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

55. Chapter 55: eXceeding Expectations

Responses to Reviews

Thank you to jdkeller2000, Shrouded Absol, HunterHQ, Dinomain, SakushiRyu, D3lph0xL0v3r, guardian of the aura Aurasoul, Noobmaster, FlameFireZero X, KingOtakuOverYou, Anonymous, Dante, Divadix, Jason, TheSupremeKingParadaxDragon, Ethan Kironus, ZarcEternal, SavageWizar9000, dianehkri, savagemaster1999, NeoNova99, Unnamed, bladeWriter3, Zero Shadow-01, GuestKingofGuest, TheDeathTitan, and Guests for reviewing Chapter 54.

KingOtakuOverYou: I didn't forget the opening; I only show it when I have an update for it. Like when identifying a monster or naming a new character.

ZarcEternal: My opinion on VRAINS as a whole? Honestly, I liked it. It did feel rushed, and they could have done more with certain characters. But I feel that for the characters they did use, they used them masterfully. I really liked how they touched on real world topics, like PTSD and depression. Actually – and I don't know if this comparison is accurate since I've never played it, I've only watched videos and read about it – VRAINS reminds me a lot of Persona 3, with a similar theme of overcoming past trauma. And I just like stories like that.

Thank you for the reviews. I hope all of you are staying safe in these troubling times. So please enjoy Chapter 55!

---

Chapter 55: eXceeding Expectations

"Playmaker, will you duel me?"

Everyone turned to stare at Persephone after she asked her question.

"Eh?" Ai blinked. "You want to duel Playmaker? Why? How come?" He gasped and pointed at her. "Don't tell me! Are you secretly a bounty hunter?! You've been trying to get close to Playmaker so you can-!"

"Shut up, you stupid AI!" Galahad interjected, glaring at the Dark Ignis. "My girlfriend isn't a bounty hunter! Quit it with the accusations!"

"Well why else would Persephone challenge Playmaker?" Ai demanded. "We're on the same team, so why would she want to duel him?"

"Why do you want to duel me, Persephone?" Playmaker asked, taking attention away from Ai.

The girl looked him in the eye. "Do you know who I am, Playmaker?"

Playmaker shook his head. "No."

Persephone blinked in surprise. Clearly, she had thought he would find out.

Actually, now that Morningstar thought about it, he realized something; she was the only one here who's true identity he didn't know; Playmaker, Soulburner, Cassiel, Lilith, Galahad, Blue Maiden; he knew all of their real names, but not hers.

He supposed that was amusing in a way.

Persephone chuckled. "Should I feel proud or insulted that you don't know who I am? Regardless, I am someone who others have felt inferior towards. They see what I have accomplished, and feel their own efforts are not enough, can never be enough." She frowned and looked upwards at the sky. "Perhaps it is an oversimplification, but I believe Go Onizuka felt similarly about you, Playmaker, that you were someone he could never surpass. And his desire to do that drove him to such lengths."

"You think that justifies what he did?" Ai asked, crossing his arms.

The girl shook her head. "I think it explains his behavior, not justifies it," she clarified. "But that's not the point. Everything I have ever attempted, I have succeeded at. Academics, dueling, chess, computers; I have succeeded at all them." Persephone's frown deepened. "I've been called a prodigy, a genius, someone to whom success comes easily. Such a status kept others from getting close to me. And yet…"

She closed her eyes. "When I dueled against Nebula, when she was controlled by Jester, I nearly lost. I won in the end yes, but it was close. So close that I wasn't sure I could win. And then there's Jester and Zahhak. Not to mention Lightning or Bohman. All these strong opponents have been arrayed against us, and I nearly lost to someone they were using as a pawn."

"…I see." Persephone's eyes opened to look at Playmaker. "You are doubting your strength, whether or not you can contribute to the group."

Persephone smiled morosely. "Yes. I haven't changed or upgraded my Deck since I became a Charisma Duelist. I've never had a reason to. But these enemies we're fighting aren't Charisma Duelists; they're more powerful than anything I've ever prepared for. Everyone I know is becoming stronger. Go Onizuka, Galahad, Blue Angel…" She glanced at Blue Maiden with a smirk. "But I fear being left behind. I fear not being strong enough for the challenges ahead." Her eyes narrowed. "That's why I want to duel you, Playmaker. From what I have seen, you are the strongest duelist here."

"Excuse me?" Cypher interrupted. "Ai's origin is the strongest? You know Morningstar is right here, don't you?"

"Be quiet," Morningstar ordered him.

"I want to use you as a measuring stick, to see whether or not I'll be able to keep up with everyone here." Persephone's eyes narrowed. "I know this request is selfish of me. It has no benefit to you. But will you accept my challenge? Will you help me find out whether I am prepared for this fight?"

"…I accept."

Everyone blinked as Playmaker nodded. Persephone stared before smiling. "Thank you, Playmaker. Then let's not waste time."

Persephone and Playmaker rode off on their D-Boards. The rest of the group all jumped up to an island to watch.

"Do you think Persephone can win?" Cassiel wondered, asking the others.

"No," Cypher said bluntly. "I don't know much of her dueling skills, but aside from Zahhak, Playmaker is the only one who's ever defeated my partner. And even if Ai can be stupid sometimes, he's still an Ignis, with all that entails. She can't win against both of them."

"I agree," Flame concurred. "Like Cypher, I don't know much of Persephone's skill, but I do know Playmaker's. The only one with a larger arsenal is Morningstar, and Playmaker has defeated him."

Galahad frowned at the two Ignis. "Don't discount her so readily," he warned. "Persephone's the highest ranked Charisma Duelist after Blue Angel; she didn't win that spot through weak opponents."

"She didn't," Blue Maiden confirmed. A self-deprecatory smile graced her lips. "Though I lost to Playmaker before. It is possible for her to win, but it will be an uphill battle."

Lilith shrugged. "I don't know which of them will win, and I honestly don't care," she said bluntly. "I mean, if Galahad could defeat an AI-enhanced Go Onizuka, then surely she can defeat Playmaker."

Galahad gave the girl the stink-eye. "That sounded like a compliment, but the way you said it sounded like an insult." Lilith offered him an innocent smile.

"Why are you doing this, Playmaker?" Ai wondered as his origin rode ahead of Persephone. "She said herself this request is selfish; we don't have anything to gain from a duel with her."

"It may seem like we don't, but we do," Playmaker countered. "I've seen a few of her duels; she is an expert strategist and tactician, who uses a wide variety of effects in her duels. Overcoming an opponent like that will be good training for the battles ahead."

"Hmm. I guess you have a point," Ai conceded.

Also, Playmaker thought, there is the chance I'll get to use Neo Storm Access…

Persephone sped ahead of him on her D-Board. "Don't think of holding back against me, Playmaker!" she declared.

"Right!" he responded.

"Speed Duel!"

Persephone: 4000 LP

Playmaker: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Persephone declared. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Inferno, Realm of the Burning Abyss! While I control a 'Burning Abyss' monster, your monsters lose 500 attack points."

"Huh. That's new," Cypher commented. "If a Field Spell has a modifier, it usually increases a monster's attack points, not decrease them."

"I summon Tour Guide From the Underworld!" A pink-haired woman in a blue uniform appeared.

Tour Guide From the Underworld ATK 1000 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"Tour Guide's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 3 Fiend monster from my hand or Deck with its effects negated, but it cannot be used as Synchro Material. Come, Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A black and red draconian fiend appeared in Attack Position.

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

"Appear, the circuit of the underworld! The summoning conditions are two Level 3 monsters. I set Graff and Tour Guide in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss!" A fallen angel in dark armor with three heads on its chest emerged from the Link portal and swung a red curved sword from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss ATK 500 LINK-2 ↙↘

"Graff's effect activates! When it is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Deck. Come, Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A masked winged fiend with long hair and nails appeared in Defense Position.

Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 800 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"The effect of the Field Spell Card Inferno activates!" Persephone declared. "When I Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Extra Deck, I can add a 'Burning Abyss' monster and/or a 'Burning Abyss' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss to my hand." Persephone pointed to her field. "Cherubini's effect activates! Once per turn, I can send a Level 3 monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, and until the end of the turn, a 'Burning Abyss' monster gains attack and defense points equal to that monster's attack and defense points. I send Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard and give its 1300 attack points to Cherubini!"

Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss ATK 500→1800

"Libic's effect activates! When it is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Level 3 Dark Fiend monster from my hand with its effects negated. Come, Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A black-skinned humanoid dragon with violet spikes above its fists appeared in Attack Position.

Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1100 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"I overlay my Level 3 Draghig and Scarm!" A bolt of violet energy shot out of Persephone's Duel Disk, creating the Xyz cross behind her. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Her monsters disintegrated into data and entered the red dots. The ends of the cross fired beams and created a galaxy of energy. "The poet who traversed the infernal lands! Let your story reach a new generation! Xyz Summon! Rise, Rank 3! Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss!" A dark-haired man in a red tunic over a black shirt emerged from the galaxy at Cherubini's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position with two lights circling him.

Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 2500 RNK: 3 OU: 2

"Link Summoning and then Xyz Summoning," Morningstar said. "Persephone's Deck works fast."

Galahad chuckled. "Yeah. Her monsters tend to lack the raw power mine and Go's have, but she's very skilled at taking advantage of her monsters' effects. That's what makes her such a skilled duelist."

"Dante's effect activates! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can send up to three cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard, and for each card sent, Dante gains 500 attack points until the end of the turn."

Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss OU: 2→1

"I send three cards to the Graveyard." Persephone took the cards and placed them in her Graveyard. "The cards I sent to the Graveyard were Road to the Burning Abyss, Fiendish Rhino Warrior, and Tour Bus From the Underworld. When Fiendish Rhino Warrior is sent to the Graveyard, I can send a Fiend monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. And when Tour Bus is sent to the Graveyard, I can shuffle a monster in the Graveyard back into the Deck. I send Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard and return Tour Guide to my Deck."

She pointed to her field. "Cir's effect activates! When it is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Graff!" The draconian fiend reappeared in Defense Position.

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

"I Set two cards. I end my turn. During the End Phase, Cherubini's and Dante's attack points return to normal."

Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss ATK 1800→500

Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss ATK 2500→1000

"But I still have another effect to activate! During the End Phase, Scarm was sent to the Graveyard this turn, I can add a Level 3 Dark Fiend monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add another Graff to my hand."

"She really used a lot of effects there," Ai said, sweatdropping.

"Her monsters' effects activate whenever they are sent to the Graveyard," Playmaker said. "As does her Xyz Monster."

"Hmm. Then I suppose it would be best to remove them from the field by a ways other than destroying them?"

Playmaker smirked. "Exactly. My turn! Draw! I summon Flame Bufferlo!" A black mechanical bison with blue flames for horns appeared.

Flame Bufferlo ATK 1400 DEF 200 LVL: 3

"Do not forget!" Persephone interrupted. "So long as Inferno is on the field and I control a 'Burning Abyss' monster, your monsters lose 500 attack points!"

Flame Bufferlo ATK 1400→900

"That's going to be an annoying effect," Ai groused. Playmaker, by comparison, was undeterred.

"By reducing Flame Bufferlo's Level by 2, I can Special Summon Catche Eve L2!" A pink-haired girl wearing a blue poncho and white skirt appeared in Attack Position, cat paws on her hands and feet a tail between her legs.

Flame Bufferlo LVL: 3→1

Catche Eve L2 ATK 800→300 DEF 600 LVL: 2

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning condition is one Level 1 monster. I set Flame Bufferlo in the Link Marker!" The monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Linkuriboh!" A small dark blue digital monster with a pointed tail emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Linkuriboh ATK 300→0 LINK-1 ↓

"Do your best, Linkuriboh!" Ai cheered.

"Flame Bufferlo's effect activates! When it leaves the field, I can discard a Cyberse monster and draw two cards." Playmaker discarded and drew, then said, "Since I sent Dotscaper to the Graveyard, its effect activates, and I can Special Summon it!" A small monster made of green and white blocks appeared in Defense Position.

Dotscaper ATK 0 DEF 2100 LVL: 1

"Appear again, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two monsters. I set Catche Eve L2 and Dotscaper in the Link Markers!" The mosnters entered the top and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Security Dragon!" A white mechanical dragon with red lines over its body appeared at Linkuriboh's Link Marker.

Security Dragon ATK 1100→600 LINK-2 ↑↓

Persephone narrowed her eyes when she looked at its stats. Or rather, what its effect was.

"Security Dragon can return an opponent's monster to the hand when it's co-linked," Morningstar said.

"And it happens to be co-linked with Linkuriboh," Blue Maiden noted.

"Clever," Lilith praised with a smirk. "Persephone's 'Burning Abyss' monsters have effects that trigger when sent to the Graveyard, so if they go to the hand instead…"

"Their effects won't activate," Galahad finished. Then he smirked himself. "But don't expect that to work too well with Persephone."

"Trap activate!" the Charisma Duelist declared. "Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss! By sending two face-up 'Burning Abyss' monsters I control to the Graveyard, I can destroy up to three cards on the field!"

"Eh?!" Ai screeched while Playmaker gasped.

"I send Dante and Graff to the Graveyard to destroy Linkuriboh and Security Dragon!" All four monsters disappeared in a flash of red flames.

"Linkuriboh!" Ai cried.

"As Dante and Graff were sent to the Graveyard, their effects activate!" Persephone continued. "In addition, as Draghig was attached to Dante as an Overlay Unit, it was also sent to the Graveyard, so its effect activates as well! With Dante's effect, I first add a 'Burning Abyss' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Cir to my hand. Then, with Graff's effect, I Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Deck. Come forth, Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A horned, bearded old man appeared in Defense Position at Cherubini's bottom-left Link Marker, wielding a spiked ball on a chain.

Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1700 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Finally, Draghig's effect lets me place 1 "Burning Abyss" card in my Deck on top of my Deck. I'll place Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss on top of my Deck."

Playmaker's eyes narrowed. "That card is a Ritual Spell."

"So Ritual's coming up next turn?" Ai asked. "It makes sense; she's best known for Ritual Summoning." The Ignis blinked in realization. "Wait, if she Tributes more monsters with that card, then they'll go to the Graveyard and activate their effects."

"That would be bad," Playmaker said calmly.

"Gah!" Ai groaned as he rubbed the sides of his head. "We've just started our turn, and this girl's Deck is already being troublesome."

"It's fine," Playmaker said. "I didn't expect Security Dragon's effect to work."

"Eh?" Ai turned back. "Hey Playmaker, are you smiling? Why?"

"Persephone is an analytical duelist, much like myself and Morningstar," Playmaker explained. "She watches what the opponent does and responds accordingly. I can't help but be interested in this duel."

"Hmm. I think I get it. You're saying it's like dueling Morningstar."

"Similar to that, but not the same." Playmaker took a card from his hand. "Since I control no monsters, I Special Summon Linkslayer!" A warrior in golden armor and a cape appeared in Attack Position, two blades of energy forming from his wrists.

Linkslayer ATK 2000→1500 DEF 600 LVL: 5

"Linkslayer's effect activates! Once per turn, I can discard up to two cards to destroy the same number of Spell and Trap Cards on the field!" Persephone's eyes narrowed. "I discard two cards to destroy your Field Spell Card and your Set card!" Linkslayer swung his arms, sending two beams of blue light at the cards.

If I don't act now, I won't be able to use my Trap Card! Persephone thought. She had planned on waiting for Playmaker to attack, but evidently she had no choice. "Trap activate! The Traveler and the Burning Abyss! This lets me Special Summon any number of 'Burning Abyss' monsters that were sent to the Graveyard this turn in Defense Position!" Playmaker's eyes narrowed. "I Special Summon Dante and Graff!" The man in red and black and the draconian demon both reappeared.

Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 2500 RNK: 3

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

"Even if her Trap Card was activated, Inferno is still destroyed," Morningstar noted. Sure enough, the Field Spell Card shattered.

Linkslayer ATK 1500→2000

"With her Field Spell gone, our monsters' attack points are back to normal," Ai said. "But it's kind of annoying that she got her monsters back."

"Even so, Graff cannot activate its effect again this turn," Playmaker said.

"But Dante can," Ai reminded him. "So that's the one we need to get rid of."

"That's right," Playmaker agreed. "I activate the effect of Dual Assembwurm in my Graveyard! By banishing Catche Eve L2 and Flame Bufferlo from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon it with its attack points halved!" A large mechanical dragon, one half of it blue and the other half red, appeared and roared in Attack Position.

Dual Assembwurm ATK 2800→1400 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

"As I control a Cyberse monster whose current attack points are different from its original attack points, I activate the Spell Card Cyberse Cache! This lets me draw two cards." Playmaker drew, then pointed to his field. "Dual Assembwurm's effect activates! By banishing a card from my hand, I can banish a monster on the field whose attack points are equal to or less than Dual Assembwurm's!" Persephone's eyes widened. "I banish Balancer Lord from my hand to banish Dante!" The man in red and black disappeared at Playmaker's words. "Balancer Lord's effect activates! When it is banished, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower monster from my hand. Come, Swap Cleric!" A mechanical humanoid monster in a medieval cleric's outfit wielding a staff appeared in Attack Position.

Swap Cleric ATK 500 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

Playmaker raised his hand. "Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two Level 2 or higher Cyberse monsters. I set Dual Assembwurm and Swap Cleric in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the top and left arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Update Jammer!" A blue-haired young man wearing a green overcoat and a black jumpsuit, along with gauntlets and boots and a mask, emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Update Jammer ATK 2000 LINK-2 ←↑

"Swap Cleric's effect! When it is used to Link Summon, I can reduce Update Jammer's attack points by 500 to draw a card!"

Update Jammer ATK 2000→1500

Playmaker looked at his card then gestured to his field again. "Appear again, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monsters. I set Linkslayer and Link-2 Update Jammer in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Transcode Talker!" An orange armored warrior wielding a rifle in its right hand emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Transcode Talker ATK 2300 LINK-3 ↑↓→

Morningstar blinked before smirking. "Very clever."

"Huh?" Galahad turned to the former bounty hunter. "What do you mean?"

"Transcode Talker's effect activates! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Link-3 or lower Cyberse Link Monster from my Graveyard to its Link Marker. Resurrect, Update Jammer!" The blue-haired youth reappeared at Transcode Talker's bottom Link Marker.

Update Jammer ATK 2000 LINK-2 ←↑

"While Transcode Talker is co-linked, itself and monsters co-linked with it cannot be targeted by your card effects and gain 500 attack points."

Transcode Talker ATK 2300→2800

Update Jammer ATK 2000→2500

"If a Cyberse monster battles while Update Jammer is on the field," Morningstar explained, "it can negate the effects of all face-up cards on the field and make the battling monsters fight with their original attack and defense points."

"That's a good effect," Lilith admitted. "But wouldn't that reduce the damage because Transcode Talker's effect would be negated?"

"It would," Cypher agreed. "If Update Jammer didn't also inflict 1000 points of damage when the opponent's monster is destroyed."

Galahad's and Lilith's eyes widened. "Update Jammer also lets a monster that was Link Summoned using it attack twice during the Battle Phase," Morningstar said. "If Transcode Talker attacks Cherubini, then another monster, and Update Jammer attacks the last one…"

"…The total amount of damage is 4800," Soulburner said in realization.

"A one-turn kill," Flame said. Cassiel and Blue Maiden could only look at Playmaker with amazement.

"I Set one card," Playmaker said. "Battle! Transcode Talker attacks Cherubini! Trans Fault!" The orange-armored warrior hefted his rifle and fired a beam at Cherubini.

Persephone narrowed her eyes. She had seen Update Jammer's effects and come to the same conclusion that Morningstar and Cypher had. She had no Set cards on her field, so her only option was-.

"I activate my Skill!" she declared, surprising Ai and Playmaker. "Legendary Awakening! Once per Duel, I can perform a Fusion, Link, Synchro, or Xyz Summoning using monsters on my field as materials!"

"Eh?!" Ai screeched. "She's Special Summoning right now?!"

"I fuse Barbar, Cherubini, and Graff to perform a Fusion Summon!" Persephone shouted. Her monsters broke apart into blue, green, and red particles that swirled into a vortex. Three twisters shot upwards before merging into a single violet tornado. "Through hell and purgatory, enlightenment is reached! Become the avatar of paradise! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 9! Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss!" A blue-haired man wearing ornate white, gold, and violet robes emerged from the tornado, wielding a gold and wooden staff in his right hand. The man smiled as he was summoned to Transcode Talker's top Link Marker in Attack Position.

Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss ATK 2800 DEF 2500 LVL: 9

"No fair!" Ai cried. "We can't Fusion Summon during the Battle Phase!"

"As Barbar was sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates!" Persephone continued. "I can banish up to three 'Burning Abyss' cards from my Graveyard and inflict 300 points of damage for each one. I banish Fire Lake, The Traveler, and Inferno to inflict 900 points of damage!" Playmaker winced as a red glow briefly appeared around him.

Playmaker: 4000→3100 LP

Galahad chuckled. "I told you guys not to underestimate Persephone."

"As unexpected as that was, it was a clever move," Aqua said. "Dante's attack points are equal to Transcode Talker's. A battle between them would result in mutual destruction."

Playmaker was having the same thoughts as Aqua. If he attacked with Transcode Talker, then both monsters would be destroyed, and he could attack directly with Update Jammer. But doing so would also leave Update Jammer weaker and vulnerable to Persephone's card effects.

"So, Playmaker?" Persephone wondered. "Are you going to attack?"

Playmaker frowned. While he would inflict damage, the risk wasn't worth it. "I end my turn," he said.

Ai sighed. "She's trickier than I thought she'd be."

"That just makes this more challenging," Playmaker said. Despite the upset, he was remaining calm.

Persephone smirked at her opponent. "You're definitely skilled; not many could recover like you did after I destroyed your monsters. But you'll need to do better than that! My turn! Draw!" She drew and smirked at her Ritual Spell Card. "I activate the effect of Road to the Burning Abyss in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can add a 'Burning Abyss' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss to my hand!"

"Malacoda?" Ai perked up. "Isn't that her-?"

"Yes," Playmaker confirmed, his eyes narrowing.

"I activate the Ritual Spell Card: Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss!" Persephone declared. "I Tribute the Level 3 Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Level 3 Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss in my hand to Ritual Summon!" A dark blue magic circle appeared, along with Cir and Calcab. The two monsters disintegrated into blue particles as six blue flames appeared around the circle. The particles entered the circle, which shot a beam of light upwards. "The contract has been made! The demon who guards the fifth circle inherits these two souls. Ritual Summon! Rise, Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss!" The light faded to reveal a red-skinned demon in blue armor, wielding blue and red swords in Attack Position.

Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss ATK 2700 DEF 2200 LVL: 6

"Ritual Summoning," Morningstar muttered.

"That's Persephone's ace monster," Soulburner said.

"Its effect is powerful," Cassiel said. "But she can only use it if she can target Playmaker's monsters; Transcode Talker keeps her from doing that."

"Even without its effect, Malacoda is stronger than Update Jammer," Lilith pointed out.

They could all see it; Malacoda would destroy Update Jammer, and Dante would destroy Transcode Talker. But that wouldn't win Persephone the duel. No, she needed one more monster.

"Since I sent Calcab and Cir to the Graveyard, their effects activate!" Persephone declared. "I can now return a Set Spell or Trap Card on the field to the hand as well as Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Graveyard. I return your Set card to your hand and Special Summon Scarm!" The masked winged fiend with long claws reappeared in Attack Position as Playmaker's Set card disappeared. Both events made the hacker's eyes narrow.

Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 800 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"Dante's effect activates! By discarding a 'Burning Abyss' card, I can draw a card. I discard Graff and draw!"

Persephone drew, then said, "Since Graff was sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Deck. Come, the Tuner monster, Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A pink demon with wings and horns appeared and swung a wooden staff.

Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 100 DEF 2100 LVL: 3

"Tuner?" Ai gasped. "She's going to-!"

"Synchro," Playmaker confirmed.

"Level 3 Rubic tunes Level 3 Scarm!" A bolt of violet lightning struck Persephone and disintegrated her monsters. The monsters reformed into two rings, one green and one violet, before turning blue and merging. They reformed into a stacked tower of six rings as light surged through them. "The poet's guide to hell and purgatory! Ascend to the earth and perform once more! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss!" A red-haired man in red, white, and black emerged from the light, summoned to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. He strummed his golden guitar, making the blue flames at each end dance wildly.

Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss ATK 2500 DEF 1000 LVL: 6

"She has a Ritual Monster, a Synchro Monster, and a Fusion Monster on the field," Ai said. He chuckled nervously. "She really doesn't do things halfway, does she?" Playmaker narrowed his eyes but didn't respond.

"I Set one card. Battle! Malacoda attacks Update Jammer! Abyssal Slash!" Malacoda's swords lit on fire. It charged and bisected Update Jammer, making Playmaker wince as it exploded.

Playmaker: 3100→2900 LP

"Since Transcode Talker is no longer co-linked, it loses 500 attack points," Persephone pointed out.

Transcode Talker ATK 2800→2300

"Dante attacks Transcode Talker! Paradise's Enlightenment!" Dante's staff shot golden light at the orange-armored warrior, destroying it and making Playmaker wince again.

Playmaker: 2900→2400 LP

"Virgil has 2500 attack points," Persephone said. "This attack will be the end. Virgil attacks you directly! Purgatio Rhapsody!" Virgil strummed his guitar and shot blue fire at the hacker, who-.

"Do it, Playmaker!"

"Right! Since I control no monsters, I activate the Trap Card: Firewall Shield from my hand!" The card showed Firewall Dragon and Firewall Dragon, their wings curved in front of them. "By halving my Life Points, I take no damage from this attack!" A blue barrier appeared around Playmaker, making the flames part around it.

Playmaker: 2400→1200 LP

When the flames dissipated, the barrier disappeared and Playmaker said, "Firewall Shield then lets me add a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand. I add ROM Cloudia to my hand."

Persephone narrowed her eyes. "That was a clever way to evade my attack. However, your Life Points aren't low enough for you to use your Skill yet." Playmaker didn't react to her statement. "I end my turn. During the End Phase, as Scarm was sent to the Graveyard this turn, I can add a Level 3 Dark Fiend monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to my hand."

"That was closer than I was expecting," Cypher admitted.

"Persephone really is skilled," Cassiel said in awe.

"What did I say?" Galahad said with a smirk. Lilith rolled her eyes.

"Yes, yes, we heard you. Now stop gloating; you're ruining it."

"Hey!"

Playmaker, unaware of the commentators' byplay, placed his hand on his Deck. "My turn! Draw!"

"Looks like we'll have to take this more seriously, Playmaker," Ai said. "You know what that means?"

"I do," Playmaker confirmed. "I summon ROM Cloudia!" A brown-furred ram with pink horns appeared.

ROM Cloudia ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"ROM Cloudia's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can add a Cyberse monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Latency to my hand. And since Latency was added to my hand from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon it!" A pink mechanical girl holding a blue hourglass appeared in Attack Position.

Latency ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters. I set Latency and ROM Cloudia in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Clock Spartoi!" A white, gold, and red armored warrior emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone, wielding a spear.

Clock Spartoi ATK 800 LINK-2 ↓↘

Persephone gasped. "Clock Spartoi?" Morningstar repeated.

"That monster is-!" Soulburner started.

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

Persephone grit her teeth. So he's preparing a Fusion Summon.

"By banishing Dotscaper and ROM Cloudia from my Graveyard, I Special Summon Dual Assembwurm from my Graveyard with its attack points halved!" The red and blue mechanical dragon reappeared in Attack Position.

Dual Assembwurm ATK 2800→1400 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

"Furthermore, since Dotscaper was banished, I can Special Summon it!" The green and white monster reappeared in Defense Position.

Dotscaper ATK 0 DEF 2100 LVL: 1

"I activate the Spell Card: Cynet Diffusion!" The card showed Balancer Lord and Code Talker, with a shimmering sphere of blue light between them. "This card sends a Cyberse monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. Then, I can Special Summon a Link-2 or lower Link Monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. I send Clock Wyvern to the Graveyard and Special Summon Security Dragon!" The red and white mechanical dragon reappeared and roared from Clock Spartoi's bottom Link Marker.

Security Dragon ATK 1100 LINK-2 ↑↓

Persephone's eyes widened. Clock Wyvern in the Graveyard, two monsters, and a Link-2… In an instant, she saw Playmaker's plan. And knew she only had this one chance to stop it.

"Dante's effect activates!" she declared, much to Playmaker's surprise. "By discarding a 'Burning Abyss' card, I can draw a card!"

"Eh?!" Ai screeched. "She can activate that effect during our turn, too?!"

"I discard Farfa and draw! And since Farfa was sent to the Graveyard, I can banish one of your monsters until the End Phase! I banish Clock Spartoi!"

"Good choice," Morningstar commented.

"Yeah," Blue Maiden agreed. "If Clock Spartoi is gone, then Playmaker can't bring back Clock Wyvern."

"I activate the effect of Firewall Shield in my Graveyard!" Playmaker declared. "When you target one of my Cyberse monsters with a card effect, I can banish Firewall Shield from my Graveyard to negate that effect!" Persephone gasped as a red glow appeared around Clock Spartoi. "In addition, until the end of this turn, my Cyberse monsters are unaffected by your card effects!"

Persephone grit her teeth. Virgil's effect could only be activated during her turn, and the card she had in her hand wasn't a 'Burning Abyss' monster, so she couldn't activate Malacoda's effect.

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two or more monsters. I set Dotscaper, Dual Assembwurm, and Link-2 Security Dragon in the Link Markers!" Playmaker's monsters entered the top, bottom, left, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Firewall Dragon!" The massive blue and white mechanical dragon emerged from the portal and roared from Clock Spartoi's bottom Link Marker.

Firewall Dragon ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

Galahad whistled. "Damn. That's a nice Link-4."

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

Clock Wyvern ATK 1800 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Firewall Dragon's effect activates! Once, when it is co-linked, I can return monsters from the field or Graveyard to the owner's hand, up to the number of monsters co-linked with Firewall Dragon. Firewall Dragon is co-linked with Clock Spartoi, so I can return one monster to the hand. I return Malacoda to yours! Emergency Escape!" Firewall Dragon shot blue lightning out of its head at the red-skinned fiend, who cried out in pain before disappearing. Persephone scowled as Malacoda's card reappeared in her hand.

"I activate the Spell Card: Cynet Fusion!" Playmaker declared. "I fuse Clock Wyvern, Clock Spartoi, and Firewall Dragon!" Playmaker's monsters broke apart into red, green, and blue particles that swirled into a vortex. Three colored tornados shot upward before merging into a violet twister. "The strong ones gather before its grand wings! Become a new legend! Fusion Summon! Come out! Cyberse Clock Dragon!" The twister broke apart, revealing a violet dragon with black armor and golden wings. It roared as it was summoned to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Cyberse Clock Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"Playmaker's Fusion Monster is here," Cypher noted.

"Clock Dragon's effect activates! When it is Fusion Summoned, I can send cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard, equal to its Fusion Materials' combined Link Ratings."

"Clock Spartoi was Link-2, and Firewall Dragon was Link-4," Ai reminded Persephone.

"I send six cards to the Graveyard, and for each card, Clock Dragon gains 1000 attack points!"

Cyberse Clock Dragon ATK 2500→8500

"8500 attack points?!" Lilith gasped in surprise. This was her first time seeing Playmaker's Fusion Monster.

"One hit, and this duel is over," Morningstar noted. Galahad grit his teeth.

"I Set one card. Battle! Clock Dragon attacks Virgil! Pulse Pressure!" Pink lightning gathered over Clock Dragon's skin. The lightning went to its mouth, where it charged a massive sphere of energy, which it then shot out at Persephone's Synchro Monster.

Persephone grit her teeth. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Canto of the Burning Abyss!" she declared. "By shuffling up to six 'Burning Abyss' monsters in my Graveyard back into my Deck, I gain 800 Life Points for each shuffled monster. In return, you take no damage for the rest of the turn. I shuffle Calcab, Cherubini, Draghig, Graff, Libic, and Rubic back into my Deck!"

Persephone: 4000→8800 LP

The beam struck and destroyed Virgil in a massive explosion. Persephone cried out as the shockwave struck her D-Board and sent her tumbling through the air until she righted herself, breathing hard the whole time.

Persephone: 8800→2800 LP

"Tch," Ai said. "So close!"

Persephone steadied her breathing. "Since Virgil was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can draw a card!"

Playmaker frowned. Persephone really was tenacious. "I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!" Persephone frowned at her card before turning to look at Clock Dragon. I can't beat that monster in attack points, she thought. So I'll have to go with an effect. She smiled as a plan came to her mind. You should be honored Playmaker; it's not often I bring this monster out to play!

"By banishing Canto of the Burning Abyss from my Graveyard, I can add a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Cir to my hand. And then, by banishing Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss from my Graveyard and sending a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my hand to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Burning Abyss' card from my Deck to my hand. I discard Cir to add Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to my hand." Persephone pointed to her field. "Cir's effect activates! As it was sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Farfa!" A winged demon with no arms and long white hair that went down past its feet appeared in Attack Position.

Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1000 DEF 1900 LVL: 3

"I summon Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A winged fiend with the lower body of a horse appeared.

Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK 1400 DEF 0 LVL: 3

"Two Level 3 monsters," Ai observed. "Is she Xyz Summoning or Link Summoning now?"

Playmaker narrowed his eyes, a feeling of unease crossing his mind. "No. Not yet."

"Eh?" Ai blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I activate the Spell Card: Level Lifter!" Persephone declared. "By discarding the Level 6 Malacoda, I can change the Levels of two monsters on my field to Malacoda's Level. I change Calcab and Farfa to Level 6!"

Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss LVL: 3→6

Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss LVL: 3→6

Everyone watching blinked and gasped. "Two Level 6s?" Cassiel said in surprise.

"That means-." Soulburner started.

Galahad smirked. "So she's bringing that out."

"I overlay my Level 6 Calcab and Farfa!" Persephone raised her Duel Disk and shot out a bolt of violet energy. That bolt created the Xyz cross. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Her monsters disintegrated into data and entered the red bolts. The ends of the cross fired beams that created a galaxy, which exploded with energy. "Guide to the traveler and messenger of paradise, let your light shine upon this blighted land! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Rank 6! Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal!" A woman in a pink dress covered by white and blue armor formed from the galaxy. A white veil covered her head, and two lights circled behind her as she stood in the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.

Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal ATK 2500 DEF 2800 RNK: 6 OU: 2

"Another Xyz Monster?" Lilith said in surprise.

"This one isn't part of the 'Burning Abyss' archetype," Cypher noticed.

"Technically not," Galahad said. "But it still takes advantage of them." He smiled. "That's Persephone's true ace monster; the monster she brings out when she really wants to win."

Persephone turned to look at her opponent. "Playmaker, Beatrice is my last ace monster," she said. "She is my last chance to defeat you. And in turn…" Her eyes narrowed as her mind visualized another person over Playmaker. One in red and black armor. "To determine whether I'm strong enough to avenge Nebula."

She pointed to her field. "Beatrice's effect activates! Once per turn, by detaching an Overlay Unit, I can send a card from my Deck to the Graveyard!" Playmaker's eyes widened. "I detach Calcab to send a second Farfa from my Deck to the Graveyard!" One of the lights lit up and then disappeared.

Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal OU: 2→1

"The effects of the detached Calcab and the sent Farfa now activate! Now, I can return a Set Spell or Trap Card on the field to the hand and banish a monster until the End Phase. The card I will return is your Set card! And the monster I will banish is Clock Dragon!"

"This is bad, Playmaker!" Ai panicked. "If we lose both of those, we'll be defenseless!"

"I know," Playmaker said before he gestured to his field. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Security Block!" Persephone blinked at his move. "One Cyberse monster I control cannot be destroyed by battle his turn! And for the rest of the turn, neither of us takes battle damage! I target Clock Dragon!"

Persephone grit her teeth. "Clock Dragon will still be banished by Farfa's effect!" Sure enough, the dragon disappeared at Persephone's words.

Ai breathed a sigh of relief. "Even if Clock Dragon left the field, Security Block's effect means we won't take battle damage this turn. So there's no point in her attacking."

A smile crossed Persephone's face. "Very clever, Playmaker. But even if you survive the turn, Clock Dragon's attack points will return to normal once it returns." Her opponent's eyes narrowed at her words. "I end my turn. And during the End Phase, Farfa's effect Special Summons Clock Dragon to your field." The large violet and black dragon reappeared in Attack Position, its attack points back to their original amount.

Cyberse Clock Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"She's really put up a good fight, Playmaker," Ai said.

"Agreed," Playmaker said. "And yet… she is not the only one who needs to know whether she's strong enough."

"Eh?" Ai looked at his frowning origin. "Playmaker, what are you talking about?"

"…Do you remember when Zahhak defeated Morningstar?"

"Yeah. It sucked, but Cassiel saved him."

"For the moment. But Zahhak is still out there. And his strength is beyond anyone we've fought. And when we faced Bohman, our duel ended in a draw. Our enemies are strong, and only getting stronger. We are getting stronger too; but are we getting stronger fast enough?"

Ai blinked. "Playmaker?"

Playmaker closed his eyes. "I accepted Persephone's challenge because I feel the same way as her; that the enemies we are fighting are too strong for us. Like her, for me this duel is an affirmation of our strength; that we are strong enough to face the challenges ahead!"

"Alright, Playmaker!" The hacker opened his eyes to look at a determined Ai. "I admit I'm worried about how strong our enemies are too. But I know that if we fight together, we'll be strong enough!" He turned to face Persephone. "Bohman said I was unique because I had instinct, because I was the most human of the Ignis. So let's combine my instinct with yours, and demonstrate how powerful we are!"

Playmaker blinked and then smiled. "Right, partner! My turn! Draw!" He looked at his card and his smile microscopically widened. "I summon Flick Clown!" A four-armed man in green and violet robes wielding a staff in his upper right hand appeared.

Flick Clown ATK 1000 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Flick Clown's effect activates! When I have no cards in my hand, I can pay 1000 Life Points to draw a card!"

Playmaker: 1200→200 LP

Persephone gasped.

"His Life Points are 200 now," Morningstar said.

"He can use Neo Storm Access now," Cypher pointed out.

Persephone narrowed her eyes. "I know what you're planning, Playmaker. But I was prepared for you doing this! Beatrice's effect activates!"

"Eh?!" Ai gasped. "You can activate that effect during our turn too?"

"I can. I detach Farfa to send Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from my Deck to the Graveyard!"

Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal OU: 1→0

"As Barbar and Farfa were sent to the Graveyard, their effects activate! I can banish Clock Dragon from your field until the End Phase and banish up to three 'Burning Abyss' cards from my Graveyard to inflict 300 points of damage for each one."

"This is bad, Playmaker!" Ai said, panicking. "We only have 200 Life Points!"

"I banish Malacoda from my Graveyard!" Persephone said. "Say goodbye to Clock Dragon and the rest of your Life Points!"

"Is Playmaker losing?" Soulburner said in shock.

He was not. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cyberse Exception!" The card showed Update Jammer, his radio dish extended, sending out waves of energy at Elphase. But a barrier of light was surrounding Elphase. "By targeting Clock Dragon, it is unaffected by your card effects for the rest of the turn!"

"You will still take damage!" Persephone pointed out.

"The turn Cyberse Exception is activated, neither of us takes any effect damage!" Playmaker declared, making Persephone gasp. A blue light appeared around both Clock Dragon and Playmaker.

Morningstar smiled. "Impressive. Since Clock Dragon is unaffected by Persephone's cards, it won't be banished."

"And since neither of them can take effect damage, Barbar's effect does nothing," Cassiel said, smiling as well.

"Once again, Ai's origin shows us just how awesome he is," Cypher said. Then he turned to Flame. "Don't tell Ai I said that; it'll go to his head."

"I won't," Flame promised with a nod.

Persephone grit her teeth. She had failed to defeat Playmaker. And now that his Life Points were below 1000…

Violet winds started to whip around the duelists. "It's time to take this duel to another level!" Ai declared. A violet twister of data formed in the air. Grimacing, Persephone swerved to avoid it, while Playmaker dove straight into it. He reached out a hand and felt the particles go around his fingers. With a yell, Playmaker clenched his fist. As he did, the shadow of a four-winged dragon passed through the storm.

"Now!" Ai declared. "Seize the wind, Playmaker!"

"I activate my Skill! Neo Storm Access!" A blue card formed in the storm, which Playmaker grabbed and pulled out. The storm broke apart and Playmaker spun out behind Persephone.

The girl grit her teeth. "His Skill is dangerous, but if I play things right…"

"I activate the effect of Dual Assembwurm in my Graveyard! I banish Latency and Swap Cleric to Special Summon it with its attack points halved!" The red and blue dragon reappeared in Attack Position.

Dual Assembwurm ATK 2800→1400 DEF 1000 LVL: 8

"Appear, the circuit that leads to the future! The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters. I set Clock Dragon and Dual Assembwurm in the Link Markers!" Playmaker's two dragons entered the bottom-left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Clock Lizard!" A metallic blue lizard with violet crystals covering its back emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone and hissed.

Clock Lizard ATK 1200 LINK-2 ↙↓

Persephone narrowed her eyes on seeing the monster's effects. With Clock Dragon in the Graveyard…! She had no choice. "Dante's effect activates!" she declared. "By discarding Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, I draw a card! And since Alich was sent to the Graveyard, the effects of one face-up monster are negated until the end of the turn. I negate Clock Lizard's effects!"

"So now Playmaker can't bring Clock Dragon back," Lilith noted.

"Considering how Playmaker duels, he likely accounted for that already," Morningstar said.

Morningstar was right. "I activate the effect of Cynet Diffusion in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon a Cyberse monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect, Clock Wyvern!" The mechanical blue and purple dragon reappeared and roared in Attack Position.

Clock Wyvern ATK 1800 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

Persephone's eyes widened. "Those monsters-!"

"Clock Wyvern and Flick Clown are both Level 4!" Cypher announced, making the eyes of everyone watching widen.

"I overlay Level 4 Clock Wyvern and Flick Clown!" Playmaker declared, swinging his Duel Disk around and sending a bolt of blue lightning to the sky behind him. It struck, creating the Xyz cross. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Clock Wyvern and Flick Clown broke apart and entered the dots. The ends of the cross lit up and fired beams, creating a miniature galaxy. The galaxy exploded with energy as a new monster formed within.

"The wall of power that annihilates everything!" Playmaker chanted, the stripe on his jumpsuit glowing dark blue. "Manifest as the dragon's fang! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Firewall eXceed Dragon!" A massive mechanical dragon formed from the galaxy. Its body was similar to Firewall Dragon's but was armored on its legs, chest, and arms. Its head, instead of having a circle attached, was shaped like a cross, with two prongs pointing upwards, and two pointing downwards. For wings, two prongs extended from its back. The dragon roared as its eyes glowed red and two lights circled behind it. It took its place at Clock Lizard's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position.

Firewall eXceed Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"This must be the monster he obtained from Neo Storm Access," Morningstar surmised.

Galahad whistled. "I got to admit; that dragon looks badass."

"Xyz Summon," Persephone muttered.

"eXceed Dragon's effect!" Playmaker said. "When it is linked to a Link Monster, it gains 500 attack points for each of that monster's Link Markers!" eXceed Dragon was linked to Clock Lizard, which was Link-2.

Firewall eXceed Dragon ATK 2500→3500

"eXceed Dragon's effect activates! By detaching two Overlay Units, I can Special Summon a Link-4 Cyberse Link Monster from my Graveyard so that it is linked to it!" The two lights disappeared. "Resurrect, Firewall Dragon!" The blue and white mechanical dragon reappeared at Clock Lizard's bottom Link Marker.

Firewall Dragon ATK 2500 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

Firewall eXceed Dragon ATK 3500→5500

"Firewall Dragon's effect activates!" Playmaker declared. "It is co-linked with Clock Lizard, so I can return one monster from your field or Graveyard to your hand!"

"Dante's effect prevents it from being targeted by your card effects!" Persephone told Playmaker.

"Then we will return Beatrice to your hand!" Ai countered.

"Emergency Escape!" Firewall Dragon sent blue lightning at the monster, but Persephone gestured to her field.

"Counter Trap activate!" she declared. "Chase through the Burning Abyss!" The card showed Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss and Virgil running down a broken road, chased by Barbar, Farfa, and Malacoda, panicked expressions on their faces. "Since you targeted my 'Burning Abyss' monster with a card effect, that effect is negated!" The blue lightning disintegrated as Playmaker's eyes narrowed.

"Chase through the Burning Abyss then lets me Tribute a 'Burning Abyss' monster I control!" Persephone continued. "Then, I can increase another monster's attack points by that monster's attack points until the end of my next turn! I Tribute Dante and give his attack points to Beatrice!" The poet bowed his head and disintegrated as Beatrice smiled sadly, a red glow around her body.

Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal ATK 2500→5300

"Damn!" Ai complained. "Now only eXceed Dragon is strong enough! And thanks to eXceed Dragon's effect, we can't attack directly!"

"Beatrice does let Persephone Special Summon a 'Burning Abyss' monster from her Extra Deck when it's destroyed," Galahad noted. "But I doubt she would summon anything in Attack Position."

"Simply put, the duel will continue on past this turn," Blue Maiden said.

Morningstar smirked. "No, it won't," he said, surprising the others. "This turn will be the last."

"Battle!" Playmaker declared. "Firewall Dragon attacks Beatrice!" His declaration shocked everyone as the lines on the dragon's body turned red.

"No, Playmaker! What are you thinking?!" Ai complained. "Firewall Dragon isn't strong enough to defeat Beatrice!"

"I know," Playmaker said, surprising the Ignis. "This is a necessary step! I activate the effect of Cyberse Exception in my Graveyard! When my Cyberse monster battles your monster, I can banish Cyberse Exception to negate that attack!" Firewall Dragon's red lines turned back to blue. "And then, until the end of the turn, your monster's attack points become 0!"

Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal ATK 5300→0

Persephone gasped, her eyes wide. "0-0 attack points?!"

"Even God or Ai couldn't have predicted this," Ai admitted casually.

"Firewall eXceed Dragon attacks Beatrice!" Playmaker declared. Blue holographic wings shot out of the flaps on eXceed Dragon's back, taking a shape similar to that of a butterfly's wings. "Rising Crypt Limit!" Blue energy continued to gather around the dragon. Then it shot the energy out in the shape of an "X". The energy struck Beatrice in the chest. The lady cried out as she tried to resist, but it was pointless. She screamed as she disintegrated, the energy continuing on to Persephone. It struck her and knocked her off her D-Board with a scream.

Persephone: 2800→0 LP

"Persephone!" Galahad cried out, watching with wide eyes as the girl plummeted through the air. He leapt off the ledge and summoned his D-Board, followed by the others.

Persephone landed on a nearby digital island and groaned. Her landing had not been soft.

"Are you alright?" She looked up as Playmaker leaned over her and offered her a hand. She smiled and accepted.

"Aside from some wounded pride, yes, I'm fine." She let up pull her up.

"Persephone!" She and Playmaker turned as Galahad, Morningstar, Cassiel, Soulburner, Blue Maiden, and Lilith landed next to them. "Are you alright?" her boyfriend asked worriedly.

She smiled and nodded. "I'm alright, Galahad. But thank you for worrying." She turned to her opponent. "And thank you Playmaker, for indulging my selfish request."

"It wasn't selfish." Persephone blinked at Playmaker's words. "In truth, I've had the same concerns."

"You have?"

The hacker nodded, a serious look on his face. "You were right; our opponents are very strong. Lightning, Bohman, Ouroboros; they aren't opponents we could have prepared for. Especially Zahhak."

Morningstar scowled and clenched his fists at the mention of the Cydemon duelist. Cassiel noticed this and frowned with concern before a look of determination crossed her face. Determination to protect the person she cared so much for.

Playmaker continued, not noticing Morningstar's reaction. "I doubt whether the strength I have will be enough either. But I'll continue to go on and get stronger. Because that's all I can do right now."

"All you can do," Persephone repeated with a whisper. A melancholic smile crossed her face. "That's true of me as well. I suspect that's true of all of us."

The others all smiled in agreement as they fell into companionable silence. Silence that was broken by Cypher.

"We're reaching the endgame, aren't we?"

They turned to look at the Silver Ignis. "SOL has lost their main enforcers in Go Onizuka and Blood Shepherd. And we found reports that said Sylphid and Techbane quit and Kenmochi and Yoroizaka went missing."

Galahad and Persephone frowned in concern at the mention of the latter two but said nothing.

"I agree," Morningstar said. "SOL's been effectively defanged; the Knights of Hanoi are still out there, but they're focusing on Lightning instead of us." Galahad scowled at the mention of their old enemy. "That leaves just us, Lightning, and Ouroboros."

Playmaker frowned. "A confrontation is on the horizon. This war of ours… I feel Cypher is right; it's going to escalate soon."

Soulburner frowned. "If that's the case, then we'll have to do our best to win!"

Blue Maiden nodded. "And save the people we've lost." She thought of Miyu and Blood Shepherd.

Cassiel nodded. "And find answers on Ouroboros."

"And find out who killed my father," Lilith said with a scowl.

Everyone nodded in agreement. "I don't know how this war will end," Morningstar said, a frown on his face. "But I do know one thing; no matter what happens, we'll confront it. Together."

---

Merlin walked into the chamber. It was one of the largest rooms he'd ever seen, truly fit for the center of the Final Ascension Plan. The room was circular, the walls and floors covered in blue panels. A second level with a railing ran around the chamber, and in the center sat a raised platform. Atop that platform sat the beating heart and core of the Ark; a massive energy reactor. And standing in front of that reactor was the man he came here to see.

Said man turned away from staring into the reactor and greeted the Enforcer with a smile. "Ah, Merlin. I'm glad you made it."

"I couldn't turn down an order from the Third Anguis," Merlin responded, a smile on his own face. He stepped up and looked into the reactor himself. "This is a beautiful sight."

Jormungand's smile widened as his gaze returned to the machine. "Indeed; in the real world a reactor like this would take millions of dollars and years to build. For me, it is costless and took only a month."

Merlin's lip twitched. "One could argue it doesn't count, what with it being virtual and all."

The Third Anguis chuckled. "Oh, I am aware. And yet this reactor will be the cornerstone of the Final Ascension Plan. But enough about that. How is your apprentice?"

"Techbane is doing well," Merlin said with a nod. "He is anxious and impatient, but considering his situation, that's understandable."

"Has he mastered his new cards?" Jormungand inquired. Making them had been simple enough, but it was Techbane who would use them.

"I would say he has, but we won't know for sure until his initiation."

Jormungand smiled. "Then it's a good thing I have the perfect task in mind for him."

"Oh?" Merlin raised an eyebrow. "You're offering a task? I came up with the last few."

"And they were good ones; Chimera and Erebus both benefitted from them. But this mission is somewhat different." Jormungand opened several windows and showed them to Merlin.

The older man blinked. "An AI chip implanted into the brain?"

"Indeed; SOL developed it and used Go Onizuka as the first tester. Unfortunately, while it did make him a better duelist, it had adverse effects on his mental and physical health as well as his personality. Queen went ahead with the testing regardless of the risks, but after Go Onizuka's defeat at Galahad's hands, it seems Akira Zaizen's had enough. He's gone over Queen's head straight to the Kings."

Merlin smirked in amusement. "And what did they have to say?"

"They shut the project down," Jormungand replied with equal amusement. "They authorized it in the first place, but once they were aware of the consequences, as well as the potential backlash over unethical practices, they deemed enough was enough."

"And you want Techbane to steal this research?" Merlin asked for clarity.

Jormungand nodded. "As ethically wrong as this project was, the results are too promising to ignore. I will of course be making my own adjustments; hopefully I can prevent any health issues for any volunteers. And yes, I will only be taking volunteers for testing this, and I will not be testing it on any Enforcers, willingly or otherwise."

Merlin looked at the screen showing a malformed Go Onizuka. "Do we need something like this? Zahhak, Jester, and I are strong enough to-."

"I do not doubt your strength," Jormungand interrupted. "And in truth, if Techbane succeeds, any upgrades or changes I plan to make likely won't be ready before the first stage ends. No, this is just a precaution. And admittedly, a desire to see for myself whether a human-AI hybrid can actually work."

"Hmm…"

"But the AI chip is not the only thing Techbane will be after." Merlin turned back to the Divine Ignis. "After Galahad defeated Onizuka, the Dark Ignis attempted to retrieve the Earth Ignis's data." Seeing Merlin's look of confusion, Jormungand explained. "Queen uploaded what remained of the Earth Ignis's code into the AI chip. However, the Dark Ignis was stopped before it could download too much. In the end, all it got was a card. Risking valuable data like that was another reason the Kings canceled the project."

Merlin frowned, seeing where Jormungand was going with this. "So SOL still possesses the rest of the Earth Ignis's data. And since the AI chip will be removed, that means the data will be held in SOL's databanks."

"As will the blueprints for the AI chip. Techbane's task will be to retrieve the Earth Ignis data and the schematics both."

"And what are we going to do with the Ignis data once we have it?"

"We'll be giving it to Bohman." Merlin blinked in surprise. "I understand your surprise, Merlin, but I'm looking at the long term. If Lightning finds out about this, and he likely will, then he'll grow even more suspicious of us. But if we give Bohman the Earth Ignis's data, then he'll be less inclined to possibly betraying us."

"But not less suspicious of us," Merlin pointed out.

Jormungand gave a wry smirk. "That is unfortunately impossible; the Light Ignis is paranoid, and we are an unknown to him. We might not be able to ease his suspicions, but we can direct those suspicions elsewhere."

Merlin nodded in understanding. "I'll go give Techbane his mission. He's a bounty hunter, so this kind of work shouldn't be too difficult for him."

"That is the point of initiation; to provide an applicant the tools necessary to overcome a challenge, but let it figure it out themselves. Oh, and before I forget, I want you to take HK-72 with you."

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Zahhak's assassin AI? Won't that be dangerous?"

"HK understands the value of stealth," Jormungand assured him. "But more importantly, he's been feeling down since his loses to Ghost Girl and Cassiel; helping Techbane overcome what defenses SOL has in place will aid his mood."

Merlin smirked. "You spoil that AI; him and Zahhak both."

Jormungand chuckled. "You say that like you are any different with your charges."

Merlin chuckled in agreement and turned to leave. Jormungand smiled as he watched the man depart before returning to his screens. His smile evaporated as he called up a new image. One of a former bounty hunter in a black and silver jumpsuit.

"Morningstar," Jormungand muttered. He couldn't help but laugh a little. "I suppose that name is even more appropriate than you realized." He smiled sadly. "I don't want to be your enemy, and I suspect deep down that Zahhak feels the same. But we do what we must for what we believe is right. So I will save you, along with the rest of humanity. Whether you want me to or not."

---

Playmaker vs. Persephone

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Persephone

Persephone activates the Field Spell Card Inferno, Realm of the Burning Abyss. While Inferno is on the field, Playmaker's monsters lose 500 ATK if Persephone controls a "Burning Abyss" monster. Persephone Normal Summons Tour Guide From the Underworld (1000/600/3). As Tour Guide was Normal Summoned, Persephone can Special Summon 1 Level 3 Fiend monster from her hand or Deck with its effects negated. She Special Summons Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (1000/1500/3) from her Deck in Attack Position. Persephone uses Graff and Tour Guide to Link Summon Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss (500/2/↙↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Graff was sent to the GY, Persephone can Special Summon 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from her Deck. She Special Summons Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (800/2000/3) in Defense Position. As Persephone Special Summoned a "Burning Abyss" monster from her Extra Deck, Inferno's effect activates, letting Persephone add 1 "Burning Abyss" monster and/or 1 "Burning Abyss" Spell/Trap Card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss from her Deck to her hand. Persephone activates the effect of Cherubini to send 1 Level 3 monster from her Deck to the GY, then increase the ATK/DEF of 1 "Burning Abyss" monster she controls by that monster's ATK/DEF until the end of the turn. She sends Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the GY and targets Cherubini (Cherubini: 500→1800). As Libic was sent to the GY, Persephone can Special Summon 1 Level 3 Dark Fiend monster from her hand with its effects negated. She Special Summons Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (1100/900/3) in Attack Position. Persephone overlays the Level 3 Draghig and Scarm to Xyz Summon Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss (1000/2500/3) to Cherubini's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position. Persephone activates Dante's effect, detaching 1 Overlay Unit (Dante: 2 OU→1 OU) to send between 1 and 3 cards from the top of her Deck to the GY, and Dante gains 500 ATK for each card sent until the end of the turn. She sends 3 cards to the GY (Road to the Burning Abyss, Fiendish Rhino Warrior, & Tour Bus From the Underworld) (Dante: 1000→2500). As Fiendish Rhino Warrior and Tour Bus From the Underworld were sent to the GY, Persephone can send 1 Fiend monster from her Deck to the GY and shuffle 1 monster in the GY into the owner's Deck. She sends Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the GY and shuffles Tour Guide into her Deck. As Cir was sent to the GY, Persephone can Special Summon 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from her GY. She Special Summons Graff (1000/1500/3) in Defense Position. Persephone Sets 2 cards. She ends her turn, and Cherubini's and Dante's effects end (Cherubini: 1800→500) (Dante: 2500→1000). During the End Phase, as Scarm was sent to the GY this turn, Persephone can add 1 Level 3 Dark Fiend monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds a 2nd Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to her hand.

Turn 2: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He Normal Summons Flame Bufferlo (1400→900/200/3). Playmaker activates the effect of Catche Eve L2 in his hand, reducing Flame Bufferlo's Level by 2 (Flame Bufferlo: 3→1) to Special Summon Catche Eve L2 (800→300/600/2) in Attack Position. Playmaker uses Flame Bufferlo to Link Summon Linkuriboh (300→0/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Flame Bufferlo left the field, Playmaker can discard 1 Cyberse monster to draw 2 cards. He discards Dotscaper and draws. As Dotscaper was sent to the GY, its effect activates and Special Summons itself (0/2100/1) in Defense Position. Playmaker uses Catche Eve L2 and Dotscaper to Link Summon Security Dragon (1100→600/2/↑↓) to Linkuriboh's Link Marker. Persephone activates her Set Trap Card Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss, which lets her send 2 face-up "Burning Abyss" monsters she controls to the GY, then target and destroy up to 3 cards on the field. Persephone sends Dante and Graff to the GY to destroy Linkuriboh and Security Dragon. As Dante, Graff, and Draghig were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Persephone can add 1 "Burning Abyss" card from her GY to her hand, Special Summon 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from her Deck, and place 1 "Burning Abyss" card in her Deck on top of her Deck. She adds Cir to her hand, Special Summons Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (1700/1000/3) to Cherubini's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position, and places Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss on top of her Deck. As Playmaker controls no monsters, he Special Summons Linkslayer (2000→1500/600/5) in Attack Position. He activates Linkslayer's effect, discarding Dual Assembwurm and Latency to destroy Persephone's Set card and Inferno, but Persephone activates her Set Trap Card The Traveler and the Burning Abyss, which lets her target and Special Summon any number of "Burning Abyss" monsters in her GY that were sent there this turn in Defense Position. She Special Summons Dante (1000/2500/3) and Graff (1000/1500/3). Inferno is destroyed (Linkslayer: 1500→2000). As Dual Assembwurm is in his GY, Playmaker activates its effect to banish 2 Cyberse monsters from his GY to Special Summon Dual Assembwurm with its ATK halved. Playmaker banishes Catche Eve L2 and Flame Bufferlo and Special Summons Dual Assembwurm (2800→1400/1000/8) in Attack Position. As he controls a Cyberse monster whose current ATK is different from its original ATK, Playmaker activates the Spell Card Cyberse Cache, which lets him draw 2 cards. Playmaker activates Dual Assembwurm's effect to banish 1 card from his hand to banish 1 monster on the field with less than or equal ATK to itself. Playmaker banishes Balancer Lord from his hand to banish Dante. As Balancer Lord was banished, Playmaker can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from his hand. He Special Summons Swap Cleric (500/1000/2) in Attack Position.

Playmaker uses Dual Assembwurm and Swap Cleric to Link Summon Update Jammer (2000/2/←↑) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Swap Cleric was used as Link Material, Playmaker activates its effect to reduce Update Jammer's ATK by 500 (Update Jammer: 2000→1500) and draw 1 card. Playmaker uses Linkslayer and Link-2 Update Jammer to Link Summon Transcode Talker (2300/3/↑↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Update Jammer was used to Link Summon Transcode Talker, it can make a second attack during each Battle Phase this turn. Playmaker activates Transcode Talker's effect to Special Summon 1 Link-3 or lower Cyberse Link Monster from his GY to its Link Marker. He Special Summons Update Jammer (2000/2/←↑) to Transcode Talker's bottom Link Marker. While Transcode Talker is co-linked, itself and monsters co-linked with it cannot be targeted by Persephone's card effects and gain 500 ATK (Transcode Talker: 2300→2800) (Update Jammer: 2000→2500). Playmaker Sets 1 card.

Transcode Talker attacks Cherubini. Persephone activates her Skill Legendary Awakening, which lets her perform a Fusion, Link, Synchro, or Xyz Summon using monsters on her field as materials. Persephone fuses Barbar, Cherubini, and Graff to Fusion Summon Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss (2800/2500/9) to Transcode Talker's top Link Marker in Attack Position. As Barbar was sent to the GY, Persephone can banish up to 3 "Burning Abyss" cards from her GY and inflict 300 damage to Playmaker for each one. She banishes Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss, The Traveler and the Burning Abyss, and Inferno, Realm of the Burning Abyss (Playmaker: 4000→3100 LP). A replay occurs and Playmaker opts not to attack. He ends his turn.

Turn 3: Persephone

Persephone draws. She activates the effect of Road to the Burning Abyss in her GY, banishing it to add 1 "Burning Abyss" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss to her hand. Persephone activates the Ritual Spell Card Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss, which lets her Tribute monsters from her hand or field whose total Levels equal that of Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss in her hand to Ritual Summon it. She Tributes Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss in her hand to Ritual Summon Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss (2700/2200/6) in Attack Position. As Calcab and Cir were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Persephone can return 1 Set Spell/Trap Card on the field to the hand and Special Summon 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from her GY. She returns Playmaker's Set card to his hand and Special Summons Scarm (800/2000/3) in Attack Position. Persephone activates Dante's effect to discard 1 "Burning Abyss" card to draw 1 card. She discards Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to draw. As Graff was sent to the GY, Persephone can Special Summon 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from her Deck. She Special Summons Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (100/2100/3) in Attack Position. Persephone tunes Level 3 Rubic to Level 3 Scarm to Synchro Summon Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss (2500/1000/6) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Persephone Sets 1 card.

Malacoda attacks and destroys Update Jammer (Playmaker: 3100→2900 LP) (Transcode Talker: 2800→2300). Dante attacks and destroys Transcode Talker (Playmaker: 2900→2400 LP). Virgil attacks Playmaker directly. As Persephone's monster attacked and he controls no monsters, Playmaker activates the Trap Card Firewall Shield from his hand by halving his LP (Playmaker: 2400→1200 LP). Playmaker takes no damage from this attack and he can add 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds ROM Cloudia to his hand. Persephone ends her turn. During the End Phase, as Scarm was sent to the GY, its effect activates, and Persephone adds Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from her Deck to her hand.

Turn 4: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He Normal Summons ROM Cloudia (1800/0/4). As ROM Cloudia was Normal Summoned, Playmaker can add 1 Cyberse monster from his GY to his hand. He adds Latency to his hand. As Latency was added from his GY to his hand, its effect activates, and Playmaker Special Summons it (0/0/1) in Attack Position. Playmaker uses Latency and ROM Cloudia to Link Summon Clock Spartoi (800/2/↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As the Special Summoned Latency was used to Link Summon, Playmaker draws 1 card. As Clock Spartoi was Link Summoned, Playmaker adds Cynet Fusion from his Deck to his hand. Playmaker activates the effect of Dual Assembwurm in his GY, banishing Dotscaper and ROM Cloudia to Special Summon it with its ATK halved (2800→1400/1000/8) in Attack Position. As Dotscaper was banished, its effect Special Summons itself (0/2100/1) in Defense Position. Playmaker activates the Spell Card Cynet Diffusion, which lets him send 1 Cyberse monster from his Deck to his GY and Special Summon 1 Link-2 or lower Link Monster from his GY with its effects negated. He sends Clock Wyvern to the GY and Special Summons Security Dragon (1100/2/↑↓) to Clock Spartoi's bottom Link Marker. Persephone activates Dante's effect, sending Farfa to the GY to draw 1 card. As Farfa was sent to the GY, Persephone can target and banish 1 monster on the field until the end of the turn. She targets Clock Spartoi. As his Cyberse monster was targeted by a card effect, Playmaker activates the effect of Firewall Shield in his GY, banishing it to negate the activation of Farfa's effect, and until the end of the turn, Playmaker's Cyberse monsters are unaffected by Persephone's card effects. Playmaker uses Dotscaper, Dual Assembwurm, and Link-2 Security Dragon to Link Summon Firewall Dragon (2500/4/←↑↓→) to Clock Spartoi's bottom Link Marker. As a monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, Clock Spartoi's effect activates, and Playmaker can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from his GY with its effects negated. He Special Summons Clock Wyvern (1800/1000/4) in Attack Position. As Firewall Dragon is co-linked, Playmaker activates its effect to target monsters on the field and/or GY up to the number of monsters co-linked with it and return them to the hand. He targets and returns Malacoda to Persephone's hand. Playmaker activates the Spell Card Cynet Fusion, fusing Clock Spartoi, Clock Wyvern, and Firewall Dragon to Fusion Summon Cyberse Clock Dragon (2500/2000/7) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Since Clock Dragon was Fusion Summoned, Playmaker can send cards from the top of his Deck to the GY, equal to the combined Link Ratings of its Fusion Materials, and for each sent card, Clock Dragon gains 1000 ATK. Playmaker sends 6 cards to the GY (Clock Dragon: 2500→8500). Playmaker Sets 1 card.

Clock Dragon attacks Virgil. Persephone activates her Set Quick-Play Spell Card Canto of the Burning Abyss, which lets her target up to 6 "Burning Abyss" monsters in her GY and shuffle them into her Deck, then gain 800 LP for each shuffled monster, but Playmaker takes no damage for the rest of the turn. She shuffles Calcab, Cherubini, Draghig, Graff, Libic, and Rubic into her Deck (Persephone: 4000→8800 LP). The attack continues and Virgil is destroyed (Persephone: 8800→2800 LP). As Virgil was destroyed and sent to the GY, Persephone draws 1 card. Playmaker ends his turn.

Turn 5: Persephone

Persephone draws. She activates the effect of Canto of the Burning Abyss in her GY, banishing it to add 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from her GY to her hand. She adds Cir to her hand. Persephone activates the effect of Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss, which lets her banish it and send 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from her hand to the GY and add 1 "Burning Abyss" card from her Deck to her hand. She sends Cir to the GY to add Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to her hand. As Cir was sent to the GY, Persephone can Special Summon 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from her GY. She Special Summons Farfa (1000/1900/3) in Attack Position. Persephone Normal Summons Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss (1400/0/3). Persephone activates the Spell Card Level Lifter and discards Malacoda. Persephone can then target up to 2 monsters she controls and change their Levels to the sent monster's Level until the end of the turn. She targets Calcab and Farfa (Calcab: 3→6) (Farfa: 3→6). Persephone overlays her Level 6 Calcab and Farfa to Xyz Summon Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal (2500/2800/6) to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. Persephone activates Beatrice's effect, detaching 1 Overlay Unit (Beatrice: 2 OU→1 OU) to send 1 card from her Deck to the GY. She sends Farfa to the GY. As the detached Calcab and Farfa were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Persephone can return 1 Set Spell/Trap Card to the hand and banish 1 monster on the field until the End Phase. Persephone targets Playmaker's Set card and Clock Dragon, but Playmaker activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Security Block, targeting Clock Dragon. For the rest of the turn, Clock Dragon cannot be destroyed by battle and neither player takes battle damage. Clock Dragon is banished. Persephone Sets 1 card. She ends her turn. During the End Phase, Clock Dragon is Special Summoned (2500/2000/7) in Attack Position via Farfa's effect.

Turn 6: Playmaker

Playmaker draws. He Normal Summons Flick Clown (1000/1400/4). As Playmaker has no cards in his hand, he activates Flick Clown's effect, paying 1000 LP to draw 1 card (Playmaker: 1200→200 LP). Persephone activates Beatrice's effect, detaching 1 Overlay Unit (Beatrice: 1 OU→0 OU) to send Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the GY. The effects of Barbar and the detached Farfa activate, letting Persephone banish up to 3 "Burning Abyss" cards from her GY to inflict 300 damage to Playmaker for each one and banish 1 monster until the End Phase. Persephone banishes Malacoda and targets Clock Dragon, but Playmaker activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Cyberse Exception and targets Clock Dragon. Until the End Phase, Clock Dragon is unaffected by Persephone's card effects and neither player takes effect damage. As his LP are 1000 or less, Playmaker activates his Skill Neo Storm Access and adds Firewall eXceed Dragon to his hand. Playmaker activates the effect of Dual Assembwurm in his GY, banishing Latency and Swap Cleric to Special Summon it with its ATK halved (2800→1400/1000/8) in Attack Position. He uses Clock Dragon and Dual Assembwurm to Link Summon Clock Lizard (1200/2/↙↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Persephone activates Dante's effect, discarding Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to draw 1 card. As Alich was sent to the GY, Persephone can target 1 face-up monster and negate its effects until the end of the turn. She negates Clock Lizard's effects. Playmaker activates the effect of Cynet Diffusion in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 Cyberse monster from his GY with its effects negated. He Special Summons Clock Wyvern (1800/1000/4) in Attack Position. Playmaker overlays the Level 4 Clock Wyvern and Flick Clown to Xyz Summon Firewall eXceed Dragon (2500/2000/4) to Clock Lizard's bottom-left Link Marker in Attack Position. Firewall eXceed Dragon gains ATK equal to the combined Link Ratings of Link Monsters linked to it x 500 (Firewall eXceed Dragon: 2500→3500). Playmaker activates the effect of Firewall eXceed Dragon, detaching 2 Overlay Units (Firewall eXceed Dragon: 2 OU→0 OU) to Special Summon 1 Link-4 Cyberse Link Monster from his GY so that it points to Firewall eXceed Dragon. He Special Summons Firewall Dragon (2500/4/←↑↓→) to Clock Lizard's bottom Link Marker (Firewall eXceed Dragon: 3500→5500). Playmaker activates Firewall Dragon's effect and targets Beatrice, but as Playmaker targeted her "Burning Abyss" monster with a card effect, Persephone activates her Set Counter Trap Card Chase through the Burning Abyss, negating Firewall Dragon's effect. Chase through the Burning Abyss then lets Persephone Tribute 1 "Burning Abyss" monster she controls and target another monster and increase that monster's ATK by the Tributed monster's ATK until her next End Phase. She Tributes Dante and targets Beatrice (Beatrice: 2500→5300).

Firewall Dragon attacks Beatrice. As his Cyberse monster is battling Persephone's monster, Playmaker activates the effect of Cyberse Exception in his GY, banishing it to negate the attack, then reduce the ATK of Persephone's monster to 0 until the end of the turn (Beatrice: 5300→0). Firewall eXceed Dragon attacks and destroys Dante (Persephone: 2800→0 LP). Playmaker wins.

---

Playmaker:

Cynet Diffusion Normal Spell Card
Send 1 Cyberse monster from your Deck to the GY and target 1 Link-2 or lower Link Monster in your GY; Special Summon that monster with its effects negated. You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 Cyberse monster in your GY; Special Summon it with its effects negated. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cynet Diffusion" per turn, and only once per turn.

Firewall Shield Normal Trap Card
When your opponent's monster declares an attack: Halve your LP; you take no damage from this attack, then add 1 Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from your Deck to your hand. If you control no monsters, you can activate this card from your hand. When your opponent targets your Cyberse monster with a card effect: You can banish this card from your GY; negate the activation of that effect, and if you do, your Cyberse monsters are unaffected by your opponent's card effects until the End Phase. You cannot activate this effect the turn this card is sent to the GY.

Cyberse Exception Quick-Play Spell Card
Target 1 Cyberse monster you control; until the end of the turn, that monster is unaffected by your opponent's card effects, and neither player takes effect damage. When your Cyberse monster battles your opponent's monster, you can banish this card from your GY; negate the attack, and if you do, the ATK of the opponent's monster becomes 0 until the end of the turn.

Persephone:

Chase through the Burning Abyss Counter Trap Card
When your opponent targets your "Burning Abyss" monster with a card effect: Negate the activation of that effect, and if you do, you can target Tribute 1 "Burning Abyss" monster you control and target 1 other monster; that monster gains ATK equal to the Tributed monster's ATK until your next End Phase.

---

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 56 – Initiation. Haru was born for one purpose: to be Bohman's "brother" and to keep his unstable emotions in check. But now Bohman is stable, so Haru has no purpose. Until he is approached by Zahhak. At the same time, Techbane is given a mission: retrieve data from SOL, but such a mission is not without complications…

---

Question of the Chapter

Did you like this duel or Playmaker vs. Go more? Personally, I feel like this duel wasn't as epic as the anime duel, partly because Playmaker didn't use Neo Storm Access's second effect, but I feel this duel showed off more of Playmaker's adaptability.

---

Author's Notes

A big thank you to SakushiRyu for helping proofread the duel and the OC cards. I rewrote this entire duel once because I felt unsatisfied with the result, but then I rewrote the last turn two more times before I was satisfied. But now I feel like I've really captured the skill and adaptability of these two duelists. But there's something I want to address: Neo Storm Access's second effect, which Playmaker only used against Go in the anime. I'll be honest; I don't care too much for that aspect of Neo Storm Access. It was never brought up before the reveal and it was never used again. I know Ass Pulls like that are a staple of Yu-Gi-Oh!, and one I've used innumerable times myself, but I felt like that was one that was unneeded. And before anyone says anything about Jester canceling out Hurricane Heavensgate, I want to point out that he did it in a similar way to the second Playmaker vs. Revolver Speed Duel; by making the Data Storm too powerful. In that case, Playmaker and Revolver could try again. So Playmaker doesn't need a second effect in case any of them try something like that. And who knows? Maybe I'll bring it out in season 3 for a Playmaker Speed Duel, but it won't be happening in season 2.

While the Persephone vs. Playmaker duel was the main focus, we have another scene at the end, with Jormungand and Merlin. Next chapter, we'll be seeing Techbane's initiation into Ouroboros, where he infiltrates SOL's databanks to steal the blueprints for the AI chip and Earth's data (along with some Haru development, but I don't have anything major to say about that). Yes, the AI chip will be returning, but not until season 3. As for Earth's data, this is something I feel the anime overlooked; Ai was only able to retrieve Crystal Heart when he absorbed Earth's data, which was only a fragment of Earth's code. Here, we'll be having Techbane stealing the rest of the data for Jormungand and Bohman. And he'll be joined by HK-72, who has been absent long enough.

We also have Jormungand mention two new characters: Chimera and Erebus. These are the names of two Enforcers, submitted by SakushiRyu and savagemaster1999 respectively. And while they were mentioned here, they won't be appearing physically until season 3.

Thank you for reading Chapter 55! I wanted to finish this sooner, but this duel took a long time to write, and I've been playing Fire Emblem: Three Houses a lot. As for Fifth Circuit Chapter 25, I'm a little over halfway done with it, and the word count as it stands right now is over 16,000 words. So there's a good chance it will be the longest chapter I've ever written, so please be patient. I'll also be releasing the profile for this chapter later, on account of me needing to get to sleep right after I post this.

A final notice: I feel like you people should know, as it will undoubtedly affect my writing schedule, but I just had a couple doctor visits, and I found out that I have a hernia, and I have opted to get it fixed. The surgery for it isn't a serious one, but it will still require me to take several weeks off of work. I don't know the exact consequences of this; I'm hoping it will give me more time to write, but I've never had surgery before, so I can't be sure. Anyway, I'm having surgery the first Monday of October. I'll plan to get Chapter 56 released before then, but in case I don't, it might be delayed. I hope you'll wish me luck, and I hope all of you have a good day!