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

49. Chapter 49: The First Infinity

Chapter 49: The First Infinity

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 Diana on his right. Zahhak's eyes glow red. The eyeholes of Jester's mask glow a light blue while green eyes glow behind Diana's visor. 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 is 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.

---

Bohman and Haru rode their D-Boards through the emptiness of space.

That was unexpected, Haru thought, gritting his teeth. Playmaker upgrading his Skill and forcing Bohman to end the duel in a draw… Even though Bohman's got much stronger, Playmaker's growth manages to keep up with him.

"What's wrong, Haru?" The boy blinked and turned to the older looking man. "You are agitated."

"I am fine." Haru shook his head. "I was just thinking that Playmaker is stronger than we expected."

"I see. That's certainly true. Even so, I will overcome him in the end. My growth exceeds his."

"I know. We just need time."

Bohman nodded, then tensed. He looked ahead and narrowed his eyes. "Haru! Grab hold of me!"

"What?" Haru gasped. He looked forward, only to be blinded by a light. "Aaaahhh!"

When the light faded, Haru blinked rapidly only to gasp. He and Bohman weren't on their D-Boards anymore; by all appearances, they were in a desert, the sun high overhead and cliffs off into the distance.

"W-What is this?" Haru asked, turning around rapidly, his eyes wide.

"Someone intercepted us," Bohman said, looking around as well, but more calmly. "Whoever it was must have some powerful programs on their side."

"It seems you're as intelligent as I was led to believe."

Haru spun back around and Bohman turned as a man materialized in front of them. He wore a dark blue jumpsuit, along with dark gold boots, gauntlets, and chest armor, a light blue cape, and a dark gold ridged mask that covered his face and left his unkempt blonde hair to blow in the wind.

Bohman narrowed his eyes. "I know of you. You are the one who prevented Morningstar from following us back then. Jester, yes?"

The Enforcer chuckled. "It's a pleasure to find out you know me, Mr. AI," he said sardonically and gave a mocking bow. "I have to admit that it was challenging to find the Light and Wind Ignis. But since you're on the move, I figured I couldn't waste this opportunity."

"Opportunity?" Bohman repeated. "Opportunity for what?"

"A demonstration." Jester looked off to the side. "The Light Ignis is still some distance away, but I'll leave him to Zahhak. As for you…" He raised his left arm.

"You wish to duel me?"

"Of course. I desire to see what 'humanity's successor' is capable of firsthand."

Haru grit his teeth. "We don't have time for this; we need to make the rendezvous with Lightning."

"And yet there is no way to break out of this place," Bohman noted, looking around. "I have already searched and there is none; the one who made it is very powerful. You must have a powerful backer."

"Observant as well as intelligent," Jester praised in an amused tone. "If you wish to break free of this place, then you just need to defeat me. A pity that won't happen though."

Bohman narrowed his eyes. "I have become far stronger than I once was. If you stand in our way, then I will remove you without mercy." He raised his own arm.

Jester chuckled. "How arrogant and short-sighted; as expected of an AI."

Haru stepped forward. "Bohman!"

"Stay back!" Bohman turned to Haru. "I am the one being challenged, and I would not see you face this human." He turned back to Jester, his eyes suspicious. "His demeanor is not like Playmaker; it is more similar to that of the Knights of Hanoi."

"How cruel," Jester said mockingly. "But I think that's enough posturing."

"Duel!"

Bohman: 4000 LP

Jester: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn," Jester decided. "I summon Life Wyvern." A two-legged yellow dragon with thin wings appeared and roared.

Life Wyvern ATK 2000 DEF 600 LVL: 6

"Life Wyvern can be Normal Summoned without Tributing when I control no monsters. And since I control a 'Life' monster, I can Special Summon Life Drago!" Another yellow dragon, this one with four limbs and standing on its hindlegs, appeared and roared in Attack Position.

Life Drago ATK 600 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"Life Wyvern's monster effect! When a 'Life' monster is Summoned to my field, I gain 800 Life Points!"

Jester: 4000→4800 LP

"Life Drago's monster effect! When I gain Life Points due to the effect of another 'Life' monster, I gain 800 Life Points."

Jester: 4800→5600 LP

"Appear, the circuit that breaks the world! The summoning conditions are two 'Life' monsters. I set Life Dragon and Life Wyvern in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Life Force Amphitere!" A yellow serpentine dragon with two claws at its front, two wings, and a mane of hair emerged from the Link portal and roared from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Life Force Amphitere ATK 1000 LINK-2 ↓↘

"When my Life Points are higher than yours, Life Force Amphitere gains attack points equal to the difference."

Life Force Amphitere ATK 1000→2600

"I Special Summon Life Drake!" A quadrupedal yellow dragon with an armored back and no wings appeared, its red eyes gleaming as it roared in Attack Position at Life Force Amphitere's bottom Link Marker.

Life Drake ATK 1800 DEF 800 LVL: 4

"Life Drake can be Special Summoned to my 'Life' Link Monster's Link Marker," Jester explained. "Life Drake's additional effect! Once per turn, I can gain 800 Life Points, but Life Drake cannot declare an attack."

But since it's the first turn, that downside doesn't matter, Haru thought with narrowed eyes.

Jester: 5600→6400 LP

Life Force Amphitere ATK 2600→3400

"Life Force Amphitere's monster effect! Once per turn, when my Life Points are higher than yours, you take damage equal to half the difference! Life Resound!" The serpentine dragon roared and blasted Bohman with yellow energy, who gritted his teeth and winced.

Bohman: 4000→2800 LP

Life Force Amphitere ATK 3400→4600

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

Bohman narrowed his eyes and looked at Life Drake. "I see. You've studied my dueling, haven't you?"

Haru blinked. "Of course I did. Did you expect me not to?"

"What is he talking about?" Haru asked Bohman.

"He left Life Drake in the Main Monster Zone," Bohman explained. "Hydradrive Booster can only be Special Summoned if there are no monsters in the Main Monster Zones. So he left that monster there to intentionally deprive me of that effect."

Haru gasped.

"You say that like's it a grand achievement," Jester said mockingly. "It's simple strategy. Then again, AI like you always like to state the obvious, don't they?"

Bohman narrowed his eyes further. "Even if your tactics delay me, they will not save you from defeat. My turn! Draw! I summon Hydradrive Booster!" A flying mechanical insect appeared.

Hydradrive Booster ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear! The circuit that determines the truth! The summoning conditions is one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Booster in the Link Marker!" Booster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Grand Hydradrive!" A quadrupedal orange and brown machine appeared and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Grand Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Hmm. That monster can attack directly if I control an Earth monster. And seeing as how both Life Force Amphitere and Drake are Earth Attribute…"

"Indeed, Grand Hydradrive can attack you directly. But I have bigger plans. I activate the Spell Card: Hydradrive Rebuild, which lets me destroy a 'Hydradrive' monster I control. I destroy Grand Hydradrive!" The large monster shattered. "Grand Hydradrive's monster effect! When it is destroyed, I can Special Summon a Hydradrive Token!" A small mechanical slug appeared in Defense Position.

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Hydradrive Rebuild's additional effect activates! Since a monster destroyed by its effect activated its effect in the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Hydradrive' monster from my Graveyard. But that monster cannot attack, its effects are negated, and it will be destroyed during the End Phase. Come, Grand Hydradrive!" The orange machine reappeared at Bohman's center Main Monster Zone.

Grand Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"As Grand Hydradrive's Link Monster points to the Spell & Trap Zone, I can activate a Link Spell Card!"

Jester dipped his head. "A Link Spell…"

"Come, the three arrows that judge the world! I activate the Link Spell Card: Judgment Arrows!" The card appeared at Grand Hydradrive's Link Marker.

Judgment Arrows ↖↑↗

"A Link Spell Card," Jester mused. "If a Link Monster linked to it battles, its attack points are doubled. And since it's not an activated effect, cards that prevent those are useless. A rather clever card, I admit."

"It is too early to be impressed. Appear again, the circuit that determines the truth! The summoning condition is one 'Hydradrive' monster. I set Hydradrive Token in the Link Marker!" The token entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Grand Hydradrive!" Another orange machine appeared at Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker.

Grand Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Hydradrive Scabbard! This card Special Summons a Hydradrive Token in Defense Position!" Another mechanical slug appeared.

Hydradrive Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear, the circuit that determines the truth!" The token entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Grand Hydradrive!" A third orange machine emerged from the portal at Judgment Arrows' top-right Link Marker.

Grand Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Three Grand Hydradrives," Jester noted. "And all are linked to Judgment Arrows. How interesting. Since Drake and Amphitere are Link Monsters, you can attack directly for 6000 points of damage. That would not defeat me, but it would come close."

"As I told you before, I have bigger plans to use against you," Bohman said, raising his hand. "Appear! The circuit that determines the truth! The summoning conditions are three 'Hydradrive' Link Monsters with the same Attribute! I set three Grand Hydradrives in the Link Markers!" Bohman's three monsters entered the left, right, and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear, Link-3! Cubic Hydradrive Lord!" A green mechanical humanoid with purple wings emerged from the portal and swung a large axe one-handed from Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker.

Cubic Hydradrive Lord ATK 2300 LINK-3 ←↓→

Jester tensed up. "You traded in the potential of 6000 points of damage for this monster?" he asked, before muttering, "It likely has a strong effect."

"Exactly," Bohman agreed. "When Cubic Hydradrive Lord is Link Summoned, I choose two of Water, Wind, or Fire Attributes. And it gains those Attributes, in addition to Earth. I choose Wind and Fire!" The monster lifted its axe as three serpents – orange, red, and green – appeared from the head.

"Earth, Wind, and Fire," Haru muttered.

Jester couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you going to sing September now?"

"What?" Bohman and Haru blinked and then the former shook his head. "Cubic Hydradrive Lord's effect also negates the effects of your monsters with the same Attribute as Cubic Hydradrive Lord. My monster is Earth Attribute, so the effects of Amphitere and Drake are negated! Property Zero!" The orange snake shot outwards and wrapped itself around Amphitere while a copy of it wrapped around Drake.

"Tch. With Amphitere's effect negated, its attack points return to normal."

Life Force Amphitere ATK 4600→1000

"Battle! Cubic Hydradrive Lord attacks Amphitere!" The monster leapt forward. "Judgment Arrows' effect activates! Since the linked Link Monster is battling, its attack points are doubled during damage calculation!"

Cubic Hydradrive Lord ATK 2300→4600

The Link Monster brought its axe down on the dragon, destroying it. Jester grunted as he was pushed backwards a couple meters.

Jester: 6400→2800 LP

Cubic Hydradrive Lord ATK 4600→2300

"And now Cubic Hydradrive Lord's effect activates! When it destroys a monster with the same Attribute in battle, it can attack again!"

"I see," Jester said, gathering himself. "You summoned this monster to end this here and now instead of just dealing a lot of damage."

"Indeed. Cubic Hydradrive Lord attacks Life Drake!" The monster charged, but Jester pointed to his field.

"It isn't that easy! Trap activate! Life Resurgence!" The card showed Life Force Amphitere emerging from the ocean with a roar. "Your attack against my 'Life' monster is negated!" Cubic Hydradrive Lord's axe stopped centimeters from Life Drake before it jumped back. "And then, I can Special Summon a 'Life' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Come, Life Force Amphitere!" The dragon with a mane that Cubic Hydradrive Lord had destroyed returned to the field.

Life Force Amphitere ATK 1000 LINK-2 ↓↘

"And now, Life Resurgence's effect then lets me Link Summon a 'Life' Link Monster using my monsters as material!"

"What?" Haru gasped. "Link Summoning during Bohman's turn?"

"Appear, the circuit that breaks the world! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Life' monsters. I set Drake and Link-2 Amphitere in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear, Link-3! Life Force Bahamut!" A large dark yellow dragon with light yellow armor on its chest and upper legs emerged from the portal. It stood up on its hind legs, and large wings with dark yellow spines and light-yellow membranes came out of its shoulders, with clawed hands at the tips of the wings. An armored tail that ended in a spike trailed behind it, and a triangular head sat atop a long neck with the backside armored. The dragon's red eyes gleamed as it roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Life Force Bahamut ATK 2000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"A new 'Life' Link Monster," Haru whispered in shock.

"It doesn't matter what you summon. Since Bahamut is Earth Attribute, Property Zero negates its effects!" An orange snake shot out towards the dragon, but when it tried to ensnare it, the snake disintegrated. "What?"

"Since Bahamut was Link Summoned, itself and 'Life' monsters linked to are unaffected by your monster effects," Jester explained. "Tell me, did you predict that I would do this?"

Bohman narrowed his eyes but didn't reply. "I Set one card. I end my turn."

"Then I believe it is my turn. Draw! Bahamut's monster effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a 'Life' monster with a Level from my Graveyard with its effects negated to Bahamut's Link Marker. Resurrect, Life Wyvern!" The two-legged dragon reappeared and roared at Bahamut's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

Life Wyvern ATK 2000 DEF 600 LVL: 6

"Bahamut's effect then increases my Life Points by half of Wyvern's attack points."

Jester: 2800→3800 LP

"And since I have more Life Points than you, Bahamut's other effect takes hold! Your Link Monsters lose attack points equal to the difference between our Life Points!" Bohman's eyes widened as Cubic Hydradrive Lord groaned.

Cubic Hydradrive Lord ATK 2300→1300

"I summon Life Ryu!" A small yellow dragon with spikes on the back of its tail and thin wings, along with two horns on its head and red eyes appeared and screeched at Bahamut's bottom-left Link Marker.

Life Ryu ATK 900 DEF 200 LVL: 2

"Life Ryu's monster effect! By sending it and Life Wyvern to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck whose Level equals Life Ryu's and Life Wyvern's combined Levels, and treat it as a Synchro Summon!"

"What?" Bohman and Haru gasped.

"Life Ryu is Level 2 and Life Wyvern is Level 6! That means I can Special Summon a Level 8 Synchro Monster" Jester declared as lines of golden energy spread outwards. His two monsters disintegrated and then reformed into a new dragon. One with yellow armor, brown skin, four thin wings, and a spear attached to its left arm. "Come to me now, Life Stream Dragon!" The Synchro Monster roared as it was summoned to Bahamut's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

Life Stream Dragon ATK 2900 DEF 2400 LVL: 8

Bohman narrowed his eyes. "Life Stream Dragon requires that Power Tool Dragon be used to Synchro Summon it," he said.

"So in order to get around that restriction, he used a monster that used a facsimile of Synchro Summoning and bring out Life Stream Dragon more easily," Haru finished, gritting his teeth.

"You two AIs have already shown how clever you are to me," Jester said. "There's no need to keep proving it." He gestured to his field. "Life Stream Dragon's effect activates! When it is Synchro Summoned, my Life Points become 4000!"

Jester: 3800→4000 LP

"And since the difference between our Life Points increased, Life Force Bahamut's effect weakens Cubic Hydradrive Lord even further!"

Cubic Hydradrive Lord ATK 1300→1100

"Battle! Life Stream Dragon attacks Cubic Hydradrive Lord! Howling Life!" The dragon blasted Bohman's Link Monster with golden energy.

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

Cubic Hydradrive Lord ATK 1100→2200

The stream continued onward and made Bohman's monster explode. Bohman winced from the blowback of the strike.

Bohman: 2800→2100 LP

"This is bad!" Haru grit his teeth. "If Bahamut attacks Bohman directly, he'll only have 100 Life Points left!"

"…I Set one card." Jester's action made Bohman and Haru gasp. "I end my turn."

"He didn't attack?" Haru said while blinking.

Bohman narrowed his eyes. "You could have attacked directly with Bahamut," he said. "Why didn't you?"

"Hmm. And let you use Storm Access? I don't think so."

Bohman blinked. "You know about that?"

"I was unable to witness your duel with Playmaker in the Wind World, but I did see the Wind Ignis use Storm Access in a Master Duel, and I heard Playmaker say you have the same Skill." Jester chuckled. "Of course, I could just stop you from using it, but why put an end to our fun early? I'm curious to see what you can really do, Mr. AI."

Bohman frowned but placed his hand on his Deck. "My turn! Draw! Trap activate! Hydradrive Animation!" The card showed Rousing Hydradrive Monarch, its spear raised, floating above Burn Hydradrive, Coolant Hydradrive, Flow Hydradrive, and Grand Hydradrive. "By banishing 'Hydradrive' Link Monsters from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon another 'Hydradrive' Link Monster whose Link Rating is equal to the combined Link Ratings of the banished monsters. I banish three Grand Hydradrives to resurrect Cubic Hydradrive Lord!" The green humanoid reappeared at Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker.

Cubic Hydradrive Lord ATK 2300 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Did you forget?" Jester asked. "While my Life Points are higher than yours, Bahamut's effect lowers your Link Monsters' attack points by the difference."

"I did not forget," Bohman answered. "That is a powerful effect. Which is why it's very fortunate that the monster summoned by Hydradrive Animation is unaffected by the effects of your Link Monsters!" Jester gasped. "Since Cubic Hydradrive Lord is unaffected, that means its attack points do not change. But they will shortly. Battle! Cubic Hydradrive Lord attacks Bahamut!" The monster charged the dragon. "Judgment Arrows' effect!"

Cubic Hydradrive Lord ATK 2300→4600

The attack continued and the Link Monster brought its axe down, cleaving Jester's dragon in half. The Enforcer grunted as he raised an arm to protect his face from the backlash.

Jester: 4000→1400 LP

Cubic Hydradrive Lord ATK 4600→2300

"Cubic Hydradrive Lord's effect activates! As it destroyed a monster with the same Attribute, it can attack again! Cubic Hydradrive Lord attacks Life Stream Dragon!"

The eyes of Jester's mask gleamed. "That's what I was waiting for. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Rank-Up-Magic Quick Synchro!" Bohman gasped. The card showed a digital blue "X", circled by two rings, one blue and one green. "Since my Synchro Monster is under attack, I can use that Synchro Monster as material to Xyz Summon an Xyz Monster whose Rank is one higher than that Synchro Monster's Level!"

"He's ranking up a Synchro Monster?" Haru gasped.

"With the effect of Quick Synchro, I overlay Life Stream Dragon!" Jester's Duel Disk released a bolt of yellow energy that burst, changing the environment to a midnight sky, with streams of yellow data in the air. A large black cross with four yellow dots at its corners materialized beneath the field. Life Stream Dragon broke apart into yellow data and then entered the top dot, making a yellow circle appear around the portal. The points of the cross fired beams of yellow energy into the air, creating a swirling galaxy that exploded with energy.

"The power that unites creation and destruction!" Jester chanted. "Reside in the dragon of life and bend the world to your will! Synchro Xyz Change! Take flight! Rank 9! Life Force Dragon!" A stream of yellow DNA appeared then reformed into a sphere. The sphere then changed its own shape, turning into a yellow-armored dragon with six thin wings and veins of black energy across its skin. Its split tail trailed behind it as its blue eyes gleamed and it roared in the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position, an orange light circling behind it.

Life Force Dragon ATK 3400 DEF 2900 RNK: 9 OU: 1

Bohman narrowed his eyes. "Life Force Dragon… this is the monster you brought out against Morningstar in the end. But without Bahamut, it isn't immune to Cubic Hydradrive Lord's effect! Property Zero!" An orange snake formed around the monster's axe, which then encircled Life Force Dragon and made it groan as its effects were negated.

"It is true I can't stop you from negating Life Force Dragon's effects," Jester admitted easily. "But Quick Synchro's effect also brings an end to the Battle Phase. So even if my dragon lacks power, you cannot strike it down."

Bohman frowned but said, "I Set two cards. I end my turn." He looked up at Jester. "Tell me something. Do you hate AI?"

"Oh?" Jester tilted his head. "What makes you ask that?"

"Your comments from before; you speak of AI with condescension and derision. Do you hate my kind?"

"Hmm. No, I do not hate AI," Jester said. "Everything in this world has its place and serves its purpose. The wolf that keeps down the deer population, the scrapper who breaks apart old machines; everything in nature, be it human, animal, or plant, has its role to play. AI are no different. They have a purpose and role to fulfill. So no, I do not hate AI like the bounty hunter Blood Shepherd does. But I do find your kind amusing."

"You find AI amusing?"

"I find AI with free will amusing," Jester corrected. "What was it the Light Ignis claimed you were? The successors to humanity? How foolish. You are smarter than most AI, but in the end, you are still a machine. An artificial intelligence created to fulfill a purpose."

Jester dipped his head. "AI are beings of logic. They see a task and they find a way to complete that task. Humans are similar, but we are capable of viewing a larger picture, and are capable of seeing multiple paths to the same end. This creativity is something that AI do not have. And yet you claim to have free will?"

Jester chuckled and shook his head. "The Ignis, and you by extension, have no true creativity. What you have is merely a shadow, an imitation, of true ingenuity. And yet, despite your existence being a mere copy of a human's, you think of yourselves as humanity's successors? You think a fake like you can succeed us?"

Jester laughed even louder. "That is what I find amusing about you; that you can delude yourselves into thinking that an imitation can surpass the original. That you could be so arrogant as to assume your place."

Bohman narrowed his eyes. "I see. You have thought long and hard about this. But I disagree; I do not see my emotions or thoughts as imitations of humanity. I see them as mine, to do with as I will."

"If that is how you perceive yourself, then allow me to show you how your imitation stands up to my genuine article! My turn! Draw! I activate the Equip Spell Card: Wings of Life and equip it to Life Force Dragon!" Life Force Dragon's wings glowed with yellow energy before doubling in length and size as the dragon roared.

"Battle! Life Force Dragon attacks Cubic Hydradrive Lord!"

"What?" Bohman gasped as the dragon gathered yellow energy in its maw. "With Judgment Arrows in effect-."

"It isn't," Jester interrupted. "When the monster equipped with Wings of Life attacks, the effects of all face-up cards, except those of Wings of Life and the equipped monster, are negated during damage calculation!" Bohman gasped again, his eyes widening. "So Judgment Arrows' effects are negated! Continue your attack, Life Force Dragon! Life Nova Stream!" The dragon blasted Cubic Hydradrive Lord with golden energy, destroying it and making Bohman wince.

Bohman: 2100→1000 LP

"And now the coup de grâce," Jester said. "Wings of Life's additional effect activates! When the equipped monster destroys your monster by battle, you take damage equal to that monster's original attack points!" Bohman gasped as Life Force Dragon's wings shone with even brighter light that it then shot down at him.

The AI grit his teeth and gestured to his field. "Trap activate! Damage Polarizer! An effect that would inflict effect damage is negated!" The light dissipated at Bohman's words. "Then, we each draw one card!"

"Hmm. An unexpected counter," Jester said, drawing his card and glancing at it. "Still, the result of this duel has been decided already. But just in case, I'll activate Wings of Life's final effect! By sending it to the Graveyard, I gain Life Points equal to the equipped monster's original attack points." Life Force Dragon's wings lost their shine and returned to their original size.

Jester: 1400→4800 LP

"I end my turn. It is your turn, Mr. AI. I suggest you make it count, as one way or another, I guarantee this will be your last turn."

Bohman closed his eyes. "On that, we agree. This will be my last turn. But it will also be the last turn of this duel. Because I will end this now!" His eyes opened. "My turn! Draw!" Bohman drew, then raised his hand. "Come to me, Data Storm!"

Data Material appeared as the wind around them picked up before forming into a tornado that encircled Bohman.

"Hmm." Jester grunted, unimpressed. "I'm a little surprised you can make a Data Storm in this environment, but your efforts are ultimately futile." He raised his right hand, but then he hesitated. The masked man tilted his head to the side. "Let him do it?" he whispered in surprise. "Are you sure? Even if it's an imitation-. No, I see. Very well. It won't make a difference anyway." The man lowered his right hand and watched as the storm gained intensity.

"I activate my Skill!" Bohman declared, a blue card forming above his hand. "Storm Access!" The winds died down as Bohman grabbed the card. "And next, I summon Hydradrive Incarnation!" A humanoid monster in black armor and cape, with the Hydradrive symbol on its chest plate, appeared.

Hydradrive Incarnation ATK 1600 DEF 1500 LVL: 4

Haru narrowed his eyes at Jester. "He claimed he could stop Bohman from using Storm Access, but he didn't. I guess he talked bigger than he really is."

"Incarnation's effect activates! By Tributing it, I can Special Summon a 'Hydradrive' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect, Cubic Hydradrive Lord!" The green humanoid with purple wings and an axe reappeared as Incarnation disintegrated.

Cubic Hydradrive Lord ATK 2300 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Trap activate! Return from the Different Dimension! By paying half my Life Points, I can Special Summon as many banished monsters as possible."

Bohman: 1000→500 LP

"Return to me, my Grand Hydradrives!" Three of the large orange mechanical monsters reappeared and all roared.

Grand Hydradrive ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓ x 3

Jester lowered his head. "Four 'Hydradrive' Link Monsters. And they all have the same Attribute…"

"Appear! The circuit that determines the truth! The summoning conditions are four 'Hydradrive' Link Monsters with the same Attribute. I set Cubic Hydradrive Lord and three Grand Hydradrives in the Link Markers!" Bohman's monsters entered the left, right, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch!" A massive red and gray mechanical serpentine humanoid emerged from the portal at Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker. It had four arms, one of which carried a shield while the other three carried swords.

Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch ATK 3000 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

"So this is the monster you acquired from Storm Access," Jester mused. "3000 attack points isn't too bad. But even if you double it with Judgment Arrows' effect, it won't be enough to defeat me."

"Since I used Cubic Hydradrive Lord as Link Material, I can draw a card," Bohman said. "And as Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch was Special Summoned, in addition to its original Earth Attribute, it is also treated as Water, Fire, and Wind." Four snakes – red, green, blue, and orange – materialized on the monster's swords and shield. "And just like Cubic Hydradrive Lord, the effects of monsters with the same Attribute as Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch are negated! Property Zero!" An orange snake ensnared Life Force Dragon but Jester didn't react. "I activate the Equip Spell Card: Hydradrive Accelerator and equip it to Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch!" The Link Monster's swords and shield all glowed with a multicolored energy. "Hydradrive Accelerator's effect depends on Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch's Attributes. Since it is Earth Attribute, it cannot be destroyed by battle. As it is Water, it is unaffected by your Trap Cards. As it is Fire, it is unaffected by your Spell Cards. And as it is Wind, if you would target a card I control besides Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch with a card effect, that effect is negated!"

Jester chuckled. "That's a lot of effects. So I can't effect it with my Spell or Trap Cards and I can't destroy it by battle. If nothing else, you AI are good at overcompensating."

Bohman narrowed his eyes but chose not to respond to the taunt. "I activate the Spell Card: Property Equivalency!" The card showed a multitude of red, blue, orange, and blue bubbles. At the center of the card, a red bubble was merging with a blue one. "As I control a 'Hydradrive' Link Monster, I can Special Summon two monsters from your Graveyard with the same attack points and Attribute to your field with their effects negated."

"What?" Jester gasped, genuinely surprised. "My field?"

"Resurrect, Life Wyvern and Life Force Bahamut!" The two dragons took their places on Jester's field, the former in Attack Position.

Life Wyvern ATK 2000 DEF 600 LVL: 6

Life Force Bahamut ATK 2000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"Battle! Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch attacks Life Force Bahamut!" The Link Monster brought its swords down on Jester's larger dragon. "Judgment Arrows' effect!"

Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch ATK 3000→6000

The swords struck, destroying the dragon and generating a massive explosion that pushed Jester back several feet.

Jester: 4800→800 LP

Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch ATK 6000→3000

Jester chuckled ruefully. "If I hadn't sent Wings of Life to the Graveyard, I would have lost."

"Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch's effect activates! When it battles, you must send one of your monsters to the Graveyard, provided it has the same Attribute as Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch. And then, Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch can attack your monster again."

"I see," Jester said. "That's why you summoned monsters to my field; to make use of your Link Monster's effect. Very well. I send Life Wyvern to the Graveyard." Said dragon disintegrated, leaving Life Force Dragon alone on Jester's field.

"This is the end," Bohman said. "Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch attacks Life Force Dragon!" The monster charged the dragon as Haru cheered.

"Yes! Judgment Arrows will raise Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch's attack points to 6000! Bohman wins!"

"Heh. Don't be so conceited." Bohman gasped as Jester took a card in his hand. "I activate the effect of Life Hydra in my hand!" The card showed a yellow-skinned quadrupedal dragon with four heads, each one having prominent fangs and red eyes. "Since I control one 'Life' monster, I can discard Hydra to negate your attack!" A spectral version of the dragon appeared and took the hit from Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch's swords. "And then, I gain 800 Life Points."

Jester: 800→1600 LP

Bohman grit his teeth. "I end my turn."

Haru growled. "Damn. Jester managed to survive the turn." Then he smiled. "It doesn't matter, though. Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch has 3000 attack points, and Judgment Arrows will raise it to 6000 when it battles. And thanks to Hydradrive Accelerator, it's practically invincible. Whatever Jester does, he can't win."

"The situation you are in is nonoptimal," Bohman said. "You have no cards in your hand and only control Life Force Dragon, and its effects are negated due to Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch's effect. Do you intend to keep fighting despite this?"

Jester chuckled. "Of course I do," he said amusedly. "It's just like an AI to be arrogant enough to assume victory. You really are representative of your kind."

"I represent only myself," Bohman said. "There are no other AI like me."

Jester laughed again. "A bold statement. And… a wrong one."

Bohman blinked. "What do you mean?"

Jester lowered his head. "I've met and seen quite a few arrogant AI recently. They build such grand assumptions about themselves, only for those same assumptions to come crashing down once they face just a little opposition or see something unexpected. They have no backup plans, no alternatives. They just place their cards on one move, and in their arrogance, they assume it will work, that the weak humans they're fighting won't adapt."

He raised his head. "But that's the thing; humans always adapt. We've had thousands of years of practice. And you think that you and a couple of self-righteous Ignis who have only lived for ten years can overcome that? How foolish and shortsighted. There is only one of you who has the foresight necessary to achieve victory."

"Only one of us?" Bohman repeated.

"What is he talking about?" Haru wondered.

Jester shook his head and placed his hand on his Deck. "My turn Draw!" He looked at his card and then started laughing again. "How amusing!" He brought his hand up to his mask. "To think an AI like you would force me to use this!" He tapped the mask, which made it glow and then break apart.

Bohman and Haru gasped. "This is…" "You're…"

The mask finally disappeared, revealing the face behind it. It belonged to a handsome young man, in his twenties or thirties. His eyes were a brilliant sapphire blue and his lips were twisted into a sardonic grin.

"Were you expecting something different?" Jester wondered amusedly. "Did you think I was disfigured? That I wore this mask because I was ashamed of my appearance?" He chortled lightly. "I wore the mask because I wanted to. But for this," his sardonic grin widened into a sneer. "I think I'll feel free to go all out!"

Golden light suddenly covered his body, blinding Bohman and Haru. The two cried out and covered their eyes, bracing themselves as a great wind suddenly pushed outwards from Jester. When the wind died down and the light started to fade, the two AIs uncovered their eyes and gasped at what was before them.

A golden aura covered Jester's body, with light gold lines running up and down his arms and legs before crossing his chest, forming an infinity symbol in the center. Similar lines crossed his cheekbones and met at his chin, while his eyes' sclera had become as black as his pupils and his irises had turned golden. His smile had turned both amused and sadistic as he took in Bohman's and Haru's surprise.

"Do you like it?" he asked, his voice echoing. "It's called an Infinity Transformation. It strengthens my avatar. And allows me to do this." He raised his right hand as golden energy encased it and another infinity symbol materialized on the back of his hand. "Once per Duel, I can add any one card from my Deck to my hand!"

Bohman and Haru gasped. "That sounds like-."

"A Skill?" Bohman said, finishing Haru's surprised realization.

"Indeed," Jester confirmed, placing his hand on his Deck and making his card glow. "I activate my Skill! Go, Infinity Draw!" He drew, trailing a stream of golden energy.

"He can use a Skill in a Master Duel as well?" Bohman said in awe.

Jester chuckled as he held his card. "Surprised, aren't you? Did you really think you and the Wind Ignis would be the only ones who could figure out how to do that? Well you aren't. And now it's time." His demonic sneer widened along with his eyes as his pupils became slits. "It is time you understand just what it is you're facing! I activate the Spell Card: Rank-Up-Magic Life Force!" The card showed six thin yellow wings with light shining behind them. "This card lets me Rank-Up a 'Life' Xyz Monster into an Xyz Monster with the same Type that is one Rank higher! Using Life Force Dragon, I rebuild the Overlay Network!"

Another bolt of golden energy shot out of the man's Duel Disk and transformed the area into outer space with streams of golden data traveling in the air. A black cross with yellow dots at the tips materialized beneath Life Force Dragon, which turned into golden particles and entered the top dot. A golden circle materialized behind the cross as it fired golden beams, creating a golden galaxy that exploded with power.

"Let the future of life be decided through the certainty of destruction! The Beast of power and devastation will rise anew and bring an end to this age!" The aura around Jester increased in density as he chanted. "Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 10! Assert your dominion over this plane! Life Force Trihexa!"

The dragon that formed from the galaxy was twice the size of Life Force Dragon and golden in color, with armored legs that ended in three-clawed feet. Its arms and black-claw-tipped hands were similarly armored, as was its chest, though its skin under the armor was yellow in color. Its wings were twice the size of its body and split into eight golden sections, while two golden tails that ended in spades trailed behind its body. Underneath the armor it wore, veins throbbed across its skin, glowing with a purple-pinkish light. Three heads covered in golden armor rose from its body, each on a long neck, and each with spines attached to the sides of their jaws. There were differences however: the center head had small tusks on the sides of its mouth and had red eyes. Its left head had a single horn pointing back on the top of its head and green eyes. And the third head had a tusk under its chin that jutted forwards and blue eyes. All three heads roared as the dragon was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position, two orbs of light circling behind it.

Life Force Trihexa ATK 4000 DEF 3000 RNK: 10 OU: 2

Bohman gasped as he braced himself against the wind of this monster's summoning. "What…?"

"What… is that?" Haru stared at the dragon, an unexplainable terror gripping him.

Jester chuckled and then burst out laughing loudly before regaining control of himself. "That's what I wanted to see. The look of realization as you finally see the folly of your arrogance. So, Mr. AI…" He raised his right hand invitingly, a prominent sneer on his face and a sadistic gleam in his eyes. "Let me show you what true power looks like."

---

Lightning looked down at what remained of Windy in Jin's hand. "Don't worry, Windy," he said. "We'll be there soon. I'll be able to remove the virus from you then."

He looked ahead as the stars shot past and narrowed his eyes. But it is strange I have not encountered or heard from Bohman or Haru yet, he thought. Bohman finished his duel with Playmaker. So where are they?

The Ignis then gasped as a light appeared ahead. "What-?" However, the Light Ignis was soon blinded. When the light faded and his sight returned, Lightning gasped.

He was in a desert, with cliffs in the distance. He looked around and saw no one except himself, Jin, and Windy.

"Whoever brought me here, come out now," he said. "I don't have time for games."

"And neither do I."

The Ignis whipped his head back around and watched as a man materialized in front of him. The man wore black and red armor from head to toe, along with a cape at his waist.

Lightning narrowed his eyes. "You are Zahhak, the one who defeated Morningstar before," he stated.

"I am."

"Well, I am curious as to why you've waylaid me. And also impressed that you managed it at all. But I don't have time for whatever you're here for." Lightning looked down at Windy. Or what remained of him. "My colleague is infected with a virus, and I need to remove it before he is terminated."

Zahhak's response was to raise his right hand and point with a single finger. A bolt of red lightning lanced out, straight at the Wind Ignis. Lightning almost stopped it, but in a nanosecond managed to identify its purpose.

The bolt struck Windy and the degradation of his data ceased. "Interesting. You deleted the virus on your own." Lightning looked from Windy to Zahhak. "You're impressive for a human. But why would you do that?"

"A demonstration."

"As is this."

Lightning tensed at the unexpected voice and spun around. Just in time to see a masked man in blue and gold step out of a portal. But it was what the man carried that grabbed Lightning's attention and made his eyes widen.

The man chuckled as he released his hold on the arm of the unconscious and bruised Bohman and let him fall to the ground with a groan. He did the same with a similarly bruised Haru.

"Bohman… Haru…" Lightning looked from them to the man. "You're Jester, the one who stopped Morningstar from following Haru before. So you and Zahhak are comrades."

"Indeed," Jester confirmed. "And don't worry about these two; they'll recover soon. This was just a demonstration of our power and abilities."

"As was my curing the Wind Ignis of his virus," Zahhak said.

Lightning pondered for a moment before turning back to Zahhak. "Very well. You've piqued my interest. What is it you want?"

"It's not what I want," Zahhak said, stepping to the side. "It's what he wants."

Lightning watched as another portal opened and a man stepped through. He was shorter than Zahhak, but only just. He wore long white and purple robes trimmed in gold that covered black pants and shoes. His dark blue hair was swept back, and his blood-red eyes were covered by a pair of spectacles.

Lightning was unimpressed. "And? Why should I care what another human has to say?"

The man blinked and then looked down at himself before chuckling. "I see. I've gotten so used to this form I forgot it isn't my original self." He looked up and gave a friendly smile before snapping his fingers. From the ground up, his avatar started to disintegrate.

When the process reached his chest, Lightning's eyes widened in shock. "T-That's impossible…" he muttered, more surprised than he'd ever been. "Dr. Kogami… only created eight of us…"

"Indeed he did." The figure that now floated where the man had stood was the same height as Lightning, but its body was primarily white in color. Purple lines ran up and down its arms and legs, while a coiled serpent rested on its chest and the back of its head tapered to a point at the back of its neck. Its red eyes were diamond-shaped, and they gleamed as it continued speaking. "But did you really believe he alone would discover the secrets to creating a superior AI?"

The being bowed lightly to Lightning, left hand on its chest and right hand to the side. "I am the Divine Ignis, though you may call me Jormungand, the Third Anguis of Ouroboros." It raised its head as its eyes glowed even more. "And I have a proposition for you."

---

Bohman vs. Jester

This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.

Turn 1: Jester

As he controls no monsters, Jester Normal Summons Life Wyvern (2000/600/6) without Tributing. As he controls a "Life" monster, Jester Special Summons Life Drago (600/2000/3) in Attack Position. As a "Life" monster was Summoned to Jester's field, Life Wyvern's effect activates, and he gains 800 LP (Jester: 4000→4800 LP). As Jester gained LP from the effect of a "Life" monster, Life Drago's effect activates, and Jester gains 800 LP (Jester: 4800→5600 LP). Jester uses Life Drago and Life Wyvern to Link Summon Life Force Amphitere (1000/2/↓↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Jester's LP are higher than Bohman's, Life Force Amphitere gains ATK equal to the difference (Life Force Amphitere: 1000→2600). Jester Special Summons Life Drake (1800/800/4) to Life Force Amphitere's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position via its effect. He then activates Life Drake's effect to gain 800 LP, but Life Drake cannot declare an attack this turn (Jester: 5600→6400 LP) (Life Force Amphitere: 2600→3400). As his LP are greater than Bohman's, Jester activates Life Force Amphitere's effect to inflict damage to Bohman equal to half the difference (Bohman: 4000→2800 LP) (Life Force Amphitere: 3400→4600). Jester Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Bohman

Bohman draws. He Normal Summons Hydradrive Booster (0/0/1). Bohman uses Hydradrive Booster to Link Summon Grand Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Bohman activates the Spell Card Hydradrive Rebuild, which lets him destroy 1 "Hydradrive" monster he controls. He destroys Grand Hydradrive. As Grand Hydradrive was destroyed, its effect activates, and Bohman Special Summons 1 Hydradrive Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. As the monster destroyed by Hydradrive Rebuild activated its effect in the GY, Bohman can Special Summon Grand Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) from his GY, but it cannot attack, its effects are negated, and it is destroyed during the End Phase. Bohman activates the Link Spell Card Judgment Arrows (↖↑↗) at the Spell & Trap Zone Grand Hydradrive's Link Marker points to. Bohman uses Hydradrive Token to Link Summon a 2nd Grand Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to Judgment Arrows' top-left Link Marker. He then activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Hydradrive Scabbard, which lets him Special Summon 1 Hydradrive Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. Bohman uses Hydradrive Token to Link Summon a 3rd Grand Hydradrive (1000/1/↓) to Judgment Arrows' top-right Link Marker. Bohman uses his 3 Grand Hydradrives to Link Summon Cubic Hydradrive Lord (2300/3/←↓→) to Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker. As Cubic Hydradrive Lord was Link Summoned, Bohman can declare 2 Attributes, and Cubic Hydradrive Lord is also treated as those Attributes while it is on the field. Bohman declares Wind and Fire. The effects of Jester's monsters with the same Attribute as Cubic Hydradrive Lord are negated (Life Force Amphitere: 4600→1000).

Cubic Hydradrive Lord attacks Life Force Amphitere. As a Link Monster at its Link Marker is battling, Judgment Arrows' effect doubles that monster's ATK during damage calculation (Cubic Hydradrive Lord: 2300→4600). Life Force Amphitere is destroyed (Jester: 6400→2800 LP) (Cubic Hydradrive Lord: 4600→2300). Since Cubic Hydradrive Lord destroyed a monster with the same Attribute as itself, it can attack again in a row. Cubic Hydradrive Lord attacks Life Drake. As his "Life" monster is being attacked, Jester activates his Set Trap Card Life Resurgence, which negates Bohman's attack, then lets Jester Special Summon 1 "Life" monster from his GY with its effects negated, then Link Summon 1 "Life" Link Monster using monsters he controls as material. Jester Special Summons Life Force Amphitere (1000/2/↓↘), then uses Life Drake and Link-2 Life Force Amphitere to Link Summon Life Force Bahamut (2000/3/↙↓↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Life Force Bahamut and "Life" monsters linked to it are unaffected by the effects of Bohman's monsters. Bohman Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 3: Jester

Jester draws. He activates Life Force Bahamut's effect to Special Summon 1 "Life" monster with a Level from his GY to its Link Marker with its effects negated. He Special Summons Life Wyvern (2000/600/6) to Life Force Bahamut's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. He then gains LP equal to half of Life Wyvern's ATK (Jester: 2800→3800 LP). As Jester has more LP than Bohman, Life Force Bahamut's effect lowers Bohman's Link Monsters' ATK by the difference (Cubic Hydradrive Lord: 2300→1300). Jester then Normal Summons Life Ryu (900/200/2) to Life Force Bahamut's bottom-left Link Marker. Jester activates Life Ryu's effect, sending it and the Level 6 Life Wyvern to the GY to Special Summon 1 Synchro Monster from his Extra Deck with a Level equal to their combined Levels and treat it as a Synchro Summon. Jester Special Summons Life Stream Dragon (2900/2400/8) to Life Force Bahamut's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. As Life Stream Dragon was Synchro Summoned, Jester can make his LP 4000 (Jester: 3800→4000 LP) (Cubic Hydradrive Lord: 1300→1100).

Life Stream Dragon attacks Cubic Hydradrive Lord. Judgment Arrows' effect activates (Cubic Hydradrive Lord: 1100→2200). Cubic Hydradrive Lord is destroyed (Bohman: 2800→2100 LP). Jester Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 4: Bohman

Bohman draws. He activates his Set Trap Card Hydradrive Animation, which lets him banish "Hydradrive" Link Monsters from his GY whose combined Link Rating equals that of a "Hydradrive" Link Monster he can Special Summon from his GY. Bohman banishes 3 Grand Hydradrives to Special Summon Cubic Hydradrive Lord (2300/3/←↓→) to Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker. The monster Special Summoned by Hydradrive Animation is unaffected by the effects of Jester's Link Monsters.

Cubic Hydradrive Lord attacks Life Force Bahamut (Cubic Hydradrive Lord: 2300→4600). Life Force Bahamut is destroyed (Jester: 4000→1400 LP) (Cubic Hydradrive Lord: 4600→2300). Cubic Hydradrive Lord's effect activates, and Cubic Hydradrive Lord attacks Life Stream Dragon. As Jester's Synchro Monster is being attacked, he activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Quick Synchro, which lets him use 1 Synchro Monster he controls as Xyz Material to Xyz Summon 1 Xyz Monster from his Extra Deck whose Rank is equal to that monster's Level+1. Jester performs a Synchro Xyz Change with Life Stream Dragon to Xyz Summon Life Force Dragon (3400/2900/9) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Quick Synchro's effect then ends the Battle Phase. Bohman Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn.

Turn 5: Jester

Jester draws. He activates the Equip Spell Card Wings of Life, equipping it to Life Force Dragon. If Life Force Dragon attacks, the effects of all other face-up cards on the field except for Life Force Dragon's and Wings of Life's effects are negated during damage calculation, and if Life Force Dragon destroys Bohman's monster by battle, he takes damage equal to that monster's original ATK.

Life Force Dragon attacks Cubic Hydradrive Lord. Wings of Life's effect negates the effects of Cubic Hydradrive Lord and Judgment Arrows. Cubic Hydradrive Lord is destroyed (Bohman: 2100→1000 LP). The effect of Wings of Life activates, but Bohman activates his Set Counter Trap Card Damage Polarizer. As an effect that would inflict damage was activated, its activation and effect is negated, then each player draws 1 card. Jester activates Wings of Life's effect, sending it to the GY to gain LP equal to Life Force Dragon's ATK (Jester: 1400→4800 LP). Jester ends his turn.

Turn 6: Bohman

Bohman draws. As his LP are 1000 or lower, Bohman activates his Skill, Storm Access, adding Tesseract Hydradrive Lord from the Data Storm to his Extra Deck. Bohman Normal Summons Hydradrive Incarnation (1600/1500/4). Bohman activates Incarnation's effect, Tributing it to Special Summon 1 "Hydradrive" monster from his GY with its effects negated. He Special Summons Cubic Hydradrive Lord (2300/3/←↓→). Bohman activates his Set Trap Card Return from the Different Dimension, paying half his LP (Bohman: 1000→500 LP) to Special Summon as many of his banished monsters as possible. He Special Summons 3 Grand Hydradrives (1000/1/↓). Bohman uses his 3 Grand Hydradrives and Cubic Hydradrive Lord to Link Summon Tesseract Hydradrive Lord (3000/4/←↙↘→) to Judgment Arrows' top Link Marker. As Cubic Hydradrive Lord was sent to the GY as Link Material, Bohman draws 1 card. As Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch was Special Summoned, its effect activates, and it is treated as also being Water, Fire, and Wind Attribute while on the field. The effects of monsters with the same Attribute as Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch are negated. Bohman activates the Equip Spell Card Hydradrive Accelerator, equipping it to Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch. As the equipped monster is Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind Attribute, it cannot be destroyed by battle, is unaffected by Jester's Trap Cards, is unaffected by Jester's Spell Cards, and if Jester activates a card effect that targets 1 of Bohman's cards besides Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch, Bohman can negate that effect respectively. Bohman activates the Spell Card Property Equivalency, which lets him Special Summon 2 monsters from Jester's GY with the same ATK and Attribute in Attack Position with their effects negated. He Special Summons Life Wyvern (2000/600/6) in Attack Position and Life Force Bahamut (2000/3/↙↓↘).

Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch attacks Life Force Bahamut. Judgment Arrows' effect activates (Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch: 3000→6000). Life Force Bahamut is destroyed (Jester: 4800→800 LP) (Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch: 6000→3000). As Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch battled, its effect activates, and Jester must send 1 face-up monster he controls with the same Attribute as Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch to the GY, then Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch can attack Jester's monster again. Jester sends Life Wyvern to the GY. Tesseract Hydradrive Monarch attacks Life Force Dragon. As Jester controls only 1 "Life" monster and Bohman's monster attacked, Jester activates the effect of Life Hydra in his hand, discarding it to negate the attack and gain 800 LP (Jester: 800→1600 LP). Bohman ends his turn.

Turn 7: Jester

Jester draws. He activates his Infinity Transformation, then activates his Skill Infinity Draw. Jester can add any 1 card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Rank-Up-Magic Life Force from his Deck to his hand. Jester activates the Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Life Force, which lets him use 1 "Life" Xyz Monster to Xyz Summon 1 Xyz Monster with the same Type that is 1 Rank higher. Jester performs a Rank-Up Xyz Change with Life Force Dragon to Xyz Summon Life Force Trihexa (4000/3000/10) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

The rest of the turn is not shown, but Jester wins.

---

Jester:

Life Drake
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Dragon/Effect] ATK 1800 DEF 800 Level: 4
You can Special Summon this card (from your hand or GY) to your zone a "Life" Link Monster points to. You can only activate this effect of "Life Drake" once per turn. Once per turn: You can activate this effect; gain 800 LP, also this card cannot declare an attack this turn.

Life Force Bahamut
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Dragon/Link/Effect] ATK 2000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
2+ "Life" monsters
This Link Summoned card and "Life" monsters linked to this card are unaffected by your opponent's monster effects. While your LP are higher than your opponent's, your opponent's Link Monsters lose ATK equal to the difference. Once per turn: You can target 1 "Life" monster in your GY with a Level; Special Summon it to your zone this card points to with its effects negated, and if you do, gain LP equal to half of its ATK.

Life Ryu
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Dragon/Tuner/Effect] ATK 900 DEF 200 Level: 2
You can send this card and 1 "Life" non-Tuner monster from your field to your GY; Special Summon 1 Synchro Monster from your Extra Deck whose Level is equal to the combined Levels of the sent cards. (This Special Summon is treated as a Synchro Summon). You can only activate this effect of "Life Ryu" once per turn.

Life Hydra
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Dragon/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 1200 Level: 7
When an opponent's monster declares an attack, if you control exactly 1 "Life" monster: You can send this card from your hand to the GY, negate that attack, then gain 800 LP. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 "Life" monster you control; it can make up to 3 attacks during each Battle Phase this turn, but it can only attack directly once per turn. You can only activate 1 effect of "Life Hydra" per turn, and only once per turn.

Life Force Trihexa
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Dragon/Xyz/Effect] ATK 4000 DEF 3000 Rank: 10
3 Level 10 EARTH monsters
Effects unknown

Life Resurgence Normal Trap Card
When an opponent's monster declares an attack against your "Life" monster: Negate that attack and Special Summon 1 "Life" monster from your GY with its effects negated, and if you do, immediately after this effect resolves, Link Summon 1 "Life" Link Monster using monster(s) you control as material.

Rank-Up-Magic Quick Synchro Quick-Play Spell Card
When your Synchro Monster is selected as an attack target: Target that monster; Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 Xyz Monster with the same Type as that monster you control whose Rank equals the targeted monster's Level plus 1, by using it as the Xyz Material. (This Special Summon is treated as an Xyz Summon.) Then, end the Battle Phase.

Wings of Life Equip Spell Card
Equip only to a "Life" monster you control. When the equipped monster declares an attack: Negate the effects of all face-up cards on the field, except this card's and the equipped monster's, during damage calculation. Once per turn. if the equipped monster destroys your opponent's monster by battle: Inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's original ATK. During your Main Phase, you can send this equipped card from your field to the GY; gain LP equal to the equipped monster's original ATK.

Rank-Up-Magic Life Force Normal Spell Card
Target 1 "Life" Xyz Monster you control; Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 Xyz Monster that is the same Type as that monster you control, but 1 Rank higher, by using it as the Xyz Material. (This Special Summon is treated as an Xyz Summon. Xyz Materials attached to it also become Xyz Materials on the Summoned monster.) Remaining effects unknown

Bohman:

Hydradrive Incarnation
Attribute: EARTH Type: [Cyberse/Effect] ATK 1600 DEF 1500 Level: 4
You can Tribute this card and target 1 "Hydradrive" monster in your GY; Special Summon that monster with its effects negated. You can only activate this effect of "Hydradrive Incarnation" once per turn.

Hydradrive Animation Normal Trap Card
Target 1 "Hydradrive" Link Monster in your GY; banish "Hydradrive" Link Monsters whose combined Link Rating equal the targeted monster's Link Rating from your GY, then Special Summon it. The monster Special Summoned by this effect is unaffected by the effects of your opponent's Link Monsters.

Property Equivalency Normal Spell Card
If you control a "Hydradrive" Link Monster: Target 2 monsters in your opponent's GY with the same ATK and Attribute; Special Summon them to your opponent's field in Attack Position with their effects negated. The turn you activate this card, your opponent takes no effect damage.

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Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 50 – Memories of Pain. Lightning has declared war on humanity, and Yasutake and his allies expand their search to find the remaining Ignis before it is too late. In the midst of this, Masako Himura returns and enlists Yasutake's help in finding Thaumiel and putting an end to his unknown plans…

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Question of the Chapter

What do you of the Infinity Transformation and the Skill Infinity Draw?

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Author's Notes

I'll start with the big reveal this time: Jormungand, the Divine Ignis, and the true power behind Jester and Zahhak. So many people thought the Gold Ignis was behind them, but no, she isn't. She's in opposition to Jormungand. I'll be going over the Divine Ignis's origins in a later chapter. For season 2, he serves as a background villain, similar to Leo Akaba in ARC-V during the Synchro arc, and he won't take center stage until season 3. His agents, Zahhak and Jester, are the main opposition in season 2, and as Jester showed, they're dangerous enough.

Let me give a quick thank you to SakushiRyu for helping me with some of Jester's cards. Said Enforcer got to show off more of his power in this chapter, culminating in the Infinity Transformation, Infinity Draw, and Life Force Trihexa. I'll be honest here; I'm not that certain on the name "Infinity Transformation." If anyone can come up with a better suggestion, I'm willing to entertain and even change it. The transformation is based off of ZEXAL Morph from ZEXAL, and it enables the use of the Skill Infinity Draw during a Master Duel, which is based on Shining Draw. The appearance of the transformation is partially inspired by McBurn's transformation in the Trails of Cold Steel series. Jester's ultimate monster, Life Force Trihexa however, comes from High School DxD, where Trihexa is the name given to 666, the Beast of Revelations that signals the Apocalypse. I also took ideas for its design from King Ghidorah, another apocalyptic being. As for its effects, I will show those more fully in a later chapter.

Thank you for reading Chapter 49. I hope I managed to surprise most of you with the appearance of Jormungand, and I hope you'll look forward to what I have planned for him with anticipation. Also, instead of updating a profile for Chapter 49, I decided I would upload my new opening to my Profiles fanfic. And finally, I decided to include a post-credit scene. Please enjoy.

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Extra Scene

Cam blinked. "Overlimit Link Summoning?"

Yasutake nodded. "It's the summoning of a Link-6 monster."

"Goldie invented it," Cypher said. "And then she gave it to Diana, whoever she is."

"She also made a Link Spell Card and gave it to Yasu," Sachi added. The three humans and Ignis looked over at a device that was materializing a card. "She really is the strongest Ignis to be able to do both of those things."

"Can you make one?" Cam asked Cypher. "A Link-6, I mean?"

Cypher shook his head. "Not on my own. Maybe with a few years more evolution, or if she had given us a copy of Cryptograph Chimera I could reverse engineer…"

"What about Ai and Flame? If the three of you worked together-."

"We might be able to," Cypher admitted, interrupting Sachi. "But it would take a long time. I needed Dr. Hirai's help to make the Link-5s for the Cyspirits, Cyangels, and Cydemons, and none of you are as smart as he was. No offense."

Yasutake rolled his eyes. "Then our best option would be Hurricane Heavensgate, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah, but-."

A beeping from Cam's pocket interrupted the Ignis. The man pulled it out and blinked. "What? A break-in?"

Yasutake blinked and rose. If someone thought they could steal from Café Junpei, then they were gravely mistaken.

He left the backroom and entered the café's main room. "Whoever you are, if you think-." He stopped in his tracks, Cam and Sachi behind him, as he stared at the intruder.

She grinned amusedly at him. "Such a cold greeting." Her black hair that gotten longer, to the point she had tied it into a short ponytail, though the purple highlights remained, as did the two strands that went down to her collarbone. Her violet eyes stood out against her pale skin, which was covered by a black blouse with a purple flower on it, along with a black leather jacket. From the waist down, she wore black skintight jeans and black knee-high boots with small heels.

Masako Himura tilted her head and smiled at him. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Yasutake?"