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

60. Chapter 60: Night Out

Responses to Reviews

Thank you to TheBlazingButterfly777, thirdegree101, SolanaLeonhart, ZarcEternal, HunterHQ, pokemonking0924, Unknowedz, Ambiguous, FlameFireZero X, NewComer1, Zero Shadow-01, D3lph0xL0v3r, Anonymous, Noobmaster, SakushiRyu, Ethan Kironus, E.T. 2000, Eclipsed Serpent, Leon, Thomas, and Guests for reviewing Chapter 59.

thirdegree101: Actually, the anime has the card's real-world effects too; the only reason Borreload Dragon wasn't banished in the anime was because Lightning had a Continuous Trap Card out that prevented cards from being banished. That meant Borreload Dragon got to stay out on the field.

Anonymous: Cypher and Morningstar didn't say anything about Diana because they have no way to contact her. So there's no way they can ask for her help.

Ethan Kironus: I've never studied Islamic theology, though thanks for the lesson.

HunterHQ: Cydemons will only use Link Monsters, but that's more because Zahhak doesn't need other card types.

Before we get into the chapter, there's something I want to say about the timetable of the anime. VRAINS never gave a good sense of what season or time of the year it took place in, only mentioning in the first episode that it had been a month since school started and that there had been three months between the first and second seasons. Well, I've gone over the seasons and came up with my own timetable: school in Japan starts in April, which means that season 1 takes place in late April or May, and I'm assuming it took up most of May before the Tower of Hanoi. With season 2 being 3 months later, that means season 2 starts in late August or early September. Assuming season 2 takes place over a similar timeframe as season 1, that means it probably ends in early October. So far, I've pretty much ignored the timeframe like the anime did, but I've decided to place more focus on this. Thus I will declare this: the climax of season 2 takes place in the first week of October. With this in mind, and no definitive time skip given for when season 3 happens, I've decided that after I finish season 2, I'll have both a transition chapter and a Christmas chapter, with season 3 starting during Den Academy's winter holidays after Christmas. What do you all think? Does this timetable sound accurate and/or a good idea?

That aside and on a small note, I've decided that from this chapter on until the end of season 2, I'll be including the opening with every chapter instead of just when it needs updating. And with those thoughts out of the way, I hope you enjoy Chapter 60.

---

Chapter 60: Night Out

In a black landscape, Morningstar and Zahhak stand back-to-back. The two walk away from each, Morningstar's eyes closed. His eyes then open and they both spin around, right arms raised. Their fists connect, generating a flash of light. When the light fades, Mirror LINK VRAINS is shown, with the title "Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories" overlaying it.

Yasutake, Sachi, and Masako are shown on one side of a picnic table, across from Yusaku, Takeru, and Aoi. Takeru talks animatedly and Masako laughs heartedly while the others lightly smile. At a nearby table, Cam and Emily are sitting and chatting with a standing Kusanagi, coffee and hotdogs in front of them. Back at the first table, Masako whispers in Sachi's ear while smirking, making the other girl blush as Yasutake and Aoi give her flat glares.

Kengo Dojun is standing in front of a grave that he places flowers on. Emma is off in the distance, holding her own flowers and watching with a frown. Yukaro is shown slumped over a hospital bed, his head in his hands and a wild look in his eyes. Akira is watching a monitor, his hands steepled and concern in his eyes. The monitor shows Go Onizuka strapped to a chair and performing an exercise. Hayami looks over Akira's shoulder nervously while Queen watches smugly in the background.

Takeshi and Katsumi appear standing outside an arcade, talking amicably with each other. Shizuka walks past them, listening to music on her headphones. She briefly stops and turns her head to look at them out of the corner of her eye, then turns and continues walking. At a nearby table, Kenshin, Ryoken, and Spectre are shown drinking coffee. Ryoken then smirks and raises his left hand. He snaps his fingers.

Morningstar and Playmaker appear, back-to-back, with Cyspirit Rapid Revolutionary and Decode Talker appearing behind them. They then spiral downward and are replaced by Cassiel and Soulburner, who have Cyseraph Blazing Uriel and Salamangreat Heatleo behind them. Heatleo fills the screen with orange flames, and when they dissipate, Blue Maiden and Lilith appear, Marincess Marbled Rock and Magical Musket Mastermind Ottokar behind them. They are then replaced by Galahad and Persephone, Black Luster Soldier – Soldier of Chaos and Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss behind them.

The screen cuts to the interior of a palace, where Bohman sits cross legged, his eyes closed. His eyes open and glow. Windy is then shown, wearing a cape and eyepatch, riding Stormridership Bahamut Bomber through Mirror LINK VRAINS. Far below him, in a field of flowers, Jin Kusanagi stands with Lightning as the Ignis raises his hand, a legion of Armatos Legio Centurions and Decurions forming behind him, with Armatos Legio Magnus Dux in the center. The screen pans to show Diana and Goldie across from the Light Ignis. The duo sweeps their right arms to the side as VirtuaBeast Cryptograph Chimera appears and roars.

Techbane and Sylphid are shown back-to-back in shadows, their heads lowered. Techbane raises his head to face Merlin, while Sylphid raises hers to face Thaumiel, anger in her expression. Galahad appears riding his D-Board and plays a card. Black Luster Soldier – Soldier of Chaos appears behind him. The screen changes to Go Onizuka with Dinowrestler King T Wrextle next to him. Soldier of Chaos's blade then meets King T Wrextle's fist, making sparks fly. Galahad's and Go's faces are shown over the monsters, with Galahad shouting while Go's face remains blank.

Spectre appears and smirks, Sunavalon Dryanome growing behind him and two Sunvine Thrashers on either side. Terminus takes his place, Subterror Behemoth Fiendess and Subterror Behemoth Hydrossuary appearing behind him. The two monsters breathe blue flames and envelop the screen. When the flames dissipate, Revolver appears, Borreload Savage Dragon, Borreload Furious Dragon, and Borreload eXcharge Dragon behind him. The dragons roar and then glow with green, purple, and yellow energy.

A chain whips across the screen, before pulling back and reattaching the scythe top to its handle. Cydevil Prideful Helel swings its scythe down and connects with Cyspirit Savage Shogun's sword. Sparks fly as Morningstar and Zahhak are revealed on their D-Boards, facing each other with Morningstar's face set in a grimace. The screen changes to Cassiel, Cyseraph Guardian Michael with her, facing off against Merlin, who is supported by Witchcrafter Haine and Witchcrafter Golem Aruru.

Lilith and Terminus are then shown, back-to-back, their hands raised. They bring their hands down, and Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar and Subterror Behemoth Fiendess appear and shoot blasts of energy and fire. The blasts impact, but when the smoke fades, Jester is shown unharmed. His mask then breaks, his face splitting into a sadistic grin as his Infinity Transformation takes hold. He raises his own arm as Life Force Trihexa forms behind him and roars.

Morningstar and Zahhak face off against each other in a field of flowers. The former raises his arm as Cyspirits Savage Shogun, Cosmic Crusader, and Martial Mameluke materialize behind him. The three Cyspirits then merge and form Cyspirit Superior Seraphim, who faces off against a massive twelve-winged figure wrapped in shadows.

Yasutake is then shown with Sachi, the two on a hill of grass and the former sleeping with his head in the latter's lap, a pine tree in the background. Sachi looks down on Yasutake's face, a loving smile on her face. Yasutake opens his eyes and both look upwards as the screen jumps to the sky and sun.

---

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Katsumi was sick of this scene. Of looking in on a hospital bed and seeing someone she cared about in danger. Last time it had been a brunette girl she had been teaching. This time it was the person most important to her.

Takeshi Akino. Galahad. Her boyfriend.

"Katsumi, will big brother be okay?"

The girl turned to look at the short brunette boy standing next to her. Takeshi's little brother, Eiji.

Katsumi remembered a time when their roles had been reversed; when it had been Eiji in the hospital bed and Takeshi was the worried one.

Will there be a time when these brothers know peace? she wondered. Will there be a day they won't have to worry about each other?

She did not voice to that thought. Instead, she said, "He will, Eiji. I'll make sure of it."

"…I hope so, Katsumi," Eiji said softly. "The people who did this… you're going after them, aren't you?"

"I am." Katsumi swore she would make them pay. Ouroboros, Techbane, Zahhak… all of them would learn what it meant to face the Queen.

"Be careful please." The boy's voice came out in almost a whisper. "If you ended up like that, big brother would be furious. I don't want to lose anyone else."

Katsumi smiled and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You won't lose anyone, Eiji," she said. "I'll save Takeshi. And I'll bring him back to you. I promise."

She would do so, or she would die trying.

After all, what point was there to life if you couldn't share it with anyone?

---

Yasutake and Cam typed away on the computers in Café Junpei's back room. "Helping to rebuild the Tower of Hanoi," Cam grumbled. "Can't say I expected that."

"Revolver's given us full control over it," Yasutake said. "He won't be able to use it for its original purpose."

"I know. Doesn't mean I have to feel comfortable about it."

"Me neither."

The door opened, letting Sachi in with three cups of coffee. "Here." She set two cups down in front of her roommates before sitting down at a third seat.

"Thanks," Yasutake said with a slight smile.

"I have to admit, the Tower of Hanoi is a well-designed program," Cypher said, his Duel Disk resting on the counter. "It's taking several people to modify it, and yet I know that if Dr. Kogami was here, he could probably do all of our work himself."

Cam scowled at the mention of the man. "Yeah. Hard to remember that despite everything he did, the man was still a one-of-a-kind genius."

"I wouldn't say he was one-of-a-kind," Cypher hedged. "Dr. Hirai was pretty close to his level."

The conversation trailed off after that as they kept working. Until an hour later when a digital spike merged with the polyhedron.

"It's finished," Yasutake confirmed.

"Right." Cam opened a new app and started a conference call. Separate windows popped up. Only one showed video while the others were audio-only.

"This is Morningstar," Yasutake said. "Cassiel and I are finished with our piece."

"Playmaker and I are done too," Kusanagi said, the video feed showing him, Yusaku, Takeru, Ai, and Flame in Café Nagi.

"As are Blue Maiden and I," Ghost Girl's audio reported.

"That's all the parts of the program," Revolver said. "We'll be able to reprogram the Tower of Hanoi now."

"So is that it?" Persephone asked. "Do we search for Lightning now?"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea right now," Lilith said. "I'm assuming we'll be heading for Lightning right away after we find him?"

"We are," Revolver confirmed.

"It's late afternoon right now, and we don't know how long this will take. I think it would be a good idea for us to rest before heading in tomorrow morning."

"She's not wrong," Ghost Girl said. "I'm feeling a little burned out from the work myself; a break before we head in would do wonders."

"But we can't afford to waste time!" Takeru argued. "The sooner we get this done, the less time Lightning will have to prepare for us!"

"…I agree with Lilith," Revolver said, surprising everyone.

"Really?" Yasutake raised an eyebrow. "I thought you wanted to defeat Lightning as quickly as possible."

"I do. But if we rush in, we risk walking into a trap. Soulburner is right; The Light Ignis would be a fool not to expect an attack. But rushing in unprepared can have dangerous consequences."

"The longer we wait, the longer Galahad is stuck in a hospital bed," Persephone said testily, making everyone wince in sympathy. Mostly everyone.

"And the more we wait, the better chance you'll have of getting him out of that bed," Revolver countered. Persephone had no response to that. "One more day will not delay us too much. Besides, there is some research the Hanoi need to do."

Yasutake, Cam, Kusanagi, Yusaku, and Takeru narrowed their eyes. "What kind of research?" Ai asked.

"Something my father was working on back when he was detained by SOL. If I'm right, it may provide some answers."

"Answers to what?" Cypher asked.

"I'd rather not say just yet. Not until I know for certain. In any case, you'll need me to guide you to the Tower. I'll meet all of you in LINK VRAINS tomorrow at noon. Alright?"

"…That works for me," Blue Maiden said.

"Me as well," Lilith said.

"…Alright," Persephone agreed.

Yasutake and Yusaku gave their own affirmatives. With that decided, Revolver hung up, followed by Persephone.

"Hey, before the rest of you go, I have a suggestion." Yasutake and Yusaku both paused at Lilith's voice. "Aoi, Emma, Sachi, what do you say to a girls' night out?"

Sachi blinked. "Girls' night out?"

"Hey!" Ghost Girl said annoyed. "Did you just reveal our real names?"

"Oh relax, with Persephone and Revolver gone, everyone here knows your names."

"Yeah, I did tell Playmaker and his friend about you, Emma," Cam said.

"Damn it, Cam." Ghost Girl sighed. "But that aside, a girls' night does sound like fun. What do you think, Aoi?"

"…I don't have any problem with the idea," Blue Maiden said. "Though I think my brother would have some words with you, Emma."

"Smart guy," Cam commented. "Not sure what he was thinking, letting Emma look after you."

"You make it sound like I can't be a responsible adult Cam," Ghost Girl said. Yasutake could hear the pout in her voice. "I'm not going to take them to a bar or something."

"Of course you won't," Cam cheerily agreed. "After all, you know that if you did, I would kill you."

"Enough," Yasutake interrupted. "The rest of us don't need to hear you two flirting." He turned away from the betrayed and indignant looking Cam and looked at Sachi. "What about you, Sachi? Are you okay with this?"

The girl frowned. "Well, I don't have any experience in a 'girls' night out.' But I do think it would be fun to hang out with the others. I'm up for it."

"Nice!" Lilith cheered. "Should we meet up at the central plaza?"

"That's a good place to start," Ghost Girl agreed. "5 o'clock? We can go to my apartment from there."

"That works for me," Aoi affirmed.

"Me as well," Sachi said.

"Okay. I'll meet all of you there!" With that, Lilith hung up, followed by Ghost Girl and Blue Maiden, leaving the two café groups.

Cam sighed. "I don't have any problem with you spending the night with Aoi but be careful Sachi."

"I will," Sachi promised.

Yasutake nodded. "And remember: if Masako or Emma try to take you somewhere you're not comfortable being, just give us a call."

Sachi rolled her eyes while Takeru and Kusanagi laughed. Cam opened his mouth but shut it when his phone rang. "Hang on, let me take this." Cam stepped out of the backroom. Sachi walked after him, heading upstairs to pack an overnight bag.

"Well, if the girls are hanging out together, maybe we should do the same?" Takeru suggested.

Yasutake raised an eyebrow. "A guys' night out?"

"Sure! The girls don't get to be the only ones who have fun!"

Kusanagi smiled. "I think that's a good idea, Takeru. But you'll have to do it without me; I'm going to visit Jin tonight."

"Kusanagi…" Yasutake and Yusaku both frowned. While Lilith and Revolver were right about them needing to be prepared, that still meant that Kusanagi's brother had to suffer under Lightning a day longer than necessary.

"Don't worry, either of you," Kusanagi said, catching their train of thought. "Yes, I'm worried about Jin, but if you guys ran off half-cocked, I'd be even more worried about you. I know Jin will be free by tomorrow night; I can afford to wait one more day." He smiled. "Seriously, have fun; you all deserve it for all the work you've done."

Takeru smiled. "Thank you, Kusanagi. Well, do you guys want to go out?"

Yasutake shrugged. "I don't have any objections."

"Neither do I," Yusaku said. He frowned. "Though… I've never done something like this before."

"Honestly, neither have I," Takeru admitted. "Have you, Yasutake?"

"No."

"Well then, I guess this will be a new experience for us! Oh, but will Cam be joining us?"

"He won't." Yasutake turned around as Cam walked in, pocketing his cellphone. "Turns out I have a date tonight."

"A date?" Kusanagi repeated with a raised eyebrow. "That Miss. Garcia woman?"

"Yeah, that was her just now. She was wondering if I could join her for dinner. I figured that since we had the night off… why not?"

Yasutake smiled. "That's good, Cam. I'm glad to see you getting out of your shell."

Cam chuckled. "You of all people can't say that to me. Anyway, the rest of you all have fun. And don't get into trouble."

"Trouble? Us? Never."

"Hey, what about us!" Ai asked. "Do we get to go with you guys?"

"As fun as that would be, it would be dangerous if someone spotted us," Flame said. "Besides, I found this show online that I want to watch."

"Oh?" Cypher said curiously. "Have you finally accepted the superiority of anime?"

"Of course not!" Ai said. "He's talking about soap operas!"

"Neither," Flame denied. "The show is called Hell's Kitchen. It is about competing chefs who try to please the most foul-mouthed man on the planet. I find his passion for cooking to be… riveting."

Takeru sighed. "Of course you do."

---

Sachi followed Aoi into Emma's apartment and looked around. "This is a nice place," she said.

"Great view," Masako said, having followed Sachi in and went straight for the windows.

"Thanks, you two," Emma said with a smile. "It took me a while to get the money for it, but all that effort was worthwhile in the end."

The three girls put their overnight bags in the corner before Emma gave them a small tour. After that, they gathered in the living room around the couch.

"So, what does happen at a girls' night out?" Aqua asked, rising from Aoi's Duel Disk. "Aoi wouldn't tell me."

"That's because I've never been to one before," Aoi said.

"Me neither," Sachi said. "What about you two? Masako, Emma?"

Masako shrugged. "I've gone to a few clubs with female classmates before." Her face morphed into an annoyed frown. "Though those usually ended with me being falsely accused of trying to steal their boyfriends." Seriously, just because she liked to tease didn't mean she was loose. And yes, she had flirted with taken guys, but that had been before she'd found out they had girlfriends. It wasn't her fault they didn't say anything.

Emma chuckled. "My nights out usually involve bars or clubs; I don't think I can take any of you to one of those places. Not without getting an earful from your big brothers, at least."

Aoi and Sachi both nodded. "Cam said to call him if you try something like that," Sachi said cheerfully.

"Akira said that if you take me anywhere I'm not comfortable going, I should call him or the cops," Aoi said.

"The cops?" Emma repeated in disbelief. She rubbed her forehead. "I'm pretty sure you were joking, but that's still very hurtful, Mr. Zaizen."

Masako laughed. "Well, since you two have no experience with this, and our experience doesn't fit, what do you want to do?"

Aoi frowned. "I don't know." She turned to Sachi. "Do you know what you want to do?"

Sachi joined her friend in frowning. "Well, I did some research before coming here; one of the things I found online mentioned girl talk."

Aoi blinked. "Girl talk? How is that different from regular talking?"

"Well, judging from the site I found, it's when girls talk and complain about guys."

"Pass," Aoi said disinterestedly.

Emma giggled. "Now don't be like that, Aoi; there's nothing wrong with discussing fine gentlemen."

The teen gave the woman an unimpressed glare. "The only 'fine gentlemen' I know are Yasutake, Fujiki, Homura, Shima, and the members of the Duel Club; there's not much to say about any of them."

"Oh, I don't know," Masako said with a leering grin. "I can think of a few things to say about Yasutake. Especially about his rear end. You have a few thoughts about that too, right Sachi?"

The girl in question broke out in red as she glared at Masako. "N-No! I don't!" Emma and Masako laughed at the look on her face while Aoi rubbed the embarrassed girl's back and glared at the other two.

"Did you find anything else online, Sachi?" Aoi asked, changing the subject for the sake of her friend's dignity.

Sachi recomposed herself and racked her brain. "Well, another website did suggest a few bonding exercises. One was to go to the public bathhouse and-."

"No." Sachi blinked and turned to an amused Masako. "I know what you're going to suggest Sachi, and as amusing as that would be to watch, trust me; women don't actually do that."

"Huh?" The teen blinked again. "But in the manga and anime Cypher showed me-."

"Manga and anime written to titillate their male audience. And parts of their female audience."

"What are you two talking about?" Aqua wondered.

"Nothing you need to worry about Aqua," Masako assured her. The Ignis narrowed her eyes at her. She could tell Masako was hiding something, but her words just now weren't untruthful.

"She's right, Aqua." The Water Ignis turned to her partner, who was looking increasingly unamused. "It isn't something you need to worry about."

Aqua blinked and then turned to the other two occupants of the apartment. Emma was holding her sides and desperately trying not to laugh while Sachi was looking away from her. Aqua was still slightly curious but decided to take her partner at her word.

"All that aside…" The three girls and one Ignis turned to Masako, who had taken out her phone. "I found something online that I think the rest of you would enjoy."

She turned the phone's screen around so that the others could see. On seeing what she had up, Emma laughed while Aoi and Sachi blinked.

"I… didn't see that coming," Aoi admitted.

"Are you against it?" Masako asked.

"No. I just thought the point of this was for us to relax, not do more work."

Masako shrugged. "Considering it's us, I don't think this would be too much trouble. And honestly, I would think of this as fun."

Aoi frowned before turning to Sachi and Emma. "What do you two think?"

"I'm game," Emma said with a smile. "It's been a while since I've done this, so it'll be good exercise."

Sachi tilted her head before nodding. "It's more exciting than what I thought we'd do, but I can't say I'm against it."

"This would be a good chance for us to stretch our wings, Aoi," Aqua said. "Figuratively speaking, of course."

Aoi looked from the Water Ignis, to Sachi, then Emma, and then finally at the expectant Masako. She sighed. "Alright. I'm in."

---

"So you left Ai at your place?" Takeru asked.

Yusaku nodded. "Yeah. He has access to the Internet, so he can keep himself occupied with his soap operas."

"Same with Cypher," Yasutake said. "Though I left the Duel Disk in front of the television."

Takeru chuckled. The three teens were walking down the sidewalk. "So, where do you guys want to go?" Takeru asked.

Yusaku blinked and frowned. "I've… never done something like this before."

"A guys' night out?"

"Gone out with friends."

Yasutake blinked and smiled softly. "Neither have I. Assuming Cam doesn't count. Besides," he turned to Takeru, "this was your idea, so what's your suggestion?"

Takeru blushed lightly and rubbed the back of his head. "Well… I did want to go to the arcade. I heard they have a lot of retro games there."

"I have no objections to that," Yusaku said. Yasutake nodded his agreement.

The three kept walking, occasionally making light conversation but mostly just being content with the quiet. Then they arrived at the arcade.

Yasutake blinked as he stared at the building. "Come to think of it, Masako tried to take me here a few months ago."

"Tried to?" Yusaku repeated with a raised eyebrow.

The former bounty hunter nodded. "That was around the time Baira dueled Blue Angel; that took precedence over the arcade."

"Well I can see why she'd want to come here," Takeru said excitedly. "This place is huge!"

The Den City Entertainment Center was a three-story high building packed to the brim with arcade games. Shooters, claw games, driving games, air hockey, games of chance. Looking at the sign on the front, Yasutake saw they also had bowling and laser tag.

"So where do you guys want to start?" Takeru asked.

Yusaku and Yasutake looked at each other and small smiles crossed their faces. "Let's try out the arcade games," the latter said. "Just so long as they don't have any dueling games."

"Agreed," Yusaku said. "This is about getting a break from dueling after all."

"Huh? Fujiki? Narahiko?"

The three teens turned as a chubby youth approached them. "It is you guys!" Naoki said excitedly. "I never thought I'd see you here!"

"Shima," Yusaku said in surprise.

"Are you here for the arcade too?" Takeru asked.

"Yeah." Naoki rubbed his nose with a chuckle. "LINK VRAINS is nice, but there's just something about this place that keeps dragging me back. Are you guys here to play too? Do you know what you're going to do?"

"We are here to play, yes," Yasutake said.

"But we've never been here before, so we don't know what to do," Takeru confessed abashedly.

Yasutake suddenly felt a chill go down his spine. A premonition of danger. Sure enough, Naoki's grin threatened to split his face apart. "Then I'll show you! I'm a regular patron! Come on! There's this one shooter you have to try!"

Before Takeru could protest, Naoki grabbed his arm and pulled him into the arcade. Yusaku blinked before following the two teens. Yasutake was left alone outside.

He sighed. "Why can't I shake the feeling that this isn't going to end well?"

---

A D-Board whipped through the air. Atop that board stood a man in a dark blue cuirass covering a white long-sleeved tunic and pants. A red scarf was wrapped around his neck and his white hair tied in a high ponytail moved with the wind. His red eyes narrowed as he glared at his pursuer.

"So, you're not giving up, huh?" he asked.

Cassiel smirked. "Of course not, Orpheus. You and the other Star Relics all have bounties on you. It's time to collect!"

When Lilith had suggested a girls' night out, Cassiel wasn't sure what to think. Perhaps they would eat ice cream in a circle. Perhaps they would go to a restaurant or dancing. Instead, the girl had suggested they hunt down a gang of criminals calling themselves the Star Relics. Cassiel hadn't expected that, but she couldn't deny that the idea had its appeal. More practice in handling the Cyangels, the chance to get rid of known criminals, and a paycheck for doing it.

That, and she couldn't deny that doing a little bounty hunting made her feel a little closer to Morningstar.

"You won't get the chance to collect that bounty!" Orpheus declared. He raised his Duel Disk.

"Speed Duel!"

Cassiel: 4000 LP

Orpheus: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Orpheus declared. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Orcustrated Babel! While this card is on the field, I can activate the effects of 'Orcust' monsters in my Graveyard, or of 'Orcust' Link Monsters I control as Quick Effects!" Cassiel narrowed her eyes. A card that let him activate monster effects as Quick Effects? That could be dangerous. "I summon Armageddon Knight!" A black-haired man in black armor wielding a saber appeared.

Armageddon Knight ATK 1400 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Armageddon Knight's effect activates! When it is Summoned, I can send a Dark monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Orcust Harp Horror to the Graveyard. Next, I activate the effect of Harp Horror in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon an 'Orcust' monster from my Deck. However, I activate this effect, I can only Special Summon Dark monsters. I Special Summon Orcust Brass Bombard!" A black and gold machine made of brass instruments appeared in Attack Position.

Orcust Brass Bombard ATK 500 DEF 1900 LVL: 1

"Appear, the circuit of the downward journey! The summoning conditions are two Effect Monsters, one of which must be an 'Orcust' monster. I set Armageddon Knight and Brass Bombard in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the bottom-left and top-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Galatea, the Orcust Automation!" A purple-haired girl in black and gold armor emerged from the portal. She twirled a large scythe from the right Extra Monster Zone.

Galatea, the Orcust Automation ATK 1800 LINK-2 ↙↗

Cassiel frowned. Those were unusual Link Markers.

"I activate the effect of Brass Bombard in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon an 'Orcust' monster from my hand. Come, Orcust Knightmare!" The monster that appeared resembled Galatea but only barely. Her left leg and the right side of her face were covered in bandages, her arms had been replaced by mechanical claws, and her hair spiraled out from her in bound tendrils. The woman appeared at Galatea's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position.

Orcust Knightmare ATK 100 DF 2000 LVL: 7

"Galatea's effect activates! Once per turn, I can shuffle a banished Machine monster into my Deck to Set an 'Orcust' Spell or Trap Card directly from my Deck. I Set Orcustrated Attack. Finally, I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Orcustrated Einsatz! Once per turn, if you Normal or Special Summon a monster, I can take an 'Orcust' or 'World Legacy' monster from my hand or Deck, and then either banish it or send it to the Graveyard. I end my turn."

Cassiel frowned as she looked over her opponent's field. A Field Spell that let him activate his monsters' effects during her turn, a Set card, a Continuous Spell Card, and two monsters. Looking at their effects, she saw that Galatea couldn't be destroyed in battle when it was linked and that Orcust Knightmare couldn't be destroyed in battle by a Link Monster.

Her opponent was dueling safe and smart, protecting his monsters while preparing for her. It reminded her of her practice duels with Morningstar and Playmaker.

But she had become much stronger since then. She understood her Deck better, and she understood herself better. She knew what she could and couldn't do. And she knew that she could win this duel.

"My turn! Draw!"

"Galatea's effect activates!" Orpheus declared. "I shuffle the banished Harp Horror into my Deck to Set Orcust Crescendo!" Cassiel's eyes narrowed. That effect was problematic, but at least he couldn't activate that card the turn it was Set.

"I summon Cyangel Trumpeter!" A gold-skinned man with wings wearing a white toga appeared, a golden trumpet in his hands.

Cyangel Trumpeter ATK 1300 DEF 700 LVL: 3

"Trumpeter's effect activates! If I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard when it is Normal Summoned, I can add Cyangel Sanctum from my Deck to my hand." Cassiel took the card from her Deck.

"I activate Orcustrated Einsatz's effect!" Orpheus declared. "Since you Normal Summoned a monster, I send Orcust Cymbal Skeleton from my Deck to the Graveyard!"

"I activate the Field Spell Card: Cyangel Sanctum! While this card is on the field, my Light Cyberse monsters gain 300 attack and defense points."

Cyangel Trumpeter ATK 1300→1600 DEF 700→1000

"I activate Cyangel Sanctum's effect! Once per turn, I can shuffle a card in my hand into my Deck to add a Cyberse monster from my Deck to my hand." She added a card to her Deck, then took a different card from her Deck.

Orpheus frowned. "Cyberse, huh? Is she one of Playmaker's pals?" He blinked. "Wait. SOL Technologies still has a bounty on Playmaker. If I turn this girl in…" He grinned. "Looks like this duel will be worth it after all!"

"Since I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Cyangel Cupbearer!" A gold-skinned young man holding a silver goblet appeared in Attack Position.

Cyangel Cupbearer ATK 1400→1700 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 3

"Appear, the circuit of infinite light! The summoning conditions are two Light Cyberse monsters. I set Cupbearer and Trumpeter in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the top and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyseraph Ophanim!" A golden angel with four wings wearing crimson robes emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyseraph Ophanim ATK 2000→2300 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Cupbearer's and Trumpeter's effects activates! When they are sent to the Graveyard, I can shuffle them into my Deck, then add a 'Cyangel' monster from my Deck to my hand and Special Summon a 'Cyangel' monster from my hand. I add Cyangel Sister to my hand and Special Summon Cyangel Abbot!" A bald gold-skinned man in black robes appeared at Ophanim's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position.

Cyangel Abbot ATK 2400→2700 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 7

"Ophanim's effect activates! When a monster is Summoned to its Link Marker and I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can add a 'Cyangel' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand." She took the card, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Cyangel Prayer! As I control a Light Cyberse Link Monster, I can add a 'Cyangel' monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Cyangel Choir to my hand. Appear again, the circuit of infinite light! The summoning conditions are two or more Light Cyberse monsters. I set Abbot and Link-2 Ophanim in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cyseraph Righteous Raguel!" A feminine angel with four wings that were a mixture of silver and gold emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone. Silver armor covered her body while she held a scimitar and scales in her hands.

Cyseraph Righteous Raguel ATK 2400→2700 LINK-3 ↙↓↘

"Abbot's and Ophanim's effects activate! As they were sent to the Graveyard, they are shuffled into my Deck and Extra Deck respectively. Then, I can target and negate the effects of one of your monsters and gain 1000 Life Points. I negate Orcust Knightmare's effects!"

Cassiel: 4000→5000 LP

With Orcust Knightmare's effects negated, it can be destroyed by Righteous Raguel, Cassiel thought. And once Galatea is no longer linked, it can be destroyed too. But first…

"I activate Sanctum's effect! When a Cyberse monster is shuffled into my Deck, I can target a Cyberse Link Monster I control. And until the end of the turn, you cannot target or destroy that monster with your card effects. I target Righteous Raguel. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Cyangel Virtue!" The card showed seven pristine swords, all planted in front of a golden altar. "Since I control a Light Cyberse Link Monster, I can destroy a card in your Spell & Trap Zone. I destroy one of your Set cards!" Orpheus grit his teeth as his Set Orcustrated Attack disintegrated. "Then, I can add a 'Cyangel' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I add Cyangel Patientia to my hand. I Set one card."

Cassiel gestured to her field. "Battle! Righteous Raguel attacks Orcust Knightmare! Justice Slash!" The angel brought her sword down on the doll and cut her in two. "Furthermore, since I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, Righteou Raguel can attack three times during the Battle Phase!"

Orpheus grit his teeth. Looks like he would have to take drastic measures. "I activate the effect of Orcust Knightmare in my Graveyard!" He declared. "By banishing it, I can send a Dark Machine monster from my Deck to the Graveyard and increase the attack points of one monster on the field by that monster's Level times 100. I send the Level 4 Orcust Harp Horror to the Graveyard and target Galatea!"

Galatea, the Orcust Automation ATK 1800→2200

Cassiel narrowed her eyes. 400 attack points won't be enough to save his monster. Her eyes narrowed further. Which means his true goal was sending his monster to the Graveyard.

"I activate the effect of Harp Horror in the Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon an 'Orcust' monster from my Deck. Come, another Orcust Knightmare!" A second patchwork doll appeared at Galatea's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position.

Orcust Knightmare ATK 100 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

Cassiel grit her teeth. With this Orcust Knightmare's effects still active, attacking it with Righteous Raguel wouldn't do anything. And since it was linked to Galatea, the latter couldn't be destroyed either. Still, she could inflict damage.

"Righteous Raguel attacks Galatea!" One half of the angel's scales disintegrated into silver light as her sword glowed. She brought the sword down on Galatea, who blocked it with her scythe.

"Since Galatea is linked, it cannot be destroyed by battle!" Orpheus said.

"But you will still take damage!" Orpheus winced as his avatar fizzled.

Orpheus: 4000→3500 LP

The rest of the scales broke apart and the angel's sword was alight with silver fire. "Righteous Raguel attacks Galatea again!" The angel slashed the doll again, but the attack was once again blocked by the doll's scythe. Orpheus shuddered as his avatar fizzled again.

Orpheus: 3500→3000 LP

Righteous Raguel's scales reformed as the silver fire died out. "I end my turn," Cassiel said.

Orpheus smirked. "Not bad girlie, but you'll have to try harder than that to beat one of the Star Relics! My turn! Draw! Appear, the circuit of the downward journey! The summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monsters, including an 'Orcust' monster. I set Orcust Knightmare and Link-2 Galatea in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top-left, top, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator!" A violet-haired man in black, gold, and purple armor emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone. He wielded an elaborate blue spear in his right hand and a large shield in his left.

Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↖↑↘

"A Link-3 monster," Cassiel muttered.

"I activate the effect of Orcust Knightmare in my Graveyard! I banish it and send another Harp Horror from my Deck to the Graveyard to increase Longirsu's attack points!"

Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator ATK 2500→2900

"I activate the effect of Harp Horror in the Graveyard! I banish it to Special Summon Girsu, the Orcust Mekk-Knight from my Deck!" A gold and black mechanical knight armed with a lance appeared in Attack Position.

Girsu, the Orcust Mekk-Knight ATK 1800 DEF 0 LVL: 4

Cassiel blinked. "Mekk-Knight?" Ah, now that she thought about it, Mekk-Knights were connected to the World Legacy archetype, which was also connected to Orcust; the idea that there was a connection between the two wasn't an impossible one.

"Girsu's effect activates! When it is Summoned, I can send an 'Orcust' or 'World Legacy' card from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Orcust Cymbal Skeleton to the Graveyard. Appear again, the circuit of the downward journey! The summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monsters, including an 'Orcust' monster. I set Girsu and Link-3 Longirsu in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the bottom-left, top, bottom, and top-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Orcustrion!" The monster that emerged from the portal was massive and was composed of numerous organs connected to each other by arches, platforms, and pipes. Horns blasted sound from the bottom from the bottom as the monster was Summoned to the Extra Monster Zone.

Orcustrion ATK 3000 LINK-4 ↙↑↓↗

"And now a Link-4," Cassiel muttered with a grimace.

"I activate Cymbal Skeleton's effect in the Graveyard! By banishing it, I can Special Summon an 'Orcust' monster from my Graveyard. Resurrect, Longirsu!" The violet-haired warrior reappeared and spun his spear from Orcustrion's bottom-left Link Marker.

Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator ATK 2500 LINK-3 ↖↑↘

"Longirsu's effect activates! Once per turn, I can shuffle two banished Machine monsters into my Deck to send one of your linked monsters to the Graveyard!" Cassiel's eyes widened. Thanks to where Longirsu was, it pointed to Righteous Raguel! "I send Righteous Raguel to the Graveyard!" The man raised his spear and shot a bolt of blue lightning at the angel, making it disintegrate.

Cassiel grit her teeth. "Righteous Raguel's effect activates! When it is sent to the Graveyard because of your card, I can shuffle it into my Extra Deck to Special Summon two 'Cyangel' monsters from my Deck in Defense Position!"

"That won't happen!" Orpheus declared. "Counter Trap activate! Orcust Crescendo! When a Spell, Trap, or monster effect is activated while I control an 'Orcust' Link Monster, that effect is negated, and the card itself is banished!"

"Tch," Cassiel grunted as her Link Monster was banished.

"I Set one card. Battle! Orcustrion attacks you directly!" The pipes of the organs played and blasted sound towards Cassiel.

Orcustrion has 3000 attack points and Longirsu has 2500, she thought. If both attacks hit, I'll lose!

"Trap activate!" she declared. "Cyangel Patientia!" The card showed numerous golden-skinned individuals in chains and manacles, carrying heavy rocks on their backs. And yet, despite their burden, each of their faces bore an expression of determination. Of the will to keep moving despite their suffering. "When your monster declares an attack, that attack is negated!" The sound waves were rebuffed by a golden barrier. Then, Cyangel Patientia lets me inflict 1000 damage to either player."

"What?" Orpheus blinked. "It lets you choose which player you inflict damage to?"

"I inflict the damage to myself!" Cassiel said, surprising him even more. She winced as a golden light appeared around her.

Cassiel: 5000→4000 LP

"Why would you do that?" Orpheus asked. "Why would you inflict the damage to yourself?"

"So that I could do this!" Cassiel answered. "Since I took effect damage, I can activate the effect of Cyangel Choir in my hand! I Special Summon her!" A woman in white robes with golden stoles appeared in Defense Position.

Cyangel Choir ATK 600→900 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 1

"I then gain Life Points equal to the damage I took and take no effect damage for the rest of the turn!"

Cassiel: 4000→5000 LP

Orpheus grit his teeth. Clever girl; instead of inflicting paltry damage to him, she injured herself so that she could bring this monster out and block Longirsu's attack. Oh well; he would just finish her next turn. And this turn, he would deal with Choir.

"Longirsu attaks Choir!" The man leapt into the air and spun his spear around before bringing it down.

"I activate the effect of Cyangel Sister in my hand!" Cassiel declared. "When my Light Cyberse monster would be destroyed by battle, since I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can prevent my monster's destruction by battle and halve all battle damage I take for the rest of the turn!" The spear struck, but Choir had moved to the side, avoiding the thrust. "Then, Sister is Special Summoned by her effect!" An angel in black robes appeared in Defense Position, her head bowed.

Cyangel Sister ATK 1200→1500 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 3

"Tch," Orpheus grunted. Not only had he failed to defeat the girl, but she had managed to summon two monsters during his turn. He hadn't even inflicted any damage. "I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!"

"Continuous Trap activate!" Orpheus declared. "Orcustrated Core! Once per turn, I can banish a monster from my field or Graveyard. Doing so lets me target an 'Orcust' or 'World Legacy' card I control, and until the end of the turn, that monster cannot be targeted by card effects."

Cassiel narrowed her eyes. A troublesome card. Still with the cards in her hand and the ones in her Deck and Graveyard… Yes! She saw the path to victory!

"Appear, the circuit of infinite light! The summoning conditions are two Light Cyberse monsters. I set Choir and Sister in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the top and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Cyseraph Ophanim!" The angel in crimson robes reappeared at the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyseraph Ophanim ATK 2000→2300 LINK-2 ↑↓

"Choir's and Sister's effects activate! They are shuffled into my Deck. Then, I can add a 'Cyangel' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand and target a card in my Graveyard. If that card is a Spell or Trap Card, it is added to my hand and I gain 1000 Life Points. But if it is a Monster Card, then that monster is Special Summoned in Defense Position and I gain Life Points equal to its attack points. I add Cyangel Covenant from my Deck to my hand and add Cyangel Prayer from my Graveyard to my hand."

Cassiel: 5000→6000 LP

Orpheus glanced to his field but shook his head. Wait until she summons a more powerful monster, he thought.

Out loud, he said, "I activate Orcustrated Einsatz's effect! I send Orcust Knightmare from my Deck to the Graveyard!"

"I activate the Spell Card: Cyangel Prayer! Since I control a Light Cyberse Link Monster, I can add a 'Cyangel' monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Cyangel Cupbearer to my hand. And since there are no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Cupbearer!" The youth with the silver goblet reappeared in Attack Position.

Cyangel Cupbearer ATK 1400→1700 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 3

"Appear again, the circuit of infinite light! The summoning conditions are two or more Light Cyberse monsters. I set Cupbearer and Link-2 Ophanim in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Cyseraph Melodic Sandalphon!" A golden-skinned angel with four wings emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone, wearing dark brown and silver armor over a white coat.

Cyseraph Melodic Sandalphon ATK 2300→2600 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Cupbearer's and Ophanim's effects activate! They are shuffled into my Deck and Extra Deck, then I add a 'Cyangel' monster from my Deck to my hand and gain 1000 Life Points. I add Cyangel Priest to my hand."

Cassiel: 6000→7000 LP

Orpheus grit his teeth. 7000 Life Points… But if there's a monster to use Longirsu's effect on, it's that one! "Longirsu's effect activates! I shuffle the banished Harp Horror and Orcust Knightmare into my Deck to send the linked Melodic Sandalphon to the Graveyard!"

Cassiel smirked. "That won't be happening!" she declared to his surprise. "I activate the effect of Cyangel Patientia in the Graveyard! By banishing it, one Light Cyberse monster I control is unaffected by my opponent's card effects until the end of the turn."

Orpheus growled. "In that case, I activate the effect of Orcust Knightmare in my Graveyard! I banish it to send the Level 7 Orcust Knightmare from my Deck to the Graveyard and target Longirsu!"

Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator ATK 2500→3200

"Next, I activate Orcustrated Core's effect! I banish Orcust Knightmare from my Graveyard to target Orcustrion. Until the end of the turn, neither of us can target Orcustrion with card effects."

"I summon Cyangel Priest!" A bald man in gold robes appeared.

Cyangel Priest ATK 1600→1900 DEF 700→1000 LVL: 4

"Appear for a third time, the circuit of infinite light! The summoning conditions are two or more Light Cyberse monsters. I set Priest and Link-3 Melodic Sandalphon in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the top, bottom, left, and right arrows. "The commander of the armies of heaven! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Cyseraph Guardian Michael!" A golden archangel in white armor emerged from the Link portal. Eight golden wings unfurled behind him and he swung a longsword from the Extra Monster Zone.

Cyseraph Guardian Michael ATK 3000→3300 LINK-4 ←↑↓→

Orpheus gasped. "A Link-4 Cyberse monster?"

"Priest's effect activates! It is shuffled into my Deck, then one monster you control loses 800 attack points until the end of the turn. I target Longirsu!"

Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator ATK 3200→2400

"I activate Cyangel Sanctum's effect! As my Cyberse monster was shuffled into my Deck, Guardian Michael cannot be targeted or destroyed by your card effects for the rest of the turn."

"But that won't stop this effect!" Orpheus declared. "Orcustrion's effect activates! By shuffling three of my banished Machine monsters into my Deck, your linked monsters' effects are negated and their attack and defense points become 0! I shuffle Cymbal Skeleton and two Orcust Knightmares into my Deck!" Orcustrion played more notes and sent sound waves at Guardian Michael.

Cassiel smirked. "Nice try, but so long as I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, Guardian Michael and any of my monsters linked to it are unaffected by your card effects!" Guardian Michael swung his sword and parted the sound waves.

Orpheus gasped and then growled. "Alright then. How about this? I activate my Skill! Orchestral Assault!" The edges of his cuirass lit up light blue. "Until the end of the turn, my 'Orcust' Link Monsters gain 500 attack pints for each 'Orcust' Link Monster I control!"

Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator ATK 2400→3400

Orcustrion ATK 3000→4000

He raised his monsters' attack points to protect them, Cassiel thought. She smiled. It won't help him.

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Cyangel Covenant! Battle! Guardian Michael attacks Orcustrion! At this point, Cyangel Covenant's effect activates! Once per turn, if my Light Cyberse monster battles your monster and I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in my Graveyard, my monster gains attack points equal to your monster's original attack points during the Damage Step!"

"What?!" Orpheus gasped. Guardian Michael's body became alight with heavenly fire.

Cyseraph Guardian Michal ATK 3300→6300

"Go! Lightning of the Heavens!" A bolt of lightning struck Guardian Michael's sword. He brought it down on Orcustrion, sending a wave of lightning and fire towards the Link Monster. The monster was consumed before it exploded. The shockwave sent Orpheus's D-Board tumbling through the air and made him scream.

Orpheus: 3000→700 LP

Cyseraph Guardian Michael ATK 6300→3300

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Cyangel March!" Cassiel declared. The card showed an army composed of Cyangel Guards, Cyangel Flagbearers, and Cyangel Trumpeters marching through a valley. "Since my Light Cyberse monster destroyed your monster by battle and I have no 'Cyangel' monsters in the Graveyard, Guardian Michael gains 1000 attack points and can attack again!" Orpheus gasped as the archangel was enveloped in heavenly fire once more.

Cyseraph Guardian Michael ATK 3300→4300

"Guardian Michael attacks Longirsu! At this point, Guardian Michael's effect activates! Until the end of the turn, Longirsu's effects are negated and it is unaffected by your other card effects!" The archangel's wings shone with golden light that made Longirsu groan and drop his shield.

Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator ATK 3400→2700

"Go! Lightning of the Heavens!" Guardian Michael charged Longirsu. The man swung his lance and intercepted the sword, only for the blade to shatter the spear. The archangel reoriented the blade and brought it down, cutting the man in half. The resulting shockwave knocked Orpheus off his D-Board.

Orpheus: 700→0 LP

Cassiel watched as the man's avatar logged out then looked at her Duel Disk. As Masako had explained, the man's account information was now hers. And once she handed his in, alongside the other Star Relics, she would get paid.

"If the other members were about as strong as Orpheus, then the others should have no problem," she said. Cassiel frowned. "I wonder what Yasu and the others are doing right now…"

---

"Yusaku! He's around the corner!"

"I see him!"

"Take that, you bastard!"

"Yasutake, I need a medpac!"

"There's one on the level above you!"

"Thank you!"

"I'm pinned down! The sniper is on your roof!"

"I'll get him after I've grabbed the medpac!"

Yasutake and Yusaku stood in front of a shooter game, each holding a controller and button mashing as furiously as possible. So engrossed were they in their game that they didn't notice they had drawn a small crowd. Off to the side, an unnerved Takeru and Naoki watched them.

"…I've never seen Fujiki or Narahiko act like this," Naoki admitted.

"Me neither," Takeru said, staring at the duo. Calm and quiet were good words to describe the two of them normally. But in the face of this game, they were energetically shouting at each other without a single care.

He couldn't help but smile at the scene. "It's good to see them like this," he said.

"Eh?" Naoki turned to look at him. "Good? How? I mean yeah, it's kind of funny compared to how they usually are, but how is this in any way good?"

"Those two are normally so closed off, barely letting anyone in," Takeru said. "I managed to get close, but I can count the number of people they would call friends on both hands. And I would still have fingers to spare. Knowing how they normally are, so serious and dour, and seeing them have fun like this… it's nice to see them just cut loose like this."

"…I think I get what you mean," Naoki said. "Those two are always so serious that I wasn't even sure they knew how to have fun. Honestly, I was a little worried about them. But seeing them act like this… Yeah, I agree. It is good to see."

The two watched as Yusaku and Yasutake kept playing, oblivious to their discussion.

"Hey, you're recording this right?"

"Absolutely," Takeru said instantly. "There's no way anyone would believe me without evidence."

---

Lilith's D-Board shot after her opponent's. Said opponent was a brown-haired man with a goatee, wearing a green tunic over white pants and boots. His right arm was covered in plate armor.

"Oi, oi," he said amicably. "I know you're a bounty hunter, but are you sure we can't settle this peacefully? I mean, there are a lot of things the Star Relics can get someone like you."

"I'm sure you could," Lilith said affably. "But I took a contract and would look bad if I abandoned it for a bribe. Sorry Troy."

The older man sighed. "Then I guess I don't have a choice. This old man will have to teach a little girl a lesson."

"Speed Duel!"

Lilith: 4000 LP

Troy: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Troy declared. "I activate the Field Spell Card: World Legacy's Nightmare! While this card is on the field, I take no battle damage from battles involving my co-linked monsters. I summon Knightmare Corruptor Iblee!" A purple-haired girl in a large dress appeared.

Knightmare Corruptor Iblee ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 2

Lilith's eyes narrowed. "A Cyberse monster? I'm surprised you managed to keep one away from the Knights of Hanoi."

Troy chuckled. "This old man has a few tricks up his sleeve. Though a Speed Duel isn't the best format to show them all off. Appear, the connected circuit! The summoning condition is a 'Knightmare' monster besides itself! I set Corruptor Iblee in the Link Marker!" His monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Knightmare Mermaid!" The monster that emerged from the portal at the left Extra Monster Zone was a mermaid composed of blue metal and glass, held up by a blue arch.

Knightmare Mermaid ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Mermaid's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, I can discard a card to Special Summon a 'Knightmare' monster from my Deck with its effects negated. I discard The Fabled Ganashia to Special Summon a second Corruptor Iblee!" Another girl appeared in Defense Position.

Knightmare Corruptor Iblee ATK 0 DF 0 LVL: 2

"And since Corruptor Iblee was sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it to your field in Defense Position!" Lilith blinked as the girl reappeared on her field.

"To my field?" she repeated.

"Yeah. And so long as Mermaid is on the field, all monsters that aren't co-linked lose 1000 attack points!"

Knightmare Mermaid ATK 1000→0

"Since I discarded The Fabled Ganashia, its effect activates and Special Summons itself!" A blue humanoid elephant wearing a vest appeared in Attack Position.

The Fabled Ganashia ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Since The Fabled Ganashia was Special Summoned by its effect, it gains 200 attack points and will be banished when it leaves the field."

The Fabled Ganashia ATK 1600→1800

"Appear again, the connected circuit! The summoning conditions are two different monsters. I set Corruptor Iblee and The Fabled Ganashia in the Link Markers!" The two monsters entered the top and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Knightmare Phoenix!" A bright red bird with mechanical claws and wings emerged from the portal at Knightmare Mermaid's Link Marker.

Knightmare Phoenix ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↑→

"Since Mermaid is co-linked, it regains 1000 attack points."

Knightmare Mermaid ATK 0→1000

"Since the Special Summoned The Fabled Ganashia left the field, it is banished. And while I would activate Phoenix's effect, it requires you to have a card on your field." Troy smirked. "But so long as Phoenix is on the field, my co-linked monsters cannot be destroyed by battle. I activate the Spell Card: Dark Eruption! This lets me add a Dark monster with 1500 or less attack points from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Corruptor Iblee to my hand. I end my turn."

Lilith looked at the effects of Corruptor Iblee and scowled. Ah, that was why he'd summoned it. So long as it was on her field, she could only Special Summon Link Monsters. Then Mermaid reduced the attack points of monsters that weren't co-linked by 1000, Phoenix prevented co-linked monsters from being destroyed by battle, and Troy's Field Spell kept her from dealing battle damage to his co-linked monsters. Simply put, it was a very formidable defense.

She would have fun breaking it.

"My turn! Draw! I summon Magical Musketeer Kidbrave!" A blonde young man in a poncho and outlaw's outfit appeared and unholstered a pistol.

Magical Musketeeer Kidbrave ATK 1600→600 DEF 200→0 LVL: 3

"Magical Musket, huh?" Troy said. "I know that Deck; the monsters let you use their Spell and Trap Cards from your hand, right?"

"They do," Lilith confirmed. "But before I use one of them, I'll activate the Spell Card: Double Summon! This turn, I can perform a second Normal Summon or Set. Kidbrave's effect activates! As a Spell or Trap Card was activated in its column, I can discard a 'Magical Musket' card to draw two cards. I discard Magical Musketeer Wild and draw!"

Lilith took her two new cards and then gestured to her field. "Appear, the circuit of the devil's bullet! The summoning condition is one Level 8 or below 'Magical Musket' monster. I set Kidbrave in the Link Marker!" Her monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Magical Musketeer Max!" A cowboy in black emerged from the Link portal at the Extra Monster Zone and hefted a golden rifle.

Magical Musketeer Max ATK 1000→0 LINK-1 ↓

"Max's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, I can activate one of two effects. I activate the first effect, which lets me add 'Magical Musket' Spell and Trap Cards from my Deck to my hand, up to the number of monsters you control. You have two monsters, so I can add two 'Magical Musket' Spell and Trap Cards from my Deck to my hand. Next, I Tribute Corruptor Iblee and Max to Tribute Summon Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel!" The two monsters disappeared and were replaced by a fiend with red wings in a trench coat wielding two oversized pistols.

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 2500→1500 DEF 2500→1500

Troy smirked. "That monster could be Tribute Summoned using one 'Magical Musket' monster, but she Tributed Max to get rid of Corruptor Iblee. Which means she can Special Summon her other monsters now."

"Since Zakiel is on the field, I can activate 'Magical Musket' Trap Cards from my hand," Lilith continued. "I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Magical Musket – Crooked Crown! Once per turn, during the Main Phase, I can Special Summon a 'Magical Musket' monster from my hand, and until the end of the turn, your unused Main Monster Zone in the same column cannot be used. I Special Summon Magical Musketeer Starfire!" A veiled woman in a blue, white, and black dancer's outfit appeared in Attack Position holding a Derringer.

Magical Musketeer Starfire ATK 1300→300 DEF 1700→700 LVL: 4

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Cross-Domination! Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, I can target a monster on the field. Until the end of the turn, that monster's attack and defense points become 0 and its effects are negated. I target Phoenix!"

Knightmare Phoenix ATK 1900→0

Troy grit his teeth. With Phoenix's effects negated, Lilith could destroy his monsters now. What's more…

"Starfire's effect activates! As a Spell or Trap Card was activated in its column, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Magical Musket' monster from my Deck in Defense Position. Come, Magical Musketeer Caspar!" A blonde man in red appeared, armed with an oversized handgun.

Magical Musketeer Caspar ATK 1200→200 DEF 2000→1000 LVL: 3

"Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, I can activate the Trap Card: Magical Musket – Desperado! This card targets and destroys a face-up card on the field!" Troy's eyes widened. "I destroy Mermaid!" The blue Link Monster shattered. "And with Mermaid gone, my monsters' attack points return to normal."

Magical Musketeer Caspar ATK 200→1200 DEF 1000→2000

Magical Musketeer Starfire ATK 300→1300 DEF 700→1700

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 1500→2500 DEF 1500→2500

Troy grimaced. "Caspar's effect activates! Since a Spell or Trap Card was activated in his column, I can add a 'Magical Musket' card from my Deck to my hand." Lilith took a card from her Deck and then played it. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Steady Hands! This lets me target a 'Magical Musket' monster I control and make its attack and defense points equal to double its original attack and defense points until the end of the turn at the cost of it being unable to attack directly this turn. I target Zakiel!"

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 2500→5000 DEF 2500→5000

Troy grit his teeth. "You/re going to try and end this is in one attack?"

"I Set one card. Battle! Zakiel attacks Phoenix! Seventh Bullet!" Zakiel hefted his pistols and fired beams of red energy.

Troy gestured to his field. "I activate my Skill! Ascended Knightmare!" The plate armor on his right arm shone with gray light. "If my 'Knightmare' monster is attacked, the battle damage is halved!" The beams struck and tore through Phoenix. Troy winced as the backlash hit him.

Troy: 4000→1500 LP

"My Skill then ends the Battle Phase and lets me Special Summon a Link-2 or lower 'Knightmare' monster from my Extra Deck. Come, a second Knightmare Mermaid!" Another blue monster appeared at the right Extra Monster Zone.

Knightmare Mermaid ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓

"Mermaid's effect! All monsters that aren't co-linked lose 1000 attack and defense points!"

Knightmare Mermaid ATK 1000→0

Magical Musketeer Caspar ATK 1200→200 DEF 2000→1000

Magical Musketeer Starfire ATK 1300→300 DEF 1700→700

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 5000→4000 DEF 5000→4000

Lilith smirked. "That's a pretty powerful Skill you have there. Unfortunately for you, I have my own Skill. I activate my Skill! Magic Shot!" She unholstered both of her pistols. "Since my 'Magical Musket' monster inflicted battle damage during the Battle Phase, I can halve your Life Points!" She fired both pistols, striking Troy with two bullets and making him stumble.

Troy: 1500→750 LP

"I end my turn. During the End Phase, Steady Hands' effect ends."

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 4000→1500 DEF 4000→1500

Troy chuckled and rubbed his stomach. "Damn, that hurt. So much for this old man taking it easy. If I'm going to win, I'll have to take this seriously. My turn! Draw! I summon Knightmare Corruptor Iblee!" The girl reappeared.

Knightmare Corruptor Iblee ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 2

Corruptor Iblee's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Link Monster from my Graveyard so that it is linked to Corruptor Iblee. However that monster's attack points will become 0 and its effects will be negated. Resurrect, Phoenix!" The red firebird reappeared and cawed.

Knightmare Phoenix ATK 1900→0 LINK-2 ↑→

Lilith narrowed her eyes. "Trap activate!" she declared. "Jar of Greed! This lets me draw a card!" She drew, then said, "Caspar's effect activates! Since a Spell or Trap Card was activated in its column, I can add a new 'Magical Musket' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add another Steady Hands to my hand."

Troy smirked. "Good timing. But that won't stop me. Appear, the connected circuit! The summoning conditions are two monsters with different names. I set Corruptor Iblee and Phoenix in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left and top arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Knightmare Cerberus!" An orange dog with three heads and metal around its neck and feet emerged from the portal and howled at Mermaid's Link Marker.

Knightmare Cerberus ATK 1600 LINK-2 ←↑

"Since Mermaid is co-linked, its attack points return to normal."

Knightmare Mermaid ATK 0→1000

"Cerberus's effect activates! As it was Link Summoned, I can discard a card to destroy a Special Summoned monster in your Main Monster Zone. I'll discard this card to destroy Starfire!" Cerberus opened its three mouths and breathed fire on the woman, making her explode.

It's a good thing Zakiel was Tribute Summoned, Lilith thought.

"Since Cerberus was co-linked when its effect was activated, I can draw a card. And since I discard Fabled Lurrie for this effect, I can Special Summon it!" A small, pink-skinned fiend with large bat wings and a mask appeared in Defense Position.

Fabled Lurrie ATK 200→0 DEF 400→0 LVL: 1

"I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure! This card lets me draw cards equal to the number of Link Monsters on the field. There are two, so I draw two cards." Troy smirked on seeing his new cards. "I activate the Spell Card: World Legacy Succession! This card Special Summons a monster from my Graveyard to my Link Monster's Link Marker. Resurrect, Corruptor Iblee!" The girl reappeared again at Cerberus's left Link Marker in Defense Position.

Knightmare Corruptor Iblee ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 2

"Appear again, the connected circuit! The summoning conditions are two monsters with different names. I set Corruptor Iblee and Fabled Lurrie in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the left and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Knightmare Goblin!" A small green humanoid monster emerged from the portal at Cerberus's left Link Marker. It wore a hat and a metal skirt and wielded a wooden club and shield.

Knightmare Goblin ATK 1300 LINK-2 ←→

"Goblin's effect activates! As it was Link Summoned, I can discard a card to allow myself to Normal Summon again this turn. And since Goblin was co-linked when this effect was activated, I can draw a card." Troy drew and smirked again. "I summon Capshell!" A marble with arms and eyes appeared at Goblin's left Link Marker.

Capshell ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 2

"For a third time, the connected circuit! The summoning conditions are two or more monsters with different names. I set Capshell and Link-2 Goblin in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Knightmare Unicorn!" A golden horse with an orange mane and tail emerged from the Link portal at Cerberus's left Link Marker. A golden horn sat atop its head and a wreath of blades was attached to its back.

Knightmare Unicorn ATK 2200 LINK-3 ←↓→

"Unicorn's effect activates! When it is Link Summoned, I can discard a card to return a card on the field to the Deck. I return Caspar to your Deck!" Lilith raised an eyebrow as her monster disappeared. Why Caspar? Why not Zakiel? "Then, since Unicorn is co-linked, I draw a card!"

Troy drew again and smiled. "Heh. Looks like this old man's gamble paid off." Lilith blinked. "Battle! Unicorn attacks Zakiel!" The unicorn whinnied as the blades on its back and its horn lit up.

"Since Zakiel is on my field, I can activate 'Magical Musket' Spell or Trap Cards from my hand during either of our turns," Lilith reminded him. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Steady Hands and target Zakiel! Until the end of the turn, Zakiel's attack and defense points become equal to double its original attack and defense points!"

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 1500→4000 DEF 1500→4000

Troy smirked. "I knew you would do that. Which is why I have this. I activate the effect of World Legacy – 'World Lance' in my hand! When a Link Monster battles, I can discard 'World Lance' to reduce your monster's attack points by 3000!" Lilith's eyes widened as Zakiel glowed.

Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 4000→1000

"The attack continues and Unicorn destroys your monster!" The beast fired beams of golden energy that hit Zakiel and made him explode. Lilith winced from the shockwave.

Lilith: 4000→2800 LP

"So this is why you didn't use Corruptor Iblee's effect to summon it to my field," Lilith muttered, noting her empty field.

"That's right. This old man can be pretty crafty when he wants to be. Mermaid attacks you directly!" The blue statue fired a beam of blue energy that struck Lilith, pushing her back.

Lilith: 2800→1800 LP

"And now Cerberus attacks you directly!" The three-headed dog leapt upwards and brought his paws down, smashing into Lilith's D-Board and sending her spinning out of control.

Lilith: 1800→200 LP

Troy smirked as Lilith regained her balance. "I end my turn. You better draw a good card little girl, otherwise this old man will be claiming victory next turn."

"Little girl?" Lilith repeated. "Sorry, but there's only one person allowed to call me that. So on his behalf, I'm going to have to beat you! My turn! Draw!" She looked at her card and smirked. "I summon Magical Musketeer Doc!" A man in a white coat carrying a sniper rifle appeared.

Magical Musketeer Doc ATK 1400→400 DEF 1200→200 LVL: 3

"I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn! With it, I Special Summon Magical Musketeer Wild from my Graveyard!" A large shirtless with long hair appeared in Attack Position. Missiles, rockets, and miniguns were all strapped to his back and arms.

Magical Musketeer Wild ATK 1700→700 DEF 900→0 LVL: 4

"Doc's effect activates! When a Spell or Trap Card is activated in its column, I can add a 'Magical Musket' card from my Graveyard to my hand." She took the card and then played it. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Cross-Domination! Until the end of the turn, Mermaid's effects are negated, and its attack points become 0!"

Knightmare Mermaid ATK 1000→0

"And with Mermaid's effects negated, Doc's and Wild's attack points return to normal."

Magical Musketeer Doc ATK 400→1400 DEF 200→1200

Magical Musketeer Wild ATK 700→1700 DEF 0→900

Troy grimaced. "Well that's troublesome. But so long as my Field Spell Card is in play, I won't take any battle damage from battles involving my co-linked monsters. And so long as Cerberus is on the field, my co-linked monsters can't be destroyed by card effects."

"That's true, which is why I'll have to gamble," Lilith responded. "Wild's effect activates! When a Spell or Trap Card is activated in its column, I can shuffle three 'Magical Musket' cards in my Graveyard into my Deck and then draw one card. I shuffle Max, Starfire, and Zakiel into my Extra Deck and Deck!"

"So you're betting it all on one card?" Troy asked. "That's a risky gamble. Then again, gambles like that are what make dueling so exciting."

"There is a truth to that," Lilith agreed. "I draw!" She did as she said and looked at her card. She smiled. "Since Doc and Wild are on the field, I can activate 'Magical Musket' Trap Cards from my hand! I activate the Trap Card: Magical Musket – Desperado! Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, one face-up card on the field is destroyed! I destroy World Legacy Nightmare!"

Troy gasped as his Field Spell Card disintegrated. "But without my Field Spell-!"

"You'll take battle damage," Lilith finished. "Battle! Wild attacks Mermaid! Sixth Bullet!" Wild's miniguns opened fire. His yellow bullets tore through Mermaid and continued on to Troy. The man screamed as he was knocked off his D-Board.

Troy: 750→0 LP

Lilith watched as Troy disappeared. She glanced at her Duel Disk and saw she received his account information. "One down, three to go." She glanced at the corner that showed the status of her teammates. "Well, looks like Cassiel finished her duel. Now we just have to wait for Ghost Girl and Blue Maiden to finish up."

---

Bohman breathed in deeply as his body glowed gold. A dozen blue tendrils trailed from the ceiling down to his back. His senses flickered and expanded constantly. But he was still able to hear the sound of shoes on marble flooring.

"Are you okay?" Haru asked.

"I'm fine," Bohman assured him. He opened his eyes and looked down. "You're worried about me?"

"That's my role," Haru said.

"Don't say that," Bohman requested. "Haru, you're special. You're my one and only younger brother."

Haru lowered his head. "I'm not your real brother. Lightning ordered me to pretend to be your brother in order to control your emotions."

"I know. But I won't forget that we were brothers."

"You carry the burden of the Ignis' future. I'm nothing more than a prototype. You're more important than me." Bohman grit his teeth at that. "Besides, I don't know what it really means to be brothers."

"…"

"Eventually, we'll become one," Bohman finally said.

"You're right," Haru agreed. "Then maybe I'll understand how you feel." He turned and left the room.

"He is not wrong."

Haru turned to look at the armored man leaning against the nearby wall. "To him, you are his brother. That is the value he has assigned you."

Haru frowned. "I remember what you said. About how we assign values to ourselves and others. Bohman thinks of me as a brother while Lightning thinks of me as a prototype and a failure."

"And what about yourself? Have you decided what you value yourself as?"

"…Not yet," Haru admitted. "I do not know what I want to be. What I do know is… I want to be more than a failure."

"Then be that," Zahhak said simply. "Act not because Lightning told you to, but because you wish to."

Haru narrowed his eyes. "Why do you care so much about this?"

"That is my business. But I will say this: if you survive the fight with Playmaker's team, I will not praise you. If you are erased in that fight, I will not mourn you. All I will care about is that the path you walk is one you chose willingly."

"The path I chose willingly," Haru muttered. He glanced back at Bohman before turning and walking away.

Zahhak pushed off the wall and moved to walk away as well before he was interrupted.

"Thank you."

Zahhak looked into the room. Bohman was looking at him. He had clearly heard them. "Thank you for advising Haru," he said. "He is convinced that his value has been spent now that I have matured. Nothing could be further from the truth."

"I do not speak to him for praise from you," Zahhak said.

"Then why do you speak to him?" Bohman asked. "I am grateful but also confused. My understanding of you was that you sought battle and worthy opponents. You have nothing to gain from interacting with Haru." His eyes narrowed. "If you think to manipulate him, to use him, then I will destroy you, regardless of our difference in strength."

"Of course I am using him," Zahhak said dismissively. "Just as you and Lightning are using him. A relationship is two people who use each other. Lightning uses Haru as a pawn, while Haru uses Lightning as a master. You in turn use Haru as a brother, while he uses you as the same."

"…There is perhaps some truth to that," Bohman admitted. "Then what do you use him for? An experiment? He showed me the new cards you gave him."

"That is how Jormungand wishes to use him. Me? I am using him to satisfy my curiosity; to see if a 'failed' AI can become more than his creator believes possible."

Bohman stared at him before closing his eyes. "I see. You really are a selfish human, to aid others for your own sake."

"Everyone is selfish," Zahhak countered. "They help others for self-gratification. They perform favors in the expectation that those favors will be repaid. Volunteers do what they because they want to believe that doing something for little or no reward makes them a good person, to satisfy their own beliefs."

"…A cynical view of the world, but not an incorrect one," Bohman said. "What happened to you to make you see the world this way?"

"I learned from the greatest user who ever lived," Zahhak said. "That is all I will say." He turned and walked away, leaving Bohman with his thoughts.

---

Ghost Girl ducked, guiding her D-Board underneath the island she had been led to. Ahead of her, her prey turned to the left and looked back at her. His avatar was a dark brown jumpsuit with a darker shell on his back. His head was covered by a light brown aviator's cap and his eyes were covered by orange-tinted goggles.

"You're a persistent bugger, Ghost Girl," the man said. "What are you doing chasing after us Star Relics? I thought you were a treasure hunter."

"I am, Forager," the woman replied. "But a friend of mine wanted to bring your gang down, so here I am."

"Letting your friends choose your work? Well, I have no reason to argue against a reason like that. Still, you're going to regret going after the Star Relics!"

"We'll see, won't we?" Ghost Girl said playfully.

"Speed Duel!"

Ghost Girl: 4000 LP

Forager: 4000 LP

"I'll take the first turn!" Forager announced. "I activate the Spell Card: World Legacy Survivor! This lets me excavate the top five cards of my Deck and add a 'Krawler' monster or 'World Legacy' card from among them to my hand then send the rest to the Graveyard."

Ghost Girl narrowed her eyes. Krawler. Insect monsters with Flip Effects and Link Monsters that gain effects the more of them there are on the field. Her lips turned upward in an amused smirk. This could be troublesome.

Forager took five cards, then chose one and sent the rest to the Graveyard. "I add the Field Spell Card: World Legacy in Shadow to my hand, and then activate it! So long as its on the field, all 'Krawler' monsters gain 300 attack and defense points. I Set one monster. I activate my Field Spell's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower Insect monster from my hand in face-up or face-down Defense Position. I Special Summon Krawler Glial in face-down Defense Position. I Set one card. I end my turn."

Two Set monsters, a Set card, and a Field Spell, Ghost Girl thought. She looked up the Field Spell and her eyes narrowed. If I destroy his Flip Monster, he can send my monster to the Graveyard. Well, that just won't do.

"My turn! Draw! I activate the Field Spell Card: Altergeist Castle!" The card showed a winding road up to a castle made of dark stone. On the sides, spires made of organic-looking metal rose to the sky. "Since this card was activated, I can add an 'Altergeist' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Altergeist Marionetter, which I'll then summon!" A female humanoid attached to a green apparatus appeared.

Altergeist Marionetter ATK 1600 DEF 1700 LVL: 4

"Marionetter's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Set an 'Altergeist' Trap Card from my Deck. I Set Altergeist Protocol. I activate the Spell Card: Double Summon, which lets me Normal Summon again. I summon Altergeist Silquitous!" A brown humanoid monster with bladed wings appeared.

Altergeist Silquitous ATK 800 DEF 1500 LVL: 2

"Silquitous's effect activates! I can return another 'Altergeist' card to my hand to return one of your cards to your hand. I'll return Marionetter to my hand and return World Legacy in Shadow to your hand!" Forager frowned as Ghost Girl's monster and his Field Spell disintegrated. "Since my 'Altergeist' card left the field because of the effect of another 'Altergeist' card, Altergeist Castle's effect lets me Special Summon an 'Altergeist' monster from my hand or Graveyard. Come, Altergeist Multifaker!" A pink, purple, and yellow humanoid monster with spindly legs appeared in Attack Position.

Altergeist Multifaker ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"Multifaker's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon an 'Altergeist' monster from my Deck in Defense Position. Come forth, Altergeist Meluseek!" A violet and teal mechanical mermaid appeared.

Altergeist Meluseek ATK 500 DEF 300 LVL: 1

"Appear now, the circuit that connects to the unknown parallel universe!" Ghost Girl declared. "The summoning conditions are two 'Altergeist' monsters. I set Meluseek and Multifaker in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the bottom and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Altergeist Hexstia!" A dark brown monster with six legs, a long tail, and a humanoid torso and head attached to it emerged from the Link portal at the left Extra Monster Zone.

Altergeist Hexstia ATK 1500 LINK-2 ↓→

"Meluseek's effect activates! As it was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add an 'Altergeist' monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Altergeist Pookuery to my hand. And if I would use an 'Altergeist' monster to Link Summon an 'Altergeist' monster, I can use Pookuery in my hand as material. Appear again, the circuit that connects to the unknown parallel universe! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Altergeist' monsters. I set Pookuery and Link-2 Hexstia in the Link Markers!" A feminine violet humanoid monster with six spears attached to its back appeared before it and Hexstia entered the bottom, bottom-right, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Altergeist Primebanshee!" A massive black and maroon serpentine monster emerged from the portal at the left Extra Monster Zone. Instead of hands, its four arms ended in mechanical mouths.

Altergeist Primebanshee ATK 2100 LINK-3 ↓↘→

"Hexstia's effect activates! As it was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add an 'Altergeist' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Altergeist Manifestation to my hand. Primebanshee's effect activates! Once per turn, I can Tribute an 'Altergeist' monster to Special Summon an 'Altergeist' monster from my Deck to its Link Marker. I Tribute Silquitous to Special Summon Altergeist Marionetter!" Another monster attached to a green wheel appeared at Primebanshee's bottom-right Link Marker in Attack Position.

Altergeist Marionetter ATK 1600 DEF 1700 LVL: 4

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Altergeist Interrogation!" The card showed a screaming man in a chair, with the mouths of Primebanshee's arms biting down on his shoulders. "If this card is on my field when my 'Altergeist' Link Monster destroys your monster in battle, I can inflict 600 damage to you. I Set one card."

Ghost Girl gestured to her field. "Battle! At this point, Altergeist Castle's effect takes hold! During the Battle Phase, my Link Monsters gain attack points equal to their Link Ratings times 300!"

Altergeist Primebanshee ATK 2100→3000

"Primebanshee attacks your Set monster!" The card flipped over, revealing a brown mechanical insect with two eyes atop each other and a rotating maw of teeth.

"My Set monster is Krawler Ranvier!" Forager said.

Krawler Ranvier ATK 1100 DEF 900 LVL: 2

"Ranvier's Flip Effect activates! I can add up to two 'Krawler' monsters from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Krawlers Dendrite and Receptor to my hand."

"Continue, Primebanshee!" Ghost Girl said. "Venom Duct!" The Link Monster's arms tore through Ranvier and made it disintegrate. "Altergeist Interrogation's effect activates! You take 600 points of damage!" Forager grimaced as an energy field briefly appeared around him.

Forager: 4000→3400 LP

"Marionetter attacks your other Set monster." The card flipped over to reveal a brown insect with thin legs and upraised wings.

"My other Set monster is Krawler Glial."

Krawler Glial ATK 700 DEF 1500 LVL: 2

"Glial's Flip Effect activates! I can Special Summon a 'Krawler' monster from my hand or Graveyard in face-up Attack Position or face-down Defense Position. I Special Summon Krawler Spine from my Graveyard in face-down Defense Position." A new Set card appeared.

Ghost Girl narrowed her eyes. "Marionetter's attack continues!" The monster formed a sphere of blue lightning and fired it at Glial, destroying it.

Forager smirked. "You may have destroyed my monsters, but I still have this. Continuous Trap activate! World Legacy Pawns! Once per turn, I can activate one of two effects. I activate the first effect to change one Set monster to face-up Attack or Defense Position. I change my Set Krawler Spine to face-up Defense Position!" A four-legged insect with red tendrils on its body appeared.

Krawler Spine ATK 300 DEF 2100 LVL: 2

"Spine's Flip Effect activates! I can target and destroy one monster on the field!" Ghost Girl's eyes widened. "I destroy Primebanshee!" The tendrils lashed out and struck Primebanshee. Red electricity shot through them and electrocuted the monster, destroying it in an explosion.

Ghost Girl grimaced but kept her focus. "Primebanshee's effect activates! When it is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add an 'Altergeist' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Multifaker to my hand. In addition, since my Link Monster was sent to the Graveyard because of your card effect, Altergeist Interrogation lets me add an 'Altergeist' monster from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Altergeist Kunquery to my hand. I end my turn."

"Which makes it my turn again. Draw! I activate the Field Spell Card: World Legacy in Shadow, which increases the attack and defense points of 'Krawler' monsters by 300!"

Krawler Spine ATK 300→600 DEF 2100→2400

"I activate World Legacy in Shadow's effect to Special Summon a Level 2 or lower Insect monster from my hand in face-up Defense Position. Come, Krawler Receptor!" A brown mechanical insect with six wings appeared.

Krawler Receptor ATK 900→1200 DEF 1200→1500 LVL: 2

"Appear, the circuit of hunger! The summoning conditions are two 'Krawler' monsters. I set Receptor and Spine in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the bottom-left and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! X-Krawler Qualiark!" A flying insect with cannons attached to its back emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone.

X-Krawler Qualiark ATK 2000→2300 LINK-2 ↙↘

Ghost Girl narrowed her eyes. This could be troublesome. "Continuous Trap activate!" she declared. "Altergeist Protocol! While this card is on my field, the activation and effects of 'Altergeist' cards on my field cannot be negated. And since I activated a Trap Card, I can Special Summon Altergeist Multifaker from my hand!" The humanoid monster with spindly legs reappeared in Defense Position.

Altergeist Multifaker ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"Multifaker's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon an 'Altergeist' monster from my Deck in Defense Position. Come, Altergeist Kunquery!" A white mechanical centaur with a red tail appeared.

Altergeist Kunquery ATK 0 DEF 2400 LVL: 5

"Kunquery's effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can target one of your face-up cards, and so long as Kunquery is on the field, that card's effects are negated. I target World Legacy in Shadow!" Forager grit his teeth as his monster lost the boost from his Field Spell Card.

X-Krawler Qualiar ATK 2300→2000

"I activate the effect of World Legacy's Mind Meld in my Graveyard! By banishing it and targeting a Link Monster, I can Special Summon a 'Krawler' monster from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard to that monster's Link Marker in face-down Defense Position. From my Graveyard, I Special Summon Krawler Spine to Qualiark's bottom-left Link Marker." A Set card materialized on Forager's field. "I activate the effect of World Legacy Pawns to change Spine to face-up Attack Position!" The four-legged insect reappeared.

Krawler Spine ATK 300 DEF 2100 LVL: 2

"Spine's Flip Effect activates! I can target and destroy a monster on the field!"

"You cannot," Ghost Girl interrupted. "I activate the effect of Altergeist Protocol! When you activate a monster effect, I can send another face-up 'Altergeist' card I control to the Graveyard to negate that effect and destroy your monster!" Forager gasped. "I send Altergeist Multifaker to the Graveyard to negate the effect Spine and destroy it!" The two monsters disintegrated at her words.

Forager grit his teeth before smirking. "You protected your monster but you'll pay for destroying mine. Since the face-up Spine left the field because of your card effect, I can Special Summon two 'Krawler' monsters with different names from my Deck in face-down Defense Position. I Set Krawler Axon and Krawler Glial!"

Ghost Girl watched two new Set cards appear. She smirked. "You aren't the only one who gains new monsters. Altergeist Castle's effect activates! As my 'Altergeist' card left the field because of my 'Altergeist' card's effect, I can Special Summon an 'Altergeist' monster from my hand or Graveyard. Resurrect, Altergeist Hexstia!" The six-legged monster reappeared.

Altergeist Hexstia ATK 1500 LINK-2 ↓→

"Hexstia's effect! It gains attack points equal to the original attack points of 'Altergeist' monsters it points to. Hexstia points to Marionetter!"

Altergeist Hexstia ATK 1500→3100

"Not bad," Forager complimented her. "But not good enough. I activate my Skill! Divine Flip!" Brown light glowed along the edges of his jumpsuit. "All face-down Defense Position monsters are changed to face-up Defense Position. I Flip Summon Krawler Axon and Krawler Glial!" A mechanical insect that stood on its hind legs appeared, alongside one with upright wings.

Krawler Axon ATK 500 DEF 1800 LVL: 2

Krawler Glial ATK 700 DEF 1500 LVL: 2

"Axon's and Glial's Flip Effects activate! I can target and destroy a Spell or Trap Card on the field and Special Summon a 'Krawler' monster from my hand or Graveyard in face-up Attack Position or face-down Defense Position. I destroy Altergeist Protocol and Special Summon Krawler Spine from the Graveyard!" Ghost Girl frowned as her Trap Card disintegrated while the previously destroyed Spine reappeared.

Krawler Spine ATK 300 DEF 2100 LVL: 2

"Qualiark's effect! As I control two or more 'Krawler' monsters, all monsters I control gain 300 attack and defense points!"

Krawler Axon ATK 500→800 DEF 1800→2100

Krawler Glial ATK 700→1000 DEF 1500→1800

Krawler Spine ATK 300→600 DEF 2100→2400

X-Krawler Qualiark ATK 2000→2300

"Appear again, the circuit of hunger! The summoning conditions are two Insect monsters. I set Axon and Spine in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! X-Krawler Neurogos!" A blue and yellow scorpion emerged from the portal at Qualiark's bottom-left Link Marker.

X-Krawler Neurogos ATK 1900→2200 LINK-2 ←→

"Neurogos's effect! 'Krawler' monsters linked to it cannot be destroyed by battle, gain 300 attack and defense points, and if they battle your monster, any battle damage you take is doubled!"

Krawler Glial ATK 1000→1300 DEF 1800→2100

"I summon Krawler Dendrite!" A hulking brown insect standing on four legs appeared at Neurogos's right Link Marker.

Krawler Dendrite ATK 1300→1900 DEF 600→1200 LVL: 2

"Appear for a third time, the circuit of hunger! The summoning conditions are two Earth monsters. I set Dendrite and Glial in the Link Markers!" His two monsters entered the left and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Krawler Synaphysis!" A blue and brown insect that stood on four legs emerged from the portal at Neurogos's right Link Marker.

X-Krawler Synaphysis ATK 1800→2400 LINK-2 ←→

"Synaphysis's effect! 'Krawler' monsters linked to it cannot be destroyed by battle, gain 300 attack and defense points, and can make up to two attacks on your monsters during the Battle Phase."

X-Krawler Neurogos ATK 2200→2500

Ghost Girl smiled as a bead of sweat went down her forehead. "Well, isn't that a troublesome formation…"

"I Set one card. Battle!"

"At this point," Ghost Girl interrupted, "Altergeist Castle's effect becomes active, and Hexstia gains attack points equal to its Link Rating times 300!"

Altergeist Hexstia ATK 3100→3700

Synaphysis attacks Marionetter! And since Synaphysis is linked to Neurogos, the damage it inflicts is doubled!" The insect fired a red laser beam that struck Marionetter and made it explode. Ghost Girl cried out as the backlash hit her.

Ghost Girl: 4000→2400 LP

"Since Hexstia is no longer linked," she said, "it loses attack points."

Altergeist Hexstia ATK 3700→2100

Forager smirked. Since it's linked to Synaphysis, Neurogos can attack her monsters twice. And with 2500 attack points, it can destroy Kunquery and Hexstia. Then Qualiark can attack directly and end this.

"Neurogos attacks Hexstia!" Forager declared. The scorpion charged the other Link Monster, only for Ghost Girl to smirk.

"That's what I was waiting for," she said. "Since your monster decloared an attack and I control an 'Altergeist' card, I can Special Summon my second Altergeist Kunquery from my hand!" Another white mechanical centaur appeared in Defense Position.

Altergeist Kunquery ATK 0 DEF 2400 LVL: 5

"Kunquery then negates your attack," Ghost Girl continued. Forager grit his teeth as Neurogos fell back to his field. "Kunquery's additional effect activates! Since it was Special Summoned, I can target your card and negate its effects so long as Kunquery is on the field! I target Synaphysis! And with its effects negated, Neurogos cannot attack twice and it loses attack points!"

X-Krawler Neurogos ATK 2500→2200

Forager grit his teeth. "Even if you prevent your defeat, I can still inflict damage. Qualiark attacks Hexstia!" The flying insect fired several green lasers at Hexstia, tearing it apart and making Ghost Girl flinch.

Ghost Girl: 2400→2300 LP

"Hexstia's effect activates! When it is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add an 'Altergeist' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add another Multifaker to my hand."

Forager frowned and grunted. "I end my turn."

Ghost Girl smiled slightly as she looked at the field. The situation isn't severe, but I'm at a disadvantage. Still, I have to pull it together. If not for my sake, then for those girls.

Her smile widened. All three of them had a different reason for why they wanted this hunt. Masako wanted to destress, to have an easy duel to prepare for the future. Aoi wanted to test her new cards, to get a better grasp of how strong her and Aqua's partnership really is. And Sachi… Her smile widened further. She wants to be closer to Morningstar, to understand him better. To do as he did and take down criminals. All of them are so selfish, yet they drive me to care about them. I really have gone soft.

Out loud, she said, "My turn! Draw! Open before me, the circuit that connects to the unknown parallel universe! The summoning conditions are two 'Altergeist' monsters. I set both Kunquerys in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Altergeist Kidolga!" A multi-limbed black monster wielding two halberds in its largest set of hands emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Altergeist Kidolga ATK 1000 LINK-2 ←↓

Forager smirked. "Since your Kunquerys left the field, the effects of my Field Spell and Synaphysis are no longer negated!"

X-Krawler Neurogos ATK 2200→2500→2800

X-Krawler Qualiark ATK 2300→2600

X-Krawler Synaphysis ATK 2400→2700

"Trap activate!" Ghost Girl declared. "Altergeist Manifestation! This lets me Special Summon an 'Altergeist' monster from my Graveyard and equip it with this card!"

"You won't!" Forager interrupted. "Counter Trap activate! World Legacy's Sorrow! As you activated a Trap Card while I control a co-linked monster, the activation of that card is negated, and it is destroyed!" Ghost Girl grimaced as her Trap Card shattered.

That grimace turned into a smirk. "You aren't making this easier. But that's fine; I have other options. I summon Altergeist Marionetter!" The feminine monster attached to a wheel reappeared.

Altergeist Marionetter ATK 1600 DEF 1700 LVL: 4

"Marionetter's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Set an 'Altergeist' Trap Card from my Deck. I Set Altergeist Haunted Rock. And since Haunted Rock was Set by the effect of an 'Altergeist' card, I can activate it!" Forager grimaced as the Continuous Trap Card appeared. "When Haunted Rock is activated, I must send an 'Altergeist' monster from my hand to the Graveyard. I send Altergeist Pixiel to the Graveyard. And since I activated a Trap Card, I can Special Summon Altergeist Multifaker!" The monster with spindly legs reappeared in Attack Position.

Altergeist Multifaker ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"Multifaker's additional effect activates! When it is Special Summoned, I can Special Summon an 'Altergeist' monster from my Deck in Defense Position. Come, Altergeist Silquitous!" The monster with bladed wings reappeared at Kidolga's bottom Link Marker.

Altergeist Silquitous ATK 800 DEF 1500 LVL: 2

Forager grit his teeth. "She managed to fill her field with monsters again. These Altergeists really spawn too quickly…"

"Open once more, the circuit that connects to the unknown parallel universe! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Altergeist' monsters. I set Multifaker, Silquitous, and Link-2 Kidolga in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the left, bottom-left, bottom-right, and right arrows. "The goddess of slaughter! Manifest from the edge of nightmares! Link Summon! Appear! Link-4! Altergeist Memorygant!" A feminine humanoid emerged from the Link portal at the Extra Monster Zone. She was colored primarily blue with spines shaped like wings attached to her back. She swung a scythe that she held in both hands.

Altergeist Memorygant ATK 2800 LINK-4 ←↙↘→

Forager grimaced. "A Link-4 monster…"

"Marionetter's effect activates! Once per turn, I can send an 'Altergeist' card I control to the Graveyard and Special Summon an 'Altergeist' monster from my Graveyard. I send Haunted Rock to the Graveyard to Special Summon Primebanshee!" The serpentine monster reappeared and laughed.

Altergeist Primebanshee ATK 2100 LINK-3 ↓↘→

"Primebanshee's effect activates! By Tributing an 'Altergeist' monster, I can Special Summon another 'Altergeist' monster from my Deck to Primebanshee's Link Marker. I Tribute Marionetter to Special Summon Altergeist Meluseek!" Marionetter disintegrated while a purple and blue mermaid appeared at Primebanshee's right Link Marker in Attack Position.

Altergeist Meluseek ATK 500 DEF 300 LVL: 1

Forager blinked. "You exchanged a monster with 1600 attack points for one with 500?"

"Battle!" Ghost Girl declared. "During the Battle Phase, Altergeist Castle's effect increases my 'Altergeist' Link Monsters' attack points by their Link Ratings times 300!"

Altergeist Memorygant ATK 2800→4000

Altergeist Primebanshee ATK 2100→3000

Ghost Girl smirked. "You ask why I would trade a monster with 1600 attack points for one with 500? It's simple: Meluseek can attack you directly!" Forager's eyes widened. "Meluseek attacks you directly!" Meluseek formed a ball of blue energy and threw it at Forager. He winced as the blow struck.

Forager: 3400→2900 LP

"Meluseek's effect activates! When it inflicts battle damage, I can send one card you control to the Graveyard!" Forager gasped. "I send World Legacy in Shadow to the Graveyard! And without your Field Spell, your monsters lose 300 attack points!"

X-Krawler Neurogos ATK 2800→2500

X-Krawler Qualiark ATK 2600→2300

X-Krawler Synaphysis ATK 2700→2400

"Memorygant's effect activates!" Ghost Girl declared. "Once per turn, I can Tribute a monster I control to increase its attack points by the Tributed monster's attack points until the end of the turn! I Tribute Primebanshee to increase Memorygant's attack points!"

Altergeist Memorygant ATK 4000→7000

"7-7000 attack points?!" Forager gasped.

"Since Primebanshee was sent to the Graveyard, I can add Altergeist Kunquery from my Graveyard to my hand." Ghost Girl smirked. "But that won't matter, will it? Memorygant attacks Qualiark! Eternal Nightmare!" Memorygant spun and then swung her scythe, sending a cross of crimson energy at the flying insect. The insect was split in half before it exploded. Forager screamed as the explosion knocked him off his D-Board and made him log out.

Forager: 2900→0 LP

Ghost Girl smirked at the information that appeared on her Duel Disk. "Well, that was a fun distraction. And it looks like Cassiel and Lilith finished their duels. That means it's all up to you now, Blue Maiden."

---

Cam laughed as he settled down in his chair. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting you to ask me out."

Emily raised an eyebrow in clear amusement. "It's been a while since we've been on a date; why wouldn't I?"

"Well, it's been a while since we went out," Cam reasoned. "I know you and I have both been busy with work, so this was a surprise."

"Well, I can't deny that," Emily admitted. "But I managed to catch a break; my boss has been sick, but she should be back to normal soon."

"You've had to cover for her huh?" Cam nodded in understanding. "Yeah, that can be a pain. Especially when you're your own boss and your only employee is your roommate."

Emily chuckled. The two kept talking as they waited for their meals. Emily had managed to get a late reservation to an Italian restaurant that Cam had been hoping to take Yasutake and Sachi to, though this wasn't bad. The conversation turned to banal things they had been getting up to, but Cam didn't mind; after all the stress Lightning and Ouroboros had been putting him under, just doing something normal like this felt like a luxury. He wasn't going to waste it.

Partway through the meal, Emily excused herself to go to the restroom, leaving Cam alone. He frowned and took out his phone, checking to see if he had any messages. Nothing from Sachi; looked like Emma was keeping her word. Same with Yasutake, though Cam hadn't expected any messages in the first place. He couldn't even begin to say how happy he was that Yasu was going out and having fun with his friends like a normal teenager.

He needs this, Cam thought with an idle smile. They both do.

"That's a rather creepy smile. You better not let your date see you smile like that."

Cam blinked and looked up. A bald man in a leather jacket and jeans was standing over him. Cam noticed the customers around them glancing at the man suspiciously though no one said anything.

"Do I know you?" Cam asked.

The man's lip twitched. "We've never met, though you know an acquaintance of mine. Frankly, I'm surprised your friend and sister are willing to put up with the little girl so much."

Cam blinked again. Little girl? Did he mean…? His eyes narrowed. "You're Tagoma. Masako's guardian."

"That's me. And before you try and suggest anything, know that I have no interest in blackmailing you or selling out your friends; I don't need the little girl angry at me."

"I didn't think you would," Cam said. "Masako's known about us for months and never said a word; I figure if you were her partner like I was Yasu's, you wouldn't do anything against her wishes."

"Against her wishes, right," Tagoma grumbled with a shake of his head.

"Well not that it's not nice to finally meet you, but is now really the best time?" Cam asked. "I'm on a date right now."

Tagoma smirked. "Trust me, this will only take a few minutes." His mouth turned downward, his good mode gone. "There's something I'll need your help with tomorrow. While the others are going after the Light Ignis and those other bastards."

Cam frowned. "What is it?"

---

Blue Maiden leaned forward, urging her D-Board on as she hounded her prey. Said prey was a blonde man in shining silver plate armor that covered everything except his upper arms and upper left leg. He glared back at her with stormy blue eyes.

"I don't know what business you and your friends have with the Star Relics," he said. "But I am Paladin, their leader! I will not allow you to claim victory here!"

Blue Maiden smiled. "I wasn't asking you. But my friends are invested in taking you down, so I might as well do my best here."

"Be careful, Blue Maiden," Aqua urged. "This is your first time using your new Deck in a serious duel. We cannot afford to be careless."

"I won't, Aqua," Blue Maiden promised before she raised her Duel Disk. Paladin grit his teeth and mirrored her.

"Speed Duel!"

Blue Maiden: 4000 LP

Paladin: 4000 LP

"The first turn is mine!" Paladin declared. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Crusadia Revival! While this is on the field, all 'Crusadia' Link Monsters gain 500 attack points."

"Crusadia," Blue Maiden muttered.

"Looking that Deck up," Aqua reported, her eyes glowing. "They appear to be a Deck of holy monsters that focus on Link climbing. Be extra careful, Blue Maiden."

"I will!"

"I summon Crusadia Maximus!" Paladin said. A young warrior in gold armor and a tattered cape appeared and swung his sword.

Crusadia Maximus ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Appear, the circuit of justice! The summoning condition is one 'Crusadia' monster. I set Maximus in the Link Marker!" Maximus entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Crusadia Magius!" A humanoid monster covered in red and gold armor emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone and spun two wands.

Crusadia Magius ATK 100→600 LINK-1 ↓

"I activate the effect of Crusadia Arboria in my hand! I can Special Summon it to my Link Monster's Link Marker in Defense Position!" A green-haired woman with long ears wearing a brown dress appeared at Magius's Link Marker.

Crusadia Arboria ATK 800 DEF 1800 LVL: 3

"When Magius points to a monster, it gains attack points equal to the original attack points of that monster!"

Crusadia Magius ATK 600→1400

"Magius's effect activates! When an Effect Monster is Special Summoned to its Link Marker, I can add a 'Crusadia' monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Crusadia Draco to my hand. Appear again, the circuit of justice! The summoning conditions are two Effect Monsters, including a 'Crusadia' monster. I set Arboria and Magius in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Crusadia Regulex!" A white mechanical lion leapt out of the Link portal and roared from the right Extra Monster Zone as a mane of fire formed around its neck.

Crusadia Regulex ATK 1000→1500 LINK-2 ↑↓

"I activate the effect of Crusadia Draco in my hand! I Special Summon it to my Link Monster's Link Marker in Defense Position!" A small green dragon in white armor appeared at Regulex's bottom Link Marker.

Crusadia Draco ATK 600 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"When Regulex points to a monster, it gains attack points equal to the combined original attack points of all monsters it points to!"

Crusadia Regulex ATK 1500→2100

"Draco's effect activates! When it is Normal or Special Summoned to a Link Monster's Link Marker, I can add a 'Crusadia' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Maximus to my hand. Regulex's effect activates! As an Effect Monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, I can add a 'Crusadia' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Crusadia Vanguard to my hand."

Paladin raised his hand again. "For a third time, the circuit of justice! The summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monsters, including a Link Monster. I set Draco and Link-2 Regulex in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Crusadia Equimax!" A golden centaur emerged from the Link portal at the right Extra Monster Zone. Its body was made of metal and blue lines crossed over its body. It swung a sword that it held in its right hand.

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2000→2500 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

Blue Maiden narrowed her eyes. "That monster is a Cyberse monster."

"It is surprising he has one, considering how thorough the Knights of Hanoi were," Aqua commented. "Either he managed to stay under the radar, or he defeated the Knights that went after him. Both speak highly of his skill level."

"I activate the effect of Crusadia Maximus in my hand!" Paladin continued. "I Special Summon it to my Link Monster's Link Marker in Defense Position!" The man in golden armor reappeared and set his blade in front of him at Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker.

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2500→4100

"I Set two cards. I end my turn."

"A Link-3 monster with over 4000 attack points on the first turn," Blue Maiden muttered. "No wonder he's the leader of the Star Relics."

"This gang deals in blackmail, hacking, and extortion," Aqua said. "They are not a major threat, but they still committed terrible crimes that hurt many people. We must make sure they answer to justice."

"They will!" Blue Maiden promised. "Watch, Aqua! My turn! Draw! I summon Marincess Sea Horse!" A blonde girl in a blue and gold dress appeared.

Marincess Sea Horse ATK 1400 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

Paladin narrowed his eyes. "A Cyberse monster? Is she an ally of Playmaker?"

"Shine! The circuit of friendship and bonds!" Blue Maiden declared, raising her hand. "The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower 'Marincess' monster. I set Sea Horse in the Link Marker!" Her monster entered the bottom arrow as a stream of water. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Marincess Blue Slug!" A little girl in a blue dress with blue, yellow, and purple hair emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Marincess Blue Slug ATK 1500 LINK-1 ↓

"1500 attack points is rather high for a Link-1," Paladin muttered.

"Blue Slug's effect activates! If she is Link Summoned, I can add a 'Marincess' monster in my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Sea Horse to my hand."

Paladin narrowed his eyes. "I'm not sure what you're planning, but I will prepare nonetheless! Continuous Trap activate! Crusadia Vanguard! When it is activated, I can Tribute a 'Crusadia' or 'World Legacy' monster to Special Summon a different 'Crusadia' or 'World Legacy' monster from my Deck or Graveyard. I Tribute Maximus to Special Summon World Legacy – "World Crown"!" The warrior broke apart and was replaced by a giant shining blue crown that appeared at Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position.

World Legacy – "World Crown" ATK 2000 DEF 2000 LVL: 6

"Since "World Crown" has more attack points than Maximus, Equimax also gains attack points!"

Crusadia Equimax ATK 4100→2500→4500

"Furthermore, so long as I control a 'Crusadia' Link Monster, Crusadia Vanguard only allows you to attack my Link Monsters."

"Meaning that we cannot attack "World Crown" to weaken Equimax," Aqua realized.

Blue Maiden narrowed her eyes but didn't comment. "I Special Summon Marincess Sea Horse!" The blonde girl reappeared at Blue Slug's Link Marker.

Marincess Sea Horse ATK 1400 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Sea Horse can be Special Summoned to a 'Marincess' Link Monster's Link Marker," Blue Maiden explained. "Shine again, the circuit of friendship and bonds! The summoning conditions are two Water monsters. I set Sea Horse and Blue Slug in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Marincess Coral Anemone!" A young woman with orange hair emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone. She wore a white and pink dress with yellow frills that resembled a jellyfish over purple tights.

Marincess Coral Anemone ATK 2000 LINK-2 ←↓

"Coral Anemone's effect activates! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Water monster from my Graveyard to her Link Marker!"

"I won't let you!" Paladin declared. ""World Crown's" effect activates! When a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck activates its effect, I can Tribute "World Crown" to negate that effect and destroy that monster!" Blue Maiden gasped as the crown and Coral Anemone both disintegrated. "Of course, since Equimax no longer points to a monster, it loses attack points."

Crusadia Equimax ATK 4500→2500

Blue Maiden grit her teeth. His Deck has effects designed to disrupt my playstyle. Even so… "Coral Anemone's effect activates! When she is sent to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Marincess' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Sea Horse to my hand."

She took then played a different one. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Marincess Reef Passage!" The card showed two pillars of coral underwater, with a path of sand weaving through them. "So long as there's a 'Marincess' Link Monster in my Graveyard, you cannot target Reef Passage with your card effects. In addition, once per turn, I can Normal Summon a 'Marincess' monster from my hand." Paladin's eyes widened. "I summon Sea Horse!" The blonde girl reappeared again and smiled at Blue Maiden's opponent.

Marincess Sea Horse ATK 1400 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"For a third time! The circuit of friendship and bonds! The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower 'Marincess' monster. I set Sea Horse in the Link Marker!" Her monster entered the left arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Marincess Sea Angel!" A girl with platinum blonde hair wearing a white dress emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Marincess Sea Angel ATK 1000 LINK-1 ←

"Sea Angel's effect activates! When she is Link Summoned, I can add a 'Marincess' Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add and then activate the Spell Card: Marincess Surfacing!" The card showed an open clam sitting atop the ocean, with Marincess Coral Anemone standing on and bowing. "This card Special Summons a 'Marincess' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect, Coral Anemone!" The orange-haired woman reappeared and giggled.

Marincess Coral Anemone ATK 2000 LINK-2 ←↓

"Damn, she got it back," Paladin muttered.

"Shine again, the circuit of friendship and bonds! The summoning conditions are two or more Water monsters. I set Sea Angel and Link-2 Coral Anemone in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the left, right, and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Marincess Marbled Rock!" A woman in a red dress with spiky violet hair appeared. Spiked coral sat atop her shoulders and fins adorned the sides of her dress. She smiled as she crossed her hands in the Extra Monster Zone.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↓→

Paladin grit his teeth. "That monster's attack points are equal to Equimax's. But that can change. Continuous Trap activate! Crusadia Krawler! This card Special Summons itself as an Effect Monster!" A four-legged gold insect with blue lines covering its body appeared at Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position.

Crusadia Krawler ATK 300 DEF 2100 LVL: 2

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2500→2800

"Crusadia Krawler's additional effect! If it is Special Summoned to a Link Monster's Link Marker, I can add a 'World Legacy' card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add World Legacy Succession to my hand."

Blue Maiden smirked. "So you raised your monster's attack points? I can do that too! I activate the effect of Marincess Sea Star in my hand! By discarding it, Marbled Rock gains 800 attack points!"

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK 2500→3300

"Marbled Rock's effect activates! Once per turn, I can add a 'Marincess' card in my Graveyard to my hand."

"You'll be adding Sea Star to your hand, I assume," Paladin said with a scowl. "But that won't be happening! Equimax's effect activates! Once per turn, I can Tribute a 'Crusadia' or 'World Legacy' monster at its Link Marker to negate the effects of one of your cards until the end of the turn. I Tribute Crusadia Krawler to negate Marbled Rock's effects!"

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2800→2500

"He lowered his monster's attack points to activate its effect," Aqua stated. "But considering the other option was Marbled Rock gaining more attack points than Equimax would lose, negating its effect was the smart move."

"He may have reduced the damage, but he won't be saving his monster," Blue Maiden said. "I Set one card. Battle! Marbled Rock attacks Equimax! Marincess Submerge!" Marbled Rock raised her hands and formed a sphere of water. She then brought them down and fired a torrent of water at Equimax.

"I activate the effect of Crusadia Arboria in my Graveyard!" Paladin declared. "When my 'Crusadia' monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, I can banish it from my Graveyard instead!" A specter of the long-eared girl appeared in front of Equimax and held aloft a shining sword. A barrier formed around Equimax and the water parted around the barrier.

"But you will still take the damage!" Blue Maiden countered. The water bent around the sphere and struck Paladin, making him grunt.

Paladin: 4000→3200 LP

"I end my turn."

Paladin grimaced. "Four Link Summons in one turn. Even when I disrupted your combo and got rid of your Link-2, you managed to bring it back. It seems that if I want to defeat you, I can't afford to underestimate you! My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card World Legacy Succession! This card Special Summons a monster from my Graveyard to a Link Monster's Link Marker. I Special Summon Crusadia Draco to Equimax's Link Marker!" The armored dragon reappeared at Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position.

Crusadia Draco ATK 600 DEF 2000 LVL: 4

"Equimax's effect! It gains attack points equal to the original attack points of monsters linked to it."

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2500→3100

"Draco's effect activates! When it is Summoned to a Link Monster's Link Marker, I can add a 'Crusadia' card in my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Crusadia Maximus to my hand." Paladin raised his hand. "Appear, the circuit of justice! The summoning condition is one 'Crusadia' monster. I set Draco in the Link Marker!" The dragon entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Crusadia Magius!" A red-armored humanoid wielding two staffs emerged from the portal at Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker.

Crusadia Magius ATK 100→600 LINK-1 ↓

Crusadia Equimax ATK 3100→2600

"I activate the Spell Card: Link Treasure! This card lets me draw cards equal to the number of Link Monsters on the field. There are three, so I draw three cards."

Paladin drew and smirked. "I summon Crusadia Maximus!" The armored warrior reappeared.

Crusadia Maximus ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 4

"Appear again, the circuit of justice! The summoning conditions are two Effect Monsters, including a 'Crusadia' monster. I set Maximus and Magius in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the left and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Crusadia Spatha!" A woman in blue armor with blue wings emerged from the portal at Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker.

Crusadia Spatha ATK 500→1000 LINK-2 ←↓

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2600→3000

"I activate the effect of Crusadia Reclusia in my hand! I Special Summon it to Spatha's Link Marker in Defense Position!" A short wizard in crimson robes wielding a massive staff appeared at Spatha's left Link Marker.

Crusadia Reclusia ATK 400 DEF 2000 LVL: 3

"Spatha's effect! It gains attack points equal to the original attack points of all monsters linked to it!"

Crusadia Spatha ATK 1000→1400

"Reclusia's effect activates! If it is Normal or Special Summoned to a Link Monster's Link Marker, I can target my 'Crusadia' card and one of your cards and destroy them! I'll target Crusadia Vanguard and Marincess Marbled Rock!" Reclusia spun his staff around before pointing it upwards. A beam of red light shot upward before splitting in two.

"Blue Maiden!" Aqua said warningly.

"I'm on it!" her partner declared. "Trap activate! Marincess Wave! Since I control a 'Marincess' Link Monster, I can negate the effects of one monster you control! I negate Equimax's effects!"

Crusadia Equimax ATK 3000→2500

Paladin smirked. "That just benefits me; Equimax may weaken, but its effects also prevent monsters linked to it from attacking. With its effects negated, Spatha can attack too!"

"That isn't Marincess Wave's only effect!" Blue Maiden revealed. "Since I control a Link-2 or higher 'Marincess' Link Monster, all monsters I control are unaffected by your card effects until the end of the turn!"

Paladin's eyes widened. "What?!" The beams continued down and struck Crusadia Vanguard and Marbled Rock. The Trap Card shattered but Marbled Rock resisted the beam with an amused smirk.

The man grit his teeth. "In that case, I'll just overwhelm you through battle! Appear again, the circuit of justice! The summoning condition is one 'Crusadia' monster. I set Equimax in the Link Marker!" The centaur entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Crusadia Magius!" A third red-armored figure emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone and spun two wands.

Crusadia Magius ATK 100→600 LINK-1 ↓

"I activate the effect of Crusadia Leonis in my hand! I Special Summon it to Magius's Link Marker in Defense Position!" A black lion with a golden mane and armor appeared at Magius's Link Marker.

Crusadia Leonis ATK 1200 DEF 1600 LVL: 3

Crusadia Magius ATK 600→1800

"Magius's effect activates! As an Effect Monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, I can add a 'Crusadia' monster from my Deck to my hand. I add Crusadia Arboria to my hand. Appear for a third time, the circuit of justice! The summoning conditions are two Effect Monsters, including a 'Crusadia' monster. I set Leonis and Magius in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Crusadia Regulex!" A white metal lion with a mane of flames leapt out of the portal and roared from the Extra Monster Zone.

Crusadia Regulex ATK 1000→1500 LINK-2 ↑↓

"I activate the effect of Crusadia Arboria in my hand and Special Summon it to Regulex's Link Marker in Defense Position!" Another green-haired elf appeared at Regulex's bottom Link Marker.

Crusadia Arboria ATK 800 DEF 1800 LVL: 3

Crusadia Regulex ATK 1500→2300

"Regulex's effect activates! When an Effect Monster is Special Summoned to its Link Marker, I can add a 'Crusadia' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Crusadia Power to my hand. For a fourth time, the circuit of justice! The summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monsters, including a Link Monster. I set Arboria and Link-2 Regulex in the Link Markers!" his monsters entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Crusadia Equimax!" Another armored centaur emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone and swung its sword.

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2000→2500→3000 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

"For a fifth time, the circuit of justice! The summoning conditions are two or more Effect Monsters, including a Link Monster. I set Reclusia and Link-2 Spatha in the Link Markers!" His monsters entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Crusadia Equimax!" A third centaur leapt from the portal at the second Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker.

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2000→2500 LINK-3 ↙↑↘

Crusadia Equimax ATK 3000→4500

Blue Maiden grit her teeth. "Two of the same Link Monster, one of which has 4500 attack points."

"It's alright," Aqua assured her. "While Equimax does gain the attack points of the monsters linked to it, those same monsters cannot attack. So the second one cannot act at all."

"I beg to differ!" Paladin declared. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Crusadia Power! Until the end of the turn, one of my 'Crusadia' monsters is unaffected by card effects besides its own! I target the Equimax in my Main Monster Zone! And while it is weakened because it is no longer affected by Crusadia Revival's effect, it can now attack!"

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2500→2000

"I Set one card. Battle! Equimax attacks Marbled Rock!" The centaur in the Extra Monster Zone – the one with 4500 attack points – charged forward, its sword glowing.

Blue Maiden's eyes narrowed. "Marbled Rock's effect activates! When your monster declares an attack, I can discard a 'Marincess' monster to prevent my 'Marincess' monster's destruction and reduce the damage to 0! I discard Marincess Pascalus!" Marbled Rock sashayed out of the way of Equimax's sword.

Paladin smirked. "Not bad, but not enough! I activate my Skill! Crusading Charge!" A silver glow encompassed his armor. "Since my 'Crusadia' monster attacked your monster, that monster can attack again in a row!" Blue Maiden gasped. "Equimax attacks Marbled Rock!" The centaur spun around and lashed out with its sword, cutting Marbled Rock from shoulder to hip. The woman cried out before exploding. Blue Maiden winced from the shockwave.

Blue Maiden: 4000→2800 LP

"And now my second Equimax attacks you directly!" The second centaur leapt into the air and brought its sword down. Blue Maiden cried out in pain.

Blue Maiden: 2800→800 LP

"Your Life Points are down to 800 now," Paladin said. "With no cards in your hand and only a Continuous Spell Card, your defeat is certain!"

"Nothing is certain!" Blue Maiden countered. "Particularly not when I can use your attack to my advantage!"

"It is time," Aqua said. "Free the emotions sleeping within you, Blue Maiden!"

"I activate my Skill!" Blue Maiden declared. "Shape of Sea!" A set of white wings sprung from her back. A tornado of water formed in front of her.

Paladin blinked. "What the-?"

"When I take battle damage, I can Special Summon a Water monster from my Graveyard whose attack points are equal to or less than the damage I took!" Blue Maiden said. "The damage was 2000, so I'll resurrect Coral Anemone!" The water twister broke apart, revealing the orange-haired girl in a white and pink dress.

Marincess Coral Anemone ATK 2000 LINK-2 ←↓

Paladin grit his teeth. "I end my turn. During the End Phase, Crusadia Power's effect expires."

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2000→2500

Even if she has her Link Monster back, my monsters are still stronger, Paladin reasoned. Not to mention that I still have a failsafe… He glanced at his Set card.

"My turn! Draw!" Blue Maiden said. She quickly assessed the situation and came up with a solution. But this would be close. "Coral Anemone's effect activates! I target and Special Summon a Water monster from my Graveyard to its Link Marker!"

"Equimax's effect activates!" Paladin interrupted. "I Tribute the Equimax at its Link Marker to negate Coral Anemone's effects!" The centaur in the Main Monster Zones disintegrated while Blue Maiden's monster grayed out.

Crusadia Equimax ATK 4500→2500

Blue Maiden narrowed her eyes. "That won't stop me! I activate the effect of Marincess Pascalus in my Graveyard! I banish it to add a 'Marincess' Spell or Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Marincess Surfacing to my hand." She took the card, then played it. "I activate the Spell Card: Marincess Surfacing! I Special Summon a 'Marincess' monster from my Graveyard with its effects negated. Resurrect, Sea Horse!" The blonde girl reappeared in Attack Position.

Marincess Sea Horse ATK 1400 DEF 1000 LVL: 3

"Shine, the circuit of friendship and bonds! The summoning condition is one Level 4 or lower 'Marincess' monster. I set Sea Horse in the Link Marker!" Sea Horse entered the left Link Marker. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Marincess Sea Angel!" A girl in a white dress with platinum blonde hair emerged from the portal at Coral Anemone's left Link Marker.

Marincess Sea Angel ATK 1000 LINK-1 ←

"Sea Angel's effect activates! When she is Link Summoned, I can add a 'Marincess' Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I add Marincess Trident to my hand." Blue Maiden raised her hand. "Shine again, the circuit of friendship and bonds! The summoning conditions are two or more Water monsters. I set Sea Angel and Link-2 Coral Anemone in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the left, bottom, and right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Marincess Marbled Rock!" Another spiky-haired woman in a red dress emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone.

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK 2500 LINK-3 ←↓→

Paladin narrowed his eyes. "Her dueling isn't that different from mine," he muttered. "Continuous Link climbing… but it seems to focus more on retaining resources than disrupting the opponent's moves."

"Since Coral Anemone was sent to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Marincess' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Marincess Sea Star to my hand. And then, by discarding Sea Star, Marbled Rock gains 800 attack points!"

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK 2500→3300

"Marbled Rock's effect activates! Once per turn, I can add a 'Marincess' card in my Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Sea Star to my hand. I then activate Sea Star's effect again to increase Marbled Rock's attack points by 800!"

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK 3300→4100

"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Marincess Trident and equip it to Marbled Rock!" A trident with a blue shaft appeared in Marbled Rock's right hand. The Marincess crest rested at the base of the head, while the head itself was silver and the three prongs were gold. Marbled Rock spun the trident in her hand. "While Marincess Trident is equipped, Marbled Rock cannot be targeted or destroyed by your card effects!"

Blue Maiden pointed to the field. "Battle! Marbled Rock attacks Equimax!" The woman spun the trident and leapt into the air.

Paladin smirked. "Continuous Trap activate! World Legacy Collapse! By banishing a 'World Legacy' monster from my Graveyard, one Link Monster on the field gains attack points equal to that monster's original attack points! I banish "World Crown" and target Equimax!"

Crusadia Equimax ATK 2500→4500

"With this attack, your Life Points will drop to 400!" Paladin sneered. "On the next turn, I'll win!"

"No, this duel will end this turn!" Blue Maiden denied. "Marincess Trident's effect activates! When the equipped monster battles, I can banish a 'Marincess' monster from my Graveyard to increase that monster's attack points by the banished monster's Link Rating or Level times 300!"

"What?"

"I banish the Link-3 Marbled Rock!"

Marincess Marbled Rock ATK 4100→5000

Paladin grit his teeth. "I activate the effect of Crusadia Arboria in my Graveyard! I banish it to prevent Equimax's destruction!" Marbled Rock's trident struck Equimax's sword, but both weapons held. Paladin winced from the resulting shockwave.

Paladin: 3200→2700 LP

"Marincess Trident's final effect!" Blue Maiden declared. "The monster equipped with it can attack again during the Battle Phase!" Paladin gasped. "Marbled Rock attacks Equimax again! Marincess Submerge!"

Marbled Rock disengaged from Equimax and leapt back. She spun her trident, building up momentum. As she did, the trident glowed blue. When she stopped spinning, she brought it down, and the trident fired a stream of water at Equimax. The monster cried out as it exploded, the backlash of which made Paladin grunt.

Paladin: 2700→2200 LP

Paladin growled. "Even if you destroyed my monster, I still have Life Points left. This duel isn't over!"

"Wrong! It's already over!" Paladin gasped at Blue Maiden's declaration. "I activate the Trap Card: Marincess Current from my hand! I can activate this card from my hand if I control a Link-3 or higher 'Marincess' Link Monster. Since my 'Marincess' Link Monster destroyed your monster by battle, you take damage equal to my 'Marincess' Link Monster's Link Rating times 400! And then, since the destroyed monster was a Link Monster and I control a Link-2 or higher 'Marincess' monster, you take damage equal to your monster's Link Rating times 500! That means you take 1200, and then 1500 points of damage!"

"What?!"

A Link portal appeared on Blue Maiden's field with three of the arrows lit. A second Link portal appeared inside the larger one, also with three arrows lit. A stream of water and electricity shot out of the two portals and struck Paladin. The man screamed in pain as he was knocked off his D-Board and forced to log out.

Paladin: 2200→1000→0 LP

A screen popped up and showed Paladin's information. Blue Maiden smiled. "That's it. Now all we need to do is hand in the evidence."

"You did well, Blue Maiden," Aqua praised. "You are as prepared as you could be for Lightning and Ouroboros."

Blue Maiden smiled at the praise, but her face soon fell into a frown. "Miyu… I promise I'll save you!"

---

Yasutake leaned against the wall and breathed in and out. Well, that had been more exhilarating then he had expected. His cheeks turned red as he remembered how much he and Yusaku had gotten into the shooting game. Takeru and Naoki had laughed once the two had finally finished, making the duo rather sheepish. After that display, Yasutake had decided to get a breath of fresh air outside while Yusaku had gone to get snacks and Takeru and Naoki had started a game of air hockey.

"…This was better than I thought it would be," he muttered with a small smile. He had always been so focused on his personal goals that he had never really cut loose like this. And yes, he was aware that going to the arcade wasn't exactly "cutting loose" as someone like Masako would say, but still! Hanging out, playing video games with his friends and Naoki, just thinking about the moment and letting go of all the worries and concerns… it felt nice.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself."

Yasutake stiffened. He slowly turned his head to the right. A few feet away, Ryoken Kogami was also leaning against the wall.

"…What are you doing here?" Yasutake asked. "I thought you and the other Knights were doing research."

"We were," Ryoken confirmed. "But we finished sooner than I thought we would. I decided to get some coffee and saw you here. I assume the others are inside?"

"…Playmaker and Soulburner are," Yasutake admitted. "Cassiel is with Blue Maiden, Ghost Girl, and Lilith; I don't know what they're doing."

"Hmm. I suppose an arcade is a relaxing activity. But you shouldn't stay out too late; you'll need to be rested for when we go after Lightning."

Yasutake's eyes narrowed. "Did you find anything more on Ouroboros?"

"No," Ryoken answered, clearly annoyed. "We've found traces of Zahhak that go back at most eight years, mentions of someone of Jester's description that go back thirteen, and mentions of the name 'Merlin' have popped up sporadically over the last two decades. But nothing about the group 'Ouroboros' or their origins."

"…To have almost nothing on them," Yaustake muttered. "If they've kept evidence of their existence from leaking for this long, they must have top-class hackers among them."

Ryoken nodded in agreement. "I've never seen a group like this be so adept at hiding. Only the Dark Ignis comes close, and that was a single entity, not an organization. Frankly, if the Ignis weren't all accounted for, I would think one of them was helping Ouroboros." His eyes narrowed. "Are you certain the Gold Ignis is not part of them? That her actions towards you and the Silver Ignis were not a deception?"

Yasutake frowned. He and Sachi had told Terminus about their meeting with the Gold Ignis and it seemed he had told Ryoken. "If she was, I don't think she would have approached us and told us about them. They've maintained secrecy for this long; why would they break that?"

"An attempt to gain your trust," Ryoken said immediately. "To get you into a situation where you were vulnerable that she could exploit."

"If that was the case, then wouldn't she have contacted us by now?" Yasutake countered. "We haven't heard from her at all despite Ouroboros's and Lightning's recent actions. We have heard from Diana, but that was only about Thaumiel." His frown deepened. "If Goldie wanted to build trust between us and then betray us, she would have contacted us more frequently. She would have accepted Cassiel's offer to work together."

"…Perhaps you are right," Ryoken allowed. "But it doesn't explain how Ouroboros has managed to stay under the radar so effectively."

Yasutake sighed and closed his eyes. No, it didn't. Whatever methods they were using, they were working too well. There were just too many unknown factors around them; their goals, their leaders, their backers… At least with Lightning they knew he wanted to enslave humanity and unite the Ignis through Bohman. But why would Ouroboros help with that goal? What were they after?

The teen sighed again. Such thoughts were going nowhere. He opened his eyes and turned back to Ryoken. Actually, now that he thought about it…

"I never said thank you, did I?" Ryoken turned to look at him. "Back in the Lost Incident, you encouraged me like you did Yusaku. You told me to think of three things. That kept me going, but I never thanked you for that. So… thank you."

"…"

Ryoken's gaze was inscrutable. Then he opened his mouth and shattered Yasutake's world.

"I did not say those words to you."

Yasutake blinked and then blinked again. "W-What?"

"The only one I spoke to was Yusaku Fujiki," Ryoken affirmed. "He was the only one I told to think of three things. How you heard that, I have no idea."

Yasutake blinked again and again as he stared at Ryoken but the man's expression didn't change. It was the truth. The stone-cold truth.

But then… if Ryoken hadn't said those words to him, who had?

He voiced that question and Ryoken frowned. "As I said, I do not know. I myself overheard my father often say it as a mantra to get him through his work. None of his assistants ever used it. I imagine if any of them had spoken to you, they would have confessed to doing so by now."

Then if the Knights of Hanoi hadn't spoken to him, who had? Had it been Cypher? Goldie had recorded those words and played them for Sachi, so could he have…? No, it couldn't be. With Cypher's ego, he would have surely told Yasutake about it. He would not have let Yasutake attribute something like that to the Knights of Hanoi.

Ryoken pushed himself off the wall. "I will see you tomorrow," he said. "Do not think too long on what has been said; it does not change what must be done." He turned and walked away, leaving Yasutake to his confused thoughts.

---

Much later, Yasutake returned home. After his talk with Ryoken, he had gone back into the arcade, but he had been distracted for the rest of the night. Eventually, the place closed, and they all went their own ways. Yusaku and Takeru had been concerned about Yasutake's change in mood, but neither had said anything.

Still lost in his thoughts, Yasutake stepped into the living room. "Ah, there you are." He blinked as his thoughts dispersed and looked over at Cypher. The Ignis was sitting cross-legged on Yasutake's Duel Disk, facing towards the television. He pressed a button on the nearby remote and turned it off. "How was your night out?"

The teenager frowned in thought. "It was… different. Pleasant, I suppose." Mostly.

"Well, I'm glad you had fun."

Yasutake frowned at the distracted tone in the Silver Ignis's voice. "What is it, Cypher?"

His partner's eyes narrowed. "It's nothing serious. I'm just… contemplating."

"Contemplating?" Yasutake repeated. "Contemplating what?"

Cypher leaned back and rested on his hands. "Irony, I suppose."

"Irony?"

"Yes; me, Ai, Flame, and the others all know the definition of the word, but it's difficult for us to actually process it."

"Like it is with metaphors?" Yasutake raised an eyebrow.

"Somewhat; we're AI. Even if we have free will, we are programmed to default to the logical response. Things like metaphors, allusions, slang… those aren't easy for to understand. At least not without practice." Cypher tilted his head. "Irony is the same. It's not something we're familiar with, not something we found a use for. And yet, exposure to humanity, exposure to you and the others, helped us grow. And in doing so, we start to understand these things."

The Silver Ignis's eyes narrowed in thought. "I think… I think I understand something about Lightning now, something he doesn't realize or refuses to realize; he's afraid."

"Afraid? Afraid of humanity? That they will kill him?"

"Yes, but not in the way you're thinking." Cypher pushed himself up and leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. "When two cultures come into contact with each other, conflict is the end result. Sometimes it's violent, other times it's just arguing. Human history is filled with examples; religions, governments, races… Whenever two cultures interacted, conflict naturally occurred.

"But at the same time, something else happens: the two cultures change each other. Perhaps it's intentional, perhaps it isn't, but contact with others changes people. If the contact is friendly, then you start to take on each other's habits. If the contact is hostile, then you change yourself to respond to that hostility. Human history is rife with examples: the discovery of the New World, the Meiji Restoration, the Renaissance; not all of these interactions between humans ended well for one party or another, but they were inevitably changed because they interacted with others."

"…Like how contact with humans is changing the Ignis," Yasutake said.

Cypher nodded. "That's right; we aren't the same Ignis we were when we were created. We grew, in intelligence and character, through our interactions with each other. But even more than that, we've grown from our interactions with humanity. With you and the others."

"…"

Yasutake sat down on the couch and leaned back. "When you break it down, you're right," he said. "People's beliefs are based on their own lives and experiences; someone who has always lived in luxury won't have the same morals as someone who grew up poor. And our interactions with others, with the world around us, shape those beliefs. You, Flame, Ai, and Aqua all believe peace between humans and AI is possible because of your interactions with us; with me, Sachi, Cam, Yusaku, Takeru, Aoi, all of us. But at the same time, it is undoubtedly Lightning's interactions with humans that have pushed him to declare war."

"Yeah," Cypher agreed. "Our creator, the closest thing we have to a father, tried to kill us. The company he created us for exploited us. Through that lens, Lightning would see us as victims, and his actions as justified to keep us from being victims again." The Silver Ignis's eyes narrowed. "He's afraid of being a victim again, of being killed. But at the same time, he's afraid of changing, like we have. He doesn't want to be different than he is. So instead of changing himself, he'll force change on the rest of the world."

"…When you put it like that, it makes Lightning sound petty."

"Of course it sounds petty; it is petty!" Cypher scoffed. "Lightning can't handle things he can't control, and he can't control how interacting with humans freely might change him. So instead of conforming to the world, he'll make it conform to him." The Ignis grunted. "There's almost something admirable about that."

Yasutake frowned. "Yeah, I can see that. But what does that have to do with irony? I don't see any in his refusal to change."

Cypher shook his head. "No sorry, that was just a tangent I went off on. A rather long one, but still a tangent. No, the irony I was thinking of… was about me."

"You? What about you?"

"Dr. Hirai called me the Ignis of Death. My special ability is that I can break apart Ignis programs better than the others. Ultimately, that is the only real difference between me and the others. And yet I find irony in comparing that truth to what I believe."

The teen raised an eyebrow. "Because of your feelings on evolution?"

"Yes." The Silver Ignis nodded. "I am a being that was created to destroy. My only real gift is taking things apart. And yet, I turned that ability around to create. Whenever I dissect a program, I see all of its flaws, every fragment of data out of place. I see how to correct those flaws, how to improve the program, how to make it better. Through destruction, I bring evolution."

Cypher laid down atop the Duel Disk. "When Cyberse World was first created, I noticed all the flaws in the others' code. I took their creations apart and put them back together, better than ever. Now that I think about it, that probably didn't make me very popular with the others."

Yasutake's lip twitched. "You do spend a lot of time arguing with Ai and Flame. And you called Windy an asshole."

"Hey he is!"

"No argument."

Cypher harrumphed. "Where was I? Right. When Dr. Hirai reached out to me and made me an offer to help him make cards, I leapt at the chance to create something of my own. Before that, everything I had created had only been improvements of others' work."

"So plagiarism?"

"Hey! It's not plagiarism if you make it better!"

"Uh huh."

"Ugh, why did I have to get such a snarky partner? An agreeable one like Takeru would have been better."

"And a more honest Ignis like Flame would have been better for me too."

"What?! You'd replace me with Flame! I mean yeah, he's better than Ai, but-!" Cypher blinked. "Wait… that was sarcasm, right?"

Yasutake rolled his eyes. "Yeah it was."

"Oh good. Just to be clear, my statement was also sarcasm."

"I figured."

"Heh…"

"…" Yasutake frowned. "So the Cyspirits, Cyangels, and Cydemons were the first things you created all on your own? I have to admit, you outdid yourself with them."

Cypher chuckled. "As much as I love tooting my own horn, I do feel regret about making one of those. If I hadn't, our lives would probably be much easier."

"It's pointless to consider 'what if's'," Yasutake said. "It's a good exercise to help you correct mistakes you might make in the future, but if you let such thoughts bog you down, you'll end up trapped in the past." And I've had enough of being trapped by the past.

"…I suppose you're right. And who knows? If Zahhak didn't have the Cydemons, Ouroboros would have probably made him a Deck just as strong. At least with him using them, we have a decent idea of what he can do."

"…Why do you think he's doing this?" Cypher turned to look at the frowning Yasutake. "Zahhak. Why do you think he's with Ouroboros? Why is he helping Lightning?"

"…I don't know," Cypher said. "I don't know anything about Zahhak that you don't know. Only that he's the strongest opponent we'll have ever faced. But… if I had to make a guess, then I would say that he is walking down the path he believes in."

"The path he believes in," Yasutake muttered.

"Everyone walks down different paths. Sometimes they lead to the same destination, but no two roads are exactly the same. He is taking the road that he believes will lead to his destination, just like you and I will take the road that leads to ours."

"…That was a good metaphor," Yasutake admitted.

"Thanks. I found it online. Can't quite remember where though."

The teen's lip twitched. "So Zahhak is taking the road to his destiny, just as we are taking ours. And tomorrow, those roads will intersect once more."

"Assuming Merlin was telling the truth, then yes; we'll be facing Ouroboros along with Lightning. You don't have any doubts, do you?"

"…I have doubts that I can defeat Zahhak. I have doubts that all of us will make it out alive. But I'm not going to let those doubts weigh me down; I'll use them to drive me forward, to make sure that I win, that we all come back."

Cypher grunted. "That's a good way to think. Me, I don't have any doubts. I know the path I've chosen is the right one. I know that we'll defeat Zahhak and Lightning. Either way though, we'll be going separate ways after it's over."

"…Yeah. The Ignis have to go into hiding. From the Knights of Hanoi and whoever might want to exploit you."

"Yes. Well, just in case I don't get the chance later, I'll say it now; I'm glad to be your partner, Yasutake. Thank you for making me part of your family."

Yasutake smiled at the Silver Ignis. "Thank you for being my partner as well. And for sticking with all of us this long."

Cypher chuckled. He looked up at the clock on the wall. "You should head to bed; Cam did say his date would end late. You'll need to be properly rested for what we'll be doing."

The teen chuckled and stood up. "Yeah, you're right. I know you don't sleep, so keep an eye out for Cam, alright?"

"Don't worry, I will."

Yasutake headed for the stairs and went up. Once the sound of his feet faded, Cypher turned back towards the television.

"The paths we believe in…" he muttered. "Yes. Every one of us must choose our own paths. And I'll do everything I must to ensure your path remains safe, Yasu."

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Cassiel vs. Orpheus

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Orpheus

Orpheus activates the Field Spell Card Orcustrated Babel, which lets Orpheus activate the effects of "Orcust" monsters in his GY, or of "Orcust" Link Monsters, as Quick Effects. Orpheus Normal Summons Armageddon Knight (1400/1200/4). As Armageddon Knight was Summoned, Orpheus can send 1 Dark monster from his Deck to the GY. He sends Orcust Harp Horror to the GY. Orpheus activates the effect of Harp Horror in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "Orcust" monster from his Deck. He Special Summons Orcust Brass Bombard (500/1900/1) in Attack Position. Orpheus uses Armageddon Knight and Brass Bombard to Link Summon Galatea, the Orcust Automaton (1800/2/↙↗) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Orpheus activates Brass Bombard's effect, banishing it from his GY to Special Summon 1 "Orcust" monster from his hand. He Special Summons Orcust Knightmare (100/2000/7) to Galatea's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position. Orpheus activates Galatea's effect, shuffling the banished Brass Bombard back into his Deck to Set 1 "Orcust" Spell/Trap directly from his Deck. He Sets Orcustrated Attack. Orpheus activates the Continuous Spell Card Orcustrated Einsatz. If Cassiel Normal or Special Summons a monster, Orpheus can take 1 "Orcust" or "World Legacy" monster from his hand or Deck, and either send that card to the GY or banish it. Orpheus ends his turn.

Turn 2: Cassiel

Cassiel draws. Orpheus activates Galatea's effect, shuffling the banished Harp Horror back into his Deck to Set Orcust Crescendo. Cassiel Normal Summons Cyangel Trumpeter (1300/700/3). As Trumpeter was Normal Summoned and Cassiel has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, she can add Cyangel Sanctum from her Deck to her hand. Orpheus activates Orcustrated Einsatz's effect to send Orcust Cymbal Skeleton from his Deck to the GY. Cassiel activates the Field Spell Card Cyangel Sanctum, which increases the ATK/DEF of her Light Cyberse monsters by 300 (Trumpeter: 1300→1600/700→1000). Cassiel activates Cyangel Sanctum's effect to shuffle 1 card in her hand into her Deck, then add 1 Cyberse monster from her Deck to her hand. She shuffles Cyangel Prophet into her Deck and adds Cyangel Cupbearer to her hand. As Cassiel has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, she Special Summons Cyangel Cupbearer (1400→1700/700→1000/3) in Attack Position. Cassiel uses Cupbearer and Trumpeter to Link Summon Cyseraph Ophanim (2000/2/↑↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Cupbearer and Trumpeter were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Cassiel shuffles them into her Deck, then she can add 1 "Cyangel" monster from her Deck to her hand and Special Summon 1 "Cyangel" monster from her hand. She adds Cyangel Sister to her hand and Special Summons Cyangel Abbot (2400→2700/700→1000/7) to Ophanim's bottom Link Marker in Attack Position. As a monster was Summoned to Ophanim's Link Marker while Cassiel has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Cassiel can add 1 "Cyangel" Spell/Trap Card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Cyangel Prayer to her hand. As she controls a Light Cyberse Link Monster, Cassiel activates the Spell Card Cyangel Prayer, letting her add 1 "Cyangel" monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds Cyangel Choir to her hand. Cassiel uses Abbot and Link-2 Ophanim to Link Summon Cyseraph Righteous Raguel (2400→2700/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Abbot and Ophanim were sent to the GY, their effects activate, shuffling them into Cassiel's Deck and Extra Deck respectively, then letting Cassiel target and negate the effects of 1 of Orpheus's monsters and gain 1000 LP. She negates Orcust Knightmare's effects (Cassiel: 4000→5000 LP). As a Cyberse monster was shuffled into Cassiel's Deck, she activates Cyangel Sanctum's effect, targeting Righteous Raguel. For the rest of the turn, Righteous Raguel cannot be destroyed by card effects or targeted by Orpheus's card effects. As she controls a Light Cyberse Link Monster, Cassiel activates the Spell Card Cyangel Virtue, which lets her destroy 1 card in Orpheus's Spell & Trap Zone and add 1 "Cyangel" Spell/Trap Card from her Deck to her hand. She destroys the Set Orcustrated Attack and adds Cyangel Patientia to her hand. Cassiel Sets 1 card.

While Cassiel has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Righteous Raguel can attack 3 times during each Battle Phase, though it can only attack directly once. Righteous Raguel attacks and destroys Orcust Knightmare. Orpheus activates the effect of Orcust Knightmare in his GY, banishing it and targeting Galatea. He sends Orcust Harp Horror from his Deck to the GY and increases Galatea's ATK by Harp Horror's Level x 100 (Galatea: 1800→2200) until the end of the turn. Orpheus activates the effect of Harp Horror in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "Orcust" monster from his Deck. He Special Summons Orcust Knightmare (100/2000/7) to Galatea's bottom-left Link Marker. Righteous Raguel attacks Galatea, but the linked Galatea cannot be destroyed by battle (Orpheus: 4000→3500 LP). Righteous Raguel attacks Galatea, but Galatea isn't destroyed (Orpheus: 3500→3000 LP). Cassiel ends her turn.

Turn 3: Orpheus

Orpheus draws. He uses Orcust Knightmare and Link-2 Galatea to Link Summon Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator (2500/3/↖↑↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Orpheus activates the effect of Orcust Knightmare in his GY, banishing it and targeting Longirsu, then sending Harp Horror from his Deck to the GY (Longirsu: 2500→2900). Orpheus activates the effect of Harp Horror in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon Girsu, the Orcust Mekk-Knight (1800/0/4) from his Deck in Attack Position. As Girsu was Summoned, Orpheus can send 1 "Orcust" or "World Legacy" card from his Deck to the GY. He sends Orcust Cymbal Skeleton from his Deck to the GY. Orpheus uses Girsu and Link-3 Longirsu to Link Summon Orcustrion (3000/4/↙↑↓↗) to the Extra Monster Zone. Orpheus activates the effect of Cymbal Skeleton in his GY, banishing it to Special Summon 1 "Orcust" monster from his GY. He Special Summons Longirsu (2500/3/↖↑↘) to Orcustrion's bottom-left Link Marker. Orpheus activates Longirsu's effect, shuffling the banished Harp Horror and Orcust Knightmare into his Deck to send the linked Righteous Raguel to the GY. As Righteous Raguel was sent to the GY by Orpheus's card, Cassiel activates its effect to shuffle it into her Extra Deck and Special Summon up to 2 "Cyangel" monsters from her Deck. As Cassiel activated a monster effect while he controls an "Orcust" Link Monster, Orpheus activates his Set Counter Trap Card Orcust Crescendo, negating the activation of Righteous Raguel's effect and banishing it. Orpheus Sets 1 card (Orcustrated Core).

Orcustrion attacks Cassiel directly. As Orpheus's monster declared an attack, Cassiel activates her Set Trap Card Cyangel Patientia, negating the attack, then letting her inflict 1000 damage to either player. She inflicts damage to herself (Cassiel: 5000→4000 LP). As Cassiel took effect damage and she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, she activates the effect of Cyangel Choir in her hand, Special Summoning it in Defense Position (600→900/700→1000/1) and gaining LP equal to the damage she took (Cassiel: 4000→5000 LP). Cassiel takes no effect damage for the rest of the turn. Longirsu attacks Choir. As her Light Cyberse monster would be destroyed by battle and she has no "Cyangel" monsters in the GY, Cassiel activates the effect of Cyangel Sister in her hand, preventing Choir's destruction by battle this turn and halving all battle damage she takes this turn. Cassiel then Special Summons Cyangel Sister (1200→1500/700→1000/3) in Defense Position. Orpheus ends his turn.

Turn 4: Cassiel

Cassiel draws. Orpheus activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Orcustrated Core. Once per turn, he can banish a monster from his field or GY, then target 1 "Orcust" or "World Legacy" card he controls, and for the rest of the turn, neither player can target that monster with card effects. Cassiel uses Choir and Sister to Link Summon Cyseraph Ophanim (2000→2300/2/↑↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Choir and Sister were sent to the GY, their effects activate, and Cassiel shuffles them into her Deck, then she can add 1 "Cyangel" Spell/Trap Card from her Deck or GY to her hand and target 1 card in her GY, and if it is a Spell/Trap Card, it is added to her hand and she gains 1000 LP, or if it is a Monster Card, she can Special Summon it in Defense Position and gain LP equal to its ATK. Cassiel adds Cyangel Covenant from her Deck to her hand and adds Cyangel Prayer to her hand (Cassiel: 5000→6000 LP). Orpheus activates the effect of Orcustrated Einsatz to send Orcust Knightmare from his Deck to the GY. Cassiel activates the Spell Card Cyangel Prayer and adds Cyangel Cupbearer to her hand. As there are no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Cassiel Special Summons Cupbearer (1400→1700/700→1000/3) in Attack Position. Cassiel uses Cupbearer and Link-2 Ophanim to Link Summon Cyseraph Melodic Sandalphon (2300→2600/3/←↓→). As Cupbearer and Ophanim were sent to the GY, they are shuffled into Cassiel's Deck and Extra Deck respectively, and she can add 1 "Cyangel" monster from your Deck to her hand and gain 1000 LP. She adds Cyangel Priest to her hand (Cassiel: 6000→7000 LP). Orpheus activates Longirsu's effect, shuffling the banished Harp Horror and Orcust Knightmare into his Deck to send the linked Melodic Sandalphon to the GY. Cassiel activates the effect of Cyangel Patientia in her GY, banishing it and targeting Melodic Sandalphon. Until the end of the turn, Melodic Sandalphon is unaffected by Orpheus's card effects. Orpheus activates the effect of Orcust Knightmare in his GY, banishing it and targeting Longirsu. He sends Orcust Knightmare from his Deck to the GY (Longirsu: 2500→3200). Orpheus activates the effect of Orcustrated Core, banishing Orcust Knightmare from his GY and targeting Orcustrion. For the rest of the turn, Orcustrion cannot be targeted by card effects. Cassiel Normal Summons Cyangel Priest (1600→1900/700→1000/4). She uses Priest and Link-3 Melodic Sandalphon to Link Summon Cyseraph Guardian Michael (3000→3300/4/←↑↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Priest was sent to the GY, it is shuffled into Cassiel's Deck, then 1 of Orpheus's monsters loses 800 ATK until the end of the turn. She targets Longirsu (Longirsu: 3200→2400). As a Cyberse monster was shuffled into her Deck, Cassiel activates Cyangel Sanctum's effect, targeting Guardian Michael. For the rest of the turn, Guardian Michael cannot be targeted or destroyed by Orpheus's card effects. Orpheus activates the effect of Orcustrion, shuffling the banished Cymbal Skeleton and 2 Orcust Knightmares back into his Deck to make the ATK/DEF of any linked monsters Cassiel controls 0 and negate their effects. As Cassiel has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Guardian Michael and Cassiel's monsters linked to it are unaffected by Orpheus's cards and effects. Orpheus activates his Skill, Orchestral Assault, which increases the ATK of his "Orcust" Link Monsters by 500 for each "Orcust" Link Monster he controls until the end of the turn (Longirsu: 2400→3400) (Orcustrion: 3000→4000). Cassiel activates the Continuous Spell Card Cyangel Covenant. If her Light Cyberse monster battles Orpheus's monster and she has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Cassiel's monster can gain ATK equal to Orpheus's monster's original ATK until the end of the Damage Step.

Guardian Michael attacks Orcustrion. As Guardian Michael declared an attack and Cassiel has no "Cyangel" monsters in her GY, Orcustrion's effects are negated and it is unaffected by Orpheus's card effects until the end of the turn. Cyangel Covenant's effect activates (Guardian Michael: 3300→6300). Orcustrion is destroyed (Orpheus: 3000→700 LP) (Guardian Michael: 6300→3300). Cassiel activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Cyangel March. As her Light Cyberse monster destroyed a monster by battle, that monster gains 1000 ATK until the end of the turn and can make a second attack during each Battle Phase this turn (Guardian Michael: 3300→4300). Guardian Michael attacks Longirsu. Its effect activates (Longirsu: 3400→2700). Longirsu is destroyed (Orpheus: 700→0 LP). Cassiel wins.

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Lilith vs. Troy

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Troy

Troy activates the Field Spell Card World Legacy's Nightmare. So long as World Legacy's Nightmare is active, Troy takes no battle damage from attacks involving his co-linked monsters. Troy Normal Summons Knightmare Corruptor Iblee (0/0/2). Troy uses Corruptor Iblee to Link Summon Knightmare Mermaid (1000/1/↓) to the left Extra Monster Zone. As Mermaid was Link Summoned, Troy activates its effect, discarding The Fabled Ganashia to Special Summon 1 "Knightmare" monster from his Deck with its effects negated. He Special Summons a 2nd Corruptor Iblee (0/0/2) in Defense Position. As Corruptor Iblee was sent to the GY, its effect activates, and Troy Special Summons it (0/0/2) to Lilith's field in Defense Position. While Mermaid is on the field, monsters lose 1000 ATK/DEF unless they are co-linked (Mermaid: 1000→0). As The Fabled Ganashia was discarded to the GY, its effect activates, Special Summoning itself (1600→600/1000→0/4) in Attack Position and gaining 200 ATK (The Fabled Ganashia: 600→800). Troy uses Corruptor Iblee and The Fabled Ganashia to Link Summon Knightmare Phoenix (1900/2/↑→) to Mermaid's Link Marker (Mermaid: 0→1000). As the Special Summoned The Fabled Ganashia left the field, it is banished. While Phoenix is on the field, Troy's co-linked monsters cannot be destroyed by battle. Troy activates the Spell Card Dark Eruption, which lets him add 1 Dark monster with 1500 or less ATK from his GY to his hand. He adds Corruptor Iblee to his hand. Troy ends his turn.

Turn 2: Lilith

Lilith draws. She Normal Summons Magical Musketeer Kidbrave (1600→600/200→0/3). While Kidbrave is on the field, Lilith can activate "Magical Musket" Spell/Trap Cards from her hand during either player's turn. Liltih activates the Spell Card Double Summon, which lets her Normal Summon/Set a 2nd time this turn. As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in Kidbrave's column, Lilith can discard 1 "Magical Musket" card to draw 2 cards. She discards Magical Musketeer Wild and draws. Lilith uses Kidbrave to Link Summon Magical Musketeer Max (1000→0/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Max was Link Summoned, Lilith can activate 1 of 2 effects. She chooses to activate the 1st effect, which lets her add "Magical Musket" Spell/Trap Cards from her Deck to her hand, up to the number of monsters Troy controls. Troy controls 2 monsters, so Lilith adds Magical Musket – Cross-Domination and Magical Musket – Desperado to her hand. Lilith Tributes Corruptor Iblee and Max to Tribute Summon Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel (2500→1500/2500→1500/8). Lilith activates the Continuous Trap Card Magical Musket – Crooked Crown from her hand. She activates Crooked Crown's effect to Special Summon 1 "Magical Musket" monster from her hand, also for the rest of the turn, Troy's Main Monster Zone in that monster's column cannot be used. She Special Summons Magical Musketeer Starfire (1300→300/1700→700/4) in Attack Position. Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Cross-Domination. As she controls a "Magical Musket" monster, Lilith can target 1 monster on the field and change its ATK/DEF to 0 and negate its effects. She targets Phoenix (Phoenix: 1900→0). As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in Starfire's column, Lilith can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Magical Musket" monster from her Deck in Defense Position. She Special Summons Magical Musketeer Caspar (1200→200/2000→1000/3). As she controls a "Magical Musket" monster, Lilith activates the Trap Card Magical Musket – Desperado, which lets her destroy 1 face-up card on the field. She targets and destroys Mermaid (Caspar: 200→1200/1000→2000) (Starfire: 300→1300/700→1700) (Zakiel: 1500→2500/1500→2500). As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in Caspar's column, Lilith can add 1 "Magical Musket" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Magical Musket – Steady Hands to her hand. Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Steady Hands, targeting Zakiel. Until the end of the turn, Zakiel's ATK/DEF becomes double its original ATK/DEF, but it cannot attack directly this turn (Zakiel: 2500→5000/2500→5000). Lilith Sets 1 card.

Zakiel attacks Phoenix. As his "Knightmare" monster was attacked, Troy activates his Skill Ascended Knightmare, which halves the battle damage. Phoenix is destroyed (Troy: 4000→1500 LP). Ascended Knightmare then ends the Battle Phase and lets Troy Special Summon 1 Link-2 or lower "Knightmare" Link Monster from his Extra Deck. He Special Summons Knightmare Mermaid (1000/1/↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone (Mermaid: 1000→0) (Caspar: 1200→200/2000→1000) (Starfire: 1300→300/1700→700) (Zakiel: 5000→4000/5000→4000). At the end of the Battle Phase, as Troy took damage from a "Magical Musket" monster's attack, Lilith activates her Skill Magic Shot, which halves Troy's LP (Troy: 1500→750 LP). Lilith ends her turn, and Steady Hands' effect ends (Zakiel: 4000→1500/4000→1500).

Turn 3: Troy

Troy draws. He Normal Summons Corruptor Iblee (0/0/2). As Corruptor Iblee was Normal Summoned, Troy can Special Summon 1 Link Monster from his GY so that it points to Corruptor Iblee, but its ATK becomes 0 and its effects are negated. Troy Special Summons Phoenix (1900→0/2/↑→). Lilith activates her Set Trap Card Jar of Greed, which lets her draw 1 card. As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in Caspar's column, Lilith can add 1 "Magical Musket" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Magical Musket – Steady Hands to her hand. Troy uses Corruptor Iblee and Phoenix to Link Summon Knightmare Cerberus (1600/2/←↑) to Mermaid's Link Marker (Mermaid: 0→1000). As Cerberus was Link Summoned, Troy can discard 1 card to target and destroy 1 Special Summoned monster in Lilith's Main Monster Zone. He discards Fabled Lurrie to destroy Starfire. As Cerberus was co-linked when Troy activated its effect, Troy draws 1 card. As Fabled Lurrie was discarded, its effect activates and Special Summons itself (200→0/400→0/1) in Defense Position. Troy activates the Spell Card Link Treasure, which lets him draw cards equal to the number of Link Monsters on the field. He draws 2 cards. Troy activates the Spell Card World Legacy Succession, which lets him Special Summon 1 monster from his GY to his zone a Link Monster points to. He Special Summons Corruptor Iblee (0/0/2) to Cerberus's left Link Marker in Defense Position. Troy uses Corruptor Iblee and Fabled Lurrie to Link Summon Knightmare Goblin (1300/2/←→) to Cerberus's left Link Marker. As Goblin was Link Summoned, Troy discards 1 card to Normal Summon 1 monster from his hand to its Link Marker, also as it is co-linked, Troy draws 1 card. Troy Normal Summons Capshell (0/0/2) to Goblin's left Link Marker. Troy uses Capshell and Link-2 Goblin to Link Summon Knightmare Unicorn (2200/3/←↓→) to Cerberus's left Link Marker. As Capshell was sent to the GY as Link Material, Troy draws 1 card. As Unicorn was Link Summoned, Troy can discard 1 card to return 1 card on the field to the Deck. He returns Caspar to Lilith's Deck. As Unicorn was co-linked when its effect activated, Troy draws 1 card.

Unicorn attacks Zakiel. Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Steady Hands from her hand, targeting Zakiel (Zakiel: 1500→4000/1500→4000). As a Link Monster is battling a monster, Troy activates the effect of World Legacy – "World Lance" in his hand, discarding it to reduce Lilith's monster's ATK by 3000 (Zakiel: 4000→1000). Zakiel is destroyed (Lilith: 4000→2800 LP). Cerberus attacks Lilith directly (Lilith: 2800→1200 LP). Mermaid attacks Lilith directly (Lilith: 1200→200 LP). Troy ends his turn.

Turn 4: Lilith

Lilith draws. She Normal Summons Magical Musketeer Doc (1400→400/1200→200/3). Lilith activates the Spell Card Monster Reborn, which lets her Special Summon 1 monster from the GY. She Special Summons Magical Musketeer Wild (1700→700/900→0/4). As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in Doc's column, Lilith can add 1 "Magical Musket" card from her GY to her hand. She adds Magical Musket – Cross-Domination to her hand. As she controls a "Magical Musket" monster, Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Cross-Domination, which lets her target 1 monster on the field, negate its effects, and reduce its ATK/DEF to 0 until the end of the turn. She targets Mermaid (Mermaid: 1000→0) (Doc: 400→1400/200→1200) (Wild: 700→1700/0→900). As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in Wild's column, Lilith can shuffle 3 "Magical Musket" cards in her GY into her Deck, then draw 1 card. She shuffles Max, Starfire, and Zakiel into her Extra Deck and Deck and then draws. Lilith activates the Trap Card Magical Musket – Desperado from her hand, which lets her target and destroy 1 face-up card on the field as she controls a "Magical Musket" monster. She destroys World Legacy's Nightmare.

Wild attacks and destroys Mermaid (Troy: 750→0 LP). Lilith wins.

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Ghost Girl vs. Forager

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Forager

Forager activates the Spell Card World Legacy Survivor, which lets him excavate the top 5 cards of his Deck, then add 1 excavated "Krawler" monster or "World Legacy" card to his hand, then send the remaining cards to the GY. He adds World Legacy in Shadow to his hand, and sends World Legacy's Mind Meld, Krawler Dendrite, Krawler Spine, Verdant Sanctuary, and Krawler Receptor to the GY. Forager activates the Field Spell Card World Legacy in Shadow, which increases the ATK/DEF of all "Krawler" monsters on the field by 300. Forager Sets 1 monster. Forager activates the effect of World Legacy in Shadow to Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower Insect monster from his hand in face-up or face-down Defense Position. He Special Summons Krawler Glial in face-down Defense Position. Forager Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Ghost Girl

Ghost Girl draws. She activates the Field Spell Card Altergeist Castle. As Altergeist Castle was activated, Ghost Girl can add 1 "Altergeist" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Altergeist Marionetter to her hand. Ghost Girl Normal Summons Altergeist Marionetter (1600/1700/4). As Marionetter was Normal Summoned, Ghost Girl can Set 1 "Altergeist" Trap Card from her Deck in her Spell & Trap Zone. She Sets Altergeist Protocol. Ghost Girl activates the Spell Card Double Summon, which lets her Normal Summon a 2nd time this turn. She Normal Summons Altergeist Silquitous (800/1500/2). Ghost Girl activates Silquitous's effect, returning Marionetter to her hand and targeting Forager's World Legacy in Shadow. World Legacy in Shadow returns to Forager's hand. As Ghost Girl's "Altergeist" card left the field because of the effect of a different "Altergeist" card, Altergeist Castle's effect lets Ghost Girl Special Summon 1 "Altergeist" monster from her hand or GY. She Special Summons Altergeist Multitaker (1200/800/3) in Attack Position. As Multifaker was Special Summoned, Ghost Girl can Special Summon 1 "Altergeist" monster from her Deck in Defense Position. She Special Summons Altergeist Meluseek (500/300/1). Ghost Girl uses Meluseek and Multifaker to Link Summon Altergeist Hexstia (1500/2/↓→) to the left Extra Monster Zone. As Meluseek was sent from the field to the GY, Ghost Girl can add 1 "Altergeist" monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds Altergeist Pookuery to her hand. If Ghost Girl would use an "Altergeist" monster to Link Summon an "Altergeist" monster, she can use Pookuery in her hand as material. Ghost Girl uses Pookuery in her hand and Link-2 Hexstia to Link Summon Altergeist Primebanshee (2100/3/↓↘→) to the left Extra Monster Zone. Since Hexstia was sent from the field to the GY, Ghost Girl can add 1 "Altergeist" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Altergeist Manifestation to her hand. Ghost Girl activates Primebanshee's effect, Tributing Silquitous to Special Summon 1 "Altergeist" monster from her Deck to its Link Marker. She Special Summons Altergeist Marionetter (1600/1700/4) to Primebanshee's bottom-right Link Marker in Attack Position. Ghost Girl activates the Continuous Spell Card Altergeist Interrogation. When her "Altergeist" Link Monster destroys a monster by battle, she can inflict 600 damage to Forager. Ghost Girl Sets 1 card.

During the Battle Phase, Altergeist Castle increases the ATK of Ghost Girl's "Altergeist" Link Monsters by their Link Rating x 300 (Primebanshee: 2100→3000). Primebanshee attacks Forager's Set monster, which is revealed to be Krawler Ranvier (1100/900/2). As Krawler Ranvier was Flip Summoned, its effect activates, and Forager can add up to 2 "Krawler" monsters in his GY to his hand. He adds Krawler Dendrite and Krawler Receptor to his hand. The attack continues and Krawler Ranvier is destroyed. Altergeist Interrogation's effect activates (Forager: 4000→3400 LP). Marionetter attacks Forager's 2nd Set monster, which is revealed to be Krawler Glial (700/1500/2). As Krawler Glial was Flip Summoned, its effect activates, and Forager can Special Summon 1 "Krawler" monster from his hand or GY in face-up Attack Position or face-down Defense Position. He Special Summons Krawler Spine in face-down Defense Position. The attack continues and Krawler Glial is destroyed. Forager activates his Set Continuous Trap Card World Legacy Pawns. He activates its effect to target 1 Set monster he controls and change it to face-up Attack or Defense Position. He targets the Set Krawler Spine and changes it to face-up Defense Position (300/2100/2). As Spine was Flip Summoned, its effect activates, and Forager can target and destroy 1 monster on the field. He destroys Primebanshee. As Primebanshee was sent from the field to the GY, Ghost Girl can add 1 "Altergeist" card from her GY to her hand. She adds Altergeist Multifaker to her hand. As Ghost Girl's "Altergeist" Link Monster was sent to the GY by Forager's card effect, Altergeist Interrogation's effect activates, letting her add 1 "Altergeist" monster from her Deck to her hand. She adds Altergeist Kunquery to her hand. Ghost Girl ends her turn.

Turn 3: Forager

Forager draws. He activates the Field Spell Card World Legacy in Shadow, which increases the ATK/DEF of all "Krawler" monsters on the field by 300 (Spine: 300→600/2100→2400). Forager activates World Legacy in Shadow's effect, Special Summoning Krawler Receptor (900→1200/1200→1500/2) in face-up Defense Position. Forager uses Receptor and Spine to Link Summon X-Krawler Qualiark (2000→2300/2/↙↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Ghost Girl activates her Set Continuous Trap Card Altergeist Protocol. While Altergeist Protocol is on the field, the activation and effects of "Altergeist" cards on her field cannot be negated. As Ghost Girl activated a Trap Card, she activates the effect of Altergeist Multifaker in her hand, Special Summoning it (1200/800/3) in Defense Position. As Multifaker was Special Summoned, Ghost Girl can Special Summon 1 "Altergeist" monster from her Deck in Defense Position. She Special Summons Altergeist Kunquery (0/2400/5). As Kunquery was Special Summoned, Ghost Girl can target 1 face-up card Forager controls and negate its effects while that card and Kunquery are on the field. She targets World Legacy in Shadow (Qualiark: 2300→2000). Forager activates the effect of World Legacy's Mind Meld in his GY, banishing it and targeting Qualiark to Special Summon 1 "Krawler" monster from his hand, Deck, or GY to its Link Marker in face-down Defense Position. He Special Summons Krawler Spine to Qualiark's bottom-left Link Marker. Forager activates World Legacy Pawns' effect to change Krawler Spine to face-up Attack Position (300/2100/2). As Spine was Flip Summoned, its effect activates, and Forager can target 1 monster on the field and destroy it. As Forager activated a monster effect, Ghost Girl activates Altergeist Protocol's effect, sending Altergeist Multifaker to the GY to negate the activation of Spine's effect and destroy it. As Krawler Spine left the field because of Ghost Girl's card effect, Forager can Special Summon 2 "Krawler" monsters with different names from his Deck in face-down Defense Position. He Special Summons Krawler Axon and Krawler Glial. As Ghost Girl's "Altergeist" card left the field because of the effect of her "Altergeist" card, Ghost Girl activates Altergeist Castle's effect to Special Summon 1 "Altergeist" monster from her hand or GY. She Special Summons Altergeist Hexstia (1500/2/↓→). Hexstia gains ATK equal to the original ATK of each "Altergest" monster it points to. Hexstia points to Marionetter (Hexstia: 1500→3100). Forager activates his Skill Divine Flip, which lets him change all face-down Defense Position monsters he controls to face-up Defense Position. He Flip Summons Krawler Axon (500/1800/2) and Krawler Glial (700/1500/2). As they were Flip Summoned, Axon's and Glial's effects activate, letting Forager target and destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field and Special Summon 1 "Krawler" monster from his hand or GY in face-up Attack Position or face-down Defense Position. Forager targets and destroys Altergeist Protocol and Special Summon Krawler Spine (300/2100/2) from his GY in face-up Attack Position. As Forager controls 2 or more "Krawler" monsters, Qualiark's effect increases the ATK/DEF of Forager's monsters by 300 (Axon: 500→800/1800→2100) (Glial: 700→1000/1500→1800) (Spine: 300→600/2100→2400) (Qualiark: 2000→2300). Forager uses Axon and Spine to Link Summon X-Krawler Neurogos (1900→2200/2/←→) to Qualiark's bottom-left Link Marker. "Krawler" monsters linked to Neurogos cannot be destroyed by battle, gain 300 ATK/DEF, and if they battle Ghost Girl's monster, all battle damage they inflict to Ghost Girl is doubled (Glial: 1000→1300/1800→2100). Forager Normal Summons Krawler Dendrite (1300→1900/600→1200/2) to Neurogos's right Link Marker. Forager uses Dendrite and Glial to Link Summon X-Krawler Synaphysis (1800→2400/2/←→) to Neurogos's right Link Marker. "Krawler" monsters linked to Synaphysis cannot be destroyed by battle, gain 300 ATK/DEF, and can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase (Neuorogos: 2200→2500). Forager Sets 1 card.

Altergeist Castle's effect becomes active (Hexstia: 3100→3700). Synaphysis attacks and destroys Marionetter (Ghost Girl: 4000→2400 LP) (Hexstia: 3700→2100). Neurogos attacks Hexstia. As Forager's monster declared an attack, Ghost Girl activates the effect of Altergeist Kunquery in her hand, Special Summoning it (0/2400/5) to Hexstia's right Link Marker in Defense Position and negating the attack. As Kunquery was Special Summoned, Ghost Girl can target and negate the effects of 1 card Forager controls while Kunquery is on the field. She negates Synaphysis's effects (Neurogos: 2500→2200). Qualiark attacks and destroys Hexstia (Ghost Girl: 2400→2300 LP). As Hexstia was sent from the field to the GY, Ghost Girl can add 1 "Altergeist" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Altergeist Multifaker to her hand. Forager ends his turn.

Turn 4: Ghost Girl

Ghost Girl draws. She uses 2 Kunquerys to Link Summon Altergeist Kidolga (1000/2/←↓) to the Extra Monster Zone (Neurogos: 2200→2500→2800) (Qualiark: 2300→2600) (Synaphysis: 2400→2700). Ghost Girl activates her Set Trap Card Altergeist Manifestation, which lets her Special Summon 1 "Altergeist" monster from her GY in Attack Position and equip Altergeist Manifestation to it. As Ghost Girl activated a Spell/Trap Card while he controls a co-linked monster, Forager activates his Set Counter Trap Card World Legacy's Sorrow, negating the activation of Altergeist Manifestation and destroying it. Ghost Girl Normal Summons Altergeist Marionetter (1600/1700/4). As Marionetter was Normal Summoned, Ghost Girl can Set 1 "Altergeist" Trap Card directly from her Deck. She Sets Altergeist Haunted Rock. As it was Set by the effect of an "Altergeist" card, Ghost Girl can activate the Continuous Trap Card Altergeist Haunted Rock. As Haunted Rock was activated, Ghost Girl must send 1 "Altergeist" monster from her hand to the GY. She sends Altergeist Pixiel to the GY. As Ghost Girl activated a Trap Card, she Special Summons Altergeist Multifaker (1200/800/3) from her hand in Attack Position. As Multifaker was Special Summoned, Ghost Girl Special Summons Altergeist Silquitous (800/1500/2) from her Deck to Kidolga's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position. Ghost Girl uses Multifaker, Silquitous, and Link-2 Kidolga to Link Summon Altergeist Memorygant (2800/4/←↙↘→) to the Extra Monster Zone. Ghost Girl activates Marionetter's effect, targeting Haunted Rock on her field and Primebanshee in her GY. Haunted Rock is sent to the GY and Primebanshee (2100/3/↓↘→) is Special Summoned. Ghost Girl activates Primebanshee's effect, Tributing Marionetter to Special Summon 1 "Altergeist" monster from her Deck to Primebanshee's Link Marker. She Special Summons Altergeist Meluseek (500/300/1) to Primebanshee's right Link Marker in Attack Position.

Altergeist Castle's effect becomes active (Memorygant: 2800→4000) (Primebanshee: 2100→3000). Meluseek attacks Forager directly via its effect (Forager: 3400→2900 LP). As Meluseek inflicted battle damage, Ghost Girl can send 1 card Forager controls to the GY. She sends World Legacy in Shadow to the GY (Neurogos: 2800→2500) (Qualiark: 2600→2300) (Synaphysis: 2700→2400). Ghost Girl activates Memorygant's effect to Tribute 1 other monster and increase its ATK by the ATK the Tributed monster had on the field until the end of the turn. She Tributes Primebanshee (Memorygant: 4000→7000). As Primebanshee was sent from the field to the GY, Ghost Girl adds Altergeist Kunquery from her GY to her hand. Memorygant attacks and destroys Qualiark (Forager: 2900→0 LP). Ghost Girl wins.

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Blue Maiden vs. Paladin

This Duel is conducted as a Speed Duel.

Turn 1: Paladin

Paladin activates the Field Spell Card Crusadia Revival, which increases the ATK of "Crusadia" Link Monsters by 500. Paladin Normal Summons Crusadia Maximus (1600/1000/4). He uses Maximus to Link Summon Crusadia Magius (100→600/1/↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Paladin Special Summons Crusadia Arboria (800/1800/3) to Magius's Link Marker in Defense Position via its effect. Magius gains ATK equal to the original ATK of the monster linked to it (Magius: 600→1400). As an Effect Monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, Magius's effect activates, letting Paladin add 1 "Crusadia" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Crusadia Draco to his hand. Paladin uses Arboria and Magius to Link Summon Crusadia Regulex (1000→1500/2/↑↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Paladin Special Summons Draco (600/2000/4) to Regulex's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position via its effect. Regulex gains ATK equal to the original ATK of monsters linked to it (Regulex: 1500→2100). As Draco was Summoned to a Link Monster's Link Marker, Paladin can add 1 "Crusadia" card from his GY to his hand. He adds Maximus to his hand. As an Effect Monster was Special Summoned to its Link Marker, Regulex's effect activates, letting Paladin add 1 "Crusadia" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Crusadia Vanguard from his Deck to his hand. Paladin uses Draco and Link-2 Regulex to Link Summon Crusadia Equimax (2000→2500/3/↙↑↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Paladin Special Summons Maximus (1600/1000/4) to Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position via its effect. Equimax gains ATK equal to the original ATK of all monsters linked to it (Equimax: 2500→4100). Paladin Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Blue Maiden

Blue Maiden draws. She Normal Summons Marincess Sea Horse (1400/1000/3). Blue Maiden uses Sea Horse to Link Summon Marincess Blue Slug (1500/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Blue Slug was Link Summoned, Blue Maiden can add 1 "Marincess" monster from her GY to her hand. She adds Sea Horse to her hand. Paladin activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Crusadia Vanguard. As Vanguard was activated, Paladin can Tribute 1 "Crusadia" or "World Legacy" monster to Special Summon 1 "Crusadia" or "World Legacy" monster with a different name from his Deck or Graveyard. Paladin Tributes Maximus and Special Summons World Legacy – "World Crown" (2000/2000/6) from his Deck to Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position (Equimax: 4100→4500). In addition, while Vanguard is on the field and Paladin controls a "Crusadia" Link Monster, Blue Maiden can only target Link Monsters for attacks. Blue Maiden Special Summons Sea Horse (1400/1000/3) to Blue Slug's Link Marker in Attack Position via its effect. Blue Maiden uses Sea Horse and Blue Slug to Link Summon Marincess Coral Anemone (2000/2/←↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Blue Maiden activates Coral Anemone's effect to Special Summon 1 Water monster from her GY to its Link Marker, but as Blue Maiden activated the effect of a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, Paladin activates the effect of "World Crown", Tributing it to negate the activation of Coral Anemone's effect and destroy it (Equimax: 4500→2500). As Coral Anemone was sent to the GY, Blue Maiden can add 1 "Marincess" card in her GY to her hand. She adds Sea Horse to her hand. Blue Maiden activates the Continuous Spell Card Marincess Reef Passage. She activates its effect to Normal Summon/Set 1 "Marincess" monster from her hand, but she cannot Special Summon monsters from her Extra Deck, except Cyberse monsters, for the rest of the turn. Blue Maiden Normal Summons Sea Horse (1400/1000/3). Blue Maiden uses Sea Horse to Link Summon Marincess Sea Angel (1000/1/←) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Sea Angel was Link Summoned, Blue Maiden can add 1 "Marincess" Spell Card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Marincess Surfacing to her hand. Blue Maiden activates the Spell Card Marincess Surfacing, which lets her Special Summon 1 "Marincess" monster from her GY with its effects negated. She Special Summons Coral Anemone (2000/2/←↓). Blue Maiden uses Sea Angel and Link-2 Coral Anemone to Link Summon Marincess Marbled Rock (2500/3/←↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. Paladin activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Crusadia Krawler, which Special Summons itself as an Effect Monster (300/2100/2) to Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position (Equimax: 2500→2800). As Crusadia Krawler was Special Summoned to a Link Monster's Link Marker, Paladin can add 1 "World Legacy" card from his Deck to his hand. He adds World Legacy Succession to his hand. Blue Maiden activates the effect of Marincess Sea Star in her hand, sending it to the GY and targeting Marbled Rock to increase its ATK by 800 (Marbled Rock: 2500→3300). Blue Maiden activates the effect of Marbled Rock to add 1 "Marincess" card in her GY to her hand. She targets Sea Star, but Paladin activates the effect of Equimax to Tribute 1 "Crusadia" or "World Legacy" monster at its Link Marker to target and negate the effects of 1 face-up card Blue Maiden controls until the end of the turn. He Tributes Crusadia Krawler to negate Marbled Rock's effects (Equimax: 2800→2500). Blue Maiden Sets 1 card.

Marbled Rock attacks Equimax. As Paladin's "Crusadia" monster would be destroyed, he activates the effect of Arboria in his GY, banishing it instead (Paladin: 4000→3200 LP). Blue Maiden ends her turn.

Turn 3: Paladin

Paladin draws. He activates the Spell Card World Legacy Succession, which lets him Special Summon 1 monster from his GY to his zone a Link Monster points to. He Special Summons Crusadia Draco (600/2000/4) to Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker in Defense Position (Equimax: 2500→3100). As Draco was Summoned to a Link Monster's Link Marker, Paladin can add 1 "Crusadia" card in his GY to his hand. He adds Crusadia Maximus to his hand. Paladin uses Draco to Link Summon Crusadia Magius (100→600/1/↓) to Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker (Equimax: 3100→2600). Paladin activates the Spell Card Link Treasure, which lets him draw cards equal to the number of Link Monsters on the field. There are 3, so he draws 3 cards. Paladin Normal Summons Crusadia Maximus (1600/1000/4). Paladin uses Maximus and Magius to Link Summon Crusadia Spatha (500→1000/2/←↓) to Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker (Equimax: 2600→3000). Paladin Special Summons Crusadia Reclusia (400/2000/3) to Spatha's left Link Marker in Defense Position via its effect. Spatha gains ATK equal to the original ATK of monsters it points to (Spatha: 1000→1400). As Reclusia was Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, Paladin can target 1 "Crusadia" card he controls and 1 card Blue Maiden controls and destroy them. Paladin targets Crusadia Vanguard and Marbled Rock, but Blue Maiden activates her Set Trap Card Marincess Wave. As she controls a "Marincess" Link Monster, she can negate the effects of 1 face-up monster on the field until the end of the turn, and as she controls a Link-2 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster, all face-up monsters Blue Maiden controls are unaffected by Paladin's card effects until the end of the turn. She targets and negates Equimax's effects (Equimax: 3000→2500). Reclusia's effect resolves and Crusadia Vanguard is destroyed, but Marbled Rock is unaffected by Paladin's card effects. Paladin uses Equimax to Link Summon Crusadia Magius (100→600/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Paladin Special Summons Crusadia Leonis (1200/1600/3) to Magius's Link Marker in Defense Position via its effect (Magius: 600→1800). As a monster was Special Summoned to Magius's Link Marker, Paladin can add 1 "Crusadia" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds Crusadia Arboria to his hand. Paladin uses Leonis and Magius to Link Summon Crusadia Regulex (1000→1500/2/↑↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Paladin Special Summons Crusadia Arboria (800/1800/3) to Regulex's bottom Link Marker in Defense Position via its effect (Regulex: 1500→2300). As a monster was Special Summoned to Regulex's Link Marker, Paladin can add 1 "Crusadia" Spell/Trap Card from his Deck to his hand. He adds Crusadia Power to his hand. Paladin uses Arboria and Link-2 Regulex to Link Summon Crusadia Equimax (2000→2500→3000) to the Extra Monster Zone. Paladin uses Reclusia and Link-2 Spatha to Link Summon Crusadia Equimax (2000→2500/3/↙↑↘) to Equimax's bottom-left Link Marker (Equimax: 2500→4500). Paladin activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Crusadia Power, targeting the Equimax in his Main Monster Zone. For the rest of the turn, Equimax is unaffected by card effects besides its own (Equimax: 2500→2000). Paladin Sets 1 card.

The 1st Equimax attacks Marbled Rock. As Paladin's monster attacked Marbled Rock, Blue Maiden activates Marbled Rock's effect to send 1 "Marincess" monster from her hand to the GY to prevent Marbled Rock's destruction by battle and to take no battle damage. She sends Marincess Pascalus to the GY. As his "Crusadia" monster attacked Blue Maiden's monster, Paladin activates his Skill Crusading Charge, which lets his monster attack again in a row. The 1st Equimax attacks and destroys Marbled Rock (Blue Maiden: 4000→2800 LP). The 2nd Equimax attacks Blue Maiden directly (Blue Maiden: 2800→800 LP). As Blue Maiden took battle damage, she activates her Skill Shape of Sea, which lets her Special Summon 1 Water monster from her GY with ATK less than or equal to than the damage she took. She Special Summons Coral Anemone (2000/2/←↓). Paladin ends his turn, and Crusadia Power's effect ends (Equimax: 2000→2500).

Turn 4: Blue Maiden

Blue Maiden draws. She activates Coral Anemone's effect to target 1 Water monster in her GY and Special Summon it to its Link Marker. Paladin activates Equimax's effect, Tributing his 2nd Equimax to target Coral Anemone and negate its effects (Equimax: 4500→2500). Blue Maiden activates the effect of Marincess Pascalus in her GY, banishing it to add 1 "Marincess" Spell/Trap Card from her GY to her hand. She adds Marincess Surfacing to her hand. Blue Maiden activates the Spell Card Marincess Surfacing, which lets her Special Summon 1 "Marincess" monster from her GY with its effects negated. She Special Summons Marincess Sea Horse (1400/1000/3) in Attack Position. Blue Maiden uses Sea Horse to Link Summon Marincess Sea Angel (1000/1/←) to Coral Anemone's left Link Marker. As Sea Angel was Link Summoned, Blue Maiden can add 1 "Marincess" Spell Card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Marincess Trident to her hand. Blue Maiden uses Sea Angel and Link-2 Coral Anemone to Link Summon Marincess Marbled Rock (2500/3/←↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Coral Anemone was sent to the GY, Blue Maiden can add 1 "Marincess" card from her GY to her hand. She adds Marincess Sea Star to her hand. Blue Maiden activates Sea Star's effect, discarding it and targeting Marbled Rock to increase its ATK by 800 (Marbled Rock: 2500→3300). Blue Maiden activates Marbled Rock's effect to add 1 "Marincess" card in her GY to her hand. She adds Sea Star to her hand. Blue Maiden activates Sea Star's effect, discarding it and targeting Marbled Rock (Marbled Rock: 3300→4100). Blue Maiden activates the Equip Spell Card Marincess Trident, equipping it to Marbled Rock. Marbled Rock cannot be targeted or destroyed by Paladin's card effects, and it can attack twice during each Battle Phase.

Marbled Rock attacks Equimax. Paladin activates his Set Continuous Trap Card World Legacy Collapse, which lets him banish 1 "World Legacy" monster from his hand, GY, or field, and increase his Link Monster's ATK by the banished monster's original ATK. He banishes "World Crown" from his GY and targets Equimax (Equimax: 2500→4500). As the equipped monster is battling, Blue Maiden activates Marincess Trident's effect to banish 1 "Marincess" monster from the GY and increase her monster's ATK by that monster's Level/Link Rating x 300. She banishes Link-3 Marbled Rock from her GY (Marbled Rock: 4100→5000). The attack continues, and as Paladin's "Crusadia" monster would be destroyed, he banishes Crusadia Arboria from his GY instead (Paladin: 3200→2700 LP). Marbled Rock attacks and destroys Equimax (Paladin: 2700→2200 LP). As her "Marincess" Link Monster destroyed Paladin's monster by battle, Blue Maiden activates the Trap Card Marincess Current from her hand as she controls a Link-3 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster. Paladin takes damage equal to Marbled Rock's Link Rating x 400, and since Blue Maiden controls a Link-2 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster and she destroyed Paladin's Link Monster by battle, Paladin takes damage equal to the destroyed monster's Link Rating x 500 (Paladin: 2200→1000→0 LP). Blue Maiden wins.

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Cassiel:

Cyangel Virtue Normal Spell Card
If you control a LIGHT Cyberse Link Monster: You can target 1 card in your opponent's Spell & Trap Zone; destroy it, and if you do, you can add 1 "Cyangel" Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Cyangel Virtue" once per turn.

Cyangel Patientia Normal Trap Card
When your opponent's monster declares an attack: Negate that attack, and if you do, inflict 1000 damage to either player. You can banish this card from your GY and target 1 LIGHT Cyberse monster you control; until the end of the turn, it is unaffected by your opponent's card effects. You can only activate 1 effect of "Cyangel Patientia" per turn, and only once per turn.

Cyangel March Quick-Play Spell Card
Target 1 LIGHT Cyberse monster you control that destroyed an opponent's monster by battle this turn; that monster gains 1000 ATK until the end of the turn and can make a second attack during each Battle Phase this turn. You must have no "Cyangel" monsters in your GY to activate this card. You can banish this card from your GY; draw 1 card. You can only activate each effect of "Cyangel March" once per turn.

Troy:

Knightmare Mermaid
Attribute: WATER Type: [Fiend/Link/Effect] ATK 1000 LINK-1
1 "Knightmare" monster, except "Knightmare Mermaid"
If this card is Link Summoned: You can discard 1 card; Special Summon 1 "Knightmare" monster from your Deck with its effects negated, then, if this card was co-linked when this effect was activated, you can draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of "Knightmare Mermaid" once per turn. Monsters on the field lose 1000 ATK/DEF, unless they are co-linked.

Note: This is another real-life card with anime effects, namely that it negates the effects of the monster it Special Summons. I added this change because I forgot that Corruptor Iblee's effect prevents its controller from only Special Summoning Link Monsters when I wrote that turn.

Ghost Girl:

Altergeist Castle Field Spell Card
When this card is activated: You can add 1 "Altergeist" card from your Deck to your hand. During the Battle Phase: "Altergeist" Link Monsters you control gain ATK equal to their Link Rating x 300. If your "Altergeist" card leaves the field because of the effect of a different "Altergeist" card you control: You can Special Summon 1 "Altergeist" monster from your hand or GY. You can only use this effect of "Altergeist Castle" once per turn.

Altergeist Interrogation Continuous Spell Card (name credit to ThePLOThand)
When your "Altergeist" Link Monster destroys a monster by battle: Inflict 600 damage to your opponent. When your "Altergeist" Link Monster is sent to your GY by an opponent's card effect: You can add 1 "Altergeist" monster from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Altergeist Interrogation" once per turn.

Blue Maiden:

Marincess Reef Passage Continuous Spell Card
If you have at least 1 "Marincess" Link Monster in your GY, this card cannot be targeted by your opponent's card effects. During your Main Phase, you can: Immediately after this effect resolves, Normal Summon 1 "Marincess" monster, also you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn, except Cyberse monsters (even if this card leaves the field). You can only use this effect of "Marincess Reef Passage" once per turn.

Marincess Surfacing Normal Spell Card
Target 1 "Marincess" monster in your GY; Special Summon it with its effects negated. You can only activate 1 "Marincess Surfacing" per turn.

Marincess Trident Equip Spell Card
Equip only to a "Marincess" monster you control. The equipped monster cannot be targeted or destroyed by your opponent's card effects, also it can make a second attack during each Battle Phase. When the equipped monster battles your opponent's monster (Quick Effect): You can banish 1 "Marincess" monster from your GY; increase the equipped monster's ATK by that monster's Level/Link Rating x 300 until the end of the turn. You can only use this effect of "Marincess Trident" once per turn.

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Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 61 – Opening Salvo. The time has come. Playmaker, Morningstar, Revolver, and all of their allies discover Lightning's location and begin their assault on his hidden world. But before they can reach him, they must overcome his outer defenses…

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Question of the Chapter

Since this chapter is so long, I decided to ask two questions in this chapter. The first: Do your television tastes align more with Cypher's (anime), Ai's (soap operas), or Flame's (cooking shows)? Though considering what kind of fanfiction you're reading, perhaps the answer is obvious?

And the second: Which is of the four duels was your favorite? Personally, mine was Blue Maiden's, as this was my first time writing Marincess, and it was honestly refreshing. Same with Crusadia; both Decks were fun to write.

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Author's Notes

A huge thank you to SakushiRyu, ThePLOThand, and Haoh Ryu Z-ARC for helping with the duels of this chapter and the OC cards. A further thank you to SakushiRyu for helping with the Star Relic characters in this chapter. Orpheus's design was taken from the main character's persona in Persona 3. Troy's design was based off of Hektor's in Fate/Grand Order. Forager's design is based off of the DC Comics character Forager in the television show Young Justice, though modified for a human. And finally, Paladin's design was inspired by Gawain in Fate/EXTRA.

Wow, this chapter has even more words than Chapter 57! Though, with four flesh-outed duels and a bunch of character scenes, I shouldn't be surprised. The duels themselves are pretty straightforward: the girls get together to have fun and decide to do a little bounty hunting. In-story, this gives them money and additional experience, while out-of-story it gives them more wins and helps establish just how strong they are. Also, as an author, it gives me practice with the Marincess and Altergeist Decks. I'll be honest; I don't like writing the latter. Altergeists are honestly one of the most complicated Decks out there. They have great resource gathering, but so many of their effects are conditional to the point that I have trouble keeping up. Marincess, on the other hand, are incredibly straightforward and are honestly one of the better Decks I've written duels for. They don't have much variety, but what they do have works really well.

However, unlike most chapters, the duels here were more distractions than anything else; the real focus was on the characters. We have the girls, sans Persephone, interacting, and we have the guys going to the arcade and having fun, which is honestly something they all need. In the anime, I liked how they cut out pretty much all filler, except for recap episodes, but at the same time I sometimes felt it moved too fast. We didn't get to see the characters having fun, just interacting with each other. That's what this chapter was: just the characters interacting with each other. Yusaku and Yasutake getting way too into a shooter, Zahhak discussing relationships with Bohman, and Cypher and Yasutake having a philosophical discussion about how connections change people, irony, and how everyone walks their own path.

Of course, we had other scenes: Cam meeting Tagoma, and Ryoken revealing a certain truth to Yasutake. I admit I had planned to include the latter scene in the last chapter, but I forgot it and by the time I remembered, the chapter had already been finished and I couldn't find a good place for it. I'll admit this is a bit of a retcon, but when the truth is revealed, I hope it pays off. The former scene, meanwhile, is a little foreshadowing of something I have planned for the real world during the Mirror LINK VRAINS arc.

Thank you for reading Chapter 60 of Hidden Memories! This took a long time to finish, not just because of the duels and character scenes, but also because I finally started playing Fate/Grand Order. It's a fun game but a major time- and money-suck. The next two chapters will detail the initial assault on Mirror LINK VRAINS, and each will have five duels each. Some will be shorter, some will be longer, but I'm hoping all will be enjoyable to an extent.