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

37. Chapter 37: Stolen Memories

Previous Chapter Updates

I went back to Chapter 35 and changed Blazing Uriel's effect. Originally, its effect to Special Summon up to 2 "Cyangel" monsters would activate if it left the field. I changed it so that it only activated if it left the field because of an opponent's card.

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Chapter 37: Stolen Memories

Per NewComer1's suggestion, I've decided I'll only post my opening when a change occurs in it. Also, I would like to announce that after I reach Episode 73, I'll make a new opening, and possibly an ending. If anyone would like to offer suggestions for either of them, please post them in a review. That aside, please enjoy Chapter 37.

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"Playmaker is approaching, and Bohman's memory transfer is complete."

Haru looked up at the shadowy figure he was kneeling in front of. "You want me to observe their Duel as before?"

"That was the plan originally, but there's an unexpected participant." Haru raised an eyebrow. "The former bounty hunter Morningstar is with Playmaker, as is the Silver Ignis."

Haru's eyes narrowed. He remembered what he had been taught of the Ignis. And just how dangerous the Silver Ignis was. "You want me to battle him?"

"Not exactly," Haru's master said, the amusement in his voice clear. "I've decided to make an alteration to the current plan. One I think you'll enjoy."

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Morningstar and Playmaker rode their D-Boards among the pillars they'd noticed at the edge of Windy's world.

"No one's here," Ai noted. Looking around, the two duelists both frowned.

"Wait," Cypher said, his eyes narrowed. "I feel-."

The Ignis was cut off as a rumbling sound came from below them. Looking around, the duo's eyes widened as the pillars all tumbled down, some smashing into each other and breaking before falling down into the clouds.

"What's going on?" Ai asked in a panic. Then he screeched as a giant stone hand emerged from the clouds and tried to grab Morningstar and Playmaker.

"What?" Playmaker said as he narrowly rode over the hand's fingers, escaping it. Morningstar, meanwhile, turned to the left and dodged it. The hunter's eyes widened as another giant hand shot up and tried to grab him.

"The other way!" Cypher shouted. Morningstar grit his teeth and dodged along the side. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Playmaker dodge another hand and traveled back to his friend.

"Someone's either trying to capture us or guide us somewhere," he said to the hacker.

Before Playmaker could respond, a giant stone statue popped out of the clouds in front of them. The statue wore armor that Morningstar recognized as Roman and had one hand on a planted sword. Haru was relaxing on the statue's helmet, while on its plume-.

"I've been waiting for you, Playmaker!" Morningstar recognized the speaker as Bohman, the same enemy Playmaker defeated before. But he'd changed outfits; now he wore black armor with yellow linings over white pants, and several yellow four-pointed stars on his chest, arms, and knees.

"Bohman!" Playmaker said, glaring at the man.

"He showed up!" Ai said, surprised. Then he turned confused. "But he seems different than before."

"Last time you fought him, he wore a jumpsuit. Now he's wearing armor," Cypher noted. "Is it symbolic, or…?"

"Bohman, give back Kusanagi's brother's consciousness data!" Playmaker demanded.

"Fine," Bohman agreed as the hunter and hacker ascended to his height. "But if I win…"

"You get to have me, right?" Ai asked, pointing to himself.

Bohman smirked. "I have no interest in you," he said.

"What? You don't want me?" Ai said disbelievingly.

"Of course he doesn't," Cypher said. "Why would he when I'm here?"

"I have no interest in you either, Silver Ignis," Bohman said, and Cypher doubled over like he'd been stabbed in the heart. "What I need is… You'll find out when our match ends, Playmaker."

Ai sunk to his knees. "I can't believe my boom is already over," he bemoaned.

"I know," Cypher said, sinking to a similar position. "My boom didn't even start, and already it's over."

"…Please stop that," Morningstar told his partner. "It's weird."

The four turned as another stone statue rose from the clouds to stand opposite Bohman's. The statues raised the hands that weren't on their swords so they were facing flat against each other. They watched as a Duel Field materialized between the statues.

"That's…"

"A Master Duel field," Playmaker said, finishing Ai's statement.

Bohman pointed at Playmaker. "Follow me, Playmaker! Let's duel!" Bohman jumped down and landed on the statue's arm, then leapt to its hand.

"He was fleeing last time, but he really wants to duel this time," Ai said. "How suspicious."

"Cypher, are you sensing anything weird from him?" Morningstar asked.

"…I'm not sure. I wasn't close enough to him before to feel anything. But senses aside, his personality seems to have changed significantly."

"Even if he has changed, I expected him to challenge me," Playmaker said. "That's why I'll end it here!"

"Then why don't we make it more interesting?"

The duo, along with Bohman and the Ignis, turned to Haru as he stood up. "Morningstar, we weren't expecting you to come here," he said. "So why don't we duel, too?"

"No, Haru!" Bohman said, glaring up at his brother. "I won't let my brother face someone like him. I'll take Morningstar on as well!"

"I didn't mean he and I should duel each other," Haru clarified. "I meant a Tag Duel."

Morningstar's and Playmaker's eyes widened. "Tag Duel?" the hunter repeated.

"Yes," Haru nodded. "Me and my brother against both of you. We'll share fields, Life Points, and Graveyards, while alternating each turn."

This wasn't the original plan, Haru thought. But Morningstar may be just as dangerous as Playmaker, and this is a good way to not only judge his abilities, but also for me to gain some experience myself.

Morningstar and Playmaker looked at each other. The hunter knew the hacker's thoughts followed his own. In terms of skill, he knew the two of them were about equal. And they'd each seen several of the other's duels, so they both had a good feel for each other's Decks and strategies. In fact, Morningstar was willing to bet no one knew Playmaker's Deck better than him except maybe Kusanagi or Revolver.

The only problem they might have was that all of Morningstar's Link Monsters required a specific archetype, while Playmaker had no monsters from that archetype. While it wouldn't slow them down too much, it would still be a potential problem. And Morningstar was willing to bet that if he was suggesting this, Haru's Deck was either the same as Bohman's, or similar enough that it didn't matter.

"I have no objections to this arrangement," Playmaker finally said.

Morningstar smiled in response. "Neither do I. Let's go!"

"Yes! We get to fight together, Cypher!" Ai cheered. "With all four of us against those two, we'll win for sure!"

"Hmm. I'm sixty-four percent certain Morningstar and I could defeat both of them by ourselves," Cypher mused. "But your partner is just as intelligent as mine, so this might be fun."

The two of them flew over to the other statue and jumped off their D-Boards, landing on the statue's outspread hand. "We accept this match!" Playmaker said.

Haru jumped down to stand next to Bohman. "Haru, if you're really going to do this, then please be careful," Bohman requested before looking at Playmaker. "Today, I'll stain your disrespectful face in the color of despair!"

Haru smirked as his Duel Disk activated. I'll get a first-hand seat to see the power given to Bohman, he thought. Out loud, he said, "Get ready!"

"This ends here!" Morningstar declared.

"Here I go!" Bohman readied his Duel Disk.

"Bring it!" Playmaker said.

"Duel!" they shouted.

Playmaker & Morningstar: 4000 LP

Bohman & Haru: 4000 LP

"I go first," Bohman declared. Playmaker gasped as Morningstar's eyes narrowed. "I Special Summon Hydradrive Booster from my hand in Attack Position!" A mechanical monster that resembled a gold and silver dragonfly appeared.

Hydradrive Booster ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"I can Special Summon it from my hand when none of us have monsters in our Main Monster Zones," Bohman continued. "Appear! The circuit that connects the truth!" Lightning arced over his body as the Link portal appeared above him. "Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Booster in the Link Marker!" His monster became a gold whirlwind and entered the bottom arrow.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Burn Hydradrive!" A red and orange segmented mechanical dragon emerged from the portal, summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone.

Burn Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"When there is a Fire monster on your field, this card can attack you directly," Bohman said.

"There it is, Playmaker!" Ai said. "A fire one this time!"

"Yeah," Playmaker said. "If it matches our Attribute, his monster can attack us directly."

"He had Water and Wind monsters before, and his Hydradrive Booster was Earth," Morningstar noted. "Perhaps that means he doesn't have Dark or Light Hydradrive monsters?"

"Well then, that gives us an advantage since all Cyspirit monsters are Light," Cypher said smugly. Morningstar meanwhile looked at Playmaker, noticing his frown.

"What is it?"

"His Deck; it's the same one as before?" Playmaker said. Morningstar, Ai, and Cypher all looked at him questioningly. "When he chose to go first," he explained. "I thought he'd use a different Deck."

"Why?" Ai asked. "Oh, I see!" He pounded his fist in his open hand in comprehension. "You can't attack if you go first. So it's better to go second and see what we do so that he can match our Attribute."

"But he knows that," Morningstar mused. "He must be using a different strategy than your first duel."

"That, or he's setting up the board for Haru," Cypher pointed out. Morningstar nodded, conceding the point.

"Try to figure out my strategy, Playmaker!" Bohman taunted. "Next, I summon Hydradrive Booster!" Another copy of his monster appeared.

Hydradrive Booster ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear again! The circuit that connects the truth! Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Booster in the Link Marker!" His monster entered the bottom arrow. "Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Coolant Hydradrive!" Another segmented mechanical dragon, this one light blue and gray and instead of red and orange, emerged from the portal, summoned to Burn Hydradrive's Link Marker.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"This field becomes a place to judge and expose your crimes!" Bohman declared.

"My crimes?" Playmaker asked, confused.

"I'm assuming he's not talking about illegal hacking and possession of a stolen program," Cypher said softly to Morningstar, who rolled his eyes.

"From my hand, I activate the Link Spell Card: Judgment Arrows!" The Spell Card appeared and glowed at Coolant Hydradrive's Link Marker.

Judgment Arrows ↖↑↗

"There's his Link Spell!" Playmaker said, gritting his teeth. Morningstar frowned and narrowed his eyes at the card.

"When the Link Monster linked to this card battles, its attack points are doubled!" Bohman reminded Playmaker.

"With that card, his monsters' attack points are essentially 2000," Cypher noted.

"Here comes the main event!" Bohman declared. "Appear! The circuit that connects the truth! The summoning conditions are two 'Hydradrive' Link Monsters! I set Burn and Coolant Hydradrive in the Link Markers!" Said monsters became blue and red whirlwinds and entered the left and right arrows.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Twin Hydradrive Knight!" The monster that emerged from the portal was humanoid and wore silver and golden armor. An orange plume flowed from its helmet and it wielded two longswords in its hands. The monster crossed its blades as it was summoned to Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker.

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 1800 LINK-2 ←→

"A Link-2 monster!" Playmaker said in surprise.

"Whoa! I've never seen that before!" Ai said.

"He chose this monster over two monsters that could attack directly," Cypher said. "He must have a reason."

"When Twin Hydradrive Knight is Link Summoned, its Attributes can become the same as its Link Materials," Bohman continued. "Let the two powers reside in your swords!" Blue and red serpents ran down the monster's swords before disappearing, leaving the swords glowing red and blue. "Twin Hydradrive Knight becomes Fire and Water Attribute!"

"Fire and Water. A monster with two Attributes," Playmaker noted.

"I Set two cards," Bohman said before pointing at Playmaker. "Playmaker, Morningstar, I'll let you know this: These two Set cards will decide the outcome of this duel!" Morningstar and Playmaker narrowed their eyes. "But you can't defeat me! Because Playmaker, I know your thoughts like they're my own! I end my turn. Bring it, Playmaker!"

"His dueling was sloppy last time, but he's prepared this time," Ai said. "Hey, Playmaker. His Set cards may be trouble."

"No doubt," Playmaker agreed. "One is definitely Property Spray."

"I remember that card from the video," Morningstar said. "It lets him change our monsters' Attributes while he also regains Life Points."

"So he already Set it," Cypher mused.

"Even if Property Spray isn't out, he's making us wary of it," Playmaker said.

"Did he really plan all that?" Ai asked. "That's totally different than before!"

Playmaker regarded Bohman for a moment longer before turning to his partner. "Morningstar, allow me to take the first turn." The hunter nodded. "My turn! Draw! I summon Flame Bufferlo!" A black mechanical bull with blue flaming horns and tail appeared.

Flame Bufferlo ATK 1400 DEF 200 LVL: 3

"I activate Catche Eve L2's effect from my hand! By lowering the Level of my Level 3 or higher monster by 2, I can Special Summon it! I lower Flame Bufferlo to Level 1 to Special Summon Catche Eve L2!" I woman with cat paws and a tail wearing a blue poncho, white skirt, and blue hat appeared in Attack Position.

Flame Bufferlo Level: 3→1

Catche Eve L2 ATK 800 DEF 600 LVL: 2

"Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" The Link portal materialized above Playmaker. "The summoning condition is one Level 1 monster. I set Flame Bufferlo in the Link Marker!" Said monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Linkuriboh!" The small blue monster appeared at the Extra Monster Zone.

"Kuri kuri ku!" it cheered.

Linkuriboh ATK 300 LINK-1 ↓

"Get fired up, Linkuriboh!" Ai told his friend. The monster turned around and cheered back at Ai.

"Flame Bufferlo's monster effect!" Playmaker continued. "When it leaves the field, I discard a Cyberse monster from my hand to draw two cards." He drew, then said, "I Special Summon Cyberse White Hat!" A cowboy in a white coat with black armor on his chest and legs appeared in Attack Position.

Cyberse White Hat ATK 1800 DEF 2400 LVL: 6

"White Hat can be Special Summoned if I control at least two monsters with the same Type. Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" The Link portal appeared again. "The summoning conditions are two Level 2 or higher Cyberse monsters. I set Catche Eve L2 and Cyberse White Hat in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top and left arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Update Jammer!" A red-eyed boy with blue hair wearing a green coat over a black jumpsuit emerged from the portal. He wore a mask over his mouth and carried a large white metal backpack over his shoulders. Update Jammer was summoned to Linkuriboh's Link Marker.

Update Jammer ATK 2000 LINK-2 ←↑

Bohman looked at Update Jammer's information. "A Wind Attribute monster," he mused.

"So he avoided Fire and Water," Haru said.

"White Hat's monster effect!" Playmaker declared. "When it is sent to the Graveyard as Link Material, all monsters on my opponent's field lose 1000 attack points until the end of the turn!"

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 1800→800

"Battle! Update Jammer attacks Twin Hydradrive Knight!"

"The Link Spell, Judgment Arrows' effect!" Bohman declared. "It doubles the attack points of a monster next to its Link Marker!"

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 800→1600

"That's pointless!" Ai taunted. "Go get 'em, Playmaker!"

"Not yet."

Ai briefly fell over. "For real?" Morningstar turned to raise an eyebrow at Playmaker.

"Update Jammer's monster effect! When a Cyberse monster battles, all other effects on the field are negated, and the battling monsters' attack and defense points return to their original attack and defense points! So the Link Spell's effect is negated!" Update Jammer pressed a button on a small tablet.

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 1600→1800

"Now it's attack points are higher than before," Cypher noted. Morningstar remained silent however, knowing Playmaker had a plan.

"Go, Update Jammer!" A radar dish extended from Update Jammer's backpack and released blue waves of energy at Twin Hydradrive Knight, destroying it and making Bohman wince.

Bohman & Haru: 4000→3800 LP

"Update Jammer's additional effect! When your monster is destroyed by battle, you take 1000 points of damage!" Update Jammer released more blue waves. Bohman stepped in front of Haru, taking the full force of the attack and wincing.

Bohman & Haru: 3800→2800 LP

"With Update Jammer's effect, the damage is higher than it would have been otherwise," Cypher realized.

"Next, Linkuriboh attacks you directly!" The small blue monster smacked Bohman in the chest, making him stumble backwards a few steps.

Bohman & Haru: 2800→2500 LP

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

Bohman smirked. "You used Update Jammer to stop Judgment Arrows' effect. But you won't be able to stop what comes next."

"Yes," Haru said, stepping forward as Bohman stepped back. "My turn! Draw!" Haru looked at his cards.

"Haru," Bohman said, making the boy look back. "Be careful."

Haru smiled. "I will, brother." Looking forward again, Haru said, "I summon Hydradrive Booster!"

Hydradrive Booster ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear! My circuit! The summoning condition is one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Booster in the Link Marker!" Haru's monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Coolant Hydradrive!" Another light blue mechanical dragon emerged from the portal at Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"So he also uses Hydradrives," Cypher nodded.

"I figured he would when he suggested a Tag Duel," Morningstar said. Playmaker nodded in agreement.

"I activate the Spell Card: Hydradrive Rebuild!" Haru continued. "This card destroys Coolant Hydradrive!" His Link Monster disintegrated at his words.

"Eh? Why would he destroy his own monster?" Ai asked.

"The destroyed Coolant Hydradrive's effect activates! When its destroyed, I can Special Summon a Hydradrive Token!" A small mechanical bug with the Hydradrive crest on its face appeared in Defense Position.

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Since the effect of the destroyed Coolant Hydradrive was activated, Hydradrive Rebuild's effect Special Summons Coolant Hydradrive back to my field!" The Link Monster reappeared.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"The Special Summoned Coolant Hydradrive cannot attack, its effects are negated, and it is destroyed during the End Phase," Haru said.

"I think that answers your question, Ai," Cypher said.

"Eh? How?"

"Appear! My circuit! The summoning condition is one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Token in the Link Marker!" The token entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Flow Hydradrive!" A bipedal green and dark blue dragon emerged from the portal and roared from Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker.

Flow Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Eh? Now he has Water and Wind?" Ai said.

"This is what I meant," Cypher explained. "He's going to do what Bohman did."

"Appear once more! My circuit! The summoning conditions are two 'Hydradrive' Link Monsters. I set Coolant and Flow Hydradrive in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Twin Hydradrive Knight!" Haru's own armored knight emerged from the portal, summoned to Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker.

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 1800 LINK-2 ←→

"Twin Hydradrive Knight, let Water and Wind reside in your swords!" Blue and green serpents circled the monster's swords before dissipating into blue and green auras.

"Its Attributes are Water and Wind this time!" Ai said.

"Twin Hydradrive Knight's monster effect!" Haru declared. "When it's on the field, your monsters with the same Attribute as it has their effects negated! Update Jammer is Wind Attribute, so its effects are negated!" Haru's monster swung its glowing right sword, releasing a burst of energy that struck Update Jammer. A cocoon of wind materialized around the monster. Playmaker grit his teeth.

Haru smirked as he continued his turn. "I activate the Spell Card: Hydradrive Continuation!" The card showed Burn Hydradrive and Twin Hydradrive Knight, with the former and the latter's left-handed sword glowing red. "This card lets me target a 'Hydradrive' Link Monster, then Special Summon a 'Hydradrive' Link Monster from the Graveyard with the same Attribute as that monster. I target Twin Hydradrive Knight, who is Water and Wind Attribute. Resurrect, the Wind Attribute Flow Hydradrive!" The green mechanical dragon reappeared at Judgment Arrow's top Link Marker.

Flow Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"The monster Special Summoned by Hydradrive Continuation is destroyed during the End Phase." Haru gestured to the field. "Battle! Since you control a Wind monster, Flow Hydradrive can attack you directly!" A ball of wind formed in front of the monster and launched itself at Playmaker. "Judgment Arrows' effect activates! The linked Flow Hydradrive's attack points are doubled!"

Flow Hydradrive ATK 1000→2000

Playmaker remained calm and gestured to his field. "Linkuriboh's monster effect! When your monster declares an attack, I can Tribute Linkuriboh to make your monster's attack points 0!" Linkuriboh disintegrated, as did the ball of wind.

Flow Hydradrive ATK 2000→0

"Yes! Way to go, Linkuriboh!" Ai cheered.

Haru smirked. "But now you can't stop my other monster from attacking," he said, making Playmaker grit his teeth. "My Battle Phase continues! Twin Hydradrive Knight attacks Update Jammer!" The knight's swords glowed blue and green again. "Judgment Arrows' effect activates!"

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 1800→3600

"3600 attack points!?" Ai shouted. "Oi, Playmaker, isn't there something you can do?" Playmaker just narrowed his eyes.

The Knight swung its swords, generating two energy slashes that tore Update Jammer apart. The slashes struck Playmaker, knocking him backwards, but Morningstar caught him before he fell.

Playmaker & Morningstar: 4000→2400 LP

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 3600→1800

"Are you alright. Playmaker?" Ai asked worriedly.

"…Yeah, I'm fine," Playmaker said, wincing softly as Morningstar helped him stand up straight.

"I Set two cards," Haru said. "I end my turn. And during my End Phase, Hydradrive Continuation's effect destroys Flow Hydradrive." The green dragon disintegrated, then Haru gestured to his field. "Flow Hydradrive's monster effect! When it is destroyed, a Hydradrive Token is Special Summoned!" The token materialized in Defense Position.

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

Haru smirked. I may not be able to improve like Bohman can, but I can still fight against these two!

Playmaker scowled. "I'm sorry, Morningstar. I wasn't able to keep Update Jammer on the field."

The hunter raised an eyebrow. "To serve as a counter to Judgment Arrows?" The hacker nodded. "It's alright. Twin Hydradrive Knight removed Update Jammer's advantage anyway."

"Besides," Cypher said. "We have our own methods to deal with the Link Spell. Ready to show them how it's done, partner?"

"Yeah." Morningstar stepped forward, his hand on his Deck. "My turn! Draw!" Looking at his card, Morningstar chose a different one. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Gift! By discarding a 'Cyspirit' card, I draw two cards." He discarded Cyspirit Wanderer, drew, then said, "I Special Summon Cyspirit Armorer!" The blacksmith skeleton appeared in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Armorer ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 6

"Armorer can be Special Summoned when only my opponent controls a Link Monster," Morningstar explained. But before he could make another move, Haru gestured to his field.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Hydradrive Remix!" He declared. The card showed Twin Hydradrive Knight, clawing its way out of a grave. "When you Special Summon a Cyberse monster, I can Tribute Hydradrive Token to Special Summon a 'Hydradrive' Link Monster with its effects negated, so long as it is the same Attribute as my Token. Resurrect, the Earth Attribute Twin Hydradrive Knight!" Bohman's knight reappeared alongside Haru's, summoned to Judgment Arrows' top-right Link Marker.

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 1800 LINK-2 ←→

"Now he has two of them!" Ai noted.

"Then, Hydradrive Remix increases my Life Points by Twin Hydradrive Knight's attack points."

Bohman & Haru: 2500→4300 LP

Morningstar narrowed his eyes but continued his turn. "Because there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Prisoner!" The skeleton in a prisoner's uniform appeared in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5

"Armorer's monster effect! By sending it to the Graveyard and targeting a Link Monster, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Armor Tokens equal to that monster's Link Rating. I target your first Twin Hydradrive Knight!" Armorer disintegrated and two dwarf skeletons in blacksmith clothes appeared in Defense Position.

Cyspirit Armor Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 2 x 2

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal materialized above Morningstar. "The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Prisoner in the Link Marker!" Said monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller!" The skeleton in a business suit emerged, summoned to the left Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓

Haru frowned. All the 'Cyspirit' monsters are Light Attribute. They won't be affected by Twin Hydradrive Knight's effect.

"Prisoner's effect activates! When it is used to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, I can add a 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand." Morningstar took a card from his Deck and smirked. Seeing what the card was, Cypher started chuckling while 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 it is destroyed during the End Phase. Come, Cyspirit Dancer!" The skeleton in a leotard materialized in Attack Position at Cacophonic Caller's Link Marker.

Cyspirit Dancer ATK 1000 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Appear again! The circuit between light and darkness! Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set one of Armor Tokens and Dancer in the Link Markers!" Said monsters entered the top and right arrows, turning them red.

Playmaker's eyes widened, realizing he hadn't seen a Cyspirit monster with those Link Markers before. "That's-!"

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyspirit Gallant Gunwoman!" A feminine silver skeleton emerged from the portal and was enveloped in light. When the light faded, the skeleton was wearing a tight dark red leather corset and red skirt with maroon frills over leather pants. A dark red cape with maroon lining hung from the skeleton's shoulders, and two flintlock pistols were holstered in two dark brown leather holsters on its hips. Silver wings sprouted from the skeleton's back and red hair hung from its skull. Said hair had been tied into a braid and then wrapped around its head. The skeleton's right red eye briefly glowed brighter than its left blue one as it was summoned to Cacophonic Caller's Link Marker.

Cyspirit Gallant Gunwoman ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↑→

Haru blinked. "A new 'Cyspirit' Link Monster? This card wasn't in the data…"

"Hey, Playmaker, doesn't that monster…?" Playmaker remained silent in response to Ai's query and kept watching.

"Dancer's effect activates! Since it was used to Link Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, that monster gains 600 attack points!"

Cyspirit Gallant Gunwoman ATK 1900→2500

"600 more attack points won't protect you from Judgment Arrows," Haru said smugly. He was surprised when Morningstar smirked right back.

"I know." He gestured to his field. "Gallant Gunwoman's monster effect! Once per turn, when it points to at least one monster, I can activate a 'Cyspirit' Spell or Trap Card from my hand." Morningstar played the card he'd gained from Prisoner's effect. "I activate the Trap Card Cyspirit Code Jamming!" The card showed Cyspirit Coder sitting at a computer on a desk, its jaws unhinged in a cackle. "Since I control a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, Code Jamming can negate the effects of your Spell or Trap Card until the end of the turn!"

"What!?" Haru said in surprise. Beside him, Bohman blinked in surprise.

"I negate Judgment Arrows' effect!" Code Jamming's card glowed and then disintegrated into energy that traveled into Gallant Gunwoman's right pistol. She drew it, then pointed it at Judgment Arrows. She fired it, and as the bullet struck the card, Judgment Arrows turned to stone.

"Yes! Way to go, Morningstar!" Ai cheered. "Now we don't have to worry about Judgment Arrows' effect!" Haru's face morphed into a scowl at the hunter.

"Stopping Judgment Arrows is nice, but we can go further," Cypher said.

"I summon Cyspirit Sorceress!" A skeleton in a black dress wielding a staff appeared.

Cyspirit Sorceress ATK 1400 DEF 400 LVL: 4

"Sorceress's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Cyspirit Dancer!" The monster reappeared in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Dancer ATK 1000 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness! The summoning conditions are two 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set my last Armor Token and Dancer in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler!" A skeleton with a large drill for a right arm emerged, summoned to Gallant Gunwoman's right Link Marker.

Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler ATK 1600 LINK-2 ←→

"Dancer's monster effect!"

Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler ATK 1600→2200

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!"

"Link Summoning four times in a turn!?" Haru said in surprise.

"The summoning conditions are two 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set Sorceress and Cacophonic Caller in the Link Markers!" Said monsters entered the top and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyspirit Mad Mongrel!" A massive skeleton dog with a missile launcher and a net launcher attached to its back. The dog howled from the left Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Mad Mongrel ATK 2000 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Oh! I remember that pooch!" AI cheered. "Too bad those two don't have a monster at its Link Marker, otherwise it would point to two monsters."

"Battle! Mad Mongrel attacks the first Twin Hydradrive Knight!" Mad Mongrel launched several missiles at the monster, destroying it. Before the backlash hit, Bohman stepped in front of Haru and took the brunt of the attack.

Bohman & Haru: 4300→4100 LP

"Brother!" Haru said, surprised.

"I won't let you get hurt if I can help it, Haru," Bohman said. "I'll take their attacks."

Morningstar narrowed his eyes but gestured to his field. "Gallant Gunwoman attacks the second Twin Hydradrive Knight!" The skeleton unholstered both of her pistols and blasted Haru's monster with multiple bolts of blue energy, but Haru smirked and gestured to his field.

"Trap activate! Hydradrive Tolerance! When your monster declares an attack, I can target a 'Hydradrive' monster that was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard this turn. The damage is reduced by its Link Rating times 300, and then I don't take battle or effect damage until the End Phase!"

Playmaker and Morningstar shared a glance. The former nodded. Morningstar gestured to his field. "Counter Trap activaste!" he declared, surprising Haru. "Arrow Break! Since you activated a Trap Card while I control a Link Monster, that Trap Card's activation is negated, and it is destroyed!" Haru gasped as Hydradrive Tolerance disintegrated. "Continue your attack, Gallant Gunwoman!" The energy blasts struck the monster, destroying it. Once again, Bohman blocked the attack, but winced from the damage.

Bohman & Haru: 4100→3400 LP

"Gallant Gunwoman's additional effect! When it destroys your monster by battle and points to two monsters, we gain Life Points equal to the destroyed monster's attack points!"

Playmaker & Morningstar: 2400→4200 LP

"Yahoo!" Ai cheered. "We have more Life Points now, and a direct attack from Thrilled Tunneler will leave them with 1200 Life Points!"

Bohman and Haru glanced at each other, but Haru shook his head. Scowling, Bohman stepped aside as Haru gestured to his field. "Hydradrive Remix's additional effect activates! When the monster Special Summoned by its effect is sent to the Graveyard by your card, I can banish Hydradrive Remix and gain Life Points equal to that monster's attack points!"

Bohman & Haru: 3400→5200 LP

Cypher narrowed his eyes. "Haru raised their Life Points even higher than before. Even so, Thrilled Tunneler can still attack!"

"Go! Thrilled Tunneler attacks directly! Cyber Drill!" The monster charged as Bohman stepped in front of Haru again. The man in armor screamed as the drill impacted with his armor. After the monster relented, Bohman fell to one knee.

Bohman & Haru: 5200→3000 LP

"I Set one card. I end my turn. And during the End Phase, Code Jamming's effect ends." Judgment Arrows unfroze as Morningstar frowned.

"I'm sorry, Playmaker," he said. "They ended up with more Life Points than before."

"Maybe. But they also have no monsters, and all of Haru's cards were destroyed," Playmaker refuted. "Furthermore, you restored our own Life Points. No matter how you see it, we have the advantage."

"Playmaker's right, partner," Cypher nodded. "Now we just have to push that advantage."

"Brother!" Haru said worryingly as he helped Bohman stand up. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine, Haru," Bohman said, standing up fully. He looked up and regarded Morningstar with interest. "Morningstar is able to bring out monsters more quickly than Playmaker. Even if Playmaker's individual monsters have more power, Morningstar can overwhelm us with sheer numbers." He smirked. "Even so… he will not stop my next attack!"

Bohman placed his hand above his Duel Disk as a red circle appeared. "My turn! Draw!" Looking at his field, Bohman said, "This card will let me attack you directly. Continuous Trap activate! Property Spray!"

"There it is!" Ai said. "A card that can change our monsters' Attributes!"

"By Tributing my monster, I regain Life Points equal to its attack points. Then your monster's Attribute becomes the same as the Tributed monster's until the end of the turn."

"We expected that!" Cypher declared.

"Counter Trap activate!" Morningstar declared. "Royal Surrender! The activation of your Continuous Trap Card is negated and then destroyed!" Property Spray disintegrated at Morningstar's words.

"Oh! A Trap Card that deals with Continuous Trap Cards!" Ai said.

"After watching your last duel with Bohman, we added this card so as to help counter Property Spray," Cypher said.

Bohman smirked. "I knew you'd do that." Morningstar raised an eyebrow at that. "Your thought process is very similar to Playmaker's. That lets me anticipate your moves as well."

Bohman closed his eyes. "The two of you are also concerned about my other Set card. But when Property Spray was activated, you had no choice but to activate your Counter Trap. But I told both of you that this card would decide the outcome of this duel. Continuous Trap activate! Hydradrive Cycle! I can activate this card when my Spell or Trap Card is destroyed." Morningstar and Playmaker gasped in surprise.

Haru smirked. I knew he anticipated Property Spray being destroyed, but this is still incredible!

"Regret your own foolishness, Morningstar! Playmaker!" Bohman declared. "Now, I'll show you Hydradrive Cycle's power."

"What's he gonna do?" Ai wondered.

"I return a 'Hydradrive' Link Monster in my Graveyard to my Extra Deck to draw cards equal to its Link Markers. I return Twin Hydradrive Knight to draw two cards."

"Well, that explains why Haru didn't use it," Cypher commented.

"What do you mean?" Ai asked.

"Hydradrive Cycle activates when Bohman's Spell or Trap Card is destroyed," Playmaker explained as he scowled. "But Morningstar used my Arrow Break to destroy Haru's Trap Card last turn."

"Meaning Haru could have activated Hydradrive Cycle, but by the rules of the Tag Duel, if he had, he would have drawn cards instead of Bohman," Morningstar continued, his face also twisted into a scowl. "So he held back on using it, and counted on me destroying Property Spray so Bohman could use its effects."

Bohman drew, then said, "Then I Special Summon a 'Hydradrive' monster from my Graveyard by lowering its attack points to 0. Resurrect, Burn Hydradrive!" The red mechanical dragon reappeared.

Burn Hydradrive ATK 1000→0 LINK-1 ↓

"Hydradrive Cycle's additional effect! I pay 400 Life Points to Special Summon a Hydradrive Token to the turn player's field with either Fire, Wind, Water, or Earth Attribute! I Special Summon an Earth Hydradrive Token!" A token with an orange aura appeared in Defense Position.

Bohman & Haru: 3000→2600 LP

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"So he gained monsters and drew new cards," Morningstar said.

"Hydradrive Cycle and Property Spray were both Set on the first turn," Playmaker said.

"That means he anticipated either of you destroying Property Spray?" Ai asked.

Cypher growled. "We played right into his hands!"

"You two are incapable of anticipating my plans," Bohman boasted. "You can't escape me anymore! Appear! The circuit that connects the truth! The summoning condition is one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Token in the Link Marker!" The token entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Flow Hydradrive!" Another green dragon appeared at Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker.

Flow Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Appear again! The circuit that connects the truth! The summoning conditions are two 'Hydradrive' Link Monsters. I set Burn and Flow Hydradrive in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear again! Link-2! Twin Hydradrive Knight!" The Link monster reappeared at Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker.

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 1800 LINK-2 ←→

"Twin Hydradrive Knight, let Fire and Wind reside in your swords!" Red and orange snakes wrapped around the monster's swords before turning into red and orange lights.

"Our monsters are all Light Attribute," Cypher reminded him. "Meaning you can't negate their effects!"

"I don't need to negate them," Bohman said. "All I need to do is pressure you more! Battle! Twin Hydradrive Knight attacks Gallant Gunwoman!"

"Judgment Arrows will double his monster's attack points to 3600," Cypher reminded Morningstar, who gestured to his field.

"Gallant Gunwoman's monster effect!" he declared.

"Eh?" Haru blinked. "You can use that effect during our turn!?"

"I activate the Trap Card: Cyspirit Guard Block from my hand!" Morningstar said. The card showed Cyspirit Winning Wrestler standing in front of Cyspirit Idealistic Idol, blocking a sword with its wrists. "By Tributing a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can negate your attack and end the Battle Phase! I Tribute Mad Mongrel!" The large dog disintegrated.

"Way to go, Morningstar!" Ai cheered.

"No. That's pointless," Bohman declared. "I discard Break Hydradrive to activate its effect! It negates Guard Block's effect and deals you 800 points of damage!"

"What?" Morningstar said in surprise. He gritted his teeth as a white circle materialized around him and made him wince.

Playmaker & Morningstar: 4200→3400 LP

"Nice!" Haru cheered. "You stopped their strategy again!"

Cypher growled. "I was very proud when I made that card! To see it be stopped so easily…"

"The Link Spell: Judgment Arrows' effect!" Bohman declared. "Twin Hydradrive Knight's attack points are doubled!"

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 1800→3600

"…This is going to hurt, isn't it?"

Morningstar nodded at Cypher's question. "Probably."

"Be gone, Morningstar and Playmaker!" Bohman shouted. Twin Hydradrive Knight launched two slashes of fiery energy that destroyed Gallant Gunwoman. The slashes struck the hunter and hacker and sent both flying backwards, where they hit the statue's wrist.

Playmaker & Morningstar: 3400→2300 LP

Twin Hydradrive Knight ATK 3600→1800

"Are you okay, Morningstar?" Cypher asked worryingly.

Ai turned from where he was similarly fretting over his partner. "What's with him?" he asked. "How can he be stronger this quickly?"

"…It's more than that," Playmaker said, still wincing in pain. "His moves were designed specifically to counter us."

"Yes," Morningstar nodded. "You noticed that too."

"Noticed what?" Cypher asked.

"His Break Hydradrive's effect activates with any Tributing effect," Morningstar explained. "Not just a Trap Card."

"That card was meant to handle Linkuriboh and its effect," Playmaker agreed. "And even if it was you who destroyed Property Spray, I had a card meant to counter it as well, but it was used earlier. He's anticipating and making plays that counter both of our strategies."

"That… and you and I have very similar playstyles," Morningstar admitted. "It lets us work together well, but it also makes it easier to fight against both of us." After saying that, the two of them started to push themselves back up.

"I Set one card. I end my turn," Bohman said. He smirked on seeing them struggle. "You look pathetic, Playmaker, which fits you. Continue the duel and fight to the end! You know-nothing fake!"

"Fake?" Playmaker repeated in confusion.

Ai gave voice to everyone's question. "What's he talking about?"

"I know your thoughts as if they're mine. There's no way you can defeat me. Because I'm you, and you're me!"

Morningstar and Playmaker finally stood up. "What do you mean?" Playmaker asked. "Bohman, who are you?"

Bohman closed his eyes. "I'm a victim of the Lost Incident ten years ago."

Their eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

"Eh? He was in a separate room during the incident, like Spectre?"

"I'm talking about the Dark Ignis," Bohman said while smiling. "A truth even you don't know." Seeing their confusion, he said, "Playmaker, you said you're a victim of the Lost Incident. But is that actually true?"

"What do you mean?" Playmaker asked again while Morningstar narrowed his eyes.

"I told you. I'm you, and you're me. Ten years ago, you said you were kidnapped and locked up. And by observing you, that Ignis was created. Your data, feelings, thoughts, experience; everything during that time was backed up. That backup was another you created digitally."

"What do you mean?" Ai asked. Cypher blinked in confusion.

"But due to an accident, that backup changed places with the real one."

"W-What?" Playmaker said, his eyes wide with shock.

"No way! Seriously?" Ai asked.

"In other words, I'm the real one," Bohman said. "And you're the fake backup, Playmaker!"

"That can't be true!" Playmaker insisted, but Morningstar caught a slight waver in his voice.

Bohman laughed. "That's why I know your thoughts and how you duel! Me – sealed away in the digital world – was waiting for this chance! The day I'd defeat the fake and regain my body!" Bohman pointed at Playmaker. "I'll defeat you in this duel! And become you!"

"…Then what are you?" Morningstar asked, turning to Haru. "You two call each other brothers. Are you actually related or is there another meaning?"

Haru scowled. "We really are brothers! I lost my brother ten years ago, and now I'll have him back!" He pointed at Playmaker. "Do you have any idea how much pain you've caused!?" he shouted.

Haru closed his eyes. "I was very young when the Lost Incident occurred. It was just me and my big brother. Then, he disappeared. For six months, I was left alone. I didn't know what to do." Haru clenched his fists and opened his eyes, glaring at Playmaker. "And then the Incident ended. And I thought I would have my brother back. But then I saw your eyes. And… I just knew. I knew you weren't my brother. That you had replaced him. That you were a fake!"

"If he's a fake who took your place, then how did you escape?" Cypher asked Bohman. "You would have gone after him sooner if you hadn't escaped recently. Who let you out?"

Bohman smirked. "I'll leave that to your imagination. But once I win this, I'll get my body back, Playmaker!"

"…"

Morningstar glanced at Playmaker, who was silently glaring at Bohman. "Playmaker, do you think he's telling the truth?" he asked.

"…There's no way to say for certain," Playmaker admitted. "I don't have any memories from before the Lost Incident. It is possible he's telling the truth. Well," he added. "I have one memory from before the Lost Incident. But…"

"I see. In that case, let me ask you this." Playmaker turned to look Morningstar in the eye as said eyes narrowed. "Does it really matter?"

"…No," Playmaker said, a small smile crossing his face. "No, I suppose it doesn't. Either way, whichever one of us wins this duel is likely the real one." Playmaker turned back to Bohman. "I'll continue the duel! My turn! Draw! I summon Widget Kid!" A kid in a dark blue jumpsuit and white jacket wielding a small laser in his right hand appeared.

Widget Kid ATK 1500 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"Widget Kid's monster effect! I can Special Summon a Cyberse monster in Defense Position. Come, RAM Clouder!" A ram with light green fur and mechanical legs, tail, and horns appeared.

RAM Clouder ATK 1800 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"RAM Clouder's monster effect! By Tributing a monster, I can Special Summon a Cyberse monster from my Graveyard. I Tribute Widget Kid to Special Summon Update Jammer!" The kid disintegrated as Playmaker's Link Monster reappeared.

Update Jammer ATK 2000 LINK-2 ←↑

Haru blinked. "He's trying to seal Judgment Arrows again?"

"That's pointless," Bohman reminded Haru. "Twin Hydradrive Knight negates the effects of your Fire and Wind monsters!" A cocoon of wind materialized around Update Jammer.

"…Hey, Cypher?" The Silver Ignis turned to look at Ai, who was messaging him silently in the Ignis language. "Whose side should I take?"

"…What?" Cypher asked flatly.

"I mean, if Bohman's my real origin, shouldn't I side with him? I mean, both have bad personalities, but…"

"…Ai. If Bohman wins, I'll probably get stolen or deleted," Cypher reminded him. "Do you want me to go through that?"

"No! No!" Ai assured him. "Well, I suppose I at least know Playmaker. So I choose him!"

"Good." Cypher nodded. "Because if you didn't, I would have to tell Morningstar. And he would tell Playmaker."

"Eh! No! Please don't tell Morningstar!"

"Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" Playmaker's hand glowed as the link portal appeared. "The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse monsters. I set RAM Clouder and Link-2 Update Jammer in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left, right, and bottom-left arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Detonate Deleter!" A purple humanoid monster wearing a blue vest with multiple batons in it emerged from the portal, summoned to Thrilled Tunneler's right Link Marker.

Detonate Deleter ATK 2100 LINK-3 ←↙→

"Detonate Deleter is Dark Attribute, so Twin Hydradrive Knight can't negate its effects!" Ai revealed to Bohman.

"I activate Update Jammer's effect from my Graveyard," Playmaker continued. "The monster that used it as Link Material can attack twice this turn."

"Attack twice?" Bohman repeated, confused.

"That's pointless," Haru said. "With Judgment Arrows in play, Twin Hydradrive Knight will have 3600 attack points."

"Battle!" Playmaker declared, surprising Haru. "Detonate Deleter attacks Twin Hydradrive Knight!" Detonate Deleter drew two of its batons. "Detonate Deleter's monster effect! The monster it attacks is destroyed without calculating damage!"

"What?" Bohman said, surprised.

"I see! If there's no damage, Judgment Arrows' effect doesn't matter!" Ai cheered.

"It looks like Update Jammer wasn't Playmaker's only way around Judgment Arrows," Cypher assessed.

Detonate Deleter threw its batons at Twin Hydradrive Knight, which then detonated on impact. Bohman winced as his monster was destroyed.

"Good! Now Bohman has no monsters to defend with!"

"And since Detonate Deleter can attack again, along with Thrilled Tunneler, this duel is over," Cypher said in response to Ai's remark.

"Detonate Deleter attacks you directly!" Playmaker declared.

"I won't let you!" Bohman declared. "Trap activate! Hydradrive Tolerance!"

Playmaker's and Morningstar's eyes widened. "That's the Trap Card Haru played earlier!" Ai said.

"The battle damage is reduced by the destroyed Twin Hydradrive Knight's Link Rating times 300!" Detonate Deleter and the Trap Card both glowed as the monster pulled a knife. It slashed Bohman, who winced from the attack.

Bohman & Haru: 2600→1100 LP

"Hydradrive Tolerance then prevents me from taking further damage for the rest of the turn," Bohman said, wincing lightly.

Ai growled. "He had a defensive card ready."

"Even so, those two only have 1100 Life Points left," Morningstar said. "So long as nothing unexpected happens, we're likely to win."

"I Set one card," Playmaker said. "Then, I activate the effect of Cyspirit Code Jamming in the Graveyard. By banishing a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can Set Code Jamming." A screen appeared above Playmaker's Duel Disk, showing several cards. Glancing at Morningstar, he pointed at one. At the hunter's nod, he pressed the monster. "I banish Cyspirit Armorer and reset Code Jamming!" A Set card materialized on Playmaker's field. "I end my turn."

"Smart thinking, Playmaker," Cypher said. "Code Jamming can negate Judgment Arrows' effect so long as we have a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster. And we have the 2200-attack-point Thrilled Tunneler here."

Haru scowled. "You think that's enough to stop us, faker? You think you can keep my brother and I from defeating both of you? Let me show you how wrong you are! My turn! Draw!" Haru looked at his card, then gestured to his field. "I activate Hydradrive Cycle's effect! I pay 400 Life Points to Special Summon an Earth Hydradrive Token!" A token formed in Defense Position.

Bohman & Haru: 1100→700 LP

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear! My circuit! The summoning condition is one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Token in the Link Marker!" Said monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Burn Hydradrive!" Another red dragon emerged from the portal at Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker.

Burn Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Property Changer!" A gauntleted arm was on the card, its fingers spread wide and surrounded by six bubbles. Said bubbles were colored purple, red, blue, yellow, orange, and green. "And equip it to Thrilled Tunneler!"

Morningstar blinked. "My monster?"

"Property Changer lets me declare an Attribute and change your monster to that Attribute," Haru explained. "I declare Fire and make Thrilled Tunneler a Fire monster." A red aura appeared around Thrilled Tunneler.

"Since Thrilled Tunneler is now Fire Attribute, Burn Hydradrive can attack directly," Cypher noted.

"Yes, but since we have Code Jamming-."

"That's pointless," Haru interrupted Ai. "While I have a 'Hydradrive' monster whose Attribute is the same as the equipped monster, Property Changer prevents you from targeting my Spell or Trap Cards with your card effects!" Playmaker's eyes widened.

"Ah! If we can't target his cards, then we can't negate Judgment Arrows or Property Changer!" Ai said, panicking.

"No, you can't," Haru agreed before playing his last card. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Hydradrive Impact and equip it to Burn Hydradrive. While equipped with Hydradrive Impact, Burn Hydradrive must attack, and if it attacks directly while you control a monster, the damage from that attack is doubled!"

"Eh? Doubled!?" Ai screeched. "That would mean-."

"Judgment Arrows raises Burn Hydradrive's attack points to 2000," Cypher said. "Double that is 4000."

"You realize what that means, right?" Haru asked, sneering. "It's over, faker! Battle! Burn Hydradrive attacks you directly!" The red dragon released a blast of red fire at Playmaker, who only gestured to his field.

"Trap activate!" he declared to Haru's surprise. "Cynet Refresh! Since a Cyberse monster attacked, all monsters in the Main Monster Zones are destroyed!"

"What!?" Haru said as Burn Hydradrive, Detonate Deleter and Thrilled Tunneler all disintegrated. Haru grit his teeth. "Since Burn Hydradrive was destroyed, I can Special Summon a Hydradrive Token!" Another token materialized in Defense Position.

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Furthermore, Property Changer's effect activates! When the equipped monster is destroyed by a card effect, I can banish Property Changer to draw one card and inflict 1000 damage to you!"

"What?" Playmaker said before feeling a sudden pressure, making him wince.

Playmaker & Morningstar: 2300→1300 LP

Haru drew, then said, "Appear! My circuit! The summoning condition is one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Token in the Link Marker!" His monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Coolant Hydradrive!" The blue mechanical dragon materialized at Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker.

Coolant Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

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

"During the End Phase, Cynet Refresh's effect Special Summons every Cyberse Link Monster that was destroyed by its effect to the owners' fields." Burn Hydradrive reappeared at Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker while Thrilled Tunneler and Detonate Deleter reappeared in their previous positions on Playmaker's and Morningstar's field.

Burn Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler ATK 1600 LINK-2 ←→

Detonate Deleter ATK 2100 LINK-3 ←↙→

"Now it's my turn," Morningstar said, stepping forward. "My turn! Draw!" He looked at his card, but before he could make a move, Playmaker spoke up.

"Morningstar." The hunter looked back at the hacker. "Do you remember anything from before the incident?"

"…Yes, I do," Morningstar said, thinking about the priest who took him in and saved his life.

"…I see." Playmaker frowned to himself but didn't say anything more, so Morningstar returned to the duel.

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Wanderer in my Graveyard! By shuffling it into my Deck, I can Special Summon a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard!"

"Cyspirit Wanderer?" Haru blinked. "When was that-?" His eyes widened. "That was the monster you sent to the Graveyard with Cyspirit Gift on your first turn!"

"Yes. Resurrect, Cyspirit Gallant Gunwoman!" The skeleton in a corset and cape reappeared.

Cyspirit Gallant Gunwoman ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↑→

"Since I control a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Valkyrie!" A feminine skeleton in white armor appeared in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Valkyrie ATK 2100 DEF 400 LVL: 5

"Appear! The circuit between light and darkness!" The Link portal materialized in the air above Morningstar. "The summoning conditions are three or more 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set Valkyrie, Thrilled Tunneler, and the Link-2 Gallant Gunwoman in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left, right, top-left, and top-right arrows, turning them red.

Haru's eyes widened again. "Link-4!?"

"Circuit combine! The galaxy's rage that breaks all limitations! Link Summon! Take flight! Link-4! Cyspirit Neo Nova!" A large black mechanical dragon with dark silver armor emerged from the portal. It spread its midnight-black wings and roared from Detonate Deleter's left Link Marker.

Cyspirit Neo Nova ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↖↗→

"Neo Nova?" Haru repeated, taking a few steps back.

"I don't know if you're telling the truth," Morningstar told Bohman. "And I don't care. Playmaker is Playmaker!" Morningstar gestured to his field. "Neo Nova's monster effect! When it points to one monster, I can draw a card for each monster it points to. Orbital Gain!"

Morningstar drew one card for Detonate Deleter, then gestured to his field again. "Trap activate! Cyspirit Code Jamming! Since I control a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster, Judgment Arrows' effect is negated!"

Haru grit his teeth. "Since Code Jamming was Set by its effect, it is now banished. I summon Cyspirit Lancer!" A skeleton in white armor with a lance and shield appeared at Neo Nova's left Link Marker.

Cyspirit Lancer ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Lancer's monster effect! When it is in Attack Position, all 'Cyspirit' monsters gain 300 attack points!"

Cyspirit Lancer ATK 1800→2100

Cyspirit Neo Nova ATK 2500→2800

"Well done, Morningstar," Cypher praised his partner. "Our three monsters will be more than enough to end this duel."

"Battle! Neo Nova attacks Burn Hydradrive!"

Haru gestured to his field. "Trap activate! Hydradrive Burst!" The card showed Burn Hydradrive, roaring and covered in flames. "With this, I can destroy one 'Hydradrive' Link Monster I control and one Link Monster you control!"

"That's pointless!" Cypher shouted. "Since we used Cyspirit Valkyrie to Link Summon Neo Nova, it cannot be destroyed by card effects!"

"But Detonate Deleter can be!" Haru countered as Coolant Hydradrive and Detonate Deleter both exploded. Morningstar and Playmaker grit their teeth. "Hydradrive Burst has one more effect. Since we have less than 1000 Life Points, we gain Life Points equal to their combined Link Ratings time 600."

"Coolant Hydradrive was Link-1, and Detonate Deleter was Link-3," Ai noted.

"That means they gain 2400 Life Points," Cypher finished, annoyed.

Bohman & Haru: 700→3100 LP

"Coolant Hydradrive's effect activates! Since it was destroyed, I Special Summon a Hydradrive Token!" Said token appeared in Defense Position.

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

Morningstar grit his teeth. "The battle continues! Neo Nova attacks Burn Hydradrive! Cosmic Cannon!" Neo Nova opened its mouth and gathered white energy in its maw. It then blasted said energy at Burn Hydradrive. Before the attack hit, Bohman stepped in front of Haru again. The blow struck, destroying Burn Hydradrive and making Bohman grit his teeth in pain.

Bohman & Haru: 3100→1300 LP

"When Burn Hydradrive is destroyed, a Hydradrive Token is Special Summoned!" Another token appeared in Defense Position.

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Cyspirit Lancer attacks Hydradrive Token!" Lancer struck one of the tokens, destroying it. "I Set one card. I end my turn. And during the End Phase, Neo Nova's effect requires me to send the top card of my Deck to the Graveyard." Morningstar sent Cyspirit Mongrel to the Graveyard.

Cypher growled. "Now our Life Points are equal, but with Neo Nova on our field, we have the advantage."

Bohman fell to one knee next to Haru. "Brother!" Haru kneeled next to Bohman, a hand on his shoulder. "Pull yourself together!"

Bohman grit his teeth and glared at Playmaker. "We won't lose," he told Haru. "To win, I must remember those hellish days!"

His eyes narrowed at Playmaker. "Ten years ago, I saw you rescued. Afterwards, I continued to live in despair. All alone in eternal darkness. Forever… Forever!" Bohman clenched his fist. "I will never forgive you!"

The sky darkened as Bohman stood up. Looking around in surprise, Haru backed away from his brother as yellow flashes appeared in the clouds beneath them.

Morningstar and Playmaker looked around in surprise. "What's happening?" Ai asked.

Tendrils of yellow lightning burst out from the clouds and struck Bohman as he shouted at the top of his lungs. Haru backed further away so he wouldn't be struck. But the lightning soon faded as Bohman glared at Playmaker.

"I'm the emissary of revenge," Bohman said. "I won't fall until I defeat you! My turn! Draw!"

"This is a shocking turn of events," Ai said.

"…That was a terrible pun," Cypher replied.

"I activate the effect of Hydradrive Cycle to Special Summon an Earth Hydradrive Token!" A token with an orange light around it materialized on Bohman's field in Defense Position.

Bohman & Haru: 1300→900 LP

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"When a 'Hydradrive' monster is Special Summoned, Break Hydradrive's effect activates from the Graveyard. I can Special Summon it in Defense Position." A dark red four-legged monster with a gray head in the shape of a triangle appeared.

Break Hydradrive ATK 800 DEF 800 LVL: 1

"He was willing gave up Life Points to get more monsters, so…"

"Something's coming," Playmaker said, confirming Ai's suspicions. "He hasn't given up."

"That's to be expected," Morningstar replied.

"The requirement has now been met!" Bohman declared.

"Requirement?" Playmaker repeated in confusion.

"Come, Data Storm!"

A tornado of Data Material appeared on the horizon. Everyone braced themselves against the forces of the winds generated by the Data Storm. Everyone except Bohman.

"What? What's happening?" Ai asked.

"I… don't know," Cypher admitted.

"What are you planning to do, brother?" Haru asked. He had grabbed onto the statue to keep from being blown away.

The star on Bohman's armor was glowing. "Witness my power, Playmaker!" he declared.

"This wind… He has 900 Life Points…Can it be?"

Morningstar's eyes widened as he caught Playmaker's train of thought. "But… that should be impossible!"

The tornado finally reached Bohman, who held out his right hand. "When I have 1000 or lower Life Points, I can get a random Cyberse Link Monster from the Data Storm!"

"That's-!" Ai said.

"I activate my Skill! Storm Access!" Bohman's right hand glowed with golden light, then with purple winds as a blue card formed. The light dissipated, revealing a card, which Bohman grabbed.

"Wow!" Haru said as the winds died down. Bohman smirked at Playmaker and Morningstar.

"It's possible to use a Skill during a Master Duel?" Playmaker asked.

"I can't create a Data Storm this powerful from nothing!" Ai said. "So how could he?"

"I want to say that what he did was impossible," Cypher admitted. "But Jester did something impossible just yesterday." He growled. "Why do the antagonists always get the cheat codes?"

"Brace yourselves," Morningstar said. "He's not done yet."

"Appear, my three circuits!" Three Link portal appeared above Bohman. His three monsters each entered the bottom arrows of the portals. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Burn, Flow, and Coolant Hydradrive!" The red, green, and blue dragons emerged from the portals, summoned to Judgment Arrows' top-left, top, and top-right Link Markers respectively.

Burn Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

Flow Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

Coolant Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Three 'Hydradrive' monsters with different Attributes!" Playmaker exclaimed.

"Prepare yourselves, Playmaker and Morningstar! Appear! The circuit that connects the truth!" The Link portal appeared above Bohman. "The summoning conditions are three 'Hydradrive' Link Monsters. I set Burn, Flow, and Coolant Hydradrive in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear, the emissary of revenge! Link-3! Trident Hydradrive Lord!" A humanoid monster in gold and white armor with a blue cape emerged from the portal. It wielded a gold and black scepter that reminded Morningstar of an axe. Bohman summoned his new Link Monster to Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker.

Trident Hydradrive Lord ATK 2300 LINK-3 ←↓→

Morningstar grit his teeth. "That must be the monster he obtained from Storm Access."

"That's it!" Cypher growled. "I'm going to find out how to use Hurricane Heavensgate in a Master Duel. If our opponents can cheat, so should we!"

"…There's something wrong with what you just said," Ai told Cypher.

"When Trident Hydradrive Lord is Link Summoned," Bohman said, "it can gain the Attributes of the monsters used to Summon it." Three snakes, colored blue, red, and green, appeared with their tails tied around Trident Hydradrive Lord's staff.

"That means Trident Hydradrive Lord is Fire, Water, and Wind Attribute," Playmaker noted.

"As long as Hydradrive Lord is on the field, your monsters with those Attributes have their effects negated!"

"Lancer and Neo Nova are both Light Attribute!" Cypher rebutted. "So your Link Monster can't negate their effects!"

"Too bad!" Ai said.

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Hydradrive Accelerator and equip it to Hydradrive Lord!"

"An Equip Spell Card?" Morningstar asked.

"Hydradrive Accelerator's effects depend on the Attribute of the monster equipped with it. When that monster is Wind, I can negate the effect of your card that targets my cards, except the equipped monster, once per turn. If it is Water, it is unaffected by your Trap Cards. And if it is Fire, your Spell Cards can't affect it!" Hydradrive Lord's staff glowed with multicolored energy.

"That monster's defense is too strong!" Ai protested. Morningstar and Playmaker grit their teeth.

"Battle! Hydradrive Lord attacks Cyspirit Lancer!"

"Trap activate!" Morningstar declared. "Cyspirit Offering!" The card showed Cyspirit Shieldmaiden laying down on an altar while Cyspirit Angelic Avenger stood above it, a knife in its raised hands. "By Tributing a Level 8 or lower monster, I can increase a 'Cyspirit' monster's attack points by that monster's ATK until the end of the turn. I Tribute Lancer and grant its attack points to Neo Nova!" Lancer disintegrated as Neo Nova glowed.

Cyspirit Neo Nova ATK 2800→4900→4600

"Well done," Cypher complimented his partner. "Judgment Arrows will raise Hydradrive Lord's attack points to 4600 if it attacks; any battle this turn will end in a draw."

"Are you sure about that?"

Morningstar's eyes widened at Bohman's words. "Resume the battle! Hydradrive Lord attacks Neo Nova!"

Bohman revealed the last card in his hand. "I activate the effect of the Assault Hydradrive in my hand!" The card showed a monster similar in appearance to Hydradrive Booster, except the color of its faceplate and markings were reversed and there was a small cannon attached to its underside. "When my 'Hydradrive' Link Monster battles, I can discard Assault Hydradrive to give that monster 1000 attack points until the end of the Damage Step!"

Trident Hydradrive Lord ATK 2300→3300

"Judgment Arrows' effect! Hydradrive Lord's attack points are doubled!"

Trident Hydradrive Lord ATK 3300→6600

"6600 attack points!?" Ai screeched. "That's bad! We can't survive that!"

Cypher and Morningstar growled. Playmaker grit his teeth.

"It's the end! Vanish, Playmaker! Morningstar!" Hydradrive Lord's staff glowed with energy, which it sent hurtling through Neo Nova. The dragon was bisected in a massive explosion that lit up the shadowed world.

As the light started to fade, Haru cheered. "Yes! We won, brother!"

"Yes, Haru," Bohman agreed, smiling. "Now, give me back my body, Playmaker! And Morningstar, you can stay here in this virtual prison as well!"

The smoke cleared, revealing Playmaker and Morningstar. The latter was barely standing, having an arm wrapped around the other's shoulders.

"Not yet!" Playmaker said, gritting his teeth.

Playmaker & Morningstar: 1300→100 LP

Trident Hydradrive Lord ATK 6600→2300

"What?" Bohman said in surprise. Haru likewise blinked at the duo. "How are you still standing? How do you still have Life Points?"

Morningstar smirked as he removed his arm from Playmaker's shoulders. "Cyspirit Offering has one more effect," he explained. "The turn it is activated, all battle damage is reduced by the Level of the Tributed monster times 200. Lancer was Level 4, so the damage was reduced by 800, to 1200."

Bohman scowled. "How insolent."

"I prefer stubborn to insolent," Morningstar responded as he and Playmaker glared at Bohman.

Bohman smirked. "You're down to 100 Life Points, but you both still have your fighting spirit. No wonder you're my copy, Playmaker. And you, Morningstar, who has undergone the same pain as me; of course you would be this strong."

Bohman pointed at them. "But your fight is in vain. I'll bury both of you along with those Ignises!"

Cypher growled. "You will never get the chance to bury me!"

"Do your best, Playmaker!"

"…Morningstar, I have another question," Playmaker said, ignoring Ai.

"What's that?"

"Do you remember what happened before the Lost Incident? Before you woke up in that room?"

Morningstar opened his mouth, then closed it. He did remember that day. He remembered it all too well…

---

Ten years ago…

A small boy ran down the street, holding the bread in his hands close to his chest. He had gone shopping with Father Narahiko, and the priest had run into an old friend. The priest had asked him to run back to the church with the communion bread while they chatted. The boy didn't mind; he knew the way from the church to the bakery and back.

But just as he turned a corner, he ran into someone, knocking both of them down. "Ouch," he muttered. Looking up, he blinked. The person he ran into was a girl his age, with green hair tied into two braids over her shoulders.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the boy said, looking down and picking up his bread. He also saw several cards on the ground and started picking them up. "Are these… Duel Monster cards?"

The girl blinked as she started picking the cards up too. "Yes, they are. Do you have your own Deck?"

"Yes! Father bought some for me a week ago." He had overheard some people talk about the card game after one of Father Narahiko's services and had asked the priest about it. Father Narahiko had bought him some cards, which quickly became his most prized possession.

"Do you want to duel?" The girl asked excitedly. "My brother says I'm really good!"

"Sure!" the boy nodded.

"Excuse me." The boy and girl looked up and saw a tall man had approached without them noticing. A tall man with black hair and silver highlights. "The two of you look lost. Do you need help getting home?"

---

Present day…

"Yeah, I do," he said. "I met a girl, and then a strange man asked if he could guide us home. Next thing I knew, I woke up in the white room."

"…Thank you, Morningstar," Playmaker said with a smile. When Morningstar looked at him with a raised eyebrow, Playmaker addressed Bohman. "I have one question for you as well. Who kidnapped you in the Lost Incident?"

Bohman smirked. "That's what you're asking? Dr. Kogami, of course!"

Playmaker closed his eyes with a relieved smile. "After hearing that, I'm convinced." He opened his eyes. "You're not my copy!"

"Of course. You're the copy!" Lightning flashed at Bohman's words.

"Wrong. The memories you have… I have no memories of my body and consciousness being replaced! You must be imprinted with fake memories!"

"That's nonsense!" Bohman responded. "I have clear memories. You're the one imprinted with fake memories!"

Morningstar blinked. "Is that possible, Cypher? To give someone fake memories?"

"…It's as possible as a digital copy of a person switching places with the original," Cypher replied.

"Fair point."

"But which one of them is right?" Ai asked, clutching his head. "There's no way to check memories."

"Exactly. There's no way to check." Morningstar blinked and Ai looked at Playmaker in confusion. "If someone can imprint fake memories, there's a chance my memories were replaced too. No one can prove which of us is real! But I still believe I'm the real one!"

Morningstar looked at him in consideration. "You asked me about my last memory before the Lost Incident. Earlier you said you only had one memory from before the incident. What was it?"

"Meeting a person. We talked about Duel Monsters, and he invited me to his house. That person was Revolver." Morningstar's eyes widened in realization. "That's why he couldn't stand his wrongdoings and became our voice of hope."

Three things, Morningstar thought. Think of three things.

"That's the truth inside me!" Playmaker held up a hand. "One: I promise to win this duel! Two: I'll retrieve Kusanagi's brother's consciousness data from you! Three: I'll uncover your identity and the one controlling you!"

"We'll do those three things, Playmaker," Morningstar interjected. "You're still terrible at teamwork."

Playmaker smirked. "Look who's talking."

"How dare a copy speak nonsense!" Bohman said, clenching a fist. "I'll make sure you can't talk again!"

"That won't happen!" Playmaker declared. "Because thanks to Morningstar, I'll defeat you this turn! My turn! Draw!"

Playmaker looked at his card, then played it. "I summon Draconnet!" A white mechanical dragon with blue lines covering its body appeared.

Draconnet ATK 1400 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"Draconnet's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower Normal Monster from my hand or Deck in Defense Position. Come, from my Deck, Bitron!" A small white monster with six fins and electronic blue eyes appeared.

Bitron ATK 200 DEF 2000 LVL: 2

"Appear! The circuit that leads to the future! The summoning condition is one Normal Monster! I set Bitron in the Link Marker!" Bitron entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Link Spider!" A blue mechanical spider emerged, summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone.

Link Spider ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Link Spider's monster effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my hand to its Link Marker. Come, Protron!" A small blue and white monster with smaller blue eyes materialized at Link Spider's Link Marker in Defense Position.

Protron ATK 100 DEF 100 LVL: 1

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Guard Block in the Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a Link-3 or lower 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from the Graveyard. Resurrect, Cyspirit Gallant Gunwoman!" The feminine skeleton reappeared, guns cocked and skirt twirling around her.

Cyspirit Gallant Gunwoman ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↑→

"Gallant Gunwoman cannot attack or be used as Link Material this turn."

Morningstar blinked. "Playmaker, what are you planning?"

"I'm planning to win this," Playmaker answered. "With both of our powers. Appear! The circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters. I set Draconnet and Link Spider in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Clock Spartoi!" A mechanical warrior with red skin and silver and gold armor emerged from the portal. It swung its weapon, a futuristic spear, from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Clock Spartoi ATK 800 LINK-2 ↓↘

Haru blinked in confusion. This Link Monster has less attack points than Link Spider and Draconnet."

"What are you planning?" Bohman asked.

"Clock Spartoi's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned, I can add Cynet Fusion from my Deck to my hand."

"What?" Haru gasped.

"That's a Fusion card!" Bohman said. "Can it be…?"

"Well, looks like we're about to see Playmaker's newest ace," Cypher said, his eyes narrowed while Morningstar smiled.

"I activate Linkuriboh's effect from my Graveyard! By Tributing a Level 1 monster, it Special Summons itself!" Protron disappeared as Linkuriboh reappeared, cooing from Clock Spartoi's bottom Link Marker.

Linkuriboh ATK 300 LINK-1 ↓

"Clock Spartoi's additional effect! When a monster is Special Summoned to its Link Marker, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated to its Link Marker. Appear, Clock Wyvern!" A mechanical blue and purple dragon appeared and roared from Clock Spartoi's bottom-right Link Marker in Attack Position.

Clock Wyvern ATK 1800 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

Haru blinked. "When did that monster go to the Graveyard?"

"Was it back then?" Haru looked at his brother, whose eyes had gone wide with shock. "He sent it to the Graveyard on the second turn!" Haru gasped, remembering Flame Bufferlo's effect. "Playmaker! You expected all this from the start!?"

Morningstar smirked. "A fake like you can't anticipate my plans!" Playmaker declared. "I activate the Spell Card: Cynet Fusion! I fuse Clock Wyvern, Gallant Gunwoman, and Clock Spartoi!"

The lines on Playmaker's suit glowed violet as Clock Wyvern, Gallant Gunwoman, and Clock Spartoi broke apart into red, blue, and green particles respectively. The particles swirled together in a vortex as Playmaker chanted.

"The strong ones gather before its grand wings! Become a new legend! Fusion Summon!" Streams of red, blue, and green energy erupted upwards before merging into a pillar of purple energy. "Come out! Cyberse Clock Dragon!" The dragon that emerged from the violet storm was primarily purple in color with pink lines running across its body. It had black armor on its thighs, lower arms, shoulders, and the back of its neck and tail. Its hands and feet were pink with white claws, and its wings were split into six golden sections. Four blue eyes gleamed as the dragon was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Cyberse Clock Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"It's a Dark Attribute Fusion Monster!" Ai said.

"So that's Ai's Fusion Monster," Cypher mused, looking the dragon up and down. "It has fewer attack and defense points and a lower Level than Savage Shogun, but I can sense a great deal of power within it."

"Cyberse Clock Dragon's monster effect! For every Fusion Material's Link Marker, I send a card from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard. And for each sent card, it gains 1000 attack points! I send four cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard."

"Cyberse Clock Dragon gains 4000 attack points!" Ai cheered. The dragon roared as it glowed red.

Cyberse Clock Dragon ATK 2500→6500

Bohman gasped. "6500 attack points!"

"This is bad!" Haru grit his teeth. "We can't survive an attack from that!"

Cypher laughed. "So that's why he used Gallant Gunwoman. Do you see, Bohman? This is the strength of my partner's friendship with Playmaker!"

"…Did you really just say that?" Morningstar asked, giving the Ignis a weird look.

Ai did the smart thing and ignored Cypher. "Destroy him and Hydradrive Lord, Playmaker!"

"I won't let you!" Bohman declared. "I activate Hydradrive Cycle's effect! I pay 400 Life Points to Special Summon a Fire Hydradrive Token to your field in Defense Position!" A Hydradrive Token with a red aura appeared on their field.

Bohman & Haru: 900→500 LP

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

Playmaker gasped. "Why our field?" Ai asked.

"Hydradrive Lord's monster effect! Until the end of the turn, all your monsters become the same Attribute as the targeted monster! I select Hydradrive Token!" Hydradrive Lord pointed its scepter at said Token.

"I see!" Haru smiled. "If Clock Dragon is changed to Fire Attribute, its effects will be negated by Hydradrive Lord's effect."

"No!" Ai panicked. "Clock Dragon's attack points will return to 2500!"

"I told you that I know everything about your dueling, Playmaker!" Bohman boasted.

Playmaker smiled in response. "Are you sure about that?" Bohman lost his smirk at Playmaker's words. "Clock Dragon's additional effect! When there's a Link Monster on my field, you can only target Clock Dragon for attacks and effects!"

"What? We have a Link Monster?" Ai gasped on seeing the small blue monster jumping up and down.

"Kuri kuri ku!"

"You did! Linkuriboh!"

"Hydradrive Lord can only select Clock Dragon's Dark Attribute!" Playmaker continued. "You can't negate my effect!" Bohman grit his teeth. "Battle! Clock Dragon attacks Trident Hydradrive Lord!"

"Judgment Arrows' effect! Hydradrive Lord's attack points are doubled!"

Trident Hydradrive Lord ATK 2300→4600

"That's pointless!" Playmaker declared. "Go! Pulse Pressure!" Purple lightning gathered across Clock Dragon's wings and upper body and gathered in its mouth. The dragon launched the energy at Hydradrive Lord in a stream, destroying it. Bohman and Haru yelled as they were sent flying backwards.

Bohman & Haru: 500→0 LP

"We did it! We win!" Ai cheered.

"As if mine and Morningstar's presence can have any other outcome," Cypher said. Morningstar smiled at that.

Bohman groaned from where he laid on the statue's hand. "We lost?"

Haru groaned next to him as he pushed himself into a sitting position against the statue's sleeve. "I really thought we were strong enough…"

Playmaker took a step towards Bohman, but cracks suddenly appeared on the statues. The hacker and hunter gasped as the statues started falling to the sides. Realizing the statues were collapsing, Morningstar and Playmaker summoned their D-Boards and jumped on them.

Haru looked up at them and grit his teeth. "Playmaker!" he shouted. "My brother will come back! Stay tuned!" The statues fell beneath the clouds at his words, leaving the hunter, hacker, and their Ignis the only ones around.

Or so they thought. "Are you two okay?" They turned as Soulburner approached them on his D-Board.

"Soulburner!" Playmaker exclaimed.

"What took you so long?" Morningstar asked. The drone he had sent to monitor Soulburner reached him and receded into his Duel Disk.

"The whole Wind World is destabilizing!" Flame warned them.

They watched as the clouds, and everything beneath them, started to disappear into blue data. "The world is vanishing!" Ai panicked.

"We'll be in trouble if we stay here," Cypher warned them.

"Let's use the escape program to log out!" Soulburner did just that after he said it.

"Our turn," Cypher said. Morningstar nodded as he logged out. Left alone, Playmaker looked over the world.

Bohman… he thought. Who is he? And who is the one who controls him? I swear I'll find out who! The hacker logged out a second later.

---

On an island in LINK VRAINS, a cloaked man watches a recording on his Duel Disk. He doesn't speak as he watches his ally lose to the person he least expected.

"So HK-70 lost?"

The cloaked man turned as Jester walked up to him.

"Yes."

"Was any other result actually expected?" Jester asked mockingly. "Morningstar is strong, certainly strong enough to defeat your pet AI duelist."

"I did expect Morningstar to win, but HK's main goal was to observe his adaptability; to see how he handled facing a different kind of opponent." The man turned back to the recording and pressed a button. "But it wasn't Morningstar who defeated HK."

Jester watched silently as Ghost Girl intercepted HK's shot, then used a Synchro Monster to defeat it.

"Well… that was unexpected," Jester admitted. "I did not foresee the mercenary woman giving us any trouble."

"Neither did it," the cloaked man admitted. "A good reminder that even a supposed God can make mistakes."

"What did it not see? That this Ghost Girl would oppose us, or that she would use Synchro Summoning?"

"Both. But those are not the only mistakes we've made."

The man rewound the video to before the duel. To the duel HK-70 observed between Blood Shepherd and Playmaker. Jester didn't say anything as Playmaker Fusion Summoned a monster whose attack points reached 7500 and defeated the bounty hunter.

"…Playmaker's victory was expected, as was him learning Fusion Summoning," Jester said softly. "But it would seem we underestimated how powerful said Fusion Summoning would be."

"HK also detected Ritual Summoning from the one called Soulburner, and Synchro Summoning from Morningstar," the cloaked man said as he ended the recording. "And before his defeat, his scanners detected two bursts of Fusion Summoning. The locations correlate to Soulburner and the one identified as Blue Girl, who seems to be another avatar for Blue Angel."

"Hmm. It would seem our opposition is learning and evolving at a faster rate than we anticipated," Jester mused. Then he chuckled. "Well, that certainly makes things more interesting."

Before the cloaked man could answer, his Duel Disk beeped. Seeing he had a call, and seeing who it was from, he pressed a button. "It is me."

"Enforcer No. I." The voice on the other end was scrambled, as it always was. "Has the data from HK-70 been processed?"

"Yes. Sending it now." The man sent the data and waited a few minutes as the one on the other end watched it.

"…Interesting. I did not anticipate this Ghost Girl interfering."

"Should we adjust our plains for her interference? As well as this Blue Girl?" Jester asked.

"…No, Enforcer No. XIII," the voice answered. "They are only strong enough to slow us down, not stop us. The first stage is already in motion. What of the Ignis?"

"HK detected the Wind Ignis in the world, and a low-powered scan detected traces of the Light Ignis as well," the cloaked man answered.

"…So the Light and Wind Ignis are in concert. And their world?"

"Disappeared. The connection between it and LINK VRAINS was cut."

"Very well. Jester, you have new orders. Search for the missing Ignis, but don't engage them. Simply relay their location and keep tabs on them. I will engage them personally when the time comes."

"Understood," Jester said, slightly bowing his head before teleporting away.

"Zahhak," the voice said, addressing the cloaked man. "Continue your observations of Playmaker, Morningstar, Soulburner, and their Ignis. But there is an additional task for you."

"And that is?"

"We have received word from an agent within SOL Technologies. The bounty hunter Techbane reported fighting an unknown ally of Morningstar. A woman named Cassiel. And she used the Cyangel archetype."

"…So, the Cyangels have finally appeared," Zahhak said softly. The barest trace of excitement could be heard in his voice. "You want me to engage Cassiel?"

"Not yet. What files we have of the Deck are lacking in information. Add Cassiel to your list of observation targets for now. Once we have a solid understanding of the Cyangel Deck, you are to engage and retrieve the Deck's data."

"Very well."

"There is one more thing," the voice said, almost as an afterthought. "I admit to some concern regarding the tasks you face. I do not doubt your capabilities, but you and Jester are still human, and thus can only do so much by yourselves. I am sending reinforcements to alleviate your burden."

"Who?"

"Enforcer No. V has finished his task in Brussels. Once he finishes his report, I will assign Merlin to the Final Ascension Plan. He shall arrive within two weeks' time."

"Hmm. Merlin does solid work. His aid will be appreciated."

"Good. Until he arrives, continue your assigned task. And remember," it added, "if you observe Morningstar using the Link-5 Cyspirit, you are to engage him immediately and commence retrieval. That is an order, Zahhak."

"I am fully aware." Zahhak ended the call after that.

He signed and placed a hand on his hip. "Morningstar, when I first heard the Cyspirits had been found, I thought you would be a worthy foe. But you've shown me nothing I haven't seen before. There is nothing of interest about you."

Zahhak looked over LINK VRAINS, a soft red glow under his cloak. "Work to become stronger, and fight to achieve your full power. Otherwise, I might have to give you a push. And that push just might destroy you."

---

Playmaker & Morningstar vs. Bohman & Haru

This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel. Morningstar & Playmaker share a field, GY, and LP while Bohman & Haru share a field, GY, and LP.

Turn 1: Bohman

As there are no monsters in the Main Monster Zones, Bohman Special Summons Hydradrive Booster (0/0/1) in Attack Position. Bohman uses Hydradrive Booster to Link Summon Burn Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Bohman Normal Summons Hydradrive Booster (0/0/1). Bohman uses Hydradrive Booster to Link Summon Coolant Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to Burn Hydradrive's Link Marker. Bohman activates the Link Spell Card Judgment Arrows (↖↑↗) at the Spell & Trap Zone Coolant Hydradrive's Link Marker points to. Bohman uses Burn Hydradrive and Coolant Hydradrive to Link Summon Twin Hydradrive Knight (1800/2/←→) to Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker. As Twin Hydradrive Knight was Link Summoned, Bohman activates its effect to change its Attribute to that of the original Attributes of the Link Monsters used for its Link Summon, in this case both Fire and Water. Monsters with the same Attribute as Twin Hydradrive Knight have their effects negated. Bohman Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He Normal Summons Flame Bufferlo (1400/200/3). Playmaker activates the effect of Catche Eve L2 in his hand, reducing the Level of a Level 3 or higher monster he controls by 2 to Special Summon Catche Eve L2. He reduces the Level of Flame Bufferlo (Flame Bufferlo: 3→1) and Special Summons Catche Eve L2 (800/600/2) in Attack Position. Playmaker uses Flame Bufferlo to Link Summon Linkuriboh (300/1/↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Flame Bufferlo left the field, Playmaker activates its effect, discarding a Cyberse monster to draw 2 cards. He discards Clock Wyvern. As Playmaker controls two or more monsters with the same Type, he Special Summons Cyberse White Hat (1800/2400/6). Playmaker uses Cyberse White Hat and Catche Eve LV2 to Link Summon Update Jammer (2000/2/←↑) to Linkuriboh's Link Marker. As Cyberse White Hat was sent to the GY as material for a Link Summon, Playmaker activates its effect, reducing the ATK of all monsters Bohman and Haru control by 1000 (Twin Hydradrive Knight: 1800→800).

Update Jammer attacks Twin Hydradrive Knight. As a Link Monster it points to battled, the effect of Judgment Arrows doubles its ATK during damage calculation (Twin Hydradrive Knight: 800→1600). As a Cyberse monster battled, Playmaker activates the effect of Update Jammer, negating the effects of all other cards on the field, and returning the ATK/DEF of the battling monsters to their original ATK/DEF, then if Bohman's monster is destroyed by that battle, Update Jammer inflicts 1000 damage to Bohman and Haru (Twin Hydradrive Knight: 1600→1800). The attack continues and Twin Hydradrive Knight is destroyed (Bohman & Haru: 4000→3800 LP). As Bohman's monster was destroyed by battle, the effect of Update Jammer inflicts 1000 damage to Bohman and Haru (Bohman and Haru: 3800→2800 LP). Linkburiboh attacks Bohman and Haru directly (Bohman and Haru: 2800→2500 LP). Playmaker Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 3: Haru

Haru draws. He Normal Summons Hydradrive Booster (0/0/1). Haru uses Booster to Link Summon Coolant Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker. Haru activates the Spell Card Hydradrive Rebuild, which destroys 1 "Hydradrive" monster he controls. Haru destroys Coolant Hydradrive. Since Coolant Hydradrive was destroyed, its effect Special Summons 1 Hydradrive Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. Since the monster destroyed by Hydradrive Rebuild activated its effect in the GY, Haru can Special Summon 1 "Hydradrive" monster from his GY, but it cannot attack, its effects are negated, and it is destroyed during the End Phase. Haru Special Summons Coolant Hydradrive (1000/1/↓). Haru uses Hydradrive Token to Link Summon Flow Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker. Haru uses Coolant Hydradrive and Flow Hydradrive to Link Summon Twin Hydradrive Knight (1800/2/←→) to Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker. As Twin Hydradrive Knight was Link Summoned, Haru activates its effect to change its Attribute to that of the original Attributes of the Link Monsters used for its Link Summon, in this case Water and Wind. Monsters with the same Attribute as Twin Hydradrive Knight have their effects negated. Update Jammer's effects are negated. Haru then activates the Spell Card Hydradrive Continuation and targets Twin Hydradrive Knight for its effect. Haru can Special Summon 1 "Hydradrive" Link Monster from his GY with the same Attribute as Twin Hydradrive Knight, but it will be destroyed during the End Phase. Haru Special Summons Flow Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker.

As Playmaker controls a Wind Attribute monster, Flow Hydradrive can attack directly. Flow Hydradrive attacks Playmaker directly, with the effect of Judgment Arrows activating (Flow Hydradrive: 1000→2000). As an opponent's monster attacked, Playmaker activates Linkuriboh's effect, Tributing it to lower Flow Hydradrive's ATK to 0 until the end of the turn (Flow Hydradrive: 2000→0). A replay occurs and Haru cancels his attack. Twin Hydradrive Knight attacks Update Jammer. The effect of Judgment Arrows activates (Twin Hydradrive Knight: 1800→3600). Update Jammer is destroyed (Playmaker & Morningstar: 4000→2400 LP). Haru Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn, and Flow Hydradrive is destroyed by the effect of Hydradrive Continuation. As Flow Hydradrive was destroyed by a card effect, it Special Summons 1 Hydradrive Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position.

Turn 4: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. He activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Gift, which lets him discard 1 "Cyspirit" card to draw 2 cards. Morningstar discards Cyspirit Wanderer. As Haru controls a Link Monster and he does not, he Special Summons Cyspirit Armorer (1200/2000/6) in Attack Position. As his opponent Special Summoned a Cyberse monster, Haru activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Hydradrive Remix, which lets him Tribute 1 "Hydradrive" monster to Special Summon 1 different named "Hydradrive" monster from his GY with its effects negated and then gain LP equal to that monster's ATK. Haru Tributes Hydradrive Token to Special Summon Twin Hydradrive Knight (1800/2/←→) to Judgment Arrows' top-right Link Marker (Bohman & Haru: 2500→4300 LP). As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Prisoner (1600/2100/5) in Attack Position. Morningstar activates the effect of Armorer, sending it to the GY and targeting 1 Twin Hydradrive Knight, allowing Morningstar to Special Summon Cyspirit Armor Tokens equal to its Link Rating. Morningstar Special Summons 2 Cyspirit Armor Tokens (0/0/2 each) in Defense Postiion. Morningstar uses Prisoner to Link Summon Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller (500/1/↓) to the left Extra Monster Zone. As it was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Prisoner's effect lets Morningstar add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Code Jamming from his Deck to his hand. Morningstar activates Cacophonic Caller's effect, letting him Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck in Attack Position to its Link Marker, but it is destroyed during the End Phase. Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Dancer (1000/200/2). Morningstar uses Armor Token and Dancer to Link Summon Cyspirit Gallant Gunwoman (1900/2/↑→) to Cacophonic Caller's bottom Link Marker. As it was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Dancer's effect increases Gallant Gunwoman's ATK by 600 (Gallant Gunwoman: 1900→2500). As it points to 1 monster, Morningstar activates Gallant Gunwoman's effect, letting him activate 1 "Cyspirit" Spell/Trap Card from his hand. He activates the Trap Card Cyspirit Code Jamming. As he controls a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Code Jamming lets him target 1 face-up Spell/Trap Card his opponent controls. Until the end of the turn, the effects of that Spell/Trap Card are negated. Morningstar targets Judgment Arrows. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Sorceress (1400/400/4). As Sorceress was Normal Summoned, Morningstar can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his GY in Attack Position. He Special Summons Dancer (1000/200/2). Morningstar uses Dancer and Armor Token to Link Summon Cyspirit Thrilled Tunneler (1600/2/←→) to Gallant Gunwoman's right Link Marker. Dancer's effect activates (Thrilled Tunneler: 1600→2200). Morningstar uses Sorceress and Cacophonic Caller to Link Summon Cyspirit Mad Mongrel (2000/2/↑↓) to the left Extra Monster Zone.

Mad Mongrel attacks and destroys the 1st Twin Hydradrive Knight (Bohman & Haru: 4300→4100 LP). Gallant Gunwoman attacks the 2nd Twin Hydradrive Knight. As Morningstar's monster attacked, Haru activates his Set Trap Card Hydradrive Tolerance, which lets him target 1 "Hydradrive" Link Monster that was sent to the GY this turn and reduce the battle damage by that monster's Link Rating times 300, then he takes no damage for the rest of the turn. As Haru activated a Trap Card while he controls a Link Monster, Morningstar activates Playmaker's Set Counter Trap Card Arrow Break, which negates the activation of Hydradrive Tolerance and destroys it. The attack continues and Twin Hydradrive Knight is destroyed (Bohman & Haru: 4100→3400 LP). Since Gallant Gunwoman destroyed a monster in battle while it pointed to 2 monsters, Morningstar gains LP equal to the destroyed monster's original ATK (Playmaker & Morningstar: 2400→4200 LP). Since the monster Special Summoned by Hydradrive Remix was sent to the GY by Morningstar's card, Haru activates its effect, banishing it to gain LP equal to the destroyed monster's ATK (Bohman & Haru: 3400→5200 LP). Thrilled Tunneler attacks Haru directly (Bohman & Haru: 5200→3000 LP). Morningstar Sets 1 card. He ends his turn, and the effect of Code Jamming ends.

Turn 5: Bohman

Bohman draws. He activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Property Spray. Since Bohman activated a Continuous Trap Card, Morningstar activates his Set Counter Trap Card Royal Surrender, which negates the activation and effects of Property Spray and destroys it. As Bohman's Spell/Trap Card was destroyed, Bohman activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Hydradrive Cycle. As Hydradrive Cycle was activated, its effect activates, returning a "Hydradrive" Link Monster from his GY to his Extra Deck, then drawing cards equal to that monster's Link Rating and Special Summoning a "Hydradrive" monster from his GY with its ATK reduced to 0. Bohman returns Twin Hydradrive Knight, draws 2 cards, and Special Summons Burn Hydradrive (1000→0/1/↓). Bohman activates the other effect of Hydradrive Cycle, paying 400 LP (Bohman & Haru: 3000→2600 LP) and declaring an Attribute between Earth, Water, Fire, or Wind to Special Summon a Hydradrive Token to the turn player's field with that Attribute. He Special Summons an Earth Hydradrive Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. Bohman uses a Hydradrive Token to Link Summon Flow Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker. Bohman uses Burn Hydradrive and Flow Hydradrive to Link Summon Twin Hydradrive Knight (1800/2/←→) to Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker. As Twin Hydradrive Knight was Link Summoned, its effect activates, changing its Attribute to both Fire and Wind.

Twin Hydradrive Knight attacks Gallant Gunwoman. As it points to at least 1 monster, Morningstar activates Gallant Gunwoman's effect to activate 1 "Cyspirit" Spell/Trap Card from his hand. He activates the Trap Card Cyspirit Guard Block, which lets him Tribute 1 "Cyspirit" monster he controls to negate that attack and end the Battle Phase. Morningstar Tributes Mad Mongrel. As Morningstar activated an effect by Tributing a monster while Bohman controls a "Hydradrive" monster, Bohman activates the effect of Break Hydradrive in his hand, sending it to the GY to negate the activation of Guard Block and inflict 800 damage to Morningstar (Playmaker & Morningstar: 4200→3400 LP). A replay occurs and Twin Hydradrive Knight attacks Gallant Gunwoman. As a Link Monster it points to battled, the effect of Judgment Arrows doubles its ATK during damage calculation (Twin Hydradrive Knight: 1800→3600). Gallant Gunwoman is destroyed (Playmaker & Morningstar: 3400→2300 LP) (Twin Hydradrive Knight: 3600→1800). Bohman Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 6: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. Playmaker Normal Summons Widget Kid (1500/900/3). As Widget Kid was Summoned, Playmaker can Special Summon 1 Cyberse monster from his hand in Defense Position. Playmaker Special Summons RAM Clouder (1800/1000/4). Playmaker activates RAM Clouder's effect to Tribute 1 monster and Special Summon 1 Cyberse monster in his GY. Playmaker Tributes Widget Kid to Special Summon Update Jammer (2000/2/←↑). Playmaker uses RAM Clouder and Link-2 Update Jammer to Link Summon Detonate Deleter (2100/3/←↙→) to Thrilled Tunneler's right Link Marker. As Update Jammer was used to Link Summon, its effect activates, letting Detonate Deleter attack twice this turn.

Detonate Deleter attacks Twin Hydradrive Knight. At the start of the Damage Step, as Detonate Deleter is attacking Bohman's monster, Playmaker activates its effect, destroying Twin Hydradrive Knight. Detonate Deleter attacks Bohman directly. As Playmaker's monster declared an attack, Bohman activates his Set Trap Card Hydradrive Tolerance, which reduces the damage from that battle by the destroyed Twin Hydradrive Knight's Link Rating times 300 (Bohman & Haru: 2600→1100 LP). The secondary effect of Hydradrive Tolerance prevents Bohman from taking any further battle or effect damage until the End Phase. Playmaker Sets 1 card. He activates the effect of Cyspirit Code Jamming in the GY, banishing Cyspirit Armorer to Set it in his Spell/Trap Zone. Playmaker ends his turn.

Turn 7: Haru

Haru draws. He activates the effect of Hydradrive Cycle, paying 400 LP (Bohman & Haru: 1100→700 LP) to Special Summon 1 Earth Attribute Hydradrive Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. Haru uses Hydradrive Token to Link Summon Burn Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker. Haru activates the Equip Spell Card Property Changer, which he equips to Thrilled Tunneler. Haru can declare 1 Attribute, and that monster becomes the declared monster. In addition, if Haru controls a "Hydradrive" monster with the same Attribute as that monster, Playmaker cannot target his Spell/Trap Cards with card effects. Haru declares Fire Attribute, changing Thrilled Tunneler to Fire. Haru then activates the Equip Spell Card Hydradrive Impact, equipping it to Burn Hydradrive. Burn Hydradrive must attack if able, and if Playmaker controls a monster, any battle damage Burn Hydradrive inflicts via a direct attack is doubled.

Since Playmaker controls a Fire monster, Burn Hydradrive attacks Playmaker directly. As a Cyberse monster declared an attack, Playmaker activates his Set Trap Card Cynet Refresh, which destroys as many monsters in the Main Monster Zones as possible. Burn Hydradrive, Thrilled Tunneler, and Detonate Deleter are destroyed. Since Burn Hydradrive was destroyed, its effect activates, Special Summoning 1 Hydradrive Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. Because the monster equipped with Property Changer was destroyed by a card effect, Haru activates its effect, banishing it from his GY to draw 1 card and inflict 1000 damage to Playmaker (Playmaker & Morningstar: 2300→1300 LP). Haru uses Hydradrive Token to Link Summon Coolant Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker. Haru Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, the effect of Cynet Refresh Special Summons as many Cyberse Link Monsters among the destroyed monsters as possible. Burn Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) is Special Summoned to Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker, while Thrilled Tunneler (1600/2/←→) and Detonate Deleter (2100/3/←↙→) are Special Summoned to Playmaker's field.

Turn 8: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. He activates the effect of Cyspirit Wanderer in his GY, shuffling it back into his Deck to Special Summon 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster from his GY, but it cannot attack. He Special Summons Gallant Gunwoman (1900/2/↑→). Since he controls a "Cyspirit" monster, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Valkyrie (2100/400/5) in Attack Position. Morningstar uses Valkyrie, Thrilled Tunneler, and Link-2 Gallant Gunwoman to Link Summon Cyspirit Neo Nova (2500/4/←↖↗→) to Detonate Deleter's left Link Marker. As it points to 1 monster, Morningstar activates Neo Nova's effect to draw 1 card for every monster it points at, but during the End Phase, he must send an equal number of cards to the GY. Morningstar draws 1 card. As he controls a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Morningstar activates the Trap Card Cyspirit Code Jamming, targeting Judgment Arrows. Until the End Phase, Judgment Arrows' effects are negated. Code Jamming is banished by its own effect. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Lancer (1800/0/4) to Neo Nova's left Link Marker. While Lancer is in Attack Position, all "Cyspirit" monsters gain 300 ATK (Lancer: 1800→2100) (Neo Nova: 2500→2800).

Neo Nova attacks Burn Hydradrive. Haru activates his Set Trap Card Hydradrive Burst, which lets him destroy 1 "Hydradrive" monster he controls to destroy 1 Link Monster his opponent controls, then Haru gains LP equal to their combined Link Ratings times 600. Haru destroys Coolant Hydradrive and Detonate Deleter (Haru: 700→3100 LP). Since Coolant Hydradrive was destroyed, Haru Special Summons a Hydradrive Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. A replay occurs, and Neo Nova attacks and destroys Burn Hydradrive (Bohman & Haru: 3100→1300 LP). Burn Hydradrive's effect activates and Special Summon a Hydradrive Token in Defense Position (0/0/1). Lancer attacks and destroys 1 Hydradrive Token. Mornngstar Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, Morningstar sends Cyspirit Mongrel from the top of his Deck to the GY via Neo Nova's effect.

Turn 9: Bohman

Bohman draws. He activates the effect of Hydradrive Cycle, paying 400 LP (Bohman & Haru: 1300→900 LP) to Special Summon 1 Earth Hydradrive Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. As a "Hydradrive" monster was Special Summoned to Bohman's field, he activates the effect of Break Hydradrive in his GY, Special Summoning it (800/800/1) in Attack Position, but it is banished when it leaves the field. As his LP is 1000 or lower, Bohman activates his Skill Storm Access, randomly accessing a card within the Data Storm. Bohman obtains Trident Hydradrive Lord and adds it to his Extra Deck. Bohman uses Break Hydradrive to Link Summon Burn Hydradrive (1000/1/↓), Hydradrive Token to Link Summon Flow Hydradrive (1000/1/↓), and Hydradrive Token to Link Summon Coolant Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to the top-left, top, and top-right Link Markers of Judgment Arrows. Bohman uses Burn Hydradrive, Coolant Hydradrive, and Flow Hydradrive to Link Summon Trident Hydradrive Lord (2300/3/←↓→) to Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker. As Trident Hydradrive Lord was Link Summoned, Bohman activates its effect to change its Attribute to that of the original Attributes of the Link Monsters used for its Link Summon, in this case Fire, Water, and Wind. The effect of Trident Hydradrive Lord negates the effects of all monsters Morningstar controls with the same Attribute as Trident Hydradrive Lord. Bohman activates the Equip Spell Card Hydradrive Accelerator, equipping it to Trident Hydradrive Lord. Trident Hydradrive Lord is Fire, Water, and Wind, so Hydradrive Accelerator makes Trident Hydradrive Lord unaffected by Morningstar's Spell and Trap effects, and if Morningstar activates a card or effect that targets a card Bohman controls, except for Trident Hydradrive Lord, Hydradrive Accelerator can negate that card or effect once per turn.

Trident Hydradrive Lord attacks Lancer. Morningstar activates his Trap Card Cyspirit Offering, which lets him Tribute 1 Level 8 or lower monster he controls, then target 1 "Cyspirit" monster, and increase that monster's ATK by the Tributed monster's ATK until the end of the turn. Morningstar Tributes Lancer and targets Neo Nova (Neo Nova: 2800→4900→4600). A replay occurs and Trident Hydradrive Lord attacks Neo Nova. During damage calculation, Bohman activates the effect of Assault Hydradrive in his hand, discarding it to increase Trident Hydradrive Lord's ATK by 1000 (Trident Hydradrive Lord: 2300→3300). The effect of Judgment Arrows activates (Trident Hydradrive Lord: 3300→6600). Neo Nova is destroyed, but the effect of Cyspirit Offering reduces the battle damage by Lancer's Level times 200 (Playmaker & Morningstar: 1300→100 LP) (Trident Hydradrive Lord: 6600→2300). Bohman ends his turn.

Turn 10: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He Normal Summons Draconnet (1400/1200/3). As Draconnet was Normal Summoned, Playmaker can Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower Normal Monster from his hand or Deck in Defense Position. Playmaker Special Summons Bitron (200/2000/2) from his Deck. Playmaker uses Bitron to Link Summon Link Spider (1000/1/↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Playmaker activates Link Spider's effect to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from his hand to its Link Marker. He Special Summons Protron (100/100/1) in Defense Position. Playmaker activates the effect of Cyspirit Guard Block in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 Link-3 or lower "Cyspirit" Link Monster from the GY, but it cannot attack or be used as Link Material for the rest of the turn. Playmaker Special Summons Gallant Gunwoman (1900/2/↑→). Playmaker uses Draconnet and Link Spider to Link Summon Clock Spartoi (800/2/↓↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Clock Spartoi was Link Summoned, its effect activates, and Playmaker adds Cynet Fusion from his Deck to his hand. Playmaker activates the effect of Linkuriboh, Tributing the Level 1 Protron to Special Summon Linkuriboh (300/1/↓) to Clock Spartoi's bottom Link Marker. As a monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, Clock Spartoi's effect activates, letting Playmaker Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster in his GY to Clock Spartoi's Link Marker with its effects negated. Playmaker Special Summons Clock Wyvern (1800/1000/4) to Clock Spartoi's bottom-right Link Marker in Attack Position. Playmaker activates the Spell Card Cynet Fusion, fusing Clock Wyvern, Gallant Gunwoman, and Clock Spartoi to Fusion Summon Cyberse Clock Dragon (2500/2000/7) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Since Clock Dragon was Fusion Summoned, Playmaker can send cards from the top of his Deck to the GY, equal to the combined Link Ratings of its Fusion Materials, and for each sent card, Clock Dragon gains 1000 ATK. Playmaker sends 4 cards to the GY (Clock Dragon: 2500→6500). Bohman activates the effect of Hydradrive Cycle (Bohman & Haru: 900→500 LP) to Special Summon a Fire Hydradrive Token (0/0/1) to Playmaker's field in Defense Position. Bohman activates the effect of Trident Hydradrive Lord, changing the Attribute of all face-up monsters Playmaker controls to the Attribute of a monster on Playmaker's field. While Playmaker controls a Link Monster, the effect of Clock Dragon prevents Bohman from targeting other monsters he controls for attacks or card effects, except Clock Dragon, so Bohman targets Clock Dragon, changing the Attribute of all face-up monsters Playmaker controls to Dark.

Clock Dragon attacks Trident Hydradrive Lord. Judgment Arrows' effect activates (Trident Hydradrive Lord: 2300→4600). The attack continues and Trident Hydradrive Lord is destroyed (Bohman & Haru: 100→0 LP). Playmaker & Morningstar win.

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Cyspirit Gallant Gunwoman
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↑→
2 Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monsters
This Link Summoned card gains these effects depending on the number of monsters it points to.
-1 or more: Once per turn, during either player's turn (Quick Effect): You can activate 1 "Cyspirit" Spell/Trap Card from your hand.
-2: If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle; you can gain LP equal to that monster's original ATK.

Assault Hydradrive
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1000 DEF 1000 Level: 3
During damage calculation, when your "Hydradrive" Link Monster battles an opponent's monster, you can send this card from your hand to the GY (Quick Effect); that monster gains 1000 ATK until the end of the Damage Step.

Hydradrive Continuation Normal Spell Card
Target 1 "Hydradrive" Link Monster you control; Special Summon 1 "Hydradrive" Link Monster from your GY with the same Attribute(s) as the targeted monster. During the End Phase, destroy that monster. You can only activate 1 "Hydradrive Continuation" per turn.

Hydradrive Remix Quick-Play Spell Card
When your opponent Special Summons a Cyberse monster: Tribute 1 "Hydradrive" monster you control; Special Summon 1 "Hydradrive" Link Monster with a different name but the same Attribute as the Tributed monster from your GY with its effects negated, and if you do, gain LP equal to that monster's original ATK. If the Special Summoned monster is sent to the GY by an opponent's card, you can banish this card from your GY; gain LP equal to that monster's ATK. You can only activate each effect of "Hydradrive Remix" once per turn.

Cyspirit Code Jamming Normal Trap Card
If you control a "Cyspirit" Link Monster: Target 1 face-up Spell/Trap Card your opponent controls; negate that card's effects until the end of the turn. During your Main Phase: You can banish 1 "Cyspirit" monster from your GY; Set this card from your GY, but banish it when it leaves the field. You cannot activate the above effect the turn this card is sent from the field to the GY.

Cyspirit Guard Block Normal Trap Card
When an opponent's monster declares an attack: You can Tribute 1 "Cyspirit" monster you control; negate that attack, then end the Battle Phase. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 Link-3 or lower "Cyspirit" Link Monster in your GY; Special Summon it, but until the end of this turn it cannot declare an attack or be used as Link Material. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyspirit Guard Block" per turn, and only once per turn.

Property Changer Equip Spell Card
Declare 1 Attribute; change the equipped monster's Attribute to the declared Attribute. If you control a "Hydradrive" Link Monster with the same Attribute as the equipped monster, your opponent cannot target your Spell/Trap Cards with their card effects. If the equipped monster is destroyed by a card effect, you can banish this card from your GY; draw 1 card and inflict 1000 damage to your opponent.

Hydradrive Burst Normal Trap Card
Target 1 "Hydradrive" Link Monster you control and 1 Link Monster your opponent controls; destroy them, and if you have less than 1000 LP, you gain LP equal to the destroyed monsters' combined Link Ratings x 600. You can only activate "Hydradrive Burst" once per turn.

Cyspirit Offering Normal Trap Card
Tribute 1 Level 8 or lower monster you control and target 1 "Cyspirit" monster you control; the targeted monster gains ATK equal to the Tributed monster's ATK until the end of the turn. The turn you activate this effect, all battle damage is reduced by 200 x the Tributed monster's Level. You can only activate "Cyspirit Offering" once per turn.

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Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 38 – An Angel's Soul. Escaping from the Wind World, Yasutake and his allies go over their findings. The next day, Yasutake receives an email from a possibly ally…

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Question of the Chapter

Who would you like to see participate in a Tag Duel next?

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Author's Notes & Responses to Reviews

Thank you to HunterHQ, guardian of the aura Aurasoul, Ethan Kironus, Phantom Flame-98, ZarcEternal, D3lph0xL0v3r, Ryujomaru15, tsukikami02, NewComer1, SakushiRyu, jdkeller2000, Guest, Lindia Fullmoon, ThePLOThand, pokemonking0924, Guest, CyberseAlexandriteDragongirl, sanedimentio, DG, Guest, Guest, and Guest for reviewing Chapter 36.

NewComer1: Yes. I've played SWTOR since around the time it came out. I did take a break until it became free-to-play because I didn't want to pay, but I still play solidly to this day.

jdkeller2000: For now, the ability to use a Skill in a Master Duel is an antagonist ability. Morningstar and Playmaker may gain the ability in the future, but that's far off in the future.

CyberseAlexandriteDragongirl: Thank you for the Fusion Monster suggestion, but for now, Morningstar will only have 1 main monster for each summoning method, with 1 potential support monster included in that method. Kind of like Diplexer Chimera and Cyberse Clock Dragon for Fusion Summoning, except they're Cyspirit monsters. I do plan to change that in season 3, but that's way in the future.

sanedimentio: I can't remember if Cypher claimed to be perfect, but I do know he claims to be superior. That said, he would probably agree with Mayuri, as perfection means no improvement and no way to move forward. And Cypher, as the Ignis of Death, who focuses on creation through destruction, is big on evolution.

DG: I don't think I'll be needing any OCs for season 2, but I might take suggestions for season 3. We'll know when we get there.

This was the Tag Duel between Bohman, Haru, Playmaker, and Morningstar. Most of the changes I made were to the Duel itself, and the only serious addition I made to the story of Bohman being the real Playmaker was Haru's reaction, which honestly, had to be added for the sake of them being brothers. I also added a scene where Yasutake met Sachi right before the incident. Yes, it's similar to the scene between Yusaku and Ryoken, but I thought it was a good scene, so I see no problem copying pieces of it.

We also got a new Cyspirit Link Monster which, yes, is based off of Lilith and her Magical Musket cards, particularly its first effect. And finally, we have the ending scene with Jester and Zahhak, who is the man in the cloak. Aside from confirming his identity, I'm not going to say anything more about the scene. I'm more interested in the readers' interpretations of that scene and what it means for the future.

All that aside, I would like to make an announcement: Once I've finished with either Fifth Circuit or Hidden Memories, whichever comes first, I will be working on a new fanfiction: a crossover between High School DxD and the Trails of Cold Steel video games. And this won't be one of those "person from one universe ends up trapped in another universe." No, I intend to do a world-merging crossover, combining the two series into a single world. I'm doing this partly because I rather like both series and I think both could work well together, but mostly because I want to experiment with world-merging and crossovers. But I won't be working on this crossover, or releasing any chapters, until I've finished one of my other two stories, for three reasons. One: I want to nail down as many of the character details and as much of the storyline as I can before I write it. I'm hoping this means I'll make fewer mistakes and be able to write at a faster rate rather than just have a general idea of where I want the story to go. Two: Trails of Cold Steel III & IV have yet to be released in the West, and I'd like to play both of them rather than just rely on online translations of them. I feel like this will give me more familiarity with the story and help it run smoother. And third: I have enough difficulty writing two fanfictions and a profile page attached to them at the same time; how long would my delays become if I add a third fanfic to that list?

Bottom-line is, I won't start this new fanfic until I've finished one of my current ones and I've freed up some time. I don't even have a name for this fanfic yet. What I do know is it will probably be rated "M" – it is the High School DxD universe, after all – though I suspect that will be as much for gratuitous violence as it will be for gratuitous fanservice; and that Rean Schwarzer will be the main protagonist of the story.

Thank you for reading Chapter 37 of Hidden Memories. Like I said above, I won't be posting the opening unless a change occurs, and once I reach past Episode 73, I'll be making a new opening for the latter half of season 2, and maybe an ending. If anyone has suggestions for either, please tell me. Your feedback is a big part in the continual improvement of Hidden Memories.