slashed through Cyber Eternity Dragon and appeared behind it. Savage Shogun sheathed its katana, just in time for Cyber Eternity Dragon to explode. Techbane winced as he took damage.

Techbane: 2200→2100 LP

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 4100→3100

"This duel isn't over yet!" Techbane declared, gesturing to his field. "Cyber Eternity Dragon's monster effect! When it is sent to the Graveyard by your card, I can Special Summon my third Cyber Dragon from my Deck!" A white mechanical dragon appeared and roared from Defense Position.

Cyber Dragon ATK 2100 DEF 1600 LVL: 5

"I'm afraid that with Cyber Dragon in play, you cannot defeat me with Cyspirit Lancer."

"We couldn't even if we wanted to," Cypher said, confusing Techbane.

"The turn Savage Shogun is Special Summoned, no other monsters can declare an attack," Morningstar revealed. "But I don't need another monster." Morningstar gestured to his field. "Savage Shogun's additional effect! When it is Fusion Summoned, its maximum number of attacks per turn is equal to the number of Link Monsters used as Fusion Material!" Techbane gasped.

"Savage Shogun used three Link Monsters as material," Cypher reminded Techbane. "That means it can attack two more times!"

"Go, Savage Shogun! Gendaito Slash!" Savage Shogun drew its shorter sword – a wakizashi – and charged Cyber Dragon. The blade glowing silver, it cut Cyber Dragon in half, destroying it in an explosion.

"And just like before, Savage Shogun inflicts piercing damage!" Techbane cried out at Cypher's words as the backlash struck him.

Techbane: 2100→600 LP

"This is the end!" Morningstar declared. "Savage Shogun, attack Techbane directly! Final Termination Slash!" Savage Shogun sheathed its wakizashi and redrew its katana, which it held in two hands. Morningstar's monster held the sword above its head, where it glowed silver. Savage Shogun brought the sword down, generating a blast of silver energy that struck Techbane, knocking him off his D-Board.

Techbane: 600→0 LP

Sylphid grit her teeth as Techbane disintegrated into blue data, logging out. "Damn. He's really strong." She then smiled to herself. Looks like she was right.

"Well, since that's done, what's Playmaker up to?" Cypher wondered, opening a window to show what Morningstar's drone was seeing. Evidently, Playmaker had won, because his opponent – who had lost his golden shell and was revealed to be a dark-skinned man with long blonde-brown hair in a silver and purple jumpsuit that left his chest exposed – was lying on the ground while Ai hovered over him in what Morningstar recognized as the form he took when Revolver lost the first time. "Oh, looks like Playmaker will get Kusanagi's brother's data back."

That was what they thought, but Cypher and Morningstar both gasped when Ai started screaming and returned to his usual form, visibly shaking. "A virus?" Cypher said. "An anti-Ignis virus?" The two gasped again when another person – a blonde boy in blue, white, and orange robes – swooped in and pulled their downed ally away.

"Looks like the chase isn't over," Morningstar said, turning his D-Board to go back after Playmaker.

"Hey!" He turned back to see Sylphid chasing after him. "You know it's rude to ignore a girl, right? You may have defeated Techbane, but I still have a job to do."

"Sorry, but I have more important concerns at the moment," Morningstar said, accelerating his D-Board to catch up to Playmaker, Sylphid accelerating her own board to go after him.

Luckily, Morningstar hadn't gotten too far away from Playmaker and was able to catch up to him quickly. And it was good he did, because the blonde boy had called in reinforcements: two men in suits on triangular D-Boards.

One for each of us, Morningstar thought. Or maybe I could take both of them. But before he could speak up, red lightning broke out across the sky.

"What the-?" Cypher said, blinking along with Morningstar. A pillar fire them descended from the sky, out of which a young man on a D-Board appeared. The man wore a red, orange, and gray jumpsuit and his hair was shades of red and blue. The young man spun his D-Board around until he was right behind Playmaker.

"I'll handle them," Morningstar heard the man say over the drone. "Playmaker, you go after him."

"Well, looks like you're not needed." Morningstar started and turned back to look at Sylphid, who had managed to keep up with him. "So how about you and I-AHHHHH!"

Before she finished her sentence, Sylphid was struck by blue lightning and started screaming. "Sylphid?" Morningstar gasped, watching as Sylphid disintegrated into blue data, logging out. Turning to look further behind him, Morningstar saw the culprit: a man on a dark gold D-Board wearing a dark blue cloak.

"Greetings, Morningstar," the man said, pressing a button on his dark gold Duel Disk. The cloak disintegrated, revealing the man underneath. He was taller than Morningstar, and more muscular, but not to Go's level. He wore a dark blue jumpsuit that covered him from head to toe, with dark gold knee-high boots, dark gold gauntlets with dark blue gloves, and dark gold wraparound chest armor. The dark gold belt he wore was emblazoned with a picture of a serpent in the shape of an infinity symbol, with the serpent eating its own tail. A cape that was a lighter shade of blue hung from his shoulders, held in place by golden prongs on his shoulder pads. The man had unkempt blonde hair that blew in the wind, but his face was hidden by a dark gold mask covered in ridges, the only breaks being the eyeholes.

"What? Who are you?" Cypher asked, his eyes narrowed at the new opponent.

"You can call me Jester," the man said, raising his head higher, the eyeholes glowing a light blue. "I think it's about time you face a real opponent, Morningstar."

Morningstar vs. Techbane

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Morningstar

As there are no cards on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Illusionist (2400/1000/6) in Attack Position via its effect, but its ATK becomes 1800 (Illusionist: 2400→1800). As Illusionist was Special Summoned via its effect, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Samurai from his Deck to his hand. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Samurai (1800/1000/4). He Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Techbane

Techbane draws. As only Morningstar controls a monster, Techbane Special Summons Cyber Dragon (2100/1600/5) from his hand in Attack Position. He Normal Summons Cyber Dragon Core (400/1500/2). As Core was Normal Summoned, Techbane can add 1 "Cyber" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyber Revsystem from his Deck to his hand. Techbane uses Cyber Dragon and Core to Link Summon Cyber Dragon Sieger (2100/2/←↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Techbane activates the Spell Card Cyber Revsystem, which lets him Special Summon 1 Cyber Dragon from his hand or GY. He Special Summons Cyber Dragon (2100/1600/5) from his GY to Sieger's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. Techbane Sets 1 card.

Cyber Dragon attempts to attack Illusionist, but the effect of Samurai prevents Techbane from attacking any other "Cyspirit" monster. Cyber Dragon attacks Samurai. Techbane activates Sieger's effect, targeting Cyber Dragon and increasing its ATK/DEF by 2100 until the end of the turn, and neither player takes battle damage from battles involving Sieger (Cyber Dragon: 2100→4200/1600→3700). Morningstar activates his Set Trap Card Cyspirit Half-Guard, discarding Cyspirit Teleporter to halve all battle damage he takes for the rest of the turn. Due to Samurai's effect, it is not destroyed once per turn (Morningstar: 4000→2800 LP). Sieger attacks and destroys Samurai, but because Sieger's effect was activated this turn, neither player takes battle damage. At the end of the Battle Phase, Half-Guard's effect lets Morningstar draw 1 card for each of Techbane's monsters that battled this turn. Morningstar draws 2 cards. Techbane ends his turn, and Sieger's effect ends (Cyber Dragon: 4200→2100/3700→1600).

Turn 3: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. He Normal Summons Cyspirit Dancer (1000/200/2). As Dancer was Normal Summoned, its effect activates, letting Morningstar Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his hand or Deck in Attack Position with its effects negated. He Special Summons Cyspirit Coder (0/0/1) from his Deck. Morningstar uses Coder to Link Summon Cyspirit Egregious Electrician (600/1/↙) to the Extra Monster Zone. Morningstar activates Egregious Electrician's effect, moving the Cyspirit Dancer to points at to another Main Monster Zone to Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" monster from his hand to that zone. He moves Dancer to the left Main Monster Zone and Special Summons Cyspirit Mongrel (1000/1000/3) in Attack Position. Morningstar activates Mongrel's effect, targeting Sieger and negating its effects until the End Phase. Morningstar uses Dancer, Egregious Electrician, Illusionist, and Mongrel to Link Summon Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon (2800/4/↙↑↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Dancer was used to Link Summon Datastorm Dragon, it gains 600 ATK (Datastorm Dragon: 2800→3400). As Mongrel was used to Link Summon Datastorm Dragon, Morningstar targets it with Mongrel's effect, allowing it to attack twice during the Battle Phase. Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Teleporter in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon Cyspirit Coder (0/0/1) to Datastorm Dragon's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position. As Coder was Special Summoned, Morningstar activates its effect, letting him add Cyspirit Linker from his Deck to his hand then send Cyspirit Wanderer from his Deck to the GY. Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Linker (1700/800/4) to Datastorm Dragon's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. Morningstar activates the Field Spell Card Cyspirit Monastery, which increases the ATK of all "Cyspirit" Link Monsters he controls by 500 (Datastorm Dragon: 3400→3900).

Datastorm Dragon attacks Sieger and destroys Sieger, but because Datastorm Dragon points to 2 monsters, all battle damage it inflicts is halved (Techbane: 4000→3100 LP). Due to Mongrel's effect, Datastorm Dragon can make two attacks against Techbane's monsters. Datastorm Dragon attacks and destroys Cyber Dragon, but because it points to 2 monsters, all battle damage it inflicts is halved (Techbane: 3100→2200 LP). At the end of the Battle Phase, as it points to 2 monsters, Datastorm Dragon's effect activates, inflicting 500 damage to Techbane for each monster it destroyed this turn. It would inflict 1000 damage, but Techbane activates his Set Counter Trap Card Fusion Guard, negating the activation of Datastorm Dragon's effect. He then sends 1 random Fusion Monster from his Extra Deck to the GY. Techbane sends Cyber End Dragon to the GY. Morningstar ends his turn.

Turn 4: Techbane

Techbane draws. He activates the Spell Card Cyber Repair Plant. As he has at least 1 Cyber Dragon in his GY, he can add 1 Light Machine monster from his Deck to his hand or shuffle 1 Light Machine in his GY back into his Deck. But since he has 3 Cyber Dragons in his GY (Core and Sieger are treated as Cyber Dragon due to their effects), he can activate both effects. He adds Cyber Dragon Nächster to his hand and shuffles Sieger back into his Extra Deck. As only Morningstar controls monsters on the field, Techbane activates the effect of Cyber Dragon Core in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "Cyber Dragon" monster from his Deck. He Special Summons a 2nd Cyber Dragon (2100/1600/5) in Attack Position. Techbane Normal Summons Cyber Dragon Nächster (200/200/1). As Nächster was Summoned, Techbane can Special Summon 1 Machine monster with 2100 ATK or DEF from his GY. He Special Summons his 1st Cyber Dragon (2100/1600/5) in Attack Position. Techbane uses his 1st Cyber Dragon and Nächster to Link Summon Cyber Dragon Sieger (2100/2/←↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. He then sends his 2nd Cyber Dragon, Sieger, and Datastorm Dragon to the GY to Fusion Summon Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon (0/0/10) to the right Extra Monster Zone via its own effect. Megafleet Dragon's ATK becomes 1200 times the number of Fusion Materials used for its Fusion Summon (Megafleet Dragon: 0→3600). Techbane activates the Equip Spell Card Fairy Meteor Crush and equips it to Megafleet Dragon, letting it inflict piercing battle damage if it attacks a Defense Position monster. Techbane Sets 1 card.

Megafleet Dragon attacks Coder, but Morningstar activates the effect of Half-Guard in his GY, banishing it and discarding Cyspirit Engineer to halve all battle damage he takes this turn. Coder is destroyed (Morningstar: 2800→1000 LP). As his Level 8 or higher Machine monster inflicted battle damage to Morningstar, Techbane activates his Skill, Cyber Strike, allowing that monster to attack again. Megafleet Dragon attacks and destroys Linker (Morningstar: 1000→50 LP). At the end of the Battle Phase, Half-Guard lets Morningstar draw 1 card for each of Techbane's monsters that battled this turn. He draws 1 card. Techbane ends his turn.

Turn 5: Morningstar

As his LP are 1000 or less, Morningstar activates his Skill, Hurricane Heavensgate, letting him add 1 "Cyspirit" Fusion, Link, Synchro, or Xyz Monster from the Data Storm to his Extra Deck. He adds Cyspirit Savage Shogun to his Extra Deck. Morningstar draws. As he controls no monsters, Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Monastery, letting him Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster from his GY with its effects negated. He Special Summons Egregious Electrician (600→1100/1/↙). As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Prisoner (1600/2100/5) in Attack Position. Morningstar uses Prisoner to Link Summon Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller (500→1000/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Prisoner was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Fusion to his hand. Morningstar activates Cacophonic Caller's effect, letting him Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to its Link Marker. He Special Summons Cyspirit Kid (300/200/1) in Attack Position. Morningstar uses Cacophonic Caller and Kid to Link Summon Cyspirit Jubilant Jester (1800→2300/2/↙↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Kid was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar can target and destroy 1 face-up card on Techbane's field. He targets and destroys Megafleet Dragon. As his Machine Fusion Monster left the field, Techbane activates his Set Trap Card Cyber Reincarnation, letting him Special Summon 1 Machine Fusion Monster from his Extra Deck whose Level is equal to the previous monster. He Special Summons Cyber Eternity Dragon (2800/4000/10) in Defense Position to the Extra Monster Zone. Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Samurai in his GY, Special Summoning it to Jubilant Jester's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position (1800/1000/4), but it cannot declare an attack this turn. As Jubilant Jester points to at least 1 monster, all "Cyspirit" monsters gain 400 ATK/DEF (Egregious Electrician: 1100→1500) (Jubilant Jester: 2300→2700) (Samurai: 1800→2200). Morningstar activates the effect of the Cyspirit Wanderer in his GY, shuffling it into his Deck to Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster from his GY, but that monster cannot attack this turn. He Special Summons Cyspirit Datastorm Dragon (2800→3700/4/↙↑↓↘). Morningstar activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Fusion, fusing Samurai with Datastorm Dragon, Egregious Electrician, and Jubilant Jester to Fusion Summon Cyspirit Savage Shogun (2800/2300/8) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Savage Shogun's number of attacks per turn is equal to the number of Link Monsters used to summon it, but since it was Special Summoned, no other monsters can declare an attack this turn. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Lancer (1800/0/4). As Lancer is in Attack Position, all "Cyspirit" monsters gain 300 ATK (Lancer: 1800→2100) (Savage Shogun: 2800→3100).

Savage Shogun attacks Cyber Eternity Dragon. As it is battling a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, Savage Shogun gains 1000 ATK during damage calculation (Savage Shogun: 3100→4100). Savage Shogun destroys Eternity Dragon and inflicts piercing battle damage via its effect (Techbane: 2200→2100 LP) (Savage Shogun: 4100→3100). As Eternity Dragon was sent to the GY by Morningstar's card, Techbane activates its effect, letting him Special Summon 1 Cyber Dragon from his hand, Deck or GY. He Special Summons his 3rd Cyber Dragon (2100/1600/5) from his Deck in Defense Position. The Fusion Summoned Savage Shogun can attack three times this turn. Savage Shogun attacks and destroys Cyber Dragon while inflicting piercing battle damage (Techbane: 2100→600 LP). Savage Shogun attacks directly (Techbane: 600→0 LP). Morningstar wins.

Cyspirit Samurai
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1800 DEF 1000 Level: 4
Your opponent cannot target "Cyspirit" monsters for attacks, except this one. The first time this card would be destroyed by battle or card effect each turn, it is not destroyed. If you control a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your GY) to your zone that monster points to. This monster cannot attack the turn it is Special Summoned by its own effect. You can only activate this effect of "Cyspirit Samurai" once per Duel.

Cyspirit Mongrel
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1000 DEF 1000 Level: 3
You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; negate that monster's effects until the End Phase (even if this card leaves the field). If this card is used as material for the Link Summon of a "Cyspirit" Link Monster: You can target that Link Monster; that monster can make two attacks against your opponent's monsters during the Battle Phase. You can only activate each effect of "Cyspirit Mongrel" once per turn.

Cyspirit Savage Shogun
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Fusion/Effect] ATK 2800 DEF 2300 Level: 8
"Cyspirit Samurai" + 1+ Link Monsters
During the Battle Phase, this Fusion Summoned card can attack a number of times equal to the number of Link Monsters used as its Fusion Material. This card can only attack directly once per turn. If this card battles a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, it gains 1000 ATK during damage calculation only. If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. The turn this card is Special Summoned, no other monsters can declare an attack.

Cyber Reincarnation Normal Trap Card
If exactly 1 Machine Fusion Monster is sent to your GY by an opponent's card: Special Summon 1 Machine Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck in Defense Position, so long as its Level is equal to the sent monster's (This Special Summon is treated as a Fusion Summon).

Cyspirit Fusion Normal Spell Card
Fusion Summon 1 "Cyspirit" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Material. If a "Cyspirit" Fusion Monster on your side of the field is sent to the GY, you can banish this card from your GY; shuffle the destroyed monster back into your Extra Deck, then Special Summon 1 Link-3 or lower "Cyspirit" Link Monster from your Extra Deck (This Special Summon is treated as a Link Summon).

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 33 – Storm of Life. Morningstar is confronted by the mysterious man known as Jester, who proceeds to engage Morningstar in a duel. Utilizing never-before-seen tactics, Jester drives Morningstar into a corner…

Question of the Chapter

What did you think of Morningstar's new Skill, Hurricane Heavensgate, and Cypher's catchphrase?

Author's Notes

Since I'm releasing this chapter at the same time as 31, there won't be any responses to reviews. For responses to Chapter 30 reviews, please see this section under Chapter 31.

I want to say, for the record, I thought up Hurricane Heavensgate LONG before Playmaker gained Neo Storm Access. And it doesn't have that new ability it showed in Episode 82. ThePLOThand can confirm that, as he was the one who came up with the name, for which I profoundly thank him. I originally thought up something like Divine Tempest, but Hurricane Heavensgate works better. Also thank you to SakushiRyu and sanedimentio for helping me refine Hurricane Heavensgate and provide feedback on the scenes of its explanation and use.

Alright, this chapter brings Morningstar back to LINK VRAINS and introduces Techbane and Sylphid, whose real-life selves we met last chapter. Again, Sylphid is an OC of JaneValentine007 while Techbane is my own. Sylphid will get her own chance to duel in Chapter 35. For now, we get to see Jester duel Morningstar, and I really hope I manage to surprise you guys with what he can do.

Thank you for reading Chapter 32 of Hidden Memories. I hoped you liked Hurricane Heavensgate and how I presented it.