Responses to Reviews
Thank you to D3lph0xL0v3r, savagemaster1999, HunterHQ, 0713MM, guardian of the aura Aurasoul, Guest, EternalKing, SakushiRyu, Ethan Kironus, animegamefanatic, ThePLOThand, ZarcEternal, DivadX, Lindia Fullmoon, Guest, King, Guest, Zero Shadow-01, and Guest for reviewing Chapter 41.
savagemaster1999: For your idea on Go and Techbane, I think this chapter will answer your question. As for my schedule, I tend to intersperse the two, releasing a chapter of Hidden Memories and then one of Fifth Circuit. But I've been busy playing Persona 5, so I've fallen behind schedule. But don't worry; I've finished Persona 5, so I should be able to work faster. At least until late October when Trails of Cold Steel III and the next expansion for SWTOR come out. As for D/D/D, I don't think I'll use that archetype in Hidden Memories, but I might use those names in Fifth Circuit.
animegamefanatic: As established in Chapter 39, Masako Himura gave Sachi the Cyangels. And her Ignis is the Gold Ignis.
DivadX: Yasutake's design? It wasn't based of off Joker or any character in particular. I didn't even know about Persona 5 when I started Hidden Memories. Cam doesn't have a design either, but I based Sachi off of C.C. from Code Geass, except with darker, shorter hair with different colored bangs and blue eyes. As for advice on writing, all I'll say is write how you want to write and try not to let reviewers influence you too much; it's your story not theirs.
Guest: Why are you telling me how to replace a chapter? I already know that.
Now, onto Chapter 42!
Chapter 42: Family and Pride
"Yusaku!"
The teen, who had been walking down Den Academy's main avenue, turned to see Takeru running up to him.
"Are you going to see Kusanagi?" Takeru asked. "I'll go too. There's something I-."
"Fujiki!"
The duo turned to see Naoki walk out from behind a tree. "Have a moment? Huh?" he asked with a smug grin. "It won't take much time."
Takeru looked putout, but Yusaku remained stoic as ever. "Sorry, but I'm busy."
"You sure you want to say that?" Naoki asked. "It's important. I want to talk about your secret."
"…Don't worry about me," Takeru said, looking back at Yusaku, who also glanced back. "I'll go ahead. See you later!"
Takeru ran ahead, leaving Yusaku with Naoki. On his way out though, he saw another friend walking alone.
"Yasutake!" The former bounty hunter turned and looked at Takeru. "Are you going home? I thought Sachi would be with you?"
"She and Aoi are spending the day together," Yasutake explained. "What about you and Fujiki?"
"Well, I'm going to Kusanagi's, and Yusaku got held up by Shima."
Yasutake blinked. "Shima? What does Shima want?"
Takeru frowned. "He said it had to do with Yusaku's secret."
"Oh. I see."
Takeru blinked on seeing Yasutake's unconcerned expression. "Eh? You don't think it's something to worry about?"
The other boy shook his head. "Shima's an idiot. He probably means some other secret instead of the one you're thinking of." He looked back at Takeru. "You said you're going to see Kusanagi?"
"Yeah. I was hoping he could give me some hacking lessons." Takeru laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "I'm not that good with technology, and I'd like to get better. Maybe then I can contribute more."
Yasutake nodded. "That's not a bad idea. Actually…" His face turned slightly embarrassed. "Could you help me with something?"
"Sure. What?"
"Well… Kusanagi helped free me from Blood Shepherd's trap, so Sachi thought I should get him something to thank him. I was wondering if you had any ideas? A pastry from Café Junpei seems kinda half-assed."
Takeru blinked and smiled. "Sure. I can help you find something." Cypher was right, he thought. Yasutake is absolutely a tsundere.
Takeru's first suggestion had been the pizza that supported the revolution, but Yasutake had no idea what that was. When Takeru clarified that he meant Pizza Hut, Yasutake told him that there was no Pizza Hut in Den City. Takeru had been extremely disappointed about that but recovered quickly enough to suggest a burger instead.
"So Cypher isn't with you?" Flame asked. Takeru had taken his Duel Disk out and placed it on his wrist.
Yasutake shook his head. "I left him at Café Junpei. He was annoyed with himself that he didn't realize the gate was fake, so he said he would be looking over our data, see if there was anything we missed, and look for clues to the other Ignis." He rolled his eyes. "Honestly though, I'm pretty sure he'll just spend that time watching anime; he was just starting to get into something called Aldnoah dot Zero."
"I've heard of that one," Takeru said. "Though not much; just that the ending was controversial."
"I took a look at this 'Crunchyroll' Cypher introduced me to," Flame said. "It's not a bad website, but I just don't understand Cypher's devotion to it."
Yasutake nodded. "And I hope you never do." Then he frowned. "Do you hear something?"
"Huh?" Takeru blinked before frowning too. "Now that you-."
POW!
Yasutake blinked. A Duel Disk had fallen out of the sky and hit Takeru in the head, knocking the other boy onto his rear end.
"Oooowwww," Takeru moaned, rubbing his head. "What just happened?" He looked to the side and noticed the Duel Dusk. "Why did a Duel Disk fall from the sky?"
Flame emerged from Takeru's Duel Disk. "Den City is incredible. You can just pick up Duel Disks!"
"Wrong! I fell!" Yasutake blinked on realizing the Duel Disk's was Yusaku's as Ai stood up straight. And blinked again when he realized what the Ignis had done to the Duel Disk.
"What?" Flame gasped. "Ai, you can fly?"
Ai chuckled and spread his arms. "Ai-chan fly!"
Yasutake groaned as Takeru stared at Ai. "Is that a pun?"
"Takeru, I thought of something nice!" Flame said. "Put wheels on this Disk! And an engine. Then you won't need train fare to go home to the countryside."
Yasutake gave the Fire Ignis a flat glare. "I don't think that's possible."
"Hey, Takeru, Yasutake." The duo looked over at Kusanagi, who was wearing an apron. "I was expecting you, Takeru, but not Yasutake. Does Cam need something?"
Yasutake shook his head as Takeru stood up. "I'm here to thank you for helping free me from Blood Shepherd's trap. And Sachi suggested I should give you something nice, so here." He held up the burger bag.
Kusanagi chuckled. "It's not worth thanking me over."
Ai floated up to Kusanagi's chest level. "That's a hamburger!" he noticed. "You shouldn't bring that to a hotdog stand."
"Quiet!" Kusanagi flicked Ai in the face. "It's important to taste test your rivals. Thank you. I'll take it." He took the bag from Yasutake. "Why don't I get you two coffee?" The teen nodded in agreement.
"Umm…" The two youths turned to look at Ai. "An unrelated question, but where's Yusaku? And Sachi?"
"Yusaku is with some classmate named Shima," Flame informed him. "To talk about something important."
"Shima?" Ai repeated. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Don't worry, Shima's harmless," Yasutake assured him. "As for Sachi, she's hanging out with Aoi Zaizen today. But speaking of her…" He turned back to Takeru. "She'll need more training with the Cyangels if she's going to be fighting with us. Can you help?"
Takeru nodded. "Sure thing. Yusaku'll help too, I'll bet."
The two teens followed Kusanagi into Café Nagi, where they ended up having some hotdogs to go with the coffee.
"Thanks for the meal," Takeru said. He looked at the monitors. "This place is always impressive to see. All of your equipment is in here?"
"Equipment doesn't matter for hacking," Kusanagi said. "What's important is in here." He tapped his forehead with his right hand. "But I'm no match for Yusaku."
"The equipment here is roughly the same level as what Cam and I have," Yasutake said, taking a sip of coffee. "But ours is more specialized towards bounty hunting. And Kusanagi is right; a good hacker with mediocre equipment will get way more done than a bad hacker with the most recent technology."
Takeru shook his head. "Man, you guys are the perfect teams for LINK VRAINS. A duelist and a hacker for backup; that's a nigh unbeatable combo, right there."
Speaking of, why did you and Yusaku decide to team up?" The humans looked at Ai, who was looking at Kusanagi. "I never heard the story."
"That's a story I'm interested in," Flame spoke up. "Kusanagi will you tell us?"
Kusanagi smiled. "Oh, that's right; Ai wasn't here when Yusaku and I told Yasutake and Sachi our story. Well, I'm not adverse to telling it, but, Takeru…" His eyes narrowed. "My story starts with the Lost Incident. It may remind you about your past."
Takeru closed his eyes. "I don't mind," he assured Kusanagi. "As someone who also suffered from that incident please let me hear the story."
Kusanagi glanced at Yasutake, who shrugged. "I already heard this, but it won't hurt to hear it again. Go ahead."
Kusanagi nodded. "Okay."
The older man talked about how he got into hacking and how he investigated the Hanoi, which lead to him being rescued by Yusaku, who went by Unknown at the time. He then told them about their hunt for the Cyberse Deck to use against Hanoi and the dungeon they found it in. Yasutake couldn't help but admire the genius of whoever made that dungeon into a map of Den City's pier.
"Wow," Takeru said. "I wasn't expecting a story like that. So…" He turned to Yasutake. "What about you? How did Morningstar come to be?"
Yasutake shrugged. "Three years ago, Sachi was just like Kusanagi's brother. To support Cam and protect her, I became a bounty hunter. I found a rumor online about a powerful hidden Deck. Its location was protected by numerous difficult puzzles. I beat them, but found out the Deck wasn't there. Instead, I found another puzzle. Solving that led to the Cyspirits' location in the real world. After that, I took on the name Morningstar." He frowned in thought. "Though I still don't know who set up those puzzles."
He turned to look at Takeru. "What about you? What gave birth to Soulburner?"
Takeru blinked and chuckled. "It's embarrassing when you phrase it like that. But basically…" Takeru frowned. "After we were freed from the Lost Incident, I found out that my parents had died in a car accident while searching for me. I moved in with my grandparents, but… I wasn't motivated. Every day seemed to blend together. I was just filled with anger and hopelessness. I kept missing school; I didn't have friends except a girl named Kiku. It just felt like my time had stopped moving."
His frown turned into a sad smile. "But then I heard about the Tower of Hanoi and the heroes who defeated the Knights of Hanoi. Shortly after, Flame found me and told me that Playmaker and Den City were the keys to overcoming my past."
"It was an interesting first meeting," Flame remembered. "He originally thought I was a ghost possessing a Duel Disk and tried to crush me with a suitcase."
Yasutake blinked. "You're afraid of ghosts?"
Takeru frowned and fidgeted in his seat. "I'd… rather not talk about that. The Lost Incident… left other scars on me. But Flame helped me overcome them. Then we decided to come here, to Den City."
Kusanagi smiled. "You're fighting to move forward. That's what all of us are doing."
Yasutake nodded in agreement. "My time, and Sachi's time, were stopped by the incident, too. I tried to push forward through bounty hunting, but… sometimes it feels like I was just running away." He shook his head. "Not anymore, though. Sachi's awake, and we're both fighting for more than ourselves. It's time to stop running from the past, and to think about the future."
Kusanagi and Takeru both nodded, as did Flame and Ai. "I hope we'll be sharing that future," Ai said. "It'll feel lonely without all of you around."
Shizuka covered a yawn as she walked through SOL's hallways. "So, what is this about?" she asked her companion.
Yukaro shook his head. "I don't know any more than you. I just got a message from Zaizen to come here; it said he had something to show us."
Shizuka sighed. "Such a pain." Yukaro chuckled.
"Come now, Zaizen wouldn't waste our time," he chided. "I'm sure whatever he called us in for will be worth it." She grunted in response.
The two bounty hunters eventually arrived in one of SOL's labs, though they weren't the first to arrive. Akira Zaizen, Hayami, Go Onizuka, and two scientists were also there, all standing around a table. They all turned to watch Yukaro and Shizuka walk in. The latter noticed that Go was frowning, as was Akira, though both quickly reorganized their features.
"Hey, Chief Zaizen!" Yukaro said in greeting. "What's the occasion?"
Akira nodded at the table. "This."
The two walked up and looked down. It was a green and silver container holding what appeared to be a chip.
"What is it?" Shizuka asked.
"It is a Duel AI implant chip that our company developed," the male scientist explained.
Yukaro looked at him in confusion. "Implant chip?"
"Like it says, the chip is implanted into the brain," the female scientist said.
"In the brain?" Shizuka's visible eye narrowed slightly.
"By implanting this duel chip, the brain's thought capabilities expand," the man continued. "And you can duel better than normal people."
Yukaro frowned. "Why are you showing us this?" His eyes widened. "Wait, you mean-."
"Yes," Akira said. He started walking towards the exit and motioned the others to follow him. "All three of you have failed to capture the Ignis. As such, Queen has provided this chip to make you stronger. However, we only have the one, so only one of you can use it."
"You're telling me I need an AI's help?" Go asked. The scientists had stayed behind, leaving Akira, Hayami, Go, Yukaro, and Shizuka to walk to Akira's office.
"That chip is in the experimental phase," Akira explained. "There's considerable risk. Worst case scenario, if any of you decide to accept it, you won't be yourself anymore."
"Then I'll pass." They turned to look at Shizuka, who was glaring at Akira. "There's no way in hell I'm letting an AI inside my head. I'll win with my own strength."
Akira nodded, unfazed by the rejection. "That's alright. The chip is only an offer. And by making this offer, I've fulfilled my professional duties." He turned to Go and Yukaro. "Like Ms. Midori, you two can refuse as well."
Go smirked. "Your methods are dirty. You guide us to the gates of hell, but you don't care what happens afterwards."
"I'm just an employee," Akira defended.
Go frowned and then nodded. "I'll use that chip. I've decided to get stronger. No matter how."
"Hang on," Yukaro said with a frown. "I need to get stronger for the bounty, too. I'll take the chip."
Go turned to him, his frown deepening. "I'm the strongest duelist here; the one best suited to handle the chip's power. And I need to defeat Playmaker."
"Well I need to fulfill this bounty," Yukaro countered. "I need to get stronger for that, and this chip is the best way I can go about doing that."
"Then why don't you two compete for it?"
They all turned as a woman with blue and green hair wearing a lab coat walked up to them.
"Queen!" Akira exclaimed in surprise.
"Truthfully, it doesn't matter to me which one of you uses the chip," she said. "Either one of you can provide me with great data from it. So why don't you decide among yourselves through a duel?"
Go and Yukaro looked at each other and then nodded. "We'll decide who gets the chip through dueling," Go said.
Akira frowned but nodded. "Very well. Let's head to one of the test areas."
The quartet, now a quintet with Queen joining them, took a different turn and entered an empty area overlooked by an observation booth. Akira, Shizuka, and Queen headed into the booth while Go and Yukaro stayed in the room.
Akira flipped some switches while Queen and Shizuka sat down in chairs on opposite sides of him. Shizuka glanced at the SOL executive and scowled lightly before refocusing on her fellow hunters.
"Everything's set," Akira reported. "Are you two ready?" They nodded. "Then go ahead."
Go and Yukaro raised their Duel Disks. "Into the VRAINS!" they declared as their Duel Disks shone with blue light.
Shizuka watched as the room they were watching was digitized. Go gained a visor that covered his eyes while Yukaro's appearance changed to Techbane's.
"This virtual reality is separate from LINK VRAINS, right?" she asked Akira, who nodded.
"This is a specialized area where we test new cards and potential features for LINK VRAINS," he explained. Shizuka frowned but nodded in understanding.
"Go, I respect you as a duelist," Techbane said. "But I need that chip to achieve my goals."
"And I need it to achieve mine. To move forward," Go said, raising his Duel Disk.
"Duel!" they shouted.
Go Onizuka: 4000 LP
Techbane: 4000 LP
"I'll take the first turn!" Go declared. "By discarding Dinowrestler Systegosaur, I can Special Summon Dinowrestler Iguanodraka!" A humanoid red-skinned dinosaur wearing yellow armor appeared and roared in Attack Position.
Dinowrestler Iguanodraka ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 6
"I end my turn."
"My turn! Draw! By discarding Cyber Dragon, I Special Summon Cyber Dragon Nachster!" A small silver dragon with short wings appeared and roared in Attack Position.
Cyber Dragon Nachster ATK 200 DEF 200 LVL: 1
"Nachster's monster effect! When it is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon one Machine monster with 2100 attack or defense points from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Cyber Dragon!" A larger silver dragon appeared in Attack Position.
Cyber Dragon ATK 2100 DEF 1600 LVL: 5
"I Summon Cyber Dragon Core!" A thin metal dragon with a red light in its center appeared.
Cyber Dragon Core ATK 400 DEF 1500 LVL: 2
"Core's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can add a 'Cyber' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I add Cybernetic Overflow to my hand." Techbane raised his right hand. "Appear! The circuit of mechanical evolution. The summoning conditions are two Machine monsters including Cyber Dragon! Due to their effects, Core and Nachster are treated as Cyber Dragon while on the field or in the Graveyard. I set Core and Nachster in the Link Markers! Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyber Dragon Sieger!" A large silver metal dragon with blue hexagons running up its body emerged from the Link portal, summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone.
Cyber Dragon Sieger ATK 2100 LINK-2 ←↓
"Battle! At this point, Sieger's effect activates! By targeting Cyber Dragon, it gains 2100 attack and defense points until the end of the turn!"
Cyber Dragon ATK 2100→4200 DEF 1600→3700
"Now, Sieger attacks Iguanodraka!" The dragon fired blue energy at the humanoid dinosaur.
I see, Shizuka thought, narrowing her eyes. He's planning to destroy Iguanodraka with Sieger and then attack directly with Cyber Dragon for a one-turn kill.
"I activate the effect of Dinowrestler Martial Anga in my hand!" Go declared. "When you attack my monster, I can send Martial Anga to the Graveyard to prevent my monster's destruction by battle!" The beam struck Iguanodraka, but the dinosaur withstood it.
Techbane grit his teeth. "Due to Sieger's effect, neither of us takes battle damage from battles involving it this turn."
"Martial Anga's effect also ends the Battle Phase," Go informed Techbane, which made him scowl.
"I Set one card. I end my turn. Sieger's effect ends and Cyber Dragon's attack points return to normal."
Cyber Dragon ATK 4200→2100 DEF 3700→1600
"During your End Phase, Martial Anga's additional effect activates! Since you control more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon Martial Anga in Attack Position!" A humanoid purple dinosaur wearing a pink vest appeared and roared.
Dinowrestler Martial Anga ATK 1600 DEF 0 LVL: 5
"My turn! Draw!" Go looked at his card, then gestured to his field. "Iguanodraka's monster effect! Once per turn, I can Tribute a Dinosaur monster to Special Summon a different 'Dinowrestler' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. I Tribute Martial Anga to Special Summon Dinowrestler Systegosaur!" Martial Anga disintegrated and was replaced by a green humanoid dinosaur with spines on its back.
Dinowrestler Systegosaur ATK 1900 DEF 0 LVL: 4
"Systegosaur's monster effect! When it is Special Summoned, I can add a 'Dinowrestler' monster or World Dino Wrestling from my Deck to my hand. I'll add the latter to my hand, then Normal Summon Dinowrestler Capaptera!" A humanoid pterodactyl wearing orange robes appeared.
Dinowrestler Capaptera ATK 1600 DEF 0 LVL: 3
"I've been meaning to ask," Techbane said. "I know you used Goukis when you were a Charisma Duelist. Why give that Deck to Kenmochi and Yoroizaka and use Dinowrestlers instead?"
"My Gouki Deck was the Deck I used to entertain and inspire children," Go answered. "I've cast that part of me aside. To move forward and become stronger, I'll use the Dinowrestlers to achieve my goal!" Akira and Shizuka frowned slightly at Go's words before he pointed upwards. "Appear, my circuit! The summoning conditions are two 'Dinowrestler' monsters. I set Iguanodraka and Systegosaur in the Link Markers!" His dinosaurs became whirlwinds that entered the top and left arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Dinowrestler Terra Parkourio!" A gray-skinned humanoid dinosaur wearing red and purple armor over its shoulders and around its waist appeared and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.
Dinowrestler Terra Parkourio ATK 1000 LINK-2 ←↑
"I activate the Field Spell Card: World Dino Wrestling! While I control a 'Dinowrestler' monster, only one monster can attack during each Battle Phase. Terra Parkourio's effect activates! As I activated World Dino Wrestling, I can add a 'Dinowrestler' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Martial Anga to my hand."
Go pointed upwards again. "Appear again, my circuit! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Dinowrestler' monsters. I set Capaptera and Link-2 Terra Parkourio in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Dinowrestler King T Wrextle!" A massive humanoid dinosaur with purple and red skin and dinosaur bones attached to its shoulders appeared and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
"Capaptera's effect activates! As it was used to Link Summon, King T Wrextle gains 1000 attack points until the end of the turn!"
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000→4000
"Furthermore, since Terra Parkourio was used to Link Summon, I can Special Summon a 'Dinowrestler' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position with its effects negated. Resurrect, Iguanodraka!" The red dinosaur in a yellow vest reappeared.
Dinowrestler Iguanodraka ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 6
"I activate the Spell Card: Dino Reserve!" The card showed a forest with Terra Parkourio walking through it on four legs. "This card moves my 'Dinowrestler' Link Monster to a Main Monster Zone it points to. I move King T Wrextle to my center Main Monster Zone. Then, Dino Reserve lets me draw two cards!"
Techbane grit his teeth. "I see you're attempting to counter my Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon."
"I took a look at your duel data, yes," Go said. "Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Dinomuscle! While this card is active, my 'Dinowrestler' monsters gain 400 attack points. And the first time each turn they would be destroyed by battle or card effects, they aren't destroyed!"
Dinowrestler Iguanodraka ATK 2000→2400
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4000→4400
Techbane gasped and then scowled. Damn it! he thought. I shouldn't have waited to use Cybernetic Overflow! Now it's useless!
"Battle! King T Wrextle attacks Cyber Dragon! King T Wrextle's effect activates! When it attacks, you cannot activate Spell or Trap Cards!"
"But I can activate monster effects!" Techbnae retorted. "I activate Sieger's effect to increase Cyber Dragon's attack and defense points by 2100!"
Cyber Dragon ATK 2100→4200 DEF 1600→3700
"At this point, World Dino Wrestling's effect activates! When my 'Dinowrestler' monster attacks, it gains 200 attack points during damage calculation."
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4400→4600
"Go! Jurassic Howl!" King T Wrextle roared, producing shockwaves that blasted Cyber Dragon and disintegrated it. Techbane grunted from the damage.
Techbane: 4000→3600 LP
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle 4600→4400
"I activate the effect of Dino Reserve in my Graveyard!" Go continued. "Since my 'Dinowrestler' Link Monster destroyed your monster, I can banish Dino Reserve so King T Wrextle can attack again!" Techbane gasped in surprise. "Attack once more! And once again, World Dino Wrestling's effect activates!"
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle 4400→4600
"Go! Jurassic Howl!" King T Wrextle roared again, destroying the silver and blue dragon.
"Due to Sieger's effect, I take no battle damage!" Techbane reminded Go.
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4600→4400
"I end my turn," Go said. "With that, Capaptera's effect ends and King T Wrextle's attack points return to normal."
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 4400→3400
"My turn! Draw!" Techbane looked at his card, then played it. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Double Cyclone! I destroy one of my Spell or Trap Cards to destroy one of yours!" Go gasped. "I destroy my Set card and your Dinomuscle!" Go braced himself as the cards shattered. "With Dinomuscle gone, your monsters' attack points return to normal."
Dinowrestler Iguanodraka ATK 2400→2000
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3400→3000
"The destroyed Cybernetic Overflow's effect now activates! When it is destroyed by an effect, I can add a 'Cyber' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand." He took the card and then gestured to his field. "I activate the effect of Cyber Dragon Core in my Graveyard! Since you control a monster and I don't, I can banish Core to Special Summon a 'Cyber Dragon' monster from my Deck. Come to me, Cyber Dragon Nachster!" Another small silver and blue dragon with wings appeared in Attack Position.
Cyber Dragon Nachster ATK 200 DEF 200 LVL: 1
"Nachster's effect activates! Resurrect, Cyber Dragon!" The metal dragon reappeared and roared in Attack Position.
Cyber Dragon ATK 2100 DEF 1600 LVL: 5
"I summon Cyber Dragon Zwei!" A mechanical serpent with yellow lines on its body appeared and roared.
Cyber Dragon Zwei ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 4
"Zwei's monster effect! Once per turn, by revealing a Spell Card in my hand, Zwei's name becomes Cyber Dragon until the End Phase. I reveal Cyberload Fusion!"
Go's eyes narrowed behind his visor. He changed his dragon's name to Cyber Dragon. And Nachster's effect changes its name to Cyber Dragon when it is on the field or in the Graveyard. He gasped. Is he-?
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cyberload Fusion!" Techbane declared. "By shuffling Cyber Dragon, Nachster, and Vier, with the latter two treated as Cyber Dragon by their effects, back into my Deck, I perform a Fusion Summon!" His monsters disintegrated into particles that formed a vortex. Three whirlwinds, colored, red, blue, and green, emerged from the vortex before merging into a purple tornado.
"The mechanical dragon that rules the world. Become one with your brethren and take flight!" Techbane chanted. "Fusion Summon! Rise! Cyber End Dragon!" A massive silver mechanical dragon with three heads and giant wings emerged from the tornado, roaring from the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
Cyber End Dragon ATK 4000 DEF 2800 LVL: 10
Go grit his teeth. "4000 attack points," he muttered. "This is bad."
"Battle!" Techbane said. "Cyber End Dragon attacks Iguanodraka!"
Cyber End Dragon inflicts piercing battle damage, Shizuka thought. Iguanodraka has 0 defense points. Go'll take 4000 points of damage and lose. And since it doesn't reduce battle damage, the Martial Anga in his hand won't help him this time.
"Go! Eternal Evolution Burst!" The metal dragon fired three bursts of energy from its mouth at the humanoid dinosaur.
"I activate the effect of Dinowrestler Martial Ampelo in my hand!" Go declared. "By discarding it, my 'Dinowrestler' monster isn't destroyed by battle and the battle damage is halved!" The streams hit Iguanodraka, who cried out in pain but remained on the field.
"But Cyber End Dragon inflicts piercing battle damage!" Techbane reminded Go. The blasts created a shockwave that pushed Go back and made him cry out in pain.
Go Onizuka: 4000→2000 LP
"Oh?" Queen mused. "2000 points of damage at once? My, Techbane isn't holding back."
Techbane frowned at Go. "You discarded your Gouki Deck to become stronger, right?" he asked. "How is that working for you? If you were using it now, would you be winning?"
Go grit his teeth. Techbane sighed. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. Gouki or Dinowrestler, it doesn't matter. I need to defeat you. For my grandfather's sake."
Go and Akira gasped. "Your grandfather?" Go repeated.
"Yes," Techbane said. "Blood Shepherd said I was Kaiser Ryo's descendant; he was right. I am the heir to the Cyber Style, which was taught to me by my grandfather. But now, my grandfather is sick and needs treatment." He scowled and clenched his fist. "I need to win this bounty! The amount is more than enough to pay for the last treatments! For my grandfather's life, I need that AI chip! I need to become stronger for him! And I'll do what I must to win! I Set one card. I end my turn."
"Techbane," Go muttered, frowning to himself. He closed his eyes and lowered his head. Fighting for more than himself? There's nothing wrong with that. It's honorable. And to fight for family, to save someone close to you; I can only offer respect to you, Techbane, for fighting as you do.
But… Go opened his eyes. I have my own reasons to fight. Ever since the Tower of Hanoi, no, ever since Playmaker first appeared, I've felt like nothing matters. All everyone wanted to talk about was Playmaker. Yes, he succeeded in stopping the Tower, but it was like everyone else's contributions were ignored! He was the hero, and everyone else were stepping stones. Me, Galahad, Blue Angel, even Morningstar… the only one who was acknowledged was Playmaker. And since then…
He clenched his right fist. Ever since the Tower fell, I've felt aimless. That nothing I did mattered. Like… like my time has stopped moving. That's why I'm doing this. To make my time move forward again. So that I can walk ahead into the future. To do that… I must defeat Playmaker! I need to prove I'm the strongest! So I can move forward!
That's why I'll fight for this AI chip. That's why I'll win it. I'm sorry, Techbane, but to make my time move forward again, I have to win this duel!
"My turn! Draw!" Go looked at his card and then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Card of Variation! This lets me draw two cards, but during my End Phase, I must discard a card or take 3000 points of damage."
"A risky gambit," Akira noted.
"I activate the Spell Card: Spacetime Transcendence! By banishing two or more Dinosaur monsters from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Dinosaur monster from my hand or Graveyard whose Level equals the banished monsters'. I banish the Level 1 Martial Ampelo and Level 3 Capaptera to Special Summon Level 4 Systegosaur from the Graveyard!" The green dinosaur with spines on its back reappeared in Attack Position.
Dinowrestler Systegosaur ATK 1900 DEF 0 LVL: 4
"Systegosaur's effect activates! I add Dinowrestler Pankratops from my Deck to my hand. Then, I Tribute Iguanodraka and Systegosaur to Tribute Summon Pankratops!" A large gray humanoid triceratops wearing a green vest and purple pants appeared and roared.
Dinowrestler Pankratops ATK 2600 DEF 0 LVL: 7
"Pankratops' monster effect! By Tributing one 'Dinowrestler' monster, I can target and destroy one of your cards! I Tribute King T Wrextle to destroy Cyber End Dragon!"
Another risky gambit, Shizuka thought with a frown. The Link Monster and Fusion Monster both disintegrated at Go's words, making Techbane grit his teeth. But then he gestured to his field.
"Trap activate!" he declared to Go's surprise. "Puzzle Reborn! Since my monster was destroyed by a card effect, I can Special Summon that monster. Resurrect, Cyber End Dragon!" The three-headed mechanical dragon reappeared and roared in Attack Position.
Cyber End Dragon ATK 4000 DEF 2800 LVL: 10
Akira blinked. "He anticipated his monster's destruction?"
Techbane smirked. "Cyber End Dragon has 4000 attack points. Most duelists don't have monsters that would be able to naturally reach that high. So I figured you would try to destroy it with an effect. And now you've lost your ace monster."
"Is that what you think?"
Techbane gasped at Go's words. "I activate the Spell Card: Dino Fossilization!" The card showed a skeleton that resembled King T Wrextle on display at a museum. "By paying 1000 Life Points and Tributing a Level 8 or lower 'Dinowrestler' monster, I can Special Summon a 'Dinowrestler' Link Monster from my Graveyard. I Tribute Pankratops to Special Summon King T Wrextle!" The triceratops disintegrated and was replaced by the large purple and red dinosaur.
Go Onizuka: 2000→1000 LP
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
"Dino Fossilization's second effect then increases King T Wrextle's attack points by Pankratops' attack points until the end of the turn!"
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000→5400
"5-5400 attack points?!" Techbane said in surprise.
"So it wasn't a gamble," Shizuka muttered.
"The monster summoned by Dino Fossilization can't attack directly," Go said with a smirk. "So thank you for bringing back Cyber End Dragon." Techbane grit his teeth. "Battle! King T Wrextle attacks Cyber End Dragon! At this point, World Dino Wrestling's effect activates!"
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 5400→5600
"Jurassic Howl!" King T Wrextle roared and destroyed Cyber End Dragon in a massive explosion. Techbane cried out as he was knocked off his feet and landed on his back.
Techbane: 3600→2000 LP
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 5600→5400
"I Set one card. I end my turn. During the End Phase, Dino Fossilization's effect ends, and I discard Martial Anga for Card of Variation's cost."
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 5400→3000
Techbane breathed heavily as he pushed himself up to one knee. D-Damn it, he thought. I thought I had him, but he bounced back right then and there. He grit his teeth. Still, I can't give up. My grandfather's depending on me!
Is he though?
Techbane gasped at the voice. He does not approve of your actions. How do you know he would approve of this? Do you think he would even accept your help? Why are you trying to prove yourself to someone who doesn't care?
T-That's a lie! he thought. My grandfather does care for me! He acknowledged me as heir!
Until you stole the Cyber Dragon Deck, the traitorous voice whispered. Until you sought to wield it before you were ready. How do you know this will end differently?
"It will," he whispered, pushing himself to standing position. "I'm going to win this! I'm strong enough to do this! I'm strong enough to win!"
He grit his teeth and played his hand on his Duel Disk. "My turn! Draw!" On seeing the card, his eyes widened and then narrowed. So… this is my choice. He closed his eyes, nodded, then reopened them. "I pay half my Life Points to activate the Spell Card: Cybernetic Fusion Support!"
Techbane: 2000→1000 LP
"What?" Go asked. "Why would you do that?"
"Because in exchange, if I Fusion Summon a Machine monster this turn," Techbane explained, "I can banish monsters from my hand, field, and Graveyard as the materials." Go's and Akira's eyes widened. "Next, I activate the Spell Card: Power Bond! This lets me Fusion Summon a Machine Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck. Using Cybernetic Fusion Support's effect, I fuse Nachster, Sieger, and Cyber End Dragon in my Graveyard!" The three dragons he spoke of all reappeared on his field before disintegrating into red, blue, and green particles.
The particles swirled into a vortex before three different-colored tornados burst out. The tornados merged into a single violet twister as Techbane chanted. "The everlasting dragon that exists above the world! Manifest in our reality! Fusion Summon! Take flight! Level 10! Cyber Eternity Dragon!" A massive serpentine mechanical dragon emerged from the whirlwind. It had white skin with green hexagons spread over its body. The dragon roared loudly from the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
Cyber Eternity Dragon ATK 2800 DEF 4000 LVL: 10
"Power Bond's additional effect activates! The Fusion Summoned monster gains attack points equal to its original attack points!"
Cyber Eternity Dragon ATK 2800→5600
Go gasped. "5600 attack points?"
"Go has 1000 Life Points left," Shizuka noted. "A single attack will end it."
"Battle!" Techbane declared. "Cyber Eternity Dragon attacks King T Wrextle!" The dragon gathered blue energy in its maw, which it fired at Go's dinosaur.
Go narrowed his eyes. Techbane, you're fighting for a good reason. But… I need to win this duel! "Trap activate!" he declared. "Fiery Fervor!"
Techbane gasped. "A Trap?"
"Fiery Fervor equips itself to King T Wrextle!" Go continued. "And as you control a monster whose current attack points are higher than its original attack points, King T Wrextle's attack points become double its original attack points during the Damage Step!"
"WHAT?!"
A fiery aura surrounded King T Wrextle as he loudly roared.
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 3000→6000
"Counterattack, King T Wrextle!" The monster roared a powerful sonic blast that struck the blue beam and pushed it back, ultimately dissipating it. The roar continued onwards and struck the large dragon, destroying it and making Techbane cry out.
Techbane: 1000→600 LP
Dinowrestler King T Wrextle ATK 6000→3000
Techbane looked over his empty field and grit his teeth. He lowered his head and reluctantly said. "I end my turn. During the End Phase, Power Bond's effect inflicts damage to me equal to my Fusion Monster's attack points."
A bolt of lightning shot down from the sky and struck Techbane, creating a large explosion. When the smoke cleared, the man was on his knees.
Techbane: 600→0 LP
Queen smiled as the virtual reality faded and Go and Yukaro returned to their real-world appearances. "Well, it looks like Go Onizuka will be our test subject. I look forward to the data he'll give me." She walked out of the room, not looking back at the two duelists. Akira looked down at them, a frown on his face, before following her. Shizuka stared at the duo and sighed.
I'll need to tell Diana about this, she thought as she turned and headed for the door as well.
Go looked down at his fist and clenched it. I won, he thought. This is the first step to reclaiming myself. With that AI chip, I'll defeat Playmaker!
Go left the room without glancing back. If he had, he would have witnessed Yukaro punching the floor.
"Damn it," he muttered. "I need to get stronger. But how can I get stronger when I keep losing? How can I help my grandfather like this?" He grit his teeth. "I… I need to get stronger!"
The man looked down at his laptop as he waited for his flight. It was showing a video feed. A feed of a man on his hands and knees, punching the floor after losing.
The viewer opened a file and read through it before smiling. Well, perhaps this venture will be more profitable than I expected.
He glanced up as a tone echoed over the airport's speaker, followed by a woman speaking Dutch. "Attention: we are beginning boarding for flight SN2371 bound to Den City. Repeat: now boarding for flight SN2371 bound for Den City."
He smiled again as he closed his laptop and the message was repeated in French and German. Stowing it into his hand luggage, he stood up and stretched.
He sighed as he picked up his bag. I'm starting to get too old for this, he thought. Though I wonder how the others are doing. He walked towards his flight's gate, a smile on his face. I hope they leave some excitement for me.
Go Onizuka vs. Techbane
This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.
Turn 1: Go
Go activates the effect of Dinowrestler Iguanodraka in his hand, discarding Dinowrestler Systegosaur to Special Summon it (2000/0/6) in Attack Position. Go ends his turn.
Turn 2: Techbane
Techbane draws. He activates the effect of Cyber Dragon Nachster in his hand, discarding Cyber Dragon to Special Summon it (200/200/1) in Attack Position. Since Nachster was Special Summoned, Techbane can Special Summon 1 Machine monster with 2100 ATK or DEF from his GY. He Special Summons Cyber Dragon (2100/1600/5) in Attack Position. Techbane Normal Summons Cyber Dragon Core (400/1500/2). As Core was Normal Summoned, Techbane can add 1 "Cyber" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cybernetic Overflow to his hand. Techbane uses Core and Nachster to Link Summon Cyber Dragon Sieger (2100/2/←↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone.
At the beginning of the Battle Phase, Techbane activates Sieger's effect, targeting Cyber Dragon. Cyber Dragon gains 2100 ATK/DEF, and neither player takes battle damage from battles involving Sieger this turn (Cyber Dragon: 2100→4200/1600→3700). Sieger attacks Iguanodraka, but Go activates the effect of Dinowrestler Martial Anga in his hand, sending it to the GY to prevent Iguanodraka's destruction by battle. Sieger's effect prevents Go from taking battle damage. After the battle, Martial Anga's effect ends the Battle Phase. Techbane Sets 1 card. He ends his turn, and Cyber Dragon's ATK/DEF returns to normal (Cyber Dragon: 4200→2100/3700→1600). During the End Phase, as Techbane controls more monsters than Go, Go Special Summons Martial Anga (1600/0/5) from the GY in Attack Position.
Turn 3: Go
Go draws. He activates the effect of Iguanodraka to Tribute 1 Dinosaur monster he controls to Special Summon 1 "Dinowrestler" monster from his GY in Defense Position. Go Tributes Martial Anga and Special Summons Systegosaur (1900/0/4). As Systegosaur was Special Summoned, Go can add 1 "Dinowrestler" monster or World Dino Wrestling from his Deck to his hand. He adds World Dino Wrestling to his hand. Go Normal Summons Dinowrestler Capaptera (1600/0/3). Go uses Iguanodraka and Systegosaur to Link Summon Dinowrestler Terra Parkourio (1000/2/←↑) to the Extra Monster Zone. Go activates the Field Spell Card World Dino Wrestling. As Go activated World Dino Wrestling, Terra Parkourio's effect activates, and Go adds 1 "Dinowrestler" monster from his GY to his hand. He adds Martial Anga to his hand. Go uses Capaptera and Link-2 Terra Parkourio to Link Summon Dinowrestler King T Wrextle (3000/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Capaptera was sent to the GY to Link Summon a "Dinowrestler" Link Monster, that monster gains 1000 ATK until the end of the turn (King T Wrextle: 3000→4000). As Terra Parkourio was sent to the GY as Link Material, Go can Special Summon 1 "Dinowrestler" monster from his GY in Defense Position with its effects negated. He Special Summons Iguanodraka (2000/0/6). Go activates the Spell Card Dino Reserve, which lets him move 1 "Dinowrestler" Link Monster he controls to his zone it points to, then draw 2 cards. He moves King T Wrextle to his center Main Monster Zone and draws. Go activates the Continuous Spell Card Dinomuscle, which increases the ATK of all "Dinowrestler" monsters he controls by 400, and the first time a "Dinowrestler" monster would be destroyed by battle or effect, it is not destroyed (Iguanodraka: 2000→2400) (King T Wrextle: 4000→4400).
King T Wrextle attacks Cyber Dragon. When King T Wrextle attacks, Techbane cannot activate Spell/Trap Cards. Techbane activates Sieger's effect, targeting Cyber Dragon (Cyber Dragon: 2100→4200/1600→3700). As Go's "Dinowrestler" monster attacked, World Dino Wrestling increases that monster's ATK by 200 during damage calculation (King T Wrextle: 4400→4600). Cyber Dragon is destroyed (Techbane: 4000→3600 LP) (King T Wrextle: 4600→4400). As King T Wrextle destroyed Techbane's monster, Go activates the effect of Dino Reserve in his GY, banishing it to let King T Wrextle make a second attack. King T Wrextle attacks Cyber Dragon Sieger (King T Wrextle: 4400→4600). Sieger is destroyed, but neither player takes damage from battles involving Sieger the turn it activates its effect (King T Wrextle: 4600→4400). Go ends his turn, and Capaptera's effect ends (King T Wrextle: 4400→3400).
Turn 4: Techbane
Techbane draws. He activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Double Cyclone, which lets him destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card he controls and 1 Spell/Trap Card Go controls. He destroys his Set Cybernetic Overflow and Go's Dinomuscle (Iguanodraka: 2400→2000) (King T Wrextle: 3400→3000). As Cybernetic Overflow was destroyed by a card effect, Techbane can add 1 "Cyber" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyberload Fusion from his Deck to his hand. As only Go controls a monster, Techbane activates the effect of Cyber Dragon Core in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "Cyber Dragon" monster from his Deck. He Special Summons Cyber Dragon Nachster (200/200/1) in Attack Position. As Nachster was Special Summoned, Techbane can Special Summon 1 Machine monster with 2100 ATK or DEF from his GY. He Special Summons Cyber Dragon (2100/1600/5) in Attack Position. Techbane Normal Summons Zwei (1500/1000/4). He activates Zwei's effect to reveal 1 Spell Card in his hand to change its name to Cyber Dragon until the end of the turn. He reveals Cyberload Fusion. Techbane activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Cyberload Fusion, shuffling Cyber Dragon, Nachster, and Vier, with the latter 2 treated as Cyber Dragon by their effects, back into his Deck to Fusion Summon Cyber End Dragon (4000/2800/10) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
Cyber End Dragon attacks Iguanodraka. As his "Dinowrestler" monster was attacked, Go activates the effect of Dinowrestler Martial Ampelo in his hand, discarding it to prevent Iguanodraka's destruction by battle and halving the battle damage. Cyber End Dragon inflicts piercing battle damage (Go: 4000→2000 LP). Techbane Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 5: Go
Go draws. He activates the Spell Card Card of Variation, which lets him draw 2 cards, but he must discard 1 card during the End Phase or take 3000 damage. Go activates the Spell Card Spacetime Transcendence, which lets him banish 2 or more Dinosaur monsters from his GY and Special Summon 1 Dinosaur monster from his hand or GY whose Level equals the total Levels of the banished monsters, but that monster cannot attack this turn. He banishes Level 1 Martial Ampelo and Level 3 Capaptera to Special Summon Level 4 Systegosaur (1900/0/4) from his GY in Attack Position. As Systegosaur was Special Summoned, Go can add 1 "Dinowrestler" monster or World Dino Wrestling from his Deck to his hand. He adds Dinowrestler Pankratops from his Deck to his hand. Go Tributes Iguanodraka and Systegosaur to Tribute Summon Dinowrestler Pankratops (2600/0/7). Go activates the effect of Pankratops, Tributing King T Wrextle to target and destroy 1 card Techbane controls. Go destroys Cyber End Dragon. As exactly 1 monster he controls was destroyed by a card effect, Techbane activates his Set Trap Card Puzzle Reborn, which lets him Special Summon the destroyed Cyber End Dragon in Attack Position (4000/2800/10). Go pays 1000 LP to activate the Spell Card Dino Fossilization (Go: 2000→1000 LP), which lets him Tribute 1 Level 8 or lower "Dinowrestler" monster he controls to Special Summon 1 "Dinowrestler" Link Monster from his GY. He Tributes Pankratops to Special Summon King T Wrextle (3000/3/↙↓↘). The second effect of Dino Fossilization increases King T Wrextle's ATK by Pankratops' original ATK until the end of the turn (King T Wrextle: 3000→5400). King T Wrextle cannot attack directly.
King T Wrextle attacks Cyber End Dragon. The effect of World Dino Wrestling activates (King T Wrextle: 5400→5600). Cyber End Dragon is destroyed (Techbane: 3600→2000 LP) (King T Wrextle: 5600→5400). Go Sets 1 card. He ends his turn. During the End Phase, he discards Martial Anga due to Card of Variation's effect and Dino Fossilization's effect ends (King T Wrextle: 5400→3000).
Turn 6: Techbane
Techbane draws. He pays half his LP to activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Cybernetic Fusion Support (Techbane: 2000→1000 LP). This turn, if he would Fusion Summon a Machine Fusion Monster, he can banish monsters from his hand, field, and/or GY as the Fusion Materials. He then activates the Spell Card Power Bond, which lets him Fusion Summon 1 Machine Fusion Monster from his Extra Deck. Techbane banishes Nachster, Sieger, and Cyber End Dragon from his GY to Fusion Summon Cyber Eternity Dragon (2800/4000/10) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Power Bond's effect increases Cyber Eternity Dragon's ATK by its original ATK (Cyber Eternity Dragon: 2800→5600).
Cyber Eternity Dragon attacks King T Wrextle. Go activates his Set Trap Card Fiery Fervor, targeting King T Wrextle for its effect. Fiery Fervor is equipped to King T Wrextle. As Techbane controls a monster who's current ATK is higher than its original ATK, the equipped King T Wrextle's ATK becomes double its original ATK during the Damage Step (King T Wrextle: 3000→6000). The attack continues and Cyber Eternity Dragon is destroyed (Techbane: 1000→600 LP) (King T Wrextle: 6000→3000). Techbane ends his turn. During the End Phase, Techbane takes damage equal to the ATK Cyber Eternity Dragon gained due to Power Bond's effect (Techbane: 600→0 LP). Go wins.
Dino Reserve Normal Spell Card
Target 1 "Dinowrestler" Link Monster you control in the Extra Monster Zone; move it to your Main Monster Zone it points to, and if you do, draw 2 cards, also for the rest of this turn after this card resolves, you cannot add cards from your Deck to your hand. If your "Dinowrestler" Link Monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you can banish this card from your GY and target that monster; that monster can make a second attack during each Battle Phase this turn.
Dino Fossilization Normal Spell Card
Pay 1000 LP, and if you do, target 1 Level 8 or lower "Dinowrestler" monster you control; Tribute that monster, then Special Summon 1 "Dinowrestler" Link Monster from your GY, and if you do, increase that monster's ATK by the Tributed monster's original ATK until the end of the turn. The Special Summoned monster cannot attack your opponent directly. You can only activate "Dino Fossilization" once per Duel.
Chapter Preview
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 43 – Can You Keep Up With Me? Lured into LINK VRAINS, Morningstar faces his most dangerous opponent yet. His enemy goads the former bounty hunter into action with a question, and at the height of the duel, Morningstar gives him his answer…
Question of the Chapter
Who thinks Yu-Gi-Oh! 7, whatever it ends up being called, will include another new summoning method? Will it be an Extra Deck one, or a Main Deck one like Pendulum or Ritual?
Author's Notes
Well, this was a short chapter. I came up with this chapter both to cover Episodes 64 and 65 and to serve as sort of a breather before Chapters 43 & 44, which will get intense. This also let me practice writing a Dinowrestler duel, and while I don't dislike them, writing Goukis is easier.
This is my interpretation of Go Onizuka in season 2 before he got the AI chip: He's basically in a cycle of self-pity. He can't let go of his feelings of inferiority towards Playmaker, which is why he resorted to dangerous methods to get stronger. This is also why I have him use the phrase "time stopped moving." In VRAINS, that phrase essentially defined everyone touched by the Lost Incident, sans Spectre; Yusaku was trapped by his nightmares, Takeru felt angry at the world and unable to move forward, Kusanagi devoted years of his life to saving his brother, and Ryoken was overcome by guilt and was unable to let go of his hatred for the Ignis and SOL. In Hidden Memories, Sachi was stuck in a mental coma and while Yasutake tried to move forward, he wasn't able to until he met Yusaku and Kusanagi and became involved in the Hanoi war. Go using that phrase, that "time stopped moving," is him equating his feelings of inadequacy with what Playmaker and Morningstar went through.
We also have a scene at the end, which I'll leave you guys to parse through. And what it means Techbane will be doing for the rest of the season and beyond.
Okay, I thought of waiting to release this chapter on Wednesday, so I could talk about VRAINS ending, but I decided to release this today instead. Why? Because I saw that Friday the 27th will be Hidden Memories' 2-year anniversary. So, I've made up my mind: I will release Chapter 42 today and do my best to release Chapter 43 on Friday, because I plan on it being a big chapter. Now, this means I won't be releasing Chapter 14 of Fifth Circuit until after Chapter 43, so sorry Fifth Circuit fans. But I will be talking about the end of VRAINS and how Hidden Memories will continue on in season 3 at the end of 43.
Thank you for reading Chapter 42, and I hope to join you all again on Friday for the release of Chapter 43! Wish me luck!