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

45. Chapter 45: Bonds of the Soul

Edit

I was made aware of a mistake I made via Link Pressure's effect. As such, I changed it to an OC called Cyberse Boost. Sorry for the correction.

---

Responses to Reviews

Thank you to ZarcEternal, jdkeller2000, Germancardfightfan, JaneValentine007, D3lph0xL0v3r, SolanaLeonhart, savagemaster1999, HunterHQ, Guest, Electriuser, Lightning, SakushiRyu, Unknown, Unnamed, InfiniteStarz, Zero Shadow-01, Ethan Kironus, Guest, ThePLOThand, Dude, Fullcross, Katsuki Bakugo, DivadX, guardian of the aura Aurasoul, Flick, NewComer1, Guest, and Lindia Fullmoon for reviewing Chapter 44.

Germancardfightfan: No, Zahhak still has Nebula's data. It will make a return, don't worry.

Unknown: HK means "Hunter Killer." The name originates from Star Wars Legends and designates a series of assassin droids, the most famous of which is HK-47 from the Knights of the Old Republic video games.

Guest: The Speed Duel canceling thing is something that only applies to Cyspirit Superior Seraphim and the Cydevil and Cyseraph Link-5s. This is because there is something special about them that Bohman's and Playmaker's Link-5s don't have. As for what that is, I'm afraid that falls under spoilers.

Katsuki Bakugo: Sadly, I have not watched any full episodes of My Hero Academia. My understanding of the series can be boiled down to two words: "Eat this."

DivadX: No, that character wasn't part of Zahhak's design. I based his design primarily off of Sith armor from the Star Wars: The Old Republic video game. As for the second question, I haven't decided yet.

Flick: I did think about it. I decided he wouldn't do it, for the simple fact that I can't think of a mission where he would do something like that. And while he has a "love to hate" relationship with her, he isn't the kind of guy who would troll her like that.

Now that's done, I hope you enjoy my more developed opening. There's only one reveal left to make for it, so it will only appear one more time before the new opening.

---

Chapter 45: Bonds of the Soul

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

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

Masako is shown riding in the passenger side of a van, with the window showing an image of Lilith. In the sky above her, an image of Thaumiel appears, holding his hand over the van. Kenshin Hirai is then shown at a café, drinking coffee and reading a book, while an image of Hitomu Hirai appears in the sky facing the opposite direction. Go Onizuka is shown in NEW LINK VRAINS, riding his D-Board with Kenmochi and Yoroizaka on either side. Behind them, Techbane and Sylphid fly on their own D-Boards. As they pass under a ledge, Blue Angel, Galahad, and Persephone are shown looking down at Go with sad and disappointed looks.

Kusanagi is then shown sitting at a picnic bench with Cam, both drinking from cans and laughing. Flame and Ai are shown arguing in Café Nagi, while Cypher looks at the two of them with exasperation and mild contempt. Akira Zaizen and Hayami are then shown standing next to Queen, who is sitting in a pool chair, adjusting her glasses.

Jester is then shown, with Zahhak on his left and a woman shrouded in shadows on his right. Zahhak's eyes glow red. The eyeholes of Jester's mask glow a light blue. Behind them are Life Stream Dragon and Life Force Dragon, shrouded in shadows.

Morningstar and Playmaker ride their D-Boards next to each other, with Cyberse Witch and Cyberse Magician in front of Playmaker, and Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary and Cyspirit Savage Shogun in front of Morningstar. The two are chased by Techbane and Sylphid. The man directs Cyber Dragon Sieger to fire at Morningstar while the girl commands Dragunity Knight – Gae Dearg to attack Playmaker. The two are hit with energy attacks but emerge from the smoke unharmed.

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

A split screen, showing two figures. The one on the right is Cassiel, holding a card in her right hand. Behind her Cyseraph Guardian Michael holding his sword aloft. The left screen shows Zahhak, with his right hand raised and the fingers curled. Behind him is Cydevil Prideful Helel, a sneer on his perfect face.

Morningstar, Playmaker, and Soulburner are then shown back-to-back, with their hands glowing silver, blue, and red respectively. The three face off against Bohman and Trident Hydradrive Lord, Blood Shepard and Battledrone General, and Jester, who raises his arm as a pillar of energy appears behind him. Life Force Dragon emerges from the pillar and roars.

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

Cam, Sachi, Yasutake, Takeru, Kusanagi, and Yusaku are all shown at a picnic table, with them eating hot dogs, and Takeru and Cam are laughing. Three Duel Disks are shown on the table, with Flame lecturing Ai while Cypher watches television on Yasutake's tablet. Aoi, Akira, and Emma are in the background, walking past them and smiling at the table.

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

---

Yasutake groaned and opened his eyes. Then he blinked, sat up, and looked around. "What the…?" He was surrounded by darkness. The only thing he could make out was the thick mist that covered the floor.

"What is this?" he muttered as he stood up. Looking around, he saw that he was alone. Making a decision, he started walking.

He didn't how long he walked. All he knew was that when he heard a noise, he stopped. A groan.

"Who's-?" He gasped on seeing a person in the mist. Someone lying on the ground. "Playmaker!"

Yasutake rushed over to the fallen duelist. He was covered in bruises, parts of his jumpsuit had been torn, and his Duel Disk's orb had been cracked.

"Playmaker…" Yasutake muttered. "Wake up!" He shook the duelist, but he only groaned in response. Looking up, Yasutake gasped again. "Soulburner…"

The fiery duelist was laying face-down some distance away. Like Playmaker, he was covered in bruises, his jumpsuit was torn, and the orb on his Duel Disk had been cracked. And beyond him…

Yasutake's eyes widened. "No! SACHI!" He ran over to the girl's side. Her dress and vest were torn in numerous places, her hair was undone, and she was covered in bruises. Yasutake knelt down and lifted her into her arms.

"Sachi, wake up!" he begged. "Wake up!" She was unresponsive, just like the others. "Sachi," he whispered. "Please…"

He shut his eyes and grit his teeth, but when he opened them, Cassiel was glowing. He gasped as her body started to disintegrate into golden light. "No," he whispered. "No, no, no!" He tried to hold her body close, but he couldn't stop it. One second she was there. The next she was gone.

Yasutake breathed in and out sharply as he turned to look back at Playmaker and Soulburner. Like Cassiel, both duelists were glowing gold and disintegrating. After only a second, they were gone too. And Yasutake was alone again.

"No," he whispered as he stood up. He gasped for breath as he hugged himself. "No. I couldn't…"

"Of course you couldn't."

Yasutake gasped and spun around. But the instant he did, a clawed hand lashed out and grabbed his throat. Yasutake gagged as he was lifted off his feet and forced to look into a set of eyeholes that glowed red.

"A weakling like you could never save the ones around you," Zahhak said softly. His tone was condescending, but there was a hint of pity in it. "You couldn't even manage to keep up with me. What hope do you have to saving the ones you call friends?"

Yasutake opened his mouth but no words came out. He was suddenly aware that Zahhak was now standing over a cliff, and far below waves crashed against the side.

"It would be better for everyone if someone like you disappeared," Zahhak almost whispered. Then he let go.

Yasutake screamed as he plummeted to the water below.

"AAAAAHHHHH!"

Yasutake gasped and opened his eyes. He vaulted upwards, breathing hard and clutched his chest. It took a few panicked seconds for him to realize that he was in his bed, back in his room. Even then, it took him much longer to get his breathing back under control.

He groaned and held his head in his hands. "Again…?" he muttered. He'd had that nightmare the night before, too. Of his friends disappearing. And of him.

"Remember what I asked? Can you keep up with me? Well now I have my answer. You could not. Not even for a second. So realize your own weakness and fall into despair!"

Yasutake grit his teeth and growled. "Zahhak…" he whispered. Who was that man? To ask if he could keep up with him? And… why? Why was his lose troubling him like this?

What was this feeling? This quickening of his heartbeat when he thought of the armored man. The cold sweat he felt at the base of his neck. Was this… fear?

---

Sachi was worried.

There were legitimately a lot of things to worry about. There was the fact that they had no clues as to Bohman's location, nor did they know where Kusanagi's brother's consciousness data was. Then there was SOL's bounty hunters, who had shown themselves to be persistent, and in Blood Shepherd's case, more dangerous than they had expected. There was the Knights of Hanoi who were still active and whatever they were scheming. And then there was Jester's and Zahhak's group, who had proven to be the most dangerous of the threats against them. But at the moment, Sachi wasn't worried about them. Instead, she was worried about her roommate.

Yasutake had taken the day off school yesterday to recover from his ordeal with Zahhak, but it was clear to her and Cam that everything wasn't okay. The bags under his eyes had told her that he couldn't sleep. And while he had come to school with Sachi today, he had been much quieter than before, often not hearing the teachers when they called on him or flinching when Shizuka Midori, who sat next to him and was apparently getting irritated by his behavior, had snapped her fingers under his nose. Things had come to a head when Naoki, evidently trying to play a joke, had snuck up behind Yasutake and grabbed his shoulder. Perhaps he had expected Yasutake to jump. What happened instead was that the taller boy had spun around and socked Naoki in the face. Aoi had (reluctantly) taken Naoki to the nurse to treat his bloody nose, while the teacher held Yasutake back to chastise him.

"Something's clearly eating away at him." Sachi frowned at Takeru's words. They and Yusaku were sitting in an empty classroom not far from the one Yasutake was in. "He's usually quiet in school, but not like this."

"And while Shima might bother him, Narahiko's never been confrontational," Yusaku added, frowning to himself. "Sachi," he turned to the lone girl, "has he said anything to you?"

She shook her head. "No. Not a word. To me or Cam. But I know he's been having nightmares; when I saw him these past two mornings, he just looked… haggard. Like he'd seen something that terrified him."

Takeru frowned. "Well, it's obvious what the cause is, right? It's because he lost to Zahhak."

"But why?" The humans turned to look at the two Duel Disks on the side. Ai and Flame remained in eye form and both blinked up at the humans. Yasutake had left Cypher with Cam for the day. "Why did losing to that guy affect him so badly?" Ai asked.

"Yes," Flame said. "When you lose, you don't mope; you get back up and try again! I thought better of Morningstar than this."

"It's not that he lost," Yusaku interrupted. "It's the way he lost."

"Huh?" Ai and Flame blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I don't get it either," Takeru admitted. "What does how he lost have to do with this?"

Yusaku crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "Narahiko is a very proud duelist," he explained. "That was something I understood from our first duel. When we dueled, he accepted his lose. Just as I accepted my lose when he defeated me later."

Sachi frowned. "Cam and Yasu told me about your first duel, and I saw your second one," she said. "What was it you said when you lost?"

"I remember!" Ai piped up. "You said that you didn't mind losing to him."

"I did," Yusaku remembered and nodded. "For the same reason he accepted his lose against me: he knew that even if he didn't win, he pushed me farther than anyone had before."

"…I don't get it," Flame said confusedly.

"I think I do," Takeru said, frowning slightly to himself. "You're saying that he accepted his lose against you because he knew he made you work for your victory."

"Yes," Yusaku confirmed. "But with Zahhak, it was different." He held up a hand. "One: Narahiko is a very skilled duelist. The number of people who can possibly defeat him is very low. Two: He is aware of this and takes great pride in his abilities. Three: When he dueled Zahhak, his opponent conspicuously held back. He belittled his skills and defeated him in a way that crushed his spirit."

Sachi frowned sadly and looked down at her hands. "You're right," she said softly. "Cypher told me about the Cydemon Deck. About what Zahhak could have done. But the way he dueled against Yasu was designed to break him. He didn't even use his Skill."

"He really is a terrifying opponent," Takeru muttered with a frown.

"Yeah," Flame agreed. "I'm not keen on going up against him."

"But what about Narahiko?" Ai asked. "It isn't a good idea for him to be wallowing right now, is it?"

"No, it isn't," Yusaku agreed. "We need his help to recover Kusanagi's brother's consciousness data."

"And he's our friend," Takeru added. "We should help him." He turned to the only girl present. "You know him best, Sachi. How can we help him?"

Sachi frowned and thought about it. "Well…" She was silent for a few seconds before her cheeks suddenly turned pink.

"Huh?" Takeru blinked. "Uh, are you okay, Sachi? Your face is red."

"I-I'm fine," she asserted, shaking her head. My mind went in the completely wrong direction, she thought.

"I know how to help him." Sachi and Takeru blinked and turned to Yusaku.

"You do?" the girl asked.

"Yes." The hacker turned to the Ignis. "That thing you two and Cypher were working on; is it done?"

"Eh?" Ai blinked. "You knew about that?"

"Kusanagi told me."

Ai growled. "And I thought he could keep a secret."

"Wait," Flame interjected, "are you referring to-?"

"Yeah, that," Ai confirmed. "And yes, it's done, but what good will it do?"

"Message Cypher and tell him to bring Narahiko there," Yusaku said. "We'll meet there after school."

"Do you know what's going on?" Takeru asked Sachi.

She shook her head. "I don't. But if it helps Yasu, then I'm all for it."

---

Sachi and Yasutake walked into Café Junpei. "Huh," the boy said, looking around the empty bakery. "Looks like Cam went on his date after all."

Yesterday, Emily Garcia had dropped by and invited Cam to get coffee with her. Cam had turned her down, not because he didn't want to, but because he was really busy. Instead, he had asked her to go see a movie with him today, which she had accepted. Since Yasutake and Sachi were still at school, Cam had closed Café Junpei for the day when he left.

"Come on," he said to Sachi as he led the way to the backroom. We should get a start on our homework." She nodded silently in agreement.

The two entered the room to be greeted by Cypher. "Yo. About time you got here." Yasutake and Sachi sat down at the monitors.

"Hey, Cypher," Yasutake said. "We have homework to do, so could you do your streaming quietly?"

"Actually, neither of us will be doing that." Yasutake blinked at Cypher's words. "I got a message from Ai. He and Playmaker want to meet up."

Yasutake frowned. "We were just at school. What could have changed since then?" His eyes widened. "Did Kusanagi get an update on Bohman?"

"If he did, he hasn't shared it yet," Cypher said. "Come on. Let's get going."

"I'll come too," Sachi asserted. Yasutake glanced at her and then nodded.

"Alright, let's go." Yasutake put his Duel Disk on and entered the sealed room.

"Deck set! Into the VRAINS!"

---

Morningstar and Cassiel landed on the cliff and the former blinked. "Cypher, where are we?" he asked the Ignis in his Duel Disk. They were standing atop the side of a mountain that was half covered in snow. The sky around them was blue and stretched off in every direction without anything else in sight. "This isn't LINK VRAINS, is it?"

"Not exactly," Cypher said. "This is a private server that Ai, Flame, and I came up with."

"A private server?" Morningstar repeated. "Why would you make something like this?"

"To serve as a private practice area for you and Cassiel

"Because I wanted to meet you here."

Morningstar blinked and turned. Playmaker and Soulburner were both there, standing further away from the ledge.

Morningstar stared at them, then looked at Cassiel, who looked away guiltily. He sighed. "Alright, what's this about?" he asked. "Because you three brought me here for a reason. What is it?"

"Morningstar," Playmaker said, "will you duel me?"

"…Huh?"

Ai chuckled at the look on Morningstar's face. "I told you that's how he'd react, Playmaker."

"It would probably be a good idea to explain why you're challenging him, Playmaker," Soulburner added dryly.

"It absolutely would be," Cassiel said as she crossed her arms.

"I suppose you two are right." Playmaker closed his eyes for a few seconds, then opened them again. "Morningstar, are you afraid of Zahhak?"

"…!" Morningstar's eyes narrowed as his heartrate accelerated. He clenched his fists, which Playmaker didn't miss.

"As I thought," he said softly. "When you dueled Zahhak, he crushed your spirit. He showed you such a great gap between you that you believe it impossible to overcome that gap. And now you're afraid of him, and terrified of facing him again."

"Playmaker!" Cassiel protested, glaring at the hacker. "Stop that!"

"…And you think dueling you will help me overcome that?" Morningstar asked, glaring at the hacker.

"Maybe," Playmaker shrugged. "Or maybe it won't. But it won't hurt to try, would it?"

"Plus, this is pretty much the only thing he can do," Ai added. "Dueling, hacking, and making hotdogs are really the only things he's good at, and the latter two aren't really useful for this."

"Oh, I don't know," Cypher said. "Hotdogs sound really good about now."

"We can't eat human food," Flame reminded his fellow Ignis.

"I can appreciate them visually," Cypher said with great dignity.

"They are a mixture of pork and beef in a piece of bread with a slit topped with condiments," Flame argued. "How is that visually appealing?"

"Are you two really arguing about how hotdogs look?" Soulburner asked the Ignis, his amusement clear.

"It doesn't surprise me that they do this anymore," Cassiel said, trying to suppress a smile. "They seem to like talking about trivial things."

"Alright." Everyone except Playmaker blinked and looked at Morningstar, who had been standing there with his eyes closed in thought since Playmaker's last words. Now his eyes had opened. "I accept your challenge, Playmaker."

Playmaker smiled. "Good."

Morningstar rode his D-Board around the mountain's peak, Playmaker not far ahead of him. Cassiel and Soulburner were also on their D-Boards and were following from a distance.

"A duel between Morningstar and Playmaker," Soulburner said, grinning to himself. "I knew they dueled before, but this is my first time seeing them!"

"You shouldn't sound so excited," Flame chided. "If you wanted to, you could challenge one of them yourself."

Soulburner shook his head quickly. "No way. There's no way I could do that."

"Yasu…" Cassiel murmured, watching her friend as he followed after Playmaker.

"It's a good thing we made it possible for Speed Duels in this place," Cypher commented, looking ahead at his partner's opponent. "You and Playmaker have only every had Master Duels. A Speed Duel between you two would be refreshing."

Morningstar didn't respond. Instead, he was looking around, checking out the landscape. This is a well-made private server, he noted. He looked forward at Playmaker. And then, as he watched the hacker's back, there was suddenly another person on a D-Board in his place. Someone in black and red armor.

Zahhak turned around and glared at the hunter. "Can you keep up with me?" he asked.

Morningstar gasped, closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Morningstar?"

The former hunter opened his eyes at Cypher's concerned voice. The apparition had vanished, leaving Playmaker behind.

"I'm fine," he assured his partner. His voice cracked a little. He grit his teeth. Can I keep up with you? he thought. I… I don't know anymore.

Playmaker looked back at his opponent. "Let's go, Morningstar!"

The hunter refocused on reality. "Yes!"

"Speed Duel!"

Morningstar: 4000 LP

Playmaker: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Morningstar declared. "When there are no monsters on the field, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Illusionist. When I do so, its attack points become 1800 and I add a new 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand." A skeleton in a tuxedo and top hat appeared in Attack Position and waved a wand in its right hand.

Cyspirit Illusionist ATK 2400→1800

Morningstar took his new card from his Deck, then pointed upwards. "Appear, the circuit between light and darkness! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' monster. I set Illusionist in the Link Marker!" His monster became a silver stream and entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller!" A skeleton in a business suit with a radio emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller ATK 500 LINK-1 ↓

"Cacophonic Caller's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to its Link Marker in Attack Position. Come, Cyspirit Alchemist!" A gray skeleton in a white lab coat holding two beakers – one red and one blue – in its hands appeared. The lab coat was torn in several places and a single blue eye gleamed in the skeleton's skull.

Cyspirit Alchemsit ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"The monster Special Summoned by Cacophonic Caller's effect will be destroyed during the End Phase. Since there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Prisoner!" A skeleton in a prisoner's jumpsuit appeared in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Prisoner ATK 1600 DEF 2100 LVL: 5

"Alchemist's monster effect! By using monsters I control, I can Fusion Summon a 'Cyspirit' Fusion Monster!"

"Eh?" Ai blinked. "He's Fusion Summoning?"

"I fuse Alchemist and Cacophonic Caller!" Morningstar declared as the stripe on his jumpsuit turned violet. Said monsters disintegrated into red and blue particles that swirled into a vortex before bursting forth as tornados. The streams merged to form one purple tornado.

"The lone hunter that traverses the wild!" Morningstar chanted. "Let your howl ignite the spirits of the departed! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 5! Cyspirit Wandering Wolf!"

A large canine skeleton emerged from the tornado. However, light soon covered the skeleton, and when it disappeared, the skeleton was covered in silver armor that was further covered by silver fur. The wolf's claws were made of obsidian and gleamed in the light, while its tail swooshed back and forth. Red and blue eyes shone in its head as silver teeth gleamed in its mouth. The wolf howled as it was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Wandering Wolf ATK 1800 DEF 900 LVL: 5

"A new 'Cyspirit' Fusion Monster?" Soulburner said in surprise.

"When did Cypher give him that?" Flame wondered.

Morningstar remembered what Cypher had told him once. While I can make Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz Monsters for you, I can only make low-powered, support-based ones. Wandering Wolf was one of the monsters that Cypher had talked about.

"Wandering Wolf's monster effect! When it is Fusion Summoned, I can add one 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck to my hand. Next, I summon Cyspirit Sorceress!" The skeleton in a black dress wielding a staff materialized.

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, Alchemist!" The skeleton in a tattered lab coat reappeared in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Alchemist ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Sorceress's additional effect! Once per turn, I can change its Level to between 1 and 6 until the end of the turn. I change its Level to Level 5!"

Cyspirit Sorceress LVL: 4→5

"Eh? Why Level 5?" Ai asked.

"Because now he has three Level 5 monsters," Playmaker answered, his eyes narrowing.

"Appear, the circuit between light and darkness! The summoning conditions are three Level 5 or higher 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set Prisoner, Sorceress, and Wandering Wolf in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cyspirit Winning Wrestler!" A massive skeleton wearing black pants a cape emerged from the portal and roared from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Winning Wrestler ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

The monster that represents Cam in Yasu's heart, Cassiel thought as her eyes narrowed.

"Since Prisoner was used to Link Summon Winning Wrestler, I can add a new 'Cyspirit' card from my Deck to my hand. In addition, since I control a 'Cyspirit' monster, I can Special Summon Cyspirit Navigator!" A skeleton in a pirate's outfit wearing a black tricorne hat appeared in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Navigator ATK 1300 DEF 1100 LVL: 3

"Appear again, the circuit between light and darkness! The summoning conditions are two Level 4 or lower 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set Alchemist and Navigator in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the top and left arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyspirit Idealistic Idol!" A skeleton in a sleeveless indigo dress emerged from the portal, her wings spread behind her as she stood at Winning Wrestler's bottom Link Marker.

Cyspirit Idealistic Idol ATK 1500 LINK-2 ←↑

And now the monster that represents me, Cassiel thought sadly.

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

"My turn! Draw!" Playmaker looked at his card, then at Morningstar. "So, those are the monsters you choose to rely on."

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I know what those monsters represent to you. Moreover, I remember what I felt from them when I first saw them." Playmaker frowned. "But now I feel nothing. They are still powerful, but the emotions behind that power are gone."

"That's because of me," Cypher said. When they turned to look at him, he explained, "My code in the cards allowed Morningstar to implant his own emotions and associations into the cards. Those emotions he felt were what he felt when he first used them. But since my code isn't there anymore, so are the emotions."

"I see," Playmaker said. "But those two monsters are more to you, aren't they? They're your representations of Cameron and Sachi Junpei."

Morningstar frowned. "Where are you going with this, Playmaker?"

"Nowhere; I just found it interesting to note. But I'll get back to the duel. I summon Widget Kid!" A boy in blue and white with a toy blaster appeared.

Widget Kid ATK 1500 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"Widget Kid's monster effect! When it is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon one Cyberse monster from my hand in Defense Position. Come, Garbage Collector!" A blue metal trash can with claws attached to its sides appeared.

Garbage Collector ATK 100 DEF 1900 LVL: 2

"Garbage Collector's monster effect! By returning Widget Kid to my hand, I can Special Summon a Cyberse monster from my Deck that has the same Level but a different name. Come, Flame Bufferlo!" Widget Kid disappeared and was replaced by a black mechanical bison with blue flaming horns and tail in Attack Position.

Flame Bufferlo ATK 1400 DEF 200 LVL: 3

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters. I set Flame Bufferlo and Garbage Collector in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyberse Witch!" A red-haired woman wearing brown robes and silver armor emerged from the portal and swung a black staff topped by a green orb from the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyberse Witch ATK 800 LINK-2 ↙↓

Morningstar narrowed his eyes at Playmaker's monster. Since Flame Bufferlo left the field, I can discard a Cyberse monster to draw two cards."

"Idealistic Idol's effect activates!" Morningstar declared. "Since it points to one monster and a monster was Link Summoned, you take 200 points of damage! Ideal Light!" Playmaker winced as the female skeleton's wings shone.

Playmaker: 4000→3800 LP

"That monster will inflict 200 points of damage when either of them Link Summons," Flame noted. "It's not much, but since both of them rely heavily on Link Summoning, the damage will build."

"I activate the Spell Card: One-Time Passcode!" Playmaker declared. "This lets me Special Summon a Security Token in Defense Position!" A triangular robot with a blue lens appeared at Cyberse Witch's bottom Link Marker.

Security Token ATK 2000 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"Cyberse Witch's monster effect! Since a monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, I can banish One-Time Passcode from my Graveyard to add a Cyberse Ritual Monster and Cynet Ritual from my Deck to my hand. In addition, since its effect was activated, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Flame Bufferlo!" The mechanical bison reappeared at Cyberse Witch's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Flame Bufferlo ATK 1400 DEF 200 LVL: 3

"Cynet Ritual," Cypher noted. "Here it comes, partner!" Morningstar grit his teeth.

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Cynet Ritual!" Playmaker declared, the stripe on his own jumpsuit glowing blue. "I Tribute monsters from my hand and field whose total Levels equal or surpass the Level of the Cyberse Ritual Monster that I'm Ritual Summoning from my hand!" The light around them faded as a blue circle with seven blue flames materialized in front of Playmaker.

"I Tribute the Level 3 Flame Bufferlo and Level 4 Security Token!" Said monsters broke apart into blue particles and entered the circle, which produced a beam of light. "The contract has been made! The sage who wields dark power inherits these two souls! Ritual Summon! Rise, Cyberse Magician!" A black and blue staff parted the pillar of blue light. A man with long green hair wearing green, gray, and dark blue robes topped with silver armor and boots held the staff. An uncovered eye looked up from underneath a visor as the Ritual Monster was summoned to Cyberse Witch's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Cyberse Magician ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"Playmaker's Ritual Monster," Cypher noted, crossing his arms. "It isn't as cool as Digital Dragoon, but it's definitely dangerous."

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Grid Rod!" Playmaker said. Cyberse Magician's staff disintegrated and was replaced by a much longer staff, once which he held in both hands. "Cyberse Magician gains 300 attack points and is unaffected by your card effects. In addition, the first time it would be destroyed by battle or card effect each turn, it isn't destroyed."

Cyberse Magician ATK 2500→2800

Morningstar grit his teeth. It prevents destruction and makes the equipped monster unaffected by card effects? he thought. That's a troublesome card.

"I Set one card," Playmaker said. "Battle! Cyberse Magician attacks Idealistic Idol!" Cyberse Magician spun its staff and charged the female skeleton.

"This isn't good, partner!" Cypher warned Morningstar. The former hunter grit his teeth and gestured to his field.

"I activate the effect of Wandering Wolf in my Graveyard!" he declared. "By banishing it, 'Cyspirit' monsters can't be destroyed by battle this turn, and the battle damage is halved!" A transparent Wandering Wolf appeared and howled. It broke into particles that covered Idealistic Idol and Winning Wrestler in cases of light.

Playmaker narrowed his eyes. "Cyberse Magician's monster effect! When it battles a Link Monster, it gains 1000 attack points!"

Cyberse Magician ATK 2800→3800

"Go! Cyberse Magic!" Cyberse Magician fired energy from its staff at Idealistic Idol, causing an explosion. The skeleton survived the blast, but Morningstar winced from the damage that got through.

Morningstar: 4000→2850 LP

Cyberse Magician ATK 3800→2800

"I end my turn," Playmaker said. "Now, Morningstar, show me your response to my dueling!"

"My response?" Morningstar muttered. "In that case, I know just what to show you! My turn! Draw!"

Morningstar looked over the field. I had intended to use Winning Wrestler's and Idealistic Idol's effects to inflict heavy damage, he thought. But since Grid Rod prevents me from using Winning Wrestler's effect on Cyberse Magician, I'll have to change my strategy.

"I summon Cyspirit Nova!" A small skeletal dragon with silver armor and black and silver wings appeared and roared.

Cyspirit Nova ATK 1500 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Appear, the circuit between light and darkness! The summoning condition is one 'Cyspirit' Normal Monster. I set Nova in the Link Marker!" Nova entered the left arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Cyspirit Odd Outlaw!" A cowboy skeleton armed with two pistols emerged from the portal. It flapped its wings as it was summoned to Idealistic Idol's left Link Marker.

Cyspirit Odd Outlaw ATK 500 LINK-1 ←

"Idealistic Idol's monster effect! Ideal Light!" The female skeleton's wings erupted with light.

"Cyberse Magician's monster effect!" Playmaker declared. "When I would take damage, the damage is halved! Cyberse Architect!" Cyberse Magician's visor shot out a beam of red light, striking Idealistic Idol. Her light dimmed, but it didn't go away and made Playmaker wince.

Playmaker: 3800→3700 LP

"I activate the effect of Cyspirit Alchemist in my Graveyard!" Morningstar said. "By banishing it, I can add Cyspirit Fusion from my Deck to my hand."

"Eh?" Ai blinked. "It not only lets him Fusion Summon, but it gives him Cyspirit Fusion, too?"

"I activate the Spell Card: Cyspirit Fusion!" The stripe on Morningstar's jumpsuit glowed violet again. "With this, I fuse the Cyspirit Samurai in my hand with the Idealistic Idol, Odd Outlaw, and Winning Wrestler on my field!"

A skeleton in red and black armor appeared on the field, before breaking apart into red particles. Morningstar's three Link Monsters followed suit, breaking apart into blue, green, and orange particles. The particles swirled together into a vortex before spiraling upwards. The streams merged to form a purple tornado. "The supreme blade that cleaves the wind! Resurrect the ancient legend!" Morningstar chanted. "Fusion Summon! Come out! Cyspirit Savage Shogun!" A silver katana parted the whirlwind, revealing a skeleton in black and silver ridged plate armor. It sheathed its katana as silver wings spread behind its back and it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 2800 DEF 2300 LVL: 8

"Morningstar's ace Fusion Monster," Playmaker muttered.

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Cyspirit Soulsword!" Morningstar declared. Savage Shogun unsheathed its katana, which then glowed as it changed shape. It remained curved, but it also became slightly longer and more jagged on the sides. Blue crystals were embedded in the center of the blade, one near the tip and the other near the hilt. Said hilt also became longer and changed color to black with a tassel at the end. "While Soulsword is equipped to a monster, that monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and when it attacks a Special Summoned monster, it gains attack points equal to its Level times 200!"

"Eh?" Ai gasped. "That's a good card!"

"Battle! Savage Shogun attacks Cyberse Magician!" The Fusion Monster charged the Ritual Monster. "Soulsword's effect activates!"

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 2800→4400

"Go! Soul Termination Slash!" Savage Shogun's blade erupted in silver light as it slashed at Cyberse Magician.

"Grid Rod's effect prevents Cyberse Magician's destruction once per turn!" Playmaker reminded him. "And Cyberse Magician's effect halves the battle damage! Cyberse Architect!"

The Ritual Monster's visor glowed with red light as the sword struck his staff. A blast of wind went outwards and struck Playmaker, making him wince.

Playmaker: 3700→2900 LP

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 4400→2800

"Savage Shogun can attack a number of times per turn equal to the number of Link Monsters used to Fusion Summon it," Morningstar continued. "I used three Link Monsters, so it can attack three times! The second attack! Savage Shogun attacks Cyberse Magician once more! And again, Soulsword's effect activates!"

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 2800→4400

"Go! Gendaito Slash!" Savage Shogun drew its wakizashi from it scabbard and charged Cyberse Magician, its shorter blade glowing silver.

"Cyberse Architect!" Playmaker declared. Cyberse Magician shot a beam of red light at Savage Shogun's sword. The blade's light dimmed, but Savage Shogun remained unimpeded. It slashed downwards, breaking the Ritual Monster's staff and making it explode. Playmaker winced from the force of the blow.

Playmaker: 2900→2100 LP

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 4400→2800

"Oh, this isn't good, Playmaker," Ai said worryingly. After all, Savage Shogun still had one attack left. And they only had one monster left.

"The third attack! Savage Shogun attacks Cyberse Witch! Soulsword's effect activates! In addition, since Savage Shogun is battling a monster that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, it gains 1000 attack points!"

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 2800→4400→5400

"Go! Final Soul Termination Slash!" Savage Shogun sheathed its wakizashi and swung its new sword, creating a slash of silver light that headed towards Cyberse Witch.

"Trap activate!" Playmaker declared. "Excess Lesser Linker! Since my Link-2 monster is battling, its attack points become equal to your monster's attack points!"

Cyberse Witch ATK 800→5400

"Since their attack points are equal, they'll destroy each other!" Ai noted.

"No," Cypher said dismissively. "Soulsword prevents Savage Shogun's destruction by battle, remember? Even if Playmaker won't take damage, Cyberse Witch is the only monster that will be destroyed."

Cyberse Witch shot streams of dark pink energy at Savage Shogun. They struck, but the monster withstood them. Cyberse Witch wasn't so lucky; Savage Shogun's slash struck her and made her cry out in pain as she exploded.

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 5400→2800

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "I end my turn," he said.

"My turn! Draw!" Playmaker gestured to his field. "I activate Cynet Ritual's effect in my Graveyard! As I control no monsters, I can banish it and Cyberse Magician to Special Summon two Cynet Tokens!" Two small dark blue spherical monsters appeared, both in Defense Position.

Cynet Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters. I set two Cynet Tokens in the Link Markers!" The tokens entered the bottom and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Clock Spartoi!" A white, yellow, and red humanoid machine armed with a pike emerged from the Link portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Clock Spartoi ATK 800 LINK-2 ↓↘

Morningstar narrowed his eyes. "That monster-."

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

"Looks like Cyberse Clock Dragon is coming up," Cypher noted warily.

"I activate the Spell Card: Cyberse Bridge!" Playmaker declared. "By discarding one Cyberse monster, I can move my monster from the Extra Monster Zone to my Main Monster Zone. I discard Clock Wyvern and move Clock Spartoi to my right Main Monster Zone." He did just that, then said, "Cyberse Bridge's effect then lets me draw one card, and if it is a monster, I can Special Summon a Cyberse monster with the same Level from the Graveyard."

Playmaker drew. "I drew the Level 4 Cyberse Gadget. So I'll Special Summon the Level 4 Clock Wyvern from my Graveyard!" A blue and purple mechanical dragon appeared and roared in Attack Position.

Clock Wyvern ATK 1800 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Clock Wyvern's monster effect! When it is Summoned, I can halve its attack points to Special Summon a Clock Token." A cluster of purple crystals appeared in Defense Position.

Clock Wyvern ATK 1800→900

Clock Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear again, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse monsters. I set Clock Token and Link-2 Clock Spartoi in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Encode Talker!" The white armored warrior emerged from the Link portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Encode Talker ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↑↓↘

"I activate the Spell Card: Cynet Pressure!" The card showed Powercode Talker, its grapnel pulling Cyberse Gadget towards it. "Since I control a 'Code Talker' monster, I can send a Cyberse monster from my Deck to the Graveyard and draw one card. I send Dotscaper to the Graveyard."

Playmaker drew again, then said, "I summon Cyberse Gadget!" A white mechanical humanoid monster with two prongs on its shoulders appeared.

Cyberse Gadget ATK 1400 DEF 300 LVL: 4

"Cyberse Gadget's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Come, Dotscaper!" A small monster made of green and white bricks materialized in Defense Position.

Dotscaper ATK 0 DEF 2100 LVL: 1

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two or more monsters. I set Cyberse Gadget and Link-3 Encode Talker in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top, left, right, and bottom arrows.

Morningstar's eyes widened. "This is-!"

"Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Firewall Dragon!" A large white and blue mechanical dragon emerged from the portal and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Firewall Dragon ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

"He summons that dragon every time we duel," Morningstar muttered. "Is it a tradition of his?"

"Since Cyberse Gadget was sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates, and I Special Summon a Gadget Token!" A small white machine with prongs on its sides appeared in Defense Position.

Gadget Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 2

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster. I set Gadget Token in the Link Marker!" The token entered the top arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Link Devotee!" A dark blue machine orbited by a broken circle appeared at Firewall Dragon's bottom Link Marker.

Link Devotee ATK 500 LINK-1 ↑

"Firewall Dragon's monster effect! I can return monsters from the field or Graveyard to their owner's hands up to the number of monsters Firewall Dragon is co-linked with. I'll return Savage Shogun to your Extra Deck. Emergency Escape!" Firewall Dragon shot blue lightning at Morningstar's Fusion Monster, but said duelist just gestured to his field.

"I activate Cyspirit Soulsword's effect!" he declared. "When you activate an effect that targets Savage Shogun, I can send Soulsword to the Graveyard to negate that effect!" Savage Shogun's sword returned to normal as the lightning dissipated. "In addition, you cannot target my 'Cyspirit' monsters with your effects for the rest of the turn."

Playmaker didn't look surprised. Instead, he smiled. "I figured you'd be able to stop that," he said softly. "Appear again, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters. I set Dotscaper and Link Devotee in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Protocol Gardna!" A green and yellow humanoid machine emerged from the portal at Firewall Dragon's bottom Link Marker.

Protocol Gardna ATK 1000 LINK-2 ←→

"Dotscaper's effect activates! As it was sent to the Graveyard, it Special Summons itself!" The monster reappeared in Attack Position.

Dotscaper ATK 0 DEF 2100 LVL: 1

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning condition is one Level 1 monster. I set Dotscaper in the Link Marker!" The monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Linkuriboh!"

"Kuri kuri ku!" The small blue monster cooed as it emerged from the portal at Protocol Gardna's left Link Marker.

Linkuriboh ATK 300 LINK-1 ↓

"I activate the Spell Card: Cynet Fusion!" Playmaker declared, the stripe of his jumpsuit glowing violet. "I fuse Clock Wyvern with Linkuriboh and Firewall Dragon!" His monsters burst into red, blue, and green particles that swirled into a vortex before shooting upwards as whirlwinds. The twisters merged to form a single purple tornado. "The strong ones gather before its grand winds!" Playmaker chanted. "Become a new legend! Fusion Summon! Come out! Cyberse Clock Dragon!" A violet dragon with pink lines on its skin and black armor on its sides, legs, and the back of its neck and tail emerged from the portal. It spread its gold and silver wings and roared as it was summoned to Protocol Gardna's left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Cyberse Clock Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"Playmaker's Fusion Monster," Cassiel murmured.

"Clock Dragon's monster effect! I send cards from the top of my Deck equal to its Fusion Materials' Link Ratings to the Graveyard, and for each card sent, Clock Dragon gains 1000 attack points."

"Firewall Dragon was Link-4, and Linkuriboh was Link-1," Ai reminded everyone.

"I send five cards to the Graveyard. And Clock Dragon gains 5000 attack points!"

Cyberse Clock Dragon ATK 2500→7500

Cypher groaned. "This is going to hurt, partner." Morningstar frowned at the Ignis's assessment.

"I Set one card. Battle! Clock Dragon attacks Savage Shogun! Pulse Pressure!" Clock Dragon gathered purple lightning in its maw and blasted Savage Shogun with it.

Morningstar gestured to his field. "Savage Shogun's monster effect! When it battles a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, it gains 1000 attack points!"

Cyspirit Savage Shogun ATK 2800→3800

"That isn't enough!" Ai pointed out smugly.

"Trap activate! Cyspirit Suppression! By banishing a 'Cyspirit' monster from my Graveyard, I can reduce the battle damage by that monster's attack points. I banish Idealistic Idol to reduce the damage by 1500!"

The attack struck and Savage Shogun exploded. Morningstar grunted in pain as his D-Board wobbled from the force of the blow, but he remained on his D-Board.

Morningstar: 2850→650 LP

"Cyspirit Suppression's effect then lets me place one 'Cyspirit' monster from my Deck on the top of my Deck," Morningstar continued. "I place Cyspirit Mongrel on the top of my Deck." He then pointed to his field. "I activate Cyspirit Fusion's effect from the Graveyard! Since my Fusion Monster was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can banish Cyspirit Fusion to shuffle that monster back into my Extra Deck. And after that, I can Special Summon a Link-3 or lower 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Extra Deck and treat it as a Link Summon. Come, Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary!" The skeleton in a trench coat wielding two pistols appeared and spread its wings from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary ATK 2200 LINK-3 ↙↑↓

Playmaker smiled. "Somehow, I knew you'd survive that attack," he said. His gaze shifted to Morningstar's Link Monster. "I was hoping I'd get to see this monster again," he muttered. "I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!" Morningstar looked at his card, then at Playmaker's field. He would have inflicted more damage if he had used Protocol Gardna to Fusion Summon Clock Dragon instead of Linkuriboh. So why did he leave Protocol Gardna on the field?

He looked at his Duel Disk and found his answer. Protocol Gardna prevented Morningstar from attacking monsters linked to it. And since there was a Link Monster on Playmaker's field, Clock Dragon's effect prevented Morningstar from attacking any other monster except itself.

An attack lock, he mused. Very clever.

"Morningstar."

The hunter blinked and looked at Playmaker, who rode his D-Board next to him. "I'm curious about something," he said. "I know what Idealistic Idol and Winning Wrestler represent to you; but what does Rapid Revolutionary represent?"

Morningstar blinked again. "Why Rapid Revolutionary?"

"You use it far more than you use your other monsters," Playmaker answered. "Setting aside how easy it is to summon, you use it almost at least once during a duel. But why? Why do you use this monster so much?"

Morningstar frowned as he considered Playmaker's words. It was true; he did use Rapid Revolutionary almost all the time. It wasn't the strongest of his monsters; in fact, it was the weakest of his Link-3 monsters, and its effects specifically focused on fighting non-Link Monsters, when most of his opponents focused exclusively on Link Monsters. Looked at that way, Rapid Revolutionary was probably the least useful of his Link-3 or higher monsters. But…

Morningstar looked at the back of the trench-coat-wearing skeleton in front of him. What was a revolutionary? What did that word mean? The definition was simple: a revolutionary was someone who brought about a great change, usually in culture, politics, or technology. But it was more than that. A revolutionary was someone who looked at the way things were and chose to change them. Someone who chose to resist the tides and stand against those who believed that things should stay the same. And at his core, hadn't Morningstar wanted to change for quite some time?

"…I use Rapid Revolutionary so much because it inspires me," Morningstar said softly. "A revolutionary is someone who changes the world. And even if I couldn't change the world, I could at least change myself. To change from the person I became after the Lost Incident."

Playmaker stared at him for a second, and then smiled. "So that's why. And have you done that? Have you changed since then?"

"…Yes," Morningstar said with a smile. "I have changed." He looked behind him at Cassiel, then at Soulburner. Then he turned forward and looked at Cypher. He closed his eyes. "It seems I have changed. The same could be said for you, couldn't it?"

"…Yeah, I suppose so." Playmaker smiled softly before frowning. "So… does that mean you'll give up? Now that you've lost?"

Morningstar blinked again and frowned at the thought of Zahhak. Then he clenched his fist. "No," he muttered. "One lose isn't the end of the world. And it doesn't matter how strong he is. I… I will absolute catch up to him!"

"Morningstar…" Cypher said softly.

Playmaker smiled. "That's good to hear. Now, don't you have something you need to do?"

Morningstar smirked. "That I do. Cypher! It's time!"

"Yes! Come, Data Storm!"

Data Material gathered around Morningstar as he held out his hand and closed his eyes. His fingers trailed through the Data Storm, displacing the Data Material as an image appeared in his mind.

The gate was still there. But something was… different. It seemed sharper, its features standing out more. The same was true of the monsters on the other side. But none of them stepped forward. Instead, one of them spread a set of wings and flew over the gate, a powerful roar echoing throughout Morningstar's mind.

"Now! Open the gate of evolution, Morningstar!"

The hunter opened his eyes. "I activate my Skill!" he declared. "Hurricane Heavensgate!" The Data Material gathered into his hand and formed a blue card. He pulled the card free of the Data Storm as his D-Board shot out.

"And now they've got a new monster," Ai mused. "What is it?"

"I summon Cyspirit Mongrel!" Morningstar said. A skeletal dog with silver armor on its limbs appeared and barked.

Cyspirit Mongrel ATK 1000 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Mongrel's monster effect! Once per turn, I can target and the negate the effects of your monster until the End Phase. I negate Clock Dragon's effects!"

"With Clock Dragon's effects negated, its attack points return to normal," Cypher reminded everyone. The dragon cried out as it lost its power.

Cyberse Clock Dragon ATK 7500→2500

"Appear, the circuit between light and darkness! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyspirit' monsters. I set Mongrel and Link-3 Rapid Revolutionary in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top-left, top-right, left, and right arrows.

Playmaker's eyes widened at the arrow positions. "That's-!"

"Wait, isn't that pattern-!" Ai started.

"Circuit combine! Let the galaxy's rage turn into hope and transcend my limitations! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Cyspirit Nebulous Nova!"

A black draconian skeleton emerged from the portal, but it was immediately covered by skin. The dragon had the same proportions as Clock Dragon – standing upright on its hind legs with two arms and wings – but its skin was white with black lines running over its body. Its chest was covered by dark silver armor with black shoulders. The same armor covered its thighs and knees, with its calves exposed and its clawed hands and feet ending in black claws. The bases of its wings were colored dark silver, but the four metal spines that emerged from its back – two facing upwards and two downwards – were obsidian in color. A long white tail covered by dark silver armor that ended in a black star spread behind it, and dark silver armor covered the back of its long neck. Its jaw and face were white in color, and the armor that topped its head, along with the single horn that jutted backwards in the center, was black. The dragon's eyes shone with nebulous red and blue light that constantly shifted, and those eyes gleamed as it roared from the right Extra Monster Zone.

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

Playmaker gasped. "A new 'Cyspirit' Link Monster?"

"This must be what he got from the Data Storm," Ai speculated.

"Another version of Neo Nova," Cassiel said with wide eyes.

Morningstar looked at the dragon and smiled. "Since I used Mongrel to Link Summon Nebulous Nova, it can attack twice during the Battle Phase."

"That won't matter!" Ai protested. "Even if Clock Dragon's effects are negated, Protocol Gardna's are still active! Meaning you can only attack it!"

"That's true," Cypher said. "And the first time it battles, it isn't destroyed, and Playmaker takes no battle damage. With two attacks, Playmaker will, at most, only take 1500 points of damage." He turned to his partner. "So how are you getting around that, Morningstar?"

"Like this." The hunter gestured to his field. "Nebulous Nova's monster effect! When it points to one monster, I can roll a dice, and until the end of the turn, Nebulous Nova is treated as pointing to a number of monsters equal to the result!"

"Eh?!" Ai blinked. "It has an effect like that?"

"Of course, if I roll a 5 or 6, I have to roll again," Morningstar said. "Go! Gravity Dice!" The dragon roared and brought its hands together. A blue sphere that contained a dice appeared between them. The die rolled until it stopped on a stylized "2". "The result is 2! That means Nebulous Nova is treated as pointing to two monsters until the end of the turn."

"A rather interesting effect for a Link Monster," Flame mused. "Considering how the 'Cyspirit' Deck works, it can be a rather powerful one, too."

"Nebulous Nova's second effect! Once per turn, I can banish a 'Cyspirit' Link Monster from my Graveyard. And then, until my next Standby Phase, Nebulous Nova gains attack points equal to that monster's Link Rating times 1000!" Playmaker and Ai both gasped. "I banish the Link-3 Winning Wrestler. So Nebulous Nova gains 3000 attack points!" The dragon roared as the spines on its back generated white holographic wings, each spine producing two wings.

Cyspirit Nebulous Nova ATK 2500→5500

"5500 attack points?!" Ai screeched.

"Battle! Nebulous Nova attacks Protocol Gardna! Blazar Flare!" Nebulous Nova's wings changed colors, from white to a series of shifting reds. The dragon opened its mouth as red energy gathered in its maw, which it then shot out at Protocol Gardna.

"Protocol Gardna's monster effect!" Playmaker declared. "The first time it would be destroyed, it isn't destroyed, and I take no battle damage!" The attack struck and caused an explosion, but Protocol Gardna was unharmed.

"Since Nebulous Nova was summoned using Mongrel, it can attack twice!" Morningstar reminded him. "Once more, Nebulous Nova attacks Protocol Gardna! End this! Blazar Flare!" Once again, Nebulous Nova fired red energy at Playmaker's Link Monster, but the hacker only pointed to his field.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cyberse Boost!" he declared. The card showed Backup Secretary with her hands raised, and a transparent Firewall Dragon behind her as it roared. "Since my Cyberse monster is battling, I can send a Link Monster from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard, and during damage calculation, my monster gains attack points equal to its Link Rating times 1000! I send Link-3 Transcode Talker to the Graveyard to increase Protocol Gardna's attack points by 3000!"

Protocol Gardna ATK 1000→4000

"That will be enough to prevent your defeat, but not enough to save your monster!" Morningstar said. The blast struck Protocol Gardna, but unlike last time, the monster exploded and made Playmaker cry out in pain.

Playmaker: 2100→600 LP

Morningstar smiled. "Somehow, I knew you'd survive that attack," he said, echoing Playmaker's earlier words. "I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!" Playmaker looked at his card, then at his Duel Disk. "Ai, are you ready?"

"I was born ready, Playmaker! Come, Data Storm!"

The Data Storm reappeared, only this time around Playmaker instead of Morningstar. The hacker reached into the Data Material with his right hand. A blue card started to form in his hand.

"Now! Seize the wind, Playmaker!"

"I activate my Skill!" the hacker declared. "Storm Access!" He pulled the card free of the Data Storm as the shadow of a humanoid with wings and pistols passed through his mind.

Playmaker's D-Board shot out of the Data Storm as it dissipated. Morningstar smiled. "Now, show me what you got, Playmaker," he muttered.

"I summon Draconnet!" A mechanical white dragon with blue lines running over its body appeared.

Draconnet ATK 1400 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

"Draconnet's monster effect! I can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower Normal Monster from my hand or Deck in Defense Position. From my Deck, I summon Bitron!" A white spherical monster with six fins appeared and cooed.

Bitron ATK 200 DEF 2000 LVL: 2

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning conditions are two or more Cyberse monsters. I set Bitron, Draconnet, and Clock Dragon in the Link Markers!" Playmaker's three monsters entered the top, bottom, and bottom-left arrows. "Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Spiritcode Talker!"

The humanoid monster that emerged from the portal wore dark silver armor gilded with gold. Dark silver spines sprouted out of its back, and said spines produced light silver feathers that took the shape of wings. Two silver pistols appeared in its hands, which it twirled before posing, its red and blue eyes gleaming as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Spiritcode Talker ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↓

Morningstar blinked at the monster, looking at its pistols and wings, then smiled. "I suppose I'm really not the only one who changed," he muttered.

"A lose can be debilitating, but only if you allow it to be so," Playmaker said. "Allow me to show you what I mean! I activate Cynet Pressure's effect from the Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a Cyberse monster from my Graveyard to my 'Code Talker' monster's Link Marker in Defense Position with its effects negated. Resurrect, Clock Wyvern!" The blue and purple mechanical dragon reappeared and roared from Spiritcode Talker's bottom Link Marker.

Clock Wyvern ATK 1800 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Battle! Spiritcode Talker attacks Nebulous Nova!" The armored humanoid spun its pistols again before tossing them into the air. The pistols glowed and merged. When they fell back down, they had taken the shape of a silver rifle that Spiritcode Talker held in its right hand. "Spiritcode Talker's monster effect! When it battles your monster, I can return one of my monsters linked to it to my hand. When I do so, Spiritcode Talker gains attack points equal to your monster's attack points during damage calculation!"

Morningstar gasped. "What?" Cypher said in surprise.

"I return Clock Wyvern to my hand! Soul Ammunition!" Clock Wyvern disintegrated, and its particles flew to Spiritcode Talker's rifle, which glowed with silver light.

Spiritcode Talker ATK 2300→7800

Morningstar stared at the monster, his mouth slightly open, before he closed his eyes and smiled. "So that's how it is," he whispered. He opened his eyes but kept his smile. "Go on, Playmaker!" he shouted. "Finish it!"

Playmaker smiled back. "Go, Spiritcode Talker! Spirit Shot!" Spiritcode Talker's rifle glowed and then released a beam of silver light. The beam struck Nebulous Nova, destroying it in a large explosion. Morningstar cried out as he was knocked off his D-Board.

Morningstar: 650→0 LP

"Morningstar!" Cassiel cried out in panic as the bounty hunter fell through the air.

Luckily, he didn't fall too far. "Ooof!" Morningstar groaned as he fell onto the side of the mountain they had been circling. "Ow…" he muttered.

"Partner! Are you okay?" Cypher asked worryingly.

"Yeah," Morningstar murmured. "Just… just a little sore."

"Morningstar."

The former bounty hunter turned his head as Playmaker landed next to him. Cassiel and Soulburner landed not long after on the other side of him.

Morningstar felt a smile cross his face. "What was it you said when I won our last duel?" he asked. "That you didn't mind losing to me? Heh. I think I understand how you felt back then."

Playmaker looked down at him, then closed his eyes. "That's not all it is, is it?" he asked. "You don't mind losing because you know you pushed me to my limits. Because you know you gave it your all against an opponent who gave his all as well." His eyes opened. "That's why you were so upset about your loss to Zahhak, wasn't it?"

"Playmaker," Cassiel said warningly, frowning at the hacker.

A considering look crossed Morningstar's face as he frowned. "That… that was part of it. But… there was more to it."

"What do you mean?" Soulburner asked.

"…"

Morningstar closed his eyes. "Hey. Would all of you want to meet up in the real world?" He opened his eyes. "There's a place I want to show you."

"Eh?" Ai blinked. "In the real world?"

"Where would that be?" Flame asked.

"Someplace important to me," Morningstar answered, sitting up. "Someplace I haven't been to in a while."

"Wait…" Cassiel's eyes widened in realization. "Morningstar, are you talking about-?"

The hunter smiled. "Yes. Him."

---

When Yasutake and Sachi returned from LINK VRAINS, it was to find that Cam still hadn't returned home. They locked up Café Junpei and then walked to where Yasutake wanted to go.

They met Yusaku and Takeru at the entrance to the cemetery. Despite their questioning looks, Yasutake led them through the graves until they arrived at one in particular. The curious looks on Yusaku's and Takeru's faces disappeared when they saw the name on the tombstone.

Amakusa Narahiko

"…This was your father?" Takeru asked solemnly.

Yasutake shook his head. "I don't have a father. Or a mother," he said. "I grew up on the streets, stealing from trashcans. But when I was six, I was taken in by a priest at a nearby church; Father Narahiko. He taught me how to read and write, taught me about right and wrong. He even gave me my name." He frowned at the grave. "I was only with him for a month. But I was happy then, content with that life. But then the Lost Incident happened. For six months, I lived in hell, and only two things kept me going. The first was the knowledge that Father Narahiko was out there waiting for me, and that I couldn't let him down. The second was a voice, telling me not to fall into despair, telling me to think of three things."

Yusaku and Sachi both frowned at his confession. Yasutake ignored them and kneeled next to the grave. "Then the Lost Incident ended," he said softly. "And I found out that during those six months, Father Narahiko had a heart attack. He died waiting for me. The police told me he had come to them numerous times, asking if they had found a small boy with red and black hair. He told them I was his son." He smiled sadly. "When I found out he was dead, I felt like my heart had left my body. Like a void had taken the place of whatever good emotions I used to have.

"But… then I met Cam. And Sachi." The girl stirred as he mentioned her name. "Cam took me to the orphanage he lived at. I didn't really interact with anyone. No one except him. And I watched him with Sachi. I watched how protective he was of her, how desperate he was to have his sister, the one from before the Incident, back." Sachi frowned and closed her eyes. "And as I watched them, I felt something. I felt a desire to see the two of them happy. I wanted to see both of smile, like they did in the old pictures Cam would show me. So I made a promise; that I would do everything I could to protect them. I would fight for their sake. And… to move forward."

"To move forward?" Takeru repeated.

"What do you mean?" Ai asked.

Yasutake's smile turned into a frown. "The incident never left me. You know what it's like, Fujiki; the nightmares, the feeling that you can't connect to the people around you. Like there's something wrong with you, but you don't know what it is, so you can't do anything about it." Yusaku frowned softly at his words but didn't respond. "I became Morningstar, became a bounty hunter, for two reasons. The first was to protect Cam and Sachi. The second was to try and move past the Lost Incident. But I couldn't. The nightmares never stopped coming. I never felt like what I was accomplishing mattered. Even that title, 'the Devil of LINK VRAINS,' didn't mean anything to me. In the end, I wasn't moving forward. I was stuck, in denial that my time had stopped moving.

"But then… I met you."

Yasutake stood up and turned to face Yusaku. "You weren't in denial. You were actively trying to overcome the past, to find out the truth behind our pain." A bitter smile crossed his face. "I was jealous of you," he admitted softly, making Yusaku blink. "Jealous that you, in some small way, were actually able to move forward, however slowly, and face the past head on. All I was able to do was run from it."

"Yasu," Sachi said softly, unshed tears in the corners of her eyes.

"…I was jealous of you too."

Yasutake blinked and looked up at Yusaku, who had an amused smile on his face. "You think I was able to move forward?" he asked. "I wasn't. I was consumed by hatred and revenge. I couldn't make friends, and I didn't have any precious people to care about. You not only do have precious people, you were able to make friends."

Yasutake frowned. "That's-."

"What were Masako Himura and Aoi Zaizen to you?" Yusaku asked. Yasutake opened his eyes, but then closed it. Yusaku smiled. "You were moving forward all along; you just didn't realize it. Just as I didn't see just how I managed to gain friends from this, either."

"Yusaku…" Takeru said, touched at the teen's words.

"Playmaer…" Ai said, crying his eyes out.

Yasutake stared at Yusaku and then chuckled. "I guess we're both a little hard-headed, aren't we?" Yusaku chuckled with him. "Hey, since we're at it… can I call you Yusaku?"

"Sure, Yasutake."

"Ah," Cypher cooed. "It's so nice to see a tsundere in their dere-mode."

Yaustake blinked and then scowled at the Ignis. "Will you stop that?" he demanded. "I am not a tsundere! If anything, I have a sugar-and-ice personal-!" He blinked as he realized what he just said, and his scowl deepened. "And stop looking at TVTropes!" he ordered. "That stuff will rot whatever code makes up your brain!"

Ai and Takeru broke out laughing at the duo's antics. Sachi started giggling while Yusaku and Flame chuckled.

Yusaku's laugh trailed off however as he refocused on Yasutake. "So that's the real reason Zahhak scarred you," he said softly. The others' laughter died away at his words. "Because you failed."

Yasutake frowned. "Yes," he admitted. "I promised I would the people I hold dear. To do that, I became as strong as I possibly could. And even if I failed, I figured I could take comfort that I made whoever my enemy was work for it. And then someone like him comes along, steamrolls over me like it's nothing, and asks a ridiculous question…"

"Question?" Takeru repeated, blinking.

Yasutake grit his teeth and clenched his fists, but after a few seconds, his tension disappeared. "But I get it now," he said softly. "Zahhak is stronger than me. Far stronger. But no matter how strong he is, I won't give up. I'll get stronger too. Strong enough that I can protect what's precious to me."

"Yasu…" The teen blinked as Sachi took his head, determination written across her face. "You won't be fighting alone," she said firmly. "I'll be fighting at your side every step of the way." She smiled softly. "If you have the right to protect what's precious to you, then I have the same right. To protect the friends and family I've made."

"Sachi…" Yasutake whispered, looking into her eyes. She looked back. The two just stood there, drinking in each other's presence. Until they were interrupted by a very rude Ignis.

"Yasu and Sachi, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

The two teenagers broke out blushing and broke eye contact; Sachi to look at her feet and Yasutake to glare at the offender. "Ai," he growled. "I swear, I will upload a virus into you."

"You would deserve it, Ai," Cypher said, glaring at his fellow Ignis. "Don't ruin a mood like this; that's mine and Cam's job!"

Yasutake gave his own Ignis a flat stare. "It is not your job; it isn't anyone's job!" Takeru snorted at the byplay and covered his face with his right hand, trying and failing to cover his obvious smile. "Shut up," Yasutake told the other boy.

"I-I didn't say anything," Takeru said haltingly.

"You don't have to; it's written all over your face."

"That aside," Yusaku interrupted. "You are aware that you won't have to fight Zahhak alone, right?"

Yasutake frowned and nodded. "Yes. And it's not just him we have to worry about. Bohman, SOL's bounty hunters, the Knights of Hanoi… we have a lot of enemies."

A smile slowly crossed his face. "But we'll be ready for them," he said. "And even if we aren't now, we'll get stronger so that we can fight them in the future."

Yusaku, Takeru, and Sachi all nodded at his words. Yasutake turned back to look at Father Narahiko's grave and narrowed his eyes. Can I keep up with you, Zahhak? he thought. I'll do more than keep up with you; I'm going to surpass you!

---

Morningstar vs. Playmaker

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Morningstar

As there are no monsters on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Illusionist (2400/1000/6) in Attack Position. As Illusionist was Special Summoned by its effect, its ATK becomes 1800 and Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Sorceress from his Deck to his hand (Cyspirit Illusionist: 2400→1800). Morningstar uses Illusionist to Link Summon Cyspirit Cacophonic Caller (500/1/↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Morningstar activates Cacophonic Caller's effect to Special Summon Cyspirit Alchemist (1000/1000/3) to its Link Marker in Attack Position, but it cannot attack and is destroyed during the End Phase. As there is a Cyberse Link Monster on the field, Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Prisoner (1600/2100/5) in Attack Position. Morningstar activates Alchemist's effect to Fusion Summon a "Cyspirit" Fusion Monster using monsters on his field. He fuses Alchemist and Cacophonic Caller to Fusion Summon Cyspirit Wandering Wolf (1800/900/5) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Wandering Wolf was Fusion Summoned, its effect activates, and Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Navigator to his hand. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Sorceress (1400/400/4). As Sorceress was Normal Summoned, Morningstar can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Cyspirit" monster from his GY in Attack Position. He Special Summons Alchemist (1000/1000/3). Morningstar then activates Sorceress's effect to change its Level to 5 until the end of the turn (Sorceress: 4→5). Morningstar uses Prisoner, Sorceress, and Wandering Wolf to Link Summon Cyspirit Winning Wrestler (2500/3/↙↓↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Prisoner was used to Link Summon Winning Wrestler, its effect activates, and Morningstar can add 1 "Cyspirit" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Cyspirit Samurai from his Deck to his hand. Morningstar Special Summons Cyspirit Navigator (1300/1100/3) in Attack Position via its effect. Morningstar uses Alchemist and Navigator to Link Summon Cyspirit Idealistic Idol (1500/2/←↑) to Winning Wrestler's bottom Link Marker. Morningstar Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He Normal Summons Widget Kid (1500/900/3). As Widget Kid was Summoned, its effect activates, letting Playmaker Special Summon 1 Cyberse monster from his hand in Defense Position. He Special Summons Garbage Collector (100/1900/2). Playmaker activates Garbage Collector's effect, targeting Widget Kid. Widget Kid returns to Playmaker's hand, then he can Special Summon 1 Cyberse monster with the same Level but a different name from his Deck. He Special Summons Flame Bufferlo (1400/200/3) in Attack Position. Playmaker uses Flame Bufferlo and Garbage Collector to Link Summon Cyberse Witch (800/2/↙↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Flame Bufferlo left the field, its effect activates, and Playmaker discards Widget Kid to draw 2 cards. As Playmaker Link Summoned while Idealistic Idol points to a monster, he takes 200 damage (Playmaker: 4000→3800 LP). Playmaker activates the Spell Card One-Time Passcode, which lets him Special Summon 1 Security Token (2000/2000/4) in Defense Position to Cyberse Witch's bottom Link Marker. As a monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, Playmaker activates Cyberse Witch's effect, banishing One-Time Passcode from his GY to add the Cyberse Ritual Monster Cyberse Magician and Cynet Ritual from his Deck to his hand. Playmaker activates the effect of Cyberse Witch to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from his GY. He Special Summons Flame Bufferlo (1400/200/3) to Cyberse Witch's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. Playmaker activates the Ritual Spell Card Cynet Ritual, which lets him Ritual Summon 1 Cyberse Ritual Monster from his hand by Tributing monsters from his hand or field whose combined Levels equal or exceed the Ritual Monster's. Playmaker Tributes the Level 3 Flame Bufferlo and Level 4 Security Token to Ritual Summon Cyberse Magician (2500/2000/7) to Cyberse Witch's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. Playmaker activates the Equip Spell Card Grid Rod, equipping it to Cyberse Magician. Cyberse Magician gains 300 ATK, is unaffected by Morningstar's card effects, and the first time it would be destroyed each turn by battle or card effect, it isn't destroyed (Cyberse Magician: 2500→2800). Playmaker Sets 1 card.

Cyberse Magician attacks Idealistic Idol. Morningstar activates the effect of Wandering Wolf in his GY, banishing it to prevent Idealistic Idol's destruction by battle and halve the battle damage. As Cyberse Magician is battling a Link Monster, it gains 1000 ATK during damage calculation only (Cyberse Magician: 2800→3800). The attack continues but Idealistic Idol isn't destroyed (Morningstar: 4000→2850 LP) (Cyberse Magician: 3800→2800). Playmaker ends his turn.

Turn 3: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. He summons Cyspirit Nova (1500/1000/3). Morningstar uses Nova to Link Summon Cyspirit Odd Outlaw (500/1/←) to Idealistic Idol's left Link Marker. Idealistic Idol's effect activates, but Cyberse Magician's effect halves the damage (Playmaker: 3800→3700 LP). Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Alchemist in his GY, banishing it to add Cyspirit Fusion from his Deck to his hand. He activates the Spell Card Cyspirit Fusion, Fusion Summoning a "Cyspirit" Fusion Monster from his Extra Deck using monsters from his hand or field as Fusion Material. He fuses Cyspirit Samurai in his hand with Idealistic Idol, Odd Outlaw, and Winning Wrestler on his field to Fusion Summon Cyspirit Savage Shogun (2800/2300/8) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Morningstar then activates the Equip Spell Card Cyspirit Soulsword, equipping it to Savage Shogun. The equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and if it attacks a Special Summoned monster, it gains ATK equal to its Level x 200 until the end of the Damage Step.

Savage Shogun can attack a number of times equal to the number of Link Monsters used as Fusion Material. 3 Link Monsters were used, so Savage Shogun can attack thrice. Savage Shogun attacks Cyberse Magician. Cyspirit Soulsword's effect activates (Savage Shogun: 2800→4400). Grid Rod's effect prevents Cyberse Magician's destruction by battle, and Cyberse Magician's effect halves the damage (Playmaker: 3700→2900 LP) (Savage Shogun: 4400→2800). Savage Shogun attacks Cyberse Magician. Cyspirit Soulsword's effect activates (Savage Shogun: 2800→4400). Cyberse Magician is destroyed, but Cyberse Magician's effect halves the damage (Playmaker: 2900→2100 LP) (Savage Shogun: 4400→2800). Savage Shogun attacks Cyberse Witch. Cyspirit Soulsword's effect activates (Savage Shogun: 2800→4400). As it is battling a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, Savage Shogun gains 1000 ATK (Savage Shogun: 4400→5400) during damage calculation. As his Link-2 Link Monster is battling, Playmaker activates his Set Trap Card Excess Lesser Linker, which makes Cyberse Witch's ATK equal to Savage Shogun's ATK during damage calculation (Cyberse Witch: 800→5400). The attack continues, and Cyberse Witch is destroyed (Savage Shogun: 5400→2800). Morningstar ends his turn.

Turn 4: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. As he controls no monsters, he activates the effect of Cynet Ritual in his GY, banishing it and Cyberse Magician to Special Summon 2 Cynet Tokens (0/0/4) in Defense Position. He uses 2 Cynet Tokens to Link Summon Clock Spartoi (800/2/↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Clock Spartoi was Link Summoned, Playmaker adds Cynet Fusion from his Deck to his hand. He then activates the Spell Card Cyberse Bridge, which lets him send 1 Cyberse monster from his hand to the GY and move 1 monster in the Extra Monster Zone to his Main Monster Zone. He discards Clock Wyvern and moves Clock Spartoi to his right Main Monster Zone. Playmaker can then draw 1 card, and if that card is a monster, he can Special Summon 1 Cyberse monster with the same Level from his GY. Otherwise it is sent to the GY. Playmaker draws Cyberse Gadget. It is a monster, so Playmaker Special Summons Clock Wyvern (1800/1000/4) from his GY in Attack Position. As Clock Wyvern was Normal or Special Summoned, its effect activates, and Playmaker halves its ATK (Clock Wyvern: 1800→900) to Special Summon 1 Clock Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. Playmaker uses Clock Token and Link-2 Clock Spartoi to Link Summon Encode Talker (2300/3/↑↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Playmaker controls a "Code Talker" monster, he activates the Spell Card Cynet Pressure, which lets him send 1 Cyberse monster from his Deck to the GY and then draw 1 card. He sends Dotscaper to the GY and draws.

Playmaker then Normal Summons Cyberse Gadget (1400/300/4). As Cyberse Gadget was Normal Summoned, Playmaker can Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower monster from his GY with its effects negated. He Special Summons Dotscaper (0/2100/1) in Defense Position. Playmaker uses Cyberse Gadget and Link-3 Encode Talker to Link Summon Firewall Dragon (2500/4/←↑↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Cyberse Gadget was sent to the GY, its effect activates, and Playmaker Special Summons 1 Gadget Token (0/0/2) in Defense Position. Playmaker uses Gadget Token to Link Summon Link Devotee (500/1/↑) to Firewall Dragon's bottom Link Marker. As it is co-linked, Playmaker activates Firewall Dragon's effect to return Savage Shogun to Morningstar's Extra Deck. As Playmaker activated an effect that targeted the equipped Savage Shogun, Morningstar activates the effect of the equipped Cyspirit Soulsword, sending it to the GY to negate the activation of that effect. Playmaker uses Dotscaper and Link Devotee to Link Summon Protocol Gardna (1000/2/←→) to Firewall Dragon's bottom Link Marker. As Dotscaper was sent to the GY, its effect activates, and Playmaker Special Summons it (0/2100/1) in Attack Position. Playmaker uses Dotscaper to Link Summon Linkuriboh (300/1/↓) to Protocol Gardna's left Link Marker. Playmaker activates the Spell Card Cynet Fusion, Fusion Summoning a Cyberse Fusion Monster from his Extra Deck, using monsters from his hand or field as Fusion Material. He fuses Clock Wyvern, Firewall Dragon, and Linkuriboh to Fusion Summon Cyberse Clock Dragon (2500/2000/7) to Protocol Gardna's left Link Marker in Attack Position. As Clock Dragon was Fusion Summoned, its effect activates, and Playmaker sends 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 5 cards to the GY (Clock Dragon: 2500→7500). Playmaker Sets 1 card.

Clock Dragon attacks Savage Shogun. As it is battling a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, Savage Shogun gains 1000 ATK (Savage Shogun: 2800→3800) during damage calculation. As Playmaker's monster declared an attack, Morningstar activates his Set Trap Card Cyspirit Suppression, which lets him banish 1 "Cyspirit" monster from his GY to reduce the battle damage by that monster's ATK. He banishes Idealistic Idol. The attack continues and Savage Shogun is destroyed (Morningstar: 2850→650 LP). Cyspirit Suppression's additional effect then activates, letting Morningstar place 1 "Cyspirit" monster from his Deck with less ATK than the damage he took and place it on top of his Deck. He places Cyspirit Mongrel on top of his Deck. As his "Cyspirit" Fusion Monster was destroyed by battle and sent to the GY, Morningstar activates the effect of Cyspirit Fusion in his GY, banishing it and shuffling the destroyed Savage Shogun back into his Extra Deck, then Special Summoning Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary (2200/3/↙↑↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Playmaker ends his turn.

Turn 5: Morningstar

Morningstar draws. He activates his Skill, Hurricane Heavensgate, and adds Cyspirit Nebulous Nova to his Extra Deck from the Data Storm. Morningstar Normal Summons Cyspirit Mongrel (1000/1000/3). He activates Mongrel's effect to target and negate the effects of 1 monster Playmaker controls until the End Phase. He targets Clock Dragon (Clock Dragon: 7500→2500). Morningstar uses Mongrel and Link-3 Rapid Revolutionary to Link Summon Cyspirit Nebulous Nova (2500/4/←↖↗→) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Since Mongrel was used to Link Summon a "Cyspirit" Link Monster, Nebulous Nova can make two attacks against Playmaker's monsters during the Battle Phase. As it points to 1 monster (Clock Dragon), Morningstar activates Nebulous Nova's effect to roll a 6-sided die, and until the end of the turn, Nebulous Nova is treated as pointing to a number of monsters equal to the result. If the result is 5 or 6, Morningstar must roll again. Morningstar rolls a 2, so Nebulous Nova is treated as pointing to 2 monsters until the end of the turn. Morningstar activates Nebulous Nova's 2nd effect, targeting Winning Wrestler in his GY. Winning Wrestler is banished, and Nebulous Nova gains ATK equal to Winning Wrestler's Link Rating x 1000 until Morningstar's next Standby Phase (Nebulous Nova: 2500→5500).

Nebulous Nova attacks Protocol Gardna. The first time Protocol Gardna would be destroyed by battle, it isn't destroyed, and Playmaker takes no battle damage. Nebulous Nova attacks Protocol Gardna again. As his Cyberse monster is battling, Playmaker activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Cyberse Boost, which lets him send 1 Link Monster from his Extra Deck to the GY to increase Protocol Gardna's ATK by that monster's Link Rating x 1000 during damage calculation, but Morningstar's monsters can't be destroyed by that battle and Morningstar takes no damage. Playmaker sends Transcode Talker to the GY (Protocol Gardna: 1000→4000). The attack continues and Protocol Gardna is destroyed (Playmaker: 2100→600 LP). Morningstar ends his turn, and Mongrel's effect ends.

Turn 6: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He activates his Skill, Storm Access, and adds Spiritcode Talker to his Extra Deck from the Data Storm. Playmaker 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. He Special Summons Bitron (200/2000/2) from his Deck. Playmaker uses Bitron, Draconnet, and Clock Dragon to Link Summon Spiritcode Talker (2300/3/↙↑↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Playmaker activates the effect of Cynet Pressure in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon Clock Wyvern (1800/1000/4) to Spiritcode Talker's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position with its effects negated.

Spiritcode Talker attacks Nebulous Nova. As it is battling Morningstar's monster, Playmaker activates Spiritcode Talker's effect, returning Clock Wyvern to his hand to increase Spiritcode Talker's ATK by Nebulous Nova's ATK during damage calculation (Spiritcode Talker: 2300→7800). Nebulous Nova is destroyed (Morningstar: 650→0 LP). Playmaker wins.

---

Cyspirit Alchemist (credit to Yasutake Fan)
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1000 DEF 1000 Level: 3
You can Fusion Summon 1 "Cyspirit" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters you control as Fusion Materials, including this card. You can banish this card from your GY; add "Cyspirit Fusion" from your Deck or GY to your hand. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyspirit Alchemist" per turn, and only once per turn.

Cyspirit Wandering Wolf
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Fusion/Effect] ATK 1800 DEF 900 Level: 5
2 "Cyspirit" monsters
When this card is Fusion Summoned: You can add 1 "Cyspirit" monster from your Deck to your hand. You can only activate this effect of "Cyspirit Wandering Wolf" once per turn. When your "Cyspirit" monster battles, you can banish this card from your GY (Quick Effect); "Cyspirit" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle until the end of the turn, and all battle damage you take this turn is halved.

Cyspirit Nebulous Nova
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberse/Link/Effect] ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↖↗→
2+ "Cyspirit" monsters
This Link Summoned card gains these effects depending on the number of monsters it points to.
-1 or more: You can roll a six-sided die, and until the end of the turn, this monster is treated as pointing to a number of monsters equal to the result. If the result is 5 or 6, roll again.
-2 or more: Target 1 "Cyspirit" Link Monster in your GY; banish it, and if you do, this card gains ATK equal to that monster's Link Rating x 1000 until your next Standby Phase, also other monsters you control cannot attack.
-3 or more: During either player's turn, when a card or effect is activated (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, banish it.
-4: You can target 1 "Cyspirit" monster in your GY; Special Summon it to your zone this card points to, but destroy it during the End Phase.
You can only activate each effect of "Cyspirit Nebulous Nova" once per turn.

Spiritcode Talker
Attribute: LIGHT Type: [Cyberes/Link/Effect] ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↙↑↓
2+ Cyberse monsters
Your monsters this card points to cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. Once per turn, during damage calculation, if this card battles an opponent's Link Monster (Quick Effect): You can return 1 monster in your zone this card points to to the owner's hand; this card gains ATK equal to that opponent's monster's ATK during that damage calculation only.

Cyspirit Soulsword Equip Spell Card
Equip only to a "Cyspirit" monster. The equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. If the equipped monster is targeted by an opponent's card effect: You can send this card to the GY (Quick Effect); negate the activation of that effect, and if you do, your opponent cannot target your "Cyspirit" monsters with their card effects until the end of the turn. If the equipped monster attacks an opponent's Special Summoned monster, it gains ATK equal to its Level/Rank/Link Rating x 200 until the end of the Damage Step.

Cynet Pressure Normal Spell Card
If you control a "Code Talker" monster: Send 1 Cyberse monster from your Deck to the GY and draw 1 card. If you control a "Code Talker" monster, you can banish this card from your GY; Special Summon 1 Cyberse monster from your GY to that monster's Link Marker in Defense Position with its effects negated. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cynet Pressure" per turn, and only once per turn.

Cyberse Boost Quick-Play Spell Card
During damage calculation, if your Cyberse monster battles an opponent's monster: Send 1 Link Monster from your Extra Deck to the GY; your monster gains ATK equal to that monster's Link Rating x 1000, during that damage calculation only, also your opponent's monster cannot be destroyed by that battle, and your opponent takes no battle damage from that battle. You can only activate "Cyberse Boost" once per turn.

---

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 46 – Gunwoman's Hunt. For the last three months, Masako Himura has searched for Issei Kamakura, to make sure he answers for his crimes and no one else gets hurt by his actions. Now, she has finally caught up to him…

---

Question of the Chapter

If characters like Lilith, Techbane, Sylphid, Galahad, or Persephone changed their Decks, what Decks should they change them to?

---

Author's Notes

Okay, this is a bit of a breather episode, with the main focus being the relationship between Yasutake and Yusaku. Of all the canon characters, Yasutake's relationship with Yusaku is the most important of the lot. These two are very similar but they have their differences, and I hoped to highlight them here, particularly with the ending scene. We had Yasutake suffering from nightmares of Zahhak after losing to him, but Yusaku was able to pull him together. Admittedly, this aspect was the most troubling for me to write, but I hope I wrote it in a good way. What I'm most proud of is the duel.

First off, let me thank Yasutake Fan for his suggestion of Cyspirit Alchemist, as it's a good card to help Morningstar with his Fusion Summoning. We also got a new Cyspirit Fusion Monster, which fills a support role similar to Diplexer Chimera. And we got a new Cyspirit Link Monster, which is basically an alternative to Neo Nova, only easier to summon. What do you think of its die-roll effect? I was thinking I might do something similar with other Cyspirit cards, as it adds an element of variety to them. And finally, we have Spiritcode Talker, the Code Talker that represents Cypher. As many no doubt guessed, its appearance is based around Rapid Revolutionary, who is pretty much Morningstar's most consistent ace monster. As for the duel itself, this gave Playmaker a record of 2-out-of-3, so he's ahead of Morningstar.

Finally, there was the ending scene, where we learned Father Narahiko's first name. I got it from Amakusa Shiro, the leader of the Shimabara Rebellion, an uprising of Japanese Catholics against the Shogunate in the late 1630s. We also got scenes with Yusaku, Sachi, and Yasutake, which I feel pretty happy with. I hope those scenes gave you some warm feelings, too.

Thank you for reading Chapter 45. The next chapter will focus entirely on Masako and her hunt for Thaumiel. For those who are worried about the story advancing, don't be; Chapter 47 will be Lightning's introduction chapter. Please tell me what you thought of the chapter and your answer to QOTC.